82.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York . . a Second Class Mall Matter. Copyright, 1883, by BEADLE AND ADAMS.

 

 

g. 1 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS P i
VOL  Null; 9'“ No.98 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK. ' Fiverggl’m- NO-  ;

 

 

LEFT-HANDED PETEJHE DOUBLE-KNIFE; “2:333:13? 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.,

AUTHOR OF “THE mums RANCH,” “ ROUND mm CAMPFYRE," ETC.. me, me.

 

 

 

 

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/ "

§\\\\\\\. ,  \\\\&\

A YELL 0F RAGE BROKE FROM KING PAYNE-S LIPS. HE RECOGNIZED HIS DAUGHTER, ENOWILLA, FLEEING FROM HIM IN COMPANY
WITH THE HATED AND FEARED DUCBLEKNIFE.

 

'—

the
from the grass with level

    

2

 

Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife.

 

Left-Handed Pete,

THE DOUBLE-KNIFEr
. on,
The Princess of the Everglades.

A Florida Romance.

 

BY Joe. E. BADGER, JR,
AUTHOR or “THE PRAIRIE RANCH,” “aovmo
, con," “nousn run CAMP-FIRE,” arc.

.~ A CHAPTER I. I
/, - 5 m sunrmsans sunmsnp.

/ ' with one accord the party halted and in—
c , their heads in acute attentigifi,a with bring]:
ti " gupon 1 Weapons. eyeso
was directed toward the same point, where,
through a narrow fringe of trees and under-
growth, gleamed the clear waters of Lake Pith-
lachocco.

Significant sounds had broken the noonday
stillness of the forest. The sharp re ort of a rifle
—a shrill, horrible shriek as of some eing in mor-
tal agony—a hoarser shout; these were the min-
gled sounds that arrested the silent, deliberate
march of the volunteers. that they now listened
to, with the hot blood quickening its flow in every
vein, with the fire of war kindlin in every eye.

A few moments later and the eavy tread of

 

human feet is heard approaching, a loud, clumsy

crashin throu h the rank weeds and shrubbery.
The lea er of t e party raises his short rifle. His
men promptly imitate the action; but no one
fires. The human figure that bursts into view
is one immediately recognized, known to all, be-
loved by many.

“ Rattling Harry,” a scout second to none in
the Colonies. But his race is well-nigh run now.
An arrow transfixes his face from cheek to
cheek. Upon one side shows the neatly-trimmed
feather 'upon the other the blood—dripfin‘g barb.
Two other shafts quiver deep in his le t side. It
is a miracle that the man keeps his feet, for
death has claimed its own. Yet Rattling Harry
makes his report. Reeling before the leader of
the arty, he s hitters, despite the arrow:

"‘ Mums—go s—-—comin’—!”

With the words, Rattlin Harry fell forward
at the feet of his officer, a urst of blood from
his lips staining the sword. His duties per-
formed, he died.

As Colonel Newman’s 1i s parted to utter an
order, the forest was ill ed with shrill yells,
boots and cries that effectually drowned his

~ words, and the earth fairly seemed to shake as

the enemy’obeyed the thrilling, charging cry.
Fortunately, the white men were, as a general

: thin , veterans, men who had more than once

foug tthe wily red-man after his own fashion,
who had, for years, lived in an atmosphere of
continual alarm and danger, carrying their
lives in their h‘an as it were. Thus each man

kn’éw what. was best course, and lost 110/,
thus in tabla it. ,
' A sin 1 ut-the yells and cries were still;

do hthe.air«‘—and not a. white man
was be seen, save the motionless corps of
Batmflarry. But from the grass, the weeds,
the clumps of shrubbery, rom behind the

trunks of the scattered trees, and from behind back

the few hammocks protruded the dark-muzzle:
of. flea and muske ,
he an avalanche the enemy leaped through
the fringe of heavier timber into the open space
of ground. For one moment they gi‘aused, ap-
pearing surprised and bewildered. hen their
adder—who bestrode a. noble white charger——
uttered a single yell. It meant. seek cover.
But before it could be obeyed—almost before
passed his full list—a tall‘form uprose
rifle, crying, as his

wegfigls-g’ohe. ,  I» _ I
A rattling, irregular voile
nd seede to vomit for h a film of
ullets through a vail of fleecy smoke. The
front ranks o the savages melted away before
the fiery breath' the ground was iled high with
the dead and dying— death-yels and groans
filed the air, adding to the terrible din and con-

non. ,

The volunteers were not men given to idly
wasting their ammunition. At their leaders
bold example, they selected their target and
brought it the ground with the‘ cool celerity
they might have dis layed in dropping the

'nded. The

‘ bounding deer or snar iugxpanther.

With panoramic swiftness change folloWed
change. When the smoke gradually lifted, none

in order to get within range,
set his men
of. earth and brush. Meauw

 

but the dead or disabled enemy were visible.
The survivors had retreated. .

With exultant shouts and cheers, the volun-
teers rose from their cover, intoxicated with
their easy victory, forgettin all caution. But
ghfiy were speedi awakeneg to a sense of their

0 . ‘ . A '

A scattering fusilade broke from the fringe
of trees. A few’arrows came hurtling over the
nude wth. Two men sunk to the ground,
writhing in death—agony; several others winced
under‘the pain of flesh—wounds.

To kick the writhing coils of a disabled ser-
pent is folly. Often there remains vitality
enough to deal an avenging blow. So it was in
this case. Thus feeling the fangs of the enemy,
the volunteers hastily sought their coverts.

“ Let the scouts advance and dislodge the res-
calsl” cried Colonel Newman.

The orders were Promptly obeyed. Follow-
ing the Indian fash on o ‘ chargini,” stealing
from one cover to another, keeping t eir bodies
well shielded, the scouts gained the point from
whence the avenging missiles had been sped.
They met with no resistance. The enemy had
retreated. .

Yet the air was filled with peculiar, tremulous
cries and sounds. The savages were signaling
to each other. That did not look like an utter-
ly-defeated foe. They seemed to be gathering
again, preparing for another and more decisive
a Vance. « :

‘,‘ The forest is alive with the heathen I” mut-
tered a young man crouching beside an odd
looking enius. \

“Thars more’n a plenty of ’em, but then, as
we sot out to look for red-skins, I don’t reckon
we‘d ought to grum’le‘at flndin’ 'em,” was the
dry response.

‘One thing sure—we’ve run into a hornet’s
nest. Do you hold the boys here, while I go
and report,” added the young captain of scouts.

Colonel Newman was a prudent, far-seeing
commander though brave as the bravest when
only his own life was concerned. He knew that
there was only one interpretation to be placed
upon those signals.

“That man upon the white horse was King
Pa nehiuisclf,’ the oflicer thoughtfully said.
“ nd even if not, this affair puts an end to all
thoughts ofsurprising the town. They could
easily hear our volley at Cuscowilla.”

“ Then you think—3" ,

“ That the affair must be ended here, or near
at hand. I believe that King Payne, as the
heathen styles himself, is out with his entire
force, and if so, to either advance or retreat
would be ruinous. From the swamps and
thickets, they could cut us up in detail. But, here,
strong as they may be, we can teach the heathen
a. wholesome lesson. Eh, my brave men?”

A loud cheer replied.‘ Evidently Colonel
Newman possessed the confidence and
of his men in-no common degree. There was
not a dissentin voice raised. Though the
young captain 0 scouts doubted the pro riety
of Bush a step, he did not venture to 8 go y as
mac . ‘

r alling back a few hundred yards, to a point
where the enemy must fully'e use themselves
olonel Newman
work throwan a breastwork
sthe scouts were

not unemplo ed. Gradually they were forced
-,to esca a collision with the enemy, as
un-

the at object was now to delay an attac

til V e breastwork should bra-finished.

’t this point a brief glance at the reasons for
this bold venture into the ver heart of the
’eneiny’s country, is necessary. he “ situation "
in Florida at that time was rather complicated.
The Ffrnandina aflfair had been “ compro-
mised,’ when the Spanish Governor of St.
Augustine blew the smoldering spark into
flame. A, detachment of United tates troops,
com ed mainl of invalids, under command
of Lieutenant illiams, with a train of army
wagons, was attacked at Twelve Mile Swamp
b a negro knewn as Black Prince, sent out by

emor Estrada. Fired upon from ambush,
Lieutenant Williams fell mortally wounded, to-
gether with‘seven of his men. A charge was
made, and the negroes fled.

The American Governor, Mitchell, immedi-
ately called for reinforcements to attack St.
Augustine, but Congress, opposed to further
hostilities with Spain, while so fully occupied
with England, made arrangements to withdraw
all troops from Florida. In the mean time, the
lndians, under King Payne and Billy Bowlefgs
had be n a predatory warfare u n the sett e-
ments, urning houses, stealing lve stock and
magmas—the latter, inmany cases, ining their
captors in further raids upon their ate masters,

’ almost imperce

 

and proving the worst of foes—and preparing
to extend their incursion into Georgia.

It was determined to make an eflort to dis—
perse the Indians, if possible, before they col-
lected in sufilci'ent numbers to become formida—
ble, Colonel Newman, of Georgia, the Inspec—
tor-General of that State, volunteered to lead a,
party a ainst King Payne’s town, Cuscorrilla,
near La 9 Pithlachocco. lVith only one hun—
dred and ten men he undertook to penetrate
the enemy’s country, over one hundred miles,
and attack two formidable chiefs, surrounded
by their warriors, and with every advantage of

sition and thorough knowledge of the country.

opin to surprise .Cuscorrilla, he passed on
with t e greatest speed consistent with pru-
dence and secrecy.

But King Payne scented his coming, and pre-
pared to surprise the surpriser, forming-an am-
bush where the narrow trail wound through an
almost impenetrable swamp, knowing that by
no other route could the vo unteets reach Cos-
corrilla. Only for the watchfulness of skillful
Harry Denning, the ambush would have been
successful. As Rattling Harry gave the alarm,
a cloud of arrows was dis etched at him, but,
though mortally wounds , he managed to run
back for half a mile, and give the alarm to his
comrades. Then came the charge of King
Pa ne—the ambushed volley—the retreat. Yet,
in bat brief interval, the scouts learned that,
at least, two hundred Indian braves confronted
them, and unattempt to traverse the swamp
under these circumstances, could result only in
defeat and extermination.

Harry Vories, the young captain of scouts.
scattered his men through the interval, wher-
ever the best cover was afforded, with orders
to fire on every savage seen, and to hold their
ground until absolutely forced back upon the
main body. His own position was one of the
most advanced, and beside him crouched Peter
Hcfifman, or Left-Handed Pete, by which ’llO'm
deéiique the worthy scout was known far and
“'1 e.

These two men, so dissimilar in appearance,
were inseparable. From boyhood they had
been playmates, had fought for and with each
other, had gained their wood—lore, had hunted
the bear and panther through the cane-brakes
and forests, had trailed the wily Indian, had
fought and conquered him; and with each ad-
venture, each day, the love that bound the coin
rades together, grew stronger and more firm;
they were brothers, rather than mere friends.

Harry Vories was the sole surviving son of
Colonel Varies, of Revolutionary fame. The
veteran was then in the field against the Brit-
ish. He had wished Harry to serve with him,
but the wild, free life so long led by the youth, un-
suited him for the rigid regulation life, and when
the Florida expedition was broached, be eager
1y accepted the positidn as chief of scouts, little
grooming of the perils and privations in store for

ma.

Of course Left-Handed Pete accompanied
Vones. Pete was a peculiar genius, doing more
things in exactly the contrary way from that
which others would tnke,wbich, quite as much as
his ambi‘dexterity, gained for him his sobriqwt.
Pete was tall, gaunt, but muscular; a synonym
for bodilyé stre in, activity, woodcraft, and
skill in t ' useo weapons. Actually knowing
no fear, where only his own welfare was con-
cerned, he grossed a fund of impudent assur-
ance that o nserved him in a tight place, from
which courage alone could scarce have extri-
cated him. ‘ v

“ Onless the boys work lively they’ll sca’cely

hev time to fix that breastwork to the old man s
likin‘,” said Left-Handed Pete to Harry Vories,
cpglly glancing at his priming as be cooked his
r e.
“ I don’t like this sudden silence. It smells of
mischief. And look! see yonder smoke!” said
Vories, pointing to where a dense column of
black vapor steadily rose above the treetops.

“ Keep your fin rs down—you’ll spi e the
fun. There’s a ske p out yender. itchin’ to be
lifted. I reckon the varmint don’t know Left—
Handed Pete’s here,” rime muttered the long
scout, his black eyes g owing vividly. ,

“I see-the bunch of grass yonder,” whis-
pered Harry. ,

“ Jest so. You see the dead brier tbar? When
the varmint reaches that, he’s my meat. .You
kefi a lookout for other game—this ’ne’s mine. "

e keen eye 06 the scout bad- detected an

ti le movement amid the living

green, and now new that an enemy was stealth-
ily advancing, with a bunch of rass bound
around his head, in an up ht position. Though
nothing else could be seen, ete knew where the
supporting body should be, and felt no doubt of

t

 

 

Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. 3

 

his ability to plant a rifle bullet between the
red-skin’s eyes. And as the bunch of grass
gradually neared the dead brier, the muzzle of
his rifle was raised.

Sharp and clear the report rung out, and a
dusky, half-nude, paint-bedaubed form sprung
erect, tossing the blood-stained fillet from its
brow, a Wild, unearthly ell of death-agony
rending the air. As thong this shriek was the
long-waited-for signal, the thrilling war-cry of
the Seminoles burst forth, and the shadow
aisles of the forest seemed alive with bloo -
thirsty fiends as the redskins charged with
brandished weapons.

“Steady, lads—make every shot telll” cried
Vories, as one of the leading braves fell before
his unerring rifle.

The warning was little needed. The scouts
were picked men, tried and true. Coolly as
though firing at an insensate target, each man

icked his mark and sent his bullet home.

very report was a death-knell to a. savage foe-

man.

Led by the same tall figure upon the white
horse, the savages charged boldly, desperately,
almost up to the hastily constructed breast-
work, driving the scouts before them. But
then, as the voice of Colonel Newman gave the
command to fire, the savages reeled and fal-
tered. A storm of death tore through their
ranks. The rider of the white horse went down.
His braves yelled with disma . The whites,
seeing their advantage, leape over the frail
breastwork, and charged in turn. The Semi—
noles did not await the collision, but turned and

ed.

A tall form sprung up from the heap of dead,
and buried a tomahawk to the eye in the scout’s
brain: then with a. wild, peculiar yell, sprung
after the fugitives.

It was King Payne, who had just extricated
himself from the body of his fallen horse. That
alone had caused his fall. Not a bullet had
touched his person.

At his cry the Seminoles rallied for a mo-
ment. The forces met with a clash; a few
hasty blows from either side, and then the red-
skius turned and fled. pursued by the exnltant
volunteers. It was now a hot race; their fire-
arms all empty, the whites strove to ovsrtake
the Indians, and bring theirside-arms into play,
but the light-footed warriors easily maintained
their lead.

Again King Payne raised his voice as his
braves plunged into the denso swamp, but this
time its purport was very difl‘erent.
ages fled no further. They turned and boldly
faced the foe, plying their bows until the air
was fairly alive with the feathered shafts. One
by one the volunteers fall, until, their ardor
cooled, they bethonght themselves of cover.
Reloading their rifles, they fired at every
glim e of a foeman, but with the utmost care,
the minoles Were having the best of it.

Suddenly an alarming cry arose from the
rear. A man fell, wannded in the back by an
arrow. A moment's thought revealed the
truth, and shewed their danger in its fullest ex-
tent. The retreat had been buta ruse on the
part of the enemy to draw them into a trap.

’hile chasing the party under King Payne,
Billy Bowlegs had led a second band around, to
gainkthell‘ rear and take possession of the breast—
wor . ‘

“Follow me, in lads!” cried Newman, his
eyes flashing. “ 9 must regain the breast
Work at all azardsl”

In stern silence the volunteers obeyed, follow.
ing close in their brave leader’s footsteps. On
through the undergrowth they charged, with an
irresistible nerve. '

A few Indian scouts darted lightly aside, dis
charging an arrow or two as the dies. peered.
Then a score of black forms rose rom t e grass,
deliverin a voile from their rifles and mus-
kets. A rief son 3; then over the negroes the
white men dashed, on to meet the stron est
force, held in ‘eserve at the breastwork. C one
in their rear yelled the Seminoles under King
Payne. Their arrows lam-tied through the air,

, slaving and wounding.

The bandy- legged chief lea upon the
breastworktand uttered his wil war-cry. At
the signal his braves fired.‘ Near a dozen of the
white men fell, dead or d mg, but the survivors
did not falter. ,With auntless courage the
breastwork was carried, and the be casts of
the marines brought into full pla . few mo~
ments of this hot work was enou for the Semi-
noles and despite the yells and curses of rage
that flovved from the foam-tinged lips of Bow-
legs, they turned and fled. The party of King
Payne caught the infection, and even in the mo-
ment of victory, the Seminoles accepted defeat,

The sav—.

 

x

and fleeing, left the decimated band in undis‘
puted possession of the works. It was a joyful
surprise, for they had believed destruction in-
evitable, and their rejoicings were great.

Yet this feeling soon toned down to one of
stern gloom, as they realized this lesson. An-
other such victory would be equivalent to a de—
feat. And that the enemy would again advance
not one doubted for a moment, They had been
strongly reinforced. Their smoke—signal still
showed above the forest, summoning their allies
to the spot. The result seemed only a question
of time.

As the shades of night settled over the earth,
Newman dispatched two trusty men in quest of
aid. Left-Handed Pete was one. Harry Vories
volunteered, but was refused. So many of the
ofiicers had fallen, that he was needed.

With a warm hand-clasp the heart-brothers
parted. The chances were greatly against their
ever meeting again. Pete must traverse over a
hundred miles of the enemy’s country before
reaching friends, and encounter a thousand
perils in the attempt. It was scarce possible
that he could succeed. And even if he should,
could the succoring party return in time to res-
cue the besieged? Truly, it was a forlorn hope!

The night passed without any regular assault,
though numerous shots were exchanged. The
Seminoles were evidently awaiting reinforce-
ments, or had resolved to starve the volunteers
out. ‘

By noon of the next dav Newman had resolved
to attempt a retreat. is man were suflering
extremely from thirst and him yer. They said,
better die in battle than lying in a ditch to die
like dogs.

Sullenly they retired, grimly defiant, hurling
back the exultant foe that hovered upon their
rear and flank, sweepin those from their paths.
like chaff. It was one ong skirmish. fearful]
trying to the patience and coura e. With d; -
culty they refrained from reek essly charging
their insolent foes, though knowing that such a
course would be little short of suicide. This
compact body once broken, the Seminoles would
find them an easy prey. i

But this is not a history of that disastrous
march. Though a volume might be written of
the many daring deeds and‘desperate actions of
that brave band, a brief resume is all that this
story demands.

' At nightfall they chose a position, and went
into camp, resting upon their arms. As before,
skirmishing kept them from much-needed slum-
ber. With day-dawn, they once more started
upon the retreat. At noon an ambush was
sprung. After the first volley, the enemy
c urged, led by a giant negro and a white man.
These two men singled out Harry Vories, and,
after a stout resistance, felled him to the ground

senseless. Then a cry from Black Prince called
off his men. -

Colonel Newman resolved to retreat no more,

and at nightfall began throwing up fortifica~
tions. For five more days they remained here,
keepi the Indians at be. , subsisting u n
two 3.1 igators that‘the soon a shot in the a ja-
cent swamp. o ,
l The sayings: made one-more desperate attack.
but were repulsed, though, had-they not dela ed
so long, they must havo been successful. Put
the knew now that aid was close at hand, and
the ranks had beensothinned, that the feared
to remain longer. The retreat was soun ed, and
the volunteers left to themselves.

An hour later Left-Handed Pete. came in with
reinforcements. The remnant of the surprising
party was saved.

CHAPTER II.
rim JAWS OF DEATH. -

WHEN Left-Handed Pete learned whathad
happened to Harry Vories, he staggered back
and sunk to the ground, like a man who had re-
ceived his death-wound. In that moment, if
never before, he learned the depth and strength
of the love that had bound their hearts to-
gether.

But the bold scout was not one to remain

restrained. Arising, he carefully stowed away

is rations, replenished his powder-horn and
bullet-pouch, as though preparing for a long
and ‘dan erous e tion. Colonel Newman,
who had can close y watching him, now spoke:

“ There is no hurry, Pete; we will not march
for an hour yet.”

