t _ temptuously. pg } ; — ora —% Query rae “IT should deserve a worse fate than that which threat- ens us, it | deserted a friend in the hour of need,’’ replied Kenneth, with dignity. “Ll have some enemies, it is true, but I hope to escape them; if we do not, be assured | shail not fall far from your body. Heaven has yet kept me from ) the infamy of deserting a wounded friend aud comrade, and I shal! trust its goodness new.” He spoke with firnmess and spirit. “You are of the right kind of material, lad. You've got ’ the flash aud sparkie of the real grit, whichis the makin’ } ofa man in these, paris. £ admire your pluck, yet feel Wrong to get you into a trouble that you can’t get out of with ne skin at all, which is most likely to be the case.’? “Whatever happens, it shall not be said that we have not tried persistelitly and well.” “Ay, that’s the Kind o? spirit to show. [shall let you see that I ain’t quite so helpless as a dead man yet.’? Saul arose and hobbied to the raft without Ixelp, “A strong will does the business, lad, you understand,’’ - he added, stoutly, though every step maunilestly cost him ' a pang. j Peuneth followed, called the dog, and pushed the some- what unwieldy ‘float’? from the shore, ' “Give me oue of thepaddles,” saidSaul. “You cannot use it; returned Iverson, **You shall see,’ he answered. ; Taking one of the implements, in, question, he plied it | with skill for a few.moments, but it taxed Lis strength so much that he was forced to lay it down. “Not quite as good: as new, lad! Not'q-u-i-t-el” . ‘There's an island before.us; [ will soon place it be- tween us and Lheshore, and make it serve to screen us, in | a measure, from todo curious-eyes.”? Kenneth, by virtue of exertion, effected this maneuver. | He passed the island, and was floating, into, clear water - beyond, when.arvoice hailed him: “Hullo, strangers! What youtryin’ 60 do? Ain’t goin’ to put to sea tout sayin’ a word to a feller critter, be ) ye?” ‘ j F : Evidently the voice camedfrom the island. _ “Who speaks,’? demamled Kenneth, for lie saw naught | in the form of a hiiman creature. ; F “Rattlesnakes! Don’t you know me, mister? Meniry ' isn’t over and above lengthy, is i? Pin the great red- / and-white Raven’ of Red River! the Reoyin’ raiuoceres of the north.” . ; ‘‘Fom Slocomb,” cried Keuneth, in undisguised aston- i ishment, : / “Phav’s what” 1m vulgarly called,” replied Tom, show- | ing his fantastic figure, which he had hitherto kept con- | cealed behind atree. ‘But reg'lar, rightdown, na’ralists ' don’t class me down that ar’ way, . Fellers 1%m a climax / —a concludin’ ink to the chain o’ creation! Jest take me - out, and the whole thing would be disj’nfed! The airthy / machinery wouldn’t be perfect ’thout me. Clap yer eyes ' on me; notice how l’m made up; buckskin and:rvéd on one | side, sloth nnd white on ’tother, ; Caw, cart}! Calamity dropned his tail,, elevated his.blunt nose in ' the air, and made a melancholy, Gissppropalive howl. ' You surprised me much,” said Keune-h. ‘How | cameyou here? &£shall-be prepared tor miracles after , this. : , en : | “Oh, it’s easy enough. Fhe dividin’ fine atween te two ' races couldn’t be lost, That little red yermin—you call him the Wolf | b’lieve+refused: to lielp fhe rest,on us, you re- | member? Well, we war jest. a godiu’ to help’ ourselves, when a great feller crept in amongst us, and, witha great _ many thee’s aud thou’s an’ sich Hke, cut us loose, an’ got ' us Clear Out 0’ the scrape wilhout s® muCh.as.a scratch, ' 7cept what the cords had made on our wrists and ankles.” | And Nick Whiffles, too ?? interrogated Kenneth, mucti elated by this intelligence. _ “Nick Whiffles and the trapper*that was with him. They’ve gol away, mister; they’re all right, ‘less they’ve ruu their heads into some trouble sense; whichis quite likely, for they war plannin’ some kind o’ an expedition wheu [left’em. To tel the- plain truth,they didu’t seem auxious to have my cOmpany; So we parted.” “Which way did they go?” continued byvergon) “Yowre out o’ my depth, mister, uow; 1 don’t. Know, -and J guess they didn’t) know. themselves. They war | talkim’sabout that young woman, though, I aliow. If you’ve asked questions enough, you'd ‘beiler come up an’ | take afeller critter onto your raft,” ; “How did you manage to get upon this: island?) Ken- neth inquired, pushing the raft ashore. “Why, 1 swum the animiles over from, that p'nt,o' land.”? ‘ “What animals??? “he losses, to be sure,’? “What horses?’ asked the young man, more and more mystified. Betore replying the Raven of Red River clapped. his | Wings'and caweéd vigorously; to which Calamity respond- ed as usual, «‘It does me a heap o’ good to get that natural car out on me. Oh, rattlesnakes! I’m full o’ powert I'm runnin! over! I’ve a right smart thing to telk . ve have had the greatest adveniures you ever heerd on. I stampeded mnoren’ forty head o’ horses last night.” : “Weil, that’s’ somethin’ like! You're ja high trump! card, stranger. How did you do it?! said Saul, much in- terested. ] “lve a kmack at it, mister. There isn't a hoss that runs on four legs that I can’t steal. You must, know that the pesky riptiles had camped, aud I chunced ‘to see their fire soon arter they’d Jit it.’ “How many might there be, should you think ?” queried the guide. : “Well, ’bout a hundred, I should say; thoug? thera might a been more. i on’y counted ninety odd, aud there | was another stock on ’emIcouldu’t see. Svein’ there was so many that Icouldn’t kill’em all, l turned my at- tention to the animiles, and succeeded, I told you in driv- iw’ off somewhere in the neighborhood o° forty.’ “That was a-fine, bold stroke. What have you done with him ?? questioned Saul.” ‘Some on’emI swam over here, fo get ‘em ont the way ef the red varmints,’’ replied the Raven, stroking the bearded side of his face complacently. ‘You can see a couple on ’em up in the bushes there, if you look sharp,” he added. Kenneth turned his eyes toward the spot.indicated, and }.- beheld—Nick Whiffles’ horse and his own! The pocturnal thief who had caused so much annoyance, was revealed. The Raven of the north had robbed their solitary camp, » The young Kentuckian could not weli suppress his sur- prise, but kuew not whether most to admire, ':om Sio- comb’s coo. assurance, or his facility for distorting the truth, «“‘Where did you happen to find this formidable Indian encampinent which you so signaliy despoiled?” he asked, with no slight contempt of manner, “Over there, opposite the other side of the island,’’ re- turned Tom, without losing a particle of his serene self- possession. “There is no doubt of it. This fine story owes much, I perceive, tothe embellishment of a fertile fancy. Your hundred Indians dwindledowa to two forlorn trappers; and your forty horses slirink to the same number ofjaded animals. You are 2 Raven that does not always croak the truth.’