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A grim smile lit up the face of Eeleelah,

while Tempy regarded the whole with a min-

gled feeling of fear and “delight.
The princess plied the paddle vigorously,

and soon they had passed the island and wyleie

e
lust glimpse they had of Muckelwee, he was
standing in the water to his chin, shaking his
fist threatenineg toward them, and no doubt

Speeding away toward the brig-of—war.

hissing forth vile imprecations.

“ Really, Eeleelah, you are as true and brave
a friend as you were a cold and cruel enemy,”
Tempy finally said, when their proximity to

the brig assured them of safety.

“ When Eeleelah promises to be a friend, she
can keep her word. She is no coward like the
English soldiers that skulk behind walls and in

holes when they fight.”

“ I will never forget my red sister’s kindness
in saving me." ‘ is

“ You owe me nothing. I thought you.
loved the Wild Boy of the Woods, and I led
you into trouble. It was my duty to lead you
out, and to your—”

“Oh, Eeleelah!” suddenly cried Temp?) as
they neared the brig, her“ eyes sparkling with
manifest joy, “ I see my dear papa on board
the brig!
beard!”

“ I am glad my white sister will soon be
safe and happy with her friends,” declared the
princess.

In ten minhtes more they ran alongside the
brig, and were taken aboard amid the wildest
shouts of joy. '

The reunion of Tempy and her friends was
most joyous, and among the first to greet her
return was Captain Rankin, who, pale and
weak, was out walking about on deck.

But in the midst of the joyous meeting, a
man suddenly cried out:

“ A boat! a boat.”

“ Whereaway ?” questioned Long Beard.

“Just rounding the island——With one or two
occupants. It is hearing this way rapidly-—
yes, and there comes another boat in pursuit of
the first. Look, friend Long Beard.”

Long Beard took the glass belonging to the
brig, and scanned the two boats closely.

“ Ay, by heavens l” burst from his lips,
“ Happy Harry is in the first boat, and he is
being pursued by a number of savages in a six—
oared barge. Boys, now is the time to try
your hands at the guns. Be quick or Harry
will be overtaken!”

The men flew to one of the brig’s heavy
guns with the alacrity of old gunners, and a
moment later a cloud of smoke puffed from the
vessel’s side, and a thunderous boom rolled
“ across the waters of Lake St. Clair.

(To be continued—commoed in No. 301.)

Nick Whiffles’ Pet:
Nun HAZEL, Tn? BOY TRAPPER.
BY CAPT. Tia—o. ADAMS. ’

 

 

CHAPTER XII.
PURSUED BY SHADOWS.

NICK WHIFFLES stood with gun grasped in
both hands, ready to fire at an instant’s warn-

ing, while Ned Mackintosh held almost pro.

ciser the same position directly in the rear
of him, the aifrighted Miona, pale, motionless

and almost breathless at his side.

A dozen feet in advance crouched Calamity,
growling and bristling with anger, the only
member of the party who was making the least
sound. 7 "

“’Shl pup,” admonished the trapper;

“there’s no need of making a noise, but keep

your head p’inted toward the varminie.”

The dog quieted down, but his appearance
showed that he was angered at something that
was rapidly approaching, and that at the same

time, he was agitated by an undefined fear,

such as Mackintosh had never seen him show

before.

This painful state of suspense was ended
suddenly and unexpectedly by the appearance
of an enormous grizzly bear that came awk—
wardly shufiling through the woods directly

toward them!

As quick as thought Mackintosh brought
his rifle to his shoulder, but ere he could sight
it at the approaching monster, Nick furiously
gesticulated, and called out in an excited un-

dertOne:
“Don’t you do it I”
There was no disregarding that command,

even though the king of the'wilds was almost
Catching the arm of Miona, the
five walked rapidly backward, he holding his
gun so as to use it effectively, while he kept
his eye fixed upon the brute, coming straight

upon them.

at them.

As Calamity was exactly in the path of the
bear, his sagacity taught him that the Only
thing for him to do was to get out of it with-
out attempting to dispute the right of way
with this king of the western wilds. So,
wheeling about, he skurried behind his master,
still snarling and growling and ready to mingle

in the fray, as soon as an opportunity offered.
It was a trying moment.

very spot where they were standing.