“But I be. I’m goin’ to look a’ter pore
Barr .” ' v

“ e is dead; you can do him no good, and
will only lose your own life. Besides, we need
you here.”

“ My life ain’t wuth no gre’t, I don’t reckon,
but them as takes it must pay my price. Thar’s

 

enough here to guide you safe back to the settle
merits. Anyhow, l’m goin’.”

“You are subject to my orders. If Icom~
mand you to stay, you must obey," sharply
added Newman.

“Look here, Colonel Newman, you’re a man,
an’ I like you, but jest as sure as you give or-
ders to the boys to stpp me in this, or hinder me
in any way, jest sosoon I’ll kill you. Thar you
hev it right out. I’m goin’ to find Harry, or
what thai‘ is left of ’im or go under in the try-
in’.” quietly said Left- ended Pete. cocking his
rifle, and holding it ready in the hollow of his
left arm.

Colonel Newman saw that the scout meant
every word he said, and knew that only a trag-
edy could result from an attempt to restrain
Pete. And then as scout of a volunteer party,
Hoffman was not amenable to strict miliiary
discipline. The result was that Left-Handed
Pete bade his comrades a good-by, and struck
out along the blood-stained back trail.

To all appearance, he was entering on a wild-
goose chase, with the chances a thousand to one
against his success. All that he knew for oer—
tainty was that Vories was missed five days be—
fore, just after a fierce fight with the ambushed
negro and Seminoles. The probabilities were
that he was dead. If he had only been wound—
ed, end, by some miraculous fortune, escaped
the tomahawk or scalping-knife of the savages,
starvation and the~w11d beasts of theswamps
and forest would have finished him.

LeftHanded Pete was no fool, and he did not
excht to find his comrade alive. He believed» 4
that, at most, he Would find his mangled corpse.
Still, it would be some consolation to know that
a friendly hand had given the— remains burial.
And after that—the contracted brow from be- ‘
neath which the black eyes glittered into a
deadly fire, the ti ht grip upon his rifle, told
plainly what we d follow. Harry should be
avenged.

Left Handed Pete found that little could be
accomplisf'ed on the remnant of that day. The
Seminoles bad scattered through the forest and
swam , their vengeance still unappeased,
thouglis they feared to attack the reinforced
pale-faces. Hovering around, like the vultures
of the battle field, they watched greedily for an
opportunity topick up a straggler or two. To
elude them Pete was forced to bury himself deep
in the swamp, surrounded by scarcely less dead-
ly enemies~the alligator, the rattlesnake, moc-
casin and copperhead snakes. , '

Still, in his impatience, he forced his way on-
ward, regardless of the risk he ran, or to
reach the spot where Harry Vories I: been ‘
lost sight of. Tn ire during the night he came
into collision with Seminoles, both times avoid-
ing a struggle by burying himself-In the mud
and water, and imitatin the snort of the alliga-
tor or terrapin. Steadi ykeefiin the one ob-
ject in vigw, he chokfid dotwn in: 391mg of ven-

anoe‘t aturged 1m 0 s ngupon
gamiesrto slay them, to drink their blood.
Each time the temptation was harder to resist.
But when the right moment should arrive, he
would drink all the deeper for thus denying
himself; to the very drags he would drain the
intoxicating cup. . -

The l' ht of dawn slowly rifted through the
dense fo iage, and Left-Handed Pete advanced
with more confidence. He placed just
in his Own skill and woodcraft. Though the
forest and swamp might be swarming, with
bloodthirsty enemies, he felt ca bieof mending
the tangled trail in safety. progress indi-
cated a skill that Leatherstocking might well
have been proud of. The shade recesses
seemed fairly alive with savages. A times he
could hear the tremulons notes as two parties
signaled each other, and crouching low down in
the swamp mire, or beneath some dense mass of
foliage, could hear the rapid splashing or elastic
tramp as the dusky warriors flied past, some-
times fairly beneath his eyes. Around him rose
their columns of black smoke, rapidly changng
their position and combinations: the secret is»
graph of the Seminoles. Pete read their general
meanin correctly. He knew that Kin Pu no
and Bi y Bowlegs were gathering the r c r s
for one more blow at the pale-faced invader. .
And, though there could be little doubt of the
ultimate result, Pete was lad, for this would
give him a comparatively.c ear trail, and before
the Seminoles should return, it was likely that
his urpose would be accomplished.

T is was his only thought-the onl object he
had in view now; to know the fate of is brother
in bear and he only gave a passing thought to
the of his late comrades. V ,

At noontime Left-Handed Pete gained the -
spot where Black Prince had ambushed the

4 ‘ Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife.

 

a?

 

volunteers. A rapid but thorough reconnais-
sauce of the spot assured him that the vicinity
was free of living enemies: then be advanced.

A few vultures and buzzards flapped heavily
away, sailing round his head in lazy circles, or
else perching upon the neighboring deadwoods.
Despite his proved courage and iron nerves,
Left-Handed Pete felt his flesh creep and his
bronzed cheek turned pale, as his lance took in
the sickening scene. The roun was thickly
strewn with blood~staine re s and bones.
Ghastly, rinniug skulls lay hal hidden in the
discolore grass, leering at him through their
eyeless sockets, frowning upon him with their
tooth—scarred foreheads. A sickening stench
filled the air. The feathered scavengers flapped
their win 5 heavily as they circled above the
intruder, heir naked necks and bloodshot eyes
bending downward as though greedily cula-
ting upon the chances of this man’s forming the
-dessert to their toothsome feast.

With a swelling in his throat, Left-Handed
Pete turned and staggered away. A blood-red
veil seemed passin before his eyes. He felt
deathly ill, and w on the cool, green foliage
shut out the horrible spectacle, the scout sunk
hmviilyto the ground, weak and helpless as a
c .

“My Godl” he gasped hoarse! , “an’ sech as
that is all that’s left 0’ him! Hirry, my pore
brother!"

For he believed that among this ghastly
debris lay all that remained upon earth of his
comrade. The skull that had seemed to grin

. mocking] at him from its grassy nest the dis-
member bones that lay scattered here and
there, the blood-stained rags—he shuddered
anew, and bowing his face to the cool, moist
ground, groaned aloud with the terrible agony
of a strong man’s bleeding heart.

But this lasted only for a few moments. Then
he lifted his head with an impatient shake,
dashing a hand across the bloodshot eyes, a
bitter sneer curling the white lips as they parted
in a harsh unnatural laugh. _

“Pete fioifman be you a tool as well as a
hobby? It’s you blubberin’ like a love—sick gall
Wake up, man—wake up an’ git to work. Work
-thar’s a-plenty of it fer you to do! Thar’s
Harry a-tellin’ of you what to do—ho sais
revenge! An’ here’s what’ll hev it. I’ll drink
blood ontel I’m dead drunk. While I kin draw

W a bend or play a knife, l’ll death-trail these
Seminoles. Until the kill me, I’ll kill them.
Ni ht au’ day, I’lt— istl"

tly ceasing his wild mutterings, Left-
Ha Pete Cprostrated himself. one ear turned
toward the lads of Death, his eyes glowing
vividly his hot breath hissing between h 5 close-
clinched teeth as his fingers closed upon his
rifle-barrel as thou b they would bury them-
selves in the bran iron.

A human voice came to his ear, clear and
mellow, ringing. The words were rude and un—
couth; the pronunciation unmistakably that of
a negro. rom the swamp-surrounded glade
came the sounds.

With the oelerit and noiseless egress of a
serpent Left-Han ed Pete glided orward upon
his bell , until, using beneath a shrub, he
peered out upon he glade. The huge, almost
glgantlfi form of a negro, black as jet, met his

a was idly strolling around, pokin at
t fieshless skulls and bones with the mu e of

' a long rusty musket, or kicking them aside with
panel, b1 feetté croonin (org. his mg;

mes, pro ex mpore, uce narrat
the ambush of thk Prince and his men.

Had. the actions of the negro left any room
for doubt it would have been dispelled by the
objects that dangled upon the broad, woolly
chest. so? ed around the black’s neck b a
string. single glance showed Left-Han ed

' Pete that there were three seal —~the hair of
white men—no doubt torn from he heads of his
late comrades since they were still fresh and

gory.

Quick as thought the mouth rifle sprun to
his shoulder, and the silver bead covere the
negro’s forehead. But even as his finger touched
the trigger, LeftHanded Pete hesitated, finally
lowering the weapon. A kind of instinct seemed
to warn him that a shot fired in that place might
be fatal to himself as well. The negro did not
act like one who was alone, but rather with
the careless confidence of one who knows that a

single cry from his lips will bring ample aid to

overcome any threatening danger.

“But on don’t git of! so easy, nigger,” mut-
tered Lo tHanded Pete, uncockin his rifle and
laying it aside. “ The knife must 0 the work—-
I reckon you won’t hev time to squeal a’ter I
lend on a di ” ‘

’ , ’ . Le t-Handed Pete watched his chance, patient—

-

 

lly. The negro strolled aimlessly around, ad-
ing to his string of doggerel, evidently hugely
tick ed with his composnion. Perhaps he was
the Orpheus of some dusky troop, and like many
another wit, believed in private] rehearsing
the extemporaneous effusions wit which ap—
preciative friends are to be electrified.

Stuck upon a harder nut than usual, the negro
squatted upon a fleshless skull and earnestly
grappled with the stubborn rhyme, unheediug
the orig, dark form that, lizard-like, parted the
bushes and crawled noiselessly toward him.
Thou h the shadow of death steadily settled
over is head, he had no thought save for the
couplet that so persistently evaded his mind’s
grasp.

Gathering himself up, Left-Handed Pete
lea ed forward like a panther, a long knife
flas ing in the sun’s rays for an instant before
it sunk to the very hilt just above the collar—
bone of the negro. The next instant both the
scout’s hands were closed upon the brawny
threat, but this act Was useless. The long blade
had penetrated the heart and death was instan-
taneous, and the epic of black Prince’s ambush
was never completed.

Removing the scalps, Left-Handed Pete thrust
them into his bosom, and then lifting the huge
carcass, he bore itto the swamp, and there stood
upon it until the soft, clinging mud covered it
forever.

“Thar’s the fu‘st count, but ’twon’t be the
last by many a one“ All the black au’ red imps
atween this an’ never-comeback ag’in wouldn’t

ay for your skelp, Harry,” muttered Left-

anded Pete, regaining his rifle. ” Now to see
whether the varmint had any fri’nds nigh, or
not. ’

Hofi'man cautiously followed the plainly-im-
printed trail left by the black, keeping a keen
ookout ahead. He had not advanced a quarter
of a mile before he scented the odor of roasting
meat, and caught sight of a decoy vapor rising
above the hill-to , that he knew was smoke.
The fire deepene in his eyes, and be advanced
with the stealthy caution of a panther creeping
upon its unsuspecting prey. ruly, these last
few hours had greatly altered the usually gay,
light-hearted scout.

“Thor’s more 0’ the im , and I kin git an-
other lick forHarry—meb I kin git back his
skelp, too,” muttered Left-Handed Pete,beneath
his breath.
. Five minutes later, he (parted the dense foliage
ofa clump of bushes an peered out upon the
scene. A small campfire was built in a beauti-
ful glade inclosed up‘on all sides by the thick-

owin trees and s ubbery. The ground was
a little igher than the general level. and was
thus dry and comfortable, thickly carpeted with
grass and moss.

Over a score of men were visible, idly loung-
ing upon the ground and around the campfire.
The majority of these were negroes, half-nude.
in many cases painted fantastically, and dyed
feathers stuck n their wool. Lying u on the

ound, leanin against the trees, or angling

rem some pen ent bo hwasa eat profusion
of weapons. This care essuess to d how. secure
the party felt, how little they feared being sur-
prised by an enem .

The scout knew hat he was watchin the very
party that had ambushed the retreat n volun-
teers, for he could distinguish the stil fresh
scalp: that had been torn from the skulls of the
fallen soldiers. But he had scarcely noted this
fact, when he sunk back. ghostly—pale, gasping
for breath. .

He had caught sight of a human form lying
at the root of a tree. apparently ti htl boun

to its trunk. Thou h the face was lld en from _

his view, LeftuHan ed Pete saw that. the garb
was that of a white man, and something in the
partly-revealed form reminded him of Harry
Vories.

“It’s impossible—4t can’t be him, for he’s

rubbed out, breathed Hoffman, choking down
his emotion: “But I’m goin’ to‘ see who it is,
anyhow!”

The resolve was a foolhardy one but the
scout was hardly himself that day. The agony
of the past day robbed him of is usual cool-
ness an foresight, else he would have‘weuted
fgr the coming nightfall before venturing fur-
t er.

The captive was only a few yards distant
from the nearest negro, and was lying in full
sight of those around the camp-fire._ The slight-
est indiscretion upon his part would call their
attention, and almost as certainly result in the
discovery of the bold: scout. And then—the
odds were twonty to one.

In a very short time, LeftEended Pete
gained a point from whence he could make out

 

the features of the ca tive. A ain the fit of
faiutness seized him. e half-be ieved himself,"
gazing upon a ghost—the spirit of the dead.
or before him was the brother he had so hit-
terly mourned, seemingly alive and well, though
a bound captive. Pete rubbed his eyes again
and again. fearin to believe his senses, for he
had abandoned a1 hope of, ever meeting Harry
Vories in the flesh, firmly believing him dead.

Yet the seeming miracle had a very simple
explanation. Though unaware of the fact,
Harry Vories had a deadly, inveterate enemy,
who had vowed his destruction. That foeman
had directed the ambush had eyes only for the
young leaderof scouts. his hand it was that
felled Vories bleeding to the ground, and then
called off the attacking negrces, carrying the
senseless man off the ground, plunging deep.
into the swamp. That accomplished, he felt no
further interest in the fate of the volunteers,
but he dared not disobey when King Payne
ordered him to lead on his men. Leaving the
captive in charge of two trusty negroes, he
jomed the Seminole chief. When the savages
disappeared before the rescuing party of whites,
he stole awa with his band, and returned to
where his prize was hidden. Thus it was that.
Left-Handed Pete found them so near the spot
where Varies had fallen.

“ l’ll give him a idea who’s around, anyhow,”
muttered Pete, as soon as he had in a measure
conquered his surprise. “Then he’ll be on the-
lookout fer me.”

With ventriloquial skill he uttered the laintive
note of the cat-bird, three times repeate , closely
followed by the eculiar croakin of the rain-
crow. Vories s ightl-y moved is head and
glanced swiftly around. It did not seem os-
sihle that aid could be near, yet the signs so
often made use of between the brother scouts in
times of danger sounded in his ear. It was this
memory that roused Varies from his painful
musings.

A man, gray~haired, evidently past the prime
of life, glanced toward the captive, and with a
foul oat demanded what was the matter, add~
inga threat. Voriel made no reply, for the
signal again broke the air, and renewed ho
sprung up in his breast. Surely, this could e
no mere coincidence; the three calls of the cat-
bird, followed by the harsher notes of the rain-
crow. Yet he was the only one who noticed
the fact, for both birds are plentiful in that
section.

Gathering confidence from his immunity thus
far, Pete cautious] be an circling the glade,
crawlin close to w ere arry Varies was con-
fined. ' e feared to lose any more time than
was absolume necessary, lest his trail should
be discovered when the slain negro was mied,
and search made for him.

A few minutes later, he was crouching close
behind the huge tree at whose foot Vories was
half-reclining. The dense foliage of the bushes
concealed his movements from those within the
glade. Once again Left Handed Pete sent forth
the well-known signal, and Vories now knew
that his brother scout was at hand and workin
for his liberty. At any other time, he won]
have seen the foil of attempting an escape at
that moment, bu the subject of conversation
between the white man and the giant negro,
Black Prince. drove all thoughts of prudence
from his mind. A frightful danger was menac-
ing one whom he held even dearer than his own
life, and could he escape, he might still be in
time to avert it. With this hope, he gently
breathed the words:

“ If that is you, Pete, for God’s sake, put these
cordsl”

“ What he you grumblin’ at new?” demanded
the white man, glancing quickly around.

“ These cords hurt me; come and loosen them
——don’t treat me like a dog,” hastily replied
Vories.

“ You came of a dog's race, curse you!
Then the treatment of sich is good a-plenty for

on. But don’t fret. We’ll soon cure your

urts. I don’t reckon you’ll hev to complain
much longer,” was the significant answer.

Left-Handed Pete did not hesitate long,
tho h perfectly realizing the risk he ran.
Stea thily he parted the bushes and thrust for-
ward his knife. Its keen edge touched the
thongs that bound Varies, and they arted
with a twang, so tightly had they been rawn.

The sound met the ears of the white man,
and again he glanced around. He caught 3

lid: of the bright knife-blade as Boflman’s

an was withdrawn, and uttering an angry
yell, leaped to his feet. _

Left-Handed Pete saw that to delay a mo-
ment would. be fatal to him, and knowmg that
upon his retaining liberty rested the only

\

.HA.

.AWAV ‘

., mum—we, A,

 

\

'l

 

 

chance of Harry’s escape, he clutched his rifle
and darted away at the top of his speed, and
that was something marvelous, considering the
nature of the ground. Lithe, active as a pan
ther, the scout twisted around the trees and
larger bushes, leaping over the slighter obstacles
as though impelled by some complicated though
perfect machinery. He fairly su assed hun-
self, for the stakes were more than is own life

Inow; upon his escape depended the future of
his heart-brother.

The surprise had been so complete that few of
the pursuers had taken time to snatch up their
Weapons, though all were armed with knives at
their waists. Of them all, two men rapidly
distanced the rest, fairly holding their own
with the nimble scout. But fortune favored
Hoffman, in disabling by an accident his most
dangerous enemy. Stumbling, the white man
fell heavily against a tree, lying at its base,
senseless. Undaunted, the other, a. tall, lithe
negro, sped on.

For a fu.l mile they ran thus. scarce twenty
yards separating them, nor could either gain a
yard but that, the next moment, it was snatched
back again. Hoffman dropped his rifle at the
foot of a huge deadwood, and then ran on, be-
li ving i‘l‘t the entire party were close upon
his trail. OtherwiSo h. would have turned, and
trusted the choices of a hand-to-hand struggle
with the black.

Suddenly "'-~ race brought him upon the
bark of a. b. A i, d‘cp bayou. He dared not
hesitate or tum “side, and Pete leaped far out
into the stagn: it pool. Close upon his heels
the negro followed. At the double splash, a.
seeming log of deadwood that lay near the fur-
ther shore, suddenly sprung into life and darted
forward, a gigantic alligator.

Leftl-Ianded Pete scarce realized his peril
until the huge sauriun was within its own length
of him, sweeping swiftly forward with distended
jaws. Quick as thought, he dove beneath the
surface, swimming low down, with all the skill
he possessed.

When he arose he was nearly to the further
shore. Glancing back, he saw the jaws of the
alligator close upon the negro, who was down
below thesuriace, struggling, shrieking hor-
ribly. It was a. hair breadth esca e. fwd
trembling in every limb, Peter craW 8d IMO
the bushes. A moment later the negrOes came
up. The blood still tinged the water. They
believed the scout had fallen a prey to the alli-
gators, and returned to report as much.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE STORY or A DARKENED urn.

THE bold attempt to wrest his captive from
him, seemed to fill the heart of the renegade
with uneasiness, even after the negroes returned
and reported the scout as dead. In the brief
race before his accident the renegade had recog
nized the fugitive. though this Was the first
time they had ever come in personal contact.
The fame of the young scnut had spread far
and wide, and he was represented as one of
truly wonderful skill and adroitness in wood
lore. And no one could appreciate an enemy
of this kind more thoroughly than the a estate,
Daniel McGirth, for, in bygone years‘ e him-
self had borne the title of the best scout and
wood-ranger 1n the colonies, and is so recorded
in history. . '

Though behevmg Left-Handed Pete torbe
really dead, for the negroes declared that they
had seen the alligators draw him beneath the
surface of the bayou, McGirth resolved to run
no further 011311095, but make his we at once
to the town of Kim Payne, Cuscorri] a, where

‘there could be 110 c ance of his losing his cup~
two. And as the moon arose, he broke camp,
hlmSGIf 831d three 0|; the he was taking charge
of the prisoner. While Blaeli Prince led the re-
mmndqupon a particular duty assigned him
by McGirt .

The rangers rough] forced Vories along, his
feet havmg bevn free to enable him to walk.
Close behind them strode McGirth, with watch-
ful eye and ready weapons, his head bound up
with a bloody bandage.

