f  TAHLE. THE TRAILER; .-

J P
‘ .

A _. THE BLOCK-HOUSE. 

BY BEELIN ROBINS '

 

. NEW YORK: I
BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS.

N  STREET. '

   

hum scam-ding to Act 0! Congress, In the Year not. by
BEADLE AND COMPANY. '
has Clark's once of the District Court a! ma Unlud smo- In as
' Southern District of N"! 10th.

 

TAHLE, THE TRAILER;

on,

THE BLOCK-HOUSE;

CHAPTER I.
run neurons.

He was certainly the last man who would have been
taken for a hunter in that great wilderness. As he sat on
the northern bank of the Ohio. overlooking its “amber ‘
tide," a more jovial and contented countenance could not be
Imagined. His face was round, rubicund, and glistening

‘ with good humor; he was rather short in stature. full
favored, and was the very man who, of all .others. would
have been selected as the one that relished thescomforts and
luxuries of lite. Though attired in the ordinary deter-skin
hunting-shirt, the leggius and moccasins of the border
ranger—somehow or other, he had an appearance different

_t‘rom that class. He had a way of setting his cap on one
side of his head, and back from his broad. rod brow, which

I gave him an air saucy indifference; and the genial wagnish- '.
these that shone in every feature was such that the wily red .

men of the woods would have set him down as the most
harmless of mortals. Sitting on the limb of a tree. swing,-

, tug his dumpy legs hack and forth, on this pleasant summer

morning. he thus communedé V »

. 9 Wish I had somebody to talk to; makes a feliex feel so;

5 much better if he only has some one to gossip and jabhu

w." ' ~ r _. V >

 

10 ‘ ' ms 31.001: aousn.‘

He swung his feet a few moments in silence, and then
said :

' "Had quite a tramp with Polly, here. (laying his hand.

- upon his rifle) Walked twenty miles before breakfast,
and, by jingol that reminds me that I haven’t had my
breakfast yet. Thought I’d forgot something ”

The jovial hunter in speaking of himself rarely used the

l. pronoun, but left the nominative to be understood. With ,

'1 one who led\ his life it was certainly remarkable that he
should be an inveterate talker. If he had a Companion he
was incessantly making his observations to him."

He swung his legs a few minutes longer, and added :

“Guess l’ll repair to the dining-hall. and take my break-
fast. as it’s getting to be a. fashionable hour.

His laugh was not loud. but it was hearty. and he enjoyed '
h,is‘qwn,joke hugely. - Siding down from his seat, he drew
a piece \of dried venison from his hunting-bag, and corn-
menoed devouring it by the aid of his keen hunting-knife.
With such sound and serviceable teeth as he possessed, hn'

- was not long in completing his breakfast. This simple meal
finished. he backed upon his limb again, re-comwenoed
swinging his legs and making his observations. '

“ Say the lnjins are mad about something! Sorry.
Shouldn’t get mad. They might hurt somebody, and, like

_ enough, I'd get into a scrape. Must be about time fev-

, “Table.” ‘ r
' The hunter looked up to the sun again, and from his
manner it was very evident he was expecting some one. In

, fact, he was at this place by appointment, haviu; reached
it some time sooner than be anticipated.

“Hope he hain’t lost his way, Pshaw! " stile couldn’t
lose his way if he should try. Believe he has been walking
in the woods, or paddling in his canoe. Great t‘eliow, that
Table. Ever since that time I saved him from the soldiers up
MI the Miami, sticks to me like a bar .t. Great fellow, that

‘ Table.” - " .
'- ‘Gontented and careless as the hunter appeared. his bright

figmeeyes were never at rest fore; .:mnment. «First he the ‘
fight.- then, to the 16‘ A ind him he looked, and .5} ‘

 

ml BLOOK I noun.

“would have been literally impossible for any approaching
danger to have escaped his notice. ‘ His position, though
seemingly taken at random, had been. nevertheless. chosen I
with great care. Thick shrubbery and trees completely hid
,him from sight in every' direction save that from the river.
. A person on the opposite side of this would have had a full
View of his roseate countenance, as, from the yielding of

' ' the limb, it gently lowered and sank; but he would have
been compelled to approach within a dozen feet of him, it
‘upon the northern bank. before he could hare seen his coon-
Ikin cap rising and falling in harmony with the swaying-d!
his feet. ’ . ‘

. "Said he’d be here when the sun was two hours high.
’7 _ Lacks only ten minutes of that. Old fullow can‘t be far 03‘.
Coming by water, I guess."

For the space of about ten‘ minutes the hunter said
nothing more, but continued swinging his legs, and looking
Is jovial as ever. At the end of that time, the motiOn of
his feet suddenly stopped, and he bent his liead down ward,‘
similar to a cow when abotlt to charge with her horns. He
carefully listened, and, although the ear of an ordinary
person would have failed to detect the least sound, it. was
very evident that something attracted his attention. '

“If that ain't the dip of Tables paddle, shoot me. Knows
new to manage a. canoe. Knowed it was him.”

. As he spoke, a light canoe, propelled by a singlel'ndian,

, ohotnoiselessly into view, and, obeying the powerful impetus
of the paddle, turned its prow shoreward with a graceful ,

- curve, and the next moment touched the mossy bank. as

I lightly as a falling leaf. Its occupant instantly arose,

stepped ashore, and pulled his frail vessel upon the, bank,

' , where it could not be seen by any once in pussing up or
down the river. The Indian was rather short in stature {of
One of his people. with u lithe, muscular frame, and a square.

» ipéxpr'essive countenance. He was without any covering

' V for his head except that which nature had given him. lu‘.
itea‘d o! the defiant Scalp-lock, his noll was unshaven’, tint! -

 the black. wiry, horse-hair like filaments dangled ovée'hl’i' .

i shoulders, entirely unconfined by any band‘or knot, I: T

.~‘ - ‘.’ g ‘ ‘ r ' u ~

l . . M0

 

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

_ being the warm season of the year, he was in his summer
. dress, that is, with the common hunting-shirt. leggins, and -
' moccasins of his people, but without the blanket. which he
'carried during the cold weather. From his waist upward,
'hie coppery body was without any protection, and a glance
It thehard, bronzed covering which nature had furnished
It, would have convinced any one that it was not needed.
He had high cheek bones, heavy, overhanging brows, glita
tering, snake-like eyes, and a face whose habitua expres-
sion was eclipsed by a (lurk, forbidding frown. Tiis was
Tame, the Indian companion of George Dull; 13, the
hunter. ‘
As he stepped out of the canoe, he paid no heed to the
y latter, who was swinging his feet harder than ever, and
' whose countenance was one broad smile of the guest ecstatic
pleasure. In a moment, the Indian turned and looked full
It the hunter, who. giving him a cheerful nod, said :
“Good morning, Table.”
Tehle made no reply, but approached and stood beside
’Dulland in utter silence. Silence. however, was not I
characteristic of the hunter’s nature.
“ Wei. did you see it, Tahle ?”
“Me see him,” returned the savage.
“ How far up the river ? When will they be here '1’"
“ When sun there,” replied Tahle, pointing to the
zenith. -
“ Did you speak to them ?”
“ No speak to them ; think Tahle Shawnee."
"S‘pose they would. Hungry ?”
The Indian signified that he was not.
. “Just asked to see whether you was. ’Case if you be I ‘
V ." [ain’t got anything for you to eat. Eat it all myself.” '
‘ ' .“ Wait here?" asked Table,
“That’s the idea, I believe. HOW about the Injine u),
the river—many of 7am ?”
V j. “ Like the leaves’ on the trees—camps all over in woot'i
‘ q-ciiiefs talk much—dig up hatchet—kill ell whitey—sink I
’ “in bi; water.” ‘ _- ' v -

I

 

'rrm 3mm: nonst. 13 ‘

"Just so. Sorry. Bad for them. ‘ Don’t. think they’llbe , 
disturbed afnre they get here. Table ?" . ,

“ T’iuk not,” answered the Indian, looking down to the
ground. “Don’t know. Red men hide ’long shore, and
theot from bushes."

’ “Exactly so. Sorry.” v i

What a singular compound is this human nature of ours!
How often are persons, who are antinodcs in feelings, char-
acter, and disposition, attracted toward each other! What
lasting friendships are formed by like and unlike! Here
were two beings as totally different as it is possible for two
human beings to be, and who, nevertheless, were friends for
lite. The white man was frank, honest, good-natured and
outspoken; the red man was reserved, thoughtful, moody.
and malignant, and yet either would have died for the
other! Two years before, Dulland joined a party who
marched against a Shawnee town on the Miami, to punish
this tribe for some of their aggressions upon the settlers. In
the attack the whites were defeated, and lost several of
their number. In their rapid retreat they succeeded in
capturing one of their most daring pursuers. . This was“
Table, and the incensed border men resolved to riddle him,
with bullets and scalp him in revenge for the injury he and

‘ W his comrades had inflicted. But Dulland protested against
it, and stood by the captive. Had any other man done this
' it would have been fatal, but Dulland was a favorite with
every one who knew him. His irrepressible good~nnture. ,
' and his manly heart endeared him to nil. The result was,
that Tahle‘was liberated and returned to his people. V
a Abcnt a year after this. Dulland accompanied another
, ' party marching against the very same Shawnee town. The
- \ assault in this case was successful, and the Indians Iufl‘ered _
’n severe loss; but in the confusion and tumult Dulland him-
self was captured and carried off to Piquu, another Indian
~town, where he was condemned to the torture. hymns!
,this place that his situation became known to Table. and it
was through his exertionsvthat his lite was saved. To in." ‘
sure him against the fury of the disappointed nvngegmlhb
" was sent on to guide Duhand to the settlements; but the

I

 

"-" 14 . ' pm annex non-x.
settiementn. were not reached. Somehow or other these two
personach mans, ed to understand each other before they
had penetrated many miles in the forest, and instead of re-
turning to their respective people, they went. ofl' together on
a rambling tour. which had not yet terminated at the time
of which we write. By some means, never explained. Dul-
llnd succeeded in convincing his dusky companion that the
desiiny of his perple was to decline and that of his own
was to increase, and therefore the wisest course for Table
to pursue was to make friends with the latter. The two
were well known along the frontier for their many services
to the settlers, and they Were as cordially liked by the
‘whites as they were intensely hated by the Indians. , ,

Duiland did not sample to joke With his comrade. ’ He
Wns'ever getting 05‘ his jocose remarks at his expense, and
sometimes when he had said Something more funny titan ‘
usual. he went so far as to nudge him in the side to provoke
o' laugh from him. But he rarely succeeded. As Table
had been- trained, like all his race, to. hear pain and torture
with indifl‘ercnce, he submitted to this infliction with the
.otoicistn of the martyr. He did not seem displeased at the
liberty taken with him, as he understood the geniality and
goodness of his chosen friend, and he therefore passed by
his advances in silence. Dulland was discreet enough never

C .to carry such matters too far, and so it happened that there
vim no probability of the two ever quarreling.

“ Sue any of their comp-fires along the river?” asked the

- 'hnnter. -’ t I

“Climb tree—see two, three, four—so many,” replie
'Tshle, holding up the fingers of his right hand. ‘ :
y . “ Where there’s so much fire must be some smoke, Table.
lure,” sagely remarked Dulland. “Did any of! ‘em so.
Tattle ?” . I r .
 “’Es, they did,” replied the Shawnee, with an incl-inn;~

{Vzflon of his head. I . .'
' The feat of the hunter stopped swinging, and his excl
_ " opened to their widest extent, as he added :7 ‘
,l‘v' «no» wait? Let’s hear." v
.u- -r v - t '

w

 

THE BLOCK ’HO‘UBE.

“ Meet lujivu in wood—'—flght-—kill him. - Gun go 0111—-
bder lnjin hear—chase ’l‘ahle like debbil ”—--— A
“ Don’t say devil," interrupted Dullaud. ' .
“Run lon; way,” continued 'I‘uhle. without heeding hlm
“Jump in canoe—lujin fuller—but Tahle git away." ’
“Of course," added the hunter. decisively. as he resumed
l. the motion of his fret. " How far up the river might that
citcumstance have happened ?"
“ Two—three—five—ten miles.”
“ Why. it must have been somewhere near them.”
Tahle signified that it was. '
“ Make it bad fl r ’em, won’t it. Tahle l”
“Make ’em see lujin—what Tahle do it for—den looked]
;.he carefuli” ,
Dulland looked admiringly upon the Shawnee for he .
new that" the whole proceeding had been a ruse upon his \
part; and he understood how completely it had succeeded. ‘
“ You‘re a smart teller, Tahle,” at lcnglh he added.
“ What any P" asked the Indian, quickly.
“ You re a. smart feller; know what’s what, eh 1’” SM
. {he hunter. nudging him in the side.
The savage quietly stepped beyond his reach, and
added : V
“ Chase Tahle tlfree—t‘our mile—make him run in wood
and hide—more paddles than Table—go much faster.”
“ Of course ; how did you save your canoe 2‘”
“Hide him,” replied the lndisn, with a sparkle of his
black eyes. -' V
“ Did they shoot at you 1'”
‘ " Blebe so.” , i
“ Yes. and they hit you, too!” exclaimed Dullnnd, slid.

. .

ing down, and hurrying toward hlm, "Look there! what.  

does that mean ?’ ,

He pointed to a thin, sinuous line of bright scarlet which  . *

. ' wound down his leg to his foot, Iron) which it trickled is e-

' dark pool upon the leaves beneath it. -' r r “

'7 No hurt—no hurt.” said the Shawnee, impatiently:

r ?‘ Yo'u're’telllng a big lie, Tshlg’dnd I won't. mind

it.
, 1'flust see that hurh—yee, .slr.” V, , - n
t. ’ . V “A ‘ ‘ A, ‘ I .

,1,

u

 

ff!!! BLOCK] HOUSE.

‘30 Mme) the Indian, in reality, to submit to his ex-
aminatlon. As Dulland expected, he found an ugly flesh-
wound, made by a. rifle .‘I‘lllt’l'. It was not dangerous, how-

‘ ever. and needed an attention, as the hardy Indian would
not notice the pain, and it would not be long before it; would
heal ol itself.

“ Did you give anytmng in return for that i” asked ‘Dul‘
lind. backing ag tin to his Scat.

‘,‘ Kill two ’tore got away."

“ Couldn’t get their scalps ?”

“No; lose own it try."

“Glad ofthat—glad of that," responded Dulland, heart-
ily. “Been trying to show you fur these two years that:

‘ it ain‘t gentlemanly to cut a. feller’s hair off. None but saw
,ages will do it ”—— ' 7

“Me savage,” interrupted Tahle, with eager quickness.

“No such thing. You've got a red skin, I’ll admit, but
you ain't got a savage heart. Leastways, you hadn't ought
to have. but I believe you have,” added Dulland, suddenly
arranging his manner. '

This latler remark appeared to please the Indian. for n
rift of sunshine lighted up the dark eclipse on his face. and
the scintiliating light in his eyes seemed to lose its serpentine
character for a moment. But the eclipse came back again,
and the dark, stolid, foruiddiug expression resumed its
wonted place. ,

“ How like to lose own scalp. eh ?” asked Table, mean-

. mgly'.
, “Never intend to lose that, so you needn‘t ax that ques-
'tInn,” replied the hunter, contentetlly.
“ Shawnee like him—maybe get him one day.”
i "‘All nonsense. Th: good Lord will take care of me.
But. I say, Tahle, the Sun is about overhead. Ain‘tit about
, 'fitme for them  -
v ' The Indian looked full at the blazing sun, with an eye
A: unshriukiug as the eagle's.
, ‘_‘ lsn’tit time ?” repeated the hunter.
, H a T951; slg'mfied that it was, as he moved 01!. “Making 
 i:  ‘ ~  guy as aoiselessiy as the ,serpenghe .appmched the f __

, r

 

use BLOCK HOUSI-

rivt fie, cautiously opened the bashes, and gazed up
stream. A glance sufliced, and he immediately rejoined the
hunter.

“ See anything of them ?” he' asked.

“Dey‘ro coming,” replied the Shawnee.

CHAPTER II.
THE FLAT Barn

The Indian stepped into the canoe. the hunter followed. \
sad the dancing, egg-like concern sank to its very guuwales. ‘
The Shawnee, with a slight cation of his paddle, kept it
motionless, as the time had not yet arrived for him to ven-
ture out on the river. Dulland, with the muzzle of his rifle,
held the overhanging branches parted, so as to “ford them -
In unobstructed View of the stream All traces of levity
had left his face, whose expression now was of anxious en-
pectatiou. Suddenly his eyes sparkled, and he whispered
to his companion :

" There they are l" .

Quick as thought the frail canoe shot out into the stream.
and obeying tue powerful impulse of the Shawnee’s paddle.
seemed to rise to the surface and skim like a swallow over
the water. The object which Lad attracted their attention
'_ was a flat bunt. such as was occasionally seen upon the
western wales at that day. Viewed from the shore. it re-
lembled a huge box. flouting aimlesst downward. A long.
‘guiaiug our was swung at. either end, by which its move-
ments were controlled, and its position in the niddls of 1h!
current maintained. At the moment the canoe left tho
bank not a sign of a person was visihle upon it, but before
One half the intervening distance wus passed, the muzzles of
.two rifles were pointed over the guard,.that completcl _,
Iurrounded the boat, and a. voice hailed menu" r 

, “ Stop! or we lire." ’ ~
_ ~“ We are friends."

 

7n: BLOGK 30118!

“We recognize no friends in these parts.”
' . “Sorry. Recognize enemies ?"
“ Our rifles do, sir. What object have you in approach-
ing us ?” ,.
"Didn‘t you halt at the Block House, about twenty
miles up the river 7"
“ We did.”
‘ \ “Well, you axed about a couple of gentlemen known as
Dulland. and 'I‘ahle. the lust nnmcd being a Shawnee. You
. .wanted to get ’em, believe.”
" We do. Can you tell anythingof them ?”
“B’leve we‘re the gentlemen.” 7
Instantly three heads rose to view, and he with whom
Dullanc held the conversation, said:
“ I am. indeed, glad to hear it. Come aboard."
A couple of minutes later the hlooning face of the hunter
arose like the moon above the horizon of the boat, and he
_ ‘ bounded lightly among the three men who were masters of
it. Table, alter securing his canoe to the stern, followed
him as silently as a cat. *
" We are glad to meet you, indeed," said the first men
tioned on the boat. “ You must pardon our manner at treatb
tug you. it is necessary for persons to be cautious in, our
circumstances.”
» “‘01 course; been big fools it: you hadn‘t." replied m
humor, shaking hands with the three.
 “This is ’l‘ahle, your lndiau friend. eh ?" inquired the
first speaker, ofi‘criug his hand to the Shawnee. who sullenly
' took it-
) I. “Yes. that‘s Table.” said Dullaud. with a mischievous
' glance at him. “ Great. teller. you’ll find him. Splendid-
hoking; the women are always sure to fall in love with
Em and then [commit suicide.”
 = “Commit suicide! For what reason ?” v
'. ;.,“’Causs they can‘t get him. Heard that the reason ho
:' ,. left his tribe wus.’cause all the squaws .ware killing them-
 ’ selves off on his account. ‘Left to save ’em."
 l- . Those to ‘wnom this was addressed seemed at s loss
I l , whether to laugh or not The sullen, dark look of the in-

\
t

 

, as am nous“:
dlsn made them fearful of attending him, while the 
familiarity of Dulland was almost irresistible, so they oom’
promised matters in the end by merely smiling, and change
1 ing the subject.

The occupants of the flat boat consisted of but five per-
cons‘provious to the advent of the hunter and the Shawnee.
The leading spirit of the expedition was Sherman Kingman.
a young man some twenty five years of age—a manly, self. '
reliant, enterprising young Pennsylvanian. who had long'
cherished a desire to penetrate the Western wilderness. His ,.
companions were. first, Oscar Whiting. about his own age,
a native of New York State, and a reckless, dashing fellow,
who had numerous qualities. both good and bad, and who‘
was not. by any means. the best companion in such an on
dertakiug. He was brave to a fault, cheerful and hopeful,
but seemed to possess no adequate idea of the jodrnsy upon
which he had venlured. The third personage was Hug:
Whiting, the father of the one last mentioned. He was

' advanced some sixty years in life, and was a pleasant, intel~
ligent, Christian gentleman, who endeared himsslf to all
with whom he was associated In thecabin of the flat-boat ‘
were two females—Mrs. Whiting. an elderly, mild-spoken -
woman, who, with some misgivings, accompanied her hus-
band-upon this perilous enterprise, and Adele Hansell, her ‘
niece. The latter was without father or mother, and had
for many years been a member of the Whiting family. She
was a modest girl, not brilliantly‘besutit'ul, but handsome.
with a mild, blue eye, a radiant, hopeful countenance. and
a. voice whose ovary tone was music. She was the he;
Crothed of Sherman Kingman. Ind hau given him her ’ I
promise to become his wile It) soon as he had established 1
a safe and comfortable home in the Great West. This was

.81 accordance with the wishes of her uncle. ‘ ‘t

It may seem remarkable that so small a company so, thin
should venture to descend the Ohio, at that day. when the
shores were jealously watched for scores of miles by the

malignant red man. But such instancns by no means were

rare Co slructed as were the flat-boats of thatdey. they ' : I

* 'Wi‘xe Lapel niche against that/bullets, ;While their och

v], .

 

 

p

. \

'r.

  

THE BLOCK, HOUSE.

were'enahled to‘pick ofl‘ such of their assailants as exposed

themselves. indeed, the boat in question had repelled an
. nssault that very morning, which fact was noticed by Dale

land as he ascended its sides.

“ Shot at you, did they, eh ?"

“ Who—the Indians? Yes, we had a little brush 'With

' them. It amounted to nothing, however. Nobody hurt on
either side,” replied Kingnmn.
' “Glad. When was it—this morning?”

“Early this morning. Several canoes followed us some
distance. but they wereairaid to venture too close, not know-
ing how many we had on board. . You go with us the rest

 the distance. I believe?"
" “S‘pose so, if you want us.
going ?" ~ g ’

“ About a day's journey,l believe, We have decrded to
settle upon a small creek which puts in from the Ohio side,
and which as yet has received no name. On account
of the disafl‘ection of the Inrlians,.I was told that it was the '
intention to erect a Block House at that point, and to give it
o garrison. There are settlers still lower on the river, and
they certainly need protection.”

“Just so. Going to put up a Block House right away.
Know they are. Table and me are going to help do it ”

"That is good news ’ said the elder Whiting. withhearty
pleasure “This expedition don't look so much like suicide.

3 II it did some time since.”

"l suppose, my friend,” remarked the son, " we shall
hove trouble every now and then with the red devils." .
" , “Shouldn't wonder." returned the hunter. “ lngins are

' .pretty thick. and, somehow or other, don't seem to fancy 10
many White neighbors.”
' “I see you have an Indian companion, who, from all so. ‘
. menu, is a regular blood-hound. Ol' course he s your friend.
7‘ orbs wouldn’t be with you. This arrangement will be in.
dish against Indian, and then must come the tug of war.” 7

Whiting laughed heartily at his remark. and Dullatnd ,

joined hint
v‘ " it is pelt the hour of nail." remarked the elder White.

'

How far do you intend

 

     

 
 

l . m moo: nom.’ ‘ . 21
tug. “ and you-must be hungry. We have partaken our.
,selves, and, as you are now members of our party, you will
find an abundance awaiting you in the cabin. Come
down.” .
“ Ain't hungry,” laughed the hunter. “ Don‘t eat hut once
a day when l’m out on service ogin the redskins. There"!
Talhe, bowsnmever, who‘ll eat anything in your boat, and
your boat. too, if you’ll give him the chance.”
The hunter winked knowineg at Whiting as he spoke,‘
- ‘ and gave a. furtivc side-glance at the moody Shawnee.
{‘I will bring you something," said the father, making I
movement toward entering the cabin: , r
“No hungry.” returned the Indian. with sullen curt-
.ness. '
“No use of coaxing him.” remarked Dulland. " Like
enough he won’t eat for a week, then he'll stuff himself till
he‘s ready to bust.”
At the invitation of Kingman, the? hunter followed him
into the cabin, to make the acquaintance of the females.
‘ After introducing him, and stating that he and an Indian
comrade had joined them as guides, and with the intention .
of remaining with them until their destination was reached,
Kingman withdrew, aleett him alone with Adele and her
aunt. It was not five minutes before the clear, ringing
laughter of the latter two came pleasantly from the cabin.
The jovial fellow had made himselfperlectly at home. and
his general good nature was like a burst of sunshine upon
the flat boat. His own musical voice could be heard telling
some story or making h’s jocose remarks, although his laugh '
was somely audible. Nearly the whole afternoon did ho
\ , remain below, laughing and chatting and diffusing hope and
‘ gledness. Just as the sun was sinking below the tree-tops _
his face appeared, and he rejoined those upon deck, if Incl: .
u: expression he allevvnble in the present case. , . . 3
“Fine women down there. Splendid young gal.”

He received a smiling nod of acknowledgement from tho '
two young men. ’ , ' « 4
“Enguged tonnybow t” w _ » - , V i
" ‘ \ l ' v ‘  , 

      
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

    
       
   
   
   
   
   
         
     
     
 

 
       
     
       
     

“ _ great wall of blackness.

\. the other, and once he exchanged signals with the hunter.. '

' their appearan'ée.

m BLOCK stone's. ‘
"‘ Kingman. there, Ibelieve, ras spoken for her,” langhed

'yonng- Whiting.

' “What Iexpected.” said Dnlland, not the least disup~ 4

pointed.
wire."

All except Kingn.an and the Shawnee now entered the
cabin for the purpose of partaking of their evening meal. AI
they closed around the humble table they reverently hem
their heads, and the elder Whiting implorrd a blessing upon
the food spread before them. A cheerful conversation then
commenced. and the hunter again dissipated the gloomy
feelings of his friends: The evpning repast finished. the
men returned to their stations and relieved Kingmnn. The
hunter took some food to the Shawnee, who, he knew.
would not consent to eat at the table either alone or in the
presence of the others.

