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diff --git a/old/66249-0.txt b/old/66249-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ec2431b..0000000 --- a/old/66249-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4792 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Hunter Hercules, or The Champion Rider -of the Plains, by Harry St. George - -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: The Hunter Hercules, or The Champion Rider of the Plains - Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 86 - -Author: Harry St. George - -Release Date: September 8, 2021 [eBook #66249] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -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 THE HUNTER HERCULES, OR THE -CHAMPION RIDER OF THE PLAINS *** - - - - - THE HUNTER HERCULES, - OR, - THE CHAMPION RIDER OF THE PLAINS. - - - A ROMANCE OF THE PRAIRIES. - - - BY HARRY ST. GEORGE. - - - 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 Young Hunter’s First Prize 9 - II The Knight and the “Ladie Fair.” 11 - III The Comanches’ Prize 14 - IV The Two Wizards 18 - V Two Queer Men 22 - VI The Circus-Rider Magician 27 - VII A Trial of Speed for Scalps 31 - VIII The Manitou Must be Obeyed 35 - IX The White Wizard Drugs the Guard 39 - X A Wild Race for Life 44 - XI Muzzle to Muzzle, and Who Will Win? 48 - XII Chased by the Flames 52 - XIII Fighting Fire with Fire 57 - XIV A Brilliant Exploit With an Umbrella 61 - XV Why Ralph Was Called the “Hunter Hercules.” 66 - XVI Donna Iola Meets the Trailers 70 - XVII A Stern Chase is Generally a Long One 74 - XVIII Red Buffalo Meets His Fate 77 - XIX Hilt to Hilt and Face to Face 82 - XX Winding up the Tale 86 - - - - - THE HUNTER HERCULES; - OR, - THE CHAMPION RIDER OF THE PLAINS. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - THE YOUNG HUNTER’S FIRST PRIZE. - - -It was a beautiful scene. Not a cloud marred the vast blue dome of -heaven. Autumn reigned supreme in the Lone Star State, where brave -Houston fought, and valiant Bowie fell at the Alamo. Near the Comanche -ground on the far north-western border of the State we would bring the -reader on this bright, cheerful morning in October. - -The prairie which, a month or two before, had presented a beautiful -aspect of flowers and green grass, had been literally baked to a rich -brown color, and now, moved by the breeze that was blowing the long, dry -grass, looked for all the world like the waves of the ocean or an inland -sea. - -Riding leisurely across the prairie was a young man of about twenty-two -or three. He wore a complete suit of fine buck-skin, which, it was -plainly apparent, had been made by a “regular” tailor, for it bore none -of the marks which almost always distinguish the clothes of the old -trapper. - -The suit was beautifully made and ornamented, and truly became the fine -form of the owner. The head-covering of the young equestrian was a large -felt, which kept the sun from his face and might prove almost as -effective as an umbrella, in case of a shower. - -The face underneath the hat was a resolute one. - -The eyes were gray and piercing; the nose, rather large and slightly -inclined to the Roman, but was perfect for all that; the cheek-bones -high and the mouth firm. - -On his upper lip, the rider sported a fine mustache, and taken -altogether, he was a very “good-looking fellow.” - -The form of the young hunter was not large, but there appeared to be a -vast amount of strength in that well-knit frame. - -The horse upon which he was seated was a large bay, the exquisite shape -of whose limbs proved that it was a good runner. The horse had indeed -been selected on account of its speed, and could show a clean pair of -heels to ninety-nine out of a hundred of its fellows. - -The arms of the young man consisted of a light rifle which he carried -across the pommel of his saddle, a pair of revolvers in his belt, and, -keeping them company, was a sharp, two-edged hunting knife. Although a -stranger on the plains of the Great West, Chauncy Branrare was no novice -in the art of hunting. He could bring down a deer as well as the most -experienced hunter. His hand was steady and his eye quick and sure. - -He was the only son of a wealthy citizen of New York, and had made this -trip to the South-west in a spirit of adventure. Chauncy had traveled -over Europe; had hunted in Asia, Africa and South America, and was now -to satisfy his love of the wild excitements of the chase by a season in -the South-west. - -Chauncy had intended to secure an old hunter for a guide, who was an old -friend of his father’s. Many years before, the two had fought in the -Mexican war, side by side, and the hunter’s life had been saved by his -comrade in arms, which made them good friends. After the war Chauncy’s -father returned to his home in the North, and several times received -scrawling letters from the old hunter, but the two had never seen each -other since their parting. - -Disappointed in meeting the old Texan, Chauncy had started out alone, -determined that he would not wait in the little border town for the old -ranger’s return. - -He had a mission to accomplish if possible, for he had not come out for -the hunting alone. An uncle had died and left two-thirds of his estate, -which was large, to an adopted son and the other third to Chauncy. This -adopted son having had a quarrel with the uncle had gone “out West.” No -one had heard of him for years, and it was not an unlikely thing for him -to be dead. - -Mr. Branrare was to institute a search for him, and if he was not found -at the end of a year, then the former was to assume possession of the -fortune bequeathed to the missing man. - -The horse of the young man was approaching one of the numerous “mottes” -of trees which spot the prairies of Texas. Suddenly he started and -looked around. - -It was a sound which, in any place, would have awakened all that was -chivalrous in his nature. It was a cry for help, and it was a woman’s -voice! - -It came from the trees, not once but twice—thrice, and without -hesitation the young hunter dashed his spurs into the sides of his -horse, when, like a flash, the noble animal darted forward and in a -moment reached the trees. - -Throwing himself from his horse, Chauncy rushed in among the undergrowth -rifle in hand. He reached the edge of a small glade with a few bounds, -and a thrilling sight was before him. - -On the limb of a tree opposite to him was a large panther flattened out -for a leap. Not five yards from the tree was a young girl, her face -blanched with terror! - - - - - CHAPTER II. - THE KNIGHT AND THE “LADIE FAIR.” - - -A panther and its prey! - -A panther and its foe! - -Quickly raising his rifle the young man, with nerves as steady as steel -and lips compressed with a fierce courage, took a quick aim and the -hammer fell. Then a sharp, whip-like crack, and, with a scream that -seemed half-human, the panther gave a leap from the tree, straight -toward the girl, but, impelled by agony and a baffled purpose, the leap -sent him several feet past the crouching figure of the maid. - -Chauncy had expected this, and before the animal could turn he was upon -it, knife in hand. - -A few stabs sufficed to let out the little life that was in the panther, -and then Chauncy arose to his feet. - -Wiping his bloody knife upon the body of the slain creature, he put that -weapon back into his belt. - -Then for the first time he turned his eyes upon the maiden he had saved. -A cry of surprise and admiration came from his lips as his eyes fell -upon her. She was now upon her feet. Large, flashing black eyes, a -pearl-like forehead, chin and nose, an exquisitely molded mouth, all -framed with silky black hair which reached far below her waist! - -Such was the picture before the young man. - -The wild look was still in her eyes as she turned them upon her rescuer. - -“I hope you have not received any hurt,” said he, advancing. - -“No, sir; thanks to your timely arrival I have escaped from a fearful -death. Oh, sir, you must excuse me if I do not thank you sufficiently. -What I have gone through has unnerved me,” said the fair girl, in a -voice which to Chauncy seemed the sweetest he had ever heard in all his -life. - -“Any one would have done the same,” he said. - -This seems to be the regular programme on such occasions, and Chauncy -followed the general rule, most probably because he knew nothing else -that would be so appropriate. - -“I beg your pardon, sir, but any one would not have done what you have,” -replied the other. - -“Then he would have been nothing but a brute. I had hardly time to aim -and fire, but I am sure that had I seen your face I would never have -shot the panther,” exclaimed Chauncy. - -“And why not?” questioned the beautiful maiden. - -“Because I could not have taken my eyes off of it! You must pardon me if -I seem rude, but the truth is, I am surprised at seeing a woman out -here, and a young and beautiful one at that.” - -“It does not matter, sir. If you are surprised at seeing me here I must -confess that I am equally surprised at your sudden appearance. I had no -idea a human being, except it be Comanches, was within twenty miles of -this spot, and they are as bad as the panther. You must know, then, that -I was very much astonished when you fired your gun.” - -Chauncy did not have to remain long in suspense, for she told her story -in a very few words. - -Her name was Donna Iola, and she was the daughter of an American who had -married a Mexican. She had been out riding and had been captured by a -band of Comanches, under the chief Red Buffalo. They had taken her north -to their village, and from thence, in the night, she managed to escape -on one of the mustangs. - -It was the second night before. Upon reaching the grove of trees she had -entered and tied her horse, while she searched around for berries or -something to eat. It was then that the panther had come upon her. - -Knowing that she must be hungry, the young hunter left her for awhile, -but returned ere long with a brace of birds which with a true hunter’s -skill he prepared for the spit. Then a fire was kindled, and in due time -the savory repast was ready. - -They were not long in dispatching this, and then, after a good drink of -water from the cool spring, the Donna declared herself ready for her -ride homeward. - -Of course Chauncy had resolved to accompany her to the hacienda of her -father, and the two started off, going in a southerly direction. - -As they rode along, Chauncy noticed that the Donna’s horse seemed quite -tired, and he decided to stop in the next clump of trees they came to. - -It was nearly three hours before they reached this, and then they were -amply repaid for their trouble, for in the cool, shady grove was a -spring of water. - -The two horses were tied to trees, and then the two young people -wandered about among the trees, talking and laughing. - -Had the hunter been an old hand at Indian-fighting he would never have -idled the precious time away in this manner. - -That the Comanches would follow up the Donna’s trail was a sure thing, -and delay was dangerous. - -But entirely unconscious of what they were doing, the two remained in -the grove for several hours. - -Dinner was eaten, and then they prepared to depart about the middle of -the afternoon. - -The air was rather cool now, and they enjoyed the ride very much. The -horse that the Donna rode was a little refreshed by the rest, and could -no doubt hold out until evening. - -They had not gone a mile from the grove when Chauncy heard the sound of -horses’ hoofs pounding upon the ground behind him, and turning in his -saddle he saw to his extreme astonishment and chagrin, a band of -Comanches coming after them. - -They had tracked the Donna Iola to the grove, and were now following -her. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE COMANCHES’ PRIZE. - - -Chauncy could not help wondering why he had not seen the Indians before. -The truth of it, however, was, that he had not been on the look-out for -them and hence did not see them. - -They had come up to the grove, and when the young man first heard and -saw them, were just coming out from among the trees. This was a sudden -and startling interruption to the _tete-a-tete_ he was having with the -Donna Iola. - -A word sufficed to explain to the Donna the cause of his pale face. -Chauncy had no fear for himself. He was mounted on a fast horse and -could have escaped in a trice, but he would sooner cut off his right -hand than desert his fair companion. - -The mustang was put to its fastest speed, and for a mile managed to keep -its distance. Then the Indians began gaining, at first slowly and then -more rapidly, until at length Chauncy saw that in fifteen minutes more -the Comanches would overtake them. What then would be their fate? - -He most probably would be burned at the stake, while the Donna would -become the squaw of the chief, Red Buffalo. - -How could they escape? - -Suddenly he thought of his horse. Not one of the Comanches could -overtake the “Ranger,” as his steed was called. - -One only could escape, and that one must be the Donna Iola. - -The exchange of horses only took a few seconds, but during that time the -Indians gained upon them considerably. - -The Donna did not know what Chauncy meant by changing horses, and when -he told her of his plan she refused right up and down to desert him. -Chauncy knew how to bring her round, however. He told her that if both -were captured there was no chance for escape, whereas if one got off -that one could bring assistance and thus both would escape. - -The Donna saw that this was a fact, and gave her consent to go, but she -resolved to stick to Chauncy until the last moment. - -The Comanches, led by Red Buffalo himself, came rushing on like a -whirlwind, uttering loud yells now and then. - -They felt sure that the two fugitives were as good as in their power, -and why should they not? - -Were they not gaining rapidly on them and was not one of the horses -giving out? Red Buffalo had begun to despond about ever finding the -young Donna, and now that she seemed within his grasp, he began to feel -a fierce joy. - -She would never escape from him again if he once got her to the Indian -village. The sharp young girl had drugged the squaw in whose charge she -had been given, and while the latter was sleeping had made her escape, -taking some food and a horse with her. Unluckily for her (though an -excellent judge of horses) she happened in the darkness to get a poor -steed out of the horse-corral, and now the horse was breaking down. - -At length Chauncy told the Donna that she _must_ leave him at once if -she hoped to ever escape. If the Indians got close up and she tried to -make off on the bay steed, they would fire, not at her but the horse, -and would in all probability wound or kill him. In either case the Donna -would be captured and then there would be no chance for them, for none -could know that they were prisoners in the Indian village. - -The Donna could not but obey the words of the young man. A word from -Chauncy sent the bay horse forward with a dash. Off he went like an -arrow shot from the bow. The Donna as she left Chauncy turned in the -saddle and cast a glance of sorrow and something else at the young man. - -Even in this critical moment, Chauncy felt a thrill of joy run through -his form, for by that look he realized that he was beloved by the -beautiful young Donna. - -Such a world of feeling as there was in those large black eyes. - -Love and sorrow mingled with reproach. The former because she had to -leave him, and the latter because he had sent her from him. Chauncy knew -that it was for the best, and but for this he would have recalled the -Donna to his side. - -It pained him greatly to be separated from the young girl in this -manner, and naturally he felt kind of mad at those who had been the -cause of it. - -The Indians gave vent to a yell of rage when they saw the noble bay -steed dart off with his light but unwilling burden. - -They urged their horses on to as fast a speed as they could, but it was -no use. The Donna went five yards to their three and easily distanced -them. - -Chauncy took a last look at the fast receding form of the Donna and then -turned his attention to the mustang. - -He saw a grove of trees not far to the south-west, and heading his horse -toward these he rode forward. - -Chauncy was a splendid horseman, and knew all of the tricks that class -of men use to keep up the speed of their horses. By sundry tricks he -managed to increase the speed of his horse so much that it held its own -against the better and fresher horses of the Comanches. The latter were -in a bad enough humor at the escape of the Donna, and the sight of the -young hunter keeping the same distance away from them infuriated them. - -They thought that he was going to escape, and resolved that he never -would get off alive. They would rather kill him on the spot than that -this should happen. - -A volley of bullets were sent after him, but none touched the hunter, -although several whizzed past him in rather close proximity. His horse -was not so lucky, however. - -One of the bullets struck it, and the poor animal reeled and staggered -for a moment before falling to the ground. - -There was no need of this. The Comanches ought to have known that the -speed which the hunter had got out of his horse was its last efforts, -and in all probability it would have dropped down after reaching the -trees. - -Chauncy, with an active leap, managed to get off from the horse without -getting his horse upon his legs. - -He did not stop an instant after putting his feet upon _terra firma_, -but made tracks for the trees, using all the speed he could command. The -Indians dashed after him, but they were too late to catch him. - -He reached the trees, and, jumping quickly behind one, turned and -presented his rifle at the foe. - -There was only one man, and twenty Comanches are not in the habit of -stopping when this is the case. - -So the Indians kept on, although they felt sure that some were rushing -to their death. - -Crack, went the rifle of the young hunter, and obeying the sharp and -decisive summons, the Indian nearest Red Buffalo started on his way to -the red-man’s “happy hunting-grounds.” - -This was quick work, but the rest of the Indians did not hang back. The -hunter’s rifle was empty now, and they must give him no time to load up. -They did not know that Chauncy had not the least idea of loading up his -gun. - -Crack, crack, went the only revolver Chauncy had with him, the other -being in the holster at his saddle-bow. - -Again the deadly revolver sounded and still another Indian threw up his -hands and fell from the back of his horse. - -Chauncy was making deadly work among the foe with his single revolver. -At length it was empty, and the Indians all around him on foot, they -having thrown themselves from their horses. - -With his discharged revolver, Chauncy gave one of the red villains a -hard blow in the stomach and then he had to defend himself. Bravely and -manfully did he fight against the crowd of Indians, but with all his -courage he knew that there was no chance of escape. At length he was -overpowered by numbers, thrown down and his hands bound behind him. His -knife was red with the blood of several of the Comanches, and the -wounded ones cast glances of hatred at him as their movements caused -their cuts to hurt. - -The Comanches then looked round upon the scene. - -Five men were dead, while others were wounded more or less, and as they -wanted to get away from this spot as soon as possible, the dead were -buried, and then mounting Chauncy on one of the slain warriors’ horses, -the whole band set off. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - THE TWO WIZARDS. - - -Chauncy swept the prairie with his eyes in the direction the Donna had -gone, but she was not in sight. A feeling of joy went through him, for -he knew that she had escaped. - -The Indians made straight for their village, but had not gone many miles -before darkness came on. - -The moon did not rise until late, but when she did, it was to light up -the earth almost as well as the sun would have done. The Indians halted -and ate their supper when it was dark and let their horses rest for -several hours. - -When the moon put in an appearance in the East, they mounted their -horses and set out for the village. - -Hour after hour passed away and it was nearly daybreak before they at -length reached the village of the Comanches. - -The tired horses knew by instinct that they were near home, and they -whinnied their approbation and delight. - -The Comanches themselves were not less glad, for they had been absent -two days and two nights, and the greater part of that time had been -spent in riding. - -The village was quiet when they reached it, but it did not remain so -long. Horses neighed, dogs barked, warriors yelled, pappooses screamed -and women did any thing and every thing. - -The prisoner was immediately thrust into a lodge and a guard set over -him. Chauncy had had no sleep that night, and yet he could not shut his -eyes now. So restless was he that he could not lay down, but with -scheming brain he walked across his narrow prison, time after time. - -Many plans for his escape suggested themselves, but he could do nothing -with his hands tied behind him, and, notwithstanding all of his -desperate efforts, he could not get them loose. - -Then his mind turned to the Donna. - -He wondered if she would get any aid. Chauncy knew that her father the -Don was a property owner, and that he had peons and vaqueroes under him. -The Donna had told him that her father had undoubtedly come after her -with his men. - -She might meet them on her way and bring them to his rescue. And again -the chances were about equal that she might miss them, and even if she -did get them, would they attack the Indian village on account of a man -whom they had never seen? - -Chauncy had heard his father speak of the Mexicans so often and in such -disparaging terms that the young man had come to think them all -first-class cowards. - -He did not know that, though taken as a class, they are cowards, yet -among them are many brave men. - -Every nation has its defects, and in some this one is greater than in -others. The young man managed to think of a good deal in the short time -that intervened between his being thrust into the lodge and daybreak. - -The Comanches did not know that in the grove about half a mile from the -village, a man mounted on a beautiful snow-white horse, was watching -them as they entered the village with their prisoner. The man was not a -bad-looking fellow, and was about thirty years old. The horse would have -excited the envy of any man, especially a Comanche, who can judge horses -so well. - -Faultless in the shape and symmetry of its limbs, with a full, broad -chest, arched neck, perfect head, large eyes, long mane and tail, the -animal presented a splendid sight to the beholder. - -There was no saddle on its back, only a broad band of dark-blue cloth, -about four inches wide. - -The bridle was a strong and beautiful one, silver-mounted and evidently -worth a good deal of money. - -On the horse, back of the band, was a bundle of what seemed to be -clothes. The man carried a rifle in his hand, and in his belt were two -revolvers, the accouterments to the former being in their places. - -The man was muttering to himself as he watched the Indians go past. - -“The poor fellow,” said he, “he’s doomed to the stake. I came out here -for adventures and fun, and now I have a chance for both and to do a -good deed at the same time. As sure as my name is Barry Le Clare, the -champion bareback rider, jumper, et cetera, I’ll do it. What d’ye say, -Snow Cloud, shall we put up our posters announcing that we will give an -exhibition free to-morrow?” turning as he spoke, to his horse. The -intelligent animal seemed to understand every word that was spoken, and -gave a low whinny as it rubbed its velvety muzzle against the cheek of -its master. - -His words explained the strange appearance of the horse, and also the -bundle on its back. The man had been a circus actor all his life, and -having made lots of money and saved it too, he had with his celebrated -horse left the circus life and come out West to enjoy himself. He could -not bear a saddle even if the horse would have one on, which it -certainly would not, having an antipathy against them. Just at break of -day, while Barry, as we must call him, was still cogitating, leaning on -his beautiful steed, he heard more yells in the village and knew that -one or more new prisoners had been brought in. Who they were he knew -not, for he could not see them, as they had entered the village from the -opposite side. - -He resolved, however, to try and save them all, and after making this -resolve he left his horse’s side, taking the bundle from his back, and -began to change his clothes. - -Fifteen minutes passed away and then a horseman emerged from the grove -of trees and began to ride toward the village. - -He was at once discovered by the Comanches and the whole village was -soon staring at him. - -And indeed he did present a curious sight. - -He was attired in regular circus costume, tights of flesh-colored stuff -being on his body and limbs, and the blue cloth covered with spangles -about his loins. He wore a jaunty cap, and his curly black hair was put -back behind his ears. - -The white horse was the same as before, only it carried no bundle. - -The clothes of the circus-rider had been left in the woods, together -with his rifle, revolvers and knife. - -On his feet, in place of the fashionable boots he had on before, were a -pair of pumps, such as the bareback riders use. - -The Indians were greatly astonished at this sight. - -As the horseman came nearer and nearer they thought he looked like a -maniac, and yet again the smile which, notwithstanding all his efforts -to repress it, came to his face when he saw the startled looks of the -Indians, went far to convince them that he was sane. He rode slowly into -the village until he came to the center. - -Here he stopped his horse and sat upon him, looking around him at the -crowd of dusky faces that were upturned in wonder. - -At length the chief, Red Buffalo, came up, and not knowing whether the -new-comer was a crazy man whom he must respect, or some pale-face making -fun of him and his warriors whom he must capture, he asked him what he -meant by coming into the village. - -“What has come upon the Comanches, that they recognize not the agent of -the Manitou? I am the White Wizard, and am in communication with the -Great Manitou,” said the other, in deep tones. - -The Indians were about to believe this, and it would have been an easy -thing for them to do so, as the curious garb of the rider made them feel -sure that he was no common man, but at this instant the magician of the -village, a tall, bony man, dressed in skins and having a terribly ugly -face, stepped out. - -“The pale-face lies. He is an impostor. None but Muchanaigo can hold -communication with the Manitou. Last night I had a dream: I dreamt that -a lying pale-face came into the village to try and rescue the prisoners, -and he was burned at the stake with them. Warriors, seize the coward. It -is Muchanaigo that speaks. _He_ must be obeyed or a curse will fall upon -the Comanches.” - -With a yell the warriors sprung forward to obey the Wizard. - -“Hold,” cried a voice, which seemed to come from the blue sky above. -“Let not a warrior lay a hand upon the White Wizard. He who but touches -him dies by the lightning. Beware. Let Muchanaigo kneel or he will be -taken away by the wind and cast into the den of snakes which is kept for -false wizards.” - -Horror-stricken the Red Wizard fell upon his knees. Here was one who was -greater than himself, and to whom he must bend his knee. Many of the -Indians followed his example, for they thought that when their Wizard -was scared, it was time for them to be humble. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - TWO QUEER MEN. - - -Chauncy heard a commotion in the village shortly after daybreak. Soon -the door of the lodge was opened and a couple of men who had their hands -tied behind them just as he did, were thrust in. - -They did not see Chauncy, who was standing in a corner of the lodge. -They had just come in from the light, and could not see in the dim room -for several moments. Chauncy could see them plainly, however, and he saw -that there was a slight difference in size between the two men. One was -about six feet three, while the other could not be over five feet at the -most. - -The first was a trapper, being dressed in tanned buckskin, while the -second man was clothed in a suit of broadcloth. - -Who were these two men, who seemed so entirely opposite? - -Chauncy did not ask the question. There was no need of it, for as the -little man entered the lodge, urged on by the foot of the Indian guard, -he immediately staggered and fell on his back. Struggling to his feet he -turned his back to that of his comrade. - -“_Sacré_,” cried the little man, in unmistakably French accents. “It is -von shame to throw a citizen of la belle France about in that vay. I -s’all complain to de Emperor an’ he will adjust de difficulty. If you -please, monsieur, I would be much obliged if you give my back von leetle -scratch. It feels itchy.” - -“Why, you frog-eating Parley Voo. D’ye think I’m a scratchin’-post? I -didn’t hire out fur that. Ye ought to know Ralph Bison better nor that. -Go an’ scratch yer pesky back ag’in’ the side o’ the lodge,” exclaimed -the other, in a sour tone. - -“_Diable_, your advice is good, monsieur, and I s’all follow out von -glorious idea. I may rub a hole through the vall an’ we s’all escape,” -and the little Frenchman was about to do what he said, despite the -laughter of his comrade, when the voice of Chauncy made one straighten -his face and the other forget the itch in his back. - -“So this is Ralph Bison, is it?” asked the young hunter. - -“Yas, I’m the feller ye mention, commonly called,” said the trapper, -recovering from his surprise at being addressed, when he thought he and -the Frenchman were alone. - -“Well,” said Chauncy, “I wanted to get you to go out on the plains with -me, but I found you had gone off with a naturalist, and I suppose -monsieur must be the gentleman;” with a bow in that direction. - -“_Parbleu_, but you are quite right, monsieur. I am sure it is von happy -meeting. I’m from France, and am Monsieur Tierney.” - -“And I am Chauncy Branrare, of New York,” said the other. - -“What’s that, boyee? Air ye any relation to Capten Branrare that fit in -the Mexican war?” questioned the trapper. - -“He is my father. He told me to hunt you up, Ralph, and though I -expected to see you before I went East again, yet I assure you I had no -expectation that we would meet thus.” - -“Yer hand, boyee. So ye are the cap’s son. Come over ter the light. Dang -it if you don’t look just like him now. But how in the mischief did ye -come hyar? Reds caught ye a-nappin’, I guess.” - -“Not much,” returned our hero, and he then proceeded to tell his story. - -The hunter’s eyes opened wide when he learned that Chauncy had killed -five of the Comanches before he was captured. - -“Yer hand ag’in, boyee. Ye beat yer daddy. Why I only knocked over -three, and the Frenchy nearly killed one wid his umbrella afore they got -us,” said Ralph. - -“Oh, mine poor umbrella. It is von shame for the noble red-men to take -it from me. I have been to Africa, and half-vay around de vorld, an’ de -umbrella vas vith me alvays. I s’all certainly complain ven I get home,” -said Monsieur Tierney. - -“But ye’ll never git home, Parley Voo. The reds intend ter roast ye an’ -have some fun out o’ ye,” said Ralph. - -“Mon Dieu, but de red-men vill not do dat. Dey vill no hurt a poor -Frenchman. Begar, I vill send von complaint to de Emperor, an’ den I -vill get avay. Now vat you think, monsieur?” - -“I think yer a durned fool, thet’s what I think. We are lookin’ death in -the face now, an’ things look bad fur us. - -“What’s all that row about, boyee? Thar’s somethin’ up,” said the -hunter, as he walked over to the window. - -Upon looking out he could at first see nothing, but soon the -circus-rider, mounted on his snow-white horse, and followed by the -Indians, came in sight. - -Ralph knew not what to make of it, and he called his comrades to his -side. The three looked out of the small barred aperture, and Chauncy saw -at a glance what the man was. - -The Frenchman understood him when he mentioned what the rider was, but -Ralph had to have it explained to him. - -But what was the man doing here? - -He did not seem to be a captive, neither did he seem to belong to the -village. It was an enigma that none of the trio could solve. - -That the man had some purpose in coming to the village was certain, for -no man would be foolish enough to go in among his enemies, unless he had -some object in view. - -They could not hear the words that were uttered, but they saw the -warriors as they started forward, and then saw them fall upon their -knees around the mysterious rider and his white steed. - -Who he was they could not guess, neither could they think of any reason -that would make the Indians afraid of him. - -The Red Wizard soon got up and went off, followed by the pale-face and -his horse. The Indians gave way for them, and dared not go within five -feet of the stranger, for fear they should accidentally touch him, and -they remembered what the Manitou had said respecting their touching him. - -They did not want to be killed by a thunderbolt, and hence they kept -away from the White Wizard. - -The latter by using his ventriloquist powers had completely subdued the -magician, and the latter now feared him greatly. - -The Comanches were afraid of their Wizard, for they had seen the inside -of his hut, and they knew that it contained such things as skeletons, -snakes, reptiles, and many other horrible things. - -Therefore when a person appeared who could make the Red Wizard bow to -him, it was but natural that they should fear him. - -Barry Le Clare was shown to the large medicine-lodge, and he entered, -taking his horse with him. - -The Red Wizard waited at the door of the cave in the hope of seeing the -pale-face hold communication with the Manitou, but a keen glance from -the sharp eyes of the latter scared him, and thinking that the latter -might call down the curse of the Manitou upon him, he hurried off. - -The Indians had resolved to show the White Wizard a fine sight that -morning. This would be the burning of the three prisoners. - -Soon after the pale-face had disappeared in the medicine-tent, a loud -howling arose in the village. - -The French naturalist carried a little case with him, in which to put -the rare things that he found. - -The Comanches had taken this, and a huge green umbrella made of the -strongest silk, from monsieur when he was captured. - -After the Wizard had gone, one Indian, more curious than his brethren, -opened the case and began tasting what was in the little vials. Soon he -began to feel a little sick, and a crowd gathered around. He got worse -every ten seconds, and at length, swollen up terribly, he lay upon the -ground, dead. - -It was then that the howls echoed through the village. - -Not one of the Indians would touch either the box or the umbrella after -this. Even the magician was afraid of them, for he said that even the -touch of a bottle was poison. - -Barry came out to see what the noise was, and he increased his -popularity with the Indians by tasting a dozen bottles. - -He could read the names on them, which the Indians could not. - -One of the Indians thought he could do the same, and signified as much. -By a sleight of hand Barry changed the bottles, and the man thought he -had the same one the pale-face had just tasted. - -It proved to be an emetic, and the fellow soon amused the rest of the -Indians by his working face and heaving stomach. - -The pale-face shut up the case and took it into the medicine-lodge, -where he had left his horse. - -Soon after, the three prisoners were brought out to be tried before the -council, and to be doomed to the stake. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - THE CIRCUS-RIDER MAGICIAN. - - -The large council-lodge was filled with Comanche chiefs. - -Red Buffalo being at the head of the tribe, and the most renowned Indian -present, was given the post of honor. - -The White Wizard was ushered into the lodge, dressed as a circus-rider, -and given a seat near the head chief and medicine man. Soon after the -three captives were brought in, with their hands still bound behind -them. Their eyes rested with wonder upon Barry, for they did not know -what to make of him. - -A sly wink which he managed to give them unperceived by the reds, told -them that, whoever he was, Barry was a friend to them. - -One of the chiefs, an old man, opened the council, and with a short, -fiery speech, set the blood rushing through the veins of the Comanches -like fire. - -A tall, wiry fellow jumped up when the old chief had finished, and spoke -for some time upon the cruelty of the whites and their evident desire to -exterminate the Indians. - -Several more followed, and then Red Buffalo arose from his seat, letting -his blanket fall from his shoulders to the ground as he did so. This -chief was well known upon the border, as had also been his father, -Spotted Wolf, and the prisoner and chiefs leaned forward and listened to -his words. - -The speech of Red Buffalo was short, but being to the point, its -pithiness made up for its briefness. - -“Chiefs and warriors of the Comanches: the great Manitou has placed -three pale-faces in our hands. Shall we torture them or let them go? - -“It is the will of the Great Spirit that the prisoners should be -tortured by being burned at the stake. A singing-bird whispers it in the -ear of Red Buffalo. The prairie-wind brings the word ‘_torture_’ with -it. Shall the pale-faces go free when eight warriors fell beneath their -arms? No; the Manitou wills that they should die, and the Great -Medicine-man shall decide upon their fate. Three moons ago Red Buffalo -had a father and brother. Where now is the chief Spotted Wolf and the -Snake-head? Both have gone to the happy hunting-grounds, sent on their -long journey by the bullets of the pale-face trappers. Let the -medicine-man speak.” - -The Red Wizard looked around the council-lodge with his terrible eyes -until they fell upon the prisoners. - -Here they rested, and a horrible grin came upon his face, as he slowly -arose to his feet and spoke: - -“My brothers have spoken well. The death of the pale-faces has been -sealed. Muchanaigo had a dream last night. The Manitou spoke to him and -said the pale-faces must die unless there came a man who could outride -the Comanches. If such came, then all but the young man were to go free. -But where is the man? - -“Where, chiefs and warriors, is the man that is to outride the ‘children -of the plains?’ Let him be found.” - -The medicine-man liked to speak about his dreams, for the superstitious -Indians believed them, and what is more, thought him all the greater on -account of them. The cunning Wizard always liked to put in that he had -spoken to the Manitou, and this made the Comanches respect him more. - -He had taken a dislike to Chauncy, probably because one of the men slain -by the young man was a grand-son of his, and he left him out purposely -when he mentioned that should a man come who could outride the “prairie -kings,” the prisoners would be saved. He had not the least idea in the -world that the man spoken of would appear, or that when he did come, he -could even equal the Comanches at riding. He was somewhat surprised, -therefore, when Barry got up and said he was the man. The circus-rider -made a very fine speech, telling about a dream he had had, and how the -Manitou had chosen him to ride with the Comanches. - -The medicine-man was greatly astonished at this. - -He had no idea in the world that the man he spoke of would appear, and -yet he pretended that he knew he was coming. - -The medicine-man of a tribe of Indians is generally some sharp fellow, -who knows a few tricks which, though plain enough to a white man, he -easily manages to gull the red-men completely with. - -The Red Wizard, on this occasion, was greatly surprised when Barry got -up and spoke, offering to ride against the best Comanche in the village, -and a smile came to his lips. - -He was glad, now, that the white man had offered to ride. - -Now he should have one triumph over his rival, for the latter would be -sure to get beat. - -There was no chance for him at all. The Comanches live on the backs of -their horses; but it did not occur to the mind of the red-man that Barry -Le Clare had been reared on a horse—had been a celebrated rider at the -early age of fifteen. - -The red-skin felt sure of a victory over his fellow-wizard. - -He would show the Comanches that the latter was not unconquerable. So -when Barry seated himself again, the Red Wizard arose, and said that the -Manitou had spoken the truth, the man had made his appearance, and now -the next thing for the Comanches to do, was to watch the trial of skill. - -This was accepted with yells of applause by the Comanches. - -They knew that they were reckoned the best riders of the plains, and -that they had no equals among the red-men. - -What then had they to fear from a white man who had lived in the cities -and towns all his life? - -The council was broken up, and the whole village hurried over to the -plain just beyond the village. - -The three prisoners guarded by several warriors were brought along to -witness the performance. The man selected by the Comanches to compete -with the White Wizard was a medium-sized, athletic fellow, with long -arms and supple joints. - -He had a very fast and strong mustang, and it was a pretty large one, -too. He was stripped, except a piece of cloth around his loins, and as -he sprung upon his steed a shout arose from his admiring comrades. They -had seen him ride before, and as he was the champion of the village, -they expected to see the pale-face beaten all to nothing. The horse was -an iron-gray, and was quite celebrated on the plains on account of its -speed. - -The man that owned and rode it knew it well, and would have bet his -bottom dollar (if he ever had one) that he would come out of a trial of -skill or a race with the pale-face first best. - -The three prisoners watched the white man, and they felt their courage -rise when they saw the smile on his firm countenance. - -The man knew his own powers. - -Had he looked scared, the whites would have given up all hope, for they -knew that if the Indian frightened him there would be no chance for him -to win. - -But the confident and “devil-may-care” look upon his face reassured -them, and they had confidence in him. - -The white looked to the girdle which was around his horse, and as the -Indian had no bridle on his horse, Barry took _his_ off. - -The Indian was to show lead, now. - -He was mounted on his horse, and at a signal from the head chief he -dashed out upon the plain. - -The mane of his horse was long, and had been plaited. - -One of these plaits served to rest his arm in, and he performed all -sorts of tricks, sliding around his horse and coming up on the other -side, and picking up things from the ground. - -At length he put on the bridle and went through the last thing on his -programme. This consisted of standing up on the horse bare-back, holding -on with the bridle and jumping up and down. The Comanche did all of -these things with a great deal of skill, and when he rode into the crowd -he was greeted by a chorus of savage yells. The Indians were delighted. - -Of course the pale-face could do nothing like this. - -Imagine their surprise and chagrin when they saw him dash out and go -through the same thing as easily as the Indian had done, and with -extremely aggravating _nonchalance_. - -It was now his turn to lead. - -The medicine-man was not beaten yet. - -If his man could equal the White Wizard when the latter led, the -prisoners would not be free after all. And even if the white man did -beat his red rival, the Red Wizard did not intend to give them up. He -was sharp enough for that. _He would have another dream._ - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - A TRIAL OF SPEED FOR SCALPS. - - -Barry got a score of Indians, and soon a complete circus-ring was made, -all but the sawdust. - -The lassoes were stretched around the ring, and then Barry walked his -horse into the ring. - -The bridle was still on him, and leaping upon his back the circus-rider -sat down and rode around the ring several times. - -The horse seemed delighted. For years he had been accustomed to -performing in the ring, and now that he found himself in his old place -again he was glad. - -With a springy step he cantered around the ring, and the Indians could -not help admiring the shape of both man and beast, and the beautiful -appearance of the latter. - -With a piece of chalk Barry whitened the bottoms of his pumps, and then -leaped to his feet. A chirrup from his lips sent the white steed off at -a rapid pace, and holding on to the bridle, Barry jumped up and down -after the manner of a countryman who is supposed to be going to market. - -The spirits of the Indians arose. Their man could do that. - -The Indian came into the ring and Barry went out. The red-skin went -through the same thing, and was greeted with shouts of approval by his -dusky comrades. - -The latter now