V _.lllHllI![1!Hl,lI_ll!ll , \s \ K \‘ _, 3 . \ ; , . w \ K - NW N“ \ g ‘ ‘\ \ \ a w I A 1 \ R i k x 5;: :\ ._\ \ 1"\ IMMMM ’ x g I g \ ‘ ‘ r» ~ ._ 7, i ‘ I V ‘ _ ._.__.__~ figs-#939599 w . ‘ g. . 1mm "NIH mummy -ilIllIlJIHI[MM z w IIHI II} I [I] a?!“ m I, IIHIIIK\ COPYRIGHT, 1883. m' Bunw 8; ADAMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. APRIL.1905. . NILVQI:—l?ijii§v&“(tolwlfihiiishers N0 1 PubhfihecihEvery (JAMES SULLIVAN. P;mx-mmon), ’ PRSISE 5 CENTS” l ' ' on ' 379 Pearl Street, New York. 0' a’ year' ‘ ' THE SKY DEMON; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. BY OLL OOOMES, AUTHOR OF “VAGAROND Jon,” “rm: DUMB SPY,” “ANTELOPE ABE,” “KEEN-KNIFE,” “PROSPECT PETE,” ETC., mo. WI "1!!!!qu L. g. ., l 3"“ « m1! 1'? W Juli n! :[M I“ t. w p‘ I . Illip'fiif'ih ! I ' . I :31? E y" ‘1‘ H u If”; " 2 The Sky Demon; RAINBOLT, 2E RANGER. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR or “LI'ran roxrma,” “VAGABOND JOE,” arc. arc. ' CHAPTER I. run: VILLAIN’S PLOT. IN fifteen minuteslthe emigrant train on the Union Pacific railrodd was to leave the depot at Omaha, going west. Two men, evidently waiting for the train, might have been seen acing to and fro upon the station platform in c ose conversation. The oldest of the two was apparently forty years of age. He was of medium hight and build, with steel-gray eyes, sharp and brilliant. His hair, which was cut closely to a well-shaped head, was of a dark brown, as was also his heavy mustache and whiskers. He was dressed in light gray clothes, after the fashion of the day (1869). The other individual was a man of some thirty years. He was much taller than his companion, 'but not so compactly built. His hair was black as the raven‘s wing, and hung about his shoulders long and straight; his eyes were black, but small and evil-like. His face was smoothly shaven. and bore the unmistaka- ble evidence of a dissipated character. He was dressed in a suit of dark clothes that fitted him stiffly and made him appear i" at eaSe. , No one in Omaha knew these two individuals, yet their names were spoken daily in connection with their crimes, for the former was Duval Dun arvon, the notorious robber~captain of the Blue Hills, and the latter Blufe Brandon, the tBhe renegade Cheyenne chief known as Black ear. Having glanced about them to see that no one was near, the robber chief asked, in a low tone: “Well, Brandon, have you made up your mind about that matter?” “ Not exactly,”answered Brandon, “for, since I have considered that on have oceans of gold stowed away in the ‘ ills,’ I think you can af- ford to say ten thousand dollars.” “Ten thousand furies!” replied the robber captain; “what would such a notorious cut- throat as you are do with ten thousand dollars? You couldn’t spend it among your accursed Indians, and you dare not attempt to spend it among white people! But, however, I suppose I must submit, as the game is in your hands. But, mind you, the girl has got to be placed in my hands at the Devil’s Tarn, forty miles south of Che enne, and if one hair of her head is in- jured, will not give you one centl” and the eyes of the robber-captain glowed like living coals of fire. “How soon will Sanford—I believe that’s whatr’you called him—start for San Fran- ciscc “ Within the next ten days, I understand— however, I can telegraph you at Julesburg on the morningkthey star using, of course, our hotel name plume. ow, remember.” At this juncture, the conductor’s call of “ All aboard” ended the two villains’ conversation, and bidding his companion adieu, Blufe Brandon entered the cars. and in another moment he was rolling t0ward the mountains. Duval Dungarvon entered an omnibus, and (fi'deliod the driver to drive him to the Wyoming ote . And thus in al few minutes two villains—cue a robber and the other a rene 0, both from the fastneases of the Black Hi s—had planned and plotted a dark and perha bloody crime. Five days later, and Duva Dungarvon was . a ain cing the depot platform. He was acne, ut. from the im atient look upon his 'face and the occasional g ance up the street, it was evident that he was expecting some one. Presently his face brightened as he saw a car- riage, drawn by four horses, rollin down toward the de t, and as it drove up a ongside the platform e walked to the opposite side, and min led with some men collected there, but all t while, kept a close watch upon the carriage. ' When the vehicle stopped. a tall, noble, gray- haired man of some fifty years stepped out and assisted a. young and beautiful girl to the plat- form. These were followed by our youn men dressed in sportsmen’s garbs, each carry g a new Spencer rfle and a game-bag. , The elderly gentleman was Co one] Wayland - The Sky Demon. ., Sanford, and the young girl his daughter Silvia. They were just about to start on a. visit to friends in San Francisco. Two of the youn men, Willis and E‘ank Armond, were the co - onel’s nephews a . men of means and leisure. The other two, alter Lyman, attorney, and Ba] h Rodman, physician and surgeon, were Wil is’ and Frank’s intimate friends, who, like themselves, did not have to depend entirely upon their profession for a livelihood; so the four young gentlemen had .concluded to accom- pany tle colonel and daughter as far as the mountains, where they could spend the summer in hunting as recreation from the dust and heat of city life. ; As soon as Duval Dungarvon saw the party enter the cars that stood awaiting their load of human freight, he turned and entered the tele- graph office, and taking up a blank seated him- self at a desk and wrote the following message‘ which he at once dispatched: .“ OMAHA June 15th, 1869. “WILLIAM BATES, Esq“ Julesburg, W. T.:—-San- ford and daughter leave on morning train for San Francisco. Cur-r024 Parson." Paying for the dispatch, the robber-captain went out upon the platform. The cars were just rolling away, and from one of the windows he beheld the eyes of Colonel Sanford fixed upon him like one in a trance; but in an instant the train was gone, and, turning on his heel, he strod1 away, muttering to himself: “ By furies! he recognized me! It’s a good thing he’s gone, Duval Dungarvon, alias Clifton Payson, for he might have given you trouble, and the best thing for you is to get out of here yourself.” And so he did. The next day the villain took the train West. Had one from the grave confronted Colonel Sanford, he could not have been more startled than he was on seeing Duval Dungarvon. For fully an hour he sat in profound silence. which his young friends attributed to his feelings on leaving home, and the. possible idea that he might never live to return to it again. Finally, however, he rallied and talked and joked in his usual humorous spirits. After nearly two days’ ride, the train rolled into J ulesburg, where it etc ped for a few min- ut"s. But one person too the train at this point, and that rson was Blufe Brandon, the renegade chief, llS face completely disguised in a mass of false grizzly whiskers. The renegade passed from coach to coach and finally seated himself on the seat behin Colonel Sanford, which happened to be vacant. Julesburg was left far behind, and away in the distance westward the dark ran e of the Black Hills loomed up against the glow ng sky. . There being no way-stations, the tram rolled rapidly on, never tiring, never halting, gliding into the dark cut, by roaring canyon, over the yawning orge, beneath the beetling crag, through dismal tunnel—on on until it had entered the environs of the lack Hills. Then the eviloeyed passenger from J ulesburg glanced around, and seeini no eye upon him, placed his hand in his poc at and drew therefrom a small packet which he at once tossed out at the window with considerable force. A dull report like that of a pistol; a lurid flash like that by a rocket, where the packet struck the earth, fol- lowed this act. . But one person in the cars saw that flash, and that was he who produced it; but, far away up on a mountain peak, another pair of eyes saw and read the meaning of that flash, and immediately from the same hight a blazing arrow shot far up into the air, described a beautiful curve, and then fell to the earth again. Then, fully three miles further on to word the west, from the summit of another peak, a blu light might have been seen swing- ng to and r0, then standing still, then rolling through the air like a blazing hoop. Suddenly, in roundin an abrupt curve, the‘ glowing headli ht flash on a red flag standing n the center 0 the track. Instantl the wary engineer whistled down brakes, an in a mo- ment the train sto ped. At that instant a yell that fairly shook t e old hills fell upon the ears of the passengers—a savage hlood-curdling yell, mingled with the clash of fire-arms. It required but a single thought_for the pas- sengers to realise the terrible truth. The train had been stopped by a band of Indians! Simultaneous with the yell of the Indians a loud, coarse voice cried out: “ Put out the lights; the train has been at- tacked by the Indians!” It was the voice of Blufe Brandon. In an instant the li hte were put out in that coach. Then follow ‘a confusion that began" description. The yells of the Indiana, the re- burned in a little wood .