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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..1ac60ed --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68538 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68538) diff --git a/old/68538-0.txt b/old/68538-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2dc82fc..0000000 --- a/old/68538-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4816 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The skeleton scout, or, The border -block, by Lewis W. Carson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The skeleton scout, or, The border block - Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 73 - -Author: Lewis W. Carson - -Release Date: July 16, 2022 [eBook #68538] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern - Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SKELETON SCOUT, OR, THE -BORDER BLOCK *** - - - - - - - THE - - SKELETON SCOUT; - - OR, - - THE BORDER BLOCK. - - - BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, - - AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING POCKET NOVELS: - - 17. Ben, the Trapper. - 22. Indian Jo, the Guide. - - - NEW YORK: - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by - FRANK STARR & CO., - In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. - - - - -THE SKELETON SCOUT; - -OR, - -THE BORDER BLOCK. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A YANKEE ON A LOG. - - -The scene opens upon one of those great rivers of the West, in the -country which Tecumseh claimed and fought for so gallantly. The forest -was at rest, save only the songs of birds and the splash of the fish -leaping in the river. A thicket of bushes which bordered the path down -to the water, was suddenly pushed aside and a grim face peered out, a -face rendered doubly fierce by its war-paint, for it was that of an -Indian of Tecumseh's noble race. - -Satisfying himself that no one was in sight, the Indian rose slowly, -stalked out into the path, and took his course toward the river. - -Another and another followed, until ten had come into view, gliding in -silence down the forest-path. - -Each savage was naked save the breech-cloth and moccasins. Only the -man who first showed himself, was differently dressed. He was a tall, -stately warrior, bearing upon his naked breast the totem of his tribe -painted in bright colors, and wearing upon his dark hair the plumed -head-dress of a chief. - -Each Indian carried a rifle of the most approved make in the English -service, together with the inevitable scalping-knife and tomahawk. - -Not one of them spoke, but followed their chief's cautious steps down -to the water's edge, where, sheltering themselves behind the bushes, -they peered across the stream. - -It was late in the afternoon, and the sun was already out of sight -behind the tree-tops on the western shore. But, not upon the glories of -nature did the eyes of those fierce-visaged sons of the forest rest. -What then? - -Upon the other shore, close to the river, stood a log cabin of the -largest size, with heavy walls and doors, calculated to resist any -ordinary attack. The fields around it were green with varied crops, for -it was now near the end of summer. - -A strong wall of logs, hewn smooth, and leaving no chance to a climber, -surrounded the house. It was plain that the builder, whoever he might -be, was fully awake to the dangerous position he occupied in the midst -of the Indian country, but that he did not apprehend any immediate -attack was apparent, for his huge stockade gates were off the hinges -and leaning against the walls on either side. - -The Indians lay under cover of the bushes, their gleaming eyes riveted -upon their expected prize, but they made no movement, for they beheld -a man standing upon the point which stretched out into the stream, a -rifle in his hand, pacing up and down as if on guard. - -As they gazed a strange sight greeted their astonished vision. -Something was coming down the river in mid stream. It seemed to be a -man, seated in a canoe. - -The current swept him rapidly downward, and, as the nondescript craft -came near, they saw a man seated astride of a log, keeping its head -down the current by the aid of a flat stick which he held in his hand. -As he neared the stockade he began to paddle vigorously, and whirled -the head of the log more toward the shore. By this time the watcher -on the point had run down to the water's edge, and the click of a -rifle-lock sounded. - -"Ahoy, there!" he shouted. - -"Hello!" replied the man on the log. "How de dew?" - -"Hadn't you better come ashore?" said the sentry, persuasively, -pointing his rifle. - -"Seeing it's _yew_, I donno but I _had_," replied the navigator, -coolly. "Yew seem mighty pressing, somehow." - -"I'd like to persuade you to come ashore," replied the sentry, with a -laugh. - -"Ain't I coming?" growled the man on the log. "Yew needn't put on sech -style over me, I guess! I ain't said nothing tew yew, I judge. Don't be -sech a 'tarnal fool tew keep p'inting that weepin at me. It might go -off." - -"It will go off, if you don't come ashore, sir," replied the sentry. -"Hurry up!" - -The Yankee--there could be no mistake as to his nationality--turned the -head of the log toward the shore, and as it struck the land, began to -rise slowly from the water. The sentry kept up his attitude of command -so long as his Yankee friend showed only the ordinary amount of bone -and muscle, but his eyes opened as foot after foot rose from the water, -and the Yankee stood six feet seven in his stockings! A queer looking -specimen of the _genus homo_ he was, such as, for the good of the race, -nature rarely framed. In breadth of shoulder and girth of body he was -no larger than men of ordinary size, and this added to his imposing -hight. His face, which did not show a particle of beard, was round, -good-natured and smiling, furnished with a mouth of mighty breadth, and -a nose curved like the beak of an eagle. His arms were of extraordinary -length, even for so tall a man, reaching nearly to the knee. His hair -was of a flaming yellow. - -He was dressed in a dirty shirt of homespun, which never had known -any other cleansing since first put on than that it received from the -clouds or streams. A black leathern belt was strapped about his waist, -but it bore no more deadly weapon than an ordinary knife. His feet were -covered by moccasins rudely made and tied with buck-skin strings. Upon -his head he wore a cap of beaver-skin, mangy and worn bare in spots, -giving him a far from prepossessing appearance. A certain whimsical, -devil-may-care air marked the fellow, which was irresistible, and the -sentry laughed aloud, as the long stranger faced him on the beach. The -sentry was a young man in the dress of a rifleman, with the bar of a -captain on his shoulders. He was a stout-built, handsome fellow, and -looked with an air of commingled amusement and astonishment, at the -lofty proportions of the new-comer. - -"You are a nice specimen of a prize-baby," he said, running his eyes up -the long, lank body. - -"Yaas, yaas! My mother always said I was a sweet little infant!" -replied the Yankee. "How's all the folks?" - -"Oh, they are in good health. I hope you left your own family in a good -state of preservation, my long friend." - -"My fam'ly allers travel with me," said the stranger. "Thar ain't so -many of us so't we kin afford to sep'rate. Got a right neat little -place here, ain't yew? Sort o' like the looks of it myself." - -"What were you doing on that log?" demanded the sentry. - -"Lord love yew, I thought you knew that! I was riding." - -"Any fool knows that," replied the young man, roughly. - -"Then what made _yew_ ask me, if yew know'd it so well?" demanded the -Yankee, indignantly. "Yew git eout! kan' a feller-being take a ride if -he wants tew?" - -"Certainly." - -"Waal, I was a-coming down the river, and I thought I'd ruther ride -than walk, so I took to the water. But look a here, darn and blast sech -contrary logs as that thar. I've bin pitched neck and crop inter the -water four times in the last five miles, and darn my ear ef this ain't -the trewest thing I've said this good while. I got along a darned sight -better when I could get my foot on the bottom and steer that way. Yes I -did." - -"How far have you come?" - -"I dunno nothing 'bout distances in these dangerous woods. It might -have bin ten miles an' it might have bin twenty, I dunno." - -"Do you travel without arms?" - -"Not by a darned sight, I don't! What dew yew call them things?" - -He stretched out a pair of arms nearly as long as an ordinary man's leg. - -"Pshaw! I mean have you no weapons." - -"Got a jack-knife," replied the Yankee, coolly. - -"Is that all?" - -"Ain't it enough? Thunder! yew don't want a man tew be a walking -armory, dew yew?" - -"You are an odd chicken. Perhaps you won't object to giving me your -name?" - -"No, thank yew, I don't like to give away my name. I dunno whether I -could git a better one." - -"What is your name?" - -"Oh; yew want me tew tell my name. Waal, try Seth Spink, and see -how that will work. I'm the all-firedest man yew ever did see. I've -traveled from St. Louis tew Bostin, and from Oswego tew New Yorleans. -Thar ain't no place on this created hemisphere where I ain't set my -foot. Yaas," he continued, "I've rode alligators in the bayous of -Louisiana and it make it more lively for a man, 'cause he has to keep -jerking up his legs to keep the young alligators from chawin' 'em off." - -"There; that lets _you_ out," said the young captain. "Now I'll return -your confidence. This is one of the outposts of the fur company, and my -father's house at the same time. His name is Matthew Floyd. My name is -William Floyd, and I have the honor to be a captain in the rifles, upon -the staff of Governor Harrison." - -"Glad tew meet yew, William," said the Yankee, extending a hand looking -like a side of mutton. "Shake." - -"Confound your impudence," said the staff officer. "It passes all -belief. But come into the house and get something to eat, although I am -afraid that long body will breed a famine." - -"Don't yew believe it! yew give me a little hog or tew and a small -beef-critter for supper, and I won't complain. I like a light meal, I -dew." - -"A small hog or two and a beef-critter? Do you mean to eat the -provisions of the entire garrison at a single meal?" - -"'Tain't much of a garrison that don't eat no more nor that! All right; -then bring me a loaf of bread and a ham, and I'll show you how tew eat." - -Captain Floyd laughed, and led the way into the house through the open -gate of the stockade. The Yankee had picked up a stick on the bank -and was whittling away dexterously, whistling in the minor clef, but -keeping his eyes about him nevertheless. He shook his head when he saw -the gates off the hinges, and muttered to himself. Floyd turned upon -him quickly. - -"What are you growling about there? Let me know at once." - -"Git eout! Waal, if yew must know, I was thinking what a darned good -pertection a gate is to a house when it's off the hinges, standing -ag'in' the wall." - -"You are inclined to be sarcastic, and are more observing than I gave -you credit for. To tell the truth up to this time we have been in no -danger. The Shawnees have been friendly, and Tecumseh himself has eaten -in our house. The Prophet was here only last week." - -"Who?" - -"The Prophet; the brother of Tecumseh, who has built a town upon the -upper Wabash near Tippecanoe." - -"I dunno much about it, but it seems to me I did hear summers that that -Prophet is a treacherous old cuss," said Seth. - -"I have heard the same, but he appeared very friendly." - -The Yankee said nothing more, and they entered the house. A girl, who -was reading near a window, rose to receive them, looking surprised as -she saw the stranger. - -"Cousin Madge," said Floyd, in a bantering tone, "let me introduce to -you an errant knight who has wandered from the paternal castle even to -the banks of the Wabash. His ancestral name is Spink." - -"How can you, Will?" said Madge, laughing. "I am sure Mr. Spink is very -welcome." - -She was very beautiful--a strange flower to bloom in the wilderness. -She was not the daughter of Matthew Floyd by blood, but the child of -a dear friend, Herbert Carlysle, who had long ago gone down into the -valley of the shadow, leaving her to his care. And when the hour of -trial came to her adopted father, she followed him boldly, to make a -new home and fortune upon the prairies of the far west. She was, as -we introduce her, a young girl, with hair banded back from a lofty -brow, and rolled in great braids upon her regal head; a face a little -browned by exposure to the sun, but very beautiful. She came forward -immediately and greeted the Yankee with cordial ease and grace, and he -looked down on her with a broad smile. - -"A strange place tew bring sech a gal as this, Capting Floyd," he said. -"The towns would be the safest place fur her, now." - -"She will not leave my father," said Floyd. "If we could have our way -she would not be here. Madge, our friend is hungry. Will you go to -Phillis and ask her to get him something to eat? She probably will not -do it unless you speak coaxingly to her, for a more obstinate old woman -never breathed." - -"W'at?" exclaimed a voice. "Who you's talking 'bout, mass' Will? You -t'ink cause you's white dat dis chile gwine ter lay down so dat you can -tramp on her, but she ain't; no sah! I's a nigger, but Goramity he med -me black hese own self, an' all de water in Egypt can't wash me white, -nohow." - -"Now Phillis--" said Will. - -"Oh, hold you hush, do, mass' Will! You gwine 'bout to mek mischief, -dat's w'at you's gwine to do! You s'pose I gwine to dirty all my dish -for dis low-lived Yankee truck, gwine 'bout in de woods like a roarin' -lion for to come for to go fur to eat ebbery t'ing? How we give _him_ -'nough to eat, a great long shadder?" - -Phillis had come up unobserved while they were talking, and stood in -the doorway when Will made that allusion to her native obstinacy. She -was a ponderous female, weighing very nearly three hundred pounds, -being built on the model of the redoubtable Wouter Van Twiller, of -famous memory, who was five feet six inches high, and six feet five -inches in circumference. She held in one hand a dishcloth, and in the -other a frying-pan which she had been washing when curiosity called her -to the door. - -"There's a sight to wake the finer feelings of our natur'," said the -Yankee, looking at the negress with a grin. "A good fat, healthy female -like that is a credit to human natur', she is, by Jehosaphat. She -makes me think of my maternal grandmother, only the old lady had the -misfortune to be white, more the pity! 'Cause the good Book teaches -us thar was a good chaince of black men in Scripter times. Now, my -grandmother--" - -"See yer," said the old housekeeper, "you's git inter trouble one of -dese days, ef you fool roun' dis chile. G'way, g'way, you's makin' -mischief! Oh, gosh all to pieces, you gwine stan' dar and poke fun at -me all de time? Berry well; wait till I gub you any t'ing to eat, dats -all!" - -"But, aunty--" said Madge, coaxingly. "How can you act so?" - -"Dar, dar, chile! 'Tain't dat I valley cookin' de leastest bit, it do -mek me powerful mad when dey pokes fun at me." - -"Did the old lady think I was funnin'?" said the Yankee, with a solemn -face. "I wa'n't, now that's a fact. My grandmother was a bu'ster, now -you'd better believe! Why, ef you was to put her on one end of a beam, -and this old lady on the other, you'd see this old lady fly like a bird -in the air. She wouldn't weigh a feather alongside of my old lady, that -gal wouldn't." - -"Tole 'em I wa'n't so drefful fat," said Phillis, considerably -mollified. "But, dey won't none ob 'em beliebe me, nohow. Dar; I's go -an' see w'at I kin pick up for de gemman. Would you like some venison?" - -"Yaas." - -"Or mebbe veal would suit ye better?" - -"I ain't partic'lar. I'll taste 'em both. Ef ye've got some pickles -handy, throw a bushel or two on the table with a couple of hams, and -two or three loaves of bread. Any thing will dew for a _lunch_." - -Phillis looked at him very much as she would have looked at a dangerous -maniac unfit to go at large, and went slowly out into the kitchen, -the floor shaking under her ponderous tread. The next moment a storm -of vituperation directed at the heads of her satellites, announced -that she was at work, and a savory smell was wafted to their nostrils. -Seth pricked up his ears like the war-horse "that smelleth the battle -afar off," and waited. When the table was set, he marched in and gave -Phillis a grand exemplification of the power of a good appetite. Pone -bread in huge masses leaped down his capacious maw. Slice after slice -of venison followed, washed down by various cups of coffee. Phillis, -appalled at his appreciation of her cookery, watched with uplifted -hands, and finally fled to Will Floyd in dismay. - -"You git dat wolf outer dis house jus' as quick as you kin! He stay har -one week an' he eat us out ob house an' home." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -WILLIMACK, THE WYANDOT. - - -By the time the Yankee had finished his repast, night had come on, and -he came hurrying out of the kitchen, with his mouth full of venison -steak, and ran to the window. - -"How many dew yew reckon in this post, boss?" he said, turning to the -young soldier. - -"Myself, my father, two soldiers of the rifles, and two black boys." - -"Yaas. Now let me ask yew a little question. Does it look like common -sense for yew tew keep yure gates off the hinges?" - -"To tell you the truth, I have some doubts myself, but the Prophet -seemed to think it showed confidence in the Indians on the Wabash to -leave the gates open, and it was more to please him than any thing else -that we did it." - -"The Prophet? Now, see here, capting; I ain't bin but a little while in -this kentry, but I know what the Shawnee Prophet is. He's a treacherous -old fox. He's got some plot ag'in' the people of this section, and I -know it, sartin sure! Jest see the raft of villains he's got round -him up thar on the Wabash. Kickapoos, Winnebagoes, Micmacs, Shawnees, -and the Old Scratch knows what other nations--the riff-raff and -off-scourings of the tribes. They're nice fellers to live nigh, ain't -they?" - -"I have often thought them dangerous," said Floyd. "But what can we do?" - -"Yew kan put up yure gates, anyhow. And say; hadn't yew better call in -yure men, ef yew've got any outlyin', 'cause it's gittin' dark." - -"I think you are right," said Floyd. - -He took down a horn, and going to the door, took a long breath and blew -a gallant blast, which echoed far and wide through the depths of the -forest. Shortly after, the tramp of coming feet could be heard, and -there emerged from the woods behind the house four men advancing at a -hurried pace. As they entered the stockade the Yankee saw that two of -them were common soldiers of the American army, one an Indian of the -Shawnee nation, and the fourth an old man with white hair. The Yankee -swung himself up on the head of a cask standing within the stockade, -and, taking out a piece of pigtail tobacco, twisted off a mighty -"chaw," and sat there, rolling the sweet morsel under his tongue. - -"What made you so late, father?" said young Floyd, advancing. - -"Willimack got puzzled in regard to the path, and if we had not heard -your horn, I do not know how long we might have stumbled about in the -darkness." - -The Yankee uttered a long whistle and thrust his tongue into his cheek. -The sound drew the attention of the old man to him, and he scanned him -curiously. - -"Who is this?" he said. - -"A traveler, who has stopped here for shelter," replied the young man, -coming forward. "What did you mean by that whistle, Spink?" - -"Sho, now! Don't be so blasted inquisitive. I wouldn't, anyhow. I'll -tell yew by an by; but, the fust thing yew dew is to put up them gates, -do ye hear?" - -The Indian had been standing just within the gates, and, as he heard -the voice of the stranger, he cast a quick glance in his direction, and -his hand stole to the handle of his hatchet. But, the Yankee sat upon -the cask, beating time with his heels upon the sides, and muttering to -himself. The Indian stalked gravely to his side, and looked fiercely -into his face. The savage was a rather good-looking brave of the -Wyandot tribe, whose powerful limbs, strong shoulders, and muscular -hands gave promise of great strength. The down-easter endured his fixed -gaze for the space of three minutes without moving a muscle of his set -face, until the savage spoke. - -"Who is this?" he said. "Dare you come here to sing an evil song in the -ears of my father with the gray hair, to make him distrust his brethren -of the Shawnees and Wyandots?" - -"Oh, git eout! Who said any thing tew yew? The most cantankerous Injin -I ever see in all my born days." - -"You laugh at Willimack, the chief? Why should my father put up his -strong gates?" - -"'Cause he's a man of sense, I guess. Now, don't rile up, Injin, -_don't_! 'Tain't that I care any thing about yew, understand, but I -sort o' hate to see things go this way. Willimack, they call you?" - -"Willimack is my name." - -"All right. Been guiding this party on a prospecting tour, so tew -speak?" - -"We have been exploring," said the elder Floyd. - -"See any Injin signs?" asked Seth. - -"A great many," replied the old man. "What of that? The Indians are -friendly now." - -"Glad to hear it, 'cause I didn't know it. So this man Willimack _lost -his way_?" - -"Yes." - -"Youngster," said the Yankee, leaping off the barrel, "you come here a -minnit. I want tew speak with yew." - -Young Floyd went with the Yankee aside, followed by the suspicious -glances of the savage, who would have gone aside with them, but Floyd -signed to him sternly to keep back, and he obeyed, chafing inwardly. - -"Look here," said Spink, when they were out of ear-shot. "They say we -Yankees are a little gumptious, an' I guess we be, but, it don't need -much smartness tew see threw _his_ gilding. That Injin is a Wyandot, -and knows every foot of the soil along the Wabash, and yit he _loses -his way_! Now, does that sound nat'ral? I only ask yew fair." - -"It does look strange." - -"Then put up yure gate. I won't tell yew _why_, but it'll be better for -yew. Now I'll tell yew how tew prove Willimack, cuss him! Go out an' -offer tew put up the gates, and yew see ef he don't huff and want tew -hurry away." - -"Let him go." - -"Umph! No; don't dew any thing of the kind. Keep him all night, by all -means." - -"For what purpose?" - -"Never mind. Yew will find eout, afore morning. Oh, blame my cats ef it -ain't hard tew git any thing threw _yew_! Why don't yew go an' put up -them cussed gates?" - -"I will do it," said the young man, turning back quickly. "Here, -Forbes, Lefebre! I want you to help me put up these gates." - -Willimack started and turned upon the young man almost fiercely, for -his eyes burned like glowing coals. The young soldier looked at him in -surprise. - -"Let my young brother pause before he puts his hands to something for -which he will be sorry," said the Wyandot. "He has trusted the great -tribe, and they have never deceived him, then why should he do wrong -to them now? Let the gates rest. There is nothing to fear from the -Shawnees and Wyandots." - -"The Indians have no right to be angry if we close our doors," replied -Floyd. "There are good warriors as well as bad, and some of these -wicked ones might chance to pass by." - -"Then the chiefs of the Shawnee would punish them," said Willimack. - -"That would be but little help to us, you understand," said Floyd, -"after they had taken our scalps. No, I think I will close the gates." - -"Don't let him waste time talkin'. Shet 'em up now!" - -"Ha, dog of the long back," screamed Willimack, "do you come to make a -bad heart between the Indians and their white friends? Willimack will -drink your blood." - -"Ah, no yew won't," replied long Seth, with admirable composure, -thrusting his hands into his pockets, and looking keenly at the savage. -"Yew ain't so dry as that comes tew. Shet them gates, darn yew! I tell -yew not tew lose time!" - -Willimack suddenly drew his hatchet and rushed at the imperturbable -Yankee, who did not even take his hands from his pockets, but, when the -Indian came within reach, planted his moccasined foot in the region of -the knife-belt, with a force which sent the Wyandot flying against the -side of the stockade, half stunned. The elder Floyd would have helped -him up, but Spink demanded of him angrily to desist, and help them to -raise the gates, while the negro boys brought out the heavy bars and -had them ready to drop into their places. Just as they were about to -raise the first gate to its place, the Indian staggered to his feet, -and turned to go away. - -"Farewell, men of the bad heart," he said. "A deep sorrow has come upon -the heart of Willimack. His soul is very sad, because the brother with -the gray hair has turned against him." - -"Oh, hush up, _yew_," said the Yankee, releasing his hold on the gate, -"and git intew yure corner ag'in." - -"No," said Willimack, "I will stay no longer in the place where I have -been insulted." - -"Yew won't, eh?" - -"No; Willimack will go." - -"I differ; Willimack will _stay_. Yew ain't goin' tew git eout and -call yure comrades up here afore we git the gates in shape. Don't yew -b'lieve it!" - -"I really think you are too fast, my friend," said the elder Floyd. -"The Indians have always treated me well." - -"I don't care a darn how they've treated yew. That Injin ain't goin' -out of this gate till it's hung; and if yew take my advice, yew'll keep -him till morning, 'cause I b'lieve my soul he's got comrades outlying -in them bushes." - -"I will go!" screamed Willimack. "Who will stay the course of the chief -of the Wyandots?" - -"This identical cuss. Yew offer tew go eout of this gate, and I'll give -yew a back-hander that will make yew forgit yure parents. Now yew bet -yure boots on _that_." - -Willimack was no coward, and made a rush at the immovable figure of the -Yankee, knife in hand. - -For the first time the ire of Seth Spink seemed to be fully aroused, -and, rushing at the chief with a snarl like that of a wild beast, he -caught him by the wrist, and, giving it a wrench, shook the weapon -from his grasp. Then, seizing him by the shoulders, he lifted him from -the ground, shook him as a terrier shakes a cat, and dashed him to the -earth with stunning force. - -"Bring ropes here!" he hissed. "The devil is in this condemned skunk, -bigger than a woodchuck." - -Will Floyd threw him some pieces of buck-skin, with which he bound the -feet of the savage, and then sprung up to work upon the gate. - -"Work, ye devils, work!" he shouted, applying his Herculean strength -to the huge door. "Up with her, quick! How a man of yure understanding -could take them gates off the hinges I don't know." - -"We thought it would please the savages," said the elder Floyd. "I am -afraid we are doing wrong." - -"Ef yew don't sing another song in less than an hour, then I'm a -nigger. Heave with a will, boys; no time to lose. It's the mercy of God -that yure son blew that horn for yew tew-night, mister, or Willimack -would have led yew into an ambush." - -"I can hardly believe that, sir," said the old man. - -"Can't yew? Take hold of that gate there. Lift away! What's that? -Somebody give the son of a tinker a belt in the mouth." - -Willimack, lying upon his back, had begun a succession of fearful -yells, intended to hasten the movements of his friends. He was answered -by a cry so close at hand that the people of the stockade were appalled -by the closeness of their enemies. They worked away with desperate -zeal, and with a cry of delight felt the door swing to its place and -dropped the heavy bars before it. Long Seth turned in a fury upon the -Indian. - -"Yew ought to have yure coat tails filled chock full of _boots_--old -boots, big boots, heavy boots, long boots, and moccasins tew match. Ef -I had my way, yew'd git it, tew. Ah, yew pizen critter!" - -As he spoke, they heard the sound of rushing feet, and the first of the -savage band who had been lying upon the other bank of the stream, and -who had crossed at dusk, rushed up against the gate and uttered loud -cries of disappointment as they found it strongly barred against them. -The signal of Willimack had come somewhat sooner than they expected; -indeed, they had been waiting for him to lead Floyd and his soldiers -into their ambush, and they were sorely disappointed when they heard -his voice within the stockade. Nevertheless, they expected an easy -prey, for they did not know that the acute Yankee had taken measures to -have the gates put up. He answered their yells of disappointed rage by -wild laughter. - -"Haw! haw! haw! Didn't expect _that_, did yew? _Now_ what dew yew say -abeout the gates, mister?" - -"I say that you have saved our lives, and we thank you," replied the -old man. "I was foolish to trust a proverbially treacherous race. What -do you think they will do now?" - -"Kan't say," replied the Yankee. "Try tew gammon us, mebbe. It would -be jest like 'em, by gosh. Neow I'm green, I allow; I'm awful green, -that's a petrified trewth. But, I dew think Seth Spink is ekal in p'int -of intellect to any Shawnee on the footstool, saving one man." - -"And that man?" - -"Tecumseh," replied Seth, shortly. "Now look here: We c'u'd hev had the -good will of that man ef we was a mind tew, but we wouldn't hev it. -Neow let me tell yew that he ain't no fool, the sachem ain't. Thar's -wuss Ginerals in our army, tew. Let it go; we've made a mistake, and -he's our inimy, I'm sorry tew say. These chaps want tew speak tew yew." - -The Indians were pounding at the door of the stockade, and calling to -the Floyds, under the names by which they were known to the Indians, to -come out and speak to them. - -"I will answer them," said Captain William. "In the mean time, load all -the rifles and get out a supply of ammunition. I believe they mean to -make the assault to-night, though how a dozen Indians mean to beat half -that number of whites behind a strong stockade, I can not tell." - -He stepped to a loophole and looked out. The warriors were grouped -carelessly about the large gates, striking them with their hatchets, -and making all the noise they could. - -"What do you want here?" demanded Will. "Are the night-owls flying low -to-night?" - -"The warriors of the Shawnees would rest to-night under the roof of the -Gray Hair," replied one of the braves. "Let him open his great gates, -that we may enter." - -"Let my brothers seek other shelter to-night," answered young Floyd. "A -bird has sung in my ears to-day, warning me that the Shawnees and white -men must not sleep under the same roof to-night. Shawnee braves are not -children; let them rest under the bending boughs, and may they sleep -well." - -"Hugh!" cried the spokesman. "Does the young war-chief refuse a place -under his roof to his friends?" - -"We do not want any visitors to-night," replied the young man, firmly. - -A chorus of angry cries arose, in the midst of which the Yankee sprung -to the young man's side and whispered in his ear. He nodded gravely, -and called out to the Shawnees to be silent. A hush fell upon them and -he spoke again: - -"I know that the Shawnees have come with malice in their hearts, and -would have slain us if the gates had not been barred. Let them go back -as they came, for if a single Shawnee is in sight when morning breaks, -Willimack shall die." - -"Would you slay the great chief of the Wyandots, the beloved of the -Prophet?" - -"Yes, and he deserves death a hundred times for his treachery." - -"Willimack is the friend of the white man," replied the outside speaker. - -"Yes, of the English," replied Seth. - -"Dog of a Yengee!" shrieked a voice close at hand, "Willimack, chief of -the Wyandots, laughs you to scorn." - -The Yankee whirled quickly, and saw Willimack free from his bonds, -standing upon the summit of the stockade. The next moment he waved his -hand in derision and was gone. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE SKELETON SCOUT. - - -To their utter surprise, the Yankee ran madly toward the high wall -of the stockade, and, leaping upward, clung like a cat to the top. -It seemed hardly possible that so heavy a person could display such -agility, and certainly no one in the stockade would have thought Long -Seth capable of it, but for the way in which he had handled the Indian. -He hung a moment upon the edge of the stockade, and then, drawing -himself up by a strong muscular action, looked over. Then, waving his -hand toward the occupants, he slid over the outside and dropped to the -earth. No sound indicated that the savages had heard him, for they -remained pounding at the gate, uttering wild threats against the Floyds -if they did not open. - -Somewhat surprised at the desertion of the Yankee, Will Floyd made no -answer until the harsh voice of Willimack came to his ears. - -"Hark to my words," shouted the chief. "You have disgraced Willimack, a -chief of the mighty tribe. Dogs could not be used worse than you have -treated him. I am not a fool and I will have revenge." - -"Leave the gates," replied Floyd, angrily, "or my men shall fire." - -"Let them fire at us if they will," replied the chief. "We will enter -the big wigwam. I will eat the heart of the man who shook me, and -kicked me with his foot." - -"I tell you to go away!" said Will Floyd. "I have no desire to quarrel -with you, but if you try to break in here it is your own fault if you -get hurt." - -The only reply was the crash of axes against the heavy gate, and the -young man saw that they were determined upon making a persistent effort -to break in. Bringing forward a short ladder which was lying near the -wall of the house, he ran up to the top of the wall and fired his -pistol at the Indians below, and knew by the cry of rage which went up -that he had not missed his mark. - -This determined course roused the ire of the savages and they began -to bring up poles to climb the walls, full of hatred of the men -inside. Will shouted to his men and they brought their ladders--for -they had one for each defender, and the walls were manned. The number -of savages was not great enough for an assault; yet they fought with -determination. They climbed like cats up the sides of the wooden fort -only to be beaten back by the defenders. Each soldier, besides his -rifle, had a hatchet and a pair of pistols, and so armed, they were -more than a match for the Shawnees, who retreated to a little distance, -out of reach of the rifles, where they halted and seemed to consult for -a moment. - -Just then came a horrible yell, and, to the utter terror of the -Indians, there bounded from a thicket near at hand a fearful creature -calculated to strike terror to the stoutest heart. To the white men -looking on from the wall, there was something supernatural in this -strange appearance flaming out in the darkness. Two blazing eyes -gleamed in its forehead, emitting lurid flashes as it bounded on. In -hight it was nearly seven feet, and the head was that of a skeleton, -grinning and ghastly! - -The Indians saw that terrible creature coming down upon them, and, -with wild cries of dread, they broke and ran in every direction, some -seeking safety on the river and others running up the bank. Will Floyd -beheld the figure seize upon a flying savage and drag him shrieking -to the earth; then a great silence fell upon the scene. All was dark -outside; the Indians were gone, and, in the place where the fiery -figure gleamed a moment before, nothing was to be seen. Soon after the -sound of hurrying feet was heard, and the Yankee came climbing over the -rear of the stockade, evidently terrified nearly out of his senses. - -"Did you see it?" he cried. "Oh, holy Moses! I never was so skeered in -all my born days! Whew; I'm out of breath!" - -"What did you leave us for?" - -"Wanted to ketch that Injin. I couldn't, though; he run so like the -devil. Then I calculated I'd git round in the rear and give 'em a -shot, an then holler as ef a hundred sojers was in the woods, when, -Jehosaphat! up got that b'ilin'-hot Image, with his fiery eyes, and -skeered the life out of them Injins, and me too, I guess." - -The Yankee sat down on a log and panted for breath. - -"Did you see it closely?" said Floyd. - -"Close as I want tew, darn it! This beats my fust wife's relations all -tew pieces. Whew! I thought I were a goner." - -The men looked at each other in surprise. What was this strange being, -that came and went like a shadow, leaving no trace behind? Will Floyd -was not naturally superstitious, and yet he could not account for this -apparition in any natural way. Long Seth evidently was as much puzzled, -and looked from one to the other in ludicrous dismay. The black boys, -who also had seen the specter, stood with chattering teeth and a sort -of ashy gray color in their faces. Nature had made it impossible for -their hair to stand up straight or it would surely have done so, then. - -"Hi, you Pomp," said one, "see dat ar' t'ing, dat time?" - -"Iss, Dick; I seen him, an I so skeered I dunno w'at I's gwine ter do. -Oh goodness gracious!" - -"Dat's de debbil, Pomp. Dat's juss de Ole Harry, heself, an' notting -else. We's gone chiles dese times." - -"That's trew," said Seth, glad of an opportunity to pass his dread onto -some one else. "And I have hern tell that the old 'un is partial to -black fellows. Mebbe 'tain't trew; I ain't enuff 'quainted with the Old -Boy to speak _sartin_, but I've good reason to believe that he duz like -'em." - -"Sho, now, _you_!" roared Pomp, raising one leg in agony. "Git along -dar! w'at you a-tryin' to do, say? De old debbil likes a Yankee. -Eberybody knows he likes a Yankee." - -"I don't think it," said Seth, as if revolving the subject in his mind. -"May be jest as yew say, but, I think they'd make it tew lively fur the -old man down thar. They'd trade him out of his throne, sartin! They ar' -all-fired hands at a dicker, yew know, and they'd beat him, sartin! So -I guess Yankees are pooty safe. Not _too_ safe, yew understand, but -pooty safe, pooty safe. I don't reckon they'll trouble us a great deal, -nohow. Guess we'd better git a light an' go out an' try them cussed -Injins, and see what's likely to be done." - -"Maybe they are hiding somewhere," said Will Floyd. "If they are, it -would not be safe to go out." - -"Waal, ef I'm any judge, they ain't hiding anywhar on this side the -river," rejoined Seth. "I hern 'em jump intew the water, an' swim as ef -the devil was chasin' 'em clust. Yew see they're mighty feared of the -devil, and ef that wa'n't him, then I dunno what it was. Old Satan on a -scout, shure!" - -"Did you ever hear of this figure before?" - -"Yaas," said Spink. "When I was in old man Harrison's camp they said -something 'bout it and they called it the Skeleton Scout." - -"The Skeleton Scout!" - -"That's the name. 'Tain't a purty name, nyther. Not by no manner of -means. It makes me shake all over when I think the pesky critter is -round here, though I must own he has an all-fired good way of cleaning -out red-skins. Git a lantern or a torch." - -Will went into the house for a lantern, and when he came back Seth took -it from his hand and gave it to Black Dick. - -"Here, boy, take that and go out and look around to see if any of the -red niggers are hiding anywhere." - -"_Me_, massa?" - -"Yaas, _yew_! Who else do yew s'pose I mean? Come, don't keep us -a-waiting. Why don't yew git?" - -"But, mars' I dunno w'edder I likes to go out dar. Plenty Injin out -dar, I t'inks. How we ebber fine 'em?" - -"Oh, go 'long! That's what we want tew find out, whether they are or -not. Ef they should be, why then they'll shoot at yew, and we'll hear -'em." - -"S'pose dey hits Dick?" said the negro. - -"Why then, Dick will holler like all possessed, and put back ef he kin. -Ef he _kain't_, then we'll bury the sed Dick with the honors of war." - -"See yer, marse Yankee, you t'ink I ain't a fool, I ain't. I's gwine -ter stay yer." - -"Then mebbe Pomp would like to go, seeing _he_ ain't a coward? Come, -Pomp; distinguish yerself and laugh at Dick." - -"Don't tink's I keer 'bout it, marse," replied Pomp. "Dick good fren' -ob mine. What I wants to laugh at he for?" - -Long Seth laughed, and taking a pistol from the belt of one of the -soldiers, led the way into the open air. An Indian lay under the wall, -and the Yankee stumbled over him. Seth held the light closer and saw -that the savage had a broken leg. - -"Got a knife, boss?" he said, speaking to Will Floyd. - -"Certainly I have." - -"Stick this man and come along. I'd dew it myself only I've got both -hands full." - -"What do you mean?" - -"Don't want tew save the red nigger, dew yew?" - -"I will not allow him to be killed," replied the young soldier. - -The Yankee straightened his long back, and looked at the young man as -if taken completely aback by this speech. "Not kill a red-skin? Not -stick him when yew've got him? By the mortal, ef this ain't pizen. -Not--good gracious, yew raise my dander mortal bad! What yew goin' tew -dew with the critter then, if I may ask 'thout giving offense?" - -"Take him into the stockade, cure him of his wound if possible, and--" - -"Give him yure skulp when he gits strong enuff tew take it! That's -right! Keep up the repitation of the fam'ly, by all means! Waal, I -won't say no more. Come along, _yew_! But, if the time don't come when -yew jest ez live stick an Injin as eat a b'iled potater, then ther -ain't no snakes in Kentuck'." - -They hurried on to the place where the Skeleton Scout had been seen; -the grass was bent and trodden down, and, further on, an Indian was -lying on his face, dead. Floyd turned him over, and saw that it was a -Winnebago, a desperate villain, who had been suspected of the murder -of a white family, years before, but escaped through insufficient -evidence. However, innocent or guilty, he had met his fate at last. - -"How was he killed?" said Floyd. "I don't see any blood." - -They examined him closely, but not a mark could be found upon the body -to show how he had died. Dead he certainly was, and the stiffened -muscles told that he had not died easily. The puzzled look again came -into the face of Seth Spink. - -"Now, don't this beat all natur'?" he ejaculated. "We'll hev tew -believe pooty soon that the Skileton Scout is a skileton, arter all. -Leastways he don't leave no marks upon his victims." - -"It is strange indeed," replied Captain Floyd. "Hold the lantern close, -will you? There _must_ be a mark on him somewhere." - -A still closer search failed to elicit any further information. The -Indian was dead, but how? He had not been choked, for the face of a man -who dies in that way always shows unmistakable signs of strangulation. -His neck was not broken, as Floyd began to believe, and not a drop of -blood was visible upon his person. - -Yankee Seth stood holding the lantern, and looking down upon the face -of the dead Indian, while his young companion was searching him. A -slight noise, so slight that Floyd did not notice it, but Seth heard -it, yet did not turn his head or show that he was aroused. Looking -covertly toward the spot he saw a dark object extended upon the earth, -not ten feet away, and caught the gleam of a rifle-barrel. Giving his -companion a sudden push which sent him rolling to the earth, Long -Seth bounded four feet into the air just as a rifle cracked, and came -down uninjured upon the back of a prowling savage, who, hiding in the -bushes, had crept up unobserved. - -As Will Floyd started to his feet, confused and angry, a terrific -struggle was going on upon the grass a few feet away. Seth found his -enemy, whoever it was, "no chicken," to use his own expression, and his -powerful muscles were tried to the utmost. - -Will Floyd darted forward, but the lantern had gone out and he dared -not strike in the darkness, fearing that he might wound his friend. -Then, two figures rose; there was a muttered curse, and a heavy blow or -two, and the sound of hurrying feet succeeded, followed immediately by -a splash in the water, and Seth came back, furiously angry. - -"He got away, the cussed sneak," he said. "He'd 'a' cooked yure goose -or mine in another minnit. Lucky I saw him." - -"Why did you push me down?" cried Floyd, angrily. - -"Did it jest tew be mean, young'un," said the Yankee, indolently. "Did -it a-purpuss. Yure head was rite in a line with a rifle-barrill, and -like ez not yew'd 'a' got hurt if yew'd 'a' stood up half a second -longer. 'Tain't no matter." - -"I beg your pardon, Spink," said Will, frankly. "I was so confused by -your sudden action that I really did not know what to do or say. So you -pushed me down because the rifle was aimed at _me_?" - -"Sorter think I did! There; don't say nothin' 'bout it. Let's git -back tew the stockade. 'Tain't edzackly safe tew stay here now; these -critters mout come back, yew know, and a shot from a bush ain't what I -hanker arter." - -The rifle-shot had been heard, and Captain Floyd, with one of the -soldiers, was hurrying out to meet them. He expressed his satisfaction -at their safety, and listened eagerly to their explanations. - -"The day of safety is over, then," he said. "All my endeavors to make -friends with the savages have been of no avail. What had we better do, -Mr. Spink? You seem to understand the Indians better than I do, after -all." - -"Any one is likely tew git fooled," replied the Vermonter. "Yew can't -bet a cent on an Injin. Mout be friendly tew yer face while he was -stealing out a knife tew take yure skulp. I'm sorry the gal is here; -she ort tew be in the village." - -"We can take her there." - -"'Tain't safe. The road is full of red-skins. I tell yew that the -Prophet--darned little profit we'll make eout of it--is up, and his -cussid black-and-tan tribe are with him. 'Twon't be many days afore -the woods will be full of the pizen heathen. My advice ain't much, -but, if I was yew, I'd send one of the men tew Guvnor Harrison for -reinforcements, and stay here til they cum." - -"You think that the safest plan?" - -"It's the only one I think of. Willimack 'll be on the watch, and -yew kain't git eout. Give the man that goes a canoe and send him -down-stream. I'll go with him and show the way." - -"Who shall go?" - -"I," replied Will, promptly. - -"I am afraid we can not spare you, William," said the captain. "Let -Forbes go." - -"One more or less won't make no manner of difference," said Seth. "I -think the young 'un is in the right of it, and I'll pilot him till I -think he's safe. Look out sharp, night and day, till we come back. Now, -young 'un!" - -There was no time for long partings. Will ran into the house to bid -Madge good-by, and came back with traces of emotion on his face. Then, -pressing his father's hand, he followed the erect figure of Seth Spink -out into the gloom. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A NIGHT OF PERIL. - - -The darkness was intense, but the Yankee moved on like a man who knew -the ground well, toward the spot where the canoes were hauled up on the -shore. They selected a light one, and the young soldier found a paddle -and would have taken his place as paddler, but the other took it from -his hand, and stationed himself in that place himself. - -The canoe shot out into the darkness at once, and was headed down the -river, gliding in between the green banks, the paddle dipping in the -bright water without a sound! Nothing but long practice could have -enabled any man to use a paddle so dexterously. On they floated down -the tranquil stream in the darkness, while nothing but the cry of the -loon and other night-birds disturbed the solemn stillness of the scene. -Once Captain Will began to speak, but the guide laid his hand upon his -knee with a low "Hist!" Floyd took the hint and was silent. He began to -understand that the danger must be great, or the sagacious Yankee would -not work so cautiously. He also began to feel a sort of respect for the -knowledge of woodcraft which he saw that the strange man possessed, a -great trait in a borderman. - -After paddling on for nearly an hour, without making the slightest -noise, the head of the canoe was turned toward the shore at a place -where the overhanging bushes almost touched the water. Parting these -bushes with great caution, Seth pushed the canoe past them, and showed -an open space between the bushes and the bank deep enough for the canoe -to lie in, without being seen from the bank above. - -"Yew stay right here, cap.," whispered the Yankee. "I'm going on a -scout." - -"Had not you better let me go with you?" queried the young man. - -"Yew! Kin yew walk like yew was steppin' on feathers, and hold yure -breath an hour? Dew yew know every inch of ground atween this and -Harrison's camp? and kin yew set down 'thout breaking a stick? Ther's a -deal tew learn 'fore yew make a good scout." - -"I know it. Perhaps I had better stay here then." - -"Waal, prehaps yew had," said the Yankee. "Gimme that hatchet. All -right; now lay low and keep dark. If yew hear the painter call three -times, that's _me_." - -So silently did he move away, that Will hardly knew when he went. Lying -down in the canoe, which was kept in its place by the bushes which -hung low on all sides, the young man waited anxiously for the coming -of his friend. An hour passed, and there came no sound to indicate the -whereabouts of his strange guide. He was about to give him up, and had -almost concluded to take the paddle and attempt to escape in his own -way, when he heard light footsteps on the bank above. Thinking that it -was Seth Spink, and that he was returning with less caution than he -showed in moving away, he was about to rise and meet him, when he heard -a deep voice on the bank above, which was not that of the Yankee. - -"Willimack?" it said. - -"I am here, great chief," replied a voice which he well knew. "What -would the Prophet say to his brother chief?" - -"You have done wrong, Wyandot," said the other. "You have opened -the eyes of the white men, and if the young war-chief gets safe to -Vincennes, we can no longer throw dust in the eyes of Harrison. This -was not well." - -"Willimack would have had the scalps of all, but for the tall warrior -who came on the log. He opened the eyes of Floyd, and he saw blood in -the eyes of the Wyandot." - -"Who is the tall warrior?" - -"My brother has seen him many times at Vincennes. His hair is yellow -as the rays of the setting sun, and his form tall as a pine. He is -very strong and bold. Who is there in the Wyandot nation, unless it be -Tecumseh, who can overthrow Willimack, the Wyandot?" - -"The Long Man is very strong," said the other. "He is cunning as the -red fox. But, he is on the river, and my brothers above and below will -give a good account of him if he try to escape." - -Floyd raised himself slowly and peered up at the two, but could not -make out who the speaker was. Willimack had spoken of him as the -Prophet, but it might be either Tecumseh, or his brother, Elskwatawa, -the man who was properly known by the appellation of "the Prophet," -and to whom is imputed the odium of drawing the great Tecumseh into -war with the whites. At this moment the moon rose slowly over the -tree-tops, and shed a light upon the tranquil scene, and he could -see their faces. It was Elskwatawa, the Prophet, and a more cruel or -ambitious man never lived upon the earth. Cunning was the great trait -upon which he prided himself; and while to all appearance friendly with -the whites, he was gathering the Indians for that great movement which -was to sweep the enemy from the face of the earth. Will Floyd was a -bold man, but even he felt a thrill at the imminence of the danger by -which he was threatened. The Prophet leaned against a tree, not ten -feet away, and Willimack, with his hands clasped upon the muzzle of his -rifle, stood close to him. - -"The moon shines bright," said the Prophet. "They can not pass unless -we see them. Ha! what is this?" - -He pointed with his hand to a canoe with a single occupant which was -crossing the river in front, and heading directly toward the spot where -the two chiefs stood. They disappeared as if suddenly blotted out of -existence, crawling like serpents in the dense underbrush, and Will -turned to watch the new-comer. The moon was now bright, and he could -see him plainly. - -It was a chief, in the war-dress of a Pottawatomie, bedizened in all -the bravery these men love to affect in a time of war. He was tall and -strongly made, with a rather handsome face, and dark, brilliant eyes. A -rifle lay in the bow of his canoe, and in the belt about his waist he -carried a hatchet and knife. His keen eyes swept along the bank for a -moment, and then he pushed his canoe up to the beach not ten feet from -the place where Will Floyd lay hidden, and drew it up out of sight. -Then, taking his rifle, he mounted the bank. In doing so, he laid his -rifle down, and when he stooped to take it up, the two men on the watch -rose suddenly and threw themselves upon him. So sudden was the onset -that the warrior was taken completely by surprise, and was bound before -he could speak or move, though he now made desperate efforts to break -his bonds. - -"Ha! Dead Chief," cried Elskwatawa. "Dead dog, we have you now! Prepare -to sing your death-song, for the Shawnees and Wyandots will not wait -long before they drink the blood of a fool." - -The two seized him, dragged him to his feet and bound him to a tree -close at hand, cursing him in no measured tones. - -The name they gave him satisfied the young man as to who the prisoner -was, and he knew that he was a friend to the American cause, who had -boldly offered to confront Tecumseh in his own person, and prove that -he meditated hostile designs against the Americans. He had called both -Tecumseh and his brother traitors, and offered to tax them with it in -the presence of the two brothers and their followers. This declaration -was made in the presence of Tecumseh's friends, and the chief was -quickly made aware of the fact. - -Neither had seen the Dead Chief until this time. He looked at them -boldly, with a half-smile upon his face, and Will Floyd fingered his -weapons and longed to spring out to his aid. But, the danger in which -he had left his family, and his fears for the safety of Madge, had -made him wary. Elskwatawa drew a knife and ran his fingers along the -polished edge in a significant way. - -"Dead Chief," he said, "you are a Pottawatomie, and the men of that -tribe are brave. But every tribe brings forth dogs, and such a dog are -you. You care nothing for the glory of the race, and will not join the -great Tecumseh in making the people free." - -"Tecumseh is a fool," replied the Dead Chief. "He does not know that -the sun warms him and the moon gives him light. Why should we change -masters? The white men will always rule the Indians, because they are -wiser than we. Why do you stop the Dead Chief on his way?" - -"The Dead Chief will be dead in half an hour," replied the Prophet. "He -knows too much of Tecumseh and his plans." - -"Let me free, and I will go into the camp of Tecumseh and beard him. -Did he dare to give you orders to take the life of the Dead Chief?" - -"You shall see. Stay here, Willimack, while I call some warriors to see -the death of a dog who cares not for his race." - -"Wait," said Willimack. "If the Dead Chief is to die, we must build no -fire, for that would show the young war-chief and the yellow-haired -scout that the Shawnees and Wyandots are on the trail." - -"Good. The Dead Chief shall not die yet, for I have sworn he shall -perish by fire, and so he shall die. Elskwatawa has spoken. Let us -leave the Dead Chief here and look for the young war-chief and the -Yellow Hair, and we'll burn them all at one fire." - -The two Indians glided away, and as they went, the Dead Chief began to -struggle furiously with his bonds, but they were too strongly tied to -break easily. In spite of his efforts he remained bound to the tree, -still making impotent efforts. His face did not express fear so much as -anger and humiliation at having been outwitted by the men he affected -to despise. The moment the two captors were gone, Floyd slipped out of -his concealment and approached the Pottawatomie. - -"Ugh," said the Dead Chief. "My brother sees a friend tied up like a -dog. Let him loose the bonds upon his hands and feet." - -The young man obeyed, and the warrior rubbed his excoriated limbs to -restore the circulation, muttering to himself. Then he searched about -in the moonlight, and carefully covered the trail which the young -soldier had made in coming from the canoe. - -"Let the war-chief do as the Dead Chief shows him, and leave no trail," -he said. Grasping the limb of the tree overhead, after strapping his -rifle to his back, he swung himself back and forth until he had gained -sufficient momentum, when he released his grasp and dropped over the -bank into the water in a place where it was not more than two feet -deep. Floyd followed his example, and then the Indian waded to the -place where he had left his canoe and drew it from the bank into the -stream, and pushed off a few yards until he could look up and down the -stream for some distance. Satisfying himself that none of the Indians -were in sight, he pushed in again. - -"Come," he said. "Floyd would go to Vincennes, and the Dead Chief will -show the way." - -"I can not leave this spot," replied Will. "Go on and save yourself, -Dead Chief. I must wait." - -"What you wait for?" demanded the chief. - -"My friend," replied Floyd. - -"Speak his name in the ear of Dead Chief," said the Pottawatomie. - -"He is known as the Long Man and the 'Yellow Hair.'" - -"Ugh," said Dead Chief. "He is a good man and loves the Indians who are -true to the American father at Vincennes. Listen: Dead Chief has a warm -heart toward the Long Man, and will stay. Is he in the woods?" - -"Yes." - -"Good. One canoe is enough for us. Mine is best. Where is yours?" - -Floyd drew it out from the cover, and the savage at once knocked a hole -in the bottom and sent it out into the stream. It filled quickly and -floated out of sight just as a hurried step was heard, and Yankee Seth -came through the bushes, and looked down into the place where he had -left the canoe. - -"Will," he said, in a half-whisper. - -"All right," said Will. "Here we are!" - -The canoe closed in and Seth took his place hurriedly, casting a quick -glance at the Indian to see who he was. He gave a low whistle of -surprise. - -"Ha!" he said. "That yew, Dead Chief? Thought yew'd gone under, sartin." - -"The Dead Chief of the Pottawatomies does not die so easily." - -"Push off, boys. Git intew the stream as soon as yew can. Thar's the -all-firedest pickle in this yer woods yew ever hern tell off. I knowed -I was right. I knowed the Prophet meant mischief all the time, and -mebbe old man Harrison will believe it now. How did you come here, -chief?" - -The Indian explained how he had been overpowered by Elskwatawa and -Willimack, and rescued by Floyd. - -"Good enuff! We wanted a man with us that knows something of Injin -tricks. Yew must understand, cap., that this chief hez stood up like a -hero for our side, and Tecumseh hez given orders to kill him on sight. -I thought it was done 'fore now." - -The Indian shook his head proudly. - -"Tecumseh has long arms, and I am dead if I fall into the hands of his -men. What of that? Can he make a chief a dog? No. I will die as I have -lived, a warrior true to our American father and his men." - -The canoe was by this time in the midst of the current, floating slowly -down, for they were not using the paddles. - -"Push her up-stream, boys," said the Yankee. "Most of the devils is -down below. They've got six canoes, and I guess thar ain't less than a -hundred men in all. Cuss that Prophet! I wish I hed his skulp." - -"It would gratify me immensely if you had," replied the young soldier. -"And that scoundrel Willimack! There is no end to the benefits he has -received from time to time from my father and myself; and yet, he would -have killed us all to-night, if you had not foiled him." - -"I will wear the scalp of Willimack in my girdle some day," said Dead -Chief. "He is a dog. He cares nothing for either white man or Indian, -if he can get blankets, powder and rifles. He has taken belts from both -sides and hates them all. He talks with a forked tongue, like a snake. -One tongue is for our white father at Vincennes, and the other for the -red-coats. Tecumseh is a slave of Elliot, the red-coat agent." - -Zip! Zip! - -Two bullets cut through the air close to the canoe, one passing between -the Indian and Floyd, and the other clipping a piece out of the stern, -close to the immovable figure of Seth, who nodded smilingly. - -"That means business," he said. "I knowed they'd hev somebody up here -tew watch. They knowed we must go down-stream to git to Vincennes. -Throw yourself, Dead Chief! Up-stream fer yure life." - -The canoe seemed to leap into the air under the vigorous strokes of -the Indian, and they quickly passed the point from which the shots had -come. - -Just beyond, a great forest swept down the water's edge on both sides, -and the banks lay in shadow for a hundred feet on either side. Seth -uttered some low order in the Indian language to Dead Chief, and he at -once turned the bow of the canoe toward the shore, and they shot up -under the dark bank in exactly such a place as the one in which the -canoe had been concealed when the Yankee went out upon his scout. The -forest seemed to be alive on every side of them, the furious shrieks -of the Indians echoing and re-echoing among the huge old trees. Seth -snatched a hatchet and knife and bounded up the bank, closely followed -by the others. The cries told them that their enemies were about them -on every hand, eager for their blood. - -"Tree!" said Seth. "We can't afford tew show in an open canoe in the -moonlight. Mout git hit, yew know! This way!" - -He plunged into the woods, heading from the river, and ran for nearly -a hundred yards before he stopped. Then selecting a tree of the right -size, he mounted hastily. His example was followed by the others, and -not a moment too soon, for the gathering cries told that the Indians -were being guided to the spot where the canoe had been seen by those -who had fired into it. The Yankee climbed to the crotch of the tree, -selected a convenient place and sat down coolly, resting his feet upon -the branch beneath. He felt tolerably safe, for, in the dark woods, -trailing them was an impossibility. As the shouts came nearer he only -grinned widely and threw back his head for a yawn, when, to his utter -consternation, he saw a pair of gleaming eyes looking into his, not -three feet away! - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -IN A TREE-TOP. - - -The Yankee looked hard at the gleaming orbs close to his own, and could -just make out a dark body stretched along the limbs. He was far from -liking the appearance of the affair. It might be an Indian, or it was -just as likely to be a panther. If the latter, a struggle with him -would bring the Indians upon him, whose footsteps already sounded along -the bank. He loosened his knife in its sheath, though he well knew how -powerless he would be in a tree-top, fighting against an animal which -could light like a feather upon a bending bough and leap to another -with all the quickness of a cat. - -"_Jehosaphat!_" he muttered. "What'n thunder will I do now? I guess I'm -gobbled 'up this time, shure. I wish I had a pike, I dew. Thunder and -lightning, this ain't pooty." - -The dark object upon the limb did not move, and there was no time to -be lost. Seth determined to know what it was at all hazards. Thrusting -his hand into his pouch, he drew out a box of punk, struck a spark and -ignited the whole piece. As the light flashed up he caught a glimpse -of an Indian, extended at full length along the limb. Dropping the -fire he hurled himself downward, falling upon the prostrate figure and -clasped his long arms about its throat tightly, with his bony knuckles -pressed hard against the windpipe. So quickly was it done that the -Indian had only time to utter a smothered cry before his breath was -stopped completely. The limb bent and swayed under the weight of the -heavy bodies, and they began to slide downward. A fall of twenty feet -was not what Seth wished for, but, locked in the embrace of the savage, -he could not help himself unless he let go his hold upon the throat, -and then the cries of the Indian would bring his friends to the rescue. -They slid down, turned completely over once, and fell with a dull -sound upon the moss-covered knoll at the foot of the tree, the Yankee -uppermost. A fall from that distance would have been likely to shock -the savage some, but add to that the avoirdupois of a man weighing as -much as this Yankee, and the damage is likely to be greater. All the -remaining breath of the Indian went out like the flame of an expiring -lamp, and he lay senseless under the body of Spink, who was somewhat -confused by the fall. - -"Dead, I guess," he muttered. "Teach him to tree in _my_ place, the -darned heathen. Ugh!" - -Picking up the senseless body he threw it over a log out of sight, and -then, instead of returning to the tree, he crept cautiously back toward -the river. The Indians were scattered along the banks, and, just as he -peeped out, a loud whoop announced the discovery of the canoe. - -"That'll bring 'em together," said he to himself. "I guess we'd better -put out for camp." - -He turned to go back, when, to his utter surprise, from every direction -the savages bounded out upon him and clung to him like cats. At this -moment the wonderful strength of the athlete showed itself. Stretching -out his long arms, he dragged the Indians who clung to him on either -side from their hold, and dashed them to the earth, and then, placing -his back to a tree, he drew a knife and hatchet, and braining a Wyandot -who rushed upon him incautiously, sent his knife through the shoulder -of another, while he planted his right foot with desperate force in -the stomach of a third, doubling him up and sending him rolling to the -earth with the life nearly kicked out of his body. At the same time -he gave utterance to a terrific yell, which rung through the arches -of the deep woods, rivaling the shouts of his assailants. With savage -screams the Indians rushed at him from three sides, but those long arms -and feet made deadly work among them, and though a dozen rushed at him -together his desperate valor kept them all at bay. - -There was a hearty shout and war-cry from the rear, and, the Dead Chief -and Will Floyd rushed in, scattering the savages right and left. They -reached the side of the Yankee, who was fighting with desperate zeal. - -"Break for the canoe," he whispered, as he struck down an Indian. "It's -your only chance." - -Darting round the tree, and overthrowing the savages who barred their -way, they reached the canoe, which still lay upon the shore. So sudden -was the action that the Indians were stupefied, and the brave trio -gained a rod or so in advance before their foes started in pursuit. -They had gained the canoe, the Dead Chief and the Yankee were already -in it, and Floyd was following, when he fell by a hatchet hurled at -him by Willimack. Seth would have turned back to aid him, but the Dead -Chief seized the paddle and pushed off quickly, just as the Indians -pounced upon the fallen man. A score of them plunged into the water, -each with a hatchet or knife in his teeth, but the quick strokes of the -paddle soon left them far behind. A useless volley from those on shore -followed. - -"Poor lad," said Yankee Seth. "I'm afeard he's gone under." - -"The young soldier is very brave," replied the chief. "If he is not -dead, he will die like a man. And now, hear the words of the Dead -Chief. I swear by the grave of my father, by the totem of my tribe, -that I will not go back to the village where my squaw and pappooses -dwell, until the young war-chief is saved or I have avenged him. It is -spoken; the Dead Chief can not lie." - -"Good for yew, old man," said the Yankee. "I'm with yew threw thick an' -thin. Thar's my hand on it. Shake." - -The two woodmen clasped hands, while the canoe floated at will in the -midst of the dark stream. - - * * * * * - -They lifted Floyd and dragged him up the bank into the bushes, where -Willimack and Elskwatawa stood. He had been stunned at first by the -stroke of the hatchet and was still dizzy and faint when he faced the -chiefs. Their dark looks convinced him that he had little to hope from -them. The death-wail was rising from the Indian band as they lifted -the bodies of the fallen and laid them in a row along the bank. Four -were dead, including the neighbor of the Yankee in the tree-top, and -as many more desperately wounded. In such a melée as this, when a body -of men assail a desperate athlete like the dreaded Long Man, some must -get hurt. The cloud upon the face of the Prophet grew darker as, one by -one, the dead were brought out, and Willimack uttered a snarl like a -tiger as a man who had been his best friend was laid with the rest. - -"It is finished then," thought Floyd. "They will revenge themselves -upon me for the death of these men. I can only meet my fate like a -man; but my poor father, my darling Madge! Oh, if the Skeleton Scout -would but come now and scatter these fiendish knaves as he did at the -stockade! I wonder if Yankee Seth or the chief were injured? Even if -they are safe, what can they do against so many?" - -At this moment the panther-call of which Seth had spoken came from the -opposite bank of the stream. A faint hope came into the heart of the -prisoner. The call was given to show that he was safe and would not -desert him in the hour of need. Willimack advanced and looked in the -face of Floyd with that vicious glance of triumph which small natures -feel in the power they may gain over an enemy. - -"Floyd," said he, "the white man can not have all his own way. To-night -I was insulted in your wigwam--I, a chief of a great nation. I told you -then that a chief never forgot, and that the day of revenge would come; -behold it is here already!" - -"Do not trouble me by too much talking, Willimack. I am in your power, -it is true, but for all that you shall not force me to cringe to you, -or to ask mercy at your hands." - -"Waugh! Will you not beg for life from the Wyandot and Shawnee?" - -"No." - -"Listen. Was it you that cut the bonds which bound the Dead Chief to -the tree?" - -"It was." - -"Good! That is another thing against you. Did you know that the Dead -Chief was our prisoner?" - -"Yes. That is the reason I set him free," replied Floyd, in an -undaunted tone. - -"It is well. You speak like a great brave, and had you lived would have -been a great chief among the white men. But, the white men must cease -from off the face of the Indian country. We love it too well to let the -feet of bad men press it, and tread upon the earth where our fathers' -bones are laid. The English are friends to us, and will not take our -country; the Americans steal all." - -"Do what you mean to do, and at once. I can bear any indignity you may -heap upon me, as becomes a man." - -Willimack stood aside, and the Prophet advanced. His dark face was -working with passion, and he seemed to struggle to repress a desire to -strike down the young soldier where he stood. His fingers clutched the -handle of a hatchet convulsively, and now and then he half drew it from -its sheath. - -"Let Elskwatawa speak, for he is the great Prophet of the Shawnees. I -see before me the dead of my tribe and one warrior of the Wyandots. -They had hoped to live to fight many battles against the whites and -again possess the land of their fathers. The Manitou came to me in a -dream and told me that the time had come for the Indians to drive out -the white dogs and take their own again. Therefore you see us in our -war-paint to-day." - -He paused and cast a wild glance about him which seemed to have a great -effect upon the savages, and they uttered a wail of agony. - -"But see," he cried. "They lie in their blood upon their own soil, and -the man who killed them is in our hands." - -A triumphant shout went up as he said this, and fierce looks were -directed at the young soldier, who returned them by a glance of haughty -defiance. - -"The Indians deal justly by all," said the Prophet. "No man can die -by their hands who is not worthy of death for some great wrong done -to the nations. Warriors and chiefs, I have gone among the white men -at Vincennes, and have spoken to the war-chief Harrison. The tears -have flowed from my eyes when I spoke of the wrongs of my people; yes, -my tears have fallen like rain. He is a man of iron, and I can not -melt him. He cares not for us, but for his own people. You stood by, -Willimack, when all the chiefs were seated and Tecumseh stood up like a -child about to be punished. At last they saw how great an insult this -was to the great chief. They offered him a chair; but the chief looked -at them with scorn when they said, 'Your father offers you a seat!' 'My -father?' he cried. 'The sun is my father and the earth is my mother. I -will repose on her bosom.'[1] - -"The chief will bear no more. The battle must be fought and we will -win again the lands of our fathers. We must not fail. The mortification -of failure shall never be ours, and my great brother will not disgrace -me by a mistake. I hear the warriors shout as they gather. I hear them -in the South and East, in the North and West, with a sound like the -summer leaves rising and rustling in the breeze. I hear their tread -upon the mountains, by the silent rivers and in the green valleys. It -is well. Shall Tecumseh tremble and shall Elskwatawa fail? No! The -mountains and plains the Great Spirit gave us are around us, behind and -before. - -"I too have my warriors; and here, on the Wabash, on the Scioto, and on -the broad waters of the North, my voice shall be heard for war." - -He ceased for a moment, and cast a sad glance upon the bodies on the -ground. - -"There be our brothers, who had thought to take a part in this great -battle to come. Their eyes are closed, their voices are not heard, -their lips are pale, their ears hear no sound. What is this I see upon -their faces? It is blood, the blood of the white man's shedding. And -now, I think I hear a voice, speaking from the dead lips, and it says, -'Avenge me on my foes! My blood has been shed, and I can not cross the -dark river until I smell the blood of one of the accursed race.'" - -His eyes again fell upon Floyd, and fire seemed to flash from their -depths. - -"Who is this I see before me? His hands are red with blood. It is the -blood of Negarish and Monado, of Cartain and Zeman. My brothers, let us -light a fire and burn this white man, and then the souls of my brothers -shall find rest and peace." - -A wild cry arose from the assembled band, and they began to collect -dried leaves and sticks from the surrounding woods, and pile them -about the limbs of young Floyd after they had tied him to a tree. The -pile rose until it reached nearly to his shoulders, and he felt that -his last hour had come. He was brave enough to meet his fate, but it -was agony to him to know that, when the flames had consumed his body, -there would be no one left to protect his father, and Madge, whom he -had hoped to make his wife when the autumn leaves were yellowing in -the sun. He began to suspect that when he was gone, Willimack would go -back and storm the stockade. What then would be the fate of his father -and that sweet girl he could not think. Madge was brave, he knew, but, -would she have strength enough, when the hour of her great peril came, -to save herself from dishonor with her own hand? - -"Stand back," said Willimack. "Let the voice of a chief speak terror -to the ears of his enemy before he dies. I am Willimack, chief of the -Wyandot, and I am ashamed to be at the death of a child. I see water in -your eyes, and I know you are weeping in your heart. You fear the pain -which will come when the flames curl and the smoke rolls about you. -Let the chief of the Wyandots speak. You know that you refused me the -shelter of your dwelling when I came to it. The yellow-haired hunter -struck me down and bound me, but I saw that the Bright Eyes looked -sadly upon the disgrace of a chief. Good; the Bright Eyes shall make -the fire bright in the lodge of Willimack." - -Bright Eyes was the Indian name given to Madge by those who, from time -to time, visited the cabin of the Floyds. - -"Oh, red hound!" shrieked Floyd. "Oh, if I had dreamed half the -villainy you had in your black heart, I would have killed you as you -sat by my fire." - -"The heart of a chief is not open to the eyes of a dull pale-face," -replied Willimack, scornfully. "The Bright Eyes is very beautiful. Her -voice is like the song of the birds when the summer sun is high. Floyd -would have made a nest for her that she should sing for him alone; but -Willimack laughs, for he knows that she can only sing in his lodge." - -Floyd struggled manfully to break his bonds, glaring furiously at the -savage who knelt at his feet, and, striking a flint and steel, began -to kindle the flame. It burned slowly, for the leaves were damp. Again -and again it smoldered and went out, but the Indian persevered until a -little jet of flame leaped up. This he fed, leaf after leaf, until he -had a little fire burning, apart from the pile, about the person of the -young soldier. He took savage delight in prolonging the scene, and the -Indians, understanding his motive, yelled in concert and danced wildly -about the tree. - -Willimack now took up a lighted brand, and with it touched the person -of the prisoner in various places, laughing in demoniac glee when he -shrunk from the contact. Others took the hint and followed the same -amusement for some time, the young man bearing it bravely. They at -length lit the pile, and the flames began to creep up about his person, -and a thick smoke arose. He was dimly able to see through the smoke and -flame, that the Indians were dancing and shouting all around, when a -new cry arose, and he saw the Indians break and run in every direction, -evidently in the greatest dread. Then the figure of the being known as -the Skeleton Scout bounded into the open space. Seeing him closely, -the young man could conceive of nothing more horrible than the ghastly -head, blazing eyes, and tremendous hight of this strange being. "Oonah! -Oonah!" was the cry of the Indians as they fled, and the next moment -the brands were scattered and the young man was free! - -"Stand here until you hear the loon-cry, and then make for the river, -where your friends are waiting. Remember the Skeleton Scout!" - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: A fact.] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A YANKEE RUSE. - - -The strange apparition was gone, and the next moment the loon-call -sounded from the depths of the woods, mingled with cries which seemed -to burst from a hundred throats. The young soldier bounded across the -open space, and ran at his best speed toward the place where he had -left the boat. Suddenly, without warning, two dark figures started up -in his path and seized him, and he thought himself again in the hands -of his enemies, when he heard one of his captors say, in a nasal tone -not to be mistaken: "This yew, capting?" He had fallen into the hands -of his friends! - -"All right, Seth," he answered. "Get back to the canoe as quick as you -can. The woods are alive with savages." - -The Dead Chief led the way, and in a moment they were again in the -canoe, and pushed off from the shore. The moon had gone down, and a -darkness like Egypt had fallen on the river. The Dead Chief had taken -the paddle, and, under the strokes of his vigorous arm, the light craft -was shooting down the stream. The Pottawatomie knew his course well, -and how much danger lay before them. Not a word was spoken, for they -knew the virtue of silence. They must break through the cordon of their -enemies at any and every hazard. On they went, the shadows dark about -them, each grasping a weapon, and ready to defend himself to the utmost -if attacked. They knew that by far the greater portion of the wild band -had gathered about the death-fire, and yet they were certain that the -Prophet was too able a warrior to leave the path to Vincennes clear. - -"Back her a minnit, chief," whispered the Yankee. "I want tew speak tew -the young 'un here." - -By the skillful use of his paddle the chief managed to keep the canoe -nearly stationary in the midst of the stream, while Seth bent forward -and whispered to his young companion: - -"Yew got away; heow did yew dew it?" - -"By aid of the Skeleton Scout," replied Floyd, in the same tone. -"Whatever he may be, he is at least a friend to us." - -"He never hunts nothing but Injins, _he_ don't," said the Long Man. -"Clever of him tew help yew, anyheow. Was they going to scorch yew?" - -"The fire was lit already," replied the young soldier. "Ugh! my throat -is dry by even thinking of it." - -"A close shave!" chuckled the Yankee. "That Skeleton Scout is a darned -nice ghost, by gracious. How many Injins below, think?" - -"Seventy or eighty danced around me at the stake." - -"Pooty dancers?" - -"Can't say I appreciated their efforts." - -"No? that's queer! Let her go on, chief. The men we've got tew tackle -are waiting for us in the _mash_ (marsh). Git yure weepons ready, -'cause we are 'most thar." - -Again the canoe glided softly down the stream, until it struck the -marsh of which he spoke. It was a level bottom, where the soft soil -had drifted down and been left, leaving scarcely room in places for -a canoe to cross without grounding on the soft bottom. In this soil -gigantic rushes had grown up, as we see them in our creeks when -duck-hunting. These rushes rose above the water, to the hight of eight -or ten feet, and stood so thickly together that, unless a man was well -acquainted with them it would be impossible to force a canoe through. -Of course there was a channel running through the marsh, but it was -more than likely that the patrol canoes of the Indians occupied this -water-course, and it would not be an easy task to get down, facing -their weapons. The Dead Chief seized one of the rushes and held the -canoe, and all bent forward to listen. Not a sound was heard except the -sighing of the long blades as the wind rustled through them. If the -Indians were watching, they knew enough to keep silent, and, for all -the environed men knew, their foes might be lying within twenty feet of -them. - -The Dead Chief was acquainted with all the passes through the marsh, -and had not for a moment thought of forcing a path through the reeds. -The rustling they must of necessity make would apprise the lurking -Indians of their vicinity, and put them on their guard. They were -rather ready to trust to their woodcraft on shore, but they would have -liked to find the exact position of the canoes of their enemies, before -striking for the shore. But, though listening carefully, they could -hear nothing of the red-skins, and determined to try the land. - -The head of the canoe was pushed into a little channel which the Dead -Chief knew ran close to the bank, at a good place to land. This was -accomplished without a rustle, and Floyd leaped with the chief to the -shore, closely followed by his Yankee friend. The canoe was left as of -no further use to them, and pushed into the rushes out of sight. This -done, the Dead Chief sat down on the bank, and drew his moccasins from -his feet, and made Floyd understand by the sense of touch that he was -to take off his boots, and put on these. Will hesitated to make the -Indian go barefooted through the woods, but the Dead Chief took his -hand and pressed it upon the sole of the bare foot. The moment his hand -came in contact with the hard and callous foot, he understood that the -Indian had a protection there which made a moccasin rather an object -of ornament than use. He offered no further objection, but drawing -off his boots, he left them on the bank, and put on the moccasins. He -understood that the Indian thought the boot a poor thing for a scout to -wear. The moment he was ready, the chief again took the lead, bending -his body low, and keeping one hand on the ground, carefully removing -every obstruction from the path which the less experienced soldier -might step on. - -Floyd followed, imitating his attitude, and betraying at once a keen -sense of woodcraft, and the attributes of a scout. Not a stick cracked, -not a twig bent. The Yankee who followed him was surprised at the -celerity of his motions, and the quiet way in which he performed his -part. Their course led directly away from the river, for they knew that -they must make a wide circuit to get away from the Indians, who had -doubtless lined the shore with scouts. It was only the extreme darkness -of the night, since the moon had gone down, which had allowed them to -pass the sentries unperceived. Seth had no doubt that, favored by the -darkness, they already had passed one of the guard canoes, but there -were two more. One was probably in the center of the marsh around which -they were now describing a circle, and the other further down, though -where it was, they could not say. Once out of reach of the river by -half a mile, the Yankee gave a signal to the chief to wait, and they -sat down together in the darkness. - -"By jinks," he chuckled. "Had a right nice time of it so fur. I ain't -enjoyed myself so mighty well this year. The pizon critters didn't -sort o' kalkilate on finding us so foxy, did they? I hev all I ken -dew tew keep from laffing rite eout when I think heow I walked intew -them cussed thieves arter I tumbled eout of the tree with that ornery -critter that _would_ hev that pertickler tree." - -"I should think you would be afraid to talk so loud while we remain in -danger," said Will Floyd. - -"Ain't no danger here, Lord love yew!" replied the volatile scout. -"It's glorious work fighting these cussid thieves! Now, look here; -thar's lots of good Injins in this created airth, but thar's a pizon -heap of bad 'uns. There's my friend, Dead Chief, now; he's what I call -a good Injin. And if you raally want a mighty bad specimen, yew jest -take up Willimack or the Profit." - -"That scoundrel Willimack threatened our family while I was tied to the -stake. Do not let us dally a moment, my friend. Think of them I have -left in danger--my old father and my darling Madge. He insulted her, -most of all, for he designed for her a fate worse than death--a place -in his lodge." - -"He duz! Now look at me, _yew_. I'll never stop hunting that pesky -critter until I've got his skulp or he's got mine. Take that pooty gal -into his lodge, will he? Wants her for a squaw, duz he? Yew jest wait! -He won't live to see it, bet yure life he won't! I'm so cussid mad I -could hop rite over that tree-top. Oh, holy fly! Hold me, somebody, or -I'll go charging back rite intew them Injins, and cut and slash and -hack and hew. Oh, bu'st me all to pieces! Take my hat and stamp on it, -somebody, I'm so _darned_ mad. Litening strike me intew a blind nigger -ef I ain't growed nigh a fool sense yew told me that. Come, let's git -along. Ef old man Harrison don't rair rite up on his hind feet when I -tell him this, then thar ain't no buffler on the prahary; not a darned -buffler." - -The party kept out from the river for a quarter of an hour, and then -inclined again toward the stream. The Dead Chief still kept the lead, -but all at once he stopped and dropped to the earth as suddenly as if -he had received a ball in his bosom. The others followed his example -and listened, and understood what it was which caused this hasty -movement. It was the sound of human voices, just below them. The bank -at this point was rather high, and crawling on their hands and knees to -the edge of the bluff they looked down. The Indians who held this last -guard-boat evidently were not trained warriors, for they had built a -fire and were cooking some meat. To be sure, their fire was built in -a sheltered nook and could not be seen from the river, but would have -called down upon their heads the wrath of the Prophet, if he had known -of it. - -There they sat, six stalwart young warriors, grouped in various -attitudes of ease and comfort about the fire, gnawing the flesh from -the bones of a young buck which one of their number had brought down by -a well-directed arrow. The flame lighted up their bronzed figures and -dark faces, and danced upon their waving plumes and beaded belts and -moccasins. They were chatting in low tones over their feast, it being -evident that they did not think it possible that the two whites--for -they knew nothing of the Dead Chief--could escape from the hands of -their companions above. But they had not reckoned upon the fertility -of resource possessed by the Yankee scout. Long Seth touched his -companions lightly, and they drew back cautiously at least a hundred -yards from the dangerous vicinity, where they could converse with ease -and not be heard by the Indians below. - -"Ain't got much time tew talk 'bout it," said the Yankee. "What do yew -say? Thar's six Injins, red with white blood. Shall we give 'em goss or -not? If we lick 'em--I'd ingage tew lick the hull bilin' myself--we kin -git the canoe tew ride tew Vincennes, and I'd ruther ride than walk, -any time." - -"I'm for thinning this band as much as we can," said Floyd. "There will -not be so many to attack my father's stockade." - -"Dead Chief is ready," said the Pottawatomie, in his short way. - -"Good enuff!" replied Seth. "Waal, I'll creep down the bank below 'em -and come up on the back. You two creep up in front, and jest ez soon -as I give my loon-call, yew pick eout two of 'em and knock 'em over. -Pick eout the biggest, they ginerally fight the best. I'll give a good -account of number three, and then charge 'em like smoke. Them's the -sentiments I express upon this momentous occasion. Now for it." - -They separated, the chief and Floyd creeping cautiously to the front -and making their weapons ready for a shot, and the Yankee moving away -rapidly but silently to the left. After allowing five minutes to pass, -they heard the loon-call on the river. - -Lifting their rifles, each sighted a man and pulled trigger. Down went -two of the savages, one shot through the brain and the other through -the breast, and with a hearty border shout they grasped their smaller -weapons and darted down the bank just as the weapon of Long Seth spoke -and a third Indian uttered his death-cry. At the same time the Yankee -appeared, and the three closed in upon their enemies, who, like rats in -a trap, turned and fought like men. - -Singling out an adversary, the determined whites rushed on. Dashing -down the weak defense of his adversary, Seth struck him with his fist a -blow which seemed to shatter his jaws, for the bones absolutely rattled -as he went down. - -"Take that, you red devil," he hissed, turning to seek a new foe. But, -the struggle was already at an end. The Dead Chief had hurled his -hatchet at his antagonist with the skill which only long practice in -the use of that weapon can give, and he rolled to the earth, the bright -bowl of the keen ax only showing through his skull. Will Floyd, at the -expense of a slight flesh-wound in the arm, had buried his dagger in -the breast of his own antagonist, and the struggle was over. - -Seth knew that no time was to be lost, and darted for the canoe, though -for what purpose the chief remained behind the young soldier could -guess. When he joined them in the canoe he touched the soldier on the -arm and offered him two bloody scalps. - -"No, no," said Floyd, pushing back his hand. "I can not take them." - -"Two for you, Long Man," said the chief, offering the others to the -Yankee. - -"I didn't hev time tew wait for 'em," replied Seth, coolly, taking the -bloody trophies and thrusting them into his belt. "Thank yew all the -same, chief. I reckon yew ain't used tew this sort of thing, cap.?" - -"I confess I am not." - -"Yew'll git over that. Climb intew the canoe and git hold of a paddle. -I reckon we'll hev a hard time of it yit. I hear them devils up above -coming down the rushes; hark! Du yew hear that?" - -They listened and could hear the dip of paddles upon the river below. -They had been mistaken in the number of their enemies after all, it -seemed, and they had yet another patrol canoe below the rushes! - -"Load up yure rifles, boys, and yew give the pistils fodder if they -ain't full already, Will. This old thief, the Profit, meant business -when he pitched on us. If we git threw it won't be for lack of -head-work." - -For some moments nothing was heard but the sound of preparation, as -they loaded their weapons. Then the canoe, which was a large one, shot -out into the stream, and Spink, who sat in the stern, caught up a heavy -stone which lay on the bank and laid it in the bottom of the canoe, -close to his feet. "Yew needn't mind the paddle jist yit, Will. Let the -chief keep her stiddy, and put her rite on tew the other canoe, old -man! I'll fix these heathen, yit." - -The canoe was now only a few rods in advance, coming up under the full -sweep of the paddles in the hands of half a dozen strong men. The -morning was coming fast, but it was still too dark to distinguish faces. - -"Put her straight for 'em," said Seth. "_I'll_ show 'em a trick." - -As the two canoes neared each other, the Dead Chief shouted to the -coming savages in the Indian tongue: - -"Who comes?" - -"Brothers," replied the voice of the warrior in command. "Have the -white dogs been taken?" - -"Who can escape the snares of the Prophet?" replied the Dead Chief. - -"Are they dead?" demanded the warrior. - -"Why should we kill them?" replied the Dead Chief. "Come back and we -will see them burn by the same fire." - -The canoes were now side by side, and the Indians were trying to peer -through the gloom of the morning to make out the figures in the other -craft, when Seth rose suddenly, and, uttering a wild cry, dashed the -huge stone through their canoe's bottom, tearing a great hole, through -which the water rushed in a torrent, and in a moment the Indians were -floundering in the water, while the other canoe, impelled by the strong -arms of Floyd and Dead Chief, passed on down the river. In spite of the -toils which the Prophet had set about them, his prey had escaped. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE AMBUSCADE. - - -Vincennes, on the Wabash, was the seat of government chosen by -Harrison, as Governor of that territory. Here he was gradually -collecting his forces for the coming struggle which he was assured must -come, with the Indians under the control of Tecumseh and the Prophet. -In the mean time his spies were everywhere gathering such information -as they could of the position and designs of the enemy. In choosing -these men, Harrison showed great knowledge of the Indian character, -and for this reason his most trusted scouts were from that class of -bordermen who, trained in border warfare, had also suffered loss at -their hands. These he sent into the Indian country upon all sorts of -pretenses, to collect information for future use. - -Thus he learned who were lukewarm in the British cause, and therefore -might be won over to the Americans. - -Thus, when the struggle commenced, he knew upon whom to depend, and -what he had against him. The Governor was at his own private residence -when informed that the Pottawatomie, Dead Chief, and his companions, -Captain Floyd and Long Seth Spink, desired to speak with him. He at -once ordered them to his presence. Floyd was admitted first, and found -the Governor seated at a small table, covered with papers and maps. - -"Ah, captain," he said, "I am pleased to see you, although your leave -of absence has not yet expired. I don't see what brought you here ahead -of your time. You surely can not have had a quarrel with Miss Madge?" - -"No, your excellency. Far from that, but the family are in great -danger." - -"Ha! In what way?" - -"The Indians are on the war-path." - -Harrison started up eagerly. "By heaven, I thought so. Who are their -leaders?" - -"The Prophet and Willimack are with the party we met." - -"Give an account of the affair in few words." - -Floyd commenced with his meeting with the Yankee in the morning, and -the attempt of Willimack to enter the stockade, and told the story up -to their entrance into the town. - -"Then there is not a moment to be lost. Take out your company of the -rangers and as many more as you need, and march up the river to the -stockade. How far do you call it?" - -"About twenty miles." - -"Very good. Get your men under arms. Take the Dead Chief with you as a -guide, and I will let this man Spink go also. You may send him to me at -once." - -"The Dead Chief?" - -"Seth Spink." - -"Oh; do you know him, then?" - -"I have heard of him," replied Harrison, with a slight smile. "This -action on the part of Willimack is premature, it is evident, and I -am certain that the Prophet is not pleased with it, nor do I think -Tecumseh knows any thing about it. Send Spink to me." - -Floyd went out into the next room, but the Governor followed him to -the door, and, speaking with marked kindness to the Dead Chief, told -him to go with the captain as guide. Then beckoning to the scout, he -again entered the room. The Yankee followed him, closing the door after -him. They remained closeted in the room for more than an hour, when the -scout came out with a hurried step, and went down to the river-side, -where the company of Will Floyd, consisting of nearly a hundred men, -were under arms. - -"Ha, Spink, my good fellow, hurry up," shouted the captain. "Death, -man, do you not see that I am impatient?" - -"No use to hurry now, cap," replied Seth. "My father died in a hurry. -Ef he'd taken time tew think about it he needn't hev died at all. But, -he got it intew his head he couldn't live, and so he went off without -thinking. He won't dew that ag'in." - -"Is this a time for jesting, sir?" said the captain, angrily. "Take -your place. Fall in, men. By fours; trot!" - -They set off at a rapid pace, and rode along the river-side beneath -the bending branches, heavy with the morning dew. The birds sung in -the laden branches, as if a thought of blood or battle never could or -would disturb their grand old woods. But, the heart of young Floyd was -heavy, for he feared that Willimack would make good his threat of the -night before, and attack the stockade before his return. The men shared -his fears, and a shade of doubt once or twice crossed the face of the -Yankee, but he kept up a good heart, singing snatches of old songs -now and then in a quaint way, which caused a smile among the ranks. -But, before they had gone five miles his mood changed, and he began to -glance quickly from side to side as if expecting an enemy. On they went -through the oak openings until the woods began to thicken, when the -Yankee bent in his saddle, and whispered in the ear of the captain. - -"No, no," said Floyd, testily. "They have retreated, I tell you. They -will not risk an encounter now." - -"But I think I'm right, fer all that, cap." - -"It is impossible. You do not know my rangers, or you would not think -the Indians capable of resisting our march." - -"I don't believe that the Prophet would fire a gun at a white man, dew -yew?" said the Yankee, with a quizzical look. "Cum mi'ty nigh scorching -yure legs last night, though." - -"He is capable of any small villainy like that," replied the captain. -"But, he certainly is too able a warrior to commence before his plans -are ripe." - -"It's forced upon him, cap. He knows that we've got clear, and that -both yew and the Dead Chief are aware of his hostility, so he can't -wait. You'd better ride a leetle grain more keerful." - -"Nonsense." - -"I ain't used tew being talked tew that way, cap. I'm a strange -critter, yew know. I dunno heow it is, but I've got a sort of sneaking -notion I know something 'bout Injin fi'tin'. Come; order the men tew -pull in, and don't make quite so much noise in the ranks." - -"You take a great deal upon yourself, friend Spink," said Floyd, with a -light laugh. "Perhaps you had better lead the company yourself, as you -seem inclined to take command." - -"See what it is tew be young," muttered the Yankee, with an appearance -of great vexation. "Yew'll force me tew dew something I don't want tew, -cap. Now, look here; yew ain't going tew ride intew yonder narrow -path, are yew, without sending out scouts?" - -"What would you have me do, sir? You know as well as I do that it makes -the road three miles longer to keep in the oak openings." - -"S'pose it duz? Yew don't want to lose half these nice-looking boys, -dew yew? Come; take good advice, and don't go threw them woods." - -"I will ride directly forward without turning out of my course for a -mere scarecrow cry from you." - -A dark frown crossed the face of the Yankee, and he pulled hard on his -bridle and left the ranks. - -"Go on then, if yew will. Bet yew forty dollars yew don't go fur." - -With an angry exclamation Floyd put spurs to his horse, and calling -to his men to follow, dashed into the woods. Scarcely had he done so -when there was a rattling volley of musketry, and several saddles were -emptied, while high and wild above the rattle of the small-arms, rose -the gathering cry of the forest banditti. Dark forms glided from bush -to bush, and the young captain saw his error. Entangled in the thick -woods they must have been lost, but for his prompt action. Snatching a -bugle from the hand of a musician, he sounded the call to fall back, -and, taking their wounded comrades--for the rangers would not leave -them--they hastily retreated, and sheltered themselves behind the -bushes in front of the woods and looked after their wounded comrades. -Some of the savages showed themselves for a moment, but a volley from -the rifles of the rangers quickly drove them back, and they waited for -a new advance on the part of the horsemen. - -Floyd cast a sidelong glance for the Yankee, but he was gone. In the -melée he had taken his horse and slipped away, no one knew whither. -Angry with himself for his error, Floyd sent the wounded men back to -the village and buried the single dead man in the path, riding over it -with the rangers several times so that the Indians could not find and -mutilate the body. This done he took a wide _detour_, leaving the woods -on his right, and set off at the best rate of speed for his home. Three -miles on the way they met the Yankee coming back with a look of sorrow -on his face. - -"I couldn't wait tew see it, cap.," he said. "How many of the boys went -under?" - -"One," replied the captain, sorrowfully. "You were right, Seth. I ought -to have kept out of that trap. I know it now, but, that will not atone -for my folly. But, think what I feel now when I tell you that it would -be a kindness in you to shoot me through the head." - -"No," replied Seth, slowly. "I don't think that would pay us, -principally because we kain't afford tew lose yew, and yew'll take -advice next time. I've been out scouting a little in advance. Ride a -little to the front and I'll tell yew what I've found eout." - -They quickened their pace, and the Yankee bent in his saddle and said -in a low voice: "Willimack hez been over the road since last night." - -Floyd started violently, and his face grew pale. "How do you know -that?" he cried. - -"I kan read Injin sign," answered the Yankee, calmly. "Thar's another -thing. I believe the critter they call the Skeleton Scout is arter -Willimack." - -"Why?" - -"'Cause I've seen his sign. Ef he's a ghost, then he's a mighty heavy -one. Why, he's got a foot bigger'n mine, ef I kin judge by his trail. -Now mind, I don't say he's a human; sartin he don't act like one; but -yew bet all yew'r worth he don't like Willimack, or heow in natur' -would he chase _him_ up the way he did last night." - -"But my father; my dearest Madge!" moaned the unhappy young man. "Oh, -why did I ever leave you?" - -"'Twould only hev been tew more sculps ef we had been thar," replied -the Yankee. "Now, I'll tell yew what I think. Willimack turned back -with his own warriors arter the Skileton Scout set you free, and put -out fer the stockade." - -"I am afraid you are right. Let us press on as quickly as we can." - -"No use of that. If he did turn back, and I'm pesky 'fraid he did, all -we kan do won't bring us thar in time. I'm afeard the old man didn't -half understand his danger, nuther, and was keerless arter we went -away. Here, order yure men to close up. Them Injins are behind us now, -but I reckin they won't leave a stick or stone standing along the -Wabash, now that their blood is up." - -The rangers closed up. They quickened their pace, and, late in the -afternoon, began to near the clearing in which the settler had built -his house and stockade. As they entered the clearing, a heavy smoke was -seen to rise toward the summer sky, and, uttering a cry of agony, the -young soldier spurred quickly forward, to see what he had most feared -and yet had hardly dared to hope had not happened--his father's house -in ruins, and still smoking, though the flames had nearly gone out! -It was a terrible scene of desolation, but one all too common in the -history of these Indian wars. - -The rangers surrounded the blackened walls. In some places the fire had -lost its power over the walls from their green state, and they still -stood, though blackened and half consumed. The house itself had fallen, -and the charred rafters lay among the smoldering embers of that once -happy home. The desolation did not stop here, for there, in the opening -between the stockade and the house, lay the bodies of the two soldiers, -who had been killed and scalped and horribly mutilated. - -"Poor Lefebre! unhappy Forbes!" said the young soldier. "Yours was -indeed a sad, sad fate. God in his mercy take you in his keeping! But, -where is my father?" - -They searched here and there, and, at length, half hidden by a heavy -beam which had fallen upon their lifeless bodies, they found the -murdered forms of the three negroes, like the soldiers, scalped and -gory. All the indignities which savage ferocity could invent had been -heaped upon the wretched men who had here met their fate. Floyd was -ghastly pale, and reeled in his walk like a drunken man as the five -bodies were drawn out into the open space and laid down, side by -side. One of the soldiers dismounted, and, taking his blanket from -his saddle, and begging another from a comrade, covered the lifeless -forms from the public gaze. The Yankee, whose face seemed twitching -convulsively, looked fiercely about him as each new exhibition of -savage spite showed itself. - -"Why don't you help me, Seth?" said Floyd, feebly. - -"I _don't_ know. I'm sartin of one thing, and that is that Miss Madge -would kill herself if she could to keep herself out of the hands of -them pizen critters. It's awful, awful! Move round, boys, and look fer -the capt'in's father. Be alive, men, and don't look so scared. I don't -blame yew, poor lads, when tew of yure comrades are gone. And then, -them black boys and the old lady. Here, take hold of these rafters and -throw 'em off. Mebbe the old gentleman is underneath." - -They tossed aside the still smoldering rafters and yet found nothing. -The floor was only partly burned. The Yankee threw off a trap-door -which had led into the cellar, and looked down. He could see nothing -as yet, for a mass of dense smoke was rolling slowly upward from the -cellar and he stood aside until this passed off, and then descended. - -"Hurry!" he cried, at length. "I've got somebody. Two of you boys come -down." - -Down two of the rangers leaped, and in a few moments' time reappeared, -bearing a body to the surface. It was found to be that of an Indian, -who evidently had been killed by a pistol bullet. The rangers kicked -the senseless form to one side just as the face of Seth appeared at the -opening. - -"Who is it?" he asked. - -"It's a cussed Injin," answered one of the rangers. - -"Darn him," roared Seth. "Raise his ha'r, some of yew, while I go down -ag'in. I'm sartin I'll find somebody down here." - -He disappeared again. By this time the smoke had passed out and he -could see plainly. Upon the cellar floor was a track of blood, which -led into the large drain in the corner. Following this trace, the -Yankee stooped and saw that the feet of a man were just within the -drain. He seized upon the feet and drew him out, and showed the bloody -form of Mr. Floyd, senseless from a hatchet wound in the head, but -breathing heavily, like one in a trance. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -TECUMSEH. - - -The body of the wounded man was carefully borne to the surface, and the -young soldier, with a cry like a wolf seizing his young, lifted the -beloved form in his arms, carried it out of the stockade and laid it -upon the grass outside. The old man breathed heavily, and Floyd looked -up with hope imprinted on every line of his young face. But, the Yankee -was downcast in expression, and stood leaning against the wall of the -stockade, at times striking his hand against it. - -"Bring water, boys," cried Floyd, anxiously. "Water, water." - -Two of the men hurried down to the spring with their canteens and -brought them up full. The captain took one of these and washed the -ghastly wound upon the skull and showed that it was fractured. - -"Oh, heaven," cried the son. "My father, my dear father. Was it for -this that I left you last night, to find you here, murdered by the hand -of brutal savages? But he lives; you can see that, Seth. A little care -might save him." - -"Oh, he'll _live_ fast enough," said Seth, gloomily. "It isn't that. -I've seen that kind of a hurt afore and they ain't no good. Let me see -what I can do, and while I am doing it, yew go and look arter the gal." - -Floyd started up eagerly and hurried away, while the Yankee kneeled at -the side of the wounded man, and looked at the wound, shaking his head. -"'Twill be a pity for him if he does live, poor man," he muttered. "In -course he'll be crazy while the bone presses down into the brain that -way. Poor old man; I'd do any thing to save him, but I daren't touch -that wound. It looks a little tew bad fur me to handle. Thar; he's -coming round." - -As he spoke, the eyes of the old man opened slowly and he stared -vaguely about him like one in a dream. Seth tapped his forehead -significantly and pointed at him, and the men understood. "Cracked," -muttered the scout. "I know'd how it would be. Thar, old man. How dew -yew feel?" - -"Why don't you stop that horrible noise there?" demanded Floyd, -angrily. "I won't have it in my house, you know. Silence, and listen to -my orders at once." - -"That's right, captaing. If any of them refuse to obey, you'd better -order him forty lashes." - -"What does he grin at me for?" cried the wounded man, starting to his -feet. "What does he mean by it? Does he know that I am master here?" - -"Of course he does," replied the Yankee, quietly. "He won't be quiet -unless he gets forty lashes, I'm afraid." - -"I don't know what's the matter with my head," said the old man, -gravely, putting his hand up. "Didn't I fall somewhere?" - -"Oh, yes," replied Seth. "You fell into the cellar. Don't you remember?" - -"I believe you are right," said the captain, looking fixedly at the -blood upon his hand. "Look at this now; my hand is exactly the color -of a fellow I had some trouble with this morning, and I was forced to -shoot him. I didn't like to do it, but I had to. Then I fell down and -hurt my head, and it feels rather light." - -"Yes, that fellow won't trouble you any more. Here is your son coming. -Don't let him know that yure head is light or it will make him feel -badly." - -"He looks like a boy of mine," replied the demented man, looking at his -son, who was approaching rapidly, overjoyed at seeing his father on his -feet, although he had found no trace of his affianced. He ran to his -father and took his hand eagerly. - -"My dear father, you can not tell how overjoyed I am to find you so -little injured." - -"There, there," cried his father, pushing him back with his left hand. -"I think you are getting too familiar." - -"Father!" - -"I allow no liberties taken with me, young man. I killed a red fellow -this morning for this. By the way, do you know that I would like to get -very drunk to-day in honor of the conjunction of the planets in their -separate orbits? Venus is a particular friend of mine. I met her at a -ball. No--where did I meet her? Where did you get that hat?" - -"Seth, what does this mean? I do not understand this. Why does he act -so strangely?" - -"That is the funniest hat, as I'm alive," said the old man, laughing. -"Why will you wear such an absurd thing, young man? I wish you would -take pattern by me." - -"Father, where is Madge?" - -"Madge? Who is Madge? Oh yes, I know. A little rosy-cheeked creature -that used to live here, on sufferance, mind you! Well, a red fellow -came along yesterday--was it yesterday?--I don't remember exactly--and -I gave her to him. She was no manner of use to me, so I thought I might -as well part with her, as the red fellow really seemed to want her." - -A look of agony came into the face of the young man. "This is horrible. -He demented and can give us no information in regard to my dear Madge. -What shall we do?" - -"He must be sent down the river at once, for a doctor is what he wants. -But, I don't see how it can be done. The woods are full of Indians." - -"Let the Dead Chief speak," said the Pottawatomie, advancing. "Let -me take him to my lodge, and the young war-chief can bring the -medicine-man to my lodge. The Gray Hair would not live to go to -Vincennes." - -"I believe the chief is right," said Floyd. "Oh, my poor father, how it -grieves me that you should be reduced to this piteous state." - -"I would like to know what all this talk is about," said the old man. -"I don't understand you at all. What does this man want?" - -"Come and dwell in the wigwam of the Dead Chief," said the Pottawatomie. - -"I really feel obliged to you, but I have so much business." - -"You may make a good trade if you go there," said Floyd, though it made -his heart ache to aid in deceiving his father. "We think you ought not -to have given Madge to that red fellow you speak of. Which way did he -take her?" - -"How should I know? I fell into the cellar before she went away, and -hurt my head. Well, if he cheated me, then the bargain is off. I'll go -with this other red fellow and see about it." - -They found a canoe at the landing, put him in it, and, with the chief -and two of the dragoons for a guard, he set off up the river, while -his son, affected almost to tears by his melancholy state, stood upon -the bank watching him until he disappeared around a bend in the river. -As he turned away they heard an ominous sound among the men, and the -click of pistol-locks, as an Indian came out of the woods and advanced -into their midst. A man of large size, with a lofty and commanding -appearance, richly dressed for an Indian, and wearing a wampum-belt -which denoted a chief of great rank. Half a dozen pistols were leveled, -knives were half drawn from their sheaths, and the threatening murmur -was deepening, when Yankee Seth threw himself between the weapons and -the chief. - -"What yew going tew dew? Don't yew know the great sachem? It is -_Tecumseh_!" - -"TECUMSEH!" - -The leveled weapons were dropped in an instant, and every one looked at -the commanding figure of the chief, as he gazed in evident surprise at -their hostile attitude. - -"What is this?" he cried. "Do they level their weapons against the -heart of so great a chief as Tecumseh when he comes to them with open -hands?" - -A louder murmur rose as the rangers pressed in upon him. "He is the -chief." "No, no, do not harm Tecumseh." "He knows all about this -villainy, and at least can punish the red devils who did it." - -In the midst of all the chief stood firm, his eyes fixed upon the -swaying mass of the rangers, flashing angrily at their attitude toward -him. Once or twice his hand strayed to the hilt of a weapon, and he -half drew it from its sheath, but the Yankee threw forward his rifle. - -"Neow, see here, men. I'm a plain sort of feller, and I talk plain tew. -Look eout what yew dew, fur, as sure as yew take a step tew hurt the -chief, yew git me in yure ha'r! He cum among us in good faith, and by -vum he shall go away safe." - -"Down with your guns, men! What one among you has suffered greater -wrong at the hands of the Indians than I have? The chief is innocent of -all this bloodshed, I fully believe. Tecumseh, you have come among us -in a bad time. Do you see yonder smoking ruins, and can you tell whose -hands did the fatal deed? I warn you that I am not in a good temper -to-day, but for all that I would not see wrong done you." - -"The heart of Tecumseh is very sad," said the chief, laying his hand -upon his broad breast, "for he sees the desolation about the home of -his brother. Who has done this?" - -"The men of Elskwatawa, led by Willimack the Wyandot," replied the -young soldier. "Stand fast, men. Chief, come with me." - -He led Tecumseh to the place where the bodies lay beneath the blankets, -and throwing back the cloth from them, showed the gashed and gory faces -of the dead. Tecumseh started back in evident surprise, not unmixed -with anger. - -"Listen, Floyd. Tecumthè[2] is above a lie. If by my hand these men -were slain, or y my orders, I would not lie to save my life. If my -brother's hand has done this deed, he is to blame, and is not the power -among the tribes I thought him. Where is the Gray Hair?" - -"He was stricken down by the blow of a hatchet, and has lost his mind." - -"The Gray Hair never did any thing but good to the Indians. Why should -they do him wrong? Where is Bright Eyes, the light of the Wabash?" - -"She has been taken prisoner by the chief, Willimack," replied Floyd. - -"Willimack is no friend of Tecumthè, although the Prophet loves him. -You saw him, in the council-house at Vincennes, point his pistol at the -breast of Tecumthè. He is a dog, and one day I will have him hung up in -the center of the Shawnee village, because he is a traitor both to red -and white men. Where has the Gray Hair gone?" - -"The Dead Chief has taken him to his lodge. He will return soon." - -A dark cloud passed over the face of the sachem as he heard the name -of the great chief of the Pottawatomies. He hated him because he had -denounced him to Harrison, and offered to do it in the face of the -whole tribe. - -"The Dead Chief is no friend to the white men," he said. - -"You are wrong, Tecumseh. The chief is our firm friend, and says that -because he is, you have ordered him to be slain." - -Tecumseh did not deny this, but a look of terrible anger passed over -his face, and his hand closed upon the hilt of his knife. - -"We shall see whether the Dead Chief can make Tecumthè a dog," he said, -savagely. "Then, listen: here above these dead men, I swear by the -bones of my fathers that I had no part in their death, and that these -are dogs who have slain them. Tecumthè has spoken." - -"I believe yew, chief," said the Yankee, who had come up unobserved. -"Yew are innercent, as fur as these murders are consarned. I believe -my soul you mean _fight_, but yew'll fight fa'r, not murder wimmin and -childern." - -Tecumseh looked furtively at the Yankee, evidently studying him closely. - -"You came between the pistols and Tecumthè," he said. "Why did you do -it?" - -"Oh, I like fair play, yew know! I always did, as fur as that goes." - -"Tecumthè thanks you, and perhaps some day it may be in his power to -give you aid. In that day, ask any thing in honor of Tecumthè and he -will grant it." - -He turned about and gave a loud, startling signal-whoop. Scarcely had -he done so when there started out of the thicket a diminutive figure, -that of a dwarf, who was the messenger of Tecumseh, a being scarcely -three feet high, who stood looking up into the face of his revered -leader. - -"If you would send any word to Harrison, the Weasel will carry it," -said Tecumseh. - -"Will it go safe?" said Floyd. - -"The honor of a chief is sacred. It shall go to Harrison, if you trust -me." - -"It shall be done. Order the men to dismount and picket their horses. -The chief will remain with us until his return with the answer." - -"It is well," said Tecumseh. - -Floyd stooped and tore a leaf from his note-book, upon which he wrote -in cipher to Harrison, acquainting him with the melancholy fate of his -family, and asking permission to take Yankee Seth and as many of the -rangers as the latter thought necessary, to track Willimack wherever he -had taken Madge. This cipher he intrusted to the Weasel, who took it -with a self-satisfied air, thrust it into a small bag he carried at his -belt, and set off at a pace which bade fair to take him quickly to his -destination. - - * * * * * - -The morning came at last, and the rangers were up and prepared -breakfast. When they had finished, all waited anxiously for the coming -of the dwarf, though few believed him capable of performing the journey -in so short a time. Tecumseh said he would be at hand in half an hour, -but while they waited there came a loud, defiant whoop, and the Dead -Chief, gorgeously attired, suddenly bounded forward and faced the -astonished Tecumseh, hatchet in hand. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 2: The name of the chief was so pronounced by the Indians.] - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -HUNTING THE HUNTERS. - - -The first movement of surprise over, the chiefs glared at each other -with looks of implacable meaning, and then Tecumseh turned carelessly -away as if no such person as the Dead Chief lived upon the earth. - -"Listen then, Tecumthè," shouted Dead Chief. "When a chief speaks, let -a dog of a Shawnee listen to his words. Do you know that Nabockalish, -the Skeleton Scout of the Americans, is on the trail of the Shawnee? -He follows you from place to place; he saved the Dead Chief and Floyd -from the anger of the Prophet, and he will live to tear the heart from -Tecumthè, from Willimack and Elskwatawa, if the Dead Chief does not do -it first." - -"Who has seen Nabockalish?" said Tecumseh, turning to Floyd and paying -no attention to Dead Chief. - -"I have seen him," replied Floyd. "So has the Dead Chief and the Long -Man." - -"Yaas, yaas," said Seth, "I seen him, darn him. And I will say that, of -all the outlandish critters I ever see, he beats _my_ time." - -"Nabockalish is like the wind of the prairies," said Tecumseh. "He -comes and goes as he will. Tecumseh has never seen him, but the dead -men his hand has laid low are many among the Shawnees. Some day -Tecumseh will meet him, and then we shall see who is strongest, the -Shawnee chief or the Skeleton Scout." - -The Dead Chief again threw himself in the way of Tecumseh. - -"Listen, Shawnee. Did you not bid Elskwatawa to slay me when we met?" - -"I think the Weasel is coming, Floyd," said the chief. "I hear his -whistle." - -Dead Chief saw that it was the design of Tecumseh to utterly ignore -his presence, and again throwing himself in the way, shook his open -hand in the face of the Shawnee and uttered a single word in the Indian -language. That word was the most bitter and opprobrious epithet which -one Indian could give another, and an insult not to be forgiven or -forgotten. The chief drew a long breath and his fingers which he had -laid upon Floyd's arm, closed with a convulsive gripe, that it left -black and blue spots upon the arm. But, Floyd knew that if the Dead -Chief or Tecumseh ever met, one or the other must go down. - -"That saws _yure_ leg off, Dead Chief," whispered Seth, dragging the -Pottawatomie away by main force. "Yew come along, neow. Here's the -Weasel." - -As he spoke the mannikin came gliding into camp, and drawing a letter -from his pouch, handed it to the captain, who immediately called up his -lieutenant and gave him his orders in a low voice. - -"Tecumseh," he said, "you came among us freely and you must go away -safely; you are at liberty to depart." - -"Have you good news from the Governor?" said the chief. - -"I can do as I wish," replied the soldier. "I think it better that you -should depart now, and let us go our way. Yankee Seth, come here. The -Dead Chief must stay with me too." - -Tecumseh bid them good-by and turned away with a stately step, closely -followed by the Weasel. He had hardly left camp, when the rangers -were in the saddle, and after scouts had beat the bushes on every -side to make sure that no Indians lurked there, they rode away toward -Vincennes, taking the captain's horse with them. - -"Take my hand, here, Seth Spink, and you, Dead Chief, and join me in -this vow. I will not turn back from this search or see Vincennes again, -until Madge Carlysle is freed from bondage or I know that she is dead. -And if they have killed her, I swear to give my life to vengeance on -her destroyers. Heaven hear my vow." - -"And mine," said Seth, solemnly. "This is business." - -"The Dead Chief is with you," added the Pottawatomie, quietly. - -The three clasped hands over the compact and stood locked in that firm -clasp, three strong men, confident in each other. Nothing can give a -man respect for another like that of danger shared together. - -"Now for the trail," said Floyd. "Can you find it, Seth?" - -"I rayther judge I kan," replied the Yankee. "Leastways, I know a -critter that kan do it fur me quicker than you can say scat, ef you kan -find something the gal has worn lately." - -"This will do, then," said Floyd, with a visible flush, taking a ribbon -from his pocket. "I stole this from her neck last night when we parted, -and have carried it since. What do you propose to make out of that?" - -"I'll show yew." - -He raised his hand to his mouth and emitted a long, sharp peculiar -whistle. It had scarcely ceased to vibrate on the morning air when a -rushing sound was heard and a huge wolf-dog, with a cross of the hound -in him, came breaking through the bushes at a rolling gallop after the -fashion of the beast from whom a part of his blood was derived. This -creature fawned upon the scout, who laughed and patted him. - -"Wolf is a good dorg," he muttered. "Yew wouldn't think it, but the -pesky brute hez been on our trail ever sence I cum deown the river -last night, and he wouldn't come to me unlest I called him, no matter -how long I was a dewing of it. Here, Wolf; smell tew that ribbin." - -The dog put his nose to the ribbon a moment and then ran up to Floyd -and rubbed his cold muzzle against his leg. - -"'Twon't dew," said the scout, with a puzzled look. "The ribbin ain't -rite, 'cause yew hev carried it tew long. Must hev something else." - -They searched carefully everywhere, until with a cry of delight, Floyd -stooped and picked up a broken bracelet which lay upon the earth, -half-trodden into the soil. - -"Here is the very thing, Seth. This bracelet--I gave it to her myself -in happier days--must be the thing to lead me to my darling." - -"Let's have it," said the Yankee. "Here, Wolf." - -The dog smelled the bracelet over and over, and then threw up his head, -giving utterance to a low howl. - -"Silence!" cried the scout. "_Seek her, boy!_" - -The dog put his nose to the earth and began to run to and fro in an -erratic manner over the ground, until he struck the scent he sought. -This done, he gave a short yelp and struck into a slow trot, which the -woodmen could easily keep up with, and started for the forest to the -north. They slung their rifles and started upon the trail of the dog, -which led into a forest-path. Keeping just far enough behind so that -they could keep him in sight, they soon were in the dense forest. The -Yankee took the lead with a stride which even the agile savage found -it difficult to keep up with at a walk, and he took the long lope so -characteristic to his race, and kept close to the heels of the Yankee. -Will Floyd, dogged and determined, kept on after them, though it cost -him more of an effort than either of the others. On, on, the forest -growing deeper at every stride, the dog accommodating his pace to that -of the men following, and looking back from time to time, to see that -they had not lost him. - -"That is a noble dog," said Floyd. "You must give him to me if we -succeed." - -"I couldn't do that, cap. Wolf and I are old friends. It's seven year -now we hev tramped the woods together; but he's gitting old now, the -old dorg is." - -"How many Indians do you think the captors of Madge number?" - -"Six," replied Long Seth, laconically. - -"How do you know that?" - -"_Because_ I know it," was the somewhat dogmatic reply. "I ain't going -to give any better reason." - -"Is Willimack with them?" - -"Ugh," said Dead Chief, laying his finger upon a spot in the path, -"Willimack here; see!" - -"I'm not posted enough in scouting to read a trace which might have -been left by a falling leaf, it is so light. Do you see any thing of -Madge?" - -"White girl walk woods," replied Dead Chief. "Look close." - -The young man stooped and examined the soft earth, and saw there the -imprint of a delicate foot, and he realized how great was the knowledge -of woodcraft possessed by the two men. - -"I say no more," he said. "When the time for fighting comes, I shall -not be behind you, but in scouting I am much inferior to either of you. -Do you think we can catch them, Seth?" - -"Got tew dew it, ain't we, if we keep our vow? I, fur one, want to see -Vincennes ag'in. The Guvner treated me right well when I was thar this -morning, and give me a rousing good drink, and it tasted mighty well -arter so much river-water last night. Ha! the dorg is puzzled. He is -trying back." - -As he spoke the dog doubled suddenly and "tried back" on the trail, but -without success, at first. His master encouraged him to continue, and -at last he stopped at a half-uprooted tree, leaning at a very acute -angle across a little stream, so that its bushy top was hardly ten feet -from the ground on the other side. - -"They've begun tew play Injin," said the Yankee. "Yes they hev, and -it suits me. I like a hard job, ef I like any thing in natur'. And -Willimack is a right good scout, once he sets his mind tew it. The dorg -has lost his trail." - -"Let us search for it," cried Floyd, eagerly. "My dear fellow, you see -how impatient I am." - -"I see it," said Seth, coolly. "The dorg hez lost the trail but I'm -darned ef Seth Spink hez, nor the Dead Chief, either. Hev we, old boy?" - -"Wah!" said the Dead Chief. "Willimack is a fool, if he thinks to throw -dust in the eyes of so great a scout as the Yellow Hair." - -"Sartin! sartin!" said Seth. "The trail is on the other side of the -creek. Now, I s'pose it puzzles yew tew know how they managed tew break -the trail afore they got tew the bank, capting?" - -"It does indeed." - -"Then look at this tree. Yew won't be the worse fur a lesson in -woodcraft, and I'm the man tew give it. Yew see that the bark is -scraped off a leetle here at the root. I s'pose Willimack got up, and -one of his men handed up the gal tew him, and then he walked eout intew -the branches, and dropped her on the other side, onlest one of his men -went first tew help her. Anyway, they left footmarks when they dropped." - -The Yankee ran up the tree like a cat, and the dog sprung up after him. -The next moment they were clambering in the bushy top and dropped to -the earth on the other bank. - -"Thar's the trail," said Seth, "clear as mud. They made a good plant -for green hands tew foller, but they don't half know me, the critters. -Now look at this. By gracious, this is a new plant. The trail ends -here." - -"I am afraid we shall never overtake them," said Will. - -"Yew shet up! It takes jest ez long tew hide a trail so that Wolf and -me kain't find it as it duz tew find it, and no longer. I'll study that -eout in a minnit." - -He looked quickly about him. Under the tree-top, where the Indians had -dropped to the earth, the soil was tramped hard in places, but these -did not extend over a distance of more than ten feet, and none of them -led toward the bank. How had Willimack broken the trail this time? The -dog was at fault, for, though he ran to and fro, upon the trampled -bank, he could not strike the scent again. At last the eye of the -Yankee was attracted by the appearance of the ground toward the stream, -and following the trace it led him to the bank. Looking down into the -clear water he could see the tracks of moccasins in the sand at the -bottom. - -"Water don't leave no trail," he muttered. "Yaas, but sand does, bet -yure life! Wolf, this way. Stay here, boys, and if I give a whistle, -follow me as quick as yew could say 'scat'." - -He ran swiftly up the bank of the stream, with the dog beside him. Five -minutes after they heard his whistle and rushed after him. He stood -upon the bank of the stream holding his dog by the neck. - -"They took to the water. I knowed they would, Floyd." - -"But how did they get to it?" - -"Stripped a piece of bark from an elm and walked tew the water on it -and then threw the bark intew the crick. 'Twas cute, by gravy. But, -I'll cheat 'em yet, see ef I don't. Go it, Wolf!" - -The dog again bounded forward on the trail, and the three men followed -him with unabated vigor. Trick after trick in woodcraft was unraveled -by the perseverance of the Yankee, whose skill was aided by that of -the Dead Chief, no tyro in the art. Night came and found them still on -the trail, which now began to freshen, so that they knew their enemies -could not be many miles ahead. The scout halted when it became too dark -to proceed easily and told them to sit down and eat something. - -"Eat; what have we to eat? And besides, I have no appetite for any -thing now." - -"Hain't yew? That's jest whar we differ. I'm as hungry as a b'ar, and -I'd like a bit of b'ar-meat tew. But, es that ain't accessible, so tew -speak, we'll hev tew make eout with jerked venison. That won't come so -bad, neither." - -The scout produced a pouch and took from it a quantity of jerked -deer-meat, and began to eat heartily, laying the meat out where his -companions could easily reach it. He had hardly begun to eat when he -had two helpers, for, upon second thought, the young soldier found -himself quite as hungry as the others, and he devoured his share. - -"That's something like it, boy. What kind of a fight dew yew s'pose -yew'd make 'thout any fodder? Yew'd double up like a dish-clout in the -hands of the fust Injin that yew struck, and that ain't the kind of man -we want." - -"Are they far ahead?" - -"That's jist what I'm going tew be sartin of. No they ain't very fur -ahead, leastways I think they ain't. Here, Wolf; ketch hold of that." - -He threw a large piece of the venison to the dog, who devoured it -eagerly. When they had finished, the scout signaled to them to follow, -and, turning aside from the path they had been pursuing, he broke -through the tangled bushes and came out in the center of a little -clearing made by the hand of man. - -In the midst of this sequestered spot some borderman had built a cabin -of rough logs after the manner of the settlers of that day. The grass -was green and bright about the cabin, but the logs were smoke-begrimed -and the roof gone. Upon the grass not far from the door were three -grave-like mounds, laid side by side. The one in the center was the -largest, and the others looked like the graves of children. - -"Yew stay here," said the scout. "It's a good place tew rest, and -nobody ever comes here 'cept me and one other." - -"Why do they not come here?" - -"'Cause the place is ha'nted," replied Seth. - -"Haunted!" - -"Yes. Them mounds thar are what they look like, graves. And the hunters -hev a story that the dead won't rest thar, because they were foully -dealt with. Mebbe the story's trew, and those are the graves of little -children. It mout be; sadder things hev happened in the history of -these times." - -"Do you know any thing of the settler who lived here?" - -"He never ha'nted me; that I know, and I've stopped here many a time -tew rest. Keep quiet here and wait for me." - -"Suppose any thing should happen to you?" said Floyd. - -"It won't. Waal, yew stay here until morning, and if I ain't here then, -go on yure way." - -He slung his rifle into the corner, looked to see that his knife and -hatchet were in his belt, and disappeared in the darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -TOO MUCH "FIRE-WATER." - - -The fears of Yankee Seth had been but too well founded, for Madge had -indeed fallen into the hands of the traitorous Willimack. Early in the -morning, not long after the escape of Will Floyd from the stake, the -stockade had been surprised by a sudden onset from a savage party under -the brutal chief. Matthew Floyd, defending her with desperate valor, -was felled by the stroke of a hatchet and had dropped into the cellar -just as the roof of the burning building began to fall. Willimack -seized the half-fainting girl and dragged her out of the burning cabin -by main force, keeping a tight grip upon her wrist, for he knew that -she possessed enough moral courage to kill herself if he gave her the -opportunity. A malicious grin writhed his dark face as the flames -curled about the rafters of that doomed house. - -"Wah!" he cried. "Burn, home of the white man, burn! The shelter which -you refused to the chief, Willimack, you will give to no one. Burn, -burn, burn!" - -"You are a wretch," cried Madge. "Are you brave enough to kill me now -and let me go to the noble man who had given the orphan girl a shelter -through these long years?" - -"Why should I kill you?" said Willimack. "No; live to cook the venison -in the great wigwam of the Wyandot when the white man has ceased from -off the land." - -"Release me, then, and let me go back to my people. You have done -wickedness enough." - -He only laughed scornfully, and pointed to the bleeding bodies of the -two soldiers and the negro servants. "You see all these," he said. -"They stood by and laughed me to scorn when the Yellow Hair struck me -down at his feet like a dog. Was this well? A chief is not a dog, and -Willimack only lived for vengeance. See; you will from this time be an -Indian, live as we live, die as we die, and be buried as we bury our -dead. I have spoken. Willimack can not lie." - -He turned about and uttered a signal-whoop, at which the men gathered -about him, and he addressed them rapidly in the Indian language, which -Madge did not understand. He had no sooner done so than they scattered -and crossed the river in every conceivable conveyance, upon logs, -planks and charred beams, leaving Willimack with only five men beside -the ruins. He still held her hand, and turning away from the river, -began his march to the West, closely followed by his men. She saw with -ill-concealed fear the numberless artifices the man used to hide the -trail, and feared that she was lost. Only once during the day he had -stopped, and gave her food, and then marched on again. Her shoes were -soon torn by the rough path over which she trod, and her feet bleeding. -Once she stopped and said she would go no further, and Willimack turned -fiercely upon her with a hatchet, but she did not blench. - -"White girl," he said, "do you not fear death?" - -"No," she said, boldly. "Death is preferable to the fate you design for -me." - -"Good. You will make a good wife for a warrior because your heart is -strong. Must go; we drag you." - -An Indian seized her by each hand and dragged her on. Seeing how -powerless she was to resist them, she told Willimack that she would -walk if they would not touch her, and kept up boldly until nightfall, -when the savages paused and made a camp in a deep hollow, surrounded -by heavy woods. He gave her food from his scanty store--cracked corn -and dried venison, with water from the running stream hard by. She ate -quite heartily, for the long walk had made her hungry. Willimack looked -on with a calm smile while she ate, muttering to himself. When she had -finished he took green withes and made her sit down at the root of a -tree and tied her fast to the mossy trunk. He had hardly done so when -one of the men, with a low chuckle, drew from his bosom a huge bottle -which he had stolen from the stockade, and flourished it above his head. - -"Ugh!" grunted his companions in chorus. "Obisenay somet'ing got, eh?" - -"Fire-water! Wa-wa!" replied Obisenay. - -The lucky finder lifted the heavy bottle, and a musical gurgle -followed. When he lowered it there was quite a difference in the -weight, and he passed the bottle to the chief. - -"Good?" demanded Willimack. - -"Much good," said Obisenay. "Drink." - -Willimack did as he was requested, and drank quite deeply. The others -followed, and the heavy bottle passed round the circle. A curious scene -followed. A man who has never seen a number of Indians drunk has missed -a remarkable scene. Seated in a circle, with the girl-prisoner in the -center, they kept drinking at a rate which would have astonished a -habitual drunkard among the whites, swaying their bodies to and fro, -and giving utterance now and then to a short quick whoop as the liquor -began to affect them. The bottle was quickly dispatched, and one of -them, by a singular instinct, found out that _he_ had purloined a -similar one, and they took to this. Now they began to dance and howl, -brandishing their hatchets and leaping wildly about among the trees, -looking like demons in their war-paint. In the midst of the wild orgie -an Indian came suddenly from among the trees and joined them. Willimack -by this time was very drunk, but he had sense enough to see that a -stranger had come among them. He was a tall, finely-formed man, painted -for war, in the dress of a Huron. - -Willimack advanced to meet him with stately gravity, reeling in his -walk, and endeavoring to stand straight. - -"How do, brudder?" he said. "Why you stand no still?" - -It was a remarkable feature of the great Willimack that when he copied -the white man's vices by getting gloriously drunk, he forgot that he -could speak Indian and fell into broken English. - -"What does my brother mean?" said the new-comer. - -"Why you whirl, whirl, whirl, so? Make ground swing too much." - -"My brother has fire-water." - -"Ugh, good. Huron drink fire-water with his Wyandot brother," said -Willimack. - -They brought the second bottle, grievously lessened in weight, and the -Huron lifted it to his mouth. He kept it there long enough to drink -a great deal, but if he did, the throat did not show the process of -swallowing in the slightest degree, and he kept his face partly turned -away from the wild band. It seemed to affect him strangely, however, -for he drew his hatchet and began to dance wildly with the rest until -his eyes fell upon the bound captive. - -"Who is here?" he cried. "Her skin is white. What does she here among -the Wyandots?" - -"Prisoner," said the chief. "Take much scalp, take much fire-water. -Wah!" - -He had indeed taken much, _too_ much fire-water for his own good. The -Huron looked hard at the prisoner, and then turned about and asked for -the bottle, and prevailed upon the Indians to sit down again. - -"Brothers," he said, "there is a devil in the woods." - -"Wah," said Willimack. - -"He is as tall as a blasted pine, his eyes are like blazing stars. We -call him Nabockalish, and white men call him the Skeleton Scout." - -Willimack shook his head gravely at the unwelcome name. - -"Skeleton Scout no good. Hate him, hate Long Man, hate Floyd, hate -every one. Skeleton Scout too much no good." - -"It is true. But if the Skeleton Scout should come, what would my -brother do?" - -"Run!" said Willimack, shortly. - -"_Run!_ Does a chief of the Wyandots run? Ah! look, look, sons of the -Wyandot." - -One look was sufficient. Out of the woods, holding a blazing torch in -each hand, came the tall figure of the being they had known as the -Skeleton Scout, bearing down upon them with a frightful yell. It was -too much for human nature to bear, and they stumbled over each other in -their wild efforts to escape from their dreaded enemy. One fell into -the clutches of the Skeleton Scout, and they went down together, and -then the strange specter rose again, and pursued the now scattered and -sobered savages, who, wild with terror, were flying in every direction. -The Huron had not run far, and to the terror of Madge he came bounding -back, flourishing over his head a heavy knife, and she closed her eyes, -for it seemed the hour had come for death. But, to her utter surprise, -instead of striking her, he cut the bonds upon her hands, just as Long -Seth came out of the woods on one side and Floyd upon the other. The -young soldier ran to Madge and clasped her in his arms, and the poor -girl dropped her head upon his shoulder with a cry of joy. - -"Oh, Will. I hoped you would come, and you did not desert me. But your -dear father, Will. Alas, he is dead!" - -"Almost as bad," said Will, sadly. "He is badly hurt, and is demented. -But thank God, you are safe." - -"Who is this Indian who cut my bonds?" she said, turning to him. - -"Bright Eyes does not know a Pottawatomie in the war-paint of a Huron," -replied the Indian. "Dead Chief is the man who will do much for the -beautiful daughter of the forest." - -"Thank you, chief. And Seth too; I might have known he would not desert -me." - -"Neow shet up," said the scout. "Nuff talk of that kind, yew know. Ef -yew are glad I cum, keep it tew yureself. Talk abeout it, and I won't -believe yew are glad, so thar. Besides, we ain't got time tew _now_, -I jedge, seeing that the pesky varmints will be arter us in less than -half an hour. But, by George, cap., ef I didn't see that pesky critter -they call the Skeleton Scout, then I don't know nothing 'bout it. He -shot by me like a ball out'n a rifle, the flamed critter did, and he -yelled wuss than any painter yew ever hern tell of." - -"A Wyandot lies yonder," said the Dead Chief. "Let us see if his hand -is upon him." - -Seth snatched up a blazing brand and followed the chief. Obisenay, the -Wyandot, who had brought forward the first bottle of liquor, lay upon -his face on the green sward. They turned him over, and as in the case -of the man they had found outside of the stockade upon the night when -Willimack first attacked the block-house, they could find no wound upon -him. Without stopping to comment upon the singular circumstance, Seth -signed to his companions to follow, and hurried away. - -How had Seth come so quickly to the aid of Madge? It was explained -easily. When he left Will Floyd and the Indian in the ruined hut, he -knew well the camp of Willimack could not be far away, and he chose to -go upon his first scouting expedition alone. He had found the camp not -half a mile from the ruins of the hut, and, after satisfying himself -with regard to it, he at once returned to his friends and went back on -the trail. They first painted the Indian like a Huron, and so smeared -and stained his scanty clothing that it might have belonged to any -tribe, and sent him into camp after seeing that the Indians were likely -to get very drunk. He had been instructed to brain an Indian with his -hatchet upon getting a preconcerted signal, and was waiting for it when -the Skeleton Scout burst out upon them, and put the Indians to flight. - -"Seems tew my benighted intellec' that this skellington mixes in with -my business a good deal," said Seth. "I was making up to git my posish -so that I could throw an Injin cold, jest about the time I give the -signal, when, "_yah!_" went this living skellington, blame him, and -when I got thar the work was all done! You'd better kerry the gal, -capt'ing. She's mighty tired." - -Will lifted the girl in his arms, and carried her for some distance, -when Seth reached out and took her. "Thar, baby," he said. "I'm ashamed -of yew. Allow yer feelings to overcome yew that way, eh? Let _me_ kerry -her. I'm powerful strong in the legs and arms. Guess our fam'ly are all -pooty healthy that way. Injin, don't let any of them niggers creep up -on us unwar's. Keep yure weather eye open, fur I don't trust that pesky -Willimack a cent's wuth. I don't by Jehosaphat." - -Even while talking, the Yankee managed to keep up his long stride, -carrying Madge like a child. "Lay yure head on my shoulder, little -gal," he said. "Yew needn't be afraid of tiring _me_, not a bit! I -ain't liable tew it, nohow. I've kerried heavier weights than yew are, -twice as fur as from here to Vincennes, and rayther liked it, by gosh. -Neow my father, when he was a hundred and forty year old, kerried two -hundred pounds of wheat across his farm, easy." - -"Oh, hush, Seth. How can you tell such stories?" said Madge, who -somehow felt the utmost confidence in the skill and knowledge of the -country possessed by the Yankee. - -"Don't believe me, so tew speak. Neow, that riles up my feelings, -powerful bad. It duz, by gracious! Tew think that this little critter -hez the face tew doubt the family traditions! Ef it was a man that -dared tew say it I'd make him repent in dust and ashes. But, as it's -nothing but a gal, I dunno ef thar's any use getting mad. What's that, -chief?" - -"Wyandot on the trail," replied the chief. - -"I thought so. Waal, thank fortin', they kan't trail us in the dark. -Yew don't think the etarnal critter has picked up any more men, chief?" - -"Good many," said the chief. "Prophet keep camp not far away. Bad -Indian _very_ bad! Good many in woods." - -"I reckin yer right, chief. He's picked a party some'rs that he knowed -of. He wouldn't hev stopped tew git drunk ef he didn't think himself -tarnation safe. Oh, blame my cats ef this ain't tew cussed bad." - -"Let us keep on all night," said the young soldier, eagerly. - -"Oh, git eout! Willimack is sure tew hev every path as black with -Injins as a nigger's pocket, and we're likely tew blunder intew a trap, -I guess. So let's try another way." - -He had stopped a moment hesitatingly, and turning aside from the path -he had been pursuing, struck into the woods, crossed the clearing -in which the hut stood, casting a sidelong look at the three graves -whose outlines he could just make out in the darkness, and Madge felt -a slight shudder run through his frame, and she thought him tired and -begged him to set her down. But he refused. "I could kerry yew in one -hand, little one," he said. "Yew rest easy. I tell yew, I was thinking -of something else." - -The clamor of pursuit could be heard on every side as the Indians -closed in upon them, and the Yankee muttered to himself. "Hunted close! -But I'll save her yit; I sw'ar it. Ah, here we ar'!" - -As he spoke he reached the base of a little hill, rocky and -precipitous, rising in the center of the forest. Up the rocky slope -he climbed, lifting Madge over the rocks until he reached a sort of -parapet running round the crest of the hill. - -"Gather leaves and brush, boys," he said. "We've got tew hev a fire -tew fight by. Build it here, outside the fort, so't it will throw a -light down the hill. It's the only place they kin come up by, and three -rifles will make it lively for 'em." - -As the fire was kindled and the flames leaped up, Madge looked -curiously about her. She was in the center of one of those curious -Indian forts which remain in many of the States, now grassgrown and in -decay. A low parapet, perhaps five feet high, inclosed a space of three -or four hundred square feet. Behind them, the mountain rose high and -wild, nearly inclosing three sides. The place where they had come up, -a narrow defile not three feet wide, was the only course by which the -Indians could assail them. The fire blazed merrily up, just as two or -three savages appeared at the base of the hill. - -"Fire!" cried Yankee Seth. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -THE HIDING-PLACE. - - -As his command rung boldly out upon the air of night, the scout leveled -his weapon and fired at the foremost savage. There was a horrible yell, -and the man threw up his arms and rolled headlong down the slope. Two -others darted out into the light and were received by the Dead Chief -and Floyd. One of them fell, shot through the shoulder, and the other -dragged himself groaning away, with a broken thigh. They quickly -reloaded their rifles and were ready for the next rush. The warm -reception the foremost had received somewhat damped the ardor of the -rest, and they remained in the edge of the timber, firing a useless -volley at the party so nicely concealed behind the old rampart. - -"Kinder sets 'em back," laughed the Yankee. "They didn't s'pect us tew -turn on 'em so darned quick. Neow, don't it beat all natur' that Injins -back deown so quick? Oh, come out, Willimack, dew; I want tew see yew! -Don't hang back and be a coward. That ain't acting like a man, yew -know. Come out and _be_ a man. I would, yew know." - -But, in spite of this feeling adjuration, the Wyandot persisted in -keeping out of sight. To tell the truth, he was not yet certain whether -his brain was quite clear of liquor, and was inwardly cursing Obisenay -up hill and down dale for putting temptation in his way. He had met -with a party of his own men, who were coming down the river to join the -Prophet, and had enlisted them in the service, so that at least sixty -men were ranged in the woods in front of the ancient fort. But, they -were mostly young men, and though good hunters, the majority of them -had never been engaged in a battle except with men of their own race. -The loss of one of their number and the severe wounding of two others, -had given them a wholesome awe of the deadly rifles of the hunted men. -Willimack was beside himself with rage, and moreover was in deadly fear -of the Skeleton Scout. He had not dared to tell the new-comers that -this fearful creature had assailed them, and that it was by his hand -that the unfortunate bottle-holder, Obisenay, had met his death, for -he feared they would scatter in every direction and leave him to do -the fighting alone. None of his original party remained, for they were -doubtless running yet, satisfied that the Skeleton Scout was at their -heels. Willimack knew his men, and determined to try an assault, and -passed the word to that effect. - -Hardly had he done so when there came bounding over the rocks toward -the fort a score or more of painted figures, howling like demons, and -brandishing their weapons in air. - -"Crouch down, Madge," cried Floyd; "you may get hurt." - -"Am I better than the rest?" replied Madge. "Give me a knife. I will -not fall alive into the hands of Willimack if I can help it." - -There was no time to hesitate. With a look of unutterable affection the -young man gave her a small stiletto which he carried inside his coat, -and whirling suddenly, shot a savage completely through the head who -was coming too near--"throw'd him cold," as the Yankee said. Two more -went down before the weapons of the scout and Dead Chief, and the rest -swarmed on for vengeance. Will Floyd said nothing, but, grasping his -rifle by the barrel, he poised it for defense. The Indians must advance -upon them through a narrow space where more than three could not pass -abreast, and were hemmed in by perpendicular walls of rock thirty feet -high. - -"Give 'em the pistols, Will," cried the Yankee, "and then charge 'em." - -Both men drew their pistols, and fired into the coming savages. The -Dead Chief had no pistol, but he stood with his lips apart as if after -a race, his body thrown into a statuesque attitude, with his left foot -advanced, and body slightly inclined toward the coming foe, ready for -a spring. They could trust him to fight bravely. The discharge of -the pistols at such close quarters into the compact body of savages, -could not fail to make bad work, and groans and cries succeeded. Then, -uttering wild yells which none but forest-men could imitate, the three -brave men leaped over the stockade and rushed at the leading savages. - -"Give 'em goss!" cried the Yankee. - -They stood in the narrow way, Seth and the Indian, with hatchet and -knife, and the young soldier with his clubbed rifle. The foremost -Indians, unused to such enemies, would have fallen back if possible, -but their companions in the rear pushed them forward, only to fall by -the deadly weapons of their determined foes. Willimack, who had heard -the polite request on the part of the Yankee that he would "come out -and be a man," had prudently kept in the rear, and now found that his -men were meeting a strenuous resistance, and indeed that they made -no advance, while the groans and cries from the front, the clash of -weapons, and the triumphant cries of the defenders, told that they had -the best of it. Indeed, it could hardly be otherwise, for the Indians -were so wedged into the narrow space that they could scarcely move -their hands, while the others stood where they could fight freely. -Seeing that he was gaining nothing by this mode of fighting, the -Wyandot called off his men, only to find them sadly decimated by their -encounter with the trio. - -Cursing the obstinacy of the defenders as heartily as any man could do, -Willimack drew off his men after bringing away such of the dead and -wounded as the Dead Chief would consent to part with. Upon counting -the loss and gain, after the battle, Willimack found this total: four -killed outright in the charge, three desperately wounded, and left -on the ground, and as many more brought off. Over a dozen wounded in -various ways, though not so badly as to disable them, and they had no -reason to believe that their enemies had been wounded in the least. - -They had already fallen back to the fort, and were taking breath after -the struggle. The Dead Chief was coolly arranging the hideous trophies -he had taken time to strip from the heads of his enemies, paying no -attention to the look of horror upon the face of Madge, who wondered -that a man who had fought as gloriously as he had done in beating back -the enemy, could think of tearing and mutilating the dead. But, he -handled them as coolly as if they had been pieces of paper, shook the -blood from them, and thrust them into his belt with a gratified air. - -"Wah!" he said. "Why do we wait? Let us charge the enemy and take their -scalps." - -"Easy, chief, easy," said the Yankee. "Don't rile up so darned quick. -I reckin we are safer here than we would be eout thar in the woods. -Etarnal Jehosaphat, but didn't we let intew 'em? The critter don't like -us a bit, I judge." - -"We are able to keep this pass against them," said Will. - -"Throw a couple of sticks on that fire," replied Seth. "I reckon yure -right, but it looks tew me as ef this pass was going tew keep us. We -ain't got pervisions enough tew last half a day." - -"I never thought of that. Indeed, we could not stand a siege," replied -Will. - -"No, cuss the luck. Give me enuff grub, and I'll hold this place alone -ag'in' the hull Wyandot nation. But, Lord, I'd give my old moccasins -fer a drink of water now." - -"Here is my flask. There is about pint of brandy in it." - -"Good," said Seth eagerly. "Take jest one swallow, and be sure yew -don't make it a long one, 'cause we want it tew last." - -Will did as the Yankee told him, and passed the flask along. - -"I've got a big mouth," said Seth. "I could take the hull at one -swaller, but that wouldn't be fair. Here, chief; take hold." - -The chief shook his head. - -"Oh, I forgot. Beg pardon, chief, yew are a teetotaller. It would be -a darned sight better fer the Injins ef they all follered the same -principle, but unfortnitly they don't. Here gal, take hold." - -"No," said Madge. "Indeed, I am not thirsty. Remember that I had just -been eating and drinking when you rescued me, and have not been going -through the same struggle since. I can wait until to-morrow before I -need any thing." - -"Waal, lie down, little 'un, and try tew git a little sleep. I'd dew -any thing tew save yew, little gal." - -"Thank you, my good Seth. I know you would." - -He scraped a pile of leaves and twigs into one corner of the work, and -induced her to lie down and rest. Then he went back to the others. - -"Now look here, boys," he said. "It's all right tew talk about holding -eout a week or a fortnight here on a flask of brandy and a piece of -jerked venison about big enough tew give one h'arty man a good meal, -but, it won't work. We kan't dew it, and I reckon some on us has got -tew go under. Neow look here! I kin hide that little gal so that the -devil hisself kan't find her, and I kan hide one more along with her. -But, I kan't hide three or four." - -"Save her, Josh, at all hazards." - -"That's what I say. I'm going tew save her, but someone hez got tew be -with her, yew know. Now then, who shill it be?" - -"You, by all means," said Will. - -"Not a bit of it. I'm tew long tew stick intew my hiding-place handy, -and besides, the gal mout not like it. I guess you'll hev tew be the -one." - -"I will not desert you, Seth." - -"Oh, git eout. Desert the devil! Once I git yew tew safe I laugh at -every Injin in the territory. Come here." - -A nearly perpendicular but irregular wall of stone formed the back -part of the fort. A point jutted out considerably further than the -rest, leaving a fissure about four feet across. In this fissure a large -stone, apparently broken off from the rock above, lay loosely upon the -earth, with its side pressed against the rock. Putting his ponderous -strength to the stone, the Yankee moved it easily to one side and -disclosed an opening close to the ground, nearly three feet high. "Git -in, and see how yew like it," he said. "It's one of _my_ holes." - -The young soldier crawled in, and striking a match, saw that he was in -a hole scooped out by the hand of nature in the solid wall, which was -large enough for two persons to sit in comfortably, though they could -not rise to their feet. Having satisfied himself, he crept out as he -came in. "The air seems pure," he said. - -"How is it when the stone is replaced?" - -"First rate. Lord love yew, I've been in that hole menny and menny a -time. Yew kan't think heow com'fable it is tew lay thar and hear the -Injins howl outside, and wonder heow the devil yew got away. It's -mighty nice. Git the gal and bring her here. Tell her tew stoop low, -'cause some of them pesky cusses may be on the watch. Pass the word for -the Dead Chief tew keep up a good look-out. Dead? He ain't dead, not -much he ain't." - -Madge was resting peacefully upon her bed of leaves, but rose and -followed her lover without a word, while he explained to her the nature -of the hiding-place which Yankee Seth had showed him. Seth saw that the -young man was still very much averse to leaving him to fight himself -out of the cordon of his enemies alone, and made an angry movement. - -"Neow, don't say a darned word, Will Floyd. Who but yew ought to stay -and take keer of the little gal? As fer me, I'm in the hands of the -Great Being, even the Injins adores, and ef my time hez come tew die -now, I ain't the man that will kick ag'inst it. But, my time ain't come -yit, I feel it in my bones. Go in, little gal. Take yure rifle and -am'nition, boy. Yew may need it." - -"Yes," said Will, sternly. "Madge shall never go to an Indian lodge. I -promise her that, and I will keep my word." - -"That's right, keep yure word tew the little gal, and when the Injin -wars are done and yew are married, I'll come tew see yew in yure house -on the Wabash. _Yew_ bet! See this peep-hole here, cap. Yew kan lie -flat in thar and see all the fun, and I'm going tew give yew some." - -"Do not be rash, Seth. Escape if you can." - -"A rash man is never a good scout," was the quiet reply. "Go in!" - -Will followed Madge into the hole in the rock and lay upon his face -after the stone had been replaced, peeping out into the fort. The -Yankee was standing just in front of him, with his hand upon the -shoulder of the Indian, and Will thought he had never seen two nobler -specimens of manly beauty in his life. - -The firelight shone upon the noble figures of the two men, and the -Yankee was whispering in the ear of the savage. A bright smile crossed -the face of the Indian and he looked at him in a puzzled way, and then -shook his hand heartily. - -"I wonder what they are up to now?" muttered Will. "That Yankee is -equal to any deviltry, and now that he has me off his hands he don't -seem to fear the Indians in the least." - -"What is he doing?" said Madge, who felt a strange security in the odd -hiding-place. - -"They are both laughing," replied Will. "There, they are trampling out -the fire. I can see no more. Ha! the Indians are on the move; I can -hear their hurrying feet. Do you fear, Madge?" - -"No. Am I not with you, dear Will." - -"Yes, darling, yes. And if they find us out--" - -"You have two pistols. One for me, one for yourself. If you escape -alive and I fall into the hands of Willimack, never look your friends -in the face, for you will be a coward." - -"Hush," he said, in a hoarse voice. "You have my promise already. Come -close to me and keep quiet. When the time comes, give me the word, and -then--oh God, it will drive me mad to do it." - -"When the time comes I shall die as bravely as another," replied Madge. -"Kiss me once upon the lips, and we will die together, my hero, my own!" - -He kissed her frantically, and she returned the caress. At another -time, it might have caused a blush to this innocent girl; but, in the -presence of this great danger, she forgot all this, and with her hand -clasped in his, waited for the blow which was sure to fall if their -hiding-place was found. - -A wild yell of mingled rage and hatred burst from the woods around, -and the savage foe came pouring over the rampart of the old fort, -some carrying torches, some holding their weapons ready for a blow. -But, they found no enemy, and the frantic cries told that they were -disappointed of their prey. Will pressed the hand of the brave girl, -which did not tremble in his grasp, and kept his eyes fixed upon the -movements of the enemy. They were rushing madly about the inclosure, -looking in every place where a man could by any chance be concealed, -without effect. Willimack was at their head, painted to the waist, -holding in one hand a blazing torch and in the other a heavy hatchet. - -As the young man saw the scoundrel, he raised his pistol, and it -was only by the thought that _her_ life would be sacrificed that he -refrained from shooting the wretch through the heart. - -The Indians came into the crevice in which they were hidden, and one of -them actually leaned upon the rock which shielded them! The grasp of -the soldier tightened upon the wrist of Madge, and she met his pressure -by raising herself a little and putting one rounded arm about his neck. -But, the danger passed, for the moment. The Indian went away and they -breathed more freely, when a commanding voice, which seemed to come -from the sky, shouted: - -"_Willimack!_" - -The chief looked up, and there, upon the rocks thirty feet above his -head stood the Skeleton Scout, pointing his unshaking finger at the -Wyandot. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE LAST TRIAL. - - -At the sight, nearly all the cowardly followers of the Wyandot took -flight and buried themselves in the woods, or burrowed like conies -among the rocks. Willimack was evidently frightened beyond measure at -the appearance of the being he so dreaded, but was too proud to seek -safety in flight. - -There stood the Skeleton Scout, the grinning death's-head revealed, -the fire flashing from his lurid orbs, and that long finger pointing -downward. - -"Dog!" cried the spectral being in a hollow voice. "How much blood must -you shed before you will be satisfied? How long must the spirits of the -rocks and the trees carry your evil deeds to the Great Spirit before he -sends the Great White Bear to carry you way to the abode of the lost?" - -This was spoken in the Indian tongue, and seemed to have a terrible -effect upon the savage, for he bowed his head in terror, with his arms -folded upon his breast. - -"Nabockalish is a strong spirit," he said. "The Wyandot nor the Shawnee -is not strong enough to stand before him. Why does he hate the poor -Indian?" - -"Because the Indian is a fool!" replied the Skeleton Scout, fiercely. -"Listen to the words of Nabockalish. I see a great cloud in the sky. -The Indians have roused the anger of the Great Spirit, and an evil day -is come upon them. There will be war along the Wabash, and many will -fall in battle. The Shawnee will be driven out and no longer possess -the land of his fathers. Perhaps the Wyandot will go with him? There is -a cloud before my eyes and I can not see it plainly. Turn back, then, -Willimack, and flee the wrath of the Great Spirit." - -"Why should Willimack turn back?" replied the Indian, fiercely. "A -lying spirit talks through Nabockalish--a spirit which has no love for -the Indian. Let the lying spirit depart, for Willimack will not listen -to his words. He will fight under the banner of the Prophet until the -white man shall cease from the land." - -"Then, listen," shrieked the specter. "The spirit of the rocks and -trees have heard your words and will carry them to the Great Spirit. -Behold!" - -As he spoke there was a strange, hissing sound, and a brilliant flame -leaped up, lighting the surrounding darkness. The flame ran in erratic -circles like a fiery serpent and vanished into thin air, and when they -looked again, the Skeleton Scout was gone, while the air was heavy -with a sulphurous smell. The sight was too much for the savages, and -they broke and ran in every direction, stumbling over the rocks, the -redoubtable Willimack leading them in their flight. Bursts of horrible -laughter followed them as they fled. - -"Astonishing," muttered Will. "This passes my comprehension. Is -my friend, the Skeleton Scout, an inhabitant of the lower world, -after all? I am ashamed to say that he has very nearly succeeded in -frightening me." - -Terrible screams sounded through the forest and accelerated the flight -of the savages. A dead silence succeeded, and then the stone was -violently pushed aside. - -"Now," cried Madge, "keep your word, if you love me, Will." - -"Hold on," cried a voice they well knew, "none of that, Floyd; -come eout. By gravy, that Skileton Scout is a gentleman of great -penetration, and I'd give forty dollars fur the privilege of shaking -hands with the darned fool. He's a little brimstony in his karacter, -but darn it all, what's that, once yew git used tew it? He routed the -Injins, hoss, foot and dragoons. Lord bless my heart alive, heow they -_did_ let eout. I thought Willimack would break his neck, sartin." - -"Where have you been?" said Will, helping Madge out of their -hiding-place. - -"Oh, we shinned up the rocks thar. We couldn't lug the gal up or I'd -'a' done it afore. 'Twouldn't dew tew desart her, yew know. Now, chief, -what are they dewing abeout these days?" - -"Running," replied the Dead Chief, sententiously. "Very much scared." - -"Yew look a little shaky yureself, old man!" said Seth, with a laugh, -"and, by gosh, it set me back a leetle trifle, when that fiery sarpint -went flashing deown the rocks. The outlandish critter desarves a -pension for helping us eout of this scrape. Here; gimme the gal. Show -a light, chief. The red devils will think it's the Living Skellington -coming arter 'em ag'in, and run the faster. Haw! haw! haw! It tickles -me most tew death tew see how the critters run." - -The Dead Chief caught up a half extinguished torch which one of the -Wyandots had dropped, and led the way out of the narrow pass. Once safe -at the bottom, he extinguished the torch and led them in the darkness. -The Yankee came next, carrying the girl in his arms, while Will Floyd, -with leveled rifle, brought up the rear. In this way they passed on for -over a mile, when they struck a well-beaten path, and pursued it for -two hours in silence. Then the Yankee called a halt. - -"I guess we may as well halt, boys. More as like ez not we'll foul a -snag ef we keep on in the dark. The woods are chock full of Injins, -and when Willimack gets over his little scare he'll come a-raving, and -charging arter us, that I know. Sit down on this log, little 'un. Yew -don't weigh so much on the start, but, Lord love yure little heart -ef yew don't grow mitey heavy arter a while! I'm glad we got eout of -_that_ trap. How dew yew feel, little gal? Considerable kind o' tired, -eh?" - -"Very tired, and I am sorry to say, a little sleepy," replied Madge. - -"That's all rite," said long Seth. "Nat'ral ez life. Waal, thar ain't -anything ag'in' a snooze, ez I knows on. We won't go any furder till -morning. Scrape up them leaves and make a bed fur the gal. Capting, yew -won't mind lending her yure coat, I guess?" - -He stooped and spread out the leaves, and Madge lay down beside the log -and her lover spread his coat over her, and sat down to watch while the -Yankee took his station, rifle in hand, to wait for any emergency which -might arise, while the Indian rolled himself against the log and fell -asleep, but with his weapons ready to start up, at a moment's warning. -Madge was awakened at early morning and found her friends ready for a -start. - -"Rouse up, little 'un," said the Yankee. "We ain't got any time tew -waste. I ain't got anything fur yew tew eat 'cept this cracked corn. -The Dead Chief took it from an Injin last night that didn't want it no -more. You kan eat it as yew march." - -She followed them cheerfully, eating the corn he had given her, and -laughing lightly. In the midst of great danger she maintained a -cheerful confidence which was inspiriting to the men who had come to -save her. This happy confidence in them made their task lighter. Yankee -Seth would have carried her again, but she refused utterly, saying that -her night's rest had left her strong and able to bear any ordinary -fatigue. They marched slowly, for the signs were ominous, and once or -twice the scout stopped and listened carefully to see if the sounds -about him were suspicious. She could see that he feared danger, yet -maintained an unswerving fortitude. - -"Brave gal," muttered the Yankee. "Make a good sojer's wife, _she_ -will!" - -They stopped at noon beside a little brook, which the young man -remembered to have crossed the day before, and again took food. But, -the Yankee scout kept glancing from side to side and often started up -and looked about him. Near by was a giant sycamore, with a hollow near -the root, large enough for a person to enter. - -"See here, Miss Madge," said Seth. "We've got tew scout a little. I -don't see no other way, so yew jest git intew that holler tree and -wait fur us. We won't leave yew long. Yew'll find a step cut in the -side, wide enough fur yew tew stand on. Yew'd better git up on that, -fur mebbe an Injin might take it intew his darned old head tew look in -thar. Now, boys, come with me." - -The hollow was very dark, but Madge grasped the stiletto which her -lover had given her, and did not fear. An hour passed, and they did not -return. At the end of that time a head was thrust into the cavity. - -"Bright Eyes," said a voice which sounded strangely hollow in the -cavity. "Come down; the Yellow Hair has sent for you." - -"Who is that?" said Madge. - -"Dead Chief," was the reply. - -She descended hurriedly, and stooped to emerge from the opening. As -she did so, she was roughly seized upon and a hand pressed so tightly -upon her mouth and nostrils that she found it impossible to cry out. A -scarf was torn from her neck and speedily transformed into a gag, which -was thrust rudely into her mouth, and when she looked up she saw the -leering face of Willimack close to her own. - -"Aha!" he hissed. "Where is the Skeleton Scout? Where is Nabockalish -now to save you? The spirit of the rocks and trees are things at which -a great chief laughs!" - -Taking her in his arms he dashed into the forest which bordered the -path, and she found herself in the midst of the remnant of the band of -Willimack, and in their midst, tightly bound and bleeding from a cut in -the forehead, was her lover. He uttered a cry of horror as he saw her -brought in. - -"You too, Madge! Then the cup of my misery is full indeed." - -She tried to speak, but the gag forbade it, but he understood her. - -"Yankee Seth is dead. I saw him fall into a deep gully, shot by the -hand of this traitorous savage. The brave fellow fought gallantly, but -fell overpowered by numbers." - -The Wyandot laughed in a sardonic manner, evidently triumphing in the -misery of which he was the cause. He approached and took the gag from -the mouth of Madge. - -"Talk to him, _talk_," he shrieked. "Let him tell you how Willimack, -the Wyandot, avenges himself upon those who have done him great wrong. -The Long Man is dead, though warriors have not yet found his body. The -Dead Chief is flying though the forest with four fleet runners upon his -track, and you two are here, to try what it is to dare the vengeance of -a great chief." - -"Listen to me, Wyandot," cried Will, angrily. "I am in your hands, and -you have it in your power to use me as you will. But, so surely as you -do a wrong to this sweet girl, I will find a way to haunt you from my -grave." - -"You shall never know a grave," screamed the chief, shaking his -clenched hand in his face. "Your ashes shall be scattered to the four -winds of heaven. Even your bones shall be consumed and the winds shall -carry them away. She shall look on and see. Aha! Her face grows paler! -She is like the white lily that lies upon the summer water when the sun -is high." - -"Chief," she said, "here I am and in your power. Let me see if you care -for me as you say. Let Floyd go free." - -"And if I do, will you go into my wigwam?" - -"I am in your power, as you know." - -"Do not promise," cried Floyd. "Do you think I would purchase my life -on such terms as these?" - -"Ha! ha! ha! Is a Wyandot a fool to let you go free? No; she shall see -you die, and then she shall enter my wigwam all the same. A great chief -never lies. You shall die upon the spot where you came and stole the -Bright Eyes away, when the accursed fire-water of the white man had -robbed me of my strength. Come!" - -He made a signal, and several Indian ponies were led from the -surrounding thickets. Madge was forced to mount one of these and Will -another. The latter had his feet tied beneath the horse, and in this -condition was led away, surrounded by about twenty of the wild band. -It was growing dark when they reached the scene of the first escape of -Madge; there the party dismounted and tethered their horses. This done, -they tied the young soldier to a tree, and heaped light wood about him, -while Madge threw herself at the feet of the stern chief and begged for -her lover's life. He only showed by a scornful smile that he saw and -heard her, but stood gazing at the prisoner, the second time he had -seen him at the stake. - -"You escaped from the Prophet; from me you can not escape," he -hissed. "Away, squaw! How dare you come between a great chief and his -vengeance?" - -"As you hope for mercy, chief; as you expect ever to know a quiet home, -do not torture him," cried Madge. "I ask it on my knees." - -"Away!" cried the chief. "Light the pile!" - -As a hand was outstretched to do his bidding, there was a rush of many -feet, and the glade was filled with mounted Indians of the Shawnee -nation! Willimack understood at a glance that they had come to rob him -of his prey, and, with a yell of baffled rage, darted at Madge with -uplifted hatchet. But, there started up before him the giant figure of -Yankee Seth, who dealt him a tremendous blow with his fist which felled -him to the ground. Madge started up with a glad cry and threw herself -into his arms. - -"Thank God you have saved us, gallant man! A life would not repay the -debt I owe you now." - -"Oh, git eout," replied the excited scout. "I don't ask it, dew I?" - -There was a suspicious moisture in his eyes, however, and he brushed -the sleeve of his hunting-shirt across them in a hurried manner, and -putting her gently aside, ran to cut Will Floyd loose. - -"Who are these?" said Will, after pressing the hand of the Yankee -warmly in his own. "They are Indians. I am afraid it is out of the -frying-pan into the fire." - -"Not a bit of it!" replied the Yankee. "Tecumseh is here." - -"Tecumseh!" - -"Yes," replied the full rich voice of that noble chief, advancing. -"The white man has been wronged by those who claim to be friends of -Tecumseh, and who but he should set it right? Willimack has a bad -heart. He has done more evil than he knows to the Shawnees. Bright -Eyes, let the chief tell how glad he is to see you safe." - -Madge came forward and gave him her hand thankfully. - -"You came in time, chief. How did it happen?" - -"Yankee Seth is a great brave. He fell into a hole which was very deep, -but the Great Spirit was watching over the safety of Bright Eyes, and -saved his life. Tecumseh was already on the march to save you from -Willimack, and we met. The rest you know." - -Willimack had risen, and was looking on with a lowering brow. His men -were standing, cowed and fearful, in the presence of the great chief, -but he alone maintained an undaunted mien. - -"Can Tecumseh come to me and steal away my prisoners?" he said. "Is -this being a friend to the Wyandots?" - -"A great chief should not be cruel," replied Tecumseh. "Willimack was -never the friend of Tecumseh. Chief, you have been very wicked, but you -are the friend of the Prophet. Go; I will take care of your prisoners." - -Willimack scowled fiercely about him, and for a moment seemed to -meditate an assault upon the great Shawnee. But the abject submission -of his men showed that he would have no backers, and he dared not trust -himself alone against the mighty arm of Tecumseh. Shaking his hand in -anger at the chief, he turned away, and the forest hid him from view. - -"Go on," muttered Seth. "Yew are a marked man from this hour. I _am on -yer trail_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -They camped that night upon the spot which had witnessed their last -trial and rescue, and set out at early morning to ride to the town of -Vincennes, accompanied by Tecumseh and a portion of his band. Upon the -evening of the next day they camped again a few miles from Vincennes, -where they were met by the rangers of Floyd, who had been sent out on a -scout in the direction of the ruined station. Knowing them to be safe, -Tecumseh bade them farewell. His band already were on the march, and -he stopped a moment to press the hands of Floyd and Yankee Seth. - -"The heart of Tecumseh is made of stern stuff," he said. "But, it -is very sad when he thinks that when we may meet again it may be as -enemies. In that hour do not forget that we have been friends." - -Making them a mute gesture of farewell, he turned upon his heel and -left them. The young soldier took the hand of Madge and they stood -alone in the gathering darkness. In that sad hour, a father driven mad -by his wrongs, his faithful servants slaughtered, the young man felt -that she was indeed all to him. A low growth of bushes separated them -from the rangers, and they were very close together, when there rose -before them the fearful figure of the Skeleton Scout. It stood a moment -looking fixedly at them, when the ghastly head disappeared, although -the body remained, and a boisterous laugh greeted them as Nabockalish, -the Skeleton Scout, stood confessed in the person of Yankee Seth. - -"Seth Spink!" cried Floyd. "Is it possible?" - -"You the Skeleton Scout?" murmured Madge. - -"Jess so. I'm that identickle cuss," said Seth, laughing. "But, don't -tell the boys, fer the disguise is a right good 'un." - -"But you were always as frightened at the Skeleton Scout as any one," -said Madge. - -"That was a blind, you know," he replied. "Ef yew'd 'a' taken time tew -think, yew'd 'a' seen that I was never on hand at the same time the -Skellington was. I'll tell yew how it was done, ef you'll promise tew -keep it secret." - -"Agreed," said Floyd. - -"Wal, then, I've got the apperatus here. Come closer, yew'll see how -easy it works. Yew see my hunting-shirt is loose round the neck. That -leaves room fer the thing tew lay com'fable and out of sight. I pull -up this black cloth like this, yew see, and it covers my head, leaving -a place fer my mouth and eyes. Then, here's a blow-pipe. I blow on it, -and yew see what happens." - -He inflated his cheeks and blew hard upon the pipe, and a number of -white stripes upon the surface of the black cloth began to rise and -swell until they assumed, in the darkness, the appearance of a ghastly -skeleton head. When it was inflated he turned a stop which kept in -the air, and putting up his hand, turned the slides of a pair of small -"bull's-eye" lamps, and the Skeleton Scout was before them. Floyd -could not avoid a hearty laugh at the ease with which the thing was -done. Seth joined in the laugh, turned the stop and allowed the air -to escape, pulled down the contrivance and pushed it under his loose -hunting-shirt, and appeared in his own person. - -"It don't take me tew moments tew change characters and be Nabockalish -or Yankee Seth, jest ez I like," he said. "Let the gal go to camp a -minnit, Will. I want tew speak tew yew." - -"A moment, my friend, and then I will go," said Madge. "How did you -produce the appearance of the fiery serpent upon the rocks, after we -were hidden in the hole in the rock." - -"I dropped a train of gunpowder in the shape I wanted it, and set fire -tew it," the Yankee said, laughing. "'Most any specter will be ez easy -'counted fer ez I am, if people could only git tew the root. There, go -away, gal." - -Madge went slowly back to camp, and the scout stood a moment in deep -thought. - -"Yew seen them graves by the ruined cabin in the woods, my boy?" said -he. "I didn't tell yew whose they were, because that would 'a' bin ez -good ez telling yew my secret. My wife and children lay thar, jest ez -I buried 'em when I found 'em scalped and gory, when I cum back from a -hunt. I've lived a scout and hunter since, and not a bad one, ez old -man Harrison will tell yew, and I've had my revenge on a few of the -reptiles. When I wear the disguise of the Skeleton Scout I spare none." - -"And how is it you leave no sign?" said Floyd. - -"Yew didn't look in the right place. Both those dead hounds yew seen -were stabbed threw the brain behind the ear. I've got a knife with -a thin blade, that leaves no blood outside. Perhaps I'm wrong, but, -whenever that idee comes over me, I think of them green graves on the -sunny slope, and then I'm an iron man ag'in. Don't tell this tew any -one, and try tew forgive me if I have bin tew blame." - -Floyd silently extended his hand and the scout grasped it firmly in his -own. They were tried friends from that hour, and never in the after -peril which came to that frontier forgot the dangers they had shared -together. - -Matthew Floyd, under the care of a good surgeon, recovered somewhat his -shattered faculties, but, the sound of an Indian war-whoop would always -drive him wild in a moment. - -The young couple were married the next week and lived in Vincennes, -and remained happy in each other's love until the war began in earnest -along the frontier, and the rangers, with their gallant leader, marched -to the fierce battle at Tippecanoe, where the power of the Prophet was -broken, and Willimack lost his life. - -Dead Chief remained true to the whites, and at last, in a fearfully -tragic manner, which another tale may serve to show, sealed his -devotion with his life. - -The Skeleton Scout was still seen at night, flashing in the darkness -beside the Indian camp-fires; and when the war was over, came back to -live in quiet upon a farm just outside Vincennes, and go down to the -grave honored and beloved. And Madge Floyd taught her children to honor -the name of Nabockalish, the Skeleton Scout, and her first, a noble -boy, was the Seth of her fair household. - - -THE END. - - - - -STANDARD - -Dime dialogueS - -For School Exhibitions and Home Entertainments. - -Nos. 1 to 21 inclusive. 15 to 25 Popular Dialogues and Dramas in each -book. Each volume, 10¢ 12mo pages, sent post paid, on receipt of price, -ten cents. - -Beadle & Adams, Publishers, 98 William St., N.Y. - - -These volumes have been prepared with especial reference to their -availability for Exhibitions being adapted to schools and parlors with -or without the furniture of a stage, and suited to SCHOLARS AND YOUNG -PEOPLE of every age, both male and female. It is fair to assume that -precious few books in the market, at any price, contain so many useful -and available dialogues and draw on so much wit, pathos, humor and -sentiment. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 1. - - Meeting of the Muses. For nine young ladies. - Baiting a Live Englishman. For three boys. - Tasso's Coronation. For male and female. - Fashion. For two ladies. - The Rehearsal. For six boys. - Which will you Choose? For two boys. - The Queen of May. For two little girls. - The Tea Party. For four ladies. - Three Scenes in Wedded Life. Male and female. - Mrs. Sniffles' Confession. For male and female. - The Mission of the Spirits. Five young ladies. - Hobnobbing. For five speakers. - The Secret of Success. For three speakers. - Young America. Three males and two females. - Josephine's Destiny. Four females, one male. - The Folly of the Duel. For three male speakers. - Dogmatism. For three male speakers. - The Ignorant Confounded. For two boys. - The Fast Young Man. For two males. - The Year's Reckoning. 12 females and 1 male. - The Village with One Gentleman. For eight females and one male. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 2. - - The Genius of Liberty. 2 males and 1 female. - Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper. - Doing Good and Saying Bad. Several characters. - The Golden Rule. Two males and two females. - The Gift of the Fairy Queen. Several females. - Taken in and Done For. For two characters. - The Country Aunt's Visit to the City. For several characters. - The Two Romans. For two males. - Trying the Characters. For three males. - The Happy Family. For several 'animals.' - The Rainbow. For several characters. - How to Write 'Popular' Stories. Two males. - The New and the Old. For two males. - A Sensation at Last. For two males. - The Greenhorn. For two males. - The Three Men of Science. For four males. - The Old Lady's Will. For four males. - The Little Philosophers. For two little girls. - How to Find an Heir. For five males. - The Virtues. For six young ladies. - A Connubial Eclogue. - The Public meeting. Five Males and one female. - The English Traveler. For two males. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 3. - - The May Queen. For an entire school. - Dress Reform Convention. For ten females. - Keeping Bad Company. A Farce. For five males. - Courting Under Difficulties. 2 males, 1 female. - National Representatives. A Burlesque. 4 males. - Escaping the Draft. For numerous males. - The Genteel Cook. For two males. - Masterpiece. For two males and two females. - The Two Romans. For two males. - The Same. Second scene. For two males. - Showing the White Feather. 4 males, 1 female. - The Battle Call. A Recitative. For one male. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 4. - - The Frost King. For ten or more persons. - Starting in Life. Three males and two females. - Faith, Hope and Charity. For three little girls. - Darby and Joan. For two males and one female. - The May. A Floral Fancy. For six little girls. - The Enchanted Princess. 2 males, several females - Honor to Whom Honor is Due. 7 males, 1 female. - The Gentle Client. For several males, one female - Phrenology. A Discussion. For twenty males. - The Stubbletown Volunteer. 2 males, 1 female. - A Scene from "Paul Pry." For four males. - The Charms. For three males and one female. - Bee, Clock and Broom. For three little girls. - The Right Way. A Colloquy. For two boys. - What the Ledger Says. For two males. - The Crimes of Dress. A Colloquy. For two boys. - The Reward of Benevolence. For four males. - The Letter. For two males. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 5. - - The Three Guesses. For school or parlor. - Sentiment. A "Three Person" Farce. - Behind the Curtain. For males and females. - The Eta Pi Society. Five boys and a teacher. - Examination Day. For several female characters. - Trading in "Traps." For several males. - The School Boys' Tribunal. For ten boys. - A Loose Tongue. Several males and females. - How Not to Get an Answer. For two females. - Putting on Airs. A Colloquy. For two males. - The Straight Mark. For several boys. - Two Ideas of Life. A Colloquy. For. - Extract from Marino Faliero. - Ma-try-Money. An Acting Charade. - The Six Virtues. For six young ladies. - The Irishman at Home. For two males. - Fashionable Requirements. For three girls. - A Bevy of I's (Eyes). For eight or less little girls. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 6. - - The Way They Kept a Secret. Male and females. - The Poet under Difficulties. For five males. - William Tell. For a whole school. - Woman's Rights. Seven females and two males. - All is not Gold that Glitters. Male and females. - The Generous Jew. For six males. - Shopping. For three males and one female. - The Two Counselors. For three males. - The Votaries of Folly. For a number of females. - Aunt Betsy's Beaux. Four females and two males. - The Libel Suit. For two females and one male. - Santa Claus. For a number of boys. - Christmas Fairies. For several little girls. - The Three Rings. For two males. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 19. - - An awful mystery. Two females and two males. - Contentment. For five little boys. - Who are the saints? For three young girls. - California uncle. Three males and three females. - Be kind to the poor. A little folks' play. - How people are insured. A "duet." - Mayor. Acting charade. For four characters. - The smoke fiend. For four boys. - A kindergarten dialogue. For a Christmas Festival. Personated by seven - characters. - The use of study. For three girls. - The refined simpletons. For four ladies. - Remember Benson. For three males. - Modern education. Three males and one female. - Mad with too much love. For three males. - The fairy's warning. Dress piece. For two girls. - Aunt Eunice's experiment. For several. - The mysterious G.G. Two females and one male. - We'll have to mortgage the farm. For one male and two females. - An old fashioned duet. - The auction. For numerous characters. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 20. - - The wrong man. Three males and three females. - Afternoon calls. For two little girls. - Ned's present. For four boys. - Judge not. For teacher and several scholars. - Telling dreams. For four little folks. - Saved by love. For two boys. - Mistaken Identity. Two males and three females. - Couldn't read English. For 3 males and 1 female. - A little Vesuvius. For six little girls. - "Sold." For three boys. - An air castle. For five males and three females. - City manners and country hearts. For three girls and one boy. - The silly dispute. For two girls and teacher. - Not one there! For four male characters. - Foot-print. For numerous characters. - Keeping boarders. Two females and three males. - A cure for good. One lady and two gentlemen. - The credulous wise-acre. For two males. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 21. - - A successful donation party. For several. - Out of debt out of danger. For three males and three females. - Little Red Riding Hood. For two children. - How she made him propose. A duet. - The house on the hill. For four females. - Evidence enough. For two males. - Worth and Wealth. For four females. - Waterfall. For several. - Mark Hastings' return. For four males. - Cinderella. For several children. - Too much for Aunt Matilda. For three females. - Wit against wile. Three males and one female. - A sudden recovery. For three males. - The double stratagem. For four females. - Counting chickens before they were hatched. For four males. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 22. - - The Dark Cupid; or, the Mistakes of a Morning. For three gentlemen and - two ladies. - That Ne'er-do-Well; or, a Brother's Lesson. For two males and two females. - High Art; or the New Mania. For two girls. - Strange Adventures. For two boys. - The King's Supper. For four girls. - A Practical Exemplification. For two boys. - Monsieur Thiers in America; or, Yankee vs. Frenchman. For four boys. - Doxy's Diplomacy. 3 females and 'incidentals.' - A Frenchman; or, the Outwitted Aunt. For two ladies and one gentleman. - Titania's Banquet. For a number of girls. - Boys Will Be Boys. For two boys and one girl. - A Rainy Day; or, the School-Girl Philosophers. For three young ladies. - God is Love. For a number of scholars. - The Way He Managed. For 2 males, 2 females. - Fandango. Various characters, white and otherwise. - The Little Doctor. For two tiny girls. - A Sweet Revenge. For four boys. - A May Day. For three little girls. - From the Sublime to the Ridiculous. For 14. - Heart Not Face. For five boys. - - -DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 23. - - Rhoda Hunt's Remedy. For 2 females, 1 male. - Hans Schmidt's Recommend. For two males. - Cheery and Grumble. For two little boys. - The Phantom Doughnuts. For six females. - Does it pay? For six males. - Company Manners and Home Impoliteness. For two males, two females and - two children. - The Glad Days. For two little boys. - Unfortunate Mr. Brown. For 1 male, 6 females. - The Real Cost. For two girls. - A Bear Garden. For three males, two females. - The Busy Bees. For four little girls. - Checkmate. For numerous characters. - School Time. For two little girls. - Death Scene. 2 principal characters and adjuncts. - Dross and Gold. Several characters, male and female. - Confound Miller. For three males, two females. - Ignorance vs. Justice. For eleven males. - Pedants All. For four females. - - -The above books are sold by Newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, -post-paid, to any address, on receipt of price, 10 cents each. - - -BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St., N.Y. - - - - -DIME POCKET NOVELS. - -PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. - - - 1--Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes. - 2--Dead Shot. By Albert W. Aiken. - 3--The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis. - 4--Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 5--Nat Wolfe. By Mrs. M.V. Victor. - 6--The White Tracker. Edward S. Ellis. - 7--The Outlaw's Wife. Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. - 8--The Tall Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken. - 9--Lightning Jo. By Capt. Adams. - 10--The Island Pirate. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 11--The Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - 12--Bess, the Trapper. By E.S. Ellis. - 13--The French Spy. By W.J. Hamilton. - 14--Long Shot. By Capt. Comstock. - 15--The Gunmaker. By James L. Bowen. - 16--Red Hand. By A.G. Piper. - 17--Ben, the Trapper. By Lewis W. Carson. - 18--Wild Raven. By Oll Coomes. - 19--The Specter Chief. By Seelin Robins. - 20--The B'ar-Killer. By Capt. Comstock. - 21--Wild Nat. By Wm. R. Eyster. - 22--Indian Jo. By Lewis W. Carson. - 23--Old Kent, the Ranger. Edward S. Ellis. - 24--The One-Eyed Trapper. Capt. Comstock. - 25--Godbold, the Spy. By N.C. Iron. - 26--The Black Ship. By John S. Warner. - 27--Single Eye. By Warren St. John. - 28--Indian Jim. By Edward S. Ellis. - 29--The Scout. By Warren St. John. - 30--Eagle Eye. By W.J. Hamilton. - 31--The Mystic Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis. - 32--The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck. - 33--The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter. - 34--Old Lute. By E.W. Archer. - 35--Rainbolt, Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - 36--The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis. - 37--Carson, the Guide. By J.H. Randolph. - 38--The Heart Eater. By Harry Hazard. - 39--Wetzel, the Scout. By Boynton Belknap. - 40--The Huge Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis. - 41--Wild Nat, the Trapper. Paul Prescott. - 42--Lynx-cap. By Paul Bibbs. - 43--The White Outlaw. By Harry Hazard. - 44--The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey. - 45--The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 46--Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham. - 47--The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 48--The Phantom Tracker. By F. Dewey. - 49--Moccasin Bill. By Paul Bibbs. - 50--The Wolf Queen. By Charles Howard. - 51--Tom Hawk, the Trailer. - 52--The Mad Chief. By Chas. Howard. - 53--The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing. - 54--Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 55--Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs. - 56--The River Rifles. By Billex Muller. - 57--Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff. - 58--Cloudwood. By J.M. Merrill. - 59--The Texas Hawks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 60--Merciless Mat. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 61--Mad Anthony's Scouts. By E. Rodman. - 62--The Luckless Trapper. Wm. R. Eyster. - 63--The Florida Scout. Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 64--The Island Trapper. Chas. Howard. - 65--Wolf-Cap. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 66--Rattling Dick. By Harry Hazard. - 67--Sharp-Eye. By Major Max Martine. - 68--Iron-Hand. By Frederick Forest. - 69--The Yellow Hunter. By Chas. Howard. - 70--The Phantom Rider. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 71--Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard. - 72--Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 73--The Skeleton Scout. Maj. L.W. Carson. - 74--Little Rifle. By Capt. "Bruin" Adams. - 75--The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson. - 76--Old Ruff, the Trapper. "Bruin" Adams. - 77--The Scarlet Shoulders. Harry Hazard. - 78--The Border Rifleman. L.W. Carson. - 79--Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 80--Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. R. Ringwood. - 81--Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve. - 82--Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard. - 83--The Specter Horseman. Frank Dewey. - 84--The Three Trappers. Seelin Robbins. - 85--Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U.S.N. - 86--The Hunter Hercules. Harry St. George. - 87--Phil Hunter. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 88--The Indian Scout. By Harry Hazard. - 89--The Girl Avenger. By Chas. Howard. - 90--The Red Hermitess. By Paul Bibbs. - 91--Star-Face, the Slayer. - 92--The Antelope Boy. By Geo. L. Aiken. - 93--The Phantom Hunter. By E. Emerson. - 94--Tom Pintle, the Pilot. By M. Klapp. - 95--The Red Wizard. By Ned Hunter. - 96--The Rival Trappers. By L.W. Carson. - 97--The Squaw Spy. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 98--Dusky Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 99--Colonel Crockett. By Chas. E. Lasalle. - 100--Old Bear Paw. By Major Max Martine. - 101--Redlaw. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 102--Wild Rube. By W.J. Hamilton. - 103--The Indian Hunters. By J.L. Bowen. - 104--Scarred Eagle. By Andrew Dearborn. - 105--Nick Doyle. By P. Hamilton Myers. - 106--The Indian Spy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 107--Job Dean. By Ingoldsby North. - 108--The Wood King. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 109--The Scalped Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 110--Nick, the Scout. By W.J. Hamilton. - 111--The Texas Tiger. By Edward Willett. - 112--The Crossed Knives. By Hamilton. - 113--Tiger-Heart, the Tracker. By Howard. - 114--The Masked Avenger. By Ingraham. - 115--The Pearl Pirates. By Starbuck. - 116--Black Panther. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 117--Abdiel, the Avenger. By Ed. Willett. - 118--Cato, the Creeper. By Fred. Dewey. - 119--Two-Handed Mat. By Jos. E. Badger. - 120--Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 121--Black Nick. By Frederick Whittaker. - 122--Kit Bird. By W.J. Hamilton. - 123--The Specter Riders. By Geo. Gleason. - - -The following will be issued in the order and on the dates indicated: - - 124--Giant Pete, the Patriot. By W.J. Hamilton. - 125--The Girl Captain. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 126--Yankee Eph. By J.R. Worcester. - 127--Silverspur. By Edward Willett. Ready May 6th. - 128--Squatter Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready May 20th. - 129--The Child Spy. By George Gleason. Ready June 3d. - 130--Mink Coat. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Ready June 17th. - -Beadle's Dime Pocket Novels are always in print and for sale by all -newsdealers; or will be sent post-paid, to any address; single numbers, -ten cents; six months (13 Nos.) $1.25; one year (26 Nos.) $2.50. - - -Address, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SKELETON SCOUT, OR, THE -BORDER BLOCK *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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Carson</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The skeleton scout, or, The border block</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 73</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Lewis W. Carson</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: July 16, 2022 [eBook #68538]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois University Digital Library)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SKELETON SCOUT, OR, THE BORDER BLOCK ***</div> - -<p class="ph5">THE</p> - -<p class="ph1">SKELETON SCOUT;</p> - -<p class="ph6">OR,</p> - -<p class="ph3 ">THE BORDER BLOCK.</p> - - -<p class="ph3" style="margin-top: 5em;">BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON,</p> - -<p class="ph6">AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING POCKET NOVELS:</p> - -<p class="ph5">17. <span class="smcap">Ben, the Trapper.</span><br /> -22. <span class="smcap">Indian Jo, the Guide.</span></p> - - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top: 10em;">NEW YORK:</p> -<p class="ph4">BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,</p> -<p class="ph5">98 WILLIAM STREET.</p> - - - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-top: 10em;">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by</p> -<p class="ph5">FRANK STARR & CO.,</p> -<p class="ph6">In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.</p> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 5em;">THE SKELETON SCOUT;</p> - -<p class="ph5">OR,</p> - -<p class="ph3">THE BORDER BLOCK.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER I.</p> - -<p class="center">A YANKEE ON A LOG.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> scene opens upon one of those great rivers of the West, in the -country which Tecumseh claimed and fought for so gallantly. The forest -was at rest, save only the songs of birds and the splash of the fish -leaping in the river. A thicket of bushes which bordered the path down -to the water, was suddenly pushed aside and a grim face peered out, a -face rendered doubly fierce by its war-paint, for it was that of an -Indian of Tecumseh's noble race.</p> - -<p>Satisfying himself that no one was in sight, the Indian rose slowly, -stalked out into the path, and took his course toward the river.</p> - -<p>Another and another followed, until ten had come into view, gliding in -silence down the forest-path.</p> - -<p>Each savage was naked save the breech-cloth and moccasins. Only the -man who first showed himself, was differently dressed. He was a tall, -stately warrior, bearing upon his naked breast the totem of his tribe -painted in bright colors, and wearing upon his dark hair the plumed -head-dress of a chief.</p> - -<p>Each Indian carried a rifle of the most approved make in the English -service, together with the inevitable scalping-knife and tomahawk.</p> - -<p>Not one of them spoke, but followed their chief's cautious steps down -to the water's edge, where, sheltering themselves behind the bushes, -they peered across the stream.</p> - -<p>It was late in the afternoon, and the sun was already out of sight -behind the tree-tops on the western shore. But, not upon the glories of -nature did the eyes of those fierce-visaged sons of the forest rest. -What then?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>Upon the other shore, close to the river, stood a log cabin of the -largest size, with heavy walls and doors, calculated to resist any -ordinary attack. The fields around it were green with varied crops, for -it was now near the end of summer.</p> - -<p>A strong wall of logs, hewn smooth, and leaving no chance to a climber, -surrounded the house. It was plain that the builder, whoever he might -be, was fully awake to the dangerous position he occupied in the midst -of the Indian country, but that he did not apprehend any immediate -attack was apparent, for his huge stockade gates were off the hinges -and leaning against the walls on either side.</p> - -<p>The Indians lay under cover of the bushes, their gleaming eyes riveted -upon their expected prize, but they made no movement, for they beheld -a man standing upon the point which stretched out into the stream, a -rifle in his hand, pacing up and down as if on guard.</p> - -<p>As they gazed a strange sight greeted their astonished vision. -Something was coming down the river in mid stream. It seemed to be a -man, seated in a canoe.</p> - -<p>The current swept him rapidly downward, and, as the nondescript craft -came near, they saw a man seated astride of a log, keeping its head -down the current by the aid of a flat stick which he held in his hand. -As he neared the stockade he began to paddle vigorously, and whirled -the head of the log more toward the shore. By this time the watcher -on the point had run down to the water's edge, and the click of a -rifle-lock sounded.</p> - -<p>"Ahoy, there!" he shouted.</p> - -<p>"Hello!" replied the man on the log. "How de dew?"</p> - -<p>"Hadn't you better come ashore?" said the sentry, persuasively, -pointing his rifle.</p> - -<p>"Seeing it's <i>yew</i>, I donno but I <i>had</i>," replied the navigator, -coolly. "Yew seem mighty pressing, somehow."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to persuade you to come ashore," replied the sentry, with a -laugh.</p> - -<p>"Ain't I coming?" growled the man on the log. "Yew needn't put on sech -style over me, I guess! I ain't said nothing tew yew, I judge. Don't be -sech a 'tarnal fool tew keep p'inting that weepin at me. It might go -off."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It will go off, if you don't come ashore, sir," replied the sentry. -"Hurry up!"</p> - -<p>The Yankee—there could be no mistake as to his nationality—turned the -head of the log toward the shore, and as it struck the land, began to -rise slowly from the water. The sentry kept up his attitude of command -so long as his Yankee friend showed only the ordinary amount of bone -and muscle, but his eyes opened as foot after foot rose from the water, -and the Yankee stood six feet seven in his stockings! A queer looking -specimen of the <i>genus homo</i> he was, such as, for the good of the race, -nature rarely framed. In breadth of shoulder and girth of body he was -no larger than men of ordinary size, and this added to his imposing -hight. His face, which did not show a particle of beard, was round, -good-natured and smiling, furnished with a mouth of mighty breadth, and -a nose curved like the beak of an eagle. His arms were of extraordinary -length, even for so tall a man, reaching nearly to the knee. His hair -was of a flaming yellow.</p> - -<p>He was dressed in a dirty shirt of homespun, which never had known -any other cleansing since first put on than that it received from the -clouds or streams. A black leathern belt was strapped about his waist, -but it bore no more deadly weapon than an ordinary knife. His feet were -covered by moccasins rudely made and tied with buck-skin strings. Upon -his head he wore a cap of beaver-skin, mangy and worn bare in spots, -giving him a far from prepossessing appearance. A certain whimsical, -devil-may-care air marked the fellow, which was irresistible, and the -sentry laughed aloud, as the long stranger faced him on the beach. The -sentry was a young man in the dress of a rifleman, with the bar of a -captain on his shoulders. He was a stout-built, handsome fellow, and -looked with an air of commingled amusement and astonishment, at the -lofty proportions of the new-comer.</p> - -<p>"You are a nice specimen of a prize-baby," he said, running his eyes up -the long, lank body.</p> - -<p>"Yaas, yaas! My mother always said I was a sweet little infant!" -replied the Yankee. "How's all the folks?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, they are in good health. I hope you left your own family in a good -state of preservation, my long friend."</p> - -<p>"My fam'ly allers travel with me," said the stranger. "Thar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> ain't so -many of us so't we kin afford to sep'rate. Got a right neat little -place here, ain't yew? Sort o' like the looks of it myself."</p> - -<p>"What were you doing on that log?" demanded the sentry.</p> - -<p>"Lord love yew, I thought you knew that! I was riding."</p> - -<p>"Any fool knows that," replied the young man, roughly.</p> - -<p>"Then what made <i>yew</i> ask me, if yew know'd it so well?" demanded the -Yankee, indignantly. "Yew git eout! kan' a feller-being take a ride if -he wants tew?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"Waal, I was a-coming down the river, and I thought I'd ruther ride -than walk, so I took to the water. But look a here, darn and blast sech -contrary logs as that thar. I've bin pitched neck and crop inter the -water four times in the last five miles, and darn my ear ef this ain't -the trewest thing I've said this good while. I got along a darned sight -better when I could get my foot on the bottom and steer that way. Yes I -did."</p> - -<p>"How far have you come?"</p> - -<p>"I dunno nothing 'bout distances in these dangerous woods. It might -have bin ten miles an' it might have bin twenty, I dunno."</p> - -<p>"Do you travel without arms?"</p> - -<p>"Not by a darned sight, I don't! What dew yew call them things?"</p> - -<p>He stretched out a pair of arms nearly as long as an ordinary man's leg.</p> - -<p>"Pshaw! I mean have you no weapons."</p> - -<p>"Got a jack-knife," replied the Yankee, coolly.</p> - -<p>"Is that all?"</p> - -<p>"Ain't it enough? Thunder! yew don't want a man tew be a walking -armory, dew yew?"</p> - -<p>"You are an odd chicken. Perhaps you won't object to giving me your -name?"</p> - -<p>"No, thank yew, I don't like to give away my name. I dunno whether I -could git a better one."</p> - -<p>"What is your name?"</p> - -<p>"Oh; yew want me tew tell my name. Waal, try Seth Spink, and see -how that will work. I'm the all-firedest man yew ever did see. I've -traveled from St. Louis tew Bostin,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> and from Oswego tew New Yorleans. -Thar ain't no place on this created hemisphere where I ain't set my -foot. Yaas," he continued, "I've rode alligators in the bayous of -Louisiana and it make it more lively for a man, 'cause he has to keep -jerking up his legs to keep the young alligators from chawin' 'em off."</p> - -<p>"There; that lets <i>you</i> out," said the young captain. "Now I'll return -your confidence. This is one of the outposts of the fur company, and my -father's house at the same time. His name is Matthew Floyd. My name is -William Floyd, and I have the honor to be a captain in the rifles, upon -the staff of Governor Harrison."</p> - -<p>"Glad tew meet yew, William," said the Yankee, extending a hand looking -like a side of mutton. "Shake."</p> - -<p>"Confound your impudence," said the staff officer. "It passes all -belief. But come into the house and get something to eat, although I am -afraid that long body will breed a famine."</p> - -<p>"Don't yew believe it! yew give me a little hog or tew and a small -beef-critter for supper, and I won't complain. I like a light meal, I -dew."</p> - -<p>"A small hog or two and a beef-critter? Do you mean to eat the -provisions of the entire garrison at a single meal?"</p> - -<p>"'Tain't much of a garrison that don't eat no more nor that! All right; -then bring me a loaf of bread and a ham, and I'll show you how tew eat."</p> - -<p>Captain Floyd laughed, and led the way into the house through the open -gate of the stockade. The Yankee had picked up a stick on the bank -and was whittling away dexterously, whistling in the minor clef, but -keeping his eyes about him nevertheless. He shook his head when he saw -the gates off the hinges, and muttered to himself. Floyd turned upon -him quickly.</p> - -<p>"What are you growling about there? Let me know at once."</p> - -<p>"Git eout! Waal, if yew must know, I was thinking what a darned good -pertection a gate is to a house when it's off the hinges, standing -ag'in' the wall."</p> - -<p>"You are inclined to be sarcastic, and are more observing than I gave -you credit for. To tell the truth up to this time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> we have been in no -danger. The Shawnees have been friendly, and Tecumseh himself has eaten -in our house. The Prophet was here only last week."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"The Prophet; the brother of Tecumseh, who has built a town upon the -upper Wabash near Tippecanoe."</p> - -<p>"I dunno much about it, but it seems to me I did hear summers that that -Prophet is a treacherous old cuss," said Seth.</p> - -<p>"I have heard the same, but he appeared very friendly."</p> - -<p>The Yankee said nothing more, and they entered the house. A girl, who -was reading near a window, rose to receive them, looking surprised as -she saw the stranger.</p> - -<p>"Cousin Madge," said Floyd, in a bantering tone, "let me introduce to -you an errant knight who has wandered from the paternal castle even to -the banks of the Wabash. His ancestral name is Spink."</p> - -<p>"How can you, Will?" said Madge, laughing. "I am sure Mr. Spink is very -welcome."