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Copyrighted, 1886, by BIADLI AND Ann“. Entered n! ma Punt. onion :1. New York, N. Y.. M Second Clu: Mail Matter. Mny 29, 1886.

 

2.50 Published Weekl b Beadl (1 Ad
V01. IX- n‘Yenr. No. 98 wn‘rzuysru NE:  ml, Flargleel‘ltlu N0! 

 

The Border Gunmaker;  3:103:59“

BY JAMES L. BOWEN.

 ‘

 

 

 

GREEN JACKET, m BORDER. GUM], D1 Ill )IN.

 

 

8 , The Border Gunmaker.

   

 

’_ The Border Gunmaker;
OR:

’ THE HUN TED MAIDEN.

BY JAMES L. BOWEN.

CHAPTER I.
THE GUNMAKER.

Ar first sight you would most likely have pro-
nounced him an old man, but then a second look
would have changed this impression, and a third
left you still more than ever in doubt as to the
real number of years he might have seen. It
was the sunken eye, the strongly-marked visage,

. the thick sandy whiskers and hair, streaked
here and there with gray, which first conveyed
the impression of age, and it; was the freshness
of the complexion, the quick, nervous move-
ments of the evidently muscular figure, which
Ieemed to indicate youth. But when both were
considered together, the mind vncillatcd from
point‘to point in uucertainly.

He was somewhat above the medium hight,
full-chested and strong—limbed, almost gaunt
in frame, but with great knots and lumps of
muscle all over his person that showed how val—
uable he might be as a friend—how dangerous
as an enemy.

His dress was that of bordermen in general,
save that he wore a short green roundabout in
31808 of the usual hunting-frock, and a close-

tting cap ingeniously made of dressed buffalo
and deer-hide. The peculiarity of his d .ss had
won from the Indiana the name of Green acket,
which had come to be adopted by most of the
whites: so that he was generally known as
Green Jacket, the Gunmaker. Most people knew
that he had at some time been honored with a,
more civilized name, but so generally had his
Indian cognomen been used that the other was
almost, if not quite. forgotten.

In feature he was not handsome. His eyes
were quite too keen and piercing, looking out
from beneath heavy overhanging brows. which
gave him at all times a half-savage a pea rance.
His nose was toolarge, and his cheek- ones quite
too, prominent. _ ,

’ He was standing now beside a narrow bench,
fixed upon one side of the cabin, engaged in re-
pairing the broken stock of a rifle. _ ,Beside him
sat a. heavy, iron—bound box of tools, and a few
more were lying about upon the bench. Two
or three guns stood in'as many corners of the
room, and one. evidently the favorite weapon
of the occupant, a long,‘heavy rifle, hung "in a

air of brackets above the bench. Very little
n the wgy of furniture was apparent—on a few
blocks; ome simple cooking utensils, and a
quantity of dry fuel.

A curtain of dressed skins ran across one end
of the cabin, but if curiosity prompted a peep
behind, nothing was to be seen save the rude
gouch where the gunmaker passed his sleeping

ours. ’ 
. Outside, the prmpect was scarcely less hare.

The cabin was isolated from all others, and shut

in b? “1,3  and woodland so that no other

 

human habitation was in sight. Immediately
about the cabin the primitive forest had been
cut away, and some portion of the land had evi-
dently been cultivatl-d in years past. But now
the bushes and weeds held almost undisputed
possession, and the forest seemed likely
to regain its lost territory. A “trail” passed
by the humble dwelling, though where it came
from, or which way it led, seemed a matter of
mystery.

Green Jacket himself was a mystery.

Quite a number of years before, when the set-
tlements in that vicinity were in their infancy,
a settler had built the cabin to which we have

made reference, and cleared up the land about 

it. He remained the first season, and then went
to bring his family. But neither himself nor
family ever came there afterward.

It_ was given out at length that the cabin was
again occupied, and on visiting the spot such
was found to be the case. Green Jacket was
there with a small kit of gunsmith’s tools, and
seemed calm in the possession. His right was
questioned. and no satisfactory answer given;
but no decided measures were resorted to, for
two reasons: he was very calm and undemon-
straiive in manner, and promised to vacate at
Once in care the owner returned. He proved a.
skillful mechanic. and as no other repairer of
fire—arms was in the vicinity, he became rather
a necessity in that region, where life or death
might at any moment depend upon having the
a  umary weapons in perfect ordér.

While the gunmaker was wiping his brow in
perplexity, and whistling because he had not
such a tool as he desired—as though whistling
would supply the deficiency—there sounded
movements without, and presently alight knock
was heard upon the door.

“ Come in,” was the bidding, in a somewhat
husky voice.

Tue door opened, creaking on its hinges, and
a young man introduced himself cautious] into
the room. He hesitated a moment, as t ough
to assure himself that there was no real danger,
and then advanced to the side of the occupant.

The smith ran his sharp eyes quickly over the
now-comer, and then. as though quite satisfied
by the inspection, extended his hand to reCeive a
rifle which the other profi’ered.

“That lock is out of order, sir; can you re- .

pair it?” the visitor asked, in tones which were
just a little affected.
“ If it’s 9. India I ken,” was the unhesitating re~
Ely. “ But'I can’t make a new one, because I
aven’t got the meal 5 here."
“The fault is very trifling, sir. very trifling.
It can be but a few moments’ work to repair it.”

“Ye’r’ right; and if ye’ll hold yer breath r

about two minutes, the work’ll be done.”
‘ He proceeded to remove the lock, keeping up
the conVersation as he worked.

“ Ye’r’ a stranger here, I see.”

“ 1 am, sir.” ,

“I knowed that, for people out here don’t
wear that kind ol‘ clothes very long. You’ll
soon want so’thin’ more for service—like mine,
htereéw But then, perhaps, ye don't intend to
s ay

“ I scarcely know, sir. I always admired the
spirit of the Far West. and have come out here

‘

 

     

   

  
   
  
 
  
 

 

 

 

 

The Border Gunther. 8

to takn a hunt, and try it. If I realize the an-
tiripations of my boyhood, I shall remain and
IWPOIIIBB. ermanent fixture somewhere here.
Otherwise shall return East.

“ I ken tell yer what ye’ll do—ye will go back
to the East."

“ Do you really think sol”

. “ Do ye think the sun’ll rise to-morrer morn-
in‘l Iaiii‘t Spi'Hkill’ disrespectful of the land
whar ya come from, nor the way ye do things
thar; but you ain’t one of the kind of tellers
wliat‘ll take naturally to this here sile. It may
do foramonth or tow, but arter that ye’ll want
siithin’ more like the old sort. You didn’t come
to any place to hunt, though; there ain’t any
game here!"

“ No game here?”

The young man seemed quite confounded at
the nmertion. .

“No, sir. not to call anything. Say a bun-
dred and fifty miles north of here ye’d hev
found a game deestrict."

“ What game would I find there?”

“Red-Skins, lioss-thivvos, painters, b’ars, and
any quantity of smaller try.”

The young man shook his head in rather a.
dubious iiiiiiincr.

“ I don‘t think I have any particular ambition
to hunt in that direction,” he said. “ Much as I
would like to see the class of characters of which
you speak, I understand pretty well that it
would be at a great risk to myself."

“,lf you don’t understand it now ye’d be pur-
ty likely to afore ye'd been thar long. But I
reckon ye won’t take it anywaysonkind if I ask
ye what handle ye’re carried by.”

' “"1 pi ohably do not understand your meaning,
Sll‘.

" I mean yer name.”

“My parents gave me their choice in the
name of Theodore, and I inherited the family
name of Thurber so I judge you may put the
two together and make out what you wish to
know.”

“ Well, Mr. Theodore Thurber, your lock is
ready. and I suppose you are anxious to become
acquainted with the game in this section, so I
Won’t keep ye any longer, arter ye pay me for
what I’ve done for ye.”

The price was named, and the visitor was
about taking up his weapon after making the
payment when a commotion outside attracted
attention. They heard the sound of hasty foot-
falls, with the indistinct exclamation and
curses of an excited and angry man.

“What in the Old Boy?" demanded Green
Jacket, hastening toward the door, followed by
Theodore.

Before they reached it, however, it was
thrown open and a young woman entered. She
was pale and terribly excited, but it did not
need a srcond glance to discover that she was
very beautiful. Her hair, which floated wildly
about her neck and shoulders, was long, waving
and silken in texture. while her dress and gen-
eral appearance butokened at least respectable

standing in good society. Altogetheri‘the fallu

ing of a thunderbolt from a clondless s y would
have been much less startling than her appear-
ance at that time and place and in such a man-
ner.

 

Only a few feet behind her came a second per—
sonage, a man evidently some five and thirty
years of age, or thereabouts, much le-s respect-
able in appearance than the fugitive woman,
and apparently beside himself With passion.

As he entered his eyes fell upon the object of
his pursuit, and he sprung toward her, only to
encounter the strong arm of the gunsmith. -

“ What in the Old Boy does all this mean?” the
latter asked, holding him back.

“Oh, sirs, don’t let him take me away from
here!” exclaimed the woman, with clasped
hands. “Save me, and 1 will be your friend
for life.”

“You can’t keep her from me. You hain’t
any right to dew it, acanse she’s my wife."

“No. indeed, I am not; and never will be
your \vifel” she exclninwd, vehemently.

The pursuer here attempted to pass by Green
Jacki-t and seize the woman, but he was thrown
back with one movement of the strong arm
which opposed him, while the gunamith re«
marked:

“Whether the woman‘s yer wife or not, ye
are under my ruff now, and ye can’t take her
away unless she’s a mind to go—not until ye
make a clean story of the whole matter. I
don’t like to see a woman abused, and I ain
a-goin’ to, either.”

“ That‘s your style. is it?” hissed the infuriated
man, producing a knife and moving toward the
gunsmith. ‘3 Just get out of my way, will you,
or I may be obliged to carve your insolence.”

But he stopped quite suddenly when the other
thrust one hand inside his jacket and withdrew
it again. holding a pistol at full cock.

“ Perhaps you calculate to settlxmtters right

here,” he remarked, with those k 11 eyes pene-
trating the man with the knife.

The latter returned his weapon to the sheath,
remarking:

“I don’t expect to fight a man in his own
Seuss, or course; but 1 may meet you some

ay. , .

" Nothing more likely.” \ ~

“ Come, Louisa, come; I’m going now. Don’t
beam flofilis'l'i, h k b k h pea] '

utseonysrun ac,wit snap in

look to Green Jacket. .8

“ I tell yer the girl ain’t goin’ with ye unless
she wants ter. Sariin not till ye tell why and
wherefore, and what ye want to dew With her.

It’s plain that she liain’t been well used in some,

way, and unless ye can clear a matters mpre’nv
,ye hneV done so far she’ll stay era for the pre-
Ient. ‘ .
“I tell you she’s my wife,” persistbd the in
truder. , ‘ '

“ No, I am not: indeed I am not!” the glr} ex-
claimed.

The gansmith looked from one to the other. r

half-puzzled.
. j‘In that case I shall heliove the gel,” he

said.
“Well. I don’t see the difference,” pursued

the claimant. “If she hasn’t been marriedln .

form, and all that. she’s mine by promise, and
that is all the same, the way reckon. She
knows the romise, and knows what her father
would do a out it. if he were here.”

The woman looked from one to the other of

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' rwant ter dew, or what ’11 be for the best, we can

' ing an eye

I

4 The Border Gut-maker.

 

the parties with an air of deep suflering. But
she did not speak. I

“ Come, ain’t yer comin’ along peaceable?”
the man persisted, taking another step toward
the door.

” 0h, sir, tell me,” she implored, stepping
close to Green Jacket, “ had even my father the
fight to send me away from all that makes life
endurable, with such a man as Dan Duifey? I
can not, can not, CAN NOT give up life thus!"

On hearing the name of Dan Duflley, the gun-
maker started pcrceptibly, and bent another
of his sharp glances upon the person before him.

“ Is that Dan Duffey?” he asked.

“ It is, sir, him and no other.”

“ Are you Dan Dufley i” he asked of the per-
son in question, stepping a pace or two nearer

1m.

“That is what I am called. Very likely you
have heard of me. ”

"‘I have, Mr. Dan Duifey, I have heard of
you. And now let me tell you one thing. If
after I , have counted twenty I ever see you in
this room again, I’ll sand a bullet through your
karkiss without any word or warnin’. Do ye
understand that?”

“ I heard your words, certainly.”

“ Well, sir,” and he raised the pistol by way
of emphasis, “I’m goin’to ’gin now. and I count
purty fast—you can make yer calkilations ac-
cordin’ly.” .

He turned gmrtially away, though still keep-

xed upon the movements of his
antagonist, and his bearded lips were seen to
move rapidly. Dufley remained irresolute a

moment, a then turned upon his heel.
“ You’ll ar from me again,” he said, as he
ate? ed outside the door.

hat in the Old Boy does he want to keep
up his threatenin’ for?” the gunmaker de-
manded. “ He ought to know that talk don’t
skeer e. But now that he’s gone, what can
we for you, my lady?”

,“ tme rest and quiet myself a moment,”
she said. sinking upon a block. “I can talk
with you then."

Green Jacket drew aside the curtain of skins,
and pointed to the rude couch, saying:

“Please lie down here for a while. It isn’t a
nice place, but such as it is, it’s at your sarvice,
and nobody will disturb you there. When you
feel rested and make up your mind what you

talk things over at our leisure.”

She hesitated onl a. moment, and then, with
many thanks, avai ed herself of the kind ofi’er.
Having disposed of his fair guest, Green Jacket
joined Thurber, who, standing beside the o n
dopr. had been watching the movaments of an
Dufley. -

CHAPTER II. \
DAN DUFFEY.
THE wagon-trail, of which previous mention

 

 

has been made, ran a. few rods from the door
of the cabin. When Theodore Thurber first
followed Dufley as far as the door of Green‘
Jaeket’s cabin, two horses were were Iiietly
feeding alohg,the borders of the trail. ne of ,
them bein provided with a side—saddle, while

.,'._I the other Ad only a blanket. indicated that

\

they were the animals which had been ridden
by the woman Louisa, and Dam. Toward them
the last named was making his way, boiling
with indignation and baffled vengeance. He
caught the bridle of one, mounted the other,
and rode back toward the settlement proper,
some quarter of a mile distant.

Grnon Jacket reached the spot in time to be-
hold him disappear.

“ There goes as big a scoundrel as there is un-
hung,” he remarked. “If the woman hadn’t
been there I’d have shot him when he brought

out that knife, spite of the Old Boy.”

“Who and what is he?” Thurber asked.

“I guess you have me there,” the gunsmith
replied. “ I never have happened to meet the
rascal before, but he hears a name of all that’s
evil. He is a runnygade, I reckon; leastways
he spends most of his time among the reds, and
they do say he knows more about hoss-stealin’,
and all them kind of inifiuities, than any man
orter to know and live. e has been known to
murder men, but nobody ever took it up, ’cause
they all seemed to be afraid of him.”

“ He seems. then, to be a. notorious desperado
--a erfect fire-eater?”

“ e’s wuss nor that. There hain't been any
words made yet mean enough for him.”

“But what do you think of this afl’air? This
must be one of his evil tricks.”

“ It jest is; but I can’t quite see through it,
myself. From what they said, it seems the
girl’s fatherds mixed up in it some way. I
s’pose she’ll clear it all up when we come to talk
the matter over with her.”

“ Rather an interesting young lady—decided-
ly pretty, and apparently very sensible. I have
a curiosity to know more about her.”

“ Yer right, my lad. She’s smart as a trap,
and handsome as a new bullet, to look tew.”

“Anyhow, what will come of this? Will
Duflz‘ey come back again?”

“Wal, now ye’re got me thar, for I don’t
know much about his way of doin’ business, nor
what lays at the bottom of the whole thing.
But, unless I’m considerably decoived about the
feller, we shall hear more from him.”

“ I am a stranger to you,” the young man cou-
tinned, “but I have been looking for a first-
class adventure some time, and as this promises
to be one, I would like to obtain the privilege
of staying with you until it takes some form.
Would my presence be objectionable to you?”

The gunmaker eyed the applicant for a mo-
ment, and then slowly replied:

“No, ye kin stay. or course ye know it
wouldn’t be a pleasant place for ye if ye was

one of that feller’s gang. But I don’t really i, 

think ye are.”

“I assure you, on my honor, that I never
heard of Dan Dufley until this hour or knew
the existence of such a man. But, if on sus-
peet me of complicity with him 1 wo‘ d not of
course wish to remain.” '

His tone indicated so certainly that he felt
hurt by the remark, that Green Jacket hastened
to say:

“No, no, boy: stay by all means. If ye were
an old hand at the business ye might be of some
service; anyway, ye’ll not be likely to do any
damage.” '

   

   

x . M...“ 4-_.__._..-.-

A .-- navau, .. want..-

 
   
         
   
      
       
  
  

 

 

 

Th; Border Gunmaker. 5

 

“Do you suspect fighting may result?"

“Can‘t say anything about that. One thin
is Certain, the gal ain’t a-hevin’ fair play. an
I’m goin‘ to stnnd by her, if things are anyways
as she thinks they be.”

“ You are right, and I will help you to the
best of m ability."

Green ackot looked inside, and saw that the
girl whom he had succored was not yet astir.
Then he sat down beside the open door and
bowed his head, evidently in deep reflection.
He sat thus for some minutes, while Thurber,
not; wishing to disturb him, wandered about the
place, wondering how this mysterious matter
would result.

He was not particularly surprised, on turning
the corner otthe cabin, to behold two men ap-
proaching, and at the same time he found that
the gunsmith had risen, and was regarding them
also.

“What is the meaning of that?” Theodore
asked.

“ Coming to talk the matter over, and try to
persuade me to give up. the girl,” returned
Green Jacket. “ Ye see they’re all as afraid of
this Dufl‘ey as though he was the very Old Boy
himself, and he has sent them over—now see if
I ain’t in the right.”

By this time the two men. both middle-aged
citizens ot the settlement, had come within

speaking distance, and saluted the gunmakc‘r,

very respectfully. When within a few feet of
him they stopped, and seemed somewhat em-

barrassed as to the manner in which their er- E

rand should be made known. At last one of
them led the way.

“ Duffey is over in the village,” he said, “ and
is making all manner of threats against you.”

, “ Against me?” ‘

“Yes. He says his wife is here in your
cabin, and you refuse to let him take her
away.”

“Well?”

“It looks as though 'ou’d let her go back,
and save a great deal 0 excitement, and pos-
sibly bloodshed.”

“ She can go back any time when she wants
to,” was the vary calm reply. “ If she prefers
to stay here he can’t take her away!”

“Yes, yes; but her father parted with them
at the village, and had just started back. Dan
has sent for him, and in a few hours at most
he’ll be here, so you see—” _

“ Sartin, I see all about it. And if you will
go back and tell Dan Diilfey that you couldn’t
make out any thing whatever, you’ll do me a.
favor.” \

“As you say,” pursued the speaker, turning
his back, and moving away. “But

our shoes.”
wouldn’t like tew have ye, if that con~

stand in
“Nor

founded runnygnde cnn scare you out that we . i

The shoes wouldn’t know what to make of it.’
The aunmaker laughed, a harsh, peculiar
laugh, but the visitors evidently felt in no mood
for hilarity. They plodded slowly back toward
the wood from which they had so recently emerg-
ed talking together very gravely as they went.
urning to enter the cabin, the smith and his

truest were almost startled to behold,_standing

‘ you know ,
something of what Dan is—I wouldn't like to ‘

l 01098 to the door, the tair ooJecn or an the ais-
cussion. She was very pale. now that the fierce
excitement of her flight had passed away and
her voice was not quite steady, as she aske :

“My fatherl Did they say my father was
coming hero?"

, f’lhr’es, ma’am, that was what one of them

san .

“ Then I cannot stay here! I must go away
-—where can I go?"

There was eVIdent and increased alarm in her
tones, so that the gunmaker seemed consider-
ably uneasy as he said:

. “ You cannot go anywhere, alone. We all

seem to be mixed up in this afl’air, but none of

us knows anything about it. Now, what in the

Old Boy does it all meant If 8 don’t want to

go with these men, why they 5 a’n’t obleege ya

to; but all this time we don’t know anything
ab ut the facts of the case, ye see—” 

“ Please do not ask me to explain all to you, for ‘
I feel that I cannot. Let me go from here, and
no matter where, so that I only escape them. I
had rather die than be made the victim of Dan
Dutrey, even though he called me ‘ wife.’ And
I must not fall into his power again.”

“ But, how the Old Boy is it or father wants
ye to marry such a creater as t is? I guess he’s
no better than crazy.”

The distress and alarm of the poor girl was
quite affecting, even to the rough nature of the
, gunmnker, while Theodore stood by, anxious to
say something in the way of consolation and as-
surance, but quite unable to think of any words
that were appropriate. ‘ r

“ You have been very kind to me,” the young ' '
woman remarked, but I can only thank you.
I have no means of repaying
now, and I will endeavor to see my own safety,
and not endanger your lives further.” ‘

“ But. lady, on must not go alone,”exclaim-
ed Thurber. ‘ You would be hunted down and
brought back, even it you did not lose yourself,
and wander back to the very place you were ’
seeking to avoid. Let me, as have nothin
else to engage my attention, go with you an
render what assistance I may be able.”

The gunmaker bent another searching gaze
upon the young man, as he uttered the words,
and then exclaimed:

‘f In my young days, before the Old Boy got
quite so complete mastery over me I used to go
to meetin’ sometimes, and thar I heard téll of
blind men leadin’ other folks that was blind—
somethin’ of the kind. I don’t jest remember
how it come in. If you’re a stranger here. I
guess ver goin’ off with the lady’d be about like
{g—only ye’d both git lost in about half the

ime.

“ I surely only showsd my willingness to hel
 the lady l’ exclaimed Thurber, quite offend .

l “ Perhaps you can show a. more advisable

‘ way.

l “0h, ye needn’t go to take on,” wan the
soothing reply. “I admire yer s rit, only I’m'
afraid it won’t amount to inucl‘i’.e Now, if ye.
are in ’arnest about doin’ the lady a favor, ‘
won't ye stand out by the door, and keep a
watch on all sides, while I talk over matter:
with ,the lady, and think what’s best to be

done.

 

 

 

on. Let me go  :-

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

l

I .
’ Theodore complied, not very graciously, for

truth to tell he had an intense desire to be near
the fair fu itive; but he had a deep and earnest
interest in or welfare, with a. considerable con-
fidence in the ability of Green Jacket, so that
he was willing to occupy any subordinate posi-
tion while that individual planned for the safety
of Louisa.

The gunmaker pointed out a position a litlle
distance from the cabin, where he could keep a
close watch of all the different approaches, and
toward it he hastened.

Left alone with his strange protege, Green
Jacket fld ted a few moments, and then said:

“How t 6 Old Boy it is I don’t know, but the
more I study over this case of yours, the more
I don’t know what it means. Now, if you
could only give me a trifle of an insight. may
be Inoculd study the rest out to my satisfac-
tion.