By this time night had settled over forest and river. The
moon, near its full, was rpnrtially obscured by straggling
cloudsthat'drifted before its face, and whose shadows flit-
t‘ed across the stream and Wood like grotesque phantoms.
On. either side the dark. gloomy and silent Wilderness came
down to the very water’s edge, bounding in the settlers by a‘
In the moonlight, the shimmering
water made a gleaming road through these wilds, and seemed,
indeed. the only outlet for such as dared to enter its solemn
depths.

A: the night deepened. the cheerful look gradually faded
tromflthe bun er‘s face, and it was plain even to those who
were so briefly acquainted with him, that something unusual

“Beena foolif he hadn t. Make him a. good

Was troubling him. That restless flitting of the eyes, so'pev ,.

culiar to the border ranger, was noticed by Kinuman, and

’his uneasy glances ahead of the boat certainly meant some-

thing. The manner of the Shawnee, too, was singular and
auspicious. Elis black orbs swept first one shore and then

This impressed Klngman so much. thatat length be resolved
to inquired the meaning of it; but. as he was atom to
speak, the cabin door opened. and Adele and her aunt made

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

    

   

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

“ The night is so pleasant," remarked the latter; in
apology, “that we could not resist the, desire to spend. an
hour or so with you.”

I All. including Dulland, made some pleasant remark in re-
turn, but Ki-ngman noticed at once that the hunter was very
ill at case. He glanced oftener at the shore. kept constantly

‘ changing his position, and disregarded the conversation .
entirely. Kingman was leaning on the long guiding-oar, '
and occasionally swinging or dipping it in the water, so as
keep the boat in its proper position. Resigning thispnsition
to young Whiting. he approached the hunter, and whis.
pered :

“You seem troubled about something ?”

“ Get there women back in the cabin," he answered, with

. a nervous start.
‘ “ Their presence will do no harm just now, will it P” '

“ Yes; get ’em back right 03‘."

Kingman represented that a council was about to be held,
whose session was to be secret. and. by this means induced
the two females to return to the cabin. Turning to the
hunter, he said:

“ We are now alone. and I trust that if you entertain
any apprehension, you will not hesitate to communicate it
to us.” I

“ Fact is," said Dulland, with areturn of his cheerful air,

“ Ingins is about.”

“‘No more than I suspected from your manner,” added
the elder Whiting. "I suppose we must expect them at all
times.” .

“I don’t see anything of ,them," laughed the son, “ex-
cept that lellow standing beside you there.” ,

"You’ll see ’em soon enough, youngster, if that's what
you want.” .

I “ Have you observed them 1"" asked Kingman.

’ ‘ “Havn’t exactly seen ‘em, but trom what I know of the '

' Imps, am sure they‘rebelow us on the river somewhere."

" a " What Indians are they ?" ’ 7

 “ Sher/noes. The ones, too, that chased, you this'morno

, I. I m.“ .

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
   
  

 

 

  

Una;

    

t

    

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

' “How can you know that ? How can that be P”

3‘ Easy enough. Sure thing. No mistake about it. Thu
river was too broad where they seen you, and it was in the
broad daylight. There’s an island a little further down. and ’
there. you can make up your mind. is a nest of the impa,
and we won’t get by without a taste of ’em.”

“ How far is this island 'r”

“Not more than halt'tt mile, if it’s that. Thought we
might pass it afore dark when we came on board, but. was
mistaken."

“ Are you certain that”-—-—-

The elder Mr. Whiting was interrupted by an exclamas
'tion from the Shawnee. It was a gutteral “ Ugh!" an
ejaculation which in this case meant thatfhe had discovered
something which he had reason to expect

“ What now, Table 1’" asked the hunter.

“ Look,” said he, extending his arm down the river.

All eyes were turned in the direction indicated but none
emept Dullund understood the meaning of the Indinn‘s te-
mark. ' -

“ See anything suspicious 2” he asked. turning toward hi.
friends. ‘

“ I am unable to make out anything unusual, although!
have strained my eyes to the utmost," replied Kingman.

“ Where are you looking ?”

“Down the river, where your friend pointed.”

“ Lerking in the wrong place. Take sight right over
the top of the boat, in this direction," said Dullnnd. direct-
ing them himself. All did as he requested, and he added :

“The river turns a little to the left, so that you're draw-
lng a head on the right bank instead of on the rivor".

“Still 1 can detect nothing,” said Kingman, with an air
of perplexity.

"Didn‘t expect you to. You're looking too law. What
‘I‘ahle sees and what 1 want you to see is above the tree
tops in the sky.”

m max none; 25'

CHAPTER III.
morass.

Kiugman and his friends obeyed this extraordinary com-
‘mand, and now the cause of the Shawnee's ejaculation wal
made manifest. A thin, spiral wreath of smoke was rising
though the tree-tops. and in the rarified night air it stood
like a perpendicular column against the sky. It was vapory
Ind cloud-like. and Would have not been noticed by those
on the boat had not the Indian called their attention to it.

" Only a trick,” r‘emarked the hunter. “Built a fire on
the shore on purpose to make us think they was there."

“ What good can that accomplish?"

“ They‘re right opposite the island. They think if we see
‘slgn ’ on the shore, why, well either run on t'oth’er side 0,!
the island. or close along it. .

“And why should we not do that?" asked young Whit-
lug.

“ Cruise the injins are on it, and if we go too close they‘ll
have he sure."

‘ " Still, why can we not take the other side of it T: per-
listed Whiting. . i
' “Cause the channel is on the northern side, whilethe
water on the south of it is hardly six inches deep, and, we
couldn’t float a rod without getting aground. The Injins
have built their fire and crossed over to the island, where
mEy’ro waiting for us. Yes, sir.” . ,
. At this point, Kingman submitted a proposition to the
‘ I  hunter. who by common consent, was acting as their guide
' and leader. As it was now certain they were apprroaching
I a dangerous portion ofthe river—doubly dangerous in the .
darkness -—he suggested that the flat beat be anchored until
‘ morning. and the threatening spot be passed during the day-
light. The hunter was in doubt whether to accept the ana- '
’  and, turned tothe Indian. y

   
  
    
  
  
    
   

 

 

 

m‘ "BLOUK‘ H003].

“What do you think, Table—shall we anchor and wait
till morning?" ’

“No wait—no wait.” he replied, with a shake of the
‘ head. “ Injin take all scalp." '
,~ ' r 1“ Why so ?"
 \ “ Go up ribber—float down in dark—crawl up boat—kill
all.”

 “The Injin‘s right,” said the hunter, turning to then.

otbers. “Never would do. Soon as they found out what

'we’s up to they'd build a raft or some contrivance and come

down slap agin the boat, or if they was afraid to do that.

they could set it on fire and let it, float agin us. There’s

forty difi'erent plans they’d be up to. ’Twon’t dot Must
just go on as though we didn’t s‘pect anything ” ,

This decided the matter, and silent preparations were

made for meeting the coming danger. The priming of each

rifle was examined. as well as the stock of ammunition on_

hand. The flat-boat. was so constructed that an open space

was at either end, large enough to accommodate half a

dozsn persons. This was so protected by the sides of the

r,’ boat that an ordinary man in the standing position was safe

from the bullets of a skulking indian. When necessary to

pass from one end of the vessel to the other, it was done by

either walking over the roof of the cabin, or through it. In

case of danger, the latter course only was adhpted. From

these remarks it will be seen that the flat boat was made
somewhat did‘erently from the ordinary ones of that day.'

On the pressnt occasion, Dulland took possession of the

’ oar swung at the stern, while Kingman, accompanied by.

 the Shawnee, passed to the prow, and undertook A the con- "”
" They ware now within a .

* trol 'of the one at that point.
quarter of a mile of the island, and the oars were dipped as
silently as possible, and the unwieldy vessel gradually
worked over toward the Ohfo shore. The ~hunter gave a

low whistle as a signal for ngman to cease his efforts, and"

' be on the lookout. In a few minutes the island became
visible to all upon the heat. A few trees stood upon it. and

i V»

  

. “wijfl’l‘

 

'  ourthce was covered With a species at long, wit} '

 

   

m 32.00: mass. 2"?

 
     
   
   
   
     
     
       
     
       
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
       
   
       
   
     

\ grass. the best material that an Indian, could wish for an
» ambush.

Kingman was engaged in scrutinizing it. when he was
diverted by a second exclamation from the Shawnee at his
elbow. '

“- Look there!” said be. pointing toward the smoke which
Ind first attracted his attention.

Kingman did so, and immediately noticed that the lower‘i
portion was much darker and heavier than the rest, as it
made by casting more fuel upon the fire.

“ What is the meaning of that P” asked our hero.

“ Ugh! lnjin go there—-—stir up fire—make it burn more
'—so see it. Bimeby go back ’gin to island in canoe—maybe
see him." . '

So it proved indeed. A savage had crossed over to re-
replenish the tire, and at the moment the Shawnee ceased
speaking Kingrnan heard the dip of his paddle. The dis- .
tance was too great to make him certain, but it was ether
a freak of his fancy, or he actually did see the returning
canoe. Something like the shadow of a part of a cloud
glided silently and regularly across the piece of water, and
disappeared at the edge of the island. .

“ Was that as cases crossing the channel?" he asked of
Table.

“ Injin canoe—injln in him—me see him." ,

It was agreed by the whites that in no case were they
to fire or return a shot unless the savages came out in their
canoes to attack them. Should they do this. every one was
to load and tire as rapidly as possible, and pick 011‘ all they ‘
could. In case their enemies were so numerous as to reach ‘
the flat-boat in spite of their resistance, Kingman and his}
two companions had solemnly sworn that none should obtain

~.o foothold upon it, except oyer their dead bodies. Them
was no doubt but what the hunter and his comrade would“
do their share of fighting.

The dreaded island was now but a few rods distant, and
every breath seemed suspended with expectation. The

elder/Whiting had found tune to whisper-to his wife and .. 1
uses that they would, in all probability, be attacked within  

ml awn: noun.
a short time, but assuring them they Were abundantly able
:9 repel the assault. The moon now went plunging through
the clouds, and the island became almost invisible, but when
just abreast of the upper portion, a voice, apparently 01 n
. \ person in great distress, called out:
A “ For the love of Heaven, take me on board,"

All knew well enough that the speaker was a white rene-
gade, or captive. who was compelled to act as a decoy, to
get them to venture nearer the island, but the minute he
rfipt)ke it flashed upon the mind of Dnlland that he could
gain time by conversing wi h him, and probably pass thd
bland without being attacked. So he called 'out, in to:
turn:

.“ Who are you '1’"

.“ Have you heard of George Dulland '1’”

_“ B'leeve so; good fellow, too.”

“,I am that persm, dreadfully wounded."

" You are!” exclaimed the genuine Dulland in feigned
lmazement. “How came you to be over there?” '

“l was out scouting this morning, fell into an ambush,
and was desperately wounded. I escaped by swixnunmg
the river and hiding hern. (several groans) Help mel
' help me 1 ’ (This was followed by a heart-rendiug groan.)

" Are you alone?"

“ All alone. and I shall perish if—(anolher groan) if
some one don‘t help me.” ,

" Can’t you win out to us? We hive a. canoe behind. ‘
Climb into that and we‘ll hawl you on board --yes, sir,”

- added- the hunter. in a Whisper. nudging Whiting in the
ribs. " Reckon we will haul you on board."

“ I can’t! I can‘t! 0. Heaven!"

. The sound that followed this was awful—more like I
i v :H gasping shriek than anything else.
’ I “ We're afraid of lnjins. dear Dulland." said be There’s
the smoke of a camp-tire over here in the woods.’,'
4 “ 1 know it. They're the Shawnees who are after me.
Ain't you going to take me on board '9" '
. “Wqu down to the lower end of the island.”

 

mnnnoox HOUSE.

" I can’t I can’t l, I can‘t stirl Are you going tolcnve
me ?"

All this time the flat-boat was floating down stream. and
had actually passed more than half the island, so that the
decoy was compelled to be expeditious with his stratcgem.
Indeed, the casn was so urgent that while uttering the last
two or three appeals. be omitted entirely the groaning which
had accompanied them when he first spoke. Little did he
imagine to whom he was talking. Instead of making a di-
rect reply, the hunter stiil sought to gain time.

“ Who did you say you might be ?’

“Dnlland—George Dnlland, a friend of the white people.
who would never desert at comrade in misery. Are you
going to take me on board 'r"

“He always has an Injin with him. Where is he?”

“ He was killed. Confound you, are you going to leave
me ?7| .

"‘Ha, ha. 2” laughed the hunter. “ Inm George Dal-T
' land, and my lnjin is with me, and plenty others. Polly
has got a load in her, and We’re rendy for you —-—”

The whole lower portion ot the island seemed to burn
forth into one broad blaze of fire, and the crash of lull a
score ofrifles awoke the echoes for miles. 'l‘hen dark forms
irose like shadows from the grass, flinging their arms aloft,
springing in the air, yelling as if they were fiends instead of
human beings. Kingman, as well as both the Whitings,‘_
was chilled at first with horror at the sight, and then each
felt no uncontrollable desire to discharge their pieces in the
midst of them. The mark was so plain. it was impos~iblo l
to miss. But they remembered the injunction of their leader, ' '
lnd restrained themselves. '

'The silence of the flat-boat was more ominous to the In. -
dians than any demonstration could have been They knew
there was something in it, and hesitated to take to their
canoes, although they had prepared them for that‘purpose.

They continued dancing, screaming, and yelling along the
L inland, waiting for the tire of the whites, in order to deter-
mine their numerical strength. Srdden.y the deul‘enlng
chmbr ceased, end he whose tones‘ in few minutes before . "

\.

 

THE BLOCK KOBE}.

were those of abject misery and snpplication, spoke as fol-
lows: ' '
“Come, old Duliand. you might as well knock under first
‘ as last. for you've got to do it in the end.” "
" When we’ve got to do it, we‘ll do it. That was epoo:
shot.” '

The bullet of the renegade, which nipped a curl from his
temple. was what the hunter referred to when he changed
the tenor of his remark.

" If you don‘t work your old lubberly concern in here
we‘ll board, and scalp every one of you.”

“ Just so. What'll you do if we shall come in i’”

“ Why—why, we'll spare your lives."

“ Guess we won’t come in just now. My God!" gasped
the hunter. “ T/tefllt-boat is aground !” ,

Such was the fact. In the anxiety of the whites to keep
away from the island. they overdid the matter running so
close to the main shore as to get into shallow water. The
.lumberly craft stopped with a dull shock,' and remained on
immovable as a rock. while the exultant yells of the savage!
were redoubled. and the explosion of' their rifles sent the
bullets patterng against the sides of the boat in a perfect
shower. But tar above this din arose the clear, trumpets
like voice of the hunter: '

"Now is the time to tire! Don’t miss l” -

. And they didn’t. Each singled his victim before firing.
‘ and the aim was unerring. In the dim moonlight it was
impossible to distinguish the renegade, although Kiugmnn
' r. tried his utmost to do so. There were, prchsbly, thirty
'lndisns in all—a force certainly su‘fi'lcent to annihilate the
whites, had they attempted to hoard them. This was what
the hunter feared, and what he continualy watched against. ‘
The wfiter was so shallow. that unless kept at bay, they -
_ would rush out and Overwhelm them. \
' 'v The deadly vollies of the whites proved so fatal, that.
useemingly in obedience to a signal, every Radian suddenly
,dropped flat on his face and disappeared. Their hiding
“places, however, were shown by the fishes of" their'rifleo.  V s
end the tufts of fire which continually spouted. between the if

/

 

:1

" m noon sonar.

grass. ’ The island, for the time being. was a literal Terra
do! Fuega, and showed how abundantly the savages had
prepared tor their victims. ,
So long as their assailants remained there too whites
.' cared not, for their bullets rapped harmlessly against. or
buried themselves in the oaken sides of the boat, but at this
juncture. the alarming fact was made known that they had
Indians upon the shore to contend against. in the confu-
sion and clamor. these had either managed to cross over
'flnobserved, or else they had been stationed there, and had
waited for the proper moment before showing themselves.
Our friends were thus placed in a cross-fire, and their dan- l
ger made doubly great. for it was almost impossible to
show their heads above the protecting gunwalu of their
Shoat, ,without being a target for a halt dozen rifles. Already
Kingman and young Whiting had had several escapes from
.v death, and it. became painfully apparent to the hunter that
unless theboat was freed, and allowed to float on again, ‘
their case would shertly be hopeless. His experience and
eonsumate cunning led him to detect, that amid the shouts ,
'and yells'ot‘ the Indians on either hand, they were exchaug.
30g signals, and he't‘elt satisfied preparing for a simultan
neons rush for the boat. All depended upon preventing
this,‘ and he now had recourse to the following strategem to
let it afloat again.
Through his directions, the five men stepped to one side
,of the cralt, making it incline several inches. They then -
moved rapidly to the opposite side. back again, and in this
manner gave it a swaying motion. This soon became vio-
Jam, and made such an unusual agitation of the water that
.the Indians seemed struck with wonder at the wholemove-
meat. The agitation was continued several minutes, just
dong enough to show the hunter that it was worse than use-
‘ less, for they were only working it farther into the shallow '
.water. Accordingly this was given up and their attention
, turned to keeping their assailants at bay. > _ ,
H Young Whiting was on the point of speaking to the burn
ter, when he-aaw him drop his rifle with a start, and placing
Jain hand onthoymmle, mule a sudden bound, our it into

 

32 ‘ m 31.00}: noon.

the river. At the same instants. mass of dark bodies piung- ’
ed into the stream and made toward them. They had
hardly entered when a violent shock was glvon the boat,
and it commenced floating down the current ere Whiting
éonld comprehend the meaning of all this, the rosy face of
the hunter appeared above the ‘gunwale and was shortly

' ‘followed by his body.

“ Got ’em now," said he as he landed among them. "' The
boats otl‘ ag’in." .

The hunter, seeing the savages were about to make the
Ittempt to hoard them, understanding their imminent'peril,
had dropped overboard, amid the inceseant storm of bullets,
where, applying his shoulder to the boat, and calling into
play his Herculean strength, he shoved it into deep water, .
we returned, unharmed, upon the boat. As it yielded to
the current, the Indians made a desperate effort to reach it,

. being compelled to swim by the depth of the water in their
efi'orts. The motion of the latter changed their relative
situation with respect to it, so that the assailants ‘Were all
placed'astern, and the rifles of the whites were once more

v opened with deadly effect upon them. - g

The advantage was thus all on the side of the latte", when,
to their unspeakable dismay, the flat-boat struck a second
time and remained fast. In a twinkling, the intrepid hunter . 3
was again in the water, and applying his formidable strength
to get it into deep water as before. To make the matter
sure this time. after he had given it a headway. he walked
beside it, until satisfied that it was so far from the shore
that there was no danger of its striking again. ‘ '

“Guess well make a go this time,” said he, bounding
lightly nmung his friends. "Crack away at ’em, and don't
let ’em get any neuron: '

'But the Indians were making all haste back to the island .
Ind shore, and in a few .minutes not. one was visible.

“ Thank God I” said the elder Whiting, fervently, “ w ‘
“a at length rid of them” ‘

 ‘ “ Not quite,” said Dulland, “ We’ve peppered ‘30: too
' - , had for ’um to let us slip 011‘ no easily—hello!” '

.‘ \’

j The latter exclamation-was caused by a rifle bulletcnmiag

,f

 

I'll! BLOCK EOUBL

still nearer than did the reuegade’s. The attacking Indiana
Were in their canoes, where, lying flat upon their (sees, they
floated with the current. and poured acoustaut and danger-
. ous fire upon the [lat-boat.

“ Keep your heads down,” commanded the hunter, “as
10".! as they stay at that distance they c=1n‘t hurt us ”

The determined resistance ol'the brave little haul deterred
the savages from carrying out their intentions of board-
ing them at all hazards; hurl. as the flat-boat had resumed ‘
its position in the channel, all danger, in reality was past.

Kingmau‘s first proceeding after satisfying himself 01'
this, was to enter the cabin and communicate It to the ladies.
As might be expected they were in a state of terrible alarm.
The intelligence was a. great relief to them. and they thank-
ed heaven with their whole hearts when he added that not
one had received a wound. As our hero returned to hi-
station. a glance showed him that. Titlllc was gene.

' “Dullaud, is your Shawnee i‘riend there with you?”

“No. he is not here,” returned the hunter.

“ He was with men moment ago, but he is gone.”

“ Never mind him; he‘ll turn up again, all right,” re-

sponded Dulland heartily.

' King-man could not avoid a feeling of uneasiness at the .
absence of the Indian. IIe reflected that the attaching

party belonged to his own people. and what was more likely

than that he would return to them. if such were the case,

the crisis ot‘ their danger had not been reached. The use

aurance of the hunter could not place him at his ease. and

he was in more despondent spirits than he had been since

starting. .

It was not singular that the uneasiness was shared by the '
two Whitings. Although It found no expression in words,
precisely the same apprehensions took possession of each.
It was evident enough that the Shawnee had some object
in deserting 'thc‘hoat at that moment, and understanding
fully the treacherous nature of his people. they felt it could
not be for any good. And. furthermore the three were
confident that he.would be heard from before the night had

 ‘ passed. I _ ,

 

m uoox nonal-

CHAPTER IV.
'rna warsxr TRADER.

The deep silence that succeeded the attack of the. indie-KIA .

' was scarcely less impressive than that which had precedes” v
it. The dim, shadowy shore bounding them in on either
hand, the sott rustling of the night wind through the tree-.
tops, the fantastic shadows of the clouds that were gliding
across the river, and the dismal haying ot‘a wolf in tl.e dis-
tance—all these were in cousonanee with the gloom which
oppressedthe hearts of the three emigrants in these wilds
Table, the Indian. was gone, and with the subtle mind he,
' possessed, they believed him able to accomplish any deviltry
that his treachery might suggest. In that dark hour. King-

. -man reproached himself for ever inducing the gentle Adele
Russell 10 leave her home in the East ; and fearless and as
‘amhitious as was young Whiting. could he have seen .the '
‘ fearful perils that were already closing around them, even

he would have none no further. ,
As for the hunter, nothing seemed to weigh down his
spirits. Although he was less communicative than usual,
' It was only because he was compelled to be so. When a
flood of moonshine streamed down upon his face the same
I ’}oyful smile was there. and the same glad sparkle illuminated
his eyes. It would be no extravagant figure to liken his
' _ (ace itself to a miniature moons-so round, rubicund, and
.pleasant did it appear.

“ Hello, Kingmsn, there!” he called.

“ What do you wish i" * -

“ Come to this end ; no need of your staying there any
longer.” ‘ '
V' Judging the females had gone to rest, King'ma'n stepped
lightly over the roof of the cabin. and in a moment was ' by l
. his side. ‘

 “Fine raflair, that scrimmage." eh, Kinsman?"  m ‘

hunter, nudging him in the side. i l ' ' *

/

 

8‘5

' the neat slum,

The young man endeavour! to return his smile, but it
.was such a failure that the hunter detected it at once.

‘~ What’s the matter l‘ What's the matter. eh. boy f"

“ To tell the truth, I cannot feel easy about the absence
01 that Indian."

“ Ha, ha! You don’t know 'l‘ahle. ‘True as steel; I’ll

,snswer for that ” . i

“I doubt not that you think so, and I would I could lee}
so. What do you think about it ?” he asked, addressing
himself to the older Whiting. ‘

.‘ “ Since you have spoken of it," returned the latter, with
some hesitation, “ Imust say that I have been greatly trou-
bled over it. I pray God thst my suspicions may not .provo
true; but, knowing what I do oi the treacherous character
of the lndian race, I fear the worst."

“ Hang the whole set ; 1 never would trust one of them."
exclaimed young Whiting. with considerable warmth. ,

“Friends,” said the hunter, with a more serious air then
he had used as yet in addressing them. “depend upon it, I-
know Table and you don't. He’ll be on hend'ina-sltorz
time, and will be at! n'gzlzt.”

This positive assurance of Dullnud seemed, in a measure,
to dissipate the gloom that oppressed his friends, although
neither oftheru by any means felt all his apprehensions. re- I
moved. They said no more about it. however, and the host
glided forward silently as before. In a short time Whiting
end his son retired within the cabin to spend the night, but

' Kingman remained shove, determined to fathom the mys-
tery in regard to the Shawnee before he ventured to close '

his eyes in sleep. r

I

It must have been near midnight, and just us he won cox ,

the point of speaking to the hunter, that the latter asked. in

I whisper: , :

" Hear anything ?"
“Idid, certainly; it sounded like a spiesh along the

» shore.” ' v
“Just so. Look toward the Kentucky bank—n little

5 Mead-anti tell me whetherynn see anything ”

.Kiugmon did as nqwsted. but at first discovered nothing” 1 ' V

 

 

<

  
 

‘1 Was soother person."

80 V m 31.00: noon.

But in a moment he made out a dark. ball-like object non.
ing on the snrlace of the water, proceeiing in such a direc-
tion as to intercept the progress of the boat. V

‘- isn‘t that an Indian 5 head i" asked our hero, in some
alarm. ’

(. i'es."

He instantly raised his riflse to fire. but was prevented by

[he hunter. A moment later Table clnmbcred up the side |

ofihe’boat. and silently took his station be<ide his white
friend. Just then the moon swept clear of the clouds, that
seemed wrangling around her. and a flood of light poured

down Upon the face of the Shawnee. Its habitual eclipse ~
seemed awful in its darkness—so sullen and forbidding that .

Kingrnan felt no desire to address him. Glancing down~
ward to his waist, he saw three human scalps Longing there,

and that glance explained to him at once the cause of the «

Intliau’s absence. The hunter noticed the look, and re-
msrkeil. apologetically:

“Iujin will be lrjin. and there’s no use of trying to'

change him, without the good Lord above does it. ’l’Lai
will make another men of him. but nothing ease will. We
seen them good missionaries work among ’eln till the [njius

‘threatened to burn ’em all; but they kept on doing tho

Lord‘s Work, and bimebye the good began to come. The
bloodiest or the redskins became as mild as women ”—-

“Tahle no woman 1” exclaimed the Shawnee, with start-
ling quickness.

