I 

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Copyflghkd, 1884, by BIADLI Arm ADAMI. Entered at tha Post 0mm at New York, N. Y., M Second Class Mail Muller. Nov. 5. 1884.

 

2.50 Published Week] b Beadle and Adams ,
Vol: IV! IQYenr. No. 93 anAmys-r” NEW YORK. ’ 11:35:11“. N0! 43'

llLl] HICKORY; MANDY ELLIS’S SCALP.

BY HARRY ST. GEORGE,
AUTHOR or “RA'm‘Lma RUBE," "ROARING RALPH Rocxwoon,“ mm, ETC.

 

 

 

 

 

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NO SOONER HAD THE MOUNTAINEER READ IT THROUGH THAN BE BURST INTO A HEARTY LAUGH.

 

 

  

, AUTHOR or

\

1 ye chaw,,chaw, chaw.

I Old Hickory;
PANDY ELLlS’S SCALP.

BY BARRY ST. GEORGE,

“ RATTLING nuns," ” ROARING
RALPH nocxwoon," ETC., ETC.

 

‘ CHAPTER I.
THE FOREST CHASE.

“ ’TARNEL snakes and bufflers! This here are
jest the worst event of my life. Time was
when Blue Beans could hold his own with any
man living, and chew up a. stove just as easy as
not, but on that venison I own I’m dead heat,
chiefs Why, bless me, Powder Flash, if I
wouldn’t like to swear that this buck is the
identical one that entered the Ark with Father
Noah, though I expect you don’t know a thing
about it. Hang it all, chief, I’ll light up my
pipe here, and have the satisfaction of seeing

u chaw away l”

“Better than nothing; Powder Flash have

strong teeth; chaw, chew; chew. Blue Beans
sumhepchief eat up whole deer.”
“ l’d give a heap to see ye do it. No use try-

in’to deceive me, chief; ye can't make black
white. That venison is tough as injy-rubber.
I'member the time Ralph Rockwood and this
chickenvgot lost up among the snoweovered
hillame it' Red river, Game was awful scarce,
and "we came so near going under that we had
to cook our old moccasins. I tell ye, chief, they
was a luxury beside that venison. You can
chaw away. but 1' know ye’re just doing it for

‘ I spite, so the old buck won’t quite get the best of
2 .‘ye. It’slmighty plain to me, however, that he’s

having his revenge for your shootin' him. Thar
Well, Injins are obsti-
nate 'as mules, every day,” with which Blue

Bea'ns lapsed into silence.
' His companion smiled a. trifle, but kept up his
continual munching upon the large piece of

__ tough venison that he held between his teeth.

He was a full-blooded Indian, a chief among the
Comanches, whose intimate relations with Blue
Beans had existed for several years.

The hunter had done him a. signal service, for
which the chief swore eternal friendship, and
together they had roamed the prairies since
that day.

Blue Beans sat and watched the chief with an
amused smile upon his face, but nothing could

disturb the serenity of Powder Flash, who

munched awa with the equanimity of a quartz-
mill, althoug it was extremely doubtful
whether he extracted any satisfaction from the
leathery substance.

Around them stretched the great forest, which
ended only at the base of the mountains behind
which they had seen the glorious sun sink when

j evening came on.

‘ The silence of the night'was unbroken, save
by the distant bowl of some prowling wolf on

-:the war-path for plunder. or perhaps the shrill
la of the cowardly coyote that kept in the
dar est spots ed the wood.

Old Hickory.

 

__4.

Occasionally a lonely owl, that had perched ~

itself upon some neighboring dead tree, gave
vent to a dismal boot, that rung out with start-
ling distinctness through the stilly darkness of
the night.

To all appearances these two strangely-ash
sorted chums were alone in the heart of this
western wilderness, but the thought seemed in
no way to bother them.

Blue Beans was a man somewhere in the
neighborhood of fifty years of age, but who still
retained the vigor of youth. His good-humored
face was partly covered by a grizzly beard that
gave him rather a rough appearance; but one
needed on] to glance into his merry blue eyes
to be convmced of his honesty.

Powder Flash was garbed more like a white
hunter than a Comanche chief, but in any
habiliments his noble form would have render-
ed him a striking personage. '

A small fire had been started, for there was
but little fear of detection, as they had pitched
their camp in a sort of depression or hollow,
which would prevent any possibility of the
blaze being seen at a distance.

The deer Powder Flash had brought down
just at evening; it proved to be the toughest
piece of meat that human jaws ever wrestled
with, and Rube‘s ached as it he had just come
from the dentist.

It did him a world of good to sit there and
watch his iron-jawed and determined comrade
make ’way with the old buck.

Suddenly Blue Beans gave a perceptible start,
although he continued smoking calmly.

“ Hist i” said he, in a whisper.

“Blue Beans, spit ’um out. Powder Flash
hear ’um even if chaw, chaw, chawl”

The chief did not even look toward his com-
panion while uttering these words in a low
tone, and any one ten feet away would have
been ignorant of what was passing.

“ Thar’s enemies up in the trees over yonder,
01d man—heap of ’em, too. I seen their painted
bodies a-glisteniu’ in the fire-light just now.
They’re watchin’ us, chief; their eyes are fixed
on e like as if they knowed who ye were and
he a. 5 its to work out. Shouldn’t be a bit
surprise if they were some of Buflalo Horn’s
critters, and ya know he’d give a wheen to lay
hands on you and me.”

“ What Blue Beans mean to do?” asked the
chief, with his face still turned away from his
companion, and his jaws working like a. mod-
ern sauss e-chopper.

Evident y there was not much scare to either
of them.

“ Thar’s no mistake about. the matter; we
must make a run for it, old boy. When you
hear me yell out ‘ Now." do you get behind
that tree likea streak of geased lightning, or
else there won’t be enou of ye left to fill a.
'bacca pipe, for them reds ave got a dead head
on us chief.”

As e spoke these last words, Blue Beans arose
to his feet. The pipe was emptied in a careless
way, and stuck into his belt. Then the‘hunter
raised his arms above his head, giving a tremen-

dons yawn at the same time, as though he was ‘

exceedingly tired.
“ Now I"

 

   
    
  
 
    
    
    
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
      
       
       
     
    

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i
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Old Hickory; ‘ y

The word fell from his ii 3 with the ab-
ruptness of a ball discharged rom a gun. As
he spoke, Blue Beans pounced upon his rifle,
that lay upon the ground, like a. hawk descends
upon a dove-cote, and then sprung behind an
enormous tree that grew close at hand.

Nor was the Comanche chief less rapid in his
movements, even though he was seated upon
the ground when the word was given. He was
rightly named, for his gun was in his hands, and
himself on the way to join Blue Beans, almost
like a flash. Several guns were discharged, and
the bullets plowed up the ground the two had so
lately occupied, for the Indians, disconcerted by
this sudden move, could not help banging away,
even though it was evident that their balls
would do no damage.

When the chief gained the shelter of the huge
tree, he found his companion there, crouching
in the shadOW, and peering around the trunk in
search of their enemies.

“ What do, Blue Beans?" asked the Indian.

“Run for it, chief. Wait—give me a fair
chance. One, two, three, the devil take the
hindmost—go l” and with the last word they
piped away, side by side, like two phantom

gures.

A terrific howl from the rear, and then the
pattering of many feet, told the two friends
that they were being hotly pursued.

They ran like racevhorses, and kept well to-
gether, which in itself was rather remarkable,
considering the many obstacles that came in
their way.

It was not pitch dark in the forest, else both
pursuers and pursued would have met with
many disasters, for it kept them pretty busy
leaping over fallen trees and stumps, and avoid-
ing those that stood erect.

Whether the fugitives Were the better wood—
men, or were naturally gifted with stronger
eyes, one cannot say, but, while they ran on
undisturbed. their pursuers began to decrease in
number slow]y. ,

One feIIOW took a sudden notion to use his
nose for a plow, judging by the way in which
he glided along on it after tripping over a stone.
A second began hugging a tree as if it was his
dearest friend, while a third vanished from view
in a hole left by the roots of a gigantic tree
being torn bodily out of the ground by a
Norther.

Blue Beans could not note these several catas—
trophes, but be readily understood that the
number of their pursuers had decreased one-
half. There could not be over two or three in
pursuit, and the idea of running from them was
absurd.

A word to Powder Flash that was well under-
stood by that eyer-ready individual. and the
two came to a sudden halt. crouching behind
some bushes that dpromised friendly shelter.

Ten seconds he hardly assed before several
shadowy figures came rus ing up at a furious

ace. When the hostile Indians had all shot by
hem like so many phantom racers, the two
friends arose.

Powder Flash began to chew away at his tough
venison at the point where he had left off. much
to the amusement of his friend, who declared
that even a moderate earthquake would hardly

 

I

disturb the equanimit of the chief, all of which
Powder Flash listen to in sober silence, only
remarking in the end:

“Chief say ’um eat whole deer. Do it, if
teeth no fall out. Blue Beans keep watch of
’um.” at which the hunter laughed again, as if
the joke really was comical. ,

 

CHAPTER II.
A PREMIUM 0N rumor ELms‘s TOP-KNO’I‘.

THE glorious sun was nearing the fardistent
mountain tops in the west, and his slanting, but
still-powerful rays forcud an entrance through
the branches of the forest trees.

Three hunters were striding through the
woods upon this afternoon, the foremost of
whom bent over occasional] as if to examine
some marks that were deep y imbedded in the
ground.

All of them were garbed in the habiliments
of western rangers. wearing suits of buckskin
and Indian moccasins. Their head-gear was pos-
sessed of a difference, that, to say the least, was
venerable.

The leader had on a cap made up in a uniqgie
fashion from squirrel-skins, with several bus y
tails dangling down his back. Just behind him
came a strange-looking man, whose head-cover-
ing consisted of an old white beaver hat that
had seen rough usage, judging from its appear-
an0e.
spirit of fun. for he was one of the oldest and
best-known rangers of the border.

The last of this tramping trio was one whose
appearance was most striking. He wore a large
felt hat that had once been a delicate cream:
color, but which the combined forces of sun,

wind, dirt and rain, had transformed to arusset-'

brown.

This effectually shaded his face, but when it'

was removed it gave a view of a weazen little
face, with sparkling eyes and a ray mustache.

That set of featurcs was well- nown on the;

border.

The leader of this trio, he with the squirrel-'

cap, was Rocky Mountain Joe. Behind him
was the no less celebrated Roaring Ralph Rock-

wood, the great “Rooster from the Colorado
Canvon,” and the hindmost no other than famous ‘

old Bolly Wherrit, the chum of Pandy Ellis. the
prairie prince.

Rocky Joe was a noted trailer, and it was b i
the united voices of the others that he took h s
place at the head.

Bolly had not seen his eccentric old chum for
over six months, as he had been East, seeing the

sights among the large cities, and he found it ;

hard to get on Panniy’s trail.

Not that it was dificult to find tracks of the ,

veteran prairie prince. The very first town in
the Southwast that he and his two traveling
companions struck, they heard of a terrible
fight Pandy Ellis had had with a lot of despera-
does. who. hearing of his identity, thought they
would perform a good deed for their class, by
“ wiping him out.” ’

The assault was wholly from their side, and3

Pandy was ta ken unawares, but he was always
prepared for such work. When the three rents

v.

Probably the hunter had donned it in a,

\

 

, bore the writing of a white man.

4. Old Hickory.

 

are asked the Eresult, their informant quietly
took them on of town, and pointed to four
’ freshly-made graves.

Nothing more was needed; the reply was the
eloquence of silence.

In other places they heard of the old ranger,
but he was still alive at the last reckoning.

Through the wood the three hunters lramped,
with the sky turning to a beautiful crimson in
the far west, where the sun was sinking behind
the bills for his night’s rest.

Rocky Joe bent over to see the trail, while the
others kept their eyes about them.

“ Hold hard tharl" said Roaring Ralph, all of
a sudden, and the three came to a pause.

The trailer was discovered to have found
something of more than ordinary interest in the
marks upon the ground, for he got down on his
knees and laid his hand upon the trail, as if
afraid of losing the place, before he would raise

3 0 95.

Roaring Ralph was gazing intently at some-
thing on the trunk of a tree not ten feet beyond.
He took several steps forward and then found
his suspicions confirmed. It was a piece of

per, nailed to the tree, the bark of which had

en chopped away in this particular spot.

Bolly and Roaring Ralph saw that the aper

Their orest
teaching could tell them that it had been placed
here after the great storm of a month before,
but Rocky Joe ad to be called up to decipher
the letters, which were so many hieroglyphics
to the two rangers.

No sooner had the mountaineer read it through
than he burst into a hearty laugh.

“Bu’st my moccasins if that ain’t good now l”

‘ he exclaimed.

“ Hvar we air, like Patience on a monument,
smilin’ at grief; at least you’ll be grievin’ purty

" soon, Joey, ef ye don’t hurry us wid ther trans-

,

)ation," growled Boll

“I beg your partlhn, kimrades. Listen ter
the richest ,‘loke that was ever panned out on
the border,’ and in a slow tone, so that’ they
could catch the full force of the joke, Rocky
Joe read the “ Notice. "

The language and writing suggested a. white

- man or half-breed, but this was explained by

the lacard itself.
ca \ran:

“We the undersigned. chiefs of the great Sioux
nation. do offer as a reward, one hundred buflalo
robes, fifty black 10: skins, and two hundred beaver
pelts; in addition to thisthe rifle with a silver-glued
stock, a keg of gunpowder, and a barrel of w lskv,
to the person or persons who will bring in the scalp
of Heavy Knife, otherwise known as Food Ellis.
This reward will be paid by any one of the to lowing

This is the way the famous

chiefs at their separate camps.
" (Signed:) “ Bmam Hoax,
“ Ran CLOUD,

“ Cmr Hosea,
“ Gaassv Omar,
" YELLOW Doe,
“ Bum SNAKE, and
“ Yowa-Mm-mm or-ms-Honsns.
“Dom Jon, ScIibe."

Rocky Mountain Joe read this through from
5 beginning to end, and then turned to survey bis
bomrades. Their faces showed the blankest as—
tonishment. _ ‘ '

 

“ Trowers and tomcatsl” ejaculated Ralph.

“ Thet beats me," murmured Bolly Wherrit,
and then with a chuckle that bespoke infinite
satisfaction he added: “ Thar; the ole man hez
reached the to 0’ his ambition. Be allers sed
az how he w’u’ he parfectl y happ w’en he c’u’d
git a reward ofiered fur his son p. Thet thar
tickles me, boyees. How they must hate my
Pandyl I’m 'Pst dyin’ ter see the ole man; hain t
set eyes on im these seven months back, but
we’ll find him jest ther same az ever. I’d know
them dirty buckskins (mine’s clean alon side 0’
’em) and his face among a thousand. andy
Ellis never c’u’d disguise iisself from us.”

Bolly and his companions had not the slightest
idea in the world that these words were over-
heard, but such was really the fact.

A long lank form crouched in the shadows
already gathering in places, and chuckled and
shook all over with silent laughter, but never a.
word escaped his lips, neither did he betray
himself to the three old hunters.

“Tell ’ee w’at,” exclaimed Belly at length,
after they had stood and admired the workman-
ship of“ uskyJoe ” for several minutes “ thar’s
sum fun here in store. Joey, do ‘ee take down
Ihet leetle paper. Listen ter me, boyees; I
sw’ar ter pin it ter the flap 0’ Buffier Horn’s own
lodge, an’ that store many suns hev gone

i

“ Fiddles an’ fryin’-pans! thet air an ijee, I
must say. I’m wid e, Bollyl” and Roaring
Ralph’s and sought t e other’s.

“ Count me in, every time, boys,” said Rocky
Mountain Joe, earnestly.

“Jest like ther reckless youngsters,” mutter-
ed the concealed man to himself.

Rocky Joe had at length succeeded in detach-
ing the pa er, which he handed to Bolly Wher-
rit, who, a ter folding it up, calmly proceeded to
place it away in his pocket.

Little did these three great hunters suspect
that the man who had Pandy Ellis’s gray scalp
in his possession, and was on his way to the In-
dian town with it, lay not thirty feet away.
What they would have done had this fact been
made manifest it is dimcult to say.

“ What about the trail?” asked Rocky Moun-
tain Joe; “ thar’s something I’d like to show
you, boys. only it’s got too dark. That critter’s
got friends among the reds, I reckon.”

“Crawlers an’ catamountsl the thing’s quite
probable. Chop me inter mince-meat, an’ chuck
me inter a. cap-barrel at I don’t think yc’re
finite right, Joey. W’en we go ter Buffalo

orn’s willage ter hang up the fiddle an' the
bow, otherwise that little paper Bolly kerries, I
think we’ll come afloat our game thar; shoot
me through a waterfall of I don’t. It’s me that
sez it. Roaring Ralph Rockwood, you bet.”

“Wal, then, w’lle Rall an’ me go ter hunt
out a good cam in'—groun , do ye mark the spot
whar ye of. t e last squint at the trail, Joey.
That will’ n hez tar be run ter the airth at it
takes a year, fur w’en Bolly Wherrit makes an
oath, hes bound ter kerry it out. Poor fellerl
who'd ’a’ thort that the wery fu’st news we
heer’d on gettln’ near our ole stampin’-ground,
w’u’d be the death 0’ pore Tom Grampus. My
cuss upon his murderer, thet’s w’at I sezl”

The unseen listener started as if this was news V

Old Hickory. B

 

to him, but he heard nothing more. for the hun-
ters separated, Joe going back to the spot where
he had left the trail.

CHAPTER III.
MYSTERIOUS OLD HICKORY. ,

IN a glen where the undergrowth and trees
obstructed the sides, and rendered a passage
more than ordinarily difficult, a very small fire
crackled and blazed.

It had been built I] on a spot that was chosen
by wise old Bolly herrit, and it is doubtful
whether a better could have been found, where
the chances of the light’s remaining undiscover-
ed were concerned.

Around this blaze the three friends gathered,
each with a large piece of juicy venison fastened
to the end of a ramrod or stick, nnd cooking in
the heat, while the owner occasionally varied
the performance by turning the novel spit.

Bolly was arguing a knotty point with his
friends in regard to some law of the border,
which seemed to have a special adaptation to
their mission in this wild and unfrequented part
of the country.

He had just reached a flight of oratorical
brilliancy, when the legitimate use of words was
entirely forgotten or ignored, and the speaker
plunging into his subject with the fire of a
Cicero or a Demosthenes, was waving his disen-

aged arm wildly above his cranium, when a
fioarse voice from some unknown quarter ejacu-
lated the single Word:

“ Hullo !”

The orator immediately sprung to his feet, in
which act he was followed by Rocky Mountain
Joe. As for the reckless ranger, he continued
to he at his ease beside the fire, keeping one eye
on his supper, and allowing the other to rove
around in search of the owner of that mysteri-
ous voice.

Bolly and Joe were staring their amazement,
for surely the bail had come from the left hand
bank of the ravine, and yet not a. sign of a.
human could they see.

“ Hullo, down their !"

This time Bolly si hted the dim outlines of a
human figure 11 on t e right bank.

“Hullo yerse f, stranger!” he answered.

“ Room fur wun more?" asked the fellow who
had hailed them. _

“ Allers thet, pervidin’ he’s a friend.”

The man begIan to apprOuch the fire.

“I reckon .kim under thet catergory, at
least I wull ef won 0’ you gents kin ’blige me
wid a. chew. My ’bacca run out some time
back. Ahl t’ank lee, ole hose!”

“My name ain’t ole hoss. I’m the ginuine,
only and unadulterated wild-cat o’ the perairies,
Bollv Wherrit.”

“I’ve heard 0’ ye. ole hoss. Shake on it, an’
who air these youngsters?” asked the stranger,
as he grasped Bolly’s hand.