Instead of firing, therefore, he threw up
both hands and sprung directly toward the
bear, uttering a suppressed exclamation as he
The bear uttered a snuff of terror
and then shied of! to the left, and at a faster

did so.
gait than ever galloped away in the wood.

“Now, come,” called out Nick, plunging
into the forest and taking 'a course at right

angles; “ the varmints ain’t for off.”

With that sharpness of perception, which
was almost intuitive with the trapper, he
comprehended from the action of the grizzly
bear, the instant he came in sight, that he was
fleeing before the Indians, who had roused or

unexpectedly come across him in the woods.

The brute made no attempt to disturb either
Calamity or his friends, and his advance upon
them was merely because they happened to be
in his path, shying away the moment Nick

added to his ten-6r by shoeing in his face.

The Blackfeet were so close that the crack of
a rifle would have brought them to thg spot
ere they could have fled, and hence the prompt,
imperative manner in which Nick Whifiles
checked the shot that was almost discharged

from the gun of Ned Mackintoah.

By this time the sun had set, and the gloom
of twilight was already in the wood. Every
moment was growing more favorable to the
whites, and with something like a renewal of

hope, they hurried through the shadowy forest.
Calamity gave no sign of apprehension, but
glided deftly through the undergrowth, keep-

ing a good lead of the others, and compre.
bending very well the direction his master-

wished him to pursue.

Suddenly the sharp and near crack of a rifle
rung among the trees, and, confident that one
of their number had been struck, Mackintosh
turned with a gasp of alarm toWard the trap

 

That is hewith the long, white

/”

Nothing but ab-
solute, undeniable necessity could induce Nick
to fire, for he knew that the crack of a rifle
would be sure to guide the Blackfeet to the

 

per, expecting to see him stagger to the
ground; but all that he did ,was to change
the course he had been pursuing, and com.
mence reloading his rifle.

At the same instant the grasp of Miona upon
the arm of her lover was spasmodically tight~
ened, and, as he glanced inquirineg toward
her, she pointed ahead and aspirated:

“Loon!”

In the deepening gloom of the wood Mack-
intosh saw the figure of a man with arms
thrown up, falling backward. He was barely
able to discarn that it was that of an Indian,
when their hurrying steps carried them out of
hissight. is

It was Nick Whifiies, then, who had fired
the gun, and so’ truly was it aimed, that the
unerring bullet drove the life from the body
ere he could give utteranceto the death-yell,
which almost invariably distinguishes the
death of the Indian of this country.

“ There are others near!” whispered Miona,
as they sped away. ‘ ~

Deeper grew the gathering gloom, and the
lovers could scarcely keep pace with the hur-
rying Nick Whifiies, who saw that all depend-
ed upon keeping out of sight of the Blackfeet
until it was impossible for them to detect their
trail, or to see them at any considerable dis—
tance in the wood.

Aware of the value of time,rthe red-skins
were pushing their search with the utmost
vigor, avoiding any outcry or signaling for
fear of giving them the alarm. . ‘

The course of the trapper was as zigzag" as
the track of the lightning across the sky.
He turned and doubled constantly, moving
with great swiftness, until the athletic Mack-
intosh began to feel exhausted. They were
barely able to see the Ian]; form of Nick as

"/heuepedsalong, and he looked like some shadowy

fugitive that they were vainly pursuing in-
stead of their own leader. ‘
All at once he came to a halt, and, turning
upon them, demanded: I '
“Be you tired?”

'9,

Their panting breath answered his question V

without their saying anything more.”

“ By mighty! we’ve had a sharp run for it!”
he exclaimed, breathing sometvhat more rapid—
ly himself. ,

“But will it do to wait here?" asked the
trembling Miona.

“Yes; they’re off the track now, and by
goin’ ahead we’d be as likely {to butt into ’em
as not—while if we stay here we kin git a rest,
that I rather think you folks need.”

Need it they did, and were glad enough to
get it, both sitting down upon the ground,
while the old trapper folded his arms over the
muzzle of his upright rifle, and seemed lost in
reverie, while Calamity crouched at his feet
panting, but as keenly vigilant as ever. '

The woods were still—no sound betraying
the proximity of their dreaded foes. Where
they were, and what they were doing, could
only be imagined, but there could be no doubt
that they were on the alert somewhere, watch
ful for the first indication of the hiding-place
of the fugitives.

Ten, fifteen minutes passed, and a faint,
tremolo-like whistle, was heard, so soft and
musical in its character, that Mackintosh could
not tell whether it was in the air overhead, or
beneath, or beside them.

A moment the same sound was repeated,
apparently from the same spot, but Nick
Whiffies read both signals aright. The first
came from a point several hundred yards to
the north, and the other almost the same dis-
tance west. ‘ 9

Had the latter been south instead of west,
it would have shown that the whites were di-
rectly between the two parties giving utter-
ance to them, and that they were closing down
upon them; but, coming from the points men-
tioned, it proved that the Blackfeet had no
certain means of guidance and were “ feeling ”
for their prey.

Had Nick Whilfies been alone he would
have indulged his characteristic humor, by
answering both of these signals, and equally
misleading both. He had done so many a
time when alone on the war~path, and he was
strongly tempted to do so now.

It was only his regard for the safety of the
two dear friends under his charge that induced
him to forego this little piece of amusement,
and to give his whole energies to keeping
them out of danger.

The whites now made a slight change in
their position, passing deeper into the wood,
where the trees were more dense, but, as they
immediately discovered, they were beside a
sort of path, such as are made by animals go—
ing to and fro to water. They fell into this
path without noticing it until they had gone
some distance, when Nick immediately left it.

\“How long are we to wait here?” inquired
Mackintosh.

“ Till we git some idea of where the var-
mints are,” replied the trapper. “We must
git out of this condemned valley afore mom-
ing, or we’ll never git out of it.” '

His plan was to wait where they were until
they could advance with a tolerable certainty
of not running into great danger.

Their movements and turnings up to this
time had been guided solely with the purpose
of keeping out of immediate danger only.
When the red-skins were endeavoring to close
about them, the utmost they could do was to
keep slipping out of their grasp, until time
could be gained for some plan of escape alto-
gather.

The report of Nick Whifiles’ rifle narrowed
the struggle down to an exceedingly narrow
point. The Blackfeet, scattered here and there
through the wood, instantly converged to-
ward the point, just in time to find their dead
comrade, and to miss finding who had been the
means of his taking off.

For several minutes succeeding the signals
mentioned nothing was heard except the dis-
taut sound of the torrent and the rustle of the
night-wind through the leaves overhead.

Then, all at once, the same whistle reached
their ears, sounding so close that even Nick
Whiffies himself started. Seemingly guided
by fate, the Indians, without any certain
knowledge themselves of the fact, were draw-
ing nearer and nearer to the party each min-
ute. \

Nick stepped softly forward, and whispered
to Miona to stand behind the tree closest to
her, Mackintosh did the same, and then, as the
trapper took his position he whispered:

“ Don’t stir or speak till I give the word.”

Calamity, at this juncture, gave utterance to
an almost inaudible whine.

“’Shl pup 1” said his master, and all was still
again, the dog retreating to the denser cover
of the wood. a

This had hardly taken place when a slight
rustling was heard, and the outlines of a huge
Indian were discerned walking stealthin along
the path. He seemed reallv a. shadow, to
silently did he move, and so swift were his
footsteps that he was in view only a minute,
when he slid into invisibility, and a second
later another form came to vievt. 3

Nick Whiffies was the closest to the path,

and he recognized this individual despite the

 

darkness. The peculiar head- dress, which he
sported, ,marked him as the prime mover in
this mischief. He was the young chieftain,
Red Bear, seeking so determinedly for his
bride, who was seeking with equal determina~
tion to get beyond his power. "

Miona thought the beating of her heart
would betray her, .when this second form
stopped almost opposite her.

Could it be that his acute ear heard the tu-
multuous throbbing of her heart? Had some
slight rustling of her dress, inaudible to her-
self, caught his attention? Did the magnetic
consciousness of her presence make itself
known to him, as we are warned of the prox-
imity of another person, when our senses fail
to acquaint us with the fact?

She felt as if she would sink to the ground,
when she made certain that the red~skin had
halted so near her. It seemed to her that all
was over, and despair took the place of hope
that had been cheering her on.

Still she sustained herself from falling, and
hardly allowed herself to breathe. Pressing
her hand to her heart, as if to still its beating,
she uttered her prayer that the danger might
pass by her. ‘

In this extremely delicate situation matters
stood, when Red Bear, without moving a
limb, gave out the same tremulous—like
whistle' that had already been heard several

times, repeating it twice, with a slight inters

Val.
\ Alarming as was the sound, it was cheerful
under the present circumstances, for it proved
that Red Bear Was really unaware of his
neighbors, and Miona accepted it as such,
scarcely able to repress a sigh of relief.

The signal was answered by some one

further up the path, and then Red Bear mov- .

ed on, followed by another and another, until
nine Indians had filed by, all moving so
close that Nick Whifiles could have tripped
any or all of them, by merely thrusting out
his foot.

For several minutes after the last had pass-
ed none of the party moved. Then the trap-
per stepped out in the path, as a signal that the
others might do the same. His action was
speedily imitated, and they began moving for-
ward again, taking a course directly opposite
to that pursued by the Indians.

.As there was a possibility, if not a probabil-
ity of encountering some more of the red-
skins; Calamity took up his old position. of
avant courier for his friends, maintaining such
a. relative position that he could easily give
them warning in time for them to dart aside
again from the path. I

The lovers very naturally had lost their
reckoning entirely, but Nick Whifiles knew
that the path they were following led al-
most parallel to the two ridges between
which they were placed, so that as long as
it was followed they were really making lit
tle or no advancement toward their real des-
tination.

But his present purpose, as it had been for
some hours past, was to get beyond the im-
mediate vicinity of the Indians, so as to ob—
tain some freedom of movement. As the path
afforded them the Opportunity to move much
more rapidly than through the broken wood,
and at the same time was less liable to causc
a betrayal of their presence by the noise of
brushing limbs and breaking twigs, he availed
himself, so far as was possible, of these advan—
tages, and pressed forward with something
like his old haste. i

In the constantvhurry and excitement of
their situation, Ned Mackintosh scarcely found
time to exchange a word with the trembling,
afifrighted Miona, who kept as close to h‘
as the nature of the grOund would permligl
but now and then he managed to whisper
a word of encouragement, and to press the
little hand that rested so confidingly in his
own. .

It was scarcely a time for sentimentality or
for any expression of lovo; but the peril which
hung over all seemed to bring the two in closer
unison, and my hero felt that he would be
glad to face any danger that would attest and
prove his devotion to her. 

The skill and sagacity of Nick Whifiles, fa-
vored by Providence, had sufficed to bring them
through a labyrinth of peril, but they were
yet in the gravest danger.

How much longer could a collision be post-
poned? Was there a possibility of reaching
and passing over the ridge, without a deadly
encounter with the Blackfeet? While they
had hoped that there were no more than three
or four in pursuit of them, there was now ev-
ery reason to believe that there were over
a dozen fully-armed and vigilant red-skins fol-
lowing them like bloodhounds.

Where would the morrow find them?
Even if on the other side the slope, would
their safety be anyways increased? Would
they not be followed with the same unrelenting
ferocity?

Such were the thoughts that were in the
head of Ned Mackintosh, when a sudden
stoppage of Nick Whifiies and his suppressed
“ ’shl” warned them that they were in the pre—
sence of a new and startling danger!

 

CHAPTER XIII.
THE swarms scour.

ADVANGING a few steps nearer to Nick
Whiffles, the lovers saw what was now the
cause of the alarm. Directly ahead of them,
and seemingly in the path itself, they plainly
saw the gleam of a camp-fire. '

“ It was plain that the old trapper was some-
what puzzled over this. Certain at once that
there was some deep design in it, he was at a
loss to comprehend what the design was.
Common opinion would have pronounced this
to be the regular campfire of the Blackfeet,
but even Mackintosh knew that such a thing
was extremely improbable; for the Indians
were not in camp, and would not kindle a fire
in the vicinity of an erpmy, unless it was in-
tended to be used as some means to decoy
them into destruction.

, So the party paused for a few minutes,
while Nick cautiously approached to recon-
noiter. He went nearer and nearer, until no
more than a hundred feet separated him from
it, and prudence warned him against going
further.

He then saw that the fire was burning di-
rectly in the path, but there was no sign of
any person near; but, satisfied that there must
be some one, he waited and watched. Some-
thing like a half-hour had passed, and the fire
was sensibly diminishing, when an Indian
suddenly came to view out of the darkness,
and throwing quite a large quantity of sticks
and brush upon the flames, retreated to the
shelter of the forest again. Nick waited and
watched, expecting to see others, but none at
all were visible, and it was evident that this
was the only Blackfoot in the immediate
vicinity.

With his remarkable sagacity, Nick now
began to comprehend what all this meant.
The Blackfeet were taking pains to keep the.
fire burning, expecting that it would perhaps
catch the eye of the fugitives wandering in the
vicinity. They would be apt naturally to

3

drift into the path, and seeing the fire would
make a detour to avoid it. On each side of
the fire, and at some distance in the wood,
there were doubtless Indian sentinels on the
alert to discover, and msta‘ ntl‘y make known
their whereabouts to the Indians searching for
them. ' ,

This was Nick’s theory of what he saw, al—
though, at the same time, he saw that it was
no very brilliant strategy, and the chances of
its success were quite remote; but it had its
danger, nevertheless, and he turned back to
warn his companions.

The natural course that now suggested itself
was for the party to leave the path altogether,
and, pursuing a course at right angles to it,
make directly for the ridge over which they
were so desirous of passing.

This was done with only a moment’s delay,
necessary for a complete understanding of the
movement. The Indians seemed still on every
side of them, and too much caution could not
be exercised in every movement made. The
keenness of Calamity was invaluable, and he
had already been the means of saving them
from capture more than once.

“We’re in a. condemned diffikilty yet,” re
marked Nick, as they stepped“ out of the path;
“it’s hard traveling over these rocks", and if
you ain’t blamed careful the varmints ’ll hear
you, too. ” ‘

" You mustn’t go too fast,” admonished Mi-
ona; “ two or three times ‘I came near losing
you.”

“ I’ll take care of that,” was the reply.
“ Are you good for a long tramp?”

“ I am good for any exertion that will get
us out of thiydangerous place,” she answered;
“it seems that we are making no progress at
all.” .

"‘ We ain’t much, sartin. How do you stand
it, Ned? Are you ’bout ready to give up?”

“ I will notify you, Nick, when I need res ”
laughed Ned. “ I am somewhat tired, but my
only trouble is drowsiness. You know I
haven’t slept for two nights, and if I stand
still for ten minutes, I find my eyes getting
heavy.” .

“ You must fight it ofii, for we ain’t going
to have any time to sleep to—night. Wait till
we git where there’s ‘a chance, and you may
Sleep for a week. Come ahead now, and mind
what I said ’bout making a noise; it seems to
me thar’s a hundred of the varmints skulking
all ’round us. ”

Again they moved forward, taking a route
that was much more difiicult to follow than
the other. Here and there the weeds were so
full of dense undergrowth that they were
forced to pick their way with great careful—
ness, or else to change their course entirely;
then again huge rocks interposed, causing the
same difficulty; but the trapper still main-
tained his general direction, advancing closer
and closer to the ridge on the northeast of
them.

The sky was clear, and while they were
passing along in this manner, the moon ap-
peared above the ridge behind them, casting a
dim light over the forest, and helping them on
their way at the same time that it also increas-
ed the danger of their being seen by the In—
dians, who were leaving no stone unturned to
detect and capture them.

Occasionally Whifiles paused and listened,
while Calamity was never more ’alert and
keen-scented. So long as he gave no sign of
disturbance a certain feeling of security was
with all; it was only when he showed uneasi—
ness that the lovers apprehended serious trou-
ble. -
No little progress was made in this direc-
tion, and the reaction of hope was strong with
all, when, as if to remind them, they were
doomed beyond all question, Nick Whifiies
exclaimed:

“ By mighty! if we ain’t runnin’ afoul of an—
other of their infernal camp-fires; do you ob-
serve that?”

As he spoke he pointed into the wood, where
the well—known glimmer was distinguishable,
directly ahead of them, and in; such a position
that had they continued their progress they
could not have saved themselves from running
directly into it. .1

Again the veteran trapper was nonplussed.
,Why this second camp-fire should be kindled
was a puzzle to him, as there was no reason
certainly for the Blackfeet to think that they
were going to run against it. It might be,
however, that there were a dozen of these same
camp-fires burning here and there through the
valley, and' this was only a part of a plan that
was intended to prevent the possibility of their
escape from the valley.

The first question of course was what was to
be done, and Nick answered it by proposing a
dilferent’ course of procedure.

“ Ned, you haven’t forgot the way you used
to steal through the woods—I can see that,
the way you’Ve managed since you’ve been
with me—so I’m going to let you ruckynoiter
that on one side, while I take the’other.”

‘ “And I am to approach it from the front, I
suppose,” said Miona, with a laugh.

“ I want you to stay exactly where you are
till we come back to you,” was the reply.

“ Here is my blanket,” said Mackintosh, ad—
justing it about her shoulders; “ you can wrap
it about" you, and, as you must be quite
drowsy, you can obtain the much-needed slum-
ber.” .

“You are sure you will know where to find
me?” remarked the girl, doubtfully, to Nick.

“ You needn’t think nothin’ of that ; all you-
’ve got to do is, to cuddle down with the blan~
ket about you, say your prayers and go to
sleep.”

Mackintosh kissed her good-by, and, with
a fond word or two, the men moved away.

“ Now,” said my hero, “ I want to under-
stand precisely what is expected of me.” ,,

“Wal, then, I want you to go within ’bout
a hundred» feet of that fire, on your right, and
I’ll go the same 011 the left, and we’ll keep on
till we meet on t’other side.”

“Suppose we miss each other, shall we take
our old style of whistle? I think I haven’t for—
gotten to make that.”

“ We mustn’t lose each other, Ned.”

“ But the thing is possible, Nick, and a wise
general prepares for all known contingencies
before going into battle. ”

“ There mustn’t be any whistling or signal-
ing between us at all. If you get off the track,
I’ll set the pup to huntin’ you, and I think he’ll
scent you out, if you climb a tree.”

“ Ah! I forgot Calamity,” replied Ned, as he
stooped and patted the head of the faithful

brute. “ What would we do, if it wasn’t for
him? All right, then. I think I understand
my part.”

A few more words were exchanged, that
the two might make sure that they understood
éach- other, and then they separated. Nick
Whiflies thus doing what all military science
would condemn, dividing his force in the face
of an enemy; but, under the circumstances, he
was justified in his strategy, as the efficient
part of his company were merely thrown for-
ward as “ skirmishers,” and with the purpose
of feeling the foe.

 

Nick, I may as well remark, completed his

part of the reconnoissance, as a matter of
course, without difficulty, but a. most singular
experience was that of. N ed Mackintosh, as I
shall now proceed to show. .

The training of five years before could never
be eradicated from the young man, and, with
something like amusement, he saw himself
moving forward with the caution, stealth and
celerity of a veteran scout.

He constantly glanced toward the camp-
fire; and, as he advanced further and further,
he became aware that it was not a “ dummy,”
like the one he had passed some time before,
but that there were men near it. . He could see
figures occasionally moving between him and
the blaze, which flamed up irregularly, as
though it was being fed by those around it.

Such being the case, Mackintosh felt that it
was his duty to make a closer inspection of
the party. His position might be such as to
give him a better opportunity than Nick, and
he decided upon makm‘ g as close an approach
to the fire as was possible. :

Following the custom of scouts at such
times, he sunk down on his hands and knees,
and began creeping stealtth forward.

There was a. sort of fascination in this, as .
he remembered to have felt when a boy, while
he was stealing upon some game, and he
drew nearer and nearer, until prudence warn-
ed him that it would not do to go any further,
and he paused.

He was now lying flat upon his face, his eyes
fixed keenly upon the blaze, watching the fig-
ures that occasionally flitted to view, intent
only upon learning what he could learn, when
he became sensible of the old feeling of drow-
siness creeping upon him.

What should he do? Regular as he had been
in his habits, it was impossible for him to fight
off the insidious approach of the “ reetorer,”
which never seemed so sweet, so balmy, so
tempting as then.

“ Shall I retreat, and move about until I gain ‘
command of myself?” he asked, as he debated
the danger in his own mind.

Then he concluded that if he went further
away from the camp-fire, he would put him—
self in a position where he could learn nothing
at all regarding the Indians, and his reconnois—
sance would then be a failure altogether. ,

By this time, Mackintosh was in that reck-
less state of mind, which immediately precedes
slumber, and in which he cares very little how
wags the world, and is only anxious that his
slumbers be not disturbed.

Two minutes later, as he lay stretched out
upon the ground, he was sound asleep.

Fortunately for Ned Mackintosh, his position -
was such that he breathed'freely and easily, ~
so that there was no danger of his presence
being betrayed by that means alone. .

He was so close to the camp-fire, that it only
needed to throw its rays somewhat further to
strike his prostrate and unconscious form, for
he was as oblivious of his danger, as though
he were across the ocean, thousands of miles
away. ,

Again and again was the fire replenished,
and it flamed highs? and higher, but still he
slept on. A half down or more of Indians
were coming and going before the camp-fire;
they occasionally grouped together, but
they remained unmindful of the near proxim-
ity of one of the very men for whom they
were searching. _ 

Occasionally the tremolo-like whistle was
heard in the stillness of the night, and the
replies came from different parts of the wood,
but where or whither the vengeful Black—
feet passed, they failed to discover their vic-
time.

But this state of things could not continue
for any length of time. One of the keen Black-
feet left the camp-fire and wandered off in the
very direction where Mackintosh was lying,
halting about a dozen yards away, where he
stood like one uncertain in what direction he
should turn his steps.

At this juncture, the sleeper moved un-
easily in his slumber, throwing his arm from
off his face. Slight as was the noise, it caught
the ear of the red-skin, who started and glanc—
ed furtively in the direction, as if he suspected
danger.

In the gloom of the wood he discerned
nothing, but he carefully withdrew further
into the darkness. where he was better pro-
tected himself, and then began circling around
the point whence issued the suspicious
sound. .

Again the arm of the sleeper struck the dry
leaves, and the Blackfoot was able to tell pre-
cisely where the noise occurred. ‘ ‘

Something certainly was there that needed
investigation, and he crouched down like a
panther and began circling around it.

Step by step he drew near, until at length
he was enabled to detect the figure of a man
stretched out upon the ground.

“ What could it mean?” the Indian instinct-
ively asked himself, pausing and gazing at the
form, doubtful ,whether it was ’ that of a dead
or dying man.

As the savage was now situated, the latter
was between him and the fire, so that he could
see any movement made by the stranger,
and while he was looking at him, he saw a
foot stir.

This proved at once that the man was
alive, and the indifferent way in which he
stirred it, proved at once that he was not
wounded.

The Indian had already discovered that he
was a white man, and consequently one of the
very party for whom they were searching,
and he comprehended at once that he must be
asleep. ‘

What a fortunate thing for the Blackfoot!

His heart gave a leap of exultation at the
thought. While the other dozen or more
were searching here, there, everywhere for
the whites, here was one directly in his
power.

It was very easy to summon his comrades
around him, to secure the poor fellow at once,
but why do that?

Was he not abundantly able to take care of
him? Ay, though he were aroused and fully
armed, the Blackfoot would have sprung for
ward, eager to meet him in the hand-to-hand
encounter. 7_

So, drawing his knife, he crept on toward
him. He was determined that the glory of his
scalp should belong to him alone. He would
carry it into camp and glory over it, in the
face of the other bravos.

, Only a few feet separated them, and the
knife was in the hand of the Indian, who was
now certain of his prey.

And still Ned Mackintosh slumbered!

( To be continued—commenced in No. 295.)

 

An eight—year—old boy sent the following rather
warm epistle to one of his playmates: “ Dear
Minnie i love thee i ador you don’t show this to
your mother. if i don’t love thee may the lions
tear my heart out may i be thrown from athird
story Window if i don’t love you may i be torn
in 3 halfs by wild beests but i do. answer this. I
get good paper and leave 1—2 a sheet for me you

 

are a pretty girl and i’ll have you. Charlie.”

 

 

 

 

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