“ Who said you was, eh, spunky ?" asked the hunter, _ I

nudging him in the side. “ Pity you wasn’t. As 1’s saying,
the bloodiest of ’em became just like women. I've been

. among the Moravians at Grndenhutten. and it‘ Ihnd ever

doubled the religion of Jesus Christ. which I never did,”
asid the hunter, reverently uncovering his head. and raising
his eyes heuvenwurd, " what I seen there would have satis-

' lied me. I arrived among ’em one stormy night, after run: '
V using over forty miles from Indians. who had given me more

than one wound. I was hn‘ dead, but they nursed mo.
prayed for me, and done All they could. When I got will

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

l
l“;

2e

   
 

m Bronx nous:
The We was about to say more, but he seemed to re-
flect at‘ this point that. he had done something rather on-
"sun! for him, and he ceased bis narration. *At that women:
Sherman Kingman felt he was a man to be respected—s
man'who possessed a great. noble heart, and a. being who,
-. above all others, was a frich in the dread wilderness.
5' Well, Table,” said he, with his usual cheerfuiness,
"‘1 what news do you bring? Will they uouhleus ag’in
’ so-night 2*" .
“ No trouble sg’in-—hurt too much.”
"Shouldn’t wonder if we did hurt a leetie—eb.'King~
men 2‘” nudging him. “Wouldn’t be surprised to hes:
several of 'em were hurt. Looks as though you had done

some of that work, Table, yourself,” added the hunter,

[glancing at the trophies, dangling fsom his waist.
The Shawnee said nothing, but a shadowy glance of ex-
. ultation For in instant overspre'nd his countenance, leaving
it. darker than ever under its eclipse.

Kingman and Dulland now commenced a conversation in
’tow tones, which was can'ied on for half an hour. when the
latter touched the arm of the former. In answer to our
hero‘s inquiring look, the hunter pointed toward the

Bh~-wnee, who was standing with his body bent. his head‘

projected forward in the attitude of intense listening.
‘ f“ Hears something," whispered the hunter. “Wait till
he speaks.”

The two watched the lndisn. Kingman especialflv, with .

great interest. He had learned to appreciate the wonder-
fuiM'ood-eraft he possessed, and the termination of his last
adventure convinced him that the savage was as true to the
interests of him and his party as the hunter himself.
Suddenly Table straightened himself, with a suppressed
- “Ugh!” signifying that what ever, was the cause of his

‘ .41..

' surprise. he now understood it.

“What is it this time ‘1’" asked Dulisnd. "

 “Canoe sgin, ugh! the see him," replied the Shawna

. pointing down stream.
The sky being nearly free at clouds, the boat was dis:

f thictly made out, crossing the river in s dihgonsl direcfion‘

 

  

 

 

 

  

o f

'.-8-8 an uncut noun. .
from the southern to the northern hank. Reaching the line
of shadow made by the trees on the latter side. it shut
beneath them and was hid from view. The hunter, how-
ever; noted the place where it disappeared, and feeling con-
fident that it would remain in one position until they had
I left it behind, he determined to give it a shot in passion.
He felt satisfied that every human being in these parts, be-
side those immediately around him, was an enemy, and it
was, therefore, his Christian duty to do him what injury he
could. " '

As the flat-boat drifted abreast of the suspicious spot. a.

faint, shadowy outline of the canoe was seen. but the keen-
est scrutiny of both the hunter and Indian tailed to detect
the presence of a human form within it. .
l " Where’s the Ingin ?” asked Dalland of his savage
triend. ‘
‘ “ Lay down—hide—‘fraid git shot."

“ ’Twon‘t save him if he has, for Polly here will send I
bullet through-a dozen eggshells like that. See what a
flurry I’ll make." \

Quick as thought the hunter raised his rifle, aimed and
fired. The resuit proved, remarkably enough, that Table
had been mistaken. There really was no person in the
canoe, and the utter silence that succeeded the report of the

rifle so astonished Dulland that he forgot to reload it,_aa I

was his custom in such cases
"You may take my hair, Table,” said be, “if there‘s
anybody in that concern. If there is he’s got Polly’s com:-

plimenta right through him. Reckon he’d made a splash-

ing if such was the case.”
“ Ugh! hide in tree—drop down."
Asthe Shawnee spoke. a dark. ball-like object dropped

' ll'oman overhanging limh into the canoe, striking as lightly .

as a bundle of feathers. As quick as lightning the hunter
caught the rifle fi-om Kingmsn‘s hand. but, as he brought
it to his shoulder, a voice was heard from the canoe.

“ One shot at a friend is about enough, I’m calculating. f '4
and new now you'll let me approach, I’m also calculating.” r - t 2 W .

' ‘

 

L;-

 

 

Ax‘c _-ov'nlr,- u  A m

_ . 1:,
In?“ 

 

,4

 

 
 
 
 

this fact, little was knewn of him.

.seemed no barrier between them.

'rm: BLOCK nous]. 30

The hunter dropped the stock of his rifle. .with a ringing
clamp upon the deck, and laughed heartily.

“ Old Vesey. the whisky-trader. sure enough."

in a moment the canoe was at the stern of the flatrboat.

and, making it fast (the canoe which Dulland and Table ,

had used had been lost in the tight with the Indians) tho
whisky trader clambered on deck. As the subsequent life
of this individual is to be comprehended within those chapter s.
and as he has a. part to play upon our stage of action, we
shall devote a paragraph to him. ‘
Wilkins Vesey. as he was known. had been a whisky-trader
on the frontier for a period of five years previous to the date
ofthe incidents which we have undertaken to give. Beyond
He traveled over a cit"-
cnit numbering hundreds of miles. and the season when the
settlers and the red men were the most incensed toward
each' other. he seemed to be more busy than ever. He
madelong jnumeys to the East to proc ire his supplies, and
carried the keg containing his beverage on his shoulders,
after the manner of a peddler. Vesey was never seen under
the influence of liquor. Like a physician he knew his own
medicine too well to deceive himself with it. He was a
diminutive. weazen faced. shriveled-up personage, and, for
ought any one knew to the contrary. might either be thirty

_or eighty years of age. His face was thin. parched-like, with

hooked nose, and toothles: mouth, and skin which seemed
to have been made for a giant, so flabby and shrunken was
it. His/eyes were of that peculiar repulsive greenish grey
color. and so close together that the thin bridge of the nose
He was talkative. ahd
inquisitive, and it is but proper to add that more than one
settler did not hesitate to avow that he was in league with
such renegades as Simon Girty and others. And there were
men on the border, whose cabins had been devoured by the
midnight flames. and whose families had been put to the
tornahawk, who declared they had seen him among the In.
dians urging them on to their fiendish work.‘ They added,

. ' too, with reason. that lfhe were a friend to his own people
, “could never receive the immunity he did r' the'hands o! _

y ‘,<' ‘ ‘
.\ ‘., . . i g .I'

m-

 

40 _ Tris use: Boost. _ ‘
the red men. Whether these suspiciOns were well founded
will be shown ere we have finished.

3' That's a fine way to serve a friend," said he, with In

olr ot‘ vexntion. _

“A tine way for a fiend to act, too,” laughed the
hunter. .

The whisky-trader probably laughed likewise. but it we!
by no menus certain that he did. He stood with his back to
the moon, so that his face was thrown in the shade, but his

round shoulders bounced up and down several times; and a V

gibberish chuckle escaped him.

“ Well, I‘m calculating. (this latter word was ’a' great

favorite with him) that you have to be careful in these parts.
You’ve some friends with you, isee,” said he, glancing
toward Kinsmen and the Shawnee.

“Yes; K'tuy friend, Sherman Kingman,” nodding toward
the latter. “Wilkins Vesey, whisky‘trader.”
I “Ilappv, upon my honor, l assure you. to meet you.
sir," said Vesey, sliding a hand like a cold raven's claw into
that of our hero, who. returning the pressure, answered: _,

“it gives me pleasure to meet one of my own blood in
this wild country, even though I am compelled to express re-
gret. at the calling in which I. find him'engnged.” '

“ Well, well.” said the. trader, with a pompous comple-
ceucy, “there are various opinions about that. [am sat-
isfied with my profession. and that I think is enough.”

“Enough for you. I doubt not, but there can be no doubt
ln'the minds of others,” _, . ‘

Kingrnnn reflected that he was hardly treating the trade!
as was due a guest. but the minute hehzid placed eyes upon
him, a sense of repugnnnce took pos=essiou ot'his entire he-
V iug. He felt that Wilkins Vesey was an evil man, and hi!

presence hoded no good. This. we say. was the impression e _-

,,_hased upon his feelings. As yet he knew nothing of him.

except from the few words that the hunter had uttered in.

';explanation.'u1_ he was approaching in his. canoe, and be-

.‘tyontl thevmere fact of his repugnnnce, he had no cause in , 

the lee“ for treating him, coldly.» ,

There was something else 'that‘didi‘not ‘ escape the notic-

 

 

    

    
 

 

'  p During the int couple of hours 1 thin veil of mist had

. can noon nous; 41.
ofJKingmsn. Great. as was his own sverslon towsrd the
whisky-trader, it was not so decided as thatof the Shawnee.
who evidently met him before. He stood in“ sullen silence.“
his black eyes fiercer than ever and his face seemingly hid:
in. utter darkness under its eternal eclipse. As Kingman and.
the hunter were not gazing at: him when the trader came
over the side of the host, neither saw the glance of‘ ferocity
which for an instant lit up his features. muting them horrl- "

I \ ble in the pale’ moonlight.

Kingman was led to doubt the justice of his own suspi-
cions of the‘treder trom the fact that Dnllnnd to all appears
Inca, receTved him with the greatest cmdinlity and friend-
ship. He had learned enough ofthe frank, jovial hunter to.
know that he was hardly less sngncious than his dusky_
comrade, and to feel that where there was ground for cuter-i
tsining suspicion, he would not be taken 03 his guard.

 

CHAPTER v.
m 1‘33 wuvsxmsss.

Meanwhile the progress of the bout continued uninter-_
rupted down the Ohio. The whisky-trader and the hunter
kept up a continual conversation, the latter frequently. in-
dulging in a clear. echoing laugh, despite the care with~
which he usunlly concealed _ such an outburst. Vesey was.

‘ very voluhlc, and danced from one foot to the. other, and
~ smiled as if he had reached the very some of human enjoy-' -

melt. The Shawnee stood as silent and motionless as a i"
statue. his glowing eyes fixed upon the shore, as though he '
pierced that wall of darkness through and through. King-
m‘ss was scarcely less thoughtful. He leaned against. the
cabin with folded nnns. gazing moodin at the two speakers.

find indulging in a dismal train of reflections, that now and‘
then were manifested by a deep-drawn sigh, and a slight

change or position. ' '

 

 

 

  

' ,‘42 ms mo: novels."

been gathering over the surface of the river. " This con»
tinued to increase until, at length. hoth shores were bid from
view. and the flat boat was " out of sight of land,” as much
as it it were in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. So soon
as this occurred the hunter signified ‘to the trader that their
conversation was at an end. and henceforth a rigid silence
was maintained by all. ,

There was something impressive in the manner in which
the emigrants were journeying to their destination. The
deer that had probably swam the Ohio again and again for

. years, without seeing the sign ofa human being. save, per-
haps. the flush of the lndian’s ashen paddle as he hurried
in pursuit of him, may have been startled on this early
morning by the sight of a huge lumbering craft, looming
through the fog. Not a word or a motion of the guiding
oars told that a living person Was upon it. All was pro-

, found and utter silence Silently it came out of the gloom,

and silently it passed on. like a form in mid-air, until the
mist closed behind it. To the emigrants themselves the

' scene could hardly be les impressive. The same profound

stillness enveloped them, interrupted now and then by the
soft gurgling of the current around some gnarled root that
projected into the stream, or the eddying plash in some
shallow portion. or the distant scream ot‘ a denizen of the
forest. On two occasions the faint reports of rifles were
heard. and created some speculation, from the [act that they
came from'below, and showed. as a necessity that the whites
were not venturing into a region which was entirely as.

tenantcd by men. .

it was hardly light. when, atrthe suggestion of Dulland,
Table went cautiously ashore for the purpose of reconnoitel-'
lug their position, he agreeing to meet them further down.

‘ 1n the course of half an hour the flat-boat drifted down

to a point some rods above the spot selected for the landing

place. Here it was anchored in the midst of the streamiend’.  v

its inmates waited patiently for the appearance of the

Shawnee.
~, “‘It will take him'an hour or two, like'enongh." said the

»\

 

.nu

  

(is 31.00: aovsi. ‘- 43
hunter" -" He won’t show himself till he knows all about

. the woods in these parts.” I
All agreed that this was proper, and expressed their
willingness to wait any reasonable length of time. An
hour dragged by, but still there was no sign of Table. A
vague apprehension. created by that remark of Vesey. was
if!!! the bosom of more than one of the watchers. It found
' no expression in words but each nursed it and hronded over
It himself. Another hour passed, and the hunter remarked
that it was time for either his comrade to appear or to give
some signal of his whereabouts. - ,
“ He may come out at any point along the shore,” said‘

‘ he, “so you can watch as many difi‘erent places as'yOu

{ fdioose."

' “ What’s that yonder ?” asked Adele. pointing toward one
of the tall trees near the expected landing place. “i have
seen that ever since we have been waiting. and thought it
only a broken limb. But it looks as though it were some-'-
thing else which had been put there on purpose to attract
attention.”

All eyes were turned in the direction indicated. and the
object referred to was seen at once. it was near the top of
one of the trees. and bore some resemblance to a small
branch which had been broken, and which hung downward

5 until its leaves had wilted. In this position, it rose and fell

1' in the passing breeze in such a manner as to cause Adele to

1' I ask tbe'question. ' .

i ' The object in question was scrutinized by all for a long

1‘ time and finally proved to be what he had supposed. a line

piece of deer-skin hunting-shirt. lts edges showed that it
 ' had been separated by means of a keen hunting-knife. and
the thong scvcredzby the bullet of the hunter. told that it
his been carefully tied in its place in the tree.
“If an lnjin has done it. it‘s to nit us to come ashore,”
laid Dulland, after he had finished examining it. '
“ How would an Indian know enough to put it in. that
particular place ?” asked the whiky-trader. -
“ it‘s either been. done by accident or‘t'hey've found out» , ,
“and s‘pected the flat-boat would Wt there, and put. that np' “ e 1;

_~.._.  a, V. we

 

   

m snoox. nons§

tormoke «believe it was a. white signal. It’s either-that,
or also," added Dulland, after a pause. “the soldiers that
fin to garrison the Block House have got: there ahead of no,
and have placed it there to tell us where to halt.”

“ Why didn't they put it in a more conspicuous position ?"
inked the elder Whiting.

“Conspicuous enough. All would have seen it More we
got by, ithou’gh none but Adele noticed it while we .was
anchored- At any rate we will soon know, for Tnhle
can’t be for off. Ahl there he is now!”

The lndinn was seen standing in the edge of the water.
where it was several inches deep, at a point about a furlong
nbove where'the flat-boot lay. He seemed waiting to be
observed by the inmates, and had concealed his body by
the overhanging limbs of the trees in such a manner that he
could not have been discovered by 9. person standing upon
the share.
the Shawnee gave utterance to a faint, trilling cry, resem-
bling the note of’a bird. -

" What. is the meaning of that?" asked King'nnn.

“It means,” replied the hunter. seriously, “that some-
thing is among them trees that don't belong there.”

I “Do you mean Indians?" asked our hero.

“I-cnn’t tell what they are; but there is one thing core:
ulnythere are men there of some kind. Wait till I ask
hm.”

The. hunter waved his hand again. and this time the In-.
dien answered by giving the dismal hoot of an owl. In-
otantly Dulland sprang full two feet from the deck. nudg»
lng both Kingmnn and young Whitney with such violence.
on to take their breath nwny, and bursting at. the same time

' into a loud laugh. .

"Are you crazy ?” asked the elder Whiting, in genuine
alarm. . . -
> " White men! friends!" he exclaimed. suddenly ceasing

,Mleurovngnnt demonstrations. “If that. Injin had kept

' silent it would have meant Injins was about; but. mutual“;

~d.hlunid:- ‘ there are white men in the woods."
t». “be am they show themnelvee?”

\

The hunter waved his hand to hin. and in turn,

 
   
 
 
 
    
  
   
  
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
     
     
     

4

, of the head.

' close into the shore.

{4’5

\

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

“ They don‘t know we're here.”

The hand of Adele was laid upon the hunter's arm. She
was as pale as death, and pointed meaningly toward the
trees. He followed the direction of her tlngcr, and stand-
ing out in full View, saw six forms. painted and plnmed in
all the glittering gorgeousness ot‘ Shawuecs upon the war-
path:

,“ These are your white men,”-she gasped.

“Know that they are! Hello!” 4 I

The last exclamation was addressed to those upon shore,
and was accompanied by a wave of the hunter‘s coon-skin
cap. To the unbounded amazement of all, those who had
been taken for Indians sent back a. reply, and the voice of
one called out:

" Come nshorel we‘ve been expecting you for the last
day or two."

The anchor was joyfully lifted. the sweeping outdipped

deep in water. and the flat-boat commenced sidling toward
the shore like a Crab.
M “ You see.” said Dulland. in explanation, as he assisted
ut the work, “they‘re whites. They’ve come a long way
through the' woods, and understand Injin ways enough to
paint themselves up like genuine Shawnees when trnmping
through their country.”

“Thank God, we have friends!” exclaimed-Whiting. ‘
tervently.

“And for that matter. enemies, too,” laughed Dullnnd.

“1’11 bet on that,” "added the son, “ the wands are full
of the red imps, and it won‘t be long before we tied it out.
As for me I calculate on some high old sport among them "

“ You’ll get. it,” said the trader, with n knowmg shake

In a few more moments the flat-boat had been worked
Here the water was found so deep
that she floated up to the bank as if it had been a pier.. and -
was instantly made fast. Kingman and his companionl'

lprnng to land, and grasped the hands of mask-whites who , _ ‘ r
fidwfited'them. I ' 4 _ " ‘ '

 

 

  
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

m annex nouns. '

CHAPTERVI.
was 31.00): Hones.

Although the growth or the West during the last half
a; ‘- century has been unequalled in the history of any country; i ' I
villages. towns and cities springing up as it‘ by magic; im-

mense forests falling before the axe of the settler, as does
, the grain before the reaper, and a wild and numerous peo-
ple tading from the earth. as if blighted by apestilence;
still this vast change was effected by causes which at first -
seemed inadequate to the end. Emigration to the West
rarely took place upon a gigantic scale, and success was
never "‘ organized" by any grand conCerted mOVement. l
Small families passed down the Ohio in flatbonts, bands of
settlers, rarely numbering over a dogen, made their way
through the trackluss wilderness, and here and there a soli-
tary cabin sprang up beside some stream, or tributary of a y 1
river. These were separated by wide stretches of forest. '
and for a time were like cases in the desert. But they
were the nuclei around which others gathered, and which
In a few years became villages of size and importance. As ‘
the tide ot emigration advanced westward, the jealousy of
the Indians became aroused, and those murderous forays
. which finally resulted in wars, were inaugurated. To pro-
tect the isolated settlers, block housse were erected at
,_ I mints easily accessible by their families. and were generally l
" garrisoned by a small number of men skilled in all the strat-'
egg! and cunning of the lncliaus themselves. Bythis means -
/ ' 'the lonely cabins dotting the country here and there, gath-
V cred an air of security and safety, and an impetus was
In)" ,giveu to emigration which has hardly diminished at this’
4133!. l v
, At the time of which we write, several settlers had, reach-
' ~, and a point, further weatward than the destination at .
.-our friends. These had nothing, under Providence. 
l' their own arms and brave hearts upon whichtorel] {or 17 ‘

 

    
  

 

 
  

t

l

 

s

 

-‘,

I

w" m 31.60: noun.

'4?
safety. Wlth the intention bf encouraging emigration to
this section, a party of six men were fitted out at one of the
settlements far up the Ohio, for the purpose of erecting}-
hlock house at a point designated on that river. This point
was made known to our party of adventurers in passing
down the river, and they determined to make it their home.

i The settlement referred to was left by them and by the
soldiers—if they may be so termed—at the same time, and
thus it happened that they were in waiting for the flat-boat

‘when it arrived. .

A tributary of the Ohio, itself quite a river. flowed by the

_ western side of the house, and as the former was on the
south. it may be said to have been protected on two sides
by water. It was several rods, however, from each, and
it, perhaps, gained nothing from this fact. On the north and '
east a space of several acres was cleared away, so that the
Block House stood aloof—so to speak—from the forest it-
self.

When a cabin or post is stocksded. it is merely inclosed
by s fence intended to keep human beings. rather than ani-
mals out of the yard. The manner of doing this is siznple.

Good sized. straight-grained saplings are first cut. and their . ' i ‘

trunks shortened to about a dozen feel. or perhaps a little
less in length. These are carefully split through the center,
or if this be too difficult, one side is hewed off as smoothly '\8
it can be done with an ex, and one end sharpened lik a
t wedge. The smooth side is turned outward, the po ht
placed upon the ground. and the pieoe. by repeated blows,
is driven two feet or more into the earth. This fixes it so
firmly that it requires not only a great outlay, ot strengthhut

‘ a good deal of time to displace it. The second post to-
- pressed close against the first. so that when lorced downwardl

scarcely a crevice remains large enough for an ludin/m ta
peer through. So rapidly as the stocksde progresses, ‘ It is
secured on the inside by means of props and braces, and
.when finished it is often impregnahle against the most: .lo.
‘termined assaults of the In lians. The only way" in inch

v ‘they can reach the interior is by sealing it. and, in doing ;

thia' they expose themselves to the certaih aim ol'th'errltlss' ‘

 

\

4'8 ms 31.001: 301.733.

‘ot thoseinthe block house. Sometimes adoutile row of stock-
ndes enclose the post. when the garrison feel they are threat-
ened. by imminent danger, in which case. if the stockades
have been properly constructed, a handful of vigilant men
.may hold out against ten times their number. 
_ When the Block House and its defences had been com-
pleted, fully a month had passed. and the glow of early
summer was on Wood and stream. The clearing outsTdeof
the Stockade was extended {or a couple of acres more, the sod
‘of Which had been broken, and whose vegetation was now
,givrng signs of the inexhaustible richness .of the soil.
As there Was no 'one among these settlers, legally entitled to
marry, Kingtnan and Adele. they had agreed to defer their
‘union until autumn, when a journey would be made to the
nearest settlement for that purpose. For this reason our
hero. gave up his original intention of erecting a cabin for
himself within the stockade. The Block House_ was so ar-
ranged that. there was abundant room for all. and the servi-
ces of Mrs. Whiting and her niece were abundantly needed
.there. so that.fur the summer, at least. the whole band had
domiciled themselves within it

The afi'uirs ot‘ the little settlement movnd happily and

'prosperonsly aiong, and. to all appearances. every one was
contented in his situation. Probably the happiest of these
was the jovial hunter. Sometimes he remained within the
Block House for several days. assisting, as best he 'could, in
.what there chanced to be doing. and then, with a hurrah.
he plunged into the woods. and nothing more was seen ‘of
him for an equal period. when he returned laden with game.
and in more exuberent spirits than ever. On these occasions

,he was sometimes accompanied by Tahle, but more often he _

went entirely alone, as the Shawnee may be said to have
"‘lived in the woods. Through the daytime he was always
absent, and sometimes for several nights in succession.
Where he went and what he did, at such times no one be-
side the hunter knew. Ho new-r brought any game back
I‘vith him,_. so that it was very evident h- was not engaged
,ppon the chase. His absence occasioned no suspicion upon

 part0! garrison who had met and known him hetero. .

    

 

 

 

   

 

 
 

  

Vin-Aw

I’I'UUI‘UC

A . . .mWrtxwg __g_ _

_ot‘ the folks.

‘ ltill engaged in the tratllc.

' maxmom.

although neither Kingman nor the two Whitings ever
could forget the words used by the whisky-trader upon the
flat-boat. ' L

King-man bnsied himself entirely with the clearing and
cultivation of the ground, in which he received assistance
from young Whiting and his father. The six men who gar.

crisoned the Block House were all border characters, who had

little taste for agricultuaral pursuits, bnt who cheerfully
Volunteered their services when they were needed.
ground being brought under cultivation lay upon the onto
side of the stockade, it maybe seen that those who engaged
upon it were exposed to danger from the lurking enemy in
the wood. But Kingtnan rarely felt the least apprehension.
Either Table, the hunter, or some of the garrison were
ranging through it, and would he sure to announce the ap-
proach of an enemy.

A week after the little settlement was commenced the
whisky-trader went off, and was gone a week. 'When‘he
came back he said he had given up the whisky business; and
denoet‘orth should be a quiet and honest settler with the rest
As a matter of convenience, however, he will
be referred to in the succeeding incidents as though he were
Most of his time was spent in
the Block House, chatting with and relating anecdotes to
the men, and endeaVnring to make himself agreeable and
pleasant to them. We may mark, at this point, that‘h'e
succeeded, and that three persons _only had linger-lugs of
suspicion regarding him—these three being Kingman
the two Whitings.

Thus matters moved along for several weeks; during
wnich not a solitary Indian, save Tahle, was seen bynny
within the settlement. This state of nihirs was certainly re.

' ‘ ‘tnsrkuble, when it is remembered that they were within the I L .
midst ofnn Indian country, and at a time when the encroach. - '

ments of the whites were resisted with a most implacable
fury. Favorable and hopeful as were these circumstances,

main thus.

 

As the -

and I

- nothing was more certain than that they could not "long so. i 
t ‘ f

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
   
  
 
 
 
  
  
    
 
   
    
        
   
   
   
     
    
 

   

   
 
  
   
   
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
   

:F’v . _ a. dim remembrance, it seemed to him, of having heard

a the stockade, and engaged in deep thought.

run about nous].

