\ " “ E? ' §

\ 7 M 7 ,
£ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$ \xmmmm
wrmnmwifimlflfifimmmfiflmfiflfl ' ‘

Copyrighted. 1885, by 'Bxuyu AND ADAMS. Entered at the Pas! Office at New York, N. Y., as Second Class Mail Mutter.

 

 

VOL “Vl $2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, prxee

!
‘1 Yen“ No. 98 WILLIAM S12. NEW YORK. Five cents-

 

HAWKEYE
HARRY,

Hanger;

BY OLL COOMES.
AUTHOR OF

HAWKEYE HARRY QUICKLY BROUGHT ms RIFLE TO RACE, AND GLANCING “THE DUMB SPYv” 1*" KEEN
ALONG THE BARREL FIRED. KNIFE,” ETC, mo,

 

 

8 , Hawkeye Harry.

Hawkéye Harry»,
THE YOUNG TB. APPER RANGER.

BY OLL COOMES,

AUTHOR or “VAGAnoND JOE,” “run: DUMB
SPY,” “ANTELOI‘E Ann," “KEEN-KNIFE,"
are, ETC., ETC.

 

 

' CHAPTER I. ,
IIAWKEYE HARRY.

THE geographical formation of that portion
of our country lying between the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers, and south of the forty—third
degree of north latitude, now comprising the
State of Iowa, furnishes a vast field for the pen
of the romancer. Though devoid of bold seen—
ery and wild, mountainous ruggedness, it pre-
sents a romantic picturesqueness which the
hand of the Creator has modified to a degree
well calculated to awaken enthusiastic ad-
miration. .

Grand prairies roll away in billowy undula-
tions from the background of the landsca‘lw.
These are diversified by meandering rivers that
find an outlet in the Mississippi or Missouri,
many of them flowing through long vistas of
deegoforests. Small clumps or “mottes” of
tn! 1‘ (lot the great expanse like islands in the
Ocean and here and there innumerable small
lakes lie glimmering upon the bosom of the plain
like tiny jewels.

This portion of the land of the rent North-
west was once the aradise of t e red-man.
There he lived in 8.] his characteristic laziness
and savage glory. Then the Woods aboundod
with game, and the rivers and lake; with fish,
and he took them without fear or contention.
But at last the crack of the white man‘s l‘lllo
awoke him from his dreams of savage bliss and
aroused him to action. All the jealousy of his
nature was excited. Grasping his tonmhawk
and scalping—knife, he went forth to meet the
intruders who had come to hunt and trap upon
his grounds.

From that time dark shadows went flitting
through the woods or stealing over the plains
liko spirits of evil. ‘The air was rife with the
premnee of death, but dmpite its peril, the bold
hunter and hardy pioneer pressed forward to
contend with the red-man, and plant the seed of
civilization.

, Our story 0 ans when the settlers had gained
a firm footho d in the eastern portion of the
territory, and many daring trappers had pene-
trated to the very heart of the “Indian coun-

try;
ith two of those fearless men our story espe-
cially deals.
It was in October, and the day was near its
close. ‘
Down in a little valley on the banks of a pur-
ling stream, that found its way into the crystal
avatars of Lake Boyer, stood a'curious-looking
structure built entirely of stone, and in the form
of a 90116. It was small but firmly constructed,
smwmg the unmistakable handiwork of the

 

white man. A door in the side looked down the
valley, and its sides were pierced by numerous
loop-holes. '

The location was well selected for this rude
trapper—home, the valley being inclosed by high,
rugged bluffs, whose face was covered with
clustering arasites and prickly ash. It could
be entered Ky one course only, and that was by
following up the little stream which found its
source within the valley and was fed by numcr»
ous springs.

On the day and hour in uestion, the figure of
one of the occupants of t at conical structure
issued from within and, pausin just without,
swept the valley and hills aroun him with an
eagle-like glance.

He was a. youth,‘probably in his eighteenth
year. His form was not overly large for one of
his age, but perfectly delevoped in all the attri-
butes of manhood. His broad shoulders, deep
chest and muscular limbs denoted strength
and the quick glance of the eye and the case [tilt
grace of movement were indicative of supple-
ncss and activit ; and all these, taken t( other,
were proofs of 'gh health and vigor. is face
wore an expression of great firmness and deci-
sion. It was handsome, but bronzed to the hue
of an Indian’s by exposure to sun and wind.
lie was dressed in a. complete suit of buck-
skin, with the exception of his cap. This was a
desidedly odd affair, made of the feathered skin
of a gray hawk.

From this novel cap, and the remarkable
keenness of his vision, Harry Houston, the
young trap r and ranger, had been styled
‘ Hawkeye arry ” by his friends.

He was armed with a rifle, knife and toma—
hawk, and, as he was in the midst of an enemy’s
country, it required great precaution to guard
against a surprise by the cunning foe' hence his
careful survey of the valleys and bluil's aroun'l
him on issuing from the conical hut.

“ How is ’t, Hawkeye?” called a V0l('(‘ from
within, when the youth had scanned the sur-
rounding bluffs; ‘
erround?”

“No,”rcplied the young trapper; “ it’s not
likely they’d let themselves be seen if they were
about.”

“In course they’d keep hid, it they could,"
returned his companion; “but I’ve known ’em
eyes 0’ yourn to see a red—skin thro‘ a bell-ffo
rmk, and—~” ‘

“Hold on, old friend, you’re going to ex—
tremes now,” said Hewkr‘ye Harry; “and as
I‘ve no time to s} rare, I believe I’ll run down to
tlr- lake and look after the traps."

“ Well, if yo do, Harry, keep yer eyes skinned,
fur I have every reason to believe thar’s red—
skins hankerin’ arter our skulps. Old Optic is
no greeny in sich matters.” . 7

“All right, Optic, I'll take your MlVlt‘es.’
said our hero, and throwing his rifle across his
shoulder, he set oi! at a rapid pace down the
valley. .

In his haste, however, he did not forget the
injunction othis friend, and kept a wary watch
about him. He w _ld have done this without
his friend‘s advice for few were better posted
to Woodcraft and Indian cunning than the
young Woodsman, and through force of habit,

see any red—skins hanging,

 

g
t;

 

“a... .n  Mk--+~wu

 
    
 
  

     

 

Hawkeye Ha my.

'3

 

precaution had become second nature to
h...

He soon reached an Uycu 11mm“. Us. ..
little creek debouched from the valley. Here
he left the stream and crossing the opening
plunged into the cop woods beyond. A few
minutes’ walk now brou ht him to the lake,
around whose shore be ad set a number of

tra s.

Ifaving made certain that no lurking ene—
mies were about, either upon the bosom of the
lake or in the woods, he began a careful exami-
nation of his traps. The. first one he. came to he
found contained an otter. Securing the animal,
be reset the trap and moved onto the second.
But here he met with a digppointmcnt. The
trap was sprung and show signs of having
contained an otter,’ but it was one. He would
have thou ht no more about 1t than that the
animal ha escaped had he not made another
discover . Human tracks were in the sand upon
the beac i, and it required but a single glance, to
tell him that they were made by the moccasincd
feet of an Indian.

“By Gauge!“ he exclaimed, “Old Optic is
right. The red-skins are around, darn their
thieving pictures! And now I might as well
pack my traps to the Cone, and turn my atten—
tion to ndian—huntin and rod scalps. But I’ll
see where these tracks cad to first.”

Dropping his rifle in the hollow of his left
arm, the outh followed the imprints around-
lhe lake-s lore. They led him to the third trap,
which he saw had been robbed also. But here
the red robber had quit the lake-shore, and
turned off into the woods. The young trap ier
followed his trail, and, to his surprise. soon is-
covered that the thief had been joined by a
number of other Indians.

Hawkeye Harry followed on. The trail was
broad and plain, and he was thereby ambled to
move quite rapidly. But the shadows of even-
ing were beginning to gather over the forest
and it would not be long before darkness would
conceal the trail. Howuver, as it was fresh, he
had hopes of overhauling the party before dark-
ness set in.

The main object of his pursuit was to ascer-
tain whether the savages were a war or a hunt-
ing-party, and to what tribe they belonged.
By gaining this information he would be en—
abled to judge of the magnitude of the danger
and trouble to which he and his old friend Op-
tic would be exposed. ‘

With every faculty on the alert, be pressed
forward, and just as the sun was going down he
was brought to a sudden halt by sight of a thin,
white wreath of smoke floating up from the tree-
tops a short distance in advance of him.

He at once concluded that the Indians he was
following had halted for the night, and that the
smoke was rising from their camp-fire. So,
leaving the trail, he began a careful reconnois-
sance of the place where he supyxwl the _en-
campmenttobe. Butt» his surprise he found
neither Indians nor fire.

Thenhe thought he might have been mistaken
in the smoke; but, upon a more careful survey
of the surroundings, he saw that he had not been
deceived ‘

, Above. the top of the Very tree—a, giant bass- ,

 

thin

wood—under which he was standinghhe stag, mg

wreaths of SIBngiUTiSlW' “""‘

But, from whence did it originate? There was
no sign of fire about. The tree showed no break
in the surface of its bark for fully fifty feet
above where the first limbs put out. There was
nothing suspicious about the tree, yet it was a.
mystery where the smoke came from.

Near by, a little creek went rippling overits
stony bL , and poured its waters into the Boyer
river a few rods away; and while Harry stood
pondering over the mystery of the smoke, his
practiced ear caught the sound of swashing wa-
ter—a sound that was not natural, and that
broke suddenly and harshly upon his ear.

The sound emanated from water flowing be-
low whcre he stxxxl! Glaneing around, he was
not a little startled by seeing a black object
heave upward in the center of the creek by some
unknown power.

At that point, the creek was over ten feet
wide and scarcely two inches in depth. A few
feet lower down, the water rushed over a kind
of rapids, the foot of which was some fifteen
f cot below the surface of the stream above the
ra ids.

awkeye Harry fixed his eyes upon the black
object so mysteriously thrust upward from the
bed of the creek, but the gathering shadows of
evening preventh him from %ining a definite
knowledge of its true nature. e was possessed
of little of that Sulxu'stition so characteristic of
borderinen, and was on the point of advancing
to examine the strange object more closely
when a new sight caused him to start back into
the shadows, with suddenlnlann. ‘

CHAPTER II.
MORE MYSTERIES.

IT was a strungie, fearful object-some living
creature—a blue , hair mass, that arose from
the very bed of ,the cree '.

Was it a human or was it a beast? was it
either? the yomig trap r asked himself; but
the next instant, before e could arrive at any
definite decision, he was startled by a low
scream, like that of a panther. The sound came
from the dense thicket on the opposite. side of
the stream, not over three rods away, and
clutchng his rifle in a firm grasp, he turned his
eyes upon the thicket, expecting tosee, the
next moment, a nther come bounding from
its covert towar him. But he was happily
disappointed. No beast made its appearance,
nor was the scream repeated.

Slowly his head was turned, and his eyes
again sought for that fearful form that he had
seen rise from the bed of the stream; but to his
surprise, it was gone! Even the black object
which had at first made its appearance, had
vanished as mysteriously as it ad come, and
the water was rippling as smoothly on as when
he had first gazed upon its bosom.

Hurry, considerably mystified by what he
had seen and heard, resolved to know what it
all meant. For the first time, he had witnessed
that for which he could not account. Without
the slightest fear. he pushed out from his covert
and waded into the s ream.

As before stated, the water was not over two

 

 

 

 

4 I Hawkeye Harry.

 

wEgesnR‘ggpth, and being clear as crystal, he

9 ‘W ~~n n‘m
bottom, despite the gathe _
on reaching the point where the mysterious
creature had arisen, he was surprised to find the
bed of the creek of solid rock and gravel. There
was no sign of an oEcning in the bottom. All
that he did see was t at the gravel and sand had
been disturbed.

A preaching darkness prevented further in-
vest gation, and, rcgainin his covert on the
shore, he, rosdlved to wai a while longer. in
hopes of receiving some side note explanation
of the myster that had bafflet him.

Soon after ark the moon came up, and as the
shrubbcry on the east side of the Creek was quite
low and s rse, its soft beams fell upon the rip-
pling wa rs of the stream, and enabled the
young trap r to watch closely that point which

ad so deep y arrested his attention before night.

As the hours wore on, a deep silence came
over the woodland that was unpleasant to the
watcher. Such a silence was not natural in the
forest at that time. To one versed in wood/:raft
and nature’s voice, it boded danger. Not the
chirrup of a cricket, the hum of an insect nor
the rustle of a leaf could be heard, and oven the
ripple of the little stream sccmcd toned down to
a sad murmur.

With eveg‘g' faculty on the alert, Harry wuiwd
and watch .

The minutes dragqod by on lcndon feet.

Then to the ear of the your»; trapper came a
plush, pllash in the water in the stream, above
where esat.

The sound was prixlurod by some one or some-

-‘thing wading in the bed of the crock. With
steady oye he watchod'for the approach of the
unknown.

He soon came—'1. tell, powerful Indian war-
rior, linked to the 10ill~(‘l()i‘1h, with {lillYll"Li bond.
and face and breast stroukod am ringed with
war-paint, until he appeared the demon of bid-
oousness.

He clutched a tom-11ka in one hand, and
was moving in an attitude and manner that de-
noted extreme caution.

Hawkeye Harry know he was an enemy to be
feared, yet he could not help admiring his tall,

 powerful form and handsome proportions.

Just opposite Harry the save. stopped and
bent hi: head in the attitude of istening, when
something went whirring through the air and

' struck the savage upon the tufted head W1t‘1
n. wail he staggered forward, and fell full length
in the water, where he lay struggling in all tho
ngonierrof death for several moments.

Then from the shadows of the opposite sido of
the strum, the young trapper saw a hiunvm
figure creep out into thwater and approach the
prostrat'i form of the Ii dian.

The moon shone full upon the scene, but
Harry could not tell whether theslaycr was a
white man or Indian. He was envelooed in the
folds of a red blanket, while his head was cov-

' cred by a sort of hood, and a veil of long, yellow
hair hung down over the face.

" Ap reaching the prostrate body of _the nav—
nge, ha creeping figure bent over it. .Then
from the folds of the blanket 9. pair of hands

WJ‘TD put out. One of them seized the savage

/

4")

99331312.??? “3192"

 

by the scalp-lock, and the other, which held a
gleaming knife, described a Circle about the dead

11? fwd" Lnnrl

Thigh the figure stood erect. In one hand it
held a reeking scalp, and in the other a Lt-
tering blade unstained with blood, so quick ad
the fearful deed been done.

For a moment the mysterious slayer stood
motionless, regarding his hastly trophy, ap-
parently, with the deepest a( iration.

In the moonheums he appeared a fri htful

and r ulsive object, with his hooded end,
vailed ace and shrouded form.
Who was he? From whence came he? /
Scm‘ccly had these questions taken form,

when the unknown figure spurned the dead body
of the savage with his foot, and then turning
and going a few paces down the creek, he
stopped and exclaimed aloud:

‘ Another Sioux scalp for the Unknown! Oh,
food of venveance!”

HawkeyeDI-lan'y started. That voice/sounded
strangely familiar to him. He would have
sworn it was that of his friend, Old Optic. But
if it was not his, the remarkable similarity of
voices was a. strange coincidence indeed.

For some time Harry remained undecidch us
to how he should not, and before he could arrive
at an definite conclusion, hc saw fully 11. score
of In inn warriors leap-from the- very air it
seemed—inn. circle around the Unknown! A
war-whoop awoke the awful silence of the
woods as twenty tomahawks were raised aloft
in the air to strike the veiled avenger down.

“Twenty to one are too many,” said Hawk-
oye Harry. to himself, all the courage of his
heart aroused, and raising his rifle, he glanced
quickly along the barrel and fired.

A savage fell (load, and simultaneous with
his fall, Hurry saw the Unknown avenger sink
down—swullowml up in the crock from mortal
View; he heard tho, rush and roar of waters
around him, and terror—stricken by the shot
from behind, and the sudden disappearance of
the Unknown, he saw the savages shrink back
——turn and g1 ide into the friendly shelter of their
native haunts.

For several moments Harry remained mo-
tionless, pondering,r over t mmicrics of the
wild drama he had just :oy’
little crock; then, as his yes we lct‘ed back to
the slain savage in the water, ibrz‘mindcd him
of the fact that the Indians would soon recover
fr 3m their fcnr and terror. and return in search
of him who had fired the shot. So, slinging“ hi y'
rill: over his shoulder. by moons of a strap at—
in ‘hr‘d to it for that purpose, he drew his hunt
int-knife, and gliding from his covert. set 01? on
his return to the Cone.

It was not his intention to pursue the course

    
 

    

back that ho had come, but to endeavor to ,

reach the Cone by a nearer route. He was well
acquainted with the topography of the country
thereabouts, and having shaped his course,_he
pressed forward at a rapid pace. t, despite

xis eawerness and haste, his mind went back to -

o

the scenes he had witnessed a few minutes pre-
vious. And somehow or other he could not help
confounding the voice of the veiled Unknown
with that 0 his friend, Old Optic. ‘

“ If Old Optic has had anything to do with

 

fiawkeye Harry.

what I have seen to—night” mused our hero,
“ the fact will be continued y his absence from
the Cone when I reach there. But if he has any
secrets—why I’ll open ’em.”

To avoid a wide detour he resolved to cross a
deep chasm known among the hunters and trap-
)ers as the Black Gorge. This the young trapper

ad often accomplished, yet at a eat risk, for
he had to swing himself down t e face of one
cliff and up the other by means of the frail par—
asites that grew thereon. But he never hesitated
in the face of such dangers, and at once pushed
on toward the gorge. .

In a. moment he stood upon its brink. He
stopped and listened. That ominous silence still
hung over the forest, and only the faint roar of
water down in the (lee rift could be heard. To
reach a int where the cliffs were 1053 high he
moved ong up the gorge. His attention was
arrested by what he had never noticed bcfore.
A tree had been uprooted and was lying across
the abyss, spanning it from cliff to cliil".

At this point the gorge was some fifty feet
deep, and about thirty in width. 011 the op-
posxte side of the chasm, near where the tree
iad fall =n, stood an clm that had grown outr
ward at quite an inclination, over the edge of
the clifl’, to court the inviting freedom of the
opening. A single branch of this tree Was
thrust outward, and drooping downward, its
foliage touched the fallen log near the middlo
of that part spanning the abyss, thus complete-
ly gore-clung from view the opposite end and the
c 1

Here seemed to Harry a streak of luck, for
the rude bridge would enable him to cross with-
out going further out of the wa '.

Arranging his rifle firmly at 's back so that
he could use both nuns freely in maintaining
an easy balance, in crossing the log, he stepped
upon it and be ran moving slowly across.

The moon s one full on him, and far down
into the black mouth of the gor , into which a
single misstcp, the crumbling;r o a piece of bark
under his feet, or even a side glance would pre-
ci iitatc him to a ecrtnin death. _ 4

1The young ranger could feel the swaying of
the log under his weight and the vibration of
each footfall; but with firm step he felt his way
onward, and soon reached the foliage of the
elm that hung down over the log. This he
carefull )ushed aside and passed beyond.

But a t t instan the came to a sudden halt.
A low cry escaped his lips. There, before him,
on the center or the lo , over the fearful depths
of the abyss, he found imself face to face with
a powerful Indian warrior—~41 deadly foe!

CHAPTER III.
THE BATTLE IN THE AIR.

HAWKEYE Emmy was taken by surprise—
the droopin foliage of the elm having concealed
the savage rom his view until he had drawn
the screen aside. And the red-skin seemed as

eatly surprised, for it was quite evnlent that
ll: knew nothing of the young ranger‘s presence
until the curtain of foliage was put aside. _

Retreat, however, was impossible for either
of the two natural enemies. They could not
walk backward, nor could they turn about on
' 9 narrow log. Even had such a thing been

 

 

3

;

possible, it was not probable that either of them
would have done so, for such foes never shrink
nor turn from each other. That would have
been a mark of cowardice and fear.

They stood glarin at each other, motionless
as statues—like ma dened beasts preparing to

lea .

Each, with a quick glance, measured the pro-
portions of the other and a triumphant smile
swept over the paint— aubed face of the sav-
age, when he had comprehended how inferior
was the young pale-face to himself. By his size
had the warrior measured the young foe’s
strength and courage.

Hawkeye Harry well knew that he had a ter-
rible enemy to deal with, and that his salvation
lay in one desperate stroke. So he watched the
warrior. He saw his right hand slowly and
mechanicall moving toward his irdle, where
his seal )ihg- life was sheathed. ot a moment

was to (-3 lost.
Quick as a flash of lightning Harry ermit—
ted his feet to slip a art, and dropped imself

astride of the log. loc 'ing' his feet on ‘the under
side of the log. No sooner had he done this than
the savage warrior followed his example and
dropped himself astride of the log.

T 10 were now seated upon the fallen tree
over t e abyss within an arm’s length of each
other.

W'ithout waiting to draw his knife, Hawkeye
Harry drove his clinched fist into the red-skin’s 4
face with such force as to make him 'ell with
pain and rage, as he drew his knife an made a
(lesixxrate pass at- his young adversary; but he
had reckoned without his host. “71th great
presence of mind, Harry caught the descending
arm with his left hand, while, with his right, he
dealt the savage a blow in the stomach that
caused him to drop his knife in thbabyss but,
quick as lightning, he reached forward and they
grasped each other in a deadly embrace. '

What a struggle for life ensued there over the
awful depths of the Black Gorge! ,

The slender log swayed and crealml beneath
their strugglingb forms, threatening to snap in
twain and hurl 0th combatants down into the
blackness, fifty feet below.

To and fro they swayed—striking, stru ling
and writhing like serpents. Still theygfiiept
their le s clasped about the log like bands of
steel, bu at last they lost their 1. uilibritnn and
turned completely over the log! heir 'tuaticn
was now in eed perilous. With their eet lock-
ing over the top of the log and their bodies dang-
ling below, they struggled and fought on more
deimerately than before. ,

nder any other circumstances it would have
required a superhumam strength and courage to
have maintained even for a brief time the awful
gosition, without contending with a foe; but
esperation lent them strength.