? Tom Slocomb stared at Kenneth with unfeigned aston- ishmeuh With a look half quizzical, half sorrowful, he exclaimed: “Rocky mountains! who'da believed it? [il be skin- ned if | don’t think J’d done all Ltold ye. ‘There’s a mys- tery about it that I can’t explain; it comes, perhaps, of bein’ a half-an’-half, Leta feller be borned as I war, mixed up with two races, and l'Il be blasted if he don’t confuse aw’ turn everythin’ upside dovn that gets into his head.” “So Il pereeivel’* rejoined Kenneth, drily. ‘There’s.a heap 0’ smartness in you,’ said Saul, con- ‘jus my opinion there a good “eal o' loose talk about you that don’t ‘Mount to much.” “What’s born in a critter must come out, in one way or another. I’m akinud a portable volcano that must have vent. Stop my mouth aud l’d break out somewhere else.?? Tom rounded the last period with a startling, repetition ofcaws. The guide reproved him for this noisy demon- stration; while Kenneth fixed his attention upon the point of land extending into the lake. He believed he saw a human figure there; it might have been a deceptive ap- pearance, it might have been reality; but whatever it was, he continued to regard it with intense interest. CHAPTER XXYIIL. A WAIF. “Thou hast a smart cast of the eye, lad,’ said Saul Vauder, who remained lying upon the raft. “Did you, too, observe it?’? Kenneth asked. “T was trying to make it out when you fust looked toward tlie p’int,’’ replied Saul. “What are your couclusions?’? continued the young man, earnestly. “To meit appears like the figure of a woman half hid- den by the bushes.’ «What can the figure of a woman be doin’ there?” in-j, quired Slocomb, incredulously. “Thats what you may find out!’ retorted Saul. “You've sich a wonderful fakilty of stealin’ horses, that I dare say you can do things a little better nor most folks." *)’s allers oncommon good at diskiveriu’ anythin’ in the shape o’ women; so l’ll jist take asquint Over that way, myself,*? replied Tom. “You'd perhaps better tellus whether you're goin’ to look with your civilized or oncivilized eye? And ’twould _ be well enough, too, giner’ly speakin’, to tell us when you’re talkin’ white talk, and when you're talkin’ Ingin; or when you’re givin’ us a mixture of the twol’’ sai Saul, dryly, “} believe that you are right,” said Kenneth, presently to the guide, ‘‘and that yonder figure is that of a female, with apart of her person concealed in the shrubbery. She seems to be ooking this way anxiously.’? Both Saul and Kenneth felt asecret hope that this femi- nine presentation might prove to be one who was seldom absent from their thoughts. “It may be only a squaw, alter all,*’ added the guide, anxiously. ’ “J dow’t agree with you,” said the Raven. “J’ll wager half o’ them hosses that I stampeded last night that it isn’t one o’ the red race. “If it should be—if it should turn out so,’ commenced Saul, with some agitation, “Don’t entertain such a thought a moment,” inter- rupted Kenneth. “It isnot her youare thinking of ; yet it is one who requires our aid.” “That’s possible,’ answered Saul; “but it may be some Ingin clap-trap to deceive us.”? “No,”? returned Kenneth, quietly; “you are-wrong. See! she moves down to the water; her whole person is now visible. She has nelther the garb nor the manner of au Indian woman,” “She carries a flag o”’ truce, Whatever she is: She’s tied a handkerghief to a stick, amd is wavin’ it right smart.’? said Lgm. mer “Jump on to The raft at once,’ cried Kenneth, and let us hasten to her assistance; fur evidently she wishes our aid.” ‘“Seein’ it's a woman, mister, I don’t mind if I doruna little risk to help her. W’se allerg a little weak toward the femernine persuasion. What she wants or how she got there, is more than Ican itnagine ; but stie’ll haye some kind of a putly story to tell about if, Tul be sworn re- turned Slocomb, stepping upon tie raft, aud tuking oue of the paddles, . ***Pwouldw’t be manly to. desart a woman in: distress," said the Guide, musingly ; ‘but if wou’t do no hurt to reconnoiler somewhat, Or as sailors say, ‘speak her! afore you come alongside,’? As the raft slowly drew near the point of land, the wo- mau Manifested her satisfaction by varions graceful and siriking attitudes, and the deep interest with which she regarded their movemeuts,. As they drew within speak- ing distance, the Raven inauspiciously clapped his wings and cawed; which so much excited the fears of the female, ‘that she drew back with obvious Signs of alarny “Who are you, and what do you wish?" interrogated the Guide. Thestayed her retreating steps, and answered, in good English, though with am accent, half French, half Mexican : “You seem to be Americans—at least (wo of you—and fam one who needs your aid aud protectipn.” “She’s good lookin’, anyhow!” muttered Tom; ‘though I allow she’s somewhat nixed up alween French, Mexi- can, an’ Scotch ; though uot abit, the worse fortt per- haps.?? “Weare in much peril ourselves,’’ responded Kenneth ; “bat we were bot deserving of escape did we refuse to listen to the appeals of one who seemis also.to be. sulffer- ing in the saimeanauner, yet without the meaus of resist- ance and flight that we have.” “You're sure their ain’t no copper-skins hid out there in the bushes ahind ye? We wouldn't like to be deceived in that.ar way by one oyour-kind; 7cause, you see, twoukl weaken our respect for the whole femernine gender!” re- tufned the Raven, suspiciously. “There can be no deception!’ exclaimed Kenneth, pushing the raft tothe shore. ‘The girl’s face is truth itself? “Oh, air, I thank youl” she cried, with a warmth that could not be simulated. ‘Iam sure,’? she » **blrat Providence has sent me those upon whose and houor I can rely.” — ‘Jump on, gal, jump on, and we'll hear your s afierwards, when we've got a good bit o’ cleur wate atween us and the land,’ said Saul. The shore was not bold enough to permit the float of logs to be pushed sufficiently near for the young womau to reach it without wetting her feet; Kenneth, therefore, immediately leaped to land, and before she was aware of his intent, lifted her in his arms, aud leading her through the shoal water, placed her upon the raft, which, being encumbered by the additional weight of two, sank nearly to the surface of the lake.. She blushingly thanked the young man for his kindness ; while, atthe same time, it Was Observable that she could scarcely keep her eyes from the odd figure of Tom Slocomb. “You see,’ said Kenneth, “that itis poor accommodation” that we can offer you; but yet, upon this frail tenure we place almost our only reliance of escape from savage pursuers, who, “probably, at this moment have reached ie nn of the lake, opposite the farther