CHAPTER VII.

A MYSTERY.

It lacked an hour or two of midnight. about a month
after the arrival of our friends, and Kingman was

,standing within a few yards of where the well was

sunk, in the yard of the block house, leaning against
The
night wasso heavy, that, although scarcely more than
a couple ofrods from the block house, he could only
distinguish its shadowy outlines looming solemnly up
in the darkness. The pickets on either side stretched
but a few feet before they blended with the night. and
the silence was so profound that it would have been
easy to suppose he was the only being there. But
now and then a phantom-like form flitting by showed
that others beside him were engaged in watching."

F or an hour more, he remained in this position, his
arms folded, and his eyes wandering dreamily toward
the block house. and following the motions of such as
passed before his view. He had stationed himself here
for the purposeof ascertaining, if possible, some clue
to the traitor he felt confident was in their midst; but

‘ the reverie in which he had fallen had disqualified him
Twice those around him exchanged"

completely. M _
wbrds without his noticing it, and It would have re-
quired the report of one of their rifles to have aroused

' him, had it not occurred without any external help.

At length, in shifting from One foot to the other, he

‘I drew a long breath and looked around him, as though,

151.1313 awakened from sleep.

a v I  It was at this moment that he heard a dull, clicking
sound, as if made by a hatchet striking gravelly earth.
, “He started, and it then occurred to him that the same

sound had been going on for atleast an hour; 'He had

. a

x ~ ‘

.—
V

 

 

—§r-_-_"gogifir

Ta‘u, ,

 

m 31,001 nous; , 51

it in his reverie, as though it were part of a dream.
’At first, he thought some one was working at tho
pickets, but after pressing backward and forward
with his ear close to them, he saw it was not the case.
He listened intently for a moment, and then conclud-
ed that it was on the outside, and that Indians were
at the bottom of it. Just as he was on the oint of
movingaway to call the attention of the sentmels, ho ,
recellected the object for which he had taken this
station“ This might be the very opportunity for
which he was waiting! He now possessed the means

.of ascertaining who the real traitor was!

He entered the block house, and the first sight that
met his eyes, was Mott—one of the original settlers,
in cenversation with one of the garrison—young
Whiting and the whisky trader. This settled one
phase of the matter at once. Vesey, at least, was in-_

‘ ,nocent, and he must look elsewhere for the guilty.

He joined in the conversation, and learned, without
exciting question, by his abruptness, that the Indian
had lain down several hours ago. A buffalo robe ‘
stretched in one corner of the room was pointed out,
and looking in that direction, Kingman saw his moo-
casins projecting from beneath it. ‘ In answer to his
further inquiries he learned that 'all were within the
block house, with the exception of the four sentinels,
and the hunter. The latter had been absent for several

'.hours.

Kingman kept down the emotions this announce.
ment caused, and made his way out into the open air
again. Here he paused a moment, and still unwillin
to believe the hunter guilty of any design upon the

I party he had so faithfully guided to this point, he

passed around to the difl'erent sentinels and spoke to

I- them. Each answered him, and all were at their

oats, and he believed had not left them. This then,
iirought the matter down to this point: the suspicious

I p: ounds. whatever they might he, were either made by
{he hunter or by hostile Indians. A few minutes .-

 

   

 
 

52 l ‘ uni stout. not“

thought convinced ,Kingman that it could not be the
latter. In the first place, it Was extremely improbable ',
that they would have come such a distance in the f a
night and make any insiduous attempt against, the t
.block house, without first having a view of it in the
day time, and learning something about it, and the I
very character of the sounds showed that only one ‘
.person was at work, and he cautiously and'with great ;
care. No; painful as was the thought, he could not
resist the conclusion that George Dullaud, the genialv
hearted hunter, was plotting the destruction of every '
soul within the stockade. _

Kingman , returned to his position and listened.
,The dull, clicking sound was still audible, but it ceased '.
as though his tramp had been heard. The greatest
difficulty was to locate it. He could get within a
dozen feet, apparently, of it, but no'closer. It was in 5
the neighborhood of the well, and sometimes seemed ‘f ‘
within the Stockade and Sometimes without it. In a l

“minute or two, it recommenced and came from be.
Death him! Placing his ear to the ground,'he heard
_ it ,with a great deal more distinctness, and imme-
' ‘._ , diately conr‘luded that it was either made by a. toma- i
,. hawk or a knife (liSplacing dirt. _It continued for
, half an hour and-the'u ceased. Kingman waited a long
,time for it, and then made his way back to the block .
.5 house, believing that the hunter would do nothing

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 

._._.uA-n-L

more that night. 
. »In the block-house, the thoughts of What he had '
“j »heard, made him so uneasy and restless, that, in a

..,shor_t time, he passed out again, determined to watch ‘3
, and listen until daylight. Half way across the yard ,
i he met the hunter, who spoke: A
.“ That you there; Kiugman “i”
. “Yes.” _
. .‘“Wh:it are you doing out this. time of night 1"
‘fl might ask the mm of you.”
3“ f‘ S‘pose so; Well, l‘ve'heen out for the good of th

. ‘2 .
Mpg." I , _ t ..

 
 
   

   
   

 

  

   

   

“he nausea)?

 

' as T s‘pose there'll be some more tramping to’b'e douo

' and penetrate this mystery."

‘_.r..~_4‘e-—~¢e¢.'“.uw._—.-vva . a

‘ Weeding night. The ground“ was perfectly leirel and

run was nous: 5‘3; ,.
“The same object, I hope. that keeps so many of , .>
us up to night.” ' ' ’ ' *
‘fOf course; guess

  
   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 

I'll go in and snooze till daylight,

to-morrow."

A short time after, Kingman foliowed him and re-
mained inside until morning. '

Long ere the sun had risen, the hunter and the In- ‘
dian had taken their departure. and of course, were
not expected before night, unless they should discov-
er imminent danger. Kxuqmm}, after mature delibe-
ration, drew young VVlliting aside, and imparted to '
him the events of the preceding night. The latter
seemed fora moment dumbfounded; he looked at
Kingman as if he doubted his sanity. ’ " ‘ "

" Does anybody else know this l" t

“ 1 have not mentioned it to another soul."

“By heavensl I can’t believe you. Let's take
father into our confidence.” ”
V' “ It could do no good, and might only occasion
unnecessary alarm. I Say nothng to any one else
about it. \Ve will make an examination ourselves

“ But to think 'Dullaml a traitor! why. Sherman,
I‘ve perfect confidence in him. I believe. after all, that
devilish whisky trailer is the one who is at the bot.
tom of all the mischief." '

“ It couldn‘t have been he that I heard last night.”

“ Well, let us make the examination you proposed;
that will tell." ' '

The two moved to the well and first looked into, i
that. Nothing unusual was noted here. Both stamp- .
0d upon the ground, but it gave back no hollow sound,
and they were constrained to believe that the under-
minin}: must have gone on upon the outside. Ae-
cortlin'gvly they passed withour, where hingman was
80 bullied that he was tempted to believe that he had
been mistaken in hearing any sound at all during th‘o

    

   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
      
       
     
 
 
   
       
       
     

54 was noon novel.

3 undisturbed, stretching away for about twenty yards 1m
to the stream. which debauched into the Ohio at this  ’3‘.“
point. - Not an inch of this ground had been disturb-  t

 ed, not a speck of fresh dirt Could be discovered, and ; co,

. . their most vigorous stamping failed to give any evi- i

dence that any excavation was made in the vicinity. w

‘ Within, perhaps, twelve feet of the stockades, stood mi

' It large stump, the tree of which had been partly rotten ; .

and hollow. Beside this. there was nothing but the ‘1 m

greensward between the pickets and the bank of the :‘ cit

steam. 
“ It is unaccountable!” exclaimed Kingman, in a 

‘tone of vexation. ‘-‘ IfI didn't, hear somebody hack- 2,

ing gravel, or pOunding under ground, then I’ll never 1' a

trust the evidence of my ears again." 

l
I,

-' ' -‘ Couldn't it have been the pickets ?” p
Kingman looked thoughtfully toward them. and shook his 9
head.

’ “There hasn’t been one touched I put my ear to them  .
last night, and I put it also to the ground. No; I’ll take .i
oath that it was underground." ‘

“But how could they, or he, or whoever it was. get  I
there. And where are the signs of it? I never knew ln- .2 .
(liens or hunters could burrow like squirrels. digging a  ,
deephole without leaving 3 grain of dirt upon the out-

side.” \
'3; l > “They can't, or course. Just take a look around you,
’ Oscar, and think awhile. We must get at the bottom of
this.”
Both stood with thoughtful brows a moment, and that:
‘ .Whiting looked up.
“ The stream." U I
' Kingmanuuderstood him. The hunter mlght—slthough’ 
It was about impossible—come out on the creek, either
shove or below the water-line. The We passed up and
down the bunk several yards, but could discover nothing at
‘nll. The water was so clear that they could discern the
. bottom a long way from shore. _
' »  f‘lf the hunter come mph: the inter of course he would, ‘

; .
'2
l
t

l

  

  

ran nour‘uousx 55

 

'rq' . have been wet last night when he entered the Block House?“
this 1 Bid Kingman, in an inquiring voice. '
"'b‘  “He was as dry as either of us this minute—to that 1
mg I could take oath.”
,w“ ' “Then he couldn’t have managed matters in that way.
lty' ‘ We have Itamped the ground around here, and it is cer-
’°d I tainly solid as this earth is ever made.”
Pen  . “ Let us make an examination of the pickets upon the
fhe outside. it can do no hurt, and may, after all, afl‘ord some
‘he ' clue to this devilish trouble."

1 The proposition was acted upon. but with the same re-

“ 1 unit as the others. and finally. the two young men paused

‘k‘ “E and looked in each other‘s taces—-disappointed. vexed, hat.
'9'  lied and confounded.

' "i give it up.” said Kingman, with a half laugh at the

.3 picture of comical perplexity upon the face of his «term
'i’  pantom-

. “ i think you would do best to own you were mistaken
u‘  ell throunh." '
" t ‘ ,“l cannot. Oscar, for i could not have been.”

7 “It only remains. then. to watch aéain. You will let
5‘ 2 use know when you intend to do so. and if we togethei
" can‘t get at the bottom of it, I hope some one will be kind
" I enough to take both our scalps."


' CHAPTER vur.

   
  

  
 

 

 

in: unssnnoxn.

Kingman and Whiting had just passed within the gets.
when an exclamation from Mott. who was standing just
_' éutside, arrested their attention.
“Shoot me! if yonder ain‘t a visitor.” .
He pointed in the direction of the clearing as he spoke,

‘_ and turning their eyes thither, they saw a man in a half

Intlltury and a half backwoodsman‘s Costume, striding to-
mudr‘them. A long rifle was slung over his shoulder, and

 

  
  
    
   
   
  
   
 
   
  
  
   
    
   
    
 
   
   
   

S

> at Harrodsburg, and in riew of the increasing outrages of the “

.I_ned ntely.”

I twitter-W"

  

56 ‘ '1?“ err-ox, goose”. ‘ I
be walked-with a certain, dignified step, as though he had'“; .
something important; toeommnnicnte. As he passed in‘ho 
saluted Kingman, and asked: ' i "3
“Will you please show me the commander ‘of, thing“
fort ?" ;
“I rather doubt," said Kingman, “ whether such a per- 
lounge has existence. There are six who properly com-1P0
pose our garrison, and these six, from what 1 have seen» jhf
thus for, all stand on an equal footing. Here is one of them. 3 11‘

Mr. Mott. who. I presume, is entitled to treat With you “ " at
The visitor turned toward the huge. massire personage ‘9
and glancing at him a moment, drew a paper from" his .0‘
breast. and handed it to him ‘ ' ' ,
“What’s in that? Writing i” he asked, hesitating to 6‘
,takeit. '“ " ' ' 2 It
“ Yes. sir; a. communication‘which concerns you.” a c‘

“ Heavens 0‘ nath! I can‘t read none of vonr pothooksi as “
Give it. to him,” glancing with a jerk of his head toward 1 :‘
- . :

Kingman.

The visitor handed it to the. latter, with a “ Please -read 
It.” '

Kingman did so, and his heart sunk within him as he. I
saw its import. " r
“Let‘s hear what it is,” demanded Mott almost. imme— 1 ‘1
diately.  l

The former read it twice to himself. and then folding in;
up, returned it to his visitor. Alter which he turned his_
gaze upon Mott. and speaking in a low, quiet tone, ho:1
lnitl : ‘

“Friend Mott, a convention of the settlers has been held « .’

 

Indians. they have determined to send an armed expedition
against them for the purpose of putting an effectual stop to
further aggressions. To do this. requires all the men that
can be raised at once and the paper‘here which I htvejust
read, is u call upon this garrison to join the expedition im-- ’

 

" What! us six to go 3” asked mom in astoniahmgny ' '

m anon: 'uom ' ' 57
“I’ll be hanged it we will! we are just getting up s de-
 Ient fight here, and I can't afford by no means to go Whom
.is ‘; I ain‘t so certain to git that treat."
 “I have no doubt.” sail Kingman. with a smile, “ that
r- 1 your desire to participate in a fight will he gratified, Whe‘
n. . met you remain here or accompany our friend; but. Sir,"
m 'he asked. turning a serious face toward the latter. “1 Qllcs‘
n, , tion the justice of this requisition. We men can shift for
ourselves, out we have females who hava no other W0.
‘ teeters. Besides, this post was established for the purpose
‘ of sheltering others whose safety might be endangered.”
“Let me explain.” said the visitor, pleasantly. “In the
first place. you will admit, without argument of mine. that
I prompt. and effective punishment of these murdering ras-
cats will do more toward protecting the settlements than
my measure that could be attempted, and that to do this
requires a goodly number of men. These cannot be ob«
tained without making a drait upon the different post: on
the frontier. l have already visited several, and thirty men,
this minute, are on the march through the woods toward
Hurrodsburg. Bear in mind," said the visitor. speaking rap-
idly as he saw Mott gasp. as if on the point of inlerrupting
him, “hear in mind, I say. that you are wanted but. for a
few days The instant the expedition is finished you are at
liberty to return here or go where you please.”
“ Who is going to lead us 2" asked Mott, with sparkling
eyes. .
. “The command, it is pretty certain. will be given to
0010110] Bowman. . Captain Logan and Harrod are also to
have commands.”
“And they’re going right off?" asked Mott. his caunto
_ , nanze growing more rudiunt each second.
. “80 soon as the men are together.” -
The burly, ponderous form 0t Mott went up severa'l'reet
,ln'the air with An whoop, whose echo Could be heardsevernl
seconds after ringing through the woods
".We‘ll go. every one of us! Yes, sinevery one of us.”
- ;. -..,Tbs.sttentinn_o§ the others hy this time had been attract-
_  toward the visitor, and taking his arm, Ktngmsn walked

0
.\ 1. 11-1. *‘rs. _.- .. ..

ni. ..
. ..s-_

D-

 
   
 
 
 
   
  

   
 

    

, . ' 
i

m. noox BOUG‘.

toward the Block House with him. On the way thither
the former asked:
“ Whtrt do you think of it ?"

 

“Since your explanation. any intelligent person can only

' admit the duty of obeying the call made upon us. lam not
only willing, but anxious that our garrison should join you;
but.” added Kingman, in a lower voice. “you see those
yonder. One is my betrothed wife, and the other is as a
mother. They it is who make me anxious.“

"But if imminent danger threaten you, you can all go
with us."

, " I could not. if we returned, this place would he in
ruins, and we could hardly hope to make as good a com-
mencement over again.”

The convex-anion was becoming so interesting to King.
man that he asked Whiting to go into the Block House,«
and excuse the two for a few minutes while they conversed
together.

“How many will there be left. utter the departure of the
regular garrison ?" asked the visitor.

“There is young Whiting, his father and myself, . l

who compose the male members of the party as. it
originally stood. Besides us three are three others,
a hunter, a jolly, good-natured fellow, an Indian com-
rade of his, and a. little weazened-face fellow, named
Vesey, who, for several years, has been a whisky trad-
er on the frontier. All told, we have six n’Aes for
defense." ‘

“ Do you fear an attack 2" V

‘t We do; and that within the next thrm or four
days.”

."I am sorry for that. I think that your garrison
will return, however, before a week has passed. With
six rifles you ought to hold out against several hum
dred Indians in such a place as this. You remember

Fort Presqu‘ Isle, a Block House without a stockade, I I

and standing itLthe very worst place possible, where

V. abandful of men kept two hundred Imliansntf for  
I  several days, after having their room fired 2: ha? {\ou   ,

-

    
 

 

 

i5

v.51“ :

 

' ‘

‘ .

 

I ‘ {our eyes.

I , Andslet me any further, although I do not " wish, by,

     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 

m nwcr’ zones.

tunes over their heads,'and being compelled to dig a
Well in a corner of the Block House.”

“ Yes; situated as we are, we ought to be able to
keep almost any force at bay, if it were not for one
thing."

“And what is that 1"

“It pains me to say that among those six there isa

traitor.”

“ Is it possible! Who can it be ?” '

“ There is the great difficulty. No one knows, or
st least, I do not." ‘ ‘

Kingman hesitated a moment, but feeling attracted '
toward the man, he related what has already been

iven the reader in the preceding chapter. The visitor
ooked serious. ‘

“ I have heard of this Dulland, and never heard
ought arrainst him, but your evidence seems conclu-
sive. fiet me warn you to be on your guard, not only
against him, but against that whisky trader. Ibelieve
him to be a villain. . His presence here means no
good.”

“ I cannot, possibly, find anything tangible to bring
,a'gainsthim. He surely knew nothing of what was

oing on last night." ,
. “ That is only a supposition of yours." A

" The hunter then must be in collusion with him,
and if the hunter, then that Indian comrade, and with
these three against us, my God! what help remains 1"

“Not so bad as that. You have but one traitor in

our midst. I am as certain of that as I am that Inm

‘ iving, and now that both you, and your friend Whit-

ing, areaware of this, if he succeeds in doing the least

' harm, it will be your ownvfanlt. He is in yourmidst,

and this treachery must, necessarily, take place under

Were you not apprehensive, this might
e done without attracting suspicion, b'ithns the mat- .

' ter‘now stands with you, such a thing is impossible.

i

M»
q

         
 

"my means, to give you a fetus hope. that I do not be-,

e

 
 

 
  

 
 
 

 
  

60 in: ‘nLo'oK‘ noun.

Iieve you'are going to be attacked for a long time
et.” 1
I “ What reason have you for thinking so 2”

“ In coming here, I passed the camp fires ,-to which
you have referred. They are Shawnees and \Vyam
dots, and it is against these former ones that our ex-
pedition is to be made. They have their runners and
scouts constantly out, and it cannot be long before
they learn of our march. Of course, their whole at-
tention will then he drawn to us, and by the time they
are ready to assail you, why, with your garrison re~

~ turned to you, you will be leady to receive them."

“ You make no allowance for the loss or any of our
men.”

“If any fall, I‘ll guarantee that six shall be sent

on, so that you need have no fears upon that score.”

“ \Vhat tribes are upon the war-path ! ' ‘

’ “ The Wyandots, Delawares, Miamia. .‘3hawnees, in
fact, all of them. The Shawnees, however, are worse
than all the rest together, and it is against them, as I
said, that the expedition is to march. "

The two now entered the Block r(rouse, Kingmau
feeling inexpressibly relieved by the words of the
messenger. Mott had already “1.303 known his ex~
rand, so that it only remained fur mm to give the par--
tienlars. The garrison had lllh'u concluded to obey
the call, marching off as soon as (hey Were needed.

After consulting together amt "exchanging views,
it was agreed that they should Lake their departure at

"once, as time was of the greatest importance, both to

the expedition and to the inmates of the mock House.

"As the messenger name on root, his six. nardy com-

panions determined to trat 41-1 In the same manner, and
their horses were accordnwiy left within the stockade.

r"

The sun was but several hours high, when the hopelui

’ y. the forest.

“ Good bye!" shunted Mutt. pausing a' moment'a’a

fellows filed across the clearing and disappeared in.

  
   
 

 
    

Mia.

 

 

 

    

Halil‘poiut. and waving his hat as he glanced" bank. 1,  '

 

 
 

  

 J r tax moor 1 sons; 61
F»

I  ‘5»Wevwon¥t~be gone long,- we‘ll be back. in a few
' * days.” ‘ Y \ . ' ,
But he was mistaken. Not one of those sis; was
. over to return 'to that Block House!
‘ The little band of settlers, now feurfully diminished
- ' in numbers, gazed about them. as the words diedupon
l ,. the air, and each seemed to feel that a new duty had ‘ .
, : r fuller: upon him. Kingmnn regretted that the hunter .
had not been present, to witness their departure, and
. he could nor. avoid a- feeling of anxiety that he and
. " p l- is companion should be absent, now that their
strength was so small. In the new feeling which the
messengervhnd given him, he eren felt disposed to
state frankly to him the painful suspicions which he
; . , entertained, and to ask an explanation of his action
' 1 during the preceding night But this state of feeling
‘ lasted but a short time. The consciousness that, un-
der-heaven, his was the main arm of support, in the
di‘eétdful peril that seemed to hang over the little set-
tlement, made him determined to bear that responsi-
bility like a man—~40 act as prompted by his judgment
, \ and not by hisqfeelings. I
- ' .r. H Younl,r Whiting was now Kingman‘s confidant in all his ’ .-
‘ ‘ suspicious and plans. Although he appeared reckless and
careless in his manner, yet. the fupt that his father and
mother as well as his beloved cousin Were placed in danger.
‘ made him a far more prudent companion than our hero ever
. judged he could be. He showed that he possessed courage
of the genuine nature, and could temper it with prudence
when the fate of others depended upon it. He knew how
to keep his own council, too. {or the watchful eye of his
"  parents failed to detect a Sign of the gloomy foreboding
‘ llhich, troubled him far, more than they.did Kingtnan him-
"'Ielt‘ Upon consulting together. they deemed it unsafe to
,enlrusttncu' suspicious to the father. Although a ‘cour.
' .‘ogeeus and well-meaning personage, his nervousness and
, excitability sometimes got the upper hand cl him. spent
one otlhese moments he would not hesitate to accuse and
:«Isbraid tbs arrested pm") the WWW be in" 11.1.1: 3m

I «r',

 

   

 

 
 
 

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r

 

 

 
 

  

  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 

62 ms 31.001: stones. "

the fatner could draw a head with his ride, for he had done
service in the French War. and, if not fully equal to one of
the garrison which had just left, he was, certainly, under

1 the circumstances, as good as any left behind, the hunter
and his savage friend, perhaps, excepted.
Mrs. Whiting, as meek. patient and resigned as ever. con.

’ tinned employed at the duties which devolved upon her.

;

lgious feeling, and her faith in the all-merciful Ruler was so
firm, that the departure of the garrison occasioned her not
the least alarm.

“We are in the hands of our heavenly Father, and he
will watch over‘ and protect us," said she, in answer to a
remark of her husband. »
Her. although her words scarcely showed it.
to hover around the Block House like an angel of soothing
gentleness and love, her very presence carrying in itself a
balm of peace and quiet.

The same reverent, religious feeling that characterized

ful, hopeful and joyous as she was, her faith had not yet been
tempered, as had hers, by years of sorrow and sum-ring.
Loving Sh.rman Kingman with the whole wealth of her
'soul, and sharing with him the rosente dreams of the fairy
future. she, too, shared the same Tsars, the same apprehen-
' lions, and the same terrors

It! often seen in her sex. They sometimes seemed to her like
an order of vampyres, black, terrible, awful whose very
presence she could not bear. l‘his may be said to here
been her feelings toward her ideal Indian «him of whom she
had real! and heard so much; but when brought in commu-
nion with them, as shown in the case of Table. it was
entirelyldifl’ereut. Remorselessly cruel as a people, and

‘ eeptions.‘ Deep and: lastin as was theirreuinity their friend-
" ship was equality, strong and enduring, What ., 

v

  

  

?

Both she and her husband were imbued with a deeply rei-,

She could not avoid a natural anxiety for those around A.
She seemed _

Mrs. Whiting was reproduced in Adele Hansel]; but youlh- .

_ She knew of the horrid atrn-_
cities committed upon her people by the dark men of the -
woods, and she possessed that mortal horror of them which, '

and. in their hatred of the whites, they stili had their e“:- ,

  

 

 

 
    

 

     
  

 

'Wu—
'.

 

 

 

  

P.
w o

‘ :W in a great measure, to relieve m painful spprhano‘ .

  

, l

m anon: noun.
names can be found among our heroes. whom we delight to
honor and cherish, than that of Logan, chief of the Cayugas,
whose entire family were mercilessly put to death in 17 74 by
the very people in whose service his life had been spent? ‘
The chivalrous Tecumseh, the brave. fur-seeing Michikini-
qua. the wise counsellor and warrior, Keokuk, chief of the
Secs and Foxes, are only a few among the hundreds of in-
stances proving that bravery, oratory, and true nobility of
heart are Confined to no particular nation or class of indi-
viduals.

The pure, self-sacrificing affection of Adele Hansell
made her a willing adventurer in the forests of the
Great West. Borne up by the consciousness that she
was near the object of her love, that she shared all.
dangers equally with him, and that no blow could
strike the one without injuring the other. the terrors

- . that had loomed up so threatenineg before her, dis-

solved in the clear heaven of her own creation. And
many a dark hour of Kiugmun‘s was brightened by
the knowledge of that great wealth of affection, many
a gloomy reverie was dispelled by the sunshine of her

.presence, and sweet and blissful were the commu-.

nions that he held with this sweet being, who shrank
at no sacrifice, however great, for him. -
But the very fact of the existence of these. only in-

. creased his anxiety and apprehension. The certainty

that the safety of the dearest object on earth was in

' jeopardy, took away their full and perfect enjoyment,
‘ . ind now, when the darkest hour of all had come, need

it be wondered that he was distrustt‘ul, apprehensive,
Ind fearful of what it would bring forth?