began to think that the pale-face was no wizard at all, -but just a good rider, so when Barry again entered the ring, seated on -his horse, they greeted him with groans. - -The rider smiled, however. He knew that in a few minutes the tune of the -Indians would be wonderfully changed. - -Again he rode around the ring, standing erect on his feet, and the -Comanches began to think that this was all he could do, and they felt -happy, accordingly. - -They saw the rider lean over his horse and whisper a word in its ear. -Then he rose up again and the white steed went around the ring like a -flash. Suddenly the bridle dropped from the hand of the rider, and he -stood up alone without any support. - -Ah, here was something worth looking at. - -The Comanches love to watch good riding, and would doubtless patronize a -circus should one visit them. - -Even though they knew that the rider was liberating the two prisoners, -yet their admiration was unbounded. - -Their eyes opened with surprise, and they were speechless when the rider -went around the ring like lightning, with nothing to support him. He -stood with his arms folded across his breast, and a smile of triumph -upon his face. - -But this was nothing. The best was yet to come. - -At a word from his rider the white horse slackened his speed, and came -to a regular gallop, such as the circus horses alone know how to bring -out. - -Then if the reader could have seen the eyes of the Comanches as they -watched the rider, they would not have wondered that they took him to be -a wizard. - -Barry stood with his back to the horse’s head, and suddenly sprung up -into the air, turning over and making a complete somersault. He touched -the back of the horse, and again he went up. The Indians saw at once -that their man could never do this, and yet the Comanche was pluck. - -As Barry Le Clare rode out of the ring, he rode in and made the attempt. -He succeeded very well in the first part, although he had to swing his -arms pretty wildly to balance himself, but when he came to the jumping, -he made a complete failure. - -Instead of coming down upon the back of his horse, which acted well for -the first time in the ring, he came plump upon the ground, and rolled -over and over. - -A shout of laughter arose from the dusky throng, and the discomfited -Comanche arose to his feet in a savage manner. - -Striding up to Barry he asked him if he wanted to race. - -The latter replied that he didn’t care if he did. - -“Me make bet wid pale-face. Gray horse beat, me win, white ’un beat, -pale-face win,” said the Comanche. - -“Show your money, old man. How much on it?” exclaimed Barry. - -“Have no money, all gone.” - -“Then how’re you going to bet?” - -“Me bet scalp for scalp. Ef pale-face win, he take the scalp of the Red -Bear. Ef Indian win, he scalp pale-face,” was the rejoinder, and by the -look that Red Bear gave his rival, all knew that he would have no -hesitation in scalping the victorious rider, should his horse win the -race. - -For a moment the rider looked at his horse, and then at the fleet -mustang of his foe. The proposition so unexpected, staggered him a -little at first, but he quickly replied: - -“All right, Red Bear. Onto your horse. Do your best if you would not be -beaten, though heaven knows I wouldn’t scalp you. But no Indian can ever -cow Barry Le Clare.” - -Delighted at this chance to redeem his reputation, the Indian leaped -upon the back of his horse, and then the preliminaries were arranged. A -dozen men on horseback rode out to a spot about a mile from the village, -and here a stake was put into the ground. - -The dozen men stayed here to see that the race was conducted on a fair -principle. The two racers were to start from a stake which had been -driven into the ground near the village, and were to round the stake -where the dozen warriors were waiting, and then come back to the first -stake. - -At a signal, the two started off, and for the first quarter of a mile -both kept together. Then the Indian began to draw slowly but surely -ahead. The Comanches felt some satisfaction when they saw that this was -a fact, but they were not confident yet. - -They knew a great deal about horses, and they saw that the white steed -was as fast a runner as the gray one, if his rider chose to put him down -to it. - -They began to think, however, as the Indian still kept drawing ahead, -that the white steed was not as good as they had taken it to be, and -their spirits rose. - -When the Indian rounded the half-way pole, and came onto the back -stretch five lengths ahead of his rival, a yell broke from them. - -They thought that perhaps after all the Indian might win, and that from -the look of things it seemed very much as though the gray would win the -race. - -The Indian himself felt sure of it. He was certain that the white steed -was doing its best, and that he could at least win by five lengths. And -then he would have the pleasure of scalping the White Wizard. - -He felt so sure of this that he yelled with joy. - -Half the last half was done, and still he was five lengths ahead. - -Suddenly a low whistle came from the lips of the pale-face. - -It is a signal, and obeying it, the white steed quickly increased his -speed. Like an arrow shot from the bow, the horse darted forward, -gaining rapidly on the other. - -The Indian began kicking and pounding his horse, yelling like a demon -all the while, but it was no use. - -The animal was running at its greatest speed, and nothing could increase -it. The pale-face passed him before the last quarter was reached, and -came up to the home-stake six lengths ahead. - -A shout from the prisoners welcomed the victor. - -The Indian came in looking terribly sullen, for he would not have cared -could he only take the scalp of his enemy. - -He would have been content to lose his own then. - -Handing over his horse to a friend, he stepped up to Barry and stood -before him with open breast. - -“Strike,” said he; “Red Bear has lost. His scalp is yours.” - -“Never!” exclaimed Barry, moving back. “Red Bear’s scalp belongs to -himself. Let him live and learn wisdom.” - -“The pale-face is afraid to strike. See, Red Bear is not afraid to die. -He spits at the White Wizard with his last breath.” - -As the Indian spoke he drew his knife and stabbed himself to the heart. - -Then with a loud yell he sunk back upon the ground, dead. - -He had done well, for he could never have lived with the Comanches had -he failed to make good his wager. - -The relatives of the dead man took the body away to be buried after the -fashion of the Comanches. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - THE MANITOU MUST BE OBEYED. - - -The circus-rider was not yet done. He wished to show what his horse -could do in the way of tricks, and for half an hour he kept up the -performance. The white steed was a celebrated trick horse, and could -waltz in a manner truly surprising. - -All who have been to the circus know the many tricks performed by a -horse. All of these Barry showed off before the Comanches, and the -Indians enjoyed it all very much. - -At length he thought it was time to stop, and going over to where the -prisoners were still standing, he cut the bonds of the two whom he had -saved by his beating the Comanche selected to ride with him. The -medicine-man did not like this, and he stepped forward to put a stop to -it. - -Before he could open his mouth, a voice, coming as all the Indians -thought from above them, cried out the words: - -“Let Muchanaigo beware. He has dark thoughts in his brain. Let him not -attempt to carry them out. His hand will be useless if he attempts to -lift it above the head of one of the prisoners. He gave his word, let -him break it if he dares. It is the Great Manitou that speaks. He _must_ -be obeyed.” - -Instantly the Indian stopped still in his tracks. - -There was no disobeying this order. - -He said not a word, but turning, he sought his lodge, and did not make -his appearance during the rest of the day. - -He had found his match in the pale-face. - -But for the superstition of the Indians, Barry could never have played -this trick upon them. - -The Indians lost no time in giving back to the prisoners every thing -that had been taken from them. - -The little Frenchman danced for joy when he once more got his hands upon -his case and umbrella. - -He examined the former carefully to see that none of the vials were -missing, but found to his great joy that it had only sustained a little -injury while in the hands of the Indians. - -All the time Monsieur Tierney kept up a rattling volley of words which -were a mingled crowd of thanks for the aid of Barry, denunciations on -the heads of the Indians, and exclamations of delight when he found some -valuable specimen uninjured. - -Indeed, the Indians had only got at the vials, and the fellow that had -got at these would never do so again. - -The Indians grinned to see the curious little fellow marching up and -down with the umbrella fastened to his back and his case in his hand. He -had a revolver in his belt, about five inches long, which might make a -man sick _if discharged down his throat_. - -The trapper had his revolvers, rifle, knife and every thing that -belonged to him. One of the Comanches tried to keep his tobacco-pouch, -but Ralph missed it, and Red Buffalo, fearing to bring down the -vengeance of the Manitou upon the village, made the warrior give it up, -much to his disgust, and to the great delight of the trapper, who -immediately went to business and took a “chaw.” Then the two mounted -their horses and rode off, carrying with them all of their possessions. - -The trapper had a piece of paper in his hand which had been slyly given -him by Barry before they left the village. - -The trapper did not intend to go far. He would not leave the son of his -old friend to his fate. - -He intended hiding somewhere until dark, and then seeing what could be -done for Chauncy. Suddenly he remembered the paper he held in his hand. -He tried to read the few lines that were written on it, but being no -scholar and knowing only the capitals, he found it impossible. - -_What_ should he do? - -Maybe the naturalist could read it; at any rate it would do no harm to -ask him. No sooner thought of than acted upon. To the great delight of -the guide the Frenchman declared that he could read it, and took it from -the former’s hand. - -It read as follows, being written in lead pencil: - - “Ride to the bank of the river, about six miles from here, and hide - until dark. Then I will join you with the young fellow. I will give - the hoot of an owl and you answer with the cry of the loon. - - Barry Le Clare.” - -The Frenchman read this to the trapper, and then the latter could not -help expressing his joy. - -“Snakes an’ catamounts,” ejaculated he, “thet’s good az far az it goes. -That feller’s sharp an’ he’ll get Cha’ncy away if anybody could. Didn’t -his hoss knock spots out o’ the gray ’un?” - -“Oui, monsieur, he be very fine man. He make good hunter. He von -magnificent rider, von elegant jumper, von splendid racer, von superb -ventriloquist, von excellent—” exclaimed the naturalist. - -“That’ll do, mounsheer. We’ll make tracks for the river now. It’s past -noon, and I want ter git ter the river so that we can hev some dinner. -What d’ye say ter that?” said the trapper, breaking in upon the -Frenchmen, who, after the manner of his nation, was getting excited and -was about to launch forth into a vivid and startling string of praise. - -“Begar, I do feel hungry, monsieur. I could eat von dozen frog-legs now, -vid relish. Oh, dey are superb,” cried the naturalist. - -“Bah, ye think o’ nothin’ but frogs. I wish I had a dozen ter give ye. -For my part I want a good hunk o’ buffler or venison.” - -“Le ’Mericans have no taste. Dey know not vat is good. Mon Dieu! in la -belle France de frog is de best esteemed meat. Here de boys throw stones -at them, an’, sacré, kill them just for fun. Diable! vat I come out here -for?” exclaimed the little man. - -“Ter find somethin’ az would make yer fortune. So ye’ve told me many a -time,” said the guide. - -“Just so. You are right, monsieur. Ven I find dat, den I be happy. Every -von vill talk about Monsieur Tierney, de great naturalist. Oh, den I -vill have my reward for all dis trouble and expense. But vat have we got -to eat?” - -“Nothin’ az I knows on. The pesky reds didn’t offer to give us a bite, -but then we’ve got our firearms an’ an ol’ hunter like me, what’s got -his shootin’-iron, desarves to starve if he can’t knock over somethin’ -on the plains. If we war on the desert now it would be a different -matter. We’ll git somethin’ when we reach the river.” - -The two owned very good horses. The guide owned his while the -Frenchman’s had been borrowed from a friend in Austin. - -The Comanches had come upon them the night before, and had captured -them, though not without a vigorous resistance on the part of both of -them. The hunter had killed three of the reds before he was captured, -and the Frenchman managed to give his enemies several sound cracks with -his huge strong umbrella before he was pulled down. He entirely forgot -the revolver that he had thrust in his belt to make himself look fierce. - -The little man was a curious body, but he had pluck, as the reader will -see before this story comes to a close. - -The river was at length reached and the two camped. - -While the naturalist was building a fire out of some light dry wood, the -guide went off to see if he could shoot something. - -The river was pretty wide at this point, but it was shallow, and both -sides were covered with trees and bushes. - -The guide was not long in sighting a deer, and soon the crack of his -revolver sounded its death-knell. - -The two men were soon busy cooking venison-steaks over the fire. They -ate their dinner and then cooked the remainder of the deer over the -fire. The guide knew that if Chauncy was rescued the whites would have -to make tracks pretty lively, for the Indians would be terribly mad. -They intended to torture the young man in every conceivable manner for -he had got the young Donna away from them. They did not know about the -panther, and thought that had it not been for the young man the Donna -would never have got away the second time. - -Darkness at length came upon the scene. At length the moon arose and -lighted up the earth with her beautiful light. - -Several hours passed away and then the tramping of horses came from the -plain. Then the loud, mournful hoot of the owl echoed through the trees. - -“It is them,” cried the guide, and immediately the cry of the loon -startled the Frenchman. It was the guide returning the signal. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - THE WHITE WIZARD DRUGS THE GUARD. - - -Chauncy was thrust back into the prison-lodge and two guards posted -around it. The Comanches did not mean to let him escape if they could -possibly help it. - -There was altogether about ten men killed, and the Indians intended to -let the whole of their vengeance fall upon Chauncy. - -The young hunter walked up and down in his lodge, thinking of the Donna -Iola. Sleeping or waking the Donna was uppermost in his thoughts. What a -pity it was that after coming together in such a curious way they should -be separated. - -Where could she be now? - -Chauncy knew from the expressive look the lovely Donna had given him, as -in obedience to his command she rode away and left him, that he was the -first object of her affection. - -He could not help feeling highly elated as he thought of this, and he -quite forgot for a time that he was a prisoner. - -When he did remember this he also remembered the fact that while the -three prisoners were watching the riding of Barry Le Clare, the guide -had whispered in his ear that if he and the Frenchman did get off they -would do their best to rescue the young man. - -He had often heard his father tell tales about the guide, and he knew -that when Ralph said he would do a thing he would go through fire and -water in order to accomplish it. - -The afternoon passed slowly away and at length the shades of night began -to cover the face of the earth. - -The moon being on the decline would not rise until very late, and there -would be several hours of darkness before the earth would be lighted up -with her bright rays. - -Whatever was to be done must be done during this period of darkness. -Barry had retired soon after sunset. - -An hour passed and then another and another. - -The village was quiet, no unusual noise breaking the silence of the -night, but the occasional barking of some dog or the neighing of a -horse. The Comanches were fast asleep and the two guards who walked -around the prison-lodge were beginning to feel drowsy themselves. - -They would have to keep watch until midnight, or about an hour after -moonrise, and then they would be relieved. - -They were both walking together and talking, when one of them caught -sight of a form approaching them; it did not come in a sneaking way but -walked boldly toward them. - -They soon distinguished the form of the White Wizard. - -What could he want at this time of night? - -The pale-face was soon up to them, and greatly to their surprise he -stopped beside them and spoke. - -“My red brothers seem to be on guard,” said he. - -“The Wizard speaks with a straight tongue,” replied one of the Indians. - -“What is in the lodge they guard?” - -“The pale-face captive. Red Buffalo thinks that he will escape, so he -put Red Pine and Snapping Fox on guard.” - -“The pale-face can not escape when Red Pine and the Snapping Fox are on -guard. He is as safe as if he was tied to the stake and the fagots piled -up around him,” said Barry. - -This flattery greatly pleased the Indians. - -“The Wizard is a great man. He knows every thing. He is a great rider, -and would make a big Comanche brave,” said one. - -“Is not the warrior thirsty? Would he like a little fire-water to make -him glad?” asked the cunning circus-rider. - -The eyes of the two Comanches snapped at the very thought. - -“Pale-face great man, he gib Injun drink.” - -“Yes; here, take a good sup apiece. There’s plenty more where that came -from,” said Barry, taking out his bottle. - -It was a medium-sized black one, and was two-thirds full of brandy. - -The circus-rider just after dark had gone out to the clump of trees in -which he had hidden his clothes, and had got the bottle of brandy from -them. It was not pure brandy, however. - -He had taken a little vial from his coat-pocket and poured a little of -the contents into the black bottle. - -It was a subtile drug which would produce a feeling which for drowsiness -could not be equaled. - -Barry intended to get the upper hand of the Comanche guards, and he knew -that to do so he would have to drug the fire-water. - -The nearest Indian grasped the bottle. He threw back his head with the -neck of the bottle in his mouth. The bottle was upturned, the Indian’s -eyes sought the heavens and a gurgling sound told both of the others -that the brandy was finding its level. - -The other Comanche, Snapping Fox, seemed to think that if Red Pine -waited until his eyes found the star they seemed to be in search of, the -brandy would be all gone. - -Accordingly he seized hold of the bottle and was soon in deep -contemplation of the blue dome of heaven (apparently). - -Any one, to see these two Indians examining the sky so steadily, would -have felt sure that they were greatly interested in astronomy, and yet -the two did not notice the stars while looking upward. - -Their thoughts were all upon the liquor, and when the bottle was handed -back to the owner, it was empty. - -Barry was sharp, and he immediately said: - -“I just brought this for a sample. If Red Pine and Snapping Fox do what -I want them to-morrow, they shall have a dozen bottles of this fine -fire-water.” He said this for a certain reason. - -The Indians might rightly suspicion his motive for bringing them -fire-water when they began to feel the effect of it, if he went right -away. Now by his words he made them believe that he wanted a job done on -the morrow, and that if they did it, he would give them a dozen bottles -like the sample he had brought to tempt them. - -“We do what Wizard say,” said Red Pine. - -A moment after Barry moved away. He did not go far, however, for he -wanted to go to work as soon as the drug put the two Indians asleep. He -remained within ear-shot, and listened. - -The Indians kept talking rapidly about five minutes, and then their -voices became thick and the words few and far between. - -Soon Barry knew that both were fast asleep, and he walked cautiously -forward. The two guards were lying close together near the door of the -lodge, tightly locked in the arms of Morpheus. - -It was not likely that they would awaken very soon. - -Barry stepped over them, and unbarring the door, softly he opened it. - -All was dark within and he could distinguish nothing. - -“Young fellow, where are you?” he said, in a loud whisper. - -It was well he spoke, for Chauncy had managed to unloose his bonds, and -having found a sort of club in a corner of the lodge, he had raised it -and was ready to strike when Barry spoke. - -“Who are you?” he asked, for he could barely see the other. - -“Barry Le Clare. I saved the others, and have come after you. Hurry out -here,” said the circus-rider. - -Chauncy came out, and the door was shut and barred again. - -“Come, let us hurry away from here,” said he. - -“Hold on, you want weapons. I noticed that Red Pine had a fine rifle, -and a revolver. Get them from him,” said Barry. - -Chauncy picked up the rifle, and found to his delight that it was his -own, as were also all the other things the Indian carried. - -He quickly transferred them to his own person, and then announced -himself ready. Barry led him to the medicine-lodge in which he had taken -up his quarters, and where his horse now was, and then left him. He soon -came back, leading one of the best horses that was in the corral. He was -an excellent judge of horse-flesh, and he knew what kind of a steed to -pick out. - -There were several saddles and bridles in the medicine-lodge, which had -doubtless been taken from hunters and emigrants. - -Taking his pick of these, Chauncy put them on his steed, and then the -two went through the village, making as little noise as possible and -leading their horses behind them. - -When they got to the clump of trees, the circus-rider changed his -clothes, and with his weapons in his belt and hand, and the bundle on -his horse, he led the way toward the river. - -He knew from the direction the two whites had taken when they left the -village where they would strike the river, and he headed for that point. -The moon soon came out, and when the two came up to the tree on the bank -of the river, the circus-rider gave a loud, solemn hoot. - -It was answered by the cry of the loon, and soon two horsemen came -toward them. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - A WILD RACE FOR LIFE. - - -The trapper was right in thinking that the Comanches would pursue the -four whites when they found out their escape. - -Early in the morning, the chief, Red Buffalo, emerged from his lodge and -went toward that one which had been used as a prison-lodge for the young -hunter. - -He was greatly surprised to find both of the guards lying upon the -ground. At first the chief thought that they were dead; had been killed -by some enemy, in order that the prisoner might be rescued. He quickly -discovered his mistake, however, and wondered what could be the matter -with the two men, for he had great trouble in arousing them from their -stupor. - -Red Pine told the chief how the White Wizard had visited them and had -given them a drink of fire-water. The chief knew that there was -something wrong when he heard this, and he quickly undid the bars that -fastened the door. - -No sooner had he disappeared from the sight of the two warriors than a -loud yell announced to them that the lodge was empty. The chief rushed -out, gave a few orders to the two warriors, and then began hunting -around for the trail. - -He found this, and had followed it outside the village, when he was -joined by twenty-five men, among whom were the two guards whom Barry Le -Clare had drugged the night before. - -They were all mounted and armed, and Red Pine led a horse for the chief. -The latter had left orders that a second detachment should follow them -after several hours. - -As the chief sprung upon his horse, Red Pine communicated to him the -suspicious fact that the White Wizard was not in his tent, nor had he -been seen that morning by any person. All now knew who it was that had -liberated the prisoner, and there would be no escape for the white -circus-rider, should the Comanches once get a crack at him. - -The chief called out a name, and the warrior who was thus designated, -stepped out with a smile of conscious triumph. - -He was the best trailer in the Comanche village, and had been aptly -named the Starved Wolf, for that beast will keep on the trail of its -prey for days. It is not by its speed that a wolf tires out its prey, -but by its pertinacity in keeping to the trail. - -Starved Wolf rode up to where the chief was, and throwing himself from -his horse he bent down and examined the trail. - -The keen-eyed Indian saw marks that he could distinguish anywhere, and -with a yell he sprung upon his horse again. - -He had noted the general direction in which the trail ran, and it would -be easier for him to follow it now. - -Barry and the young hunter had not been skilled enough in woodcraft to -make a detour, as any old trapper would have done. - -Bending over his horse’s neck, the Starved Wolf gave the animal a kick -that sent him forward, and then the trailing began. - -To the Comanche trailer the marks upon the ground were plain enough, -while to an amateur they would have been nearly invisible. - -The Indians went forward at a rapid pace, and they were not long in -reaching the trees which grew on the bank of the river. - -The whites had crossed here and the Indians lost nearly half an hour in -finding it again on the other shore. - -The four whites had gone up-stream and emerged from the water in a rocky -place. Had all of them been old hunters, such care would have been taken -to keep from leaving a trail that the Comanches, sharp though they were, -would never have found it; but only one was a hunter, and the others, -despite their caution, could not help leaving some marks, which the -Indians at length came upon. Red Buffalo began to despair of ever -catching up to the pale-faces, for they had at least six hours the start -of him and his warriors. He did not know that something had happened -which, though unlucky to the four men, was favorable to him. - -Barry and the young hunter were soon joined, after the former had given -the signal and it had been answered, by two figures on horseback, which -they were not long in making out as the old hunter and the little French -naturalist, Monsieur Tierney. - -The hunter shook the young man’s hand and also that of the circus-rider. -The latter then told how it was he had got the prisoner away, and both -of the others laughed heartily. - -The guide said he would like to see Red Buffalo when the chief found out -the escape of the prisoner. - -The guide cherished a deep hatred for the chief of the Comanches, and -should the two ever come face to face in a fight, one or the other was -bound to go under if nothing occurred to separate them. Twice before -this had the guide been a captive in the hands of Red Buffalo, and both -times had he escaped. Once he had run the gantlet, and pretty well -bruised and cut, was about to be burned at the stake, when old Captain -Wilton and his company of regulars rescued him. Ralph was an army scout -at that time. - -The second time he had escaped by his own exertions. - -The four whites rode for nearly two hours and then they were suddenly -stopped by the old guide. - -He saw a suspicious object coming toward them from the north-east. The -guide made all of them dismount, and then told them that the objects -they had taken to be buffaloes were Indians. - -The latter were about forty in number, and to the astonishment and -chagrin of the four whites, they camped close by them and began to cook -an early breakfast. - -The whites muffled the heads of their horses in their blankets so that -the animals might not betray them by a whinny or a neigh. The whites and -their steeds crouched in the grass for several hours. It was just at -daybreak that the Apaches, for such the guide declared the Indians to -be, departed, much to the relief of the whites. - -No sooner were they well out of sight than the four resumed their -journey. The sun soon arose and lit up the earth with his bright, warm -and cheerful rays. - -The Frenchman could not resist stopping now and then to pick some -curious flower which he saw in the green oases. - -The sun was several hours high when they reached a grove of trees and -entered in among them. A cool spring bubbled up in a shady spot, and the -horses and their riders took long draughts of the excellent water. The -horses were suffered to move around for awhile so that they might have -some breakfast and also get rested. - -The four were talking earnestly, when the guide suddenly put up his hand -and motioned to the others to remain quiet. - -Instantly all was silent, and with open ears the four listened for a -repetition of the sound that had alarmed the guide. - -Soon all heard it. It sounded like the trampling of a drove of buffaloes -or wild horses, and came from the same direction that the four men had -come from. - -Three of the whites thought that the noise was made by buffaloes or wild -horses, but the old guide knew better. - -He thought it was made by Comanches, who were following up their trail, -and springing to his feet he rushed to the edge of the trees. A single -glance served to show him that his suspicion was not false. Over a score -of Comanches were coming straight toward the grove. - -At their head rode two men whom the guide knew. - -One was the chief, Red Buffalo, the other, a famous trailer. The Starved -Wolf was leaning over, and Ralph knew that his eyes were fixed upon the -trail. - -Ralph saw that there was going to be a fight, and he resolved to be the -aggressive party. A word to his comrades sufficed to tell them of his -desires, and a few seconds after three rifles cracked and three bullets -winged with death sped through the air. - -The guide had not aimed at Red Buffalo, for he wanted to kill that -worthy in a square stand-up fight. - -Three of the Comanche warriors fell over, and the rest were somewhat -surprised for a moment. - -Recovering quickly, they gave a loud war-cry and came forward with a -rush. They entered among the trees, but no enemy was in sight. On they -went, and at length emerged on the open plain on the other side of the -grove. - -A howl of joy broke from the lips of Red Buffalo, for there, not far in -front of them, and flying before them, were the four whites. - -It was now a race for life. Which will be the winner? - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - MUZZLE TO MUZZLE, AND WHO WILL WIN? - - -It was now a very exciting, and yet, on the plains, a common scene, that -the sun looked down upon. - -First came the four whites, the circus-rider going along as easy and as -graceful as if he was trotting around in the ring for the amusement of -the spectators. The three others were urging their steeds on with heel -and voice, but the wiry little animals were doing their utmost, and -could not go any faster than they were going. - -The little Frenchman looked very curious, as he bounced up and down on -his horse, his umbrella held over the pommel just as the others held -their rifles. Not being accustomed to horses, this wild ride came pretty -hard on him, and he kept muttering to himself that if he was so happy as -to see La Belle France once more, he would never leave her friendly -shores. - -After the whites came the score of Comanches, racing along in wild -confusion, and now and then breaking into a loud yell which was given -partly to urge their horses onward, and partly to weaken the nerves of -the fugitives. - -In this latter, however, they were mistaken. Even the little foreigner -showed commendable pluck, and several times he put his hand upon his -little revolver, as if to try a shot at the Comanches, but was -restrained by Ralph, who told him to save his powder. - -The circus-rider could easily have distanced both his comrades and the -Comanches, had he been so cowardly as to have wished to do so. This was -far from being the state of Barry Le Clare’s feelings. - -He was no coward, as his entering the hostile village to save persons -who were entire strangers to him proved. - -The three mustangs were keeping their distance very well, but the guide -knew that soon they would begin to fall off, and he resolved to diminish -the number of the Comanches as much as possible before the latter began -to gain upon the four whites. - -Turning in his saddle, he lifted his rifle to his shoulder. - -Monsieur Tierney had seen Ralph discharge his gun while in among the -trees, and as he had not seen him load it while he rode, he felt sure -that the guide was only trying to scare the Indians. - -He could not help smiling at the simple _ruse_, as he deemed the -movement of the hunter; but the smile on his face quickly changed to a -look of astonishment which was truly ridiculous. - -What surprised him was the fact that when the guide pulled the trigger -of his rifle, there came a sharp, whip-like crack, that sounded high and -clear above the yells of the Comanches and the noise made by the hoofs -of the horses. - -And what was still more wonderful, one of the pursuing braves seemed to -have run against a bullet, for with a shrill shriek of mortal anguish, -he threw his arms wildly into the air and fell from his horse to the -ground, to rise no more. - -Ralph’s bullet had done its work, and done it well, too. - -The Comanche would never scalp another enemy; he would never drive his -tomahawk into the head of a helpless woman or child again. His fighting -days were over. - -The little Frenchman wondered greatly how the old hunter could shoot -with such deadly effect from the back of a horse that was going at its -utmost speed. Afterward, Monsieur Tierney tried the thing himself, but -found it a hard job to turn and discharge a gun while going at full -speed, and as to taking any aim at all, why the thing was simply -impossible with him. - -It is really a very difficult and yet useful thing to learn, this -shooting so accurately from the back of a horse. - -The Indians only yelled a little harder, and urged their horses on a -little faster, if that were possible, on having their number diminished -by the rifle of the guide. - -A good many of them carried guns; in fact, when Red Buffalo picked out -this band, he singled out men who, for the most part, owned guns. - -Some of these now began to fire, but being poor marksmen, their bullets -whistled through the air many feet away from the heads of those they -shot at. - -A mile had been passed over since Ralph had fired his gun. - -Again he turned in his saddle, with his rifle to his shoulder, and again -the deadly crack sounded. - -The Indians had seen him loading, and were expecting this. - -Therefore, when the guide turned around, every one of them disappeared -behind the body of his steed. - -The crack of the hunter’s rifle sounded _after_ they had disappeared. - -Had he fired too late to hit one of the Indians? - -His bullet did not touch a red-skin, and yet it did what Ralph had -intended it should. The three other whites turned in _their_ saddles as -Ralph fired, and when they saw that none of the Comanches were in view -they felt sure that his bullet must have been wasted. - -But it was not. - -Ralph, when he turned to fire, had intended to shoot one of the -Comanches, but when he saw them disappear from his sight, he quickly -changed his aim, and pointed his rifle at one of the horses. - -His finger pressed the trigger, and following the crack came a shrill -neigh of agony, and one of the horses dropped suddenly to the earth. - -His rider, not expecting this, was not ready to leap off, and he came -down with a terrible crack upon the ground. - -He did not rise to his feet, for the simple reason that the fall had -disjointed his neck, and he was a doomed man. - -And now the Indians began gaining upon the four whites. - -Foot after foot and yard after yard they came up, and at length Ralph -saw that a stand must be made. - -He had loaded the rifles of both his comrades who carried them, and in a -few disjointed sentences he told them of his plan. - -It was an old one, but was the only thing our friends could do, as there -was not a tree in sight. - -Waiting until they got to a place where, on account of the buffaloes, -the prairie-grass for several acres around was very short, the four men -suddenly jerked up their horses. - -The guide quickly threw himself from the back of his horse on the side -opposite to the Indians, and with his rifle in his hands, looked over -the back of his animal at the foe. - -The three others followed his example, and the Comanches divided and -went on both sides of them. Not an Indian was in sight, they having -disappeared behind their horses. - -At a word from Ralph the four horses were put into a form like a square, -and then the whites waited for the attack. - -The Indians were not ready to fire when they rode past our friends. Had -their rifles been loaded, they would most assuredly have given them a -volley, aiming from beneath the necks of their horses. As it was, they -rode off a good distance, and then coming together in a group, they sat -upright on their horses. - -They commenced talking and gesticulating wildly, and Ralph, as he looked -at them, gave a chuckle of delight. - -“I believe my ole Betsy Jane kin throw a chunk of lead over to them -fellers. Anyhow, I’m goin’ ter try it. Jest watch, now,” said he. - -His rifle was resting on the back of his mustang, and as he spoke, he -took a careful aim along the gleaming barrel. - -A puff of white smoke, a sharp crack, and the bullet went like lightning -through the air. Ralph had calculated upon the distance and had aimed -rather high. His calculation was correct, for one of the Comanches -received the fatal bullet in his breast, and so unexpected was it, that -he rolled from his horse without the usual death yell. - -A few seconds after and a loud yell from the Indians told that at length -they had decided upon a plan of action. - -They tried the old plan of circling around the four whites with their -bodies hidden behind their horses, and gradually edging up closer and -closer. - -When near enough they began to discharge their guns, and then the guide -thought it was time to retaliate. - -Barry shot a horse with his rifle, and Ralph picked off the rider before -he could hide in the short grass. - -The young hunter shot another horse with a ball from his revolver, and -his rifle sounded the death-note of the beast’s owner and rider. - -This was more than the Indians could stand. - -This plan of having their men killed and none of their enemies injured, -was too fine a thing in favor of the whites. - -Luck, so far, seemed on the side of the whites, and the thing was -getting monotonous to the Comanches. - -Something must be done, and that at once. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - CHASED BY THE FLAMES. - - -A loud, clear, singular yell sounded over the plain. - -It was given by Red Buffalo himself, and the hunter knew just what it -meant. The Indians were about to attack them in force. - -“Down wid yer guns, boys, and let the pistols speak. They’re a-comin’ -now, an’ we’ll give ’em the very ole dickens,” said the old trapper. - -On came the Comanches from every direction, to the number of eighteen. -When they got close up, they rose to their seats, and brandishing their -tomahawks and rifles in the air. - -As they did so, three revolvers sent as many of them to the ground, and -the tiny crack of the Frenchman’s revolver sounded quickly after. -Monsieur Tierney had been an officer in the French army, and he was a -dead shot with the pistol. - -His man fell to the ground with a yell of pain, badly wounded. - -Again the revolvers cracked, and yet a third time. - -Eight of the Comanches were down, and the remaining ten, including Red -Buffalo and Snapping Fox, were wavering. - -Another discharge, and the fall of two more braves quickly decided them. -Turning their mustangs, they bent forward, so that the whites could not -get a good aim at them, and off they went like the wind. - -“Go it, ole Red Buffler. I let ye go off this time, fur I want ter hev a -stand-up fight wid ye. Yer maxim must be, ‘those who fight an’ run away, -may live to fight another day,’ judgin’ by the way ye’re a-makin’ -tracks,” said the guide, with a grin. - -The four whites mounted their horses, and rode off toward the south. - -They reloaded all of their weapons, and were talking over the recent -fight as they rode on. - -Suddenly the others saw Ralph turn in his saddle, and a low exclamation -burst from his lips. What had caused it? - -The others turned and looked back, but could see nothing. - -“What is it, Ralph?” asked the young hunter. - -“Look at the horizon. See that,” said Ralph. - -“I see nothing but a cloud rising. What do you make it out to be?” - -“I’ll tell yer what I know it to be. It is smoke. The cussed Injins hev -fired the grass. The wind is a-blowin’ strong right toward us, an’ we -must git. It looks bad, fur our horses are tired.” - -The others started when they heard this. They were not through with the -Comanches, after all. Red Buffalo hated them terribly, and although -beaten in a square fight, he was not beaten altogether. - -Obeying the order of the guide, the whites set off at as rapid a pace as -they could command. This was not much, as their horses, or at least -three of them, were pretty well tired out. - -The Indians knew this when they fired the prairie-grass, and now the -Indian chief thought he had the hated whites in a fix. - -Little did he know the fertile brain of the old hunter. - -Ralph explained to the other three, that some distance ahead was a wide, -but shallow stream. The prairie went down to the edge, and the fire -would go that far and no further. - -There was a forest on the other side, and Ralph wanted to reach this. - -On they went, casting glances of apprehension behind them. - -As the cloud of smoke and the fire came closer, these glances were -partly admiring ones. No one but a timid man or an absolute coward could -fail to admire the scene, even at this dangerous situation. - -“Von beautiful sight. Von superb spectacle. Von grand, sublime, -magnificent picture. De man dat paint dat, he be worth a fortune,” -murmured the brave and enthusiastic Frenchman, as he watched the huge -billows of fire, as they rolled upward, topped off with volumes of dense -black smoke. - -Now a herd of fleet deer would shoot past the four riders, their large -eyes distended with terror, at the sight behind them. - -Then came a drove of wild mustangs, going like the wind. After this came -a confused medley of buffaloes, wolves, coyotes, horses, deer, and in -among them came a huge bear, which was making excellent time. - -The fire looked grand and terrible, as it got closer and closer. - -The four whites could not help admiring the sight, even though they knew -that perhaps it would be their death. - -The flames shot hundreds of feet into the air, and came onward, at a -speed which would have put a race-horse down. - -The wind was pretty strong, and as the guide had said before, was coming -straight toward them. - -On went the four riders, and on came the sea of fire. - -It looked like a fiery avenger, upon the track of the whites, and the -little Frenchman could not help wondering whether he and his comrades -would ever see the sun again. - -That bright luminary was hidden from sight now, by the dense clouds of -smoke that covered the prairie. - -The guide began to look anxious. The river was quite a distance away, -and the fire getting alarmingly near, as the increasing heat testified. -At length the circus-rider exclaimed: - -“How far is it to the water, Ralph?” - -“About two-thirds o’ a mile, I reckon,” replied the hunter. - -“We’ll never reach it, then,” said Barry. - -“Jest what I was a-thinkin’,” said the guide. - -“Then what in heaven’s name will we do? We can’t keep on this way. Have -you no plan, Ralph?” said Barry. - -“We’ll stop not over three hundred yards from hyar,” answered Ralph. - -“How’s that? There’s not a tree, log or rock around. Explain what you -say,” said the young hunter, turning to the guide. - -“Why we can’t reach the river, that’s certain. We’ve got to do -something, fur thar’s no fun in being burned up by the pesky fire. Now -what I propose is this. We’ll _fight fire wid fire_. What d’ye say to -that, now?” called out Ralph, to make himself heard above the trampling -hoofs, and the roaring and crackling of flames, which came rushing on -like a huge wall. - -“We don’t know what you mean,” returned Barry, in an equally loud tone, -for the very same reason. - -“Why it’s this. When we git to that high grass over thar we’ll dismount, -and start a fire o’ our own. How’s that fur high?” - -“It is von elegant plan vich ve shall follow at once, Monsieur Ralph,” -said the polite little naturalist. - -Looking around as the Frenchman spoke (the naturalist was a little -behind the others), the hunter saw a sight which caused a huge grin to -come upon his face, and it to relax from its thoughtful mood. - -The sharp and cool Frenchman had opened his umbrella, and was holding it -above his head to keep the sparks off. - -The guide gave a roar of laughter, in which he was joined by the other -two, and which was echoed by the subject. - -Then, as they had reached the spot where the grass was high, the four -men suddenly checked their wild career, and sprung to the ground. - -The Frenchman had shut down his umbrella, and being in the mind of the -hunter the person most suited to hold the horses, the latter were given -in his care. The other three began to pull up the dry grass, and to pile -it up as rapidly as wthey could. - -It was a matter of life and death with them, and the way they worked was -a caution, their arms flew about as if by magic, and the heap of grass -grew higher and higher. - -The Frenchman had his hands full in keeping the bridles of his horses in -his hands, for the animals, frightened at the nearness of the immense -sea of fire, and at the falling sparks, were very wild and strove to -break away, but the naturalist was stronger than one would take him to -be, and he managed to hold onto them, although several times he was very -nearly dragged from his feet. - -It was a singularly wild and picturesque scene. The smoke obscured the -light of the sun, and the flames lit up the prairie with a reddish sort -of light, which made all objects have a curious look about them. There, -pictured in the light, was a little man, holding four horses by the -bridles, and striving to keep them quiet. - -Close beside him were three others, plucking up the grass and pitching -it upon the already large pile. - -No wonder they did not stop an instant to note the near approach of the -fire. _They were working for life, and had not a second to lose._ - -It was getting fearfully hot, and they could stand it no longer. - -Ralph took out his revolver and fired a load into the dry grass. Then, -as a tiny flame sprung up, he grasped his horse and waited. - -The others relieved Tierney of their horses, for which the little -naturalist was not in the least sorry. The small flame grew larger and -larger, and as the wind came down upon it, began moving, at first -slowly, and then faster as it increased in size and strength. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE. - - -Anxiously the four men watched the fire they had kindled, and as it grew -larger and stronger, and rushed onward more rapidly, a loud cheer came -from their lips, for they saw that they were saved. - -All they had to do now was to mount their horses and ride in the wake of -the second fire. When the one behind them got to the spot where the -second had been started, it would have to die out for want of fuel, -which to it was the same as breath to a human being. - -The old hunter had literally _fought fire with fire_, and the experiment -had proved a complete success. - -It was getting terribly warm now, and the four decided to change their -position. Mounting their horses, they rode after the fire which had been -started by them. After going some distance, they were forced to stop, as -the ground was nearly red hot, such was the heat of the fire that had -just swept over it. The fire behind them was only a few moments in -reaching the black spot which told where Ralph had kindled the rival -flame. It quickly died away, and our friends turned their attention to -the other fire, which, in sailor’s parlance, was bowling away over the -prairie at a rapid rate. - -The river was soon reached, and then the second fire also went out. Had -the river been narrow, it would probably have leaped across the stream, -and continued to ravage both forest and prairie. - -The whites camped on the spot, for the ground was too hot for them to -ride or walk over it. There was no wood around with which to build a -fire. Everything that would burn had been swallowed up by the fierce -flames, and the prairie was now black and had a very desolate look about -it. - -There was no need of the whites’ building a fire, even had there been -plenty of wood around. Here and there, where grass had been of an -unusual length, were heaps of red-hot cinders, if such we may call the -remains of the prairie-grass. - -All they had to do was to cook their meat by one of these ready-made -ovens, and then proceed to munch it. - -They cleared a round space of the burnt grass, and lay down upon the -bare ground with only blankets around them. - -The trapper and circus-rider smoked their pipes, and the whole four -talked together in low tones. - -Then, feeling kind of tired, they lay over and slept, each one taking -his turn as sentinel. The horses were hoppled, but there was no danger -of their trying to get away, or of their straying, for there was no -sweet grass to lure them on. Poor animals! they had to go supperless -that night, but Ralph had resolved that they should pay up for it the -next morning, for they should stay in among the trees on the other side -of the river for a day or two, reds or no reds. - -Morning broke at last, and as the gray light in the east began to herald -its approach, the four whites mounted their steeds. - -They found that during the night a cool wind had sprung up, and the -baked ground had lost most of its heat; in fact, it was no hotter than -it generally was in the middle of the day. - -Away they started, heading directly for the river. The horses seemed to -scent grass and water, for they exerted themselves to get forward a -great deal more than they would have voluntarily done had their heads -been turned in the opposite direction. The forest on the river bank was -in plain view, and the four were rapidly approaching it. - -The fire had burned down to the very edge of the water, and the contrast -between the two shores was very striking; the one so bleak, black, and -uninviting; the other so green and beautiful. - -Upon reaching the water, the horses rushed in and began to drink -heartily. Their riders were not long in following the example set by the -horses, and they drank their fill too. - -The stream was a branch of the Pecos, which the four whites had crossed -just a few miles from the Comanche village. - -They waded as far across as it was possible, and the horses gallantly -swam the remaining distance with their riders upon their backs. - -Upon reaching the other bank the four made haste to take the saddles -from their horses, and after hoppling the animals, they were left alone -to eat the rich grass which was plentiful underneath the trees, and -which was not dry and withered like that on the prairie, for the simple -reason that the sun did not get at it so much. - -A fire was quickly started, and soon Ralph heard the crack of the young -hunter’s rifle a short distance away. - -The latter soon came into sight with his rifle slung across his back, -and dragging the carcass of a young buck he had shot. - -Ralph carved out a dozen fine steaks, and as the fire was progressing -finely and without hardly any smoke, the four were soon busily engaged -in cooking their steaks over the flames. - -When the meat was done to a turn, they proceeded to make it disappear, -and as only four steaks out of the twelve were left, when all were done, -we might safely say that the appetites of the whites had not suffered -any on account of the terrible death from which they had escaped the -evening before. - -The horses seemed to be enjoying themselves hugely, if one might judge -by the way they “went for” the sweet grass. - -They needed a good rest, and all four of the men decided to remain in -the grove the whole of that day, and to start off the next morning. And -even had the others wanted to go that day, Monsieur Tierney would have -refused point blank to move until the next morning. - -He wanted to take a look around the woods, and would not forego that -exquisite pleasure (to him at least), for any Comanches. - -So immediately after he had finished his breakfast, he started off with -his case in his hand, his umbrella fastened to his back, and his tiny -revolver in his belt. - -He promised to come back before dark, and to be sure that if he did get -lost he could follow up his own tracks, or failing to do this, the -others could track him, he stepped heavily and left a plain trail behind -him, which any Indian boy able to walk could follow. The others remained -near the fire, for they had no curiosity to examine the woods as the -French naturalist had. - -The trapper told the others that this was a good time to clean their -firearms, and the whole three set about it. - -The rifles and revolvers were cleaned and oiled well, and new loads put -in, in the place of those that had been drawn. - -Whenever Ralph, or for that matter either of the others, thought of the -coolness of the naturalist, the evening before, in making use of his -umbrella even when death seemed to stare him in the face, they could not -help laughing. - -They all admired the pluck of the Frenchman, and concluded that the -umbrella, which they had always looked upon with disdain, was not such a -bad thing to carry after all. - -Little did the three men think that before the sun had set again, they -would witness the little naturalist display a degree of nerve and -cunning that would have shamed them all. - -Little did they think, that the humble umbrella was to be put to a use -which for adaptability and a ludicrous sight had never been equaled -before. All unconscious of what they were to see, and of the amount of -fun in store for them, the three men whiled away the morning as well as -they possibly could. - -The young hunter explained more fully to his comrades, how he had come -to be captured by the Comanches. - -The two others applauded him when he told how he had saved the Donna -Iola from the panther, and afterward from the Indians. - -“Jest like a romance, fur all the world. But ye say that the Donna Iola -war from the South. I knew a little gal down thar named Iola Montgomery. -Her daddy’s an American, an’ her mother’s dead. That’s a singular name, -an’ I don’t doubt but what your Donna an’ mine are the same. If they -are, then ye may be sure thet Don Carlos, az the American is called by -the Mexicans, will follow up the trail with his peons and vaqueroes. - -“Ye say the Donna told ye that Red Buffalo took a roundabout way to the -village to bamboozle the pursuers, if there war any. Now I bet we’re on -the very trail they made, an’ if so, we can look for the Don an’ his men -at any time, fur if the Donna does meet ’em she’ll hurry ’em up, ye -bet,” said the hunter guide. - -About two hours after noon, as the three men were sitting near the fire, -Ralph put up his hand, and told the others to listen. - -They did so, and heard five little cracks which sounded strangely like -the discharge of the naturalist’s revolver. - -“The mounseer’s in trouble. Come, let’s go an’ help him,” said Ralph. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT WITH AN UMBRELLA. - - -We will now follow the naturalist, and see what had befallen him. - -When he left his comrades, he wandered around in every direction, his -keen little eyes peering into every corner. - -Now and then he would spring forward and gently pull up a modest looking -weed (to all appearance), and examine it eagerly. - -Suddenly a scream of delight broke from his lips, and he leaped over at -least eight feet of ground, and knelt beside a new kind of herb. With -trembling fingers he examined it, giving vent to various exclamations of -surprise and joy at the discovery. - -“_Sacré_, I have found de plant at last. I am von famous man, an’ de -society will make me dere President, vid a salary of thousands of -francs. Oh, Monsieur Tierney is von big man. I have found vat I comes to -Ameriky to hunt for, an’ I is satisfied. Begar, vat vill dat rival of -mine, Bedoubsky, say? He vill be von very mad man ven he sees me -President. Mon Dieu, I am von happy man,” cried the Frenchman, as he -tenderly pulled up the modest, but in after years, famous herb, by the -roots, and put it into his case. - -Long and earnestly did he look at it, as it lay in the receptacle which -had been long waiting to receive its almost priceless form. - -Noon had long since passed, and the Frenchman, too happy to think of -such vile things as food, had not touched the meat that he had put in -his pocket before leaving the camp. - -His thoughts were running into the future, and he was building all sorts -of castles in the air, in respect to his fine prospects. - -These were suddenly tumbled to the ground by a low growl, which sounded -close beside him. - -Instantly the naturalist turned, and saw, to his great surprise, a huge -black bear, coming directly toward him. - -He had the presence of mind to slam the lid of the case, and as it had a -spring-lock, it was fastened securely. - -Springing to his feet, the little naturalist looked around for a tree -which he could climb and remain in, until old Bruin should choose to -depart. - -The bear did not seem to be very hungry, and the Frenchman might not -have to wait very long for it to go away, after all. The only tree -anywhere near him was the one at the foot of which he had found the -strange herb, and under which he was now standing. He resolved to climb -up among the branches, and to remain there until the bear was gone. - -No sooner thought of than acted upon. - -Seizing a branch, the lowest on the tree, he pulled himself, umbrella -and all, up among the limbs. - -The tree was a very singular-looking one. One side was entirely -destitute of branches, except at the top. Here a pretty large limb shot -straight out, and as this was bare and half dead, it looked like an arm. -This limb was very nearly eighty feet from the ground. The other side of -the tree had limbs, large and small in abundance, _up to the dead limb_. -Above this the tree was rotten, and full of the holes made by -wood-peckers. - -The bear came slowly up to the spot where the monsieur had been seated, -and began smelling around. - -The Frenchman, for the first time, began to realize that he was hungry, -and so he took out his meat and began to eat it, taking care not to -attract the notice of the huge bear. - -Five minutes passed and then the Frenchman happened to cast his eyes -upon the bear. A shrill cry of rage came from his lips as he saw Bruin -rolling his precious case around, and trying to break it open. His -unfinished dinner dropped to the ground, and he yelled at the bear with -all his might, using all the French words he could manage to get out, -and mingling them with English in a terrible way. - -This jargon had no more effect on Bruin than a fly would. - -He took a look at the speaker, as if astonished to hear such a jumbling -of languages, and then proceeded with his fun, as he deemed the rolling -the case around, but to the little naturalist it was agony. - -Suddenly the other bethought himself of his revolver. - -Drawing it out, he took aim at the big bear and fired. - -Again and again he shot, and at length the little pistol was empty. - -The effect upon the bear was about the same as a small load of shot -would have been. The bullets drew blood but they did not disable the -bear in the least. - -They hurt, however, and the bear made a dash at the tree in which his -enemy was seated, and began to ascend. - -The naturalist, seeing that it would not do to stay where he was, seized -hold of a limb above him, and pulled himself up. - -Up, up he went, the bear following after, in a great rage. Yard after -yard was passed over, and the little man was near to the top of the -tree. - -He glanced nervously about him, but there seemed to be no escape. - -He was on the last limb, and above him was the dead trunk of the tree, -and the half-dead limb which stretched out on the bare side of the tree. - -What could he do? It certainly looked as though his last moment had -come. The bear was just below him and in another moment would be up with -him. - -It was just at this critical moment that our friends came in sight of -the tree, although a good distance off. - -At first they knew not what to make of what they saw. - -The naturalist was in plain sight, but the bear was on the other side of -the tree, and in among the branches, therefore they did not see him. - -While they were wondering what was the cause of the little man’s strange -actions, they caught sight of the bear. - -Then they knew at once what was the matter. - -“Heavens, the French Parley Voo is gone up. We can’t never git a crack -at the varmint, an’ the mounseer is bound to be caught, ’less he jumps -off, an’ that’s certain death. Look thar; did ye ever see the beat o’ -that fur coolness. The cuss is a-straddlin’ the limb, an’ workin’ his -way out, a-holdin’ the umbrella above his head, to keep the sun off. I’d -go my bottom dollar on him fur pluck.” - -It was indeed true. Monsieur Tierney was sitting on the half-dead limb, -and edging his way out toward the end of it. - -Above his head he held his huge umbrella, as if to keep shady. - -In the eyes of the three friends it was the very essence of pluck. - -The bear was creeping slowly and cautiously after him, stopping now and -then to look around it. Once, it tried to go back, but it found it was -no go, and that it was easier to go forward, so it kept on, thinking, -probably, that it could go where the naturalist could. - -It was a strange and fearful sight. - -They were about eighty feet above the earth, and as it seemed, only a -piece of rotten wood between the Frenchman and eternity. - -The three men thought that their comrade was only showing his -recklessness, when he raised his umbrella, as if to keep the sun off. - -They did not think that he was following out a brilliant idea, which at -the last moment had flashed into his mind. - -The bear kept crawling out, and as the Frenchman had to keep out of his -reach, he had to keep edging away until at length he was as far as he -dared to go. - -Then, greatly to the surprise of his friends, he rose to his feet, -holding onto the handle of his umbrella with both hands. - -What was he about to do? - -This question which the three asked themselves did not remain long -unanswered, for the Frenchman began to move. - -“Look at the pesky leetle cuss. He’s dancing on the limb, by the -highfalutin’ gimcracks. He’s tryin’ ter bu’st it!— Thar she goes. He’s a -dead man, by heavens,” said Ralph. - -The Frenchman had by his jumping broken the limb, and like a flash, both -bear and limb came to the ground, the former killed, and the latter -broken into a thousand pieces. - -The three men followed the large body in its descent with their eyes. - -That the naturalist was dead, they felt certain. He could never survive -that fall. - -The three men looked at the body on the ground, but to their surprise -could see no Frenchman. - -Where could he be? He could not have saved himself by catching hold of -any of the branches, for there were none on that side of the tree. - -Barry, convulsed with laughter, which seemed very strangely out of -place, pointed up into the air, as if to explain his untimely mirth. - -The others looked, and instantly the expression on their faces changed -from the serious to the comic. And no wonder. There was the light little -naturalist coming down, sailing slowly and majestically toward the -ground, and holding with both hands to his large umbrella. - -His brilliant idea had proved a success. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - WHY RALPH WAS CALLED THE “HUNTER HERCULES.” - - -How the naturalist happened to think of this very extraordinary idea, -none of the others knew. They saw, however, that it had proved a -success, and that was enough just then. - -Monsieur Tierney was not hurt in the least, for the big umbrella had let -him down as softly as though it had just been made for that purpose. The -three others soon had hold of the Frenchman, but they could not hold him -long. - -Breaking away, he rushed over to where his case lay, and opening it, he -began to laugh with joy when he found the precious herb just as he had -left it. The guide soon explained the curious (to the young hunter and -Barry) antics of his patron. - -“Ye see, boys, he cum out to find an ’arb that he sed would make him -famous, an’ I guess he’s found it. Ye must excuse him, for ye know he’s -only a Parley Voo, frog-eating Frenchman.” - -At length they managed to get the “mounseer,” as Ralph called the -naturalist, over to where the fire was burning. - -The guide cut off the choice portions of the defunct bear, and then -followed them. The naturalist held his case under his arm, as if it was -a loving friend, and in truth was it not? - -Did it not contain that which was a mine of wealth to the “mounseer?” -The Frenchman was right in guarding the case closely. - -Already he saw in his mind the astonishment and joy of the renowned -professors, whose equal he was to become, and the chagrin and rage of -his hated rival, when he appeared once more in Paris, bringing the -precious and long-sought-for herb. - -While the Frenchman was sitting at the foot of a tree, doting upon his -treasure, the others were lounging around the fire. - -All at once a thought struck Chauncy, and he turned to the guide who lay -near the fire smoking his pipe with evident relish. - -“Ralph,” said he, “I’ve a favor to ask of you. My father told me that -you was called the _Hunter Hercules_ by the Indians and hunters, but -refused to tell me the story. He told me to ask you to give it, and I do -so now. Come, toe the mark, old boy, and begin.” - -“Wal, boy, I might az well come to the scratch, I see, for ye’re bound -to hev it out o’ me, an’ az it ain’t a very big yarn, though a true one. -The kurnel, or major, I forget which he is now, boy, but I mean yer -daddy, always said that the name was very appropriate, an’ I must -acknowledge myself that I am some on the lift, in fact I never seen my -equal. Wait till I get in a fight, an’ then I’ll show ye how I came to -git the name. But ye want to know how I got the name on me first. Wal, -then, I lay myself out to it an’ begin. - -“Ye see I haven’t always been a hunter an’ a trapper, a guide an’ an -army scout. I used to be a merchant once, and was pretty well off, but a -blarsted feller az I took in az a pardner, he run off wid every thing he -c’u’d lay hands on, an’ left me ter pay the debts, an’ to do this I had -to sell every thing. - -“Seein’ az a feller widout money couldn’t get on very well in the city, -I started for the prairies, an’ for the last twenty years I have been -out West. I made a heap o’ money at the gold mines in California, an’ I -might go to the East now if I wanted, an’ live like a gentleman. But to -go on wid my yarn. - -“Ye see, I jined teams wid an old hunter, an’ for a cupple o’ years we -roamed over the prairies, a-huntin’, trappin’ an’ doin’ a little o’ -Injin-fightin’. - -“My chum, a feller named Buck Rawson, hed never seen me in a -hand-to-hand fight, an’ so he didn’t think I was much. - -“One time we were up at Fort Laramie, an’ it war there that I got the -name ye talk about. There was a strappin’ big feller, a head taller than -me, an’ he was reckoned more than a match for any feller in the fort, -an’ there war some well-known Injin-fighters around at that time too. -This feller war az big a bully az ever I seen, an’ the way he made -soldiers, miners, hunters an’ reds obey him would have made any one -believe that _he_ war the kurnel that had command o’ the fort. - -“He had a terrible fist on him, and was reckoned a dead fighter. I -always had been a well-known wrestler an’ a very strong man, an’ the -very minnit I set eyes on this ‘Red’ Lawson, I resolved that he wouldn’t -come any o’ his tricks over ‘yours truly.’ - -“If he tried it on me, he’d find himself in hot water an’ there would be -a fight, for I had made up my mind to go for him. Some of the hunters -an’ trappers knew Buck an’ me, an’ we war not long in gettin’ rid o’ our -pelts. - -“The fort warn’t much then; a sorter tradin’-post, wid a few blue-coats -in it, so ye see this ‘Red’ Lawson had it just his own way. I made up my -mind that he had had his way long enough, an’ that I would be the one -that was to polish him off. - -“Buck Rawson war the feller that could give ye a good description o’ -that fight, but, poor feller, he’s rubbed out. Got shot by a cussed -Navajo, while we were rescuing a woman from ’em. - -“Wal, the way the fight come about, war az follows: - -“The second day after I arrived at the fort, I war goin’ along the -street, where the log hut air, when I heerd a woman squeal. That is a -sound I never could resist. If a woman yelled for help, an’ certain -death stared me in the face, I would always run to the rescue. The sound -came from a log hut, an’ I dashed open the door an’ rushed in. There, in -the middle o’ the only room it contained, was that villain, ‘Red’ -Lawson, a-tryin’ to kiss a pretty woman, while her husband, scared -e’en’most out o’ his life, stood lookin’ on. That man war wuss nor a -coward. - -“A coward will always fight for one he loves, but this baby just stood -an’ looked on, while the ruffian tried to kiss his wife, too scared to -raise a hand in her behalf. - -“Wid one blow I knocked the feller senseless, an’ ye may be sure that -blow war a pretty hard one. It cum straight from the shoulder, an’ them -kind o’ blows _are_ generally killing. - -“I dragged him out o’ the house and left him in the street, an’ wid the -thanks o’ the pretty woman yet in my ears, I walked off. Thet arternoon -Buck came rushin’ inter the hut we occupied. - -“‘Jewhilikens!’ sez he, nearly out o’ breath; ‘thar’s goin’ ter be great -doings hyur this evenin’. Some foolish cuss went for ‘Red’ Lawson, an’ -he’s goin’ to keelhaul him this evenin’. He’ll do it too, I b’lieve, for -he’s in a terrible rage.’ - -“‘Do yer know who the man is?’ I asked. - -“‘No,’ sed he. - -“‘I do,’ sez I. - -“‘Ye do. Who is it?’ exclaimed Buck. - -“‘Ralph Bison,’ I replied, az quietly az I could. Buck instantly wanted -me to gather up my traps an’ clear out, ‘fur,’ sez he, ‘ye’ll never see -the light o’ another day.’ I refused to move a step, an’ then Buck told -me he would see fair play. - -“‘If,’ sez he, ‘“Red” Lawson tries foul play, I’ll put an ounce o’ lead -in his black heart, an’ do a good deed.’ - -“Toward evenin’ we went out, an’ soon I saw ‘Red’ comin’ toward me wid a -crowd follerin’ him. - -“When he got close up, he drew a knife an’ made a rush at me. Nothin’ -loth, I drew mine, but at the first strike both o’ the weapons flew from -our hands. We daren’t draw our pistols at that short distance, so ‘Red’ -he struck at me wid his fist. - -“I dodged, an’ guv him a blow behind the ear that kind o’ made him see -stars an’ smell the ground. - -“Up he got an’ made another rush at me, but went down ag’in. The third -time he closed, thinking that he might lift me up from my feet an’ throw -me down. Ha! ha! he found himself in az tight an’ lovin’ a clasp az if a -grizzly had hold o’ him. - -“His breath came in gasps, an’ I might have squeezed the life out o’ him -then and thar, but I didn’t want to kill the crittur. - -“Then I astonished the heathens, by liftin’ the heavy feller above my -head an’ pitchin’ him twenty feet off as though he was a five-pound -weight. Thar’s a heap o’ strength left in these arms yet, though I am -well on to fifty-five. Arter that I became known as the _Hunter -Hercules_, an’ have gone by that name ever since. Now ye’ve got the -yarn, boy, an’ though it ain’t an all-fired bloody one, like some I -could tell ye, but not vouch for, it’s true, az fifty fellers az seen it -kin swear,” and the hunter proceeded to light his pipe which had gone -out during his recital, with a burning brand taken from the fire near -which he sat. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - DONNA IOLA MEETS THE TRAILERS. - - -We will now return to the Donna Iola, whom we have left altogether too -long, to follow the fortunes of our hero. - -The young girl would have felt very glad had Chauncy but beckoned to her -to stop, for then she might at least die at his side. She had conceived -a very strong love for her rescuer, and it was with great reluctance -that she separated from him. - -How was she to know whether she would ever see him again? More than once -she had half-resolved to turn back and stay with him, in spite of his -entreaties. - -But then she remembered what Chauncy had said about her finding -assistance and coming to rescue him. - -Although the hope was not very strong in her breast that she would find -her father and his men, yet she could not help thinking that perhaps, -after all, there might be happy days in store for Chauncy and herself. - -As long as Chauncy was in sight, she kept turning in the saddle to watch -him. Then, when she was out of his sight, she urged the brave horse on -still faster. - -She was unconsciously following the trail the Indians had made when they -had her a captive. - -Had she known this, she would have kept on it, knowing that in a day or -so she must come up to her father, if he was trailing her up, as she was -sure of. - -After riding seven or eight miles, she slackened up the speed of her -horse, and let him walk, for the animal had had quite a sharp run. - -Soon she dismounted and walked beside him for nearly a mile, patting him -on the neck, and feeling very proud when the noble animal rubbed his -velvet muzzle against her cheeks, as he was wont to do to Chauncy. He -evidently saw in Iola one whom he might, in some future time, call his -mistress. - -It was while Iola was walking beside her steed that she suddenly -branched off from the trail she had been pursuing, though unconsciously. -It was well for her afterward that she was walking when she left the -trail, as the reader will soon see. - -All day long the lovely Donna rode on in what she believed to be the -right direction. Just as night came on, she found, to her horror, that -she had arrived at the place she had started to ride off from the trail -at. She had been riding in a circle all day. - -She found plenty of provisions in the bundle which was strapped to the -saddle, and made a good supper, despite her situation. - -She slept that night on the open prairie, with none to watch over her -but her Father in heaven. And yet Iola was not one to be easily -frightened. - -She could not help wondering, however, whether her next night would be -passed in the same way. - -Long before the sun arose, she was up and off, eating her scanty -breakfast as she rode. She knew that she had kept edging toward the -right the day before (and this is natural to one not much accustomed to -the open plain where there is hardly any mark to guide one) and to -remedy this evil she kept turning a little to the left every now and -then. - -In this way she managed to go in quite a straight line but although she -did not know it, yet _she was heading in the wrong direction_, and was -going nearly east instead of south. - -All day long she rode, keeping a good look-out, but late in the -afternoon she felt that it was fated that she should spend another night -alone. When she reached a “motte” of trees she resolved to camp here, as -it was a great deal better than the open plain, and there was a cool -spring in among the trees, too, and this the Donna and her horse -attacked with a vigor which was sharpened by long thirsting. - -Upon going to the edge of the grove to see the sunset, she was surprised -and somewhat startled to see a band of horsemen coming toward the trees, -directly from the west. - -Who could they be? This was the question that the Donna asked herself, -as her eyes first fell upon them. - -Friends or foes, which? - -She resolved to be ready for any emergency, however, and putting the -saddle on the horse again she mounted him, and waited on the edge of the -trees, anxious to know who the horsemen were. She had no fears of being -captured, even should they prove to be Comanches. Her horse, though -tired, could not be in a worse condition than those of the band coming -toward her, and she could keep ahead of them until darkness came on, -which would not be long for it was already getting dusk. - -As the band of horsemen came closer, the Donna saw one thing and that -was: _they were following her trail_. - -This made her feel that they were her enemies, the Comanches, for what -would her father and his men be doing away out here? - -They would follow the trail left by Red Buffalo and his warriors when -they had the Donna a captive. - -The Donna could see one man dismount as dusk came on, and follow up her -trail on foot, one of his comrades leading his horse by the bridle. Iola -would have fled at once, but it seemed to her as though the men were not -naked from the waist up. - -The band were hardly distinguishable as they rode up to the “motte.” It -was evident that they intended to encamp in the trees. - -As they drew near Iola heard one of them speak, and to her intense -delight the words were not spoken in the Comanche tongue, but in fluent -Mexican. - -“Señor,” said the voice, coming from the dismounted trailer, “we will -have to rest here until the moon rises. Then we will take up the trail -again, and follow it all night if necessary.” - -“You are right, Alvarez, we will follow it as long as possible. We know -that at the end of this trail is your mistress, and that end _must_ be -reached,” said a voice, that made the Donna start and with a sobbing cry -dash out. - -The next moment she was in the arms of her father, Don Carlos, and the -vaqueros and peons, brave men, every one of them, were crowding around -her. A fire was soon lighted, and, over a hearty supper, Donna Iola -related her adventures to her father. He agreed with her when she said -that an effort _must_ be made to rescue Chauncy from the Comanches and -when she related what the brave young man had done, the men (there were -thirty of them) all signified their approval of his decision. They loved -the Donna, and any one that had twice saved her from death, at the risk -of his own life, must not be forgotten. - -The Donna soon learned how she came to be tracked. - -The men had come to where she left the trail, early that morning, in -fact just after she was out of sight. - -The trailer, Alvarez, after the Don had recognized the tracks of the -Donna’s feet, soon found out the true state of affairs. - -He knew that the Donna had made a circuit and had camped on the spot. He -also knew that the fresh marks was the trail for them to follow. It was -very lucky that the Donna had happened to be on foot when she left the -main trail; otherwise the trackers would never have suspicioned who rode -the horse, the hoof-marks of which they would have seen. - -The Donna slept that night in security, and early the next morning the -whole band took the back trail. - -That night they camped on the spot where Iola had left the Indian trail, -and where she had camped two nights before. - -The next day they took up the trail, and when night overtook them they -were not many miles from the river on the bank of which our hero and his -three friends were encamped, and where Monsieur Tierney had that day -performed his exploit with his umbrella. - -The moon arose, and as it lit up the earth the band, who were in a clump -of trees, heard the noise of a fight, just behind another small grove -about a mile distant. The yells of the Comanches and the hurrahs of -white men could be plainly heard. - -Common humanity prompted Don Carlos to leave the Donna in charge of a -man, and to go to the aid of the whites. - -But it was something more that made Iola hurry the men off. She had a -presentiment that her lover was one of the whites, and that he was in a -pretty bad fix and needed aid. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - A STERN CHASE IS GENERALLY A LONG ONE. - - -After Ralph had finished his yarn, the whites sat for some time talking -around the fire. - -The afternoon began to rapidly draw to a close, and darkness was soon at -hand. The sky was clear of clouds, and all knew when the moon _did_ rise -it would have a clear field before it. The day had been pretty warm, but -night brought cool and very pleasant breezes with it. The birds had all -gone to their nests or were asleep in the branches of the trees with -their heads underneath their wings. The animals which were generally -seen in the daytime were all gone now, and the many voices of the night -were the only things to be heard. - -From the trees came the shrill scream of the panther, the lonely hoot of -the owl, the scream of the night-hawk and cries from other animals and -birds. From the plains came the howls of the wolves, sounding dismally -through the darkness of the night. From the river came the croaking of -frogs and the buzzing of many insects that infest watery places. - -All were accustomed to these night noises and did not notice them in the -least. They were listening to the guide, who was telling a splendid -story about “Kit Carson on the war-path,” and how he avenged the death -of a poor settler. - -The hunter was an old friend of Ralph’s, and many a time had these two -hunted together on the plains. - -The three others were listening with great interest, for the yarn (and -it was a true one) was a very wild one, and well calculated to make the -hearers feel an intense interest in it. - -All at once, while in the middle of a sentence, the guide stopped, and -held up his hand for the others to remain quiet. He had heard some noise -that sounded suspicious. - -What it was none of the others knew just then, but they watched the -hunter as with head on one side he sat listening. - -They wondered what noise the old hunter had heard, but in fact it was -_not_ a noise that he heard but the sudden stoppage of one which had -been sounding in his ears since darkness had set in. - -The wolves on the burnt plain, on the opposite side of the river, had -_suddenly stopped howling_. To any of the others, this incident would -not have meant any thing even had they noticed it, which is very -doubtful. But to an old hunter and Indian-fighter it meant a good deal. -The wolves would never stop howling unless some human being was near -them. Therefore Ralph was listening for some sound which would tell -whether there were men on the other side of the river or not. He did not -have long to wait. - -A sound came to their ears, even though the wind was _not_ coming from -the river to them, that even the Frenchman heard, although of course -_he_ did not know what made them. - -The sound which all heard was like that made by a crowd of horses or -buffaloes, but the old hunter knew that every one of those horses had a -rider upon its back. At first he thought it must be Red Buffalo and the -remnant of his band returning to the river after the fire to see if the -whites had escaped or been burned up. - -He soon knew, however, that the noise was a great deal too heavy to be -made by the Comanche chief and the few men who had escaped with him. -Whoever it was coming, there were scores of horses, as the old hunter -knew by his natural sharpness. - -Like a flash he sprung to his feet and stamped upon the fire. The young -hunter and the circus-rider were not backward in following his example, -and the fire was soon extinguished, to the last spark. - -And now the question was had those who were coming seen the fire? - -A loud yell, unmistakably pure Comanche, came to their ears. This -startled the whites for three reasons, the first of which was that they -had no thought of being pursued by a large body of their sworn enemies. -Secondly, their foes were nearer than they had taken them to be, and, -thirdly, they had seen the fire before it was put out. In fact, it had -been a beacon for them for nearly half an hour. - -“Onto yer hosses, boys. We’ve got to race for it ag’in, an’ the devil -take the hindmost.” The four sprung to their horses and quickly placed -the saddles upon them. While they were adjusting the girths the bright -moon, full and clear, peeped up above the eastern horizon, and lighted -up the plain and the river. - -Then our four friends saw where the Comanches were and what their number -was. They were just on the edge of the river, and were about to dash -into the water as the moon showed her smiling face. - -There were five score of horses, but only half that number of Indians. -Each man had a spare horse, which he led by the lariat. - -This sight made the guide feel very anxious, for should their horses get -tired they had no others to change to, while the Indians could mount -their spare horses, and they being nearly fresh would gain rapidly upon -the whites. As the four leaped upon their horses the Indians dashed into -the water and came rapidly across. - -Our friends rode off at as rapid a rate as they could through the -forest. Three minutes afterward the band of Comanches emerged from the -water and rode after them. - -When the Indians reached the plain the four whites were in full view, -and giving a war-cry they started in pursuit. - -At the head of the warriors rode Red Buffalo, the chief. - -He and the warriors who had escaped with him had met a large band after -they had set the prairie on fire. - -This was the band the chief before leaving the village had ordered to -follow after him. They brought spare horses with them, and the chief, -who did not feel sure that the fire had done the work he had intended it -to do, resolved that, after the ground became perfectly cool, he would -set out for the river. He knew that if his enemies had escaped they -would be somewhere in this vicinity, and even if he did not find them he -could find their trail. The Indians had come in sight of the fire, and -had they not had spare horses they would have tried to sneak up onto -their enemies. As it was they knew that they could catch up with them -anyhow, and so they resolved to have a race. - -Away they went over the treeless plain. - -Not a rock, nor a tree, nor a mound was in sight; all was one boundless -open plain. - -The Indians were now in their glory, and they rode along yelling and -howling in their fiendish glee. They felt sure of their foes now, and -could afford to yell a little. - -As to the chief, he rode along in silence, although he was even more -rejoiced than any of his warriors. Was not his sworn enemy, the Hunter -Hercules, in front of him, and was there not every chance of his being -captured or killed? The chief knew the hunter well, and he was well -aware that in the hand-to-hand fight that must occur, many would go down -beneath the iron arm of the hunter before he was rubbed out. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - RED BUFFALO MEETS HIS FATE. - - -The fugitives were slowly but surely losing ground, and so they urged -their horses to the utmost. For the next mile they managed to keep up -the distance between them and their pursuers. - -At a word from Red Buffalo the Comanches slid onto their spare horses, -and _then_ the gain was plainly seen by both parties. - -And now, away ahead the old hunter spies trees, and his object is to -reach these if possible. There a stand can be made with a little chance -of success, whereas, out on the open plain, they would be sure in the -end to go under, though there would be a terrible struggle made before -that could happen. - -Again and again the three who rode mustangs kicked their heels into the -sides of their small but game steeds, and the latter exerted every -muscle and sinew to increase their speed. - -Barry Le Clare could have easily distanced the Comanches on his noble -white horse, Snow Cloud, but he was as brave a man as the sun ever shone -upon. Never would he leave a comrade in danger. No, rather than do that -he would suffer a dozen deaths. - -His nature was a noble one, and when a man with his will resolved to do -any thing, that thing was surely done. - -He knew that it was his duty to stay by his comrades, and die with them -if necessary, and his mind was made up to do it. - -To tell the truth, he had no idea of running away. - -The race was coming to a termination, for the whites were being -overtaken, hand over hand. The trees were some distance off, and Ralph -saw that the Indians would be up with them before they could reach the -“motte” of timber beyond. - -He resolves, however, to get as near to the trees as possible, and then -to make a stand. It would then be “hilt to hilt.” What would be the -issue? Were the four whites doomed to a horrible death? - -The next fifteen minutes would decide their fate. - -It looked very much as though they would never see another day, for ten -to one, nay twelve to one, was more than enough to lay them out. The -Indians now saw what the whites were aiming for, and they increased -their speed so as to come up with them before the trees were reached. -Both the horses that the Comanches led, and those that they rode were -tired now, and had the fugitives only had fresh ones to mount they could -have easily ridden away. - -But the three mustangs were even more tired than those of the Indians, -and at length Ralph saw that they must make a stand. - -They were within a hundred yards of the trees, but the leading Comanches -were up to them. - -A word to his comrades sufficed to let them know his intentions, and -then like a flash the whole four suddenly stopped in their wild career. -Their rifles were discharged without lifting them to their shoulders. - -There was no time to do this. Every second was precious to the whites, -and every one must be used in diminishing the number of their foes. -Every one of the rifle-bullets proved to hold a life in it. - -Three warriors (the nearest to them) received the balls in their -breasts, and with wild screams that were heard above the howls and yells -of their comrades, they threw up their arms wildly above their heads, -and letting their weapons drop to the ground, they slipped from their -horses, and followed after them. - -Giving his rifle a whirl around his head, the old hunter let it fly at -one of his enemies. The Indian saw it coming and quickly dodged. He thus -escaped a hard blow, but although the heavy rifle missed the one it was -aimed at, yet it did its work. - -An Indian behind the one aimed at, received it full in his breast, and -he fell backward from his horse, pulling a comrade with him. - -As the hunter threw his gun, the right arm of Monsieur Tierney was -extended, and a faint crack was heard by his comrades. - -The Indians heard nothing but they saw a little cloud of smoke, and also -saw a comrade fall heavily from his horse. - -Again the tiny revolver sounds the death-warrant of an Indian, and by -this time the others had their pistols out. - -Crack! crack! crack! they went, sounding high and clear above the noise -of the combat. Again the deadly revolvers flashed out fire, smoke, and -lead. Again the Indians recoiled before this deadly fire. - -Then with a yell of rage that rolled hoarsely along the plain, they -dashed forward, and the fight became a general hand-to-hand struggle. - -The cracking of the revolvers scared the Indians for a time, but at -length these gave out. As they did so, the whites threw them at their -foes, knocking several from their saddles with these missiles. - -The ones knocked over got upon their feet again, but one and all had -badly damaged faces. - -And now the combat was hand to hand, hilt to hilt. - -Which of the two parties will prove victorious, and which will come out -of the small end of the horn. - -The knives of the three men were out, and in full play. - -The little naturalist was using his heavy umbrella with great effect. -This was a novel weapon to the Indians, and they are generally afraid of -any thing new, even though it is not deadly. - -Therefore they kept as far away from the “monsieur” as they possibly -could. He managed to knock at least half a dozen from their horses, -however, and began to get so excited that he broke into a torrent of -French words. - -His tongue ran on like a machine, freshly greased, and the Indians -looked with wonder upon him. They thought that all persons who talked so -much were either women or cowards. - -Yet here was a brave man who could beat any talker they had ever seen. -At every blow he gave a shrill yell and then went to work again with -both his umbrella and his tongue. - -As to the knives which the other three carried, the Indians were used to -them, and they pressed our friends pretty closely. - -The chief, Red Buffalo, was trying hard to get at the old hunter, and -the latter nothing loth, was not trying to keep out of his way. At -length the two came together, and the old hunter decided that then and -there he would put an end to Red Buffalo, even though he was doomed to -die the next moment. - -Both carried knives, and as they came together, they raised them to -strike. The Indian chief had mingled a great deal with the whites, and -had learned many of their customs. - -Among others, he had learned how to use a knife in quite a skillful -manner, and now the hunter saw that he had no mean antagonist to deal -with. Blow after blow followed in quick succession, and the others all -stopped fighting to witness the struggle between the two leaders. - -The Indian chief knew the power of his enemy’s arm, and he took care not -to get within reach of it. - -If the hunter ever clasped him in his arms, he would crush the life out -of him, as easily as a grizzly bear. - -Red Buffalo had, many a time heard of the great strength of the renowned -Hunter Hercules, and he had seen some of his exploits himself, therefore -he was pretty well acquainted with the latter’s mode of squeezing his -enemy to death. - -The chief thought that he was a match for the hunter with his knife, but -soon the other whites saw that their comrade was just fooling with the -Comanche. - -Clash, went the knives against each other. Steel hit upon steel, and as -if he was being beaten, the hunter went back a little. - -He guided his horse with his knees, and the intelligent animal knew just -which way its master wished it to go. - -The chief, thinking that he was about to be the victor, gave a yell of -triumph, and pressed his enemy more closely. - -A grim smile lit up the rugged face of the hunter. - -A dozen times he could have given the “coup de grace,” but he wanted to -keep up the fight as long as possible, for he wanted to give his -comrades a rest. - -As for himself, there was no tiring him out. His muscles were like iron, -and he could outlast any two men. - -Again and again the Indian sought to put his knife into the hunter’s -breast, but each time he was foiled by the latter, who easily warded off -the fierce blows. - -Had the Indian been an experienced fighter he would never have left his -breast unguarded when he lunged out so fiercely. Even the horses of the -two mortal foes seemed to hate each other, for they bit and kicked at -each other, and reared up in their rage. At length, Ralph resolved to -end the fight. - -Just then he heard a shout of warning from one of his comrades. A hasty -glance over his shoulder served to show him the cause of it. Three -Indians were hastening to the aid of their chief. The hunter resolved -that they should come up too late. A loud, terrible hurrah pealed forth -from their lips, and like a thunderbolt he came upon the chief. - -The latter’s attempt to guard off the deadly blows that were rained down -upon him were useless. - -A heavy blow from the hunter’s knife gave him his quietus, and like a -stricken hog, he gave a grunt, and fell from his horse, stone dead. The -knife had cut his black heart in twain. - -Another yell came from Ralph as he turned, and in a moment he was upon -the three warriors, who were coming to the aid of their chief. His knife -pierced the breast of one of them, and he fell from his steed with the -deadly blade in his body. - -The Comanches saw that the hunter was now unarmed, and they thought they -could easily kill him now. - -Never were men more utterly mistaken in their lives. - -Seizing hold of one of them he pulled him from his horse. - -Then all saw that the man had been rightly named the Hunter Hercules. -With what seemed to be a slight effort to what he was capable of making, -he raised the heavy Indian above his head, and after balancing him a -couple of seconds, sent him forward with a velocity that man had never -seen before. It seemed as though he had been shot from the mouth of a -cannon. The second Indian was struck in the breast by the first, and he -was knocked a dozen feet from his horse. - -Barry could not help thinking what a star the hunter would make in a -circus. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - HILT TO HILT AND FACE TO FACE. - - -As the Comanches saw their leader fall, they uttered a thundering yell -of rage, and came like a thunderbolt against the little band of whites. -This was echoed by a chorus of hurrahs from the trappers, and then they -went at it again. - -There was no holding back on the part of the Comanches now. - -They no longer cared for the Frenchman and his famous umbrella. - -On they came, yelling like so many fiends, and the last spark of hope -died out of the breasts of our friends, as they looked upon the -ferocious crowd of howling demons. - -There was not a spark of mercy in those gleaming, bloodshot eyes; no, -all of that (if there ever had been any, which is extremely doubtful,) -had died out with the death of their chief, Red Buffalo. - -The old hunter had seized a knife and was now beside his three comrades. -Any one, upon looking at these men sitting on their horses so quietly, -would have thought that they were so terror-stricken that they could not -move. - -But let him take a glance at their faces, and then he sees that which -makes him confess at once that his former conviction was utterly false. -In those flashing eyes, firmly-set teeth, and stern-looking faces he -would read their determination. - -If it was fated that they should die, then at least they would go on -fighting bravely. The Comanches did not like the appearance of the four -hunters in front of them. - -They looked like men in a desperate strait, who would fight for their -lives like lions, and the Indians felt a little of their courage oozing -out of their finger-ends, as they gazed upon them. - -But they had gone too far now to hesitate, and so with horrible yells, -given to help keep their courage up, they mingled with the four whites. - -Then began a combat which could only end in defeat to one of the two -contesting parties. None of those who were fighting, had even a thought -that the whites would get off. - -The Frenchman was separated from the rest and was valiantly defending -himself from the fierce attack of several of the Indians. - -His umbrella was whirling around his head, and now and then coming -against the head of an Indian with stunning force. - -The other three were together, and plying their knives with vigor on -their dusky assailants. - -More than one of the fierce, and bloodthirsty Indians went down before -the iron arm of the Hunter Hercules, and yet despite all of his valorous -deeds, it seemed as though the four whites must go under at last. There -was not a single chance for them to escape (as far as they or the -Comanches could see,) and they had already made up their minds to it. - -Ralph had one consolation, however, and that was the fact that if he did -have to give up the ghost, he had slain his hated enemy, Red Buffalo, -first. To the old hunter this was a great thing, and he gloried in the -fact that the Comanche chieftain had bit the dust with _his_ knife in -his heart. - -It seemed too bad on the part of the little Frenchman that he should be -killed just as he had found the wonderful herb, and accomplished the -darling object of his life. - -But Monsieur Tierney was game to the back-bone, and not a word came from -his lips as he fought on with stubborn bravery. - -The guide had, upon first sight, taken the Frenchman to be a city chap, -who would run at sight of a timid deer. - -Now he found how greatly he had been mistaken. - -He cast several admiring glances over to where the gallant foreigner -fought, and at length, seeing how the other was being pressed by his -foes, he fought his way over to him, and with his strong arm, stood and -fought beside him. - -Although every one of the four whites fought with terrible -ferociousness, dealing blow after blow with savage earnestness, yet the -odds were too great. The arms of three of them began to ache. - -Barry Le Clare and Chauncy had both received a few slight wounds, but as -yet none of the whites had been hurt very much. - -Horror of horrors; would this terrible strife never come to an end? -Would the Indians ever put an end to it by killing their opponents, or -by fleeing themselves? - -As to the latter, there was no chance of their doing that. Comanches -were never known to leave a foe when he was in their power, and it was -not at all likely that they would do so in the present instance. - -It seemed to the tired whites as though the combat had been going on for -hours, and yet all that has been told in this and the preceding chapter, -happened in the course of thirty minutes. - -There was one thing that the Comanches saw, and that was, that their -enemies would _never_ be captured alive. - -Knowing this, they made no effort to take them, but did every thing they -could possibly think of, to kill them. - -When Comanches can not get prisoners to torture, they are very well -satisfied with scalps. - -And now they concentrated their forces for a grand and final rush, which -would cut down all of the whites. - -The latter knew what was coming, and braced themselves for the coming -struggle. - -They were all together now, and with heaving breasts and determined -countenances they awaited the event, holding their weapons in readiness. -They knew that in five minutes more they would be most likely rubbed -out, and they only wanted to let daylight into a few more of their dusky -foes, before the fight reached its final and fatal termination. - -There was no mistaking the scowling faces of the Indians, as with one -sharp, quick yell, that meant _business_, they rode forward. - -There were still eight to one, and this was too great odds for the -whites to have any hope. - -Help was nearer than they thought. - -There was something in Chauncy’s breast that made him think that, after -all, they would be saved. - -As the Comanches dashed forward, Ralph happened to glance toward the -grove of trees which was on the left of the whites, and to his intense -joy, saw a large band of horsemen coming out of them, at a full, -sweeping gallop. - -A yell of satisfaction broke from his lips at this sight, and in among -the Comanches he went, his huge fists lunging out right and left, and -knocking several of the painted devils from their horses. At first the -Indians knew not what to make of this. They had expected to do the -attacking part, not their enemies. Their sharp ears soon heard the noise -made by the approaching horsemen, and turning, they rode off, -helter-skelter, with cries of surprise and rage. - -It _was_ very mortifying to say the least; this being defeated just when -the fortune of war seemed about to make them victorious. The horsemen -came up to the four whites, but only two stopped. These were Don Carlos -and his daughter. The rest swept on after the Indians, and gained upon -them, too. - -The tables were completely changed now. The Indians were the fugitives, -and whites the pursuers. - -“Ye just come up in good time, Don Carlos. In five minits we’d ’a’ been -rubbed out,” said the guide. - -“Why, how are you, old friend? Give us your hand. How have you been -making it lately, Ralph?” said the Don. - -“Oh, pretty well. How’s that, Don?” said Ralph, pointing his thumb over -his right shoulder. The Don turned and saw that the young hunter had -Donna Iola in his arms. - -“It seems to have gone too far to be stopped, even did I wish it. Who is -the young fellow, Ralph?” said the young girl’s father. - -“He’s the son o’ an old friend an’ comrade o’ mine. We fit in the -Mexican war together. He’s a rich gentleman, an’ lives out East. His -name is Major Branrare,” said Ralph. - -“What’s that? Branrare, did you say? An uncommon name, and the name of -my adopted mother’s brother, and I have heard that he was an officer in -the Mexican war. If this young fellow should prove to be his son, it -will be all right for him. I will speak to him about it as soon as -possible,” said the Don. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - WINDING UP THE TALE. - - -The band of horsemen and the Comanches had long since disappeared in the -distance. - -The moon continued to look down from the clear sky as though smiling -with joy at the escape of the whites. - -The six rode over to the grove of trees in which the Don and his party -had encamped. Chauncy remained with the young girl for over half an -hour, and then the Don told him he wanted to speak to him for a few -moments. - -Reluctantly he tore himself away from the company of Iola, and went with -her father. He expected the latter to ask him what his intentions were -in regard to the Donna, and was not surprised in the least when he said: - -“Ralph, here, tells me that you are the son of Major Branrare. Is it -so?” - -Chauncy at once replied in the affirmative. - -“Did you ever hear your uncle Henry Montgomery, who married your -father’s sister, speak of his adopted son?” asked the Don. - -“Hundreds of times,” replied Chauncy; “and it is to hunt for him that I -am out on the plains. Several things, among which is your name and your -knowledge of family matters, which I had not noticed before, now make me -think that I have accidentally come across him. How is it?” - -“You are right. But first tell me how my father, for such I own him to -be, is?” said the Don. - -“Both he and his wife are dead. His last words were about you,” was -Chauncy’s reply. - -“Heavens, is it true? I knew that mother was dead, but my adopted -father? Did he forgive me before he died?” asked the Don, in a voice -choked with emotion. - -“He did, and also told me that he found out too late that you had just -cause to run away from home. He bequeathed you two-thirds of his -fortune,” said the young man. - -The two relatives, by adoption, talked for some time. - -Then all in the camp but one, who stood guard, went to sleep. - -About an hour or so before daybreak, a trampling of hoofs aroused them, -and they got to their feet just in time to see their friends coming up. - -The Comanche band had been entirely demolished. Not half a dozen of the -red-skins had escaped the fury of the brave vaqueroes and peons. - -They now came back, bringing a drove of nearly sixty-five horses, which -with their lassoes—which they knew how to handle superbly—they had -captured. - -The next morning the whole band set out for the hacienda of Don Carlos. -They were three days in making it as they took their time to it. - -While resting here, the circus-rider gave a performance, and made the -Mexican vaqueroes, who ride splendidly themselves, open their eyes with -wonder and admiration. - -They had never seen such riding before, and it was in vain that they -tried to imitate it. - -Notwithstanding all of their natural sharpness and their life on -horseback, they could not do what the rider Barry Le Clare did on his -famous horse Snow Cloud. - -The little Frenchman was anxious to get back to “la belle France” with -his renowned herb, and he and the guide soon took leave of the others. - -Ralph promised that he would fix up his affairs in the West and come -East to live with his old chum, Major Branrare. He privately whispered -in Chauncy’s ear that he would be in New York in time to eat some of the -wedding-cake, at which the young man laughed and promised to delay that -ceremony, in case he, Ralph, should happen not to get in the city at the -given time. - -Two weeks afterward, a party left the hacienda for the East. It -consisted of Mr. Montgomery, his daughter Iola, Chauncy, Barry Le Clare, -and a dozen peons as guards. - -The hacienda was left in the charge of Alvarez, an old and trusted -servant, and the best trailer in the country. - -They intended to come down during a part of every year and spend a month -or two at the home which the runaway had made in the wilderness, and in -which he had lived for years. He could not bring himself to sell it, and -when Chauncy saw what a lovely place it was, his advice was against -parting with it. The party reached Austin in safety, and here they -parted with all but two of the peons. - -From New Orleans they took passage in a steamboat up to Cincinnati, and -from thence they went by rail to New York. - -Chauncy’s father, a noble gentleman, welcomed his former friend and -adopted brother, warmly. - -A fine residence was bought on a fashionable street, and then Mr. -Montgomery proceeded to take his ease. - -Iola was introduced into the first society, and created quite a -sensation. It was acknowledged by all that she was the “belle of the -season,” and many young gents sought her company. Iola looked upon them -with contempt, however. They were not half so handsome as her Chauncy, -and she knew that none of them had the courage her affianced possessed. - -At length, one bright morning, Ralph Bison arrived, dressed in a -handsome suit which quite became him. - -With the prairies he left his hunter’s language, and now looked and -conversed like a perfect gentleman. - -The first evening he was in New York he had quite an adventure. Going -along a dark street, he saw half a dozen brutal loafers insult a young -lady. Ralph took her part and the whole crowd went for him, but the -Hunter Hercules proceeded to try his old plan. Catching up one man he -hurled him against the others, and left the whole six lying in the -gutter, ending up his gallant exploit with escorting the young lady -home. - -When the time for Chauncy’s wedding came on, the young man learned to -his surprise that Ralph instead of standing as groomsman to _him_ was -about to stand as groom. - -The double wedding passed off finely. - -Ralph acted his part to perfection, and no one looking at the handsome -middle-aged gentleman standing at the side of the blushing young girl -would have guessed that he was the famous Hunter Hercules. - -After the wedding, the two couples, accompanied by Barry, set out for -Europe, intending to make the tour. - -Chauncy had made the tour several times before, but this time he was -really happy. - -They finished up with a visit to Paris, for this city ought to be seen -last, (or ought to have been before the war.) - -The five were looking at some fine picturesque monument and commenting -upon it, when a voice behind them drew their attention to the speaker. - -“_Sacré_,” said the person behind them, “it is von great pleasure for me -to welcome mine friends to la belle France. _Mon Dieu_, monsieurs, it is -von fine country.” - -They did not recognize the speaker. He was finely dressed, and had a -gold representation of an herb pinned onto his coat lapel. - -“Deuce take it, boys, it’s the ‘Mounseer,’” said Ralph, emphasizing the -word, which he could speak as well as any one if he chose; “look at the -umbrella.” It was the truth. - -The stylish gentleman was Monsieur Tierney, now a noted professor. His -rival had quit the ranks of the naturalists when _he_ had come home with -the wonderful herb, the model of which he wore as an emblem. - -He was a rich man now, and still he carried the huge umbrella which had -done so much service on the plains. - -He took our friends to a magnificent mansion which he owned, and treated -them in a sumptuous manner. - -He promised to come out in a few years and see them and that wonderful -horse, Snow Cloud. - -The professor gave a large supper in their honor, and at the table he -arose to his feet and gave a toast which brought forth cheers. - -“Gentlemen,” said the professor, “I have von toast to propose. To von -who is a true friend, a brave man and a noble husband. Gentlemen, I -drink in honor of de Hunter Hercules.” - - - THE END. - - - - - Young People’s Hand-Books - - -The Dime Hand-Books for Young People cover a wide range of subjects, and -are especially adapted to their end. They constitute at once the -cheapest and the most useful works yet put into the market for popular -circulation. Each volume 100 pages 12mo., sent postpaid on receipt of -price, by the publishers, BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 William Street, New York. - - - No. 1.