side of you island.” ‘One who flies from the most repulsive form of captivity, accepts with gratitude any means of escape, allthougu precarious, If, however, my presence too much eu- dangers——"! “Thavll do, gak; you'd better not finish that sentence,”’ interposed the Guide. ‘I’ve got a darter myself, who at this minute may heed the assistance that we’re ready aud willin’ to give to you; and,” he added earnestly, “the good Lord grant that she may haye it! Sit down here aside o’ me, and trust to luck, You're so young aud so interestin’-like, and remind time SO Much of her, that 1 pity you, upou my soul l do, notwithstandin’ I don’t know what brought you here, nor what's happened to you; but anybody can understand that you’ve liad misfor- {une or you wouldn't be hereabout, alone, with your clothes tore into strips, your White hands seratched, and tremblin’ all over like a frightened hare, Your little feet aih’t used to trampin’ this rough country, I reckon, miss; they’re bruised and swollen, and them Cainty shoes puity well knocked to bits.’? “This is rather a slow way of gittin’ along,” said Tom, laying down his paddle. “fhe thing floats too heavy for speed. A loaded mud-scow é6uld go faster northis. You won’t have dry feet long, gal. The longer this concern’s in the water, the deeper itll sink.”? STH “That's true, Tom Slocomb, if you novel ee trner word afore,’’ returned Vander. *This rickety isn’t sufficient to support us all, and as for makin’ much pro- gress with it, we can’t.” : ; “Pll tell ye what to do, without takin’ much time or makin’ much talk about it, either,’ continued the Raven. “Put back Lo shore, make it as big agin, and stick up e bushes on it to sarve the purpose of sails. With this wind we shall land about where we want to go, While you’re doin’ this Ill swim over to the island, git the hosses, and git round there soon as you, lll warrant, though ivs a good eal further round than ’tis across, an’ bers no, knowin? what kind 9’ company J’ll fall in with, : “It’s good advice; under the circumstances, the best we can have, When it comes to real nirnest, you cau do as well, Tom Slucomb, as another; though giner'ly greuktuly there’s wsight o) gammon F¥bout ye,” auswered aul, 24. ‘Im glad to git credit for some good qualities. The devil ain’t so bad as he is painfed, anc it’s possible Tain’t nather. Stranger, I’m the great polar bear of the Arctic circle—the rovin’ rlinoceros of Lie norlu—the recean’- white Ravén of Red river!"? Tom fiapped his elbows like wings, cawed a few times, ‘and plunged inte the lake. rf “Dime afraid he caut siyim so far,’ said Kenneth, anxiously. : tte fede ss “Don?t worry yourself about that,’? replied lhe Guide. “The varmint could swim all day, upowa pinch,” ‘He's undertaken a dangerous Nie prise, for lie can scarcely expect to get the horses back to the main land without being discovered by the ludians,” said Kenneth, doubtfully.. | Tom, Who had by this time swam several rods, stopped, turned his head toward the raft, and called out, *] say, fellers, what have you done with the saddles and bridies?. ’Iwould be kinder convenient-like to have ’enl, wouldn’t it, specially on ‘count of the gal, who, perhaps, ain’t used to ridiw’ bare-back with a buck-skin lariat to guide with? “We hid themin the bushes, not far from where, we passed the night,’? replied the young man. “I hope you Will not aitempt to get them, for if wiil greatly increase the peru of your undertaking. According to my caicula- tions the Biackfeet must be near our camping-ground, by this time, By wuyiug todo, too muc.a, 1 iear you wil ruin ali.” ‘ The Raven said, ‘‘Caw! cawl?,and splashed onward through the water. Fay yp is Kenneth again pushed the rafé ashore, and while Saul and the girl watched the suspected points of danger, made the improvement suggested by ‘Tom, He did not negiect:to place the bushes across one end of the float in a manner to take the; wind .to tle best ad- vantage, and when they next launched their awkward craft, they were found to be of much utility; saving lver- son much labor. In two hours they were wafted, without interruption, to the quarter indicated by Siocomb.. But little was said during this time, for each feit inteuse anxiety in regard to the success of their plan, Kenneth looked often at the fair girl who had thus un- expectedly been thrown upon his protection. Had net his affections been already engaged, it is probable that her beauty would haye made a still deeper impression. Notwithstanding the danger that menaced him on every side, he felt deeply curious to know ler history, and the circumstances that led to this singular meeting. Her youth, her winning manners, the Sadness of her expres- sion, and the loveliness of het person, appealed strongly to his sympathies. The Guide often fixed his eyes upon her and sighed, for site brought vividly to his: mind the remembrance of Syiveen. The parties thought it fortunate that the wind hhad di- rected them to a small cove, over which ‘the trees threw their sheltering boughs. Silence and solitude: held, ap- parently, undisturbed possession of the spot. To Kenneth, indeed, it had a gloomy aspect, aware, as he was, that, the silence might be deceptive, and the solitude bub) seeming. us z The float was run in close up under the bending branches, and secured. With beating and anxions | Pts they stepped from the raft and concealed .themselves in the tangled wild. Itsuspense that was nearly intolerable, they awaited the coming of Tom Siecomb ; butan hour— two—tliree passed, and hie did not appear. This inaction grew too irksome to bei borne. could no longer bridle his impatience. ; “Evidentty,’? he said to Saul, ‘this man has failed. | In trying to accomplish too much, doubtiess, hé. has effected nothing. It seenis a waste of time to remain here longer. Twit leave youawhile and make such ebservations as I can. “The very thing Lshould do if I were well,” said the Guide, with a regretful shake of the head. “I have a knack of it which comes of long practice.” “I question not your skill,’ returned Kenneth, “but trust, also, that Iam not entirely deficient in those quail- ties that dre at present needed.” Iverson took his rife and cautiously leit hiscompanions, He was s00n alone in the solitude of the forest, with the dog treading softly at his heels. ’ He walked some hundred rods, when he again reached an indulation of the lake, from which he could see a con- siderable distance along its margin. The scenery here was of different character. The shore was high and broken into small hills, in the hollows of which, those wishing it might readily find concealment. This broken border of the lake, though destitute of trees of any considerable size, was covered with various kinds of shrubbery. Kenneth regarded the prospect before him with feelings of discouragement. Although he looked with eagerness in the direction from which he expected Tom Slocomb to appear, he could discover no signs of his coming. An army hright have been hidden in Lhose numerous depres- sions, vallevs, and dinglés.!’ This Joug and ‘anxious sera- tiny meeting with no reward, he was about turning his attention to another quarter, When he detected a sinall object just above the level of a hillock, which might have been fifty rods distant. The Kentuckian had good cyes, and could use them to good advantage when Occasion required. He scauned this appearance until if rose higher above the elevation, aud presented @ red face and the tufted hair of an Indian. This wag a discuvery none te less unwelcome because expected, eT St aoe Kenneth “ue eee ’ “<8 Sap ba cewarge apa, » a 2 eee Sereening his person as mnch as practicable, he con- tinued to observe the savage, not doubting but he should seon see humbers Of his bRethren. He, was mistaken ; the head disappeared, and he saw no more of it for several minutes. He was debating what to do, when the ideutical fuce apparently heaved up to view at the summit of the hill; and Rot # face only, but a pair of broad shoulders, aud the ieads of two horses, Kenietlt experieuced a feeling of relief. It was Tom Slocomb aud the aummats for which he had ineurred so wmuchrisk, He felt that auaceountable , impulse, which older boys sometimes feel, sometimes undignified though it De, to Loss his Cup inthe air, and give vent to his emo- tions inaringing shout of joy. He repressed this demon- stration, however, and acted fay more: sensibly when he elevated tlie aforesaid article of wearing apparel upon his ramrod and waved it toward Lom. The signal was presently seen, and Kenneth felt more satisfaction in meeting the Raven of the Big Red, than he ever expected would arise from such an event, “tL had about given you up,” he said. ‘Wit has hap- pened? What has detainet you?" “Lot's o} things, mister! 1 got the hosses off!m the island well wWough, bub had asight o? trouble in keepin’ ci’ar of the mise’ble critiers arier that. You see Vs iuly detarmined to have the saddles, and——” The Raveu pointed triumphantly to the horses—‘*there they bel” root did wrong Lo incur such a risk,’’? returned Ken- neth, “Danger’s what spices my way o’ life. But the Ingins war pooty thick there, Laliow,’? said Toi, composedty. ‘What were they doiug ?’ inquired. lyerson, gnickly. “When tT war takin’ the saddles, they were exuminin’ the place where you miade your rit and. launched it, They're afloat afore this tine. Let us jest keep a trifle uearer the water and take. 2 squint over there-away.”? Leaving the horses, and purting the shrubbery care- fully before them, the parties were, in a moment, at. the Waler’s edge, looking searchingly at the island, “There! Whatdid 1 tell ye??? exciaimed Tom, imme. gia ely. ‘Turn your eyes summat to the left, mister,” he added, aie 3% Obeying this monition, Kenneth beheld a large raft, bearing some ae or ten ludians, just coming in sight around the is! ee To hg 8s “They’re starching for the spot where you landed with he raft, or to see whether you touched there at all. hey’ve a sneakin’ notion that you're hid there, I'll be ound, But twon’t do no good to stand here an’ watch em’. Weil have enough to do to keep out o’ their clutches, the best way we can fix it; tho Pon account o’ that nice little calker critter we p hag ep this mornin’, I should hate amaziu’ to have’em ove us,’? “J syinpathize with your feelings. Both she and Saul Vander ure awaiting our appearance With au intensity of suspense painful to endure. Letus hurry,? “a Keuneih and Tom lost no time in hig the persons so much interested in their movements, Their coming was_ to them a beam of hope, for the vigilant eyes of Saul had already discovered the raft, with its fearful freight. “It does me a heap o good to see you, lauds} not so much for myself as for her, you understand,’? nodding to the girl. “Have had some talk with her since you've ‘been gone. Her name’s Florella ; cull her that, and she'll auswer to it, leastwise. What's to be done?” “If that question’s ’dressed Lo me, I'll answer it *thout ifs or and’s, pro's or con’s,’’ said the Raven, will much more directness than was his wont. “Oome right to the p’nt,’’ returned the Guide. ‘So fur you’ve done well, and, for one I mean to give you the credit on’t. You’re an odd stick, witht a curious red-and- white streak of idees about ye ; but odd or not, it’s allers my motto to give the devil his dne.”! “That's rigut, and Tallow l’m complimented. And, to show that J ’preciate bei’ ’preciated, wiil tread square to the mark in Luis summat ticklish business. You must mount one hoss, aud this poor critter ‘Lother ; then we niust break for the nearest fort, There’s one not more nor a day’s travel from here, and once there, you know, she’li—looking at Florelia—be all right.’* “Thavs the very thing i’d come toin my own mind ; though I'm surry to be obleeged tu be Carried like @ pack- age of merchandize, instead o' takin’ my part o’ the travel and fatigue with you. But, as it can’t be helped, lets be off.’? : Fiorella Was at once mounted upon Nick Whiffles’ horse, aud the Guide upon Keuneth’s. They were ready to slart, or, More properly, to commence their flight. “Hil take auother peep at the isiand,’? quoth Tom. “The riptiles have touched, and are laudin’ on’t at this moment.” . Then to Kenneth: “Are you a fast traveler, mister ?"’ “You will find it no easy lask to tire me,’? he answered, “My limbs have never grown weak for want of action.” “Pin glad to hear it! Saul Vander,’ continued Tom, “put them hosses ahead asif there war nobody but hosses to foller. The nearest fort or Ingin-shop lays off there- away. you know? P’nt for it as fast as your wounds and bruises ’il let ye; and if we can’t keep up, leave us ahind, We can take care of ourselves, you see, und you can‘t.”? Tue Guide looked at the sun a moment, the woods, the lake, and the heavens, and then followed that compass, the indications of which experience had taught him, (TO BE CONTINUED.) KANSAS | > enlarge) << Hi MAGICIAN OF THE PLAINS. é Dey Jonni F €owan, Rann gan Sononicnoei ie Be Rack suanemtn CHAPTER X. THE FLIGHT—THE TOO READY KNIFE—TREASON AND RETRIBUTION, a5 It would be difficult to say whether the Indians, flat- tenued out by the mass of sand-rock aud human flesi pre- cipitated upon them, or the white men who were tle ] the them, and the say n exclamation sprang toward the spot, as if his work. Kit feit his move: nd hurled him back, and then | stooping dow: } in contacy with first one now returning towand the cavern of mystery. had discovered that his flight had been caused by lis own suffering desperadoes,and his ehagrin at having fed from nothing before his warrior’s eyes made his rage ungovern- able. The fugitives could hear his deep-loued exciama- tions of anger as he went, and were glad at it for it kept the attention of the enemy from them, The pace of Prairie Dog was increased, and his eager whispers hastened that of his followers as they heard the Undians stop at the mouth of the cave to cousult before venturing in. If Lone Wolf was afraid to go jn, he said, the Indians would come for their horses. After progress- ing some distance along the mountain foot, the Indian gave @ halting signal, and listening intently they heard the sound of horses’ feet ahead, “Only Indian boys with the horses,’ he whispered to Kit, who was next him. ‘Must kill them or they’ll give Lhe war-whoop.”