CHAPTER 1X.
xx run ronnsr.

The confident assertion of the messenger that the wax-.l
party would not visit the Block House for a considerable time

 

 
 

   

   
 

hops the knowledge that Dulland and Tattle were both in tho ‘
woods, with the avowed intention of watching for the up- no

‘_ en‘s.
v danger» in doing so she never would have taken the first

V, “out merely  "r  "believing she some». seen dog

'1'!!! BLOCK HOUSE.

sion'ox Adele Hansen and the Whitings. 'Whnethe dili- ;

gence and caution of the latter were redoubled, their faces
lost their habitual gloom, and more frequently lighted up
with smiles and words of encouragement. They. passed to
and fro with elastic steps. sometimes even venting the ex-‘
Obernncc of their feelings in snatches of songs; and. although
when the solemn night came down upon the great forest.
their voices were hushed to whispers, yet the morning sun.
chased all fear and terror away aga‘n. Sherman Kingtnan
seemed the only one who was doubtful and anxious. ,
Especially was this change of spirit seen in Adele Han-
sel]. During the presence of the soldiers she had shared

.Kingman’s painful apprehension with him; but now, that 4

she had heard the words or cheer,‘ her emotions underwent
a strong reaction. and where the future had been darkened

by threatening clouds, was now the clear, roseate sky of ; -
ller voice'rose as merrily as the lark's Its ,_

hope and peace.
she busted herself with her labor, and secured. in a great '.
measure, to heighten the feelings of those around her.

The day dawned clear and bright. and as the sun passed
on to the meridian, its warmth became like that of mid-
summer. Hardly a breath ol air stirred the branches over-
head. and the sky was nnfleckcd by a single cloud. Whit-
ing. the younger, was serving as sentinel, and it must. be
coufessed that the sultrincss of the day had cousidor‘ahlo
eti'ect upon him. His eye was not sweeping as constantly
along the edge of the forest as it should have been. ‘Per-

prou'ch of any the, may have influenced him somewhat. Be
that as it may. it was certain that he'was so absent-minded

and careless that he did not notice Adele as she passed out. ' '

and wandered dreamin away.
There was no intentional wrong in this act of the maid-
Had she been convinced that she was incurting any

Vyltep. Brut the confinement within the ‘stocknd‘es‘for‘tha " '

past few weeks w been" so lrkbome ’thar'she featured,"

 
  
    
   
  
  
 
    
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
  

an!!!

--H'

As#_-_A--.-u—A

 

 

\

. . my shoe; Jot-mat, ' 65

' calledback by her friends it they deemed such: proceeding.
' ‘mPTUGeut; Finding that no one opposed her, she 'felt
encuurnged, and went on without fear or misgiving. -
lp - (As she entered the arches-oi the forest, the cool breeze:

:0 . coming from their “inmost darkness,” the‘soft wind gently
fl; bowing the branches ovurhead, and the rustle of the crisp
in , levies beneath her feet, filled her being with a dreamy,

tranquil'eojoyment, to which she had been a stranger before. ,
m V Removing her bonnet from her head. she swung it carelessly ‘
m at arm's length, and giving utterance to a hymn, in a low,
, melodious voice, she wandered onward, without noticing
3' - the direction or the distance.
3 ' In the'delicious conl of the green woods, Adele continued
3‘ , walking slowly forward, stopping now and then to pluc.k
it ‘ .- the dandelion that shone like a fleck of melted gold dropped
"3 ’ in the grassy earth. Here and there were patches of bright
9‘ .'- green. amidst which some wild flower of bright blue or
15  crimson glenmed in dazzling contrast. the whole making a
i" - carpet as gorgeously beautiful as if woven in the Orient. At
~ the {not of a towering oak bubbleda spring of water as
‘6 clear as the mountain air itself, and of icy coldness. The
!‘ blnck, gnarled roots twisted in and out or it, and the
7f ' bright sands danced in the bottom like quicksilver. Rest-
t' 1113 upon the strong, gnatled. arm-like roots, Adele knell:
’° \ down and quafl'ed the retreshing fluid, and then bathed her
1° forehead with it.

 

7V . _ Somewhat wearied, she seated herself upon the velvety
l‘ A 91055 above, and leaning against the rough bark of the oak,‘
‘° dulSIZEd dreamily about her. The tall trees, rising like co-
3‘ a. » lumns, around many of'which the poison-vine twisted, like
'0 some serpent striving to reach the head, that he might stran- 1

id . k 1819 it, the rich, rank shrubbery. and the spots here and there
“ ' Where the blue sky shone through—all these she saw
' Is it in a dream. her senses more asleep than awake. Fi-
nally her head dropped upon her shoulder, her eyes closed,
Qnd she slept”: dreatuless sleep.‘ '

‘3 An hour passed. and the sun was well advanced beyond
2;.M1enith. and still her slumber lasted. The breeze, as it
V. Named: gently swayed her hair, which had fallen down upon

 

 

 

 
  
 

 
 

    

 
 

 

66’
her shoulder, and now and then a leal’ came silently down:

* ward, and one dropping upon her arm. the sleeve of which,
in its careless disposal, was raised above the elbow, she was

run mo: aousa.

roused from her slumber; and looked about her. For a
' moment she failed to realize her situation, but as she gazed

at her surroundings—the column-like trees, the} luxuriant

shrubbery, and cr'eeping vines. her memory brought all back

to her. it seemed she had been unconscious m ny hours.
' and somewhat alarmed when she recollected that she had
wandered a good distance in the wood, she placed her butt-
net upon her head. and was about to rise, when a
noise at her side attracted her attention.

, Deeming it nothing more than some telling twig or leaf. f
' , she turned her gaze in that direction, and gave utterance to A

aslight scream,“ she saw what, at first. she took to be a

I young. clumsy. but large-sized dog, which lay whiuiug‘

and rolling in the leaves. as if inviting a caress from her
hand. He was covered with coarse, shaggy hair, had

strange paws and curious-looking head, beside which there ‘
Were several other peculiarities that struck her as singular’

Let the time. J udgiug it best to propitiate an animal, that in
its anger might be very dangerous to her. she reached out
' her hand, and called it to her. The brute lulnuered nwx.

wardly forward with a shambling gait unlike any movement ‘

seen in a dog, and lowered its head for the ofi‘exed kind-
ness. .
As the hand of the girl touched the warm, gloss'y coat, a
repulsive thrill shot through her, and when her fingers
passed over the yielding plutupness of the neck and shoul-
ders it seemed as it' she were fondling some loathsome rep-
, tile. The brute whined and nestled closer to her, and half
rolled over upon the skirts of her dress.

,las about rising to her feet, when another growl startled
_her from the same point where she had first heard the noise.

a
l
‘ l
'l
.

slight -

lts strange; '
(lumpy shape excited her disgust more and more, and she

  

3
xi

 

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‘—-——p-- n.. a

C
Q

A__..._.-__.-un

Looking'in that direction, she was nearly transfixed with a " ‘

terror at espying a huge, fuu'grown bear scarcely a dozen
'  from her. _ She understood at’ once that she had beet

 

 

    

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67,

caressing its cab, and the mother alarmed at the situation
of her offspring, was approaching to its assistance.

At sight of, this new and more appalling danger. Adele
was completely powerless for a few moments During thin
short time the bear came swinging forward. and passed her, ‘ '
inddropp‘d down upon its haunchea directly before her,
Ind at the. distance of about six feet. Her hand was still
testing upon the neck of the cub, when. a peculiar growt

.33 »the»mother caused him to rush to her. where, receiv~
lug another'cornrnand. be nestled down, and lay as motion-
less as if he were dead.

What strange l‘reak lead the bear to take this position and.

ma noon noon.

. ' calmly confront the terrified maiden. it is impossible to say.

Perhaps, like the cat. conscious that her prey was already
in net power. she wished to play with its fear, and torment
it with additiOnal horror before destroying it. Such a
course is so unusual with the bear—although often known
of the panther and other of the feline species—that our ex-
planation may well be questioned. We may not be amiss
in conjecturing that the brute intended no harm at all, un- r
derstanding that its cub was not in danger, and only wished _
to be nigh enough to guard it against vio'ence.’ ‘
‘ The look oi Adele rose from the sharp, black claws of the
feet up to the head, with its small cars, its open mouth and
lolling, red tongue, its white. glistening teeth, its black
lnont, with its huge, ink-like drops'oi' pcrspiraton, and it: v
large. dark hazel eyes. Upon these her gaze, seemingly

' _ without. any volition of her own, fixed ttsell. She had heard
"he hunters, in relating their stories of adventure, tell box,

when threatened with‘ detth by some fierce animal they
Md looked it out ol countenance! that is, charmed. trans-
fixed. or laminated it, so that it was rendered harmless; and

not doubting but that the beast had resolved upon her, own
' “.3. she determined to adopt tuis means with it.

,.

The-huge hazel eyes of the bear were fixed upon her

With an expression that seemed almost human in its intelli-
Ience. and looking lull in them, the maiden appeared to.
»mnlnte all the nowshoes of her being id her own mild
' Quilt and to return the threatening gaze with it look of do:

 

    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
      

‘C.3~-~ m); 3mg; noun. y r it

 V fiance and hate. While thus looking bravely. and unhinsh-
" - . lngly, the white speck upon the black pupil of the
‘bmte (simply nothing more than the point where the light 
was refit'cit‘éi) assumed a star-like appearance. and quivered
and scintillnted as if passing to and fro. Now it seemed a
twinkling, far 03 in the very shy. and then‘ it approached “
until it almost touched her (own face. There was some- ‘
thing mysterious and unexplainable in the mesmelic condi-
tion of the body of the girl and of that of the brute. some; ‘
. thing such as is sometin‘tes manifested in the serpent which
f both‘ attracted and repulsed. ‘ As a substance charged with
' positive electricity is attracted towsrd one negatively ‘
charged, and when brought in contact with it winter-5
a -‘ change at once takes place, so, in this instance, a communi— '
' cation seemed established between that subtle princinle in 
the human being and in the hrute,'as if it were seeking its
equilibrium. - "A 7
Both glances became intensely fixed, as if held by a sin- '
gnlnr fascination. and in that moment of strange sensation. j
Adele was sensible that in eXertinz her power over the V
‘brnte. he, in turn, held a transfixing control over- her.
.4 -That shining spot of light in the centre ‘of the eye of the ' .y
‘ beast, dwindled to s neclle-like point of the most wonder-h
ful brightness, and then approached and expanded in ring: 
of revolving light that closed over and darted in and under
' 'each other. backward and forward, with a quickness that "
was bewildering. Sometimes these rings seemed one broad  ,
glare. doubling with lightning-like rapidity. and then as
they moved more slowly, Veins ran through them like the"
grain in wood. Then again they receded far away. until
they appeared like a small ball of fire, shivering, revolving; ‘
1nd swaying in e. sky of darkness I ' ‘
Suddenly assuming a. radiance that was terrible. it shot
Itraight forward toward her. until it ran riot in her own'
brain. Hither and thither, undulating backward and for-
t ward. accented to cross and recross through it, until con-g; ‘
centrating Igniu,__it went through the air back to its throne," ;‘
‘ the orbuof the bride. Amid all,’this gorgeousiiess. thll "
fill-arming. dangling bewilderment of light land tire, Adolf -'

evgnwt«;ri '- .

 

  

uni-v.- -

n-r

lV—l'

'3'.

 

w

xi

mi: 12mm: nouns. 69
'never once lost sight at the dark form 0! the bear. Som6~
times it became dim and vague. sometimes aesuzncd gigantic
pronortions. until it covered her whole field of vision. but it
Was ever before her. black, lmletul and hideous.

She. felt that she could move and the desire was not
wanting, But an incubu: rested upon her will such us is
sometimes experienced when hnli‘ unconscious under the hr
fluence of some drug. There was that consciousness that‘a
‘ingle effort would throw oil'the spell and set her free. but
the same dreamy. indolent. langnor that deferred the effort,
Ind that same dislike. overcoming and holding in check the
Opposing wish to free herself from the dreadful site“

Not once was that wondrous, subtle light from before her
eyes Expanding. contrvcting, retreating, advancing. shud-
dering. revolving with every imaginable motion, never once
lasing its terrible brilliaucy, it. burned right into her. Now
she grew dizzy and faint, and felt as if lifted clear from the
earth and floating ofl‘like a feather through the air‘ alone.
With an undulating motion, floating hither and thither
through this infinity of darkness. she sometimes fancied she
was borne [hither on' the wings of angels, and then he:
‘Opirit shrunk terrified within her at the thought that she
was trnnsnorted to the realms of despair. where the hear
was ‘chnngecl into an immense mountain, ohmic us midnight,
{mm which tWo balei‘ul fires gleamed with a heat. that
pierced her through and through.

 

Til-en, again, that swaying. wave-him motion, suddenly
increased. and she was hauled hither and thither (but with-
Ont Violence or harm) down dizzying cunsms of darkness,
enveloped in spinning zones of Wichita velvety texture. pal-
Pable as it ecenwd to the touch. ’ dc: sensatinus were the

v most exquisite pain and pleasure. an ecstncy of madness. .
’ delirium ol‘ bliss and torment. n these seconds of transi-
gion, the girl felt that she traversed the bounds of the uni-

. A .,V3Ifse._flitting with the quick nest: of thought from one ex-

(rttemity to another, through millions upon millions of miles

 

9‘ Space She crossed the units of v'vorlds, the_ great rad
_'Pheres revolving by her in the “blackening Void.“ Sh‘o
 Naprehended their (“may as they aim: by her. end their .

 

 

  
   
 
 
 
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
  

’ She was alone in a world of worlds, attracted and repulsed ‘

1, Awhich might be the natural result of the intense fearcaused

herself. with a volition and full consciousness;' and. though I
,thebmle’still sat there on her haunehes. giving vent now . _
and than to a threatening growl, while her afispring french. 

. m moor nous: ,
magnitude converged to a mere point in the far 03 depths .
of space. ”

But. never. in all this marvellous Journeylng of the wind.
did she encounter the semblance of a spirit or human being 

with an irresistible rapidity by that baleful fire, burning in
the forehead of that shadowy, gigantic phantom. Some-
times she felt as it fanned hy the wings of angels. hut their
forms, were invisible—there was nothing but the dim vague-
ness-oi that ever-present phantom before her.

And yet another change. That continuous revolving ol '
space and m utter—that incessant rapidity of change, now A}
began to cease, and everything gradually became stationary; 1
She herself seemed to come to rest in the very center of the
universe. and to commence sinking slowly down-down—e
down—toward the earth. countless leagues below her. Her
motion continued to increase until her descent was like that
of a meteor, although without that violence which is the t
inseparable accompaniment of the progress of a large body. ,
As before, the mountainous figure of the brute was ever '
before her, descending with the same swiflness and ;
silence. '

As gently as a. feather, she touched the earth A dark
cloud passed before the halef'ul fire. and shut it out. She.
breathed. she moved, the spell was gone. ‘

Whether the motion oi the cub. in springing before its «.
mother’s face, or whether—what seem the most probable-‘- ,,
the equilibrium of that mysterious. unknown principle, 

 

which we call magnetism. found its level in 'the brute and i .

the human being. we are unable to say. But certain it [in '
that Adele awoke, as it were, without feeling the least in-
fluence of that fascination which had transfixed her for t
few moments. There was a peculiar faintness or sickness. '

by the unexpected appearance of the bear. But she wan

\

wwunm‘fidh V‘ m ‘ "

 

  

   
     
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
     
   
   

 

 

THE BLOCK HOUSE

sway from it
With a fiercer growl than before. the near arose and fol-

lowed. The terrified girl glanced back, when she saw the

savage brute halt hy the spring, and lap up several mouth-
fuls. and then shamhle off in an opposite direction. followed
by her cub. it was of the common black species which, at—
tacks a person only when hungry or enraged

“ Heavenly Father, I thank thee for deliverance from
that danger," murmured Adele, reverently raising her eye
to Heaven.

She made rapidly through the wood, fully determined
not to he so imprudent as to wander off again Without some
one to accompany her It had never once entered her head

that it. was not Indians alone whom she had to fear; that. in  '

these vast forests wiere hundreds of beasts. dangerous even
to the armed hunter who encountered them. It was Provi-
dence alone that had snved her from this peril.

All at once Adele paused. While pressing hurriedly

T’ 1 forward. it had not occurred to her that she might be tak-

ing a wrong direction. and she now discovered for the first

time, that she had lost her way. She had no more idea of ‘

the proper course to take in order to reach the Block
House than if she were a. thousand miles nwav from it
While still trembling.r in doubt. suspense and terror, the
snapping of a twig caught her car, and turning her alarmed
gaze around, she saw that some one was approaching

through the undergrowth.

_._———

. CHAPTER X.

W A susmcrous GUIDE.

f, I The new-comer was Wilkins Vesey, the whisky .

finder. 'He came gliding and smirking along so

1'} noisv‘itrssiy that. Adele would not have suspected his

proximity, had not a twig snapped beneath his tread.

71

’ ed around her, Adele arose calmly to her feet. and moved

  

THE iamox HOUSE.

His face was wrinkled into a bro id grin, making it
far more hideous than when its usual expression was
upon it.
her, he said:

7 “Why, this is Miss Adele lIansell, as sure as I’m'
living. lam astonished to see you so far from the
Block lIouse.”

“ I wandered here a considerable time since, hardly ;

4

Pray, am I farv

suspectingr the great risk which I ran.
from homil?”

“ Quite a distance, a half mile I should think ”

" Can it be possible? Of course you know the way
back ?” ‘

" Certainly. my dear f'rienr .”

“ I shall have to trouble you to guide me them! 

paid so little heed to my steps, and the sight of that
bear has so terrified me, that I have no idea at all of
the proper direction for me to take.”

“Just so. but did I understand you to say that you
had seen a bear. a real live, fierce bear ?"

“Yes, yes, I Will give you the particulars, as soon ‘
as we reach home. It was not much of an. adven-
ture.”

“ I do hope—I Clo pray that my dear friend was not 1

- injured any.”

‘.

~ “No, no," and then thinking that perhaps it would ‘5
. be an economy of'time, Alleli'yproreeded to relate her
.afi'air with the cab and its mother. making it as brief
Vesey listened with many 
expressions of surprise and concern, and when she had 
finished added: ,
" A most remarkable adventure, Miss Adele, a moat 

and pointed as possible.

remarkable adventure. proving that you‘re a lady with
plenty of nerve, so to speak.” I i /
“ I must remind you. that we are standing motion-

lesss, and making no progress toward the Block.

House.”
“ Heaven save me ous wait the. truth. How for,-
. I; y

«.1

 

Slipping onward, until he almost touched. »

.q

. *fi‘u __; .5435:-

 

 

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1

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‘getful in me. Let me remind Y 311, the", in “16 filstf 

  

it al, 7m: BLOCK nous; ' 73

d A niace. that you‘re going exactly wrong. and are seve- ,
‘ .‘nl rods further from your destination than when you . '
left that oak.”

2 _Adele was somewhat astonished when she heard .
> this; as she was positive that she had taken the right '
, course to reach home. lint, remembering how natural
‘5; :1 it was forone in her sitnntion to nlee such-a mistake, I
r 7 she could do nothing; but deft-r to the decis‘ion of her i
_ companion: and yet it Win a "conviction against her
y Li -jlidgment," and she could not forherir the feeling: that

she was plunging deeper and deeper into the forest,
f! Instead of extricating herself from it, as she followed
I -, in his tiiotsteps.

i.»

It ' j “ his remarkable llO\’ :1 person. that. is lost. will con- i
,f i‘i “80 distances." said he. fl}i[)(‘211'lllj_‘_‘ to understand her 7

:i doubt. “I have often had occasion to note it myself
u it, in_niy_tr:ivels. I was once on n journey up the Mlfl.‘

 _ mi, With a small key; of my beverage, toward a small ‘
n t  Shawnee town. I had to camp out over night, and

" when I awoke in the morning. you may hang: me. if

I hadn’t. forgot which way I'd come. and which way
)t ,j  wanted to go. So that all I could do was to guess
- it; and guess it I did, by throwing up my hunting-
dj‘: knife, and taking: the direction it pointed when it
» dropped to the grouml Aliont noon I met a llui‘on

31'

)f ,1 . ndinn, named Omiooinoo. who rns seonting through
;y Y Woods. This same Oo:ir)t)nl.)i')ll:l'l the name ol'being
Kd ' a Christian Indian—a Christian Indian! h)! he: he’

the idea l” »
8‘ ‘ “‘.And why not a Christian hide-lines well as a 
t'h , . hristian white Inf-1n “t” :1de Adele, indignant at the . "\

’ .Slurot her repulsive guide. ' - l '
n_ V "The thing is onpossible. Miss :- tlele..on1‘iossilile.
“k There's no such thingr :is :1 Christi-iii Indian ’liiey

' ‘ .Devar existed, and never will".

f “Are there any better white men than the Moro-
 Vlan Indians?" - i ‘ .
.f‘Hel- he! be! them Moravian Indians. ‘hey'fe

l‘. j

 

t,“
r

 

   
  
    
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

  

74 ' Tux BLOCK H0963.

‘ as bad as anybody. Hanker after blood all the time, 1
and would scalp you as quick as look at you.” ' g I

“ I don‘t believe any such thing. They are far bet-  1
ter than hundreds of white people who pretend to be r! I
Christians." I.

“He! he! he! hitting me there,I ’spose. Jut it
don’t alter the facts. But, ns‘I was saying, I met this
Oonoomoo. this Christian Huron. whom the Shawneee
hate like piSen. He! he! if he was ~ Christian he
I didn‘t reiuse a good swig from [y cuss, when I 011
». fered'it to him, if he would show me the way to the
' town I was looking for. He didn‘t refuse it. Miss
Adele, not at all.”

“The more shame upon you, ,who knew better.
Much of the sin for which we blame the Indians, you.
will find, will have to be ansWei-ed by the white men,
who have placed temptation in their way. W'hy 'did
you offer this Huron whisky, when you knew his ap-

‘ petite was so powerful?”

“ He! he! whata question! In the first place, I
wanted him to show me my way, and in the second 1
place, you must know I done it for his‘» good, for I i,

' ~ contend that such prime stufi', as I sell, benefits any i
. i one. At least.” added the whisky trader, in a low. ex-
-' hltant tone, “ it benefited me on that occasion."
."‘ , ' “ What do you mean “.2” asked Adele, who felt con- i
 _ , siderahle curiosity. ‘
“ Why, that same swig of whisky was the means - i t
of a sharp transaction upon my part. You see, I got a
that lIuron boozy, that Christian Indian dead drunk
and then axed him for the pay for my whisky. He
said he hadn‘t any wampuin, so I took his rifle—4i
splendid pieoe,’ silver mounted— his hunting-knife; , .
. powder-horn, and bullets, so that 1 thin [got pretty 
A] . good pay for my beverage."

' ‘ ‘ ‘ “Was it not pay enough that he should guide you
- when you were lost "i" ' '
“He ! he! not quite. But, I declare, that reminds '
me of what I was going to say in the first place. when;

l

‘Qmm-AADMAAIH

. “ ,HMem.—n~_.__-—._« A k“...

.4 ‘

 
 

 

      
   
 

" mu BLOCK. HOUSE. ' 75

5 that Huron showed me the way, (I made him-show
3 me before I paid him,) would you believe it was just
"  the opposite from what I thought, which you remem-
ber was just what you thought.”

“Did you ever meet that Indian again, whom you
 so deeply wr0nged ‘?" asked Adele whose interest had
l" been awakened in behalt‘of the l-Iuron.

l - “ Yes. 1 met him last summer, and how do you sup-
1 pose the ungrateful dog served me? As before, I
l was plodding patiently through the wood, with my
} Whisky-keg, when I come upon hnn. I’ll own I felt
l
l

m_W I'WDUQ

a little skeerish when I seen how his black eyes was
shining. IIe come and axed me to look at my rifle.
Ofcourse I didn‘t refuse, and he said it looked a good
‘ deal like one he once owned, and he guessed he’d
’ i -take it along. ifI didn‘t care particular. lIe done the
l same way with my knife, powder-horn. bullets, and
everything, so that I hadn't any weapons at all left.
Then he axed me for a little swig of ‘lire-water,‘ as he
 he give me back' my property. He said he‘d see,
 .which I think was as good as a promise. Well,
ma‘am, he took that keg of precious bevurazre, lifted
' I it up over his head and then dropped it square on a
stone that split it in forty pieces, and spilt every drop
of the whisky."
“ Now I am convinced, indeed, that he was a Chris-
? ‘ tian Indian,” exclaimed Adele, unable to conceal her
‘ admiration.
i “A pretty kind of a Christian.” contemptously e»:
l ‘, claimed Vesey. " But that ain’t all he done. .I_ got
' ~_ fund and swore, when he told me to git out of his
‘ Bight, as quick as I could, or he'd fire into me. I seen.
2" he was a little riled, and so I commenced walking
,3 inway. He hollered to me to run, or ne‘d shoot. But
'  I was too proud and dignified to do. that, and so I
, 5*. kept on walking, and he hollered again, but It didn't
' , "wignake any difl'erence. I wasn’t gomg to .run at the
|  ,  minim: of any Indian. much'less a Christian ones;

i .

V '_‘~r—1

'n

 

called it. I told him I would do so on condition that - ‘

 

 

 

l

  

76 um BLOCK novels.
“And did he really fire “l”

.“I’ll be hanged, if the cuss didn’t, and he hit me ‘

, toO.”
“ Were you wounded badly “Z”

“I was laid up all last winter, and it‘s made me I

Walk lame ever since, and I expect it will until I die."

“Noble Oonoomoo, thou art worthy to be called a‘

Christian, in that thou wert so lenient toward thine
deadly enemy," exclaimed Adele, fervently.