— port of pistols, the crashing of glass, the jam» ming of shutters, the screaming of women, the commands and shouts of men, made the moment awful, terrible. In the midst of the excitement Brandon grung to his feet, and, leanin forward, seized ilvia Sanford around the w t—lifted her in his arms as though she had been an infant, and turning, glided out the door and sprung from the car. ' “ 0h, father, help! Some one is carrying me off!” cried Silvia, as she was home from the car. “Great God! what foul treachery is this?" cried Colonel Sanford, springing to his feet. “ Willis, Frank, 2315’s, all come, for Heaven's sake!” and, follow by the four young men, be rushed out and sprung from the car just in time to see the villain disappear down a black defile with his child. The moment the renegade sprung from the car every Indian turned and follow ed him, leavingt e ‘ did, leaving Colonel Sanford and his young friends standing alone in that awful gloom! It was quite evident that the attack had been carefully arranged, simply for the abduction of Miss Sanford, for no one was killed, nor did the savages attempt to board the train as they had done on previous occasions: but withdrew at a, signal of their chief, Blufe Brandon. A speechless silence fell over the colonel and his party. They stood and gazed into the gloom that seemed impenetrable. The prospect of recovering the lost girl ap peared to the experienced eyes of the father al- most as gloomy as were the surroundings. The remembrance of the face he had seen at Omaha as the cars were leaving, the face of a man whom he knew to be his bitter, implm al Is enemy, instantly caUSed him to connect the man with the disappearance of his (is ughter. Under these circumstances it was indeed for- tunate that the father was an (’Xpt'l‘lt‘llrf‘d Indian-fighter. During the gold fever of 1848 he had crossed the plains twice, and s nt many years in the mines of California. T en during the Pike‘s Peak excitement he . at a couple cf- years there, and during the In Ian troubles he ad command of a regiment of cavalry npcn active dut , their field of operations being in the imme iate vicinity of the Black Hills. Thus most of his life had be u spent upon the frontier, or among the Indians, whose language, haunts and habits he had learned to perfection; and there was but little of the country in which they now were but what he was intimately ac- uainted with, though five years had elapsed s nce he had last traversed it. Knowing that no time was to be lost be shaped their course, a ml at once set of! in the direction taken by the savages, the darkness rendering it impossxblc to follow the trail. Thus began the young men’s summer recrea- tion on the plains! CHAPTER H. mm AERIAL DEMON or Tm: HOUNTAIN. NIGHT had fallen, but through the darkness gleamed the cheerful li ht of a camp-fire that; valley, near where it debouched from the Black Hills into the great lain, or Buffalo Range. Within its radius of ight, two men were visible—one lying upon the ground asleep, the other seated before the fire, evidently keeping guard. The former was a short. heavy-set man, of some five and thirty ears, with a broad, florid face. that told of umor and good nature. A rifle was lying near, a huntin knife was in his belt, and. though sound as ec , his hand grasped a short, stout club or 311an h which alone would have proclaimed his Hibernian extraction. . The Irishman’s com nion was a. type of a' different nationalit . e was a tall, pOWeriul negro, with skin lack as the ebon darkmss around him. He sed limbs and muscles of Herculean develo ment, and a face iii-m, courageous and intel ectual in its outlines. He held a double rifle. which flashed like a bar of silver in .the firefight. Both were dressed in rhs of buckskin, halfsavage and half civil- gd in fashion. The negro sat with his rifle resting in the ho] low of his arm. gazing into the glowing fire with a kind of vacant look. ~As the minutes stole by, his eyés re .. heavy with watching. and, presently, his end rolled languidly upon his shhulders in a gentle dose. Boon bewever. he was aroused by a sound—the scan of approaching footsteps. He «prank 00 his feet‘nand, shading his eyes with .his hand, peered to the gloom. At this moment fl" amen emerged from train to resume its course, which it I the forest and .w‘ A. W: at“ V 1. a V . >M-n~vi~dwwtulw A Y .Q W“-.. a II‘he Sky Demon. halted within the radius of light. It was Col- one] Wayland Sanford ay' his four young com nions. Co onel his eyes upon those of the negro, and for a moment the two stood glaring at each other with a look of recognition, surprise, fear and revenge depicted upon their features. .A profound silence ensued. ‘he hand of the darky wandered mechanically to his knife, while the cold. gray eyes of Sanford flashed like burning coals, and his breast heaved and throhbed as though an internal volcano was sur ing within it. 1 he colonel was the first to break the si- ence. “Ebony Jim! Villain and rascal l” he exclaimed, fiercely. “ It is you?—you who de- serve shooting without ceremony?” The colonel‘s words seemed to transform the negro. His defiant, courageous look gave way to one of fear. ' “Oh, good Lor'!” he exclaimed, fairly tremlr — ling, “it’s ole Massa Sanfor’, de poor young missus‘s father, and now dis poor niggers time am come!” “Ah! you fear the halter of justiCe, do you, you blac wretchi” exclaimed the colonel in- dignantly. “For four years I have hunted you -—to shoot you I” i :;,,()n, good Heaben, massa, I hab done nutr- n “Then what brought you here, and why do you fear me?” “ ’Gause, massa, I s’pose you and dem gemmen dar come to ’rest dis nigger—” “For what i” “ Why, you ’members I war hid in de woods when r Massa W'alraven war taken to de Debbil’s Tarn and—” “ Hush! hush! for God’s sake, Ebony, speak not of that affair!” cried the colonel, growing suddenly changed in his tone toward the darky. He spoke so loud that the Irishman was awak- ened from his slumber. “ Och, and be the How] Val‘gin, and who’s this that comes a disthur ing of me p’aceful shlumber at the dead hour av ni ht. Wirra, but I’ll shpring afoot and hate their heads wid me ole shelaliah, so shure as me name is Flick O’Flynn,” exclaimed the Hibernian, rising to a pitting posture and rubbing his eyes confused- i‘q am so we have disturbed on,” said Frank Armon , apologletically, “ but hope you will pardon us for t e unceremonious intrn. sion.’ “ Ay, and that I will,” replied O’Flynn, gain- ing his equilibrium of mind, “ fer it’s mees thet’s glad to say the likes av yees in this h’athing conthry, so it so it is.” In the mean time Colonel Sanford had stepped to Ebony’s side and spoke in a lower and kinder veice: , “Forgive me, Ebony, for my rashness° but tell me truthfully, where is Florence Wal- raven?” “ Why should dis nigger know better dan enny bodElse, mama?” \ ’ “ cause I know you assisted her to flee gory?! home four years since, and now where is 0 “Good Lor’ only knows. S’pects she’s in heaben wid de angels,” replied the negro, ap- parently much surprised. “ Come, Ebony l” exclaimed Sanford, growing nervous and excited again. “ Trifle not with me. You have lied to me already; you know where Florence is; you assisted her to flee. Speak, tell me the truth or your life shall ‘l pa’Y Good Lor’, you misjudge dis niggair', Massa Sanfor’. Nebber sence r Massa alraven went into de army have see’d de young mise- us, and when Massa alraven was convictioned ob bein’ 8. tr tor and taken to de Debbil’s Tarn —I mean w on be war punished so orfully— dis nigger run away into de mountain fear he be sarved so too, ’case he see’d something, and neer bah I see’d de young missus, nor nobody, till dis blamed minit.” “Are you speaking the truth, Ebony?" asked the colonel, seriously, ca mly. “ A: 1’s a borp nigger dat’s de truf, Massa San- “ Theu for ive me, old boy, for my hasty ac- cusal," said t e colonel, extendln his hand to the darky. ~ “ Florence has been in ng for four ears, and ‘we always suspicioned you of steal- ing her away.” , ‘Dis nig er cherishes nuflin’ ill in his heart to’rds ole assa Sanfor’,” said Ehoni, grasping the colonel’s hand, “ but ohl how his eartacbes when he t’inks ob dat awful—awful ’fair at de Debbil’s Tarn.” “ Hush, Ebony, about the Devil’s Tarn,” said Sanford, in a w isper. “ It racks my soul with torture. Prong'se me you’ll not mention it again.” - “ I promise,” said .the negro. “Then let us be seated and talk of other things.” They all gathered around the fire and Colonel Sanford informed the two hunters of their mis- sion there. “Be garry, and it‘s Flick O‘Flynn of Car- ricksfergus that can hate in more rhed niggars’ skulls that any man on the job, and yees kin count mees in on the arsuit av the ghal, also. Wirral but mees am in me glory when swing— ing me old shelaliah among the dirthy black-d g’ards, so it is, so it— Har—rk!” Though the Hibernian was’ talking quite boisterously, his practiced ear caught. a far off and peculiar sound, coming from the Black Hills. ’ “ Ay, and didn’t ye hear thet, now i” he asked. “ No; what was it?” queried Sanford. " It was a sound rhesembling the thuang av a horn—there she am again i” This time all heard it, and, true enou h, it was the far-off blast of a horn. Flick 0‘ lynn and Ebony exchanged inquiring and ominous glances. “ A hunter, I suppose,” Said young Rodman. “Nota bit- av it! It’s the gathering call av robbers, in yonder hills,” said O‘Flinn, pointing awav westward over the Black Hills. “But what means that?” asked Willis Ar- mond, pointing up toward the dark sky. All eyes gazed upon the object in question with wonder and surprise. It was a bright, glowing speck not unlike a blazing star; but it was mov ng, drifting slowly through the hea- vens—now east—now west—now sinking—now rising—now circling around and around—again standing still against the black canopy of bee.