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B
The Yankee Ranger;

DUSKY DARRELL,
THE YELLOWS'I'ONE TRAPPER.

BY EDWIN EMERSON.

CHAPTER I.
A FRIEND IN NEED Is A FRIEND INDEED.

“HANGNATION! I guess it Wasn’t a camp-
fire, after all.”

“But I am sure it was. I saw it too plainly
to be mistaken. Look! there it is again ”

It was a. dark night, and two horsemen were
moving slowly across a wide stretch of prairie
not far from the Oregon Trail. Had it been
light it could have been seen that these night
riders were right from the heart of civilization,
as their dress, manners and untnnned faces bore
testimony that they had but recently entered
the wilds of the great Northwest, and had not
as yet experienced its dangers and hardships.
In personal appearance they were very unlike.
One was a young man of good figure and hand-
some features, who sat his horse like a knight-
errant, and rode with an ease and skill that
showed he had long practiced the art. He was
modest in his dress and bearing, and there was
something peculiarly attractive in his face—a
look of blended candor, generosity and plain
truthfulness, that won the good—will of all
whom he met.

The other was a person whose age was about
the same as that of the first one, but smaller of
stature, slim and wiry. His clothes were fop—
pish in their cut. and clung to him with the con-
stancy of a brother, while amid the linen ruffles
of his shirt 8. enuiuo diamond sparkled in the
starlight. In no, he bore every appearance of
a cit exquisite, accustomed to crowded thor—
ou h ares, ladies’ smiles, the glitter of fashion,
an full-length mirrors by which to view and
admire his image. He seemed sadly out of place
in this unsettled region, hundreds of miles from
any human habitation, except, perhaps, those
of murderous Indians. He wore gold-rimmed
eye—glasses, a profusion of rings on his fingers,
and light, flowing mutton—chop whiskers that
were apparently his special pride. He held the
end of a fragrant cigar in his mouth, which
he puffed leisurely and mechanically. Both
were well armed: each carried, besides smaller
weapons, a valuable rifle resting horizontally
across the pomrnel of his saddle.

It had 1101': b.8611 dfll‘k an hour, but there was
no moon to asmst the feeble stars in lighting the
lower world, and the gloom of midnight
reigned. The two men were riding in a westeer
direction, both eagerly leaning forward, as if
gazmg at some point ahead.

I“ D0 you see it again?” asked the dandyish in—
dividual.-

“To be sure I do,” said the other, in a soft,
clear tonez. “I see it plainly. Where are your
eyes, Perkins?“

The Yankee Ranger.

 

.4

“Behind my glasses—ah! I do see it. Why,
that’s as plain as the nose on a man’s face, isn’t
it, Rathburn? Do you think it is a fire?”

“ Certainly, what else can it be?”

“ Jack-o’-lantern, maybe. If it’s a fire, what
the deuce makes it disappear so many times?”

“The simple fact that it is not on the open
prairie. Don’t you remember seeing a small
patch of timber off in this direction just before
nightfall? It must be in that the fire has been
kindled.”

“ That’s it,” said the exquisite, brightening up;
“that’s it sure as you live. I wonder how far
away it is?”

“ The grove cannot be more than a half-mile
distant.”

“ And must we keep right on? Hangnation!
this don’t suit me, Rathburn. I’m not afraid—’
I’m not afraid of anything—but I’m not par—
ticularly pleased with the idea of marching into
a squad of red-skins.”

The man addressed as Rathburn smiled, but
in the darkness the smile was not observed by
his companion.

“ I think they are not Indians,” he rejoined,
“but some friendly white men who are better
acqluninted with the country than we, and who
Wil guide us to the verge of civilization. In
my opinion we run little risk in going forward,
though. probably, if I were more ex .rienced,
I would not think of such a thing. 6 Will see
who has made that fire, at all hazards, for per—
haps it would be even better to meet with Indians
than to remain longer on the illimitable prairie,
alone and lost. Of course you are not afraid to
go with me. Perkins?”

“ Certainly not—what an idea!” said Perkins,
with a few vigorous puffs of smoke. “ What
put such a thing in your head?”

Rathburn did not reply to this. and the two
horsemen rode a short distance in silence.

As they neared the grove, to which they were
attracted by the tiny, starlike point of light men-
tioned in their conversation, they became more
circumspect in their movements. They advanced
as slowly as they could compel their animals to
walk, each looking intently at the light, but un-
able to learn more from the sharp lookout than
they had at first realized. They went nearer
and nearer; still, to all appearance, they were
the only human beings in the vicinity, and the
fire was fed by spirit hands. They turnedabout
and rode backward and forward, making a few
circles near the edge of the timber, in order to
reconnoiter the spot before venturing to ap-
proach nearer.

When some time had been spent in such ma-
neuvers, Rathhurn gave the word, and they rode
boldly into the grove. They drew rein near the
fire, and sat motionless in their saddles gazing
about in a state of perplexity and uneasiness.
There was the fire at their horses’ feet, crackling
merrily and showing by its partly consumed fuel
that it had been recently replenished. Nothing
else, betokening the presence of human beings,
was seen or heard. The person who had started
the flames. had evidently fled at their approach.
This was conclusive evidence, in the minds of
our adventurers, that the person was an enemy.

“ Hang it! I move We get out of this at our
earliest -oonvenience,” said Perkins, growing

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Yankee Ranger. '8

 

nervous. “Im, getting entirely too warm, sit—
ting here so close to this fire, and I wouldn’t be

‘ surprised if I should—should melt, if I stay here
longer.”

“ The motion is a sound one,” returned Rath-
burn, as he darted piercing glances through the
trees in every direction. “ There were, un-
doubtedly, one or more Indians here ten min-
utes ago, and they can not be far away now.
Probably it were better to leave at once, instead
of waiting to be attacked.”

They took a parting look at the fire and its
surroundings, and gathered the reins prepara-
tory to starting away. But just then there wasa
rustle and a bound near by, and a shadowy,
crouching figure darted through the air directly
toward them! It landed in front of the horses
like a rubber ball—a strong hand seized the rein
of each—the alarmed steeds reared and plunged,
in vain effort to break loose from the stranger’s
grasp, and for a moment the riders were obliged
to put forth their skill in order to keep their
seatsl Vthn the trembling animals were par-
tially quieted, the form of a man was seen
standing between their heads. The alarmed
horsemen leaned forward and scanned the form
closel .

At first a dark human shape was all that
could be discerned, but, as the stranger removed
his grasp from the curbs and took a step back—
ward, the light from the fire fell full upon his
face. Greatly to their relief, they observed that
he was a. man of their own color and kin. He
was about forty years old, possessing a kindly
face, though scarred, weather—beaten and bronz—
ed; and his eVeI'y appearance proclaimed him a
resident of the mountains, prairie and forest,
and of all that wild country lying west of the
civilized world. Beyond a doubt he was a rov-
ing hunter and trapper. He wore the veritable
coonskin cap, drawn down to the sha gy eye-
brows in front. with the barred tuil rooping
almost to his shoulders behind; and his hunting-
shirt, leggings and moccasins were composed en—
tirely of buckskin. He was of medium size,
neither burl nor tall, but for all that, a good
type of the p ysical man. Rolls of muscle stood
out like bands of steel on arms and legs, show—
ing that there was much more strength in the
frame than its  indicated.

His countenance was decidedly pleasant. The
revailing expressions were nnldness and good—
umor, but, to the close obserVer, those bright,

gleamin eyes revealed a temper that was un—
governa 1e when aroused. The strange being
stepped back, folded his arms over the muzzle
of his long, black rifle, and gazed steadlly at the
twain that had ridden so boldly into h1s camp.

“ Good-evening, sir,” ventured Rathburn.

“Who be you, and what you prowlin’ ’rouud
hyur fur?” gruffly demanded the trapper.

“Why, sir, you do not suppose we are here
for any improper purpose? We have been lost
on the prairie since yesterday morning, and see-
ing this fire to-night, we were naturally attract-
ed to it, with the hope of finding friends.”

“ To be sure—to be sure,” put in Perkins,
tremulouslv. “ There‘s no necessity for getting
scared. We——we are not going to hurt you—

' ’pon my word we are not. " _
, The stranger eyed the speaker curiously for

 

some moments, and then a broad smile illu-
mined his visage.

“ See yer’, Spider,” he said, “you can’t blame
a feller fur gittin7 a little skeered at sight 0’ you!
i hain’t met a dangerouser—lookin’ chap fur nigh
onto some time.”

“ 0f course—yes—that is a sufficient excuse,”
and the conceited fellow straightened his elegant
figure and put on a most ferocious look.

At this the stranger’s whole frame shook in a.
fit of noiseless but unrestrained laughter.

“ What are you laughing at?” asked Perkins,
indignantly, beginning to suspect that he was
making sport of him.

The inquiry was not heeded, but when his
migth had abated, the trapper looked up and
sai :

“ Yer handles, ef yer please?”

“Mine, sir, is Henry Rathburn,” answered
that gentleman, "' and that of my friend is
Adolphus Perkins. We are cousins, and are
fresh from the States.”

“That’s plain as the nose on yer face; but
what part of the States do you hail from?”

“ Boston, Massachusetts.”

The hunter’s eyes opened to their widest extent,
and he indulged in a prolonged whistle.

“ Cl‘ar from the Atlantic Ocean, be you?
’Tain’t often we see chaps from them parts, out
in this kentry. War you travelin’ ’cross the
plains?”

“Yes; we were traveling with a wagon-train
until yesterday. ”

“ After gold, I take it?”

“There is just where you are mistaken, my
friend. Neither myself nor cousin have been
afflicted with the gold mania. We started on a
trip to Oregon in pursuit of health and pleasure,
but we already see our mi~take in choosing this
region to obtain the latter boon.”

“ You’re lost, I believe you said?”

“ We are. Yesterday morning we became sep-
arated from the caravan with which we were
journeying. We had purposely fallen behind to
converse on a subject that concerned us alone,
and we unwittingly allowed the distance between
us and the emigrants to increase, until the latter
were several miles ahead. Embracing this op- .
portunity, four prowling Indians, well mounted
and armed, cut us off from the company and
made for us in a very warlike manner. They
chased us nearly the whole day in an easterly
direction. We succeeded in killing one and
wounding another, and near evening the horse
of a third tumbled headlong to the ground, and
was unable to rise. This left only one mounted
Indian, and he gave up the chase. But in our
flight we had digressed from the trail so far that
we could not find it again, and in our efforts to
do so to—day we described a complete circle on ’
the prairie. About an hour ago we descried
your fire, and eagerly turned our horses’ heads
toward it.”

The trapper looked from one to the other sev-
eral times, with an expression of blended wonder
and amazement.

“ Wagh! you’re powerful green. Anybody
ought to know better nor to ride u to a feller'a
blaze ’ithout knowin’ whose ’tis. f thar‘d been
:1 dozen or so reds squattin’ round it, you’d never
knowed what became 0’ yer ha’r.”

 

 

 

4 ' The Yankee Ranger:

 

“Will you give us your name?”

“I ain’t ashamed on’t. I answers to the
handle of Dusky Darrell, and the plains and
mountains have been my home fur twenty
years. Now on my way to the trappin’-
grounds.”

“ Where do you trap?”

“Up ’mong the beaver-runs of the Yaller-
stone. But, see yer’, fellers, ef you’re goin’ to
stay with me to-night, why the bufllers don‘t
you come down of)? your bosses?"

Our two friends did not wait for a second in-
vitation, but at once slid out of their saddles,
and hitched their animals to the nearest trees.

The three men seated themselves around the
fire. Dusky Darrell proceeded to broil some fresh
meat, which his two companions helped him to
devour with a gusto, and then, filling and light—
ing his pipe, he began to smoke and stare va-
cantly into the fire, with as much composure
and heedlessness as if he were entirely alone.

Rathburn saw that it would require close
questioning to obtain any information from the
eccentric trapper, and after a brief silence he

gen:

“ You say you are on your way to the trap-
pin -grounds of the Yellowstone?”

T e trapper nodded, without lookng up.

“ It is along distance to travel afoot.”

“Hyur’s what don‘t travel afoot when he
knows hisselt'. Thar’s a boss out on the prairie
thar, croppin’ the grass.”

“ Ahl you set him free of nights! I presume,
from the appearance of the sky at present,”
added the young man, looking up, “that the
sun will shine clearly to-niorrow. In such a
case we will have no further difficulty in find-
ing the Oregon Trail. Do you know how far
away it is?”

“’Bout ten mile, or thar‘abouts. It’s on the
. north bank of the Platte Rlver, which it follers
to the mountains, and I crossed the Platte some
time this afternoon.”

“ It lies southward from this spot, of course?”

“ Exactly.”

" And that way is south,” spoke up Adolphus,
pointing directly toward the arctic regions.

“No ’tain‘t,” growled the trapper; “the op-
p’site d’rection are south.”

“We will ride down to the Oregon Trail to-
morrow ” said Rathburn, turning to his cousin,
“and, i you are willing, we will go on to Ore—
gon, or California, alone.”

“ Demnition! ain’t you afraid todo that?” ex-
claimed Perkins, horrified.

“ Not in the least—are you?"

“Mei—preposterous! You might know my
only anxiet is for you. The fact is. your
mother tol me to take care of you, and keep
you out of danger as much as possible. ”

“ Oh, you rascal!" laughed Rathburn.

The cbnversation came to an abrupt termi-
nation here, and for awhile Rathburn gazed
thoughtfully into the fire. Then he looked
alternately at his companions. and, at length,
he turned to the hunter and said:

“Darrell, as we are aiming at no particular
point in our travels, will you permit us to ac-
company you to the north?”

There was a short silence, and then the reply:

“ EE you wants to go with me I reckon you

 

 

 

kin, but you’re not to let your infernal green-
ness interfere with my business.”

“By no means. We will cheerfully comply
with all your reasonable wishes.”

“You mought as well b’ar in mind that I'm
goin’ to stay up thar till next spring—onless a

sart’in thin happens.”
“And w t is that certain thing?” asked
Adolphus.

But no answer was vouchsafed to this inquiry,
and the interrogator had not the courage to re—
peat it.

So it was decided that they should accom-
pany the trapper to his wilderness home, and

et a taste of wild life before returning to tho
‘tates: and with this decision to dream about,
they all lay down to sleep.

CHAPTER II.
A WARM RECEPTION AND A COLD BATH.

THEY were astir at an early hour in the
morning, a. fire kindled and breakfast hastily
prepared.

“Thar's no use wastin’ time,” said Dusky
Darrell, as he ate. “1 likes to travel of morn-
in’s bettel"n at any other part of the day. Ef
you goes with me, reckon as how you’ll have to
do as I does.”

The rcpast over, Darrell gave vent to a. shrill
whistle, and a fine black horse came galloping
into the grove. Without delay they all mount—
ed, and the next minute were cantering gayly
over the pralrie in a northerly course. Dusky
Darrell provei himself a pleasant companion,
and grew in one’s favor as his oddities became
less puzzling. He was evidently pleased with
the plain frankness and manly bearing of Henry
Rathburn, and was more communicative than
at first: and the latter looked forward with a.
thrill of pleasurable anticipation toWhe life of
excitement he was entering upon.

Adolphus Perkins, however, who was less
fond of adventure than his cousin, almost turned
pale at the bare thought of tarrying so long in
the Indian country.

At noon they halted, appeased their hunger
and rested an hour; after which they continued
their journey more leisurely. Shortly after
sunset they dismounted and struck camp on the
bank of a creek, and cooked their evening meal.
After partaking to their satisfaction of the
choicest portions of a young: buffalo, which the
trapper’s deadly rifle had brought down, they
whiled away an hour or two in smoking,r and
conversation. before turning in for_the night.
The trapper thought they would not be safe if
all closed their eyes at once. During the after-
noon they had met a small party of Pawnee In-

dians who had approached them with every

Sign of friendship, and with whom they had
conversed some time through the medium of
one who spoke broken English. Although they
had spared no efforts to appear friendly to the
whites, the observant eyes 0t Darrell had de-
tected something in their looks that made him
suspect them of deceit.

It fell to the lot of Adolphus to stand guard

first, as there was tliouzht to be little or no dan- ‘
ger before midnight, and so Rathburn and the ;

trapper consigned themselves to the comfort-

ing embrace of Morpheus. Adolphus took his;

 

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
   

 

 

I._;.t:~.-,.r

A—v—w , mam—Haw” :u

rf'rr

 

 

 

v tracks.

 

The Yankee Ranger. » I I5

 

gun and began to walk in a. circle around his
sleeping companions, feeling the importance of
his position, and believing, after some reflection,
that no one could fill it quite as well as he. It
was a calm, starry night, and the awful still-
ness soon began to tell on the sentinel. He
grew very nervous, and wished a storm would
come up, or anything to make a noise, and cre-
ated as much disturbance as possible himself.
At length he heard the quick, sharp bark of a
wolf not far away, and the answering bark of
another in the opposite direction.

“Hang—nation! 1 wish I’d never come to the
“lest,” he exclaimed. “I can’t see why I
wanted to leave home, anyway.”

He paused suddenly, and stood petrified in his
His gun fell from his hands, his eyes
flew open, his face assumed an ashen hue, and a
cold chill crept over him as he saw a dark
body rise above the edge of the river‘bnnk!
He could not make out the shape of the body,
but he thought it looked like some sort of an
animal. t came up from the Water’s edge with
the utmost caution, and then crept stealthin
along the ground toward an adjacent clump of
bushes. Perkins watched it \\ itli horrified con—
sternation until it disappearrd, and then throw-
ing himself on the ground he covered himself
head and feet with his blanket! After lying thus
a minute or two, he cautiously threw 011‘ the.
blanket and raised his head. All was quiet. His
two friends were sleeping placidly beside him,
and nothing of a suspicious nature was seen or
heard. He seized his rifle and sprung to his feet,
determined to show no such weakness again.

'What was his surprise and horror when he saw
another dark object come slowly up the bank of
the creek, precisely in the same manner as the
first! This one, also, moved noiselessly toward
the bushes behind which the other had disap-
peared, but Adolphus grew brave all at once,
and resolved that it should not pass from View
unmolested.

“It’s only a wolf,” he thought, “and I’ll
teach it to provoke the anger of so dangerous a
man as 1 am. I’ll just shoot it, and show them
fellows I’m some.”

He cocked his rifle, and brought it to bear on
the dark, moving object. He took aim, closed
his eyes, averted his face and fired. Strangely
enough, the ball went straight to the mark.
There was a wild, fearful sound—e. horrid,
crazing scream, as of a human being in the
agonies of death—so long, loud and unearthly
that Adolphus was paralyzed with terror! Then
rose another yell, or series of yells, as if a score
of demons had joined their voices to make the
night hideous with their cries. It was the war-
whoop of the Indians.

As if by magic a half-dozen shadowy fi ures
appeared. leaping about in the darkness. hen
Perkins heard the sound of a rushing body, and
something heavy came against him with such
violence as to almost throw him ofi’ his feet. He
was grap led by strong hands—sinewy fingers
clutched is throat—a dark, demoniacal face
was thrust close. to his—a knife glittered before
his eyes, and for a. moment the poor fellow
thought his last breath was drawn. But, just
then, a rifle was discharged near by, and Perkins
was at once released from the iron grasp. He

 

saw an Indian writhing in mortal pain at his
feet, and heard the stentorian voice of Dusky
Darrell shout:

“ Down with ’em, boys! Don’t leave a grease—
spot of the impel”

Pcrkirs waited to see no more. Scarcely cun-
scious of what he (lid, he wheeled and dashed
headlong toward the creek, his coat—tails flying
like banners in the wind. Wild with fright,
he leaped down the bank, and plunged reck-
lL’SSly into the water, sinking from View on the
instant!

Meanwhile Darrell and Rathburn were among
the Indians, fighting for th air lives. Each had
discharged his rifle, with good effect, and club-
bed them. The trapper brained a brawny
wretch with a single blow of his gun-stock. and
then sprung u on another with his knife. Rath—
burn, in a li'e manner, liroke the arm of a
savage, who wisely took to his heels with his
wounded member, and was soon swallowed u
by the darkness. The trapper made short war
of his man. There was a brief struggle—a
glitter of steel—a quick thrust and a groan, and
another enemy lay stretched out in death. This
left but one to contend with. The solitary sav—
age, observing how matters stood, set up a howl
and ‘darted away with the speed of the wind,
leaving the whites undisputed masters of the
field. While Rathburn was flushed and pant—
ing with excitement, Dusky Darrell coolly be-
gun to tear the scalps from the heads of the vic-
tinis.

“ Why do you do that?” exclaimed the young
man. turning sick at the sight.

“’Cause it’s my l’arniu’, I s’ ,” was the
quiet respr use. And he fastened the reeking
trophies to his girdle.

" I say, are they all gone?”

It was a very familiar voice that gave ut-
terance to these words, and turnng toward it,
they saw Adolphus Perkins approaching with
hesitating steps, his garments saturated. and
clinging closer to hislimhs than ever. Rathburn
burst into a hearty laugh, and the hunter’s eyes
twinkled.

“ W bar you been, Spider?"

“Me? Oh, I’ve been taking
carelessly replied.

“Smash me, I believe you're afeard of red-
skins."

“Meafraidl Surely, you don’t know what
you are talking about. Is it possible you have
taken up that strain? There’s Rathburn, he
hasn‘t told me I’m a coward less than a dozen
times since leaving home, and I’m getting sick
of it. If I had not known that he was / jesting,
I should have shot him full of holes long ago,
and I suspect I should. anyway, had I not re-
membered the relationshi existing between us.
Why. confound it, didn’t kill the first Indian
that was killed to—night? Certainly I did, while
you were asleep, and after you awoke, I con-
cluded to take a little swim while you were
finishng the rest."

Conmdering that Adolphus really had done

retty good service, his tormentors ceased their
aughing, and Adolphus believed he had gained
a point by his able remarks.

None of them slept any more that night,
though Darrell said they might with safety.

cold bath,” he I

 

    

6 " The Yankee Ranger.

 

The party that had attacked them was the same
they had mot during the day, and as only two
survived, further molestation was not to be ex-
pected that night.

About two hours before daylight they were in
their saddles and on the move, and were some
distance further on their way by sunrise, when
they halted for breakfast. Long before noon
they crossed Loup Fork. or Pawnee River, a trib-
utary of the Platte, and leaving this stream they
turned their horses’ heads toward the northWest,
aiming at the northern spur of the Black Hills.
This course they followed until their destination
was reached.