Wilkins Vesey “he. he, he’d” at hearing this. but
took no umbrage. From some cause or other, he Was

in unusual spirits, and seemed only anxious to amuse ‘ ‘

I his companion. He was only a foot or two in advance
of her, so that his words were plainly audible without
his turning his head. Adele could tell when he was
laughing by the bouncing up and down of his high
shoulders and the never-failing “he, he, he,” that ap-
peared to come from away down in his body. '

“ Yes," he continued. “I haVe had some curious adven-
tures in my time. I've traveled from western New York
to western Ohio and Kentucky, and I‘ve met many queer
people. and they wan‘t all Indians. neither.
queerest chaps was a feller who called himself Seth Jones,
from New Hampshire. I found him a prisnner among the
Mohawks. singing songs telling stories, pinching the Indian
boys and women—playing ‘em about their sweethearts, and
making himself at home generally. Wal, there, you may

.kick me, if there was anything such as scare about that
teller. Their mightiest chief. Occaulohaka. Whose very
name filled his warriors with fear. looked down upon him
with a brow as black as a thunder-cloud. Would you bee
have it, when I tell you that that same Seth Jones winked
lt him several times, slapped him on the shoulder, and
axed him for a chow of tobacco.
less.” ' ,

.“A strange sort of a man, certainly.”

“His impudence was amazing—literally, amazing.

t reason that he didn’t give him enough meat, and 7 he“ dl

   

 

 

bulkier-.0

31-4

 

One of the '

cho'r-lc'sizsam

It was so, neverthev .l 7
. a

no

 
   
  

Be“ _
‘ 5"? threatened to whip one of their greatest warriors, giving as I h

   

.

run BLOCK nousx. ' .

flap a blanket around one‘s ears been 5 he said the saw-

age laughed at him, when the poor heathen was screwing

M " up his face from a terrible pain that had seized him.”

“ It is strange Unit the Mohawk: should have allowed such L
. liberties.” '
1e 1 “He! hel he! so it was. but he was so nl/t're'd sassy

." ' they couldn‘t help laughing at him. They tried all their

3‘ tricks with him, but he wasn’t to be scart They done too

16 much. got him tearing mad. and he up and killed one of ’em.

‘ Even then they didn’t hurt him, and he got away at last.”

11-, “ He was very fortunate, indeed, to escape so easily." \.
us “ Yes, but the best part of the matter was that his name v
38‘ ' ‘vasn't Seth Jones, after all. He was a rich, handsome t‘el- . ~ ‘
3 .low from Eastern New York, alter a gal that had wandered

It out on the frontier, and he made out to get her, too, and
13 a married her."
-h  “I met another chap 3. good deal like him." added the
3. garrulous whisky-trader, “ save that, instead of not being
' ,. lkeery. he was the biggest coward I ever laid eyes on. His
3. name was Pete Jenkins. :1 thin, scrawny. bow-legged indi-
~k wicual, six feet high if he was stretched out straight. He
:1- was a great fellow to talk. I never seen his like. I met
’him in the woods with an old 'scurreil hunter, named Dick
‘ Dingle, who looked more like a. grizzly bear than a human - ‘ 1' 1V
. being. They was out on a soont, too,‘ for some of the set. ' '
‘ tlements. I kindly invited ’em to take a. swig. in the hope
"that I might be able to make as good a trade with them a:
' I did with the Huron.- The one who called himselt'Jenkins
jot gloriously discomfuddlcd. but l'll be hanged if the old
3 hunter didn‘t drink‘half the keg dry without showing the‘
1 least effects of it, and I couldn’t get him to take another ‘ r A,
' mouthful. Somehow or other Jenkins got it into his head ' "
{ that I was a gal—410! he! he! the first time! was tak-n . ,
lto be one of the feminine gender. He kept calling me
'. - ‘Frontier Angel,’ or some other such outlandish name. and
 throwing his arms around me and hugging’me. He! he! \ I
i - but he did make a fool of himself, though. - ' .
_ “Well. I left these twofafter some time and never seen .

 

,Yma‘tuws'iD-Bir";

   
     
  

     

. .

   

'78

have had serious ones.” added Vcsey, in a solemn tone.
“There‘s a may of white hunters in existence at this min-
ute known as the Riflemen of the Miami. They’ve got u
cave up somewhere on that river. and Ireckon they’ve
done nhont as much fighting as any set of men abortt. Tlroy
Iin‘t fighters only, but they‘re thieves." exclaimed the "
Ipeaker. spitefully. “Three times they stopped my canoe
when coming down the river, and took every drop away .
from me." ‘

"Didn‘t they pay you ?” V

“ Well. yes. I suppose they did, but I didn’t like to be

’ stopped and served in that manner. I told ’em as much,
too.”

" What did they say to that ?”

V “Just laughed at. me, and when I threatened to lick one
of’emr a teller that they called Tom 0 Hura picked me up
and thrower] me into the river.

“A shameful way of acting toward a friend,” added

A ~ Vesey, waiting in vain for Adele to make some reply to his

" ‘ tomork. "I ditln’tflirgct it.” ,7

“ You had revenge then '9” < 1
“Well, I‘cau’t exactly say that I did. I came across

‘ that same Tom O‘Hara when he was alone, and pitcned

41 - into him, intehdmg to kill him very nearly. The only troublf _

 ' was that I won’t able, and instead of my licking him. ht. I ‘

. ponmeled me halftodeath, smashed one end of my whisky-s

" ' keg in. jammed it down over my head and shoulders, so
tight that I had to walk all the way to Piqua and get my

‘ Indian friends to take it off. The awkward scamps used
their tomahawks on it, and were so careless that. they hit

k » \ m‘»severul thwaeks on the head before they got through

w,’ I ‘ “ ' ‘here is one more character that i must tell you about

I."  I can Dutchman, named Hans Vanderbum, who was so am-
pid that he didn’t appear to know anything. I found him
stretched out in a swamp. with his feet and arms under
water, and a. lighted meerschaum in his mouth, and sound

' \sleep. I stirred him up, and after awhile got him to under-

stand where he was and to say somethinv. He told me hil

name, and that he had stutedout early in the morning 

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

\

 

   
 
 
 
 
   

E ,

 
   
     
    
 

   
 

v
\

      
 

I

     
   
    
  
  
   
   
 
 
  
    

run BLoox sense. 79

IO. ,

0- \ was then near the middle of the afternoon) on a hunt, and

l ' finding that he was unabh to catch up with the deer and W ‘
V0 wild turkeys. he had laid down to wait For them to come to I
95' him. He didn‘t notice the water, and got asleep hei‘ore he'd V

“0' knowcd it. Igot him started home. but he hadn’t; gone

39 ‘ for before he laid down and went to snoozing again. What

i! ’ ' became of him I don’t know, but, as he wasn‘t very far

from a settlement, I suppose he reached it; in the course of
I few days, though I’ll warrantit was not much game he
'0 carried with him.” '

he The whisky-trader continued rattling on. relating many
incidents and adventures ot‘ his that will hardly bear
the repetition, and Adele amused and disgusted hytnrns,

'5 . listened without comment. Sometimes he addressed a V

P t, question to her, when she simply replied. Full an hour V
 passed thus, when she aWOke, as if from a. dream anrl saw

}’  that she was still in the woods. They had taken the wrong

it

direction, and a startling suspicion flashed like lightning
2 across her. ‘
' “ Stop!" she commanded. “Wilkins VeSOy, what does
this mean i”
“What. does what mean ?” he asked, with an innocent
air.
“We are not going toward the Block House. You are
leading me away from it."
" 1‘“ be hanged it‘ i ain't afraid 1 have lost my way. But
as l was saving about that. affair-of urine "—--
“Not another Word! I want none of your stories. Had
I not listened too much to them 1 should have noticed that
you were misleading me sooner than this. Do you know .,
weway back P" ' 3
~ “ Know the way 3 Of course I do: but isn’t it strange
‘ v that [should have lost my way ?” e ‘ '
“Very strange, indeed; I don‘t understand it,” said
Adela, meaningly. " You say you know the way. and now,
Wilkins Vesey, if you value your own sa'cty, you will take
me to the Block House as soon as you can reach it."
, “ Hel hel he!~ you talk as it‘ you were mad r";  .1_ s
l “l um indignant at being served in this'manuer." ' '

   

 

 
   
     
   
         
     
       
       
   
     

   

    
 

   
    
  
 
 

  

.80 ‘ 'rmr BLOCK Hosea.

l‘he usually meek, wildspoken girl had enough spirit in
her when it was aroused and the whisky-trader was slightly
astonished at wilnessinnglis outburst. The covert threat,
too, did not exactly plensn him.

“ What do you mean by saying that if! value my safety
I will take you back? He! he! he! what do you
inean ?"

'fJust what I say," she curtly replied.

“1 don’t like threats much, especially when I don‘t
understand them.” '
‘ “'f mean this, il‘you have purposely led me astray there

r is more than one who will cake you answer for it."

“ He! he! be! you don‘t really think now. that Iwould
d0§t1ch a thing as that, my dear friend ?"

“Prove your honesty, then, by taking me back as speed-

ily as possible.”

“That i will, indeed.”

Vesey plunged so eagerly forward that. Adele half regret-
tel her sharp words, thinking that. perhaps. after all he
might have mistaken his way in the earnestness of his dif-
ferent narratives. Still she Could not l‘lti herself of an un-
comfortable tt‘isgiving, as she Followed in his ranid footsteps,
and she looked anxiously and longingly for some signs of
the clearing of the Zloek [louse it was with a painful

'throb that she noticel the sun was low in the west. and that V
. darkness, at the most, could not he more than an hour or two

distant.

Being utterly lost, and never having7 seen this portion of
the wood. she could only corjt'eture of the direction they
were pursuing. Had she been less excited and at little more
thoughtful the position of the sun would'hnve ufforled her
I clue This, of course, always set upon the left of the
Block House. and, as she had gone east from the latter, it in
manifest that in order to much her home, she should ha"

' taken a course near west. that is. direety toward the sun. I
t Instead of this. however, she was proceeding due south».

A‘half hour later. when the twilight commenced stealing

through the Wood. Wilkins Vesey‘ suddenly mused, Ind‘
‘uch’imed: ' * '

 

EH65

HF-l‘

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 

ofllfi._

H

    

 

  
 

rm: nnoox House. 81

“ As sure as I’m a living man I’ve lost‘mv way i”

Adele's heart sank within her, and she said, despair-
.ngly: ~. —

“ Oh, don t say that i” j

“I’m” afraid we shall have to stay in the woods over
night."

“I will not do that.”

"But, my dear, how can you prevent it ?" asked the
‘I‘rader. in the most insinuating voice. I

“ We must reach home; I have sufl'eed enough already

' for my imprudence.”
“I trust we shall, but there ain‘t much prospect of it just,

, , now.”

"‘rLet us keep moving—don‘t stand idle.”
V Wilkins Vesey, cowed and humbled, obeyed her as a

slave would obey his royal master. Onward he plodded
rapidly. carefully and silently. as it' driven before his impe-
rial mistress. It. was long again before he paused, with his
,“heihel he!”

" What is the matter now ?” demanded Adele.”

“You may hang me if there ain’t the very spring where
Ifound you. and the oak, too!”

Such was. indeed, the case. After having gone mile after
’_ mile, and sacrificed their precious time, they had at last
come back to their starting point, and were as far from the
3 Block HOUSe as ever.
3 in this fact.

ratively small, and that, if they could only decide now upon
'2 the proper course, they could easily reach it beiore dark-
 ness set in. v I
’i “You are satisfied by this time, i suppose,” said she,
,‘J “that you took the wrong way .9“
, “Yes; I’ll be hanged if I Won‘t have to own up.
' you decide the matter.”
. V , Adele indicated the course she believed to be the proper
" one. As might be eXpected. this was further wrong than
the one taken by Vesey. The latter saw it and chuckled:
' “‘He, he, he! .I believe you‘il make a better woojmu

I‘ll of

There was one relief and consolation .
,' While Adele had imagined they Were a 10115 >_
way.~from home, this showed that the distance was compa-

;

 

 

 

     
  
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 

* . glimpse of the wished-for clearing.

V. Oh! what will become of me ?"

fl IMO. , - 

82" 7 ms moo: HOUSE. . 3 ,

than 1 will. You must be right. Howsumever, let me * . i
take fbe lead.” ' ' , V
Adele consented and once more they were moving rap. I, ‘
idly through the forest. and, as she fondly trusted. ap—
proaching home every minute. Nevertheless, the gloom of 
night finally closed upon her. without her obtaining a i
On—on—she pressed, \
until she stopped at the sight of a glimmering light through %
the trees. '
~“ What is that '1” she asked in a whisper.

“A camp of hunters,” replied the'whisky-trader, with a
tear of exultatinn. “ We shall now find rest. kindness; and ,
I guide to the Block House.”

" How thankful I am that we should come upon white
men at this moment,” she added. passing eagerly forward.

“ Very lucky. indeed. Don’t look too much at the camp-
fire, it might injure your eyes, they being used to the thick
darkness of the wood.”

Adtle did look. nevertheless. so eager was her desire to
reach the hunters Vesey kept bouncing up and down,
and flitting here and there before her face, as if to shut out
her-view; but being too small, he could not accomplish it.

“ Heaven save me!" gasped Adele; “those are not hun~
ters, they are lndiansl" '

"Oh. no! oh. no! it cant be. Come on! come on i” ,
he urged, closing his raven like fingers tightly around he: " ‘.
arm ,, .

“But they are lndiansl I see them! Let us flee!

l

.

' ‘- it’s too laLel" replied Vesey, hurriedly. “ They have _
been us.” . t .V
Adele tore herself loose, and turned to flee, when she
felt the muscular arm of a brawuy Indian tighten around“ _
her waist, and with a despairing cry, she yielded to he! _‘

 

 

, CHAPTER XI. ‘
It Was not until the middle of the afternoon that Adela . 
Unison WIS'miSBt'd from theBlocknEIouse. Kiagmao use-J , -

 

 
   
   

  

 

 

 

. for her, and five minutes later every one knewthat she

. Fora time they were almost speechless with terror. and

1" She may need our assistance every minute. Some one

r the edge of the t-luaring‘ he hailuoed back that he had dis-l
come! the tootpriuts'of the last one, and the next moment

 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

\

rm; nLoci House. 83

was not within the Stockade. or m‘thin hearing of their
voices. Besides her. Dulland and Table were gone. I:
would be vain to attempt to picture the consternation of‘
the Whitings as the dreadful truth was forced upon them.

then all manner of speculation and conjecture was indulged
tn. .
" She may have wandered ofi" to take a walk. and. will '
be back in a few moments, ” said young Whiting, who could
not torbear some compunctions ot conscrence at the reflec-
tion that it was his remissness which had brought about
this sad state of affairs. ’ g 

“Hardly possible. I am astonished, my son, that she
could have escaped your notice.” I

‘3 Hi be shot if I ain’t considerably surprised‘ too, to un;
derstand how the thing happened.”

“ Remarkable—most remarkable.” exclaimed Wilkins
Vescy. dancing from one foot to another. “It can’t be
that she was so forgetful as to wander I if alone. I can’t—I
can't believe it. 'umebo [3/ had a hand in it."

He coughed and spit very vigorously several minutes to
throw off the embarrassment of having drawn the eyes o!_
all his listeners toward him.

" It will not do to remain here idle,“ said Kingman.

:

g .

must attempt to follow her. If no one ofi'crs, I will do ‘13
myself ” ’

“ It won’t do to expose the Block House to such a dan- ‘
gar.” replied the whisky Iratlcr. " It may he (he very plan "r
for which the ludians are plotting. and, hcstucs, there ain’t '1
one of you that knows how to follow a trait in the woods.

i can do it. and, if it’s possible, I will oung the gel home
to you.” I . .

Altai some more hurried conversation the ofl’er of old

Vesey was gladly accepted. and he took his departure. On. '

    
   
   
 

he distppeared in the torest.‘

 
 

 

84 um moor: norms.

It was not until he had been gone some ten or fifteen
minutes, that. Kingman began to feel some uneasiness at cut
him, ~When he came to reflect, it struck him that there was
'vusnspicious eagerness in his offer to go in search of the

girl, and the portinacity with which he opposed any pur-

suit by the others. it was unwelcome and painful ; but he
could not: free himself of the thought. that the shrivelled
being knew something of the cause of her absmce.

“ ‘Why did we not call in Dalland and 'l‘ahle ?" he said.
as he stood a few minutes later talking to Mrs. Whiting and
her husband.

“Do it at once,” earnestly entreated the former. "They
can assist us more than can any human ‘arm.”

Dulland could be at no great distance. and it was always
understood that the discharge of a rifle at the Block House
was to be the signal for him to return with all speed. He
made it a point never to stray beyond the reach of the re-
port, although Tahle was allowed to do it. Searcer had
ten minutes elapSed, after Kingtnan had filed his gun, when
the rubicund visage of the hunter emerged from the woods,

/ and he hurried across the clearing.

“ Why. what‘s the matter? wl.at‘s the matter?
hain’t been an attack, has there 'r"'

A few wort's explained cvmything to him.

“ B‘dti business‘ bad business. Not so bad, after all, as
you might s'pose," he added in a more cheerful voice.

“ Where do you think she is i" asked Mrs. Whiting, who

- would not. restrain her tears.

“A'w’t‘far ofi‘. don't believe.
Where‘s old Vesey ?"

“ Gone in search of her."

‘ " Whew l” the hunter‘s month and eyes each took a per.
hotly circular shape. indicative of an eureka of words_ that
WM not exactly pleasing to him.

“ Why, do you not think he will find bar?"

“May be so. but [hope he won’t f"

“ingman’s heart sank within him at there word‘s will):
'. was sick to fainting when he‘sail:

There

Find her soon enwgh.

 

 

J

  
 

 

 

  

   
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
    

  

 

 
  
 
 
    
  
 
 
  

   
 

[thing that I forgot to tell you.

  

85

“Explain what you mean, Dulland. for the love of
Heaven!"

“Tut. tut. you ain’t skeqrt. now. be you? No need of
that. I‘m 'fruid that if Vesey should find her, he might not
bring her the right way home that‘s all.”

“And, I should reckon, that was about enough," said
young Whiting. “Confound the old scouudrel——Where’a
Tame?"

“ 119‘s off on a scent, and that. puts me in mind of some-
’I‘here’s a war-party of In-
dians out in the woods.” .

Startling as was this intelligence. it alarmed the hearers
only for the sake ot‘tbe missing Adele. She, absent in the
forest. in the vicinity of a war-party of revwgelul savages!
Great. indeed was her peril!

“I wish that Table was within hearing.” said the hunter.
“but I don’t believe he is. IIosumever, I‘ll venture tc
toot for him."

As he spoke, the hunter gave vent to a bird-like call,
which echoed like a distant car whistle through the woods.
He repeated it sevcrnl times. but, as he exiyected, it elicited
no response, ‘

“ The 50-1le is oll‘ somewhere :" he said. “ if he isn’t [1611'

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

' pretty soon, I’ll take the trail myself ”

“Much as I desire that you. who possess so much expe-
rience, should do this immediately," said Kingmnn. “still
when we take into consideration what you lmve just told
us, that is. that there is a large war-party ol Indmns in the
vicinity, it seems to me it would be exposing us all to far
greater danger." .

“Right there.” said the hunter. heartily; “the good of
the greatest number is what we’ve to remember.”

Could that round, honest leuking face. rosy and jovid‘
-—those clear, innocent blue. eyes—that musical Voice, so
rich and earnest—could they be the mask of the most. deadly
cunning and treachery? Impossible! And yet was there
met the strongest circumstantial evidence that such was the

0‘16.

A  finch were the thoughts ot Kirgman and young Whiting,

. 4 ' . ,

 

   
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
   
 
     
       
   
       
   

  

86 rm: BLoox' nonsn.

. .1 as they listened to the lively remarks of this young hunta,
W and this mistrust, united with what was already known,
» made the two wretched, indeed. .
 ,”’l‘alile is great on a trail: that‘s where he spreads,”
" continued the hunter, growing eloquent in the praises of his
 ' dusky friend. “ it's wonderful to see the genius of that

, E dog. When he lays himself out, i knock under. He can
' theat me at two things—running, and following a trail.”

“At nothing else P” .

“No sir; if I do say it. myself. Put me and him in a

Polly, here, and i can draw bend on anything that he or

I can come up to h‘m." -

“I should like to have some evidence of his skill," said
young Whiting.

" You can make up your mind that you will before
you‘re many months older. Now, maybe you won‘t he-
lievc it, but iill bet that Tahle will scent that. camp-lire be.
fore he’s within a half mile of it. The old copperheltl can
spread on a smell. too. Don’t know but what ill have to
own up there. Sometimes he fancies that he smells the
tmil ins'ead of seeing it, but he‘s smart enough to do
butll.”

l“Do you know anything of old Vesey's skill in that

~‘ .Iine ?” '
. ' Can’t compare him to Table. of course, but he‘s got
l considerable of the genius in him.”

‘ «“Suppose he finds the trail of Adele, do you‘ think he
' will be able to lollow ” ' t

 both.” ,
,. [At this juncture, the elder Whiting, who had gone to
.' 3 watch the clearing, called out Ihat Tahle was approaching.
” Amoment later, he was admitted within the gate. where
the unusual warmth with which he Was greeted made his
I. j black eyes shine with wonder. and brightede up that for-
 h‘dding eciipseol‘ his countenance. Dulland, the hunter, in

canoe, and I’ll keep alongside of him all day, or give me

any other Shawnee can, or in any other sort of wood cralt, » ‘

 

“ Yes—like enongh; and that Shawnee beauty can follow. V

     
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
   

rm: BLOCK novsn. ‘ t7 . .

, t‘Iew words, explained what had happened, and what Wu:
”' wished of him.
‘-Shawnees all round in woods,” said he, “ ’fraid catch

3’  )’
{3 ' “But there is one already searching for her.”
it u Who him r” i

n r ‘ 1 “Old Vesey, the whisky-trader.”

’ ,“Ughl bad—no good—bad man. Table go now.”
The point on the edge of the clearing, where Vesey an-

nounced he l‘ad discovered the trail, was indicated to the

e’ _ Shawnee, At'tera second or so spent in examination. he '
confirmed its truth. Her iootpriurs were easily discernible
, ' ' f to him, and without a moment’s loss of time he plunged

into'the forest on the search.
“Table is a great old scamp!” said the hunter. “He
L and I have been on many a tramp together. Queer in his
‘ way. but we never have any trouble in getting along to-
. gelher. I sometimes quiz him and punch his ribs, and his
face looks black at me. but I can see something in his eyes
that shows plain enough he’s only putting it on, and I know
he’d never get mad unless I did. Ha! ha! One time when
he was asleep 1 tied‘his long, black hair round a small tree.‘
and fastened his ankles together, and then hit him a crack to
‘ wake him up. Whew! if he didn‘t tear around when Met
him loose. Said he was going to take my scalp, and l seen
F be ineant it." ~ v
‘V " He did? I thoughtan Indian never forgot an insult.” _
“They don’t, .nor a kindness neither. and Table made up
his mind that I meant that for a. kindness. When he said
he would take my scalp I just bent my head'dowu and told
. him to take it. - What do you s'pus-ie he did?"
‘ “ 1 am sure I can’t tell.”
' “Turned his head away for a minute, and than actually ,5
~axed me to forgive him." ’ ‘
L “ You did, 01 course ?" v
 “I yuoss I did. Dulland ain’t the man that holds 1'
 grudge aglu anybody.”
,, “ Yes. Table is a great old boy. I’d [be satisfied it‘j was ‘
fi‘pare inns going to reach heaven and find him them,”

   

 

 
     
    
    
   
   
   
    

88. m THE BLOCK HOUSE.

have him find me there, according as which or us goes under "
_' first." , - ”
in the meantime, Tahle. the friendly Indian, was follow-
ing up the trail with the certainty and persis‘ency of the
~bloodhound His head was bent, and his black. basilisk
eyes fixed upon the ground. where the unerring signs that
guided him on his course would have b:en invisible to all
but the experienced eye of the hunter. Not once did he
pause or hesitate. The brown leaf that had been overturn-
ed, the bush whose side had not yet returned to the pre-
‘cise position from which it had been brushed. the tlel)!essed
moss and grass—all these were “Confirmations strong is
holy writ." '
As the shadows gathered in the firest and the glomn
rendered objects indistinct and uncertain his footstens were
uickened until he Wus nearly upon a. run. At the spring
which had been such a scene of terror to Adele, the Indian
halted in perplexity. His eagle eye saw at once that some-
thing unusual had occurred upon this spot, but with all his
wonderful subtlty of mind. he was puzzled for sometime to
0 understahd what it could possiblyhe. The tracks of the
I bear ‘and her cub, and the place where the girl had been
seated were ens ly ma-ic out, but he failed to dis<=ovcr any
evidences oi violence, and it was plainly manifest that in
going away Adele had-done so ug-on a mere common walk
flow that fearful eclipse of the Shawnee‘s face darkened
as he discovered the footprints of the wl.i .kv-trader and the _
lost gill, leading oifin an opposite direction from that to-
”ward the Block Housel He uttered some exclamation in
his natural tongue, ambthe arrow that flies from the how
was hardly more Swift and Silent than was his course
through the woods in the pursuit. A few hundred yards ‘
turther on he came upon a piece of her dress, and this cone
[firmed him in the belief that the villainous dwarf had con»
peiled his companion to take the course that were then put-
Bued. H '.
By this time it was quite dark, and the piercing eyes of'. '
theShawnee failed” to fol.ow the slight trail upon-the ground :7"
y.but'the cunning savage knew thdi nonehut a’dlremmnursQ

»

 

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

‘,,would be followed by two persons in - the situation of thani
pugsned, and abandoning the futile labor of attempting to
keep their path in sight, he sped directly forward. At in-
tervals he paused for a moment‘ and bending close to the
.ground, scrutinized it with great care." The result in. each
case was a revelation of the trail. showing that he had taken
the surest and most rapid method to come up with those
whom he was pursuing. .