- ven. “ That is surely not a star,” said Walter Ly- man. “ No; but it’s a mystery to me,” said Colonel Sanford. Again the twang of the horn was heard. and, as its echoes rolled back through the hills, the mysterious blazing star was seen to glide away through the heavens and disappear in a moment behind the mountain range. “ That is a. mystery that is not the agency of man.” said the colonel. ' “ Oh, Lor’l I tell ye, Massa Sanfor’, our time am come! But war de horn ob de ark-angel wakin’ up de dead.” “You’re a fool, Ebony; you’ve lost all the coura c you ever did possess.” “I now I’s a fool, massa, but I’s been a wicked nigger. and de world am comin’ to a eend. and oh, Lor’ ob heabensl dar comes de le Nick—do Ole Nick !-——de Ole Nick! after dis chile—oh—oh—oh l” Ebony stretched out his hands as if to keep 06 some horrible object. His eyes were lifted ward and glared like those of a madman. is lips stood slightly apart, revealing his firm-set teeth, and his features Were convulsed with . horror. “Ebon l Ebony! are you goingkmad?’ ex- claimed nford, excitedly. The negro moved not a muscle nor his up- lifted eyes, but at that instant, a fierce and terrible scream burst ovor the heads of the little grou . All started and lifted their eyes up- war , and as they did so, every face became blanched with terror. They saw what Ebony saw, and startled as he did. They saw not a human nor a beast, but an awful terrible figure -a figure resembling a human skeleton [looting th h the air, high over the tree a , its hast y proportions revealed by the 51110 e and ame emitted from the sunken eyes, the dis- tended nostrils and the wide, grinning mouth. Great white arms bent and buffeted the air like the wings of a strug lin, vampire, while scream after scream peel wi d and unearthly from the horrid creature’s lips. It was fully a bun- ,dred feet above the tree-tops and moved swift- ly—so swift, that in a moment it had floated gyfir the camp and disappeared behind the dark 1 s. The party stood transfixed with horror. Colonel Sanford was the first to break the silence. “In the name ofGod, what was it?" he gasped. “I tell you it’s de Ole Nick after dis poor, black niggiivrl,” persisted Ebony. - - Flick 0 n acted quite indiflerent. He showed but ttle surprise at sight of the horrid creature, at he exclaimed: “Holy other! it makes the hair sthand on mees head, and polar icebergs rholl down me back, but then it’s not the fast time that Flick O’Flynn, of Carricksfergus, has see’d that chreature.” ‘ “ What is itl beast, human, fiend cr—” “Ay, there now, and it’s the horrid chrea- ture known as the Aerial Demon of the Moun- tain.” ______ CHAPTER III. a MOMENT or PERIL. FOR some time the wildest excitement pre- vailed in the hunters’ camp over w hat O‘Flynn had said was the Aerial Demon, the scourge of the Black Hills. ‘ Flick could thrown no light on the subject, further than that he had seen it once helore, and heard of its being seen by others, and strik- ing terror to the hearts of the Indians. For fully an heur this aerial ap Jaiition was the subj- ct of conversation,- an many and curious were the suppositions entertained by the party as to its nature. ' , B this time the clouds had rolled away, and the blue dome of heaven was glimmering with myriads of stars. The murky shadows were lifted from the great lain that stretched away in tranquil beauty li e an ocean, broken now and then by a silvery lake or stream, or a little woodland isle that nestled down on its bosom like a mere black speck. And as the moments stole by, a score of dusky forms suddenly emerged from the shadow of one of those pfairie islands, and moved silently over the p am. It was a band of hostile Cheyenne Indians, beadin toward the Black Hills. As the night was far advanced, and Colonel Sanford and his young friends were greatly fatigued with their long trump through the mountain, they concluded to remain with the hunters until morning, inasmuch as they had promised to accom an them on the morrow in pursuing the re -skins. The tire was re— plenished with fuel. The flames leaped up and relieved the gloom for man feet around; but backed in by the great woo s on one side, and the rise of a hill on the other, the light was, as it were, pent up in the immediate vicinity. And so it was hidden from the gaze of those on the near plain, but not to those on the hills, nor to those far out on the plain. Flick O‘Flynn was to stand guard the rest of the night—he refusing all offers of relief. Ie lit his pipe and seated himself before the fire, with his shillalah lying across his knees. The rest of the arty stretched themselves in various attitudes a ut the fire to rest. Just then a nightbird fluttered overhead with a startled scream. Every man sBrung quickly to his feet. Was it the Aerial emon again? They glanced around them. No. It was not the demon, but a si ht equz' as horrifying met their gaze. Out mm the eep gloom, into the glare of the roaring csmp—fire—with the silence of phantoms, their inted visages aglow with diabolical triumph, eir hands clutching a knife or tomahawk, came a score of Cheyenne Indians, surrounding our friends on every side like sheep in a slaughter-pen. For a moment they paused just within the circle of light; then they uttered a yell, so fierce that the blood stood like ice in the veins of the whites. “ Ochl and be the Howly Mother, it’s a sorry time we’ll have," exclaimed Flick O‘Fl nn, whirling his shillalah about his head; “ but ere gopls,” and he dashed among she savages!~ with a ye . - l ‘- “And here comes dis chile,” exclaimed Ebony, clubbing his rifle and following: “We lave got to fight for our lives,” said Colonel Sanford, who, plossessing no weapon, stooped and A);ng up a eavy club, one end of which was a , and swinging it aloft he dashed in among the savagoe,Frank and Willis Armond, Walter Lyman and Ralph Rodman following suit with clubbed rifles. The conflict instantly became fearful. The Cheyennes were three to one, and our friends fought with the desperation of despair -—of madmen. SeVeral savages went down. but the death of each one made the survivors all the more desperate; and presently Walter L man fell unconscious from a blow on the has , and Willis Armond received a se ere wound on the arm. Defeat and death st oui friends in the face—they were being gradually overpowered —the savages were closing in upon them—an: other moment-- But hark! what sound was that? Was it the voice of doom! CHAPTER N. mm mm or was: new. IT was the wild scream of a bird that fell up on the ears of the combatants, but at the next I .411 - - .-q u” inlet“ “vi «.3! 4 ... .....— .. ~“rv‘~b—e .. M - v-r' -, The Sky Demon. instant a horseman dashed wildly in among the savages, a drawn saber in hand. And so swift did the stranger swing the polished Weapon right and left upon the tufted skulls of the red- skins that it seemed a. broad sheet of fi ime. Nor did the strange .man come alone to theresCue. A large, tame gray eagle accompanied him, and the fierce bird seemed impired with the same warlike spirit of its master. Down into the sav- ages’ faces, striking with talon, beak and wing, sweeped the great bird with a scream, tearing and lacerating the flesh and eyes at every Stroke. - The scale of battle was turned as if by magic. The savages, defeated and terrified. fled into the shelter of the forest, pursued by Ebony and the stranger’s fierce bird, leaving half their number behind, dead. All eyes were now turned upon their strange deliver-er. He was a young man not more than thirty. In stature he was about five feet. six inches. His figure was firmly knit, but flexible, and every movement supple, easy and graceful. His hair was of a dark brown, as was also his beard that in a great measure concealed his face and hung to the pimmel of his saddle. A few remature wrinkles were faintly traced about 15 eyes. A tunic of blue velveteen ornamented with ellow fri- go and confined at the waist by a eather belt, buckskin thsers, buckskin leg- gings and moccasins, and a gray felt hat consti tuted his garb. A saber. a brace of revolvers. in his belt, and a rifle that was Swung at his back by means ofa a'rnp passing over his shoulder, were the wea- pons he carried. The animal he rode was a black, mettlesome mustang with arched neck and flashing ey es, clear limbs and muscular proportions. A large, and what appeared cumbersome, pair of well filled saddle-bags were thrown over the cuntle of the saddle, while on one side hung a double field'glass, and on the other side a coiled silver ‘ini'ii. Replacing his saber in its scabbard, he turned and gaz-d upon those he had rescued.