The savage succeeded in entwining his muscu-
lar arms around the form of our hero, and then
made a desperate effort to crush the life from
the youn body. But the youth had managed
to seize e warrior by the scalp-lock, and was
thereb enabled to thrust his head backward
until 9 crown touched between the shoulders.

half-strangled, the red-skin loosened his hold
upon the youth’s body, and becoming dizzy and

 

8 I I Hawkeye Han-y.

 

faint, with a determined effort to dra the
youth down into the abyss with him, he 0 utch—
ed the lad with both hands by the throat, as his
feet slipped apart; but unable to maintain the
hold upon the throat, with a wild, desplairing
shriek, that echoed in prolonged wails t rough
the“ gor e, the doomed wretch went whizzing
down in the fearful abyss. .

The young ranger had won the victory; he
was free, but still hanging head downward
over the black gulf. And now he realized his
true peril, for he was far from being saved; his
‘limbs were growing weak, and his head dizzy
with the rush of blood to the brain. He at-
tempted to draw himself up and to grasp the
low with his hands, but the attempt proved a
failure.

Then he feels a vibratory shock of the log.
Great heavensl It is produced by a footstep,
and, no doubt, that of another Indianl He sees
a dark form upon the log outlined against the
sky. He fixes his glaring eyes upon it!

Messed sight! It was the form of Old Optic!

“ Hold on to it, boyee, I'll help,” cried the old
trapper.

The next instant, brave Harry was assisted
from his awful lxisition—stwml !

“That War a ticklile place, Hawkoyo,” said
the old trapper, as he assisted the youth along
the log: to the cliff.

“Yes,” responded tho young ‘ranwer, “and
but for your timely arriVa , I should have gone
down after the savage. How is it that you are
here. Optic?”

“ That very In 'un war nosin’ around the Cone
arter yo left, and I took a notion to his skulp,
and trailed him here just in time to see him
start fur the diggin’s below.”

Despite his late oxvitcment, Hawkoye Harry’s
mind reverted to the unknown avenger, whose
voice so closely resembled that of Old Optic.
He would have questioned the old trapper fur—
ther, but the appearance of half 11. (102011 shad—
owy figures on the opposite side of the "urge
suggested the idea of a hasty retreat to the 80110;
and not until they were safe within its walls,
and the door barred, did they engage in further
conversation.

Hawkcye Harry now gave a brief account of
his nifl‘ht’s adventures, in the mean time watch-
ing c osely the expression of the old tramx-r’s
_ face; yet the youth said nothing of the similarity
, in his friend’s voice to that of the Unknown.

' “ By snakes!” exclaimed the old trapper, when
the youth had finished his story; “ that’s curious.
We‘l have to investigate the matter some 0'
' these days.”

“ To-niorrow," returned the oung ranger, “ I
shall make a scout farbo om the big prairies
tosee how far these Indian devils are going.
You know I promised the settlers over on tho
Raccoon that I would watch the Indians, and
warn them if they were likely to be troubled."

“ Yes, \Hawkcyc,” added the old trapper,
“we’ve gotto look sharp. The varmintq are
thick and mean deviltry. If you take to the
perairy, I’ll look thro’ the thinner north 0‘ us.”
‘ “ Very\well. I shall be 011' by sunrise. I will

my horse, so that in case I find the reds
are gain" tou‘rard the, Itaocoon settlement, I’ll
try and Boat them there.”

 

“That’s you, lad, that’s you 1” responded 01d
Optic; “ and now, if we mean to Work to-mor—
ry, we’d better turn into bunk, fur the night’s
well spent. ”

After some preparation for the morrow, the
two sought their couches and were soon asleep,
trusting their safety to a faithful 01d hound that
sle t near the door on the outside of the Cone,
an whose instinct was never at fault.

With the first streaks of the dawn the two
were astir, and when their rude breakfast was
cooked and eaten, their weapons cleaned and
polished, Hawkeye Harry w nt outside of the
Gone and, placing a small ne whistle to his
lips, he blew two or three shrill notes upon it.

In response to the call, a spirited brown horse
——a cross of the mustang and new American
stock—came galloping down the valley from
among the shrubbery, where it had beengraz-
ing. and approached its young master.

“ Now for a long, hart ride, my noble beast,”
said the youth, vaulting onto its back, without
saddle or bridle.

“Take care of yourself, old friend” Harry

called to Old Optic; then, speaking to is horse, .

{10 was off like an arrow, dashing down the val-
cy.

But, scarcely was be out of sight of the Cone,
when the figure of an Indian, whose gaudy
head-gear and flashing ornaments bes )oke dis-
tinction, omer ed from the shadows 0 a clump
of elders hard )}y and approached the hut.

At the door in was met by Old Optic, who
received him with kindness and nuinifest plea-«
sure, and ushered him into the Cone.

CHAPTER IV.
THE PRAIRIE TRADERS.

THERE is a sublime grandeur in the great
prairies of the Northwest that inspires one with
a feeling akin to that produced by gazing upon
the billowy ocean. Yet there is a inatm'ial dif-
ference in the impression loft upon the mind bv
sight of the ocean and prairie. The sailor wi l
become so accustomed to the one that aftpr
awhile it fails to awaken more than a passing
interest within his breast; but familiarity never
lessens the majestic grandeur of the )rairie to
the rover of the plain. This may a1 be from
the constant changes that the eternal rounds of
the season bring upon the silent, voiceless
waves of the prairie ocean, and relieves it of
that monotonous sameness which is forever on
the face of the watery (loop. Yet, at no season
is there more romantic beauty, tranquil repose
and inspiring grandeur than in autumn, when
Indian summer has thrown her misty vail over
the landscape—~whcn the air is delicious with
balmy fragrance, and the plain seems to melt
away in the distanco'like the visions of a dream.

The day was near its close—one of those
balmy October days. ~

A youthful horseman gallopin westward
over one of those prairie wastes, sur denl drew
rein upon the crest of a gentle swell, an swept
the plain around him with a gaze as quick and
interrogativo as that of a hawk. His face then
lit up with a glow of admiration as he feasted his
dark-gray eyes upon the great expanse that
rolled away in its gorgeous coating of brown
and emerald.

 

   
 

 

 

     

Hawkeye Harry. ‘ I . "3

 

1

Ilawkeye Harry had seen that plain before,
but never had it appeared so grand as upon this
autumnal evening. ,

The crest of each wave or undulatlon seemed
rilded with burnished gold as the red beams of
the setting sun streamed across it; while shad-
ows of somber gray were gathering in the val-
leys and lengthening over the plain.

The great expanse was bounded u n three
sides by the blue horizon, and upon t e fourth
by the dark belt of timber bordering upon the
Boyer lake and river. It was diversxiied b
small streams, that wound like silver thre
across its bosom, and here and there it was
dotted with small moth of timber—islands in
that mighty sea of verdure.

Toward one of those mottcs Hawkcye Harry
turned his animal’s head, and rode at a loping
gallop. r

Though no living object was visible, he knew
he was in an Indian country, consequently he
did not permit his vigilance to relax. As he
approached the little clump of trees, he checked
the speed of his horse to inspect the surround—
ings of the grove before venturing into it.

The shrill neigh of a horse coming from the
depths of the grove startled him, and he drew
rem and listened. ’

Ho could hear nothing more, but above the
tree—tops from the center of the motto he saw a
thin column of smoke slowly drifting heaven-
ward.

Some one. was in the grove and a person un-
accustomed to the signs and dangers of the prai-
rie would have hesitated about advancing. But
not so with Hawke e Harry. He knew at once
there Were no Indians in the grove, but some
one who was ignorant of the publicity he, or
they perhaps, were making of their ocation.
All this he read in that column of blue smoke,
and riding forward he soon entered the grove.

He was not a little surprised to see six white
men seated around a camp-fire, smoking and
chatting with as little concern as though they
were a thousand miles from an Indian! In the
background stotxl a covered wagon. Its white
tilt was drawn down in front and behind, and
was sccurel fastened, thus making it iuipossi~
ble for our hero to see what it contained.

Near the vehicle a number of horses were

y hitched, and the marks upon them showed that

they had just been released from the harness
and saddle.

“ Hallo!” exclaimed ono of the men, as our
hero drew rein before them, “who have we
here?”

“A prairie frecboofer,” replliod Hawkoyo
Harry, with a merry sparkle of is eyes.

“ Well, my young freebooter, you surely have
some name inflicted upon you?” said the
stran er.

“ on can call me Harry—-”

“ Hawke 0 Harry .8” interruptetl the man.

“ If you 'ke,” res nded the young ranger.

“ Sucre! Conmwlgg, we’re in luck,” exclaimed
the man, turning to his friends; ‘this is the
very scout that we’ve come over a day’s Jour-
ne out of the way to find.”

‘ Good!“ ejaculated his companions.

“ And I reckon it would be all right if I’d ask
your. name, wouldn’t it?” inquired our hero.

 

“Certainly,” replied the man; “my name is
Henri Roche.”

“That sounds a little Frenchy,” said Harry,
with a smile.

“You are good at judging one’s nationality
by his name,” returned Roche.

“ I’m sure you speak the white man’s language
pat enough.”

The strangers laughed at this remark.

“I am a Frenchman only by birth,” Roche
finally returned. “I was raised in America
amon Americans, and know nothing of the
Frenc tongue; but will you not dismount? I
would like to speak with you about the country,
for I have learned that you can give the infor—
mation we desire in regard to it.” -

Henri Roche was a tall, powerful-built man,
with a complexion as swarthy as a Mexican’s.
His eyes were black, sharp and brilliant. His
hair was long—sweeping his shoulders—and,
like the heavy mustache that shaded a some-
what coarse or sensual mouth was black as the
raven’s wing. He was dressm in a suit of gig
cloth, high-topicd boots, and a low-crow ,
wide-hrimmed iat. A handsome belt, hristlin
with knives and pistols, gilded his waist, an
altogether, in his complexion, his features and
dress, there was about him the air and general
an earance of a Spanish Creole of the South.

is companions were dressed in a half-civil-
ized, half-savage garb, and from appearance
the oung ranger would have pronounced them
bor crmcn. But, from their presence there
under the circumstances, the tilted we on, and
the look of anxious Suspense upon theiifiieardcd
faces, and the strange light in their flashing
eyes, Huwkoyo Ha'ry was inclined to doubt
the honesty of their sojourning unmolested
through the country.

He was too cautious and prudent to letany
look or word betray his inward emotions of
mistrust, but prompted by cmiosity, he accept-
0d Roche’s invitation to dismount, and resolved
to remain with them during the night.

By this time the sun had sunk behind the
western horizon, and having staked his animal
at grass at the outskirts of the motto, Hawke 'e
Elarry took a scat with the emigrants before 0

re.

“ I suppose, strangers,” said Harry, “ that you
know u’re in a dangerous country?”

“ know we are in the Indian country but
hope there are no Indians in the immediate
vicinity,” returned Roche. “Probably you can
enli hten us in that res 't.”

“ '011, the fact of it is,” said Barry, “the
rod-iskins are all around us. At this minute
they may he miles from here, and by midnight
be right onto us, cutting and slashing.”

“And is there no other danger in this coun-

try, save that to be expected from the Indians?‘

asked Roche. ,,

“Yes, there’s them cursed white robbers
under old Rat Rouglo, that’s worse on such
things,” )ointin . to the covered wagon, “than
the red-. ins. ou see, old Rat and Co. are
after plunder, not scalps, like the greasy red-
skins.’ ._
The men exchanged significant glances, and
Hawkeye Harry was sure he detected a smile
upon the bearded face 01 one of them.

 

 

 

I

 

“Well, I he we’will esca the minions of
Rougle,” said enri, “for we ave a very valu-
able load of merchandise, with which we want
to cross beyond the Missouri river."

“ Whewl" ejaculated Harry; “then you’re
prairie traders, are you?”

“Well— es," returned Roche. “I suppose
you woul call us traders, although we have
done no trading yet. Our load cons15ts of cheap
fabrics, knives, whisky and beads. With these
articles we want to reach the Pawnee country
beyond the Missouri, and exchange them for
furs, ‘which we will beat down the river to St.
Louis."

“Exactly,” returned Harry; “but couldn’t
you do just as Well, and save time, by doing
your trading with thefIndinus round and about
these digging”: Fur’and pclt-ry picking have
been re, pinch this fall.”

“ 6 might do equally as well, if the Indians
were at peace. However, we have started for
the Pawnee country, and will endeavor to make
it; and we want to employ you to guide us
throu h this territory. ”

“ , the deuce vou say!” exclaimed Harry.

“Yes ” re lied ochc; “ two days ago we lost
our gui e. e deserted us. At the first settle—
ment we came to we tried to employ another,
but failed. The settlers told us of Hawkcyo
Harry, and directed us by a course in which we
migh accidentally meet him. Fortune has In-
vored us thus far, and now I hope you will con-
sent to accompany us.”

“ To be plain with you,” returned Hurry, “ I
can’t go.” i ‘

“ And why not, I pray?" ‘ '

“ I have a mission to perform, which I can‘t
delay under any circumstances—it’s impera-
tive.” . ,- ’

The traders seemed greatly.disappointed, but,

' froml‘some reason or othcr, Harry could not be-

lieve it was real. i There was an undercurrent in
Henri Roche’s conversation, as also in his very
looks, that, boy that he was, Harry had a great
cuniosit to fathom. ‘

‘ ~We , wgl’l,” said Roche, “ this is quite a dis-

appoin, ‘tmen.
- t ,f - sorry,” returned Harry, “ but I can give

      
   

 

.‘firections he’ll take you safe to the
r twill do,” exclaimed Henri Roche, draw—
ing from an inner pocket a small memoranda
and pencil; “ here, can you give us an outline-

, map of the country and its rivers, lakes, and

other geographical points betWeen here and the
Missouri river?”

. ".‘.‘I reckon that I know all about the country,
but. I don’t know about a map. I’m not very
handy With a. ncil—good with a rifle and
swiping—knife; owever, I’ll try it. ”

Roche handed him the book and pencil.

In a few minutes he had sketched a crude but
plainly correct map of the countryto the west—
ward of them, and passed it to Roche.

The traders examined it; then Roche, their
leader, asked, pointing to the map: .

,“ What stream is this?” ‘ '

“ That’s the Boyer river—not a very large
stream; you can ford it anywhere within thirty
miles of the Buyer ' lake. Indians are pretty
thick for some ten miles south of the 10. c, and

be Hawkeye Harry.

 

 

huntin —parties are to be found ’most anywhere
along I: e river. You’ll have to look sharp from
this on. In this direction”—notin the course
on the map—“ there’s a heavy be t of timber
which extends to the ’Coon river. You want
to keep out of that, fer old Rat Rougle has his
ranch in there somewhere.”

“ Indeed!” exclaimed Roche, and he exchanged
glances with his companions.

For a moment there Was silence, during which
Hawkeye Harry was sure he heard a deep sigh.
which was almost a sob. It came from none of
the party.

The eyes of the traders were fixed upon Harry
with an interrogative expression.

Feigning ignorance of What he had heard, the
youth continued:

“Yes, old Rat and gang are in that timber,
but you can keep ten miles south of that on the
open prairie, and may have no trouble. How—
ever, as it’s about dark now, you’d better put
this fire out, or its light might draw the prowl—
ing red—skins onto us, when the consequence
would be a draw on our hair. To-morrow morn—
ing I’ll give you further directions.”

In cmnpliance with the suggestion, the fire
was extinguished.

Then the traders went to see that their horses
were secure for the night. Harry did likewise,
and on his way back to camp he sto under
a wild lam-bush that was laden W1 ripened
fruit. lucking a handful of the luscious, yellow

lums, and producing a. slice of dried venison,
he made a sumptuous meal thUI‘SOllu Then he re-
joined the traders at the camp.

“What think you, Hawkeye—had we better
post guards over the camp to—night?" asked
Roche.

“‘By all means,” replied Harry; “ the red—skins
may strike your wagon trail and follow you up.
As there’s most danger after midnight, I’ll agree
to keep watch then.”

The traders readily acquiesced in this and two
of their number went on guard. The other four
and Hawkeye Harry seated themselves near. the
wagon and conversed for some time on various
to ncs.

l’resentl they grew sleepy, and, wrapping
their blan ets around them, each one sou ht
the most comfortable spot for a bed that he
hard earth would afford. ,1 ‘

Hawkeye Harry laid down under the wagon,
with his head in the hollow of a saddle. Roche
was the nearest one of the traders to him, and
he was over a rod away.

Our hero did not go to sleep—in fact, it wa-i
not his intention to let slumber close his eyes,
until he had made sure of the contents of the
CO’lil‘I‘Wl uwgon .’ _

He noticed that Roche lay with his face di-
rectly toward him, and for awhile  feared
that the trader half-suspected his intentions.

Had he taken a second thought, the youth
would have selected a different spot for a couch,
so there would have been no grounds by which
to suspect his purpose, But if he was
at all, it was too late new to make any amends.
However, his mind was soon set at'ease. ' As the
minutes passed by, the heavy and regular res-
piration of the travel~worn traders told him that
they slept, and that their sleep was sound: Then.

 

Hawkrye Her :7. 9

Harry crept to the rear of the wagon and arose
to his feet.

The moon was in the zenith, and it so hap-

ned that its rays fell full upon the wagon.

his enabled him to see that the thick canvas
cover was so securely tacked to the wagon-box
that there was no pOSsible chance of seeing in.
The flap in front was drawn down and fastened
in a manner similiar to the sides.

Hawkeye Harry was not to be defeated in
this manner; so, drawing his knife, be inserted
its point under the head of a tack with the in-
tention of prying it out so that he would be en-
abled to lift the cover. But the instant he
touched the knife to the wagon-box he became
motionless, for a vibratory shock was commu—
nicated to his arm from the knife. The latter
had received the shock from the box; but what
had produced it!]

Hawkeye Harry pressed his ear close against
the cover and listened.

He started. It was all he could do to restrain
an exclamation of surprise.

There was life within fhat wagon I He could
hear the low, quick breathing of either a human
or a beast.

Becoming impatient and uneasy, he cut a slit
in the canvas cover, and applied his ear to it.

There was no mistaking the evidence of his
hearing now. A liv'uig creature was within
that wagon, and, having from experience,
learned to discriminate, between the breathing
of a human and a beast, he knew it was a hu-
man being within the wagon I

The respirations were short and quick, broken
now and then with a sigh—a woman‘s sigh .’

There was no doubt of this.

CHAPTER V.
WHAT HARRY srom FROM THE TRADERS.
HAWKEYE HARRY became thoughtful. There

 

. was not a doubt in his mind now but that the

pretended traders were villains, But, how
should he act? He was satisfied in his own
mind that the woman—if it was really a wo-
man—in the wagon, was a 1prisoner: and under
the circumstances, his spiri and humane heart
rebelled against the idea of leaving the camp
without learning the true situation of the per-
son in the covered vehicle.

If it was a woman, or even a child, how could
he liberate her, or it, without creating some
noise in getting away from the camp? Even if
he succeeded in getting the prisoner from the
wagon, could he escape detection by the two
guards in getting away from the grove?

He had scarcely asked himself the question
when something touched him gently upon the
shoulder next to the we on. He turned his
head, and almost stagger under the visionary
blow which he received. Through the rent he
had made in the canvas cover, he saw a small
snow-white hand protruding. He knew at a
glance by the taperin , dimpled fingers, the
round and marble s‘moo hness of the arm, that
it was the hand and arm of a can female.

In the very position of that ittle and Hawk-
eye Harry intuitively read a silent and humble
appeal for assistance; of this, words could not
have told him lainer.

Hereechmi onward and gently took the little

closer to the wagon.

 

hand within his own hard palm. It was soft as
velvet, and the touch sent a magnetic thrill
through his whole frame. It was to let the
owner of that hand know that he was cognizant
of her presence in the wagon, that induced him
to gras ) the delicate member. ‘

Gent y the hand of the unknown drew him
He knew by this that she
wished to speak to him and when the little hand
was withdrawn he applied his ear to the rent.

“ Oh, sir! I am a prisoner! Can ou not
save me from the power of these wick men?"
was breathed gently, softly, in his ear.

Harry’s spirit was aroused. There was some-
thing in the humble appeal of the unknown pris-
oner that seemed to have magnified his strength
and courage to that of desperation,

Placing his lips to the rent, he replied:

“Keep silent as the grave, and I’ll save on
before morning. be you man, woman, or chi d.”

“I am a helpless girl; these men are taking
me I know not where!” re lied the prisoner.

“ A hcl less irl!” muse( Harry. “ By Hen—
ven, I’ll )et s e’s an angel, and she shall be
saved, if it costs Hawkeye Harry his life!”

Again placing his mouth to the rent, he said:

“Wait till after midni ht; then I’ll come to
your rescue. Can you ri e on horseback?”

“ Yes,” replied the prisoner.

Harry withdrew from the side of the wagon,
and returned to his couch, but not to slee . The
touch of that little hand was still vi rating
through every nerve; he could still hear that
gentle voice breathing in his car, and in his
mind he had pictured the face of an angel. Fi-
nally he fell 0 speculating over her situation—
why it was that she was a prisoner there, who
her ca tors were from whence she had been ab—
duc , and to where she was being taken. But
he could arrive at nothing definite in regard to
the matter, more than that there was a little
mystery and considerable villainy in it,

The four traders slept soundly, and after a
con 1e of hours more had Worn away in anxi
an suspense to the youn ranger, he knew it
must be near midnight. e moon was sinking
to the westward, and its light no longer shone
upon the covered wagon. .

Again Harry arose from his couch upon the
hard earth, and goin to where the two traders
were on guard, he re ieved them from duty, 
took upon his own shoulders the entire responsi-
bility of the watch.

The men returned to camp, and were soon
stretched upon the ground, fast asleep.

Hawkeye Harry remained at his post over an
hour; then, with all his remarkable caution, he.
crept back to the camp and found that all the
traders were sleeping soundly. He next went
to where their horses were hitched: and having
selected the fleetest and strongest one in the
corral, he untied it and led it around to where
his own horse was tied at grass. He then pro-
cured a saddle and bridle, and put the former
on the hack of the trader’s horse. The bridle
he put on his own animal, then strapped a blan-
ket over its back. All was now ready for the
flight with the maiden. ,

Cautiously he crept back to the wagon, and
having made sure that the traders were asleep,
he tapped softly on the canvas cover,

 

    

 

10

There was a response in a similar manner.