The lady hit her lips, then turned to her in-
terlocutor, and in beseeching tones said:

“ Do not press me to tell you this, which I
should not 5 eak. You have heard that I am
promised to an Dnfley as his wife, that I had
rather die than fulfill the contract. is not that
all you need to know? Will you not excuse me
from telling you anything more?”

“ I sha’n’t ask you any more in that direction,
but; just let me know one thing: if suthin
shbuld happen to Dan, wouldn’t you be all right
then? Ye’d be willin’ to go with yer father if
Dan never would or could be any further trouble
to e

“yOh, no, sir, no; you would not think so if
you could know all—but I cannot tell you—I
cannot stay—let me fly as soon as DOSSIble, so

that they may not come upon me here, and add ,

to your trouble. ”

“Wait a moment, my little girl. Don’t you
suppose the idea has occurred to others that you
might fly? What the Ola Boy would they ex-

‘pect you were going to do? On every side

thar’s, woods, an some sneak is keepin’ watch
for ye, not a bit 0’ doubt. Dan Dudley is not
the feller to let ye slip of! that way. So we
must look for suthin’ else.” '

, The poor girl dropped her face in her hands,
and groaned audibly.

“Oh, dear, dearl” she exclaimed, “is there
no help—no hope? Must I be made the victim
of that villain whom I loathe and despise?”

“0 , hush, hush; don’t take on sol” re-
mark d Green Jacket. “ If we can’t fly, there
are other ways of getting at a good result.
Now listen to me.”

He arose, shut the door carefully, and then
game back, and took one of her hands within

is own.

 

CHAPTER III.

A TRAP SPRUNG.

Tnsonoan THURBEB was getting decidedly
uneasy. Not alone that he was posted in a very
cons icuous place. where any person so dispose
coul take a deliberate aim at him from the ad'-
i‘acent forests—and he knew enough of border

its to know that he was not particularly safe

 under all the circumstances— butvhe was anxious

to see the mysterious being who had been so

1

l

 

The Border Gunmalner.

. strangely connected with the events of the day.

Of course he had a great curiosity to'know who
and what she was. ,

“She didn’t wish to tell before the old gun-
makor,” he reasoned; “but ifI could only sue
her alone. I know very well she would not ob-
ject to confiding in me.” .

Presently the door opened, and the old gun-
maker came forth. He looked around care-
fully, and then strode over toward the place
where the ymmg man stood.

“ I reckin we shall hear from ’em soon,” he
said, carelessly.

Thurber looked about uneasily.

“What do you anticipate when they get
here?“

“ Why, they’ll be here, that’s alll”

“ Yes, I know; but what will he'done?”

“Some prett. tall swearin’, I feel confident.”

An exclamation of impatience arose to Theo-
dore’s lips, but he repressed it. The thought oc-
curred to him that if the old gunmaker was
thus perplexing to his friend what must he be'
to an enemy?

Before he could niake any further remarks
the other exclaimed:

“Well, thar the serpents come. Now you’ll /

have a chance to see some first-class funl”

And sure enough, from the opening in the
forest, came a dozen men, pressing hastily up
toward the cabin. regardless of path or trail.

Theodore felt a thrill of anxiety, notwith-
standing his attempt at perfect calmness. Bend—

ing toward Green Jacket, he asked, scarcely ‘

above a whisper:

“Where is she?”

f‘See here,” the person addressed responded,
“at any of thesa men ask you any such ques-
tion, you know just as little about it as any 0!
them. Do you understandl”

“I think I do.”

“ Then we‘ll get down toward the door.”

They moved 'down as though to enter the
house, but were met at the door by the 'nnrtv
who were led by Dan Duffey. This individual
at once stepped in front of the gunmaker, and
hissed forth:

“ Now, sir, I’ll trouble ye to bring out my
wifel”

“ You haven‘t any wife, Dan Dudley, and ye
never ought to hevl ’

“I tell you I have, and she’s in here. She
hain’t gone awav, ’cause there ain’t any way
she gould go. Now be so kind as to bring her
out. '

“ Yes, bring her out,” rather faintly chorused
half a dozen of the other voices.

While this exchange of words had been oing
on, a tall, elderlylooking man stepped oth
from the crowd, and addressed Green Jacket,
speaking very distinctly:

“ Mr. Dufley informed me that my daughter
is in your cabin." he said. “ If such be the case
I command you to bring her out.” ‘

“Of course if your dotter is missing you can
easily describe her,” the gunmaker continued,
with most provoking coolness. '

“Perhaps I could, but I certainly shall not,” ,

was the dignified answer.
“Don’t mind anything more of him,” broke
in Dan. 7“ I’ll go in and bring her outl”

\

 

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The Border Gunmaker. , 7 ‘

 

He started forward, but his advance was
checked by Green Jacket, who presented a pis—
to] full in his face.

“ Ye hadn’t better set a foot inside m door l”
he exclaimed in meaning tones. “ e know
what I told ya when ye went out of thar this
day, and I meant it. If anybody else wants to
look for a missin’ gel in' thar I hn'm’t llny ob-
jection. But just so sure as you set a foot in
char I’ll shoot ye, if I never draw another
breath. Ye’d orter been killed for yer mean-
ness long ago, and it won't take much provoca-
tion on your part to bring it to pass now. Go
ahead, you that want to s’arch another man's
premises, but be sure I shall expect ye to an-
swer for it afore the matter is over with."

Dui’t‘ey had fallen back, thoroughly cowed by
the cold muzzle of the Weapon looking into his
face, for which he was quite unprepared, and
all the others, knowing something of Green
Jacket’s mysterious habits hesitated to paSS in.

“Go in, some of you," said the professed fa.-
ther, “go in, and tell the girl that I am here.
She will not remain there long afterward.”

Still they hesita'ed.

“Perhaps you had better go yourself,”}e-
marked the gunmuker. “No doubt you can
settle lor it as well as any of the party. ’

The person addreSSed did not pause to reflect;
had he done so ver likely he would have
changed his mind. at, glancing around. to'
make sure that a sufficient number of friends
were at hand, he stepped over the threshold,
and was quickly followed by four or five
others.

Green Jacket, holding his pi sfol and lenning
against the cabin wall, quietl awaited for their
reappearance. There was t e sound of con-
siderable bustle inside, a. brief consultation
seemed to he held, and then the party appeared
in the doorway.

“Some mistake. Duffey,” the leader said.
“The girl is not here."

“I tell you she must he,” was the reply, with

an oath. “I left her here, and I know she
couldn’t get away. Have you looked down the
cellar?’.‘

“ We found no cellar.”

“,There is a cellar,” Green Jacket broke in,
“and a well, both under the house. There‘s
some fat pine torches just behind the bench. if
ye want to use ’61:). Better take a party full
survey. for it won’t cost any more."

The cellar, which was simply a narrow ex-
cavation in the ground, was very giiiekly scru—
tinized, but a cat could have foun no hiding-
place there. much less a human being. Those
who went down returned very soon, not par-
ticularly elated by their continued want of suc-
cess,

The gunmaker had now stepped inside, and
directed the further movements of the party.

“ Don’t pass by the well without looking in,”
he remarked.

But as no one res mind. he stepped forward
himself and lifted t e plank which covered the
opening.‘ A torch was then lowered, but the
b ack water sew-ml feet below alone gave back
its reflection.
the investigators lowered the plank and retreat-
ed from the cabin.

With a mutter of dissutisfactioy '

 

Here another consultation ensued. conducted
in low tones, and at a little distance, so that
Green Jacket and his companion, standing in the
door of the but, could not gather its import.
But, presently, one or two of the party moved
forward again, and in a very respectful tone in- ,
quired:

“ We are not quite satisfied with the cellar.
Will you go down with us and let ,us take an-
other look ’i”

“ Here is the light—you can go down alone, I
imagine. What in the Old Boy do ye suppose I
need go for?” l ‘
- “ Oh, nothing in particular. Only one of these
men saw something down there he wants you to
explain. But it may be a mistake. Suppose we
go and see?”

Two of the men descended to the cellar, but
presently were heard calling:

‘ “Come down here, reen Jacket, and tell us
what this means.” ,
_ Merely bidding Theodore kee an eye out, the "
gunmaker hastened down, an found the two
men bending over some object, almost beneath
the rude stairs. He moved to the spot, and was
about bending over in like manner, when a gar-
ment was quickly thrown over his head, and he
Leceived a blow which momentarily stunned
1m.
‘ Upon recovering sufficiently, he tore away the
garment, which was a woman’s frock, and found
himself in utter darkness. The traitors had left
the cellar and closed the door above. Following
as best he could in the darkness, he ascended the

rude steps, out in a massive log, and found that ’ 'v

the trap, made of a heavy plank, had been' '
closed and weighted down.

Finding that his utmost strength was insuf- '
ficient to raise it, he stood for some momenta,
listening.

The party was still evident! in the neighbor-
hood, hnt had left the cabin :1 ve. For a mo-
ment anger and the pain of his aching head,
seemed to deprive the unmaker of conscious- ,
iiess, then he desoende to the cellar and not

‘nhout taking the shortest course toward liberty.

This was none other than to disc with his hands
a passe away through the soft dirt, out beneath
the Will s ofthe cnbin.

I This, though a perfectly feusibleundertaking
was one involving considerable labor, and in
earnest application. The only assistance Green
Jacket could obtain was from a heavy clasp.
knife in his cket, with which he dug into the
firm earth. at it was some distance to freedom;
and though he never relaxed his efforts forw
moment, pitchy darkness had settled‘over the
earth before he was able to get abreath of fresh '
ouror air through the opening. ‘ ‘

But all was still outside, and feeling that his  I

unwelcome viéitors had left‘the premises, the
gunmaker worked furious] upon the enlarge;
ment of his opening, until a was able to draw
himself through it, out into the cool air beside
the cabin walls. '
I Here he waited a moment to re in breath
and brush some of the dirt from h s clothing
and when this had been done. he glided noon
the rude structure like some flitting spirit. .'

As he had anticipated, he found that the in- ‘ *
traders had all gone.,and his new-made friend

 

  

passed, and there was no response.

, tion.

\

8' ‘ The Border Gunmaker.

 

seemed to have one with them, for the cabin-
door was shut an every thing was asprofound-
1y silent as the ave.

0n reaching t e door, and making an attempt
to enter, he found that it had been fastened
upon the inside. He was startled at this dis-
covery, for he feared that the mob might still
be present. But, the hollowness of the sound
given back dispelled the idea, and he soon found
means of forcing an entrance. .

It was, as we have said, already perfectly
dark, and the gunmaker did not care to produce
a light. He had really no need of one, and
then, if any of his late visitors still lingered in
the vicinit , it would serve them much more
than himse 1!.

He called once or twice upon the name of his
late customer, young Thurber, but as no voice
answered, he proceeded to inspect the interior
of the cabin, fearing lest at any stage he might
come upon the young man’s dead body.

,But no such discovery was made, and Green

. Jacket came to the very natural conclusion that

Theodore had either been taken ,away by the
crOWd, or had left the place in alarm.

“Course ye can’t depend nothin’ on sech a
boy,” he muttered, “ ’cause he don’t know an
thing what life means in this lawless place. '

don't blame him any—time was when I’d ’s’,

done jest the same way myself.”

He paused and listened—crept to the door
and listened again, and then made his way
back to the section of plank which covered the
well. This was a single, heavy piece hewn
from the tree, and fitted with a deal of care
and pains.

By the exercise of considerable caution, the

. gunmaker raised it without making any noise,

and laid it very carefully aside. Then lower-
ing his head within the inclosure, he gave ut-
terance to a very low signal.

To his evident surprise, some moments
Then the
si al was repeated, this time a trifle louder.

hen three or four vain efforts of this kind
had been made, the gunmaker began to lose
patience, and rose to his feet in a very per-
plexed manner.

“ What in the name. of the Old Boy can this
mean!” he asked himself, almost aloud. “ Don’t
seem as though she could have got to sleep
there, and, all this excitement goin' on. Don t
seem either as though they could have found
her. I’ll try once more, and see what the
result will be.”

He did try again, and the signals were kept
up till all hopes of getting any response ended,
and then he prepared for a ersonal investiga-
To accomplish this he rst descended into
the well. This was an easy task to him, as the
well was uite nwrow, and the sides had been
laid up th stones and blocks of wood, so
arranged as to present a ready footing.

It was some twelve feet down to the water;i

but before reaching it Green Jacket disappeare

suddenly from sight. In fact, he had entered
a lateral chamber, opening from the well, and
passing out from beneath the but. The entrance
to this gauge had been so arranged that it
was not be seen from above. though it could

‘,I.

 

be entered without difficulty by any person
descending the well.

Along this the gumnaker groped his way,
and it was apparent that at every step he ex-
pected to find some traces of the woman he
sought. But he reached the terminus and had
made no discovery.

The other extremity of this singular gallery
was an old well, outszde the cabin, which had
become dry and fallen into disuse since Green
Jacket dug one inside the dwelling to furnish
water in case of attack from foes of any kind.
And then, by some means, this method of com-
munication with the outer world through the
de ths of the earth had been constructed. '

hen Green Jacket placed his new-made
friend on the watch outside, he at once intro-
duced the fugitive to this retreat, making sure
that she was comfortably located,and here he ex-
pected to find her now that the immediate peril
was past, and darkness had come to aid their
further movements.

But to his unbounded surprise she had not
answered his signals, nor was she to be found.
Surely this was mystery beyond measure.

The old well had been partially filled with
dirrand stones from the connecting passa e, so
that she could not be there, and the we] was
shallow. She was not there, as a brief search
satisfied him.

Losing no further time he quick] remounted
to the cabin, re laced the cover 0 his now use-
less retreat, an then threw himself upon the
narrow work-bench.

“ What in the Old Boy is the world a-coming
to, I wonder” he muttered. “ Here I’ve been
fooled and beaten in my own game by that
prince of darkness, that unnamed mockery of
manhood, Dan Dufl'eyl Not in his game, but in
my own! That’s the rub. I don’t mind bein
beaten, for I am used to it. But not when
play the cards just as I want them. Dan has
got the woman—he’s got the other fellow, with
the thunderin’ name: yes, and he’s got me, tool
But never mind—I’m goin’ after ye, Dan
Dufley, right away, and when I do overtake ye
there’ll be a reckonin’; now count on that!”

He was gratified to find that none of his ri-
vate groperty had been molested, and in ess
than ve minutes, heavily armed, and Prepared
for a serious struggle with any form 0 danger,
he was ready, stan ing in his cabin-door, to set
forth upon his self-imposed mission. '

 

CHAPTER IV.
Backwash.

Wm return new to Theodore Thurber. He
had entered the cabin, scarcely realizing
whether the movement was from intention or
otherwise; He had come to look for an adven-
ture—there was every probability of having his
utmost desires in that direction satisfied.

When Green Jacket went into the cellar,
Theodore thought of accompanying him. But,
before he could make up his mind to do so, or
find an opportunity, it was too late.

He saw the men who had led the way for the
gunmaker spring quicklg-‘up the entrance, and
at the same moment the an was dropped and

  
 

.iwvvv't' "\

.2

   

      
     

 
   
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
    
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
 
  
  
   
   
  

m...‘ K _

 
 
     

   

 

4 __—-—r«.

 

 

    

'l'ho Bordor Gunnaker. 9

 

fastened. Of course he did not need to be told
that this meant mischief; but just how or what
he could not determine.

Indeed, before he had time for any extended
reflection he found himself caught by the
throat with a grip that he could not shake 03
while the dull point of a rusty knife was held
unfileasantly near his heart.

e barely gathered that Dan Duffey had
sprung into the cabin and seized him thus, when
a voice, harsh with brutal passion, hissed in his

ear:

“ Tell where the girl is, or I’ll cut yer heart
out for my breakfast!”

“ I know nothing of her,” he said, strug ling
to free himself from the unpleasant grasp. ‘ The
smith is the only man who knows anything
about her.”

In vain Thurber struggled and protested. He
was physically not a match for the lumen with
whom e had to deal, and the crushing grasp
upon his throat was fast doing its work, in re-
ducing him to a state of helplessness.

Feeling that he might be choked to death,
and acting with impulse rather than reason, he
threw himself heavily to the floor, and suc-
ceeded in breaking the hold upon his neck. But
ere he could rise, the keen knife was placed
close to his throat, a heavy foot upon his chest,
and again that fiendish voice hissed:

e“; glow, tell me whar she is, or out comes the
r 1

Poor Theodore had now little hope of saving
his life, and was trying to think of some expe-
dient to gain a little time, when the person who

rofessed to be the father of the woman who
iad caused all this commotion came up, and
placed a hand upon Duifey’s arm.

Some few words passed between them, the
purport of which Theodore did not fully gather,
when the brute lifted his knife, gave the young
man a severe kick, and turned away.

But he came back in a moment, and ordered
two or three of those near the spot to bind
Thurber.

“Tie him up well, so he won’t get away,"
were his parting instructions. “ I’ll show him
pretty soon that he’d better not try to thwart
me in that way. I aln’t'in the habit of bein’
trifled with—I ain‘t!"

The order was quickly obeyed for the crowd
of satellites evidently neither dared or wished
to disobey the wild man who had spoken to them.
Cords were produced in abundance, the young
man’s arms and feet securely tied, and then he
was disposed of in one corner of t"e cabin.

Some minutes passed and the commotion out-
side still continued, though all demonstrations
were so subdued that it was impossible for
Theodore, attentively as he might listen, to
catch their meaning. So he remained in sus-
pense, until presently he heard the throng mov-
ing past the cabin again, and gathered from the
demonstrations that they were about to return
to the settlement.

Then his persecutor entered once more, and
stalked up to where he was lying.

“ Come, my flne chap, get up i” he commanded.
“ I ain’t through with you yet. I want you to
take a little pleasure trip along with me.’

A half-dozen wild resolutions rushed through

 

 

the young man’s mind, but he could put none of
them into practice. for he was raised to his feet,
the thongs upon his ankles loosened and then,
with Dan upon one side and an assistant upon
the other, he was led forth.

Once outside the cabin his conductors strode
forward with hasty steps, and half-walking,
Eartially running and partially dragged along,

hurber was obliged to keep pace With them

It was fast getting dusk now, but he saw very
readin that they had ignored any marked path,
and were taking their way into the black for-
est some distance to the left of the settlement.

It seemed as though man had never been
there, for the way was choked with bushes and
thorns, fallen trees and rocks, so as to be nearly
im assable.

n fact, so difficult was their progress that
Dan soon stopped short with a savage oath, de-
manding why the guide had brought them into
such a labyrinth.

But while the other was endeavoring to
frame something of an apology, the leader con-
tinued:

“ I rayther guess ye couldn’t hev found a
better place, arter all. Here, bring him up to
this tree, and let‘s see how he’ll fit.” -

It was a stout sapling to which Theodore was
led, and when he had been placed against it the
two men proceeded to bind him there, securing
his feet again. In vein were all his struggles.
The more he endeavored to break away, the
tighter were the cords drawn, until his situation
became painful in the extreme.

“I hope you’ll rest well to night,” was the
mocking sneer with which Diiffey stepped back
and regarded his brutal work.

It was quite dark in the forest now, and re-
quired but a little stretch of the ima ination
for Thurber to fancy that the spirits of arkness
stood before him, mocking and taunting him.

“ You do not surely mean to leave me here to
night?” he said, almost in a voice of entreaty. “ I
assure you I have never done an thing to
injure you—why need you be so crue to met”

A contemptuous expression was all the an-
swer vouchsafed, and then Dan and his com-
panion turned to move away. But when he
had gone a few steps, the former came back,
and bending his lips close to Theodore’s ear,

hissed:

“ Don't fret my brave boy. Ma be some-
body’ll come along and liberate ye. he woods
is full of red-skins, they say, what don’t feel
good toward men of your color, and then that’s
any quantity 0’ wild animals. Atween ’em all,
sayin nothin’ of rattlesnakel, it ain’t likely
ye’ll sufler long!”

And with these fiendish remarks he was gone.

Theodore did not feel worse, now that he was
left alone, for with all the misery of his painful
situation, he certainly preferred solitude to the
presence of those who would mock at his sufler-

was.

A single effort convinced him that he could
not by any possibility effect his own escape.
His hands were firmly bound, and then he was
lashed to the sapling as closely as the cords
could be drawn. He had a keen hunting-knife
at his back, a pair of pistols upon either side, a
rifle leaning against a tree. not ten foot distant.

  

10 . The Border Gunmaker.

 

where it had been left by his cruel foes. But
he could obtain none of them—was as utterly

I be] less as if entirely disarmed.

he minutes dragged along their tedious
length, each one an hour of suspense, while the
last tinges of day faded into perfect night.
Several times Theodore felt disposed to call for
help, but he recollected how useless such a cry
would be, and that it would add to his danger
rather than otherwise. Still his p0 ition had
become so painful that he seemed on the very
point of crying out in Very anguish, and it re-
quired all his powers of will to keep back the
groans that would rise despite him.

Presently he heard a movement in the forest,
not far distant. A ray of hope sprung up in
his soul. If it was only some human being!
He listened attentively, and was soon satisfied
so far as this fact was concerned. Those steady.
careful footsteps could only be made by a mar.
And they were passing by him at some distant:
moving toward the settlement.

It might be Indian, or foe, or friend- Whiol
ever the case should prove, he determined i-
run the risk, and call for help. Even if i.
brought him speedy death he could hardly tea]
it longer.

He called three times in quick succeion:

“Help! help! HELP!"

Then he paused and listened again. Possibly
his cry might be nnheeded. No, the footsteps
were coming that way, more rapidly, and from
the general character of the tread the sufferer
at once took courage.

“Where be ye? What in the Old Boy is the
' matter?”

1 Oh, how his heart beat now! He should
know that vmce among all the voices of earth,
though he had never heard it until that day.

“Here, here, help mel” he gasped, groaning
now, even in the moment of his great joy.

Green Jacket knew the voice now, and
hastened tothe spot from which it came. He
was .no less surprised than the young man at
the meeting, and while he was cutting loose the
cords, poured out a string of questions, to which
Theodore had no time to reply.

“How in the Old Boy come ye here? Was it
some of that runnygade’ doin’s? I’ll pay him
for all this. Which way did they go? How
long have they been gone? Did ye see any-
thing of the woman ‘4"

‘ Thurber dropped upon his knees as the bonds
were loosened, but soon regained his feet, rub-

' hing the suflering ankles with both hands.

«It needed but a few words for the relation of
his story, and then Green Jacket recounted so
much of his adventure as the reader is already
tamiliar With, ending by saying;

“I seen right away that they must hev found
her, and I set off for the settlement; but I
didn’t go the common route, for fear they’d got

ies posted along And ye see it’s lucky I
didn’t, for I shouldn’t hev found ya if [ bad.
And an all-night‘s lodgin‘ wouldn’t hev been
pleasant out here. We old trappers wouldn’t
mind it, maybe. but for such as you, what ain’t
paedwto it, the night would seem raytber
ong

" Yes; I imagine it would,” Theodore replied.
“In fact. it did/ not seem to me that Irould

    

 

live much longer. But, now, I feel as good as
newralmost, and only want to come across the
men who put me here.”

“ What would you do with them?” the gun-
maker, asked, very quietly.

I The young man hesitated, and did not fully
answer. Seeing his confusion, the other coo-
tinned:

“Only one of these men is really to blame.
Dan Duffey rules ever thing around him—I
don’ know why, but be r oes. Once get him out
of the way, and the rest of the men would be as
civil as ye please. Now, I don’t want to make
any threats, ’cause a man can never tell just
what course matters will take. But it’s my
opinion that if I meet Dan Duifo where cir-
cumstances looks right, su'rHIN’ WILL HAI’PENl"

Something of a silence followed, and then
Theodore said:

“You are going to the village, ii I mistake
not?"

“ Yer right. I’m goin’ to keep an eye on that
confounded runnygude. Thar's a mystery
about that I can’t make out-only this, that
suthm’ ain’t right,”

“ Can I go with you?"

There was a little hesitation, and then Green
Jacket returned:

“Yes; on condition that ye keep a. clus
tongue in yer head.”

“ I promise that.”

Not more than fifteen or twenty minutes later
they crept carefully into the village. Onlya
single light was to be seen, and all was per-
fectly quiet. Green Jacket shook his head in a.
very unsatisfied manner.

“I don’t like this, and I don‘t understand it,
too,” he muttered. “That light is in Tim
Nolan's. Tim was there, and knows. I’ll go
and ask him.”

Not stopping even to rap, upon gaining the
door of the cabin where the light appeared,
Green Jacket threw it open, and stalked in.
Only one man was visible, and he was about
making preparations for retiring. His surprise
and dismay at the sudden intrusion can be
but feebly describej in words. He hastened to
meet the gunmaker, and & ndeavored to express
his regret for what had transpired, although
from his excitement the words he used were
almost incoherent.

“ Never mind that now,” the strange man ex-
claimed. “ 1 want to know where Dan Dufley
is. If you can tell me that, and tell me the
truth, Ill overlook all that you done this arter-
noon.”

“All I kin tell yer is this: he hardly stopped
here at all. He and the woman and her father
had bosses here, and they only got ’em out, and
got on, and rode on."

“ Off—which way?"

“ To’rd the East.”

“ Did the woman want to go?”

b“I ’c’lon’t know—I didn't hear her say any-
t in .

'. “ ut ya know purty well by her 1actions
whether she wanted to go or not.

“Well, to tell the truth, Green Jacket, I
don’t think she wanted to go. But the old man
seemed to kinder threaten her, and she didn't
say a word. They rode otr, she between ’em,

\

    

  

 

 

 

 

 

The Border Gunmaker. 11

 

and I heard Dan say he was sorry he hadn’t
out Ver wizen, and knocked this other teller on
ther head. But some of the boys hev gone
back now to let ye both loose.”

Green Jacket did not wait to hear any more,
but turned about and left the cabin.

When fairly outside hedrow Theodore toward
him. and said, in very cautious tones:

“ I‘m going arter them tellers, till I know
more ,about this thing. Do you want to go
u 111ng ’

Theodore was hardly ready to answer, for
after what had transpired during the evening
he had little disposition for a further encoun-
ter with Dan Duffey, unless he could have the
o )portunity of shooting him down at first sight.

at he would certainly have the opportunity
for addition to his already ohtnined stock of
advanlure, and he finally Slglllflrd his intention
of going.

“ Yo want to think it over well,” his compan-
ion snid, significantly.

“ I havo. I am ready to take the risk,” was
his firm answer.

“ Then come on.”

And G!“ on Jacket, who had not stopped dur-
ingr thohril-fconvermtion, lengthened his strides
so that it required Theodore’s best efforts to keep
pace with him.

 

CHAPTER V.
EVENTS or A moor.

“ You don't ex set to overtake them?" Theo-
dore inquired ral ier dubiously, as they left the
evidences 01’ civilizxtion behind, and struck into
the dense forest, through which a very indiffer-
ent wagon-trail led.

“ Can’t say, of course,” responded Green
Jacket. “But I don’t know any good reason
why we can’t. They mu~t go in this trail, can’t
do any other way. anyhow, to advantage. and
sartin we kin go as fast as they’ll ride. Ye see
thar’s low branches and oneven places—allthese
things to look out for in the night.”

They had left the settlement far behind era
the moon rolled its silver disk up among the
eastern trees, and some time more named are the
level rays were of any practical use to the two
ex lorurs. ‘

But finally they came to an open stretch in
the trail, and here the moon’s beams fell full
u n the round.

p8 Here’g our place,” said the gunmaker,
stopping short. “ Let's see if they’ve been by
here."

He bent down, examining the path closely
from side to side, but was presently With an ex-
clamation of.’ impatience.

“ Youn ster," he said, “ sure as the Old Boy
we’re bar in’ up the wrong tree! They haint
been this any to-n {gm I” ‘

And Theodore realized from his own observa-
tions that the speaker was right. Quite a dew
had alread fallen, and the earth was moist and
yielding. at not a. sign of any horse havmg
passed that way could he dlfqnvered. Their own
foot-prints were perfectly vmble, no matter how
careful their movements. I

“Well, what can we do in such a case?” he
asked.‘biting his lips with vexatlon,

 

“ Do? My, what in the Old Boy kin we do
but go back and find Where they branched ofl'l
That ain‘t a nice job I allow, but it won't be so
very hnd. as the moon’ll help us, and they didn’t
leave this road for back, I’m satisfied.”

They hurried hack, moving as fast as they
Could, and keep up a proper scrutiny of the
wav. Their attention was divided between the
trail. in some places lighted by the moon and in
others quite dark from the long shadows, and
the nmrgin of the road, where they looked for
any by-ways which the objects of their pursuit
Could have taken. But a considerable distance
wns passed over, and as yet no traces could be
discovered.

Theodore ventured the remark that they must
have lost them, but Green Jacket thought dit-
ferentl .

“How in the Old Boy could we lose ’em‘l" he
demanded. “Don’t ye see that ain't but one
read they could hev gone?"

" Yes, I see that very plainly, and I see that
they haven’t grow it. I Will just bet you some-
thing that they are snugly stowed away back at
the settlement.”

Green Jacket seemed to lose a trifle of his as-
surnnce.

“Can it be that Tim Nolan did me on that
yarn!" he mused. “It is possible, I declare,
and it looks very much that wa . But it’ll
nchr do to give in that way. vie must find
the trail.” ‘

Glancing down again, he beheld. almost at
his feet, the indications of horses having passed
that way, and another moment’s search satisfied
him that now they were on the right track.

” Here’s the marks,” he said, pointing down-
in triumph, and Theodore could no longer doubt
the, fort. ‘

“Now I’ll tell ye what ye do,” said Green
Jacket: “you keep a sharp look0ut ahead, so
that we won’t run onto them, in any blind kind
ofa way, and I foller up the tracks. They’re
purty plain, and we kin foller a heap faster'n
they could make 'em through this rough route.
Though I must say 1 don’t quite like the way-
they seem to lead now."

“ Which way?” ‘

“ Right toward the Injin country! But,’
maybe they’ll change by ’n’ by.” ,

Thurber did not feel particularly at use.
when he realized that they were hastening at
this rapid rate toward the region of a common
enemy, but he consoled himself with the reflec-
tion that they must soon overtake the part of
which they were in pursuit. So he kept al his
senses on the alert for any sf us of ch a con-
summation, while Grsen Jae et, w th a skill
which seemed almost instinct, deciphered the .
trail, and thus side by side, the hastened away
through the forest, checkere by the- bright
moonlight.

The moon had mounted higher and higher, so ._ » ~ '

that now its almost vertical rays reached into'
the forest~depths, and made the darksome‘ro-
treats quite eudurahle.

Our two adventurers were still plunging
along. Theodore keeping a lookout in advance
and Green Jacket minding the trail. when the
latter looked up and uttered a sharp sign at
warning. -

 

 

 

12 The Border Gunmaher.

 

The young man stopped, and the other has-
tened to his side.

“We must keep purty shady now,” he said,
almost in a whisper, “ for we must be very nigh
onter ’em.”

Theodore looked around in surprise.

“Idon't see any signs,” he said, with an in-
quiring accent.

“ Nor dew I. But I know whar this is—that’s
sign enufl. Jest Over that next rise we come to
the river. Somewhar about that we shall find
our game. These yer tracks are mighty fresh
now, and they can t be fur away.”

Both crept along as carefully as possible, and
soon had gained a spot upon the brow of the
little elevation, from which they could overlook
the scene before them. It was one of grand
beauty. Right in the foreground rolled a broad
silver stream, glowing in the moonlight with a
strange magnificence, while its banks were
heavily timbered, and at a little distance on
either side, rose hills of beautiful proportions.

But the grandeur of the scene was utterly
lost upon the gunmaker and his companion.
They had no time or occasion to admire the
grand or lovely.

Pausing upon the hill, while all around seemed
hushed to a more than earthly silence, they lis-
tened, and not in vain.

“Hark l” whispered Green Jacket, “ don’t you
hear that?”

They both heard it—the sound of human
voices from below, and it required but a short
time for them to decide that the party of which
they were in search was within earshot of
them, and consulting in regard to a place for
crossin the stream.

, Satis ed upon this point, Green Jacket turned
to his companion. ' .

“ Tell ye what I want to do now," he said, in
a whis er so low that it seemed to die upon his
lips. ‘This thing is turnin’ jest as I was in
hopes. They don’t want to stop this Side the
river, but right over on that side they’ll be
about sure to bivouac, for they must be very
Well satisfied that nobody kin find ’em here. Till
they git to the other side the gal ’ll.be safe
enough, for they’re busy with suthm’ else.
Now, right above here, not more’n a quarter of
a mile, is a good ford, where we kin wade over,
and I rayther think steal the march on ’em. It
will be a trifle perplexin’ to ’em to meet us on
the other side, fancy l” .

And the‘ old gunmaker indulged in a laugh as
silent as his words.

“ If we don’t get ahead of ’em we’ll get there
afore they have their bosses put out, and then
the very Old Boy will be to pay! But, it won’t
do to lose any time, though!’

They hastened away, picking their route
through the forest without ver much difficulty,
and standing soon upon the s ore quite a dis-
tance above the party they were followin , yet
in full view of the spot where they inten ed to
cross.

The river was very wide here, and rippled
over a. gravell bed, giving indications of its
shallowness. list as they were about stepping
in, the gunmaker placed a hand upon his com.
panion’s arm, and pointed down the stream.

- The hrixht moonlight resting upon the sur-

 

 

face rendered every object perfectly distinct,
even at the distance which intervened between
the two arties. So our friends, standing upon
the brin , plainly saw the three horsemen en-
ter the line of light and ride over toward the
opposite bank.

“ lVe‘ll have to wait for them, now,” Theodore
remarked, seating himself upon the shore, for he
was very much fatigued.

“Not long; thev’re half-way across, already.
Whatiu the Old Boyl ‘Vhy, the gal has run
away, right in the middle of the river!”

Thurber sprung to his feet and saw the con-
firmgtion of Green Jacket’s not very definite
wor 
’At first he could only see that the parties
seemed moving up the stream. But, a moment
later a turn of the direction showed that one of
the persons was in advance, a woman, and that
the others seemed in pursuit. This supposition
was confirmed as oaths and brutal words came
to the ears of the listeners.

Even Green Jacket manifested considerable
excitement. He ro<e to his feet and bent over
as far as possible, shading his eyes while he di-
rected his gaze most intently upon the party in
the water.

“She’s ahead; she’s got a good start,” he mut-
tered. “I wouldn’t wonder if she led ’em a.
good race. Maybe she’ll get up as far as this,
and if she does I’m a poor goose if thnr ain’t
hot work. I won’t see that poor girl abused so
——I don’t care a fig who does it. It can’t be
much of a father that uses her that way, and
i don’t think I’ll respect his authority any great
deal—not if I know myself. Hello, her boss
has stumbled—she’s of}?! No she ain’t either.
By George, she rides like a born queen; just
swung herself back at arm’s end, as handy as
ever ye seen a hossback performer do. I tell
you that gal is worth hevin’l Thar she’s all
right now, and goin’ ag’in; but it’s delayed her

,so I guess the mean alligators ’ll catch her.

There! she turns her boss toward the bank.
She’s goin’ to try the woods. But I guess she
won’t git tew ’em. No, they’re gainin’ on her
fast now: I guess her boss is hurt. There, she’s
out of sight new, but they are so clus thar ain’t

any help’for her. Well, never mind; she’s got '

friends nigher than she thinks, poor gall”

The moment the attention of the pursuing
party was directed to the shore, Green Jacket
grasped the hand of his companion and together
they plunged into the water. It was rather
rapid, but quite shallow: and in a very few
minutes they stood upon the opposite bank.
Here they paused, and being in heavy shadow,
looked back to watch the movements of the
party on the shore they had so recently quitted.

Scarcely had they seated, themselves, for both
were very much exhausted by their long and
difficult walk, when the two again appeared,
and once more entered the stream. 'The wo-
man seemed to be regarded as a captive new,
and one of them grasped her bridle-rein, as they
commenced to ford.

Green Jacket rose to his feet almost reluct-

nt .

“it’s time for us to be movin’,” he said,
pointing significantly down the little river.
The woman was indeed a captive. She had

   

 ,4

 

 

 

 
 
 
  
  
 

    

  
  

,4

 

J' ‘.

.c‘.

 

     
   
  
 

  

‘ The Border

G11an

 

made an unsuccessful effort to escape from the
two men who held her in aposition evident]
distasteful to her, and, since that had anal:
she must know very well that hereafter she
would be much more closely guarded, and very
likely that her fate prospective Would not be
more pleasant.

They were not very long in reaching the op-
posite bank, and here the horses were drawn up
on a grassy slope, while the elder of the party
said to Dan:

“ You look out for a. good stopping-place, and
I’ll keep her here till you come ack."

Dan dismounted from his horse, and surren-
dering the bridle to his companion, set about ex-

loring the vicinity. He was not gone a great

ength of time, however, before he returned,
saying, in loud, careless tones, which indicated
the security he felt: ‘

“ I don’t think we’ll find any better place for
the horses than this. They kin feed as much as
they like, and right back here, on this dry rise,
we can make our nest as nice as a young rattler
under a leaf,”

They moved back a little way, till at a signal
from Dan the horses stopped, and the father,
dismonnting, waved his hand toward Dufley,
saying:

“Take yer bride, and make her as comfort-
able as accommodations will admit. I will see
to the horses.”

Dan Dufley hastened forward, his wicked
heart full of satisfaction, and extended his arms
to lift Louisa from the saddle. But he recoileda.
trifle when he found himself grasped bv the
throat, as with a grip of iron, and the harsh
voiCe of Green Jacket ringing in his ears:

“Not much ye don’tl Ye’ve got a. little ac-
count to settle with nae, fust of all. Now I’ve
got ye, and I may never have another good
chance.” '

The villain writhed and struggled furiously,
and attempted to get at a. weapon, but it wasm
vain. He had met more than his match ph s-
ically, and besides, he was so much astoun ed
at the appearance of the man be least of all
wished or expected to meet. that he was almost
unable to summon his energies to the contest.

At the same moment Theodore had performed
his allotted part of the work. Springing out in
front of the cruel father, he had presented a
pistol, coupling the presentation with a neat
little speech, in which he had enjoined the most
perfect silence upon that persona e.

“ Move from your tra cks, lift a and, or speak
aloud word, and you die like a dog!” ,

The astounded man, having no desire to enter
upon the life beyond, remained trembling, with
the bridle in his hand, while Green Jacket con-
tinued to shake and exhort Dan Duflicy.

“ You miserable, low, contemptible creator!—
you skunk in human disguisel”he exclaimed,
every emphatic word accompanied by a shake,
“I allers knew you was the essence of mean-'
ness, but I declare I never did think quite so 1
little of ye as this. I did rnythur think ye’d ;
hold lyerself above persecutin’ helpless, onpro- ;
tecte women-kind—and tew men to one woman
tool What a show ye’d make through the civ-
ilized States. where people are eddicated and ,

l

 

1 cxhihitin’ ye at a cent a head.
if it wasn’t so much work; but as it is I guess it

._._. -«v .—

hev had some bringin' up! Why, a man could
make an independent fortin there in a few days
I’d take ye thar

would he better for the world and all the folks
In it, if I were to duck ye intew this here drink.
Ye can’t swim, as I happen to know, and if ye
dew I’ll see to it that. ye don’t swim far.”

Even while speaking he had been gradually
backing the miscreant in the direction of the
river. What his purpose may have been we can
only imagine from his words; but be it what it
may, it was destined to an interruption.-

Just as Green Jacket ceased speaking some-
thing like a small white cloud might have been
seen _for a moment upon the opposite bank of
the/river, a strange, hollow report came across
the water, and almost at the same moment a
bullet, with a peculiar whistle, hurtled through
the trees just above their heads, and struck with
a dull “ chunk ” in a large limb not far away;

Naturally enough, such a greeting caused a
momentary consternation, and when Theodore
and his companion had recovered a trifle they
were standing quite alone.

it was but a moment yet both the men they
had in charge had broken away, springing» up-
on their horses, and were dashing through the ‘
forest, as though a demon pursued them. They
had realized something of this, but were not

prepared to find, when they looked for the capo , 1 ~ .

tive, that she too was gone.

CHAPTER VI. , ~ ,
A WANDERER. I ‘«
GREEN JACKET appeared the very picture of
mystih'cation, while Theodore was quite speech-
less with wonder.
The former was the first, however, to give
vent to his feelings in low words: ,
“I’d like to know what in the Old Boy the v
meanin’ of all this is ” he muttered. “It beats
any sl’ight-o’-hand ever seen. Just a minute
ago I had that miserable runnygade fast by the.
throat, and was goin’ to pitch him intew the‘
drink. Now I don’t know what has become of
him, or the old man, or the women we’ve.
tramped so fur to find. Thar’s a big mystery
of some kind alon with that shot. Didn’t‘ye
notice what a ecu iar sound thar was, and what ”
a deuce of a w istle to the bullet? Them fellen'
kqued’ what it meant, but they didn’t stop to
e us. .'
“Very likely you noticed more about that - .1
than I did " returned Theodore. “I only
know that I ducked when the ball came, and
when I looked up my man was making tracks,
on horseback. It was all quicker than a flash,
and when I saw that he was gone I looked after
the woman. But, all I could hear of her was

 

vher horse making good time through the

bushes.” » - ‘
“Then you heard the horse? Why didn’t you » ,.
say so! hich way was it going?”  _ i"
‘ That I could not tell. 1 was uncertain, and
while I was trying to make out in my own
mind, the sounds ceased.”
“ Can’t be she’s gone fur. Possibl

her boss: ‘  V'
didn’t: like the noise of the bullet, an

took the

reins to himself for a-‘weys. But. a runaway, - f 

 

  

V 14 y , The Border Gunmaher.

   

 

boss, in the woods, isn’t a safe means of travel.
We’d better look for ’em.”
Losing no further time, the two men set out.
Green Jacket sent his companion u the'river,
taking the opposite course himself. _ 0 did this
that he might take the greater risk upon his
own shoulders, since the latter route led more
nearly in the direction taken by Dan Duffey and
his companion. ‘ _
lf Louisa had taken this direction, she had
most likely fallen into the hands of her prrsecu-
tors, or would very speedily do so: consequent-
?ly there was no need of the most earnest eiforts
to find her whereabouts, ere disaster came to all
‘their plans. '
Alternately bounding along and stopping to
listen, the scout soon put such a distance be-
, tween himself and the starting-point, that his
anticipations of overtaking the missing woman
began to be small indeed. The great forest
stretched away on all sides in its magnitude,
and when he paused to listen, not a breath or
‘ sound came to his ears. The silence was oppres-
‘ sive and discouraging.
‘ “ I’d better 0 and look after the boy, or he’ll
be lost, too,” reeii Jacket muttered.
Then, turning his face in the direction he
would need to take, he continued:
“ I allus hate to have one of these onng
sprouts with me. They take just as muc care

much. True this teller seems to have a party
good idea, in general, of what he orter do, but
after all he’s only a boy in this kind of buSi-

. ness.”

7 v ' Almost between each successive step the scout,

A: for such was 'his present character, stooped to

f . listen. In such a place it would not do to rush

~ forward recklessly, no matter in how great a
hurry he might be.

Suddenly he stopped short, and the general
alertness, changed 1n a moment to close and in-
tense application.

A moment onl he seemed in doubt, and then
he drew himsel up, whispering, for no other
ears than his own:

"i’Bome one’s coming; I wonder who it can
be.

A trifling examination of his weapons to see
that all were read for service in case 0 need,
and then he gli ed away, like some strange
shadow, through the woods.

The intruder, whoever he might be, was not

/ coming that way, and it was to reach the vicin-
w ..ity of his path that Green Jacket made this
,‘i ' ' movement. He was successful, gaining the cov-
er of a fallen tree-top, a few yards in advance
of the other party.

“That is not hurber,” Green Jacket solilo-
quized. “No, it is a taller, larger man than
him. It is none of them other chaps, either. If
I sue cted that was the teller what sent the
hulle , I’d be inclined to return the compliment.
Aw hi Good gracious! what a lookin object!
We , I’ve hearn tell of the ‘Old Boy,’ but I
never seen him till now! He come from whar
 L .the boy‘oughttohev been. I don’t fancy that
; , much; It maybe the boy ain’t all right when
. I find him.‘ 1 ye’ve been a-dewin’ mischief,
"~~ Injun devil or white manawhatsver ye be,
thar‘ll be a duly rookonin’.

\

as a baby, and then they never amount to,

 

 

He hastened away, still preserving his rau-
tion, and looking intently on all sides for any
traces of his companion.

We will follow the fortunes of Theodore for a
few moments.

then he took the direction ointed out by his
companion, the young man fe t a. thrill of ini-
guise quite foreign to his usual emotions. He

ad every reason to suppose that the fair object
of their search had taken this route, and if so
the probabilities were that he would find her.
This was the hight of his ambition. Not only
did he feel an earnest enthusiasm in her behalf,
but an emotion deeper, more inexplicable, had
tnkeii pessession of his fancies. It was not
enough that he saw her safe from danger, he
wished to learn more of her life—that life
which had in it so much of mystery, and, to
him, romance—albeit the romance was rather
of a ainfu] nature. And now there was a
probability of all these yearnings and aspira-
tions being satisfied. He had only to find her.

Only to find her. But then he did not realize
how much of a task that might be.

Back to the ford he hastened, and this was ac-
complished very easily, since he had just passed
over the ground in search of the party which
had so mysteriously slipped from their grasp.

Here he looked out upon the stream, as the
thought occurred to him that possibly the maid-
en might seek the other bank, but seeing no in-
dications of any effort on her part to cross the
river, he turned and plunged into the forest.