</p> - -<p>She was very beautiful—a strange flower to bloom in the wilderness. -She was not the daughter of Matthew Floyd by blood, but the child of -a dear friend, Herbert Carlysle, who had long ago gone down into the -valley of the shadow, leaving her to his care. And when the hour of -trial came to her adopted father, she followed him boldly, to make a -new home and fortune upon the prairies of the far west. She was, as -we introduce her, a young girl, with hair banded back from a lofty -brow, and rolled in great braids upon her regal head; a face a little -browned by exposure to the sun, but very beautiful. She came forward -immediately and greeted the Yankee with cordial ease and grace, and he -looked down on her with a broad smile.</p> - -<p>"A strange place tew bring sech a gal as this, Capting Floyd," he said. -"The towns would be the safest place fur her, now."</p> - -<p>"She will not leave my father," said Floyd. "If we could have our way -she would not be here. Madge, our friend is hungry. Will you go to -Phillis and ask her to get him something to eat? She probably will not -do it unless you speak coaxingly to her, for a more obstinate old woman -never breathed."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<p>"W'at?" exclaimed a voice. "Who you's talking 'bout, mass' Will? You -t'ink cause you's white dat dis chile gwine ter lay down so dat you can -tramp on her, but she ain't; no sah! I's a nigger, but Goramity he med -me black hese own self, an' all de water in Egypt can't wash me white, -nohow."</p> - -<p>"Now Phillis—" said Will.</p> - -<p>"Oh, hold you hush, do, mass' Will! You gwine 'bout to mek mischief, -dat's w'at you's gwine to do! You s'pose I gwine to dirty all my dish -for dis low-lived Yankee truck, gwine 'bout in de woods like a roarin' -lion for to come for to go fur to eat ebbery t'ing? How we give <i>him</i> -'nough to eat, a great long shadder?"</p> - -<p>Phillis had come up unobserved while they were talking, and stood in -the doorway when Will made that allusion to her native obstinacy. She -was a ponderous female, weighing very nearly three hundred pounds, -being built on the model of the redoubtable Wouter Van Twiller, of -famous memory, who was five feet six inches high, and six feet five -inches in circumference. She held in one hand a dishcloth, and in the -other a frying-pan which she had been washing when curiosity called her -to the door.</p> - -<p>"There's a sight to wake the finer feelings of our natur'," said the -Yankee, looking at the negress with a grin. "A good fat, healthy female -like that is a credit to human natur', she is, by Jehosaphat. She -makes me think of my maternal grandmother, only the old lady had the -misfortune to be white, more the pity! 'Cause the good Book teaches -us thar was a good chaince of black men in Scripter times. Now, my -grandmother—"</p> - -<p>"See yer," said the old housekeeper, "you's git inter trouble one of -dese days, ef you fool roun' dis chile. G'way, g'way, you's makin' -mischief! Oh, gosh all to pieces, you gwine stan' dar and poke fun at -me all de time? Berry well; wait till I gub you any t'ing to eat, dats -all!"</p> - -<p>"But, aunty—" said Madge, coaxingly. "How can you act so?"</p> - -<p>"Dar, dar, chile! 'Tain't dat I valley cookin' de leastest bit, it do -mek me powerful mad when dey pokes fun at me."</p> - -<p>"Did the old lady think I was funnin'?" said the Yankee, with a solemn -face. "I wa'n't, now that's a fact. My grand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>mother was a bu'ster, now -you'd better believe! Why, ef you was to put her on one end of a beam, -and this old lady on the other, you'd see this old lady fly like a bird -in the air. She wouldn't weigh a feather alongside of my old lady, that -gal wouldn't."</p> - -<p>"Tole 'em I wa'n't so drefful fat," said Phillis, considerably -mollified. "But, dey won't none ob 'em beliebe me, nohow. Dar; I's go -an' see w'at I kin pick up for de gemman. Would you like some venison?"</p> - -<p>"Yaas."</p> - -<p>"Or mebbe veal would suit ye better?"</p> - -<p>"I ain't partic'lar. I'll taste 'em both. Ef ye've got some pickles -handy, throw a bushel or two on the table with a couple of hams, and -two or three loaves of bread. Any thing will dew for a <i>lunch</i>."</p> - -<p>Phillis looked at him very much as she would have looked at a dangerous -maniac unfit to go at large, and went slowly out into the kitchen, -the floor shaking under her ponderous tread. The next moment a storm -of vituperation directed at the heads of her satellites, announced -that she was at work, and a savory smell was wafted to their nostrils. -Seth pricked up his ears like the war-horse "that smelleth the battle -afar off," and waited. When the table was set, he marched in and gave -Phillis a grand exemplification of the power of a good appetite. Pone -bread in huge masses leaped down his capacious maw. Slice after slice -of venison followed, washed down by various cups of coffee. Phillis, -appalled at his appreciation of her cookery, watched with uplifted -hands, and finally fled to Will Floyd in dismay.</p> - -<p>"You git dat wolf outer dis house jus' as quick as you kin! He stay har -one week an' he eat us out ob house an' home."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER II.</p> - -<p class="center">WILLIMACK, THE WYANDOT.</p> - - -<p><span class ="smcap">By</span> the time the Yankee had finished his repast, night had come on, and -he came hurrying out of the kitchen, with his mouth full of venison -steak, and ran to the window.</p> - -<p>"How many dew yew reckon in this post, boss?" he said, turning to the -young soldier.</p> - -<p>"Myself, my father, two soldiers of the rifles, and two black boys."</p> - -<p>"Yaas. Now let me ask yew a little question. Does it look like common -sense for yew tew keep yure gates off the hinges?"</p> - -<p>"To tell you the truth, I have some doubts myself, but the Prophet -seemed to think it showed confidence in the Indians on the Wabash to -leave the gates open, and it was more to please him than any thing else -that we did it."</p> - -<p>"The Prophet? Now, see here, capting; I ain't bin but a little while in -this kentry, but I know what the Shawnee Prophet is. He's a treacherous -old fox. He's got some plot ag'in' the people of this section, and I -know it, sartin sure! Jest see the raft of villains he's got round -him up thar on the Wabash. Kickapoos, Winnebagoes, Micmacs, Shawnees, -and the Old Scratch knows what other nations—the riff-raff and -off-scourings of the tribes. They're nice fellers to live nigh, ain't -they?"</p> - -<p>"I have often thought them dangerous," said Floyd. "But what can we do?"</p> - -<p>"Yew kan put up yure gates, anyhow. And say; hadn't yew better call in -yure men, ef yew've got any outlyin', 'cause it's gittin' dark."</p> - -<p>"I think you are right," said Floyd.</p> - -<p>He took down a horn, and going to the door, took a long breath and blew -a gallant blast, which echoed far and wide through the depths of the -forest. Shortly after, the tramp of coming feet could be heard, and -there emerged from the woods<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> behind the house four men advancing at a -hurried pace. As they entered the stockade the Yankee saw that two of -them were common soldiers of the American army, one an Indian of the -Shawnee nation, and the fourth an old man with white hair. The Yankee -swung himself up on the head of a cask standing within the stockade, -and, taking out a piece of pigtail tobacco, twisted off a mighty -"chaw," and sat there, rolling the sweet morsel under his tongue.</p> - -<p>"What made you so late, father?" said young Floyd, advancing.</p> - -<p>"Willimack got puzzled in regard to the path, and if we had not heard -your horn, I do not know how long we might have stumbled about in the -darkness."</p> - -<p>The Yankee uttered a long whistle and thrust his tongue into his cheek. -The sound drew the attention of the old man to him, and he scanned him -curiously.</p> - -<p>"Who is this?" he said.</p> - -<p>"A traveler, who has stopped here for shelter," replied the young man, -coming forward. "What did you mean by that whistle, Spink?"</p> - -<p>"Sho, now! Don't be so blasted inquisitive. I wouldn't, anyhow. I'll -tell yew by an by; but, the fust thing yew dew is to put up them gates, -do ye hear?"</p> - -<p>The Indian had been standing just within the gates, and, as he heard -the voice of the stranger, he cast a quick glance in his direction, and -his hand stole to the handle of his hatchet. But, the Yankee sat upon -the cask, beating time with his heels upon the sides, and muttering to -himself. The Indian stalked gravely to his side, and looked fiercely -into his face. The savage was a rather good-looking brave of the -Wyandot tribe, whose powerful limbs, strong shoulders, and muscular -hands gave promise of great strength. The down-easter endured his fixed -gaze for the space of three minutes without moving a muscle of his set -face, until the savage spoke.</p> - -<p>"Who is this?" he said. "Dare you come here to sing an evil song in the -ears of my father with the gray hair, to make him distrust his brethren -of the Shawnees and Wyandots?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, git eout! Who said any thing tew yew? The most cantankerous Injin -I ever see in all my born days."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You laugh at Willimack, the chief? Why should my father put up his -strong gates?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause he's a man of sense, I guess. Now, don't rile up, Injin, -<i>don't</i>! 'Tain't that I care any thing about yew, understand, but I -sort o' hate to see things go this way. Willimack, they call you?"</p> - -<p>"Willimack is my name."</p> - -<p>"All right. Been guiding this party on a prospecting tour, so tew -speak?"</p> - -<p>"We have been exploring," said the elder Floyd.</p> - -<p>"See any Injin signs?" asked Seth.</p> - -<p>"A great many," replied the old man. "What of that? The Indians are -friendly now."</p> - -<p>"Glad to hear it, 'cause I didn't know it. So this man Willimack <i>lost -his way</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Youngster," said the Yankee, leaping off the barrel, "you come here a -minnit. I want tew speak with yew."</p> - -<p>Young Floyd went with the Yankee aside, followed by the suspicious -glances of the savage, who would have gone aside with them, but Floyd -signed to him sternly to keep back, and he obeyed, chafing inwardly.</p> - -<p>"Look here," said Spink, when they were out of ear-shot. "They say we -Yankees are a little gumptious, an' I guess we be, but, it don't need -much smartness tew see threw <i>his</i> gilding. That Injin is a Wyandot, -and knows every foot of the soil along the Wabash, and yit he <i>loses -his way</i>! Now, does that sound nat'ral? I only ask yew fair."</p> - -<p>"It does look strange."</p> - -<p>"Then put up yure gate. I won't tell yew <i>why</i>, but it'll be better for -yew. Now I'll tell yew how tew prove Willimack, cuss him! Go out an' -offer tew put up the gates, and yew see ef he don't huff and want tew -hurry away."</p> - -<p>"Let him go."</p> - -<p>"Umph! No; don't dew any thing of the kind. Keep him all night, by all -means."</p> - -<p>"For what purpose?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind. Yew will find eout, afore morning. Oh, blame my cats ef it -ain't hard tew git any thing threw <i>yew</i>! Why don't yew go an' put up -them cussed gates?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will do it," said the young man, turning back quickly. "Here, -Forbes, Lefebre! I want you to help me put up these gates."</p> - -<p>Willimack started and turned upon the young man almost fiercely, for -his eyes burned like glowing coals. The young soldier looked at him in -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Let my young brother pause before he puts his hands to something for -which he will be sorry," said the Wyandot. "He has trusted the great -tribe, and they have never deceived him, then why should he do wrong -to them now? Let the gates rest. There is nothing to fear from the -Shawnees and Wyandots."</p> - -<p>"The Indians have no right to be angry if we close our doors," replied -Floyd. "There are good warriors as well as bad, and some of these -wicked ones might chance to pass by."</p> - -<p>"Then the chiefs of the Shawnee would punish them," said Willimack.</p> - -<p>"That would be but little help to us, you understand," said Floyd, -"after they had taken our scalps. No, I think I will close the gates."</p> - -<p>"Don't let him waste time talkin'. Shet 'em up now!"</p> - -<p>"Ha, dog of the long back," screamed Willimack, "do you come to make a -bad heart between the Indians and their white friends? Willimack will -drink your blood."</p> - -<p>"Ah, no yew won't," replied long Seth, with admirable composure, -thrusting his hands into his pockets, and looking keenly at the savage. -"Yew ain't so dry as that comes tew. Shet them gates, darn yew! I tell -yew not tew lose time!"</p> - -<p>Willimack suddenly drew his hatchet and rushed at the imperturbable -Yankee, who did not even take his hands from his pockets, but, when the -Indian came within reach, planted his moccasined foot in the region of -the knife-belt, with a force which sent the Wyandot flying against the -side of the stockade, half stunned. The elder Floyd would have helped -him up, but Spink demanded of him angrily to desist, and help them to -raise the gates, while the negro boys brought out the heavy bars and -had them ready to drop into their places. Just as they were about to -raise the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> gate to its place, the Indian staggered to his feet, -and turned to go away.</p> - -<p>"Farewell, men of the bad heart," he said. "A deep sorrow has come upon -the heart of Willimack. His soul is very sad, because the brother with -the gray hair has turned against him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, hush up, <i>yew</i>," said the Yankee, releasing his hold on the gate, -"and git intew yure corner ag'in."</p> - -<p>"No," said Willimack, "I will stay no longer in the place where I have -been insulted."</p> - -<p>"Yew won't, eh?"</p> - -<p>"No; Willimack will go."</p> - -<p>"I differ; Willimack will <i>stay</i>. Yew ain't goin' tew git eout and -call yure comrades up here afore we git the gates in shape. Don't yew -b'lieve it!"</p> - -<p>"I really think you are too fast, my friend," said the elder Floyd. -"The Indians have always treated me well."</p> - -<p>"I don't care a darn how they've treated yew. That Injin ain't goin' -out of this gate till it's hung; and if yew take my advice, yew'll keep -him till morning, 'cause I b'lieve my soul he's got comrades outlying -in them bushes."</p> - -<p>"I will go!" screamed Willimack. "Who will stay the course of the chief -of the Wyandots?"</p> - -<p>"This identical cuss. Yew offer tew go eout of this gate, and I'll give -yew a back-hander that will make yew forgit yure parents. Now yew bet -yure boots on <i>that</i>."</p> - -<p>Willimack was no coward, and made a rush at the immovable figure of the -Yankee, knife in hand.</p> - -<p>For the first time the ire of Seth Spink seemed to be fully aroused, -and, rushing at the chief with a snarl like that of a wild beast, he -caught him by the wrist, and, giving it a wrench, shook the weapon -from his grasp. Then, seizing him by the shoulders, he lifted him from -the ground, shook him as a terrier shakes a cat, and dashed him to the -earth with stunning force.</p> - -<p>"Bring ropes here!" he hissed. "The devil is in this condemned skunk, -bigger than a woodchuck."</p> - -<p>Will Floyd threw him some pieces of buck-skin, with which he bound the -feet of the savage, and then sprung up to work upon the gate.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Work, ye devils, work!" he shouted, applying his Herculean strength -to the huge door. "Up with her, quick! How a man of yure understanding -could take them gates off the hinges I don't know."</p> - -<p>"We thought it would please the savages," said the elder Floyd. "I am -afraid we are doing wrong."</p> - -<p>"Ef yew don't sing another song in less than an hour, then I'm a -nigger. Heave with a will, boys; no time to lose. It's the mercy of God -that yure son blew that horn for yew tew-night, mister, or Willimack -would have led yew into an ambush."</p> - -<p>"I can hardly believe that, sir," said the old man.</p> - -<p>"Can't yew? Take hold of that gate there. Lift away! What's that? -Somebody give the son of a tinker a belt in the mouth."</p> - -<p>Willimack, lying upon his back, had begun a succession of fearful -yells, intended to hasten the movements of his friends. He was answered -by a cry so close at hand that the people of the stockade were appalled -by the closeness of their enemies. They worked away with desperate -zeal, and with a cry of delight felt the door swing to its place and -dropped the heavy bars before it. Long Seth turned in a fury upon the -Indian.</p> - -<p>"Yew ought to have yure coat tails filled chock full of <i>boots</i>—old -boots, big boots, heavy boots, long boots, and moccasins tew match. Ef -I had my way, yew'd git it, tew. Ah, yew pizen critter!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, they heard the sound of rushing feet, and the first of the -savage band who had been lying upon the other bank of the stream, and -who had crossed at dusk, rushed up against the gate and uttered loud -cries of disappointment as they found it strongly barred against them. -The signal of Willimack had come somewhat sooner than they expected; -indeed, they had been waiting for him to lead Floyd and his soldiers -into their ambush, and they were sorely disappointed when they heard -his voice within the stockade. Nevertheless, they expected an easy -prey, for they did not know that the acute Yankee had taken measures to -have the gates put up. He answered their yells of disappointed rage by -wild laughter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Haw! haw! haw! Didn't expect <i>that</i>, did yew? <i>Now</i> what dew yew say -abeout the gates, mister?"</p> - -<p>"I say that you have saved our lives, and we thank you," replied the -old man. "I was foolish to trust a proverbially treacherous race. What -do you think they will do now?"</p> - -<p>"Kan't say," replied the Yankee. "Try tew gammon us, mebbe. It would -be jest like 'em, by gosh. Neow I'm green, I allow; I'm awful green, -that's a petrified trewth. But, I dew think Seth Spink is ekal in p'int -of intellect to any Shawnee on the footstool, saving one man."</p> - -<p>"And that man?"</p> - -<p>"Tecumseh," replied Seth, shortly. "Now look here: We c'u'd hev had the -good will of that man ef we was a mind tew, but we wouldn't hev it. -Neow let me tell yew that he ain't no fool, the sachem ain't. Thar's -wuss Ginerals in our army, tew. Let it go; we've made a mistake, and -he's our inimy, I'm sorry tew say. These chaps want tew speak tew yew."</p> - -<p>The Indians were pounding at the door of the stockade, and calling to -the Floyds, under the names by which they were known to the Indians, to -come out and speak to them.</p> - -<p>"I will answer them," said Captain William. "In the mean time, load all -the rifles and get out a supply of ammunition. I believe they mean to -make the assault to-night, though how a dozen Indians mean to beat half -that number of whites behind a strong stockade, I can not tell."</p> - -<p>He stepped to a loophole and looked out. The warriors were grouped -carelessly about the large gates, striking them with their hatchets, -and making all the noise they could.</p> - -<p>"What do you want here?" demanded Will. "Are the night-owls flying low -to-night?"</p> - -<p>"The warriors of the Shawnees would rest to-night under the roof of the -Gray Hair," replied one of the braves. "Let him open his great gates, -that we may enter."</p> - -<p>"Let my brothers seek other shelter to-night," answered young Floyd. "A -bird has sung in my ears to-day, warning me that the Shawnees and white -men must not sleep under the same roof to-night. Shawnee braves are not -children; let them rest under the bending boughs, and may they sleep -well."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hugh!" cried the spokesman. "Does the young war-chief refuse a place -under his roof to his friends?"</p> - -<p>"We do not want any visitors to-night," replied the young man, firmly.</p> - -<p>A chorus of angry cries arose, in the midst of which the Yankee sprung -to the young man's side and whispered in his ear. He nodded gravely, -and called out to the Shawnees to be silent. A hush fell upon them and -he spoke again:</p> - -<p>"I know that the Shawnees have come with malice in their hearts, and -would have slain us if the gates had not been barred. Let them go back -as they came, for if a single Shawnee is in sight when morning breaks, -Willimack shall die."</p> - -<p>"Would you slay the great chief of the Wyandots, the beloved of the -Prophet?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and he deserves death a hundred times for his treachery."</p> - -<p>"Willimack is the friend of the white man," replied the outside speaker.</p> - -<p>"Yes, of the English," replied Seth.</p> - -<p>"Dog of a Yengee!" shrieked a voice close at hand, "Willimack, chief of -the Wyandots, laughs you to scorn."</p> - -<p>The Yankee whirled quickly, and saw Willimack free from his bonds, -standing upon the summit of the stockade. The next moment he waved his -hand in derision and was gone.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER III.</p> - -<p class="center">THE SKELETON SCOUT.</p> - - -<p><span class ="smcap">To</span> their utter surprise, the Yankee ran madly toward the high wall -of the stockade, and, leaping upward, clung like a cat to the top. -It seemed hardly possible that so heavy a person could display such -agility, and certainly no one in the stockade would have thought Long -Seth capable of it, but for the way in which he had handled the Indian. -He hung a moment upon the edge of the stockade, and then, drawing -himself up by a strong muscular action, looked over.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> Then, waving his -hand toward the occupants, he slid over the outside and dropped to the -earth. No sound indicated that the savages had heard him, for they -remained pounding at the gate, uttering wild threats against the Floyds -if they did not open.</p> - -<p>Somewhat surprised at the desertion of the Yankee, Will Floyd made no -answer until the harsh voice of Willimack came to his ears.</p> - -<p>"Hark to my words," shouted the chief. "You have disgraced Willimack, a -chief of the mighty tribe. Dogs could not be used worse than you have -treated him. I am not a fool and I will have revenge."</p> - -<p>"Leave the gates," replied Floyd, angrily, "or my men shall fire."</p> - -<p>"Let them fire at us if they will," replied the chief. "We will enter -the big wigwam. I will eat the heart of the man who shook me, and -kicked me with his foot."</p> - -<p>"I tell you to go away!" said Will Floyd. "I have no desire to quarrel -with you, but if you try to break in here it is your own fault if you -get hurt."</p> - -<p>The only reply was the crash of axes against the heavy gate, and the -young man saw that they were determined upon making a persistent effort -to break in. Bringing forward a short ladder which was lying near the -wall of the house, he ran up to the top of the wall and fired his -pistol at the Indians below, and knew by the cry of rage which went up -that he had not missed his mark.</p> - -<p>This determined course roused the ire of the savages and they began -to bring up poles to climb the walls, full of hatred of the men -inside. Will shouted to his men and they brought their ladders—for -they had one for each defender, and the walls were manned. The number -of savages was not great enough for an assault; yet they fought with -determination. They climbed like cats up the sides of the wooden fort -only to be beaten back by the defenders. Each soldier, besides his -rifle, had a hatchet and a pair of pistols, and so armed, they were -more than a match for the Shawnees, who retreated to a little distance, -out of reach of the rifles, where they halted and seemed to consult for -a moment.</p> - -<p>Just then came a horrible yell, and, to the utter terror of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> the -Indians, there bounded from a thicket near at hand a fearful creature -calculated to strike terror to the stoutest heart. To the white men -looking on from the wall, there was something supernatural in this -strange appearance flaming out in the darkness. Two blazing eyes -gleamed in its forehead, emitting lurid flashes as it bounded on. In -hight it was nearly seven feet, and the head was that of a skeleton, -grinning and ghastly!</p> - -<p>The Indians saw that terrible creature coming down upon them, and, -with wild cries of dread, they broke and ran in every direction, some -seeking safety on the river and others running up the bank. Will Floyd -beheld the figure seize upon a flying savage and drag him shrieking -to the earth; then a great silence fell upon the scene. All was dark -outside; the Indians were gone, and, in the place where the fiery -figure gleamed a moment before, nothing was to be seen. Soon after the -sound of hurrying feet was heard, and the Yankee came climbing over the -rear of the stockade, evidently terrified nearly out of his senses.</p> - -<p>"Did you see it?" he cried. "Oh, holy Moses! I never was so skeered in -all my born days! Whew; I'm out of breath!"</p> - -<p>"What did you leave us for?"</p> - -<p>"Wanted to ketch that Injin. I couldn't, though; he run so like the -devil. Then I calculated I'd git round in the rear and give 'em a -shot, an then holler as ef a hundred sojers was in the woods, when, -Jehosaphat! up got that b'ilin'-hot Image, with his fiery eyes, and -skeered the life out of them Injins, and me too, I guess."</p> - -<p>The Yankee sat down on a log and panted for breath.</p> - -<p>"Did you see it closely?" said Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Close as I want tew, darn it! This beats my fust wife's relations all -tew pieces. Whew! I thought I were a goner."</p> - -<p>The men looked at each other in surprise. What was this strange being, -that came and went like a shadow, leaving no trace behind? Will Floyd -was not naturally superstitious, and yet he could not account for this -apparition in any natural way. Long Seth evidently was as much puzzled, -and looked from one to the other in ludicrous dismay. The black boys, -who also had seen the specter, stood with chat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>tering teeth and a sort -of ashy gray color in their faces. Nature had made it impossible for -their hair to stand up straight or it would surely have done so, then.</p> - -<p>"Hi, you Pomp," said one, "see dat ar' t'ing, dat time?"</p> - -<p>"Iss, Dick; I seen him, an I so skeered I dunno w'at I's gwine ter do. -Oh goodness gracious!"</p> - -<p>"Dat's de debbil, Pomp. Dat's juss de Ole Harry, heself, an' notting -else. We's gone chiles dese times."</p> - -<p>"That's trew," said Seth, glad of an opportunity to pass his dread onto -some one else. "And I have hern tell that the old 'un is partial to -black fellows. Mebbe 'tain't trew; I ain't enuff 'quainted with the Old -Boy to speak <i>sartin</i>, but I've good reason to believe that he duz like -'em."</p> - -<p>"Sho, now, <i>you</i>!" roared Pomp, raising one leg in agony. "Git along -dar! w'at you a-tryin' to do, say? De old debbil likes a Yankee. -Eberybody knows he likes a Yankee."</p> - -<p>"I don't think it," said Seth, as if revolving the subject in his mind. -"May be jest as yew say, but, I think they'd make it tew lively fur the -old man down thar. They'd trade him out of his throne, sartin! They ar' -all-fired hands at a dicker, yew know, and they'd beat him, sartin! So -I guess Yankees are pooty safe. Not <i>too</i> safe, yew understand, but -pooty safe, pooty safe. I don't reckon they'll trouble us a great deal, -nohow. Guess we'd better git a light an' go out an' try them cussed -Injins, and see what's likely to be done."</p> - -<p>"Maybe they are hiding somewhere," said Will Floyd. "If they are, it -would not be safe to go out."</p> - -<p>"Waal, ef I'm any judge, they ain't hiding anywhar on this side the -river," rejoined Seth. "I hern 'em jump intew the water, an' swim as ef -the devil was chasin' 'em clust. Yew see they're mighty feared of the -devil, and ef that wa'n't him, then I dunno what it was. Old Satan on a -scout, shure!"</p> - -<p>"Did you ever hear of this figure before?"</p> - -<p>"Yaas," said Spink. "When I was in old man Harrison's camp they said -something 'bout it and they called it the Skeleton Scout."</p> - -<p>"The Skeleton Scout!"</p> - -<p>"That's the name. 'Tain't a purty name, nyther. Not by no manner of -means. It makes me shake all over when I think the pesky critter is -round here, though I must own he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> has an all-fired good way of cleaning -out red-skins. Git a lantern or a torch."</p> - -<p>Will went into the house for a lantern, and when he came back Seth took -it from his hand and gave it to Black Dick.</p> - -<p>"Here, boy, take that and go out and look around to see if any of the -red niggers are hiding anywhere."</p> - -<p>"<i>Me</i>, massa?"</p> - -<p>"Yaas, <i>yew</i>! Who else do yew s'pose I mean? Come, don't keep us -a-waiting. Why don't yew git?"</p> - -<p>"But, mars' I dunno w'edder I likes to go out dar. Plenty Injin out -dar, I t'inks. How we ebber fine 'em?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, go 'long! That's what we want tew find out, whether they are or -not. Ef they should be, why then they'll shoot at yew, and we'll hear -'em."</p> - -<p>"S'pose dey hits Dick?" said the negro.</p> - -<p>"Why then, Dick will holler like all possessed, and put back ef he kin. -Ef he <i>kain't</i>, then we'll bury the sed Dick with the honors of war."</p> - -<p>"See yer, marse Yankee, you t'ink I ain't a fool, I ain't. I's gwine -ter stay yer."</p> - -<p>"Then mebbe Pomp would like to go, seeing <i>he</i> ain't a coward? Come, -Pomp; distinguish yerself and laugh at Dick."</p> - -<p>"Don't tink's I keer 'bout it, marse," replied Pomp. "Dick good fren' -ob mine. What I wants to laugh at he for?"</p> - -<p>Long Seth laughed, and taking a pistol from the belt of one of the -soldiers, led the way into the open air. An Indian lay under the wall, -and the Yankee stumbled over him. Seth held the light closer and saw -that the savage had a broken leg.</p> - -<p>"Got a knife, boss?" he said, speaking to Will Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Certainly I have."</p> - -<p>"Stick this man and come along. I'd dew it myself only I've got both -hands full."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Don't want tew save the red nigger, dew yew?"</p> - -<p>"I will not allow him to be killed," replied the young soldier.</p> - -<p>The Yankee straightened his long back, and looked at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> young man as -if taken completely aback by this speech. "Not kill a red-skin? Not -stick him when yew've got him? By the mortal, ef this ain't pizen. -Not—good gracious, yew raise my dander mortal bad! What yew goin' tew -dew with the critter then, if I may ask 'thout giving offense?"</p> - -<p>"Take him into the stockade, cure him of his wound if possible, and—"</p> - -<p>"Give him yure skulp when he gits strong enuff tew take it! That's -right! Keep up the repitation of the fam'ly, by all means! Waal, I -won't say no more. Come along, <i>yew</i>! But, if the time don't come when -yew jest ez live stick an Injin as eat a b'iled potater, then ther -ain't no snakes in Kentuck'."</p> - -<p>They hurried on to the place where the Skeleton Scout had been seen; -the grass was bent and trodden down, and, further on, an Indian was -lying on his face, dead. Floyd turned him over, and saw that it was a -Winnebago, a desperate villain, who had been suspected of the murder -of a white family, years before, but escaped through insufficient -evidence. However, innocent or guilty, he had met his fate at last.</p> - -<p>"How was he killed?" said Floyd. "I don't see any blood."</p> - -<p>They examined him closely, but not a mark could be found upon the body -to show how he had died. Dead he certainly was, and the stiffened -muscles told that he had not died easily. The puzzled look again came -into the face of Seth Spink.</p> - -<p>"Now, don't this beat all natur'?" he ejaculated. "We'll hev tew -believe pooty soon that the Skileton Scout is a skileton, arter all. -Leastways he don't leave no marks upon his victims."</p> - -<p>"It is strange indeed," replied Captain Floyd. "Hold the lantern close, -will you? There <i>must</i> be a mark on him somewhere."</p> - -<p>A still closer search failed to elicit any further information. The -Indian was dead, but how? He had not been choked, for the face of a man -who dies in that way always shows unmistakable signs of strangulation. -His neck was not broken, as Floyd began to believe, and not a drop of -blood was visible upon his person.</p> - -<p>Yankee Seth stood holding the lantern, and looking down upon the face -of the dead Indian, while his young companion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> was searching him. A -slight noise, so slight that Floyd did not notice it, but Seth heard -it, yet did not turn his head or show that he was aroused. Looking -covertly toward the spot he saw a dark object extended upon the earth, -not ten feet away, and caught the gleam of a rifle-barrel. Giving his -companion a sudden push which sent him rolling to the earth, Long -Seth bounded four feet into the air just as a rifle cracked, and came -down uninjured upon the back of a prowling savage, who, hiding in the -bushes, had crept up unobserved.</p> - -<p>As Will Floyd started to his feet, confused and angry, a terrific -struggle was going on upon the grass a few feet away. Seth found his -enemy, whoever it was, "no chicken," to use his own expression, and his -powerful muscles were tried to the utmost.</p> - -<p>Will Floyd darted forward, but the lantern had gone out and he dared -not strike in the darkness, fearing that he might wound his friend. -Then, two figures rose; there was a muttered curse, and a heavy blow or -two, and the sound of hurrying feet succeeded, followed immediately by -a splash in the water, and Seth came back, furiously angry.</p> - -<p>"He got away, the cussed sneak," he said. "He'd 'a' cooked yure goose -or mine in another minnit. Lucky I saw him."</p> - -<p>"Why did you push me down?" cried Floyd, angrily.</p> - -<p>"Did it jest tew be mean, young'un," said the Yankee, indolently. "Did -it a-purpuss. Yure head was rite in a line with a rifle-barrill, and -like ez not yew'd 'a' got hurt if yew'd 'a' stood up half a second -longer. 'Tain't no matter."</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, Spink," said Will, frankly. "I was so confused by -your sudden action that I really did not know what to do or say. So you -pushed me down because the rifle was aimed at <i>me</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Sorter think I did! There; don't say nothin' 'bout it. Let's git -back tew the stockade. 'Tain't edzackly safe tew stay here now; these -critters mout come back, yew know, and a shot from a bush ain't what I -hanker arter."</p> - -<p>The rifle-shot had been heard, and Captain Floyd, with one of the -soldiers, was hurrying out to meet them. He expressed his satisfaction -at their safety, and listened eagerly to their explanations.</p> - -<p>"The day of safety is over, then," he said. "All my en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>deavors to make -friends with the savages have been of no avail. What had we better do, -Mr. Spink? You seem to understand the Indians better than I do, after -all."</p> - -<p>"Any one is likely tew git fooled," replied the Vermonter. "Yew can't -bet a cent on an Injin. Mout be friendly tew yer face while he was -stealing out a knife tew take yure skulp. I'm sorry the gal is here; -she ort tew be in the village."</p> - -<p>"We can take her there."</p> - -<p>"'Tain't safe. The road is full of red-skins. I tell yew that the -Prophet—darned little profit we'll make eout of it—is up, and his -cussid black-and-tan tribe are with him. 'Twon't be many days afore -the woods will be full of the pizen heathen. My advice ain't much, -but, if I was yew, I'd send one of the men tew Guvnor Harrison for -reinforcements, and stay here til they cum."</p> - -<p>"You think that the safest plan?"</p> - -<p>"It's the only one I think of. Willimack 'll be on the watch, and -yew kain't git eout. Give the man that goes a canoe and send him -down-stream. I'll go with him and show the way."</p> - -<p>"Who shall go?"</p> - -<p>"I," replied Will, promptly.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid we can not spare you, William," said the captain. "Let -Forbes go."</p> - -<p>"One more or less won't make no manner of difference," said Seth. "I -think the young 'un is in the right of it, and I'll pilot him till I -think he's safe. Look out sharp, night and day, till we come back. Now, -young 'un!"</p> - -<p>There was no time for long partings. Will ran into the house to bid -Madge good-by, and came back with traces of emotion on his face. Then, -pressing his father's hand, he followed the erect figure of Seth Spink -out into the gloom.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IV.</p> - -<p class="center">A NIGHT OF PERIL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> darkness was intense, but the Yankee moved on like a man who knew -the ground well, toward the spot where the canoes were hauled up on the -shore. They selected a light one, and the young soldier found a paddle -and would have taken his place as paddler, but the other took it from -his hand, and stationed himself in that place himself.</p> - -<p>The canoe shot out into the darkness at once, and was headed down the -river, gliding in between the green banks, the paddle dipping in the -bright water without a sound! Nothing but long practice could have -enabled any man to use a paddle so dexterously. On they floated down -the tranquil stream in the darkness, while nothing but the cry of the -loon and other night-birds disturbed the solemn stillness of the scene. -Once Captain Will began to speak, but the guide laid his hand upon his -knee with a low "Hist!" Floyd took the hint and was silent. He began to -understand that the danger must be great, or the sagacious Yankee would -not work so cautiously. He also began to feel a sort of respect for the -knowledge of woodcraft which he saw that the strange man possessed, a -great trait in a borderman.</p> - -<p>After paddling on for nearly an hour, without making the slightest -noise, the head of the canoe was turned toward the shore at a place -where the overhanging bushes almost touched the water. Parting these -bushes with great caution, Seth pushed the canoe past them, and showed -an open space between the bushes and the bank deep enough for the canoe -to lie in, without being seen from the bank above.</p> - -<p>"Yew stay right here, cap.," whispered the Yankee. "I'm going on a -scout."</p> - -<p>"Had not you better let me go with you?" queried the young man.</p> - -<p>"Yew! Kin yew walk like yew was steppin' on feathers, and hold yure -breath an hour? Dew yew know every inch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> of ground atween this and -Harrison's camp? and kin yew set down 'thout breaking a stick? Ther's a -deal tew learn 'fore yew make a good scout."</p> - -<p>"I know it. Perhaps I had better stay here then."</p> - -<p>"Waal, prehaps yew had," said the Yankee. "Gimme that hatchet. All -right; now lay low and keep dark. If yew hear the painter call three -times, that's <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p>So silently did he move away, that Will hardly knew when he went. Lying -down in the canoe, which was kept in its place by the bushes which -hung low on all sides, the young man waited anxiously for the coming -of his friend. An hour passed, and there came no sound to indicate the -whereabouts of his strange guide. He was about to give him up, and had -almost concluded to take the paddle and attempt to escape in his own -way, when he heard light footsteps on the bank above. Thinking that it -was Seth Spink, and that he was returning with less caution than he -showed in moving away, he was about to rise and meet him, when he heard -a deep voice on the bank above, which was not that of the Yankee.</p> - -<p>"Willimack?" it said.</p> - -<p>"I am here, great chief," replied a voice which he well knew. "What -would the Prophet say to his brother chief?"</p> - -<p>"You have done wrong, Wyandot," said the other. "You have opened -the eyes of the white men, and if the young war-chief gets safe to -Vincennes, we can no longer throw dust in the eyes of Harrison. This -was not well."</p> - -<p>"Willimack would have had the scalps of all, but for the tall warrior -who came on the log. He opened the eyes of Floyd, and he saw blood in -the eyes of the Wyandot."</p> - -<p>"Who is the tall warrior?"</p> - -<p>"My brother has seen him many times at Vincennes. His hair is yellow -as the rays of the setting sun, and his form tall as a pine. He is -very strong and bold. Who is there in the Wyandot nation, unless it be -Tecumseh, who can overthrow Willimack, the Wyandot?"</p> - -<p>"The Long Man is very strong," said the other. "He is cunning as the -red fox. But, he is on the river, and my brothers above and below will -give a good account of him if he try to escape."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>Floyd raised himself slowly and peered up at the two, but could not -make out who the speaker was. Willimack had spoken of him as the -Prophet, but it might be either Tecumseh, or his brother, Elskwatawa, -the man who was properly known by the appellation of "the Prophet," -and to whom is imputed the odium of drawing the great Tecumseh into -war with the whites. At this moment the moon rose slowly over the -tree-tops, and shed a light upon the tranquil scene, and he could -see their faces. It was Elskwatawa, the Prophet, and a more cruel or -ambitious man never lived upon the earth. Cunning was the great trait -upon which he prided himself; and while to all appearance friendly with -the whites, he was gathering the Indians for that great movement which -was to sweep the enemy from the face of the earth. Will Floyd was a -bold man, but even he felt a thrill at the imminence of the danger by -which he was threatened. The Prophet leaned against a tree, not ten -feet away, and Willimack, with his hands clasped upon the muzzle of his -rifle, stood close to him.</p> - -<p>"The moon shines bright," said the Prophet. "They can not pass unless -we see them. Ha! what is this?"</p> - -<p>He pointed with his hand to a canoe with a single occupant which was -crossing the river in front, and heading directly toward the spot where -the two chiefs stood. They disappeared as if suddenly blotted out of -existence, crawling like serpents in the dense underbrush, and Will -turned to watch the new-comer. The moon was now bright, and he could -see him plainly.</p> - -<p>It was a chief, in the war-dress of a Pottawatomie, bedizened in all -the bravery these men love to affect in a time of war. He was tall and -strongly made, with a rather handsome face, and dark, brilliant eyes. A -rifle lay in the bow of his canoe, and in the belt about his waist he -carried a hatchet and knife. His keen eyes swept along the bank for a -moment, and then he pushed his canoe up to the beach not ten feet from -the place where Will Floyd lay hidden, and drew it up out of sight. -Then, taking his rifle, he mounted the bank. In doing so, he laid his -rifle down, and when he stooped to take it up, the two men on the watch -rose suddenly and threw themselves upon him. So sudden was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> onset -that the warrior was taken completely by surprise, and was bound before -he could speak or move, though he now made desperate efforts to break -his bonds.</p> - -<p>"Ha! Dead Chief," cried Elskwatawa. "Dead dog, we have you now! Prepare -to sing your death-song, for the Shawnees and Wyandots will not wait -long before they drink the blood of a fool."</p> - -<p>The two seized him, dragged him to his feet and bound him to a tree -close at hand, cursing him in no measured tones.</p> - -<p>The name they gave him satisfied the young man as to who the prisoner -was, and he knew that he was a friend to the American cause, who had -boldly offered to confront Tecumseh in his own person, and prove that -he meditated hostile designs against the Americans. He had called both -Tecumseh and his brother traitors, and offered to tax them with it in -the presence of the two brothers and their followers. This declaration -was made in the presence of Tecumseh's friends, and the chief was -quickly made aware of the fact.</p> - -<p>Neither had seen the Dead Chief until this time. He looked at them -boldly, with a half-smile upon his face, and Will Floyd fingered his -weapons and longed to spring out to his aid. But, the danger in which -he had left his family, and his fears for the safety of Madge, had -made him wary. Elskwatawa drew a knife and ran his fingers along the -polished edge in a significant way.</p> - -<p>"Dead Chief," he said, "you are a Pottawatomie, and the men of that -tribe are brave. But every tribe brings forth dogs, and such a dog are -you. You care nothing for the glory of the race, and will not join the -great Tecumseh in making the people free."</p> - -<p>"Tecumseh is a fool," replied the Dead Chief. "He does not know that -the sun warms him and the moon gives him light. Why should we change -masters? The white men will always rule the Indians, because they are -wiser than we. Why do you stop the Dead Chief on his way?"</p> - -<p>"The Dead Chief will be dead in half an hour," replied the Prophet. "He -knows too much of Tecumseh and his plans."</p> - -<p>"Let me free, and I will go into the camp of Tecumseh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> and beard him. -Did he dare to give you orders to take the life of the Dead Chief?"</p> - -<p>"You shall see. Stay here, Willimack, while I call some warriors to see -the death of a dog who cares not for his race."</p> - -<p>"Wait," said Willimack. "If the Dead Chief is to die, we must build no -fire, for that would show the young war-chief and the yellow-haired -scout that the Shawnees and Wyandots are on the trail."</p> - -<p>"Good. The Dead Chief shall not die yet, for I have sworn he shall -perish by fire, and so he shall die. Elskwatawa has spoken. Let us -leave the Dead Chief here and look for the young war-chief and the -Yellow Hair, and we'll burn them all at one fire."</p> - -<p>The two Indians glided away, and as they went, the Dead Chief began to -struggle furiously with his bonds, but they were too strongly tied to -break easily. In spite of his efforts he remained bound to the tree, -still making impotent efforts. His face did not express fear so much as -anger and humiliation at having been outwitted by the men he affected -to despise. The moment the two captors were gone, Floyd slipped out of -his concealment and approached the Pottawatomie.</p> - -<p>"Ugh," said the Dead Chief. "My brother sees a friend tied up like a -dog. Let him loose the bonds upon his hands and feet."</p> - -<p>The young man obeyed, and the warrior rubbed his excoriated limbs to -restore the circulation, muttering to himself. Then he searched about -in the moonlight, and carefully covered the trail which the young -soldier had made in coming from the canoe.</p> - -<p>"Let the war-chief do as the Dead Chief shows him, and leave no trail," -he said. Grasping the limb of the tree overhead, after strapping his -rifle to his back, he swung himself back and forth until he had gained -sufficient momentum, when he released his grasp and dropped over the -bank into the water in a place where it was not more than two feet -deep. Floyd followed his example, and then the Indian waded to the -place where he had left his canoe and drew it from the bank into the -stream, and pushed off a few yards until he could look up and down the -stream for some distance. Satis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>fying himself that none of the Indians -were in sight, he pushed in again.</p> - -<p>"Come," he said. "Floyd would go to Vincennes, and the Dead Chief will -show the way."</p> - -<p>"I can not leave this spot," replied Will. "Go on and save yourself, -Dead Chief. I must wait."</p> - -<p>"What you wait for?" demanded the chief.</p> - -<p>"My friend," replied Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Speak his name in the ear of Dead Chief," said the Pottawatomie.</p> - -<p>"He is known as the Long Man and the 'Yellow Hair.'"</p> - -<p>"Ugh," said Dead Chief. "He is a good man and loves the Indians who are -true to the American father at Vincennes. Listen: Dead Chief has a warm -heart toward the Long Man, and will stay. Is he in the woods?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Good. One canoe is enough for us. Mine is best. Where is yours?"</p> - -<p>Floyd drew it out from the cover, and the savage at once knocked a hole -in the bottom and sent it out into the stream. It filled quickly and -floated out of sight just as a hurried step was heard, and Yankee Seth -came through the bushes, and looked down into the place where he had -left the canoe.</p> - -<p>"Will," he said, in a half-whisper.</p> - -<p>"All right," said Will. "Here we are!"</p> - -<p>The canoe closed in and Seth took his place hurriedly, casting a quick -glance at the Indian to see who he was. He gave a low whistle of -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Ha!" he said. "That yew, Dead Chief? Thought yew'd gone under, sartin."</p> - -<p>"The Dead Chief of the Pottawatomies does not die so easily."</p> - -<p>"Push off, boys. Git intew the stream as soon as yew can. Thar's the -all-firedest pickle in this yer woods yew ever hern tell off. I knowed -I was right. I knowed the Prophet meant mischief all the time, and -mebbe old man Harrison will believe it now. How did you come here, -chief?"</p> - -<p>The Indian explained how he had been overpowered by Elskwatawa and -Willimack, and rescued by Floyd.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Good enuff! We wanted a man with us that knows something of Injin -tricks. Yew must understand, cap., that this chief hez stood up like a -hero for our side, and Tecumseh hez given orders to kill him on sight. -I thought it was done 'fore now."</p> - -<p>The Indian shook his head proudly.</p> - -<p>"Tecumseh has long arms, and I am dead if I fall into the hands of his -men. What of that? Can he make a chief a dog? No. I will die as I have -lived, a warrior true to our American father and his men."</p> - -<p>The canoe was by this time in the midst of the current, floating slowly -down, for they were not using the paddles.</p> - -<p>"Push her up-stream, boys," said the Yankee. "Most of the devils is -down below. They've got six canoes, and I guess thar ain't less than a -hundred men in all. Cuss that Prophet! I wish I hed his skulp."</p> - -<p>"It would gratify me immensely if you had," replied the young soldier. -"And that scoundrel Willimack! There is no end to the benefits he has -received from time to time from my father and myself; and yet, he would -have killed us all to-night, if you had not foiled him."</p> - -<p>"I will wear the scalp of Willimack in my girdle some day," said Dead -Chief. "He is a dog. He cares nothing for either white man or Indian, -if he can get blankets, powder and rifles. He has taken belts from both -sides and hates them all. He talks with a forked tongue, like a snake. -One tongue is for our white father at Vincennes, and the other for the -red-coats. Tecumseh is a slave of Elliot, the red-coat agent."</p> - -<p>Zip! Zip!</p> - -<p>Two bullets cut through the air close to the canoe, one passing between -the Indian and Floyd, and the other clipping a piece out of the stern, -close to the immovable figure of Seth, who nodded smilingly.</p> - -<p>"That means business," he said. "I knowed they'd hev somebody up here -tew watch. They knowed we must go down-stream to git to Vincennes. -Throw yourself, Dead Chief! Up-stream fer yure life."</p> - -<p>The canoe seemed to leap into the air under the vigorous strokes of -the Indian, and they quickly passed the point from which the shots had -come.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - -<p>Just beyond, a great forest swept down the water's edge on both sides, -and the banks lay in shadow for a hundred feet on either side. Seth -uttered some low order in the Indian language to Dead Chief, and he at -once turned the bow of the canoe toward the shore, and they shot up -under the dark bank in exactly such a place as the one in which the -canoe had been concealed when the Yankee went out upon his scout. The -forest seemed to be alive on every side of them, the furious shrieks -of the Indians echoing and re-echoing among the huge old trees. Seth -snatched a hatchet and knife and bounded up the bank, closely followed -by the others. The cries told them that their enemies were about them -on every hand, eager for their blood.</p> - -<p>"Tree!" said Seth. "We can't afford tew show in an open canoe in the -moonlight. Mout git hit, yew know! This way!"</p> - -<p>He plunged into the woods, heading from the river, and ran for nearly -a hundred yards before he stopped. Then selecting a tree of the right -size, he mounted hastily. His example was followed by the others, and -not a moment too soon, for the gathering cries told that the Indians -were being guided to the spot where the canoe had been seen by those -who had fired into it. The Yankee climbed to the crotch of the tree, -selected a convenient place and sat down coolly, resting his feet upon -the branch beneath. He felt tolerably safe, for, in the dark woods, -trailing them was an impossibility. As the shouts came nearer he only -grinned widely and threw back his head for a yawn, when, to his utter -consternation, he saw a pair of gleaming eyes looking into his, not -three feet away!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER V.</p> - -<p class="center">IN A TREE-TOP.