Harry’s heart now began to flutter excitedly,
notsomuch through fear of being detected in
what he was doing, as expectation, and the
consciousness that he would stand face to face,
the next minute, with a strange maiden that in
his mind’s eye he had icturod as an angel.

With his knife he it the canvas; and then,
thrusting his head through the rent, whispered:

“Are you ready to flee, little stranger?”

" Yes, sir,” was the response.

" Then come, and be just as easy as you cam”

Harry withdrew his head from the opening,
and the next instant he saw the head and shoub
ders of the unknown appear from the wagon.

It was not so dark but that he could see the
outlines of her features, and at the first glance
he saw that his mind’s picture was not over—
drawn—that the face of the maiden was one of
exquisite loveliness. She was young, not over
fifteen years of age, with a small, lithe figure,
clear—cut features, and long, wavy hair that fell
~ in olden ripples down her back.

autiously Hawkeyo Harry assist/ed the
trembling girl from the wagon and placed her
upon her feet; but her limbs were so cramped
with longconfinomout that she Wis compelled

to cling to Harry for support. 1

Here was the first trouble, which had bmn
wholly unexpected; but Harry,_siuco ho had

ained but even a partial view of tho maidcn’s

ace had been ins ired with new life, and be
resolved that no ‘ng, unless it was death,
should deter him from rescuing the maiden. So
he lifted her in his arms as though she had been

a. child, and carried her to where the two horses
were inroadiness.

Thtn he placed her upon the back of his own
trusty animal, gave her the reins, and unhitch-
ed the beast.

Turning, be mounted the trader’s horse, and
the next moment thoy were galloping eastward
over the plain.

Harry saw at a glanr-o that his young protege
was no novice in epicstrianisiu. She sat her
horse with grace and ease.

Upon the opondplain, the moon rendered it
almost as light as ay. The night was unusual-
ly warm for October, in this high latitude, and
the air was laden with a soft and balmy fra-
grance, dreamlike in its inspiration.

When they had cleared the outskirts of the
motto, and found themselves fairly upon the
plain, Hawkeye Harry turned his eyes, with a
strange light of admiration beaming from their
do ths, u on the fair being at his side.

. or go den hair was pushed back by the
breeze from a snowy brow, and floated about
her head in beautiful, disordered tresscs. Her
features were purely classical in outline, and
as clearly cut as those of an ancient cameo;
her eyes, as near as he could tell by the moon-

‘ light, were of a dark brown large and lus—
trous, and shadcd by long, drooping lashes,
that gave them an innocent and childlike ex-
pression.

Her dress was of some rich material, and
was made after a fashion that was not of the
border. A crimson shawl was about her shoul-
ders and fastened in front by a jeweled clasp.
A circlct of gold flashed upon one of her dim-

\

Bawkeye Harry.

 

  
  

plod fingers, while about her neck was a neck-
lace of great brilliancy to which was attached
a locket that gleamed like a diamond as it nes-
tled against her snowy throat.

She was a bein of rare beauty, and it requir-
cd but a single g ance to tell our hero that she
was a child of luxury and wealth; her rich
dress and flashing jewels told of affluence un—

tainted by vanity, and her tone and general ap— _

pearance were indicative of social refinement
and intellectual culture.

How came she in tho power of Henri Roche
and his party?

Harry, now that he had accomplished. the
maiden’s rescue, found himself at a loss for
words to open a conversation; he felt that he
was in the presence of a being far superior to
him; that his rude backwomls speechund coarse
buckskin garments would shock her refined sen-
sibilities. The maiden seemed to have divined
his thou rhts, and at once bore down the barrier
of for-ma ity by saying:

“Kind sir, this is more than I had cxmctcd
from a stranger.” ’

“ that is?” stammorml Harry.

“That you should endanger your life for my
sake.”

“My life, little woman, has become accus~
tomcd to constant dangers. I’m a free trappm‘
of the Nor’west, without ith or kin, and with
no one to mourn for me i I am lost. I like the
adventure I have up here among these northern
lakes, among the rod-skins and beaver,"

“And did I not hear you tell my abductors
your name was Hawkeye Harry?" asked the
maiden.

“That’s what I’m called, though my right
name is Harry Houston,” replied the young

man.

“ I heard Hawkeyc Harry highly spoken of at
the fort,” said his fair companion.

“ At the fort?” exclaimed Harry.
live at the fort, do you Z”

“ No, sir,” she replied; “I have a brother
there whom I was visiting alon with my fa—
ther. My home is in Ohio. on know my
brother, perhaps: his name is Eugene Gar-
dette.”

“Major Gardette?”

“ The same.”

“ I know the major like a beaver-trap; and
you’re his sister?"

“ Yes, .si r. My name is Norm Gardctto.”

“ Then I’ll warrant the major, with a party
of soldiers, isn’t far behind llenri Roche and his
men; but how came you in Roche’s power, Miss
GardctteW

“At sunset, the day before yesterday, I
walked out alone along the river-bank, a short
distance above the fort. I would not have gone
at all, but brother Eugene promised to join me
in a few minutes. I sat down on a log by the
river-bank to wait for him. Just then two
men came from the woods behind me. One of
them seized me and placed a handkerchief over
my mouth to revent me from crying out.
Then he said to is companion:

“<‘Take her hat, Price, and toss it into the
river, and crumble ofl.’ the edge of the bank, so
they’ll think she’s fallen into the water, and was
drOWncd.’

“ Then you

 
  

 

.
"Wags. w

4..

Hawkeye Harry. 1 1

 

“The next instant I was lifted in my abduct-
or’s arms, and carried back into the woods,
where fleet horses were in waiting. I was
taken upon horseback, still in my abductor’s
arms, and all night long I was borne away at a
rapid speed. t daylight this morning we
came upon three men with a tilted wagon.
They were friends of my abductors. I was
placed in the wagon, and all day the horses have
been pushed forward over the prairie under whip
and rowel. I know none of my captors, nor why
they are carrying me away, nor where to. I
know they are bad men, for I heard them tell
you many falsehoods to-night; and before you
rode up to camp they saw you ap )roachinrr, and
Roche warned me that it would your death-
warrant if I made my presence known to you
while you were about.”

“The internal scampl” exclaimed Harry, in-
dign’antly.

“ So you see, Mr. Housmn—”

“Miss Gardette, call me Hawkeyo or Harry,
if you )lease. Mister Houston will do when I
am in t e settlements or city.”

The maiden could not repress a smile at the
youth’s somewhat rude request, and then, hav-
ing made compliance, she continued:

“So on see, Hawke e, there is but little
hope 0 my father and rether coming to my
rescue, if my abductors’ lans have not failed in
leading them to believe was drowned.”

Harry made no reply. Far away upon the

lain, to their left, he had caught sight of a

lack, moving mass of something which caused
him no little unmsinws. But the object soon
flitted from view, like the shadow of a cloud
passing over the sun’s disk. Still, its disappear-
ance did not relieve the young rescuer of his
fears. It might have been a bod of mounted
Indians that had sunk behind t e crest of a
prairie wave.

It would have been immaterial to Harry
whether it were Indians or not, had he been
alone; but now that he was not—that a helpless
maiden was trusting to him for safety and pro-
tection, he knew it would require every re-
caution and extra exertion to maintain hat
trust.

Dismountin , the outh threw himself upon
the grass and appli his ear to the earth. He
started up; distinctly he heard the dull thump-
ing of hoofs upon the plain.

The maiden wondered at his movements, and
at last a suspicion arose in her mind—a suspicion
that her young rescuer had detected some ap-
proaching danger.

“ Are we in danger, Hawkeye?” she asked.

The youth was surprised at her query. He
had hoped to keep the truth of their situation
concealed from her, but, seeing that she was

 of more than ordinary courage and
ggcision of mind, he said, as he remounted his
animal:

“ I’m afraid danger is at hand. A party of
horsemen are riding ahnost directly towan us,
and I fear the ’re Indians. Let us gallop on a
little. brisket iss Gardette.” '

They urged their animals onward at a pace
which soon carried them into a little va ley.
The moon was nearly down, and the shadows of
the ridge to the westward of them wrapped the

 

valley in its mantle of darkness, and afforded
the fugitives a. temporary shelter.

They drew rein and listened. Plainly they
could hear the half-muffled tread of innumer-
able hoofs upon the grass-covered plain.

“ It is Indians,” said Harry, in a low tone.

“ What makes you think so. Hawkeye?” asked
the maiden; “ we cannot see them.”

“ If it were white men, the ring and jingle of
their trappings would make more noise than
their animals" hoofs— Ah! look! there they go!”

True enough, from behind the swell 1n the
plain, three-score of horsemen burst suddenly
upon their view. As they galloped along the
ridge not over a hundred yards from our young
irien s, they were plainly outlined against the
clear sky. They were Indians; this was a fact
readily perceived in the plumed heads and
flashing spears, but, in the moonlight, they
seemed magnifiedinto beings of colossal stature,
and but for the sound made by their animals’
hoofs, they Would have seemed like so many
grim phantoms.

Hawkon Harry knew at a glance they were
on the war-path, and were cit or heading for
the southern settlements, or the country of
their red: enemies, the Potawatomies; but, in
either case, the fears he entertained for the set—
tlers or friendly Indians were nothing compared
with his agprehension of being detected in the
shadows 0 the little valley. He scarcely
breathed, for fear the acute ears of the war-
riors would hear him. He knew the least sound
would be borne to them.

He felt certain\ that their forms were so
blended with the shadows of the, valley as to
defy being seen. One thing, however, made
him uneasy. The Indians would cross their
trail at right angles, and mi ht discover it. If
not, there was a possibility o the Indians pass-
' g on without a knowledge of their proximity
to the young pale-faces. '

It was a. moment of fearful suspense and an:-
iety to the ran er. His fair com anion also
was in a state 0 great uncertainty, ut she did
not comprehend the magnitude of their danger.

Slowly their eyes followed the phantom-like
figures along the ridge. ,The trail is reached
and crossed without discovery.

Hawkeyc Harry beg-3n to breathe more free-
ly, but, at the last moment, when the danger of
discovery seemed East, his horse reared his head
and uttered a s ' neigh.

The sound was borne to the keen ears of the
warriors, who drew rein so quickly that they
seemed to recoil like a wave when it strikes
upon the shore. There was no mistaking the
(hrection from whence the sound came, and the
next instant the savages were thundering down
into the little valley with a yell that was horri—

fyingi

“ e’re discovered, Miss Gardet’w,” said the
youth, inn firm and natural tone; “and now
we will have to ride——rido for our lives! Do
not despair; we may elude the savages in the
woods to the north, if we are not taken before
we reach them. Away 1”

A low cry of terror peeled from the maiden’s
lips. Just as they were on the eve of galloping
away, a dark form arose from the tall grass,
almost under her animal’s feet, and sprung upon

 

 

12'

 

Hawkeye Harry.‘

 

the beasts back behind her. She felt her form
encircled by what she sup to be a ir of
arms, but in her vain en eavor to brea their
gras , she realized, with a feeling akin to‘ter-
ror, hat they were hairy, like the ‘arms of a.
beast.
Hawkeye Harry saw the fearful form leap to
the animal’s back behind the maiden. He drew
, apistol, but, before he could fire, the animal,
With its double burden, shot awa ', like an ar-
row, over the plain! He followc on in swift
pursuit, but he soon found the horse he bestrode
was no match for his own clean—limbed animal
—-that upon which the maiden and her fearful
companion were fleeing. But, never despair-
, ing he lashed the animal to its utmost s l
and pressed on in pursuit, while close be inrl
him came the savages, the earth fairly trembling
with their demoniac yells and the thunderous
tread of their animals’ hoofs.
It was'an exciting moment—a wild,fcarfu1
midnight chase!

CHAPTER VI.
A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

THE mustanor pony of the \Vostern Indian is
more remarkable for endurance than speed.
This fact Hawkeye Harry was aware of, and
had he been upon his trusty animal, he would
have entertained no fears of being overtaken by

V the pursuing savages.

As it was, however, he soon found that the
‘ horse he bestrode was not a fast runner, and
was already jaded by the day’s travel. Cap—
tivity stared the lad in the face, and in case he
was taken, who would rescue the little dark-
eved maiden—Nora Gardette, sweet, pretty
Norm—with whose fate his own life seemed
so strangely intermin led? All his thoughts
went out to her. He bought only of escaping
from the Indians for her sake.

Never had he been so strangely impressed be-
fore. His interest in strangers had only been
passive; now it was active. Boy that he was——
a free rover of the rairie—a stranger to the
gentler passions of t e human heart—he knew
not from whence sprung his interest in Nora
Gardettc—he knew not that his heart was no
longer free—that it was enchained by the powar
of a first love.

Would he ever see her again? The thought
that he would strengthened his determination,
and he urged his panting beast forward at the
top of its speed. But he saw that his efforts to
escape the savages were unavailing. The foe
were gaining upon him at evtegg bound. If he
would escape it must be eifec by stratagem,
and he at once decided upon that resort, thou :1
if liKt succeeded at all, it would be at a feaé
ms . . I 

Turning his animal’s head slightly to the
right, be pressed it rapidly up a gentle slope
w ose crest brought him out,to the eyes of his
pursuers, in bold relief against the s .

It was the outh’s intention to ollow this
ridge 3. short distance in full view of the enemy,
but seeing it dip quickly down into a dark
val ey, he chan his course and kept straight
on over the hill, whose summit soon shut him from
via-w of, the enemy, But, as this would be for

|

 

only a moment, now was the time fdr him to
act. He was riding directly north, and check-
ing his animal suddenly, he dismounted, and
then, turning the horse’s head directly west,
fired a pistol close to its head, and sent it flying
away with at‘fright.

The next instant the youth threw himself flat
upon the earth in the tall prairie grass.

Just then the Indians gained the summit of
the rid 0. Their keen eyes saw the fugitive’s
horse ying westward, at right an has with
their previous course, and never reaming
but that the youth was upon the beast, they
quickly changed their course and cut straight
across the angle. This would give them several
rods the advantage, but, by so doing the crouch-
ing form of Harry was saved from being trod-
den to death, which would have been the case
had they followed in the footsteps of the fugi-
tive’s horse. As it was, he was left several rods
to the right. His stratagem had roved a sun-
cess—-he had cunningly outwit the foe, and, -
as he heard their yo] 5 and saw their forms fad-
ing away into the distance and darkness, he
arose to his feet, and, with a smile of triumph
upon his young face, hurried away northward
over the plain.

He knew that the fugitive horse could run
much faster, now that it was free of a burden
and the curbinor hand of a rider, and he hoped
to gain the timber a short distance north of him,
before the savages came up with the horse, and
found it bore no rider.

His thoughts, undisturbed by the late danger
and excitement, now tm'ned wholly upon Nora
Gardette. He shuddered when he recalled to
mind the terrible form that leaped on the horse
behind her. Yet, he could but think that the
form was that of an Indian, or renegade White,
clad in the skin of a wild beast.

He had but little diificulty, despite the dark-
ness, in finding the trail of the horse on which
thedaring captor had fled with the maiden. The

rass was trodden down and the hoof- rints
deep sn the yieldin soil, so he was enab ed to
follow it quite brisk y.

He soon came to the timber, where he met
with a bitter disappointment. He found that
the shadows of the forest rendered it so intense-
ly dark as to make it totally impossible to fol-
low the trail. His only course was to await the
coming of day.

This was unfortunate, and would not only
serve to increase the distance between him and
Nora, but give his enemies behind, on the prai-
rie, a. chance to come up with him and endan-
ger his situation. But, then, it was his only
course, and he was forced to submit to whatever -
dangers or disadvantages it would bring upon
him.

Selecting a place of security, the youth seated
himself to wait, but not to slee . He wastoo
Well posted in the dangers of t e woods to let
slumber close his egos at such an hour.

To any one in arry’s situatlon, the minutes
seem prolonged into hours. and impatience be-
comes agonizinrr. But the Boy Ranger breasted
it through. After weary hours, day dawned,
and with the first glimmer of light he took up
the trail. .

He was an experienced trailer, and, although

4

 

i

Hawkeye ‘Harry.

13

 

 

the trail was not so plain through the woods as
it had been u n the prairie, he experienced no
difficulty in fldllowing it.

He had journeyed nearly an hour, 'when he
found that the hoof-prints that lie was follow-
ing suddenly grew deeper from some cause, and
the levees were torn up, as though the horse
had become manageable from aflright. In
looking further he saw where it had shied sud—
denly to one side. '

What had been the cause of this sudden move
ment?

The question had scarcely formed in the
ranger’s mind when his eyes fell upon an ob-
ject that caused him to start back with a shud—
der.

It was the body of an Indian, lying upon his
back, dead. His head had been Scalpcd, and
presented a repulsive sight, all covered with co-
a ted blood, as was, also, his ghastly face.

is shoulders and breast were entirely naked,
yet, stran e enough, presented no wounds nor
injuries. is legs and part of his body were
covered with leaves and twigs, and from all ap-

arances he had been slain recently. But who
hid done the deed?

He was not a Sioux warrior; that, Harry
‘ saw at once‘ but one of the Sees, a less power-
ful tribe, w 'ch, at this time, was at war with,
not only the white man, but all the neighboring
tribes. '

If he had been slain by a white enemy, then
Harry had nothing to fear; but if a Sioux it
was evident at once that he had enemies
fore him to contend with, and who were, in all
probability, on the same trail that he was fol-

owmg.

Not Wishing, however, to lose time in mak-
ing further investigations as to the enemy that
slew the Sac warrior, the Boy Ranger moved

on.

He had gone but a few steps a ast the body
when some unknown power ca him to glance
back over his shoulder.

He started with a shudder as he did so.

To his horror he saw the supposed dead Indian
rise quickly to his feet, and from under the
leaves draw a tomahawk, which he raised aloft
and hurled at his head—all within a second’s
time. \.

Had the youth made the discovery a secdnd
later, the tomahawk would have been buried in
his brain; but in turning his head, it was thrown
ilightly to one side just as the weapon whizzed

y.

The  red—skin had not calculated u 11
making any ailure in braining the youth ut
the instant he saw he had failed, he turn and

took to his heels. But the (youth quickly brought
his rifle to his face, an glancing along the
barrel, fired. -

The quick u throwmg of the arms and the

ell of agony t t followed, told that hawkeye

a ’s aim had been fatal.

Ma ing up to the body of the fallen foe, he
saw that his bullet had pierced the head just
above the ear; and in noting this, he also no-
ticed that the savage had actual] survived the
torture of a scalping‘kniie! But it had not been
done lately. The wound was healed over, and
the blood upon the bald crown had been put

I

 

there to deceive our hero, no doubt, for it made
it appear as though the scalp had recently
been removed. The trick worked well, and
almost fatally to Hawkeye Harry. But the
whole affair convinced him that the savage
had been expecting him along the trail of Nora’s
captor; and if such was the case, then the sav-
age was a companion to the maiden‘s abductor,
and both were prowling Sac Warriors. And it
might be that a large art of them were not
far away; so he consi er it prudent to get
away from that 0t as soon as possible, for the
report of his ri e might attract danger. He
again took up the trail and pressed on, though
exercising extreme caution. ’

The trail, he found, had changed in course
until it now bore directly toward the Boyer
river, and as he continued on he suddenly heard
the faint neigh of a horse in his advance. 'He
felt satisfied that it was that of his own horse,
and that he was nearing the object of his pur-
suit.

A few minutes’ walk brought him in sight oi?
the river, and just before him, on the bank, he
saw his own animal standing hitched.

He could see no one about it, yet he knew, »
from the horse’s action, that all was not right.

Keeping) around to the left, He. reached
the river- ank, several rods below 1: 5 horse.
Here he paused to make further investiga-

tions. He scanned the under owth to the
right and beyond the beast but 8 saw nothing
of Nora nor her ca tor. He then ran his eyes
along the edge of t e river, and as he did so,
he could scarcely repress a cry of joy;‘for,
through a small opening in the shrubbery that
lined the shorephe caught the flutter of some-
thing red. He was satisfied it was the crimson
shawl worn by Nora Gardette.

Creeping to a more commanding point, he
found that he was correct.

Seated in a small bark canoe » and apparently
waiting for something or some one, he saw Nora.
and her captor. There was no mistakin Nora’s
beautiful crimson shawl. She sat With ’her
back toward Harry with her form enveloped
in the ample folds of her shawl, which was also
drawn, hood-like, over her head, as a protec-
tion probably against the heavy mist that him
along the river. The savage’s head, human
form were enveloped in a similar manner, in a
black hairy robe made of a bear’s skin. Nei-
ther his face nor hands could be seen, yet the
young tra r was satisfied that he was an In-
dian and at he was waiting the retina of the
one he had slain in the forest, and who was, in
all probability to take the horse, while the
other roceedeci with the maiden, by water, to
the vi go of the tribe, many leagues down the
river. a
“ at 1’1] spoil their fun,” mused our hero,
seeing what an easy matter it would be to res-
cue Nora. “ I think a. bullet-hole throu h that
bearskin and the tufted head under it quiet
the nerves of that cunning cuss. ”. '

As he concluded, he raised his trusty rifle,
and, bringing it to hear u n the bearskin
about where he sun the ndian’s headtobe I
at: glanced along the polished barrel and pressed

9 tri r.

Cleafiepon the morning Yair the report of the

 

 

14 , I Hawkeye Harry.

piece rung out, followed by a scream of agony——
the piercing scream of a woman!

Without waiting to see what had been the
effect of his shot, be rushed from his covert and
approached the point where the canoe lay. As
he did so, what was his horror on beholding the
maiden’s crimson shawl thrown aside from the
head and shoulders of an Indian warrior, who
leaped ashore and fled away into the woods.
And there, in the bottom of the canoe, upon the
,bearskin which had fallen from her head and
shoulders, lay the lifeless form of Nora (lardette,
with the crimson tide of life welling from a bul-
let-hole in the forehead!

“My God, what a fatal mistake!” burst in
agony from the trap )er boy’s lips. “ I have
slain herl Oh, Nora— oral Speak to me—tell
me it is not so!" .

But Nora’s voice was hushed.

The half-distracted youth sprung into the
canoe, and lifting her form in his arms, pillowed
her head upon his aching breast.

Then he grew sick at heart, the cold sweat
started from every re, for he knew that he
held in his arms a 1i eless form!

CHAPTER VII.
HENRI ROCHE IN A RAGE.