He found himself at once in a labyrinth and
maze of uncertainty. The woods lay all about
him, a great, unexplored wilderness, and in any
direction a horse and rider mi ht have passed
with perfect ease and freedom. e listened, but
could hear no sound. What could he do, or in
which Way should he go? .

Now he began to realize more than ever the
great .skill and experience necessary for a
thorough woodman. The task which had
seemed so trifling when there was but one way
in which he could go, and which it was proba-
ble the object of his search had taken also, now
swelled to herculean proportions as the wooded
fivenues multiplied and diverged in every direc-
ion. '

He stopped and looked about in perfect be-
wilderment. Oh, that he could ask a moment’s
advice of his late companion, or have his eru-
iiize knowledge for a guidel But it was too
a 8.

He did, under these circumstances, what first
occurred to him—took a course leading him as
nearly as he could judge in a central direction,
and hastened along, hoping that some different.
conformation of the land would occur to sini—
pliEfIy his task. *

e was still proceeding, not very far from
the point of setting out, wh n he was attracted
by a. rustling noisa close beside and partially be-
hind him.

Usually it does not require a long time to turn
one's head, but before the young man could ex-
ecute this move even, he found himself grasped
by the neck and hurled to the earth, with a.
power far superior to that of any mortal man

e had ever encountered.
So very sudden had been the onset that his

/,

    
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
  
  
   
   
    
    
  
   
  
 

 

     
         
     

The Border Gunmaker. L 1.5

 

rifle was thrown far from him through the for-

est. and ere he was fully aware of his condition

a grasp was fustened upon his throat which
threatened to crush the entire neck.

Lenking up with n half-strunglirg gaze, he
saw above him a bending form of Hlt'll terrible
mien that lie involuntarily gasped out an ex-
clamation of astonishment.

The frame was extraordinarily large, and of
its great muscular power he was even then
painfully uware. But this mighty body was
Very poorly clothed, being covered With neth-
in: better than a mass of regs, fastened and
held together by most original and crude de-
Vices.

The hair was long, resting in wild. matted
masses upon the shoulders, Very thickly streaked
with gray. The beard was enormously full and
long, very nearly white in color, and floating in
wildness before a face which was well calcu-
lated to fill even the bravest man with alarm.

The eyes wn‘e the principal feature. Deep-
set, and lighted with a most terocious glow, per-
fectly discernible even through the night, the
seemed to penetratte the young iliini’s very sou ,

and freeze his blood with horror. He had looked

into the eyes of a maniac before, and it needed
no confirmation to satisfy him that at that mo-
ment he was lying there at the mercy of a
frenzied man. He expected no fate but a terri-
ble death, and mentally he prayed that this
might come speedily. In the act of death there
could beno suffering equal to lying there under
the glow of those burning eyes, and hearing
those infernal cries of satisfaction with which
the maniac crushed his victim down into the
dust, and brandished before his eyes a fenrlul
knife!

But just as he was on the point of striking,
some fancy seemed to cross the niadninn’s mind,
for he paused, and raising Theodore by the
neck, gazed into his features in the dull moon-
li ht.

Only a moment, and then relaxing his hold he
allowed the young man to fall buck upon the
ground. ' ‘

“ Mistaken again—what e. feel!” he laughed.
“ I made a mistake. Did it scare you? Where
have they gone? Is she with them?” .

He asked the questions in such a. tone of veice
that Theodore saw at once a method in his mad-
ness, and realized why his life had been so near-
ly sacrificed. But the present respite gave him
opportunity to produce a pistol. which he did. as
a preventative to any further demonstration
from his not very trusty companion.

He got upon his feet without diificulty, and
by coaxing his injured throat somewhat,
managed to answer:

“ The went down the river.
where s to is. Who is she?”

When he proposed the question the madman
turned sharp, and gazed upon him as though in
doubt or anger. ut, after a. moment he an-
swered as calmly and coolly as possible for words
to be framed:

“ Don’t you know? Well, you never will!”

And with a. low, chuckling laugh he turned
11 n his heel, and strode away into the do the

I do not know

,0 the forest. moving with a. strange rapi ity,

 

andl t’Iyet almost as silently as the shades 01
mg i . .

Theodore stood alm0st confounded by the
strange scone. lie was burning with anxiety
to know more of the wild man, but he shrun
from calling him back. remembering too dis-
tinctly the fearful conflict, or rather surprise,
which had come near costing him so dear.

Very soon it was too lute to recall the strange '
being if he could, and then the young man be-
gun to cast about him as to the course most pro-
per for him to pursue. Should be proceed in his
search for the hun’ted girl, or strike over and in-
tercept Green Jacket?

He decided upon the latter, because now he ,'

felt certain that. it she had not fled from a
knowledge of the madman, she had taken a
course nearly or quite directly inland. If he

could find the gunmeker, and communicate the ' -

knowledge to him, it seemed more than proba-
ble that together they might decide upon 3
plan which Would bring success.

Picking up his rifle and finding it wasnnin-
jureli, he reprimed the weapon, and then set
forth once more, keeping a very sharp lookout
in everv direction for danger.

He had gone some distance, and was getting
note. little fearful lest he should miss of Green
Jacket, when he was startled by alow, sharp:

“ Halt!”

On hearing the word he was not a little curt
prised and startled. It did not sound like the
voice he wished to hear, and any other men in ‘
that place was not a. friend!

He fingered the lock of his piece uneasily, end

strove to discover the whereabouts of his chal- ”

lenger, but all to no purpose.

“ Put down that gun and come here!” con- '
tinned the same voice. in a sharp whisper.

But he heard more distinctly now, and recog-

nized the tones. /  ‘-

lt was Green Jacket who spokel
Withougstopping to obey the first part of the -

commend, he s rung to the side of his comm
anihon, a. dread ul load all at once lifted from
is eart. ’

But, the scout grasped his arm in a strong. " 1.“

manner, and nodding his head in the direction

whence he had come, asked in a solemn tone: t ' ’

“ Did you not see him 1”

“ Did I! I should rather think I did!"

And the young man displayed his damaged
n ,

done?"

Theodore related the facts as the reader IJ- \- 

read understands them, and Green Jacket lis-
tene with the most intense interest. '

“ That’s a critter I never heard tell of "be ex-
cluimed, when his com anion had finished.
“ Strange I haven’t, but never happened tow.
Seems he’s on this woman's track, tow; I wonder/
what in the Old Boy it means?” ‘

But mere 5 eculations would never who the
mystery. an at the present time they hld no
leisure for deliberation. Theodore noted hie
convictions in regard to the route taken lay the '.
girl, and wassomewhat surprisedto fln that
they quite comcided with the views of hit more
experienced companion . w

;

eck. -
“Why, what? How in the Old Boy was that K, ’

.a

 

16 The Border Gunmaker.

 

As they set out in the direction it seemed to
them most likely the fugitive woman must have
taken, Green Jacket bowed his head in perplex-
lty, and Thurber heard him mutter:

“ Strange how things are mixed up about this
femininei I never see’d anything like it in my
born days. Here’s a feller that looks as thong
he might be kinder respectable, and the biggest
villain in the known world, and a crazy man
what looks 'ust like I used to dream the Old Boy
did, when 1d been naughty and thought he’d
come arter me, in my younger days—them three
and us two, and we’re all mixed u in it, and
don’t know head nor tail—we don t, anywayl
Well, it is a singular mixture!”

He was. silent for a moment, and then turned
toward Theodore, demanding, almost sharply:

” Youngster, whar is this goin’ to end?”

01! all the possible questions in the world
which could have been asked him, no other
would have been more completely a puzzle to
the young man than this.

“I’m sure I haven’t any idea, whatever,” he
returned.

“ But you’ve somethin’ in view,” the other
persisted. “ It can hardly be that ye’re in love
with her?”

“ What an idea 1”

“ Jest what I was thinking. What a family of
relations she must have!”

' Thurber turned and gazed full upon his com-
panion.

“Are you, too, crazy i” he demanded.

“ No, guess not. But, hark! Didn’t you
hear something?"

They both listened intently.

“I hear a. horse,” said Green Jacket, after a.
moment. “Some of them are coming this way.
Lay shady now. Thar’s a good place behind
that big tree. I’ll stay here beside this bush."

Theodore could hear the sounds now, and knew
that some one was coming that way, not rapid-
ly, but at a walk. He hastened to cover, and
3th a beating heart awaited the next phase of

airs.

 

CHAPTER VII.
1 UP THE CLIFF.

PRESENTLY a dark, moving shape was dis-
cernible, not far away, and in a short time it ap-
peared more plainly, in the form of a horse and
rider. And more than this, it could be seen that
the rider was a woman.

Of course only one woman would be riding in
that forest at that time, and with a few words
of caution, the gunmaker hastened forward,
soon as he was aware of the fact, and was fol-
lowed scarcely a moment later by Theodore.

,At flrstthe girl seemed surprised, but very
soon recovered her self-possession on findin
that she had encounter-(d friends again, an

‘» gave her hand to each.

“ How sin lar that we should meet again,”
she said. “ cannot understand it. I supposed
you far back near the river.” -

I “There isn’t much chance about it ” Green
Jacket said, franklfy. “We were looking for
V you. But how far om the river do you sup-

pose we are! I mean the place where we—
we—”

 

 

“Yes, yes, I know. But I have no particular
idea. how far away we. may be.”

“ Not above a mile, if as mm-h.”

“ Not more! Can it be that in all this time I
have ridden only that short distance?”

“ Most likely you’ve ridden much further.
But it’s a very difilcult matter to ride in the di-
rection one wants to take. Fact i=, jest at this
particular time you was -a-ridin’ toward the

. riVer, rather than away from it.”

“Can that be?"

“ It is a fact.”

A shudder. as of dead] fear, seemed to come
over the woman, and s e glanced around, as
though strivin to peneirate the dark forest
which surroun ed them.

“ Have you seen—”

She ahead, as though fearful to express in
words 1: a image which floated before her mind,
and then added:

“ Have you seen anything horrible?” ,

“ Well, m’am, I don’t know how that bein’
they call the ‘ Old Boy ’ looks, but if it’s any wuss
than what we seen just now, I don’t never hope
I may.”

“ Don’t! Don‘t!" the lady almost shrieked.
“ Do not say anything more. If he is in this re
gion, for Heaven’s sake let us be getting away
as fast as possible 1”

She turned her horse and rode away, Green
Jacket keeping close to her side, and asking:

“ Where or which way do you want to go!
I’m better acquaintei in this region than you.
We want to see you safe out of this, and we’ll
dew anything to help you along. "

“ Oh, I am very grateful; more than mere
words can tell,” she replied, with an earnestness
that seemed to Theodore the offspring of direst
necessity. “I cannot tell where I wish to go.
anywhere, that we may be safe from him and

em

“You must be party tired by this time, I
should as .” .

“ Tire I Ah, that word very poorly ex-
presses my feelings. But I can still endure any-
thing. so that I may eventually escape.”

“ Well, I was goin’ to say that suthin’ like five
or six miles from here, I should judge, there’s-a
spot whar I think we could rest and never be
found out by these prowlin’ creators. If you
feel able to ride that far we’ll try it, for it’s the
only place I know of in this part of the country."

“ Oh, yes, certainly. I feel very strong with
such brave friends to assist me. But I fear you
do not understand the nature of the work you
have undertaken.”

Theodore found an opportunity for speech at
that moment, and did not fail to improve it, in-
asmuch as he had been looking, for the opportun-
ity a long time.

“No, that is just where we are in the dark.
We don't understand this matter at all and
wish you would explain some parts of it. Who
is this wild man that I have such good cause to
remember?”

A pained expression passed over the woman’s

{tice‘i and after a momentary silence she re-
pie : .

“I assure you I appreciate your kind ass‘I
ance and protection. but I cannot answer

  

   

The Border

u, -.,-.....,...,.1._., .,..:....,t 1.7. w..- h‘wa—e—n-w. .. v

),

Guarantor. ‘ I 17

 

questions now. Unless you are willing to help 1
me still, only knowing that I am a woman in .
dire need, then I must bid you farewell, and l
seek my own fortunes as best I may i”

There was a depth of sadness in the tones, .
which touched Theodore, and he hastened to‘

so. :

xI fear I spoke without thought. Pray ex-
cuse me, and in future I shall be careful how I
use my tongue.”

“That’s wise," broke in Green J ucket, “ and *
the carefuller we all are, the better it will be ‘
for us. These trees may have cars and there i
may be rifles behind ’em, for all we lmow.”

A deep silence fell upon the party, only,
broken by the footfalls of the horse. and the ‘
lighter steps of the two men who walked beside
it.

Mile after mile they went onward through the ‘
forest, picking their way at times through
devious deflles and obscure retreats, then (limb-
ing hills and emerging upon more open and fa-
vora ble ground.

Green Jacket walked beside the bridle~rein,
leading the horse over the more unfavorable
localities, while Thurber followed at a little
distance, keeping his eyes and ears open for any
sounds which might indicate the presence of
other parties.

Finally they wound around the base of a.

rent ledge, into a retreat which seemed rather
t 6 creation of fancy than any actual nook ar-
ranged by nature. On three sides rose a pre-
cipitous wall of rock, only broken at the spot of
their entry, while on the other side flowed a.
deep, dark river. The area was some one hun-
dred feet in length by half as much in width,
and notwithstanding its situation, was dry and
comfortable. Several trees of small growth
covered the space, and at one end grew a quan-
tity of grass, toward which the horse was al-
ready casting longing eyes.

“You see this.” Green Jacket remarked,
pointing to the various features around him.
“ I fancy this is one of the snuggest little nests
to be found. This here is the only path by
which an body can get here, only one over the
ledge, and no common man would undertake ‘
that unless he was anxious for a job of nepk- f
breaking. This river is deep, so that it ain’t ;
fordable, and there is no chance of anybody 
gettin’ in here by accident. There’s grass for ,
the boss, plenty of water, anda good, dry place ,
to sleep on. hen I've got a little food in my ,
wallet that will do for lunch by and by. So I .
don't see what we kin do better than to stay l
here through the day, and go on again when it
comes dark. How does that strike you?” I

As may be an osed, both his companions j
were delighted Wit the idea of resting, and as ;
their present retreat seemed reasonably safe,
they were not disposed to search further. 2

The faithful horse was relieved of his saddle, 
and allowed to crop the green greas, a stick ,
was so arranged as to prevent his straying:
away,.and then the party threw themselves,
upon the earth. . _

In a very few minutes the young girl, who ,
had chosen her retreat close under the over-
hanging ledge, was sleeping soundly, though 1

 

, low up their trail.

j ground, their rifles resting beneath their “knees,

often she started, and sometimes even cried out
in fancied alarm.

“ Poor dear !” Green Jacket said, in tones un-
usually teuder, “ how bad that she is persecuted
in such shape. I declare I am going to take a
new policy. When I see one of her persecutors

l eg’iu, I’m just goin’ to let a thin lift of daylight

right through him; and I declare, I don’t be-

‘licve there would be any sin in it—now do

you?”

Theodore hesitated to answer positively so
great a question. He had but recently come to
the wild western border, and he shrunk from

:‘ bloodshed, wild as wzre the scenes in which he

found himself acting a part. Naturally he
would only have advocated the shedding of
blood in self-defense, but now the suflerings of

- this unknown woman had touched his heart, V

and he finally declared:

“ I don’t, for they can’t be human. No being
with any humanity about him would persecute
a poor woman in this way."

“ Human or not, it doesn’t make any difler» a
once to me. The one that sees first Will shoot_
first. So we want to keep these eyes of ours
open and our powder dry. But they can’t find
our truil till it’s light, so we may as well sleep
two or three hours. See, it’s coming daylight
in the east, as true as the Old Boy. no we’d , F‘
better take a few winks while we can, andthen 5'
have our eyes open for business.”

“ Yes, the first faint beams of day could be '
plainly seen now, lighting 11 the sky beyond
the tops of the trees, and in icating that in a
few hours at furthest, the party would he in
danger, should their enemies undertake tofol-

 I". :.S ,r

The two men threw themselves upon,the 

ready for service in case of alarm, but are they.
found oblivion, Theodore could not refrain from __
pro uiiding the uestion nearest his heart: :;
“ ow afraid s e seems of that crazy man! , '
Who or what do you su pose he is?” . ‘
Green Jacket raised imself from the‘earth, '
and glanced quickly around, as though the hon- j r
rible being of whom mention had been mode .,
might be close at hand. and then exclaimed, al-' a};
most sharply. . ' ._ ,
“ See here, boy, if you say anythin' , more ‘
about that critter just as I’m goin’ to sleep, I’ll
be very likely to punch yer head! What in the 
Old Boy do' ye suppose I know about him!
Waugh! What in fury did ye want to say any: , - .. ‘
thing about him for?” « ‘ 1 _
And another glance around, more searching; 
than before, showed the uneasiness aroused by
the remark of his companion. ' , ., 
“ Well,” re lied Theodore. rather dryly, “the g; 3
feeling aroun my throat prompted the remark”. ,' '

 

  

I» ~(.

 
   

13L. ‘-

. But if I ain't afraid of him I shouldn’t think '. 

you need be.” , .
“ I ain’t afraid," growled Green Jacket; “but ;
I don’t want to hear any more about the. 0011- w
founded critter l” and he threw himself upon the“
earth, as though determiped to shut out all um .
pleasant sights and fancies. , - .
Theodore followed his examsle, highly satis- -
fled that in one direction he he an advantage ‘
over his reckless companion: for no matter how ’5 '

.x,

 

  
     

   

i

i.

x

1 moment.

and then at the s_

; Ten or fifteen

.to freeze with hr
' moment they sto-

ic her, the fall wo

‘13

The Border Gunmakm‘.

 

'Imuch he shuddered at the thought of another
encounter with the wild man, it was evident
that he did not regard the strange beng with
such an unutterable horror as did Green J acket.

The morning sun had pee ed above the hori-
" son, as though to assure itse f the earth was still
, waiting for its coming, and then wheeled its

broad disk grandly up into the azure sky. The

{I level beams glanced through the great forest,

,land awoke myriads of sleeping life, giving to
the late darksome retreats a new and livelier

' appeara ce. Soft‘winged birds flirted her(> and

' there, w ile the speckled trout leaped and
glanCcd in the streams, as the first bright

'. golden beams darted through the waters.

But our wearied trio, reposing in fancied se-
l-curity in their hidden retreat, did not awake.
3Tbe sleep of each was haunted by wild and
fearful visions, be sure, but they did not awake.
L0n1y Green Jacket aroused once, just before

 'the sun appeared, and feeling in his mind that

Ithere could be no danger for an hour to come,
gave himself up again to repose.

And so no one saw the wild, awful-looking
face which peered down from the brow of the
oliif above, glowing with a delight which might
well be infernal. No one saw the slow, care-
ful, noiseless steps with which he slid down the
narrow, dangerous path, pausing ever and anon
to gloat over the sleeping forms far below.

Down, rapidly nearer he came, growing more

/ h orrible, mcre fiendlike in appearance as he

ew nearer, his great white beard swaying over
*face of the (“HT as he threaded so unhesi—
ugly the narrow path, where a single mis-
would have been certain death. Those
hie, burning eyes glowed with a fiendish
so, and the long knife, now drawn from
t, was brandished with fiercer exultation.
ength he touched and stood upon the
close beside the sleeping woman, who
position and moaned uneasily at the
The wicked smile faded away; his
uickly up the fearful face of the rock
\md found his way down; the knife
ed quietly to its sheath, and he bent
oping girl with bated breath.
is had changed.
ket and Theodore were startled
lumbers by what Seemed a or of
B neither of them had enjoys an
sleep, they were not so much
‘ld otherwise have been the case.
1g up, glanced at each other,
not where Louisa had been last

urpc
is bel

ground,
changed

eyes ran (.
where he .
was return
over the sle
His purno;
Grepn J ac
from their 5
distress, but, a
over peaceful
alarmed as wot.
Still, both 5pm:

3691!.

. . yet not far away.
‘ She was “Gt m a": above, on the face of the

behald her in the arms of that
Bing , 'npidly borne up the nar-
Is way ! Their hearts seemed
"or as, the spectacle. For a
sol :as though riveted to the
si lrt.
:ikogt raised his rifle. But he
' Thegirl was held out over the
[them and the maniac, while,
shooting him without lDJlll‘y
add-very likely be fatal. .
aehended this state of aflairs,
auhemath which the madman

rugged clifl, they
terrible maniac, b
row and dangeror

spot, palsied at th
Then Green Ja
could not use it.
precipice, betweei
were they sure of

Theodore compi
and~then rushed t.

\ . - ,.»,.

 

was traversing. Up this he ascended some feet,

gut the movements of the ‘manvabove ducked
1m.

Shiftinghis burdensomewhat, that individual

produced a monstrous pistol, which he curried

in some kind of a receptacle at his belt, and

aimed it downward at his pursuer.

“ Go back, or you’ll get hurt!” he cried, with
a wild laugh.

Theodore scrambled down and retreated to
the side of GreenJacket.

“ What can we do?" ,he asked.

“ The gal’s insensible, that‘s plain;to»be seen,”
the gun [I] aker mused. “ Consequently she can’t
help herself any. \Ve must dew somethin’. but
we’ll have to wait till he gets up, and if he
should lose his footin’, or drop the gall” '

It was a terrible sight to behold the giant
madman, climbing slowly and with evident
weariness up that ong, precarious ascent, with
the form in which these two agonized men felt
so great an interest hanging upon his single
arm. our. over the great cliff.

Would his strength be equal to the task he
had undertaken? Could he make that fearful
ascent, and never his foot slip or his mad in-
stinct fail? The slightest failure would insure
her death, his was of little consequence to the
anxious watchers. \

Up he went, higher and still higher, at every
step drawing nearer the summit, but increasin
also the danger. Sometimes his limbs seeme
to tremble and give way, almost, but as often
he laughed and mounted higher.

“Oh, heavens! would he never reach the top?
Yes, his strength. mighty as it was, was giving
way, and yet the roughest, most uncertain part
of the pathway lay before them still. Was
there no place where he might dispose of his
burden, regain his strength, and prepare for the
ascent before him? No; and he still presses on,
creeping, kneeling now upon the bare, slippery,
horrible rocks.

It seemed to the two men that they could
scarcely breathe while this slow scene was pass-
ing. ow Green Jacket longed to raise his rifle
and send a bullet up there to end the wild-man’s ~
career! But, there he stood, helpless, spell-
bound, unable to do aught to end the seemingly
interminable suspense.

Still up he goes, higher and higher, and the
dizzy top is almost gained. But how weak the
giant is now, and how he tremblesl He sways
back and forth—he will fall, and that fall must
be outward!

But no, he can grasp the top of the rock now.
He does so, takes another step upward and the
great danger is passed. His human rize is
thrown senseless upon the round at t e sum-
mit, and the maniac stumb ed u beside her.

Now again Green Jacket breat es, and makes
a move as though to raise his rifle, but refrains.
A great gasp escapes Theodore, and he turns to
his companion, remarkipg:

“ That is something I never expected he’d be
able to do.”

“Nor I. But now we must go for him. I’d
shoot him from here, but my nerves ain’t quite
steady, and if I hit him ever so fair he might
hev strength enough left to pitch her over. We
must wait till he gets back a bit from the edge.

and then I’ll ’tend to him. Do you look out for
her.”

“ Yes, indccrl I will.” _

The madman gazed down, itched a Single
pebble toward the watchch lie ow, gave utter-
once to 01-0 of his blood-cnrdling laughs, and
then again raised his burden.

After one or two fcints to pitch her headlong
down the clifi’, he turned, and in a moment
more was gone from sight.

“Now, uick,”said Green Jacket, in tones
more exciting than Theodore had eVer heard
him use. “You take the boss, and go after
him tull speed. Try to get his attention, and
keep him busy with von,'bnt I'll be on hand
and attend to him. 0 you look out for her,
and see that he don’t play devil. Can you ride
well?"

“ I guess so.
horse." _

And springing upon the animal the young
man quickly urged him out through the narrow
pathway, Green Jacket keeping close beside
him.

They were not a little disconcerfcd at finding
themselves face to face with Dan Dull‘ey and
his companion, who with weapons presented,
were evidently masters of the situation!

“Stop,” said Dan, who always noted the
snokesman. “ We don’t want to fight you now.
\Ve want yer help in gittin’ my wife away
from that devil. Will you help us, and we kin
settle our differences after that is done. liVill

'ou?”

“ Who is that crazy devil?”

“ No matter! We want your help to get her
awav. iVill you do it ?”

“Yes, sir; you can count on me as far as
that’s concerned, but be kind enough to recol-
lect, Dau‘ Dufl’ey, that you and 1 hurt! an ac-
count of our own to settle after this job is done!
Can ye remember that?”

“I’ll not be likely to forget it in a day or
two," growled Dan, pointing to his discolored
neck. “You gave me a choking, and it’s to be
paid for: but we’ve business fast.”

“ All right; what’s yer plan!”

CHAPTER VIII.
NOT YET.

“ WE must surround him.”

“ Very well, I agree. Now, which of you
will ride beyond him, and bring him back!”

“ I’ll do that,” exclaimed Dull‘ey. “ Roswins,
you get yonder, and keep him from making
away toward the river, while Greenv here does
the same thing on this side. Green acket and
his chum can arrange their sides.” ‘

Not waiting for another word, the two horse-
men dashed away through the forest, leaving
our two friends quite mystified at the turn at-
tairs had taken.

But there was no time now for speculations,
and directing Theodore to ride along the river.
and prevent the madman from escaping to the
right, Green Jacket scaled the cliff. and kept a
lookout for the retreat of the Wild-man in that
direction.

He was barely in time. That personage, find-
ing how vigorously the pursuit of him was to be

Never mind me, I’m used to a.

 

The Border Gunmaker.

 

 

 

mad», had changed his plnn again, and was now
drngging the helpless girl rapidly toward the-
brow of the clilf. Dulfcy and lilh‘WlJS, having
taken quite a “ ide circle, had but just obsi. rved
the movement, although both were now riding
rapidly toward the spot. But plainly they
would not be in timc, while they dared not fire
through fear of injuring the woman, Green
Jacket was nearer, but he dared not fire. and
was on foot, so that it was a great question to '
him and all parties vi hether he would reach the, ‘
scene in time to prevunt a horrible consummaa.
tion.

The madman rushed across the level space ~
upon the summit of the elevation with fearful‘i
speed, seemingly littio impeded by the weight A
ot’ the still insonsible woman. His late exhaus-
tion was evidently all gone, and an energy and t
deadly purpose fearful to contemplate fired his;
every movement,

Green Jacket climbed the sharp ascent before
him with the ease and rapidity of a cat, keeping
his rifle always ready for instant use, but still
not daring to venture a shot.

“ Ste him! stop him! Shoot him! hoot
him!” s outed those behind, who were riding at
a rapid, reckless speed through the forest, but
still too far away to render any service. ,

But. Green Jacket only climbed the hill,
straining every nerve to reach the brow in ad— ‘
Vance ol' the wild-man.

He reached the summit of the abrupt ascent,
and found himself and the maniac at about.
equal distances from the point of interest.
’l‘ni-re was surely hope now, and not only from
himself, but the riders had now reached morp‘
open ground, and were coming more rapidly.

But a trifling accident charged the whole face ‘

of affairs.
As the madman dragged the woman along,“

hcr garments caught upon asharp knot, pro- -  -

jot-ting from a fallen log, and momentarily de-
layed them. Brief as was the time, it was sutfl-
cicnt to allow Green Jacket to get the advent-
age in distance, a fact which the maniac noticed
m a moment. '

Pressing the maiden against him as a. shield
from the deadly aim of those by whom he was
surrounded. the wild abductor again reduced '
that monstrous nistol, which he levelo deliber-
ately at Green J acket. The scout had no cover
at hand, and could not fire in return, for he '
would sooner die than endanger the capture. .

There was a flash, that same peculiar report
they had once before heard, and the gunmaker
fell to the ground, while his cap went whirling ,
toward the precipice.

For an instant more the would be murderer
bent over the entanfilcd garments, and then,
seeing the horsemen c osing upon him suddenly
threw the woman upon the groun , rose up
right, and, with a. wild, fearful laugh, which
woke the distant echoes, rushed to the brow of
the cliff and sprung over, still laughing and
shrivking as he descended!

Desperate and horrible as was the act, it n-
ceivud only a momentary attention from those
who came upon the scene a moment later.

R‘JSWIHS stopped beside the prostrate young
woman. while Dufley coolly rode to where

V

~< .

r

.‘f
‘_. .
‘

 

l , them.”

. w

-‘ distance from where the remains of the Self-

. ‘ clearl

The Border

     

Gunmaker.

 

r

‘Green Jacket was lying. The latter had
been struck in the hen by the bullet, and
his face and clothing, as well as the ground
around him, was liberally besprinkled with his

blood. .

Without dismounting, Dan gazed at the san—
guinary spectacle a few moments, until Theo-
dore, who had at first set out rapidly in another
direction, reached the spot.

, _"Poor man,” he exclaimed, horrified at the
sight, “is he killed?”

" . hope so,” growled Dan. “But you’ve
nothln’ else to do; suppose you stay here and
take keer of him. Maybe ye kin bring him back
to life; but I must say that upper story of his
don’t look very promisin’l”

And with very evident satisfaction at the re-
sult, he turned and rode away to where his com-
panion was making efforts to resuscitate the
poor girl. The latter, however, was not very
successful. The woman still lay a dead weight
in his arms, with no signs of returning ani-
matlon.

“ What’s the prospecti”he demanded.

“ Not very flattering—still by no means seri-
ou=. The fact is, she seemed about halfrscm'ed
to death—I guess no worse—and has made a
pretty dead faint of it. But some water
will], bring her all right. I’ll take her down
to the river, if you’ll get the horses, and see to

w A wicked smile crossed the face of Dan

ey.
_ “Git the hossesi I reckon if any bosses are
wanted I kin git ’em, if thar’s any in the coun-
try. Old Green’s gone by the board, and I‘ll
manage this other fellow, if he d(n’t attend
to his’own roastl Maybe I’d better do it any-
I

" Oh, no; do not use any unnecessary violence.
We are all right now.” ,

“ Yes, I understand; but he must attend strict-
ly to biz, or—”

A significant shake of the head indicated the
alternative. ’

wins raised the form in his arms, and

moved down the hill toward the river, taking a
course which would bl ing him to the brink some

destroyed maniac must be lying. He did not
wish to look upon thOse dreadful feature again
—-why, we shall know in due time.
, Thurber was bending over the body of Green
> Jacket.
Dufley rode his own animal, and leading
the one ridden by Roswins, moved to where
Thurber had dismounted, and where his horse
still stood.
“This is our animile, I s’pose yer know?” he
hissed. “Now we karkilate you’ve used him
about long enough, and we‘ll take him. Don’t
ye open yer head, if ye do—”
The words Were grated through the speaker’s
sat teeth, and the flourish of apistol showed very
. his dis osition. Once eVen, after hehad

I turns away, e looked back, as though thirst-
ing for an opportunity to shed hloo 1. But if he
had any intention of so doing, his better nature
for once prevailed, and he rode down to rejoin

his companion. i
'Wben Roswins reached the river. his daugh-

 

 

ter had begun to revive somewhat, so that she
was gasping for breath, and in a few minutes
afterward she was uite conscious. Her first
act was to lookaroun timidly, as if fearing that
some foul specter lurked near, and though she
recognized the one who held her with a groan,
she seemed relieved that some yet more fearful
presence was not there.

“ Don’t. l‘t‘id', Louisa, you’ll never see him any
more,” Roswins said, with something approach-
ing tenderness.

The woman gave utterance to another groan,
and then closed her eyes as though Weary.

“ Let me—lie here—and rest!” she gasped
faintly.

Placing her careful] upon the ground, Ros-
wins left her thus wbi e be joined Dufl‘ey.

In answer to an inquiring look from the
latter, he stated Louisa’s condition, and then
added:

“We’ll wait till she is strong enough to ride,
and then push on a few miles, before taking
breakfast. This is not a place very congenial to
my fancies!” And he cast a suggestive look to-
ward the foot of the Cliff.

“ I admit that ’tisn’t a good place for men of
timid nerves," lau lied Dufi‘ey, “ but we’ve done
ngrand day’s wor here. Rid of those two I
feel is enough for any one day!”

“ But are you sure about him?” pointing up-
ward toward the summit.

“ You didn’t see him, I guess?”

H No.”

“’Cause if you had, there wouldn’t be an
doubt in your mind any longer. Ye see he too
the ball square in the topof the head—"

“Oh, “ell!”

“If he ain’t dead, and don’t die, he may git
over it, some time. But we’ll not be troubled
any more with him this time. If you hadn’t
been so weak-narved I’d ’a’sent his ’prentice
with him. Then we should have been sure I”

“ Oh. no necessity for that.
ble us.”

“I guess not. If I thought he’d ever dare
show fight, I’d go back now, and put a. veto on
it, as they tell about in Congress.”

But he felt that no need existed for this move-
ment, and so the twain ate a portion of the food
with which they were provided. drank from the
river, and returned to where Louisa was still
reclining upon the ground. ‘

She was weak, and suffering from the fright
experienced on awaking and finding herself in
the arms of the madman, else she would have
attempted flight. Once she had looked into the
depths of the river running near her feet, but
even if she would be allowed to destroy her
own life, she shrunk from the attempt. ossi-
bly all hope might not yet be gone, dark and
cheerless as the world still looked to her.

“Come, Louisa,” said her father, as he lifted
her from the ground, “if you feel better now
so that you can ride, we’ll go where we shall
find more comfortable quarters, and there we’ll
re~t What do you say!”

With a weary sigh she leaned against the
tree beside which she had been lying, and
looked around, up to the brow of the hill where
she had narrowly escaped death, though all un-
consciously to he .

He’ll never trou-

 

  

‘4

 

, but that fact was rather in their

7 The Border Gunmaker.

81

 

“If you’re lookin’ for help," sneered the
desperedo Dnfl‘l-y, “ ye can spare yer eyes that
trouble. ’Your friend with the big whiskers
gust blew the brains out of your friend with

he green coat, and then jumped over that
ledge. So we‘ll hev no more trouble from any
of them, and you can behave yourself, and
come along with us. just as soon as you can.
And another thing,” he added, very near to
her, and hissing the words into her ears, With a
fien‘lishness worthy of his base self ulone, “ we
don‘t want any more of your foolin’.‘ If thar
is, ye’ll repent, dearly, when repentin’ won’t
dew ye any good.”

“ Oh, dear, my last friend is gone now,” the
poor girl moaned. us she realized the fearful
story which Dan Duifey bud taken so much de-
light in telling.r her. “There is no more hope
for me in this—"

“Now stop thnrl” interrupted Dan, with a.
savage scowl. “I don’t went to hear any more
such confounded talk as that. You know I‘m
left to ye always, and what more do you want!"

“ I will tell you,” the woman exclaimed, her
puller increased by the intensity of oer emo-
tion. “I want to make my own choice of a
life-companion. And I want for such a station
one who is a true man—whose bravery extends
beyond the persecution of women, who is not
false to his own race, and whose soul can not
be bought or sold for a. few dollars. That is
what more I want, and it is a great deal more,
as you very well know." .

A scowl of deadly hatred came over the rene-
gade’s features, and again he hissed forth:

“ Be kceri‘ul, gsll, or you’ll insult me once too
much! I may not stand everything.”

“ What will you do? Kill me? I will thank
you for that.”

“Come, come, son and daughter,” said Ros-
wins, with a blank attempt at a smile, “you
must not waste time quarroling this way. I
Louisa. is strong enough for that} she can ride a
little ways, I feel quite sure. Can you not,
Louisa?”

The poor girl had no power to resist, fearful
as she knew the life intended for her to be. She
could eat none of the rough foodtflered her,
and so was soon riding away from the spot,
with a. heavy heart. '

The “little ways” could have had no definite
meaning. for mile after mile they went on, till
it sealed to Louise. that she must fall from her

horse, and in fact often she came near doing so. l

In vein were her snpplicutions for rest and
even death. Little heed was paid to them, and
the journey continued until at length she lost
all consciousness, and the world in a chaotic
muss seemed revolving about her.

Rnswins prevented her from falling, and
placed her upon the ground, to eifect her restora-

tlon.

“ We shall have to hold on now,” he said.
“We can’t go any further, comfortably, and
perhaps this will do as 'well as any place. _I’ll
stay here with her while you find #- camplng-
ground.” _ .

They were in something of a rough region,
favor. A lit—
tle brook ran not far from the spot. and judging

1
‘that the spring was not very distant, Duii'ey
lset out to find i . '

Presently he returned, and annolinced a fine
v locality, with abundance of wood, water and
game.

' And not much later, in a little nook, 11
among the rocks and giant trees, they has
located, with e bough-house neat and attractive
save in compnnionship, prepared for Louisa.
Here she was placed, while her companions at:
tended to the horses, and looked for game.

“ Tell ye whet,” said Roswins, confldentiall ,
“we must be very careful of her. and mags
thian as smooth as possible, for it wouldn’t
work well to have her sick on our hands here."

“See here,” retortod Dufl'ey, “I don’t want
any of your interferin’. Atrade is a. trade, and
this matter rests on my hands now. It don’t
consarn you whether she’s sick or not, any
longer, does it?” '

“Oh, we’ll not quarrel.” said Roswins, very
humbly. “I don’t calculate to meddle with
your affairs. I am only helping you along.
You know I never meddle with affairs which
do not belong to me.”

“ Oh, you meant well enough. only you have
a curious way of showin‘ it, that’s all!" and.
laughing brutally at some supposed witticismr
in the words. Dun separated temporarily from
his companion. '

 

_—

CHAPTER IX.
nor DISCOURAGED.

 

from the brow oi” the olifl, which he recognized
~us similar to that which had come over the

‘ river, creating such an excitement, the previous:
.eveumg, a. deadly chill came over his frame: »

5 despite all his efforts to be brave. He wishe

himself almost anywhere else, but he had"

{ thirsted for an adventure, and now re
. that he was bound to see it through.

i for his friend. Should anything hep n to de-
prive him of Green Jucket’s counse s, be felt

ow utterly alone he should be among those who ,

now regarded him with a far from friendly
feeling.
His dorm did not decrease when he saw his

friend lying upon the ground. his head and face 

l besmeured with blood. Reaching the spot, he

sprung from his horse, and bent over to ascer-
tain it possible the extent of the injury. ,
. At first he feared that his friend was really
i killed. but a second look gave him hope.

 the scalp was torn and mangled, and blood had

Wnnu Theodire heard that strange report:

The-~
E wound was upon the top of the head, and while ‘

    

L

-l In a moment his alarm changed to anxiety 

flowed profusely, it was rather probable that ‘

:the bullet had not penetrated the skull.
i isfe‘rrbimself that such was really the case.

bile he was still trying to satisfy himselfoni' .
that pomt, Dnfl'ey rode up, and took away his '-
as

horse. as detailed in the 1: chapter. In his

anxiety and confusion, the young man scarcelyu ‘

Bur ‘ 
l with all his hopes, Theodore was unable touts. '

; expected any further use for the animal, and so '

(Bug-ed no decided protest against the action or
, n ey.
: Some moments after. chancinz to look around.

 

 

'22 The Border Gunmaker.

 

'he saw Louisa. being borne down toward the

inver.

“ What a be] 1am,” lie'mused. “ That is just.
what I ought to be doing. No other treatment
‘will help this man, and it is but a, few steps to
.an abundance of water.”

He raised the inanimate form as well as
3he could, and staggering under the weight, made

' his way down the hillside, taking a course to

“bring him to the river quite a. distance from the

a ct selected by Roswins. He plaCed Green

- ackct upon the earth, close to the bank, and

commenced bathing his head and face, washing
wwaway the stains of blood, that he might form an
estimate of the nature of the wound the gun-
.maker had received.

He was encouraged by the appearances, and
also by the evidences-of returning consciousness.
“The bullet only seemed to have tom the scalp,
_'ust where p renologists locate the organ of
" ‘firmness,” and though the wound bled quite
freely, it was not necessarily mortal or serious.

Indeed just at this juncture the wounded man
7opened his eyes, and with something approach-
:iug a groan resumed an upright. posture.

“ Confouud that pesky crazy loon l” be ex-
claimed, in a voice barely distinct. “he came
'near sending my business for me. How hot my
head feels, and how it aches! Just; douse on the
'water till my brains get a. little clearer, and
:then I’ll tell ye what to do.”

Theodore followed his directions, nnd in a few
noments the wildness of manner left the gun-
maker, and he rose to his feet.

“How much of a hurt IS there?" he asked,
bending over so as to obtain a reflection from the
mater. ,

He surveyed the wound for a moment,
pressed his finger upon the injured portion, and
then remarked:

“ Well. it is really nothin’ after all. But how
the Old Boy he could miss me as close as that, I
don’t for the life of me see.” -

He submitted while his companion bathed and
«dressed the wound as well as he was able, and
[when the operation had been completed, he said:

“I feel most as good as new. You’d make a.
v real good doctor, youngster. Now I’ll find an

Injin remedy that'll cure it up in a hurry.

‘ ‘ Tlheodore gazed upon his companion.admir-

log y.

i “ Then you are not discouraged,” he said,

“after that narro w escape?"

“ Discouraged? Why should ‘lhe’ll If a man’s
time comes to die, why he’ll die. and thar’s no

i , chance about it. You wonder why that teller
, didn’t kill me. but I don’t. My time had not

come, and so his big hoss-pistil was of no ac-

count.” '

“Very comforting when one can think so,"
Thurber. thought, but he did not express his
thoughts in words.

Green Jacket moved about with his eyes fixed
upon the ground, and in a few minutes found a
small plant, of which he picked several leaves
and handed them to his companion.

"‘Now if ye want to do me a service,” he ex-
‘ plained, “jest chaw up these here and fix ’em on
, that bald place. It works like fun, for We
/ tried it More,”

“ Then this is not {your first wound,” Theodore
_ obscrvml. . , - , I

l “Fustl 'well “I rn'ythcr guess not! But that
, uin’t here nor thul‘. and if)ou‘ll ’ten'l to them
ham-s just now, I’ll in: much obliged to yo."

Tuus admonished, the young man gave the
herb a thorough chewing, although the taste
was none ol' the ple-nsnntest, and bound the pulp
upon the injured suilp.

“ That it els be tor h‘rendy,” Green Jacket as-
sorted, and Tilt]! her rrjoii-cd as heartily as pos-
sible under all the circumstances, that real or
fancied, D. cure might be speedily Lifer-ted.

“ Now what shall we do?” he asked, as Green
Jacket began to gaze around rather anxiously.

He supposed his companion would wish to
seek some retired spot, devoting: himself to rest,
and allow his injury to heal. But the response
was quite different.

“Xou jest. look around and find my cap and
gun.” he said. " And then we’ll see what these
skunks are going to do Willi that poor girl.”

“ But you believe in destiny—n by look after
your gun?” Thw dore laughineg asked.

“ Yes, I know: but then suppose Imeet Dan
Dqu‘I‘V, and his time had come! What, in the
Old Boy would I do without my gun?”

The interlocutor offered no reply, but hastened
up the hill", and found the missing articles where
they had been droppld at the time of the scout’s
fall. He looked around for the other party, but
saw nothing of tlrm. \Vhile returning, how-
ever, he heard a sharp crackling, as of dry
branches, away through the forest, and looking
in that direction beheld a horse and rider disap—
pearing among the trees, whom he had barely
time to recognize as Roswins.

“ Now, whar d’ye suppose the snipes hev gone
with the gal and what are they doin’?”Grer-n
Jacket aske , when he had examined his rifle
and satisfied himself that it was ready for serv-
ice.

Theodore related What he had seen as be de-
scended the hill. ‘

“Yes.” growled the gunmaker, “they’re off
on another tramp. It must he most awful hard
on the poor gal, hi: I don’t suppose there’s any
help for it, not at present. There will be help.
tht-ugh, when we meet the confoundedcrittvrs
ag’in. But let me think a bit. 1 doimapine
that crazy critter muddled up my trap a trifle.”

After musing to himself and drawing dia-
grams upon the rock for Some time the gun-
maker summed up the result of his deliberations
thus:

“ We may as well let ’em go on through the
day, if the do well. We must go about the
same way u order to reach Thompson’s Pass,
and that is our best cut. If they go on peace-
ably We may let them get twenty miles ahead,
and all the time they’ll be getting us nearer to
the very place where we want to go. But we
must t‘oller ’em close, and this is the way we’ll
do it: You can track ’em well enough in broad
daylight, right arter they hev gone along. 30
you go on, and keep ’em almost‘in sight. If
they see you, no great matter, for they think
I‘m knocked out most likely, and Won’t ay
much attention. I’ll keep a ways behind. ut
near enough so you can signal we in case it’s

 

     

 

    

 

l

needed, and we can work together if anything’s
wrong.”

Some further arrangements were made, sig-
nals agreed upon, and the like, after which they
again took to the trail. Theodore would have
urged delav, that his companion might rcsi.
but Green Jacket would not listen to any sucl
proposal.

“ ’Tain’t anything but a scratch,” he said, al-
most indignantly. “Most likely I shall never
think of it ag’in. I sba'n’t if I get an eye on the
miserable critters what are abusing that poor
girl so, ye can feel sartain of that. If I feel
like givia’ out on the way it’ll be time enough
to stop.”

Theodore did not often have any trouble in
following the trail, as the party. deeming them-
selves rid of all oppodtion, took no pains to
blind their way, and when he was sometimes in
doubt a sign from Green Jacket generally set
him right.

But the scout had somewhat underestimated
the severity of his wound. His head became
very painful at times, and once or twice he was
obliged to stop and rest. But with these dis-
couragements they kept within observing dis~
tance of the travelers. and when they stopped
because Louisa could ride no longer. as pri»
viously recorded. all their actions were under
survey. In the narrow retreat not forty rods
from the bush—house in which the worn Louisa.
was resting, and overlooking the spot, Green
Jacket and his companion had found is hiding-

lace.

D Dan Dufiey passed near the spot in his search
for game, and fortunate it was lor him that the
guninaker was suffering so severely from the
\ ound upon his head that he was not upon the
bokout. ut the ranger did not discover his
tiiexpect d neighbors, and passed'on all uncon-
scious of the peril hanging over his head.

Theodore having agreed to watch the camp
of the enemy carefully, and awaken Green
Jacket promptly at any new phase of afliirs,
that individual finally fell asleep. and remained
thus for some hours It was towards-veiling
when he awoke, and af’er satisfying himself or
the fact, he informed Thurber that he felt much
better. The pain had almost entirely left his
head. and he felt quite himself again.

“Now what is going on over thari’f he asked.

Theodore reported every thin quiet. Ros-

wins and the renegade, returning from their
hunt with game sufficient for all present need,
had made some trifling arrangements, and laid
them down to sleep, in which they still seemed
wra ed.
“ What is that? Asleep, are they 1” exclaimed
Green Jacket. “ I’m a great mind to go over—
but I guess not. There's a’most too much light
now for what we want to dew. Jest arter dark’ll
be our time.” _

But an irrepressible conflict Was gomg on in
the giinmaker‘s mind. and aftera Silence of a
few minutes, during whit-1h he had been fldget-
'n uneasil he continue :

I E It seem); to me, though, we‘d better know
how the land lays, and have everything ready.
We kin do better than we can to go on any un-
certainties. So. now it you’ll stay here. and

The Border Gunmaker.

 

    
  
 

keep shadv, I’ll go out and see to things in ~
general. Most likely they calculate to move -
soon as the darkness gets thick enough for their
purpo<e, and if Lhat’s the case we want to have i
our plans all cut and dried.”

It seemed to the young man that his com- -
panion was gone a ver long time. The sun had 1
sunk so low beyond t is Western hills that its ‘
beams no longer slanted through the forest, and .
still Green Jacket had not returned.

Becoming more and more alarmed. as dark— -
ness drew on, 'l‘heodore had just risen, and crept
from the retreat, purposiiig to go in search of '
his. absent companion, when he heard a stealthy '
movement, and on turning found himself face - V I
to face with "rm: WILD MAN! The latter seemed '
to be looking for something, as at the moment,“
of encounter he was peering anxiously into the - ‘
retreat from which the young men had‘just /
emerged. Apparently as much startled as. the—
other at the meeting, he stood motionless for a . ‘
moment, one hand grasping his large ay '
heard, the other resting on the rock besideE‘i . \

Thurber’s first movement was toward his pis- -
tol, which he wont even so far as to produce. .

But the \« ild-man raised his hand from the rock, .
with a dcprecalory gesture, shaking his head ’
slowly, while a world of sorrow seemed beaming ;
from his strange eyes. 

It seemed to Theodore as though he were.
frozen to the earth by that glance, and for a ,
moment he scarcely knew what was passin 1'
about him. \Vhen he resumed his won‘:
energy, however, and looked about him, the:
strange figure was gone. having vanished as .. pf
utterly and silently as though the earth had 
swallowed it. up. ' J71.

The young man did not immediately pursue ~
his former purpose, but returned to the nook " -, 1.,
among the rocks, and leaning against the solid I'v 
granite, mused upon what had just passed. For ' V ,
the first time since he singular appearance ot,’ . e
the maniac, he recollected that he. had seen that. “
personage spring from the summit of the clifl, , g
several hours before—taking a leap which ac» 
cording to all human calculation must have:
produced instant death! . . 7

He did not. of course, suspect that when the  
maniac took that fatal leap e struck among the .
branches of a small tree, which broke his fall,. '
ianding him upon the ground with only a few v
scratches and bruises. . 21‘
. While he was thus musing. Green Jacket stole . 
in, very quietly, and stood beside him. . » ,

“Ah, ’m glad to see you.”said Theodore.
warmly. “ I was just beginning to feel afraid.‘ :
that he had come across you again.” 2,

“HE! Who is he?” f.
’I;he young man pointed to his companion’s' ‘
sca p. ‘ .
“He’ll not trouble us any more.” wasthe ’
punitive reply of the person addressed. , .' '

“ Don’t be too sure of that," returned Thurber.
“ He has just been here.” .

“ Here 2’” \ v' -

“ Yes. here!” .’— 

“How? What?” ‘3

Gl‘lell J acket had no more calmness now. It v- ‘.-'
hail all giVen place to disquiet and unrest. ""
He glanced about from time to time,_ amour  .

i3

   
    
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
 
   
   
 
  
   
  
    
    
  
 
 
   
   
    
  
   
  
  
   

.c‘

\

  

  

  

 

  

 

anv fair show.”

I

, case,‘we can do it.

' rocks, and here Green Jacket stopped to whis-

.making its wa

" {‘3 _ ire their own safety, and tend todeleat the very
‘ object for which they were striving.

' , cerne after ’em.

’, trust his lips even in a whisper, and then they

/ the were some distance above the point they
‘ Wis ed to reach. Thence they glided down,

'tem.

"such feeble light as the stars gave down,

‘and the dark hut of boughs which contained
. the object of their search.

   

s1

    

fearfully. while the young man related the
story of the singular appearance. When it was
finished, he said:

“ I can’t make this crazy man out.
seem the Old Boy is at the bottom of it all.
I’d try a rifle-ball on him; but, I declare, if
this is him, and he‘s alive, I don’t think any-
thing of the common nater’ll have any effect
on him. If it’s an apparition,"—he glanced
quickly around, and spoke in a lower tone—
‘ of course we can’t fight the Old Boy with

There were a few moments’ silence, and then
Green Jacket resumed:

“I‘ve got everything laid out nicely. All
we’ve got to do is to go over and get the gal,
which we kin do first rate if they sleep. If they
don’t, we may have to fight for it. But in any
Their bosses are down by
that little run, just below the big rock, so that
after we git the gal we can go down there and
pick our nags. Thar’s a way of getting to the

ush-house without waking them.’

“ Yes; but hark! They are beginning to
stir!”

A yawn, followed by an impatient exclama-
tion. cam i distinctly through the foresc.

“Then it is time we were getting over that
way."

" You are right.”

They emerged from the nook among the

per:
“Keep close behind me; I know how to go;
:thi,’don‘t make any noise, or we shall spoil it

 

CHAPTER X.

run MISSION.
3 DOWN the rocky slope, into the hollow where
the mountain stream glided and gurgled along,
with difficulty between the
at masses 0 stone at one oint, and then
owing a few feet smoothly, t e two figures
crept, pausing to analyze eVe-ry sound, lest by
anyaincautious movement they should jeopard-

' “Here’s the bosses,” whispered Green Jacket
after they had crossed the run, and turned up.
toward a somewhat open glade where the ani-
mals had been secured. “You see how they
are, it anythingushould happen that you wantto

Theodore bowed assent, for he did not wish to
moved away up the opposite ascent, here and
there stopping to listen and take breath, until

creeping between, over, and around huge rocks,
unti at last, peering through between two
eat ledges, the scene of interest was before

All was wrapped in complete darkness, save

It does ‘

The Border Gunmwker.

l

 

through the leafy covering of the forest, yet 1
the spies were able to distinguish the spot;
where Dufley and his companion were lying

 

But just as they reached the spot asound pro-
ceeded from the but, and presently a figure
walked down toward the lace where the two
men Lad been sleeping. t was Roswins, as
they judged from his form and general bear-
mg.

“Come, Dan,” he said, “ if you are going on,
it is time you were up and getting ready for
business. It’s dark as a pocket.”

“Then I ain’t goin’," growled the not very
amiable outlaw. “The gal’s all right, ain’t
she?‘

“]She is here, and I think asleep,” was the
rep y.

“ Then go to sleep yerself. I’ll get up when I
got good and ready—not a minute afore.”

Roswins paned back and forth a few minutes
in silence, and seeing that Duifey had, to all
appearance. gone to sleep again, finally con-
cluded to follow his example.

Then a silence ensued, so deep as to be almost

sinful. , It was broken at length by the irregu-
ar snoring of one sleeper, and when this sound
was heard, Green Jacket pressed his compan-
ion’s arm, whispering in very low tones:

“ Now I’m goin‘ in to get the lady out. Do
you stay here till I come with her. feither of

these hounds wake up, and thar’s an need for
it, shoot, and don't be afraid to dew it] Do you
understand?”

u I do.” »

Glidng in very stealthily, and repeating like
movements until he reached the bough cabin,
Green Jacket stooped and glided in.

Uttering a signal of caution scarcely above his
breath, he waited a moment, and then began to
search for the occupant. But he did not at once
discover any person present, and, pausing in his
search, he very gently whispered:

“ Where are you?"

N 0 response came, and after listening in-
tently for some time, Green Jacket repeated his
lll lllI‘ .

tihythe same dead silence.

“ She’s sound asleep,” he mused.

He proceeded slowly around the narrow limit,
feeling his way, and carefully examinin
with his hands every foot of the surface, bu
when he reached the point from which he start-
ed forth, be u as quite astonished at finding that
the but was perfectly empty.

He paused, bent down and listened, uncertain
what course to pursue. He could not imagine
what had become of the late occupant.

While standing thus in doubt he became aware
that some person was approaching. He had
hardly heard the approach, but long cultivated
sense informed him in some mysterious manner
that a visitor was drawing nigh.

He placed himself near the entrance gras in
a weapon in case of need, though the probe ih-
tiles seemed that it must be the occupant of the

ace.

p Presently the stars which were to be seen here
and there through the entrance were shut out,
and looking up, the dim darkness of the place
was just sufllc1ent to reveal to Green Jacket the
great grn y heard, the huge, steeping form of
the nameless madmanl

Had the dead risen from the grave he could

i scarcely have been more discoan With ell

luck...» ~—L.1 ‘ A,
. 1

 

 

   
 
 
 
   
   
    
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  

.......M..v._. ‘-

    
 

N ~.. ‘_.m

"w... .

 

I

The Border

\

Gunmaker. 85

 

his bravery, the gunmakerhad a dreadful horror
of this very being, though why It was so he
could not well have informed any one. He could
have plunged his knife to the intruder’s heart,
or have rushed upon and overlhrown him with
perfect ease; and had the interloper been any’
other person, he would most likely have pursued
one of the two courses. As it was he had only
shrunk back while the madman crept Into the
narrow confines. '

It was too late now to escape. Even while he
was trying to devise some plan._the‘ madman
grasped him, and on finding that it was not the
woman he expected to encounter, began a fierce
struggle. This, of course, in .such narrow con-
fines, was brief. The contestants swayed against
the frail structure, and it went down with a
crash.

The noise awoke Dufley and Roswins, both of
whom sprung up with exclamations of alarm, l
and rushed toward the spot.

They stopped at once, however, when, strug.
gling from the ruins, came the madman whom
they all posed dead, and with one of his peculiar
laughs Began to disengage his weapons. The
effect upon them was no less marked than it
had been upon Green Jacket and his young
friend.

Without waiting to accept the offer of battle
given them, the twain retreated in mud haste
from the spot. The cause of this alarm, forget-
ting his old foe'in the new, followed ata rate of
speed very little inferior to their own. .

In consequence of this new phase of affairs,

Green Jacket found himself free again to pur-
sue the business of most congenial nature. His
first work was to extricate himself from the
,bushes which had fallen upon him, and then,
gathering the facts which his senses had not
fully supplied, he crept down to where he had
left Theodore. _ i '

That person had been waiting patiently for
the reappearance of his comrade, and was not a
little startled and disconcerted at the sudden
crash which had awakened the sleepers. Act-
ing upon the instructions of his absent com.

anion, he was upon the point of firing at the

we men who started toward the scene, when
the strange laugh of the maniac deprived him
of all power of movement lor _tl)e time. When
he had regained the use of his nerves the two
were dashing wildly through the forest.

But a. few moments later came the gunmaker
full of conflicting emotions. He grasped Theo-
dore by the arm. and when they were a little
removed from the late camp, now perfectly den
sorted, he said:

u gwglens gage ’"h I"

“ here as s a one

“That’s more thagn I know. It can’t be that
madman killed or carried her off, for 1 am sure ,
he hadn’t been there before. And only a few '
minutes ago they said she was there. But it
don’t make any difference, she’s gone now.”

“Perhaps she’s undertaken an escape on her
own account,” suggested Theodore:

The other amped atthe suggestion.

 

“It may e,” be said. “We’ll. go down to
the bosses, and see if any of them is gone.”

“I'tliought I heard some movements down
there. just a few moments before the uproar,

but I may have been mistaken,” Thurber whis-
pered.

Not being obliged to move with so much cau- ,
tion as before, they were but a few moments in '

real-hing the place where the horses were
picketed. Duffey and his companion seemed to
have forgotten or ignored the animals, as the
hzul gone in quite an opposite direction. Sci
one of the horses was missing! '

“ What did I tell you?” demanded the elated
Theodore. “I tell you that Woman is worth
her weight in gold. She’s full of spirit, or she
would never undertake any such movement as
that!’ '

“ We‘re not sure it was the gal,” said Green
Jacket, cautiously.

“But it must have been. Who else would
have lakBll away a. single horse? Only I don’t

see how we are going to tell which way she «

Went."
“Then you don’t understand that?”
“ No. Do you?” x,
“ I do." '
“ How 1”
“ Get onto that horse, an’ we’ll see.”

Theodore did as directed, and when Green

Jacket was mounted he said: .

“Give your boss his head, and see which way
he goes i”

“ Are on sure he’ll go right?”

“ I’d 1i '9 to boy ye git these bosses any other
way than what the fust one went, unless ye was
to drive ’em. Now seel” ‘

They did see, as the horses at once set OR to- »

ward the east, picking their way with freedom,
and evincing no hesitation or uncertainty.
"The very course I laid out,” said the leader.

“Now, if the gal hasn’t got too far away, and.

doesn’t take the wrong track, it all looks plain-
to me once more.
ag’in.”

“ But we’re not sure of getting off now.”

“ 1 know it. But if we sin get’five miles start ‘

we are all right. ”

The way was not the mostpleasant which ,7

might have been selected, had pleasure alone
been consulted; but they made be best 011:,
and after traveling a. time ause-i to listen.

“Don’t you hear that ’ asked the leader .

quickly.

Yes they could plainly hear the movementb

of a horse through the soft soil in front of them,
and under the circumstances, they had no

doubt but they were near the object of their-1

search.

“ I suppose the poor gal will feel seared when \

she finds we are arter her,” said Green Jacket,
“and thinks it’s the other chaps. But no, we

are friends, and she’ll find it out in due tune. 

Maybe it would do to speak and tell her.”

“ Why not? It can’t do any great harm.”

“ Ladyl” said the leader, raising his” voice
somewhat. ‘

The horse in advance was evidently checked,
as the sound of'footfalls ceased. ‘

“Lady, friends!” was repeated, and thenithe ‘
two moved forward.

Theodore was the first to discover the fugi-
tive, sitting her horse beside the route they

g were taking, and almost fearinz that, bar can,

.

_ Let us fairly give ’em the » _ 
slip this time, and I don’t think they'll catch us .

 

 

 

  

  
  
   
 
   
  
    
    
   
  
   
    
   
   
  
  

The Border Gunmaker.

 

  
  
   
 
 
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
  
 
   
   
   
    
  
 
 
   
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
 

had deceived her. or that the word was only
used as a mockery. With a cry of joy she
grasped the young man’s hand and pressod it
within her own, unable to express her emotion
in words.

“So-ho, here’s the gal!" exr'lnimed Green
Jacket, reining in his horse. “You see we’ve
found you ag’in. Do you want to go with us,
of have us go with you? I s’pose ye do, onless
there‘s some change come over yer feeliu’s since
we parted so onceremonious like.”

“ Oh. yes, indeed,” was the faint answer. “I
want to go with you to escape from these dread-
’ful scenes, or die! Sometimes I little care which.
I was wishing but now that I was back again to
the cliff, so that I might cast myself over. and
be freed from this terrible. terrible ordeal.”

“,No, no, now, poor girl,” said the scout,
drawing his hand mysteriously across his face.
"‘ Don’t fret that way any more. Acause this
teller and I are with ye now, and these bloody
brutes never slinll catch us napping ug’in till we

V bring ya back in safety to your friends.”

“ Alas. sir, you know not what you promisel
I have no friends!" ‘

' ‘?‘7’No friends! Then whar do you want to

o
z “ Anywhere, sirs, anywhere, so it be among
ciVlllz».-d people. I will throw myself upon ihe
protection of all honorable, people, and pray
that this persecution may cease!"

,After a momentary silence, she continued:

l“I must tell you my story soon, when we
have more time. But it is a sad one, and I
shrink from going over the recital when not
necessary."

“Never mind it now; never mind it," said
Green Jacket. hurriedly. “ We want first to
get you away from these heathens, whoever they
may be, and then we can talk. Course you’re

' terribly tired out, but if you can ride. we must

. ,awa .

get along a. ways toward Thompson’s Pass.”

“Oh, no, indeed I don’t feel tired now. Or
rather, I feel so much encouraged that I can do
anything to get away from this—place.”

“‘ Wnen We get beyond this Pass. I think we
shall be safer,” the leader returned. “ And it
can’t be more than twenty or twenty-five miles
So, Theodore, boy, if you’ll see to her,
an’ 00k out for any bad signs, I’ll try to pick
the way.” ,

A task in every way so agreeable to the young
man’s feelings had not for many a day been
delegated to him, and he obeyed, the suggestion
with remarkably good grace. .

He had longed to be beside that strange, per-
secuted woman, to learn more of her sad history.
it he might or at least to listen to her voice. and
to express. when he found the ability to do so,
his sympathy with her.

‘ And as they moved slowly on in the darkness,

through a wild, obstructed region. he had the

opportunity so long coveted. Brief and hesi-
tating. were the first few sentences which passed
betv'vebn them, but. finally, the gates were

, .opened, and they came to speak with confidence

and mutual pleasure of such topics as prrsenied

i , themselves, until they Were a little startled by

 

the abrupt halt of their leader.

CHAPTER XI.
“AGAINI”

“ AIN'T ye tired?" he asked, addressing himself to
Louisa.

The woman would have rr-plir-d that she was not,
but in truth she could not nuiko ll liitriiiout. It
Hlil‘lin‘d as though she could stun-(:on sit in the
saddle from minute to minute, and so she replied,
with It smile:

“ Yes, indeed, I feel very tired, but I do not mind
that so that we may leave them far behind."

" think we'd better mind it,“ he said. “ I‘ve got
another reason for it, and putting them both to-
gather Si'l‘ills plain enough to me that we’d better
take a. rest not fur from here.”

“ \tht is your reason ‘2“ Theodore inquired.

“ \Voll, the lady here is tired and needs rest; that
is one of ‘cni," was the rather hesitaling reply of
the scout. “ And then, if we go on, it‘s goin’ to be
rnytlier slow, difficult work. It’s so confounded
dark, and goin‘ to storm. Then I ain’t acquainted
with the land first best, and don‘t know how we‘d
better steer to hit Thompson’s Puss "

“ You do not mean to say that We are lost?” Theo-
dore aski-d, in much excitement.

“ Oh, no; nothin’ of that sort. I know where we
are well enough, but it’s 1i. kind of blind way from
here to the Pass. and we can make it a great deal
quicker in daylight. We are goin‘ to have a storm,
plain enough, and to t to go on will be all foolish-
noss, in my mind. ere‘s a ledge, and just pos-
sibly we kin find a place where the storm won't
reach us. If you‘ll wait here a few minutes I‘ll go
and sec."

(ire/en Jacket dismounted, and his companions
followed suit. The young man busied himsvlf with
leading the horses a itth aside and carefully secur-
ing them to the trees, while Louisa seated herself
upon the ground, weary and exhausted beyond
measure. leantime the leader set himself about
exploring the rugged ledge, which with numerous
breaks and ramifications, extended much further
than the senses could comprehend in that appalling
blackness.

But Green Jacket seemed to find what he wanted,
for in a few minutes his voice came down from an
elevation not for distant:

“ Come up hcrcl"

Theodore came up took his companion by the
hand. and they moved in the direction whence the
sound came. But they made very little progress, as
the blank rock met them on all sides.

Green Jacket came to their assistance, and in a
short time the had gained the retreat. It was
reached by a Winding shelf. running up and’ around
the face of one portion of the ledge, overhuiiz by
another projecting rock of mammoth tproportions.
beneath which was a perfectly sheltere recess suf-
ficiently large to contain 1 dozen persons. In some
portions a. sort of moss had gathered about the
rough bowlders which were scattered here and
there, so that the place seemed far from uncomfort-
abli, even though it was only composed of the solid
roc . .

“There, this is what I call comfortable," said
Green Jacket. “It may storm till doomsday. and
we are dry and cosey here. If anybody wants to
make our acquaintance, and we are disposed to say
‘ No.‘ we kin sa it to mean somethin’."

It was a. delightfully secure place. and only one
drawback presented. There was only the bare
rock to lie 11 on, and it would be cruel for Louisa,
wearied as s e was, to seek such a couch. ‘

“ Ye‘r’ right. my boy," said Green Jacket to Theo-
dore. who first mentioned the fact. “I was think-
ing of that very thing and don‘t see but one way to
remedy it. If we had blanke or dry leaves, or
press, or somethi of that kin , we might fix up
a grand shape. _
cant be got. There's one thin we can

    

 

et, and
co. soft

 

that is bouzhs—they don’t in e a real

ut we haven‘t got ’em, and‘they ‘

 
  

., if

w-.." gum

    
        
 
     
  

 
 

an

we." 

,, ‘4“ ,‘u -

.9

 

‘ . l
\ y

\

The Border Gunmaker. 2V

 

bed, but they are better than nothing and we kin
get it good mess, and fix up things in the best shape
possible.” _

“ Just sn. I will go with you for some," said Them
doi'e. as his companion was about moving away._

"No. I‘ll go, and 1 can get enough in a short time.
I'd rayihcr you stay here. I suppose it’s all safe,
but something dorsn’t seem jlust right to me now.
If you are here I shall feel rig it about it."

Green J ackct was not absent very long, ere he
returned with quite an arinful of boughs, which he
proceeded to arrange in the remotes! corner of the
niche.

Louisa. was quite surprised at this unlooked-for

reparation, and protested against so much pains

ein taken in her behalf, but the gunnmkei- only
long ied in his quiet manner, and assured her that it
would be as much a protection to their consciences
as to her body; and with the words he was Scramb-
ling down the ledge agag. '

"What a kind, brav . man he is,“ the ratified
Louisa remarked, as his footsteps fade away.
“ And after all, how much a iiiystei-yl" .

She spoke the last words in a lower tone of vaice,
as though to herself, and started perceptiny when
her companion remarked:

“lie is not the only mystery over which we may
surmise, and puzzle our llllllllh‘. I know of others.”

“ch, indeed,“ remarked Louisa, when she had
recovered somewhat troin her moincntury embar-
rassment. “ I know a certain young man, evidently
not deeply versed in woodcraft, who is a mystery to
-—to his companions."

“ As well as a young lady who does not introduce
herself," rctorted Theodore. _

“You would scarcely expect a young lady Wltll
two travelin compnnions who witheld their conti-
dence, to ma 8 hwer too frot‘ly known. .You have
heard me claimed by Dan Duffey as his Wife. Tim:
I denied. You have heard me claimed by this man,
Roswins, as his daughter." _

“ Which I have not heard denied.“

“This claim I have had no opportunity to deny.
But that is neither admitting or denying it. You
know alrend more of me—”

She pause suddenly, as though embarrassed, and
Theodore completed the sentence.

“More than this, for I know that ou have no
home, no real friends on earth, save t 1059 who are’
with you now. Am I not right there?"

“ So I suppose.”

“Then 1 can say, here and now, what I must say
sooner or later. 1 have a home—or what would be a
home, if it had the spirit of such. 'l‘hat spirit is
wanting now, but you shall go there, and it Will
want no longer." .

“ 1 go to mar homei" the woman almost shrieked,
starting to or feet. “ You can not know—no, you do
not know what you are Fayingl" .

It was Theodore‘s turn to be astonished now. He
had not for an instant premeditated his last words-
in fact they had come forth wuhout any volition
upon his part, and now that such had been the re-
sult, he was quite uncertain whether he had made a
fatal mistake, or simply a conteinlitible blunder.

“What do you mean?" he asked, the words com‘
ing dr ly from his month.

“What do ou mean?”

“I mean t at if you are not the Wife of Dan
Duft‘cy, I would make you mine i"

“ Then, indeed, you do not know of what you
s oak!" ,

pAnd with a sorrowful air she turned away, leaning
a ainst the wall of rock.
lieodore walked out to the front of the ledge, de«
bated a. moment whether to throw lllmSI-lf off. and
then, thinking better of the matter, walked back to
where he had left Louisa. . _ .

“Our friend is coming " he said, assuming as~ llr
different a tone as possible. “I heard him movnig,
I fancied."

 

“ say nothing to him of this," Louisa remarked,
turning toward her companion.

.But moments passed, and no Green Jackez made
his npponrniico. ‘

_ “ Possibly I was mistaken," Theodore exclaimed,
lislflllillg,"' but I certainly fancied I heard him mow
ing up—‘

The storm had been coming nearer all this time,
and now tho flashes of light were brilliant enou h to
rovcal something of the surroundings of the p ace.
One came at this moment. and there, not six feet x
away from them, btth distinctly beheld the tall. '- I
gaunt form, floating hair and massive beard of the
madman. f.

Louisa shrieked forts: “Oh, God! againl” and
sunk upon the rock. ‘

The same flash of light revealed both artles to v U
the other, and with a bound the mania}; sprung ' ' "
upon Theodore. ‘ ’ ‘ \

Tlleh"OllllQ‘ man was crushed down in a moment '
and t ough he st glad valiantl his stren hw ‘ v
as nothing, 0 polsléfi to the insayi’i’e fury whgith tag). 
maniac broug r. to bear upon him. This time there
could be no possiihility of mistake. The assault was i
of a deadly character, for the madman had grasped“
his neck with-bow hands. and it seemed as though » '
his desperate clutch would rend the bones and a- ‘
inents asunder. Any defense which he WOUId 9
must be male quick y. ,

The movein'rit for a weapon was rather in- r.
stim‘tive than otherwise on the young man‘s
and by chance he first encountered his knife-m
It was immediately drawn forth, and though there-
was no light to guide his hand, he struck out, once ‘ '2
tw ce thrice, and each time the blade encountered, ,1 ‘1
807n’1t1ufl Then he was conscious of a. great etIOrt” '
of strength on the part of the giant; it seemed for a :
moment as though the rocks had falen over and
crushed him, and then all became a dark void, from .2 ~.
which sense and power had lied, and only- a dim V ‘
realization of existence remained, too dim and
vague to he even a certain evidence of actualit . I. ,

Green Jacket came stumbling up the nsceng’with’ ‘ v
an armfuL of boughs, and made iis groping way .-
inti) the retreat. The unusual still somewhat sur— '
prised him, and possibly he felt a trifle vexed at the,
Suffi&§lln0. " h d

‘ new are you? 6 emanded. “Itis m' J
Green Jacket; ye needn‘t be afeard." ' , 

But no response was made. The unwonted stills '
ness seamed filled with danger. He moved a'
orlftwo, and then paused again, muttering to  é -
se : ‘ x

“I wonder what in the Old Bo isu now l ’ '-
aln’t right, somewhat.” y p 1 sutmn

A friendly lightning-flash came at the moment;
rendering every obgect in the retreat visible for one
brief instant, and then fading out into protbunder
blackness. . ,V "

But that moment of light had been long enough
to show Green J ackot a loodinform lying close to,
£13 goat, and as}: sign vacant:1 a mgnagfi be was \ .

en in over 9 orm an an is ’himae' "» >‘1
that it gwas Theodore. ’ had' It, i ‘

He started to his feet, his mind fired with a fierce ’ 
determination. ‘ i ‘ .' '

“ it is more of that crazy critter‘s work," he mut- r
tored. “.He can’t be far away, and I‘m go toflnd
him. Let me once come across him ‘n, and
there’ll be one less wanderer in these wooedgs—either
in}? or met, thefis a positigreflgactl" » l

e wen o e rear 0 e lace and deposi
his bushes, buckled his belt wit a decided m3 .
and then moved out 8. am upon the'shel . Com
fldent that the madman ad not assed him he felt
he wa - up along the incline, unti at length he stood '
upon he open ground above. From this point, of "
course, he had no longer the slightest claw, save as
tho oft-recurring flashes of light momentarilypmv
seated the scene before him. But he pushed on in

x.

 

 

  
    
  
     

 

 

 
   
  
  

   

 

28

 

The Border Gunmaker.

 

the direction which his judgment decided must

. stand the greatest chance of being correct, looking

andfljlisttening, and nerving himself for the expected
con 0 . v

He had gone but a little way when something very
like a groan reached his ears. He stopped, listen-
ing intently for a repetition, and keeping his eyes
fixed in the direction whence the sound seemed to
proceed.

He was not obliged to wait long, and while a re
petition of the sound came on the heavy air, a flash

v of ‘light, just feeble and flickering ennuin to show

some human forms, a little distance to the right,
gaze him positive assurance that he was not mis-
a en.

But he had distinguished no details,’and holding
his rifle ready for instant use. he stole forward, look-
in with no small anxiety for further revelations.

8 next flash seemed a long time in coming, but
at len hits red glow blazed among the trees, and
fllledt eforest, so that Green Jacket had no diffi-
culty in comprehending the condition of affairs be-
fore him.

’ Close at hand stood the maiden, Louisa, trembling
and leaning against a tree for support, while at a lit-
tle distance lay the maniac. grounng and quivering,
in the throes of mortal agony. 01’ course this was a

' state of affairs very unlocked-for, but it was no time

to stop and wonder.

« “ Gal. it isIl" he exclaimed, that she might not be
too severely frightened, and sprung to her side.

‘ She uttered one glad cry of surpzise, and bowed
her head 11 n his broad breast, trembling, weak,
and almost aiming from the intensity of her eino-

‘ tions.

 

 

_ ing

' The man's

U ’ fully, the intervals

" place where he
(I 

Butln a few moments she recovered somewhat,

and raising her head, said, in uncertain tones:

“ Oh, what a horrible. dreadful scone!”
“ What is the meaning of all this?” Green Jacket

uired.

Icannot tell you. This man is dying, I think,
and Ifear Theodore is killed. What can we do? I
can not tell." .

= “Wait here a moment, and let me see how it fares
with this man. Then we’ll go back and attend to
Theodore." ’

He bent over the maniac, just as a. flash of light-
ning revealed the features, and it needed no second
look to assure him that death had set its seal there.
breath came hard, and his eyes were
already fixed, but he managed to articulate, so that
the other distinguished the words:

“ Don’t kill me—don‘t let—Jerry Nobles—go un-

’ _' punished!"

They were the maniac’s last words, borne almost

' on his latest breath.

A few more respii‘ntions came, slowly and pain-
rmvim.r longer, then a paus‘e—a
gasp4a gurgle, an lihe life went out from that
shrinking frame, out into that great unknown, upon
whose shores mortals stand ever, gazing, wondering,
dreadin , yet catching no whisper, no message, no

‘ knowl I from those realms beyond the river.

 

CHAPTER XII.
rnon THE PAST.
. Guns! JACKET did not feel as he had expected
when he realized that the madman was dead. He
had felt astran 6 fear of the man when living, and
now he felt we as singular sensations regarding-
is death. hose last words—“Don‘t let Jerry

l Noblesgounpunished,“ seemed ringing in his ears

But he regained his feet, and hastened to the
ad left Louisa.
,"hel said, “we can do nothing more for
him; let us go back and- see to Theodore.’

No words assed, as he led the fair adventuress
along until t ey had nearly reached the lodge. when
he ed almost abruptly:

“Who is Jerry Nobles?"

' “Jerry Nobles! . Why do you ask that!" was the
star on. '

tle exclamati

/

 

t Grefin Jacket hesitated a moment, and then re-
ume :

“Because, that strange man, when drawing his
last breath, said: ‘ Don‘t let .lcrry Nobles go unpun-
ishedl’ And I kinder wanLeJ to know who he
meant. '

“I will tell you,presently," she said. “But hal
there comes the storm.“

The first great drops of rain came down through
the tree-tops nitli a force like that of bullets, and
the storm promised to be one of great fury. lint
fortunately they were not far from shelter, and 'ust
as the drops came down in profusion, they redo rd
the retreat from which Louisa had been hurried
on] a. few minutes previously, under threat of death
if s ie uttered a cry.

It was sweet, even if sad. to realize that this terror
never could overshadow her life mor .

A mean which came to their ears :1 they entered,
gave assurance that Theodore still lived. and on mak-
ing an examination, it was imnd that he was coming
back again to consciousness. The madman, feeling
the keen thrusts of the knife, had dashed him against
the rock with dreadful fury but the moss covrrin
and Thurber‘s nearness, had saved him from fate.
ingury. .

After a few minutes' attention from the gun-
muker, Theodore was able to sit u , and then the
news was communicated to him t int Louisa was
snf e, and that her dangers from one source were at
an end.

"Then she’s only two more enemies," said the
young man.

“ That’s all, and thank goodness I ain‘t afea d to
measure wee )OllS with them any minute. I ( on‘t
think I wash card of this f ellcr, but there was some-
thin' about him I did not particularly fancy."

Hearing the sound of Theodore‘s voice, Louisa
came forward to express her gratification that he
had escaped with so slirrht an injury.

“I feela great interest in that.“ she said, “for it
was in my defense you were injured. I can only
express my sympathy, for I can never repay you
otherwise."

Did she realize how much those words meant to
the young man?

He turned away with more»emotion than he would
have cared to exhibit. But the darkness favored
him, and in a moment he was calm again.

The storm was now raging in all its fury. The
very flood-gates seemed unlooscd, and the rain de-
scended in torrents, while the loud thunder filled the
air with its almost constant rcverberations. Minia-
ture rivers went looping down around the rocks in
all directions, and in the valley below quite a creek
seemed surging along. '

But where our adventurers sat all was sheltered—
not a raindrop falling or gust of wind reaching.

“1 am sorr for our poor horses " said Theodore.
“ They have iad a severe time, and this storm must
seem most on leasant to them."

“ Yes. it‘s ad,” Green Jacket returned, “but
we’ve no help for it, and they ain’t human bein's,
after all.”

Then noticing that Louisa was sitting close beside
thieiln, gazing out at the mad play of the elements, he
so i :

“ Hadn’t ye better [to yonder and lie down? May-
Ec ye_ kin sleep a. bit, or rest better than ye can

ere.

“No, no,” she returned, quickly. “I cannot rest
now, or sleep. Too many old memories are busy.
Scenes 1 had tried to forget forever are coming 11
to my mind now, and poi-chance it would be a goo
lime to relate my life story. if you wish to know it.
No doubt on have wondered much concerning it
and indee , but for the events of this night 1 should
never have revealed what I purpose now to tell

on '

Of course the listeners were all attention and in-
terest for the commencement of the narration.
Green Jacket planted both elbows upon his knees.

l

 

  

 

)&;'~ ~ ‘

' The Border Gunmaker.

 

resting his chin in the open palms, while Theodore,
forgetting even his aching: heud, found a seat upon
the o posite side of the spcakcr, and ave his undi-
videt uttcntinn to the rL-citnl which fo owed.

“Ten years ago," she commenced, “I was not
what you sce me to—day, but u lively, careless girl,
just coming to the estate and understanding of wo-
manhood. I livcd with my father, my mother hav-
ing died some years before, and I, being his only
child. naturally came in for all the indulgence which

it would be possible for any one in my position to _

have. We lived in one of the small l‘jusreru citics,

and _my father, by frugnlly numnging a not‘vcry (-x- ,
tenswe business. gave me a good cducation~just ‘

finished, us the hruse goes, at, thc‘tinn‘ of which I
am spanking.
dollars in the bank; all for me, as he bad no ulht‘l‘
object or )uerSv in life. His name, I should have
mentioned, was \\ illiam Nobles.

“Very naturally, I snppom', I was not free from
suitors, even at that early nge. 1 had ihllclt‘tl my-
self in love several timcs ulrcndy, but fiunlly my
heart was givcu trul ' to u mun my senior-by innny
years, named Alfru Ross. lJut. Ihedlspurity in our
ages was nothing to mo. 1 was a blooming; girl, he
a hole, vigorous man, just in the full glory of his
manhood. We were betrothed, though not formally,
no express notice of our intcution towed having
been gin-n to my father. lint 1 had (-vcry reason to
supposc that he would approve my choice. .

" int he did not live to do so. One day a on 1!]
the hands of other )artics uccidcntully exp oded-
wounding him,and he was brought home to die.
Before breathing his last, howcvcr, he commcnded
me to the care of his brother, the only near relative
surviving, who had always been his favorite, though
never my own. This brother, Jerry Nobles, was
present, and expressing Rollie four that he Should
not be able to care for me as well as though 1 m-re
his own daughter, my father cxuctcd 11 further sol-
emn promise from me that l “Ullld olvi-y him in all
things, as though I were really his child. 1 was too
young and inexperienced then to know how this

romisc might bind me to an unprint'iplcd man, but.
fwas destined soon to learn. Idvm'ything my futhcr
had was placed in the hands of Jcrry Nobles, to be
kept and guarded for me, when 1 should need it,
and with many protestations of undyim,r faithful-
ness the charge was m-ccpted. 1 wondcrod own
then at; this complcte devotion of my fathcr to this
brother, for he had gmicrally the name of a pur-
pose-less. good-for-nuthing man. Iic had been umr-
ricd to an amiable, good woman. but could not live

happily with her, and so a so nrution had been the ,

result. Much of his livimr ha be-en gnimd by dick-
ering, in which honesty did not always play it prom-
inent part. And yet this man had always been the
favorite of my father—a man radically different in
character, who had even furnished him money from
time to time, when his usual sources of revenue

failed. And to that man was 1 given, with all my ‘

worldly interests, with no other friend to counsel or
assist me. ‘ _

. " I was not long in learning that life had changed
to me. I saw no more of its leusures. One of the
first acts of my new father— or so I was taught to
call him. much as I disliked to do so—was to forbid
Alfred Ross frommecing me, as he argued that I
was too young torthinl. of love nmnrs, and insisting
that my father had privately discounicnnnccd our
rl'owing int imacy. In vain I urged our belrothment.‘

he would lisu-u to nothing, and refused Alfred nd- ,

mittanco to the house or grounds. But Ali‘er

cume~and to his sorrow.

“One evening wc hud met bv chance, and walked
to the gate. llcre we Mood ta king, never dreumin
of danger, when Jerry Nobles stole upon us an
dealt Alfred scvcrnl eavyblows upon the head,
nearly killing him, and inflicting Injuries which made
unicorn““in”? . m n m... "m...

‘ e d o l on on en —— .
mated Green acket. but checldnz himself. he add-

Ie had also placed a few thousand ‘

atllz“;‘l’ardou me, I didn‘t mean to break in that
'l Y.
“But you asked a question, and T can answer it.
That wretched mun who died to-night was the man ‘
I‘lovczl so devotcdly years since. But I must ex-
, p mn. _
Hcr vorce trembled, and she hesitated for some mo-
ments lu-forc proceeding. '
“When it was feared that Alfred would die as
uncle h-ft the plucc. taking with him all my fathers '
rcudy mom-(y, nnd wns gone some time. When it
i was safe, to o so he came back. and proceeded to
close up the business, converting it into money;
, Then we left the plucc, professedly to visit some of
l my school fricnds, but never sto )pmg there. keep! .
on, far away into the wild Wes . I scarcely coulfi ~ ‘
tcll whut bwnmc of me now, for all my hope: of
life wcxc lzlustcd. Wc stopped at length, and Jerry' ' .
Nobles resumed his dissu nte habits. using for the . 3
» purpose of playing the role of a entlcmnn, the
mom-y he should have sccurcly kept or me. ‘
“ So several years passed sadly, as you may sup-
pose. and then we We were startled by the appeal»
once of a lunatic in our villn c-for we were stop-
ping in asmall settlement-in hi0. This was none
other than Alfred. who had tracked out our course i -
by what means I have no idea. and who newly But; I ‘
cvcdcd in wreaking vengeance upon Jerry at the. '»
first meeting. 4
‘- That was but the beginning of a series of advan-ll
tures, We left that vicinity at once, settling else-
where. onl to be tracked out and exposed to fresh
dangers. cannot detail all these, and you would
not care to hear them. Ross seemed tohave now
two purposes, one to kill Jer and the other to ab- . , .
duct myself. \\ hat horrors have suffered from
that time to the Ercsent you may imagine but not
: realize. Thank 0d, they are over in one direction,
though i could now weep for a life that was once so
dear to me.“
Again she paused. and it was some minutes before
she resumed. But. at. length she went on:
“ in a short time my father. as I now called him.
was moneyless attain, having spent all in movin .‘i-
about the country to evade this mad avenger. t."
was about this time that he met Dun Dufley, and
some arrangcmmit (its nature I never knew) was -
made between them. by which Jerry came into DOS- 1
Sissiggifgf morodntilonfy. They were together much; ‘
( 1 seeme a we were now ' *
mar;i tglimzst “amt very well. “d or {ll-e 9m”
“ n jus man I was startled h v -
more dreadful than I can demibe—ytgagerlfggi
the min of Dan Duffey. I knew now enough of the --
man to'condemn him in my eyes, but all m
ments were of no avail, and I finally dec 1‘
never would, even in the face of death an the
,wurds that should make me his. But t s wasj
; coolly informed would make no difference. '
going to his Western friends—Indians, he meautL‘
and they never inquired whethernceremnny
been said or not. I would have fled, but measures
no opportunity. I was not even allowed to speak
with any person to whom I could brepthe of what"
was threatenini me. and one night we left our home,
to commence t is strange journey. , 4
“ At the settlement near your cabin," addressing
herself particularly to Green Jacket, “my uncle 5“
left us, and Dan. supposing I was now who] yin his,
power, undertook to conduct me alone. I ad re-
solved toa peal to anybody who would ve me"
, help and w _enlsu.w your cabin, some w s-whlch .
I had heard in regard to your singulnrlltg of chemo- ,‘
tcr led me to suppose but you won assist me. ‘
; And I found that did not up a! in vain. varying‘ .'.
l as have been the strange forgfnes which have re- '. .. 5
l‘ suited thus far." ' '
“No, on didn‘t. gal, and if you want to
self un er our rotection for a further me you
shall have it. ’d like to see any such sneaks“ u
1 them comfuddle Green Jacket. If Dan Dufley don‘t ’
ikeenawavl'lllhoot him ulwotddolnokulndu“

 

 

 

 

     
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
  

 

 

 
 
 

tyoub 1

   
 

.ter than a.

80

 

The Border Gunmaker. L ‘

 

for this uncle, he'd better go and make up the
money of yourn he‘s squandered. So make your-
self perfectl at ease; we’re safe here, our powder-’s
dry and not in‘ shall molest ye."
“Thanks a thousand thanks," the fair one mur-
mured. on then added:
“I can onlfv’erepay on in thanks, for I am no bet-
g'ar, esidcs; but my heart is full of

gratitude, and comprehend the greatness of all

, these favors on are bestowing upon me.”

rportuni

wer,
iii»: lie down and try to rest, for we have not yet

and announc

" Don’t t k of thatI don’t talk of it,” said Green
Jacket, as though something dry was in his throat.
“ We 0 dew What we ortcr, and the Old Boy take
a. man t at wouldn’t do as much. Theodore, my
boy, I want to slip down and sec to the horses a mo-
ment for they are our principal stay. I’ll not be
gone ong. Fire your Pistol if any thing‘s wrong.“

The storm had Erinc pally gone past, and the ilood
of rain which a s ort time before deluged the earth
was now dwindling down to scattering drops. But
the darkness was none the less profound. and now
it was unbroken by flashes of electric light. The
wind, too, sighed dismally among the trees, and the
general aspect of affairs was dreary enough. To

heodore it seemed especially so, as be reflected
upon the surroundings, but yet a. gleam of hope, like

v a star behind the dark night-clouds, would at times
i twinkle forth.

Regarding the present as a favorable moment, he
resolvedto make one more appeal to the afflicted
maiden sitting beside him.

"Louisa," he said, gently, "may I not hope that

on have reconsidered those words which you spoke
inst before—before he came?”

“ Why do you ask me that?"

“ Because, when Jerry Nobles comes for you, if

_ever he should come again, I could tell him that you

were in Promised wife, and then I should be justi-
e

find in ending you to the last extremity.”

_“.But consider how hasty you are. Your assion
might soon cool, and then my life would conly
another round of misfortune. You have only

known me here and you sympathize with me, but

love is quite a different thing. Do' not be hasty."

“ Believe me lam not hasty. I know sym iathy
from love, an ‘ I know that our future can )cal
happiness, if you will give me the power to make it

SO.
_ . ' “It may be as you wish, then, since he is drad' but
while that man lived I could never giledgc myse f to

another. It would have cost his h
own!"

Theodore shuddered when he rccollected that it

c. as well as my

' was his own arm, thou h nerved in self-defense,
v which had given the fatal low; but he felt no guilt,
only a profound sorrow, not unmixed with horror.

\ Louisa. in own,” he said, “ let us hope that now
your troubles ave ended forever. At the first op-
you'shall be made so wholly mine that no
owever disposed, can molest you again.

readied the land of safety.”
There was a greeting of pure and holy affection,
and then themertud. just as Green Jacket came up
“ all right.”
CHAPTER XIII. ,
,, AND 1451*. I
Fan two or three hours all was quiet, and the trio

- in the niche gave themselves up to rest feeling that

,no danger could threaten them before the coming of

morning light.

» i. I But with the earliest beams Green Jacket was

 

 

 

, no‘ serious eflccts were likvl

having satisfied himself, upon this ' t, the scout

astir. He awoke Theodore, (ind after learning that
to result from the
ung man's in ury of the nig it previous, departed
see that the orses were in condition to continue

/ the Journey. r

The poor animals seemed quite hungry after their
night‘s drenching, but not otherwise suffering, and

a:

 WWW-“1.011%

 

1

He found that Louisa had arisen, and although
'still suffering from the fatigue and excitement of the
on‘llifl through which she had passed during the last
few days, she seemed in good spirits, and welcomed
the scout ’with a pleasant "good-morning."

“ Glad you’re here now," Green Jacket said, with-
out iosing any time. "because there‘s somethin' I
want to have you settle right away now. The bosses
are all right, on] a bit hungry, and I suppose we all
feel that way. ut we can go on a ways before we
etc to eat, or make such abreakfast as. we kin here
be ore we start. It’s for you to say which.“

“ My preference," Louisa said, " would be to c on
as far as possible before we stop for anyt ing.
Hunger will not seriously interfere With our Journey,
and delay may do so.” i

" That s as true as renehin‘," remarked the first
speaks“ “ and it’s est my mind So while you
folks are gettiii’ geaily I’ll go down and look at ter the

u

nags.

He started out .oward t..\.~ edge of the cliff, but re-
treated quite precipitately. '1 ‘6 cause of this move~
nient was a bullet wuich pas xi yery close to his
cheek, almost azing the sic; in its course, struck
against the roc he», on and fell, a flattened, harm-
less mass, at the loci: of uisa.

The hollow report of a musket came at the same
moment, and a curl of smoke floated away from the
branches of a heavy-topped tree, some seventy-five
yards distant.

“ What does that mean i" the young man asked.

‘ " It means biznesa, if nothin’ else,’ returned the
gunmaker. “ If it’s what I suspect. Duffey1 has run
acrost some of the reds, and got ’eiri to elp him.
L‘ut no great matter, we‘re proof against the cusses.
I think. They can’t well get here, and we can get
away as soon as it comes dark again.”

Some time passed before any further demonstra-
tion took place. No appearances of any foe lurking
in the vicinity were to e seen, and Theodore finally
became impatient to venture forth and ascertain
positivel . But Green Jacket would listen to no
proposition of the kind.

“ Wait awhile,“ he said, “ and if all remains quiet
I‘ll go and see what the prospect is. But acouse the
red sneaks are still is no reason that they ain’t line.
I’ve had service with ’em. and know suthin' how
they conduct. They labor under the disadvantage
that they can‘t see in here, and in fact we can t see
out first-rate. But I never knew single red-skins to
pick a fuss with several white men. and I guess we
shall find more concerned in this."

Suddenly the nick movements of a horse were
heard almost be ow them. Theodore sprung to his
feet, but was held back by Green Jacket.

“Don‘t go out there in sight, unless you want to
get shot!" he exclaimed.

The warnin might have been too late unless some
greater rovi( cnce interfered. Even as the scout
was p ing the coat of his more im ulsive com an-
ion, there came a sun and flash, quite distinct, mm
the very tree which ad once before concealed a
marksman. and another gun was dischar ed. But
the unreliable weapon ha been wet, and old fire
so that the aim of the sharp-shooter was lost, an
the bullet went wide of its mark. .

“Hushl” whispered Green Jacket, “ do not move
now, but have your gun ready, and pistols. likeWise.
They are coming up the rocksl"

Yes, the, movements of stealthy climbers could

mow he heard, and the two defenders put themselves
in position to meet the foe—how numeroys they had
no means of knowing.

“ Keep cool—cool!" said Green Jacket,_ in meas-
ured tones. “Take your rifle fust, then pistols, and
close with the knife. You can dew it."

Whether he could or not, the moment of trial pas
at hand, for just as his companion ceased spctiking,
three Indians, followed b two white men. app 'N'Cd,
and with aloud whoop. infernal enough in tones to

frighten an person not accustomed to such shrieks.
they rush into the arena. V

 

  

 

 

afi‘i‘g.‘ :

\

The Border Gunmaker.

31,

 

But they were promptly met. The stern hunter
was not dismayed by the shout, and before its fear-
ful din had ceased, his rifle had given its note of
warning. It was fired with a deadly pul oso. and
two fell before it—one of the Indians am a white
man. The remaining two savages fired their guns.
but Green J acket was not ingured, and without; wait-
ing to see whether any one e so was struck, he threw
himself upon the Indiuns.

He had no time to reduce a. fresh weapon. neither
had the red-skins, w l0, quite astonished at the fury
of the onslaught, were pressed back and over the
brink of the rock, to the ground below. where they
fell in a confused pile. One of them rose hastily,
and tied from the spot, but the other remained,
moaning and helpless.

But t e fight was not finished. As the gunmakor

ressed the two Indians over the brink, and before

8 could turn or defend himself, he was grus ed
from behind, and the voice of Dan DuiTcy lusse in
his ear:

“ We’ll settle now; die, you—”

He had already snapped two pistols at the scout.
but both had missed tire, and, throwing them to the
ground, he had drawn his knife, ut the some moment

'nsping Green .Jacktt, and aiming a blow at his

cart from the back.

But the blow was not riven. Tho assailant, in fact,
quickly relaxed his hold, and. turning at the mo-
ineut, Green Jacket found that he owed his preserva-
tion to Louisa. She it was who had grasped Dull'oy’s
arm, staying the blow and causing him to turn upon
her with murderous purpose at heart.

How quickly the strife ended now! One blow
from the scout’s clubbed gun, and Dan Dui'iey lay
beside his groaning comrade and the dead Indian.

The first attention 'was given to Theodore, who
had been shot through the shoulder, making a. pain-
ful wound. and preventing him from taking any part
in the ra id struggle which ensued. But it was not
necessari y severe or dangerous, and Green Jacket
merely remarked:

“Keep quiet while I look over the field, and see if
thar's anybody else wants lookin‘ after. That is
nothing serious, only wants rest. and we‘re in a fair
way to get that now. The bone is not broken much,
it any, and I‘ve surgeoned a good many worse
cases.”

Cautionin Louisa to stay near him, and take hi1
pistols, so t at she could give a prams-t alarm in
case of need, Green Jacket went first to Dan Duffey.

But he had no need to concern himself further
about the outlaw. The skull was crushed in by the
force of his blow, and death must hav resulted
instantly. Cloe beside him lay Jerry bios, or
Roswins, as we have known him. He was shot in
the breast. and an n I wound it was, from which
the t do of life was t c ling forth.

Green‘ Jacket bent over it, and would have pro-
ceeded to examine. as best he might the injury, but
Nobles pushed him back.

.“ (Jo and leave me,” he said, l‘eehly. “You‘ve
killed me, now don’t come to trouble me while i am
getting ready to die. Must I die-Who added, with
sudden energy.

“ I see no elp for you," said Green Jacket. “ You
may live awhile, but we can not care for you—you
can et no help. ’
ng‘t‘unet Louisa come here. I want to speak with her

On hearing her name s oken the maiden came
orward nnd knelt beside the 1min who had been so

nfnithful to her. i
- “Louisa,” he said, “I have never done the right
thing by you, but I can not unto it now. “ill you
forgive me before I die?”

“Everything, uncle. i would do anything in my
power if 1 con d heal the cruel wound—4’

“ Never mind,” the wounded man inte osed,
speaking faintly. “.I was at fault. I was to lame,
not the mun who shot me. But I could do no less
new. Iouzht to have lived a. better life in years

 

gone. Oh. it is hard to die like this, but I feel that!
must go soon. Ano. oh, tie great, awful futurei
What has it in store for me?"

Only MW) of the pony had escaped. and they were
far from the spot. in safety-seeking flight. As good
fortune willed it, they had not taken away the 1101 see
before the tight, counting upon an easy victory, and
now it was (hecn Jacki-t‘s pleasant task to lead
them closer to the rendezmus, and secure them
afresh, one of them having lit-en set loose and driven
about in order to draw the party above out into
range of the attacking lndiuus.

Theodore came down at his companion‘s call. and
the twain proceeded to a sire-am near by, flndi
very opportunely a sprng where the water gushe
forth in iii-l purity, and here the wounded shoulder
was dressed as well as possible under the circum-
stances.

Just ut this time tiny were startled by a re art,
and hastened bat-k. flIlml with most live y fore 0d.
ings. But they “(no rulieved to find that the Indian .. ' ,
with the broken limbs lmd reloaded a gun which lg 1
near him, and blown out his own brains to end f 
sufferings. . , - v

Jerry Nobles was fast toiling, and already he spoke
with much difficulty. lsni. when Theodore came up
he called the yountr man to his side. ’
" Don’t do asi have done," he said, very broken ‘
1y. “ but be good—yaw to Louise, for she is a 300$“ , '7
'ii'l‘.” , '
s We scarcely need say that the promise was heart- \
i1 ' ivvn. ,

)Ingan hour more J< rry Nobles had finished his life ‘  ' ,
record. We surely need not dwell 1.pon the painful "' ’
scene.

The bod was carefully placed in the recess that f
of Alfred oss. the man whom he had injured and. .
whose life he had clouded. placed beside it, and in ‘ ’ ‘ '
another corner the remains of the dissolute outlaw.
The three dead Indians were gathered together at
the foot of the rock, and then our party bade fare- 1
well to the spot. Their hearts bore much of sad-
ness. but over it all beamed a great happiness that
henceforth they were to be free from persecution.
Sto iping but once for food, the reached Thomp-
son’sll ass before night came. an at a. little distance
on the other side made their bivouac. ‘ I

Green Jacket shot a fawn, and its flesh, nicely , <1
cooked before the glowing tire, made such a re est" .1 ' " '
as they scarcely remembered having tested, for deb '
icacy and flavor. ‘ 5 ‘ ~ ~

A night’s slee free from fear and forehead-.- I
in s refreshed om strengthened all rties wonder- ' “"
fuiy, and with the coming of light ey set forward .
a mu. H .

efore noon of that do they reachedasettlement .
where proper medical s ill could be obtained for
Theodore. and where the kind women soon collected ,
a. wardrobe for Louisa, to replace her dirtand blood-'
stained garments. ’ i ‘

And when this had been done, and full monas-
ments for the future ninde, Green Jacket bade 9
now happy lovers a kind farewell. and despite their
urgent appeals that he remain with them, de rted , ,7
for some unknown region. They never me mm_ w
afterward. Nor could they ever learn the history
of his life. Peculiar, brave. impulsxveflze had won 'w
u on their gratitude, and in years subseque 1: other
:33»? were made to seek out his history, until

an e . '

When Theodore had recovered from his wound
sufficiently to travel, he was united to the maiden he 
had so strum:er won, and together they sought the.» .
home in western Pennsylvania which awn-nodular ‘
coming. And to-dav, if the reader chance thatwey, ,
he will find them still happily livin there, repeating. .
sometimes to their children and t e curiousvamong- ‘
their friends. as we have given it, the story of those .
days or trial, and of Gases hour, ran Bonn". _
Gunuxnn. > - p.

TRIWE ' v, i

  
   
   
  
 
    
  
   
  
  
     
  

 

 

 

1 Deerllunter. the Boy Scout nl'tha Great North Wanda. ‘ 62

liv ()ll Cumin-s.

2 Bull'nlu “Ill, frum linyhnod lo Manhnnd.
inn Inurnhuni.

Klt Fur-on. King of Guides. llv Aiiu-rt W. All”...

Gordan Llllle, (lie Hay-Interpreter oi the l’iuvnws.
.\l:|inr. ll. ll. Simillnnl.

Brlllu Adnmn, (lid tirizziy‘l Buy Pard.

Deudwnml Biol. mt uliuy. '

“’lld lllll, the l’intnl I‘rini-u.

The Prairie Rum . My Jusellll . him...Y Jr.

ltlnlvllnz Joe: The History hi :4 “ linrder llny." By A.

. nst. '

’l‘exun .luek. the MuslangKlng, i: v (mi. 1* in mm".

Churloy Skylnrk. A Story al‘R Ronni... :l'ffpclqflnd
mum. (iupvrn. My Mnjm' ii. is. shunninll

Mnrlponu Murnh. liy .llNI‘iIll l~;. ltadgn-r, Jr.

Rovlng Hen. _' .inhn .i. .‘lfll‘illllll.

Hprlng Steel, l\ nu or llm Bad). llv J. l-I. lindizer, Jr.

“'lde-Au'uke George. My Edwnrd Willem.

The Boy “'lznrd. Hr Barrv liingg..l.i_

l'eter l’cnperzrnm‘, thoGreealmra {ruin Gotham.
Nunli Null.

Adrll't on the l’rulrle
on the Bllffnln Rn

The For um: "um
(Juwimy, [ml-1w nnd llunh-r. liy A. ll. 12....

20 Tru per Tulm “w \de imp, By T. W. llaihangh.
21 Yel ow Ilnlr. the Buy (:liinl‘oi'ihe l‘nwnwa. 13v Clil.
l’runtiw lngruhaln. '

22 The Know Trull. liy T. F. llurhangh.

23 0:)d (i filzzly Admnn, the Bear Tann-r.

nm- ,

24 Wuml-I and “'ntcrn.

25 A Rolling thue ' nvn ent- in tln- Harm-r nn, .-
Lnull uiCol. l’ri-nt lnur. l'llll. liy \Vin. R. lenkLl'.

26 lied River km It. My .Dnnningt‘hnk.

27 lld‘l’l l nr, “'iid Adwninren nl “ liui'hshln

28

’(.\l. . . llnll.) r ' 1.1 "gran-mi.
'I'ln- liulnmmn Life u! Uul. .\l0n-
‘ k \VIviLl-k
29 .' ‘.
80 l’nul dc Lney, line From-h lirnst Charmer.
Dunning Clhrk.
31 Round the (lump Fire.
82 “'hlte Beaver. the Indian .‘lr'dll'inu Chief.
Prairiin lnxralnun.

33 The Roy Crunnder. liy (Vim. Fri‘ll. “'iliiinher.
84 The Chm-c ol’ the Great \Vhlte Stag, nnd,(1umn
null Cnnae. My (l. Dunning (‘lhrln
85 Old an Knuckle nnd Ills iiay ( ‘hanm. lili- R
86 The Dunhluf Ilrummn; m. w Sinry all

y

By ('01. Pm.-

IP69

Ry

ni- lngrnlmm.
_ lidn'nrd 1.. \\'hv‘alur.
liy (Rd. l’. [am-“ham.

“aabflw F: {314351

H—nd-h-i—l til-l

By

H
x

and Amuleur Huntern
- ny (Ill rum”...
or, new”: Jud n. Miner,

id
:3

liy Dr. Frnnk
liy mad. Frv ilurirk \VlIlLIniu-r.
' I

awry. Iiy L‘n )t. l
Snow-Shoe '1 um. 15»
ny 0.

UV Jocenh E. linilger, .lr.
By Col.

' nx‘lrnv-i'.
n. Gunny-
A. Custer. l Cililt. Fred. \‘Vhinnkvr.
fl? .Vlght-llnwk Geopze. llv (mi. l’rmlliu lngrahmn.
3% The Boy Exile! 0 Siborln. Hy 'l‘. (‘. li:n~|mni;h.
89 The Yo In: Benr Ilunter iiv .‘llbl'l‘ls lewinz.
40 Mnnrt film, the ind with a In llvuil. liy lfid. \i'lllett.
4| The Settler'n ‘ . li)‘ Edwards Ellis.
42 Wult For uunn n (irulqe. Ry (.. Dunning Clark.
43 Rllle und {evolven By Cay-t. 19ml. Whitiaimr.
44 The Lost lioy “'hnlern. l5v T. (7. llnl‘lmugh.
45 Bronco Bllly. the Saddle Print-9. Ry (H Jam-"1mm
46 Illek, the Stownwny. lly (‘lnlrlva Mun is.
47 The Colorado I! liy Joan}le E. Badger. Jr.
’ [m1 III Ilern. liv T. (f. llurlmuuh.
. [um I).ll'e of Nebrnnku Chnrllc.
l , lulll.
m, the Three Champion Broihers.
Apt. Fred. \ hi .lwr.
5] The Youn Lund-Luhhcr. lly C. D. Clark.
62 The Boy 1 eteetlren. By '1‘. ('. llarhangh.
58 Honest llnrrv; hr, The. chantry liny Adrift in the
any, ny Clmrlreu )liii'ris.
54 Culll'nrnln Joe. ily (‘nL i‘n ‘ : lnuralnnn.
55 Tip Trent-cl. tlw Finaiur. l 'i .41 .
50 The Hunw Hunter-A. I’-\- l’ n d.~ n-

. V 5!.
5? Ilnl \' Home”, lineSniInr Hwy Magician. liy S. W.

l’mul'u.
58 The Adventfiroun Life of Captain Jack, lhe

y (‘ul. l’remhx lngminun.

59 Lurue ' ‘ the Mule llny ol'the hllllt'i. By C. Mnrria.

00 The Young 'l‘rnll llunteru. liy 'l‘. C. llarhaagh.

61 The Tiger llunteru: or, The Cnlurudo Boys in Elu-
phnnt Laud. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

lnrdrr

 

Doetnr Carver. tho “ Evil Spirit ” of the Plains. iv
1‘ul.l’r~nlisn lngvnlmlli. '

Bluek llm-ne Blll. liy Rnuer Simian-k.

1 l \ ouln: Ill( ’l‘nllmt. ’>_\‘ Aliu-rt W. Aiken.

0:. The K0_\' l'llol. Iiyl'ul. rman. lngrulmm.

00 ’l lu- IBent-rl Hm (' r. l:_\' {'linrlv.\ l\lnr '5.

“7 Text“ (‘lmr~lle, lln' l'ny ii vr. li_\- (bi. lnuraham.

6N Luth- “Inc; ur, The Yuuli: li‘nr llnnlura. lSy Unplain

' ' l.

“ lll'llill

ti

Ii) ('linrlus .‘lurlin.

l'nl It ‘owlmv. liy .\iajur ll. ii. Slmidnrd.

Rul Ilubnurl nnd “In "our. By (‘npiain “ lirnin ”
Adams.

The lee l‘

The Young

on)-

Fri-derirk \Vliiltnker.
. liy w. ll. Mnnninz.
The Buy (‘m-nl- 113' R L'vr Starbuck.
Revoh‘er llllly. it) l‘nl. i’reniiau Inurahlnn.
'l'llt- (‘ondor Killers. 1'5 l‘. (‘. liarlmngh.
Lml IJoqu-olg, the Young Tiger Fighter. By Roger
Snirlnn k.
Flat bout Fred. liy Edward “'ilialt. Ready Oct. 10.
lloone, the “Miller. llv Captain l“. \‘i’hiimker.
Kentueky “en, the Lung l<iiia of the L'Mmdel. By
1:..va Sinri-nvk.
81 The Kit Clll'iflll (.‘lnlr. ByT. C. llnvhangh.
. ~ LIIIle lhwk. UH- Iiny (iuidp. lh' linrry liinggnld.
l’ony Bob, the licl‘klt‘ss Rider of the Rockies. By Col.
l'rrnlim lliL'IlIlillllI.
(‘unluln l“ly-hy-nghl. liy Jnlepil E. Badger, Jr.
(‘nnlnln Rnl ll. Um YUIIHL' Explorer. lly (X 1). Clark.
' Lillie Dun hicks. Hy Morris Redwing,
The )Ienuizerle ll ('I‘H. Iiy hluj. ll. Grenville.
The Boy ’l‘rumpn: or, Lile Among tin: Gipsies. liy
.l. :\l. llnll'lnnn.
’lmnw-hnre Llje. liy(‘. T) Clark.
llmlm: Rifle, Cusler’a Little Scout. By T. (7.11M.
llllllull.
Oregon Junh, the “’izurd Rina. By Roger Stnrhnck.
Ilurrlrnne Klt. iiy A. F. llnh.
J lllll|)l!ll.'.‘ Jake, the Colnmdo Circus Boy. Ily Bryant
'1

"('0' iiw liromllmrn En". liy Ed. \vnim.
0 Him-1a; “r, A Yankee liuyln the Rescue.
ll_\ nan. Murrin.
Flghllug Fred; ar, the Cuntlwnya of Grizzly Camp.
“V ’i'. (T. liurlianuil.
(Yrulne of line li‘lyuwnv. By C Dunnin: Clark.
Em 'nu- Rm- \‘Ignamcn. li)‘ Maj.n,n.snui.1ma.
9!) The winn- ’I‘ run. Ilv rain. vim]... lluwnrd.
I00 The NnuW-Slme 'l‘rull. iy 51- “Wrur Rnthhone.
101 Tllurlnua. the littawa (iirl. I Edwurd S. Elli».
10:3 The Flyuu'ny Allont. liy . Dunning Clnrk.
103 PM. Mulluney’n Adventures. By C. L. Edwnrds.
10-1- The Roy l’ronpeetor. By Roger Starbnuk.
105 )llnonec, tinl Wand “'ilrh. By Edwin Emerson.
106 The Roy (‘l'uluerm By Edward Willi-tt.
107 The Border “(worm By J. Milton linmngn.
10R Alllulul. tln- “Hill-Queen. liv Capt. llownni Lincoln.
109 (‘hrlnllnn Jlnr,ilw\\'hiie Man‘s Friend. liy 11!. S. Ellis.
110 Plueky Jue, the lluy Avenger. By J. Ni. lioll‘lnnu.
1” The Border Gunlnukor. liy Junie: L. liawun.
112 Let‘t-llnuded Pete. the nimble-Knife. ByJosoph
1;. Imam, Jr. liemly June 5.

113 The Rlver Riflen. By (hlpt. J. F. C. Adnnm.
Rulhly June 12.

114: Alone ou lhe Plnlnll.
Ri-miy June 19.

115 RH *er Ilnrn. nnd liisilifle Fircdenth. ByR. Stnrbnch.
n.- i)‘ Jam. ms.

116 Exploit! ul' "ezekluh .‘mlth, the Ban-hwnodsmnn.
By 12mm...“ lenllm. l’wluiy July 3.

a—nn -

flflflflflfl

a

1’1“!
532

91
92
93

9-1
95

96

97

By Ed \vnrtl Willett.

Bendle‘n Bny‘n Llhrnry is for sale hy all ansdanlern,
llvu (villxl><:r1‘1llll\',(lr will ll" mail «in lm'L‘llll. uhix runu ellLll.
READLE AND ADAMS, Publlnhers.
98 William Street, New York.