The village was reached in safety, and‘vories
was carefully confined m that .ortion of the
town set apart for the negro 5m leans. Bound
hand and foot, he lay in a ark. noisome log
but a preyto gloomy forebodiu and fears.

He had heard of the death ofLeft— ended Pete,
and saw no reason to disbelleve it. And with
that vanished his last hope. Then, too, he knew
that a black rll threatened one very dear to
his heart, wh a he lay there helpless, powerless
to aid her.

Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. , Y 5‘

 

upon a bark platter.

 

And then, this strange enemy: who and what l
was be? In what manner had he gained his
enmityi—‘an enmity so bitter that the renegade
had sworn he was doomed to suffer death at
the stake, after the most devilish tortures that
savage ingenuity could devise. This man and
3e léad never met before; of that he felt confi-

en .

With such thoughts as these, Vories passed
away the long, weary hours, until the clear
light of day stole in through the cracks and
crevices in the rude pole roof overhead, and the
voices and bustle without told him that the
hi ht was past.

[he rude slab door was abruptly flung open,
and a man entered, bearing a smoking steak
It was the renegade,

Daniel McGirth.

“ You see we don’t mean to starve you, young
feller,” quietly remarked McGirth, as he set
down the food, and then cut the cords that
bound the scout’s hands. “I don’t b’lieve in
killin’ a man on an empty stomach. Thar—you
don’t need your feet free to eat with; an’ you’re
too pear-t alad to run any risk with. Eat away
now—what you waiting fer?”

“ You 58. you are my enemy—that you hate
me worse t an ison, then why are you feed-
ing me? Why on’t you starve me, or kill me
outright?" curiously asked Harry Vories.

“I've bin lookin’ for you to ax some sech
questions, an’I kem here this mornin’ to an-
swer ’em, an’ to tell you why I hate you.
’Tain’t a. long story in the tellin’, though it’s
lasted thirty odd years—it begun afore you
Were born, youngster. But thar—eat your grub.
I won‘t say nothiu’ more untel you do."

There was a leculiarly subdued air about the
rene ade that ories had not noticed before.
His ronzed features were hard set and un-
naturally pale. A steely glitter filled his eyes.
He spoke as though with an effort.

Yet Harry was half-famished, and did not
hesitate lon . Seizing the meat, heate it raven~
ously, andt en longed for more. But he did
not ask for it. Something kept him from asking
favors of this man.

McGirth filled a. gourd half-full of water, and
then dashedit plentifully with brandy. Again
Varies hesitated, but an impatient gesture
caused him to obey, and the vessel was emptied.

“Now, then, 0 man, for your story. I’ll
not thank you for this food and drink until I
learn better your object in offering them.”
yawned Harry, feeling more like his usual self.

“ You’d be a, gesky fool ef you did,” was the
blunt reply. “ sure I didn’t do it as afavor,
or from love for you. I do it because I hate
you like p’ison; I do it because I want you to

eep up your stren’th, so you kin feel pain the
sharper an’ b’ar it longer. Ef you hadn’t ett
that quietly, I’d ’a’ bed you held fast an’ the
grub stuffed down your throat. I’m goin’ to feed
you well an’ nurse you up ontel you’re all over
that hurt ontel you’re strong and full of life.
Then rn lun you.” , .

These last words were hissed throu h the
tightly-clinched teeth with a. fierce m ignity
that, despite his strong nerves. caused a pecu-
liar thril to creep over the prisoner’s body.
But he said, quietly:

“All right—thank you for nothin . I’ll eat
and drink and get back all my strengt so 1 can
foil your hatred. But you promised to tell me
why you hate me so bitterly. I um curious to
learn how I have wronged you.”

“ I’ll toll you. Fu’st, think of you hev ever
heard your father speak of one Dan’el Mc-
Girtb.”

" Yes—I believe I have. He was a good
scout once, before he deserted his colors and
wont over to the British and Indians, turning
renvgade. Are you that man?”

“ Yes, I’m Dan’el McGirth. Mebbe the old
man has told ‘ou the story, but if he did, no
doubt he ma e himself out a saint an’ me a.
devil. It’s en’ally the way with them who
wrongs anot er. But never mind that now.”

“You would not dare insult him if I were
not bound. I’d tear your foul, lying tongue
out by the roots,” chafed Vories. ,

“ I don’t doubt you would try it, fer you’re a
man, I b’lleve. A pity you come of seech a
race. But thar—I’ll take a fresh start. As I
said afore, my name is Dan’el McGirth. I was
raised in Georgy. My folks was poor, but no-
body could say a word ag’inst that honesty an’

oodness 0’ heart. I was well raised, though I
idn’t git much of an school—l‘arnin’, an‘ I
was what is called a go boy. That is, I didn’t
lie nor steal nor, get drunk with the niggers
like many 0’ those called the better class did. I
was free-spirited, would fight quick as wink ef

 

I thought any one tried to putt upon me, was*

full 0’ fun an‘ devilment, but their was nothin’
downright wicked in me ontel Hugh Varies,
your father, boy, putt it than

“ Thar was a neighbor to us both, Widder
Keeler. She had only one child, Susy, a black—
eyed, rosy-lipped gal, purty as a pictur.’ You’re
old a—plenty to.know how sech things will go.
1 did what you would ’a’ done in my place.
I fell in love with Susy, an’ she finally l'arned
to keer fer me in the same way. as we both grew
older. Your father—that is a finelookin’ young
man then, with oceans 0’ money. 311’ fine
clothes, an’ ridin’ bosses an’ sich like—he kuowed
Susy, an’ luck a kind 0’ fancy to her, He didn’t
think 0’ marrying her, thou h. She was only
one 0’ the poor whites, an’ is folks war big
bugs. They’d ’a’ driv’ her from thar kitchen
like a nigger ef she’d ’a’ come thar as his Wife.

“ Wal, time went on. an’ the big fuss began
with the red-coats. Everybody volunteered. I
did. an’ found myself in Hugh Vories’ company
0’ Rangers. I didn’t know him then or I’d ’a’
cut my hand ofi‘ afore I’d ’a’ tuck orders from
him. We did good service, was in a good
many bad scrapes, an’ as the captain was no
coward, we got our name up. I was made the
head scout; all the rest war under me. 1 b’lieve
now that he hoped to git me killed off. so he‘d
hev acl’ar field with Sus . But 1 didu’ git a.
scratch, an’ then it was t at I gained the name
0’ bein’ the best scout un’ spy in the Southern
Colonies. I don’t say it by way 0’ hraggin’; any
0’ the boys who fit then kin tell you the same.

“ One day we had a brush with the red-coats,
an’ licked them. My horse was killed under
me airly in the fight. I picked out the officer
of the red—coats an’ made fer him. I pulled him
from his saddle and killed him then took his
critter fer the rest 0’ the muss. By all the laws
of our troo the boss was mine. I had fa’rly
aimed it. ut beca’se it was a. choice piece 0’
h055flesh—or I thought that was his reason than
—Hugh Vories ordered me to give it u, to him.
He said it was a ’ported Arab. an’ on y fit fer
an officer. He watered me, mind ye, atom the
hull troop, sayin’ it was too good «fer me. Ef
he’d axed me fer it, like a man, I’d ’a’ bin glad
to give it up, fer we all liked him then. But he
ordered me—talked to me like I war a. dog.

“ I told him the boss was mine, and I’d keep
it. He drew his sword an’ told me to stan’
aside. I up an’ knocks him down with my flat,
and then broke his sword. He got up, white as
a ghost, an’ tells the boys to take me pris’ner.
My scouts was out 0’ the we , an’ I didn’t stand
no show. They tied me up and an’ foot.

“ That night they had what they called a
courttmartial on me. They said the penalty 0’
strikin’ an officer was death, but as I’d been
sech a good scout, they’d put it down at flog—
gin'. I didn’t think they’d do it—whip afnee
white man like he was a hog-stealiu’ nigger. But
they did do it—curse them! they did do it 1”

Up to this point McGirth had 3 oken in a
low, quiet tone, as though the su ject was
utterly without interest for him, as he crouched
down upon the pile of dried grass, his eyes bent
upon the ground. But now he sprung erechhis
eyes glowing with an almost maniacal light, his
harsh features strongly convulsed, every muscle
of his compact frame quivering as though even
yet the degrading touch of the lash burned his
flesh. _ , ‘

In silence Harry listened, making no attempt
to interrupt the story, though he had heard
something of the matter fore. He began now
to understand the deadly hatred that the de-
graded scout bore him, because his Veins flowed
with the blood of that man. his enem .

“Yes. they flogged me,” answers Mcflirth,
choking down his emotion, though the blazin
eyes were riveted firme upon the face of h
captive. “ The shame of it. more than the pain,
took away my senses. They, thought I was
dyin’. The surgeon ’tended to me. and said I
would live. I did live for rruenge .'

“That ni ht I stole out from the place
put me, an entered the brush but where
slept. I drove my knife to the hau’le in his
breast. He giv’ n. yell that roused the camp,
an’ I had to run for it, without givin’ another
MOW, though I b’heved he was dead. I knowed
I’d hev to leave the country for get-d. then, but
I couldn’t go without tellin Susy food-by. The
boys tracked me thar. They di n’ mom to re-
member what fri’nds them an’ we had onco’t
bin. They hunted me down like a runaws
nigger. As I said, they were hot on my
when I got to Widder Keeler‘s shanty. I heard
’em comin‘. I bed no we’pons. an’ I couldn't
fight. So I crept out the back way an’ tuck to
the woods. E! ’d only ’a’ knowed what wag
goin’ to happen, I’d stayed thar an’
up to the boys. But how could know!

\

iv’ myse p

\

 

, devilments.

ilk}

thought they was men, not devils, worse than
the Injuns that I’ve sence consorted with.

“They found my hat that I’d dropped. They
b’lieved I was bein’ hid by the women. Susy
an”the old woman wouldnt tell the truth, for
fear that I hadn’t start enough. They wouldn’t
say yeser no. An’ then—h—l! I’m a fool! That
was years an’ years ago—afore you was born,
youngster, an’ yit you see it chokes me an’ uts
somethin’ in my eyes like dust. Why on’t
ye laugh? Laugh while e git the chance, for
’tain’t often that Dan’el cG-irth shows himself
a woman.

“But thar—I kin tell it in a word. They

, killed Susy. Mebbe they didn’t mean it—mebbe

he got mad and didn’t know he hit so hard; but
Mark Homer killed her with his fist. Twenty

ears ago I roasted him alive fer thet lick.

her ain’t one 0’ that gang left alive now. The
old woman told me the names, an’ I hunted ’em
down one by one. That’s the way Daniel Mc-
Girth pays his debts. ,

“But never mind. It brings up the devil in
me to talk of that, an’ I don’t want to kill on

it awhile. I’ll hurry over it as fast as I in.

went an’ j’ined the Tories. I couldn’t face
my old fri’nds with them lashes on my back,
though um know now how well I deserved
them. hat lickin’, and losin’ Susy turned me
all devil. I raised a band 0’ Tories an’ Injuns,
an’ killed ontil I could count the skelps by
dozens. It was long—not ontil after the war

, was over—-that I l’arned your father was alive.

I hunted him then but he was gone. I couldn’t
git on his track. didn’t pick it up ontil two

ears ago. Then I found 8 was married and

ed a am'bly. Twice I could ’a’ shot him
down, but that wouldn’t suit me. Imeant to
rtear and squeeze his heart as he did mine. You
say he didn’t tell ’em to kill Susy. Ef he hadn’t
flo ged me, Sue would be alive now; so he
kiled her. An jest so sure he’s got to y
for ’t. Through you I’ll strike him fu’st—t en
comes his turn.

“I kept close watch on you, doggin’ you
wherever you went, but I didn‘t see the chamce
to git you in my» hands ontil this trip. I show-
ed you to my men an’ offered them big pay if
they’d take you alive. That is all that saved
your life, fer you was no coward, that I admit,
an’ rocked our life like it wasn’t no ’count.
Will. we di capter you with on’ a lettle hurt.
You’ve got to suffer as I did-an diea thousan’
deaths in one. I’ll keep‘oount of it all, an‘ then
send it to your father, so that he may know
what to expect.

“ You know whar I’ve sent Black Prince, the
big nigger. He is to go to Forrester‘s planta~
tion, w ar our sweetheart lives. He is to cap-
teran’ fetc her here. I’m goin’ to marr her,
Injun fashion, in this 'ere shanty. We’ll ev it
lighted up in fine style. You’ll be tied to you-
der post, so you kin see every thin’. Then the
next day We’ll hev a stake planted out thar,
right afore the door, an’ thar you’ll be tortured
'todeath, while the pur Blanche sits in here
by my Side, a-admirin’ 0 your courage, or else
laughing at your squeals an’ kickin’s ef so be
you turn coward as the flames begin to eat the

ash 03 0’ your bones, an’ the squaws try their
Do you like the pictur’l” And
McGirth sneered with diabolical mali anc .

Now, as before, Vories set his teetIinhard’ to
choke back the words that rose to his li )5. He
knew that they could produce no goo effect,
and would only gratify the renegade by reveal—
:ing the sting left by his taunts. Twice he had
tested the thongs that held his feet and legs
firmly pinioned to the slab floor, but he could
not rise to his feet. He was as helpless as
thou h his hands were not free.

“ 1th that, what then, mebbe you’d ax?
We}, I haven’t it all palunned out vit. But I’ve
promised my dainty lanche to Black Prince,

, after I git tired of her, if he does his part of the

work well.”

At this moment the door swun slowly o 11,
undo Inifht, yeceful figure stoo in the cor-
.way. / cGirth lanced eagerly around, but as
he rec ized t e intruder, the deep frown
vanishe and a softer light came into his blood—

Vores also lanced in that direction. De-

te-his troub e, be was struck with wonder at
t vision. A maiden stood there, lyoung, vet
perfectly formed, almost voluptuous
simple garb of softly tanned skins revealed
every outline in its natural perfection undis-
torted by fashion’s mold. Though an Indian,
she was beautiful; a rarity. indeed.

In a soft, musical voice, she cried:

“ The out chief has returned, and wishes to
see Sure yes. He bade me say, be quick. He

_shote es.

, bis Very angry.”

yso” The,

McGirth soon and quickly bound Vories’s
hands, and then left the hut. While he was
thus occu ied, the Indian maiden curiously
watched arry, and he even found that be de-
tecteda gleam of pity' in her dark, soft eyes.

But as the door closed, and the heavy bars
rattled upon the outside, Harry drooped his
head and gave himself up to the gloomy fore-
bodings that filled his heart. And truly he had
enough to ponder upon.

CHAPTER IV.
BULLETS AND STEEL.

A HUGE, muscular black, with kinky, close-
curled wool, a small, dull eye, whoee face was
peculiarly distorted by a saber or knife-cut that
had carried away half of his nose and upper lip,
thus laying bare the massive white. dog-like
teeth: a negro nude from the waist upward,
armed to the very teeth with wea ons, the use
of which he knew right well—such was Black
Prince, Daniel McGirt i’s right-hand man.

With some five and twenty men, negroes, like
himself, he lay resting upon an elbow, beside a
tin fire burning in a little glade. It was but
litte past noon. Their journey within a few
miles of being accomplished, they had paused
here for rest and food.

Black Prince, who was a despot in a small
way when beyond the eye of McGirth, had not
as yet deigned to inform his men of the object of
this excursion. But now, as he puffed lazily at
his blackened pipe. he vouchsafed:

' “ You lazy nigger debbils, open you’ ears w’ile
I talk. You want know what fo’ we tek dis-a»
here tramp?- Shet up, you Coosaw Toby? Enty
I know you don’t know (lat? De queschuu was
fist a preliberary splainification like, as ol’

arse used to say. But dar—now lis’en.

“Some 0’ you know do men dey call Judge
Forrester, in Tapinola deestrick?”

“ Enty I, dough?” interrupted a tall, lithe
black, his eyes sparkling. “ He bin my marse
eence I ’tand knee-high to a. woodchuckl”

“You too durned smart, Jelly Jim. You
’rupt de meetin’ ag’in an’ mebbe you git hurt-—
mind dat, now. But dat’s do men I mean.
Dar’s whar we goin’ now. Ain’t goin’ fo’ nig—
gets, dough, dis time. Bigger tune—white folks;

e young missus we wine to erry ofl‘. De boss
sends us to git her ’0’ him. Don’t know what
10’; but he say, ‘Fotch her hyar an’ don’t you
hurt her neider, or I‘ll skin you 'live.’ He’d do
it, too, Would Marse Dan’el. He bad man when
be mad u . He say, ‘ Fetch her hyar. Do
what you fire wid de rest. Kill ’em at you like.
Burn down do house, kill de niggers an’ cattle
an’ bosses an’ sich like, ef you want to; cut up
de debil gin’ally, as much as you like, jist so you
fetch her safe. Dat’s what he said—de boss.
Dat’s what we gwine fo’ now. Enty we gwine
to hab fun? De boss say fotch ’um young missus
fo’ him; Prince say he wine to ketch galler gal
fo’ lhese’f,” and Black rince laughe boister-
ous y.

A chorus of shouts and expressions of pleasure
greeted this speech, and it was evident that the
expedition would not fail from lack of enthusi-
asm or interest in its success. Never before
were they given such perfect carte blanche, and
the negroes knew that there were rich pickings
to be had at the Forrester mansion; that there
was money and late, as well as wine and rum,
and plenty of li'ely young slaves from whom
they might take their choice, when victory was
once theirs.

But there was one among "their number who
did not show an gratification; rather the very
contrary. His ace clouded and his eyes filled
with an angry fire. It was the negro called
Jelly Jim, who had claimed Judge Forrester for
a master. Nearly a year before he had been
stolen away by Black Prince and his gang dur-
inga foray. At first he had been sullen, but
soon grew to accept the situation and to enjoy
the free, lawless life. But now he remembered
how kindly the planter had ever treated his
slaves, and how the young mistress, Blanche,
had sent him wine and jelly and choice bits of
food from her own table when helay so very ill.
And then too, he remembered a certain comely
girl—a tall, straight mulatto, Abb -w'uom he
had once hoped to make his wife. he was still
dear to him, and with a lover’s partiality, he
believed that Black Prince’s choice would fall
upon her; for who among all the girls upon the
estate could compare with Abby? Not one!
And that thought turned the scale.

Stealthily. with the silent celerity of a ser—
pent, Jelly Jim crept out of the glade unnoticed,
and, when once beyond ear-shot, he darted away
through the forest at breakneck speed. He re—
solved to gave his young mistress and Abby, by

betraying his late comrades.

 

 

gLeft-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife.

 

l

 

It was fully an hour before his absence was
noticed and commented upon. As if by insl int-t,
the truth flashed upon Black Prince, and he
leaped to his feet with a bitter oath.

“ He’s gone to tell his ol’ marse dat we’re come
in’! We mus’ ketch him. Et‘ he giis dur lust,
our game’s sp’ilt. De fust c‘u'ice ob all do
wenches to de one (lat kills (18 cuss!”

Led by Black Prince, the negroes (lashed for—
ward through the tangled forest, straining every
nerve to overtake or get ahead of the traitor,
not knowing how great a start he had of them.
Had he fallen into their hands at that moment,
Jelly Jim would have fared but ill.

The vicinity of the plantation was reached
with out any such event, and Black Prince cursed
bitterly as he was forced to believe that the
runaway had beaten them in the race. Still,
there was a chance that he might not, and the
outlaw lost no time in idle delay, but led his
men directly up to the plantation until the man—
sion was sighted.

Originally a large, onestory log-house, exten-
sive additions had been made to it, from time to
time, as occasion demanded, until now it pre—
sented quite an imposing a pearanco. though
half-hidden amid the grove 0 trees. The build-
ing appeared deserted. Not a sign of human
life could be seen. All was silent and still.

Black Prince ripped out a volley of sulphur-
ous oaths. for he read this unusual quietude
aright. He knew that Jelly Jim, the deserter,
had beaten them in the race, and that the planter
had prepared for their coming. If there had
been time for Judge Forrester to gather in his
slaves from their work upon the plantation, the
expedition would be a failure, for behind such
breastworks as the building afforded, the blacks
would fight well.

Black Prince had picked up a good many
ideas from aesocietion with the Spanish garri—
son, and had a monkey/dike love of imitation.
Dis ossessing one of his men of a shirt which
he once been white, be tied it to the muzzle of

his rifle and boldly advanced, waving the flag of

truce before him. The next moment a loud
voice from the building broke the silence:

“ Halt! there—cross the patch before you,
and HI bore your skull with an ounce bullet!
Who are you, and VI but do you wish '9"

“A gemman don’t shoot a flag ob truce,”
pompously retorted Black Prince; then adding,
quickly: “ Didn’t dat J» 113' Jim tell you who we
was and what we wanted ’9"

“Never mind that; 1 ask you the guestion,
and if y ou are wise you will answer it, contin-
ued the voice.