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Yankee looked hard at the gleaming orbs close to his own, and could -just make out a dark body stretched along the limbs. He was far from -liking the appearance of the affair. It might be an Indian, or it was -just as likely to be a panther. If the latter, a struggle with him -would bring the Indians upon him, whose footsteps already sounded along -the bank. He loosened his knife in its sheath, though he well knew how -powerless he would be in a tree-top, fighting against an animal which -could light like a feather upon a bending bough and leap to another -with all the quickness of a cat.</p> - -<p>"<i>Jehosaphat!</i>" he muttered. "What'n thunder will I do now? I guess I'm -gobbled 'up this time, shure. I wish I had a pike, I dew. Thunder and -lightning, this ain't pooty."</p> - -<p>The dark object upon the limb did not move, and there was no time to -be lost. Seth determined to know what it was at all hazards. Thrusting -his hand into his pouch, he drew out a box of punk, struck a spark and -ignited the whole piece. As the light flashed up he caught a glimpse -of an Indian, extended at full length along the limb. Dropping the -fire he hurled himself downward, falling upon the prostrate figure and -clasped his long arms about its throat tightly, with his bony knuckles -pressed hard against the windpipe. So quickly was it done that the -Indian had only time to utter a smothered cry before his breath was -stopped completely. The limb bent and swayed under the weight of the -heavy bodies, and they began to slide downward. A fall of twenty feet -was not what Seth wished for, but, locked in the embrace of the savage, -he could not help himself unless he let go his hold upon the throat, -and then the cries of the Indian would bring his friends to the rescue. -They slid down, turned completely over once, and fell with a dull -sound upon the moss-covered knoll at the foot of the tree, the Yankee -uppermost. A fall from that distance would have been likely to shock -the savage some, but add to that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> the avoirdupois of a man weighing as -much as this Yankee, and the damage is likely to be greater. All the -remaining breath of the Indian went out like the flame of an expiring -lamp, and he lay senseless under the body of Spink, who was somewhat -confused by the fall.</p> - -<p>"Dead, I guess," he muttered. "Teach him to tree in <i>my</i> place, the -darned heathen. Ugh!"</p> - -<p>Picking up the senseless body he threw it over a log out of sight, and -then, instead of returning to the tree, he crept cautiously back toward -the river. The Indians were scattered along the banks, and, just as he -peeped out, a loud whoop announced the discovery of the canoe.</p> - -<p>"That'll bring 'em together," said he to himself. "I guess we'd better -put out for camp."</p> - -<p>He turned to go back, when, to his utter surprise, from every direction -the savages bounded out upon him and clung to him like cats. At this -moment the wonderful strength of the athlete showed itself. Stretching -out his long arms, he dragged the Indians who clung to him on either -side from their hold, and dashed them to the earth, and then, placing -his back to a tree, he drew a knife and hatchet, and braining a Wyandot -who rushed upon him incautiously, sent his knife through the shoulder -of another, while he planted his right foot with desperate force in -the stomach of a third, doubling him up and sending him rolling to the -earth with the life nearly kicked out of his body. At the same time -he gave utterance to a terrific yell, which rung through the arches -of the deep woods, rivaling the shouts of his assailants. With savage -screams the Indians rushed at him from three sides, but those long arms -and feet made deadly work among them, and though a dozen rushed at him -together his desperate valor kept them all at bay.</p> - -<p>There was a hearty shout and war-cry from the rear, and, the Dead Chief -and Will Floyd rushed in, scattering the savages right and left. They -reached the side of the Yankee, who was fighting with desperate zeal.</p> - -<p>"Break for the canoe," he whispered, as he struck down an Indian. "It's -your only chance."</p> - -<p>Darting round the tree, and overthrowing the savages who barred their -way, they reached the canoe, which still lay upon the shore. So sudden -was the action that the Indians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> were stupefied, and the brave trio -gained a rod or so in advance before their foes started in pursuit. -They had gained the canoe, the Dead Chief and the Yankee were already -in it, and Floyd was following, when he fell by a hatchet hurled at -him by Willimack. Seth would have turned back to aid him, but the Dead -Chief seized the paddle and pushed off quickly, just as the Indians -pounced upon the fallen man. A score of them plunged into the water, -each with a hatchet or knife in his teeth, but the quick strokes of the -paddle soon left them far behind. A useless volley from those on shore -followed.</p> - -<p>"Poor lad," said Yankee Seth. "I'm afeard he's gone under."</p> - -<p>"The young soldier is very brave," replied the chief. "If he is not -dead, he will die like a man. And now, hear the words of the Dead -Chief. I swear by the grave of my father, by the totem of my tribe, -that I will not go back to the village where my squaw and pappooses -dwell, until the young war-chief is saved or I have avenged him. It is -spoken; the Dead Chief can not lie."</p> - -<p>"Good for yew, old man," said the Yankee. "I'm with yew threw thick an' -thin. Thar's my hand on it. Shake."</p> - -<p>The two woodmen clasped hands, while the canoe floated at will in the -midst of the dark stream.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They lifted Floyd and dragged him up the bank into the bushes, where -Willimack and Elskwatawa stood. He had been stunned at first by the -stroke of the hatchet and was still dizzy and faint when he faced the -chiefs. Their dark looks convinced him that he had little to hope from -them. The death-wail was rising from the Indian band as they lifted -the bodies of the fallen and laid them in a row along the bank. Four -were dead, including the neighbor of the Yankee in the tree-top, and -as many more desperately wounded. In such a melée as this, when a body -of men assail a desperate athlete like the dreaded Long Man, some must -get hurt. The cloud upon the face of the Prophet grew darker as, one by -one, the dead were brought out, and Willimack uttered a snarl like a -tiger as a man who had been his best friend was laid with the rest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is finished then," thought Floyd. "They will revenge themselves -upon me for the death of these men. I can only meet my fate like a -man; but my poor father, my darling Madge! Oh, if the Skeleton Scout -would but come now and scatter these fiendish knaves as he did at the -stockade! I wonder if Yankee Seth or the chief were injured? Even if -they are safe, what can they do against so many?"</p> - -<p>At this moment the panther-call of which Seth had spoken came from the -opposite bank of the stream. A faint hope came into the heart of the -prisoner. The call was given to show that he was safe and would not -desert him in the hour of need. Willimack advanced and looked in the -face of Floyd with that vicious glance of triumph which small natures -feel in the power they may gain over an enemy.</p> - -<p>"Floyd," said he, "the white man can not have all his own way. To-night -I was insulted in your wigwam—I, a chief of a great nation. I told you -then that a chief never forgot, and that the day of revenge would come; -behold it is here already!"</p> - -<p>"Do not trouble me by too much talking, Willimack. I am in your power, -it is true, but for all that you shall not force me to cringe to you, -or to ask mercy at your hands."</p> - -<p>"Waugh! Will you not beg for life from the Wyandot and Shawnee?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Listen. Was it you that cut the bonds which bound the Dead Chief to -the tree?"</p> - -<p>"It was."</p> - -<p>"Good! That is another thing against you. Did you know that the Dead -Chief was our prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. That is the reason I set him free," replied Floyd, in an -undaunted tone.</p> - -<p>"It is well. You speak like a great brave, and had you lived would have -been a great chief among the white men. But, the white men must cease -from off the face of the Indian country. We love it too well to let the -feet of bad men press it, and tread upon the earth where our fathers' -bones are laid. The English are friends to us, and will not take our -country; the Americans steal all."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do what you mean to do, and at once. I can bear any indignity you may -heap upon me, as becomes a man."</p> - -<p>Willimack stood aside, and the Prophet advanced. His dark face was -working with passion, and he seemed to struggle to repress a desire to -strike down the young soldier where he stood. His fingers clutched the -handle of a hatchet convulsively, and now and then he half drew it from -its sheath.</p> - -<p>"Let Elskwatawa speak, for he is the great Prophet of the Shawnees. I -see before me the dead of my tribe and one warrior of the Wyandots. -They had hoped to live to fight many battles against the whites and -again possess the land of their fathers. The Manitou came to me in a -dream and told me that the time had come for the Indians to drive out -the white dogs and take their own again. Therefore you see us in our -war-paint to-day."</p> - -<p>He paused and cast a wild glance about him which seemed to have a great -effect upon the savages, and they uttered a wail of agony.</p> - -<p>"But see," he cried. "They lie in their blood upon their own soil, and -the man who killed them is in our hands."</p> - -<p>A triumphant shout went up as he said this, and fierce looks were -directed at the young soldier, who returned them by a glance of haughty -defiance.</p> - -<p>"The Indians deal justly by all," said the Prophet. "No man can die -by their hands who is not worthy of death for some great wrong done -to the nations. Warriors and chiefs, I have gone among the white men -at Vincennes, and have spoken to the war-chief Harrison. The tears -have flowed from my eyes when I spoke of the wrongs of my people; yes, -my tears have fallen like rain. He is a man of iron, and I can not -melt him. He cares not for us, but for his own people. You stood by, -Willimack, when all the chiefs were seated and Tecumseh stood up like a -child about to be punished. At last they saw how great an insult this -was to the great chief. They offered him a chair; but the chief looked -at them with scorn when they said, 'Your father offers you a seat!' 'My -father?' he cried. 'The sun is my father and the earth is my mother. I -will repose on her bosom.'<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>"The chief will bear no more. The battle must be fought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> and we will -win again the lands of our fathers. We must not fail. The mortification -of failure shall never be ours, and my great brother will not disgrace -me by a mistake. I hear the warriors shout as they gather. I hear them -in the South and East, in the North and West, with a sound like the -summer leaves rising and rustling in the breeze. I hear their tread -upon the mountains, by the silent rivers and in the green valleys. It -is well. Shall Tecumseh tremble and shall Elskwatawa fail? No! The -mountains and plains the Great Spirit gave us are around us, behind and -before.</p> - -<p>"I too have my warriors; and here, on the Wabash, on the Scioto, and on -the broad waters of the North, my voice shall be heard for war."</p> - -<p>He ceased for a moment, and cast a sad glance upon the bodies on the -ground.</p> - -<p>"There be our brothers, who had thought to take a part in this great -battle to come. Their eyes are closed, their voices are not heard, -their lips are pale, their ears hear no sound. What is this I see upon -their faces? It is blood, the blood of the white man's shedding. And -now, I think I hear a voice, speaking from the dead lips, and it says, -'Avenge me on my foes! My blood has been shed, and I can not cross the -dark river until I smell the blood of one of the accursed race.'"</p> - -<p>His eyes again fell upon Floyd, and fire seemed to flash from their -depths.</p> - -<p>"Who is this I see before me? His hands are red with blood. It is the -blood of Negarish and Monado, of Cartain and Zeman. My brothers, let us -light a fire and burn this white man, and then the souls of my brothers -shall find rest and peace."</p> - -<p>A wild cry arose from the assembled band, and they began to collect -dried leaves and sticks from the surrounding woods, and pile them -about the limbs of young Floyd after they had tied him to a tree. The -pile rose until it reached nearly to his shoulders, and he felt that -his last hour had come. He was brave enough to meet his fate, but it -was agony to him to know that, when the flames had consumed his body, -there would be no one left to protect his father, and Madge, whom he -had hoped to make his wife when the autumn leaves were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> yellowing in -the sun. He began to suspect that when he was gone, Willimack would go -back and storm the stockade. What then would be the fate of his father -and that sweet girl he could not think. Madge was brave, he knew, but, -would she have strength enough, when the hour of her great peril came, -to save herself from dishonor with her own hand?</p> - -<p>"Stand back," said Willimack. "Let the voice of a chief speak terror -to the ears of his enemy before he dies. I am Willimack, chief of the -Wyandot, and I am ashamed to be at the death of a child. I see water in -your eyes, and I know you are weeping in your heart. You fear the pain -which will come when the flames curl and the smoke rolls about you. -Let the chief of the Wyandots speak. You know that you refused me the -shelter of your dwelling when I came to it. The yellow-haired hunter -struck me down and bound me, but I saw that the Bright Eyes looked -sadly upon the disgrace of a chief. Good; the Bright Eyes shall make -the fire bright in the lodge of Willimack."</p> - -<p>Bright Eyes was the Indian name given to Madge by those who, from time -to time, visited the cabin of the Floyds.</p> - -<p>"Oh, red hound!" shrieked Floyd. "Oh, if I had dreamed half the -villainy you had in your black heart, I would have killed you as you -sat by my fire."</p> - -<p>"The heart of a chief is not open to the eyes of a dull pale-face," -replied Willimack, scornfully. "The Bright Eyes is very beautiful. Her -voice is like the song of the birds when the summer sun is high. Floyd -would have made a nest for her that she should sing for him alone; but -Willimack laughs, for he knows that she can only sing in his lodge."</p> - -<p>Floyd struggled manfully to break his bonds, glaring furiously at the -savage who knelt at his feet, and, striking a flint and steel, began -to kindle the flame. It burned slowly, for the leaves were damp. Again -and again it smoldered and went out, but the Indian persevered until a -little jet of flame leaped up. This he fed, leaf after leaf, until he -had a little fire burning, apart from the pile, about the person of the -young soldier. He took savage delight in prolonging the scene, and the -Indians, understanding his motive, yelled in concert and danced wildly -about the tree.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<p>Willimack now took up a lighted brand, and with it touched the person -of the prisoner in various places, laughing in demoniac glee when he -shrunk from the contact. Others took the hint and followed the same -amusement for some time, the young man bearing it bravely. They at -length lit the pile, and the flames began to creep up about his person, -and a thick smoke arose. He was dimly able to see through the smoke and -flame, that the Indians were dancing and shouting all around, when a -new cry arose, and he saw the Indians break and run in every direction, -evidently in the greatest dread. Then the figure of the being known as -the Skeleton Scout bounded into the open space. Seeing him closely, -the young man could conceive of nothing more horrible than the ghastly -head, blazing eyes, and tremendous hight of this strange being. "Oonah! -Oonah!" was the cry of the Indians as they fled, and the next moment -the brands were scattered and the young man was free!</p> - -<p>"Stand here until you hear the loon-cry, and then make for the river, -where your friends are waiting. Remember the Skeleton Scout!"</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><p class="ph3">FOOTNOTES:</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> A fact.</p></div></div> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VI.</p> - -<p class="center">A YANKEE RUSE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> strange apparition was gone, and the next moment the loon-call -sounded from the depths of the woods, mingled with cries which seemed -to burst from a hundred throats. The young soldier bounded across the -open space, and ran at his best speed toward the place where he had -left the boat. Suddenly, without warning, two dark figures started up -in his path and seized him, and he thought himself again in the hands -of his enemies, when he heard one of his captors say, in a nasal tone -not to be mistaken: "This yew, capting?" He had fallen into the hands -of his friends!</p> - -<p>"All right, Seth," he answered. "Get back to the canoe as quick as you -can. The woods are alive with savages."</p> - -<p>The Dead Chief led the way, and in a moment they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> again in the -canoe, and pushed off from the shore. The moon had gone down, and a -darkness like Egypt had fallen on the river. The Dead Chief had taken -the paddle, and, under the strokes of his vigorous arm, the light craft -was shooting down the stream. The Pottawatomie knew his course well, -and how much danger lay before them. Not a word was spoken, for they -knew the virtue of silence. They must break through the cordon of their -enemies at any and every hazard. On they went, the shadows dark about -them, each grasping a weapon, and ready to defend himself to the utmost -if attacked. They knew that by far the greater portion of the wild band -had gathered about the death-fire, and yet they were certain that the -Prophet was too able a warrior to leave the path to Vincennes clear.</p> - -<p>"Back her a minnit, chief," whispered the Yankee. "I want tew speak tew -the young 'un here."</p> - -<p>By the skillful use of his paddle the chief managed to keep the canoe -nearly stationary in the midst of the stream, while Seth bent forward -and whispered to his young companion:</p> - -<p>"Yew got away; heow did yew dew it?"</p> - -<p>"By aid of the Skeleton Scout," replied Floyd, in the same tone. -"Whatever he may be, he is at least a friend to us."</p> - -<p>"He never hunts nothing but Injins, <i>he</i> don't," said the Long Man. -"Clever of him tew help yew, anyheow. Was they going to scorch yew?"</p> - -<p>"The fire was lit already," replied the young soldier. "Ugh! my throat -is dry by even thinking of it."</p> - -<p>"A close shave!" chuckled the Yankee. "That Skeleton Scout is a darned -nice ghost, by gracious. How many Injins below, think?"</p> - -<p>"Seventy or eighty danced around me at the stake."</p> - -<p>"Pooty dancers?"</p> - -<p>"Can't say I appreciated their efforts."</p> - -<p>"No? that's queer! Let her go on, chief. The men we've got tew tackle -are waiting for us in the <i>mash</i> (marsh). Git yure weepons ready, -'cause we are 'most thar."</p> - -<p>Again the canoe glided softly down the stream, until it struck the -marsh of which he spoke. It was a level bottom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> where the soft soil -had drifted down and been left, leaving scarcely room in places for -a canoe to cross without grounding on the soft bottom. In this soil -gigantic rushes had grown up, as we see them in our creeks when -duck-hunting. These rushes rose above the water, to the hight of eight -or ten feet, and stood so thickly together that, unless a man was well -acquainted with them it would be impossible to force a canoe through. -Of course there was a channel running through the marsh, but it was -more than likely that the patrol canoes of the Indians occupied this -water-course, and it would not be an easy task to get down, facing -their weapons. The Dead Chief seized one of the rushes and held the -canoe, and all bent forward to listen. Not a sound was heard except the -sighing of the long blades as the wind rustled through them. If the -Indians were watching, they knew enough to keep silent, and, for all -the environed men knew, their foes might be lying within twenty feet of -them.</p> - -<p>The Dead Chief was acquainted with all the passes through the marsh, -and had not for a moment thought of forcing a path through the reeds. -The rustling they must of necessity make would apprise the lurking -Indians of their vicinity, and put them on their guard. They were -rather ready to trust to their woodcraft on shore, but they would have -liked to find the exact position of the canoes of their enemies, before -striking for the shore. But, though listening carefully, they could -hear nothing of the red-skins, and determined to try the land.</p> - -<p>The head of the canoe was pushed into a little channel which the Dead -Chief knew ran close to the bank, at a good place to land. This was -accomplished without a rustle, and Floyd leaped with the chief to the -shore, closely followed by his Yankee friend. The canoe was left as of -no further use to them, and pushed into the rushes out of sight. This -done, the Dead Chief sat down on the bank, and drew his moccasins from -his feet, and made Floyd understand by the sense of touch that he was -to take off his boots, and put on these. Will hesitated to make the -Indian go barefooted through the woods, but the Dead Chief took his -hand and pressed it upon the sole of the bare foot. The moment his hand -came in contact with the hard and callous foot, he understood that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> -Indian had a protection there which made a moccasin rather an object -of ornament than use. He offered no further objection, but drawing -off his boots, he left them on the bank, and put on the moccasins. He -understood that the Indian thought the boot a poor thing for a scout to -wear. The moment he was ready, the chief again took the lead, bending -his body low, and keeping one hand on the ground, carefully removing -every obstruction from the path which the less experienced soldier -might step on.</p> - -<p>Floyd followed, imitating his attitude, and betraying at once a keen -sense of woodcraft, and the attributes of a scout. Not a stick cracked, -not a twig bent. The Yankee who followed him was surprised at the -celerity of his motions, and the quiet way in which he performed his -part. Their course led directly away from the river, for they knew that -they must make a wide circuit to get away from the Indians, who had -doubtless lined the shore with scouts. It was only the extreme darkness -of the night, since the moon had gone down, which had allowed them to -pass the sentries unperceived. Seth had no doubt that, favored by the -darkness, they already had passed one of the guard canoes, but there -were two more. One was probably in the center of the marsh around which -they were now describing a circle, and the other further down, though -where it was, they could not say. Once out of reach of the river by -half a mile, the Yankee gave a signal to the chief to wait, and they -sat down together in the darkness.</p> - -<p>"By jinks," he chuckled. "Had a right nice time of it so fur. I ain't -enjoyed myself so mighty well this year. The pizon critters didn't -sort o' kalkilate on finding us so foxy, did they? I hev all I ken -dew tew keep from laffing rite eout when I think heow I walked intew -them cussed thieves arter I tumbled eout of the tree with that ornery -critter that <i>would</i> hev that pertickler tree."</p> - -<p>"I should think you would be afraid to talk so loud while we remain in -danger," said Will Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Ain't no danger here, Lord love yew!" replied the volatile scout. -"It's glorious work fighting these cussid thieves! Now, look here; -thar's lots of good Injins in this created airth, but thar's a pizon -heap of bad 'uns. There's my friend, Dead Chief, now; he's what I call -a good Injin. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> if you raally want a mighty bad specimen, yew jest -take up Willimack or the Profit."</p> - -<p>"That scoundrel Willimack threatened our family while I was tied to the -stake. Do not let us dally a moment, my friend. Think of them I have -left in danger—my old father and my darling Madge. He insulted her, -most of all, for he designed for her a fate worse than death—a place -in his lodge."</p> - -<p>"He duz! Now look at me, <i>yew</i>. I'll never stop hunting that pesky -critter until I've got his skulp or he's got mine. Take that pooty gal -into his lodge, will he? Wants her for a squaw, duz he? Yew jest wait! -He won't live to see it, bet yure life he won't! I'm so cussid mad I -could hop rite over that tree-top. Oh, holy fly! Hold me, somebody, or -I'll go charging back rite intew them Injins, and cut and slash and -hack and hew. Oh, bu'st me all to pieces! Take my hat and stamp on it, -somebody, I'm so <i>darned</i> mad. Litening strike me intew a blind nigger -ef I ain't growed nigh a fool sense yew told me that. Come, let's git -along. Ef old man Harrison don't rair rite up on his hind feet when I -tell him this, then thar ain't no buffler on the prahary; not a darned -buffler."</p> - -<p>The party kept out from the river for a quarter of an hour, and then -inclined again toward the stream. The Dead Chief still kept the lead, -but all at once he stopped and dropped to the earth as suddenly as if -he had received a ball in his bosom. The others followed his example -and listened, and understood what it was which caused this hasty -movement. It was the sound of human voices, just below them. The bank -at this point was rather high, and crawling on their hands and knees to -the edge of the bluff they looked down. The Indians who held this last -guard-boat evidently were not trained warriors, for they had built a -fire and were cooking some meat. To be sure, their fire was built in -a sheltered nook and could not be seen from the river, but would have -called down upon their heads the wrath of the Prophet, if he had known -of it.</p> - -<p>There they sat, six stalwart young warriors, grouped in various -attitudes of ease and comfort about the fire, gnawing the flesh from -the bones of a young buck which one of their number had brought down by -a well-directed arrow. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> flame lighted up their bronzed figures and -dark faces, and danced upon their waving plumes and beaded belts and -moccasins. They were chatting in low tones over their feast, it being -evident that they did not think it possible that the two whites—for -they knew nothing of the Dead Chief—could escape from the hands of -their companions above. But they had not reckoned upon the fertility -of resource possessed by the Yankee scout. Long Seth touched his -companions lightly, and they drew back cautiously at least a hundred -yards from the dangerous vicinity, where they could converse with ease -and not be heard by the Indians below.</p> - -<p>"Ain't got much time tew talk 'bout it," said the Yankee. "What do yew -say? Thar's six Injins, red with white blood. Shall we give 'em goss or -not? If we lick 'em—I'd ingage tew lick the hull bilin' myself—we kin -git the canoe tew ride tew Vincennes, and I'd ruther ride than walk, -any time."</p> - -<p>"I'm for thinning this band as much as we can," said Floyd. "There will -not be so many to attack my father's stockade."</p> - -<p>"Dead Chief is ready," said the Pottawatomie, in his short way.</p> - -<p>"Good enuff!" replied Seth. "Waal, I'll creep down the bank below 'em -and come up on the back. You two creep up in front, and jest ez soon -as I give my loon-call, yew pick eout two of 'em and knock 'em over. -Pick eout the biggest, they ginerally fight the best. I'll give a good -account of number three, and then charge 'em like smoke. Them's the -sentiments I express upon this momentous occasion. Now for it."</p> - -<p>They separated, the chief and Floyd creeping cautiously to the front -and making their weapons ready for a shot, and the Yankee moving away -rapidly but silently to the left. After allowing five minutes to pass, -they heard the loon-call on the river.</p> - -<p>Lifting their rifles, each sighted a man and pulled trigger. Down went -two of the savages, one shot through the brain and the other through -the breast, and with a hearty border shout they grasped their smaller -weapons and darted down the bank just as the weapon of Long Seth spoke -and a third Indian uttered his death-cry. At the same time the Yankee -appeared, and the three closed in upon their enemies, who, like rats in -a trap, turned and fought like men.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>Singling out an adversary, the determined whites rushed on. Dashing -down the weak defense of his adversary, Seth struck him with his fist a -blow which seemed to shatter his jaws, for the bones absolutely rattled -as he went down.</p> - -<p>"Take that, you red devil," he hissed, turning to seek a new foe. But, -the struggle was already at an end. The Dead Chief had hurled his -hatchet at his antagonist with the skill which only long practice in -the use of that weapon can give, and he rolled to the earth, the bright -bowl of the keen ax only showing through his skull. Will Floyd, at the -expense of a slight flesh-wound in the arm, had buried his dagger in -the breast of his own antagonist, and the struggle was over.</p> - -<p>Seth knew that no time was to be lost, and darted for the canoe, though -for what purpose the chief remained behind the young soldier could -guess. When he joined them in the canoe he touched the soldier on the -arm and offered him two bloody scalps.</p> - -<p>"No, no," said Floyd, pushing back his hand. "I can not take them."</p> - -<p>"Two for you, Long Man," said the chief, offering the others to the -Yankee.</p> - -<p>"I didn't hev time tew wait for 'em," replied Seth, coolly, taking the -bloody trophies and thrusting them into his belt. "Thank yew all the -same, chief. I reckon yew ain't used tew this sort of thing, cap.?"</p> - -<p>"I confess I am not."</p> - -<p>"Yew'll git over that. Climb intew the canoe and git hold of a paddle. -I reckon we'll hev a hard time of it yit. I hear them devils up above -coming down the rushes; hark! Du yew hear that?"</p> - -<p>They listened and could hear the dip of paddles upon the river below. -They had been mistaken in the number of their enemies after all, it -seemed, and they had yet another patrol canoe below the rushes!</p> - -<p>"Load up yure rifles, boys, and yew give the pistils fodder if they -ain't full already, Will. This old thief, the Profit, meant business -when he pitched on us. If we git threw it won't be for lack of -head-work."</p> - -<p>For some moments nothing was heard but the sound of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> preparation, as -they loaded their weapons. Then the canoe, which was a large one, shot -out into the stream, and Spink, who sat in the stern, caught up a heavy -stone which lay on the bank and laid it in the bottom of the canoe, -close to his feet. "Yew needn't mind the paddle jist yit, Will. Let the -chief keep her stiddy, and put her rite on tew the other canoe, old -man! I'll fix these heathen, yit."</p> - -<p>The canoe was now only a few rods in advance, coming up under the full -sweep of the paddles in the hands of half a dozen strong men. The -morning was coming fast, but it was still too dark to distinguish faces.</p> - -<p>"Put her straight for 'em," said Seth. "<i>I'll</i> show 'em a trick."</p> - -<p>As the two canoes neared each other, the Dead Chief shouted to the -coming savages in the Indian tongue:</p> - -<p>"Who comes?"</p> - -<p>"Brothers," replied the voice of the warrior in command. "Have the -white dogs been taken?"</p> - -<p>"Who can escape the snares of the Prophet?" replied the Dead Chief.</p> - -<p>"Are they dead?" demanded the warrior.</p> - -<p>"Why should we kill them?" replied the Dead Chief. "Come back and we -will see them burn by the same fire."</p> - -<p>The canoes were now side by side, and the Indians were trying to peer -through the gloom of the morning to make out the figures in the other -craft, when Seth rose suddenly, and, uttering a wild cry, dashed the -huge stone through their canoe's bottom, tearing a great hole, through -which the water rushed in a torrent, and in a moment the Indians were -floundering in the water, while the other canoe, impelled by the strong -arms of Floyd and Dead Chief, passed on down the river. In spite of the -toils which the Prophet had set about them, his prey had escaped.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VI.</p> - -<p class="center">THE AMBUSCADE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Vincennes</span>, on the Wabash, was the seat of government chosen by -Harrison, as Governor of that territory. Here he was gradually -collecting his forces for the coming struggle which he was assured must -come, with the Indians under the control of Tecumseh and the Prophet. -In the mean time his spies were everywhere gathering such information -as they could of the position and designs of the enemy. In choosing -these men, Harrison showed great knowledge of the Indian character, -and for this reason his most trusted scouts were from that class of -bordermen who, trained in border warfare, had also suffered loss at -their hands. These he sent into the Indian country upon all sorts of -pretenses, to collect information for future use.</p> - -<p>Thus he learned who were lukewarm in the British cause, and therefore -might be won over to the Americans.</p> - -<p>Thus, when the struggle commenced, he knew upon whom to depend, and -what he had against him. The Governor was at his own private residence -when informed that the Pottawatomie, Dead Chief, and his companions, -Captain Floyd and Long Seth Spink, desired to speak with him. He at -once ordered them to his presence. Floyd was admitted first, and found -the Governor seated at a small table, covered with papers and maps.</p> - -<p>"Ah, captain," he said, "I am pleased to see you, although your leave -of absence has not yet expired. I don't see what brought you here ahead -of your time. You surely can not have had a quarrel with Miss Madge?"</p> - -<p>"No, your excellency. Far from that, but the family are in great -danger."</p> - -<p>"Ha! In what way?"</p> - -<p>"The Indians are on the war-path."</p> - -<p>Harrison started up eagerly. "By heaven, I thought so. Who are their -leaders?"</p> - -<p>"The Prophet and Willimack are with the party we met."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Give an account of the affair in few words."</p> - -<p>Floyd commenced with his meeting with the Yankee in the morning, and -the attempt of Willimack to enter the stockade, and told the story up -to their entrance into the town.</p> - -<p>"Then there is not a moment to be lost. Take out your company of the -rangers and as many more as you need, and march up the river to the -stockade. How far do you call it?"</p> - -<p>"About twenty miles."</p> - -<p>"Very good. Get your men under arms. Take the Dead Chief with you as a -guide, and I will let this man Spink go also. You may send him to me at -once."</p> - -<p>"The Dead Chief?"</p> - -<p>"Seth Spink."</p> - -<p>"Oh; do you know him, then?"</p> - -<p>"I have heard of him," replied Harrison, with a slight smile. "This -action on the part of Willimack is premature, it is evident, and I -am certain that the Prophet is not pleased with it, nor do I think -Tecumseh knows any thing about it. Send Spink to me."</p> - -<p>Floyd went out into the next room, but the Governor followed him to -the door, and, speaking with marked kindness to the Dead Chief, told -him to go with the captain as guide. Then beckoning to the scout, he -again entered the room. The Yankee followed him, closing the door after -him. They remained closeted in the room for more than an hour, when the -scout came out with a hurried step, and went down to the river-side, -where the company of Will Floyd, consisting of nearly a hundred men, -were under arms.</p> - -<p>"Ha, Spink, my good fellow, hurry up," shouted the captain. "Death, -man, do you not see that I am impatient?"</p> - -<p>"No use to hurry now, cap," replied Seth. "My father died in a hurry. -Ef he'd taken time tew think about it he needn't hev died at all. But, -he got it intew his head he couldn't live, and so he went off without -thinking. He won't dew that ag'in."</p> - -<p>"Is this a time for jesting, sir?" said the captain, angrily. "Take -your place. Fall in, men. By fours; trot!"</p> - -<p>They set off at a rapid pace, and rode along the river-side beneath -the bending branches, heavy with the morning dew. The birds sung in -the laden branches, as if a thought of blood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> or battle never could or -would disturb their grand old woods. But, the heart of young Floyd was -heavy, for he feared that Willimack would make good his threat of the -night before, and attack the stockade before his return. The men shared -his fears, and a shade of doubt once or twice crossed the face of the -Yankee, but he kept up a good heart, singing snatches of old songs -now and then in a quaint way, which caused a smile among the ranks. -But, before they had gone five miles his mood changed, and he began to -glance quickly from side to side as if expecting an enemy. On they went -through the oak openings until the woods began to thicken, when the -Yankee bent in his saddle, and whispered in the ear of the captain.</p> - -<p>"No, no," said Floyd, testily. "They have retreated, I tell you. They -will not risk an encounter now."</p> - -<p>"But I think I'm right, fer all that, cap."</p> - -<p>"It is impossible. You do not know my rangers, or you would not think -the Indians capable of resisting our march."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe that the Prophet would fire a gun at a white man, dew -yew?" said the Yankee, with a quizzical look. "Cum mi'ty nigh scorching -yure legs last night, though."</p> - -<p>"He is capable of any small villainy like that," replied the captain. -"But, he certainly is too able a warrior to commence before his plans -are ripe."</p> - -<p>"It's forced upon him, cap. He knows that we've got clear, and that -both yew and the Dead Chief are aware of his hostility, so he can't -wait. You'd better ride a leetle grain more keerful."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense."</p> - -<p>"I ain't used tew being talked tew that way, cap. I'm a strange -critter, yew know. I dunno heow it is, but I've got a sort of sneaking -notion I know something 'bout Injin fi'tin'. Come; order the men tew -pull in, and don't make quite so much noise in the ranks."</p> - -<p>"You take a great deal upon yourself, friend Spink," said Floyd, with a -light laugh. "Perhaps you had better lead the company yourself, as you -seem inclined to take command."</p> - -<p>"See what it is tew be young," muttered the Yankee, with an appearance -of great vexation. "Yew'll force me tew dew something I don't want tew, -cap. Now, look here; yew ain't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> going tew ride intew yonder narrow -path, are yew, without sending out scouts?"</p> - -<p>"What would you have me do, sir? You know as well as I do that it makes -the road three miles longer to keep in the oak openings."</p> - -<p>"S'pose it duz? Yew don't want to lose half these nice-looking boys, -dew yew? Come; take good advice, and don't go threw them woods."</p> - -<p>"I will ride directly forward without turning out of my course for a -mere scarecrow cry from you."</p> - -<p>A dark frown crossed the face of the Yankee, and he pulled hard on his -bridle and left the ranks.</p> - -<p>"Go on then, if yew will. Bet yew forty dollars yew don't go fur."</p> - -<p>With an angry exclamation Floyd put spurs to his horse, and calling -to his men to follow, dashed into the woods. Scarcely had he done so -when there was a rattling volley of musketry, and several saddles were -emptied, while high and wild above the rattle of the small-arms, rose -the gathering cry of the forest banditti. Dark forms glided from bush -to bush, and the young captain saw his error. Entangled in the thick -woods they must have been lost, but for his prompt action. Snatching a -bugle from the hand of a musician, he sounded the call to fall back, -and, taking their wounded comrades—for the rangers would not leave -them—they hastily retreated, and sheltered themselves behind the -bushes in front of the woods and looked after their wounded comrades. -Some of the savages showed themselves for a moment, but a volley from -the rifles of the rangers quickly drove them back, and they waited for -a new advance on the part of the horsemen.</p> - -<p>Floyd cast a sidelong glance for the Yankee, but he was gone. In the -melée he had taken his horse and slipped away, no one knew whither. -Angry with himself for his error, Floyd sent the wounded men back to -the village and buried the single dead man in the path, riding over it -with the rangers several times so that the Indians could not find and -mutilate the body. This done he took a wide <i>detour</i>, leaving the woods -on his right, and set off at the best rate of speed for his home. Three -miles on the way they met the Yankee coming back with a look of sorrow -on his face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I couldn't wait tew see it, cap.," he said. "How many of the boys went -under?"</p> - -<p>"One," replied the captain, sorrowfully. "You were right, Seth. I ought -to have kept out of that trap. I know it now, but, that will not atone -for my folly. But, think what I feel now when I tell you that it would -be a kindness in you to shoot me through the head."</p> - -<p>"No," replied Seth, slowly. "I don't think that would pay us, -principally because we kain't afford tew lose yew, and yew'll take -advice next time. I've been out scouting a little in advance. Ride a -little to the front and I'll tell yew what I've found eout."</p> - -<p>They quickened their pace, and the Yankee bent in his saddle and said -in a low voice: "Willimack hez been over the road since last night."</p> - -<p>Floyd started violently, and his face grew pale. "How do you know -that?" he cried.</p> - -<p>"I kan read Injin sign," answered the Yankee, calmly. "Thar's another -thing. I believe the critter they call the Skeleton Scout is arter -Willimack."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause I've seen his sign. Ef he's a ghost, then he's a mighty heavy -one. Why, he's got a foot bigger'n mine, ef I kin judge by his trail. -Now mind, I don't say he's a human; sartin he don't act like one; but -yew bet all yew'r worth he don't like Willimack, or heow in natur' -would he chase <i>him</i> up the way he did last night."</p> - -<p>"But my father; my dearest Madge!" moaned the unhappy young man. "Oh, -why did I ever leave you?"</p> - -<p>"'Twould only hev been tew more sculps ef we had been thar," replied -the Yankee. "Now, I'll tell yew what I think. Willimack turned back -with his own warriors arter the Skileton Scout set you free, and put -out fer the stockade."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid you are right. Let us press on as quickly as we can."</p> - -<p>"No use of that. If he did turn back, and I'm pesky 'fraid he did, all -we kan do won't bring us thar in time. I'm afeard the old man didn't -half understand his danger, nuther, and was keerless arter we went -away. Here, order yure men to close up. Them Injins are behind us now, -but I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> reckin they won't leave a stick or stone standing along the -Wabash, now that their blood is up."</p> - -<p>The rangers closed up. They quickened their pace, and, late in the -afternoon, began to near the clearing in which the settler had built -his house and stockade. As they entered the clearing, a heavy smoke was -seen to rise toward the summer sky, and, uttering a cry of agony, the -young soldier spurred quickly forward, to see what he had most feared -and yet had hardly dared to hope had not happened—his father's house -in ruins, and still smoking, though the flames had nearly gone out! -It was a terrible scene of desolation, but one all too common in the -history of these Indian wars.</p> - -<p>The rangers surrounded the blackened walls. In some places the fire had -lost its power over the walls from their green state, and they still -stood, though blackened and half consumed. The house itself had fallen, -and the charred rafters lay among the smoldering embers of that once -happy home. The desolation did not stop here, for there, in the opening -between the stockade and the house, lay the bodies of the two soldiers, -who had been killed and scalped and horribly mutilated.</p> - -<p>"Poor Lefebre! unhappy Forbes!" said the young soldier. "Yours was -indeed a sad, sad fate. God in his mercy take you in his keeping! But, -where is my father?"</p> - -<p>They searched here and there, and, at length, half hidden by a heavy -beam which had fallen upon their lifeless bodies, they found the -murdered forms of the three negroes, like the soldiers, scalped and -gory. All the indignities which savage ferocity could invent had been -heaped upon the wretched men who had here met their fate. Floyd was -ghastly pale, and reeled in his walk like a drunken man as the five -bodies were drawn out into the open space and laid down, side by -side. One of the soldiers dismounted, and, taking his blanket from -his saddle, and begging another from a comrade, covered the lifeless -forms from the public gaze. The Yankee, whose face seemed twitching -convulsively, looked fiercely about him as each new exhibition of -savage spite showed itself.</p> - -<p>"Why don't you help me, Seth?" said Floyd, feebly.</p> - -<p>"I <i>don't</i> know. I'm sartin of one thing, and that is that Miss Madge -would kill herself if she could to keep herself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> out of the hands of -them pizen critters. It's awful, awful! Move round, boys, and look fer -the capt'in's father. Be alive, men, and don't look so scared. I don't -blame yew, poor lads, when tew of yure comrades are gone. And then, -them black boys and the old lady. Here, take hold of these rafters and -throw 'em off. Mebbe the old gentleman is underneath."</p> - -<p>They tossed aside the still smoldering rafters and yet found nothing. -The floor was only partly burned. The Yankee threw off a trap-door -which had led into the cellar, and looked down. He could see nothing -as yet, for a mass of dense smoke was rolling slowly upward from the -cellar and he stood aside until this passed off, and then descended.</p> - -<p>"Hurry!" he cried, at length. "I've got somebody. Two of you boys come -down."</p> - -<p>Down two of the rangers leaped, and in a few moments' time reappeared, -bearing a body to the surface. It was found to be that of an Indian, -who evidently had been killed by a pistol bullet. The rangers kicked -the senseless form to one side just as the face of Seth appeared at the -opening.</p> - -<p>"Who is it?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"It's a cussed Injin," answered one of the rangers.</p> - -<p>"Darn him," roared Seth. "Raise his ha'r, some of yew, while I go down -ag'in. I'm sartin I'll find somebody down here."</p> - -<p>He disappeared again. By this time the smoke had passed out and he -could see plainly. Upon the cellar floor was a track of blood, which -led into the large drain in the corner. Following this trace, the -Yankee stooped and saw that the feet of a man were just within the -drain. He seized upon the feet and drew him out, and showed the bloody -form of Mr. Floyd, senseless from a hatchet wound in the head, but -breathing heavily, like one in a trance.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VIII.</p> - -<p class="center">TECUMSEH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> body of the wounded man was carefully borne to the surface, and the -young soldier, with a cry like a wolf seizing his young, lifted the -beloved form in his arms, carried it out of the stockade and laid it -upon the grass outside. The old man breathed heavily, and Floyd looked -up with hope imprinted on every line of his young face. But, the Yankee -was downcast in expression, and stood leaning against the wall of the -stockade, at times striking his hand against it.</p> - -<p>"Bring water, boys," cried Floyd, anxiously. "Water, water."</p> - -<p>Two of the men hurried down to the spring with their canteens and -brought them up full. The captain took one of these and washed the -ghastly wound upon the skull and showed that it was fractured.</p> - -<p>"Oh, heaven," cried the son. "My father, my dear father. Was it for -this that I left you last night, to find you here, murdered by the hand -of brutal savages? But he lives; you can see that, Seth. A little care -might save him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he'll <i>live</i> fast enough," said Seth, gloomily. "It isn't that. -I've seen that kind of a hurt afore and they ain't no good. Let me see -what I can do, and while I am doing it, yew go and look arter the gal."</p> - -<p>Floyd started up eagerly and hurried away, while the Yankee kneeled at -the side of the wounded man, and looked at the wound, shaking his head. -"'Twill be a pity for him if he does live, poor man," he muttered. "In -course he'll be crazy while the bone presses down into the brain that -way. Poor old man; I'd do any thing to save him, but I daren't touch -that wound. It looks a little tew bad fur me to handle. Thar; he's -coming round."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the eyes of the old man opened slowly and he stared -vaguely about him like one in a dream. Seth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> tapped his forehead -significantly and pointed at him, and the men understood. "Cracked," -muttered the scout. "I know'd how it would be. Thar, old man. How dew -yew feel?"</p> - -<p>"Why don't you stop that horrible noise there?" demanded Floyd, -angrily. "I won't have it in my house, you know. Silence, and listen to -my orders at once."</p> - -<p>"That's right, captaing. If any of them refuse to obey, you'd better -order him forty lashes."</p> - -<p>"What does he grin at me for?" cried the wounded man, starting to his -feet. "What does he mean by it? Does he know that I am master here?"</p> - -<p>"Of course he does," replied the Yankee, quietly. "He won't be quiet -unless he gets forty lashes, I'm afraid."</p> - -<p>"I don't know what's the matter with my head," said the old man, -gravely, putting his hand up. "Didn't I fall somewhere?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," replied Seth. "You fell into the cellar. Don't you remember?"</p> - -<p>"I believe you are right," said the captain, looking fixedly at the -blood upon his hand. "Look at this now; my hand is exactly the color -of a fellow I had some trouble with this morning, and I was forced to -shoot him. I didn't like to do it, but I had to. Then I fell down and -hurt my head, and it feels rather light."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that fellow won't trouble you any more. Here is your son coming. -Don't let him know that yure head is light or it will make him feel -badly."</p> - -<p>"He looks like a boy of mine," replied the demented man, looking at his -son, who was approaching rapidly, overjoyed at seeing his father on his -feet, although he had found no trace of his affianced. He ran to his -father and took his hand eagerly.</p> - -<p>"My dear father, you can not tell how overjoyed I am to find you so -little injured."</p> - -<p>"There, there," cried his father, pushing him back with his left hand. -"I think you are getting too familiar."</p> - -<p>"Father!"</p> - -<p>"I allow no liberties taken with me, young man. I killed a red fellow -this morning for this. By the way, do you know that I would like to get -very drunk to-day in honor of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> conjunction of the planets in their -separate orbits? Venus is a particular friend of mine. I met her at a -ball. No—where did I meet her? Where did you get that hat?"</p> - -<p>"Seth, what does this mean? I do not understand this. Why does he act -so strangely?"</p> - -<p>"That is the funniest hat, as I'm alive," said the old man, laughing. -"Why will you wear such an absurd thing, young man? I wish you would -take pattern by me."</p> - -<p>"Father, where is Madge?"</p> - -<p>"Madge? Who is Madge? Oh yes, I know. A little rosy-cheeked creature -that used to live here, on sufferance, mind you! Well, a red fellow -came along yesterday—was it yesterday?—I don't remember exactly—and -I gave her to him. She was no manner of use to me, so I thought I might -as well part with her, as the red fellow really seemed to want her."</p> - -<p>A look of agony came into the face of the young man. "This is horrible. -He demented and can give us no information in regard to my dear Madge. -What shall we do?"</p> - -<p>"He must be sent down the river at once, for a doctor is what he wants. -But, I don't see how it can be done. The woods are full of Indians."</p> - -<p>"Let the Dead Chief speak," said the Pottawatomie, advancing. "Let -me take him to my lodge, and the young war-chief can bring the -medicine-man to my lodge. The Gray Hair would not live to go to -Vincennes."</p> - -<p>"I believe the chief is right," said Floyd. "Oh, my poor father, how it -grieves me that you should be reduced to this piteous state."</p> - -<p>"I would like to know what all this talk is about," said the old man. -"I don't understand you at all. What does this man want?"</p> - -<p>"Come and dwell in the wigwam of the Dead Chief," said the Pottawatomie.</p> - -<p>"I really feel obliged to you, but I have so much business."