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2.
“against? ‘

THE DESTROYER

0a,

The Spirit Lake Avengers.

 

I ~  ’ BY OLL coonns.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE LEAGUE or mom:

“Amos MEREDITH?”

“ Here.”

“ Richard Carter?”

“Here.”

“David Hawes?”

“ Here. "

“Phelix O’Ray?”

“ Here, bedadl”

“ Frank Harriett?”

“Here.”

“George Olsen?”

“Here.”

“ Omaha, the Friendly?"

“Here.”

“All are resent,” said the leader of the
party, Fred ravis.

In fact it was unnecessary to call the roll to
apprise that little hand that not one of its mem-
bers was absent. But it was done in observance
of a code of regulations which ther had adopt-
ed before setting out upon the trai .

All were young men, none being over three-
and-twenty years of age, and two or three
somewhat younger, but all, like true sons of
the border, were possessed of hardihood and
strength, and their hearts were burning with a
terrible fire of revenge.

Each one carried a rifle, a side tomahawk and
hunting-knife, while from the bosom of their
hunting-shirts peeped the polished pistol—butts.

They stood beneath the umbrageous covering
of an oak, each leaning Egon his rifle, and wait-
ingthe orders of his e er; but, ere those or-
ders breakin up their night’s bivouac beneath
the great 0a tree, there suddenly came the
sharp report of a rifle followed by a low cry——
the unm1stakablo death-wail.

The, Eight Avengers gazed from one tothe
other with inquirin r glances.

“ Without a don t another accursed red—skin
' has fallan,” said Fred Travis. -

“ Yes; but who fired the shot?” asked young
Hawes. “ Does the Omaha know i”

“Does not Death-Notch, the Young Scalp-
Hunter, lurk within these woods?”

The Avengers started at mention of this name
of one whom none of them but the youn Oma-
ha had never seen, yet of whom they h heard
most want" g reports. He was represented as
being a youth 0 Titan proportions and power,
cunning as a fox and sub 1e as a serpent—a.
deadly enemy to the human race, gomg and
coming like one of su rnatural powers and
bearing the heart of 9. end. Human lives and
human scalps were said to be the sole ob'ect of
his search; and that upon a thousand di erent
trees in the forest bordering the Little Sioux
river, might be found the totem of this mad
destroyer—a notch cut with a tomahawk upon
the trunk or limb of a tree, each notch repre-
senting a victim; and where the notch was
found there could be found also a decdying
co ' or bleaching skeleton.

o wonder then that the Eight Avengers
started when the Friendly mentioned the name
of Death-Notch. '

“Friend or foe," ‘re lied Travis, flrml , “ we
must do our work. are Death-Note twice
the destroyer that he is, he must not stand in
the way of our vengeance; nor shall he. Oma-
ha, the duty devolves upon you to ascertain
what that shot meant.”

The Omaha at once glided from their midst
as silently as a shadow, while the band in per-
fect stillness awaited his return. A few mo-
ments passed when a low whistle was heard.

“ That is the Omaha’s call,” said Travis;
“advance!”

The little band moved away to the woods, and
soon came to where the Indian was standing
within the shadows of a wide-branching tree.

“ What discovery, Omaha?” asked Travis.

The young Indian (pointed at the ground.
There, half concelale among the weeds and
grass, lay the form of a Sioux warrior dead and
wcalpless. From a deep gash in the left cheek
the warm blood was still flowing. ‘

“Death-Notch has been here!” simply said
the Friendly. “ Behold his totem 1"

Every 9 e was turned in the direction indi-
rated, on upon the trunk of the tree near
where the dead warrior lay, the saw a
notch, evidently cut with a hate wt, and so re—
mantly that the sap was still oozing from the
wound.

The band stood for a moment silently before
the dead warrior and the dread signet.

“ Where is he?” at length demanded Travis.

“Ask the winds,” was the Omaha’s reply;
“ Death—Notch leaves no trail.” -

Not cans; to fan the mlperstitious fears-
.

The rNew York Library.

which it was apparent some of the band felt,
Travis exclaime

“ Well, trail or no trail, we must on to our
work. So forward all!”

In single file the little band set ofl’ through
t e forest.

istory has recorded the horrors of the Spirit
Lake Massacre, in the spring of 1857. A de—
tachment of braves of the great chief Inkpa-
ducha’s force, under Young Slee y E? es, de-
scended u on the settlements in t evicmity of
the lakes, illing and burning all before them.

At the time of the attack these young men
were away several miles southward, hunting,
but when they returned the found their homes
destro ed an their frien s all gone. Then
they ormed a compact which afterward ren-
dered their names noted; they 'wore to track
the merciless foe to death, an rescue their
friends, if an still existed.

For days ad they traversed the treeless
prairie and trackless wilderness, 'ded by the
never-failing and indomitable Omafl. And now,
as the moved on, and the sun mounted hi her
into t eheavens, the air became hot and try
and the sky overcast with clouds. To the Aven-
gers these were forebodings of a storm, still
they pressed on, and when the sun stood upon
the meridian, they stopped by a little stream to
rest and refresh themselves from their meager
su )ly of food. ‘

hile thus engaged the sharp clatter of hoofs
broke suddenly upon their ears. The next in-
stant a youthful horseman came gallo ing from
the sh ows of the woods and swept 1 e a dart
across the little valley before them.

The horseman was a mere boy. He could not
have been over sixteen, and was as fair and deli-
cate in features as a maiden. Masses of lon
dark hair fell in ripples to his horse‘s back, an
dark, lustrous eyes looked sharp] from between
their long silken lashes. A 11121; 6 red cap with
a single white feather surmounted his head. A
blue 'acket handsomely wrought with threads
of go d clothed the beautiful rounded shoulders,
slender form and well molded arms. The collar
lay open, revealing a full, snow-white chest and
throat.

The only weapon he (I was a small,
silver-mounted rifle, which he carried in front of
him across the withers of the raven~black pony
he bestrode. ,

The youth, seemin ly, did not see our youn
friends, but Hopes across the valley an
plun into is e woods beyond.

“ ch, but he’s a royal lad,” exclaimed young
O’Ray. “Sich a. form; sich hair; sich eyes,
ay! be the Howlg yother, he must be a young

god ave the w . ,
fine-looking youth,” said Amos

“He was a
.Miizdith' I "added th
young ran r, suppose, ano er.

“B0 5” said Travis, “say what on
may 0 that youth, I would venture my ' e,
almost, on the cast that it is a male.”

“Then,” said Omaha, sta g suddenly u ,
“if that is the case, Death-Notchis a fe e,
for you have looked u n the face of that tor;
rlhle young Scalp-Hun rl”

CHAPTER II.
THE LOVERS.

A scoan of log-cabins surmounting a bold
stony bluff, overlooking the Little Sioux river
comprised the settlement of Stony Cliff. It
% 3"“ 3233 White” “mutating

a y 0 nc ana om
year 1g gear a. famil or two had been added to
its popu tion until i now numbered something
like a hundred souls. Men had bron ht their
familietsI there and  theh in: per;
manen y, engaging p c y in an an
the fur trade. A few howeverhfollowed the
immoral calling of whisky-traders. _ Another
kept a. gun-shop and variety-store, and a few
3 ed aé‘numberofacresofgroundneartheset-

amen

Although Stony can bore a‘dimpumble
name, as most all these frontier posts general]
do, it was not entirely wanting in morals. t
had passed laws of its own, established a school
and church, and strenuous eflorts were made to
bring all Within the pale of Christianity. But
in this it had failed in many instances, as the
pro of our story will show.

A noon on the same day that ourstory o

a young ' lstood alone upon the banks 0 the
river wi hln the shadow of a clnm of

less 1; n half a. league below the set ement.

She was not over seventeen years of age tall,
queenly and graceful in proportion, and fair
and lovely in every feature. Before her upon
the river a. little canoe was rocking upon the
vivlaveis, and in it lay the maidens hat and
s aw.

, 'As she walked to and fro beneath the arching
boughs of the trees, she would start occasion-
ally and glance anxiously about her, but, noth-
ing meeting her gaze, a cloud of disappoint-
ment woul settle upon her pretty face, and
she would half-nervously and half-angrily twist
and twirl the bouquet of wild flowers she held
in her hand. .

Was she there to meet some one? Was she

expecting an n aithful lover?

 

 

’ As the moments wore on, the sound of a foot~

»

 

Vol. I.

step broke suddenly upon her ears and then
the figure of a youth a ) )earcrl from the slladows‘
of the woods and stood fore her.

He was a handsome lad, of not over eighteen
or nineteen wars, and, in spite of his youth,
was possessm of all the developments of a man.
Indeed, such perfection of manhood was seldom
found in a ho . He was of medium hight,
with massive c est, muscular limbs, dark eyes
that sparkled with the light of a wild, daring
spirit, clear-cut features ‘ and a well-defined
head, covered with a wealth of short, crispy
curls. .

He was dressed in a clean, neat-fitting garb
of a hunter, and carried a rifle and hunting-
knife.

The maiden did not start with surprise at
sight of him. On the contrary, her face lit up
with a light of love, and, advancing toward
him, she said, in a petulant tone: ' _

“ Oh, Ralph! why have you kept me waiting
so long?"

“ I was not aware that I had
he replied, in a low, pleasant
and kissing her 11 n the warm, flushed cheek.

“ Why, yes lph; I have been here for
more than an our,’ Sylvcen responded.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, my love; but
then if you will look at that shadow, Sylveen,
you will see I am here at the appointed hour.”

Sylveen Gray glanced at the shadow, and
laughed softly.

“Oh, I know, Ralph; you are always true to
me ” she said; "' but 1 am so impatient.”

‘2 You must try and grow out of that, Syl.
veen.” .

“I have tried, Ralph: but anxxety for our
safety keeps me in a fever of excitement al the
time. ’ -

“ Do not, I implore you, dear Sylvrcn, keep
yourself uneasy about me. It is my solace—the
guiding hope of my future happiness, to know
that you love me—that you are my own darlin
S lveen. But, I would be still more happy di
I ow you were not fretting about my safety.
Rest assured that I will not be so reckless of

sweet Sylvcen,”

your happiness as to thrust my head incautious-

y into needless dangers.”

“ But, Ral h, ou know,” Sylvcon gcntl
persisted, “ t t oath-Notch, the Scalp-Hun
er, is in these woods, and that he favors none in
his terrible vengeance.”

Ralph St. Leger smiled at the maiden’s re-
marks, and rep] ed:

“ I have never yet seen Death—Notch, Sylveen,
nor have I ever met a person that has seen him.
Is he not a m i” -

“No, Ralp ,; several of the settlers have seen
him at a distance,” said S lveen. ‘fThey said
his face was that of a mere y, but that he was
a giant in stature.”

A ain Ralph St. Leger smiled. He was a
youth whose education and natural 00d sense
over need all superstitious bell and re-

rts, despite the fact that he was a borderman

imself, a trapper-boy and free rover of the
prairie. . .

“ Well, dear, I may confess that there Is such
a person as he whom they call Death-Notch. I
have seen his totem—the deathrnotch—upon a.
tree where lay a lifeless .savage. But, I have
reason to believe that Death-Notch is the white

'man’s friend.”

“ I wish I could only think so myself, Ralph
for ust yesterda one of our settlers was foun
(1 near the vi go. There was a; deep wound
on his left cheek, and a fresh notch cut on a
little saplin near where the body lay. Death-
Notch had 5 sin him.” ,

“ What was the settler’s name 9” asked

Ra] h.
“8311 Pardon.”

“ A French Canadian?”

U Yea. 11

“Perhaps Death-Notch may have held some

d against him?” '
8111 8° . ,,

“I cannot say, as to that,
“but I do know he keeps Stony Chi!
petual state of excitement.”

“Not any more so, I suppose, than I under
stand he keeps the Indians, said St. Leger.

“ Perhaps not; but Ralph, will you not con-
sent ttio’ take up your head-quarters at the settle-
men

“8 lveen, I can not. I love the wild woods
and is excitements, and I ask nothin Indra
besides than an occasional interview With my
darling Sylveen.” _ - ‘

“That you shall ever have, dear Ralph, un-
lem  uncle forbids me leaving the some-

“ Has he threatened to do so, Sylvan!"

“-No: but he knows I meet on, and of late
fishes mtirpgnted to me that he h  frog:
_acquam ce 3 oung mnnw o e oug

would make me a gZod hmbund.”

Ralph’s brow darkened. .

“ Did he mention his name?” he

“ Yes; it was Scott Ship Ily.” . ‘

“ Well, Svlveen, he 18 a handsome, dashing
youn cavalier, yet I have no fears of him
winmng you from me. ”

“No never, dear Ralph, and-4‘

She 'd not complete the sentence, for, at this
juncture, the dip of (incur arrested their atten-
tion. .

ina per-

voice, stooping -

replied Sylveen, .

 

 

 

Out upon the river they saw a canoe coming
down from the settlement. In it were seated
two men, one of whom was Sylvecii Gray’s
uncle and guardian, Abel Hatch, and the other
Scott Shirely. ' _ ‘

Sylvcen started violently at Sight ot them,
and turning to her lover, said:

“ I will have to leave you, dear Ralph. You
know uncle Abel (loos not like you,and this
meeting I desire to remain unknown to him.” '

“.Yes, go, dear Sylveen. In two days I Will
be here at noon again. Good—b .”

He stooped and kissed her. t on turned and
glided away into the deep shadows of the wood,
while Sylvecn entered her canoe, and started on
her return to the village. .

For several minutes Ralph St. Le or ursued
his way onward through the_ w s, eepiug
within'the deepest shadows. Finally he came to
a little thicket of undergrowth, in the center of
which stood a low, scrubb oak. .

Pausing, he gazed care ully around him, then
parting the shrubbery he entered the thicket,
and was lost from view.

A few moments later, a powerful Indian
warrior, with tomahawk in hand, crept from
an adjacent clump of bushes, and half crouch-
ing stole into the thicket directly on the trail
of St. Leger. There was death in the basilisk
eyes of the savage, and, as the moments were
on, a low, half-suppressed wail suddenl issued
from the depths of the thicket. Then ollowed
an ominous silence, which was finally broken
by the sound of footste s retreating from the
undergrowth. And stil , a few minutes later,
another figure emerged from the woods beyond,
paused and gazed with starting eyes upon the
thicket. It was the figure of an Indian, but
his face were no aint, nor eVil, cunning ex-
pression. It was maha, the scout and guide
of the Younrr Avengers!

For several moments he stood and upon
and over the thicket; then he placed is fin _rs
to his lips, and produced a succession of ar
sounds, and forth from the woods issued seven
forms. They were those of our friends, the

‘ Yo‘uWhAvengers.

at discovery, Omaha?” asked young
Travis.

“A white youth entered the thicket. A
powerful Sioux Warrior followed him. Adeath-
wail' retreatin footsteps, and then Silence.
Deatli‘ is in you ushes. Come.” .

The Friendly led the way _into the thicket,
followed by his white companions.

Under the drooping boughs of the oak they
came to a halt.

“ There l” exclaimed the Friendly. I I

All eygs wefe at (inco tinnedtigi 21;; direction
indicate an saw upon 9 among
the deepest shaddwsgughe lifeless form of a
Sioux warrior. He was seal less. Across the
left check was a deep woun ,from which the
blood was still urin in a hot’current.

“Death-Note has can here,” said Omaha,
and he pointed to a fresh notch cut on a low
bough directly over the fallen warrior.

CHAPTER III.
rim DESERTED HUT.

Ir was sunset. Ominous clouds were piled up
against the western sky like the dark line of a
punt mountain Electric flashes shot alon
the era. g edges of the somber clouds, followe
by the dull, s on rumble of thunder. The wind
was rising and ravin in fltful gusts throu h
the forest, shrieki li e a. demon over the hil' is
and through the v leys. '

A fearful storm was brewing, yet on through
the dark aisles of the forest pressed thehtt 9
band of Avengers, guided by the mdomitable
Omaha. The bellowing thunder, the vivid
lightning, the howling wind and rearing trees,
to them was but the spirit of adventure. As
they continued on, however, the darkness be-
came so intense that their red guide was com-
pelled to resort to the moss on the trees in order

 

to keep his course. ' . .
“This is etti to be tedious traveling,
Omaha,” sai Fro Travis. ‘4 How far is it to

the deserted cabin of which you s okel”

“ Not far,” was the laconic rep y.

The party pressed on in silence for nearly an
hour after ni htfall, when they came to the
edge of a. litt e glade. In the center of this
0 ning a. prolonged flash of lightning showed
tggm a log cabin standing solita y an alone.

It was sluiost hidden from view by. tall rank
weeds that grew to the ver threshold and
which was evidence of itself t the building
had not been inhabited  one for years
save by bats and owls. 11 ivy clambere
over the outer walls and over the roof, exclud.
ing the sunshine, thereby muggy it damp and
moldy within. It was a. d ated, deserted
ruin, whose history was unknown to our party.
Only Omaha knew, before that nightghat such a
cabin existed. In his wanderings a road from
the settlement, over two years before, he had
run across it. A .

Omaha led the we across the yard to the
cabin in the great demess. The door stood
ajar, and was swaying to and fro on its heavy
wooden hinges that creaked and groomed in an
ominous and ghastlike manner.

After making a careful reconnaissance around

Death-Notch, the Destroyer. 3

the place to see that no enemy had ireccdod
them to the inviting shelter, Omaha on red the
cabin, followed by is friends. Their footsteps
sounded dead on he dam punchcon floor, and
their voices echoed ho ow and sepulchrul
through the room.

By means in their possession a fire was hastily
struck. Its li rht revealed a yawning fire-place
in one end 0 the building, and in a very few
minutes a roaring fire was bumng u on the
hearth, its cheerful heat dispelling muc of the
gloom from the place.

The Young Avengers werenow enabled to
obtain a fair view of the interior of their re-
treat. The cabin wus of goodly dimensions
strongly built of heav logs. There was a loft
in it made of heavy s abs or puncheons as was
also the floor. The building was divided into
two compartments by strai l“ht-edged slabs set
upright across the center 0 the house. There
was an opening in the center of this partition
that was used as a door, but was unclosed.

There was a rude table and some rickety
stools in the room, and around the walls were
numerous gun-racks, which gave evidence of
the place having once been the house of a party
of hunters.

The outer door was closed and secure] bolted.
Then the little party gathered around t 0 great
stone hearth, to on t eir supper and talk over
their morrow’s work.

At length the whole party relaiced into silence I

and listened to the bowling storm without. It
was truly appalling. Only the Omaha was on
the alert.

In the heavy, ponderous door there was a
wicket which opened and closed with a strong
slide set in reeves. This the young Indian
used as a loo -out, and there was scarcely an
interval of ten minutes but a careful survey was
made of the ard in front of the cabin, the
broad glare o the lightning enabling him to
command a fair view of the glado. ,

The moments were on, and finally every voice
within the cabin became silent. This lasted
several minutes, when all of a sudden Omaha
spi'un r to his feet and advancing to the door,
openet the wicket and gazed out.

The Young Avengers were startled by this
sudden movement. They knew that Omaha’s
sense of hearing was never at fault, and from
his actions they behaved he had detected the
presence of something not altogether right. »

For a moment the Friendly stood with his
goose prcelssec‘l1  to the wicléet, then he 

w,. ose eo , an turning, w
slowl and calm] lick, .
f‘I ve somet 'ng to tell you, friends,” he.

said. 7

“What is it? Has the storm blown over?”

“ No; Death-Notch, the Young Scalp-Hunter,
is at the door 1”

CHAPTER IV.
smnrmno INFORMATION.

AFTER her interview with Ralph St. Lo 1‘,
Sylveen Gray entered her canoe and mmfin
her return to the village.

She was at once ' verod b her uncle,
Abel Hatch and Scott Shirely, w 0 were com-
ing down the river, and who at once headed
their canoe direct! toward her; In a. few ino-
ments they were ongside of her canoe.

Hatch was a stem-looking man of some
fifty years of , with features and eyes that
were not altoget er pleasant in their expression.
His companion, Scot Shirely. was a youn man
of seine flve-and-twenty, tall and ban me
and possessed of a. form and air that remind
3111:2221 young and dashing cavalier of the Mid-

es

His eyes were coal-black, as were also his long
wavy hair and hen. mustache. He was dress-
ed inakind of fin. y uniform, cavalr boots
and a broad-brimmed but from whic a red
plume hung down over his shoulder.

He was by occu tion, representing, as agent,
the Hudson Bay Companyi. He made his
head-quarters at Stony Cli . are he had been
engaged for over a year, and had made the fur‘
trade a lucrative one for the hunters and trap-
pers that comprised the ma‘ority of the papilla-
.1011 of Stony Cliff. He 9. em loyed a num-
ber of sub-agents who traded th the Indians
and hunters at a distance from the Village.
These agents were mostly French
and a rough set of men. ‘

“ Where now has my truant little ward
been?” asked Abel Hatch, as they ran alongside
of Sylveen’s canoe. '

S lveen blushed scarlet, and before she could
rep y, or recover from her embarrassment,
Scott Shirel said: , .

“Mr. Ha h, it you are, .mg on down the
river to your bear-traps, Ibe eve I Will return
with Sylveen if she has no objections.”

Before Sylveen could utter a. protest against
hisiutention, in case she had any desireth
so at all, the young fur-trader arose to his feet
and step  into her canoe.

Then bel to drove his craft on down the
river and Sylveen and Shirer were alone.

“ Sylveen, let me use the paddle ” said the
ytzfigg fur-agent, seating himself before the
in en ‘

 

 

Sylveen yielded reluctantly to his request, for

. hands of Death-Notch."

 

she would much rather have been alone with
her own thoughts than in the company of Scott
Shire] .

“I hope, Sylveen,” he said, apologeticall ,

“that my company will not be distasteful
ou. ’

“Oh, no, not at all, Mr. Shirely,” replied
Sylvoen, with a slight tinge of sarcasm in her

veice. .

“ I am quite fortunate, then, in dropping into
your compan , Miss Gray. Times me very,
very dull at ony Cliff just now. If it was not
for the little excitement kept up in consequence
of Death—Notch’s doings, and by the freebooters
under the notorious Pirate Paul, l’m thinking
the Cliff would become as dreary as a rainy

da .”

XHave you heard any new reports about
Death-Notch to-duy?” asked S lveen.

“ Nothing since oor El Pun ou’s death.”

“ And what of irate Paul ?”

“ He is said to be about," said Shirelv, and
lie fixed his eyes on Sylveeii’s with a strange
light shinin from their depths.

_Sylvoon, owever, did not notice the expres-
SlOn.

“ Who has seen him?” she finally asked.

“ I have," replied Shircly.

“You? Is it possible? When did you see
him Mr. Shirely.”

“ To—day.”

ngeen uttered a little cry of fear.

“ ut, S lveen, wh is it that your lover,”
continued hircly, “ oes not visit you at your
home?” '

Sylveen started as though a serpent had
hissed in her ear. Her face grew deathly 16,
her dark—blue Eyes flashed with indigna on,
and her lip curl with scorn and disdain.

“What do you know, Scott Shirely of my
lover? Have you been eavesdropping ike a— ’

“Nay, nay, Sylveen.” the oun
plied, in a re tful tone; “ ut t are is one
whose duty it 3 been to keep on the alert. It
is not generallwmwn, S lveon, that you have
been meeting h St. ger in secret inter—
views; but why, lveen, does he not come to
see yfu at Stony liif?”

“ ehas his own reasons for not doing so,"
re lied Sylveen, disdainfully.

‘ Yes, indeed, he has, Sylveen. He knows it
would not be well for him to be caught in the
village, for there are these there who would
reco him as Pirate Paul, chief of the
prairie robbers.”

“What!” Sylveen almost shriokcd; “Ralph
St. Leger, Pirate Paul?”

" ’Tis even so, Sylveen," replied Shirely; but
the maiden was too much absorbed in her emo-
tions to notice the latent meaning in his tone.

“Oh, my God!” she fairly moaned; “surely
you are jesti Mr. Shirely.”

“I am not, ylveen. I would not trifle with
the feelings of one so pure and honest-hearted”

ou. Bu time will convince you that I ask
he truth; and when your love for Ra] St.
Leger has turned to atred, then will hope
myself to gain that love which the youngprairls
freebooter has dared to gain.” - .

“ Mr. Shir-sly, I .am ever so much obliged to
on for this information if it is true; but not
3'
until I knowtgositively that such is the case,
will I believe at one so manly and open-heart.
ed as Ralph St. Leger appears to be, could be
guilty of such a crime." . i

“ he proof shall be givenz in due time,” ro-
plied the young fur-a, out; ‘ for over a month

here has been aspy on is track consequently I
know whereof I n

agent no-

But, Sylvee , let no

talk of somethin more leasant. Have an ,
made the acquain cc of s new family in y_
come to Stony cum"

“You allude to the Gre
not?” asked the maiden,
seemed to be far away.

"Yes," replied Shirely.

“ I called yesterday to see them. They ap-
pear to be fine people. ’

“There is a young woman in the family, in
there not 3" I 1 ‘.

“Yes; Miss Martha Grogo . Butherhealth
is ver poorly and she is imab e to be onto! her
room the time. She seemed greatly shook-
ed by the news of El Pardou's death at‘ the

“ She did i” questioned Shirely, and there was
a little strangeness in histone.

“ Yes,” replied Sylveen. “I so pose she in
somewhat nervous and unused to t ere horrors
of frontier life.”

Bygthis time they had reached a oint where
the luifs rose up on each side or 6 river, in

laces to the ' ht of a hundred feet. At dif~
gerent points a cliffs were shelving and their
faces covered with creepers and tied

lants and variegated colors that tr ed in rich
festoonery to the water’s edge.

The young trader drove the canoe on up '10
river until he came to where the blufl's weroleis
precipitous, and where a. rude stairway had

chipped in the rock from the watcr’nad‘o
to the summit of the escarpment. 

At the foot of these steps he permith tho
prow of the canoe to touch. Then he leaped out
and assisted Sylveen ashore.

Together they ascended the rude stairwath

‘ a.

family, do you
ough her thoughts

ans-Au . 1

x_—_q — .

4”

:Ar-rur»: :- 

 

m“ 

 

,_.....4:.. .‘_ .l . .
any—W‘s:

' record that ranks with the bl

4

The New York Library.

Vol. I.

 

the top of the bluff and there found themselves
Within the outskirts of Sto Cliff.

The cabins were scattere over several acres
of the binds, the forest forming the eastern and
southern boundaries, and being located in a bold
curvo of the river, it formed the other two limits
of the settlement. .

Sylveen went homo, and after she had thou ht
and cried over what Scott Shirer had- told er
of her lover, she composed herself and went

lover to see her new neighbors, the Gregorys. ‘

She found Miss Martha Gregory an agreeable
and amiable young lady of some twenty sum-
mers. She was very pretty, with large, mourn-
ful eyes, which a great rtion of the time were
concealed b a pair 0 green goggles worn on
account of t 1e weakness of her eyes contracted
from a late spell of sickness.

Her face was a little thin and pale, et bore
ample traces of its natural beam. Sy veen at
once became struck with her y-llke appear-
ance and entle and affable manners. She spent
most of t e afternoon with Miss Gregory, and

e so impressed with her in every respect,
that, before she went home she had made a con-
fidant of her. and told her all about her own
troubles of that day.

Miss Martha expressed great  at Syl-
veen’s story, and did all she coul‘ r to assuage
her sadness of heart. They talked on for some
time, when Martha finally asked:

“ Who told you, S lveen, that Ralph St.
Leger is the notorious 'rate Paul?"

‘ Mr. Scott Shirely, the fur-agent. Probably
you have met him.”

“ Oh yes. He is the handsome oung fellow
with the killing black mustac e and red
plume l”

:rgfieiadmme'” 11 the girl 111 be

, so 9. yo s w
deagiiln love with ‘ yet,” andullEm-tha laughed
me y.

Despite her sadness of heart, Sylveen laughed
too, and admitted to herself that Martha was
‘ust such a girl as would make all happy around

er. ,

“I have heard, Sylveen,” continued Martha
“ since we came here that your uncle had
chosen Mr. Shirer asa husband for you. Is it
the case?”

“ It is, Miss Gregory.”

‘F And is there no way of averting your uncle’s
will in this matter?”

“ None now, Martha unless it is proven that
Ralph St. Leger is not l’irate Paul. Uncle Abel

l is a verglgbstmate and selfish man, and I think
he is ac ted in this matter by cupidity, for he
has intimated to me that Shirel is a wealthy
man—heir to a large fortune in ontreal.”

Miss Gregory uttered a little cry of surprise,
and Sylveen noticed the color come and go in
her face, and saw her compress her 11 as if to
kee back an outburst of emotion. t was sev-
eral moments before she spoke, then her voice
was lower and more earnest in its tones.

“ Sylveen,” she said, I must admit that I am
a curious person; and now I am going to make

a confidant of you, and it will be all for your .

own good. ..0 coming here is not without a
 My name is not Martha Gauging“,

ut havehsmmed that name because it]:
name of the family I live with. Like yourself,
I am an orphan and I have beenwronfiedas‘
othersu‘o now trying to wrong you." ut, I
will prevent them; but on must know me
only as the daughter of eter Gregory. I can
thwart any project your uncle may put on foot
' for your marriage with only” to whom you
areoposed. Remembert . Iwillalsotell
you, ylveen, that Stony Cliff and halfof its
men are at my mercy, thsg'gh theylknow it not.
And here,” she contin , taking Sylveen’s
hand inhefi,  slipping agraagiml  curi-
ouswro go ring I: user— ve
younifitngwhich willmbeachnrm agafiist
prairie pirates.”

Sylveen seemed not a little puzzled by her

words.

“ It is true, S lveen, however absurd it may
sound to you. , , enever any person sees that
fingan’d starts and stares at it as one would at
a g mark my words, he is a prairie pirate!
It has ould inquire'where you got the rib ,
tellhim itwasapresent from afrlend. But 0
not, I lemyou, tell him you received it of

regory nor repeat one word of which
Ihhewlid' om; harnessed!) Miss
oug s e was y y '

G ry’s words, Sylveen promised that she
wo d not hint one word of .what she he‘d told
her. But no sooner had Martha told her that
’the ring: was a charm against prairie robbers
' than she became sorely impatient to try its re-
puted c power u n Balflégh St. Leger,
whom Sco Shirer ass was the noto-
rious Pirate Paul.

CHAPTER V.
mum in m comma. LODGE.

13m withinbthe almost  forest
.m com yrug hula s stood
the  e ofgetl‘ie notorious old’Sioux
chief, Inkpadu whom him has given a
of savage
Chieftains. ’

‘ protect him from the 

 

bFrom Springfield to OkiboWi and Spirit lakes, I “Let Le Subtile Fox speak. His voice is

Inkpaducah’s minions under oung S as y Eyes
laid waste life and property indiscrim natel .
But when the neighborin settlements and mi i-

authorities ressed orward to chastise the
bar rous foe, t ey fled from their old haunts
and sought safety within the fastnesses of the
woods and hills bordering the Sioux river,
where we now find them, and where they re-
mained until their final retreat beyond the Mis-

sourl.
The Indian village was some fifteen miles

from Stony Cliff, and although the Indians and \

whites were on hostile terms, the
never molested the settlers. Still, however, they

former had 1

stron in the council.”
l “ ell, a band of ei ht rsons, young men,
4 strong and brave, an on lin themselves The
' Spirit Lake Avengers, are in t e woods. They
come to avenge the death of their friends slain
by you at O 'bogi and Spirit lakes. Omaha,
the white man’s friend, is with them i”
, The brow of the chief became cloudedLand
l his eyes flashed with a revengeful fire, while a
,‘ low exclamation escaped the lips of his com-
‘ panions, and their breasts heaved with mo
tions of revenge. _

“ Let the oung Omaha sm his death-song,”

fy at last broke fort ; “the blood of

i the old chie

had made many demonstrations of a threat— 5 a hundred of his friends reddened the snows of

ening character, and consequently kept the
whites in a constant state of uneasiness.

Toward the Indian villa , through a storm
that was raging, a solitary orseman was riding
at a furious speed. It was night, black an
gloomy rendered doub so b the deep sha-

ows of the forest throu whic lay his course.
Now and then the ligb
down through the tree-tops and lit up his grim,
bearded face.

He was wrapped in the folds of a water-proof
blanket, and wore a broad brimmed hat that
was slouched to his shoulders. His hands and
arms were drawn Securely up under his blanket,
giving the animal the reins and rmitting it to

f last winter, and their scalps are drying in the
lodge of the Sioux. Sleepy E cs, with a score
of picked warriors, are upon t e trail of Death-
Notch. They will meet the Omaha and his

1
F white friends in the forest, and when they re-

 

turn the ma brin the scalps of these Aven -
ers as {vell 3as thgat of the terrible Death-

shot in vivid flashes i Notch.”

! “ Ugh I” ejaculated one of the savages in the

take its own course, which it did to his rider's :

satisfaction.
This was evidence of itself that the horse was
well accustomed to the ath it was following,
and surely that bearded s ranger’s mission must
have been of great importance, or why would
we have ventured out upon such a wild, stormy
ni ml? this"’ped l ‘ 1']: c l
n e 0 ,now oommguplea ‘00s-
sus into t e lightningk lare, now fadin away,
as it were in

Indian village burst upon his view. A smile of
joy passed over his grim, bearded face. He
ipurred on. A_ savE picket challenged him.

e never slacked ' pm, but gave a low
whistle biwhich he was known, and galloped
on, straig t into the Indian town, following its
crooked streets with the same familiarity with
which he had traversed the forest.

Finally he drew rein before a large conical
structure, whose im 'ng and central position
told him it was the ouncll Lodge of the tribe.

Dismountin , he hitched his foaming, panting
horseto a sta chard b , and strode uptothe
door of the lodge. ere he uttered a low
whistle, then the flap-door was raised, and he
was-admitted into the lodge.

There were two persons in the lodge, I
ducah and a fellow chief. The latter he] a
glowing torch in his hand that lit u the lodgg

The white man threw aside his (flipping t
Iaondd blanlket, and took a seat facing the central

'90 9~ .

.“ egodsfrownau yto-nit myred
tn' ,” be me, in the ect of t e Sioux.

‘ '“filhi‘fiffimmmllfil‘m "”
rep _ uca , g , e ve
la‘nflguage so characteristic of the Indian orator.

“ espeaks in tones of thunder, and hurls his
lances of fire down upon the earth. He knows
that death is in the forest, and has put a cloud
over the brow of the heavens, and causes it to
shed tears upon the earth, to wash out the.
stains of blood, and hide the trail of the Sioux
from the eyes of Death-Notch, the Young Scalp-

. Hunter.”

Before Le Subtile Fox could reply, the door
was opened and a chief, wrapped in a blanket to
rain, entered the

edge and took his seat in circle. He was
soon followed by another and another, until
the circle was almost full. As the rain was de
mendingl in torrents, each one came wrapped in

his b at, which was thrown hood-er over
his head to rotcct his paint and feathered
headgear. me of them, on ‘ their

seats, did not remove their blankets, an could

only be disitnguished by each one’s totem,

£1213: 1Ewes wrought in bright colors upon his
e .

I‘iflstaipi‘aiducah glanced over the party assembled
an : .

“My youn chiefs are all in but one. Red
 is gill absent. But he will come soon
—ugh, e is here now.”

Red Antelope entered the lodge, enveloped

oot in his long, y blanket.
“The council isfull,”'sai . aducah‘; “let
any one ak who has anything1 say.”

‘Then will ask on,” said e renegade Le
Sabine For who, i was» to see, wore a
mask of false whiskers, “if eath-Notch has
been in your camp again?” _ .

“No; he dare not come within our mil 9.
But he prowls through the woods and 5 es
my braves down when the go alone to shoot
the’ Gowhere you  is temble death-
notch may be seen upon the trees of the forest.
And to-day comes the wail of another of my
warriors whose cheek bears the totem of the
Young Seal -Hunter.”

“ Death- otch is a terrible creature,” said the
white renegade; “ but let the chief prepare, for
another enemy is approaching.”

the blin 'ng darkness t at fol- }
lowed. liutashe continued on, lights in the ‘

circle_of forms. It was red Antelope, who still
kept his face concealed with his blanket.

‘ Why does Red Antelope; grunt 'i” asked the
head chief, turnin upon t savage with an in-
dignant scowl. “ oes he feel envious of the
fame of youn Sliefy Eyes? or does he doubt
the \ivLords of nkp ucahi Let Red Antelope
S a 7!

peThe chief addressed arose to his feet, and
drawing his blanket closer over his face‘as he
did so, advanced to the center of the lodge, and

‘ putting out his tomahawk, struck the central

 

pole twice with the keen edge of the weapon,
cutting a deep notch in the stake. ,

“Ah l” exclaimed Inkpaducah, indignantly;
“Red Antelope answers my questions by cut-
ting the totem of Death-No ch upon the control

)018. Is he a coward—a weak squawi Does he
ear Death-Notch ? Let him speak.”

“ Inkpaducah,” said the shrouded Red-Ante-

start, “ on and yourwarriors are a set of fools.
Red ,An 10 lies dead on the outskirts of your
village byt ehands of Death-Notch. The de-
stroyer is at hand. He is even here inyour
conned-lodge! Behold hlm I” cried the sup—
posed warrior, flinging aside hisblanket; ‘ I
am Death-Notch I” ,

A cry of terror pealed from the}! ofthe
savage dileftains and theg started to 1; air feet.
lint at the same instant,- t ey found themselves
in blinding darkness. ‘

The supposed Red Antelo ,, dashing to the
earth the torch that litu t elod , instantl
threw his thick, water- ed blah et overi .
Then arose a fearful yell, followed bidireful
confusion—a terrible strugglein thedar , Dull,
sodden blows were hear , mingled yith the
crack, crack of a revolver, cries of agony, and
shouts of trium h. _ ‘ I , j

In e. vs. w some “Wilt”;
stru an gra ‘ c ,  n
thatgegach was theirpgeteste'd foam-Notch, a"
figure glided from the council-lodge, and leapugg
onto the back of , Le Subtlle Fox’s horse, dash
awafililelirough the village, night and  into
the ost‘, impenetrable darknessof the 

The village was amused. The cries of the
chiefs noun ed hi b above theroarof the rain
and the rumble of thunder; , _

Forth from their tents the warriors came

uringtothe council:lod'ge.' Then‘th learned

hat Death-Notch had been in their v e, and
had occupied a seat in their  Upon the
central pole was pointed out his intern, the
death-notch, which he had cut with his own
hand before their own eyes. , I

A dead chief and two wounded ones, 1 in
the council-led ' confirmed this evi ence—
Death-Notch ha been there.

 

CHAPTER VI.
A saw DANGER.

“Dunn-Norma isat‘the door.” , _ ,
The words fell from Omaha’s lips like a thun-
derbolt from a cloudlem winter sky. ’ .
Young Avengers started to their feet and gazed
in bless slu'prlse at the door as it expect.
 see the young destroyer burst in upoii
em;

their number assured them of  3,ij ,
defy his Power. they were thrown. into a 3m
of smut suspense and anxie , through their
expectancy of standi face face with the
dreaded 0 Seal unter. - ,
But w 'llénghe us stood wltthhelr eyes
fixed upon the cor they were startled lay a
sound in the afloa' room. Itwas a all,
sodden sound that which'would be 
ducedby the fall of a“ yybody. The , ed,
their eyes upon the parti on door, then g anced
from one to the other intexnziatively. I,
Had Beam-Notch entered 6 door _by a sheet.
passe. 8? Who ,knew but that cabin w’as bur
owno retreat! . _
Searcer had these questions farmed in

 

the minds of the Young Avengers when .

lope, in a tone that caused the counselorsto ‘

The shock had come unexpected and although .