“All right; dat’s easy tole. 1’s Gin’ral Prince
—my army is hidden in do bresh der. We come
here on bizuese.
dat is soon enough, ef you don’t open de do’s
peaceably and let us come in. Do dat, an’ we
won’t hurt ye. But you act sassy, or shoot any
0’ my army, an’ de debble ‘ll git you, suah 1”

“Do your worst—but if, when I count ten,
there is one of you in sight, the devil will get
his due, as sure as there’s virtue in a long barrel
and double sights! If you want entrance, you
must make it for yourself.”

Though no coward, Black Prince did not relish
the idea of standing there for a target, and has—
tily lunged into the shrubbery. Then the yells
of tEe negro outlaws told the occupants o the
buildin that their only hope lay in a stout de-
fense. 11 Victory alone lay safety. To be con—
quered now meant death

Giving his men their instructions, Black
Prince scattered them around the building,
there being no lack of cover to conceal their
movements and shield their bodies from the re-
turn fire of the besieged. 1n the hope of lessen.
ing the number of defenders, a constant, drop-
ping flre was ke is up, the bullets and buckshoi‘.
crashing throng the light-shuttered windows.
Black Prince knew that there were no neighbors
living within sound of the firearms, deadened
as the reports were by the surrounding trees.

The day was fast waning, and he only Wilin
for the shades of evenin to fall before taking
more decisiVe steps. hatever else he mig‘ r.
be, Prince was no coward.

The fusilade was promptly returned from the
building, and was not entirely without effect.
One negro was slain outright, while several
others were more or less severely wounded,
though only one was disabled. Neither did the
besieged escape unscathed, for the negroes had
taken a lesson from their savage allies in straw
gy, and while one fired at the windows, another
held himself in readiness in case the d fenders
should fire at the smoke puff. By this policy,
several of the slaves were illed.

As the sun sunk behind lhe treetops, and the
gloom grew deeper witl.in the grOVe, Black

I reckon you’ll fin’ out what '

 

 

Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. 7

 

 

Prince sounded the call for his men to assemble.
The time was at hand for more decisive meas-
ures.

Selecting several of the best marksmen, he
assigned them stations in the shrubbery that
commanded all the windows in the front of the
building. There they crouched down, clutching
a loaded rifle, with others lying beside them
in readiness for use. The attacking party re-
tained only their knives and hatchets, with an
occasional pistol.

When satisfied that every one fully compre-
hended the part they were to play, Black Prince
took his station at the butt of a stout palmetto
log that had been prepared for the purpose. At
a signal the log was raised breast high, and the
marksmen opened a rapid fire upon the win-
dows. '

With a wild yell of encouragement, Black
Prince gave the word to charge, and the heavy
square butt was pointed directly toward the
front door. With a will the ne roes charged,
yelling, screeching, howling like Eamons.

Two shots came from the building, and one
negro fell, writhing in the death-agony. But
the others did not falter; on they dashed. The
death was promptly avenged. A volley from
the ambushed marksmen cleared the wind0ws.

With all the force of two dozen stout arms,
added to its, own impetus, the battering-ram
was hurled a inst the door. The building
seemed to sha e and quiver to its very founda-
tions, so heavv was the shock. A sharp crack-
ling sound followed, and several splinters fell to
the floor of the veranda.

“Ag’in—once more!" yelled Black Prince,
stepping back.

Again the heavy log was dashed against the
splintering, shattered door. At the same mo-
menta blaze of light shone through the cracks.
and a volley of bullets tore their way through
the crowd of negroes.

High above the reports rung the yells, cries
and curses of ain. The battering-ram fell
heavily to the oor, flattening the skull of a
gasping, dying negro. Others ay around, dead
or wounded.

“Once more—show them your metal, lads!"
shouted a. clear voice from the hall within.
“You arerflghting for your lives now— rove
yourselves men, and we will whip the evils
yet! Fire!”

Only one pistol-shot answered the order.
Against his commands, the entire force of de—
fenders had fired, excited by the assault, and
now the weapons were empty. It was a fatal
error. A second volley just at that moment
would have cowed the negro outlaws. As it
was, they had time ’to recover from the sur-

rise.

p “Gil it to ’em, boys!” yelled Black Prince,
drawing his hatchet, or rather half-ax, that
hung at his girdle. “Now—all togedder, an‘
dey’se our meat!”

As the words passed his lips, the negro giant
strode forward and buried his ax to its eye in
the splintered wood. Taking courage from his
bold action, the surviving outlaws promptly
followed the example. Eager to participate in
the aflray, the three workmen came dashing up.
The heavy,hatchet-strokes fell like bail, and
the White splinters covered the veranda. floor.
In ten seconds a passage was effected.

Black Prince pressed through the aperture
first, and was greeted with a pistol—shot. He
staggered back, with an involuntary cry, sink-
ifng to one knee, the blood gushing from his

ace.

“Now charge them, lads!” shouted the voice
of Judge Forrester, a. noble-looking patriarch.
“ Their leader is. down-char e 1"

His long white hair shining through the
smoke, he dashed forward, his rifle playing like
a belt of lightnin ; the next moment its bright-
ness was dimme with the heart’s blood of a
negro outlaw. Right nobly the slaves seconded
him. Ins mad with fresh spirit by his example,
17th bur ed themselves against the outlaws,
cutting and slashin with corn knives and sickles
dealing stunning'h ows with clubbed rifles and
muskets, or plying the deadlier knife. Hard
pressed, the outlaws slowly gave way, the shat.
tered' door falling before them. Vic ory seemed
with the defen ers. Already the excitable
slaves yelled with exultanttrium h, as, thongh
fighting desperately still, the out aws retreated
step by step cross the veranda. They had

missed the encouraging yell of their leader.
They believed Black Prince was dead. Without
him they were lost. He was the head that
ided: they the arms that- dealt the blows.
d ith the head gone, the arms struck at ran-
om.
But then, just as the outlaws were on the

 

point of breaking into full flight, avoice was
heard, like the bellow of a. wounded bull. Part—
ly recovering his senses, Black Prince dashed
t e streaming blood from his eyes, and leaped
to his feet, hatchet in hand.

Uttering a terrible roar of rage and anger as
he saw his men being worsted, he leaped upon
the slaves, burying the ax helve deep in a skull.
Again and again the heavy weapon fell, and
death followe each blow.

Judge Forrester turned upon this resurrected
foe, and made a quick pass at his heart with the
rapier. Black Prince seized the Weapon with
his naked hand, jerking it from the old man’s

ras ,‘at the same time swinging forward his
atc at.

A simple circumstance saved the planter’s life.
The powerful jerk that had wrenched the rapier
from his grasp, drag ed him forward almost
breast to breast with Pluck Prince. The blood-
stained blade passed over his head, the helve
crashing down u on his skull. With a groan,
the planter fell li e one dead.

In the excitement Black Prince did not notice
but that the wea on had fallen as he intended,
and giving the fa len planter no further thought,
dashed at the next foe. And again the murder-
ous weapon claimed its victim. Again the ter-
rible roar filled the building.

Knowing now that their leader was alive, the
outlaws rallied and fought their way back to
the house. The yells that inspirited them, how-
ever, cowed the remaining slaves. They be-
lieved they were fighting something more than
mortal men. Their superstition was aroused.
With one accord they dropped their weapons
anddfled wildly into the darkened rooms be-

on .

All but one: Jelly Jim. He had noticed the
fall of his master, and leaped to his side in the
darkness, making a pass at Black Prince with
his knife. The forward rush of the outlaw
saved his life, for the blow missed its mark.

Jelly Jim caught up the senseless form of his
master and retreated with it over the bodies of
the dead and (1 ing. He reached the inner door
in advance of t e slaves, and passed on through
the room. He acted by instinct rather than
reason. He had no plan in view. He did not
attempt to leave the house, though, possibly, he
might have escaped himself. In one corner of
the room he stood above the senseless form of
his master. knife in hand, as Black Princedash—
ed throu h the door.

“Who 5 dat ar’l Speak quick—’forel kill e,”
snarled the negro giant, pausing before the im-
ly outlined figure.

Jelly Jim made no reply in words but crouch-
ing down like a panther preparing or its leap,
he darted for ward wit outstretched knife,
knowing that he must either conquer or die.
Black Prince caught the gleam of the bared
steel. and leaped aside, adroitl tripping the
negro up as he passed by. Jelly im fell heavily
to the floor, his knife-blade snapping in twain,
its oint buried in the floor. The outlaw bound-
ed igh in the air ali hting with terrible force
on the man’s he an neck. A sharp snap told
that Jellv Jim’s neck was broken.

Black Prince now remembered the prime ob-
'ect of this tray, and called aloud to the ne roes,

ldding them slpare all the women they ound
in the house. It was time, for already the ter‘
rifled shrieks came plainly to his ears, mingled
with the ferocious laughter of the outlaws. ,

Prince hastened to. the spot from whence
these cries proceeded, and found at least a
dozen women slaves: but where was the one he
sought—where was Blanche Forrester?

At his command the outlaws scattered over
the building to search for her, while he ques-
tioned the slaves. These, in their terror, could
or would give him no information.

Ina few minutes later the outlaws returned
declaring that the maiden was not to be found.
Every room, closet and corner was thoroughly
searched: but the missing one was not foun .

As he lanced from one speaker to another,
Black Prince beheld the pale features of Judge
Forrester, held a prisoner by a negro. Drawing
a knife he demanded: .

“Tell me whar you hide de gal, or I kill you.
Speak quick!"

“She is far away from here, and safe from
vour foul hands—thank God!” fervently cried
Forrester.

“Tell me—I cut your heart out!” reiterated

ince.

The white-haired man smiled contemptuously
as his gaze firmly met that of the enraged out-
law. That look and smile fairly maddened
Black ,Prince, and he plunged the knife to its
very hiltin the old man’s bosom, yelling as he
tore off the white-haired scalp:

 

“ Burn—burn de house! Kill de gals—do what
youliike. Dis night is de debble’s—-de debble’s
wor !”

 

CHAPTER V.
THROUGH THE NIGHT.

ALTHOUGH at the cost of his life, Jelly Jim
had carried out the resolution that came to him
as he lay beneath the forest trees listening to the
plans of Black Prince.
ed he reached the plantation from which he had
been stolen a year before, and seeking the pres-
ence of Judge Forrester, made known to him
the threatening peril. At first the planter could
not bring himself to believe in its truth, think-
ingathat Jelly Jim had concocted the story to
de y awkward questions as to the cause of his
abrupt disappearance and long absence.

But bright-eyed Blanche Forrester thought
differently. She felt that the slave was speak-
in no more than the simple truth. She did not
be ieve that Jelly Jim would lie to her, with the
memory of her past kindness still fresh in his
mind. .

And, as she avowed her belief in the story, the
old man’s doubts grew weaker and more faint,
and Jelly Jim was dispatched to collect such of
the slaves as were working within convenientdis~
tances. Though the old man’s frame was bowed
and his hair was white as silver, the marauders
should find him no feeble, unresisting rey.
Now, as before, he would fight them. An yet,

Breathless and exhaust- '

despite his courage, the old man was sorely'

troubled as his eye rested u n the form of his
loved daughter, as she bust ed about the build-
ing with a sunny smile u on her face, a merry
word parting her ripe ips. His heart grew
faint and filled with tremb ing, but not for him—
self. He thought of what would be her fate, in
case the chem should triumph and she fell into
his merciless c utches. Better a thousand times
that she should suffer death, precious and bean-
tiful as life was to one so young as she.

He had heard of this renegade—Sure Eye,
the Seminoles called him, for when once he took
up a trail, not a bloodhound in all the Ever~
g ades was surer of scent than he—and knew
him for a fiend incarnate, for a man utterly
without mercy. And this thou t gave the old
man strength to send the idol '0 his heart away
from him.

“ Blanche, my child, and you, Eddie, come
here,” Judge Forrester said, and themext mo-
ment they were beside him.

Well mi ht the old man be proud of his chil-
dren; in t a maiden, his young and idolized
wife lived again; in the lad, he saw the picture
of himself as he was in the years long gone by.
With an arm around each, he drew them close
to his side, strugglin hard to hide the emotion
that tore his heart. is was very hard togart
with them, to send them out to brave the an.
gers of the forest and swamp alone, even though
it was done for their own good.

Blanche Forrester was more than beautiful, .

she was lovely—bewitchingly so; full of that '

nameless charm that almost insensiny intoxi-
catcs one’s senses, until he wakes and finds him-
self fast. fettered in chains that, silken thou h'
they be, he is owarless to break, even did e
possess the wil . She was sli htly above the
medium hight of women, straig t and symmet-
rical as the young poplar, yet supple and willowy
in her build. Her form was superbly develo
and would have satisfied the most critica of
sculptors. Her face was a perfect oval, with
clearly-cut features, departing just enough from
the classic mold to be truly lovable. Her oom-
plexion was rarely pure, of that white, waxen
tint through which the warm blood could be
plainly discerned, as it ebbed and flowed with
every emotion; now pale and statu e, now
warm with blushes, full of life and or eat pas-
sions. Her hair, a rich nutrbrown, silken andl
glossy, hung down her shoulders, secured only
by a hand of ribbon. Her eyes, full, lustrous,
expressive, changing from hazel to deepest jet,
as her emotions varied: eyes that could melt
with the voluptuous softness of love, or flash
and sparkle with the fire of anger—eyes that
were beautiful in every change. Thelow yet

broad forehead, the arched brows. the ion ,,‘

silken lashes, the small mouth, with its ful
slightly panting lips, ripe, juicy and red as at
moss rose. moistened with the aerosol evening,
now parting slightly with a smile that gave a
glimpse of the trim rows of pearly teeth, the
dimpled chin and swdling throat; such, as
nearly as feeble words can describe her; was
Blanche Forrester. . ‘
“My children, you have heard what I y
Jim says. If he tells the truth about thin man 3
force we are ingreat danger. We cannot hope
tohold out against them long. There $1.0m?

 

hope for us; you can save us if you do as 1 bid
you,” added the old planter hurriedly.

“Tell us how, dear father," answered Blanche.

“It will be hard for you to do—hard for me
to ask it of you; but, remember that it is your
duty. There are none of the slaves that I could
trust with such a message; besides, the would
not be believed. You two must go. X ou know
the trail that leads to Maupin’s plantation. Tell
him what is in the wind, and ask him for assist-
ance in my name. You can remain there in
safety. Maupiu will spread the tidings. This
you can do, and I trust you will, without my
.having to add my commands.”

The scene was a painful one. It cut the old
.man to the very heart to speak sternly, but
Blanche and Eddie refused to leave him, de»
claring their resolve to remain and share his
fate, be it for better or worse. It was only
until he commanded their obedience that they
prepared for the mission. ,

A negro was to accompany them ; Lame Cudjo,
who was never more completely at home than
when treading the tangled recesses of the
swamps and forest, crippled as he was. And
then the father sent them from him,
vchoking down his emotions, for the fore»
bodiugs of the dread truth pressed heav—
il ' upon his heart; he believed that the sands
of? his life were wellqligh run—that he would
never live to welcome the return of his loved
children. But were they saved, he could die
content. ,

Cudjo led the way out at the back door, and
hobbled along the plainly-defined trail that cut
in two the tract of ground behind the building.
Pansing for a moment upon the edge of the for—
est,,Blanche and Eddie waved their hands to—
ward the door where stood their father. It was

1 their last greeting—the last time their eyes

rested on his loved face.

Just as Black Prince came up, Cudjo led the
way into the forest. There had been no time
to lose.’ ,

Like some misshapen imp of the dismal
swamp, Cudjo limped along, hall? the time pro-

grossing upon his hands, with ill-matched legs

“planter had been attacked b

" stool-trap

dangling about his head or clambering up the
saplings, swinging from limb to limb, through
the masses of creepers and vines, more like a
monkey than a human being. It was a. strange

I guide for Judge Forrester to place in charge of
his treasures, but the distorted imp bad evar

proved himself faithful and cunning. and the
old man trusted him implicitly.

For an hour more the trio journeyed on
through the forest and swamp. Beneath the
dense foliage it was growing darker and more
gloomy though the sun was still some distance
above the horizon. The brother and sister Were
pale and anxious. They had heard the faint
muffled report of firearms. and knew that the
the negro out-
laws. But now all was still. ow had the af-
fair terminated? Had the outlaws been trium-
phant, or bad they been defeated? The terrible
uncertainty had been heart-sickening.

They were pressing up the bank of a broad,
deep bayou. At times they could distinguish
the loathsome shapes of alligators gliding slow~
1y through the foul water, or hear their loud
snort: as they plunged from the bank, disturbed
by the advancing footsteps. Cudjo seemed
greatly excited, as he ever was when near the

uge soul-inns. He reviled them with all the

skill of a. Northern negro, taunting them with

stupidity, accusing them of cowardice and
treachery. Neither the commands of Blanche
nor young Eddie were of any avail. The imp
W33 beyond their control, and seemed fairly
w .

Clutching a vine, he clambered up into the
limbs of a tree that overhung the dark water,
swinging there like an ape, reviling the huge

- alligator that swam in circles below him, its

gully eye upon its ox acted prey. In cries
lanolin commanded udjo to descend and
cease his folly, and only when Eddie angrily
threatened him with the light rifle, did the ne-
gro turn to descend. .

The treacherous limb broke beneath his
weighttand Cudjo fell several feet, catching
upon a frail vine. The alligator raised its
head, the huge jaws clashing viciously together.
Inbreathless dismay brother and sister watched
the ma ing 11 are, that was cautiously ascend-
ing the i1 v no. ' Cudjc realized his peril, and
his taunts and reviliug were now silenced.

Just as he seemed out of danger the vine
broke, and the form of the cripple shot swiftly
dour: into'the jaws that closed 11 n him like a
. Quick asthought E die fired, but
the bullet glanced harmlessly from the scaly
m, and with; triumphant splash of the tai ,

 

8' ’ ~ ‘ Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife;

 

the alligator sunk down beneath the surface,
having in its jaw the mangled form of Cudjo.

For fully an hour Blanche and Eddie waited
and watched beside the bayou, hoping against
reason, loth to believe that their guide was in-
deed dead. But neither Cudjo nor the alligator
appeared, and they were forced to believe the
worst.

“ He is dead I” cried Blanche, with a long-
drawn breath. “ Come, we must go. We have
already lost too much time. Remember father
is ill danger.”

“ But sister, which is the way? I have been
trying to think, but everything seems turned
around. I can’t make out where we are!” falt-
el'ed the lad, gazing around with bewildered

eyes

Blanche turned paler than ever, for she had
heard what it was to be lost in those tangled
recesses. Many were the tragic tales whispered
around the firesides in the slave-quarters, dc-
tailing tbe horrible sufferings and privations of
people who had lost themselves in the swamps.
They came to her mind now, fresh and distinct.
Still, she fought against the feeling, knowing
that to give way was only to insure their fate.

“ Cudjo was heading up this bayou; then that
must be the right direction. Come, we will—
We must find our way out of this horrible place.
Remember that father’s life may depend upon
our courage now—think of that and be a man.”

“ I am not afraid for myself, sister,” quickly
replied Eddie. “But you know what the ser-
vants sometimes said of Cudjo. They said that
at times he was crazy, and did not know what
he was doing. I believe he was craz to-day,
and forgot what father told him. on know
how he acted; alwzi s before he would obey
your slightest wish. ‘m afraid he has led us
astray into the swamp.“

“Let us hasten on-—do not speak of that again.
We must keep cool and our minds clear now, or
we are lost,” hurriedly added the maiden,
though the same fear was chilling her own
heart.

For full an hour they pressed up the bayou
bank in ilence, their progress growmg more and
more difllcult with every rod traversed. The
ground became more moist and spongy. At
times they were forced to wade through water
knee-deep. They knew now that a bayou lay
close upon the other hand, but hoping that there
was alpassage between them to firmer ground
bevon , they pressed on.

Then Blanche uttered a moan of despair. Be-
fore them and upon either hand lay a broad
sheet of black, foul water. The bayous con-
nected. Their further progress was cut off.
Now all doubt was set forever at rest. They
were lost in the. swamp. Cudjo had led them
astray. I

Though they had been expecting this, the
blow was none the less heavy. With their arms
wrapped around each other, brother and sister
sunk down upon the ground, giving full vent to
their feelin s. Blanche was the first to recover
herself, and said, bravely choking down her
emotion.