It is not worth while to enter into the particu-
lars of that long journey to the trapping-grounds
of the Northwest. After traveling for many
days over broad, level prairies, and Wild, moun—
tainous regions—through storm and calm and
perils innumerable—our three friends drew rein
one glorious afternoon on the bank of the Yel—
lowstone. They struck the river in the center
of a vast wilderness, where the foot of advanc-
ing civilization was not to be set for years to
come, and where the scenery was so imposing
in its grandeur as to strike the lookcreon with
awe. On the opposite side of the stream was a
dense forest, coming down to the vcrge of the
low banks, and stretching far away to the north,
south and west.

” Wal, hyur we are,” said Darrell, as they
reined in their horses and looked about.

“ At last,” added Adolphus, with a deep—
drawn breath. “ l’m confounded lad we have
no more riding to do, for I'll be anged if I
ain’t sick of it.”

“ Where is your home?” asked Rathburn,
glancing about in vain endeavor to catch a
glimpse of some sort of a habitation.

“ My homes on t’other side of the water,
’bout a half-mile down—stream, but we‘ll jist dis-
mount hyur and turn the bosses loose.”

“ Turn the horses loose?”

“ Sart’inly. We won‘t need ’em ag‘in till
spring. This is rich bottom-land, and we can’t
find a better place to leave ’em.”

“ But I'm afraid we‘ll wake up some fine
morning and find no horses here."

“Like ’5 not. Mine won’t wander away,
though, and I reckon yourn won’t leave mine.
If Injuns steal ’em, or wolves runs ’em away,
we’ll have to foot it back to the Statm.

As he spoke the trapper slid out of his saddle,
and beganto gaze sharply in every direction,
as though he were looking for something. The
object of his search was soon espied, and he
walked straight toward a large hollow tree that
stood a short distance away. From an orifice
in the base of the tree he drew to light a small
birchen canoe, which he at once shoved into the
water. The others understood this movement,
and uickly jumped to the ground.

“ 'Fhe red-skins hain’t disturbed nothin’ on
this side,” said Darrell, “and we’ll see how ’tis
on t other side in a minute.”

The horses were now stripped of their appur—
tenances and set free. The saddles, bridles, etc.,
were placed in the canoe, and then the trio
stepped in, sinking the light craft to its gun«
wales. The trapper took up the paddle, and

they moved cautiously out into the current.

 

 

Thoy headed down-stream, but, at the same

time, gradually neared the western shore. It .

was near the close of the afternoon, and half of
the broad river was shaded by the trees that
lined its margin.

After awhile they put in to shore, and ran
the canoe under the thick undergrth that
grew along the brink. As they leaped n the
bank they found themselves in front of a Euge,
gray rock about fifteen feet in hight, and
much greater in diameter. It rose sheer from
the level ground, presenting a smooth, perpen-
dicular front, and all around it grow a dense
thicket, solow and tangled that it could only
be passed through with difficulty.

“ H yur’s Whar we’re goin’ to 10d e this
winter,” said Darrell, making his way t rough
the thicket.

Pulling aside the bushes, he disulosed a recess
in the face of the rock, large enough to admit
the body of a man. He entered in a stoopin
posture, signifying by a. slight jerk of the hand
that the others were to follow him. They did
so with some hcsitancy, cree ing into the dark
recess behind their guide, Per ins holding to his
cousin’s coat—tail with a nervous grasp. In a
moment they emerged into a SpaCiouS cavern.
Here they stopped, and Darrell struck alight.
As the blaze flamed up from the inc—knot he
hold in his hand, it lighted up the c amber, and
revealed every rent and fissure in the gloomy
walls. It showed unmistakably that it had
formerly been occupied. A few worthless furs,
a buffalo—robe, a pair of elk’s horns, and sev-
eral such trophies were to be seen, while other
and different things gave evidence that human
hands had been at work there lon before. A
few fragments of half—burned wo lay in the
center of the apartment, and just above them,
in the ceiling, were a number of small crevices,
which had served, no doubt, to give the smoke
egress.

“ Good graciousl are we going to live in this
miserable hole?" asked Perkins, after surveying
the cave through his eye-glasses.

“This is whar we’re to lodge,” replied Dar-
rell.

“Indeed, I rather like it” said Rathburn.
“It is a better shelter than i expected to find
in this region, and will at least be comfortable
during the bitter cold davs that are to come.
Wore you here last year, Darrell?”

“No; I hain‘t stopped byur fur a spell—five
seasons, I reckon. Since quittin’ this spot I’ve
been carryin’ on my business in the employ of
the Hudson Bay Company, furder up country.
Don’t know that I’d ever have come back to
these grounds, ef 1t hadn‘t been fur a little sar-
cumstanco that tuck place.”

1‘.“ What was that circumstance?” asked Per-
'lus. .

“ I ain’t tellin’ jist now. Wait till night, and
maybe I’ll tell you all ’bout it then, ef you want
to know. I must go out now and set the traps
afore it gits dark, and I counts on a purty- good
haul in the mornin’. I’ve see’d plenty of beaver-
sign to-day. Come with me, et you wants to See
how the thing‘s done.”

The light was extinguished, and they all left
the cave as they had entered.

,Once more seating themselves in the canoe,

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The Yankee Ranger. . '3

 

Darrell took up the paddle and thrust its blade
beneath the water. Rowing with his usual
caution, he kept the canoe close to the shore for
some time, and then turned into a small stream
that flowed into the Yellowstone. Running up
this a little distance, he proceeded to set his traps,
somewhat to the amusement and edification of
his companions. This accomplished, they turn—
ed about and rowed back to the cave.

CHAPTER III.
THE STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL CAPTIVE.

ALTHOUGH yet early autumn, the night wan
chilly, and as the three men re—entered the wide,
gloomy cave, Darrell gathered some fuel and
started a fire. The smoke ascended in spiral
wreaths, and escaped at the numerous crevices
above. They prepared and ate their evening
meal, and then, reclining round the comfortable
blaze, the£passed away the time in smoking and
talking. arrell, being in one of his communi~
cative moods, recounted many of the thrilling
events of his life, and gave the inexperienced
twain a few instructions in hunting, trapping
and Indian-fighting.

After much fidgeting and chewingr the end of
his cigar to a pulp, Adolphus ventured to ro‘
mark:

“You said this evening, Darrell—~hen1l—that
you would tell us the cause of your coming here
this season."

The tra per smoked awhile in silence, staring
vacantl into the fire, and then replied;

“ We. , it ain’t much of a story, but sich as it
is you can hear it.* I mought as well tell you
now as at any other time, I s’pose, ’cuusc you’ll
have to know it ’fore we leave these parts—no
two ways ’bout it. Five years ago I diskivered
this lodge, and secin’ a heap of good sign I de-
tarmined to squat yer’ a season, and see what
luck thar war in this section. Beaver and
otter warn’t skeerce by a long shot, and I
hauled in one or t‘other nearly every day fur
awhile, but my good fortune soon had an inter-
ruption that I hadn’t counted on very strong.
One day, in goin’ the rounds, I found every
cussed trap empty, just as they had been fur two
or three days afore. The suddint end of my suc-
cess war summit sur risin’, and I growed des-
prit suspicious. W en the next day come
round, and still no game, Iswore I’d find out
what it meant. So I began to s’arch around,
and soon found a moccasln-track in the snow.
To own up, I felt kinder oncasy when I made
this diskivery, ’cause it prOVed_that the thief
was an Injun, and I thought the imps must have
found out whar I was lodgin‘ afore that time.
In such a case they’d sart’inly be down on me in
a twinklin’, and even then they might be layin’
in wait fur me round my home. These thoughts
didn’t please me the greatest, but I made my
way back yer ’bout as quick as I could. I was
on the p’int of walkin’ into the cave, when I was
stopped by the purtiest critter I ever set eyes on!

 

* The story of the captive is here recorded re—
cisely as it was related to the writer by the lady er-
self. She is still living, honored and esteemed by all
who know her. and today there is not a more be-
nevolent or active lady in society than she wi ose

' early life was spent among the savages of the great
narthwestern wilderness.

   

It was a little gal, ’bout fourteen years old, with
dark brown ha’r, and eyes that looked ri ht
through a feller. She was dressed like an n-
'un, but I could see thar wasn’t a drap of red
hlooil in her veins. I hain’t sec’d a powerful
sight of females in my day, but of all I ever did
see I sw’ar that little gal was the purtiest.

“ VVal, as I said, I war jist goin’ to come in
here when this little angel stepped in front of me,
and told me she wanted to speak a word or two
fur my own good. She told me the Injuns had
found out I was thar, and war goin’ to come
down on me that very night! She said the
varmits had suspicioned fur OVt‘l‘ a week that a.
white man was around. and now that they
knowed it to u sart’inty they were bent on takin’
possession of my ha’r and traps. She begged
me to go away at once, and not brave their fury.
I promised to do as she said, and then I fell to
uxin’ the child some questions. I l'arnt that she
had been captur’d by the Injuns four years he-
fore—that her parents had been murdered at the
same time—that she was toler’ble well treated
by her captors: and a good deal more. I axed
her what her handle was, and she said it war
Myrtle Forrest.”

‘ “ Denmitiou! what a pretty name !" muttered
Adolphus. “ Maybe it isn’t going to be so bad,
after all, this sojourn in the wilderness. If there
is to be a beautiful maiden in the mix, I'm
willing to take up my abode here.”

“I tuck a like to the gal,” resumed the trap-
per, “ and when she began to cry beat her dead
parents, I’m blowed ef Dusky Darrell could
hardly keep from cryin’ too. I wanted her to
go with me to the States, and live with her own
people, but she wouldn‘t do it. She said the In-
juus war the only friends she had in this world,
and she’d end her days with ’em. After beg-
gin’ me over and over to cut sticks as quick as
possible, she left me.

“The warnin’ war a timely one, fur I had no
more’n packed my pelts and sloped when the
imps swarmed around this rock like a lot of bees
goiu’ into winter quarters. But I got away
cl’ar as a whistle, though 1’s pursued half a day.
I went down to Independence, Massouri, to
barter away my furs, and while I was tbar I
told sev’ral fellers ’bout the white gal up
among the Blackfeet. Some of ’em got interest-
ed in the story and I told ’em all that had passed
’twixt her and me, not omittin’ to tell her ban-
dle. After that I came North, and somehow or
other got among them Hudson Bay fellers, and
stayed with 7em fur a long spell.

‘ Last spring I found myself down in Mas-
souri ag’in. I l’arnt that the story hadn’t died
out thar in five years, but had made sorter of a
sensation. It had been blowed around party
extensively that I’d seen one of the handsomest
gals in the univarse up among the Blackfeet,
and a rich woman that lives in St. Louis some-
how got wind of the tale. It was said that she
was awfully excited , when she heard it and
found out the name of the child, and that she
wanted to see me mighty bad. The chap as told
me all this, sent a message to the lady informin’
her as how I’d arrove, and may I be shot of she
didn’t come cl’ar from St. Louis to Independence
fur an interview with me. She was a scorchin’
flue woman. She was dressed in black, and she

 

 

 
 
  

L
'1’ I

 
  
  
   
   
  
   

  

The Yankee Ranger.

f - “' / .r‘m’r‘ mu w

 

  

looked like a queen but thar wan’t no stuck-
upedness ’bout her, that’s said.

“ Her name was Forrest, she said, and she’d
once had a child named Myrtle. Her husband
had been killed, and her child carried away by
Injuns while they was with an emigrant party
among the mountains, long time ago. Her and
two others managed to make tha’r escape in
some mirac’lous way, and all the rest had to go
under. The woman had never s’posed her
daughter was livin’, till she heard ’bout what
I’d seen. She was cryin' all the time she was
talkin’ to me, and I told her as well as I knowed
how, every thing the gal had told me. Thar
warn’t no doubt ’bout it‘lzhe captive was Mrs.
Forrest’s daughter] It war nine years ago that
she war taken prisoner by the Blackfeet, and she
war ten years old at the time of her captur’.

"Mrs. Forrest said she would give me all she
owned ef I’d restore the lost one to her arms. I
wouldn’t take a cent. I’d been thinkin’ fur
some time ’bout takin’ another tramp up in
these parts, to see of my little friend was still
alive, so I told the mother I’d be off without
delay. She wanted me to take a big reward in
advance, but I told her when Dusky Darrell
needed money so bad that he must be paid fur
kind offices, he’d let her know. She took my
hand and kissed it, and said God would reward
me, and then I swore by heaven and 'arth that
I would bring her daughter home, or leave my
carcass 0n the banks of the Yallerstone. That’s
the talk 1 used, and I’ll keep my word of the
gal’s livin’.”

“Perhaps the tribe that holds her is not now
in this vicmity,” said Rathburu.

"Ef not, I’ll hunt till 1 finds it. She’s got to
turn up sometime or other, or this grizzly don’t
go back to the settlement."

“Thunderation! I’ve a mind to marry her if
she is found,” said Adolphus. “It wouldn’t be
so bad, after all, to go back home With a bean—
tiful wife and a thousand or so dollars!”

“Yes; do it. Spider. by all means," advised
the trapper, with a sly look at Rathburn.

“ Go in and win, cousin mine,” added the lat-
ter, assuming an air of gravity.

Perkins accepted these remarks seriously and
in good faith. and began to stroke his yellowish
whiskers with a wonderfully profound air.
After conversing on various unimportant topics
for some time longer, Darrell replenished the
fire and said:

“ Let’s snooze.”

The proposition was a good one, and in a few
moments all were sound asleep,

Before dawn, the trapper rose and went out,
leaving his friends still asleep. Visiting his traps,
he found that his success was as good as could
have been expected for a beginning, and shoul—
dering his game. he returned homeward.

On re-entering the cave, he found Rathburn
and Perkins astir, A fire was started, and a
breakfast of fresh beaver-meat prepared. In the
afternoon they all sallied out and strolled up and
down the river.

Three weeks asscd away and nothing worth
of note occurr within that time. The approac
of an early and rigorous winter was making it-
self felt, and alrea y some of the smaller streams
were frozen over. The weather grew intensely

o.

 

cold; the fierce, cutting wind howled dismally
through the vast forest and whistled shrilly
around the trapper’s ab e; but the three adven—‘
turers had provided themselves with food and
fuel enough to last through the winter, and
wanted for nothing. ,

Not a sign of an Indian had as yet been seen.
and it was concluded there were none near. This
displeased Darrell, and one day he announced a
determination to go out upon a sort of scouting
expedition, for the purpose of ascertaining
whether the Indian village was in the vicinity
or not. He started at an early hour of the
morning, and returned late in the evening. As
he ste ped into the cave Rathburn inquired: y,

“ hat success, Darrell?”

“Good ’nou h success, I reckon, but I didn’t
find things as ’d like to have found ’em,” was
the gruff response. “ While 1’s wanderin’ about
I come onto the spot wliar the red—skins have
been squattin' through the summer. It’sin a deep
valley, two or three miles away, and I could see
as how they hadn’t been gone more noraweek or
two. But they’ve up stakes and gone, and it don’t
matter when they went.”

“Where do you suppose they are now?”

“I suppose they’re goin’ to winter furder up
country.” .

“ Shall we follow them?"

“Not by a long shot. Smash me, boy, you
wouldn’t find a great deal of fun rovin7 ’bout
over the country when the coldest weather
comes. Thar’d be times when comfortable
quarters 7d be the most desirable thing you
could think of, fur sich places as this ain‘t found
evervwhar."

“ Then, what shall we do?” v

“Stay whar we are, in course. I makes no
doubt the Injuns’ll be back this way in the
spring, and all that’s left fur us to do is to Wait
fur "cm. Then we’ll see what can be done fur
that white captive, Myrtle Forrest.” 9

“Poor girl—I fear she is dead,” murmuredg
Rathburn. “I pray Heaven she is not, for it;
would be a terrible blow to the fond mother ,
whose hopes were raised so high by your story.” as.

,i

 

CHAPTER IV.
A BEAR-HUNT, AND WHAT CAME or 11'.

THE winter set in, and a more severe one had
never been experienced in that latitude. Win-
ter there is of six months’ duration. and so sel—
dom do thaws relieve the bitter coldness of the
long season, that it is no uncommon thing for a
deep snow to remain on the ground from Oc-
tober until April. This time a terrific thunder— .
storm was the close of the warm season, and a
heavy snow-storm the opening of the cold one.

For two or three days the air was white with
snow, sometimes whirling in blinding eddies
through the forest recesses, and at others fall-
ing thick and heavy, until it lay several feet in
depth around the rock that protected our friends
from the rigor of the weather.

But they were well prepared for the exigency,
and reclining on their warm furs around the
roaring fire, they passed the days and nights as
comfortably as If it were summer. Sometimes
Darrell crossed the river, to see how the horses I
were faring, and to provide for them as best he ‘

 

   
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

  

/

The Yankee Ranger. . 9

 

could. On such occasions he walked across on
the ice, the Yellowstone having frozen over after
the first wintenstorm, and, consequently, hav-
ing but little snow on its surface. Everyday
he visited his traps, and was elated at his un-
usual success. Beavers, foxes, lynxes and other
animals fell into his hands, and he was sure of a
%oodly quantity of furs for the spring trade.

11 these trips be generally wore the huge snow-
shoes common among the Indians of that region,
and, possessing but one pair of these, he was
seldom accompanied by Rathburn and Perkins.

One day the trapper returned from his daily
round with an announcmncnt that promised a
little excitement to relieve the monotony of
their lives. He said he had discovered the lair,
or winter—quarters, of a huge grizzly bear, and
he proposed a descent upon it that very night.

“ He’s as big a feller as I ever see’d,” said the
trapper, “and I wouldn’t mind havin’ a tussle
with him, just fur ’musement. Thar’s goin’ to
be moonlight to-uight, and we couldn’t have a
better time fur a blur fight. I diskivered the
var-mint while I’s settin’ my traps, and spotted
him fur this evenin’, and of you wants some
sport yer’s what'll take you to it. "

His companions agreed to this, and prepara-
tions were accordingly made for the pro sed
bear—bunt. The rifles of Perkins and Rathiigrn,
which had lain idle for some time, underwent a
course of cleaning, and there was a general
whettin of knives, and filling of powder-flasks
and bul et—pouches. Once Addphus ventured
toofler an objection to the enterprise, but at
a sly hint from his cousin that he was afraid,
he quickly changed his tone and hailed the
coming event with seeming delight.

Shortly after nightfall they sallied forth. It
was a calm night, but very cold. Extra gar-
ments had been donned, however, and Adolphus
was so muffled up that nothing but his eyes
ware visible. A more suitable time could not
have been selected for their sport; the moon
was almost in its full, and rendered objects dis-
cernible at quite a distance, while the stars
looked down with a cold twinkle from the cloud—
less heavens. A thick, icy crust formed the
surface of the snow. capable of sustaining
:reater weight than theirs, and the only difil-

ulty they experienced in walking, was in keep-
ing upon their feet at tunes. They walked

along the river-bank perhaps a half-mile, then

turned abruptly toward the west and roceeded
up a smaller stream, by the bank of w ich most
of the traps were set. In a few nnnutes the
came upon the first trap. Here Darrell pause ,
and turned toward his companions.

“ Thar’s no use goin’ further ‘thout holdin’ a
short consultation bout this thing. That griz-
zly’s den ain’t a great ways from this 8,“ 0t, and
we don’t want to run into him too suddint, fur I
calc’late he’s a rough customer. ’Tain’t goin’ to
be the easiest thing in the world to drap the
varmint, and you mought a: well be countin’ 011
some tall sparrin’ af ore the job’s did. It ain’t
every day a chap wants to trouble a b’ar like
this ’un, but I’ve begun to think a tussle a need-
cessity jist now, ’cause I’m sp‘ilin‘ fur one.”

“ Let it come, if it will vary the monotony of
our lives for even an hour,” said Rathburn.

“;I say, gentlemen,” spoke Adolphus, in a weak

 

 

voice, “there is no use trying to conceal the
fact—I’m. sick.” ‘

“ Sick, ’Dolphi What ails on?”

“Hang it! how should I now? It isquite
sufficient to know that I am sick, I think. It’s
like taking my heart’s blood to miss the sport,
but really I—-«I can go no further.”

“ Bah! come ’long," growled Darrell.

“I am ill, sir,” persisted Adolphus, “and I
could not move a step further if it were to save
my life. There’s one of your traps behind you——
hadn’t I better stay here and—watch it i’”

“What fur?"

“Why, maybe some animal will get caught
in it while you are huntin the bear.”

“ S’pose he do—we’d git im in good time.”

“Yes, but perhaps you have never heard of a
fox, or other animal, making off with the whole
concern after being caught?’

“ Wagh! yer doesn’t take me fur a fool, does
you? Ef a varmint wants to take off that trap,
he’s 0t first to draw a heavy weight from un—
dert esnow. But you can sta hyur at you
like, Spider, seein’ as how you’d o no good by
goin’ with us.”

“ Are you not afraid to remain here alone?"
asked Rathburn.

“Oh, no——not in the least! If I get ill while
you are absent, I will go back to camp, you
know."

The next moment Darrell and Rathburn
turned their backs upon him, and struck off
across a wide open space, in the direction of the
grizzly’s haunt. They were soon out of sight,
and the echoing sound of their footsteps on the
crusted srow gradually died awa in the dis-
tance. Finding himself alone, Per ins looked
about him and shuddered, and then he began
striking his hands together and walking bris ly
round the spot, to kee his blood in circulation.

“Han ationl thisxs what I call rough,” he
muttere ,quite despondently. “This isno lace
for me, anyhow, and Rathburn ought to ave
had more sense than to bring me away up here.
Thunderationl what would mother think if she
could see me to—nighti If Providence permits
me to return safely to Boston, I’ll get desper-
ately sick every time anybody wants me to go
outside of the city. Mic! what’s that?”

It was aloud, culiar cry that fell upon his
ear-11 prolonget, quavering howl. so dismal in
its tone that the exquisite thought he felt his
blood freezing in his veins! It was re ted the
next instant, and then that deathli e silence
again brooded over wood and plain.

“Now, I wonder if I’m going to be attacked
by wolves’!l Just my luck, I reckon! I’ll go
back to the cave, and stay there till the fellows
return from their hunt. No, I won’t, either,
because they would call me a coward then, and
besides, I have told them I’m too ill to walk so
far. Never mind; I’ve killed an Indian since
coming out West, and I guess a wolf isn’t—
Hello! what‘s that F”

This time it was sight, and not sound, that
caused the exclamation. About twenty guards
away he had seen three or four black 0 jects
skulking along the banks of the stream! He
watched them for a moment in silent horror.

“I suppose I am in for it now,” he mused,
sinking upon his knees. “ I do wish they could

 

s»;
a

   

    

at - '

10"

The Yankee Ranger.

 

leave a. fellow alone! I should like to know
what they’ve got against me. I have a presenti—
ment that I am not going to live more than fifty
years longer—— HELLOI WHAT’S THAT?”