 

' --.2-_.:°-"-‘:! " ' mm‘r .'.;—'..--

Death-Notch, the Destroyer. 5

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figure (Siponrcd in the doorway. But it was not
Dcuth-i otch To their surprise it was the form
of a young lndinn, whose and head-dress he-
spoke the insi'v-nia of a chic . l e was a Sioux,
painted and lilumcd for the war—path. He was
a trill, pmwrful fellow, with a broad, evil face,
upon which rested a malicious sinister smile;
and his small black eyes seemed half-closed, as
if dazzlud by the light of the fire that was roar-
in r on the hearth.

c stoml directly in the doorway, with his
muscqu r arms folded over his massive chest, in
token of friendship and peace. There was some-
thingl imposing in his powerful, handsome form,
and is i'mii‘ioss, cosy attitude, and foramoiucnt
our f ricnl is regarded him With a look of mingled
sur rise and iulmiration.

on the hand of Omaha. was seen to steal
slowly toward his girdle, and a cloud of scorn
and indigiliation to settle upon his dusky face.
Then his 'ps were seen to part, and with all the
disdain ant insult which he could throw into his
tone he asked:

“ Ugh! what does young Sleepy-Eyes, the dog
of 11 Sioux, want here!" _

“Scalps!” was the prompt and laconic reply
of tho haughty chief, as a grim smile swept over
his broad, sensual face.

The hands of our young friends quickly, flew
to their belts; but, do itc this hostile manifes-
tation, young Slccpy- lyes never moved a mus—
cle, but seemed to be totally oblivious to th
movement. .

Omaha’s native vindictiveness was beginning
to rise to a point almost be 'ond restraint.

“ Let the friends of Oma ," he said address-
ing his friends, .“look upon Sleepy-Eyes, the
murderer of their friends, and say whether he
shall stand there and defiantly tell us he is here
for scalgs.”

Still loopy-Eyes never moved a muscle, but
retained his silent, disdainful attitude.

To our white friends it now becamc evident
that Omaha was the object of his contempt, and
that he was waiting the address of on snow
more worthy of his august r ' 11. 83
Fred Travis addressed him in the Sioux dialect,
of which he was master.

“ What does the young Sioux chief seek here
alone?" he asked. -

Young Sleepy-Eyes drew himself up to his
full hi ht. His breast swelled out, and, with a
slight of theylumcd head which indicated
his recognition 0. young Travis, he replied:

“ These woods are the hunting-grounds of the
Sioux. He has a. right to go where his will dic-
tates. What do the young pale-faces scek here
on our hunting-ground!” .

“ Shelter from the storm was the object that
brought us to this cabin,” replied Fred, eva-

sivclg. .

“ utfiyou carr arms,” said the chief, glanc-
ing at heir r' as leaning against the wall'
“and a dog of an Omaha ee you company.”

A fierce, revenveful light 5 at from the eyes
of Omaha. His gers tightened upon the butt
of his tomahawk, and but for the look which
Fred gave him he would have struck the chief
down. He had learned forbearance of the
white man; and, turnin on hisheel with a
contemptuous smile, w
this the young chief seemed‘ totally uncon-
scious showing with what contempt an Indian
re unenem'of his ownrace.

fdoniaha,” sth Travis, “is our frleud‘and

l e.

“ But why do the youn white braves wander
so far from the lodges of air fathers?”

“Go ask the waters of Okibogi and Spirit
lakes. Listen to the winds whispering to the
forest-leaves of what they saw when the Sioux
and Dacotahs were there. Our fathers are dead,
and their wigwams are in ashes.“

“Then the children of the white braves have
come to avenge their death 7" said Sleepy-Eyes.

“ We have not banned the hair of a Sioux’s
head,” re lied Travis. “ We have come to as-
certain w ether the Sioux can-led any of our
friends away into captiwty."

“Go then toour village and see,” returned
Sleepy-Eyes, and there was an undercurrent in
his tone and looks which our friends did not fail
to understand.

Death-Notch was altogether forgotten by the
whites. They sufiposed at once Omaha. had
mistaken Séeepy- yes—Ewhothhnd entered by
some score ge— or e young Scalp-
Huntar. But mm a little strange to them
that Sleepy-Eyes should appear'so overhauling
and insolent unless it was 9. mid to conceal
savage fears.

The storm without was growing flea-cor each
moment. Drops ofraln mingled with ball, had
begun to fall in a sullen andcontmuomrou'
upon the roof. ,

“ Perhaps,” said young Travis, determined to
show the chief no favors, “ ou can tell us
whether you have any of our lends captives,
or not 1” - -

‘fAnd if I rcfuse,‘what then?" asked the

chief.

“We will be compelled to detain you a. ris-
oner until you give us the desired informa on.
orexchange you, should we find any of our
friends are mptives.”

Accomful smile convulsod the bronzed, ienr

ed away. But of all ‘

' With terrible

 

The New York Library. 

suul face of the {21mg chief.
to Travis” rcmur ‘, but stop to one side from
from the passage. Then w at was our young
fricnds’ surprise to see a second Indian appear
in the doorway, from the shadows of the adja-
cent room. '

A dark suspicion rushed suddenly across our
young friends" minds, and that suspicion was
soon verified when they saw this second savage
step aside and a third one appear, followed by
a fourth, fifth, and so on, until ten grim and
hideous Indian warriors stood before them,
tomahawk in hand.

Fred now know the' cause of ' the chief's inso-
lence, and realized what a terrible blunder they
had committed.

Without a doubt the cunnjn Sioux had on—
sconced themselves in the dark oft, or adjacent

room, before they had entered the cabin, and '

yet with such cunning and caution that not the
east si of their presence had been discovered
by the con, watchful eyes of Omaha. .

An indiscriminate massacre now seemed un-
minent. The young men had laid aside most of
their weapons. and one movement toward their
recovery would be the signal for the Indiansto
strike. In the breast _ ket of his huntin -
shirt hoWever, Fred vis carried a sma l
pistol, and‘in order to get hold of it without
awakening suspicion, he calmly folded his arms
across his breast, permitting his hand to slip
into his pocket as he did so. -

At the same instant the same thought seemed
to have inspired his companions, and Instead of
manifesting a fear corresponding with their
dan er, they assumed an attitude of ease and
indi erence. _ _

There were several moments of Silence, during

which time the two lines of enemies eyin
each other, the savages with faces low Wit
fiendish triumph; the whites with aces that

wore the calmness of brave men when their
lives stand in imminent il.

Slee y-Eyes was the t to break the silence.
Be aware to Fmlei-avis, who stood directly in
front of him. '

“Will the oung e-facestillla hewill
keep Sleepy- yes firm? Ordoes 11g bravery

grow weak at the ght of my warriors?"

Fred felt as keenly the retort of the chief as
he did the peril of his situation; but with cred-
itable promptness he replied: _ '

“I care not to idle words with Sleepy-Eyes,
but if he'has come here to nan-cl wi . us,he
will never leave here alive wi his warriors.”

A low, silent and in Ian h escaped the
scvage’s li , and but for sfifihltegonfusion
the mi b have heard the click of ’s pistol-
lcc in ' bosom; but to his. threat, the chief

reforted: '_
“gleam-Eyes quarrels not With an inferior
foe ' ‘

“I But he will seal innocent women and chil-
dren, like a an coward,” replied Fred,

indignant] . The outh saw what was comiieig
that y wagincvitable—cnd he resolv

-— a
‘forccentin words, at least, the insulin of the
caculatsdthechief. “Thepclc-face'

subtle lavage.
u Ugh ’91
speak: i’i’ow a weak squaw—with a crooked
tumwere the last words tbc'contem
chief over uttered. _ was a flash ore
hiseyes,thecrack of a pistol, and befalldead
with a. bullet-hole throng his forehead.
Then arose a says yell mingled with the
butt] of the aim A and the
next 1'. the two lines seemed dissolve
into one. Knives and pistols kamhfrom their
concealment: and tomahawks ed in the
light of the ilrc astheyrose an! fell through
them" and b above the rourof the-torn:
without rung t e cries of the combatants, the
sbrleks of the dying and the clash of steel.

CHAPTER VII.
‘rn'l: comer m m RESULT.

IT was a fem-fol moment there within the
deserted but. suing to fury by the death of
their chief, the sava ressed hard u n the
Young Avengers. ut e latter were ed,
strong and skillful, and while they to
ward :30 the 310% the saw they unmade

t ccun . \
in"; tabland to hand, bu with “ma.-
ht and left
on. It seem impossible

hawk in hand, Omaha stru

that men ht so hard and long, and
f but for several minutes

gamma Muhammad about equal. None had

fallen, yet several were w on both “ides,

for the floor was getting wet and slippery with

their blood.

Suddenly, above the dinof the conflict and
roar of the storm, 3. wild vmce was heard with-
out deman admittance to the cabin, each
shoutbe accom 'edb abea blowupon
thecabin 1-. ma this 0 y fox-amo-
ment. The dooryielded,andflfl8m‘°m8h
in—the cfaman. Inonehandhehelda
tomahaw - in the other oneof thethenmost

dead] in of the da a Colt’s revolver. ,
Fromythe E y,

tter weapon report after report
rung out, and, as an accompaniment, the toma-

l
He made no reply ‘

Vol. I.

l hawk rose and fell with deadly precision upon
I the heads of the savage fee.

The tide of battle turned in a moment.

“Death—Notch! Death-Notch!" burst in ac-
cents of terror from the lips of the savages,
and the few that were alive and able, fled from
the but, and sought safety under cover of the
night and storm. The conflict was ended. Six
of the ten savages lay dead and dying. Throw
of the Avengers were seriously wounded, am'
but for the cramped position in which the sax
ages were com )cllcd to fight with this tom:
hawks, some 0 the Avengers would have un-
doubtedly been slain.

In a minute, almost after the conflict most
of its terrors were forgotten by the Young
Aven rs, in the startling realization of their
bein n the resence of the terrible Death-Notch,
hew chad urst in during the conflict and rout-
ed the sava es.

Not a li lo 511
that the young

' d were our friends to see
nip-Hunter was of about
medium size and wore a re ar hunter-garb of
buck-skin. his head—gear owever, was quite
a novelty. It was a stee cap, not altogether
unlike the moritm worn by the warriors of the
middle 0. To this ca was attached a beaver
which on ly conceal the face. But masses
of long, ripéihng black hair fell down his back,
and black, ery eyes gleamed throuin the holes
of his mask. .

Fred 'l‘ravis’ mind at once reverted to the

youthful horseman he had seen that day in the

crest—the same whom Omaha had said was
Death-Notch, and whom he had said was a
female. The being before” him seemed larger
than the horseman; but then he was dressed
diflerently. And there was that same wealth of
raven tresses, regal head and swellin chest.
But were they one and the same person

Our youn friends seeing that he offered
them no vio once—in fact, had proven a friend
in the most dangerous moment of their lives—
sugposed at once that he. was some eccentric
be , more daring than Wise. _

Fred'l‘raviswastheflrsttospeuk.

“ Your coming was verglop rtune.”

“ Glad to hear it,” said a s ger, in a tone
that was soft and musical as a woman s. “ But
then you were pressing the red devils closely,
my young friends.” ~

‘ ardon me, but may I ask who you are l”

The masked avenger made no re ly, but rais-
ing aloft his tomahawk, he struck t c wall twice
wth its keen edge, and chipped out small
notch thereon.

“ Do ou ungentand-thatl” he asked.

“It ‘ the
Hunter.” - .

“ As such I am known,” replied the even 1',
“ though I hope I am not as terrible a area a
to ouasIamreputcdwbeto thewhitcs. The
w tea are myrown race and friends; but the
Sioux—curse them l--I am _ mad-crazy with
hatred and vengeance toward them!”

‘ The 0 Seal Hunter did not remove his

m is language:- it occasionally,
to see nopart see was exposed,

But despitethls eccentricity, the Young Aveng-
ers became decidedly easy over the true char-
acter of Death-Notch. That he was yo ' there
was not a single doubt. That helwss a sadly
foe of the sav was no more than they had
those fabulous stories of his
colossal size were proven to be “ moonshine.”

' A of pain from one of the Avengers drew
the a ntion of his companions from Death.
Notch, and they at once' - to ascertain
the extent of each cne’s inj , and dress the
wounds as well as their surgi skill would ad-
mit. In this they were assisted bythe yoeu‘nlg
Scalngunter, who showed that be ad a h
on e of the tenderest of human . gathies.

e wounded being cared for, the an began
removin the lifeleu savages from the. cabin;
and whi 9 thus engaged the crack of a rifle was

' suddenly heard without: A bullet whimd into

i the room through the 0 door, and Death-
Notch was heard to ut r allow, Eek gasp,
andwasceento rand sinkto knees.
The doorwus ' tlyclosedandbarredby
Omaha, while Fred Travis sprung to Death-
Notch’s assistance, exclaiming:
“ My God, younghfricnd, are you shot?"
“Not bad,’ was claconic rcplyof the o
Scalp-Human.”ch to his eet. “ di ,
however, receive quite a blpwd’rom an ounce
ball of lead; but therewas insufficient powder
behind it to do its work. See there."
As he ke, he drew from the bosom of his
an: girl: a battered bullet, and handed. it
or
aboutlt. It wasa' ' leadenbamltill
warm with the heat of the powder and‘tbe fric-
tion of the concumion.
The sight of this bullet filled the young men
with no lit 9 and wonder. lgyflwhat
wer wut e p-Hunter enabledto the
ger of'a leadcn ballf It looked a ttle

Death-Notch aw thlt our friends were pm
zled undatoncedmtheir aim-mica fromthc
incident by an evasive remark. ' '
Inashort time the excitementhad sublidod,
landthenkc Avengers found themselves in a.

general conversation with the masked stranger.

 

match of the young Scalp--

.. .

$Ff

'_ \

' Death-Notch had dealt foull

. . . l
'i‘huy lo'md hon i'w he in {wrson of more than nr- 3

din:in i‘ii'lI‘Llfin‘i‘. llis :iiigiiage was guarded,

but showed evidence oi" soinooducational reflne- ,

lllt‘ill.» :i.i.l m l thoughts. But when asked
why he p ll‘n‘ll-Jii such ll course of vengeance, he ‘
i‘L‘piiv'il:

"’ 1 mm not hwlp it. This may seem an absurd

risen-Mon to you, but it is true. Theroiirc times,
liowovcr, when my soul shudders with horror at
the lll'l‘dla‘ of my vengeance. Then again my
lit-zil't liol-onics lired unooiitrolliibly With that

maddening,r passion. I (‘illl not light it back. It
Jillllt'h‘ [won me lilo! the spasms of one addicted g
to poviodiwd attacks of insumty. lot, for all i

this. i Ive] that l h:ch it just cause for my deeds ‘

ol' l’U\'Ul|;','U. And i think sometimes, however
absurd that thought may be, that Heaven jus-
tilii-s mo in my course. And there are other
savages yet to fuel the weight of my vengeance,
in l hruvo felt and sull’ored the weight of their
luirlmrity. The cries of a terturcd mother and
angel sister ring in my cars in fancy its they did
in reality, For 1011;,r bitter weeks, while in the
lino is of those rod fiends. And as I was com-
pfiiioil to witness their suffering, agony, and
shame, so shall their captors witness my re-
vongo.”

A doe ) silence followed this revelation of sor-
row zin vengeance. Every heart had been
alike touched with pity and revenge. The
Avengers felt that their own fates were in a.
manner connected with that of the young Seal )-
Huntcr, and :it once made known to him the O
ject that had led them into the country.

When he had heard their story of the murder
of their friends at the lakes, Death-Notch ex-

pressed his heartfelt sympathies for them, and ‘

promised to aid them as far as ossibie, in their
endeaVoi-s to rescue their friend; Yet, despite
these kind-hearted manifestations, he would not
reveal his features.

For over an hour the storm continued to rage
in all its fury. Finally it began to break away,
and by midnight the heavens were clear and the
stairs were shiiiiirr bright and s arkling. The

moon came up, and then Deatli— Otch turned to
the Youn r Avengers,  said:
“ Friem s, the storm is over. We are on]

about ten miles from the Indian village, and if
we remain here any longer, the savav'e, or who-
ever it was that attempted niy 1i e a while
ago, will bring the whole Sioux tribe upon us.”
" Then we had better not delay ii. moment in
seokiiiw other quarters,” said Fred Travis.

The rlittle band at once proceeded to act upon

Fred’s suggestion, and procuring their weapons,
they lel't the deserted but. It was, however
with great difficult that the three wounded
voiths journeyed tirougb the forest without
assistance.

Death-Notch advised them to proceed at once
to Stony Cliil’, where the wounded would be
safe and receive the proper attention. The vil-
lage was some fifteen miles awa , and acting
upon the lllflSkedXOlltll’S advice, t ey bent their
footsteps in that ircctioii.

The Scalp-Hunter was to accompany them
several miles, when his homeward course would
lead him in another direction. .

As the moved slowly onward guided b
Omaha, Fred and the mysterious oath-Note
followed on a short distance behind, conversing
in low tones. They had journe ed in this man»
nor several miles when those in grout discovere
that Fred and Death-Notch were nowhere in
sight or heariirr. So the sto pod and waited
for them several. minutes, ut t iey did not come
ll ).

[Meanwhile they were startled by what seemed
to be the re mrt of amistol. The sound was be-
hind, though somo distance away.

There was something Singular about Fred’s
absence and about that shot. What did it all
mean? Surely the had not got into trouble
with a. band of skul ing‘ Indians, or other sounds
would have been heard. Was it ossible that
with ‘red? .

The Avengers sent Ohio in back to investi-
gate. But he soon returned and Fred was not
with him. His face wow a. clouded expression
that spoke louder than words to his compamons.

Fred Travis could not be found I

CHAPTER VIII.

' . THE HIDDEN RANOHE.

Fon more than a. can past white rene-
gades, outlaws and prairie pirates have been one
of the most active elements of evil of the fron-
tiers, and have been almost as detrimental to the
advancement of civilization as the red—man him-

 

so .
They are usually composed of a. class of men
who, having become the dre of moral society
and not being able to live wl hout violating the
laws of their country, flee from the es
of that law to the frontier, wheretliey can have
ample see for their Wicked inclinations. And
here within the dominions of the red- they
gather into bands, and although there may be a.
certain code of honor amen themselves, that
honor does not extend beyon their own dens.
In their piratical raids upon the settlements
and emigrant parties, these freebooters are scl-
dom actuated by cupidity, but more to Ive
action to their reckless and destructive t.
ltpressed hard or likely to be caught, they ye

i
I
l

 

w" .._ .-..:::,~, ‘2” ;.

a welcome resort of safety under the strong
arm ol.’ the red-skins, whose will they always
aim to keep so pliable that it will readily bond
to their own purposes.

The country in and about Ston Clifi? was iii-
fested with a band of these prairie freebooters,
led by a notorious scamp called Pirate Paul.

The depredations of this band had been less
frequent at Stony Clifl? than any other settle—
ments along the river below, and for overa
{leer Pirate Paul had roamed over a goodly por-

'on of the western territory, creating us much
fear and excitement, almost, among the settlers
as Inkpaducah and his host. But, what was
most snignlur about this pirate band, it could
never be traced to any den or stronghold, and
their ubiquity seemed marvelous. However, it
was general] believed that their head-quarters
were somew are in the vicinity of Stony Clilf.
They had been traced by experienced scouts to
the river’s bank within a mile of the village.
Here they had always taken to the water and
further traces of them could not be found. It
was very strange, too, where they went to. In
fact, the whole thing was clothed in abit of
mystery that the shrewdest detective and most
skillful scouts could not solve.

In the meantime, Pirate Paul was apprised of
every movement they made and laughed to
scorn their every attempt at finding him. B a
systematic procedure, and the asmstance o a.
number of able spies, he was always ready to
defeat their plans; and upon one occasion he
managed to im licate his pursuers as the real
robbers, themsc ves. -

On the Big“; followin that of the storm, a
number of e Settlers 0 Ston Cliff were met
in consultation with several sett ers of Clontarf’s
Post—a settlement some fifteen miles down the
river.

The settlers of the latter place had, on the
night before the storm, sustained a. heavy rob-
bery, and on the ni ‘ht of the storm two or three
persons had been re bed at Stony Clifl’.

The settlers of Clontarf had tracked the rob-
bers Within two miles of Stony Clifi’, when the
storm came on and obliterated every sign of
their trail.

The two arties were met in order to take
some steps or a more general and thorough
seaach for Pirate Paul’s den than had ever been
ma 0.

But, at the same time that the Settlers were
in council, Pirate Paul and his men, numbering
in all fifteen, were in council, also. The apart-
ment in which these freebooters sat was a. spa-
cious subterranean room bearin the handiwork
of the great Architect of the Hi 8.

It is the hour of midnight when we would
conduct the reader through mazes of tangled
forests, and dark, echoless hill chambers into
the hidden ranche of Pirate Paul.

Around a. re h deal table upon which were
cards, dice, bot as and glasses, we see the rob-
bers sitting. Each of them for some reason or
otherhhas a red head-band around his brow.
To this is attached a. small, white veil that
ban 5 down over the face, so that we cannot see
the eatur . , Upon each of these veils we see a.
red figure, and by these fl res the robbers
know each other instead of air names. They
seem to adhere to method and form—a form as
old as that of the Senatorial Council of the
Roman Inquisition.

Pirate Paul was known as Number One and

the flaming figure upon his vail told which the

captain was. They sat around the table in the
or or of their numbers. One being first; and
although there were but fifteen present the last
number was Seventeen. Why was thisi Glance
around that circle of form and you Will see that
Seven and Ten are missing. _

They are not boisterous in their conversation.
They speak in guarded tones, as though afraid
of bein overheard. , Cards and dice seem to
occu y e min of the robbers as we enter; but
as t e momen wear on, they hear a. clear
you v01ce say:

“ umber Ten seems to be detained for some
reason or other.”

“ Give him time, Ca tain Paul," said Number
giggle; “You know V: a long way to Stony
A 133, half-suppressed laugh followed this

remar
“Probably the settlers are an the alert, or
some one is at the cabin, and can’t get away,”
said Five. “Never fear. The spy will be here
at the proper time.” '
“Yes, if he hasn’t turned traitor, like E1
Pardon ” said Six

“In that case,” re lied Pirate Paul, “we’ll
serve him aswe did ou: take him to the

woods and hang him, and put Death-th’s
stampu nhim. Butthenlthinkweneed
have no ear.” , i -

“Not a bit 0’ it," growled WI), “ for 119’:
comin’ this blessed mlnit.”

True enough, footsteps were heard descending
a. flight of steps, and a momentlater the person
in question appeared in their midst, with valled

ace. v

It was the spy, Number Ten. ‘ ’

“ ell, you go back at last,” said Pirate Paul.

“ Back, wu the laconic replyvof Ten.
“ Any new: i” , l

‘ ' Death-Notch. the Destroyer. 7

 

. fl -.... . c u, — 3 x.

7.

“ Lots of it. The settlers have been in delib-
eration as to Pirate Paul and Co. The Clon-
tarfers are terrible wrothy over that little
affair.”

. “ Ahl what else i” .

“Say that Scott Shirely, the Hudson Bay
agent, has discovered and revealed to S lvecn
Gray the fact that her lover, Ilulph St. egor,
is Pirate Paul.”

Again the robbers laughed.

h‘f f 0 on, Ten; what else l” asked the impatient
c ie .

“ They blame Death-Notch of El Purdou's
death. They say the Gregory f umily have some
little cash and valuables. ‘he search for our
ranchc will begin just us soon as Scott Shirely
and a party of his traders and trap crs return
from he Omaha countr , where t cy’re gone
for ltrics. The seven oung Avon rcrs, under
the 'endly Omaha, are still at the “ ilf, though
they are (yet in a terrible stew about their cap-
iuin, Fre Travis, I think they callliim. The ’ve
been searching all day for him; they thin he

'has fallen a victim to Death—Notch.”

“'Well,” said Pirate Paul,” well] have to lay
quiet for a while. At least, until that general
search for our ranche is over with; and we had
better arrange it so as to take a part in the
Search. But while those avengers are about,
we’ll have to be careful. That Omaha is a. cun-
ning chap, with an eye like a cat and a nose like
a hound. After all is quiet, we’ll wait on the
Grego family and see about their cash and
valuab es.” ‘

After some further remarks the council of
robbers broke up. The vailcd men arose from
their seats, and sought their couches in various

arts of the cavern. Pirate Paul and Number
en, however, still remained in aprivate consul-
tation.
“ Now, Finchley,” said the robber chief, when
the were alone, “tell me what on learned of
Sy veen Gm —whether Scott ' elm likely
t1; win, her rom her robber—lover, ph S
r.

‘ It’s hard tellin‘, ca t’in. Miss Gray is no
fool. True, Shirely tol her that you, capt’in
war Pirate Paul—that is, Ra] h St. Leger" bul
she don’t seem to believe it. he and Miss ar-
tha Gre rifle thick as a swarm of bees, and I
heard  artha tell her that she did not like
the looks of Scott Shirel

.1)
“What kind of a 100ng girl is that Grey

0 3’

rXYoung—about twenty. She’s handsome,
and got sweet blue eyes, pretty ripe lips, and a
heaven] form."

“Qui a vivid description,” laughed Pirate
Paul; “but what seems to be her objection to
Shirely 1”

“ on’t lmow. Acts as though she’s known
him before. ”

Pirate Paul started, and Finchli ynoticed that

he became uneasy.

“ Finchley,” he at length said, “ I want youto
kee a close watch upon the movements of that
glr. She may be an enemy of mine, and at-
tempt to defeat my meetin with Sylvecn
Gray. If I find that such is 10 case, then will

I do what I have long contemplated: carry'

Sylyeen away by force, and compel her to wed
me .

“' I’ll keep a. watch out, Capt’in Ralph,” re-
turned the robber-spy.
bac to thQClifl, and ap rise

“Then hasten ‘
me‘ from time to time of the movemen the
settlers.” '

“All square, Cap. Good-n1 ht,” replied the

s y; and rising from his seat, 9 glided away
1; ough the cavern like an eel.

Pirate Paul, the young robber chief, now sat
alone, and he at once became deeply absorbedin
thou ht. As the moments wore on, first“
w on the table and his head on palm.

his 9
In this ition he fell asleep. v ,
Some lng like half an hour had passed, when

a figure wrapped in a blanket, with a white val]
over the face, stole on ti toe from the shadows
of the cavern tow the sleeping robber.
When within reach of him it etc pod, and from
ltlhe dfolds of the blanket put on a small, white

on . ‘

It was a. woman’s hand without a doubt.
Carefully it lifted the vall that covered the face

ofPiratePaulandthefigurogamedu the
handsome festimes of the robber, expmagidlnleu
in slumber.

For a. moment the figure remained thus, ap-
parently transfixed by the face of the young
pirate-chief; then it turned and glided away in

e directi' on it had come.

And Pirate Paul slept on.

CHAPTER IX.
A nmw m m pm.
Imrusnowmturnandlookafterl’rcd'l‘ravls,
whim; we left with Death-Notch, in a. preceding
c r. .

e oun captain and the m sterious Scalp-
Hume;Y fongwed on without boiling of Omaha
and the Avengers, conversing without restraint
upon the dangers that surrounded them.

;’Then can on not go to Stony Cliff with
m C

“ No, Travis,” he replied, with that usual
familiarity of the boo oodsinnu.‘ “I how

 

.-...._ *Mm
- ~.. .  . . . ...;; ~ " ‘

.1; ” '~ ‘2‘ '27:.-

 

 

 

 

 

taken upon myself an oath never to enter a
white settlement until I have unburdened my
heart of its lead of vengeance. Besides, there
is another )erson in this world claiming my
presence ant protection."

“ Ah! a wife, or sister, perhaps i” thought Fred,
but he did not give expression to his thoughts.
He did not wish to appear inquisitive, so evaded
the subject by at once introducing another.

They moved on, conversing in low tones; but
Fred noticed, finally, that Deutthotch’s voice

was changing—that he spoke in a (auick ex-
cited tone. At length he came to a su den halt,
and said:

“ My God, Travis! It is coming on me again!
Go on and leave me. I iniv‘ht—”

“What is the matter, TJcath—Notch‘f" asked
Fred, startled by the unearthly expression of
his voice, and the dull scintillation of his eyes
through the holes of his mask.

“ I am going mad, Travis, mad!" replied
Death-Notch, rrasping a limb, as if for support.
“ Oh God! 811(51 a passion is awful. It is not one
of physical or mental debility, but a fit—a fit of
revenge. I can not keep it back. Go, leave me,
quick—git L'ck, Travis l”

“ But, Death-Notch let me stay and take care
of on.”

‘ Ho! ho! a legion of demons couldn’t hold
me. You have been with me already too long.
When I am away from all white faces, save
hers, then I am human, unless a savage is about.
But faces that are white and voices like my own
recall days that are gone—they excite me—put
thiit awful devil in my heart! Go, Travis, go,

0!”

Filled with that species of terror which one
experiences when in the presence of a madman,
Fred, in obedience to tie strange youth’s‘re-
quest turned and pushed rapidly on in pursuit
of his friends; though he was loth to leave
the m sterious Death-Notch alone, for fear harm
wcul befall him while laboring under his vio-
lent attack of madness.

During his halt with the youth, Fred had r-
mitted quite a distance to grow between ‘m
and his friends: and now, as he fled onward
from the mad Death-Notch, he suddenly became
aware that he was oil? their trail. Still he pressed
on, in hopes of coming up with them soon; but
in this he was disappointed. He stopped and
listened for them, but he could hear nothing.
He was in the act of calling to 'them, when the
quick, heavy tread of moccasde feet broke
upon his ears. He supposed at once it must be
Death-Notch following him, and as he did not
wish to encounter the mad youth, nor use severe
means of protection against him, he sped on
toward Stony Cliff. St' , that ominous footstep
sounded behind him, and be renewed his ex-
ertions; yet, despite his efforts, hls pursue:-
gained upon him each moment. I ‘

At length he felt his strength beginnin to
fail, and that swift patter, patter of feet .ed
him with terror. It was a precarious situation
to be thus pursued b a friend—a mad crazy
friend—who was see ‘ng his life—the life he
had been instrumental in saving at the deserted
hut. Travis pressed every nerve into the effort,
and exerted himself to the utmost. But, stead-
ily those pursuin feet came nearer and nearer.

fired turned at est, and drew his pistol.

“ Back! back!” he shouted; “ is it you, Death-
Notchl” _ _

“Yes! yes!” echoed an unearthl vOice.

Fred raised his pistol on the sh owy form he
saw approaching through the undergrowth.

He pressed the trigger as it came nearer.
There was a flash and ashar report. _

Still the figure came on. T e bullet had missed
its mark.

Fred grappled with the form. A sharp strug-
gle ensued, but it lasted only for a moment.

Then ypung Travis s unconscious under a.
crushin blow upon the head. Had Death-
Notch cult that blow?

CHAPTER X.
A MIDNIGHT DRAMA.

THE hour was midnight. The Little Sioux
river, swollen by the recent rain was lun ng
madly on, bearing upon its turbulent, t ob ing
bosom immense bodies of driftwood and debris.

There was avsullen roar of the waves as the
beatand churned themselves to a. foam, in their .
mad endeavors to break beyond the .conflnessof
their channel. This, however, they“wrli ywcn'
do—in less than an hour—rwhen the little, over-

rged streams have poured their united mlfas
into the roaring river.

Forth from the deep shadows of the woods
bordering the stream, there suddenly ‘eme
a human form bearing in its arms a heavy,i_
less object. Ilpon the bank of the an river
the figure stopped, and gazed up and own for
several moments. ‘ .

Hard by lay a large log upon which the figure
finally deposited its burden. Then it. busied
itself for some time around the log, apparently
an in lashing the object to it._

anminutes later, no ' of life was there.
The mysterious figure vanished into the
gloomy shadows of the woods.

Then followed an ominous silence thatwas
broken only‘by the rush and rear of the river.
But, as the minutes wore 011.3: sharp barkrsud-

 

 

LIV "TF7  l“. 0. .1: ,

denly issued from the solitude of the woods.
Then, forth from the dark, deep shadows of the
tangled forest came a grim, gaunt wolf.

T e prowling brute stole near the log upon
which the figure had deposited its burden, and
sniffed and snarled around it, then, as with af—
fright, it scampered away into the shadows of
the wood again. _

But it soon returned; nor was it alone. A
dozen of its grim, gray associates came along.

Around the log the wolfish pack began to
gather, as if preparing for aban not. Their
sharp barks and long howls awo ethe silent
echoes for miles, and called other friends troop-
in to the spot.

con 8. score of dark shaggy forms were
feething and plunging like avortex about the

o .
y were they there? What quarry were

the about to attack?

till they continue to close around the log,
nearer and nearer, their glowingl eyes scintilla
ing like beads of fire floating at wart the dark-
ness. At last one of the brutes yentures to shut
his glitter-bx,r teeth upon the object upon the
log, at at 6 same instant they all recoil like
a receding wave, and a 11—». human
{issues from the center 0 that circle of ravenous

asts

A human being is lashed upon the log! Who
was it? And who with the heart of a-demon
had been so cruel as to putafellow-being in
such an awful position?

The wolves soon recover from their afi‘right.
They rally, and again begin circlin around the
log, adually closing in toward i . They are
cunn , and feel their way with caution.

' Anot er groan bursts from the lips of the un-

fortunate being. Again the wolves recoil, but
they soon close in again. They are growing
bolder. They are closing for the attack.

The doomed man—for man it iii—seems to un-,
derstand his danger. He struggles to free him-
self; he tries to break the thongs that hold him
down; he hears the roar of theriver hardby;
and now he feels their hot breath upon his
cheek; he cannot defend himself—he can only
cry to Heaven for help. But he seems deserted
by all—even Heaven. For now a. hugebeast
fastens its fangs upon his arm, and tears at the
tender, uivering flesh.

Oh, w at a piteous cry bursts forth u n the
air! But, there is no pitgnf ear to car it.
The wolves have nothing car. They seem
to know it, and close in for their feast.

But hark! what thunderous‘noise? It comes
like the  roar of breakers dashing over
a/stony reef. I is water! The swollen waves
of the river have broken from its banks, and
are sweeping madly along the shore in one
Eniglitéy, resistless flood, bearing everything he-
ore 1 .

The wolves utter a cry of wright. They
turn from the object of their banquet to flee.
But they are too late. The flood grasps them
up in its strong embrace, and the are carried
away on its foaming bosom. Butthe are not
alone. Intheirmidst, tossing andro n Liam
229 garment, is that human form still  to

e 03.

CHAPTER XI.
A warm, warm FACE.
Tim scene changes. It is midday. The sun

looks down from a clear sky. The egg: cool‘
and bracing, and comes laden with a, f per-

- fume, sweet as the delicious fragrance of Araby

or Ind. The forest is redolent with its so of
natuQre—who has not heard them in the do -
nose

It was like walking throngs. wildwood $1551;
fromthe hands of 1: cores. to-traverse t
forest, where, but the night before, the sto - '
winds wrestled with mt” and where

th and mystery abroad. And the

ri or, which had broken from its confines and
rushed and roared across the lowlands, had
spent its fury and might, and sunk back within
its channels.

N 0th. sound could be heard nor a living object
seen. The place seemed tenantles—an unin-
habited solicitingde by the foot of man .

or beast—a hollow temple, C the home of in-
visible 8 irits. '
But this was not the case. There was life

within the forest and upon, the river.
":Asmmmxhdined manifme his noon-
tide‘meridian, arsmall bark-canoe shot sudden]
out into the river from the mouth of a litte
creek, over whose waters the dense foliage
formed a dark, green archway. ‘ 4
In the little craft was seated a maiden, who
had scarcely passed her sixteenth summer. She
was a. ban? of rure~'lmliness—syiph.nke in
form and eature. Her eyes 'were dark and
Imam shadedzbyl‘on silken inches. A
wealth of dark hair was Ea fired back from, a
blow of Grocianmold an ‘zperrmuied to flow in
:hppling waves down over-her‘snowy-neck and

Shequ in a frock reaching only-to
her been, and. made in a style harmoniaing'
With her form and beauty. A little straw has
probliligy‘the labor of her own hands, 1:

er ,

Before her lay a. small sflvorjmounted rifle,

 

-...

l’v‘igiiifle in her belt she wore a. small stiletto-er
9.

‘he handled the paddle with eat skill and
dexterity,  sent the little cra t flying u the
stream, kee ing within the shadows 0 the
western .

A bright, healthful glow was upon her soft,
rosy cheeks, and a sparkling light in her dark
eyes.

Lightly the_ little canoe danced over thr
waters, while its fair occupant kept a. close watc’
around her, as if 'expectin some one, or as if e.
the lookout for (ion er. She continued to pad-
dle her canoe on up t e stream, never permitting
her vigilance to relax for a. moment.

At e
of dark specks sai ing in the air, some distance
up the river. They were buzzards. And the
forest beauty knew that their presence was
attracted there by something below—something
that promised them a feast.

TheyK might be only following a party of Rev.
ages h e the sneaking wolf, for by instinct these
birds have learned that the trail of a war-part
is invariably marked with bloodshed and desch

Harry. ' '

T e maiden permitted the canoe to come to a
stand while she watched the circling birds. She
saw at once they were coming closer and closer,
and seemed to be following the course of the
river. She felt satisfied that it was someobject
on the bosom of the stream that the filthy birds
were following. It might be a. lifelem carcass,
or, perchance, a convoy of savgfies Eoi down
the river. Starth by the l t oug t, and
grasping the paddle firmly she ran her canoe
close in shore and conceal herself under the
droopin willows in a little cove, from whence
she c d still command a view of the’ river,
some distance above. _

She saw the bumrds still approaching—at
times almost settling down to the roe-to ,then
starting up again as if with aflright. 8 now
felt sure 171;? were followingca party _of Indians,
and listen intently to ca h the dip of their

dies, or some sound that would confirm her

lief.
But she heard nothing. The birds came closer .

and closer—now so clear that she can see their
bald heads and naked coral necks bent down-
ward toward the bosom of the river.

Some is there. he can see it rounding
the bend of the stream above her. It was
a large log floating on the surface. As it
comes nearer, a. cry burst: from the lips of
the forest beau , and horror is stain upon
her fair sweet Ugh the log
human form lashed. It
It is bound upon the back, while the whiteI
white face is staring heavcnward. But there is
no motion in it. It is lifeless!

CHAPTER XII.
AN ANGEL or manner.

 

LIKE a. gown image, the forest beauty sat,

with eyes ed on the terrible si
—a man, apparently dead, and

flofisfintggoarflble ob

that the unfortunate '

1; before he:
hed upon 5

came nearer, she saw

more youth. His arms were bent backward,
and bound in 9. tion. His clothes
weresooldn wet and his '1: hair was tangled

overhish Vandneckindrippingmasses. .
Hinnan fl and kindness asserted their
er wit the breast of the maiden. She

ew at once some cruel foe had placed that
unfortunate youth there, and the resolved to
free him. But would it be of earthly use? Wu

' he not beyond human aim—dead?

The maiden gazed intently at him for this in-
formation. To her horror and disgust she saw
a large buzzard settle down on the log, by the
motionless head of the youth. Her soul sick-
ened with a strange horror and 3 use, for the
next mutant she to see e filth bird
bury its beak in t 6 eyes of the dead. ut a.
thought struck her—she would prevent the mu-
tilation of that fair. boyish face.

She sped her rifle and drew hack the ham-
mer. not than she saw the vulture crane its
neck and _ down into the Ipale, u turned
face before it, with an almost uman terro-
gative look. Then it uttered a startled cry
spread its great somber-wings, and rose aloft
mtfimefli'j' bum ' in ' '

-o oy , invou ., from the
midi!!! lips.’ To her the ‘Hmlggtions spoke
planner than words. The youth bound upon the
0 was not dead!

1; rhd_ not require a second thought to decide
the maiden’s course of action. A few strokes
of her paddle carried the little craft alo do
of the floating log. She drew the keen ttle
blade from her belt, and hastily severed the
thongs that bound the  young stranger

in his awful flan. ‘

He was ' ti unconsci audit required a
great effort of e maiden to his form in her
canoe. But she accomplished it with safety,
and a murmur of Wm Heaven isued from
her tremulous lips. The next moment she was
driving her‘cimoe rapi’ , down the rlyer.

'She‘ soon came to‘ e mouth of the little
creek fromwhich she had debauched into the
river, a. few minutes before. Up this pop

ngth her eye was arrested by a number i

eseesal
the form of amen.L

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10

archway, swm-t and cool as an Arcadian aisle,
she headed her tiny craft and plied the paddle
with all the vigor her delicate frame possessed.

Ever and anon she 'azed down into the un-

   

conscious him before icr. It was boyish in
feature, yet mzinlyin expression. It was hand-
some, and wore a look of refinement; and the

incident" heart beat wildly and joyfully in an-
ticipation of the moment when those eyes would
GDP“ and those pale lips speak to her.

()n she drove the canoe. She haul traveled
over half a mile, when she turned abruptly to
the left, mid entered the mouth of another
stream. - This she followed through dark forest
and under tangled foliage for some fifty rods,
when she suddenly burst into a. little sunlit
glado, in the center of which stood a little vine-
cinbowcred cabin.

It was a lovely spot—a miniature paradise.
Flowers grew on eVery side, while the .whole
was coinpassed on all sides by the dark, green
forest. ‘

Running lier canoe ashore, the maiden landed,
and, tripping along the little glade, entered the
cabin with a familiarity that told it was her
home. In a moment she returned, followed by
a young man whose features bore a striking
rcmniblzince to her. It was the youth that me
Sylveeii Gray, the day previous, near Stony
Cliil’. It was Ralph St; Leger!

His face did not look so bright as when we
first saw him. It was a little tile and he ard,
and his eyes were heavy and ollow, as t ough
he hurl just recovered from a spell of sickness.

“W bore did you find the young man, sister
Vida?” asked Ralph, as together they crossed
the gledo. a

“On the river, Ralph, lashed to a floatin
log. Some person must have had a demons
heart to bind him there. He is so young and
handsome, and I know he is not a but man.” .

They came to the canoe, and as Ralih St.
Leger gazed down 11 on the face of _ t e un-
conscious youth in t e canoe, his face turned
very pale, and he started slightl . .But his sis-
ter did not notice his emotion. he wastoo ab—
sorbed in emotions of her own over the young
stran er’s welfare.

“A1! a stranger ” said St. Leger.

“ Yes,” res )ondeil Vida, “ and think you there
is any hope or him i”

“There may be. I will carry him to the
cabin, and we must do all We can to restore him
to life.” . '

Ralph stepped into the canoe, and lifting the
unconscious young stranger in his strong arms,
carried him to the cabin and placed him one
soft couch. .

“ Now, Vida,” said Rail li, “ 'ou Will have to
be spr . We’ll have to abor on and hard to
bring  to life. While I chafe 1: ie limbs and
bathe his brow, ou )repare some strong herb
tea for stimulants. see, little Vida, the hand-
some face of the stranger has awakened a won-
derful interest in your young heart.”

Tears of joy gathered in Vida‘s eyes. The
long lashes drooped upon the olive cheeks, and
a crimson flush swept over her pretty face. She
made no reply to her brother’s remark, but
in another
apartment, preparing; stimulants or the young,
unconscious stranger.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A NEW EXISTENCE.

WHEN Fred Travis recovored from the stun»
iiing blow, which he was sure had been dealt
him by Death-Notch, he first became conscious
of the-fact that he was lyin upon a sott couch,
while dark walls surroundei him. He could not
recall his situation. His senses‘were confused
and bewildered, his brain was feverish and ex-
cited. Weird visions of demons ,were flitting
before hise es, and now and then' he could see
a colossal s adow pass before him. ‘ _

He was conscious of existence, yet he was in
doubt as to the state of that-existence. ‘His
surroundings did not seem of earth. .He had
surely passed into another sphere. His senses
strug led to assert their former power, but
soth iing like a vague charm held them asunder
—a. charm that no eflfort of his own will could

break.

But, suddenly, a sound like that of a footetep
broke upon his ear, and that strange ll was
broken, and reason with Fred Trams ad a;-
Serted its throne. He started up and. gazed an
confusion around him. He felt of bis_achmg,
throbbing head. A banda e was upon it.

But where was he? 6 gazed around the
room in which he lay. It was almost dark, yet
he was enabled to see its outer walls were made
of 10 Before him hung a curtain that separ-
ated room from one more commodious. He
drew aside the curtain and looked' out into the
apartment. He started with surprise. The room
was flooded with the light of do. and furnished
with the elegance of an Orion boudoir! The
walls were covered with woven hangings of a
rich, harmonious color that formed a beautiful
background for the pictures that adorned it.
The floor was covered with a ca 1: of cum-
ously—nTouglit material that looked ike Spanish
mass woven in with silken threads. There was
a table in one corner upon which were books of

 

 "£118. New Yuk F31"???er-

various kinds, and a vase of flowers that diffused
their sweet perfume through the room. A beau-
tiful cornucopia. bun upon the wall and was
filled with fragrant owers and fruits fresh
tram the wildwood. Upon a. low ottoman near

a little window lay a.stringed.musical IllStI'U-l

ment.

Fred Travis was dumbfounded. He, could
scarcely believe the evidences of his own eyes.
Whose home was he in?‘ Surely he had been
transported to some other realm. No wildwood
home could be so comfortable and luxurious as

hat.

He starts. He hears a soft foo entering
the room. He dro the curtain, an lfiyslbac
u )on the couch.‘ e socs-aahadow flit across
1: e curtain. It was the shadow of a‘woman.
Was it an angel? v .

He had scarcely asked himself the question
when the sound of music broke upon his ears,
sweet, harmonious and dulcet—like in its strains.
Some one was playing 11 n the instrument he
had seenl ‘ uponflte 0%“. The air was
solemn d~ ow, and awakened every emotion

in the youn 'man’shreact. Helistenedto the

music entire y cnmpinred. Suddenl the clear,
sweet voice of a woman entered into he melody
with a harmonious accompaniment and to Fred
it seemed as the h an angel’s voice was pour-
ing out its inspire us in one holy, enchanting
strain. Ho listened for several moments. The
music had now descended to one of those low,
dyiuglghords which the ear devours so eagerly

and could no Ion , resist the demo that
tempted heart agile corntgr of the
M; an 33.2811,qu rv upon 6 sweet,
fair face'of the young ‘ r, Vida_St. Leger.

For fully a minute he casted his eyes upon
barium and face, his very soul entranced, not
only by the rapturous melody of her voice, but
the loveliness of her features.

At length he sunk back upon his couch, his
heart in a tumult of emotions. And now his
mind became actively engaged in thought.
Somewhere he had' seen that fair face before.
Was it not in his dreams? He thought long.
Elna 3y one he recalled the incidents o the past

we aye. , ’

He started suddenly with a manic shudder.
It was the same face as that of t e youthful
horseman that he and his friends had seen the
day before, gglloping through the woods in
male attire— 9 sample whom Omaha had said
was Death-Notch! ' «

But that such a fair,'delicate creature could
be so terrible a being as the young Scalp-Hun-
ter, seemed utterly preposterous. But, who
was she? Surely not a demon in angf‘l 

At; last the music ceased. Then red card
her footsteps approaching him.

The curtain was drawn aside, and the eyes
of Vida St. Leger met those of her invalid

prote a.

9
She started slightly on seeing his eyes were
open, and gazing up into her: with a conscious
light; but, quic y recovering from her
emotion, she said: ’ .

“Youarebetterlse'e o stran .” '
Her voice thrilled Fred’sy withagrenewed
strength and hope.,

. “Indeed, fair maiden,” he replied, rising to
his elbow, “ I knew not until a few minutes

ago that I was in existence since I was stricken.

down in the forest. But, how came I betel”

“ Are on strong: enough to hear a long
sto ?” ida questioned. .
“ es,” he replied, “I feel strong as ever.”

.Vida then seated herself near his couch, and
narrated to him fliciten'ibh podtion'in which
she found him; how she hadreeouedhim from
the lo and carried him hane‘ inter canoe, and
how,- orthe remainder of thatda and thenlght
that followed, she (1 her brother he'd stood
over him and la . to rekindle the- spark of
life that still lingerediwithm‘hls body.

Fred was astounded by her narrative. He .

knew nothing of the terrible ordeal

which he had after he was beaten down

apathetnight o the,sz , It was wellxthct he ,
no .

In ‘ the kindest of words be thanked and
blessed Vida for her gooan of heart toward
him. The talked ens—one subject led toanother,
and y Vida asked: '

“How came you to be beaten downuneou-

~ soious in the woods l Surely mwasr t done 1)
an Indian, or he would never have hiswor
undone, no‘r taken thp troubleto tie you to a log

and send you adrift.
“ You have heard of Death-Notch, the young

Seal Hunter, have you not ?” Fred asked.
Vildbgrewpele, and fear seemedtotake pos—

“ I have ofttimes heard

t‘beatmedo

“It was he
face of the m

and he watched

A little 01?? burl; from her lip: '

“ Death- etch 132a terrible ” she 
“ I have never him, but Wi a stone’s
throw of our cabin _ , terrible death-notch is on
two or three trees u" r‘ which brother Ralph
found the lifeless , of Indians. I fearhnn
more on brother’s account than my own, for he
is away so much of the time.”

“ Is your brother a hunter and trapper l”

 

 

Vol. I.

“Ch, sir! she exclaimed, as with a sudden
pang, “I wish you had never asked me that
question.”

“I beg a thousand pardons, dear girl,” said
Frednapologeticallly ; ‘ you need not answer my
question if'it is distasteful to you.”

“I would like .to anSWer the question if I
could,”_Vida replied sadly “but my brother‘s
calhngis unknown to me. I c hunts and traps, ii
istrue, but only sufficient for our sustenance. l
am afraid that there is something he is iceepin
concealed from me. He is away fru'i hon l
most of the time, and when I ask him where he
has been, and about his success, he evades
both uestions. But he is the only friend I have,
and I ove him with all the fervor of a sister’s
heart, and I know he loves me. During the
oi ht months we have dwelt here in this seclud-
_ spot, you are the first person who has been
in our house besides ourselves ; and yours is the
first white face, besides brother’s, that I have
seen for_ months, although the settlement of
Stony Chi! is only twenty miles from here. But
I am afraid to go there.’

“Why so?” asked Fred.

“I love my brother, as I said befom. And I
have a suspicion of what he follows, and to you
I shall con de m suspicions.”

“You can 0 so, dear ' l, with perfect
safety. Not one word will I reathe to a livin
soul. I would not—I could not betray the hand
that rescued me from death.”

“Oh, thank you! thank you!” she cried, joy-
fully. “ It is so nice to have one in whom on
can confide; and I hope brother will yet exp ain
away the secret which I feel certain is connect-
ed with his abscnce. My suspicions however,
{Ire that he is one of Pirate Paul’s robbers, if he
is not Pirate Paul himself.”

‘_‘ What have on u n which to base your
opinion, besides ' re using to account for his
constant absence from home?” asked Fred.

" Ihave found letters in his pockets directed
to Pirate Paul, but written in cipher. But
hark! I hear a footste . Brother is comin 1’;

She dro ped the cu in and turned asi a,
while Fre again lay down upon his couch.

Then he heard the door swing1 open and a
footstep cross the threshold. He card the sis-
ter’s kind and welcome greeting and a kiss.
Then he heard the brother say:

“ You are lOOklpvgth‘lih troubled and pleased,
my little. 81515612. y is it? Is not your hand-
some ounf patient better?’

_ d1 not hear her answer, for that voice
tn}? his algeod almost  tarro .
was com o . ath-Notch' the aim
Scalp-Hunter! f ’ y 0

CHAPTER XIV.
run MAGIC RING.
THEY met at their old ti'ystingplace—Ralpb

St. Le er and lveen Gray.
Rel was-l a 1i e pale and toilworn
while Sylveeirt face wore a bright smile an

her heart Wes throbbing wildly under the emo
hem of and fear—anxiety to test the
power of'the which Martha. Gregory had
given her, and a fear that it would prove her

udfioma boy-lover a. prairie pirate, as Scott
Shirer had declared him to be. ;

After their first greetin , Sylveen said:

“ You look tired and e austed Ralph.”

“I am .9, little tired, dear bylveen,” the
youth replied. “I have traveled farthiu mom.

‘Justtomeet me Ba] 11?” nerled the maiden
a tender light beaming he? eyes. ’ v ’

:hYes, sweIet S‘yllzelen. To km promise
Wi you. we et nothing me un-
less it was death.” . ’

“You are very true to me, dear Ralph. But
do you never grow tired of your hunter life—oi
wandering through the forest alone?”

“I cannot sag I am entirely alone, Bylveen.
Your ce ever before me. to cheer me
and ve me bright hopes for the future.”

5 veen nestled closer to the manly form of
her over. She could not doubt his bone of
heart. His free, open countenance spoke p or
than words could have done of his innocence.
The Hudson Bay Agent must have been mis-
taken about his being Pirate Paul. The on]
thingthat seemed strange to her about Ralp
was in his refining to go tothe settlement to
live. But she accounted for this throu h a
boyish bashfulness and reticence, althoug he
appeared, like one who had been reared in the
company of refined society.

Her greatest fears for him were of Death-
Notch, for almost every day came fabulous
stories of that terrible bein ’s vengeance. But.
then; there is no end‘ to er superstition and

«she prayed that those shrine might be without

an foundation.

hey talked on for some time. They talked
of their love, and some nonsense, as lovers will;
andflnally he sub'ect chan d to that of the
Prairie Pirates, an during ‘ ts discussion Syl-
veen watched every expression of her boy-
lover’s eye and every lineament of his features.
But she saw no trace of an evil heart or guilty
conscience. Still the power of the ring had not -
been tested, and, with thisend in view, she per-
 her little hand to steal slyly into the

 

 

' was sent down the river toward Ston

No. 7.

hard palm of her low-:2 lie pressed it gently,
then raised it to his iipn. -

The ring; caught his eye, He gazed at it for a
moment, then an exuhuuation ol‘ surprise burst
from his Eps.

“ Sylveen,“ he asked, “ where did you get
that ring-.1 It’s hers—my darling, minted-J

He (lid not finish the sentence. Sylvecn tore
herself from his embrace, and wh' 9 her face
grew livid with scorn and indignation, a cry
that came from a broken heart welled to her
lips.
“ Sylvecn! Sylvecnl" the youth cried, “ what
is the nicauim,r of all this l”

“Ralph St. Leger 1” she almost shrieked,
“ you have deceived me! You are a robber—a
prairie pirate—you are Pirate Paul'hnnself l”

“Sylvcen, stay! One word, I implore you!
Sylveenl Sylveeiil” _

But Sylvcen was deaf to his entroaties. With
a cry that (lee ened into a sob of anguish, she
turned and flelPtoward the village.

“ My God, what is the meaning,r of all this?”
exclaimed Rel )1) St. Leger in agony of heart.
“Some one is 1 eeeiving Sylveen, or else Heaven
has forsaken incl Sylveen, eh, m darling Syl—
veenl this mistake shall be recti edl I swear
thisl And I dare the vengeance of Stony Cliff
itself; and my enemies, whoever they are, shall
suffer for this!”

He jerked his rifle to his shoulder, turned and
strode away into the woods at a rapid pace.

But scarcely was he lost from view in the
depths of the undergrowth when the lithe figure
of an Indian glided from a clump of bushes hard
by, and stole away directly on the trail of the
young hunter.

CHAPTER XV.
mm ELK ON THE WAR-PATH. .

THE wildest excitement prevailed within th
Indian village when it became known that
Death-Notch had been in their midst—in their
council—lodge; had stricken down one of their
leaders, and then fled on the horse of Le Subtile
Fox. '
The body of the young chief, Red Antelope,
whom those in the council-lodge supposed the
terrible Death-Notch to be, was soon brought
in. He was scalpless, and bore the death-notch
of his slayer.

The fury of the savage band became great.
They surng to and frc like maddened beasts.
The uttered their fearful war-cries and grap-
pie with imaginary foes. ' ,
It was some time before I aducah could
austere order and assemble his c iefs in council
again. When he did, however, Le Subtile Fox
was still among them, feeling thankful that
Death-Notch had let him or! with no further
loss than that of his horse.

The old chief addressed the council with all
the eloquence of which he was master. He

rtra ed in vivid colors the destruction that

eath- otch was visiting upon his people. He
invoked their immediate vengeance.

His hearers responded in cries that asserted
their readiness for action. I

Le Subtile Fox also addressed the assembly in
a. few ointed remarks that seemed to have
more inlduence upon the save. 3 than the chief’s
speech. This was probabl ause the chief
had stuck to the truth, whi e the wily renegade
had soared away into eloquent falsehoods, so
readily devoured by the Indian warriors.

Le Subtile Fox remained at the villa. until
he had accomplished his mission, and earned
the course the ndians intended to pursue; then
he took his departure from the place.

The night Wore away, and on the following
norning several war— arties were dispatched in
ill directions to assis the part already absent
slider Simply-Eyes in the scare for the terrible
Death-Note . I

But before night one of the parties returned
yith the remnant of the youn 'chief’s party,
md the body of the young clnef imself. .

From the lips of the warriors the Indians
learned of the conflict at the deserted hutwliere
lilee y-E es was slain. They also received a
non rma ion of Le Subtile Fox’s story of a new
l’oe, calling themselves the Eight Aven%ers,
being in the country. And terrible foes hey
threatened to be, for the alTair at the deserted
but was their first blow, and Sleepy-Eyes their
first victim.

“War, war to the knife! Vengeance! ven-
geancel” were the cries that passe from lip to
lip of the savage foe; and the followin morning
a dozen different parties were sent fort in every
direction. One under the daring chief, Red Elk,
Clifl! to
intercept the‘Eight Ave“ 1’3. if 'b 6.

His warriors numbere abou' a score, and
were the flower of the tribe in pomt of bravery
and physical strength. They were painted and
plumecl, until they appeared hideous, and were
armed with the best weapons In all the tribe.
These men took their deplarture on foot, and
after ‘ourneying through t e forest until they
came to the river, they changed their dll‘ection
and followed the course of the stream. \

At a rapid pace they pushed on, and the day
was half gone when they observed a canoe com-
ing up the river. There was an Indian in it,
and a seam" "‘“"~'- fissure] the savages that it

......—..~~4-_ .._.. an...  -_.‘;_ _.. ,y  . ., _ .1  V 

,_4,_..--.._.d......,~. ._ .. .

 

Death—Notch, the Destroyer.

was a scout who had been sent out from the
town a day or two previous.

Roll Elk’s party at once made their presence
known, and soon the scout was in their midst.

" What news does Cree dug-Vine brim,r from
the camp of our ciicinics’l’ asked lied Elk.

“The pale-face enemies are abroad. They
are called Avengers;3 and are led by a dog of
an Omaha. Death- etch still prowls through
the woods for the sculps of the Dacotah and
Sioux."

“ Has Creeping-Vine seen the pale-faces under
the Omaha?"

“lie has; and has heard them talk. He lay
hid under some old leaves when they bloke
camp. The are now searchin for a friend
whom they ost on the ni ht of t e storm. They
fear Death-Notch struck heir friend down."

“Then Death-Notch strikes down the pale-
faces too?"

U Yes. 7!

“Whereaow are those calling themselves
The Eight Avengers?” , I V. I. ,

“ On the march. Twat. a will, camp
on the Hunter’s Island, ow ’ ;

Izlfim doesme mg-Viménow; 9E} ._ M

epaegace ays on , mar
out his course before hesmdieard the
Avenfisfiay where‘ther would i , ', '
night fore thoyleft theircam  ,
“Then” . ,_ {Aw of.

beaming 7 {romp-hid ' ~-

  
  

  
      
    
 
   
    

    
 

another sun rugs.
shallhaagattho ' ,
riors. 9 will entrap, r .
entrap the heaven”, _ . ,..,; g. I
When the wilychief . s - »
self, he moved ridge  ‘ I ‘
ter’s Island, fol o_w by. ,   (i, “d-
' I! r 1:“ ._'.'.‘
l‘. "-a "' v "g;
JUST at  a? . per,-

sons broke cams '

to set forward on theiru - t.
had been kindly treated t~ -.

and had received urgent in'vi  3min ;

but the unknown fate of Fred ifif‘oved a
keen spur to their anxiety and, ' p fiance, and

they at once set out in search of bug.  .

ey had already; hunted the forelt’through
in the vicinity of t e deserted but, and as they
could find no trace of him, they the ht he
might have been taken captive by the (lions
an carried away to their village. If so, they
ho to be in time to save him. .

e Omaha being well acquainted’with the
topography of the country through which they
were journeying, they moved with expedition.

At a. distance of a good day’s travel from
where they broke camp, there was an island in
the river, which they aimed to reach ere sunset.
But in this they were disappointed. It was
dark when a point opposite the island was
reached. And now they met with another ob—
stacle between them and the island. For the
want of a canoe some hours would be consumed
in constructing a raft. But it was their onl
recourse. Searchinn' along the bank for drif
logs, they were so fortunate as to find araft,
ali'ead constructed, lying lodged against the
river ank.

It showed signs of havin been recently made!
A number of o d, dry logs ad been placed ar—
allel with each other and in this manner has
together with green barks and withes. The logs
were very laz- ——some of them three feet in

diameter. H of this thickness was submerged
in the water.
At first Omaha thought there might be some—

thing tricky about the raft, but a. careful exam-
ination set aside all his fears. . As the raft was
not made fast, they on posed it had been floated
there b the late flood rom some point above.

. Boar ing the rude affair the Avengers towed
it out into the middle of the river, then per—
mitted it to drop down at the Will of the cur-
rent. against the 11 per side of the island, where
it coul not be ' away.

The island was a small tract of sandy ioillé.

covered with a dense  of willows.
was elevated several fee above the highest water;
mark. In the center. was 'abare spot of sand

and in the center of this was a wide, ‘flat atone

covered with the ashes of a recent camp-fire.
The island was a f vm‘ite mmpingwlace of
the hunter, trapper, dim, or whoever hap-
pened to be journe intheue parts, on account
of the natural advan offered as a, protec-

tion against the sudden surprise of
and, at the date of our story, it was -
HllnwtiisA d' did tdee itsaf t6 trik
s e venfl,’ :no ‘ m e s e

enemy;
wn as

11

here, then Omaha will give up that he is a better
scout and—

“T’hon, laddy, I guess yc’ll have to knock
under to yer granddwldy.”

e Avengers started to their fol-t, with sud—
den surprise and blank astonishment written
utpon their't’aces. The last Voice \\ as that of a
3 runner who had appeared in their midst as
silently as though be ad been dropped from the
clouds.

He wasa tall, lean, lank individual, of, per-
haps, some feity years of age, dressed in a suit
of y'eaay buck-skin. Hishoad was surmounted
by a coon—skin cap from which the hair was
Worn ofl’, and which up >earcd like a bald poll.
His face was angular an< omnivorous; his nose
prominent and slightly Roman. and his gray
eyes small, yet glittering like two coals of fire
beneath their shaggy browa llis free, careless
and reckless air was sug cstive of one of the
Old type of bravo, jovm old trappch of the
Nor’west. '

He carried a. flncdooking rifle, a side toma-
h'awk, a knife and abrace of pistols, and as he
appeared before the band of Avengers, he

f the butt of his rifle to the ground, and,
' his,st Over the muzzle, assumed an
 .v f... .. “gmmde' ’7 f d d
, .amoni tour .oung rim 5 gaze u n
thisqud‘spa‘ciinep o'fhyumanity in silent wonggr,
and. before? either; of, ‘them could speak, he

,3_ E‘ ?rn‘.t I a stunner, though?"
. “, must admit on are,” replied Amos Mere-
dith confusedly;
“ We], I can t
plied: the stranger, with a comical smile:
311,663: a rantankerous ole cuss that’s been
ri in? ,over this little patch 0’ yearth called
N, or’- . a for somet in’ nigh on to forty-
 . Pin a lad o’ leisure and pleasure-
' ' ‘a little, "traps. little, and spice the hul
{then-With an Ingin skulp. I’ve no

   
   

at who are you, anyhow?”

1‘ but

now.
w "w  to‘ciy‘artei me—oh no—nor wash
the. ,  ‘ ‘ 'erally wear a suit till they git
dir‘t’ytv, f throw myself into the river and
flummixprbOut awhile and come out clean as
a new-polis'ihed‘ nfle. But, as to my name. If
we should contino'o to sojourn together, call me
enny thing, so ye call me in tone for a leg 0’
turkey or a hump o’ venison. Over on the
Platte the called me Lanky Joe; down on the
“ ' Mm dy” they called me Dag er-Ey‘es and
Ratt epate; and up on the Repu lican Fork
they call me Ole Shader.”

‘ A very suggestive name, considering not
only your anatomy, but the silence with which
you appeared among; us,” d Frank Harriott.

“An faith, ould eller, let mees ax if there
are enuff ave yees to make a. shaderl” said Phe-
lix O’Ray.

“ W -now, youngster with the boggy
tongue, 0 ye s’pose yer oin’ to have a laug
at my en‘rplensel If so, all an . I like sport
like a to 6 does sunshine. and know you’re a
jolly set. But I’m just such an old scalp-pole
as nature made me, and it’s durued doubtful
whether I’d make a shader or even a grease-

ot, if I was rubbed out. but I’m wiry as an
09 black-snake; and what Ole Shadcr’s eyes
can’t see ain’t wuth lookin’ nrter.”

As he spoke, the old hunter lsynced warin
toward the upper, side of the ' nd quite fre-
quently. This a parent uneasiness did not
escape the notice 0 the young men, and, despite
his odth and boisterous voice, they appre-
hended t at all Was not right. "But be are
either of them could make any remark or in-
quiry, the old fellow’s tongue set of! a n:

“ reckon as what mtyoung cubs t k I’m a
noisy ole rattlepate; , the fact 0’ ’t is, it's
second nature to me to keep blabbin’ and clat-
terln’ away like an ole woman or a blue jay.
But, then, thar's policy in tongue-talk some-

times. ’Spocially in‘the resent case.”
“What do on mean ’ asked youn§nMere-
dith. “ I see 1: ere is an undercurrent your

conversation.” , . -

, “Wal now, that‘s what I’ve been drivin’ at,”

said 01d Shadow; “and now "—and his voice

fell almost to a whisper-4‘ if ye lads don’t want

to lose yer scalps, ye’ve got to git out o’this

quick as wink yer eye.?’ ,  . .
The Avengers startled- ‘ .

 Indians chant?" one of them
“Bot or hair on‘t. So close that one big

leap wily bring twenty tomahawks onto yer

no .

059019119 ‘surely jesting!“ exclaimed Dick
“Not a bit o’it. But e can do fist as ye
lease, boys; but Ole S ,er leaves mstanter.

00 hot ’round' here nu- inc-too much brim-
stone.” " ' ‘ ‘

‘~‘I can‘t see where‘s. foe could be
conceaflfi I tuilferiugo close to us," said 
ll ‘ e

a fire, they ate ‘ xii from the remnants re are Indians about, he had better
of their morning meal. on the re was take to theraft and go ashore.” . ‘ .
of the “Thar’s ‘no need 0‘ packin’ the red devils

over, Omaha made a  circui
island - ‘

“You think, an enemy could not sur-
prisons here?” asked ‘edith, when themiendly
ran

“0; if in Indian,or anyone,ca.n get onto
the island without me seeing him before he gets

 

. .. .....&.......n.a..—.-....~...._ _,

with ye,‘so ist let that raft alone. Thethree
big legs in t a center 0’ it are holler and on the
under side 0' them are a dozen holes, cho

there with tomahawks, and in eve hole on
traplngin’sheadandneckmnup totth

 

' m inf-1.1“  ‘3}

“We”... -. __ . -1t‘.:‘"?;‘—.‘_.;.....

say for suitain, as to that " re- ’

~ «a

A. A...” -rénkcccfi-‘ ._. w... _.....- - c-.4.“_. .. .u

._A n m....-...

 

 

“Heavansl” exclaimed Harriott; “is it pos—,

sible’l"

“Verily I say unto ya, it is the case. I
see’d ’eni make theraft, and heard ’em talk
’about it, and all what it War fur. They
know’d yo were comin’, and intended to
stop on Hunter’s Islan’. A red val-let they
cal ed Creepin’-Vine brought ’em the news.
Creephf-Vine overheard you tellers say

lwhar an intended to stop, and I beam the

durned ups settin’. .their traps to cotch e.
They le t Cree iii’-Vine over on shore to ve
the signal fur' he attack to be 'n, in case 'ye
war unkeerfnl enough, as the r en sofa-ye
would be, to ck ’em over here in t t.
But Creepin’- me will never give that signal. ”_

As he concluded, the Old unfer tapped his

' dle in a significant manner. The scalp of

reeping—Vine was dangling therel

“ Now,” he continued, “thar’s my canoe.
Take it and run yerselfs over to the east shore,
then one 0’ ye bring it back arter me. I’ll stay
and talk away here like a ri and blazes, and
make the dorlrotted knaves th yer all sot up
with the extract 0’ sod corn.”

“ Hadn’t one of us better remain with you?”
asked Meredith' you might get into trouble."

“ Never mind me, boys. Pm _ole _ j

,lightnin’on a run or em, and if Iquice git
started thar’s no bullet or error as can catch me.
So it, boys, and go easy as a shader.”

he young men took up their rifles, and cross-
ing the island to the lower side, entered the old
hunter’s canoe, while the hunter himself sat
down and began singing the old' familiar border
song that ran thus:

“ The ’possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog;

At the ole hedgehog, at the ole hed eliog;
The ’possum he grinned at the ole h ehog,
’Wa.y down by the Squantiun river," etc.

“ He's an odd genius,” said Finn]: Harriett, as
they pushed out into the river, and, permitted
the canoe to drop silently down-stream.

In a. few moments they had effected a safe and
noiseless landing on the east bank of the river.
Then Omaha returned with the canoe, and
brought, Old Shadow over from the island.

“ ah! haw! hawl” laughed the old hunter,
“it’s a 00:1 ’un on ’em pizen varlets, by cracky
it is! ad now. I’ll give the signal that Creep-
in’—Vine, the former owner 0’ this ’ere scalp, war
to give. A—yil‘ a—yil”

As the last two cries echoed throu h the
wo every eye was fixed upon the ra that
lay ainly revealed by the moonlight. In-

' ihant ythere was heardafluttering in the water,
lthen a score of dark forms were seen tomse
from the stream around the raft, and leap onto

the island with a yell that resounded for miles

and miles.
Across the island they swapt, their uplifted

, tomahawks gleaming in the moonlight. But
P

their trium was soon turned to disappoint-
meat and rage, for they found their enemy was
gone—the birds had flown.

Old Shadow chuckled with , suppressed laugh-
ter, and rubbed his horn palms. with so, and
for awhile it seemed as ough he we (1 be un-
able to restrain his emotions.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
A voron FROM THE mums.

Tan deep-laid plan for the again and‘mas-
more of the Lake Aven ers, b _
warriors proved a deci ed fa ure, and when he
found his enemies had escaped, his savage fury
knew no bounds.

To‘ have attempted to follow the whites then
would have been onset of, tong in violati n of
an Indian’s usual precantion. e suspects the
Avengers had not only outwitted them,,vbut had
laid a trap for their destruction. So he resolve
to’ stay on the island till morning, then take u
the trail of the enemy, and follow. 80 r s
were mated on each side of the island, t ‘ one
that slice on the upper side taking his position
on the re 1:.

Owing to the circular form ofthe island, and
the willows upon it, the rds ,wei‘e unableto
seeeach other from the , “wither could
they be seen by their friends from the center of
the island.

Red Elk being beyond rifle,  of either

shore order a fire ligned. He dd to hold a
consultation with ‘ V
lightby which to read the expreidon of each
one’s face, and note the ,im ressnon that his elo-
quence would have upon hem. So, .in obedi:
once to his desire, a fire was built . the
lime, flat stone in the center of the li e sanl
opening.
Some of the warriors nowlfilled thebowls on
the head of their tomahawks with tobacco, and
her-rat;1 to srlnoke, whfletlotl‘ifrs threwbthemselves
inisess,oungin‘ «rat'tu esu esan.

Half an hour pEased in smugglthen Red an;
spoke. Every warrior rose to a sitting posture
and assumed an attentive air.

“ Braves of the t Sioux, and follon of
Red Elk,” the clue? began With all the dignity
and eloquence that he could master, but a this
juncture there was heard a low groan at the
per side of the island, followed by two du ,
an Idea blows, and the oration came to an abrupt
ia'inlnatiou.

Eli: and his .

warriors, and wanted a .

 

The New, York Library.

Graspiii" his tomahawk, every warrior glided
away in t 6 direction from whence the sound
had come, but when the upper side of the island
was reached, all was silent as the grave. Upon
the raft, however, a fearful sight met their
eyes. The guard was hanging, head downward,
over the edge of the raft, dead. His head was
seal less and across his cheek was a deep gash.
By is side a. fresh notch was cut on one of the

lo l

I: was the token of Death-Notch, the young
Scalp-Hunter.

A yell of terror burst from the red-skins’ lips.
They leaped upon the raft and began searching
it over for the terrible foe. But, to their sur-
prise, the 10 planted and began floatin away,
compellin em to beat a hasty retreat k to
the 1312111 The withes that bound the logs to-

ether had been cut asunder by the young

calp—Hunter, with the intention, no doubt, of
destroying their chance of escape from the is-
land, without taking to the water.

The doubly defeated sav had not a. doubt
but that Death-Notchhad made good his escape
from the island; nevertheless, they made a
hasty search for him, but in vain.

Stuihg to fury, they gthered around their
camp— re again. New e1 was added to the
flames. The light leaped out in strong, red
beams, and fell with a lurid glow across the
grim, demoniac faces of the savages.

Red Elk was the sole embodiment of rage.
His expedition,,that at first (promised so fruit-
ful, was provinga wretche failure. He ad-
dressed his warriors in a fierce eloquence, every
word of which added new fuel to the fire of
their revengel‘ul hearts- It was some time be-
fore the storm subsided. Then, with malignant
scowls, they’d] bent their eyes upon the fire, as
if actuated y a single impu so.

Then they start. A, low groan issues from the
V8? depths of the cracklin flame. It is human,
an

seems to  the fire, or 3 million sparks
went )1pr ’ m ital! bosom, as though a stone
had been V into its center.

A ed e as. start back. Another
ppan ' Acolumu of rks

groanissues from the .
Oat ufgward, wavering and crackling the

carton of air.

The sav start to their feet—recoil.

“ It, is , fiends,” shrieks a hollow, ghost-
like voice.

The burning fagots lea and dance in the fire.
3‘“ can“: an: comm
ar . ons 0a u '.
12l'iie ‘ red-skins stand aghast. pA irit was
within the fire. It spoke, and one flames
and shgping sparks were breathed fort
The warriors grow bolder. They now ad-
vance closer to the fire and begin circling around

it azin' g, with s 0 es into the flame.
Ehgy see nothing. Mysterioyus terror fills their
'“Red-sldns,.wh do you stare at me?” the

voice came from t 9 fire. “ I am the iritthat
will consume you when Death-Notch as hun

gwbicédps at his girdle. I are angry.

m
The  began to lea and.’ uivar on the

stone. “a flame wavers do theclight flickers

and flashes. smoke and rks float upward.

The savages stand yzed with terror.
RedElk has no power of eloquence to break
that fearful spell, for he, too, is rooted to the
spot with m ions awe.

At length there is a calm. The mine gathers
stren h, and the light flares out on the painted,
to ed faces around it.

A minute passed.

A ain the sparks begin to rise from the fire,
and he flame to diver. The spirit was movin
within it. Then qthere was a sudden crash, an

d , the air 'was filled With flyling flrebrands red-hot

In ever direction

coals and hissino' s
n hurled, .ri tandleft

had the camp-figs

into the very faces of the red-skins; then all _

was ess.
The savages took to the river, and swimming
ashore, fled away into the forest with absolute
terror.

Half an hour later a human figure stood in
the Center of the island. Over the face was an

iron .

It was Death-Note the oung Seal Hunter}
At his feet, leading .i’éwn glider the, slim,- was
the mouth of'a cavern. The wide, flat
acne, upon which the savages had built their
camp-fire, concealed the opening from their

view.

The in the cavern under the. stone, had
Death- otch been concealed—hamg entered
the, cave through ausmall as under the
edge of the island, where it had esca the
save ’ eyes; and there, under the ‘fla stone,
had t e g Scalp—Hunter worked $011 their
fears in he manner we have already own.

CHAPTER XVIII.
AN UN'WILLHS’G navnsnnorrm ' ,
FEED Tnavrs' lay like one under 'a terrible
fascination. That voice fell upon his ear like
the voiceof doom. There was no mistaking it.
Itwas the voice of Death-Notch, the terror of
the red-skin and the fear of the settler. He
spoke in that even, natural tone that he had
nixed when he had first made himself known

 

 

Vol. L

after the conflict at the deserted hut. But
then young Travis could not drive from wear
ory’s ear those wild, hoarse notes of the mad.
man when ho—Death—Notch—beggcd him to
flee from him in the woods.

Would not Fred’s face cxuitn- him again, and
throw him into that fearful state of uncontrol-
lable madness! The thought was an thing but
pleasant to Fred, and he began to think of es—
caping from the cabin. But this he found
would be impossible. The cabin had but one
door, and near this the brother and sister stood.

The outh bent his ear and listened. He
heard t em talking and learned that he himself
was the subject of their conversation.

“Yes, Ralph, he is better,” he heard Vida
say; “he has entirely recovered consciousness,
and thinks he is well as eVer. But he is weak,
and must not be disturbed.”

“No, no, Vida," he heard the brother re~
spend: “he is your patient; you have saved
his life so far, and your injunctions must be
strictly regarded.”

“Oh, Ralph!” and Vida’s eyes grew bright
with some inward emotion; but, suddenly re-
membering that Fred was awake, she checked
the words that came to her lips, while the dark,
silk eyelashes drooped shyly on her flushed
cheeks.

“What is it, Vida?” asked Ralph St. Leger.
“You am feeling unusually joyous; have you
can 'ht it from the young stranger?”

“ Sh, Ralph)” she said, placing the tips of her
ta ring, (limpled fingers to her brother’s lips;
“ e is awake and may hear you. Come sit
down. You look tired and carewom. ‘ou
must be hun ry.”

Ralph St. ger threw himself 11 n the otto-
man while Vida stole softl bac to Fred’s
couch, and, drawing aside 1; e curtain, gazed
down upon the youth. He slept.

She moved lightly away, and was soon en-
gaged in the pre aration of the evening meal.

en it was rem , Fred was still asleep. She
would not disturb his slumber. She would take
him food when he awoke.

Ralph eat his supper silent] and thought-
fully. Vida watched him close y. She saw at
once that something uncommon rested upon his
mind; and after sup r was over, and the table
cleared away, the mother and sister Seated
themselves near the door furthest from the in-
valid’s couch and entered into conversation.

“ Ralph dear,” said Vida “ you are in
trouble. Your very looks and actions say so.
Wli 'i‘siait?” l d

‘ i , my ove was spurne to-da b one
whom I loved most dearly.’ y y

“ You loved, Ralph? This is news to me. You
surprise me.” .

‘ Yes, no doubt, sister. But there is a
maiden at Stony Cliff whom I met and
loved many days sic. And to me she
pledged her heart and and,
voked that pledge and urned my love.
cusedmeo being Pira Paul.”

Vidastarted and uttered a little cry.

“Brother,” she said, “Ihave even thought
so In self.”

‘ “ y God!” he exclaimed; “is itlpomible that
you link my name with that of a. ' lain, Vida?”

She ac

“How can I do otherwise, brother? For ‘

nearly a year haye we lived in this secluded
spot. Your comings and going have been
wrapped in mystery to me. ou tell me
nothin unless it is of the terrible deeds of
Death- _otch, or of some robbery committed by
the rame pirates. Wh have you been so
silen , if you did not wis me to couple your
absence with that of some evil?”

Fred Travis has heard ev word. He did
not approve of eavesdr ping, ut there was a
mystery about this bro er and sister that he
Wished to solve. To Vida he saw her brother’s
doings were entirely unknown. He had caught
a glimpse of Ralling face throu h the curtain.
He saw the resem lance it bore the maiden’s.
He wasfully satisfied that he was Death-Notch,
for, although the Scalp—Hunter had kept his face
masked at the but, his voice was the same as
that of Ralph St. Leger. But might not he be
the Pirate aul tool

“ Sister,” said > h, after awhile, “half of
my life is a blank. ver since our tswere

slain b the mourned Sioux, under Le Subtile

Fox ce I witnessed the torture and shameful
treatment of our mother and sister—I have
been insane half of my tune. And were it not
for you Vida, to soften my heart to live for, to

love, I have I would go entire mad. And
since S lveen Gray—she whom have loved
With al the affection of a true heart—has

spurned my love, it seems as though this life of
mine is a bitter one. But, sister, do you re-
member the ring that mother wore ere our home
fell under the savages” blows?”

“ Yes, yes, Ralph. I could never for t it.
It was a gold ring, with such a cm-iousse 01
Some precious stone. But what of it?”

“ Sylveen Gray wears that nng.”'

A cry burst from Vida’s h-ps.

“ It must have been .taken from mother after
her capture,” she said; “ but how came Mi-
Gra in possession of it?"

' “ know not. But when [saw and recognised
it, Sylveen shriml; from me as if from an add...

.

but today she re. .

...,,_.....,, .  ..  .. ....,.....,,.,.-_.._,-,,,___~..,_.. mun..- 

13

No. 7.

 

if Death-Notch, the Destroyer.

. I if Sylveen Gray will hear my story, and believe And so he did. During the next two days he
Paul. ' There is some mystery Colll‘i'(‘ted With . me—renew her promise to become my wife was absent from home most of his time—scout-
that ring.” . ; when. we have grown older, then will I give up in through the woods.

“ There must be; but, tell me, Ralph, why it this life.” _ ‘red Travis convalesced rapidl , within the
is if you are not a robber, that you tell me so » “ Oh I pra , then, that she will!” cried Vida, | sunshine of Vida’s smiles. He walked with her
little of your hunting excurSionsé” ' hopefully; “ )ut, Ralph, you say when on are in the cool, silvan wood; rowed with her upon

“Vida, are you sure yourpatient is asleep!” I under 1: ese mysterious attacks, you ve a the creek, and talked and simg with her until

The maiden arose, and gomg to lired's couch, ! faint remembrance of what you do, yet can not 3 the emotions that were ripening in their young
drew aSide the curtain. ' | stay our acts,” . hearts gushed forth in confessions of love and

“ Yes, he still sleeps soundly," she said, steal- ‘ es, such 13 the case.” ' jo
lng back to her brot er’s side on tip-toe. “ Then, do you remember of having beat this ‘

“ Then I willtell you something, Sister,” Ralph , youn man down in the forest on the night of i
said. “Revenge is what leads me from home, , he s rm?”
and keeps me away. Upon those W110 518W 0111‘

at the same time accusing me of living Pirate

From the moment they had first gazed into
each other‘s eyes, a feeling far deeper than mere
“ _ _ v 1 friendship was awakened in each young heart.

No, Vida for I did not. ’ i This continued to grow upon them, until it at

father and tortured to death our'mother and
sister have I sworn to wreak a_terrible revenge.
Heaven seems to justify me in my course.

can excite myself to madness by thinking over
our friends’ suffering and shame, and when I am
mad this world is almost a blank to me. I do
most terrible acts. The sight of one of those
savages who destroyed our home crazes my
brain. I can not control my anger. A demon 5
power and fury are infused into my body. I
am vaguely conscious of all I do, at can not
restrain In acts, and there is not ing that I
dare not 0. It is not insanity that crazes my
brain, but a spirit of reven 6. It is a singular
and terrible state into whic I am thrown, but
I can not help it. It comes like a dream in my
sleep, and my acts are all involuntary. I have
no control over myself' but, God seems to guide
and protect me while laboring under those ter-
rible attacks. But one thought of you, Sister, or
of my adored Sylveen, would drive the s 11
awayé It is curious—nay, mysterious—w at
free. and ills the human race is addicted to.
The sight of a strange white face sometimes
throws me into that awful state of madness. It
will bring up old memories of days gone by,
when we were so he py and joyous With a
father and mother. en will rise the demon
faces of their murderers, and my spirit maddens
for revenge. And, Vida, I hear much of Death-
Notch, and his terrible deeds of vengeance on
the red-skins. Time and again SIStBI‘, have I
recovered from one of my terrible fits to find a
scalp at my girdle. By thinking, as you would
over a dream, I can recall a vague remembrance
of how it came there. But to make a long story
short ,it am Death-Notch, the goung Scalp-Hun—
ter, as the Indians have seen t to name me.”

A low, half-suppressed cry burst from Vida’s
lips, and an, exlpzession of fear overshadowed
her features. lph’s revelations had startled

or. From his own story she at once believed

.: was sub'ect to attacks of fits, and yet he had
, ndeavore to make her believe it was but ex-

:itement. She felt no uneasiness for herself but
for the handsome, invalid youth lyin behind
the curtain. What if her brother should become
mad at sight of him? As she asked herself the
question, 9 glanced uneasily and involuntarily
toward the curtain. Ralph readily divined her
thoughts and fears by her actions, and continued,
assuringly:

“You need have no fears for him, Vida. I
see your heart has become deeply interested in
that outh’ welfare.”

“ h, Ralph!” she cried, blushin
“it shocks me to think of Death-
you are that terrible being!”

“ I have kept the fact from lyou for your own
good. I know it is an app: ing mood that at
times possesses me.”

“ Yes, brother, and I fear it will be the death
of you at,” said Vida. . V ,

‘ God, holds our lives in his hands. I am his
servant, and as he Wills I_am satisfied .But’
Vida, l have settled my mind upon one thing.
[must see Sylveen 'eray once more. I must
bring about a reconcdiation, if possible. With-
out her love, sister, this world Will be a half.
blank to me. If she Will listen to my story, be.
lieve that I am no Pirate Paul, and will renew
her promise to wed me some da , then will I
leave this wild, secluded home, w erein love as
Well as revenge is keeping me. Once awa
'from the hateful presence of the Indians,
know this spirit of revenge will be forgotten.
But I hard] know how to act now.”
wish I could advise you in your
trouble. but, for the sake of your sister, be
careful of your life. When you are gone, I
halve no ontoh to reciare {gr me.”

earsga e in ee esofRal hSt.Le r.
He drew his little sisterytoward hi.)m put bizk
the long, dark ringlets from her brow, and
planted a lass u . n it.

In the mean 8, Fred Travis was an atten—
ltive listener to the startling revelatiOns of Ralph
tit. Leger, and the words of tenderness spoken
by the brother and Sister. He felt ashamed of
his silence, but he could not help it.

After a few moments’ silence he heard the
brother and sister renew their conversation. .

“Brother ” said Vida, “ I believe now you are
not Pirate Raul, but I cannot say I amplmd
to know you are Death-Notch. ”

“ I am not leased over the fact myself, Vida,
but then I fee that I have not been accountable,
in a. certain sense, for many things that I have
done. But, revenge now is only a secondary
object. Love stands minent—a love that

w strong ere Dea ~Notch struck his first
figw, and made his name aterror. However.

crimson
etch—that

 

“ He says fieath-Notch beat him down.” i

“He is mistaken. 1 was with him that night,
and had one of my attacks. I knew it was
coming, and warned him to flee and ‘oin his
friends. He left me, and I recover

were robbers, and still a few minutes later I
heard a pistol-shot. I never saw Fred Travis
after our parting there that night, until I saw
him lying unconscious in your canoe.”

Fred heard this declaration with a feeling of '
A terrible weight' was lifted from his !

0
heart. He would now have nothing to fear
from Death-Notch.

By this time it was dark in the cabin; so a
lamp was li lited. Ral h and his little sister
now sou ht ’s couc , and finding he had,
apparen y, just awakened Vida went to pre-

e him some food, while her brother engaged

im in conversation, by which Fred soon learned
that the young Scalp-Hunter was a person of
more thon ordinary intelligence.

Vida’s a pearance with some food on a snowy

late, an a bowl of coffee, ended their talk.
ed arose from his couch, and, being seated in
an easy-chair, ate the viands brou ht him with
a keen relish. After this reth e felt much
refreshed and strengthened, and ventured on a
few minutes’ walk and exercise in the open air.
When he returned, Ralph also was out, but came
 a few minutes, looking not a little ex—
01 .

The three seated themselves and entered into
conversation. Fred sat with his back toward
the open door and facing Ralph, and Vida sat
at one side.

Suddenly, Fred saw Ralph start as thou h he
had detected a slight, unnatural sound wit out,
for he fixed his eyesu on the 0 ii door.

“What is it, Ralph ’ asked ed.

Ralph made no reply. Fred zed into his
face and saw it was set with e rigidness of
death. His white, ly teeth shone between
his sli htly 1 ps, and his eyes glowed and
scinti ated ike coals of fire; their pupils dilated
until they seemed to cover the w o a ball. It
was a terrible expression, not one of madness,
girl-q insanity either, but of—whatl Who can

“Ral h! Ralph!” exclaimed Fred, hoping{ to
break t e spell hat was coming over him 1 e a
se nt‘s fascination.
algh made no re ly, but, like'an arrow, he
shot t rough the cab n door, out into the blind-
in darkness.

fore either Fred or Vida could speak, there
was heard a. low, wail-like cry; then all became
silent again. .
A minute later Ralph made his appearance in
the door, ap arently as calm and composed as
he had ever n.

But Vida rung backward with a shrink, and
pointin to h s agl-lrdle, exclaimed:

“ MyIiod, R ph, what is that?”

CHAPTER XIX.
EVIL linensth8

RALPH ST. LEGER started a ' sister’s words,
as though he had suddenly been aroused from a.
dream. He down at his ' dle where he
beheld a rocking scalp danin . With appar-
ent dis , he tore the bloody ophy from his
side an tossed it out of the door.

“The cunning fiend,” said Death-Notch, “got
a little too close. I remember seeing him pass
the door and peer in when I_ sat there.”

“Brother,” said Vida, With trembling voice,
“ I’m so afraid our home will be discovered by
the savages and we slain, for they must be con-
tinually on the hunt for Death-Notch. 0h,
Ral h! let us leave here soon!” I _ ,

“ our wish shall be granted, Vida; a few
more days and we will forever leave this wilder-
ness and its dan rs, God Willing. But for fear
there may now other savages about,I will go
out and reconnoiter.” . .

Vida would have protested against his leav-
ing, but, before she could speak, he had taken
his weapon and left the cabin.

The maiden and her invalid guest waited long
and anxiously for his return, but the hours stole
away, the moon sunk behind the western tree-

and dawn appeared in the east before he

re ed.
When he did his face wore a. look of fatigue.
It was evident that he had spent the night in ac-

 

\

tivitg'. ' .
' “ rather on have been gone so ve long!”
said Vida; hire the Indians about?” ry

“The woods are swarming with them, and I
am afraid they’ll find our home, alas, too soon!
But I must keep on the alert.”

Soon -
after I saw three persons, who I concluded I

 

lust found expression in words of love and de-
votion.

To these lovers that solitary cabin seemed an
Arcadian bower. They thought but little of the
dangers that so troubled the mind of Death-
Notch and kept him on constant watch. There
was no vain show nor formalit in their love.
It was a pure and holy love in w iich the noblest
emotions of the human breast held iower.

It was near the close of the third ay of Fred’s
sojourn at the Lone Cabin—as Vida called the
place—that the young lovers were seated upon

he bank of the little stream which formed the
western boundary of the glade.

They had long expected the return of Death-
Notch, and Vida had begun to cliafe in spirit at
his rotracted absence. But Fred spoke words
of c eer to her and endeavored to comfort her
mind and keep it upon something else. In her
lap lay a Spanish guitar upon which she had
been playing for him, and now, as the twilight
shadows began to gather over the woodland
with their evening voices and solemn inspira-
tions, Fred asked her to play again.

The maiden took up the instrmnent and struck
a sweet inspiring air, her own rich voice join-
ing in the melody in a clear, rippling cadence.
The music was delicious, and the beautiful
singer modified the tones of her own voice and
that of the instrument to harmonize with the
soft, vibrant air that carried the sounds away
through the forest aisles in strains of ravishing
sweetness.

The air was a familiar one to Fred, but he
had never heard it sung with such ' ' ' g
melody. It brought up recollections of a once-
happy home and dear faces that were now no
more. Tears welled up into his eyes, as his
thoughts went back over old, sweet memories.

The snowy fingers of the forest beauty flashed
over the strings of the instrument unnoticed by
him. _ But as her voice rose and fell in those
sweet melodious strains, his breast rose and fell
with the emotions it stirred within.

At ion the music grew slower and fainter,
and final y faded away in silence in a low, dy-
in chord. .

ed raised his eyes to those of the lovely girl.
He saw she was sitting motionless as a carved
image, her lips slightly pearted, and her face set
with an expression of rror. The guitar was
in her hands, and her fingers upon the strings;
but it was mute.

Vida’s eyes were fixed with a. terrified $.18
upon the opposite side of the creek, and ed
permitted his own eyes to turn in that direction,
and to his horror he saw the dark green foliage
parted in a dozen places. and the grim, painted

ace 'of an Indian warrior appeared in each
opening.

 

CHAPTER XX.
A TURKEY-HUNT.

“ HULLO, lads! Git outen this! The sun’s up
and shinnin’dt over the hill like sixty, and has
been for an hour. Time for snoozin’s up, and
wedmust be scratchin’ gravel for new diggin’s,
m —

“The ‘ um he and at the ole h eho ,

At he ole hedglelllilog, at the ole h edghogg
The ‘possum he grinned at the ole h ehog,
’Way down by the Squantuni river,‘ etc.
' Thus spoke and sung Old Shadow, as he made
his ap arance in the midst of a number of
forms at la stretched in slumber beneath the
arching boughs of the surrounding trees.

It was morning, and the rism sun had just
alluded the tops of the forest . .The old

per had been on guard, and as‘daylight had
rel eved him from duty, he made his appearance
in camp before any of companions had
awakened.

In a few minutes the avengers were on foot,
moving about to exercise their cramped limbs
and to drink in the fresh morning air.

“ W31, I hope on feel as fresh as a new out,”
said the old scou ; “ but it makes the blood leap
in my ole carcass when I think how nigh ye
come gittin’ i‘_ poles shaved by them are red,
whoo in‘, th evm varlets.”

“ Vgell I should judge we all felt considerably
refreshed and rested,” said Amos Meredith,
“ but I saws? _ on feel none the better for
your night yig'il'ance.”

“ He, the dickensl” exclaimed the scout; “I
feel as fresh as a oung b’nr aster a night’s raid
in a. ig- n. W y, bless ye, it’s nuthin‘ forms

but? around all day and night

er ramps?
too. I’m a tong ‘ ole cuss. But thar’s one
$25 k : I’m ‘nnfip’ to  ads holler agfia
e . aven a any nu - ,
merit tiligrégimmick fur two full days. And

 

 

 

14

 

it strikes me just under the skulp that a roasted
turkey Wouldn’t go bad, or a hump 0’ rich
juicy venison, if turkey warn’t on the bill o
fare. Whut say '0, lai‘ksi”

“ We have to depend on our rifles for food,”
said one of the Avengers, “ and we can’t work
without it.”

“ That’s the right cackle,” replied the old hun- ‘

ter, “ so I’ll go out and. snatch in an old gobbler,
'bl‘ alump o’ venison, and you ’uns can strike a
lire to knock the stiffness outen it.

“Perhaps one of us had better accompany ;

you?” sail young Harriett.

“ Oh, the deuce, no,” replied the hunter, sling-
ing his rifle over his shoulder and strolling 011'
into the woods, humming to himself “the old
hed rehog.”

0 (1 Shadow was a true type of the woods,
a born Indian-fighter and hunter. He had one
fault, however; he was never still, but where
others seemed to succeed by silence and precau-
tion, he seemed to excel by his recklessness and
gareless habits, or, in other words, mere acci-

out.

After leaving the Avengers, he pushed on
quite rapidly a. mile or more from cam before
he began looking for signs of game. A length
he came to a. little creek whose shores he care—
fully examined. He saw turkey tracks in
abundance where they had gone down to the
water’s edge to drink.

Seating himself under cover of some bushes
where he could command a fair view of the sur-
rounding, he took from his pocket 3. small, hol—
low bone which he placed to his lips and pro-
duced a succession of sounds in exact imitation
of the hen-turkey’s call. Then he listened, but
heard nothing. He repeated the call, and,
almost instantly, there came to his ears the far-
oi'f: gobble, gobble of a turke .

But the old hunter shook his head doubtfully,
and after a moment had elapsed he uttered the
call again.

A ain he was answered.

“ urn my ole riggin’,” he exclaimed to him-
self; “thats not ginuwine, or my hearin’ and
e rience don’t amount to shucks. No, siree,
b0 tail that’s not a turkey’s gobble. It’s a
named red-skin’s gabble, and it’s hard tellin’
what the lopin’ varlet is arter. He maybe

tryin’ to ‘t me into trubble, and he may take
my call or the ginuwine article. I’ll try it
agin.

He repeated his call. It was answered imme—
.diaftely, and the sound seemed to be nearer than
of ore.

“ N 0, it’s not a turkey’s answer,” he mused; so
far as the imitation’s consarned, it ’11 do, but if
my head’s level thar’s too long an interval be-
tween each gobble. If it’s a red he’s comin r up
the crick, and I propose to set him up, i he
comes nosin’ ’round me; fur I’m hungr as a

, and when I’m hungry Old hader
know? his ltemper: isnc’lttis sweet ant? mild :3 an
ange s—o ,no—an opossum egrin' n —
lfipt, ,s’ee here, old fool, keepstill if ye want Ingin

ar.

The old hunter havin thus enjoined silence
upon himself, stole from is covert, crept down
to the water’s brink where be carefully ensconc-
ed himself upon some drooping foliage. Here
he awaited the transpiration of events.

The sound of footsteps in the water soon
caught his practiced ears. He glanced down
the stream and saw a savage Wading up the
creek. He was stepping with all the caution he
could muster, with e es and ears on the alert.

Old Shadow chuc ed and rubbed his hands
with glee in antici tion of a fight with an In—
dian, which he re ished more keenly than a leg
of roasted turkey.

The cunning savage came on, but the old hun-
ter could form no idea What he meant by his
stealth movements. He was surely not trying
to stea upon a turkey.

“No, Sireel” Old S adow suddenl exclaimed
to himself ; “the varlet means dev' try. I can
see it in his snaky eye—he’s arter scalps—ahl”

Just at this juncture the red-skin stopped
within three ste of him, and cranin his neck,
uttered the shrifiS gobble of the male urkey.

“ Now fur the tug,” thought Old Shadow,
and he at once ve utterance to the “chick,
chick, cluck ” of t e hen turkey.

Then he saw the savage turn, and parting the
foliage, peered into his ver face.

“ ornin’, Mister Red—skim ,” was the cool,
laconic salutation of the old hunter.

The Indian uttered an indignant “ Ugh!” and
grasped his tomahawk but, before he could
draw it, Old Shadow’s long muscular arm shot

Iout fl'ujzl his shoulder and his bony fist was

lanted between the red-skin’s e as. Like a.
eaten Weight, the savage fell full eng‘th in the
W8 1‘.

Before he could regain his feet, the old hunter
followed up the advantage already gained by
Ieizin his adversary by the scalp-lock and
“ due ' g” his head under water.

Although .he was partly stunned by the blow
that felled him, .the save. made a. desperate ef-
fort to regain his feet. point of strength he
was more than a. match for the old hunter, but,
the latter’s wiry suppleness more than neutral-
ized this advantage.

The stmgglc maxed warm for several min—

.,._ .__.. -_............_. __...-..‘.. _ __. _.

utes, both combatants kicking, striking and

flounderin about until they were completely
‘ envelo d in ashower of flying water and spray.
The outiht in silence, neither showing a fear
, of the at or by uttering a. sound that could be
‘ heard fifty yards away.

The strength of the savage however, soon
, began to grow feebler. This 1d Shadow no-

ticed more readily than the savaggedid himself.

The old hunter had managed to
side, and the red-skin’s head under water most
of the time. Stran ation was tellin fast
1 u n the warrior. 0 weapons were use . Al-
‘ t ough the old hunter had plenty of chances to
; do so, he wished to test his physical powers in
J conflict with a savage, who, he saw, possessed
‘ not only the advantage of size, but age—he hue-

ing in t 6 very prime of manhood.
1 And the sava seein the inferiority of his
j foe’s lon , lank .orm an wrinkled face, would
‘ show no umiliation to him, though he Were in
l his death-throes, by begging for mercy or call-
. ing for help,l even Were it near. Such is the
i pride of an dian’s spirit.
i This struggle lasted but a few moments

‘ longer. Victo crowned the old hunter. The
sava ceased struggle, his muscles relaxed,
and e sunk down, limp and lifeless, at the

scout’s feet in the water.

“ Thar now, whew!” ejaculated the hunter,
with an air of relief; “ durn yer lop-sided mug,
I guess ye won’t go gobblin’ round hose di gin s
; soon ag’in, disturbin’ of one’s prospect or a
square meal. By flun ! if I’d had a fair break-
fast 0’ juicy venison to cant ag’inst, I’d bu’sted
yer snoot the fast dip I ve ye, ye red, rovin’
variet. Guess I won’t ' my knife with
yea filthy skulp—leave it for e buzzards to do,
an —

' The possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog,
At the ole-—’
But, see here, Ole Shader, thar’s danger o’
' makin’ a fool o’ yerself, and if yer want atur-
! iffy, let that eternal, everlastin’ ole hedgehog
one. ,
Thus chastising himself, Old Shadow waded
from the stream, and procuring his rifle, ro-
ceeded a short distance, down the creek. are
he again concealed himself near the water’s
:dglg, and producing his bone, began calling for
ur e s.
A ‘ uine gobble” was soon the result of

his 0 'and resentl a 13.153 flne obbler
with arched neg: ‘ y we. (’as andgtrailing
yet cautiousl ,

k, inflated
wings, came strutting proudly
into view from the woods on the opposite Si e
of the creek.

It stopped within easy gunshot of Old Sha-
dow, an the next instant is rifle had cracked,
and the deceived bird was flopping about in his
death-throes.

Old Shadow rung from his ambush and was
in the act of s' pping into the stream to wade
across after the turkey when he involugarily
started back, with sudden surprise. ut it
lasted only for a moment. The cause of it was
the resence of the body of his late savage foe,
floa g on the surface of the water before him.
But Without giving the lifeless form a second

lance, and bein eager to secure. his game,

e stepped into 1; 1e water and began wading
MOSS.

But at this instant there was a quick plash in

the water, then the old scout felt his 1e seized
by the arms of the supposed dead In  and
his feet jerked suddenly from under him. Then

began another terrible strug la in the creek.
but this time the savage had 6 advantage.

CHAPTER XXI.
VAMOSING THE moan.

IT was night—«night within the robbers’ hid-
den ranche. Lights were 'ng on the rough
deal table around which fifteen men were sit;
ting, wearing their numbered masks. No bot-
tles nor cards ornamented their table. Matters
of graver importance were before them.

‘ Well what news have on for us to—night,
Ten?” asked Pirate Paul of ' Spy._

“ Nothing more than that we’re in a fair way
to get our necks haltered,” was the spy’s cool

‘ How? how?” asked a dozen voices.

“ Well, sirs, there’s a spy watching our move-
ments—in fact, knows exactly where our ranche
is—was in it but a few ni hts ago.”

The robbers started Violently, and a cry of
surprise burst from their lips.

“ Do you know who that spy is?” asked one.

“ Yes. It is a woman.” .

“A woman!” burst from the lips of the as-
tonished outlaws. _

“ Yes; one of the new-comers, Miss Martha
Grego I heard her tell Sylveen Gray that
Scott irer was her husban .” _ ,

Another exclamation of sumac, mingled
with su pressed laughter, burst m the hps of
the m ed villains.

“ How’s that, captain?” asked one; “didn’t
know you were a married man.”

“ Nor I either,” replied the outlaw chief. “ I
thought I had tumbled that mulatto wench into
the eepest hole in the St. Lawrence river where
she would never get out again. But, she must
have been possessed of the devil, and didn’t

 

 

mm. W- .__7..__ _._..._.4-._

The New York Library.

p the upper ,

 

,....... M. .J . .. _ .

 

drown worth a cent, and has now come to dog
my footsteps with her baby face and blue eyes.
It appears that the traitor E] Pardou, was a.
friend of the Gregories, and he has put her on
our track. But now, in order to save our necks
and ranche. we have 'ot to do two or three
things The settlers t ' we are on a fur-
trading expedition—so we are. Now we want
to trig up, a la. Indian as they would say in
fashionable circles, capture Sylveen Gray and
that Martha Gregory, as she calls herself. We
will then carry them to the Indian village.
There Iwill compel Sylveen to wed me and
Miss Martha I will give to Red Elk, for I, have
romised to take the red idiot a white wife.

artha will suit him I know, if he keeps his
eyes out of reach of her finger nails. Devilish
curious I never recognized her before.”

“When had we better make the Indian move
you repose, ca tain?” asked the spy

“ ‘his blesse ni ht. It won’t o to delay
the matter; for if t at woman is my old flame,
she may let the cat out and have the whole vil-
lage upon us. So let us begin our toilet at
once.” '

There was a general stir amon the robbers,
and for the next hour they were usil engaged
in donning their Indian costume, w ich they
alwa s kept ready for such emergencies. Those
that ad long hair had it cut close to the skull,
with the exception of the indispensable scal
lock, and then painted a dirty re . Their ban
and faces were also given a good coat of paint,
which was declarative of their being on the
war- H th. .

W men the toilet was completed and they had
gathered around their table to drink a parting
um er, one could not have told—not knowing
—bu that they were Indians. From long asso-
ciafion with the red-men, they had learned
their language, habits and movements to per-
fection, and it is not likely their disguise would
be netrated.
t length, when all were dressed and armed
for the de arture, Pirate Paul said:

“ Now, oys, let us loan out for tall timber.”

The li hts were extinguished, and the next
instant t e grim, shadowy forms of the pirates
were filing away through the black, echoless
chambers of their hidden ranche.

CHAPTER XXII.
srnvnns’s MISTAKE.

Two da followin Sylveen Gray’s last in-
terview w th Ralph S . Leger she and Martha
Gregorywere strolling leisure y along the river,
near the lovers’ old trysting—place, engaged in
conversation.

Sylveen seemed sad at heart and her emo-
tions did not escape the notice of Miss Gregory.

“You seem sad at heart of late, S lveen,”
she said; “ why is it, dear? Has your over de-
serted on?”

“ No, Martha; I‘have deserted him.”

“ You don’t say! Wlfiy, Sylveenl” and Miss
Gregory turned le. “ ave you fallen in love
with Scott Shire y?”

“‘NO‘ but you remember what you told me
about this 'ng, do you not?” -

“Yes; I tod you it was a charm against
prairie pirates.”

“ Exactly ; and so I became anxious to
try it upon Ralph St. Leger, whom Shirely
had told me was Pirate Paul. I met him at
our old meeting-place, under this very tree.
He saw the ring. He started and stared at
it as though it had been a ghost, then made some
excited inquiries in regard to it. What Shire-
] had said about him, and what cu had said
about the rin , led me to accuse im of being
Pirate Paul; t en, turning, I fled from his pres-
ence. But, oh, Martha! my poor heart is break-
ing. Ican not give Ralph up, though he be
Death-Notch himself 1”

“ No, you shall not ve him up, Sylveen,” ex-
claimed Martha. “ ere is some terrible mis~
take in this ring matter. Although I know not
what occupation Ralph St. Le er follows, I
know beyond a doubt, he is not irate Paul nor
one of his  _

“But he an as you saida robber would,
when he saw the ring. ’

“That may all be, Sylveen; but, it’s a mis-
take I had not calculated u on. Ralph may
have known something of the ring long before
it came into possession of him who gave it to
me. But, rest assured Ralph is not a robber.”
' “Oh, Heaven! then I have committed an unr
pardox’rable error I fear. I may never see Ralph

 

“I will do all I can to bring about a meetin
and reconciliation,” said Martha; “ but, By -
veen has Scott Shirer pressed his suit for your
hand lately?”

“ He has asked me to be his wife repeatedly.
But I do not love him. I love Ralph alone.
Still uncle Hatch is anxious that I should
him~insists upon it, and says I Will have to
choose between him and poverty. I do not know
what to do, Martha.” 4 .

“ Tell Scott Shirer to look at that ring the
next time you see him. .Ask  if he remem-
bers the maiden he gave it to, in Quebec, scarce-
ly a year and a half ago. Ask him whetherthe
waters of the St. Lawrence ever give up their
dead. and whether or not he has a wife clresdy I”

_l

0

No. '7.

Sylveen was startled by these remarks. They
puzzled her.

“ You appear to know Scott Shirely, Martha,”
she said.

“ Know him? Alas, to my sorrow! I, Syl-
veon, am his lawfully wedded wife, whom be
deceived, betrayed and tried to murder.”

“Martha, is this really the fact?”

“ It is, Sylvcen. He gave me that ring, so
, you see why I gave it to you, for when he
thought he had drowned me, he knew I hail the
ring on my finger; and by his seeing it_hud come
to light again, I thought it might frighten the
villain."

“Then he is a pirate?”

“ Yes; he is Pirate Paul E”

A little (:rv burst from Sylvcen’s lips.

“ Yes, he is Pirate Paul,” continued Martha.
“ And I am here to dog his footsteps and bring
him to justice. But the hour has not yet come
for me to strike.”

“ But, how did you find out that he is Pirate
Paul?”

“ Through a dear friend—El Pardou.”

“ The victim of Death—Notch?”

“ N o, the victim of the robbers themselves.
they mistrusth him of being a spy, and having
murdered him to avert suspicion, marked him
and the tree under which he was found, with
the totem of Death-Notch.”

“Then you know where the robbers’ hidden
Lien is?”

“I do. I have been in it, and ere many days

53, it shall be made public. Shirer does not
glow that I live. He would kill me if he did.
My love for him has turned to hatred, and I am
here for revenge. But, S lveen, here is a slip
of paper and a ncil. rite a. note and leave
it here for Help Ask his forgivenem, and for
another intervxow.”

“ He might never come for it, Martha.”

“ He was here yesterday and the day before.
He may come yet to—day. He cannot give up
his love for you, dear Sylvcen.”

“How do you know he was here, Martha?”

“I have a y on Shirely’s track. He saw
Ralph here. Isl; saw him 0 each time and look
into that hollow tree, as if ialf-expecting to find
something there.”

“It is our old postoflicc,” cried Sylveen, a
light of hope booming in her eyes. “ I will
write him a note and leave it here. Oh, Ralph!
Re] h! 1110 you will forgive me!” '

S 9 took t e Epper and pencil and wrote a.
note which, wi a prayer of hope, she do—

‘ posited in the hollow tree.
‘ Then the two wended their way back to the

villa .
J Infigss than half an hour later, that note was
read, but not by Ralph St. Leger.

CHAPTER XXIII.
run STRUGGLE IN TEE omnx.

Tm: two foes ppled in adeadly embrace
—twisting themse ves together like twining ser-

nts, in pliant and subtle folds. So swift were
their movements and evolutions that their bodies
seemed incorporated into one. For awhile no
one could have told how the battle went, for
they.fought at times beneath the water, and at
other times they were enshrouded in a cloud of
foam and spray.

For several minutes the conflict waxed hot. It
was evident, too, that the strength of both was
failing, for this conflict was less des rate than
it first had been. Still, neither 0 them had
drawn a weapon, and the struggle would have
to be decided by main strength.

Suddenly, however several figures emerged
from the shadows of the woods, and gazed down
on the struggling foes. They were savages, and
a gleam of surprise and vengeance flashed from
their eyes when they discovered the cause of
the confusion in the water—saw their comrade
in combat with the old hunter—saw that the
tide of victory was slowly but surely turning
in favor of the white man. _

Quickly one of their number sprlmg Into the
creek and began wading to his friend’s asstst-
once but, at the same instant, the rush of feet
was heard on the 05 to bank—c. figure shot
through the air, an din on the sava e, bore

him down in the water. t was the riendly
Omaha, while. upon the bank, facing the savages
on the opposite side stood the Avengers, With
their rifles leveled full at the breasts of the red
oe.
A blood conflict was only averted b 9. e11
of triump bursting from Omaha’s lipsyclossély
followed by another yell from the h of Old
Shadow. v
.1 The savages recoiled, and not wishin to en-
, cage in a struggle, the Avengers did not? follow
I .hem u l, nor a sin 16 shot.

Oma aand Old She ow at once made their
appearance from the creek. _A scalp was at
Omaha’s girdle and a glow of triumph in his dark
eyes. Old Shadow bore no trophy of his con-
flict but he was gasping with exhaustion.

“ Rather a tight p you were 111, Shadow,”
said one of our youn friends. .

“Whoop, by.- cras I” he exclaimed, “ye bet
it war now, but the cunnin’ varlet has _ in
bi? dockyments. That war twic’t he bed
my prospect fur grub, the low-lifod hound o’

 

‘ IV--.“ . _._'...... . .__. ._. .... .l. , . ._ ,, ,.._.,...,

D

., r. .--.... .71. w ~A — .. v v ,,_ “Av.- ~-

eath-Notch, the Destroyer.

Satan. But I tell yo, lads, wind is skarse
’bout this old karkass, and hunger is purty

plenty. But I’ve got a fine turkey out thar,
and feel much like could take half 0’ it, feath—
ers and all.”

Omaha. waded across the crack and procured
the turkey, and then the all returned to where
the Avengers had lightet a fire. .

It reqinred but a few minutes to dress the
game in hunters’ style, then it was roasted to a
cris brown, and a good] portion of it eaten
with) a sharp appetite and een relish.

After the meal was completed and the rem-
nants of the turkey stowed away for future use,
Old Shadow expressed his readiness to fight his
wa through to the Indian villa e.

like little band soon resumed i s journe , and
as the day advanced, the keen eye of maha
detected a fresh trail in the yieldin soil. There
were the hoof- rints of two or t irec horses,
and a numbero moccasin-tracks. Both Omaha
and Old Shadow agreed upon their being made
by a party of white men; and they all had rea-
son to believe it was a party of robbers, pushing
for the Indian village.

The Avengers at once goposed to follow the
trail, believing it would a more practicable
route to the Indian village than any other, for
if it was the trail of enemies they would natur-
ally select the best and nearest route known to
them to reach the Indian stronghold.

Omaha took the trail and like a beagle freed
from the leash, he led  companions forward
at a rapid pace.

The ay were gradually away; It wanted an
hour of sunset when a ow w istle broke sud—
denly from Old Shadow’s lips. The party came
to an instant halt.

“ What now, Shadow?” asked one of the

b0 8.

XAh, that’s it,” he replied; “ you fellers are
young and limber; yer hearin' may be better
ban mine. Yer eyesight may be quicker and
stronger than mine' age is gom’ back on me in
them faculties that were onc’t as clear and
bri ht as a May mornin’, but then I conceit
the. the sense 0’ smell is better in me than in
any man on the border, all hounds included.
And now, as sure as my skulp’s over a. warm
head, there’sa camp-fire close about. I detect
the fumes of smoke in the air, and afore we a
foot furder, prepose we reconnoiter our si -
tion. What's yer virdict, lads?”

“ Reconnoitor,” was the general response.

“That’s the cackle; if har’s ennly reds er—
round, we’ll set ’em 11 l” exolaimed t 9 old hun-
ter, and bringing the utt of his rifle heavily to
the ground, he broke forth:

" The 'possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog,

At the 019—"

But here a. sture, significant of silence, from
Omaha. his singing and the next mo-
ment he had relapsed in Silence.

CHAPTER XXIV.
AN INTRUDER IN CAMP.

MORE than an hour before sunset 8. party of
about twenty gersons went into cam in the
solitude of the ense woods bordering the Sioux
river. Most of the party's-gin fact all but two
—were dressed and pain as dians. Their
movements, their firm and equipments were
purer Indian, but e anatomical construction
of the facial outlines told that they were white
men in .

The other two persons were females. They
were ca tives, too, for their hands were bound
before em and their heads were bowed in
grief. They were young women, but exceed-
ingly handsome, ye depressed in spuit and fa-
ti ed with ourneying.

n the bee und wo horses were cropping
the foliage. ' eir backs showed saddle-marks,
and had in all probability, been ridden by the
capltlive females.

6 white Indians are lounging about in atti-
tudes of listlessnem and security. Thefivnseem
to fear no danger. The savage they ow is
their friend, and thereare no white parties
around of sufficient strength toen their
situation. So they can rest With imp t there
beneath the noply of the green forest trees
while their Fair captives ma chafe  
over their confinement, for i will avail em
nothing. .

A campaflre is burning at one Side, and one of
the pale diam is busy around it, broiling veni—
son for their supper. It requires but}: few
minutes to pro the meal, and when it is an-
nounced as r y, the hands of the captives are
freed from their bonds. Then tender slices of
the venison are brought to them, not on a silver
tray, but on lar green leaves. One of the
captives accepts 9 proffered wand—the other
re uses it. ,

“You had better take it. dear Sylveen ”
whispered Martha Gregogixto her young frien ;
“it will give you stren which you may yet
need, dearest.’

Pretty, sad-hearted Sylveen Gray took the
venison and ate it, and after all i proved quite

It added
6

 

delectable to her taste. to her
body, and in so domg it strengh 11 her hope
of being rescued from Fire. Paul and his
minzons, who had dilated their captiuc that

 

 

 

.V.--.«-.._.r,-'—_..._.r- ». V...,....

15

 

morning while taking, their usual walk in the
woods near Stony Cli .

The disguised men ate their supper in silence,
then remmwd their lounging attitudes: some on-
gaged in smoking others in silent thought.

. Suddenly the whole band starts. Something
like the sound of music roaches their ears, drift-
ing through the forest aisles in notes faint as
those of an Eolian harp—so faint as tobealmost
inaudible.

‘l‘flthat the deuce is it, anyhow i" asked Pirate
a .

“Music, captain, sure as you're a sinner,” ro-
plied one of his men, listenin r eagerly.

“ Whewl” ejaculated anot ier, “this must be

aradise itself. The angels are tuning their

lafls.”
e next instant every man is u on his feet.
Those enchanting strains make a stroll ly
anxious to know from whence such mefoody
comes.

“ We can’t all leave at a time, boys,” said Pi-
rate Paul, glancing in a significant manner at
the captives; “part go at a time and we’ll last
longer. ’

Seven or eight of the pirates resumed their
positions of case on the ground, while the others
stole away in the direction from whence the
music seemed to come. ‘

As they move on and on, the sound gradu-
ally grows plainer clearer and sweeter. They
move with the ' once of phantoms, almost
entranced by the ravishing sounds that
come to their ears. Surely it is an enchanted
spot. They falter. Their wicked hearts w
cowardly. Something so sweet and heav y in
that music makes them feel as though they were
approaching a hallowed s at with unclean spir-
its. Finally they pause. ' ut the music swells
out, nearer and sweeter than before. They can
not resist its seductive inspiration. It fascinates
them. It draws them on and on, until they
stand upon the banksof a little stream, enchan
ed by what they see.

A ittle opening or glade is before them. In
the center of it stands a. little vine-embowered
cabin. A narrow path leads. from the door
through an archway of flowers and one
vines. They run their eyes alo the ath.

'ust before them, where it touc es 9 creek,
hey see two persons seated—a girl and a youn

man. The former ap ears to them like an an

in a dream. In her p she holds a Spanish gui-

tar, over whose strings her little white fln

are flutterin like snowflakes, calling forth

sweet, me] ious sounds.

They were enraptured; and that they might
have a fairer view of the place and its in V i-
tants—that they mi ht brin these sweet strains
of music nearer, eyh the foliage and
through upon 9 twain of lovers, Vida
t. Leger an Fred Travis.

Lean them to gaze enchanted upon the
wildw beauty and her lover let us return to
the robbers’ camp, where Sylveen Gray and
Martha Gregor are prisoners.

As soon as e captives had finished their
meager supper, their hands were rebound. They
wero then fplaced in a small bower constructed
for them 0 boughs and blankets.

Here the two women sat and talked over their
misfortune and probable fate. Sylveen was sad
at heart  low-spirited, while Martha was
lgpeful of being rescued, and defiant to her cap-

rs.

_“ Suddenly, however, their conversation was
disturbed'by a stranger voice that seemed to be
aglprmhm the camp, and singing, in aloud,
J y tone, 9 words:

“ The ’possum he grinned at the ole hedgeb
The ole bed ehog, the ole hedgehog 08'
The ’poasum e grinned at the o e hedgehog,
’Way down by the Squantum—"

“Halt, there 1" suddenly rung out the voice of
one of the robbers, and the gram tory demand
was aceom ed with the ck a gun‘lock.

.Old ow, for he the intruder was, ceased
Singing, and confronted the white Indian with
apparent surprise.

‘By the royal voice of the woods,” be ex-
claimed, “ if you ain’t a. sexy was, now! Who
at? if’ eimyh‘ifl’red a. tin ’ ttemptlng

‘e n n, rep.1.eou w,a
to coun eit bad En hsh.

“Now, ole buck, I’ hateto tell a that yor
tellin’ a snug little lie, but, nev class, it’s a
fact; you are a. ginuwme, downright, flat-footed,
bare-fa d—”

ce

“ Be careful, idiot!” exclaimed the indignant
prairie pirate; “ you‘might utter yer death-war-
ran

“ And you be keerful, ole mug-head or 1’11 0
throusgliadye like an ounce chunk 0’ end.

Ole er, I’d have lie know, ye villainous
bull-pup and if I onc’t 1: across a man’s vision,
he’s 0 his pass for the sulpher di gin's.”

» “ ou’re an old, blah-mouthed ool," mtorted
the robber, €9.0ng bolder as his friends gath-
eredYaround im. th ,

“ oumeasureoemgmm-m own
bushel, I 866,”. re lied the old hunmfir‘mut,
Mister, what’s in t bower?”

, “ None of your business,” returned the indig-
nant robber.

“Cool, very cool; ye must have :n Ecetcrg ‘

\

 

[,6

atwixt yer cap and brain. But I can tell yo
what’s in that bower: 1'1 ’5 wcmnin.”

“Well, What’s that to you?”

' “IEVhy, yc darned sap—headed scamp, ye stole
em

“You tell a—"

The
flstof 1d Shadow was planted directly between
his eyes, causing his heels to describe a semi-
circle through the air.

The outlaw was a. large, burly follow, and no
doubt possessed of twice the old hunter‘s
strength; but, with all the grit of an old bound,
the latter grappled with his adversary before
he could regain his feet.

The other robbers gathered around the. com-
batants to witness the certain annihilation of

the iinpertinent old hunter; but they soon had i

a conflict of their own to prosecute. For the

first blow from Old Shadow was the signal for ,

the Avengers to make their appearance.

One dischar 0, however, of the Avengers”
firearms cause( the robbers to flee with terror.
They atteni )ted to rally when they saw the
number of t e foe, but

flight, leaving two or three of their number he-
hind dead.

The victorious Avengers did not pursue them
far. No time was to be lost, for they had seen
the robbers under Pirate Paul leave the camp a

few minutes before, and knew not how soon 1
the would return. So they turned'to assist ‘

Ol Shadow; but neither he nor his foe was to
be seen!

They saw at once, however, where the leaves ?

and ground were tore up in a broad path ex-
tending down a steep inclination that finally
terminated in a. perpendicular embankment.
The combatants must have rolled over this
cliff, and had, in all probability, been dashed to
atoms

The Avengers hurried to the edge of the pre-
cipice and gazed down for their old friend.

A ludicrous and doleful sight met their view.

The cliff was about twenty feet high, and at
the bottom was a pool of stagnant water, whose
bottom was a soft, cozy slush of black mud.

In the center of this )001 lay the robber on
his back, and astride of im sat Old Shadow
com letel covered with mud, his cap off, and
his airs raggling in muddy, draggled trusses
down over his face and eyes.

The robber was struggling desperately, though
every movement he made served to settle his
bod deeper and deeper in the water and mire.

Slyowly and re larly as “clock-work” Old
Shadow s bon
sound in the ace of the robber, while he gave
vent to an ejaculation of vengeance between
each blow.

“I’ll smash (whack your durned (whack)
mug for (whack) on,” eexclaimed,“ e lopin‘
whack; gal-this ye whack), and ’11 1am
whack ye how to (w ck) insult a (whack)
gentleman arter (whack) this, tool”

“ See here—stranger,” the robber managed to
blubber out, “ I—I beg your—garden.”

in

Old Shadow paused to reath.
“So ho!” he excl’aime , “ye beg, do ye, ye
glam big thief i”

I’ll admit you’re the best man, stranger, so
lease let me up, or I’ll suffocate.”

“That’s the right cacklc, old snoozy; say on
lhat way. Ye can’t say enny thing that’ll tech
a. tender spot quicker.”

“ If you re as hard all over as your cussed fist,
you’ve no tender spot ’bout ou. ’

Whack, came the old hunter’s fist in the rob-
ber’s face, causing him to bellow and beg for

mergy. .
“ en speak in a more perlite mamier ’bout
m flat, 9 vagabone ye.”
9 r0 ber, seein t lat no one came to his as-
sistance, and that t e hunter had the advantage
of him, was compelled to submit to his terms
and as he begged manfully and politely, as Old
Shadow termed it, was ermitted to raise his
head out of the mud an water. ’Still the old
hunter maintained his seat upon his body, and
leaning slightly forward, he aid the tips of his
index fingers together, and With one eye half
closed, he said in a reprovmg tone:

“Now then, you bi gawk e, I perpose to
let ego hide and ha r, but, et me give ea
leete advice. Go and repent, wash yer ace
and keep yer nose clean; and if ever the devil
or his angels tempt ye to steal anuther gal or
call a gentleman a liar, think 0’ this mud- uddle
and ours truly, and then say, ‘Git ye hind
me, atan,’ then go hum to your dad. Now,
remember this advice.” I

The old hunter arose as he concluded his ad-
vice and permitted the robber to regain his feet,
and slink away among the shrubbery.

When he was out of sight Old Shadow waded
from the pool. ascended the cliff and rammed
his friends, the most doleful sight imaginab e. He
saw at once that the youths were fairly con-
vulsed with suppressed laughter, and coolly

laid:

“ Lari, lads, if ye feel like it. Never let ennhy-
thing spoil a good, hearty larf. It’s one 0’. t e
essences 0’ life, and worth more to one’s diges-
fion than all the yarbs known to Ingin medicul
science. ‘x‘cs. larf her out, lads. I know I’m

. .,.... - ..

irate did not finish the sentence for the '

were so closely pressed ,
that they were compelled to continue their ‘

fls arose and fell with a sodden ;

“7..., T... .. ... c..  . ..T. ..,._.=..r,,.., .. ,.

The New York Library,

not very prepossessin’ at present, but then, the
mud ill 5min wozir oil'.”

The young men could hold back no longer,
‘ and burst into a roar of laughter. liut their
j joy was soon turned into disappointnwnt, ‘.\ hen
’ Omaha, who hurl gone. to see after the cnptivo
maidens, rctiirnud with the news that they were
not in the bower, nor could they be found any-
where about. -

Thwy had either fled with al’fright, or had been
spirited away during the conflict. But, which—
ever it was, our friends had no time for specu-
lation ovor it, lfor at this inntant they saw Pirate
Paul and 11‘ ‘ men returning through the weeds,
and not wi ling to run the risk 01’ an engage,-
ment with such a superior number or" foes, they
beat a hasty rcti'cat into the woods.

CHAPTER XXV.
A NIGHT or runaous.

TERROR-stricken, Sylvccn Gray and Martha
Gregory had fled from the bower the instant
the Avengcm had made their charge upon the
robbers, going in a southward directiou.‘ Al-
though their hands were bound, they soon gained
the cover of the wood“; and then stopped. Dy
plaeii g their hands close together, they were
enabled to untie their bonds.

They 110w hastened on, and not until the sha-
dows of twilight had begun to gather around
them did they halt to rest or consider the
course they were following—Whether it led to-
ward new danger, or toward safety. They
at once found that they were entirely ignorant
of their course, and felt certain that new
dangers would beset their path during the
night, or before they could reach a. place of
security.

“Martha,” said Sylvccn, “I fear We have
not bettcrcd our situation. Those that attacked
the robbers Were friends, undoubtedly. I think
I recognized them as a party of young men who
spenta few days at Stony blifif.”

“ If we had taken a second thought we might
have been savud of all this nights wandering
about through the woods,” replied Martha,
“ but I was so taken with the thought of escape
that I never considered the consequence of our
haste. However, it may be best after all for
those that attacked the robbers may have een
defeated.”

“That’s all very true, Martha, so let us hurry
on and get as far as possible from here before
darkness sets in. No telling what terrors this
night may bring forth. Death-Notch may be
in these woods to-night.”

They hurried rapidly on. They might have
taken bearings by the lust faint gleam of the
g setting sun, but they were too greatly terrified
to think of that. They thought only of 1putting
distance between the pirates and themse ves.

The twilight soon dee ened into darkness
rendering the- loom wit iin the forest almo
im )enetrable. ut, the moon soon came up,
am although the trees above them shut out its
rays from their path, the darkness became
mitigated, and they were enabled to move on
with less difficulty and fear.

But, already their minds were in a high state
of excitement. and at every sound they would
, start with fear, expecting to see, the next in-
. stant, the terrible Death-Notch a pear before

    

l
l
l
i
i
l
i
i

 

 

] them. This fear was agony itse f, but there.

1 was no help for them now. They must breast
3 it through.

They moved on, and at length emer ed into a
5 little openin where the moon’s rays fe 1 full and
unobstructe upon the earth. heir th lay
across this openliéig. The never pause, ut ress
out into the g e wh ch they see is c ear.
When half—way across it, hoof-strokes break
upon their ears. They pause and look about
them with a mingled feeling of hope and fear.

Forth from the shadows of the woods they see
a horse appear. It is riderless. But it is bi'idled,
and moves not like a horse escaped from its
master. It seems to obey the volition of some
invisible power.

It is moving at right angles with the fugitives‘
course. It ricks 1: its ears and shoes slightly
at sight of em. ut it soon falls back into its
former course, asif reincd there by that invisi-
ble rider.

An old borderman would have suspicioned
something wrong about that horse, but not so
with the maidens. _ _

“ It is one of the robbers’ horses, IS it not, Syl-
vaen?” asked Martha.

“It looks like one of them—the one you rode,
Martha,” replied Sylveen.

“ I believe I will try and catch it. It has
broke away from the robbers, and by obtaining
possession of it, we can ride by turns and lessen
the labor of our journey thereby.”

, So saying, she advanced with outstretched
hand, calling kindly to the animal. It turned
head slightl toward her and moved on. Mar-
tha stepped riskl to intercept it, and when she
came within reac of him, she put out her hands
‘, and seized the reins: but at this instant her right
, of possession was disputed—a. rider appeared on
i the back of the animal as if by magic. It was
i an Indian warrior!
Martha uttered a cry and started back. But
. she was too late—entrapped. The savage seized
her. He had lifted her from the ground, and

 

 

---.._.—.— -—-» p—n -

 W“ L.

placing hcr rudely across the withers of his
iorSe, gullopcd away int.) the shadows of the
woods.

Sylw en realized hcr lonely situation, and with
a shriek of terror £~l;(‘. lied across the opening
and plunged into the, inimitable darkness.

Poor girl! her situation was terrible now. An
agonizing sense of her loneliness was now added
to her fears and terrors, and a fut-ling of do
spondency came over her. But with light foot
steps and heavy heart she hurried on.

Suddenly there was a broad, bright flash be-
fore her. She stopped. Her further progress
was arrested. At her feet rolled the silent waters
01' the Sioux river.

llalf despairing, the maiden sunk down and
covering her face with her hands, gave way to
a paroxysm of grief. What should she do!
W lat could she do toward getting out of that
interminable wilderan

Then she endeavored to think. Shc recalled
the fact 01' Stony Cliff being situated upon the
river. A ray of hope was kindled wit iiu her
breast when she thought that by following the
course of the stream, she would reach the vil—
lage. She arose to her feet. She gazed up and
down the river to sec which way it was flowing.
Then a cloud of bitter dimppointment came over
her. She knew not “licilicr she was below the
villag< or above it!

Then, something lying at the edge of the wa-
ter attracted her attention. It was an empty
canoe. She walked down the bank and entered
it. She was tired out with walking and conclu-
ded to risk herself in the canoe and journey
doum the river.

Taking up the paddle she headed the craft in
the proper course and began her journey keep-
ing close within the shadows of the east ore.

illie plied the paddle vigorously and with no
little skill. The little craft went skimming
over the water with great rapidity, yet for its
size it seemed to draw considerable water, and
dip slightly at one end.

The heart of the fair girl began to take cour—
age. She felt almost certain she was travelin
in the right direction to reach the village, an
with this hopeful assurance of a speedyescape,
she pressed on.

But suddenly, there came to her-ears the (ii

of paddles. She ceased paddlin and listen .
True enou h, a canoe was ascen 'ng the river.
She leane forward and endeavored to see
through the gloom but, all alon the shore it was
black as chaos. but out in t 6 center of the
river where the moon’s rays fell unobstructed,
there was a narrow belt of light, and within this
she saw a canoe with two occupants, coming
up the river. They were Indians. This she
could easily see by the plumes in their heads.
They were sitting in the attitude of intense list-

enin , and from this S lveen judged they had ,

hear the dip of her pa clle.

With great presence of mind the maiden ran
her canoe close in shore where the darkness was
intense, yet near where a single patch of moon-
light, two or three feet in diameter, fell upon
the water so bright that all the moon’s rays
seemed brought to a focus there.

Sylveen could still see the savages. They
were moving slowly up the stream, still listen-
ing as if in doubt. he felt in be they would
pass on. But the did not. The savage curi-
osity was arreste and it would have to be satis-
fied ere they continued their journey.

Suddenl the hoarse croak of a. frog was heard,
almost an er the very row of her canoe. There
was somethin so shri and rasping in its notes
that it caused er to start violently.

Then she heard a quick flounder, a splash in
the water, a low gasp, a dull, sodden blow. She
felt her canoe rocked by the waves and azed
intently into the gloom to see what pr need
those waves. A dull, ph horescent leam
showed her two forms engage in a silent cath-
struggle at the very row of her canoe. What
were they? Were t ey human? Surely they
were. She could hear dull blows, a: wheezing
and gasps. _

d 33!]!le did not struggle thus—so Silently, so

as y.

Sylveen was Ipsamlyzed with terror. She sat
motionless and toned to the silent death-strug-
gle. At last her terrible thoughts found invo -
untar ex ression in the words: ’

“ 0 ,w o is it? who is it?”

“ Death-Notch!”

The answer came in gasps—like that of a.
strangling being who had tried to raise his voice
to a warning shriek. It paralyzed S lveen with
terror. She could not move a m 9. She sat
like one in a trance, 8, graven image.

The struggling, however, soon ceased and all
became as ominously silent as though the spot
had never been called into creation.

.Then the silence was broken by the dip of
paddles. She turned her .head. and saw the
canoe with the savages coming1 directl toward
her. Escape from help, or t .e terrib 6 young
Scalp-Hunter seemed impossble.
no avenue of escape open to her.
bank was high and shelvmg. .

Driven almost to dewtmn, she decided to
throw herself beneath waves, rather than
sufler unknown horrors or endless captivity.

She gazed down at the black waters beneath

There .was
The river-

... .. ...~,

No. 7.

her. Her eyes fell upon the little newton: r“!
moonlight upon the water. "

She started. She saw somethin float Emmi
the borders of the darkness into t at tch or
light. It was a human face upturn to the
heavens and floating just above the surface
of the water. Nobody was visible—it was
ulone—noth' but a white, ghostly face,
fig-51'ng title fore ead of which there was a streak
u 00

 

 

 

 

Busimmx M137, andghastl ,setl
wen the rigidness of pan; and death._ t re- ;
named for onlyan instant 1n the moonlit space,
men floated away into bliefdaiknfim But,_1t ‘
rad remained lon enou or or cog-mm ‘
.t. It was the fagce of gher lover, Ralph st.
' 0

go looor heart could standliffi 130mm '10
321.140“ 1141 a mot Him-mm] tram fie: Nu»

peeth-s-Notcha "‘th Destroyer. 1'?

CHAPTER XXVI.
DANGERS INCREASE.

THAT her lover had been slain 1) Death-

" fetch, S lveen Gray had not a singe doubt.

'l’he flea. she saw must have been severed en-

tirely tom the shoulders, and with face upturn-

ed, he ghastly spherical object was floating
away.

Her scream, however, had caught the ears of

the two savages 1n the came, and now they

?}

7

y?

 

were heading rapidly towardher. But she was l
so terrified—so para] with fear—that she ‘
could not move. S e believed that Death— ‘
Notch was still concealed Within reach of her ’
and that the first movement she made woulti ‘
bring the terrible creature upon her.

She sat motionless. The eavages continued to
a _ touch her. Theyr are Withln ten feet of her:
7 BB “19 Museum Hiflh All to: NW “ad, my

eta-mew sawmuvaemmmpmmmmmmmmmmm

 

blow, a wail of agony. Something has attacked
the two Indians—has slain one of them! It re-
ig)uires a second thought to tell her what itis.

eath—Notchl

The struggle with tho savages lasted only fox
a moment, then all became Silent as the grave.
The darkness conceals all from View. Sylveen
can see nothing of the canoe nor the sav 95——
they have vanished, and gradually her ear:
give way and hope revives.

(‘9 35}.
y r41,“ 50"

 
   

Several ‘ mm at M
then she ventures move out from her :01)"
cealment. But her canoe moves heavy ’mu
sluggish—something is clinging to itl She
turns and sees a whlta. white face ring 0V3!
the rim of the canoe upon her. £13m the
word:

“Sylvan.”

l.‘l]r, mm «waned mmih‘m to to: $7.15le

. - _._4. .mn _.__.,.____.......Iv..ni an .__ _ A

 

 

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home, but he soon made his

18

 

seemed almOst exhausted and despairing. It
was Ralph lit. Leger’s voice she was certain.
She was silent with the mingled feelings of hope
and terror.

“ Sylveen,” again repeated the voice, “ it is
I—Ralph St. Leger."

A cry burst from Sylveen’s lips.

It was Ralph and he was well and alive. The
next moment he had thrown himself into the
canoe
sweetheart to lgiis breast, and imprinted kisses of
love upon her tremulous lips.

Both were 5 eechless with by. Neither
thought of their ast meeting and ow they had
parted. Love was all-powerful now.

When the first ruptures of that meeting,r were 5

over, each one expressed in words his and her
jo of that meeting. Then many questions were

and answered. The struggle under the
cliff Ralph thus explained:

“I was concealed in the water, waiting for j
Suddenly .
I heard the dip of pad! es coming down the .

the two savages coming up the river.
1

river, and when you, sweet Sylvcon, run your

canoe close in shore, where I was concealed to ‘

elude the savages, I knew it was you; and when
the frog croaked so near by, I discovered it was
a savage concealed under the (prow of your
canoe. I ppled with him, an —”

“Ah!” interrupted Sylveen, “then it was you
who 5 ke the name of Death-Notch.”

“ ’ , dear Sylveenl I hear a footstep on
the shore!” exclaimed Ralph in an undertone.

They relapsed into silence,
more of the footstep. Ral h seized the paddle
and drove the canoe rapi y down the stream.

At length he spoke of the many dangers to
which they were exposed, and then adde :

“Sylveen, it is not far to my home. I will
take you there to-nigfit, for you are many miles
from Stony Cliff. y dear little sister Vida
will be ever so glad to see you.”

“ Your sister! "exclaimed Sylveen; “then you
"‘0 not alone?”

“ No, dear S lveen, but since you accused me
of bein Pira Paul, I have been worse than
alone— have been miserable.”

“ Then on did not receive the letter I left in
the old be low tree?” '

“Letter? No, Sylveen, I found none there,
though I have looked in that tree a dozen times
since we parted last.”

“I put one there, Ralph, askin
ness. Some one must have foun .
“ Then you have become convinced that I am
innocent of our char 6?”

“ Yes, ph and hardly deserve your for-
givaness. But was misled. The young woman
who ve me the rin you saw upon my finger
that y said it would a charm against prai-
rie pirates. She said if any one evinced surprise
at sight of it, and made inquiries about it, as
you know you did, Ralph I could set him down
as a prairie pirate. Ami, as Scott Shirer had
told me you were Pirate Paul, I thought Miss
Ere ory’s ring confirmed the story.”

“ cott Shirer accused me 0 being Pirate
Pauli. The merciless villianl I am satisfied
from letters I found directed to Pirate Paul
and written in cipher, that he is Pirate Paul
himself.”

“ Yes, he is, Ralph; this I know, for it was
he who carried Martha Gregory and I away.
But why, Ralph, did you start so at sight of
that ring?” I

“It was my dear mother’s  and was
laken from her by her murderers, 6 Indians,
Early two years, ago. I knew it at a glance.

om whom did your donor receive it, Syl-
ween?”

“ From Scott Shirely, whom Martha Gregory
5a. a is her husband.” r

here was a momenta silence. It was too
dark for Sylveen to see t 6 expression of ven-
geance that swept over his face.

our foroive-
lye 7! b

and, re ardless of his plight, folded his :

hut heard nothing 1

The New York p Iiibrary.

VOL II?

 

 

I the chill air with that wolf—bitten arm of yours
so into?"

“I was scouting around your little Eden,”
said Fred. “'Vida and i saw a number of In
dians around this evening.”

Ralph started, and For a moment that terrible
‘ fire of vengeance seemed kindling within his

breast. But a word from Vida broke the awful
s )ell.
“ Y‘s, brother,” the sister said, “about dark
we saw as many as a dozen Indians on the
1 south side of the branch. But they made no
hostile demonstration and soon retired. But
supper is waiting you, brother.”
‘ “Then let us )artuko, for I presume Sylveen
is as liiuigry as ,” said Ralph.

The little company sat down and partook of

. the viands prepared by Vida, and it was not a
meager supply, for the Wildwood furnished
1 not only game, but various kinds of delicious
wild fruits.

After supper was over, Ralph said:

“I will go out and look around the place a
T few minutes to see that we are in no danger.”

‘ He took his weapons, and having excused
, himself, left the cabin.’
Sylveen now narrated to Vida and Fred the
‘ story of her capture by the prairie pirates, the
,' attack of the Avengers, her escape, the recap-
1 turo of her friend, her own adventures upon
‘ the river—in fact, everything that had trans-
3 pired from the time of her capture up to that
‘ moment.
“ Was there a youn Indian with those that
‘ attacked the rohbers?’ asked Fred, after he had
, heard her story.
“ I think there was,” replied Sylveen. “ I am

i alums); (positive it is the same party of young

glut? a’n boys that spent a. few days at Stony
‘ l .
‘ “ They must be my friends!” exclaimed Fred;
i “and i they are, I hope they will happen this
way; but if they do not, I will have to look
them up to-morrow.”

H  ’

The exclamation burst simultaneously from
the lips of Vida and Sylveen, for at this ‘unc-
ture a strange sound rushed athwart the k-
ness without-13. sound that thrilled the trio with
sudden alarm.

“ What was it?” passed from lip to lip; but no
answer couldbe 'ven.

Fred arose an going to the door, looked out.
All was silent, nor couldaliving object be seen.
He grew uneasy, but he did not permita look or
word to betra his thoughts or feelings.

They talke on. but were guarded and silent.
The dark eyes of Vida looked trustin ly and con-
fidingly into those of her lover. ach glance
spoke the language of love plainer than words
could have done.

The moments were on. Ral h did not return.
The door stood ajar and the east sound floated
in to their ears. -

An ominous silence had settled around the
, place, but suddenly that stran sound broke
u on their ears again—a sound like the flapping
o Bgreat wings.

red arose and taking a rifle, went out into
the yard. lie could see nothing, and moved
out and around the cabin—continuing still out-
ward until hc had reached the woods.

Vida and Sylveen sat' alone, with wildly-
throbbing hearts. Neither spoke; a silence as
ominous as death settled aroinid them.

All at once, as if actuated by a single im-
pulse, both of the fair girls turned their eyes
' toward the curtained recess that Fred had occu-

icd during his illness. Both were sure they

ad detected the low, suppressed breathing of
something, either human or beast, behind that
curtain.

They sat transfixed with inmost horror. There
was an intuitive foreboding of some awful dan—
ger han ing over them. It struck them both as

 

They talked on about Pirate Paul, Death-
Notch, and upon other topics. Still they were
liapp and joyous, despite the dangers that sur-
roun ed them.

In the mean time Ralph worked busily at the

ddle, and at length he turned from the river
into the mouth of a small creek that was ren-
uered black as Hades b the arcading foliage of
the trees along either _ ore. _

After following the win ings of this stream
for mmsiitlime, the canoa uched the shore, and

h :
“Rife are at home, S, lveen.”
He assisted her‘ as ore and conducted her
across the little lade toward his cabin.
A sweet musical voice hailed them as they

a. ist 0 wind would have’done.

he listened with their hands pressed upon
their ‘reasts to still their palpitating hearts.
They were not mistaken—there was something
breathing behind that curtain!

Terror is an awful agony to suffer. It
blanches the cheeks, and causes the eyes to di-
me, the lips to part and the breath to come

1.

Thus appeared the maidens. fl‘hey sit with
their eyes upon the curtain, unable to cry out,
unable to move. .

They see something touch the curtain—some-
thing darts through it. It is the glittering blade
of a long knife. Then they see a downward
flash—a rent is out in the curtain, and—they

 

appzoached the door. It was Vida’s voice.

lph responded to her greeting and then
conducted Sylveen into the cabin. The room
was lighted up with an oil lamp that burned
on the table, where supper was waiting Ralph’s
return.

The youth introduced his little sister to‘ his 1
fairprotege, and the maidens’ s irits seemed to 5
flow as it were, into one channe of congeniality 3
and love. 1

Fred Travis was out when the brother came l
' appearance with 3
Vida’l rifle in hand. I

" yhl see on are much better, my young .

Stews. said .alph; "tut whvm you out  ‘

see no more. There is a rush of feet. The light
goes out. They are in darkness. The door is
slammed violently shut. They are prisoners.
And then a yell, that seems to issue in chorus
from a thousand throats, makes the night hide-
ous as it echoes and re-echocs in demoniac s'hrieks
through the dark, wooded aisles.

W here now was Fred Travis? where was the
young Scalp-Hunter? Alas! where, indeed?

. CHAPTER XXVII.
THE VILLAINS’ COMPACT.
How long Pirate Paul and his men would have

 

 

tones of her her , there is no telling, had they
not been sudden y startled by the report of fire-~
arms in the direction of the camp. Alarmed
they at once beat a hasty retreat, and reached
cam to find it entirely deserted by all but three
0 t eir comrades, who lay dead upon the
ground.

Their surprise and indi
bounds. Pirate Paul curse
permitting so man of his men to leave the
camp. He cursed t e fair being whose sweet
voice he had permitted to draw them away, and
swore an oath of vengeance upon her.

That the camp had been attacked b whites,
there was not a doubt, for the three ead men
were unscalped. But while they stood lament-
ing, in oaths and execrations, over their misfor-
tune, in loss of men and captives, a human figure
emerged from the undergrowth and approached
them. That he was human was all they could
make of him, for he was incrusted in a layer of
black mud and dirt from head to foot.

“ What the devil is this? Who, or what are
you?” asked Pirate Paul.

fi “ I’m Griff Morton, I am,” said the doleful

gure.
“ Fiends and furiesl How came these men
slain? How came ou in such a plight? Who
did it? S eak, Gri Morton.”

The rob er narrated the whole transaction—
the attack of the Avon ers, and his own adven-
ture. in the pool, thong1 he turned the tables,
and made himself the cm of that conflict.

Pirate Paul ground his teeth and swore with
rage—swore that he would wreak a bloody re
venge upon the a ents of his loss. ' -

In the midst of is fury, an exclamation sud
denly burst from the lips of one of his men. Ht.
had discovered a part of Indians approaching
them, and no sooner id Pirate Paul see them,
than a shout of by burst from his lips, that was
answered back y the sava es.

The latter were Sioux t e party under Red
Elk, with whom Pirate Paul was on intimate
terms of friendship.

In a minute the two parties were together.

The three dead pirates at once attracted Red
Elk’s attention.

“Has Le Subtile Fox had trouble?” he asked.

“ Yes: a pack of white hounds, callin them-
selves Avengers, attacked my camp wh 9 most
of my men were absent, and slew three of the
guard, and esca ed with two captive white
wws one of w ich I intended for you for a

a

“It is bad,” replied Red Elk; “the Avengers
are cunning. Red Elk set a. trap for them, but
they were like the wolves that scent danger,
an stole away. Death-Notch, too, is in the
woods.”

“Seen him lately?” asked Pirate Paul.

“But last night e arose from the heart of our
camp-fire as he arose in the council-10d e on the
night of the storm, when he fled on the rse of
Le Subtile Fox.”

“He is a terrible creature, chief; and these
Avengers will soon be more terrible than he.
ghey must be hunted down and burned with

re

“ Le Subtile Fox speaks the truth.”

 let us to work, chief. Shall we go to
go er '

“ What does the white chief say is best?”

“Can §ou bend two bows as eas as one?”

. “ Red 1k is strong, but he can gend one how
easier than two.”

“ Then if_ we work together we’ll be as two
bows' we Will be strong, and the enem can not
defea us; but if we go separate, we’ll e as one
bow—easy bent.” . I

“The white chief speaks the truth. Red Elk
is willin to join ban 3 with him.”

Then rem this moment let our vengeance be-
gin. The settlements must fall if we would
reach the strongarm of our enemies.”

“ Le Subtile Fox should have been a red
chief. His brain is nick. His mind islong and
reaches far ahead. he white man’s wi ems
must fall; his horses be ridden away and '8 cat-
tle slain; then he can not live as the red man
gges ”in the open woods, and by his rifle and

W, .

“Then we can begin our work near here. But
a short distance away stands a little cabin that
I never knew was in existence till to-da . It
must be the home of some old trapper. here
is a beautiful white squaw there. She Would
make Le Subtile Fax or Red Elk a nice wife.”

“ The white chief speaks truly. She is beau-
tiful as an an e1.”

“ Then you ave seen her?”

“ To—da my braves discovered their wigw

am
for the time. A cunning pale-face live!
there.”

ation knew no
himself for ever

a

capture the beautiful‘white girl?” .

‘When night makes eve thing into sha-
dows,. then Will we strike. ile the white
.Sqlmw sun to her pale-face lover by the creek,
four of myfiiraves entered their cabin and con-'
cealed themselves. Le Subtile Fox can take the
pal? sqpaw for his slave. Red Elk wants only
see. .

“Irish, on mean business, chief," replied Pl.
rate Pan . “ and by the time we can bury these

 

stood and gazed upon Vida St. loser, enra tur-
ed by the sweet wekxly of her voice an the

dead men it will be dark—timeto work—them

“Did you intend to destroy the cabin and I

No. 7.7

I do not see why darkness is necessary for two
score Indians to capture a girl and boy. "

"if by waiting for darkness we can save the ‘
l

life of the warrior, it will be well to do so,” re-
plied the diplomatic Red Elk.

“Yes, yes, Red Elk, that’s all true; but here,
boys, let us perform the last sad rites for these
poor devils, by :utting them under the ground.”

It required ut a few moments to inter the

slain pirates in shallow graves, hollowed by ‘

moans of knives and their hands; but by the
time it was accomplished darkness had gathered
over the forest.

Then these human demons took 11 their line

of march toward the home of Ralp St. Leger. .

CHAPTER XXVIII.
DEATH-NOTCII IN TROUBLE.

AFTER leaving his cabin, Ralph St. Leger ‘

made a careful circuit of the hut, then moved
out toward the woods. Here he caught sight of
a shadowy figure moving away before him. He

followed it, for, without a doubt, it was a skulk- ,
ing enemy. It led into the woods, where the ‘

darkness was so intense that he was not e'iabled
to follow it otherwise than b sound. But he
could hear the footsteps very plain. The were
heavy and massive, unlike t at of an ndian
warrior, yet it was the footsteps of a prowling
enemy.

Out some fifty yards in the wood, Ralph was
suddenly startled by a quick step at his right.
He halted. At that instant he hears a. “whirr”
over his head, then he feels something enCircle
his form like the folds of a hure serpent. He
feels this hand drawn sudden y tight. His
hands are pinioned at his side. He stru gles
but his efforts only tend to tighten the c asp.
He is jerked to his knees then he _is thrown
prostrate upon the earth; lie is Within the toils
of a lasso, a captive. A dozen savages close in
upon him. He struggles with the desperation of
a madman, but the envy blow of a club strikes
him half-unconscious. _ I .

The scene changes. It is still night and in
the forest a camp-fire is burning. I’ts re. s,
reaching outward and upward, strike upon he

een foliage of the trees, seexnin to transform

hem into gray rock towe‘iing alo t and forming
adeep ch whose gri , stop facade was,
apparently, appled with sunligit, yet whose
opening was lost in the darkness above.

Around this cam ~flro half a dozen savages
are moving hurrie lyto and fro their grim
faces aglow with demoniac triump . .The cause
of their excitement is readily manifested. Be-
fore them stands a white ca tive, whose hands
are bound before him, an the ends of the
thongs securely attached to a. sapling.i

is head is

The ca tive is Ra] h St. Le er.
bare; helis stripped 3f everytfiin but his trow-
ectly resigned.

sers and hunting-shirt. He is
There is no look of fear nor ejection in his fine
dark eyes. He regards the vengeful spirit of
his captors indifferently, and a smile of adm1ra-
tion esfovii‘ his lgases when he sees they are
re rin or isto ure. ' .
p Apgum r of arrow-points are thrust into the
fire, and a strong bow got in readiness for use.
Then a. savage warrior points to these and tells
the captive what they are for, and, by mocks
and jeers, endeavors to make. him show some
signsof fear. But the captive boy heeds not his
words. ,

“The young pale-face is like the young tree
against which he stands,” said the saw e, grow-
ing indignant at his success use. moo er; “he
hears not the voice of the wind. But when the
ex is cut into the bark it is made to feel. It
will wither and die. The pale-face boy shall

fall}; a. young warrior about the
e 5 er was _
age of t e captive. He was the child of a chief
—was brave and daring, and honored for the
scalps he had taken. He was small and slender,
vet agile as the panther, and strong as a young
lion. As he concluded his threat, the young
chief turned, took up a bow, plucked an arrow
—whose point was ablaze—from the fire, and
ap lied it to the bow-string:

He then $130)de backward, drew the arrow
almost to the head, and sent it wlurringlat the
breast of the captive. The barbed and lazing
point ierced the hunting shu't of the captigreei
who ched not. The weapon ha'l only pas
in until the barbs were concealed behind the
shirt, yet it must have unotured the skin for a
“We let of smoke p ed outward, while the
Shaft 01 the arrow Vdro pod downward, still
clinging within the - By its barbs

The sava es watch the face of the captive for
some mam est sign of pain, but he never flinches.
The features do not relax their firmness of ex.
pression. . .

Another burning arrow was plucked from the
fire and shot into the breast of the captive. Lit.
tle uffs of smoke curl upward from the bosom
of e hunting-shirt. It had a pungent odor,
not unlike that of burning flesh. Still the cap-
tive flincbes not, but smiles defiantlyin the face
of his foes. _

Arrow after arrow was shot into his bre
until 'it bristlcd with the feathered shafts, an

the hunting-shirt was beginning to smoke and ‘

ii'Tsp with heat. There was something strapge
-v _,' .11, :Liystei'ious—in the fortitude of this \v on-

,Death-Nrotchlithe Destroyer.

‘ derful boy. He broke into a mocking, drl'umt

l

laugh.

“ Shoot your arrows you red fiends,” he said.
“ Fill my breast with t iem. Then they will not
burn as my hatred of your accursod race does!”

“ Waugh "’ exclaimed the young chief. “ A
bird in a cage will siun‘ sweet, when its heart is
sad and the young pa e—face talks brave to con-
ceal the min that burns within its breast.”

“ Wil -Wind’s tongue is crooked as the ser-
pent‘s trail,” replied our fearless boy.

Wild—Wind, the young chief, sprung toward
the captive and dealt him a severe blow upon
the head with the how he held in his hand.

“ Let the pale-face feel but half the weight of
my arm,” replied the insulted (:hicl‘ “ and let
him four me as he would Death—Notch, the
you Scal )-Huuter."

“ legibl— ind is a coward, or he would not
strike a prisoner,” rophcd the youthful captive;

‘ “ he is a weak s4 uaw, a sucking wolf."

l

 

Again Wild-l ind dealt him a blow. But this
was more than human nature—at least such a
nature as Ralph St. lkegen’s—could stain . The
eyes of the youth flushed with a deadly fire of
resentment. The "rent Veins in his neck stood
out like cordage. ‘hc face became set with a
terrible expression. . The breast heaved and the
arms twitched as With convulsions. The power
of Titan seemed infused into the frame of the
captive. His arms are pressed gradually apart.
His bonds snap in twain, and he stands free be-
fore his enemies. But it is only for a moment.
Before a savage could move—with tho swiftncss
of a dart, he rrasps the shafts of the arrows in
his breast wit 1 one hand, and tearing them out,
hurled them, shafts forward, at the nearest sav—
age. Then seizing a hem , hidf-consunied fire-
brand, he swung it alof and swept the as-
tounded foe down before him. The end of the
club burst into a flame, and as it swept through
the air like a his ‘ stream of fire, it threw a
ghastly light over e features of the now mad
avenger.

The red foes regained their feet and pressed
hard 11 )on him. Knives were thrust at his
breast, ut glanced off as though they had come
in contact with the breast of a brazen image.

Foremost 8.111011“ the savage combatants is
Wild-Wind. But xthe eye of Tenth—Notch has
marked him. He presses toward him; he
reaches him; he seizes him in a grasp b the
throat that causes his 0 cs to start an his
tongue to protrude. Wit 1 the other hand he
seizes him bythe loin—cloth and raises him above
his head, as though he had been a mere child,
and with all his strength he dashes him with
crushing force into the fire. Then he utters a
wild terrible yell and with a bound he gains
the darkness and freedom of the woods: I

Bleeding, blinded and burned, Wild-Wind
was dra ged from the fire, and he at once slunk
away in the forest, while the warriors bound-
ed away in the pursuit. Butthe footsteps of the

oun pale-face were silent as the wind, and the
aflle savages soon returned to look after their
disabled young chief.

But they found him not. On the ground
where he had fallen lay the savage first brained
by the terrible flrebrand. His face was tinned
upward; his head was calpless. His arm was
outstretched and raised slightly from _ the
ground, while the index finger was tpointing, in
a manner as natural as life, to a lit e tree upon
which was cut afresh notch!

The savages knew at once what it meant.

The young Scalp-Hunter had been there!

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
AN AMUSING ADVENTURE.

LITTLE did Fred Travis dream of the 9 es
that were fixed upon him the moment he left he
door of the St. Legers’ cabin. But he had
scarcely reached the woods when a scream fell
upon his ears. It came from the cabin, and he
knew the girls must be in troubl'e, so turnin
about he ran back to the house. As he neare
the door he saw there was no light Within and
he heard the excited voices of savages and the
terrified screams of Vida and Sylveen.

The brave youth made a dash at the door,
but it was blocked with savage forms. He at-
tempted to cut his way throu h but invain.
The foe closed in up? him and eat him down.

The next minute e was helpless in bonds, and
was compelled to witneSS, th  the_agony
his heart could suffer, his adored little Vida and
Sylveen Gray conducted from the cabin and
hurried away toward the woods. .

Then he, too, was compelled t0_rise, and fol-
low his captors'away, but in a different direc-
tion from that taken by the maidens and their
ca tors.

R few minutes more and the home of Ralph
and Vida St. Le or was in flames.

Fred was con ucted due northward by about
a dozen warriors, wh0_ 88611195150 fear pursuit,
and traveled uite rapidly- . The shadows of the
forest did ndt deter them in the least in their
haste. In fact darkness was preferable to them,
for under its friendly cover. they had little to

fear.

At daybreak, bewever, the came to a halt to
seek the rest and refreshmen. that even a sav-
age needs at times. The; slapped in a little

 

19

r ' -

wooded valley close to the edge of a treelea,
shrubless slo )e of ground that arose ually
several hum red yards where it again joined
the timber. This beautiful opening faced the
south, and was covered with a growth of short
grass.

Fred was lashed to a tree so that he could sit
down and availing himself of this favor, hr:
leaned his aching head against the tree—trunk,
pnd was soon‘absorbod in his agonizing reflec-
.ions.

What a fate had been his! Where now were
the Avengers? Where was Death-Notch? and,
above all others, where was Vida—his darling
little Vida?

As the savages were entirely dependent on
their mile for food, a warrior was dispatched
at once in nest of game. It was their scout.
He was a to 1, lilhe—lookin r fellow with an eye
of steel and )owcrl‘ul muse es.

Crossln v the hillside opening, he entered the
deep WOW s beyond. He had traversed its shad.
ows but a few stops when a low clum of bushel
before him suddenly parted, and a w ite angu-
larlface confronted him, and a gruff vow.
Sun I .

“ Hold on thar. ve darned red vagabone, ye;
hold on, I say, or own goes yer meat-ho ' . ’

Quick as a flash the savage dropped himself
upon the ground, thereby bringing a large fal-
len log between him and this unexpected ene-

 

 

my.

Old Shadow, for he the white man was, was
in the act of leaping over the log when be dis-
covered the muzzle of the Indian’s rifle, and his
dark eye gleaming along the barrel, leveled at
his breast. Before he could fire, however, the
old hunter droppled himself on the opposite side
of the 10 . In t is position they lay as silent as
though t ey had been shot, each one waiting the
movements of the other.

It was rather a novel situation for the two

eadly foes, and, as it so happened, neither of
them possessed other weapon than a. rifle and
knife. The former the could not use in their
present situation, and e latter was of no use
onéy in a hand-to-hand encounter.
trat cm was the only expedient. Eithe:
one coul have sprungto his feet and fled before
the other had time to fire, but, where two such
fees meet they never turn—never flinch before
the tomahawk or rifle, even were it certain
death to stand.

Several minutes ed by. The Indian lay
as silent as the 10 , ut the white man became
restless and impa ient but finally broke 0! an
his favorite song, “ The old hedgehog, etc."

“ Ugh I" burst from the savage’s lips when he
had concluded his song.

“ Ye din-nod red hog,” retorted the hunter.
“ what e gruntin’ at round thar? Show er
greasy s 'n if ya want it punctuated. I’m ld

hader, old ’izen, or old anything, and I’m let
a picayune t at I kin whale a dozen 0’ ye. Jest
show yerself, red-skin; come, trot out, ole hoax,
and show r di

“Wang 1” rep ied the save e indignanltlié

“ Heap much big blow roun ere. W
coward, pale-face do barkin’.”

“Com liment’ry, ank e, red—skin,” said
01d S ow, maneuvering a ut so as to get a
shot or thrust at the savage, but wherever he
attemptedto peep over or around at the cun-
ning red-skin, he would see the muzzle of his
rifle just coming into view.

The old hunter knew that the savage
sessed of a patience that would keep him 
a_ week rather than make any risky demonstra-
tion. bn the other hand, the savage was well
aware that the white man would soon grow im-
patient, and resort to some trick to dislodge

im, so he had only to remain on the defendve
to insure himself of speedy action and
victory._ The Sioux had estimated the old him.
ter’s patience and daring rashness by that of

'the general average of white hunters. In so .

doing he had underrated the old hunter’s ex‘
perience. .

For some time Old Shadow tried to. draw the
sava eout, so as to enable him togetashot.
The cg was entirely too large for him to reach
over and feel for the save
Once be elevated his ca on ' rifle in hopes of
drawing the foe’s fire, 1113 he rained it half an
inch too high, and the savage saw the gun-bar-
rel under it.

“See here, e cowardly bugger,” he atlut
exclaimed, ‘ '
jiffy I’ll squash e eternals outen ye."

‘ Ughl all blow—no do,” was the rejoinder.

By ta ping slightly upon the log, the old scout
found t was hollow and so, bracinghis feet
a 'nst a small. bush, in applied his shoulder to
t e lo and, With a despfirate eflort, succteded
in ro gait toward the dian. He had hoped
byso do 3 to roll it on the savage, but he
was too cunni to be caught thus and retreat
ed as the log va-nced, yet kept himelf in the
same position behind the log.

Theold hunter managed to roll the log out
into the opemngchat oped downward to the
Indian camp. ere the savage contrived to

stofilit.
ey were now within fairview of the In-
dian camp, which was not over three l‘urt‘rm

with his knife.

5:31: don’t leave over tharin a. . ,

yards away. The savage could easily ham
. t , ,

 

 



l
.i
by;

l

7

.was a. new torture to him—one that his silent

,that had just

20

The New York Library,

 

calledfrlends to his assistance; but, as he was
contending with a single foe, such an act would
have been a mark of cowardice, in an Indian’s
view of the case.

Old Shadow 'was fully aware of his close

roximitiyscto the enemy‘s camp, and he knew,

they d overed their friend’s situation curi-
osity would bring them there at -_;nce. "onse—
quently, he knew he would have to bring mat-
ters to a s ly terminatizm. But how was he
to do it! e had, so far, .cund the savage ready
for any emergency.

However, a thought soon struck him, bring-
ing a smile to his notty face, and as he pro-
ceeded to carry it into execution, he began hum-
ming hisfavorite song.

He cut a long tough switch that was within
reach of him, an , with his knife in one hand.
and the rod in the other, he was ready for
work.

“ See here, Ingin ’round thaw," he said,
“am’t’ye gittin’ a lectle tired o’ yer sitchua-
shun?”

A t was the on'”. "as onse.

“ 1y, reddy,” continue the scout, “talk up
like a 'ttle man. You’ve tasted whisky, hain t
:76? Now, tell me if, when ye war'a. 0y, yer
fad ever created ye to hickory ile?"

“ h!" was the only response. But it was
am It told the old scout exactly where he

was Nying.

“ ow, look sharp, ye nasty beast; I’m goin’
to tan yer jacket for ye.”

Ashe concluded, he raised the switch aloft
and brou ht it down over the 10 with all his
power. eing tough and liab e, it lapped
easily around the log, and, ing of sufficient
1 th, its end came down across the naked
bac ofthe red-skin with such stinging force
that it caused him to fairly bounce, and forced
a low cry from his lips. e savage knew not
from whence the blow came, and for an instant
gm grappled, with staring eyes, at an imaginary
oe

The old hunter followed 11 with another
blow that forced a genuine ye from the sav-
a 6’5 lips.

e knew now from whence they came.

“ I know it’s orful ticklish, red-skin; but e’ll
have to take it, or shin out. Ye’re a bad y,
ye are.”

“ Warrupl” “ warruo!" came the switch over
the log and on the red-s ' ’3 back, musing him to
yell till he could have been heard for miles. It

fortitude could not stand.

The savages at the camp heard his cries.
They could see him writhing about against the
log, but could not tell the cause of hi" trouble.
The log concealed Old Shadow from their view.
However, they started up the hill to their
friend’s assimtauceéhbuga at thithuncture, ttlliliy
saw some mg on e o: eopening' t
caused them to fall backgfgain.

Still Old Shadow plied his switch, indulging
at'zhe same time in a fit of laughter. Once he
wa. sure he heard the su pressed laughter of
lame : *6 else; but it must Ve been fsr'y, for
it seemed to come up from the ground neneath
mm.

The SEW-Se finally made one desperate effort
to leap over the 10 upon the hunter, but the
descendin switch and: lvm fairin lace
and sent him reeling backward.

Springn quickly to his feet, he timed and
flea, ha - "died and with bleeding back, to-
ward the camp.

Witt" his face 00an wi .11 laughter, Old
Shadow arose quickly to *his feet. and, instead
of  the fleeing wretch, he put his
shouldr.‘to 9 log and started it rolling down
the em): th‘ billets: .‘irsctly on the path of the

savage.

The log maven "do?! at first, but soon thered
momentum aad‘P-‘ent whirling in rapi evolu-
tions down the slo . It did not overtake the
savage, but gave im hot chase, and, keeping
on, it went crashing over the shrubbery on the
edge of the glade, and finally came to a stop in
the heart 0 the camp, one end of it sto pairing
within half an arm‘s length of where Fred -
vis sat bound. _ '

Great excitement prevailed in the Indian
cam , not'only over their friend’s adventure,
but gm appearance of nearly adozen of whites
(in the upper side of the opening. It was the

vengera

The savages crept to the edge of the glade to
watch the movements of their foe.

For the time being Fred Travis was left alone
—<)r, rather, was not under the eyes of his cap—
tors—but he was so firmly bound that no effort
of his own could ever loosen the thongs. He
saw what a golden opportunity was afforded
him for escape. But, alas! who was there to
free his bonds?

At this uncture his attention is attracted by
the low 0 irrugnosf a cricket in the hollow log

bed into camp. He fixes his
eyes upon the dark hollow. He starts. He sees
a human face, covered with dirt and mud, peer-
ing therefrom. He can scarcely suppress a cry
of surprise. That face had been carried there,
alive, in that h0110w 10 2 It was familiar to
him—it was the face Death-Notch—Ralph

' the rear. A few of them gave chase, but, by a

‘ag‘on tor

only to prove the you love Vida as you say, by .

as you love Vida, so I love ylveen dray.”

CHAPTER XXX.
FRED MEETS HIS FRIENDS.

TEE finger of the young Scalp—Hunter war»
upon his lips, significantof silence. Fred saw 
once what he meant, yet it seemed a. "drama;
that he could have been carried the... alive
without beingr mangled and bruised. a rainst the
sides of the log. at he saw that t e hollow
was small—that his body filled it so closely that
it could not be dashed against the sides, but had
turned with the 109;.

After he had recovered from the blinding
dizziness, consequent on being whirled around

saw was Fred, and at once made dpresence
known in the manner already describe .

tions, he drew his knife, and, reaching out,
severed his bonds. Then he glided from the
log, and the next instant the two passed into
the woods, and not until they were out of gun-
shot did the savages realize the state of affairs in

circuitous course, the fugitives reached the an :1.-
mit of the hill, and were there joined 1y the
Avengers.

Great was the joy of these youths on their re-

union with their young captain, whom theyhfl
given up asdead.
Fred introduced Ralph  Lager to his
friends, but said nothing of his being Death-
Notch. But, from Omaha’s actions, Fred mis-
trusted that his suspicions were aroused.

The Friendly an Old Shadow were deployed
as scouts to watch the movements of the enemy
in the valley below, and after Fred andhiscom-
anions had compared notes and talked ovar
heir adventures smce the El lit of the storm,
Ra] h took him aside and sai 2 I

“ t is useless, Fred to presume that you "1.0

not know the fate of Vidaand Sylveen.”
A sigh of intense agar?v escaped Fred’s 1111:. ,
“Yes, Ralph,” he sai , “I saw them carried
away before my eyes, and I was helpless in the
red demons’ ower—helpless as a child. It is
agony to think about it.”

y is it, red?" _,
“Whm it?” repeated Fred, startled by the
tone of ph’s vows. r
“ Yes; why is it agongeto you? I know Vida
was a stranger to you fore you came ‘(O our
cabin, but perhaps Sylveen Gra —”

“I admi , Ralph, our sisters existence was
unknown to me be ore the day she saved my
life but without her existence new, life to me
will be an agony.” _

“You love her than?”

“ I do, Raléph; I love her as no manever loved
a woman be oreg”

“You In?” thud: so; but did you confess your
1019 to he;

“Andiz'ledtowin her affections from me—
her'only friend?”

“ No, no, Ralph; God forbid! I could not help
10 hog, and my love is reci rocated.”

“ red, and the young p-Hunter’s voice
was low and half-choked, “ I would do nothin
to make you and Vida miserable. But she
young, and did I believe there was atithe of de-
ception in your heart—that you were deceiving
her—I Would shoot you dead. But I have a.
better opinion of ou, Fred, and now you have

hazarding everything for her rescue.”
“That will I do, even with my life,” replied

Travis.
“And I willever be 'by our side Fred; for

‘1 Together, then, we follow the £09, all! you
shalllead the Avengers, if on so damn.”

“No, Travis; you are hot chosen leader.
Lead on, and as a scent I will render {gm every
assistance I can. Of course the girls ye been
carried to the Indian villa , and we will have
to hasten there and do the we can toward
their release.”

Here the conversation ended, and the two
youths joined the Avengers to whom Fred
made known the fact that  S . Leg]?-
?oiuld accompany them on their ourney to e
11 um .
'At a ‘ from the zlounfi captain, Omaha
and Old hadow came ,' w an a eneral un-
derstanw was had 'all around. vis
wastol ascaptalnoftheband. .
The pa now numbered ten, and With the
exce tiono Old Shadow, wereall 01mg, active
and rave; but, where the old h rwas want-
ing in youth, he excelled in'bravery and experi-
once.

The savages in the valley were soon seen to be
movin away into the forest, evidently

to elu ethe Aven is. But the latter ‘ no
desire to follow em. Their anxiety .for the
rescue of “those of ,their friends who 'mi t ;be
captives at the village set aside all 0 ensxve
measures

80 the little band took u their line of march
northward Omaha and 1d Shadow were’de-
gloved as scouts, while Ralph St. Leger acted m
be capacity 0f ‘de for to him every foot 'of
that forest was amfl r,

\ They pressed on quite rapidly, and when the

 

Ethan-l

and around so often and rapidl , he began an ,
examination of his situation. '1‘ e first thing he ;

When he was sure Fred understood his inten- ,

. 7—--.1..- ___..‘_,__... ..

! givemselves within five miles of the Sioux vi]-
age.
1 Again they came to a halt. Scouts were sent
out toward the town to reconnoiter the situ-
. ation, and calculate their chances of rescuing7
‘ the prisoners.
Omaha and Old Shadow were the scouts sent
l forward, but soon after their departure, Ilulph
went too. It was dark—~pitchy dark—when Lhu
two scouts came in sight of the town. A hund-
; red camp-fires markm the location of the place,
‘ and showed our two friends the round, conical
1 lodges, and the dusky forms of warriors stalk-
ing about or standing before the fire, like bronze
statues. In the background were hitched '1-
, number of ponies, bridled as if for instant use.
1 The two scouts decided to separate, with the
1 intention 01; nakin a circuit of the encamp-
; inent, each c. . qdln’ng half a round. They
wereto meet . .‘: .4. designated spot on the Oppo~
site side of the towu, ‘ compare notes,” and re-
port at once to the band.

Old Shadow went around to the left of the
villa e, and with his usual during, he moved
 y and skillfully on, yet he was compelled
3 than once to (,jnceal himself to elude dis
Cu ..1j‘ by the shadowgoforms of Indian scouts
that he saw stalking a ut through the night.

He pressed on. and finally came to a little

‘ wooden  this»: caused him to make an ab
111 t detour to the ‘ t. It carried him over a
from the town.- d at the int where he
would use arclmd the ad of t e defile was a
little glade through i -h he would have to
 ‘He entered it Without hesitation and
 toward thwpcsitel side. lep‘sgh then 3
gure wing macumpo esan

seized him 138;}: the throat. .

It was a savage warrior of giant proportiom
and herculean strength.

The wiry old trapper st led desperately
for freedom, but he was no me. for the wer
ful warrior, who had possessed himself 0 ever}
advantage at the beginni' ng. ‘ '

With th hands gripe upon his throat, the
giant savage held the old trap er at arm’s-length
and pressed his fingers gra y tighter upon

 

 

 

   

   
   

    

ilugular. . _
0 d Shad w saw 'fllat all was up With him.
He was be stran led to death, and ever

movement of his y added to his pain. 0
figw weaker each moment. His-eyes started
in their sockets and his ten e from his

mouth. A p le haze was ‘gathe g before his
eyes. Feeb y e clutched at the arm of th. '
sava , who now seemed magnified into a bein

of co ossal stature. .,

To the old scout the dark belt of timber amun
the glade seemed spinning around and around.
Direful sounds—shrieking demons and wailing
winds rushed athwart the night. And from t1 c
borders of darkness—the woods—he sees a dark,
shaggy form appear. It .comes with a lumber-
ing gait. Two orbs of fire gleam from the shag-
gymass like the eyes of doom. The moonbeamu 4

ailing upon it give it a weird and terrible ap-
nce. But there is still life enough left for
1d Shadow to see what it is. A huge blue]!

The beast is wounded. He is mad. Frotl.
and blood are drippin from his mouth and no -
trlls. The feathered shaft of an arrow protru I v.
from his side.

He comes on toward the combatanls. 0) .-‘.
Shadow can see him, but the Indian can no.
His back is toward it.

The bear approaches and rears up on b r:
haunches behind the savage. He reaches on

with his fore arms and grasps these in a
deadly hug, and buriee his white, faring
fangs in his naked shoulder. Old adow u

saved]

A shriek burst from the lips of the savagxg.
He relinquished his hold upon the old hunter:
throat and attempted to turn upon his newad
versary. But he could not. Thebeast held him
in a more powerful embrace than he held tin
old hunter. Together they rolled to the earth.
Old Shadow gasped for breath, and sta 'r-
ing, fell to the earth. He soon re ain his
strength and breath, however, and rigsing to hi».
feet exclaimed: ‘
“Whew! that’s better. But, durn the b‘ar,
he come nigh bein’ too late, the lazy, pokin
lummjx.h Go in (than gust?)- musclle, ole lfi’ar.
I’mina urryan can yennyoner 001-
in’ round here. Squiz the darned varletgs carcass
tmhflleiis eyes bitipg out, olei b’fhr, 1but I’ll”leav'e
w ‘ mycredi s Lgood, so am gum.

The old scout cked up his rifle, End turning,
left the hear an savage down in their deat -
Struggles 811d 11 across the opening,
plunged into the dar green wood beyond.

CHAPTER XXXI.
1.. .h A “unwounrrmsangm
6 mean e .

advenguil'les no lessle'xcitlng than Old Shadow,
eveni 1; ea dangerous.

He had emadey werrgearly the whole of ‘his half of
the circuit when a rough bner thicket pressed
hiscourseintowardthe . This bro ht
himin dangerous juxtaposi on to an In
sentinel seated on a log under a branching oak.
The Indian challenged him In the Sioux diy

 

shadows of evening began to-fall, they found

. .a..., ".4. .n.

lect, of which Omahaw“ a complete m

Vol. T,

No. '7.

 

as retreat would likely aronse suspicion, he 1
walked boldly léfi and seated himself on the log ‘
by the guard; ough hekept his hand on his ‘
tomahawk.

The cunning sentinel seemed  be a little sus-
picious of the scout, and leamng forward be
geared into his very face. The next instan‘ t

maha’s tomahawk was buried to the eye in his
brain, and with scarcely a. shudder, the Sioux
sunk to the earth.

This deed was done so silently that it suggested
adoring adventure to the scout. He vested
himself of his own clothing and donned that of
the dead Sioux from moccasins to head—dress.
Then a few skillful touches of war-paint—which
the Omaha always carried—changed him into a
Sioux and with the gluiard’s blanket around his
shoulders, his rifle in s hand, the youth turned
and strode into the village with a boldness that
served its purpose and aroused no suspicion.
The savages were hurrying to and fro through
the village in no little eXCitement. Tm seemed
upon the eve of some event of nuns charac-

l‘.

Omaha soon found that his disguise was per—
fect, yet he did not betray the least sign of curi-
osity. He kept constantly on the move, passing
from lodge to lodge to ascertain whether or not
there were any ca tives in the village. He
found nothing, an would have departed at
once had he not been a little desirous of know-
ing what the savages meant by the hasty and
excited stirring about. Had it only been a tem- _
porar encampment he would have at once con- ‘
elude they were going to break camp, but it
being their ermanent village he was thrown
into a nan ary, from which he resolved tore-
lieve h mself.

He mingled with the largest parties, and in
moving about with them flnallyfound himself
near the tent of the Great Medicine. This dig-
nitary he knew was a white man. He had
learned it from one who had once been a_oap-
tive in the hands of the Sioux. He was satisfied
he was a cow villain, who, knowmg, the
sacredness with w ‘qh he was ' , never
dreamed that an enemy could posSibly get into
his tent. Act upon this belief, Omaha raised
the flap—door an entered-the lodge. _

The Medicine-man eat 11 n a deep pile of
skins enveloped in the fol of a curious yet
beau y wrought blanket, and smoking a
pig) on the head of his tomahawk.

e scarcely moved his head when Omaha en-
tered, but when the latter addressed him in a
low tone, e glanced quicklyup at him, as if he

netrated his through the medium of
' voice. Then e re 'ed in a tone that was
low and ttural in its accents. But now it was

Omaha’s to stare.

The Medicine-man seemed to noticelhis embar-
rassment, and be an p , away at .histpépe
until his head face  in
Omahafs again a cloud of smoke. _

“What the 01mg brave want in the
lod of the great edicin 7” the man of herln

asked.

“ Eye comes for words that will cure his heart
of the dread of Death-Note , the pale;face that
hunts for Sioux .scalps" _

‘:’Then the young warriorls heart is coward-

! .
y“1 have taken main; scalp: in battle, and

v dow, “ thin
! thar. I rec on as what Death—Notch put a dam-

Iain

Omaha narrated his adventure with Death-
Notch in the lodge of the Medicine, .1 smile was
seen to play about the lips of Ralph St. Leger,
first notne save Fred va1s and Omaha knew its
r .

ow arose the guestion: how were the cap-
tives to be rescue i The question was easi>r
asked than answered, for the enemy were .lfty
to one, and would have to be attacked within
their own stronghold. However, the captives
must be rescued at all hazards, and the little
band resolved to make the attempt that night—
near morning.

So a guard was posted, and the band lay down
to get a few hours rest and sleep before the time
for the ordeal came. But no slee came to the
eyes of one of the party. They all
hard earth, thinking of the comin conflict and
its pi'nlmblu rcsnlt. They had litt 6 upon which
to base a single hope of victory, but men under
such circumstances are determined and desper-
ate. They never let a fear or doubt stay a reso-
lution. _

Each one of the little band, mile: '1 it was Old
Shadow, had pictured to himself the rescue of 0.
friend-either a sweetheart, sister or mother.
Even Omaha had hopes of meeting friends taken
captive by the Sioux in their raid upon the
Omaha country.

When the hour for action had come, every
man was upon his: feet with rifle in hand, and
under the guidance of Old Shadow, they set off
toward the Indian Village.

As the neared the town they were not a little
surprise at the deep silence that revailed
around the place. Not the bark of a. og could
be heard nor the glimmer of a dying campfire
seen. All was wrapt in profound silence and
darkness. There were, however, voices in the
wilderness. The sharp bark of a wolf hanging
on the outskirts of the village, the “ who-who-
hoo ” of the owl, and the wailing of insects could
be heard all around.

“ Durn my ole riggin’l” exclaimed Old Sha-

seem a ittle dull and glum down

per on their spirits when he caved in the clam-
shell of their ole Medicine humbng, and they've
all one into mournin’ over it.”

“ ghl" ejaculated Omaha, “that silence
mean something else—something unusua .”

“ It is sin or that not a sound can be heard
from the vil age,” said Fred Travis.

“All in be , I reckon,” said 01d Shadow,
“and I’d give a picayune to knock the bottom
O‘llllt handmheave thfi whole chaéboodtl): into 
5 ur ' s. u see re, yees,
mafia a leegtfiu feel down to’r’ds the aimpand

.see what’s u .” . _
“Very we :wewillremmn heretillyou re-
turn,” said Travis. '

The old scout took his de

um, and some-
thin like half an hour had

peed when he was

h coming toward them, singing:

“The ’ ossum he grinned at the ole hedgehog,
At ole hedgehog, at the 016—"

“ Hark, there!” suddenly demanded Phelix

O’Ra , “yees will arrhouse the whole In ‘

coun hry wid that bell-clapper ave yourn.
it, man, what do ye mane
“ Givin' vent to the exuberance of my spir’ts’
oung Ireland,” replied the scout.
“~ ell, what discovery, old friend?” asked

does net evefiy heart tremble at the name of. Travis

D%%'N°€§h Scalpflu to is a terrible
es' e o , ,,n r .
foe yet’he 185,123?ng Arrows or bullets

we‘ aimed will slayhim. But on are notin

f 1 him. You are , You are an»
effigy to the Sioux—you are Omaha, the
miiindly'” n his tomahawk- but
6 o scou  .
figsyhga‘bhuld raise, atlas. Medicine laid-hi5
“Illiltpgiliiehahave nofearofmel ,Ikuow why

here—the 'same for which I came. The
 (has 54133831110 I 

Look , a, a pole.
Egg; anotcli um 'it. Icut it theme] I am

Death-Notch! leave me quick' you look so

0 a Sioux t I might slfiyou‘. Govbaokzto

those that aw ' you, and them that than

are many captives 11:36, and %Wu@ is
a. break.

WW movfeor no orders orvinfor-

. ,aifed
mtl hntl ft‘thelodgeandsoonworlnedhim—
I011 cm, the6 '

A Wmome‘mterhewa rage Kan.
W 3111118116de that  ugh-presence
1mgut in’thl vfme‘it i. I intedplaoe

B 01'
Omaha and,Old,S,”_ oiling:  “chmd
a fewhasty words and   ‘ t
tothe cam of the Av ’ _ . Aacheymoved
on, each ld the other adventures and
when Old Shadow learnedof comm hem
inthe Indian Village, and : ,

“Whew! betapibcayunehmrill flywhilethat ‘
critter’s in camp; , _ , enny diskiveryof the ,

811,8?”
‘ ' -N saidthe were there,”
“Y,” ’pthpeth’ 0t“:1‘.’h’..tlie.old liiinterexclaiihsd,
“  we’llhav‘e fairing; bu’st. "d' .

as e escou. arrive the
St  They at once

 

Ralph
elivered

“The red varlets have gone—every cuss o’
’em—weemen, men, brats and all.”

“ What! broke camp?" exclaimed St. Leger.

“ Yes; Death-Notch’s dom’ must hev’ hurried
'em up aleetle. They went westward, and my

dgn is they’ll not stop this side 0 the Big

u . '

“ Boyys,” said St. Leger, and his voice was sad
andlcw, “Iamafrai itwrllbealongtimeere
our hopes are realized, if th ever are. But,
what 5:; > you, Aven ’l S all we take up
their tr and follow t. em, or not?”

“Follow them l—trail them to death!” cried
Fred Travis, and his words were repeated by

every tongue.

CHAPTER XXXII.
on rim TRAIL.

Areal-1y dawn the following morning, the
Avengers were upon the trail.

1?er the course taken b the Sioux, it was
evident the were aiming or the country be-
yond the humid river. They had every ad-
vantage of their pursuers not only in the start
and in point of strength, b tthe were mounted,
and in a fairway of inch teadof dimin.
lshiiig the distance between them. However,
the hardy band pressed on with a desperate de-
termination .to accomplish their object—to
rescue their friends. .

For two they traVeled, Without coming
in, ' ht of the main column of the savages, b
thengresbness of their . ’ hoof-prints told
that they were not far in advance; and, occa-

 

‘ sionally, a scout was seen scouring over the
at

, either the right or the left of the trail.
' On theseoondnight the ursuers camped in a
mwm‘l' Hit? in??? icis:
ue :- o s over 00 n . e
sourigriver. .Scrubby oaks of somegfiitoon or

"'4

lay upon the .

Death-Notch, the Destroyer.

The Friendly gav him a muttered reply, and, itheir information to their friends. When i twenty feet in hight, intm'liwcd with wild

 

21

 

gaps-vines and creepers, covered the face of
he lutfs, and extending down into the bottom,
blocked from view the entrance to the defile.

Once within the defile, it could on] be left b '
the way it was entered, for the c iffs on all
sides were crpcndicular, and in some placvs
:helving. t was dark when our friend
reached this secluded spot. For four of daiig‘o' ,
they did not strike a fire. It is well they (ii I.
not, for Omaha, who had been put on plum
soon made his up earancc in camp and said:

“We are in anger. Three score 01’ Sioux-
warriors have encnmped on the plain ncui' th“
mouth of the defile.”

“B snakes!" exclaimed Old Shadow, “ that ‘5
a file ,_for I can sniff the smoke 0’ their camp-
fire this blessed minit. Ah, there goes a red
varlet’s bnzzoo.”

“I’mpafrnid we’re in a close place,” said
Ralph St. Leger.

“Bet u picayune on it, Ralph," said the
hunter; “if they don’t know we’re here now
they’ll find it out purtv soon in the mornin’, or
ye may take my mouth for any—trap.”

“I presume we have not been as cautious as
we should have been, if we have let savages -
coop us up in this defile,” said Fred Travis.

“Will, I’ll tell ye younkcr, we can come

} Death—Notch out and cut our way out of here

ruther than erisli. But jist lay low and things
may all wor out right yit."

And, acting upon this advice, guards were
posted wherever there was the least chance of a
savage approaching; then those not on duty lay
down to rest.

,The night wore away, and morning dawned
clear and bright and as the sun glanced
across the plain, t e Avengers saw the danger
that menaced them. Fully three scnre of sav~
age warriors were encamped on the plain, close
up to the little clump of oaks that stood like a
door at the mouth 0 the defile. Their animals
were icketed to grass west of the camp. A
row ofrlances, stuck in the ground, were aligned
in a semicircle about the camp, and at the foot
of each weapon lay its owner's side-arms and
horse—equipage.

They were u on the war— ath. This oui
friends could tel by their ain and the absence.
0}: females But why ad they encamped
t ere?

Our friends saw them build small fires and
broil venison u on them. This done, the eat
their meal in ence. Then some stroll out.
along the base of the cliffs, while others lounged
about in listless, idle attitudes that convince.)
the Avengers they had gone into temporary on
cam men for,.no telling how long, nor fo-
wha purpose.

This was an unfortunate state of affairs to
our friends. I They could not make their exi‘.
from the defile EH a rear ssage. If they
would escape at , it must e made through
the defile where they had entered, in the very
face of the foe.

Toward noon several of the warriors had
mounted their nies, took up their lances and
gallo away oward the south.

“ ’eml” muttered Old Shadow, “the
royal ole devil’s in ’em red-skins, boys. We’rr~

for a day or two, ennyhow. Them
lopin’ hounds are oin’ oil on a bimt. They’w
proberly disldvere a herd o’ buffalo.”

“ Time will tell,” said Ralph t. Leger. “ W«
have only got to be quiet and patient. If the
sava a do not discover our trail leading into
the eflle, we may escape them.” '

An hour or more had passed when a yell of n
sav I triumph was heard far over the plain
Our riends turned their eyes in the direction
from whence the sound came, and saw the war-
riors that had left camp returning. They were
leading two riderless horses and on the point of
a lance two ree ' scalps were dang" .
These ke lainer an words of what had
taken t em rom camp. The horses the loo
were of the new American s ,spiri , and
mettlesome, and had evidently belonged to
white men. v

When the savages entered camp they were
Wd with a joyous shout. boy drew rein,

t their s in the groan and dismount—
ed. They te eredtheirlponies at grassagain;
but the two captured animals were retained in
camp to be admired and commented upon.

ntly two athletic-loom warriors,
stripped of all their 010 but e loinvcloth,
came forward and menu the fretting, chaf-
ing animals, and with the two scalps attached
to a, spear-heed, they dashed away at a furiom;
speed and rode in a circle about the camp, at
terin their fearful scalp-cry and executing
won one feats of horsemanship. - ‘

They rode out and out from the camp in a

iral line. At last one of the demon riders .
£51m away War the plain at a fearful speed,
while the horse of the other became
able, and homey toward .the gig
plunged into the _ body of shmhbery
came charging upflmto the the -aeme-. inzthe
vu-midstoilpur ieentdséoyskate hum”.

_ r 0 var , r. .ex-
churn 01d Shadow, in an undergone

I Quick as said the youths leaped from'theli
covert. and while. Death~Notch seized the II‘

~'==és&1‘—:-’|=V 3-111. -'.. _-.{‘,..

 

.4..,.-Y

 

 

22

mal by the hits and threw it back upon its
haunches, others seized the savage, and, drag-

'ng him to the earth, bound and 'agged him

fore he could give the alarm. ot a sound,
likel to create suspicion, was made. But,
who now were our friends to do with him? His
non-appearance would soon bring friends into the
defile in search of him. Then escape would be
im ossible.

maha was put on the watch, and he saw
that the savages on tho lain had turned their
heads and were watching t is savage that was rid-
ing over the prairie, though now and then they
would glance anxiousl toward the Chaparral
at the mouth of the de le.

“What do ye sayto do with the blarsted
skunk, boys!” asked Old Shadow; “come,
pelchy out yer ’pinion. fur we've not a minit to
ose.

“ No, time is precious. This Indian mustbe

at out of here at once, or every redvskin will

u nus.”

“ hat‘s the cackle, and I per e we send
him outen here a-flunkin’, replied ld Shadow.

“How will we do it?” asked young Har-

f riot.

“ Bind him , on the back of this hoss, put a
burr under the critters tail, turn him loose, and
let it go outen the defile.”

The savage seemed to have understood the old
hunter’s words, and the look be fixed upon him
fairl caused him to wince.

“ t will be our only chance, boys,” Fred
Travis said, in reply to the old hunter, “and if
it works successfully, the attitude of the savage
on the horse may draw the attention of his
friends so as to give us an opportunity to esca
from the defile, and hide ourselves in the adJa-
cent cha. arriil.”

“ That s the cackle, Freddy,” said the hunter;
“now, let’s lift the stinkin sinner to the boss’s
back. There, 11 he goes—steady, hossl Here,
one o‘ e pull 0 the critter’s halter and bridle
to tie t e varlet on with.”

The bridle and halter were taken off the tremb-
-ling beast, and while St. Le or held him by the
muzzle, the others bound t e savage to the
beast’s back.

When the task was completed, the animal’s
head was turned down the defile, then one of
the avengers gave it a cut with a keen switch
that sent it plunging in madness and affright
down the stony valley.

Like an arrow it shot from the Chaparral out

1 onto the plain, andhwith glowing eyes and di--

lated nostrils, it das ed through the camp of the
savages, tramplin down the warriors that ap-
peared in its pat , and plunging wildly and
madly on over the rairie.

The savages stoo dumbfounded and amazed.
They could scarcely realize the. perilous situa-
tion of their friend, nor the manner in which he
had gotten into such a. dilemma. The cha
fromthe free rider to the helpless bound ris-
oner as it were was made so quic that hey
could attribute  situation to no other source
than his own free and fearless will.

The believed he put himself in that position
to make a more startling display of his feats of
horsemanshi and wonderful daring, but, when
his cries for e1 rung out over the plain, they
supposed he had become entangled in the gear-
ings of the animal. Wild with excitement,
some of the warriors dashed away on foot in
pursuit of the flying steed, while those that took
a second thought mounted their ponies and
spurred away.

Omaha, the look-out, at once reported the run
of aflairs. The camp was deserted by all but
half a. down warriors.

“ Let us wait until the others are out of gun-
shot,” said Ralph St. Leger; “then we can
make a. charge upon those in camp, drive
them ofl’, and mount some of their best ponies
and flee. ’

“Bravo!” exclaimed Old Shadow; “you’ve
got the right vim about you. A boss will be
quite an itemtome, while to a hose I’d be a
mere shader.” .

At this juncture Omaha informed them that

I the savages were a quarter of a mile away in

hot‘pursuit of the flying steed and its hapless
bur en.

“ Then, forward, boys,” exclaimed young
Travis; “ make your aim certain, and your
choice of a ony good.” .

Like owe the Avengers glided from the
dpflle, through the chaparral, and out onto the
p am. .

Then fouowed the clash of fire-arms, mingled
with yells of terror and shouts of victory.

The savages that do not fall under the Aveng-
nrs‘flre flee across the plain, while the white
foe duh through their camp toward their
ponies.

It required but a. few seconds for the men 'to
select a good pony each and mount it; but, by
this time, the 0 her savages had discovered
whatqu on at cam ,and had turned
back upon'the'Avengers. ut the latter had

at several rods the start, and the ponies that
did not appropriate they managed to stam-

Stilithere were about thirty of the pursuers
. that were mounted, and a wild, hot chase at

mobegm

 

 

 

The NeW,,,Y91ils

The young Avengers headed directly toward
the Missouri river, over five miles away. The
plain, to the river's bank, was an unbroken
waste of smooth, level prairie covered with a
growth of tall grass, that brushed the knees of
the riders.

After an exciting ride the river was reached,
but its banks offered our friends no advantages
of defense; and, with u. feai'lessness and daring
so remarkably characteristic of the true border-
ineii, they spurred their animals into the turbu-
lent curront of the great river, and, after a
fearful struggle with the waves, succeeded in
swimming to the opposite shore, though the
current had carried them over a quarter of a
mile down the stream. But, before they had
scarcely put the river between themselves and
tfio foe, the latter appeared on the opposite
S ore.

With a yell of defiance, the fugitives pressed
on into the dense Nebraska forest.

The savages, burning mad with a thirst for
vengeance, pressed their animals into the water,
and swam the river also, and continued the
chase.

For several miles now their course lay through
a wooded valley, and our friends did not ride in
a body nor line, but scattered out, so as to make
their trail more dilficult'to follow. But, in so
doing they endeavored to keep within sight of
each other. V

After an hour or more riding through the
woods, they debouchcd into a great Nebraska
plain, stretching away for leagues and leagues
into the hazy distance.

Death-Notch was the first upon the plain. He
drew rein. One by one his com anions came
from the woods on either side of im, until all
were resent but Old Shadow. They waited for
him {int he did not come, and the party were
sorely uneasy about him. .

Seeing he did not make his appearance, Ralph
St. Leger asked: ‘

“ Who of you, boys, saw him after we scat-
tered out?”

‘* Faith and mees see’d him once and it was
far behind he was,” said Phelix O’Ilay, “ for it
war a sorry ould divil of a haste he war riding.
He war using heel, whi and tongue to make the
critter keep up, but a out played out he war
sure now. Mees s’pects the red niggers hev got
the or old bag—ov-bones.”

“ 00 bad, toobad ” said Fred Travis; “ but
hark! I hear the yells of the red demons—they
are in” the woods—they are after us! Let us
away.

They again turned their animals’ heads west-
ward and rode on. Ever and anon they looked
back in hopes of seeing 01d Shadow emerge from
the woods. But their hopes were in vain; he
came not. But they did see the savages come
out of the woods on their trail. They were over
two miles away, yet our friends could see that
they were not pursuing under whip, but riding
leisurel on. .

Our riends aimed to keep the same distance
between themselves and the save. . This they
were enabled to do, however, wit out riding as
hard as usual.

The sun declined slowly westward. It wanted
an hour of sunset when t ey discovered that the
savages had given up the pursuit entirely—that
they were nowhere to be seen. There was some-

thing sintfinlar about this—somethingh which
indiéced em to believe it meant em no
goo .

It was now sunset, and they were debating
the subject of going into cam . Some were in
favor of continuing on, but fore they could
decide upon either course, they suddenly dis-
covered a dense black smoke rolling heaven-
ward far behind them,

“ What ‘does that mean?” asked one.

“Look,” said Omaha, pointing down at the
ground. .

All saw at once what he meant. Although it
was midsummer, and the plain was covered with
a growth of green grass, the old fog, or last
year’s growth, still remained, and was and
combustible as tinder. . '

It was this old grass that their savage pursuers
had fired, and the light breeze was carrying it
directly toward them. There was nothing to
be feared from this fire but suffocating by the
hot fetid smoke.

The green grass would keep the flames in check,
from sweeping onward like an irresmtible wave,
but the smoke arising therefrom would soon
cover the face of the great lain, and make it
im ible for one to hve an breathe under it.
This the savages knew, and they had  the
prairie with the intention of smoking the
Avengers across the plain, and In all proba-
bility, into some trap which they had or would
have repared.

As he shadows of night continued to gather
the light of the burning rairie be _to shoot
athwart the sky, and roll in dull, and waves
down toward them with no little to. dity. . '

“ Let us prom on, boys, 8. little aster ” said
young Travis; “if the wind should
strength, it will scatter the smoke over the
whole plain and suffocate us. If, however, we

 

of the fire, now that ithas carried me beyond
immediate peril.”

“Nor I,” repeated his companions.

_ They gulloped alon at aslow ace
mg in an undertone, w en, sudden y, their
animals prickcd up their ears and sniffed t
uneasily.

“Boys,” said Death-Notch, “ there is (Ian 3: r
about. These animals—"

He did not finish the sentence. A ten él,.':-.
sound rushed sudden] athwart the darknc '- ‘
was a sound rescnib ing the roll of thuni ( i'~~~
deep—toned and awful—low at first, but gradu-
ally rathering volume of sound. But it wusnot
thun er. The sky ’was clear. Besides that.
sound seemed rolling along the face of the earth.
There was no doubt of this, for they could feel
Elie fvery ground trembling under their animals’

00 s.

convcrs '

Iiaiierl

It‘llll'

  
 

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
A BUFFALO-CHASE.

THE day was two-thirds gone. The sky was
clear and the sun shone hot and sultry. The
great Nebraska plain” lay glimmerin with
waves of heat, as thou h an internal ewes
burning beneath its sur ace.

A herd of buffalo alon asmall stream that
found its way into the Plat river, was the only
object to be seen upon that plain. The shagg
beasts were painting with heat. Some were wal:
lowing in t e creek others lolling beneath a
fringe of willows, while others were ruinmag
ing about in the tall grass with restless im I
tience. They seemed to rest in perfect securilt);
for not even a skulking coyote was to be seen.

Far away upon the crest of a prairie wave.
however, a pair of black eyes were eagerl)
watching. them. The were the (yes of an In-
dian warrior. But, w y should he be watching
the buffalo?

He kept his black, covetous e esupon then]
for several minutes, and when e had assured
himself that they had not detected his resence,
he turned and crawled awa ’throu 11' t 1e grass.
and when the crest of the hi1 concea ed him from
view of the buffalo, he arose to his feet and
continued a few paces further on, when he camo
in sight of a band of mounted warriors drawn
up in line in the valley below.

With his hand the Indian motioned to them.
whereupon-the whole party, numbering sonir-
thirty, gallode up the ill and drew rein befow
their scout.

The latter quick] communicated to them tl
position of the bu ale, and the way by whir
the might be approached as near aspossih!
wit out giving the alarm.

The savages were not all red-men. The]
were whites and half-breeds in the party bi .
they were no less savage and brutal-looking
than their companions. They were all we}.-
mounted and their trappin showed that the y
were a unting party. me carried rifles,
filtgers lances, and a few carried lessees of raw

9.

No sooner had the scout given the situation
of the herd, than the whole band moved car.-
tiously around the hill thereby availing then.-
selves of every possible screen that won] 1-
enable them to approach nearer the buil'alv
without being seen. As they were to the
leeward of the herd, they succeeded in
getting Within two hundred yards of\them,
~when an old bull detected their presence,anrl
'wizg alsnogthhe dashed alolilig down the creek
w1 a ow e ow arousin' g is companions from
their noontide sie’sta. '

Then forth from the cool shade of the willow-e
and the water, the bufilalo went pouring in one
continual stream, their hoof-strokes sounding
like the sullen roar of thunder. For fully a
mile along the creek the huge, shaggy beasts
came charging out from among the willow:
with a snort and bellow, and swept away ovei
the plain like a mighty wave, rising and alling
with the undulations of the great prairie.

With whoop and yell the so. We pursuit.
phan their forw a the top of
eir speed

For over a mile the chase continued with but
little advanta to the pursuers, for upon such
a hot, sultry g) ain it was impossible for either
man or boas to exert themselves to their ut-
most fora great length of time. And among
those thousands of shaggy forms it was impos—
sible for the weak ones to hold out with the
stronger, and soon the pursuers saw that str -
glers were falling in the rear. There were bot i
cows and calves among the la ging, but the
latter were the most desirable 0 all for food.

The savages pressed on, and two or three finn
calves were soon secured, but it was a grand
blunt, and not until darkness fell would the chase
c 059.

The herd read out over the plain with a.
front of a mislg and as the shadows of evening
came on and the air w more vibrant, the
pounding of the boots on the plain fairly shook
it to its center. .

Still the hunters ‘remed on. . One by one the
herd fell. The tr ' lay strewn with carcasses;

some had been shot and others impaled- with

 

should come to a water-course, we might make
a halt and escape the dangers of the, fire. But I
will not consent to desert my pony to the mercy ‘

_. ..._h___~.. _, Lid, - .i_,_-i_.. ...,, ., 

lances. The chase once over, the hunters will
go back and secure the most desirable of them.
The shadows of evening begin to fall. Twi-

  

 

' him rudel

No. 7.

light deepens into darkness. Still the chase goes
on, but, one by one the savages have dropped off,
until there are but three or four now in pur-
suit. One of these is a white man—a huge,
burly fellow of giant strength“ He carries a
heavy lasso in his hand, and his eyes are set
upona fine young bull. He has been watching
it for some time with the intention of lassoing

it. ‘

In their headlong flight the beasts dash
through a marshy slough, and the feet of those
before trample it into emch a mire that a num-
ber of the stragglers were “swamped.”

Here the white renegade was successful.
object of his eye sunk partly in the mire, and
before it could extricate itself, the fatal noose

!

The 

had encircled its neck. He then learned, for the i

first time, that it had been the object of two_or
three of his companions, who rushed up to claim
it. But the renogade’s claim was undeniable,
and he forbade his friends slaying it.

Death-Notch, the Destroyer.

23

 

 

CHAPTER XXXIV.
A FEARFUL CHASE.

Fen a moment the Avon rers hesitated, filled
with no little surprise am fear. That deep
thunderous noise rolled nearer and nearer, and
not until they had heard a savage yell did they .
discover it was a mighty herd of bull‘an being
pursued by dusky hunters.

“ It is buffalo, boys,” said Ralph St. Ledger,”
“ and I‘m afraid were directly in their path."

“Ugh!” ejaculated the Omaha, "there are
many buffalo coming, but they will pass us to
the west. We are in no danger.”

This assertion was found to be correct. The ,
vast herd swept close past them and on away ;
into the darkness that hovered over the great ,

lain.
p The prairie fire by this time was coming .
down rapidly on their left, and blinding vol- .

‘ limes of smoke were settling over the plain. No

Itwas.

his, and he then and there avowed his intention 1

of loading it back to the camp alive, as a witness
of his skill with the lasso.

This was something new as well as novel, and
his com anions assisted him to secure the oung
beast w ' o it was still tangled in the mes ies of
the r0 9 and the mire.

At t is juncture a new arty of savages made
its appearance, coming mm the east. There
were about a dozen of them, and friends of the
hunters. In their midst was a white prisoner.

It was Old Shadow.

An understanding was at once had between
the two arties. Many and dark were the
scowls of atred cast at the old hunter, and a
murmur of vengeance was u on every lip.

After some further cons tation, one of the
late party of savages arose to his feet and ad-
dressed the warriors in words of great elo-
quence.

t t the Ave ers had bound upon the back of
the hem in filige defile of the Iowa bluffs. He
recognized Old Shadow as the author of that

rilous ride,
friends to his arms and legs, where the thongs
had bruised and cut the fies .

A bowl of vengeance burst from the crowd as
he concluded his speech, for he was a warrior of
no little distinction, and was regarded as the
most daring and skillful horseman in the whole

t be.
m“ Let Swift-Rider say what shall be done
with the pale-face villain,” said one of the hunt-

infi—Iztbhim be punished by the plan his own

- brain invented to torture me,” replied Swift-

Rider, glancing at the young buffalo struggling
in his bonds. . _
A c of approbation burst from every hp.
Even ?he voice of hifllslh who glaimed the bufla o
esced in the un' men .
30‘ lllod durn yer god pictures!” Old Shadow ex-
claimed, indi nantly, ‘yer a pack 0’ wranglin’i
maw-mouthe dogs and cowardly coyotes!
can lick the hull caboodle 0’ ye and not ha’f
”

wo or three savages seized him and dragged
toward the buffalo, at the same
time 11131261111? terrible threats, in which “ scalp-
knife” sounded the most ominous to the hun-

tar.

“Wal,” he said, “who keers what ye do,‘ye
blubber—heads. Ye needn’t make so much nOise
about a little thin as this.” '

A blow warned im to keep silent, which lie
mane. ed to do, but it was more triinfito him
than t a idea of being bound upon t e uflalo’s
back.

He was dra. d into the slough and thrown
rudely across-gig: animal’s back face upward,
and his head resting near the beast’s_shou.lders.

His arms were drawn backward in a. painful

osition and' firmly lashed with a. strong lasso.
his leg; were bound in a Similar manner; then
are e was passed over his breast and around
the beast, thus doubly securing him.

After ad ' a few triumphant taunts and
ieers to their cruel work, the ropes that held
the oung buffalo a captive were severed; then
the asts haunches and sides were pricked
with the keen points of knives, and marting
with thisdnhuman treatment? it struggled to its

feet and 1 ed furiously orward with a bel-
low of puil’i fea . . _
A few desperate I carried it from the

slough onto solid £19“ to Here by mad cavort-

ing and leaps 1!: ' edge its rider, but
in vain.

A {911 Of “V389 trium h burst from the fig
of t e red—skins, and ed the animal w_i
aflright. The next instant it was thundering
It a breakneck speed over the prairie, with its
helpless human burden. _ ' v

‘ B Heaven!” exclaimed the old hunter,
“this is a. leetle more than I keer about. I’m
afraid, Ole Shader, this’ll set ye up. But better
this way than in the hands of tililem vim-lets.
Ya.- buffler! a-h have mercy— ave ea in ,
audh’ ! IvanW it’s no trubble to,tote a.
ole s ader ' e me—ya-h, bufiler, for God 8 sake,

I” I i .

gut the terrified beast was unconscious of his

entreaties for more , and With new terror at
sound of his voice, i sped on and on.

and called the attention of his 1

Old Shadow was the subject of his 3
s h, and he proved to be the identical savage '

 

time was to be lost, and so the Avengers swept
sharply on.

An hour or more had passed, when suddenly
a cry from Omaha’s lips brought the party to a
stand. The Friendly pointed away to the right,
where the faint, phosphorescent glimmer of
water could just be seen.

The party at once headed toward it, and soon
found themselves on the bank of what is known
in the language of the prairie as a biqfalo-wal-
low. It was a large circular spot, half an acre
in extent, and sunk several feet below the level
of the plain. At one time it had been full of
water, but the hot suns and dry winds had ‘
evaporated it until there was but a small pond
left in the center of the basin.

This wallow would afford them an admirable
retreat from the rairie fire for themselves and
animals, and so t ey at once entered it and rode .
down as close to the water as possible.

Dismounting, they watered their wearied

onies, then picketed them within the “ wal-
ow ” by means prepared by their former own-
ers.

They now ascended from the basin to its edge
to see what progress the prairie fire was making.
It was still over a. quarter of a mile away, but
a slight breeze was rising and carrying it along
quite rapidly.

Nothing could be seen of their late foes. All
was silence and gloom save where the fire '
stretched its lurid length across the plain.

For several minutes the Avengers stood and
gazed in silence upon the fire that came steadily
on until it was less than a hundred yards from
them. Then they turned to retrace their foot-
steps to the center of the basin but, at this junc-
turfita sound broke forth on the stillness of the
m .

hey stopped and listened. To their ears
came a human cry, mingled with the pounding
of boots upon the plain.

The Avengers seemed rooted to the spot.
They listene with blank amazement stamped
upon their faces.

Again that human cry wailed out upon the
night-air. The ponies in the wallow prickcd up
their ears and sniffed the air with atl‘right.

“ By Heaven! some one is. perishin r in the
flames!” exclaimed Fred TraVis, excitedly.

“Hark! I hear hoof-strokes,” added St. Leger.

He had scarcely spoken when, forth from the
darkness into the light 0 the burning prairie,
rushed a fearful sight. It was a black, shagdgy
mass—a beast whose hoofed feet beat lou y
upon the plain. It was a 8011 buffalo. His
eyes were glowing like coals of e, his nostrils
were dilated with terror, his tongue was lollin
out, and white foam 3 upon his flanks an
was flyin in flakes from hissnle. .He was mad.
He rushed between the Avengers and the fire.
He was not over twent paces from them.
They could see the term le expression of his
eyes, and upon his back they saw a human
form! They could see it was bound there, and
the could see the cords that held it. The light
of the burning prairie flared across the u turn—
ed {um 11; was hafld and rendered g astly
in the glare of the 168, yet they r900 d
it. It was the face of their dear frien Old

ow!

“To horse, boys!” cried Death-Notch; “it is
Old Shadow! To the rescue!” .

Not a word was added. Each man flew _to his
horse, and in a. moment was mounted and in hot
pursuit of the buffalo and its he] less rider.

Far over the plain, deep into t e labyrinths of
darkness, pressed the Avon era, close upon the
heels of the maddened but! 0. i

The prairie fire was far behind. Only a red
glow in the heavens could be seen; and only the
Ewing ' shafilow befor: them guided the

vengers in air pursui ._

It was a. wild, fearful midnight 011853-

CHAPTER XXXV.
THE INDIAN VILLAGE.

h was da light and the morning sun shone
from a cloudless , bathin the great plains of
Nebraska in its tglolden once. A clump of
cottonwoods on e banks of the Platte river,

 

 

which found its way across the plain with the
sinuosity of a serpent was the only object that
broke the samenem of that rairie ocean. But,
as the morning advanced, a' ittle party of horse-
men appeared upon the plain from that clump ‘

i of eottonwoods, and heading toward the north-

west, rode away at a slow pace.

They were white men, and ten in number.
They wore the Avengers. In their midst was
01d Shadow. He was well and unharmed, and
though somewhat bruised and sore, was as full
of life and jollity us over.

He had been rescued from the bufl’alo’s back
by his friends, after a long and 1minfulchasiv
and now he spoke of theiidventure as one of tho
most perilous of his life on the prairie.

The party was following the trail of the In-
dians, who it had every reason to believe held
Sylveon and Vida captives.

Fred Travis and Death-Notch rode in the rear
of the main body. They did not enter into the
cxcitcincnt of their adventures .with the same
freedom as their companions.

The sweet, fuir face of Vida—innocent and
child-like in her purity of heart and mind-
was over appealing totlie heart of young Travis
in captivity and suffering. While to Death-
Noteh, fear, anxiety and suspense were two
fold, because he had both Vida and Sylveen tc
share his affections and love.

Not one of the Avengers, besides Fred and
Omaha, over mistrusth Ralph St. Leger oi
being Death-Voti-h. Fred hm kept the fact a
secret from his friends by Roi ih’s request. In
thenicuntimc he had preserve a close watch '
upon the youth‘s movements. At times he saw
he acted a little strange, but Ralph seemed to be

, able to control that demon of madness that at

times took entire possession of him.

“ I have great hopes,” said Death~Notch to
Fred, as they journeyed on, “that we will conic
up with the main column of savages soon.
At the further extremity of this prairie a range
of wooded hills sets in, and in among them I be-
lieve the Indians will pitch their lodges.”

“ In case they do,” responded Fred, “it will
make our chances of rescuing our friends all the
more difficult, will it noti” . .

“True, Fred; but, when we find our friends
are alive and captives, we will have time to cal-
culate our chances of rescuing them. There will
be some way to eifcct. their release. If not. 
stratagem, perha ' we can make a charge int
their camp, and hen, if we fail,” and a smili

layed about Ralph S lips, “ perhaps Death-
otc’h will make iis appearance and help us
out.

Fred almost shpddered, but managed to con-
ceal his emotions from Ralph, and said:

“ Do you feel as if you were goingto have one
of our attacks?”

I h laughed in a low, pleasant tone.

“ 0t in t e least,” he said. “It is no ment 3
debility, Fred, but just the result of an ungm-
ernable passion—an exciting mind and revenge
fnl spiri . You have no doubt seen men labox ‘
ing under the same spells as I do at times. You
have seen them become irritated, and let their

sion run away with their jud ent, one,
while under these fits of madness, t ey will ( n
things—even commit minder—for they have I i.
control over their actions. This is in case e:-.-
actly, though I can excite myself into the. o
passions when I try. Yet it takes no effort! 1'
my own to make me mad with revenge, when I!
see before me one of those aocursed savages th ‘ It
slew my friends.”

“ Your hatred of them must be very bitter," '
said Francis.

“ It isyFred; so much so that I would like to
exterminate the whole Sioux race. But I ni’u: t
break myself of this vindictive spirit of revamps
and ungovemable passion, or will never o
worthy of the love of Sylveen Gray. But, I
never told you why I hate the Sioux so. A few

ears ago my father was a rich planter in the

nth and had a hop y, pleasant home. The: 0
were ee children 0 us, two girls and a. boy.
We had received a very liberal education, when
father took the ‘ northern fever,’ and concluded '
to tr his fortune on the rich praires of the
Nort ~west. He came up to look at the country,
and made known his intention to the few whitey
he met in the territory. He was encouraged
in his intentions by a young man _ then D
resident of the counti , and not only did he e2:-
tol the advan of cloud but pointed out to
father a beau ' ul location: lint father objected
to this on the grounds of its being too near the

ions. To set aside all fours from this source. ‘
he took father to the head chief, from whom he
received a promise of everlasting friendshi ».
Father come north I) on these assurances. ‘:
had a large amount 0 money and stock, which.
of course, he brought With him, but no soone-
had we become located than the Indians, led by
the ve white man who had encouraged father ‘.
emigre on West, attacked our home. Fatht.
was slain defending his family. ,Mother, sister
Olive and Vida. an myself were taken on tivez.
Olive was cycling woman then, but Vi W05:
9. little girl. or a_ o 10 time we were kept
prisoners and during hat ‘ etonguecan no;
ex rose a hellish torture to which mother one
Ohve were subjected. The meanest slaves of the
South were never treated as they were. Do
by day they were made to toil their life aw ,
and I was a Witness of it all. But death y
ended their suflering,.and, as I gazed down upon
their cold. emaciated faces, expressionless ii:
death, than, Tram, I took that oath that m

i

-__..,._..___._.I. ..
v . .

24.

me Death-Notch, and I believe Heaven justified
my course. However, it was a lon r time before
I 0808. d with Vida from the In ‘ ns’ strong-
hold, at when I did, I began in work and
from then dates the working of oath-Notch.
the young ScalpHunter. In the inc-an time I
met Sylveen Gray and loved her. My love be-
ing returned, we met-often, though I never went
to Stony Cliff. But now, I feel as though I
should give up the life I have been leading, not
only for my own sake, but the sake of those who
love me. ”

“ Yours has been a hard fate, Ralph, as well
as singular,” replied Fred; “but I hope you will
have no occasion to endanger your life again,
and that fate has something better in the future
for ou than it has had in the past.”

“ hope so, too, Fred, but, whenever and
wherever I meet that treacherous white villain
gat’betrayed my father to the Indians, he shall

6

“ He deserves to, Ralph, if he has not met his
just dues ere this.”

“ No, he has not unless it has been lately; but
what is up now? I see Omaha has dismounted,
and is examining the trail. ”

The two rode u . They found the red scout
was examining he trail to ascertain how re-
centl it had been made.

“ t do you make of it, Omaha?” asked
one.

“It has been made since the dew was on the
grass " replied Omaha.

“ on we must be close on the heels 0’ the
sneakin’ varlets,” said Old Shadow; “ so let’s
spur up, boys, and git along a leetle faster, for I
want to git to liftin’ h’ar, so I do. ”

“Take it easy, Shadow,” said youn Carter;
“we’ll catch up with them soon enoug i."

The party rode on until they struck the range
of the hill spoken of by Ralph, about sunset.
Here they encamped and on the following
morning scouts were thrown out.

They soon returned with the surprising in-
formation that Inkpaducah and his tribes had
pitched their lodges in a doe valley, about two
miles away. This decided t e future course of
the Avengers, and they at once moved to a place
of concealment, covering their trail as best they
could. Remaining hidden until darkness again
set in, the whole part ' then set off toward the
Indian village, guide by Omaha.

From a commanding point they were enabled
to see into the new town, that was lighted up
with numerous glowing camp-fires.

The location was a flood one, aflordin many
natural defenses. A 'gh escarpment of rugged
hills encircled it on three sides, cutting oil?> ap-
proach from these oints.

On the fourth si e the river guarded the ap-
proach to the valley, yet there were narrow
passages between the river and hills, giving ac-
cess to the valley. But these es the wily
old chief had doubly guarde , and he rested
under the self-assurance that he had at last
found a. retreat in which he need have no fears
of an enemy, however strong.

The almost impre ble situation of the vil~
lage impressed itse upon the ,' s of the
Avengers, and filled them with a feeling akin

- to despair.‘

Hundreds of camp-fires showed them the in-
terior of the cam . Warriors were stalking

about as if to f iarize themselves with their
new village; children playedin groups here and

there, while the squaws—the slaves of the great
warriors—were busy with their usual drudgery.

The Avengers strained their eyes for a sig t
of their ca. tive friends. They saw nothing but
a few whi men, and these the knew were
renegades, for they enjoyed all t e liberties of
the camp. .

“ I see no captives, nor chance for us, boys,”
said Amos Meredith. '

“There must be a chance for us,” replied
Ralph St. Leger: “ we must make a chance, if
our riendswe find are prisoners in that eneam -
ment. If they are, we must release them at
hazards; but if thpgnare not, and have been
laliasiiicil, I shudder to ‘ k what Will follow at my

ii 5. ’

“ And ours too "said several of the Avengers.

The little  continued its reconnoissance
for some time, then they returned tO‘the place
where they had left their horses. Here they
spent the remainder of the night, and on the
following morning began a detour around the
village to find an entrance to the valley.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
m rumon nonsmn. .
OLD INDADUCAH was at last safe With his
tribe, so he thought. He had long before heard

 

' of the natural advantages of this valley for an

encampment, under the
gmishments that threatened him in the Terri-
ry of Iowa, he had taken up his line of march

for this valley, which he found equaled in every

v and growing uneas

res ct the reports he had heard of it.
ough the center of the villa. a. little
stream found its way while along e base of

the hills was a. belt of shrubbery and rich, suc-
culent that furnished good pasturage for
Eheigogdnimals, so they had only to secure game
01‘ .
The escarpment of the hills that partially sur-

 

The New York Library.

|
rounded the village ran high above the tops of
the forest trees and was outlined a aimt the
sky like the summit of some grim o d battle- .
ment. A bird could not move athwart its sum-
mit without being seen by those in the valley
below.

On the second night after their entrance to the
valle , the head men of the tribe were as—
semb ed in council near the center of the town.
They had met simpl for congratulation—to re-
joice and talk over t ieir new and impregnable
defense, and the glory that seemed opening to
the tribe, in their escape from their hated enc-
mies and from the terrible Death-Notch.

Foremost in the council was Le Subtile Fox, '
who, as the reader has no doubt already in- 
ferrcd, was Pirate Paul, thou, h he went dis- ]
guiscd. His words still seemet to have great
weight in their council. and he was now listened ‘
to as one ossessed of the powers of prophecy;
for once he had told them that the day would
soon come when they would be forever free
from the persecutions of their enemies in a beau-
tiful valle far away, and although thev now
believed ey were in that valley, Le Subtile
Fox had reference in his prophecy to the valley
of Death, where their enemies seemed fast hur-

ryin them.

“V hen does the white chief return to the
village of the pale—faces?” asked Inkpaducah of z
the irate.

“ shall go soon,” replied Le Subtile Fox.

“ And what will you do with the white squaw
that calls you husband?”

1 .“Leave her in your care,” replied the vil- ‘
am.

The chief was about to reply, when a low ex-
clamation without the tent arrested their atten-
tion.

They arose from their seats and hurried out |
the lodge. The moon was up and shining =
bright.

“What is the cause of this commotion?” Pi—
rate Paul asked of the sentinel on guard at the
door of the council-lodge.

“Look there!” replied the sentinel, pointing
away toward the summit of the escarpment to
the northward of the town.

Every eye was turned in the direction indi-
cated, and along the crest of the hills that were
outlined against the clear, starry sky, they be—
held a sinfle horseman riding at a Wild, furious
speed. y could hear the clear, sharp ring of
each hoof—stroke upon the stony ath. T iey
could see the flashin of a spear- ead in the
moonlight. They co d see the horseman’s tall
plumes nodding about his head and naked
shoulders, and from these they knew he was a
friend.

The watchers in the valley permitted their
eyes to follow him along the ridge until it dipped
down below the dark horizon.

Then they awaited his coming. He came
soon. He was terribly excited, and his beast
was white with foam-and in the last stages of
exhaustion. , ~

“Why, Ahlah, ride so fast?” asked Le Sub-
tile Fox, as he drew rein near the council-

lodge.

“ Ahlah,” replied the Indian, “ has seen terri-
ble things. T e village of the Sioux is in the
valley of the Hobbamocko. yonder l”

The savages looked in the direction indicated,
and saw a. number of horsemen appear in sight.
They were riding, or, as it seemed, floating
along the summit of the escarpment.

The savages stood awe-stricken terrified.
There was something unearthly in the a pear-
ance of these horsemen. The hoof-stro es of
their animals gave forth no sound, while both
horse and rider seemed like bei of giant pro—
portions—like Titan phantoms g opiéig throu h

he air. Had their 0 es’ hoofs pr need 1: 1e
least sound, the might ve believed they were
of earth; but t e absence of sound when the
had heard the hoof-strokes of their friend s
horse so she. l , and the colossal proportions of
both man an grout, were enough to fill every
heart with misgivings.

The savages watc ed the strange apparitions
gallop along the hights in silence; then, as they

ropped from view against the dark horizon,
there followed a silence equal to that of death.
But it was soon broken by a low cry that walled
out, striking every heart with terror. The sound
came from the north side of the town, and as
the terrors of the moment subSided—Twhen the
last of the phantom-giants had faded into dark-
ness—other sounds were heard issuing from the
same side of the village, and soon a low cry was
miced that ran from mouth to mouth, and the
name Death-Notchquivered in accents of terror
on every lipl

Then came arunner to the council-10d with
the startling news that Death-Notch had n in
the Village and had slain a warrior.

_The. chiefs shuddered with. terror, and Le Sub-
tile Fox grewuneasy with a strange fear. Their
supposed security and freedom from that terri-
ble yonndghScalp Hunter was, after all, a vain
hope, an e was still haunting their trail.‘

CHAPTER XXXVII.
A PIPE or PEACE.
BACK in the woods some two miles from the ,
Indian village, was a large tree whose branching Y

 

i grouped seven poisons.

,give way to despair entirely. my

Vol. I.

boughs and pendent creepers gave it more the

, appearance of a huge banyan than an oak.

humorous parasites, such as the wild gram
vino, wild cucumber, and wild iv , had scram-
bled up the trunk of the tree, an creepin out
u on the branches to their extremities ha: in
c ined downward to the earth again, thus form
inga curtain of green foliage around the 1:: ~

‘ and an inclosuro of several yards in (lianul‘ :

This inclosure presented the interior appeal-ant w
of a huge )avi ion, the tree-trunk reprcsuuin
the central polo. ‘

Within the walls of this natural inclosurc won
. They sat before a sxzui‘l
fire whose light revealed their faces and the e)
pressions of anxiety upon them. It was a pm ’
of our friends, the Avengers.

Two of the band stood on guard outside 0‘
their retreat: those were Omaha and Old She
(low. In the background stood nine horre
bridled and saddled, and their drip iiig flank.
told that they had been ridden hard) and fax-,1
and that quite recent] '. Their hoofs wer‘.‘
muffled in pieces of woo en blankets that weré
wrapped around and under the hoofs, and con-
fined at the pastcrn.

All the Avengers were resent except Ra] ll
St. Leger, and for him tiey now waited. lo

; had gone to the village of the Sioux to make a

reconnaissance, and learn if possible whether
Vida and Sylveen were he (1 ca tivcs t ere.

The night was far advanced w en he returned.
His face, as he a peered before his com anions,
wore an expression of sadness and di 1) ' int-
inent lvyhich Fred Travis readily interpre d to

se . '

“ You are back safe, young friend,” said
Amos Meredith, as Ralph made his appearance
under the oak.

“ I believe so,” replied St. Leger, with a smile.

_“ Did you succeed in getting into the Indian
Village?” asked another. .

“ Yes; I spent all of half an hour wandering
about in the lace without detection.”

“ Doggon wonder ye didn’t git yerself set
uphwith a. dig in the ribs,” remarked Old
S low

“I would not have stood much chance had the
Indians not been so busy watching the phantom.
horsemen.”

“ Phantom horsemen? What do you mean?”

“ The horsemen that galloped with mufliec'.
hoofs along the ridge.”

:: ¥ou alfide to us?"

as: e savages saw you ridin alon th
rocky hights and became ten'or-stricEen. fsa
you myself, and I must admit you presented
wonderful appearance. Outlined against tl
sky, you seemed Inag'lnified into beings ten-f0.
our Size, and as t, e muffled hoofs of yo: .
orses produccdno sound, you appeared ii}..-
giantp antoms in the air; and it wasaforls»
nate occurrence for me, for I was go lr'd
pretty close quarters about that time.” ' "

Alow, silent laugh followed Ralph’s atom.
The Avengers had ridden along the ridge in 1."
derto reach the oint where the now were.
They had mufli their animals’ eat that tl e
sounds of their hoofs would not be heard, nevi-i
once dreamin of being brought out so promi
nent against t sky tothe savages’ eyes.

“‘Well,” said Fred Travis, burnin with im-
gptience to hear from his darling Vi a, “ what

scovery did you make? Are they—the girls —
there?” - '

Ralph bit'his 1i 5, as if to keep back some int
ward emotion. or a moment he was silent,
then he replied:

“ No they are not there.” -

The features of young Travis became clouded
with disappointment, and for amomenta. death-
hke silence pervaded the place.

Death-Notch was the first to speak.

“No; Vida. and Sylveen are not there. But
there are other white female captives there and
among them is a oung woman whom I ave
seen at Stony C' , and whom Sylveen called
Martha Gregor . The others are no doubt cap-
tives taken at t e Spirit Lake Massacre, and of
whom you and your friendsare in search.”

“No doubt of it! no doubt of it!” exclaimed
several of the Avengers, and the muttered
words of sister, mother. .or friend, might have
been heard spoken in whispered accents,

The youths were free in expressing he of
the speedy release of their friends: Bu how
were they to do it? ' This was the question that
passed from lip to hp without an answer. '

There was not a doubt in the minds of Death-
Notch and Fred but that Vida and Sylveen had
been slam. If not, where were theyi Thérc
was'nothmg that admitted of a hope of their
having escaped from their captors, and anew
spirit of ven eance seemed to have fired the
hearts of bot the youths. Still they did in t
' thought filo
maidens might ossiny have been hidden awe?
somewhere, or that Ralph had missed their. in
the_village; and, after some deliberation as 40
their future course, they came to a conclusion
that was likely if successful, to 've them some
information. 1: was forelease'lfittha Gm ry
and learn from her whether Sylveen and . side
had been taken captives by Inkpaducaii’l '
rigrs; if so. she could give some claw to their
a sauce. '

'31-.

"P

lief].

But the great dillleulty would be in effecting
Miss Gregory’s release. It would be impossible
for them to gain admission to the valley; how-
ever, they resolved to wait and watch their
chances. _

They spent the remainder of that night under
that great, green pavilion of nature, and the
following morning at an early hour, they were
in the saddle, an moving further away from
the Indian village, for da ight would undoubt-
edly reveal their present ecation to the enemy.

A few miles north of the Indian town, the
forest ended in a. long expanse of prairie. The
Avengers had just reached this plain, and were
about (lebouching from the forest into it, when
they made a discovery that caused them to
draw rein instantly. Over two hundred In-
dian warriors were encaniped on the edge of the
prairie, not over thirty rods irom them.

A single glance told our irieiids it was a war—
party. Their horses were pickctcd near by,
and their spears were aligned in a circle about
their camp.

The hour was still that of early morn, and it
was evident from their movements that the sav-
ages were preparing to move. They were
dressed and ainted in all the paraphernalia of
the war-pat 1, and were all young and athletic-
looking warriors. But they were not Sioux.
There were those among our friends that could
distinguish the warriors of three distinct tribes,
the Omaha, the Sac and Fox tribes. I . .

For four of discovery, Fred Trams enjomed
extreme silence upon his friends, but Omaha,
Qeeing who the strangers were, heeded not this

ution. Giving his animal the_rems, he gal-
Oped from the woods and rode directly toward
the enemy’s camp, manifesting Signs 0t friend-
ship as he did so. .

‘ By thunder, that red younker ’11 it the hull
caboodle into trubblel" exclaimed 01 Shadow.
“ Let us see what he means,” added TraVis.

The Avon ers remained under cover of the
woods, watc ing in breathless anxmty the re-
mlt of Omaha’s conference. _

The friendly rode into their camp, and was
noon surrounded by the warriors: A short con—
sultation ensued, when a. shout trom the lips of
the savages peeled out on the air. It was a wel—
come shout, and our friends knew Omaha had
been received as a friend. i

A moment later Omaha. wheeled his horse, and
riding back to where his companions awaited

hi said:
I‘I‘llliet my white friends have no fear of the
' warriors yonder. They are our friends and. the
enemies of the SiOux, and are marching upon
their villa They will help the Avengers to
‘ resoue their friends." ‘
The whites would have doubted the motives
of the warriors had it been reported to them by
any other than Omaha. But the friendl wasa.
tried friend, and they knew that no subt 9 cup-
ning or treachery of the red-skins could cir-
cumvent. him, and with a shout of JO and
thankfulness for such timely friendship, t o ht-
tle band rode from the woods and approached
the red-skins’ camp with open hands. Significant

of ace. _ ,

Iggy were received in camp with no little
ceremony of honor, takin itim an Indian
Views and were welcome With prolonged
Ihou . I
The Avengers dismounted. Then the (pipe of
peace was brought out and smoked, on peace
and friendship between the two. parties were
established. '

A conference was now held, Omaha repre—
wntin our friends and the leader of the sav-

‘ ages t 9 three tribes under his command. The

rescue of their friends by the one party, and
ven sauce by the other, were the motives that
hadfilrought them there, yet they pledged them-
Ielves to work tavether. _ _
When-the conference broke up it was With
the understanding that they'were to attack the
Sioux village the coming night; and that the
position of the enem ’3 camp, and the passa e

ewding into the val ey, might be thorough y.

arty was sent

understood, a scout from each
a tepography

out to make a. reconnoissance of
at the valley

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
. , run ATTACK.

Nionr again fell over the land. The moon
was not_yeetu.p, for it was early. 
dotted, 11 ' ' stars, the dark v ey in
Which Was locatedt a village of Ink aducah.
Tani. dusky ‘1 .1198 went stalking a ut the
camp! Wimp!” In blankets and. robes. Others
reclined in cups about the fires, mob-11g and
talking. , hey did not feel entirely secure
' here in that valley, which seemed to have been
‘ rested for their especial favor. They had not
("orgotten the phantom horsemen of the night
'irevious, nor that Death-Notch had 11 in
their camp and slain a warmer.

Double ds had been posted around the
valle , an every point of approach made, as
they lieved, impregnable.

As the hours were on, a number of the win-—

riorsmught their couches, while others sat

about the wpping t“(tiainpvtlresfll ed and
' t , rio on menu .

 V37:  were r'tirtlod hr 21 sound, It

 

 

Death-Notch, the Destroyer.

was the sound of a human voice, and it was a
white man’s voice. It was within the valley,
and was approaching their camp. How an en-
emy could have gained admission to their
stronghold unseen, was a mystery to the sav—
1L”CS. .

lfiThey bent their ears and listened. The voice
was coming nearer, and they could hear that it
was singing a sprightly air. There were whites
among the savages, who had heard that voice
before, and recognized the words he was sing-
ing. They ran thus:

“ The ’possmn he grinned at the ole hedgehog,

At the ole hedgehog, the ole hedgehog;
The ‘possinn he grinned at the ole hedgehog,
’Way down by the Sqnantum river."

Then from the gloom beyond the radius of
the camp-fires issued a long, cadaverous—look-
ing white man, whose rapid strides soon chr—
ried him into the iindst of the astonished red-
skins.

“ llullo, my beauties!” exclaimed the bold in-
truder, with a )parent indifference; “how goes
it, ennv'liow? ull times out here in Nebraska,
ain’t it? Skulps and whisky are pnrty skeerse,
I trow, eh, lovelies‘é” -

The savages sprung to their feet and flocked
around the daring pale-face, giving vent to
various exclamations of curiOsit and mistrust.

“ Stand 9. leetle back, here, idiotsl” yelled the
old hunter, as they gathered too close about
him to feel at case “did ye ever see a white
rentleinan afore’! 1m not a seahoss nor a
' cngoll tiger, but I ’m Old Shader, Esquire,
and I’ll' flit across yer vision, fust thing ye
know, e gapiu’ knaves."

“Ug l" ejaculated an Indian; “ole rattle-
tongue—heap talk—no sense.”

“Be cautious, red-skin, how ye handle yer
words, or I’ll spot (ye. I'm here on bisness, and
I don’t want to i le words with you common
herd. Trot out yer ole chief,, as I wish to give
him a bit 0’ advice."

“ \Vaughl the chief is here” said Inkpadu-
cal], pushing his way through t e circle of sava-
ges and confronting the old hunter with a
haughty scowl. “Let the pale-face say what
he has to say.”

“Whewl A little crusty!” ejaculated the
hunter, softly; “but then, ole boss, I’m here on
bisness. I hear you have got some white cap-
tives here; some you took at Spirit Lake, and
some at other laces.”

“What is t at to the pale-face?” demanded
the chief.

“ I want ’em, and now if ye’ll jist trot ’em out
and let us leave in harm’ny, why, I’ll so no
more ’bout it, angdye’ll save ye’re ole hide o gitp
tin’ a hole punch through it, mebby.”

A contemptuous smile swept over the face of
the chief, and there was a vmdictive gleam in
ever savage eye.

“ pale-face is a too ,” returned the chief,
“to think that Inkpaducah will accede to his
demands. Not even the pale-face hunter shall
ever leave our village alive.”

“ Bahl Git out; ye’re laborin’ under an orful
mistake. Unless ye release the hull kit 0’ ris-
oners in yer hands, be they red or be he
white, and that within ten minutes. your vi -
loge will run red with blood, and scalps will fly
like snow-flakes, now mind ye.”

h “The pale-face speaks as though he was a
ost.

“ I am a tough ole coon, Inky, and can whal-
lop, at least, half a dozen Slcll ole rats as you
are, but then, my ole dear, I've over two hun-
dred friends waitm’, this blessed mimt, to open
fire on your little burg.” . .

“The pale-faces tongue is crooked; he lies.”

“ That s it l” ejaculated the hunter. “ I allers
hev the luck 0’ gittin’ called a Crooked-tongue in
s)ite o’ my great regard fur the treat ;but
t en,dI nfeifer'lllijaye swelleer the he, nor, be
cusse 1 WI.

As the last two words fell from the old hunt—
er’s lips, his fist was lantcd fair between the
chief’s 9 es. The re skin fell_to the earth as
thou h 9 had been shot, While a cry of tri-
ump , that was almost deafening, peeled from
the old hunter’s lips.

Then, from out the darkness along the base of
the hills, within the “Hag, M039 “Homer Yen:
that was mingled with a crash of fire-luring
and the flutter of over two.hundred or
feet as they came swarmi into the lage.

Old Shadow’s words h Prove“ true" The
enemies of the Sioux, the Omahas, the Secs, the
Foxes, and the Spirit Lake Avengers, were up-
on them. .

The Sioux were taken completely b surprise,
but they soon recovered from the s oak,
and gave battle, and then began a. terrible
struggle in the very heart of the Village, .

The ei ht avengers together, and, side
bv side, on ht their Way to the Dumb-10115:.
Here ensu 8. 8833111111.“)? Strugg16,_ him 6
whites and their red friends were Victorious,
and succeeded in forcmg the" WEY Into the

10%? f d veral captives therein one of
un 59 1
whogings Marthd Gre_ i'y. The others were

all young women, and t 6 meeting ..cene that.

followed the entrance of the Avengers into the
lodge, told that their coming had not been in
vain, for there most of them found a captive

 

25

friend. However there were but a few short
moments in which to exchange words of love
and greeting; but, in the meantime, Death-
Notch learned from the 1i )5 of Martha Gre ry
that Vida and Sylveen ad not been cup 'ves
there at all—that they were not in the Village.

With crushed hopes and bleeding heart, Ralph
bade his companions follow him with their
friends, and they at once began their retreat
fronrthe Village. The allied savage forces were
gradually )ressinfir the Sioux back toward the
eastern 51 e of the town therefore our white
friends had but little difhculty in gaining the
cover of the forest on the western side of the
place, making their exit from the valle throu Irh
a narrow defile which the Sioux guar 5 had 0—
serted to join in battle.

Here those of the Avon ers that had found
friends, were enabled to 0 tain a few ininutes’
talk with each other. .

“ And you are sure, Miss Gregory,” said Fred
Travis, “that Sylvcen Gray has not been in
this village?" '

“ I am certain of it," replied Martha; “the
last I saw of Sylveen was on the night I was
ca )tured.”

‘red groancd in spirit, and turning to Death
Notch, said:

“Ralph, I am afraid Sylvccn and Vida have
been slain.”

Ralph made no reply, but the silence that fol-
lowed told that he was terribly agitated, and

 

for a moment Fred was afraid 6 could not re-
strain his emotions.

The conflict lasted several moments in the
village. The Sioux, however were finally driv-
en from their stronghold an compelled to seek
refuge amen the rocks and. undergrowth at the
base of the iills on the east side of the villa ,
where the women and children had alre y

gone.

The allied victors now fired the wigwams, and
With a number of horses, several prisoners and
some plunder the began their retreat from the
valley, guided by he hght of the burning town.

The Victor had been a decisive one, and. for-
ever broke t 6 wer of Inkpaducah. And the
allied tribes fet that their disaster of a few
months previous had been nobly avenged, and
With their prisoners and plunder, at once set of!
on their homeward journey.

The night of the battle, however the eight
Aven rs camped in the forest ‘th their red
friem , and on the followingmorning they sep-
arated, each party taking its own cause.

The Avengers turned their footsteps toward
Stony Clifl, most of them feeling happy over
the rescue of their friends. via and
Ralph St. Leger however, were and at heart.
The feared, an in tact every thing went to
co , rm their fears, that the objects of their
hearts had. been slam; yet the entertained a.
faint hope that the girls migfgt have escaped
and returned to Stony Cliil’. not, they must
have perished in the woods. .

At. noon the arty made afew minutes’ halt.
Travm and St. Lager stood aside talking about
Sylveen and Vi a, for they were never
out of their minds a minute, and the agony
of fear and suspense was growin upon
them. They became restless in iritan mind.
Their conversation : was finely interrupted
by the approach of Martha Gre , who alde
a moments conversation with mm. It being
readil pegged, she fixated: s 1 d Via

, an on see veen an
Mr. St. Le rl’y . y a,

Ral h to d her,- and on learning that theyhad
been ' gether after her—Martha’s—ca. ture, a.
suspicion entered her mind in an matting.) .‘

‘ Then, " she said, “ it your cabin was attack-
edon the mfiht of their disappearance lam
satisfied the dime nevertook em. I van.
suspimon of where they are, it alive.”

‘ Where? where?” exclaimed theyoutbs.

“ In the den of Pirate Paul!” ‘

Acry of bitter a any bunt tromtheir pa.
They would much ra er have known the is
were captives in the power of the Indians t an
in wer of the robbers. . .

Then the are lestl". exclaimed 01mg
Travis, “for t e den of Pirate Paul. you- ow,
has baffled all our attempts to find it. St Leg-.
er, this is awful, torturing, agonizing. ‘What
shall we do?”

“Search for them, Travis—search,th we
are ay.” .

“ on need have no uneasiness you!) men,
in regard to the whereabouts of l’irate aul’s
den. Within an hour after we reach Stony
Clifl’ I will lead you rate his den!”

“ ouare jestmg, surel jesth MissGreg—
oryl” exclaimed Fred, h -hopef . .

‘ I am not. I have been Within 1: e robber’s
den. I have kept its location a secret for rear»
one of my own. _ But, I shall do so no longer. "

“Then‘there is some hopes of savin them
yet,” said St. . , “if poor little Vi
not fretted her life away.”

“God tthat theyare both aliveand un-
harmed phl But, let us not tarry here too
Rug. ndvery moment may be of great impor-

nee.

The next minute, tiniest. they were mounted
and moving at a firm pace our the (not.
grccnbccuii of prairie

 

 

,

ll
,
ll

' old fellow,‘

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.
m ROBBEits’ HIDDEN RANCIIE IS FOUND.
THE retreat of lnkpaducah and his warriors

from the valley of the Sioux, gave the settlers

of Stony Cliil’ some assurance of future peace;
not only from the savag ‘, but also from the

robbers, who would now have no immediate ‘

source of protection when closely pressed, nor

suceor in time of need—when a large settlement .

or emigrant train was to be plundered. .
The greatest sorrow, however, had fallen up-
on the settlement in consequence of the mys—
terious disappearance of Sylveen Gray and
Martha Gregory.
The settlers had not a doubt but that the girls
had been captured and carried mvay by the In-

dians, but every attempt toward rescuing them .

had proved unavailing. At last Scott Shirer

and several of his liuutor employees in the fur ‘

business volunteered to go in search of them.

They went, and, after several days’ absence, re- .

turned without any tidings of the missing maid-
ens. But had the honest—hearted settlers once
suspected that Scott Shirer was Pirate Paul,
an that his employees were his followers, they
would have also suspected them of spiriting the
maidens away, instead of returning them. But

they never dreamed that such an apparent gen- ,

tleman as Scott Sliirelv could be guilty of such
wickedness, for be her worked his ropes so cun—

ningly and quietly that there was no opening ,

for any suspicion.

Elated over their success in thus dece'ving the ,

settlers, Shirer and his men grew le fearful
of their den being discovered.

On the night following,r that of
departure from the Indian village, the robbers
were in their den, drinking freely and talking
over their late adventures. But there were sev—
eral vacant chairs in the ranche. Death had been
in the ranks of the frccbooters since we last saw
them in council in their stronghold.

t The were no masks, for thcyno longer enter—
aine

make their escape.

“ Well,” said Pirate Paul, “our four friends
that were slain during our expedition were 00d
boys, and I feel the loss of them greatly. ut,
then, we have made the settlers believe that
they fell in the search for the girls, and so, after
all, we have gained something by their death.
It is a good thing, too that we got rid of that
Martha Gregory, or she would have blowed us
higher than Gilderoy’s kite."

“Who was she, anyhow, Cap?” asked one of .

'.is men.
“Well she thinks she is my wife. I got an
old hum u of a preacher to go through the ‘

ceremony w en Iwas over in Canada. The little

fool thought it was all right, but when I got ,

tired of her, I dropped her into the St. Lawrence
river, and supposed I was entirely rid of her,

and, as her husband, that I would inherit the ‘

vast little fortune to which I knew she was heir.
But, the old saying of a bad nny returnin ,
has been verified in my case. owever, I thin
she is safe now where she will give me no fur-
ther trouble. It alp1§ais that El Pardon, the
chap we came Deat - otch on, was a cousin of
hers and a spy upon our track.”
“ thing we hung the traitor when we
did,” said Griff Morton.
“ Yes: and the settlers believe to this day that
Death-Notch slew him ” said Finchly, the spy.
“Well, let’s try and keep them thinkin’ so; ut
wouldn't I 've a land title in Jerusalem to know
who Death- etch is,” said another.
“You may know, to our sorrow, soon enough,
laughed irate Paul; “ but I am
satisfied as to who Death-Notch is. In the first
lace, he is the son of that rich fellow that came
gem the south about two or three years ago,
and whom I succeeded in etting into the
clutches of old Inkpaducah. X on know, after I
ot him into the country, I took a number of
Indians and captured the whole family. The

- old man we killed, but the mother, two daugh-

ters and a son we carried captivesto the village.
The mother and her eldest daughter the Indians
worked to death, and the youngest girl and the
son they ado ted. But after awhile they escap-
ed, and that v I believe is Death~Notch, and
the lord of the little but. where we first saw that
dark-eyed girl that played on the guitar. They
have wn older and changed considerable
since last saw them, but then I know they are
the children of that Southerner, Homer St.
Leger. I suppose the boy has determined to
wreak Vengeance on those that spoilt their fun
in the north, but‘—”

“He seems to be doing it, too,” interrupted
one of the robbers.

“Yes; I reckon, however, he has forgotten
the face of Le Subtile Fox, for I was disguised
then. I Wish now I had the ring I took from
his mother, and gave to that oung baby-face,
Martha Gregory, as she calls ierself. It was a
very costly ring, and would look very nice on
the snowy nger of her daughter whom I pro-
pose to we ”

“Hist!” sudden] exclaimed one of the rob-
bers: “ I was sure heard a footste .”

“ Fancy, fancy, Finchly,” said Pirate Paul;
“ you’re getting nervous.’

‘ I tell you i did hear a footstepl”

Pirate Paul‘s .

fears of any one happening into their ,
ranche and recognizing them before they could ,

rile "New York, __Library.

VOL I.

 

 

. “Then seaI'Ch the cavern,” replied the cap-
tain.
Finchly arose to obey, and while he is en-
gaged in his search, let us change the scene for
a few minutes to another point.

CHAPTER XL.
WITHIN THE imBBIaRS’ DEN.

ON the smile night that the robbers were in
their don in consultation, a party of nearly
twenty persons went into camp on the banks of
rSioux river, about five miles above Stony

3i .

It was the eight Aven ers and the friends
they had rescued from the ndians. They could
easily have reached the settlement that night by
a little after dark, but they had no desire to do

, so. They had a mission to perform under cover
of that night——before it became lmown in the
‘ village that Martha Gregory was safe.

Their horses being secured, and two of the
Avengers left to take care of the females, the
rest of the men, guided b Martha Gregory, set
ofl‘ down the river towar Stony Cliff.

They traveled on in silence. and when the vil—
Inge appeared in sight on the bluffs outlined
against the southern sky they came to a halt.

A scout was now sent forward to make some
reconnoissance, and in the course of half an
‘ hour he returned.

‘ “ How is it, Omaha—all quiet?”

l “Yes, the settlers are asleep. No one is
abroad.”

1 “ Then we may as well continue our journey,”
‘ said Miss Gregory.

And so they moved on, and soon entered a
narrow foot‘path that weimd along the river
bank at the base of the blufl‘s. It was a difficult
path to follow in the dark. but, b carefully
picking their footsteps they finally ound them-
selves opposite the vi] age, and in the pathway
leading up the acclivity from the river to'the
cabins.

“ Now which way, Miss Gregory?” asked
Death-Notch.

“ A few steps further on,” was the woman’s
response; “but we can not reach the lace on
. account of that projecting ledge. But here are

two canoes that we can use.”

The canoes were unfnstened and the little
party at once entered them. They then turned
down the stream, and runnin around a. pro-
jecting oint of the bank, turn in shore again
and lam ed.

Martha again took the lead, and with the
assistance of the vines and bushes that grew
. from the face of the cliff the pang; began
‘ ascending the acclivity. up about 1; eat
from the water’s edge they came to a
narrow table-rock.

Long parasites and moss hung like a curtain
down the face of the cliff above them. Martha
. Gregory parted this curtain at acertuin point
and said:

i “ There, ntlemen, is one of the entrances to
l the denfif 'rate Paul.”

“ By eaven!” exclaimed Travis, in an under

tone, “ then it is directl under Stony Cliff!”

“Yes,” replied Mart , “ and the main en

 

tona

enter—is in the very heart of the village. It 1):
under the large building occupied by the fur
company. A trap-door in the cabin opens into
that assage!”

“ is beatsmel” said St. Leger; “itisstran e
the settlers never found it out. But I feel satis-
fled now the girls are in this den.”

“ We will soon know. Follow me,” said
Martha Gregory.

“Are you sure on understand the place?”

“Perfectly. y friend, El Pardon, showed
me all through the place once when the robbers
were away.” . '

“ Then lead the way, and we will follow.” ,

Martha glided into the dark opening, closely
followed by the Avengers. .

In her hand the guide carried a piece of fun-
gus or deca ed wood—known in border lore as
fox-flre—w ose dull glow enabled her compan-
ions to follow on without difficulty.

CHAPTER XLI.
TEE CONFLICT IN THE CAVEaN. _

Tm: robbers sat motionless and Silent, -W8.ll’r
ing the return of the man sent to search the
cavern. Fear had suddenly taken possession
of them 'all. There was something strangely
foreboding of danger in the very atmosphere
around them. But they breathed eas1er when
they saw their scout returning, and had heard
him re rt “ all right.” , _

“ 0n {fancy-weak nerves,” said Pirate Paul,
though 9 had been as deeply imbued With fear
as an of his men.

“ o,” Fincth still persisted, “I would have
sworn that I heard a footste ah! there it 15
again! There is some one in ' cavern beildes
ourselves!” _ .

True enough, all heard the footste this time.
, There was no fancy about it. T ey turned
l their eyes in the direction from whence the
1 sound emanated, and saw a human form emerge
; from the darkness. It was the form of a wo-
3 man. A shawl was thrown hooder over her
! head, but, as she advanced, this was. permitted

 

 

trance—the one at which the robbers usuall '-

 

 

' dignation and f

 

of Martha Gregory stood before the astonished
robbers.

“Woman or devil, whichever you be, is it
possible you are here?” exclaimed Pirate Paul.

“It is possible, in truant Pirate Paul. Nor is ’

it the first time that have been within our den. "

“But, by heavens, it shall be the ast time l"
roared the indignant robber chief; “ on have
dogged my] footsteps long enough. ou shall
no eave t isranche alive. I Will sink a knife
into your heart, instead of sinking you in tho
St. Lawrence.”

“You threaten me, base, cowardly wreteh.
You tried to murder me once, villain, and—"

“Yes, and I will not be a. fool again. I will
do my work better this time. Men, seize her!"

The robbers started toward her.

“ Back, cowards!" she fairl hissed, and there
was something so terrible in t 1e look she flashed
upon them, that caused them to recoil.

“Seize her, seize her, I say!” yelled Pirate
Paul; “ do not let her escape. ’

But the men still refused to obe his com-
mands. The robber chief grew ‘ d with in-
. my, and drawing a pistol, he
leveled it at Martha 3 breast. But he never had
tinieto pull the trigger. The combined report
of eight rifles rol ed in awful reverberations
through the chambers of the cavern, and Pirate
Paul ell dead, as did also three or four of his
men. Then from the darkness of the cavern
rushed the Avengers with a yell that drove ter-
ror to the hearts of the surviving robbers who,
like hunted beasts, fled hither and t 'ther
through the cavern, ursued by the Aven era.

The crack of isto s, the groans and shrieks of
the dying and t e triumphant shouts of the vic-
tors rolled. in deafening intonations fromd cham-
ber to chamber of the eat subterraneanvault.

But the conflict laste for only a few minutes.
The robbers were all slain or driven from the
cavern, terror-stricken. When the conflict had
ended, the Avengers gathered around the rob-
bers’ card-table, whereon burned a lam .

“What next, boys?” asked Amos eredith,
eluted with victory.

“Let us search for Vida St. Leger and Syl-
veen Gray,” re lied Fred Travis. ‘ Miss Gre -
cry, where is hat prison-mom you spoke o 1

us to it. ”

Martha took up the light and bade the Aveng-
ers follow. As she moved away, she
the lifeless body of him whom she h once
called husband. He lay upon his back, his
face upturned. She used glanced at it, and
then, as a. si b, that most dee ned into a sob,
issued from or lips, she mov on.

After traversing several chambers of the cav
ern, their further progress was suddenly dis
puted by a heavy wooden door.

A cry of joy burst from the lips of Ralph St.

er. . .
fl'l‘hat must be the door of their prison,” he

so .
“ It is the door of the prison, ” added Martha.
Ralph beat upon the heavy door with his fist
and called in frantic tones the name of his sister.
A voice was heard within. It was Vida
voice. She had recognized the tones of her half-
distracted brother.
“ Sister—Vida, is it you? he cried.
“ Yes, we are here. ro her—Sylveen and I.”
‘f Oh, it is Ralph l” the lover heard Sylveen ex-

c
f‘ Lend a helping hand fri nds ” cried Ra] h-
“let us burst down the dhorl” ’ p i
There was something unearthly-11in the youth’s
eyes. Fred Trams saw it and ew that that
demon of madness was seizing upon him. But.
they  ressed u n the door.

It yiel ed, and urst inward.

There, in a. brilliantly-1i hted and well-fur-
nished room, wereVida and ylveen. Likecap-
tive birds fluttering forth from their prison-ca
into the air, so the maidens-rushed from the
prison-room to meet Ral h and Fred.

The angelic faces of tie maidens sta ed the
storm that was rising within the breast 0 Death-
Notch. His heart was overco e with the emo-
tions of joy, and he c1 ’ sister and sweet-
heart alternately to his reast.

From the II of the maidens the Avengers
soon learned ow they came to be there, in the
robbers, den. After 1: elr capture at the cabin,
the Indians turned them over to the robbers,
who brought them there under cover of m t

“And I must say for the robbers,” added yl—
veen, “that, although we have been held cap
tives, we have been treated kindly and with re
upset, but how long this would have lasted l
kn‘og not.” h l ’

ot muc onger, ’ said Martha Gre
“for Pirate Paul has been away from hex-em
your capture, until fro-night.” ' - ’

f‘ Then, thank God, our arrival is opportuncll
said young Travis. - '

Sy veen and Martha greeted each other with
the fondness of sisters, and, after eetin had
been exehan all around, Marat! '00 15h.
lam , and saidi _

“ 0w follow me. my dear friends, and I will
conduct on from this fearful place.

She di not go the way they had entered, but
followed a leading in an entirely
site direction, an soon came to a. flight of

"to drop to her shoulders, and the face and form ' steps. Up these steps she led the way, but .

  

 

 

 

 

No. '7. r

trap-door at the top suddenly disputed their
further ascent.

Martini. showed the men how it was opened,
mlll they pl'ol‘euleil to work.
a1 moments to remove a combination of bolts
and bars, when the door was swung downward
on iron hinges. _

The party now ascended through this aperture,

I buildinlr—the head-quarters of the robbers, who
concealed their real character under the guise of
fur-awaits and traders. -

The party tarricd but a few moments in the
cabin, and on issuing" therefrom. found them-
selves in the heart of Stony Cliff, whose honest
settlers Were all fast asleep.

The party, lion'on', soon made their presence
known to the settlers, and the whole village was
quickly “stir, filled with joy and sin‘prise—joy
over the rescue of Sylveen and Martha, and sur-

e irise over the discovery of Scott Shirely being

' l’irate Paul, and that his den was within their

very midst.

Omaha and 01.1 Shadow were sent out after
those left iii camp up the river, and when they

- - returned \vitlithe female friends of the Avengers, .

i they were welcomed to the hospitality of the
' place, and cared for with all that kindness char-
actoristic of the holiest—he irtell men and women
of the border. And the Avengers, one and all

y‘ as well as their friends, were made to feel a.

! ease and at home.

3 Two “'00le passed, ll.an found them still at the

, ' village, resting" and preparing for a. journey to—

v; ‘t they scarcely knew where.

' But these two weeks were fraught with great
interest. jo and hap flaws to tho sojourners at
. b‘tony Clil . Frol ‘lravis and Vida renewed
' ' their love vows, walked in the cool forest aisles,
rowed upon the river, and talked and sung as
though their young hearts had never felt the
pangs of gri if, nor bitterness of despair.

Nor were Ralph Lit. Leger and Sylvoen Gray
less happy in each other’s society—the cheerful
light of each other‘s eyes and the music of each
other’s voice. .

.> And there were other joyous hearts beSldes.
,  There were lovers in that little band of Aveng-
ers, and sweethearts Were among; those rescued

cued by long months of cruel separation, despair
and sulfuring. If to them the night had been
(lll‘k, the morning was all the more radiant.

S lveon Gray was greatly surprised if not a
.litti’d horror-stricken, when she learned that her

Nor was the terrible being, Death-Notch' but

when she as well as the settlers had learned the
Infillh‘e of his vengeance, and that he was not so

terrible as was reputed, they could not censure
, him for the course he had pursued, in wreaking
" . retribution on the agents of his sorrow.

Ralph did not, however, tell them of the great
state of semi-consciousness under which most of
his terrible deeds had been performed. But, by
keepin; aloof from the war-path, and in the

 

‘ f presence of his adorel Sylveon he effectually
' ,i .' overcanm that terrible passion 0 .mad revenge,
-' » which was proof of itself, that it came of no
.'i - ‘ physical or mental debility, but of a highly ex-
, .

citable temperament that had been cultivated A

in its freaks, instead of beintr restrained. _
One thing, however, stan 3 yet to be explain-
‘ ed in connection with Death-Notch. It will be
i 3 remembered that, on the night of the storm at
"1 . the solitar but ill the forest, he drew from tho
. bosom of iis hunting-shirt a flattened bullet,
which had evidently been aimed at his heart by
a lurking foe; and also when taken prisoner by
‘~ _ . the savages, near his oivn cabin, how the inhu-
. i man foe sought to torture him by shooting burn-
. i " , ing arrows into his breast, and how he bore this
3 torture with unflinching fortitude. The whole
secret of this wonderful fortitude was this: be-
neath his huntinrr-shirt he wore a steel jacket,
made somethingr ike the coat of mail worn by
the warriors of the Middle Ages. This 'acket
had oncaboon his father’s; the latter once
can a member of a secret or lranization in the
, South, and the steel jacket am iron mask worn
: by Ralph, and to which his life was owmg on
1 more than one occasion, were a part of the re-
, galls. worn by that secret order.
3 Thus the mysteries connected with Death-
. l ~' . Notghfiltand explained, which were no mysteries

 

 

i , - CHAPTER km.
:l wanna YEARS AFTER.
IT was early morning. When a. band of eight
persons, habited as hunters, stood beneath the
. umhrageous shadows of a, great forest oak
’, . l They were all ‘
wool: were overgrown with hea,
, 1' it‘mrs were just “sporting” vy beards’ and
t . . Lache, and one of them was beardless and
l bronzetl, but he was an Indian. ‘
’ These men were the bone and. muscle, if

settlement of Fairview. They were away from
home then on a few days’ hunt, "enjoying a how
‘ 5 (18. from the field and plow.

' e have met with these persons before, dem-
reader, yet we can scarcely recognize in those
stern, bearded, manly faces, the once almost boy.
ish features of the Spirit Lake Avengers. But it
his onlv running] three yrals to other. this

It required sevor- ‘

and found themselves on the floor of a. large log ‘

9*-

from the Indians, and theirs was a love strength. ’

Young men, yet the faces of ;
their first mus— ‘,

on
i' ' will accept the term, of the flourishing liltle'

7 Death-Notch, the Destroyer.

change, for they were just emerging into man-
hood when wc first saw them upon the trail of
the red—man.

But, three years have wrought wonderful
changes in the ives of these young,r men, and us
they now stand there iii the great forest under
the oak, ready to take up their homowurd
march, one of their number suddenly ex‘
claims:

“By George, boys! don‘t you remember this
very spot and this very tree 1"

All gaze aroulid them, and a light-of recogni—
tion beams in every 0 e.

“ Yes,” says Fred ' ‘ravis, “it is the very tree
under which I called the roll of the Lake Aveng-
ers three years ago."

“ 'l‘hrue ye are, ’Squiro Travis; and right here
we stood when we heard for the first time, the
cry of one ave Dcath-l‘l'otch‘s victims,” says
Phelix O'Rny.

“What changes tiniil has brought to us all,”
4 replies Travis; “it seems impossible that, after
three years of constant dangers almost, we are
all permitted to meet here together again. It
isfill

The sentence was broken abruptly off by the
crack of a_ rifle ringing suddenly and sharply
‘ through the woods.

The youwIr hunters gazed inquirineg from
one to the ot ior. It brought up recollections of
the mornin when they stood on that ve spot
.‘ and heard 1; 10 report of Death-Notch’s ri e and
‘ the wail of h'n Victim echo through the woods.

“Ah, there is some one besides ourselves in
- these woods,“ sai‘ll Amos Meredith; “ I hope
Death-Notch has not turned out a ain.”

“It must be some hunter,” said ick Carter.

He had scarcely uttered the words when there
suddenly broke upon their ears the voice of
some one singing, in a lively air, the words:

“ The ‘possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog,
At the ole hedgehog, the 018 had ehog;
The ’possnm he grinned at the ole ledgchog,
‘Way down by the Squantiun—“

“ Old Shadow as I live i” burst in j

nus ac—
hunter

 

cents from Fred Travis’ lips, as the ol
emerged from the woods before them.

“Bless my ole eyesl” the hunter exclaimed
regarding our friends with surprise' “who’d
a—thought it? Here I find ye, lads, alter three
years’ soparashun.”

“Yes, es; here we are, Shadowl Give us
your han , old friend, and tell us where you’ve

n and how time uses you." '

“ Oh, I've been rompin’ around over this little
patch 0’ yarth, doin’ a. leetle huntin’, scalpin’,
and sich like. But, lads, time’s beginnin’ to
plow up mv face like fu , and I cant knock a

ngin ouble aseasy as used to' still I ain’t

worn out yit. But I got to thinkin’ over ole
times and conkluded to run down to Stony
Cliff. Thar they told me the eight Avengers
had' started a. new settlement called Fairview;
so I thought I‘d rim over and see on.”

“Glad, very glad. to see you, hadow. You
must go to the settlement with us. The women-
folks will be very happy to see you, too,” said
Travis.

“Wei, I’ll go down and see how yer ‘tting
alon ; but whar’s the lad ye call lleath-
Notc l”

“ We left him at Fairview to look after things
while we were absent. But let us be off.”

The y hastened to where their horses were
bridle and packed all ready for startin , and
Omaha. having 1‘ ' ed his animal to e old
hunter, they set off for home.

it was nearly sunset when they hove in Si ht
of a. number of neat-looking log cabins 11 ed
downina. little vallgywthat was teeming with
industry and onto . '
thhewl” ejaclll-liztcd 01d Shadow, “what’s
t tl’

“ Fairview,” replied Fred.

“The deuce! whew _but ye’ve got a leetle
Paradise 0’ or own. 3131; 100 at the com-fl’lds
and the her 0’ stock! Who’d ’a’ dream it ten

ears 8. ? Ah,mel this tells me that ' e is

 it on, and life with me '18 drawing to a
c 050.

“ So it is with all of us, old friend, and'you
rfillayl live many long, happy years» yet,” said

a _ .

“Yes yes, Travis,” replied the old hunter-
“ butIsl e teller-sure all married, ain’t ye’

“ gut Omaha Phelix O’Ray and David
Hawes. You see that cabin to the riglit of the
group? That is where Amos Metedlth ves with
his wife. The one next to it is where Ralph St.
Leger-lives with his wife and baby. " '

‘ Baby?" exclaimed the.old'hunter, d his
e as kled with a. childlike joy. “ bless
tile 1i lecrittersl I alien love( ’em, and it’s
been manage lon day since I. dandled one on
my knee. at w o llVfDS {11.151118 little com
i down ,before us here, with vme-hvered pore ,
‘ and— . '

“ That is my house,” replied Fred, “and there
comes Vida, my wife, to meet us.”

“Thar nation! Then are married that leetle
angel? Oh, Travis, who a he py soul ye must
be; but what——” he asked, shading his eyes with

hisopen mtrom the setting _whatil,
that 8110111291 inherarmsl’" m
Fred mill and replied:

‘“ It is our baby boy.”

 

“Salvation!” exclaimed the old hunter.
“ Heaven is a lei-tic partial with its gifts, hilt
‘ God’s will be done.” ”

The party rode into the settlement and dis-
mounted. Old Shadow was received with the
greatest joy, and each vied with the other to
make him comfortable and happy.

The old fellow never left Fairview. Its good
people prevailed on him to spend the remainder
of us days there, and he accepted their kind
oil'or. He was the he >piest man in the settle-
melit, too, for by thoselllttlo ones that he low-d
so dearly, he was known only as “grandpa.”

Omaha over remained a friend to the whites
and as “ Josh, the Friendly," he stands forward
ill the history of Iowa as one of the truest
friends of the white settler.

. I have only to add that the name and deeds
of Death-Notch are still remembered in the
North—west; alid there are those who can still
point out to on trees that once bore the
DreaUt-Nutch, t'e totem of the young Scalp-
Hunter.

THE END. -

 

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'"BEADLE’S

32 Large Three-Colunun Pages.

LA Hard Crowd: on, GENTLEMAN
Ma‘s SISTER. By Philip S. Warno.

2. The Dare-Devil: on, THE WINGED
WITCH or THE SEA. By Col. Prentiss Lngmhum.

3. Kit Carson. J r., THE CRACK SHOT or

run VVIIBT. By Buckskin Sam.
4. The Kidnapper: on THE GREAT

Museum on THE NORTHWEST. By Philip S. \Vnrne.

5. The Fire-Fiends: on, HERCULES, THE

HCNCIIEACII. By A. 1’. Morris.
6. Wildcat Bob, Tim Boss BRUISER:
19., Tim BORDER Bmunnouxns. B Edward L.Whee—

Ar, author of “ Deadwood Dick,” ‘ Double Daggers." “

7. Death-Notch, THE DESTROYER: OR,
Tun SPIRIT LAKE Avnsonns. By 011 Coomes.

8. The Headless Horseman. A strange
mory of Texas. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

9. Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.

10. Vidocq, THE FRENCH POLICE Srv.
Written by himself.

1 1. Midshipman Easy. By Capt. Mar-
«at.

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13. Pathawa :OR, NICK WHIFF'LES, THE
{mo ’l‘nAn-En or TEE . onTnWEST. By Dr. J. H. Rob-
[1180“.

14. Thagendanegea. THE SCOURGE ;
nu, Tm: Wu» AGLE or THE Monwas. By Ned Bunt-
lllr", author of “The White Wizard."

15. The Tiger-Slayer: on, EAGLE--
DEAD To TEE Rwscvn. By Gustave Aimard.

16. TheWhite Wizard: on, THE GREAT
PROPHET or THE SEMINOLES. By Ned Buntlino.

17. Nightshade, THE .ROBBER PRINCE
r Iioux'mow HEATH. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.

18. The Sea Bandit: on, Tim QUEEN
1F TEE ISLE. By Ned Buntune.

19. Red Cedar, THE PRAIRIE OUTLAW.
‘3 y Gustave AiIniu‘d.

20. The Bandit at Bay: OR, THE PI-
urns or THE PRAIRIES. By Gustave Aimard.

21. The Trapper’s Daughter: OR,
in OUTLAw's FATE. By Gustave Aunard.

22. Whitelaw: on, NATTIE or THE LAKE
IHORE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson,

23. The Red Warrior: OR, STELLA
DELquiE‘s COMANCRE LOVER. By Ned Buntline. ,

24. Prairie Flower. By Gustave Ai-
mard, author of “ Tiger-Slayer." etc.

25. The Gold-Guide: on, STEEL ARM,
mm REGULATOR. By Francis Johnson.

26. The Death-Track: OR, THE OUT-
LAws or Tin: MchAIs. By Francis Johnson.

27. The Spotter-Detective: on, THE
GIRLS or NEW Yonn. By Albert W. Aiken.

28. 'I'hree-Pingered J ack, THE ROAD-
tnzxr or Tm: ROCKIES; on, THE BOY MINER. 0E HARD

vcx. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr

29. Tiger Dick, THE FAno KING; or,
THE CAsmnn‘s CRIME. By Philip S. Warne, author
If “A Hard Crowd," etc.

30. Gospel George: 01‘, FIERY FRED,
hm OUTLAW. By Josep E. Badger Jr.

81. The New York ‘Sharpfl on, THE
FLASH or LIGHTNING. By Albert ‘V . Aiken,

32. B'hoys of Yale; OR, THE SCRAPES
m). "MID SET or COLLEGIANS. By John D. Vose.

33. Overland Kit. By Albert W.
Aim-n.

34. Rocky Mountain Rob.
rll'l \V. Aiken.

35. Kentuck. the Sport. By Albert
V, Aiken.

36. Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken.

37. Hirl, the Hunchback: OR, THE
dwonnnAKEn on Tim SANTEE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.

38. Velvet Hand ; on, THE IRON GRIP 0F
[HUNDch By Albert W, Aiken.

89. The Russian Spy: on. THE BROTH-
Ils 0F Tm: STARZ’Y (‘in 493. By Frederivk \Vhittaker.

40. The Inn'r Haired ‘Pa.rds;’ OR,
h Turin: z’r nu; PLAINS. By Jog. E. Badger Ir.

BY A1-

 

 

 

 

m cAnsoN. m—No. 8.

41. Gold Dan: on, THE WHITE SAVAGE
or Tin: GREAT SAIII‘ LAKE. By Albert W. Aiken.

42. The California Detective : OR,
THE Wmnns or NEw You. By Albert W. Aiken.

43. Dakota Dan, TEE RECKLEss RANGER;
or. THE BEE-HUNTEEs Examson. By 011 Coomes.

44. Old Dan Rackback. THE GREAT
IknmvaToE; or, TEE TEIANGLE‘s LAsr Tun.
By 011 Coomes.

45. Old Bull’s Eye, THE LIGBTNING
SHOT on THE PLAINS. By Joseph E. Badger. JR...

46. Bowie-Knife Ben, THE LITTLE
HUNTER 0!" THE Now-WEST. By 011 Coomes.

47. Pacific Pete, THE PRINCE OF THE
REVOLVER. By Jos. E. Badger.

48. Idaho Tom. THE YOUNG OUTLAW
or SILVERIAND. Dy Oll Coomes.

49. The Wolf Demon. or, THE QUEEN or
Tm: KANAwnA. By Albert W. Aiken.

50. Jack Rabbit, TEE PnAImE Sronr;
or, THE CHILDREN or THE Lune EsTACAno. By Joe.
E. Badger. Jr.

51. Red Rob, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT.
By Oil Coomes.

52. Death Trailer, THE Camp on
(‘COUTS' or, Life and Love in a Frontier Fort. By
Hon. m. F. Cody. (Buffalo Bill.)

momma sum—No. 11.

 

Each Number Complete. Price 10 ots.

58. Silver Sam- or, THE Mum '
Deadwoon Cm, By Col. Deiie Sam.

54. Always on Hand: 01'. THE SPORT)!
SPORT or m Fcor Him. By Phillip S. Wan
author of "A Hard Crowd," “Patent Leather Jo.

55. The Scalp Hunters. A Rome: ‘
m PLAINS. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

56. The Indian Mazes a; or, T»
MADMANOFTHE Puma. By anW.Aflnl

57. The Silent Hunter; or, TEE Soon
HALL MYSTERY. By Percy B. St. John.

58. Silver Knife: or, WICKLMI, z-
Rocxy MOUNTAIN RANGER. By Dr. J. H. Robin:-

59. The Man Prom Texas: or, 'In
OUTLAW or ARKANSAS. ByAlbeI-t W. Aiku.

60. Wide Awake; or, Tim Imur n
m BLACK HILLs. By Frank DumonL

61. Ca tain Seawaifi Tn: Piuvuw
ByNed Bun line.

62. Loyal Heart; or, '13s TRAPPED: :9
mums. By Gustave Almard.

83. The Winged Whale. By Ali-r
W. Aiken.

64. Double-S ht, the Death 81“
By Joseph E. Badger, r.

65. The Red ah: or, TEE 80009021
or TEE 11mins. By Captain Frederick Whittnhr.

86. The er Barque. A '1‘ u.“
or Tm: PAcmo. y Captain Mayne Reid.

67. The Boy Jockey: or, Bonus-N
mans Cmomms. By Joseph E. Badger, ill

68. The .E‘ightinfi Tra or: or KJ
Canon 10 Tin RISCUI. y Cap F. C A’disu

69. The Irish Ca tain: A TALE fl
Fomor. ByCaptain erick Whittaker.

70. Hydrabad, THE Srmoun; o
Alarms, THE CHILD or m Conn. By Dnid
Robinson.

71. Captain Cool-Blade, or,1‘nli~
Smormmssusm ByJosIt.BodgerJ

'12. The Phantom Hand. A Bron: I
EYOH Hunmsmflom By Albert l
on.

'78. The Knight of the Red Crop
or, Tan momma or GRANADA. A Tale of “10’
hambra. By Dr. J. H. Robinson

74. Captain of the Rifles. A Rouum
or ms Mmcm VALLll. By Captain Mayne RAW

75. Gentleman George, or, PAnui
Parson, STAGE Aim Sinus-r. ByAlbort W. Alba

7( The Queen’s Musketeez. c .
Tamas, TEE Piuuoms PAuns-r. By George Album

77. The Fresh of Frisco. or, Tm
HmEss or Barnum By Albert W. Ailuw

78. The Mysterious Spy: or, Gone-m
F‘EATIIEE, Tm: Bowman‘s DAvol'nn. By A U
Grainger.

79. doe Phenix, THE POLICE an. m,
Albert W. Aiken.

80. A Man of Nerve. or, CALID.M_
Tan: DWARF. By Philip S. Wame. Ready Nov. NA.

81. The Human Tiger. or, A Hum-
OF FIRE. By Albert W. Aiken. Ready Nov. 19th

82. Iron Wrist, the Swordmastm
By Col. Thomas H. Monstery. Ready December 80

88. Gold Bullet Sport, or, TEE Known.
or Tn: OVERLAND. By Buflalo Bill. Ready Den. 0‘ ',

84. Hunted Down, or, Tm: Walla:
Wm. ByAlbertW.Aiken. BeadyDoounber

A new ism every two walks.

Bondie’u [Dime Library is for solo b) .-
Newsdealers. ten cents per copy, or sent by mail to
noeipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE a M
Publishes. 08 William Street New YorL