The rsons indicated might have felt in-
sulted y this term, but the first glance at the
new-comer had revealed a tall man, with snow-
white hair that fell upon his shoulders and a
heard of the same color, that eflectually con-
caeled the lower part of his features.

The upper half was shaded by an immene
sombrero, so that all they saw of the stranger’s

 

 

M

face was the twinkling of la eyes through ‘the
shadow of his broad—rimmed hat. ‘

He was dressed in a new suit of buckskin that
was several degrees too large for his lank frame
and carried weapons that seemed to be of a re-
cent make, for they possessed all the latest im-
provements.

Bolly took upon himself the task of introdu-
cing his two comrades.

“ This hyar critter air a roarer from the Col-
orado canyon, Ralph Rockwood by name. He
kin lick his weight ten times over 0’ reds. w’ic
air recommend enuff. T’other chile air Rock
Mountain Joe, who lived alone in the big hil a
for five years an’ more. Now, stranger, who
mou’tynu be? I’ve never seen yer phiz afore,
an’ that‘s snyin’ a heap for Belly Wherrit.”

Tie other indulged in a chuckle that seemed
to come from his moccasins, and then in his
strange, hoarse voice he said:

“ Never heard 0‘ me? We], now, that’s more
thnn passin’ strange, az—az my ole gran’ther
used ter remark. My name hez been a terror
ter ther red-skins fur forty years an’ more. I’m
known 92 Old Hickory, leastways thet’s wun o'
my names. for I hev heaps 0’ em. I’m death
on all 0’ ther p’izen critters, an' no mistake.
I’m out hyar on a mission, w’ich aira secret
like. but if ye hev no ‘jection I wouldn't mind
tarryin’ along wi’ ye a spell. Ef thar’s goin‘
ter be ary a scrimmage wi’ ther reds ye’ll find
Old Hickory ar’ a right smart hand wi’ his r0
peatin’-rifle, fur he’s jest death on scrimmages,
an’ no mistake.” ’ '

“B’ars’ claws an’ bnfiler-hoofsl Ole man, guv
us yer pawl Ye talk like an ancient ranger.
True, I never heard 0’ ye afore, which airm
loss,I reckon. Ef ye’re in search 0’ a r ,
cling ter ne. Thar’s my hand on it; its me

thet sez it, Roarin’ Ralph Rockwood, you bet.’ '

1:19 white—haired ranger took the hand 'oflered
to im.

“ I hev a chum, 0]: boss, but az he hez gone
back on me, I reckon you an’ I kin hitch teams
fur a w'ile without ary a wun being hurt. Now
what air ye fellers a—doin’ in this glory forsaken

part 0' ther kentry, cf I ain’t imfiudent in [nab .\ 'l

in’ ther inquiry l” inquired Old ickorg.
“Painters an' powder-horns! nota it of it,
seein’ az you an’ me haVe struck up a sorter al-
liance, ’fensive an’ defensiwlike. Thar waran
ole friend of ours named Tom Grampus, w’et
war murdered in cold blood by a Varmint w’at
we’re trailin’ down. Then thar’s Belly, w’at
wants ter hunt fer his chum. Pandy Ellis. We

seen a si n over yonder offerin’a big reward -'

for the co man’s skulp, an'mebhe he’s gone
under."

“You bet he hez,” murmured Old Hickory,
whose sharp eyes were roaming in every direc-
tion at once, as it seemed.

“ W’at’s that ye saidl" demanded Ralph.

“Nothin’, nothin’; I’m in the habito speak-
in' like ter my5elf at times, an’ hardly now
w'en I do it," the new-comer hastened to say.

“That‘s all right, I reckon, Hardner; every ‘ I

man hez his pEculiarities, an’ I lsw’ar ye he?
got the peskiest croaky wolce I ever did hear.
Grunters an’

lion ter that— mean it all in fun. It‘s me
sez it, Roarin’ Ralph Rockweod,'you bet."

b—grinders, don’t take excep- ‘

 

 

3 Old Hickory.

 

“ I’m alflred so ter hear yer news, chums,
fur I knowed th ole man well, an’ many a.
time we slept under ther same blanket. Thet
war w’en [flourished under another name, an’
war avartuous boyee. Poor Tom! never ter
seehim again! I’m wi’ ye, heart an’ soul, kum-
~fades. Gone ter thet bourue from w’ich no
traveler ever returns, az—az my gran’ther used
ter sa .”

' “Thet gran’ther war a remarkable man, I
sh’u’d say," uverred Bollv Wherrit, dryly.

“Thet be war,” croaked Old Hickory, with a.
fearful chuckle.

“Would you mind telling us what you are
doing up in this region?" asked Rocky Joe, Who
seemed to share Bolly’s dislike and sus icion of
the white-haired man, who kept his ace con-
cealed so studiously.

Old Hickory looked confused. He hemmed
and-h'iwed a minute, fingered :1 little bag that
was suspended from his shoulder byastrap,
rather nervously.

If the three hunters had only known what
was in that little bag. Wouldn’t they have gone
almost crazy with fury! The reader might as
Well know the truth, so that a. proper estima-
tion can be had of Old Hickory.

The venerable scoundrel actually had the
scalp of old Pandy Ellis in his possession, and
was even then on his way to claim the reward
offered by the Sioux chiefs.

Wl‘iereand by what means he had made ’way
with the famous prairie ranger, is not consistent

.with the interest of my story just now, to re-

ate.

* What a reckless rascal this white-haired man
must have been to have ventured into the midst
of these men, who were the avowed chums of
the man whom he had disposed of, and whose
gray hair he had in his possession.

Old Hickory invented a plausible story, to
the eflect that some da'stard of a brave belong-
ing to the tribe of ButTalo Horn, had stolen his

{old rifle and other things from a cache where he
' had hidden them, thus placing him under the
necessity of buying an entire new outlay.

“True, the new-tangled gun with its sixteen
shots would be more serviceable in action than
his old one, but there were memories connected
with the stolen articles, so that he valued them
highly. and intended ettiug them back again.

Of course they be ieved his story, all but

,.,Bolly, and he eyed the old man in a queer way,
although he made no remark.

Roaring Ralph and the new-comer seemed to
take to each other immediately, and soon the
conversation resumed its wonted course.

Preparations for supper had been slowly pro-
gressing all this time, and_when the venison

‘ "was done to a turn, the friends proceeded to
dispose of it. Bolly still eyed the venerable
man askance, and the latter could but notice it.
He muttered somethin to himself with an
amused chuckle, which it was just as well for
Bolly's peace of mind that he did not hear. '1‘ ae

' words of the old sinner might be put down in

’ Vthis fashion:

“I wonder if thar ain’t a reward for that
sculp 0' yourn, Belly Wherritl Them gray

- 138’" ,’d make a beautiful topkuot, most ekal ter
' . ther wun in this hyar bag, he! he i”

 

The man must be a professional scalp-hunter,
judging from his thoughts; and yet there was
a merry twinkle in those deep, shaded eyes that
mystified old Bolly whenever he caught them
fired upon him.

Time passed on. '

Supper_done, they lit their pipes, and seeking
easy pOSItions, allowed their fire to go out,
which it soon did for the lack of fuel.

Astrange silence had fallen upon the little
party. Ralph and Joe were thinking of their
mission of vengeance, Bolly indulged in dreams
with his eyes half-closed, in which his dear
chum, Paddy Ellis, figured prominently, and
the white-haired reprobate evidently planning
how he could become possessed of Bolly’s scalp.

Suddenly the peace was broken.

CHAPTER IV.
THE FUGITIVES or THE NORTHWEST.

THE great Missouri river swept through the
primeval forest, then across a stretch of prairie
land, and entered among the hills.

Here an immense gap formed its bed, as if the
mountains at some remote day in the dim past
had been rent asunder to allow its passage. At
this point, the view was grand and picturesque
beyond description. From the top of the gorge
an extended view might have been obtained of
the rolling prairie-land, and the black line low
down on the horizon that indicated the forest.

The sun had just vanished in the far west.
Brilliant lines seemed to traverse the sky, all
radiating from the given center. Here and
there small banks of clouds that had, erstwhile,
been but a modest white or dull gray, now as-
sumed the glowing mantle of crimson, gold, or-
ange or lavender.

Such a. scene would entrance the observer, if
pessessed of any love of the beautiful in nature.

Upon the sides of the bills, at a point not far
from the summit, two forms stood gazing at the
glory of the heavens.

They were a young man and a young woman;
indeed, she seemed but a girl, so petite in point
of size, and with such a fresh young face. She
seemed, with her fair face and sweet blue eyes,
the incarnation of all that was good and beauti-

fa].

They watched the setting sun, and the paint-
ing of nature’s cunning hand upon the flamin
sky. Ever and anon, he turned and looke
upon his companion. In these tender glances
could be traced infinite love, mingled also with
pity and sorrow: for, despite the interest she
seemed to take in the picturesque scene, traces
of sadness could be noticed upon that sweet,
girlish face.

The heaVenly landscape at length‘bst all in-
terest for the young man, and his eyes Were
fixed upon the face of his companion.

No word was spoken, but she seemed to be
conscious of his gaze; some subtle magnetism
drew her eyes to his. She tried to smile up in
his face; but the attempt was a. failure, for the
tears, restrained until now, ran down her
cheeks like pearls.

His arm was around her in an instant, and
the girl hid her wet face on his shoulder, while
her emotion shook her little form. ,

 

 

Old Hickory.

“ Dear Nellie, I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
It is all my fault. But for me, you would have
been safe with your father at the fort. Oh! I
could almost. curse—”

“ Hush, Harry,” she said, placing a. little hand
over his mouth, which he kissed rapturously;
“ you are not to blame. I should have known
better. But it was not that; I could never re-
gret loving you.” She said this with such a
sweet blush that one could almost fancy that
her cheeks had borrowed the tints of the setting

sun.

“Then why those tears, my darling?” he
asked, as he looked into the depths of those blue
eyes. so full of tender love for him.

“My poor father, bereft of his only child.
He never refused me a single favor in my life
before,” she said with another sob.

“ I, too, am very sorry for him. I loved him
likea father, as he had me brought up like a
son. You and I have loved each other long,
Nellie: what, then, is this insurmountable bar-
rier he speaks of, between us? I am of good

arentage; he said that himself. I should have
Eorne with him, but he insisted upon it that
there was no hope for me in the future. Now I
have come to regret this mad move on my part,
but you know it was not my intention to come
one-tenth this far. I merely wished to avoid
pursuit by taking the only route that he would
not suspect. but they got on our trail. Three
times did I intend turning, but on each occa-
sion 1 saw the smoke of their camp-fire. They
have chased us here, and here let us turn at. bay.
They will tear my darling from me, but I Will
even submit to that, trusting in Heaven for a
restoration in the future, rather than that you
should suffer further, my Nellie;” and there
was a mournful cadence in the young man’s
tones that told of his sorrow.

The shades of evening were drawing around
them. Already the trees cast weird shadows
upon the ground, which were being gradually
envelo d in the dark mantle of the approach-
ing ni t.

Noticing this, the young man proceeded to
make his arrangements for the night. A little
tent that had been packed upon the odd horse
they had with them was quickly set up. Then
a fire was started. and Nellie commenced pre-
paring their repast. I

“It will be a slender meal, Harry, I warn
you, for all of our things have run out, and we
must eat fried venison alone,” she said, with a
return of humor twinkling in her eyes.

“Anything, so that it is prepared by these
dainty hands, is far better to me than a feast
in a king’s palace," returned this ardent lover,
kissing her hand.

Nellie lau bed, and told him to reserve his
decision unt after the meal.

Theirs was a strange story. Nellie Hasly was
the only child of the major who commanded
the frontier fort and trading-post. Lieutenant
Harry Belmont was his ward, having been
given into the major’s charge by a dear friend,
on his death-bed.

The two young ople had been together some

ears, and it was at natural that they should
hecome deeply attached. So far all was well,
but Harry soon began to entertain a feeling that

 

was warmer than that of brotherly aflection
for the pretty child of his guardian.

When he broached the matter to the major,
he turned as white as a ghost—said there was
an insurmountable impediment in the way of
their marrying—and seemed greatly shocked at
some ideas the young man’s question had
aroused. . ~

After this he had done all that he could to
separate them, but love ever laughs at lock-
smiths, and obstacles are easily overcome by
the enamored ones. Opposition has been the
cause of many a wedding. when the engage-
ment would have been broken of! had all gone -
on nninterruptedly.

Lieutenant Belmont was sent off on an expe-
dition, while Nellie was locked in her room. If
the major, for mysterious reasons. wished the
match broken off, he should have explained
matters, partly at least. As it was, he took the
very means to consummate the calamity he
dreaded.

The major thought by this coup (13 main he
bod nipped the affair in the bud, but, like Sem-
son, he himself was buried in the ruinsof his
little plan. '

One day a courier came in with the newsthat
Lieutenant Belmont had vanished from his
camp, nor could they trace him anywhere. The
major, with a growing fear in his bunt,
hastened to the room where Nellie had been
confined.

It was emptv.

Lieutenant Belmont had gone on another 01- ‘
pedition. The trail was discovered leading, as
the unhappy father soon found, into the Very
hotbed of hostile Indians, the young soldier
having taken this route because he felt that it
would be the last place they would look for
him, as indeed it would have been but fora
scout’s stumbling upon the trail made by the
three horses, and h s reporting the same at the
ort.

This was the whole story. -

They had followed on and on, unaware that
their camp—fire was chasing the fugitives fur-
ther, by fur, than they had ever thought of
going. Major Hasly’s demeanor was terrible.
He called down the curse of Heaven]: 11 his
own head if anything happened totho oven,
but he had a far different reason for remorse
than any of the others suspected.

The sup 1' was eaten almostin silence, for
Harry he not the heart to laugh and joke
when that look of sorrow rested so plainly upon ‘
the fair face of his companion. , ‘

Around them the grand trees arose like spar-
dian sentinels. The ground was covered y a

mossy carpet, that felt like velvet to the feet. ‘ I
Not twenty yards own was the edge of the “

great abyss, through w ich the king of muddy
waters rolled. His mutterings and growling:
could be heard from where they sat.

Darkness had enveloped the landscapeinits
black mantle, and each distinct feature soon
lost its individuality in the general gloom. \

The fugitive lovers still sat by their fire, occi-
sionally sneaking, but for the most‘part keepin
silence. To the lieutenant, the (past press
but little that was pleasant foo for thou ht.
He had looked to a bright future when his ve

‘.

 

     
   
    
  
 
  
 
    
     
   
    
  
 
 
 
   
  
    
   
  
 
   
 
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
    

__ ,4...

. m.“ V0,»,— aim»-..

‘QL.¢,\..‘.,'.-7....

'8' Old. Hickory.

for sweet Nellie Hasly was returned. but now
because of the determined opposition of her
father, this expectation had turned to Dead Sea
fruit, so far as he himself was concerned, for he
was compelled to look upon the sorrow and pain
‘whioh Nellie tried so bravely to hide.
And yet, the brunt of the blame must rest
with the major. In the first place, if the ob-
stacle he spoke of really stood between them,
why had he not kept a close eye upon them, for
it was so natural for two young pee is to fall in
love. Then again it had been the intention of
the fugitives to go only a short distance into the
Northwest, and then, by taking a roundabout
route reach some border settlement, where they
were not known. and where the marriage could
be consummated.
The lieutenant had fullv made up his minn to
’ be chased no further. They would remaiu on
this spot until the irate major came up, and sur-
render to his clemency.
‘Unfortunately, the decision came one day too

to.
Harry was looking upon Nellie as she sat with
V her head unconsciously bowed, when n guttural
exclamation caused him to leap to his feet with
a 1; fear in his heart.
donen Indians stood within as many feet of
. him. In their leader he recognized the far-
famed chief Buflalo Horn, who must have seen
. whom he had for prisoners.
“ ghl white soldier! major’s daughterl big
ransch much whisky for red-mam Ugh!"
They'were captives, and all was lost.

 

CHAPTER V.
I THE PHANTOM PROCESSION.
’ “Elsi-i"
’ ., It was We mysterious, white-haired Old Hick-
ory who gave utterance to this exclamation in a
lhrill whisper.
The fire had been suflered to die out com-

 pletely, and the darkness tell around them so
, ease y

that their positions were only marked

by the separate glow of each ranger’s pipe.
 Every man instinctively put his hand over the
I. bowl of this silent companion, thus hiding his

tion.
The rustling of bushes could be heard not far

_ away, and it was evident that something was

oiling. Bolly Wherrit put out his hand

~ W
, and drew his trusty rifle to him. in all proba-
‘ {ditty every one of the others did the same

One of the banks that formed the ravine in

‘ which their camp had been pitched was devoid
of bushes and trees on the top at a certain point

'— directly above them, while the other was cover-

‘. 1 ed by a dense growth of bush and vine.

I \Toward this first point attention was now

- directed, as the sounds seemed to be approach-
ilfithe open spot. '

. era, for perhaps a distance of twenty feet,

the brow of the little ridge was outlined against

' the blue, star-bedecked dome of heaven, in a

sharp, clear-cut line.

L ‘ The tour rangers crouching at the bottom of

this ravine, saw a dark form glide into view,

and commence to cross this open s ace. Plain-

' .1: outlined] against the heavens,rt ere could b:

 

Eomistaking that form with its long braided
air.

It was an Indian.

Another and another followed, until a proces-
sion seemed to be passing before the eyes of the
rangers. Boll Wherrit was counting them
with the precision of a Yankee schoolmaster.

At last the end came, the last shadowy figure
with its flowing black hair had vanished among
the dense bushes that bounded the open spot
and the sound of swinging bushes and rustling
leaves died away altogether.

“ Twenty-one,” announced Belly.

“Ramrods an’ rifles! gather me up in a chip-
hnsket, an’ roast me over an iceberg,” exclaimed
Roaring Ralph Rockwood.

“Silenmel thar’s more 0’ ’em,” declared the
strange Old Hickory, who seemed to possess the
ears of a weasel.

All eyes were once more turned upon the top
of the bank.

Another Indian form glided into view, fol-
lowed by several more. This group quickly
vanished in the same direction taken by their
predecessors.

“ Seven an’ a squaw,” announced Bolly.

“Correct an ter number, ole boss, but I’ll
take my aifidavy that warn't no squaw. I seen
fl0win’ dress, an’ two on ’em seemed to hev hold
0‘ her arms,” said Old Hickory, with a punch
at Bolly’s ribs, which might haVB been resented
by that individual at any other time, but which
he only grunted at now.

“ Grunters an’ grub-grinders! kin sech things
be in these here degenerate days? Chaw my
breeches for soup now, that’s jest awful. I
don’t care a cent who hears me; it’s this child
what says it, Roarin’ Ralph Sedunk Rockwood,
you bet.”

“Then, ag’in, I see’d sumpin’ more,” pursued
Old Hickory, in his creaking voice; “in that
fust wampus ther war a prisoner also—a white
man.”

“Thunder! ye must hev ther (y s o’ a cat.
Mebbe ye kin tell us what he looked like,"
growled Bolly.

Old Hickory chuckled aloud:

“Eyes! was it thet ye remarked? Wal now,
kemrade, ther hain’t much ye kin hide from me
in the dark. My poepers air small, but they
hev ther pierce o’ ther majestic eagle what
soars abova ther loftiest mounting, az ther—n2
ther—I mean as my ole gran’ther used to re-

ark. Now, ter show ya a remarkable instance
0’ w’at I say, thnr’s a scar, Bolly Wherrit, run~
nin’ from yer forehead down jest in front 0’ yer
left ear." -

“Jest so," said Bolly, quietly, and yet won—
dering how the keen-eyed old reprohate saw
this almost indistinct mark, while he said noth-
ing about the long mark across the ranger‘s
tace that had only been received a couple of
months before.

Roaring Ralph must needs put in his word at
this 'uncture.‘

“ over me wid a sand-hill; I’m oin’ ter
snooze. Air ye oin’ to:- stand thar al night,
talki’n’ w‘en ye m ght be sleepin’ the sleep 0’ the

ust’.