Just then there was a dull clap near by, fol-
lowed by a most appalling scream, that Jarred
hideous] on the still night air!

Adolp us clutched his rifle, and started back
with a gasp of terror. The cause of the horri-
ble cry was soon made apparent. A wolf had
been caught in the trap, and, with yells of
pain and fright, was tugging furiously to get
away. The cries of the unfortunate brute
were taken up by a score of throats, and an—
swered from overtly Oan of the compass,_ while
several dark, la odies were seen slinking
from point to point. Adolphus saw more than
one pair of glowing eyes fastened upon him, and
realized that he was surrounded by the cadav—
erous animals. I

The entrapped wolf continued his home, and
his frantic endeavors to escape, but in vain.
An idea struck Adolphus as he observed this,
and he stepped forward and cocked his gun.

“ Hangnation! I’m no coward,” he blustered,

going up close to the trap. “ I’ll just knock
thunder and. lightning out of you, to Show you
what a desperate man I am, you skeleton sneak—
thiefl Any one who has the hardihood to
prowl about my premises after sunset must
abide by the consequences. Now don’t pull
your leg off. but remain quiet till I get my gun
loaded. Maybe it’s already loaded, but I
wouldn’t swear to it, and there’s nothing like
certainty.” .

Drawing the ramrod he hastily pounded down
an extra charge into his gun.

“ Inok out for your head now—l’

Bang, want his rifle, twice as loud as usual,
echoing on the still air like the report of a small
cannon. That the bullet went true to its aim,
was proved by the sharp yelp that followed the
discharge' but Adolphus heard it not. The first
thing tha was plain to him after pulllng the
trigger, was that he was lying flat iipon his
back, his heels beating the air and his empty
rifle lying several yards away._ The double load
had caused so violent a mood of his weapon,
that he was lauded u on his back in a manner
more easily imagine than described.

“ That was the meanest trick I ever heard
of,” he declared, scrambling to his feet and
picking up his gun. “ Blazes! my nose is bleed-
ing,” he roaned, roducing a handkerchief and
wiping he bloo from the injured feature.
“ I’m tired of this. If those fellows don’t come
back retty shortly I‘ll desert my post, that’s
all. g should like to know if they— Good
gracious! what are those wolves doing?”

A confused mass of dark bodies, howling,
growling, and surging backward and forward
over the trap had attracted his notice. The
truth was self-evident—the wonvcs were devour-
ing the one he had shot: _ I

“ 0h thunderl” ejaculated Adolphus, With in-
crease horror, “if the wrotehes are so pressed
With him or that they will eat their own men.
they will fie apt to take a fancy to me next. I
believe I won’t remain here longer. I’ll catch
cold if I do.” _ ‘

Without further hesitation on the ‘subJect he

 

shouldered his rifle, turned on his heel, and
walked briskly away from the spot. He had
gone but a few steps when he became aware
that the wolves were following him. Alarmed
at this, he struck into a run, and gradually
quickened his pace until he was going at the top
of his speed. The wolves were now in hot pur-
suit, crcating a terrible din by the Glamorous
yelps and howls to which they gave vent inces—
santly. Adolphus made for the Yellowstone,
running along the bank of the tributary re—
ferred to. He ran as he had never run before,
and it was a thousand wonders he did not fall,
in his reckless flight over the smooth, glassy
surface of the snow. Yet his progress seemed
painfully slow to him. He was not ignorant of
the fact that his life depended on his fleetness
of foot.

The wolves were dashing after him in a tu-
multuous drove, and no human being could have
outstripped them. They gained ground at every
spring, but Perkins fled on with unabated ve—
locity, his muscles strained almost to bursting,
his eyes staring wildly ahead and his coat-tails
streaming in the wind.

He soon came in sight of the Yellowstone.
He sped forward with renewed hope, intending,
as he neared the bank, to swerve abruptly from
his course, and follow the river to the cave.
But, to his surprise and consternation, he ob-
served that the wolves were spreading out on
each side of him, and he could turn neither to
the right nor the left. It was a. fearful dis-
covery, but there was no time to meditate upon
it. His retreat to the only place of efuge he
knew of was cut off, and no choice was oft him.
He darted straight ahead, and bounded down
the snowy embankment to the ice below. Then
he dashed madly across the frozen water toward
the opposnze shore, insanely hoping to reach
some place where he should be ab e to bathe his
carnivorous enemies.

He had reached the middle of the river, when
he was relieved of a small portion of his coat by
the teeth of his pursuers, and at the same instant
he struck his foot against a wolf in front and al-
most fell. He saw the dark mass of bodies clos-
ing around him, and the astoundin truth forced
itself upon his tortured mind. 9 must stop
and defend himself, or struggle on and be
brought down perforce in a twmkling. He
chose the former course, though there was no
hope in either. Baiting suddenly, he stood
among the wolves like a bison at bay. His rifle
was empty, but clutching it with both hands
close to the muzzle, he began to lay about him
in a manner that promised death to any coming
within its reach. This had the effect of keeping
them off for awhile, but he knew it could not
last long.

“Helpl help! help!” he shouted at the top of
his voice, “ In the name of thunder, can’t
somebody help me? Murder! murder! Hang-
nation! Help! HELPl”

The clubbed weapon swept swiftly around
him in a circle and e was already nearly ex-
haustcd.

It must soon have gone hard with Adolphus,
but a singular incident occurred just as the last
spark of hope died out. The terrible din that
bad hitherto filled the air, suddenly ceased, and

 

 

 

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The Yankee Ranger.

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11

 

some great fear seemed to have fallen upon the
wolves. Vich a chorus of sharp yelps, they
scampered away ll-mell toward the eastern
shore, leaving A olphus standing there alone
and unharmed.

“ Good-by!” yelled Adolphus, “ I’ll try and be
at home next time you call. Demmel it was
lucky for them they left when they did,” he
added, in alower tone. “I had just made up
my mind to slaughter the whole pack of them,
when they—“

The sentence was cut short by a deep, threat—
enng growl near by. and with blanched face
Perkins saw that another Wild animal was ap—
proaching. It was a huge, cuinbrous body,
coming across the river “'ll‘l] hcavy, shuffling
tread, and he instantly recognized it as :1 mon—
strous grizzly bear. It was the approach of
this brute that had frightened the wolves away,
and the thrill of joy that had pervaded his be—
ing at their departure, was now changed to sick-
ly terror.

He grew desperate, and resolved to shoot the
bear. His riflc was empty, but he thought he
would have time to load it; so he hurrich pro—
ceeded to ram home a heavy charge. cfore
this operation was more than half finished, the
bear halted a few feet away and stood glaring
Adolphus commanded him
to stand still until to should complete the load-
ing of his rifle, and, strangely enough, he was
obeyed.. He was soon ready, and aiming full
at the face of the bear, he fired. He heard a
roar of pain, but as the smoke lifted, was as—
tonished to see the brute still standing there, his
mouth wide open, and his long red tongue hang-
ing on t.

The idea of another struggle for life was )1]-
tolerable, and rather than risk it Adolphus re»
solved to take to his heels. He whirled round
for that purpose, but before he could take a.
step, the report of another rifle broke the still-
ness of the night. The bear roared again with
pain, and gazed about him as if to ascertain
who had fired this second shot.

Adolphus. knowing that help was at hand, did
the same- HIS heart bounded with joy as he
saw the forms of two men coming sw1ftly to-
ward him, and he shouted:

“Come on, Darrell! Come on. Rathburn! If
you want to take a_ hand in this, you’d better

urry before I kill him!” I

The forms came bounding on, and the infuri-
ated grizzly plunged forward to meet them,
the blood flowing freely from his wounds.
Perkins watched them now in breathless sus-
Eanse. He knew a fearful struggle was at hand.

e saw gleaming knives 1n the hands of the
two men, and saw that they were bent upon
killing the bear, or sufiering themselves. The
parties met, and began a lively contest. The
maddened brute flew at his two—legged foes, as
if he would tear them to pieces, but they leaped
nimny around him, and while they kept clear
of his teeth and claws, they occasionally found
an opportuntiy to plunge their knives into his
shaggv aides. Fora short time the fight was
carried on in this manner, and then the combat-
ants mingled together and rolled over on the ice.
There was a snapping, and snarling, and growl-

 

‘ ing from the brute as they tumbled about, fre—

qumtly min led with a yell from his human ad-
versaries. n a few moments the bear, with a
dying groan, ceased his efforts and lay motion-
less in death. The two men sprung to their feet
with shouts of exultation.

“ That’s it, boys—give it to him!” cried Per-
kins, and, now that the danger was over, he
drew his own knife and leaped forward to par
ticvpate in the contest. With ready courage be
buried the long blade twice in the dead body, and
then coolly wiped it on the hairy hide of his ('9)
victim.

“ That ends his game. He’ll never trouble me
again, that’s certain. for I presume he has
found out by this time that it isn’t safe to pro-
voke my wrath. But, I say cousin, where the
deuce have you and Darrell been— Hangna-
tion i”

No wonder this ejaculation burst from his
lips—no wonder he dropped his knife and start—
ed back, with pallid face and staring eyes. For
the two men standing before him were not
Darrell and Rathburn, but two big, painted In-
dians I

 

CH APTE R V.

SUSPICIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.

IT would be difficult to describe the emotions
with which Perkins made this startling discov-
ery. He had no other thought than that the
Slayers of the grizzly bear were Dusky Darrell
and Henry Rathburn, and their sudden trans—
formation into savages was a blow that almost
stunned him.

Perkins was a singular individual, however,
and in less than a minute after the first shock,
he adjusted his eye—glasses and stared at the
dusky twain with all the coolness of a French
coxcomb at a fashionable party.

“Gond-evcning, gentlemen," he said, uietly.

“You go ’long with us,” said one of t e sav-
ages, in low, guttural tones.

“ Me i 0 along with 'ou? I beg to be excused,
gentlemen—any home ies in an entirely different
direction, and I have already stayed out too
late. The old woman will dress my hair if I am
not in early—indeed she will.”

The Indians looked as though they did not
understand, and the one Who spoke English in—
quired:

“ Who you be?”

“ Lieutenant—General Adolphus Perkins, from
Boston, Massachusetts. Who are you?”

The spokesman seemed more perplexed than
before, and addressed a few words to his cum-
panion in his own tongue. Then, espying the
valuable watch-chain the white, man wore, he
laid his hand upon it and remarked:

“ Me take dis.”

“Oh, Lord! I couldn’t possibly make you a
present—”

“ Hooh! me take dis.”

“ Certainly—certainly. I was only making
the presentation speech you know,” and Adol-
phus drew the heavy gold watch from his
Locket and handed it. chain and all. to his cap—
tors. “ Now, gentlemen, chon‘t deserve thanks
for so small an act of benevolence, so don’t men-
tion it. Hangnation! how can I ever get
that watch bank?”

 

 

  
 

   

 

12"

 

The Yankee Ranger.

 

” Take dat, too,” grunted the Indian, pointing
to the diamond pin on his breast.

“Yes—of course—I forgot that. Here, take
it with my best wishes. I wonder if they are
going to rob me of everything I possess? If
you will examine that pin you will find that I
have not cheated you in the least. That dia-
mond 00st seven million dollars in London, and
I give it to you freely. Demnitiou! would that
I ad died when I was a baby! If there is any—
thing else you want. don’t feel delicate about
asking for it.”

Adolphus ceased speaking very abruptly, and
his face brightened up as if by a magic touch.
Standing as he was, face to face with the sav—
ages, he of course could see objects that were
not Visible to them. Happening to glance over
their shoulders, ho was surprised and delighted
to see two human figures about ten yards be-
hind them, cautiously approaching. There
could be no mistake this time—tho were Dusky
Darrell and Henry Rathburn. Io saw their
features, and recognized them without the
slightest difficulty. hey were creeping stealth—
ily toward the savages in the rear. '

Adolphus now observed that Darrell was
making signs to him. He gesticulated, ointed
at his gun and then at the Indians, ant then,
stooping, patted the ice with his hand. At first
Adolphus was at a loss to understand What
these signals signified, but he soon saw that his
friends wished him to stoop, so that they could
shoot his enemies. So pretending that the act
was purely accidental, he made an awkward
movement and both feet slipped from under
him at once, landing him sprawling on his back.
Scarcely had he fallen when there came the
simultaneous report of two rifles, and both of
the savages, with agonizing yells, fell dead in
their tracks.

Perkins made haste to rise, and the trapper
an 1 Rathburu bounded upon the scene.

“ 0 :me on, Spider—quick!” said the trapper.
“EL’ we don’t git away from hyur as quick as
we can, we’ll be s’rounded by wolves ’fore we
know it. I reckon these carcasses ’11 keep the
varmiuts busy till we git home, of we’ll be pru-
dent enough to vamoosc at onc’t."

“Yes, yes,” answered Perkins; “ but one of
these devils took my watch and breast-pin.
Wait till I get them.”

“ Be quick then.”

He hastily repossessed himself of his valuables,
and then the trio hurried away, as they heard
the howls of the wolves all around them.
They had not gone for when they heard the
voracious animals wrnngling over the bodies of
the Indians and the bear, and the trapper said
they would soon be pursued.

But they reached the cave-rock in safety, and
crept into its gloomy recesses. They did not
close their eyes that night, but started a fire
and sat by it until morning. Adolphus spent
two or three hours in relating his wonderful ad-
ventures; how the wolves had been so unfor-
tunate as to get in his way—how he had chased
them to the river—how he had killed the grizzly
bear, etc, etc. Darrell and Rathburn, on going
to the bear’s den, had been somewhat surprised
to find that the object of their hunt was not
there, They saw signs, however, indicating

 

that the grizzly had been driven from his lair
against his will, and this made them suspect
that there were other human beings in the vicin-
ity besides themselves. Attrarted to the river
by the shots of Perkins and the Indians, they
had arrived there, as we have seen, just in time
to save the former.

“ A memorable bear-hunt. truly,” observed
Rathburn. “ But this thing of finding red—skins
in the vicinity is more than I looked for, at
present. thnt (10 you think of it, Darrell?”

“It don’t foller that they live hyurabouts.“
said Darrell. “ I’ll wager my hn‘r thu’r homoa
ain’tless nor ten miles away, ’causc they often
go furder’n that on a huntin’ tramp.”

“ But suppose some of their friends should
happen down this way, and find their corpses»
would they not suspicion who did the work, and
be down upon us?”

“’Tain’t likely their bodies ’11 be found. El”
they be, the imps ’11 suppose the wolves done the
mischief.”

The next day Adolphus was scarcely able to
move about, owing to his immense exertions of
the night before, and the bruises he had received
from his falls. In a. day or two, however, ho
was himself again, but it was many days before
he lefton boring his companions by repeated
recitals of his thi'illin adventure.

The winter passe slowly enough to our
friends. Little of excitement, besides what we
have recorded, took place during the cold son--
son, and no more Indians, nor more traces of
any, were seen. The trapper applied himself
assiduously to his vocation, and they did not
want for food: and the fuel with which they
had stored their cavern was sufficient until
more could be procured.

But at last the tedious Winter wore away,
and the spring thaw set in. The ice—bound Yel-
lowstone and adjoming rivers broke up with n
thundering shock like the crash of artillery,
and for awhile all was slush and dripping
water. The broken ice wont booming past the
cavern—home [or several days, and then all was
s vcpt away, and not a vestigo of snow or ice
was anywhere to be seen. Bri ht, genial spring
has come once more, and the su den transforma-
tion was like the working of magic.

One clear, warm morning Rathburn stepped
forth from the cave to stroll along the river-
bank and enjoy the exhilarating atmosphere.
Adolphus was asleep, and Darrell was out on
his daily visit to his traps, so be embraced the
opportunity of taking an early and solitary
walk. At starting he did not intend to be away
more than an hour, but as much to his own sur—
prise as that of his com anions, he did not re-
turn until high noon. s he once more entered
the subterranean abode. the trapper looked at
him steadily, and inquired:

“ Whar you been, youngster?"

“ Only taking a. morning walk," he replied,
hanging his gun on the wall.

“ Purty long walk, Warn’t it?”

“Rather longer than I intended it should be
when I went out.”

The trapper again bent his keen gaze upon the
young man. -

" Did you see anything?” he asked.

Rathburn gave a slight start,

 

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«A.

 

The Yankee Ranger. 13

 

“ Why do you ask?”

" Wal, you look sorter flurried, like. as if
you‘d seen sumthin’, or sumthin’ had seen on.”

“Yes, I have Seen something.” said tli-
burn, after some hesitation; “ but I suspect i
will only laIy myself open to ridicule by disclos-
ing what saw. About a quarter of a mile
from here I was slowly following the course of
the river, when, happening to glance across, 1
saw a horse standing u on the opposite hank.
That is all I saw, but Firatched him full ten
minutes, and during all that time he was as
motionless as a statue. excepting an occasional
twitch of his tail. He stood with his side to.-
ward me, and turned his head neither to the
right nor the left, and once I thought I saw a
rein near his mouth, but it might have been a
delusion. I hardly know why my suspicions
were aroused, but the circumstance seemed
very strange to me, and it has not been off my
mind since I witnessed it. I thought you would
deem my ideas ridiculous, and so determined to
say nothing of what I had seen.”

“ Was the boss thar when you come back?"
asked Darrell, with a vacant, thoughtful look.

“ No; he had disappeared.”

” Maybe ’twar one of our own bosses?"

“I should have known it, had it been. This
was a powerful, milk- white animal, and you
know none of ours answers to that description.”

The trapper offered no reply to this, and no
more was said on the subject all that day.
Rathburn concluded that his words had made
little or no impression upon his friend, and that
they were already forgotten.

When the two young men awoke the next
morning, Dusky Darrell had disappeared. There
was nothing singulay in this, as it was a com-
mon thing for him to leave while they were yet
asleep, but, when hour after hour slipped by and
he did not return, it was plain to them that some-
thing unusual had occurred to detain him.

About the middle of the afternoon he made his
ap .arance. He stepped into their presence as
su denly and quietly as a spirit, and, as he stop-
ped before them. drew a deep breath and dropped
the butt of his rifle on the rocky floor with a me-
tallic‘ring. .Then. prOducing his pipe, be filled
and lighted it, and seated himself on a bundle of
furs without a Word. Observing by the expres-
sion of his face that he had learned something of
importance. Rathburn in uired:

“ What have you seen, arrell?”

“ Heap,” was the gruff response.

“ Where have you been since morning?”

“ Scoutin’ round a trifle. See yer’, fellers,”
he said, taking his pipe from his mouth and
looking at them, “ this place are goin’ to be too
hot fur us in less nor a week!"

“ Oh, Lord! what’s the matter now?" ex-
claimed Adolphus.

“Injuusl” was the brief, but expressive re-

y.

h “ Good gracious! you haven’t seen Indians, I
ope?"

“Jist put a stop on that provision~hole of
Yourn and listen The long and short of the
whole thing are jist this: The Blackfeet have
come back to this neighborhood to spend the
summer. I come onto tha’r village right whar I
expected to find it, in the same valley I men-

 

tioned last fall, you remember. I reckon it
numbered ’bont seventyvfive lodges, or nearly
that many, and the Injuns war swarniin’ around
7em like a lot of bees.

“ Did you see the white captive?” eagerly
asked Adolphus.

“ Seo'd a good many squaws strollin’ around,
but I warn’t near enough to tell whether thar
was a white one among ’em. I don’t count
much on findin’ the gel among the chaps around
~liyar, ’cause in five years she mought have
passed through the hands of half a dozen tribes,
and like as not she’s on t’other side of the
Rocky Mountains now.”

“ Thunderationl narrow chance of getting her,
I should say.”

“Nevertheleast, hyur‘s what’s goin’ to git
her, ef she hain’t kicked the bucket. But, hold
on: I liain’t told you all I l’arnt. After leavin’
here this mornin’, I walked straight toward the
spot whar you’d seed the mysterious white
hoss, Rathburn, kinder tliinkin‘ ef your s’pi-
cions war well founded he’d be thar ag’in to-day.
When I reached the place I stopped and looked
acrost the river. Sure’s I’m settin’ on these
pelts, tliar stood the critter on t‘other bank ist
as on had described him. I was somew at
toolZen aback at this, and I dodged ahind a tree
to watch. The whole case was soon made cl’ar
to me. I see’d sumthin’ small and dark right
on the boss’s back, not fur from the root of his
tail, and I knowed in a minute that it was
nothin’ less than a. red-skin’s foot. The cuss
war clingin’ on the other side of the animal,
and watchin’ this side of the river from under
his neck. In a few minutes the Injun riz u on
the critter’s hack and rode away. I on’t
know whether he laid his peepers on me or not,
but I reckon you didn’t escape ’em yesterday.
The varmints s’picion we’re in these parts, et
they don’t know it, and ’tain‘t goin’ to be a.
great while afore they come on us.”

“ Then,
Ado] hus, nervously.

“ e’r’ right thar, ef you never war afore,
Spider. Sumthin’ must he did, and that purty
suddiut."

b “Have you formed any plans?” asked Rath-
urn.

“ VVal, I’ve sorter hit on a course of proceed-
in’. I’m goin’ round this evenin’ and take in
the traps, for ef the skunks should stumble onto
one of them, they wouldn't need any more evi-
dence that we’re around. To—morrow we’ll
occupy ourselves spyin’ round the village,
’cause the first p’int is to find out if the white
gal are with this tribe. and to git an interview
with her at she be. Ef fortune favors us, may-
haphtvxe’ll be ready to trump by to—morrow
mg .

“Why need we remain here lon er, cousin?"
ventured Adol hus, turning to Bet burn.

“ Ef you fe ers wants to go now, while you
can, Dusky Darrell offers no jections. I started
after that female alone, and I reckon I don't
need any help, though you mought be of some
sarvice to me ef you’d stay. Howsumever, you
run the risk of leavin’ yer top-knots in these
parts ef you stays another day, and I can’t
blame you of you cut sticks for the States this
very hour."

 

something should be done,” said

i:
s

   

    

14

“I shall remain hero as long as you do,” said
Rathburn, firmly, “ and I trust my cousin is not
weak enough to decide differently. ’

“Pshawl what’s the use talking that way?”
said Adolphus. “ You should have known that
l was not in earnest. Of course I want to soc
this white captive before I leave this section.”

“ Wal, that settles it, then. Ef you’re bound
to see the game through, Dusky Dari-oil’s what‘s
goin’ to stick to you as long as you don’t Show
the white feather.”

The trapper proposed that both of his com—
panions should accompany him on his trip after
the traps. Shortly after sunset they entered
the canoe, and rowed about among the small
runs, visiting every trap and taking them all
into the boat. They saw no signs of Indians,
and returned unmolested to the cave.