Onward shot the phantom like figure of the Shawnee an
persistently land relentlessly as Fate itself. Suddenly the

‘ ' glimmer of a light through the trees started him upon a

swift run. He saw Adele llansell and the whisky-trader
in earne3t converse—the one apparently remonstrating and
supplicnting, the other urgent und commanding. Table
comprehended the imminence of the danger, and making
one bound forward, he threw his brawuy arm around her
waist. and swinging her clear off her feet, reaped off to the
left.

I The whisky trader recognized the form of the friendly
lnclinn, and with his maniacal " he! he! hel’ he called
out: I

“ Why. that's you. ain’t it, Tahle ?"

“ Die. dog!" exclaimed thelntter. [musing for a moment,
and circling his tomuhnwli with lightning rapidily‘abovc his
.head, he hurled it with tremendous force at the shrivelod
form ol Vesey The latter, quick as thought, dropped fiat

» upon his face and as the instrument shot over him, he

_ aboutedi .

“ What in blazes are you trying to hit me for ?' He! he!
‘he I"

,_ This'coufusion and outcry, occupying: scarce a minute,
' ‘ had attracted the notice of the Shawnces Mound the camp-
” fire, and they could now be seen flitting through the trees,
' as they cautiously but rapidly approached the scene of the

tumult. -

It required but a moment for them to comprehend the

‘1 true'nature of affairs. Wilkins Vesey was pounced upon 1
 a prisoner. while several started in pursuit ot the flying

Shawnee und the rescued girl. Tahit- fully .understooJ the

t v

 

90‘ ms BLOOX HOUSE. , I
fieril that now threatened him and his charge, and he collat-
all his powers into play to meet It.

CHAPTER XII.

THE ESCAPE.

The Shawnee did not impede the flight of Adele by
any oifers of assistance upon his part. Lithe, active,

' and fully conscious of her danger, she needed only '
his guidance to follow in his swil't footsteps. The wood "
being mostly open, the obstructions to their progress

- was comparatively slight, and for several hundred
yards the speed of the girl was absolutely astonishing;
but great as it was, it could not be expected to equal
that of her muscular pursuers. Fully conscious of
this, the wary Tahle knew that her only hope of ulti-
mate escape lay in misleading them, and the two had
gone but comparatively a short distance when his
ready mind decided upon the means by which it

, should be done.

The exhausting speed of the girl was maintained
umil the watchful Shawnee saw unmistakeable Signs of
weariuess, when, with one tremendous bound. he
placed himself beside her, and said, in lns‘ sharp. sen-
tentious tones :

" Turn dis way—run fast—«len stop I“

The printing fugitive obeyed him, and a moment
later the two suddenly halth beneath a wide-spread-
ing beach, whose limbs were scarce higher than their
heads.

“ Ulimh up this, quick I" said Tahle. I

How tans was to be done, Adele was at avlos to
compreheinl, until the brawny savage, bending one ,
of the branches with his .let't- h and, placed his right

' arm around her waist and lifted her ulluust' bodily to .
a'seal- upon the limo. , Vv ‘ r '

 

TH! BLOCK HOUSE.

“Go furder,” said he, as she steadied herself with
some difliculty at first. I
She obeyed him, approaching the trunk of the treé,
and ascending almost to the top, while he, apparently
satisfied that all that could be done for her had already
been done, darted away with the speed of an arrow. ,
Shortly after, his defiant whoop was heard by the girl, .
I and the solemn stillness that followed showed that the ‘
, cunning Shawnee had succeeded in drawing his coun-
‘ trymcn in pursuit of himself, without suspecting the
ruse which had been adopted to deceive them. ‘ .
Left alone in the midnight forest, with no idea of
her location, or of the whereabouts of her friends or
enemies, Adele Hansell‘s situation was certainly an
:nienviable one', and no one could be more sensible of
her loneliness than was herself. Great as was her faith
in the sagacity and woodcraft of her dusky friend, she
could but doubt his ability to return to her hiding-
place before morning, when her danger, as a. conse—'
quence, would be vastly increased. Bitterly, indeed,
did she regret her foolhardiness in venturing into the
woods alone, and more than once did she shudder at ‘
the recollection ofher narrow escape from the savages
' encamped in the neighborhood. ‘
The whisky-trader again came up in her thoughts.
Disagreeable, repulsive and hideous, she strove to
drive it from her; but strive as much as she might,
she could not succeed. While there was ~every ap-
pearance of treachery in his course with her, she \re-
;, collected that he was eagerly seized by the Shawnces,
as if they esteemed his possession a great prize ——a fact
hardly compatible with the idea of callusion between
the two. ‘ '
. While thus engaged in thought, she became sen-
' sible of a tremor or faint shaking ot' the tree, as if
. some,person or animal were at the trunk. Her heart"
thrilled at the thought that Tahle‘ had returned, and
she was about to end out to him, when soniefhing re.
' strainedthe words.wheu they wore upon her tongae. ,

 

‘t.

ma BLOCK noose.

. It might possibly be an enemy, and the bare possi-
bility was terrible. ‘
Peering down through the branches, she was un~
' able fora time to detect anything ;_ but the tremor of
the tree continuing, she finall y discerned the shadowy
outlines of a dark, hall-like object, that appeared to
swing out from the trunk, and secure itself upon one
of the lowermost limbs. Some person, therefore. was
ascending the tree, and whether a friend or an enemy
Was the all-important question.
Whoever the intruder might be. he showed no dis-
position to ‘disturb the perch of the girl above him.
Ialtinga dozen feet or so beneath her, he extended
himselffull length upon a. large limlx as if he was
waiting the approach of some one. This proceeding;r
satisfied Adele at once that he was not Tahle, but an
enemy. I
This startling discovery might well occasion the
most serious alarm. \Vhile there was no evidence to
tear that the stranger had the remotest suspicion of
the proximity of herself, it still showed that he, at
least, must have some knowledge of' the action and
intention of Tahle. Suppose the latter returned to
the tree in the course ot'the next few hours. as Adi-lo
_ hoped and believed he would. he would walk directly ,
into a trap setl'or him, and fall a victim before he
could possibly receive a warningr from any one.
Adele‘s gr tat fear was now for the sal'cty of Tahle.
‘ Although fully sensihle of her own peril, she was well
assured that the Indian helow her Would not ascend'
any further in the tree, at least until something 00'"
curred to excite his suspicion, She was entirely in-
visible for the present. and had only to continue quiet
to remain thus. Should the friendly Shawnee ap-
proach, he certainly would not dream that one of his
deadliest enemies was perched almost on the same
branch with herself. while the savage, placed upon,

his 'guard would take everv nil-ans at his comnmnd to ‘ Q
. , ’ . . v

v

slay his unsuspecting countryman.

 

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

In the midst of this torment of doubt and appre-
hension, the crackling of" the underbrush caught her
ear. This very occurrence, at any other time, would
have proved that it was not the cautious ’l‘ahle who
was approaching, for he was never so careless as to
betray himself; but she felt that it was only the means
which he had taken to apprise her of his proximity.

Adele feared that the throbbing of her heart would
he heard by the savage beneathher, as she listened
and strove to catch the outlines of her friend through
the branches of the tree. His regular step was heard
upon the leaves below, and a sudden quietness showed
that he had halted directly under the branches. Sti‘l
the girl could catch no sign of him, although she fau-
cicd she. could see. his swarthy face, with its dark
eternal eclipse, gazing up in quest of her.

.Standing thus a moment. the Shawnee called her
name in.) atone so low that it was scarcely above a
a whisncr. t he trembled wrth fear, and dare not

_ make any reply. A second time the savage repeated
it, and then waited a considerable time for an answer,
but none came. I

The stillness of the hostile Indian surprised Adele .
greatly. \Vhen Tahle called the second time, he re-
peated his own name, and it struck the girl that per-
haps'this fact had something to do with the unusual
quietude of the intruder. Perhaps he had no desire
to encounter the terrible being who had forewarned
his kindred, and who showed no mercy to a foe. The
opportunity for shooting him had occurred several
times, yet the Shawnee had taken no advantage of -it.

‘It might be, after all, that he , was waiting for a more _
favorable chance. .

A third time Table repeated the name of Adele, an
immediately after she heard a trembling of the tree,
as though he .had commenced ascending it. Fearful
of what the consequences would be, she instantly re:
plied, in a loud tone, assuring» her dusky friend that
she would descend and rejoin him instantly. This _ ' ‘

i . ~

 

THE BLOCK HOUSE.

satisfied him, and dropping to the earth again. he v
awaited her descent.

Theqnoment of trial had come, and Adele nerved
herself for it. She was confident the hostile savage
would do one of two things; he would either perniit
her to leave the tree unmolestcd, or else would do his
utmost to stay her when she came within his reach.
The probabilities, she was convinced, were sadly in
invor of the latter course.

She meditated leaping directly from the branch to the
ground, but the height was too great, and she ran cansider.
able risk of being caught in the limbs. She concluded at
length to commence her descent as though she had no sus-
picion ‘of the presence of the Indian, passing on the oppo-
site side of the trunk She determined to move cautiously,
and in case he made the least demonstration, she was re~
solved to spring at once to the ground and warn Tnhle of
their danger.

Moving a couple of feet from the body of the tree, she
stepped carefully to the next limb, and then, pausing a. mo-
ment, placed her foot upon the third. All this time she
was straining her eyes to the utmost to catch a glimpse of
the Shawnee. She had dercehded but a short distance
when she discovered him. He was crouched like a huge
ball, clo.~e to the trunk, where he could seize her as she
passed within his reach. . -

Adele could scarcely support herself, as step by step she
approached this horrible spectre. Conscious, that with his
panther-like "ngllity and strength, he could slay her in an
instant, she suffered the horrors of death over and over
again. When fairly opposite the dreadful object it seemed,
to possess her like at nightmare, and she paused a moment
as if transfixed. Slie either saw or fancied she saw tho ’

I glowing eyeballs oi the Indian, and she heard distinctly hil- V i
‘ suppressed respiration; As she looked upon the dul‘k,anlll, I
and hnmoveahle figure she lelt that it was harmless for the
present, and continued her descent once more. From the
lowermost limb she dropped like a snowflake to the. ground, 1 ' 
, Where she/found the faithful Table yaiting‘. The sneak ‘

A

 

m’: BLOCK BO'UFE. I I 95

__ did not speak, but taking her by the wrist, he struck on at
I a rapid walk in the forest. -

The two had, not gone a dozen yards when a shrill, echo-
ing yell shook the arches of the wood, and the Shawnee
stopped as if struck by a. bolt from heaven.

“Dat come from tree," he said. .

“ Yes. there was an Indian concaaled in the branches. I
Iaw him when I came down.”

The darkness was too great for Adele to discern the fea-
turesof her guide, but she could see that his face was
turned upon her, and she could imagine the blank look of
amazement that was stamped upon that swarthy counte-
nance. He did not allow himself to lose any time now,
doubly precious by this discovery. He recognized the
shout of the Shawnee as a signal to his companions, many
of whom were in the vicinity, who would lose no time in
Obeying it.

For one single moment. the Indian hesitated whether to
risk a return to the tree. and make no effort. to obtain the
scalp of his enemy. or. to adopt the more prudent course,
'ond flee with his charge. I-Iis disposition tempted him,
strongly to the former. but a regard for the safety of the
‘ girl decided him at last to forego that pleasure for the pre-
sent. and he moved on again.

Tahle merely walked, not requiring Adele to run as she
had done before. One reason for this was, that although he
himself Could pass ovar the leaves with scarcely any per:
ceptible nmse, she had not acquired that delicate art. and
the quick ear of a Shawnee could have detected the at-
tempt at once. Moving with the utmost caution, he kept .
his head bent, so as to catch the slightest sound of his cue-v,
mien '

lt was,not more than a minute utter the utterance of the
Iignal of the Indian when three distinct replies were given
from as many different quarters. They were somewhat
similar to the first, and Table understood them to mean that
' the call was being obeyed. This tact made his situation, at -
the least. uncomfortably dangerous-the approaching in-
dlans all couyergiug toward the point where _he was now.

 

- TIE BLOCK HOUSE. I

“standing. A passive course rendered a discovery almost
V unavoidable, while great care was necessary to conduct:
Adele Hansell safely beyond their hearing. In the 'confn. '
sion of the first flight. when fully a dozen lndians were in
pursuit. and who separated at the commencement, the mat-
ter of silence was of little importance, as the noise made by
the fugitives could not have been distinguished from thai
of the pursuing savages themselves, but now, as has been
remarked, all depended upon the quietness of their move-
ments.

The Indian endeavored to impress this in his own pecu .
liar way upon Adele‘ who promised to comply with his in- '
junctions, as far as it was possible for her to do so, and,
taking the load, (as usual. Table resumed his flight with
more caution and stealth than had characterized his move-
ments heretofore.

The two had gone, perhaps. a hundred yards or more, -
when Tahie suddenly paused and whispered:

" Shawnee, coinin’.”

Adele listened intently, but could hear nothinv. in a
moment more Tahle added :

“Shawnee comin’ this way."

And, as he spoke, he led her to a large tree, admonish-'
lug her to stand as steadily as possible. and not to stir until
he gave her permission. At the same time, he took his sta-
tion by the body at an adjoining one, as if he was awaiting

‘ the approach of some one.

I Adele now heard a rustling. such as the wanderer in the

woods will hear on a still summer afternoon, when a bird

' or two are hOpping over the leaves near him—a sound which.
‘she Well knew was made by approaching lndians. Nearer
and nearer they come, until all at once she saw a shadowy
formemerge from the darkness and advance directly to-‘
ward her. Remembering the injunction of Table. she did
not move, and scarcely breathed, as the savage passed on so/ "
close that she could have touched him by simply stretching
out her arm. Asecon’d and third moved by in the same _

' -mauner. when, believing that all danger was over, the ‘
changed her position by stepping back from the tree. ‘

’ -

 

‘

run. BLOUK HOUSE. 5!

" At that instant, another figure rose apparently frm the
very earth, and less than ten feet distant. It lollowed or.
_ in the path of the others for n step or two, when, pvrhupn.
catching the slight noise nude by the movmnent of the g1 rL. .
he paused. It was a tearful moment for Adele! The dun.
shadowy firure of her enemy arrested by herself. when per-
haps the involuntary mow-mom of n limh would betray her
presence; tohim! lut she stood it like a heroine, and alter 
but a short pause the Shawnee moved on out of sightin the
darkness. ' ,

Whv-n they were fairly out of henring. Tiliiie made his
Ippearance. and the homewnrd march was resumed ' They -
were a ion;r distance from the Black House, hit the wood-
craft of the friendly lndian wns unerrmg. A couple of
hours later they emerged into the clearing. nud Aiele‘s
heart'throhhed with joy as the form of the jagged stovkude
loomed up to view. Shortly after they were admitted
within the gate, when the lost maiden was welcomed as it
Ihe had risen trom the dead

Wilkins Vesoy’s character was at last known, and nothing
more was seen of him in the vicinity of the Block House.

» He had too good reason to fear the vengeance of those whom
‘ he had outraged so shametully, and the Settlers began to
congratulate themselves that, they were at lust’rid ot him.

One rainy morning, when Kingmnn went to the well he
found that a quantity of (liit. had fallen in, and as it render-
ed the water unlit for use, measures were at once taken to
cleanse the water. Upon going dmvn. almost. the first
thing discovered was the de'id body of Vesey, the whisky-
tradcr. [Iis whole plan was then seen uta glunce. He
had been to work assiduously for weeks in diggiuqn sub-
ierranean pas~nge, opening into tho well, through which he
and his Indian confederates might stenl noon. and surprise
fine garrLSnn. But while at work it cuvod in, and thus he
bad-been overtaken, and bunished by God, instead of man:

Here it is proper to close ourhistory of the Blonk House
We had laid out; amore extended history, but space will
not net-mil. The settlers gradually gatherqu around it. my}

{til efoi-midable settlement arose, which in time became ‘t _

r

 

A
THE BLOCK HOUSE.

lowly and is now a. city. Among the leading inhalllmxg
fifty years since, were Sherman Kiugman and his charming,
loveshle wife. formerly Adele Hansel]. and (0-day, thexr dc.
Icendums are among the most widely-known and respected
' ‘ in the great West.
' Tahle and Dulland hunted many long years together, and
y the Former finally fell by the hands of his hereditary ene-
r - 'mies. Dulland mourned him long and fervently. and finally, I
when old age came upon him, he, two. followed after, m5
gained him in the bright lands beyond the setting sun .

 

P,

 

 

The Three Gunner.

' flow Not to Get on Answer.

g'STAN

D‘IME‘DIKLOGUE

132.111)xw 

S

For School Exhibitions and Home Entertainments.

lol. I to 91 lnrlulvo. 15 to ‘25 Popular Dinlnlzno

I and Drnmne in each book. Eoch volume 190

2am pope, um. nonbpnid, on leceiyt of price, ten cents.
Beadle & Adams, Publishers, 98 William St., N. Y.

Thou volnmol have beendpropored wlth o poclnl refnrnnro to thelr nrnllohlllty {nr Exhlbltlonn,

 

fiein Ado ted to uhnull An
'All AN YOUNG PEOI'

0! every ogeflmrh mnlo nml fumnlo.

 

ulon wlth or without the lurnlture ul‘ :1 INIKISJlnd Iultod to SCHO

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wll, python, humor Ind untimeut.

DIME DIALO

Meeting of the Mull-l. For nine young lmliou.

Belting In Live Engllohmun, For three boys.

Touc’n Coronation. For mole Ind finale.

Fuhlon. For two ludlee.

The Rehenrul. Fur nix bovl.

Whlch will you Choou-l For twohnyn.

The Queen of May. For lwn little girll.

Thofl‘eo-Pnrty. For luur lenlieu.

Three Scene: ln Weddell Life. Mohaan (om-lo.
n. Sulmu’ Confer-ion. For mole and female.
he Mlulen ol' thoSplrltI. Five young Indian.

  
 

I
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Holmobblng. Forfive uhl'l.
‘l‘l-o Socrotnl Sucenu. ‘ur th «km.
Youn Americu. Three me flptwu fomoloo
Jau lnu'l Doltlny. one u, anon-ale.
The ‘olly of tho Duel. For three mnlupodull-

Dogmntlum. Fur throelnolu Ipoolserl.

The knorlnt Confouudod. For two hon

The pit Youn Men. Fol-two umlrl.

The Yenr’n Rec onlng. I? fomnlu and I molt

The Villego wlth One Gontlemu. For ol‘m 1.
mole: 5nd one male. -

DIME DIALOGUES N0. 2.

The Goolnl nl‘ Libertv. ’ melon and l fem-lo.

Cludornlhé or, The thtle Glen Slipper.

Doll: Goo Ind Saylnx Bad. Several chlrncten.

The olden Rule. Two mole: ond two lemnleo.

I'll-Gift ofthe Fnlry Queen. Sever-l fomnlu.

Token lo and Dune For. For two qhonrtero.

The Country Aunt‘e Vlnlt to the Clty. For lev-
er-l chencten.

The Two Romano. For two mnlol.

Tryl? tho Cher-curl. For three mllu.

The n py Funny. For neural ‘nulmll.’

The bow. For uvonl ell-rectors.

How to Vrlm ‘ Pnpnllr ’Storleo. Two lllhl.
The New ml the Old. For two mnlu. ‘
A Sennntlon no lent. For two mole-z,

The Groonhorn. For two moles. ,

The Three Men of Science. For fun! nulu.
The Old Lndy’: Will. For {our mnlel.

The Lime Phi) 5n hurl. For two lllllo girls
How to Flnd on 1 air. For five moles.

The Vlrluee. Fnr nix young lmllu.

A Connubinl Ialoguo.

The Pub”: meetln . Flvomlluutdomhxnlh
The Engllah Trove of. For two lulu.

mm DIALOGUES, no. 3.

no Reform Convontlun. Fur Ion femnlol.

uplng Bnd Compnny. A Force. Forflve mil...
Courtln Under Dlmcultiu. 9 melel, I Inn-la.
Notlone Repreeontntlvol. ABurlotquo. 4 mule...
unplug the DIIR- For numerouu melee.

DIME DIALO

The Fleet King. For tn or more per-om.
-Btnrtln- ln Life. Three mllrl and two females

E0 Moy Queen. For In entlro school.

'l’olth, o a nnd Chnrlty. Fur three mu. gnu.
Duh u: Joan. For two miles nnd onefemnle.
The finy. A Floral Foucr. For lix llttla girls.

The Enchanted Prlnceu. 9 mole-,Iovenl fenmlen

Honor to Whom Honor in Due. 1 males, 1 female.

0 Gentle Client. For several mnlel. one female
homology. A Dluuuion. For twenty mnleo.

DIME DIALO
For «heel or nrlor.
Sentiment. A “ Three Pomm’ ” e co.
Behind the Oxrtnln. For mllu Ind Iemnlol.
The El: Pl Society. Five hey-- end A teacher.
llomluetlon Dey, Fol-neural kmnlo clnnctvl.
Tndin In “ Tn " For uvenl maleL
The 001 Boys Trlhnnnl. For ten beyI.
A Loon Tongue. Severnl nol ,s nnd fem-30!.

For two (under.

DIME DIALO

Woy'l'luy Kept l Secret. Mole end fermloo.
I Put under Dlfleulflu. For In melee.
Toll. For n

hole uhml.
'(‘b B n tend-um! two melee.
tend-I.

 

m5

Tho Genml Cook. For two ml".

Mnuerplen. For two unle- end two Ion-l. l
The Two Rom-ml. Fly two melee.

The Same. Sccnndmno. For two holes. ,
Showlng' the White Felther. 4 melon, I (crash.
The Bunk Cell. A Reclutlve. For one male.

(mas, no. 4.
The Stubbletewn Volunteer. 9 melee, I (and.
A Sl't'no from " l’nul Pry.” For {our lulu.

'l'lle Clmrmn. For three melee Ind one fonmll.
Bee, Clark end Broom. For thw- linlo glrll.
The Itlzht Way. ACollnquy. For two be)";
What the Ledger Snyl. Far two melee. '
Tho (‘rimeo of Drum A Colloqnv. For twoboyu'
’l‘hl Rcwnrd or Benevolence. For tau-m;
The Letter. For two mnleo. §

GUES, no. 5. ‘,
Pnttlnz on Mn. A Colloqny. For two lulu.
Tho Strnight Mark. For uvorll boys.

Two llloll of Life. A Colloquy. For ton filth ’
Extrnct from Merino Fallen).

Mn-Iry«Mnney. An Acllux Chmrle.

The Six Virtual. For nlx vonng hle

The lrlehmon It Home. or twomnl I.
Fuhlonnhle Requlromentn. For three zlrle.

A Buy o! 1’: (Ryan). For olght or leu lith

ours, no. 6.

The Two Cenmelorl. For three mn‘lel.

Tho Vntnrlel of Full-y. For A number of

Aunt Bouy’l Beau. Your “moles Ind two male.
The Ll‘bol Salt. For twp hmleo ond one red.
Root- Clmu. Fort-Funk" o! be“.
Chrlotmu Fairies.

 

I: h
h In Gold thot Gluten. Mole nod
' ml", r Foul: melee.
. Fol the.

nel- nd one hallo.

moral llttk h
Tlv Thur Ring». l‘gtw nth» w

 

l

’ Aime Sohool Sorter-Dialogues.

DIME DI \LOGUES No. 7.

in No beggar; For fourteen fenmlel.

he eerilvchihl in (airy—laud. For girls.
Twenty years hence. Two l‘euisles, one mill”;
The why to Windhem. For two males.
\‘Vomvm. A poeticégmusge st worxie. Two ‘w I.
The ’Olegiee. A llcquy. For two males.
How to get rid ofu hora. Foruverel boys. ‘
Boarding-school. Twouuhnaevl two female.
Plea. for the ledge. For two males.
The ills of rem-drinking. For three ha I.
True pride. A colic! uy. For two femn as.
fin two lecturers. nbr numerous males.

If‘wo views ofllfe. Coiloqny. For two fennel.
The rights of music. For two femulee.

A hopeless else. A query in verse. Two [irlfi
The would-be school-toucher. For two melee.
Come to life too soon. For three males.

Eight o‘clock. For two little girls.

True dignity. A collqu. For two boys.
Grief two expensive. or two males.

Hamlet tllld the ghost. For two persons.
Little red riiling hood. For two iemnles.

New application ofrm old rule. Boys nail girl.
Colored cousins. A colloquy. For two melt!

' DIME mm. nuns No. a.

fire fairy School. For I number of irle.
,.-iie enrollin uiiicer. Three girls on two hoyl.
The bone bsl enehus‘mut. For three b-‘ Vie
The girl ofthe ried. Forthrae .»".s.
‘El‘he fowl rehali on. Two mules r...d one femnls-
blow buteuro. Several melee Ind two females.
Cmdle’u veloe'ipede. Ono mole undone i’emle.
' hefigui'oe. or several snrnil children.

J]. kltl otPAterSloper. Far seveu hays.

Getting e photograph. Mules and femnlel.
The society fur xrrrurnl improvement. Fur girl.
A nohlenmn in disguise. Three girls, six boyn
Greet gxpectntionr. For two but s.

Plat;v lfr school. Five females end four melee.
Clollfl for the heuLhen. Ono smile. one fern-l.
A him cue. For three boys.

GhoIC. For ten femulee sad one mole.

DIME DIALOGUES No. 9.

Advertising", . Forlanuei‘bsnereumm.

mar en to an e . oti 10 boys.

the old and are newgml’ofigfemlfl Jne mole.
of tndes. F‘ortwelve little ll!!!-

The lop—dog. For two romaine.

The victim. For four (amnion find one rnsle.

“She duelins. For two bays.

mzrhllolophy. F or fensle- and mules.
good motion. For two females.

The law of humnn kindness. For two fern-Ines
Spoiled children. For ll mixed school.

Brutus Illil Canine.

Coriolisqu eml Autirlims.

The new echoisr. For A number of zirlu.

The Ielf-mude insn. For three mules.

The Muy ueen (NB. 2.) For 1!. uchool.

Mrs. Lech nuri'n economy. 4 boys and 8 girle.
Should women be gl'veil the ballot! For hoyu.

