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diff --git a/old/67169-0.txt b/old/67169-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a639b34..0000000 --- a/old/67169-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4730 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rival Trappers, by Lewis W. Carson - -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 Rival Trappers - or, Old Pegs, The Mountaineer - -Author: Lewis W. Carson - -Release Date: January 15, 2022 [eBook #67169] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern - Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIVAL TRAPPERS *** - - - - - - THE RIVAL TRAPPERS; - OR, - OLD PEGS, THE MOUNTAINEER. - - - BY LEWIS W. CARSON. - - - NEW YORK: - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by - FRANK STARR & CO., - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I Old Pegs 9 - II Old Pegs’ Treasure 15 - III Dave Farrell. Bruin Scouting 23 - IV Whirlwind 31 - V A Coward’s Deed 38 - VI A Great Surprise 46 - VII Catching a Tartar 53 - VIII A Border Battle 60 - IX Unbidden Guests 67 - X On the Trail. A Treacherous Act 72 - XI The Heroine a Captive 82 - XII Dropping the Mask 88 - XIII A Dreadful Ordeal—Finis 94 - - - - - THE RIVAL TRAPPERS; - OR, - OLD PEGS, THE MOUNTAINEER. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - OLD PEGS. - - -Hush! Is that a footstep coming up the canon? It came nearer and nearer, -and a man of strange appearance suddenly stepped into view, rounding a -bend in the canon. At the first glance it seemed that he was a dwarf in -stature, but as he advanced, it was plainly to be seen that this was a -mistake, for those broad shoulders and herculean arms never belonged to -a dwarf. In hight he would scarcely have reached five feet, but his -girth of shoulder and hip was something wonderful. In short, he had the -body of a giant, set upon a pair of legs so crooked and misshapen that -it seemed as if he had borrowed those limbs from some one else. - -He came on with a peculiar, sidelong, hitching gait, swinging out his -left leg and throwing forward the shoulder upon that side in an -irresistibly ludicrous way, but getting over the ground at a very fair -pace. - -His dress was that of the mountainman, of greasy buck-skin, yet showing -the careful hand of woman in the manner in which it was made. He wore -fringed leggins, moccasins of ponderous size, and a high bear-skin cap, -which added considerably to his ludicrous “make-up.” His weapons were a -carefully-polished rifle, a pair of splendid revolvers, a knife and a -hatchet. - -His face was broad, ruddy and good-natured, fringed by a russet-brown -hair and beard, slightly sprinkled with gray. A single look at the high -forehead, merry brown eyes and smiling mouth, about which a whimsical -look would linger in spite of himself, showed that he was a merry, -reckless soul, but a man of undaunted courage. - -“Hyar we come and hyar we go, pegging along the canon,” he half-sung. -“Thar was some mistake in my make-up, I reckon, or I’d be a different -man. But who keers, ez long ez I am happy ez a buck Digger in -grasshopper time? Oh, Lordy, yes.” - -He stopped and cast a penetrating glance about him, at the same time -dropping one leg a little, showing that it was shorter than the other by -some two inches. He seemed to listen, and his leonine head was thrown to -one side in an attitude of profound attention. The next moment, by a -movement of wonderful rapidity, he threw himself out of sight into one -of the crevices with which the ravine abounded, and dropping to the -earth behind a bowlder, awaited the event. - -To the casual observer there had been no break in the usual sounds in -mountain and forest, but a moment more showed that the wanderer was not -at fault, for the sound of hoofs could be plainly heard, coming up from -the east. Nearer and nearer they came, and the rapidity of the -hoof-beats showed that the horseman, whoever he might be, was coming at -the top of his speed; and directly the head of a horse appeared, and a -single rider came thundering down the pass, half-lying on the animal’s -back, and urging him on with knife and spur, while behind him sounded -other hoof-beats, showing that he was pursued. - -It was a white man, and that was enough for the old hunter, who started -out from his place of concealment and checked the flying steed. - -“Hi, thar, stranger—what’s up?” - -The rider reined in his furious horse and grasped a weapon, but, seeing -that it was a white man who barred the way, dropped his hand and -answered, hurriedly: - -“Indians!” - -“After you?” - -“Looks like it, old man.” - -“Get down quick, then—take yer weepens, and send the hoss on. You’ve got -ter lose him, or yer sculp.” - -The man did not hesitate, but flung himself from the saddle and scored -his knife-point sharply across the flank of the horse, which fled on -lightly, being freed from its rider, and without a word the hunter led -the way into the crevice which he had just left. - -The horse had just made the last turn in the canon when about twenty of -those Arabs of the plains, the Blackfeet, suddenly came in view, riding -with loosened reins, their mustangs scrambling like cats along the bed -of the canon, and the riders, bending forward like huntsmen in the -chase, urging them on by word and blow. They passed like a whirlwind, -and were gone; then the hunter bounded to his feet. - -“Thar they go, the painted riptiles, like bed-bugs armed fur war! Come -on, stranger; the quicker we git up these yer rocks the better.” - -“I am a poor footpad,” said the stranger, with a light laugh; “but lead -the way, old True Blue, and I’ll follow. That was a close shave, I tell -you.” - -“Clust enuff fur comfert,” replied the hunter. “This a-way.” - -He began to climb the rugged side of the ravine with the agility of a -cat, swinging his huge body from ledge to ledge by the power of his -gigantic arms, and then turning to assist his companion, who, although -younger, was by no means so agile. - -Again and again, but for the timely aid of those muscular arms, the -younger man would have fallen headlong into the gulf below, but at last -they reached the top of the ledge, fifty feet above the canon bottom. - -“Down—fur yer life—down!” hissed the hunter, as they reached the top of -the ledge. - -Both men fell prostrate, and not a moment too soon, for the Indians were -coming back at a flying gallop, leading among them the horse which had -so lately been abandoned by the rescued man. They came to a halt -directly beneath the ledge, sitting erect and grim upon their panting -mustangs, without uttering a word. - -No body of men on earth can present a more warlike appearance than the -Blackfeet—a nation brave even to desperation. Their bronzed bodies, -shimmering ornaments and flaunting feathers; their long lances -glittering in the sun; the ease and grace with which they sat their -horses, as if horse and man were one piece, combined to make the -appearance of this body at once imposing and threatening. - -The chief was a man of gigantic size, armed with lance, hatchet, knife -and a sort of mace—which he carried slung at the pommel of the high -Mexican saddle, with which he rode. He spoke, and at the sound of his -sonorous voice the hunter started, for he knew the voice well. It was -that of Whirlwind, a chief who had made himself a terror throughout that -region, and the deadly enemy of white men, under all circumstances. - -“Let the braves scatter and search the canon,” cried Whirlwind. “The -white dog has leaped from his saddle and is hidden among the rocks like -a rabbit. We must have his scalp, for he has killed Flying Cloud the son -of Natal—Nemissa. Can we return to the Blackfoot lodges with empty -hands?” - -The majority of the warriors, leaving their horses in charge of the -rest, sprung down and began the search, but the feet of their flying -steeds had obliterated all signs of a trail, had there been one, and the -place where the white men had ascended was a rock which would not leave -the mark of a foot. The old hunter was lying on the earth, literally -convulsed with laughter at the manner in which he had outwitted -Whirlwind, an enemy to the death, when, turning his eyes upon the man he -had saved, he saw him in the act of thrusting forward the rifle with the -intention of killing the chief. Rolling over quickly the hunter grasped -the rifle, and after a struggle succeeded in tearing the weapon from the -young man’s grasp. In doing so, however, a small piece of rock was -detached and fell over the cliff upon the head of an Indian below, who -was knocked senseless by the blow. The chief started and cast a quick -glance upward, but at this moment the hunter while holding his companion -down, managed to give an exact counterfeit of the bleat of a Bighorn. So -perfect was the imitation that the chief at once concluded that the -Bighorn in moving about had knocked down the stone upon the head of the -stricken warrior, and seeing that his men were puzzled he called them in -and they moved up the pass together searching every crevice for the man -who had escaped them. When the sound of hoofs came faintly back from the -upper part of the ravine, the hunter released his companion and stood up -while the other bounded to his feet, flushed and excited. - -“It is a good thing for you that you have just saved my life, old man, -or we should quarrel. What did you mean by stopping me when I was going -to shoot that old thief, Whirlwind?” - -“Look yer, young ’un,” demanded the hunter, “d’ye know who I am?” - -“No.” - -“Mebbe you don’t want to?” - -“Of course I wish to know the name of the man who has just saved my -life, but let me warn you never to attempt again what you did just now.” - -“You’d mount me ez a spider mounts a fly, I ’spose?” said the hunter, -coolly. “My young fr’end, never let yer angry passhins git the best ov -you, and by all means never hop on a man untel you ar’ tollable sartin -you kin lick him. I don’t want to put you in mind ov the fac’ thet I hev -just saved yer life—I’d do that ag’in, any way—but, what was you going -ter do ef you hed killed Whirlwind?” - -“There would have been one less scoundrel on the face of the earth.” - -“Sartin; I agree; but, look yer, my lad; kin we two lick nineteen -Blackfeet?” - -“I don’t suppose we could.” - -“No, sirree! I’ve fou’t Injuns ever sence I was knee high ter a -grasshopper, and I want ter hev it sot down thet an Injun in his own -kentry and well fixed, is an or’nary and orkard cuss to manige; he is, -by thunder! I’ve hern tell ov one man sending ten or twelve to grass, -but he can’t do it every day, bet yer life.” - -“But they could not get at us here—” - -“I ’spose not. An Injun can’t climb ez well ez the next man, I ’spose. -Now did ye ever hear tell ov Old Pegs?” - -The young man started and looked at him keenly. - -“Old Pegs the guide—Old Pegs the hunter, Old Pegs the Indian terror? I -should think so.” - -“Them’s my handles, stranger; I’m Old Pegs.” - -“I beg your pardon for saying what I did then, for I have no desire to -quarrel with a man of your reputation. Perhaps it is for the best that -Whirlwind should escape at this time, but my hour will come, and when it -does—let him beware of me.” - -“All hunky; rub him out the fust chaince you git. Now what’s _your_ -handle, young man?” - -“People who know me well, call me Rafe Norris.” - -“I don’t keer what people _call_ you. Is Rafe Norris yer handle?” - -“Yes.” - -“What’s yer biz?” - -“I can’t tell you that just now, my good friend. I—” - -He did not finish the sentence, for Old Pegs caught him by the shoulders -and flung him heavily to the ground, falling beside him from the impetus -of his own exertions. The hand of the old guide was outstretched, and -catching up a heavy stone he flung it with deadly aim at the feathered -head of an Indian which at this moment rose above the ledge and who was -poising a lance for a throw. Straight between the eyes the heavy stone -struck, and, spreading his arms abroad, the Indian plunged head-foremost -into the depths below, where his skull was shattered out of the -semblance of humanity upon the rocks. So quickly was it done that Rafe -Norris had no idea why he had been so rudely assailed, and seizing upon -Old Pegs, began to pommel him about the head and shoulders. - -“See yer, my boy,” said Old Pegs, “ef you hit me _and I find it out_, -I’ll be darned ef I don’t send fer ye once, jest fer fun—now you hear -me. Confound each individual wolverine in these tempestuous wilds ef I -knows what’s the matter with you.” - -“What did you pitch into me for?” hissed Rafe, in an angry tone. - -“Come hyar, you fool, ef I must say it,” replied Old Pegs. “Creep to the -edge of the cliff and look over.” - -Considerably awed by the manner of the hunter, Rafe crawled to the edge -of the cliff, and looking down cautiously saw the dead form of the -savage below, while the rattle of hoofs told that some of the Indian’s -comrades were coming back to look for him. The unfortunate savage, -suspecting something wrong and desirous of distinguishing himself, had -come back to search again for Rafe Norris, and hearing voices, had -scaled the cliff unheard just in time to meet his fate. - -“Come along,” whispered Old Pegs. “Show a leg and foller me.” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - OLD PEGS’ TREASURE. - - -The country through which Old Pegs led his new friend was one of the -most difficult and dangerous in the portion of the foothills in which -they were placed. No one, save a man who loved solitude, and would have -chosen it from all others as a home, would have thought of spending so -many years of his life in this lonely place. They passed through defile -after defile, clambered over ridges and forded mountain streams in which -the trout were so abundant that their feet touched them as they passed. - -On the march, Old Pegs had a chance to observe his companion closely, -and he did so without allowing him to think that he was watched. Rafe -might have been thirty years of age, of an erect, stately figure, with -very black hair and eyes. His hair was suffered to grow long, and curled -slightly at the ends; he wore a heavy mustache—the point dropping nearly -to his collar as he stood erect—and a long imperial. His eyes were of -that vivid black so seldom seen, and looked wicked and bold. Although in -mountain garb, there was a sort of dandyism even in this dress which did -not strike Old Pegs favorably. - -“I don’t know whether I’m doing the right thing in showing you this -road,” said the hunter. “I’m a plain man and in a humble station, and -I’ve got a treasure to guard.” - -“A treasure?” - -“You bet!” - -“Have you found a gold-mine?” - -“No; gold ain’t no use ter me, or I could find it soon enough.” - -“It can not be diamonds?” - -“Better’n diamonds, young ’un; better’n gold; better’n beaver, even.” - -“What can you be talking of?” said Rafe, impatiently. - -“Never you mind about that. I know what I’m talking about, and when I -get home I’ll show you my treasure.” - -At a turn in the path they were traversing they came suddenly upon a -huge bear, which reared upon its haunches and sat, in a silly way, -looking at them, with its tongue hanging out. Rafe Norris, who had no -love for close companionship with a grizzly, dropped his rifle into the -hollow of his hand, and was about to fire, when Old Pegs struck up the -weapon. - -“Don’t shoot that b’ar, confound you!” he cried. “He’s mine.” - -“A pet bear! Is that your treasure, then?” - -“Not a bit of it,” replied Old Pegs. “Kinder inquisitive, ain’t you?” - -“You have aroused my curiosity, I must confess,” replied Rafe. - -“Bruin! Bruin!” cried a clear, sweet voice. “Come here, sir!” - -Down dropped the bear upon all fours, and waddled away in the direction -of the voice, while Rafe stopped and looked at Old Pegs in amazement. - -“_That_ is your treasure, eh?” he demanded. “I thought you were too old -a man to care for a woman.” - -“I’m a nice figger fur a lady’s man, ain’t I?” replied the hunter, -scornfully. “I orter hit you, but I guess I won’t. Here we ar’.” - -The path led out of the narrow ravine through a thicket, and they -entered a small, sheltered valley, containing hardly an acre of -bottom-land, a sort of oasis scooped out by the hand of nature from the -bosom of the eternal hills. There was no sign of human habitation -anywhere, but their ears were saluted by a burst of song and the tinkle -of a guitar. The voice of the singer was so wonderfully pure, rich and -sweet that Rafe stopped in utter amazement and looked at Old Pegs. - -“What does this mean, old man?” he cried; “that is not the voice of an -Indian woman.” - -“Ska’cely; oh, no—I reckon not. And see yer, feller—thet gal is under my -pertection, and the man thet lays a finger on her, or insults her by -look or word, may git out the papers fur his funeral—and I’ll see thet -they hev a _corpse_. D’ye understand?” - -“Why should I try to harm her?” said Rafe. “Hush! let us hear her song.” - -It was a song of chivalry—a song of the old days—that seemed to speak -the clash of spears and the rattle of steel armor. The voice rung out -full and clear, not a note was slurred or hurried, and the two stood -spell-bound until she had finished, when Old Pegs called out: “Myrtle!” - -The sound of the guitar was hushed; there came the rush of flying feet, -and the singer appeared and flung her arms about the neck of the old man -and kissed him. - -“I am glad you have come, father, for I was getting lonely. You—” - -She paused suddenly, for her eyes just then rested upon the face of Rafe -Norris, who was gazing at her with a look of undisguised admiration. -What did he see? A fair young creature in the flush of early womanhood, -with a face and form which might have driven a painter mad. She was -slightly framed, but every line was in perfect symmetry, and her face -was perfection itself. A touch of peach-bloom in either cheek, ripe-red -lips and lustrous brown eyes; short, ambrosial locks, clinging about a -neck which rivaled in whiteness the snows of the mountain, and a look of -perfect innocence beautifying all. - -Why did Rafe Norris gaze at her as if he had seen a vision from the -grave? - -“Don’t be skeered, little ’un,” said Old Pegs. “This yer is Rafe Norris, -a gentleman thet run from some cussid Blackfeet and got away. I brung -him here fur the night, and expect you to treat him well. This is my -darter, Rafe—I kain’t _mister_ any one, ye know—and she’s the best and -pootiest gal in the kentry.” - -Rafe Norris bowed low, and uttered a well-framed compliment, which the -girl received coldly. - -“It is somewhat strange, Mr. Norris, that you should be alone here,” she -said. - -“I was separated from my party,” he answered, blandly, “and the Indians -set upon me before I was aware. I would accept the danger gladly for the -honor of this introduction.” - -“Draw it kinder mild, Rafe—kinder mild,” said Old Pegs. “We raally can’t -stand too many nice speeches, out hyar.” - -“That speech came from my heart,” replied Rafe. “I hope that the lady -will not consider it an unmeaning compliment.” - -“That’ll do,” said Old Pegs, dryly. “Now, Myrtle, gal, will you git us -suthing to eat? Ez fur me, I’m pesky hungry. I could eat a hull antelope -to my own cheek this hyar blessid minnit. What hav you got fur us?” - -“I caught some trout awhile ago, and have them ready to broil,” replied -Myrtle. - -“I cannot consent to allow Miss Myrtle to perform such menial service -for me,” said Rafe. “Let me do the cooking, for which such hands were -never intended.” - -Myrtle broke into a merry laugh. “You betray yourself, Mr. Norris,” she -said. “You are a gentleman born and bred, for none of our own -mountaineers would object to my cooking a meal for them.” - -He looked a little vexed, and she glided away, and Old Pegs sat down on -a great rock and signed to his companion to do the same. - -“Let me go and assist Miss Myrtle,” said Norris. “It really pains me to -suffer her to do such work.” - -“Sit down, stranger,” said Old Pegs, shortly. “I won’t hev any one, I -don’t keer who he is, try ter make the gal discontented with her life -hyar. She’s the darter of a mount’in man, and ef she ever marries—which -I hope she won’t—she’ll be the wife of a mount’in man; thet’s ez good ez -swore to.” - -“I hope you do not doubt me, Mr.—” - -“Old Pegs! Thet’s my name—Old Pegs. I don’t want no other handle, and I -won’t hev it. Ef I knowed you well I wouldn’t keer so much, but yer a -stranger, and so we won’t hev any sort of familiarity until I does know -you.” - -“You are particular, sir,” replied Norris, knitting his brows. “It is -sad that I did not bring my pedigree with me when I came here.” - -“Don’t be ridiculous, stranger,” replied Old Pegs, “or we may part -company afore you know it. I won’t have no foolishness about hyar ef I -know it; no discount on thet ar’.” - -“I beg your pardon again, but really you are very hard on me. I claim to -be a gentleman, and hope I am so. Perhaps that would make me lose your -good esteem.” - -“Oh no; I’ve knowed lots of _gentlemen_ thet was bully boys, and many’s -the high old time I’ve had with ’em, right about hyar. But, they _was_ -gentlemen, and I _knowed_ it. Now I don’t know any thing about you.” - -“I hope you will know me better sometime,” replied Rafe, in such a -peculiar tone that Old Pegs looked up at him quickly, as if to detect -the lurking menace in his face. But that face expressed nothing except -polite desire to make friends, and the old hunter dropped his eyes again -and whistled. A lumbering tread was heard; the pet bear appeared and -came rolling up at that peculiar gait so common to his race, and placing -his head upon the ground, turned a sort of summerset, erected himself -upon his hind feet, and came forward, extending his paw, which Old Pegs -shook heartily. - -“Glad ter see you, Bruin, my boy,” he said. “Hev ye taken good keer of -yer young mistress while I’ve been gone?” - -The bear nodded in a singularly grotesque manner, and Rafe could not -repress a laugh. - -“You have trained that fellow well, old man,” he said. “I suppose he -will obey you in any thing now?” - -“Ef you was to lay a finger on me and he thought you was in ’arnest, it -would take a hull brigade to gether yer fragments from the a’jacent -kountry round abowt.” - -“I’ll be ‘keerful’ how I handle you then,” said Rafe. “Did I understand -you to say that Miss Myrtle is really _your_ daughter?” - -“Ain’t no ways anxious ter know, be you, stranger?” said Old Pegs, -frowning. “Git up hyur, Bruin—stand on yer he’d!” - -The grizzly at once threw his quarters into the air, and in that -attitude walked up to his master, and planting his head upon the earth, -remained in that position until ordered to come down, which he did at -once and rolled himself rapidly over and over until he was quite out -sight behind the bushes. - -“You dislike to talk about your daughter, I see,” said Rafe, -persistently. - -“No I don’t—no sech thing,” replied Old Pegs, belligerently. “Don’t tell -me no sech foolishness. She’s a good gal, but she ain’t fur gentlemen to -consort with, mind you. And look yer; ef you kain’t manige ter git along -’thout making yourself too familiar, then all I kin say is, we’d better -part kump’ny now.” - -What Rafe might have said in reply it is impossible to say, but at this -moment Myrtle appeared and called to them. Old Pegs arose in his slow -and easy manner, and led the way through a screen of thick bushes until -they came upon a cabin so artistically concealed that a person might -have passed it a hundred times without suspecting its presence. It was -built of small logs dovetailed at the corners in frontier fashion, and -chinked with a sort of blue clay. It had two small windows, each -containing four panes of glass—for that article was difficult to -transport to the mountain region. The door was heavy and swung upon iron -hinges, manufactured from strap iron, in a rude way. The interior of the -little place was as neat as hands could make it, and the little table -and stools actually shone with scrubbing. A guitar stood in a little -curtained recess, and, to the utter surprise of Rafe Norris, a rude -bookcase in one corner contained a supply of books which had evidently -been much used. The table was set in the middle of the room, the plain -crockery arranged to the best advantage. They had venison steaks, fresh -broiled trout, pone bread and fragrant coffee. Norris at the invitation -of Old Pegs drew up his stool and was helped liberally. Myrtle poured -the coffee, and all enjoyed a hearty meal. - -“Thar,” said Old Pegs, “I dunno ez I keer fur any more. What a thing it -is to hev a gal like