- From one to the orher his eves wandered until they met those of Wayland Sanford, when a sll'ange, wild light fl ished in them. A momentary silence ensued. The horseman was the first to speak. “ A warm time you were having, my friends,” he said, in a clear voice. “Indeed we were,” replied the old colonel, with a nervous tremor in his voice, induced by ex! rtion and excitement; “and whom have we the honor of thanking for our rescue f" a “My name is Rodger Rainbolt," replied the horseman. in his clear, ringing voice, in which there was much of will bluntness; “and now your name, if you please?” "Wayland banford.” The ranger was silent for a moment, then he asked: “ What brings Wavland Sinford here in these wilds, dressed in the fine ciothes of a ciriz n?" The colonel informed him of the abduction of his ‘daughter, and that they were in pursuit of the Indians. “Uh humphl” ejaculated the ranger, when he had heard the co‘onel’s story. At this moment Ebony returned from pursuit of the saying savages, and. as the runger’s eyes fell upon. him, he turned his animal so that the fire would riot shine in his face. In the meantime, Flick O’Flynn and Frank Armond were busily engaged in restoring young Lyman to his senses. of which‘ a blow on the head had bereft him; while the young sur eon, Ralph R »d man, turned his attention to Willie’s bleeding arm. . "Do you know what tribe the Indians belong to that captured your girl?” asked Riinbolt, after a mom Ant": silence. . ‘- Tney were Clieyennes,” replied the colonel. " Black Bear’s cut-throats, 'I suppose,” re- turned the handsome ranger. “ Golly mighty!” suddenly exclaimed Ebony, peering up into the ranger’s face as he spoke; ‘dat sounds jist like Massa Walraven’s vome, as P: a born nigger, but den it’s not his face, for Massa Walraven died long ago—died at de Debbil’s Turn," and he turned away. The ranger flushed a Quick glance upon San- ford, who was moving uneasily; then in a tone of indiflerence said: . “I am afraid you will not succeed in rescuing your daughter if Black Bear has reached or does reach his haunts.” “ God forbid that he should 1” exclaimed San- to d. . E‘Bnt,” continued the horseman, “since I am not particularly engaged at present, I can and will devote my time to assisting you in rescuing your girl. I wish, h wever, to act strictly alone, for the assistai ,e I have will enable me to do so with success—bur, I had en- tirely forgot my cornpanion,”and taking the silver born from his saddle, he placed it to his lips and blew a shrill blast. Immediately after this act the winnowing of great wings was heard. and a moment later the eagle that attacked the savage-s so fi rcely settled down from the gloom overhead and perched itself Upon the shoulder of the ranger. Blood was on its talons and beak. “ A noble pet you have, Mr. Rainbolt,” said the colonel, admiringly. “Yes, sir; one that will be worth more to me in rescuing our daughter than a dozen men. His instinpt lS wonderful and his strength pro- digious. One stroke of his wing, Mr. Sanford, would break your arm as though it were a straw. I have known him to carry in his talons a weight of a hundred pounds. Ah, a noble bird is Echo, my eagle. He hates a red-skin with all the bitterness of his master.” “ You must have had great patience in train- ing him, Mr. Rainbolt.” . “ I do no claim all that honor. He was partly trained when he came into mv ossession. He was given me by an old .Cali ornian named Bark-Jr.” “ barker!" burst involuntarily from Sanford’s lips; “ (lustavc Barker?” “Yrs; Gustave Barker,” replied the ranger, eving, the colonel sharply. “Do you know himr “ Ohv—no I have heard of him," replied San- ford, recovering from his sudden excitement. There was a few moments’ silence, broken only by the impatient pawing of the ranger’s Steed. ' Der-tor Rodman had succeeded in restoring Lvman to his senses, and bad carefully dressed Willis’s arm, which, ofterail, had only sustained a il:*Sll-Wt)llllil. "I say, Lynnn ” said the young physician, after his friend hai recovered his Senses, “ tuat blow you got on the head is what is termed in legal plira~e, ‘ Salt and battery,’ ain’t it?" " Yes,” replied the young lawyer, rubbing his sore head; “but, in this nifziir there is more ‘ buttery ’ than ‘ ‘sault’; however, I shall bring ac‘ion at once for dmnagcs.” “ And try the. case before—what is iii—oh, yes; the Aerial D mon.” said Willis, laughing. “The Aerial Demon!” exclaimed Rainbolt; “ have you seen that horrid, mysterious crea- turei” . "Yes; it passed over our camp an hour or so ago Can you throw any light on the real nature of the mystery 1” Nothing more than that it is the most fright< ful o‘ ject I ever saw ” returned the ranger. “ Ay, now, and it’s yees that spakes the thru'h loudly, for it’s mees that’s see’d the chreature twice. and both times it stharted polar icebergs down my back, so it did,” said Flick. “ Well,” said Rainbolt, “since Ican be of no further service to you, gentlemen, I may as well take my departure. Should I succeed in rescuing your daughter, Mr. Sanford. I will communicate the fact to you at once,” and As he concluded he took from his pocketatime- worn memorandum, and tearing out one of the stained lcaVes, nded it to Colonel Sanford, saying: “ Read t at, Colonel Wavland Smford, and good—night to you all,” and as he spoke the pet eagle arose into the air—the spirited mus- tang prickcd up its ears, champed its hit impa— tiently, and the next moment Rodger Rainbolt, the ranger, was gone. , “ He’s a curious fellow—a living mystery,” said Ralph Rodmau; “but what ails you, colo- nel~ what ails you?" “Oh, nothing, nothing but excitement, as usual,” replied the colonel, evasively: “but let me see what the ranger wants me to read.” He turned and stirred up the waning camp- fire. and Seating himself upOn the ground, glanced at the paper. A groan eScn ed his lips as he did so and the paper droripe from his hand, and falling into the fire, was consumed in an instant, while the colonel's hands dropped to ‘ his knees and his eyes became fixed upon the fire. “ What did he write. uncle?” asked Frank. There was no respf nae to his question. Frank repeated it. Still no reply. “ The ranger has thrown the colonel’s mind into a quandary,” said voung Lvman. “ Like the red naygur did yours,” said Flick O'Flvnn. ’ “How i- it, colonel!" asked Badman. The colonel was still silent. Frank Armond advanced and laid his hand upon his uncle’s shoulder, but he started back with athrill of horror. The limbs of the colonel were rigid as death, his eyes were still fin-d n the fire with a cold, glassy, vacant stare. is lips stood slightly apart, and his features were ghastly as the dead‘s. “Uncle, uncle!” exclaimed Frank, shaking him violently, “what ails you? Come, rouse up-——great God, what can it mean, Rodi-nan!” The young dcctor was bending ovei the colo- nel, his fingers resting upon the old n u) ’s pulse. “Come. speak, Ralph, a hat does Lilli-tn!" re— peated Frank. “Heavens!” exclaimed the y< ung doctor, starting up, “ what could the ranger hove vi rit~ ten? It has killed the colonel, as God’s in heaven, boys; he is dead—stone dead 1” CHAPTER V. A ROBBER ROBBED. THE blood-red sun hung low in the western heavens, its usual brightness partly obscured by the blue mist that hung OVer the an un'ain and plain. The Black Hills lay dimly oullined against the murk ' sky. In the vast expanse of mountain and ain but a single licmg object could beseen. hat object was a large bird poised aloft above a narrow C(IIIP, or valley. in the Black Hills. For Some time it seemed to hang motion ess on the air, then it desnmded down, down, until it was lost in the mountain shadows; then it darted up again, with a wild scream. from the valzey, its keen eyes fixed on some t bji‘i 1; far below. And what think you it was ti 3 Echo, the eag'e, saw there? It was a teautiiul glade in the green"‘00d valley. A Crimp fire burning in the center of the glade. A number of Indians seated around the fire. Several lodges standing in the lack- ground. An Indian encampment. But two of the Indians claim our especial no- tice. The young chicf, Allacotah, and his tenu- tifnl wife, Silver Vuice. The young chief sat apart from his compan- ions, apparently in deep thonght. Presently the light figure of an Indian woman glided from One of the ledges in the background and approached him. She was young, not more than three and twenty. Her movements were graceful as the faun’s; her voice as swaet and clear as the chimes of a silVer bell. She was drcs-ed in a short frock « f some green niateiial, beautifully ornamented with Indian handiwmk, while beaded moccasinsand white-fringed buck- skin leggings incased her feet and aikles. Approaching and laying her hand upon Alla— cotah s shoulder, she said. in pure English: “ Allacotah, m husband, .3?th thoughtful.” The young chief raised his eyes and gazed in'o those of his wife. “ That is true," he replied; “but the voice of my beautiful Wife cheers me, though I was only gainkipg—thmking of onr'great chief,“ Black ear. “ Oh yes.” replied the beautiful Indian wom- an; “it had not occurred to my mind before that to day Black Bear was to return from the great wigwams of the le-faces.” “Yes; and may his cart not be filled with evil \\ hen he Con e 1 Black Bear is a bad man. He causes much ircuble between the pale-faces and my prople. He has made many widows and orphan s among the great Cheyenne nation -—wa;ed war till Cheyenne blood flowed like water." Two miles from the Indian encampment, on a high, told blufl, s'OOd Rodger Rainbolt, the ranger, One hand was resting on his animal's arched neck, while with the other he held his spy-glass to hisfeyes as he watched a tiny dark speck in the misty sky belore him. That speck was Echo his eagle. “Yes, there are Indians there,” e muttered to himself, “ and perhaps they are he ones that I am in pursuit of. Echo, noble. sagacious bird, has traced them out, and now he marks the spot, by p ising himself in the air, now by tics-end- ing, now rising again—now circling around and around, Ah, noble bird! he circles away, away. He knows his mission is done for the present, and n0w—” He lowered his glass, and taking the coiled born from his saddle, placed it to his lips and blew a shrill, prolonged blast, which, as it echoed far back over the hills. reached the ear of the eagle, and immediately it tended its flight toward its master. In a few minutes it was perched upon his shoulder. “Your war is well done, Echo,” said the run r, caressing the bird " and 1 have only to aw t darkness to accomp ish mine.” . “a .. .Aruiga