</p> - -<p>"You may make a good trade if you go there," said Floyd, though it made -his heart ache to aid in deceiving his father. "We think you ought not -to have given Madge to that red fellow you speak of. Which way did he -take her?"</p> - -<p>"How should I know? I fell into the cellar before she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> went away, and -hurt my head. Well, if he cheated me, then the bargain is off. I'll go -with this other red fellow and see about it."</p> - -<p>They found a canoe at the landing, put him in it, and, with the chief -and two of the dragoons for a guard, he set off up the river, while -his son, affected almost to tears by his melancholy state, stood upon -the bank watching him until he disappeared around a bend in the river. -As he turned away they heard an ominous sound among the men, and the -click of pistol-locks, as an Indian came out of the woods and advanced -into their midst. A man of large size, with a lofty and commanding -appearance, richly dressed for an Indian, and wearing a wampum-belt -which denoted a chief of great rank. Half a dozen pistols were leveled, -knives were half drawn from their sheaths, and the threatening murmur -was deepening, when Yankee Seth threw himself between the weapons and -the chief.</p> - -<p>"What yew going tew dew? Don't yew know the great sachem? It is -<i>Tecumseh</i>!"</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Tecumseh!</span>"</p> - -<p>The leveled weapons were dropped in an instant, and every one looked at -the commanding figure of the chief, as he gazed in evident surprise at -their hostile attitude.</p> - -<p>"What is this?" he cried. "Do they level their weapons against the -heart of so great a chief as Tecumseh when he comes to them with open -hands?"</p> - -<p>A louder murmur rose as the rangers pressed in upon him. "He is the -chief." "No, no, do not harm Tecumseh." "He knows all about this -villainy, and at least can punish the red devils who did it."</p> - -<p>In the midst of all the chief stood firm, his eyes fixed upon the -swaying mass of the rangers, flashing angrily at their attitude toward -him. Once or twice his hand strayed to the hilt of a weapon, and he -half drew it from its sheath, but the Yankee threw forward his rifle.</p> - -<p>"Neow, see here, men. I'm a plain sort of feller, and I talk plain tew. -Look eout what yew dew, fur, as sure as yew take a step tew hurt the -chief, yew git me in yure ha'r! He cum among us in good faith, and by -vum he shall go away safe."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Down with your guns, men! What one among you has suffered greater -wrong at the hands of the Indians than I have? The chief is innocent of -all this bloodshed, I fully believe. Tecumseh, you have come among us -in a bad time. Do you see yonder smoking ruins, and can you tell whose -hands did the fatal deed? I warn you that I am not in a good temper -to-day, but for all that I would not see wrong done you."</p> - -<p>"The heart of Tecumseh is very sad," said the chief, laying his hand -upon his broad breast, "for he sees the desolation about the home of -his brother. Who has done this?"</p> - -<p>"The men of Elskwatawa, led by Willimack the Wyandot," replied the -young soldier. "Stand fast, men. Chief, come with me."</p> - -<p>He led Tecumseh to the place where the bodies lay beneath the blankets, -and throwing back the cloth from them, showed the gashed and gory faces -of the dead. Tecumseh started back in evident surprise, not unmixed -with anger.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Floyd. Tecumthè<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> is above a lie. If by my hand these men -were slain, or y my orders, I would not lie to save my life. If my -brother's hand has done this deed, he is to blame, and is not the power -among the tribes I thought him. Where is the Gray Hair?"</p> - -<p>"He was stricken down by the blow of a hatchet, and has lost his mind."</p> - -<p>"The Gray Hair never did any thing but good to the Indians. Why should -they do him wrong? Where is Bright Eyes, the light of the Wabash?"</p> - -<p>"She has been taken prisoner by the chief, Willimack," replied Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Willimack is no friend of Tecumthè, although the Prophet loves him. -You saw him, in the council-house at Vincennes, point his pistol at the -breast of Tecumthè. He is a dog, and one day I will have him hung up in -the center of the Shawnee village, because he is a traitor both to red -and white men. Where has the Gray Hair gone?"</p> - -<p>"The Dead Chief has taken him to his lodge. He will return soon."</p> - -<p>A dark cloud passed over the face of the sachem as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> heard the name -of the great chief of the Pottawatomies. He hated him because he had -denounced him to Harrison, and offered to do it in the face of the -whole tribe.</p> - -<p>"The Dead Chief is no friend to the white men," he said.</p> - -<p>"You are wrong, Tecumseh. The chief is our firm friend, and says that -because he is, you have ordered him to be slain."</p> - -<p>Tecumseh did not deny this, but a look of terrible anger passed over -his face, and his hand closed upon the hilt of his knife.</p> - -<p>"We shall see whether the Dead Chief can make Tecumthè a dog," he said, -savagely. "Then, listen: here above these dead men, I swear by the -bones of my fathers that I had no part in their death, and that these -are dogs who have slain them. Tecumthè has spoken."</p> - -<p>"I believe yew, chief," said the Yankee, who had come up unobserved. -"Yew are innercent, as fur as these murders are consarned. I believe -my soul you mean <i>fight</i>, but yew'll fight fa'r, not murder wimmin and -childern."</p> - -<p>Tecumseh looked furtively at the Yankee, evidently studying him closely.</p> - -<p>"You came between the pistols and Tecumthè," he said. "Why did you do -it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I like fair play, yew know! I always did, as fur as that goes."</p> - -<p>"Tecumthè thanks you, and perhaps some day it may be in his power to -give you aid. In that day, ask any thing in honor of Tecumthè and he -will grant it."</p> - -<p>He turned about and gave a loud, startling signal-whoop. Scarcely had -he done so when there started out of the thicket a diminutive figure, -that of a dwarf, who was the messenger of Tecumseh, a being scarcely -three feet high, who stood looking up into the face of his revered -leader.</p> - -<p>"If you would send any word to Harrison, the Weasel will carry it," -said Tecumseh.</p> - -<p>"Will it go safe?" said Floyd.</p> - -<p>"The honor of a chief is sacred. It shall go to Harrison, if you trust -me."</p> - -<p>"It shall be done. Order the men to dismount and picket<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> their horses. -The chief will remain with us until his return with the answer."</p> - -<p>"It is well," said Tecumseh.</p> - -<p>Floyd stooped and tore a leaf from his note-book, upon which he wrote -in cipher to Harrison, acquainting him with the melancholy fate of his -family, and asking permission to take Yankee Seth and as many of the -rangers as the latter thought necessary, to track Willimack wherever he -had taken Madge. This cipher he intrusted to the Weasel, who took it -with a self-satisfied air, thrust it into a small bag he carried at his -belt, and set off at a pace which bade fair to take him quickly to his -destination.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The morning came at last, and the rangers were up and prepared -breakfast. When they had finished, all waited anxiously for the coming -of the dwarf, though few believed him capable of performing the journey -in so short a time. Tecumseh said he would be at hand in half an hour, -but while they waited there came a loud, defiant whoop, and the Dead -Chief, gorgeously attired, suddenly bounded forward and faced the -astonished Tecumseh, hatchet in hand.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><p class="ph3">FOOTNOTES:</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The name of the chief was so pronounced by the Indians.</p></div></div> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IX.</p> - -<p class="center">HUNTING THE HUNTERS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> first movement of surprise over, the chiefs glared at each other -with looks of implacable meaning, and then Tecumseh turned carelessly -away as if no such person as the Dead Chief lived upon the earth.</p> - -<p>"Listen then, Tecumthè," shouted Dead Chief. "When a chief speaks, let -a dog of a Shawnee listen to his words. Do you know that Nabockalish, -the Skeleton Scout of the Americans, is on the trail of the Shawnee? -He follows you from place to place; he saved the Dead Chief and Floyd -from the anger of the Prophet, and he will live to tear the heart from -Tecumthè, from Willimack and Elskwatawa, if the Dead Chief does not do -it first."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Who has seen Nabockalish?" said Tecumseh, turning to Floyd and paying -no attention to Dead Chief.</p> - -<p>"I have seen him," replied Floyd. "So has the Dead Chief and the Long -Man."</p> - -<p>"Yaas, yaas," said Seth, "I seen him, darn him. And I will say that, of -all the outlandish critters I ever see, he beats <i>my</i> time."</p> - -<p>"Nabockalish is like the wind of the prairies," said Tecumseh. "He -comes and goes as he will. Tecumseh has never seen him, but the dead -men his hand has laid low are many among the Shawnees. Some day -Tecumseh will meet him, and then we shall see who is strongest, the -Shawnee chief or the Skeleton Scout."</p> - -<p>The Dead Chief again threw himself in the way of Tecumseh.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Shawnee. Did you not bid Elskwatawa to slay me when we met?"</p> - -<p>"I think the Weasel is coming, Floyd," said the chief. "I hear his -whistle."</p> - -<p>Dead Chief saw that it was the design of Tecumseh to utterly ignore -his presence, and again throwing himself in the way, shook his open -hand in the face of the Shawnee and uttered a single word in the Indian -language. That word was the most bitter and opprobrious epithet which -one Indian could give another, and an insult not to be forgiven or -forgotten. The chief drew a long breath and his fingers which he had -laid upon Floyd's arm, closed with a convulsive gripe, that it left -black and blue spots upon the arm. But, Floyd knew that if the Dead -Chief or Tecumseh ever met, one or the other must go down.</p> - -<p>"That saws <i>yure</i> leg off, Dead Chief," whispered Seth, dragging the -Pottawatomie away by main force. "Yew come along, neow. Here's the -Weasel."</p> - -<p>As he spoke the mannikin came gliding into camp, and drawing a letter -from his pouch, handed it to the captain, who immediately called up his -lieutenant and gave him his orders in a low voice.</p> - -<p>"Tecumseh," he said, "you came among us freely and you must go away -safely; you are at liberty to depart."</p> - -<p>"Have you good news from the Governor?" said the chief.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I can do as I wish," replied the soldier. "I think it better that you -should depart now, and let us go our way. Yankee Seth, come here. The -Dead Chief must stay with me too."</p> - -<p>Tecumseh bid them good-by and turned away with a stately step, closely -followed by the Weasel. He had hardly left camp, when the rangers -were in the saddle, and after scouts had beat the bushes on every -side to make sure that no Indians lurked there, they rode away toward -Vincennes, taking the captain's horse with them.</p> - -<p>"Take my hand, here, Seth Spink, and you, Dead Chief, and join me in -this vow. I will not turn back from this search or see Vincennes again, -until Madge Carlysle is freed from bondage or I know that she is dead. -And if they have killed her, I swear to give my life to vengeance on -her destroyers. Heaven hear my vow."</p> - -<p>"And mine," said Seth, solemnly. "This is business."</p> - -<p>"The Dead Chief is with you," added the Pottawatomie, quietly.</p> - -<p>The three clasped hands over the compact and stood locked in that firm -clasp, three strong men, confident in each other. Nothing can give a -man respect for another like that of danger shared together.</p> - -<p>"Now for the trail," said Floyd. "Can you find it, Seth?"</p> - -<p>"I rayther judge I kan," replied the Yankee. "Leastways, I know a -critter that kan do it fur me quicker than you can say scat, ef you kan -find something the gal has worn lately."</p> - -<p>"This will do, then," said Floyd, with a visible flush, taking a ribbon -from his pocket. "I stole this from her neck last night when we parted, -and have carried it since. What do you propose to make out of that?"</p> - -<p>"I'll show yew."</p> - -<p>He raised his hand to his mouth and emitted a long, sharp peculiar -whistle. It had scarcely ceased to vibrate on the morning air when a -rushing sound was heard and a huge wolf-dog, with a cross of the hound -in him, came breaking through the bushes at a rolling gallop after the -fashion of the beast from whom a part of his blood was derived. This -creature fawned upon the scout, who laughed and patted him.</p> - -<p>"Wolf is a good dorg," he muttered. "Yew wouldn't think it, but the -pesky brute hez been on our trail ever sence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> I cum deown the river -last night, and he wouldn't come to me unlest I called him, no matter -how long I was a dewing of it. Here, Wolf; smell tew that ribbin."</p> - -<p>The dog put his nose to the ribbon a moment and then ran up to Floyd -and rubbed his cold muzzle against his leg.</p> - -<p>"'Twon't dew," said the scout, with a puzzled look. "The ribbin ain't -rite, 'cause yew hev carried it tew long. Must hev something else."</p> - -<p>They searched carefully everywhere, until with a cry of delight, Floyd -stooped and picked up a broken bracelet which lay upon the earth, -half-trodden into the soil.</p> - -<p>"Here is the very thing, Seth. This bracelet—I gave it to her myself -in happier days—must be the thing to lead me to my darling."</p> - -<p>"Let's have it," said the Yankee. "Here, Wolf."</p> - -<p>The dog smelled the bracelet over and over, and then threw up his head, -giving utterance to a low howl.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" cried the scout. "<i>Seek her, boy!</i>"</p> - -<p>The dog put his nose to the earth and began to run to and fro in an -erratic manner over the ground, until he struck the scent he sought. -This done, he gave a short yelp and struck into a slow trot, which the -woodmen could easily keep up with, and started for the forest to the -north. They slung their rifles and started upon the trail of the dog, -which led into a forest-path. Keeping just far enough behind so that -they could keep him in sight, they soon were in the dense forest. The -Yankee took the lead with a stride which even the agile savage found -it difficult to keep up with at a walk, and he took the long lope so -characteristic to his race, and kept close to the heels of the Yankee. -Will Floyd, dogged and determined, kept on after them, though it cost -him more of an effort than either of the others. On, on, the forest -growing deeper at every stride, the dog accommodating his pace to that -of the men following, and looking back from time to time, to see that -they had not lost him.</p> - -<p>"That is a noble dog," said Floyd. "You must give him to me if we -succeed."</p> - -<p>"I couldn't do that, cap. Wolf and I are old friends. It's seven year -now we hev tramped the woods together; but he's gitting old now, the -old dorg is."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How many Indians do you think the captors of Madge number?"</p> - -<p>"Six," replied Long Seth, laconically.</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Because</i> I know it," was the somewhat dogmatic reply. "I ain't going -to give any better reason."</p> - -<p>"Is Willimack with them?"</p> - -<p>"Ugh," said Dead Chief, laying his finger upon a spot in the path, -"Willimack here; see!"</p> - -<p>"I'm not posted enough in scouting to read a trace which might have -been left by a falling leaf, it is so light. Do you see any thing of -Madge?"</p> - -<p>"White girl walk woods," replied Dead Chief. "Look close."</p> - -<p>The young man stooped and examined the soft earth, and saw there the -imprint of a delicate foot, and he realized how great was the knowledge -of woodcraft possessed by the two men.</p> - -<p>"I say no more," he said. "When the time for fighting comes, I shall -not be behind you, but in scouting I am much inferior to either of you. -Do you think we can catch them, Seth?"</p> - -<p>"Got tew dew it, ain't we, if we keep our vow? I, fur one, want to see -Vincennes ag'in. The Guvner treated me right well when I was thar this -morning, and give me a rousing good drink, and it tasted mighty well -arter so much river-water last night. Ha! the dorg is puzzled. He is -trying back."</p> - -<p>As he spoke the dog doubled suddenly and "tried back" on the trail, but -without success, at first. His master encouraged him to continue, and -at last he stopped at a half-uprooted tree, leaning at a very acute -angle across a little stream, so that its bushy top was hardly ten feet -from the ground on the other side.</p> - -<p>"They've begun tew play Injin," said the Yankee. "Yes they hev, and -it suits me. I like a hard job, ef I like any thing in natur'. And -Willimack is a right good scout, once he sets his mind tew it. The dorg -has lost his trail."</p> - -<p>"Let us search for it," cried Floyd, eagerly. "My dear fellow, you see -how impatient I am."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I see it," said Seth, coolly. "The dorg hez lost the trail but I'm -darned ef Seth Spink hez, nor the Dead Chief, either. Hev we, old boy?"</p> - -<p>"Wah!" said the Dead Chief. "Willimack is a fool, if he thinks to throw -dust in the eyes of so great a scout as the Yellow Hair."</p> - -<p>"Sartin! sartin!" said Seth. "The trail is on the other side of the -creek. Now, I s'pose it puzzles yew tew know how they managed tew break -the trail afore they got tew the bank, capting?"</p> - -<p>"It does indeed."</p> - -<p>"Then look at this tree. Yew won't be the worse fur a lesson in -woodcraft, and I'm the man tew give it. Yew see that the bark is -scraped off a leetle here at the root. I s'pose Willimack got up, and -one of his men handed up the gal tew him, and then he walked eout intew -the branches, and dropped her on the other side, onlest one of his men -went first tew help her. Anyway, they left footmarks when they dropped."</p> - -<p>The Yankee ran up the tree like a cat, and the dog sprung up after him. -The next moment they were clambering in the bushy top and dropped to -the earth on the other bank.</p> - -<p>"Thar's the trail," said Seth, "clear as mud. They made a good plant -for green hands tew foller, but they don't half know me, the critters. -Now look at this. By gracious, this is a new plant. The trail ends -here."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid we shall never overtake them," said Will.</p> - -<p>"Yew shet up! It takes jest ez long tew hide a trail so that Wolf and -me kain't find it as it duz tew find it, and no longer. I'll study that -eout in a minnit."</p> - -<p>He looked quickly about him. Under the tree-top, where the Indians had -dropped to the earth, the soil was tramped hard in places, but these -did not extend over a distance of more than ten feet, and none of them -led toward the bank. How had Willimack broken the trail this time? The -dog was at fault, for, though he ran to and fro, upon the trampled -bank, he could not strike the scent again. At last the eye of the -Yankee was attracted by the appearance of the ground toward the stream, -and following the trace it led him to the bank. Looking down into the -clear water he could see the tracks of moccasins in the sand at the -bottom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Water don't leave no trail," he muttered. "Yaas, but sand does, bet -yure life! Wolf, this way. Stay here, boys, and if I give a whistle, -follow me as quick as yew could say 'scat'."</p> - -<p>He ran swiftly up the bank of the stream, with the dog beside him. Five -minutes after they heard his whistle and rushed after him. He stood -upon the bank of the stream holding his dog by the neck.</p> - -<p>"They took to the water. I knowed they would, Floyd."</p> - -<p>"But how did they get to it?"</p> - -<p>"Stripped a piece of bark from an elm and walked tew the water on it -and then threw the bark intew the crick. 'Twas cute, by gravy. But, -I'll cheat 'em yet, see ef I don't. Go it, Wolf!"</p> - -<p>The dog again bounded forward on the trail, and the three men followed -him with unabated vigor. Trick after trick in woodcraft was unraveled -by the perseverance of the Yankee, whose skill was aided by that of -the Dead Chief, no tyro in the art. Night came and found them still on -the trail, which now began to freshen, so that they knew their enemies -could not be many miles ahead. The scout halted when it became too dark -to proceed easily and told them to sit down and eat something.</p> - -<p>"Eat; what have we to eat? And besides, I have no appetite for any -thing now."</p> - -<p>"Hain't yew? That's jest whar we differ. I'm as hungry as a b'ar, and -I'd like a bit of b'ar-meat tew. But, es that ain't accessible, so tew -speak, we'll hev tew make eout with jerked venison. That won't come so -bad, neither."</p> - -<p>The scout produced a pouch and took from it a quantity of jerked -deer-meat, and began to eat heartily, laying the meat out where his -companions could easily reach it. He had hardly begun to eat when he -had two helpers, for, upon second thought, the young soldier found -himself quite as hungry as the others, and he devoured his share.</p> - -<p>"That's something like it, boy. What kind of a fight dew yew s'pose -yew'd make 'thout any fodder? Yew'd double up like a dish-clout in the -hands of the fust Injin that yew struck, and that ain't the kind of man -we want."</p> - -<p>"Are they far ahead?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That's jist what I'm going tew be sartin of. No they ain't very fur -ahead, leastways I think they ain't. Here, Wolf; ketch hold of that."</p> - -<p>He threw a large piece of the venison to the dog, who devoured it -eagerly. When they had finished, the scout signaled to them to follow, -and, turning aside from the path they had been pursuing, he broke -through the tangled bushes and came out in the center of a little -clearing made by the hand of man.</p> - -<p>In the midst of this sequestered spot some borderman had built a cabin -of rough logs after the manner of the settlers of that day. The grass -was green and bright about the cabin, but the logs were smoke-begrimed -and the roof gone. Upon the grass not far from the door were three -grave-like mounds, laid side by side. The one in the center was the -largest, and the others looked like the graves of children.</p> - -<p>"Yew stay here," said the scout. "It's a good place tew rest, and -nobody ever comes here 'cept me and one other."</p> - -<p>"Why do they not come here?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause the place is ha'nted," replied Seth.</p> - -<p>"Haunted!"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Them mounds thar are what they look like, graves. And the hunters -hev a story that the dead won't rest thar, because they were foully -dealt with. Mebbe the story's trew, and those are the graves of little -children. It mout be; sadder things hev happened in the history of -these times."</p> - -<p>"Do you know any thing of the settler who lived here?"</p> - -<p>"He never ha'nted me; that I know, and I've stopped here many a time -tew rest. Keep quiet here and wait for me."</p> - -<p>"Suppose any thing should happen to you?" said Floyd.</p> - -<p>"It won't. Waal, yew stay here until morning, and if I ain't here then, -go on yure way."</p> - -<p>He slung his rifle into the corner, looked to see that his knife and -hatchet were in his belt, and disappeared in the darkness.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER X.</p> - -<p class="center">TOO MUCH "FIRE-WATER."</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fears of Yankee Seth had been but too well founded, for Madge had -indeed fallen into the hands of the traitorous Willimack. Early in the -morning, not long after the escape of Will Floyd from the stake, the -stockade had been surprised by a sudden onset from a savage party under -the brutal chief. Matthew Floyd, defending her with desperate valor, -was felled by the stroke of a hatchet and had dropped into the cellar -just as the roof of the burning building began to fall. Willimack -seized the half-fainting girl and dragged her out of the burning cabin -by main force, keeping a tight grip upon her wrist, for he knew that -she possessed enough moral courage to kill herself if he gave her the -opportunity. A malicious grin writhed his dark face as the flames -curled about the rafters of that doomed house.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" he cried. "Burn, home of the white man, burn! The shelter which -you refused to the chief, Willimack, you will give to no one. Burn, -burn, burn!"</p> - -<p>"You are a wretch," cried Madge. "Are you brave enough to kill me now -and let me go to the noble man who had given the orphan girl a shelter -through these long years?"</p> - -<p>"Why should I kill you?" said Willimack. "No; live to cook the venison -in the great wigwam of the Wyandot when the white man has ceased from -off the land."</p> - -<p>"Release me, then, and let me go back to my people. You have done -wickedness enough."</p> - -<p>He only laughed scornfully, and pointed to the bleeding bodies of the -two soldiers and the negro servants. "You see all these," he said. -"They stood by and laughed me to scorn when the Yellow Hair struck me -down at his feet like a dog. Was this well? A chief is not a dog, and -Willimack only lived for vengeance. See; you will from this time be an -Indian, live as we live, die as we die, and be buried as we bury our -dead. I have spoken. Willimack can not lie."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>He turned about and uttered a signal-whoop, at which the men gathered -about him, and he addressed them rapidly in the Indian language, which -Madge did not understand. He had no sooner done so than they scattered -and crossed the river in every conceivable conveyance, upon logs, -planks and charred beams, leaving Willimack with only five men beside -the ruins. He still held her hand, and turning away from the river, -began his march to the West, closely followed by his men. She saw with -ill-concealed fear the numberless artifices the man used to hide the -trail, and feared that she was lost. Only once during the day he had -stopped, and gave her food, and then marched on again. Her shoes were -soon torn by the rough path over which she trod, and her feet bleeding. -Once she stopped and said she would go no further, and Willimack turned -fiercely upon her with a hatchet, but she did not blench.</p> - -<p>"White girl," he said, "do you not fear death?"</p> - -<p>"No," she said, boldly. "Death is preferable to the fate you design for -me."</p> - -<p>"Good. You will make a good wife for a warrior because your heart is -strong. Must go; we drag you."</p> - -<p>An Indian seized her by each hand and dragged her on. Seeing how -powerless she was to resist them, she told Willimack that she would -walk if they would not touch her, and kept up boldly until nightfall, -when the savages paused and made a camp in a deep hollow, surrounded -by heavy woods. He gave her food from his scanty store—cracked corn -and dried venison, with water from the running stream hard by. She ate -quite heartily, for the long walk had made her hungry. Willimack looked -on with a calm smile while she ate, muttering to himself. When she had -finished he took green withes and made her sit down at the root of a -tree and tied her fast to the mossy trunk. He had hardly done so when -one of the men, with a low chuckle, drew from his bosom a huge bottle -which he had stolen from the stockade, and flourished it above his head.</p> - -<p>"Ugh!" grunted his companions in chorus. "Obisenay somet'ing got, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Fire-water! Wa-wa!" replied Obisenay.</p> - -<p>The lucky finder lifted the heavy bottle, and a musical gur<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>gle -followed. When he lowered it there was quite a difference in the -weight, and he passed the bottle to the chief.</p> - -<p>"Good?" demanded Willimack.</p> - -<p>"Much good," said Obisenay. "Drink."</p> - -<p>Willimack did as he was requested, and drank quite deeply. The others -followed, and the heavy bottle passed round the circle. A curious scene -followed. A man who has never seen a number of Indians drunk has missed -a remarkable scene. Seated in a circle, with the girl-prisoner in the -center, they kept drinking at a rate which would have astonished a -habitual drunkard among the whites, swaying their bodies to and fro, -and giving utterance now and then to a short quick whoop as the liquor -began to affect them. The bottle was quickly dispatched, and one of -them, by a singular instinct, found out that <i>he</i> had purloined a -similar one, and they took to this. Now they began to dance and howl, -brandishing their hatchets and leaping wildly about among the trees, -looking like demons in their war-paint. In the midst of the wild orgie -an Indian came suddenly from among the trees and joined them. Willimack -by this time was very drunk, but he had sense enough to see that a -stranger had come among them. He was a tall, finely-formed man, painted -for war, in the dress of a Huron.</p> - -<p>Willimack advanced to meet him with stately gravity, reeling in his -walk, and endeavoring to stand straight.</p> - -<p>"How do, brudder?" he said. "Why you stand no still?"</p> - -<p>It was a remarkable feature of the great Willimack that when he copied -the white man's vices by getting gloriously drunk, he forgot that he -could speak Indian and fell into broken English.</p> - -<p>"What does my brother mean?" said the new-comer.</p> - -<p>"Why you whirl, whirl, whirl, so? Make ground swing too much."</p> - -<p>"My brother has fire-water."</p> - -<p>"Ugh, good. Huron drink fire-water with his Wyandot brother," said -Willimack.</p> - -<p>They brought the second bottle, grievously lessened in weight, and the -Huron lifted it to his mouth. He kept it there long enough to drink -a great deal, but if he did, the throat did not show the process of -swallowing in the slightest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> degree, and he kept his face partly turned -away from the wild band. It seemed to affect him strangely, however, -for he drew his hatchet and began to dance wildly with the rest until -his eyes fell upon the bound captive.</p> - -<p>"Who is here?" he cried. "Her skin is white. What does she here among -the Wyandots?"</p> - -<p>"Prisoner," said the chief. "Take much scalp, take much fire-water. -Wah!"</p> - -<p>He had indeed taken much, <i>too</i> much fire-water for his own good. The -Huron looked hard at the prisoner, and then turned about and asked for -the bottle, and prevailed upon the Indians to sit down again.</p> - -<p>"Brothers," he said, "there is a devil in the woods."</p> - -<p>"Wah," said Willimack.</p> - -<p>"He is as tall as a blasted pine, his eyes are like blazing stars. We -call him Nabockalish, and white men call him the Skeleton Scout."</p> - -<p>Willimack shook his head gravely at the unwelcome name.</p> - -<p>"Skeleton Scout no good. Hate him, hate Long Man, hate Floyd, hate -every one. Skeleton Scout too much no good."</p> - -<p>"It is true. But if the Skeleton Scout should come, what would my -brother do?"</p> - -<p>"Run!" said Willimack, shortly.</p> - -<p>"<i>Run!</i> Does a chief of the Wyandots run? Ah! look, look, sons of the -Wyandot."</p> - -<p>One look was sufficient. Out of the woods, holding a blazing torch in -each hand, came the tall figure of the being they had known as the -Skeleton Scout, bearing down upon them with a frightful yell. It was -too much for human nature to bear, and they stumbled over each other in -their wild efforts to escape from their dreaded enemy. One fell into -the clutches of the Skeleton Scout, and they went down together, and -then the strange specter rose again, and pursued the now scattered and -sobered savages, who, wild with terror, were flying in every direction. -The Huron had not run far, and to the terror of Madge he came bounding -back, flourishing over his head a heavy knife, and she closed her eyes, -for it seemed the hour had come for death. But, to her utter surprise, -instead of striking her, he cut the bonds upon her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> hands, just as Long -Seth came out of the woods on one side and Floyd upon the other. The -young soldier ran to Madge and clasped her in his arms, and the poor -girl dropped her head upon his shoulder with a cry of joy.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Will. I hoped you would come, and you did not desert me. But your -dear father, Will. Alas, he is dead!"</p> - -<p>"Almost as bad," said Will, sadly. "He is badly hurt, and is demented. -But thank God, you are safe."</p> - -<p>"Who is this Indian who cut my bonds?" she said, turning to him.</p> - -<p>"Bright Eyes does not know a Pottawatomie in the war-paint of a Huron," -replied the Indian. "Dead Chief is the man who will do much for the -beautiful daughter of the forest."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, chief. And Seth too; I might have known he would not desert -me."</p> - -<p>"Neow shet up," said the scout. "Nuff talk of that kind, yew know. Ef -yew are glad I cum, keep it tew yureself. Talk abeout it, and I won't -believe yew are glad, so thar. Besides, we ain't got time tew <i>now</i>, -I jedge, seeing that the pesky varmints will be arter us in less than -half an hour. But, by George, cap., ef I didn't see that pesky critter -they call the Skeleton Scout, then I don't know nothing 'bout it. He -shot by me like a ball out'n a rifle, the flamed critter did, and he -yelled wuss than any painter yew ever hern tell of."</p> - -<p>"A Wyandot lies yonder," said the Dead Chief. "Let us see if his hand -is upon him."</p> - -<p>Seth snatched up a blazing brand and followed the chief. Obisenay, the -Wyandot, who had brought forward the first bottle of liquor, lay upon -his face on the green sward. They turned him over, and as in the case -of the man they had found outside of the stockade upon the night when -Willimack first attacked the block-house, they could find no wound upon -him. Without stopping to comment upon the singular circumstance, Seth -signed to his companions to follow, and hurried away.</p> - -<p>How had Seth come so quickly to the aid of Madge? It was explained -easily. When he left Will Floyd and the Indian in the ruined hut, he -knew well the camp of Willimack could not be far away, and he chose to -go upon his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> first scouting expedition alone. He had found the camp not -half a mile from the ruins of the hut, and, after satisfying himself -with regard to it, he at once returned to his friends and went back on -the trail. They first painted the Indian like a Huron, and so smeared -and stained his scanty clothing that it might have belonged to any -tribe, and sent him into camp after seeing that the Indians were likely -to get very drunk. He had been instructed to brain an Indian with his -hatchet upon getting a preconcerted signal, and was waiting for it when -the Skeleton Scout burst out upon them, and put the Indians to flight.</p> - -<p>"Seems tew my benighted intellec' that this skellington mixes in with -my business a good deal," said Seth. "I was making up to git my posish -so that I could throw an Injin cold, jest about the time I give the -signal, when, "<i>yah!</i>" went this living skellington, blame him, and -when I got thar the work was all done! You'd better kerry the gal, -capt'ing. She's mighty tired."</p> - -<p>Will lifted the girl in his arms, and carried her for some distance, -when Seth reached out and took her. "Thar, baby," he said. "I'm ashamed -of yew. Allow yer feelings to overcome yew that way, eh? Let <i>me</i> kerry -her. I'm powerful strong in the legs and arms. Guess our fam'ly are all -pooty healthy that way. Injin, don't let any of them niggers creep up -on us unwar's. Keep yure weather eye open, fur I don't trust that pesky -Willimack a cent's wuth. I don't by Jehosaphat."</p> - -<p>Even while talking, the Yankee managed to keep up his long stride, -carrying Madge like a child. "Lay yure head on my shoulder, little -gal," he said. "Yew needn't be afraid of tiring <i>me</i>, not a bit! I -ain't liable tew it, nohow. I've kerried heavier weights than yew are, -twice as fur as from here to Vincennes, and rayther liked it, by gosh. -Neow my father, when he was a hundred and forty year old, kerried two -hundred pounds of wheat across his farm, easy."</p> - -<p>"Oh, hush, Seth. How can you tell such stories?" said Madge, who -somehow felt the utmost confidence in the skill and knowledge of the -country possessed by the Yankee.</p> - -<p>"Don't believe me, so tew speak. Neow, that riles up my feelings, -powerful bad. It duz, by gracious! Tew think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> that this little critter -hez the face tew doubt the family traditions! Ef it was a man that -dared tew say it I'd make him repent in dust and ashes. But, as it's -nothing but a gal, I dunno ef thar's any use getting mad. What's that, -chief?"</p> - -<p>"Wyandot on the trail," replied the chief.</p> - -<p>"I thought so. Waal, thank fortin', they kan't trail us in the dark. -Yew don't think the etarnal critter has picked up any more men, chief?"</p> - -<p>"Good many," said the chief. "Prophet keep camp not far away. Bad -Indian <i>very</i> bad! Good many in woods."</p> - -<p>"I reckin yer right, chief. He's picked a party some'rs that he knowed -of. He wouldn't hev stopped tew git drunk ef he didn't think himself -tarnation safe. Oh, blame my cats ef this ain't tew cussed bad."</p> - -<p>"Let us keep on all night," said the young soldier, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, git eout! Willimack is sure tew hev every path as black with -Injins as a nigger's pocket, and we're likely tew blunder intew a trap, -I guess. So let's try another way."</p> - -<p>He had stopped a moment hesitatingly, and turning aside from the path -he had been pursuing, struck into the woods, crossed the clearing -in which the hut stood, casting a sidelong look at the three graves -whose outlines he could just make out in the darkness, and Madge felt -a slight shudder run through his frame, and she thought him tired and -begged him to set her down. But he refused. "I could kerry yew in one -hand, little one," he said. "Yew rest easy. I tell yew, I was thinking -of something else."</p> - -<p>The clamor of pursuit could be heard on every side as the Indians -closed in upon them, and the Yankee muttered to himself. "Hunted close! -But I'll save her yit; I sw'ar it. Ah, here we ar'!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke he reached the base of a little hill, rocky and -precipitous, rising in the center of the forest. Up the rocky slope -he climbed, lifting Madge over the rocks until he reached a sort of -parapet running round the crest of the hill.</p> - -<p>"Gather leaves and brush, boys," he said. "We've got tew hev a fire -tew fight by. Build it here, outside the fort, so't it will throw a -light down the hill. It's the only place they kin come up by, and three -rifles will make it lively for 'em."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - -<p>As the fire was kindled and the flames leaped up, Madge looked -curiously about her. She was in the center of one of those curious -Indian forts which remain in many of the States, now grassgrown and in -decay. A low parapet, perhaps five feet high, inclosed a space of three -or four hundred square feet. Behind them, the mountain rose high and -wild, nearly inclosing three sides. The place where they had come up, -a narrow defile not three feet wide, was the only course by which the -Indians could assail them. The fire blazed merrily up, just as two or -three savages appeared at the base of the hill.</p> - -<p>"Fire!" cried Yankee Seth.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XI.</p> - -<p class="center">THE HIDING-PLACE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> his command rung boldly out upon the air of night, the scout leveled -his weapon and fired at the foremost savage. There was a horrible yell, -and the man threw up his arms and rolled headlong down the slope. Two -others darted out into the light and were received by the Dead Chief -and Floyd. One of them fell, shot through the shoulder, and the other -dragged himself groaning away, with a broken thigh. They quickly -reloaded their rifles and were ready for the next rush. The warm -reception the foremost had received somewhat damped the ardor of the -rest, and they remained in the edge of the timber, firing a useless -volley at the party so nicely concealed behind the old rampart.</p> - -<p>"Kinder sets 'em back," laughed the Yankee. "They didn't s'pect us tew -turn on 'em so darned quick. Neow, don't it beat all natur' that Injins -back deown so quick? Oh, come out, Willimack, dew; I want tew see yew! -Don't hang back and be a coward. That ain't acting like a man, yew -know. Come out and <i>be</i> a man. I would, yew know."</p> - -<p>But, in spite of this feeling adjuration, the Wyandot persisted in -keeping out of sight. To tell the truth, he was not yet certain whether -his brain was quite clear of liquor, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> was inwardly cursing Obisenay -up hill and down dale for putting temptation in his way. He had met -with a party of his own men, who were coming down the river to join the -Prophet, and had enlisted them in the service, so that at least sixty -men were ranged in the woods in front of the ancient fort. But, they -were mostly young men, and though good hunters, the majority of them -had never been engaged in a battle except with men of their own race. -The loss of one of their number and the severe wounding of two others, -had given them a wholesome awe of the deadly rifles of the hunted men. -Willimack was beside himself with rage, and moreover was in deadly fear -of the Skeleton Scout. He had not dared to tell the new-comers that -this fearful creature had assailed them, and that it was by his hand -that the unfortunate bottle-holder, Obisenay, had met his death, for -he feared they would scatter in every direction and leave him to do -the fighting alone. None of his original party remained, for they were -doubtless running yet, satisfied that the Skeleton Scout was at their -heels. Willimack knew his men, and determined to try an assault, and -passed the word to that effect.</p> - -<p>Hardly had he done so when there came bounding over the rocks toward -the fort a score or more of painted figures, howling like demons, and -brandishing their weapons in air.</p> - -<p>"Crouch down, Madge," cried Floyd; "you may get hurt."</p> - -<p>"Am I better than the rest?" replied Madge. "Give me a knife. I will -not fall alive into the hands of Willimack if I can help it."</p> - -<p>There was no time to hesitate. With a look of unutterable affection the -young man gave her a small stiletto which he carried inside his coat, -and whirling suddenly, shot a savage completely through the head who -was coming too near—"throw'd him cold," as the Yankee said. Two more -went down before the weapons of the scout and Dead Chief, and the rest -swarmed on for vengeance. Will Floyd said nothing, but, grasping his -rifle by the barrel, he poised it for defense. The Indians must advance -upon them through a narrow space where more than three could not pass -abreast, and were hemmed in by perpendicular walls of rock thirty feet -high.</p> - -<p>"Give 'em the pistols, Will," cried the Yankee, "and then charge 'em."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<p>Both men drew their pistols, and fired into the coming savages. The -Dead Chief had no pistol, but he stood with his lips apart as if after -a race, his body thrown into a statuesque attitude, with his left foot -advanced, and body slightly inclined toward the coming foe, ready for -a spring. They could trust him to fight bravely. The discharge of -the pistols at such close quarters into the compact body of savages, -could not fail to make bad work, and groans and cries succeeded. Then, -uttering wild yells which none but forest-men could imitate, the three -brave men leaped over the stockade and rushed at the leading savages.</p> - -<p>"Give 'em goss!" cried the Yankee.</p> - -<p>They stood in the narrow way, Seth and the Indian, with hatchet and -knife, and the young soldier with his clubbed rifle. The foremost -Indians, unused to such enemies, would have fallen back if possible, -but their companions in the rear pushed them forward, only to fall by -the deadly weapons of their determined foes. Willimack, who had heard -the polite request on the part of the Yankee that he would "come out -and be a man," had prudently kept in the rear, and now found that his -men were meeting a strenuous resistance, and indeed that they made -no advance, while the groans and cries from the front, the clash of -weapons, and the triumphant cries of the defenders, told that they had -the best of it. Indeed, it could hardly be otherwise, for the Indians -were so wedged into the narrow space that they could scarcely move -their hands, while the others stood where they could fight freely. -Seeing that he was gaining nothing by this mode of fighting, the -Wyandot called off his men, only to find them sadly decimated by their -encounter with the trio.</p> - -<p>Cursing the obstinacy of the defenders as heartily as any man could do, -Willimack drew off his men after bringing away such of the dead and -wounded as the Dead Chief would consent to part with. Upon counting -the loss and gain, after the battle, Willimack found this total: four -killed outright in the charge, three desperately wounded, and left -on the ground, and as many more brought off. Over a dozen wounded in -various ways, though not so badly as to disable them, and they had no -reason to believe that their enemies had been wounded in the least.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<p>They had already fallen back to the fort, and were taking breath after -the struggle. The Dead Chief was coolly arranging the hideous trophies -he had taken time to strip from the heads of his enemies, paying no -attention to the look of horror upon the face of Madge, who wondered -that a man who had fought as gloriously as he had done in beating back -the enemy, could think of tearing and mutilating the dead. But, he -handled them as coolly as if they had been pieces of paper, shook the -blood from them, and thrust them into his belt with a gratified air.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" he said. "Why do we wait? Let us charge the enemy and take their -scalps."</p> - -<p>"Easy, chief, easy," said the Yankee. "Don't rile up so darned quick. -I reckin we are safer here than we would be eout thar in the woods. -Etarnal Jehosaphat, but didn't we let intew 'em? The critter don't like -us a bit, I judge."</p> - -<p>"We are able to keep this pass against them," said Will.</p> - -<p>"Throw a couple of sticks on that fire," replied Seth. "I reckon yure -right, but it looks tew me as ef this pass was going tew keep us. We -ain't got pervisions enough tew last half a day."</p> - -<p>"I never thought of that. Indeed, we could not stand a siege," replied -Will.</p> - -<p>"No, cuss the luck. Give me enuff grub, and I'll hold this place alone -ag'in' the hull Wyandot nation. But, Lord, I'd give my old moccasins -fer a drink of water now."</p> - -<p>"Here is my flask. There is about pint of brandy in it."</p> - -<p>"Good," said Seth eagerly. "Take jest one swallow, and be sure yew -don't make it a long one, 'cause we want it tew last."</p> - -<p>Will did as the Yankee told him, and passed the flask along.</p> - -<p>"I've got a big mouth," said Seth. "I could take the hull at one -swaller, but that wouldn't be fair. Here, chief; take hold."</p> - -<p>The chief shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I forgot. Beg pardon, chief, yew are a teetotaller. It would be -a darned sight better fer the Injins ef they all follered the same -principle, but unfortnitly they don't. Here gal, take hold."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No," said Madge. "Indeed, I am not thirsty. Remember that I had just -been eating and drinking when you rescued me, and have not been going -through the same struggle since. I can wait until to-morrow before I -need any thing."</p> - -<p>"Waal, lie down, little 'un, and try tew git a little sleep. I'd dew -any thing tew save yew, little gal."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, my good Seth. I know you would."</p> - -<p>He scraped a pile of leaves and twigs into one corner of the work, and -induced her to lie down and rest. Then he went back to the others.</p> - -<p>"Now look here, boys," he said. "It's all right tew talk about holding -eout a week or a fortnight here on a flask of brandy and a piece of -jerked venison about big enough tew give one h'arty man a good meal, -but, it won't work. We kan't dew it, and I reckon some on us has got -tew go under. Neow look here! I kin hide that little gal so that the -devil hisself kan't find her, and I kan hide one more along with her. -But, I kan't hide three or four."</p> - -<p>"Save her, Josh, at all hazards."</p> - -<p>"That's what I say. I'm going tew save her, but someone hez got tew be -with her, yew know. Now then, who shill it be?"</p> - -<p>"You, by all means," said Will.</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it. I'm tew long tew stick intew my hiding-place handy, -and besides, the gal mout not like it. I guess you'll hev tew be the -one."</p> - -<p>"I will not desert you, Seth."</p> - -<p>"Oh, git eout. Desert the devil! Once I git yew tew safe I laugh at -every Injin in the territory. Come here."</p> - -<p>A nearly perpendicular but irregular wall of stone formed the back -part of the fort. A point jutted out considerably further than the -rest, leaving a fissure about four feet across. In this fissure a large -stone, apparently broken off from the rock above, lay loosely upon the -earth, with its side pressed against the rock. Putting his ponderous -strength to the stone, the Yankee moved it easily to one side and -disclosed an opening close to the ground, nearly three feet high. "Git -in, and see how yew like it," he said. "It's one of <i>my</i> holes."</p> - -<p>The young soldier crawled in, and striking a match, saw that he was in -a hole scooped out by the hand of nature in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> solid wall, which was -large enough for two persons to sit in comfortably, though they could -not rise to their feet. Having satisfied himself, he crept out as he -came in. "The air seems pure," he said.</p> - -<p>"How is it when the stone is replaced?"</p> - -<p>"First rate. Lord love yew, I've been in that hole menny and menny a -time. Yew kan't think heow com'fable it is tew lay thar and hear the -Injins howl outside, and wonder heow the devil yew got away. It's -mighty nice. Git the gal and bring her here. Tell her tew stoop low, -'cause some of them pesky cusses may be on the watch. Pass the word for -the Dead Chief tew keep up a good look-out. Dead? He ain't dead, not -much he ain't."</p> - -<p>Madge was resting peacefully upon her bed of leaves, but rose and -followed her lover without a word, while he explained to her the nature -of the hiding-place which Yankee Seth had showed him. Seth saw that the -young man was still very much averse to leaving him to fight himself -out of the cordon of his enemies alone, and made an angry movement.</p> - -<p>"Neow, don't say a darned word, Will Floyd. Who but yew ought to stay -and take keer of the little gal? As fer me, I'm in the hands of the -Great Being, even the Injins adores, and ef my time hez come tew die -now, I ain't the man that will kick ag'inst it. But, my time ain't come -yit, I feel it in my bones. Go in, little gal. Take yure rifle and -am'nition, boy. Yew may need it."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Will, sternly. "Madge shall never go to an Indian lodge. I -promise her that, and I will keep my word."</p> - -<p>"That's right, keep yure word tew the little gal, and when the Injin -wars are done and yew are married, I'll come tew see yew in yure house -on the Wabash. <i>Yew</i> bet! See this peep-hole here, cap. Yew kan lie -flat in thar and see all the fun, and I'm going tew give yew some."</p> - -<p>"Do not be rash, Seth. Escape if you can."</p> - -<p>"A rash man is never a good scout," was the quiet reply. "Go in!"</p> - -<p>Will followed Madge into the hole in the rock and lay upon his face -after the stone had been replaced, peeping out into the fort. The -Yankee was standing just in front of him, with his hand upon the -shoulder of the Indian, and Will thought he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> had never seen two nobler -specimens of manly beauty in his life.</p> - -<p>The firelight shone upon the noble figures of the two men, and the -Yankee was whispering in the ear of the savage. A bright smile crossed -the face of the Indian and he looked at him in a puzzled way, and then -shook his hand heartily.</p> - -<p>"I wonder what they are up to now?" muttered Will. "That Yankee is -equal to any deviltry, and now that he has me off his hands he don't -seem to fear the Indians in the least."</p> - -<p>"What is he doing?" said Madge, who felt a strange security in the odd -hiding-place.</p> - -<p>"They are both laughing," replied Will. "There, they are trampling out -the fire. I can see no more. Ha! the Indians are on the move; I can -hear their hurrying feet. Do you fear, Madge?"</p> - -<p>"No. Am I not with you, dear Will."</p> - -<p>"Yes, darling, yes. And if they find us out—"</p> - -<p>"You have two pistols. One for me, one for yourself. If you escape -alive and I fall into the hands of Willimack, never look your friends -in the face, for you will be a coward."