HENRI Room; and party 510 t on.

They had gone to sine Wit 1 a double assur-
ance that no danger won (1 be visited upon them;
and believing that they had succeeded eifectual—
ly in deceiviwr Hawkeye Harry in regard to the
contents of t e wagon, they felt no uneasiness
from this source. But in t is they underrawd
the mature judgment and keen instinct of the
young trapper; and as the hours were on, Roche
was sudden] aroused from his slumber by a
faint ell an the uneasy snorting of the animals
corra ed near.

He arose to a sitting posture and lismned.
Far away upon the plain he could hear the pm»
longed yell of Indians, and the dull, vibratory
thump of hoofs upon the earth.

What did it mean? The villain—for such in
fact Henri Roche was—sprung to his feet and
started out toward the edge of the grove where
he supposed Hawkeye Harry was on guard, but
in gassmg the wagon his attention was attract-
ed y a black rent in the white tilt, and, u on
examination, he found it was a slit that (I
been cut with a keen-edged knife.

An exclamation of surprise burst from his
profane lips as he thrust his head and shoulders
into the wagon and, upon feeling about with
his hands, foun that his captive maiden was

gone.

A fearful oath followed this discovery, and
turning away in a paroxysm of rage, he pro-
ceeded to his companions, and, arousing them,
made known the escape of the maiden.

The next moment all were on foot, and a
hasty investigation revealed to them the fact

that Hawkeye Harry was gone also. .
' Roche fairly danced with rage and baffled
triumph and cursed his stupidity for ever per‘
mltting the young Ranger to enter their camp
alive Andhis indignation and fury knew no
bounds when‘the word came that one of their
most valuable horses was gone.

“We're a. set of internal tools!” he finally

I

 

I

broke forth, “ to have ever Ix‘l‘lnitfl‘ll thnthoy
to enter our camp. It‘s very probable that
we’ll never see that girl again and the loss of
her is a good five thousand dullars out of our
pockets!" ’

“ T00 durned bad, captain.” returned a com-
panion, “ but that be is sharper than a tack, or
my name ain’t Billy reorge.”

‘ Sharp? Humph!" sneered Racho, savagely'

“that don’t half express the shrewdness and
cunning of that little dare-devil. I’m satisfied
now that he mistrusted us the moment he set
foot inside our camp."
“ Wal, wal, it’s too bad, too had,” said
George. ’
“ Yes,” returned Roche; “but talking about it
will do no good new. VVe’ve got to act. I hear
the yelling of Indians on the prairie to the
north. It may be a party of Sioux, and if so,
we’ll have nothing to fear from them. And it
might be such a thing as the be and girl hav-
inp,r fled in that direction, and t 6 Indians have
discovered them and given chase. Here,” turn-
ing to one of his companions, he continued,
“you may as well lay aside your mask, Ulric
Duhois, for it will avail you nothing now, and
look up the trail of the fugitives, and let us en-
deavor to follow them.”

Ulric Dubois, the scent and guide of the
outlaw travelers, threw aside a wig of grizzly
hair and a mask of bushy whiskers, revealing a
smooth and boyish face, which was possessed of
some outward signs of recklessness, cunning and
rascality. ‘

\Vith rifle in hand the guide moved away,
and was absent several minutes. When he re-
turned, he said:

_ “ They have one north, captain.”

“ Good!” exc aimed Roche; “then we stand
a fair chance of recovering the girl, for I’ll
guarantee these Indians are a party of Sioux
belonging to Gray Hawk or Black Buffalo’s
band, and that they are in pursuit of the fugi-
tives. But let us mount and be off. Two of
the party will have to remain behind and guard
tin; wagon, as there are not horses for all to
r1 6.

Four of the party, including Henri Roche,
were soon in the saddle and galloping north-
ward over the prairie, shaping their course di~
rectly toward t e yelling Indians. They did not
attempt to follow the trail of the fugitives, feel-
ing satisfied that the savages were in pursuit of
them; and if the red-skins were Sioux, they
were friends and allies of R who and his party.

Continuing on a few miles, the outlaws dis-
covered that the Indians were coming toward
them. They drew rein and gazed away into the
gloom ahead. ‘

Suddenly a black. surging mass of galloping
horsemen swept into view on the crest of a
gentle swell in the plain. For a moment they
seemed to float like a black clowl along the
summit of the ridge; then they came to a sud—
den halt and gathered in a knot where they
could be plainly seen by the outlaws as they
stool in bold relief against the blue sky.

Yell afteryell peeled from the lips of the In-
dians~for such the horsemen were-but they
were yells of baflled triumph and growing in-
dignation.

 

1.. .._-.._____

Hawkeye Harry. ‘ l 5

a- —~

“ By Judas!” exclaimed Henri Roche, “they
:u'c Indians, and Sioux at that' but I’m afraid
the fugitives have given them the sli , for those
rolls denote defeat. I Will make own our
presence, and then join them.”

Roche uttered two or three sharp harks in
exact imitation of the coyote’s, and which
showed that he was not unused to the signs and
signals of the prairie and the Indians.

he sound was borne to the keen ears of the

savages, for immediately there came a. response

Eadcry resembling the wild shriek of a night—
ir .

“Advance, boys” said Roche, spurri his
animal forward. “ it’s all right—it’s Black uf—
falo and his warriors.”

They rode forward, and were soon surrounded
by three-score of painted and plumod Sioux war-
riors, armed with tomahawks and lances.

Black Buffalo, the chief of the band, ad-
vanced and addressed the outlaws in the Sioux

wng’u‘f:
“ ho is it that hails the Sioux with the sig-
nals of friends and the skin of the Imle-face?”

“ Your friend, thite Chief, and his men,”
rvjsnonded Henri Roche, in the dialect of the In-

dam.

l. A Shoat of welcome pealod fromalthe sagage’g
I an spurrm n u on e o
ltpsoéhe’s animal, B k Bungall’) saIid: gm

“ Black Buffalo and his warriors are pleased
to meet the White Chief and his men. He
missed them long, and anxiously waited his
coming from the country of the pale-faces.”

“And I’m lad to meet you, chief,” replied
Roohe. “We ve had bad luck tonight, and
want ou to help us out again.”

.“B szuflalo is the friend of the White
Chief. Let him ask, and he shall receive.”

“ That’s you, chief,” replied Roche, in a flat
faring manner; “ you are a. wholesouled fellow,
and always readyto help a. friend. Well, to—
night that young trapper whom they call Hawk-
eye came to our camp and stole a white girl
from our wagon, and a. horse from our corral,
and ran off with them both."

“ Is that the animal?” the chief asked, point-
in to a riderless horse in their midst.

\fioohe scanned the beast, and replied:
h “ It, is our horse. Where did you come across
im’l

“Right here,” replied the chief; “ but when
we first started in pursuit, there was a rider
upon him that we took to be the yo Hawk—
ege. But he was ' , and esca us like
t e fox when closely pressed by the ound.”

“Yes, chief, you are ri ht. It was Hawks e,
and forhis scalp, and e safe return of the
maiden he stole from our camp, I will give you
man beads and knives, and much powder and
Whis y.”

“Black Buffalo.” returned the chief. “hears
the offer of the White Chief. He will bring
him the seal of the Hawkeye, and the maiden,
unharmed, fore two more suns go down.
But not until the night is gone will he begin the
searsh for the maiden and the cunning trap-
per. .

“ Then come to our camp and spend the night.
It is but a short ride to it, said Roche.

The chief accepted the invitation, and when

 

the bivoua'c was reached, they all dismounted,
and corraliug their animals on the prairie, en-
tered the grove. A fire was soon hghted, and
then the warriors gathered around it. The light
showed them to be a grim, fierce band, rendered
hideous by) war—paint. _

By day reak the savages and outlaws we're
moving northward over the plain in two de-
tachments—Black Buffalo leading the first party
and following the trail of the £11 ‘tives while
Roche and his art , with a few ndians,'fol-
lowed on with t e t' ted wagon.

But the outlaw did not follow the chief far.
He soon changed his course and bore to the
right, and after journeying several miles, en~
tered a strip of timber skirting the Boyer river,
which they reached about noon.

Here they halted to rest, and Roche decided
to abandon the wagon.

“But what’ll we do with the chest, captain?”
asked one in a low tone, as if fearing to be
overheard.

“ We‘ll have to bury it, and conceal the spot
by burning the wagon over it, for, if we should
lose that chest and its contents— Well, you
know all about it.”

“ Certainly! certainly I” responded the outlaw.

“ Then let us to work. If we should take the
wagon to the valley with us, it would leave a
broad trail for an enemy to follow.”

The party set to work in the soft, dry ground,
and they soon scooped out a large hole.

Then they took from the wagon a. large iron-
bound chest, which required four men to con-
vey it to the hole, into which it was deposited
and carefully covered. The turf then being re-
placed, the wagon was taken to pieces and piled
in a heap over the ot.

The vehicle was 1: en set on fire, and in less
than an hour it was a heap of red coals and
ashes, with the exception of the irons. These
were raked from the coals and throwd into the
river; and thus every part of the wagon was
destroyed.

The party now mounted, and turning to the
northeast, resumed the journey up the river.

It wanted two hours of sunset when Roche
suddenly drew rein at the mouth of a little
stream that emptied into the B0 er. 7

“Here is the place,”he exc ‘ ed, “where
we are to encamp—the place where Black Buf-
falo promised to Join us. ’ h

The party dismounted, picketed their animals
to grass in a little valley hard by, and went
into camp.

Anxiously awaiting Black Buffalo’s return,
Roche grew ver, restless and finally, slin
his rifle across is shoulder, he wand 0
into the woods. He had traveled, ina. round-
abOut wa , over a mile from camp, when be
detected 1; e fumes of smoke in the atmosphere,
and then started as he saw a thin, rarefied col-
umn of white smoke rising above the 
a short distance before him. He crept cautious-
ly forward to reconnoiter; but he found neither
campers nor campfire.

To assure himself that he was not inistakm,
he looked for the smoke again. He saw it rising
above the top of a large basswood, but, seam:—
ing beneath the tree, not a spark of the Lie
could-he find. , ’ :

 

 

16

Hawkeye Harry.

 

It was a mystery to him—the same that had
so puzzled Hawkeye Harry an evening or two
before.

Roche was a wicked man, and although a lit.
tle superstitious and cowardly, he. searched or
the agency of that smoke, but could find noth—

in .

it last he gave it up in no little perplexity of
mind, and turning, began retracing his foot-
ste toward his camp, but suddenly stolpped.

omething like a human groan start ed him.

He bent his head and listened; and then to his
hearing came the im iloring cry:

“Roche! Henri IIt’ochc l in the. name of God,
come here I”

 

CHAPTER VIII.
THE PIPE or PEACE.

LET us now return to the Cone—the home of
the two tra pers in the little cliff-girted valley,
and look after Old Optic, whom we left clos-
eted with an Indian, at the close of a preceding
chapter.

0 d Optic was one of those stern old trappers
of two-score years, whom hardships and constant
physical exertion had developed into bone and
sinew. His rough, bearded face and dark-gray
eyes were a leasant expression; yet there had
been times w en the soul of the man was arous-
ed, when those eyes grew fierce with rage, and
that face rigid wit deadly emotion.

The Indian that 6 had ushered into the Cone
was oung, and, as before stated, his weapons
(studf rbaric flnery bespoke the insignia of a
e 1e .

“ I am glad you have come, Red Wing,” said
the old trapper, “ and I hope with good tidings
and with ood feelings.”

“Red ing is chief of the remnant of the
great Fox nation. He has watched for many
suns the true course of events. He has seen the
steady and certain advance of the white man
into the hunting-gromids of his nation. The
tomahawk and scalping—knife have failed to
keep them back. When they 223030 the white
man they fall beneath his d 1%! rifle. The
Foxes are tired of fighting against he pale-face,
for their warriors have al on like the autumn
leaves. We have decided to forever bury the
hatchet, and to smoke the pipe of peace with the
pale-face. We will fight side by side with the

‘ white man against the Dakota, the Arapahoe,
the Potawatomie and the Sac. Red Wing has
spoken.” .

“Your words have the right ring in them,
Red Wing,” replied Old 0 tic, “ and as a repre-
sentative of t e whites, will take upon my
own head the responsibility of guaranteeing you
their protection and friendship, if you do all you
3». you will.”

he face of the chief lit up with a glow of jo .
In this recognition of peace ,he imagined 8
could see the regeneration of his tribe, and their
restoration to their former eatness and power.

Alas! deluded chief! Eat a. decade was
see the total extinction of his tribe! n

“Then let the white warrior and Red Wing
smoke the ipe of peace,” said the chief, produc-
ing a big y-ornamented calumet filled with to-

bacco. V
_ They smoked the pipe of peace, and acknow-

 

ledged each other friends. Peace between the
Fox Indians and the whites was declared. and it
was for this purpose that the chief had come to
the Cone.

Presently the chief went to the door of the but
and uttered a shrill chirrup.

Forth from behind the rocks and bushes. like
phantoms, came a hundred Indian warriors,
painted for the war—path.

Old 0 tic experienced a slight shudder at
sight of t em, but he rmitted no look to betray
the least mistrust. is confidence in Red Win
had been so firm] settled by acts of kindness an
words of truth, t at he felt no hesitation in ac-
cepting him as a friend. But, in general, he
knew it was the nature of an Indian to be treach—
erous, and in that band of a hundred he felt sat-
isfied there were those unpossessed of the good
traits of their chief.

Red Wing gathered his warriors around the
Gone, and made known to them the treaty of
peace that had just been consummated. Then
followed the ceremony of buryin the hatchet,
and after this had been rform , most of the
warriors left the valley, ut shortly before night
they returned, bearing.r with them, upon ponies,
their women and children, and a proniisclnous
mass of luggage—all their earthly possessions.

Before the sun had gone down an Indian en-
campment had been pitched in the valley, and
the shouts of children and barking of dogs were
echoing through the forest aisles.

Darkness came, but Hawkeye Harry did not.
Old Optic felt somewhat uneas about him.

Guards were posted in the eflle leading into
the valley, and along the bluff overlooking the

camp.

The night were away and a new day dawned,
which was spent by t e warriors in supplying
the encampment with game for food, while Old
Optic and the chief sat in consultation.

Night again threw its shadow over forest and
plain, still Hawkeye Harry had not come.

Alone, by a small fire that burned in the cen-
ter of the Cone, sat Old Optic gazing reflective—
ly into its warm glow. He felt sorely uneasy
about his young friend, Hawkeye Harry. On
the morrow he resolved to make some search for

1m.
Thena soft footstep sounded behind him. He
turned his head and saw a fl 8 standinglin the
door of the Cone that ca him to start with

surprise. .

It was a human figure, envellofied in a rod
blanket that swept the ground. e head was
covered with a sort of fur hood, and the face
concealed by a leathern mask, through the holes
of which he could see a pair of eyes shining like
balls of flre. ‘

“ Who in thunder are ye, anyhow?” exclaim-
ed the old trapper. ‘

“ One in quest of friendship and aid,” rephed
the masked figure, whose voice was soft and
feminine in its tones, yet a little husky.

“ Have ye come fur?" asked the trapper.

“Over many a league, more or lam.”

“ And how did ye git into the valley past the
guards?”

“ By extreme caution.” ‘ .

“ Then your object in comin here must be 0
great importance to run such ska?” ,

Hawkeye ‘ Harry.

mags... we.

" It i.:, friend trapper; one in which my very
life involved, and to you have I come for
aid.

d “ To me fi’ What can I—a crazy old trapper—

o?” .

“ Crazy?” repeated the masked stranger.

“ Your garments are coarse and rude, your
ech rough and blunt; but was it always so?
on you were lord of the Highlands on the

banks of the Ohio river, were you not a gentle-

man of cultured refinement and polished man-

ners?”

Old Optic started as though a dagger had been
thrust into his bosom.

The masked stranger saw his emotion, and
contined:

“I know you are surprised by what I- have
said; but, friend trapper, I say it with no inten-
tion of harrowing igur feelm 5, nor opening
an old wound. ow all a ut your past
troubles, and [why you are here as a trapper in
the Far West, when you might have been one
of the leading men in civilization. Do I not
speak the truth?”

“You do, man or woman though you may be.
Go on,” said the trapper, grasping for further
information as a drowning man grasps at a
straw: “go on!”

“ You Were a. kind and loving husband, a fond
and affectionate father, bu ,” and the stranger’s
voice grew tremulous, “what became of your
wife, and your sweet little girl?”

A groan came up from the trap )er's heart.

“ You would answer,” continu the stranger,
“that another won the affections of my wife,
and together they fled from the Highlands to

rts unknown, carrying my darling little Ger-

ie with them. Broken-hearted, disgraced, I
fled to the Wilderness to forget my shame and
sorrow amid its constant dangers.”

“Yes, yes!” returned Old Optic, excitedly,
“ that is what my answer would ave been.”

“And have ou never heard of that unfaith—
ful wife since 5 e left you?” asked the stranger.

“ Never!” returned Optic, with the bitterness
of despair.

“ Nor your child—your little Gertie?”

M  1)

“How old was she when you last saw her——
the child?”

“ She was in her ninth year.”

“ And how lon since you last saw her?”

“ Seven lon , bitter years.”

“Do you t ink you would know her if you
were to see her now?”

The old trapper’s face grew brighter.
of ho beamed to his eyes.

“ es, I would know her. Her face could
never have changed in seven years beyond a
father’s recognition, for it has ever been before
me.”

“ And again: would you believe me were I to
tell you where to find your daughter?”

Again Old Optic started, though a light of
joy and hope shone in his eyes.”

“You seem to know my past sowell that I
could not believe otherwise,” he replied;

“She is the adopted daughter of the Sioux
chief Black Buffalo.” '

“ teat Heaven! is this the truth, stranger?”

gasped the old trapper.

A ray

 

1'?

“ It is the solemn truth."

“ Then to-morrow’s day will find me on the
Way to the Sioux villa e. Gertie, my lost '
darling, shall be rescued, 70d willing!”

“ Then I will go hence,” said the masked stran-
ger, turnin toward the door of the Cone.

“ Stay! 3 y, stranger!” cried the ti upper.
“Let me reward you for this service—i his in-
formation! You said you had come for aid;
name your desire, and if Within my power, it
shall be granted.”

“ My troubles are the same as yours. In the
hands of the Sioux I have a captive child—a
gaughter—and I came to seek your aid to rescue

er.

“ Then stay, and together we will start in
search of our children to—morrow. I will obtain
the assistance of Red Wing and his warriors,
who are friends to the whites. We will march
on the Sioux village, and if we cannot effect the
rescue of our children by ransom or strata gun,
we can do it by force, for most of the Sioux are
away on the war-path now.”

“ Then I will come back in the morning and
accompany you,” said the stranger.

“But why not remain now?" asked Old V—

Optic.

“ I can not.”

“Then one uestion more: why are youhere
in disguise, an who are you?”

“ I am a curiousg‘ person, friend trapper, and
shall insist, as a favor, on not being uesti< ned
in regard to my disguise, which I sha continue
to wear during our journey to the Sioux village
and until after my child has been rescued. I I
have good reasons for this secrecy, as you shall
know some time, perha )s. As to my name, call
me Clouded Heart. hat will answer well—
better than my real name: I’ll come to-morrow
morning; till then, adieu.”

The masked stranger turned and glided from
the Cone, leaving the old trapper alone with his
thoughts. , .

KSu denly he was aroused by a footstep behind

un.
He turned uickly, hoping to encounter the
gum of his be oved young companion, Hawkeye

arry.

But he was disappointed. It was Red Wing,
the Fox chief.

“Ahl “til; you, chief,” he said. “I have had
a strangIe visitor to-night. But come, sit you
down. have a. roposition to make to you~a
pro sition whic is to be spiced with Sioux
sea ps and many beautiful presents.”

A grim smile flitted over the stoical features
of the chief, as he seated himself before the old
trapper. ,

 

CHAPTER IX.

A PERILOUS SITUATION.

HAWKEYE HARRY’S emotions became terrible
ashe gazed down into the pale, u turned face
of Nora Gardette, and saw the re tide of hfe
flowin from the wound which his own hands
had in icted. _ ’

Her eyes were closed. the long, droopimg lash-
es resting upon the fie cheeks, The pa stood
sli htly apart revea ‘ g the white, yteeth:
9.11% the little hands lay limp and lifeless at her

 

 

18

fiawkeye Harry.

 

 

side. An expression of pain had settled upon
the lovely face, whose contour was as delicately
defined as though it had been chiseled from Po.-
rian marble.

The young ranger sat like one in n. trauce— as
motionless as the form that lay in his arms.

Slowly he regained his presence of mind; then
he turned his attention to the maidcn‘s wound.
A cry of joiy escaped his lips when he saw that
whic ha he noticed it before, would have
saved him a terrible pang of agony. The wound
was not a deep one; the skull was not injured,
the bullet having cut through the beautiful hair
and plowed a. furrow through the scalp behind.
This Harry saw at a glance, and a low sigh and
a slight motion of the body soon told him that
his surmises were true.

“ Thank God, she lives!” he cried.

Then dipping some water in the palm of his
hand, he began laving her brow.

The maiden stirred slightly, and, o )ening her
01:63, gazed in bewilderment around, t 1011 closed
t em again.

The young man continued the a )plication of
water to the brow, and poured a flow drops be-
tween the pearly teeth.

In a few minutes she opened her eyes aoain,
and attem ted to rise. But, her head sunk lback
upon the t robbing breast of the young i'an'rer.

“ Rest easy, Miss Nora,” he breathed in 101'
car; “ on are safe and, thank God, not much
nor b 1y in'ured.”

She star with a littl : sigh, and gazed around
her as if trying to recall her situation. Then
she raised her eyes, and gazing up into the face
of' her companion demanded:

“ Where am I?’

Hawkeye Harry told her.

f‘lThen you rescued me from the Indians," she
salt .

“ Yes; and I came near taking your life. It
was I that shot you—7’

“ You?" cried the maiden.

“Yes' I thought it was the Indian who was
wrapped in the robe, and you in the red shawl.”

A aint smile played about the lips of the
maiden, as she replied:

“ The savave took a fancy to the red shawl,
and, taking it from me, donned it himself and
put his robe around me. But, oh, how my head
pains me!”