“Come, Eddie, this will never do. We must
not forget poor father. We must try to find
our way out of this frightful lace. By follow-
ing the bayou back, we may e able to regain
the right trail. At least, we can find -our way
back to the house.”

“ And find them all murdered.”

“ Hush! we will hope not,” faintly murmured
Blanche.

In silence, they turned and sought to retrace
their steps. With infinite difficulty they mun-
uged to regain the spot where poor, crazy Cud jo
had met his death; but beyond that they were
soon at a loss. Night had settled over the earth,
and in the swamp all was intense gloom. The
sense of sight availed the Wanderers but little.
Small wonder, then, was it that they went
astray. At length they could no longer blind
themselves to this fact. Giving way to despair,
they sunk down at the foot of a huge tree,
mingling their tears together.

" Look yonder!” suddenly cried Eddie, rais—
ing his hand. “ Is that the sun rising, sister?”

Through the interlaced treetops shone a bright
light. The lurid glare was different from that
of the sun. Blanche uttered a. cry of horror, as
she realized the truth.

“My God! ’tis our house-those fiends have
set it afire l”

Half-crazed by the thought, the brother and
sister rose to their feet and hastened toward the

int tron whence the light proceeded. They

id not pause to reflect upon what would be
their own fat'e should they fall into the hands
giggle outIaWS; they had thought only for their
a er. .

 

Unconsciously, their wanderings had carried
them nearly to the boundaries of the Forrester
plantation, and in a few minutes they burst out
of the forest into the open ground. The sight
that met their agitated gaze held them spell-
bound.

Their beautiful home was wrapped in flames.
Around it danced black, fiendish forms, yelling
with exultation. Almost obliterated by the
broad, increasing flood of light, half a dozen
torches were moving swifin through the
grounds, borne by half-nude ncgroes, their
heads bent low over the ground.

Fora moment the nlaidcll’s eyes rested va-
cantly upon these. but then the truth flashed
upon her mind. The negroes, having finished
their bloody work at the house, were searching
forI the trails of those who had escaped their
toi s.

“ Secl Eddie, they are searching for us. Bet—
ter death ill the swamps than to fall into their
clutches! And then we must escape, to tell the
story of this night’s work, or who would know
how to avenge poor father? Come—we must
hide!”

Her voice was low and even, her tones calm
and collected. In that hour of trial her true
spirit shore forth. As quietly, the highspirited
lud gave way to her will. From that time on,
she was to be the leading power.

“Boob! dar dey is now!” yelled a loud voice,
from no great distance. “Dar dey is—lietch
‘um—quick!"

“ They have discovered us. Eddie,” murmured
Blanche, her eyes sparkling. “Quick—this
way! If we can dodge them for a few minutes,
perhaps we can creep away for good!”

Dnrting into the shade of the trees, Blanche
veered abruptly to the left, closely followed by
Eddie. Running a short distance she crouched
down beneath a dense clump of bushes, and
then listened breathlessly.

Black Prince—for it was he who had given
the alarm—darted into the timber, swinging the
blazmg torch around his head, looking, more
than ever, like a fiend incarnate. Failing to
discover the forms of the fugitives, be bent
down over the moist ground.

There he saw three sets of tracks, and as they
agreed with the confession of one of the ter-
tured slaves, he darted. along the trail at full
speed. As Blanche saw him depart upon the
013' trail, she crept from her cover, and once
more started through the woods, Eddie quietly
following, still clutching his rifle.

Black Prince uttered another ell, which was
answered by his men, who now astened to the
forest. Knowing that the right trail might be
struck at any moment, the fugitives pressed on
with the speed lent by fear. But it was not
recorded that they should escape the toils that
encompassed them.
they1 were rushing blindly upon another, no less
den 1 .

A shrill shriek broke from the maiden’s lips,
as she ran violently against a yielding sub-
stance, and then felt herself tightly clasped in a
)llll‘ of human arms. In vain she sought to free

erself; the arms held her fast.

Then a lurid glare filled her eyes, and she fell
back, blinded, half-senseless, her face covered
with a hot. loathsome substance. ‘The sharp
report of a rifle filled the air.

“Run, sister, run! I’ve killed him—run
quick, and we may get away yet i" cried Eddie,
excitedly.

Realizing her peril, the brave lad bad thrust
forward the muzzle of his rifle until it fairly
touched the dimly-outlined fi ore, and then
pulled the trigger. With a nil groan, ihe
savage sunk to the ground, with skull shattered
like an egg-shell. Then Eddie shouted to his
sister, an sought to raise her from the ground.

It was his last action in life. The sharp edge

of a tomahuwk fell upon his bowed head, and
3e slunk across the senseless form of his sister,

on .

At that moment Black Prince leaped through
the bushes, his blazing torch lighting up the
tragic scene. He started back with an angry
cry as he saw the prostrate, blood-covered
forms; but his tone chan ed as he recognized
the figure standing over t em. It was that of
Kinig’ayne, the Seminole chief.

“ ok and see if the squaw is dead," he
uttered, coldly, in his own tongue.

“No, she is alive. Sure Eye will be glad, for
he sent me for her. He means she shall be his
squaw ” said Prince, after a hasty examination.

“W at claim has he to the captive of King
Payne? He must look further for a squaw,"
coldly said the Seminole.

“She was my ca tive—she just broke away
from me,” sullenly led Prince.

ln fleeing from one peril, ‘

 

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' Left~Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. V 9

 

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“She is mine, now; that is enough. If Sure
Eye wants her, tell him to come and take her.”

So speaking, Klng Payne made a. gesture to
his braves, two of whom quickly constructed a.
litter, upon. which Blanche was placed.

 

CHAPTER VI.
QUEEN OF THE LAKE.
'1] “ WUSS'N a crazy bedbug or a chicken ’th its
and chopped off! Here, thar, back ag’in an’
)over yeuder, paddlin’ like ge»thunder—an’
what ’fer? Durned of I kin see. It beats me—I
care!

These words broke almost inaudibiy from the
lips of Left-Handed 'Pete, as he balanced him-
self upon a gnarled and twisted limb, some
twenty feet from the ground, in the heart of a
bushy tree. He was parting the interlaced
foliage, gazing out upon the smooth, tranquil
bosom of Lake Pithlachocco. Skimmng lightly,
swiftly as u swallow, here and there erratically,
was a single person in a frail, graceful canoe.
Now darting forward, direct as the flight of an
arrow, and with truly wonderful swiftness now
turning abruptly at right-angles, or else whirl-
ing dizzily around in rapidly~narrowing circles.
Little wonder that Left-Handed Pete was sur-
prised and his curiosity strongly excited.

“A blind man could see she is a woman,”
muttered the scout, unconsciously, “by the
way the critter cuts around, ’ithout sense or
reason. What kin she be up to, anyhow? Ef
.I hadn’t bin so keerful ’th my trail, l’dhafe
b’lieved she war tryin’ to captivate me—fer she
hez gota shape to hug a man plum crazy, of
she is a heathen red-skin.”

The keen eyes of the young scout sparkled
brightly, filled with an admiration that he
could not suppress, as the canoe darted nearer
his lurking place. As though to give him full
time to impress her face and form upon his
memory, the Indian woman checked her canoe
when within a score or two yards of the shore,
directly opposite Hoffman’s covert, and sat idly
toying with the water, rufiling its smooth sur-
face with her little hand.

“ Everlastin’ ge—mentlyl Pete, jest look at
that!” gasped the scout. his eyes opened wide
with genuine sur rise. “Sech a face—sech a
figger—sech a 9.1 over from stem to starn!”

And truly there was ground for the young
scout’s wondering admiration. Never before
had he set eyes upon such a perfect specimen of
rich, oriental beauty. For this Indian maiden
was none other than King Payne’s daughter,
Enowilla. ,

Her rich, olive-hued skin, moist with exertion,
her eyes bright and lustrous, her full ripe lips,
red and rare, just parted enough to disclose a.
glimpse of the twin rows of pearly teeth im-

Jrisoned within, with a luxuriant mass of jetty
air flung carelessly back over her shoulders

only confined by the fanciful dyed and tinted
coronet of feathers; with her superbly—devel-
oped bosom, and round, little waist incased in a
c osely-flttlng tunic of fawn—skin; her softly-
rounded arms, bare to the shoulder, the tiny.
well-shaped hands that, as a chieftain’s daugh—
ter, had never been hardened or distorted by
labor; this, as she sat gracefully in the light,
gayl -ornamented canoe—this was the picture
that old Left-Handed Pete spell—bound.

Suddenly, springing into full life once more,
Enowxlla whirled the head of the canoe around
and paddled swiftl ' up the lake shore. The
action broke the spel that had held Hoffman,
and, acting upon a sudden impulse, he swung
himself lightly to the ground and ran rapidly
alon in the same direction she had taken.

“ never wished I was an Injun afore, but cf
1 could git sech a Squaw as she is, dumed ef I
wouldn’t turn heathen this very minnit!” mut-

‘ tered Left-Handed Pete, as he darted on, for-
getting all save the forest witch ahead of him,
thinking nothing of the broad trail he was
leavmg behind him, thus undoing the caution
of the past few days. “I’ll find out whar she’s

om’ ef it kills mel Mebbe she’s out lookin’
er me—mebbe she dreampt thar was a han’-
some oung feller out here in the woods, jest
sp’ilin fer an introduction—mebbe—Pete, you’re
a domed fool I”

The scout abruptly checked his fantastic
musing, but did not relax his efl’orts in the
least, though the fair occu nnt of the canoe
was gradually distancing im, since she had
to encounter none of the obstacles that delayed
his rogress. . .

T ough so far losxng eight of his usual cau-
tion. Pete was careful to keep hidden from view
of the Indian girl, knowing that should she
catch a glimpse of him, the canoe would shoot
across the lake to where the Seminole village

was located, and thus he would lose all hope of
learning more of her, as well as run no slight
. danger of losing his own scalp. He had sense
I enough to know that she was a full-blooded In-
dian, and, naturally, her sympathies would be
With his enemies. , For this reason, he was care-
ful to keep out of her sight.

For‘uuntely for his object, Enowilla began to
ply the paddle more deliberately, and, as the
speed or the canoe slackened, Pete gradually
, recovered the ground that he had lost. They
had proceeded thus for perhaps a mile, when
the scout abruptly paused.

“ She’s goin’ to come ashore, by thunder!

It‘d be a good chaince—~but shell I? Like’s not
she’d be skeered to death 01' into fits, even of I
laiu’t so bad-lookin’. I’d gi’n a good ’eal to
make her ’quaiutunce—but thnr ain’t nobody to
introduce us,” muttered Hoffman, falling into
an old habit of giving audible utterance to the
thoughts that filled his mind, though half the
time being ignorant of the fact.

Such was the case now. The words passed
his lips, but he did not know it. He was busy
thinking, trying to decide whether the chances
were in favor of or against a plan that had sud-
denly entered his mind, suggested by the sight
of the Indian girl. The opportunity was a good
one, and yet he feared to put it to the test.

After his escape from the negroes by crossing
the alligator—infested bayou, Left—Handed Pete
had ranged along the water’s edge until he
found a. tolerable crossing—place, though it was
nearly daylight ere he succeeded. He gained
the glade where he had made the futile attempt
to free Harry Vories, but found it deserted.
He lost no time in taking up the trail, but soon
afterward lost it in the swamp, beside a broad
bayou. He never regained t 9 lost trail. It
seemed as though Daniel McGirth had anticie
patedpursuit, from the extraordinary care and
cunning he had displayed. But a thorough
scout, and second to none in the land before he
became such a slave to strong drink, the renegade
resolved that his prize should be lost through no
fault of his, and acted as though he knew his
trail would be searched for bya thousand dead—
ly foemen. That he had not entirely forgotten
his cunning, was plain from its bafi‘ling Left-
Handed Pete.

At length, after reasoning u on the matter,
Hoffman struck out for King ayne’s village,
though he knew that Vories had been captured
by negroes, not Seminoles. For one day and
night he had scouted around Cuscorrilla, with-
out gaining any information. Knowing that
dlscovery would almost inevitably follow such
a step, he had not ventured to enter the village,
though, had he really known that Vories was
held there a prisoner, he would have run the
risk Without a mou ent’s hesitation.

(Believing that this Indian girl belonged to the
Village, Hoffman was debating whether he
should Waylay her in the forest on the chance
of gaining some information from her. Had
_she been old and ugly, he would not have hesi-
tated one moment, for then he would not have
felt any great compunction at efi'ectually silenc-
ing her, to keep her from setting the warriors
upon his trail. But now~he knew that his
hand would fall helpless, his heart refuse to find

the courage to injure her, even while his safety
demanded it. “

These thoughts passed through his mind with
the rapidity of light, as the Indian girl turned
the prow of her canoe toward shore. She
sprung lightly to land. then drawing the boat
up on the bench, turned and entered the forest.

Still doubting, Left-Handed Pete remained
hidden in the bushes that clustered around the
huge tree. He caught a glimpse of Enowilla as
she flitted through the woods, and saw that she
was armed with a bow, a feathered shaft fitted
to the string, as though some sort of game was
within sight.

“ I‘ll snake on an’ see what she’s up to, any-
how,” the scout said, rising erect. “Then 1’11
see about the rest. Mebbe I could make her
promise not to tell. But ef she should, I’d hev
to git up an’ dust pritty lively, onlees I make
upm mind to take a share of what’s in store
fer arry. One man ag’in’ a hundred is long
odds: a feller wouldn’t stan’ no gre’t show 0’
savin’ his own skelp, let alone another feller’s._”

The scout's musings came to an abru t term1—
nation, and he aused, every fiber thrl ling, his
eyes glowing h e living coals. A significant
sound filled the air. a sound familiar to his ears
from childhood. Words can scarth describe
it. First there was a loud, purring mwu;
closely following this came a long-drawn quav-
erin cry, almost wail, ending in. a vicious,
spittm snarl. It was the war-cry of that lung
of the outhern forests, the panther.

 

\

 

,Olosely following this cry, the scout could
just distinguish the sharp twan of a bow—
string, and he knew that the In inn girl had
sent a feathered shaft at the wild beast. And
from the angry, snarling yell that echoed
through the eafy aisles, Pete knew that the
panther had been wounded.

“The pesky fool! She’ll be tored to pieces
like nothin’ l” he ejaculated, as he sprung rapidly
toward the spot from whence the mingled
sougdls proceeded, sharply cocking his rifle as
he i so.

Half a dozen huge strides carried him into ;

full view of the strange antagonists, and for a
moment the scout stood as if spell hound. His
heart thrilled with admiration. In that mo
ment he forgot all the dictates of prudence, and
be resolved to save this forest heroine, be the
consequences what they might.

Crouching upon the ground near the center of
a miniature lade was the panther, snappin
vici mst at t e shaft of an arrow, the barb o '
which was deeply buried in his throat. Scarce
two yards away stood Enowilln,'iitting a second

arrow to the stout bow-string. Then the tough.

wood was bent, the arrow drawn nearly to its
head; the treacherous string snapped sullenly,
and both how and arrow dropped uselessly from
the maiden’s hand.

It was at that moment Left-Handed Pete
caught sight of her. As the faithless weapons
fell from her grasp, he saw Enowilla clutch the
knife from her girdle, and draw it flashing from

its bead—broidered sheath. With this alone be- .

tween her and death, she boldly faced the mad— V

dened brute, whose powerful jaws just succeed-
ed in snapping the rankling arrow in two.
With the knife guarding her throat, the Indian
girl stood there firm and undaunted, a true child
of the forest.

As he saw the fierce brute crouching low for

its fatal leap, Iieftlianded Pete flung up his
rifle, the silver drop covering the flat skull.
But he didn’t fire. Even in that moment he re-
membered his mission, and feared to fire, lest
the report should draw the Seminoles or
scarcely less—to-be-dreaded negro refugee upon
his trail.
Dropping the rifle, he leaped forward, draw-
ing a ong, keen-bladed knite. As though has-
tened in its leap by the sight of another anta-
gonist, the panther shot through the air, spring-
in full at the Indian maiden’s throat.

gut Enowilla was upon guard, and adroitly
crouching, she allowed the huge beast to pass
over her head, dealing ita vicious upward thrust
as it did so. To her astonishment the panther’s
body came in contact with a human form, and,
both fell heavily to the ground together, strug-
gling, writhing, rolling over and over in ‘a con-
fused, tangled mass, half-hidden by the dirt and
decaying leaves tossed upon the air.

The fierce, half-stifled snarls of the beast, the
loud breathing of the man, the sound of tearing
claws, of quickly—repeated thuds as the blood-
stained knife rose and fell; the hot streaming
blood that so plentifully besprinkled the grass
and leaves—the deadly writhing of the up;
pling forms—the gayly—bedeeked figure 0 the
Indian maiden standing near, half-turned to
flee, startled more by the sudden appearance of
the stranger than of the panther; all combined
to make a thrilling picture of forest life.

Scarce ten seconds had the furious death-
grapple lasted when the gushed and bleeding
form of the gaunt beast was hurled violently
aside, and the man leaped to his feet, the blood
trickling from more than one wound, revealed
through the rent and tattered garments, where
the long yellow talons of the forest king had left
their indelible marks. ’

“ \Vaitr—do not flee—you have nothing to fear
from me,” hurriedly uttered Hoffman, as Eno<
will a started back. '

Hearing her own tongue, though spoken by a
white man, the Indian maiden seemed reassur—
ed, and with a half-smile, she replied, speaking
with a native dignity that well suited her orien:
tal, barbaric beauty:

“ I was not afraid of that, when alive; I am
not; afraid of yru, though 'our skin is white,
because you proved yourse f a true brave in

killing the panther; and a brave does not war .

with uaws. ”

pritty gal as you—that is—” stammered Pete, a

lttle confusedly, as Enowilla drew slightly,

back. “You don’t understand English, then?"
“Yes-better than speak it,” replied Eno-

willa. ,
“ That’s jest m orful condition; I kin under-

stand Seminole ii e a book, but my tongnuaiu’t .

acn’oel limber enough to speak it pear-t. I‘ll

“ l’d do a ’nough sight more’n thet ferpechn '

talk t is—a-way, an you kin use your own -

.  I .
. x mwnflmw..-q. d -.

 

.. .x- .

 .4. . my. ,u

 um..- .

\ I

Left-Handed. Pete, the Double-Knife.

 

 

Will you tell me somethiu’ of I ax it of

 

“If I can. You saved my life, when that
beast would have killed me. Enowilla does not
forget in a breath. None but a brave man
would have used only a knife, while he had a
rifle. , But your gun is brokenl”

“ No——it’s all right. I’ll tell you the truth—I
don’t know why it is, ’zactly, but I don’t b’lieve
I could tell you a lie to save my gizzard! I didn’t
think I’d ever git stuck over a Injun al—
tharl ’xcuse me—I didn’t know jest what was
sayin’,” and again the scout blushed a fiery—red
as he caught the wondering look in the Indian
maiden’s eyes. “ I said I’d tell you the truth,
an’ so I will, though by doin’ so I put my life
in your hands. Ef you’re the true woman I
think you, it’ll be safe; if not—then no mat-
ter.

“ If you doubt, do not trust the Indian girl,”
quietly responded Enowilla, slightly accenting
his words. .

“I don’t doubt no longer—onl I wish ’t I
didn’t doubt one thing. as, as was sayin‘,
I’m what your folks (1 call a bad man-thar
inem . They’d tell you that I'd fought them,
kille them an’ lifted the scalps o’more’n one
on ’em. But that don’t matter now. I‘m called
Left-Hand Pete by my fri’nds—Double-Knife
by your folks. I was one of the whites who
was surprised by the red-skins over yonder,
t’other day. I stayed behind the rest to look
fer a fri’nd o’ mine, which was captered by the
,White Injun that leads a lot 0’ niggers to battle.
I lost the trail, but I b’lieve he is kep’ a captyve
in the village yonder. “Till you tell me whe-
ther he is tharl” and Left-Handed Pete gave a
hast description of Harry Vories.

“ es, the one you seek is heldacaptive in
Cuscorrilla. He belon s to Sure Eye, who
swears that he shall'die by the fire torture.
He was to have burned on this night, but Sure
Eye is troubled about the pale maiden that
the great chief claims. He says that she be-
longs to him—but King Payne laughs at his an—

er

“A white gal, too?”