Then the saddles, bridles and furs were
brought forth and placed in the canoe. These,
under cover of darkness, were taken across the
river. They found their horses undisturbed,
saddled them and hitched them in a deep ravine,
ready for use at a moment’s notice.

Having thus made every preparation for
flight. they went back to the cave to obtain
what sleep and rest they could, before braving
the dangers the morrow would bring forth.

“ Sleep well to night, boys,” said Darrell, as
be stretched himself on the floor, “ ’causc, of I
ain’t powerful mistook, we’ll never sleep in this
place ag’in. Something is going to be did to-
morrow, that’s sart’in.‘

CHAPTER VI.
ADOLPKUS SEES A VISION AND PERFORMS A
FEAT.

IN the morning the three adventurers equip-
ped themselves for a general scoutin" expedi-
tion. and set out bright and early. hey left
nothing of value at the cave, for it was not
their intention to return thither. since Darrell
asserted that it would be dancerous to do so.
After proceeding 3. little distance they sepa-
r ited, each choosing his direction, and all shap—
ing their courses toward the Indian yillage, so
as to approach it from opposite oints.

This proceeding did not p ease Adolphus.
When he found himself really alone, he dropped
into a leisurely gait, determined not to go very
near the village, but let the others do what re
connoitering was necessary. It was a clear, ra-
diant morning; the air Was filled with the music
of numberless birds and purling streams, and
the country seemed converted into a Paradise.
He wandered onward like one in a dream for a
full half-hour, when he was considerably startled
by a shadow falling upon the ground in front of
him. He stopped suddenly and looked back.
Not a living thing was to be seen, but there was
in. slight commotion in the undergrowth, and he
knew it was caused by a human being stealthily
making off. The discovery that his footste s were
dormed by enemies was not decidedly p easant
to 1m, and in his alarm he unconsciously quick—
ened his pace. But no more signs of Indians

were seen or heard, and his fear soon died out.
' Presently he came u on a scene that caused
him to halt. and broug t from him an exclama-
tion of delight. It was a lar e, bubbling spring
of cold, limpid water, resting 1:6 a mirror under

 

The Yankee Ranger.

 

a low, mossy embankment, and overshadowed
by the wide-spreading branches of a. tree. On
one side of the spring was a curiously—shaped
stone. somewhat resembling a chair, cut by the
hand of Nature. It promised comfort to any
one seeking its embrace, and it looked so invit-
ing that Adolphus could not resist the tempta—
Lion of resting awhile before going further on
his way. Dropping into the natural chair, he
hung his hat on his knee and gave himself up to
delightful repose. Once he was aroused by hear—
ing something that sounded like a footstep near
by. He raised his head and listened, but as the
sound was not repeated, and nobody was seen,

he concluded that his fancy had been at work. ~

But he would not resume his recumbent posture
for fear he should commit the mistake of falling

asleep.

All at once Adolphus dropped upon his knees
by the spring.

“ By thunder! Why didn’t I think of that be—
fore?” he muttered. “ I haven’t seen myself
since coming to the western countr , and 1 am
sure this is a. splendid chance. by, this is
nearly as good as a looking-glass, I declare. It
reflects nicely."

He bent over the water as Narcissus bent over
the crystal fountain, but, unlike that fabled
youth, was not enamored of his own image. On
the contrary, judging from the groan of anguish
that escaped him, one would suppose he was
highly displeased.

‘What a picturel” he cried, despondently.
“ I declare I look like the devil before dayl Oh,
for a razor, or a pair of scissors, or anithing
with which to remove this superfluous eard.
It’s perfectly awful. Isn’t this a pretty plight
in which to meet that Myrtle Forrest?”

For several minutes he gazed at his image, as
reflected in the spring, examining every feature
separately, muttering to himself and lamenting
the disfigurement of his beard. All of a sudden
a bush fell upon his tongue; his e es expanded,
his hands flew wide open, and is lower jaw
dropped as if a weight were on it. The cause
of this was no more nor less than another face
appearing in the water within a foot or two of
his ownl He could hardly believe his eyes——
and yet for a minute he could not remove them
from the apparition! It was plainly reflected
in the other Side of the spring—a face that
might have been compared to that of an angel——
white, glowing, beautiful!

With a cry of amazement, Adol bus sprung
up and looked about in search of t e intruder.
Not a Soul was visible in any direction.- He
dropped his gaze to the water again. The mys-
terious face was no longer to beseen; it, too, had
vanished.

“ Now, this beats anything I ever saw,” said
the exquisite, in a cold whisper. “I wonder if
that was a spirit I saw? Good gracious! I
hope I am not haunted.”

At that instant there was a slight rustle in the
bushes on the opposite side of the 5 ring. The
next moment he recoiled in astonis ment, as a
human form stepped from behind the bushes
and stood revealed before him. He dashed his
hand across his face, as if to clear his sight and
then took a closer look at the apparition. What
a vision met his gaze! It was sodazzling, so

  
  
 

   
  

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The Yankee Ranger. 15

 

radiantly beautiful, and withal so unexpected,
that he at once became motionless, speechless,
and almost breathless.

0n the margin‘of the spring stood a being
who, at such a place, was truly wonderful to
behold. She was arrayed in the wild, fanciful
garb worn by the Indians of that region,
adorned by a glittering profusion of beads,
trinkets and fringe. A crown of eagle-feathers
gave her the appearance of a. princess, and a
light scarlet mantle, open in front and thrown
back, revealed a dress that had been made with
rare taste and neatness. Hair dark and lux-
uriant fell loosely about her shoulders and
shapely form and the eyes were deep black and
burning in t eir. gaze. The cheeks were soft
and smooth as velvet, and tinged with richest
hue of the rose, while the lips resembled twin
cherries in their crimson beauty.

No wonder Adolphus was transfixed with
amazement and fascination. He thought this
was the brightest vision that had ever crossed
his path, and if there was rudeness in the stare
he bestowed upon it, he was not blamable. He
noticed the faultless symmetr of the full, swell-
ing form, and was enchan by the extraordi-
na beauty of the fine, glowing face.

“ ho are you?” slowly asked the strange being.

Adolphus started as if struck, as the low,
clear voice fell like a strain of music u ion his
ear. The next moment he was asham of the
act, and with a forced cough he replied:

‘ Mei—ahl—aheml—I‘m Governor Adolphus
Perkins, of the State of Massachusetts, at your
service. You will please pardon my impolite~
ness in staring at you so rudely, but I was really
so astounded by your sudden and unexpected
ap arance—”

e paused as he observed a look of perplexity
on the girl’s countenance. It was evident that
she did not comprehend. In a more distinct voice
he resumed:

“ It is truly astonishing, madam, to meet one
of your color in this outlandish region. Since I
have given you my name, will you have the kind~
ness to favor me with yours?”

“ I am M 1e Forrest,” she replied, simply.

“Justas supposed. I might have known it
was you.” O

The dark eyes dilated at this. and became fixed
upon the speaker With a look that seemed to burn
into his very soul.

“You speak as if you know me,” she said, in
astonishment. “You are a stranger to me. I
never saw you nor heard your name until this
minute. Explain."

“ I do not claim to know you. I have merely
heard of you.”

“ Heard of me? When, and from what
source? I have no friends among the pale-faces,
and nobody except the Indians knows of my ex-
istence.”

“ That is just where you are wrong. fair lady.
I guess you have more friends than you Imagine,
and there are a large number of white people
who know of your existence.”

Myrtle Forrest looked incredulous, and stared
at Adolphus as though she thought him insane.
Then she pressed her hand to her forehead, and
seemed to doubt her own sanity.

," This is marvelous,” she murmured.

 

 

heard of me before comin here—I do not know
you—many people know t at such a person as

live among the Indians of the Northwest—
Explain, if you can, how it is so?”

Adolphus stepped around the edge of the
spring, dto the side on which the girl stood, and
l‘ejollle :

“ Myrtle, I did not expect to meet you here
to-day, but having previously been assured that
you were in this part of the country, my pleasure
now is greater than my surprise. _Believe me,
fair Myrtle, my sole object in bravmg the den-
gers of this wilderness, is to rescue you from the
heathens and take you home. ”

“0h, why have you done this? I cannot go
with you! I have no friend nor relatives—7’

“Stop, fair one, and hear me through! Do
you remember an individual named Dusky
Darrell?”

The girl seemed to reflect.

“A trapper, who was here five years ago,”
added Perkins.

Her face instantly brightened up.

“ I remember him,’7 she said. “ He was a
good, kind man, and the savages found out that
he was on their grounds. Dusky Darrell—yes,
that was his name. The fury of the Indians was
great when they found him out, and he was snob
a good man that I thank Heaven that I was in—
strumental in saving;r his life.”

“ Well, continued Perkins, trying to stand in
a graceful attitude, “he’s the individual who
s read the story of you and your captivity.

9 went down to Missouri after effecting his
escape, and I guess he told everybod he met
about you. Somehow or other, a lady iving in
St. Louis got wind of the—’7

“First tell me,” interrupted the beautiful girl,
“ if you are alone here? Did not this Dusky
Darrell accompany you?”

“Oh, yes! Darrell and another fellow are
hereabouts. I prevailed on them to come with
me. you know!”

She clasped her hands with a look of intense i

am.
p “I charged him never to venture back here.
Ohl I fear you will all be killed. I told
him besides that I could never consent to leave
my captors. Among them I will live and die.”

“But, look here, my fair friend; I can im-
part to you something that will cause you to
change your mind—”

uqShlh

Myrtle Forrest raised one small, white hand
as a token of silence and bent her head as if
listening. Then, in ahurried, excited way, she
gras ed his arm and whispered:

“Ip must leave yon—somebody is coming this
way. Go, get your companions, and fly for
your lives, for the Indians have found you out
and will murder you. They know where your
cave is, and will surround it to-nightl I cannot
go with ou—I am a willing captive and will
end my ays here. I thank you more t an I can
tell. for your disinterested efforts in my behalf.
but I cannot otherwise reward you. G01 and
as you value your lives don’t let the grass w
under your feet. If you fail, I shall ever b.ame
myself for it.”

ith this, and a slight wave of the band,

“ You | she turned suddenly and vanished in the woods.

.;

 

 

The Yankee Ranger.

 

Left alone, Adolphus stood motionless in his
tracksyhalf—bewildered and wholly vexed. The
fair being was gone—in all probabilit would
not be seen again—and he had not told er that
her mother was living. Should he pursue her?
No; by doing that he might run into danger, as
he had reason to believe the Indian Village was
not far away.

While thus cogitating, he was startled by a.
crashing in the woods above him. He now re-
membered that the girl had said some one was
coming that way, and a sense of his peril rushed
upon him. The remembrance came too late.
Before he could move a step, the bushes at
the top of the knoll arted, and an Indian
bounded down into the ollow, landing directly
in front of Adolphus! At sight of each
other both recoiled, and stood for a minute
gazing in silence. Adolphus saw that he had a

uge, muscular enemy to deal with, and he felt
his blood growing cold, as he noticed the halo-
t'ul glitter in the small, snaky eyes. He saw the
sinewy fingers slowly close around the horn han-
dle of a formidable—looking knife. He saw the
knife slyly drawn from the belt, and he knew
the time had come when he must “do or die.”
He compressed his lips and prepared to make an
effort for life. Drawing back a ste ) or two, he
made a sudden plunge forward, ducking his head
low and thrusting it between the legs of the sav—
age. Then, encircling both legs with his arms,
be exerted all his stren th and lifted his adver-
sary from the groun , hurling him headlong
over his back]

Trembling with excitement, and the exertion
he had been compelled to undergo to accomplish
this feat Adolphus turned to observe the result.
He behe d a spectacle so unlocked for and sick-
ening, that he recoiled in surprise and horror.
The savage, in tumblin over, had fallen head—
first into the spring, strikin his skull upon the
sharp edge of a stone in the ttom, and render-
ing him at once insenm'blel There he lay on his
breast, his head and shoulders buried in the
water, the crimson-tinted bubbles coming to the
surface, and the whole spring ra idly becoming
dyed with the wretch’s blood. ith a shuddcr,
Perkins turned away, picked up his rifle and
hurriedl left the spot.

He di not proceed in the direction of the vil—
lage, but struck off in another course, hopin to
come across his friends, that he might tell t em
there was no further necessity of looking for the
white ca tive.

He he walked about a half—mile. and was
moving on still, when he heard a rustle in some
bushes near by. Before he could look around a.
hand was laid upon his shoulder, and Dusky Dar-
rell stood beside him.

“ Hello, Spider!” he shouted, gruffly.

“ Hangnation! what’s the use of scaring a fel-
ler to death?” faltered Perkins, looking up into
his face. “ I thought you were an Indian.”

“ Whar you trampin' to?” asked the trap—

per.

“ Nowhere particularly; I am trying to find
you, that’s 31. The fact is, I met with a little
adventure about a half-mile or so from here.

by .vwhich I became assured that no 00d would
come of spying around the valley.
is Rathburni”

ut, where

 

“ Hain’t see’d him since we parted. You said
sumthin’ ’bout an adventure—what war it?” ‘

“ See here, Darrell; dem’d if I haven’t seen I
the beautiful maiden we’re hunting for, and had
an interview with her.”

“ Hey? You don’t mean it, Spider?” -

The trapper clutched his arm, and looked:
shar fly at him. ,‘

“ rueas the sun shines above us 1” asseverated.
Perkins, and thereupon he hurriedly related the:
particulars of his interview with Myrtle Forrest. J
Darrell’s brow darkened. :

“ And you didn’t tell her as how her mother?
war alive, after all? Now, why didn’t you? Ef 
you’d done that we’d be miles away from hyurg'
before nightfall.” l

“I didn’t get a chance to tell her. The
words were on my tongue when a big Indian
came along, and she ran like blazes so he
wouldn’t see us talking. I killed the Indian,
too, after she had gone. I flung him into a
spring head~foremost, and dashed his brains out
on the stones.” ,

“ Did you leave his body layin’ thar?“

“ Certainly.” .

“ His friends ’11 see it, and know who done it. 3
But, I reckon it’s all the same of they does,
’cause they knows we’re circ’latin’ in this
district anyway, and I s’pose they’re countin’
on havin’ some tall times this very night. Did
the gal say anything ’bout our presence here
bein’ diskivered?” ’

“ Oh, Lord, yes. She said the red-skins were ,
going to come down on us to—night, while we’re 
aslee in the cave, and scalp all of us i” '

“ utber guess they won’t,” chuckled Darrell,
“ fur they won’t find us thar. A good lot of the i
imps will j’ine in the attack on our home, and
while they’re away I’ll jist step over to tha’r
lod es and see of I can’t git hold of that fe—
ma e.”

“ I’m uneasy about my cousin,” said Perkins.

“ His mother told me to take care of him, and
I’m afraid he is in trouble."

“Wugh! you needn‘t have fear fur him.‘
He’ll turn up all right, or I miss my guess.
Recollect we was to meet down by the river
whar the big ehn leans over the water, ’bout
the hour of noon. It’s nigh onto that time now,
and I guess we’d better be totin’ off in that d’rec— .
tion, of we want to see the boy.” 3

Without more words, they shouldered their ;
rifles and made their way toward the appointed !
place of meeting, on the Yellowstone. ;

i

 

CHAPTERVII.
IN THE RAVINE.

UPON arriving at the river they found Rath-
buru sitting under a large elm tree, awaiting j
them. He reported his success, or rather fai — g
ure, in a few words. He had learned nothing. 3
He was speedily made acquainted with the ex— ;
perience of Perkins, and the chagrin he felt at;

      

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$2 $53?

th
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be
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dl

his own disappointment was dispelled by the w;

pleasure of knowing that one of the party had ‘

actually seen and conversed with the fair cap- ilo

tive whom the went there to find. ‘
“ I am

“but am sorry you let her slip out of your ?

    

_.It
gla she is found at last,” he said, In

 

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ex—
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the
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The Yankee Ranger. 1?
hands. The peril of our position is momen- clude the possibility of its affording a clew to

tarin growing greater, and if we tarry much
longer I fear we will be unable to escape the
meshes. Is she a very good-looking girl, Per-
kins?”

“Good-lookingl" echoed Perkins. “Thunder-
ntionl she’s a perfect beauty. Did you ever
see an angel? She’s one! She looked like a
queen, in her dress of many colors and abund-
nuce of flashing adornments. I have decided
lrrevocably to marry her.”

“ Indeed? I fear you are counting your
chickens before they are hatched."

“What! do you think we shall fail to rescue
her from the heathens? Why, bless you man,
I’ll wade through blood knee—deep but in get
her. I’ve killed two Indians since coming into
this part of the country, and that isn’t a pre—
face of what I intend to do before leaving.”

“ Well, Darrell, what shall we do now?” in
quired Rathburn. turning to the trapper, who
was staring thoughtfully into the water.

“ The first thing to do,” he replied, slowly,
“ are to cross the river and see to our bosses.
El they haiu’t been disturbed by the cussed
Blackfeet we may jist consider ourselves lucky,
fur the imps are roamin’ everywhar.”

“ What shall we do over there?”

“Lay thar till night, and watch the bosses.
I calc’late it’s the safest side of the river fur us,
anyway."

“ Shall you do any thing to-night?”

“ I’m oin’ to do sumthin’, or try it so hard
that we’l have to up stakes and git, to save our
ha'r. Thar’s no use tryin’ to do any thing DOW
aiore dark. but with the darkness comes busi-
ness. We’ll cross the river, hide ourselves in the
ravme whar the critters are, and when the
proper time comes I’ll leave you thar and sail
forth. A big gang of the red~skins will be

‘ prowliu’ round the cave ’bout that time, tryin’

to ketch us nappin’, and while they’re at that
I’ll be sneakin’ round tha’r village after the gal.
J ist wait hyur till 1 come back.”

Darrell wheeled abruptly and glided away as

' noiselessly as a serpent. soon vanishing amid

the thick undergrowth that lined the shore at
this point. Ten minutes later he reappeared,

coming down the rlver in the canoe, running
along as close to the land as possible, and using
his paddle cautiously. As he shot up alongside
‘ the spot where his companions were awaiting
[ him, he hastily inquired:
‘ “ See‘d anybody since I left?”

Z‘ No signs of anybody,” answered Rathburn.
, ‘Then jump in yer’—quick. Our lives ain’t
 WOrth shucks as long as we stay on this side of
ithe Water. I’ve seen morc’n twenty trails to-
dflY. leadin’ in every direction, and it’s plain
that they’re huntin’ fur us.”
Rathburn and Perkins took their places in

i the canoe, and it was headed across the stream.
lDarl‘EH swept his eyes in a circle around him,
,before venturing out into the middle of the
j I‘IVer and then. with powerful sweeps of the pad-
. dle. he made the light vessel dart like a. bird to-
n; ward the opposite side.

I In a few moments the canoe grated on the
10W: sandy shore, and its occupants sprung out.
It Was then drawn out of the water, and care-
Ifully concealed in the recesses of a rock to pro—

0111'

 

 

their whereabouts.

“ Keep close, and don’t let ally thing escape
yer pecpers,” admonished the trapper, is they
hurried across the sandy bolt toward the tim-
ber. '

Darrell led the way deep into the wood, leav-
ing no trail whatever, and cautioning his com—
panions to he as careful as possible in that re—
s ect.

p’l‘hey had proceeded thus but a short distance
when they came to the ravine where the horses
were hid. They found the latter just as they
had left them on the preceding evenin , secure-
ly hitched to trees, and equipped for t e home-
ward journey. Entering the ravine. and find-
ing all quiet there, they arrived at the conclu-
sion that no enemy had stumbled upon that spot,
and so they seated themselves on a fallen tree
near their horses and held a long and earnest
consultation.

Rathhurn expressed a desire to accompany
Darrell upon his intended visit to the Indian
village, but the latter thought the chances of
success would be better if he should go alone
and leave Rathburn and Perkins in charge of
the animals, that they might have them ready
for flight the instant he should return.

While they were conversing, Adolphus con-
siderably startled the others by jumping up all
at once with the exclamation:

“Hello! what’s that?”

“ What’s what?” asked the trappg‘ quickly.

“What did you see?” inquired thburn, ob»
serving that his cousm was staring hard at some
point directly in front.

“I didn’t see anything," he replied, “butI
heard a splash in the water right behind that
thicket.”

A shallow stream about five feet wide coursed
through the ravine a few yards from where the
men were sitting; but 3 art of it was hidden
from view by a dense thic 'et that grew between
them and it. It was this stream and thicket
Ado] hus referred to.

“ es, sir, I heard a splash,” he repeated,
firmly, “and I believe it was caused by some
body stepping into the water.”

“ ousense; it was nothing more than a twig
dropping from a tree,” observed Rathburn.

“ Demnitionl do you mistake me for a fool?”
demanded Adolphus. _

“ Will, don’t blow so much about it, but go
and see what sort of a critter made the noise,”
said Darrell. “ Thar mought he an lnjun on
t’other side of the thicket, and l s’pect we done
a keerless trick by settin‘ down yer’ ‘thout
s’archin’ close all round. Go see what it is,
Spider.”

Adolphus hesitated whether to obey the in-
junction or not. But his hesitation was but of
a. moment’s duration, for be reflected that he
was the only one in the party who held that
somebod besides themselves was in the vicini-
ty. and e would be stamped as a coward if he
refused to (prove it. So he ut on a fearless air
and walke boldly toward e brook, approach-
ing the point from which the suspicious noise
had come. He disap red behind the thicket,
and the next minute ‘5 voice was heard crying
out, in excited tones:

H prawn

 

I
f
i
l

 

18 The Yankee Ranger;

“ Come here, fellows; come herel I’ll show
you conclusive evidence that somebody has been
here!”

Darrell and Rathburu hastened to his side.
They found him bending over the stream, gazing
into the limpid water with eyes dilated to their
utmost extent.

“ Look at that, will you?” he said, with an air
of triumph.

There, sure enough, was a hu 9 moccasin-
traok in the flue gravel that form the bed of
the stream, and at a single glance Dusky DarA
rcll Bronounced it the footprint of an Indian.

“ idn’t I tell you so?” said Adolphus, exult-
ingly.

“After all, you might have been mistaken,”
remarked his cousin. “ Probably that track was
made twenty-four hours a o."

“Bah! I thought you nowed better'n that,
youngster,” said Darrell. “That track hasn’t
been made more‘n three minutes, and in three
more minutes thar won‘t be a trace of it left.
See how fast the gravel‘s runnin’ into it; jist
wait, and you‘ll see how quick it’ll fill up.”

“ True; I did not think of that—”

“ Down, boys! Stoop down, quickl" sud-
donly shouted Darrell; and before the :could
obey him he seized an arm of each and rought
them to the ground with more expedition than
politeness.