BIKE DIALOGUES No. 10.

MmMorlr Twnln's shoe. One male. one felnnlo.
The old flag. School feltian For three boys.
The cannot folly. For msn girls.

Greet liven. For all boys um six girls.
BanduL For numerous mules nnr‘ femslel.
The lightoflove. For two be e.

The flower children. For two.” girls.

the eel uncle. or three ooye.

r discussion. For two boys.

For A school.
For three boys end one girl.
For three girls.

The rehearsnl.
The true wny.
A prectiesl lifelessun.
The mnnk and the soldier. For two bnyl.

lllG-ls'lt. School festival. For two girls.

Lord Dundrenry‘s Vieit. ‘2 main end 2 fem-l“
Witches in the ere-In. For 3 gills end 3 boys.
Frenchmen. Charade. Numerals chuncten.

DIME DIALOGUES No. 11.

A one are v deceitful. For nix he '3.
a conundrum furni y. For mnle mil femele.
Corina: lietey. Three mules and four femsles.
{rk and the besustnlk. For five characters.
a we to do itsml not so do it. afemnles.
How to come heslthy,eu-. Mnlesnrl female.
The only true life. For two girls.
V. Clinic colloquies. For two boys.
. Gustuvus Vuea In}. Cristiorn.
e . 'l'nmeriono and 15; Want.

7

} nnlree usnrnnce. P . lovers. clrnrncter».
rders wanted. For several clmruteru.

- When I was your. For two girls.

'he most proclounlleritnire. For two boys.

‘be double cure. Two misiel um! [um fenmlee.

'lle flower-finrilen fuiriee. For five little girls.

emlmu's novel. Three mules end two femllel.

‘ the widows. For three girls

 

 

Fnshionshle dissipation. For two little girls.
A school chemile. For two boys and two 
Jenn Ingelow’e “ Songs of Se'en.” Sev’. .

A debate. For four lmye.

Rugged Dick’s lesson. For three boyl.

School chm—rule, with tnhlenu.

A very questlnnnhlo story. Far two boy;

A soil. For [hr-:9 males.

The was] gentleman. For two Mys.

DIME DIALOGUES N0. 12.

A fnmily not to psttern nfter. Ten churn-ten.
How to lulu-flue. Au acting ell-trade.

’l'he vncntion ecspndc. Four boys rind tench".
That nmghty buy. Three fernsiee and e mi;
Mud-cup. An noting chnrnde.

All is not gold thnt glitters. Acting proverb.
Sic trunsit gioria muuiii. Actinz chimed».

DIME DIALOGUES N0. 13.

.11: o’clock in the morning. For three In nles.
An indignation meeting. ‘or severnl females.
Before and behind the scenes. Several chersct’r.
The noblest boy. A numberefhoye e d teacher.
Blue Besrd. A time piece. For girls Ind boys.
"at I0 bed u it Ieents. For several characters.

emle For two males and female.
vs. mflmnt. For parlornnd exhibition.

 

Worth. not wcnlth. For four end emu
No such word as fall. For sev sl mules.

The sleeping beauty. For n Iclmol. ..

An innocent intrigue. Two mules uni nl‘ernlh
Old Nnhly, the for“ e to For three lirlg
Tiny-talk. For eeverp little boys. ‘
Mother tsderui. For several little girls.

A preoticel llluetuion. For two hn’f-d fl

 

Dime mo] aerial—blueng
DIME DIALOGUES No. 14.

In. Jons- Jnnsl. Three guru sud two lull“. Rnfinmnent. Actlnzchlrnds. Savornlchsm
Thu bu“. gent...“ Fm In“, “on”. Cunsciunce, Ilsa arbiter. Fur Indy Ind um.
Hora slmu onu Ilstuncr. Fur {uur puts mdlsdy. How so nmlm nmthurs bu ry. For two In"
Who on earth ls Ilc' I"ur tlnun Kll’ll. A cuntlnsive Argument. gar two girls

The rlglrt nul. u; be u pnupcr. Fur two boys. A wou- n's blindness. Fur |lsmw girls.
'Woumn mum-e will out. For n [{nll‘ school. “Inn’s work (‘l‘mupernncn I-'nr "HUT gents.
Buswdirt nn-l bucllolor. Fur two lso)l. Th Intnl mlstuke. For two young hum-I.
Tlns UM nl n dross. Fur livs persons. K» null husu. For cm: “out, nnd une Indy.
Thu surprise puny. Fur six lmlu girls. thlbutiuu. For A number 01 boys.

A prscucul dumumtmlluu. Pvf Ilium hays.

DIME DIALOGUES No. 15.

Th. fulrles‘ucnpnda. Nymeruun ('lv-lrm‘lvrl. 'l‘lxn lll‘ll‘ ulrluw. For nnmsrons malls

A mt'a parpluitics. l‘ur m urnllem-u. IIIvu'l, helluva what you lmu. For len ML
A Iolna ('uru. Fur two Indies nn-l me “out. Aslslvlt rule. For Illn-nlmlit'l.

'I'hs guud than: is In ench.‘ A unmln-r ul hoyl. 'I « chief's n-sulw. l'lxtruu. For twrv nulls»
Genllmnun or Inunkey. lior twu lm_\ s. 'I‘A-htiug her lrwmls. Fur sun-ml rlmmctvn.
The llltn~ plnltmnpner. l‘ur lwo lllllu girls. 'I'lw luruluuur’u t-uulvles. ‘or twu India.
Aunt |'ull)"l luss'uxls. i-‘Mruur mum. Tim M without, 3] mm. Saw-ml rhurncwl'l
A wind-lull. ACIIDK cllnrldt. I-"vr s number. Nstursl "lacuna. For Us". gou‘lemus.

Wlll ll puyl For two boys.
DIME DIA LOGUES No. 16.

Polly Ann. For {our Indies 5qu am- gentleman. Thu Imps of the trunk room. For fin glrll.
Th. "wad": of the winds. I'ur u school. The book”. A Cullnquy. For tw ' llc girls
1‘... good Hwy am. For .._x 1mm; Kitty's runml. Fur srvcml mm mm.

Tlm lsny who mm. For slx ut'llllcmun. Stratum-tn. Charade. For luvvnsl rhursrterl.
Goo...” duy. A I‘OIlmlu". Fur thus glrls. 'I'L-sllnz hl-r Iclmlnrl. For Hum-runs ltllulul’lo
The sirk wcll mun. For thrse buy; TIIJ world is what we mnke it Two girls.
The luvonlifinllnx colxunlllsw. F. r “in: lulch 'lhs old And mm mm. For geuuunsu sud Indy.
A “corms in roguu. For {our bu)!-

DIME DIALOGUES No. 17.

Llrrlll. vnum' “nun-‘3 AND blALnaL'ls.

To be hsppy you must In good. For two littls nrmnu; Nobody's chlld ; Nnttlngst mndp.
Km. and 0..., 1,0". (Irny's; Little Imy's risw u! how Columbu-
‘Evnnescent glory. For n lwvy of boys. discuvumd Amerlcni l tlu girl's vluw; Ill:-
Tha “NIB penumnker. For twu little glrls. lle hm’u speech 0n tn , A lllllc Imy's vnck.
Whht pnrts friunds. For two litllu girls. cl; Thu mldullzht murder; Rum.)- Rnh‘s er-
Mnrllus \Vulnlngton leupnrty. For five little 0nd urlllun; Hnw the baby csmc; A m) I
girls in old-time costume svbsurvnlinns; The new slate; A nmlllur’l
The uvil tlmrp is ln II. Far two young hm s. lovr; Tlu- cmownin’ glory -, Bnby Lulu ; Jusls
“'1” usan foolish little girl. Fur Iwo glrls. lIIllingI on the bmnblwlme, wren, nlligstnr;
A child's Inquiries. I-‘ursmnll rhlld nnd washer. Died )L'llcrdfly; The rhlekrn‘s nlilllke; The
The cooking: club. For two girls Ind othsrs. hulr npynrunt; Deliver us hum u-ll: Don't
How Io du it. For tvn- buys. vum to be good; Only I drunks-n (allow;
A hundred your: tn tollle. For boy and girl. The two liltle mhins; Ils shut to cnndcmn;
Don’t trust {aces For several smnll bou. A non-en” tslu; thtlu buy’sulorlsumtion; A
#501: tha Iklu. I‘nr two slnnll girls child’s dvslu‘; Bogus; Thu gulnlln ens: Rub-
In true llerolsm. Fur tllreu lllllu b0”. n-dub; Cslumny; Little rlmttavhux; Whon
Give us little boys s chnucu: 'l'hu Imrv 0' the W "19y: A be)”: vlew; Th. \wemv frog“
plum pudding; I‘ll I» A mnn V;  llttls girl‘s Going to school; A morniu bulls: Th0 "I
'lxhu .pmch; Johnny‘s olunlun o! gruml- ol Dull-Ire: A farm-v; In tn: sunlight; Is.
mothers; Thu haul-lug hell; “a litmus :Irr nvw lnul egg; The Ilttlo rnusiciun; ldl- lieu
nu; A small boy’s View of corns; kuhl-y's l'utury-nmu; Then Ind now.

DIME DIALOGUES No. 18.

I
ery wlshes. For ssvarnhchnrncters. (dlvu I dug A bad mum. For Innr gentleman!
N Ole wlllmut a thorn. 7 nmlm nml 1 female. Sprung-slum wlshel. For slx little girls.

.»'I‘ greedy by half. For tltron mules. ' Lust Lhnrllo; or, flu! gipsy's nvuugl. Fora
One good turn deserves nnntllur. For 6 Indies. rnernus I‘lllnscleVrl,

Court-lug Malinda. For 3 boys and I Indy. A lltllt'x trump. lun- thrse llttls hays.

Tho new sclmlnr. For levcml boys. Ilurd times. For ‘2 gun‘tlnmgn snd‘d Indles

fl. lmlg il|t¢rcegwn Fur four lmllu. . The lesson wvll worth warnmg. or two mn-
“hams; For J gentlemen and 3 Indies. and two feuuslol.

DIME DIALOGUES, N0. 19.

An awful mystsrv. Two {small-1 and two umluquhe refim-d slmpletonl. For {our Indigo.
Contentment. For fin: little boys. Ilh-rnernbcr Henson. vFor throw.- umlu.
Who In the ulna! For Illnus young girls. {\Imlern ellurnlwn. Three m‘nlul sud one hm
Cdlfornl. uncle. Thsoe mslrs and three femlu. h‘hd wrlh, I00 lunch Ion. For |Ilnw~ln|lu,
kind to the poor. A little Inlh’ Isl-y. '1 he {Ilrys sv'srsung. Ilrn-ss piste. For two gin-h
Iv pooplo are insured. A ” duel.” Aunt Lumre s expg‘rlment. I-or scum].
yw. Acting chmds. For [our dumb". T!!! m 'sterlnus 0 n. Two fonulu usan msls.
smoke fiend. For bur boys. “ I’ll I" ‘0 "Writ-so dis tum. For an. ms-
nu dI-l s. For I Chrlltms Fu- Ind two Ismales.
arsong uvsn clan-curs. An nld'fuhlonofl dust.
to. a... 3mg. Th mum. in: men than...»

 

 

 

_ I

Blind Dollop) We” uhd Dialogues.

 

DIME DIALEGT man, No. 23.

Lula“ Chine-e outnge,
ho mullet!» duduy of
P m lhlshmnn,
eggy ‘chnn,
Spruyu l'wm Joli Bl‘l-
Huzl. .
De cirrumnlmul oh dc
ailiwuliun,

Dlr’n an!!!" new undu-
dc sun,

A Negro religious poem.

Dnt'l wu’n do matter,
Th. llhalulppl "‘"ul- ,
Von h Lida (coma in, A dark alde View,
Dun lun- vol Mary In! Tu euer my.

On nrning German,

PI‘tDB‘Flnhady on 10— Mary'- shlmllvltalnmb
mun rlghu A hesllhy dimmrne,
he hum: rnfen, how ’l'ohlnx In in afmak,
‘hcy “ npnkes,” 01d Mrs. Urimu,
fluznunh Duwlen an A parody,
Mmhurl-ln-hxw, Mun and cats,
Ho dldn‘t tall the farm, Bill Umlarwoed, pflot, ’l‘hm violln
l'ho kn- nory ol’Frull.» Uld Grnnlzy. ,l‘icnlc delightl,
liu‘n Idle, 'I‘he pm paddler‘l orn-IOurmmdiduLe'a vlevu,
I would 1 wan a boy, lion, 1Dundrenry‘l wisdom,
lgnin, Widder Green’l hut Plnin lungunge by truth-

!All shouttboe,
Sc . .

 

 

My Migth don,
Pun m,

The usva i )e l. ed

A dokewr’rlhnhm, ’

The coming man.

Thu lllixmm “hi! II
Mulduuu’s,

the corner.
A geneu‘im: inkmm-a,
An lnvimtlnn w 1.1..
hind of hbcrty, '

Thu crmv, ‘

 

.l PM Mary, I’N’dl, ul June,

DIME READINGS AND REOITATIONS,

when the com me
hume,
The dunmlnn puny,
'l‘ummv a ,
A M .higAudor in
wanct.
. n: and Lou AM.
Mrs. llrccxg'c
lunch,
Rock ul‘ Aged.
J. (Ix-“r
.‘ nuh'lmrlnon,
Amuu'l ticket,
The newuhoy,

n. {rilhlnn’l ’nu— The dlm old fore-t,
um: Buhe.‘ nt home,

The lighlnlng-rnd ngen} The Sergmuwn story,
0 lrlgody It ran ace Fluid and Gullah,

at, Dunning M fuumnre,
Ruth and Nnonl, Rum,
CM” 0! Conan, Whv Ihould the lpir'fl
Bnbi ofumrhd be proud!
Th‘a cumian mualnoha,
The engineer”: nary,
A undhluu' (or punk

dam,

pink

church Pompey

‘Pnuul 'Moouh’l aur-
InounL, Roll call,

Arguingfln qualfinu, An nmeuion to the

Out well.

No.24.

Death of th’ curd-quill

Mcin tug Sluwld,

m Elberoa, v

‘l‘hecry ol womanhood

The judgment. day,

'I‘hn- hum hubbh,

0mm mun not. rln‘
Lu-mxht,

The swell,

‘l‘ho wnur mm.

Smn'n letter,

Font-sop: ante dud,

Charity,

An may on mesh.

 

Jln Walla And the an, (anally, l’nt’n correlpandanoe.

DIME DIALOGUE! No. 31.

Nathlnz like tmln‘mg.

Burt'- bnndm. For nylon ell-mean.
l‘he hnhhle.

A lluly Inarnoon. For nix mnlul.

A nuw moth-r balm-Ii. Fur nix liulo #rll.

Brod an th- unk-u. For fun! fvmnln.

Fol-1mm tha mum, Fm two mules.

Slumln’l Anguh Far lm Innlel Imd one femlle.
h“ act: would in. For six little girln.

Tum: dollnn A harm. For eleven Ill-lea.

Aunt,I auy'u mm. For ‘hree Munle- nud one

- In: e.

“a dime-earl“ Inpa-nuurdlsk For on. unle
Ind Indiana: “ when."

Grnndum Grunhlmn’n protest For I “gt-Ind-
Ill" and uvonl girl grandchildnn.

com "

nmle.
The well taught lemon.
A turn at the Lido.
{rmnl-l chnmcurl.
A true rnrpn-hnggu.
Wynn] nwluphyniu.

 

E' Thu Ibo" hool- m sold by Nev-duke- uerywluu, or wlll be not. pout-pl l, “q I

)4de on mint 0! prlco, 10 «um nah.

DEADLILND ADAMS, Puin ’8 wan-.snx. Y-. I»

For I number ohmic. ,
Far ‘er lmle girll. -
Medleinu 10f rheumuia. For two “culled

For five mm boy].

I
For three mule m M

For thrcdemnlu.
For six mules.

1m. Hmn did. Fur flu waln- III A ‘
(0311.11.71. my h".

Condenu'd Mythology,

Tlml. Hula hnhy rnrmd ‘

P“ ..
' mu dock Agent. For dam mud-Mono In},

 

 

DIME POCKET NOVEIJS.

PUBLISHED SEMLMONTIIL"

.16 The Buy l’iunuur.

31 Cumin, the Guido.

:58 The Henri. Enter.
The Huge Hunter.
“'ild Nut, Trapper.
Lvnx-rnp.

' T1... wuua Ouuuw.
The Dug Trniiar.

' The Elk King.

' Auriun, the mm.
The .\inn-huutur.
The l‘huumiu Trucker
Muccnuin Hill.

The Wall Quunm.
Tom Huwk Trailur.
Thu Mull C iiuf.
The lllnck Wolf.
Arkunsu Juck.

.. Blul-khcurd.

The River Rifiul.
Hunter Hum.
Clmulwlroil.

The Tcan Huwks.
Mercile-s .\1ut.

Mm! Aut'uuy's Seoul!
Lul-kluus Truppr-r.

' The Flurhln Smut.
The lslunli Trapper.
\anf»Cnp.

Rnttlinx Dick.
SlnirprEy-i.

. lvun Huml.

‘. The lelow Hunter.
Thu 1’huntmu rider.
Deluwnru Tom.
Silvr-r Ride.

: Tilr Skulr-ton Scout.
Littln itlllu.

. The Wuml Witch.
(11.1 Ruff, Trl rpur.
Scarlet Simuhiuru.

' Uonler Rilleumn.

. Outlnw Jurk.
Tiuur-Tull, Suminolc.
Denth-lhnlvr.

‘ Ki‘lll‘rll, this Ranger.

. S u-clvr Huruumn.

Tln- Thm ’l‘rnpperl.

' Kulculuh.

The Hunter Hercultn.
Phil Hunter.
The lmllln Scuul.

. The (Girl Ave-ngu-Y.
The Rad Hcrmltens.

91 Shir-Fum‘Jhe sun-u.

9? The Mitulnlu- linv.

93 Thu Phuuwui Hunter.

 

E14 Tum Hullu. I’llnt.

US The Rail \"ilfll’ll.

96 The Riv-l 'l'rupperi.

97 The Squuw Spy.

9x 1)ulky Dick.

99 Culnlml Cruckatt.

100 Old Ileur I‘Iw.

1111 Rollinw.

10‘} Wild Rube.

1113 The Indiun Huntern.

nu Starr-all lingle.

1W) Nlrk Duylo.

luvs ’l‘hu liullun Spy.

101 Job Dunn.

low The anl King.

100 Thu Smille Hunter.

110 Nick the Scout.

111 Thu Tcxm Tiger.

11‘) Thu Cruuwl Knives.

111i Tiger—Heart.
Mmde Aveugur.

. The l‘uurl Pirntes.
Bluck l’nnther.
Alnlial thuAi'e-nger.
Cntu, thu Cr... m.
Twu-llnmled 5 ll.
Mull Trail Hunwr.
"luck Nick.

Kit. illrd.

The S iectar Rldon.
Giant ’31».

The Girl Cuptnin.

‘ Yunlxeu Eph.
Silvrrupnr.

Si unltur Dick.

. The Chth Spy.
Mink (hull.

Rod l’iulue.
Clylln, u... Trullcr.
“iii The 1.0" (.‘uvhe.
134 The Cuunihul Chief.
135 Kurailm.
1311 Scarlet Mv-crnuln.
1:11 Kidunppwl.
135 5131.1 “1' ths Moun-
lain.
1119 Thu Srlutu Scnul‘.
Hr) iiurdu Renezmlo.
111 Thu hlilla Clllul.
142 liming, the Hunter.
143 hinnntnin Kills.
141 Tim le Scuiper.
1-1.5 Thu 1.01m Chief.
Hui The Silver Bugle.
H7 Chingu, Che} vnue.
Hz! The 'l'uugleil Trail.

 

149 Thu Unmn “and.

1511 Thu Lona Iudinu.

151 The Brurulmi Chief.

157 Billy liuwlegl.

163 Thu Vulluy haunt.

15-1 Road Juckct.

155 The Junglu Scout.

156 Cherukuu Chirf.

157 Tiil‘ liumllt llu'l’lllll.

15‘ The l'nll’lvl Scout:

1.59 The “'nnd kin-guru

160 Thu lied Foe.

lril lienutilul Unknown.

10‘) Cnuuhrnku Mums.

163 Hunk lhu Guide.

154 Tu. liunlnr Scout.

165 “'lld Nut.

168 Maid of “'ymnlug.

167 The Thu-u Cnpilven.

1118 The 1mm. Huniur.

169 Iinrllur Luw.

170 Thu lliilxll Truil.

111 The 'l'rmlur Spy.

m The Furvlt Spuclm’.

173 Tin- iilurdrr FKM'I.

1'14 Hauler Vl-ngr-nnce.

175 liordcr Bel a.

:75 Tu. Snu- (-l Lumiy.

1'17 Thu Loni liriiiv.

17h Ream-n.

1126 The Trruhnwu Spy.

1‘“ The l’ruirie Nuurgu.

m Rm “ginning.

1h“) Bruva Iienrt.

m; mm mm Kit.

nu Mumru; sum.

1‘5 llurrlcnne 11111.

1513 Thu liml Outlaw-

1h‘1 The Swmnp Scout.

18" The Shuwuen’l Fun.

1239 Mohawk NHL

190 mu Jupa.

191 The Prairie Hillel.

11:9 UM Kyl.-,Tr.i1ur.

1513 mg Foul. nu- Guide.

194 le iirnlhrrhnml.

195 The Mun in Urn-«n.

196 (Hun-E) r, the (Irral
S mi.

191 The i‘miriu'l'rnpperl

11'! Black Juhn.

1W Rani-Knife.

‘mn Mml Shippvr.

em The Yullllg Sp ,

‘JU‘J The [rulinn AV K"-

l 703 Rii ul Llrult'lillhll.

 

AT TEN CENTS EACH.

:KH Tim Swamp Rm...
mm The Bulhmn Sun“.
91% lhicutuh Srnurm'.
‘20? '1 he Twin Scuuls.
aux Inn-huh 1511].
2119 ilurrlu Avenger
210 Tim humhlc'n Charg-
‘111 Thr Shun nue Stout.
m The Silent sum.
‘.‘1c? The 1’ruirie Queen.
‘214 Tiu- linrliuondlmen.
‘215 Thu l'rlmlwr of LI
Vimreluc
m i'eiq: Smith.
917 Thu \l‘lu‘h
“'ullnwinh.
2111 The l’ruirle Pirnm.
919 Thu Huanar Cnptain.
9‘10 Thu Red Spy.
991 Dick Darling.
999 lilualuur Hunters.
‘223 Guilty or No! Guiliy
9‘14 Th. ()utluw Ranger.
9'25 Schuyhlll Eugen.
Q26 (in thu Deep.
‘I‘J'l ll’fllil.
‘J‘Jh The Munnminerr.
a 1 1.. Hunter‘s Hump.
1hr Li -H Bait.
1 Tim . mun v Rldm.
'anrz liuuh.
Mnaanruil‘n Dunuhter
.I The Mud Hunter.
5 Thu [lt'l‘lel’ ml ’76.
‘ Amplovahe.
1 Tlir Huntrr'a \‘nw.
K The llunler‘l lelga
.1 iiuitlrpnle.
NO Th.» l'rnirie Bride.
941 Hill Griuly.
‘1-12 Dushan Drum“.
243 “mun-11.. “‘llp.
'2411 llvrhinu Dick.
1J6 (lhi (Tun-fire.
‘14“ lirn lirIiI-hie.
94': liriuulni Captain.
in HM Sirnirfy.
9-19 “my linirY the Chlrl.
‘25" Tim 1‘mirie Tlgerl.
951 The Rl\‘1|l Hunk-n.
95“ The Turin Scunl.
‘153 Zrhrn anh.
955 MAL-hell Meuenuer.
‘155 Tim Brethren 01 ll 1'
Cum“.
256 '11.. in, 5,...

of the

THE FOLLOWING WlLl. 111C lSSUi‘ZD [N THE ORDER AND ON THE DATES IN DICATICI).

25? Table. the Trnller.

258 The Boy (‘hiofi

259 Tim, the l'ruller.
260 Red Ax. The Ilullun Glam.

26] Stella. the 1'3 3‘.

BMW The “'hltc 1 venzcr.
263 The Indlun King.
on]: Trull.
265': Kirk. the Guldc.
2033b The Phantom Trull.
2h? The i‘fpucho Guide.
_ 7 ml .“Iucr.
229 keen Eye. the Ru
2d) Blue Belt. the Gull
. liy 15.1mm
2‘2 The Specter fipy.

26 l The L

268 The

271 On the Trail.

By an 0...”...

ll_\' N. 0. Iron.
liy N.‘ W
liy Hun-uni 5.11111...
113' Mr... Ann 5. 5:.

li\' Lewis J",-

Ellis.

1
n. my mm...
kuml) Jum-‘I-lih.

or 1...“. w. Cumn.
m Bustewl.

lwns.
lh' Edward S. . 1!.
hy'ilm nullmr MHth JUHQ‘E.“
Hurry Huzurll. kuly Septrnihrr 50th.
‘wifx.
1|"er 1.. li-vwrn.

11y Sm-lin lltvlrlhl. Ready April Nth.
Ilrndy Mn ' 13:11.
By (7. Dunning Clark. la

tidy Muy yuh.
Rmin June lillh.

erly Alumni 1911:.
llvndy Squrmher 2'11

Runly 0.1m." Hui.
Randy minim 2:111.

nmuy Nuvenilirr in}.
By Mujur Lewis \\'. L‘nrsun.

Ill-ml)" July 81.11.
lirudy Julv 12d.
Randy Angus! 5m.

heurly Novarnher 95111.

1mm) Srptauiber 16th.

For snle by all Newndeul-n; or nut post-pull]: Iingla numbers, kn cenlh; nix rnvuths, (13 5.1.}, {1.2

one year, (26 Nos.), $2.50.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, l’uhllshcra. 98 “'lillnur Street, New York.