glue: ‘ ' x ¥~Dn-:. v.2:- madam». MTV" The Sky Demon. The Cheyenne encampment was only a tem- rary one, the permanent village of Black ear being located several miles southwest, Eltl‘lln the southern eXtremities of the Black ills. In anticipation of the return of Black Bear, or Blufe. Brandon, preparations Were mule for rived in camp duiing the dav and informed Al- ] cotah and his braves that Black Bear, with a beautiful captive, and accompanied by several i of his warriors, would arrive there some time ' human, merciless outcast of his own race!” l A: the time for the coming of the distinguished I Silt in. white c-iief drew near, and darkness gathered , arouvid, preparations were hastily made for his ’ ver Voice answered, “and, dear girl,” she con- dur-ng the evening. recv'pti'm. Presently a wild yell announced the expected 1 it’s in my power, and lhe power ( t‘ Allacotah, an ivd. The n ime Black B--ar had a significant mean- ing as applied to the R llr‘EflilP, B’ule Brandon. H id one who hail ntvv r seen him in his disguise c it. Ih, they would have started up uith sudden far, for there was nothing natural in his ap- pearance. . o The villain Was completely disguiSed in the skin of a black bear. Even the head of the an- imal rested upon that of his own, With its round. glaring eyes, its open mouth, red tongue and white fangs, in life-like presentation. As the nose of the animil projected over the head of the renegade the face of the latter was com- !-:t'ely con:caled by 1 ng, straggling hairs aging from the under jaw of the animal’s head, yet toe rufli in’s eyes shone through the hairy mask ike those of a serpent through the dart. His arms and legs were wrapped in the skin carefully taken from the animal’s limbs, with the long cliws attached, and dexterously fixed to his toes and fingers— thus perfecting his disguise a; completely that be looked like a bear walking erect upon his hind feet. in his arms the renegade carried Silvia San- ford, who, a few minutes before their arrival, had fainted from sheer exhaustion, long fast- ing and excessive heat. A rug of skins and robes was laid near the fire and the pale and beautiful captive placed ii on it. Black Bear then turned to Silver oice and requested her to look after the maid- en’s wants and assist the medicine-man in restor- ing her to const-iousness. Silver Voice advanced, and bending over the captive, gaz ~d into her pretty, pale face. A low or escaped her lips, an-l h--ckonin2 her hus- band a e pOinted down, and said: “ Docs it not look—" “N ver mind what the girl looks like, but hasten to restore her. That girl’s life is worth ten thousand dollars to me.” It was Black Bear who Spoke, his voice sound- ing hoarse and hollow beneath his hairy mask. Allacotflb was a chief of war and distinc- tion. but Black Beat was is superior—hence the latter’s authoritative, indignant command. Silver Voica, with the assistance of Allacotah, began the task of metering the captive to con- sciousness. Water was brought from a spring hard b and the brow of the maiden bathed. A cordi made of soma wild herbs was adminis- tered and by a vigorous chafing of the limbs and ten lea, Silvia was brought back to life. “ t her in there,” said Black Bear, pointing with his claw clad finger to Silver Voice 8 lodge; “the presence of so many warriors might excite her too much. She must have rest and food.” Allaooteh lifted her in his strontz arms and carried her into the lodge where Silver Voice had arranged a neat, comfortable couch of skins. Laying her upon the couch, the chief went out, leaving the two women alone. Silvia opened her eyes and gazed around. There was a fat-lamp, made in a rude_ stone bewl, burnihg in the lo lge, and by it. Silvta was enabled to see whnr: she was. All around her wore an air of neatness. The fl mr of the lodge was laid With a carpet of buffilo-rohes, and the walls of the cone-shaped structure were hung with b autlful tapestry of buckskin, highly and artistically ornamented. Strands of Wampum, stuffed birds of beautiful plumage, curious fig- ures carw-d from wood and stone ware arranged around the walls. The only do ect of civilizat- tion to be seen was a small, crac ed mirror. Whon the cuptivo Saw the beautiful Indian woman bending over her with tears in her eyes, her heart beat wuth gent]a hope. “Rest easy, dear girl,” said Silver Voice, kindly, “ you are great] fatigued.” “ Where am If and w o are you with the ten- der voice and angelic face!" asked Silvia, risin_ to a sitting posture and azing around, her min still confused and bewil ered. ‘ ed again as she s in: bheld him when he 8’ltel'e‘d the lodge of Alla- ' , She saw that the Indian woman entertained a. his re. -eption; for a mounted in ssenger had ar- t feeling of intense dislike toward the chief. l Silvia involuntarily arOse and followed her. “ You are in the encampment of Allacotah, and I am S IVer Voice, Allacotah‘s wife.” “ Where is Black Bear l” “ The inhuman wretch is out by the camp- fire.” the woman replied, bitterly. Silvia was surprised by her manner of speech. .‘ "‘i :.'n_en. you do not respect the great chief,” said Silvui, "judging from your remarks.” “ No. I hate him 1” she fairly hissed, "the in- “And do not his warriors like him!” asked “Yes; thrse whose beartsnre vile as his,” Sil- tinued, coming closer and spe king lower, “if never, nuvrr suiftr captivity at his Silvia's face brightened; then it became cloud— “ But he toll my be was going to sell me to a robber captain—tint the robber had promised him a great reward ft r me, but how a rohbt r captain hero in the Black Hills knew me is quite a mystery.” " Did he mention the robber captain’s namez” “Yes: I believe it “as Dungai'von—Duvall Dun arvou.” “ ‘od h..ve mercy!” exclaimed the woman.‘ frantically. “D..vnl Du. garvoul Duval Dun- garvonl Oh, dear girl, helix r take your own life than fall into the bonus of that man. He is a fiend. a devil! It is not your leauty, nor his love for you that makes him desirous of possess- ing you, but it is to torture you, and grind, grind your father’s heart out for revenge—bit- ter, bitter. BITTER revenge!" and the beautiful woman fuiriy raved in her exci ement. Silvia was completely mystified by hert strange words—her mild emoti n. :11 do not understand you, Silver Voice,” she as] . Before the Indian woman could reply, a wild commotion among the savages outside arrested her attention. She turned and went out, and Tan women \\ ere greatly surprised to see the savages, their faces convulsed with horror—their eyes liftkd upward with a terrified stare, speech- less and motionless. Foll0wing the direction in- dicated by their startled gaze, the women be- came equally as ttrrifled. " ' And why? Down the valley from the north floated in the air high above the tree-tops— tar above the reach and power of man, an awful flgurfi—the figure of a human skeleton, its ghastly propor- tions revealed by the flame and smoke emitted from the great sunken eyes the distended nos- trils, and wide grinning mouth. Great v bite arms heat and uffeted the air like the wings of a struLglglingvampire, while scream after scream rent air. . It was the Aerial Demon of the Mountain, the scourge of the Black Hills—the terror of the In- an. Silvla’s face became white with terror, and she clung to Silver Voice for support. “Come into the lod e, dear girl,” said the chief’s wife, “it is the erial Demon.” They turned taward the door of the little cone shaped structure. Just then the clatter of iron shod hoofs coming up the stony valley caught their ears. They stopped. The next instant a white man, mounted upon a mettlesomeanim 1, dashed from the gloom and stopped so quickly by the side of the terrified women, that his animal was thrown back upon its haunches. It was R ‘dger Rainbolt, the ranger! Before Black Bear and his savang could draw their attention from the Aerial Demon—— which in a moment, almost, had passed over the camp and disappeared—the daring ranger lean- ed forward in his stirrups, laced his arm about Silvia’s waist, lifted her mm the ground as though she had been an infant, Willl’l'd his ani- mal southward and dashed away into the gloom of the forest, pursued by Black Bear and his warriors. A»: the ranger turned his animal he gave Sil- ver Voice one quick glance that seemed to pierce bur to the heart. She threw n her hands. clutcth wildly at FpfiCP, uttcre a lmv, con v'ilsive sob, and sunk unconscious into the arms of her- husband, Allacotah. CHAPTER Vl. THE HIDDEN 11mm. AWAY through the dark wood and down the mountain defile the ranger dashed with his precious burden. ’L... ‘ Silvia uttered no word of fear, no cry of pain She had caught a glimpse of the "mast": nob): handsome face as he lifted her from t e groan in the Indian encampment, and, as if by magic, ' her heart became inspired with confidence in him. “Fear not, Mi: 5 Sanford l” the stranger breathed in her ear when they had fair] cleared the Indian encampment; “you are 53 6 with a friend.” “ A friend—a noble, daring friend, stranger that knows my name,” replied in a voice slightly agita‘ed. - “ That’s true, Miss Sanford; but I learned your name from your father.” “ Fatht r!" t xclaimed the maiden. “ Oh, where and when Hid you see my father?” “ I saw him less than twenty-four hours ago but many miles from here. He was in searcho you. “ Thank Heaven!” breathed the maiden; “ but who am i indebted to for my rescue and the in- formation i” , " My name is Rodger Rainboli; I am a ranger, a rude, rough man of the plaii s.” “ \Gour bravery and m selfi~hness, Mr. Rein- et I ilvia, I l-olt, are nob'er virturas tian the cultivated po- ; liteness of rcflnemen . H “ You flatter me, Miss Sanford, and I hope it I is rightfully bes‘owed,” m s the re ply, had then both became silent for a timv . Presently they emerge. from the dark forest into an open and I! W] plain through which wound a little stream like a. silver thread. All around it arose a dark belt of \\ 0(‘dtd hills like a beautiful landscape set in a Ti 8'}! frame. Away to the north cou d be heard the roar of falling water. The blue mist that hung over the mountain at the beginning of night. hrd cleared away from the face of the sky, and the great round moon looked out in all its queenly splendor, lighting up the little valley with a soft. dreamy light. Halting on the summit of a little knoll over- looking the plain, the ranger lifted Silvia to the ground, and then, dismounting himself, stocd by her side. “We rest here.” he Sf‘ld. “Look yonder, and tell me what yousee.” “I can see a broad, silvery surface, resem- bling a tin lake, sleeping there, just where the black wood begins." “ ltis note. lake, Miss Sanford, but a broad sheet of water falling owr a high jutting rock. in which is my cavern home—my eastlc.’ Silvia felt a chill cree over her frame as he thought: “What if e is a robter, or an escaped criminal—a base villain, leading me into his lair: but no: it can not be possible that an evil heart lies concealed lehind that m ble, hand: Oine face. He has saved me frrm the tortures of Indian captivity, tr rhaps a worse fate, and I will not entertain or a mo- ment one disrespectfulthought of him “I should think you would get loucsom, there, Mr. Rainbolt, ’ she finally said. i‘That may all be,” he replied, grawly. “ But I can do no better, and I offer you the hospitality of my secluded brine—that is. if younhave no scruples of going there alone with me. “ Why should I, Mr. Rainbolt, when to you I . one my life? I feel perfectly free—yes, proud. ' ta) t.’r,ust your honesty, manhood and put/rev t ri. ~. "I sincerely hope you will neVer have cause to feel otherwise. though, Werethere an Settle- menis or residences Within forty miles would take you there at once. But there is none nearer than those on Laramie plains, fity miles distant.” “ But should you take me there, I would r “t. in all probalility. meet father for a long tim .” “That’s true. Miss Sanford: but would you prefer riding to walking across this plain to tie creek!” “No, I had rather walk, 1151 am much fa. tiguc d with riding already.” “ Then I will turn my horse to pasture here." said the ran or, removing the saddle m-d hrir’le from tie at imsl, which at once began cropping the rich, succulent grass. Having removed the (‘flpi‘tf'luns sadd‘e-bpgg from the saddle, he concealed the coparisons in a small cavity in the knoll on which they were Standing, and then. sii ging the saddle begs across his shoulder, he took Silvin’s hand and set off across ’he little valley. It was onlv a few moments’ walk. and when the stream was reached the ranger drew a small canoe from under some drooping willows. and launched it. In a moment he was Seated there- in, with his fair companion, and taking up the paddle, drove the little craft out into themiddle .h ,4. r..- ,:.i 6 The Sky Demon. . of the stream; then turned and moved up its course. So swift, so easily did the canoe glide over the rippling waters that Silvia for a moment forgot the surrounding dangertand conversed with her handsome rescuer with a real sense of joy and admiration. Presently the sullen roar of falling waters reached their ears. “It is the Crystal Falls, Miss Sanford, that on hear.” said the ranger; "we will soon here.” in a few moments more the falls burst upon their view llk“ a great silver curtain suspended against a black wall. In the rock, over which the waters fell like a great apron, was the ranger’s secret home, the waterconcealing from view the entrance, which could only be reached by passing through the descending torrent. “Behind that wall of water,,Miss Sanford, is my home, and to reach it we must pass through the descending sheet; and as it wil be pitchy dark be ond, and the windings of the cavern are di cult to follow, I had better go in alone. lighta torch, and return to you. ->You can wait there upon that rock can You not?" “ Oh, certainly,” replied replied Silvia, spring- ing to her feet. Alongside the canoe was a rook, some three feet across, and projecting seVeral inches above the surface of the stream. Upon this Silvia stepped to await the ranger's return. He took up the paddle and dr0ve the “(Inca forward, and '. when he had disappeared in the mist and spray, a feeling akin to terror cre t over the maiden. But she could only wait—listen to the roar of the falls and the black waters chafing the rock on which she stood. And as she lifted her eyes and followed the dark summit of the ridge that rose 11 before her, what dark objects were those a e saw moving athwart the clear sky? They were savages, though Silvia did not know it. Presently a light streamed through the mist and falling water, and looking, Silvia saw that the latter had been parted near the middle, and about ten feet above the stream by some a .ntrivanoe of the ranger, and that the light Was burning in the mouth of the cavarn, several feet beyon . in a moment the canoe with the ran er shot out through the opening and came a ongside the rock where Silvia stood. Assisting her in as though she had been a child. the kind-hearted tamer took a gum blanket that he had brou ht .from the cavern and wrapped it, hood Ii 0. over her head and shoulders, that the spray and dropping water might not drench her. He then too up the ddle and drove the canoe through the mist an vapor, between the parted waters of the falls, and as far beyond as the water had backed beneath the jutting rock. . “ Here we are, Miss Sanford,” said R‘iinbolt removing the blanket from Silvia’s head and shoulders. She glanced around and above. A‘glaring pine torch, flxod in a niche in the wall, lit up the place. From the rim of the canoe a spiral row of stone steps led up into the great rock. Overhead the rocky ceiling was studded with equation numbers of stalactites, on the sharp late of which hung drOps of water that flashed iks so many diamonds. Here and there a little jet of water poured down in ribbons of foam. “This,” said the ranger, pointing to a kind of sweep fixed upon a ivot, and reaching out like a rest arm, “is w at I divide the waters of the'lalls with, while I am passing in and out of the cavern. By allowing that end to bang down as it does, it reaches through the descend- ing sheet of water and divides it as it now is; and then by simply lowering this end and hoist- ing that, ihus, the waters close and flow on just as they did before. He too.: er hand and assisted her from the boat, and en, lifting the glowing torch from the wall. they began ascend ng the rude stone steps. The ascent required much care and time. for the stones were easily displaced and a single mi'istep might prove fatal; but, finally, the top was reached and a dark, capacious chamber was spread out before them. The ranger Ito ped and held the torch above his head. ilvia started back with a lovv cry of terror, for the light flashed upon the form of a huge panther crouched at her feet. “Fear not Miss Sanford,” said the ranger; .“he will not harm you. It is Purle, my pet panther, I should have spoken of him before and sored you this sudden aflright. Ay, Purle, “limpet.” epanther sprung up and capered around ih master with apparent joy. “Obi” suddenly exclaimed Rainbolt, while caressing the beautiful creature, “ I had forgot- ten that my other pet, Echo, my eagle, is still out. I wil conduct you to your room, Miss Sanford, and then call him in.” They moved alon the rocky chamber that resounded sepulchra , with their footfalls. the panther skipping playfully before them. Pres- ently they came to where a curtain or partition of skins was stretched from one wall to the othei'. Lifting one corner of it they passed be- your . ‘ “Now,” said the ranger, with a smile of em- barrassment, “ you are in the kitchen of Rodger Rainbolt, your humble servant. You will not find thin . here, even as you Wou‘d in a bache- lor’s kitc en in Omaha, but men are poor house- keepers, you know.” Silvia was surprised with the neatness of the a artment. and the order and variety of its fur- niture: but she said nothing, fearing that the ranger might construe her language of praise as that of unmeaning and polite compliment. Another partition of skins hanging at right- angles with the first, separated the kitchen from another apartment, into which the ranger con- ducted the maiden. “ This,” he said, “is my sitting-room, parlor, bedroom and library all (omoiued. And now, pray be seated, Miss Sanford, and make 'our- self at home while i go and bring my eag 0 up. You see 1 think a great deal of my pets,” and lighting a lamp that sat near, he turned and - went out. The apartment in which the young girl now found herself was far more comfortable than could have been expected under the circum- stances, and was well lighted by a large lampof stone filled with bear’s oil. In a short time the ranger returned, bringing in the eagle, and then ‘announced hi? intention of preparing supper, asking Silvia o be seated until his return. In the course of an hour he again entered, bearing in his hands a rude but am 16 repast, and with appetite sharpened by the ong ride, thgayl. parth of, and thoroughly enjoyed the m After an per was over, the ranger made known to 15 guest the pr ramme he had adopted for