At the same instant the re ort of a rifle rung
out clear and loud, and a ullet whistled by
within an inch of Rathburu’s face. All looked
about to ascertain from what direction the shot
had come. They caught sight of a bluish wreath
of smoke slowly risinsr from the clump of bushes
on the opposite side of the ravine.

“ Good raciousl we are attacked,” cried
Adolphus, urning pale and crouching behind
his friends.

“Look!” exclaimed Darrell, pointing at the
bushes mentioned.

An Indian was seen slinking away in a stoop-
in'; posture, trying in vain to conceal his body.
The trapper threw up his rifle, and leveled it
at the spot, but before he could cover his mark,
the save. 9 darted forward with the uickness
of lightn ng and began to clamber up t e stoop
embankment with the agilit of a cat. In a
few secon-ls he disappeared 1i e a flash over the
top. and was gone.

“ By the everlastin’ Heaven, that imp mustn’t
leave hyur alive!” thundered Darrell, through
his clinched teeth.

And before the others could guess his inten-
ti'm, he had whipped out his knife and cleared
the stream with a single stride! They saw him
bounding across the intervening space like an
antelope, in hot pursuit of the save 9, his body
bent down and his huge knife flas ing in the
sunlight at every jump. They saw him spring
up the accllvity with even more nimbleness
than the Indian had shown, his wiry figure
bending and twisting like that of a panther.
He reached the summit of the ascent, and dart-
ed out of sight in a twinkling.

“ There’s a race for life,” muttered Rathburn.

“Sure as you live," rejoined Perkins; “ but I
fear he won‘t catch the rascal."

“ Listen!” exclaimed Rathbum, after several
minutes of silence.

 

As he uttered the word there came a cry,
faint and far away, yet fearfully distinct—a
chilling, unearthly cry, like the wail of a spirit
consi ied to eternal misery.

Per ins and Ratth looked inquiringly at
each other. ‘

“ Somebody's kicked the bucket," whispered
Perkins.

“ Yes,” rejoined Rathburn, “and it is either
Darrell or the Blackfoot, for it came from that
direction.”

After several minutes of patient waiting, how-
ever, all uncertainty Was dispelled by the reap-
pearance of Darrell on the opposite side of the
gorge. He coolly descended the bank and ap—
proached them, chewin his tobacco as uncou~
cernedly as if nothing 0 a serious character had
taken place. But, as he came near, they saw
blood on his hand and a gory scalp at his girdle.

“ You killed him, I presume!” said Adolphus.

“ He’ll never draw head on another white
man,” was the quiet reply. “ Hynr’s his skulp—
lock, and his carcass is lyin’ under a log up in
the woods, kivered with leaves. Reckon he
thought he was a lightnin’ runner, and I allow
he could run somewhat, but he stood no chance
with the beaver at his heels.”

“ He was a Blackfoot, of course?”

“ Sart'inly; and ef he had got back home with
his lmowled e of our lurkiu’ place, We would
have been 0 ligod to it up and git, without
waitin fur the gal. e’ll have to be more
keerful now, of We don’t want our plan nipped
iii the bud, and I calc’late that’s jist what we
don’t. We’ll lead the horses into the thicket
Whar the eye of an eagle can’t see ’em, an
then we’ll climb a tree.”

This was accordingly done. They first looked
carefully about, and made sure that no enemies
were secreted near, and then they secured their
horses in the densest part of the thicket. After
this they ascended a tree, and ensconced them-
selves in the impenetrable foliage, where they
could watch and wait unseen. Dusky Darrell
had made all the pregamtions necessary for his
night expedition, and e waited anxiously for the
time when he was to set out.

Two hours after stationing themselves in the
tree the sun went down and darkness gathered
over the scene.

As soon as it was fairly dark. Dusky Darrell
slid down from his lofty seat, first giving his
com anions a few directions. He told them
particularly that if he did not return before
nonn of the following day, they were to mount
their horses and get out of that part of the
country as uickly as pomible.

With this 0 glided away in the direction of
the river.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
rim rearrna TO THE RESCUE.

THE trapper entered his canoe and ddled it
swiftly across the Yellowstone. The lackfoot;
village was a long distance away, and he knew
time was too precious to be wasted. It was a
dark night, and a more suitable one for the per-‘-
ilous undertaking in viewcould not have offered.
With his eye bent on the western shore, which;
was dimly outlined against a patch of gray s ,,
the trapper rowed rapidly in the direction of t, ,

- A

 

i
i
4

 

The Yankee Ranger. 19

 

 

his trained ear on the alert for sounds of a. suspi—
cious nature.

At his swift rate of speed, he had hardly
thought he was half across the river when the
dark, wooded shore loomcvl up a few yards in
front of him. He ran the. canoe into a small
bayou, and sprung ashore. Viithout a second’s
hesitation he then turned his iace toward the
Indian Village, and lunged into the gloomy
forest, trailing his ri e and moving with those
long, noiseless strides which the hunter or scout
unconsciously acquires. The village was not
less than two miles away, and fully understand—
ing that much was to be accomplished before
morning, he allowed no grass to row under his
feet. But he had not proceed far when the
clear notes of a night-bird fell :upon his ears,
causing him to pause and listen. The call was
immediately answered by a similar cry, coming
from the direction of the cavern. Darrell put on
a broad smile, and moved on again.

“ So they’re out on the path a’ready, be they?
Wal, they're at liberty to do all the harm they
can to the cave, but I reckon the varmints don t
s’picion that I’ll be rowlin’ round tha’r lodges
while they’re raisin’ t under about my domicile.”

Swiftly, stealthily, he went on his way, the
wood seeming to grow darker as he proceeded.
The moaning of the wind in the tree-tops, and
the cries of Wild animals, were all that disturb-
ed the night, except a faint signal now and then
coming from the direction of the cavern.

At last the wood grew thinner, and he emerg—
ed into a broad, open space on the summit of a
hill. Below him. in the valley, he caught sight
of several fires, blazing brightly and sending
their volumes of smoke and sparks high into the
air. Human figures could be seen moving about
them, and gliding swiftly hither and thither,
while occasronally the sound of voices drifted up
the slope to the ears of the trapper. He knew it
was the Blackfoot village nesthng there at his
feet, and that he had arrived at the scene Where
the most perilous part of his enterprise was to
be enacted.

He did not pause a minute, but steeping till
his head was nearly on a level with his knees,
he began to move down the slope with all the
circumspection possible. He cre t nearer to the
lodges, moving inch by inch wit the greatest
stealth and patience. At length he crawled
into a deep copse just without the confines of
the village, and once under its shelter he paused
to watch.

From this point he had a good view of the
whole place. A dozen or more fires lighted up
the picturesque scene, revealing the rude. huts
and skin tents that formed the habitations of
the savages. Old men and squaws were moving
about, and oer-asionally a lithe, graceful young
warrior would appear with a smiling, bright-
eyed maiden by his side. A little distance awa
a number of wrinkled old women were at wor
over a boiling caldron, and further on was a
party of youths, indulging in numerous recrea-
tive sports on a wide grass-plot. All of these
Darrell saw, but he looked in vain for a. white
faco among those dusky, painted ones. Noth-
ing disheartened, he was about to creep out of
the copse and steal round to the other side of
the village, when an incident occurred that

 

caused him to settle back in his position and re
sume his watch.

The lodge nearest his covert had hitherto
been closed, so that no part of the interior could
be seen from the outside, and for this reason
hehad paid little attention to it. But just as
he decided to leave the spot, the blanket door
of this abode was swept aside, and somebody
came out. He glanced eagerly at the rson,
with the hope that it was she for Whom e was
hunting, but he was disappointed. It was only
a withered, weazen-faced old hag, bent with
age and leaning upon a stout stafi to support
her feeble frame. She hobbled out into the
open air, and at the same time seemed talking
to somebody inside. The next moment a second
person appeared in the entrance, Where she
stood conversing with the old squaw. Darrell
leaned forward and gazed sharply at this new
arrival. His heart throbbed faster than its
wont and the cloud lifted from his countenance,
as he recognized her. It was Myrtle Forresfr-he
knew it was no other, and yet this was the first
time he had seen her for five years! He re-
membered how lovely he had thought her at
the age of fourteen, but the ripened beauty
that be now looked u n was greater than that
of her childhood. le saw her IHanding there
in the opening, with the light from one of the
fires outside falling upon her, and he would
have sworn she was related to the fine lady he
had seen in Missouri.

He watched the two women as they stood in
the doorway conversing until they parted.
The old hag limped away, and the 'rl turned on
her heel and disappeared within. ow was the
time to act. With a brightening visage, Darrell
wormed himself out of the copse and crept to—
ward the lodge. Upon reaching it. he paused
and listened for a few moments, and then draw—
ing his knife he cautiously cut a hole in the thick
bear-hide. Placing his eyes to this he looked in.
There was a fire in the center of the apartment,
and by its light he was enabled to see the cap—
tive reclining on a couch of furs.

She was alone. His mind was made up on
the instant. He quickly applied his knife again
to the skin, making the aperture lar e enough
to admit his body; and then he fear essl but
cautiously stepped within. Myrtle rai- her
head and saw him. She started to her feet at

' sight of his strange face. and a scream trembled

on her lips. But it did not escape her; he
raised his hand to enjoin silence, and she in-
stantly seemed to master her fright. Still it was
evident that she was not free from surprise and
alarm.

“Who are you, and why are you here?” she
asked, softly.

“ Don’t you know me?” he asked, in turn, with
a pleasant smile.

She fixed those dark, burning] eyes upon him,
and was apparentl studying is countenance.
Then she gave a s ight start, and clasped her
hands

“ You are Darrell. the trapper,” she ex-
claimed.

“ That’s jist who I am, little ’un,” he replied.
“ I’m the very chap that you once warned of
danger. ’bout five years back.”

“ Oh! why are you here?”

 

 

‘\

20

 

The Yankee Ranger.

 

“ I’m hyur after you."

An ex ression of sin and vexation appeared
on the girl’s face. hen she glanced uneasily to-
ward the entrance, as though she feared the ap-
proach of some one.

“ Leave me-fly for your life!” she cried,
hurriedly, laying her hand on his arm and look-
ing up at him beseechin ly. "' Go, before you
are discovered and kill . Do not ask me to go
with you, for I told you when first we met that
I should never return to my people. This morn—
ing I told one of your friends the same thing.
and you risk your life unnecessarily by ventur-
ing here to-night. The Indians have discovered
your retreat, and if they find you they Will kill
you. Go, or ou will be Seen. Mo—tan-go-we,
tne Squaw, w o occupies this lodge with me,
will return in a minute. If she sees you, you are
lost. If you would live, you must leave the
country at once."

“ See yer’, my little beaver, you must go with
me,” said Darrell, firmly.

“ I cannot,” she expostulated. “ You will not
force me to leaVe all the friends I have on earth
-—you are too good to do that. I have no ac-
quaintances among the palefaces—”

“ Stop, and listen to me,” interposed Darrell.
“ Ef I ain’t mistook, you used to have a
mother?”

“ Yes, yes,” she answered, in a voice of
touching sadness, “ and a father, too; but they
are both gone now. They were killed at the
time I was taken captive. I told you the story
at our first meeting, I think."

“ Ain’t it likely that tha’r lives war saved
somehow?”

The girl looked at him steadily.

“ Why do you ask?" she demanded huskily.

“Child, your mother warn’t killed—she’s liv-
in’ now!”

“ Good Heavenl what do I hear?"

“ Listen, child,” said the trapper, gently.
“ I’ve seen yer mother. She lives in St. Louis
and as fine a woman as I ever see’d. \Vhen I
went down to Massouri, five years ago, I told a
lot of obs. s ’bout you, and how you saved me
from the njuns, and somehow the story reached
the ear of yer mother. I met her last year, and
she axed me a heap of questions ’bout you, and
cried all the time she war talkln’. She told me
of the massakree—how she had ’scaped, how her
husband had gone under, and how she thought_
you was dead, too. She said she couldn’t live
Without dyou, now that she knowed you was
alive. an begged me to come 11 hyur after you.
VVal, I didn’t refuse, and hyur am. Will you
leave the Injuns now?”

“ Oh! is this true?” gasped Myrtle, seizing one
of his hands in both of hers, and turning
pale as death with her sudden and terrible emo-
tion.

“ True as preachin‘, every word on’t.”

“Then I will return with you. I already feel
aloathin of this place, knowing that my dearest
relative ives! Mother—dear, dear mo‘her—I
will fly to theel But I fear for you, my friend.
If you are seen by the savages. you will surely
bekilled. Is this reality? Yes-oh! yes—I have
heard you alright, and I know you speak truly.
Histl ‘ Me-tan-go—we is coming,” she added, in a
startled whisper.

 

Both listened. True enough, the irregular
footsteps of the old squaw sounded outside.

“ Flyl”Whispered Myrtle, pushing the trapper
toward the roar of the lodge. “ If you are seen
here, all is lost. Go quick! Conceal yourself
near by, and wait till I come out.” ‘

Dusky Darrell waited to hear no more, but
leaped through the aperture by which he had
entered, and was again out in the darkness.

He glanced hastily about. Nobody was in
sight, and it was evident that he had not been
discovered in his bold enterprise. He observed
that the fires were growing low, and that most
of the Indians had retired within their wig-
wams. It was growing late.

Well satisfied with his success thus far Dar—
rell only hoped that his good fortune would con-
tinue till his purpose was gained. He found a
suitable hiding-place near the lodge, and there
lay in wait for the girl.

Searcer five minutes had elapsed after he
left the lodge, when he heard voices, and saw
two figures approaching. One of them was
Myrtle Forrest, but he was somewhat surprised
when he saw that she was accompanied by the
aged squaw. They came slowly forward, and
passed within a dozen feet of where he lay, con-
versing busily as they went. He concluded that
the girl had mentioned her intention of walking
out, that the Indian woman had insisted upon
going with her, and that she had not absolutely
refused for fear of exciting suspicion. They left
the village entirely, and soon began to ascend
the long slope that led out of the valley. Dar—
rell rose to his feet and stole after them, deter-
mined to separate them, if to do so he should be
compelled to knock the hag down. He followed
them stealthily, keeping at a proper distance,
yet near enough to distinguish their forms. No
one seemed to have noticed their departure from
the village; if it had been observed, it was re-

. garded as nothing unusual.

Presently the two women paused on the side
of the hill. The hunter did the some, stoopiuo'
quickly lest he be seen. He saw that they had
come upon a large spring, from which the Black—
feet procured all the water that was used by
them, and it was at once plain to him why they
had taken this course. hey had come after
water, or pretended to do so.

They had no sooner stopped, than the old hag
turned about and began to retrace her steps,
leaving the young girl alone. To Darrell this
was a singular proceeding, and he was at a
loss to understand its meaning. He saw the
woman coming directly toward him, and half;
believed he was discovered; but he cautiously
crept out of her way, and hugged the ground
closely, to let her pass. She came straight
on, and hobbled by within arrn’s len th of
him, moving on down the hillside after 5 ehad
passed.

He waited until she was Well gone, and then
leapinor to his feet he hastened to the spring,
where I yrtle was awaiting him.

“ Is that you, my friend?” she faltered, as he
approached.

“ It’s me, little ’un—don’t be afeard,” he an
swci‘ed, cheerfully; “ and I am ready to be off,
too. ’

“Come, then, and in the name of Heaven let

 

 

 

The Yankee Ranger.

81

 

as waste no time! I have dispatched Me—tan‘
go-we to the lodge after a cup, in order to get
rid of her. She will be back here soon, and
finding me missing, will give the alarm. Time
was never more precious. Here; take my hand
and let us run, and do not be afraid of tiring
me, for I shall not get llll'C( .”

Darrell took the proffered hand. and together
they started ofi‘ on a rapid run toward the dis-
tant river.

“But what you cryin”bout?" he asked, in
astonishment, fueling her hand trembling in his
and observingr that she was quietly weeping.

“ Oh, I can’t help it!" she sobbcd.

“ But what’s the matter?”

“Nothing, nothing—only the anticipation of
meeting my dear mother once more on earth!
God grant that it may be so!"

Darrell said no more. He understood that
her mingled joy and fear were overwhelming,
and he knew no harm could come of letting her
weep; so he did not attempt to quiet her. After
a while, however, she mastered her emotion,
and was again calm.

As they entered the forest they abated their
pace, but kept steadily on. They dashed
through bushes and hriers. across streams and
swamps. ovor hills and through dales—constant—
1y, hastily, on through the deep gloom that
enshrouded them. Myrtle was nimble of f 0t,
and ran with such untiring elasticity and swift-
ness that her stalwart companion was sur-
prised.

Presently, they were startled by hearing
other iootstops besides their own! The footsteps
were not behind them, but off to one side, and
seemed gradually getting ahead of them. The
unseen pursuer seemed bent upon getting in
front, so as to intercept them, and from the rate
at which he was going it was easy to guess that
he would accomplish his purpose. Darrell drew
his knife from his belt, and clutched it firmly.
Then he gave the girl a signal and they both
halted suddenly and stood still in their tracks,
faintly hoping,r their invisible foe would run on
and leave them unmolested.

But as soon as they stopped a suppressed
“ ugh!” was heard, and the next instant an In-
dian glided like a shadow before their eyes, and
stood in front of them? Darrell did not wait an
instant. With sot tooth and gleaming orbs, he
s rung upon the Indian like an infuriated tiger.

here was a. brief struggle, and the combatants
fell to the ground locked in a deadly embrace.
Then there arose a prolonged, howling,r shriek,
so loud that it might have been heard miles
away. and springing to his feet, Darrell thrust
his dripping knife into his belt.

“ Come on, Myrtle," he sail, seizing her by the
arm and lending her. “ The time fur tall runnin’
has come.”

They leaped over the dead body of the Black—
foot, and continued their fli ht. The death-yell
of the red—skin was answerer by a series of wild
whoops, far away toward the cave; and then
yell upon yell, and howl upon how], came from
the direction of the village! ‘

“Now comes the pursuit," murmured the

irl.
“No doubt on’t,” answered the trapper.

“That varmint’s screech war more’n l bar-

.Jtr’

l
343

 

gained fur. I don’t see how he happened to be
follerin’ us alone, onlcss he see’d us start and
thought he’d take the honor of captuz'in’ us all
by hisself.”

“ Listen!" she interrupted: “isn’t that the
roar of the river?”

“ It is—we’rc almost thar."

They dashed on, and in a few minutes reached
the river. They emerged from the wood, and
saw the glistening water in front of them, and
the hunter glanced quickly about to see where
they were.

They turned and ran along the bank about a
furlong, and found the canoe in the little bayou
where Darrell had left it. Here the latter hesi-
tated long enough to give vent to a shrill
whistle, as a signal for Rathburn to get the
horses in readiness for flight. Then, seizing
the girl in his arms, he placed her in the canoe,
jumped in behind her, snatched up the paddle,
and pushed out upon the river.

CHAPTER IX.
THE FLIGHT AND PURSUIT.

THE first cries of the Indians had reached the
ears of Rathburn and Perkins in the ravine, and
they had instinctively guessed that they were
caused by the flight of the captive with Darrell.
They knew what was expected of them, and
acted accordingly.

They led the horses out of the ravine down to
the river, where they held them ready to be
used as soon as their friends should appear.
They had stationed themselves at a point where
they knew Darrell would land. A low, sandy
tract formed the shore here, and the dark, glis-
tening water swept by close to their feet. Be-
fore they had been there five minutes the trap-
per’s shrill whistle came from the opposite shore,
echoing and re—echoiug through the forest. and
at last dying away like a faint wail in the dis-
tance. They knew the meaning of this, but the
signal was not needed. The animals were ready
to be mounted at an moment, and no further
preparations were to e made.

The Whoops and howls of the savages could
still be heard behind the fugitives, loud and
clamorous, and escape seemed almost an impos-
sibility.

In an incredibly short space of time after the
trapper’s whistle had sounded, the two adven-
turers heard the rapid dip—dip—dip, of a pad-
dle in the water. Surprised at the wonderful
speed with which he had crossed the river, they
bent forward, half-doubting, to catch a glimpse
of the vessel. A canoe loomed up in the dark-
ness, coming swiftly toward them. Straining
their eyes through the gloom, they saw that it
had three occupants instead of two, as they
supposed it would have. Rathburn was not a
little astonished at this, but Adolphus with his
usual short-sightedness, regarded it as nothing
singular; he thoughtlesslgr called out:

“ Come on, Dusky, rig I: this way—”

Rathburn clapped his hand over his cousin‘s
mouth her ore another word could escape it.

“ Fool!” he whispered, close to the startled (01-.
low’s ear. “ That is not our friend, but three
Indians !”

Such was really the case. The occu nts of
the canoe were now so near that their shom

 

   

 

 

22 ' The Yankee Ranger.

 

heads and waving lumes were detected, and
there could not be t e shadow of a doubt that
they were savages. In all probability they
were a part of the ursuers, who had got ahead
of Darrell, and w oso design was to intercept
him on this side.

But Rathburn’s warning came too late. The
voice of Adolphus was plainly heard by the sav-
ages, who quickly reversed the paddle and stop«
Bed the progress of the canoo. They did not dart

ack into the darkness, but remained stationary
where they stopped. and sat as silently as spec-
ters, appearing at a loss to comprehend whence
the voice had come.

“ They don’t see us,” whispered Rathburn.
“ The dark background renders us invisible. We
must flre into them—there is no alternative.
There are only three, and we can kill two. Se-
lect your man, and as you value your life don‘t
miss him. Now!”

Both rifles were raised, and aimed at the shad-
owy trio. Adolphus was growing accustomed to
firearms, and as he could already boast of having
killed two In ians, he was delighted at tho plos—
pect of sending n. third into eternity. Rathburn
gave the word—there were two Jets of flame,
two reports, one following close upon the other,
and two Indians tumbled headlong out of the
canoe, both (lead. The third, terrified by the
death of his brethren, leaped overboard and be—
gan to swim for life, soon vanishing from Sight
in the darkness.

It had all transpired in a minute. Fearing the
sound of firearms would cause the trapper to
change his course, Rathburn ran to the water’s
edge and shouted:

“ (’Jome, Darrell! The coast is clear!”

The words were scarcely out of his mouth
when the dip of a paddle was again heard, and
the shadowy outlines of another canoe came in
sight. This had only two occupants, and as
they neared the shore it was seen that they
were a male and a. female. The two men
sprun , forward to meet them.

“ hat you been doin‘ hyur?” inquired Dar-
rell. jumping out and pulling the craft up on the
sand

“ We shot a couple of red-skins, who were try-
ing to intercept you in a canoe,” answered
Rathburn, leading the animals forward.

“Oh, Lord, yes!” put in Adolphus. “We
knocked them head-over-heels clean out of the
boat. I tell‘ on it was fun to see the rascals
topple over. hit my man fair in the heart,
but cousin isn’t so good a marksman as I, and
consequently I suppose he didn’t— Ahl par-
don me—~let me assist you.”

The exquisite stepped nimbly forward, and
politely assisted Myrt e to get out on land.

“ This is no time to talk,” said Darrell, speak-
ing rapidly. “See yer’, youngster”_——turnin
to Rathburn—"you've got the biggest an
most powerful hoss in the party, so I reckon as
how you’ll have to take the gel on with on.
We must start putty suddint, or I’m afearr we
won’t start at all. Jump on, youngster, and I‘ll

put the little beauty on behind you. Come this
way, Myrtle—quic l”

Dusky Darrell lifted the maiden in his strong
arms and placed her upon the bay horse behind
Bathhurn.

 

“Hold tight to him now, my little beaver.
Don’t be afeard to put yer arms around him,
for he won’t hurt you.”

“I say,” whispered Adolphus, putting his
mouth close to the trapper’s ear, “ don‘t you
think my horse is the strongest I?"

“ Bahl it’s all yer critter can do to carry you,
and thar ain’t no more heft in you than thar is
in a spider.”

\Vith this the trapper vaulted into the saddle,
and Adoiphus was not slow in following his ex-
ample.

A moment after, the little arty were canter—
ing away on fresh, fleet-footegsteeds, and for the
first time thelr minds were comparatively at
ease. They wcre coin]x\,llcd to move more
slowly than suited their fancy, While making
their way through the dark wood, but the 0 en
prairie was not far away, and once upon itt cy
would be able to trawl as swiftly as they liked.
The clamorous yells of the Blackfeet had ceased,
but a faint whoop was heard now and then on
the other side of the river, and numerous sig-
nal-calls, such as bird-whistles, wolf-barks and
panther—cries. showed that they had not given
up the pursuit. But the Whites were well
mounted, and had strong ho es of effecting their
escape, although Darrell’s undle of furs, and
Rathburn’s beautiful burden might render it
impossible to do so, if the pursuit should be kept
up day after day.

They soon reached the edge of the timber. A
wide stretch of prairie was in front of them,
dimly lighted by the newly—risen moon, whose
liglht struggled through the clouds at inter—
va 5.

They were about to gallop out upon the plain,
when a sheet of fire flashed from the forest on
each side, dispelling the gloom like a gleam of
lightning, and accompanied by a crash that
might be compared to thunder! Bullets whizzed
in unpleasant proximity to their persons, one
plowing its way throng Adel hus’s whiskers,
and another passing through t e mantle worn
by Myrtle Forrest.

In a second all was confusion. The horses
reared and plunged, and it was with difficulty
that the riders kept their seats. Troops of In-
dians poured from their covert and swarmed
around the whites. raising a yell that made the
welkin ring with a noise most hideous to hear!
One fierce-looking wretch grasped the rein of
Darrell’s animal and raised his tomahawk
preparatory to sinking it into the trapper’s
brain. But the latter was never to be caught
napping. Drawing a huge pistol from his belt,
and placing it within an inch of hiseneniy’s face,
he discharged it. The savage went down with
out a groan.

“ Dash right through ’em, boys,” shouted Dar-
rell. “ Thar sh0oters are emptv, and they can’t
kctch us afoot! Now—whoop !”

Simultaneously the three horses sprung for-
ward, and dashed madly through the crowd of
Indians, scattering them right and left! The
next moment they burst out of the wood like a
meteor. and found themselves on the open plain
with the savages behind them.

Of course the fugitives felt no more fear, for
they knew the speed of which their horses were
capable could not be equaled by the unmounted

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 

. ,‘I
. '“2.

 

 

 

 

 

The Yankee Bangor.

23

 

 

savages. Nevertheless, the latter came bound~
ing after them in hot pursuit, as if determined
to run down the burdened animals. Their dark
forms could be seen coming on at the top of
their speed, and their yells of demoniac fury
were answered continually by faint whoops in
the distance.

“Oh thunder! I can’t stand this,” cried
Adolphus, and giving his pony the rein he
darted ahead like an arrrow.

“ Stop, I’erkinsl” called Rathburn. “ There’s
no need of hurrying.”

“Demnition! I’m no fool!” he shouted back,
without abating a jet of the furious rate at
which he was going.

At this terrible speed, the afi'righted fellow
was soon far ahead, and in less time than it
takes to tell it, swallowed up in the darkness.
The clatter of his horse's hoofs grew fainter, and
Dusky Darrell indulged in several hearty laughs
as he listened to the receding sound.

“ Let him go,” he said: “ he’ll fetch up some-
whar, purty soon, and we’ll be sert’in to find
him. As fur me, I’m goin’ to knock over an—
other red-skin Tom I go any furder.”

He half turned in his saddle, and looked back.
The savages were gaining ground, and could be
distinctly seen in the increasing light. Drop—
ping the reins, he raised his rifle to his shoulder,
took uick but sure aim, and fired. The fore-
most ndian threw up his hands with a shriek
of agony, and reeled backward into the arms of
his companions. Darrell then took Rathburn’s
gun and repeated the act, sending another
heathen to his eternal rest.

“ Come on, youngster; I guess we mought as
well put, now,” sai the trapper, chlrruping to
his black char er.

They now a] owed their horses free rein, and
dashed forward at a speed that soon decided
the race. The Indians saw that they were
spending time and breath uselessly, and turned
ba

ck.

“Now, for the present, We will be permitted
to continue our flight undisturbed,’ observed
Rathburn, as they galloped on.

“ If we are again set 11 on by so
her, Ifear our 'ght wil be end
tle.”

“True, our escape seems almost a miracle,
but there is no danger of runninglinto another
ambush. It is singular to me ow those In-
diana hap ned there right in our path. Can
you explain it, Darrell?”

“ I mought do swh a. thing,” replied Darrell.
“It’s plain that was no chance about it, and
thar’s only one way to explain it. The gang as
attacked us war the same as went to the cave
after us in the early part of the night. Thar
kumrids at the village signaled to ’em, and so
they crossed the river and headed us off."

“ That seems very probable,” said Rathburn;
“but how did they cross the river? Do you
think they had canoes handy i”

“ Sart‘inly; you have a heap to Peru ’bout In-
juns yit, youngster. Ef yer tries to fool a.
Blackfoot every day in the week you’ll soon
find him gittin’ too ’cute fur you. In course
the imps took canoes with 'em on tha‘r trip to
the cave. They expected to find us thar, but I
s’pose they thought as how we mought retreat

‘eat'a num—
,” said Myr—

 

across the river, and that they’d better be pre-
pared to foller.”

“ I saw them leave the village,” said Myrtle.
“ They took two canoes.”

By this time it was becoming light. Day was
breaking in the east, and the pall of night was
slowly iiting from the prairies. The golden
light spread and grew brighter and brighter,
until the sun appeared above the horizon.

“Wal, the da has come at last,” said Dar—
rell. taming in is seat and gazin anxiously
back across the wide space they be traversed.
“ The day has come at last, and still the hori—
zon’s clear. The imps hain’t in sight yit.”

“Probably they have concluded to trouble
us no more,” said Rathburn.

“You’re jist precisely wrong thar. Ef W0
war alone maybe they Wouldn’t bother Us
much, but ou’ll do well to recollect that the
gal are wit us. They’ll keep up the chase fur
days, to git her, and it’s likely they’ll succeed,

“They will not follow us afoot, then.”

“nCourse not—the Blackfeet have plenty hos-
ses.

“ Do you think we will be overtaken?” asked
Myrtle, looking carnestly at the trapper.

“ Lord bless on, child, we’ll keep you out of
the); clutches e we have to kill our critters to
do it," was the kind reply.

“If I should fall into their hands again I am

sure they would kill me for attempting to get
away.” .
“ hen we must see to it that you don’t fall into
tha’r hands,” returned Darrell, smiling. “ Don't
be scar’t my child, fur hyur’s one body they’ll
have to trample under tha’r feet afore they lays
the weight of a finger on you !"

“And here is another, ’ said Rathburn, with
fervor.

“ Oh! you are both very good and brave, but
I would rather give myself up to them than see
you do that. I think they will not send a large
party after us, and if we could find a good place
to stand on the defensive, we might escape the
Indians more easily by stopping than by con—
tinuing our fli ht."

“ Jist what war thinkin',” said Darrell. “ Er
we could find stones enough to make breast-works,
we mought keep the imps OE and even make ’em
turn back. We’d need Sfider’s rifle, though, ef
itwshould come to that. wonder whar the boy
is.

“ Perhaps he is lost,” said Rathburn, un—
easily.

“ Shouldn’t wonder; but ef be are, it’s his own
fault,, and we hain’t got time to hunt fur him
now.

“What is that yonder?” asked Myrtle, point,
ing ahead. “ Maybe that is your friend."

The two men looked toward the point desig—
nated by the irl’s finger. On a distant swell of
the prairie t ey saw a solitary horseman. He
vans not in motion, and was apparently awaiting
t em.

“Smash me, that’s Spider, sure’s shootin’,” at
sorted Darrell.

Rathburn took 03 his hat and swung it over
his head. The horseman did the same.

This satisfied them that it was indeed Adol—
phus, and they galloped forward to meet him.

 

;. .n.~

 

 



24 A ,,_ The Yankee Ranger.

 

CHAPTER X.
A RIDE WITH THE WIND.
THEY found Adolphus sitting coolly on his
piany, stroking its mane and whistling a lively
a r

“ Good-morning, fair Myrtle—gentlemen, how

do on do?”
his he said with a profound bow to the maid-
ehn, and a stiff nod to the men, as they joined

im.

“ Wal, Spider, h0w do you feel after yer ride?“
asked Darrell, with a I‘oguish twinkle in his eye.
“ Did you think the liijuns war goin’ to raise yer
ha'r? Waghl wagh! I’ve sce'd some purty
Skeery chaps from ’mong the settlements, but I
never see‘d one as was more afeard of red-skins
than on.”

“ by, really, sir, you are lab ring under a sad
mistake,” remonstratod Adolphus. “ It was not
because I am afraid of Indians that I Went
ahead of you—oh, no! not that at all. You see,
my horse has been idle all Winter, and was nat-
urally restivo when I got on his back. Besides
that. the savages alarmed him, and it was ini-
possible for me to restrain him. So, you see,
the flight was involuntary on my part.”

“You’re a qua'r coon, Spider, smash me of
you ain’t. Thar‘s no use sayiu’ you’re afeard,
fur you’ll allers slide out of it some way nobody
else ’u’d ever think of. But that’s neither hyur
nor thar. This beaver’s as hungry as a bee in a.
band-box, and I s’pose we‘d better take time to

obble down a little breakfast ’fore goin‘

urder.”

“ Will it not be wasting precious time?”

“Skeercely. We hain’t had nothin’ to peek
at since yesterday mornin’, and wouldn’t be
doin’ justice to ourselves if we should ride all
day without eatin'. I could stand it I makes no
doubt, but smash me of you tellers could.”

A few minutes after this a fat prairie-chicken
was spied, running through the grass within
rifle range. Darrell’s gun was to his shoulder
in a. twinkling, and the fowl shot without the
least hesitation or compuuctiou. All dismount-
ed then and their simple breakfast was hastil

repared. Darrell, with his flint and stee
liindled a. fire, Rathburn and Myrtle busied
themselves in picking and dressing the prairie-
chicken, while Adol hus passed the time in
watching the beauti ul girl and envying his
cousin. The chicken was then skewered and
roasted, and the little party attacked it with
a relish that left nothing but bones at the con-
clusion of the meal.

Before they were quite ready to resume their
journey, Darrell mounted his horse and rode to
the summit of a small eminence near by, to see
if their enemies were in sight. He shaded his
eyes, and swept the horizon. Scarcely had he
done so, when he turned to his companions and
quietly remarked:

“ Stir yer stumps, kumrads. The Injuns are
eomin’!”

As may well be supposed these words had the
effect of startling these to whom they were ad-
dressed. Springing up they hastened to their,
horses and leaped upon their backs. Rathburn
took Myrtle up in front of him now, instead of
behind, and in less than a minute after the
alarm was given they .were ready to be off.

 

Once in their saddles, they turned their eyes
in the direction Darrell was looking. Far to
the northward a tiny cloud of dust was seen,
min led with a number of black, moving
spec s.

“Them’s red-skins, sure’s shootin’,” asserted
Darrell, “and they’re comin’ after us as fast as
they can ride. W 6 must test the mettle of our
hosses now, of we never did afore.”

Without further delay, the put spurs to their
animals and dashed away. he race was now
fair] begun, and there were anxious faces in
the httle group of adventurers as they hurried
the animals to their utmost.

It was abeautiful day. The sun rose higher
and higher in the blue sky, and north, south and
east the gentle uhdiilations of the prairie
stretched as far as the eye could reach. To the
westward it was broken by a few irregular hills,
and broad belts of timber. The fugitives shaped
their course almost due south. Milo after mile
flew under their feet, and they kept their horses
at the top of their speed; but their efforts to
distance the pursuers were fruitless. Indeed, it
soon became evident that the latter were slowly
but surely nearing them, and that sooner or
later they would be overtaken. To sa this dis-
covery startled them would but feeb y express
their feelings, but the men generously refrained
from showing signs of fear in the presence of the
fair one whom they were tr in to save.

Henry Rathburn, with t 1e eautiful being
sitting in front of him, and his arms almost in-
circling her waist as he held the reins, expe-
rienced a sensation far different from pain and
anxiety. His cheeks burned every time those
brilliant dark orbs were lifted to his, and when
she spoke, the soft music of her voice seemed to
echo and reecho through the inmost recesses of
his heart. Once she looked up earnestly, and
asked:

“ Are they gaining on us?”

Rathburn glanced back before answering;
when he did, it was cheerfully and evasively:

“ Do not fear—they are far behind l”

“ I am not much frightened While I have such
protectors,” said she, “ but I believe they will
overtake us. Oh, if I could but live to see my
dear mother!”

“ You shall, Myrtle. There are those here
who will die rather than permit an enem ’5
hand to be laid upon you; and there is one w 0
would be delighted With an opportunity of prov-
in his strong friendship for you.”

She stared at him wonderingly, as though at
a loss to understand his meaning; but the warm
admiration of his look caused her eyes to drop,
and the roses to deepen on her cheeks.

Surprised at himself, and withal alittle vexed,
Raithburn said no more to her, but turned to
Darrell, and inquired:

“ film you tell the number of our pursuers
yet.

“ Thar’s jist ton, precisely," was the prompt
reply, “and the imps are comin’ like lightnin‘,
too. See yer’, youngster," added the trapper,
dro ping his voice so that none but Rathburn
cou d hear, “ we’ve got to go through the.hard-
est tussle we’ve gone through yet, ’fore we go
much furdor! That’s no use tryin to git'out of
it, ’cause it’s goin’ to come without fail,”

 

 

 

 

 

/., / A ~

 

 

 

soft, solemn twilight to

I

The Yankee Ranger; 25

 

Rathhurn made no reply to this, but he
thought much more than he would have ven—
tured to express.

On flew the fugitives, and on came the sav-
ages. The excitement of the race became more
intense as it became obvious that the latter were
gaining on the Whites. With frothy mouths
and streamino‘ flanks, the frightened steeds
dashed onward with the speed of the wind, their
riders giving them free rein, and glancing back
ever and anon at the pursuing Blackfeet. They
were tired, and wet with perspiration, but still
plunged madly forward, starting small animals,
snakes and birds from their path—sweeping
over mile after mile, swiftly, steadily, furiously
—thundering on, on, in blind, frantic haste
across the wide level plain.

The sun reached the zenith—it passed it, and
moved slowly on to the western sky, ushering in
an afternoon as clear and bright as the morning
had been. It was after two o’clock, by Adol—
phus Perkins’s watch, when Dusky Darrell dash—
ed pp by Rathburn‘s side and pointed ahead,
saying:

“1 s’pose you see whar the perarie comes to
an eend, yonder?"

Right in their path, but several miles away,
were piles of lofty hills and rugged ledges of
rocks, rising abruptly from the plain and ex-
tending in a southwesterly course, till they
dwindled from sight in the dim distance.

“I see,” replied Rathburn. “I have been

‘vfioticing that rocky range for the last three

ours, and thinking we might find a place there
suitable for meeting the enemies. But it really
seems to move from us as we approach it.”

"‘It ain’t more’n an hour’s ride from hyur,”
said Darrell, “and when we git thar we’ll find
jist sich a. place as you speak on.”

“ You mean a place where we can defend our‘
selves successfully against the savages?”

“ Sart’inly; that is, we’ll stand a chance of
comin’ out with our lives, ef we meet ’em in
proper style. It’s a deep gorge, which we will
enter as soon as we roach the nearest ledge. I’ve

, been thar ’fore to-day. That range is a spur of

the Black Hills, you see, and I used to trap in
that vicinity with a chap named Zeph Brown.
Zeph war as good a feller as ever'peeled a
beaver or otter, and I reckon thar never war
two chaps as got along better than we did.”

The fugitives now permitted their animals to
slacken their speed somewhat, as great haste
was no longer a necessit .

Another hour passed away, and the party
neared the cliffs. The Indians were stil far
away, but coming on with a speed that would
soon bring them to the spot that was to witness
the crisis.

The whites rounded the corner of a perpendic—
ular cliff. and entered the gorge of which the
trapper had spoken. It was a deep, narrow
pass with gigantic rocks towering on either
han , shutting out the sunlight and causing a
pervade it during the
day. The fugitives drew their horses into a walk
and rode into the pass slowly.

“By thunder! this is awful still and solemn,
isn’t it?” said Adolphus, staring about and above
him in blank amazement.

_ “ Sorter,” answered the trapper; “and, min".

=—.—'a
'us

 

you, Spider, that ’r jist the way the red~skins
must find it when they come in. Ef you makes
any sort of a noise at all, afore I gives the word,
smash me of I don’t pull yer car.”

They had not proceeded twenty yards after
entering the gorge, when Darrell suddenly drew
rein, with a jerk so violent that his hoise was
thrown back on its haunches.

“ Halt!” he said, to the others. “Don’t move
a. step furderl This is the blindest move I ever
made!”

“What’s the matter?” asked the others, in a
breath.

“ Look at that, and ax no questions.”

He pointed at the ground in front of them.
The remains of a fire were there. It had been
scattered in every direction, probably within
the minute, and there was nothing left of it but
ashes, a bed of live coals and a few pieces of
partly»consumed fuel. Besides this, there were
other traces of human presence there, consisting
of numerous footprints, a knife sticking in the
ground and several bones and ieCes of meat
strewec'i about. Beyond a doubt, a party had
“ nooned ’7 there, and it was more than probable
that they Were still in the vicinity.

While our friends were staring at these evi-
dences of other presence than their own, unde—
cided whether to continue on or to turn back, a
gruff voice called out:

“ Hullo, Dusky Darrell! what you doin’ here?"

All looked guickly in the direction from which
they suppose the ejaculation had come. What
was their surprise when they saw a half—dozen
heads, surmounted by coonskin caps, rise
from behind some rocks near by. The heads
were followed by as many pairs of shoul—
ders, and the next instant the entire bodies
of six stalwart men rose in viewl They were a
party of hunters, brawny, muscular fellows,
every one of them, and the very picture of rug-
ged health, fearlessness and good—nature. They
were armed to the teeth, and well prepared to
encounter the hostile savages that infested that
region.

As the hunters came out from behind the
rocks and approached our party, there was one
among them who deserves particular attention.
He advanced first, and his actions afterward
proclaimed him the leader of the little band. He
was a short, stumpy man, with gray hair and
heard, small black orbs and a pleasant coun—
tenance. He showed by his dross, actions and
speech that he was an old borderer who had
spent the greater part of his life on the moun—
tains and. prairies, roaming over the wildest por-
tions of the American continent, and courting
the dangers they COntained.

It was this man who had first hailed the fugi-
tives, and as he came forward now at the head
of the part of hunters, he repeated the words:

“ Hullo, arrell, what you doin" here?"

Darrell looked at him, with a blending of
astonishment and drollery in the expression of
his face.

“ Skin me fur a beaver and smash me into the
middle of next week, of ’tain’t Zeph Brown I”
he ejaculated. ‘

“ Calc’late you never spoke truer words," re-
sponded the old hunter, seizing the hand of his

. friend.‘ “This is Zeph Brown, sure’s shootin’.

v

 

 

26 I The Yankee Ranger.

 

(and I reckon thar’s as much of him here as thar
was six ears ago when we camde in this very
gorge. ut what are you doin‘ in these parts?
Ain’t trappin’, I take it-—- Hullo! 'ot athun-
derin’ lot 0’ pelts behind you. ho’s these
chaps you got in tow?” he asked, eying Rath-
burn and Perkins, the latter of whom was gaz-
ing at the hunters through his e e—glasses.

“ This feller’s handle is Rath urn,” returned
Darrell, jerking his thumb toward the person
named. “ He’s sorter green like, but thar ain’t
a. better man this side of the Mississip. He’s a
gentleman, out and out. That other’n over thar,
he’s called ’Dolphus Perkins by everybody but
me, and I calls him Spider, which, I’ll sw‘ar, is
the best handle. He’s a fu’st-rate lad in his
place, I makes no doubt, but the sight of an In-
jun’s top-knot makes him think of home and
friends. Boys, this is my old right bower,
Zeph Brown, a. coon as are good fur six red-
skins all the time, and never misses the bull’s-eye
at six hundred.”

With this, Darrell slid out of the saddle and
joined the party of hunters, with two or three of
whom he was acquainted.

"What’s happened tobring you up in these
parts ag’in?" he asked, turning to Zeph Brown.

“Wu , nuthin’ to Speak on,” was the reply.
“These chaps, all good friends of mine, wanted
me to come with ’em and spend the summer
huntiu’ and trappin’, and I j‘ined ’em more fur
’commodation than any thing else. But look
here. Darrell, wliar’d you pick up that purty gal
yer friend’s got on his hoses?"7

“ We hain’t got time to talk ’bnut that now,”
answered the trapper, beginning to speak rapid—
1y. “ I’ll tell you ’hout the gal when time ain’t
so precious, but just now we’ve ot sumthin’ else
todo. The long and short of it is this: we’re
follered by Injuns.”

“ Injuns!” echoed Zeph.

“ Yas~Blackfcet. ’lhey’ve been after us the
whole day, and I reckon we’re lucky in comin’
across you ’fore they overtook us. The varmints
can’t be more’n two or three miles away this
minute.”

“ What they follerin you fur?”