“Right ye air, ole man. Woo ther gentle
3::ldess 0’ sweet slumber it is. I’m jest death

WM. 

  
 
 
  

 H... .___-W____,. .9

Old Hickory. ‘ 1‘.

 

‘

on a snooze, an’ no mistake,” and, as he spoke,
Old Hickory threw himself upon the ground
close to Roaring Ralph.

The other two stood talking fora few min-
utes. but were, at length, prone to follow the
example of the would—be sleepers, especially
when Roaring Ralph gave vent to a sleepy

growl.

So Boll and Rocky Mountain Joe left the
subject 0 the Indian captives for further dis-
cussion in the morning, and, following the ex-
ample of Ralph, threw themselves upon the
ground.

The night passed slowly on.

After several hours of uninterrupted dark-
ness, the eastern sky lighted up, and presently
the moon arose, silvering every object, inani-
mate and otherwise, with her rays.

But our friends, lying in the deep ravine,
were beyond their reach. The trees that hung
over them shaded the rangers well, so that only
an occasional slender arrow of silvery light
crept slowly over them.

From her position in the heavens the moon
saw many strange sights on this night, and not
the least singular of these was the shadowy
figure that, with many a chuckle, crept away
from the camp in the ravine with the noissless
powers of a phantom.

Belly Wherrit, Rocky Joe and Roaring Ralph
were all old campaigners, whose ears might be
likened to those of a weasel or lynx, and yet
they were not awakened by any movement be-
side them.

Roaring Ralph was aroused b a vigorous
shake. Looking up, he discovere that it was
daybreak, and the angular face of Bolly Wher-
rit looked down into his own.

“What’s the matter? What’s up, Belly?" he
exolaimed.

“Wal,.it’s a. blessin’ we’re alive this hyar
minit, instead 0’ bein’ crow’s meat. Whar’s
that lovin’ chum 0’ yourn this beyutiful morn-
ing?" demanded Bolly, severely.

j “Wgat on earth d’ye mean!” and Ralph
am e .

“ le ickory’s vamosedthe ranch. Feel un-
der yer bat an’ see of yer scul ’s thar. Hyar’s
ther paper he lit his pipe wit . an’ it’s wun 0’
them proclamations ’bout my chum. My ’pin-
ion is, Ole Hickory war a humbug—he's an
agent 0’ ther reds, p‘raps Dusky Joe himself.
He’s probably a-puttin’ up these hyar notices
himself. Reckon he est dropped inter our
cam ter find out whet er Pan y war along, so
he c ’d git his sculp. Hang me, Rally, that ole
rooster war the biggest humbug on the border.”

Roaring Ralph seemed demolished. “ ’Tain’t
safe ter r’ile me that way. I’m a rearin’,‘tearin’
thunderbolt from the Colorado canyon, what
won’t be imposed upon. No man can sit down
on me an’ live. Ole Hickory, I'm goin’ ter git
even wi’ ye yit.”

" Even so.” remarked Belly, coolly, for he
was n0w recovering his usually unruifled dispo-
sition; “an’now we’ll drop that subject, scare
up some breakfast, an’ then start on the trail
a ’in, tho’ I s’pect it‘ll bring up in ther willage
o Bufller Horn, whar 1 kin hang up this hyar
proclamation. Thar’s work fur us thar, seein’
bout them captives an’ gettin’ hand on the

 

willain what keeled poor Tom Grampua over.
Then I might find out whether any critter
means ter airn that reward they offered fur ole
Pandy’s sculp, ’cause if thar is, I jest want ter
git my hands on the throat o’ the ) izen critter.”

“All right, Bolly; I’m thar, oarin’ Ralph,

ou bet. Now for grub.”

The little fire was speedily rekindled and some
choice Wrtions of venison cooking for the hungry
trio. hen these were done to a turn, they
speedily vanished.

Then preparations were in order for aatart.
These were few and simple, and in a very short
time the three rangers had reached the spot
where Rocky Joe had left a mark to tell them

the position of the trail of Tom Grampus’s mur—V

dervr.

Then the same old tramp was taken up, with
Joe in the lead and Roaring Ralph bringing up
the rear, while Bolly marched on between them,
his eyes keeping strict watch, but his thoughts
wandering back to that prince of humbugs—
Old Hickory.

 

CHAPTER VI.

ROARING RALPE'S rs:va ms.
THE night-breeze caught up a low bubbling
cry of anguish, that seemed choked in the utter-

ance, and then all became as silent as before.
Buffalo Horn’s village, composed of several
hundred lodges, had been pitched in the great
forest bordering the muddy Missouri, and from
this point the renowned Chieftain, in defiance
of the treaty with the Government, by which

his people were fed during the winter months, .

sallied forth to murder any unfortunate mur-
ists or settlers who came under his observation.
The village lay close upon the bank of the

river, whose murmuring and gurgling sounded.

a monotonous refrain to the ears of the war-
riors. From the high hills on the oEposite bank.
and mellowed by distance, came t e screaarof
a savage panther, the long—drawn howls of great

mountain-wolves, and the scream of the wild-

cat. It was also the haunt of the ferocious

grizzly bear, whose broad tracks could be met ,

with occasionally among the hills.

The strange sound we have heard, came from ”
the deep fringe of grass upon the bank, between I .-

the lodges and the swiftly-moving water, and

which nodded and swayed in the cool night— '

wind.

Presently a head, a white man’s head, was ,

cautiously raised above the grass, and an earnest
survey taken of the village. Then it vanished
from view. and once more silence fell upon the
border of the stream.

Some twenty minutes later the form of an in
dian brave stalked into the village, which, with
the exce tion of a. single point, where a fire
burned rightly, was wrapped in complete
darkness. ,

Half a dozen chiefs were clustered around
this blaze, en aged in an earnest discussion, for
the sound oft eir guttural voices could bohaard
at times raised in excited debate. ‘

The Indian whom we have seen enter the vii-

lage from the direction of the river, crawled .

cautiously up to a point as near the fire as poa-
sible, and lying upon the ground as if drunk or
asleep, he kept edging still closer. . ’
I /
\

 

has 6¢—.u¢.— on. as“
v

What R0 ring Ralph Rockwood heard during
the next ha -hour opened his eyes considerably,
and from the queer expressions he muttered to
himself under his breath, it might be surmised
that the news was of for greater magnitude
than he had expected to glean.

A faint glow began to appear in the eastern
sky; the moon was about to wheel into view,
and Roaring Ralph thought it was time he made
himself scarce in that neighborhood, unless he
he particularly desired to reveal the weakness
of.his Indian disguise.

Gradually edging away from the vicinity of
‘the camp—fire, he placed a lodge between it and
himself. Then rising to his feet, he stalked
boldly toward the river-bank, where he stood

or a few minutes, as if contemplating the flow-
ing water, on which the first rays of the rising
, moon now fell. The supposed Sioux brave stood
 ’ a moment—then was gone. He had jumped
2 down the river-bank. which at this pomt was
" some six feet in hight. and was gliding along
the water’s margin, going up the stream.

In about ten minutes he came to a halt.
fumblingin the bundle of clothes he carried, for
something.

' A “ Mustangs an’ Mexicans! reckon I’d better
..? let the boys know who’s coming. or some of ’em
3" might put a knife atween my shoulders. Now
' ' for it.”

Raising a whistle to his mouth, he blew seve-
ral short, sweet notes. such as one could easily

j -r imagine as coming from some strange night-
2 “ bird, calling to his mate.

 

 

‘5: and when this reached his ears. the disguised
 _ ranger moved forward with confidence, know-
' 3~ in that all was right.
" {jg ark figures crouched under the forest trees,
looking in the gloom that surrounded them, like
so many hantoms. As the adventurer drew
near. a v0 ce uestioned:

“ That you. olly 3”

“It’s me, Roarin’ Ralph Rockwood, you bet.
Why; what’s Bally gone?"

“Took a notion to go into the place himself
and fasten that proclamation he carried to the
lodge of Buflalo Horn," came in Rocky Joe‘s

 

tones. ,
, And these three other forms! Surely we have
met’two of them before. and can recognize Blue
’ _ Beans, and his Indian friend Powder Flash.
; _. , ‘ The latter was still munching away at a piece
. n’ of that tough venison. as though he meant to put
 - his words about eating the whole of that old
buék himself, in to execution.
‘ The third one of the new arrivals was as
manly and handsome a specimen of a young
hunter as ever tramped the western prairies,
, and although Jack Holmes possessed but little
of this world’s goods, it was the boast of his
, manhood to say that he had nevsr willfully
h, harmed an innocent person, nor had the help-
‘gr floss ever appealed to im for aid without being
' answered.
;_- _ 'Along the borders Jack Holmes was known as
'7; .r a fearless ranger, ever ready to assist in the
g 2':  right, and quite as handy with his weapons as

 

 

. I? Sffita‘rrs‘g.

e.
\ 1 He had come across Blue Beans and the Co-
‘ mocha chieftain shortly after their chase with

*' From up the stream the signal was answered,'

 

Old Hickory.

.i

the hostile Indians, and being an old friend, had
naturally joined forces with them. The two
comrades were wandering around like the
famous Quixote, in search of adventures, and in
this part of the country they were likely to
meet with all their hearts desired.

Their meeting with our three old ran or
friends had come very close to a tragedy, or
catching a fleeting glimpse of each otheras they
“ treed, ’ each had mistaken the opposite part
for Indians, and several hats were bored wit
bullets before the truth was made manifest.

United they made quite a strong party, and
when the three new additions were shown the
placard posted up by the Sioux chieftains, a
shade of anxiety passed over the features of
handsomi Jack Holmes.

“ Di wu :it Laramie, boys, there was a rumor
that the old man had gone under, and that his
gray scalp was on its way to the village of Buf-
falo Horn for redemption. I tried to trace it
but couldn’t get any further than that a half-
breed had seen the scalp in the po'ssession of the
man that killed old Pandy,” Jack had said.

Bolly Wlierrit had refused to believe it, but
nevertheless had been much excited over such a.
thought. Pandy Ellis dead! his chum Pandy,
in whose company he had tramped the plains
for more than a. score of years! Impossible,
and yet, while showing such a bold front, Bolly
grieved in secret.

“ Well, what did you find out, old base? I see
by your dress that ye’ve been in the thick of
’cm, I reckon ye’ve heard something," said
Rocky J03.

“Heard sumpin’l We], now, I reckon I’ve
heard enough to make your hair stand on end,
Rocky Joe. The internal critter: how I’d like
ter choke the life out 0’ him! If Belly war only
here now, he‘d go clean crazy. Sculps an’ sau-
sagesl but it‘s true, arter all,” and the reckless
ranger gave an actual groan.

The others were now alarmed.

“Ralph Rockwood, what does this mean? Do
ye think we’re a pack of babies that can’t be
trusted, can’t hear some news without fainting
dead away? Out with it, man? Is the world
coming to an end? Has the old chief, Buffalo
Harri. got a fish-bone in his throat, or did his
whisky-bottle break insteadof his squaw’sskull.
the last time—”

“ Hush. J oeyl this here is serious. I pity poor
Bollv Wherrit when he hears the news,” Roar-
ing Ralph responded, solemnly.

Rocky J eds impatience was rapidly getting
beyond all bounds.

“Roaring Ralph Sedunk Rockwood, if you
don’t hurry up and tell us what’s the matter,
there’ll be a dead man among these trees in less
than five minutes. Who were those prisoners,

, and what’s what?"

“Easy now, Joey, old friend. Them prison-
ers I didn’t find out much about, except that
the young fellow was an army officer. I crept
up to half a dozen chiefs what were havin’ a
confab. an’ heard everything. Bufller Horn
had just received word through one 0’ his
braves that a man, with the sculp of Fundy
Ellis in his possession, war on the way that, an’
would arrive soon, expectin’ the reward.”

An exclamation of horror went around.

Old Hickory. 11'

 

“Poor old Pandyl” said Rocky Joe.

' “And or Bolly When-it,” added Blue Beans.
“ Won‘t e be tearin’ around, though! I sh’u’d
hate ter be in the shoes 0’ ther critter w’at hez
that gray sculp in his possession.”

“Who was it, Rally l" asked Joe.

“ Thet air the wu’st o’ it. Trowsers and tom-
cats! arter he hed laid alongside o’ we-’uns fur
a night. Tie me up in a blanket ter think that
he had poor Pandy's sculp in that leetle sachel
at his side.”

“What! you don’t mean Old Hickory?" ex-
claimed Rocky Joe.

“ Dust my Sunday breaches if I don’t now,”
half-howled the old prairie rangnr: “yes. that
identical ole villain w’at slept wi’ us, an’ who
wanted to become my chum. Oh! wouldn’t I
give sumpin to lay hands on him this blessed
minit! Bolly Wherrit will tear his insides our
of this air true. an’ thar hain’t no doubt but
w’at it is trlle. Yes, sir, I lay thar an’ listened
to them reds a—gloryin’ over it, an’ decidin’ ter
pay the reward when the ole critter him in with
the skulp, as it might hev a good effect in any
future transaction. Thar’s no mistake about it:
poor ole Pandy Ellis has kicked the bucket an’
gone up Salt river.”

A silence fell upon the little party. It was as
if their feelings would not permit of a further
interchange of opinions on the subject. It was
Rock Joe who broke in with:

“ arkl there’s poor Bolly.”

A peculiarly mournful howl came flouting
from the direction of the Indian village, and all
of them recognized it as Bolly’s dprivate signal
to tell of his presence. They stoo , almost trem-
bling, for Bolly’s anger would be frightful when
he learned of his chum’s death.

Then footsteps and the sound of low words
reached their ears; Belly was not returning
alone. Had he rescued the soldier prisoner of
the Sioux, or— Good heavens! there could he
no mistaking that cronking voice. The two
new loomed up in the darkness, and Roaring
Ralph forgot to give utterance to any queer
remark. for Bolly's companion was the scalp-
taker, Old Hickory.

CHAPTER VII.
THE PRINCE OF PRAIRIE RANGERS.

THE rangers were thunderstruck at this e15-
ample of temerity and boldness. What did this
coming of the treacherous old man portend?
Did he cowt their sralps also?

Roaring Ral h asked himself these questions.
but was unah e to utter a. word aloud. And
while they stood thus dumfounded, Bolly and
his companion reached their side.

“ Waal, boyees, hyar we air, an’ our ole friend
along wi’ me. I met him jest az he war enter-
in’ the Injin camp, an’ coaxed him ter come
wi’ me. fur I knowed that Rally thar war jest
dyin’ ter see his new chum ag’in. Ain’t that
kerrect, Hickorv?” and Bolly turned to the
white-bearded old sinner. who seemed to have
come with evident reluctance.

“I reckon it air if ye say so, Bolly Wherrit,”
he crooked, dismally.

“Now then, boyees, shall we stay hyar w’lle

 

I tell’ee w’at I did an’ saw, or move on a bit
further?” asked Bolly.

“ Ml we on," said Rocky Joe, stemly.

“Move on. I hev sumpin to tell ye. Bolly,
all?qu make ye take a fit, ’ came from Roaring

a l.

T ey commenced moving through the forest ‘
going further away from the Indian village all
the while. The reckleSS ranger kept close be-
side Old Hickory, whom he watched with a.
wary eye, fearful lest he should again give them
escape.

The old man was shaking ever little while,
whether with fear or suppressed aughter none
could say. Roaring Ra ph thought it was the
latter.

“He believes he’s playing a good joke/onus
rangers, but I’ll soon open his eyes to the truth;
it‘s me that says it. Roarin’ Ralph Rockwood,
you bet,” muttered he to himself.

In this manner something like half a mile was
passed over. Rocky Joe, who led the little
band, at length came to a halt, indicating that
they had gone far enough.

It was an open space where they now stood,
and the moon’s rays (for she had been risin
when Roaring Ralph left the Indian village, an
was now in full sight), finding an entrance
through interstices among the branches, lit up
each individual form.

“Now,” said Bolly, impatiently, “ what is it
ye hev ter tell me, Rally?”

“ I reckon yer news ’ keep a little, seein’ ll
how we kin guess part an’ know the rest.
Bolly, prepare yerself for a shock. The 010
man has gone under at last.”

Bolly’s face turned white.

“ Pandy Ellis dead! Air ye humbuggin’mo.
Rally?” he exclaimed, almost piteously.

“No humbug, ole boss! I pity ye too much
for that. Yas, Pandy war murdered. It war
all on account 0’ that proclamation. His sculp
air now on its way ter the Indian town, an’ ther .
teller expects ter git the rev ard.” ‘

Bolly’s face was now stern and hard.

“ Rally, ye know more 0‘ this than ye’ve told. ‘
Who air the critter? Tell me, an’ az that air a.
heaven above. I’ll hev his heart's blood.” .

“ Quiet now, Bolly. Thar stands the man;
who hcz Pandy Ellis’s sculp wi‘ him Wand,
turning suddenly, Roaring Ralph resented. a -
revolver full at the head of Old Hie ory.

Beyond a slight start that individual did not
seem interested, but could they have seen the
smiligpon his face they would have wondered

ea .

Bolly’s features were working strongly,

“ How d’ye know this, Rally? Give, me good
prenl' before I murder the wratch.” he said.

“ Thar’s proof as strong as Holy Writ,
reckon. S‘arch that leetle bag at his side a
of ye don’t find w’at ye look fur. then I’ll eat"

my moccasins. Don‘t dare to stir a hand or _ -

foot, ye ugly hound Z” and the ranger movedthe‘
heavy revolver closer to the head of the old
white-beard. ,

Bolly Wherrit had sprung forward and tom
the little bag that the old pretender carried at
his side from its fastenin 3. To this Old Hick- .
ory made no objections; ndeed, such a course

‘would have been very dangerous with 

 

 

I 7‘.wa ‘

..x._~fi

 

 

' plunged his hand in.

'10- Old Hickory.

 

weapon of Roaring Ralph within a few inches
of his nose. His eyes seemed to follow the little
sacbel longingly, however.
Tearing it open, the excited Bolly Wherrit
Then a choking cry burst
mm the lips of the veteran ranger, and the
others could see his form tremble with keen
emotion. Old Hickory moved uneasily, but the
reckless ranger kept his revolver aimed with a
steady hand, so that for him to have attempted
escape would have proved a speedy death-sum-

. IIIODS.

- lot, was the first to recover.

‘ iiams, but a rose by an

i

   

:F‘fiiiéf: tiiil‘ff‘flfinga‘n  

r... ‘flna _
"chaser: V 

..~,.~___,\, I _ .~. ~

:  faunas g. -

w‘. ....

‘t
i...
:,A H

- ‘ “Now, don’t ta e on so.
' reckon it did belong ter thet ole rooster once’t,

.7

After this momentary hesitation, Bolly drew
out his hand and held aloft an object which one
and all could distinguish in the moonlight that
cre t in between the trees.

I was a gray scalp.

The silence of death seemed to have fallen
upon the little party. and for almost a full
minute they stood without moving a hand or
foot. It was as if some wizard had cast a spell
over them, under the influence of which all their
powers were useless.

Belly Wherrit, the most sorely-stricken of the
Holding the gray
scalp firmly clutched in his rigid hand, he turned
gliowly upon the man who had carried it with

m.

“ Hound,” said he, “is this hyar the sculp o’
Pandy Ellisl"

“ Don’t know who yer ’dressin’ by that sweet
other name w’u’d smell
az sweet az ther—az mean my ole gran’ther
used ter remark. He war a wonderful ole man,

' war. Why, gentlemen, I’Ve seen that time

’en that 019—”

“Does this scalp belong ter Pandy Ellis?”
thundered the im assioned Bolly.
Az ter ther sculp, I

but it seems ter be ours now, for possession air
ninetsnths 0’ ther aw, az my ole gran—”

“Boys " and Bolly turned to the others,
“ Paddy llis hez gone under. Now w’at bed
we better do wi’ this coyote?” ,

“ Leave him to you, Bolly,” answered Rocky
Joe, and the rest nodded ac uiescence.