—Dime Gents’ Letter-Writer, - -And Practical Guide to Compositions, embracing forms, models, - suggestions and rules for the use of all classes, on all - occasions; also a list of improper words and expressions, together - with their correct forms; and also a complete dictionary of - mottoes, phrases, idioms, etc. By Louis Legrand, M. D. - - - CONTENTS. - -COMPOSITION.—The secret of a good letter; directions to a novice; the - rules of composition, etc. - -GENERAL ADVICE TO LETTER-WRITERS. - -LETTERS OF BUSINESS. - -LETTERS OF PLEASURE AND FRIENDSHIP. - -LETTERS OF LOVE.—Hints and suggestions; a declaration; answer; a briefer - declaration of attachment; answer; real love-letters of eminent - personages, etc. - -LETTERS OF DUTY, OF TRUST, Etc.—What they are and how to write them; - forms, etc.; advice from a lady to her friend; a complaint at - silence; communicating distressing news: to parents, informing of - their son, etc. - -LETTER OF RELATIONSHIP.—Family correspondence; its sacred character and - properties; examples of real letters, etc. - -LETTERS OF VARIOUS OCCASIONS.—A certificate of character; another, for a - maid; another, for a clerk; application for a school-teacher’s - place; soliciting a vote; declining a nomination; a girl applying - for a place, another; application for a governess’ situation, etc. - -WRITING FOR THE PRESS. - -IMPROPRIETIES OF EXPRESSION. - -PHRASES, MOTTOES, IDIOMS, Etc. - - - No 2.—DIME BOOK OF ETIQUETTE. - -For Ladies and Gentlemen; being a guide to true gentility and - good-breeding, and a complete directory to the usages and - observances of society. Including etiquette of the Ball-room, of - the Evening Party, the Dinner Party, the Card and Chess Table, of - Business, of the Home Circle, etc., etc. Prepared expressly for - the “Dime Series,” by a Committee of Three. - - - CONTENTS. - -ENTRANCE INTO SOCIETY.—Confidence vs. bashfulness; kindness vs. - rudeness; the bores of society, how to treat them. - -ON DRESS AND ORNAMENTS.—The vulgarity of “flash” attire; simplicity in - dress a mark of good breeding. - -ON VISITS, INTRODUCTIONS, Etc.—The law of politeness a law of kindness; - when visits are proper; introductions, presentations, etc., and - forms. - -EVENING PARTIES, DANCES, Etc.—The etiquette of the ball-room; general - directions for the same. - -GAMES OF CARDS, CHESS, Etc.—When proper and how conducted; general rules - of the games; the ill-breeding of betting or bragging. - -ON CONVERSATION.—Its usefulness and good results; how to comport - yourself; directions for it. - -ON LETTER AND NOTE WRITING.—Proprieties and improprieties of the same; - general directions for a good letter. - -HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE INVITATIONS.—General usage in all cases. - -ON ENTERTAINMENTS.—Etiquette of the table; how to serve a guest, and how - to be served; special directions. - -ON PERSONAL CLEANLINESS.—A word to the laborer; on religion and respect - for age; on theaters, promenades, etc.; on love, courtship and - marriage; the laws of home etiquette; special advice to ladies; - general observations and closing chapter. - - - No. 3.—DIME BOOK OF VERSES. - -Comprising Rhymes, Lines and Mottoes, for Lovers, and Friends; - Valentines, Album Pieces, Gift Verses, Birthday Lines, and poetry - for Bridals, Births, Mourning, Epitaphs, etc. - - - CONTENTS. - -VERSES FOR ALBUMS. - -MOTTOES AND COUPLETS. - -ST. VALENTINE VERSES. - -BRIDAL AND MARRIAGE VERSES. - -VERSES ON BIRTHS AND INFANCY. - -VERSES TO SEND WITH FLOWERS. - -VERSES OF LOVE AND AFFECTION. - -HOLIDAY VERSES. - -BIRTHDAY VERSES. - -EPITAPHS AND MOURNING VERSES.—For all age and classes. - -THE LOVER’S CASKET. - -☞ This little volume is a veritable pocket companion. It is everybody’s - poet. It is for all occasions, for old and young, for male and - female. It will be treasured like a keepsake and used like a - dictionary. - - - No. 4.—DIME BOOK OF DREAMS. - -Their Romance and Mystery; with a complete interpreting Dictionary. - Compiled from the most accredited sources for the “Dime Series.” - - - CONTENTS. - -INTRODUCTORY. - -THE ROMANCE OF DREAMS.—Embodying dreams of all kinds and characters, - with the construction placed upon them by the most eminent - authorities, and narratives of the extraordinary fulfillment of - them. - -THE PHENOMENA OF DREAMS.—A physician’s views on the subject, giving a - rational solution of the phenomena, with instances cited in proof. - -MRS. CATHARINE CROWE’S TESTIMONY.—Favoring the supernatural nature of - dreams, and a belief in their revelations. - -DICTIONARY OF DREAMS.—Comprising the most complete - interpretation-Dictionary ever prepared, embracing the whole - Alphabet of subjects. - -☞ It is a volume full of interest even to the general reader, being, in - that respect, something like Mrs. Crowe’s “Night Side of Nature,” - and Robert Dale Owen’s “Footfalls on the Boundary of Another - World.” - - - No. 5.—DIME FORTUNE-TELLER. - COMPRISING THE ART OF FORTUNE-TELLING, HOW TO READ CHARACTER, ETC. - - - CONTENTS. - -FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS.—Dealing the Cards by Threes, Dealing the Cards - by Sevens, Dealing the Cards by Fifteens, The Twenty-one Cards, - The Italian Method, Present, Past and Future, Another Method of - Consulting the Cards, To Know if you will Get your Wish, The - English Method of Consulting the Cards. - -HOW TO TELL A PERSON’S CHARACTER BY MEANS OF CABALISTIC CALCULATIONS. - -PALMISTRY, OR TELLING FORTUNES BY THE LINES OF THE HAND. - -FORTUNE-TELLING BY THE GROUNDS IN A TEA OR COFFEE CUP. - -HOW TO READ YOUR FORTUNE BY THE WHITE OF AN EGG. - -DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION. - - - No. 6.—DIME LADIES’ LETTER-WRITER. - -Giving the various forms of Letters of School Days, Love and Friendship, -of Society, etc. - - - CONTENTS. - - HOW TO WRITE AND HOW NOT TO WRITE. - HOW TO PUNCTUATE, CAPITALIZE, Etc. - LETTERS OF CHILDHOOD. - LETTERS OF SCHOOL DAYS. - LETTERS OF FRIENDSHIP. - LETTERS OF COURTSHIP AND LOVE. - LETTERS OF SOCIETY: INVITATIONS, INTRODUCTIONS, Etc. - LETTERS OF SYMPATHY. - LETTERS OF BUSINESS. - WRITING FOR THE PRESS. - RULES FOR SPELLING. - PROVERBS FROM SHAKSPEARE. - POETIC QUOTATIONS. - WORDS ALIKE IN SOUND, BUT DIFFERENT IN MEANING AND SPELLING. - EXPLANATION OF THE MOST COMMON ABBREVIATIONS OF WORDS. - FRENCH QUOTATIONS AND PHRASES. - SPANISH WORDS AND PHRASES. - ITALIAN WORDS AND PHRASES. - - - No. 7.—DIME LOVERS’ CASKET. - -A Treatise and Guide to Friendship, Love, Courtship and Marriage. - Embracing also a complete Floral Dictionary, etc. - - - CONTENTS. - -FRIENDSHIP.—Its Personality, Between Man and Woman, Close Communion - Proper, Letters, A Warning, Excellent Advice, A Prime Point, Allow - no Improper Intimacy, Special to Young Men, Something to Avoid, - Gallantries, Gifts, Beware of Love, Correspondence. - -LOVE.—The Dawn of Love, Love’s Secretiveness, Confidences, The First - Consciousness of Love, A Man’s Way, A Woman’s Way, Unworthy - Objects of Love by Woman, Unworthy Objects of Man’s Love, How to - Avoid Mistakes. - -COURTSHIP.—The Door Ajar, Disengaged, Engaged: at what age is it proper, - Engagement not to be protracted, The Wooing Time, The Proposal, - Asking Papa, The Rights of a Parent, Engaged, Proposal Rejected, - Breaking off an Engagement. - -MARRIAGE.—The Proper Time, Various forms of Marriage, The Trousseau, - Presents, Bouquets, The Bridesmaids, The Bridegroomsmen, The - Bride, The Bridegroom, the Certificate, After the Ceremony, The - Wedding Breakfast, “Cards” or “No Cards,” Notes Congratulatory. - -AFTER MARRIAGE.—Something to be Read Twice, Twelve Golden Life-Maxims, A - Talk with the Unmarried. - -MISCELLANEOUS.—Language of the Handkerchief, Language of the Fan, - Language of the Cane, Language of Finger Rings, Wedding - Anniversaries, viz.: The Paper Wedding, Wooden Wedding, Tin - Wedding, Crystal Wedding, Linen Wedding, Silver Wedding, Golden - Wedding. - -THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.—How to Use the Vocabulary, The Vocabulary. - I—Flowers, The Vocabulary. II—Sentiments. - - - No. 8.—DIME BALL-ROOM COMPANION. - -A Guide to Dancing. Giving Rules of Etiquette, Hints on Private Parties, - Toilets for the Ball-room, etc. - - - CONTENTS. - -ETIQUETTE.—Arrangements, Private Parties, The Parlor or Dancing - Apartment, Music, Refreshments, Ladies’ Toilets, Gentlemen’s - Dress, The Guests. - -MASQUERADES. - -PROMENADE CONCERTS. - -SOCIABLES. - -ORDER OF DANCING. - -SPECIAL RULES OF CONDUCT. - -SQUARE DANCES.—Plain Quadrille, Double Quadrille, The Nine Pin, The - Lanciers, The Caledonians, The Prince Imperial, The Virginia Reel, - The Spanish Dance, La Tempete. - -ROUND DANCES.—The Waltz a Trois Temps, Waltz in Double Time, Cellarius - or Mazourka Waltz, The Schottische, The Polka, the Galop, Redowa, - Polka Redowa, Esmerelda, Danish Polka, The Varsoviana. - -☞ These books are for sale by all newsdealers; or will be sent, -postpaid, to any address, on receipt of price, TEN CENTS EACH, by - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, - 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - FAMILY HAND-BOOKS. - - -The Dime Family Series (Nos. 1 to 5 inclusive) aim to supply a class of -text-books and manuals fitted for every person’s use—the old and the -young, the learned and the unlearned. They are of conceded value. Each -volume 100 pages, 12mo., sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publishers, BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 William Street, New York. - - - No. 1.—DIME COOK BOOK; - -Or, the Housewife’s Pocket Companion. Embodying what is most Economic, -most Practical, most Excellent. Revised and enlarged edition. 100 pp. -12mo. By Mrs. Victor. - - - EXTRACTS FROM CONTENTS. - -BREAD.—Potato, Brown, Bran, Water, Rye and Indian, Wheat and Rye, Milk, -Rising, Buttermilk Bread, Bread Biscuit or Rolls, French Rolls, Soda -Biscuits, etc., etc. - -HOT BREAD AND CAKES.—Short, Corn, Johnny, Apple Johnny, Griddle, Rich -Griddle, Buckwheat, Rice Griddle, Corn Griddle, and Tomato Griddle -Cakes, Bannock, Waffles, Muffins, Apple Fritters, Rye Fritters, etc., -etc. - -OTHER BREAKFAST DISHES.—Toast, Dry Toast, Buttered Toast, Milk Toast, -Fried Rice, Omelet, Scrambled, Poached and Boiled Eggs, Wheaten Grits, -Hominy, Samp, Hasty Pudding. - -MEATS.—Roasting, Boiling, Frying; sixteen various methods for preparing -same. - -VEAL.—Boiled Veal, Fried Chops, Veal Pie, Leg of Veal, Loin of Veal, -Shoulder of Veal, Calves’ Feet, Calf’s Head and Liver. - -MUTTON.—Mutton Chops, Chops as Beefsteaks, Neck of Mutton, Shoulder of -Mutton, Leg of Mutton, Haunch of Mutton, Saddle of Mutton, Mutton -Cutlets, Irish Stew, Leg of Lamb, etc. - -PORK.—Pork Steaks, To Fry Pork, To Roast Pork, Spare Ribs of Pork, To -Boil a Ham, Pig’s Feet, Souse, Head Cheese, Fine Sausages, Pickle for -Hams, Salting Pork, To Melt Lard. - -POULTRY AND GAME.—Roast and Boiled Turkey, Roast and Baked Goose, Ducks, -Roast Fowl, Chickens Boiled, Fowl Broiled, To Fricassee a Fowl, Chicken -Pie, To Cook Pigeons, etc. - -FISH.—To Fry Fresh Fish or Eels, Baked Shad, To Broil Fresh Fish, Fresh -Codfish, Salt Codfish, Codfish Balls, Stewed Oysters, Fried Oysters, -Pickled Oysters, Chowder. - -NICE BREAKFAST DISHES.—Fresh Meat, Griddles, Clam Griddles, Oyster -Pancakes, Fish Balls, Codfish Toast, Rice Balls, Hashed Mutton, Head -Cheese, A New Breakfast Dish. - -SOUPS.—Beef, Vermicelli, Pea, Bean, Split Peas and Barley, Vegetable and -Rice, Tomato. - -VEGETABLES.—Twenty different varieties. - -SAUCES.—White, Caper for Fish, Egg, Plain Butter, Cranberry, Apple, -Sweet. - -SALADS.—Radishes, Celery. - -PIES.—Twenty-five different varieties. - -PUDDINGS.—Christmas Plum Pudding, and eighteen other recipes. - -CAKES.—Thirty-four recipes. - -TEA, COFFEE, CHOCOLATE.—Eight recipes. - -JELLIES, PRESERVES, Etc.—Forty-one recipes. - -PICKLES.—To Pickle various kinds of Vegetables and Fish. - -ICE CREAM.—How to make it. - -OYSTERS AND OTHER SHELL-FISH. - -THE CARVER’S MANUAL.—General directions for Carving. - -MISCELLANEOUS.—Chicken and Plum Pudding, Potato Muffins, Drop Biscuit, -etc., etc. - - - No. 2.—DIME RECIPE BOOK: - - A Companion to the Dime Cook Book. A Directory for the Parlor, - Nursery, Sick Room, Toilet, Kitchen, Larder, etc. Revised and enlarged - edition. By Mrs. Victor. - - - EXTRACTS FROM CONTENTS. - -THE PARLOR.—To choose Carpets, Directions for Carpets, To clean Turkey -Carpets, Moth in Carpets, To extract Oil or Spermaceti from Carpets, -etc., To make Stair Carpets last, Cheap Carpet, To wash Carpets, to -sweep Carpets, House Cleaning, to clean Looking-glasses, Oil Paintings, -Mahogany, etc., To preserve Gilding and clean it, To take Stains out of -Mahogany, to clean Brass Ornaments, Marble, Lamp, Paint, To polish -Mahogany, To remove Grease from Books, To prevent Mold in Books, Paste, -Ink, and Leather, To clean Silver-plated Candlesticks, To remove Rust, -etc. - -THE NURSERY AND SICK ROOM.—Clothing of Infants, Waking Suddenly, -Restlessness at Night, Ointment for Scurf in the Heads of Infants, -Teething, Vaccination, Worms in Children, About Children, Hair of -Children, Hooping Cough, Dysentery, Scarlet Fever, Putrid Sore Throat, -etc., A Cure for Burns, Scalds, Body in Flames, and seventy more -recipes. - -FOOD FOR THE SICK.—A Strengthening Jelly for Invalids, Mutton Custard -for Bowel Complaints or Consumptive Cases, Chicken, Beef, etc., Toast -Water, Rice Jelly, Bread Jelly, Calves’ Foot Broth, Panada, Beef Tea, -Wine Whey, Water Gruel, Milk Porridge, Rice Gruel, Medicated Prunes. - -THE TOILET; THE HAIR.—To remove Dandruff, A Capital Pomade, Twiggs’ -Receipt for the Hair, Bandoline for the Hair, Hair-curling Liquid, Oil -of Roses. - -THE TEETH.—To clean the Teeth and Gums, Quinine Tooth Powder, Prepared -Charcoal, Peruvian Bark Powder, Homeopathic Chalk, Cuttle Fish Powder, -Lip Salve. - -THE HANDS.—To remove Stains from the Hands, To improve the Hands and -Arms, Ointment for the Hands, Chapped Hands. - -THE COMPLEXION.—To preserve It, Wash for a Blotched Face, To remove -Sunburn, Blotches, Freckles, Pimples, Kalydor for Complexion. - -COSMETICS, PERFUMES, Etc.—Face Powder, Pearl Powder, Rowland’s Macassar -Oil, and twenty more recipes. - -CARE OF CLOTHING.—Furs, Woolen, Silk, Gloves, Ribbons, Lace, Bonnets, -etc. - -THE KITCHEN.—To can Fruit, Pears, Quinces, Berries, Peas, Beans, -Tomatoes, Green Corn, To preserve Fruit Jellies from Mold, To prevent -“Graining,” and seventy-five more recipes. - -MELANGE. - -HOW TO MAKE BUTTER AND CHEESE. - -PROCESS OF WINE-MAKING. - -MISCELLANEOUS.—To mend China, To get rid of Bedbugs and Cockroaches, To -make Ink, To manufacture Candles, To repair Broken Glass, and a hundred -other useful recipes. - - - No. 3.—DIME FAMILY PHYSICIAN, - -And Manual for the Sick Room. With Family Diseases and their Treatment, - Hints on Nursing and Rearing, Children’s Complaints, Physiological - Facts, Rules of Health, Recipes for Preparing well-known - Curatives, etc., etc., based upon the authority of Drs. Warren, - Donna, Parker, and others. Expressly prepared for the Dime series. - -This admirable work is peculiarly fitted for PRACTICAL use in ordinary -cases. To mothers and nurses—to those living on farms or in villages -where a physician is not always available—to those who wish to save -expense in those cases where the illness is not of a complicated or -serious character—this book will prove a Companion and Guide. Its -contents are as follows: - -SKIN DISEASES.—Barber’s Itch, Discolored Skin, Disorders of the Hair, -Disorders of Oil and Sweat Glands, Dry Pimples, Erysipelas, Inflammatory -Blush, Itch, Measles, Nettle and Rose Rash, Capulous Scall, Scarlet -Fever, Tetter, Warts and Corns. - -BRAIN AND NERVE DISEASES.—Apoplexy and Palsy, Cramp, Catalepsy, Dropsy -of the Brain, Dizziness and Fainting, Enlargement of the Brain, -Epilepsy, Hiccough, hydrophobia, Headache, Inflammation of the Brain, -Locked-Jaw, Neuralgia, Nightmare, Sunstroke, etc. - -DISEASES OF THE THROAT.—Influenza, Mumps. - -DISEASES OF THE CHEST.—Bronchitis, Lung Fever, Pleurisy. - -DISEASES OF THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY.—Cramp in the Stomach, Colic, -Costiveness, Dyspepsia, Gravel, Heartburn, Inflammation of the Liver, -Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach and Bowels, Milk Sickness, Piles, Suppression -of Urine, Vomiting. - -DISEASES OF THE GENERAL SYSTEM.—Bilious, Remittent Fever, Boils, Burns -and Scalds, Bites of Venomous Snakes, Bites of Insects, Chilblains, -Cancer, Congestive Fever, Carbuncle, Drowning, Earache, Fever and Ague, -Felon, Frost Bites, Malignant Postule, Nose-bleeding, Rupture, -Rheumatism, Scurvy, Scrofula, Strains, Tooth-ache, Typhoid Fever, etc. - -ACCIDENTS—REMEDIES.—Apparent Death from Noxious Vapors, Apparent Death -from Charcoal, Apparent Death from Lightning, Apparent Death by Hanging, -Bleeding from a Wound, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium and Conium, -Clothing on Fire, Upsetting of a Boat. - -ANTIDOTES TO POISON.—Ammonia or Hartshorn, Antimonial Wine, Tartar -Emetic, Arsenic, Corrosive Sublimate, Dogwood, Ivy, etc., Nitric, -Sulphuric, or Muriatic Acid, Niter or Saltpeter, Oxalic Acid, Opium, -Laudanum, Morphine, Prussic Acid, Spanish Flies, Strong Lye, Strychnine, -Sugar of Lead, and others. - -DISEASES OF CHILDREN.—Croup, Colic, Diarrhea, Fever, Fits, Spasm, -Hooping-cough, Nursing Sick Children, Rickets, Scrofula, Signs of -Disease. - -RULES OF HEALTH. - - - No. 4.—DIME HOUSEWIVES’ MANUAL; - -Or, How to Keep House and Order a Home; How to Dye, Cleanse, and - Renovate; How to Cut, Fit, and Make Garments; How to Cultivate - Plants and Flowers; How to Care for Birds and Household Pets, - etc., etc. A Companion to the Dime “Cook” and “Recipe” Books. By - Mrs. M. V. Victor. The contents are as follows: - -HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.—System, Household Articles, Copper Vessels, Blankets, -House Cleaning, To make a Cheap, Easy and Handsome Chair, A Toilet -Table, A Lounge, a Pair of Ottomans, Window Shades, A Washstand, a -Wardrobe, An Hour Glass, a Work-Table, Fireboard of Paper Flowers, To -make a Rug, Common Mats and Rugs, The Care of Beds, Feathers, Feather -Beds, A Few Hints, Selection of paper-hangings, The Nursery, Escaping -from Fire, Accidents from Burning, How to Serve Dinner. - -HOW TO DYE AND CLEANSE.—General Directions, Scarlet, Crimson, Pink, -Madder, Red, Purple, Lilac, Purple Slate, Common Slate, Blue, Sky-Blue, -Yellow, Orange, Nankeen, Green, Brown, Cinnamon Color, Black, To Dye -Straw Bonnets Black, Straw-Color for Silks, Orange for Silk, To Dye -Feathers, to Clean Furs, To Clean a Coat, Crape Shawls, Scarfs, etc., -Carpets, White Lace Vails, Kid Gloves, Feathers for Beds, How to Wash -and Iron, Starching, Folding, Ironing, etc., To prepare Starch, Flour -Starch, Glue Starch, Starching Clothes, Sprinkling Clothes, Folding -Clothes, Ironing, Starching, To Clear-Starch Lace, etc., Ironing Laces, -Calicoes, Flannels, Black Lace, To Wash White Counterpanes and Calico -Quilts, To Restore Luster to Black Silk, Black Reviver for Faded -Mourning Dresses, Black Coats, etc., To Restore Dark Blue (or any other -Colored) Silk or Ribbon, To Bleach Wool, Silk and Straw. - -HOW TO CUT AND MAKE GARMENTS.—A Dress, Summer Jackets, Winter Jackets, -Aprons, Cape, Shirts, Children’s Clothing, Infants’ Clothing, Choice of -Colors. - -HOW TO TAKE CARE OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, Etc.—House Plants, Plants Designed -to Stand Over, Plants Designed for Flowering, Potting Plants for Winter -Use, Bulbous Flowers in the House, Camelia, Japonicas, Green-house -Plants, Mignonette Flowers throughout the Year, To Preserve Dahlia -Roots, To Protect Tender Plants Left Out, Compost for Potting Plants, -The Flower-garden, Roses, Monthly Roses, Geraniums, Climbers for Walls, -The Passion-Flower, Callas or Ethiopian Lily, Dahlias, Lilacs, -Nasturtion, Gooseberry, Strawberry, Celery, Asparagus, Quince, To Obtain -Different Flowers from the Same Stem, To Remove Mildew and Blight. - -HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BIRDS AND HOUSEHOLD PETS.—When and How to Pair -Canaries, Situation of the Cage, Food while Pairing, Nests and -Nest-Boxes, Food while Bearing their Young, Time of Hatching, How to -Feed Them, To Bring the Young Ones up by Hand, Paste for Young Birds, -German Paste for Cage Birds, To keep away Insects, To Distinguish the -Sex, Mocking Bird, American Yellow Bird, Bullfinches. - -DISEASES OF BIRDS AND THEIR TREATMENT.—Molting, Swelling or -Inflammation, The Surfeit, The Pip, the Husk, Egg-bound. - - - No. 5.—DIME DRESSMAKER. - -Introduction, The Corsage, Waist or Body, The Sleeves, Mourning, -Negligee Toilet, Ribbons, Traveling Toilet, Cloak-making, Bonnets, -Patterns for Cutting Out Dresses, Work, Materials and Implements, -Purchase of Materials, Dictionary of Millinery and Dressmaking, -Technical Terms in Dressmaking and Millinery, Laces and Embroideries, -Colors, Flowers, etc., Corbeille in Marriage. - -☞ These books are for sale by all newsdealers; or will be sent, -post-paid to any address, on receipt of price, TEN CENTS EACH, by BEADLE -AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 Wm. St., N. Y. - - - - - THE ILLUMINATED - DIME POCKET NOVELS, - PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. - - - 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. - -The following will be issued in the order and on the dates indicated: - - 81—Death-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or, the Wizard of the Cliffs. By - Arthur L. Meserve. Ready - 82—Kenton, the Ranger; or, the Hunted Fawn. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - Ready - 83—The Specter Horseman; or, Cinnamon Jack’s Last Hunt. By Frank - Dewey. Ready - 84—The Three Trappers, or, the Apache Chief’s Ruse. By Seelin Robins. - Ready - 85—Kaloolah, the Witch Queen, or, the Old Trapper’s Big Trail. By T. - Benton Shields, U. S. N. Ready - 86—The Hunter Hercules, or, the Champion Rider of the Plains. By Harry - St. George. Ready - 87—Phil Hunter, the Boy Slayer, or, the Shawnee Maid’s Sacrifice. By - Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready Oct. 23d. - 88—The Indian Scout, or, Crazy Slack, the Whisky Trader. By Harry - Hazard. Ready Nov. 6th. - 89—The Girl Avenger, or, the Beautiful Terror of the Maumee. By Capt. - Chas. Howard. Ready Nov. 20th. - -☞ Beadle’s Dime Pocket Novels are always in print and for sale by all -newsdealers; or will be sent post-paid, to any address; single numbers, -ten cents; six months (13 Nos.) $1.25; one year (26 Nos.) $2.50. - - Address, 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 THE HUNTER HERCULES, OR THE CHAMPION -RIDER OF THE PLAINS *** - -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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