“Yes. Is she a friend of yours, tooll The
young brave you ask for weeps his heart dead
at her sorrow. He loves her like his eye, and
she loveshim as much.”

“ What?—kin it be? You know her name?”

“ I have heard it—but it is hard for my tongue
to speak. If I could hear it spoken, then I could
tell Wu yes or no.”

“ as it Blanche—Blanche Forrester?"

“ That is the name. She is there, a prisoner,
too, though my father, the great chief, looks
u n her with soft 9 es. Sure Eye sent his
b ack men off to fete him this white squaW.
They burned the lodge, and killed the people in
it, but she ran away and hid in the woods.
There King Payne found her, and now Sure
Eye claims her. But he is a fool—a great chief
will raise his beer and put it upon the white
snake’s head before long. ’

“ Then thar’s more work cut out for me than
I thought for. Harry won’t leave without his

szeetness,” mused Pete, then adding: “ Will
you carry him a message from me?”
“ Let me hear it first. Enowilla is a Seminole.

She can not betray her people,” quietly replied
the maiden.
v “ ’Tain’t much. Jest tell him that Pete is
alive an’ on the look-out. Tell him you’ve seen
him and talked with him.”

“ I will. And the white squaw? Is there no
message for her'l”

“Yes—this,” and moved by a sudden impulse
that he was powerless to resist, Hoffman flung

‘ g. .his arms around her waist and pressed 9. hot kiss

upon her ripe lips.
Enowilla twisted free. and half-drew her

-5 knife, but then paused. On the whole, she did

not appear greatly alarmed.
“I couldn’t help it—you are so pritty—-y0ur

g lips looked so sweet that I felt I must taste ’em

/

.‘fl

» , again. And now I must go.

You ain’t mad at me?” faltered Pete.
you must not act so
I will deliver your

or bu’st.
‘ “No—not much, but

messages.”
, “ You will meet me here tomorrer totell me
, what they sa l”
“Yes-éat his hour. But lie close, or the
Seminole braves will find you,” and then she
, turned and glided rapidly away.

CHAPTER VII.
KING, PRINCE, AND RENEGADE.
MEANTIME matters were fast comin to a
, head at Cuscorrilla. The village was ivided
against itself, and partisan spirit ran high,
t eatening to end in the division of the allies,
if not worse. Already threats had passed be—

 

 

 

 

 

tween the leaders, thou h as et no blows had
been dealt. Still the ad b 00d was gaining
ground, and it would take but little more to set
the entire village by the ears.

King Paine had returned to Cuscorrilla with
his fair captive, Blanche Forrester. This was a
surprise for Daniel McGirth, but at first he felt
little or no uneasiness for the result, believing
that he could easily purchase Blanche of the
chief. But his offers were coldly rejected; King
Payne declared that he had set his mind upon
having a pale-faced queen, and Blanche suited
him better than any other he could find.

Tired at last of the importunities of Sure Eye,
King Payne cunning] said he would exchange
captives, as he had ta en a fancy to the young
Long-knife, and thought it a pity that such a

romising brave should be put to peath. If

cGirth would give him Harry Vories, he could
have the girl instead. Of course this proposi-
tion was declined, just as the chief had expect-
ed, for he knew how deep and bitter was the
renegadels hatred toward the youn scout.

The situation was peculiar. Bi ly Bowlegs
was absent on an expedition against the north-
ern settlements, and had taken with him the
majority of the Seminoles. Of able warriors
King Payne could not muster more than two
score. McGirth had ever been a popular parti-
san lender, and besides his force of negroes under
Black Prince, could muster fully a score of In-
dians, composed for the most part of Creeks,
stout warriors who had followed his varying
fortunes for years, upon whom he could depend
as upon himself. Thus, all in all, his force was
guite equal in numbers to that under King

ayne‘s control.

Neither cared to begin the hostilities by strik—
ing the first blow. McGirth knew that, should
he do so, Bowlegs would wage a war of exter-
mination upon him and his band. King Payne
was equally reluctant, since he had the squaws
and ppooses to guard as well. Secretly dis-

atc in a runner with the tidings to Bowlegs,

e reso ved upon a bold move, by which he
hoped to revent Sure Eye from departing be-
fore Bow egs could return.

Harry Vories was kept, closely bound, in a.
stout buildin near the edge of the negro quar-
ters. Thong the Seminoles called the Degrees
their friends and allies, the latter were looked
down upon and held as inferior to the red~skins.
The two races intermingled but little; even
their lodges were kept apart, adeep, water-filled
ditch Separating the two sections.

On the evening of the day on which E rowilla
first met Left-Handed Pete, McGirth resolved
to remove his prisoner to a. safer place, no doubt
hoping to throw King Payne off his guard by
his departure, trusting that he could then steal
away Blanche. To his intense surprise, he
found the building empty and unguarded.

As soon as his astonishment would permit, he
raised the rallying—cry. Instantly the Indians
and negroes flocked rom their odges, armed
and ready for Whatever their leader willed.
Among them came the negroes he had left on
guard around the prison-lodge. Choking down
his rage, he demanded of them why they had
abanded their post, and what had become of
their prisoner. The affair was quickly ex-
plained.

Just after dark one of the Creek Indians had
hastily approached the guard, with several more
redAskins at his heels. Though the night was
sultry, these were wrapped in their blankets,
butthe guard did not snepect anything wrong,
knowing that the spokesman, Katow, was trust-
ed by Sure Eye. The Creek told him that Mc-
Girth was waiting them in the forest, beside the
lake, and that he had sent the Indians to take
their places as guards. They obeyed, hastened
at once to the spot designated, but, not finding
the renegade, had returned to the Village, just
as the rallying cry was sounded.

Such was the excuse ofl’el‘ed by the negro for
himself and brother guards. McGirth believed
him, and at once jumped to the conclusion that
this was the work of King Payne, who doubtless
meant to hold Vories as a surety against any
outbreak or revolt, knowing that the renegade
would sooner lose his own life than allow the
young man to escape the doom he had sworn
should be his. '

McGirth hastily gave orders for the best scouts
to scatter out and surround the village, but hold
themselves in readiness to rush to a common
center at his rst signatory. By this means he
he drto foil he object of the Seminole, for he
di not believe that King Payne had had a
chance of getting Varies clear of the village un-
scen. If he was still near at hand, it was likely
that Pa 6 would surrender him rather than
risk 3 pi ched battle.

 

Selecting a dczen .nf his most trusted men,
both blacks and Creeks, McGil‘th crossed the
v\'atei‘»(litch and strode up to the (1001‘ of the
chief's lodge. A rapid glance around confirmed
his suspicions. The Seminole braves were all
outside of their lodges, armed to the teeth,
carelessly as they bore the weapons. In ten
seconds King Payne could have his entire forces
around him.

The lodge-door was pushed aside, and then
closed behind the form of the chief. He ex-
pressed no surprise at the number or attitude of

is visitors, but waited in silence for the rene—
gade to speak.

“Chief, {where is my captive?” abruptly de-
manded McGirth, choking ,down his passion as
well as he could. '

“ Why do you ask me?” coldly returned the
chief. “ Go and : sk him of your guards.”

“ Sol have and they tell me that you have
stolen him away.”

“ Then their tongues are forked—they lie.”

“Chief, you know Where he is hidden, if he is
not in your own lodge, as I believe. He belongs
to me. My men took him prisoner. By your
laws, he is mine to do with as I choose. Yru
have no right to steal him away. Give him
up to me, and we will still be friends and.
brothers.”

“I have spoken. Go to your lodge and sleep
until the fire-water leaves your brain,” coldly
retorted King Payne.

“ If I do go without my captive it will be to
return in a. different style. Think well what
you decide, chief. I have called you brother for
many long moons. I have fought for you, and
have shed my blood for you; but I am a brave,
and you have no authority to steal away my
rights. Come—~brothers should not fight among
themselves. Give me back the young Long-
knife, and I will 0 away. You can keep the
squaw—it is not or men to fight about a wo—
man. Give me the pale-face, and I will take
my braves far away until the clouds all clear
off, and nothing but eace and friendship rests
between us,” urged cGirth.

“I have spoken, and a chief does not know
how to say two things in one breath. You can
go; I have no pale-face to give up to you.”

“You choose war, then, instead of peace?”
quietly said the renegade, his face turning a.
peculiar ray color.

King ayne vouchsafed no answer to this.
but turned abruptly on his heel and re-entered
his lodge. As the skin door fell in his face, Mc—
Girth uttered a furious curse of rage and disap-
pointment. For a moment he glared around
upon his braves, and his lips parted to give the
signal that could end only in a deadly, hand~to-
hand struggle: but he choked back the sound.
In his cunning, he distrusted the Seminole chief;
He believed that King Payne would not dare
act so loftin unless he had received reinforce-
ments. If this was so it would be rank folly to
dare an open attack, since the parties had been
so evenly matched before. And so he bided his
time, resolving to find out whether his surmise
was correct or not, before compromising himself
further. ._ '

King Payne paused just within the lodge, and
listened intently, one hand upon the hatchet at
his girdle.
renegade would dash aside the hanging door
and force an entrance, to see for himself
whether the missing man was concaaled within.
Had he done so, that action would have been
his lustin life ; but after a few moments’ waiting,
King Payne heard the sound of their departing
footsteps.

Smihn grimly, he turned around, glancing
at a dim y~outlined form lying u on a skin pal—
let at the other side of the lo ge. The sus-
picions of McGirth had indeed been well-found-
ed. This figure was none other than that of
Harry Vories. King Payne spoke the English
language quite fluently, though with a marked
accent.

“Did you hear what was spoken outside, just
now?” he asked, after a brief pause.

“ Yes; but I could not understand much of it.
I’m a poor hand at your lingo. I made out
that that devil of arenegade was tryin to scare
you into giving me up to him,” prompt y replied
Harry. '

“He is a fool. I will take his scalp if he does
not mind.” ‘

“He has men enough to make on trouble,”
thoughtfully added Vories. “ on will give
me up to him before you come to blows."

“ No—for then the white dog would say I was
afraid of his threats. He can only get you b
walking OVer me," the old chief quietly replie .

“ Then—see here. I don’t retend to love
either you or your people, chie , but I think you

He half-expected that the angry“

Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife.

11

 

 

are better than that cursed renegade. Now,if you
do come to blows, can’t you arrange it 50’s to let
me take a hand in? McGirth can make astrong
fight of it, if he minds, and you haven’t any too
many braves.‘ If you say so, I will fight for
you against him, and promise to make as good
a score as our best brave. ”

“ And t en make your escape to your own
people, laughing at how you threw dust in our
eyes.

“ Is that the way you would do, chief?”

“Yes—unlessl ave my word to surrender
myself after the ght was over,” King Payne
prom tly replied.

“ ery we 1; I consider myself as good a man
as you are, and of as much honor. I pledge you
my.word that if you give me my liberty, fur~
nish me with weapons, and let me join you
against that devil and his imps, I will not at—
temp « to escape until you give me my parole.”

“ it is well. If Sure Eyes is fool enough to
thrust his scalp into my hands, you shall help
take it. There—you are free now. But, for
your own sake, you’d better stay quiet in here
until we s:—-e what Sure Eyes means to do. If
he so w you now, he might trust to a rifle~shot to
settle the matter, and then you would lose your
share of the pleasure.”

As he spoke, King Payne stoo d and severed
the bonds, and Vories stretche out his limbs
with a great sigh of relief. Still, he had sense
enough to see the prudence of the chief’s advice,
and resolved to follow it. He had already suc-
ceeded far beyond his most sanguine hope.

Daniel McG rth had withdrawn to his own
portion of the village, and had called his men
around him. For a time, he half resolved to
make an immediate attack upon the King Payne
faction, but the belief before alluded to re-
strained him. After a brief consultation with
the more trusted of his followers, he withdrew
entirely from the village, finally pausing upon
the lakeshore, throwing out his scouts to guard
against any surprise, in case the Seminoles
should attempt one.

The day came. and then McG irth satisfied him-
self that King Payne had received no reinforce-
ments. In his rage at the lost op rtunity, he
challenged the Seminole chief to s ngle combat,
the two pale-face captives to be the reward of
the victor. Payne replied that he would flit:
him, but that the captives belonged to the tri ,
not to him alone. This was not what the rene-
gade desired and that project was dropped.

From lately being such ood friends, the op-
posing factions were now t e most virulent ene-
mies, and seemed actually spoiling for a. fight.
Biting taunts and insults were freely inter-
changed, and with difficult the leaders kept
their men from opening the ll. Each was de—
sirous for the first blow to be struck by the
other. -

McGirth ground his teeth with rage as he saw
the tall, lithe form of Harry Vories beside the
chief, free, with weapons in his hands. Know-
mg. nothing of the compact between the two, he
be ieved that Vories had been given his freedom
by King Payne, and the thou ht that his vic-
tim bade fair to yet slip throug his fingers, set
him fairly wild. And, in his madness, he gave
the word that brought on the struggle.

Cheering on his men, he darted forward upon
the Seminoles, and thus began a struggle such
as is not often seen among the red-skins.

The scattering lodges afforded the only cover
upon the ground, which was clear and level, the
only obstruction being the water-ditch that cut
the village in twain. The Seminole chief had
placed the women and children in the lodges at
one end of the t0wn, and detailed a few trusty
braves to guard them. The main force would
be near enough to support them in case. of need.

As McGirth led the charge, the Seminoles
advanced to meet it, and they fought for a few
minutes more like white men than Indians,
standing boldlv up without care. face to face.
At the first voile , half a dozen men feli, dead
or dying. upon e ther side. The wounded only
1fuought the more desperately for their smarting

ur s.

‘McGirth staggered back, as a bullet creased
his temple, Just breaking the skin. Vories fired
it, and only for his foot slippin at the moment
of touching the trigger, he won (1 have rid him—
self forever of his bitter fee.

For afew moments it seemed as though the
dispute was to be settled then and there, at one
blow. But both factions soon tired of such hot
work, and fell back by mutual consent. They
were so evenly matched that a single false move
upon either side might prove fatal. A moment
later, each party occupied their own portion of
the village, eagerly watching for an opportun-
ity to injure their opponents.

 

l

Thus the ‘day dragged wearily away. with
little loss to either side. Though the brief but
desperate struggle of the morning had only
whetted their appetite for blood, they were too
evenly matched for either to give the other any
advantage. Like the two school-boys, one was
afraid, the other daren’t.

In the afternoon, by King Payne’s order, the
Seminoles began discharging fire-tipped arrows
into tho enemy’s quarters. For a time this
seemed a failure, though one but took fire and
burned to the round. But then one after an-
other of the t oroughly seasoned lod es burst
into a blaze, and became evident that cGirth’s

arty must soon seek the open air, or remain to
he smothered by the smoke, or burned alive.

Break cover they did, and, led by the rene—
gade, desperately charged across the water-
ditch. T ough greeted with a storm of bullets
and arrows that senthalf a dozen of them head»
long to the ground, the negroes and Creeks did
not falter, but, with their thrilling yells, boldly
dashed on. The reason was plain. They had
been plentifully supplied with liquor until they
were half— crazed demons rather than human
beings. McGlrth had resolved to do or die.

After the first volley, the Seminoles broke
cover, emboldened now that they outnumbered
the enemy. Then the two factions were min-
gled together in a furious, deadly hand—to-hand
combat. Man to man they grappled and fought
to the death, like roaring wild beasts. There
was no thought of caution or prudence now.

Harry Vories sought to meet McGirth, but
was repeatedly foiled by the surging of the tan-
gled mass. And thus he found himself face to
ace with the giant negro, Prince. Swinging
aloft the huge ax, that already dripped with the
blood of two Seminoles, Black Prince hurled a
deadly blow at the young scout’s head. Armed
only with a knife, Vories was too close to the
lodge side to spring back, and as his only chance,
lea ed heavily against the negro’s chest. The
911— lade passed over his head, the helve falling
upon his shoulder, partially benumbing his left
arm. At the same moment, Vories struck
viciously downward, burying the long scalping—
gnife to its hilt just above the giants collar-

oue. I

Uttering a horrible roar of agony, the iant
flung his arms around the scout. and song3 t to
bury his massive tusks in Vories’s throat. ut it
was his last effort of life. With the sharp steel
bitin deep into his heart, he fell heavily back-
war . drawing the young man with him. The
huge knotted arms were so tightly wound around
his form, that Harry could scarcely extricate
himself, and when he did manage it, he staggered
back against‘ the lodge, gasping for breath,
feeling as though his ribs and breast—bone had
been crushed together.

A quick glance around showed him that the
Seminoles were surely getting the better of the
fight. Already several of the blacks were flee:
ing from the s t, closely pursued by yelling
Indians. King ayne was fighting like a. giant
against three Creeks, but was being pressed
back. Yet he would not raise his voice for

he] .

diutching the huge ax, Vories darted to the
rescue. One blow crashed down through the skull
of a Creek: another followed, almost before the
survivor realized the truth. Uttering his wild
war-cry, King Payne grappled with the third
Creek, and almost immediately passed his knife
through his ribs.

A cry of surprise broke from his lips as he
glanced arrund. So busy had he been that the
utter defeat of his enemies amazed him. Scarce
a dozen remained alive, and they were fleeing,
with the exultant Seminoles hot upon their
track. ‘

But where was McGirth? He was not to be
seen, either among the living or the dead. Fear—
ing he scarce knew what, Vories rushed to
where the women were crowding the doors of
the lodges. But Blanche was not there. She
was gonel .

CHAPTER VIII.
STEALING A MARCH.

FOR an hour or more after Enowilla left him,
Pete Hoffman stood beside the forest monarch.
whose low-drooping branches cast a grateful
shade around, his eyes turned toward the point
where the Indian maiden had vanished from his
sight. The b'ld scout had been deeply im-
pressed by Eoowilla’s grace and beauty; the
more so perhaps from its being the first time he
had ever encountered a beautiful aborigine.

“Wal. wall” he at length uttered. heaving a
deep sigh of mingled surprise. admiration and
disgust, who’d ’a’. thunk it! Pete. you’re a. dog-
goned fool-——an’ she’s a reclvskin, too! Wuss and

 

 

wuss, an’ more of it! Left-Banded Pete gettin’
spOoney over an Injun gal—let the boys ouc‘t
git hold 0’ that an’ I’d hev to leave the country
or kill a thousand 0' them. An7 yit—she ‘tS
pritty. Sech a form, sech ha’r, sech eyes, an”—
ob, ge‘mentlyl sech lips! They war made fer
kissin’, of she is a red-skin.”

How far the young ranger’s thoughts would
have carried him can .only be surmised, for at
that moment he was brought once more to his
sober senses by the sight of an Indian canoe,
shooting swiftly across the lake. There was but
one occupant, and, from the direction, Pete felt
little dread of being discovered, but the sight
recalled him to a sense of his situation, and he
became once more the keen-witted, crafty scout.
Carefully obliterating all trace of his passage,
he sought another hidingplace, as before, in the
dense foliage of a tree, and there he remained
until night settled over the earth.

During that time of waiting, Left-Handed
Pete saw more than one red-skin or negro, either
paddling over the lake, among the miniature
islands, or else skirting along the shore. But
they evidently did not sus ect the vicinity of a
foeman, and that assured offman that his trust
in Enowilla had not been misplaced. He knew
that she had not betrayed him. ’

Still, as the hours rolled on, Left—Handed

Pete became more and more uneasy. He re-
membered that Enowilla had said u on this
same night Harry Vories had origina ly been
condemned to perish at the stake. Mi ht not
the difficult between King Payne an Sure
Eye have een satisfactotdly arranged, and
the renegade still carry out his scheme of re-
venge?
“I ain’t a- oin’ to stay here an’ let ’em do
that!” Left-Iimded Pete at length decided.
“ i’ll take a look at the ho’net’s nest, anyhow.
Ef they mean to barbecue Harr , they
some”fun inst. I ain’t goin’ bac on the lad
now.

As Hoffman neared the Seminole village, his .

fears increased. It was plain that somethin
unusual was transpiring at Cusoorrilla. An
then, with rapidly-beating heart, the scout
glared out upon the. Indian town. ‘

It was at the moment when King Payne con-
fronted, the angry renegade. The first glance
showed Pete that what he had dreaded was not
taking place. There was no gathering around
the fire stake in the councils uare, no turbulent
gathering of squaws and chi dren. There was
to be no “ barbecue” on that ni ht, at least.

Puzzled, Pete watched the v [age narrowly.
He could uess, from what Enowilla had told.
him, that t eqe was a division in the camp, and
vaguely hoping that some advantage to him
would arise from that fact. he kept upon the
alert, and when Daniel McGirt-h withdrew his
men from the village, Hoffman dogged them
closely.