“Then ter' me belongs t a duty 0’ avengin’
Paddy Ellis’s death. Now, ye ole reprobate an’
scalp-manger, look me in ther face. What he-
come 0’ m chain’s bod l"

Old Hic cry chuckle .

. “Thar ain’t a livin’ soul ’cept myself in ther

'Whole world what c’u’d answer thet. He might

{ask ther night winds but they c’u’dn’t tell. Ther
rocks hev ears. but no more c’u’d they Speak.
Air thet snuff?” he said, in his cronking tones.

, “ Boyees, the critter acknowledges it. Arter
tbetI see no need 0 tryin’ him as he hez con-

. gmned himself. Coyote. ye hev jest two minits

live. Dare ter raise a hand, er so much az
wink yer eye, an’ l’ll plunge this blade inter yer
black heart afore the time air up. Now make

‘, the most 0’ yer time ”

There was a cold ring in the ranger’s voice.
With that gray scalp in one hand, and his gleam-
ing‘ bowie in the other, he stood before the
doomed man like an avenging Nemesis. his hair,
sanded by the band of time, blowing about his
shoulders when a breath of the night-wind came

ailing over the open space,

kl...

 

The others expected Old Hickory to beg for
his life. or at least show some signs of fear, but
to their surprise he did neither. Indeed, one
could almost believe he laughed at this stern,
Roman-like attitude of Bolly Wherrit’s. Was
this bravado, or something else?

“Now, see hyar, ole hoss, I’d like ter bet ye
ten ter wun thet I live ter kerry thet sculp ye
hold, inter ther willage o’ ther reds, an’ unless
they prove treacherous, git ther reward fur it.
Take me up?”

There was no reply to this insulting proposal;
Bolly was Counting to himself while his keen
eyes ke t watch on the murderer.

“Wu , hang me ef I kin offer ye any better
Self-preservation air ther fu’st law 0’ na-
ture, az—az my gran’ther used ter remark.
Now, seein’ az you fellers seem to be in need 0’
sum new clothes,I tell ye w‘at I’ll do. Be a
sorter hard ter me in ther Injin willago nn‘ I‘ll
divy Wi’ ye, guv ye a buifler—robe a fox skin,
two beaver-pelts each, an’ wind it up wi’ a
Cum, w’at d’ye say, Mister

born 0' whisky.
Wherrit?”

Bolly’s only answer was:

“ One minit gone!”

“ Wal, bu’st my moccasins of that don’t beat
ther Dutch! I believe ther critters actually
want hart ther reward, an’ that ain’t fair, arter
I bed ter git ther sculp. Now, see hyar, I‘m git-
tin’ r’iled. If ye don’t wanter help a feller—”

“ Time’s up! Look yer last on ther blue sky,
coyote, fur l’m goin' ter kill ye,” said Bolly,
drawing back his arm to strike.

The old fellow ave a laugh, and then seemed
to spit out some 0 ject he had held in his month.
When he spoke again no man on earth would
have imagined it the same person.

“Thar’s many a slip atween thur cup an’ ther
lip. az ther feller sez. Bolly Wherrit, ye‘re
growin’ old; whar air yer eyesi Ther ole man
hez pulled ther wool over ’em! Bu’st my moc-
casins ef this ain’t worth living fur. Wnr goin'
fur ter slew his own chum. Hel he! hel”

Consternation! Old Hickory no longer, but
fill? prince of prairie rangers himself—Pandy

is

 

CHAPTER VIII.

THE BIGGEST HUMBUG ON RECORD.

FOR almost a full minute not one of those
men moved hand or foot. but stood there like so
many statues, glued to the ground with the dif-
ferent emotions that overpowered them.

Had a bolt of lightning suddenly descended
from the clear heavens, or any ot er equally
unlikely event occurred, they could not have
been more dumfounded.

As for Bolly Wherrit, he was knocked “all
ina heap,” as he afterward expressed his feel-
ings. To think that he had been about to kill
his chum to avenge his own murder! The idea
was too bewildering for him to realize all at
once; he was dazed. He stood there, with one
foot raised, and the knife held above his head.
It was as if some malignant fairy had lifted
her l§nagic wand, and enchanted them as they
stoo .

Powder Flash, being the least interested of
the party, was the first to break the spell. Bolly

._ _,l\.

Old Hickory. . 18

dropped the gray scal when he made that step
toward the supposed ld Hickory, and the chief
had pounced upon it eagerly. and had been
intently examining it ever since. Just now he
made the discovery of a fact that Bolly, in his
an er, had not noticed.

‘ HOOhl scalp more’n six month old. Seen
Heavy Knife three moons back. Dis big hum-
bu scalp!” said be.

hot started old Pandy.

“Bolly,” said he, with a vein of tenderness in
his voice, “ ain’t ye got no welcome fur me, ole
chum?”

Another moment and Bolly Wherrit’s arms
were around his neck. They were life-long
friends and comrades, and after the late scare
the former had received, his emotion could well
he pardoned.

Roaring Ralph was perhaps the most thor—
oughly astonished man of the group, for he had
overheard the confab of the chiefs, and had
made up his mind upon the subject, and when
once his view was taken, an earthquake was
needed to shake his opinion.

“I’m a. rearin’, tearin’ thunderbolt from the
Colorado canyon, but bu’st my buttons if I ever
seen the ekal of thet afore. The ole reptile wid
the sculp, that I looked on as a most unmitiga-
ted scoundrel, and that I sh’u’d be ashamed ter
own the rope that hung him, to turn out to be
Pandy Ellis, the prince of rangersl Tar an’
feather me, an’ h’ist me inter a ’Pache’s grave; I
own up dead beat. Ole kimrade, guv us yer
paw. I hope yer won’t cherish any ill feelings
fur w’at we sed.”

Old Pandy chuckled aloud as be grasped the
hand extended to him.

“ Not a whit. Rally, I’ve got ther joke on ther
lot 0’ ye, an kin ’ford ter be generous. Blue
blazes! I’ve fooled ther reds a leetle during my
lifetime, but I never expected ter pull thar
wool over Bolly’s eyes thar, by ther aid 0’ a
hickory nut in my check, a new suit 0' buck-
skin, an’ lettin’ my hair grow long all over my
face. Cum. bovees, I’m nearly shooken ter
pieces wi’ laughter. Squat hyar—we won’t
wanter do any work for an hour or more—an’
Pandy’ll tell ye w’at under the heavings this
mystery air about. He’s in wi’ ye hand and
glove ter avenge pore Tom Grampus, but 9
must be nigh about hu'stin’ wi‘ curiOsity, so ’11
show marcy an’ explanify.”

They hastily followed his example—all but
Powder flash, who preferred leaning against a
tree, and chewing energetically at the large
piece of tough venison, although he listened to
what Pandy was saying.

The old ranger had cached his ancient but
dearly beloved rifle and revolvers, while he
tried the beautiful new weapons he had sent as
a present to him from a young friend and ad-
mirer in the East. This was 'ust after Bolly
and Rocky Joe had started for ew York on a
six months’ trig.

In the start andy had made a resolve not to
apply a razor or a pair of “snippers”as he
called them to his face or head all the time, just
to see how he would look when Bolly came
back, so that the old man bore a. six months’
cro , although he did not seem to like it a bit.

, Vghen he returned from his hunting tour,

 

highly delighted with his new—fangled weapons,
he found his cache empty; his old rifle was gone.
Now there were many denr associations connect-
ed with Betsy Jane, and Fundy swore a round
oath to recover the old souvenir if it took him
a year.

He soon got on the track; a Sioux brave had
robbed the cache, one named Spotted Coyote.
This was enough for Pandy. Just as he was
about to start out alone to demand its return.
he came across one of those “proclamations”
which he read and thrust into his pocket.

A plan came into his head, which for reckless
daring it would have been exceedingly hard to
havo excelled. He set about carryin it out im-
mediately. An entire new suit 0 buckskin
was purchased, a. few alterations made in his
general appearance, some little practice gone
through with in regard to his articulation, with
a hickory—nut in his chetk that gave him the
most wonderful voice on record and then Pandy
was ready. ,

The old prairie ranger had obtained a gray
scalp that looked very much like his own when
his hair was shorter, and with this trophy secure
in his little sachel, he started out on the wildest
mission ima inahle.

He actual?

identity 3 secret, and, sailing under the name
of Old Hickory, present the gray scalp as the
one advertised for.

Whether it would be redeemed or not the
trapper chief could not say. Roaring Ralph
then told what he had overheard the Indians
discussing, which seemed to tickle the old ran-
ger, for he laughed aloud.

“ We’ll git ’em all yet, b0 ass, by ther livin’
jingo. Ef we kin play this yar trick on ther
reds they’ll keep quiet hereafter. Jest fano

ther pelts au’ powder, ther keg o’ whisky, w’ic , '

I won’t touch fur wun, an’ ther silver-mounted
rifle. Mehbe they’ll lend me
’em oflf.
glorious trick!”

Then Pandy went on to 'relate how he had“

overheard the conversation of the three death-
trailers. The shadowy form close by them, of
which mention has been made before, was none
other than that of the old prairie ranger who,
had crept close to the three men in'orderto
hear what they said.

He at once resolved to puzzle Bolly Wherrit, ’

and after making a few more changes in his
dress, he presented himself at their camp.
What his success was the reader already knews.

Several times the queer old ranger came very _
near proclaiming his identity'by making use of -

his strange expression, “as the fellow says,”
but luckily for the success. of his plan he suc-
ceeded on each occasion in laying the remark

upon the head of his “old ran’ther”—a per- ,

senage quite unknown to Bol y.

The joke had been such a success that there A

was little doubt as to how it would work upon
the Indians, although, but for the news Roaring
Ralph brought in, the ran ers would have con-

sidered it rather doubtful r the payment for the. 

gray scalp would he made.

Bolly Wherrit had recovered from his dazed ,
state, and was so infinitely pleased to have his j

y intended entering the village of .
Buffalo Horn, trusting to his disguise to keep his ‘

nies ter.kerry i
Chaw my moocasins ut it would be a .

y

 

 

I‘l4 Old Hickory.

 

old chum along, that he rhodin forgave Pan-

, dy’s practical joke, and beamed on him like a

'w ’lover.

 Rocky Joe now reminded him that as yet

xiv . they had not heard how he got on in the town

i ' of the red-men so Bolly proceeded to enlighten
his friends in that respec .

The proclamation that we saw him take from
‘i the tree in the forest and place in his pocket,
with the avowed determination of fastening it
to the lodge of the head chief of the Sioux
v: town, he had carried along with him. '
It was a much more dangerous task for Belly
1;, to prowl about the village than for the reckless
 Colorado ranger, seeing that he was not dis-

guised in the least, but by a great exercise of

caution he succeeded in avoiding all prowling

Indians.

‘ To an experienced ranger. one who had
fought and hunted, with the Indians for forty
years, it was an easy task to ick out the lodge
of the chief, Buffalo Horn, y means of the
roughly-drawn and colored pictures that
adorned it. Having made sure of this, Bolly
proceeded to fasten the proolamation to it in
such a manner that the moon’s rays would fall
full upon it when that luminary arose above
the tree-tops.
The next thing the ranger accomplished was
,to find out who the captives were, and where
they were imprisoned. This he managed to

’discover, although he did not enter into par-
" gin liars regarding his method of finding out the

acts.

“Thar hain’t wun among ye, boyees, c’u’d
guess who they air. Pandy, d'ye remember
that time w’en you an’ me war chased by nigh
. on a thousand 0’ these Sioux, an’ how our bosses
.nigh fell under us?"

‘ Bet yer boots I do,” answered Pandy.
3 . “Wal, that youu major, Hi1 Belmont, air

. ther man prisoner. het ain’t the wu’st o' it.
Theer got the commander’s darter thar.”

“ Leetle May Haslyl" cj aculated the old trap-
per chief, in surprise. _ _
,“Eggsactly; How they ever kim in lel1 3.
, fix I hain’t got the least ijee, but the plain fack
‘ stares us in the face—thar they air. Probably
the young folks war out ridin‘, and the reds
,gObbled ’9m up. Must ’0] been prisoners a long
. w’ile then, for this hyar air a long way from
ther post.’
5.-,May Haslyl How the sweet name thrilled
' gamut of one member of the little company!

ortuuitely, Jack Holmes’s hat screened his
face, and none of them saw the flush that dyed
it crimson. He had loved the young girl, but,
seeing. her preference for Harry Belmont, had
" no. away so that he might never look on her

see again. well knowing that absence was the
. only thing likely to bring forgetfulness. And
‘ #nowfiay, Hitst was a prisoner amon the sav-
age Slant! Ewery noble impul that s umbered
lintho young man’s heart lea ed into life. He
- ,5 would b lp to save them both and then go away
again, p unging into the dangers of the wilder-
;zss, so that he might not be a witness of their

 

 

  


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nets. ‘
83mins events do not always cast a shadow
before, and Jack knew not what was in store for

‘7, l

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x

w .4 .

 

 

CHAPTER IX.
BORDER FIREBRANDB.

MIDNIGHT had come and gone.

The moon had wheeled high up in the heav-
ens, and every object upon which her rays fell
seemed transformed into pure silver. Innu-
mernble stars dotted the blue dome of heaven,
winking and twinkling as if communicating the
secrets of the heavenly spheres.

A silence had fallen upon the Indian town,
which was unbroken save b the bark of some
cur who took an intense de ight in howling at
tllge mistress of the night as she sailed ECPOaS the
s y. ‘

In the dense forest, and among the distant
hills, the usual nocturnal chorus that is always
found in the wilderness held forth in all its
charming diversity. The howls of scores of
wolves were supplemented b the hyena-like
laugh of the coyote, and this elightful melody
was occasionally rendered more inspiring by
the shrill scream of the mountain panther,
prowling about in search of food and plunder.

Through the woods, at this Witching hour,
specter-like forms Were noiselesst making their
way. Occasionally they would pass some spot
where the moonbeams fell upon the ground;
then it was apparent that, while two of the
party appeared to be Indians, the remainder
evidently were prairie rangers.

At length the slumbering Indian town lay be—
fore them, with the soft moonlight shining on
the many lodges and cabins.

Here the midnight prowlers came to a bait,
and an earnest consultation appeared to be
going on among them. Then they separated,
going off in three diflerent directions, and with
the understanding that they were to meet at
this point again when the work they set out to
do was accomplished.

Pandy Ellis was the only one left. He in‘
tended entering the Indian tawn in search of
his old weapons, stolen from the cache by the
Sioux brave, Spotted Coyote.

Each of the three parties had its mission.
Bolly and Jack Holmes were to rescue the pris-
oners after Blue Beans and his dusky friend,
Powder Flash had set fire to the grass at the
northern end of the town, where the lodges and
old huts were packed pretty closely together,
and would burn like tinder.

During the confusion that this threatening
fire would cause, Roaring Ralph and Rocky Joe
n ere to steal a lot of horses from the corral at
the southern end of the town upon which they
could make their escape. intending to return
in a few days, and hunt down the murderer of
Tom Grampus.

It was a splendid arrangement, and providing
all went we 1, they would be able to laugh at the
Indians.

As Pandy Ellis was going in on his own ac-
count. so to speak, we will follow him first,
and see how he fared.

After seeing his comrades well 03, the prairie
prince himsel glided toward the Indian villa e.
t was not over twenty yards from the her or
of the forest on this side, and the space between‘
was filled with long grass that nodded in the
gentle night breeze. There was little or no
difficulty to such a veteran ranger in approach-

Old Hickory. 15

;

 

ing the Wigwam town under these circum-
stances, seeing that he had no guards to hood-
wink, and the grass afforded excellent shelter.

Before five minutes had passed, he was among
the lodges”

During the afternoon, Pandy had scouted
near the town, and discovered many things
that might have escaped eyes less keen than
his. Among other things he had noted the
position of the corral, the lodge which the war-
rior who had stolen his weapons from the cache
called his own, and, in a general way was able
to give information even to Bolly and Roaring
Ralph who had been inside the precincts that
var night.

- e made his way directly to the lodge over
which Spotted Coyote reigned. Indeed, he
reigned alone, for it had no occupant, saving
himself. Spotted Coyote had once possessed a
squaw who labored under the high-sounding
name of Moccasineh—who had erished of too
much whisky. After which, potted Coyote
had lived alone. He could now get drunk when-
ever he pleased, or rather, when the stock of
liquor permitted the luxury of a “ drunk,” with-
out a tongue-lashing and perhaps other punish-
meat.

When Pandy Ellis came crawling so stealthin
into the lodge, the warrior was far gone in a
drunken stupor. Pandy quick] realized this
fact, judging by the smell of w isky, and the
Indian’s heavy breathing.

He was a. trifle disappointed, for he could not
kill a drunken Indian, but he took out his knife
and made a slit in the fellow’s greasy hunting-
shirt, just above the heart, which would tell
him how near death he had been. when he once
more regained his senses.

From the belt of the drunken Sioux, Pandy
took his old revolver, and lying close by was
the long rifle that had served him so faithfully
for many long years. He laid hold upon these
weapons eagerly, and then he made his way to
the open air; then. as he turned hise es toward
the north, he could see a faint light. t at became
brighter with each second. By this, he knew
that Blue Beans and his Indian friend had fired
the half-dried grass beyond the village, and
probably a lodge or two, in addition.

Presently bright flames sprung into view
above the outer lodges; and quickly a frightened
yell was heard; an Indian brave dashed through
the town, his greasy garments on fire, his lodge
having been the first to flash up and disappear
before the devouring element.

The scene that ensued was a perfect Pande-
monium. Warriors, chiefs, squaws and pap—

ooses. amused from their s'umber by the rap-
dly-incrensing shouts. ran here. there and
everywhere, lending the aid of their voices to
increase the racket. The chiefs gathered some
of the men, and set to work fighting the ele-
ment that threatened their homes.

Pandy had notboen idle. but after that first
sweeping‘flanoe he had hastenedto decamp. As
he hurri across the little stretch of leve land
that lay between himself and the rendezvous,
the keen ears of the prairie prince caught the
sound of horses snorting and moving toward the
south and from this be judged that Bally and
minnow were at their work.

 

How the others would succeed’ne could not
even guess, but much depended upon them.
When Paudy reached the rendezvous there was
no one at hand. The furore in the village rew
more deafening with each passing sound. hen
the sound of hoofstrokes broke on his ears, and,
by the aid of the rapidly increasing light at the
other end of the place, he could see a cavalcade
coming toward him. There were nine horses in.
all, but only the two leaders were mounted,
Another half minute and the stceds were safe
within the shelter of the forest, and Bolly and
Roaring Ralph beside him.

Their misston had been accomplished, but not
without an adventure, for, meetin with a .
brave just as they gained the corralfiie had to '
be disposed of before they could go on with the
business that brought them there. The quick
alnrmto the north had caused them to hasten,
but they had arrived all safe.

Blue Beans and the Indian chief crept around
the outskirts of the village, and finding the wind
in their favor, rapidly set to Wt rk firing the
grass. The success of their undertakin has
already been chronicled. So rapidly d d the
alarm follow that the two firebrands were com-
prlled to make a detour in order to reach the
rendezvous.

To Jack Holmes and Rocky Joe came the
real adventure of the night. They had found
the prison lodge and rescued the gallant major
and the three were on their way to the lodge in
which the young girl was confined, according
to Harry Belmont’s account, when the fire broke
out.

The glare soon becan‘e so lright that the suc-
cess of their mission was des aired of. At this
critical moment, a figure rus ing out of a lodge,
as if in alarm at the rising shouts and the roar
of the already-great conflagration, came face to
face with them. It was no Sioux warrior. but
a white man, dressed in border style. Rocky
Mountain Joe recc nized in him the murderer
of the old ranger, om Grampus, whose death ,
they had sworn to avenge. ‘ .’