“You have an ugly scratch upon it, Nora,”
he said “ that must be bound up; then we will
trgIand got away from this spot. ’

ora took from her pocket u. linen handker-
chief, which the youth carefully bound around
her head, so as to stanch the flow of blood.

He then arose to his feet and was about to
step ashore, when his ear suddenly caught the
crash of hoofed feet approaching through the
woods from the south.

“I‘m afraid we’re in danger, Nora,” he said,
as he sprung ashore. “We will have to cross
in the canoe to the opposite side of the river,
and conceal ourselves in the depths of the
woods.”

Removing the bridle from his horse, he turned
it loose. The trained beast had already detect-
ed the approaching danger, and sniffc the air.
His mas r led him to the waters’ edge, and, by
command, he plunged into the river, and swim-

 

ming to the opposite shore, dashed away into
the woods.

Ito-entering the canoe, Hawkeye Harry took
up the paddle and headed the craft toward the
other bank.

A red or two above the point where the horse
had reached the opposite Shore, 8. small bayou
put into the river. It was as many as three
rods wide, and uite deep. Alon its edges grew
a fringe of ree and water-w' ows, extending
quite a rod out into the doc st water on either
side, thus leavin a channe up the center that
was unobstruc .

Hawkeye Harry saw at once what an admira-
blc retreat the béaflou offered, so up it he ran his
canoe several r , then turned at right-angles
and pushed in toward the east shore. Leanm
over the prow of the canoe, he carefully partex
the reeds and branches overhead, as he drew
the little craft through the openin thus made,
taking great care that not asing 0 blade was
broken, or left in an unnatural position.

After he had ulled his canoe well in among
the reeds, he en reda small opening just large
enough for the canoe to rest in without touching
the water-stalks. Above, the long, dagger-like
blades droopcd over from all sides, forming a
beautiful archway or covering over them.

In this little arbor the youth permitted the
canoe to rest. He concluded to waithcrc until
he learned what dangers menaced them before
advancing further. ‘

They had been in this retreat but a' few min—
utes when they heard voices. Peering out
through the network of green, Harry saw a
large party of mounted Sioux Indians, standing
upon the bank in eager consultation.

It was Black Buffalo and his band, and in
their midst was a prisoner bound and fettered.
He was an Indian, and Harry recognized him at
once as the cowardly Sac—Nora’s late captor.

Keepinia steady eye u 11 their movements,
the yout saw some 0 them dismount and
search the ground closely. He then saw them
gather in a knot near the place where the
youth’s horse had entered the river, and point
and gesticulate in a significant manner.

In a few minutes half a dozen warriors
s )rung into the river and swam to the op )osite
shore. They searched the bank until they ound
where the horse had crossed But whether they
knew that the horse had not a burden upon his
back and a hand to guide him, of course Harry
knew not; but that they suspele somethinrr of
the truth was evident for they did not fo ow
up the horse’s trail.

Another consultation was now hold, which
ended in their all dismounting and making such
arran ements as convinced the young ranger
thattt ey were going into a temporary encamp-
men .

This caused him no little uneasiness. Had he
been alone, he would not have cared; but when
he axed upon the little form nestled at his side,
an her sweet, pretty face and dark eyes up-
turned to his confldingly—resting With an ap—

arent sense of security under his stron arm—-
it was an appeal that his manhood coul not re-
gard too highly,

With a stea y eye he watched the red-skins.
He soon saw a number of the savages depart

Hawkeye Barry.

19

 

,_r»_--». _4» . A-»

(E .i’. n the :‘i 1': am and some up the stream. “'liot
this movement indicated, he was unable to tell,
but, in the course of an hour, he saw two canoes
coming up the stream, and‘still a few minutes
later, he saw another coming down. Then he
knew that it was the canoes the red—skins had
gone in search of ; and his fears were at once
aroused, for he knew what might be expected
now.

Several minutes he watched the Indians;
then, turning his gaze upon Nora, he said:

“ We are now in great danger, Nora, yet by
extreme caution we may elude our enemies.
It’d require a keen pair of eyes to see us in this
spot, but the savages all have keen eyes and
tars" and should one comé near, do not utter a
word, nor move. even if he discovers us. And
prepare yourself to witness dark deeds—such as
ma cause your soul to revolt with terror, for
I s all fight to the last to save you— Ah!”

The light dip of an oar caught his ear, and
called forth the exclamation. On peering
through the foliage he saw a savage in a canoe
skirting along the reeds.

“ What is it, Hawkeye?” asked the maiden.

“An Indian coming this way, and Iexpect
he’s looking for our trail. But, let him come,"
and the youth took his side tomahawk and laid
it at his feet.

“ Oh, Hawkeye!” said the maiden, in a tone
that showed how great was her reliance on the
youth; “you are a brave and noble man, and
are iunnin many risks for me. But my father
willrewar you well for all your kindness to
me.”

Hawkeye Harry smiled as he gazed down into
the sweet young face of the maiden. The blood
leaped in stron currents through his veins.
Her gentle war 8 had added a. new power to
the passion of love that was owing within his
breast. In a moment of impetuosity, he re-

plied:
“ The boon that in heart already craves for
my services in your ehalf, Nora, is priceless;

and none but vou, and you alone, could bestow
it upon me. Yet it’s not likely that a young
girl like you woul bestow such a gift on arough,
uneducated trapper like me.” ‘

Involuntarin the maiden raised her 6 es un—
til they met those of her companion. bhe half
suspected what he was aiming at, and a faint
blush suffused her face. To Harry it spoke
plainer than Words, but her lips, tremulous with
emotion, o nod, and Shh asked:

“ What 3 that gift, Harry?”

“Your love.”

The face of the maiden flushed crimson, and
the long, dark lashes drooped shyly. Hawkeye
Harry saw her lips quiver with some deep, in-
ward emotion, then 0 ion to speak. The youth’s
heart ceased its wild utter. It was an eventful
moment to him but before the first word had
escaped Nora’s lips, they were startled bi; a
noise in the dry reeds—a quirk noise, resemb n5
the “ t-wash” of a scythe through the beard;
train.

L Harry glanced quickly around and saw the
Indian before mentioned, in the canoe, moving
along the edge of the reeds, and ever and anon
thrust‘ a long lance into the stalks, as though
feeling or a hidden enemy. It was this that

 

Rinduced that peculiar sound that prevented
era’s reply.

Harry watched the Indian closely, and as he
saw him approach nearer and near lr he felt no
little uneasiness through a. fear that the red-skin
might thrust his lance into their covert.

As a shield to her, in case he did, the youih
( uickly and silently interposed his body betwee n
t e maiden and the Indian. In this he was not
a moment too soon.

There came a sudden (wash throu h the reeds;
there was a vivid flash before arry’s eyes;
then he felt a sharp, stinging sensaticn upon
his cheek. He could scarcely restrain an ex-
clamation, for it was the point of the Indian’s
lance that had just touched his face and punc~
tured the skin. A little jet of blood spurted
from the wound, but, with great presence of
mind, the youth kept quiet and watcth the
movements of the Indian, whose Lody was par-
tially visible. At the same time, he wassatisfied
that he and Nora. could not be seen in the
shadows of the dense growth around him.

The youn trapper was not a little surprised
to see the udian examine the point of his
lanes: as soon as he had withdrawn it from the
re .

‘Vas it possible that his sense of feeling was
so sensitive as to have felt the touch of the wea-
pon upon the oung man’s cheek? Why does

9 stare so at t e pomt of the lancet—why does
he start?

Ah! hiskeen eyes detect something u on the
polished weapo —blood 1~that told of t e pres-
ence of a living creature within the reeds!

The situation had indeed become critical.

The savage laid his lance down, and rising to
his feet, peered With brows contracted into the
dense forest of stalks and overshadowing ver-
dure. But Harry was satisfied that his gaze
did not penetrate their covert—of this he was
soon convinced. The red-skin did not seem
satisfied with his ocular Search, for,’ turning the
prow of the canoe, he reached forward, and
parting the reeds began drawing the craft in
among them in t e same manner that he had
entered the thicket.

The young trapper felt his blood run cold, for
he now saw that discovery was unavoidable.
But he pre red himself for the worst.

“ Nora,” a said, in a whisper to the maiden,
“an Indian is approachi us, and our safety
depends much on Silence. your eyes if you
would not witness a bloody deed.” - .

As he concluded, the youth grasped the handle
of his tomahawk, ready for action.

Nora, shuddering, turned her head and
buried her face in her hands.

Slowly the savage approached—so silently
that he created not a sound. ' - ‘

Within half an arm’s length of our friends’
canoe, the Indian’s came to a stand.

_ Then, with tomahawk in hand he leaned
lightly forward and peered into the little ar-

or.

Hawkeye Harry saw the pupils of his black,
scintillating eyes dilate with intense gazing,
and knew hat he was waiting for them to be-
come accustomed to the shadows of the, covert.
He could see the veins standing out upon his
naked arms and breast, and the workings and.

 

 

 

20

Hawkeye Harry.

 

twitching of the facial muscles—all engendered
by fear, uncertainty and expectancy.

Thus they remained for a moment; then the
eyes of Hawkeye Harry and the savage met in
anunflinchin and deadly aze.

Not a wo nor 3. 501111 escaped the lips of
either. But, together their murderous toma~
hawks rose; together they fell.

CHAPTER X.
HENRI ROCHE OUTWITTEI).

“ ROCHEl Henri Roche, in the name of God,
come here I”

Had a voice called to Henri Roche from the

ave he would not have started with more vio-
ence than when this voice fell upon his ears.

He gazed around him, his lips quivering with
fear and his face dghastly white.

Half—sitting an half-reclining against a rock,
upon a little assplot near the edge of a creek,
the outlaw c ief saw the figure of a woman,
dressed in faded garments, half-civilized and
half-savage.

If her voice had startled him with fear, then
the sight of her face paralyzed him with terror:
and, like one in a stupor, he stood and gazed
upon the reclinin form that stared at him with
the stony, icy 100 of a corpse.

The face was that of a woman. Her form
and face were wasted awa to emaciation, yet
her haggard features and arge, mournful eyes
were the relics of a once beautiful woman.

She might have been forty, and she might
have been fifty years of age. There were a few
threads of silver among her raven-black tresses
of hair. Her whole being shOWed the indelible
stamp of the destroying hand of trouble and
sorrow.

‘ Why should Henri Roche stare at a poor,
helpless woman, his teeth fairly chattering with
fear?

“ Come nearer to me—«ccme nearer, Henri
Roche,” the woman called, seeing he did not
move. “Come; you need not fear me. I am
dyingl—dyingj-the victim of your inhuman
treac cry and wickedness.”

Henri Roche breathed easier. Though the
voice and face of the woman had terrified him,
he felt easier when she said she was (lying, for
her looks confirmed her words. His courage re,
vived; he did not fear a dying woman, and ad-
vancing, he step near her and gazed down
into the pale, u )turned face.

It was then t at he experienced that feeling of
terrible and solemn awe that we all experience
when we stand by the death-bed and gaze down
upon the cold, clammy features of the dying—a
feeling which never fails in its appeals to the
hardest heart. '

There was a Settled expression upon the wo-
man’s thin face. Her thin nostrils were dilated
and Eurple. Her lips were bloodless and drawn
ti b y over the pearly teeth; and the eyes—oh,
w 0 can paint the expression of the eyes of one
standin upon life’s brink, and fixed with a gaze
lookingfiwyond the grave into a new transflgur-
ation? '

“ Henri Roche.”

“GreIat iHeaveni” egclalinéedl Roclga, “ istlthis
true? 5 posaible t at n you ying us,
Cecil Gray?” '

 

 

“Yes, it is possible,” repli, d the woman,
faintl .

“ ow came you—-”

“ I came to seek you, Henri Roche,” she broke
in, “and Heaven has at length brought us face
to face. Roche, you are the author of all my
miser and sorrow.”

“ ay, nay, Cecil Gray,” replied Roche, “you
spurned my love. Then I told you I would have
revenge, and I kept my word. I swore Willis
Gray should never live with you, nor you with
him, as man and wife. You knew the hot, re~
vengeful blood of a Spaniard coursed my veins,
and should not have crossed me.”

“But, Roche, I did not love on.”

“Nor did you love Gray. t was his wealth
you married. This provoked me worse than
all; and when I saw you lavishing,r our affec-
tions on your flrst—born—the chil of “'illis
Gray—then I resolved to bleed your fickle heart
by stealintr that child and bidinw it away where
you would never find it. I did so—ay, more,
I separated you and Gray! Mine, Cecil, has
been a glorious revenge!”

“Yes, yes; I admit it has, Roche,” returned
the woman with a Wild, stony gaze that caused
him to shudder; “ I can suffer but a little while
longer, and let me die content, ha py, Roche.”

“ If I can do anythin to soot e your mind,
now that you are (1 ing, will do so ladl .”

“ You can, by tel ing me if my chil stil lives,
and if so, where she is.”

A grim, triumphant smile overspread the face
of the outlaw, as he re ilied:

“ I am glad, Cecil, t t in your last moments
I can give you this information. But, had you
lived twenty years longer, I would never have.
done so—no, neVerl”

“ Oh, Henri Roche! the vengeance of Heaven
will fall as heavily upon your soul as your ven-
geance has fallen upon my heart. But tell me,
Roche, is my child alive?”

“ She is.”

“ Thank God! Where is she?” \

“I fear that information will brighten your
last moments but little, Cecil. ”

“It is my dying request—pray tell me,” she
pleaded, with her thin, emaciated hands out»
stretched imploringl .” .

“ She is,” said Roche, “in the Sioux Villa 6.
She is the adopted daughter of Black But! 0,
the chief. She has rown to womanhood, and
is very beautiful, ant when I reach the village
again she will become the wife of him her
mother rejected.” ,

A groan escaped from the Woman’s lips and
a fire of deadly vengeance flashed in her dark,
sunken eyes, as she replied:

“Henri Roche, harm one hair of her head
and Heaven’s wrath will fall upon you I”

Tlhgd heartless outlaw smiled mockingly, then
rep 1 2

“You should not let such bitter Words fall
from your lips, Cecil, when you are soon to be
summoned before the judgment bar. Let no
talk more rationally now—forget the past,
and—

“ Neveri Gol leave me, heartless villain!” ‘
this ,woman cried. “ Go! your presence is hate-

! /
Roche turned, like one walking in his sleep,

Hawkeye Harry.

2!

 

and moved away in deep thought. This inter-
view had terribly agitated him, and when a doz-
en steps away, something forced him to step,
turn and gaze back. .

He started as he did so, With a low cry of sud-
den fear.

He saw that he had been terribly deceived—-
outwitted. He beheld the supposed dying wo-
'man standing erect, and holding, leveled at his
heart, a small gleaming rifle, along whose bar-
rel he caught the steady and deadly glow of her
dark eye.

Quick as thought the villain stepped aside.
'II‘he rifle cracka and the bullet sped harmlessly

)y him.

“ Ha! ha! Cecil!" laughed the villain; “your
aim is like your deathbed—false, untrue—a de-
ception. Cunnineg you wormed from me the
secret of your child, but little good it will do
you. You shall dog my footsteps no longer——
you shall (lie in earliest. You made a demon of
me and so I care not for human life.”

The villain jerked his rifle to his shoulder and
leveled it upon the woman.

Fear seemed to take possession of the wild,
haggard—looking female, and turning, she ran
toward the creek and lea into the water.
The  rifle of t e outlaw followed her
form. 9 sprung upon some dark object thrust
upward from the bed of the stream; then, with
a wild mocking laugh—before the outlaw could
fire—she sunk down from view in the creek, as
though it had 0 ned to receive her.

Roche lowere his rifle in time. to see the black
object upon which she had stopped sink down
in the stream also. Then for a moment followed
the hollow rush of water near the mysterious
spot then all grew quiet save the rush and roar
of the rapids in the stream a few steps below.

For a moment Roche stood dumfounded—ter-
rifled. But at last he mustered up the conrage
to advance and examine the creek where the
woman had disappeared so In steriously. He
saw the water was a little mud , and that ar-
ticles of sand and gravel had n distur .

This was all. The bed of the creek prewnted a.
firm, solid appearance.

What mystery was there about this creek?
Was it haunted?—~was that woman the spirit of
Cecil Gray?

The more Henri Roche meditated over the
matter, yea—the mystery, the more complicated
his mind became. A last his coura e gave
way, and filled with the most fearfu appre-
hensions,’he turned and fled from the spot——
flgihas though a hundred fiends were in pursuit
0 1m.

He never stopped running until he reached his
own camp.

“Boys, we have got to move on, this very
night. W'e must reach Black Buffalo’s village
by to-morrow’s sunset. And I want you, Du-
bois”—turning to the guide—“to hasten down
the river until you come upon Black Buffalo’s
trail, then follow him up until you overtake
him. Tell him to send half of his warriors, at
least, to his village immediately, as they will be
needed there to protect it, But, tell him not to
relinquish the search for the young Hawkfiye
and girl, until they are within his power. or
that purpose he will need but a few men.

 

Away!” His orders were thosa of a man in
haste and anxie .
Dubois caught 's horse, and in a few minutes

was galloping down the river. Roche and the
rest of his party saddled up their jaded animals
and mountin were soon on their way towar
the village of lack Buflalo, situated upon Lake
Okihogic. several leagues to the northward.

The sad face and mournful eyes of Cecil Gray
followed him—were ever present to his guilty
soul’s vision.

 

CHAPTER XI.
THE COMBAT IN THE WATER.

TOGETHER fell the tomahawks of the two an—

ta onists—Hawkeye Harry and the savage.

here was a dull crash, a low moan followed
by a slight rustlin of the dry reeds, a shock of ,
the two canoes. ora raised her head to see
her young protector leanin slightly for“ ard
u on one nee, unharmed. ut in his hand he
c utchcd a tomahawk whose edge was stained
with blood, and glancing just beyond, a terri-
ble sight met her gaze. The savage, with
eleven head, lay with his body hanging partly
out of the canoe, while from his hastly wound
a stream of blood was trickling in the water of
the bayou.

The escape from the Indian’s tomahawk was
miraculous. W hen both weapons descended, the
Indian was standing up; consequently Harry’s
hatchet pierced the save e’s brain before the
wee. n of the red-skin ha reached his antago-
nist 5 head. The blow threw the savage back-
ward, as the tomahawk descended to close to
his face that he felt the wind of its swift
scent. '

“ I hope, Nora, you will not think hard of me
for takin human life, or rather the life of asav-
age, whic is but a grade higher than the wild
panther of the woods.”

“ No, Harry,” responded the maiden, “ I have
heard of the horrors of border warfare. No one
Could think hard of another for taking human
life in self-defense. But I know I am a burden
on your hands, and I fear I may yet cost you
your life.”

“You are a burden, pretty Nora,” said the
'oung man, in a moment of enthusiasm, “ that
It afl‘ords me the greatest 'oy of my life to bear.
Do not think otherwise. y only fears are that
I cannot serve you long enough. If the Indians
do not make further search inthe bayou, we
may esca . But I am now afraid that the ab-
sence of . eir companion may lead them to in—
vestigate the cause.”

The young ran er new proceeded to examine
their situation. 6 saw the savages moving
along the edgebf the river in canoes, and, some
on the bank on foot, examining every stone and
blade of grass for the trail. But that which
made Harry the most uneasy was a number of
warriors standing on the shore with theme 88
fixed, apparently, u n the very spot where e
unfortunate savage d entered the dense chap-
arral of reeds. '

He knew that, if the sav 9 did not make his
appearance soon, they woul likely go in search
0  and, as the red-skin had leftabroad
trail behind bun where he entered the reeds, they

 

 

 
  

 

   
   
  
   
  
  
 
  
 
   
    
   
  
  
 
  
 
 
    
  
 
   
  
   
 
   
   
   
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
   
   
 
   

22 Hawkeye Harry.

would have no trouble in finding him; so the
young ranger at once resolved to seek some other
point of security among the tall reeds.

Havin possessed himself of the dead Indiun’s
[lance an tomahawk, Harry parted the stalks
before the prow of the canoe, and pulled it
alon through the opening thus undo, taking
grea pains to rearrange the reeds to their
natural position when they passed to the rear of
the craft.

In this manner he drew the canoe over two
rods from where the dead warrior lay, and at
last ulled the canoe into a little glade—liko spot
near y ten feet in diameter yet where the reeds
and flags grew much taller, and their long,
slender blades, Courting the sunshine and free—
dom of the opening, inclined inward all around
the edge of the glade, thus forming a perfect
canopy of blades and stalks overhead, and a
beautiful retreat.

In this place the young trapper again took his
stand! But such a dense body of stalks new
intervened between them and the fee that the
latter could not be seen.

Here the fugitives would have to remain until
the Indians left, or they were enabled to make
their escape under cover of darkness.

The day were away, and the shadows of even-
in" began to gather along the river. Our young
friends began to breathe more freely. They
would soon be enabled to move from their peril,
although the Indians still retained their position
upon t e river-bank.

The wind had sprung up, and by dark was

«blowing a brisk gale from the south. The sk

was overcast with clouds that foretold a dar
night, if not one of drizzling, autumnal rain, so
common at this season of the year.

Being to the windward, Harry could hear an
occasional sound above the rustlin of the reeds
that told him the Indians were stil on the river-

‘bank, and at the moment when the young

ranger was about to begin his retreat from the
reeds, he heard the plush of ears in the middle of
the bayou, not ten paces from where they were
concealed.

The red-skins were searching either for them
or the absent warrior—perhaps both!

The plash of oars continued along the reeds
in the bayou, and finally grew more numerous,
but not a word could be card from the lips of
the occupants. Finally he heard the raking of
a canoe in among the reeds, and knew from the
location of the sound that the Indians had found
where their dead comrade had entered the
thicket, and were following his trail. This fact
was soon confirmed by a low exclamation of
surprise and suppressed indignation, which told
Hurray that the body of the savage had been
foun .

Not a sound save the rustle of ;the dry reeds
and stalks could be heard after this discovery;
but the silence boded ill. Warning Nora of
their impending peril, the young ranger put
every faculty upon the alert.

An hour stole by, when his keen ear detected
a light plush on the water near the canoe. He
fixed his eyes 11 on the darkness, and was not a
little sur rlsed Ito see two dull, scintillatingbrbs
of fire g owing through the darkness not over
three yards from the canoe, They were close

 

upon the surface of the water, and just back of
them he could see a dark, spherical object which
he was satisfied was the head of an Indian,
whose body was submerged in the water.