</p> - -<p>"Hush," he said, in a hoarse voice. "You have my promise already. Come -close to me and keep quiet. When the time comes, give me the word, and -then—oh God, it will drive me mad to do it."</p> - -<p>"When the time comes I shall die as bravely as another," replied Madge. -"Kiss me once upon the lips, and we will die together, my hero, my own!"</p> - -<p>He kissed her frantically, and she returned the caress. At another -time, it might have caused a blush to this innocent girl; but, in the -presence of this great danger, she forgot all this, and with her hand -clasped in his, waited for the blow which was sure to fall if their -hiding-place was found.</p> - -<p>A wild yell of mingled rage and hatred burst from the woods around, -and the savage foe came pouring over the rampart of the old fort, -some carrying torches, some holding their weapons ready for a blow. -But, they found no enemy, and the frantic cries told that they were -disappointed of their prey. Will pressed the hand of the brave girl, -which did not tremble in his grasp, and kept his eyes fixed upon the -movements of the enemy. They were rushing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> madly about the inclosure, -looking in every place where a man could by any chance be concealed, -without effect. Willimack was at their head, painted to the waist, -holding in one hand a blazing torch and in the other a heavy hatchet.</p> - -<p>As the young man saw the scoundrel, he raised his pistol, and it -was only by the thought that <i>her</i> life would be sacrificed that he -refrained from shooting the wretch through the heart.</p> - -<p>The Indians came into the crevice in which they were hidden, and one of -them actually leaned upon the rock which shielded them! The grasp of -the soldier tightened upon the wrist of Madge, and she met his pressure -by raising herself a little and putting one rounded arm about his neck. -But, the danger passed, for the moment. The Indian went away and they -breathed more freely, when a commanding voice, which seemed to come -from the sky, shouted:</p> - -<p>"<i>Willimack!</i>"</p> - -<p>The chief looked up, and there, upon the rocks thirty feet above his -head stood the Skeleton Scout, pointing his unshaking finger at the -Wyandot.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE LAST TRIAL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the sight, nearly all the cowardly followers of the Wyandot took -flight and buried themselves in the woods, or burrowed like conies -among the rocks. Willimack was evidently frightened beyond measure at -the appearance of the being he so dreaded, but was too proud to seek -safety in flight.</p> - -<p>There stood the Skeleton Scout, the grinning death's-head revealed, -the fire flashing from his lurid orbs, and that long finger pointing -downward.</p> - -<p>"Dog!" cried the spectral being in a hollow voice. "How much blood must -you shed before you will be satisfied? How long must the spirits of the -rocks and the trees carry your evil deeds to the Great Spirit before he -sends the Great White Bear to carry you way to the abode of the lost?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>This was spoken in the Indian tongue, and seemed to have a terrible -effect upon the savage, for he bowed his head in terror, with his arms -folded upon his breast.</p> - -<p>"Nabockalish is a strong spirit," he said. "The Wyandot nor the Shawnee -is not strong enough to stand before him. Why does he hate the poor -Indian?"</p> - -<p>"Because the Indian is a fool!" replied the Skeleton Scout, fiercely. -"Listen to the words of Nabockalish. I see a great cloud in the sky. -The Indians have roused the anger of the Great Spirit, and an evil day -is come upon them. There will be war along the Wabash, and many will -fall in battle. The Shawnee will be driven out and no longer possess -the land of his fathers. Perhaps the Wyandot will go with him? There is -a cloud before my eyes and I can not see it plainly. Turn back, then, -Willimack, and flee the wrath of the Great Spirit."</p> - -<p>"Why should Willimack turn back?" replied the Indian, fiercely. "A -lying spirit talks through Nabockalish—a spirit which has no love for -the Indian. Let the lying spirit depart, for Willimack will not listen -to his words. He will fight under the banner of the Prophet until the -white man shall cease from the land."</p> - -<p>"Then, listen," shrieked the specter. "The spirit of the rocks and -trees have heard your words and will carry them to the Great Spirit. -Behold!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke there was a strange, hissing sound, and a brilliant flame -leaped up, lighting the surrounding darkness. The flame ran in erratic -circles like a fiery serpent and vanished into thin air, and when they -looked again, the Skeleton Scout was gone, while the air was heavy -with a sulphurous smell. The sight was too much for the savages, and -they broke and ran in every direction, stumbling over the rocks, the -redoubtable Willimack leading them in their flight. Bursts of horrible -laughter followed them as they fled.</p> - -<p>"Astonishing," muttered Will. "This passes my comprehension. Is -my friend, the Skeleton Scout, an inhabitant of the lower world, -after all? I am ashamed to say that he has very nearly succeeded in -frightening me."</p> - -<p>Terrible screams sounded through the forest and accelerated the flight -of the savages. A dead silence succeeded, and then the stone was -violently pushed aside.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now," cried Madge, "keep your word, if you love me, Will."</p> - -<p>"Hold on," cried a voice they well knew, "none of that, Floyd; -come eout. By gravy, that Skileton Scout is a gentleman of great -penetration, and I'd give forty dollars fur the privilege of shaking -hands with the darned fool. He's a little brimstony in his karacter, -but darn it all, what's that, once yew git used tew it? He routed the -Injins, hoss, foot and dragoons. Lord bless my heart alive, heow they -<i>did</i> let eout. I thought Willimack would break his neck, sartin."</p> - -<p>"Where have you been?" said Will, helping Madge out of their -hiding-place.</p> - -<p>"Oh, we shinned up the rocks thar. We couldn't lug the gal up or I'd -'a' done it afore. 'Twouldn't dew tew desart her, yew know. Now, chief, -what are they dewing abeout these days?"</p> - -<p>"Running," replied the Dead Chief, sententiously. "Very much scared."</p> - -<p>"Yew look a little shaky yureself, old man!" said Seth, with a laugh, -"and, by gosh, it set me back a leetle trifle, when that fiery sarpint -went flashing deown the rocks. The outlandish critter desarves a -pension for helping us eout of this scrape. Here; gimme the gal. Show -a light, chief. The red devils will think it's the Living Skellington -coming arter 'em ag'in, and run the faster. Haw! haw! haw! It tickles -me most tew death tew see how the critters run."</p> - -<p>The Dead Chief caught up a half extinguished torch which one of the -Wyandots had dropped, and led the way out of the narrow pass. Once safe -at the bottom, he extinguished the torch and led them in the darkness. -The Yankee came next, carrying the girl in his arms, while Will Floyd, -with leveled rifle, brought up the rear. In this way they passed on for -over a mile, when they struck a well-beaten path, and pursued it for -two hours in silence. Then the Yankee called a halt.</p> - -<p>"I guess we may as well halt, boys. More as like ez not we'll foul a -snag ef we keep on in the dark. The woods are chock full of Injins, -and when Willimack gets over his little scare he'll come a-raving, and -charging arter us, that I know. Sit down on this log, little 'un. Yew -don't weigh so much on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> the start, but, Lord love yure little heart -ef yew don't grow mitey heavy arter a while! I'm glad we got eout of -<i>that</i> trap. How dew yew feel, little gal? Considerable kind o' tired, -eh?"</p> - -<p>"Very tired, and I am sorry to say, a little sleepy," replied Madge.</p> - -<p>"That's all rite," said long Seth. "Nat'ral ez life. Waal, thar ain't -anything ag'in' a snooze, ez I knows on. We won't go any furder till -morning. Scrape up them leaves and make a bed fur the gal. Capting, yew -won't mind lending her yure coat, I guess?"</p> - -<p>He stooped and spread out the leaves, and Madge lay down beside the log -and her lover spread his coat over her, and sat down to watch while the -Yankee took his station, rifle in hand, to wait for any emergency which -might arise, while the Indian rolled himself against the log and fell -asleep, but with his weapons ready to start up, at a moment's warning. -Madge was awakened at early morning and found her friends ready for a -start.</p> - -<p>"Rouse up, little 'un," said the Yankee. "We ain't got any time tew -waste. I ain't got anything fur yew tew eat 'cept this cracked corn. -The Dead Chief took it from an Injin last night that didn't want it no -more. You kan eat it as yew march."</p> - -<p>She followed them cheerfully, eating the corn he had given her, and -laughing lightly. In the midst of great danger she maintained a -cheerful confidence which was inspiriting to the men who had come to -save her. This happy confidence in them made their task lighter. Yankee -Seth would have carried her again, but she refused utterly, saying that -her night's rest had left her strong and able to bear any ordinary -fatigue. They marched slowly, for the signs were ominous, and once or -twice the scout stopped and listened carefully to see if the sounds -about him were suspicious. She could see that he feared danger, yet -maintained an unswerving fortitude.</p> - -<p>"Brave gal," muttered the Yankee. "Make a good sojer's wife, <i>she</i> -will!"</p> - -<p>They stopped at noon beside a little brook, which the young man -remembered to have crossed the day before, and again took food. But, -the Yankee scout kept glancing from side to side and often started up -and looked about him. Near by was a giant sycamore, with a hollow near -the root, large enough for a person to enter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>"See here, Miss Madge," said Seth. "We've got tew scout a little. I -don't see no other way, so yew jest git intew that holler tree and -wait fur us. We won't leave yew long. Yew'll find a step cut in the -side, wide enough fur yew tew stand on. Yew'd better git up on that, -fur mebbe an Injin might take it intew his darned old head tew look in -thar. Now, boys, come with me."</p> - -<p>The hollow was very dark, but Madge grasped the stiletto which her -lover had given her, and did not fear. An hour passed, and they did not -return. At the end of that time a head was thrust into the cavity.</p> - -<p>"Bright Eyes," said a voice which sounded strangely hollow in the -cavity. "Come down; the Yellow Hair has sent for you."</p> - -<p>"Who is that?" said Madge.</p> - -<p>"Dead Chief," was the reply.</p> - -<p>She descended hurriedly, and stooped to emerge from the opening. As -she did so, she was roughly seized upon and a hand pressed so tightly -upon her mouth and nostrils that she found it impossible to cry out. A -scarf was torn from her neck and speedily transformed into a gag, which -was thrust rudely into her mouth, and when she looked up she saw the -leering face of Willimack close to her own.</p> - -<p>"Aha!" he hissed. "Where is the Skeleton Scout? Where is Nabockalish -now to save you? The spirit of the rocks and trees are things at which -a great chief laughs!"</p> - -<p>Taking her in his arms he dashed into the forest which bordered the -path, and she found herself in the midst of the remnant of the band of -Willimack, and in their midst, tightly bound and bleeding from a cut in -the forehead, was her lover. He uttered a cry of horror as he saw her -brought in.</p> - -<p>"You too, Madge! Then the cup of my misery is full indeed."</p> - -<p>She tried to speak, but the gag forbade it, but he understood her.</p> - -<p>"Yankee Seth is dead. I saw him fall into a deep gully, shot by the -hand of this traitorous savage. The brave fellow fought gallantly, but -fell overpowered by numbers."</p> - -<p>The Wyandot laughed in a sardonic manner, evidently triumphing in the -misery of which he was the cause. He approached and took the gag from -the mouth of Madge.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Talk to him, <i>talk</i>," he shrieked. "Let him tell you how Willimack, -the Wyandot, avenges himself upon those who have done him great wrong. -The Long Man is dead, though warriors have not yet found his body. The -Dead Chief is flying though the forest with four fleet runners upon his -track, and you two are here, to try what it is to dare the vengeance of -a great chief."</p> - -<p>"Listen to me, Wyandot," cried Will, angrily. "I am in your hands, and -you have it in your power to use me as you will. But, so surely as you -do a wrong to this sweet girl, I will find a way to haunt you from my -grave."</p> - -<p>"You shall never know a grave," screamed the chief, shaking his -clenched hand in his face. "Your ashes shall be scattered to the four -winds of heaven. Even your bones shall be consumed and the winds shall -carry them away. She shall look on and see. Aha! Her face grows paler! -She is like the white lily that lies upon the summer water when the sun -is high."</p> - -<p>"Chief," she said, "here I am and in your power. Let me see if you care -for me as you say. Let Floyd go free."</p> - -<p>"And if I do, will you go into my wigwam?"</p> - -<p>"I am in your power, as you know."</p> - -<p>"Do not promise," cried Floyd. "Do you think I would purchase my life -on such terms as these?"</p> - -<p>"Ha! ha! ha! Is a Wyandot a fool to let you go free? No; she shall see -you die, and then she shall enter my wigwam all the same. A great chief -never lies. You shall die upon the spot where you came and stole the -Bright Eyes away, when the accursed fire-water of the white man had -robbed me of my strength. Come!"</p> - -<p>He made a signal, and several Indian ponies were led from the -surrounding thickets. Madge was forced to mount one of these and Will -another. The latter had his feet tied beneath the horse, and in this -condition was led away, surrounded by about twenty of the wild band. -It was growing dark when they reached the scene of the first escape of -Madge; there the party dismounted and tethered their horses. This done, -they tied the young soldier to a tree, and heaped light wood about him, -while Madge threw herself at the feet of the stern chief and begged for -her lover's life. He only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> showed by a scornful smile that he saw and -heard her, but stood gazing at the prisoner, the second time he had -seen him at the stake.</p> - -<p>"You escaped from the Prophet; from me you can not escape," he -hissed. "Away, squaw! How dare you come between a great chief and his -vengeance?"</p> - -<p>"As you hope for mercy, chief; as you expect ever to know a quiet home, -do not torture him," cried Madge. "I ask it on my knees."</p> - -<p>"Away!" cried the chief. "Light the pile!"</p> - -<p>As a hand was outstretched to do his bidding, there was a rush of many -feet, and the glade was filled with mounted Indians of the Shawnee -nation! Willimack understood at a glance that they had come to rob him -of his prey, and, with a yell of baffled rage, darted at Madge with -uplifted hatchet. But, there started up before him the giant figure of -Yankee Seth, who dealt him a tremendous blow with his fist which felled -him to the ground. Madge started up with a glad cry and threw herself -into his arms.</p> - -<p>"Thank God you have saved us, gallant man! A life would not repay the -debt I owe you now."</p> - -<p>"Oh, git eout," replied the excited scout. "I don't ask it, dew I?"</p> - -<p>There was a suspicious moisture in his eyes, however, and he brushed -the sleeve of his hunting-shirt across them in a hurried manner, and -putting her gently aside, ran to cut Will Floyd loose.</p> - -<p>"Who are these?" said Will, after pressing the hand of the Yankee -warmly in his own. "They are Indians. I am afraid it is out of the -frying-pan into the fire."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it!" replied the Yankee. "Tecumseh is here."</p> - -<p>"Tecumseh!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the full rich voice of that noble chief, advancing. -"The white man has been wronged by those who claim to be friends of -Tecumseh, and who but he should set it right? Willimack has a bad -heart. He has done more evil than he knows to the Shawnees. Bright -Eyes, let the chief tell how glad he is to see you safe."</p> - -<p>Madge came forward and gave him her hand thankfully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You came in time, chief. How did it happen?"</p> - -<p>"Yankee Seth is a great brave. He fell into a hole which was very deep, -but the Great Spirit was watching over the safety of Bright Eyes, and -saved his life. Tecumseh was already on the march to save you from -Willimack, and we met. The rest you know."</p> - -<p>Willimack had risen, and was looking on with a lowering brow. His men -were standing, cowed and fearful, in the presence of the great chief, -but he alone maintained an undaunted mien.</p> - -<p>"Can Tecumseh come to me and steal away my prisoners?" he said. "Is -this being a friend to the Wyandots?"</p> - -<p>"A great chief should not be cruel," replied Tecumseh. "Willimack was -never the friend of Tecumseh. Chief, you have been very wicked, but you -are the friend of the Prophet. Go; I will take care of your prisoners."</p> - -<p>Willimack scowled fiercely about him, and for a moment seemed to -meditate an assault upon the great Shawnee. But the abject submission -of his men showed that he would have no backers, and he dared not trust -himself alone against the mighty arm of Tecumseh. Shaking his hand in -anger at the chief, he turned away, and the forest hid him from view.</p> - -<p>"Go on," muttered Seth. "Yew are a marked man from this hour. I <i>am on -yer trail</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIII.</p> - -<p class="center">CONCLUSION.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">They</span> camped that night upon the spot which had witnessed their last -trial and rescue, and set out at early morning to ride to the town of -Vincennes, accompanied by Tecumseh and a portion of his band. Upon the -evening of the next day they camped again a few miles from Vincennes, -where they were met by the rangers of Floyd, who had been sent out on a -scout in the direction of the ruined station. Knowing them to be safe, -Tecumseh bade them farewell. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> band already were on the march, and -he stopped a moment to press the hands of Floyd and Yankee Seth.</p> - -<p>"The heart of Tecumseh is made of stern stuff," he said. "But, it -is very sad when he thinks that when we may meet again it may be as -enemies. In that hour do not forget that we have been friends."</p> - -<p>Making them a mute gesture of farewell, he turned upon his heel and -left them. The young soldier took the hand of Madge and they stood -alone in the gathering darkness. In that sad hour, a father driven mad -by his wrongs, his faithful servants slaughtered, the young man felt -that she was indeed all to him. A low growth of bushes separated them -from the rangers, and they were very close together, when there rose -before them the fearful figure of the Skeleton Scout. It stood a moment -looking fixedly at them, when the ghastly head disappeared, although -the body remained, and a boisterous laugh greeted them as Nabockalish, -the Skeleton Scout, stood confessed in the person of Yankee Seth.</p> - -<p>"Seth Spink!" cried Floyd. "Is it possible?"</p> - -<p>"You the Skeleton Scout?" murmured Madge.</p> - -<p>"Jess so. I'm that identickle cuss," said Seth, laughing. "But, don't -tell the boys, fer the disguise is a right good 'un."</p> - -<p>"But you were always as frightened at the Skeleton Scout as any one," -said Madge.</p> - -<p>"That was a blind, you know," he replied. "Ef yew'd 'a' taken time tew -think, yew'd 'a' seen that I was never on hand at the same time the -Skellington was. I'll tell yew how it was done, ef you'll promise tew -keep it secret."</p> - -<p>"Agreed," said Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Wal, then, I've got the apperatus here. Come closer, yew'll see how -easy it works. Yew see my hunting-shirt is loose round the neck. That -leaves room fer the thing tew lay com'fable and out of sight. I pull -up this black cloth like this, yew see, and it covers my head, leaving -a place fer my mouth and eyes. Then, here's a blow-pipe. I blow on it, -and yew see what happens."</p> - -<p>He inflated his cheeks and blew hard upon the pipe, and a number of -white stripes upon the surface of the black cloth began to rise and -swell until they assumed, in the darkness, the appearance of a ghastly -skeleton head. When it was in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>flated he turned a stop which kept in -the air, and putting up his hand, turned the slides of a pair of small -"bull's-eye" lamps, and the Skeleton Scout was before them. Floyd -could not avoid a hearty laugh at the ease with which the thing was -done. Seth joined in the laugh, turned the stop and allowed the air -to escape, pulled down the contrivance and pushed it under his loose -hunting-shirt, and appeared in his own person.</p> - -<p>"It don't take me tew moments tew change characters and be Nabockalish -or Yankee Seth, jest ez I like," he said. "Let the gal go to camp a -minnit, Will. I want tew speak tew yew."</p> - -<p>"A moment, my friend, and then I will go," said Madge. "How did you -produce the appearance of the fiery serpent upon the rocks, after we -were hidden in the hole in the rock."</p> - -<p>"I dropped a train of gunpowder in the shape I wanted it, and set fire -tew it," the Yankee said, laughing. "'Most any specter will be ez easy -'counted fer ez I am, if people could only git tew the root. There, go -away, gal."</p> - -<p>Madge went slowly back to camp, and the scout stood a moment in deep -thought.</p> - -<p>"Yew seen them graves by the ruined cabin in the woods, my boy?" said -he. "I didn't tell yew whose they were, because that would 'a' bin ez -good ez telling yew my secret. My wife and children lay thar, jest ez -I buried 'em when I found 'em scalped and gory, when I cum back from a -hunt. I've lived a scout and hunter since, and not a bad one, ez old -man Harrison will tell yew, and I've had my revenge on a few of the -reptiles. When I wear the disguise of the Skeleton Scout I spare none."</p> - -<p>"And how is it you leave no sign?" said Floyd.</p> - -<p>"Yew didn't look in the right place. Both those dead hounds yew seen -were stabbed threw the brain behind the ear. I've got a knife with -a thin blade, that leaves no blood outside. Perhaps I'm wrong, but, -whenever that idee comes over me, I think of them green graves on the -sunny slope, and then I'm an iron man ag'in. Don't tell this tew any -one, and try tew forgive me if I have bin tew blame."</p> - -<p>Floyd silently extended his hand and the scout grasped it firmly in his -own. They were tried friends from that hour, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> never in the after -peril which came to that frontier forgot the dangers they had shared -together.</p> - -<p>Matthew Floyd, under the care of a good surgeon, recovered somewhat his -shattered faculties, but, the sound of an Indian war-whoop would always -drive him wild in a moment.</p> - -<p>The young couple were married the next week and lived in Vincennes, -and remained happy in each other's love until the war began in earnest -along the frontier, and the rangers, with their gallant leader, marched -to the fierce battle at Tippecanoe, where the power of the Prophet was -broken, and Willimack lost his life.</p> - -<p>Dead Chief remained true to the whites, and at last, in a fearfully -tragic manner, which another tale may serve to show, sealed his -devotion with his life.</p> - -<p>The Skeleton Scout was still seen at night, flashing in the darkness -beside the Indian camp-fires; and when the war was over, came back to -live in quiet upon a farm just outside Vincennes, and go down to the -grave honored and beloved. And Madge Floyd taught her children to honor -the name of Nabockalish, the Skeleton Scout, and her first, a noble -boy, was the Seth of her fair household.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 10em;">STANDARD</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dime dialogueS</span></p> - -<p>For School Exhibitions and Home Entertainments.</p> - -<p>Nos. 1 to 21 inclusive. 15 to 25 Popular Dialogues and Dramas in each -book. Each volume, 10¢ 12mo pages, sent post paid, on receipt of price, -ten cents.</p> - -<p>Beadle & Adams, Publishers, 98 William St., N.Y.</p> - - -<p>These volumes have been prepared with especial reference to their -availability for Exhibitions being adapted to schools and parlors with -or without the furniture of a stage, and suited to SCHOLARS AND YOUNG -PEOPLE of every age, both male and female. It is fair to assume that -precious few books in the market, at any price, contain so many useful -and available dialogues and draw on so much wit, pathos, humor and -sentiment.</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 1.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Meeting of the Muses. For nine young ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Baiting a Live Englishman. For three boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tasso's Coronation. For male and female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fashion. For two ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Rehearsal. For six boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Which will you Choose? For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Queen of May. For two little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Tea Party. For four ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Three Scenes in Wedded Life. Male and female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mrs. Sniffles' Confession. For male and female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Mission of the Spirits. Five young ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hobnobbing. For five speakers.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Secret of Success. For three speakers.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Young America. Three males and two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Josephine's Destiny. Four females, one male.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Folly of the Duel. For three male speakers.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dogmatism. For three male speakers.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Ignorant Confounded. For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Fast Young Man. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Year's Reckoning. 12 females and 1 male.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Village with One Gentleman. For eight females and one male.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 2.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Genius of Liberty. 2 males and 1 female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doing Good and Saying Bad. Several characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Golden Rule. Two males and two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Gift of the Fairy Queen. Several females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Taken in and Done For. For two characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Country Aunt's Visit to the City. For several characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Two Romans. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Trying the Characters. For three males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Happy Family. For several 'animals.'</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Rainbow. For several characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How to Write 'Popular' Stories. Two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The New and the Old. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Sensation at Last. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Greenhorn. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Three Men of Science. For four males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Old Lady's Will. For four males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Little Philosophers. For two little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How to Find an Heir. For five males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Virtues. For six young ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Connubial Eclogue.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Public meeting. Five Males and one female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The English Traveler. For two males.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 3.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The May Queen. For an entire school.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dress Reform Convention. For ten females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Keeping Bad Company. A Farce. For five males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courting Under Difficulties. 2 males, 1 female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">National Representatives. A Burlesque. 4 males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Escaping the Draft. For numerous males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Genteel Cook. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Masterpiece. For two males and two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Two Romans. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Same. Second scene. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Showing the White Feather. 4 males, 1 female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Battle Call. A Recitative. For one male.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 4.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Frost King. For ten or more persons.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Starting in Life. Three males and two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Faith, Hope and Charity. For three little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Darby and Joan. For two males and one female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The May. A Floral Fancy. For six little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Enchanted Princess. 2 males, several females</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Honor to Whom Honor is Due. 7 males, 1 female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Gentle Client. For several males, one female</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Phrenology. A Discussion. For twenty males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Stubbletown Volunteer. 2 males, 1 female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Scene from "Paul Pry." For four males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Charms. For three males and one female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bee, Clock and Broom. For three little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Right Way. A Colloquy. For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">What the Ledger Says. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Crimes of Dress. A Colloquy. For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Reward of Benevolence. For four males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Letter. For two males.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 5.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Three Guesses. For school or parlor.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sentiment. A "Three Person" Farce.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Behind the Curtain. For males and females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Eta Pi Society. Five boys and a teacher.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Examination Day. For several female characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Trading in "Traps." For several males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The School Boys' Tribunal. For ten boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Loose Tongue. Several males and females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How Not to Get an Answer. For two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Putting on Airs. A Colloquy. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Straight Mark. For several boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Two Ideas of Life. A Colloquy. For.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Extract from Marino Faliero.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ma-try-Money. An Acting Charade.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Six Virtues. For six young ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Irishman at Home. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fashionable Requirements. For three girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Bevy of I's (Eyes). For eight or less little girls.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 6.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Way They Kept a Secret. Male and females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Poet under Difficulties. For five males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">William Tell. For a whole school.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Woman's Rights. Seven females and two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">All is not Gold that Glitters. Male and females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Generous Jew. For six males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shopping. For three males and one female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Two Counselors. For three males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Votaries of Folly. For a number of females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aunt Betsy's Beaux. Four females and two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Libel Suit. For two females and one male.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Santa Claus. For a number of boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christmas Fairies. For several little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Three Rings. For two males.</span><br /> -</p> - - - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 19.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">An awful mystery. Two females and two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Contentment. For five little boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Who are the saints? For three young girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">California uncle. Three males and three females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Be kind to the poor. A little folks' play.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How people are insured. A "duet."</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mayor. Acting charade. For four characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The smoke fiend. For four boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A kindergarten dialogue. For a Christmas Festival. Personated by seven</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The use of study. For three girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The refined simpletons. For four ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Remember Benson. For three males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Modern education. Three males and one female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mad with too much love. For three males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The fairy's warning. Dress piece. For two girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aunt Eunice's experiment. For several.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The mysterious G.G. Two females and one male.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We'll have to mortgage the farm. For one male and two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">An old fashioned duet.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The auction. For numerous characters.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 20.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The wrong man. Three males and three females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Afternoon calls. For two little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ned's present. For four boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Judge not. For teacher and several scholars.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Telling dreams. For four little folks.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Saved by love. For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mistaken Identity. Two males and three females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Couldn't read English. For 3 males and 1 female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A little Vesuvius. For six little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Sold." For three boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">An air castle. For five males and three females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">City manners and country hearts. For three girls and one boy.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The silly dispute. For two girls and teacher.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Not one there! For four male characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Foot-print. For numerous characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Keeping boarders. Two females and three males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A cure for good. One lady and two gentlemen.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The credulous wise-acre. For two males.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 21.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A successful donation party. For several.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Out of debt out of danger. For three males and three females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Little Red Riding Hood. For two children.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How she made him propose. A duet.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The house on the hill. For four females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Evidence enough. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Worth and Wealth. For four females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Waterfall. For several.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mark Hastings' return. For four males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cinderella. For several children.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Too much for Aunt Matilda. For three females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Wit against wile. Three males and one female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A sudden recovery. For three males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The double stratagem. For four females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Counting chickens before they were hatched. For four males.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 22.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Dark Cupid; or, the Mistakes of a Morning. For three gentlemen and</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">two ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That Ne'er-do-Well; or, a Brother's Lesson. For two males and two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">High Art; or the New Mania. For two girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Strange Adventures. For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The King's Supper. For four girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Practical Exemplification. For two boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Monsieur Thiers in America; or, Yankee vs. Frenchman. For four boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doxy's Diplomacy. 3 females and 'incidentals.'</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Frenchman; or, the Outwitted Aunt. For two ladies and one gentleman.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Titania's Banquet. For a number of girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Boys Will Be Boys. For two boys and one girl.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Rainy Day; or, the School-Girl Philosophers. For three young ladies.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">God is Love. For a number of scholars.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Way He Managed. For 2 males, 2 females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fandango. Various characters, white and otherwise.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Little Doctor. For two tiny girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Sweet Revenge. For four boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A May Day. For three little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">From the Sublime to the Ridiculous. For 14.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Heart Not Face. For five boys.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center">DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 23.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rhoda Hunt's Remedy. For 2 females, 1 male.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hans Schmidt's Recommend. For two males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cheery and Grumble. For two little boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Phantom Doughnuts. For six females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Does it pay? For six males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Company Manners and Home Impoliteness. For two males, two females and</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">two children.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Glad Days. For two little boys.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Unfortunate Mr. Brown. For 1 male, 6 females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Real Cost. For two girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A Bear Garden. For three males, two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Busy Bees. For four little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Checkmate. For numerous characters.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">School Time. For two little girls.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Death Scene. 2 principal characters and adjuncts.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dross and Gold. Several characters, male and female.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Confound Miller. For three males, two females.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ignorance vs. Justice. For eleven males.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pedants All. For four females.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>The above books are sold by Newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, -post-paid, to any address, on receipt of price, 10 cents each.</p> - - -<p>BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St., N.Y.</p> - - -<p class="ph2">DIME POCKET NOVELS.</p> - -<p class="center">PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY.</p> - - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">1—Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">2—Dead Shot. By Albert W. Aiken.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">3—The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">4—Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">5—Nat Wolfe. By Mrs. M.V. Victor.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">6—The White Tracker. Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">7—The Outlaw's Wife. Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">8—The Tall Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">9—Lightning Jo. By Capt. Adams.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">10—The Island Pirate. By Capt. Mayne Reid.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">11—The Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">12—Bess, the Trapper. By E.S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">13—The French Spy. By W.J. Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">14—Long Shot. By Capt. Comstock.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">15—The Gunmaker. By James L. Bowen.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">16—Red Hand. By A.G. Piper.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">17—Ben, the Trapper. By Lewis W. Carson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">18—Wild Raven. By Oll Coomes.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">19—The Specter Chief. By Seelin Robins.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">20—The B'ar-Killer. By Capt. Comstock.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">21—Wild Nat. By Wm. R. Eyster.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">22—Indian Jo. By Lewis W. Carson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">23—Old Kent, the Ranger. Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">24—The One-Eyed Trapper. Capt. Comstock.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">25—Godbold, the Spy. By N.C. Iron.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">27—Single Eye. By Warren St. John.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">28—Indian Jim. By Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">29—The Scout. By Warren St. John.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">30—Eagle Eye. By W.J. Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">31—The Mystic Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">32—The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">33—The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">34—Old Lute. By E.W. Archer.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">35—Rainbolt, Ranger. By Oll Coomes.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">37—Carson, the Guide. By J.H. Randolph.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">38—The Heart Eater. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">39—Wetzel, the Scout. By Boynton Belknap.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">40—The Huge Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. Paul Prescott.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">42—Lynx-cap. By Paul Bibbs.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">43—The White Outlaw. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">44—The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">45—The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">46—Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">47—The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">48—The Phantom Tracker. By F. Dewey.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">49—Moccasin Bill. By Paul Bibbs.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">50—The Wolf Queen. By Charles Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">52—The Mad Chief. By Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">53—The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">54—Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">55—Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">56—The River Rifles. By Billex Muller.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">57—Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">58—Cloudwood. By J.M. Merrill.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">59—The Texas Hawks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">60—Merciless Mat. By Capt. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">61—Mad Anthony's Scouts. By E. Rodman.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">62—The Luckless Trapper. Wm. R. Eyster.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">63—The Florida Scout. Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">64—The Island Trapper. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">65—Wolf-Cap. By Capt. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">66—Rattling Dick. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">67—Sharp-Eye. By Major Max Martine.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">68—Iron-Hand. By Frederick Forest.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">69—The Yellow Hunter. By Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">70—The Phantom Rider. By Maro O. Rolfe.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">71—Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">72—Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">73—The Skeleton Scout. Maj. L.W. Carson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">74—Little Rifle. By Capt. "Bruin" Adams.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. "Bruin" Adams.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">77—The Scarlet Shoulders. Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">78—The Border Rifleman. L.W. Carson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. R. Ringwood.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">83—The Specter Horseman. Frank Dewey.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">84—The Three Trappers. Seelin Robbins.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U.S.N.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">86—The Hunter Hercules. Harry St. George.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">87—Phil Hunter. By Capt. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">88—The Indian Scout. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">89—The Girl Avenger. By Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">90—The Red Hermitess. By Paul Bibbs.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">91—Star-Face, the Slayer.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">92—The Antelope Boy. By Geo. L. Aiken.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">93—The Phantom Hunter. By E. Emerson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot. By M. Klapp.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">95—The Red Wizard. By Ned Hunter.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">96—The Rival Trappers. By L.W. Carson.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">97—The Squaw Spy. By Capt. Chas. Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">98—Dusky Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">99—Colonel Crockett. By Chas. E. Lasalle.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">100—Old Bear Paw. By Major Max Martine.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">101—Redlaw. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">102—Wild Rube. By W.J. Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">103—The Indian Hunters. By J.L. Bowen.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">104—Scarred Eagle. By Andrew Dearborn.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">105—Nick Doyle. By P. Hamilton Myers.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">106—The Indian Spy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">107—Job Dean. By Ingoldsby North.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">108—The Wood King. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">109—The Scalped Hunter. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">110—Nick, the Scout. By W.J. Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">111—The Texas Tiger. By Edward Willett.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">112—The Crossed Knives. By Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">113—Tiger-Heart, the Tracker. By Howard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">114—The Masked Avenger. By Ingraham.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">115—The Pearl Pirates. By Starbuck.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">116—Black Panther. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">117—Abdiel, the Avenger. By Ed. Willett.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">118—Cato, the Creeper. By Fred. Dewey.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">119—Two-Handed Mat. By Jos. E. Badger.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">120—Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">121—Black Nick. By Frederick Whittaker.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">122—Kit Bird. By W.J. Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">123—The Specter Riders. By Geo. Gleason.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>The following will be issued in the order and on the dates indicated:</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">124—Giant Pete, the Patriot. By W.J. Hamilton.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">125—The Girl Captain. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">126—Yankee Eph. By J.R. Worcester.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">127—Silverspur. By Edward Willett. Ready May 6th.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">128—Squatter Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready May 20th.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">129—The Child Spy. By George Gleason. Ready June 3d.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">130—Mink Coat. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Ready June 17th.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Beadle's Dime Pocket Novels</span> are always in print and for sale -by all newsdealers; or will be sent post-paid, to any address; single -numbers, ten cents; six months (13 Nos.) $1.25; one year (26 Nos.) -$2.50.</p> - - -<p>Address, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.</p> - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SKELETON SCOUT, OR, THE BORDER BLOCK ***</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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