her restoration to, er father, which met her hearty approval. She was to remain there until he could find her father and bring him there, or take her to where he was. By this time the night was near, and the ran- r, seeing that the eyes of his guest were grow- ng heav for want of sleep, arose and, turning to leave be room said: “As you are doubtless sleepy and fatigued, Miss Sanford, you on up ropriate this room and that pallet of furs, suc as it is, for your own sleeping-apartment, and retire whenever you feelso disposed.” He bid her -night and went into the other apartment, w ere be constructed him a. couch and laid down, his panther curled down at his feet and his eagle perched in a niche in the rocky wall. Having oflered up a fervent rayer to her Heavenly Father, Silvia sought er couch and soon she was wrapt in a. sound, refreshing slum- CHAPTER. VII. AN mismN's nusn. THE greatest excitement prevailed in the hun- ters’ camp over the sudden, mysterious death of Wayland Sanford. Everything within the young doctor’s power was done in hopes of restoring him to‘life, but all to no purpose. His limbs were cold and stiff, and his eyes, thou h wide open, had that stony, glassy stare, and is face the ghastly pallor of the dead. “.It’s no use, boys; he’s gone," said the young doctor; “ his death by apoplexy was caused by over—exertion and mental excitement." “ Poor uncle Wayland! ’ sighed Frank. “We have all been afraid of this for years. He was a victim of the heart-disease, and had a nervous and excitable temperament to aggravate it, and alnsi the abduction of his daughter. the weari- some pursuit without food and rest. and finally, that pager placed in his hand by the ranger, did the wor '.” “ But why should it?" asked young Lvman. “ That’s what i cannot tell,” replied Frank. “ Uncle Wayland has been a man of the world -—has spent much of his life away from home among strangers, in California, in Pike’s Peak. in the army 11 on the frontier. and to mehis life has been a sea ed book—a secret volume in which this vary R‘iinbolt may be an important char- ac .er. The lifeless form was placed upon a blanket near the fire, the rigid limbs straightened out, and the pale hands folded across his breast. Ebony Jim burst into a paroxysm of sorrow, as he looked down upon the pale face of the colonel. - “What is he to you, more than a strange Ebony! and why do you mourn over him asked Willis. “ Oh. good Lor’l and wasn’t he do father of poor Florence lValraven l” “And what about FloFénce? what do you kn0w of her?” “Why, wasn’t she do wife of Warren Wal- raven? and wasn’t poor Massa Walraven do r ,.i \good master ob dis poor, black nigger?” “And what about your master and the Devil’s Turn of which he forbade you speaking?” “Oh, good Lor’l don’t ask dat,” the negro replied, glancing toward the form of the colo- nel. “ 1 fears him,” pointing to the dead. “He is dead; you need not fear him now.” “De spirit ain’t dead—no, no; I’ll tells you some time, not now.” Ebony was obstinate, and as Frank Could elicit no information from him he turned away, greatly mystified. By this time day was breaking, and before ~ lon the sun arose clear and warm. F ick O‘Flynn went cut in search of food for breakfast, and soon returned with a quarter of deer-meat. A fire was struck and a great quantity of the venison roasted. Breakfast OVer, a sad dut was to be per- formed—the duty of interrmg the colonel’s y. An hour was spentin diggingu shallow grave; the dirt being loosened wit hunting-knives and thrown out by the hands. The orm of the colonel was now wrapped in a blanket taken from the shoulders of one of the dead Indians, his face covered with his hat, and then laid away in the narrow sepulcher. This sad duty performed, a. council was held, and after due consideration it was decided that Frank Armond and Walter. Lyman. with the Irishman, should ursue a southward direction throu h the Blue Hills, while Willis Armond and fialph Rodman, accompanied by Ebony Jim, should take a southwesterly course, and in one they did not overtake the savages before they reached their village, they Were all to meet at a certain point near the stronghold known to the hunters, when they would make other arrangements. Scar?er an 'hour after their departure, a score of save on emerged from thg forest into the little gla e, and, as their e as fell upon the lifeless forms of their frien s lying around, they uttered a wild, revengeful cry, and tart ing, they glided awmfininto the woods like so many blood-hounds, ' ctly upon the trail of the white men. The course of Flick O’Flynn and party lay through the heart of the Black Hills, and over a rough, mountainous region, but they pushed rapidly ahead, hoping to overtake the savages before reaching the village. The first day I travel and them but fifteen miles from where they had started in the morn- ing. At the e‘bd of the second da ’s urne , the went into camp about two mi es rom t e M icine Bow river. . Almost wearied out, Walter and Frank stretched themselves upon the ground to talk over their serious icament, while the Irish- man struck a fire y which to prepare supper. But unfortunately. When the fire was struck there was nothing to prepare for supper, so O’Flynu pmposed to go in search of game, leaving the young men at camp. In a few moments after his departure, the young unskilled sportsmen seemed to forget the caution enjoined upon them by the hunter, and roducing a pack of cards. concluded to indul e n the pleasant pastime of “sewn-up,” until 1E8 loquacious friend and uide returned. How- ever, the beginning of t e me seemed to havo been ominous of evil, for a that moment, four dark figures glided from the (ice nin shadows of the woods with p hideous ye i, an , ere the young men had time to realize the “run of the game,” they A ere stretched upon the and an bound hand and foot, prisoners in the hands of the Cheyennes. Having secured their prison! rs th set 03 to- ward the river, compelling the w ites, with their hands tied behind their backs, to walk in advance. b Int the mean time Flick was continuing his un . He had pursued his course across the bottom to the river without finding any game. and turning he proceeded down the stream. ' He had gone out a short dktelce in this direction when The Sky Demon. . 7 he spied a large canoe with a solitary Indian in it, moored near the bank. The savage evident- ly was waitin for some one, judging from the impatient loo he would now and then flish into the woods at his side. Simultaneous with the discovery of the Indian, the Irishman heard aloud yell in the direction of the camp, and well he knew its import. But, to be certain, he turned and hastened back toward his friends. and as he neared the camp he saw that his fears were confirmed. Frank and Walter were pris- oners and were‘ being conducted through the forest toward the river. The savages were going directly toward that int on the river where he had seen the Indian III the canoe, and he knew full well that he was one of the same rparty. So turning, he ran with all pessihle spee back to the river. He reached the bank several rods above where the Ind;an still eat in the canoe, and, dropping upon his ban-ls and knees, he began crawling down to- ward the red—skin. It was his object to put the savage out of the way. and as he did not wish to raise an alarm by firing his gun, be resolved to trust to his shillalah. The Indian was seated with his face down the stream, and, as Flick 5 )roached him, he dis- covered him to be a ha] - reed. He was dressed in an old ragged suit of clothes, no doubtltaken from some white victim. An old straw hat sur- mounted his head, with what little there re. mained of the brim lopped down over his eyes almost concealing his face. Flick crawled on with the silence of a shadow, and h id nearly reached the canoe when his foot caught in a vine and he was thrown heavily to t e ground, making no little confusion. An in- voluntary oath escaped his lips as he sprung up and prepared to flee, but to his surprise he saw the Indian never in )ved. " “ Success to mees’ plan, he's dafel” muttered tile hunter, and he moved on toward the red- 8 in. .