By cunnin cree ing, Pete mana ed to en:

sconce himsef wit in earshot of t.e council .
Sure Eye went into camp ‘

that followed, when _
beside the lake. He heard all that followed,
and knew that King Payne was now in posses-
sion of both Vories and Blanche Forrester.

Yet this knowledge did not give him any great '

satisfaction. King Payne was a widely known
name, and rumor gave the Seminole chief all
the evil attributes as well as the skill and cun—
ning of the arch fiend himself. Instead of hav-
ing bettered himself, Pete believed that Har’rv
had escaped from the frying-pan only to fall
into the fire.

Pete made out enough of the consultation to
know that McGirth was resolved to regain his

lost captive, together with Blanche Forrester, .

even if he tad to risk a pitched battle for it.
Having thoroughly reconnoitered Cuscorrilla,
and knowing almost to a man the strength of
both Indians and negroes, Pete felt that the
rene ade stood a fair show of success, and
shou d the forces clash together on the comin
day, the scales would be so evlenly balance
that a breath might turn it either way.
McGirth now sent out scouts tolurk around

the village, and Pete, not caring to incur more.

risk than was absolutely necessary, cautiously
withdrew from the spot. Seeking his old re—
treat, he sunk down, cogitating dee ly. He
had learned enough during the past, ew hours
to trouble him not a little. The task that be set

himself was diflicult enough in the first place, ,

but was new rendered doubly so. The situation
was indeed a complicated ones ‘
“Before there was only one inemy to look
out fur, an that was a plenty. But now tharls
two. each one wuss’n t’other.
the lad awa‘y from one, t‘other ’d be on top 0’
me in a wink. ’Tain’t likely both ’6 be sleepin’
at the same time. An’ then—-Harry wouldn’t

I

llsee'

Ef I could git . 

 

 

\

    

i2

Left-Handed Pete the Double-Knife. J

 

 

 

go off an’ leave Blanche, even of I could man-
idge to set ’im free. Dora the crooked luck!
What bizness has a scout fallin’ in love with a.
gal fer, anyhow? It’s all tomfoolery, any—”

Left-Handed Pete did not finish t e sentence,
for there came vividly before his mind the pic-
ture of a. comely maid, dusky though her com-
plexion was, and he suddenly felt that if Hurry
Vories was to blame, so was be; if ever mortal

nan was smitten with the charms of a maiden,
Left-Handed Pete knew that he was “stuck’7
_/ with Enowilla.

Presentl he arose and glided toward Cuscor-
.milla. Au through the rest of that night he
hung around the village, hoping that something
favorable might turn up. But in this he was
disappointed. Not an Indian stirred from the
village, though he could plainly see them stand-
ing guard, expecting an attack from McGirth‘s

men.

As the day dawned, Pete watched anxiously as
the drama gradually unfolded. He saw it all
from his perch in a treev‘top upon the edge of
the forest“ He saw the rival factions marshnled
gy their respective leaders, heard Daniel Mc-

irth challenge King Payne torsingle combat,
the two pale—faces to be the wage of the victor,

' and heard the chief’s reply. He saw that Harry

. Vories was beside the Seminole chief, unbound
, and with wea ons in his hands. And then he
heard Sure iye give the signal, and saw the
brief but mad struggle that ensued. Then
Came the retreat across the water—ditch, and
the skirmishingvfire from the two sections of

' , the village.

Though puzzled to divine what means had
been employed, Pete believed that Vories had.
' gained t e good-will of King Payne, and for a
few moments he half-resolved to rush forward
and join his friend. But then sober reason told
him that such an action would be mere folly.

He was too well known by the Seminoles, had ,

sent too many of their best and bravest warriors
on the long trail that leads to the happy hunt—
ing grounds of the red-men, for them to receive
him as other-than an enemy. And Pete was
' not yet so tired of life as to sacrifice it uselessly.
- The day dragged 510wly along. and still the
scout remains in the tree-top, anxiously
watching the village. At one time his heart
throbbed rapidly, and his eyes glistened bright-
ly. At the door of one of the lodges nearest his
position, he saw a number of Indian women;
and among them one that he could not mistake.
It‘was Enowilla, King Payne’s daughter. She

‘ ‘was gazing steadily toward the wood, and the

'\
;

cheek of the bold scout lowed warmly as the
sthought flashed u on his mind that she was
thinking of her pedge to meet him upon the
lake-shore. It might have been only fancy,
but he‘thought she a peered impatient at thus
heir: forced to break or word.

“ t may be a fool trick, but here goes to let

’1 her know I’m on hand,” muttered Hoffman,

, ;

.é

drawings. red silk handkerchief from his bosom.
Parting the leaves, he cautiously waved the
cloth, choosing those moments in which Eno-
willa appeared gazing directly toward him.
The distance was not great, certainly not over
a qufirler- of a. mile, and the bright handker-
chief shone clearly a ainst the green foliage.
. At the third wave, ete fancied that Enowilla
started, as though she saw the signal. and he
boldly parted the leaves until half his form
was visible, It was with a strange fluttering
at his heart that he saw the maiden raise her
,‘hand and make a quick gesture toward him.
He knew then that she had recognized him.

' ', A few moments later he1 saw her pass by the

. guards, and glide rapidly toward the forest.

eeping the lodge in a hue with thosa beyond

r the water-ditch. Hastily descending, Pete ad-

'sianced to‘ the edge of the forest, trembling like
"ca young girl, as Enowilla approached him. ‘

“What do you do here?’ nowilla hurriedly

' exclaimed, as she stood before the scout, hidden

2 , from view of those in the village by a fringe of

I

H: r ' killed."

:n

L j Isn't?

hushed. “If the Seminoles see you, they will
take your scalp.”
_“ I'expect they would, if they could catch me.
I come here to see if I couldn’t do somethin’ to
‘ help my fr’ind. But I find he’s loose, fightin’
' Wit your people.”
’ “King Payne gave him weapons to fight for
’his life. Sure Eye is trying to take him from
the Seminoles, to kill him.” .
=“Then the lad is free-he kin go where he
will?” eagerly. '
’, “‘No. He said that if King Payne would free
'Tbim so that he could fight, he would 've him.
self up a captive again when Sure ye was

“0;: paragon: But the‘gal—Blanche? She

 

“She is there, in the lodge that I just come
from. She has made no promises. But you-—
can two pale—faces look with kind eyes 11 on
the same squaw, and still be good friends?” n-
owilla suddenly adedd, her lustrous eyes fixed
full upon the face of the tall scout.

“ You mean to ex whether I’m sweet on Miss
Blanche? No, I 'ain’t.— She’s fer my batters.
The lad onder is her sweetheart. They’re be-
gaged, think they call it. As for me, I’m
still in the market. Until I started on this trip,
I never see’d a gal that I would have. But
now—” and as if alarmed at the words that
trembled upon the tip of his tongue, Pete falt-
ered, his face blushing deeply.

“Then you have seen one whom you could
love, since then?” quietly asked Euowilla, her
eyes unfaltering.

“ Yes—durn it, why can’t I speak out! Yes
I hev—an’ if she’ll only say the word, l’m hers
for ever an’ ever!” desperatel blurted forth
Hoffman. “But say—you Wi 1 help me git
Miss Blanche free?”

“Why don’t you go and ask this love of
yours to help you?” sharply replied the Indian
maiden, turning awaty.

“Don’t I—hain’t axed you 3’ You’re the
one I meant. Thar now—git mad if you like—
I couldn’t help it!” and the scout’s hand trem-
bled like a leaf as be brushed the drops of per-
spiration from his brow. _

“You are throwing dust in my eyes!” cried
Enowilla, turning upon him with an angry
glow in her eyes. “You laugh at me, because
1 am only an Indian squaw.”

“I told you the truth. I love you like every
thin‘—an’ have ever sauce I saw you out thar
yest’day,” quietly replied Pete, not withouta
native dignity that set well upon him.

“You: do not look like one who wears a
double tongue, and. yet—” hesitated Enowilla.

" And what?" .

“You are a pale-face and 1—1 am an In-
dian!”

“ I know that: but what’s the odds? Would
you be any the better of your skin was white?
I know_ you wouldn’t be any prittier ~- you
couldn’t, of you was to try ever so much. Then
your-you ain’t mad at what I said?”

“No«-I don’t believe I am,” slowly replied
Enowilla, a faint smile playing around her
lips. “It may be wrong, for our people are
enemies, but I don’t feel toward you as I do to-
ward all other Long-knives whom I have
soon.”

“Nor I don’t want you to nutherl Iwant
you to—to feel for me somethin’ like Ido fer
you. Darn it all! whar’s the use? I will speak
out plain. I want you to love me like I do you
—will you?” and as he uttered these words, Pete
gently slipped an arm round the waist of the
lndian maiden.

“I do not lmow~perha s I do—for there is a
strange feeling here that never knew before,”
simply replied Enowilla, touching her breast.
“ I only know that I rlo not hate you—that it
would kill me if my people should ever do you
harm.” -

“Ge-thunder! you do love me! That’s jest
the way I feel for you—all over! ,But you
won’t take it all back ag’in—you won’t git over
this an’ give me the shake?"

I“ I can never forget—but listenl”

From the village came loud yells of triumph
and d efiance. The first lodge o the negro quar—
ters had taken fire. This incident served to re-
call the lovers—for such they mi ht indeed be
called, abrupt and whimsical as ad been this
courtshi ——to a sense of their situation. Though
now the. the ice was fairly broken, Pete would
fuin have said something more, in hgpes of gain-
ing a more definite answer from nowilla, he
had sense enough to see that the present was not
the proper time.‘ v .

“You will help me, then? I cain’t go back on
my fri’nds, 6 know. It‘s Blanche will be the
most troub e, becaise she cain’t help herself
much.”

“If I can, I will help her to escape. She is
too tender a flower to b com long in aSeminole’s
lodge. She would fade away and die. And
King Payne says she must be his squaw. He
will be very angry when he finds that Eno-
willa, his only child, has turned against him.
Yet I cannot say no—you make me do just as
you wish—I cannot understand it—vou must be
great medicine!” said Enowilla, her breath com;
ing nick and brokenly.

“ ou’ll understand it in time, little ’un—never
fear. An’ of I’m ‘ medicine,’ he sure to you I’ll

be good medicine. But thar—you’d better go._

They may miss you. I’ll :20 back to the tree
from whar I signed to on.” -
Left-Banded Pete t rew‘out his long arms

 

and drew Enowilla closely to his breast. and
then pressed his lips repeatedly to hers; and this
time the Indian maiden did not shrink back,
nor attempt to flee. Instead her warm lithe
form pressed closer to his, and her arms clung
tightly around his neck. For a moment thus;
then Enowllla parted the bushes and glided
rapidly back to the village, while the scout re-
turned to his observatory in the tree-top.

From there he saw the lodges in that quarter
occupied by Daniel McGirth and his men, catch
fire one by one from the blazing arrows that
hurtled so thickly from across the water—ditch.
And he knew that the crisis was near at hand—-
that soon the rival factions would be face to
face, hand to hand in a duel that would end
only in the defeat of one or the other. His
blood thrilled in every vein, his eyes sparkled,
his breath came fast and hot, and he longed to
be able to take part in the coming melee.

It came. With wild yells the renegade’s
party darted toward their foes. A volley teen
ed them. The dead and dying strewe the
ground. And then King Payne cheered on
his braves, and the struggle became hand to

an .

That was all Left-Handed Pete saw of the af-
fair, for his attention was drawn aside. He saw
the braves who had been guarding the lodges
from which Enowilla had issued, dart forward
as though to join their struggling comrades.
And at nearly the same moment two figures
emerged from the lodge. They were women-—
and one of them Hoffman instantly recognized
as the chief’s daughter. The other—who could
it be but the captive, Blanche Forrester? Though
she was enveloped in .the ample folds of an in-
gian blanket, Pete believed he recognized her
orm.

Scrambling down the tree he hastened to the
edge of the clearing. just ih time to meet them.
With a cry of joy Blanche sunk into his arms,
half-fainting, weak from anxiety and excite-
ment.

"‘ No time to talk—mus’ git ’way plenty quick
—dey soon find out us one,” hurriedly uttered
Enowilla, speaking in er broken English, for
Blanche’s benefit.

“ But Harry—Mr. Vories?” faltered the maid-

en.

“You fust, Miss Blanche—then him. He
cain’t go until he gives back his parole, any-
how."

“ You are wastin precious moments—come!
I will show you a bi ing-place. You must stay
there until night. Follow rue—quick!” cried
Enowillu, impatiently.

Trusting her implicitly, Hoffman took Blanche
by the hand and followed close upon the Indian
girl’s footsteps. Nimble-footed as the wild fawn,
shesped on through the forest, rapidly leaving
the village behind, though the thrilling sounds of
the death—struggle still came plainly to their ears.
A few minutes later, the fugitives stood upon
the lake shore. From its hiding-place Enowilla
drew her canoe, and motioned the others to en~
ter. ‘
“Water leaves no trail, and keen eyes will be
hunting for you. Over there you can remain
until night,” and she pointed out a small island
standing near the center of the lake.

“ Ef you think it’s the best, little ’un,” hesi~
tated Pete.

“Would I try to blind you ?” simply returned
Enowilla.

A moment later the canes was skimming over
the lake’s surface with the speed of a bird. And
then it disappeared amidst the dense foliage of
the island.

 

CHAPTER IX.
'rnn LAKE “our.

TEE heart of the young scout, Harry Vories.
turned faint and sick within him, as he realized that
Blanche Forrester was indeed missin . In that
moment he suffered the tortures of the, nmned.

Naturally he jumped to the conclusion that Daniel
McGirth had succeeded in carrying the maiden off,
while the Seminoles were engaged with his men. As
his dead body was not to be found upon the ground,
this belief was not so far-fetched.

King Payne heard the scout‘s cry and read its
meaning aright. The next moment he was beside
Varies. an ominous glitter in his eye.

Stooping. be cast a swift glance around the lodgp.
most especially near the entrance. Then arising, e
uttered a signal. An Indian—wounded nearly unto
death—came staggering forward, rlslng from a pile
of dead and dying in obedienceto the voice of his
chief. He alone of the guards who had been left in
charge of Enowllla and Blanche replied: the others
were either dead or in swift pursuit of the fleeing

rebels.
“Look! the lodge is empty. Where are those I
left in your charge?” sternly demanded King Payne.

In a faint voice. but without betraying any signs ’

of fear, the wounded brave made answer. He

\

 

 

 

.“ o...“

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife.

13’

 

 

his comrades had not been forgetful in their trust,
but Enowillm the chieftoin‘s daughter, had set them
at defiance. Once during the skirmish she had
darted away to the edge of the forest, and in such a
manner that nothing short of violence could have
restrained her. Then when the fight became hand
to hand, she ordered the braves to go and aid their
brethren, saying that she would guard the pale lily.
They had obeyed, seeing that the reinforcement
mig t turn the scale in the Seminoles’ favor.

The savage ceased and stood before his chief, his
head bowed as though in readiness to receive what-
ever unishment his disobedience might deserve.
But ing Payne did not raise a weapon. He felt
that, under similar circumstances he would have
done the same. '

At this moment an old woman who had crept near
enough to overhear the brave’s explanation, came
forward and hastily uttered a. few words that
fhhéiged the angry scowl of the chief to an eager
oo .

From her lodge. she had seen Enowilla, immedi-
ately after the guards departed, leave the lodge in
company with another sqnaw. Since only the two
occupied that lodge, the second figure can d on! be
that of the pale-face captive. She watched t em
until they vanished at the forest edge; then her
whole at ention was turned upon the desperately
struggling factions.

Si e by side, King Payne and Harry Vories gained
the edge of the forest, and there before them lay the
plainly-imprinted trail of the two maidens. A few
yards further on, and a third set of tracks joined
them. With a. little cry, Vorles dro pod upon his
knees, and closely, eagerl scrutinize this.

The footprint was one amilinr to him from child-
hood, yet he could scarce believe his eyes. For
days past he had believed Left-Handed Pete dead—
devoured by the alligator of the Black Bayou. Yet
here was his trail, fresh and distinct, made within
the hour.

Kin Payne had not overlooked the young man’s
cry 0 surprise, and when he saw that the trails
quietly jomed each other, there having been no
hesitation or resistance on the part of the women,
he closely scrutinized the tracks. The larger foot-
print, tho h made by a moccasin, was' unmistak-
ably that o a white man.

‘ You know this trail—it was made by a friend of
yoursl" he uttered, quietly; though with an omin-
ous glitterin his eyes, as e turned to Harry Vo-

nee.

“ I thought I did—but the black imps of the rene-
gade said that he was dead—that they saw the sill-
gato: tear him to pieces,“ slowly replied the young
soon .

“ Who was he—how do you call him ?"

“ Left-Handed Pete—Double-Knife. Ibelieve your

in call him," said Harry, after a moment‘s

on t.

“I know—he is a. big brave. I have said I would
take his scalp for he as killed many of my braves.
But what is the child of a chief doing with him?
Why did she not drive her knife to his heart? The
air IS thick with dust—I can not see through it!"
muttered King Payne, half to himself.

Vories was no less fiauzzled, for Enowilla had had
no opportunity of to lug him of the meeting with
hisbrother scout. owing to the trouble arising be-
tween the rlval factions. Yet, with implicit confi-
dence in Hoffman, he made answer:

“The cloud is around my Eyes, too, chief; but of
thlsyou may be sure; your ughter is as safe in
the company of my friend as she would be in your
own] Heine. man, and does not make war
upon women."

"Heislikeancwl in the daytime. He is blind,
and cannot see his d er. He is tired of life. and
metotake his p. Ughi itisgoodl" -.

ng Payne uttered these sentences as he glided
forward alon the trail, seemingly forgetting the
reaches of cries. For a moment the Dung man
esitated. one hand droppin to the k ‘ e-hilt at his
waist. He was alone wi h he chief, though other
Seminoles were close at hand. A single stroke of
the keen blade would relieve him of his bonds. And
then. too, it an ht insure the escape of Blanche, his
beloved. For t at this was the the purpose of Ler
Handed Pete, Harry could not doubt.

“No—behesth me, and then my ledge—4
can not do itl" Varies muttered. “But 11 follow
him, and should he overtake Pete, I may be able to
save his life."

With this resolve, the scout ke t close upon the
heels of King Payne, but offering im no aid in pick-
ing up the trail. Indeed he hoped that this would
soon e lost; the shades of evening were rapidly a. -
preaching, and in the darkness, Hoflmon could
easily escape with Blanche. -

As they proceeded along the plainly-defined trail,
one by one the Seminoles jomed them until the
party numbered 3 full dozen. in no little anxiety
of mind, Vories watched them lift the trail on a
rapid walk. With leach moment they expected to
hear the ‘ell of discovery,

“ Poub e-Kmfe has gone to lose his scalp, one of
the bemmoles observed, as the trail ran along the
lake-shore. “ He is awhile fox, but we shall trap
him this time, and give his scalp to our squnws.

The last words were drowned by a single rifle-re—

rt, and a spout of flame-tinted smoke burst out of
t e undergrowth, not before the chief, and with a
stifled cry, Harry ones flung up his arms and fell
heavily backward. .

A hoarse about of vmdictive exultation followed,
and then the sounds of fildlyoretreating foo
told that the man who h discharged the treacher-
oussshot gas in fun flight. Pa tea

are ye!“ elled King yne. ri thro h
the bamhe in lull; pursuit- as us

‘vealed kneelln

 

" Sure Eye 1” yelled the Seminoles, following close
upon the footsteps of their chief.

" Oral-k—crack—tzcang—nranq I"

The sharp report of rides, the twangin of taut
bowstrings, as the leaden and featheret missiles
tore through their close-crowded ranks, caused the
Seminoles to falter and then fall back, leaving sev-
eral of their number lying dead upon the ground.
And from the dense under rowth beyond came the
wild war-cry of the rcnega e McGii-th and his black
warriors.

Only for a moment did King Payne hesitate. Then
with his stentorian charging—cry, he leaped boldly
forward. Never yet had the Seminoles refused to
follow that man nor did they fail now. And yet.
when the tore through the bushes and stood upon
the spot rom whence the ambushed shots had been
sped, no living foe confronted them. They had van—
ished like magic.