Myrtle ter make the little cabin bright! She killed -that deer and caught them trout herself, and thet’s what I call being -ginerally useful. What do you say?” - -“I can appreciate the home qualities of your daughter,” said Rafe, “but -from the appearance of that book-case and the guitar I should say that -she has other good qualities.” - -“And so she hez, Rafe—so she hez. She kin sing like a bird—kin -Myrtle—and when the old man comes home tired from the hunt, mebbe she -don’t make his life pleasant by singing and reading. She’s a master -reader—is Myrtle.” - -“I should think that it would be hard to find a teacher in this section, -but, from the quality of the books which I see she must be considerably -advanced.” - -“Oh she’s got a teacher,” replied Old Pegs with a sly look at Myrtle, -whose cheek flushed like the rose. “A mighty good teacher, I mout say.” - -“I was about to offer my poor services in that capacity,” said Rafe, -“and I am sorry to hear that I am in some degree forestalled.” - -“Yer cut out intirely,” replied Old Pegs. “The gal won’t take to no -other teacher ez she does to this one.” - -“Where is this wonderful teacher now, if I may ask?” said Rafe with a -look of annoyance. - -“Gone down ter the fort, I reckon. It’s about time fur a lesson, too, -and I kin see thet the gal is getting anxious.” - -“Father!” cried Myrtle. - -“Thet is gospel truth, gal,” replied Old Pegs with a grin. “I kin see it -in yer eye, whenever I look at you.” - -Rafe was puzzled to understand the manner in which Myrtle received the -bantering speech of her father. She seemed ill at ease, and her eyes -wandered to the door from time to time as if in expectation. Just then -the bear, which had been lying upon the threshold, raised his muzzle and -snuffed the air in a peculiar manner, and then rising heavily, started -away on an awkward shambling trot in the direction of the entrance to -the valley. - -“The critter smells suthing,” said Old Pegs, drawing his rifle nearer, -“and I’ll take a walk outside and see what’s up.” - -He started out quickly, leaving Rafe Norris with Myrtle. He at once -began to improve the opportunity. - -“It seems strange to me that a lady to all appearance so refined as you -are should pass her life in the midst of this desolation.” - -“I am not ‘a lady’ and I am far from refined, Mr. Norris. Is it -lady-like to go out and shoot a deer, bring home steaks and saddle, and -catch and cook a mess of trout? I am very much afraid that you are -mistaken in me, and think me one of those white-handed misses who mince -along the streets of Leavenworth and St. Joseph; but I am not.” - -“You belie yourself in this, Miss Myrtle. While you stay here of course -you must conform to the usages of the society in which you live. But you -are fitted to adorn—” - -She lifted her finger in a playful manner. - -“No nice speeches, if you please, Mr. Norris, for I am not used to them, -and should not know how to appreciate them in the least. I am afraid -your intercourse with the fine ladies who dwell in cities, has unfitted -you for the realities of life as we find them in the mountains.” - -“I pray not, for I hope to win your good opinion some day, and to be -able to prove to you that such ladies are not to my taste. I admire your -spirit—” - -“I think we had better change the conversation as I am not egotistical -enough to wish to talk of myself, and nothing else. Perhaps you play the -guitar.” - -“A little,” he replied, “but I am not going to expose myself by trying -to play now. I heard your music as I came up and was literally -enthralled by it.” - -She brought the guitar, and began to clear away the table while he -touched the keys and strings lightly, bringing the instrument into tune, -while he kept his eyes upon her steadily. There was an elasticity and -grace in every movement which spoke of perfect health, and he was -obliged to confess that he had never seen her equal. The man was -susceptible to female grace and beauty, and was touched now as he never -been before, and knew it. Once or twice she met his eyes and was -startled by the bold look of admiration in them. He continued to drum -upon the strings, merely striking chords and watching her intently. He -seemed about to speak, but at this moment the sound of voices could be -heard and Old Pegs, accompanied by a young man in a tasteful hunting -garb, entered the room. Myrtle sprung forward with a glad cry and gave -him both hands while giving him a welcome. - -“Is that her teacher, I wonder?” muttered Rafe, below his breath. “We -shall see. I will not be foiled when the prize for which I play is -almost in my grasp.” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - DAVE FARRELL. BRUIN SCOUTING. - - -The young man who had entered was the _beau ideal_ of a Western scout, -and Rafe was obliged to confess that he would have made a hard customer -to meet in the midst of a border struggle. About five feet and ten -inches in hight, straight as a cedar, with curling brown hair, and eyes -of the same color, a brown but well-cut face, firm lips and white teeth; -dressed as a leader of scouts in the neat fringed hunting-shirt belted -at the waist, high horseman’s boots and sombrero; and armed with the -rifle, two first-class revolvers and a heavy knife. He carried a bundle -in one hand which he dropped to meet the extended hands of Myrtle, and -stood there with a smile upon his handsome face. - -“Rafe Norris,” said Old Pegs, “this hyar chap is Dave Farrell, a real -out and outer, at present captain of a trapping brigade of the -North-west Company. Ef you meet any one thet asks you, be keerful to -tell ’em thet Old Pegs sez he’s a roarer! You kin realize money on that, -every time.” - -Dave Farrell turned to acknowledge the introduction with a peculiar look -upon his face. - -“It seems to me, although I may be wrong—that I have seen you before.” - -“I don’t remember, Captain Farrell,” replied Rafe, coolly. “Still, I’ve -been in many places, and we might have met without recollecting it.” - -“I think it was in Fort Garry, in the year ’53.” - -“Scarcely; I have not been in that country for nearly four years.” - -“We are all liable to mistakes,” said Dave; “but of course you have some -kind of business up this way?” - -“Of course.” - -“Do you object to mentioning _what_ business?” - -“I am not in a position to give you any information upon the subject -just now as I do not recognize your authority. I have been chased by -Indians and escaped by means of your friend here, who has offered me a -shelter and has not insulted me by asking impertinent questions.” - -“Impertinent!” said Dave, slowly, turning his eyes full upon the face of -the speaker. “I said that I would like to know your business, having -stated mine.” - -“And I tell you that I am not in a condition to gratify your curiosity -in the least.” - -“Let’s have no quarreling hyar, boys,” said Old Pegs. “Mr. Norris goes -away to-morrer to find his party, and thet’s the end of it. Let’s treat -him like a gentleman while he stays.” - -“I have no more to say at present,” said Dave. “If I had thought my -simple question would be regarded as an insult I should not have asked -it.” - -“You are excused,” said Rafe, coolly, “but I don’t allow any man to -interfere with my affairs.” - -Dave said no more, but dropping upon one knee began to undo the bundle -which he had dropped, and Myrtle clapped her hands joyfully as he -displayed a number of well-selected books and literary papers. The two -were soon occupied over them to the utter exclusion of the rest, for the -efforts of Rafe Norris to take part in the business were put aside with -an ease which showed that Dave considered himself master of the -situation. - -“Oh, let up, Dave,” said Old Pegs; “drop them cussid books and talk to -us. What did you hear new at the fort?” - -“I heard that the Hudson Bay are going to trap on our side this year, in -spite of our men.” - -“Hey! Now it looks like our boys will let ’em, don’t it?” - -“They are not the kind of men easily trodden underfoot, as you know -well,” replied Dave, grimly. “I’ve fought the Hudson Bay for ten years -and I’m not going to be driven out of my way by them now.” - -“I’ve heard that the Hudson Bay was very strong this year in the number -of their men,” said Rafe Norris. - -“Scissors!” roared Old Pegs. “You don’t ’spose we keer fur thet, do you? -Hark; what’s thet?” - -They heard a fierce growl from the bear, and then a cry of mortal agony. -The three men grasped their weapons, and darting away in the direction -of the sound, found the bear locked in a close grapple with an Indian, -while another was running rapidly across the opening. - -“Spies!” cried Old Pegs, pointing after the flying man. “Stop him, -Dave!” - -Dave Farrell brought his rifle to his shoulder, and fired, apparently -without aim. The flying savage paused suddenly, made a leap into the air -and fell upon his face. - -“Euchered!” said Old Pegs, quietly. “I don’t want no Injins in my camp, -you bet! Let’s look arter this chap Bruin hez harnessed.” - -The teeth of the bear were fastened in the shoulder of the Indian with -whom he struggled, and his claws were tearing him limb from limb. Old -Pegs caught the brute by the neck, and by the exercise of all his -muscular power, coupled with a loud command, managed to separate the -two, and the Indian, a horrible object to look at, sunk back upon the -sod, bleeding at every vein. - -Old Pegs stooped to raise him, but at this moment his eyes opened and -rested upon the face of Rafe Norris, who had followed the rest. A look -of recognition passed over his face, and he seemed about to speak, when -Norris drew a pistol and shot him through the heart as coolly as if he -had been a dying brute. - -“It is better to put him out of his misery,” he said, quietly; “and, as -you say, it won’t do to have spies about us.” - -“That was a coward shot,” cried Dave, angrily. “How dare you kill a -wounded man before us?” - -“My young friend,” replied Rafe, in his smooth tone, “don’t let us make -any mistakes or have a quarrel out here, for I am quick on the trigger -and _might_ shoot.” - -“Our boys don’t scare very easy,” was the answer, “and are always ready -to take and give. If you are inclined that way, I don’t know but it is -just as well to humor you.” - -“Hold on, boys,” cried Old Pegs. “I take a hand in this game, myself. -The fust man that lifts a weepen hez got ter stand a shot from me.” - -“I will not be bullied by any man alive,” cried Rafe Norris. “If I shot -this savage, it was only to put him out of pain, for any man can see -that he would have been dead in five minutes.” - -“Mout be you are right, Rafe,” replied Old Pegs; “but, why didn’t you -let him die the nat’ral way? It almost seemed to me thet the cuss know’d -you, and was going ter speak.” - -“Pshaw; what will you suspect next, I wonder? I never saw the fellow in -my life.” - -“I ain’t going to conterdict you, Rafe, acause it won’t pay, ez I hain’t -got no proof. Howsumever, thar lies the critter with a bullet in the -heart, and he’s rubbed out, easy. But, what I want ter know is this: -what is this yer _Modoc Sioux_ doing in this kentry?” - -“Modoc Sioux!” cried Dave, looking more closely at the dead savage. “You -are right, old man, and it is a surprise to see a party of that tribe in -the heart of the Blackfoot country.” - -Rafe Norris started; an angry look came into his face, for he thought he -saw suspicion in the eyes of the two men. That branch of the great Sioux -nation known as the Modoc Sioux were notorious for their hostility to -the whites, and their country was far away. - -“Let’s look at the other chap,” said Old Pegs. “This hyar gets me, it -does; it gets me dead ter rights.” - -They hurried to the side of the Indian who had been so suddenly stricken -by the fatal bullet of Dave Farrell, and turned him over. The ball had -entered the back just below the left shoulder, and passed through his -heart, so that his death was instantaneous. His face was calm and -peaceful, and both the mountainmen started as they recognized -“Half-breed Jack,” a man who was known far and wide as one of most -trusted employes of the Hudson Bay Company—a villain who was capable of -any crime. - -“Now this begins to look like business,” said Dave. “Old Pegs, you and I -must talk this matter over alone.” - -“Why alone, my mountain hero?” demanded Rafe, in a bantering tone. “Am I -to understand that you do not consider me a trustworthy person?” - -“We never trust strangers with our business,” replied Dave. “You do not -seem in the least surprised to see Half-breed Jack lying here.” - -“Half-breed Jack, eh? And who, pray, is Half-breed Jack?” - -“If you don’t know now, you never will,” was the ambiguous reply. “Here, -old man, let’s you and I have a talk.” - -“I see that you are disposed to set my friends against me,” said Rafe, -angrily. “Beware, young man. I am one who never forgets or forgives an -injury, and one day I may take occasion to remind you of this one.” - -“All right; will you be kind enough to leave us alone now?” - -Rafe stood for full two minutes looking with a dark scowl into the face -of the young captain of the “Trapping Brigade,” and then, turning on his -heel, he walked toward the cabin, his heart torn by contending passions. -Old Pegs and Dave remained over the body of the half-breed, looking very -ill at ease. - -“This man is not to be trusted,” said Dave, quickly. “I can not place -him, but I am certain that I have seen him under circumstances of -peculiar significance. I can not for my life remember any thing except -the place, and that was Fort Garry.” - -“He mout hev been thar jest ez you were, Dave. Beavers and bufflers! you -don’t go back on a man acause he’s bin in Fort Garry, does you?” - -“I’ll wager my existence that he is a bad man,” replied Dave, hotly. “He -has a nasty drop in his eye that I don’t like, and one day you will find -that I am right. Why should the Modoc Sioux be here? Don’t you know that -no man on earth has as much influence among them as Half-breed Jack?” - -“Thet don’t hurt Rafe Norris, my boy.” - -“But that Indian he killed knew him, I am almost willing to swear; and, -God forgive me if I do him wrong, but I think he killed him fearing that -the Sioux might say something to betray him.” - -“I had the same thort in my mind, Dave, I allow,” said Old Pegs. “Now, -what do you perpose to do?” - -“I’m going to put a spy on him when he leaves this place that will trail -him through to Oregon but he’ll find out who he is.” - -“Agreed, Dave; but don’t rile up at the man acause he’s taken a fancy -ter my little gal. I see whar the harniss is tight onto you, but, -buttermilk and molasses! you don’t think I’d give my gal ter sech ez -him!” - -“It would have been better if you had let the Indians have their way -anyhow. You’ve broken with Whirlwind, a man who is capable of doing you -a great deal of harm, for the sake of a man you don’t know.” - -“Whirlwind never see’d me at all, Dave. But, look yer; I never thort I’d -hear Dave Farrell tork in thet way abowt saving a feller white man’s -life.” - -“I was wrong, and I beg your pardon,” said Dave. “Perhaps I am -unreasonably jealous, but I thought that Myrtle looked with some favor -upon him. If I thought so—” - -“You’d raise Kain, wouldn’t you? Now don’t be an idjiot, Dave, acause I -kain’t stand it. Let’s plant these chunks of kussidness som’ers, and git -’em out of the way.” - -It did not take long by means of a shovel which Old Pegs brought out of -the copse, to dig a shallow grave, in which they laid the two Indians, -piling a heap of stones upon the bodies to guard them from the wolves. -This done, they went back to the cabin, where they found Myrtle and Rafe -Norris seated rather close together, while he was explaining a book -which Dave had brought. If the young captain had a fault it was -jealousy, and the blood started into his face as he noted the position -of the pair. Deeply interested as she was in the explanation, in her -eager desire for knowledge, Myrtle did not look up as they came in, and -even her father looked a little vexed, for he did not like to see her -becoming interested in Rafe Norris. - -“Oh, Dave!” she cried, looking up at last. “You would be interested in -the account which Mr. Norris is giving of the Aleutian Islands. He was -there on a voyage not long ago.” - -“I fear Mr. Farrell does not appreciate my poor endeavors to entertain -you, Miss Myrtle,” said Rafe, who interpreted rightly the expression of -David Farrell’s face. “But, if you have no objections, we will go on.” - -“I reckon we’d better postpone the study, jest now,” said Old Pegs. -“Dave hez a good ’eal to tell you about his visit to civilization, -Myrtle.” - -“By no means,” replied Dave, taking up his weapons. “While Miss Myrtle -is so pleasantly engaged, I can not find it in my heart to interfere.” - -With these words he hurried out of the cabin before Myrtle could stop -him, and Old Pegs started up to follow. When he reached the door, Dave -was half-way across the opening, moving on at the long, swinging pace -into which a man insensibly falls, who is used to long marches over the -prairie. The old hunter hurried after him, calling him by name. - -“Let him go, the jealous boor,” said Rafe, quickly. “We can dispense -with his company easily enough.” - -“Mr. Norris,” said Myrtle, flushing, “you forget yourself when you call -my friends hard names. I am very sorry for what has happened, for no one -can be better, braver or more true hearted than the man you call a -boor.” - -“I beg your pardon,” said Norris in a tone of contrition. “The word -slipped out before I had time to think, for of course it would be -ungentlemanly in me to thus stigmatize a friend of yours. But, he is -something of a dog in the manger, and seems to arrogate to himself the -right to your society, to the complete exclusion of men as good as -himself. Let us go back to our book.” - -“I am tired of it now,” she replied, pushing it aside. “Let me alone, -sir; how dare you touch my hand.” - -“Unintentional, upon my honor, Miss Myrtle. Surely you do not propose to -follow our sulky young friend and beg him to come back?” - -“I ought to do so, but I fear that I am not brave enough, sir. All that -I am, as far as education goes, he made me. He has ridden many miles -through a hostile country to bring me these books, and now I have driven -him away when night is coming on.” - -“Let me replace him,” he said. “Such beauty as yours need not go -begging, and you will do well to trust me; better than you think, if you -knew all.” - -She brushed by him angrily, and made for the door, but he caught her by -the wrist to detain her. - -“Release me, sir!” she cried, the blood mounting into her cheek. “You -insult me.” - -“I think I am going mad indeed,” he replied in a hoarse, strained voice, -dropping her hand. “I can not bear to have you leave me for his sake. I -never have yielded so completely to woman’s witchery in an hour, and I -am thus bold in speaking to you, because I may never have the -opportunity. I love you as well as if I had known you for years, and you -must listen to me.” - -“You are perfectly in the right, Mr. Norris, in saying that you are mad, -for nothing else could prompt you to speak in this manner. Let me hear -no more of it—I beg.” - -“I do not ask you to love me, now,” he replied earnestly. “Give me a -chance; let me show you what I will do for the woman I love; that is all -I ask.” - -“I shall not notice this foolishness upon your part, by telling my -father what you have said, sir, for I would not answer for what he would -do. But, let me hear no more of it, I beg you. Hush; father is coming -back.” - -He sunk back on a stool, his face absolutely ghastly with intense -passion, as the door was flung open and Old Pegs hurried in alone. - -“Don’t say any thing to me, Myrtle, fur I ain’t in good humer,” he said -in an almost angry tone. “I never thought you a flirt before, but ef you -drive away Dave Farrell, you drive away the best man in the mount’ins, -that’s all I’ve got to say.” - -“Has he gone?” she said anxiously. - -“He’s out thar in the pass. And stranger, I warn you to keep out of his -way, because he ain’t in a heavenly temper. Hark!” - -Swift steps were heard, the door was flung open, and Dave rushed into -the room, pale and nearly breathless with a long arrow sticking in his -shoulder. “Indians!” he gasped. “Get Myrtle out of the way, quick!” - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - WHIRLWIND. - - -With the cat-like quickness which he always showed in moments of danger, -Old Pegs sprung to the door and dropped the heavy bars in their places, -while Myrtle closed and barred the blinds. It was not done a moment too -soon, for they heard the rapid beat of hoofs and could tell by the -sounds that a large party of Indians were in the valley. Rafe Norris -stepped to one of the loop-holes always left when a cabin is built in an -Indian country, and looked out and saw that it was the band of -Whirlwind. - -“Now then, what’s the ticket?” demanded Old Pegs. “Is it going ter be a -b’ar-fight?” - -“There seems to be no other course,” replied Norris. - -“Oh, yes, thar is,” replied the old hunter. “I’ve got more than one -string to my bow, and we kin fight or hide, jest ez you like.” - -“My plan would be to get the lady into the hiding-place you speak of, -and then teach these Indians what it means to attack three well-armed -white men.” - -“Jest my plan,” said Old Pegs. “Wait a minnit.” - -He turned to assist Dave who was trying to draw out the arrow which had -lodged in the fleshy part of the shoulder. But it had not passed quite -through, and the barbs would not permit him to draw it out. - -“Let me take hold,” said Old Pegs. “Look the other way, Myrtle.” - -He grasped the shaft of the arrow, and by a quick movement forced it -through the flesh, so that the head appeared. Dave bore the pain without -even wincing, and the old man broke off the arrow, threw down the head, -and drew out the broken shaft. - -“It don’t amount to any thing,” said Dave, cheerily. “Come with me, -Myrtle; it won’t be long before the Blackfeet pitch in, and I want a -hand in the game.” - -“I don’t want to go away,” she answered. “I never raised a rifle against -a human being yet, but in a cause like this, I can do good service.” - -The red-skins had not yet seen the cabin, but half a dozen were out of -the saddle running to and fro in search of Dave—who they knew must be -concealed somewhere near at hand. - -“They don’t see us yet, I believe,” said Dave, stepping to a loop-hole, -“but it won’t be long before they nose us out. Shall I give that -skulking fellow a shot, old man?” - -“Not yit,” replied Old Pegs. “I don’t want ter hit the fust blow.” - -Just then one of the savages discovered the cabin, and set up a yell -which quickly called the attention of the rest. Not a few of them had -rifles, and dismounting they began to creep up toward the mountain -house. - -“Wait a minnit, boys,” said Old Pegs. “We’ll give ’em a most immortal -thrashing afore sundown or my name ain’t Old Pegs. Thunder; what’s -that?” - -A rattling volley was suddenly poured into the Blackfeet from the rear, -and the scouts who had been seen crawling up to the cabin went back with -wild yells of surprise, and sprung into the saddle, while counter yells -arose from the front and flanks. - -“Je—whitteker!” yelled Old Pegs. “Hear the onnatril varmint sound ther -loud alarums. Who be they—who in thunder be they?” - -“Perhaps it is the brigade,” said Myrtle, hopefully. - -“’Tain’t so; d’ye think the boys in Farrell’s brigade yell like that? -Them’s Injuns, but what tribe and why they ar’ sailing in on the -Blackfeet, the devil may know. Let’s rush out and help ’em, anyhow.” - -The wound of Dave Farrell was at best but a slight one, and rushing out -with Old Pegs and Rafe Norris, all armed with heavy rifles, they began -to blaze away at the now retreating Blackfeet. Assailed thus in front, -flank and rear, these gallant men did not give up but fought with a -devotion to their leader which would have done credit to men of a higher -civilization. One by one they dropped from their saddles until only five -were left, and among these the brave chief Whirlwind, who had passed -unscathed through the hail-storm of leaden balls. - -“Dogs!” cried the chief, shaking his lance in the air. “Whirlwind will -go, but when he comes again his vengeance will be terrible.” - -Calling to the few men who surrounded him he wheeled his horse and -dashed away across the little valley, making no further effort to force -his way through the pass which was so closely environed by his enemies. -Many dusky figures darted from the bushes on every