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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7aecb19 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67418 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67418) diff --git a/old/67418-0.txt b/old/67418-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index dcb0eec..0000000 --- a/old/67418-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6478 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Wilderness Trail, by Henry -Bedford-Jones - -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 Wilderness Trail - -Author: Henry Bedford-Jones - -Release Date: February 16, 2022 [eBook #67418] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WILDERNESS TRAIL *** - - - - - - - - The Wilderness Trail - - By H. BEDFORD-JONES - - - Author of - "Splendour of the Gods," "The Kasbah Gate," etc. - - - London: HURST & BLACKETT, LTD. - PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C. - - - - -THE WILDERNESS TRAIL - - - -CHAPTER I - -The year 1810 was more commonly known, at least in the Kentucky -wilderness, as the thirty-fourth year of the Independence of the -United States. Backwoods folk are simple folk, proud of what they -and their fathers have done. - -Although split with vexatious questions of Federal or Democrat, rent -asunder by argument over the Great Conspiracy of Aaron Burr, and -menaced always by the gathered allied hordes of Tecumthe across the -Indiana border, the settlers in and around Louisville forgot all -these things in the one supreme fact that this was the thirty-fourth -year of the United States. - -Law had come into the country, to the bitterness of many. -Land-titles and sorry scoundrels had in combination ousted many a -less famous man than Colonel Daniel Boone from his holdings. Whisky -and lawless border-life, to say nothing of the more lawless -river-ways, had ruined more than one good man both in morals and -reputation. Some said the western country had gone to the dogs; -others said that the dogs had all come to the western country. Both -sayings were true, in a sense. - -So, then, in this thirty-fourth year of the United States, an old man -stood on the Beargrass Creek Road, just out of Louisville, and swore -volubly. A horseman had spattered him with mud. To his right was a -fringe of trees, to his left the mudhole, and just beyond him was a -bend in the road. - -The old man was only five feet ten, but was thewed like a giant. As -he wiped the mud from his cheek and glared at the returning horseman, -he displayed a strong, keen-eyed face which sat well above powerful -shoulders and barrel-like chest. - -"Consarn the lawyers!" he cried angrily. "If I had my way, I'd hang -every cussed lawyer in Kaintuck! Hanging's too good for 'em. -Consarn 'em, I'd----" - -The horseman had reined in at the bend and was now back beside the -old man. He was a large athletic man, dressed in fine blue -broadcloth, with pudding cravat and ear-high coat collar. He leaned -over in his saddle with a smile. - -"Sir, your pardon! The offence was unintentional. I take it that -you have a grudge against lawyers, eh?" - -"Huh!" The other grunted angrily, yet with none of the sputtering -fury of old age. His words seemed calculated, in fact. "Huh! -Hain't lawyers robbed me right and left an' driv me out o' Kaintuck? -You're like all of 'em, consarn ye, slick and smooth! I ain't lived -seventy-six year 'thout bein' able to read a man's face. Ye -black-hearted Wyandot, why didn't ye turn out o' the way--huh?" - -At these final words the horseman went white to the lips. He was -handsome, dark of hair and eye, with thin lips, virile features, and -powerful hands. Despite the careful attire and courtly air, however, -there was an indescribably cruel curve to his thin lips and nostrils, -an arrogance in his bearing, which seemed rather out of place in -democratic Kentucky. - -"Sir, I asked your pardon," he said in a deep voice, twitching his -riding-whip against his boot. "In deference to your age I pass over -your words----" - -"Cuss yer impudence!" broke out the old man hotly, a flame leaping -out in his blue eyes. "You're one o' them Louisville vultures, huh? -I kin tell. Pass over my words, do ye? Well, ye git down out'n that -saddle an' I'll give ye somethin' better to pass over. Hump down, -consarn ye--I'll pay out one debt more on yer carcass afore I go back -to Missoury!" - -The old man did not look his seventy-six years. The wrathful -earnestness of his bearing bespoke his entire willingness to chastise -the lawyer, while there was a dangerous vitality in his high-browed -face. The other gazed down steadily, contempt sitting in his proud -dark eyes. - -"I have no quarrel with you, sir," he returned slowly. "Yet if you -would seek redress through the courts, you may seek me at Louisville, -where I am well known. My name, sir, is Charles Duval, and I regret -that my apology did not----" - -His stately courtesy and slight trace of contempt served only to -infuriate the old man the more. With one swift forward stride, he -gripped the bridle of the horse. - -"Git down out'n that saddle," he broke in. "I aim to git a feel o' -yer hide right here an' now, consarn ye! I don't want no courts." - -"Hands off, you fool!" whipped out Duval, deadly pale. He made as if -to raise his riding-crop, put paused and twisted in the saddle at -sound of a cheery voice from the bend of the road just behind him. -It was a vibrant joyous voice, and the lilt of song rose clearly on -the afternoon air. - - Oh, I fit with Gen'ral Washington an' I'd like to fight some more, - An' I'm going to join with Gen'ral Clark when next we go to war! - I'll tote my Kaintuck rifle, and I'll raise the Kaintuck boys, - And we'll sculp the bloody Britishers---- - - -The singer jogged around the bend of trees and came to an abrupt halt -as he sighted the two. His horse was good, his deerhide dress bad, -his rifle brass-mounted, and his head bare. Glinting brown hair, a -brown, clean-shaven face of youth and strong lines, and clear brown -eyes formed a symphony of woods-colouring. - -"Well, well!" His eyes twinkled slightly as he surveyed the scene -before him. "Is this a highway robbery, friends? Strength assailed -by old age--what an allegory we find here! And why not make youth -the mediator, may I ask?" - -His appearance seemed to quiet the rage of the old man, who released -the horse's bridle and stepped back calmly. The newcomer met the -steady look of Duval, but the twinkle passed from the brown eyes. - -"Well?" he snapped suddenly. "Are you dumb, sir? I believe you -intended to strike this old man with your whip?" - -"Sir, you are at liberty to formulate your own beliefs," returned -Duval coldly. "Kindly get out of my path at once." - -"Ah, this is more like it!" exclaimed the stranger quickly. "And if -I refuse?" - -A tide of passion flooded over Duval's swarthy face. He pushed his -horse toward the new-comer, lifting his whip. There was a slight, -almost negligent motion, and he found himself staring into the mouth -of the long rifle which had reposed on the brown man's saddle-bow. - -"Well, try it," smiled the stranger, but with a glint in his brown -eyes as they rested on Duval's furious face. "I fancy my powder is -still a bit too good for wasting, unless you force me. If you wish -to pass, sir--take the mud." - -For a moment Duval was choked by his rage. While plainly no coward, -he was checked both at sight of the ready trigger-finger and the cold -purpose in the brown eyes. The old man, watching keenly, stooped and -picked up his fallen cap of coonskin. - -"Devil take you," cried Duval hoarsely, the intensity of his passion -clenching all his face into wild fury. "Sir, I--I----" - -Whatever he might have said was stopped by a thud of hoofs. Once -more the bend in the quiet Beargrass Creek Road was invaded at a -critical moment, and this time by a girl who rode from the direction -whence Duval had come. And as before, the arrival broke off -threatening hostilities. - -She was a beautiful girl enough, with her fresh firm face and clear -grey eyes, and the red-gold hair falling over her shoulders. Her -steed was bony and her gown was homespun, but Duval swung his horse -around with a graceful bow and swept his hat to his stirrup as she -drew rein. - -"May I ride back to town with you, Madam Trigg?" he asked quietly, -giving no hint of the storm which a moment before had convulsed him. -"It seems there are strangers and odd characters about, and it may -well----" - -He was interrupted by a cry of surprise. The girl slipped from her -saddle as the old man stepped forward, and with a swift hug and a -laugh of rippling delight she flung her arms about his neck. - -"You!" she cried. "Why, where on earth did you come from?" - -"Come from town," said the old man jerkily. He stared into her -excited eyes with a flush of pleasure on his rugged old face, and -seemed lost to all around. "Come in with some beaver, Kitty. Paid -the ol' debts, every last man, thank God! Clean's a whistle now. -Goin' out to Dick Taylor's, comin' to see you-all, then goin' back -home. Be in town to-morrow sure." - -His abrupt awkward speech drew another hug and a kiss from the girl, -who then turned to her horse and scrambled to the saddle. - -"Be sure you come, then!" she cried merrily, and looked at Duval: "I -thank you for the courtesy, sir, and avail myself of it right -gladly----" - -She broke off at sight of the brown-eyed stranger, who had not moved. -Duval touched his spurs and brought his horse beside hers. - -"Out of the way," he commanded sharply. "This lady wishes to pass." - -The leather-clad stranger smiled a little. - -"And so she shall, friend Duval," he drawled easily. "I told you -once that you might take the mud." - -"Confound you, sir--would you dare shoot me?" broke in Duval -furiously. "I dare you to do it, sir!" - -"Well, that's a dare easily settled!" laughed the other, but his eyes -remained very steady. Pressing his steed with his knee, he moved -aside and left the inner edge of the road clear. "The lady is not -hindered. As for you, if you doubt either my ability or my will, why -not test the matter?" - -Duval noted the crooked trigger-finger, muttered an impatient word, -then turned and splashed through the muddy water. The girl went on, -still gazing at the stranger. As he drew upon the dry road and -waited, Duval turned. - -"Take care of yourself!" he cried, his face livid. - -"That is my business in life, thanks," returned the stranger, -lightly, and so he found himself alone with the old man. Carefully -uncocking his rifle, he swung down from the saddle and gripped hands -with the other. - -"Well, you seem to be in no great need of help," he chuckled, -surveying the huge chest of the grey-haired man. "What's the matter, -anyway? Did you have a fuss with his excellency?" - -"Kind of that way," grinned the old man, to whom speech now seemed to -come slowly. "Muddied me, the cussed law-shark! All alike, consarn -'em." - -"Well, now he's gone, can you tell me where Colonel Dick Taylor -lives?" - -"Goin' there," grunted the other, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. -His keen blue eyes searched the younger face shrewdly. "Young man, -ye handled him right. You're a fine fellow. How are ye named?" - -"Norton, John Norton," smiled the younger man. "I'm a captain in the -Seventh Infantry, or was, and came up from New Orleans after -resigning. So you're going to the Taylors, eh? Know young Zach? Do -you live around here?" - -"Uh-huh, I know him. Used to live here." The old man's face -darkened as he glanced around. "Them cussed lawyers skun me out o' -my land, consarn 'em! Live in Missoury now. Lots o' game there. -Come back here to pay my debts--no man can't say I ain't honest. -Them moccasins ain't Cherokee-made, are they?" - -"What's your name?" asked Norton with frank interest. He clucked to -his horse, and the steed followed them as they trudged along the -road. The other only glanced down at the moccasins. - -"Name's Boone," he grunted. "Them moccasins, now--they sartin look -kind o' like----" - -"Boone?" Norton stopped abruptly, a puzzled wonder in his eyes. -"You're not Colonel Boone, by any chance? Colonel Daniel Boone?" - -"That's me. About them mocc----" - -"Well, by thunder!" Norton gasped, then laughed aloud as he seized -Boone's hand in a hearty clasp and looked deep into the keen blue -eyes. "Why, Colonel, I spent two days looking you up in Missouri, -over on the Femme Osage! Your wife said you had gone east, either to -Virginia or Tennessee. I was mighty anxious to see you--in fact, -that's why I threw up my army commission." - -"Huh! To see me?" Boone looked at him, then jerked his head. "Well, -come along to Dick's. Find the wife well, did ye? Now tell me 'bout -where ye got them moccasins----" - - -John Norton was lost in amazement at the manner in which he had -chanced on the one man in the country he most desired to meet. -Daniel Boone was not greatly honoured in that day. He had been out -of the public view for twenty years and was not of the self-assertive -type; his fame seemed to be dying out with the older generation of -frontiersmen. Driven into the South-west, he still made long, lonely -forays through the South and East, hunting and trapping and seeking -the solitude he loved. - -At Femme Osage, Norton had missed him by a month. Then the young -ex-officer had come on by flatboat to Fort Massac, and from there -overland to Louisville. He said no more of his journey than this, -but Boone looked at the delicate yet decisive profile, the brown eyes -which could twinkle like a star or leap out hard and cold like a -sword--and nodded to himself. - -"Ye knew Zach down to N'Orleens, mebbe? He's in the Seventh, ain't -he?" - -"Yes," nodded Norton. "We were great friends, till he came North -with fever. How is he? All right?" - -Boone chuckled. "The cuss has got married, Norton." - -"What? He has?" Norton whistled, then broke into a laugh. "Someone -here?" - -"No--him and me brung her over from Maryland. Got here a month ago. -We located beaver on the way, so I went back an' got enough pelt to -pay up some ol' debts here in Louisville--consarn them lawyers!" - -Norton was not altogether surprised at Zach Taylor's marriage. He -had gained his captaincy at the time Zach joined the regiment in New -Orleans as lieutenant. Barely had the two men become friends when -young Taylor went home on sick-leave. This had been two years -before, and the reason for his prolonged absence was now evident. -Norton's business concerned Colonel Richard Taylor, Zach's father, no -less than it did Boone, so he had come on to Louisville after missing -the old frontiersman at Femme Osage. Now, by a fortunate chance, he -had come upon Boone as well--a good presage, he reflected. He was -like to have need of all the friends he could muster. - -The two tramped along between the cottonwoods, and in a few moments -sighted the clustering log and frame buildings of the Taylor farm, -six miles above the city itself. Colonel Taylor, or "Colonel Dick" -as he was known along the frontier, had been Collector of the Port of -Louisville until Louisiana ceased to be foreign territory, in 1804, -but for the past six years had abstained from politics altogether and -devoted himself to his farm. With the exception of George Rogers -Clark, who lived across the river from Louisville, he was the town's -most prominent citizen, however; an old friend of President Madison, -his influence at Washington bore no little weight. - -As the two men approached the farm, negroes came running out, Boone -was recognized with a delighted shout, and from the different -buildings appeared the family itself. Colonel Taylor and his wife -were joined by Zach and his bride, and while Norton's horse was led -away he met with an exuberant welcome from the hard-featured -kindly-eyed lieutenant, his own elder by two years. - -"Dad, this is Captain Norton," cried Taylor, introducing his friend -in mad delight. "He's the man I've told you about so much--the -officer who cleared out those river pirates by Nagatoches! -Margaret--Mother! Upon my word, Jack, what the devil brought you -here?" - -This final outburst of helpless amazement evoked a general laugh, and -Norton found himself placed at his ease by the quiet hospitality of -old Colonel Dick. Boone was the guest of honour, however, and the -old frontiersman was at once accorded an easy chair by the fireplace -when the party gathered inside to hear the news. - -Of this Boone brought little enough, beyond the fact he had cleared -off his old debts and was ready to start for Missouri with a dollar -in his pocket and a clear mind. - -"You just missed Kitty Grigg," said Colonel Dick. "She was out here -to visit Margaret, while I was trying to keep that skunk Duval from -ridin' home with her----" - -"Ye didn't do it," chuckled Boone. "We met 'em--consarn them -lawyers!" - -He proceeded to give a brief account of the meeting, which drew a -roar of applause from Zach and his father. Norton, however, was bent -on more serious matters than visiting, and waved aside the eager -questions which rained upon him. - -"No, there's no news--General Harrison is keeping things pretty quiet -along the border, and the last I heard there was no immediate talk of -a British war. I believe Zach's going to get a captaincy before -long, though. I've resigned, and the older officers won't transfer -into the Seventh; they think the regiment won't last long----" - -"You've resigned?" broke in Zach blankly. "Why--good Lord, Jack! -You ain't goin' to take up farming? Got married?" - -"Neither one," laughed Norton easily. "I have letters to you, -Colonel Taylor, to Governor Harrison, and to Colonel Boone here--and -I want help. There's been a good deal of piracy of late, as you may -know, and my business here is to get that mysterious fellow, -Blacknose----" - -His words were drowned in a sudden crash, as Boone knocked over one -of the huge andirons with his foot. Zachary Taylor darted to the -door and slammed it with a bang; Mrs. Taylor went white, and Colonel -Dick started abruptly. - -"My dear Norton," he said quickly, frowning, "your business here had -best wait until the morning, when we will go to town with Colonel -Boone and talk it over then. Margaret, will you see that the -guest-cab in is made ready? How did you make out with your beaver, -Daniel?" - -And Norton fell into an amazed silence, while old Boone told of his -hunting trip, Why had the mere name of a river-pirate brought fear to -such men as these, and pallor to the faces of the two women? - -"By thunder!" he exclaimed inwardly, listening to the old -frontiersman's jerky sentences. "I wonder if I've struck a bigger -thing than they dreamed of at New Orleans?" - - - - -CHAPTER II - -Upon attaining his majority three years before, John Norton had -gained a commission through the influence of his uncle, a merchant at -New Orleans. Yellow fever had left him alone in the world six months -afterward, and he had looked forward to a career in the army. By a -curious combination of circumstances, however, he had now resigned -that career to enter on a more hazardous and difficult task. - -What he remembered of his life had been centred about New Orleans, -but beyond a casual acquaintance with his uncle's business he had not -lingered about the city save for a few weeks at a time. A few years -of wandering in the Southern woods with friendly Indians, traders, -and frontiersmen had given him a thorough mastery of woodcraft; with -this his brief military career had not interfered, for he had -conducted several treaty-making or mapping expeditions through -eastern Louisiana, once as far as Florida. - -Now, however, a new service had offered itself to him. The Ohio -Valley trade came largely to St. Louis and New Orleans, by means of -arks and flatboats. It was easy to float down with the current, and -men took down their wares, sold them, and came back overland, for the -return river journey was difficult. A few years before, banditti had -been numerous until the Kentucky riflemen had broken up the Harpe and -Mason gang of pirates. Since that time there had arisen a new king -of the lawless, whose doings had all but paralyzed the river trade. - -"Let me give you my own story first, gentlemen," said Norton quietly, -as he rode between Colonel Dick and Boone, with Zach just ahead. -"Since you seem to jump at the very name of Blacknose, things must -indeed be in a poor state up here." - -The others merely nodded. All four were riding slowly toward -Louisville; the sun was but recently up, and in the brisk morning air -all thought of danger or trouble seemed very vague and distant. Yet -Boone's keen gaze never left the roadside. - -"As you will, sir," responded Colonel Dick courteously. "My son has -told us of you, and we would be only too glad to hear of your family. -I knew a gallant gentleman of your name--a Major Charles Norton, of -my own Virginian regiment under General Washington." - -"He was my father." And Norton's face darkened. - -"What, sir--your father!" Colonel Taylor drew rein suddenly. - -"Yes. He brought his family west, expecting to settle at -Cincinnati--he was a member of that society, of course, and was -attracted by the name. He had barely reached there when he found a -message from my Uncle John, who had gone to St. Louis. My father -decided to join him, and undertook the trip with a brother officer -named Moore. - -"This was in the fall of 1790, when I was four years old. During the -winter my father and Captain Moore built a large ark, and early in -the spring embarked both families, with their property and slaves. -The ark passed Louisville, and after that--it vanished." - -"Good heavens, sir--what do you mean?" demanded Colonel Taylor, -staring. Norton smiled. - -"River pirates. I was fetched to St. Louis by my old nigger mammy in -a crazy canoe; she died before she could more than tell who I was, -having been shot. Beyond a doubt the ark was surprised, either by -Indians or pirates, only my devoted old black mammy getting me away. -The rest were never heard from again----" - -Norton proceeded to give a brief account of how his uncle had adopted -him, later removing to New Orleans, and of how his own life had -fitted him for the task in hand. - -"Now, as you all know," he continued calmly, "the river somewhere -between here and Fort Massac has been terrorized by a band of river -pirates. Whether whites or Indians, no one knows, for the simple -reason that they take no prisoners. For some reason the rumour has -crept out that their leader is called Blacknose, and is a member of -the old Mason gang. This may or may not be true----" - -"For heaven's sake, man, don't speak that name!" broke out the -younger Taylor. "If any group discusses the name in these parts, -they suffer for it. Dad urged the Legislature to send out the -militia to guard the river against him; three days later our barns -were burned. The same thing has happened to other men. We know -nothing more about the gang than you do, except that it must have an -excellent spy system." - -Norton listened, his face setting into cold lines. - -"No one asks you to talk of him," he returned grimly. "I'll do all -that's necessary. Three months ago the New Orleans merchants got -together to discuss the damages being wrought upon the river-trade; -they knew I was a woodsman and that I had had the luck to break up -that Nagatoches gang, so they came to me. I accepted the task of -smashing this Blacknose, and I mean to do it. Gentlemen, my letters." - -With this, he handed a letter each to Boone and Taylor, then moved a -few paces on to the side of the lieutenant. - -"See here, Norton," exclaimed the latter, with a glance at his -father, "let me join you in----" - -"Not much, Zach." And Norton smiled grimly. "You're a farmer, not a -woodsman; besides, you've a bride to take care of. No--that's final." - -Taylor said no more, and John Norton gazed out at the view beyond the -little rising knoll on which they stood. It was close enough to the -river to be in sight of the falls, and directly opposite them, on the -Indiana shore, was Clarksville. Norton's eye lingered a moment on -the large house which stood at the point of rocks; he had learned on -the previous day that this was the home of George Rogers Clark, one -of the great frontier heroes, but now an old man and crippled. - -His gaze swept on to Louisville, half of its one street hidden by a -rising knoll of cot ton woods. The stone court-house, the -bell-roofed taverns, the Gault gardens at the upper end of -town--Norton looked past these to Shippingsport, the little harbour -below the falls, and his eyes narrowed. Here began his trail, as he -knew well. From Shippingsport went out every ounce of freight to New -Orleans from Louisville and all points up-river, for only experienced -pilots could bring any craft through the falls. Louisville was to -all intents the starting-point of river traffic, and somewhere -between Louisville and Fort Massac, at the juncture of the Ohio and -Mississippi, had vanished a full third of all the rich cargoes sent -down in the past three years. - -Having already mapped out a vague plan in his mind, he turned to the -two older men, and smiled slightly. Boone had just finished spelling -out his letter painfully enough, and was staring at it in disgust; -Colonel Taylor was looking at his horse's head with a stern sadness, -the cause of which the younger man knew only too well. - -"One moment, Colonel Dick," said Norton gently. The two gazed up -quickly. "I wish to draw you into nothing which can----" - -"Captain Norton," broke in the other sternly, "I have never refused -to do my duty, whatever the consequences, nor do I intend to falter -now. My aid is yours, sir." - -"You mistake me," smiled Norton, trying to offset the hint of tragedy -in the other's eyes, "Since conditions here are as you inform me, -there is no reason for my incriminating you. If these river pirates -really have a spy system in effect, my mission will be discovered -sooner or later. Do you go on to town with Zach; from this moment we -are strangers. The only good you can do me is to request those whom -you can trust that they will supply all I demand and draw on the New -Orleans merchants who signed that letter to you. For your sake and -that of your family, do as I ask. In this manner you can serve me -best. Colonel Boone will, I am sure, bear me out in this." - -The old frontiersman nodded quickly. Colonel Taylor hesitated, then -stretched a hand to Norton. - -"God bless you, my boy--and if you need help in the open, come to me." - -Norton smiled, exchanged a handgrip and a word with Lieutenant -Taylor, and watched father and son ride off toward the town. Then he -turned to Boone, to find the old man looking glumly at him. - -"Well?" he laughed questioningly. "Has Blacknose taken the heart out -of you, or have you forgotten how to fire a rifle?" - -To his intense amazement, Boone nodded and spat in the road. - -"Yep. That's it. See here, Norton: I fit Injuns all my life and I -ain't quit yet, but my hide's got to feelin' good on my back. Now -I'm goin' to help you, but I ain't goin' to hunt them river pirates. -I ain't ripe to die, not by a good ways! No, sir! I'm a God-fearin' -man, Norton, and I ain't huntin' after trouble." - -"What do you mean?" queried the perplexed Norton, taken utterly aback -by the old man's attitude. "What can I count on----" - -"You listen here." Boone's blue eyes wandered off among the trees as -he spoke. "I ain't afeard o' no man livin', but I got a wife to -pervide for. Now, we'll go down to the tavern and I'll bring you a -feller who knows the hull country around here and who'll act as -go-betwixt for anything you want. How you fixed on the military end?" - -"I've letters to General Harrison from General Wilkinson, which will -allow me to make use of the militia if I wish. Why?" - -"Well, you 'tend to the military yourself an' listen here." Boone -leaned over and dropped his voice, his eyes still on the trees. "Ye -know where Blue River runs into the Ohio? Well, forty-five mile down -the river from here, an' twelve mile this side o' Blue River, there's -a big rocky cliff on the Injianny shore, with a cabin an' mebbe more -cabins under it. But _you_ stay on the Kaintuck side, mind. -D'reckly opposite that cliff, ye'll find a big cottonwood blazed -north an' south. Head right south from that there tree, an' in -less'n two mile you'll find a cabin. That's where Red Hugh lives. -Go an' find him if he's there; if he ain't, wait till he comes back. -Tell him 'bout me sending ye, and ask fer help if ye need it." - -"Who's Red Hugh?" demanded Norton, wondering. - -"That's more'n I can tell ye." And Boone shook his head. "I've -knowed him off an' on hard on twenty year. He raises crops there, -an' goes on reg'lar spring an' fall hunts after Injuns. They killed -off his fam'ly, I reckon, an' God ain't softened his heart -yet--though He will some day, I reckon. He most gen'rally does-- -_Lay down_! _Quick_!" - -The last three words shot out with vehement force; instinctively, -Norton obeyed the swift gesture and ducked forward. Something sang -over his head, almost brushing his hair; there came a crack on the -wind, and he looked up to see a little drift of white rise from a -clump of cottonwoods a hundred yards away. - -Before he quite realized what had happened, the rifle was torn out of -his hand and Boone was sighting. The flint fell uselessly, and with -a muttered curse the old frontiersman slipped from his horse and ran -for the trees whence had come the shot. Norton, now comprehending, -was after him instantly. - -Active though he was, he had hard work keeping up with Boone. -Together they gained the trees, to find nothing more than a slight -tinge of powder on the air, until Boone leaned over the ground, -pointing. - -"Here he was, the skunk! Come on, now." - -His trained eye making out the tracks, Norton followed. After five -minutes they came out on Beargrass Creek, and on the opposite shore -was no trail. - -"Slipped us," cried Boone savagely. "Consarn him! He might ha' gone -up or down, so let's git out o' here whilst our hides are safe." - -Whereupon, the old woodsman turned and incontinently made for the -horses, as did Norton. The assassin had had time to reload, and -tracking him in the river bed was impossible. When they had regained -the horses, Boone held out something to Norton. - -"Find the feller who owns this, an' ye've got him. I reckon your -errand has slipped out, friend." - -Norton smiled faintly at the grim sarcasm in the old man's voice, and -looked at the object. It was the plug of a powder-horn evidently -dropped in haste. Finely carved in greyish horn, the stopper was -crossed lengthwise by a band of red. - -"You find a feller with a horn what's got a red streak in it," went -on Boone, "and a wooden plug; he's wearin' Shawnee moccasins instead -o' boots; he's left-handed, 'cause he rested his rifle that side o' -the tree, an' I wouldn't wonder but what he was cross-eyed." - -"Huh? Why cross-eyed?" queried Norton, frowning, and dropped the -plug in his shirt. - -"'Cause he didn't see me a-watchin' them trees," cackled the old man, -and swung up to his saddle. "Now let's git away from here; it makes -me plumb scared. What do you reckon ye'll do first off?" - -"Take advice," smiled Norton easily. "All I can get. I fancy the -pirates are in league with some one here, for they've dropped on the -best cargoes and let the poor ones pass by. It looks as if they had -spies here, sure enough." - -"An' one of 'em's wearin' Shawnee moccasins," chuckled Boone. "Well, -afore ye git desp'rit, go see Red Hugh. Now, you git up to the -tavern an' wait till I come. I'm a-goin' to see Kitty Grigg." - -"Kitty Grigg?" Norton's mind went back swiftly to the girl he had -glimpsed on the previous day. "Who is she, Colonel?" - -"Well, Ol' Abel Grigg 'lows she's his daughter," returned the other -slowly. "'Fraid Abel ain't much account, though. He was with me -back in the Blue Lick massacree, and cert'nly fit good, but went bad -later. I've knowed Kathleen sence afore I went to Missouri, and if -she's Abel's daughter, then, by gum, I'll sculp myself!" - -"Grigg lives at Louisville, then?" - -"No--he's a hunter, mostly. Has a farm back o' town a piece. Well, -see ye later! What tavern ye goin' to?" - -"The 'Steuben Arms', just beyond Doctor Gault's residence." - -Boone nodded, and rode off along a forest trail leading to the south, -while Norton pursued his course into town. - -Who had fired that shot? He thought of Duval's threat, but Duval was -no woodsman, and the assassin was, as his method of escape testified. -It seemed much more likely that, as Boone had said, some hint of his -mission had leaked out. - -How that could have been, Norton knew not. He had breathed no word -of it to any man from leaving New Orleans until reaching the Taylor -farm, nor had he discussed either piracy in general or Blacknose in -particular. He had kept his ears open along the frontier but had -learned nothing; no one had ever seen Blacknose, no one so much as -knew whether there were a Blacknose or not. The name was a rumour, a -border myth--and only in Louisville was it backed up by reality, -reflected Norton. - -He had not been sent on any false trail, that was certain. Neither -the up-river farmers and merchants nor those of New Orleans could -give him any definite information; yet both they and Norton knew well -that in this year of grace, 1810, when settlements and cabins were -scattered all along the Ohio and Mississippi, flatboat after flatboat -could not vanish into thin air with their crews. - -Norton's private opinion had been that Blacknose was a renegade who -led a band of Indians and kept in touch with some one at Louisville -for information. That opinion was sorely shaken by what the Taylors -had said, however. He began to think the whole affair was engineered -by river pirates alone, and so rode slowly into town, lost in -thought. Nor did he forget the horn plug which now reposed in his -pocket. Sooner or later he would find the man who wore Shawnee -moccasins and whose powder-horn was mottled with a red streak, and he -promised himself that something unpleasant would happen to the -gentleman in question. - -As he splashed through the mud in front of the courthouse, he saw the -figure of Duval going up the steps. The lawyer had not observed him, -however, and Norton watched him disappear inside. For the Far West -the courthouse was a stately building, with its two stories, ornate -cupola, and handsome pillars. - -The Louisianian rode slowly on down the one principal street toward -the lower end of town, and so came to the "Steuben Arms", whose host -had once served under the fiery baron in the late war. Indeed, it -was for this reason alone that Norton had chosen the place, for it -was none of the best; he had been disappointed in finding Bower an -infirm, mumbling old veteran. - -Dismounting, he gave his reins to the waiting negro, nodded to old -Bower as he passed through the public room, and sought his own -chambers. He had no desire to hang about below-stairs, since the inn -seemed frequented by rivermen. - - -The morning was well advanced when, in response to a knock, Norton -opened the door and admitted Colonel Boone and a stranger. This -stranger was a peculiar individual, even for a time when the border -was crowded with peculiar personages. He was dressed in a dirty -shirt with dirty ruffles, an ancient beaver, ancient scarlet velvet -breeches, shoes which had burst at the toes, and a greatcoat of -reddish fustian. Below a greasy and dishevelled wig, his face was -small and pinched, yet very ruddy and healthy; he seemed to Norton an -odd little old man, and his black eyes twinkled perpetually. - -"Captain Norton, my friend, Mr. Elisha Ayres, Gent.," declaimed Boone -with something like a grin. "Ayres, young Norton's the likeliest -feller I've seen in a coon's age." - -"That, sir," averred Mr. Ayres in a slow and precise tone, "is a -truer knighthood than any which could be bestowed by the crowned -heads of the Old World! I trust you appreciate the honour, Mr. -Norton, sir! I am yours to command." - -"You can trust Mr. Ayres, Norton," continued Boone. "Now, I'm goin' -to git home. Pow'ful glad I met ye, Norton, and if ye need to do a -little shootin', go find Red Hugh. Ye can trust Elisha----" - -"You're not starting for Missouri--now?" inquired the astonished -Norton. - -"Not yet--goin' to crack a bowl o' punch at Doc Gault's first." And -Boone shook hands with both men, then turned to the door. Norton had -a last glimpse of the barrel-like chest, grey hair, and keen eyes; -then Boone was gone with a final wave of the hand. - -"Well, Captain Norton," began Ayres in his dry precise manner, -"Colonel Boone has told me of your mission in these parts, sir. I -congratulate you heartily, sir, and I congratulate these United -States upon having a public servant of your spirit----" - -Norton smiled to himself. He began to think that Boone had made the -best of a bad bargain by passing off the first person he had picked -up as an assistant. - -"What is your business, Mr. Ayres?" he inquired, wondering how best -to get rid of the ruddy-cheeked little man. - -"I am a schoolmaster, sir"; and as he spoke, Ayres settled back in -his chair and pulled forth a pipe. "By the way, Mr. Norton, the man -who shot at you this morning is a hunter from down-river. His name I -do not know, but he wears a fox-skin cap with the brush hanging, -dresses in buckskin like yourself, and wears a black beard." - -Norton started. - -"Are you jesting, sir? Do you know this man?" - -"I do not." And Ayres fell to work with flint and steel, until he -had a light for his pipe. "I saw him last week, and chanced to note -the redstreaked powder-horn. When my friend Colonel Boone told me of -it, I remembered. That is all. Ah--one point further--he was -discussing some of our host's excellent Virginia whisky, in company -with one Charles Duval, Gent., a fellow townsman of mine." - -While Norton was still trying to assimilate the information imparted -by this queer individual, the bell on the roof banged out its summons -to dinner. Ayres arose with a grandiose bow. - -"You will honour me, sir, by your company below? Then we can discuss -matters at our leisure." - -Norton swallowed hard, nodded, and followed to the door. He began to -think that he had sadly misjudged Colonel Daniel Boone. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -Norton rather regretted his hasty choice of taverns. The "Steuben -Arms" had in its day been a fine inn, but its day was done. Located -conveniently to Shippingsport, its clientele now consisted largely of -rivermen, merchants, and such of the townsmen as found its rates -better suited to their purses than those of the new taverns. - -Passing through the deserted travellers' room, Ayres led his guest on -into the public dining-room, where the long table was already -partially filled. At the upper end sat Bower, the host--a feeble old -man with tobacco-stained beard. The overhead fans were pulled by a -negro girl in the corner. - -Ayres settled down in a chair at an unoccupied space, Norton -following suit. Then, when the little man had nodded to Bower and -signed to a negro waiter, he turned and spoke in a low voice. - -"Now, Mr. Norton, had you any definite plan of action? ... Until the -table fills up, we will pass unnoticed." - -Norton nodded, glancing around. A number of rivermen were talking -loudly; two or three merchants were discussing prices--and profanity -hung over the long room like a cloud. - -"Well," he returned slowly, "I thought that a boat might be well -laden here, quietly pick up a force of men farther down the river, -and so be used as a lure. With such a spy system as seems to -prevail, however, that looks rather hopeless." - -Ayres nodded. - -"A good plan, sir, a good plan, yet doubtful of success. As you say, -the people in question would hear of it and you would be laughed at -for your pains. The case, sir, calls for circumspection." - -"Quite so," agreed Norton drily, "Have you any suggestions to make, -sir?" - -"I hope to have some, Captain Norton. Granted that an organization -exists, we may presuppose it to be composed of white men. Negroes or -Indians would be sure to let out the secret. Given, then, white men: -these might be scattered settlers, or they might be a small band of -determined men down-river, whose friends and directors work from -Louisville or some such point. We may take it, I trust, that one or -two members of the gang ship on the designated boats and act as -accomplices in the crime." - -Ayres paused, in order to absorb a huge pinch of snuff--after which -he allowed the waiter to get out of hearing, and prepared to attack -his dinner. - -"You are aware," he went on calmly, "that the richer cargoes go down -in a fleet, under an experienced commodore. Invariably, one or two -boats vanish overnight--but never at the same point in the river. It -would be easy for a member of the crew to untie the moorings and let -the boat slip down the stream. Now, remember these points; and -remember also that if there is a down-river band, they must have a -hiding-place where the stolen cargoes can be stored away until -disposed of." - -Concluding his speech with extreme haste, Ayres abruptly began his -dinner as the nearer seats were filled up. Gathering that the -discussion was ended for the present, Norton applied himself to -dinner also. Whisky was circulating freely, and while they ate, the -rivermen filled the room with tales of river life, most of which were -more spicy than refined. - -"Gen'lemen, yew hear me!" broke out one of two men opposite Norton--a -big, hairy man of immense build. His companion was bronzed, -gloomy-eyed, and stern-faced, and both had been absorbing vast -quantities of white whisky. "Gen'lemen," boomed the big fellow, -glaring around, "thar's gwine to be war. I'm tellin' yew! War! Yew -hear me!" - -"We hear ye all right," piped up a shrill voice. "Who's the war -with?" - -"Gen'lemen, your health!" And the big man emptied his glass. "Thet -thar feller they call the Prophet--the one-eyed crazy dog, he's -a-stirrin' up the Injuns. Yew hear me, gen'lemen, ol' man Harrison -he's gwine to need Kaintuck rifles afore long! Who said ol' Dan'l -Boone was in town?" - -Whereupon there followed an excited discussion of Boone. In the -midst, the gloomy-eyed companion of the big man brought down his fist -with a crash on the table. - -"This here generation's got to suffer for its sins!" he roared out in -a vibrant voice, fastening his eye on Norton. "Friends, read the -prophecies of the inspired Richard Brother! There'll ye find set -forth about the Injun war, and the cursed Federals ruining the -country! That there inspired man, he was a prophet. Damnation to -the Federals, say----" - -The gloomy-eyed man said no more, for a roar went up at his words. - -"Ye drunken Democrat," cried some one, "take that!" - -With which a heavy pitcher of molasses struck the gloomy-eyed man -above the ear, smashed, and sent him down senseless. His big -companion sprang up like a cat, drew back his arm, and a knife -flashed across the room in a flame of glittering light. It did no -harm, save to precipitate a general fight. Norton was just rising to -escape, when a deep cold voice broke in upon the uproar: - -"Gentlemen, make way!" - -Norton started. He looked up to see the figure of Duval entering the -door, against which two fighting cursing men had reeled. Duval took -them by the shoulders and tore them apart; one went spinning down the -room; the other crashed into the wall, and the lawyer strode forward. - -That display of strength was not lost upon John Norton, nor the calm -which instantly followed. Instead of being mobbed, Duval seemed to -inspire these rivermen with fear--all save the big hairy man opposite -Norton. He alone paid no heed; having caught the man who had laid -out his companion, he was administering a sound thrashing when Duval -caught him by the shoulder and tore him loose. - -"Go to your seat," commanded Duval, cold and immobile. The other -glared at him. - -"Who the devil are yew?" he demanded hoarsely. "Take yer hand off'n -me--I'm liable to sculp ye! Yew hear me! I'm gwine to lay out this -cussed Federal. I don't care ef he's Blacknose hisself!" - -A startled silence fell, while Duval still gazed coldly into the big -man's eyes. There was something terrible in the lawyer's immobility; -then Norton saw that he was holding a small pistol against the big -man's chest. - -"Go to your seat," he repeated icily. The other felt the pistol, -glanced down at it, and obeyed sullenly. Norton felt a hand on his -arm. - -"Let us go, sir," murmured Ayres very softly. Norton nodded, rose, -and they left the room together. - - -Five minutes later they were sitting side by side in the chairs -before the tavern, pipes out. Norton's thoughts were dwelling on -this man Duval, and he wondered afresh if the lawyer had been behind -that attempted assassination of the morning. The man hardly seemed -of such a nature; he had quieted the rivermen by sheer force of voice -and muscle, and was plainly a man known and feared. - -"Who is this Duval?" asked Norton, glancing at his friend. - -"A lawyer, sir, who speaks of going to the Legislature next fall. He -comes of a good Virginia family, settled here some three years since, -and has a fair practice. A rising man, sir, a rising man. One of -our ablest citizens, and already talks of raising a company in case -General Harrison has trouble with the redskins." - -Norton thought he detected a faint hint of sarcasm in the precise -voice, but Ayres's pinched, red-cheeked face was expressionless. - -"Well, have you any sort of plan, Mr. Ayres?" - -"An excellent one, sir," came the surprising answer. Ayres knocked -out his pipe slowly. "I would suggest that you follow Colonel -Boone's advice, and go to see this man Red Hugh, of whom he told you. -When you have seen him, you may expect a messenger from me at the -Blue River settlement--on the Kentucky side, remember, for there are -two. I may find it feasible to put your prior plan into operation -and use a rich-laden flatboat for lure." - -"Hm!" Norton looked at the other keenly. "Do you seriously believe -that Duval had anything to do with the man who shot at me this -morning?" - -He was amazed, upon meeting the black eyes of his friend, to find -them in a terrible earnestness. - -"Sir,"--and the dry precise voice quivered the slightest bit--"it is -my honest belief that if you remain in this town overnight, you will -be murdered." - -Startled, Norton gave the other a keen look. Then he smiled slightly. - -"Murdered? Man, what do you mean? Is that gang----" - -"I cannot say what I mean, sir," returned Ayres, rising. "I hardly -know myself. God forgive me if I misjudge Charles Duval! But, sir, -this is my sincere advice: go and find Red Hugh, and go within the -hour. You are a woodsman; therefore go by the trails and not by -boat. Trust no man. Sir, I--I have been doing much quiet -investigation of late, and I am appalled. The whole thing is -indefinite and terrible. Most of what was said in the dining-room -there was lost upon you, but not upon me; and, sir, I will make you -this prediction: That big riverman, who only came in from Cincinnati -to-day, and who took the name of Blacknose in vain--that man will -die." - -"Good Heavens, Ayres!" Norton rose, aghast at the solemn earnestness -of the little schoolmaster. "Do you know what you're saying? This -isn't the Indian border, but----" - -"Sir, this is Louisville, State of Kentucky, in the thirty-fourth -year of the Independence of the United States of America," responded -Ayres gravely. He bowed. "You may count upon hearing from me, Mr. -Norton, at Dodd's tavern at the Blue River settlement. Let your task -be to scour the woods and settlements, meantime. Sir, your servant, -and--and may God keep you!" - -Whereupon, with another bow, the little man turned and marched -stiffly away, his absurd beaver cocked jauntily over one ear and his -fustian greatcoat fluttering behind him. Norton stared after him, -then sank into his chair and drew out his tobacco. - -"By thunder!" he muttered slowly to himself, the while he stuffed his -pipe, watching the lessening figure. "I seem to have set foot in a -hornet's nest--and came near to getting stung this morning! Now, I -wonder what that little fox of a schoolmaster suspects, and why he -imagines I am in danger here in the town itself!" - -The very thought was amusing to Norton. He knew very well that in -such centres of civilization as New Orleans, St. Louis, and -Louisville, men did not condone murder. Even in the newer river -settlements, the older generation who had passed through the lawless -pioneer days were savagely set upon upholding a rude justice. Boone -himself exampled this, for Norton had heard of how the old -frontiersman had made himself a terror while acting as magistrate in -Missouri. - -That he had anything to fear in Louisville, therefore, seemed -impossible to Norton. Duval might well have hired the assassin of -the morning; yet it was more likely that some hint of his mission had -leaked out, thought the Louisianian. There was most certainty a -secret organization of river-pirates; so much had been amply proved -to him, but he was still inclined to smile at the terror it inspired. - -"Still," he reflected sagely, "men like Taylor and Boone aren't -exactly fools. And I rather believe Elisha Ayres is no fool, either. -So, my assailant is black-bearded, wears a brushed fox-skin cap, and -has a red-streaked powder-horn! Something gained, at all events. -Mr. Ayres, I believe I will heed your warning." - -Having plenty of money, Norton called one of the negroes loafing in -the sun and ordered his horse saddled, then went down the street to -the store of Audubon & Rosier, where he found the junior partner and -purchased a few supplies. As he was leaving, Rosier leaned over the -counter with a cautious glance at the door. - -"Your pardon, sir I believe your name is Norton?" - -"It is, sir," returned the surprised Louisianian. - -"Colonel Taylor spoke to me of you," went on the other rapidly. "You -may rely upon us absolutely, sir. If by chance you meet my partner -somewhere in the woods, do not fear to trust him. He is slightly -touched in the head, but save for his long wanderings is--" A man -passed outside, and without a change in his low tone Rosier -continued. "As I was saying, sir, General Harrison can control the -Indians excellently----" - -Norton took the hint and passed out with a nod, storing away in his -mind the name of the senior partner, Audubon. It occurred to him -that if he was joining forces with a hermit Indian-slayer and a -schoolmaster, a half-crazed merchant who evidently spent his time -wandering in the woods would make a good third. - - -Returning to the tavern, he found it deserted in front, though a -murmur of loud voices came from the dining-room. It seemed slightly -odd that dinner was not yet over, but he went to his room, got his -things, and after some search located Bower's daughter in the -kitchens. He paid her his bill, then went around to the front for -his horse. - -Now John Norton was no fool, as may have been previously inferred. -Despite his respect for the law, Ayres's words had set his nerves on -edge, in conjunction with what had happened that day. Like all -woodsmen, he much preferred danger in the woods to danger in the -town; as he tied his purchases and rifle to his saddle, he found -himself glancing nervously over his shoulder. And even as he set -foot in the stirrup, he paused. - -There was a horrible shuffling step from the doorway behind, and he -whirled, hand on knife, to see the big hairy riverman clutching the -door-post. The giant's face was terribly convulsed, and one hand -gripped at a knife-haft whose blade was buried in his side. Barely -had Norton comprehended, when the man pulled the knife free, coughed, -and fell dead. With the same instant there rose a shrill yell from -the doorway behind, and men came crowding out. - -"There he is! Thar's the murderer!" went up the shout. "Git him, -boys!" - -A pistol flashed, and the ball sang past Norton's ear. Dodging -behind his horse, he realized everything in a flash; Ayres's -prediction had proved terribly true, and what was worse, the -murderers were trying to fasten the crime on him. More, they were -trying to kill him before he had a chance to deny his guilt. Whether -Duval's work or not---- - -Sensing all this as he dodged, Norton wasted neither time nor -movement. Before the first of the crowd poured out across the dead -man, he made a flying leap for the saddle, gained it, and sent his -horse ahead on the jump. He knew his one chance lay in getting out -of town within the hour--as Ayres had predicted. - -Another pistol cracked behind him, and another. The balls whistled -harmlessly past, but served to draw attention. Several men leaped -into the road, shouting; Norton drove his horse at them with a yell, -and they fell away. Without thought, he had headed up-town and now -had no choice but to continue his way along the south road. - -The last of the fine brick houses was almost past, and the uproar -behind him was being swelled by voices and bells. The final house -was a splendid mansion--Norton knew it for that of a Doctor Gault. -As he pounded past the terraced gardens, he glanced up to the doorway -and caught sight of a group of figures--Colonel Taylor, Zach, Boone -and others. A wave of the hand came to him, a shouted farewell, and -Louisville fell behind. - -"And now for the chase," thought Norton grimly, pulling in his steed -a trifle. "They'll fasten that murder on me and get me--if they can. -It's a neat manner to be rid of an enemy--the second attempt in one -morning, the day after my arrival in town! Now I would call that -quick work, brainy work, but desperate work. Whoever he is, -Blacknose fears me--good! If I can match his villainy with honest -woodcraft, he shall fear me more." - -Twisting in the saddle, Norton looked back, having caught a sudden -thud of hoofs. He thundered past a cross-roads, and although the -town was shut out behind, the horseman who followed was plainly -visible. He wore a crushed beaver-hat, scarlet breeches, and a -fluttering greatcoat; as Norton gazed in amazement, the other waved -him onward. Ayres, for it was no other, drew up at the cross-roads, -carefully spattered mud over the road from a puddle, then departed at -a gallop by the eastern track and was lost to sight. - -"Covering my trail--the old fox!" exclaimed Norton. "Mr. Ayres, my -compliments. You may be a schoolmaster, but John Norton owes you his -life this day!" - -And he rode on to the south. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -That there would be pursuit Norton knew well enough. He knew also -that if he were caught, he would not be brought back to Louisville -alive; Blacknose, being a person of sufficient wit to make so shrewd -and swift a plot, would have him safely shot in order to preclude all -possible danger. Once past Sullivan's ferry, where the post-road -crossed the Ohio to Vincennes seven miles below Shippingsport, Norton -knew that he would have the wilderness ahead and his own good wits to -rely upon. - -More than once he pondered on the subject of Charles Duval. He more -than suspected the lawyer of being at the bottom of the affair at the -tavern, though this seemed hardly possible on sober second thought. -He had seen nothing of Duval in the crowd about the door, but the -memory of how the man had silenced the riot during dinner still -remained with him. Duval had influence, it seemed, and he was also a -prominent citizen. - -John Norton was pre-eminently just. He admitted to himself that he -had taken an instant dislike to Duval upon meeting the latter on the -Beargrass Creek Road the day before. The dislike was based on no -solid ground. Duval was the type of man best fitted to capture the -liking of frontiersmen--strong, powerful, unafraid and brainy. None -the less, Norton did not like him. Either, he considered, his errand -had been noised abroad and the river-pirates had tried to eliminate -him that morning, or else Duval had been behind the two attempts on -his life. - -"And if I'm to take my choice," he thought, "I'd say it was the -pirates." - -None the less, it was with a distinct shock that a moment later he -recognized Charles Duval slowly riding toward him. Norton drew rein, -astounded. - -His track had degenerated into a mere forest trail, since he had -struck away from the main pike which Ayres had followed, to throw off -the pursuers. Trees were on every side, and Norton could only -conjecture that he had come some four miles from the town. Yet here -was Duval riding toward him--Duval, whom he had supposed was even -then urging on his pursuers! - -With him was walking a man, and Norton eyed the pair keenly enough as -they approached. Duval's horse was warm, but not foam-flecked, and -it was a warm day; the lawyer had been doing no furious riding; so -much was clear. Almost reluctantly, Norton instantly absolved him of -any complicity in the plot at the tavern. The man with him was very -tall and gaunt, dressed in backwoods style, carried a rifle, had a -bushy grizzled beard, a thin, hooked nose and very deep-set dark -eyes. He had not been at the tavern. - -The pair sighted Norton almost as he saw them, and stopped for an -instant in evident surprise. He saw Duval say something in a low -voice; then both came forward. To Norton's great surprise, the -lawyer advanced with hand outstretched and a smile upon his face -which seemed sincere enough. - -"Sir," exclaimed Duval heartily, "I must ask your pardon for my words -of yesterday. I was somewhat in liquor, and irritated at the moment. -May I have the honour of your name, sir?" - -Norton, with no hint of his inward amazement, gripped the other's -proffered hand and looked squarely into Duval's dark eyes. He read -there only a sincere regret, however, and after giving his name -proceeded to compliment the lawyer on his evident prestige among the -rivermen as exemplified at the tavern that noon. Duval's eyes -narrowed a trifle. - -"Yes, I saw you go out," he returned, "and left myself shortly after. -As to those flatboat-men, if some one did not overawe them -occasionally they would run the town. By the way, Mr. Norton, meet -Mr. Grigg, one of our old settlers and a solid farmer of the -vicinity." - -This designation seemed to draw a grin from Grigg, who stuck up a -huge paw with a muttered "Howdy!" to Norton. The latter found the -backwoodsman's face a mixture of savagery, cunning and boldness; he -wondered idly what Duval had to do with such a man. - -"Mr. Grigg and a neighbour are having a land dispute," smiled Duval -smoothly, as if reading the thought of Norton, "but we hope to settle -it out of court. Thinking of buying a farm hereabouts?" - -"No, I'm just on a tour," returned Norton easily. "I'm from -Cincinnati, originally." - -Which was quite true, but misleading. For one thing, Norton -recollected that the man Grigg must be the father of the strikingly -beautiful girl he had met on the Beargrass Creek Road yesterday; -also, Colonel Boone's description of Grigg did not quite coincide -with that just given by Duval. Remembering what Boone had said -regarding Grigg's parentage of the girl, Norton eyed the man with no -great favour. - -Duval, of course, seemed to have no suspicion of what had happened at -the tavern--which happening, indeed, having been too recent for him -to know of it. Norton concluded the lawyer had left the place while -he was absent at the store of Audubon & Rosier, and that after his -leaving, the rivermen had formulated their plot. He wondered vaguely -whether or not the redoubtable Blacknose himself had been present at -dinner. - -"Well, I must be going forward," he said. "Can you tell me if this -trail will lead me around toward the river?" - -"After a bit," nodded Duval, inspecting Norton's outfit piece by -piece. "It runs past Mr. Grigg's farm, then forks. Take the fork to -the left, which circles around to the river a few miles down. Your -servant, sir!" - -He bowed, Norton returning the compliment, and the three separated. - -Passing through some marshy cane-brake, the Louisianian presently -came to higher ground, found the trees thinning, and perceived hemp -and tobacco fields to the right. He was thinking of his own -situation, however, and wondering at Duval's change of front. What -had caused the lawyer to take this sudden attitude? - -Norton himself was a man who neither explained nor apologised for his -own actions, and knew Duval for the same kind of man. There must be -something behind his abrupt apology and surprising amiability, he -concluded, though he was at a loss to conceive what it might be. -Colonel Taylor had spoken none too warmly of Duval the day before, -else he might have thought that Taylor had mentioned him and his -errand to the lawyer, as he had done to Rosier. - -"By thunder!" frowned Norton, gazing at the few negroes at work in -the fields among the scattered stumps and girdled trees. "There's -something almighty strange about this whole affair. Well, I'm out of -it now, and if they can reach me in the woods--let them! I guess -I'll call on the charming Madam Kitty Grigg. Hm! Duval seems to -have been ahead of me there, too. I'm afraid that if I lingered in -Louisville, Mr. Duval and I would get farther than apologies----" - -He laughed a little, feeling that if he came to hand-grips with Duval -the result might be dubious, but worth chancing. And so he came to -Grigg's cabin, for farm it was not. - - -There was no mistaking the place; the girl herself was sitting on the -steps of the log shack, at work sewing. Behind him, Norton saw the -back-ends of the plantations he had passed, whose buildings were -perhaps a mile or more distant. Grigg's cabin was placed amid a -grove of half-dead maple and walnut--girdled but never cleared. Even -as Norton drew rein and dismounted, the girl rising at sight of him, -a sudden thought came into his mind: Duval had said that he was in -liquor the day before. Now Norton had seen enough drunken men to -know that Duval lied in that statement. - -Dismissing this thought, however, he advanced to the shack with a -smile. He had no cap and had neglected to buy one in town, and his -brown hair and bronzed face were very good to look upon in the warm -afternoon sunlight. - -"This is Madam Kitty Grigg?" he smiled, bowing, "I met your father -and Mr. Duval upon the road, and finding that I had to pass here, -determined to crave the courtesy of a drink of water." - -She looked at him steadily for a moment, one hand at her breast. -Once again Norton noted the clear beauty of her grey eyes and -gold-red hair, the character and fresh womanliness of her whole face. - -"Sir--you met--my father and Mr. Duval?" she said slowly. Norton -comprehended the alarm in her eyes, and laughed again. - -"Aye, that I did, Kitty!" he cried gaily. "And your Mr. Duval did me -the honour of an apology for what happened on the Beargrass Creek -Road yesterday. But pardon--my name is John Norton, at your service -now and always." - -She looked into his eyes for a moment longer, then turned and walked -around the corner of the house, beckoning. Norton followed, to find -a spring trickling up beneath a crab-apple tree. Gravely, she dipped -out a gourd of water, held it to him, and he drank. - -"Thanks, Kitty!" he sighed. "You have nigh saved my life this -day----" - -"Then you had best save it for yourself," she returned quickly, yet -with a laugh in her eyes, "by departing speedily. If Charles Duval -gave you an apology, look to your steps, sir!" - -"Eh?" Startled out of his gay mood, Norton looked keenly at her. -"Now what may you mean by that, sweet Kitty?" - -The girl, however, only shrugged her shoulders and laughed. - -"'Tis easy to see you are from Louisiana, Mr. Norton"--and he -marvelled at the ringing timbre of her voice--"since from you it is -'Kitty' and 'sweet Kitty', while our Kentuckians will ever have it -'Madam Grigg' or mayhap 'Miss Kathleen'." - -"Faith, I had it _Kitty_ from Colonel Boone," laughed Norton easily. - -"Oh, but he is an old family friend--a second father." Abruptly, the -girl fell serious, and put out an imploring hand to his arm, as she -glanced at the trail. "Pray, Mr. Norton--go at once! You are in -danger, I assure you----" - -"Not a bit of it," broke in Norton soberly. "I'm in the woods to get -out of danger, Miss Kitty. Even now, I suspect that horsemen are -searching for me on the Lexington post-road. But I would like to -know what makes you think I am in danger----" - -"Because my father allows no one around here"--and the girl drew back -with a slight flush. Norton thought of Duval, but forbore to mention -the obvious. "But--what do you mean? Why are men searching for you? -Are you jesting?" - -"Well, it's more or less of a joke," he laughed, seeing her quick -alarm. Plainly, she knew more than did he; whether from Abel Grigg -or not, danger threatened and she was afraid. So, with a light air, -he told her of what had chanced at the tavern. - -She listened quietly, her eyes flitting from his face to the trees -and back again. She was stirred out of herself. Norton had never -seen so rare a girl in all his life--clear, incisive, with grey eyes -that could harden into ice or sparkle into star-glints. The brown -homespun fell loosely enough about her slender figure, but Norton's -fancy transformed it into brocade, and he imagined this girl as she -would look were she dressed in the fashion of the New Orleans belles. - -"By gad," he thought to himself, reaching the end of his story, -"Boone was right! She is no daughter of Grigg's. What a glorious -girl she is!" - -"Evidently, sir, it was a plot against you," she said, her brow -wrinkling deliciously in thought. "But why did you not stay and face -the absurd charge?" - -"For many reasons"--and Norton was instantly on guard--"chief of -which was that I have important business down the river. I believe -that I take the left fork from this trail, do I not?" - -"If you wish to reach the Tennessee settlements, yes," she returned -drily. "If you want to reach the river, take the right fork, which -brings you out just below the post-road at Sullivan's ferry." - -"Eh? You are certain of that?" - -"Of course!" There was wonder in the clear grey eyes. "Why?" - -"Oh, no reason at all--I must have been hugely mistaken in my notions -of your roads hereabouts," he smiled. "You see, I am going to the -Blue River settlements and am a stranger in this country. Did you -see Colonel Boone this morning?" - -Norton was not at all surprised to find that Duval had directed him -to the wrong road. He had half suspected as much, and guessed that -when the lawyer reached town he would set the pursuers going in the -right direction. He was, however, no little astonished when the girl -shook her head in reply to his casual question. Though Boone had not -said it in so many words, he had distinctly understood that the -frontiersman had seen the girl that morning. - -"No, Mr. Norton--I was looking for him even now. Was he in town?" - -"He came to town with me from Colonel Dick Taylor's this morning, -Kitty--or let us say Kathleen, which is more dignified and has a -right Irish touch to it. I thought he had intended to visit you long -ere this!" - -"So had I," she returned, her eyes on the circling trees. "Still, he -will be here before he leaves Kentucky. He was doubtless detained on -business." - -Norton nodded, remembering Elisha Ayres. Probably Boone had sought -the little schoolmaster and the latter had detained him. Well, so -much the better; friends were at work, and there seemed to be sore -need of them all. - -"When you see him, then, tell him of seeing me here," said the -Louisianian. It would be well to have Boone kept informed. "He is a -very good friend----" - -"Wait," the girl broke in quietly, frowning. "What are you going to -do? If the rivermen are after you, as it seems they are, you would -be very foolish to take the river trail----" - -"I am a woodsman, sweet Kitty," he laughed easily, "and I am willing -to take my chance against any white man save only Boone--and perhaps -one other. Would that honest Davy Crockett were here with me! He -and I have had many a trail together, but--well, no matter. Trust -me, Kitty; the forest can harm me not." - -"But the river can, my confident paladin of Louisiana! Bethink you, -the rivermen can use canoes to get ahead of you, lay an ambush----" - -Norton uttered an ejaculation. She was right--he had overlooked the -river. With a sudden anxiety in his brown eyes, he looked at her -gravely, thinking hard. His was no lack of self-reliance, else he -had not been on this present errand. But he was in a strange -country, and the Kentuckians and rivermen were strange to him; above -all, to find himself so swiftly and shrewdly attacked, as he had been -that morning, was disconcerting. He longed for some man at his back, -some man like young Crockett or old Boone, not dreaming what manner -of man Fate was even then leading to his comradeship. - -"What think you I had best do, Madam Kathleen?" he asked quietly. -She flushed a little under his serious eyes, but met the look frankly. - -"Take the Tennessee trail," she returned slowly. "Since you are a -woodsman, and look it, this will be easy for you. Take the fork to -the left, as you first intended; after a few miles, strike west and -work back north to the river gradually, through the woods. Blue -River is only forty-five miles distant. Do your enemies know your -destination?" - -"No--it is known only to Mr. Elisha Ayres, who is my friend and -helper." - -"Oh--you know him, then!" The grey eyes widened suddenly, and he was -amazed at their quick friendliness and warmth. "Why, 'twas he who -taught me learning! Well, then, by all means circle around through -the woods to the Blue River, and God preserve you, sir!" - -"I doubt not He will," responded Norton gravely. - -He knelt beside the spring and dipped the gourd, more as an excuse -for his stay than because he wished a drink. The girl refused the -proffered vessel, and Norton put it to his lips. - -As he drank, his eyes fell on the shadow cast by the corner of the -log cabin. A tuft of grass suddenly leaped from shadow to sunshine; -some moving object at the corner of the cabin had caused the change. -Norton was on his feet instantly, and a leap took him to the corner, -hand on knife. - -Quick as he was, he found the front of the cabin deserted. His horse -was grazing quietly; there was no flutter of leaves, no swing of -branches, to show that anyone had fled hastily into the trees. -Half-wondering if he had been mistaken, he glanced down at the ground -by the cabin corner, as the alarmed Kathleen joined him. - -"Ah!" he cried swiftly, stooping over a faint mark on the ground. -"Get me that rifle from my saddle, Kitty! Here is a gentleman who -wears a patched moccasin--" - -"Stop!" The girl caught his arm as he rose, and her face was set in -swift alarm. "It was my father--I told you he did not like to have -strangers around! I patched that moccasin myself--please go, and -quickly!" - -"Hm!" Norton looked at her. "Does it occur to you, Kathleen, that -your worthy father may have overheard what we said about my journey? -By the way, are you so certain that he is your father?" - -"Why--what mean you?" The colour ebbed from her cheeks as she gazed -at him. "Of course he is my father! Please depart, sir----" - -"Nay, I dislike to be hurried." And Norton calmly pulled out his -pipe. He was angry, but it showed only in his narrowed eyes. "Now -our mutual friend, Colonel Boone, seems to have an idea that Abel -Grigg is not your father, sweet Kitty. I confess that the same -thought has come to me, since seeing him. Have you any coals inside?" - -She stamped her foot, half in anger and half in dismay. - -"Good lack, sir, will you not be gone?" - -"Not until you fetch me a coal, at all events." - -She looked at him, read determination in his face, and with an -impatient gesture ran to the cabin door and vanished inside. After a -moment she appeared with a brand in her fingers, evidently pulled -from the fire inside. Smiling, he took it and set it to his pipe. - -"Ah, that is better! Now, Kitty, as to your birth: Do you know -anything of your mother?" - -He fully expected fresh expostulation from her; instead, she nodded -quietly. - -"Yes, though I do not conceive your right to question me, sir." - -"My right is the interest of a gentleman," he said gravely, and she -flushed. "May I ask who your mother was?" - -"I--I do not know her name," stammered the girl, helpless wonder in -her eyes. "Her initials were H.E.M., but my father never speaks of -her." - -"You mean, Abel Grigg never speaks of her," corrected Norton. A new -anger flashed into the girl's face. - -"Oh, you are insufferable!" she cried bitterly. "I have tried to -help you, and your impertinent curiosity----" - -"Nay, Kitty, it is only the interest of a gentleman, as I said -before," smiled Norton, "Still, you are right. My curiosity is -impertinent, it may be, and if you were not the fairest maid I think -I have ever seen, perhaps my interest in you would be less. Frankly, -I expect to return to this vicinity before a great while, and shall -look forward to seeing you again. But tell me, please--how is it -that you know your mother's initials, but not her name?" - -She looked at him for a long moment, divided between anger at his -cool insistence and comprehension of the iron will behind his gentle -courtesy. Her hand went to her dress. - -"Because of this. It used to be my mother's, father has said----" - -She laid a pin in his hand, and Norton stared down at it in rank -incredulity. He turned it over and saw the graven initials on the -back, "H.E.M." Then, reaching inside his buckskin coat, he brought -out its duplicate and laid it beside the other. Both pins were -identical--a small golden eagle, with half-obliterated enamel. - -"By thunder!" said Norton very softly, "Kitty, do you know what this -is?" - -"No--a pin, that's all," she looked up at him, perplexed. He turned -over his own pin, showing her the twined initials graven there, -"C.N.