All else was forgotten in this supreme mo-
ment. Giving an almost inarticulate cry of
mingled rage and satisfaction. he leaped upon
the desperado like a panther, threw him violent-
ly to the ground. whispered some words hoarse—
ly in his ear, and then plunged his bowie into V
the man’s breast. /

Several dusk figures had sped past, but the ‘
Indians sceme. to have no eyes or anything
save the fiery demon who threatened to wipe
their village out of exislencc.

The rescuers crouched low in the dark shadow
for several minutes. Then. as about all of '
the village’s inmates seemed to be fighting the
flames. their path lay before them without an
obstacle in it.

Anorher minute and they were at the lodge
pointed out by the soldier as that in which May
Hasly was confined. Joel: Holmes took ‘it up-
on himself to enter, as the major seemed too ex- .
cities for stead wprk. _ k] “d‘ .d ,

e young an or quic y rea a , an ~
with him the post-commander’s dagglater. Jack
at once resigned her to the soldier, and it was
Belmont's arm that assisted her along.

Their route to the rendezvous was clear. and.

.'\

 

 

 

 

16

Old Hickory.

 

led b Rocky Joe, they shortly reached it, to
' flnd andy chafing at the long delay, and on
the point of ordering a reckless charge on the
own.

' Now that all were safe, a hasty mount was
next in order, and with old Pandy at the head
they started through the forest, leaving the
blazing village in their rear.

CHAPTER X.
TEE STRUGGLE IN THE MOUNTAIN CANYON.
TEE sun was sinking to rest in a glowing bed
of crimson and gold. A gentle wind, that in-

 

creased in force as the night drew nearer, rust-'

tied the long prairie grass, and blew in the faces
of those who galloped so madly onward over
the level stretch.

Far down in the southern horizon a black bank
of clouds could be seen that gave indications of
a coming storm, which, however, might not
break for hours.

There were two parties in sight on the after-
noon in question, and the larger seemed to be
in pursuit of the smaller. The wind occasional-
ly veered in its course a little and waited fierce
yells and angry shouts from the pursuers that

roved them to be the red-men of the plains.

he were some sixty in number.

'1‘ hi itives were of course our nine friends,
led 1), ol Pandy Ellis. When Bolly and Roar-
ing . alph managed to get in the corral at the
Indian village, they found the horses prancing
about wildly, as the light was alreadv showing

' at the northern end of the village. Having no
time to spare, they were compelled to take the
first animals they could lay hands on.

Three of these were good beasts, and the sol-
dier and May Has! found themselves mounted
on their own stee s. The other had fallen to
the lot of the old rairie prince.

How came the ndians to overtake them when
in sight of the mountains? Simply because the
Sioux had led horses among them, and the ur-
suit was kept up continually, whereas the ugi-

,{tives were compelled to stop now and then to
‘rest their animals. Whenever the horse of a
red rider gave out, he mounted the led one and
snflered the other to drop behind, to be found
by the second party that was to leave the vil-
lage when those out on the buffalo hunt came

. Pond rode in the advance, with Roaring
Ralph c use to him. Ever and anon the old ran-
gar would turn his head and take asweeping
curve of their savage pursuers, after which he
woul seemingly form an estimation of some
sort in his head, that doubtless concerned their
chances of escape. I
“W’ich I think we kin do it, Belly,” he at
length said to the reckless ranger.
“ Shutters an’ shootiu’-ironsl it’s tot he hoped
so. ole boss,” answered that worthy.
. Then, after this brief interchange of opinions,
silence fell upon them again. Oh they galloped,
with the Indians thundering in their rear.
Lucky for the fugitives it was, that the moun-
tains were so near at hand, else they would
,never have reached them except by the merest
chance, for their horses Were thoroughly worn
out. and at times staggered as though drunk.
Had the circumstances been against them,

.

 

there would have been no other course left to
the fugitives be ond a halt upon the open prai—
rie, with their orses for a living fortification
between them and the enemy. Such a proceed-
ing could hardly have been anythirf less than
sure death. True, their rifles were eadly ones,
and Pandy carried sixteen lives in his new wea-
pon, but the Sioux would go through tactics en-
tirely foreign to those of the Southern Indians. ‘

There would be no riding in a death-circle
here, thus giving the sharp-shooters a. chance to
pick them off gradually. Had the fugitives

een brought to a halt on the open plain, some
of their red foes would have crept up through
the long grass and sent bullet after bul et among
the whites, without running the risk of a shot
in return.

Therefore, Pandy Ellis was rejoiced that they
now had a prospect of reaching the mountains,
where a stand might be taken with some show
of success.

While the sun, half-shrouded in light clouds
that had heretofore been fleecy white ones, but
which now shone out with the various hues of
the rainbow, was throwing his last lingering
rays upon the prairie, the old ranger examined
the mountain ranges before him intently. A
split seemed to run up its rugged side, and this
old Pandy recognized as a canyon.

Savans, learned men one and all, have come
to a conclusion in regard to the mountains of
Colorado, and to the north of it. This country
was once a volcanic region. The rocks of the
mountains have once been subjected to a terri-
ble heat. The fissures that sometimes, being
passable, go by the name of canyons, were with-
out doubt the result of contraction of the earth’s
surface after being furiousl y heated, as all the
volcanic regions of to-day possess them, in a de-
gree more or less defined.

Pandy Ellis may have known absolutely noth-
ing in regard to the origin of these mountain
crevices, but he saw that there was one before
them, and this fact he hailed with pleasure, as
the range seemed at that distance to be other-
wise inaccessible. at least to horses, and for them
to continue their course along the level land
would have been equivalent to courting death,
in a very short time.

Seeing the object those whom they pursued
had in view, the Sioux exerted themselves to
the utmost to increase their speed, and the ani-
mals they bestrode did manage to make a spurt
under the combined influence of yells, blows and
savage thrusts with sharp-blade knives, but it
came too late to be of service.

Pandy Ellis muttered something to himself
that told of infinite satisfaction, when the first
bowlder was reached and they found themselves
close to the mountains that here suddenly reared
their lofty battlements heavenward.

Ere long they were at the mouth of the can-
yon._ It was rather wide at that point, with
precipitous clifls on either side. and as it as-
cended the mountains these walls came closer
together, until there seemed to be but a few
yards’ space between them. 1

Into this great fissure the fugitives entered,
and began the ascent. There was no time
granted to them for reflection; they could not
tell whet her the canyon would eventually prove

Old Hickory.

“1'?

 

a source of safety, or a grim burial-ground for
them all. It offered a chance, and in no other
direction could they see even so much as this.

“ Take Miss Hasly further up an’ wait fur us,
ma'or," ordered Pendy, shortly.

be soldier made no reply, but at once set
about obeying. He knew full well what work
the rangers intended doing, and although he
would have liked nothing better than a share in
the exciting defense, he possessed no weapons,
and then again his firs; duty was to look after
the welfare of May.

At a point where the narrow pass merged in
the shadows of the high wall, the seven men
came to a halt. The horses were immediately
taken to the rear and fastened there.

Then the hunters crouched in the half-gloom,
waiting for the tragedy to commence. Loud
upon the clear air rung the hoof-strokes of many
wild riders, as the Indians came rushing for-
ward,heedless of everything save that those
Whom they pursued bade fair to escape among
the defiles o the mountains, now that darkness
was only an hour or so away.

They reached the wide mouth of the canyon,
that seemed to invite an entrance. Not an in-
stant did they stop, but rushed pell—mell into
the rift. It admitted of their passage entire at
first, but presently the walls began to come
gradually nearer, and hence the Indians soon
found it necessary to drop into files of three or
four abreast.

It was when this critical point was reached
that the crack 0E a rifle awoke the slumbering
echoes of the mountains. One of the foremost
riders gave a death-Screech, and plunged from
lhis seas. to the rocks below withabullet through

is be y.

It was Belly Wherrit who had fired the fatal
shot, and, as if it was a signal for hostilities to
begin, the rattle of half a dozen rifles drowned
the echoes of this first shot; but now the infu-
riated savages pressed on until the fatal re-
volvers came into play, but among the reports
could be heard Ihe continued crock of a rifle.
It was Pandy Ellis with his elegant sixteen-
shooter.

The execution was fearful. A perfect hail-
storm of bullets seemed to be rattling among
the Sioux, every one of which carried death
and destruction along with it. Unable to stand
this hurricane, the Indians came to an abrupt
pause, wavered for an instant, and then those
who were able hastened to retreat, leaving a
mass of horses and riders lying cold in death in
the vawning depths of the canyon.

“Dust my Sunday brooches, we got 'em,”
howled Roaring Ralph.

“Don't shout till ye’re outen ther woods,
Rally.” warned Pandy. “W’at’s ter be done
air a. puzzler. We dar’n’t let ’em foller us, an’
ther on’y way air ter git ’em in a trap like.”

 

CHAPTER XI.
nun wonvns ON rm: TRAIL.

TEN minutes had gone by.

A terrible silence brooded over the great
mountain range. and the prairie that stretched
out toward the north. This was only broken at
intervalshy the cry of some wretch, in the can-

 

yon below. lingering in his last agony, or, it
might be, the melancholy, long-drawn bowl of
a. gaunt wolf, whose keen scent had already
caught the signs of the slaughter, and who was
more than anxious to begin his horrid banquet.

Ever and anon astrange moaning sound came
down the mountain, that seemed peculiar until
one understood that it was caused by the rising
wind rushing through the ragged, rocky passes
and defiles that marked the summit of the
range a mile or so beyond the spot where the
late tragedy had been enacted.

The heavy black clouds that had erstwhile
been lying low alon the horizon were now
scurrying overhead in irregular masscs, and
threatening to bring darkness sooner than would
otherwise have been the case. A tremendous
rain-storm, a flood in fact, was pending. It
might come in ten minutes, and again it might
delay for half an hour, but in the end it was in-
evitable, ’

The situation of afiairs had not changed me-
terially. Having lost many of their best men,
and being beaten hack, the Sioux held a. short
council. They were determined to carry‘ the
matter through, and the question of retreat
never entered their thoughts. All they wanted
to decide upon was the manner of their next
assault.

Horses were out of the question, and so they
were left behind while the braves began to
make their Way up the canyon. They reached
the spot where so many of their comrades la ,
and passed it. The place which had so late;
been occupied by their enemies was gaine .
Still not a shot broke upon the air.

The Sioux were not deceived, however; they
knew that it was a band of prairie rangers with
whom they fought. and bitter experience told
them what to expect. Still they were fully de'
termined to push on to the end. and so continued
their stealthy march up the continually-narrow-
ing canyon.

Far upin that dark crevice that Seemed to
split H e range in two, seven figures crouched,
w‘ailif‘g for the e cted onslaught. Pandy was
the lucky man w 0 first sighted the foe this
time, and the report of his rifle boomed out loud
and clear upon the air. A red form arose from
the rocks just at the bend below, gave a yell
that was only half uttered, and then sunk back
to the cold bed from which it had just arisen.

Their advance was now discovered. and all
hopes of taking the enemy by surprise done'
away with, so that there was now no further
use in concealment. .

Relying mainly on their rapid motions and
the friendly shadows, the Sioux rushed up the ,
pass. Through the gloom the watchers could
see them coming. and the deadly rattle of rifles
blended in one continuous roar.

It was a perfect slaughter-pen, for in such
narrow quarters the bullets of the fugitives
could not fail to reach the mark every time.
No wonder the Sioux came too dead halt. The
bravast and most experienced soldier in the uni-
verse might have been pardoned for hesitating
in the face of this stream of fire that carried
death in its flames. '

Those who had rounded the bend and were not
killed, hastened to-throw themselves upon the

 

 

{wing—4.: any

 

'13 Old Hickory.

 

rocks, while the number who had not yet come
in sight, wisely remained where they were.

Buffalo Horn, one of the party, was almost
craz with rage. To the day of his death the
chie was noted for his stubborn nature which
had often gained him a battle, and he would not

ive up the pursuit of these daring pale—faces as
am; as he could get men to follow him.

Again they advanced, this time more can-
tiously, for the chief had resolved to pursue
diflerent tactics. He would push forward until
the whites were brought to bay again. and then
keep them engaged. with the expectation of an
immediate attack, until the second hand of war-
riors could get across the mountain-range by
means of another pass several miles away, and
intercept their flight.

Once he had them in such a trap and all
would be plain sailing. He sent a warrior down
the canyon to be on hand when the other divi-
sit‘n came to hand, and give them his orders,
for they might be expected at an minute now.

That messenger was a lucky fe low, although
he did not realize it until afterward, for his
comrades were going further into a trap all the
while, although it was not of the fugitives’
springing. Of that, more anon.

Having dispatched this brave to where their
horses were gathered, on the level land below,
Buflilo Horn ordered an advance. This time
they were exceedingly careful, not having any

articular desire to run their heads into the
io'i’s mouth again.

As the Indians supposed, the whites had re-
treated again after t at last fierce little tussle.
It was Pandy who urged them to do this, for
the old trapper chief had some notion in his wise
head, which as yet he had not imparted to the

rest.

Some distance above thev came upon the sol-
dier and May Hasly. Pandy s oke a few words
to the major, who immediate y continued his
way upward. The seven friends with the horses
came after him, moving more slowly.

They were now over half-way u the moun-
tains. At times the labor of climb ng had been
severe, but as a general thing the pass was pas-

» .sably smooth, as though at some time it had
' been the bed of a mountain torrent. Pandy

Ellis noted this fact and many more, for noth-
ing seemed to escape his sharp eyes. ’

After five minutes more of climbing, they
came to a spot where the ground presented an
admirable spot for a stand, as several bowlders
would afford excellent shelter should the Indians
take it upon themselves to use their guns.
Above this oint one of the walls sloped a. little,
and might e scaled by vigorous climbers, but
below it, down to the very prairie. the sides of
the pass were almost perpendicular.

Pandy determined to make a stand here, as
the Indians must not come above this point, if
the lterrible plan he had in his head was to
war .

Just as they were ensconcing themselves be-
hind these bowlders, a sharp whistle rent the
air a little distance above them. It was the
signal Paudy had directed the soldier to give
when he found a place where the horses could
leave the canyon, and it informed the old ranger
that he had reached such a point.

 

Jack Holmes and Roaring Ralph were dis-
patched upward with the tired animals, while
the rest, having reloaded all of their weapons,
lay in wait for the red-skins, like so many
spiders watching for flies, only in this instance
the flies were seeking the lives of the spiders.

The two hunters had little difficulty in mak-
ing their way upward, so far as the nature of
the ground was concerned, but the darkness
that was settling like a pail upon the face of
nature threatened to hinder them a little.
Above the point, where the fugitives were
lying in wait, the walls began to assume the
appearance of banks more and more with ever
step, and as there was little danger of their
meeting any obstacle, the two rangers urged
the horses forward.

In a. few minutes the major’s cheery voice
was heard calling to them from the left bank,
and upon trial, t was found that, by taking
advantage of the lightning-flashes that came
faster every minute, they could see well enough
to lead the horses to the top of the bank. where
the soldier stood. They found seVeral trees
there to which the animals were secured, and
then the two commenced to make their way
down to their companions again. ‘

“ Looks like we‘re going to have a rain-storm,”
ventured Jack at length.

“Painters an powder-horns! so it do now.
I’ve been lookin’ at the sky for some time back,
an’ I reckon we’re going to be flooded right
outen hyar. Thet canyon below thar will be a.
regular sluice. I wonder if Pandy thort 0’ theti
’Tw’u’d be jist like him. Yes siree, you’ll see
sum fun w’en that rain comes, Jack. Reminds
me 0’ the old times in the Colorado canyon, it
do now. Thet lightnin’ air perfectly blindin’.”

Bang! went a rifle at this instant, the echoes
rumbling along the mountains. until the growl
of the distant thunder drowned them.

“The fan’s commenced. Let’s get down in
time to lend a hand,” cried Jack.

While the two are descending the canyon as
fast as the darkness will permit, we will return
once more to those whom we left lying in am-
bush among the rocks.

After their two friends had departed with the
horses, Pandy and his four companions selected
certain of the bowlders and ensconced them-
selves behind them lying in wait for the enemy.
With every fleeting Second the gloom seemed to
gather around them more intensely, until even
the outlines of the canyon walls were merged
in the general darkness.

“ I'm mighty much afraid we won’t be able
to see ’em when the time comes,” Rocky Moun-
tain Joe remarked at length.

“Don’t fret, Joey. The won‘t be hyar fur
a leetle w’ile, ’cause the’r eelin’ the’r way. ye
see. By ther time they cum, I think we’ll hev
illuminashun enui! ’less my kalkerlashun air
lop—sided. Keep yer eyes peeled fur a torch
from heaven,” adjured wise old Pandy Ellis.

Sure enough, the lightning was playing fast-
er and with a far greater brilliancy than when
he last thought fit to notice it. Soon it seemed
almost one continuous glare, and the dis‘ant
rumble of thunder proclaimed that the storm
was at length approaching. Like so many
specter forms the five men crouched behind

Old Hickory.

'19

 

their separate rocks, and while the heavenly
fireworks continued, waited for the turn of
events.

 

CHAPTER XII.
AN AVALANCHE or DEATH.

CRACK! The sharp report of old Pandy’s ri-
fle boomed out upon the night air. He had
caught a glimpse of a painted face, as the war-
rior peered around the rocks, and Betsy Jane,
the old rifle so lately rescued from the hands of
the cache thief. Spotted Coyote, gave the ven-
turesome red skin his quietus.

As the death-yell of the Sioux brave peeled
out, the ranger quietly exchanged the dis-
charged rifle for his new—fangled aflair, which
was pleasing him highly with its working, al«
though he could not quite get over his old—time
prejudice against anything that threatened the
annihilation of his favorite.

The five men were in readiness for an imme-
diate assault, but none came. They could hear
the Indians calling to each other in the nnrrow
canyon, but not a man came in sight. Matters
were still in this shape when Roaring Rilph
and Jack Holmes joined them. The old reckless
ranger was deeply disappointed when he found
that there was not to be a. terrific combat.

“Shoot me fur a Greaser, I kim down here
like a two-forty steam-ingine so as ter be on
hand. an’ new they jest wunter lie down an’ do
nothing. May I be chewed up by a alligator,
an’ roasted on the end 0’ a two-pronged pitch-
fork if I stand it. I’m a rearin’, tearin’ thun-
derbolt from the Colorado canyon, that’s me-—-
Roaring Ralph Sedunk Rockwood, you but: an’
if sumpin’ don’t stir them reds up in the space
0’ five minutes, I’m goin’ down thar myself wi’
a stick. Ye hear me now?”

He was known to be a perfect dare-devil, and
had any one of those present ventured to Ques-
tion his willingness to do just as he said, there
can be no doubt but what he would have put
his threat into execution.

Pandy,‘ however, laid a hand on his arm.

“Keep quiet. ole man,”snid he, “ an’ e’ll see
them pesky reds stirred up like as if a ornet's

' nest had been throwed in among ’em. Thar’s a

greater power than ours hittin’ ready ter sweep
’em ter eternity ef they ain’t mighty spry. Lis-
ten ter that, now i"

A sullen roar that gradually increased to a
booming sound; heaven's artillery Was at work
—the storm was at hand.

“Beavers an‘ barnaclesl ye’re right, Peudy
Ellis. Thar’s gnin’ ter be sum lively times for
them reds unless they skednddle purty quick.
I‘d give sumpin’ ter be sumwhnr so that I c‘u’d
see em,” declared Roaring Ralph.

“ Cum, boyees, we must make a sorter retreat
ter whar ther major air. ’less we wanter run
ther danger 0’ being caught ourselves. We’ll
wait hynr, tho‘, till she begins ter run pOWerful
like. Up on ther bank wi’ ye, an’ hunt w’at
shelter ther air, but keep an eye out fur ther
reds. They hev a. plan 0’ ther own, an’ hope
we’ll run at ther fu’st sprinkle. so they kin crawl
up hver. Ef they wait that long, they’ll git it
sure. -

“ Here she comes.” cried Blue Beans.

“Mustangs an’ Mexlkinsl what a douser it

airl Hold on for life, boyees, if ye don’t wanter
git. swept away. Them pore reds, how I does
"pit rem,” laughed Rockwood.

he storm was upon them.

Such a deluge the ran ers never saw before.
The rain seemed tocome own in perfect sheets,
and in ten seconds, as it seemed, the ground was
soaked. while little streams began to flow down
the bank, all of them moving toward the can-
yon.

A continuous flash of lightning seemed to ll-
luminate the scene, and the friends could see
the Indians wading up the torrent which in this
almost incredible s ace of time, had formed in
the pass, and was a ready knee-dee .

The sharp detonations of the estern rifles
sounded the death-knell of some of the leading
ones, and the rest, as if realizing that to come
above the bend was to rush upon their doom, re-
trenttd precipitously out of sight. ,

Onward swept the mountain torrent with
rapidly increasing depth. Every ten seconds
broug it it afoot or so higher. as fresh streams
rushed into this common Cl)81;l.Pl. - .

The canyon up which they had so recently
come was now occupied by a rushing, hoilin ,
foaming, roaring, seething mass of angry, ye ~
low water, that sped down the steep inclined
plane with a fury that was awful to contem.
plate, and which constantly increased as the
secords rped by.

Just after discharging their aims, the hunters
heard the cries of the now-terrified hrutes as,
plungin through the water. they began to
nuke 1 air descent to the plain far below.
With every yard their progress became more
difficult, for the celdron of waters seemed to
grow in oint of size miraculously.

They ad known their danger, and while
Buffalo Horn and a portion of his braves had
hastened to descend, when it became evident
that they were sEeedily to have a terrible storm,
the remainder ed stayed where they were.
These were for the most part, young braves,
who, headstrong as all persons to whom age
East not taught wisdom, thought they knew

es ».

There was a little trick they would work. and
surprise their elders. When the storm broke
the enemy would hasten to places of shelter,
leaving the way open for them to reach the
bank above before the torrent gained any mate-
rial depth. A very wise little plan indeed, but.
unfortunately, like many others, it was doomed
to be frustrated. The young braves did not
know the mettle of old prairie rangers.

How the scheme succeeded. the reader has al-
ready Seen. The Indians had placed themselves
in a death-trap, and it seemed as if not‘one of
them would escape alive. There wereedoren
who started the descent after the rifle-crack and
hurtling bullets had warned them that there was
no hope of reaching the sloping bank above.
Before two minutes had passed away the water
was abovn their knees, and rising rapidly.
Such was its force, that they could hardly keep

erect.

The lightning played vividly, rnd lighted u
the narrow pass. In despair they glared arou
them for some spot where they could pull them-

 

tplves up out of the reach of the angry waters,

 

 

Old Hickory.

 

but not a, crevice could they see; on either hand
the high walls stretched up almost to the black
thunder-clouds as it seemed, presenting an un-
glrokan face, as if they had been smooth mar—

e.

The end was inevitable. One or two war—
riors, brave to the last, finding that their doom
was sealed, faced the angry flood and settled
down to resist it, but nothing human could
stand before such a mighty rush of water, and
they were speedily whirled down through the
death canyon, their last shrieks being drowned
b the roar of the yelIOW avalanche.

uflalo Horn and his warriors had just reach-
ed the plain when the water began to run out of
the canyon. Unmindful of the rain they stood
and watched, fearing the worst.

Soon the yellow flood grew into immense pro-
portions, and upon reaching the level land,
rushed out twenty yards and more churned into
\foam, before it spread. Not one of those twelve
braves was ever seen alive. A human form was
washed to the very feet of the chief. He stooped
down and examined the Sioux.

He was badly mangled, but it was from con-
tact with the rocks, and not the weapons of the
white men. Nothing more was needed to tell
the rest chief what had happened, and there
wou d be much mourning in the village over the
rash young braves who were not.

The end was not yet.

Buffalo Horn thought that he had seen the
last of the white hunters who had Wrought so
much harm on him and his, but in this he was
mistaken. as subsequent even 3 will prove.

Pandy Ellis and his six f ends stood in the

,rain, watching the pass as well as they could by
theglare of the lightning. When the fact be-
came positive that no red-skin could make his
way up against the stormy water that rushed
through the canyon as if it had been a sluice-
wa , they began to think it was time to seek
she ter.
- It was hard work moving at all in the drench-
ing rain, but the managed to find an overhang-
ing rock where t ey stood untilthe deluge came
down less heavily. Then they climbed the
mountain, under the direction of Jack Holmes
and Roaring Ralph, who guided them to where
the young soldier and May Hasly were. They
found them in a cleft where they were screened
from the fury of the rain. In this place they
, also ensconced themselves, and although soak-
ing wet, yet they were in good spirits. Roar-
ing Ralph particularly so. He could not get
over the catastrophe that had befallen the war-
like Sioux. ' ,

“ Tia me up in a blanket, less I go ter pieces
a—lau hin’, but that war an all-powerful event.
Just ancy them reds a-comin’ u the canyon as
bold as larks, an’ than, how 5 ick they went
back again! I’d ’a’ given sum in’ to hev seen the
ole chief Buflslo Horn a—goin down like as if be
war sailin’ for the internal regions. Hoopee!
I’ll never get over it. Thar, I’m off ag’in,” and
if toshake all over like a bowl of jelly. meant
being “off,” the reckless ranger was certainly
in that condition.

They had heard the stentorian tones of ti:
{rent war-chief above the rumbling thunder. [-

w minute before the storm broke, and had

 

taken it for granted that Buffalo Horn had
made the ride with the rest of the ill-fated red—
men, not having been able to distinguish what
he said.

Old Pandy was ruefully feelin of his new
buckskins, which not being coate with grease
like those of his comrades were well soaked by
the rain.

The fury of the storm was now about over.
szdy was delighted when the major showed
him a little bundle of dry sticks, he had gather-
ed before the rain came, thoughtfully reason-
ing that they might be needed. In five minutes

the faces of the little party were lighted up by ,

the blaze of a fire, arouan which they gathered,
to dry their clothes, and also their weapons.

Here they remained during the remainder of
the night, thinking that all danger from the
Sioux, was post, now that the head chief was
gone, little SUSpecting what lay in store for
them.

When morning came a survey of the plain
was taken. Here and there a silent form could
be seen lying upon the ground, but not a living
creature was in sight. After a hasty breakfast,
they mounted, and continued their journey
over the mountains, hoping to reach the other
side by dusk.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
OLD BETSY JANE’S LONG sao‘r.

“ WE are in a nice pickle."

It was Rocky Mountain Joe who spoke and
there was none to deny his assertion. Complete
silence see-med to assume full sway.

Back of them the mountains arose, tier on
tier, stretching away on either hand, and out-
lined against the clear blue heaven.
lay the valley of the great Missouri rlver.
Human agency could not find a path up the
stream on this shore, such was the labyrinth
of rocks that were piled up mountain high. On.
another side, indeed directly below them, lay
the yellow river, and from where they stood
they could look down upon its muddy surface.

Down the stream and on the same shore, not
half a. mile away, a large band of mounted 1n-
dians were coming toward them. To go up the
mountain again in the exhausted condition of
their horses was utterly out of the question,
and no wonder there was not a contradictory
voice when Rocky Joe, who was perfectly at
home ameng the stony hights, announced that
they were in a bad fix. '

In the far west, the sun was just sinking out
of sight behind the ridges that indicated the
rolling prairie. They had halted to survey the
river as it boomed along hundreds of feet be-
low, and to determine upon their future course,
when the eagle eyes of old Pandy Ellis caught
sight of the large band of Sionx. who had just
made their appearance around asort of bend
some distance away.

The last rays of the sun shone for an instant
upon their painted forms and gaudy trappings,
and even at this distance Pandy was ready to
declare that they belonged to the village of the
bead chief, Buffalo Horn.

He wasted no time in idle scrutiny, but while
..he others were watching, his keen gray orbs

3 were rovmg in another direction.

In front ’

Old Hickory.

81

 

A loud, clear yell, followed by a. chorus of
short, sharp yelps, such as a pack of bounds
might give utterance to upon strikinga trail,

reclaimed the fact of their being seen, and the
fndians started their horses on faster.

Pandiy smiled grimly. At the same time a
look to] of satisfaction came into his eyes, as
if he had caught sight of that for which he
looked.

“ Ef we stay hyar, we’re gone up. I think
thar’s a. spot up hyar w’at ’ll suit as fur a fort.
Foller me, right lively!” be ordered.

Halter-shelter came the Indians rushing on,
but the retreat of the little band although rapid
was not disorderly. The trapper chief led the
way in among the rocks, and old Roaring Ralph
burst out into an exclamation of satisfaction,
that terminated in a wild shout when be dis—
covered what manner of place they had stum-
bled upon.

“ Rub me ag’in’ a. hay-cutter! Didn't I think
this hyar lace looked familiar-like? H’ist me
inter a ’ ache’s rave! I’ve been hyar, an’
fought hyar, an’ kim near leavin’ m y ole bones
hyar for good. Will I ever forget them
times!" codes if there was not an enemy
within miles, the Colorado ranger sprung to a
certain place where the rocks rose in a pyra-
mid-like form. He was curiously watched by
Pond and the major, while the others kept
watc on the reds.

“Then this place has seen a. fight before?"
said the ranger. interrogatively.

“Seen a scrimmage! My dear major, you’ve
heard 0’ this place; an’ you, too, Pandy Ellis.
This air Dead Man’s Hole."

“Air it possible!” ejaculated the old ranger,
surveying the place with a new interest.

“W’ale-bones an’ w’ite-wash—it airi Behind
these here rocks three of us held out ag’in ni h on
a hundred Sioux fur two days. Thar war ild
Bill, Kickapoo Dan an’ myself. Poor Dan went
under. and we buried him, Bill an’ me, under
thet reat pile o‘ rocks.”

“' ow did on get out of the scrape?” asked
the major, to l of interest, for they might have
to use the same means.

“Didn’t git outen it. Bill and I war half-
killed ourselves an’ yanked (fr ter the town.
Bill, he managed ter escape. but I lay sick for a
long time. I’d ’a’ been all right in a day or two
if it hadn’t been for the ole medicine—man.
what stuffed all sorts 0’ things down my gullet.
At last they pronounced me welleenough to run
the aantlet the next day, but w’en the time kim
Ole Ralph warn’t thar, ’cause Wild Bill hed paid
him :1 visit in the night an’ helped him off.’

During this conversation the others had kept
a close watch upon the lndinns. They came
plunging madly on until within easy range of
the fort. and then brought up in a confused
mass. Whetherit was the guns of the fugitives,
lainly Seen above the ramparta, or vivid recol-
llections of a former severe tussle on this verv
some ground, that caused this sudden halt, it
would be impossible to say, but the fact was
apparent that they no longer advanced toward
the whites.

There were erhaps fifty of the red bravas
in the band. R‘hey were still. huddled u in a
anused mass as it engaged in earnest isom-

 

 

sion regarding their enemies, when n commo-
tion appeared among them. A loud yell went
pealing over the rocks, and to the surprise of
our friends it was answered from the side of
the mountain. Upon looking up, what was
their astonishment to see a second hand of In-
dians descending the very canyon they had so
lately used.

They were not far from being equal in num-
ber to those who already blocked the path
which the whites would have taken had they
been allowed to depart from the lace. At
the head of this second hand ro e a chief
whom they reco nized even in the gathering
twilight as their eadly foe, the head chief.

“ Dust my Sunday breeches if it ain’t Buffalo
Horn i" exclaimed oarin Ralph.

It was evident, then, t at the chief had es—
caped the dreadful fate that had oveitaken his
braves, when the avalanche rushed down upon
them. How this had been done there was no
time to in uire, nor was there the remotest pos-
sibility of nding out, even had they decided to
pry into the matter. It was quite enough for
them that the great warrior and leader had es-
caped, and that he was leading his braves for-
ward again, more determined than ever to crush
his mortal foes.

Pandy Ellis looked grave. He was in truth
troubled, although he tried his best not to show
it. His many glances toward Ma Hasly show-
erl the tenor of his thoughts. or himself the
old trapper chief cared little. He tad roamed
the broad prairies too long to think augbt of
danger, save that it must be continually incur~
red in a trap er’s life.

“ Poor leet 6 gal, I’m sorry fur her. I didn‘t
think ther major war so foolish, but then w’en
a feller’s in love he don’t do anything like a.
reasonable critter. He had no ier o’ comin’
this fur cn’y ther ginernl chased 'em, an’ they
w’u’dn’t guv in. We], wal, this air no time
for reflectshuns. We must git ter work an’
settle up ther place, for I’m mightl‘y afraid we'll
stay hyar lenger’n we wanter. ust 0' all, I’ll
try ole long-range, Bets Jane. The major
hez her, but I reckon l in borry ther ole et
fur ther occashun. Them reds air too close; ’11
teach ’em a lesson.” \

Pandy had handed over his old Western rifle
to the soldier, but he soon had it in his hands
again. He had no faith in the far-shootin
qualities (f the new-tangled was on, althong
he had rronounced it a "powerfulrhandy affair
in close quarters." ‘

Old Betsy Jane was swung to his shoulder
and held stationary for a few seconds until he
had sighted one of the red horsemen in the first
hand. Then a sharp crack reverberated much

4the mountain gorges, sounding with unusna

distinctness in the clear air of the ( vening.
Before it had quite died away, one of the
mounted Indians “as seen to throw his hands
above his head, and the wild cry that went
peeling over the distance, and reverberaiing.
from hundreds of rooky elifl’s. proclaimed that
there was one more Sioux brave on the long
trail leading to the happy hunting-grounds of
the red-men. \ i
The warrior fell to the round, and, warned
of their dangerous proxiofity, the rest of the

 

 

r

2.4., sauna-s. "1,“

22 Old Hickory.

 

Barty turned their horses’ heads and made
aste to lace more ground between their pre-
clous bodies and the long~range rifles of those
behind the stockade.

Pandy laughed quietly to himself as he noted
the eflect of his shot.

“I knowed ole Betsy Jane w‘u’d fetch ’em
every time. Reckon az how she air ter be de-
pended on in an emergency. ‘ Be off wid ther
ole love afore ye’re on wid ther new,’ az ther
teller sez, but I’ll never quit lovin’ Betsy J me
even tho’ I hang on ter this new—tangled affair.
Now, at ye’ll gather ’round me, kumrades, we’ll
see w’at kin be did in ther premises.”

Every one of them was perfectly willing to
give the whole aflair into the hands of the vet-
eran, knowing full well that if there was a man
on the plains who could get them out of their
glririble situation, that individual was Pandy

13..

Roaring Ralph had been cooped up in this
place two days. and yet Pandy seemed to know
more about it than the reckless Colorado ranger,
albeit he had only taken a sweeping survey of
aha ground, and that under circumstances that

id not allow a close scrutiny.

It was a natural rocky fort in the great wil-
derness. 0n the upper side it was quite inac-
cessible, so that there was not the slightest dan-
ger of the Indians getting above them and
firing down upon their unprotected bodies.
Then thegback consisted of space, for it was
upon the edge of the steep bluff, and hundreds
0 feet below the yellow water of the Missouri
rOared and splattered as it rushed along its
rooky channel.

The front and lower side consisted of a pile of
rocks higher than a tall man. and whose on-
derous weight and immense size preclude all
possibility of their having been moved into
their present position by human agency. It
would have re uired great machines and en-
gines to have bu ged one of these huge howlders
that had been piled up so neatly by the deft
hand of nature.

Behind these natural breastworks the fugi-
tives gathered around Pandy Ellis to hear his
directions, while the Sioux seemed to be settling
down for a regular siege, and with matters in
this shape, darkness arrived upon the scene.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
rm: CAMP ON was: BLUFF.

UPON the very ascent where we first saw the
young fugitives of the Northwest, a band of
soldiers had encamped. They were twenty-five
in number, and the horses that were picketed
close by proclaimed them to be United States
cavalry.

The oificer with the iron- ray hair and fierce
military mustache, whose s rn look was occa-
sionally changedinto one of care, was Colonel
Hasly, sometimes called “the general.”

Beside him stood a frontiersman, dressed in
buckskin garments and carr ing the inevita-
ble weapons of his craft. Th 5 individual was a
scout of some renown, known upon the border
us Fire-Flash Frank. His greatest deeds were
accomplished with‘ the long rifle he carried, and

~ I such was his skill at marksmanship, that there

/

. boy like a father.

 

were people who believed he could do anything
under the sun with his firearms.

A serious expression rested on the scout’s face
that tallied with the troubled look worn by the
post commander, and it was evident that the
conversation, just dropped for a brief period
while each communed with his thoughts, had
not been of a very pleasant nature to either of
them.

At length the prairie scout turned to his old
and well-loved commander. '

“Well, general, thar’s no use in our crying
over spilt milk. The young ones were here,
that I’ll swear to, but we’ve come too late. Why
they ain’t been gobbled up by the reds store
now I can’t see. for they’ve been in the hot-bed
of the hostiles for days past."

“ There can be no chance that you are wrong
in your surmises?” questioned the officer with a
faint glimmer of hope. '

“Not the least general. The trail is as plain
as daylight. 'l’hey’ve been captured by a
mighty likely squad of the reds. Thar can be
no doubt but that they’re from Buflier Horn‘s
village, so you see the case ain’t as bad as it
might be. From the way they kept on I was
beginning to believe we never would come up
with ’em, and that we’d fetch up at the Pacific
or the Polar sea yet, but now, don’t ye see, we
have ’em safe. The rods won’t dar’ to ofl’er ’em
any indignity—at least the gal; as for the young
critter ye don’t car’ much if they do run him in
the fire a leetle: he desnrves something like that
for carrying of! your daughter.”

“ For Heaven’s sake, say not so. I would not
have a hair of his head harmed for the world,
for I love Harry Belmont as if he were my own
son,” and the oflicer strode awa from the
scout’s side, as if to hide the terrible emotion
that shook his frame.

“Now, that’s pa-skv queer.” muttered the
prairie scout, gazing after his commander in the
gloamiug, “ yes, almighty queer. He loves the
What on earth do he mean
then, refusing to let him have the gel? Thar’s
nothing in the way that I kin see. Blame the
luck, it he had only told me that in the start,
instead of looking so glam and stern, this here
pursuit would have been a heap sight livelier
than it has. Why. Ithort he was death on my
boy, and concluded it was better the young
folks went on till they were captured by the
reds. then fall into his hands. Loves arry
after alll Well. well, if that don’t just knock
s ots ofl’n all I‘ve ever seen or heard. Then
t ar’s one thing settled; We must get ’em away
from the pesky Sioux. Mebhe we‘ll have a
wedding at the fort yet, who knows? I think I’ll
take a leetle scout, seeing that they camp here.
I may run across another of them ’ere signs
about old Pandy Ellis’s sculp. Wonder if they’ve
bagged that old ’coon yet? Thar ain’t no doubt
but what he‘s a match for all the imps of the
prairies put together, the wood-sculper air,” and
With a knowing shake of his head, the guide left
the camp, plunging into a labyrinth of rocks
and bushes that hounded it on one side.

When Colonel Hasly left the scout so sudden-
ly, his frame was shaken with some emotion
that would not be repressed. The mention of
the awful tact that the young fugitiVes were '

I Old Hickory.

 

now in the power of the Indians may have had
some efl'ect upon him, as I have no doubt it had,
but there was something behind this that
brought great tears to eyes that were utterly
unused to weeping.

“ It is comin home to me," he groaned, when
he found himse f alone, “ and I deserve it, too.
For t he simlile reason that I was unwilling to bear
the shame, have brought this down upon my
own head. I wonder if Hurray can ever forgive
me. Poor children! I shoul have explained it
all when I first saw symptoms of love between
you, instead of using my utmost eflprts for a
separation. I am being punished bitterly for
my deceit, yet God knows how willingly I
would take it all upon my shoulders If they
were spared. How will it endi Heaven alone
knows, but I am utterly wretched. Love Harry?
Ay, as the apple of my eye; equally as dear to
my heart as little May. Will he ever forgive
me, I wonder?" and the officer groaued aloud in
his soul anguish.

They had reached this point just half an hour
before sundown, being several days behind the
fugitives, as the trail had been lost at a point
where young Belmont had caused the two steeds
to walk quite a distance along a. water-course.
This and sundry other devices on the part of the
young man had deceived even the scout of the
expedition, Fire-Flash Frank, and that worthy
was ready to admit the young soldier an adept
in the wayof throwin pursuers off the trail.
even though he thong t Harry crazy to bring
the irl to the wilderness, that teemed with hos-
tile ?ndians and savage beasts.

The shades of night gradually settled over the
bluff, and darkness rendered everything invisi-
ble, save where it was outlined in a vague way
against the star-gemmed heavens.

A fire had been started by the soldiers, but,
as they were few in number to be caught in
this hostile country, they took the cautious
words of the scout to heart, and were careful to
build the blaze at a oint where it would be
diflicult to see it rom almost any direc-
tion, unless the stroller actually stumbled upon

The cavalryrnen then proceeded to enjoy their
own frugal supper. havin seen that their horses
were well provided for. hey had left the fort
hurriedl , and with but little preparation, hav-
ing no i es. of the long chase the fugitives would
lead them, and their provisions had long since
run out. -

There was no such thing as starving in this
land of plenty, however. and the rifle of the
scout kept them supplied with fresh meat. They
were surrounded by multiplied dangers, but if
any Indians had seen them so far. thev must
have taken it for granted that the little bod y of
soldiers intended having a conference with some
of the lending chiefs, as they could not imagine
their entering the Sioux country with a hostile
intent.

The very daring of their movement was thus
likely to be their best safeguard, but, should the
Indians once assail them, there would be but a
small chance of their ever reaching the fort
again. for the red-skins could muster fifty men
to every one of the soldiers, and well-armed, de-
termined fighters at that.

 

The general slept but little during this night,
but it was not the perils that surrounded them
that caused his wakefulness; his thoughts con-
tinunll roved to the young couple who had run
awa mm the fort, and ever and anon a groan
woud break from the brave old soldier that
must surely have been caused by something be-

ond the fact that his daughter was a prisoner

n the Sioux village.

Far down in the gully the yellow Missouri
rushed along its bed, and the murmur of the
water failed to sin him to sleep. From the
sides of the blufl,t ere ascended at intervals
the long-drawn, mournful bowl of the great
Era wolf, sounding dismally through the stilly

ar ness of the night.

Then the fair moon peeped above the far—oil?
eastern horizon, and cast a silvery sheen over
every object upon which her enchanting rays
chanced to fall. A lonely owl, perched upon a.
neighborin deadwood, gave vent to his feelings
in solemn cots, until frightened at last by the
bright moon. he flew away to some dark gulch
in search of legitimate prey.

Slowly the moon wheeled upward in her
might cycle, and, wearied at length with his
own ireful thoughts, the soldier fell into a
sound slumber.

He was awakened by a touch on the arm. and,
springin'lg to his feet, he found daylight at
hand. he scout and trailer stood beside him.

“Breakfast, general, and then we’ll settle
down to work. If I know anything about this
country, and I ought to, having been a captive
among the Sioux for five years, we'll be knock-
ing at the lodges of Buffalo Horn before it gets
dark again.”

The eneral’s face brightened a trifle, but as
he sat own to eat he presented the appearance
of a man from whose son] hope had almost
wholly fled. While they were eating, the sen-
try came in to report a solitary man makin
his way up the steep side of the bluff town
the north. 4

In another minute all those in the camp were
lookin down at the distant figure. The men

‘23‘ '

saw hm take ofl.’ his broad-rimmed hat and r'

wave it above his head as if he were mightil
pleased to set eyes on them. Through his flelg-
glass the general saw more.

“Take this and look,” said he to Fire-Flash
Frank; “ if I had not conclusive evidence of
his death, I would swear that it was the prairie
prince, old Pandy Ellis.”

CHAP’IER XV.
A ROCKY FORTBESS. .

LET us return to thaw a horn we left behind
the natural fort of rocks with the Indians be-
sieging them. As darkness came on space they
gathered around the white-haired Pandy Ellis,
to whom each one looked as upon a leader.

The veteran knew the peril of their situation.
none better. and he felt sure that their greatest
danger would he, not in the assaults of the In-
diane, although these might be serious enough,
but from starvation and thirst.

Before Pandy would say a word as to what
the nature of their position was he had whis-
pered a few words to Belmont, w o immediate-
y took May Hasly to the edge of the hlufl', to

 

 

:‘E—Ar‘ v

5‘: gr: :3

 “:r‘vgrt :9

v ‘3': i‘m-zuv'fl. — -.—H

memo-my. grave i.

“an.”

 

84 Old Hickory.

listen to the roar of the water below, as he said,
but in reality to keep from her the true state of
aflairs.

Those who listened to the old ranger were,
therefore, men who had faced grim death too
often to quail at his presence; most of them
during and reckless as only frontiersmen can be,
delighted in adventures, and but for thefpresence
of the young girl in their midst would have
asked nothing better than a savage and bloody
bout with the warlike Sioux.

There was one who had May Hasly always in
his mind. This was Jack Holmes, the hand-
some young fellow who pursued the roving life
that follows a trapper for mere love of adven-
ture, and not because of necessity. He watched
her wherever she went, and winced in aciual
pain at every lover-like movement of the young
soldier. Oh! little did Jack suspect the glorious
light that was lining his dark cloud with the
si very sheen 1

.There were eight of them to defend the little
rocky fort against more than a hundred of their
savage foes, who were armed with the best
weapons Uncle Sam’s money could procure and
well versed in the crafty designs of their use. It
would seem like terrible odds, especially when
thehground was covered with t e shades of
n t.

ot a man flinched nor trembled. Roaring
Ralph and his two companions, the celebrate
Wild Bill, and Kickapoo Dan, had held the fort
aghainst a horde of these self-same braves for two
w ole days and nights, and had only given in
when Dan had been killed and the others badly

. wounded by the storm of bullets that was sent

among the’rocks by the infuriated reds, who

' were growing desperate from their losses and

r the obstinate defense of the besieged.

- Surely than, these eight men could hold their
Own age net the enemy for a time, and having
old Pandy with them was a godsend, for the
veteran’s brain was fertile in schemes, and,
where other men would be likely to fail, he in-
variably succeeded.

The moon would not make her appearance
until about midnight, and in all probability
their greatest danger would be during those
hours of darkness, when the reds could creep

,close 1:}: to the barricade without being dis-

covere

On the other occasion when Roaring Ralph
and his friends had been besie d in the same
place, there had been no period of darkn~s=.
for the moon made her appearance soon after

,the sun had set, and remained in sight until

almost daybreak, for the great hills that rose
up were toward the north, and would not ob-

’ atruct her light so long as she remained above

the horizon.

v Pandy wondered how the red-skins had man—
aged toget close enough to send their bullets
into the fort, but the reckless ranger soon in-
formed him. There were no natural means of
concEalment. such as outlying bowlders. exoept
in the immediate vicinity, but the wily reds

I had made artificial ones, behind which they

kept their precious bodies until close enough to
re. n, in aflre of balls that did terrible exacu-

\ tion.
V' At the time,the three friends had been so badly

 

demoralized, and powerless to prevent the catas-
trophe. that thev had fallen victims to the fur
of the Sioux. Such an impression had this terri-
ble event made upon the mind of the Colorado
ranger, that he then and there swore a solemn
oath that if he ever managed to get out of that
scrape he would invent something to defeat the
Indians should they ever make a similar attempt
when he was around. '

Perhaps he had received assistance some-
where, for Ralph, although a shrewd man in
all things pertaining to prairie lore, was not
learned in science, but he had by some manner
of means obtained what he desired, and gloried
in the thought that perhaps he would now have
a chanco to make use of the discovery upon the
very field of his former defeat.

When darkness bud fully covered the face of
the earth, Pandy Ellis stationed his friends as
best suited his purpose. The young girl was
placed in a secure spot where she would be safe
from any flying bullets, as were also the horses.
Having accomplished this much, the old ranger
looked to the hue of defense.

Fortunately, the only route by which the In-
dians could reach the rocky fort was not more
than twenty feet in width, so that the attention
of the whole party could be concentrated upon
this one spot without a fear of receiving an un-
expected attack in the rear.

On one side stretched lhe high, white cliffs,
utterly unscalable; on the other yawned the
terrible gulch, deep down in which roared the
turbid waters of the Missouri.

It was a. death-trap for the unwary, and
through this the Sioux were creepin . Many
of the older braves spoke against lt. They
knew with whom they had to deal: the fight in
the canyon had informed them that these bold
enemies were their most deadly foes, the fron-
tiersmen, than whom they would much rather
fight a whole regiment of soldiers. Perhaps
they also remembered the battle that had oc-

curred before at this very oint, and the num-'

ber of their tribe who had alien before the end
was reached by strategy.

At any rate, their counsel was in vain, for
the young hraVes felt their hot blood surgin ‘
through their veins, and demanded to be led
against the hated fee.

The night was not more than ordinarilydark.
Our friends, looking over their rocky Stockade,
could see the white rocks for quite a little dis-
tance, and it must needs be a shrewd Indian
who could crawl up unobserved.

Bolly Wherrit had stationed himself at the
extreme end of the line, where his observation
would extend much further than from any
other point. Here the old ranger stood as mo-
tionless as a statue.

Time slipped by. Almost two hours had gone
since nightfall, and there seemed some ground
for the hope that perhaps, after all, the reds did.
not intend making any assault.

Bully wns thinking of his chum. and how
wonderfully all of them had been deluded. All
the time, howewr, his eyes were on thelook-ont,
and his ears open to catch any sound. Next to
him stood the chief, Powder Flash, and Bolly
could hear the steady crunching of his teeth as

the determined Indian gnawed away at the.

i A. gm- e_

Old Hickory. ' 25

_.

 

tough venison which he had sworn to finish or
die in the attempt.

All at once Bolly’s eye was attracted toward
something dark that had appeared upon the
white rock. By watching carefully he could
make out that it was movmg, and in the direc-
tion of the fort. This told him as plain as
words, that it was an Indian.

His rifle sought his shoulder, but he waited
until the approaching object had moved forward
a dozen feet or so. Then glancing along the
rifle-barrel, he took aim as well as was possible
under the circumstances.

The sharp, whipilike crack sounded, and
echoed along the deep gulch, dying gradually
among the mountains. Bolly saw the dark form
leap wildly erect, disclosing the shape of an In-
dian warrior. Then aloud shrill yellof mingled
pain and despair rung out, and theill-fated war-
rior fell lifeless upon the rocks.

Hardlv had this occurred before asecond rifle-
shot broke the silence. Roaring Ralph. at the
further end of the line, had caught sight of a.
warrior crawling along the very edge of the de-
file, and had let drive, with only a hasty aim.

No cry followed this shot, but he saw the man

stagger to his knees, reel for an instant, and
thfn vanish into the black depths of the great
a vss.
This taught the hot-blooded warriors a. lesson,
and they realized that it was to be no child’s-
play or sham-battle. When these men used
their rifles, death almost invariably followed,
and they were now willing to listen to the
words of wisdom from the lips of the older
braves.

Nothing of note occurred during the remain-
ing two hours of darkness. The Sioux seemed
to realize that force alone could never dislodge
or exterminate the white men who had found
shelter in the rock-fort, and determined to use
othermeans. .

The friends could hear the distant sound of
chopping, for a grove of trees grew upon the
mountain-side, not half a mile away from the

t. From this the Colorado ranger judged
t at they intended trying the same tactics that
had been so signally succeszul in the former
fight, and he smiled grimly as he tapped loving-
ly a small knapsack which he had strapped be-
tween his shoulders.

Pand Ellis did not have any great fear of his
friends eing overpowered, but he was afraid of
their being starved into submission. He knew
well enough that, although the reds might not
be able to take the fort, those within it could not
make their escape.

This thought worried him not a little, and at
length he drew Harry Belmont aside and held a
long conversation with him. The soldier gave
him some news that at length decided the old
ranger. If they all remained here until dooms-
day, no assistance could come to them—it must
be sought for.

Pandy knew just where the place where the
two lugitivss had been captured by the Sioux
was situated. He had spent a day upon the
blufl, looking dawn upon the view far below,
and settling on his plan for deceiving Buffalo
Horn and his braves.

This would most probably be the likeliest

 

place where he could find the soldiers who were
in pursuit of the young runaways, and the run.
ger had made up his mind for the trial.

If he failed, it would make their situation no
worse, for one arm could not ward off the pangs
of starvation. His situation was soon commu~
nicated to the rest, who expressed their faith in
the veteran. but wondered how he intended
leaving the fort. Pandy Ellis was equal to such
an emergency, however.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
INTO THE BOWELS or run mam.

Tun first movement of Fundy Ellis was a sig-
nificant one, and explained his intended opera-
tions. He called for every man’s lasso. In this
way he became the possessor of four besides his
own.

Be it known that men who range the plains of
the Southwest invariably carry a hair-rope at
their saddle-bow, to coil around them in acircle
at night in order to keep the snakes away, as
these reptiles will never cross a hair—rope.

On the other side of the saddle is carried the
lariat, which is used to tether the horse or to
serve the man as a lasso. Belly Wherrit, Boar-
ing Ralph, Rocky Joe and Blue Beans each car-
ried their lassoes with them, wrapped around
their waists, either because they considered the
ropes too precious to be left behind, or else
thought they should find some use for them.

Five of the besieged now had their lariats on
hand, and old Pandy smiled when they were
placed in his possession. Their len th averaged
thirty feet each, and when fastens securely to-
gether, they would robably measure ahou one
hundred and forty eet.

It took Pandy some little time to so tie them
that he would have no hesitation in trusting his
weight to the long rope, but at length it was
concluded. He and Bolly then went over to
the edge of the deep gulch.

Below them was inky darkness. They could
hear the sullen roar of the yellow Missouri, as
the water plunged against the rocks, and Belly
looked a trifle dismayed, but his desire to take
his chum’s place would not be listened toby
that worthy.

“ It air rather hard on ther new buckskins, ole
boss, I admit,” the old fellow said, laughing,
“ but they hev ter git a christenin’ some time.
ye know. I’ll leave my rifle wid ye, Boll , an’
make good use 0’ it at ther time cum, ur in
close quarters it’s jest b’u’tiful ter pour in ther
bullets, an’ ye’ll flnd yer own nowhar. My re-
volver I’ve wrapped in ’iled‘silk so ther water
kain’t hurt it. Now, of ye’re ready, we’ll solve
ther problem about ther length 0’ ther rope, by
mathematical persuasion, as ther teller s92."

Fastening a heavy stone to the end of the line
they lowered it into the black gulf until all 0
the rope but a yard or so was out, and then it
seemed to have reached some firm foundation,
for all of their eflorts could not make it go
down any further.

The moon was peeping above the eastern hori-
zon when this trial began, and by the time the
stone was hauled up again, she had wheeled into
full view, and was flooding the earth ,with her
silvery light, although the chasm seemed to ap-

 

   
 

Old Hickory.

    

 

pear darker than ever now in contrast to the
surrounding scenery.

It was discovered that not only the stone, but
a dozen feet of the rope had been wet by plung-
ing into the river, and this was proof conclusive
that the combined lassoes possessed sufficient
length for Pandy to gain his end.

There was now no time to lose, as the moon
was rising higher, and might possibly betray
his actions to the Sioux. he bold fellow felt
no fear in regard to his desperate undertaking.
All his life had been a continual facing of dan-

er, and he had grown so accustomed to meet-
ng the grisly monster death in every conceiva-
ble shape, that the dread demon had lost all ter-

- ror for him.

Having hidden his friend farewell, Pandy
lowered himself over the edge of the bluff, and
vanished from their eight. The end of the long
rope had been secured to a. rejecting rock and
a coat had been placed un er it where it went
over the edge,_to prevent chafing from the con-
stant motion.

Bolly had thrown himself down upon the
rocks and held his fingers to the rope, just as
a man might feel the pulse of a. sick person.
In this way he could tell just haw his chum was

' getting on.

For pirhaps the minutes the restless move-
ment an stated intervals told him that the trap-
per chief was-descending in safety. Then the
strain became easier, and a minute later, an
abrupt jerk told him that old Pandy was in the
water, for this had been agreed upon before he
started, as the signal to proclaim the success of
his venture.

’ Leaving our friends for a short time upon the
bluff, with-the Indians preparing for desperate
work, we will follow the valiant old ranger and
see how his mission succeeded.

Pandy was wise enough to slide down the ro e
slowly and cautiously, so that his hands won d
not be cut. After once leaving ‘the verge, he
plunged into darkness that grew deeper with
every yard of his descent.

Unknown perils surrounded him on all sides,
but as they were unseen. they did not trouble
him much, and the good fortune that generally
accompanied the old ranger, did not desert him
on this occasion.

It was a wonder that Roaring Ralph and his
two friends had not thought of this means of es-
cape when brought to bay in the rocky fort at
the time of which mention has been made be-
fore. Perhaps they did, but were unable to
muster sufi'ieient length of rope, for it could not
have been fear that prevented their attempting
it, for all of them were perfect dare-devils.

The descent of the old rangler was just as sys—
tematic as the generality of is acts. By short
passages he descended into the depths of the
abyss. At times the rope seemed inclined to
twirl a little, but he preVented this from assum—
ing any alarming proportions by putting out
one hand and touching the wall whenever it was
possible. in this manner steadying himself.

' ‘That he was drawing near the bottom of the

wide gulch, was soon made manifest: not

through his sight, for all was dark as Egypt
around him,’but the roaring of the river among
the rocks of the deflle had gradually become

 

louder, until it was almost deafening in the ears
of the old ranger.

His feet touched the water, and then he was
wholly immersed in the chilling stream. He
still retained hold of the rope, and intended
doing so until he found a place to rest his feet.
This was quickly discovered, and the.old ranger
stood up to his breast in the yellow water of the
upper Missouri. ’

His feet rested on sand, and feeling confident
that he could walk along near the shore until he
came to some point where an escape might be
made from this black defile, he gave the signal
with the rope that had been agreed upon. and
then let it go. Then commenced the tedious
passage down the stream. He kept close to the
rocky wall, expecting that the water would be
most shallow there, but he knew nothing of the
current of the river. At times he would only
be knee-deep and confidently expecting to reach
dry land when another minute would find him
up to his neck in the foaming water, and only
retaining his footing with difficulty.

Once, indeed, during this perilous passage. he
lost his footing completely, and was actually
obliged to swim, although this was a pretty hard
thing to do under the circumstances. The mad
water bore him along with frightful velocity,
anti Pandy did his best to stem the current.

Fortunately he struck against a rock that lay
in the channel, and this enabled him to get his
feet once more on the sandy bed of the stream.
It seemed as though this was the culminating
point of his desperate adventure, for, after re-
gaining his breath, and once more starting on,
every foot of the way took him further out of
the water until he was splashing along with
only a few inches of the flood under him.

The aspect of the banks had also changed
materially since his immersion, and they no
longer rose up on either hand bold and abrupt,
but from where he stood he could see the trees
upon the mountain,and the moonlight upon the
rocks further up its side.