hand, and shot after -shot was sent after the flying horsemen, and while they were yet within -short rifle range three of Whirlwind’s men dropped bleeding to the -earth. But the chief seemed to bear a charmed life and disappeared -behind a clump of trees near the center of the glade. Many Indians were -seen racing after him on foot, and it needed but a glance to show Old -Pegs that they were Modoc Sioux, the inveterate enemies of the -Blackfeet. - -“Git cover, quick!” cried the old hunter. “They’ll see us.” - -“It is of no use to hide,” replied Rafe Norris. “I, for one, mean to -yield myself a prisoner, and I advise you to do the same.” - -The words had scarcely left his lips when he experienced a strange -sensation. A vise-like grip fell upon his shoulder, and the steel muzzle -of a pistol was pressed against his temple. This pistol was held by Dave -Farrell, whose teeth were firmly set and whose eyes seemed to emit -flashes of light. - -“Move a step until I order you, wag a finger even, and you die.” - -“What means this conduct?” hissed Rafe, white with contending passions. -“Do you mean to murder me in cold blood?” - -“Not a bit of it. You see those Indians coming this way, don’t you?” - -“What of that?” - -“Order them to halt.” - -“I don’t know what you mean. Am I to be killed like a dog, you old -villain? Why do you stand there like a stone and make no effort to aid -me?” - -“Better do as Dave asks you, Rafe. It ain’t a bad plan to try the -’speriment.” - -“But I know nothing of these Indians.” - -“Ef Dave hez made a mistake he’s ter make it right with you,” answered -Old Pegs. - -“One more chance before I scatter your brains upon the sod,” hissed -Dave. “Will you stop those Indians? Speak their language—you know how.” - -Rafe Norris cast one look at the stern face of the captain of scouts, -and saw that a refusal would be death to him. He turned and shouted to -the advancing Indians, and to the surprise of Old Pegs, who thought that -Dave had made a mistake, they halted immediately, while cries of -surprise could be heard among them, and the others came running up. -Those who had been halted by the command of Rafe Norris pointed him out -as he stood in the grasp of Dave, and it was plain that they knew him -and were surprised to see him in his present position. - -“Do you see that, Old Pegs?” cried Farrell. “Now doz you tell me that -this fellow knows nothing of the Modoc Sioux?” - -“Stranger,” said Old Pegs, “I’ve warmed a viper in my buzzum. Now then, -order them pizen sarpints ter git. The quicker they go, the longer -they’ll hev the satisfaction on knowing that you ar’ alive.” - -“Why should they obey me?” replied Rafe. “You are a couple of cowardly -hounds to attack an unsuspecting man in this way.” - -“‘Unsuspecting’! Oh, yes—thet’s a good word, but you jest send ’em away -all the same or I’ll pulverize you—I will, by the sacred groves of -Ireland. You hear me a-talking?” - -Rafe saw that the game was up, and that he might as well save his life -if possible. - -“What shall I tell them?” - -“Tell ’em to go down to the sulphur spring at the base of the North -Canon, and wait fur you thar.” - -Rafe hesitated, but the circle of cold steel upon his temple cowed him -for the time, and he shouted the required order. Signal cries were -heard, and the pursuers of Whirlwind came back on the run, having been -unsuccessful in their attempt to overtake that redoubted chief who had -found some avenue of escape. The orders of Rafe Norris were repeated, -and the whole party trooped away down the pass, leaving Rafe still in -the hands of Farrell. - -“I suspected you from the very start, my good friend,” said Dave, “and -this is not the first time I have earthed a fox of your breed. It is -useless for you to attempt to deceive us, for we know you now. You are a -Hudson Bay man, and I know it.” - -“You lie.” - -“Be careful, my boy. You are a prisoner, and I don’t like to injure a -man who is so completely in my power, but don’t use bad language. Your -fellows have done us such good service in breaking up the party of -Whirlwind that I am inclined to be rather lenient with you, but at the -same time we won’t stand every thing.” - -“Do you mean to keep me a prisoner?” - -“I have not decided what to do with you yet. No doubt our old friend -here will give you house room for to-night, and after that we will see -what can be done.” - -“You shall repent this if I can escape from your hands, as you may be -sure I will do some day. I will never rest until I have your life.” - -“Enough of that. Have you got a piece of good buck-skin handy, old man? -I think we had better tie this feller’s feet.” - -“Do not dare to degrade me with bonds,” cried Rafe, savagely. “If you do -my revenge will be terrible.” - -“All right; we’ll tie you up all the same. You might take it into your -head to go after your Indian friends and bring them back on us.” - -“I will speak no more,” replied Norris. “Do with me as you will.” - -Old Pegs drew from the bosom of his hunting-shirt, two or three stout -buck-skin thongs which he used in tying the hands of Norris behind his -back. Having performed this service to his satisfaction, he linked the -feet of the prisoner together at the ankles in such a way that he could -take a step of about six inches, but no more. - -“Thet’s all right, Dave,” he said. “Now, who in thunder is thet chap?” - -A man in greasy buck-skin was seen running rapidly toward them with the -pet bear, Bruin, close at his heels, evidently bent on mischief. Old -Pegs ran up to meet him, shouting to the bear, and managed to interfere -before Bruin could clutch his prey—a proceeding which the bear resented -with low growls of discontent, while the new-comer sat down puffing, -with a very red face and looked at his rescuer. - -“Durn the b’ar!” he growled. “What d’ye keep sech a pheroxious beast -fur, stranger?” - -“Jest fer greens, my boy,” replied Old Pegs. “Seems ter me strangers ar’ -gitting rather thick in this hyar clearing. Who the devil be _you_?” - -“I’m a poor critter that’s jest got away from the pizen Injuns and I -come mighty nigh bein’ swallowed by a b’ar by gracious. I don’t hanker -a’ter sich, but ef I’d ’a’ hed my weepons I’d ’a’ give him Jesse, you -bet.” - -The speaker would never have been “hung for his good looks,” although he -might have suffered for irreclaimable homeliness. He was a tall, thin -specimen of the mountainman, with shaggy hair and beard, and a snaky eye -which was far from pleasant to look at. - -“What Injuns did you git away from, stranger?” demanded Old Pegs. - -“Them cussid Modoc Sioux. Oh, I know ’em—I know ’em from stern to -gizzard—I know ’em arternoons. You see, they ketched me up hyur, by the -big spring when I was trying to find the trapping brigade, and they tuk -traps, rifle and all ez clean ez a whistle. I ain’t got hide nor h’ar -left.” - -The man did indeed look forlorn enough. His clothing hung in tatters; he -had no hat, and the blood was flowing from a ragged cut across his -forehead, where a bullet had grazed the skin. - -“Thet was a clust rub, stranger.” - -“It were, mate, mighty clust. Ye see I made a break when they pitched -inter the Blackfeet and one of them fired at me, and gev me this beauty -spot.” - -“Very kind in him, I must say. What are these Sioux doing here at this -time?” - -“I dunno; they ar’ out of ther stamping-ground a smart heap.” - -“You bet; who is ther leader?” - -“I dunno his name; but I think they called him Curly-headed Ned. Anyhow, -thet’s a name he’s got on the border.” - -“Did you see him?” - -“He didn’t show hisself while I was thar. I say, boss, who’s that you’ve -got in that outlandish hitch?” - -“Thet chap, we think, knows too much about these Modoc Sioux and -konsekently we jist tuk the liberty of kinder hitching him up.” - -“The varmint! Let me get at him and I’ll chaw him up, audacious. -Yah—hip! I _want_ his ha’r. Lend me a knife, some one; a hairpin, a -toothpick—_any_ cussid thing. I will hev his wool.” - -“You don’t say thet you are so hot arter blood ez thet ar’, stranger? -No—I reckon not; he’s our meat, and we don’t ’low nobuddy else to tech -him.” - -“Tain’t fa’r, anyhow, boss. Hyar I stand jest out of ther blasted hitch -and it hurts my feelin’s powerful bad, because I ain’t let to mount him. -Say, you pizen sarpint,” he cried, shaking his clenched hand under -Rafe’s nose, “why kain’t I chaw ye up?” - -“You are a fit associate for these two ruffians,” replied Norris, -proudly. “It would not surprise me if they allowed you to murder me -while my hands are tied.” - -“Oh, thunder, ef they only _would_! Say, boss, kain’t I hit him once, -fur luck?” - -“You are over zealous in the cause,” said Farrell, coldly. “Stand aside -and let the prisoner alone.” - -“Little boy,” replied the escaped man, “you hurt my feelin’s awful when -you talk that way, and I shill feel obliged to jump on ye with both -feet.” - -“That’s enough, my man,” replied Farrell, laying his hand upon a pistol. -“What is your name?” - -“I ain’t heeled—that’s what’s the matter with me—an’ you’ve got the -gaffs on. It ain’t ekal—that’s what I say—it ain’t ekal, and you know it -ain’t. Let me hev a fourteen inch toothpick in my hand, and ef I don’t -crow loud, my name ain’t Velveteens.” - -“Is that your name? Come, come; you should not quarrel with us, if you -want help.” - -“Velveteens, the boys call me, and they call me that becoz I’m nat’rally -so soft and tender-hearted. I be—by gracious. I’m too good fur this -wicked, wicked world.” - -“What do you want?” - -“I was gwine to jine the brigade, but I’m afeard thar ain’t no chance -now. I’ve lost my traps and shootin’-irons.” - -“That will not trouble you if you can prove yourself a true man. -However, you can pass the night here, and in the morning we’ll see what -can be done.” - -“Much obliged; who be you?” - -“Captain Farrell of the trapping brigade.” - -“Whew! And to think I lowered myself to rile up at you. It was durned -ridiculous.” - -Dave Farrell took the prisoner in charge, led him to the cabin and put -him in a small room in the rear. Rafe did not look up as he heard -Myrtle’s exclamation of surprise, but passed on sullenly to his prison, -where he sunk down upon the floor and dropped his head upon his arms. -The moment the door closed upon Farrell he sprung to his feet and -laughed scornfully, for he knew his power well. Yet he listened -earnestly while Dave told Myrtle the story to which she listened with a -look of horror. - -“Revenge is sweet,” he muttered. “My hour will come.” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - A COWARD’S DEED. - - -By the time the Indian dead were buried, darkness had come and the party -were gathered in the large room of the cabin at supper. They were quite -merry and Rafe listened with a grim smile as the man who called himself -Velveteens recounted the manner of his capture and escape at length, -going into particulars as to time and place. - -“The rascal!” muttered Rafe. “Oh, he is a precious villain if his story -is true.” - -Shortly after Old Pegs brought the prisoner something to eat, removing -his bonds while he did so, in order to give him the use of his hands. - -“I want my strength for the work before me,” said Rafe, “or I would not -again break bread under your roof.” - -“I’ll break a head under my roof if you don’t keep quiet you bruiser,” -replied Old Pegs. “Thunder and blood; one would think you was an -innercent cuss to hear you tork.” - -“And so I am.” - -“So’s yer grandmother! I ain’t going ter tork about it now, I tell you -fa’r; so shet up.” - -Rafe ate in gloomy silence, when he was carefully tied up again by Old -Pegs and left alone. Velveteens was entertaining Dave Farrell and Myrtle -by an account of the country in the region of the “big pines” of -California, and Old Pegs dropped into the circle to listen. Bruin was -there, too, and strangely enough seemed to have taken a decided dislike -to Velveteens, and showed a disposition to attack him from time to time. -It was only the authority of his master which served the unfortunate -ex-captive from trouble. - -“I don’t know what’s got inter you, Bruin,” said his master. “I’m -ashamed of you; don’t you know yer friends?” - -“That b’ar ain’t safe,” said Velveteens; “and I reckon you’d better -shoot him.” - -“Shoot him? I’d raise that man’s ha’r that did it, by gracious. Go on -with yer bird’s-egging, stranger; spin another yarn about them big -pines.” - -“You keep the b’ar off me, then. I don’t half injy myself while he’s -foolin’ around me.” - -To please the fellow, Old Pegs put the bear out of the cabin and came -back. - -“What do ye do with that b’ar o’ nights, boss?” Velveteens asked. - -“We leave him outside; a mighty good watch-dorg, is Bruin. He don’t ’low -no one to go slashing round _this_ house, arter dark.” - -The countenance of Velveteens fell several degrees and he lost his usual -loquacity. The subject of the bear seemed to trouble him, and he -returned to it again, insisting upon it that such an animal ought to be -chained during the night. - -“I reckon yer skeery about b’ars,” said Old Pegs. “I’ll humor you this -time, and shut the b’ar up behind the house.” - -This was done and Velveteens seemed more at ease, though Bruin kept up a -fearful growling in his prison, tearing at the logs and snapping at his -chain. Old Pegs went out on a scout, taking his new friend with him, and -leaving Dave with Myrtle. I don’t know how it was done, but before half -an hour had passed the two had forgotten their little “tiff” of the -morning and were sitting side by side, hand clasped in hand, as only -lovers sit, while through the chinks in the walls of the prison Rafe -Norris glared at them. - -“How long must I wait for revenge?” he muttered. “Oh, I will make him -repent in dust and ashes the hour he led me, bound like a dog, into her -presence. And you, proud rustic beauty, shall know what it is to scorn -the love of such a man as I!” - -Old Pegs very wisely kept out of the way for over two hours. Those hours -were hours of agony to Rafe Norris. To see the woman he loved sitting -with her head upon the bosom of the man he hated, while his strong arm -encircled her slender waist, was torture. If his hands had been free, -and he could have reached a weapon, that moment had been death, perhaps -to both the lovers. - -Old Pegs came back at last, and announced that they had seen no signs of -Indians, and had reason to believe that they had decamped entirely. He -found the young couple very much engaged over a book which Dave had -brought from the fort, and grinned widely as he saw the trouble was -over. Dave had begged her forgiveness but a moment before, and she had -sealed it with a loving kiss. - -“Hev you looked at the pris’ner while I’ve been gone?” demanded Old -Pegs. - -Dave looked a trifle foolish, for, if the truth must be told, he had -forgotten that such a person as Rafe Norris existed. Old Pegs laughed -and opened the door of the room, where he saw Rafe extended on the -floor, apparently asleep. Velveteens looked over his shoulder, as he did -so. - -“He’s a desprut mean cuss, _that_, I’ll bet on,” he said. “D’ye mean to -stand guard all night?” - -“No; he kain’t git away.” - -“Then I wish ye’d show a place to sleep, fur I’m ’most mortal tired. -I’ve hed a hard time, lately.” - -The hunter gave the man a blanket, and he wrapped it about him and lay -down on the floor, quite near the door of the room in which Rafe Norris -was confined. The lovers paid but little attention to him and sat, until -quite late, talking in low tones, which he could not hear if he had been -inclined to do so. Old Pegs stepped into a sort of alcove in one corner, -and, satisfied that all was safe, soon fell asleep. - -Some hours after, Dave came in to share his blanket, while Myrtle went -into the curtained recess where she slept. - -Two hours later, Velveteens, who had been not only asleep but snoring, -raised his head softly and looked about him. The moon was shining -brightly, and he could see every object in the room distinctly. - -The loud snoring of Old Pegs and the heavy breathing of Dave Farrell -satisfied him that they were asleep, and raising himself softly—for, as -we have said, he slept quite close to the prison-door—he pulled the -latch-string, and the door swung open without noise. - -It looked as if Rafe Norris had expected to see him, for he lay upon the -floor with his head close to the door, and when Velveteens lay down -again, shifted his position so as to keep his hands in view. - -Some steel instrument gleamed in the moonlight, and the bonds fell from -the hands of the prisoner; a moment more, and his feet were also free. -He now sat up and began to rub his feet and ankles vigorously, to -restore the lost circulation, while Velveteens lay down and began to -snore in such a perfect manner that no one would have dreamed for a -moment that he was not asleep. - -Ten minutes later, Rafe Norris stood in the main room and took up Old -Pegs’ knife, which lay upon a stool, and seemed about to rush into the -recess where the two men slept, when Velveteens threw his arms about him -and held him fast. - -“What’s that?” demanded the gruff voice of Old Pegs. - -Quick as thought, Rafe darted back into the room and closed the door, -just as the huge head of Old Pegs was thrust out of the recess. - -“I wanted a drink,” said Velveteens. - -“Thar’s some in the bucket; but why in thunder do you wake a feller up -this way? I don’t like it, not to speak of,” growled the hunter. - -“I was awful dry,” replied Velveteens, as he took up the gourd. “I won’t -trouble you again to-night.” - -Old Pegs went back with a snort of disapproval, and again fell asleep. -When satisfied of this, Velveteens tapped once on the door, and it swung -open as softly as before. Rafe Norris had seen that it was idle to -attempt revenge upon his enemies now, as both of them slept so lightly, -and following Velveteens, he crept toward the door, when they heard a -deep growl and the rattle of a chain. - -Bruin had in some way broken loose and dragged himself to the door, -lying across the threshold. The two men looked at each other in -confusion and dismay, for they dared not pass out while that gigantic -sentinel lay in the way. - -“Go back to yer room,” whispered Velveteens. “I’ve got some wolf-bait -hyar, and I’ll fix the black cuss.” - -Rafe slipped back to the room, and Velveteens took down from the wall a -piece of venison, which might have weighed four pounds. This he cut -open, and from a pocket of his ragged hunting-shirt he now took a -bottle, from which he shook into the cut a quantity of a whitish -substance and then closed up the orifice he had made. - -The window was partially raised, and thrusting out his hand, he dropped -the meat under the nose of Bruin, who snapped it up greedily and -devoured it in the twinkling of an eye. Having done his work, Velveteens -lay down again, while Rafe watched from the open door of the room in -which he had been confined, ready to make a rush if either Dave or Old -Pegs came out of the recess. - -A few moments later, they heard a scuffling, confused sound and the -rattle of a chain, as if the bear was running away at the top of his -speed. - -Velveteens chuckled and beckoned to Rafe, who again came out softly, and -the two stood in the middle of the room a moment; and then, opening the -door carefully, they went out together, closing the door after them, -while the others, never dreaming of the escape, slept profoundly. - -It was nearly morning when Old Pegs rose, took up his rifle—which always -lay within reach of his hand—and went out into the main room. - -He saw that the blanket of Velveteens was empty, and the door of the -prison open. Springing to the door, he looked in, and his cry of rage -awoke Dave, who started up and came out, to find Old Pegs dancing wildly -about the room, swearing like a trooper. - -“He’s a nice cuss, that Velveteens, he is!” he screamed. “He ’scaped -from the Sioux—he did! Oh, knives and razor-grinders! Oh, dog every -button on my shirt, he’s cheated us!” - -“Gone!” cried Dave, in dismay. - -“Yaas, gone; gone like a thief in the night. Fled like a shadder, -leaving no sign to mark the spot whar he laid down. Oh, how it grinds me -that I didn’t let old Bruin chaw him up.” - -“He is evidently in league with the Sioux and Rafe Norris,” said Dave. -“Shall we try to follow them?” - -“And what makes me so cussid mad,” continued Old Pegs, paying no -attention to the question, “he got me ter chain up Bruin over night. He -knowed right well, the owdashus cuss, thet the b’ar would never hev let -him out. I git so mad sometimes when I think of it I c’u’d eat my shirt. -Oh mortal pizen, ef I _ever_ meet him!” - -“What shall we do?” demanded Dave. “It isn’t safe to waste any time if -these Modoc Sioux are really his men.” - -“What is the matter, father?” cried Myrtle from her sleeping apartment. - -“They’ve dug out, both them low-lived skunks,” snarled Old Pegs. “Git up -and dress, gal; we must git out’n this mighty quick. Dave, come with -me.” - -They ran out of the house, and quickly found the trail which led out of -the little valley to the south. Following it rapidly, they soon -satisfied themselves that their enemies had really left the valley, -going toward the “Sulphur Spring,” where Rafe had appointed the -rendezvous. - -“They’ve gone ter jine the Injins,” said Old Pegs. “Won’t you be so good -ez to give me a big kick astarn, Dave? I desarve it.” - -“What is done—is done,” replied Dave, “and we can not avoid it. What is -that by the spring yonder?” - -“It looks like Bruin,” replied Old Pegs. “The black thief got away arter -all, and I wonder he let ’em go.” - -“Probably he did not break away until after their departure,” replied -Dave. “Let us call him.” - -He gave a shrill whistle, the call which Bruin always answered, but to -their surprise the bear did not move. Running up hastily, they found the -bear lying by the side of the spring, his tongue hanging out of his -mouth, and a white foam lying thick upon the grass. - -“He’s dead, by the rock of Gibraltar!” roared the bear’s master. “Them -mean cusses hev killed him, but whar’s the blood?” - -“He has died in a different way,” replied Dave. “Look at his mouth.” - -Old Pegs saw at a glance how his bear had died. He had killed too many -wolves with strychnine, to have any doubt of the cause of his death, and -his anger broke out afresh. - -“Thar’s going to be war when that Velveteens and Old Pegs come together -ag’in,” said the old man in an unusually quiet tone, which he only used -in moments of intense passion. “I’ll raise his ha’r, or my name ain’t -what it is. Come along; it is only a half day’s walk ter the spring, and -they ar’ thar afore now. They’ll be up hyar by noon, the hull b’iling, -and we’ve got ter be ready.” - -As they turned to move away there was a movement in the bushes close to -them, and a savage face looked out at them, his eyes burning with -intense passion. It was Whirlwind, the Blackfoot chief. He held in his -hand a long bow and seemed about to fit an arrow to the string, but upon -second thought replaced the bow and called to Old Pegs by name. - -“Let Short Legs turn back and have a talk with a great chief,” he cried. - -“Durn my hide,” said Old Pegs. “Whar did he come from? Shill we humor -him, Dave? He seems ter be alone.” - -“It may benefit us much if we can make friends with him,” replied Dave. - -The two turned back hastily, and Whirlwind came quietly out of his place -of concealment and met them. He seemed to have no fear of them, strongly -armed as they were, and advanced boldly to meet them. - -“Whirlwind is welcome,” said Old Pegs in the Indian tongue. “Why is he -here?” - -“Last sun Whirlwind had many braves,” replied the Indian, “but now, he -has not one. The Sioux dogs trapped them like beaver, and they fell.” - -Old Pegs was silent, because he did not know how the Indian might regard -his share in the battle of the day before. - -“My brothers fought against the Blackfeet, too,” continued the chief. -“That was well, because the Blackfeet struck first when they did not -know who they fought. Whirlwind would be a friend to Short Legs and the -Beaver Captain.” - -“I am willing to be friends,” replied Dave, “but you put an arrow -through my shoulder, yesterday.” - -“Yesterday we were enemies, to-day we will be friends.” - -“And to-morrow enemies again.” - -“Not if Whirlwind smokes a pipe with his white brothers. See; Whirlwind -seeks vengeance on the Modoc Sioux, who have come into his country and -killed his men. Short Legs and the Beaver Captain shall help him.” - -“Do you wish to be a friend to the man who was with us last sun?” - -“No!” replied the chief, sullenly. “Whirlwind will not smoke a pipe with -him.” - -“I am glad of that,” continued Dave, “for he is our enemy. Let Whirlwind -bring a pipe and we will smoke.” - -The smoking of the peace-pipe was a binding obligation to the Indians, -who would not begin a war again until the men with whom they had smoked -had been fairly warned. A pipe was lighted and passed from mouth to -mouth, and the ceremony was complete. - -“Whirlwind will go now,” said the chief. “Let my brothers trap beaver in -the hills in peace when winter comes, the Blackfeet will not harm them. -Look for my warriors when the sun sets twice by the three great rocks.” - -He waved them farewell, and started away at a quick pace, taking a -direction across the mountain. For two hours the whites were occupied in -carrying out of the house for concealment, every article they wished to -keep safe, and by the time the sun was at meridian the work was done, -and they waited quietly for the coming of the Modoc Sioux. An hour later -they came trooping into the pass, when Old Pegs, who was on the watch, -quietly retired into the cabin and shut the door. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - A GREAT SURPRISE. - - -The Modoc Sioux seemed to know the situation of the house well and -scattered the moment they reached the front, and remained still as -death, waiting for the order to advance. The shutters were closed upon -the windows of the cabin, and the heavy door in its place, but not a -sound was heard. It was plain that the Modocs knew the desperate -character of the men in the house for they made no effort to advance as -yet. They were well aware of the fact that such a building defended by -two such renowned Indian-fighters as the “Beaver Captain” and Old Pegs -would hold out for a long time unless taken by stratagem. - -They did not like the silence which reigned about the building, for it -seemed to them the silence of desperation. Unwilling to waste their men, -one was sent forward with a flag. He was a half-breed and spoke a sort -of mixture of French and English. - -“Ah, you; in ze house.” - -No reply; the same dreadful silence reigned. - -“Vill you open door?” cried the envoy, again. “Let us in; smoke pipe.” - -Still no reply. Nothing about the house showed that a human being -occupied it, and the man retreated in alarm, fearing a shot. But either -the defenders considered him too insignificant to fire at or they -respected a flag, even in such hands as these. - -The leaders of the savages did not make their appearance, but it soon -become apparent that some movement was on foot. The sound of axes could -be plainly heard, and about twenty Indians appeared carrying a small -tree from which the limbs had been lopped within a foot of the trunk, -leaving a good hold for the hands. This was a battering ram with which -to beat down the door. Keeping behind the bushes as much as possible, -they reached a place within a hundred paces of the door, when they laid -the log down and took breath before the final effort. A man in Indian -garb with a hideously painted face directed their movements. - -“Remember, sons of the Sioux,” the leader said, “that these men killed -Half-breed Jack and Tuscalo. Avenge these brave men who fell for the -honor of the tribe. Now!” - -They took up the log and at the signal word sprung out of the thicket -with the butt of the log directed toward the door. All expected to hear -the rifles speak the moment they came in view, but to their utter -surprise not a shot was fired and the heavy log struck the door with a -dull thud. It resisted bravely, but a second blow made the bars crack -and the moment after the stout door fell into the room and the course -was clear. Foremost among those who poured in over the shattered door -was the painted wretch who had said that Old Pegs and Dave had killed -the two Sioux the day before. He held a hatchet in one hand and a pistol -in the other, and uttered a cry of triumph as they entered, unopposed. -But, to his dismay the place was empty! Nearly all the furniture had -been removed. Even the books were gone, and those he sought had vanished -utterly. Weapons in hand they rushed through the deserted rooms hoping -to find the man they hated concealed somewhere, but they looked in vain. -There was no door at the back of the house, and even if there had been -it would have been next to impossible to climb the rugged rock in the -rear of the building. - -“The white men are great medicine,” said one of the Indians with a -shudder. “Where have they gone?” - -“We came too late,” replied the leader, angrily. “While we loitered on -the way they have fled.” - -“Shall we burn the house?” - -“No; if you destroy the nest the birds will not return to it. Leave all -as it is and some day they will come back and we shall have them.” - -The Indians loitered for some time about the place, picking up such -articles as suited their fancy and appropriating them without remorse. -It was nearly an hour after the first assault when they made ready to -depart after they had sounded the walls of the house thoroughly, seeking -to fathom the mystery of the escape. They gave up in despair, and -marched away through the pass, leaving the cabin in peace. - -They had scarcely been gone ten minutes when Old Pegs stepped over the -threshold, rifle in hand and followed on their trail. He was gone nearly -half an hour, and when he returned Dave had already repaired the broken -door, and replaced the furniture, while Myrtle was setting the table for -a meal. - -“Haw, haw, folks!” roared Old Pegs. “Did you ever see a more ’stonished -set of varmints in your born days? It was ez good ez a play.” - -“They were taken by surprise,” replied Dave, “but if Myrtle had not been -with us I could not have resisted the temptation of giving them a shot. -Rafe Norris was not with them, after all.” - -“Durn him, he knowed he’d git a shot on sight and so did that cussid -Velveteens. That b’ar he killed was worth a hundred sech copper-toed -varmints ez him. It were murder, my boy—jest murder and nothing else.” - -“Poor Bruin,” said Myrtle; “he was great company for me when you were -absent, father.” - -“I know he were, and he hed an advantage over some humans I’ve -knowed—you c’u’d trust him! The devil won’t allus guard his own, and -some day I’ll git ekal to thet Velveteens, bet yer life!” - -The party reoccupied the house as a matter of course, and seemed to -think nothing of the late raid. After eating a hearty meal Old Pegs -started out on a scout, leaving Dave to guard Myrtle. He followed the -trail of the savages by devious ways for nearly six miles over a rugged -road, part of which he had never trod before. - -“They’ve got a camp some’ers nigh at hand,” he muttered, “and I’m going -ter find out whar it is ef it takes a leg. I know the Hudson Bay people, -and I’ll be darned ef they ever sot ther men ter do this kind of work. -The trail freshens a bit; I’ll hev ter look out.” - -He hitched along at his usual rate of speed, throwing out his shoulders -in his peculiar manner until the low murmur of voices could be heard -coming up from the foot of the slope below him. Old Pegs at once left -the trail and plunged into the bushes, following the sounds which he -heard and advancing by slow degrees, for he knew that his life was not -worth a moment’s purchase if he should be taken. But scouting was life -itself to him, and he kept on until he was satisfied that he must be -close upon the camp, for he was approaching a clearing of some kind. - -Suddenly, almost without warning, he came to the edge of a high bluff, -and parting the bushes which fringed the bank, looked down. It was one -of those valleys so common among the foot-hills, and so surrounded by -inaccessible mountains as to be a safe refuge. - -The valley was now a great camp, for not less than two hundred men were -scattered about at various points, engaged in different ways. -Poker-playing seemed to be a specialty, but one ambitious individual had -a “monte” game, and was throwing for the amusement and loss of a large -party. Two-thirds of the whole force were Indians, to all outward -appearance, but seeing a painted brave seated under a tree reading a -book, convinced Old Pegs that all were not Indians who wore the garb. - -The remainder of the men were of all nationalities, chiefly French -Canadians and half-breeds. A very few were English, but these kept -apart, and seemed to have little intercourse with the rest. - -Who were these men, and what were they doing in the grounds of the -North-west Company? The strife between those great monopolies, the -Hudson Bay and North-west, was at this time at its hight, and Old Pegs -knew who they were and what their object was in coming here. - -“Thar’ll be a b’ar-fight when Dave’s boys git wind of this yer,” thought -the old hunter. “It’s all fa’r, long ez they only bring whites ag’in’ -whites, but when it comes ter Injuns, thet’s cutting it too fat. Oh, -thunder! thar’s thet cussid Velveteens.” - -It was indeed that individual, who at this moment turned so that Old -Pegs had a fair view of his face. He was no longer dressed in the ragged -garb which he had worn in the rescue of Rafe Norris, but in a jaunty -hunting-dress with black belt and silver buckles, armed to the teeth, -and looking what he really was—a desperado of the first class. - -“I’d like ter pop him over,” thought Old Pegs, as he threw forward his -rifle. “He sartingly desarves it. But what a wassups’ nest I’d bring -about my ears ef I did shoot. Oh, you precious skunk, _don’t_ you -desarve to die?” - -The fingers of the old man itched to take a shot at the man who had -cheated him out of his prisoner and killed the pet bear in such a -cowardly way. It made his blood boil to see him swaggering about in his -gaudy dress, giving orders here and there with the air of a man in -authority. At length he paused and stood with one hand grasping his -rifle, the hand out of the line of his body, and stooped to speak with -the Indian who was reading. - -“Durn him,” growled Old Pegs, “I won’t kill him, but I’ll score his -knuckles for him.” - -The rifle came up slowly, for he wished to make an accurate shot. -Slowly, slowly, the keen eyes looking through the double sights, until -the right hand of Velveteens was fully in range. - -Crack! - -The rifle dropped from the hand of the desperado; he uttered a wild yell -of rage and pain, and the band ran up to him in wonder to find his right -hand minus the index finger, which had been cut completely away by the -ball. Old Pegs had clapped his hand instantly over the muzzle of his -rifle, and stopped the vent, so that the smoke could not betray his -presence, and without waiting to note more than that his bullet had -reached the mark, plunged into the mountain defiles at the top of his -speed, and, short and crooked as his legs were, that speed was something -wonderful. He got over the ground at a pace which would have shamed a -first-class pedestrian, taking paths which were known to but few in the -mountains, over a stony way which left no trail. In the mean time, -Velveteens, wild with passion, was giving vent to a series of atrocious -oaths which would have disgraced a Thames barger in his most furious -moods. - -“Only one man in the kentry could do it,” screamed the injured man, “and -that man is Old Pegs. What d’ye stand gauping at me fur, you skunks of -misery? Git up thar, half a hundred of ye, and chase the old thief to -his hole. I’ll give a hundred dollars to the man, white or red, that -brings me his scalp.” - -There were men in the party to whom a hundred dollars was ample payment -for taking a human life, and in the twinkling of an eye a score of swift -runners were on the track of Old Pegs. - -“See here,” said one of the ruffians, “we mout ez well chase the wind. -Let’s you and I git hosses and go round to his place and meet him.” - -The plan pleased all, and rapidly descending the slope, four of the most -desperate villains in the party mounted and rode away at a rapid trot by -the shortest roads they knew, to reach the little valley in advance of -Old Pegs, who they knew would return to it before the day was out. But -they had eight miles to go, and the route taken by Old Pegs was only -four; and when the men rode into the valley they were surprised to see -the old hunter before them, running rapidly toward the house. Two or -three shots were fired without effect, and Old Pegs disappeared behind -the bushes. Dave Farrell heard the shots and darted out, rifle in hand, -meeting his friend at the doorway. - -“Only four of the cusses, Dave,” he said, contemptuously. “We ain’t -going to run from sech ez they.” - -“Not if we know it,” replied the young man, fitting a cap on his rifle -with great care. “You take the man on the right as they come in sight, -and I’ll see after the one on the left. Then get cover and load.” - -The horsemen came on at a mad gallop, for they seemed to have Old Pegs -in a trap. But, rounding the point of the thicket, they found themselves -looking into the muzzles of two deadly rifles, and before they could -even check the headlong speed of their horses, two saddles were empty -and the borderers had disappeared behind the bushes. Their own rifles -were empty, for they had fired at Old Pegs, and had not since loaded, -but there was no time to stop and turn. - -“Forward!” cried one of the men. “We are man to man.” - -Seeing that they did not attempt to use their rifles, and knowing by -this that the weapons were empty, Old Pegs stepped out into the open -space and cried “halt!” The command enforced by the leveled revolvers -was too much for the two men, and they pulled their horses to a halt. - -“Git down!” was the next command. “Throw up.” - -This brief speech meant that they were not only to halt, but to raise -their hands above their heads. The men obeyed without demur, for, though -the tone of the old hunter was quiet, they felt that it meant business -and acted accordingly. - -“Come hyar.” - -The two ruffians marched up to the muzzles of the revolvers, each face -showing that they felt the tenure of life to be precarious in a high -degree. Dave Farrell came forward and took away the weapons of the two -men, and bound them hand and foot, while Old Pegs overlooked the work -with a cocked revolver in his hand. - -“Now don’t you seem ter be a couple of low-lived galloots, you two?” -growled the hunter, “don’t you seem mean ez pizen?” - -They looked it certainly, and stood with downcast eyes, evidently -uncertain what their fate was to be. - -“You come hyar ter kill me—kill Old Pegs, a man thet hez tramped these -hills for thirty year, man and boy. Didn’t you, now? String ’em up ter -thet bush, Dave; we’ll make it hot fur ’em.” - -The two scoundrels were stripped to the skin, and some stout switches -cut, with which the ruffians were belabored until they roared for mercy. -This border vengeance being accomplished, they were tied on their horses -with the face to the tail, and led to the mouth of the ravine. - -“You got off mighty easy this time gents,” said Old Pegs. “I’m mighty -’shamed ter let you go so easy, but don’t come ag’in. You don’t want any -more off me, do you?” - -“No,” replied one of the men sincerely. “I’ve got enough.” - -“Well, we kin keep yer weepons to remember you by, and we’ve give you -suthing to make us dear to you. Who sent you arter me?” - -“Velveteens.” - -“Did he know who shot at him?” - -“You bet.” - -“Giv’ him my love, and say I’ll meet him some day and squar’ accounts. -Now git.” - -A cut from the switches upon the flanks of each horse, sent them -thundering down the ravine, bobbing about in a grotesque manner, to the -intense amusement of the two hunters, who watched them laughingly, until -they turned an angle in the pass and were lost to view. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - CATCHING A TARTAR. - - -A week passed by, and nothing more was heard of the band who had made -their camp in the valley which Old Pegs had reached upon the day when he -tried his skill upon Velveteens. They had decamped suddenly, and where -they had gone and what they meant to do was still a subject of debate. -Old Pegs did not give up his caution, and never entered the passes -without first satisfying himself that they did not conceal an enemy. -But, as day after day passed, and nothing suspicious occurred, he began -to think that all was safe. - -“Tell you what it is, Dave,” he said. “You seem to hev forgotten thet -thar is sech a thing ez a trapping-brigade in the world; by gracious, -yes.” - -Dave looked a little disconcerted; for, to tell the truth, he had not -been able to break away from Myrtle, who seemed more beautiful day by -day. - -“I—I did not like to go away while there was danger,” he stammered. - -“Jess so; but that bird won’t fight no longer, and I guess you’d better -go down and see the boys. I don’t keer ef I go with you.” - -“And leave Myrtle alone?” - -“She knows what ter do ef any one comes,” replied Old Pegs. “Don’t you, -gal?” - -“I am not afraid,” was the reply. “Besides, I don’t think that we shall -be troubled any more.” - -“Perhaps not, but it is best to be on the safe side. Keep a bright -look-out, and if you see any one, let them find an empty house.” - -“I will keep my carbine handy, too,” replied the spirited girl. “But, -father is right, Dave; you have a duty to perform, and have no right to -leave it for me. I like to have you attend to the work which is given -you to do.” - -Old Pegs prudently departed, and the lips of the lovers met in a long, -clinging kiss. Then she pushed him away with a hightened color, and -watched them as they passed out of the valley, leaving her alone. She -missed the tame bear greatly, for, in her solitary hours she had derived -much amusement from his antics. The day passed slowly, although much of -it was spent in study. After dinner she look her carbine—a weapon with -the use of which she was familiar—and leaving the house went up the -mountain in pursuit of game. An antelope was not long in presenting -itself, and quickly fell before her unerring aim. Loading again she was -engaged in putting on a cap, when two men suddenly started up in the -sage-bush beside her, in the foremost of whom she recognized -Velveteens—his hand bound up in a bloody cloth. The other was an Indian -in the dress of the Modoc Sioux. - -“Hyar’s luck, Anatole!” bawled Velveteens. “Little gal, how ar’ ye?” - -“None the better for meeting you,” she replied, with her hand still upon -the lock of the carbine, which she cocked by a quick movement. “What do -you want?” - -“Nothin’, nothin’, gal; only we’d like to hev ye take a walk with us. -Thar’s a young man in our camp lit’rally spilin’ to see ye.” - -“I am afraid he will ‘spile’ altogether, then,” she answered, “for I am -not going with you.” - -“Ho, ho, ho! jest hear her, Anatole! Ain’t she a bu’ster and no mistake? -I’ll back that gal,” he continued in a tone of great admiration, -“ag’inst any gal in these hyar foot-hills—ag’in the world! But, ye’ve -got to go, little gal; we kain’t git along without ye.” - -“You will be obliged to do so, let me tell you,” she answered, in the -same undaunted tone. “I am not going with you, at any rate.” - -“Ketch hold ov her, Anatole!” replied Velveteens. “I’d do it myself but -my hand ain’t railly well yit.” - -The Indian made a step in advance but halted quickly as Myrtle lifted -the carbine and pointed it at his naked breast. There was a look in her -face which he did not like and which puzzled him for he had seldom met a -white girl who could use a rifle. - -“What ar’ ye doin’ girl?” roared Velveteens. “P’int thet thing another -way; it mout go off an’ hurt the Injun.” - -“It _will_ go off if he takes another step,” she answered, in the same -cool tone she had used throughout. “I do not intend to become your -prisoner.” - -The face of the Indian turned to a sickly white, for he saw death in the -eyes of this brave young girl. Velveteens was startled, too, and began -to think that it might not be so easy to capture her as he had imagined. - -“Take keer!” he cried. “Ef ye hurt the Injun b’ar in mind that I am hyar -and kin make ye trouble. Jump at her, Anatole; she kain’t hit ye.” - -The Indian made a leap and instantly fell, shot through the shoulder. -The ball had no sooner left the barrel than Velveteens bounded forward -with a panther-like spring, but stopped in dismay as he met the shining -barrel of a cocked revolver pointed at his head. - -“Back!” she cried, sternly; “fall back, I say! I would not have your -blood upon my hands, but for my honor’s sake I would kill a hundred such -men and think I had done the world good service. Put up your hands! If -you try to draw a weapon I will kill you. Up; higher still!” - -The ruffian hesitated, but, as she was about to fire, he raised his -hands quickly at their full stretch and she advanced with the revolver -pointed at his heart and her finger on the trigger and took his -revolvers from his belt and dropped them on the sod. His knife and -hatchet followed and she stepped back a little, still transfixing him -with her eyes. - -“Fall back a little,” she said. - -“But, Miss—” - -“Fall back! I will not bid you three times before I fire.” - -He stepped back about six paces, when she again called him to a halt and -advancing, picked up the weapons he had dropped and hurled them down a -deep ravine close at hand. The weapons of the Indian followed, rifle and -all, and the two were weaponless and at the mercy of a girl. - -“You have made a slight mistake in the character of the woman with whom -you are dealing, my good sir,” she said. “Send that Indian away; he is -not so badly wounded but he can walk.” - -“What ar’ ye goin’ to do?” - -“Obey my orders; I am not here to answer questions.” - -“You kin go back to camp, Anatole,” said Velveteens, “but don’t you say -any thing about this yer or I’ll kill ye when I come back; now ye hear -me.” - -The Indian staggered to his feet and hurried away down the mountain -path. - -“I won’t forgit this yer, gal,” said Velveteens, in a tone of deadly -menace, “you may be right sure of that.” - -“I don’t mean that you shall, sir,” she answered, calmly. “There is the -antelope I have killed which I wish to have carried home. Pick it up and -go in front.” - -“Do you think I’m a pack-mule?” he roared, angrily. - -“Your ears are long enough and your skull does not want in thickness, -but it is not proof against a bullet, as you will find if you do not -obey me at once,” was the answer. “Do not waste any time, sir, I have -none to lose.” - -Groaning in spirit but seeing no way out of his dilemma, the scoundrel -picked up the carcass of the antelope and led the way down the hill, -while Myrtle followed closely, holding her revolver ready. Once or twice -he was tempted to drop his load and take the chances of a bullet, but -when he remembered the fall of Anatole he dared not attempt it. Yet his -pride as a mountaineer was touched to the quick, and he treasured up the -malice of his heart. - -“I’ll git even with you yit, my gal,” he thought. “Who’d hev thought -she’d turn on a man with shootin’-irons? Thunder! I dassent show my head -in camp ef this yer is found out.” - -It was nearly an hour’s walk to the cabin, but she would neither suffer -him to pause nor lay down his load. At last they went down the path into -the valley and he dropped his burden at the door. - -“Thanks,” she said. “I was afraid I should be obliged to leave the -greater part of my game on the mountain, but you happened along so -luckily that I am delighted. Does it occur to you at this moment, Mr. -Velveteens, that you are most beautifully sold?” - -“You’ve got the whip hand, now, I reckon,” was the answer; “but that -won’t always last. One of these yer days _my_ chaince may come, an’ when -it does no one, not even Rafe, shill stop me when I want my revenge.” - -“I am not yet satisfied that I shall let you go,” she answered. “You -came here under false colors, and betrayed those who thought that they -were giving you aid in time of need while you were only studying a way -to effect the release of Rafe Norris.” - -“He’s my pard,” was the reply. “You wouldn’t ask a man to go back on his -pard, would ye?” - -“No; I can not blame you so much for that but you did a wicked and cruel -act when you poisoned my pet bear.” - -“Who sez I did?” - -“No matter; you did the deed, for your face betrays you. Why should I -not keep you here until my father returns, to meet his vengeance?” - -“He’s marked me fur life,” replied Velveteens, holding up his maimed -hand. “Ain’t that enough?” - -“If I let you go, your first act will be to study new wrongs. I am -afraid I must keep you a prisoner.” - -“Don’t do it, gal,” he pleaded, eagerly. “I must go back; I’m ruined -forever ef I don’t, ye see—and I’ll promise any thing—any thing, ef -ye’ll only let me go.” - -“And you would break your promise as readily as it is made,” she -answered. “I do not know what to do in your case.” - -“See thar, gal; yender comes Whirlwind and his gang. Oh, let me git off -fur he’ll take my scalp, sure.” - -“Away with you, then; save yourself if you can, but never let me see -your face again.” - -He sprung away eagerly and began to clamber up the mountain rapidly, for -Whirlwind and two of his chief warriors were already in view. Myrtle did -not attempt to fly, but waited calmly the approach of the chief, who -dismounted and came forward, starting back in surprise at her great -beauty. - -“Short Legs’ squaw, eh?” he said, in broken English. “No ’fraid of -Whirlwind; he good friend to Short Legs and Beaver Captain.” - -“I am not afraid of the great Blackfoot chief,” replied Myrtle, who had -been told what to do in case Whirlwind came. “My father has left a -message for him.” - -“Good; Whirlwind will read it.” - -She went into the cabin and came out with two pieces of bark inscribed -with strange hieroglyphics. The chief looked at them intently and seemed -to understand them. - -“It is good; tell Short Legs that Whirlwind will meet him at the place -with many braves. Who is the man who goes up mountain; friend, eh?” - -Myrtle hesitated, for, bad and cruel as she knew Velveteens to be, she -could not find it in her heart to expose him to the tender mercies of -the Blackfoot chief. Yet, she did not wish to lie to him, for that was a -crime which he would never forgive. She did the best thing under the -circumstances—told the truth. - -“He _was_ my prisoner, but I have given him liberty, and allowed him to -go.” - -“Brave man, eh!” said the chief, contemptuously. “Girl take him?” - -“If the Blackfeet know a brave of the Sioux who is called Anatole, _he_ -can tell whether he is a brave man or not.” - -“Anatole is a dog; but, he is brave,” replied the chief. - -“Anatole and this man would have made me a prisoner. I shot the Sioux -and took this man prisoner, and made him carry the deer from the -mountain.” - -“Good!” said the chief, briefly. “Can the white girl shoot straight?” - -“I will show you,” replied Myrtle, not in the spirit of bravado but -because of the effect it might have upon the Indians if they should -become enemies again. “Does Whirlwind see the bird on the bush?” she -pointed to a wood thrush, nearly ninety yards distant. - -“Whirlwind sees.” - -She stepped to the front and lifted the carbine, which was one of the -best make, or was, rather, a short rifle. She felt that it was necessary -to make a good shot after what had been said and was very careful. -Indians as a rule are not good marksmen, and none of the warriors had -any idea that she would hit the bird, but to their utter surprise it -fell at the crack of the rifle and one of the warriors scurried away to -pick up the game. Throwing himself out of the saddle hanging by one -foot, he swooped up the dead bird and brought it in. The head had been -severed from the neck as neatly as if it had been done by a knife. - -“My daughter can shoot,” said the chief. “I believe that she shot -Anatole and took the white man prisoner. A brave warrior must make the -white girl his wife.” - -He said no more, but calling to his men they rode away rapidly, leaving -the girl alone. It might have been an hour later when Old Pegs came into -the valley. - -“I’ve seen the brigade and they ar’ having trouble,” he said. “They’ve -hed four men killed this week by the cussid Sioux.” - -“What do they want, father?” said Myrtle. “Why should they seek to drive -our men away?” - -Old Pegs explained, and it is well to give the substance of his remarks -to explain the feeling which existed between the men of the “Hudson Bay -Company” and the “North-west.” It was simply a question of boundaries. -The Northern Company claimed the right to send their trapping parties -where they pleased, and the North-West disputed that claim. The parties -which came out this season of the year were not trapping but -“prospecting,” in order to know the best places for trapping in the -coming winter. - -Both sides had men to whom fighting was a pastime, and it was known that -they would shed blood sooner than suffer a rival to encroach upon their -trapping-grounds. “The brigade” of which Dave Farrell was captain was -composed of men who were the pick and flower of the mountaineers, and -who came out with the expectation of fighting. Perhaps they exceeded -their instructions, sometimes, for they were not likely to study the -boundaries very closely, and good trapping-ground whether north or south -of the line was, to use a border expression, “their meat.” - -It would be bootless to tell all that Old Pegs said and did when Myrtle -told him what had happened since his departure. He raved, stamped, and -launched all manner of invectives at the unlucky Velveteens. - -“No buddy but a gal would hev let the cuss go,” he grumbled. “Why didn’t -you keep him until Whirlwind came?” - -“Father! could I do that? Bad as he is I could not give him up to Indian -vengeance.” - -“I don’t know but yer right, Myrtle. You’ve got a tender heart even fur -the meanest skunk on the face of the creatid ’arth, and thet’s this same -Velveteens. But, don’t you hunt any more till we’ve cleaned out this -truck. Keep out ov sight. Don’t show yourself even to the Blackfoot, -’cause he mout turn ag’in’ us. Let’s fodder up; I’m gitting mighty -hungry.” - -Myrtle went into the cabin and prepared a meal and the two sat down to -eat. When they had finished they were startled by the rattle of firearms -away in the east. “Ther at it,” cried Old Pegs. “I’ve got ter take a -hand.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - A BORDER BATTLE. - - -The “brigade” had hailed with pleasure the return of their captain, for -they had been in trouble. Men who had wandered away from the camp had -been seen no more, until their lifeless bodies were found in some dark -ravine, or on the prairie, scalped and gory. Fate seemed to be against -them, and nothing they could do to detect the murderers was of any -avail. The brow of the Beaver Captain clouded as he heard the names of -those who had fallen, four or five of his best men. - -“This won’t do, boys,” he said. “Where is Boston Dick?” - -“Dead!” replied one of the men. “Shot down and skulped up in the North -gulch.” - -“Is Reddy here?” demanded the captain, with a sort of groan. - -“Reddy’s handed in his checks, too,” replied the same man. “Tell you -what it is, Cap, the boys’ll spile ef they don’t git a chance at them -cusses mighty soon.” - -“They shall have a chance,” was the stern reply. “I’ll teach the -cowardly hounds what it is to murder my men in cold blood. Where is -Massy?” - -“Right side up, Cap,” replied the man called Massy, a light, active -borderer in buck-skins and beaver cap. “What can I do?” - -“I want a trailer—one who will track these dogs to their den. Will you -do it?” - -“I kin try, Cap; but ef I go under, jest send word to my wife that I did -my duty, and git my pay fur her. Kin I take out Pat Dada with me?” - -“Just as you like. Have you got fresh sign to follow anywhere?” - -“Yes; I’ve got the trail they left when Boston Dick went under, last -night.” - -“That’s enough; now boys, listen to me. There must be no straggling -until we find out where these fellows hive. They think to drive us out -of the Indian country, but if they do they must fight for it. What do -you say?” - -A ringing cheer was the only reply, and the men broke up into knots, -canvassing the chances of meeting with the murderers soon. The brigade -altogether numbered about seventy men, far less in number than the band -of Velveteens, but every man was a dead shot, brave as a lion, and knew -the country by heart. Like all trapper bands they were composed of a -sprinkling of all nationalities—chiefly, however, of American birth. -From the gray-haired mountaineer of sixty years to beardless boys -scarcely twenty, but upon whose youthful faces the wild life of the -border had set its mark. Massy and Pat Dada stole out of the camp, and -as night came on Dave set his guards and took precautions which the -others had neglected, and which had resulted so fatally. He felt -tolerable certain that the calamities which had fallen upon them could -be laid only to the blame of Velveteens and Rafe Norris, but was not -sure. - -Scarcely had the sun gone down, when the moon rolled up in the sky and -shed a mellow radiance on the scene. Dave made the circuit of the -pickets about the edge of the strip of timber in which the camp was -made, when he noticed, out upon the plain, a sort of wavering which -rested on the grass and seemed to move slowly up. These black spots -whatever they were puzzled him extremely, and he called the attention of -the guard to them. - -“I’ve hed my eye on those spots for the last ten minnits,” replied the -man, “and I’ll be cussed if I can make ’em out. What was that?” - -Both had caught the gleam of some metallic substance in the moonlight. -Dave uttered a low exclamation, and caught the guard by the arm. - -“There they come, by heaven! Stand firm now, and don’t fire unless they -make a rush.” - -Dave was right, for those dark shadows creeping up so slowly were the -forms of their enemies gathering for a rush upon the camp. They were -crawling along the short prairie grass, shading themselves as much as -possible behind the hummocks, and getting as near as was safe to the -line of woods before the rush was made. Velveteens was there, crouching -upon the sod, and nursing in his heart the most bitter hatred of all who -were dear to Myrtle. There, too, crouched the two men who had been -flogged by the borderers, crouching like tigers ready for the spring, -each man with a rifle in his grasp and his revolvers in the belt. Mixed -with these were their red allies, the Modoc Sioux, eager for scalps, and -caring but little from whom those scalps were taken. It seemed -impossible that the trappers could withstand the rush of this powerful -body. - -Hark! They are gathering for the rush now, and weapons are tightly -grasped as the whispered word of command goes down the line. The signal -will be a shot from a rifle, and Velveteens is to give it. Rising slowly -to his knees, he brought the deadly rifle to his shoulder, and pointed -it at the motionless form of the guard who was talking with Dave -Farrell, but, as the rifle came to a level, the man glided suddenly -behind a tree, and Velveteens lowered the weapon in surprise. - -“Lucky fur ye, my man,” he muttered. “Thar; come on!” - -The rifle cracked, and the bullet was buried in the tree behind which -the guard was stationed, and the band rushed forward like leaping -grayhounds. But, the rifle-shot seemed to be a signal to the others, and -the whole front of the strip of woods is in a blaze, so rapid is the -discharge of rifles about it. The trappers have not been caught napping, -and the tables are turned upon the assailants who go down, man by man, -fearfully decimated by the deadly fire. Prairie men do not waste -bullets. They take deadly aim, and generally speaking the man drops at -whom the ball is sped, and when the band of outlaws reached the woods, -nearly one third of their number were beyond the reach of human aid. -They stood in the moonlight, exposed to that dreadful fire, while the -trappers were covered by trees. No wonder the British crew were rent -asunder as if by an earthquake, and scattered both ways, leaving the -front of the trappers clear. - -“Whoop!” yelled one of the hunters. “Give ’em Hail Columby, boys, and -durn the odds.” - -Half a dozen men leaped out to follow the discomfited assailants, -unheeding the stern orders of Dave Farrell. They had scarcely showed -themselves when four of them went down, for, although so many had -fallen, the enemy was not yet beaten, but had paused for breath before a -new attack, shuttered by the band in the timber on either flank. - -“Spread out there on the left and cover the corral,” cried Dave. -“They’ll stampede the horses next.” - -The order did not come too soon, for the party who moved to the left in -obedience found themselves face to face with forty or fifty Indians -creeping up toward the corral. A hand-to-hand struggle began, and as -both sides were reinforced, a battle royal began between the corral and -the prairie. In these wood battles the hand and eye must be trained to -take in every incident and change in the scene, for it is impossible to -say from what point a blow may come. The weapons are deadly, the -revolver, knife and hatchet playing the principal part. Neither party -would give way an inch now, and it was impossible to say who would -conquer, when a shrill, peculiar whistle was heard high above the -tumult. Instantly the assailants gave way, and were seen scattered about -the prairie in headlong flight, leaving their dead and wounded gasping -upon the sod. The trappers would have followed, but Dave would not -permit it. - -“Enough has been done, boys,” he cried. “We have given them a lesson -which they will not soon forget, and I doubt if they will try their -powers on us again. But, what made them give up so suddenly? They seemed -to be holding us well when they broke away.” - -“It was nip and tuck,” replied one of the men. “Durned ef I understand -it.” - -“I heerd a whistle,” replied another. “Thet’s all I know about it, and -they quit on that.” - -“I heard the signal too,” said Dave. “Two or three of you fellows run -out and see what they are doing.” - -Volunteers were plenty, and picking their way carefully through the dead -and dying, they saw that the marauders were already in the saddle and -headed for the foot-hills. The horse-guards had kept the animals well -together, and they were not impeded in their flight. But, hardly had -they disappeared when the scouts saw another line of horsemen streaming -out from a distant pass, heading toward the timber, and they came back -to report. - -“A large force, boys?” demanded Dave. - -“Nigh a hunderd, Cap.” - -“Load up again, boys,” said the Beaver Captain, “for we may have another -tussle. Keep out of sight, and let every bullet find a mark. Be steady.” - -Just issued from a fierce struggle, and while some of their friends lay -dead at their feet, these men cheerfully prepared for a new battle. The -long line of horsemen came on in Indian fashion, until about three -hundred yards from the timber, when they halted, and two men rode out -toward the camp, evidently with peaceful intent. As they came nearer, -Dave recognized Old Pegs and Whirlwind. - -“It’s all right, boys,” he cried; “lay down your guns and get torches. -Some of our poor fellows need our aid.” - -While the men were making preparations he slipped out to meet the -new-comers. - -“Don’t tell me I ain’t in time, Dave,” growled Old Pegs, “acause I’d be -like enuff ter hit ye. Them cusses bin at you, eh?” - -“They gave us a benefit, just now. If you want fun, Whirlwind, you may -overtake them before they get very deep into the foot-hills.” - -“Which way?” cried Whirlwind, his nostrils dilating. “Whirlwind will -go.” - -“Set some scouts on them if you can’t bring them to a fight, for we want -to know where they go. The country has got to be cleared of this scum, -somehow.” - -Whirlwind made no reply, but calling to his men they went off like the -wind in the direction taken by the outlaws. Old Pegs looked after them -wistfully. - -“I’d like ter go with ’em, Dave, only if they ketch them critters I’m -afraid Whirlwind will find himself in the position of the man that -caught the Tartar. Lost some of yer boys?” - -“Yes, too many, I am afraid,” replied Dave. “Let us join them and see -what the loss really is.” - -A careful search revealed the fact that five of his men had been killed -and twice that number wounded. Of the assailants twelve were killed and -five mortally wounded left upon the ground. The burial service was -brief, each rough man bidding good-by to his friend in his rough way as -they were laid beneath the sod, friend and foe together in a trench -which was hastily thrown up by the men, who knew their duty well. - -“Whirlwind has caught his Tartar, I reckon,” said Dave, as the sound of -rifles came up on the wind. “What a dressing those fellows will give the -Blackfeet!” - -The firing receded, growing fainter and fainter in the distance, and -they began to think that the Blackfeet were driving the enemy before -them. - -“Dave,” said Old Pegs, “I’ve bin thinking ’bout my gal and made up my -mind. I’d hate to lose her but I won’t keep her here no more and she’s -got ter go to the fort.” - -“I am glad to hear you say so,” replied Dave, eagerly. “What made you -come to that conclusion?” - -Old Pegs related the adventure with Velveteens and Anatole. - -“And you see, boy, this yer mout happen any day. Now give me ten men and -I’ll go up to-morrow and git her and we’ll send her home with the -brigade.” - -The plan suited Dave well, and early next morning the old hunter with -ten men rode up to his cabin home, searching every pass before they -entered it. The ride was a long one and it was ten o’clock when Old Pegs -dismounted at his door and went in. - -The room was empty, but that did not seem to trouble him, for, after -calling Myrtle’s name once or twice, he pushed aside the curtains of the -recess in which she slept and went in. A sort of clicking sound was -heard directly after, and he was not seen for ten minutes, when the -noise was again repeated and he sprung out into the empty room with a -wild look on his face. - -“She’s gone!” he screamed. “Who hez robbed me of my child?” - -“Hyar’s a bit of paper, old man,” said one of the trappers. “We found it -on a split stick near the door.” - -Old Pegs cast it from him with a roar of anger. - -“D’ye think I kin read now? Whar’s Myrtle; thet’s what I want ter know.” - -“I can read,” said one of the scouts, picking up the paper. “Shall I, -old man?” - -Old Pegs nodded with a savage look on his face, and the young man read -the paper. - - “This is to certify, that having come to the conclusion that the man - known as Old Pegs is not lawfully the guardian of his lovely - daughter—so called—therefore I, Rafe Norris, assume the guardianship, - with the intention of making her my wife. - - Rafe Norris.” - -The old man took up the letter and looked at it grimly. “I’ll wad it -round a bullet, one day,” he muttered. “God help him, when we meet -ag’in. He’ll git this paper back.” - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - UNBIDDEN GUESTS. - - -We left Myrtle in the cabin when her father rushed out as the crack of -rifles announced the attack on the camp of the brigade. She felt no fear -at being left alone, but closing the doors she read for some hours in -her book and then retired for the night. She was up early, for the -scoundrels might pass the cabin on their return and she was always on -her guard. Stealing out while it was yet dusk, with her rifle ready, she -spent an hour in scouting and satisfied herself that no one was lurking -about. Returning to the cabin she laid her rifle and revolvers on a -bench by the door and went down to the spring after a bucket of water. -For half an hour she dallied there by the spring. Then taking up the -bucket she returned to the cabin and was putting the bucket on its bench -when she heard a voice say: - -“Good-morning, my dear; you look like an angel—you really do.” - -She uttered a low cry and looked for a weapon, for there, just within -the door and leaning against the post, stood Rafe Norris, with a -provoking smile upon his face. - -“You are looking for a weapon,” he said, quietly, “and I have no doubt -would use it on me as readily as you did on Anatole. I have the truth of -that story now.” - -“Why are you here?” she gasped. “What do you seek?” - -“Revenge!” he hissed. “My band has been scattered, beaten, trampled -under foot by these thrice-accursed trappers. My men have been butchered -in this very valley by your so-called father and Dave Farrell, and those -who were spared suffered the ignominy of the lash at their hands. I -myself have been disgraced by bonds.” - -“Let me pass,” said Myrtle. “I will not stay to bandy words with you.” - -“Listen to me, my girl,” cried Rafe Norris, sternly. “If you leave this -house alive you leave it as my prisoner. I am determined to punish these -two men, and I can think of no better way to do so than by taking you -with me. I shall act fairly with you, and at the first station we reach -you shall be my wife, for I cannot live without you.” - -“Let me pass,” she repeated, trying to force her way by him, with the -design of reaching her carbine, which lay on the bench outside. “I will -not stay here to be insulted.” - -“I am afraid you will have to stay until I give you leave to pass, my -girl,” replied Norris, pushing her back. “Do you think I do not know -that if you reached the carbine my life is not worth a moment’s -purchase? I honor your spirit, but you meet a man whose will is stronger -than your own.” - -Myrtle sunk back on a stool and looked at him steadily. There was -something in her dark eyes which did not bode well for him if she -reached a weapon, and he laughed aloud. - -“You little tiger-cat,” he said. “What would you give for a pistol, -now?” - -“I only wish I had one,” she gasped, clenching her hands hard. - -“Here is one,” he said, drawing the weapon from his belt and presenting -the butt to her. “Let us see what use you will make of it.” - -She grasped the revolver with eager fingers, and quick as thought -pointed it at his breast and pulled the trigger. The cap snapped but -there was not a cartridge in the chambers and he laughed until the cabin -rung again. - -“You would do it, my fine girl,” he said. “There; drop it—the weapon is -not loaded, and I should be a fool to trust myself in your hands.” - -He had made a mistake in giving her any weapon. Throwing her hand back, -she hurled the heavy revolver at his head, and it struck him fairly -between the eyes, and for a moment he reeled blindly to and fro, -half-stunned by the sudden and terrible blow. This was the moment for -Myrtle, and darting past him she caught up her carbine and cocked it -quickly. By the time he had somewhat recovered from the blow, he saw her -standing armed and ready, the carbine pointed at his heart. - -“There is a load in _this_ weapon, Mr. Rafe Norris,” she said with a -merry laugh. “The tables are turned, I think. Take care! If you have any -desire to live, do not dare to move hand or foot.” - -The tables were turned indeed, and by his own folly. He had not dreamed -that this weak girl could so suddenly become the assailant, and he -staggered back, still weak and confused, looking at her with a wild, -questioning stare. - -“You dare not fire,” he hissed. “Down with the carbine, girl.” - -“Dare not! You do not know what a woman will dare for her honor which is -dearer to her than life.” - -The base man saw that he was conquered, and that the eyes which flashed -along the tube of the carbine were lurid with a baleful light. He had -laughed at Velveteens when the story of his capture and escape was made -known, and now he was in the same quandary. - -“Shoot,” he said, fiercely. “I will not turn in my tracks to save my -life, and am ready to die. Why do you hesitate?” - -“I do not seek your life, Rafe Norris,” replied Myrtle. “I only protect -myself from wrong, and that I will do, no matter what happens. If you -had taken me to your camp I would have killed you with the first weapon -I could reach.” - -“I would have risked that,” was the reply. “But enough of this. I am -conquered, and wish to know what you require of me.” - -“You have come back voluntarily, and you must remain a prisoner. Go into -that room behind you.” - -“I will not.” - -“Go in; it is the only way to save your life.” - -At this moment the light of hope came into the eye of Rafe Norris. He -had seen something which boded well for him. - -“It is foolish to throw my life away,” he said, quietly. “Since you -insist upon it and will take my life if I refuse, I will go as your -prisoner. I could not ask for a fairer jailer.” - -“Go in there; I have no time to waste in idle words.” - -He retreated slowly, still facing her, and speaking in the same careless -tone which he had assumed lately. - -“I never thought, my dear girl, that I should ever become your prisoner -in this particular way. I did hope that at some time you would hold me -in a willing and sweeter bondage, the bondage of those who love and are -beloved again. I have not yet given up hope.” - -“You will force me to fire at you yet,” she said, raising the carbine a -little. - -“Don’t do it, my sweet; I don’t like it and it would be foolish to shed -the blood of one who loves you to the confines of desperation. In fact, -I yet indulge the hope that—hurrah!” - -Myrtle suddenly felt herself seized from behind, and inclosed in a -strong grasp, while the carbine was thrown into the air and went off -without injury to any one. Slightly turning her head she saw the -leering, evil face of the man called Velveteens close to hers. - -“Ha, ha, ha, Rafe! You got it this time! The little cuss is pizen—pizen -of the cussidest kind, ain’t she?” - -The man had crept up while she was engaged in parley with Norris, and -seized her before she could turn. It was vain to struggle and Myrtle -allowed the carbine to be taken from her hand without a word of -objection. - -“Order your man Friday to take his hands off me,” she said. “I am not -used to such treatment as this.” - -“You desarve wuss,” hissed Velveteens. “See yer, Rafe, ye’d better give -her to me, an’ ef I don’t tame her then my hand is out, that’s all.” - -“Be quiet, Velveteens,” was the reply. “This girl is mine and I mean to -make her my wife, so beware what you say or do. If I order the man to -release you, will you promise not to get a weapon?” - -“Yes,” replied Myrtle. “I won’t try to kill you again _to-day_, but I -may to-morrow. What unmanly scoundrels you must be when it takes two of -you to conquer one weak girl.” - -“A weak gal shoots mighty clust, an’ throws pistols bully,” said -Velveteens, releasing her at a sign from Norris, but remaining between -her and the door. - -“I am somewhat like yourself, Mr. Norris,” said Myrtle, quietly. “I -yield to persuasion which I can not resist. I suppose you wish me to go -with you?” - -“I have some slight wishes pointing in that direction,” replied Rafe, -mockingly. - -“Then I will go. Will you allow me to get my hat, or must I go -bareheaded?” - -“Where is it?” - -She pointed to the curtained alcove where she slept. He opened the -curtains and looked in to satisfy himself that there was no door by -which she could escape, and stepping back made a sign to her to pass in. -She did so, and a moment later they heard a sharp, clicking, metallic -sound, followed a moment later by another. - -“By the Six Devils!” screamed Velveteens, “she’s got hold of a rifle -some’rs. Didn’t ye hear her cock it?” - -Both men sprung toward the recess, and drawing aside the curtains looked -in, but to their rage and dismay, Myrtle was nowhere in sight. The bed -was one of the common camp sort, which are used for their ease in -transportation. Several articles of clothing, a chair or two, and a -small table comprised all the furniture of the little place, and there -was only one window which had not been touched, yet Myrtle had -disappeared. - -“Done!” said Velveteens, with an expression of supreme amazement upon -his face. “Done exceedin’ brown; I donno ez I ever see the like in all -my born days.” - -Rafe Norris could not speak for passion. He ran to and fro in the little -alcove, pounded the walls, shook the bed, and searched in places where a -rat could hardly have taken refuge, with a dim idea that she _might_ be -there, while Velveteens looked on quietly. - -“That gal _is_ smart, Rafe,” he said. “One time I thort ye was a durned -fool to marry anybuddy, but ef ye kin git a gal like that it’s diffrunt, -I reckon. But whar in thunder hez she gone?” - -“Why don’t you help me search?” cried Rafe. “Fool that we were to let -her out of our hands for a moment.” - -“It was stupid,” replied Velveteens, “but that won’t bring her back.” - -They searched thoroughly everywhere but their search was vain. They were -literally left without a clue of any kind, for the little room had no -article of furniture which would have furnished a hiding-place for a -rabbit. - -“It looks almost like a supernatural act,” muttered Rafe below his -breath. “Where _can_ she have gone? I’ve a good mind to set fire to the -cabin and take the chances of finding her.” - -“Let’s do it,” said Velveteens, eagerly. - -“I believe you would, old fellow,” said Rafe, laughing. “You don’t seem -to care much whether you kill or cure—but remember thet I _love_ the -girl.” - -“Love! oh, yes; that’s a nice word for Rafe Norris to speak. But, it -won’t do to set a light to ther cabin fur that would bring the ‘brigade’ -on us, right smart. We’ve got ter git out’n this place anyhow, before -Old Pegs comes back. He’d make it hotter than hotness fur us.” - -“I only wish he would come back,” replied Rafe, grating his teeth. -“Curse him, he has been the cause of all our trouble. Now we won’t be -able to get those Indians into a square fight again, this season. They -were whipped too bad, curse the luck.” - -As he spoke he gave the bed a kick. A clicking sound was heard and the -floor seemed to rise beneath their feet, disclosing a cavity about four -feet square and a flight of steps leading downward. “Hurrah!” cried -Rafe. “We’ve got her after all. In with you!” - -Velveteens sprung down the steps and ran through a narrow passage into a -little cave scooped out of the solid earth where Myrtle stood with a -rifle in her hand. She was again brought to bay. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - ON THE TRAIL. A TREACHEROUS ACT. - - -“Boys,” said Old Pegs, “they’ve got her, de’d or alive, and we’ve got to -find out which—to resker her ef she’s alive and to revenge her ef she’s -dead. Duz thet kind ov tork please you?” - -The men did not speak, but he read in their eyes that they would be with -him to the death. He beckoned them to follow, and entered the cabin, -tearing down the curtain which concealed the recess in which Myrtle had -slept. He caught hold of the bed and gave it a swing, and, turning as if -upon a pivot it showed the opening and the steps leading downward. - -“Two or three of you come with me,” said Old Pegs. “I don’t want too -many; they’ll spile the trail.” - -They ran down the steps and entered the little passage which led to the -cave. The place was dark, but Old Pegs took a taper from the wall and -lighted it. - -“I called her and she didn’t answer so I didn’t stay to light up,” he -said. “Let’s see what all this amounts to.” - -The moment the taper was lighted the men uttered cries of surprise, for -there, close against the wall, lay the man called Velveteens, bathed in -blood. - -“I’ll bet a thousand dollars the gal killed him,” cried Old Pegs, as he -turned the villain over on his back. “Thar’s the mark of her bullet, -but—thunder! He’s got a knife in his breast.” - -It was true. A long knife had pierced the bosom of Velveteens, just -above the collar-bone, and slanting downward. The hand which planted -that knife knew how to direct a fatal blow. The rifle-ball had pierced -him through the neck but such a wound was not necessarily fatal, and the -knife had finished the bloody work. - -“The gal never done that,” said one of the men. “Seems ter me thar’s -life in the low cuss, old man.” - -“Giv’ us yer flask, then. Whisky’ll bring this critter out of his grave -a’most. He don’t desarve it but I want ter question him a bit before he -goes under.” - -The man handed over the flask, and Old Pegs bathed the lips of the -wounded wretch with the strong liquor, and raising his head managed to -get a little down his throat. A moment after he gave a gasp and his eyes -flared open, gazing with a wild look upon the faces bent above him. - -“Whar am I?” he gasped. “Oh, I know now; I’ve got my gruel.” - -“You ain’t got long ter live, Velveteens,” said Old Pegs, “and yer mout -ez well make a clean breast of it.” - -“I’ll tell,” he muttered. “Give me some more whisky—I want strength.” - -A few mouthfuls of the fiery liquor gave him life and he spoke more -freely. - -“Rafe Norris hez got her, curse him!” - -“Whar is he?” - -“Up among the foot-hills—by the Spirit Spring.” - -“Ho; thet’s it, eh? Did the gal do this?” - -“She shot me,” gasped the dying man, “and Rafe—thought I’d die—and -stabbed—me—the dog—let him die—a dog’s—death! Curse him, dead or alive!” - -As he spoke he caught the knife by the handle and drew it from the -wound. A great gush of black blood followed, and Velveteens, the -henchman of Rafe Norris who had done his evil work for many a year was -dead. - -“Tell yer what, boys,” said Old Pegs, “this man wouldn’t ’a’ died ef -he’d bin let alone. Thet shot through the neck wouldn’t ’a’ killed him -by no means, but the dirty thief hed done with him and so finished him. -Now then, lift him up and we’ll plant him outside. He ain’t going ter -stay hyar, ye know.” - -They lifted the limp and bleeding form and carried it up the steps into -the open air. Little time was spent upon his burial; a shallow trench -was dug in which they laid him in his blood, and heaped the fresh earth -above him as quickly as they could. - -“We’ll go back to camp,” said Old Pegs. “It’ll take all the boys ter do -this job, but they’ll do it right smart. Come on.” - -They sprung into their saddles and rode back to the camp of the brigade, -and the word passed from man to man that the outlaws had taken Myrtle, -the beautiful child of the old hunter. Not a man in the brigade but had -chivalry enough in his nature to peril his life for the girl, and they -hailed with delight the order to march. Dave Farrell led them, a look of -stern determination upon his handsome face. Woe to Rafe Norris if they -met to-day! - -They knew the ground well where the enemy had made a shelter, and that -it was a natural fortress, from which it would be no child’s play to -drive a party of determined men. Yet they cared not for the danger or -difficulty, but were stirred—one and all—by the impulse to save Myrtle -at whatever cost. - -An hour’s march brought them to the foot-hills, at a point where the -hand of Nature had hurled the rocks together in grand confusion, piling -rock on rock, forming a grand barricade which it seemed impossible to -scale. As they approached the dark defile which formed the only entrance -to this gloomy place, Dave Farrell touched Old Pegs upon the arm. - -“There is the scene of our first battle, old man,” he said. “Rafe Norris -is too old in mountain lore to leave such a place undefended. Call the -men to a halt, Jim,” he added aloud, speaking to his second in command. - -He had scarcely spoken when a mounted man shot out of the dark defile, -followed by another and another, until eight horsemen, mounted admirably -and armed to the teeth, were seen to form under the rocky wall. Enemies -as they were Dave could not but admire the manner in which they fell -into line, nor doubt that they were fearless and well-trained men. No -time was wasted and no questions asked, for, as this body of brave men -began to form, the trappers spread out to left and right and opened a -telling fire upon them at the distance of three hundred yards. Massed as -they were against a wall of gray rocks, upon which their forms stood out -in bold relief, there was no such thing as missing, and their men were -dropping on every side under the murderous fire before they were ready -for the charge and the command to advance rung out. The same command -might have served for the brigade for they closed in at the same moment, -slung their rifles, drew their revolvers and charged! - -An equal number of the most daring fighters, the best horsemen and best -armed must make a terrible fray, and one or the other must break soon. -It was the band of Rafe Norris which “could not stand the pressure,” and -after a bloody engagement of five minutes’ duration, during which many a -blow was given and taken and many revolvers emptied—not without effect, -the broken band of Norris reeled backward and fled for the entrance of -the ravine, with the men of the brigade upon their haunches. The deep -glen swallowed them up, when, as if by magic, the entrance to the glen -bristled with lances held by Indians, who well know how to use them, -forming an impenetrable obstacle to any further advance. - -A single shout from Dave Farrell and his men broke to left and right, -one half led by Old Pegs and the other by himself, and making a circuit -they met upon the spot where the battle had commenced. - -“Hot work, boys,” said Dave as he passed his hand across his heated -brow. “If it had not been for those cursed lances we would have been on -their cruppers yet, but no horsemen in the world could break through -those lances as they are posted now; but we can drive them out.” - -“I’ll take the job,” said Old Pegs. “I only want ten men.” - -“Take them,” cried Dave, shortly, “and when the pass is clear signal us -to advance.” - -Old Pegs picked out his men and rode away at a cracking pace, -accompanied by two men to bring back the horses. In the meantime the -British force were grouped in the rear of their Indian allies, ready to -meet the attack should the enemy attempt to break through. What was -their surprise to see the trappers dismount and begin to lounge about, -just out of rifle range, making no effort to advance. - -“They’ve sent for help, I reckon,” said a dark-browed, ruffianly looking -fellow who had command of the whites in the detachment who guarded the -pass. “What d’ye say, Injun?” - -Injun John, who since the death of Half-breed Jack had command of the -Sioux, nodded gravely in reply. - -“He has gone for Whirlwind and the Blackfeet. Wagh; the Sioux do not -fear the Blackfeet dogs.” - -“That must be it,” replied the white leader, evidently puzzled, “but I -don’t know why he took twelve men with him. We might make another dash -at them, boys.” - -“No you don’t!” replied one of the men. “I didn’t enlist for this sort -of work, and though I’ll go as far as any man in the interest of the -Company, I don’t feel called on to lose my scalp.” - -“You’re a dreadful cautious boy, Ned,” said the leader. “So cautious -that it looks almost like cowardice.” - -“I think I can _prove_ I ain’t a coward,” said the man addressed, -drawing a revolver and covering the form of his leader. “Back yer -opinion, Jim Diggs; draw iron.” - -“I cave!” said Jim Diggs, waving aside the obnoxious weapon. “I didn’t -say you was a coward, but I said you was dreadful cautious—and so you -be.” - -“Caution is a good thing ain’t it, Jim?” said the man, still covering -him with the deadly weapon. - -“Caution is bully!” was the reply of Jim Diggs; “don’t p’int that thing -at me—it might go off.” - -The man returned the weapon to his belt, satisfied with the lesson which -he had given, but certain at the same time that he would have to answer -for the act at some future day. The Indians looked calmly on, expecting -a fray, and were rather disappointed when they saw Jim Diggs bottle up -his wrath and say no more. - -The position they occupied was a strange one. The pass was not more than -twenty paces wide, bordered by perpendicular rocks twenty feet high -without lateral passes on either side. No movement was made by the -trappers, and their enemies did not care for another close grapple by -daylight. An hour of inaction passed, and the ruffians began to gather -courage and talk of another attack. - -“Say,” cried a voice overhead. “Won’t you please go ’way frum hyar? I -ask it on my knees.” - -They looked up and saw Old Pegs standing calmly on the summit of the -rock, looking earnestly down at them. - -“Won’t you _please_ go ’way?” he repeated. “We wanter come through this -yer pass, ourselves.” - -“Why don’t you come, then?” demanded Jim Diggs, restraining some of his -companions who were about to fire on the old hunter. - -“Acause you’ve got some chaps down thar with long poles, and the cattle -kain’t come through,” replied Old Pegs. - -“That’s bad!” said Jim Diggs, “and they are a dreadful obstinite lot of -men, too, and I’m afraid they’ll want to stay whar they are.” - -“Can’t we persuade ’em ter go ’way?” said Old Pegs. - -“I’m afraid not, old man.” - -“I’ll try what _I_ kin do!” roared Old Pegs. “Go to work, boys.” - -The ravine was narrow as we have said, and the sides very precipitous. -The old man suddenly disappeared, and scarcely had he done so when the -sky began to rain large stones about the size of a man’s head, which -came rattling down about the skulls of the enemy in a dreadfully -unpleasant way, while nothing could be seen of the men who were throwing -them, and who lurked far enough back of the verge to be out of range. - -“Kain’t we persuade yer?” yelled Old Pegs, as stone after stone came -crashing down. “Oh, yes, we kin. Git up and dust, you scum of mortality. -You children of evil, _git_!” - -It was death to remain, for, hemmed in that narrow pass, while the rocks -continued to come down like rain upon their heads, four men already lay -dead, and others were desperately wounded, while the mocking laughter of -the trappers, perched upon the rocks, rung in their ears. Worst of all, -they could not see their assailants, who prudently kept back out of -reach while they continued to send the stones flying over into the pass. - -There was nothing for it except retreat, for no man could live long -under that terrible avalanche. There seemed to be no lack of ammunition, -for the hail-storm increased instead of diminished. Having done all that -men could do, they retreated, and Old Pegs signaled the trappers from -the top of the rocks. They at once threw themselves into the saddle and -came on at a mad gallop. As the Hudson Bay men showed a disposition to -return, those on the rocks took their rifles and gave them two withering -volleys, which quickly sent them back into the valley beyond. Running -along the crest of the ravine at the head of his men, Old Pegs gained a -position from which he could guard the advance of his friends at little -hazard to himself. The enemy were now hastily retreating across the -valley, moving toward a dark pass two or three miles distant, where they -proposed to make another stand. Old Pegs rapidly descended the rocks and -joined his friends, as they debouched from the ravine, with Dave Farrell -at their head. - -“Well done, Old True Blue!” he said. “That trick saved us twenty men, at -least.” - -“We hain’t got men to spare, either,” replied Old Pegs. “Them devils kin -fight, and you bet yer life they _will_ fight, too, cuss ’em. Thet pass -they ar’ gittin’ inter now is mighty strong.” - -“Can’t we turn it, as we did the last?” - -“Ska’cely! They won’t be sech durned fools this time, and we may -kalkilate on finding some of ther men roosting on the sides of the -ravine, ef we play thet game. ’Sides thet, the pass is wider, and they -could keep away from the stuns.” - -“Then we must attack them in front,” said Dave, quietly. “I’ll back my -boys to do the work clean.” - -“I guess we kin do better’n thet,” replied the old hunter. “Whar’s my -hoss? What wuz it old Solomon said ’bout a beggar on hossback, eh? I’m -one ov them chaps myself, jest now, but I feel more at hum. Hold on; -what d’ye say ef I go out and hev a talk with them critters?” - -“It might do some good, but I doubt it,” replied Dave. - -“I guess I’ll try it. They hev hed a right smart chaince ter know what -kind of stuff we ar’ made of, and mebbe they’ve got enuff. Anyhow, I kin -only try it. Who’s got a han’kercher? Don’t all speak ter onc’t, ’cause -I knows yer don’t blow yer noses onc’t a week. Not thet one, Granny; -they’ll think it’s a black flag and shoot at me. No, Pipes, old boy; -they’d kick on thet, too; they’ll think it’s a battle-flag, full ov -holes. Hyar’s one will do.” - -He took the handkerchief which Dave presented, fastened it on a ramrod -and rode away toward the pass. At first the Indians showed a disposition -to fire at him, but at a word from the man who acted as leader of the -whites, Jim Diggs, they lowered their weapons, and the leader stepped a -few paces to the front and waited for the coming of the hunter, who rode -on, shaking out his hastily-improvised flag. - -“Hullo, Jim,” he said, coolly. “Durn my cats ef I’ve seen ye sence the -day Captain Burns hed ye hosswhipped out’n Laramie fur stealing his -blankets. I’m mighty glad ter see ye.” - -“Play yer game a little more keerful, old man,” said Diggs, playing with -the butt of his revolver. “I kain’t ante or foller suit when ye lead -that way.” - -“_Pass_ it, then,” replied Old Pegs; “but don’t try ter skeer me by -laying hands on a weepen, or I’ll come down on yer like a roaring lion -and devour ye, body and bonos. I’m mighty hungry, anyhow.” - -“This ain’t business,” replied Diggs, seeing that bravado was of no -avail. “What d’ye mean by pitching inter us, this way?” - -“Jimmy—Jimmy Diggs!” said Old Pegs, “whatever ye do, play fa’r. Didn’t -you try to wipe us out, over north, night afore last?” - -“I guess you’ve made a mistake, old man. We don’t seek to harm no one.” - -“No more Velveteens didn’t, nor yet Rafe Norris, eh? Come, Jim, don’t be -so cussid foolish. Whar’s my gal?” - -“Your gal! I dunno what ye mean; we hain’t got no gal, ez I knows on.” - -“Mebbe I’d better ask yer another question. Whar’s Rafe Norris?” - -“Dunno any such person,” replied Jim Diggs, quietly. - -“You don’t?” - -“No sirree; ain’t no sech person in this yer camp, nor yet no -Velveteens. I guess you’ve barked up the wrong tree, boss.” - -“It seems as ef we didn’t understand one another’s game,” said Old Pegs, -frowning. “Now look yer: I want to know whar Rafe Norris is—the man thet -stole my gal. You know who I mean durned well, you cussid skunk, and -you’d better tell me now while I keep my temper.” - -“Don’t know any Rafe Norris.” - -“Whar is Curly-headed Ned, then? Does thet seem ter suit yer complaint?” - -Jim Diggs started and turned pale, as the old hunter pronounced that -name. It told him that he was not to be deceived, and that he knew well -the character of Rafe Norris. - -“You size my pile, Old Pegs,” said Diggs, quietly. “I know _that_ name -well enough, and I kin find him mighty easy.” - -“Find him, then.” - -Diggs turned about and whistled, and a man showed himself at the mouth -of the pass. - -“The capt’in,” cried Diggs. “Say Old Pegs wants ter see him.” - -The man disappeared, and ten minutes later a man rode out of the pass, -at the sight of whom Old Pegs loosened his revolver in his belt, while -an ominous look passed over his face. It was Rafe Norris, clad in a -half-Indian garb, with a plumed head-dress flaunting the eagle-feather -of a chief. It was a strangely picturesque garb, and he looked noble in -it, wicked man as he was. There was a look of reckless daring on his -face as he dashed up. - -“Ho, Old Pegs,” he said. “My worthy father-in-law that is to be, I greet -you. To what may I ascribe the honor of this meeting?” - -“Don’t chaff any more then you kin help, Rafe, acause I ain’t in the -right temper ter b’ar it. You lying skunk, whar is my gal, Myrtle?” - -“Safe enough, my dear sir, safe enough,” replied Rafe. “I have come to -the conclusion that you are not the right person to take charge of a -beautiful girl like Myrtle, and so I have taken her off your hands. You -ought to be thankful for it.” - -“I want that gal, Rafe Norris.” - -“So do I!” replied Norris, calmly. “Let us understand one another, my -good old friend. I love that girl and intend to make her my wife. I love -her so well that nothing earthly, past, present or to come, can turn me -from my purpose. The fear of death, all that any enemy can do, weigh as -feathers in the balance against my love for her, and I will not give her -up. I have another reason, too, which I will not tell you now.” - -“You’d ruther die, eh?” cried Old Pegs, in a tone of deadly fury. “Then -stand out thar like a man, take yer rifle and fight it out.” - -“Thanks,” replied Rafe. “I’d much prefer not to do that. But, don’t you -want to see your child?” - -“Yes,” replied Old Pegs. - -“You shall. Now Jim! Down with him.” - -And regardless of the flag, the two men threw themselves upon Old Pegs -and attempted to bear him to the earth. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE HEROINE A CAPTIVE. - - -This cowardly act, while it was a surprise to Old Pegs, did not find him -utterly unprepared. He suffered himself to slip from the saddle, and in -doing so, dragged his two assailants with him, each encircled by one of -his powerful arms. Once upon the ground they realized that it was not an -easy work which they had undertaken, for those great arms enfolded them -with a gripe which literally drove the breath from their bodies, strong -men as they were. A moment more and Jim Diggs was down with the huge -foot of the hunter planted on his breast, while above him stood the -stalwart old man with Rafe Norris in his grasp, shaking him until it -seemed as if he would tear him limb from limb. - -“Turn on a flag, would yer?” hissed the old man. “I orter kill yer—I -orter cut yer heart out, by Jinks; why shouldn’t I?” - -Rafe made frantic efforts to get at a weapon, but his efforts were vain, -and Jim Diggs was utterly powerless under the pressure of that heavy -foot. The outlaws in the pass, seeing the terrible danger of their -leaders, advanced at a wild gallop, while a party of the trappers about -equal in numbers, charged in return. But, before they could reach the -combatants Old Pegs was standing alone in a sea of tossing steel, set -upon at once by twenty foes. His wild whoop of defiance rung out above -the tumult and a terrible commotion was made in their midst. Horses -careered away riderless, shouts of wild rage were heard, and out of the -tempest of steel rode Old Pegs, whirling above his head the rifle which -served him for a mace. More than one Indian cabin was empty from that -hour, for the warriors would never more return from the battle or the -chase. - -“Yah—hip!” yelled Old Pegs, as he still struck right and left. “Old Pegs -is thar, every time. Whoop! Sock it to ’em, boys; give ’em Bunker Hill!” - -His friends are hardly a hundred paces away, when the brave old hunter -dropped his hands to his side attacked by an unlooked-for weapon, and -one against which he had not time to guard, the lasso! He feels the -deadly noose settle over his shoulders and tighten about his arms, still -another and another follows—and he is dragged from the saddle into the -center of his enemies, who, satisfied with what they have done, turn -their horses’ heads and fly, bearing the hunter in their midst. Close -upon the crupper, dropping a man at almost every stride, ride the bold -trappers, so close indeed that they sweep into the pass with the pursued -so near that they can not turn and defend themselves. Man after man -falls and still they press on. - -“Keep up the pace, boys!” screamed Dave, wild with the delight of -battle. “Down with the cut-throats.” - -Rafe Norris heard his voice and made a half-turn in his saddle with a -revolver in his hand. Without checking his horse in the least he fired -and the bullet passed through Farrell’s cap, absolutely cutting a track -through his thick hair, so close a shave was it. Dave returned the fire -quickly, but a man who happened to swerve a little from his course -received the bullet and fell with a hoarse cry of agony, stricken -through the collar-bone. - -But this pace could not last forever, and the outlaws burst out of the -pass in advance and were half-way across the level valley which lay in -front when the headmost trapper rode out of the pass. Here there was -room to turn, and Rafe Norris was the man to take advantage of it. Forty -of his bravest men wheeled out and joined him and they formed a line to -protect the retreat of the rest, held the trappers in check for five -minutes and then fell back slowly, their faces ever turned to the foe -and their rifles playing upon their scattered files. In this order the -rear guard disappeared in the next pass, leaving the trappers in the -valley, a place of small extent with a narrow strip of timber crossing -it from side to side. Under the shadow of this timber Dave called his -men to a halt, to breathe the horses which had been severely blown in -the desperate chase. - -“We have lost a good man, boys,” he said, raising his cap reverently, -“for these villains will murder him beyond a doubt. Taken while bearing -a white flag! By Heaven, the Sioux alone would not have been guilty of a -breach of faith like that. What are we to do now we have lost our -guide?” - -“I know the passes well enough, Cap,” replied one of the men, “but upon -my word we’ve got heavy work before us. They can hold that pass against -us for twenty years.” - -“We’ll try it, however,” replied Dave. “At best we can only fail and I -for one have given my life to the cause.” - - -Old Pegs was a prisoner in the hands of a foe as relentless as death, a -man who respected nothing, not even the sanctity of a flag. The lassoes -had not been removed from his arms but he was lifted bodily into the -saddle of a man who had fallen under the sweep of his powerful arm, -while on one side rode Jim Diggs and on the other a man equally cruel, -holding a revolver ready for a shot. - -“The Hudson Bay must be proud of its men,” said Old Pegs. “Ef a -North-west party hed done this, not one of ’em could ’a’ stayed in ther -kentry.” - -“The Company don’t know _all_ we do,” replied Diggs, with a grin. “Our -instructions are gineral and we take lots of _latitude_.” - -“Looks like it,” said the old hunter. “You _run_ fast enough.” - -“It’s a good thing to know _when_ to run, old man,” replied Diggs. - -They entered the pass in safety and were quickly followed by the rear -guard. Rafe Norris came last and leaped from his horse quickly. - -“Lances to the front,” he cried. “Joe Beaver, take ten men up the east -side of the pass and don’t let any one come up. Boston Jake, take the -same number of men up the west side with the same instructions. If you -had done this before, Jim, you would have saved some men.” - -“I know it, now,” said Diggs. “D’ye want to save this prisoner? He ain’t -wuth much to keep.” - -“I have not fully made up my mind,” replied Rafe Norris. - -“Shoot me, why don’t you?” cried Old Pegs. “You shot the Indian and -Velveteens, good friends of yours, and why not Old Pegs?” - -“Dog!” hissed Rafe Norris. “You don’t know how near to death you are at -this moment. Breathe a word of that kind again and you are a dead man.” - -“I don’t keer much how soon I go under,” was the undaunted reply, “but I -don’t believe even your men would stand a murder like that. Why don’t -you try it?” - -“’Twon’t do, Cap,” whispered Diggs, with a side glance at the men. -“Thar’s over twenty of our boys gone under, and some of ’em ar’ alive, -probably. If we kill him now thar ain’t no chance for them.” - -“See that he does not escape, that is all. If he does, your life will -answer for it. I am satisfied that, without him for a guide, the devils -can’t get at us, and our taking him was a sore stroke to them. I am -going up to see my intended bride, Old Pegs.” - -Rafe Norris laughed scornfully, leaped into the saddle and rode away -swiftly up the pass, which ended in a sort of amphitheater, hemmed in by -giant rocks, an approach to which by any thing except the opening by -which he had entered seemed almost impossible. Six men were in the -place, seated upon a flat rock, four of them engaged in a little game of -“draw poker,” and the fifth looking on deeply interested. A little way -off, Myrtle sat upon a stone, and a stalwart man stood near, watching -her closely. Her countenance was downcast, and she did not look up when -Rafe Norris rode into the glade and dismounted. The players suspended -operations and looked at their leader in some doubt. - -“Away with those painted darlings,” he cried. “Your business was to -watch the prisoner, not to play poker. We are beset by this accursed -Brigade, and it is impossible to say whether we will ever escape. Over -twenty of the boys have gone under, but we’ll hold the pass now—no -matter what happens, until the last man drops.” - -He left them and advanced hurriedly to the side of Myrtle, making a -signal to the guard that he might go. The fellow seemed glad to be -released, and walked hastily away, while Rafe took a seat upon a stone -close to Myrtle. - -“How have you passed the hours of my absence, darling?” he said in his -blandest tone. “I hope you have not grieved that I did not return -sooner.” - -“My deepest grief was in the thought that you _would_ come back sooner -or later,” was the reply. “It can not last long, for your master will -surely claim his own soon.” - -“My master? Oh; you refer to the Supreme Master of the realms below,” -replied Rafe with a light laugh. “Have no fears, my sweet one. _He_ -never interferes with those who are doing his work on earth if he can -possibly avoid it. I came to bring you a little news?” - -“You can bring me none that will please me,” was the cool reply, “unless -it is that the day of your hanging is appointed!” - -“Hardly that, dear girl. How you must love me by this time.” - -“Yes, as I love adders, toads and rattlesnakes.” - -“You will go too far, my girl,” he said, knitting his dark brows. “I -warn you to be careful, for although I am a man who can bear much from -one I love, my temper is not of the sweetest at all times. Do you know -that your father is in my hands?” - -She started and look at him wildly. She had hoped for much at the hands -of Old Pegs, and if he were indeed taken her hope was vain. - -“I can hardly believe that you speak the truth,” she said. “By what -treachery has he fallen into your hands? He never was taken by fair -means.” - -“It matters little,” was the reply, “as long as I have him safe—and -intend to make him the means of extorting a promise from you which I -know you will not break. Ha; your friends are getting impatient, but my -boys will teach them that it is not good to rouse the lion in his lair.” - -The battle had recommenced in the pass beyond. - -“The lion! Do not shame that noble brute by comparing yourself with him. -Say rather the coyote—sly, treacherous and cowardly—and the simile may -apply.” - -“My patience is going fast,” he said, savagely. “Now hear me, and be -careful of your answers. When we have beaten off your friends, the -trappers, we take our march for Fort Garry, as we have done our work -here for the present. I am rich now, and will turn my back forever on -the mountains and plains of the West, and lead a new life in the region -of the tropics. There our lives will pass as a summer idyl, peaceful and -calm, and we will forget that this life of ours has ever been. There is -a chaplain at Fort Garry who will marry us—” - -“Never!” - -“Hear me out. Give me your promise to go with me, and no harm shall come -to him you call your father. I know that it is false—that he is not your -father, but that is nothing now. Refuse, and he shall die with the -utmost refinement of savage torment.” - -“You would not do that?” she gasped. - -“I? Oh no, that is not my business, but you must understand that the -Modoc Sioux—my allies—have lost many friends, and they claim a victim. -And, in short, I shall consider myself bound to give them one if you are -obdurate. What do you say?” - -“I must see my father.” - -“Oh, no; I know that the old knave would only strengthen you in your -obstinacy, and that would not pay. Without seeing him, you must either -accept or refuse.” - -“You say that the Modoc Sioux demand a victim. Let it be so, then, for I -will not see my father perish.” - -“Do you accept?” he cried, eagerly, for he knew that she would keep a -promise once made, if it broke her heart. - -“You misunderstand me, sir. What I propose is this: let the Sioux have -their victim _in me_, and let that brave old man go free.” - -“You—you!” he stammered. “Saints of mercy, what do you take me for?” - -“I owe a happy life to Nicholas Fletcher, him you know as Old Pegs. Even -in this wild region, he has made me happy for twenty years. Nothing -which he could do has been wanting, and I owe him so much that I am -ready to give up my life for his sake.” - -At this moment a rattling volley was heard at the entrance of the -valley, followed by wild yells of savage vengeance. The fire was -returned, but as Rafe Norris listened breathlessly he knew that his men -were falling back. What could it mean? Why had they been so suddenly -ousted from their strong position by a force not nearly as large as -their own? - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - DROPPING THE MASK. - - -While Dave Farrell was deploying his forces for an attack upon the pass, -he heard behind him the rattle of advancing hoofs, and quickly drew his -men back into the shelter of the trees, for it might be an enemy. But, -to his delight, the first man who rode out of the pass was Whirlwind, -the Blackfoot, and behind him a hundred picked men of his nation. They -had followed the outlaws after the repulse at the trapper camp, and -attacked their rear, but they had taken shelter in one of the passes and -had driven the Indians back. But, hearing the sound of the combat, -Whirlwind, who was on his way to join his forces with those of Dave -Farrell, at once turned back and now came on eager for the fray. - -The reinforcement was needed, for the trappers were somewhat worn by the -battles and skirmishes of the day. Dave rode out to meet the chief and -greeted him warmly. - -“My brother has fought well,” said the warrior, reproachfully; “but, why -did he not wait for the Blackfeet, who seek revenge upon the Modoc Sioux -and their friends?” - -“We did not know where you were, chief,” replied Dave; “but we’ll give -you fighting enough before we have done with this business, that I tell -you. There is the enemy, but if you join us, you must fight as I tell -you.” - -“Whirlwind is not ashamed to fight under the Beaver Captain,” replied -the chief. “He will listen to the words of wisdom.” - -“Dismount your men and picket the horses here behind the woods. Five men -will do to guard them.” - -The order was promptly obeyed, and the Blackfeet advanced on foot. They -were an active-looking, stalwart body of men, and Dave was delighted -with their appearance. - -“We are here,” cried Whirlwind. “Let the Beaver Captain tell us what to -do, and we are ready.” - -“Good!” replied Dave, adopting the laconic manner of the Indians. -“Remember that Short Legs is a prisoner among our enemies, and be -careful to do him no harm. Speak to your men and tell them this.” - -The chief did so, and then drawing him aside, Dave gave him instructions -how to proceed. His plan was to separate the Indians and send them up -the hills to drive out the two parties detached by Rafe Norris to guard -the flanks of his forces, and then assail them from the cliff, while the -trappers attacked the front. - -The Indian, pleased with the duty assigned him, quickly separated his -men, placing one half under the command of a man whom he could trust, -and then, keeping under cover of the strip of woods, marched to the -right and left until they reached the confines of the valley, and began -to steal up through the dark defiles, climbing from rock to rock, toward -the place where the flanking-parties lay. - -It was some time before these men understood the movement, but when they -did so, every thing was done which men could do to make their position -good. But the savages, sheltering themselves in every conceivable way, -gradually closed in until scarcely a hundred yards separated them, when -they rose from the cover and rushed in with hatchet and knife to do the -work assigned them. A desperate struggle followed, hand to hand and foot -to foot; but numbers triumphed, and of the twenty-two men who had been -appointed to guard the flanks, only eight, and three of these wounded, -reached the level where their comrades stood. - -These had their hands full, for the trappers were advancing, firing as -they ran, and a large party had already effected a lodgment among the -scattered bowlders which lay about the mouth of the pass, while the -Blackfeet were raining down every possible missile on the heads of the -astounded British. - -The Sioux, unable to stand the attack, were falling back in confusion, -with great loss, and the whites opened to permit them to pass through, -while they closed in sullenly to cover the retreat. Sadly thinned in -numbers, the band showed a gallant front still, and walked calmly back, -pausing now and then to take a shot at the Blackfeet on the rocks, who -showed themselves at times, shaking the scalps they had taken in the -air, and waking the echoes with their shouts of triumph. - -“Look hyar; some one is going to git hurt if this goes on. You’d better -let me loose,” Old Pegs said. - -“I’ll see you skulped first,” roared Jim Diggs. - -“Good-by, then,” replied Old Pegs, tauntingly, as he flung himself out -of the saddle suddenly and sprung into a deep fissure which ran close -beside the road. “I’m off!” - -“Shoot him, durn ye, shoot!” yelled Diggs, as he emptied his revolver -into the fissure up which the old hunter was climbing, his form scarcely -distinguishable. A volley rattled upward and Old Pegs who had reached a -ledge at least twenty feet above them threw up his hands and fell upon -the ledge out of sight. - -“Done fur!” said Jim, coolly. “He _would_ hev it, ye see. Jump up thar, -Boston Jake, and lift his ha’r.” - -The man was about to obey, but at this moment the trappers burst in upon -them and Boston Jake was forced to go with the rest, and in some haste, -for the bullets of the trappers, “deadly aimed and hot,” rattled through -the crowded ranks. The slow retreat turned almost to a rout, long before -they reached the mouth of the ravine, but at this moment, wild eyed and -savage, Rafe Norris broke a way through the ranks of his own men and -reached the front. - -“Turn, curse you, turn!” he screamed, striking one of his own men a -furious blow which brought him to the ground. “Turn, cowards and dogs! -Never let it be said that you fled from such as these.” - -There was certainly personal magnetism about this man, for those who -were to all outward seeming beaten beyond recall, turned at his -slightest word and for a moment bore back the rushing tide of the -trappers. But the Blackfeet, creeping from ledge to ledge, again reached -a place from which they could rain destruction on the heads of their -enemies, who were again forced to retire, but sullenly, contesting every -foot of ground. - -“That cursed Blackfoot has ruined us, Jim,” groaned Rafe, looking up at -the cliffs. “But for him they never could have broken through.” - -“The boys fought like devils, I tell ye,” said Jim Diggs. “Oh, I forgot -to tell ye thet ‘Old Pegs’ tried to leg it and we had to pop him over.” - -“Let him go,” replied Rafe, quietly. “If it had been Dave Farrell I -would have felt better, and yet the old man has done me wrong. Look -out!” - -A great rock hurled from the hand of Whirlwind, struck Jim Diggs on the -head and brought him to the earth with a hollow groan, while a wild -triumphant yell pealed up from the throat of Whirlwind as he noted the -result of the throw. The last and most unscrupulous of the lieutenants -of Rafe Norris had gone to his last home. Rafe shook his clenched hand -at the Indians on the cliff, and ordered his men to fall back to the -mouth of the pass which opened into the Spirit Spring Valley, resolved -to hold it to the last. - -The Modoc Sioux, greatly thinned by the battles of the last two weeks, -sullenly took their stations behind the bowlders, ready to die in their -tracks if need be. The whites looked over their cartridges, saw to it -that every weapon was in order, and stood ready to obey the commands of -their chief. - -“I’d like to revenge myself on them, boys,” hissed Rafe Norris. “If it -did not look like deserting you, I have a way yet if it would suit you.” - -“Let’s hear it, Cap,” said Boston Jake. “We’ll do any thing for you.” - -“I don’t doubt it, Jake. Come with me and I’ll tell you my plan.” - -The two stood in close conference for a moment and then Jake passed to -and fro among the men, telling them what the captain meant to do and -they agreed to it at once. Then leaving them to keep off the forces of -Dave Farrell as long as possible, Norris stepped hastily to the side of -Myrtle. - -“Come, my darling,” he said, mockingly. “It is time that we were on the -way.” - -“I am not going anywhere with you,” was the answer. - -“Really, you do yourself wrong by such conduct as this. You _are_ going -somewhere with me and at once.” - -“I will not.” - -“I have no time to waste. Will you go with me quietly or shall I call -some of the Indians to carry you? They are not very courteous knights, -and perhaps—” - -“I will go with you,” she said, quickly, “but woe to you if you cherish -any evil thought against me, for with the first weapon I can reach I -will kill you.” - -He made no answer but took her hand and led her at a rapid pace up the -little valley until he reached the south end. Two Indians bearing a -number of new lariats accompanied them and they stopped at the base of -the almost perpendicular cliff and began to climb like cats until they -reached a ledge fifty feet above the bottom of the canon. Then they sent -down the ends of a doubled lariat which was formed into a sort of chair -at the bottom, and at a sign from Rafe, Myrtle took her place in it and -was raised to the ledge above. The rope was lowered again and Rafe came -up, hand over hand, and reached the ledge panting for breath. The -Indians slid down the lariats, which Rafe flung down to them and the two -departed, leaving Rafe and Myrtle standing on the ledge. - -“It will trouble your good friends to follow us here,” said Rafe, -laughing. “Capital scouts they may be but I doubt if they could track us -up this cliff.” - -“You will find it hard to deceive my father,” she replied, “if he once -takes your trail.” - -“I don’t think he will trouble me any more,” replied Rafe, with a grim -smile, turning away his head. “Your father was a plucky and keen-witted -man, but it is out of his power to harm me now.” - -“Have you murdered him?” she gasped, looking at him wildly. - -“I am not a murderer,” was the calm answer. “He tried to escape from my -men while I was basking in the sunlight of your smiles, and got hit. -That is all I know about it.” - -“I will remember how it was done,” cried Myrtle, with a lurid gleam in -her beautiful eyes. “But I will speak to you no more until the time -comes for you to die.” - -He took her hand again and led her by wild paths across the mountain, -until she was nearly ready to sink from fatigue. Through all this, he -had shown a certain chivalrous care of her which was hardly to be looked -for after all that had happened. When he saw that she was tired, he -stopped and pulled moss from the rocks, which he spread to make her a -couch. - -“Do not fear me,” he said, as she seemed to shrink from his touch. “I -would not do you a wrong, for I worship the ground your feet have trod.” - -“It may be so,” she said, quietly. “Let us say that you really love me, -then. But, do you not take a strange way of showing it?” - -“I will change all that,” he cried. “Look you, Myrtle Forrester—you -start at the name, do you?—I will show you that I know more of you than -you suppose. On the fourteenth of June, twelve years ago, a train was -run into by Sioux on the plain toward the Three Buttes. It was supposed -that every person was killed, but as it turned out, an old prairie-man, -known as Old Pegs, was some miles from camp, having in charge a child -six years of age, the daughter of an Indian agent named Forrester, who -was going to Bent’s Fort. These two were all who escaped, and Old Pegs -came back to find the camp in ruins, and every man and woman killed and -scalped.” - -“You know all this? Will you tell me how it came to _your_ knowledge?” - -“No matter; I know that it is true, and so do you. Forrester was not -quite dead, and after leaving his daughter to the care of Old Pegs, with -an injunction to guard her as his life, Forrester died. Old Pegs kept -his word, and Myrtle Forrester is now my prisoner, and destined soon to -be my wife.” - -“You dare not say that my brave guardian did not keep his promise well,” -cried Myrtle. “No father could be more tender or true than he has been -to me, and I can not bring myself to think that he has been foully -murdered.” - -“You still cling to that word, Myrtle. If I had been his prisoner, and -had attempted to escape, he would not have hesitated to fire at me.” - -“Doubtless you are right,” she said; “but I shall not pardon you for -that. Why have you told my story to me here?” - -“That you may know that I am not entirely unacquainted with your -history, and that I knew who and where you were before I came to the -Indian country. Myrtle, I came to find you and win your love!” - -“You came here for that!” she cried, with dilating eyes, “Who and what -are you, then?” - -“Rafe Norris, at your service! Curly-headed Ned, so called at the forts -upon Hudson Bay; and Edward Forrester within the realms of civilization. -But come—have you rested enough?” - -She rose at once and followed him, but the name which he had given last -troubled her. “Curly-headed Ned” she knew by report, as a chief over one -section of the Modoc Sioux, and a man whose name was stained by a -hundred crimes. But, why did he lay claim to the name of Forrester? - -“I see that you are puzzled,” he said, with a smile. “I am afraid that -you doubt that the name of Forrester is really mine. Is it not so?” - -“I can not see why you claim it.” - -“Because it is my right name. I have the honor to be your cousin, my -dear girl, and this will in some sort account for the affection which I -bear you.” - -“You claim kindred with me, and yet seek to wrong me in the basest -manner. There—I believe that it is all false, and— Where are you taking -me? I have been in this pass before.” - -He smiled in a superior sort of way, and turning a sharp angle, stepped -suddenly into the path down which she had forced Velveteens on the day -when she made him prisoner. Her captor was taking her to her former -home! A great fear came into her heart, for she knew that he would not -dare to bring her to the cabin of Old Pegs unless that brave man had -ceased to breathe. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - A DREADFUL ORDEAL—FINIS. - - -Boston Jake and his men did not resist very long after the departure of -Rafe Norris. They stood out long enough to give a good excuse for -yielding, and then sent out a flag to sue for peace. The Sioux would not -trust to that, but took to the mountain at once, and sought to find -their way back to their own country in small parties. Boston Jake -surrendered his party in person, and Dave received his submission. - -“Where is the man who was captured while carrying a flag?” he demanded. -“You know well whom I mean.” - -“Yes—I know that well enough, boss, but he’s pegged out. ’Tain’t my -fault, you know.” - -“Who, then, is to blame?” - -“Jim Diggs shot him on the jump, trying to escape. It were rough, but -Jim couldn’t help it.” - -“I shall hang three of your men for the murder,” replied Dave, quietly, -“and they will be selected by lot.” - -“That ain’t according to Hoyle, boss,” said Boston Jake. “I kain’t see -that play of yours, after we guv up.” - -“_He_ was taken with a white flag in his hand.” - -“It were cussid mean, I know,” replied Jake; “but it ain’t right to do -evil acause some one else did, eh?” - -“Enough; where is Rafe Norris, better known as Curly-headed Ned?” - -“Curly? Why, he went away, two hours ago. He don’t hanker arter you -chaps, you understand; they don’t suit him, nohow.” - -“The scoundrel! It will go hard with him when we once lay hands on him. -Where is the daughter of Old Pegs? Tell me quickly before I put a bullet -through your head.” - -“You needn’t rare up that ar’ way,” said Boston Jake, sullenly. “I don’t -keer two cents what you do with me, and I don’t skeer at all so you mout -as well let me down easy. That’s the way I talk it. Curly-headed Ned hez -got the gal.” - -The forces of Whirlwind satisfied that their sworn enemies—the -Sioux—were scattered in the mountains, at once set out in pursuit, -breaking up into squads of ten or less for that purpose. Woe to the -Modoc Sioux whom they ran down. His scalp quickly adorned the belt of -some son of the Blackfoot tribe, and hung afterward in the smoke of his -lodge. The prisoners were quickly bound, and leaving ten men as a guard -the rest of the trappers began to search for the trail of Rafe Norris. -But they missed the keen eyes and subtle skill of Old Pegs, the man who -could read in rocks and sod the slightest pressure of the human foot, -and the search for a long time was vain, and Dave Farrell began to -despair of success. They could find no trail. - -In the meantime, Myrtle was a prisoner in the hands of Rafe Norris. He -rapidly descended the slope which led to the hunter’s cabin, holding her -by the hand, and led her in at the open door of her former home. - -“Here we are, my dear,” he said quietly. “You see that it becomes my -province to make you welcome to the home which was once yours. Do not -mistake me, sweet girl. I will do you no wrong, unless it is wicked in -me to wish to make you my wife.” - -“It is more than wicked—it is cruel and unmanly. Oh, if my hands could -reach a weapon your life would be short.” - -“Doubtless you are right, Myrtle,” he said mournfully. “You would slay -one who stands ready to lay down his life in your service, and who is -willing to devote that life to make you happy. Can I say nothing to make -you change your purpose, my darling?” - -“Can you bring the dead to life? Will you be able to call Nicholas -Fletcher from the bloody grave your hounds have given him? Oh, how base -I should be if I ever forgot or forgave this last crowning crime!” - -“Enough,” he cried, harshly. “I see that good words are but thrown away -upon you, and that harsh measures are necessary. My mind is fully made -up, and you will find that I can be harsh if it seems to be needful and -can compel obedience to my wishes. Hold out your hands; I must bind you -or you will attempt to escape.” - -She put out her hands as if to comply, but as he stooped to take up the -buck-skin thong from the table, she bounded past him, and the sharp -click announced that she had opened the trap beneath the bed. Before he -could reach it the second click announced that it was closed again. -Furious with passion he tugged at the light couch, and literally tore it -from its place, but the trap remained firm in its place and all his -efforts could not move it in the least. Dashing out into the next room -he caught up a heavy ax and darted back. - -“Stand out of the way below,” he cried, “or you may be hurt.” - -The boards flew asunder under his furious strokes, and in an -inconceivably short space of time he had made an opening large enough to -permit him to descend. As he was about to step upon the stairs he heard -the clear voice of Myrtle. - -“For your life—stand back!” - -He looked once—and obeyed! She was standing in the little passage, -holding a lighted taper in her hand. Just in front of her stood a small -keg of powder with the head knocked out, and as he saw her pale, -determined face by the light of the taper, he knew that she would -destroy herself sooner than fall into his hands again. - -“Mad woman,” he screamed. “What would you do?” - -“You can find out readily by coming down,” was the quiet reply. “If you -set your foot upon that step again it is the signal for your death.” - -“And yours—also!” - -“And mine. I think that I should be doing good service in killing you -even though I lose my life.” - -The man hesitated and stepped back into the room with a look of absolute -terror on his face. He had not lied when he said that he loved her -dearly, and it was terrible to him to think that she hated him so much -that she would sooner die than be his wife. He tried persuasion, but to -that she would not answer, standing statue-like, holding the taper in -her unshaking hand. - -“What good can it do you?” he said. “You must yield in time.” - -“If I feel that I am growing weak,” she replied, “at that moment I will -fire the powder. At the least I shall go to my Maker pure, and send you -to your Judge at the same moment. From this time I will not answer you a -word.” - -She drew a block close to the side of the keg and sat down with a bundle -of tapers by her side. The one she held burned low, and she lighted -another and waited as calmly as before, while above her the hungry eyes -of Rafe Norris looked down at the prize he could not reach. He hoped -that she would sleep, but the peculiar brightness of her eyes convinced -him that it was impossible. Only fatigue, hunger or thirst could -overcome her, and she had sworn that when that time came she would fire -the train. - -Twice he called to her as the hours passed on, but neither by sign, word -or look did she show that she knew any thing of his presence, although -her eyes never left the opening in the floor. In his madness he revolved -in his mind a thousand plans to get her away from the powder if but for -a moment, but it was useless; none of his plans were feasible while he -could not draw from her a single look or sign of recognition. He felt -that he could not bear this suspense much longer, but it must be borne. -Hour after hour crept on; the tapers burned out, one by one, and as the -first gray streaks of the morning light showed themselves in the east -she took up the _last taper_ and calmly lighted it. - -“Ha! ha! ha!” he cried, exultantly; “your lights are gone. In a moment I -shall have you in my power.” - -She spoke now for the first time since she had sealed her lips. - -“It will burn for an hour,” she said. “I will spend that hour in praying -to God to take me in mercy to his rest, and when the taper burns low I -will fire the powder.” - -“You dare not, girl,” he hissed. “It is murder. You cannot destroy -yourself in that cruel way. Oh, heaven, what shall I do? I will give you -up—do you hear? I will give you up.” - -“I cannot trust you. If I throw away the taper, you will treat your word -as you did when my guardian fell into your hands.” - -“I will not—I swear by everything I hold holy and pure. I will go away -and never come back if you will throw away the taper. I swear it, on my -soul.” - -“Swear by something else. I will not trust you. Keep silent, base man, -and let me at least spend my last hour in quiet.” - -“You shall not do it,” he screamed. “Here are my weapons, and I have no -others—my revolvers. Take them, and then you can surely consider -yourself safe.” - -“Will you give them?” she cried, eagerly. “If you do that, I may put -some trust in your promises, for I shall be able to enforce obedience.” - -He hesitated for a moment, but as she advanced the light in the -direction of the keg, he took the weapons from his belt and threw them -down to her. Shifting the taper into her left hand, she caught up a -weapon and glanced at it, her quick look assuring her that it was ready -for service, and she sprung to her feet, hastily hurling away the taper -which was burned half-way down. Myrtle was young, and life was in its -bloom for her, and she was happy in her escape. - -“Go outside,” she said, “and let me see your face at the window of my -room.” - -He hurried out at once, and looking up through the trap, she caught -sight of his pale face peering through the little window. In an instant -she was out of the passage and at the door, holding her revolvers cocked -in each hand. - -“It is over now, Rafe Norris,” she said. “Go, before I forget myself and -avenge in your person my murdered friend, my more than father, Nicholas -Fletcher.” - -But he folded his arms and looked at her fixedly, the light of a strange -resolve in his eyes. - -“You think you have conquered,” he said, “because I have given up my -weapons. But not yet, my dear, not yet. I swear that you shall either -kill me where I stand or go with me.” - -He made a step in advance, and she brought down her right-hand pistol -with a stern, decided movement. Thus they stood at bay, each looking -into the eyes of the other. - -“If you miss!” he hissed, speaking through his set teeth. - -“I shall _not_ miss,” was the stern reply. “Beware what you do.” - -He was doubling himself for a spring, and her bright eyes were glancing -resolutely along the barrel of the deadly weapon, when a calm voice -said: - -“Hold on! _I_ meander in and take a hand.” - -Myrtle turned with a wild cry of delight. Old Pegs in the body, to all -appearance sound in every part, stood before her. - -“Come hyar while I hug yer!” cried the old man, with a suspicious catch -in his voice. “Rafe Norris, I’ll attend to _you_, right soon, I will.” - -He passed his strong arm about the slender form of Myrtle, and pressed -his lips to her fair cheek. - -“Give them yer playthings ter me, darlin’,” he said, taking the -revolvers from her. “I ain’t got ne’er a weepon. Now stand one side and -see me mount this cuss.” - -“Don’t fight him, father,” she said. “I’m not afraid of him, and beyond -the fact that he has kept me prisoner he has done me no wrong.” - -“It won’t do,” replied Old Pegs, fiercely. “I’m going ter wipe him out, -sure, and I don’t want you to interfere or you and I’ll hev words. Look -hyar, Rafe Norris, Curly-headed Ned, Sarpint, whatever yer name is, -you’ve got ter fight _me_.” - -“I am willing,” he cried, anxiously. “I’ll fight you in any way you -name.” - -“Wait; I wanter leave the gal safe in case I go under. I don’t wanter, -but then I mout. Whar’s yer carbine, Myrtle?” - -“In the cabin.” - -“Git it and put a new charge in. You’ve got ter boss this skrimmage, you -understand, and see fa’r play. This yer skunk hez lived long enuff, I -kalkilate, and the sooner he’s wiped out the better.” - -Myrtle knew the determined character of the old hunter well and that it -was useless to oppose him. She hurried into the house and brought out -her carbine, discharged it and put in a new load. She had the utmost -confidence in her guardian and believed that he was able to overcome -Rafe Norris in a fair fight. When she had loaded, Old Pegs turned to -Norris. - -“We’ll stand off at about twenty paces and begin ef you hev no -objections. Thar’s a shooter.” - -He tossed one of the revolvers to Rafe, who snatched it up eagerly. - -“Ef I go under, gal, take to ther foot-hills and don’t come out till you -find Dave or some of the boys. Now we’ll stand back to back, walk ten -paces and wheel when you give the word. After that let the best man win, -but ef one of us tries to turn till you _do_ give the word—_send_ fur -him, thet’s all.” - -“I’ll do it,” replied Myrtle, quietly, “and you may be sure I will not -miss. Get ready.” - -The men placed themselves back to back. - -“March,” she said. - -They advanced ten paces each with his revolver ready. - -“Ready—turn!” - -The pistols exploded at the same moment. Old Pegs staggered a little, -but quickly recovered himself and fired again. Rafe Norris spun round -upon his heel, uttered a short, quick cry and fell upon his back while -the revolver dropped out of his hand. They ran to raise him and he made -a feeble effort to lift his weapon but his hand refused its office and -dropped heavily to his side. - -“I’m done for,” he groaned, “and it served me right for all my villainy. -Old Pegs, open my coat and take out the paper you will find there.” - -Old Pegs obeyed and found two or three letters and a legal-looking -document. - -“I told you the truth, Myrtle, when I said I was your cousin. That paper -is a copy of our grandfather’s will which you will find in the hands of -Justin Lawrence, attorney, at St. Louis. When you read the will you will -understand why I wished to make you my wife. Never fear for me; I’ll die -as I have lived—game to the last. Here’s luck to the Hudson Bay!” - -He shook his hand above his head and with the effort his life went out. -The will when read was found to be in favor of the heirs of Edward -Forrester, or, failing that, all was left to a benevolent institution at -St. Louis. To Edward Forrester, Jr., the only child of his youngest son, -the testator left one dollar “on account of his dissolute and unmanly -conduct.” The secret of his persistent effort to make Myrtle his wife -was explained. - -There is little more to tell. They buried the unhappy man in the little -valley next day, and just as Old Pegs had laid the last sod upon him -Dave Farrell, followed by a portion of his men, rode into the place. The -yell which the trappers gave as they saw Old Pegs and Myrtle alive made -the mountains ring again, and Myrtle with a glad cry threw herself into -the arms of her “teacher,” brave Dave Farrell, the Beaver Captain. - -A few days later the party set out for the fort, Old Pegs taking charge -of the papers left in his hands by Myrtle’s father by means of which her -identity was easily established, and she took possession by the will of -a property valued at one hundred thousand dollars. - -But, prosperity did not spoil her; she still remained the same, and -loved her guardian and her trapper lover as of yore. Six months after -their return there was a quiet wedding and Dave Farrell with his -beautiful wife started for the East. Old Pegs left them in St. Louis, -resisting all entreaties to spend his life with the woman who had been a -daughter—more than a daughter to him. He could not leave the mountain -yet, but promised that when old age comes on him Myrtle shall smooth his -pathway to the grave. So promising he turned his face to the west and -was gone. - -Whirlwind was killed in an attack upon a trapping camp, some years -since. The men who had followed Edward Forrester in his last expedition -scattered, and the time has nearly passed when the two great companies -strive for the possession of the trapping-grounds. But often by the -trapper’s fire some gray-haired man will tell the tale of the old days -when he took sides in this strange struggle. - -Every year Old Pegs comes down to St. Louis and spends a month in the -company of his son and daughter—for he so regards them—and tells the -boys wild stories of the plains and mountains where he has lived so -long. May the day be far distant when he must lay his armor down. - - - THE END - - - - - DIME POCKET NOVELS. - PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH. - - - 1—Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes. - 2—Dead Shot. By Albert W. Aiken. - 3—The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis. - 4—Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 5—Nat Wolfe. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - 6—The White Tracker. By Edward S. Ellis. - 7—The Outlaw’s Wife. By Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. - 8—The Tall Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken. - 9—Lightning Jo. By Capt. Adams. - 10—The Island Pirate. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 11—The Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - 12—Bess, the Trapper. By E. S. Ellis. - 13—The French Spy. By W. J. Hamilton. - 14—Long Shot. By Capt. Comstock. - 15—The Gunmaker. By James L. Bowen. - 16—Red Hand. By A. G. Piper. - 17—Ben, the Trapper. By Lewis W. Carson. - 18—Wild Raven. By Oll Coomes. - 19—The Specter Chief. By Seelin Robins. - 20—The B’ar-Killer. By Capt. Comstock. - 21—Wild Nat. By Wm. R. Eyster. - 22—Indian Jo. By Lewis W. Carson. - 23—Old Kent, the Ranger. By Edward S. Ellis. - 24—The One-Eyed Trapper. By Capt. Comstock. - 25—Godbold, the Spy. By N. C. Iron. - 26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner. - 27—Single Eye. By Warren St. John. - 28—Indian Jim. By Edward S. Ellis. - 29—The Scout. By Warren St. John. - 30—Eagle Eye. By W. J. Hamilton. - 31—The Mystic Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis. - 32—The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck. - 33—The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter. - 34—Old Lute. By E. W. Archer. - 35—Rainbolt, Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - 36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis. - 37—Carson, the Guide. By J. H. Randolph. - 38—The Heart Eater. By Harry Hazard. - 39—Wetzel, the Scout. By Boynton Belknap. - 40—The Huge Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis. - 41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. By Paul Prescott. - 42—Lynx-cap. By Paul Bibbs. - 43—The White Outlaw. By Harry Hazard. - 44—The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey. - 45—The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 46—Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham. - 47—The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 48—The Phantom Tracker. By F. Dewey. - 49—Mocassin Bill. By Paul Bibbs. - 50—The Wolf Queen. By Charles Howard. - 51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer. - 52—The Mad Chief. By Chas. Howard. - 53—The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing. - 54—Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 55—Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs. - 56—The River Rifles. By Billex Muller. - 57—Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff. - 58—Cloudwood. By J. M. Merrill. - 59—The Texas Hawks By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 60—Merciless Mat. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 61—Mad Anthony’s Scouts. By E. Rodman. - 62—The Luckless Trapper. By Wm. R. Eyster. - 63—The Florida Scout. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 64—The Island Trapper. By Chas. Howard. - 65—Wolf-Cap. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 66—Rattling Dick. By Harry Hazard. - 67—Sharp-Eye. By Major Max Martine. - 68—Iron-Hand. By Frederick Forest. - 69—The Yellow Hunter. By Chas. Howard. - 70—The Phantom Rider. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 71—Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard. - 72—Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 73—The Skeleton Scout. By Maj. L. W. Carson. - 74—Little Rifle. By Capt. “Bruin” Adams. - 75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson. - 76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. By “Bruin” Adams. - 77—The Scarlet Shoulders. By Harry Hazard. - 78—The Border Rifleman. By L. W. Carson. - 79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. By R. Ringwood. - 81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve. - 82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard. - 83—The Specter Horseman. By Frank Dewey. - 84—The Three Trappers. By Seelin Robins. - 85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N. - 86—The Hunter Hercules. By Harry St. George. - 87—Phil Hunter. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 88—The Indian Scout. By Harry Hazard. - 89—The Girl Avenger. By Chas. Howard. - 90—The Red Hermitess. By Paul Bibbs. - 91—Star-Face, the Slayer. - 92—The Antelope Boy. By Geo. L. Aiken. - 93—The Phantom Hunter. By E. Emerson. - 94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot. By M. Klapp. - 95—The Red Wizard. By Ned Hunter. - 96—The Rival Trappers. By L. W. Carson. - 97—The Squaw Spy. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 98—Dusky Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 99—Colonel Crockett. By Chas. E. Lasalle. - 100—Old Bear Paw. By Major Max Martine. - 101—Redlaw. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 102—Wild Rube. By W. J. Hamilton. - 103—The Indian Hunters. By J. L. Bowen. - 104—Scarred Eagle. By Andrew Dearborn. - 105—Nick Doyle. By P. Hamilton Myers. - 106—The Indian Spy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 107—Job Dean. By Ingoldsby North. - 108—The Wood King. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 109—The Scalped Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 110—Nick, the Scout. By W. J. Hamilton. - 111—The Texas Tiger. By Edward Willett. - 112—The Crossed Knives. By Hamilton. - 113—Tiger-Heart, the Tracker. By Howard. - 114—The Masked Avenger. By Ingraham. - 115—The Pearl Pirates. By Starbuck. - 116—Black Panther. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr. - 117—Abdiel, the Avenger. By Ed. Willett. - 118—Cato, the Creeper. By Fred. Dewey. - 119—Two-Handed Mat. By Jos. E. Badger. - 120—Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 121—Black Nick. By Frederick Whittaker. - 122—Kit Bird. By W. J. Hamilton. - 123—The Specter Riders. By Geo. Gleason. - 124—Giant Pete. By W. J. Hamilton. - 125—The Girl Captain. By Jos. E. Badger. - 126—Yankee Eph. By J. R. Worcester. - 127—Silverspur. By Edward Willett. - 128—Squatter Dick. By Jos. E. Badger. - 129—The Child Spy. By George Gleason. - 130—Mink Coat. By Jos. E. Badger. - 131—Red Plume. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 132—Clyde, the Trailer. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 133—The Lost Cache. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 134—The Cannibal Chief. By Paul J. Prescott. - 135—Karaibo. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 136—Scarlet Moccasin. By Paul Bibbs. - 137—Kidnapped. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 138—Maid of the Mountain. By Hamilton. - 139—The Scioto Scouts. By Ed. Willett. - 140—The Border Renegade. By Badger. - 141—The Mute Chief. By C. D. Clark. - 142—Boone, the Hunter. By Whittaker. - 143—Mountain Kate. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 144—The Red Scalper. By W. J. Hamilton. - 145—The Lone Chief. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 146—The Silver Bugle. By Lieut. Col. Hazleton. - 147—Chinga, the Cheyenne. By E. S. Ellis. - 148—The Tangled Trail. By Major Martine. - 149—The Unseen Hand. By J. S. Henderson. - 150—The Lone Indian. By Capt. C. Howard. - 151—The Branded Brave. By Paul Bibbs. - 152—Billy Bowlegs, The Seminole Chief. - 153—The Valley Scout. By Seelin Robins. - 154—Red Jacket. By Paul Bibbs. - 155—The Jungle Scout. Ready - 156—Cherokee Chief. Ready - 157—The Bandit Hermit. Ready - 158—The Patriot Scouts. Ready - 159—The Wood Rangers. - 160—The Red Foe. Ready - 161—The Beautiful Unknown. - 162—Canebrake Mose. Ready - 163—Hank, the Guide. Ready - 164—The Border Scout. 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