? This was said in a calm, matter-of-fact way, yet to the ears of the scout it sounded. like the hiss of soine venom- ous serpent, aud he could searcely forbear striking to the earth a brute so ready to murder his OWn kindred even if it was for the purpose of saving other lives, This speech shook his trust iu the guide, and he determined to be on his guard for fear of treachery, for he argued very reasou- ably that the person who could so readily urn traitor, to his OWn would be littie likely to keep faith very purely with strangers, “Why! Wouid you kill the boys of your own blood?” he asked, In al angry whisper, “They no my blood,’? was the answer. ‘Medicine man is Prairie Dog—Medicine man’s boys no take hold horses. Me Prairie Dog,’ he said, proudly, “And a promisin’ eur, ye are,’ said Mike, “They no my boys,’? repeated Prairie Dog. “But they are boys—the boys of, your peopie,”! said Kit, “And would you Kili them ?”? “No—no kilitm,’’? said the Medicine Man, somewhat ashamed. “Only cut him in the neck a little bit so he cau't cry out.” “Come. We must get away from this,” said Kansas Kit, disgusted... “We wilh gag these boys or take them prisouers, and earry them to the fort along with us. Go on.”! “Me go first,’ said the Indian. like a snake, you come.”? *“*Bedad if we did thar it’s threadin’ on yer dhirty heels we'd be at oust,’? whispered Corduroy Mike. “Don’t hurt the boys—we'll follow aud secure them,” said Kit, but at the lustant he discovered that the Indian was gone wilhout hearing his last words, and with all the practised agility of which he was master he followed iu his nearly noiseless footsteps. |. Down a slope toward where a number ofitall, slim trees could be dimly seen through ae ness, | ent, and the uneasy movements of the ais could be more advanced. Whether it rapidity or greater care ‘plainly heard at-every yard the! ‘Wasthis sound or the inere }of the Indian that caused it, Kansas Kit suddenly lost all hearing of the guide’s stealthy Persea } ae linypse of his moving form, which had he ‘ed to mark his route. ; Beets, - The suspicions already engendered in the scout’s mind | by Prairie Dog’s ready triendship to him and iis compan- ions, and his easy treason to his own race, sprang iuto lite. He Walted Ins party, and whispered orders for them to be ready fonassault, He was puzzied—bewildered. If this was a trap, why had the fellow saved them from “When I speak (hiss) The chief ‘Leave herf Leave her, Kitt cried several of the men. “Her own people wiil tuke care of her, if there ig life in her!’ “They know her father’s treason and they'll tomahawk her,’? rvared Kit, impatiently, for already the yelling say- ages were Close at hand, and their random bullets were beginning to fly through the trees around them. ‘By Heaven, if you Jeave her you leave me, too}* ~ The iinpulsive young man was about to throw himself from his seat when Corduroy Mike caught the wounded piel up in his powerlularms and laid her across the scout’s sees, 2 ‘Heaven bless yer big heart, Kit,” he said, “and may it presarve the girleen’s life. If it does, begorra, we'll adopt her, Whisht! That was: an ear tickler. Ride for yer life! Beejzevub's let out his school. ? They did ride with a will, and the screeching of the say- ages, which had Inlled for a moment as if they svere list- ening t assure themselves of the humber and where- abouls of their foes, bruke out at the sound of the look strokes with trebly terrific din, and the bullets guided by the echo of the flightyfollowed thick Ait Mist: The horsemen had at first but little advantage over the Indians on fool, owing to the remarkable fleetness of the latier anc their better knowledge of the ground over which both parties were fying in the darkness. Added to this the whites were eucunbered with the extra horses which they had taken along for their own safety sake and to retard pursuit. Many wished aloud that they had: killed them atthe tether. But this incumbrahce did not-last long, for as soon as they had passed the rugged sions and struck on a strip of clear bottoin, welt Khuwn to Kansas Kit, he immediately gave Comniand:lo let louse Lhe extra horses. No sooner were the beasts freed, than, allrigkied by the combined yells of. their former owners and their liberators, Lhey slaricd aliead at. panic speed, and being unburdened, soon distauced the others.; This was the very object desired. at bebhbebnicidne:® cuales : Then the men were ablé ‘to W8é" their arms, and loaded and fired a-rear as they: dashed son. This somewhat checked the pursuitof the Indians, and soon the supe- riority of horse» endurance rover ‘human began, to tell. The shots were few aud straggling,.and. the Wwar-whoops became asthmatic and gaspy, 80 noticeably so that Cordu- roy Mike said: ; eo te ea “Be jabers, boys, they sound more like whoop-ing coughs than war-whoops!?» : ’ ytd ; At last the sounds'of pursuit died; away altogether, ex- cept that the occasional bark of a distant wolf or dog, un- distinguishable iu their rapid) riding, gave them a rather uncomfortable feeling that the savages might have set dogs upon their track, This keptthem from venturing to stop for breath, or,even to see how the wounded gir! was, but Kansas Bik placed his hand upon lier heart and was sensible of a flattering throb, au »imade her position as easy as possible, and held on. WEEE BOCK : ; The first gray tint of dawn was paling theimorning star and the reyeille was, sounding cheerily ionn, the » fort, when they reined in their foaming horses in sight of its walls, CTIAPTER Xtwt weds bowers: RED SKINS, RED BLOOD AND RED TAPE—O-WAIS-SA, THE BLUE BIRD. © hd They were received With astonishment and congratula- tion by the officers and, soldiers, who lad been rather puzzled and alarmed athe pwnic-stricken horses that had preceded them, Kansas Kit’s first action was to immediate death between the two parties of Indians who had them hemmed inin thecavel The answer came quickly, with all its unassuring effect. The Indian was in their power then, and knew that immediate death would have been his if a sign of treasonous desigu had escaped him, Suddenly a stared movement of one of the horses, accumpanied by alow whinny, was heard ahead in the darkness; then asmothered human cry, followed by a gurgling sound; and thenu—the hiss of the snakel A thrillof horror ran through the stout hearts of the hearers, and Corduroy Mike, laying his big haud on the arm of iils friend, said, with hoarse anger: “The infarnal butcher has done it.’ “Yes, hang him!’ said Kansas Kit, without moying, in obedieuce lo the Indian’s summons; for even in his pres- eut sirait his kindly heart rebelled at the thought of being indebted to such a dastardly act as even the Slaughter of his enemies’ chiluren for his liberty, But as they heard a souud in the direction of Lone Wolfs band, he added, hurriedly: ‘But, fellows, dirty a trick as this is, We must take advantage of it,’? Obedient to his suggestion they moved rapidly on, and entered the scattered grove where the horses were tied with feelings of awe unusual to men reared amid scenes of blood. But the surrounding blackness and the mourn- fulsighing of the Lees were sufficient to add to the hor- ror they felt for the ooded tragedy tley were sure had beea comunitted. — Even the dark-formed horses tied to the surrounding trunks seemed hudder at the deed, and the repeated ‘hiss’ of the perpetrator fell with an icy chill upon their ears, “Come quick,’ he said, as soon as he became aware of thelr proximity. ‘*Unloose the horses, Lone Wolf come. He no want avy to goto the fort. He no let any white- skin go. The boys no cry out. Take the horses. Go! The boys no war-whoop to Lone Wolf no more.” He ended this whispered speech witha chuckle that shocked Kansas Kit, aud caused him involuntarily to grasp his knife to strike the self-complacent rufflan; but kle of the medicine-man seemed to be echoed by a mocking, gurglin om the dark ground before a, his han wet, warm fori and then auother, and he thought ie felt the heaving of life in the last. Immediately all thoughts of the position of himself and co. ns flew from his pind, aud oniy the impulses of humanity and generosity filed his heart. “One of these poor children is living,”’ he said. ‘TI only wish to Heaven we had a light.’ place O-wais-sa, his strangely-adopted protege, in com- fortabie quurters, humanely provided by thé major in command, where he Jeft her under the care of the. mili-~ tary surgeon aud the deeply-interesied Dr."Dick Nelson. The report of both to Kit was hopeful, ; a “Will the poor black-avised crature live?’ asked Cordu- roy Mike. e O-SEis i a3 “Altogether likely. Indians are tough,’’ said the sur- geon, turning grufly, away. : A Mike turned with an appealing look to Dick Nelson. “Oh, L think there's a Whoop left in her yet,’’ said Dick, Mike was offended at their levity, and answered iu a crustier manner than was usnal with him: © “By my word then, Mister Nelson, f think if aither yer- self or that ould Brass-mouyjed Sawbones beyant had that slit in yer Lhrapple it woWd spoil your voices for a while.’ 7 Kansas Kit told the story of his late adventures to the major, including Lone Woil’s complicity in tue murder of the Quaker’s family, and the burning of his house, and the fact of Ruth Brandon (supposed to have been burned in the ruins) being realiy a-prisouer in the hands of the Kiowas and Apacties. He earnestly pressed the necessity of immediate pursuif, as well for the condign punishment ofthe murdering marauders as for the recovery from their fiendish clutches of the unfortunate girl.whose kindred had been so ruthlessly butchered, The officer was much impressed by his narration, and was eager to accompany — him ou his mission of vengeance and mercy, but regretted that his action was curbed by tlre interfereuce of the peace commissioners from Washington, “Fellows!” he said, bitterly, “who keep at a safe dis- tance from danger, and. will never be convinced of the folly and inefticieucy of the gift-giving method of Keeping the savages lu order, no nutter how many throats are cut antilit comes to their own turn, and they'll take good care that that won’tbe soon, Why,” he said, wilh un- concealed contempt, ‘‘here’s another of them arrived at the agency last night—a captain somebody or another— commissioned for no other earthly purpose than to give him the right to wear uniform and draw salary—he comes witha train-load of provisions and. presents for the savages that would be fur better bestowed upon the poor of the big cities, who would at least Lhank the donors without scalping the distributors. Pah! I'd sooner be & gorilia hunter. If these feliows are so sure of the goud- ness of their peace plan, why Gothey Keep us here for a laughing stock for the savages, and a scolding biock for the whites??? i San “Has this neweomer given apy new orders?’ asked Kit. fe i “Well, I was preparing to send out a detachment to look into this affair of tie Brandon family on my own respon- sibility, when news of the arrival of this person came, “Wouldn't it be risky ?” said one of the men. “The white men are. foolsto make fire,’ said Prairie Dog. ‘Lone Wolf has eyes like a cat.” cuuse of the disaster, were most frightened or aston- ished, The savages were decidedly the greatest sufferers piysically, for the bodies of the prostrated ones formed a sort ot cushion to break the fall of Kansas Kit and his friends, j rs Neither part y delayed long to rub their wounds or e inquiries» the exXLent of the casualties, Thed condition 1e Ss es On Whom the avdlanche h cended, and the utter consternation of those who had been fortunate enough to escape, hindered any, eveu the slight- est eudeavor on their part to find out the cause of this most uuexpected etfec , and. the white men were too, much overjoyed at the demoralization of their dreaded fo woe own eseape from broken necks to remain long place. Their chance of liberty lay in the darkness and hubbub of confused retreat, and at the suggestion of Kit they seized upon it. Wy With one action they started up from the heaving cush- ion of humanity and’ rock-crust, and dashed. away wildly through.ope ofthe cave. avenues, aloug which a portion of the escaped savages were rushing peli-mell as if all the de- mons of te bottomless pit were thundering iu pursuit, Be- fure the panic-stricken savages went the squaws and dogs in most horrible confusion, aud Kansas Kit and his friends brougiit up therear. Guessing that the Indians’ precipi- tate retreat Was aS much caused by superstition as by fear ofthe mountain falling on them, not ouly did Professor Dor- mouse exert his powers of ventriloquism to add to their fantastic terrors, but Kit and the rest increased the devil- 3% din with every hideous sound their lungs could pro- uce, To make all this confusion worse