A few minutes later and Pandy determined
to get out of the river and continue his journey
on dry land. Leaving him hastening on we will
return once more tolthe rocky fort.

CHAPTER XVII.
AN EARTHQUAKE ON A SMALL SCALE.

WHEN the slacking of the rope told Bolly
Wherrit that his old chum had risked ever -
thing, he lay down, with his head over t e
chasm.

Below him all was as black as Egypt, and he
could not have seen Pandy, had the latter been
only a couple of yards below him. The rear of
the angry water reached the ears of the listen-
ing ranger, but as the minutes passed on he was
ngr ieahlv disappointed about hearing some cry
from below that would preciaim the fact of
Penrlv’s having gotten into trouble.

At length he arose to his feet, and returned to
his est, feeling pretty confident that Fundy
won d get off, even though he failed to find the
expected assistance.

The sound of tomahawks could still be heard
as dozens of the determined Sioux worked stead-
1' lg in the little grove of trees, and the beleaguer-
e knew very well what they were up to, for I

 

u

Old Hickory.

8'?

 

Roaring Ralph had informed them as to the
means employed by the Indians to get close to
the rocks before making their dash, on the pre-
vious occasion. Indeed, some of the logs that
had formed their breastworks could still be
seen among the rocks, the rest having prob-
ably been used for firewood, at various times,
py parties who camped in this strange natural
ort.

In an hour or so then, they might expect the
assault to begin. They would a 1 fight desper—
ately, and make a good use of their weapons,
but how would it end? Knowing the strength
and determined nature of their enemies, Bolly
could not feel positive about their coming out of
the fight unharmed, or even coming out at all,
when it came to a fine point.

A dozen times he looked over to where May
sat, and wished very heartily that she was safe
in the fort. For the danger itself the hunter
cared very little, as he had been bred in an at-
mosphere of battle and had probably been on
th; war-path as soon as he was able to lift a.
r1 e.

There was one, however, who actually seemed
to get some enjoyment out of the fact that the
same tactics which had been used with such
fatal effect before, were about to be brought
into requisition again, and this individual was
no other than the strange ranger of the Colorado
canyon, Roaring Ralph Rockwood.

Several times he chuckled audibly, in a. way
that was mysterious, to say the least, much to
the amazement of his friends who could not
understand what he meant.

Meanwhile the moon had been rising higher
in the heavens, lighting up every rock upon
which her beams fell, with marvelous distinct-
ness. The night was slowly passing. Perhaps
an hour had gone by since Pandy had lowered
himself into the black gulf.

Roaring Ralph, who had been listening in-
tently, at length declared that the chopping had
been discontinued, and the probability was that
in less than half an hour the assault would be—
gin.

Then he vanished from their-gaze. Where he
went none of them could tell, but Bolly upon
looking around for the queer old ranger. was
surprised to find him missing. Some fifteen
minutes later he heard a chuckle close at his
side, and turning his head, beheld Roaring
Ralph within a few feet ofhim, busily engaged
in doing up his knapsack, which he had opened
during his absence.

What the mysterious old fellow was about
Bolly could not for the life of him guess, nor did
he have the time given him. for, just at this mo-
menta cry from Powder Flash, who had kept
asharp watch, even while be tagged and tus-
sled with his venison, to the admiration of Blue
Beans. announced that the Sioux had once more
made their appearance.

It was a genuine stockade that came in sight,
being some twenty feet long and about five in
hight. The Indians had exercised considerable
ingenuity in framing this breastwork from the
small trees cut down, and lashed together.

Bolly saw it move into view with dismay
plainly marked upon his features, and his ex-
clamation of consternation was echoed by his

 

comrades. Behind this Stockade fully fifty
braves could hide until it was within ten feet of
the fort, when a few bounds would sufice for
them to reach the rangers without suffering
much lnss.

“ What had we better do, ole coon? Ye seem
ter enjoy the affair. S’posin‘ ye take charge,
Rally! I own I’m good fur nothing. Onl way
I see air ter rush out an’ meet ’em on the revel, ’
said Bong, despairingly.

“ Hel ei Bolly, that would be all—fired good,
now. Crawlers and catamounts! look ter me
fur deliverance. I'm a. rearin’, tearin’ thun-
derbolt from ther Colorado canyon' that’s me
Roarin’ Ralph Rockwood, you bet! ’I’ve settled
their hash, chop me inter mince-meat an’ chuck
me inter a sugar hogshead if I ain't. They
won’t never git here, Bolly, he! be!"

By dint of persuasion, after the queer old fel-
low’s merriment had in some degree subsided,
Bolly managed to learn the facts of the case,
and such was his revulsion of feeling that he al-
most felt like jumping up and dancing or doing
something equally as demented. .

I have said before that the old ranger from
the Colorado canyon had been so disgusted at
the success of the first assault under cover of a
stockade, that he had resolved to be prepared
for just such an emergency, should it ever oc-
cur again at any time, which resolve might in
part account for the queer knapsack he carried
Epon his back, in which sundry articles were

e t.

mm a friend of his who was of achemical
turn of mind, he had procured several explosive
torpedoes, which, though small in size were of a
tremendous power, being composed among
other things of dynamite. There was a cap con-~
nected with each one and a hammer, so that all
that was necessary to cause an explosion after
the thing had been gotten in readiness was to
pull a little cord.

This cord Roaring Ralph now held in his hand.
Taking advantage of the situation, he had
creptput along the line of rocks, and set one of
his torpedoes ata point uite a little distance
from the fort and over which the Indians would
come with their movable stockade, as it was
the only clear path forward.

The young girl was already in a secure place,
and the men hastened to hide among the rocks
so as to have a point of observation, while at
the same time they would be safe from the
effects of the expected explosion. ,

During this time the indians had made good

rogress. Those behind the stockade seemed to
ift it in some way, and carrying it forward, get
overa. good deal of ground before Setting it
down again. As they drew nearer the rock
fort, they became more cautious in their actions,
and hence the speed of their advance was great-
ly diminished.

“Trowsers an’ tomcats! keep an eye on the
critters, Bolly, an’ ye’ll see the funniest sight
that ever was. I reckon the old thing’ll fall over
with the shock, and the boyees must send in
enough lead ter flll ’em full. Dust my Sunday
breechesl here she goes. Now I”

I

1

As the old Colorado ranger spoke the last \

word. he gave‘the cord he held a. sharp jerk.
The effect was simply tremendous. There was

 

'Ziw 297?:3: 1—2;: trw‘ as. .A . 4

am}

Ln;

 

 

 

a dull, heavy sound that seemed to make the
rocks tremble, although it had none of the sharp
exXlosive qualities of a cannon discharge.

great upheaval took place. The rough
atockade was lifted several feet and thrown vio-
lently to the ground. A dozm Indians, or parts
of them rather, soared through space, and many
others were thrown down and sadly wounded.
While the remainder of the brave gang stood,
lost in wonder and amaze, the sharp crack
of a rifle rung out, and the leaden messenger
found a lodging-place in the body of a warrior,
who quickly pitched forward upon his face.

The rest of the beleaguered garrison were not
long in following this well-set example of old
Roaring Ralph, and the rattle of rifles soon
brought the Indians to their sanses, and made
them realize the new danger that threatened.

Then there was scattering in hot haste. Some
ran toward the rocks, hoping to gain their shel-
ter, but those immediately became targets of
the deadly revolver, and not one warrior man-
aged to reach his destination alive.
~ Those who bolted away and ran for dear life
toward the distant points where their comrades,
fall of horror and dismay, were gathered,
proved to be more fortunate, as the revolvers
of the‘ ale—faces could not reach them. and
most ofp their rifles were empty. Only Bolly,
with the re eating-gun of Fundy Ellis, sent bul—
let after bu let among the demoralized Indians
so long as they kept in a compact body, and it
was only by separating and dodging in a. most
ludicrous manner that they made him refriin
from firing.

“ B’ars’ claws an’ buflier-hoofsl don’t they get
over ound lively now? H’ist me inter a
’Psches grave, but that their leetle affair war
mighty interestin’ now,” chuckled old Ralph.

“Roarin' Ralph, ye’ve saved us all!” declared
Bolly Wherrit, enthusiastically.

" May I be chewed up by an alligator, an’
roasted on ther end 0’ a two-pronged pitch fork,
if I don’t believe ye’re right, Bolly. Painters
an’ powder-horns! did ye see them pieces 0’ In-
juns a-flyin’ thro’ ther air?” and Ralph gave a
whistle to indicate the rest.

Satisfied thatthe attempt to assail them would
not be repeated after this terrible disaster, the
friends could rest in peace. It was quite evident
that the Indians were very much excited over
the aflair, for they could be seen riding to and
fro in a. wild manner, and it was fully an hour
before they became quiet again. They would
now endeavor to try the virtue of starvation
upon the besieged.

Thus the night passed away. The moon sunk
lower in the heavens, and at length a gray line
along the eastern horizon proclaimed the com-
ing of dawn. When the sun arose, the rangers
collectedsome of the old pieces of logs and built
quite a respectable fire, at which breakfast was
cooked.

Their horses were hungry, but there was not
a bite for them to eat. Water was procured in

. small quantities from the river by means of the

long rope and a little tin-can one of the hunters
happened to have with him.

It was along toward nobn when Rocky
Mountain Joe directed the attention of all to-
ward the Indians. There seemed to be a com-

.\— ~ I "

 

 

“is 1 01a Hickory.

motion among them. Then the distant music
of a cavalry bugle sounding the “charge ” was
heard. Following this came the rattle of car-
bines and revolVers, and the mounted troo
were seen in pursuit of the fleeing and bewxl-
dered Indians.

A single horseman came galloping toward the
rock fort, accompanied by a man on foot, who
took huge bounds that served to keep him even
with the soldier’s steed. In this latter all recog-
nized brave old Pandy Ellis. The horseman was
no other than CulODEl Hasly.

Harry Belmont went out to meet him, deter-
mined to confess his folly and beg the forgive-
ness of the man whom is had wronged. To his
amazement the colonel clasped him in his
L‘I‘IDS and pressed him to his heart. They re-
mained alone conversing for almost half an
hour. When they came in Harry‘s face was as
white as snow, and as be bent down to kiss
May. he whispered:

“ My sister!”

The true state of affairs and the colonel’s secret
were soon made knowu. Harry Belmont was his
own son and May’s half-brother. The colonel’s
first wife had died when the little boy was only
a year old. Harry was never told the true state
of the case as it was a delicate subject with the
officer, but his quick mind understood that his
mother had left her husband and ran off with a
lover, taking her babe with her. Before half a
year had gone she came home to die. Tne colo-
nel forgave her, but that none of the shame
might attach itself to the child, he had Harry
raised under another name. That the man who
had been the cause of this trouble should be ter-
ribly punished the colonel swore, and their
meeting was a. wild one, for they came across
each other one stormy night upon the open
plain. A terrible fight ensued and in the morn-
ing the officer was found beside his dead victim,
himself almost devoid of life.

There was only one who heard this news with
joy, and this was Jack. The young fellow loved
May Hasly dearly but had smothered the flame
in his braist until now he saw a path before him
that led to Paradise.

Although the Indians had been put to flight,
the friends had no desire to linger in this place,
and were soon riding down the mountain-side.
When evening came, Pandy Ellis and his allies
left the soldiers and struck off on a trail of their
own, intending to carry out the original idea of
the veteran.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
PANDY nLus‘s SCALP.

TEE bravest and most thoughtful of border-
men have their periods of recklessness, when
neglected, and the dare devil s irit that had
enthused old Pandy Ellis seems to take pos-
session of his comrades.

Jack had gone on with the soldiers, for the,

magnet was too powerful, new that he had a.
right to love May Hasly, so that the adven-
turers were but six in number—Powder Flash,
still chewinilustily on a remnant of that tough
venison, ma ing the half-dozen complete.

They were in no hurry to reach the Indian

 

Old Hickory.

79)

 

village, as they desired that the present excite-
ment should die out before the great undertak-
ingshould be attempted.

ehold them, then, a few days later up-
proaching the village in the dusk of the even-
ing. The result of the great slaughter was
only apparent in the diminished number of
braves, for the death-songs had long since died
away, and the chiefs were busily engaged in
hatching up plots that would bring them glory
and plunder.

After nightfall Powder Flash was gayly deck-
ed out in the habiliments of a Sioux warrior
whom they had come across and captured. He
was persuaded to put his venison aside for the
time being, and such were his powers of imita-
tion that when the chief brought his mind down
to the subject the rangers were amazed at the
exactness with which he imitated the captured
brave. In looks, speech, gestures, and many
little peculiarities that his quick eye had caught,
he was Howling Coyote all over, and even that
individual seemed half-scared at the readiness
with which his complete identity was taken
away from him.

Matters having been arranged, the chief went
boldly into the village. sought the lodge of the
great sachem, Buffalo Horn. where hefound the
equally-famous Red Cloud, and laid before
them his news. The old renegade who had
Pandy Ellis’s scalp in his possession was in _the
woods close by with his trophy, ready to deliver
it if the great chiefs would insure his safety.
He had been frightened away by the row that
had occurred on the other occasion, but was
now on hand again.

A council was immediately called, and, as
before, it was quickly decided that they should
honestly pay the reward offered for the scalp
of their inveterate foeuian. Powdcr Flash took
part in the council, and was then hastily dis-
patched for the old renegade.

Pandy Ellis had dis uised himself and his
voice as before, and b0 dly followed the chief
into the village of his deadly foes. When he
took his seat in the council-lodge a chorus of
grunts marked the approval of the chiefs.

Then the greatest practical joke on record
was enacted. S eeches were made, and tothem
the renegade rcp ied, telling a long story of how
he had wnylaid the old hunter chief- and shot
him, more for the sake of reVenge than reward,
but that he knew of the proclamation issued by
the great Sioux chieftain, and had determined
to rofit by it.

hen the gray scalp was prod need, and grave-
ly handed over to Buffalo Horn with the dra-
matic words:

“ Behold! this scalp once belonged to Pandy
Ellis; now it is yours. The man whose head it
adorned will never again trouble the great Sioux
nation "—all of which was strictly true, as
Pandy intended it should be.

The scalp was gravely passed from hand to
hand, many declaring they recognized it as the
top-knot of their inveterate foe. Roaring Ralph,
against all protestations, had dressed himself
out like a Sioux brave, and wasjust without the
lodge, so that he heard most of the talk within.
It was as much as the old ranger could do to
keep from laughing outright, and during the

,

 

next half-hour he bottled up enough merriment
to last him for years as a. solace during his
lonely spells.

When all the talking had been done, the
came down to the bed-ruck, and began to tal
about the promised reward; and the council
ended by the stipulatcd rice being actually
linndcd over to the white- aired renegade with
the strange voice.

The articlrs were packed undrr the old joker‘a
own supervision, and s‘ ruck (if from a bill be
held in his hand. Fifty valuable black fox.
skins, one hundred buffalo-robes, two hundred
beaver-pelts, the gun with the silver-dickered
stock, and a keg of gunpowder fresh from the
hands of the Indian agent at the agency. The
barrel of whisky the old fellow declined, telling
the chiefs to giveit to the warriors and let them
have a glorious time while dancing the scalp-
dance around the top-knot of their old and
inveterate foe.

The articles were nicely packed u on half a
dozen mustangs, which were to be eft at the
agency, for the Indians to reclaim. Refusing
all offers of assistance, the supposed renegade
drove his mustangs of! before the light of day
came, for he did not want to be in the village
when the sunlight was liable to betray him.

Never were men so thoroughly duped as these
credulous chiefs. The remainder of the night
was spent in wild orgies, and by the time morn-
ing dawned, several more of the squuws were
widows as a result of the fights into which the
fire-water led the braves.

As for Pandy, he was doubled up as he went
away as if he had been seized with a cramp, but
it was with suppressed laughter. The stupendous
joke had been successful beyond their wildest
expectations.
stuck to their compact, but in reality it took
nothing from them individually, and wruld get
them the name of doing things on the square, so
that all bordermen would be afraid to incur
their hostility for fear of being bounded to death
in the same way.

Pandy Ellis refused all offers of company and
gravely bidding the chiefs farewell, after telling
them to call on Old Hickory wheneverthey had
another job like this on hand, he went away in-
to the forest with his five laden mustangs.

Hardly had he got beyond the confines of the
village, before he was joined by two Indians,
one of whom was a remarkable specimen of the
ahorigine. This was no other than Roarin
Ralph Rockwood, and his comrade, who chewe
so industriously at something he held in his
hand, of course was Powder Flash.

When Bully Wherrit heard the full 'oke, he
came the nearest to dying with the ts, and
actually turned black in the face, as he looked
first at the presents and then at his chain.

There was need of haste, however, for they
were in the hot-bed of iniquity, and should the
Sioux chief discover the deception that had
been so successfully practiced upon them, while
the white rangers were still in the heart of the
Indian country, nothing could save them from
the fury of the savages.

By the following night Pandy and hi: friends
had placed many miles between themselves and
the lodges of the Sioux, and determined to take

I y
«

It was strange that the chiefs ,

 

 

’ ..l,...—....;r~. “— — w... _ w... ..

 

 

 

Old Hickory.

 

things a little more leisurely from that time

on

The old hunter chief was induced by Bolly to
have his hair cut, and. resume the peculiar ex-
pression of countenance that had always distin-
guished him, by removing most of the hair

mm his face. Then R chard was himself again,
so far as looks were concerned.

They reached the fort at length, and were
warm y greeted, for these rangers were known
and res cted by almost evary soldier in the
West. hen the result of their terrible hoax
was known, the wildest enthusiasm prevailed.

News at length reached Buflalo Horn that old
Pandy was alive and well; and, too, that it was
he who had won the reward.

At first he would not believe it, but when
other runners came in corroborating the story
and saying that they had it from the lips of old
Pandy Ellis himself, the sachem ground his
teeth and swore a fearful oath to the eflect

that Heavy Knife should not live another

moon. /

One attempt was made to murder the old
hunter, but the would-be assassin, caught in the
very act, after his bullet had whizzed by within
an inch of Pandy’s head, turned out to be a
half-breed named Dusky Joe, the identical man
who had written the proclamation in regard to
Pandy’s ecalg.

He refuse to say a word in regard to his in-
tentions or emgloyers, but the rangers knew full
well that he ad been hired by Buffalo Horn,
and ten minutes later the body of Dusky Joe
was dangling from the nearest tree.

From that time, Pandy had no attempt made
upon'his life, by a hired assassin at least, and is,
to this day, the most renowned ranger of the
plains. ’

The events chronicled in this story occurred
only a short time ago. and all of our characters
are still in the land of the living.

I am glad to say, Powder Flash did, in the
and, manage to accomplish the great task he
had set about doing, and felt, when the last
remnant of the tough venison had vanished, as
if he had become a hero. The chief is at pres-
ent with his tribe, and I believe Pandy and
Bolly were with him at last accounts. ‘

Blue Beans, together with Roaring Ralph and
Rocky Mountain Joe, are scoutin somewhere in
the Northwest, where the host es have been
making things lively of late, and if General
Howard knows their worth, he will find most
valuable coadi'utors in these veterans of the
plains. Their ivas have been spent in the West,
and although all of them are now in comfort-
able circumstances, they could not live away
from the scene of so many of their adventures.

it was some time before Harry Belmont could
come to lank on May as a sister, but time works
wonders. The gallant ofl'lcer was lately married
to a youngI beauty from the East, and at the
same time ack Holmes took May Hasly for his
bride—his earnest devotion having been re‘
worded.

Eeewas‘ a wealthy man in his own right, and
is now living in St. Louis, where the general

 often’ visits.

uflalo Horn never recovered from the eflects

'l *9! the terrible joke that Pandy played upon

 

him, as Old Hickory, and drank himself into
the grave. it might be well perhaps if some
daring hunter should attem t the same thing
with his compatriot, Sitting ull.

THE END.

Bead Weill

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