- He had almost succeeded in reaching the water’s ed a when the savage turned his head and saw im. In a moment the red-man snatched up his tomahawk from the bottom of the canoe and hurled it at the head of the Irish- man. But the latter divined his intention, and falling fiat upon his face in the sand, the wea- pon passed harmlessly OVer, The savage did not utter a single ord nor sound, audit was Suite evident now that he was both deaf and umb. “ And sth‘ll so much the better,” exclaimed the Irishman, and quicker than thought he sprung u and into the canoe, and givin the half‘breega tap on the head, settled him Own perfectly unconscious. In a minute the Irishman hadstripped him of his ragged clothes and donned them himself. As the Indian was the largest man. he (Flick) had no trouble in tting the clotheaon over his own, and with t two suits on he appeared fullyf is large as the red-skin and equally as woe u Flick then saw a little bark canoe resting un- der some willows that fringed the bank. Draw- ing it out he placed the unconec ous half-breed therein and sent him adrift. hiOWing that ere he recovored his senses he would be far enough awa . Boyfar things had worked like a charm, and having smeared his face and.hands with a pigment of dark clay, and drawing the old hat- rim down over his eyes, the disguise was com- gleted. trusting to the gathering twilight to ide all imperfections. Flick now concealed his shillalah under his ragged coat, his rifle under the seat of the capacious canoe, and then, procuring the sav- age’s‘tomahawk, took his seat in the canoe. Bv this timeit was nearly dark, and, inasmuch as Flick was toplay the part of a deaf and dumb Indian, he felt perfectly safe in his daring tent to rescue his friends, but, when he saw the savages emer e from the woods and approiich the canoe, h s heart almost caused to heat through fear of be.ng detected. CHAPTER VIII. . ENTRAPPED. THROUGH his perfect knowledge of the coun- try, Ebony Jim with his arty succeeded in making about twenty miles eflrst day. They then encamped on the edge of a small glade, on three sides of which arose the dark woods, while on tho fourth side a tall, jutting rock, some fifty feet high, frowned down on the little glade. At the base of this rock our friends sein their camp, which would not only aflord a shelter from the heavy, chilly dew, but a protection from an Indian attack in the rear. Homething like an hour had passed, during which time Willis and Ralph had expressed a wish for a little excitement to keep them awake. In the mean time the practiced eyes of Ebeny had espied several dark forms moving to and fro along the edge of'the timber, but within its shadow. That they meant harm the negro knew well enough, and be resolved at once to make them “ show their hand.” Saying nothing, he crept out of the cam , and securing good cover, awaited the red- ins’ approach. Not long did he wait, however, for soon the head and baeast of a red-painted warrior appeared, scanning the glade camp with basilisk eyes. Ebony was on the alert with a novel weapon —-a round stone of the size of a hen’s egg. With- out noise, he threw the stone with wonderful wer and precision, striking the savage s uare in the forehead, and without a groan the (they- enne fell forward upon his face—a dead man. “Hi; hill” the negro chuckled, “guess dat imp’s squaw’ll be waitin’ a good while for her next beatin’.” Not another savage a peered, and Ebony re turned to camp to watc 1 and wait. Two or three hours passed without any de- monstration on the part of the savages, and the watchful whites began to congratulate them- selves on their enemies having withdrawn, when suddenly the whole heavens over them became lit up with the glare of the midday sun, and the next moment a great ball of dry, matted pine brush 0 ~me rolling over the edge of the cliif, wrapped in a sheet of red, hissing flame. It fell at the feet of our friends, lighting up their hiding-place with a blinding glare, and exposing them to the savages’ aim, while to them all was inky gloom beyond the radius of liglfit made by the burning brush. 0 here was no alternative but to take to the woods. “ ollow dis nigga’, boys!” exclaimed Ebony, springing from under the rock, and rushing across the opening. Willis and Ra ph did as commanded, and the all would have succeeded in reaching the she ter of the wood safely, but, unbrtunately, Ralph stumbled, and before he Could gain his feet, he was seized by a number of savages that lav in ambush near, and made prisoner. Ebon and Willis saw their companion cap- tured, ut, as they could render noassistance against such fearful odds, they dashed on and made good their escape into the woods. ' They could hear the yells of the Indiana back at the cliff, and to ascertain what was goin on they crept back to a point of observation. 'Ihey saw the red-skins, a score in number, grouped around the captive under the edge of the cliff, but of course they could not tell what disposi- sion they were going to make of him. For some time the negro sat in a deep study. Preeeutl he started up with what he considered a “ bri t idea,” and which he at once commu- nicated to Willis. Ten minutes later, had the savages under the clifl glanced across the opening, the would have seen the body- of their comrade, t at was slain by the, negro, dragged from the edge of the glade by some invisible power into the clam of shrnhbery some ten feet awe . This was one by Ebony fixing the screw of his ram- rod in a long pole which he slid along upon the ground until it came in contact with the sav- age's body; he then twisted the screw into the dead fellow’s garments, and dragged him into the brush—for what purpose will soon be shown. The savages did not notice the disappearance of their comrade’s body, so intent were they in the council that was bein held to determine the fate of their captive ome were in favor of tomahawking him on the spot, some of burn— ing him, and some one thing and'eome another. Finally, it was settled that the captive select his own choice of death. from burning, the gomahawk, and jumping from the cliff over- ea . The choice was rather a difficult one. Death by the tomabawk and jumping from the cliff would be instantaneous. while by burning. his chances of being rescued by Eben and Willis would be prolonged as well as hl8| suflering. And so he took his choice of death by burning at the stake. . The captive’s hands were free. but his legs ware bound so tightly that the heads out the flesh, and in this manner he was compelled to stand perfectly motionless. In a moment all hands were busied in erect- ing a stake in the center of the glade, gathering fuel and making other preparations for the grand torture; and while thus engaged, a voice suddenly rung out on the night air, clear and distinct: ' “ Seize the rope, Rodman—seize the rope i” All eyes were drawn involuntarily toward the woods across the moonlight opening, whence the voice had emanated, and at that instant Ralph Rodman, tlue doomed captive, arosvfrom the ground, floated upward, upuerd through the air—up along the face of the cliff; and when the savages again turned, they found he had vanished from thcir midst like mist before the morning sun—gone they knew not where: but, suddenly, a great black object lea d from the edge of the clifl‘ overhead, and fa ling in their midst crushed half their number to atoms. It was a huge stone, rolled over the clifif by Ebony Jim, who had also saved Ralph by drawing him up With a rope made of it e dead Indian 8 buckskin garments, and lowered at the moment that the savagls’ attention was drawn toward the v: 0041:. ' Thus Ehony’s “bright idea” had proved a success. While Willis remained in the woods to i raw ,ihe attention of the savages, at the same time warn Ralph of their presence, the negro had crept around to the top of the cliff and at the. instant Willis called out, he dropped one end of the rope, and as it fell plump on Ralph’s head, he had his friend’s command for- cibly and instantly impressed upon his mind, and seizing hold of the rope he was drawn up to the top of the cliff—saved. Without loss of time they hurried from the place, and two hours,7 travel brought them to the mouth of a large cave, “here they at once concluded to spend the night. They ventured to strike a fire now, for they were wet and chillv with the heavy dew. ,They were justwithin t e mouth of the cavern, and as the fire lighted up the surrounding gloom, it revealed the dark opening back into the hill. Ralph and Willis at once determined to ex- glare the cavern. Ebony remonstrated, but as e could give no reason for his objections, the oung adventurers procured a torch and set out, eaving the negro to stand guard at the en» trance. Led on b the increasing wonders and magni- ficence of t e place, they threaded the' winding passage for sew-rel hundred feet, when they emerged into a wide, on acious chamber. Here they halted an held the torch above their heads. “ Histl didn’t you hear footstepsl" exclaimed Willis, suddenly. “ Fnd _el n0' you’re getting nervous,” returned Ralph, ‘ and imagine you hear the footsteps of ghosts. Come,-let us look further, old boy. No su rstition— Heavens!” ' be last exclamation was caused by a sound in the narrow passage resembling the rolling of a heavy body on trucks. It came from the s- sage behind them, and filled with no little r and curiosity, they turned and began to retrace their footsteps. They had one but a few steps when they heard the be low, rumbling noise again, and what was their surprise and horror to see an immense rock slide out from the great wall and completely block their passe e. ' Ral h raised the torch a vo his head and turn to Willis, speechless with terror. At that instant a wild, demoniac laugh of triumph that seemed to issue from the lips of a legion of fiends, greeted the. young men’s ears as it echoed through the hollow chambers of the cavern. They were entrapped in the den of mountain rabbi rs! In the meanwhile Ebony Jim, hearing the yells of laughter proceeding lrom the interior, quickly divined the cause, and knowing that he could be of no assisiarce to the eung men, dashed off at a great speed into the crest. For several hours he pursued hirway, his in- tention being to hunt up Flick O'Flynn, and daylight found him many miles from the rob- bers’ cave. He had be u to feel satisfied that he had escaped his w lite enemies when. as he was pass~ ing through a narrow defile, his ear caught the sound of footsteps. and the next instant he saw three dark figures coming directly toward him. Quick as thought he swung himself upward into the branches of a thick tree, and lying at length upon a large, limb, he anxiously awaited the approach of the party. ' CHAPTER IX. “somxou men. It wan.” Two days Silvia had passed in the ranger’l home. Two days the ranger had spent in fruit- less search of her father among the wilds of the Black Hills. But the kind-hearted man had {s ‘-, .r‘ 3”“"' ’ The Sky Demon. ' M;..