Silently Harry gras l the dead Warrior’s
lanc’e, with the determination of using it upon
the cunning red—Skin. I

Drawing the weapon back, he thrust it for-
ward with all his strength.

A savage yell of acrouy pealod out upon the
night—air, almost chilTing the blood in Nora’s
veins. But like a heroine, she uttered no word
of aifright hut nestled closer to the form of her
young pro X‘tOX‘.

Harry aimed the lance so as to pierce the
savage’s breast, and from the desperate tugging
at the wea Jon he knew his aim had been true.

He quickly relinquished his hold upon the
lance, and seized the ears to flee, for he know
the death-wail of the savage would soon bring
others u )on them. But, at this instant, ,Nora
caught t 1e outlines of a pair of long arms that
were thrust outward from the reeds behind him;
then she felt Harry dragged from her side out
into the waterwith a crash, where a fearful
struggle at once began.

The brave and noble girl, obeying the injunc-
tion of the young ranger, never uttered a sound,
but with her hands clasped over her heart, she
mentally prayed, with all the fervcncy of her
young son] for the merciful Father to spare
the life of Hawkeye Harry.

The struggle between the youth and the un-
known foe—which was a savage of course—be-
came destu-ate. Neither utter a word or cry.
But the floundering; in the water; the crashing
of the reeds; the dull thumping of the blows;
the gasping, and labored breathing of the com-
batants told that it was a deadly conflict.

Poor Nora! She sat alone, trembling with
fear, and when she had invoked Heaven’s pro~
teetion on the young ranger’s life, she leaned
forward and strained her eyes th reu Th the dark-
ness, in hopes of seeing if she co d not hel
Harr . But she could see nothing. She could
only 'sten to the awful sounds and pray—pray
for Harry’s deliverance. ‘

Oh! it was a fearful moment for that young

irl—a moment of agonizing suspense—such as
is never erased from memory.

For several moments the struggle continued,
but, finally, the blows came fewer and feebler.
Then there came a ( nick, heavy gasping, a low,

1r ling sound, am the noise gradually ceased.

h, eavens! one of the Combatants was drown-
in". thir/L one?

as it the Indian? was it Hawkeye Harry?

Nora asked herself these questions, that were
echoed in agony from her heart. -

She longed to call out to Harry to know if he
were the victor, but her presence of mind told
her that such an act would only increase Harry’s
danger if he were alive. "

She waited. Oh, what moments of tortur—
ing agony! The wind had ceased rustling the
reeds. as if to lend silent terror to the moment.

A deep silence reigned—a silence as dread as
that of the grave.

Ten minutes passed by.

Then to the ears of Nero. Gardette came a faint
sound; like that of a living creature dragging it-

   

Hawkeyc Harry. 23

 

self through the water. It was approaching the
canoe in which she sat. _

Was it an Indian, or Was it Harry? was it
either? She tried to speak the youth’s name—
to ask if he were alive—but her tongue refused
to perform its office; it was paralyzed with ter—
ror and suspense. _ _ ,

Motionles, and With dilated eyes, the maiden
sat and listened and watched. She knew not
whether she would be seized the next moment
1})? a savage, or receive the 'oyful tidings of

arry’s victory and escape. t was a struggle
between hope and fear—the most terrible mo-
ment of her young life.

Closer and closer she heard that drag ' g
sound ap roach. Then she felt a vibra ry
shock of t e canoe, such as would be produced
by a hand coming in contact with it. Then
she saw a dark form rise above the rim of the
canoe, closely followed by two dull, glowing
orbs

The one she readin saw was a human head
and the other the eyes.

Was it Harry?

She leaned forward, and involuntarily bent
down until her face almost came in contact
with that of the unknown, and peered into the
scintillatin eyes.

She sta quickly back. It was the head
slid face of an Indian—a hideous—painted In-

'anl

Unable to restrain her emotions longer, nature
broke beyond its bounds. and a scream of terror
pealed from the lips of Nora Gardette.

CHAPTER XII.
WAS CLOUDED HEART A TRAITOR?

THE morning sun arose clear and warm in a
cloudless sky, and shone with unusual brilliancy
upon the little Indian village of Red Wing. The
Villagers were astir quite early, for the chief,
with a number of his warriors, was to accom~
pan Old Optic and the masked stranger, Cloud-
ed cart, to the Sioux village to assist in rescu-
ing their children from ca tivity.

The chief had selected t irty of his best war-
riors for the expedition, and had them “ Yigfi ”
out in all the noply of the war— th. ach
brave was prov1ded With a pony, an well armed
for the occasion.

Old (astic provided a pony for Clouded Heart,
who in 6 his a pearance soon after daybreak,
muffled and mas ed as on the previous night.

The part was soon mounted, and filing out
of the v ey, took their course northward
throu h the woods in single file. with the excep-
tion 0 Old Optic and Clouded Heart, who rode
side by side in the rear of the cavalcade.

The old trapper was now enabled to scan the
form of his masked companion more closely.

He was rather under medium size, and was
dressed in a half-civilized and half-savage garb.
The hands and feet were small, yet the former
were bronzed to the hue of an Indian. The
head was still covered with a kind of hood, and
the face with a leathern mask, through .the
holes of which the eyes gleamed like balls of
tire. The mask was so fastened to the hood
that neither wind nor accident could displace

it. -
To the old trapper- it was strange that this

 

 

still stran er bein would not permit his face to
be seen. 9 won ered to what extent the man’s
success in rescuing his child depended upon kee '

ing his face concealed. In fact, it was a litt e
mysterious to the old trapper, and he could not,
for some unknown reason, think otherwise than
that the fellow would hear watching. He would
not have ut any Confidence in him at all, had it
not been or the truthful revelationvhe had made
to him of his past life. It was this also that
forced the conviction upon him that his story in
WM to his child being a captive in the Sioux

' age was true.

The two conversed as they rode along on inci-
dental topics, though the masked stranger was
not over communicative and seldom entered
upon any new subject. At times, however, Old
Optic caught his glowing eyes fixed upon him
fhiipugh his mask with a strange, mysterious

ig t.

“ Have (you any hopes of us recovering our
children, louded Heart?” the old trapper final-
ly asked.

“ I have, friend trapper,” replied the stranger;
“ the majority of the Sioux warriors, under
Black Buffalo are away on the war-path now,
and if we reach the villa e before their return,
we may accomplish the o ject of our expedition
without much tro ble.”

“ It will take nearly two days to reach their
town," said Old 0 tic, in a tone devoid of all his
former rudeness; ‘ but, by traveling after iii ght—
fall, we would gain muc time. But Clouded
Heart, how did you learn that my child is a cap—
tive among the Sioux?”

“ I learned it from the lips of the destro er of
your home and happiness,’ said Clouded cart,
and he fixed his glowing eyes upon the trapper
with a steady, inquiring gaze.

“Ah! then you know who it was that won
the affections of my false-hearted wife?”

“False-hearted!” rc Gated Clouded,me
“ Friend trapper you 0 the memory/of your .
wife injustice. She was not false to yo’u.”

“Man!” exclaimed the old trapper, “what
authority or proof have you for this assertion?

“ The authority with which truth endows
every mortal, and the proof of many. No;
your wife and child were lured from their home
on the Ohio by a man whom the rejected ere-
she wedded you. The villain knew that you
were absent from home on business, and took
the opportunity for revenge upon you and your
wife. He forged a letter purporting to come
from you. It stated that you were lying very
ill in the town of Nauvoo, on the Mississippi,
and that you wanted her to hasten forwith to
your bedside. She started, poor deluded woman,
to nurse her beloved husband. But when near
her destination, she was seized by a band of
outlaws and carried away and sold to the In-
dians. What was the result? You returned
home and found your wife and child gone, and
such false evidence as convinced you that she
had forsaken you for the love of another. But
it was all a lie, friend trapper, a damnahle he.”

“And this you know to be a fact, Clouded
Heart—a solemn fact, do you?"

“ A solemn fact,” responded the masked

stranger.
“ Oh, God 3” stunned the trapper.

 

 

 

84 Hawkeye Harry.

 

“ ’Tis sad,” added Clouded Heart; “ for, friend
trapper, I have experienced a sorrow similar to
yours in many res .”

“Then, Clouded Heart, you have my heart-
felt sympathy. But, did you say my wife and
child were sold to the Indians?”

“ I said so, but it was only the child that was
sold. Your wife—”

“ Where is she?” gasped the old trapper.

“If you succeed in rescuing your daughter,
who has grown to womanhood, they say, she
will tell you what has become of her poor, per-
secuted mother, and will probably confirm all
that I have told you.”

“ 0h, Godl is this possible? It sounds so
much like a fearful dream, Clouded Heart, that
it startles me. But what surprises me most is
how you know all this.”

“It may, friend trapper: but, as I told you
before, I learned it all from the lips of the man
who destroyed your home and happiness.”

“ Does that person live?”

“ He does.”

“ And do I know him?”

“ His name is Henri Roche.”

A groan burst from the trapper’s lips. He
had known Roche in the East, not- as an enemy

ibut as a gambler and profligate. A clou<
, of vengeance gathered over his face; then
he became thoughtful and silent. His
thou hts were principally of the mysterious
Clou ed Heart. It was quite probable that he
had been in some manner leaguml with Roche,
and had finally become another of his victims,
and now had turnw upon him. But Why should
he go disguised? This was a perplexing ques-
tion. But once, when he saw the flashing orbs
of the stranger fixed upon him, a dark suspi—
cion crossed his mind, and he could scarcely
restrain himself from tearing the mask from his
face. His better judgment prevailed, and if
the masked stranger was Henri Roche, he re—
solved to keep an eye upon his movements, and
endeavor to fathom the mysteries of his strange
actions.

No more was said about the painful matter,
but the old trapper showed much uneasinessand
great impatience.

The cavalcade moved on, and about noon it
debauched into a great prairie, stretching away
in ntle undulation for leagues and leagues.

cross this prairie the part took its course,
and just at sunset they struc a small, wood-
ed stream, that found its source in Lake Oki-

b e.

on this stream the party went into camp,
for ere they could obtain water and grazing
for their animals.

The night passed without any excitement, and
by daybreak the band was mounted and moving
onward, following the course of the stream
northward.

Old 0 tie and Clouded Heart rode together,
as uma , and as they were now approaching
the Sioux village, they began discussing the
East plans to eflect the object of the expedi-

1011.

As it was not known what force they would
,have to contend with, they could settle upon no
definite course of action until after they had
ascertained the strength, of the enemy,

 

The second day was nearly half-gone, and
the arty had just stopped at noon, when one
of t o guards suddenly descried a party of
horsemen galloping over the plain directly to-
ward them.

Were they Sioux?

The question passed from lip to lip, and great
cxoiiement prevailed.

The party was over two miles away, and,
without a doubt, were Sioux or Arapahoes.

Red Wing shook his plumed head ominously;
then, turning to his warriors, bade them pro—
paro for battle.

They had halted inalittle clump of cotton-
wood trees on the banks of the stream. This
would afford them a temporary screen, and with
rifle in hand, the savages crouched among the
trees. waiting the approach of the enemy.

Old Optic noticed that Clouded Heart seemed
uneasy, and believing that all was not right, he
resolved to keep a watch upon his movements,
for the suspicion that the masked .stran er had
led him into a trap now entered his min .

The old trapper noticed that Clouded Heart
kept a close watch upon the approaching party,
and when it suddenly swept into plain view from
behind a gentle swell, not over half a mile away,
the mysterious stranger stepped from the grove
into plain view of the horseman, and takin a
red scarf from his bosom, waved it above '3
head.

“ Traitor!” burst in fierce accents from Old
Optic’s lips, and the next moment his rifle was
leveled full at the breast of Clouded Heart.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
THROUGH mu.

As Nora's cry rung sha ly out over bayou and
river. the savage grasped he rim of the canoe and
essayed to raise himself from the water into the
craft; but scarcely had the maideu‘s scream died
away. when there came a flounder through the water
and reeds, followed by the dull crash of ablow; then
from the lips of the savage ealed ayell of death
that fairly froze the blood in ora’s veins.

She felt the cunning red-skin release his hold upon
the canoe and fall backward like a leaden mu ht.
while to the eyes of the distressed maiden anot or
form aopeared. It approached the canoe, and seiz-
inr gold of it, threw itself into the craft.

“ - oral“

The maiden could scarce] repress a cry of joy. It
was the voice of Hawkeye arry

“Oh, Harry! I was so ’fraid you had been slain!
My prayers for your deliverance have been answeredl
But. are you hurt?“

“Not a bit of it, little one! I didn‘t get even a
scratch, but I had an awful tussle with the red var-
min'."

“But your clothes are wet. Harry, and you will
get (-hillv and cold,” she replied.

" No. little girl; our danzer will require such ac-
tive work as will keep my blood warm. This is noth-
ing to me. Many‘s the time I’ve lain inapond of
water all night to escape the red-skins. I‘m used to
such exposure—hardened to it. But. our danger is
increasing every moment. We must t and escape
from here t once—ah! I hear the skins now,
approaching through the reedsi" ’

This conversation had been carried on in a low
tone, and was interrupted by a crashing through the
dry reeds.

Taking a position .in the prow of the canoe. the
young ranger began parting the reeds before him
and drawing the canoe through the opening thus
made. 119 had proceeded a couple of rods un-

 
   
  

   

. chance of escape. but something must be done. His

 

 

der cover of this minute forest, when he .stopped to
listen. . _ . /.

He could hear the Indians talking in excited tones
over the dead bodies of their comrades. He also
learned that they were in donbt as to the force of
the enemy, and that they had heard Nora 5 scream.

The youth listened intently m ho is of finding
out the course the savages intend to pursue to
dislodge their enemy; but in this he was disappoint.
0d. He heard them, however, lifting the ieless
forms of their friends into their canoes, and then
move away toward the shore.

Hawkcye now felt satisfied that the sav es would
resort to some other means of dislodging t win from
their covert, though he could foml no idea what
that recourse would be; for their stock of expedients
was inexhaustible.

No time, however, was to be lost in getting from
that wilderness of reeds and shade. So he a )plicd
himself vigorously to work. He had now rcac led a
pointwhere it was more difficult to proceed; the
reeds, out from the dense shadows of the over-
hanging trees, were sere and brown with autumn’s
touch. and the water not being so deep, wrs oi)-
structcd with flakes of moss and tufts of rank, tall
wire-grass.

Still he worked on, ever and such sto ping to
listen; but the wind was rising again an roaring
through the reeds and forest, and drowning all other
sounds. He could hear nothing of the encm .
Their silence made him all the more uneasy. e
knew they were not idle, and suddenly, when he
had taken into consideration the tinder-like dryness
of the reeds and gram, and the strong head-wind
blowing across the bayou, a terrible fear took pos-
stssiou of him.

Like one whose life depended upo: his actions, the
youth pulled away at the canoe, am now. in his im-
patience, anxiety and fear. every foot of the way
Skelned to grow more obstructed.

Suddenly a cry of terror burst from Nora‘s lips.

The young ranger turned quickl '. it rcquir‘d
no vtvlords to tell him the cause of t l8 maidi-n‘s af-
f I.

is worst fears had been realized.

The savages had fired the reeds to the windwm-d of
them. One dense ball of red flame, reaching almost
to the treetops, came rolling over the miniature
wilderness toward them with a roar. .

Escape before that sheet of flame was impossible.

Two minutes more, and the bayou will be stripped
of its fringe of reeds to the water‘s edge by that de—
vouring billow of roaring, hissing, crackling iiamel

CHAPTER XIV.
A FEARF'UL MOMENT.

Dunn stared the two fugitives in the face-death
by the flames. They could not flee; the water was
beneath them, and the reeds around them. Oh. it
was awful thusto perish. All the terrors of elite-
time were com info a moment‘s duration.

And the fire! It was a sight as grand as terrible;
and, with blanched face and glaring eyes, Hawkeye
Harry sat and gazed upon the red wave that would
soon envelop him and the fair being at his side.

“ 0h, Harryl. we will perish!”

The maiden‘s words started the youth from his
stupor, and, as he gazed down into her face. now ap-

earlng ghostly in the lurid light, and saw her nest-
ling closer to him, as if for protection, his manhood.
was aroused. and his usually quick inventive mind
put to a terrible test.

He gated quickly around. There was no possible

eyes fell upon Nora‘s shawl. Seizing if, he plunged it
into the water, at the same time bidding Nora to
throw herself in the bottom of the canoe.

The half-terrified maiden quickly obeyed, and the
next moment she felt the wet shawl thrown over
her fgrm. .She saw the youth’s object—it was to
save er.

 

Hawkeyc Harry I 25

 

" This is: your only salvation, Nora," he said, an
then reaching out, he grasped several handfuls of
moss that lay upon the surface of the water, and
dragging it into the canoe in great flakes, he spread
it over the maiden. also permitting it to trail over
finch rim of the canoe, to protect its sides from the

ames.

The poor girl found hemel! unable to move under
hercwet. dripping cover of shawl and moss.

Setting his rifle in one end of the canoe, the youth
bade Nora not attempt to remove her protection
until the fire had passed, then hesprung into the
bayou and hastened to secure himsel .

On rolled the billow of flame, that gathered
strength and volume as it advanced.

Close to the water‘s surface the dry reeds were
shavcn by the flame, which swept all before it liken
scythe. N0 smoke hovered over the fir. ’s trail. The
wind drove it on, in advance of the flame. Behind
the fire, the water was black with ashes and studded
with a million tiny sparks that lingeer uron the
burnt stubs near t 1c surface of the watt r only fora
moment, then died out, leaving lhe darkness un-
broken.

(‘losc upon the fiery heel of the flame or ept three
canoes. heir occupants were savagi sz—ten in num-

ber.

Alight of fiendish triumph lowed in the small,
basilisk eyes of that ten: and t l(’ll‘ half-nude forms
and painted faces made them appear grots'sque and
demon-like in the glare of the burning reeds.

Eagerly they glanced over the surface of the wa-
ter, where it had been cleared of reeds. for the
canoe. or writhing forms of their hidden enemy.

Suddenly a cry of joy burst from their ii The
flames swept by a canoe that lay rockinin 'e a cra-
dle upon the surface of the water.

Li e arrows the canoes of the savage fiends shot
toward the little strangeneraft.

Tin-y ran alongside of it ere the fire was ten feet
away. Eagerly they gazed within it. No sign of life
was there. But in the front of the canoe reclined a
rifle, whose barrel was glimmering with heat. and
in the canoe and over its sides was a heap of moss,
smoking with heat and steam.

Gray Hawk, second in rank to Black Buffalo. and
his warriors sat motionless for several minutes, and
glazed, in astonishment and baffled triumph, around

19m. 1

Where was the enemy they had rx ectcd to find?
They had not seen ed from the rer- s. for warriors
had been ostcd al around the bayou.

Again t 1e chief fixed his eyes upon the canoe and ,
steaming moss, as though loth to believe that an
enemy was not in it. Then, reaching out, he took
hold of the moss and began dragging 1: out.

Little by little the warm ax d wet moss was re-
move ! from the craft and thrown overboard.

As vhu last of the moss was taken away acry of
sur rise burst from the chief’s lips. In the bottom
of t c canoe appeared the outlines of a human form
wrapped in a red blnnket or shawl.

Among the savages was the outlaw guide, Ulric
Dubois, who had joined the Indians shortly after
dark, having com» directly from the camp of Henri“
Roche. with the captain’s message to Black Buffalo,
who, with most of his warriors, had set of! forms
village, leaving Grav Hawk to continue the Search
for the maiden and Hawke e. Duboishad remained
to assist in Ihe search, an no sooner did his eyes
fall upon the red object in the canoe than be m-
mzed it as the crimson shawl of Nora Gardetbe-

He at once reached out and pulled it away, and
there. in the bottom of the canoe, they saw a pros-
trate- and motionless form.

“It is her!” cried Dubois. “It’s the gel, Gra
Hawk. that the darned boy stole from our wagon.”

“ Waugh!” exclaimed the chief: “ she’s dead i"

“I b’lieve not, chief." returned Dubois: “she war
well protected. The flames couldn’t get to her
through that moss and shawl, and both My wet.
Lift her up, chief; lift her up. "

\

 

 
  

 

28 Hawkeye Harry. F

 

Gray Hawk sprung into the canoe and raised the
motionless form in his arms.

A cry burst from his ii )5. She was 710' (load- the
flame had not touched lL‘l', so swiftly did it pass
by She had swooned. no doubt from partial suffo-
Cation and fear.

The chief dipped up some water in the hollow of
his hand and dashed it into her face, while Dubois
produced a. small flask of brandy. and poured a few
drops of the iiqui l between her ips. ‘

S us of returni n: consciousness were at once made
man test, by n slight convulsion of the body.

But where no N was young Hawkeye? Did not

men broke camp on the great prairie many miles
south of Boyer lake.

They were white men, and with a. few exce tions
were dressed alike—in the uniform of the nited
States Dragoons, They were well armed and mount-
ed upon animals that showed they had been hard

pressed.

At the head of the company with long, regular
and rapid strides, a man dressed in a. suit of buck-
skin guided the soldiers. His eyes sought the
ground before him in a steadyngaze, for he was fol-
lowing the wagon-trail of He Roche.

In the rear of the company'rode two ersons

Henri Roche charge Black Buffalo to capture him“ whose garbs told they were civflians. and udging

at all hazards? The during ind had been in the
reeds. and had secured Nora before he left. This
they knew beyond tin shadow of a. doubt. for Du-
bois recognized the rifle found with the maiden us
the sum: Huwkcyc Harry had in his possession
the night he came to their encampment on the
prairie.

“ Let my warriors search for wakeyc." said the
chief; " he is n )t for away; his hands laid the green
moss over the maiden before he left. He is cunning
us the fox, and is hard to kill. Ifhc was cunning
cuouch to save the muiden’s life, he would not full
to save his own."

By this time the fire had remind the northern ex-
tremity of the huyou. and was dying out. But. in
ob'dlencc to their chief’q command, the wnrriors
searched the inyou over for the young trap or, but
their Search was in vain. And at lust. \r inn the
light of the burningr rm-ds died out, they lurm-d
their canoes and struck for their encniupuu-nt on
the river—bank.