“ They want this little gal—we took her from
’em last night, you see. She’s been acaptive fur
nigh onto ten years, and she’s got a mother down
in Massouri as wants to see her, and we’re de-
tarmined to take her thar or kick the bucket
ourselves. But I will tell you the story some
other time. VVe’d better stir our stumps, and
git under cover ’fore the Injuns arrive.”

“ How many are they?”

“ Just ten, precisely. ’

“ Hurrah, boysl” shouted Zeph to his com-
rades “ we’ve got some red-skins to rub out
a’rew y! Here, Simms, take these hosses and
lead ’em back tharwhar we’ve got ourn cached.”

Darrell assisted Myrtle to alight, and then
Adolphus and Rathburn dismounted, submitting
their animals to the care of the men, who speedi—
ly led them out of sight. The hunters were all
plainly delighted at this unexpected opportunity
of surprising and dealing destruction to the band
of Indians, and they hurriedly made prepara—
tions to meet their hated enemies. As may be
conjectured, our friends were overjoyed by this
very fortunate and opportune meeting with old

 

Zeph Brown and his party, and they now be-
lieved they might continue their homeward
journey tomorrow nnpursued.

All new concealed themselves among the rocks
where the hunters had hidden at the approach of
the fugitives, and there they laid in wait for the
unsuspecting Blackfeet.

CHAPTER XI.
THE AMBUSH IN THE GORGE.

DUSKY DARRELL went to the mouth of the

orge to take a look at the Indians, and see how
ar away they were. In a minute he shouted
back to is companions:

“The imps have come to a stand out yonder,
’bout half a mile away. They’re lookin’ in this
direction, and I guess as how they’re holdin' a
consultation.”

After delivering this piece of intelligence, the
trapper still kept his position and watched the
motions of the savages. Those behind the rocks
waited eagerly for further information, all with
the mnzzles of their deadly rifles protruding
over the top of the breastworks ready to our'a
murderous volley into their enemies. fiyrtle
was hid in a deep niche where she would not be
in the way of the men, and where the shots of
the savages could not reach her.

Five minutes later a faint distant whoop was
heard, and the next instant Darrell came bound-
ing back into the pass with the agility of an
antelope. He leaped over the rocks and crouched
down among the men.

“Keep shady, boys,” he said. “Don’t Show
yer top-knots, and don't make any more noise
than you can.”

“ What now?” asked one of the men, as the
distant whoop was heard again. “ Are they
coming?”

“ Comin’ like lightnin’,” was the quiet re—
sponse. . .

The pounding of 11me on the hard turf grew
more and more distinct, sounding like distant
thunder, growing louderand louder as it came
momentarily nearer. A half-minute passed-—
the confused clatter wunded just outside now.

“ Git ready, boys,” said Darrell rapidly.
“Keep bid. and don’t shoot till they git opposite
to us. Each one select his man, and et fly when
I ive the word."

ust then there was a tumultuous pounding ‘

and rushing, and a wild, blood-curdling whoop
rent the air, reverberatng among the crags and
peaks like the cries of a score of demons.

In an instant, a single horse, withahalf—naked
Indian on his back, darted into view. He was
followed by another and another, until the whole
band had dashed round the corner of the cliff,
and then they came thundering into the gorge
pell—mell, their deafening cries awakening the
mountain echoes.

There was a. rapid “ click! click 1” as of a. num-
ber of rifles being cocked, and then a voice that

rung through the gorge like a. bugle-blast, cried ~

out:

“ Ready, boys—eve one— re I”

There was a flash 'ke lightning—a jarring,
stunning report, caused by the simultaneous dis-
charge of several rifles—and then a. heavy cloud

of sulphurous smoke dimmed the vision. The V V
wildest confusion‘ensued. There was a. terrific '

.“

    
 

 
   
 

  
   
   
    
  
   
  
   
  
     

  

i
2'

 

 

i Darrell.

‘ didn’t go 03," declared Adolphus, turning his

 

The Yankee Ranger. 2'7

 

L plunging, rearing and kicking of frantic animals

——a. heavy falling of bodies—a shrieking, horrid
and unearthly, from Indians writhing in the
agonies of death—all creating a terrible din.
Six savages were slain, and one wounded, and
that number of riderless horses dashed headlong
toward the mouth of the gorge.

Then rose a series of howls from the surviving
savages, as they wheeled their frightened 
and galloped after the others.

The hunters cheered lustin as they leaped from
behind the rocks, and some of them uttered a
re ular war-whoop.

usky Darrell, remembering that Myrtle was
not provided with a horse, rushed forward to
procure one for her. With some difliculty, he
succeeded in capturing a high—spirited Indian
pony, which he presented to the girl. The three
escaped Blackfeet were, by this time, for out
upon1 the plain, galloping homeward, at full
s .

“ Jerusalem! didn’t we slaughter ’cin nicely?”
exclaimed Adolphus, moving among the dead
bodies.

“ Didn’t we, though?” mimicked one of the
hunters, putting a stress upon the word we.

“ Next time, they’ll know better than to come
before such dangerous rifles as ours, won’t they?”
continued Adolphus.

“Indeed they on ht to,” replied the hunter,
good-naturally. “ ut which one of these var-
mints did you shoot, Spider?”

“MM—oh! I killed this fellow,” kicking the
largest corpse to be seen. “ I shot him through
the heart, fair and square, as you see."

“ Bah! l uess you didn’t wipe that imp out,”
said Zeke rown. approaching. “ I drawed a
head on him myself.”

This assertion disconcerted Adolphus a little,
but he quickly recovered his presence of mind
sufficiently to reply:

“What are you talking about? I mean that
other Indian, over there. "’

“ He’s the one 1 erased, I sw’ar it,” said Dar-
rell, firmly.

“ No, I mean this one here.”

“ This is my man,” remarked Rathburn, with
a smile.

Adol hus turned red, and looked about on the
faces 0 those around him. A hearty laugh was
raised at his expense, and one man stepped for-
ward and said: _

“ Let me see yer shooter, Spider.”

The exquisite surrendered his gun to the
speaker, almost mechanically. The hunter mere-
ly glanCed at it, and then held it up to the VleW
of his companions. Another boisterous gufl’aw
burst from the cde, and Perkins became still
redder. .

“ Thunderationl what are you laughing at?”
he demanded. , _

“ Laughin‘ at you, kumrid,” replied Dusky
“ Just take a squint at that shootmt
iron, and I guess you’ll understand it.” _

The discomflted fellow did as he was directed,
and the cause of their mirth was made apparent.
His gun had not been discharged! It was still
cocked, and the cap on the tube, instead of being

“exploded, was just as it had been put on!

[,4

By gracious! I don’t understand why it

   
  

rifle over and over in his hands. “ I’m certain
I pulled hard enough at the trigger.”

"Sure you pulled the trigger?" asked Zeph
Brown, with a chuckle.

“ Certainly—that is—I pulled something, and
pulled it hard enough to fire a cannon, tool”

“ Wal, I‘ll tell you what it was,” continued
Zeph, his small black eyes fairly dancing.
“ You’ll recollect as how I war dos to you when
we fired that volley into the Blackfeet? J ist be—
fore shootin’ I happened to glance at you, and
ma I be skul d of you didn‘t have yer finger
hoo ed in the utton—hole of yer coat, pullin’ as
though yer life depended on’tSZ’

This caused another laugh at the expense of
Adolphus.

But at this juncture occurred an incident that
averted every mind from Adolphus. It will be
remembered that six Indians were killed, and
one wounded, by the volley from the whites.
The wounded one was lying about a dozen yards
away from the others, stretched upon his back,
with one hand clutching his breast and the
other holding a heavy war-club. Rathburn be-
ing the first to notice this sufferer, approached
him to see if anything could be done for him.
He was wounded in the right breast, and had
been bleeding profusely, but his calm, stoical
face exhibited no signs of pain. He wasa. young
Warrior, strong-limbed, broad-chested and fine-
ly--formed, and from the many devices on his
black fox—skin mantle, must have been noted
for his bravery and strength.

Moved to pity by the sight of so young and
brave a warrior on the eve of an untimely
death, Ruthhurn bent over him to see if his
wound was mortal. The Indian eVidently mis-
took his design. His fuce became darkened bya
horrible, rcvengeful look, and before his pur-
pose could be divined, he leaped to his feet with
ayell and confronted the white man! He did
not pause here, but Whirled his club in the air
like a flash, and dealt Rathburn a blow on the
head that felled him senseless to the earth! Clear
and loud through the silent gorge, rolled the
terrible war-cry of the Blackfoot, and be bent
over his prostrate victim, seemingly determined
to take one more scalp before'snccumbing to

eat .

At the chilling sound, every man’s eyes were
turned upon the Scene. Before any- of them
could go to the assistance of the young man,
however, there was a rustle and a rush, and a
light figure darted by them like a rocket. It
was Myrtle FOITest. She sprung to the spot
where in another moment a frightful tragedy
would have been enacted, and seized the uplifted
arm of the Indian. There was a glitter and a.
flashwa downward gleam, like a vertical ray of
light—a groan and a fall, and there. were two

rostrate forms on the ground instead of one!

he girl turned away, calmly wiped the blood
are? her knife and returned the weapon to her

0 .

For a, moment a bush was upon every tongue.
Then the rough, hardy hunters set up a shout of
approbation, and were clamorous in their praise
of the heroic rirl who had saved the life of the
young man. at she turned from them with a
, gesture of impatience.

“It is nothing,” she said, in a clear, steady

 

  

28

 

voi‘e. “ I was the only one who saw the Indian
knock him down, and if I had not tried to save
him I should have been a heartless wretch in~
deed. Look to him—he may be dead, after all.”

This reminded the men that Rathburn needed
their immediate attention. Ho was still lying
on his face insensible. They turned him over on
his back, and used every Inc-ins at their com—
mand torestore him to consciousness. He was
like a dead man. For several minutes he showed
no signs of returning life, and when he did, it
was only after the had bared his arm, pricked
it with aknife an started the blood. Then he
began to breathe audibly. the muscles of his face
tw1tched, and at length he opened his eyes and
sat up. A half-hour later he was himself again,
and was moving among his friends as full of life
as ever. He was much sn rised when he learn-
ed that Myrtle had save his life, but he said
nothing to her at that time. He chose to wait
until a more suitable opportunity oil'ered before
venturing to tender his thanks to his preserver.

About two hours after the event recorded,
Myrtle was standing apart from her friends,
leaning on a hu e bowlder in a thoughtful mood.
She looked doughly beautiful in the light of the
settin sun, that came streaming horizontally
into t e gorge. Rathburn saw her, and thought
he had never seen anything half so lovely and
picturesque. Actuated by a sudden impulse,
he a preached and stood by her side. She did
not 00k up nor move; she did not know he
was near until he spoke.

“Myrtle.”

She came out of her reverie with a slight start,
and her e es met his in uiringly.

“Myrt 6,” he repeated, “I am here to thank
you for saving my life. I can well understand
that you will regard it as a mere act of duty or
kindness, but it was a noble and heroic deed—”
“ My friend,” interrupted the maiden looking
steadi y at him, “ will you grant me a very

simple favor?”

“ Gladly.”

“ Then. please let this subject pass. It is not
worth speaking of, and, besides. having never
before taking the life of a human being, Ido not
care to be reminded of it.”

“ You re ret the act, then ?”

“Not in t eleast. If the same thin should
occur again, I would repeat the not. regret
the necess1ty that compelled me to slay the In—
dian. but it is a pleasure to know that I render-
(—‘d a service to a very valuable friend, to whom
I partially owe my liberty.”

Rathburn felt a. strange thrill of joy at these
words. He fancied those dark eyes looked al-
most tenderly upon him as she spoke, and he be-
came possessed by a wild, ridiculous idea, to
which, a moment after, he would have been
ashamed to confess.

“ You may find some consolation,” said he,
“in the reflection that the Indian was already
mortally wounded, so that, in saving my life,
you only hastened his death. But I promise to
grant you the favor you asked of me. I re-

. same you are here to view the sunset?" he ad ed,
by way of changing the subject.

“ That is why I took my stand here." she re-

plied, “ but I fell into a deep reverie, and I for-
got my objec .”

 

The Yankee Ranger.

 

 

“ Do you like to watch the sun go down?”

“ Oh. very much,” she answered, with childish
enthusiasm. “ I often long for evening to come,
that 1 may seek a lonel spot and watch the
beautiful sunset. As I 100 at those clouds of.
crimson, gold and purple, I could not, if I
would, deny the existence of a brighter and bet-
ter world beyond them. I have thought of dear,
lost parents, as dwelling there in that unseen
world with God and his angels, and when the
sun went down and twilight came, I loved to
think the bright evening star Was my mother’s
eye. looking down on her child. .But that is past ,
now. My mother lives. and Heaven willing, I .
shall see her again on earth.” ,

Myrtle‘s voice faltered, and dropping her head "
upon her breast, she gave way to her emotion
for a time. When she looked up, the storm had
passed, and she was calm as ever.

“Are you, then, so glad that you are soon to
meet your mother?“ asked Rathburn, with a
pleasant smile.

She looked at him in surprise.

“ Have you a mother?" she asked, in a. 10W
tone—“ one who loves you, and whom you
love?”

“ By the mercy of Heaven I have."

“ Then you must understand my feelings.”

“I do," he replied; “ I asked you an idle ques-
tion. But let it pass. In your new home among
the white people you would be astranger among
strangers but for your parents, and possibly you
will be pleased to have other friends. Would
an occasional visit from me be distasteful to
you?”

“ How can you ask? If Providence permits me
to reach my new home I shall want to see you
often—vary often.”

“ Why, Myrtle?”

“Because I shall always regard you as one of
my dearest friends,” she rc )lied, innocently.

“ Thanks—thanks! Butl fear, Myrtle, I shall
not be permitted to see you as frequently as I
could wish, as our homes will be far apart.
Yours is in St. Louis, mine in Boston."

” IVhero is that?”

“ On the Atlantic coast.”

“ So far away? Oh! I am very sorry."

It was not plain to Rathburn, by any means,
why those earnestly-spoken words filled him with
such strange pleasure. Why had he become
so interested in this wild prairie-flower? Had he
already fallen in love with her? Of course not
in so short a time, and yet her expressions of
mere friendship thrilled him with a glad, hope—
ful feeling. '

They continued conversing until the golden
twilight vanished in the dark shades of night,
and the camp-fire of the hunters was kindled.
Then, while the men were gathered around the
fire, talking and preparing the evening meal,
Rathburn sought Myrtlo‘s side, a little apart
from the rest, and enjoyed a long and pleasant :
conversation with her, greatly to the disgust of ,
Adolphus.

The bodies of the dead Indians had been re-
moved from the gorge to the open prairie. and a
few hours after nightfall a large number of
wolves collected around them and had a grand
feast. The clamor of the ravenous animals
made such a din that it would have been useless

 

  

 

 

 

The Yankee Ranger. 29

 

to attempt to sleep while it continued; but they
ceasedtheir noise long before midnight, and the
party in the pass lay down to rest. The tired
fugitives slept soundly after their exertions of
the day and preceding night, and rose in the
morning much refreshed.

’ Preparations were now made to resume their
homeward journey. The horses were led forth,
Including the Indian pony captured by Darrell,
which was mounted by Myrtle, and when the
sun rose they were all in their saddles, ready to
start. After spending some time in taking leave.
of their friends, the hunters, they departed, and
shortly after were careering gayly across the
plains toward the States.

CHAPTER XII.
CONCLUSION.

WE will not tire the reader with a detailed
account of that tedious journey to the land of
civilization. Suflice it to say they were not
troubled by Indians after leaving the hunters’
camp in the gorge, and no serious mishap befell
them through all.

One day, early in the month of June, our lit-
‘tle party of ad venturers galloped into the small
tradingpost of Indemndence. Here Dusky
Darrell bartered his furs for such articles as he
stood in need of, and thou theyprocured lodging
with the intention of remaining in Independence
until the following day. The next morning they
rose bright and early to continue their journey.
Then it was that the trapper surprised his
friends by announcing his determination to go
no further.

“Why, what‘s the matter, Darrell?” inquired
Rathburn.

“ Nuthin’. as I knows on,” he answered, “ but
I’m not goin’ any furder, that’s said. No use.
you know, besides it’s a purty good distance to
St. Louey, and this are ’bout as clns’ to the civi-
lized world as I ginerally git. You can take the
gal to her mother, bein7 as you’re trav’lin’ right
in that d'rection. Tell the lady she needn’t hunt
up Dusky Darrell to offer him a reward fur
what he’s been and done, but—but—"

“ But What?” asked Rathburn.

“You mought ax her to remember a feller
once in a while in her—herj—prayers.”

The trapper dropped his eyes in confusion,
and a crimson glow burned on his swartby
cheeks as he uttered these Words, i

“ Oh, I know she will do that!” exclaimed
Myrtle; “and as for mo—Ohl I shall pray for

on ever do. .”
y “God hlessyyou, little ’un! You ought to be
an angel, and ef thar‘s a better world'on t’other
side of the grave, you’ll git thar, sart’in. Maybe
you’ll meet this beaver thar, trappin’ around
among the rivers and. “115-” .

“ I hope So; but shall we never see you again
on earth?”

“ Wal, thar’s no tellin’. I mought step over
to St. Louey one of these days and stay an ‘lmur
or so, but yer’s as ain’t goxn‘ t0 Promise- (100d-
b , oun ster.”

sz helgd out his hand to . Rathburn. The
young man took it in both of his. and pressedit.

“ Good-by, Darrel, good-by!” he 88107 With
much feeling. “I hope and pray we shall meet

 

again before long.”

 

“ Count me in thar. Hate to leave you,
youngster, smash me if I don"t; no use tal in’,
though. Took a powerful likin’ to you, some-
how or other; make a good hunter; grit to the
backbone. No use thinkiu’ we’ll never meet
ag’in, fur it’s just likely this beaver ’ll git it in—
to his noddle to take a tramp through the
States, ’fore many moons have gone. Mean-
time, you mought take the trouble ’casionally
to think of a cha named Dusky Darrell.”

“Believe me, shall never forget that name,
nor the person who hears it. Heaven bless you,
Darrell!”

“Spider;7 continued the trapper, extending
his hand to Adolphus, as a smile broke over his
countenance, “ Spider, good-by. You’re a first—
rate feller in the long run, though you’re kinder
ufeard of Injuns, smash me ef you ain’t!”

“ No, I am not exactly afraid of them,”
argued Adolphus, “ but, you see, I am not——
that is, I am not accustomed to them. I’ll tell
you what, Darrell, this isn’t the last time you’ll
see Adolphus Perkins in these parts. I started
from home last summer with the intention of
crossing the plains. and since I failed to succeed
on that occasion, I‘ll be hanged if I don’t try it
again shortly.”

“All right, Spider; of you does come out in
this d’rection ag in, I hope I’ll run afoul of you.
But I’m detainin’ you too long. Smash me ef I
likes to see you go. M rtle, my wild flower,
would you kiss a. rough o d cuss like me?” ‘

Would she? He had scarcely uttered the re—
quest when she threw her arms impetuously
around his neck, and pressed her soft, red lips
to llS!

“ I don’t want to part from you,” she mur-
mured. “ I wish you would 0 home with me.
1am sure momma. will be disappoian if you
don‘t.”

“ Thar, little gal, don’t talk that way to me.
Ef yer mother’s disapp’inted ’cause I ain’t with
you, tell her of she wants any more jobs done to
send me a message. The time fur talkin’s over.
We must leave one another now, and travel out
different ways. Maybe we’ll meet ag’in——mayhe
we won’t. Take keer of yerselves, and if ever
you youngsters want to take a hunt with this
beaver yer’s what’s ready at any time."

The moment for final adieux had come, and
all were mournful faces as they parted, perhaps
to meet no more on earth.

 

One morning at a comparatively early hour,
a cab rolled up in front of a handsome residence
on one of the principal streets of St. Louis, and
Stopped. The black driver leaped to the
ground, and opened the door of the carriage, to
let its occupants out, at the same time politely
informing them that this was the place they
were in search of. The first person who ap-
peared_was a handsome gentleman, in whom we
recognize Henry Rathburn. He stepped 0m}
upon the pavement, and then turned and as-
sisted Myrtle Forrest to alight. The girl was
still arrayed in her fanciful Indian garb. and
she trembled with pleasurable excitement as
she looked up at the house before her, and
thought how soon she would be in the arms of
her mother. The last one to leave the carriage
was Adolphus Perkins, who, after undergoing a.

 

 

30 The Yankee Ranger.

complete renovation at the hands of a skillful
barber, was somewhat improved in appear-
ance.

Our three friends mounted the broad stone
steps of the fine residence, and plied the
knocker.

The door was 0 ened by a servant.

“ Is this where Iiltirs. Forrest lives?” inquired
Rathburn.

“ It is, sir,” was the reply.

“ Is the lady within?”

“ Yes, sir. She is sitting in the parlor alone
at this moment. I will announce on, and—”

Before the servant could procee further the
youn man pushed him aside, and entered the
wide all, followed by the girl and the exquisite.
Rathburn then told the astonished domestic to
go about his business, first learning from him
which door opened into the room occupied by
his mistress, and the fellow, at a loss to under-
stand what it all meant, moved away and left
him alone. They had made up their mind on
their way hither how they should act. Loav-
ing Adolphus and the girl in the hall, Rath-
burn opened the door on his right and entered
the parlor, closing the door behind him.

He found himself in an elegantly-furnished
apartment, with carpet of finest texture beneath
his feet, and walls hung with rich paintings. It
was such an apartment as is seen only where
taste and means are combined in fitting it u .
But he took no notice of the surroundings. Ellis
eyes alighted upon something of more interest
to him, and more worthy of their attention.
On the opposite side of the room. sitting by a
wide, open window, where the summer breeze
gently swayed the lace curtains, sat a tall,
handsome lady, dressed in deep mourning, With
a book lyin open on her lap.

As the (fior opened the lady looked up, and
seeing a Stranger standing there, she rose to
her feet in amazement.

“Pardon the intrusion, madam,” said Rath-
burn, dotting his hat with a respectful bow. “ I
have acted rudely in enterin your presence
without permission, but have l one it With due
deliberation, and will explain immediately,
You are Mrs. Forrest, I presume!”

She bowed assent.

“Madam, I am Henry Rathburn, at your
service. I am the bearer of important news.”

“ News for me, sir?”

“ Yes, madam—for you."

“ Will Mr. Rathburn be seated ?” said the lady
pointing to a chair, and showing much surprise
and curiosity in her looks.

The gentleman accepted the proffered seat,
and after a brief pause, went on to say:

“ Mrs. Forrest, you once had a daughter—"

The woman started, and bent upon him a.
keen, searching look, her manner quickly chang-
ing from calm listlessness to excited interest.