confounded a Joud ex- plosion, accompanied with sereams of agony, suddenly 10ed through the caves. Kit conjectured that this was used. by the ficou horns of some of the sprawling and the Savages coming itt contact with the.embers of the fire im their endeay ree themselves fromthe debris. Ina moment the truth, of his supposition was proved by two or three screaming wretches, ith what . ciothes, they wore a-blaze, rushing turough them Jike fire-fiends, The Indians, though eminently skilled in woodcratft, reading of signs aud weather Knowledge, gained by tie. accumulated wisdom of generationsof nouadic ancestors, are not very. highly gified in causality, and never. take much time to think out anything they don’t understand at the first flash. Tle appearance of their flaming friends confirmed all their ideas of the heliish horrors with which the cave, abounded, and ‘Satan take the hindmost’! was the spirit of the race. When. Kitand his companions burst from the cave-mouth into the open air, they had the pleasure to see, or rather hear, the gallant Kiowas helter- skeltering dowu a thickly-brambied slope, with their illu- minated Comrades screeching at their heels, Ivis very easyfor people livingin the sar East, where they can sleep in safety, assured by the protecting tread ofthe policeman, or the comfortable tap of the: roundsman’s lo- cust, to pity even a savage Kiowa with his clothes on fire, but a while among the noble ‘‘brain-spattering” L would make them enjoy the humorous retribut j sight agmuch as did Kansas Kit and his friends, and th forgot danger toindulge ina hearty laugh at theludicrou accident which had been such assistauce to them im stam- peding their enemy. : ' “Och, by my word,’' cried Corduroy Mike, ‘but it’s right illigant divils they’il make afther the ould boy below has thei in training for a while? : A dark figure of an Indiawrushed up, barely discernible in the starlight, More than one hand clutched a weapon, but the figure threw up its unarmed hands in the Indian manner of appeal, and by the action, more than the gut- teral tones that followed (for the Indian voice hus litule or no individuality) they knew that it was their Kiowa friend of the cave. ‘“Ugh—come soon!’’ he gasped, hurriedjy. ‘Let Cap’n Kit and White Medicine—Matchvo Manito—follow Prairie Dog. He take you to the horses. Quick, fore Long Wolf come.’? “Lone Wolfl! cried Kansas Kit. ‘Has he escaped ?* “Yes, Lone Wolf safe. Soon be here. Mad like a pan- ther.” “My conseience but Beelzebub’s good to his own,’! said Mike, as they followed the Indian guide through the dark- ness along the mountain foot. They were on the opposite side of the mountain-spur to that at which the camp had been situated aud had conse- quently escaped from the cave by the mouth through Which Dormonse, Dick Nelson and the frontiersmen had entered it. The cold sweeping breeze, and the unaccount- able sound which foretells the approach of morning fanned their cheeks and whispered in-their eurs as they followed rapidly aud stealthily in the steps of the Prairie Dog. They bent lowas they went, lest even the dim starlight should reveal their moving forms to the sharp eyes of Lone Well and his savage band, who, having rallicd, were _| roared, in wilder agony than those present had ever heard rofessor Dormouse had opened his all-containing knap- ack at Kit’s first word, aud produced a large glass vial ed with a dull, shining liquid. . .. “Here,” he said, *‘is a light that will need no fire.” _ As he spoke he uncorked the bottle, aud no sooner had the air touched its contents than it was lighted up with a silver lambency, not very strong or far reaching, indeed, but sufficiently bright (o display near objects with beauti- ful effect. And it was a wild tableau—beautiful even in its overpowering horror—on which its light fellas the professor stooped—a group to freeze a human heart, An Indian pay and girl, both beautiful, very beautiful for 1 aud both much betier clad than Indians geu- erally are, sat at the foot of a tree. They had evidently been sleeping when the murderous knife smote then. The boy’s forin was upright, and his head thrown back Slightly to one side, showed his graceful neck severed from earto ear. The girl’s head lay in his Jap as she might have lain in slumber, with her beautiful Jong hair partly covering her face, aud the ugly gash in the side of lier neck from which the life stream spurted at every spasmodic heave of the heart, She was siill living, but it could not last long. In an instant tile poor creature was in Kansas Kit’s arnis, and Dr. Dick Nelson was on lis Knees at lier side, wildly tearing his shirt into ribbons for bandages to Stanch the. quick-flowiig blood. Never was seen a more strange or painful sight than that-surgical operation in the forest by the ghastly glim- mer of phosplureted oil. Never did life-endangered men more generously forget self aud eminity to do a good deed, The murderer was quite uucoucerued by the apparent horror of the white men at his deed. His whole attention was taken up by the strange manner in which the. pro- fessor produ Jight, and he gaped at the radiant bottle with awe aud coyetousness. Indeed, he very soon made up his mind to steaLit on the very first opportunity, His victims claimed no portion of his pity. His ambition was to be the greatest medicine of all the medicine men, and for Unat he was there—that was the secret of his friend- slip for Uie white men and his adoration for Professor Dormouse. : ; ey ' Great were his hopes of gaining scientific distinction and reaching the higlits of Knowledge through the paths of petty larceny. Theft and murder are the highways of tlie._neble red man to all desirable things—from a woman’s back hair to.a sucking pig. If even Matcho Manito could carry Moonlight in. a bottle, thought the dusky scientis:, why couldu’t he? As ihe continued action of the atmosphere brightened the vial. more and more, he advanced nearer to gaze upol the gbject of his envy, but stooping over the professor’s shouMfer his eyes fellupon the blood-streaming forms of the boy and girlstretclied beneath the pale silyer gleam, and with a wild, horrible roar of rage and grief and pain such as might be uttered by a lioness bereft of her cubs, he dashed the intervening men aside and threw himself upon the: bloody sward. : “Minel mine! my boy! my girl! me Prairie Dog!’ he man being give veut to before. “Mine. Ah-meek—the Seater nine 0-wais-sa—the Blue-bird. Minel miuel” Tien followed aloud howling volley of words in hisown tongue. Jt did. not sound like a lamentation; it was With a desire that I should take no steps toward such an end until his. mightiness interviewed me to-day. ‘Inter- viewed’ was the word, as lm a living man,’’ cried the choleric soldier, pacing the floor... “lt made my blood boil. Seemed.as if L was, some scallawag of a defaulter, with some popinjay of a reporter coming to bore me,’ “It is cursedly provoking,” exclaimed Kit, partaking of the major’s angry Vexation. “But perhaps the. j myself and my compauions will make a dilferene “It ought to, Heaven knows,” said the ajor; “al that hope I will make preparations to place a party under. your guidance. Though I shouldu’t wonder one bit if unig person had an invitation from Washington for Lone Wolf aud bis throat-cutters to, wash their dirty carcasses aud take another pic-nic to the cities of the East,” “If they go,” said Kit, with an angry laugh, ‘I hope te Heaven they may scalp the whole luterior Department, special agents, commissioners and@ all; just to let them Know it is themselves.”