Slowly Nora. Gurdctto come back to iii‘ », and win-n
she had fully regained consciousness, shn found her-
self upon a couch of blankets and skins, before a
glowing fire.

in tr ing to (collect hcrln-wilclorcd thoughts and
recall ior situation, her mind reverted to Iinwkoyc
1ilngry, and, uttering 11. low cry, she sprung to her

ee .

A heavy hand was laid upon her arm, and a voice
said. in it deep, gutturul tone: ‘

“ Let the pale-face maiden rent cosy. .‘hr‘ cannot
0503 is. She is in the power and the camp of Gray
New C"

With flashing eyes Nora turned upon tho savage.
She saw her situation in a. moment, but she d id not
give way under it. Scorn, defiance nud indignation
seemed to have gained complete ascendancy over
her womanly fours and. gentler emotions, the in-
stant the savage Spoke. She was surprised, her—
self. that she possessed so much courage and in-
trepidity.

For a. moment she stood and faced the Chi“!—
faced him until he was compelled to shrink away;
then her eyes tux-med and scanned each form around
her with a look that spoke pininerlhnn words.

But Hnwkcyc Harry was not there. Had hr cs-
cnped the flames? She felt that he bud, and a silent
Emyitar and thankinlness came up from her young

ear .

In her inquiring clnnces and the faint smile that
come to her ii s, Gray Hawk seemed to have read
the maiden‘s bought and emotions.

"You need not look for the young Hawkero
Around our crimp-fire. Hi»: body lies yonder in the
bayou. and his sculnhunzs at the girdle of va
Hawk," and with a clay of hellish triumph upon his
bro1d.paintcd, SOHRll‘ll hoe, hn topped with his fin-
ger a. reekinc scalp-look that hung of his girdle.

But it was the inst hie-hood that Grrw iinwk was
destined to 'ntto-r. for tho n'ixt m-vncnt ‘m utter-
ed a. low cry‘, and full dead at he feet of tne
maiden. __

CHAPTER XV.
. on THE TRAIL.
A'r an early hour on the. morning following the

'night of the events at the bayou, a. party of horse-

 

from appearance they were men unused to the ex-
posurc and hardships of the frontier. In fact, this
was the case. The eldest of the two was Calvin Gar-
dettu. the father of Nora. The other was a nephew
of Mr. Gnrdette, and a devoted aspirant to his cou-
sin Nora's hand.

Richard Parker Lthis was the young man’s name
—-hn<i accompanied Nora and her father from Ohio
to the fort. where they; had been sw )ping with
Major Gitrilctte, Nora’s rother. And w on it was
known that Nora was gone, Richard was the first to
volunteer his services to penetrate theIndinn coun-
try in search of her. The father had no objections
to his attentions to his daughter. for he saw that the
latter did not reciprocate his devotions beyond the
bounds of an intimate frienlishin.

Richard was young—scarcely two-and twenty—
of an impulsive and enthusiastic nature, n. free and
flashing spirit.

“ What think you. uncle?" he asked, as they rode
along; "has that wagon-trail been made within the
last two days?“

“ It certainly has, Dick." returned Mr. Gnrdettc;
“ at least our guide and scout say so, and they are
versed in such matters."

“ If so. we may come u with the enemy, be they
Indians or white men, he ore night.“

“ Yes," replied Mr. Gardette; " but we may find
then that we are following the trail of a party of
honest traders. However, Lubin. the scout, is so!-
isfied that the party we are 1’ ilowinghnve got Nora.
You know he figured the whole matter out very
closely, and believes the abduction was arranged
between a part of outlaws and the young scout.
Ulric Dullois. w lo is now lllli-iSlIl" from the Post.
The fact of ilnding Nora‘s hat in t 1e river, and the
edge of the bank crumbled off, and not her body.
satisfied Lubin that she had been abducted..and
those marks—the hat and crumbled bank—left to
keep down suspicion of the facts. And from the
course taken by the party after leaving the motto.
where we just broke camp, the scout expressth
fears that thcvwerc heading for old Rut Rouglc‘s
robber-den. If so, I fear I will neversoe my poor
child attain."

“ Well, uncle. We will soon know, if their trail is as
plain all th I way along as here.” '

“But, Dick, we may soon expect to have other
dangers to encounter. The scout says we are get-
tiny,r into the lndian country now." .

Herc the conversation ended for the limo, nod the
party mow-d on in silence, reaching the Boyer river
nfew minutes before sunset. Here the party went
into cam

In gnzmc around him for a. suitable spot fora
comp-fire. n crv of surprise suddenly burst from the
lips of Lubin. the soon . '

“ What now, Lubin!" asked the lieutenant of the
dmzoons.

" Thor wagon-trail sends on this blessed spot, and
thar‘s wlnu- the rascals hed their campfire," replied
Lubin. pointing to a been of ashes.

All saw that Lubin was correct in his statement;
but the scout. not satisfied with his discovery. ad-
va'r‘xced, and with his moccasined feet scattered the

3 es.

“ By Jeholnxyl I see into it nowl" he exclaimed;

“the white rascals hev burnt that wagon up onto

\

     
    
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
     
   
   
    
   
 
   

 

 

  

 

 

 

 
 

  
 

 

 

Hawkeye Harry. ' .27

 

this very spot. Here‘s some u‘ the nails that says
so "

“But where are the other irons? Surely they
didn’t burn them up," said a dragoon.

“No, butI bet ve'll find ‘em in the river if ye‘ll
jist take the trnbble to look— See here!"

The scout picked out. of the ashes several nails
and screws, which satisfied every one that the
wagon had been burned there, and the party had
taken to the river on horseback.

While the pursuers were busy in picketingr their
animals to grass, and otherwise preparing for the
night, Luhin was noliced to be very busy about the
remnant of the mum-fire, and presently he an-
nounced another discovery.

He found that the ground under the ashes was
broken and loose, and he was satisfied that the out-
laws, if such they were, bad buried something:
there. and. to conceal the spot, had burned the
wagon over it.

In a few moments. half a dozen men were upon
their knees removing the dirt from the spot with
their hands.

Down two feet from the surface of the ground
they came to a wooden chest, bound with strays of
"‘01).

Great excitement prevailed. and some of the party
could scarcely wait until the chest was unearthed
before tin-y began forcing it open; this was accom—
plished. however. and then another excitement
prevailed over the contents, which were quite
numerous.

The first article taken from the chest was a. map
of the territory—nothin more. Then came a num-
ber of letters. all of w ich had been addressed to
Hear! Roche, and were written in cipher. Two or
three of recent date were signed “ U. 1).," which all
believed stood for Ulric DuboisY the ci-tlerant scout
of the fort.

In the b ttom of the box were found plates, on-
gravt-rs‘ tools, various colored inks. am, in fact,
every thing retplurcd by a band of successful eoun<
torie-itcrsmld t ieves.

This satisfied our friends that the party they were
following was some of Rongle‘s robbers. (‘alvin
Gurdctte moaned in spirit when he [bought how

robuble it was that Nora was in the villains" lower.

9 was anxious to move on that night, but llS dc-
sire was overmled by Lubin. who informed him that
it would not only be impossible to follow a trail, but
decidedly dangerous.

“Thor‘s Injuns about, I‘m satisfied,” the scout
said, “and then i ain’t well enulT ‘quainled
with these parts to foller a trail artcr dark. Ye
see, trailin‘, as a success. don’t tie and entirely
on the pluinness o‘ the trail. but ones knowledge
0’ the kentry, courses, creeks. and the dangers
surroundin‘ ’cm. Now. if we could run across a
chap up in these digein‘s called Hawkeye Harry,
then we could travel day and night, fur they say it‘s
a pos‘tive fact that that boy can see jist as well in
the dark as a cat."

“ Where does he live?“ asked one.

“ »'Bout ten miles from here. He's a free ranger
or trapper, and a bold leetlt- (lure-duvil he is. too.
Hecan skin a beaver or skulp a red-skin uickcr
than you can wink. He comes to the to every
onc‘t in a while to buy powder and shot, and sich
like— Ahl what‘s that mean?" -

The old scout’s query wus occasioned by the faint
rcnort of a rifle echoing through the woods and
along the river.

“ I reckon it‘s young Parker’s rifle. said one:
“he left camp Soon after we halted to take a iitlle
hunt for door or turkey." .

True enough. Dick, as his uncle called him, was
gone. In the excitement occasioned by the finding
of the chest and its contents. all but the one man
had failed to noliw his absence.

“By Johokcvl" exclaimed Lubin.“1‘tl ‘n' never let
the vonker left if I'd see‘d him sturtin'. Ten to one
he'll git his ha‘r lifted More he sits back—chm-

iv

 

cos anuther rifle. The boy‘s in trouble! Com»,

elf a dozen 0‘ yel"

The old scout svized his rifle and glided away down
the river, followed by several of the dragoons. He
found Dick‘s tracks along the beach, and followed
them as rapidly as possible.

Half a. mile elow the camp he came to a sudden
halt, while a cry of surprise burst from his lips.

"What is it, Lubin?" asked one of the soldiers.

“Moccasin-tracks!" exclaimed the scout: “ I fear
thlelad’s a. gouer— God of mercy! that tells the
to c!

He pointed to a fresh pool of blood upon the
beach, and a bi oad. deep trail where something had
been drugged over the sand to the river‘s hank.

“ It's no use, boys, lookin’ furder. The red devils
have killed him and thrown the body into the river.
We‘ve got to git hack to the camp in a hurry and
hev thet fire put out. Come!"

They turned and hurried back to the camp with
the sad news of Dick’s disappearance. The fire was
extinguished and guards posted all mound the
camp. But, despite their Vigilance and excitement,
the night passed away without the least alarm.

The following morning the party “as in the saddle
and moving forward upon the trail of Henri Roche
and arty quite early. though not Lefore some
Eager ha been made in vain for Dick Parker‘s

o y. . ~

The sun was almost u on the meridian wht n the
party dcbouclied from t 1e timber into the mirie.

The first 0ij ct 11 you its undulating su (ice that
attracted our fricn s’ attention was a solitary horse-
man, galloping in a northwrsterly course.

They saw, by aid of a field- lass in possession of
the lieutemmt. that it was a. w ite man, and he rode
onward without appearing to see them.

He was too for away to be hailed by tho voico, do
lln' lieutenant lot k the bugle and gave a few sharp
pools with it.

'I he hi irsvmau turned. drew rein and gr zt'd inward
the party usthough to make out who tln y were——
win-th fricnns or foes.

To (-lllighlcu him the officer gave another blast
upon the bugle. at the same time waving his cup
above hishead. 'l‘helcupou the horSn-man wheeled
and galloped toward them.

When he was within a few rods. of the parly, old
Lubin gave a. shout of joy; thou turning to his
friends, said: .

“Boys. we‘re in luck. That teller 8 Hawkeye
Harry, the Boy Ranger."

CHAPTER XVI.
wno WERE THEY?

Bnronn Old Optic could have time to fire upon
Clouded Heart. Red Wing, who was standing by,
struck up the muzzle of his gun. and theibullet
whistled igh above the masked stranger‘s head.

The old trapper quickly confronted the chief and
demanded an ex lanation of his act.

“Would you s ay a friend?“ asked the chief.

“ No l" retorted the tra per; " but I would slay an
enemy. Didn‘t you see to makin‘ signs to them
In'iuns comin‘ out there ?‘ r’

“I saw him wave a. red scarf, but look through
the bushes, ale-face. and you can see that the
approaching orsemen are 711-! Indians.“ .

‘ Not lndiansl“ exclaimed Old Optic. as he peered
through an o oninz out into the plain. “Byheav-
ens, you are right, Red Wing! It is a party of dra-
zoons. and at their head I see that nob e be He wk-
eye Harry! Whoop! whoo l hurrah!” an the old
trapper hounded through he undergrowth out Into
thel prairie. where he was met by Hewkeye Harry
ant tiedrarzoons. _ .

“ Hullo, my voung friendl” exclaimed Optic;
“ you’re still on foot. eh?" '

“ch; though I have had some very narrow es-
canes." replied the young ranger. ".The rod-skins
got. me into ahayou last night and tried to burn me
out, and I only escaped by the skin of my ttcth,

1

 

 

 

Hawkeye Harry.

__v-. ...u -_»a

 

just in time to sink my tomahawk into the brain of I Huwkeye Harry and Red Wing took the lead to-

tne Sioux chief, Grav Hawk. But what are you do-
. lugI here, old friend .9"
he youth dismounted as he asked the question,
while Lubin, the dratmons and Mr. Garctte ad-
vanced and olned Red Wino: and his warriors.
. Old 0 tie rietly narrated all that had transpired
under is observation since Hurry had left the
gone}; including the startling informa'ion of Clouded

ear .

“Then you’re on your way to rescue your daugh—
ter?” said Harry, when he had heard the old trap-
per’s sad story.

“Yes,” rep led the tra per.

“Then you can depen upon compnnv and assist-

.ance. for these dungeons are going to the Sioux vil-

lage to rescue the au hter of that older] man on
the white horse. I tel you. Optic, ho is he father
of the sweetest little woman I ever so. r."

“ Ahi oh, yes; certainly," laughed 0H Optic.
“But if she is a captive, how did you see her?"

The youn ran er narrate i his late n‘lventures.

“ And Op ic," e continued. “I‘ll rescue that girl
in lose my own life by the act.”

“ In love!" said the old trapper; “crazy in love!

' But, Barr ,1 want you to keep your eyes upon this
masked s anger of whom I told you awhile ago.
He calls himself Clouded Heart, and I must admit
he is clouded in a. cat mystery."

“I’ll do so, Opt 0. Now let us see What I can see
of the stran er.’

The two allow-rangers joined the Indians and
dragoons, who had enter :d upon terms of friendship
and good-feeling.

Clouded Heart stood aside by hichlf, and as they
advanced, Hewkeye Harry noticed that be fixed his
glowing eyes upon the old trapper with in steady

nze.

For awhile he elicited much notice and curiosity
from the soldiers and Mr. Gardette, but when they
had learned of his sorrow, through Old Optic, their
attention became more of pity than curiosity.

A consultation was now held as to the proper
course to pursue in rescuing the captives. '1‘ ie two
parties had united their forces and were to act to-
gether thereafter.

They were now some ten miles from the Sioux
village, and it was suggested by Hawkoye Hurry
that they remain in the timber until night, and then
approach $116 enemy‘s stronghold under cover of
darkness. ‘he suggestion was no sooner i advanced
than acted upon, and in a few minutes the whole
party had gone into a temporary encampment.

The day wore away quite slowly to some of the
part , but by dusk every man was mounted and
ilnoging northward, guided by the young ranger and

u n.

It was far in the night when a point on the prairie
was reached, two miles from the Indian t'own. Here
a belt was made for further consultation in regard
to their course of action.

The suggestions advanced were many, and none
but those of Hawkeye Harry and Red Wing coin-
cided. and theirs was the one that all decided upon
as the most likel to be attended with success.

They ropos to leave the horses with asti-ong
guard, t n stml forward on foot to the village, or
close to it as they dare, without running into danger
before they were prepared to meet it. If the war-
riors had 11 returned from their exnedition. it was
thought b at not to make an att ‘ck upon the town
until they had seen what could b oncomplished in
theliir fgvory by stratagem, the white man’s first ex-
pe en .

The Indian town was located upon a small creek
flowing from Lake Okibogie. To the north of it, a
steepé wooded blui! aros iseveral hundred feet above
the vol of the valley. and extended down to the
encampment, most of which was infolded within the
shadow of the woods. South of the village a long,
treeless shrubless plain rolled away in gentle undu-
lations for many miles. ,

i I ~

 

ward the village. The crossed the creek 8. mile be-
low the lace, and a ter hours of toll reached a.
point in t e woods, in the rear of the town.

a reconnaissance was now to be made, and the
perilous job fell upon the Boy Ranger, Lubin, the
scout, and Red Wing.

Leaving their friends, the three crept forward
through the woods and soon gained a point on the
hill where they had a fair view of the town.

T e hour was late, but there were many fires
burning, and apparently every man, woman and
child was astir.

‘“ Thor's sumthin‘ no," whispered Lubin, “ or the
red imps would all be in bed.”

"Yes. the have war-dance," said Red Wing.

“Yes. an they’ve got a White male prisoner,

too." added Howkeve. “Look, nigh that central,

lo lge. tied to a post."

Lubin and the chief did as (liI'ECted. At the same
time a low exclamation burst from the lips of the
old snout.

“ By jinksi" he said. "that captive is Richard
Pnrknr! The boy weren‘t killed, urter all "

“ He is the young man that Mr. Gardette was
spea':in' of. eh?" ,

“ Yes. Heard ‘em say at the fort be war the
lover o’ G irdette‘s gal."

Harry started at this information. Was it ssi-
ble that Nora [lad u low-r? The thought wasa itter
one.

For some time the trio sat and watched the In—
dians moving about, apparently preparing for some
exciing cv ‘nt. What was it? Were they going to
torture Parks-r? ' >

If such was the intention, the idea was suddenly
abandoned, for they saw the prisoner taken to u
101ch and guards post-d around it.

Huwkeyc Hurry strained his eyes in hopes of get‘
ting a glance at Nora. but he was disappointed.

But he did see among the. Indians, moving about
in perfect freedom, Henri Roche and his men.

Gradually the savages retiri d and the campfires
died out, ut, betwc -n than) and the camp, our
friends saw a number of wary guards pacing to and
fro u on their beat.

Rec Wing pro used making a sudden attack upon
the village in t 16 dark. But Il-irry and Lubin op-
posed such a bloody course. Tlnay knew that the
Fox warriors were thirsting for Sioux blood. and, if
once under way, an indiscriminate massacre was
sure to be the result.

“No, no, Red Wing." said the youth: “ I hole a
Sioux as had almost as you do, but I'd never consent
to see their women and children murdered. And if
we should attack them and meet with a repulse, its
I believe we would, then it would make matteis
worse. Let us be patient: but. bah! talk of iience
to an Indian! But. boys. l'vco. plan in my cad to
rescue the prisoners, and if it should fail, nobody‘s
scalp but my own would have to pay the forfeit."

“ What is yer plan? Let’s hear it,” said Lubin.
ti The young ranger made known his plan of ac-

on.

“ Tl‘ll to one ye’ll git tomo‘ awkrd." said Lubin.

Red W mg was silent, which was proof that he did
not approve of the youth’s project.

“I know it‘s dangerous. friends, but, if I lose my
scalp, it won‘t be a serious loss. All I ask is our
ussisltapce or presepce on the other side 0 the
cree '.

“ Never fear; we’ll be there,” said Red Wing.

“ We’ll be there,” repented Lubin.

And together the two arose and crept softly away,
leaving Hawkevo Harry alone to nerve himself for
the eXecution of his dangerous and fearless under-
taking—all for the sake if Nora Gardette.

CHAPTER XVII.

snnsomo 'rss LION.
Nxou'r passed away, and the sun of another day
dawned upon the village of Black Buffalo. Still the

 

i

    
  

  

  

 

l
‘.
i.
i.
l
i

7.

 

 

 

 

 

 

. low tone, but rmitti
mii‘: “

- k - y knew naught of the foe that was en-
9HEEi3§qu°élr town for all they were vigilant and
scouts were constan ly on the move.

Close to the edge of the stream that divided the
wooded bluffs and great prams, stood the lodge of
Black Buffalo. Upon the south Side of the stream
was a steep precipitous bank that nrded well the
approach rom that direction. n a semicircle
around the chief’s lodge, touching the stream above
and below, the wigwains of the tribe were built with
no little predsion.

The Chief's lodge was well gum-de and he had no
fear of danger, for o, foe could not approach from
the south, nor could he pass the line of wl'clé- -up8
without bring seen. K

At an earl hour on the morning in ucstion, five
men took ticir departure from the ndian town.
They were Henri Roche and his men, startin back
for the contcnis of the chcst they had burie upon
the banks of the Boyer.

The chief found himself alone in his lodge soon
after the departure of the outlaws. The execution
of the young male ca. live, Richard Parker, was to
be postponed until {ochc’s return, consequently
quiet and inactivity prevailed. The worriorsloungcd
idly about their wxgwnins and slept in the warm
sun. Only their squaws were busy, bringing \vator
din] fuel and dressing game of the previous day’s
c insc.

But where was Nora Gardette.’ where was Gertie,
the captive child of the old trapper? and where the
child of Clouded Heart?

Ah! see yonder! Out from a neat looking little
lodge floats a bein fair as the sun ever shone upon.
ller skin is white, ut her movements and mannorn,
and gaudy, flashy ornaments and clothing, were
those of an Indian. But. seven years could change
the habits of a child into those of an Indian princess.
it must be Bertie, the child of Old Optic.

’l‘hc young princess crossed the opening between
the \vigwams and the lodge of the chief. and ap-
proached the latter structure. At the door she was
met b Black Buffalo.

“ at does my white daughter want?" he asked.
“I see that her face wears a cloud which tolls me
her heart is sad."

“My heart has always been sad, Black Buffalo,"
she said. “Ever since I was taken from my poor
pups and momma, I have known no happiness. But

come to inter-cede. for the life of the prisoner yon-
;lég,” and she pointed toward young Parker's prison-

gc.

The chief's brow clouded and a grim smile swept
OVK'r his face. . .

“ Then you love the pnlcvface prisoner?" he said.

The princess hung hcrlicad and blushed scarlet.
The chief noted her emotions and continued:

“ The ale-face youth shall die. You are to be the
wife of t e chief called Roche when three suns more
go down. Wan h!

The last exclamation was caused by the uncere-
monlons intrusion of a figure wrapped inn. great
blanket. into :the secret precincts of the chief‘s

e.

Bgfore the chief could utter a sinzlr word, the
figure threw aside the blanket, and there face to
face with the great Black Buffalo, stood fiawkeye
Harry, the ranger. /

The brave youth had come to heard the lion in
his den, and before the chief could recover suf-
ficiently from his Surpl‘lSl‘, a revolver was leveled
full at his head, and a firm, decided and unflinching
voice said:

“ Utter one word. Illnck Buffalo. that can be heard
outside of this lodge and you shall die!"

The chief fairly staggered backward before the
deadly fire of the youth‘s eyes. His great spirit was
quelled by the deadly weapon inted at his breast.
by a. hand he knew was never- ailing.