‘Sirl” she said, as if apprehensive that she
had misunderstood him.

"‘ You once had a dunghter~"

“ Once had?” she repeated, in a husky voice.

“ Whom you thought killed, but who in
realit was only captured by the Indians,” con—
tinne Rathburn.

“ Yes, yes; do you know ought of her I’“

“ Hear me further, madam, if you please. 0f

 

J

course you remember an interview on had
with the trapper, Darrell, last year, an how he
promised to bring your daughter home, or die ?”

Mrs. Forrest clasped her hands conynlsively.

" I understand it all, now,” she gasped. “ he
tit‘apper is dead, and you are here to apprise me
o ‘ it!”

“ You mistake—Darrell is not dead.”

The widow bit her lips to hide her emotion.

“Then he Sent you to tell of his failure,” she
murmured. “Poor fellowi Mortification need
not have prevented him from coming’ himself,
for, though success did not crown his noble and
disinterested efforts in my behalf, I know he did
all that man could do." ‘

“ Mrs. Forrest,” said Bathburn, “ you wrong
Darrell, even while speaking so well of him. If
you knew him as well as I, you could not think
for an instant that he would return so soon with
out the prize.”

The lady gave a violent start, and then, pale
with agitation, she rose and stood before her vis-
itor in a leading attitude.

“ Mr. thburn,” said she, her voice shaking,
“ you can not blame me for feeling a mother’s
impatience to know all. I am sure you have.
more to tell than you have told. Please let me
hear the whole truth at once; this uncertainty is
intolerable.” '

At that moment there was a sound in the 'hall
—a su pressed cry, and the rustle of adress~and
then the door flew open, and Myrtle bounded in~
to the room, followed byAdolphus Perkins. One
moment mother and daughter stood looking at
each other—the next, they were locked in each
other’s arms, weeping tears of unutterable joy.

We pass over the scene that followed. No pen
can describe it, much less ours, and it must be left
to theimagination of the reader. That the meet-
ing was a joyful one—after the Singular separa-
tion of nearly ten years—need not he told; and
the thanks, congratulations and explanations
that came after the first burst of rapturous de-
light, may, also, be more easuy imagined than
detailed.

Rathburn and Adolphus lingered a week in St.
Louis, and were the guests of Mrs. Forrest while
there; and when, at last, they took leave of
their fair friends and set out for the distant Bay
State, they felt more as thou h they were leav-
ing, than returning home. any times after-
ward, however, both found occasion to visit St.
Louis, and on each of these occasions they were
surprised and delighted at the rapidity with
winch the fair Myrtle was acquiring the accom~
plislnnents of her sex, and becoming educated in
civilized society’s ways. They were always re-
ceived cordially, andso much attention was paid
ti) them that their visits seemed wonderfully
s iort. «3

On one of these visits, the enamored Adolphus
found himself fete-a-tele with Myrtle in tho
flower-garden. Embracing the opportunity, he
popped the question like a cavalier, and was
astounded beyond measure when he learned that
his cousin had preceded him! But he took the’blow
philosophically, and was one of the groomsmen
at the grand wedding of Rathburn and Myrtle,
on which occasion he announced his intention of
going West again soon in search of a wife!

THE END.

    

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

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Patent-leather Joe: or, Old Rnttlesnllm, the
Charmer. By Philip S. VVurne.
The Border Robin flood; or, The Prairie Rover.

 

l Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Rand. By 51
gamma L. Wheeler.
2 humus King; or, The Red Right Hand. By 52 I '
Bum‘m Bm’ 53 G‘iiriiigi‘ii’ Bill" Sb 1 t Th B D
3 The Fl 'ln Ynulte or The Ocean Outcast. B 0 e, is nrpsioo er; or, a o etsctivo
cor. p,3,,ns’§1nzn.h..nf' ’ y of the Black Ilills. By Edwnrd 1.. 'Wheeleyr.
4 The "on Me Buzzers. By Edwnrd L. Wheeler. 54 Old ‘Zip’s (inbln or, A Grsanliorn in the Waods.
5 The Two lletectlves' or. The Fortunes ul 5 By CI‘W-J- 17- C- A “"18-
6 Tgnwelgy Glirll. liyuAlbert WKTAiken. S B 55 llglnwure Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By 0]]
0 HI r e ot' or he Phsntom . “omeg-
Buifalo Bil]. , ’ py y 56 Mud 'l‘pln “'estern, the Tuaannger. By W. >
T The Buffalo Demon: or, The Burder Vultures. ~ .1. llmmlturr.
By Edward L. Wheeler. s Deadwood Dick on Book; or, Cnlnmily June.
8 Antelo‘yc Abe, the Boy cum... 3. on 000...“ me Heroine ani'hoop-Ug; By E. L. Wheeler.
3 Na] \ V100- llle Boy Scout. By “Tex-is Jnck” 58 llnwkeyc Hurry, the (3|an Trapper Hunger. By
(J. l5. Olunhuudro). ()ll (Sumner.
10 Bnfl’nln lien, Prince of the Pistol. By E. L.Wheeler. 59 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise 0! the Sen Wolf.
11 Ralph R0 the Buy lluccnnzer. By C l. Ingrnhruu. lly Col. Prentiss lngrnhxun.
12 Nick 0‘ the Night; or, The Boy Spy oi ’76. By T. 60 Abe Colt, the Crow-Kllur. By Albert \V. Aiken.
U. llm‘bmlull. 61 Corduroy Clmrlie, the Boy Bravo. By Edward L.
18 Yellowstone Jack; or, Trapper-s of the Enchanted Wheeler.
Ground. li)‘ .lnsth E. Badger, Jr. 62 “ ill Burners, the Boy Detective. B) Cllfls. Morris.
14 \Vild lvnn, the Buy Claude Duvrrl. ByE. L.Vi'heeiar. 68 Sol Ginger, the Giran Trnnuvr. By A. W. Aiken.
15 Diamond Dir-k; ur,’l‘he Mystery of the Yelluw-

64 Rosebud Rob; 01', Nugget Ned, the Knight at the

stone. By Cnlunul Prentiss Ingrnhmn. Gulch. By Enlwnrrl L. Wheeler.
16 Keen-Knife, Prime “1‘ the Prairies. By 011 Coomes. 65 Lightning Joe, the 'lu‘l’nr oi the Prairie. By Cnp—
0re on Sol: or, Nick \Vhilflr-s's Boy Spy. By Capt. tn n . . . C. Admrrs.
J. C. Adams. 66 Kit llnrefoot, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C. llnr-

18 Death-Fave, the Detective. By E. L. Wheeler.

19 Lnsso Jack, the Ynung Mustang". B 011 Coomas. 8

20 Routing lhllvls ltoekwood, I e Reckless
Ranger. Tl}- Ilnrry St. Gaorze.

91 The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arens. By
Frank S. Film.

92 The Phantom Mlaew] or, Deadwood Dick’s

r l

lionnnzs. By Edwnrd Relax.

bmlzh.
Rollo, the Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden
Hum. By Oil Gnomes.
68 Idyl, the Girl Miner; 0r, Rosebud Rob on Hand. By
Edward L. Vl'heeler.
69 Detectlvc Dick ; onThe Hero in Rugs. By Charla.
By 01] Coorues.

orris.
I 70 Sun: Shot Seth, the Buy Riflenmn.
23 The Sen-(Int; nr, The Witch of Dnrlen. By Capt. '31 Sharp Stun; or, The Adventures oanriendluss Buy.
Frederick \Vlrittsker. By J. Alunndrr Pntten.

24 The Dumb spy. By Oil COMllel. 72 Tlie Lion oftllc Fen: 0:. The Vslled Lsdy of Sim
95 Rnttlini: Rnbc‘ or, The Night sth of Ksn- 'l'rnypz. By Albert \‘i'. Aiken.
tuchy. lly llnrry ét. George. 73 Photograph Plsllu-lm lim Sleuth; or, Rosebud Rob's

N

   

26 old Avnlnnclre, the Great Annihilator. By Ed. L. chppenrnnce. liy  L. Whrrler.

Wheeler. 74 I‘lenyunc Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective.
27 Gin s- Eye, the Great Shut of tha West. By Cunt. J, 1} Charles hlorr's.

l’. C. Adams. 2’5”) Inland .Hm; hr The l’r-t (if the Fslnlly. By Bruce-
28 The lioy (limtnlu; or, The Pirste’s Dnughter. By bridge llvlnyng (.l k Hrrrknwny).

Rout-r Stnrhuck. ‘26 “huh-Eye, Ihr Simduw: hr. Al'an and Angels of n.
39 Blck Din-ling. the Pony Express Rider. By Cnptuln Grunt City. By Edward L. Vi'hueler.

l‘redericll, Whittaker. 7? Dick Bend Eye. the Boy Snmggler. By Col. P

80 B01) \Voolf, the Burder Ruffian. By E. L. “'heelvr.
81 Nightingale Nat; or, The Forest Csptslns. By
'1‘. C. Hnrbnugh.
82 Black John. the Road Agent.
22 (llgmnhalH:l the Mnsk.d Terror.
urt un 'er, the Trn er. B 1807 e E. Lan i .
35 The Boy Rifles; or, ill. Undzrgmmfd Camp. In;

A. .lrons. ‘
86 The “’lllte B flnlo. A Tale orStrin . .
tures in the Narlhwest. By George ll. I41iar\)zlltz.Ad‘.l1
37  lllludrioe, Jr., the Boy Plienix. By Edward L.
' me ur.
38 Nedllnz Lthelloy'l‘rnpper. Bndpt.J.F.C.Adnmg,
39 Deadly we. tlw Unknown Smut. By Bug“, 3,“.
40 Nick \Vhliilou’s Pet; or, ln tho Vullayor Dung
By Cupt. J. 1". c. Admns.
41 Dendwood Di k’s Eagles: or, The l'm'ds of
Floml linr. By Eilu‘nl’d l... \‘Vheeley,
42 The Border King; or. The Secret Foe. By 0”
names.
43 (£11 Hickory; or.Pnndy Ellis’s Scalp. By He").

livzrulmm.

78 Dondwood Diok’s Device; or, The Sign of tn.
Doulvle Cross. lly Ed. L. Wheeler.

79 The Black Musmnzer: or, The Wild Horse
Hunters. By Capt. Mnyns Reid.

80 Old Front. ', the Guide; or, lilnlmmi. the White Queen
ol'tlm lilac net. By T. C. Hurlrnugh.

81 The Son Viper; or. The Midshipnmn's Legacy. By
Cul. Prentiss lngmhum.

82 Seth Jones; or, The Captives o! the Frontier. By
Edwnrd S. Ellis.

83 Clumdln Chet, the Conntarfeiter Chief. By Edwer
.. ' ree er.

84 The Dumb Page; or. The Doge’s Daughter. By
Cnpt. Frederick Whittaker.

85 The Boy Min re; or, The Enchsnted lslnnd. By
Edw. rd S. Ellis.

86 Junk "nrkuwny In New York. By Bnco-
brid ellemyng.

8'? The lunsnr Captain: or, The Harmlt of Hell
Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingm um.

88 Deadwood Dick in Lendvllle; or. A Strange
St'oke inr Liberty. By Edward 1.. “health

89 Bill Biddon, Trnplier; or, L'ia in the Nodnwent.
liy Edwsrd S. Ellll.

90 Tlppy, the Texan; or,’l‘hs Young Chnmpion. By
George Gleason.

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44 Taliec‘Vl‘IXite Indian; or, The Scouts of the Yellow-
stone. Bv Ca t. J. F. C Ar nms.

45 Buckhor'n Igill; or, The Red Rifle Term. 1),
Edward L. “'lieeler. . ‘

46 The Shadow Ship: or. The Rival launch-m.-
liy Col. Frantic: Iugmllnm.

47 The Red Ihotherhqod: or, The
Avengers. By W. J. Hnmiltr-n. V .

48 Dnndy Jack; or The Outlaw of the Oregon 'lrm].

‘ T. . nrhau .

49 lliiirrlfnn}; Bill“; nr,JMustsng Ssm and llis“ Pal-d."
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91 Mun-tum: Sum, the King of the I‘liiiiis.
linrlgur, . r.

92 The 00mm Bloodhound '
the Curihheea. 15y Sluuuul \i'

93 Phil llnrdy, the Buss nu
Strongbow. lsy Charlrs M.

94 IDeutlwo [Dick

95 Buck Buckru \:
HF (3| ltuill J. F. l‘.

96 G! t-Edgetl Dick, the
Wheeler.

9? The x“luck Etecd (II' the l’rulrlcs. By JflmL’l
.. Dwell.

98 The Son Serpent; or, The Boy Rnhilleon Crusoe.
By Jului valt.

99 Bouunzn llill, the Hun Trucker. By E. I“ Wheeler.

100 Nut 'l‘mlil: ur, The Fate of the Siuux (‘Mptivm liy
Edward S. Ell .

101 Bulging Ihn'y; the Ynuug lieur Killer. lly llnrry
t. ieuru.

102 The, Yellow (‘hlcfi or,’1'lw llnlf-lnltlwl'sVengeance
liy l'lllit. Muvnr lll'lll.

108 Chip, the ' ml; or. The Golden idol of Mt.
Rush. Ii" ' Ii L. \Vlluel-n‘.

bulmoncr; or, Jib Junk, the Old
u,- ltduer sun-mick.
, um Br otlduck Detective. ily

By Joe. E.

or, The R611 Pirates of
l'rnrce.

lr, Thu Mystery of the

«ire. lly E. L.V\'hmller.
118.. th-r Feuuilv Trupper.
m.
Sport Detective. By E. L.

'I nr.
105 llumlemuc Hurry
('hurltw Morri».

106 \B'lght-Illhwk Kit; or, the Daughter of the Ranch.

v . nx. J. llll‘Ivl'. . r.
107 Jack "oyle’n Loud; nr, The Young: Specu ntor,
liy l‘.l\Vln‘tl ll. \h‘lmeli-r.
108 Km- y Muuniuin Kit, the White Mustanch
ii)‘ 1‘. u. llllrlmugh.
109 The lirundud "and; or, The Mun of Mystery.
RV Frank Duluunt.
110 The "rt-nil Killer: 0r, The 'l'exiui Duellet.
George \\'. Browne.
1" "on “01). [he Kinzut‘llnntlilm'ks. “3'17 l..\Vl filer. ‘
ll‘Hfl Ilnml. B)- “flirt. )1
118 Sour-Fill Saul. the Siluiitllunt l
11-1 l’lney Paul, the \louni.tin '
Armv nithe Adirnndnvks. By '1. t .
k’n Double. ltv
Lille)“; or, Lint in the l’nlur Rl-gim .

fly I

lll L‘uuiuus.
i'hv Little,
liti'hliuuli.

 

lly (fruit. F. Whitm r.
117 Flt y Frxlnk, ul' Cnlurluiu. By lion. \l'. F. (hilly.

“ lilllr:|ln Hill.” ‘
118 ‘Vlll \"ll
11" I

II

Illlrt‘. \lw 'i'hnrmluhlu'etl. Hy Chile. Mni'ris.
, Bl": ur, Deiidwoml llii-h‘e Home lillsrl
_\ . ml 1.. \ 'hwler.
120 Gopher (ml, the litly'rl'uppv-l'. lly'l‘.(,‘. llni'lmuzh, ;
121 Harry Ann-strung, ti 1 t'nlimiu of the Club. liy
lil‘u'eh llgu "mm/Hg. (.1 11- l v v. ‘
Itcil ll 1 : rung» IInrmnun i
. liy lmlwlu'il ix. II I ‘
, the liny “null-Agent. Iiy N. L. “'lutcli'l‘.
ire uvh. Jig; ur. The tiny Vigilxuite. fly 1
C. Marin-nigh.
125 The Luml l’lruiun: or. The League (if Dcvil‘. .
lslmul. By t'uyt. Mum? Rviil.
128 Blue Blazes: 0r. The Brv ik o‘ llny Buys u! Rm‘ .-
llnr. liv Frank lluulnnt.
127 'l‘uny F0
Ethlll‘ll ll. “'huvl . l
12“ Block liens, “'ill “'illlfirr's Rdr‘ni‘. Br (3. Morris.
12!! Euglo Kn, till‘ I try indium. Hv illl 4 mum. l
130 Gold Trllrgur. un- < R) 'r. (5. iiiii-tiiugli,
18! A Game ui‘ Gold , nr, lh-mlwuml Di;. "3
Sli’ Ii. Ellwuwl ll. \\'|uwlm‘.
182 Dull-1y LIIIH‘O, thu liuy slinrt. By .I, E. llmlgur, .ir.
[33 “'ilil-Ilre. the “ms at the liniul. Ii\' l‘Tlllik huuml .
13-" Mlh’o Murry. thi- ilurliur l'trlil'l- Nov. iéy 1'. Murrls.
By nut-ind

. thl» Ferret; ur, l;(‘.~.‘ Bull‘s Burl Jul]. lly

185 Iii-.Illlwnml Illck oi' lluulwood.
L. \Vlleelnr.

136 Old llulrefihellimter. llyCu l

18‘? Dundy Kai-k, the Mun 1mm

rmvue.

1353 Hub Roche“. the Bm’ Dodger. By Chm. Mt rris.

1159 The Black Giant: or, Dainty Liince indwpunly.
Bv Joseph E. Bridger, Jr.

140 On tulu Arizona, the King Pin of anl-Agenll.
By ’hlll) awn"...

141 New ork Noll, the Boy-Girl Hy
Edward L. Wheeler.

\uliltnu illilllios.
lly a. “'ullltl

Detective.

 

 

‘ 1

www

wmwwmmmm Tn"; ‘

ii.“ i A .
15y Null}. 3.

[Ilflr-I’ialn.
Bob IBM-kc”. the Crnrhsiiinyi; or, Drivin to the
“Kill. 'iy ('hiirlcs Ml-l'ris.
Little )lnrrh-unc, the
l'umims.
lleudu'ood hit-k“: Ill-mun: or, The Rivnls or
“Y Ellwlml ll. “'hi‘elcl’.
"‘l Tom; or. Injuu Juvk from Red (lure.
liy 'l'. C. llurlruuy‘h.
Bull'nlo IHll’! Bet; or, The Guinhler Guide.
(MI. l’i'L-ntiss lucrlihimi.
\Vill \Viltliire “'lnn _nn(l Lows.
\liiri'ie.
lhmdy Rock'n Pledge; or. flu tell tn Dwul.
liv (it-urge W. Ilrmvue.
liondwoml l’k‘k’r‘ “'urd; or. The Ble Hills
‘llcl. ’-\ “:‘lulll'll Ii. ' luv er.
lti9 ' he liuy Chmnlilqm; llutuh
.‘vltflhlngulll. My Hilu'lml \ .t

l.
I70 “1le Ihmkott’n Fight for Life. ByClinrlas
Mtvl'ric

liny Clipluiu.

Jon. E. Bridger, Jr.
The Timer oi'Tno-A; ur, Willi Kiitc, Diuuly Rock’s
14
lfrlillk Duluout.
Thunderbolt Tom; or, The WolHierder of ti;
149
Ruin. i5,- (‘hurles Morris.
The he" Trailer; or, A Vew Well Kept. By
152
“’illiiuu R. l‘lystrr.
\l'heeleri
155 Gold Plume, the hey Bandit: or, The KittGIova
Ned ’l‘ I.)le Um lint-tier Buy.
158
\\ urI-c.
jgllirglo Bllly, the Buy iiullu'hucker. By Col. l’.
161
By (til
16%]-

142 Little Texumthe Young Musmnger. By 011 Coziliiea.

144 Little Grit, the \Villl Rider; or, Bessie, theStoL-k
Angel. My Gun Wulilu Brnwne.

147 hubby Nick ui’Nm'ndiu or, The Scniupe of the
lint-hiss. li)‘ liurry bl. George

150 The Mud Miner; 0r.Dzuldy Rock’s Doom. By
Cu]. Prentiss lilfl'l‘llhillil.

By

153
The Boy ’l'rullcrn' or. Duiuty Lance on the
slim. ltv Col. i'reulibs lllgruhuui.

156 ll\' C. Morris.
Deni!“ (l lhiok'n Doom.

159

162

I 65

143 Donilly Duluth; or,Fightiug him with Fire. By
Tullder’s Duuwrti-i'. By (‘01. l’rt-iltiss ilzuruhlun.
145
The (‘uttlo King; or, Cortilui’s Right Bower. By
rrrus. {y Edward L. \"llr‘eleh
148
Bob lioekolt. the liiull; Runner; or, The Roud tn
4“, Vt'ultlu lirnwllo.
15]
Ilunlly Din-kc; or, The Tigers of High Pine.
“'ild Frnnk, the Bm-kskiu Bravo. By Edward 1..
154
Wm‘Puth. lly J05. E. ledger, Jr.
“'11! “"lldiirc In the “'outlm.
157 .liul'buugh.
g . ' 1
Pure“ -l.cnther J oc'e Defeat.
160
168
Hi“

By
By (‘lmrier
l6?

l’ln‘l’mllll hi the

1 Fr“ k Min-ton. llll' BY‘V lll‘l’t‘llll‘s. llyOll Coolllcs.
‘ The "unlit-c Hunger. Ry wiu Enwmin.
Dlvh Dlug‘lcv Scuul: ui‘, Th-- Frnutiu-r Augvl. By
Ell“ Ri'tl 5. Ellis.
74 Dundy Rut-it’ll Scheme: or. Tlu» (lulilm Hlmd,
I5\ 1, ' liriwllv.
'l‘ho Aruh I) teeth ;
«r.
Pluck: nr.'l'hn lilvlvlt‘ll Hnud.

nr, siumzvr. the tiny Sharp.

75

"‘ ’l‘ht- linyCon mnulcr. lil'Ct'l-l’rvlfl‘“illumhmn.
u. d_\ Junvl.

:uulm- Hunter.
um- x.

M I llmloc. fill" Myetin \‘erlisumu.
Iimlgi-l', Jr. Rvudy .lnm 15.
The Roy Gold-Hunter.
Really Juno :le.

Turn 'l‘nnnor, Swimmin-
New ank. By ()luu-lma L‘lil Roiuly Jun.- '11).
lulled Every W'ellut‘mluy.

Beadle‘e Pocket lernry is int ml» by all NM...
dl'fllBYB, five cents per cupy, or aeut by mail mi receipt of six

“3‘ Burtt‘u Silxv.
By .103. ii.
B)" 'l . ti. l1flrlll’lllglL

ir, TWO Bimilhln ha in

ceutl ouch.
BEADLE dz ADAMS. Publisheru.
95 “’iilinm Strut, New York.

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