--E.D." - -"This was my only legacy from my father," he continued slowly. "Ask -Colonel Boone to tell you the story. My father was Charles Norton, -my mother Eliza Darby--their initials, you see. But how on earth did -you get yours? It could not have belonged to your mother, unless -your father had given it her. And if Abel Grigg was an officer in -the Revolution--then I'm a liar!" - -"But what is it?" she queried, wide-eyed. He came to her side, -pointing to the two little gold eagles, and explained: - -"This broken enamel, here, showed Cincinnatus at the plough--the -Roman story, if you remember"--and she nodded to his words. "The -motto was '_Omnia relinquit servare rempublicam_'. Kitty, this eagle -is from the order of the Society of the Cincinnati, composed only of -Revolutionary officers and their eldest male descendants. I am a -member, in virtue of my father's having been one before me--but how -on earth did you get this? Does your father know what it is?" - -"No, because I have asked him," she returned, excited interest in her -eyes. "He says it is just a bauble--but please, please go now! He -was here, and I'm afraid that--that----" - -"Very well, Kitty." And returning one of the eagles to her, he -replaced the other beneath his leathern shirt. "Say nothing to him -of this, mind. I'll investigate it when I return. Farewell--and -remember, I'll come back sooner or later!" - -He raised her hand to his lips, bowing, and turned to his horse. He -scarcely remembered more than that he rode off with a wave of his -hand; his brain was in a wild riot of thought. It was a moral -certainty that Abel Grigg had no right to wear that golden eagle, and -in fact knew nothing about it--where, then, had Kathleen Grigg's -eagle come from? - -"'Just a bauble,' eh?" muttered Norton, his lips tightening in anger. -"Friend Grigg, I would be pleased to have you repeat those words to -me! By thunder, you'd learn something about the Revolution in a -confounded hurry!" - -And so he rode off into the wilderness, nor looked back to see the -girl gazing after him, hands at her breast. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -Gradually, Norton's mind settled out of chaos into order. The girl -was no daughter of Abel Grigg; so much was certain. He felt a hot -anger at thought of her in the hands of such a man. There was no -chance that Grigg had lied to her about the eagle, for his very use -of the term "just a bauble" showed Norton that the backwoodsman had -not known what it was. No man who was a member of the Cincinnati but -reverenced the order and all it stood for, and whenever he thought of -those words Norton felt hot anger thrilling him. - -Turning to his own situation, he dismissed the remembrance of Kitty -Grigg for the present. Had her father overheard their conversation? -If so, there was a bare chance of finding trouble waiting near Blue -River. He saw, however, that she had suggested the wisest course to -him. Half an hour later, coming to a fork in the trail, he promptly -turned off to the south. - -His best plan now lay in finding the man Red Hugh, of whom Boone had -spoken, and enlisting his services. There might also be a messenger -at Dodd's Tavern, if Ayres kept his word. - -Norton perceived very plainly that he had been neatly driven out of -Louisville as a fugitive, but he firmly intended to return -otherwise--for divers reasons. If he was to detect the river-pirates -or whoever formed the band of Blacknose, he must do it by means of -scouting along the river. It might require weeks and months of -arduous work and woods-living, and such a man as Red Hugh would prove -invaluable. Were Boone right in his description of the man who slew -Indians--and Norton knew of too many such to doubt--this Red Hugh -would be more than apt to know all the river-haunts this side the -Mississippi. - -"After all," he told himself cheerily, "things seem to have turned -out very well! If Ayres does not forget his promises, we may yet -bring Blacknose to book." - -He passed one or two scattered cabins that afternoon, shot a wild -turkey, and camped for the night beside a creek, in perfect content. -In case Grigg had not overheard his plan, he decided to let the man -think he had followed the Tennessee trail; he was not at all sure -that Duval and Grigg were not leagued against him, and knew better -than to trust in the lawyer's seeming apology. Kitty's words rang in -his mind--"If Charles Duval gave you an apology, look to your steps!" - -"She knew the breed all right," he reflected, the next morning. "I -should have known better myself. Well, now for the north and west!" - -He made no effort to hide his camp. As the creek ran north, -seemingly to the Ohio, he led his horse along its bed for a good -mile, picked hard ground for the emergence, and rode off, leaving a -carefully covered trail. Even were he followed, his pursuers would -be a day or two later, he knew, so before noon he flung off all care -and rode on through the woods. - -Another turkey and a small deer fell to his rifle that morning, after -which he wended his solitary way in peace, with meat and to spare. -Stopping at noon, he lighted a small fire and proceeded to smoke -enough of his fresh meat to last for a few days, as he was going on -to the river, where game was thinned out. He had been following no -trail and had seen no one all that morning; the forest seemed -limitless and desolate, empty of all human life. - -Norton, however, did not relax his vigilance. While he was engaged -with his meat, he paused suddenly, caught up his rifle, and drew the -feather from the touch-hole. He heard no sound, but he had a subtle -warning that someone was near; before he had unstopped his -powder-horn, the bushes opposite were flung aside and two Indians -appeared. - -"How!" - -They gazed at him, motionless, with only the single word of peace, -and Norton returned the stare with interest. Both men were dressed -in beaded buckskin; both wore medals and carried Kentucky rifles, and -both were unpainted; the larger man was strikingly handsome, while -the other, who possessed but one eye, had a wild ferocity in his -features. - -Without a word more, the larger man laid his rifle on the ground and -made an inquiring motion toward the meat. Norton told them to help -themselves, and endeavoured to make them talk; but neither would say -a thing, save for a swift exchange of gutturals between themselves. - -He watched them in no little interest as they ate, and came to the -conclusion that they were no ordinary warriors. He knew little of -the northern tribes, but from the fact that the one-eyed man wore -moccasins of unmistakable Cherokee make, he guessed the two had been -on a trip to the south. Having none of the Kentuckian's contempt for -the Indian, Norton went on about his work quietly though watchfully, -rather perplexed by the oddity of their silence. Pouring fresh -powder into his pan, he set his rifle ready to hand, whereat he -thought the handsome Indian smiled a little. - -When they had eaten the better half of his deer, they both drew out -small pipes of the precious calumet stone--a thing which in itself -marked them as men of rank. Norton silently proffered them tobacco. -The handsome chieftain made the ceremonial of four puffs and handed -his pipe to Norton, who repeated it, thinking they would now talk. -In this he was mistaken. The one-eyed man emitted a grunt as Norton -made the four puffs in Indian fashion to the four quarters of the -heavens, but that was all. Although he ventured a question, neither -replied. - -With that Norton gave a shrug, rose, and began tying his smoked meat -to his saddle. He wished that he knew more about the northern -redskins, for these were certainly men of some importance, but his -experiences had been confined to Creek, Cherokee, and Seminole, while -these two were quite clearly of a different race--whether Shawnee, -Miami, Wyandot, or Ottawa he could not tell. - -As he turned to pick up his rifle, the larger man rose and came -forward, smiling. He reached forth an empty powder-horn, which was -finely carved, and indicated by signs that Norton was to give him -powder; it was not a demand, but a courteous request. Norton, at -first inclined to anger, found himself suddenly impressed by this -unknown Indian; having plenty of powder himself, he at length -assented and poured a few charges into the empty horn. - -At this, the Indian gravely proffered him a shilling--and Norton -noted that it was English money. He was well aware that he was going -through a remarkable experience, there being little enough money in -the settlements themselves, to say nothing of Indians using it--a -thing unheard of. - -"You're welcome," he smiled, waving back the coin. "I don't wish -payment--you're quite welcome, though I don't suppose an Indian would -ever hand me out free powder." - -Whether he was understood or not, he could not tell. The one-eyed -man, still sitting over his pipe, grunted out something; the other -turned with swift anger in his face and poured forth a flood of -words. Norton guessed shrewdly that the one-eyed man had expressed -entire willingness to give him free powder at any time--from the end -of a rifle. - -Abruptly, the friendly chief turned to Norton again, and made signs -for the latter to remove his moccasins--at the same time unfastening -his own. Puzzled, the Louisianian hesitated a moment and finally -obeyed, seeing that the other meant it. Then the Indian held out his -moccasins--ankle-high, and elaborately beaded and quilled. Norton -drew back, glancing at his own torn and stained and unbeaded pair, -which he had obtained from a Creek squaw on his way north. - -"You mean to exchange with me?" he asked, wondering. "No, I can't do -that, man! Why, those moccasins of yours are magnificent! Want to -sell them?" - -A lightning flash of terrible anger shot into the swarthy features, -but was gone instantly. Again the Indian nodded and held out his -moccasins. Understanding that he was being paid in this fashion for -his hospitality, Norton reluctantly accepted, amazed that an Indian -should even think of payment. When he had donned the new and -unusually fine pair of the Indian, he put out his hand--and met a -smiling refusal to shake. - - -Frowning, he turned to his horse and mounted. As he rode away, his -friend sent him a wave of the hand; then he splashed across the -shallow creek near his camp, and the strange pair of redskins were -lost behind him. It was odd, undoubtedly; that refusal to shake -hands had been a very manly way of saying they were enemies, yet he -knew there was no Indian war going on at present. - -Unable to account for the whole experience, he dismissed it from his -mind. It was one of the weird silent happenings which the wilderness -holds in store for those who penetrate her fastnesses; strange -things, memories which remain for ever, yet which may never react -upon the future, the ebb and flow of Dead Sea tides leaving nothing -upon the shores of life save the brine of wasted energy. Had John -Norton known who his two guests were, however, he might not have -considered the incident closed, so far as he himself was concerned. -To them, indeed, it might well prove a momentary thing. - -So he dismissed it lightly enough, and looked ahead. As he sat by -his campfire that night and considered his situation, he found it -good. He was to seek a certain unnamed settlement on the Indian -shore, twelve miles this side of the Blue River, and on the Kentucky -side would find Red Hugh; then on to Blue River, Dodd's tavern, and -the messenger from Ayres. That afternoon he had seen the river hills -to the north; so by keeping due west, getting off early, and pushing -hard, he might find Red Hugh's cabin by the next night. He must have -come a good twenty miles, he considered, of the forty-five lying -between Louisville and his destination, for all that he had taken a -circuitous course. - -Before sunrise he was up and on his way again. Two hours later he -drew up on a rising knoll amid the hills, and saw the signal-fire of -Destiny awaiting him. - -It was a spiral of blue smoke, ascending from the valley beyond, and -perhaps a mile away. Norton sat watching it for a moment; to his -trained eye it showed a fire of green wood, too small for a careless -settler's building, too large for that of Indian or backwoodsman. - -Since his meeting with the two redskins, Norton had regained his -caution. He knew that the Kentucky woods were filled with -adventurers and peculiar individuals of all descriptions, to say -nothing of Indians who might or might not be hostile. So, having -made certain that there were no settlers' cabins in the vicinity, he -dismounted and went forward on foot. His horse, an Indian pony he -had bought at Fort Massac, followed at a little distance behind him, -treading almost as silently as did Norton himself. - -After proceeding some distance, he tied the beast to a tree and went -on more cautiously still, for that fire interested him. It was -evidently built by someone who feared nothing in the woods, yet was a -stranger to woods' ways, and Norton thought for a fleeting instant -that he might have chanced upon the retreat of Blacknose. With his -rifle ready loaded and primed, he stole forward, using all his -woodcraft. - -But his all was not enough, it proved. While he was crossing a -thickly overgrown hollow, he flushed up two cardinals from a -canebrake just ahead, and as the birds went up Norton realized that -his cunning had been in vain. He was just about to plunge into the -high canebrake when the tall yellowish stalks were brushed aside to -disclose a figure of nearly his own height, and a white man stepped -forth. - -For a moment the two men stared at each other in mutual surprise and -admiration, for both were striking in looks--Norton in his capable, -alert, piercing-eyed way, the stranger in sheer manly beauty. He was -an inch shorter than Norton, was this stranger who had risen from the -midst of the cane; the effeminacy of the long hair curling over his -shoulders was at once offset by a strong nose, large mouth, and -square chin, and very large, deep-set, commanding dark eyes. - -Norton was startled by the appearance of this man, who seemed not of -the woods and yet a woodsman. He wore a magnificent ruffled shirt of -finest French linen, flung open at the throat to display a neck as -bronzed as Norton's own; his coat and knee-breeches were of black -satin, his knee-high moccasins of rude home make; a watch fob-ribbon -hung on one side of his belt, a powder-horn and hunting-knife -opposite. Over one ear was stuck a long crayon, while in his hand he -held a thin board with paper fastened to it. - -"_Parbleu_!" exclaimed the stranger, then continued instantly in -excellent English, staring hard at Norton: "Your coming was most -unfortunate, sir! You frightened away the finest specimen of -Kentucky cardinal I have seen this year!" - -"Accept my apologies, monsieur," smiled Norton, speaking in French. -"You are a Frenchman, then?" - -"I? Not at all!" cried the other. "I was born in Louisiana, -removing later to France, but this is my country. Who are you, sir, -who speak French so excellently in this wilderness? Do you come from -the French Grant up-river?" - -"No, I gained that language in New Orleans," returned Norton, -wondering greatly who this eccentric stranger might be. "I regret -having frightened away your bird--I trust you did not anticipate -dining upon him?" - -The other looked bewildered. - -"Eh? Dining? Do you eat such birds, sir?" - -"Heavens, no!" And Norton laughed despite himself. "But what else -could you want of him?" - -The stranger broke into a frank laughter; so winning and direct was -his whole attitude that the puzzled Norton felt an odd liking for the -man. - -"It seems we were both mistaken then! I was limning the bird--but -come to the higher ground in here. Did you ever see a cardinal's -nest?" - -"I never looked for one," returned Norton curtly. He followed to a -small patch of drier ground in the centre of the cane-brake, and the -stranger eagerly pointed to a nest in the branches of a young -cottonwood, to one side. - -"Sit down--stay quiet!" commanded the other quickly. "They will -return in a half-hour, sir----" - -"Then I'll be on my way," broke in Norton drily, "for I have other -business than watching birds, sir." - -He turned, when the stranger set down the paper and board, on which -only a few sketchy lines were visible, and caught at his arm. - -"Pardon, sir--one moment! Are you lately from Louisiana? Do you -know that country well?" - -"I've lived there all my life, practically," said Norton. "Why?" - -"Well"--and the other seemed to forget his birds temporarily--"I was -but a child when I went to France, and last year I heard a monstrous -strange story of Upper Louisiana, which I have never been able to -authenticate. I met one of the men who had been on Colonel Burr's -ill-fated expedition, and he assured me that on the banks of the -Missouri there is a mountain of salt----" - -"Travellers' tales," laughed Norton, but the other continued quickly: - -"Wait, sir! He also stated very decidedly that had Colonel Burr -succeeded in his venture, he would have been joined by a great tribe -of Indians. This tribe inhabit a country of some nine hundred square -miles, around the salt mountain, fight always on horseback, and are -armed with the short Spanish carbines----" - -"My dear sir," inquired Norton in frank wonder, "are you in earnest?" - -"Of course I am!" And indeed there was no mistaking the eager -interest of the stranger's handsome face. "I am a student of -ornithology, sir--that is, I pursue the study in my spare time--but I -am also keenly interested in such matters of ethnology, and if you -could enlighten me as to this Indian tribe, I would appreciate it. -You seem a person of no little refinement and culture----" - -"Thank you," laughed Norton heartily. "Well, sir, I can assure you -that this tale is a myth in all its branches, is not worthy of -credence, and your informant was wholly wrong. I trust that is -sweeping enough. Now, as I am in some haste, I will leave you to -your birds and pursue my way. Do you know how far I am from the Blue -River?" - -"I do not, sir"--and the frank eyes twinkled at him. "I have been in -camp here for a week past, watching this pair of birds at work. -Fortunately my sketches are completed, but my provisions are gone, -and I have lost my spare flints and cannot shoot. How say you--shall -we seek the Blue River together, sir, and become gentleman -adventurers through the wilderness?" - -Something in the merry, careless, wholly engaging manner of this man -made the Louisianian warm toward him. He could not mistrust that -frank, sturdy, piercing-eyed face; here was a man in whom there was -no guile, and almost involuntarily Norton struck his hand into that -of the other. - -"Done!" he laughed happily. "By thunder, sir. I like you! Hold on, -though." He paused in dismay as a sudden thought struck him. "I -must refuse your company, sir, for your own good. I am in some -danger, and if you travelled with me it might turn out badly all -around." - -"Danger?" And when the other frowned Norton discovered a strange -quality of power in the strong face. "Do not tell me you are a -criminal." - -"I'm not." Norton hesitated, in some embarrassment. Another steady -look from the deep-set eyes of the stranger, and he concluded -suddenly to open his heart to this man, to whom he felt so greatly -drawn. "Frankly, sir, I am in Kentucky for the purpose of rooting -out a gang of river pirates known as Blacknose's gang. Their -organization has discovered my purpose, and----" - -"Oh, is that all!" And the other laughed, passed his arm through -Norton's, and gently urged him through the canes ahead. "Nonsense, -friend! _En avant_!" - -"I guess you don't know much about that gang," grunted Norton. - -"Well, I ought to," retorted the other drily. "Last year I lost a -dozen hogsheads of the finest tobacco, some prime ginseng cured in -Canton fashion, and a good load of flax! I know them, and appreciate -your danger. I am with you, sir, and with all my heart--there's the -hand of John Audubon on it!" - -"Audubon!" repeated Norton, his eyes kindling. "Why, I met your -partner at Louisville--" He halted abruptly. - -"And I'll wager that Rosier told you I was touched in the head, eh?" -Audubon broke into a peal of ringing laughter. "Every man to his -trade! Rosier cannot understand why I will not settle down behind -the counter and make money. Nay, but I cannot! Now come along--here -is my camp." - -Norton followed into a small glade of cottonwoods, where a horse -grazed beside a rudely erected brush shelter. He remembered that -Rosier had said his partner was touched in the head, but he did not -need to remember what else Rosier had said. He knew already that he -could trust John Audubon--in fact, he felt that he could more than -trust him. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -Within an hour the two men had become firm friends. They were alike -only in the saving grace of humour, for Audubon had been trained in a -gentler school than Norton. The latter was amazed to find that his -new comrade, as Rosier had said, left his family and business at -Louisville, in order to spend weeks in the woods; yet when Norton saw -the drawings and sketches of birds which Audubon proudly displayed, -he was forced to confess that the long weeks had borne fruit. - -"I can't see what use they are, except to science," he said ruefully, -"but I presume you get out of them the same keen satisfaction that I -get out of a trail well blazed or a hunt well finished." - -"Exactly," laughed the other. "But enough of this. Tell me about -Blacknose." - -Norton did so, relating all that had happened to him since his -eventful arrival at the Taylor farm. Audubon listened in keen -interest, stroking his long powerful chin but saying nothing. When -Norton had made an end, the naturalist--for this, and not -shopkeeping, was his real profession--quietly bundled up his drawings -in a portfolio. He arranged them neatly and in precision, and not -until he had buckled the last buckle did he break the silence which -had fallen. Then his eyes clenched on the keen sword-gaze of Norton, -and he smiled. - -"I will go with you. My wife is with General Clark, and need fear -nothing; I myself am accounted as a little crazed, so no man would -hurt me. But let them wait! The day is coming when this country of -ours shall take her rightful place among the nations who sit at the -feet of science! Look at our bison and elk, our countless new -species of every bird and animal----" - -He broke off suddenly, laughed at his own hot enthusiasm, and -continued. - -"But, sir, your pardon. You are a soldier, and I am not--but in -truth I have served in the navy of France, so let us demolish these -river pirates together. Poor Rosier would scarce credit me joining -you, I fear!" - -Norton smiled. He liked this animated, vivacious, strong young -fellow immensely, and was far too well educated to share in the -prejudices of the Kentuckians against him. Audubon had been in -Louisville only a few months, his life having alternated between -France and America, but his business venture with Rosier had been -sadly crippled by the activity of the river pirates, and also by his -own indifference. He did not lack energy for any pursuit which -attracted him, however, and flung himself into Norton's problem with -a whole-hearted enthusiasm which delighted the Louisianian. - -The latter went over each point, from the description of the would-be -assassin to his last meeting with Duval and Grigg. On this last, -Audubon managed to throw some faint light. - -"Grigg was accused of horse-theft this spring," he said thoughtfully. -"He was even had up in court, but Duval defended him most ably, and -had him acquitted. I have often seen them together, too. This -fellow Duval is a most able lawyer, Norton; he is said to be a second -Hercules in strength, and seems to have plenty of money. So you met -the famous Colonel Boone, eh? I hope for that pleasure some day; he -is a famous man, a famous man!" - -Norton tried to elicit some information about the two mysterious -Indians whom he had met, but Audubon merely shook his head, knowing -nothing of the redskins and caring less. - -"As to this river piracy, one of our merchants, a Mr. Tarascon, last -year tried to capture the men. His hogsheads of tobacco were -privately marked in a certain place, and after losing two cargoes he -had all the river captains watching for them. One Captain -Brookfield, who runs a horse-power barque of forty tons, stated later -that he had received a number of hogsheads from a settler at Blue -River. He believed them to be the ones in question, but the private -mark had been branded over very cleverly. So that plan came to -nothing." - -"At least," exclaimed Norton eagerly, "it would go to show that the -Tarascon boats were looted between Louisville and Blue River, eh? Of -course, others have vanished at different points; a band of pirates -with confederates on the boats would not be so foolish as to commit -all their piracies at one spot, especially after what happened to the -Mason and Harpe gang through just such work. Well, I believe we can -do no better than to seek this man, Red Hugh--if indeed you are -willing to incur the risk of helping me." - -"Do you wish me?" Audubon looked at him calmly. "I do not want to -intrude----" - -"Why man," and Norton laughed in sheer happiness until his brown face -lost all its cold grimness and expressed only eager delight--"when I -left Louisville I wished that one of two men were with me--one of -them Daniel Boone, the other a younger frontiersman named Crockett, -whom I know well. Now I extend that to a third, and the third is -named Audubon; I think, perhaps, that I would sooner have this same -Mr. Audubon than either of the other two! You are a man, sir." - -Audubon put out his hand, and Norton gripped it, eye to eye. - -"And you," returned the other slowly, "are--well, that compliment -gains its whole value, sir, in coming from you. I can say no more." - -It was enough, and with a song in his heart Norton returned to get -his horse, while Audubon gathered his scattered belongings and made -ready to depart. The bird-lover had a small double-barrelled rifle -which he had bought in Philadelphia some years before, and when he -had replenished his stock of ammunition from Norton's store, the two -set forth. - -They were a strange pair--Audubon in his black satin and French -shirt, Norton in his buckskin and magnificent moccasins. Both were -well versed in threading wilderness pathways, however, and it was no -great task to find the Ohio. Late that afternoon they pushed their -horses to the brow of a small hill, and saw the great river lying -before them. The hills, which drew close to the Ohio at Blue River, -were some distance back from the banks at this point, dense patches -of canebrake appearing along the lower ground. The summer heat had -thoroughly dried out the canes, and at sight of the yellow-brown -patches Norton nodded. - -"I rode along the Indiana shore from Fort Massac to Louisville," he -said, "and remember seeing these canebrakes from across the river. -We're almost opposite a little settlement called Doe Run----" - -"Yes," added the other quickly, "and we are some eight miles from the -spot indicated to you by Boone. I went down-river to Henderson last -month and remember seeing that rocky cliff on the Indiana shore. -What think you--shall we press on and find your Red Hugh to-night, or -wait till morning?" - -Norton decided to camp where they were. The afternoon was far gone; -there were no settlements on the Kentucky shore, and they would stand -little chance of finding Red Hugh's cabin at night. So he went on -with the horses, while Audubon went after meat; by the time Norton -had made camp on a small hillock of dry ground among the canebrakes, -his companion came in with a wild turkey and news that a storm seemed -coming up from the south. - -When darkness came down and their bird was cooking, Audubon's -prediction was justified by a shrill whispering of the canes as the -wind stirred them. A brush shelter was soon thrown up, however, and -the two men settled down in comfort, regardless of the weather. - -Norton found that his companion agreed with him on the course to be -pursued. Leaving Ayres out of the case, they could do nothing but -scout along the river shores, and with the help of Red Hugh might -hope to accomplish something. This settled, the horses were picketed -and Norton fell asleep to the rustling of the canes and the soughing -of the wind in the cot ton woods. - -He wakened once, to find the fire burned out, the sky overcast, and a -stiff gale sweeping over the valley. No rain had fallen, however, -and despite the uneasy feeling that should have warned him, Norton -slept once more. - - -When he was roused again, it was by a shrill scream from a horse, -followed almost instantly by a rush of feet and a volley of shots. -Norton was on his feet at once, with a shout to his companion; -Audubon was already up, however, as his voice testified. - -"The cane's afire, Norton! A spark must have caught it----" - -"Sparks don't fly against the wind," grunted Norton. - -They stood silent, dismayed by the spectacle around them and by the -truth of Norton's remark. Dawn had come up; the high wind from the -south was still blowing, and the canebrake was afire along the edge -of the higher ground behind them. The two horses had disappeared, -frightened by the veil of smoke drifting over the camp. - -"Had the canes been afire along the river below," went on Norton -grimly, "we could lay it to our own fire. But this seems to me the -work of other hands, Audubon. The canes have been fired at a dozen -places----" - -"Then we had best lose no time getting out of here," cried the other. -"Hello! Where's my rifle?" - -"Gone, with mine," Norton grunted angrily as he realized what had -occurred. "The enemy has trapped us and----" - -"What? You mean----" - -"Blacknose," nodded Norton, pale to the lips. "No use trying to -break through that line of fire, because we're hemmed in all round." - -Audubon stared blankly at him, cursed, then turned his eyes to the -fire-sweep. Both men were quite well aware of their position. An -enemy had removed their rifles and freed their horses, and the fire -would do the rest. - -The thirty-foot canes were blazing fiercely, the drifted smoke and -flames completely cutting off all egress by the neck of higher ground -through which the two had entered toward the shore. As the fire took -hold, the explosions of water in the cane-joints became continuous; -so loud were they that Norton could not but imagine himself in the -midst of a battle. Audubon stared at the spectacle, awe-struck, for -the flames and smoke were rising high; he already held his precious -portfolio, seeming to care for nothing else. - -The two men were soon aroused to their danger, however. Across the -little opening on which they stood slipped an immense rattlesnake, -followed quickly by a rush of rabbits; from one side came a -tremendous crashing amid the canes, and by the lurid glare which -paled the growing daylight, Norton made out the form of a bear -crushing his way in panic toward the river. - -"Come on," he cried hastily, turning. "Our only hope is the river, -Audubon! If we can splash through the shallows beyond the edge of -the fire, we'll be safe." - -"Lead the way, then," returned the other calmly. "Good God, what a -sight!" - -His leathern shirt already hot against his skin, Norton turned and -plunged to where the bear was still crashing through the canes. The -river was a hundred yards away, and so thick were the high canes that -to force a passage was impossible; their only hope lay in following -the course of the frightened bear. With hot anger raging in him -against the fiends who had laid this trap, and with quick realization -that Audubon's shot at the turkey the previous evening must have -drawn their foes upon them, Norton dashed forward into the muck. - -It was high time, for the nearer canes were already being fired by -sparks. On every side the explosions were crashing out while small -animals scurried past in blind panic. A moment later the two friends -gained the shore, however, and as they did so a canoe appeared a -dozen feet away, paddled by a single man. - -"Help!" cried Norton eagerly. "Come in here and get us off, friend!" - -The canoe was drifting slowly, and even as the two plunged out into -the shallow water, they were halted abruptly. The high brake around -them shut out the glare from behind, and by the rapidly increasingly -daylight they saw that the single occupant of the canoe was covering -them with a rifle. - -"Hold on, thar!" he cried hoarsely. "This gun's primed!" - -And Norton recognized Audubon's double-barrelled rifle. There was -now no doubt as to the identity of the canoeist--it was he who had -thieved their rifles and set the cane-brake afire. - -"You'll pay for this work," exclaimed Norton, trying to repress his -rage. His hand went to his belt. Audubon, also realizing at once -who the man was, took a forward step. - -"Come on, Norton--wade around the brake----" - -"Stop!" The man in the canoe levelled the rifle full at them; he was -barely three yards away, and an eddy of the stream floated the canoe -around. "You-all ain't in no danger. This here's a warnin' to git. -They's a flatboat comin' around the bend--swim out an' git took off; -stay on her clar to Saint Looey, an' keep out o' this country, -you"--and Norton perceived that the remarks were addressed to him. - -He also perceived something else. The man was holding the rifle at -his left shoulder; he was bearded, wore a buckskin coat and a cap of -fox, with the brush hanging over his back. Norton started suddenly. -He had no need to see powder-horn or moccasins. - -"So you're completing your work, eh?" he cried savagely. "You're the -man who shot at me on the Beargrass Creek road the other day, eh?" - -The villainous face of the man contracted. - -"Ain't no 'lasses sticking to your feet, is they?" he jeered. "Right -ye are, pardner. Now, you-all git aboard that flatboat an' stay -thar, see?" - -Norton thought swiftly, his hand closing on the hatchet in his belt. -This was one of the Blacknose gang, beyond a doubt, and was the man -whom Ayres had seen talking with Duval. Was it possible that---- - -"Who hired you for this dirty work?" he demanded swiftly. "Tell me -who Blacknose is, and I'll give you five hundred dollars--" - -"Git out an' swim, ye cussed spy," snarled the man evilly. "I ain't -goin' to miss ye next time----" - - -Norton, who had drawn his hand behind him, flicked forward his wrist -in an underhand throw, having no chance to raise the tomahawk. Even -as the steel flamed out, the man caught the motion and fired; Norton -flung himself forward, felt a hot sear of pain across his head, and -plunged bodily on the canoe. - -It was a desperate expedient, but Norton was too hot with anger to -care for possibilities. Before the man could fire his second barrel, -Norton's weight sent the canoe over backward; he went with it, felt -himself grappled, and had a brief glimpse of Audubon leaping at the -canoe as he went under. - -The water was little more than knee-deep, but Norton felt something -sting at his shoulder and knew his opponent had a knife out. -Smashing down with his fist through the smother, he tried to free -himself of the hand at his throat, but vainly. Already wounded, he -felt a terrible weakness stealing over him, and the water choked his -lungs. His fingers closed on a wrist, and he gripped it desperately -as he struggled up to get his head above the water. - -In this he succeeded, pulling his opponent with him, and for a moment -the two men stood breast to breast. The riverman fought with an -appalling savagery, snarling like a beast, and Norton knew his case -was desperate. Blood blinded him: the hand about his throat drew -tighter; and with only his right hand holding off the menacing knife, -he put down his left hand to his belt in a last desperate effort. - -The other saw his object, but could not prevent it without loosing -his hold on Norton's throat. Snarling again, he threw himself -forward; Norton was not braced against the move, and went over -backward into the water. It was life or death now, and the -Louisianian knew it. Jerking his own knife free, he lashed out -frantically. The blade drove home, but he pulled it free and struck, -again and again. - -Wounded, throttled, choked with mud and water, Norton felt himself -loosed from that terrible death-grapple. He tried weakly to lift -himself erect, but could only raise his head from the water, sobbing -in the smoke-laden air, while burning cane-flakes fell all around. -He could see nothing, but felt hands lifting him and heard the voice -of Audubon in his ear. The words sounded faint and very far away. - -Norton was by no means unconscious, but he was weak and nauseated and -half-drowned. He was well assured that never again would he have to -seek a left-handed man with red-streaked powder-horn. He needed no -glimpse of the horror-struck visage of Audubon to tell him that their -enemy would fire no more canebrakes. - -He felt Audubon bundle him over the side of the canoe, with much -difficulty, but was too weak to offer any assistance. Then Audubon -himself climbed aboard and began to paddle the craft out into the -river. Norton lay in the grip of a deadly coma until a burning flake -settled on his back and aroused him as it ate through his leather -shirt. He rolled over, quenched the burning in the water that -half-filled the canoe, and sat up. - -Clutching at the gunnels, he stared about. Behind was the roaring -mass of flame which had so nearly swallowed them, and they were -already in the swift current of the stream. The river made a sharp -bend just above them, toward which the smoke was drifting; they had -already swept out of the murk, and Norton saw a flatboat floating -down-river, half a mile away. - -Setting his teeth against the giddiness swirling over him, he reached -down and grasped a paddle. At his feet were the rifles; Audubon must -have recovered them, then. As he got his paddle over the side, -Audubon looked around with a ghastly smile. - -"All right, Norton?" - -"Right enough. Keep her going." - -Little by little he conquered himself. He was very weak, but as they -neared the flatboat he managed to wave his paddle. The crew of the -boat were lined up with rifles, but as Audubon stood up, at some risk -to the canoe, they recognized his figure and got out their sweeps. -Five minutes later they were alongside, and Norton fainted. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Sitting on a big tobacco hogshead and watching the Indiana shore, -with Audubon standing gloomily at his side, Norton felt his bandaged -head tenderly and considered what was to be done. - -"I saved the canoe from going under," said Audubon, "then rescued the -rifles. I could give you no help until I saw your head come up. By -the way, this was in the canoe." - -He held out a powder-horn--mottled, with a streak of red running -through it. Norton stared down at it, then with a grim laugh reached -into the coat which hung in the sun with his other clothes, and drew -out the stopper Boone had found on the Beargrass Creek road that -morning. The plug slipped deftly into place; the horn matched -perfectly. - -"Well, so much for an assassin," he said grimly. "Now that you've -had your initial taste of the work our foemen do, have you lost taste -for the enterprise?" - -"Not unless the enterprise has lost taste for me," laughed Audubon, -with a glance around. The crew of the flatboat were safe out of -hearing. "I told our friends here that we had set fire to the canes -ourselves, by accident----" - -"Good. Am I badly hurt? Where are we?" - -"You should have care; the bullet scraped along your skull, and you -have a knife-gash in the side. We have just passed Buck Creek, and -the rocky cliff for which we were making lies about three miles -downstream. Best let Red Hugh pass, go to the Blue River settlement, -and wait there until you are recovered." - -Norton made no other reply than to reach for his half-dried clothes. -The other looked at him, his fine face wrinkled into a frown of -anxiety. - -"It's rank madness, Norton!" he said quietly. "You're scarce able to -walk, and are like to suffer----" - -"I am going to find Red Hugh, if I die the next hour." - -Norton finished drawing on the fine-beaded moccasins, slipped the -red-streaked horn over his shoulder by its thong, and looked at his -comrade. He felt shaky indeed, but so clearly did his whole manner -evince the iron determination within him, that Audubon shook his head -resignedly and turned to his own garments. - -"The canoe is towing astern," he said simply. - -Norton reached for his buckskin shirt, and staggered under a swirl of -pain and weakness. Instantly the other was at his side, with a rush -of protestation against trying to leave the hospitable flatboat. - -"I am going to find Red Hugh," said Norton doggedly, and resumed his -dressing as his head cleared. - -They were slipping down the stream fast. Already the high cliff -mentioned by Boone as a landmark was in sight, far ahead, and Audubon -departed to find the captain. The latter readily assented to take -the flatboat in close to the Kentucky shore, and sent his crew to the -sweeps. The boat was going through to St. Louis, and her captain -carried some freight for Audubon, so that the latter met with prompt -obedience. - -Meanwhile, Norton sat in the sun and wiped the wet rifles -mechanically. Every trace of the storm had vanished and the morning -was coming up splendid in summer warmth. Norton knew they were in a -grave situation, however, and said as much when his comrade rejoined -him. - -The man whose canoe they now held had undoubtedly been one of the -Blacknose gang, and Norton strongly believed he had been one of a -cordon of spies stretched at intervals along the river. Were this -the case, the conflagration would be noticed, the man's body might be -found, and the gang would waste no more warnings. Norton's one hope -lay in getting ashore unobserved, pre-supposing the river to be -watched; if the flatboat ran in close to the wooded Kentucky shore, -he and Audubon might land unobserved by anyone who watched from a -distance. The river seemed deserted, save for the distantly smoking -canebrake far behind. Whether there were any Blacknose spies aboard -the flatboat could not be told. - -So, with fresh ammunition and weapons and with rifles well-oiled, -Norton and Audubon stood in the bow as the ungainly flatboat swept -into an eddy and approached the well-wooded bank. On the opposite -shore, the rocky cliff with its cabin below was still a trifle -down-stream; above them rose a bluff, a solid mass of virgin timber -that stretched through to Tennessee with cabins scattered in its -depths. Save at Henderson and Louisville, the Kentucky shore was -poorly settled as yet, Shawnee raids from the Wabash having -discouraged too ambitious families. - -The boat swept in to the bank, almost underneath a huge cottonwood, -and with a hasty farewell to the river-captain, the two men leaped -ashore and lost no time in reaching the summit of the bluff. - -It was a harder task than it looked, however, and a good twenty -minutes had passed when at length the two panting men gained the -crest of the bluff and paused to rest. Norton knew he was in bad -shape and conjectured that malaria had touched him, for the uncleared -lands along the Ohio were notorious in this respect. With all his -stubborn will set upon reaching Red Hugh, he tightened his lips and -said nothing to Audubon of his reeling senses and disordered vision. - -The flatboat was already far on her way to Henderson, once more -hugging the Indiana shore. Norton motioned Audubon to lead the way, -and in five minutes they struck upon a faint trail which ran along -the crest of the bluffs. - -"Well, the Indians had their uses after all," sighed Audubon, as they -came upon it. "Whew! That was a stiff climb, Norton! Now where is -this blazed tree of yours?" - -Norton collected himself into coherency. - -"Directly opposite that cliff on the Indiana shore--a big cottonwood, -blazed north and south. We head straight south from it to reach Red -Hugh's cabin." - -"Well, we're not opposite that cliff yet. Come along!" - -The trail ascended the bluff-crest toward a knoll which topped it. -Norton caught himself staggering more than once; his wounds throbbed -and ached, and his brain seemed on fire. None the less, he knew he -was in no mortal danger, and was filled with a grim satisfaction over -the events of that morning. - -"There's no telling how many rivermen that fellow has murdered," he -thought to himself, "and he tried his bloody work once too often. So -that's one snake out of our path! If the current only swept his body -away, our friend Blacknose will be in a pretty wonder as to what -became of him." - -The trail was steeper now, and he clambered up painfully after -Audubon. At last, fearing lest his senses slip away altogether, he -sank down on a huge root. - -"Do you look for the tree," he said as the other turned. "I must -rest a moment." - -With an anxious glance at his white face, Audubon nodded and broke -into the trees, for they were already on the knoll. Norton leaned -back, faint and giddy, and as his eyes fell on the trail he noted -idly that it was hard rocky soil, indented with the unmistakable -marks of horseshoes. In his present state of mind this conveyed -nothing to him; a settler might have passed along by the trail, or -any wandering pedlar might have made the tracks. - -He leaned back and closed his eyes, utterly relaxing himself and -grateful for the brief rest. He seemed to ache all over, and for -almost the first time in His life his whole body seemed wearied and -fatigued. A strange lassitude had come over him. - -"Norton!" - -At the excited whisper he opened his eyes and sat up, to see Audubon -peering through the bushes, finger on lip. The other beckoned -hastily. - -"Come in here! Be cautious." - - -Already refreshed by his rest, Norton crept into the bushes. -Audubon's excited eagerness put him on the alert at once, and he -stole after the other with all the silent care of an Indian. -Reaching a densely overgrown covert, Audubon paused and held up a -hand, listening. From above there came a low trilling bird-song, but -Norton could make out nothing else. - -"What is it, man? What did you find?" - -"Listen!" whispered Audubon softly. "Isn't it like a goldfinch -singing under its breath? The same little trills, the same sustained -sweet notes in between--but it's a vireo, Norton! Would you guess -it?" - -Norton stared, but his friend was in deadly earnest. He heard the -hidden bird change its song suddenly, and Audubon gripped his arm -hard. - -"There--that's the real vireo song, with the pulse-like, clear-cut -notes! Did you ever hear such a thing before? That bird was giving -a real goldfinch trill, man----" - -"Where's the cottonwood?" broke in Norton drily. The other looked at -him, his face blank on a sudden. - -"Why--why--I clear forgot----" - -Norton laughed, but Audubon suddenly gripped his arm harder. The -bird above had broken off in mid-song, for no apparent reason. From -somewhere outside the covert came the rattle of a stone, followed by -a horse's snort. - -"Keep quiet," breathed Norton, looking into the deep eyes of his -friend. "Someone's on the trail." - -Audubon nodded, and the two men stood tense and motionless, every -nerve on edge. With startling abruptness there came a deep curse -from the trail. - -"Damn it, pull up! I ain't no Injun!" - -There followed a chuckle in another voice--one that sent Norton's -hand to his rifle. - -"Winded, Abel? Well, there's no haste. What did that boat put in -for?" - -"How'n tarnation do I know?" growled the first. "Wa'n't none o' our -boys on her." - -"So much the better for her, then," laughed the second. "It's odd we -didn't meet Tobin, Abel!" - -A grunt replied. Norton glanced at his friend, his brown eyes aflame. - -"Duval," he murmured under his breath. "Who's the other? Abel -Grigg?" - -Audubon nodded quickly, and his face was set in eager surmise. - -"Is Tobin the man we--we met this morning, Norton?" - -Norton pursed up his lips in a silent whistle, staring. Was the -thing possible after all? He had vaguely suspected it before, yet it -seemed incredible. He replied to the question with a mute shake of -the head, as Duval's voice continued. It seemed that Duval and Grigg -were pausing for breath on the trail opposite the covert. - -"Listen here, Abel: this thing has to be finished up sharp, or that -fool is apt to blunder on something that'll bring the Regulators down -on us." Duval's voice was earnest, cold, menacing. "He got away -from the boys at Louisville, and unless Tobin has met him and is -attending to him, you'll have to do the work. I'll be busy in court -at Henderson for a week to come." - -"I'll 'tend to him," growled Grigg. "How 'bout layin' fer that cargo -comin' down nex' month in Cap. Brookfield's hoss-boat? We could ship -a couple o' the boys on her an' do the business by them islands at -the Wabash." - -"Not so bad," returned Duval. "Lay it to a bunch of Shawnees, eh?" - -"Sure. That feller Tecumsey and his brother, the Prophet, is raisin' -hell all through the tribes, Duval, an' they's goin' to be a blow-up -mighty sudden on the border. Now looky here. If you're a-goin' on -to Henderson, I'll leave ye here an' go to meet the boys, so I want -to settle this business of ourn. How much you goin' to turn over fer -the gal, eh?" - -"I've told you before, Abel, that I'll give you five hundred cash and -what stuff we've got in the cache. Take it or leave it." - -"Well, that 'baccy in the cache will fetch about two hundred at Saint -Looey, eh? Then we got that flax out o' the last boat, an' them ten -kegs o' 'lasses--all right. You see to makin' out the papers an' -I'll sign 'em. The gal won't consent, mebbe, but I'll swear she -ain't of age. You got to have a preacher weddin', though." - -"Of course, you fool!" And there was an exasperated note in Duval's -voice. "Haven't I said I wanted to marry her? But you've got to -clear out, understand--go to New Orleans or Saint Louis, I don't care -which, and stay." - -"I'll do that, all right. Well, see ye at Henderson." - -"Take care of that spy, mind!" called Duval. Only silence ensued. -Then came a faint thud of hoofs, and again silence. - -Norton and Audubon stared at each other. The former had forgotten -his illness in his high excitement, for now he knew beyond a doubt -that fate had given over his enemy into his hand. - -"By thunder!" he ejaculated slowly. "Audubon, we've got the whole -game on the table before us! The mysterious Blacknose is Abel Grigg, -and Duval is in league with him--is probably the brains of the -organization. The black-hearted scoundrel! When we tell what we've -just heard now----" - -"Who'll believe us?" broke in Audubon gravely, and shook his head. -"It won't do, Norton! Duval is too prominent a man to be smashed -without clear evidence. Besides, we wouldn't break up the gang by -nabbing him and Grigg alone. Depend upon it, we could do little -against that clever villain without more evidence than those words. -But what a blackguard he is--to be robbing his own townsmen!" - -"And that girl--Grigg's daughter!" broke in Norton, a flame of rage -sweeping through him. "Did you hear them? He's buying the girl, -Audubon--buying her! Damn it, man, did you ever see that girl?" - -Audubon gazed at him, astonished at the outburst. - -"Yes," he replied slowly, "I've seen her once or twice in the store. -Do you think that's really what they meant? Why, it can't be -possible, Norton!" - -None the less, Norton knew that the thing was true. He drew a deep -breath as the full realization of his triumph broke over his mind. -By a stroke of sheer luck he had solved the mystery of Blacknose--but -was it luck? Had not one thing led to another in marvellous -sequence--the cane-brake, the fire, the flatboat, the landing, and -finally the vireo singing the song of a goldfinch? Surely, there was -more than luck in all this! - - -A new burst of rage came into his heart at thought of Kitty Grigg, -however. So this evil-hoary old backwoodsman who was not her father -was planning to sell her to Duval! Norton inwardly vowed that such a -sale should never be consummated. He remembered the girl as he had -last seen her by the cabin, glorious in her unstained beauty and her -fine clear poise--and groaned. With a sudden movement he reached -inside his shirt and took out the little gold eagle still pinned to -it. - -"Audubon," he cried earnestly, "I swear by this emblem, which stands -for the things I hold dearest--my country, and my father's -memory--that before Duval carries through his purpose regarding Kitty -Grigg, I'll do to him as I did to his servant this morning! So help -me!" - -The bird-lover gazed at him searchingly. - -"Then--you know the girl?" - -"Know her? Yes!" exclaimed Norton hotly. "I know her, and she's no -daughter of Abel Grigg! Who her real family was will not be hard to -find out if I can get in touch with some of the officers of the -Cincinnati--but now for work. Audubon, you heard what those devils -said about a horse-boat belonging to a Captain Brookfield. Do you -know anything of such a craft?" - -The other nodded, frowning. - -"Yes. Brookfield is an odd genius who has invented a way of driving -his forty-ton boat by horse-power against the river-current. He is -at Louisville now, taking contracts for his next trip down the river, -and sails next month." - -"Well, see here!" Norton felt the fever gripping him again, but had -already glimpsed a plan of action. "You get back to Louisville, see -Elisha Ayres, and tell him about it. Ayres will communicate with me -at Blue River." - -"And you----!" queried the astonished Audubon. - -"I'll trail that devil of a Grigg," said Norton hastily. "He said he -was going to meet 'the boys', and if I can find their cache we'll nab -the whole gang! By thunder, Audubon, we've the whole thing in our -hands now!" - -"But--wait!" cried Audubon hastily, as Norton turned toward the -trail. "First, get this man Red Hugh! If he's a hunter, as Boone -said, then you and he together will have no trouble picking up -Grigg's trail, and you may need another rifle badly." - -For a moment Norton considered this, while the fever swirled through -him. He was sorely tempted to plunge off on the trail of Abel Grigg, -but knew that there was sound advice in Audubon's words. - -"All right," he said shortly. "Come--we'll find Red Hugh first." - -His excitement overbore his illness for the moment, and returning to -the trail he led the way to the very crest of the knoll. Duval and -Grigg had been swallowed up in the forest, but staring them in the -face was a giant cottonwood, blazed north and south. Pointing to it -silently, Norton wheeled and headed away from the river into the -trees. - -How far they went through that wilderness he never knew, for after -ten minutes he was fighting desperately against the pain and sickness -which came over him. Worse than all, he was growing terribly weak; -once he caught himself reeling, and only by a great effort did he -keep on. Audubon had a small compass, by which they held directly -south as Boone had commanded. - -Then, almost without warning, Norton felt his knees giving way. He -was very clear-headed, but he seemed to have lost the power of -motion. With a single low groan he caught at a tree, missed it, and -plunged down. Audubon was over him on the instant, raising him -against the tree, dread anxiety in face and voice. - -"It's just--weakness," gasped Norton. "A touch of fever, I think. -Get Red Hugh--put him on the trail of Grigg. I'll be all right with -a bit of rest. Hurry, man!" - -Audubon looked about, biting his lips. Before he could reply, -however, a bush to one side of them waved slightly, the sunlight -glinted on a rifle-barrel, and a voice rang out in harsh command: - -"Hands up, you skunk! Drop that rifle--quick!" - -Helpless, the naturalist obeyed. Norton tried to reach his rifle, -but could not move, and with another groan of despair fell back, -waiting grimly for what might come. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -Into the clearing before them stepped a strange figure, rifle still -covering the startled Audubon--a tall man clad in buckskin and -coonskin cap, with, of course, moccasins. He was gaunt and -huge-boned, grey hair falling over his shoulders and a grizzled red -moustache and beard half-hiding his face. For all that, Norton was -startled by the man's features. - -They were anything but those of a riverman. True, the sunken grey -eyes held a smouldering ferocity which was almost madness; but the -high brow, fine nose, and shapely head, even the delicate lines of -mouth and chin beneath the flowing beard--all these expressed a keen -intelligence, almost a nobility, which was utterly astounding to -Norton. - -"What's this--what's this!" The stranger lowered his rifle suddenly -as his eyes fell on Norton's features. Carefully uncocking the -weapon, he stared at the two friends, an indescribable expression of -chagrin overspreading his countenance. "Gentlemen, I must crave your -pardon. From his moccasins I took this gentleman for an -Indian,"--and he gravely indicated Norton--"for he is deeply browned -and his features were all but hidden from me. God be thanked I did -not shoot first!" - -"Amen to that!" cried Norton feebly, essaying a faint smile. -Audubon, no less astonished at the looks and speech of the stranger, -made a slight bow, and spoke coldly: - -"If your murderous impulse has quite abated, sir, pray lend this -gentleman your aid. We are seeking the cabin of a man called Red -Hugh. Do you know where it is?" - -From what Boone had told him, and from the appearance and manner of -the stranger, Norton had a very shrewd suspicion that this was no -other than Red Hugh himself. Leaning on his long rifle, the man -surveyed the two friends critically. - -"Well," he returned at length, "I may say yes to that question, sir. -But I will barter my information for yours. You, sir"--and he bent -his sunken grey eyes on Norton--"are wearing a pair of Shawnee -moccasins. As you probably know, the beads and quill-work on those -moccasins are peculiar. In fact, there is only one man besides -yourself in the Northwest who wears such moccasins, and he is an -Indian--the only Indian I have ever held under my rifle and spared. -Where did you get them?" - -Norton sat up, fighting off the dizzy weakness that all but mastered -him. The man's words sent eager curiosity through him. - -"I had them from an Indian," he returned quickly, and gave a brief -account of the two he had encountered. Before he finished, a fresh -spasm of nausea overwhelmed him, and he sank back in Audubon's arms. - -"Enough of this talk," cried the naturalist angrily. "If you will -guide us to this Red Hugh, sir, pray do so at once. We come to him -from Colonel Boone----" - -"If you had said that before, you would have bettered matters," broke -in the tall stranger. "I am he whom you seek. Come." - -Norton had lost all interest in the proceedings, for he could no -longer fight off the fever. Between them the other two got him to -his feet and half-carried him along a faint trail indicated by Red -Hugh. After what seemed centuries to the reeling Norton, they came -to a cabin, and he dimly felt himself carried inside. He knew little -of what happened next, save that he drank a bitter draught and fell -asleep. - -When he wakened, he stared around him with wondering eyes, trying to -place himself. He tried to move, and found himself too weak to raise -his arm; yet the terrible sickness had passed. - -He was lying on a couch of skins, and by the deepness of the sun -outside he guessed it was mid-afternoon. The cabin was a bare place -enough save for the furs heaped around the floor, but directly -opposite him, beside the hearth, was a strange contrivance made of a -stretched elkskin almost covering the side wall. From where he lay -he could see a row of words across the top of the big skin, clearly -done in red paint as if with a brush: - - WYANDOT--SHAWNEE--MIAMI-- - CREEK--DELAWARE--POTT.--OTTAWA. - - -Under each tribal name was smaller writing which he could not read. - -For a space he stared at the thing in wonder. Then, with a rush, he -remembered that he lay in the cabin of Red Hugh, and all which had -gone before. There was work to be done! Abel Grigg must be trailed -to his meeting-place with the other pirates. Norton made a terrible -effort to rise, but collapsed with a groan of despair. - -At the sound, a figure darkened the doorway, and he looked up to see -the tall form of Red Hugh bending over him. His head was lifted and -a rolled skin set beneath it: then the old backwoodsman drew up a -stool, fetched a bowl of hot broth from the fire, and set to work -feeding him with a spoon. - -"Talk later," he said gently. "First, you must eat. You have slept -since yesterday, friend, and----" - -Norton, feeling new strength with the first mouthful of broth, pushed -the spoon away desperately. The words shocked him into energy, and -again he tried to sit up. - -"Since yesterday!" he exclaimed. "But Grigg must be followed----" - -The iron hand of Red Hugh pushed him back. - -"Eat!" And the deep command forced him to obey. "You lack only -strength, Norton, and that will come in a few days. Now, to relieve -your anxiety, your friend Audubon told me all that had passed. We -tried to trail Grigg, but the scoundrel had covered his tracks like -an Indian and I feared to leave you alone here. So Audubon went back -to Louisville to confer with Ayres, and for the present matters must -be left as they are." - -"Then you know my errand?" - -"Yes. Audubon told me the whole affair. Now finish this broth." - -Leaning back, Norton obeyed, in a mingling of disappointment and -content. It was hard that Grigg should have escaped, yet this Red -Hugh seemed a capable person to trust in. Norton could not but -wonder at the man. According to Boone, Red Hugh had spent the past -twenty years here on the border, yet his manners and speech were -those of a cultivated gentleman--and Norton could not understand the -incongruity of it. - -The rich broth gave him new life. When the last drop was gone, Red -Hugh proceeded to cram an ancient pipe with tobacco, sternly denying -the luxury to his guest, and settled himself beside the couch. - -"Shawnee moccasins! Shawnee moccasins!" he muttered slowly, then -brought his keen eyes to Norton's face. "Audubon said you were from -New Orleans?" - -"Yes," returned the Louisianian, with curiosity again stirring in -him. "You seemed to recognize those moccasins, sir--how shall I call -you?" - -"Call me by my name--Red Hugh," said the other gruffly. "That is all -the name I have held these twenty years, and it is good enough to die -under. As to those moccasins, sir, you seem to have entertained an -angel and a devil unawares." - -"Those two Indians?" demanded Norton eagerly. "Who were they, then?" - -"He with one eye is called the Prophet," puffed Red Hugh slowly. -"The bitterest-hearted devil unhung! The other, his brother, is the -finest man on the border to-day, the one redskin I am proud to call -friend. He has sat here where you now lie, telling me of his dream; -he has built a town on the Wabash, not far from Vincennes, where he -hopes to gather all the Indian tribes in peace, teaching them to lay -aside the rifle and till the soil. Neither he nor his followers -touch liquor--sir, God will punish our race for the evils we have -brought upon these Indians! The man of whom I speak is a Shawnee, -humbly born yet recognized as chieftain by a dozen tribes. His name -is Tecumthe, or as the border makes it, Tecumsey." - -The amazed Norton listened to this speech in blank astonishment. He -had heard little of the two Indians in the South, and only on his -Northern trip had he learned much of Tecumthe or his famous brother, -the Prophet. Along the border they were hated bitterly, and that he -had himself aided the two was no small surprise. - -Even more amazing, however, was the way in which Red Hugh spoke. -From Boone, Norton had understood that the man hunted Indians, as -more than one frontiersman did, like wild animals. - -"Tell me this," he asked, bewildered. "I thought you hated all -redskins, Hugh? If that is true, what care you for the evil we have -brought upon them, and why do you think so highly of Tecumthe?" - -The other puffed in silence for a moment, his face set like stone. - -"Look at that elk-hide yonder," he said, at length, gesturing with -his pipe toward the stretched skin, his voice deeply stirred. -"Norton, that skin bears record of a hundred and a score Indians I -have slain. Twenty years ago a band of red devils murdered my whole -family, my wife, my children, killed my dearest friend, left me for -dead----" - -He paused, and after a space continued, his voice firmer. - -"I recovered, and having naught to live for save vengeance, I took -vengeance. Every redskin I have slain has been a warrior under arms, -and I have hunted them without pity or mercy, even as they have -hunted me. This man Tecumthe is different. His heart is white, -Norton. While the Prophet is stirring up war, Tecumthe is urging -peace; he has a great vision of uplifting his race--but he cannot do -it. His men are murdered along the frontier and he can get no -justice. His lands are stolen, and Harrison will do nothing. If he -loses the Wabash Valley, the Shawnees will be thrown back on the -Sioux and Blackfeet, their mortal enemies. Well, let us get off this -subject, Norton. You know who I am, and that is enough. We have to -deal, not with Indians, but with men worse than Indians." - -"Yes," said Norton bitterly. "This gang of river-pirates has -murdered more men within the last year or two than have all all the -Indians since Fallen Timbers. Too bad Grigg escaped you; we had the -whole gang under our hand right there, could we have trapped him." - -Red Hugh laid aside his pipe and fell to stroking his grizzled beard -as they discussed what was to be done. Norton was dismayed to find -that he would be unable to get around for several days, though Red -Hugh promised him a complete cure from his fever and wounds. - -Nor could he obtain the information for which he had hoped, from this -strange character. Red Hugh, who seemed well educated and only a -trifle "touched" on the subject of killing Indians, had a supreme -contempt for the settlers along the river, in the main. He had been -only once to Louisville, and had lived his solitary life as far as -might be without concerning himself with settlements. He knew -nothing of the Blacknose gang, though he stated bluntly that once he -and Norton set themselves to hunt down the pirates, it would be a -matter of short accomplishment. - -So with that small ray of comfort, Norton went about his recovery, -impatiently enough. When three days had passed, he felt nearly -himself once more; but in that space of time he had discovered many -things. - -In the first place, he was forced to reverse his earlier impressions -of Red Hugh. While he was ill, the man took a lively interest in -caring for him; no sooner was Norton on his feet, than Red Hugh -relapsed into a brooding morose individual who refused to talk about -himself or his doings and only betrayed interest in Blacknose. -Studying the man, Norton concluded that he had been a gentleman and a -man of some consequence, but since the destruction of his family had -devoted his whole life to revenge with a consequent loss of sanity on -other topics. - -He seemed to have absolutely no other business in life than killing -Indians, for a living was easily gained by hunting. He had never -troubled to take up land, and since there were no settlements in the -vicinity, no one interfered with his squatting. All his vivacity and -gentle care vanished as soon as Norton regained strength, and with -this interest gone, he would sit and stare by the hour at his -terrible elkskin. - -This Norton also found of keen interest, for every "hunt" had been -carefully set down as to date and result. When they took the field -against Blacknose, he conjectured shrewdly that Red Hugh would -re-awaken once more, for judging by the elk-skin he was possessed of -considerable prowess in the man-hunt. He must have gone about his -revenge with a terrible skill; more than once the painted record -showed that parties of two and three Indians had fallen to his rifle. - -John Norton was in no sense horrified, though not at all in sympathy -with the old man. There were many like him along the border. The -settlers conceived and treated the red men as beasts, which too often -they were, and no man was ever brought to justice for killing an -Indian. Red Hugh's grievances were purely personal, however, and -more than once Norton recalled Boone's words--"God ain't softened his -heart yet, though He will some day, I reckon." That day, it seemed -to Norton, was very far distant. - -Only once, after that first talk with the man, did he ever refer to -his slain family. He had been examining Norton's moccasins, on the -third evening, and suddenly he favoured the Louisianian with one of -his searching looks. - -"If you were up in the Shawnee country," he said abruptly, "these -leathers would either get you killed or crowned, Norton! Any Indian -across the Ohio would recognize them instantly. Well--well----" - -He stared into the fireplace, puffing at his pipe. After a moment he -continued slowly as if musing to himself: - -"They were Wyandots, a big war-party of them, and their chief wore -moccasins with split soles. They killed us all, women and children -alike--and after I recovered I went straight into the Wyandot -country. I found that chief, a year later, and shot him in the midst -of his own village; old Simon Kenton was with me, and we had a hard -fight before we got away. Well, I had my revenge, but it did not -bring back the dead wife and the little ones--the little ones----" - -Upon that he strode from the cabin suddenly, and Norton never -referred to his own similar story, deeming it best to keep Red Hugh's -mind as far as possible from Indian atrocities. The man seemed no -more than sixty years old, and save for that one topic his brain was -as vigorous as that of Norton himself. - -By the fourth evening the Louisianian was nearly himself again. Red -Hugh's knowledge of herbs had rid him of the fever almost at once, -and strength came back to him surely and swiftly. Burning with -anxiety to waste no time, yet conscious of the necessity of regaining -his strength, he had forced himself to bide in the idleness of -recuperation, but now he could do so no longer. There was work to be -done, and he was bent upon keeping control of things--for his own -career lay in the balance. He had not resigned his commission in mad -haste, but after much deliberation; did he succeed in eliminating the -Blacknose gang, New Orleans and the Government had promised great -things. - -More than this, however, he had Kitty Grigg in mind. Once the -present affair was concluded he promised himself a trip to -Cincinnati, where many of the original members of the famous Order -had settled. It should not be difficult to make inquiries and -perhaps gain a clue to the girl's real family, he thought. So, -calling Red Hugh into a gloomy consideration of the problem -immediately at hand, he announced his intention of beginning work -next day. - -"The first thing is to go to Blue River and get word from Elisha -Ayres," he said thoughtfully. "I can't go back to Louisville unless -that murder charge is cleared up, which should have been done by this -time. If not, we'll have to go on a thorough scout of the river, -because Grigg and his band of pirates are somewhere down-stream." - -Red Hugh nodded. - -"Where are you going to meet the messenger from Ayres?" - -"At Dodd's Tavern--Kentucky side." - -"H'm!" The other frowned. "I haven't been there for two years, -Norton, but I don't recall any tavern or settler of that name at -either of the Blue River settlements. However, your friend doubtless -knew what he was talking about." - -"He seemed to," said Norton drily. "Blue River is only about twelve -miles from here----" - -"I have a canoe down on the shore. Feel strong enough to paddle?" - -"Quite. If we find no word from Ayres, we can go on below Henderson -and spend a couple of weeks scouting through the woods. The gang -must have some sort of a rendezvous, Hugh, and it certainly has a -cache of the stolen goods, for Grigg has to be careful in disposing -of them. Which side of the river would you search?" - -Red Hugh stared at his elk-hide, tugging at his grizzled beard. - -"Well," he returned slowly, his deep-set eyes flaming a little, -"they'd be like to use either side, Norton. If we skirmished around -on the Indiana side around the Wabash, we might strike one or two -Indian parties----" - -"None of that," broke in Norton, understanding that ominous flame in -the man's eye. "We're after Blacknose, not after scalps. Just -impress that on your mind and save further trouble. If you give me -your help in this thing, there'll be no Indian hunting." - - -The big man turned his slow gaze to Norton's face, and for a moment -the Louisianian expected trouble. Red Hugh stared at him; Norton met -the look firmly, resolved not to compromise this matter, much as he -needed the man's help and advice. At length Red Hugh nodded, -reluctantly. - -"I like you, Norton," he said, his grim visage softening strangely. -"You're a man. You're like another Norton I once knew--well, best -not to speak of that. Now as to hunting this Blacknose gang: we are -more like to find them on the Indiana side. If aught went wrong with -their plans, they could escape to the Indian country, or else lay the -blame for their crimes on the Shawnees. There are several bands of -Miamis along there, also. It may well be that through some Indians -we can get trace of the gang, if naught else serves." - -Upon this, they made ready to set forth at dawn. Norton discarded -his own battered powderhorn for the fine red-streaked one which the -assassin Tobin had formerly carried--an act which was destined to -bring dire results upon himself before the game was played out. He -forgot the fact that this red-streaked horn was distinguished by its -very oddness and beauty. - -With the dawn they set forth for the blazed cottonwood and the Ohio, -carrying their rifles and a quarter of venison. Upon reaching the -bluff over the river, Red Hugh turned abruptly aside and led Norton -down to the wooded banks, where he presently fished out an Indian -birch canoe and paddles from a clump of dense bushes. Two canoes -were paddling upstream along the opposite shore, and when these were -past, they put their craft in the water and started for Blue River. - -The river hills ran close to the stream on each side, and except for -the little group of cabins under the high rocky cliff opposite them -the banks were unsettled as far as Blue River. Norton paddled -easily, drinking in fresh strength with the sun-bright morning air, -and could scarce realize their journey was nearly done when Red Hugh -pointed to Blue River ahead. They had passed Indian Creek and two -islands without sight of other river-craft, and now held in to the -Kentucky shore. - -"Colonel Boone's brother, Squire, began that settlement"--and Red -Hugh pointed across to the clustering cabins opposite. "Now if you -can see any signs of a tavern over here, you beat me." - -In truth, Norton gazed at the Kentucky settlement which they were -approaching, and his heart sank. Ayres must have made some -mistake--yet the schoolmaster had been very explicit in his -directions. The settlement consisted of two cabins, one of them fast -falling to ruin; a few tobacco-drying sheds; a small section of -cleared land; and a half-naked woman staring hard at them. Two or -three entirely naked children appeared as they paddled in, and as the -slatternly woman raised her voice, a still more slatternly man came -slouching from the tobacco-sheds, rifle in hand. There was no sign -of any road or ferry, and this was most certainly no tavern. Norton -landed with some dismay. - -"Is this the Kentucky Blue River settlement?" he inquired of the -suspicious man--a loose-jawed, fever-smitten person who lacked all -interest in life. - -"I reckon they call it that, stranger. Who be ye?" - -"We're looking for Dodd's Tavern," returned Norton quietly. "If you -can tell----" - -"Eh? Dodd's Tavern? Well, by gum!" The man stared at him, then -turned to the woman behind him. "Go git that gal." - -The woman went to the house. Red Hugh drew up his canoe and joined -Norton, and together they waited for what was evidently to happen. -The woman reappeared from the cabin, nodded, and fell to staring. A -moment later Kitty Grigg emerged, and came forward with a glad, eager -little cry at sight of Norton. - -"Captain Norton! Oh, I'm so glad you've come--I had almost given you -up!" - -"You!" Norton grasped her hand, thunder-struck. "Why, girl--what -does this mean? How came you here?" - -"By boat," she laughed. "And I have news from Mr. Ayres." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -Utterly astounded as he was at sight of Kathleen Grigg, and even more -so by Ayres having chosen such a messenger, Norton drew her out of -earshot of the curious settlers to the canoe, and introduced Red -Hugh. The latter stared at the girl, then stretched forth a huge -hand and touched the flame of her red-gold hair with trembling -fingers, awe in his whole face. - -"Kitty Grigg!" he muttered thickly, as the half-frightened girl -shrank back to Norton's arm. "Kitty Grigg! Yet she has the face of -my own Mary--oh, God in heaven!" - -Abruptly, he turned his back upon them and stood leaning on his -rifle, his shoulders shaking. Norton realized swiftly that the old -man had found some resemblance in her to that wife whom he had lost -in such tragic fashion, and in quick pity he gave the girl a warning -look and hastened to change the current of Red Hugh's thoughts. - -"But, Kitty--how on earth came Ayres to send you, of all people?" he -cried in half-anger, half-wonder. "He knew there was danger in -it----" - -"Listen, please," she broke in, her hand on his arm and her eyes -searching his face hungrily. "After you left me, that day, I saw -Colonel Boone and told him what you had said. He knew nothing about -the pin, but he said to trust you and--and I do. Then father went -off on a month's hunt, so I was going to visit with Mistress Zach -Taylor had not Mr. Ayres and Mr. Audubon come to see me----" - -"Audubon? When was this?" queried Norton, frowning. - -"Four days since--directly he returned after leaving you with -him"--and she nodded toward Red Hugh, flushing slightly as she did -so. "Mr. Audubon related all that had happened to you and him, but -as he was going away with Mr. Ayres they were not sure whom to send -here until they thought of me. You see, I would not be suspected or -watched, and there was a skiff all ready to----" - -"But--then you must know----" Norton broke off suddenly, staring -into her level grey eyes, wondering if she had been told who -Blacknose really was. She looked steadily at him, read his thought, -and her face went pale. - -"Yes," she nodded quietly. "Mr. Audubon told me all about it. I do -not quite believe it can be possible, despite what you and Mr. -Audubon heard. You see, sir, Mr. Duval has exerted some influence -over my fa----" - -"Over Abel Grigg, you mean," interrupted Norton gravely. He was all -the more astonished that she had come on this mission, knowing what -she did. - -"Over--him," she went on, avoiding the issue. "But he's not bad at -heart, really! And I came here partly to ask you to help him--I -mean, if you find there is a gang of pirates, don't be too harsh with -him until he is proven guilty----" - -"I promise you that, sweet Kitty," smiled Norton. Then of a sudden -the warmth died out of his brown eyes, and his face went hard. -"Perhaps you were not told how he agreed to sell you to Duval, eh?" - -"Yes," she almost whispered. "I--I--oh, I do not know what to think -or say! But never mind that now, Mr. Norton; Mr. Ayres said that you -were to return to Louisville at once----" - -"You just said he and Audubon were going away?" broke in the puzzled -Norton. - -"They'll be back when you get there. Mr. Ayres has a plan about some -boat, and has gone up-river to get some men he can trust. The -riverman who was murdered had two brothers----" - -"Hold on," laughed Norton. "How can I go back when everyone thinks I -committed that murder? Straighten me out little by little, Kitty!" - -"Nobody thinks you did it. Mr. Ayres found that the knife with which -the man was murdered belonged to someone else, and also established -the fact that you had been outside the tavern all the while. So that -is all right. The owner of the knife escaped in a canoe." - -"And I'll wager his name was Tobin," exclaimed Norton quickly. She -looked at him, surprised. - -"What--how did you know that?" - -"Because I met Mr. Tobin myself." Norton smiled grimly and glanced -at his powder-horn. "Well, that's a relief, Kitty! Now, how about -getting back?" - -"I came down in a skiff that was going to Henderson," she explained. -"That was day before yesterday, and the skiff was to start back this -morning and stop for me. Mr. Ayres knew there was no tavern here, -but that was why he used the name, in case of suspicion." - -"So--I am beginning to understand! This Mr. Ayres is a sly fox, eh?" - -Norton whistled softly. In asking for Dodd's Tavern he had merely -made use of a password which was known to the vacuous-eyed settler, -and had thus precluded any possibility of mistake. - -"Wait here, Kitty," he said, and crossed to Red Hugh. The latter -swung about, showing his usual grim searching expression. "You heard -it all, Hugh?" - -"Yes." The big man nodded. - -"Well, I fancy that Ayres is going to load up a boat and use it as a -lure," went on Norton in a low voice. "It may well be Brookfield's -horse-boat, of which we heard Duval and Grigg speaking, and which -will leave Louisville in two or three weeks. Hold on!" And he -turned to the watching girl again. "What did you say about Ayres -going away to raise some men?" - -"I'm not quite sure myself," she answered, "but I gathered that he -was going for that purpose--he spoke about some men whose relatives -had disappeared with the vanished boats----" - -"That's it, then," said Norton quickly. "He'll get a few men he can -rely upon implicitly and stow them aboard the boat. Then, when -Blacknose attacks, he'll find what he hadn't bargained for, Hugh! -Now will you come back to Louisville? That skiff ought to be along -in an hour or two, if she left Henderson this morning----" - -"No," broke in Red Hugh decisively. "You stay here and take Madam -Grigg back, Norton. I'll scout through the woods for a bit, then -will pick up your boat at Henderson when she comes down. You'll be -aboard her?" - -Norton assented with a nod. - -"Good. If there's no sign of me at Henderson, I'll signal you from -Diamond Island, just below--be sure and take the left-hand channel, -for I'll be on the Kentucky side. Brookfield's boat, eh? All -right--I'll watch out for you." - - -With a final look at Kitty Grigg, Red Hugh touched his cap and went -to the canoe with Norton. The latter took out his rifle and -equipment; then Red Hugh stepped into the craft and shoved off. A -wave of the hand, and he paddled off upstream in the direction whence -they had come that morning. Norton stood watching him out of sight, -a most unwelcome feeling of loneliness stealing upon him; despite the -man's glum silences and bloodthirsty pursuit, he had a strange -fascination for Norton. - -"Who is that man? Is he the--the Red Hugh of whom Mr. Audubon spoke?" - -The Louisianian turned, and smiled into the girl's wondering grey -eyes. - -"I doubt if there be two of that name, Kitty! Aye, he's the man, and -an odd one. Come--let's sit on the bank over here where we can watch -the river. I trust your skiff will return as she promised, for a -night in this place would be little to my liking." - -"Oh, they're kindly folk enough, but terribly poor," she returned, as -Norton led her down the bank under the shade of a clump of -cottonwood. "And such wretched, happy, dirty little babies! I wish -I could do something for them." - -He watched her, fascinated by her fresh beauty, wondering anew how -this pearl of womanhood came to be fixed in the squat cabin of Abel -Grigg. For a space they sat in silence; she gazed out over the -river, hands clasped in her lap, while Norton filled his pipe and -smoked, feeling suddenly content with all things. - -It was coming out all right, he felt, despite the failure to trail -Grigg down and trap the whole gang. Of the relation between Grigg -and the girl beside him, he never bothered, being perfectly convinced -in his own mind that she was another man's daughter. He remembered -the promise he had given her, but the deeper memory of that verbal -bill of sale had impressed him with a hatred and contempt for both -Grigg and Duval, which nothing would eradicate from his mind. - -He recalled the vow he had taken upon that golden eagle, and perhaps -the thought leaped to Kathleen's mind, for she turned with a sudden -little laugh. - -"Oh, I forgot! Have you still got that gold eagle pin?" - -"Yes." Norton put his hand to his breast. "Why?" - -He could not understand the half-smile that lay in her eyes as she -looked at him. Knowing that he was puzzled, she laughed again. - -"Haven't you looked at it since that day?" - -"No--but I will now." - -He reached inside his shirt and unfastened the pin. As the sunlight -fell on it, he frowned slightly; the broken enamel on its face did -not seem--suddenly he turned it over, and read the initials "H.E.M." - -"By thunder!" he exclaimed, looking up at the laughing girl. "I -handed you the wrong pin, eh? It was a mistake, Kathleen----" - -She nodded. "Yes. I discovered it after you had gone, so when I -came I brought this one of yours with me." - -Norton looked at the pin she held out, recognizing it for his own. -Yet he made no move to take it. Much as it meant to him, being his -only memorial from the father he could not remember, he only looked -at it and admired the slim beauty of the palm on which it lay. Hers -was not the hand of a backwoods woman, he thought. - -"Listen, Kitty," he said slowly. "Just as soon as I've cleared up -this Blacknose affair here, I'm going to Cincinnati and find out who -the owner of this pin of yours really was. A number of the -Cincinnati are there or in the neighbourhood, and they will have -records of the Order. Let me keep your eagle until then, and you -keep mine as an earnest that I will return yours." - -He found her face suddenly grave. - -"I do not want to lose it," she said quietly. "It means a good deal -to me, after what you have said----" - -"Nor do I want to lose mine," he broke in, smiling. "Oh, you are not -so easily rid of me, Kitty! I will find your true name for you, and -that's a promise; until then, I will keep your eagle and do you keep -mine in pledge of my return. Not that you need the pledge, since it -would be a far harder matter to keep away from your eyes----" - -"Fie, sir!" And she interrupted merrily enough. "And how many -pledges have you left behind in Louisiana?" - -"Two," returned Norton, so that for a moment her face became as -serious as his own. "One to my friend, Davy Crockett, in shape of my -finest rifle; and one to the traders who sent me hither, in shape of -a promise that I would wipe out Blacknose. Tell me, Kitty, do you -wish to marry Charles Duval?" - -"Do you think I wish it?" And she inspected him with half-frightened -eyes. - -"Well"--Norton shifted his rifle uneasily,--"he is a person of note, -is a gentleman of family--and is able to buy you with money." - -"So much might be said for the Indian Tecumthe," she returned, -flushing at the brutality of his last words. "No, I shall not marry -him." - -"Bravely said," nodded Norton, and felt tremendously relieved. Of -course, he told himself, his only interest lay in saving this -helpless girl from two scoundrels. "Well, even if Abel Grigg swears -you're under age----" - -"There's the skiff coming!" she cried quickly. "Just crossing over." - - -Norton glanced up. Perhaps a mile down the river and with her eight -sweeps bringing her slowly across in a long slant for the Kentucky -side, was a large boat. There was no hurry, he calculated, for she -would require a good fifteen or twenty minutes to head over across -the swift current of the Ohio---- - -"_----then you take this horse and rejoin the boys. I'll get back in -that boat._" - -The cold, commanding words rang out clearly from somewhere behind and -above. - -Norton stiffened; with one quick motion he unstopped his powderhorn -and poured some black grains into the pan of his rifle, as it lay -across his knees. - -"The durned spy must ha' lit out," came the growl of Abel Grigg's -voice. "Tobin ain't showed up, neither." - -The Louisianian glanced swiftly at Kathleen. She was staring at him -wide-eyed, her face ghastly in its sudden pallor. He knew that she -must have realized instantly what had occurred--Duval, on his way -home from Henderson, had met Grigg and intended to turn over his -horse to the backwoodsman and catch this skiff back to Louisville. -Cursing the mischance of fate which had led to such a happening, and -thinking only of keeping the girl unseen, Norton leaned forward and -whispered, with a gesture toward the trees: - -"I'll back them into the woods. Get under those trees, and when the -boat comes get aboard." - -"No," she returned, with a shake of the head. "Why should I be -afraid?" - -Reading determination in her eyes, Norton cursed again, silently, and -leaped up. Discovery was certain; his only chance now lay in holding -up the two men and surprising some confession from them. With -Audubon as sole witness, he could hardly hope to force Duval into -court; but with Kathleen's testimony and that of the settlers, there -was a bare chance. His rifle ready, he left the girl and sprang up -the bank. - -A curious scene greeted him, and one which showed that Elisha Ayres -had not selected this settler's cabin by any vagary. The squalid -woman and babies had vanished; the settler himself sat in the doorway -of his shack with his rifle ostentatiously in hand; paying no heed to -him, Duval and Grigg were standing near the landing, the latter -holding the horse's bridle in one hand, his rifle in the other. -Duval had a pair of pistols in his belt. - -"Hands up, gentlemen!" commanded Norton sharply. "Drop that rifle, -Blacknose!" - -As Norton levelled his weapon, the settler in the doorway rose also, -watching the other two. Duval, whirling with one terrible convulsion -of his features, looked into Norton's rifle and forced the look from -his face; Grigg obeyed the command with a snarl, his powerful, -hook-nosed face grimacing in surprise and consternation. - -"Why--sir! What is the meaning of this, Mr. Norton?" - -Duval's expression of astonishment was an excellent counterfeit. His -virile, dark, thin-lipped face showed only blank surprise, but this -did not deceive Norton. - -"You're a pretty pair of scoundrels!" he said grimly. "Your game's -up, Duval, so no need to play innocent. Grigg, you're known for -Blacknose. I think you'll both go to Louisville on that boat, but -you'll go bound." - -He saw Grigg's eyes widen and his jaw fall in astonishment, and -needed not the step behind him to know that Kathleen had come up. -Duval, however, maintained his cold poise. - -"You are making a grievous mistake, Captain Norton," he returned, -softly. "You must either be out of your senses or----" - -"So?" chuckled Norton easily. "You remember how you and Blacknose -there paused on your way to Henderson a few days ago, and held a -conversation just before you parted company? There were witnesses to -that conversation, my friend." - -Grigg went livid, and his bushy grizzled beard quivered as he stared -at Norton. Duval, however, showed no sign of emotion beyond a -tightening of his lips; his dark eyes glittered ominously, and the -cruel curve of his nostrils deepened. In that moment Norton knew -that he had lost his play, and would get nothing out of this man. -Grigg opened his mouth to speak, but Duval shut him up sharply. - -"I said, sir, that you were mistaken," returned the lawyer coldly. -"The tenor of that conversation must have been misunderstood by you. -Madam Grigg, your servant." - -He bowed slightly to the girl. With an inward groan, Norton lowered -his rifle. If he brought the matter to an issue, he knew well that -he would fail; neither Duval nor Grigg had mentioned Blacknose by -name, and the conversation was incriminating only by inference. And -inference counted for nothing in the Kentucky courts. - -"Duval, I'm going to get you." And Norton suppressed the rage within -him, his voice as cold and level as that of the lawyer. "You're the -man behind this Blacknose gang, and Grigg there is Blacknose. I know -that much, and I'm going to prove it some day." - -"You will have far to travel before that day, sir," returned Duval -with a thinly veiled sneer. - -"Perhaps." And Norton smiled a little as their eyes clinched. "Not -as far, however, as the road your friend Tobin has already travelled." - -The shot told. Duval's eyes narrowed suddenly; then a hoarse cry -broke from Grigg, who pointed at Norton's waist. - -"Look thar! The cuss has got Tobin's horn----" - -"What is that to us?" Duval whirled on him, with so terrible a face -that Grigg fell back. "What is Tobin to us, you fool? Do you know -him?" - -"No," stammered Grigg, giving Norton a furious look. "No, I don't -know him." - -The Louisianian smiled in contempt. Duval had outguessed him -shrewdly, and he would now get no evidence out of either man. - -"Captain Norton"--Duval turned to him with a smooth smile--"I trust -you perceive your mistake." - -"Yes," returned Norton quietly, giving the man a hard look. "You're -smarter than I thought, Duval. But you'll swing yet--mark that!" - -The lawyer made no reply, beyond a cold sneer. A glance showed -Norton that the settler's rifle had vanished, and knowing that Duval -would not dare shoot him down with the approaching boat so near, he -lowered his own rifle and stood leaning on it. Grigg, however, -stepped forward with an oath. - -"I got a word to say here," he cried savagely, glaring past Norton at -the girl. "What you doin' here, Kitty? You and him was settin' -under the bank makin' love, eh? What you doin' here?" - -Norton turned with a helpless gesture. The girl did not heed him, -but looked at Grigg, pale but calm. - -"Be careful what you say"--and her voice trembled a little. "I came -here with a message for Mr. Norton. Further than that, it is no -business of yours." - -"Hey! No business o' mine, ain't it?" shot out Grigg, his gaunt head -flung forward until with his keen-hooked nose he looked uncommonly -like the bird of prey that he was. "Looky here, gal, don't you talk -to your o' dad like that! Now you're here, you'll come along o' me -into the woods fer a spell----" - -The girl drew herself up angrily. - -"You're no father of mine, Abel Grigg," she cried out, and Norton -could not but admire the proud spirit of her. "I know that now, and -you've no authority over me!" - - -Grigg stood as though paralysed. Duval stared at the girl for a -moment, then turned and whispered a few low words to his companion. -Norton would have given much to know what they were, but their effect -was evident. - -With a complete change of manner, Grigg forced the anger from his -face and spoke in a low wheedling voice which yet had a ring of -sincerity in it. - -"Looky here, Kitty! You ain't meanin' that----" - -"I mean what I say," she flashed back at him. "I know you're not my -father, and so does Captain Norton. That's enough." - -Grigg flung Norton one malignant glance. - -"Well, gal," he said slowly, "that's true. I ain't your dad." - -"Who am I, then?" demanded Kathleen swiftly. - -"I dunno." The backwoodsman shook his head, and Norton could not but -believe he spoke the truth. "I found ye nigh on twenty year back, -Kitty, in an Injun camp. Wyandots, they was, an' I bought ye fer a -new horn o' powder an' a gun. That thar's God's truth, gal. They -wouldn't say nothin' 'bout ye. Now I've told, gal, you won't go back -on the ol' man? Come 'long into the woods a spell----" - -"I think not," broke in Norton drily. "Grigg, we know all about how -you want to sell Kitty to this skunk of a Duval. She'll have nothing -more to do with you. That's flat." - -"You've been an' set her up to this, hey?" snarled Grigg suddenly, -turning on the Louisianian. "All right! I'll make ye pay afore I'm -done with ye!" - -Duval gave the angry man a look, and again Grigg flung off his rage -swiftly. - -"Kitty, won't ye go with me?" he said slowly, picking up his rifle. - -"No." - -Duval stood aside, watching, a shadowy sneer on his powerful -features. A glance at the river showed Norton the skiff some three -hundred yards away and slowly approaching the landing. Grigg, -leaning on his rifle and clawing his grizzled beard, looked at the -girl with a sudden sadness in his deep eyes. - -"Kitty," he said very slowly, the harsh timbre of his voice -accentuating his words and lending them sincerity, "I've brung ye up -as best I could. When the ol' woman died ten year back, it was you -helped to bury her. 'Member that? Ye allus called me Dad, didn't -ye? I've done right by ye, gal, accordin' to my lights. Ain't I -give ye the best I could? Ain't I paid ol' Elisha Ayres to give ye -learnin'? You ain't lacked fer nothin', Kitty, even if I am poor." - -Norton, listening, forbore to interfere. It occurred to him that -Grigg was making a desperate fight for a valuable piece of property, -yet there was truth in what the man said. And Kathleen knew it. -Struggle sat in her face. - -"Kitty, gal," went on Grigg with renewed earnestness, "I ain't askin' -much of ye. I've allus give ye the best I had, ain't I? Now, looky -here. Fur's anyone knows, you're my daughter an' I could force ye -any ways I wanted to. But I don't. I love ye, gal, an' all I want -is fer you to stick by me a bit longer. I'm gettin' old, Kitty, an' -ain't as well able to take care o' myself as I used to be. If you're -mixed up with that spy feller, Kitty, ye've done me a mighty bad -turn, but I ain't carin' fer that. Now ain't you a-goin' to come -along o' me, little gal? You ain't a-goin' to leave the ol' man, be -ye?" - -"What do you want of me?" Sorely shaken, the girl looked at him. -"Why shouldn't I go back home, then?" - -"Because I need ye, gal," returned Grigg earnestly. "I'd 'a' brung -ye afore, only I didn't know as I'd need ye. They's a camp -down-river a piece, where I aim to set out quite a spell, an' I want -ye to cook an' take care o' things fer us. Kitty, don't go back on -me after I done brung ye up all them years! Even if ye don't love -me, don't ye reckon ye owe me somethin'? I've took good care on ye, -gal----" - -Terribly pale, the girl turned to Norton. He read the weariness of -her eyes, and started to speak, but she stopped him: - -"No--he's right, Mr. Norton. I owe him some duty, though it will -never go so far as marrying that man." And she flashed Duval one -contemptuous glance. "Good-bye, Mr. Norton--and God bless you!" - -Norton bowed over her hand, bringing it to his lips. The touch -thrilled him, and for a long moment he looked down into her grey -eyes, not trusting himself to speak. - -"Good-bye, for the present," he said huskily, his finely-chiselled -face very tender, "And remember--I shall see you again." - -With no more words she turned to Grigg, who helped her to the saddle -of Duval's horse, and they started away. Norton gazed after them, -feeling the girl's high character grip at his heart-strings; then he -turned at a hail from the river landing. - -"Hey, you fellers! Who's fer Louisville?" - -"All right!" replied the Louisianian. He looked at Duval, and his -eyes flamed out like a sword. "Duval," he said softly, "you're a -yellow dog! You've tried murder and failed; now play your last card -and do it soon, or you're gone!" - -Immobile, his face set as though carven in stone, Duval gazed at him. -Then his strong white teeth flashed out in a slow smile. "If you -wish to make your last will and testament, Captain Norton, anyone in -Louisville can direct you to my office. Sir, your servant!" - -And with a bow he passed down to the waiting boat. Norton followed, -smiling a little, his heart sore within him for Kitty Grigg. - -"But, by gad, it's in the open now!" he thought. "Duval is smart, -but his craft has sprung a leak--and the tide will swamp him whether -I live or die!" - - - - -CHAPTER X - -The trip to Louisville was uneventful, yet significant. As Norton -went aboard the boat, the captain touched his arm and whispered. - -"Captain Norton?" - -"Yes?" - -"The lady----" - -"Does not return with us, sir." - -The captain stepped back and signed to his men. Of these there were -ten--all big, bearded men who kept silent for the whole trip, though -Duval tried to converse with them more than once. Nor did any -address Norton after he was aboard. Save for the captain's orders, -the trip was made in silence. - -When they were rowing past the bluff behind which Red Hugh dwelt, -Norton searched the woods in vain for any sign of his friends, and -caught Duval's eye roving over the bluff as well. Buck Creek and -Salt River were passed without stoppage, and when Norton offered to -pay his passage, he was informed that it has been paid; Duval, a -little later, was taxed a dollar, which he paid promptly. At length -Sullivan's ferry swept by and Shippingsport hove in sight ahead. - -Norton knew nothing of what had been going on in his absence, but -there were a large number of craft, both keel and flatboats, in the -Louisville harbour, while loading of freight was proceeding busily. - -The skiff rowed in through the vessels to a wharf, and Norton saw a -small figure in scarlet breeches and fustian greatcoat waiting for -their landing. He leaped out with a cry of joy, and greeted Elisha -Ayres with a strong grip of the hand. The little schoolmaster -straightened his greasy wig, and turned to meet Duval with a low bow. - -"Your servant, Mr. Duval!" he said, in his dry precise manner. - -The lawyer bowed slightly, fastened his cold gaze on the pinched, -twinkling-eyed face of Ayres, and passed on without speaking. With a -chuckle, Ayres passed his arm under Norton's and turned. - -"Come, Mr. Norton. Do not talk, if you please." - -In no little wonder, Norton accommodated his step to that of the -other, and they walked through the little town toward Louisville. -Ayres placed no ban of silence upon his own tongue, however; he -chattered volubly, pointed out various objects of interest, and -paused at the top of the hill to turn Norton toward the harbour. - -"Just to our right, Mr. Norton, is the Berthoud rope-walk--one of the -finest, I may say, in the United States. There is Mr. Berthoud's -residence just beyond us. Now from here we get a truly remarkable -view of the shipping; you will observe that a half-dozen keels are -being laden for New Orleans, under command of Commodore Peters. The -outside craft is the gunboat of Captain Nevitt, which carries a small -cannon. To the left you will see Captain Brookfield's horse-boat--a -most ingenious contrivance, sir." - -At length Norton caught the drift of all this volubility, and gazed -at the "horse-boat" with no little interest. It was a large craft of -forty tons, with an ungainly gallery on the upper deck. On this, as -Ayres pointed out, six or seven horses worked a treadmill which in -turn worked the large side-paddles, over each gunwale. The boat was -a decided novelty, and as Brookfield had broken a number of paddles -on his trip up-river, she would be delayed from joining the fleet -under Peters and Nevitt, which was leaving in two days. - -When Norton had finished his inspection, Ayres turned him toward the -city again and they proceeded on their way. Duval had disappeared. -Mindful of the rapidity with which things had happened to him on his -previous visit, Norton kept a watchful eye on the passers-by; he had -an uneasy sense of being watched, and perceived that an unduly large -proportion of the men were roughly dressed but excellently armed. It -seemed to him that Duval must have filled the town with his own men, -and things began to loom up darkly before him. - -"These, sir, are the hanging gardens of Mr. Buttet"--and Ayres paused -as they reached the lower end of town, speaking in his usual -oratorical style and with a sweep of his hand toward the handsome -brick house to their left. "From here we gain an excellent view of -the river--one of the finest views in the United States, I may say, -sir. Yonder you perceive Jeffersonville in Indiana; a little to the -left, the magnificent falls of the Ohio. Beyond this, Clarksville -and the Silver Creek hills, with the forests and Rock Island -completing the panorama. And just ahead of us, sir, an interesting -episode is about to be enacted, if I mistake not." - -Norton, who was paying little heed to the view but much to what -passed around him, loosened his knife in its sheath; the "interesting -episode", he concluded swiftly, would be enacted by something better -than fists. Lounging on the board walk a dozen yards ahead, and -eyeing him with insolent and provocative glances, were two huge -rivermen. Both were idly whittling at small sticks, and Norton had -no doubt of their intent. - -Fastening his eyes on the pair and already angered by their insolent -looks, he flung off Ayres's restraining hand and stepped forward. -Then, however, something very odd took place. - -Swinging around the corner at which the two rivermen stood, came -three tow-clad farmers with a snatch of drunken song. One of them -lurched heavily against the nearer riverman, who shoved him away with -a snarling curse. - -"Who--who you shovin'?" demanded the farmer thickly. - -"Git out, ye drunken fool," snapped the big riverman angrily, his eye -was still on Norton. "Move on--we ain't got time to spend on ye." - -"Whoop-ee!"--and the farmer gave vent to a wild howl of rage. -"Hurray fer Jefferson! Damn the Democrats! Shove me, will ye? I'll -learn ye! I'm a cross betwixt a streak of chain-lightning and a -bear-cat! I was sired by a thunderbolt an' riz by an alligator an' I -eats rattlers fer breakfast--whoop-ee!" - -With which peroration he gave the riverman no chance for the usual -exchange of personal history, but with an astonishingly accurate blow -for a drunken man landed his right on the riverman's jaw. His two -companions instantly fell upon the second riverman and with a -whirlwind of blows and dust and flashing knives and yells, all five -drove out into the street and left the sidewalk clear. - -"Come, sir"--and Norton felt Ayres pluck his arm. "They will lodge -the two men in jail, but we must not be detained as witnesses." - -In a flash the real meaning of the scene broke upon the Louisianian, -and with a grunt he strode off beside Ayres. Something most amazing -must have happened in the city of Louisville, he thought. A week -previously, mention of Blacknose had been enough to get a man his -death; now, two members of the mysterious gang were openly assaulted -in the streets! His last view of the combat, through the gathering -crowd, showed one of the farmers perched on the body of a riverman -and industriously gouging for the eyes of his enemy in true border -fashion. - -Five minutes later Norton found himself led toward a good-sized brick -house which stood back from the street amid spacious gardens. This, -announced Ayres, belonged to Mr. Tarascon, a prominent merchant, who -expected Norton as his guest. Comprehending dimly that the -schoolmaster must have moved with tremendous activity in his absence, -the Louisianian strode up the steps to be greeted quietly by a small -elderly Frenchman--no other than the owner of the place. He was -unmarried, it appeared, and when Norton addressed him in his own -tongue, he cried effusively that the house no longer belonged to him -but to his honoured guest. Moreover, the words were quite sincere. - -The afternoon being practically over, Tarascon and Ayres accompanied -Norton to his room--a spacious bedroom on the ground floor, and there -left him with a darkie to attend his personal wants, and a great -variety of clothes to choose from. With a sigh of relief, Norton -bathed and discarded his buckskin for a plum-coloured suit; he was a -gentleman once more in place of a woods rover; and when he inspected -the cravat which the grinning darkie had adjusted, he could scarce -believe that at daybreak he had been sitting in a canoe with an -acknowledged Indian-slayer, rifle in hand. The day was far from -done, however. When he was dressed, the negro ted him through a dark -corridor to two rooms blazing with candles: one a dining-room of -gigantic size, the other an equally large music-room. Still blinking -at the lights, Norton found his hand gripped by Audubon and then -perceived that he had come into a gathering of men. - -"Gentlemen, Captain John Norton!" announced Mr. Tarascon, and turned, -smiling. "Perhaps you had best introduce our friends piecemeal, Mr. -Audubon!" - -A dozen men were present--Colonel Taylor, Rosier, Ayres, and others -of the Louisville merchants to whom Audubon introduced the -Louisianian. Colonel Boone had returned home to Missouri, while -Norton found that his friend, Zach Taylor, had been ordered to -Vincennes to join General Harrison; barely had he been made -acquainted with all there, however, when Colonel Taylor rose and with -a gesture obtained silence. - -"Mr. Norton"--and it was easy to see that the old border fighter felt -bitterly the shame of his words--"when you were here last, this town -was in a peculiar state, sir. As you are only too well aware, the -very name of Blacknose spread terror; men were murdered and property -destroyed almost with impunity; the secrecy of this gang of -river-pirates and its thorough organization seemed to hold us all -spellbound. I acknowledge it with shame, sir. Then, with your -coming, all this was changed." - -As Colonel Dick paused, Norton felt himself the centre of attention. -He was himself too interested in what was coming to heed this, -however, and merely nodded. - -"You had barely arrived, Mr. Norton, when an attempt was made upon -your life; a few hours later you were accused of a dastardly murder -and only the quick wit of Mr. Ayres threw the pursuers from your -track. We had given you up for lost, sir, when Mr. Audubon returned -to town and at once communicated with Mr. Ayres. The result, you see -here." - -"I fancy I have seen the results before this," smiled Norton drily, -and told of the encounter he had witnessed in town. A quick nod -passed around. - -"We can trust every man here," declared Audubon quietly but -impressively. "The grounds of this house are guarded by armed men, -Norton----" - -"But how do you know _they_ can all be trusted?" demanded the -Louisianian keenly. - -"Because, sir," spoke up Ayres, "Mr. Audubon and I enlisted them -personally. We went up-river and carefully selected only those who -had lost brothers or sons or fathers with the boats which have -vanished down the river. Every man of us here has sustained heavy -losses in property from the same cause. In short, sir, we have -raised a company of Regulators, with which to exterminate this -pestilent Blacknose gang." - -Norton whistled to himself, eyeing the energetic little schoolmaster -in some admiration as the whole thing broke over his mind. So then, -they were fighting secrecy with secrecy, organization with -organization! - -Now he understood a good deal which had mystified him--the words of -Kitty Grigg, the odd silence of his boatmen, the manner in which the -two bellicose rivermen had been disposed of. Ayres had been swift -and clever, also; by enlisting only the relatives of the men who had -disappeared with their boats, during the past two years, all -possibility of treachery was removed and the "Regulators" were -certain to be animated by a live hatred of Duval--but did they know -of Duval yet? Norton flung a quick glance around and found all -waiting for him to speak. "How many here know who Blacknose is, -Audubon?" - -The words were like a shock; Norton needed no other answer to his -question than the startled questioning look which ran over the faces -in a flash. - -"Only Ayres," returned the bird-lover, gravely. "It is a thing we -cannot prove definitely, and it would be much better to destroy the -whole gang at one blow. We will lay our suspicions before these -friends of ours to-night, and take counsel." - -While Audubon was speaking, a white-haired negro flung back the -curtains which shut off the dining-room, and now announced dinner. -Mr. Tarascon rose. - -"Then--you have ascertained something definite, Mr. Norton?" - -"Yes. I may say that we have ascertained everything." - -In the startled silence all grouped themselves about the long table, -Norton sitting between Tarascon and Ayres. Then, while the deft -silent negro slaves waited upon them and the long dinner was -discussed, Norton and Audubon related what they had overheard on the -bluff near the blazed cottonwood, the Louisianian adding the -conversation between Grigg and Duval that same morning. - -Being wealthy and very hospitable in a land then noted for its -inhospitality, Mr. Tarascon had provided his best wines for the -occasion, both of French and Spanish. In consequence, certain honest -merchants, who were more accustomed to home distilled corn liquor, -drank wisely but too well of the rarer vintage; and no sooner had the -two friends finished their tale than the table leaped into wild -uproar. - -For this, Norton was by no means sorry. The issue came squarely -forward; Was it possible that Charles Duval could be in alliance with -such a gang of thieves and pirates? To many of those present it was -hard of credence; and one estimable old merchant, who wore a high -black stock, a red peruke, and a coat cut in the fashion of the -nineties, arose and pounded the table in vinuous indignation. - -"Gentlemen, I refuse to believe this monstrous concoction!" he roared -fervidly. "I have known Charles Duval for ten years, and I knew his -father before him. Our friend and esteemed neighbour Henry Clay, now -a member of Congress, knows him----" - -"Yes, Clay knows him?" broke in a loud laugh from someone. "Clay -knocked him down in front of the courthouse at Lexington last -summer----" - -"I refuse to believe it!" continued he of the black stock. "This -charge is not proven, my friends. I will go and bring Charles Duval -himself to deny it to your face----" - -And shaking his fist, the angry old merchant shoved back his chair -and started for the door. Norton would have sprung up to check him, -but was restrained by Audubon's hand; the others glanced at one -another in wondering fear, bewildered. Were the merchant to carry -out his purpose, ruin was certain to fall upon them; yet Tarascon -only sat at the head of the table and smiled as he sipped his wine. -And, as the merchant flung open the door, it was seen to be guarded -by a tall tow-clad man and barred by a rifle. - -"Sir--Mr. Tarascon--what means this!" spluttered the merchant, -turning. - -"It means, sir, that my cellars are wide and my caution is wider," -returned the host with only a veiled threat. He smiled very politely -but his eyes were keen as he glanced at the men who lined the table. - -"Gentlemen," he went on quietly, "you can readily understand that -whether Mr. Norton and Mr. Audubon are correct or not in their -suspicions, no word of what we are about must come to Mr. Duval. -Each man of you here to-night is a gentleman; before you leave this -house, you pass me your words to that effect. Else, you do not -leave. It is very simple. We are going to stamp out this damnable -river piracy, and I promise you that every justice shall be done Mr. -Duval. Sir, pray return to your seat. Boy, fetch that Oporto I had -from New Orleans last fall." - -Norton, watching, perceived that he had fallen among men of weight. -Tarascon was obeyed by the angry merchant, amid a grave silence, and -Colonel Taylor was the first to pledge his word to secrecy. One by -one the others followed suit, after which Elisha Ayres rose, pledged -Norton's health in his grandiloquent manner, and fell to discussing -the plan which he had already elaborated with Audubon. - -This plan of action needed co-operation by the merchants there -gathered, and it was based upon Norton's own idea. Brookfield's -horse-boat was to be chartered and laden with a particularly valuable -cargo, in which lading each of the merchants should risk an equal -share. Brookfield himself was a man above suspicion, already -enrolled in Ayres's "Regulators", and willing to risk his craft in -the venture. - -The boat would be another three weeks in lading, or perhaps less. -Thus ample time would be given Blacknose in which to learn of its -rich cargo and prepare an ambuscade. At Henderson the boat would -secretly pick up twenty of the "Regulators", who would stow -themselves below-decks in readiness for an attack. - -Norton was to ship openly as a passenger, spreading abroad the report -that his visit to Louisville had been barren of results, and in the -meantime he was to remain as the guest of Tarascon in Louisville. -Ayres drily assured him that he would be well guarded. With her rich -cargo, the boat would be almost certain to be attacked; all that was -necessary was for a prisoner or two to be made, in which case they -would turn State's evidence and the rest of the gang could be hunted -down readily enough. - -"Once we ascertain definitely who Blacknose is," said Audubon, "we -cut off the whole affair. Personally, I have no doubt of the matter; -but to those of you who cannot believe Duval guilty, I would -say--wait. This whole matter must be conducted with the greatest -secrecy; let no hint of it get to your slaves, for the gang no doubt -has many of our slaves in its pay." - -"It's a good plan," stated Norton thoughtfully, frowning. "Almost -too good, my friends. We must not overplay our hand--do not say too -much about the rich cargo, for example. Duval, or Blacknose, is no -fool! The thing seems all cut and dried, and that is why I -fear--well, wait and see. When the time comes, we can show no mercy; -that gang is pitiless, more savage than the redskins, and from the -moment Brookfield's boat casts off her moorings at Shippingsport it -becomes a war to the knife. Well, gentlemen"--and with a smile he -rose, glass in hand--"for the rest of this evening let us cast care -aside, and so allow me to propose a toast to the gentleman whose wig -sets awry over a very excellent set of brains--Mr. Elisha Ayres, -gentlemen!" - -And the toast was drunk standing, while the little schoolmaster -wriggled in huge delight and tried to straighten his greasy wig. -None the less, Norton remained thoughtful that evening--for he could -not forget the girl with gold-red hair whose hand had come to his -lips that day, and whose gage he wore inside his shirt. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -As Norton had thought, Mr. Elisha Ayres had formulated a plan which -was almost too good. During the week following the meeting at -Tarascon's house, he found that what appeared excellent by -candlelight looked somewhat full of shreds and patches by the cold -light of day. - -The Regulators, to be sure, were unobtrusive but efficient, numbering -twenty, and neither the Tarascon house nor Norton himself was ever -unguarded. No more attempts were made upon Norton; yet the day after -that dinner-party a brawl took place in the "Steuben Arms" in which -one of the Regulators and a settler from down near the Wabash managed -to kill each other. The settler seemed unknown in the town, which -was a significant fact. - -"Public sentiment is rising, sir," observed Audubon on hearing of it -from Ayres, as they walked with Norton in the Tarascon gardens next -day. "I would imagine that Duval is caught napping. Most of his men -are down-river with Grigg, beyond a doubt, and while he must be -perfectly aware of something going on, he is helpless. Further, he -is engaged in court at Lexington." - -During that idle week Norton might have gone to Cincinnati had not -Brookfield been expecting to get away soon. The lading of his boat -and the repair of her paddles had gone forward faster than had been -looked for, and now the rivermen hoped in all confidence to be off -before the following week was up. His crew consisted of six men -only, and he could trust but two of them. - -"Set the departure for next Saturday, then," commanded Norton, as he -and Ayres and Audubon consulted with Brookfield on the Monday. "Give -our friend Duval time to make his preparations, for we must make sure -of all. On Friday send the Regulators down the river on horseback so -that they can pass Henderson before daybreak and pick us up near -Diamond Island." - -On the table was a chart of the Ohio, and Audubon broke in, placing -his finger on the Wabash settlement. - -"You mind the settler who was slain last week? He came from this -settlement, and must have been one of Duval's men. There is a clue -for us; besides, Grigg and Duval agreed to waylay the boat near the -Wabash." - -The others nodded soberly. - -"Mr. Norton's idea is very good," said Ayres. "Captain Brookfield, -set your departure for the Saturday morning. It is only a hundred -miles to Henderson by trail, and we will send out the Regulators -Friday; they will pick you up here at Diamond Island, twelve miles -below Henderson, on the Kentucky shore beyond the plantation of Mr. -Alvis." - -To this Brookfield agreed. He would reach the island some time on -Sunday, and the Regulators would thus have plenty of time to make the -journey by land, avoiding Henderson itself. So, with all plans fully -settled, there was naught to do save to wait and watch. - -Captain Brookfield announced his departure and rushed his lading, and -with that the situation began to tighten up, Duval, having been -engaged in court at Ledington for two days, returned to town on -Wednesday; and Norton saw that with his return the lawyer had taken -swift warning of some sort. - -The plot was known to a dozen citizens at most, and the little border -town remained as quiet and sleepy as ever; but beneath the surface -there was a furious boiling of the pot. Since the double killing at -the "Steuben Arms," the Regulators had been forbidden the tavern. -Now, however, Duval openly made the place his headquarters. He had a -plantation a few miles up-river, it seemed, but stopped at the tavern -when in town. And on the Wednesday, Norton found the trap ready laid -for his bait. - -He had been riding below the falls with Audubon, and on their return -they rode past the "Steuben Arms". As they jogged along, Norton saw -a negro step into the tavern courtyard and loose a bird from a small -wicker cage. At the action, he caught his friend's arms swiftly. - -"That bird--watch it! What is it?" - -Audubon whistled, and watched the bird as it circled up to pick its -course, and finally shot off to the westward. He took out his -pocket-compass, inspected it, then quietly beckoned Norton to ride on. - -"Southwest by west and a half west," he returned, a flush of -excitement on his high cheeks. "A carrier pigeon for the Wabash, -Norton! Now ends all mystery, and the stage-players can no more fool -the audience." - -"By gad!" breathed Norton softly, his brown eyes flaming out at -Audubon. "He uses carrier pigeons, eh? Then Duval must be -concocting his plan against the horse-boat with Grigg and the -gang--and if we could but bring down one of those pigeons we could -nip him like a flea!" - -"Good," nodded the other. "Let us come out to-morrow morning, with -that little double-barrelled gun of mine. The birds will not fly too -high, I think." - -So it came about that Norton went back to his woods garments with the -next morning. Tarascon's slaves had greased his old buckskins, so -that the stiffness was gone from them and Norton donned them and his -fine moccasins with a feeling of joy. At breakfast he confided to -Tarascon what his mission was. - -"If we bring down a bird and find a message," he concluded, "we had -best jail Duval at once." - -The other nodded quietly, his dark eyes sparkling. - -"One of my slaves informed me this morning," he returned, "that Duval -was preparing for a journey--though I had said nothing to any of my -slaves. But trust the darkies to know what's afoot!" - -"It's a poor sword that has not two edges," said Norton, frowning. - -"Certainly--that is just what we risk, Mr. Norton," and Tarascon -departed gloomily to his business. - -Norton rode out, met Audubon and Ayres, and the three wended west of -town with rifles ready. All that day their watching proved vain, -however, for no pigeon passed overhead save for a flock of wild -birds. This was on the Thursday, and the horse-boat was to sail on -the Saturday. - -With the next morning all three were out again, and still came no -result. The Regulators left Louisville that morning--twenty of them, -all mounted and armed, with instructions to meet the boat at Diamond -Island, twelve miles below Henderson. All day the three friends -watched from the riverside, but no pigeon appeared, and with the -evening Norton gave up all hope of thus cornering Duval. - - -Ayres and Audubon returned to the Tarascon house for dinner. During -the meal, their host was summoned outside and returned, leading a -badly-frightened slave. - -"News, my friends!" cried Tarascon eagerly. "This boy is one of the -hostlers at the "Steuben Arms", and I have paid him to keep an eye on -Duval----" - -"It's a poor sword that hasn't two edges," broke in Norton glumly. - -"Confound it, cease your croaking!" exclaimed Audubon gaily. "Out -with the news, Tarascon! Don't heed him." - -Tarascon smiled and settled into his seat, white the negro waited, -rolling his eyes in fright until the merchant tossed him a dollar. - -"Now, boy, you say Mr. Duval is leaving to-morrow?" - -"Yas, suh. He done got three hosses waitin' foh him." - -"Making ready for a quick trip, eh?" said Ayres. The merchant nodded. - -"Have you overheard anything about his plans, boy?" - -"Yas, suh. Ah done heard him talkin' wif a man. He reckoned they -was gwine to beat Cap'n Brookfield's boat to Henderson, suh." - -"Two of them, eh? Anything more?" - -"No, suh." - -Upon this, Tarascon dismissed the slave, and the four friends -discussed the news. They finally reached the conclusion that Duval -intended to meet the pirates and take part in the attack on the -horse-boat, after which he would doubtless flee the country, as he -must know that there was something afoot. - -"So much the better," cried Audubon gaily. "Success to the -Regulators!" - -"All very well," retorted Norton. "But I don't like this slave -business. What we can do, Duval can do." - -His forebodings were drowned in Oporto, however. Next morning the -four again gathered at breakfast, after which all mounted and rode -through town toward Shippingsport to see Norton off. It was early, -and few people were astir, for Brookfield was making a swift trip to -Henderson and wanted to make the most of the day. As they passed the -"Steuben Arms," Norton sent a casual glance at the place; then he -reined in suddenly. - -His quick eye had caught sight of a negro just emerging on the -courtyard, a wicker cage in his hand. With a sudden thrill of -excitement, he spurred from the road and clattered down on the -startled slave. The cage held a pigeon. - -"Give me that bird, boy," he said, leaning over. - -"Dishyer bird b' longs to Mr. Duval, suh"--and the darkie drew back. -The other three had followed Norton, however, and hemmed in the slave -so that his escape to the doorway behind was cut off. - -"Watch him, Audubon!" cried Norton. - -Without further parley he leaned down and grasped the cage from the -shrinking negro. Opening it eagerly, he found a tiny slip of paper -under the bird's wing, and carefully loosened it. - -A glance around showed him three saddled horses to one side, and he -knew they had been just in time. Then, unfolding the paper, he read -the message written thereon. It was unsigned. - - - A.G.-- - - Meet me as planned. B's boat leaves to-day. Have arranged all - satisfactorily. Norton goes with boat. - - -Silently he passed the note to Ayres, and the others crowded together -over it, while the negro watched in affright. Ayres looked up. - -"It is Duval's hand," he said, his voice quivering with excitement. -"What's to be done?" - -"Seize him," said Norton curtly. "Mr. Tarascon, will you go on to -the port and tell Brookfield that I will meet him at Diamond Island -instead of going with him from here? Ayres, there is no court in -session now?" - -"No," returned the schoolmaster. "What would you do?" - -"Take care of Duval, then ride to Henderson and catch the boat," -snapped Norton, as the plan of action took rapid shape in his brain. -"Gentlemen, we must bring out our charges in public and lay Duval by -the heels, thus cutting off the head of the gang. Ayres, do you -hasten and collect our friends and others at the courthouse, in the -court-room. Audubon and I will fetch Duval. Off with you, now!" - -There was a moment of startled silence as all four realized that now -indeed the crisis had come. Then Tarascon wheeled his horse, Ayres -followed suit, and the two swept out of the courtyard at a gallop. -Norton and Audubon dismounted. - -"Take us to the chambers of Mr. Duval, boy." - -The negro obeyed, trembling with fear, and the two men followed him -through the tavern to Duval's room, there dismissing him. In -response to their knock, the lawyer himself, plainly astonished, -opened the door. He was dressed for a journey, with pistols at his -belt, and Norton surveyed him with a grim smile. - -"Mr. Duval, some time ago you proffered me your services did I desire -to draw up my will. That time has come, and as I can find no other -lawyer and am in some haste, I beg of you to serve me." - -Duval was puzzled. He looked into Norton's grim eyes, then at -Audubon, and one hand rested on the pistol at his side. - -"Do you jest, sir?" he asked coldly, - -"I do not jest with you," returned Norton. Then the hatred within -him burst all bounds, and he suddenly flung up his rifle. "Curse -you, Duval, we've got you! Out of there!" - -His flint was up, and Duval knew better than to resist. He came out -into the passage, coldly insolent. - -"This time you have gone too far, Mr. Norton. I follow you, but you -shall----" - -"You do not follow--you go before," snarled Norton. "Guide him, -Audubon. I'll keep him covered." - -In Norton's heart was wild triumph. No sooner had they left the -tavern than a crowd began to assemble; while Audubon went on with -Duval, the Louisianian took their horses in hand and followed, his -rifle covering the lawyer ahead. - -Ayres had already stirred the town into wild excitement, and now -Norton perceived a fresh danger as the crowd lagged on their heels. -Were it made public that Duval was none other than Blacknose, the man -would be mobbed instantly, and this must be prevented at all costs. -He was relieved to see Tarascon, returning from the port, break -through the wondering crowd and clatter to his side. - -"Ride on," he said swiftly to the merchant. "Station guards at the -courthouse doors. This affair must not be taken out of our hands. -Allow only prominent citizens in the courtroom--ah, there is Colonel -Taylor!" - -Taylor, it appeared, had ridden into town to see Norton off, and -joined them in some wonder at the scene as Tarascon departed. It was -well he did, for the crowd, seeing that Norton held Duval a prisoner, -was uttering threats and gathering courage to rescue the supposed -victim of an assault. - -The presence of Taylor held them quiet, and so the procession came to -the courthouse. Duval must have known that his time had come, but he -walked very proudly, without a word. Men were streaming into the -courthouse, and at the door stood Tarascon, Ayres, and two men with -rifles who pressed back the crowd. Two more appeared to take charge -of Duval, though in some bewilderment. - -Entering the courtroom itself, Norton strode to the judge's bench and -faced the assemblage, his friends beside him. Duval was held at the -opposite side of the room. To his surprise, Norton found the crowd -very quiet, very grave, almost to fear. One and all were citizens of -weight and prominence. - - -Quietly, the Louisianian addressed them and charged Duval with being -the mysterious Blacknose, relating all his former evidence and -finally reading out the note. After one startled gasp, the men -facing him sat quietly and listened while Audubon and Ayres sustained -the charges. - -Through it all Duval stood immobile, until at length Norton looked at -him and asked if he had anything to say. Then the lawyer drew -himself up arrogantly. - -"Gentlemen"--and the deep timbre of his voice rang out proudly as all -faces turned to him--"do you not perceive how ridiculous is this -charge? Need I say more?" - -To his amazement, Norton found that the words met with silence--a -silence partly of wonder, partly of doubt. Duval was very calm, very -powerful, holding the assemblage by the sheer force of his -personality and will. Then a man leaped to his feet. - -"Confound it, sir," he cried at Duval, "explain that note! Explain -why----" - -"I--explain?" broke in Duval ringingly. "Guilty men explain; I do -not! Have you not seen that this Mr. Norton hates and fears me? Did -not his bitterness ring through every word he spoke? My friends, I -have lived among you all my life; some of you are my clients and know -me well. If you can think that I would thus deal with you then I -wash my hands of you, and my blood be on your heads!" - -Dismayed though he was, Norton could not but admire the keen spirit -of the man. Duval knew he was lost, yet was making a desperate -fight--for what? A word of explanation and the crowd would have been -at his throat; instead, he defied them and they doubted everything. - -A wild storm of voices arose, and as Tarascon began to quiet it for a -hearing, Norton saw Duval take a slow backward step. The lawyer's -hands were on his pistols, and in a flash Norton caught the man's -intent. - -"Stop him!" he shouted, but the words were lost. - -Quick as a cat, Duval had seized the right moment. Whirling on the -two men who guarded him, he sent one staggering with his fist; the -other he shot through the body. As the roar of the pistol crashed -out and the doorway was hidden by smoke, Norton leaped forward. - -Fighting his way through the maddened crowd of cursing shouting men, -he won to the door and sprang through the corridor to the outer -doorway, Audubon at his heels. Too late! He caught another -pistol-shot and saw Duval galloping away down the street like mad. - -Norton flung up his rifle and fired from the steps, over the heads of -the shouting crowd, who were scattering in alarm. Duval's steed gave -a leap, but the lawyer pressed him onward; the next instant a surge -of men swept up and the mob met those crowding out from the -courthouse. - -"Blacknose! Duval is Blacknose!" - -A wild savage yell shrilled up at the words. At the same instant -Norton felt Audubon's hand on his arm. - -"Out the back way!" said the bird-lover excitedly. "We will get -horses and after him. Ayres has gone for the steeds. Quickly!" - -And cursing all things in his bitterness, Norton turned and fought -clear of the crowd. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -Within a short half-hour of Duval's dramatic--and tragic--escape from -the courthouse, Norton and Audubon were at the head of a dozen -well-mounted men, led horses with them, and they left Louisville at a -gallop along the post road. - -Duval, it was learned, had gained the "Steuben Arms" and had then -galloped off with his three horses, one other man with him--a -riverman, who was evidently of the gang. - -Behind, the town was in a ferment, but Norton galloped along in grim -silence. In his party were Ayres, Tarascon, and Colonel Dick Taylor; -all had steeds of the best and all were driven by the same flame of -rage which burned in Norton's heart. - -Yet not the same. Norton knew they must catch Duval before Henderson -was reached, in order that the gang might have no warning; but he was -thinking more of Kitty Grigg than of the gang itself. Did Duval get -away, he would doubtless carry out the attack on the horse-boat, and -the gang would then scatter with their loot. At least, such would be -the intention, for so far as Norton knew, Duval was ignorant of the -plot to trap the gang; nothing had been said of it at the courthouse. - -The fourteen men galloped along the post road toward Sullivan's -ferry, and there was no sparing of horseflesh that morning. Norton -set a terrific pace, and with a thunder of hoofs they swept into the -little settlement at the ferry and found Sullivan himself. - -"Two men and three horses--which way?" - -"Henderson road, twenty minutes since," shouted Sullivan. "What's -the matter?" - -"Blacknose! Duval is Blacknose!" - -With the yell, Norton dug in his moccasined heels and once more they -galloped away, leaving the ferryman staring after them in wild -surmise. The lawyer had a good start, and his horses were of the -best. - -With the thought of Kitty Grigg pounding at his heart in time with -the thunder of hoofs behind, Norton rode on like a madman. Did Duval -escape, the girl would be in his power. - -"He shall not escape," vowed Norton inwardly. "Faster!" - -And again he urged his mount to fresh efforts, his led horse pounding -at his side. Behind, the fourteen were strung out along the uneven -blazed trail in frantic pursuit. - -They were following a "trace" which struck southwest to avoid the -windings of the river, for it was thus that their quarry had gone. -The road was not worthy the name, yet was the shortest route to -Henderson. - -"Hold up, man--hold up!" came the voice of Audubon. "You'll kill our -steeds at this rate!" - -"When they die, your led horses remain," flung back Norton, and dug -in his heels once more. His beast was white with foam already, but -held to its steady gallop; all the horses were finely bred, out of -the best blue-grass country around Louisville, and could be depended -on till the last. - -Without slacking the mad gait, Norton drew in his second horse; -flinging his leg over the saddle, he changed seats successfully. It -was a splendid bit of horsemanship, but his followers could not -emulate it. - -"Hold up, Norton!" roared Taylor. "Wait for us to change----" - -"I'm after Duval," he retorted, and looked around. "Let the rest -wait!" - -Half the fourteen were already drawing rein, preparing to change -their mounts; Audubon alone swung to his spare horse at full gallop, -and pounded on with a ringing laugh. - -Five minutes later Norton saw a man standing in the road ahead, and -drew in slightly. The man was a settler, watching them in staring -wonder. - -"Anyone passed?" flung out Norton, pulling up. - -"Two men--three horses, fifteen minutes since," came the answer. -"What's gwine on----?" - -"After them!" shouted Norton, and loosened his reins. - -Mile after mile wound past. They were in the full wilderness now, -the "trace" being nothing but a rudely blazed trail winding amid -girdled trees and short stumps. Settlers were scarce and the road -was little travelled, but as Norton whipped into a branch and leaned -down, he could see hoof-marks in the soil beneath him, and the sight -lent him fresh eagerness. - -A yell and a crash from behind made him twist about in the saddle. -Two of his men had smashed together and gone down in a mad heap; -another plunged full into them; the rest leaped clear. It required -skill to follow that road at full speed, but Norton never slackened. - -Ever at his flank rode Audubon, rifle on saddle, while Ayres and -Taylor followed next. Tarascon had fallen behind; looking back after -a little, Norton saw the merchant's horse falling, and sent back a -wild laugh. - -"_Sauve qui peut_! After them!" - -Twenty miles on their way, and still ten men rode with Norton as he -topped a crest and swung down toward a dipping bowl of bottom-land, -strewn with canebrakes. Even as he glimpsed the danger, Audubon -shouted: - -"'Ware, Norton! They've fired the canes!" - - -A low drift of smoke was rising from the road below where it struck -through a patch of canes. Norton saw it, but sent his horse onward -in grim resolve. The fire was newly started; five minutes later and -they must have gone around through the swamps. - -His staring-eyed horse never faltered beneath his hand, but went -driving at the smoke-veil. The led beast tried to tug free and all -but tore the Louisianian from his saddle, but he dragged savagely on -the reins and all went well. One horrible choking moment, and they -were through; on the rising ground beyond, he drew up and again -changed saddles. - -Ayres and Audubon followed, then Colonel Taylor, whose spare beast -had broken away. Four more came through, but as a puff of wind -lifted the smoke Norton could see the rest vainly trying to drive -their maddened steeds at the fire. He laughed a little. - -"After them! Duval can't last at this pace!" - -Ten minutes later Taylor's horse foundered and the old border fighter -fell behind, swearing volubly. Now there were but six men after -Norton, and a little later they perceived how desperate was Duval's -plight when they came upon a dying horse in the road, still saddled. - -"After them!" shouted Norton again. - -Duval and his companion had but three horses at the start, and had -killed one of those; with luck, the chase would now be short. -Norton's steeds were both white with foam, trembling as they pounded -onward, but there was good distance in them yet, and his changes kept -them fairly freshened. - -Still the miles thundered behind them, and now there were but five -men at his heels, for one had gone down. Audubon shouted out as they -dipped down toward another canebrake. - -"Five miles more and we get fresh horses! There's a tavern where -they keep changes----" - -His words were drowned in a scream from one of the men close behind. -Up from the canebrake a hundred yards ahead drifted a little fleck of -white; in the road lay a struggling horse. - -"Run to earth!" yelled Norton, never looking back at the man who -dragged in his stirrup, shot through the heart. "On them!" - -He knew his mistake the next moment, however. Duval was not run to -earth yet; it was his companion whose horse had gone down, and who -had thus tempted fate. Norton went into the canes with a wild leap; -he plunged on the riverman before the latter could reload. - -The riverman, a tall bearded scoundrel, flashed up a pistol at Norton -and the bullet flew through his hair. The Louisianian rode him down; -the horse stumbled at the impact, and Norton went over the brute's -head into the muck. Rising, he heard a rifle bang out and caught his -steed's bridle over the relaxing body of the riverman. Ayres lowered -his rifle, white-faced. - -"No hurt," cried Norton. "After him!" - -Remounting, he caught his other horse and pounded on, his sole -thought a savage desire to get at Duval. Besides Audubon and Ayres, -but two others were left; one of these was mired a mile farther on, -and they swept away from him before he could change beasts. - -Good though the horses were, they were staggering terribly. The -Louisianian was wild with impotent rage; he knew well that Duval -would secure a fresh mount at the tavern ahead, and would get the -best. With a frenzy of curses he drove on his steed, let his spare -horse drop behind, saw Ayres pull up with a cry of despair, and -thundered on over the last mile, hoping against hope. - -And all in vain. The tavern was a low building set in a clearing, -barns and tobacco sheds behind, and just beyond was a clump of -settlers' cabins. As they came in sight of the place, still a -half-mile distant, Norton had plain sight of a figure riding from the -tavern at full gallop. With a groan he turned a drawn face to -Audubon. - -"How far to Henderson?" - -"Fifty miles--we have come half-way, and the day is dying." - -With a start, Norton perceived that the afternoon was indeed well -forward. While the reeling horses galloped on, he turned to the -bird-lover and directed him to secure fresh beasts. - -"We'll get food and eat it later"--and he nodded toward the remaining -man, a Scotch farmer from above Louisville. The latter grunted, and -so they swept up to the squalid tavern. - -Its proprietor, an open-mouthed, staring person, met their quick -demands with a slow shake of the head, watching them slip to the -ground. Before he could reply to them, Norton had shoved him aside -with an impatient oath and strode on into the tavern, the Scotch -farmer at his heels. - -In the kitchens out behind the main building they found negro slaves -at work, and amid frightened screams Norton seized what food was in -sight. Flinging down a dollar in payment, Norton led the way back. - -Negroes were already leading out half a dozen horses from a near-by -pasture while Audubon pacified the tavern-keeper with a gold-piece. -In five minutes the saddles were transferred, and the three set out -at a breakneck gallop on their new mounts, eating as they rode. - - -The difference in horses was instantly apparent to Norton. Although -he urged the beasts relentlessly, when darkness fell they had caught -no further glimpse of Duvai. Even his desperate frenzy was forced to -give way before the gathering shadows. - -"Hold up or you'll be brained," cried Audubon as a bough nearly took -Norton out of the saddle. "This is rank madness, man!" - -The Louisianian refused to listen, but pressed on. Five minutes -later his horse went down in a mud-hole, its leg broken, while he -himself received a nasty fall against a stump. - -Sobered by the pain and the shaking-up, he shot the poor beast and -mounted his spare steed, riding on at a slower pace and in gloomy -silence For an hour the three proceeded more slowly, until a -glimmering against the horizon announced the rising moon. - -"Duval is in the same boat," observed Audubon. "We can be sure that -he'll keep the trail, for it's his only hope." - -Norton did not reply. Duval must keep to the "trace" indeed; unless -he passed Henderson ahead of them he was lost. His only hope lay in -meeting his own gang or else in getting down the river ahead of his -pursuers by means of a boat or canoe. - -When the moon came up at length, Norton renewed the chase at a -gallop, and the freshened horses responded nobly to his urgings. It -was sheer madness to go sweeping through the dark woods at that pace, -but Norton was far past caring. - -"Kitty Grigg! Kitty Grigg!" - -The name pounded through his heart with the pound of the hoofs on the -dew-wet turf. He was just changing saddles at midnight, when the -Scotchman drew up alongside, spent. - -"Take my fresh horse, Mr Norton. This beastie o' mine is done, and -I'll be done, too, in anither hour." - -Norton nodded, and with a word to Audubon, rode on. Out of all the -fourteen who had thundered out of Louisville, he and his friend alone -were left. To judge from his own stiffened and wearied body, Audubon -must be made of iron to stand the pace. - -With three led horses, they did not spare the brutes while the -moonlight lasted, one of the mounts foundering an hour later. At -last the moon died into the darkness preceding dawn, and with only -the horses they rode left to them, they drew up for a brief rest. - -"We must be hard on Henderson," said Norton shortly, lighting his -pipe, for he would not sleep. - -"Ten miles from there, I think," responded Audubon "There's a fork in -the trail somewhere ahead. One trace goes to Henderson; the other -proceeds to the river near Diamond Island, I believe." - - -With the first gleam of grey in the sky, they were up and off; and -now as the daylight increased, Norton again urged the poor steeds to -the utmost. - -An hour after dawn Audubon halted him with a shout, and just beyond -them he perceived that the trail bent around to the north, a fainter -trail continuing from it to the left and west. He pulled up and -dismounted stiffly. - -"By gad! Audubon, which trail for Henderson?" - -"The northern." - -"Then we've got him! He's gone on to strike the river, and here are -the marks where the Regulators turned off to Henderson yesterday!" - -Norton leaped into his saddle and his jaded steed again took up the -road. The other horse was spent, however. A mile farther on, and -Norton turned at a cry to see Audubon go down. - -"I'm done!" shouted Audubon, scrambling to his feet. "On, Norton! -Good luck!" - -For a bare instant the Louisianian hesitated, then dug in his heels -and sent his sobbing beast ahead, his face grim. Everything now -depended on him alone. - -It was Sunday morning, he knew, and he wondered if there were any -church-bells in Henderson. His horse was staggering now, and he had -to watch closely lest he be sent headlong into the trees. - -The Regulators had arrived at Henderson yesterday, according to the -trail. No doubt they had passed through town or avoided it, going on -along the river-bank to Diamond Island, where there was a large -plantation. Then, with the miles slipping behind, Norton caught a -gleam of water ahead and greeted it with a hoarse shout. The Ohio! - -His beast coughed, straddled out, and sagged down. Norton slipped to -the ground, rifle in hand, and with stiffened, stumbling feet ran -forward, pouring a fresh priming in the pan as he ran. Where were -the Regulators? Where was Duval? Where was Red Hugh? Had the -wilderness trail swallowed them all? - -Gasping and sobbing for breath, he followed the faint track to the -water's edge, broke out from the last trees, and found himself on the -river's brink. Then he uttered a groan of dismay and sank down, -panting. Far down the stream, with a single man paddling furiously, -was a canoe; as he looked, it swept around the lower end of the -island and vanished. - -Duval had escaped. - - -Slowly Norton pulled himself together. Twenty feet away was a horse, -gasping out its life beside the river; Duval must have known where a -canoe lay cached. From where he was, Norton had an excellent view of -Diamond Island and the river. - -He was a mile below the ferry and the upper end of the island, which -was diamond-shaped. Henderson lay twelve miles up-river. The -island, partly timbered and partly under cultivation, was four miles -in length, and the stream in front of Norton was a quarter of a mile -in width. - -Suddenly, staggering a little, he sprang to his feet. Up the river -he had made out a shape impossible to mistake; Brookfield's -horse-boat was floating down the swift current, keeping close to the -Kentucky shore, and it was a scant half-mile above--he had come just -in the nick of time, then! - -Norton remembered that the boat was to have started from Henderson -that morning, and also that Red Hugh had promised to meet it near the -head of Diamond Island. Was he aboard, then, with the Regulators? - -Norton watched the ungainly craft as it came down. He saw sweeps put -out and knew that he had been observed, for the craft slowly forged -in toward him. Brookfield was standing in the bow, and beside him -was a tall figure which Norton recognized with a thrill of wild -relief. Red Hugh had kept his word! - -Slowly the craft neared the bank, and Norton waded out through the -shallows to meet her. At length he came near enough to grip the hand -of Red Hugh and so clambered up over the rail as the crew pushed the -boat out again. For a moment he sat helpless, weak and unstrung, -looking around. He saw the six men of the crew, but there was no -sign of the Regulators. - -"All is well?" he asked hoarsely as Brookfield strode over and helped -him to his feet. "Have the Regulators come aboard?" - -"All is well--but what mean you about the Regulators?" queried the -other, in seeming surprise. - -"Eh?" Norton stared at him, tottering at the knees and clutching at -Red Hugh for support. "Are you crazed? They were to have met you at -the island----" - -"Your pardon, sir, but I have Mr Ayres's writing otherwise"--and -Brookfield hastily produced a folded paper. Norton took it, still -a-stare, trying to pull himself together and meet the situation. - -"By gad, sir, one of us must be mad, then!" he broke out, and turned -on Red Hugh. "What's all this, Hugh? Where did you get aboard?" - -"A mile up-stream, by the ferry." - -"For God's sake, sir," broke in the captain, terrible fear on his -countenance, "read that note which Ayres sent me at Henderson!" - -"He sent you none," cried Norton wildly, and opened the paper. He -saw the same writing which he had seen in the note taken from the -carrier-pigeon--the writing of Charles Duval, though the note was -signed by another name. - - - Captain Brookfield. - - Sir:--The plans are changed. The Regulators will not come aboard - your boat but will follow after in a skiff. Do you proceed and - leave all to me. - - ELISHA AYRES. - - -Norton looked up, and all things were in a haze before his eyes. -Dimly he realized that there had been awful treachery somewhere; -dimly he remembered how he had warned Tarascon against the slaves. -He tried to speak, but only a hoarse murmur came from his lips. - -Duval had tricked them--tricked them! He had known their plot all -along and had set a counterplot with devilish ingenuity; this note -must have been waiting at Henderson for a day or two---- - -With a terrible effort to warn Brookfield, Norton screamed out -something and fell in a heap as his knees gave way. The strain and -the shock had mastered him, and he lay senseless on the deck while -the others stared, ignorant of what had chanced, and the horse-boat -swept on down-stream. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A trickle of whisky through his lips brought Norton to his senses. A -terrible lassitude had come upon him, but he shook it off with an -effort and sat up in the arms of Red Hugh. - -Brookfield was standing, watching him, biting at his moustache in -anxiety. Behind them Diamond Island was fast slipping into the -distance, while the boat's crew was watching Norton from afar, -curiously. He looked out at the three-mile stretch of wide river, -saw the clustered settlements which lined the banks on the opposite -shore, and then--remembered. - -"That letter was forged," he said slowly, striving to force himself -into coherent calm. Brookfield jumped at the word. - -"Forged--impossible!" he returned swiftly. "Why, Mr. Norton, I met -two of the Regulators at Henderson last night, and they themselves -said they had been recalled by Mr. Ayres and yourself----" - -"Duped!" murmured Norton, and compressed his lips. Duval had sent -another note to the Regulators, then! Had probably sent it days -ahead! - -The whole thing now lay plain before his mind. Cunning as a fox, -Duval had known of their scheme almost from the first, beyond a -doubt. Thinking that Norton would embark on the boat as originally -planned, he had forged the letter from Ayres, together with another -to the Regulators. Thus Norton and the richly-laden craft together -would come into the hands of Grigg and the gang. Naturally, he could -not have foreseen what had happened at the last moment. - -Carefully and slowly, Norton told the other two what had taken place -in Louisville, of that terrible ride, and lastly of how Duval must -have tricked them all around. When he had finished, Red Hugh was -plucking thoughtfully at his beard while Brookfield was staring at -him in alarmed dismay. For this, Norton did not quite see the reason. - -"It is not yet too late to repair matters, even though our plans have -gone awry," he stated, as new hope began to creep through him. He -got to his feet, shakily. After all, there was no great hurry. -Thank heaven, he had been able to meet Brookfield and so warn him in -time! - -"How--repair matters?" frowned the captain. - -"Why, 'tis simple enough"--and Norton essayed a faint smile. "We'll -merely get back against the current to Henderson and take the -Regulators aboard----" - -"Think you I carry horses on my down voyage?" asked Brookfield, the -veins in his stolid face standing out under his stress of emotion as -he spoke. "Man, to get back is impossible! With only nine of us -aboard in all, we could never row this craft upstream, and I have no -horses to work the machinery." - -Norton nodded, grasping the point, and looked out across the bulwark. -They were now some seven miles below Diamond Island, and another -island was in sight ahead. There seemed to be few settlements below. - -"Well, then, we had best tie up at the first settlement which we -reach, Captain Brookfield. There we can either take some extra men -aboard to serve in place of the Regulators, or else you can tie up -and wait till I can get back to Henderson for our own men----" - -"That would take too long," broke in Red Hugh, speaking almost for -the first time. "True, we might take some extra men aboard, but we -know not whom we can trust down here. And Duval is ahead of us, eh?" - -Norton nodded. Duval had probably crossed over to the Indiana shore, -for they had caught no sight of him. At this juncture the sadly -bewildered Brookfieid left them, to take charge of the island -passage, and the Louisianian despatched Red Hugh in search of food -and drink. - -While he was making a hearty meal, which put new strength and life -into his jaded body, Brookfield rejoined the two of them, and all -discussed the situation, which began to assume rather alarming -proportions. - -Norton's suggestion was the most conservative. By tying up at one of -the settlements they could take men aboard, and might find -trustworthy men who could be initiated into the whole plot. Red -Hugh, however, who had seemed to awaken thoroughly to the affair, now -made a counter-proposal. - -"Gentlemen, we are by no means cowards, I believe," he said, his -deep-set grey eyes flaming a little as he spoke. "We are not so far -from the Wabash at present. How about it, sir?" - -Brookfield nodded gravely. - -"Some twenty miles, for Slim Island is just ahead. Why?" - -"Well, it seems to me that from what Captain Norton says," went on -Red Hugh calmly, "all escape is cut off to Duval in the rear. He -cannot well return to Louisville but must go on to Louisiana if he is -to get away--and he must do so before this boat or others get down -the river to give warning of him. And since it is most like that his -gang has their camp somewhere near the Wabash, the militia would -speedily make an end of him now that the secret of Blacknose is -known." - -"True enough," assented Norton. "Though he might also escape by way -of Vincennes and Detroit to Canada. But what next?" - -"Why should we not continue as we first planned?" said Red Hugh -deliberately. "We will pass the Wabash by nightfall, so let us -continue without pausing to tie up to-night, and if we run past -Duval, so much the better. We can give warning of him at the lower -settlements; at Fort Massac--" - -"And from Fort Massac we can quarter back with men to find him," -broke in Norton hastily. - -"But what if he attacks us on the way?" argued the worried -Brookfield. "He will know that we bear news of him, after all that -has chanced behind us. He will not easily allow us to escape to bear -this news down-river and so cut off all his chances----" - -"Let him attack!" said Red Hugh boldly. "Not all of your crew are -traitors, and Mr. Norton and I can keep good watch! Those dogs have -only dared to destroy in the dark; one shot, and they will turn -tail----" - -"I doubt it," interrupted Norton drily. "Duval is no coward." He -said no more for a little, but looked over the water with a frown. - - -Somewhere in that wilderness was Kitty Grigg, and practically in the -power of Duval. Up to a certain extent, he believed Abel Grigg would -protect her; but that protection would not go far with such a man as -Duval. At thought of how he had failed in his task, of how he had -been outwitted and snared and duped, he groaned inwardly. A great -weariness closed in upon him, and he turned haggard eyes on the two -men beside him. - -"Settle it as you will," he said slowly. "I care not, gentlemen; I -must have sleep. Whatever decision you reach, I will agree to it. -Now show me a place to sleep in peace, Brookfield." - -The anxious-eyed riverman nodded and led him forward to a cabin, -where Norton turned in on a bunk and was asleep instantly. - -While he rested, the other two discussed the situation for an hour or -more. Brookfield was in dread anxiety for his ship and cargo, -bitterly regretting that he had ever entered upon the venture. Red -Hugh, in some contempt, stuck firmly to it that his plan was the best. - -In the end, his insistence overbore the hesitation of the other, who -helplessly consented to continue the voyage. After all, they were -not far behind Duval, and there was a good chance that they might -slip past down the river before the gang would expect them. -Moreover, by not stopping they would not be so liable to attack as -they would be if tied up over-night after the usual river fashion. - -Of the six men who composed the crew, Brookfield could trust two of -them, brothers, to the death; of the other four he was by no means so -certain. Once the decision had been reached, Red Hugh instructed -these two men to sleep on deck that night with their rifles ready at -hand. - -Toward sunset Norton was aroused, and came on deck to find that they -were just approaching Wabash Island. They passed by the Indiana -sound, and when darkness fell the Wabash itself lay behind them and -Brookfield breathed more freely. - -The Louisianian agreed to the proposed plan. Red Hugh took watch -until midnight, but as Norton no longer felt the need of sleep after -his day-long slumber, he remained on deck with the hunter. - -Brookfield himself slept little. He was exceedingly anxious for the -safety of his craft, and after an hour of sweeping along through the -pitch darkness, his over-wrought nerves went to pieces. - -"Gentlemen," he broke out nervously, approaching Norton and Red Hugh -as they were smoking together in the bow, "I can stand this no -longer! I beg of you, let us set in to the bank and be done with -this strain! We need fear no attack here; we are just above -Shawneetown, in a well-settled district, and not even Blacknose would -take the chance of making an attack on us here." - -Red Hugh was furiously angry, but Norton quieted him. He saw that -the responsibility for ship and lading had quite unnerved Brookfield, -and felt sorry for the man. Moreover, it looked very much as though -Duval would never dare an attack in this well-settled district of the -river. - -That their plans were turned topsy-turvy mattered nothing to him. He -was indifferent as to what course was adopted, and said so. - -"If it will please you to seek the bank, then do it," he said -quietly. "It seems there may be danger in whatever we do, so do you -act as you think best in the matter, Captain Brookfield." - -With obvious relief, the latter quickly routed out his men and set -them at the sweeps, grumbling and cursing. Red Hugh went to his bunk -in the cabin in huge disgust with everyone in general; Norton, -however, remained on deck, determined to watch the night out at least. - -The boat was fetched close in to the Indiana shore and after -carefully sounding the channel, Brookfield at last tied her up to a -huge jutting tree. Norton ascertained that they were three miles -above Shawneetown, which was a large settlement of nearly thirty -cabins, and that Brookfield's spirits had now bounded high above any -thought of danger. - -None the less, Norton stayed in the bow, one of the two trusted men -agreeing to keep watch in the stern, for he would take no chances. -The night was peaceful, warm, and rippling; had it not been for Kitty -Grigg, the Louisianian would have been more than content to pursue -his journey to the south and let Duval be dealt with later. He had -already resolved to leave the boat at Fort Massac; with Red Hugh, he -could work back on a scout along the---- - - -Whether the horse-boat had been watched and followed, or whether her -riding-light had betrayed her position, Norton never knew for -certain. He was just filling his pipe afresh when all his dreams -were shattered abruptly. - -From the shadows aft beneath the horse-gallery there flitted a little -sparkle of steel in the moonlight, and a knife thudded into the -bulwark between his uplifted arm and his side. - -Norton dropped his pipe with a crash, and fell back motionless, his -hand on his rifle. Every sense was on the alert instantly, every -fragment of woodcraft to the fore. From the shore he heard nothing -except the soft ripple of waves, but there was a low murmur aft, and -the sound of wood striking on wood, as though a boat had ground into -the stern. The man on guard there, Norton concluded swiftly, must -have been finished off by another knife. - -Suddenly and softly, a man appeared crawling forward in the shadow of -the port bulwark, watching his recumbent figure; Norton recognized -one of the crew. Quietly he shifted his rifle as he lay, hot rage -swelling within him. A moment later the man's body came in line with -the sights, and Norton pulled trigger. - -The roar of the shot blew the night quiet to shreds. The riverman -gave one convulsive spring and dropped half across the bulwark, where -he lay motionless. Norton leaped up with a shout of alarm. - -"Brookfield! Hugh! On deck!" - -Then he dropped behind a huge tobacco hogshead as another shot split -the night and the bullet sang past his ear. From somewhere aft there -came a wild confusion of voices, oaths, and the scuffle of feet. -Norton feverishly reloaded, taking the pistol from his belt also. -Beyond all doubt, Blacknose had struck. - -The next moment, while he was still ramming his bullet home, a swarm -of dark figures appeared rushing forward, along the port side of the -deck. A shot and the roar of Brookfield's stentorian voice sounded -from the stern. Norton caught up his pistol and discharging it into -the mass of figures stopped them momentarily; he was answered by a -scattering fire which swept above him harmlessly. - -Upon that, the whole craft leaped into a mad swirl of fighting -yelling men in utter confusion. Brookfield appeared on the -horse-galley up above the deck, his pistols in hand, and he fired -down twice into the crowd. A dozen shots replied, and Norton saw him -reel and go down. - -With a rush, the assailants now came at him in the bow. By this time -the Louisianian had re-primed, and without hesitation he flung up his -long rifle and fired at short range. - -He had got two of the pirates in line, and both went down with a -yell; at the same instant there swelled up a wild war-whoop, and the -tall figure of Red Hugh appeared in the moonlight. As his yell -shrilled high, he fired into the group of men; instead of breaking -before him, they closed on him instantly. Red Hugh's prediction was -proving terribly false, Norton thought swiftly. - -Somewhere the cold terrible voice of Duval was directing the attack. -Norton had no more chance to reload. Other dark figures came running -forward, and a moment later Red Hugh on the fore-deck and Norton in -the bow were surrounded by a whirl of fighting men. - -For a little, Norton almost believed that they would clear the ship -unaided. Both were fighting with clubbed rifles, and the long -six-foot guns made terrific weapons for such close work. The pirates -must have emptied their own guns, for they fired no more shots, and -there was no chance to reload; the battle had become hand to hand, -savage in its brutality. - -Twice Norton swept his gun-butt down full upon a man, and each time -the pirate went down like an axed ox with his skull crushed; the -Louisianian was now fighting for his life, and realized it -thoroughly. A tomahawk struck him and fell to the deck with a clang, -thrown unskilfully; Norton leaped forward and whirled his rifle on -the thrower with all his strength. - -As he did so, his foot slipped and he half-fell; the rifle came down -on a hogshead and shattered in his hands. With one savage yell of -exultation, the enemy closed in upon him. - - -Then, out of the turmoil of blows and shouts and curses, rose the -clear laugh of Norton as his foes drew back. He was on one knee, -pressed against the bulwark, but he held knife and tomahawk in hand, -and somewhere ir the press before him he had caught sight of Duval. -The man's face goaded him, and while his foes drew back a pace, -Norton laughed again and leaped into the midst of them, striking -savagely. - -His weapons flashed and bit in the moonlight, and with a thrill he -heard the war-whoop of Red Hugh rising again. His assailants were -all masked save for Duval, whom he had not seen again; the next -instant, however, he caught sight of Grigg coming at him. - -There was no mistaking the man's size and figure, despite his mask -and the black paint which covered his face and clotted his beard. -From one side a clubbed rifle swung down on Norton; he warded it off, -and seeing that the man was one of the treacherous crew-members, -flung out his tomahawk. The keen edge bit into the man's brain and -he went down. Then Grigg was leaping out. - -Whirling, Norton ducked the knife-thrust. There was no chance to use -his own weapon, and as he swung around he brought up his fist, closed -on the knife-haft, and drove it straight into Grigg's beard. All -Norton's weight was behind the blow, and the big man went down with a -single groan, caught full on the point of the chin and knocked -senseless. - -In the same moment, Norton realized that all was lost. A wild yell -of triumph had quavered up, and now a solid mass of men came charging -down on him. Red Hugh had been overcome at last. Then, as Norton -drew back and faced the snarling ring of savage masks and weapons, -the uproar quieted with unexpected suddenness to the cold voice of -Duval. - -"Quiet, boys!" - -He stepped forth, unarmed, dominant, terrible. Norton, his chest -heaving and with a wild riot of sheer hatred surging high in his -brain, watched the man as there fell deep silence--a silence broken -only by the groaning of wounded men and the peaceful ripple of water. - -"Surrender, Mr. Norton," said Duval calmly. "You----" - -"Dog!" snarled Norton, mad with rage and with the pain of his wounds -and bruises. "Yellow dog!" - -And dropping his knife, he sprang out upon Duval, for there was no -thought of surrender in his mind. A single yell of warning from the -circle of men; then the two were fighting like madmen with their bare -fists. - -Try as he would, Norton found his blows blocked, while Duval's fists -hammered home upon him terrifically. Slowly his rage cooled of its -flaming fury, and with new caution he realized that this was no -common adversary. He staggered into a clinch, desperate. - -A moment more, and Norton felt savage joy as he began to drive his -fists into Duval's face and felt himself slowly mastering the other. -Back went Duval--and back again, with Norton sending in relentless -blows, while the lawyer fought back in grim silence. - -Then a sudden low growl swept the watching circle as Duval reeled and -clutched out at the air. Too late, Norton saw a rifle thrust between -his legs. He tripped, and as he did so three men flung themselves on -him bodily. - -At last he went to the deck--pummelled, covered with slight -knife-wounds, but still fighting savagely. Little by little they -pinned him down, drew hands and feet together, bound him fast. - -Brookfield's horse-boat was captured. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -Norton was badly battered. More than one knife had nicked his flesh, -and Duval's fists had given him a badly cut lip and a bruised and -bleeding face, but he was hurt in no vital place. Now, as he lay -bound, for the first time he began to take coherent stock of the -river-pirates. - -Three of the boat-crew had been of the gang; the others, with -Brookfield, were dead. Two of the traitors had also fallen and with -them five more of the gang; three others lay sorely wounded. Besides -these, eight sound men remained, with Grigg and Duval. Red Hugh had -been stunned, and for some reason both he and Norton were not knifed -as they lay. Instead, they were lifted and carried down into one of -the four large skiffs at the stern of the horse-boat. - -With them were placed the three wounded men, and then the others fell -to work under orders from Grigg, now recovered from Norton's blow. - -The four skiffs were drawn up alongside, and the best of the cargo -was rapidly transferred from the larger boat. Helpless, Norton -watched operations; now that the work had been carried through, the -men had removed their masks. - -All appeared to be either woodsmen or settlers, men of the roughest -and most brutal type on the border. From their snatches of talk he -gathered that they had made a common settlement on the upper reaches -of the Saline River. This was in a purely Indian country, where the -last remnants of the once powerful Ohio tribes had gathered under -protection of the still more powerful Shawnees. - -"We'll git them thar Miamis on the rampage," observed one of the -pirates at work above him, with a coarse laugh. "Ought to have one -more high ol' time afore we split up, eh?" - -"Got to use up that licker," growled another in assent. "What's the -chief goin' to do with them two fellers?" - -The answer, fortunately, was lost on Norton. It was just as well for -his own peace of mind that he gained no inkling of Duval's plan till -later. - -With the best of Brookfield's rich cargo stowed away in the four -skiffs, the eight sound men piled down into one of them; by grim -irony that cargo which was to have served for a lure had now been -taken by the intended victim, and Norton writhed in his bonds at the -thought. The boat in which he lay, with Red Hugh and the wounded, -was taken in tow with the other two; Grigg descended among the men -and took charge, and last of all came Duval. Even before he came, -Norton saw why he had lingered, and what was intended. - -As the four skiffs pulled out and drew away in a slow line, the -horse-boat slowly drifted out into the stream, her lines severed. -The moon had by this time gone down, but looking back, Norton saw a -burst of flames from the boat. She drifted away with her load of -dead, the fire rising high into a pyramid of flame and smoke above -her ungainly shape. - -Then they were passing out of the river by a narrow channel, and to -his surprise the Louisianian found that this led into a good-sized -lake, some ten miles across. The eight men who occupied the forward -boat rowed steadily through the darkness, Grigg giving them low -directions; there was a faint glare on the horizon, denoting the -burning craft they had abandoned. After an hour or more of this -progress, they drew in to a low shore ahead. - -Norton was lifted and flung on shore, and as Red Hugh was sent after -him, he saw that the latter had recovered consciousness. Then, while -the cargoes were being transferred to wagons, Grigg and Duval engaged -in a swift discussion as to the disposal of the wounded men. - -"I won't have them around the camp at this juncture," came the cold -tones of the lawyer. "When this business has been finished we'll -have to separate and had best start here. Send two men with the -wounded over to Kentucky in one boat, and sink the other three here -as usual." - -So two of the raiders rowed off with the three wounded men, these -being unable to ride. The other boats were sunk under the -shore-trees, and with their trail covered behind them, the raiders -started. Norton and Red Hugh were lifted to a wagon, just as the -grey dawn was breaking. - -The Louisianian was too firmly bound to dream of getting free, and -attempted no converse with his companion. Having fallen between two -huge sacks of flax, he could see nothing and at last dropped into a -troubled sleep, broken at short intervals by the jolting of the wagon. - -Toward noon the first and only halt of the journey took place; and -here occurred an incident which to Norton seemed slight enough at the -time, but which was destined to have tremendous consequences later. - - -The stop had been made near a rude cabin built beside a spring, and -when Norton had been lifted out of the wagon, he saw that it was an -Indian clearing. The redskin farmer and his squaw were being forced -into cooking for the party, whom they seemed both to hate and fear, -probably with good cause. - -Red Hugh lay beside Norton on the ground, watching grimly, in -silence. Indeed, the old man had said no word that morning, and in -his silent watching and his motionless endurance Norton read a tacit -menace of strength restrained. Duval sent the Indian squaw to feed -the prisoners some cornpone, refusing to loosen their bonds, while -one of the men stood guard. - -As the woman bent over them, Norton heard Red Hugh murmur something -in the Indian tongue. The guard stopped him harshly, but the -wrinkled squaw looked at Norton, then started at sight of his -moccasins. - -"Git to work," growled the guard, striking her roughly over the head. -"You got a man o' your own, so don't make eyes at them fellers!" - -This kindly pleasantry drew a roar of applause from the others, and -after giving the prisoners a gourd of water each, the squaw retired, -still watching Norton. A half-hour later the party had again taken -up its way. Now, however, Red Hugh lay beside Norton on the wagon. - -"I told that squaw to look at your moccasins," he whispered softly to -the latter. "She looked to me like a Shawnee, though her husband was -a Delaware. If she takes the hint and Tecumthe hears of this affair, -I feel sorry for these devils when the Shawnees avenge you." - -"Nonsense," returned Norton, laughing harshly. "You're away off the -track, Hugh. Tecumthe will never bother his head over me, even if he -hears of it. Our only hope is that Audubon or Ayres will get after -us in alarm with the Regulators, and will trace us." - -"They won't trace this gang," returned the other. "Two of 'em are -wiping out the tracks after us." - -Neither of them said more, Norton relapsing into a troubled doze. -Just as evening was drawing on, they came to the journey's end. And -at last Norton found himself in the headquarters of the gang. - -It was a settlement rather than a cache, consisting of a little -cluster of buildings. Two of these were large sleeping cabins for -the men, where a few slatternly women appeared at the doors with loud -ribaldry. Another was a large kitchen and dining-room, with a -lean-to where dwelt Grigg and his daughter. Norton felt his heart -ache for the helpless girl. - -Behind all, at the edge of a small stream which passed beyond the -settlement, was a long low building where the stolen goods were -stored, as it appeared. Besides these, there were two outlying -shacks where some of the men lived with Indian wives or worse; -farther downstream was a corn-patch, with signs of cleared ground -beyond, along the banks of the stream. - -The whole place was doubtless a year or two old, and bespoke thorough -organization. Duval, who now seemed quite at home and absolutely in -authority, was beyond doubt the organizer, for he seemed to rule the -place with an iron hand. Norton and Red Hugh were carried into the -big store-barn and left, unguarded but bound. The men at once fell -to work fetching in the goods brought by cart, adding them to the -quantities already laid up in the cache. - -Norton was wondering what had become of Kitty Grigg, when, through -the open doorway of the barn-like building, where barrels and casks -and sacks were piled high around the walls and floor, came a dim -shape against the dusk outside. - -"Mr. Norton!" sounded the girl's voice, softly. - -"Over here, Kitty," returned Norton cheerfully, and a moment later -she was kneeling beside him, sobbing. - -"Oh, what has happened?" she asked, grief-smitten. "Duval is in -Abel's room, and they're talking about me! I'm afraid--I don't know -what they're planning to do, and it seems----" - -"Have you been harmed, girl?" asked Red Hugh, and his voice was grim. - -"No--but--Duval has sent for a circuit-rider from Vincennes, and -means to marry me--soon----" - -Norton perceived that all barriers were down between them, and that -she no longer doubted concerning the identity of Abel Grigg with -Blacknose. Quietly and without holding anything back, he told her of -the attack on the boat, and all which had preceded it. - -This was no time for tears, and under the influence of his steady -grave voice the girl calmed herself. Norton had taken her hand -between his own bound ones, and gradually left her regaining -steadiness and poise. - -"Can you get a knife and free us to-night?" he asked suddenly. "We -could take horses and get away----" - -"No," she returned hopelessly. "It would be no use. Abel"--and -Norton noted that she no longer spoke of him as father--"Abel keeps -men on guard always, and he is usually on watch himself. We have two -rooms in that lean-to behind the kitchen, and I cannot get out -without his knowing----" - - -Came the sound of steps and the glitter of light from the doorway -behind her. With a low gasp of fright, the girl rose and fled to the -far end of the place, where she crouched behind some piled kegs. -Norton twisted about to see Grigg, Duval, and two men enter with -lanterns. - -Setting down their lights, the four grouped themselves comfortably on -kegs around the two prisoners. Norton noted without grief that his -fists had left the face of Duval badly marked, while the lawyer -stared down at his captive in savage hatred. Red Hugh was completely -disregarded, but Norton was soon to find that the old man had been -taken alive for very definite reasons. - -"Your race is done, Captain Norton," said Duval coldly. "I presume -that you are now quite satisfied of your folly? I hope to have a -very pretty scene for you to-morrow night, when Madam Grigg and I -will be united in holy matrimony--save the mark!" - -The others joined in the laughter, as Duval kicked Norton roughly. -The Louisianian did not reply. - -"Well, let's hear about it, Cap," spoke up one of the evil-eyed men -impatiently enough. "The boys want to split the stuff and be off, so -if we're a-goin' to have any fun first----" - -"You'll have your fun," broke in Duval easily. "Look at Mr. Norton's -powder-horn and see if you recognize it." - -The two leaned over Norton, pulling the red-streaked horn into view. -A curse broke from them, and one of them kicked Norton again. - -"Tobin's!" burst out the man vengefully. "Did the cuss git Tobin, -Cap? That's why he ain't showed up?" - -"Exactly"--and Duval smiled cruelly. "Tell the other boys about it. -Now to-morrow the circuit-rider we sent Darby after last week will be -in from the north. To-morrow night Miss Kitty and I will be married. -One of you go over to the Miami village and bring 'em all over for a -jamboree, squaws and all." - -"We'll git the squaws all right," jeered one of the men. - -"The next morning," continued Duval, "we'll divide the stuff and -separate. Grigg, here, will take you and the bulk of the cache up to -Vincennes, where you can sell it and scatter--and do it fast!" - -"How 'bout you?" queried one of the men. Duval leered knowingly. - -"My wife and I go to Detroit, and from there over the border. This -country is too hot to hold me, boys, but you aren't known yet." - -"Well, what about these two fellers?" demanded Grigg heavily, with a -black look down at Norton. "Why not shoot 'em and have done? I -don't aim to leave no spies to tell on me----" - -"We'll have better fun than that"--and Duval held up a lantern. -"This fellow with the beard is Red Hugh, the Indian killer. -Understand? After we've had our fun out of the Miamis, we'll give -them back some of their weapons and turn 'em loose on these two. -There'll be a show worth seeing, eh?" - -A cold thrill ran over Norton, while the others broke into wild -applause of Duval's ingenuity. The Louisianian knew well what was -intended. Like other settlers along the border, this gang of Duval's -was accustomed to a certain form of "sport" at the expense of their -redskin neighbours. - -This took the form of gathering the Indians, taking away their -weapons, and then plying them with whisky. At the proper moment they -would be set to fighting, and the resultant encounter would often -last for hours, without great danger to the combatants, but with -intense amusement to the watchers. - -Now, however, Duval had injected another element into it. The name -of Red Hugh seemed well known, and even Norton could guess what would -happen when the drunken Miamis would be given their weapons and let -loose upon their deadly enemy. It was a sure, amusing, and ingenious -scheme to get rid of the two prisoners. - -The two men went out, laughing, and Duval turned on Grigg. - -"I have the papers made out for your signature, and we'll throw the -fear of hell into that circuit-rider. You're sure Darby will get the -right one--the loose-jawed, weak-mouthed one? If he got that blasted -Quaker Dennis, we'd have a stiff time persuading him all was right. -The girl will kick." - -"Darby's wise enough to get the right feller," rejoined Grigg. -"Whar's that five hundred ye promised me?" - -"Here--come on outside." Duval rose, with a clink of coins. The two -left the place, taking their lanterns with them. - - -As the girl came stealing back to his side, Norton felt like rebuking -her for the feeling which had caused her to accompany Abel Grigg into -the woods; then shame struck him, and pity and love. For a moment he -held her hand in silence; then she had pulled free and was gone, -sobbing. - -"Curse those devils!" muttered Red Hugh thickly. - -Norton echoed the words, and after that there was silence. - -Slowly the night dragged away between dozing and the pain of their -bonds. Shortly after daylight one of the slatternly women came with -food and water and fed them amid a stream of ribaldry and curses. -Norton was glad when at length she departed and left them alone. - -A guard was stationed at the door, but no speech passed between the -two captives. Red Hugh stared up unblinking at the beams above, a -wild ferocity gathered in his blood-stained face. Toward noon there -was shouting and the thud of hoofs from outside, and Duval entered -hastily with Abel Grigg. Norton rightly conjectured that the -circuit-rider had arrived. - -"Give him that far cabin," ordered the lawyer hurriedly and in a low -voice. "Keep him quiet in there and don't let him suspect anything -yet. I'll visit him later. He's a coward, from his face, and I'll -fix him up right." - - -At last that long day came to an end; as sunset darkened the -barn-like structure, the camp awoke into activity. Hogsheads and -casks and sacks were piled to the roof at the far end, where half a -dozen whisky kegs were also set out, ready to be broached later. - -Around the walls were hung lanterns, while the centre of the floor -was cleared for the fun. Norton and Red Hugh, still fast bound, were -placed on a pile of sacks near the door, in partial obscurity. - -From the scattered talk of the men Norton gathered that they intended -carrying off some of the prettiest of the Miami squaws after the -debauch; also, all seemed well with their projects and they were in -high fettle, for the Miamis had arrived. - -An hour later the lanterns were lighted and the gang assembled. -Grigg brought in the angry and frightened Kitty, forcing her to a -place not far from the two prisoners, he himself standing beside her. -At sight of her white features, Norton tugged desperately but vainly -at his bonds, raging. - -In all there were fourteen of the gang, and five women--most of them -already half-drunk and all of them brutish in the extreme. The -circuit-rider did not put in an appearance. - -Now the Miamis were brought in, men at the door relieving them of -their guns as they came, and Grigg shaking hands with the warriors in -turn. Of these there were a score. Norton was rather surprised to -find that the squaws, all enveloped in blankets from head to heel, -numbered nearly twice as many as the braves. One or two of the gang -attempted familiarities, but these Duval rebuked with an iron fist. - -They were squalid red men enough, were these Miami warriors; -liquor-sodden, shuffling, and debased in the extreme. One alone -seemed of superior quality. He was a tall figure, blanket-swathed to -the waist, who, after his handshake with Grigg, cast a swift glance -around and then stood immobile not far from Norton's recumbent -figure. Kitty watched in evident ignorance of what was going on; she -was soon undeceived. - -"Broach the kegs, boys!" shouted Duval suddenly, when the last of the -Miamis had entered. - -With a yell of delight the men sprang forward. In five minutes the -six kegs were surrounded by a grunting, struggling mass of Miamis, -the squaws standing to one side and eating strips of dried venison -which the raiders handed out freely. - -Norton and Red Hugh lay side by side on the sacks. Grigg stood with -Kitty, a few feet distant, and between them was the tall Indian, his -blanket drawn over his head. Grigg urged him to drink, but he -refused with a guttural negation, meeting with no more importunity. -Indeed, the whites were drinking with as much abandon as the -warriors, save for Duval and Grigg alone. - -A few moments later the warriors were shoved back from the kegs and -their knives and tomahawks removed to the pile of rifles beside the -door. Then one of the gang stepped in and by dint of some rough -horse-play, highly amusing to his comrades, provoked two of the red -men into a rough and tumble fight. - -Within five minutes the whole group of warriors was engaged in a -frenzied scuffle, amid roars of laughter from the watchers. In their -drunken awkwardness they did little damage, and every eye watched -save that of Kitty; she had covered her face with her hands and stood -trembling. - -"Give 'em more licker!" roared Grigg suddenly, and rushed across the -floor. - -No sooner had he moved than the tall Indian took one swift step -toward Norton. A knife flamed in his hand, and the startled -Louisianian contracted shrinkingly. - -Then the knife had severed the cords at his ankles, and he looked -into the face of Tecumthe. - -"Be quiet!" warned the chief in English. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -Norton lay in paralysed amazement while his wrists were freed, and -Tecumthe turned to Red Hugh. The Indian, wasting no time on -questions, seemed quite conversant with the whole situation. - -"Be ready," he whispered rapidly. "Take the young woman from the -door when I strike!" - -Red Hugh grunted, and Tecumthe once more assumed his negligent -attitude as Grigg returned across the floor. - -Norton's wild surge of astonished delight soon passed. The thick -moccasins had protected his ankles to some extent, but his hands were -for the moment useless, all circulation stopped by the tight thongs. - -After all, Tecumthe could do little against this murderous gang by -himself. How, then, did he intend to "strike"? Did he have a band -of his warriors outside? - -"It wasn't such a wild shot about those moccasins after all," came -Red Hugh's chuckling whisper. "Looks like he's going to give us a -chance to slip away. Work your arms a bit." - -The Louisianian nodded, and very slowly perceived life creeping back -into his numbed hands. Grigg and the rest were roaring at the antics -of the drunken, fighting Miamis; Duval, perched on a big hogshead at -the far end of the room, was inciting them to further efforts. - -Locked in pairs, the warriors were striking, kicking, rolling over -the floor in a bestial encounter which left Norton shocked to the -core; he had heard of these affairs often but had never seen one -before. - -Duval's men were plying them with liquor amid wild shouts of -encouragement, and were fast growing drunk themselves; so far, -however, they were too much interested in their amusements to bother -the squaws, who stood lined up against the farther wall and grouped -around the door. - -Again Grigg's interest got the better of his prudence, and with a -bellow he leaped out to join in the horse-play. Kitty, left alone, -shrank past the tall figure of Tecumthe toward Norton, who put out -his hand and gripped her arm. - -"Quiet!" he said softly, as she turned with a startled exclamation. -"Be ready to make for the door, Kitty." - -Wide-eyed, she stared into his face for a moment, and under cover of -her body Norton half rose to take the pistols which Tecumthe passed -him. He put one into the hand of Red Hugh then waited. - - -There was not long to wait. With a sudden movement, Tecumthe flung -the blanket from his splendid figure and stood forth in all the glory -of his half-naked bronze, unpainted. His voice rang out like a -clarion: - -"Peace, dogs!" - -Some of the Miamis ceased their scuffling; others continued: one -startled oath passed around the line of white men as they saw him -step forward. He made no pause, but raised a clenched fist. - -"Dogs of white men!" And his clear voice seemed to hold even Duval -transfixed. "Outcasts from your own race! Murderers! Why do you -thus debase my red brethren, the Miamis? I know you--who you are and -what you do in the Shawnee country. I know your crimes. I am going -to show my white brethren that Tecumthe can punish murderers better -than they!" - -As the dread word _Tecumthe_ passed through the hall, Duval leaped to -his feet with a yell of warning. It was too late. The line of -squaws flung off their blankets and stepped forth as warriors in all -the glory of Shawnee war-paint, rifles in hand. From outside came -one shrill war-whoop--and the interior of the building became an -inferno as the first rifles roared out. - -Awful as the thing was, Norton had no pity for Duval's gang. He -leaped up, seized Kitty, and with Red Hugh at his side made for the -doorway. Here a Shawnee halted them with levelled rifle, but after a -look at Norton waved them on outside. - -Kitty had fainted, mercifully. - -The whole clearing seemed covered with yelling, whooping demons. As -the three emerged, Norton saw that the kitchens had been fired, the -flames lighting up the whole scene. An instant later, while Red Hugh -was taking the feet of the senseless girl, Tecumthe himself joined -them and led them across the clearing to one of the farther cabins. - -Here, under guard of a stalwart warrior, who went leaping off at -sight of his chief, they found a trembling, terror-smitten -circuit-rider who was too frightened to do more than grovel before -the chief. Tecumthe kicked him away, and Norton lowered Kitty's body -to the pallet in the corner. - -Despite all he knew about this gang, despite their intentions, he -felt himself somewhat a traitor to his own race. Red Hugh must have -felt much the same thing, for he was standing glaring at the chief, -his eyes terrible. - -"It is not vengeance," said Tecumthe composedly, watching the low -building with gloomy eye. "It is justice. A squaw met my men; they -told me of one who wore my moccasins, in bonds. I knew of these -white men, and I came in haste. That is all." - -"It's not all," cried Norton with sudden remembrance. "There are -women in that place----" - -"Right!" broke out Red Hugh. "Tecumthe, we must have them, no matter -what manner of women they are!" - -"Go," said the chief, nodding. "My men have seen your faces and you -are safe." - -Norton sprang out on the word, and the two men ran side by side to -the building. At the doorway, the scene within was horrible; the -place was filled with powder-smoke, one corner was afire from a burst -lantern, and from the door were pouring drunken Miamis, some of them -still fighting together. - -And through the fire and smoke white men and red were battling like -madmen, with axe and knife and pistol and clubbed rifle. Norton well -knew the danger he was in from both sides, but shoving through the -crowded mass of Miamis he dashed within, Red Hugh at his heels. - -In one corner were crouching the five terrified women, and as the -Louisianian fought his way through the struggling, yelling groups, he -saw a tall Shawnee tomahawk one of the drabbled figures. - -With a yell of fury, he raised his pistol and fired; the warrior -sprang high in his death agony, and before he fell Norton was -stripping him of knife and tomahawk. Then he turned, and with Red -Hugh tried to get the four remaining women to the door. - -They were terror-stricken, hysterical creatures, mad with fear and -liquor and obscenity, but they were women. As Norton fought his way -across the floor, he caught glimpses through the smoke of the combat -which raged around him--glimpses which remained etched on his memory -for ever. - -Grigg, with a huge axe, was standing back to back with Duval, -fighting a way across the place amid a surging wave of the redmen. A -drunken, trampled Miami was striking right and left with a knife; -screams and oaths and prayers rose high as the Shawnee steel bit -deep, while over all shrilled the dread war-whoop, keen and terrible. - -"God!" breathed Norton. "It's not a fight, but a massacre!" - -How they did it he never knew, but between them, he and Red Hugh -managed to get the shrieking women to the door and outside. The -scene at the door was wild; pirates and Shawnees and drunken Miamis -were all mingled in a horrible-struggling mass, trampling dead and -wounded indiscriminately. And behind them all, the fire had seized -on the whisky kegs and was climbing high through the whole building. - -Norton breathed a prayer of thanks that Kitty Grigg knew nothing of -what was going on; by dint of ceaseless efforts he got the four women -to the shack, at the door of which still stood Tecumthe. Driving -them inside, where Kitty lay motionless on the pallet, he jerked the -weak-mouthed circuit-rider to his feet. - -"Look after them, you," he snarled, and rejoined the chief and Red -Hugh outside. - - -Forth from the long barn, whose farther end was now all aflame, was -pouring a rout of men, white and red intermixed, battling to the -death. One of the rivermen started across the clearing, but a dozen -bullets from the watching warriors caught him; the place seemed to -vomit death and destruction. With a dark look Tecumthe, who had -himself struck no blow, turned to Red Hugh. - -"Bear witness, Captain Moore," he said sternly, "that we take neither -scalps nor plunder! We make no war upon white men, but upon -murderers----" - -"Moore?" cried Norton suddenly. He caught Red Hugh by the arm and -swung him around. "Is that your name--Hugh Moore? You're not the -Captain Moore who left Cincinnati with my father----" - -"God in heaven!" broke out Red Hugh hoarsely, gripping him and -staring into his eyes. "Are you Charles Norton's son--_look out_!" - -With a sudden movement, Norton was flung a dozen feet away. - -Whether they had broken through the cordon of Indians or had escaped -from some rear entrance of the burning building, Norton never found -out; but Grigg and Duval, axe and tomahawk in hand, were leaping -across the clearing, a string of Shawnees behind them. - -Red Hugh's action was all that saved Norton from Duval's tomahawk, -which sang over his head and thudded into the building behind him. -Duval himself followed it instantly, and gripped Norton as he was -rising; while Grigg swung his axe at Norton from the side, to be -grappled and flung back by Red Hugh. - -Norton saw Tecumthe motion his warriors back, and then saw no more, -for he was fighting with a madman. Duval seemed crazed, as he might -well be; Norton had whipped out his knife, but had no chance to use -the weapon, for the other had gripped his wrists and was throwing all -his iron strength into the desperate struggle. - -All four of the fighting men crashed together and went down in a -confused mass. The shock broke Duval's hold, and as they came up -Norton drove with his knife. He felt the steel bite, but still Duval -fought on, flinging himself forward bodily and bearing Norton down -again. - -Meantime, Grigg and Red Hugh were engaged in a mighty struggle, -strength against strength, giant against giant. Reeling over the -turf, the four men again came together in mad collision; as they did -so, Norton sent his knife home for the second time, and now Duval -fell away from him. - -Barely had he done so when Red Hugh's pistol crashed out. Grigg had -taken warning, and ducked, flinging his arms about Moore's waist. -Directly behind him was Norton, and as the shot flamed out, the -Louisianian flung his arms wide and toppled over the body of Duval. - -Then, for the first time, Tecumthe leaped forward. Frenzied by what -he had done, Red Hugh had beaten Grigg back with the pistol-butt, and -Grigg flashed out his tomahawk to throw. Before his arm came up, -Tecumthe had sprung between them like a thing of steel; his own knife -flamed in the lurid glare, and Grigg collapsed. - -Red Hugh stood for a moment, pistol in hand. There was a look of -awful grief on his face, and without a word he knelt over Norton. - -For a moment he felt the heart of the Louisianian, fumbled under the -latter's shirt, and then held up a small gold eagle. - -"Good God," he muttered slowly, as he held the eagle up to the lurid -light of the burning buildings. "What's this? What----" - -For he had turned over the pin, and had read the letters graven on -its under side. Slowly he tottered up, then looked at the -uncomprehending Tecumthe, a terrible horror in his eyes. - -"Hugh Edward Moore--my own pin--I've killed him----" - -And then, with a terrible cry, he fell upon Norton's body. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -Norton awoke, with the strange and persistent idea that the face of -Audubon was bending over him. It was nonsense, of course; he turned -his head, and saw that he lay quite alone, opposite a doorway. The -sun was warm and bright outside. - -What of that horrible nightmare, that hell of death and madmen, of -which he had dreamed? The very remembrance brought out the cold -sweat on his brow; he lifted his hand and found his head bandaged. - -Yet, looking out that doorway, he slowly recalled what had happened -on that night of horror, for he was gazing across the clearing where -it had taken place. There was no doubt of it; a hundred yards away -were the ruins of the burned building, the cache-barn; he himself, -then, must be lying in that shack to which he had brought the women? - -The place seemed deserted, however. There were no Indians in sight; -no bodies strewed the clearing; everyone seemed to have vanished and -left him alone in desolation. No--he was mistaken after all; a voice -strangely like that of Audubon lifted faintly to him. - -"--so do you see how he is, sir. I must look to the litter." - -"Good heavens, am I mad?" thought Norton. He strained to sit up, but -found himself too weak. An instant later a tall, stooping figure -darkened the doorway and came to his side with a cry of joy. - -For a moment Norton shrank away, not recognizing the man who had come -to his knees beside the pallet. Yet--it must be! The shaggy hair -was trimmed, the shaggy matted beard was gone; but from the heavily -lined face, the deep-set eyes of Red Hugh were looking at him. - -"Man--man--we thought you never would come round!" And Red Hugh -clasped his hand in a warm pressure. - -"By gad, what has happened to you?" Norton essayed a feeble smile of -wonder. Then like a stab memory came back to him; this was no other -than Captain Hugh Moore, the same who had been his own father's -friend and brother-officer! - -"Quiet!" commanded Moore sharply, as Norton struggled to sit up in -his high excitement. - -"Tell me quickly--are you the same Moore----" - -"Yes, lad, the same." Moore forced him back on the pallet, yet with -tender hands. "Oh, lad, had I but known before! Why on earth did -you not tell me your story, tell me----" - -"How should I know who you were?" - -"True"--and the other nodded, his stern face very sad. "You said you -came from New Orleans, too; I never dreamed of the truth until I had -heard the tale from Kitty and Mr. Audubon----" - -"For God's sake, tell me what has happened!" broke out Norton, unable -to stand the suspense longer. "Is Audubon here?" - -"Yes, Audubon came two days ago, bringing the Regulators----" - -"How long have I been here?" - -"It is three days since--since I shot you with my own hand," returned -the other bitterly. "Oh lad, when I owe everything in the world to -you, to think that I myself----" - -"Tush, you owe me nothing," interrupted Norton, bewildered. "Then -the Regulators followed us after all?" - -"Yes. Audubon met them at Henderson, read the forged note, and -followed us in another boat. He was too late. They found -Brookfield's craft burned to the edge and at length picked up the -trail and came on. Tecumthe and his warriors had already -departed--but let me show you something." - -While Moore was still fumbling in his pocket, Audubon stepped into -the shack. He gripped Norton's hand, and the two friends looked at -each other for a moment, until Norton got out a low word. - -"Thanks, my friend! I hoped you would come----" - -"We did nothing," smiled Audubon gravely. "The work was done, and we -could but bury the dead and care for the living. If he is able to be -moved, Captain Moore, we had best start soon that we may reach the -river by evening. The litter is ready." - -Moore bent his head in a gesture of assent. - -"Very well, bring the litter here to the door and we will start. -Waken Kitty." - -"Yes," added Norton eagerly. "Is she well?" - -"Quite," laughed Audubon, and stepped from the door. "She has been -nursing you." - -With his departure, Moore stooped and placed something in Norton's -hand. The Louisianian gazed at it with a thrill of remembrance. It -was the golden eagle belonging to Kitty. - -"Eh?" He looked up sharply. "Where got you this----" - -"From your shirt, lad. Why, Norton--don't you see?" - -"See?" repeated Norton, amazed. "What mean you?" - -With a great laugh Red Hugh plunged to his knees and caught Norton's -hand; the man seemed transformed with some mad joy too great for -words. Half in fear, Norton drew back, and at this Moore only -laughed out again. - -"Oh, blind, blind!" he cried ringingly. "And you knew that Kitty had -been found among Indians, that this pin was hers--yet you never -suspected it!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -Two riders were walking their horses along the Beargrass Creek Road, -on the way to Colonel Taylor's farm. They drew rein at a bend, just -beyond which was a fringe of trees and a dried mudhole. - -"I brought you to this road for a purpose, Kitty," said Norton -gravely. "Do you remember the spot?" - -She looked at him and nodded, and her look sent a little flame of -happiness dancing into his brown eyes. He swung out of the saddle, -and she slipped down into his arms, the movement loosing her red-gold -hair until it flooded down about his hands. - -"Oh, Kitty--Kitty!" - -He looked into her eyes and could say no more for a moment. So they -stood together, gazing each at the other, while the two horses moved -away and began to crop the grass, unheeded. - -Then Norton drew away from her, freed his hands, and soberly -unclasped a golden eagle from his coat. He looked at it, then held -it to her. - -"Kitty--sweet Kitty--I brought you here away from your father and our -friends, here where we first met--there is something I must tell -you----" - -He faltered, and with a quick laugh she flung back her hair. - -"Mr. Norton"--and there was mimicry in her voice--"I--I too have -something to tell you!" - -"Yes?" he said gravely, stiffening a little. "Yes?" - -"Nay, but I would not take precedence of a soldier, sir!" - -And she made him a laughing curtsy, perhaps to hide the great glory -of womanhood that shone in her face. - -"Then, my news is this," said Norton, lifting a tress of her hair to -his lips. "A regiment of riflemen from Kentucky has been formed; -trouble is brewing with England; There is trouble on the frontier. I -have been offered the command of this regiment, Kitty. I ask -you--will you take this emblem of all that is dearest to me, and take -with it the heart of John Norton? A soldier's life and pay is not -much to share----" - -"Soldiers do not serve for pay," she said very steadily, and put her -hand upon his, clutching the golden eagle of the Cincinnati between -them. "Nor do women serve that they may share--oh, my dear! You -have not yet told me the dearest thing of all----" - -And so they told each other. - - - -THE END - - - - PRINTED BY FISHER, KNIGHT AND CO., LTD., - GAINSBOROUGH PRESS, ST. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Wilderness Trail</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Henry Bedford-Jones</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 16, 2022 [eBook #67418]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Al Haines</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WILDERNESS TRAIL ***</div> - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - <i>The Wilderness Trail</i><br /> -</h1> - -<p class="t2"> - <i>By H. BEDFORD-JONES</i><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - <i>Author of<br /> - "Splendour of the Gods," "The Kasbah Gate," etc.</i><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - <i>London: HURST & BLACKETT, LTD.<br /> - PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C.</i><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p class="t2"> -THE WILDERNESS TRAIL -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I -</h3> - -<p> -The year 1810 was more commonly known, -at least in the Kentucky wilderness, as the -thirty-fourth year of the Independence of -the United States. Backwoods folk are -simple folk, proud of what they and their -fathers have done. -</p> - -<p> -Although split with vexatious questions -of Federal or Democrat, rent asunder by -argument over the Great Conspiracy of -Aaron Burr, and menaced always by the -gathered allied hordes of Tecumthe across -the Indiana border, the settlers in and -around Louisville forgot all these things in -the one supreme fact that this was the -thirty-fourth year of the United States. -</p> - -<p> -Law had come into the country, to the -bitterness of many. Land-titles and sorry -scoundrels had in combination ousted many -a less famous man than Colonel Daniel -Boone from his holdings. Whisky and -lawless border-life, to say nothing of the -more lawless river-ways, had ruined more -than one good man both in morals and -reputation. Some said the western country -had gone to the dogs; others said that the -dogs had all come to the western country. -Both sayings were true, in a sense. -</p> - -<p> -So, then, in this thirty-fourth year of the -United States, an old man stood on the -Beargrass Creek Road, just out of Louisville, -and swore volubly. A horseman had -spattered him with mud. To his right was a -fringe of trees, to his left the mudhole, and -just beyond him was a bend in the road. -</p> - -<p> -The old man was only five feet ten, but -was thewed like a giant. As he wiped the -mud from his cheek and glared at the -returning horseman, he displayed a strong, -keen-eyed face which sat well above powerful -shoulders and barrel-like chest. -</p> - -<p> -"Consarn the lawyers!" he cried angrily. -"If I had my way, I'd hang every cussed -lawyer in Kaintuck! Hanging's too good -for 'em. Consarn 'em, I'd——" -</p> - -<p> -The horseman had reined in at the bend -and was now back beside the old man. He -was a large athletic man, dressed in fine -blue broadcloth, with pudding cravat and -ear-high coat collar. He leaned over in his -saddle with a smile. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir, your pardon! The offence was -unintentional. I take it that you have a grudge -against lawyers, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -"Huh!" The other grunted angrily, yet -with none of the sputtering fury of old age. -His words seemed calculated, in fact. -"Huh! Hain't lawyers robbed me right and left an' -driv me out o' Kaintuck? You're like all -of 'em, consarn ye, slick and smooth! I -ain't lived seventy-six year 'thout bein' -able to read a man's face. Ye black-hearted -Wyandot, why didn't ye turn out o' the -way—huh?" -</p> - -<p> -At these final words the horseman went -white to the lips. He was handsome, dark -of hair and eye, with thin lips, virile -features, and powerful hands. Despite the -careful attire and courtly air, however, -there was an indescribably cruel curve to -his thin lips and nostrils, an arrogance in -his bearing, which seemed rather out of -place in democratic Kentucky. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir, I asked your pardon," he said in -a deep voice, twitching his riding-whip -against his boot. "In deference to your age -I pass over your words——" -</p> - -<p> -"Cuss yer impudence!" broke out the old -man hotly, a flame leaping out in his blue -eyes. "You're one o' them Louisville -vultures, huh? I kin tell. Pass over my -words, do ye? Well, ye git down out'n -that saddle an' I'll give ye somethin' better -to pass over. Hump down, consarn ye—I'll -pay out one debt more on yer carcass -afore I go back to Missoury!" -</p> - -<p> -The old man did not look his seventy-six -years. The wrathful earnestness of his -bearing bespoke his entire willingness to -chastise the lawyer, while there was a -dangerous vitality in his high-browed face. -The other gazed down steadily, contempt -sitting in his proud dark eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"I have no quarrel with you, sir," he -returned slowly. "Yet if you would seek -redress through the courts, you may seek -me at Louisville, where I am well known. -My name, sir, is Charles Duval, and I -regret that my apology did not——" -</p> - -<p> -His stately courtesy and slight trace of -contempt served only to infuriate the old -man the more. With one swift forward -stride, he gripped the bridle of the -horse. -</p> - -<p> -"Git down out'n that saddle," he broke -in. "I aim to git a feel o' yer hide right -here an' now, consarn ye! I don't want no -courts." -</p> - -<p> -"Hands off, you fool!" whipped out -Duval, deadly pale. He made as if to raise -his riding-crop, put paused and twisted in -the saddle at sound of a cheery voice from -the bend of the road just behind him. It -was a vibrant joyous voice, and the lilt of -song rose clearly on the afternoon air. -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - Oh, I fit with Gen'ral Washington an' I'd like to fight some more,<br /> - An' I'm going to join with Gen'ral Clark when next we go to war!<br /> - I'll tote my Kaintuck rifle, and I'll raise the Kaintuck boys,<br /> - And we'll sculp the bloody Britishers——<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The singer jogged around the bend of -trees and came to an abrupt halt as he -sighted the two. His horse was good, his -deerhide dress bad, his rifle brass-mounted, -and his head bare. Glinting brown hair, a -brown, clean-shaven face of youth and -strong lines, and clear brown eyes formed a -symphony of woods-colouring. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well!" His eyes twinkled slightly -as he surveyed the scene before him. "Is -this a highway robbery, friends? Strength -assailed by old age—what an allegory we -find here! And why not make youth the -mediator, may I ask?" -</p> - -<p> -His appearance seemed to quiet the rage -of the old man, who released the horse's -bridle and stepped back calmly. The -newcomer met the steady look of Duval, -but the twinkle passed from the brown eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Well?" he snapped suddenly. "Are you -dumb, sir? I believe you intended to strike -this old man with your whip?" -</p> - -<p> -"Sir, you are at liberty to formulate -your own beliefs," returned Duval coldly. -"Kindly get out of my path at once." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, this is more like it!" exclaimed the -stranger quickly. "And if I refuse?" -</p> - -<p> -A tide of passion flooded over Duval's -swarthy face. He pushed his horse toward -the new-comer, lifting his whip. There was -a slight, almost negligent motion, and he -found himself staring into the mouth of the -long rifle which had reposed on the brown -man's saddle-bow. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, try it," smiled the stranger, but -with a glint in his brown eyes as they rested -on Duval's furious face. "I fancy my -powder is still a bit too good for wasting, -unless you force me. If you wish to pass, -sir—take the mud." -</p> - -<p> -For a moment Duval was choked by his -rage. While plainly no coward, he was -checked both at sight of the ready -trigger-finger and the cold purpose in the brown -eyes. The old man, watching keenly, -stooped and picked up his fallen cap of -coonskin. -</p> - -<p> -"Devil take you," cried Duval hoarsely, -the intensity of his passion clenching all his -face into wild fury. "Sir, I—I——" -</p> - -<p> -Whatever he might have said was stopped -by a thud of hoofs. Once more the bend in -the quiet Beargrass Creek Road was invaded -at a critical moment, and this time by a -girl who rode from the direction whence -Duval had come. And as before, the arrival -broke off threatening hostilities. -</p> - -<p> -She was a beautiful girl enough, with her -fresh firm face and clear grey eyes, and the -red-gold hair falling over her shoulders. -Her steed was bony and her gown was -homespun, but Duval swung his horse around -with a graceful bow and swept his hat to -his stirrup as she drew rein. -</p> - -<p> -"May I ride back to town with you, -Madam Trigg?" he asked quietly, giving -no hint of the storm which a moment before -had convulsed him. "It seems there are -strangers and odd characters about, and it -may well——" -</p> - -<p> -He was interrupted by a cry of surprise. -The girl slipped from her saddle as the old -man stepped forward, and with a swift hug -and a laugh of rippling delight she flung -her arms about his neck. -</p> - -<p> -"You!" she cried. "Why, where on earth -did you come from?" -</p> - -<p> -"Come from town," said the old man -jerkily. He stared into her excited eyes -with a flush of pleasure on his rugged old -face, and seemed lost to all around. "Come -in with some beaver, Kitty. Paid the ol' -debts, every last man, thank God! Clean's -a whistle now. Goin' out to Dick Taylor's, -comin' to see you-all, then goin' back -home. Be in town to-morrow sure." -</p> - -<p> -His abrupt awkward speech drew another -hug and a kiss from the girl, who then -turned to her horse and scrambled to the -saddle. -</p> - -<p> -"Be sure you come, then!" she cried -merrily, and looked at Duval: "I thank -you for the courtesy, sir, and avail myself -of it right gladly——" -</p> - -<p> -She broke off at sight of the brown-eyed -stranger, who had not moved. Duval -touched his spurs and brought his horse -beside hers. -</p> - -<p> -"Out of the way," he commanded sharply. -"This lady wishes to pass." -</p> - -<p> -The leather-clad stranger smiled a little. -</p> - -<p> -"And so she shall, friend Duval," he -drawled easily. "I told you once that you -might take the mud." -</p> - -<p> -"Confound you, sir—would you dare shoot -me?" broke in Duval furiously. "I dare -you to do it, sir!" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that's a dare easily settled!" -laughed the other, but his eyes remained -very steady. Pressing his steed with his -knee, he moved aside and left the inner -edge of the road clear. "The lady is not -hindered. As for you, if you doubt either my -ability or my will, why not test the matter?" -</p> - -<p> -Duval noted the crooked trigger-finger, -muttered an impatient word, then turned -and splashed through the muddy water. -The girl went on, still gazing at the stranger. -As he drew upon the dry road and waited, -Duval turned. -</p> - -<p> -"Take care of yourself!" he cried, his -face livid. -</p> - -<p> -"That is my business in life, thanks," -returned the stranger, lightly, and so he -found himself alone with the old man. -Carefully uncocking his rifle, he swung -down from the saddle and gripped hands -with the other. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, you seem to be in no great need -of help," he chuckled, surveying the huge -chest of the grey-haired man. "What's the -matter, anyway? Did you have a fuss with -his excellency?" -</p> - -<p> -"Kind of that way," grinned the old -man, to whom speech now seemed to come -slowly. "Muddied me, the cussed -law-shark! All alike, consarn 'em." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, now he's gone, can you tell me -where Colonel Dick Taylor lives?" -</p> - -<p> -"Goin' there," grunted the other, jerking -a thumb over his shoulder. His keen blue -eyes searched the younger face shrewdly. -"Young man, ye handled him right. You're -a fine fellow. How are ye named?" -</p> - -<p> -"Norton, John Norton," smiled the -younger man. "I'm a captain in the Seventh -Infantry, or was, and came up from New -Orleans after resigning. So you're going to -the Taylors, eh? Know young Zach? Do -you live around here?" -</p> - -<p> -"Uh-huh, I know him. Used to live -here." The old man's face darkened as he -glanced around. "Them cussed lawyers -skun me out o' my land, consarn 'em! Live -in Missoury now. Lots o' game there. Come -back here to pay my debts—no man can't -say I ain't honest. Them moccasins ain't -Cherokee-made, are they?" -</p> - -<p> -"What's your name?" asked Norton with -frank interest. He clucked to his horse, -and the steed followed them as they trudged -along the road. The other only glanced -down at the moccasins. -</p> - -<p> -"Name's Boone," he grunted. "Them -moccasins, now—they sartin look kind o' -like——" -</p> - -<p> -"Boone?" Norton stopped abruptly, a -puzzled wonder in his eyes. "You're not -Colonel Boone, by any chance? Colonel -Daniel Boone?" -</p> - -<p> -"That's me. About them mocc——" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, by thunder!" Norton gasped, -then laughed aloud as he seized Boone's -hand in a hearty clasp and looked deep into -the keen blue eyes. "Why, Colonel, I spent -two days looking you up in Missouri, over -on the Femme Osage! Your wife said you had -gone east, either to Virginia or Tennessee. -I was mighty anxious to see you—in fact, -that's why I threw up my army commission." -</p> - -<p> -"Huh! To see me?" Boone looked at -him, then jerked his head. "Well, come -along to Dick's. Find the wife well, did -ye? Now tell me 'bout where ye got them -moccasins——" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -John Norton was lost in amazement at -the manner in which he had chanced on the -one man in the country he most desired to -meet. Daniel Boone was not greatly -honoured in that day. He had been out of -the public view for twenty years and was -not of the self-assertive type; his fame -seemed to be dying out with the older -generation of frontiersmen. Driven into the -South-west, he still made long, lonely forays -through the South and East, hunting and -trapping and seeking the solitude he loved. -</p> - -<p> -At Femme Osage, Norton had missed him -by a month. Then the young ex-officer had -come on by flatboat to Fort Massac, and from -there overland to Louisville. He said no -more of his journey than this, but Boone -looked at the delicate yet decisive profile, -the brown eyes which could twinkle like a -star or leap out hard and cold like a -sword—and nodded to himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Ye knew Zach down to N'Orleens, mebbe? -He's in the Seventh, ain't he?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," nodded Norton. "We were great -friends, till he came North with fever. -How is he? All right?" -</p> - -<p> -Boone chuckled. "The cuss has got -married, Norton." -</p> - -<p> -"What? He has?" Norton whistled, then -broke into a laugh. "Someone here?" -</p> - -<p> -"No—him and me brung her over from -Maryland. Got here a month ago. We -located beaver on the way, so I went back -an' got enough pelt to pay up some ol' -debts here in Louisville—consarn them -lawyers!" -</p> - -<p> -Norton was not altogether surprised at -Zach Taylor's marriage. He had gained his -captaincy at the time Zach joined the -regiment in New Orleans as lieutenant. -Barely had the two men become friends -when young Taylor went home on sick-leave. -This had been two years before, and -the reason for his prolonged absence was -now evident. Norton's business concerned -Colonel Richard Taylor, Zach's father, no -less than it did Boone, so he had come on -to Louisville after missing the old frontiersman -at Femme Osage. Now, by a fortunate -chance, he had come upon Boone as well—a -good presage, he reflected. He was like -to have need of all the friends he could -muster. -</p> - -<p> -The two tramped along between the cottonwoods, -and in a few moments sighted the -clustering log and frame buildings of the -Taylor farm, six miles above the city itself. -Colonel Taylor, or "Colonel Dick" as he -was known along the frontier, had been -Collector of the Port of Louisville until -Louisiana ceased to be foreign territory, in -1804, but for the past six years had abstained -from politics altogether and devoted himself -to his farm. With the exception of George -Rogers Clark, who lived across the river -from Louisville, he was the town's most -prominent citizen, however; an old friend -of President Madison, his influence at -Washington bore no little weight. -</p> - -<p> -As the two men approached the farm, -negroes came running out, Boone was recognized -with a delighted shout, and from the -different buildings appeared the family -itself. Colonel Taylor and his wife were -joined by Zach and his bride, and while -Norton's horse was led away he met with -an exuberant welcome from the hard-featured -kindly-eyed lieutenant, his own elder by -two years. -</p> - -<p> -"Dad, this is Captain Norton," cried -Taylor, introducing his friend in mad delight. -"He's the man I've told you about so -much—the officer who cleared out those river -pirates by Nagatoches! Margaret—Mother! -Upon my word, Jack, what the devil brought -you here?" -</p> - -<p> -This final outburst of helpless amazement -evoked a general laugh, and Norton found -himself placed at his ease by the quiet -hospitality of old Colonel Dick. Boone was -the guest of honour, however, and the old -frontiersman was at once accorded an easy -chair by the fireplace when the party gathered -inside to hear the news. -</p> - -<p> -Of this Boone brought little enough, -beyond the fact he had cleared off his old -debts and was ready to start for Missouri -with a dollar in his pocket and a clear -mind. -</p> - -<p> -"You just missed Kitty Grigg," said -Colonel Dick. "She was out here to visit -Margaret, while I was trying to keep that -skunk Duval from ridin' home with -her——" -</p> - -<p> -"Ye didn't do it," chuckled Boone. "We -met 'em—consarn them lawyers!" -</p> - -<p> -He proceeded to give a brief account of -the meeting, which drew a roar of applause -from Zach and his father. Norton, however, -was bent on more serious matters than -visiting, and waved aside the eager -questions which rained upon him. -</p> - -<p> -"No, there's no news—General Harrison -is keeping things pretty quiet along the -border, and the last I heard there was no -immediate talk of a British war. I believe -Zach's going to get a captaincy before long, -though. I've resigned, and the older officers -won't transfer into the Seventh; they think -the regiment won't last long——" -</p> - -<p> -"You've resigned?" broke in Zach blankly. -"Why—good Lord, Jack! You ain't goin' -to take up farming? Got married?" -</p> - -<p> -"Neither one," laughed Norton easily. -"I have letters to you, Colonel Taylor, to -Governor Harrison, and to Colonel Boone -here—and I want help. There's been a good -deal of piracy of late, as you may know, -and my business here is to get that mysterious -fellow, Blacknose——" -</p> - -<p> -His words were drowned in a sudden -crash, as Boone knocked over one of the huge -andirons with his foot. Zachary Taylor -darted to the door and slammed it with a -bang; Mrs. Taylor went white, and Colonel -Dick started abruptly. -</p> - -<p> -"My dear Norton," he said quickly, -frowning, "your business here had best wait -until the morning, when we will go to town -with Colonel Boone and talk it over then. -Margaret, will you see that the guest-cab in -is made ready? How did you make out with -your beaver, Daniel?" -</p> - -<p> -And Norton fell into an amazed silence, -while old Boone told of his hunting trip, -Why had the mere name of a river-pirate -brought fear to such men as these, and -pallor to the faces of the two women? -</p> - -<p> -"By thunder!" he exclaimed inwardly, -listening to the old frontiersman's jerky -sentences. "I wonder if I've struck a bigger -thing than they dreamed of at New Orleans?" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II -</h3> - -<p> -Upon attaining his majority three years -before, John Norton had gained a -commission through the influence of his uncle, -a merchant at New Orleans. Yellow fever -had left him alone in the world six months -afterward, and he had looked forward to a -career in the army. By a curious combination -of circumstances, however, he had now -resigned that career to enter on a more -hazardous and difficult task. -</p> - -<p> -What he remembered of his life had been -centred about New Orleans, but beyond a -casual acquaintance with his uncle's business -he had not lingered about the city save for -a few weeks at a time. A few years of -wandering in the Southern woods with friendly -Indians, traders, and frontiersmen had given -him a thorough mastery of woodcraft; with -this his brief military career had not -interfered, for he had conducted several -treaty-making or mapping expeditions through -eastern Louisiana, once as far as Florida. -</p> - -<p> -Now, however, a new service had offered -itself to him. The Ohio Valley trade came -largely to St. Louis and New Orleans, by -means of arks and flatboats. It was easy -to float down with the current, and men -took down their wares, sold them, and came -back overland, for the return river journey -was difficult. A few years before, banditti -had been numerous until the Kentucky -riflemen had broken up the Harpe and Mason -gang of pirates. Since that time there had -arisen a new king of the lawless, whose doings -had all but paralyzed the river trade. -</p> - -<p> -"Let me give you my own story first, -gentlemen," said Norton quietly, as he rode -between Colonel Dick and Boone, with -Zach just ahead. "Since you seem to jump -at the very name of Blacknose, things must -indeed be in a poor state up here." -</p> - -<p> -The others merely nodded. All four were -riding slowly toward Louisville; the sun -was but recently up, and in the brisk morning -air all thought of danger or trouble seemed -very vague and distant. Yet Boone's keen -gaze never left the roadside. -</p> - -<p> -"As you will, sir," responded Colonel -Dick courteously. "My son has told us of -you, and we would be only too glad to hear -of your family. I knew a gallant gentleman -of your name—a Major Charles Norton, of -my own Virginian regiment under General -Washington." -</p> - -<p> -"He was my father." And Norton's face -darkened. -</p> - -<p> -"What, sir—your father!" Colonel Taylor -drew rein suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. He brought his family west, -expecting to settle at Cincinnati—he was a -member of that society, of course, and was -attracted by the name. He had barely -reached there when he found a message from -my Uncle John, who had gone to St. Louis. -My father decided to join him, and undertook -the trip with a brother officer named -Moore. -</p> - -<p> -"This was in the fall of 1790, when I was -four years old. During the winter my father -and Captain Moore built a large ark, and -early in the spring embarked both families, -with their property and slaves. The ark passed -Louisville, and after that—it vanished." -</p> - -<p> -"Good heavens, sir—what do you mean?" -demanded Colonel Taylor, staring. Norton -smiled. -</p> - -<p> -"River pirates. I was fetched to -St. Louis by my old nigger mammy in a crazy -canoe; she died before she could more than -tell who I was, having been shot. Beyond a -doubt the ark was surprised, either by -Indians or pirates, only my devoted old -black mammy getting me away. The rest -were never heard from again——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton proceeded to give a brief account -of how his uncle had adopted him, later -removing to New Orleans, and of how his -own life had fitted him for the task in hand. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, as you all know," he continued -calmly, "the river somewhere between here -and Fort Massac has been terrorized by a -band of river pirates. Whether whites or -Indians, no one knows, for the simple -reason that they take no prisoners. For some -reason the rumour has crept out that their -leader is called Blacknose, and is a member -of the old Mason gang. This may or may -not be true——" -</p> - -<p> -"For heaven's sake, man, don't speak -that name!" broke out the younger Taylor. -"If any group discusses the name in these -parts, they suffer for it. Dad urged the -Legislature to send out the militia to guard -the river against him; three days later our -barns were burned. The same thing has -happened to other men. We know nothing -more about the gang than you do, except -that it must have an excellent spy system." -</p> - -<p> -Norton listened, his face setting into cold -lines. -</p> - -<p> -"No one asks you to talk of him," he -returned grimly. "I'll do all that's -necessary. Three months ago the New Orleans -merchants got together to discuss the damages -being wrought upon the river-trade; they -knew I was a woodsman and that I had had -the luck to break up that Nagatoches gang, -so they came to me. I accepted the task of -smashing this Blacknose, and I mean to do -it. Gentlemen, my letters." -</p> - -<p> -With this, he handed a letter each to -Boone and Taylor, then moved a few paces -on to the side of the lieutenant. -</p> - -<p> -"See here, Norton," exclaimed the latter, -with a glance at his father, "let me join -you in——" -</p> - -<p> -"Not much, Zach." And Norton smiled -grimly. "You're a farmer, not a woodsman; -besides, you've a bride to take care of. -No—that's final." -</p> - -<p> -Taylor said no more, and John Norton -gazed out at the view beyond the little -rising knoll on which they stood. It was -close enough to the river to be in sight of -the falls, and directly opposite them, on -the Indiana shore, was Clarksville. Norton's -eye lingered a moment on the large house -which stood at the point of rocks; he had -learned on the previous day that this was -the home of George Rogers Clark, one of -the great frontier heroes, but now an old -man and crippled. -</p> - -<p> -His gaze swept on to Louisville, half of -its one street hidden by a rising knoll of -cot ton woods. The stone court-house, the -bell-roofed taverns, the Gault gardens at -the upper end of town—Norton looked past -these to Shippingsport, the little harbour -below the falls, and his eyes narrowed. -Here began his trail, as he knew well. -From Shippingsport went out every ounce of -freight to New Orleans from Louisville and -all points up-river, for only experienced -pilots could bring any craft through the -falls. Louisville was to all intents the -starting-point of river traffic, and -somewhere between Louisville and Fort Massac, -at the juncture of the Ohio and Mississippi, -had vanished a full third of all the rich -cargoes sent down in the past three years. -</p> - -<p> -Having already mapped out a vague plan -in his mind, he turned to the two older men, -and smiled slightly. Boone had just finished -spelling out his letter painfully enough, and -was staring at it in disgust; Colonel Taylor -was looking at his horse's head with a stern -sadness, the cause of which the younger -man knew only too well. -</p> - -<p> -"One moment, Colonel Dick," said Norton -gently. The two gazed up quickly. "I -wish to draw you into nothing which -can——" -</p> - -<p> -"Captain Norton," broke in the other -sternly, "I have never refused to do my -duty, whatever the consequences, nor do I -intend to falter now. My aid is yours, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"You mistake me," smiled Norton, trying -to offset the hint of tragedy in the other's -eyes, "Since conditions here are as you -inform me, there is no reason for my -incriminating you. If these river pirates really -have a spy system in effect, my mission -will be discovered sooner or later. Do you -go on to town with Zach; from this moment -we are strangers. The only good you can -do me is to request those whom you can -trust that they will supply all I demand and -draw on the New Orleans merchants who -signed that letter to you. For your sake -and that of your family, do as I ask. In -this manner you can serve me best. Colonel -Boone will, I am sure, bear me out in this." -</p> - -<p> -The old frontiersman nodded quickly. -Colonel Taylor hesitated, then stretched a -hand to Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"God bless you, my boy—and if you need -help in the open, come to me." -</p> - -<p> -Norton smiled, exchanged a handgrip and -a word with Lieutenant Taylor, and watched -father and son ride off toward the town. -Then he turned to Boone, to find the old -man looking glumly at him. -</p> - -<p> -"Well?" he laughed questioningly. -"Has Blacknose taken the heart out of you, -or have you forgotten how to fire a rifle?" -</p> - -<p> -To his intense amazement, Boone nodded -and spat in the road. -</p> - -<p> -"Yep. That's it. See here, Norton: I -fit Injuns all my life and I ain't quit yet, -but my hide's got to feelin' good on my -back. Now I'm goin' to help you, but I -ain't goin' to hunt them river pirates. I -ain't ripe to die, not by a good ways! No, -sir! I'm a God-fearin' man, Norton, and -I ain't huntin' after trouble." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean?" queried the perplexed -Norton, taken utterly aback by the -old man's attitude. "What can I count -on——" -</p> - -<p> -"You listen here." Boone's blue eyes -wandered off among the trees as he spoke. -"I ain't afeard o' no man livin', but I got -a wife to pervide for. Now, we'll go down -to the tavern and I'll bring you a feller who -knows the hull country around here and -who'll act as go-betwixt for anything you -want. How you fixed on the military end?" -</p> - -<p> -"I've letters to General Harrison from -General Wilkinson, which will allow me to -make use of the militia if I wish. Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, you 'tend to the military yourself -an' listen here." Boone leaned over and -dropped his voice, his eyes still on the trees. -"Ye know where Blue River runs into the -Ohio? Well, forty-five mile down the river -from here, an' twelve mile this side o' Blue -River, there's a big rocky cliff on the Injianny -shore, with a cabin an' mebbe more cabins -under it. But <i>you</i> stay on the Kaintuck -side, mind. D'reckly opposite that cliff, -ye'll find a big cottonwood blazed north an' -south. Head right south from that there -tree, an' in less'n two mile you'll find a -cabin. That's where Red Hugh lives. Go -an' find him if he's there; if he ain't, wait -till he comes back. Tell him 'bout me -sending ye, and ask fer help if ye need it." -</p> - -<p> -"Who's Red Hugh?" demanded Norton, wondering. -</p> - -<p> -"That's more'n I can tell ye." And Boone -shook his head. "I've knowed him off an' -on hard on twenty year. He raises crops -there, an' goes on reg'lar spring an' fall -hunts after Injuns. They killed off his -fam'ly, I reckon, an' God ain't softened his -heart yet—though He will some day, I -reckon. He most gen'rally does— <i>Lay -down</i>! <i>Quick</i>!" -</p> - -<p> -The last three words shot out with vehement -force; instinctively, Norton obeyed -the swift gesture and ducked forward. -Something sang over his head, almost brushing -his hair; there came a crack on the wind, -and he looked up to see a little drift of white -rise from a clump of cottonwoods a hundred -yards away. -</p> - -<p> -Before he quite realized what had -happened, the rifle was torn out of his hand -and Boone was sighting. The flint fell -uselessly, and with a muttered curse the -old frontiersman slipped from his horse and -ran for the trees whence had come the shot. -Norton, now comprehending, was after him -instantly. -</p> - -<p> -Active though he was, he had hard work -keeping up with Boone. Together they -gained the trees, to find nothing more than -a slight tinge of powder on the air, until -Boone leaned over the ground, pointing. -</p> - -<p> -"Here he was, the skunk! Come on, now." -</p> - -<p> -His trained eye making out the tracks, -Norton followed. After five minutes they -came out on Beargrass Creek, and on the -opposite shore was no trail. -</p> - -<p> -"Slipped us," cried Boone savagely. -"Consarn him! He might ha' gone up or -down, so let's git out o' here whilst our -hides are safe." -</p> - -<p> -Whereupon, the old woodsman turned -and incontinently made for the horses, as -did Norton. The assassin had had time to -reload, and tracking him in the river bed -was impossible. When they had regained -the horses, Boone held out something to -Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"Find the feller who owns this, an' ye've -got him. I reckon your errand has slipped -out, friend." -</p> - -<p> -Norton smiled faintly at the grim sarcasm -in the old man's voice, and looked at the -object. It was the plug of a powder-horn -evidently dropped in haste. Finely carved -in greyish horn, the stopper was crossed -lengthwise by a band of red. -</p> - -<p> -"You find a feller with a horn what's got -a red streak in it," went on Boone, "and a -wooden plug; he's wearin' Shawnee moccasins -instead o' boots; he's left-handed, -'cause he rested his rifle that side o' the -tree, an' I wouldn't wonder but what he -was cross-eyed." -</p> - -<p> -"Huh? Why cross-eyed?" queried -Norton, frowning, and dropped the plug in -his shirt. -</p> - -<p> -"'Cause he didn't see me a-watchin' them -trees," cackled the old man, and swung up -to his saddle. "Now let's git away from -here; it makes me plumb scared. What do -you reckon ye'll do first off?" -</p> - -<p> -"Take advice," smiled Norton easily. -"All I can get. I fancy the pirates are in -league with some one here, for they've -dropped on the best cargoes and let the poor -ones pass by. It looks as if they had spies -here, sure enough." -</p> - -<p> -"An' one of 'em's wearin' Shawnee -moccasins," chuckled Boone. "Well, afore ye -git desp'rit, go see Red Hugh. Now, you -git up to the tavern an' wait till I come. -I'm a-goin' to see Kitty Grigg." -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty Grigg?" Norton's mind went -back swiftly to the girl he had glimpsed on -the previous day. "Who is she, Colonel?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Ol' Abel Grigg 'lows she's his -daughter," returned the other slowly. -"'Fraid Abel ain't much account, though. -He was with me back in the Blue Lick -massacree, and cert'nly fit good, but went -bad later. I've knowed Kathleen sence -afore I went to Missouri, and if she's Abel's -daughter, then, by gum, I'll sculp myself!" -</p> - -<p> -"Grigg lives at Louisville, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"No—he's a hunter, mostly. Has a farm -back o' town a piece. Well, see ye later! -What tavern ye goin' to?" -</p> - -<p> -"The 'Steuben Arms', just beyond Doctor -Gault's residence." -</p> - -<p> -Boone nodded, and rode off along a forest -trail leading to the south, while Norton -pursued his course into town. -</p> - -<p> -Who had fired that shot? He thought of -Duval's threat, but Duval was no woodsman, -and the assassin was, as his method of -escape testified. It seemed much more likely -that, as Boone had said, some hint of his -mission had leaked out. -</p> - -<p> -How that could have been, Norton knew -not. He had breathed no word of it to any -man from leaving New Orleans until reaching -the Taylor farm, nor had he discussed either -piracy in general or Blacknose in particular. -He had kept his ears open along the frontier -but had learned nothing; no one had ever -seen Blacknose, no one so much as knew -whether there were a Blacknose or not. -The name was a rumour, a border -myth—and only in Louisville was it backed up by -reality, reflected Norton. -</p> - -<p> -He had not been sent on any false trail, -that was certain. Neither the up-river -farmers and merchants nor those of New -Orleans could give him any definite -information; yet both they and Norton knew -well that in this year of grace, 1810, when -settlements and cabins were scattered all -along the Ohio and Mississippi, flatboat -after flatboat could not vanish into thin air -with their crews. -</p> - -<p> -Norton's private opinion had been that -Blacknose was a renegade who led a band of -Indians and kept in touch with some one at -Louisville for information. That opinion -was sorely shaken by what the Taylors had -said, however. He began to think the whole -affair was engineered by river pirates alone, -and so rode slowly into town, lost in thought. -Nor did he forget the horn plug which now -reposed in his pocket. Sooner or later he -would find the man who wore Shawnee -moccasins and whose powder-horn was -mottled with a red streak, and he promised -himself that something unpleasant would -happen to the gentleman in question. -</p> - -<p> -As he splashed through the mud in front -of the courthouse, he saw the figure of Duval -going up the steps. The lawyer had not -observed him, however, and Norton watched -him disappear inside. For the Far West -the courthouse was a stately building, with -its two stories, ornate cupola, and handsome -pillars. -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian rode slowly on down the -one principal street toward the lower end of -town, and so came to the "Steuben Arms", -whose host had once served under the fiery -baron in the late war. Indeed, it was for -this reason alone that Norton had chosen -the place, for it was none of the best; he -had been disappointed in finding Bower an -infirm, mumbling old veteran. -</p> - -<p> -Dismounting, he gave his reins to the -waiting negro, nodded to old Bower as he -passed through the public room, and sought -his own chambers. He had no desire to -hang about below-stairs, since the inn seemed -frequented by rivermen. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The morning was well advanced when, in -response to a knock, Norton opened the door -and admitted Colonel Boone and a stranger. -This stranger was a peculiar individual, -even for a time when the border was crowded -with peculiar personages. He was dressed -in a dirty shirt with dirty ruffles, an ancient -beaver, ancient scarlet velvet breeches, shoes -which had burst at the toes, and a greatcoat -of reddish fustian. Below a greasy and -dishevelled wig, his face was small and -pinched, yet very ruddy and healthy; he -seemed to Norton an odd little old man, and -his black eyes twinkled perpetually. -</p> - -<p> -"Captain Norton, my friend, Mr. Elisha -Ayres, Gent.," declaimed Boone with something -like a grin. "Ayres, young Norton's -the likeliest feller I've seen in a coon's age." -</p> - -<p> -"That, sir," averred Mr. Ayres in a slow -and precise tone, "is a truer knighthood -than any which could be bestowed by the -crowned heads of the Old World! I trust -you appreciate the honour, Mr. Norton, sir! -I am yours to command." -</p> - -<p> -"You can trust Mr. Ayres, Norton," -continued Boone. "Now, I'm goin' to git -home. Pow'ful glad I met ye, Norton, and -if ye need to do a little shootin', go find -Red Hugh. Ye can trust Elisha——" -</p> - -<p> -"You're not starting for Missouri—now?" -inquired the astonished Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"Not yet—goin' to crack a bowl o' punch -at Doc Gault's first." And Boone shook -hands with both men, then turned to the -door. Norton had a last glimpse of the -barrel-like chest, grey hair, and keen eyes; -then Boone was gone with a final wave of -the hand. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Captain Norton," began Ayres in -his dry precise manner, "Colonel Boone -has told me of your mission in these parts, -sir. I congratulate you heartily, sir, and -I congratulate these United States upon -having a public servant of your spirit——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton smiled to himself. He began to -think that Boone had made the best of a bad -bargain by passing off the first person he -had picked up as an assistant. -</p> - -<p> -"What is your business, Mr. Ayres?" he -inquired, wondering how best to get rid of -the ruddy-cheeked little man. -</p> - -<p> -"I am a schoolmaster, sir"; and as he spoke, -Ayres settled back in his chair and pulled -forth a pipe. "By the way, Mr. Norton, -the man who shot at you this morning is -a hunter from down-river. His name I do -not know, but he wears a fox-skin cap with -the brush hanging, dresses in buckskin like -yourself, and wears a black beard." -</p> - -<p> -Norton started. -</p> - -<p> -"Are you jesting, sir? Do you know this man?" -</p> - -<p> -"I do not." And Ayres fell to work with -flint and steel, until he had a light for his -pipe. "I saw him last week, and chanced -to note the redstreaked powder-horn. When -my friend Colonel Boone told me of it, I -remembered. That is all. Ah—one point -further—he was discussing some of our host's -excellent Virginia whisky, in company with -one Charles Duval, Gent., a fellow townsman -of mine." -</p> - -<p> -While Norton was still trying to assimilate -the information imparted by this queer -individual, the bell on the roof banged out -its summons to dinner. Ayres arose with -a grandiose bow. -</p> - -<p> -"You will honour me, sir, by your company -below? Then we can discuss matters -at our leisure." -</p> - -<p> -Norton swallowed hard, nodded, and -followed to the door. He began to think -that he had sadly misjudged Colonel Daniel -Boone. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III -</h3> - -<p> -Norton rather regretted his hasty choice -of taverns. The "Steuben Arms" had in its -day been a fine inn, but its day was done. -Located conveniently to Shippingsport, its -clientele now consisted largely of rivermen, -merchants, and such of the townsmen as -found its rates better suited to their purses -than those of the new taverns. -</p> - -<p> -Passing through the deserted travellers' -room, Ayres led his guest on into the public -dining-room, where the long table was -already partially filled. At the upper end -sat Bower, the host—a feeble old man with -tobacco-stained beard. The overhead fans -were pulled by a negro girl in the corner. -</p> - -<p> -Ayres settled down in a chair at an unoccupied -space, Norton following suit. Then, -when the little man had nodded to Bower -and signed to a negro waiter, he turned and -spoke in a low voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Mr. Norton, had you any definite -plan of action? ... Until the table -fills up, we will pass unnoticed." -</p> - -<p> -Norton nodded, glancing around. A -number of rivermen were talking loudly; -two or three merchants were discussing -prices—and profanity hung over the long -room like a cloud. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," he returned slowly, "I thought -that a boat might be well laden here, quietly -pick up a force of men farther down the -river, and so be used as a lure. With such -a spy system as seems to prevail, however, -that looks rather hopeless." -</p> - -<p> -Ayres nodded. -</p> - -<p> -"A good plan, sir, a good plan, yet doubtful -of success. As you say, the people in -question would hear of it and you would be -laughed at for your pains. The case, sir, -calls for circumspection." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so," agreed Norton drily, "Have -you any suggestions to make, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -"I hope to have some, Captain Norton. -Granted that an organization exists, we may -presuppose it to be composed of white men. -Negroes or Indians would be sure to let out -the secret. Given, then, white men: these -might be scattered settlers, or they might -be a small band of determined men -down-river, whose friends and directors work -from Louisville or some such point. We -may take it, I trust, that one or two members -of the gang ship on the designated boats -and act as accomplices in the crime." -</p> - -<p> -Ayres paused, in order to absorb a huge -pinch of snuff—after which he allowed the -waiter to get out of hearing, and prepared -to attack his dinner. -</p> - -<p> -"You are aware," he went on calmly, -"that the richer cargoes go down in a fleet, -under an experienced commodore. Invariably, -one or two boats vanish overnight—but -never at the same point in the river. -It would be easy for a member of the crew -to untie the moorings and let the boat slip -down the stream. Now, remember these -points; and remember also that if there is -a down-river band, they must have a hiding-place -where the stolen cargoes can be stored -away until disposed of." -</p> - -<p> -Concluding his speech with extreme haste, -Ayres abruptly began his dinner as the -nearer seats were filled up. Gathering that -the discussion was ended for the present, -Norton applied himself to dinner also. -Whisky was circulating freely, and while -they ate, the rivermen filled the room with -tales of river life, most of which were more -spicy than refined. -</p> - -<p> -"Gen'lemen, yew hear me!" broke out -one of two men opposite Norton—a big, -hairy man of immense build. His companion -was bronzed, gloomy-eyed, and stern-faced, -and both had been absorbing vast -quantities of white whisky. "Gen'lemen," -boomed the big fellow, glaring around, -"thar's gwine to be war. I'm tellin' yew! -War! Yew hear me!" -</p> - -<p> -"We hear ye all right," piped up a shrill -voice. "Who's the war with?" -</p> - -<p> -"Gen'lemen, your health!" And the big -man emptied his glass. "Thet thar feller -they call the Prophet—the one-eyed crazy -dog, he's a-stirrin' up the Injuns. Yew -hear me, gen'lemen, ol' man Harrison -he's gwine to need Kaintuck rifles afore -long! Who said ol' Dan'l Boone was in -town?" -</p> - -<p> -Whereupon there followed an excited -discussion of Boone. In the midst, the -gloomy-eyed companion of the big man brought -down his fist with a crash on the table. -</p> - -<p> -"This here generation's got to suffer for -its sins!" he roared out in a vibrant voice, -fastening his eye on Norton. "Friends, -read the prophecies of the inspired Richard -Brother! There'll ye find set forth about -the Injun war, and the cursed Federals -ruining the country! That there inspired -man, he was a prophet. Damnation to the -Federals, say——" -</p> - -<p> -The gloomy-eyed man said no more, for -a roar went up at his words. -</p> - -<p> -"Ye drunken Democrat," cried some one, -"take that!" -</p> - -<p> -With which a heavy pitcher of molasses -struck the gloomy-eyed man above the ear, -smashed, and sent him down senseless. His -big companion sprang up like a cat, drew -back his arm, and a knife flashed across the -room in a flame of glittering light. It did -no harm, save to precipitate a general fight. -Norton was just rising to escape, when a -deep cold voice broke in upon the uproar: -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen, make way!" -</p> - -<p> -Norton started. He looked up to see the -figure of Duval entering the door, against -which two fighting cursing men had reeled. -Duval took them by the shoulders and tore -them apart; one went spinning down the -room; the other crashed into the wall, and -the lawyer strode forward. -</p> - -<p> -That display of strength was not lost -upon John Norton, nor the calm which -instantly followed. Instead of being mobbed, -Duval seemed to inspire these rivermen with -fear—all save the big hairy man opposite -Norton. He alone paid no heed; having -caught the man who had laid out his -companion, he was administering a sound -thrashing when Duval caught him by the shoulder -and tore him loose. -</p> - -<p> -"Go to your seat," commanded Duval, -cold and immobile. The other glared at him. -</p> - -<p> -"Who the devil are yew?" he demanded -hoarsely. "Take yer hand off'n me—I'm -liable to sculp ye! Yew hear me! I'm -gwine to lay out this cussed Federal. I -don't care ef he's Blacknose hisself!" -</p> - -<p> -A startled silence fell, while Duval still -gazed coldly into the big man's eyes. There -was something terrible in the lawyer's -immobility; then Norton saw that he was holding -a small pistol against the big man's -chest. -</p> - -<p> -"Go to your seat," he repeated icily. -The other felt the pistol, glanced down at -it, and obeyed sullenly. Norton felt a -hand on his arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Let us go, sir," murmured Ayres very -softly. Norton nodded, rose, and they left -the room together. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Five minutes later they were sitting side -by side in the chairs before the tavern, pipes -out. Norton's thoughts were dwelling on -this man Duval, and he wondered afresh -if the lawyer had been behind that attempted -assassination of the morning. The man -hardly seemed of such a nature; he had -quieted the rivermen by sheer force of voice -and muscle, and was plainly a man known -and feared. -</p> - -<p> -"Who is this Duval?" asked Norton, -glancing at his friend. -</p> - -<p> -"A lawyer, sir, who speaks of going to -the Legislature next fall. He comes of a -good Virginia family, settled here some -three years since, and has a fair practice. -A rising man, sir, a rising man. One of -our ablest citizens, and already talks of -raising a company in case General Harrison -has trouble with the redskins." -</p> - -<p> -Norton thought he detected a faint hint -of sarcasm in the precise voice, but Ayres's -pinched, red-cheeked face was expressionless. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, have you any sort of plan, Mr. Ayres?" -</p> - -<p> -"An excellent one, sir," came the surprising -answer. Ayres knocked out his pipe -slowly. "I would suggest that you follow -Colonel Boone's advice, and go to see this -man Red Hugh, of whom he told you. -When you have seen him, you may expect -a messenger from me at the Blue River -settlement—on the Kentucky side, remember, -for there are two. I may find it feasible to -put your prior plan into operation and use -a rich-laden flatboat for lure." -</p> - -<p> -"Hm!" Norton looked at the other -keenly. "Do you seriously believe that -Duval had anything to do with the man who -shot at me this morning?" -</p> - -<p> -He was amazed, upon meeting the black -eyes of his friend, to find them in a terrible -earnestness. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir,"—and the dry precise voice quivered -the slightest bit—"it is my honest belief -that if you remain in this town overnight, -you will be murdered." -</p> - -<p> -Startled, Norton gave the other a keen -look. Then he smiled slightly. -</p> - -<p> -"Murdered? Man, what do you mean? -Is that gang——" -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot say what I mean, sir," returned -Ayres, rising. "I hardly know myself. God -forgive me if I misjudge Charles Duval! -But, sir, this is my sincere advice: go and -find Red Hugh, and go within the hour. -You are a woodsman; therefore go by the -trails and not by boat. Trust no man. -Sir, I—I have been doing much quiet -investigation of late, and I am appalled. The -whole thing is indefinite and terrible. Most -of what was said in the dining-room there -was lost upon you, but not upon me; and, -sir, I will make you this prediction: That -big riverman, who only came in from -Cincinnati to-day, and who took the name of -Blacknose in vain—that man will die." -</p> - -<p> -"Good Heavens, Ayres!" Norton rose, -aghast at the solemn earnestness of the little -schoolmaster. "Do you know what you're -saying? This isn't the Indian border, -but——" -</p> - -<p> -"Sir, this is Louisville, State of Kentucky, -in the thirty-fourth year of the Independence -of the United States of America," responded -Ayres gravely. He bowed. "You may -count upon hearing from me, Mr. Norton, -at Dodd's tavern at the Blue River settlement. -Let your task be to scour the woods -and settlements, meantime. Sir, your -servant, and—and may God keep you!" -</p> - -<p> -Whereupon, with another bow, the little -man turned and marched stiffly away, his -absurd beaver cocked jauntily over one ear -and his fustian greatcoat fluttering behind -him. Norton stared after him, then sank -into his chair and drew out his tobacco. -</p> - -<p> -"By thunder!" he muttered slowly to -himself, the while he stuffed his pipe, -watching the lessening figure. "I seem to -have set foot in a hornet's nest—and came -near to getting stung this morning! Now, -I wonder what that little fox of a schoolmaster -suspects, and why he imagines I am -in danger here in the town itself!" -</p> - -<p> -The very thought was amusing to Norton. -He knew very well that in such centres of -civilization as New Orleans, St. Louis, and -Louisville, men did not condone murder. -Even in the newer river settlements, the -older generation who had passed through -the lawless pioneer days were savagely set -upon upholding a rude justice. Boone -himself exampled this, for Norton had heard -of how the old frontiersman had made himself a -terror while acting as magistrate in Missouri. -</p> - -<p> -That he had anything to fear in Louisville, -therefore, seemed impossible to Norton. -Duval might well have hired the assassin of -the morning; yet it was more likely that -some hint of his mission had leaked out, -thought the Louisianian. There was most -certainty a secret organization of -river-pirates; so much had been amply proved to -him, but he was still inclined to smile at the -terror it inspired. -</p> - -<p> -"Still," he reflected sagely, "men like -Taylor and Boone aren't exactly fools. And -I rather believe Elisha Ayres is no fool, -either. So, my assailant is black-bearded, -wears a brushed fox-skin cap, and has a -red-streaked powder-horn! Something -gained, at all events. Mr. Ayres, I believe -I will heed your warning." -</p> - -<p> -Having plenty of money, Norton called -one of the negroes loafing in the sun and -ordered his horse saddled, then went down -the street to the store of Audubon & Rosier, -where he found the junior partner and -purchased a few supplies. As he was leaving, -Rosier leaned over the counter with a cautious -glance at the door. -</p> - -<p> -"Your pardon, sir I believe your name -is Norton?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is, sir," returned the surprised -Louisianian. -</p> - -<p> -"Colonel Taylor spoke to me of you," -went on the other rapidly. "You may rely -upon us absolutely, sir. If by chance you -meet my partner somewhere in the woods, -do not fear to trust him. He is slightly -touched in the head, but save for his long -wanderings is—" A man passed outside, -and without a change in his low tone Rosier -continued. "As I was saying, sir, General -Harrison can control the Indians excellently——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton took the hint and passed out with -a nod, storing away in his mind the name -of the senior partner, Audubon. It occurred -to him that if he was joining forces with a -hermit Indian-slayer and a schoolmaster, a -half-crazed merchant who evidently spent -his time wandering in the woods would -make a good third. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Returning to the tavern, he found it -deserted in front, though a murmur of loud -voices came from the dining-room. It seemed -slightly odd that dinner was not yet over, -but he went to his room, got his things, -and after some search located Bower's -daughter in the kitchens. He paid her his bill, -then went around to the front for his horse. -</p> - -<p> -Now John Norton was no fool, as may -have been previously inferred. Despite his -respect for the law, Ayres's words had set -his nerves on edge, in conjunction with -what had happened that day. Like all -woodsmen, he much preferred danger in the -woods to danger in the town; as he tied his -purchases and rifle to his saddle, he found -himself glancing nervously over his shoulder. -And even as he set foot in the stirrup, he -paused. -</p> - -<p> -There was a horrible shuffling step from -the doorway behind, and he whirled, hand -on knife, to see the big hairy riverman -clutching the door-post. The giant's face -was terribly convulsed, and one hand gripped -at a knife-haft whose blade was buried in -his side. Barely had Norton comprehended, -when the man pulled the knife free, coughed, -and fell dead. With the same instant there -rose a shrill yell from the doorway behind, -and men came crowding out. -</p> - -<p> -"There he is! Thar's the murderer!" -went up the shout. "Git him, boys!" -</p> - -<p> -A pistol flashed, and the ball sang past -Norton's ear. Dodging behind his horse, -he realized everything in a flash; Ayres's -prediction had proved terribly true, and -what was worse, the murderers were trying -to fasten the crime on him. More, they -were trying to kill him before he had a -chance to deny his guilt. Whether Duval's -work or not—— -</p> - -<p> -Sensing all this as he dodged, Norton -wasted neither time nor movement. Before -the first of the crowd poured out across the -dead man, he made a flying leap for the -saddle, gained it, and sent his horse ahead -on the jump. He knew his one chance lay -in getting out of town within the hour—as -Ayres had predicted. -</p> - -<p> -Another pistol cracked behind him, and -another. The balls whistled harmlessly -past, but served to draw attention. Several -men leaped into the road, shouting; Norton -drove his horse at them with a yell, and -they fell away. Without thought, he had -headed up-town and now had no choice but -to continue his way along the south road. -</p> - -<p> -The last of the fine brick houses was -almost past, and the uproar behind him -was being swelled by voices and bells. The -final house was a splendid mansion—Norton -knew it for that of a Doctor Gault. As he -pounded past the terraced gardens, he glanced -up to the doorway and caught sight of a -group of figures—Colonel Taylor, Zach, -Boone and others. A wave of the hand -came to him, a shouted farewell, and -Louisville fell behind. -</p> - -<p> -"And now for the chase," thought Norton -grimly, pulling in his steed a trifle. "They'll -fasten that murder on me and get me—if -they can. It's a neat manner to be rid of -an enemy—the second attempt in one morning, -the day after my arrival in town! Now -I would call that quick work, brainy work, -but desperate work. Whoever he is, -Blacknose fears me—good! If I can match -his villainy with honest woodcraft, he shall -fear me more." -</p> - -<p> -Twisting in the saddle, Norton looked -back, having caught a sudden thud of hoofs. -He thundered past a cross-roads, and -although the town was shut out behind, the -horseman who followed was plainly visible. -He wore a crushed beaver-hat, scarlet -breeches, and a fluttering greatcoat; as -Norton gazed in amazement, the other waved -him onward. Ayres, for it was no other, -drew up at the cross-roads, carefully -spattered mud over the road from a puddle, -then departed at a gallop by the eastern -track and was lost to sight. -</p> - -<p> -"Covering my trail—the old fox!" -exclaimed Norton. "Mr. Ayres, my -compliments. You may be a schoolmaster, but -John Norton owes you his life this day!" -</p> - -<p> -And he rode on to the south. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV -</h3> - -<p> -That there would be pursuit Norton knew -well enough. He knew also that if he were -caught, he would not be brought back to -Louisville alive; Blacknose, being a person -of sufficient wit to make so shrewd and swift -a plot, would have him safely shot in order -to preclude all possible danger. Once past -Sullivan's ferry, where the post-road crossed -the Ohio to Vincennes seven miles below -Shippingsport, Norton knew that he would -have the wilderness ahead and his own good -wits to rely upon. -</p> - -<p> -More than once he pondered on the subject -of Charles Duval. He more than suspected -the lawyer of being at the bottom of the -affair at the tavern, though this seemed -hardly possible on sober second thought. -He had seen nothing of Duval in the crowd -about the door, but the memory of how the -man had silenced the riot during dinner -still remained with him. Duval had -influence, it seemed, and he was also a -prominent citizen. -</p> - -<p> -John Norton was pre-eminently just. He -admitted to himself that he had taken an -instant dislike to Duval upon meeting the -latter on the Beargrass Creek Road the day -before. The dislike was based on no solid -ground. Duval was the type of man best -fitted to capture the liking of -frontiersmen—strong, powerful, unafraid and brainy. -None the less, Norton did not like him. -Either, he considered, his errand had been -noised abroad and the river-pirates had -tried to eliminate him that morning, or -else Duval had been behind the two attempts -on his life. -</p> - -<p> -"And if I'm to take my choice," he -thought, "I'd say it was the pirates." -</p> - -<p> -None the less, it was with a distinct shock -that a moment later he recognized Charles -Duval slowly riding toward him. Norton -drew rein, astounded. -</p> - -<p> -His track had degenerated into a mere -forest trail, since he had struck away from -the main pike which Ayres had followed, -to throw off the pursuers. Trees were on -every side, and Norton could only conjecture -that he had come some four miles from the -town. Yet here was Duval riding toward -him—Duval, whom he had supposed was -even then urging on his pursuers! -</p> - -<p> -With him was walking a man, and Norton -eyed the pair keenly enough as they -approached. Duval's horse was warm, but -not foam-flecked, and it was a warm day; -the lawyer had been doing no furious riding; -so much was clear. Almost reluctantly, -Norton instantly absolved him of any -complicity in the plot at the tavern. The man -with him was very tall and gaunt, dressed -in backwoods style, carried a rifle, had a -bushy grizzled beard, a thin, hooked nose -and very deep-set dark eyes. He had not -been at the tavern. -</p> - -<p> -The pair sighted Norton almost as he saw -them, and stopped for an instant in evident -surprise. He saw Duval say something in -a low voice; then both came forward. To -Norton's great surprise, the lawyer advanced -with hand outstretched and a smile upon his -face which seemed sincere enough. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir," exclaimed Duval heartily, "I must -ask your pardon for my words of yesterday. -I was somewhat in liquor, and irritated at -the moment. May I have the honour of -your name, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton, with no hint of his inward amazement, -gripped the other's proffered hand and -looked squarely into Duval's dark eyes. He -read there only a sincere regret, however, -and after giving his name proceeded to -compliment the lawyer on his evident prestige -among the rivermen as exemplified at the -tavern that noon. Duval's eyes narrowed -a trifle. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I saw you go out," he returned, -"and left myself shortly after. As to those -flatboat-men, if some one did not overawe -them occasionally they would run the town. -By the way, Mr. Norton, meet Mr. Grigg, -one of our old settlers and a solid farmer of -the vicinity." -</p> - -<p> -This designation seemed to draw a grin -from Grigg, who stuck up a huge paw with -a muttered "Howdy!" to Norton. The -latter found the backwoodsman's face a -mixture of savagery, cunning and boldness; -he wondered idly what Duval had to do with -such a man. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Grigg and a neighbour are having a -land dispute," smiled Duval smoothly, as -if reading the thought of Norton, "but we -hope to settle it out of court. Thinking of -buying a farm hereabouts?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I'm just on a tour," returned Norton -easily. "I'm from Cincinnati, originally." -</p> - -<p> -Which was quite true, but misleading. -For one thing, Norton recollected that the -man Grigg must be the father of the -strikingly beautiful girl he had met on the -Beargrass Creek Road yesterday; also, -Colonel Boone's description of Grigg did -not quite coincide with that just given by -Duval. Remembering what Boone had said -regarding Grigg's parentage of the girl, -Norton eyed the man with no great favour. -</p> - -<p> -Duval, of course, seemed to have no -suspicion of what had happened at the -tavern—which happening, indeed, having been -too recent for him to know of it. Norton -concluded the lawyer had left the place -while he was absent at the store of Audubon -& Rosier, and that after his leaving, the -rivermen had formulated their plot. He wondered -vaguely whether or not the redoubtable -Blacknose himself had been present at dinner. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I must be going forward," he said. -"Can you tell me if this trail will lead me -around toward the river?" -</p> - -<p> -"After a bit," nodded Duval, inspecting -Norton's outfit piece by piece. "It runs -past Mr. Grigg's farm, then forks. Take -the fork to the left, which circles around to -the river a few miles down. Your servant, sir!" -</p> - -<p> -He bowed, Norton returning the compliment, -and the three separated. -</p> - -<p> -Passing through some marshy cane-brake, -the Louisianian presently came to higher -ground, found the trees thinning, and -perceived hemp and tobacco fields to the -right. He was thinking of his own -situation, however, and wondering at Duval's -change of front. What had caused the -lawyer to take this sudden attitude? -</p> - -<p> -Norton himself was a man who neither -explained nor apologised for his own actions, -and knew Duval for the same kind of man. -There must be something behind his abrupt -apology and surprising amiability, he -concluded, though he was at a loss to conceive -what it might be. Colonel Taylor had -spoken none too warmly of Duval the day -before, else he might have thought that -Taylor had mentioned him and his errand -to the lawyer, as he had done to Rosier. -</p> - -<p> -"By thunder!" frowned Norton, gazing -at the few negroes at work in the fields -among the scattered stumps and girdled trees. -"There's something almighty strange about -this whole affair. Well, I'm out of it now, -and if they can reach me in the woods—let -them! I guess I'll call on the charming -Madam Kitty Grigg. Hm! Duval seems to -have been ahead of me there, too. I'm -afraid that if I lingered in Louisville, -Mr. Duval and I would get farther than -apologies——" -</p> - -<p> -He laughed a little, feeling that if he came -to hand-grips with Duval the result might be -dubious, but worth chancing. And so he -came to Grigg's cabin, for farm it was not. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -There was no mistaking the place; the -girl herself was sitting on the steps of the log -shack, at work sewing. Behind him, Norton -saw the back-ends of the plantations he had -passed, whose buildings were perhaps a -mile or more distant. Grigg's cabin was -placed amid a grove of half-dead maple and -walnut—girdled but never cleared. Even -as Norton drew rein and dismounted, the -girl rising at sight of him, a sudden thought -came into his mind: Duval had said that he -was in liquor the day before. Now Norton -had seen enough drunken men to know that -Duval lied in that statement. -</p> - -<p> -Dismissing this thought, however, he -advanced to the shack with a smile. He -had no cap and had neglected to buy one in -town, and his brown hair and bronzed face -were very good to look upon in the warm -afternoon sunlight. -</p> - -<p> -"This is Madam Kitty Grigg?" he smiled, -bowing, "I met your father and Mr. Duval -upon the road, and finding that I had to pass -here, determined to crave the courtesy of -a drink of water." -</p> - -<p> -She looked at him steadily for a moment, -one hand at her breast. Once again Norton -noted the clear beauty of her grey eyes and -gold-red hair, the character and fresh -womanliness of her whole face. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir—you met—my father and Mr. Duval?" -she said slowly. Norton comprehended -the alarm in her eyes, and laughed -again. -</p> - -<p> -"Aye, that I did, Kitty!" he cried gaily. -"And your Mr. Duval did me the honour -of an apology for what happened on the -Beargrass Creek Road yesterday. But -pardon—my name is John Norton, at your -service now and always." -</p> - -<p> -She looked into his eyes for a moment -longer, then turned and walked around the -corner of the house, beckoning. Norton -followed, to find a spring trickling up -beneath a crab-apple tree. Gravely, she -dipped out a gourd of water, held it to -him, and he drank. -</p> - -<p> -"Thanks, Kitty!" he sighed. "You have -nigh saved my life this day——" -</p> - -<p> -"Then you had best save it for yourself," -she returned quickly, yet with a laugh in -her eyes, "by departing speedily. If Charles -Duval gave you an apology, look to your -steps, sir!" -</p> - -<p> -"Eh?" Startled out of his gay mood, -Norton looked keenly at her. "Now what -may you mean by that, sweet Kitty?" -</p> - -<p> -The girl, however, only shrugged her -shoulders and laughed. -</p> - -<p> -"'Tis easy to see you are from Louisiana, -Mr. Norton"—and he marvelled at the ringing -timbre of her voice—"since from you it -is 'Kitty' and 'sweet Kitty', while our -Kentuckians will ever have it 'Madam -Grigg' or mayhap 'Miss Kathleen'." -</p> - -<p> -"Faith, I had it <i>Kitty</i> from Colonel -Boone," laughed Norton easily. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, but he is an old family friend—a -second father." Abruptly, the girl fell -serious, and put out an imploring hand to -his arm, as she glanced at the trail. "Pray, -Mr. Norton—go at once! You are in danger, -I assure you——" -</p> - -<p> -"Not a bit of it," broke in Norton soberly. -"I'm in the woods to get out of danger, -Miss Kitty. Even now, I suspect that -horsemen are searching for me on the -Lexington post-road. But I would like to -know what makes you think I am in -danger——" -</p> - -<p> -"Because my father allows no one around -here"—and the girl drew back with a slight -flush. Norton thought of Duval, but -forbore to mention the obvious. "But—what -do you mean? Why are men searching for -you? Are you jesting?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it's more or less of a joke," he -laughed, seeing her quick alarm. Plainly, -she knew more than did he; whether from -Abel Grigg or not, danger threatened and -she was afraid. So, with a light air, he told -her of what had chanced at the tavern. -</p> - -<p> -She listened quietly, her eyes flitting -from his face to the trees and back again. -She was stirred out of herself. Norton had -never seen so rare a girl in all his life—clear, -incisive, with grey eyes that could -harden into ice or sparkle into star-glints. -The brown homespun fell loosely enough -about her slender figure, but Norton's fancy -transformed it into brocade, and he imagined -this girl as she would look were she dressed -in the fashion of the New Orleans belles. -</p> - -<p> -"By gad," he thought to himself, reaching -the end of his story, "Boone was right! -She is no daughter of Grigg's. What a -glorious girl she is!" -</p> - -<p> -"Evidently, sir, it was a plot against -you," she said, her brow wrinkling -deliciously in thought. "But why did you not -stay and face the absurd charge?" -</p> - -<p> -"For many reasons"—and Norton was -instantly on guard—"chief of which was -that I have important business down the -river. I believe that I take the left fork -from this trail, do I not?" -</p> - -<p> -"If you wish to reach the Tennessee -settlements, yes," she returned drily. "If you -want to reach the river, take the right fork, -which brings you out just below the post-road -at Sullivan's ferry." -</p> - -<p> -"Eh? You are certain of that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of course!" There was wonder in the -clear grey eyes. "Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, no reason at all—I must have been -hugely mistaken in my notions of your -roads hereabouts," he smiled. "You see, -I am going to the Blue River settlements -and am a stranger in this country. Did you -see Colonel Boone this morning?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton was not at all surprised to find -that Duval had directed him to the wrong -road. He had half suspected as much, and -guessed that when the lawyer reached town -he would set the pursuers going in the right -direction. He was, however, no little -astonished when the girl shook her head in -reply to his casual question. Though Boone -had not said it in so many words, he had -distinctly understood that the frontiersman -had seen the girl that morning. -</p> - -<p> -"No, Mr. Norton—I was looking for him -even now. Was he in town?" -</p> - -<p> -"He came to town with me from Colonel -Dick Taylor's this morning, Kitty—or let -us say Kathleen, which is more dignified -and has a right Irish touch to it. I thought -he had intended to visit you long ere this!" -</p> - -<p> -"So had I," she returned, her eyes on the -circling trees. "Still, he will be here before -he leaves Kentucky. He was doubtless -detained on business." -</p> - -<p> -Norton nodded, remembering Elisha Ayres. -Probably Boone had sought the little -schoolmaster and the latter had detained him. -Well, so much the better; friends were at -work, and there seemed to be sore need of -them all. -</p> - -<p> -"When you see him, then, tell him of -seeing me here," said the Louisianian. It -would be well to have Boone kept informed. -"He is a very good friend——" -</p> - -<p> -"Wait," the girl broke in quietly, -frowning. "What are you going to do? If the -rivermen are after you, as it seems they are, -you would be very foolish to take the river -trail——" -</p> - -<p> -"I am a woodsman, sweet Kitty," he -laughed easily, "and I am willing to take -my chance against any white man save -only Boone—and perhaps one other. Would -that honest Davy Crockett were here with -me! He and I have had many a trail -together, but—well, no matter. Trust me, -Kitty; the forest can harm me not." -</p> - -<p> -"But the river can, my confident paladin -of Louisiana! Bethink you, the rivermen -can use canoes to get ahead of you, lay an -ambush——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton uttered an ejaculation. She was -right—he had overlooked the river. With -a sudden anxiety in his brown eyes, he -looked at her gravely, thinking hard. His -was no lack of self-reliance, else he had not -been on this present errand. But he was in -a strange country, and the Kentuckians and -rivermen were strange to him; above all, to -find himself so swiftly and shrewdly attacked, -as he had been that morning, was -disconcerting. He longed for some man at his -back, some man like young Crockett or -old Boone, not dreaming what manner of -man Fate was even then leading to his -comradeship. -</p> - -<p> -"What think you I had best do, Madam -Kathleen?" he asked quietly. She flushed -a little under his serious eyes, but met the -look frankly. -</p> - -<p> -"Take the Tennessee trail," she returned -slowly. "Since you are a woodsman, and -look it, this will be easy for you. Take the -fork to the left, as you first intended; after -a few miles, strike west and work back -north to the river gradually, through the -woods. Blue River is only forty-five miles -distant. Do your enemies know your destination?" -</p> - -<p> -"No—it is known only to Mr. Elisha -Ayres, who is my friend and helper." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh—you know him, then!" The grey -eyes widened suddenly, and he was amazed -at their quick friendliness and warmth. -"Why, 'twas he who taught me learning! -Well, then, by all means circle around -through the woods to the Blue River, and -God preserve you, sir!" -</p> - -<p> -"I doubt not He will," responded Norton -gravely. -</p> - -<p> -He knelt beside the spring and dipped the -gourd, more as an excuse for his stay than -because he wished a drink. The girl refused -the proffered vessel, and Norton put it to -his lips. -</p> - -<p> -As he drank, his eyes fell on the shadow -cast by the corner of the log cabin. A tuft -of grass suddenly leaped from shadow to -sunshine; some moving object at the corner -of the cabin had caused the change. Norton -was on his feet instantly, and a leap took -him to the corner, hand on knife. -</p> - -<p> -Quick as he was, he found the front of -the cabin deserted. His horse was grazing -quietly; there was no flutter of leaves, no -swing of branches, to show that anyone had -fled hastily into the trees. Half-wondering -if he had been mistaken, he glanced down -at the ground by the cabin corner, as the -alarmed Kathleen joined him. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah!" he cried swiftly, stooping over a -faint mark on the ground. "Get me that -rifle from my saddle, Kitty! Here is a -gentleman who wears a patched moccasin—" -</p> - -<p> -"Stop!" The girl caught his arm as he -rose, and her face was set in swift alarm. -"It was my father—I told you he did not -like to have strangers around! I patched that -moccasin myself—please go, and quickly!" -</p> - -<p> -"Hm!" Norton looked at her. "Does it -occur to you, Kathleen, that your worthy -father may have overheard what we said -about my journey? By the way, are you -so certain that he is your father?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why—what mean you?" The colour -ebbed from her cheeks as she gazed at him. -"Of course he is my father! Please depart, -sir——" -</p> - -<p> -"Nay, I dislike to be hurried." And -Norton calmly pulled out his pipe. He was -angry, but it showed only in his narrowed -eyes. "Now our mutual friend, Colonel -Boone, seems to have an idea that Abel -Grigg is not your father, sweet Kitty. I confess -that the same thought has come to me, since -seeing him. Have you any coals inside?" -</p> - -<p> -She stamped her foot, half in anger and -half in dismay. -</p> - -<p> -"Good lack, sir, will you not be gone?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not until you fetch me a coal, at all -events." -</p> - -<p> -She looked at him, read determination -in his face, and with an impatient gesture -ran to the cabin door and vanished inside. -After a moment she appeared with a brand -in her fingers, evidently pulled from the -fire inside. Smiling, he took it and set it -to his pipe. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, that is better! Now, Kitty, as to -your birth: Do you know anything of your -mother?" -</p> - -<p> -He fully expected fresh expostulation -from her; instead, she nodded quietly. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, though I do not conceive your -right to question me, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"My right is the interest of a gentleman," -he said gravely, and she flushed. "May I -ask who your mother was?" -</p> - -<p> -"I—I do not know her name," stammered -the girl, helpless wonder in her eyes. "Her -initials were H.E.M., but my father never -speaks of her." -</p> - -<p> -"You mean, Abel Grigg never speaks of -her," corrected Norton. A new anger -flashed into the girl's face. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, you are insufferable!" she cried -bitterly. "I have tried to help you, and -your impertinent curiosity——" -</p> - -<p> -"Nay, Kitty, it is only the interest of a -gentleman, as I said before," smiled Norton, -"Still, you are right. My curiosity is -impertinent, it may be, and if you were not the -fairest maid I think I have ever seen, perhaps -my interest in you would be less. Frankly, I -expect to return to this vicinity before a -great while, and shall look forward to seeing -you again. But tell me, please—how is it -that you know your mother's initials, but -not her name?" -</p> - -<p> -She looked at him for a long moment, -divided between anger at his cool insistence -and comprehension of the iron will behind -his gentle courtesy. Her hand went to her -dress. -</p> - -<p> -"Because of this. It used to be my -mother's, father has said——" -</p> - -<p> -She laid a pin in his hand, and Norton -stared down at it in rank incredulity. He -turned it over and saw the graven initials -on the back, "H.E.M." Then, reaching -inside his buckskin coat, he brought out its -duplicate and laid it beside the other. Both -pins were identical—a small golden eagle, -with half-obliterated enamel. -</p> - -<p> -"By thunder!" said Norton very softly, -"Kitty, do you know what this is?" -</p> - -<p> -"No—a pin, that's all," she looked up -at him, perplexed. He turned over his own -pin, showing her the twined initials graven -there, "C.N.—E.D." -</p> - -<p> -"This was my only legacy from my -father," he continued slowly. "Ask Colonel -Boone to tell you the story. My father was -Charles Norton, my mother Eliza Darby—their -initials, you see. But how on earth -did you get yours? It could not have -belonged to your mother, unless your father -had given it her. And if Abel Grigg was -an officer in the Revolution—then I'm a liar!" -</p> - -<p> -"But what is it?" she queried, wide-eyed. -He came to her side, pointing to the two -little gold eagles, and explained: -</p> - -<p> -"This broken enamel, here, showed Cincinnatus -at the plough—the Roman story, if -you remember"—and she nodded to his -words. "The motto was '<i>Omnia relinquit -servare rempublicam</i>'. Kitty, this eagle is -from the order of the Society of the -Cincinnati, composed only of Revolutionary -officers and their eldest male descendants. -I am a member, in virtue of my father's -having been one before me—but how on -earth did you get this? Does your father -know what it is?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, because I have asked him," she -returned, excited interest in her eyes. "He -says it is just a bauble—but please, please -go now! He was here, and I'm afraid -that—that——" -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, Kitty." And returning one -of the eagles to her, he replaced the other -beneath his leathern shirt. "Say nothing -to him of this, mind. I'll investigate it -when I return. Farewell—and remember, -I'll come back sooner or later!" -</p> - -<p> -He raised her hand to his lips, bowing, -and turned to his horse. He scarcely -remembered more than that he rode off with a -wave of his hand; his brain was in a wild -riot of thought. It was a moral certainty -that Abel Grigg had no right to wear that -golden eagle, and in fact knew nothing -about it—where, then, had Kathleen Grigg's -eagle come from? -</p> - -<p> -"'Just a bauble,' eh?" muttered Norton, -his lips tightening in anger. "Friend Grigg, -I would be pleased to have you repeat those -words to me! By thunder, you'd learn -something about the Revolution in a -confounded hurry!" -</p> - -<p> -And so he rode off into the wilderness, -nor looked back to see the girl gazing after -him, hands at her breast. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V -</h3> - -<p> -Gradually, Norton's mind settled out of -chaos into order. The girl was no daughter -of Abel Grigg; so much was certain. He -felt a hot anger at thought of her in the -hands of such a man. There was no chance -that Grigg had lied to her about the eagle, -for his very use of the term "just a bauble" -showed Norton that the backwoodsman had -not known what it was. No man who was -a member of the Cincinnati but reverenced -the order and all it stood for, and whenever -he thought of those words Norton felt hot -anger thrilling him. -</p> - -<p> -Turning to his own situation, he dismissed -the remembrance of Kitty Grigg for -the present. Had her father overheard their -conversation? If so, there was a bare -chance of finding trouble waiting near Blue -River. He saw, however, that she had -suggested the wisest course to him. Half an -hour later, coming to a fork in the trail, he -promptly turned off to the south. -</p> - -<p> -His best plan now lay in finding the man -Red Hugh, of whom Boone had spoken, and -enlisting his services. There might also be -a messenger at Dodd's Tavern, if Ayres kept -his word. -</p> - -<p> -Norton perceived very plainly that he -had been neatly driven out of Louisville as -a fugitive, but he firmly intended to return -otherwise—for divers reasons. If he was to -detect the river-pirates or whoever formed -the band of Blacknose, he must do it by -means of scouting along the river. It might -require weeks and months of arduous work -and woods-living, and such a man as Red -Hugh would prove invaluable. Were Boone -right in his description of the man who slew -Indians—and Norton knew of too many -such to doubt—this Red Hugh would be -more than apt to know all the river-haunts -this side the Mississippi. -</p> - -<p> -"After all," he told himself cheerily, -"things seem to have turned out very well! -If Ayres does not forget his promises, we -may yet bring Blacknose to book." -</p> - -<p> -He passed one or two scattered cabins -that afternoon, shot a wild turkey, and -camped for the night beside a creek, in -perfect content. In case Grigg had not -overheard his plan, he decided to let the -man think he had followed the Tennessee -trail; he was not at all sure that Duval -and Grigg were not leagued against him, -and knew better than to trust in the lawyer's -seeming apology. Kitty's words rang in -his mind—"If Charles Duval gave you an -apology, look to your steps!" -</p> - -<p> -"She knew the breed all right," he -reflected, the next morning. "I should have -known better myself. Well, now for the -north and west!" -</p> - -<p> -He made no effort to hide his camp. As -the creek ran north, seemingly to the Ohio, -he led his horse along its bed for a good -mile, picked hard ground for the emergence, -and rode off, leaving a carefully covered -trail. Even were he followed, his pursuers -would be a day or two later, he knew, so -before noon he flung off all care and rode on -through the woods. -</p> - -<p> -Another turkey and a small deer fell to -his rifle that morning, after which he wended -his solitary way in peace, with meat and to -spare. Stopping at noon, he lighted a small -fire and proceeded to smoke enough of his -fresh meat to last for a few days, as he was -going on to the river, where game was -thinned out. He had been following no -trail and had seen no one all that morning; -the forest seemed limitless and desolate, -empty of all human life. -</p> - -<p> -Norton, however, did not relax his -vigilance. While he was engaged with his -meat, he paused suddenly, caught up his -rifle, and drew the feather from the -touch-hole. He heard no sound, but he had a -subtle warning that someone was near; -before he had unstopped his powder-horn, -the bushes opposite were flung aside and two -Indians appeared. -</p> - -<p> -"How!" -</p> - -<p> -They gazed at him, motionless, with only -the single word of peace, and Norton returned -the stare with interest. Both men were -dressed in beaded buckskin; both wore -medals and carried Kentucky rifles, and both -were unpainted; the larger man was strikingly -handsome, while the other, who possessed -but one eye, had a wild ferocity in -his features. -</p> - -<p> -Without a word more, the larger man -laid his rifle on the ground and made an -inquiring motion toward the meat. Norton -told them to help themselves, and -endeavoured to make them talk; but neither -would say a thing, save for a swift exchange -of gutturals between themselves. -</p> - -<p> -He watched them in no little interest as -they ate, and came to the conclusion that -they were no ordinary warriors. He knew -little of the northern tribes, but from the -fact that the one-eyed man wore moccasins -of unmistakable Cherokee make, he guessed -the two had been on a trip to the south. -Having none of the Kentuckian's contempt -for the Indian, Norton went on about his -work quietly though watchfully, rather perplexed -by the oddity of their silence. Pouring -fresh powder into his pan, he set his rifle -ready to hand, whereat he thought the -handsome Indian smiled a little. -</p> - -<p> -When they had eaten the better half of -his deer, they both drew out small pipes of -the precious calumet stone—a thing which -in itself marked them as men of rank. -Norton silently proffered them tobacco. The -handsome chieftain made the ceremonial of -four puffs and handed his pipe to Norton, -who repeated it, thinking they would now -talk. In this he was mistaken. The -one-eyed man emitted a grunt as Norton made -the four puffs in Indian fashion to the four -quarters of the heavens, but that was all. -Although he ventured a question, neither -replied. -</p> - -<p> -With that Norton gave a shrug, rose, and -began tying his smoked meat to his saddle. -He wished that he knew more about the -northern redskins, for these were certainly -men of some importance, but his experiences -had been confined to Creek, Cherokee, and -Seminole, while these two were quite clearly -of a different race—whether Shawnee, -Miami, Wyandot, or Ottawa he could not -tell. -</p> - -<p> -As he turned to pick up his rifle, the larger -man rose and came forward, smiling. He -reached forth an empty powder-horn, which -was finely carved, and indicated by signs -that Norton was to give him powder; it -was not a demand, but a courteous request. -Norton, at first inclined to anger, found -himself suddenly impressed by this unknown -Indian; having plenty of powder himself, -he at length assented and poured a few -charges into the empty horn. -</p> - -<p> -At this, the Indian gravely proffered him -a shilling—and Norton noted that it was -English money. He was well aware that he -was going through a remarkable experience, -there being little enough money in the -settlements themselves, to say nothing of -Indians using it—a thing unheard of. -</p> - -<p> -"You're welcome," he smiled, waving -back the coin. "I don't wish payment—you're -quite welcome, though I don't suppose -an Indian would ever hand me out free -powder." -</p> - -<p> -Whether he was understood or not, he -could not tell. The one-eyed man, still -sitting over his pipe, grunted out something; -the other turned with swift anger in -his face and poured forth a flood of words. -Norton guessed shrewdly that the one-eyed -man had expressed entire willingness to give -him free powder at any time—from the end -of a rifle. -</p> - -<p> -Abruptly, the friendly chief turned to -Norton again, and made signs for the latter -to remove his moccasins—at the same time -unfastening his own. Puzzled, the Louisianian -hesitated a moment and finally obeyed, -seeing that the other meant it. Then the -Indian held out his moccasins—ankle-high, -and elaborately beaded and quilled. Norton -drew back, glancing at his own torn and -stained and unbeaded pair, which he had -obtained from a Creek squaw on his way -north. -</p> - -<p> -"You mean to exchange with me?" he -asked, wondering. "No, I can't do that, -man! Why, those moccasins of yours are -magnificent! Want to sell them?" -</p> - -<p> -A lightning flash of terrible anger shot -into the swarthy features, but was gone -instantly. Again the Indian nodded and held -out his moccasins. Understanding that he -was being paid in this fashion for his -hospitality, Norton reluctantly accepted, -amazed that an Indian should even think -of payment. When he had donned the new -and unusually fine pair of the Indian, he -put out his hand—and met a smiling refusal -to shake. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Frowning, he turned to his horse and -mounted. As he rode away, his friend sent -him a wave of the hand; then he splashed -across the shallow creek near his camp, and -the strange pair of redskins were lost behind -him. It was odd, undoubtedly; that refusal -to shake hands had been a very manly way -of saying they were enemies, yet he knew -there was no Indian war going on at present. -</p> - -<p> -Unable to account for the whole experience, -he dismissed it from his mind. It was one -of the weird silent happenings which the -wilderness holds in store for those who penetrate -her fastnesses; strange things, memories -which remain for ever, yet which may never -react upon the future, the ebb and flow of -Dead Sea tides leaving nothing upon the -shores of life save the brine of wasted energy. -Had John Norton known who his two guests -were, however, he might not have considered -the incident closed, so far as he himself was -concerned. To them, indeed, it might well -prove a momentary thing. -</p> - -<p> -So he dismissed it lightly enough, and -looked ahead. As he sat by his campfire -that night and considered his situation, he -found it good. He was to seek a certain -unnamed settlement on the Indian shore, -twelve miles this side of the Blue River, and -on the Kentucky side would find Red Hugh; -then on to Blue River, Dodd's tavern, and -the messenger from Ayres. That afternoon -he had seen the river hills to the north; so -by keeping due west, getting off early, and -pushing hard, he might find Red Hugh's -cabin by the next night. He must have come -a good twenty miles, he considered, of the -forty-five lying between Louisville and his -destination, for all that he had taken a -circuitous course. -</p> - -<p> -Before sunrise he was up and on his way -again. Two hours later he drew up on a rising -knoll amid the hills, and saw the signal-fire -of Destiny awaiting him. -</p> - -<p> -It was a spiral of blue smoke, ascending -from the valley beyond, and perhaps a mile -away. Norton sat watching it for a moment; -to his trained eye it showed a fire of green -wood, too small for a careless settler's -building, too large for that of Indian or -backwoodsman. -</p> - -<p> -Since his meeting with the two redskins, -Norton had regained his caution. He knew -that the Kentucky woods were filled with -adventurers and peculiar individuals of all -descriptions, to say nothing of Indians who -might or might not be hostile. So, having -made certain that there were no settlers' -cabins in the vicinity, he dismounted and -went forward on foot. His horse, an Indian -pony he had bought at Fort Massac, followed -at a little distance behind him, treading -almost as silently as did Norton himself. -</p> - -<p> -After proceeding some distance, he tied -the beast to a tree and went on more cautiously -still, for that fire interested him. It was -evidently built by someone who feared -nothing in the woods, yet was a stranger to -woods' ways, and Norton thought for a fleeting -instant that he might have chanced upon -the retreat of Blacknose. With his rifle -ready loaded and primed, he stole forward, -using all his woodcraft. -</p> - -<p> -But his all was not enough, it proved. -While he was crossing a thickly overgrown -hollow, he flushed up two cardinals from -a canebrake just ahead, and as the birds -went up Norton realized that his cunning -had been in vain. He was just about to -plunge into the high canebrake when the -tall yellowish stalks were brushed aside to -disclose a figure of nearly his own height, and -a white man stepped forth. -</p> - -<p> -For a moment the two men stared at each -other in mutual surprise and admiration, -for both were striking in looks—Norton in -his capable, alert, piercing-eyed way, the -stranger in sheer manly beauty. He was -an inch shorter than Norton, was this stranger -who had risen from the midst of the cane; -the effeminacy of the long hair curling over -his shoulders was at once offset by a strong -nose, large mouth, and square chin, and very -large, deep-set, commanding dark eyes. -</p> - -<p> -Norton was startled by the appearance of -this man, who seemed not of the woods and -yet a woodsman. He wore a magnificent -ruffled shirt of finest French linen, flung open -at the throat to display a neck as bronzed as -Norton's own; his coat and knee-breeches -were of black satin, his knee-high moccasins -of rude home make; a watch fob-ribbon -hung on one side of his belt, a powder-horn -and hunting-knife opposite. Over one ear -was stuck a long crayon, while in his hand -he held a thin board with paper fastened to it. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Parbleu</i>!" exclaimed the stranger, then -continued instantly in excellent English, -staring hard at Norton: "Your coming was -most unfortunate, sir! You frightened away -the finest specimen of Kentucky cardinal -I have seen this year!" -</p> - -<p> -"Accept my apologies, monsieur," smiled -Norton, speaking in French. "You are -a Frenchman, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"I? Not at all!" cried the other. "I was -born in Louisiana, removing later to France, -but this is my country. Who are you, sir, -who speak French so excellently in this -wilderness? Do you come from the French -Grant up-river?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I gained that language in New -Orleans," returned Norton, wondering greatly -who this eccentric stranger might be. "I -regret having frightened away your bird—I -trust you did not anticipate dining upon -him?" -</p> - -<p> -The other looked bewildered. -</p> - -<p> -"Eh? Dining? Do you eat such birds, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -"Heavens, no!" And Norton laughed -despite himself. "But what else could you -want of him?" -</p> - -<p> -The stranger broke into a frank laughter; -so winning and direct was his whole attitude -that the puzzled Norton felt an odd -liking for the man. -</p> - -<p> -"It seems we were both mistaken then! -I was limning the bird—but come to the -higher ground in here. Did you ever see -a cardinal's nest?" -</p> - -<p> -"I never looked for one," returned Norton -curtly. He followed to a small patch of -drier ground in the centre of the cane-brake, -and the stranger eagerly pointed to -a nest in the branches of a young cottonwood, -to one side. -</p> - -<p> -"Sit down—stay quiet!" commanded the -other quickly. "They will return in a -half-hour, sir——" -</p> - -<p> -"Then I'll be on my way," broke in -Norton drily, "for I have other business -than watching birds, sir." -</p> - -<p> -He turned, when the stranger set down -the paper and board, on which only a few -sketchy lines were visible, and caught at -his arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Pardon, sir—one moment! Are you lately -from Louisiana? Do you know that country -well?" -</p> - -<p> -"I've lived there all my life, practically," -said Norton. "Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well"—and the other seemed to forget -his birds temporarily—"I was but a child -when I went to France, and last year I -heard a monstrous strange story of Upper -Louisiana, which I have never been able -to authenticate. I met one of the men who -had been on Colonel Burr's ill-fated expedition, -and he assured me that on the banks -of the Missouri there is a mountain of -salt——" -</p> - -<p> -"Travellers' tales," laughed Norton, but -the other continued quickly: -</p> - -<p> -"Wait, sir! He also stated very decidedly -that had Colonel Burr succeeded in his -venture, he would have been joined by a -great tribe of Indians. This tribe inhabit -a country of some nine hundred square miles, -around the salt mountain, fight always on -horseback, and are armed with the short -Spanish carbines——" -</p> - -<p> -"My dear sir," inquired Norton in frank -wonder, "are you in earnest?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of course I am!" And indeed there -was no mistaking the eager interest of the -stranger's handsome face. "I am a student -of ornithology, sir—that is, I pursue the -study in my spare time—but I am also keenly -interested in such matters of ethnology, and -if you could enlighten me as to this Indian -tribe, I would appreciate it. You seem a -person of no little refinement and culture——" -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you," laughed Norton heartily. -"Well, sir, I can assure you that this tale -is a myth in all its branches, is not worthy of -credence, and your informant was wholly -wrong. I trust that is sweeping enough. -Now, as I am in some haste, I will leave you -to your birds and pursue my way. Do -you know how far I am from the Blue -River?" -</p> - -<p> -"I do not, sir"—and the frank eyes -twinkled at him. "I have been in camp -here for a week past, watching this pair of -birds at work. Fortunately my sketches -are completed, but my provisions are gone, -and I have lost my spare flints and cannot -shoot. How say you—shall we seek the -Blue River together, sir, and become gentleman -adventurers through the wilderness?" -</p> - -<p> -Something in the merry, careless, wholly -engaging manner of this man made the -Louisianian warm toward him. He could -not mistrust that frank, sturdy, piercing-eyed -face; here was a man in whom there -was no guile, and almost involuntarily -Norton struck his hand into that of the -other. -</p> - -<p> -"Done!" he laughed happily. "By -thunder, sir. I like you! Hold on, though." He -paused in dismay as a sudden thought -struck him. "I must refuse your company, -sir, for your own good. I am in some -danger, and if you travelled with me it -might turn out badly all around." -</p> - -<p> -"Danger?" And when the other frowned -Norton discovered a strange quality of power -in the strong face. "Do not tell me you -are a criminal." -</p> - -<p> -"I'm not." Norton hesitated, in some -embarrassment. Another steady look from -the deep-set eyes of the stranger, and he -concluded suddenly to open his heart to -this man, to whom he felt so greatly drawn. -"Frankly, sir, I am in Kentucky for the -purpose of rooting out a gang of river pirates -known as Blacknose's gang. Their organization -has discovered my purpose, and——" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, is that all!" And the other laughed, -passed his arm through Norton's, and gently -urged him through the canes ahead. "Nonsense, -friend! <i>En avant</i>!" -</p> - -<p> -"I guess you don't know much about that -gang," grunted Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I ought to," retorted the other -drily. "Last year I lost a dozen hogsheads -of the finest tobacco, some prime ginseng -cured in Canton fashion, and a good load of -flax! I know them, and appreciate your -danger. I am with you, sir, and with all -my heart—there's the hand of John Audubon -on it!" -</p> - -<p> -"Audubon!" repeated Norton, his eyes -kindling. "Why, I met your partner at -Louisville—" He halted abruptly. -</p> - -<p> -"And I'll wager that Rosier told you I -was touched in the head, eh?" Audubon -broke into a peal of ringing laughter. "Every -man to his trade! Rosier cannot understand -why I will not settle down behind the counter -and make money. Nay, but I cannot! Now -come along—here is my camp." -</p> - -<p> -Norton followed into a small glade of -cottonwoods, where a horse grazed beside -a rudely erected brush shelter. He remembered -that Rosier had said his partner was -touched in the head, but he did not need to -remember what else Rosier had said. He -knew already that he could trust John -Audubon—in fact, he felt that he could more -than trust him. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI -</h3> - -<p> -Within an hour the two men had become -firm friends. They were alike only in the -saving grace of humour, for Audubon had -been trained in a gentler school than Norton. -The latter was amazed to find that his new -comrade, as Rosier had said, left his family -and business at Louisville, in order to spend -weeks in the woods; yet when Norton saw -the drawings and sketches of birds which -Audubon proudly displayed, he was forced -to confess that the long weeks had borne -fruit. -</p> - -<p> -"I can't see what use they are, except -to science," he said ruefully, "but I presume -you get out of them the same keen satisfaction -that I get out of a trail well blazed or -a hunt well finished." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly," laughed the other. "But -enough of this. Tell me about Blacknose." -</p> - -<p> -Norton did so, relating all that had -happened to him since his eventful arrival -at the Taylor farm. Audubon listened in -keen interest, stroking his long powerful -chin but saying nothing. When Norton -had made an end, the naturalist—for this, -and not shopkeeping, was his real -profession—quietly bundled up his drawings in a -portfolio. He arranged them neatly and -in precision, and not until he had buckled the -last buckle did he break the silence which -had fallen. Then his eyes clenched on the -keen sword-gaze of Norton, and he smiled. -</p> - -<p> -"I will go with you. My wife is with -General Clark, and need fear nothing; I -myself am accounted as a little crazed, so -no man would hurt me. But let them -wait! The day is coming when this country -of ours shall take her rightful place among -the nations who sit at the feet of science! -Look at our bison and elk, our countless new -species of every bird and animal——" -</p> - -<p> -He broke off suddenly, laughed at his own -hot enthusiasm, and continued. -</p> - -<p> -"But, sir, your pardon. You are a soldier, -and I am not—but in truth I have served -in the navy of France, so let us demolish -these river pirates together. Poor Rosier -would scarce credit me joining you, I fear!" -</p> - -<p> -Norton smiled. He liked this animated, -vivacious, strong young fellow immensely, -and was far too well educated to share in the -prejudices of the Kentuckians against him. -Audubon had been in Louisville only a few -months, his life having alternated between -France and America, but his business venture -with Rosier had been sadly crippled by the -activity of the river pirates, and also by his -own indifference. He did not lack energy -for any pursuit which attracted him, however, -and flung himself into Norton's problem -with a whole-hearted enthusiasm which -delighted the Louisianian. -</p> - -<p> -The latter went over each point, from the -description of the would-be assassin to his -last meeting with Duval and Grigg. On this -last, Audubon managed to throw some faint -light. -</p> - -<p> -"Grigg was accused of horse-theft this -spring," he said thoughtfully. "He was -even had up in court, but Duval defended -him most ably, and had him acquitted. -I have often seen them together, too. This -fellow Duval is a most able lawyer, Norton; -he is said to be a second Hercules in strength, -and seems to have plenty of money. So you -met the famous Colonel Boone, eh? I hope -for that pleasure some day; he is a famous -man, a famous man!" -</p> - -<p> -Norton tried to elicit some information -about the two mysterious Indians whom he -had met, but Audubon merely shook his -head, knowing nothing of the redskins and -caring less. -</p> - -<p> -"As to this river piracy, one of our -merchants, a Mr. Tarascon, last year tried -to capture the men. His hogsheads of -tobacco were privately marked in a certain -place, and after losing two cargoes he had all -the river captains watching for them. One -Captain Brookfield, who runs a horse-power -barque of forty tons, stated later that he had -received a number of hogsheads from a -settler at Blue River. He believed them to -be the ones in question, but the private mark -had been branded over very cleverly. So that -plan came to nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"At least," exclaimed Norton eagerly, -"it would go to show that the Tarascon -boats were looted between Louisville and Blue -River, eh? Of course, others have vanished -at different points; a band of pirates with -confederates on the boats would not be so -foolish as to commit all their piracies at one -spot, especially after what happened to -the Mason and Harpe gang through just -such work. Well, I believe we can do no -better than to seek this man, Red Hugh—if -indeed you are willing to incur the risk of -helping me." -</p> - -<p> -"Do you wish me?" Audubon looked at him -calmly. "I do not want to intrude——" -</p> - -<p> -"Why man," and Norton laughed in -sheer happiness until his brown face lost all -its cold grimness and expressed only eager -delight—"when I left Louisville I wished -that one of two men were with me—one of -them Daniel Boone, the other a younger -frontiersman named Crockett, whom I know -well. Now I extend that to a third, and the -third is named Audubon; I think, perhaps, -that I would sooner have this same -Mr. Audubon than either of the other two! -You are a man, sir." -</p> - -<p> -Audubon put out his hand, and Norton -gripped it, eye to eye. -</p> - -<p> -"And you," returned the other slowly, -"are—well, that compliment gains its whole -value, sir, in coming from you. I can say -no more." -</p> - -<p> -It was enough, and with a song in his heart -Norton returned to get his horse, while -Audubon gathered his scattered belongings -and made ready to depart. The bird-lover had -a small double-barrelled rifle which he had -bought in Philadelphia some years before, -and when he had replenished his stock of -ammunition from Norton's store, the two set -forth. -</p> - -<p> -They were a strange pair—Audubon in -his black satin and French shirt, Norton -in his buckskin and magnificent moccasins. -Both were well versed in threading wilderness -pathways, however, and it was no great -task to find the Ohio. Late that afternoon -they pushed their horses to the brow of a -small hill, and saw the great river lying -before them. The hills, which drew close -to the Ohio at Blue River, were some -distance back from the banks at this point, -dense patches of canebrake appearing along -the lower ground. The summer heat had -thoroughly dried out the canes, and at sight -of the yellow-brown patches Norton nodded. -</p> - -<p> -"I rode along the Indiana shore from Fort -Massac to Louisville," he said, "and remember -seeing these canebrakes from across the -river. We're almost opposite a little -settlement called Doe Run——" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," added the other quickly, "and -we are some eight miles from the spot -indicated to you by Boone. I went down-river -to Henderson last month and remember -seeing that rocky cliff on the Indiana shore. -What think you—shall we press on and find -your Red Hugh to-night, or wait till -morning?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton decided to camp where they were. -The afternoon was far gone; there were no -settlements on the Kentucky shore, and -they would stand little chance of finding -Red Hugh's cabin at night. So he went on -with the horses, while Audubon went after -meat; by the time Norton had made camp -on a small hillock of dry ground among the -canebrakes, his companion came in with a -wild turkey and news that a storm seemed -coming up from the south. -</p> - -<p> -When darkness came down and their -bird was cooking, Audubon's prediction was -justified by a shrill whispering of the canes -as the wind stirred them. A brush shelter -was soon thrown up, however, and the two -men settled down in comfort, regardless of -the weather. -</p> - -<p> -Norton found that his companion agreed -with him on the course to be pursued. -Leaving Ayres out of the case, they could -do nothing but scout along the river shores, -and with the help of Red Hugh might hope -to accomplish something. This settled, the -horses were picketed and Norton fell asleep -to the rustling of the canes and the soughing -of the wind in the cot ton woods. -</p> - -<p> -He wakened once, to find the fire burned -out, the sky overcast, and a stiff gale -sweeping over the valley. No rain had fallen, -however, and despite the uneasy feeling -that should have warned him, Norton slept -once more. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -When he was roused again, it was by a -shrill scream from a horse, followed almost -instantly by a rush of feet and a volley of -shots. Norton was on his feet at once, with -a shout to his companion; Audubon was -already up, however, as his voice testified. -</p> - -<p> -"The cane's afire, Norton! A spark must -have caught it——" -</p> - -<p> -"Sparks don't fly against the wind," -grunted Norton. -</p> - -<p> -They stood silent, dismayed by the -spectacle around them and by the truth of -Norton's remark. Dawn had come up; the high -wind from the south was still blowing, and -the canebrake was afire along the edge of the -higher ground behind them. The two horses -had disappeared, frightened by the veil of -smoke drifting over the camp. -</p> - -<p> -"Had the canes been afire along the river -below," went on Norton grimly, "we -could lay it to our own fire. But this -seems to me the work of other hands, -Audubon. The canes have been fired at a -dozen places——" -</p> - -<p> -"Then we had best lose no time getting -out of here," cried the other. "Hello! -Where's my rifle?" -</p> - -<p> -"Gone, with mine," Norton grunted -angrily as he realized what had occurred. -"The enemy has trapped us and——" -</p> - -<p> -"What? You mean——" -</p> - -<p> -"Blacknose," nodded Norton, pale to the -lips. "No use trying to break through that -line of fire, because we're hemmed in all -round." -</p> - -<p> -Audubon stared blankly at him, cursed, -then turned his eyes to the fire-sweep. Both -men were quite well aware of their position. -An enemy had removed their rifles and freed -their horses, and the fire would do the rest. -</p> - -<p> -The thirty-foot canes were blazing fiercely, -the drifted smoke and flames completely -cutting off all egress by the neck of higher -ground through which the two had entered -toward the shore. As the fire took hold, the -explosions of water in the cane-joints became -continuous; so loud were they that Norton -could not but imagine himself in the midst -of a battle. Audubon stared at the -spectacle, awe-struck, for the flames and smoke -were rising high; he already held his precious -portfolio, seeming to care for nothing else. -</p> - -<p> -The two men were soon aroused to their -danger, however. Across the little opening -on which they stood slipped an immense -rattlesnake, followed quickly by a rush of -rabbits; from one side came a tremendous -crashing amid the canes, and by the lurid -glare which paled the growing daylight, -Norton made out the form of a bear crushing -his way in panic toward the river. -</p> - -<p> -"Come on," he cried hastily, turning. -"Our only hope is the river, Audubon! -If we can splash through the shallows beyond -the edge of the fire, we'll be safe." -</p> - -<p> -"Lead the way, then," returned the other -calmly. "Good God, what a sight!" -</p> - -<p> -His leathern shirt already hot against -his skin, Norton turned and plunged to -where the bear was still crashing through the -canes. The river was a hundred yards away, -and so thick were the high canes that to -force a passage was impossible; their only -hope lay in following the course of the -frightened bear. With hot anger raging in him -against the fiends who had laid this trap, and -with quick realization that Audubon's shot -at the turkey the previous evening must -have drawn their foes upon them, Norton -dashed forward into the muck. -</p> - -<p> -It was high time, for the nearer canes -were already being fired by sparks. On -every side the explosions were crashing out -while small animals scurried past in blind -panic. A moment later the two friends -gained the shore, however, and as they did -so a canoe appeared a dozen feet away, -paddled by a single man. -</p> - -<p> -"Help!" cried Norton eagerly. "Come -in here and get us off, friend!" -</p> - -<p> -The canoe was drifting slowly, and even -as the two plunged out into the shallow -water, they were halted abruptly. The high -brake around them shut out the glare from -behind, and by the rapidly increasingly -daylight they saw that the single occupant -of the canoe was covering them with a rifle. -</p> - -<p> -"Hold on, thar!" he cried hoarsely. "This -gun's primed!" -</p> - -<p> -And Norton recognized Audubon's double-barrelled -rifle. There was now no doubt as -to the identity of the canoeist—it was he -who had thieved their rifles and set the -cane-brake afire. -</p> - -<p> -"You'll pay for this work," exclaimed -Norton, trying to repress his rage. His -hand went to his belt. Audubon, also -realizing at once who the man was, took a -forward step. -</p> - -<p> -"Come on, Norton—wade around the brake——" -</p> - -<p> -"Stop!" The man in the canoe levelled -the rifle full at them; he was barely three -yards away, and an eddy of the stream -floated the canoe around. "You-all ain't -in no danger. This here's a warnin' to git. -They's a flatboat comin' around the bend—swim -out an' git took off; stay on her -clar to Saint Looey, an' keep out o' this -country, you"—and Norton perceived that -the remarks were addressed to him. -</p> - -<p> -He also perceived something else. The -man was holding the rifle at his left shoulder; -he was bearded, wore a buckskin coat and -a cap of fox, with the brush hanging over -his back. Norton started suddenly. He -had no need to see powder-horn or moccasins. -</p> - -<p> -"So you're completing your work, eh?" -he cried savagely. "You're the man who -shot at me on the Beargrass Creek road the -other day, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -The villainous face of the man contracted. -</p> - -<p> -"Ain't no 'lasses sticking to your feet, is -they?" he jeered. "Right ye are, pardner. -Now, you-all git aboard that flatboat an' -stay thar, see?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton thought swiftly, his hand closing -on the hatchet in his belt. This was one of -the Blacknose gang, beyond a doubt, and was -the man whom Ayres had seen talking with -Duval. Was it possible that—— -</p> - -<p> -"Who hired you for this dirty work?" he -demanded swiftly. "Tell me who Blacknose -is, and I'll give you five hundred dollars—" -</p> - -<p> -"Git out an' swim, ye cussed spy," snarled -the man evilly. "I ain't goin' to miss ye -next time——" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Norton, who had drawn his hand behind -him, flicked forward his wrist in an -underhand throw, having no chance to raise the -tomahawk. Even as the steel flamed out, -the man caught the motion and fired; Norton -flung himself forward, felt a hot sear of pain -across his head, and plunged bodily on the -canoe. -</p> - -<p> -It was a desperate expedient, but Norton -was too hot with anger to care for possibilities. -Before the man could fire his second -barrel, Norton's weight sent the canoe over -backward; he went with it, felt himself -grappled, and had a brief glimpse of Audubon -leaping at the canoe as he went under. -</p> - -<p> -The water was little more than knee-deep, -but Norton felt something sting at -his shoulder and knew his opponent had a -knife out. Smashing down with his fist -through the smother, he tried to free himself -of the hand at his throat, but vainly. Already -wounded, he felt a terrible weakness -stealing over him, and the water choked his -lungs. His fingers closed on a wrist, and he -gripped it desperately as he struggled up -to get his head above the water. -</p> - -<p> -In this he succeeded, pulling his opponent -with him, and for a moment the two men -stood breast to breast. The riverman fought -with an appalling savagery, snarling like -a beast, and Norton knew his case was -desperate. Blood blinded him: the hand about -his throat drew tighter; and with only his -right hand holding off the menacing knife, -he put down his left hand to his belt in a -last desperate effort. -</p> - -<p> -The other saw his object, but could not -prevent it without loosing his hold on -Norton's throat. Snarling again, he threw -himself forward; Norton was not braced -against the move, and went over backward -into the water. It was life or death now, -and the Louisianian knew it. Jerking his -own knife free, he lashed out frantically. -The blade drove home, but he pulled it free -and struck, again and again. -</p> - -<p> -Wounded, throttled, choked with mud -and water, Norton felt himself loosed from -that terrible death-grapple. He tried weakly -to lift himself erect, but could only raise -his head from the water, sobbing in the -smoke-laden air, while burning cane-flakes -fell all around. He could see nothing, -but felt hands lifting him and heard the -voice of Audubon in his ear. The words -sounded faint and very far away. -</p> - -<p> -Norton was by no means unconscious, -but he was weak and nauseated and -half-drowned. He was well assured that never -again would he have to seek a left-handed -man with red-streaked powder-horn. He -needed no glimpse of the horror-struck visage -of Audubon to tell him that their enemy -would fire no more canebrakes. -</p> - -<p> -He felt Audubon bundle him over the -side of the canoe, with much difficulty, -but was too weak to offer any assistance. -Then Audubon himself climbed aboard and -began to paddle the craft out into the river. -Norton lay in the grip of a deadly coma -until a burning flake settled on his back -and aroused him as it ate through his leather -shirt. He rolled over, quenched the burning -in the water that half-filled the canoe, and -sat up. -</p> - -<p> -Clutching at the gunnels, he stared about. -Behind was the roaring mass of flame which -had so nearly swallowed them, and they -were already in the swift current of the -stream. The river made a sharp bend just -above them, toward which the smoke was -drifting; they had already swept out of -the murk, and Norton saw a flatboat -floating down-river, half a mile away. -</p> - -<p> -Setting his teeth against the giddiness -swirling over him, he reached down and -grasped a paddle. At his feet were the -rifles; Audubon must have recovered them, -then. As he got his paddle over the side, -Audubon looked around with a ghastly -smile. -</p> - -<p> -"All right, Norton?" -</p> - -<p> -"Right enough. Keep her going." -</p> - -<p> -Little by little he conquered himself. He -was very weak, but as they neared the -flatboat he managed to wave his paddle. The -crew of the boat were lined up with rifles, -but as Audubon stood up, at some risk to -the canoe, they recognized his figure and -got out their sweeps. Five minutes later -they were alongside, and Norton fainted. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII -</h3> - -<p> -Sitting on a big tobacco hogshead and -watching the Indiana shore, with Audubon -standing gloomily at his side, Norton felt -his bandaged head tenderly and considered -what was to be done. -</p> - -<p> -"I saved the canoe from going under," -said Audubon, "then rescued the rifles. I -could give you no help until I saw your -head come up. By the way, this was in -the canoe." -</p> - -<p> -He held out a powder-horn—mottled, -with a streak of red running through it. -Norton stared down at it, then with a grim -laugh reached into the coat which hung in -the sun with his other clothes, and drew -out the stopper Boone had found on the -Beargrass Creek road that morning. The -plug slipped deftly into place; the horn -matched perfectly. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, so much for an assassin," he said -grimly. "Now that you've had your initial -taste of the work our foemen do, have you -lost taste for the enterprise?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not unless the enterprise has lost taste -for me," laughed Audubon, with a glance -around. The crew of the flatboat were -safe out of hearing. "I told our friends -here that we had set fire to the canes -ourselves, by accident——" -</p> - -<p> -"Good. Am I badly hurt? Where are we?" -</p> - -<p> -"You should have care; the bullet scraped -along your skull, and you have a knife-gash -in the side. We have just passed Buck -Creek, and the rocky cliff for which we -were making lies about three miles -downstream. Best let Red Hugh pass, go to -the Blue River settlement, and wait there -until you are recovered." -</p> - -<p> -Norton made no other reply than to reach -for his half-dried clothes. The other looked -at him, his fine face wrinkled into a frown -of anxiety. -</p> - -<p> -"It's rank madness, Norton!" he said -quietly. "You're scarce able to walk, and -are like to suffer——" -</p> - -<p> -"I am going to find Red Hugh, if I die -the next hour." -</p> - -<p> -Norton finished drawing on the fine-beaded -moccasins, slipped the red-streaked horn -over his shoulder by its thong, and looked -at his comrade. He felt shaky indeed, but -so clearly did his whole manner evince the -iron determination within him, that Audubon -shook his head resignedly and turned to his -own garments. -</p> - -<p> -"The canoe is towing astern," he said -simply. -</p> - -<p> -Norton reached for his buckskin shirt, -and staggered under a swirl of pain and -weakness. Instantly the other was at his -side, with a rush of protestation against -trying to leave the hospitable flatboat. -</p> - -<p> -"I am going to find Red Hugh," said -Norton doggedly, and resumed his dressing -as his head cleared. -</p> - -<p> -They were slipping down the stream fast. -Already the high cliff mentioned by Boone -as a landmark was in sight, far ahead, and -Audubon departed to find the captain. The -latter readily assented to take the -flatboat in close to the Kentucky shore, and -sent his crew to the sweeps. The boat was -going through to St. Louis, and her captain -carried some freight for Audubon, so that -the latter met with prompt obedience. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, Norton sat in the sun and -wiped the wet rifles mechanically. Every -trace of the storm had vanished and the -morning was coming up splendid in summer -warmth. Norton knew they were in a grave -situation, however, and said as much when -his comrade rejoined him. -</p> - -<p> -The man whose canoe they now held had -undoubtedly been one of the Blacknose gang, -and Norton strongly believed he had been -one of a cordon of spies stretched at intervals -along the river. Were this the case, the -conflagration would be noticed, the man's -body might be found, and the gang would -waste no more warnings. Norton's one hope -lay in getting ashore unobserved, -pre-supposing the river to be watched; if the -flatboat ran in close to the wooded Kentucky -shore, he and Audubon might land -unobserved by anyone who watched from a -distance. The river seemed deserted, save -for the distantly smoking canebrake far -behind. Whether there were any Blacknose -spies aboard the flatboat could not be told. -</p> - -<p> -So, with fresh ammunition and weapons -and with rifles well-oiled, Norton and -Audubon stood in the bow as the ungainly -flatboat swept into an eddy and approached -the well-wooded bank. On the opposite -shore, the rocky cliff with its cabin below -was still a trifle down-stream; above them -rose a bluff, a solid mass of virgin timber -that stretched through to Tennessee with -cabins scattered in its depths. Save at -Henderson and Louisville, the Kentucky -shore was poorly settled as yet, Shawnee -raids from the Wabash having discouraged -too ambitious families. -</p> - -<p> -The boat swept in to the bank, almost -underneath a huge cottonwood, and with a -hasty farewell to the river-captain, the two -men leaped ashore and lost no time in -reaching the summit of the bluff. -</p> - -<p> -It was a harder task than it looked, -however, and a good twenty minutes had -passed when at length the two panting -men gained the crest of the bluff and paused -to rest. Norton knew he was in bad shape -and conjectured that malaria had touched -him, for the uncleared lands along the Ohio -were notorious in this respect. With all -his stubborn will set upon reaching Red -Hugh, he tightened his lips and said nothing -to Audubon of his reeling senses and -disordered vision. -</p> - -<p> -The flatboat was already far on her way -to Henderson, once more hugging the Indiana -shore. Norton motioned Audubon to lead -the way, and in five minutes they struck -upon a faint trail which ran along the -crest of the bluffs. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, the Indians had their uses after -all," sighed Audubon, as they came upon -it. "Whew! That was a stiff climb, Norton! -Now where is this blazed tree of yours?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton collected himself into coherency. -</p> - -<p> -"Directly opposite that cliff on the Indiana -shore—a big cottonwood, blazed north and -south. We head straight south from it to -reach Red Hugh's cabin." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we're not opposite that cliff yet. -Come along!" -</p> - -<p> -The trail ascended the bluff-crest toward -a knoll which topped it. Norton caught -himself staggering more than once; his -wounds throbbed and ached, and his brain -seemed on fire. None the less, he knew -he was in no mortal danger, and was filled -with a grim satisfaction over the events of -that morning. -</p> - -<p> -"There's no telling how many rivermen -that fellow has murdered," he thought to -himself, "and he tried his bloody work once -too often. So that's one snake out of our -path! If the current only swept his body -away, our friend Blacknose will be in a -pretty wonder as to what became of him." -</p> - -<p> -The trail was steeper now, and he -clambered up painfully after Audubon. At -last, fearing lest his senses slip away -altogether, he sank down on a huge root. -</p> - -<p> -"Do you look for the tree," he said as the -other turned. "I must rest a moment." -</p> - -<p> -With an anxious glance at his white face, -Audubon nodded and broke into the trees, -for they were already on the knoll. Norton -leaned back, faint and giddy, and as his -eyes fell on the trail he noted idly that it -was hard rocky soil, indented with the -unmistakable marks of horseshoes. In his -present state of mind this conveyed nothing -to him; a settler might have passed along -by the trail, or any wandering pedlar -might have made the tracks. -</p> - -<p> -He leaned back and closed his eyes, -utterly relaxing himself and grateful for the -brief rest. He seemed to ache all over, and -for almost the first time in His life his whole -body seemed wearied and fatigued. A strange -lassitude had come over him. -</p> - -<p> -"Norton!" -</p> - -<p> -At the excited whisper he opened his eyes -and sat up, to see Audubon peering through -the bushes, finger on lip. The other beckoned -hastily. -</p> - -<p> -"Come in here! Be cautious." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Already refreshed by his rest, Norton -crept into the bushes. Audubon's excited -eagerness put him on the alert at once, and -he stole after the other with all the silent -care of an Indian. Reaching a densely -overgrown covert, Audubon paused and held -up a hand, listening. From above there -came a low trilling bird-song, but Norton -could make out nothing else. -</p> - -<p> -"What is it, man? What did you find?" -</p> - -<p> -"Listen!" whispered Audubon softly. -"Isn't it like a goldfinch singing under its -breath? The same little trills, the same -sustained sweet notes in between—but it's a -vireo, Norton! Would you guess it?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton stared, but his friend was in -deadly earnest. He heard the hidden bird -change its song suddenly, and Audubon -gripped his arm hard. -</p> - -<p> -"There—that's the real vireo song, with -the pulse-like, clear-cut notes! Did you -ever hear such a thing before? That bird -was giving a real goldfinch trill, man——" -</p> - -<p> -"Where's the cottonwood?" broke in -Norton drily. The other looked at him, his -face blank on a sudden. -</p> - -<p> -"Why—why—I clear forgot——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton laughed, but Audubon suddenly -gripped his arm harder. The bird above -had broken off in mid-song, for no apparent -reason. From somewhere outside the covert -came the rattle of a stone, followed by a -horse's snort. -</p> - -<p> -"Keep quiet," breathed Norton, looking -into the deep eyes of his friend. "Someone's -on the trail." -</p> - -<p> -Audubon nodded, and the two men stood -tense and motionless, every nerve on edge. -With startling abruptness there came a deep -curse from the trail. -</p> - -<p> -"Damn it, pull up! I ain't no Injun!" -</p> - -<p> -There followed a chuckle in another voice—one -that sent Norton's hand to his rifle. -</p> - -<p> -"Winded, Abel? Well, there's no haste. -What did that boat put in for?" -</p> - -<p> -"How'n tarnation do I know?" growled -the first. "Wa'n't none o' our boys on -her." -</p> - -<p> -"So much the better for her, then," -laughed the second. "It's odd we didn't -meet Tobin, Abel!" -</p> - -<p> -A grunt replied. Norton glanced at his -friend, his brown eyes aflame. -</p> - -<p> -"Duval," he murmured under his breath. -"Who's the other? Abel Grigg?" -</p> - -<p> -Audubon nodded quickly, and his face -was set in eager surmise. -</p> - -<p> -"Is Tobin the man we—we met this -morning, Norton?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton pursed up his lips in a silent -whistle, staring. Was the thing possible -after all? He had vaguely suspected it -before, yet it seemed incredible. He replied -to the question with a mute shake of the -head, as Duval's voice continued. It seemed -that Duval and Grigg were pausing for -breath on the trail opposite the covert. -</p> - -<p> -"Listen here, Abel: this thing has to be -finished up sharp, or that fool is apt to -blunder on something that'll bring the -Regulators down on us." Duval's voice -was earnest, cold, menacing. "He got away -from the boys at Louisville, and unless -Tobin has met him and is attending to him, -you'll have to do the work. I'll be busy -in court at Henderson for a week to come." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll 'tend to him," growled Grigg. "How -'bout layin' fer that cargo comin' down -nex' month in Cap. Brookfield's hoss-boat? -We could ship a couple o' the boys on her -an' do the business by them islands at the -Wabash." -</p> - -<p> -"Not so bad," returned Duval. "Lay it -to a bunch of Shawnees, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -"Sure. That feller Tecumsey and his -brother, the Prophet, is raisin' hell all -through the tribes, Duval, an' they's goin' -to be a blow-up mighty sudden on the -border. Now looky here. If you're a-goin' -on to Henderson, I'll leave ye here an' go -to meet the boys, so I want to settle this -business of ourn. How much you goin' to -turn over fer the gal, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -"I've told you before, Abel, that I'll -give you five hundred cash and what -stuff we've got in the cache. Take it or -leave it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that 'baccy in the cache will -fetch about two hundred at Saint Looey, -eh? Then we got that flax out o' the last -boat, an' them ten kegs o' 'lasses—all -right. You see to makin' out the papers -an' I'll sign 'em. The gal won't consent, -mebbe, but I'll swear she ain't of age. You -got to have a preacher weddin', though." -</p> - -<p> -"Of course, you fool!" And there was -an exasperated note in Duval's voice. -"Haven't I said I wanted to marry her? -But you've got to clear out, understand—go -to New Orleans or Saint Louis, I don't -care which, and stay." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll do that, all right. Well, see ye -at Henderson." -</p> - -<p> -"Take care of that spy, mind!" called -Duval. Only silence ensued. Then came -a faint thud of hoofs, and again silence. -</p> - -<p> -Norton and Audubon stared at each other. -The former had forgotten his illness in his -high excitement, for now he knew beyond -a doubt that fate had given over his enemy -into his hand. -</p> - -<p> -"By thunder!" he ejaculated slowly. -"Audubon, we've got the whole game on -the table before us! The mysterious Blacknose -is Abel Grigg, and Duval is in league -with him—is probably the brains of the -organization. The black-hearted scoundrel! -When we tell what we've just heard now——" -</p> - -<p> -"Who'll believe us?" broke in Audubon -gravely, and shook his head. "It won't -do, Norton! Duval is too prominent a man -to be smashed without clear evidence. -Besides, we wouldn't break up the gang -by nabbing him and Grigg alone. Depend -upon it, we could do little against that -clever villain without more evidence than -those words. But what a blackguard he -is—to be robbing his own townsmen!" -</p> - -<p> -"And that girl—Grigg's daughter!" broke -in Norton, a flame of rage sweeping through -him. "Did you hear them? He's buying -the girl, Audubon—buying her! Damn it, -man, did you ever see that girl?" -</p> - -<p> -Audubon gazed at him, astonished at the -outburst. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," he replied slowly, "I've seen her -once or twice in the store. Do you think -that's really what they meant? Why, it -can't be possible, Norton!" -</p> - -<p> -None the less, Norton knew that the -thing was true. He drew a deep breath as -the full realization of his triumph broke -over his mind. By a stroke of sheer luck -he had solved the mystery of Blacknose—but -was it luck? Had not one thing led -to another in marvellous sequence—the -cane-brake, the fire, the flatboat, the landing, -and finally the vireo singing the song of a -goldfinch? Surely, there was more than -luck in all this! -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -A new burst of rage came into his heart -at thought of Kitty Grigg, however. So -this evil-hoary old backwoodsman who was -not her father was planning to sell her to -Duval! Norton inwardly vowed that such -a sale should never be consummated. He -remembered the girl as he had last seen her -by the cabin, glorious in her unstained -beauty and her fine clear poise—and groaned. -With a sudden movement he reached inside -his shirt and took out the little gold eagle -still pinned to it. -</p> - -<p> -"Audubon," he cried earnestly, "I swear -by this emblem, which stands for the things -I hold dearest—my country, and my father's -memory—that before Duval carries through -his purpose regarding Kitty Grigg, I'll do -to him as I did to his servant this morning! -So help me!" -</p> - -<p> -The bird-lover gazed at him searchingly. -</p> - -<p> -"Then—you know the girl?" -</p> - -<p> -"Know her? Yes!" exclaimed Norton -hotly. "I know her, and she's no daughter -of Abel Grigg! Who her real family was -will not be hard to find out if I can get in -touch with some of the officers of the -Cincinnati—but now for work. Audubon, you -heard what those devils said about a -horse-boat belonging to a Captain Brookfield. -Do you know anything of such a craft?" -</p> - -<p> -The other nodded, frowning. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. Brookfield is an odd genius who -has invented a way of driving his forty-ton -boat by horse-power against the river-current. -He is at Louisville now, taking -contracts for his next trip down the river, -and sails next month." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, see here!" Norton felt the fever -gripping him again, but had already glimpsed -a plan of action. "You get back to Louisville, -see Elisha Ayres, and tell him about -it. Ayres will communicate with me at -Blue River." -</p> - -<p> -"And you——!" queried the astonished -Audubon. -</p> - -<p> -"I'll trail that devil of a Grigg," said -Norton hastily. "He said he was going -to meet 'the boys', and if I can find their -cache we'll nab the whole gang! By thunder, -Audubon, we've the whole thing in our -hands now!" -</p> - -<p> -"But—wait!" cried Audubon hastily, as -Norton turned toward the trail. "First, get -this man Red Hugh! If he's a hunter, as -Boone said, then you and he together will -have no trouble picking up Grigg's trail, -and you may need another rifle badly." -</p> - -<p> -For a moment Norton considered this, -while the fever swirled through him. He -was sorely tempted to plunge off on the -trail of Abel Grigg, but knew that there -was sound advice in Audubon's words. -</p> - -<p> -"All right," he said shortly. "Come—we'll -find Red Hugh first." -</p> - -<p> -His excitement overbore his illness for the -moment, and returning to the trail he led -the way to the very crest of the knoll. -Duval and Grigg had been swallowed up in -the forest, but staring them in the face was -a giant cottonwood, blazed north and south. -Pointing to it silently, Norton wheeled and -headed away from the river into the trees. -</p> - -<p> -How far they went through that wilderness -he never knew, for after ten minutes he was -fighting desperately against the pain and -sickness which came over him. Worse than -all, he was growing terribly weak; once he -caught himself reeling, and only by a great -effort did he keep on. Audubon had a small -compass, by which they held directly south -as Boone had commanded. -</p> - -<p> -Then, almost without warning, Norton felt -his knees giving way. He was very clear-headed, -but he seemed to have lost the power -of motion. With a single low groan he caught -at a tree, missed it, and plunged down. -Audubon was over him on the instant, -raising him against the tree, dread anxiety -in face and voice. -</p> - -<p> -"It's just—weakness," gasped Norton. -"A touch of fever, I think. Get Red -Hugh—put him on the trail of Grigg. I'll be all -right with a bit of rest. Hurry, man!" -</p> - -<p> -Audubon looked about, biting his lips. -Before he could reply, however, a bush to -one side of them waved slightly, the sunlight -glinted on a rifle-barrel, and a voice -rang out in harsh command: -</p> - -<p> -"Hands up, you skunk! Drop that rifle—quick!" -</p> - -<p> -Helpless, the naturalist obeyed. Norton -tried to reach his rifle, but could not move, -and with another groan of despair fell back, -waiting grimly for what might come. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII -</h3> - -<p> -Into the clearing before them stepped a -strange figure, rifle still covering the startled -Audubon—a tall man clad in buckskin and -coonskin cap, with, of course, moccasins. -He was gaunt and huge-boned, grey hair -falling over his shoulders and a grizzled -red moustache and beard half-hiding his -face. For all that, Norton was startled by -the man's features. -</p> - -<p> -They were anything but those of a riverman. -True, the sunken grey eyes held a -smouldering ferocity which was almost -madness; but the high brow, fine nose, and -shapely head, even the delicate lines of -mouth and chin beneath the flowing beard—all -these expressed a keen intelligence, -almost a nobility, which was utterly -astounding to Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"What's this—what's this!" The stranger -lowered his rifle suddenly as his eyes fell -on Norton's features. Carefully uncocking -the weapon, he stared at the two friends, -an indescribable expression of chagrin -overspreading his countenance. "Gentlemen, I -must crave your pardon. From his moccasins -I took this gentleman for an Indian,"—and -he gravely indicated Norton—"for he is -deeply browned and his features were all -but hidden from me. God be thanked I did -not shoot first!" -</p> - -<p> -"Amen to that!" cried Norton feebly, -essaying a faint smile. Audubon, no less -astonished at the looks and speech of the -stranger, made a slight bow, and spoke -coldly: -</p> - -<p> -"If your murderous impulse has quite -abated, sir, pray lend this gentleman your -aid. We are seeking the cabin of a man -called Red Hugh. Do you know where it is?" -</p> - -<p> -From what Boone had told him, and from -the appearance and manner of the stranger, -Norton had a very shrewd suspicion that -this was no other than Red Hugh himself. -Leaning on his long rifle, the man surveyed -the two friends critically. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," he returned at length, "I may -say yes to that question, sir. But I will -barter my information for yours. You, -sir"—and he bent his sunken grey eyes on -Norton—"are wearing a pair of Shawnee -moccasins. As you probably know, the -beads and quill-work on those moccasins -are peculiar. In fact, there is only one man -besides yourself in the Northwest who wears -such moccasins, and he is an Indian—the -only Indian I have ever held under my -rifle and spared. Where did you get them?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton sat up, fighting off the dizzy -weakness that all but mastered him. The -man's words sent eager curiosity through him. -</p> - -<p> -"I had them from an Indian," he returned -quickly, and gave a brief account of the -two he had encountered. Before he finished, -a fresh spasm of nausea overwhelmed him, -and he sank back in Audubon's arms. -</p> - -<p> -"Enough of this talk," cried the naturalist -angrily. "If you will guide us to this Red -Hugh, sir, pray do so at once. We come -to him from Colonel Boone——" -</p> - -<p> -"If you had said that before, you would -have bettered matters," broke in the tall -stranger. "I am he whom you seek. Come." -</p> - -<p> -Norton had lost all interest in the -proceedings, for he could no longer fight off -the fever. Between them the other two -got him to his feet and half-carried him -along a faint trail indicated by Red Hugh. -After what seemed centuries to the reeling -Norton, they came to a cabin, and he dimly -felt himself carried inside. He knew little -of what happened next, save that he drank -a bitter draught and fell asleep. -</p> - -<p> -When he wakened, he stared around him -with wondering eyes, trying to place himself. -He tried to move, and found himself -too weak to raise his arm; yet the terrible -sickness had passed. -</p> - -<p> -He was lying on a couch of skins, and -by the deepness of the sun outside he guessed -it was mid-afternoon. The cabin was a bare -place enough save for the furs heaped around -the floor, but directly opposite him, beside -the hearth, was a strange contrivance made -of a stretched elkskin almost covering the -side wall. From where he lay he could see a -row of words across the top of the big skin, -clearly done in red paint as if with a brush: -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - WYANDOT—SHAWNEE—MIAMI—<br /> - CREEK—DELAWARE—POTT.—OTTAWA.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Under each tribal name was smaller writing -which he could not read. -</p> - -<p> -For a space he stared at the thing in -wonder. Then, with a rush, he remembered -that he lay in the cabin of Red Hugh, and -all which had gone before. There was work -to be done! Abel Grigg must be trailed to -his meeting-place with the other pirates. -Norton made a terrible effort to rise, but -collapsed with a groan of despair. -</p> - -<p> -At the sound, a figure darkened the doorway, -and he looked up to see the tall form -of Red Hugh bending over him. His head -was lifted and a rolled skin set beneath it: -then the old backwoodsman drew up a stool, -fetched a bowl of hot broth from the fire, -and set to work feeding him with a spoon. -</p> - -<p> -"Talk later," he said gently. "First, you -must eat. You have slept since yesterday, -friend, and——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton, feeling new strength with the first -mouthful of broth, pushed the spoon away -desperately. The words shocked him into -energy, and again he tried to sit up. -</p> - -<p> -"Since yesterday!" he exclaimed. "But -Grigg must be followed——" -</p> - -<p> -The iron hand of Red Hugh pushed him back. -</p> - -<p> -"Eat!" And the deep command forced -him to obey. "You lack only strength, -Norton, and that will come in a few days. -Now, to relieve your anxiety, your friend -Audubon told me all that had passed. We -tried to trail Grigg, but the scoundrel had -covered his tracks like an Indian and I -feared to leave you alone here. So Audubon -went back to Louisville to confer with -Ayres, and for the present matters must be -left as they are." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you know my errand?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. Audubon told me the whole affair. -Now finish this broth." -</p> - -<p> -Leaning back, Norton obeyed, in a -mingling of disappointment and content. It -was hard that Grigg should have escaped, -yet this Red Hugh seemed a capable person -to trust in. Norton could not but wonder -at the man. According to Boone, Red Hugh -had spent the past twenty years here on the -border, yet his manners and speech were those -of a cultivated gentleman—and Norton could -not understand the incongruity of it. -</p> - -<p> -The rich broth gave him new life. When -the last drop was gone, Red Hugh proceeded -to cram an ancient pipe with tobacco, -sternly denying the luxury to his guest, and -settled himself beside the couch. -</p> - -<p> -"Shawnee moccasins! Shawnee moccasins!" -he muttered slowly, then brought his -keen eyes to Norton's face. "Audubon said -you were from New Orleans?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," returned the Louisianian, with -curiosity again stirring in him. "You -seemed to recognize those moccasins, -sir—how shall I call you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Call me by my name—Red Hugh," said -the other gruffly. "That is all the name I -have held these twenty years, and it is good -enough to die under. As to those moccasins, -sir, you seem to have entertained an angel -and a devil unawares." -</p> - -<p> -"Those two Indians?" demanded Norton -eagerly. "Who were they, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"He with one eye is called the Prophet," -puffed Red Hugh slowly. "The bitterest-hearted -devil unhung! The other, his -brother, is the finest man on the border -to-day, the one redskin I am proud to call -friend. He has sat here where you now lie, -telling me of his dream; he has built a -town on the Wabash, not far from Vincennes, -where he hopes to gather all the Indian -tribes in peace, teaching them to lay aside -the rifle and till the soil. Neither he nor -his followers touch liquor—sir, God will -punish our race for the evils we have brought -upon these Indians! The man of whom I -speak is a Shawnee, humbly born yet -recognized as chieftain by a dozen tribes. His -name is Tecumthe, or as the border makes -it, Tecumsey." -</p> - -<p> -The amazed Norton listened to this speech -in blank astonishment. He had heard little -of the two Indians in the South, and only -on his Northern trip had he learned much -of Tecumthe or his famous brother, the -Prophet. Along the border they were hated -bitterly, and that he had himself aided the -two was no small surprise. -</p> - -<p> -Even more amazing, however, was the -way in which Red Hugh spoke. From -Boone, Norton had understood that the -man hunted Indians, as more than one -frontiersman did, like wild animals. -</p> - -<p> -"Tell me this," he asked, bewildered. -"I thought you hated all redskins, Hugh? -If that is true, what care you for the evil -we have brought upon them, and why do -you think so highly of Tecumthe?" -</p> - -<p> -The other puffed in silence for a moment, -his face set like stone. -</p> - -<p> -"Look at that elk-hide yonder," he said, -at length, gesturing with his pipe toward -the stretched skin, his voice deeply stirred. -"Norton, that skin bears record of a hundred -and a score Indians I have slain. Twenty -years ago a band of red devils murdered my -whole family, my wife, my children, killed -my dearest friend, left me for dead——" -</p> - -<p> -He paused, and after a space continued, -his voice firmer. -</p> - -<p> -"I recovered, and having naught to live -for save vengeance, I took vengeance. Every -redskin I have slain has been a warrior -under arms, and I have hunted them without -pity or mercy, even as they have hunted -me. This man Tecumthe is different. His -heart is white, Norton. While the Prophet -is stirring up war, Tecumthe is urging peace; -he has a great vision of uplifting his race—but -he cannot do it. His men are murdered -along the frontier and he can get no justice. -His lands are stolen, and Harrison will do -nothing. If he loses the Wabash Valley, -the Shawnees will be thrown back on the -Sioux and Blackfeet, their mortal enemies. -Well, let us get off this subject, Norton. -You know who I am, and that is enough. -We have to deal, not with Indians, but -with men worse than Indians." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," said Norton bitterly. "This gang -of river-pirates has murdered more men -within the last year or two than have all -all the Indians since Fallen Timbers. Too -bad Grigg escaped you; we had the whole -gang under our hand right there, could we -have trapped him." -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh laid aside his pipe and fell to -stroking his grizzled beard as they discussed -what was to be done. Norton was dismayed to -find that he would be unable to get around for -several days, though Red Hugh promised him -a complete cure from his fever and wounds. -</p> - -<p> -Nor could he obtain the information for -which he had hoped, from this strange -character. Red Hugh, who seemed well -educated and only a trifle "touched" on -the subject of killing Indians, had a supreme -contempt for the settlers along the river, -in the main. He had been only once to -Louisville, and had lived his solitary life -as far as might be without concerning himself -with settlements. He knew nothing of the -Blacknose gang, though he stated bluntly -that once he and Norton set themselves to -hunt down the pirates, it would be a matter -of short accomplishment. -</p> - -<p> -So with that small ray of comfort, -Norton went about his recovery, impatiently -enough. When three days had passed, he -felt nearly himself once more; but in that -space of time he had discovered many things. -</p> - -<p> -In the first place, he was forced to reverse -his earlier impressions of Red Hugh. While -he was ill, the man took a lively interest -in caring for him; no sooner was Norton -on his feet, than Red Hugh relapsed into -a brooding morose individual who refused -to talk about himself or his doings and -only betrayed interest in Blacknose. -Studying the man, Norton concluded that -he had been a gentleman and a man of -some consequence, but since the destruction -of his family had devoted his whole life -to revenge with a consequent loss of sanity -on other topics. -</p> - -<p> -He seemed to have absolutely no other -business in life than killing Indians, for a -living was easily gained by hunting. He -had never troubled to take up land, and -since there were no settlements in the -vicinity, no one interfered with his squatting. -All his vivacity and gentle care vanished -as soon as Norton regained strength, and -with this interest gone, he would sit and -stare by the hour at his terrible elkskin. -</p> - -<p> -This Norton also found of keen interest, -for every "hunt" had been carefully set -down as to date and result. When they -took the field against Blacknose, he -conjectured shrewdly that Red Hugh would -re-awaken once more, for judging by the -elk-skin he was possessed of considerable prowess -in the man-hunt. He must have gone about -his revenge with a terrible skill; more than -once the painted record showed that parties of -two and three Indians had fallen to his rifle. -</p> - -<p> -John Norton was in no sense horrified, -though not at all in sympathy with the old -man. There were many like him along the -border. The settlers conceived and treated -the red men as beasts, which too often they -were, and no man was ever brought to -justice for killing an Indian. Red Hugh's -grievances were purely personal, however, -and more than once Norton recalled Boone's -words—"God ain't softened his heart yet, -though He will some day, I reckon." That -day, it seemed to Norton, was very far distant. -</p> - -<p> -Only once, after that first talk with the -man, did he ever refer to his slain -family. He had been examining Norton's -moccasins, on the third evening, and -suddenly he favoured the Louisianian with -one of his searching looks. -</p> - -<p> -"If you were up in the Shawnee country," -he said abruptly, "these leathers would -either get you killed or crowned, Norton! -Any Indian across the Ohio would recognize -them instantly. Well—well——" -</p> - -<p> -He stared into the fireplace, puffing at -his pipe. After a moment he continued -slowly as if musing to himself: -</p> - -<p> -"They were Wyandots, a big war-party -of them, and their chief wore moccasins -with split soles. They killed us all, women -and children alike—and after I recovered I -went straight into the Wyandot country. -I found that chief, a year later, and shot -him in the midst of his own village; old -Simon Kenton was with me, and we had a -hard fight before we got away. Well, I had -my revenge, but it did not bring back the -dead wife and the little ones—the little -ones——" -</p> - -<p> -Upon that he strode from the cabin -suddenly, and Norton never referred to his -own similar story, deeming it best to keep -Red Hugh's mind as far as possible from -Indian atrocities. The man seemed no more -than sixty years old, and save for that one -topic his brain was as vigorous as that of -Norton himself. -</p> - -<p> -By the fourth evening the Louisianian -was nearly himself again. Red Hugh's -knowledge of herbs had rid him of the fever -almost at once, and strength came back to -him surely and swiftly. Burning with -anxiety to waste no time, yet conscious of -the necessity of regaining his strength, he -had forced himself to bide in the idleness -of recuperation, but now he could do so no -longer. There was work to be done, and he -was bent upon keeping control of things—for -his own career lay in the balance. He -had not resigned his commission in mad -haste, but after much deliberation; did he -succeed in eliminating the Blacknose gang, -New Orleans and the Government had -promised great things. -</p> - -<p> -More than this, however, he had Kitty -Grigg in mind. Once the present affair was -concluded he promised himself a trip to -Cincinnati, where many of the original -members of the famous Order had settled. -It should not be difficult to make inquiries -and perhaps gain a clue to the girl's real -family, he thought. So, calling Red Hugh -into a gloomy consideration of the problem -immediately at hand, he announced his -intention of beginning work next day. -</p> - -<p> -"The first thing is to go to Blue River -and get word from Elisha Ayres," he said -thoughtfully. "I can't go back to Louisville -unless that murder charge is cleared up, -which should have been done by this time. -If not, we'll have to go on a thorough scout -of the river, because Grigg and his band of -pirates are somewhere down-stream." -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh nodded. -</p> - -<p> -"Where are you going to meet the messenger -from Ayres?" -</p> - -<p> -"At Dodd's Tavern—Kentucky side." -</p> - -<p> -"H'm!" The other frowned. "I haven't -been there for two years, Norton, but I -don't recall any tavern or settler of that -name at either of the Blue River settlements. -However, your friend doubtless -knew what he was talking about." -</p> - -<p> -"He seemed to," said Norton drily. "Blue -River is only about twelve miles from -here——" -</p> - -<p> -"I have a canoe down on the shore. Feel -strong enough to paddle?" -</p> - -<p> -"Quite. If we find no word from Ayres, -we can go on below Henderson and spend -a couple of weeks scouting through the -woods. The gang must have some sort of -a rendezvous, Hugh, and it certainly has -a cache of the stolen goods, for Grigg has -to be careful in disposing of them. Which -side of the river would you search?" -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh stared at his elk-hide, tugging -at his grizzled beard. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," he returned slowly, his deep-set -eyes flaming a little, "they'd be like to use -either side, Norton. If we skirmished around -on the Indiana side around the Wabash, we -might strike one or two Indian parties——" -</p> - -<p> -"None of that," broke in Norton, -understanding that ominous flame in the man's -eye. "We're after Blacknose, not after -scalps. Just impress that on your mind -and save further trouble. If you give me -your help in this thing, there'll be no Indian -hunting." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The big man turned his slow gaze to -Norton's face, and for a moment the -Louisianian expected trouble. Red Hugh -stared at him; Norton met the look firmly, -resolved not to compromise this matter, much -as he needed the man's help and advice. At -length Red Hugh nodded, reluctantly. -</p> - -<p> -"I like you, Norton," he said, his grim -visage softening strangely. "You're a man. -You're like another Norton I once knew—well, -best not to speak of that. Now as to -hunting this Blacknose gang: we are more -like to find them on the Indiana side. If -aught went wrong with their plans, they -could escape to the Indian country, or else -lay the blame for their crimes on the -Shawnees. There are several bands of -Miamis along there, also. It may well be -that through some Indians we can get trace -of the gang, if naught else serves." -</p> - -<p> -Upon this, they made ready to set forth -at dawn. Norton discarded his own battered -powderhorn for the fine red-streaked one -which the assassin Tobin had formerly -carried—an act which was destined to bring dire -results upon himself before the game was -played out. He forgot the fact that this -red-streaked horn was distinguished by its -very oddness and beauty. -</p> - -<p> -With the dawn they set forth for the -blazed cottonwood and the Ohio, carrying -their rifles and a quarter of venison. Upon -reaching the bluff over the river, Red Hugh -turned abruptly aside and led Norton down -to the wooded banks, where he presently fished -out an Indian birch canoe and paddles from -a clump of dense bushes. Two canoes were -paddling upstream along the opposite shore, -and when these were past, they put their craft -in the water and started for Blue River. -</p> - -<p> -The river hills ran close to the stream on -each side, and except for the little group of -cabins under the high rocky cliff opposite -them the banks were unsettled as far as Blue -River. Norton paddled easily, drinking in -fresh strength with the sun-bright morning -air, and could scarce realize their journey was -nearly done when Red Hugh pointed to Blue -River ahead. They had passed Indian Creek -and two islands without sight of other -river-craft, and now held in to the Kentucky -shore. -</p> - -<p> -"Colonel Boone's brother, Squire, began -that settlement"—and Red Hugh pointed -across to the clustering cabins opposite. -"Now if you can see any signs of a tavern -over here, you beat me." -</p> - -<p> -In truth, Norton gazed at the Kentucky -settlement which they were approaching, and -his heart sank. Ayres must have made -some mistake—yet the schoolmaster had -been very explicit in his directions. The -settlement consisted of two cabins, one of -them fast falling to ruin; a few tobacco-drying -sheds; a small section of cleared -land; and a half-naked woman staring hard -at them. Two or three entirely naked children -appeared as they paddled in, and as the -slatternly woman raised her voice, a still -more slatternly man came slouching from -the tobacco-sheds, rifle in hand. There was -no sign of any road or ferry, and this was -most certainly no tavern. Norton landed -with some dismay. -</p> - -<p> -"Is this the Kentucky Blue River settlement?" -he inquired of the suspicious man—a -loose-jawed, fever-smitten person who -lacked all interest in life. -</p> - -<p> -"I reckon they call it that, stranger. -Who be ye?" -</p> - -<p> -"We're looking for Dodd's Tavern," -returned Norton quietly. "If you can -tell——" -</p> - -<p> -"Eh? Dodd's Tavern? Well, by gum!" The -man stared at him, then turned to the -woman behind him. "Go git that gal." -</p> - -<p> -The woman went to the house. Red Hugh -drew up his canoe and joined Norton, and -together they waited for what was evidently -to happen. The woman reappeared from -the cabin, nodded, and fell to staring. A -moment later Kitty Grigg emerged, and -came forward with a glad, eager little cry -at sight of Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"Captain Norton! Oh, I'm so glad you've -come—I had almost given you up!" -</p> - -<p> -"You!" Norton grasped her hand, thunder-struck. -"Why, girl—what does this mean? -How came you here?" -</p> - -<p> -"By boat," she laughed. "And I have -news from Mr. Ayres." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX -</h3> - -<p> -Utterly astounded as he was at sight -of Kathleen Grigg, and even more so by -Ayres having chosen such a messenger, -Norton drew her out of earshot of the curious -settlers to the canoe, and introduced Red -Hugh. The latter stared at the girl, then -stretched forth a huge hand and touched -the flame of her red-gold hair with trembling -fingers, awe in his whole face. -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty Grigg!" he muttered thickly, as -the half-frightened girl shrank back to -Norton's arm. "Kitty Grigg! Yet she has the -face of my own Mary—oh, God in heaven!" -</p> - -<p> -Abruptly, he turned his back upon them -and stood leaning on his rifle, his shoulders -shaking. Norton realized swiftly that the -old man had found some resemblance in -her to that wife whom he had lost in such -tragic fashion, and in quick pity he gave -the girl a warning look and hastened to -change the current of Red Hugh's thoughts. -</p> - -<p> -"But, Kitty—how on earth came Ayres -to send you, of all people?" he cried in -half-anger, half-wonder. "He knew there -was danger in it——" -</p> - -<p> -"Listen, please," she broke in, her hand -on his arm and her eyes searching his face -hungrily. "After you left me, that day, -I saw Colonel Boone and told him what -you had said. He knew nothing about the -pin, but he said to trust you and—and I -do. Then father went off on a month's hunt, -so I was going to visit with Mistress Zach -Taylor had not Mr. Ayres and Mr. Audubon -come to see me——" -</p> - -<p> -"Audubon? When was this?" queried -Norton, frowning. -</p> - -<p> -"Four days since—directly he returned -after leaving you with him"—and she nodded -toward Red Hugh, flushing slightly as she -did so. "Mr. Audubon related all that had -happened to you and him, but as he was -going away with Mr. Ayres they were not sure -whom to send here until they thought of me. -You see, I would not be suspected or watched, -and there was a skiff all ready to——" -</p> - -<p> -"But—then you must know——" Norton -broke off suddenly, staring into her level -grey eyes, wondering if she had been told -who Blacknose really was. She looked -steadily at him, read his thought, and her -face went pale. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," she nodded quietly. "Mr. Audubon -told me all about it. I do not quite believe -it can be possible, despite what you and -Mr. Audubon heard. You see, sir, Mr. Duval -has exerted some influence over my fa——" -</p> - -<p> -"Over Abel Grigg, you mean," interrupted -Norton gravely. He was all the more -astonished that she had come on this mission, -knowing what she did. -</p> - -<p> -"Over—him," she went on, avoiding the -issue. "But he's not bad at heart, really! -And I came here partly to ask you to help -him—I mean, if you find there is a gang of -pirates, don't be too harsh with him until -he is proven guilty——" -</p> - -<p> -"I promise you that, sweet Kitty," smiled -Norton. Then of a sudden the warmth died -out of his brown eyes, and his face went -hard. "Perhaps you were not told how he -agreed to sell you to Duval, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," she almost whispered. "I—I—oh, -I do not know what to think or say! -But never mind that now, Mr. Norton; -Mr. Ayres said that you were to return to -Louisville at once——" -</p> - -<p> -"You just said he and Audubon were -going away?" broke in the puzzled Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"They'll be back when you get there. -Mr. Ayres has a plan about some boat, and -has gone up-river to get some men he can -trust. The riverman who was murdered had -two brothers——" -</p> - -<p> -"Hold on," laughed Norton. "How can -I go back when everyone thinks I committed -that murder? Straighten me out little by -little, Kitty!" -</p> - -<p> -"Nobody thinks you did it. Mr. Ayres -found that the knife with which the man -was murdered belonged to someone else, and -also established the fact that you had been -outside the tavern all the while. So that -is all right. The owner of the knife escaped -in a canoe." -</p> - -<p> -"And I'll wager his name was Tobin," -exclaimed Norton quickly. She looked at -him, surprised. -</p> - -<p> -"What—how did you know that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I met Mr. Tobin myself." Norton -smiled grimly and glanced at his powder-horn. -"Well, that's a relief, Kitty! Now, -how about getting back?" -</p> - -<p> -"I came down in a skiff that was going -to Henderson," she explained. "That was -day before yesterday, and the skiff was to -start back this morning and stop for me. -Mr. Ayres knew there was no tavern here, -but that was why he used the name, in -case of suspicion." -</p> - -<p> -"So—I am beginning to understand! This -Mr. Ayres is a sly fox, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton whistled softly. In asking for -Dodd's Tavern he had merely made use of -a password which was known to the vacuous-eyed -settler, and had thus precluded any -possibility of mistake. -</p> - -<p> -"Wait here, Kitty," he said, and crossed -to Red Hugh. The latter swung about, -showing his usual grim searching expression. -"You heard it all, Hugh?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." The big man nodded. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I fancy that Ayres is going to -load up a boat and use it as a lure," went -on Norton in a low voice. "It may well -be Brookfield's horse-boat, of which we heard -Duval and Grigg speaking, and which will -leave Louisville in two or three weeks. -Hold on!" And he turned to the watching -girl again. "What did you say about Ayres -going away to raise some men?" -</p> - -<p> -"I'm not quite sure myself," she answered, -"but I gathered that he was going for that -purpose—he spoke about some men whose -relatives had disappeared with the vanished -boats——" -</p> - -<p> -"That's it, then," said Norton quickly. -"He'll get a few men he can rely upon -implicitly and stow them aboard the boat. -Then, when Blacknose attacks, he'll find -what he hadn't bargained for, Hugh! Now -will you come back to Louisville? That -skiff ought to be along in an hour or two, -if she left Henderson this morning——" -</p> - -<p> -"No," broke in Red Hugh decisively. -"You stay here and take Madam Grigg back, -Norton. I'll scout through the woods for a bit, -then will pick up your boat at Henderson when -she comes down. You'll be aboard her?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton assented with a nod. -</p> - -<p> -"Good. If there's no sign of me at Henderson, -I'll signal you from Diamond Island, -just below—be sure and take the left-hand -channel, for I'll be on the Kentucky side. -Brookfield's boat, eh? All right—I'll watch -out for you." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -With a final look at Kitty Grigg, Red -Hugh touched his cap and went to the -canoe with Norton. The latter took out -his rifle and equipment; then Red Hugh -stepped into the craft and shoved off. A -wave of the hand, and he paddled off -upstream in the direction whence they had -come that morning. Norton stood watching -him out of sight, a most unwelcome feeling -of loneliness stealing upon him; despite the -man's glum silences and bloodthirsty pursuit, -he had a strange fascination for Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"Who is that man? Is he the—the Red -Hugh of whom Mr. Audubon spoke?" -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian turned, and smiled into -the girl's wondering grey eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"I doubt if there be two of that name, -Kitty! Aye, he's the man, and an odd one. -Come—let's sit on the bank over here where -we can watch the river. I trust your -skiff will return as she promised, for a -night in this place would be little to my -liking." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, they're kindly folk enough, but -terribly poor," she returned, as Norton led -her down the bank under the shade of a -clump of cottonwood. "And such wretched, -happy, dirty little babies! I wish I could -do something for them." -</p> - -<p> -He watched her, fascinated by her fresh -beauty, wondering anew how this pearl of -womanhood came to be fixed in the squat -cabin of Abel Grigg. For a space they sat -in silence; she gazed out over the river, -hands clasped in her lap, while Norton -filled his pipe and smoked, feeling suddenly -content with all things. -</p> - -<p> -It was coming out all right, he felt, -despite the failure to trail Grigg down and -trap the whole gang. Of the relation between -Grigg and the girl beside him, he never -bothered, being perfectly convinced in his -own mind that she was another man's -daughter. He remembered the promise he -had given her, but the deeper memory of -that verbal bill of sale had impressed him -with a hatred and contempt for both Grigg -and Duval, which nothing would eradicate -from his mind. -</p> - -<p> -He recalled the vow he had taken upon -that golden eagle, and perhaps the thought -leaped to Kathleen's mind, for she turned -with a sudden little laugh. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, I forgot! Have you still got that -gold eagle pin?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." Norton put his hand to his breast. -"Why?" -</p> - -<p> -He could not understand the half-smile that -lay in her eyes as she looked at him. Knowing -that he was puzzled, she laughed again. -</p> - -<p> -"Haven't you looked at it since that day?" -</p> - -<p> -"No—but I will now." -</p> - -<p> -He reached inside his shirt and unfastened -the pin. As the sunlight fell on it, he -frowned slightly; the broken enamel on its -face did not seem—suddenly he turned it -over, and read the initials "H.E.M." -</p> - -<p> -"By thunder!" he exclaimed, looking up at -the laughing girl. "I handed you the wrong -pin, eh? It was a mistake, Kathleen——" -</p> - -<p> -She nodded. "Yes. I discovered it after -you had gone, so when I came I brought -this one of yours with me." -</p> - -<p> -Norton looked at the pin she held out, -recognizing it for his own. Yet he made no -move to take it. Much as it meant to him, -being his only memorial from the father he -could not remember, he only looked at it -and admired the slim beauty of the palm -on which it lay. Hers was not the hand of -a backwoods woman, he thought. -</p> - -<p> -"Listen, Kitty," he said slowly. "Just -as soon as I've cleared up this Blacknose -affair here, I'm going to Cincinnati and find -out who the owner of this pin of yours really -was. A number of the Cincinnati are there -or in the neighbourhood, and they will have -records of the Order. Let me keep your -eagle until then, and you keep mine as an -earnest that I will return yours." -</p> - -<p> -He found her face suddenly grave. -</p> - -<p> -"I do not want to lose it," she said quietly. -"It means a good deal to me, after what -you have said——" -</p> - -<p> -"Nor do I want to lose mine," he broke -in, smiling. "Oh, you are not so easily -rid of me, Kitty! I will find your true -name for you, and that's a promise; until -then, I will keep your eagle and do you keep -mine in pledge of my return. Not that you -need the pledge, since it would be a far harder -matter to keep away from your eyes——" -</p> - -<p> -"Fie, sir!" And she interrupted merrily -enough. "And how many pledges have you -left behind in Louisiana?" -</p> - -<p> -"Two," returned Norton, so that for a -moment her face became as serious as his own. -"One to my friend, Davy Crockett, in shape -of my finest rifle; and one to the traders who -sent me hither, in shape of a promise that -I would wipe out Blacknose. Tell me, Kitty, -do you wish to marry Charles Duval?" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you think I wish it?" And she -inspected him with half-frightened eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Well"—Norton shifted his rifle uneasily,—"he -is a person of note, is a gentleman of -family—and is able to buy you with money." -</p> - -<p> -"So much might be said for the Indian -Tecumthe," she returned, flushing at the -brutality of his last words. "No, I shall -not marry him." -</p> - -<p> -"Bravely said," nodded Norton, and felt -tremendously relieved. Of course, he told -himself, his only interest lay in saving this -helpless girl from two scoundrels. "Well, even -if Abel Grigg swears you're under age——" -</p> - -<p> -"There's the skiff coming!" she cried -quickly. "Just crossing over." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Norton glanced up. Perhaps a mile down -the river and with her eight sweeps bringing -her slowly across in a long slant for the -Kentucky side, was a large boat. There was -no hurry, he calculated, for she would require -a good fifteen or twenty minutes to head over -across the swift current of the Ohio—— -</p> - -<p> -"<i>——then you take this horse and rejoin -the boys. I'll get back in that boat.</i>" -</p> - -<p> -The cold, commanding words rang out -clearly from somewhere behind and above. -</p> - -<p> -Norton stiffened; with one quick motion he -unstopped his powderhorn and poured some -black grains into the pan of his rifle, as it -lay across his knees. -</p> - -<p> -"The durned spy must ha' lit out," came -the growl of Abel Grigg's voice. "Tobin -ain't showed up, neither." -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian glanced swiftly at -Kathleen. She was staring at him wide-eyed, -her face ghastly in its sudden pallor. -He knew that she must have realized instantly -what had occurred—Duval, on his way -home from Henderson, had met Grigg and -intended to turn over his horse to the -backwoodsman and catch this skiff back to -Louisville. Cursing the mischance of fate -which had led to such a happening, and -thinking only of keeping the girl unseen, -Norton leaned forward and whispered, with -a gesture toward the trees: -</p> - -<p> -"I'll back them into the woods. Get -under those trees, and when the boat comes -get aboard." -</p> - -<p> -"No," she returned, with a shake of the -head. "Why should I be afraid?" -</p> - -<p> -Reading determination in her eyes, Norton -cursed again, silently, and leaped up. -Discovery was certain; his only chance now -lay in holding up the two men and surprising -some confession from them. With Audubon -as sole witness, he could hardly hope to -force Duval into court; but with Kathleen's -testimony and that of the settlers, there -was a bare chance. His rifle ready, he left -the girl and sprang up the bank. -</p> - -<p> -A curious scene greeted him, and one -which showed that Elisha Ayres had not -selected this settler's cabin by any vagary. -The squalid woman and babies had vanished; -the settler himself sat in the doorway of his -shack with his rifle ostentatiously in hand; -paying no heed to him, Duval and Grigg -were standing near the landing, the latter -holding the horse's bridle in one hand, his -rifle in the other. Duval had a pair of -pistols in his belt. -</p> - -<p> -"Hands up, gentlemen!" commanded -Norton sharply. "Drop that rifle, Blacknose!" -</p> - -<p> -As Norton levelled his weapon, the settler -in the doorway rose also, watching the -other two. Duval, whirling with one terrible -convulsion of his features, looked into -Norton's rifle and forced the look from his -face; Grigg obeyed the command with a -snarl, his powerful, hook-nosed face -grimacing in surprise and consternation. -</p> - -<p> -"Why—sir! What is the meaning of this, -Mr. Norton?" -</p> - -<p> -Duval's expression of astonishment was -an excellent counterfeit. His virile, dark, -thin-lipped face showed only blank surprise, -but this did not deceive Norton. -</p> - -<p> -"You're a pretty pair of scoundrels!" -he said grimly. "Your game's up, Duval, -so no need to play innocent. Grigg, you're -known for Blacknose. I think you'll both -go to Louisville on that boat, but you'll -go bound." -</p> - -<p> -He saw Grigg's eyes widen and his jaw fall in -astonishment, and needed not the step behind -him to know that Kathleen had come up. -Duval, however, maintained his cold poise. -</p> - -<p> -"You are making a grievous mistake, -Captain Norton," he returned, softly. "You -must either be out of your senses or——" -</p> - -<p> -"So?" chuckled Norton easily. "You -remember how you and Blacknose there -paused on your way to Henderson a few -days ago, and held a conversation just before -you parted company? There were witnesses -to that conversation, my friend." -</p> - -<p> -Grigg went livid, and his bushy grizzled -beard quivered as he stared at Norton. -Duval, however, showed no sign of emotion -beyond a tightening of his lips; his dark -eyes glittered ominously, and the cruel -curve of his nostrils deepened. In that -moment Norton knew that he had lost his -play, and would get nothing out of this man. -Grigg opened his mouth to speak, but Duval -shut him up sharply. -</p> - -<p> -"I said, sir, that you were mistaken," -returned the lawyer coldly. "The tenor of -that conversation must have been misunderstood -by you. Madam Grigg, your servant." -</p> - -<p> -He bowed slightly to the girl. With an -inward groan, Norton lowered his rifle. If -he brought the matter to an issue, he knew -well that he would fail; neither Duval nor -Grigg had mentioned Blacknose by name, -and the conversation was incriminating only -by inference. And inference counted for -nothing in the Kentucky courts. -</p> - -<p> -"Duval, I'm going to get you." And -Norton suppressed the rage within him, his -voice as cold and level as that of the lawyer. -"You're the man behind this Blacknose gang, -and Grigg there is Blacknose. I know that -much, and I'm going to prove it some day." -</p> - -<p> -"You will have far to travel before that -day, sir," returned Duval with a thinly -veiled sneer. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps." And Norton smiled a little -as their eyes clinched. "Not as far, however, -as the road your friend Tobin has already -travelled." -</p> - -<p> -The shot told. Duval's eyes narrowed -suddenly; then a hoarse cry broke from -Grigg, who pointed at Norton's waist. -</p> - -<p> -"Look thar! The cuss has got Tobin's -horn——" -</p> - -<p> -"What is that to us?" Duval whirled on -him, with so terrible a face that Grigg fell -back. "What is Tobin to us, you fool? -Do you know him?" -</p> - -<p> -"No," stammered Grigg, giving Norton -a furious look. "No, I don't know him." -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian smiled in contempt. Duval -had outguessed him shrewdly, and he would -now get no evidence out of either man. -</p> - -<p> -"Captain Norton"—Duval turned to him -with a smooth smile—"I trust you perceive -your mistake." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," returned Norton quietly, giving -the man a hard look. "You're smarter -than I thought, Duval. But you'll swing -yet—mark that!" -</p> - -<p> -The lawyer made no reply, beyond a -cold sneer. A glance showed Norton that -the settler's rifle had vanished, and knowing -that Duval would not dare shoot him down -with the approaching boat so near, he lowered -his own rifle and stood leaning on it. Grigg, -however, stepped forward with an oath. -</p> - -<p> -"I got a word to say here," he cried -savagely, glaring past Norton at the girl. -"What you doin' here, Kitty? You and -him was settin' under the bank makin' -love, eh? What you doin' here?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton turned with a helpless gesture. The -girl did not heed him, but looked at Grigg, -pale but calm. -</p> - -<p> -"Be careful what you say"—and her -voice trembled a little. "I came here with -a message for Mr. Norton. Further than -that, it is no business of yours." -</p> - -<p> -"Hey! No business o' mine, ain't it?" -shot out Grigg, his gaunt head flung forward -until with his keen-hooked nose he looked -uncommonly like the bird of prey that he -was. "Looky here, gal, don't you talk to -your o' dad like that! Now you're here, -you'll come along o' me into the woods fer -a spell——" -</p> - -<p> -The girl drew herself up angrily. -</p> - -<p> -"You're no father of mine, Abel Grigg," -she cried out, and Norton could not but -admire the proud spirit of her. "I know that -now, and you've no authority over me!" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Grigg stood as though paralysed. Duval -stared at the girl for a moment, then turned -and whispered a few low words to his -companion. Norton would have given much to -know what they were, but their effect was -evident. -</p> - -<p> -With a complete change of manner, Grigg -forced the anger from his face and spoke in -a low wheedling voice which yet had a ring -of sincerity in it. -</p> - -<p> -"Looky here, Kitty! You ain't meanin' -that——" -</p> - -<p> -"I mean what I say," she flashed back at -him. "I know you're not my father, and -so does Captain Norton. That's enough." -</p> - -<p> -Grigg flung Norton one malignant glance. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, gal," he said slowly, "that's true. -I ain't your dad." -</p> - -<p> -"Who am I, then?" demanded Kathleen -swiftly. -</p> - -<p> -"I dunno." The backwoodsman shook -his head, and Norton could not but believe -he spoke the truth. "I found ye nigh on -twenty year back, Kitty, in an Injun -camp. Wyandots, they was, an' I bought -ye fer a new horn o' powder an' a gun. -That thar's God's truth, gal. They wouldn't -say nothin' 'bout ye. Now I've told, gal, -you won't go back on the ol' man? Come -'long into the woods a spell——" -</p> - -<p> -"I think not," broke in Norton drily. -"Grigg, we know all about how you want to -sell Kitty to this skunk of a Duval. She'll -have nothing more to do with you. That's -flat." -</p> - -<p> -"You've been an' set her up to this, -hey?" snarled Grigg suddenly, turning on -the Louisianian. "All right! I'll make -ye pay afore I'm done with ye!" -</p> - -<p> -Duval gave the angry man a look, and -again Grigg flung off his rage swiftly. -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty, won't ye go with me?" he said -slowly, picking up his rifle. -</p> - -<p> -"No." -</p> - -<p> -Duval stood aside, watching, a shadowy -sneer on his powerful features. A glance -at the river showed Norton the skiff some -three hundred yards away and slowly -approaching the landing. Grigg, leaning -on his rifle and clawing his grizzled beard, -looked at the girl with a sudden sadness in -his deep eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty," he said very slowly, the harsh -timbre of his voice accentuating his words -and lending them sincerity, "I've brung ye -up as best I could. When the ol' woman -died ten year back, it was you helped to -bury her. 'Member that? Ye allus called -me Dad, didn't ye? I've done right by -ye, gal, accordin' to my lights. Ain't I give -ye the best I could? Ain't I paid ol' Elisha -Ayres to give ye learnin'? You ain't lacked -fer nothin', Kitty, even if I am poor." -</p> - -<p> -Norton, listening, forbore to interfere. -It occurred to him that Grigg was making -a desperate fight for a valuable piece of -property, yet there was truth in what the -man said. And Kathleen knew it. Struggle -sat in her face. -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty, gal," went on Grigg with renewed -earnestness, "I ain't askin' much of ye. -I've allus give ye the best I had, ain't I? -Now, looky here. Fur's anyone knows, -you're my daughter an' I could force ye any -ways I wanted to. But I don't. I love -ye, gal, an' all I want is fer you to stick by -me a bit longer. I'm gettin' old, Kitty, -an' ain't as well able to take care o' myself -as I used to be. If you're mixed up with -that spy feller, Kitty, ye've done me a -mighty bad turn, but I ain't carin' fer -that. Now ain't you a-goin' to come along -o' me, little gal? You ain't a-goin' to -leave the ol' man, be ye?" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you want of me?" Sorely -shaken, the girl looked at him. "Why -shouldn't I go back home, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I need ye, gal," returned Grigg -earnestly. "I'd 'a' brung ye afore, only I -didn't know as I'd need ye. They's a -camp down-river a piece, where I aim to -set out quite a spell, an' I want ye to cook -an' take care o' things fer us. Kitty, don't -go back on me after I done brung ye up all -them years! Even if ye don't love me, -don't ye reckon ye owe me somethin'? I've -took good care on ye, gal——" -</p> - -<p> -Terribly pale, the girl turned to Norton. -He read the weariness of her eyes, and -started to speak, but she stopped him: -</p> - -<p> -"No—he's right, Mr. Norton. I owe him -some duty, though it will never go so far -as marrying that man." And she flashed -Duval one contemptuous glance. "Good-bye, -Mr. Norton—and God bless you!" -</p> - -<p> -Norton bowed over her hand, bringing -it to his lips. The touch thrilled him, and -for a long moment he looked down into her -grey eyes, not trusting himself to speak. -</p> - -<p> -"Good-bye, for the present," he said -huskily, his finely-chiselled face very tender, -"And remember—I shall see you again." -</p> - -<p> -With no more words she turned to Grigg, -who helped her to the saddle of Duval's -horse, and they started away. Norton -gazed after them, feeling the girl's high -character grip at his heart-strings; then he -turned at a hail from the river landing. -</p> - -<p> -"Hey, you fellers! Who's fer Louisville?" -</p> - -<p> -"All right!" replied the Louisianian. He -looked at Duval, and his eyes flamed out -like a sword. "Duval," he said softly, -"you're a yellow dog! You've tried murder -and failed; now play your last card and -do it soon, or you're gone!" -</p> - -<p> -Immobile, his face set as though carven in -stone, Duval gazed at him. Then his strong -white teeth flashed out in a slow smile. -"If you wish to make your last will and -testament, Captain Norton, anyone in Louisville -can direct you to my office. Sir, your servant!" -</p> - -<p> -And with a bow he passed down to the waiting -boat. Norton followed, smiling a little, -his heart sore within him for Kitty Grigg. -</p> - -<p> -"But, by gad, it's in the open now!" he -thought. "Duval is smart, but his craft -has sprung a leak—and the tide will swamp -him whether I live or die!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X -</h3> - -<p> -The trip to Louisville was uneventful, yet -significant. As Norton went aboard the boat, -the captain touched his arm and whispered. -</p> - -<p> -"Captain Norton?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes?" -</p> - -<p> -"The lady——" -</p> - -<p> -"Does not return with us, sir." -</p> - -<p> -The captain stepped back and signed to -his men. Of these there were ten—all big, -bearded men who kept silent for the whole trip, -though Duval tried to converse with them -more than once. Nor did any address -Norton after he was aboard. Save for the -captain's orders, the trip was made in silence. -</p> - -<p> -When they were rowing past the bluff -behind which Red Hugh dwelt, Norton -searched the woods in vain for any sign -of his friends, and caught Duval's eye roving -over the bluff as well. Buck Creek and Salt -River were passed without stoppage, and -when Norton offered to pay his passage, he -was informed that it has been paid; Duval, a -little later, was taxed a dollar, which he paid -promptly. At length Sullivan's ferry swept -by and Shippingsport hove in sight ahead. -</p> - -<p> -Norton knew nothing of what had been -going on in his absence, but there were a -large number of craft, both keel and -flatboats, in the Louisville harbour, while -loading of freight was proceeding busily. -</p> - -<p> -The skiff rowed in through the vessels to -a wharf, and Norton saw a small figure in -scarlet breeches and fustian greatcoat waiting -for their landing. He leaped out with a -cry of joy, and greeted Elisha Ayres with -a strong grip of the hand. The little -schoolmaster straightened his greasy wig, and -turned to meet Duval with a low bow. -</p> - -<p> -"Your servant, Mr. Duval!" he said, in -his dry precise manner. -</p> - -<p> -The lawyer bowed slightly, fastened his -cold gaze on the pinched, twinkling-eyed -face of Ayres, and passed on without speaking. -With a chuckle, Ayres passed his arm -under Norton's and turned. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, Mr. Norton. Do not talk, if you please." -</p> - -<p> -In no little wonder, Norton accommodated -his step to that of the other, and they walked -through the little town toward Louisville. -Ayres placed no ban of silence upon his own -tongue, however; he chattered volubly, -pointed out various objects of interest, and -paused at the top of the hill to turn Norton -toward the harbour. -</p> - -<p> -"Just to our right, Mr. Norton, is the -Berthoud rope-walk—one of the finest, I may -say, in the United States. There is -Mr. Berthoud's residence just beyond us. Now -from here we get a truly remarkable view -of the shipping; you will observe that a -half-dozen keels are being laden for New Orleans, -under command of Commodore Peters. The -outside craft is the gunboat of Captain -Nevitt, which carries a small cannon. To the -left you will see Captain Brookfield's -horse-boat—a most ingenious contrivance, sir." -</p> - -<p> -At length Norton caught the drift of all -this volubility, and gazed at the "horse-boat" -with no little interest. It was a large -craft of forty tons, with an ungainly gallery -on the upper deck. On this, as Ayres pointed -out, six or seven horses worked a treadmill -which in turn worked the large side-paddles, -over each gunwale. The boat was -a decided novelty, and as Brookfield had -broken a number of paddles on his trip -up-river, she would be delayed from joining -the fleet under Peters and Nevitt, which -was leaving in two days. -</p> - -<p> -When Norton had finished his inspection, -Ayres turned him toward the city again -and they proceeded on their way. Duval -had disappeared. Mindful of the rapidity -with which things had happened to him on -his previous visit, Norton kept a watchful -eye on the passers-by; he had an uneasy -sense of being watched, and perceived that -an unduly large proportion of the men were -roughly dressed but excellently armed. It -seemed to him that Duval must have filled -the town with his own men, and things -began to loom up darkly before him. -</p> - -<p> -"These, sir, are the hanging gardens of -Mr. Buttet"—and Ayres paused as they -reached the lower end of town, speaking in -his usual oratorical style and with a sweep -of his hand toward the handsome brick house -to their left. "From here we gain an -excellent view of the river—one of the -finest views in the United States, I may -say, sir. Yonder you perceive Jeffersonville -in Indiana; a little to the left, the -magnificent falls of the Ohio. Beyond this, -Clarksville and the Silver Creek hills, with -the forests and Rock Island completing the -panorama. And just ahead of us, sir, an -interesting episode is about to be enacted, -if I mistake not." -</p> - -<p> -Norton, who was paying little heed to the -view but much to what passed around him, -loosened his knife in its sheath; the -"interesting episode", he concluded swiftly, would -be enacted by something better than fists. -Lounging on the board walk a dozen yards -ahead, and eyeing him with insolent and -provocative glances, were two huge rivermen. -Both were idly whittling at small sticks, and -Norton had no doubt of their intent. -</p> - -<p> -Fastening his eyes on the pair and already -angered by their insolent looks, he flung off -Ayres's restraining hand and stepped forward. -Then, however, something very odd took -place. -</p> - -<p> -Swinging around the corner at which the -two rivermen stood, came three tow-clad -farmers with a snatch of drunken song. -One of them lurched heavily against the -nearer riverman, who shoved him away -with a snarling curse. -</p> - -<p> -"Who—who you shovin'?" demanded the -farmer thickly. -</p> - -<p> -"Git out, ye drunken fool," snapped the -big riverman angrily, his eye was still on -Norton. "Move on—we ain't got time to -spend on ye." -</p> - -<p> -"Whoop-ee!"—and the farmer gave vent -to a wild howl of rage. "Hurray fer -Jefferson! Damn the Democrats! Shove me, -will ye? I'll learn ye! I'm a cross betwixt -a streak of chain-lightning and a bear-cat! I -was sired by a thunderbolt an' riz by an -alligator an' I eats rattlers fer -breakfast—whoop-ee!" -</p> - -<p> -With which peroration he gave the -riverman no chance for the usual exchange of -personal history, but with an astonishingly -accurate blow for a drunken man landed -his right on the riverman's jaw. His two -companions instantly fell upon the second -riverman and with a whirlwind of blows -and dust and flashing knives and yells, all -five drove out into the street and left the -sidewalk clear. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, sir"—and Norton felt Ayres pluck -his arm. "They will lodge the two men in jail, -but we must not be detained as witnesses." -</p> - -<p> -In a flash the real meaning of the scene -broke upon the Louisianian, and with a -grunt he strode off beside Ayres. Something -most amazing must have happened in the -city of Louisville, he thought. A week -previously, mention of Blacknose had been -enough to get a man his death; now, two -members of the mysterious gang were openly -assaulted in the streets! His last view of the -combat, through the gathering crowd, showed -one of the farmers perched on the body of -a riverman and industriously gouging for -the eyes of his enemy in true border fashion. -</p> - -<p> -Five minutes later Norton found himself -led toward a good-sized brick house which -stood back from the street amid spacious -gardens. This, announced Ayres, belonged -to Mr. Tarascon, a prominent merchant, -who expected Norton as his guest. -Comprehending dimly that the schoolmaster must -have moved with tremendous activity in his -absence, the Louisianian strode up the steps -to be greeted quietly by a small elderly -Frenchman—no other than the owner of -the place. He was unmarried, it appeared, -and when Norton addressed him in his own -tongue, he cried effusively that the house -no longer belonged to him but to his honoured -guest. Moreover, the words were quite sincere. -</p> - -<p> -The afternoon being practically over, -Tarascon and Ayres accompanied Norton -to his room—a spacious bedroom on the -ground floor, and there left him with a -darkie to attend his personal wants, and a -great variety of clothes to choose from. -With a sigh of relief, Norton bathed and -discarded his buckskin for a plum-coloured -suit; he was a gentleman once more in place -of a woods rover; and when he inspected -the cravat which the grinning darkie had -adjusted, he could scarce believe that at -daybreak he had been sitting in a canoe with -an acknowledged Indian-slayer, rifle in hand. -The day was far from done, however. When -he was dressed, the negro ted him through -a dark corridor to two rooms blazing with -candles: one a dining-room of gigantic size, -the other an equally large music-room. Still -blinking at the lights, Norton found his hand -gripped by Audubon and then perceived that -he had come into a gathering of men. -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen, Captain John Norton!" -announced Mr. Tarascon, and turned, -smiling. "Perhaps you had best introduce -our friends piecemeal, Mr. Audubon!" -</p> - -<p> -A dozen men were present—Colonel Taylor, -Rosier, Ayres, and others of the Louisville -merchants to whom Audubon introduced -the Louisianian. Colonel Boone had returned -home to Missouri, while Norton found that -his friend, Zach Taylor, had been ordered to -Vincennes to join General Harrison; barely -had he been made acquainted with all there, -however, when Colonel Taylor rose and with -a gesture obtained silence. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Norton"—and it was easy to see that -the old border fighter felt bitterly the shame -of his words—"when you were here last, -this town was in a peculiar state, sir. As -you are only too well aware, the very name of -Blacknose spread terror; men were murdered -and property destroyed almost with impunity; -the secrecy of this gang of river-pirates and -its thorough organization seemed to hold us -all spellbound. I acknowledge it with shame, -sir. Then, with your coming, all this was -changed." -</p> - -<p> -As Colonel Dick paused, Norton felt himself -the centre of attention. He was himself too -interested in what was coming to heed this, -however, and merely nodded. -</p> - -<p> -"You had barely arrived, Mr. Norton, -when an attempt was made upon your life; -a few hours later you were accused of a -dastardly murder and only the quick wit -of Mr. Ayres threw the pursuers from your -track. We had given you up for lost, sir, -when Mr. Audubon returned to town and at -once communicated with Mr. Ayres. The -result, you see here." -</p> - -<p> -"I fancy I have seen the results before -this," smiled Norton drily, and told of the -encounter he had witnessed in town. A -quick nod passed around. -</p> - -<p> -"We can trust every man here," declared -Audubon quietly but impressively. "The -grounds of this house are guarded by armed -men, Norton——" -</p> - -<p> -"But how do you know <i>they</i> can all be -trusted?" demanded the Louisianian keenly. -</p> - -<p> -"Because, sir," spoke up Ayres, -"Mr. Audubon and I enlisted them personally. -We went up-river and carefully selected only -those who had lost brothers or sons or fathers -with the boats which have vanished down the -river. Every man of us here has sustained -heavy losses in property from the same -cause. In short, sir, we have raised a -company of Regulators, with which to -exterminate this pestilent Blacknose gang." -</p> - -<p> -Norton whistled to himself, eyeing the -energetic little schoolmaster in some admiration -as the whole thing broke over his mind. -So then, they were fighting secrecy with -secrecy, organization with organization! -</p> - -<p> -Now he understood a good deal which -had mystified him—the words of Kitty -Grigg, the odd silence of his boatmen, -the manner in which the two bellicose -rivermen had been disposed of. Ayres had -been swift and clever, also; by enlisting only -the relatives of the men who had disappeared -with their boats, during the past two years, -all possibility of treachery was removed -and the "Regulators" were certain to be -animated by a live hatred of Duval—but -did they know of Duval yet? Norton flung -a quick glance around and found all waiting -for him to speak. "How many here know -who Blacknose is, Audubon?" -</p> - -<p> -The words were like a shock; Norton needed -no other answer to his question than the -startled questioning look which ran over -the faces in a flash. -</p> - -<p> -"Only Ayres," returned the bird-lover, -gravely. "It is a thing we cannot prove -definitely, and it would be much better to -destroy the whole gang at one blow. We -will lay our suspicions before these friends -of ours to-night, and take counsel." -</p> - -<p> -While Audubon was speaking, a white-haired -negro flung back the curtains which -shut off the dining-room, and now announced -dinner. Mr. Tarascon rose. -</p> - -<p> -"Then—you have ascertained something -definite, Mr. Norton?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. I may say that we have ascertained -everything." -</p> - -<p> -In the startled silence all grouped themselves -about the long table, Norton sitting -between Tarascon and Ayres. Then, while the -deft silent negro slaves waited upon them -and the long dinner was discussed, Norton -and Audubon related what they had overheard -on the bluff near the blazed cottonwood, -the Louisianian adding the conversation -between Grigg and Duval that same morning. -</p> - -<p> -Being wealthy and very hospitable in a -land then noted for its inhospitality, -Mr. Tarascon had provided his best wines for -the occasion, both of French and Spanish. -In consequence, certain honest merchants, -who were more accustomed to home distilled -corn liquor, drank wisely but too well of the -rarer vintage; and no sooner had the two -friends finished their tale than the table -leaped into wild uproar. -</p> - -<p> -For this, Norton was by no means sorry. -The issue came squarely forward; Was it -possible that Charles Duval could be in -alliance with such a gang of thieves and -pirates? To many of those present it was -hard of credence; and one estimable old -merchant, who wore a high black stock, a red -peruke, and a coat cut in the fashion of the -nineties, arose and pounded the table in -vinuous indignation. -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen, I refuse to believe this -monstrous concoction!" he roared fervidly. "I -have known Charles Duval for ten years, and -I knew his father before him. Our friend -and esteemed neighbour Henry Clay, now a -member of Congress, knows him——" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Clay knows him?" broke in a loud -laugh from someone. "Clay knocked him -down in front of the courthouse at Lexington -last summer——" -</p> - -<p> -"I refuse to believe it!" continued he of -the black stock. "This charge is not proven, -my friends. I will go and bring Charles -Duval himself to deny it to your face——" -</p> - -<p> -And shaking his fist, the angry old merchant -shoved back his chair and started for -the door. Norton would have sprung up -to check him, but was restrained by Audubon's -hand; the others glanced at one another -in wondering fear, bewildered. Were the -merchant to carry out his purpose, ruin was -certain to fall upon them; yet Tarascon only -sat at the head of the table and smiled as he -sipped his wine. And, as the merchant -flung open the door, it was seen to be guarded -by a tall tow-clad man and barred by a -rifle. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir—Mr. Tarascon—what means this!" -spluttered the merchant, turning. -</p> - -<p> -"It means, sir, that my cellars are wide -and my caution is wider," returned the host -with only a veiled threat. He smiled very -politely but his eyes were keen as he glanced -at the men who lined the table. -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen," he went on quietly, "you -can readily understand that whether Mr. -Norton and Mr. Audubon are correct or not -in their suspicions, no word of what we are -about must come to Mr. Duval. Each man -of you here to-night is a gentleman; before -you leave this house, you pass me your -words to that effect. Else, you do not -leave. It is very simple. We are going -to stamp out this damnable river piracy, -and I promise you that every justice shall -be done Mr. Duval. Sir, pray return to -your seat. Boy, fetch that Oporto I had -from New Orleans last fall." -</p> - -<p> -Norton, watching, perceived that he had -fallen among men of weight. Tarascon was -obeyed by the angry merchant, amid a -grave silence, and Colonel Taylor was the -first to pledge his word to secrecy. One by -one the others followed suit, after which -Elisha Ayres rose, pledged Norton's health -in his grandiloquent manner, and fell to -discussing the plan which he had already -elaborated with Audubon. -</p> - -<p> -This plan of action needed co-operation -by the merchants there gathered, and it was -based upon Norton's own idea. Brookfield's -horse-boat was to be chartered and laden -with a particularly valuable cargo, in which -lading each of the merchants should risk an -equal share. Brookfield himself was a man -above suspicion, already enrolled in Ayres's -"Regulators", and willing to risk his craft -in the venture. -</p> - -<p> -The boat would be another three weeks -in lading, or perhaps less. Thus ample -time would be given Blacknose in which to -learn of its rich cargo and prepare an -ambuscade. At Henderson the boat would secretly -pick up twenty of the "Regulators", who -would stow themselves below-decks in -readiness for an attack. -</p> - -<p> -Norton was to ship openly as a passenger, -spreading abroad the report that his visit to -Louisville had been barren of results, and -in the meantime he was to remain as the -guest of Tarascon in Louisville. Ayres drily -assured him that he would be well guarded. -With her rich cargo, the boat would be almost -certain to be attacked; all that was necessary -was for a prisoner or two to be made, in which -case they would turn State's evidence and -the rest of the gang could be hunted down -readily enough. -</p> - -<p> -"Once we ascertain definitely who Blacknose -is," said Audubon, "we cut off the -whole affair. Personally, I have no doubt -of the matter; but to those of you who cannot -believe Duval guilty, I would say—wait. -This whole matter must be conducted with -the greatest secrecy; let no hint of it get to -your slaves, for the gang no doubt has many -of our slaves in its pay." -</p> - -<p> -"It's a good plan," stated Norton -thoughtfully, frowning. "Almost too good, my -friends. We must not overplay our hand—do -not say too much about the rich cargo, -for example. Duval, or Blacknose, is no -fool! The thing seems all cut and dried, -and that is why I fear—well, wait and see. -When the time comes, we can show no mercy; -that gang is pitiless, more savage than the -redskins, and from the moment Brookfield's -boat casts off her moorings at Shippingsport -it becomes a war to the knife. Well, -gentlemen"—and with a smile he rose, glass in -hand—"for the rest of this evening let us -cast care aside, and so allow me to propose -a toast to the gentleman whose wig sets -awry over a very excellent set of -brains—Mr. Elisha Ayres, gentlemen!" -</p> - -<p> -And the toast was drunk standing, while -the little schoolmaster wriggled in huge -delight and tried to straighten his greasy -wig. None the less, Norton remained thoughtful -that evening—for he could not forget -the girl with gold-red hair whose hand had -come to his lips that day, and whose gage -he wore inside his shirt. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI -</h3> - -<p> -As Norton had thought, Mr. Elisha Ayres -had formulated a plan which was almost too -good. During the week following the meeting -at Tarascon's house, he found that what -appeared excellent by candlelight looked -somewhat full of shreds and patches by the -cold light of day. -</p> - -<p> -The Regulators, to be sure, were unobtrusive -but efficient, numbering twenty, and -neither the Tarascon house nor Norton -himself was ever unguarded. No more attempts -were made upon Norton; yet the day after -that dinner-party a brawl took place in the -"Steuben Arms" in which one of the -Regulators and a settler from down near the -Wabash managed to kill each other. The -settler seemed unknown in the town, which -was a significant fact. -</p> - -<p> -"Public sentiment is rising, sir," observed -Audubon on hearing of it from Ayres, as -they walked with Norton in the Tarascon -gardens next day. "I would imagine that -Duval is caught napping. Most of his men -are down-river with Grigg, beyond a doubt, -and while he must be perfectly aware of -something going on, he is helpless. Further, -he is engaged in court at Lexington." -</p> - -<p> -During that idle week Norton might have -gone to Cincinnati had not Brookfield been -expecting to get away soon. The lading of -his boat and the repair of her paddles had -gone forward faster than had been looked -for, and now the rivermen hoped in all -confidence to be off before the following week was -up. His crew consisted of six men only, -and he could trust but two of them. -</p> - -<p> -"Set the departure for next Saturday, -then," commanded Norton, as he and Ayres -and Audubon consulted with Brookfield on -the Monday. "Give our friend Duval time -to make his preparations, for we must make -sure of all. On Friday send the Regulators -down the river on horseback so that they can -pass Henderson before daybreak and pick -us up near Diamond Island." -</p> - -<p> -On the table was a chart of the Ohio, and -Audubon broke in, placing his finger on the -Wabash settlement. -</p> - -<p> -"You mind the settler who was slain last -week? He came from this settlement, and -must have been one of Duval's men. There -is a clue for us; besides, Grigg and Duval -agreed to waylay the boat near the Wabash." -</p> - -<p> -The others nodded soberly. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Norton's idea is very good," said -Ayres. "Captain Brookfield, set your -departure for the Saturday morning. It is -only a hundred miles to Henderson by trail, -and we will send out the Regulators Friday; -they will pick you up here at Diamond -Island, twelve miles below Henderson, on -the Kentucky shore beyond the plantation -of Mr. Alvis." -</p> - -<p> -To this Brookfield agreed. He would reach -the island some time on Sunday, and the -Regulators would thus have plenty of time -to make the journey by land, avoiding -Henderson itself. So, with all plans fully -settled, there was naught to do save to wait -and watch. -</p> - -<p> -Captain Brookfield announced his departure -and rushed his lading, and with that -the situation began to tighten up, Duval, -having been engaged in court at Ledington -for two days, returned to town on Wednesday; -and Norton saw that with his return the -lawyer had taken swift warning of some sort. -</p> - -<p> -The plot was known to a dozen citizens at -most, and the little border town remained -as quiet and sleepy as ever; but beneath the -surface there was a furious boiling of the pot. -Since the double killing at the "Steuben -Arms," the Regulators had been forbidden -the tavern. Now, however, Duval openly -made the place his headquarters. He had -a plantation a few miles up-river, it seemed, -but stopped at the tavern when in town. -And on the Wednesday, Norton found the -trap ready laid for his bait. -</p> - -<p> -He had been riding below the falls with -Audubon, and on their return they rode -past the "Steuben Arms". As they jogged -along, Norton saw a negro step into the tavern -courtyard and loose a bird from a small -wicker cage. At the action, he caught his -friend's arms swiftly. -</p> - -<p> -"That bird—watch it! What is it?" -</p> - -<p> -Audubon whistled, and watched the bird -as it circled up to pick its course, and finally -shot off to the westward. He took out his -pocket-compass, inspected it, then quietly -beckoned Norton to ride on. -</p> - -<p> -"Southwest by west and a half west," -he returned, a flush of excitement on his -high cheeks. "A carrier pigeon for the -Wabash, Norton! Now ends all mystery, -and the stage-players can no more fool -the audience." -</p> - -<p> -"By gad!" breathed Norton softly, his -brown eyes flaming out at Audubon. "He -uses carrier pigeons, eh? Then Duval must -be concocting his plan against the -horse-boat with Grigg and the gang—and if we -could but bring down one of those pigeons -we could nip him like a flea!" -</p> - -<p> -"Good," nodded the other. "Let us come -out to-morrow morning, with that little -double-barrelled gun of mine. The birds -will not fly too high, I think." -</p> - -<p> -So it came about that Norton went back -to his woods garments with the next -morning. Tarascon's slaves had greased his -old buckskins, so that the stiffness was gone -from them and Norton donned them and -his fine moccasins with a feeling of joy. -At breakfast he confided to Tarascon what -his mission was. -</p> - -<p> -"If we bring down a bird and find a -message," he concluded, "we had best jail -Duval at once." -</p> - -<p> -The other nodded quietly, his dark eyes -sparkling. -</p> - -<p> -"One of my slaves informed me this morning," -he returned, "that Duval was preparing -for a journey—though I had said nothing to -any of my slaves. But trust the darkies to -know what's afoot!" -</p> - -<p> -"It's a poor sword that has not two edges," -said Norton, frowning. -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly—that is just what we risk, -Mr. Norton," and Tarascon departed -gloomily to his business. -</p> - -<p> -Norton rode out, met Audubon and Ayres, -and the three wended west of town with -rifles ready. All that day their watching -proved vain, however, for no pigeon passed -overhead save for a flock of wild birds. This -was on the Thursday, and the horse-boat -was to sail on the Saturday. -</p> - -<p> -With the next morning all three were out -again, and still came no result. The -Regulators left Louisville that morning—twenty -of them, all mounted and armed, -with instructions to meet the boat at Diamond -Island, twelve miles below Henderson. All -day the three friends watched from the -riverside, but no pigeon appeared, and with the -evening Norton gave up all hope of thus -cornering Duval. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Ayres and Audubon returned to the -Tarascon house for dinner. During the -meal, their host was summoned outside and -returned, leading a badly-frightened slave. -</p> - -<p> -"News, my friends!" cried Tarascon -eagerly. "This boy is one of the hostlers -at the "Steuben Arms", and I have paid him -to keep an eye on Duval——" -</p> - -<p> -"It's a poor sword that hasn't two edges," -broke in Norton glumly. -</p> - -<p> -"Confound it, cease your croaking!" -exclaimed Audubon gaily. "Out with the -news, Tarascon! Don't heed him." -</p> - -<p> -Tarascon smiled and settled into his seat, -white the negro waited, rolling his eyes in -fright until the merchant tossed him a -dollar. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, boy, you say Mr. Duval is leaving -to-morrow?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yas, suh. He done got three hosses -waitin' foh him." -</p> - -<p> -"Making ready for a quick trip, eh?" -said Ayres. The merchant nodded. -</p> - -<p> -"Have you overheard anything about his -plans, boy?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yas, suh. Ah done heard him talkin' -wif a man. He reckoned they was gwine -to beat Cap'n Brookfield's boat to -Henderson, suh." -</p> - -<p> -"Two of them, eh? Anything more?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, suh." -</p> - -<p> -Upon this, Tarascon dismissed the slave, -and the four friends discussed the news. -They finally reached the conclusion that Duval -intended to meet the pirates and take part in -the attack on the horse-boat, after which he -would doubtless flee the country, as he must -know that there was something afoot. -</p> - -<p> -"So much the better," cried Audubon gaily. -"Success to the Regulators!" -</p> - -<p> -"All very well," retorted Norton. "But -I don't like this slave business. What -we can do, Duval can do." -</p> - -<p> -His forebodings were drowned in Oporto, -however. Next morning the four again -gathered at breakfast, after which all mounted -and rode through town toward Shippingsport -to see Norton off. It was early, and few -people were astir, for Brookfield was making -a swift trip to Henderson and wanted to -make the most of the day. As they passed the -"Steuben Arms," Norton sent a casual glance -at the place; then he reined in suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -His quick eye had caught sight of a negro -just emerging on the courtyard, a wicker -cage in his hand. With a sudden thrill of -excitement, he spurred from the road and -clattered down on the startled slave. The -cage held a pigeon. -</p> - -<p> -"Give me that bird, boy," he said, leaning -over. -</p> - -<p> -"Dishyer bird b' longs to Mr. Duval, -suh"—and the darkie drew back. The -other three had followed Norton, however, -and hemmed in the slave so that his escape -to the doorway behind was cut off. -</p> - -<p> -"Watch him, Audubon!" cried Norton. -</p> - -<p> -Without further parley he leaned down -and grasped the cage from the shrinking -negro. Opening it eagerly, he found a -tiny slip of paper under the bird's wing, -and carefully loosened it. -</p> - -<p> -A glance around showed him three saddled -horses to one side, and he knew they had been -just in time. Then, unfolding the paper, -he read the message written thereon. It -was unsigned. -</p> - -<p class="letter"> -A.G.— -<br /><br /> -Meet me as planned. B's boat leaves -to-day. Have arranged all satisfactorily. -Norton goes with boat. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Silently he passed the note to Ayres, and -the others crowded together over it, while the -negro watched in affright. Ayres looked up. -</p> - -<p> -"It is Duval's hand," he said, his voice -quivering with excitement. "What's to be -done?" -</p> - -<p> -"Seize him," said Norton curtly. -"Mr. Tarascon, will you go on to the port -and tell Brookfield that I will meet him -at Diamond Island instead of going with -him from here? Ayres, there is no court -in session now?" -</p> - -<p> -"No," returned the schoolmaster. "What -would you do?" -</p> - -<p> -"Take care of Duval, then ride to Henderson -and catch the boat," snapped Norton, -as the plan of action took rapid shape in -his brain. "Gentlemen, we must bring out -our charges in public and lay Duval by the -heels, thus cutting off the head of the gang. -Ayres, do you hasten and collect our friends -and others at the courthouse, in the -court-room. Audubon and I will fetch Duval. -Off with you, now!" -</p> - -<p> -There was a moment of startled silence -as all four realized that now indeed the -crisis had come. Then Tarascon wheeled -his horse, Ayres followed suit, and the two -swept out of the courtyard at a gallop. -Norton and Audubon dismounted. -</p> - -<p> -"Take us to the chambers of Mr. Duval, boy." -</p> - -<p> -The negro obeyed, trembling with fear, -and the two men followed him through the -tavern to Duval's room, there dismissing -him. In response to their knock, the lawyer -himself, plainly astonished, opened the door. -He was dressed for a journey, with pistols -at his belt, and Norton surveyed him with -a grim smile. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Duval, some time ago you proffered -me your services did I desire to draw up -my will. That time has come, and as I -can find no other lawyer and am in some -haste, I beg of you to serve me." -</p> - -<p> -Duval was puzzled. He looked into -Norton's grim eyes, then at Audubon, and -one hand rested on the pistol at his side. -</p> - -<p> -"Do you jest, sir?" he asked coldly, -</p> - -<p> -"I do not jest with you," returned Norton. -Then the hatred within him burst all bounds, -and he suddenly flung up his rifle. "Curse -you, Duval, we've got you! Out of there!" -</p> - -<p> -His flint was up, and Duval knew better -than to resist. He came out into the passage, -coldly insolent. -</p> - -<p> -"This time you have gone too far, -Mr. Norton. I follow you, but you -shall——" -</p> - -<p> -"You do not follow—you go before," -snarled Norton. "Guide him, Audubon. -I'll keep him covered." -</p> - -<p> -In Norton's heart was wild triumph. No -sooner had they left the tavern than a crowd -began to assemble; while Audubon went -on with Duval, the Louisianian took their -horses in hand and followed, his rifle covering -the lawyer ahead. -</p> - -<p> -Ayres had already stirred the town into -wild excitement, and now Norton perceived -a fresh danger as the crowd lagged on their -heels. Were it made public that Duval -was none other than Blacknose, the man -would be mobbed instantly, and this must -be prevented at all costs. He was relieved -to see Tarascon, returning from the port, -break through the wondering crowd and -clatter to his side. -</p> - -<p> -"Ride on," he said swiftly to the merchant. -"Station guards at the courthouse doors. -This affair must not be taken out of our -hands. Allow only prominent citizens in -the courtroom—ah, there is Colonel Taylor!" -</p> - -<p> -Taylor, it appeared, had ridden into town -to see Norton off, and joined them in some -wonder at the scene as Tarascon departed. -It was well he did, for the crowd, seeing -that Norton held Duval a prisoner, was -uttering threats and gathering courage to -rescue the supposed victim of an assault. -</p> - -<p> -The presence of Taylor held them quiet, -and so the procession came to the -courthouse. Duval must have known that his -time had come, but he walked very proudly, -without a word. Men were streaming into -the courthouse, and at the door stood -Tarascon, Ayres, and two men with rifles -who pressed back the crowd. Two more -appeared to take charge of Duval, though -in some bewilderment. -</p> - -<p> -Entering the courtroom itself, Norton -strode to the judge's bench and faced the -assemblage, his friends beside him. Duval was -held at the opposite side of the room. To his -surprise, Norton found the crowd very quiet, -very grave, almost to fear. One and all -were citizens of weight and prominence. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Quietly, the Louisianian addressed them -and charged Duval with being the mysterious -Blacknose, relating all his former evidence -and finally reading out the note. After -one startled gasp, the men facing him sat -quietly and listened while Audubon and -Ayres sustained the charges. -</p> - -<p> -Through it all Duval stood immobile, -until at length Norton looked at him and -asked if he had anything to say. Then the -lawyer drew himself up arrogantly. -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen"—and the deep timbre of -his voice rang out proudly as all faces -turned to him—"do you not perceive how -ridiculous is this charge? Need I say more?" -</p> - -<p> -To his amazement, Norton found that the -words met with silence—a silence partly of -wonder, partly of doubt. Duval was very -calm, very powerful, holding the assemblage -by the sheer force of his personality and -will. Then a man leaped to his feet. -</p> - -<p> -"Confound it, sir," he cried at Duval, -"explain that note! Explain why——" -</p> - -<p> -"I—explain?" broke in Duval ringingly. -"Guilty men explain; I do not! Have you -not seen that this Mr. Norton hates and -fears me? Did not his bitterness ring through -every word he spoke? My friends, I have -lived among you all my life; some of you -are my clients and know me well. If you -can think that I would thus deal with you -then I wash my hands of you, and my blood -be on your heads!" -</p> - -<p> -Dismayed though he was, Norton could -not but admire the keen spirit of the man. -Duval knew he was lost, yet was making -a desperate fight—for what? A word of -explanation and the crowd would have been -at his throat; instead, he defied them and -they doubted everything. -</p> - -<p> -A wild storm of voices arose, and as -Tarascon began to quiet it for a hearing, -Norton saw Duval take a slow backward step. -The lawyer's hands were on his pistols, and in -a flash Norton caught the man's intent. -</p> - -<p> -"Stop him!" he shouted, but the words -were lost. -</p> - -<p> -Quick as a cat, Duval had seized the -right moment. Whirling on the two men -who guarded him, he sent one staggering -with his fist; the other he shot through -the body. As the roar of the pistol crashed -out and the doorway was hidden by smoke, -Norton leaped forward. -</p> - -<p> -Fighting his way through the maddened -crowd of cursing shouting men, he won -to the door and sprang through the corridor -to the outer doorway, Audubon at his heels. -Too late! He caught another pistol-shot -and saw Duval galloping away down the -street like mad. -</p> - -<p> -Norton flung up his rifle and fired from -the steps, over the heads of the shouting -crowd, who were scattering in alarm. Duval's -steed gave a leap, but the lawyer pressed -him onward; the next instant a surge of -men swept up and the mob met those -crowding out from the courthouse. -</p> - -<p> -"Blacknose! Duval is Blacknose!" -</p> - -<p> -A wild savage yell shrilled up at the -words. At the same instant Norton felt -Audubon's hand on his arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Out the back way!" said the bird-lover -excitedly. "We will get horses and after him. -Ayres has gone for the steeds. Quickly!" -</p> - -<p> -And cursing all things in his bitterness, -Norton turned and fought clear of the crowd. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII -</h3> - -<p> -Within a short half-hour of Duval's -dramatic—and tragic—escape from the -courthouse, Norton and Audubon were at the -head of a dozen well-mounted men, led -horses with them, and they left Louisville -at a gallop along the post road. -</p> - -<p> -Duval, it was learned, had gained the -"Steuben Arms" and had then galloped off -with his three horses, one other man with -him—a riverman, who was evidently of the gang. -</p> - -<p> -Behind, the town was in a ferment, but -Norton galloped along in grim silence. In -his party were Ayres, Tarascon, and Colonel -Dick Taylor; all had steeds of the best -and all were driven by the same flame of -rage which burned in Norton's heart. -</p> - -<p> -Yet not the same. Norton knew they -must catch Duval before Henderson was -reached, in order that the gang might -have no warning; but he was thinking -more of Kitty Grigg than of the gang itself. -Did Duval get away, he would doubtless -carry out the attack on the horse-boat, -and the gang would then scatter with their -loot. At least, such would be the intention, -for so far as Norton knew, Duval was ignorant -of the plot to trap the gang; nothing had -been said of it at the courthouse. -</p> - -<p> -The fourteen men galloped along the post -road toward Sullivan's ferry, and there was -no sparing of horseflesh that morning. -Norton set a terrific pace, and with a thunder -of hoofs they swept into the little settlement -at the ferry and found Sullivan himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Two men and three horses—which way?" -</p> - -<p> -"Henderson road, twenty minutes since," -shouted Sullivan. "What's the matter?" -</p> - -<p> -"Blacknose! Duval is Blacknose!" -</p> - -<p> -With the yell, Norton dug in his moccasined -heels and once more they galloped -away, leaving the ferryman staring after -them in wild surmise. The lawyer had a -good start, and his horses were of the best. -</p> - -<p> -With the thought of Kitty Grigg pounding -at his heart in time with the thunder of -hoofs behind, Norton rode on like a -madman. Did Duval escape, the girl would -be in his power. -</p> - -<p> -"He shall not escape," vowed Norton -inwardly. "Faster!" -</p> - -<p> -And again he urged his mount to fresh -efforts, his led horse pounding at his side. -Behind, the fourteen were strung out along -the uneven blazed trail in frantic pursuit. -</p> - -<p> -They were following a "trace" which -struck southwest to avoid the windings of -the river, for it was thus that their quarry had -gone. The road was not worthy the name, -yet was the shortest route to Henderson. -</p> - -<p> -"Hold up, man—hold up!" came the -voice of Audubon. "You'll kill our steeds -at this rate!" -</p> - -<p> -"When they die, your led horses remain," -flung back Norton, and dug in his heels -once more. His beast was white with foam -already, but held to its steady gallop; all -the horses were finely bred, out of the best -blue-grass country around Louisville, and -could be depended on till the last. -</p> - -<p> -Without slacking the mad gait, Norton -drew in his second horse; flinging his leg -over the saddle, he changed seats successfully. -It was a splendid bit of horsemanship, -but his followers could not emulate it. -</p> - -<p> -"Hold up, Norton!" roared Taylor. "Wait -for us to change——" -</p> - -<p> -"I'm after Duval," he retorted, and -looked around. "Let the rest wait!" -</p> - -<p> -Half the fourteen were already drawing -rein, preparing to change their mounts; -Audubon alone swung to his spare horse -at full gallop, and pounded on with a ringing -laugh. -</p> - -<p> -Five minutes later Norton saw a man -standing in the road ahead, and drew in -slightly. The man was a settler, watching -them in staring wonder. -</p> - -<p> -"Anyone passed?" flung out Norton, -pulling up. -</p> - -<p> -"Two men—three horses, fifteen minutes -since," came the answer. "What's gwine -on——?" -</p> - -<p> -"After them!" shouted Norton, and -loosened his reins. -</p> - -<p> -Mile after mile wound past. They were -in the full wilderness now, the "trace" -being nothing but a rudely blazed trail -winding amid girdled trees and short stumps. -Settlers were scarce and the road was little -travelled, but as Norton whipped into a -branch and leaned down, he could see -hoof-marks in the soil beneath him, and the -sight lent him fresh eagerness. -</p> - -<p> -A yell and a crash from behind made -him twist about in the saddle. Two of his -men had smashed together and gone down -in a mad heap; another plunged full into -them; the rest leaped clear. It required -skill to follow that road at full speed, but -Norton never slackened. -</p> - -<p> -Ever at his flank rode Audubon, rifle on -saddle, while Ayres and Taylor followed -next. Tarascon had fallen behind; looking -back after a little, Norton saw the merchant's -horse falling, and sent back a wild -laugh. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Sauve qui peut</i>! After them!" -</p> - -<p> -Twenty miles on their way, and still ten -men rode with Norton as he topped a crest -and swung down toward a dipping bowl -of bottom-land, strewn with canebrakes. -Even as he glimpsed the danger, Audubon -shouted: -</p> - -<p> -"'Ware, Norton! They've fired the canes!" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -A low drift of smoke was rising from the -road below where it struck through a patch -of canes. Norton saw it, but sent his horse -onward in grim resolve. The fire was newly -started; five minutes later and they must -have gone around through the swamps. -</p> - -<p> -His staring-eyed horse never faltered -beneath his hand, but went driving at the -smoke-veil. The led beast tried to tug -free and all but tore the Louisianian from -his saddle, but he dragged savagely on the -reins and all went well. One horrible -choking moment, and they were through; -on the rising ground beyond, he drew up -and again changed saddles. -</p> - -<p> -Ayres and Audubon followed, then Colonel -Taylor, whose spare beast had broken away. -Four more came through, but as a puff -of wind lifted the smoke Norton could see -the rest vainly trying to drive their maddened -steeds at the fire. He laughed a little. -</p> - -<p> -"After them! Duval can't last at this pace!" -</p> - -<p> -Ten minutes later Taylor's horse foundered -and the old border fighter fell behind, -swearing volubly. Now there were but -six men after Norton, and a little later -they perceived how desperate was Duval's -plight when they came upon a dying horse -in the road, still saddled. -</p> - -<p> -"After them!" shouted Norton again. -</p> - -<p> -Duval and his companion had but three -horses at the start, and had killed one of -those; with luck, the chase would now be -short. Norton's steeds were both white -with foam, trembling as they pounded -onward, but there was good distance in them -yet, and his changes kept them fairly -freshened. -</p> - -<p> -Still the miles thundered behind them, -and now there were but five men at his -heels, for one had gone down. Audubon -shouted out as they dipped down toward -another canebrake. -</p> - -<p> -"Five miles more and we get fresh -horses! There's a tavern where they keep -changes——" -</p> - -<p> -His words were drowned in a scream -from one of the men close behind. Up -from the canebrake a hundred yards ahead -drifted a little fleck of white; in the road -lay a struggling horse. -</p> - -<p> -"Run to earth!" yelled Norton, never -looking back at the man who dragged in his -stirrup, shot through the heart. "On them!" -</p> - -<p> -He knew his mistake the next moment, -however. Duval was not run to earth yet; -it was his companion whose horse had gone -down, and who had thus tempted fate. -Norton went into the canes with a wild -leap; he plunged on the riverman before -the latter could reload. -</p> - -<p> -The riverman, a tall bearded scoundrel, -flashed up a pistol at Norton and the bullet -flew through his hair. The Louisianian -rode him down; the horse stumbled at the -impact, and Norton went over the brute's -head into the muck. Rising, he heard a -rifle bang out and caught his steed's bridle -over the relaxing body of the riverman. -Ayres lowered his rifle, white-faced. -</p> - -<p> -"No hurt," cried Norton. "After him!" -</p> - -<p> -Remounting, he caught his other horse -and pounded on, his sole thought a savage -desire to get at Duval. Besides Audubon -and Ayres, but two others were left; one -of these was mired a mile farther on, and -they swept away from him before he could -change beasts. -</p> - -<p> -Good though the horses were, they were -staggering terribly. The Louisianian was -wild with impotent rage; he knew well -that Duval would secure a fresh mount at -the tavern ahead, and would get the best. -With a frenzy of curses he drove on his -steed, let his spare horse drop behind, saw -Ayres pull up with a cry of despair, and -thundered on over the last mile, hoping -against hope. -</p> - -<p> -And all in vain. The tavern was a low -building set in a clearing, barns and tobacco -sheds behind, and just beyond was a clump -of settlers' cabins. As they came in sight -of the place, still a half-mile distant, -Norton had plain sight of a figure riding -from the tavern at full gallop. With a -groan he turned a drawn face to Audubon. -</p> - -<p> -"How far to Henderson?" -</p> - -<p> -"Fifty miles—we have come half-way, -and the day is dying." -</p> - -<p> -With a start, Norton perceived that the -afternoon was indeed well forward. While the -reeling horses galloped on, he turned to -the bird-lover and directed him to secure -fresh beasts. -</p> - -<p> -"We'll get food and eat it later"—and -he nodded toward the remaining man, a -Scotch farmer from above Louisville. The -latter grunted, and so they swept up to -the squalid tavern. -</p> - -<p> -Its proprietor, an open-mouthed, staring -person, met their quick demands with a -slow shake of the head, watching them slip -to the ground. Before he could reply to -them, Norton had shoved him aside with -an impatient oath and strode on into the -tavern, the Scotch farmer at his heels. -</p> - -<p> -In the kitchens out behind the main -building they found negro slaves at work, -and amid frightened screams Norton seized -what food was in sight. Flinging down a -dollar in payment, Norton led the way back. -</p> - -<p> -Negroes were already leading out half a dozen -horses from a near-by pasture while Audubon -pacified the tavern-keeper with a gold-piece. -In five minutes the saddles were transferred, -and the three set out at a breakneck gallop -on their new mounts, eating as they rode. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The difference in horses was instantly -apparent to Norton. Although he urged -the beasts relentlessly, when darkness fell -they had caught no further glimpse of Duvai. -Even his desperate frenzy was forced to -give way before the gathering shadows. -</p> - -<p> -"Hold up or you'll be brained," cried -Audubon as a bough nearly took Norton out -of the saddle. "This is rank madness, man!" -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian refused to listen, but -pressed on. Five minutes later his horse went -down in a mud-hole, its leg broken, while he -himself received a nasty fall against a stump. -</p> - -<p> -Sobered by the pain and the shaking-up, he -shot the poor beast and mounted his spare -steed, riding on at a slower pace and in gloomy -silence For an hour the three proceeded more -slowly, until a glimmering against the horizon -announced the rising moon. -</p> - -<p> -"Duval is in the same boat," observed -Audubon. "We can be sure that he'll keep -the trail, for it's his only hope." -</p> - -<p> -Norton did not reply. Duval must keep -to the "trace" indeed; unless he passed -Henderson ahead of them he was lost. His -only hope lay in meeting his own gang -or else in getting down the river ahead of -his pursuers by means of a boat or canoe. -</p> - -<p> -When the moon came up at length, Norton -renewed the chase at a gallop, and the -freshened horses responded nobly to his -urgings. It was sheer madness to go sweeping -through the dark woods at that pace, but -Norton was far past caring. -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty Grigg! Kitty Grigg!" -</p> - -<p> -The name pounded through his heart with -the pound of the hoofs on the dew-wet turf. -He was just changing saddles at midnight, -when the Scotchman drew up alongside, spent. -</p> - -<p> -"Take my fresh horse, Mr Norton. This -beastie o' mine is done, and I'll be done, -too, in anither hour." -</p> - -<p> -Norton nodded, and with a word to -Audubon, rode on. Out of all the fourteen -who had thundered out of Louisville, he -and his friend alone were left. To judge from -his own stiffened and wearied body, Audubon -must be made of iron to stand the pace. -</p> - -<p> -With three led horses, they did not spare -the brutes while the moonlight lasted, one -of the mounts foundering an hour later. At -last the moon died into the darkness preceding -dawn, and with only the horses they rode -left to them, they drew up for a brief rest. -</p> - -<p> -"We must be hard on Henderson," said -Norton shortly, lighting his pipe, for he -would not sleep. -</p> - -<p> -"Ten miles from there, I think," responded -Audubon "There's a fork in the trail -somewhere ahead. One trace goes to Henderson; -the other proceeds to the river near -Diamond Island, I believe." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -With the first gleam of grey in the sky, -they were up and off; and now as the -daylight increased, Norton again urged the -poor steeds to the utmost. -</p> - -<p> -An hour after dawn Audubon halted him -with a shout, and just beyond them he -perceived that the trail bent around to the -north, a fainter trail continuing from it -to the left and west. He pulled up and -dismounted stiffly. -</p> - -<p> -"By gad! Audubon, which trail for Henderson?" -</p> - -<p> -"The northern." -</p> - -<p> -"Then we've got him! He's gone on to -strike the river, and here are the marks -where the Regulators turned off to Henderson -yesterday!" -</p> - -<p> -Norton leaped into his saddle and his -jaded steed again took up the road. The -other horse was spent, however. A mile -farther on, and Norton turned at a cry to -see Audubon go down. -</p> - -<p> -"I'm done!" shouted Audubon, scrambling -to his feet. "On, Norton! Good luck!" -</p> - -<p> -For a bare instant the Louisianian hesitated, -then dug in his heels and sent his -sobbing beast ahead, his face grim. -Everything now depended on him alone. -</p> - -<p> -It was Sunday morning, he knew, and -he wondered if there were any church-bells -in Henderson. His horse was staggering -now, and he had to watch closely lest he -be sent headlong into the trees. -</p> - -<p> -The Regulators had arrived at Henderson -yesterday, according to the trail. No doubt -they had passed through town or avoided -it, going on along the river-bank to Diamond -Island, where there was a large plantation. -Then, with the miles slipping behind, Norton -caught a gleam of water ahead and greeted -it with a hoarse shout. The Ohio! -</p> - -<p> -His beast coughed, straddled out, and -sagged down. Norton slipped to the ground, -rifle in hand, and with stiffened, stumbling -feet ran forward, pouring a fresh priming -in the pan as he ran. Where were the -Regulators? Where was Duval? Where was -Red Hugh? Had the wilderness trail -swallowed them all? -</p> - -<p> -Gasping and sobbing for breath, he followed -the faint track to the water's edge, -broke out from the last trees, and found -himself on the river's brink. Then he uttered -a groan of dismay and sank down, panting. -Far down the stream, with a single man -paddling furiously, was a canoe; as he -looked, it swept around the lower end of -the island and vanished. -</p> - -<p> -Duval had escaped. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Slowly Norton pulled himself together. -Twenty feet away was a horse, gasping out -its life beside the river; Duval must have -known where a canoe lay cached. From -where he was, Norton had an excellent view -of Diamond Island and the river. -</p> - -<p> -He was a mile below the ferry and the -upper end of the island, which was -diamond-shaped. Henderson lay twelve miles -up-river. The island, partly timbered and -partly under cultivation, was four miles in -length, and the stream in front of Norton -was a quarter of a mile in width. -</p> - -<p> -Suddenly, staggering a little, he sprang -to his feet. Up the river he had made out -a shape impossible to mistake; Brookfield's -horse-boat was floating down the swift -current, keeping close to the Kentucky -shore, and it was a scant half-mile above—he -had come just in the nick of time, then! -</p> - -<p> -Norton remembered that the boat was -to have started from Henderson that morning, -and also that Red Hugh had promised to -meet it near the head of Diamond Island. -Was he aboard, then, with the Regulators? -</p> - -<p> -Norton watched the ungainly craft as it -came down. He saw sweeps put out and -knew that he had been observed, for the -craft slowly forged in toward him. Brookfield -was standing in the bow, and beside him -was a tall figure which Norton recognized -with a thrill of wild relief. Red Hugh had -kept his word! -</p> - -<p> -Slowly the craft neared the bank, and -Norton waded out through the shallows to -meet her. At length he came near enough -to grip the hand of Red Hugh and so -clambered up over the rail as the crew pushed -the boat out again. For a moment he sat -helpless, weak and unstrung, looking around. -He saw the six men of the crew, but there -was no sign of the Regulators. -</p> - -<p> -"All is well?" he asked hoarsely as -Brookfield strode over and helped him to his -feet. "Have the Regulators come aboard?" -</p> - -<p> -"All is well—but what mean you about -the Regulators?" queried the other, in -seeming surprise. -</p> - -<p> -"Eh?" Norton stared at him, tottering -at the knees and clutching at Red Hugh -for support. "Are you crazed? They were -to have met you at the island——" -</p> - -<p> -"Your pardon, sir, but I have Mr Ayres's -writing otherwise"—and Brookfield hastily -produced a folded paper. Norton took it, -still a-stare, trying to pull himself together -and meet the situation. -</p> - -<p> -"By gad, sir, one of us must be mad, -then!" he broke out, and turned on Red -Hugh. "What's all this, Hugh? Where -did you get aboard?" -</p> - -<p> -"A mile up-stream, by the ferry." -</p> - -<p> -"For God's sake, sir," broke in the -captain, terrible fear on his countenance, -"read that note which Ayres sent me at -Henderson!" -</p> - -<p> -"He sent you none," cried Norton wildly, -and opened the paper. He saw the same -writing which he had seen in the note taken -from the carrier-pigeon—the writing of -Charles Duval, though the note was signed -by another name. -</p> - -<p class="letter"> -Captain Brookfield. -<br /><br /> -Sir:—The plans are changed. The -Regulators will not come aboard your -boat but will follow after in a skiff. -Do you proceed and leave all to me. -<br /><br /> -ELISHA AYRES. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Norton looked up, and all things were in -a haze before his eyes. Dimly he realized -that there had been awful treachery -somewhere; dimly he remembered how he had -warned Tarascon against the slaves. He -tried to speak, but only a hoarse murmur -came from his lips. -</p> - -<p> -Duval had tricked them—tricked them! -He had known their plot all along and had -set a counterplot with devilish ingenuity; -this note must have been waiting at -Henderson for a day or two—— -</p> - -<p> -With a terrible effort to warn Brookfield, -Norton screamed out something and fell in -a heap as his knees gave way. The strain -and the shock had mastered him, and he -lay senseless on the deck while the others -stared, ignorant of what had chanced, and -the horse-boat swept on down-stream. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIII -</h3> - -<p> -A trickle of whisky through his lips -brought Norton to his senses. A terrible -lassitude had come upon him, but he shook -it off with an effort and sat up in the arms -of Red Hugh. -</p> - -<p> -Brookfield was standing, watching him, -biting at his moustache in anxiety. Behind -them Diamond Island was fast slipping into -the distance, while the boat's crew was -watching Norton from afar, curiously. He -looked out at the three-mile stretch of wide -river, saw the clustered settlements which -lined the banks on the opposite shore, and -then—remembered. -</p> - -<p> -"That letter was forged," he said slowly, -striving to force himself into coherent calm. -Brookfield jumped at the word. -</p> - -<p> -"Forged—impossible!" he returned -swiftly. "Why, Mr. Norton, I met two -of the Regulators at Henderson last night, -and they themselves said they had been -recalled by Mr. Ayres and yourself——" -</p> - -<p> -"Duped!" murmured Norton, and compressed -his lips. Duval had sent another -note to the Regulators, then! Had probably -sent it days ahead! -</p> - -<p> -The whole thing now lay plain before his -mind. Cunning as a fox, Duval had known -of their scheme almost from the first, beyond -a doubt. Thinking that Norton would -embark on the boat as originally planned, -he had forged the letter from Ayres, together -with another to the Regulators. Thus -Norton and the richly-laden craft together -would come into the hands of Grigg and the -gang. Naturally, he could not have foreseen -what had happened at the last moment. -</p> - -<p> -Carefully and slowly, Norton told the -other two what had taken place in Louisville, -of that terrible ride, and lastly of how -Duval must have tricked them all around. -When he had finished, Red Hugh was -plucking thoughtfully at his beard while -Brookfield was staring at him in alarmed -dismay. For this, Norton did not quite -see the reason. -</p> - -<p> -"It is not yet too late to repair matters, -even though our plans have gone awry," -he stated, as new hope began to creep through -him. He got to his feet, shakily. After -all, there was no great hurry. Thank heaven, -he had been able to meet Brookfield and so -warn him in time! -</p> - -<p> -"How—repair matters?" frowned the captain. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, 'tis simple enough"—and Norton -essayed a faint smile. "We'll merely get -back against the current to Henderson and -take the Regulators aboard——" -</p> - -<p> -"Think you I carry horses on my down -voyage?" asked Brookfield, the veins in -his stolid face standing out under his stress -of emotion as he spoke. "Man, to get back -is impossible! With only nine of us aboard -in all, we could never row this craft -upstream, and I have no horses to work the -machinery." -</p> - -<p> -Norton nodded, grasping the point, and -looked out across the bulwark. They were -now some seven miles below Diamond Island, -and another island was in sight ahead. -There seemed to be few settlements below. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, we had best tie up at the -first settlement which we reach, Captain -Brookfield. There we can either take some -extra men aboard to serve in place of the -Regulators, or else you can tie up and wait -till I can get back to Henderson for our -own men——" -</p> - -<p> -"That would take too long," broke in -Red Hugh, speaking almost for the first -time. "True, we might take some extra men -aboard, but we know not whom we can trust -down here. And Duval is ahead of us, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -Norton nodded. Duval had probably -crossed over to the Indiana shore, for they -had caught no sight of him. At this juncture -the sadly bewildered Brookfieid left them, -to take charge of the island passage, and -the Louisianian despatched Red Hugh in -search of food and drink. -</p> - -<p> -While he was making a hearty meal, -which put new strength and life into his -jaded body, Brookfield rejoined the two -of them, and all discussed the situation, -which began to assume rather alarming -proportions. -</p> - -<p> -Norton's suggestion was the most -conservative. By tying up at one of the -settlements they could take men aboard, and -might find trustworthy men who could be -initiated into the whole plot. Red Hugh, -however, who had seemed to awaken -thoroughly to the affair, now made a -counter-proposal. -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen, we are by no means cowards, -I believe," he said, his deep-set grey eyes -flaming a little as he spoke. "We are not -so far from the Wabash at present. How -about it, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -Brookfield nodded gravely. -</p> - -<p> -"Some twenty miles, for Slim Island is -just ahead. Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it seems to me that from what -Captain Norton says," went on Red Hugh -calmly, "all escape is cut off to Duval in -the rear. He cannot well return to Louisville -but must go on to Louisiana if he is to get -away—and he must do so before this boat -or others get down the river to give warning -of him. And since it is most like that his -gang has their camp somewhere near the -Wabash, the militia would speedily make -an end of him now that the secret of Blacknose -is known." -</p> - -<p> -"True enough," assented Norton. "Though -he might also escape by way of Vincennes -and Detroit to Canada. But what next?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why should we not continue as we first -planned?" said Red Hugh deliberately. "We -will pass the Wabash by nightfall, so let -us continue without pausing to tie up -to-night, and if we run past Duval, so much -the better. We can give warning of -him at the lower settlements; at Fort -Massac—" -</p> - -<p> -"And from Fort Massac we can quarter -back with men to find him," broke in Norton -hastily. -</p> - -<p> -"But what if he attacks us on the way?" -argued the worried Brookfield. "He will -know that we bear news of him, after all -that has chanced behind us. He will not -easily allow us to escape to bear this news -down-river and so cut off all his chances——" -</p> - -<p> -"Let him attack!" said Red Hugh boldly. -"Not all of your crew are traitors, and -Mr. Norton and I can keep good watch! -Those dogs have only dared to destroy in -the dark; one shot, and they will turn -tail——" -</p> - -<p> -"I doubt it," interrupted Norton drily. -"Duval is no coward." He said no more -for a little, but looked over the water with -a frown. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Somewhere in that wilderness was Kitty -Grigg, and practically in the power of -Duval. Up to a certain extent, he believed -Abel Grigg would protect her; but that -protection would not go far with such a -man as Duval. At thought of how he had -failed in his task, of how he had been -outwitted and snared and duped, he groaned -inwardly. A great weariness closed in upon -him, and he turned haggard eyes on the -two men beside him. -</p> - -<p> -"Settle it as you will," he said slowly. -"I care not, gentlemen; I must have sleep. -Whatever decision you reach, I will agree -to it. Now show me a place to sleep in -peace, Brookfield." -</p> - -<p> -The anxious-eyed riverman nodded and -led him forward to a cabin, where Norton -turned in on a bunk and was asleep instantly. -</p> - -<p> -While he rested, the other two discussed -the situation for an hour or more. Brookfield -was in dread anxiety for his ship and cargo, -bitterly regretting that he had ever entered -upon the venture. Red Hugh, in some -contempt, stuck firmly to it that his plan -was the best. -</p> - -<p> -In the end, his insistence overbore the -hesitation of the other, who helplessly -consented to continue the voyage. After all, -they were not far behind Duval, and there -was a good chance that they might slip -past down the river before the gang would -expect them. Moreover, by not stopping -they would not be so liable to attack as they -would be if tied up over-night after the -usual river fashion. -</p> - -<p> -Of the six men who composed the crew, -Brookfield could trust two of them, brothers, -to the death; of the other four he was by -no means so certain. Once the decision had -been reached, Red Hugh instructed these -two men to sleep on deck that night with -their rifles ready at hand. -</p> - -<p> -Toward sunset Norton was aroused, and -came on deck to find that they were just -approaching Wabash Island. They passed -by the Indiana sound, and when darkness -fell the Wabash itself lay behind them and -Brookfield breathed more freely. -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian agreed to the proposed -plan. Red Hugh took watch until midnight, -but as Norton no longer felt the -need of sleep after his day-long slumber, -he remained on deck with the hunter. -</p> - -<p> -Brookfield himself slept little. He was -exceedingly anxious for the safety of his -craft, and after an hour of sweeping along -through the pitch darkness, his over-wrought -nerves went to pieces. -</p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen," he broke out nervously, -approaching Norton and Red Hugh as they -were smoking together in the bow, "I can -stand this no longer! I beg of you, let us -set in to the bank and be done with this -strain! We need fear no attack here; we -are just above Shawneetown, in a -well-settled district, and not even Blacknose -would take the chance of making an attack -on us here." -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh was furiously angry, but Norton -quieted him. He saw that the responsibility -for ship and lading had quite unnerved -Brookfield, and felt sorry for the man. -Moreover, it looked very much as though -Duval would never dare an attack in this -well-settled district of the river. -</p> - -<p> -That their plans were turned topsy-turvy -mattered nothing to him. He was indifferent -as to what course was adopted, and said so. -</p> - -<p> -"If it will please you to seek the bank, -then do it," he said quietly. "It seems -there may be danger in whatever we do, -so do you act as you think best in the matter, -Captain Brookfield." -</p> - -<p> -With obvious relief, the latter quickly -routed out his men and set them at the -sweeps, grumbling and cursing. Red Hugh -went to his bunk in the cabin in huge disgust -with everyone in general; Norton, however, -remained on deck, determined to watch the -night out at least. -</p> - -<p> -The boat was fetched close in to the -Indiana shore and after carefully sounding -the channel, Brookfield at last tied her up -to a huge jutting tree. Norton ascertained that -they were three miles above Shawneetown, -which was a large settlement of nearly thirty -cabins, and that Brookfield's spirits had -now bounded high above any thought of -danger. -</p> - -<p> -None the less, Norton stayed in the bow, -one of the two trusted men agreeing to -keep watch in the stern, for he would take -no chances. The night was peaceful, warm, -and rippling; had it not been for Kitty -Grigg, the Louisianian would have been -more than content to pursue his journey to -the south and let Duval be dealt with later. -He had already resolved to leave the boat -at Fort Massac; with Red Hugh, he could -work back on a scout along the—— -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Whether the horse-boat had been watched -and followed, or whether her riding-light -had betrayed her position, Norton never -knew for certain. He was just filling his -pipe afresh when all his dreams were shattered -abruptly. -</p> - -<p> -From the shadows aft beneath the horse-gallery -there flitted a little sparkle of steel in -the moonlight, and a knife thudded into the -bulwark between his uplifted arm and his side. -</p> - -<p> -Norton dropped his pipe with a crash, -and fell back motionless, his hand on his -rifle. Every sense was on the alert instantly, -every fragment of woodcraft to the fore. -From the shore he heard nothing except -the soft ripple of waves, but there was a -low murmur aft, and the sound of wood -striking on wood, as though a boat had -ground into the stern. The man on guard -there, Norton concluded swiftly, must have -been finished off by another knife. -</p> - -<p> -Suddenly and softly, a man appeared -crawling forward in the shadow of the port -bulwark, watching his recumbent figure; -Norton recognized one of the crew. Quietly -he shifted his rifle as he lay, hot rage swelling -within him. A moment later the man's -body came in line with the sights, and -Norton pulled trigger. -</p> - -<p> -The roar of the shot blew the night quiet -to shreds. The riverman gave one convulsive -spring and dropped half across the bulwark, -where he lay motionless. Norton leaped up -with a shout of alarm. -</p> - -<p> -"Brookfield! Hugh! On deck!" -</p> - -<p> -Then he dropped behind a huge tobacco -hogshead as another shot split the night -and the bullet sang past his ear. From -somewhere aft there came a wild confusion -of voices, oaths, and the scuffle of feet. -Norton feverishly reloaded, taking the pistol -from his belt also. Beyond all doubt, -Blacknose had struck. -</p> - -<p> -The next moment, while he was still -ramming his bullet home, a swarm of dark -figures appeared rushing forward, along the -port side of the deck. A shot and the roar -of Brookfield's stentorian voice sounded from -the stern. Norton caught up his pistol and -discharging it into the mass of figures stopped -them momentarily; he was answered by -a scattering fire which swept above him -harmlessly. -</p> - -<p> -Upon that, the whole craft leaped into -a mad swirl of fighting yelling men in -utter confusion. Brookfield appeared on -the horse-galley up above the deck, his -pistols in hand, and he fired down twice -into the crowd. A dozen shots replied, and -Norton saw him reel and go down. -</p> - -<p> -With a rush, the assailants now came -at him in the bow. By this time the -Louisianian had re-primed, and without -hesitation he flung up his long rifle and -fired at short range. -</p> - -<p> -He had got two of the pirates in line, -and both went down with a yell; at the -same instant there swelled up a wild -war-whoop, and the tall figure of Red Hugh -appeared in the moonlight. As his yell -shrilled high, he fired into the group of men; -instead of breaking before him, they closed on -him instantly. Red Hugh's prediction was -proving terribly false, Norton thought swiftly. -</p> - -<p> -Somewhere the cold terrible voice of Duval -was directing the attack. Norton had no -more chance to reload. Other dark figures -came running forward, and a moment later -Red Hugh on the fore-deck and Norton in -the bow were surrounded by a whirl of -fighting men. -</p> - -<p> -For a little, Norton almost believed that -they would clear the ship unaided. Both -were fighting with clubbed rifles, and the -long six-foot guns made terrific weapons -for such close work. The pirates must have -emptied their own guns, for they fired no -more shots, and there was no chance to -reload; the battle had become hand to -hand, savage in its brutality. -</p> - -<p> -Twice Norton swept his gun-butt down -full upon a man, and each time the pirate -went down like an axed ox with his skull -crushed; the Louisianian was now fighting -for his life, and realized it thoroughly. -A tomahawk struck him and fell to the -deck with a clang, thrown unskilfully; -Norton leaped forward and whirled his rifle -on the thrower with all his strength. -</p> - -<p> -As he did so, his foot slipped and he -half-fell; the rifle came down on a hogshead -and shattered in his hands. With one savage -yell of exultation, the enemy closed in upon -him. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Then, out of the turmoil of blows and -shouts and curses, rose the clear laugh of -Norton as his foes drew back. He was -on one knee, pressed against the bulwark, -but he held knife and tomahawk in hand, -and somewhere ir the press before him he had -caught sight of Duval. The man's face goaded -him, and while his foes drew back a pace, -Norton laughed again and leaped into the -midst of them, striking savagely. -</p> - -<p> -His weapons flashed and bit in the -moonlight, and with a thrill he heard the -war-whoop of Red Hugh rising again. His -assailants were all masked save for Duval, -whom he had not seen again; the next -instant, however, he caught sight of Grigg -coming at him. -</p> - -<p> -There was no mistaking the man's size -and figure, despite his mask and the black -paint which covered his face and clotted -his beard. From one side a clubbed rifle -swung down on Norton; he warded it off, and -seeing that the man was one of the treacherous -crew-members, flung out his tomahawk. -The keen edge bit into the man's brain -and he went down. Then Grigg was -leaping out. -</p> - -<p> -Whirling, Norton ducked the knife-thrust. -There was no chance to use his own weapon, -and as he swung around he brought up his -fist, closed on the knife-haft, and drove -it straight into Grigg's beard. All Norton's -weight was behind the blow, and the big man -went down with a single groan, caught full on -the point of the chin and knocked senseless. -</p> - -<p> -In the same moment, Norton realized that -all was lost. A wild yell of triumph had -quavered up, and now a solid mass of men -came charging down on him. Red Hugh -had been overcome at last. Then, as Norton -drew back and faced the snarling ring of -savage masks and weapons, the uproar -quieted with unexpected suddenness to the -cold voice of Duval. -</p> - -<p> -"Quiet, boys!" -</p> - -<p> -He stepped forth, unarmed, dominant, -terrible. Norton, his chest heaving and -with a wild riot of sheer hatred surging -high in his brain, watched the man as there -fell deep silence—a silence broken only -by the groaning of wounded men and the -peaceful ripple of water. -</p> - -<p> -"Surrender, Mr. Norton," said Duval -calmly. "You——" -</p> - -<p> -"Dog!" snarled Norton, mad with rage -and with the pain of his wounds and bruises. -"Yellow dog!" -</p> - -<p> -And dropping his knife, he sprang out -upon Duval, for there was no thought of -surrender in his mind. A single yell of -warning from the circle of men; then the two -were fighting like madmen with their bare -fists. -</p> - -<p> -Try as he would, Norton found his blows -blocked, while Duval's fists hammered home -upon him terrifically. Slowly his rage -cooled of its flaming fury, and with new -caution he realized that this was no common -adversary. He staggered into a clinch, -desperate. -</p> - -<p> -A moment more, and Norton felt savage -joy as he began to drive his fists into Duval's -face and felt himself slowly mastering the -other. Back went Duval—and back again, -with Norton sending in relentless blows, -while the lawyer fought back in grim silence. -</p> - -<p> -Then a sudden low growl swept the watching -circle as Duval reeled and clutched -out at the air. Too late, Norton saw a -rifle thrust between his legs. He tripped, -and as he did so three men flung themselves -on him bodily. -</p> - -<p> -At last he went to the deck—pummelled, -covered with slight knife-wounds, but still -fighting savagely. Little by little they -pinned him down, drew hands and feet -together, bound him fast. -</p> - -<p> -Brookfield's horse-boat was captured. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap14"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIV -</h3> - -<p> -Norton was badly battered. More than -one knife had nicked his flesh, and Duval's -fists had given him a badly cut lip and a -bruised and bleeding face, but he was hurt -in no vital place. Now, as he lay bound, -for the first time he began to take coherent -stock of the river-pirates. -</p> - -<p> -Three of the boat-crew had been of the -gang; the others, with Brookfield, were -dead. Two of the traitors had also fallen -and with them five more of the gang; three -others lay sorely wounded. Besides these, -eight sound men remained, with Grigg and -Duval. Red Hugh had been stunned, and -for some reason both he and Norton were not -knifed as they lay. Instead, they were -lifted and carried down into one of the -four large skiffs at the stern of the -horse-boat. -</p> - -<p> -With them were placed the three wounded -men, and then the others fell to work under -orders from Grigg, now recovered from -Norton's blow. -</p> - -<p> -The four skiffs were drawn up alongside, -and the best of the cargo was rapidly -transferred from the larger boat. Helpless, -Norton watched operations; now that the -work had been carried through, the men -had removed their masks. -</p> - -<p> -All appeared to be either woodsmen or -settlers, men of the roughest and most -brutal type on the border. From their -snatches of talk he gathered that they had -made a common settlement on the upper -reaches of the Saline River. This was in a -purely Indian country, where the last -remnants of the once powerful Ohio tribes -had gathered under protection of the still -more powerful Shawnees. -</p> - -<p> -"We'll git them thar Miamis on the -rampage," observed one of the pirates at -work above him, with a coarse laugh. -"Ought to have one more high ol' time -afore we split up, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -"Got to use up that licker," growled -another in assent. "What's the chief goin' -to do with them two fellers?" -</p> - -<p> -The answer, fortunately, was lost on -Norton. It was just as well for his own -peace of mind that he gained no inkling -of Duval's plan till later. -</p> - -<p> -With the best of Brookfield's rich cargo -stowed away in the four skiffs, the eight -sound men piled down into one of them; -by grim irony that cargo which was to have -served for a lure had now been taken by -the intended victim, and Norton writhed -in his bonds at the thought. The boat in -which he lay, with Red Hugh and the -wounded, was taken in tow with the other -two; Grigg descended among the men and -took charge, and last of all came Duval. -Even before he came, Norton saw why he -had lingered, and what was intended. -</p> - -<p> -As the four skiffs pulled out and drew -away in a slow line, the horse-boat slowly -drifted out into the stream, her lines severed. -The moon had by this time gone down, -but looking back, Norton saw a burst of -flames from the boat. She drifted away -with her load of dead, the fire rising high -into a pyramid of flame and smoke above her -ungainly shape. -</p> - -<p> -Then they were passing out of the river -by a narrow channel, and to his surprise -the Louisianian found that this led into -a good-sized lake, some ten miles across. -The eight men who occupied the forward -boat rowed steadily through the darkness, -Grigg giving them low directions; there -was a faint glare on the horizon, denoting -the burning craft they had abandoned. -After an hour or more of this progress, -they drew in to a low shore ahead. -</p> - -<p> -Norton was lifted and flung on shore, and -as Red Hugh was sent after him, he saw -that the latter had recovered consciousness. -Then, while the cargoes were being transferred -to wagons, Grigg and Duval engaged -in a swift discussion as to the disposal of -the wounded men. -</p> - -<p> -"I won't have them around the camp at -this juncture," came the cold tones of the -lawyer. "When this business has been -finished we'll have to separate and had -best start here. Send two men with the -wounded over to Kentucky in one boat, -and sink the other three here as usual." -</p> - -<p> -So two of the raiders rowed off with the -three wounded men, these being unable to -ride. The other boats were sunk under -the shore-trees, and with their trail covered -behind them, the raiders started. Norton -and Red Hugh were lifted to a wagon, -just as the grey dawn was breaking. -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian was too firmly bound -to dream of getting free, and attempted no -converse with his companion. Having fallen -between two huge sacks of flax, he could -see nothing and at last dropped into a -troubled sleep, broken at short intervals -by the jolting of the wagon. -</p> - -<p> -Toward noon the first and only halt of -the journey took place; and here occurred -an incident which to Norton seemed slight -enough at the time, but which was destined -to have tremendous consequences later. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The stop had been made near a rude -cabin built beside a spring, and when -Norton had been lifted out of the wagon, -he saw that it was an Indian clearing. -The redskin farmer and his squaw were -being forced into cooking for the party, -whom they seemed both to hate and fear, -probably with good cause. -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh lay beside Norton on the -ground, watching grimly, in silence. Indeed, -the old man had said no word that morning, -and in his silent watching and his motionless -endurance Norton read a tacit menace of -strength restrained. Duval sent the Indian -squaw to feed the prisoners some cornpone, -refusing to loosen their bonds, while -one of the men stood guard. -</p> - -<p> -As the woman bent over them, Norton -heard Red Hugh murmur something in the -Indian tongue. The guard stopped him -harshly, but the wrinkled squaw looked at -Norton, then started at sight of his moccasins. -</p> - -<p> -"Git to work," growled the guard, striking -her roughly over the head. "You got a -man o' your own, so don't make eyes at -them fellers!" -</p> - -<p> -This kindly pleasantry drew a roar of -applause from the others, and after giving -the prisoners a gourd of water each, the -squaw retired, still watching Norton. A -half-hour later the party had again taken -up its way. Now, however, Red Hugh -lay beside Norton on the wagon. -</p> - -<p> -"I told that squaw to look at your -moccasins," he whispered softly to the latter. -"She looked to me like a Shawnee, though -her husband was a Delaware. If she takes -the hint and Tecumthe hears of this affair, -I feel sorry for these devils when the Shawnees -avenge you." -</p> - -<p> -"Nonsense," returned Norton, laughing -harshly. "You're away off the track, Hugh. -Tecumthe will never bother his head over -me, even if he hears of it. Our only hope is -that Audubon or Ayres will get after us in -alarm with the Regulators, and will trace us." -</p> - -<p> -"They won't trace this gang," returned -the other. "Two of 'em are wiping out -the tracks after us." -</p> - -<p> -Neither of them said more, Norton -relapsing into a troubled doze. Just as -evening was drawing on, they came to the -journey's end. And at last Norton found -himself in the headquarters of the gang. -</p> - -<p> -It was a settlement rather than a cache, -consisting of a little cluster of buildings. -Two of these were large sleeping cabins -for the men, where a few slatternly women -appeared at the doors with loud ribaldry. -Another was a large kitchen and dining-room, -with a lean-to where dwelt Grigg -and his daughter. Norton felt his heart -ache for the helpless girl. -</p> - -<p> -Behind all, at the edge of a small stream -which passed beyond the settlement, was a -long low building where the stolen goods -were stored, as it appeared. Besides these, -there were two outlying shacks where some -of the men lived with Indian wives or -worse; farther downstream was a corn-patch, -with signs of cleared ground beyond, -along the banks of the stream. -</p> - -<p> -The whole place was doubtless a year or -two old, and bespoke thorough organization. -Duval, who now seemed quite at -home and absolutely in authority, was -beyond doubt the organizer, for he seemed -to rule the place with an iron hand. Norton -and Red Hugh were carried into the big -store-barn and left, unguarded but bound. -The men at once fell to work fetching in -the goods brought by cart, adding them to -the quantities already laid up in the cache. -</p> - -<p> -Norton was wondering what had become -of Kitty Grigg, when, through the open -doorway of the barn-like building, where -barrels and casks and sacks were piled -high around the walls and floor, came a -dim shape against the dusk outside. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Norton!" sounded the girl's voice, -softly. -</p> - -<p> -"Over here, Kitty," returned Norton cheerfully, -and a moment later she was kneeling -beside him, sobbing. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, what has happened?" she asked, -grief-smitten. "Duval is in Abel's room, -and they're talking about me! I'm -afraid—I don't know what they're planning to do, -and it seems——" -</p> - -<p> -"Have you been harmed, girl?" asked -Red Hugh, and his voice was grim. -</p> - -<p> -"No—but—Duval has sent for a circuit-rider -from Vincennes, and means to marry -me—soon——" -</p> - -<p> -Norton perceived that all barriers were -down between them, and that she no longer -doubted concerning the identity of Abel -Grigg with Blacknose. Quietly and without -holding anything back, he told her of the -attack on the boat, and all which had preceded it. -</p> - -<p> -This was no time for tears, and under -the influence of his steady grave voice -the girl calmed herself. Norton had taken her -hand between his own bound ones, and gradually -left her regaining steadiness and poise. -</p> - -<p> -"Can you get a knife and free us -to-night?" he asked suddenly. "We could -take horses and get away——" -</p> - -<p> -"No," she returned hopelessly. "It would -be no use. Abel"—and Norton noted that -she no longer spoke of him as father—"Abel -keeps men on guard always, and he -is usually on watch himself. We have two -rooms in that lean-to behind the kitchen, and -I cannot get out without his knowing——" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Came the sound of steps and the glitter -of light from the doorway behind her. -With a low gasp of fright, the girl rose -and fled to the far end of the place, where -she crouched behind some piled kegs. Norton -twisted about to see Grigg, Duval, and two -men enter with lanterns. -</p> - -<p> -Setting down their lights, the four grouped -themselves comfortably on kegs around the -two prisoners. Norton noted without grief -that his fists had left the face of Duval -badly marked, while the lawyer stared down -at his captive in savage hatred. Red Hugh -was completely disregarded, but Norton was -soon to find that the old man had been -taken alive for very definite reasons. -</p> - -<p> -"Your race is done, Captain Norton," -said Duval coldly. "I presume that you -are now quite satisfied of your folly? I -hope to have a very pretty scene for you -to-morrow night, when Madam Grigg and -I will be united in holy matrimony—save -the mark!" -</p> - -<p> -The others joined in the laughter, as -Duval kicked Norton roughly. The -Louisianian did not reply. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, let's hear about it, Cap," spoke -up one of the evil-eyed men impatiently -enough. "The boys want to split the stuff -and be off, so if we're a-goin' to have any -fun first——" -</p> - -<p> -"You'll have your fun," broke in Duval -easily. "Look at Mr. Norton's powder-horn -and see if you recognize it." -</p> - -<p> -The two leaned over Norton, pulling the -red-streaked horn into view. A curse broke from -them, and one of them kicked Norton again. -</p> - -<p> -"Tobin's!" burst out the man vengefully. -"Did the cuss git Tobin, Cap? That's why -he ain't showed up?" -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly"—and Duval smiled cruelly. -"Tell the other boys about it. Now to-morrow -the circuit-rider we sent Darby after last -week will be in from the north. To-morrow -night Miss Kitty and I will be married. -One of you go over to the Miami village -and bring 'em all over for a jamboree, -squaws and all." -</p> - -<p> -"We'll git the squaws all right," jeered -one of the men. -</p> - -<p> -"The next morning," continued Duval, -"we'll divide the stuff and separate. Grigg, -here, will take you and the bulk of the -cache up to Vincennes, where you can sell -it and scatter—and do it fast!" -</p> - -<p> -"How 'bout you?" queried one of the -men. Duval leered knowingly. -</p> - -<p> -"My wife and I go to Detroit, and from -there over the border. This country is too hot to -hold me, boys, but you aren't known yet." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, what about these two fellers?" -demanded Grigg heavily, with a black look -down at Norton. "Why not shoot 'em -and have done? I don't aim to leave no -spies to tell on me——" -</p> - -<p> -"We'll have better fun than that"—and -Duval held up a lantern. "This fellow -with the beard is Red Hugh, the Indian -killer. Understand? After we've had our -fun out of the Miamis, we'll give them -back some of their weapons and turn 'em -loose on these two. There'll be a show -worth seeing, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -A cold thrill ran over Norton, while the -others broke into wild applause of Duval's -ingenuity. The Louisianian knew well what -was intended. Like other settlers along -the border, this gang of Duval's was -accustomed to a certain form of "sport" at the -expense of their redskin neighbours. -</p> - -<p> -This took the form of gathering the -Indians, taking away their weapons, and -then plying them with whisky. At the -proper moment they would be set to fighting, -and the resultant encounter would often -last for hours, without great danger to the -combatants, but with intense amusement to -the watchers. -</p> - -<p> -Now, however, Duval had injected another -element into it. The name of Red Hugh -seemed well known, and even Norton could -guess what would happen when the drunken -Miamis would be given their weapons and -let loose upon their deadly enemy. It was -a sure, amusing, and ingenious scheme to -get rid of the two prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -The two men went out, laughing, and -Duval turned on Grigg. -</p> - -<p> -"I have the papers made out for your -signature, and we'll throw the fear of hell -into that circuit-rider. You're sure Darby -will get the right one—the loose-jawed, -weak-mouthed one? If he got that blasted -Quaker Dennis, we'd have a stiff time -persuading him all was right. The girl -will kick." -</p> - -<p> -"Darby's wise enough to get the right -feller," rejoined Grigg. "Whar's that five -hundred ye promised me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Here—come on outside." Duval rose, -with a clink of coins. The two left the -place, taking their lanterns with them. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -As the girl came stealing back to his -side, Norton felt like rebuking her for the -feeling which had caused her to accompany -Abel Grigg into the woods; then shame -struck him, and pity and love. For a -moment he held her hand in silence; -then she had pulled free and was gone, -sobbing. -</p> - -<p> -"Curse those devils!" muttered Red Hugh -thickly. -</p> - -<p> -Norton echoed the words, and after that -there was silence. -</p> - -<p> -Slowly the night dragged away between -dozing and the pain of their bonds. Shortly -after daylight one of the slatternly women -came with food and water and fed them -amid a stream of ribaldry and curses. -Norton was glad when at length she departed -and left them alone. -</p> - -<p> -A guard was stationed at the door, but -no speech passed between the two captives. -Red Hugh stared up unblinking at the -beams above, a wild ferocity gathered in -his blood-stained face. Toward noon there -was shouting and the thud of hoofs from -outside, and Duval entered hastily with -Abel Grigg. Norton rightly conjectured -that the circuit-rider had arrived. -</p> - -<p> -"Give him that far cabin," ordered the -lawyer hurriedly and in a low voice. "Keep -him quiet in there and don't let him suspect -anything yet. I'll visit him later. He's -a coward, from his face, and I'll fix him up -right." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -At last that long day came to an end; -as sunset darkened the barn-like structure, -the camp awoke into activity. Hogsheads -and casks and sacks were piled to the roof -at the far end, where half a dozen whisky -kegs were also set out, ready to be broached -later. -</p> - -<p> -Around the walls were hung lanterns, -while the centre of the floor was cleared -for the fun. Norton and Red Hugh, still -fast bound, were placed on a pile of sacks -near the door, in partial obscurity. -</p> - -<p> -From the scattered talk of the men Norton -gathered that they intended carrying off -some of the prettiest of the Miami squaws -after the debauch; also, all seemed well with -their projects and they were in high fettle, -for the Miamis had arrived. -</p> - -<p> -An hour later the lanterns were lighted and -the gang assembled. Grigg brought in the -angry and frightened Kitty, forcing her to -a place not far from the two prisoners, he -himself standing beside her. At sight of her -white features, Norton tugged desperately -but vainly at his bonds, raging. -</p> - -<p> -In all there were fourteen of the gang, and -five women—most of them already half-drunk -and all of them brutish in the extreme. -The circuit-rider did not put in an appearance. -</p> - -<p> -Now the Miamis were brought in, men at -the door relieving them of their guns as they -came, and Grigg shaking hands with the -warriors in turn. Of these there were a -score. Norton was rather surprised to find -that the squaws, all enveloped in blankets -from head to heel, numbered nearly twice -as many as the braves. One or two of the -gang attempted familiarities, but these Duval -rebuked with an iron fist. -</p> - -<p> -They were squalid red men enough, were -these Miami warriors; liquor-sodden, -shuffling, and debased in the extreme. One -alone seemed of superior quality. He was -a tall figure, blanket-swathed to the waist, -who, after his handshake with Grigg, cast a -swift glance around and then stood immobile -not far from Norton's recumbent figure. -Kitty watched in evident ignorance of what -was going on; she was soon undeceived. -</p> - -<p> -"Broach the kegs, boys!" shouted Duval -suddenly, when the last of the Miamis had -entered. -</p> - -<p> -With a yell of delight the men sprang -forward. In five minutes the six kegs were -surrounded by a grunting, struggling mass -of Miamis, the squaws standing to one side -and eating strips of dried venison which the -raiders handed out freely. -</p> - -<p> -Norton and Red Hugh lay side by side on -the sacks. Grigg stood with Kitty, a few -feet distant, and between them was the -tall Indian, his blanket drawn over his head. -Grigg urged him to drink, but he refused with -a guttural negation, meeting with no more -importunity. Indeed, the whites were -drinking with as much abandon as the warriors, -save for Duval and Grigg alone. -</p> - -<p> -A few moments later the warriors were -shoved back from the kegs and their knives -and tomahawks removed to the pile of rifles -beside the door. Then one of the gang stepped -in and by dint of some rough horse-play, -highly amusing to his comrades, provoked two -of the red men into a rough and tumble fight. -</p> - -<p> -Within five minutes the whole group of -warriors was engaged in a frenzied scuffle, -amid roars of laughter from the watchers. -In their drunken awkwardness they did little -damage, and every eye watched save that -of Kitty; she had covered her face with her -hands and stood trembling. -</p> - -<p> -"Give 'em more licker!" roared Grigg -suddenly, and rushed across the floor. -</p> - -<p> -No sooner had he moved than the tall -Indian took one swift step toward Norton. -A knife flamed in his hand, and the startled -Louisianian contracted shrinkingly. -</p> - -<p> -Then the knife had severed the cords at -his ankles, and he looked into the face of -Tecumthe. -</p> - -<p> -"Be quiet!" warned the chief in English. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap15"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XV -</h3> - -<p> -Norton lay in paralysed amazement while -his wrists were freed, and Tecumthe turned -to Red Hugh. The Indian, wasting no time -on questions, seemed quite conversant with -the whole situation. -</p> - -<p> -"Be ready," he whispered rapidly. "Take -the young woman from the door when I -strike!" -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh grunted, and Tecumthe once -more assumed his negligent attitude as Grigg -returned across the floor. -</p> - -<p> -Norton's wild surge of astonished delight -soon passed. The thick moccasins had protected -his ankles to some extent, but his hands -were for the moment useless, all circulation -stopped by the tight thongs. -</p> - -<p> -After all, Tecumthe could do little against -this murderous gang by himself. How, then, -did he intend to "strike"? Did he have a -band of his warriors outside? -</p> - -<p> -"It wasn't such a wild shot about those -moccasins after all," came Red Hugh's -chuckling whisper. "Looks like he's going -to give us a chance to slip away. Work -your arms a bit." -</p> - -<p> -The Louisianian nodded, and very slowly -perceived life creeping back into his numbed -hands. Grigg and the rest were roaring at -the antics of the drunken, fighting Miamis; -Duval, perched on a big hogshead at the far -end of the room, was inciting them to further -efforts. -</p> - -<p> -Locked in pairs, the warriors were striking, -kicking, rolling over the floor in a -bestial encounter which left Norton shocked -to the core; he had heard of these affairs -often but had never seen one before. -</p> - -<p> -Duval's men were plying them with liquor -amid wild shouts of encouragement, and -were fast growing drunk themselves; so far, -however, they were too much interested in -their amusements to bother the squaws, who -stood lined up against the farther wall and -grouped around the door. -</p> - -<p> -Again Grigg's interest got the better of -his prudence, and with a bellow he leaped -out to join in the horse-play. Kitty, left -alone, shrank past the tall figure of Tecumthe -toward Norton, who put out his hand and -gripped her arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Quiet!" he said softly, as she turned -with a startled exclamation. "Be ready -to make for the door, Kitty." -</p> - -<p> -Wide-eyed, she stared into his face for a -moment, and under cover of her body -Norton half rose to take the pistols which -Tecumthe passed him. He put one into the -hand of Red Hugh then waited. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -There was not long to wait. With a -sudden movement, Tecumthe flung the blanket -from his splendid figure and stood forth in -all the glory of his half-naked bronze, -unpainted. His voice rang out like a -clarion: -</p> - -<p> -"Peace, dogs!" -</p> - -<p> -Some of the Miamis ceased their scuffling; -others continued: one startled oath passed -around the line of white men as they saw him -step forward. He made no pause, but raised -a clenched fist. -</p> - -<p> -"Dogs of white men!" And his clear -voice seemed to hold even Duval transfixed. -"Outcasts from your own race! Murderers! -Why do you thus debase my red brethren, -the Miamis? I know you—who you are and -what you do in the Shawnee country. I know -your crimes. I am going to show my white -brethren that Tecumthe can punish murderers -better than they!" -</p> - -<p> -As the dread word <i>Tecumthe</i> passed through -the hall, Duval leaped to his feet with a -yell of warning. It was too late. The line -of squaws flung off their blankets and stepped -forth as warriors in all the glory of Shawnee -war-paint, rifles in hand. From outside -came one shrill war-whoop—and the interior -of the building became an inferno as the -first rifles roared out. -</p> - -<p> -Awful as the thing was, Norton had no -pity for Duval's gang. He leaped up, seized -Kitty, and with Red Hugh at his side made -for the doorway. Here a Shawnee halted -them with levelled rifle, but after a look -at Norton waved them on outside. -</p> - -<p> -Kitty had fainted, mercifully. -</p> - -<p> -The whole clearing seemed covered with -yelling, whooping demons. As the three -emerged, Norton saw that the kitchens had -been fired, the flames lighting up the whole -scene. An instant later, while Red Hugh -was taking the feet of the senseless girl, -Tecumthe himself joined them and led them -across the clearing to one of the farther -cabins. -</p> - -<p> -Here, under guard of a stalwart warrior, -who went leaping off at sight of his chief, they -found a trembling, terror-smitten circuit-rider -who was too frightened to do more than -grovel before the chief. Tecumthe kicked -him away, and Norton lowered Kitty's -body to the pallet in the corner. -</p> - -<p> -Despite all he knew about this gang, -despite their intentions, he felt himself -somewhat a traitor to his own race. Red -Hugh must have felt much the same thing, -for he was standing glaring at the chief, his -eyes terrible. -</p> - -<p> -"It is not vengeance," said Tecumthe -composedly, watching the low building with -gloomy eye. "It is justice. A squaw met -my men; they told me of one who wore my -moccasins, in bonds. I knew of these white -men, and I came in haste. That is all." -</p> - -<p> -"It's not all," cried Norton with sudden -remembrance. "There are women in that -place——" -</p> - -<p> -"Right!" broke out Red Hugh. "Tecumthe, -we must have them, no matter what -manner of women they are!" -</p> - -<p> -"Go," said the chief, nodding. "My -men have seen your faces and you are -safe." -</p> - -<p> -Norton sprang out on the word, and the -two men ran side by side to the building. -At the doorway, the scene within was -horrible; the place was filled with -powder-smoke, one corner was afire from a burst -lantern, and from the door were pouring -drunken Miamis, some of them still fighting -together. -</p> - -<p> -And through the fire and smoke white men -and red were battling like madmen, with -axe and knife and pistol and clubbed rifle. -Norton well knew the danger he was in from -both sides, but shoving through the crowded -mass of Miamis he dashed within, Red Hugh -at his heels. -</p> - -<p> -In one corner were crouching the five -terrified women, and as the Louisianian fought -his way through the struggling, yelling -groups, he saw a tall Shawnee tomahawk one -of the drabbled figures. -</p> - -<p> -With a yell of fury, he raised his pistol -and fired; the warrior sprang high in his death -agony, and before he fell Norton was stripping -him of knife and tomahawk. Then he -turned, and with Red Hugh tried to get the -four remaining women to the door. -</p> - -<p> -They were terror-stricken, hysterical -creatures, mad with fear and liquor and -obscenity, but they were women. As Norton -fought his way across the floor, he caught -glimpses through the smoke of the combat -which raged around him—glimpses which -remained etched on his memory for ever. -</p> - -<p> -Grigg, with a huge axe, was standing back -to back with Duval, fighting a way across -the place amid a surging wave of the -redmen. A drunken, trampled Miami was -striking right and left with a knife; screams -and oaths and prayers rose high as the -Shawnee steel bit deep, while over all shrilled -the dread war-whoop, keen and terrible. -</p> - -<p> -"God!" breathed Norton. "It's not a -fight, but a massacre!" -</p> - -<p> -How they did it he never knew, but between -them, he and Red Hugh managed to get the -shrieking women to the door and outside. -The scene at the door was wild; pirates and -Shawnees and drunken Miamis were all -mingled in a horrible-struggling mass, -trampling dead and wounded indiscriminately. -And behind them all, the fire had seized -on the whisky kegs and was climbing high -through the whole building. -</p> - -<p> -Norton breathed a prayer of thanks that -Kitty Grigg knew nothing of what was going -on; by dint of ceaseless efforts he got the -four women to the shack, at the door of -which still stood Tecumthe. Driving them -inside, where Kitty lay motionless on the -pallet, he jerked the weak-mouthed -circuit-rider to his feet. -</p> - -<p> -"Look after them, you," he snarled, and -rejoined the chief and Red Hugh outside. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Forth from the long barn, whose farther -end was now all aflame, was pouring a rout of -men, white and red intermixed, battling to -the death. One of the rivermen started -across the clearing, but a dozen bullets from -the watching warriors caught him; the place -seemed to vomit death and destruction. -With a dark look Tecumthe, who had himself -struck no blow, turned to Red Hugh. -</p> - -<p> -"Bear witness, Captain Moore," he said -sternly, "that we take neither scalps nor -plunder! We make no war upon white men, -but upon murderers——" -</p> - -<p> -"Moore?" cried Norton suddenly. He -caught Red Hugh by the arm and swung him -around. "Is that your name—Hugh Moore? -You're not the Captain Moore who left -Cincinnati with my father——" -</p> - -<p> -"God in heaven!" broke out Red Hugh -hoarsely, gripping him and staring into his -eyes. "Are you Charles Norton's son—<i>look -out</i>!" -</p> - -<p> -With a sudden movement, Norton was -flung a dozen feet away. -</p> - -<p> -Whether they had broken through the -cordon of Indians or had escaped from some -rear entrance of the burning building, Norton -never found out; but Grigg and Duval, axe -and tomahawk in hand, were leaping across the -clearing, a string of Shawnees behind them. -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh's action was all that saved -Norton from Duval's tomahawk, which sang -over his head and thudded into the building -behind him. Duval himself followed it -instantly, and gripped Norton as he was -rising; while Grigg swung his axe at Norton -from the side, to be grappled and flung back -by Red Hugh. -</p> - -<p> -Norton saw Tecumthe motion his warriors -back, and then saw no more, for he was -fighting with a madman. Duval seemed -crazed, as he might well be; Norton had -whipped out his knife, but had no chance to -use the weapon, for the other had gripped -his wrists and was throwing all his iron -strength into the desperate struggle. -</p> - -<p> -All four of the fighting men crashed -together and went down in a confused mass. -The shock broke Duval's hold, and as they -came up Norton drove with his knife. He -felt the steel bite, but still Duval fought on, -flinging himself forward bodily and bearing -Norton down again. -</p> - -<p> -Meantime, Grigg and Red Hugh were -engaged in a mighty struggle, strength -against strength, giant against giant. -Reeling over the turf, the four men again came -together in mad collision; as they did so, -Norton sent his knife home for the second -time, and now Duval fell away from him. -</p> - -<p> -Barely had he done so when Red Hugh's -pistol crashed out. Grigg had taken -warning, and ducked, flinging his arms about -Moore's waist. Directly behind him was -Norton, and as the shot flamed out, the -Louisianian flung his arms wide and toppled -over the body of Duval. -</p> - -<p> -Then, for the first time, Tecumthe leaped -forward. Frenzied by what he had done, -Red Hugh had beaten Grigg back with the -pistol-butt, and Grigg flashed out his -tomahawk to throw. Before his arm came up, -Tecumthe had sprung between them like -a thing of steel; his own knife flamed in the -lurid glare, and Grigg collapsed. -</p> - -<p> -Red Hugh stood for a moment, pistol in -hand. There was a look of awful grief on his -face, and without a word he knelt over Norton. -</p> - -<p> -For a moment he felt the heart of the -Louisianian, fumbled under the latter's -shirt, and then held up a small gold eagle. -</p> - -<p> -"Good God," he muttered slowly, as -he held the eagle up to the lurid light of the -burning buildings. "What's this? What——" -</p> - -<p> -For he had turned over the pin, and had -read the letters graven on its under side. -Slowly he tottered up, then looked at the -uncomprehending Tecumthe, a terrible horror -in his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Hugh Edward Moore—my own pin—I've -killed him——" -</p> - -<p> -And then, with a terrible cry, he fell upon -Norton's body. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap16"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVI -</h3> - -<p> -Norton awoke, with the strange and -persistent idea that the face of Audubon was -bending over him. It was nonsense, of -course; he turned his head, and saw that he -lay quite alone, opposite a doorway. The -sun was warm and bright outside. -</p> - -<p> -What of that horrible nightmare, that hell -of death and madmen, of which he had -dreamed? The very remembrance brought -out the cold sweat on his brow; he lifted his -hand and found his head bandaged. -</p> - -<p> -Yet, looking out that doorway, he slowly -recalled what had happened on that night of -horror, for he was gazing across the clearing -where it had taken place. There was no -doubt of it; a hundred yards away were the -ruins of the burned building, the cache-barn; -he himself, then, must be lying in -that shack to which he had brought the women? -</p> - -<p> -The place seemed deserted, however. There -were no Indians in sight; no bodies strewed the -clearing; everyone seemed to have vanished -and left him alone in desolation. No—he -was mistaken after all; a voice strangely -like that of Audubon lifted faintly to him. -</p> - -<p> -"—so do you see how he is, sir. I must -look to the litter." -</p> - -<p> -"Good heavens, am I mad?" thought -Norton. He strained to sit up, but found -himself too weak. An instant later a tall, -stooping figure darkened the doorway and -came to his side with a cry of joy. -</p> - -<p> -For a moment Norton shrank away, not -recognizing the man who had come to his -knees beside the pallet. Yet—it must be! -The shaggy hair was trimmed, the shaggy -matted beard was gone; but from the heavily -lined face, the deep-set eyes of Red Hugh -were looking at him. -</p> - -<p> -"Man—man—we thought you never would -come round!" And Red Hugh clasped his -hand in a warm pressure. -</p> - -<p> -"By gad, what has happened to you?" Norton -essayed a feeble smile of wonder. -Then like a stab memory came back to him; -this was no other than Captain Hugh Moore, -the same who had been his own father's -friend and brother-officer! -</p> - -<p> -"Quiet!" commanded Moore sharply, as -Norton struggled to sit up in his high -excitement. -</p> - -<p> -"Tell me quickly—are you the same -Moore——" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, lad, the same." Moore forced him -back on the pallet, yet with tender hands. -"Oh, lad, had I but known before! Why -on earth did you not tell me your story, tell -me——" -</p> - -<p> -"How should I know who you were?" -</p> - -<p> -"True"—and the other nodded, his stern -face very sad. "You said you came from -New Orleans, too; I never dreamed of the -truth until I had heard the tale from Kitty -and Mr. Audubon——" -</p> - -<p> -"For God's sake, tell me what has -happened!" broke out Norton, unable to -stand the suspense longer. "Is Audubon -here?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Audubon came two days ago, bringing -the Regulators——" -</p> - -<p> -"How long have I been here?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is three days since—since I shot you -with my own hand," returned the other -bitterly. "Oh lad, when I owe everything in -the world to you, to think that I myself——" -</p> - -<p> -"Tush, you owe me nothing," interrupted -Norton, bewildered. "Then the Regulators -followed us after all?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. Audubon met them at Henderson, -read the forged note, and followed us in -another boat. He was too late. They found -Brookfield's craft burned to the edge and -at length picked up the trail and came on. -Tecumthe and his warriors had already -departed—but let me show you something." -</p> - -<p> -While Moore was still fumbling in his -pocket, Audubon stepped into the shack. -He gripped Norton's hand, and the two -friends looked at each other for a moment, -until Norton got out a low word. -</p> - -<p> -"Thanks, my friend! I hoped you would -come——" -</p> - -<p> -"We did nothing," smiled Audubon -gravely. "The work was done, and we -could but bury the dead and care for the living. -If he is able to be moved, Captain Moore, -we had best start soon that we may reach -the river by evening. The litter is ready." -</p> - -<p> -Moore bent his head in a gesture of assent. -</p> - -<p> -"Very well, bring the litter here to the door -and we will start. Waken Kitty." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," added Norton eagerly. "Is she well?" -</p> - -<p> -"Quite," laughed Audubon, and stepped -from the door. "She has been nursing you." -</p> - -<p> -With his departure, Moore stooped and -placed something in Norton's hand. The -Louisianian gazed at it with a thrill of -remembrance. It was the golden eagle belonging to -Kitty. -</p> - -<p> -"Eh?" He looked up sharply. "Where -got you this——" -</p> - -<p> -"From your shirt, lad. Why, Norton—don't -you see?" -</p> - -<p> -"See?" repeated Norton, amazed. "What -mean you?" -</p> - -<p> -With a great laugh Red Hugh plunged to -his knees and caught Norton's hand; the -man seemed transformed with some mad -joy too great for words. Half in fear, Norton -drew back, and at this Moore only laughed -out again. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, blind, blind!" he cried ringingly. -"And you knew that Kitty had been found -among Indians, that this pin was hers—yet -you never suspected it!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap17"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVII -</h3> - -<p> -Two riders were walking their horses -along the Beargrass Creek Road, on the way -to Colonel Taylor's farm. They drew rein -at a bend, just beyond which was a fringe -of trees and a dried mudhole. -</p> - -<p> -"I brought you to this road for a purpose, -Kitty," said Norton gravely. "Do you -remember the spot?" -</p> - -<p> -She looked at him and nodded, and her -look sent a little flame of happiness dancing -into his brown eyes. He swung out of the -saddle, and she slipped down into his arms, -the movement loosing her red-gold hair -until it flooded down about his hands. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Kitty—Kitty!" -</p> - -<p> -He looked into her eyes and could say no -more for a moment. So they stood together, -gazing each at the other, while the two horses -moved away and began to crop the grass, -unheeded. -</p> - -<p> -Then Norton drew away from her, freed -his hands, and soberly unclasped a golden -eagle from his coat. He looked at it, then -held it to her. -</p> - -<p> -"Kitty—sweet Kitty—I brought you here -away from your father and our friends, here -where we first met—there is something I -must tell you——" -</p> - -<p> -He faltered, and with a quick laugh she -flung back her hair. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Norton"—and there was mimicry -in her voice—"I—I too have something -to tell you!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes?" he said gravely, stiffening a -little. "Yes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nay, but I would not take precedence of -a soldier, sir!" -</p> - -<p> -And she made him a laughing curtsy, -perhaps to hide the great glory of womanhood -that shone in her face. -</p> - -<p> -"Then, my news is this," said Norton, -lifting a tress of her hair to his lips. "A -regiment of riflemen from Kentucky has been -formed; trouble is brewing with England; -There is trouble on the frontier. I have been -offered the command of this regiment, Kitty. -I ask you—will you take this emblem of all -that is dearest to me, and take with it the -heart of John Norton? A soldier's life and -pay is not much to share——" -</p> - -<p> -"Soldiers do not serve for pay," she said -very steadily, and put her hand upon his, -clutching the golden eagle of the Cincinnati -between them. "Nor do women serve that -they may share—oh, my dear! You have -not yet told me the dearest thing of all——" -</p> - -<p> -And so they told each other. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> - PRINTED BY FISHER, KNIGHT AND CO., LTD.,<br /> - GAINSBOROUGH PRESS, ST. ALBANS, AND HEATH PRESS, HARPENDEN<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WILDERNESS TRAIL ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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