? Major Doffield proceeded to give directions for the oper- ations he proposed, in case of non-interference, and Kit and such of his friends us remained (some of them had re- turned to their homes) accepted the hospitality of the fort, and very willingly proceeded to breakfast, The delay was very irksome Lo Kausas Kit, and he was both angry and disgusted when he thought of the pretend- ed humanity of these peace-monutuing, tsps com- missioners for the ludians, and their undisguised inliu- manity to theirown race, whom they allowed to be butch- ered and outraged aluiost before their eyes without an offer at hindrance or redress, Nay, worse than their own neglect was their officious interference with those able and willing to. restrain or punish tlie red barbarians. During the day the new-fiedged commissioner came with his stail of secretaries and deputies, and other sal- ary drawers. He was accompanied also by two or three interpreters, although there was nobody to be present a& the ‘antervyiew”? but those who spoke Englisli, There were also many of the ‘good Indians” (good for nothing, 1 presume) slinking along atthe party's heels, like so many Constantinople curs—filthy, husted-up-looking beg- gars, Who had not the spirit to rob or murder on theirown account, but were excellent spies for those who had, and equally excellent devourers of thie blood-ob!ained pro- visions, These promising gentiemen were the proteges of the peace cominissiouers, who mentioned | them with pride, in their reports to Washington, as shining exam- ples of the excellent working of their system of sugar- plum coaxing versus bullet coercion. These gehtie crea- lures, Who are too modest to kuow when they’re naked, would be very eligible guests for a Washington tea party. Well, the pow-wow commenced and ended’ dréarily and unsatisfactorily to everybody but the seif-conceited com- missioner. A minute account of it would be as great a bore to tlie reader agit wastoall present but one, and that one was—Interpreter Rice—the half-breed, whose night interview with Lone Wolf was described in the last instalment, , That person, when his eyes fell upon the well-known form aud face of Kansas Kit, gave an angry start as ifa rattlesnake had started up in his path, and, inspite of his. great endeayor at self-control, his dark eyes burned fiercely, and the wrinkles of anger settled * During Kit’s account of his capture and ‘escape from the- Kiowa cump and his attempt to rescué Miss Brandon, Rice presented the appearance of a genial’ itictarnation’of Satan. Kit was too much taken up withthe earnest suit more like rage than sorrow; it was frenzy fierce and tearless. His yells echoed tlirough the trees and were borne in frightful cadences afar upon the night air. “Stop him! Stop him, Mikel’? cried Kansas Kit. “Shut yer pratie trap or I'll put my brogue in it,’? cried Mike, catching him by the shoulder and shaking him vio- lently, but the fellow Whipped out his Knife and woald have slaughtered his pacifier had not the Irishman drawn off and planted one of his huge fists in his face with such force a3 to send him whirling, hoop-fashion, through the trees. ‘How do you likea touch of the commaulyeen, ye dirty blaggard?’’ he roared after the doubled-up savage. But the howling voice he had stilled had already done the evil feared, for its last yell was echoed by the wild thrill of the war-whoop mingled. with fierce yells of rage from the direction of the cayern, and the rapid rushing of many moccasined feet was heard hasting over bramble and rock toward the temporary corral. “Quick, quick!” cricd Kansas Kit, at the top of his voice, fur there was. now no need,of concealment. “Un- hitch the strongest of the horses and stampede the rest.”? Fortunately for them some of the more cautious and matter-of-fact of the men already untied sufficient of the animals for the party, It was, but an instani’s work to cut: the. halters of the remainder, and then there was mounting in hot laste, each fugitive holding the rein of one of the riderless beasts. : : ‘ “Here, Mike! Hold the girl ‘til I mount,’ cried Kit, and springing on One of the horses held for him, he held outhis arms, “Now, he said, “give her to me.” “What? cried several, in rapid, astonished utterances, he was engaged in to notice it, but Corduroy Mike kept his eye npbd the amiable ha ed ail the time, though it was more from fascination than a oo ee or sus- picion of the cause of the man’s ay, motion. Kit pleaded well forthe immediate punisiment of the murderers of the Brandon family, atid the rescue of the unfortunate Ruth, who, he said,: if ieft to tie mercies:of the Apaches, had far better been kiled with her arents > but he might 3 well have talked to the howitzer on which the cominissioner had seated his pompous form,.as if by that means to insure its uselessness. The official at Kit’s conclusion opencd his mouth and spake. He drawled drearily about detegations,. and. Gepu- tations, and reservations, and conciliations, and ali the other words of like termination Uiat he could drag into his oration. y “Botheration!’? said the major, angrily. | 2: ‘p——_1” eried Kansas Kil, beginuin smn astronger word of the same ending sound. ““What are soldiers and men aud arms here for? Is it to fight savages or to jaw with Quakers, who haven’t thecommon spunk to save their Owu daughters and wives from these fiends that they cover with beads and feed on sugar candy? curse themt lwishto Heaven the Kiowas would scalp every long-winded, white-livered, brass-mounted blower they send from Washington,” _ aa The commissioner jumped from the gun in a pblustering toned it again, “Who are you, sir?” he oried, with puffed cheeks. “You know darned well who Iam!’ answéred Kit, an-~ _. “Give her to me," was the almost savage answer grily—“that fa, if you know anything at all sufficient for “Sandon _ ‘his brow. * manner, buttoned up his coat, and immediately unbut- — 45 ey ~~ Se panreenenia norman tit eit oN ~eeeeaageintntn isos ste ea sentra ae