" What does the pale-face—“ the chief began in a
his voice to grow higher

Does he—"

with each “want cm?

 

Hawkeye Harry. . ‘ 29

 

" Stop 1” commanded Harry; “ not so loud! If
by word or action you make my presence in this
lodie known, 1 will shoot you dad I”

T «- chief was unarmed, and he saw that he was
com iletel in the youth‘s power. It was overa hun-
dre ya 8 to the u‘tck-e-tlps of the warriors; the
boy stood between him and the donr of his Gun
10 go, the flap of which was down; no sudden move-
ment could defeat the outh‘s purpose, for his durk-‘
gra eyes were fixed w th 8. steady, unwavering gaze
on is own black, scintillating orbs, and his fingt‘r
was upon the trigger of the weapon.

"I come," the youth continued, after a mo-
ment's hesitation, " for all the captives in your
hands."

If‘lUghl hain‘t got any,” replied the chief, in En-
g is 1.

“ You lisl“ exclaimed the youth; “ within the last
two days you have brought two, a. men and woman,
to your den. 1 want them; also, 9. ca tive'or two
that you have had for years—one name Gertie."

At this juncture a low cry burst from the lips of
the Indian princess before him.

“ Have you such a captive?" Harry continued.

“She stands before on," said the chief, “ but she
would rather stay wit the red-men than go back to
the pale-faces ”

The youth glanced at the youn princess and saw
abut zhe was not an Indian. His eart gave a joyous

oun .

“ Have you been a captive long, little princess?" he
asked. '
“Many years," she re lied.

“ Do you remember w at your namcisf"

“ Oh, yes, sir. It was Gertie—Gertie Gm .”

“ And would you rather stay with t ese red—
skins?”

“Not if I could go to my papa, or

“ You can. Your father awai s
away."

“ Oh, then I want to go to him! Poor papa, I al—
most forgct how he looks.”

“ Then you xlmll go to him. little princess.”

The brow of the chief clouded, and there was a.
convulsiw twitching of the facial muscles. and a
heaving of the chest, that told of terrible emo'ions
of Vengeance and fear that were struggling within

im. -r
“ I know. chief," continued Barry. L‘ it is a ct
damper on onc’s pride and manhood to be caug t in
such a fix as this. I got into your lodge—walked
right thvou h {our village wrapde in that blanket.
which I too rom one of your guards last night
when I took his scalp. But 1 have come for all the
captives in your town, and unless I get them you'll
have to die.“

"Have only that many captives,“ said the chief
holding up three fingers.

“ Is that so, princess?" .

“ There are onl'y two captives besides myself,” the
maiden answcrct .

“ hen I want them." said Hawkeye Harry.

“B ack Buffalo will 0 bring them. then," we id
the chief. in a tone whic our hero did not mistake.

“ No. you must not leave this lodge. You might
bring a pack of our warriors inst an of the prison-
crs. No, no, ch ef, you can’t catch me that way.
Send this princess. and let her bring the captives
here. She can tell the warriors that all sent for
them. When they are here, then/l wil remove this
revolver from its present dangerous position." ‘

The face of the chief grew bri ‘hter, and Harry
knew at once that he was meditat Over some de-
sign to thwart his intentions. Turn 3 to the prin-
ccss, he said:

“Go. pnlc rose, and bring the ca tlves hart. Let
their hands be bound at their bac . Tell the war-
riors that I sent you, and for none of them to come-.
un‘tii'i: Itiflllgmmhi r " said th' daring ’ '

‘ I 0. C e . 9 You!!! r8118”.
althgggh he fathomed the meaning of the last times
we ,

or momma."
you not far

’ i

 

 

 

. Richard Parker and Nora Gnrdette.

 

30

With face radiant with 10y. the little princess
turned. and glided from the odge.

In less than five minutes she returned, followed by
The latter was
pale and sad, but when her eyes fell upon Harry. 3

 

 

' cry of joy burst from her lips, and a light of love

beamed in her 9 es.

The captives‘ ands were bound, but. by direction
of Harry, they were untied by the princess.

” What is to become of us, anyhow, cousin Nora?"
asked Dick Parker.

“Set at liberty.” said Hawkevc Harry. “Young
man, take that rule. tomahawk and [cues that stand
behind the chief. and then, with the princess and
Nora. cross the stream to the prairie on the foot-log
thatks‘nans it just south of this lodge. Go, and he
qu c .

Grasping the weapons, Dick Parker. followed by
the two maidens. left the lodge and proceeded
toward the stream where it was spanned by an up-
rooted tree.

At this juncture a savage yell was heard along
the line of \vicwams. The warriors had been watch-
in the chief’s lodge, their suspicions or curiosity
helm: aroused by the princess leading the two rup-
tlves to the lodge. ‘And when they saw Parker and
the maid as, free and unguarded, moving toward
the stream, something: of the real truth of affairs

bed upon their minds. and seizing their weapons,‘

they started. with a yell. toward the lodge.

Hawkeye Harry was startled by the. yell. and the
hillifsh gleam that was flashed from the eyes of the
c e .

“The young pale-face has now got himself into a
tra .“ the chief said. with a fiendish smile.

9 youth backed from the lodge; then, turning.
fled after the three captives. r

With a. war-whoop that sounrle'l unearthly, Bla ‘k
guffaio shot from his lodge and called to his war-

ors. ,

The four whites hurried across the creek on the
log. and by command of Hawkeye l-Iarr . threw
themselves upon the ground in the tal prairie
grass. ,

The savages swarmed to the creek. and some of
them had sprung upon the log to cross. Bud-at this
juncture, fully t rec-score of forms arose from the
grass on the opposite side of the stream. and poured
a withering tire upon the savages. In dismay they
recalled. leaving a score of «lead lwhind.

Then arose the war-cry of the Fox warriors under
Red Wing, mingled with the triumphant shouts of
the rim oons.

The S oux fled beyond range. of the enemy‘s rifles

‘in the wildest confusion. Owing to the precipitous

hi ht of the bank 11 n which they stood, our friends
(ii not pursue. the ac.

Hawkeye Harry and his three captive friends now
hurried back to the rear. where a little group of
three, persons were standing holding a number of
horses. They were Old Optic, Calvin Gsrdrtte and
Clouded Heart.

Norawns clasped to her father’s heart, and both
wept tears of 0y.

And Gertie ray, the Indian princess, know her
father, Willis Gray. alim- Old Optic. after many
years of sorrow and 8e aration; and their meeting
was an affecting one. en, from Gertie's lips, he
listened ton long story of wrong and sorrow, in
which Henri Roche was the chief actor.

It is unnecessary for us to repeat her story, for it
nrovod a confirmation of the same story which
Clouded Heart told the old trapper. the night he
came to the Cone. After the first excitement of the
meeting of fathers and daughters was over. Willis
Gray as we will henceforth know Old Optic. took
Clouded Heart aside. and said to him:

"Clouded Heart. you have. told me the truth. My
darling wife. whol believed had deserted me for the
love of another. was true ll) me! Gertie confirms
your storyl Cecil. my wife, was drcoyed from home
weaptured and carried away into captivity by Henri

/

Hawkeye Harry.

 

Roche, for revenge. She was kept .. an... in
several years. and finally made her esca . bu
where s e is Gertie does not know; and. louder!
Heart, I shall never rest day or night until she is
found. For the information you gave me that has
led to the rescue. of Gertie. I thank you with all my
hfalrlt, and am sorry that you did not find your
c n t .

“ I dirl find her, though, Willis Gray,” replied the
masked stranger.

“ What!" exclaimed Willis Gray, “ you found your
child?"

“ Yes; Gert/'0 Gray is my child!“ ,

“ 0h. Godl then you are Cecil, my wronged wife?”
cried Gray, starting toward Clouded Heart.

The mask was thrown aside, and once. again. after
long years of heart-suffering. Willis Gray looked
upon the face of Cecil Gray. his wife!

CHAPTER XVIII.
coNoLvsmN.

TWo days following tin: events just recorded, a.

casual observer might have seen a number of buz-
znrds hovering over the forest, not far from the val-
ley in which was the encampment of Red Wing.
The filthy birds showed great anxietyin their move-
ments. for now they settled down, down, as though
ready to attack the harry; then they would start
up again with nffrig it. and poise themselves high
above the tree—tops u )on airy wing, and with naked
coral n~cks outstretc led. watch below. But what
we? they watching? Was it wounded deer or
we '2 -
No, it was a party of men. But why should the
birds be watching them? Did their instinct tell them
of the tragic scene that was about to be enacted
there within the silent wood—a scene that would re-
suit in a banquet to them?

Let us see.

The party stood in a little opening, and in a circle
itrouud five other men who were bound hand and

out.

The nrisnners—for such the bound men were— were

Henri Roche an i four of hismen. Their captors were
the dragoons, Hawkeye Harry. Richard Parker. and
others. And the St. ' that was now about to be
enacted was the execution of the robbers. A rope
was around each onr’s neck, which told the manner
by which they were to meet their end.
\ When Roche saw that the hand of justice had him
within its iron grasp. from which there was no es-
cape. his courage gave way, nnd, in hopes of mercy,
he divulged mme (lurk secrets.

Ho confessed his crimes in the separation of Willis
Gray and Ms wife. the abduction of Nora G'u‘dette,
and that he was Rat Roncle. the robber chief.

His object in abductng Nora was to exact a
princely ransom for her restoration to her father,
whom he know to‘ ho a wealthy man.

But :11] his schenn-s of wickedness had failed. and
he nn-t his inst reward, along with his associates.
tlwre in the forest.

   

h

The execution is over. Henri Roche is no more.
The party moves on. and those foul birds overhead
settle, down withth fear. But they start up again.
and soar cwrw with apparent disappointment. They
found no qlnrrv in the. woods. for the.bolies of the
dead had been interred by their executioncrs.

Upon the banks of the Boyer river, where Henri
Roche had buried his chest, the drazoons went Into
camp on their return from the Sioux town. Here
thev concluded to remain a couple 0f dch to rest
their overworked animals before continuing their
return to the fort.

Those two days were eventful ones in the lives of
Hawkeye Harry and Nora Gardett ~. They walked.
along by the river, and talked of the hour so hear at
hand when they must part. ’i‘hev recounted their
adventures together—spoke of their first meeting m

 

)

Hawkeye Harry. /_ 81

I,

the motto on the prairie. and the many trying dan-
gers that followed their flight from the outlaw’s
cam . At last they spoke of the future. This led
to the subject nearest each one‘s .heart—— love.
With heaving breast and tremulous lips, Hawkcyc
Hing-y breathed forth the love that had been awak-
cne .

And was his love rociprocated? How could it have
been otherwise?

Ere the returned to camp, the young ranger had
imprinre the first seal of love upon Nora‘s lips.

Where now were Richard Parker‘s hopes of the
future? We answer: they were centered upon Ger-
tie Gray.

In the mean time, Willis and Cecil Gray had wan-
dered forth into the woods, to talk over bygone
days, and recount their trials and troubles. It was
on the evening of their second day‘s sojourn by the
Boyer, and they were some distance from the camp.
when Gray came to a sudden halt, as he caught
sight of a thin column of blue smoke rising above
the tree-tops a short distance before him.

“ What is it. Willis?" asked his wife.

"Smoke. There must be a camp-fire out there,
and it maybe that of an enemy."

‘lNo, it IS not.” replied his wife. with a smile
“ You know, Willis, I told you I lived with brother
Tom, after my escape from the Indians. I first met.
him in the woods near here. Ho was an object of
despair, like myself. His family had all been mur-
dered in the Spirit Lake massacre. and he was
hunting the foe to wreak vengeance upon them. His
home now is in a cavern under the ground, from
whence that smoke is rising yonder. I have lived
with him there just six months. It was he who first
discovered that Old Optic was Willis Gray. But
come. and I will show you the cave.”

She led the way down to the edge of a little creek,
and then. pointing to the opposite side. said:

“The cavern is directly under that bank. and 0X-
tends out under the bed of the stream. That largo
basswood tree standing owr yondi-r is hollow, with
an Olpening far up among the branches. The hollow
of t in tree is open to the ground, and so connected
with the cavern as to servu in an excellent manner
as a chimney. it h puzzled a great many who
saw the smoke. but could not tell from whence it
came, and Hawkeye Harry is one of them."

_ _“ Yes; I remember now; he told me something of
it a few evenings ago." said Gray; “but where is the
entrance to the cavcrn?”

“ There are two entrances. One is concealed by a
large flat stone ovcrgro'an with moss. The other,
and the one brother and I mostly used, is under the
bad of (his Cl'ePk/"

“Wliatl you are jesting. Cecil '1” said Willis Gray.

" I am not, Willis. Brother found that tho cavcrn
extended under the creek, and to make our situa-
tion doubly secure, he made an opening up through
the center of the stream which at that thou was
perfectly dry. He then fixed a frame with a kind
of a trap-door over the opening, so that the water
could pass over it, as it was on a level with the bed
of the stream. thn the door was down. and
water in the creek, it washed sand and gravel
over the trap. thus concealing its presence from
view, and filling the crevices around the frame.
so that no water could find its way through into
the cavern. When we wished to go out we pushel
the trap upward, thereby turning t‘ 0 water from
about the opening, and enabling us to make an exit,
though we were always compelled to wrap a blanket
0r buffalo-skin around us to escape a thorough wet-
ting. as much water found its way into the cavern
when the door was up: the water. POWOVPP. 511d not
render the cave disagreeable, for it found its way
out immediately, through a narrow passage “Pep”?
into the creek at the foot of you rapids. My object.
Willis, in staying in the place was to be near you,

'mid search for our child. whom i lost track of aftrr
loaying the tribe, and of whom I never heard until
the day I worked the secret from Henri Roche, by

 

pretending I was dying,” and Cecil Gray laughed
at the remembrance of that meeting with the out-

law.

At this juncture a low exclamation burst from
Gray's lips, as he fixed his eyes upon the bed of the
creek he ore him.

He saw something thrust upward in the water, rc-
vealing a small cavity through which a dark, hairy
form suddenly appeared.

“’Tis brother!" cried Cecil. " Tom! Tom!"

The form leaped from t‘ e opening. tlmw aside
its hairy robe, and the next nstant Willis Gray
grasped his brotlicr-in-law, a tall. sad-looking man,
by the hand. I

When Cecil and her husband returned to camp on
the Boyer, her brother went with them, with the de-
termination of leaving the couniry forever.

Hawkeye Harry now received an explanation of
the mystery of the smoke ascending from the bass»
wood tree, and the hairy form he saw rise from the
bed of the crack and slay the Indian. and'Tom was
indeed the “Unknown.” The young ranger was not
a little sur iiscd when he learned. also. that the co-
cupants o the cave knew of his presence by the
creek that night.

But with this inystcr we are done.

The party resumed t icir jourucy to the fort, and
reached the point in due Fl ason and in safety.

And now came the “ lug of war"—-the parting of
friends and lovers. But, with the renewal of pledges
and love vows, in tears and entreaties, the separa-
tion took lace. . _.

Calvin ardctte and his daughter, Willis and Cecil
Gray and their daughter. departed for the East,
only for a short time. A year later found him in
one of the leading Eastern schools and stillaft-w
years latrr he wont to the home of Nora Gardettc,
mid claimed a fulfillment of their vows made years
ugone upon the banks of Boycr river.

With his young wife Hairy Houston went West,
where he laid the foundation of wealth. .iolnineuce,
and the best of all, a joyous and happy ife.

Richard Parker niurriod Gertie Gray, and theirs
“115.51 life as bright and full of sunshine as the life
of Gcrtic’s parents had been dark and clouded.

THE END.

DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS

FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS
AND II OME ENTER TA INMEN TS.

Blalogucn, Nos. 1 to 31 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu-
lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol-
ume 100 pages 12mo.

Speakers, Nos. 1 to 21 inclusive. Each speaker
100 pages 12m0. containing from 50 to 75 pieces,

 

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES.

Dime Book of Winter Sports.
Dime. Book of Summer Athletic Sports
Dime Gents“ Letter Writer.
Dime Book of Eti unite.
Dime Book 0 Verses.
Dime Book of Dreams.
Dime Fortune Teller.
Dime Ladies' Letter Writer.
Dime Lovers’ Casket. ‘
Dime Ball-Room Com anion.
Dime Book of 1 Games.
Dime Chess Instructor.
Dime Book of Beauty.

WThc above lmoks are sold h newsdealers
everywhere, or will be scut,post-paid. to any ad-
dress. on receipt of price. ten Gems each. Bun“
AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William st.. N. Y. _

 

 

 

 

PRICE, 1' IVE CENTS;

../9EADLE:.

POCKET LIBRARY.

39 e 03*} 939993 9370 070970 _o o _o_c>w A /‘ Ao_o~pv9_ovoioggp 0 19703 0 o c c o o o o o

ISSUED EVERY V ' / WEDNESDA Y.

 

 

 

1 “ralrgng‘mr333:: m“  l 38  mg?  By
2 KfltlégfllBlio grilThe Red Right 39 Dfimgllg $1230, the Unknown Scout. By 4
. . a 1 .
3 Tamar 5;."p‘::&§s§ll.§¥§lfi°;§?‘“ 4°  2mm M By  J-
4 'l‘IlIergézllgg 0 Dagger!“ By Edward‘ 41 D§?d“é01(‘)l%vg)llck’s Eagles. By
J. . ( war . 68 61‘.
5 lyéeA'illggo Detectives. By Albert 1 4g  ggrlger Kiggh By 011 Coomes.
6 Th}: Prairie Pilot. By Buffalo Bill. 1 44 The Wlnifer’l'ndianmgtbgegrgg'
7 'I‘JIGPR‘TEIO gefion gd 011-. 3316 Bor~ ‘v F. 0. Adams. . p I I
or u urea. y war 4‘ , 1100161: \ 45 Bllckhorn Bill. 13 E. L. Whe le .
8 A 6-1 fagggszlbe, the Boy Gmde- By ‘ 46 'l‘IlIIle S'rhadow ShimyBy Col. Pregtigs
. ‘ ; gra mm.
9 Njezgglfgdfivfififfgngfllt. By‘ Texas . 47 TIlIIc rhea Brotherhood. By w. J.
‘ ~ . . ‘ _ aml on.
10 “BayflEzhl‘grlgeI-Jlgggpce of the Pistol. . Randly Jack. I Byjr, C. qubaugh.
11 Ralph Roy the Boy Buccaneer. Bv “"1; (mm Bi 1'» h J‘ E' Imdger’Jr'
Col Prenms ingrahnm . .) n._ e Hand. Ly: W. J. Harnllgon.
l2 Niall 0’ lho Night ' hr The Boy Spy ailtmg-lfguwrjge ByP‘b'“ ame‘
or ’76. By T. C. Harl’muéh. 1 Rill‘ll’alo‘lziller no in Room By
13 Yfivgsévefgiouc Jat'k- By Joseph E- ‘ Gnu} inky-L twhfi: islmrpshootpr.
_ - v - y 7 l y tcwur . ee er.
1-1 lglgdgrifilia amegflpr Claude Duml- 0251155.»; Cabin. By Captain J. F.
15 m'amona n'irk. 'By' Col. lnzralmm. ‘ r ' “ms' .
10 geegfiiénlm, Prince of the Prairies. [ 0'5 n§;;wfi:rgnlzfigfeghe Young Ranger
y ‘oomes. ‘ r ' v ' . ‘ r
17 OBI-cam]; “a”: ynrerigkAwdmmesk Boy i :6 %%ilrgg'nl “Intern. By \\. J.
py. y 3.1).... «. ,. ams. . ,
18 Death-Face the Detective. By Ed- "7 DM‘E‘WM nick 0" Beek' By E-
' ward L. Whee er. I" “ I“ “an
, 19 Lasso Jack. By 011 Gnomes. J58 Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes.
~ 20 lflgfiggRfiggfgsggggggggggrgI 59 'l‘Ihe'lflroy nuelm. By Col. Prentiss
21 The Boy ('}lo\vn.' ByF‘. S. Finn. “gm ‘lm' . .
22 The Phantom Miner. By Edward 60 ‘1'.“ 0"“: the CYO‘V'Kmer- BY A- “-
L Wheeler. Am”-
32 glue 511;“ Cling By Calgptblfi. thiltaker.‘ 61 “fil'illrflyv‘ghlllrllo, the Boy Bravo.
n- um . py. y foomes. y M. . lee er.
25 llnullnwllubc. B Harry Sb. Geor e. . y . -
26 Old [xvi-lunches t w Grout Annihi a- 6g  $5553.? the Boy Dete tlve' I y
tor. By Edward L. Wheeler. ; V' .
27 Glaflrnge‘ the Great Shot of the 63 $01 (.lnger, the Gan Trapper. By A.
West. y Capt. J. F. 0. Adams. W» Ame"-
28 The Boy Captain. Big B. Stqrbuck. Rosebud Boll. By E. 1:. Wheeler.
2" “11:315.. "at'lwi'l‘fiF”‘%$l...£$¥efi‘xp"°“l - L'L’l'!""'=r 400, the  of the
30 Bah Wm)“. um Border Ruffian By l Pl‘alrle. By: ( apt. J. k. C. Adams.
Edward L. \éheeler' ‘ _ Klt Harcloot, the Wood-Hawk. By
31 Nightingale Nat. B T. C.Hurbau;:h. l '1- (‘- Hmm"$"~
32 BJhlck 10:313. the Dad Agent. By Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By OllCoomes_
0-59 1‘ E- ‘1 “0" J" [fly], the Girl Miner. ByE. L. Wheeler.

33 Omn a 0]] the Masked Terror. By
Edward L. eeler. Detective Dick 3161'. The Hero in

34 Burt 'Bunker, the Trapper, B571 Rags. By Charles orrls.‘

math—hi:-
DJ NHO'JW

:1

:n
)3

35 £33516}: ‘iii‘il‘lfi. By A.C.1r0ns‘ Béadle’s Pocket Library}: for sale
36 The “I um nnfl‘alo. By G80" E. l by all Nmysdealers. five cufnts per co y, or
Lnsalle. . sent by man} on receipt of 51x cents eac .

 

37 Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Edward L. l‘ BEADLE & A991“, Publishers.
Wheeler. 2 93 William Street New York.

I
O . m: