. 'FV c gel The new-comer was a man apparently about forty years of age, with the bold, handsome features, the flashing black eyes, and raven hair of Ray Germaine. His face was bronzed by sun and wind many shades darker than that of his young prototype; and in his coarse sailor’s garb he looked the very beau ideal of a bold, reckless buccaneer. And yet, withal, he bore about him the same air of refinement Pet had noticed in the woman Marguerite, as if both had originally belonged to a far different grade of society than the branded outlaws to whom they now were joined. But that likeness—that wonderful resem- blance to Ray Germaine—it completely upset Miss Lawless’ nonchalance, as nothing in the world had ever done before. There she sat and stared, unable to remove her eyes from the dark, browned, handsome face that was turned toward her with a look half careless, half admiring, and wholly amused. The man was the first to break the silence. “You are the young lady they brought here last night, I presume?” he said, watching her curiously. His voice, too, was like Ray’s, and bespoke him, even if nothing else had done so, above his calling—being those low, modulated tones that can only be educated into a man. Pet did not reply. She did not hear him; in fact, being still lost in digesting her surprise at this astounding resemblance. He watched her for a moment, as if waiting for an answer, and then a smile broke over his face. Pushing back his thick, clustering, raven hair, he said: “Yes, look at me well, young lady. I pre- sume you never saw an outlaw with a price upon his head before. Is it to curiosity alone, or is it to some concealed deformity, that I am indebted for that piercing scrutiny?” Pet was arOused now, and reddened slightly at his words and look. Then her old impu- dence came back, and she answered quietly: “ No, you’re not the only outlaw with a price upon his head I have ever seen. I have just had the honor of holding an interview with one; though, really, I don’t think his head is worth a price above ten cents, if that. I suppose I have the sublime happiness of be holding his mightiness, the commander—in-chief of all the smugglers?” “Even so! I have returned, you perceive, sooner than was expected; in fact, solely upon your account. I heard you were here, and came to see you.” “Indeed! Well, I hope you like. me?” said Pet, portly. “Most decidedly,” said the outlaw, passing his hand caressineg over his whiskers; “so much, in fact, that if I were not a married man I should be tempted to fall deplorably in love with you on the spot. ” ‘ “Well, you’ll greatly oblige me by doing nothing of the sort,” said Pet. “I have had enough of love to last me for one while. Love’s not the pleasantest thing in the world, judging by what I’ve seen of the article; and, with the blessing of Providence, I’m going to have no- thing whatever to do with it. May I ask the name of the gentleman whose prisoner I have the unspeakable happiness of being?” “Certainly. I am called, for want of a bet- ter, Captain Reginald.” “ Captain Reginald what? That’s not a whole name.” His brow darkened for a moment at some passing thought, then he replied: ’ ’ “ Never mind; it serves the purpose, and it’s the only one I believe I ever had a right to. I am afraid you find the solitude here rather irksome—do you not?” “ Well, Captain Reginald, to be candid with you, it’s not to say a place where a body would like to spend their lives. There’s no danger of one’s growing dissipated here, or anything that way, you know—which is, of course, an advantage. And now, might I ask who the gentleman is who has put himself to the very unnecessary trouble of having me carried oflf? All the rest seem to be dumb on the subject, from some cause.” “I fear I will have to be dumb, too, my dear young lady; the gentleman who has shown his good taste by falling in love with you does not wish to be known at present. Can you not guess yourself?” “Haven’t the remotest idea, unless it be Rozzel Garnet, or Orlando Toosypegs?” “No—neither! Garnet, of course, brought you here, but he was paid to do it by another —We outlaws do anything, from murder down, for money. As for Toosypegs, or whatever the name may be, I haven’t the pleasure of knowing him; but I can assure you it is not he.” “Well, then, I give it up. I never was good at guessing, so I’ll not bother my brain about 'it. Is it high treason to ask how long I am to be cooped up here in this underground hole?” “ Perhaps a fortnight, perhaps longer.” “ Vipers and rattlesnakes !—two whole bless- ed weeks !—whew! Well, Mr. Captain, all I have to say is that I’ll be a melancholy case of ‘ accidental death’ before half the time, and then I wish your patron, Whoever he may be, joy of his bargain.” “We will hope for better things, my dear young lady. By the way, I have not heard your name yet—what is it?” “ Pet Lawless—better known to her unhappy friends as ‘Imp, Elf, Firefly, Nettle, Pepper— pod,’ and many other equally proper, appro- priate and suggestive names. ‘ Queen regent and mistress imperial to all the witches and warlocks that ever rode on broomsticks,’ and leaves a large and disagreeable circle of friends to mourn her untimely loss. Requiescat in pace.” All this Pet brought out at a breath, and so rapidly that the smuggler captain looked com- pletely bewildered. “ Lawless!” he exclaimed. “ I did not think —-—do you know Judge Lawless of Heath Hill?” he asked, abruptly. “Slightly acquainted. They say I’m a daughter of his,” said Pet, composedly. “ His daughter? Young lady, are you jest- ing?” “Well, I may be—quite unintentional on my part, though; if it sounds funny, you’re perfectly welcome to laugh at it till you’re black in the face. What was it?” “You Judge Lawless’s daughter?” said the astonished captain. “Nothing is certain in this uncertain world, . Captain Reginald. I’ve always labored under that impression; if you know anything to the contrary, I am quite willing to be convinced.” “ Young lady, I wish you would be serious for one moment,” said the smuggler, knitting his dark brows. “ If you are his daughter, there has been a terrible mistake here. Did not Rozzel Garnet live at Heath Hill for some years as the tutor of Miss Lawless?” “Yes, sir, and he was sent about his busi- ness for wishing to teach her some things not laid down in the books.” “Then he would know you at once. it’s impossible you can be Miss Lawless.” “Very well, if it affords you any consola- tion to think so, you are perfectly welcome to your own opinion. Who am I then?” Oh! “You were mistaken for, or rather you ought to be, a young lady, a celebrated beauty who lives in a cottage somewhere on the heath.” “What! Erminie?” “ I really do not know the name. Is it pos‘ sible you are not the one?” “ Well no, I rather think not. Though I may not be Pet Lawless; and as you say I’m not, I won’t dispute it—but I most decidedly am not Erminie Germaine.” “ Erminie who?” cried the outlaw, with a violent start. “ Germaine. too.” “Pardon me; the name is—” He paused and shaded his fine eyes for a moment with his hand, then looking up, he added: “She was the one who was to be brought here; if you are really Miss Lawless, then there has been a tremendous mistake.” “ Humph! it seems to me to have been a mistake all through. I shouldn’t wonder the least if it turns out to be some of Master Gar- net’s handiwork. So they wanted to carry off Erminie? Now, I’m real glad I was taken, if it has saved Minnie. It appears to have been a pretty piece of business, from beginning to end.” “I shall put an end to this mystery,” said the captain, starting up and going to the door. “Marguerite,” he said, lifting the screen, “send Rozzel Garnet here.” “He has gone,” replied the voice of the wo- man. “He went away the moment you en— tered the room.” “Sold!” cried Pet, jumping up, and whirl— ing round like a top in her delight. “ He has taken you all in—made April-fools of every mother’s son of you! Carried off me, Pet Lawless, for Erminie Germaine! He knew he would be discovered, and now he has fled; and when you see last night’s wind again, you will see him. Oh! I declare if it’s not the best joke I have heard this month of Sun- days!” And overcome by the (to her) irresistibly lu- dicrous discovery, of how the smugglers had been “sold” by one of themselves, Pet fell back, laughing uproariously. (To be contMued—cmnmmced in No. 290.) . Happy Harry, THE WILD BOY OF THE WOODS; 0R. The Pirates of the Northern Lakes. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR or “IDAHO TOM,” “DAKOTA DAN,” “BOWIE-KNIFE BEN,” “OLD HURRICANE,” “HAWKEYE HARRY," ETC., ETC. CHAPTER XXII. A “BLOODY” TRICK. THE savages stood gazing in astonishment on the bloody, lifeless form before them. Eeleelah, the princess, set up a chanting wail that rung in mournful, solemn and weird ca- dences through the woods. Belshazzar crouched by his young master’s side and howled piteously. The red-skins had no idea how the youthful pale-face had met his death unless it had been at the hands of their friends. They recalled the fact of having heard a rifle report some- time previous. But his scalp being untouched was evidence that no Indian had slain him. They speculated some time over the manner of his death, and were about to institute an investigation, but Belshazzar refused to allow them to touch the body. A young warrior seized his rifle and was about to shoot the dog when Eeleelah interfered. The princess’ every wish was their law. To do her bidding the young warriors seemed to vie with each other. She was the flower of the tribe, whose love every warrior strove to Wln. By her orders a blanket was thrown over the body, and then she sat down by it and be- gan chanting a sad and mournful requiem to which Belshazzar lent the deep bass of his voice. Tempy looked out upon the scene, and her own heart grew almost hopele at sight of the bloody face of the boy scout lying before her. She turned away, sat down and wept bitterly. The warriors became very anxious about the manner of Harry’s death and set off to follow the track where he had been dragged along. They followed it some ten rods from camp, or to the point where it appeared the dog had undertaken his laborious work. Even here there was no Sign of a struggle, but in the weeds at one side was found the body of a large squirrel. It had been so recently killed that it still retained some animal heat. It had been shot through the head with a small bul- let, and its throat had been cut with a knife. Having made this discovery, the warriors ex— changed significant glances and started back toward camp as fast as they could run. In the mean time matters had assumed a lively condition at camp: the warriors were scarcely out of sight ere the blanket that covered the body of Happy Harry was thrown aside and the supposed dead boy rose to a sit- ting posture and gazed around him, one of the most doleful and distressed looking creatures imaginable. His dirty, bloody face wreathed in a smile, his blue eyes sparkling and his hair hanging down in wet, draggled looks over his face—all conspired to give him a look that would have provoked any one into laughter. “Great hornits?” he exclaimed. “Muniti- cent Moses! what’s all this yowlin’ about? A dead man can’t rest in peace—hope it isn’t ole Gabriel’s trumpet that Parson Peas used to spout about. Mortal ages! whar be I?” Eeleelah started back aghast and Tempy rushed from her prison-lodge. “Harkee! not a word above a whisper,” commanded the youth, springing to his feet; “ I’m here to save you, little Temple. I am, for a fact. Now come on; foller me as fast as you can. “Will you not go along, Eeleelah?” asked Tempy, as she walked by the princess. The terrified look on Eeleelah’s face softened. “I am not wanted!” she replied. “If you are friendly to us, come along,” said Harry, “and we’ll talk on the run.” The three at onCe set off—going directly north. “How came you Tempy ?" Harry asked. Tempy explained all, even to Eeleelah’s jealousy. Harry smiled and said to the princess. “I am glad to know you are a friend to me, Eeleelah, for I did do you a good turn once, and now if you would do the fair thing by me you will promise to see that your white sister gets safe back to her friends. I am not quite done with this island yet, so now let Eeleelah prove that she is my dear friend 'by taking her white sister in yonder canoe to the big boat lying towards the rising sun.” Perhaps you object to that, in this predicament, “ Eeleelah will prove that she is true.” They approached the shore where a light canoe was beached. Harry at once launched the craft. The two maidens entered. Eeleelah took the paddle and drove the canoe out into the water, across the channel and sought shel- ter behind an adjacent island—a movement made by Harry’s direction in order that the savages might not see which course they took. A yell in the vicinity of the camp told Harry that his trick had been discovered and warned him of danger. With Belshazzar at his heels, he crept away through the undergrowth and finally secreted himself—to await the move- ments of the red-skins—in a thicket where he had left his rifle and accouterments an hour previous. “Great hornits, Belshazzar,” he said aloud to his dumb companion, “I feel awful squalm- ish with these ’ere dirty duds on me. That poor squirrel wasn’t born fer nothin’; besides, I’ll bet ’em red vagrants will find it and gobble it right down hide and hair, tooth and nails— not the blood, though—we got that. You did your part well, Belshazzar—you done it proper right, you did, for a noble fact. Glad I am that you didn’t let the tarnal corruscated sin- ners feel my pulse, for I’ll swan it beat hard enough to bust thebuttons off my sleeves when I laid there. And my heart! why, great hor— nits! it jist got and pounded a jubilee, it did, for a fact. And gracious me! when they throwed a blanket over me, I’ll swear I thought I’d bust wide open, Iwanted to laflf so. But, Bel, if it hadn’tbeen for the princess you’d a bin shot deader’n a nit. She done the square thing by you. Our luck has been good, lately—we al- ways come out top canines in a fight. But, gra- cious Peter! what yowlin’ and yelpin’ as what that princess done! she’s sweet on us, old dog, she is, for a lovin’ fact. If she wasn’t an Injin she’d not be sich an all-killing ugly gal. But that blood—that’ll show itself on all occasions. You can’t tame a full-blood Ingin more’n you can fly to Guinea. Why, jist see about the Scroggins family. They took a young pup Ingin boy to raise, and fed him up well till he got to ten years old, when he turned in one day and skulped the whole family, burnt up the house, stole the best boss in the neighbor- hood, and sought the land of his forefathers and soon becomea mighty chief. Now that’s Injin, Belshazzar, it is, for a pizen fact. But then, an Injin has some honor, after all, and if that little Eeleelah’ll jist does she agreed to and take Temple to the brig—of-war, I’ll think a mortal sight of her, and embrace every op- portunity to speak a good word for you—— whist! there goes one of the red posies—a sweet-scented touch-me-not! and he’s on mine and the girl’s trail, he is for a fact.” The youth straightened himself up and uttered a sound that seemed to come from beyond the red-skin. The wary foe listened intently for a moment, then bent his course and glided away in the direction from whence the sound emanated. “Now,” said Harry, in a low tone, as if his dumb companion could comprehend what he said, “bear me witness, ole friend, that I am not the most bloodthirsty Yankee boy livin’. I could ’a’ shot that red-skin dead if I’d ’a’ wanted to. But then one gets tired of blood, they do, for an eternal fact. I’ve seed enough of it the past two weeks to float the biggest war-vessel on the sea. If it is necessary, why, I’ll shoot; but then don’t do much good to kill a red—skin. It’s like killin’ a muskeeter—two will come to see the spot where he fell, and sip from the hole already bored by his dead friend. And so the thing wags; salt one and two ’11 come to avenge him. But there is one thing we must do, Bel, and that’s to see whether Cap— ting Kirby Kale is on this island. We don’t want to foolish with him, for he’s a regular ole devil-catcher. I know it, and am s’prised to see dear ole Long Beard afeard of him. But never mind; we’ll spring a leak in his hide if weZever get half a chance, we will, for a gospel fac .” With all the caution that the boy could master, he creptly softly away through the bushes toward the camp. He soon came to where he could command a full view of it, and saw three or four savages deliberating over something that was occasionally emphasized by violent gestures. The youth was satisfied that he was the subject of their conversation, and convinced of it beyond a doubt when he saw one of them hold up the dead squirrel from which he had procured the blood to cover his face and hands. A smile passed over his roguish countenance, for he saw they had detected his trick. In the course of two or three minutes several scouts made their appearance in camp with a look that implied dissatisfaction. In a few minutes more the chief of the party, Gray Fox, and those who had accompanied him, re- turned from his expedition among the adjacent islands to learn of the trickery of the pale-face boy and the loss of the fair captive, as well as absence of Eeleelah. Captain Kirby Kale came to the island with the chief. The impression prevailed that Happy Harry had taken Eeleelah a captive, and when the whole matter concerning the coming of the supposed dead youth and subsequent release of Tempy was narrated, it suddenly occurred to Kale’s mind that he had seen a canoe, with two or three occupants, pass around the adja- cent northern island, a few minutes before he had met the chief’s party. They were so far away that he could not make out who the persons were, but naturally supposing they were some of Gray Fox’s braves, he did not give the matter a second thought after the canoe had passed from view. Now he was satisfied that the canoe contained the fugitives and the missing princess, and so a boat was immediately dispatched in pursuit. Harry knew what it all meant, but felt satisfied that the maidens were beyond danger of being overtaken, and so he lingered in the woods, his eyes upon Kirby Kale, and his fingers upon the trigger of his rifle. He sought the villain’s life in behalf of Long Beard, and yet there was that natural fear and dread at- tending the taking of human life that caused him to hesitate. He could not deliberately shoot a white man down without justification, and in entertaining these conscientious scruples he lost the opportrmity of ridding Long Beard of his foe, for Kale turned and moved away, followed by the savages. The red-skins left all their plunder in camp, evidently with the intention of returning soon. But no sooner were they out of sight than the fearless young scout crept out of his conceal- ment, and entering the camp, heaped every combustible article in it upon the smouldering fire. Quilts, blankets, feather beds and cloth- ing, plundered from Long Board’s cabin, were piled in one promiscuous heap upon the red coals. A huge volume of dense smoke at once began to roll up among the trees, and scatter in the wind over the island. The fetid, stifling smell of burning wool and feathers filled the air. It reached the keen olfactory nerves of the red-skins, and brought them fly'mg back to camp to find their stolen chattels and goods all aflame, and the incendiary gone. Search was at once instituted for him, but of course in vain. Believing that he had done all the mischief he possibly could to the red~skins, Happy Harry resolved to quit the island and strike out for the brig. So he crept around to where the enemy had beached their canoes, and selecting the lightest one embarked therein. The island nearest to the one just left laid off to the son ,and so he made for that with all his might. It was out of his course, it is true, but he wished to get in behind the nearest island, and endeavor to keep it between him and the enemy. He soon reached the island, and passed around it, as he believed, unob- served; but to his surprise and horror he sud— denly discovered the savages in a six-cared barge coming round the island from the other direction, directly toward him. ‘ The youth was almost horror-stricken. He scarcely knew what he could do, and for a moment held the paddle motionless. But no time was to be lost. The savages were not over forty rods away, and were skimming along at a rapid pace. In his flurry and excitement, Harry laid down his paddle and took up his rifle, but a second thought convinced him that to fire upon the red-skins would only add new dangers to his already perilous state. So he laid the rifle aside, and taking up the paddle again pulled for the lake. CHAPTER XXIII. WILLIAM MUCKELWEE TAKES A BATH. MEANWHILE where were Eeleelah and Tem- py? and had the princess been true to her promise to Harry? She had shown what she could do as an enemy and rival, now let us see what she could do as a friend. Eeleelah was very skillful in the use of the paddle, and sent the canoe gliding swiftly through the water. She labored with all her strength to put an island between them and her red friends, and when she had finally ac- complished this successfully, she permitted the canoe to come to a stand that she might gain a moment’s rest. Her address and demeanor had assumed a different phase toward Tempy. The cold, relentless look of a jealous captor had vanished. Her speech was softer, and tempered with the kindness of a friend and protector. Her whole soul seemed set upon the accomplishment of the mission entrusted to her by Happy Harry. Her wild eyes roamed restlessly around like those of a startled fawn. She was ever on the alert for danger, or rather that which would defeat her escape to the brig-of—war. Resuming the paddle, she pushed cautiously around the island, and-was nearing the eastern side, when she suddenly discovered a succes— sion of waves circling outward from behind the island. She felt satisfied that they were made by some moving object, and fearing it might be made by a party of her friends in pursuit, she turned'the canoe in toward the island. Along the shore at this point grew a fringe of dense, wild rice plants. It grew out in the water, and was in places five feet high, making an admirable place of concealment; and into this miniature wilderness the princess drove her canoe. When unable to use the paddle on account of the stalks, she pulled the canoe forward by, cans of the plants, but so care- fully repl every stalk that the boat left no trail, and when some ten feet in from the open water they came to a halt. The plants with their loaded heads hung over and around them so densely that they were completely screened from view on all sides. They were blended with the shadows, and at the same time could command a partial view of the open lake, looking through the sieve—like openings among the stalks. Both of the fugitives listened with bated breath for the approach of the unknown boat, but not a sound save the wave-like rustle of the reeds could be heard for some length of time. Finally, however, they heard a crash- ing sound among the plants before them—a sound like that which their own canoe made when they entered the rice thicket. Eeleelah’s eyes started wildly; she listened with all the intensity of her soul, her hand raised as if to invoke silence, her lips parted as if to speak, and her whole form bent slight- ly forward and trembling with the intensity of anxiety, like one of the graceful reeds around her. “What is it, Eeleelah?” asked Tempy, in a whisper. “ Danger! danger!” returned the princess. The noise grew louder, which made it evi- dent that the canoe was approaching. Eeleelah gazed wildly around her, not know- ing what to do to avert discovery. The canoe was creeping closer and closer—now so close that they could make out that it contained red- skins. With dilated eyes and quivering lips the girls sat motionless, watching and listening. And still the boat creeps on—now so close that they can hear a sudden exclamation from the lips of a warrior, who has discovered some- thing I Eeleelah’s heart almost ceased to beat. She realized the situation more fully than Tempy did. She listened—-she heard an exclamation pass from lip to lip of those in the approach— ing canoe. There must have been four of the warriors—there were four, for the canoe sud- denly crashed past them so close that the plants waving above their heads were disturb~ ed. But singularly enough, every warrior’s head was turned—he was looking southward and regarding a dense column of smoke rising from the center of the grove in which their camp was located. They seemed to know what it implied, and in the moment of excite- ment forgot the object of their search and 'passed on, leaving the maidens behind them. Eeleelah drew a long breath of relief, and Tempy unfolded her hands that had been clasped over her heart to still its wild throb- hing. The princem waited till the sound of the re— treating canoe had died away, then she stood up in the boat and gazed aroundover the wil- derness of rice plants. No sign of life was visible, unless the smoke ascending from the island south might have been considered such. Tempy saw it, and asked: “ What does it mean, Eeleelah?” “ I do not know. Something is burning. The Wild Boy of the Woods is there yet. He may have set fire to the things taken from your father’s cabin.” Tempy sighed sadly, regretfully. Eeleelah began pulling the canoe along through the swamps, moving gradually out— ward toward the open lake. They were near- ly out of the thicket when the boat touched against something in the water possessed of life. A pair of human hands reached out and seized the gunwales of the canoe. A man in the water, almost to his waist, peered up into their faces with a half—sinister leer. He was a person past forty, with a rough, bearded face, and‘dressed in a hunter’s garb. He car- ried no weapons except a brace of pistols, the m'uzsles of which just reached the water. It was the notorious traitor, Bill Muckelwee. “ Gee-glory to heavins!” he exclaimed, as, he drew the boat closer to him. “ I’m dashed glad you’ve come along, little folks. I’ve been standin’ here a month, if I’ve stood a second, Ihave, by crackey. I jist escaped four dash— ed or’nery Ingins. They’d ’a’ salted me right down if they had beheld me—say, can’t I ride with you, leetle darlin’? I’m dashed near dead —drowned—-—dissolved, and I know you would not refuse an ole man. ” The maidens both regarded this queer speci- men of humanity with distrust. His counten- ance was enough to provoke suspicion in the keen-sighted princess. He was an entire stranger to the girls, and his presence there led them to behave that he was in league with the English and Indians, and had been sta- tioned there for the express purpose of watch- ing for them. Before they could express a permission or refusal to his desire, he threw himself into the canoe with an case that was remarkable for a man of his age. The maidens were dumbfounded by his bold— ness, and sat regarding him with silent amaze- ment. “Thanks for your generosity, gals,” he said, with that same leering expression bordering on the grotesque and comical; “now, where in mercy’s name will you take me to?” “We’re going to the brig-of-war on the lake,” said Tempy. “ What? holy pokers! that English brig-of- war? Dash it to thunder, are you allies of Great Britain? If you be, I’ll get out of this boat if I drown.” “ The brig is English, but has been captured recently by the Americans.” “ Oh, exquisite de—light! it was, eh? Now I breathe easier—~a dashed sight superber. I don’t like the English. The royal hounds my grandfather at the battle of Bunker r . “ How came you to be here, ed Tempy. “How?” drawled the man, somewhat sur- prised by the question; “why, I took a boat and come down here to ruminate among the Pliadees—heard it war a dashed superb place for an ole man. A million Ingins, by actual count, gals, big as it may seem, got after me the very second I landed, and so I had to swamp it. Lord! if I’ve been there a minute, I’ve been there a month, a roostin’ m for lizzards, frogs, serpents, and even a shark a mile long come up the other day and acted as though he wanted to sun hisself; but I squirt- ed some amber into his eyes, and then you’d ort to see him hump hisself away from me. But, see here, little dusky-face queen, s’pose you let me take that paddle and do that work. I’m stronger and tougher and a dashed sight uglier than you be. I’ll jist push this boat across this water like a streak of lightnin’ across the heaving. I’ll do the paddle a dashed sight superber than you ever dreampt of.” Eeleelah gave him the paddle and changed seats with him. He took his position, and with a grand flourish of the blade sent the craft out into the open lake, and then turned it upon the maiden’s course! “The big boat is this way,” said Eeleelah, pointing toward the east. ‘ “Yes, I know it is; but we’d better go around this way, for that’s a dashed lot of Ingins ’round that way,” and the man paddled on. Eeleelah glanced toward Tempy, her eyes flashing with a terrible fire, then she turned to Muckelwee again, and reaching carefully forward, lifted both his pistols from his girdle. So vigorously was the villain working, and so quick and easily had the movement of the prin- cess been, that he failed to detect the theft until Eeleelah rose to her feet and cried: “Stop, pale-face!” Muckelwee, who sat with his back to both of the girls, turned his head and glanced over his shoulder, to behold two pistols pointed full at his head. The princess held one, and Tem- py the other, and the look that flashed in the eyes of the girls convinced him that they were as determined in their intention as their nerves were steady. He started as though a knife had been thrust into his back, and throwing up his arm as if to protect his face, cried out: “Oh, Lord, dash it! don’t! don’t!” and he felt for his pistols. “Get out, or you will die,” Eeleelah said calmly, yet with a terrible earnestnes. “ Why, little un, dash it, what do you mean? Be keerful with ’em ’ere things—they’re p’i— senous.” “ Get out or die,” repeated the princess. “ You lied to us; you are our enemy, and we know how to shoot. If one miss, the other will not. Get out, for you will die, if you stay here.” “ Oh!” groaned the astonished renegade, and he laid down the paddle and squirmed about as if in agony. He was completely outdone. He saw that the princess was a dangerous per— son to trifle with, and he was not in a position to seize and disarm her before Tempy, no less resolute and determined in her looks, could fire. In fact, to save his life, he could see no way of escape but to obey the princess’ command; so he threw one foot over the side of the boat, and as soon as it touched the wa- ter, he said, pleadingly: “Great mortal Re- deemer! girls, don’t solicit me to drown my- self. The lake here is a mile deep if it’s an inch, and I can’t swim a lick. Dash it, if a feller can’t expect mercy from a woman, who on earth ’11 he turn to for consola- tion?” - “ Get out—one minute more and I will fire,” said the relentless Eeleelah. The man threw both feet over the side of the boat, and holding on to the gunwale, began lowering himself slowly into the water. “ Don’t you see I’m gorin’ clear under?” he exclaimed, as he sunk inch by inch; “gals, thar’s no bottom here. This lake’s ten miles deep if it’s an inch. ‘But, oh, Lord! never mind, you dashed, relentless creatures! I’ll haunt you—you’ll see my poor, ole face starin’ up from these cold depths at you all your lives. Dash it, I’m sure to drown; I tell you this lake’s twenty miles deep if its an inch—00gb! 00gb!” While thus expostulating upon his apparent fears of drowning, a wicked fire of resentment burned in the villain’s eyes. Eeleelah, how- ever, saw it, and divining his purpose to upset the canoe, she rapped him sharply over the knuckles with her pistol, causing him to howl with rage and release his hold at once. Like a leaden weight he sunk from view, and before he could rise to the surface again, the stranger?” ask- princess took up the paddle and sent the craft flying over the waters. When several rods away, they glanced back and saw the redoubtable Bill Muckelwee pop up to the surface, spouting water like a wound- ed whale. As soon as the worthy villain could get his eyes and lungs cleared of the wa- ter, he glanced around him, and when he saw the maidens fleeing over the lake several rods away he began cursing and shouting at the top of his voice. I \I all .