But then the keen-cared chief distinguished the
sound of retreating footfnlls, and knew that the
enemy had fled from the spot immediately upon dis-
charging the volley. A sun 1e instant of listenin
determined the direction t ey were taking, an
cheering on his braves, King Payne dashed forward
with renewed war and determination. For the mo
wont. be forgot lls daughter and the escaped pale-
face- he only remembered that Sure Eye was near,
and hat the renegade had dared to brave his might
-—to bid defiance to the King of the Seminoles.

A deep, hoarse 0 —almost bellow—of e and
chagrin broke from 'ng Payne‘s lips as he ound-
ed out upon the lake-shore. The enem was before

file eyes, yet his outstretched hand con d not reach
1

m.

Crowded into a large dug-out was Daniel McGirth
and six others; two giant ‘reeks—the rest negroes.
Though overloaded, and possessing only two pad-
dles, the canoe was rapidly leaving the shore.

As King Payne sprung out in ull view, McGirth
uttered a cry of auntin defiance, as he hastily
rammed home a. bullet. ted near the middle of
the dug-out he muttered a few words of instruction
to the pad ers, as be carefully primed his rifle.

1n obedience, they ceased their strenuous efforts,
and sat motionless as statues. Between their heads
McGirth leveled his rifle the gleaming drop cover.
ing the temple .of King ayne, who was seemingly
too greatly excited to notice his peril.

'Veuomously the eyes of the renegade glittered as
his finger pressed the trigger. With implicit confl-
dcnce in his own skill, he already triumphed in the
death of the giant chief.

The wen u oke, and King Payne swayed quick-
ly to one s (is. e two Creek warriors raised their
voices in triumphant yells. for, even at that distance,
they could see the bright red blood gush over the
face of King Payne.

But a bitter curse broke from the renegade‘s lips,
homble in its intensity. Just as his finger contract-
ed upon the trigger, the form of a tall man s , red
out into the ogfn; the dress, no less than the cod-
stained face, ld McGirth who this was. ~ He recog-
nized Harry Vories, the young scout—the hated en-
emylwhom he had thought was lying still and stark
in t e forest shades with a. bullet-pierced brain.

To this abru t and unexpected appearance, be-
yond adoubt, ‘ Pa ne owed his 8. The rene—
gade, catching S! t o the scout almost directly be-
hindthe Sem no e chief, had started convulsively,
his rifle shaking. And instead of iercing his brain,
the leaden missile morel tore &rough the right
check of King Payne, i cting a painful but not
dangerous wound.

Ejecting the blood that filled his mouth, King
Payne thundered forth a. hasty command, and in-
stantly his braves scattered along the shores of Lake
Pithlachocco. McGirth also comprehended the
31rd“, and signed to his men to resume their pad-

es. .

King Pa e had not given his orders bli .
He knew t at the lake shore was fairly lined wi h
canoes, both 1 e and small. It was to unearth
these that he di atched his men.

Several uick ye gave token that the Seminoles‘
search ha not been in vain, and at almost the same
instant a canoe was launched upon either hand of the
point where King Payne stood. Rushing to the near
est one, the chief entered and seized apaddle. Then
alien. bird of life the bark canoe shot out into the

e.

Harry Vories staggered to his feet, dashing the
blood from his e es, and called aloud to the chief to
admit him, but t e summons was unbeeded. Then,
faint from loss of blood, his head throbbin as
though it would split in twain, the scout sunk ( own
lépoutthe ground, watching the chase with eager in-

res .

It speedily became evident that the fugitive canoe
must be overtaken long before it ained the further
shore, since the pursuing boats, ess heavily laden,
and suppllled with more paddles, made at least three
feet tot e renegade‘s one. His lead was speedily
beinghreduced, until the boats formed the points of
a.  t-angled triangle.

Suddenly the prow of McGirth’s canoe was veered
toward the left, though by that maneuver King
Payne a canoe was brought considerablv closer than
be ore. And thus the form of Sure laye was re-

_ _ in the center of the ug-out, his
rifle raised, re for firing.

King Payne know well t at his body would be the
first target aimed at, and keenlyigyed the marks-
man, though Without relaxin efforts in the
least. As 8 was kneelin in t e boat, this position
gave him complete contra of the canoe. and though

nowin the expertness of McGirth, be believed that
he wo d escape the shot.

Nor did he overrate his skill, for when the smoke
puffed from the leveled rifle, King Payne benthb

, his car, so close that one of the lea
' torn from the pierced cart

 

head, and with one plowerful sweep of the Fiddle,
threw the canoe slig tly from its course. hough
he heard the vicious hum of the ragged bullet past
en circlets was
dage, he remained un-
harmed. .
Uttering a fierce curse of baflled revenge, McGu'th
caught up a second rifle and leveled it. But this
time his aim was not at King Payne, and though the
chief followed the same ruse that had succeeded so
well before, the bullet claimed a. victim. One of the.

paddlcrs leaped erect with a horrible yell of death» «

agony, and toppled over into the water, almost up»_

setting the canoe, carrying with him the paddle. "

Brief us was the den ' occasioned by this inci—
dent, it was proved to t 1e utmost b ' the fugitives.
Yet their do or was imminent. T e two canoes
were now wit in fifty yards of them. A little to
the right of the prow of the leading boat was a.
small, densely-wooded island. covered With scrubby
trees, bushes and vines that eatende to the very
edge of the water. By maintaining a. diiect course,
the fugitives would pass by this island, Within a.
score yards. _

McGirth had abandoned the discharged rill , and
now can ht up a strung bow. fitting a feathered
shaft to t 6 string. With a musical tun/E] the missile
was loosed, and quivered in the how of ing P edyne s
craft. Another and another quickly succeed . dis-
charged first at one canoe, then at the other, and in
as many seconds, three of the Seminoles were dead
or disabled, thus greatl retarding their craft. _

Yet, despite all this i was plain that the fugitives
must be overtaken before the lake was crossed.
McGirth realized this full well, and had desided n n
his course. Seeing that the Creek brave had flnis ed
loading one rifle, he gave the word, and instantly
the prow of the dug—out was turned toward the
now nearisland. Here the renegade had resolved to
make a last stand, and sell his life as dearly as.
possible, feeling assured that escape was out of the
question. A desdl , venomous ghttcr filled his
9 'es as he clutched t e freshly-loaded rifle. At least

'ng Payne should never live to triumph over his

At that moment. when the dug-out was scarce a.

dozen yards from land, and their intention could no ‘

longer be doubted, a. rifle re. rt broke upon the
air, and utterin the never-f death-shriek, the
forward Creek ell back agaimt the secondpaddler,
a rifle-bullet buried in his brain. The fugitives were
petrified with astonishment and dismay at this.
new and unexpected danger. And, too, filled with
wonder, scarce knowing whether this ambushed
Iililarksman was friend or foe, the Seminoles ceased
t eir
tend eyes.

From out the bushes, above whichfihe smoke—
wreath hung, a rapidl ~succeeding chain of arrows
followed, aimed by a s rong hand and unerriéiig e e.
A he fell first, a feathered shaft transfi n is
throav. And the next moment the second k
shared his fate.

Maddened, ntterin a furious curse, the renegade
seized a paddle, an with Herculean strength, “11'

lied the dug-out toward the island. And, ashe

d1ing,,watching the island with widelydis— "

'd so, the last of his comrades the terrified negro, g

wounded.
ado rose to his
An

fell across his brothers, morta
Catching up his rifle, the ren
feet, and made a mighty bound to the air.

mow passed through his shoulder, but he alighted
fairly u n the edge of the island.

Scarcey had his moccasins touched the ground
than he seemed met by aflash of silver i thing-
Alo knife shot through the air, itsb e rylng;
itself the hilt in McGirth‘s throat.

Convnlsivelyhe lucked the weapon from its quills“
e .

ering sheath, an raised it above his head.

strove to utter his war-cry, but the sounds died.
away in his throat, drowned in the flood of bl -.
that gushed from the ghastly wound. And then he
fell heavily forward. One con ve quiver—then
the strong limbs of the renegade were straightened
in the embrace of death. ‘

And through all this. not uglimpse betrayed who“
the hidden marksman was. nly the rifle-shot and
the death-dealing arrow evinced the presence there
of any mortal being.

In amazement the Seminoles watched the tra c-
end of the canoe race. 80 swiftly had the
followed each other that one death was scarce
realized, ere another followed. It seemed the work
of more than mortal man, or else the island.coh-,~
mined no contemptible force.
sight of a sin 1e canoe, us it idly swept out from
be ind the is nd, heading toward the shore. It‘
contained three figure
glare of the setting sun; one man and two women.
The man and one woman were rapidly lying the
paddles, and the frail barque sped over t e tranquil
surface with the speed and grace of the summer
swallow. ,

A yell of rage broke fmm King Payne's lips. He»
recognized his daughter, Enowilla, fleeing from him
in company with the hated and feared Double--
King. And then began another race, every man
straining to the utmost his prowess; but the tug:-
tives held their vantage.

Already half the distance to the shore was crossed,
when suddenly the canoe of the fugitives turned to
the right. A yell from in frontt
done. Two canoes filled with savages shot out,
from the land.

The Seminoles now felt assured of success.
before the fugitives could ain the shelter oft
forest, they would be ove en, for eve‘ ystroke o
the dies lessened the distance between the three!

parties. . '
Yet DoubleKnife and Enowflla. increased than

i

But their surmises were fidelity terminated by- V

s, distinctly visible in the red: '

why this was, ,

LO"
2%.

‘) war-Hi aw g,m..,.,1..z..t..v.tr

. ment.

scarce!

14

exertions, until their flashing paddles could no
longer be distinguished, so rapidly were they handl-
ed. The light canoe seemed to skim over the surface,
scarce touching the water. Even the most revenge.
ful of the Seminoles could not restrain a feeling of
admiration at the skill displayed by their hated
enemy. It was, indeed, little short of marvelous.

Let the pursuers paddle as the might, they now
saw that the canoes would touc shore at almost
the same instant, if, indeed, the fugitives did not
beat them. Twenty seconds later, the Indian
canoes came together, but the fugitives had sli ped
between trees, and were now in the edge 0 the
shadow. fifty yards ahead. Then the canoe vanished.
Lealping from the canoe before it touched shore,
King ayne found himself standing beside Enowilla
and Blanche. But Double-knife was gone. He had
vanished like magic.

Fairly frothing at the mouth, the Chieftain raised
his hatchet above his daughter‘s head. Enowilla
did not shrink or tremble, but calmly bowed her
head to meet the stroke.

With a. low, gaspin cry of terror and apprehen-

' sion, Blanche Forres er sprung forward, and drew

Enowilia back, shielding her form with her own.

“You must kill me first!" she cried, flin ing up
one hand, as though she would thus avert t e quiv-
ering blade. a

at that moment a strong hand drove back the
chieftain's arm, and Wrenched the tomahawk from
his grasp, hurling it far out into the lake. With a
snarl of rage, Kin Pa ne turned, his eyes flashing
fire. Even throng t e fast gathering loom', be
distinguished the stern lineaments of a w ite man.

CHAPTER X.
A courmcuso SITUATION.

“You shall not murder them while Ican lift an
arm in their defense!" cried Harry Vories, as he
hurled the chief's hatchet far away.

A deep cry, almost bellow of fu broke from
King Payne’s lips as he recognized t ie one whose
hand had so be dly frustrated his just vengeance,
and then his long, muscular arms were film out,
and the white scout was enveloped in an em race
less deadly and crushing than that of a
bear. ortunate indeed was it that King Pa no bad
no weapons, else the cum; ranger wo d have
fallen dead at the feet 0 those whom he had dared
so much to save,

AS it was, Varies did not attempt to use his
weapons, fortunatel remembering his situation
enough to know tha in such a case the infuriath
Seminoles would cut him to pieces the next mo-
But. gra pling with the chief, he at every
muscle and pa icle of skill into play. ack and
forth they rushed and tottered, panting, strainin ,
breathing With difficulty. so tightly were the su o-
cating arms wound round each other. .

Around them stood the Seminoles, all of them
now landed from their canoes. Though each right
hand clutched the haft of either tomabnwk or
knife, not a brave offered to interfere, but watched
the struggle with breathless interest.

An instant’s pause, as if for breath, than the
strug 1e was renewed with redoubled vigor. The
pale— ace was raised fairly from the ground, but iin
vain King Pa 6 endeavored‘to cast iis antagon st
'from him. he lithe limbs of the scout clung to the
bronzed Hercules, even as the ivy clings to the

. gnarled and twisted elm.

Again they stood with both feet upon the ground.
breast to breast, but King Payne is panting ieavily.
his breath almost 70110.50 fierce had been his last
struggle. Then qu ck as thgiéght came the change.
Cool and collected Vories h patiently waited 115
chance; and now it was come.

With sudden fury be pressed heavily against the
chief, as though intending to hear him backward to
the ground by main strength. The Seminole fell
into he trap. Summoniniilall his power be resisted
the pressure. Suddeieiéy c anging his dgrip, Vories
stoo low, and aid by the forwar movement

'of 'ng Payne, flung the chief heavily over his
head

Yelling madly, the Seminole braves drew still
closer, encirclin the young scout, their knives and
tomahawks lit erlng above their heads. Even in
{Re kpmmen of» victOry, death threatened him

no .

.Blan’che Forrester shrieked aloud with horror. and
strove to press through the savage cordon, to share
the fate of her lover; but the arms of Enowilla
restrained her. Vories did not flinch. He boldly
eyes the menacing weapons, then drew his form
erect. folding his arms as thou h defyin the death-
stroke. A less cool man wo d have a tempted to
draw a weapon to defend himself, and thus have
sealed his own fate; but not so our hero. He knew
that such an action could only end in one way; and
that way his death. '

His calm defiance served its pu e. The Semi<
holes involuntaril hesitated and t e next moment
a loud cry can them to fall back, every was. n
dropphg to their sides. It was the voice of ng

a no. .
stunned, he had arisen from the ound in
which his head and shoulders had been ha i: buried.

and brushing the dirt from his eyes, took in the ‘

scene at a single lance. Thus he uttered the com-

mand that cause his braves to fall back, and saved

the young scout's life, for the moment, at least.
Steppin before Varies King Payne eyed him for

‘ a women in silence. Then extending a hand, he

said. .
“You should be a Seminole, and they would call
{on Bending Oak. My heart would be very glad to
ave such a son. You have conquered a chief."
“ I only wanted to save you from doing that for

t which your heart would weep tears of blood, an

v

 

hour from now. You would have murdered your
own child; and I could not stand by and see that,
quietly,” simply replied Vories.

“ It would have been justice—nothing more; for

81118 had joined with Double-Knife against her peo-
p 6‘)»
“ Did Double~Knife shoot at our people? Did he
not kill the White Snake and is braves?” quickly
added Vories, who had been in one of the canoes,
and near enough to see what had occurred at the
island. “ True, he tried to rescue the white maiden,
but she is his friend, and you can not blame him for
that. He had no hard feeling against you, or your
tribe. He will be your friend, and help fight your
enemies—all that are not of his own people—if ou
wish it. I can call him up here, if you promise t int
he shall not be injured. Promise me that, by the
bones of your fathers, and I will call him here," ea‘
gerl said Harry.

“ o, I will not promise. His hands are red with
the blood of the Seminole. Our lodges are darkened
because the braves who went forth from them, met
Double-Knife upon the trail, and never returned.
He is a brave—but he must die,"stern1y replied
King Payne, at the same time giving his warriors a
signal t ml. they immediately obeyed by darting
away through the gloom?’ forest. -

Varies knew that the lad gone in pursuit of Left-
Handed Pete, but he fe t little anxiety as to the re-
sult, knowing well how cunning and skillful his coni-
rade was.

In a few short words, King Payne ordered Eno-
willa to return to Cuscorrilla, and then motioned
Vories to follow him. Again the scout was sorely
tempted to trust all to one swift, deadly blow, now
that his loved one was beside him. It seemed so
easy to ain freedom once more; and yet he could
not dea the treacherous blow from behind, while
King Pa he so implicity trusted in his honor. Had
the chic shown the s ightest degree of suspicion,
the result might have been different. But he slowl
walked away, simply bidding Vories follow him wit
Blanche.

when the village was reached, King Payne shut
Enowilla and Blanche up in one of the lodges, then
signed Vories to follow him. In silence the scout
obeyed, and a few moments later they were seated
in ing Payne's own lodge, uielly smoking their
pipes, as though the chain 0 thrilling and tragic
eve-fits had been purely imaginary, rather than stern
rea ty.

The chief was the first to break the silence. Now
that he was alone with the scout, he more than
ever resembled a white man in his words and man-
ner. It was om?r when with his braves that he af-
fected the pure y Indian style. He had spent so
much of his life among the pale-faces that their
language and habits seemed more familiar to him
than those of his own people. Through the smoke
that curledlthickly around his head. Kin Payne
narrowly watched the effect of his wor 3 upon
Harry ories.

“Life is sweet to the young. It is hard to die
while the veins are full 0 hot blood. Even a war-
rior may long to live, and make a sacrifice to save
his life. What would you give for life and liberty?"

“Life I love, and liberty I could have gained a
dozen times to—day, but I would not break my word
of honor to obtain it," quietly replied Varies.

“What is honor? A little word—a mouthful of
ailmfnothing more," contemptuously uttered the
c is . .

“Little as it is, chief, it has saved your life at least
twice since the morning sun rose. Your back was
turned to me, and my hand touched the haft of my
knife. By drawi it and making one strong blow
I could have been ree. But Ihad pledged my word
that I would not attempt to escape until you had
taken back in role. “ . '

“You woul ave been wiser had on dealt the
blow, and over my dead body, reac ied freedom.
But you did not—you let the chance slip by you,
and now ou are still in my power—my captive,
whose den. .hl can decree by one word. Yet, on one
condition I will give you your life and freedom."‘

“ What is that condition?" asked Vories with ill-
concealed e emess.

“ You sav Enowilla from my hatchet; why did
you do that?" '

“ Because she was a woman and I would not see
a. father's hand stained with the blood of his child,”
was the prompt re 1y. ,

“ If you say so. s 9 shall live, though her actions
deserve death. But there is one condition. Remem-
ber. you are deciding, also, whether you shall live or
die. If on accept, you are both safe; if you refuse,
you sha 1 both die. ‘

“What is the condition? Are we stfiiaws, that so
many words are needed?" iii-.patien yr demanded
the white scout.

“ Your words are good. Listen, then, and do not
decide without thought. First, you must promise
to change your color—to become my son, and a
Seminole by adoption. You must be one of no
fight our enemies and be friend of our friends. An
to make the adoption complete, you must take a
squaw from our poo le. There are many to .choose
from; but if Enow11a does not find favor in your
eyes, she must diel“

For a moment Harry Vories was s bless with
surprise. as King Payne paused to no the effect of
his coldly-uttered words. And truly be had deliv-
ered an entire broadside, that might well cause the
recipient to shrink and feel the shock in every tim.
her. B t then indignation'took the place of our-
prise, a d Varies replied, his cheeks flushed, his
eyes flashing:

“ Are you crazy or do you take me for a tool? If
I thought you can d believe that of me. even though
you are a savage heathen. I'd be tempted to slap

 

Left-Handed Pete, the DOuble-Knife.

your jaws for your impudencei Still. if you want
an answer, 1 say no."

“That is your answer?” quietly added King Payne.

“Yes—and don’t ask me any more such foolish
questions. But I believe—you must be only joking?"

"Listen. It was decided in council to ofler you
your life on the conditions I named: if you would
become a Seminole by adoption. and take a Semi-
nole. squaw, your life was to be s )ared. If not, you
were to die. But you refuse, as knew you would.
Let the Seminoles know this, and you must die.
Your only chance is to escape before they return.
(Jo—I give you your life. but when we next meet,

uard yourself. We will be enemies then, and the
est warrior will take the other‘s scalp. Go. ”

“ You bid me go, and 'et you hold my heart here.
Give me the pale-face capltive. and I will go. I
promise never to strike anot er blow at the Semin-
oles, unless they first attack me. If you refuse, you
had better take my scalp now, for swear to kill
ever Indian that Iset eyes upon.”

1 (‘1‘ on can not have the squaW—she is for my
0 go."

Von‘es flashed forth his knife and leaped to his
feet, his eyes lowin with angry vengeance. But
King Payne di not 5 ir, nor oflfer to draw a weapon,
calmly smoking his pipe. There was something in
his cool courage that awed Harry Vories, despite
himself. Even while stung to the quick by the
chief’s last words, he could not strike an unresisting
man.

“ Listen—I will buy her of on. I am rich— I have
plenty of gold and horses an goods. I will give you
all you ask. Name your rice, and I will give it for
Blanche," he cried, eager y, almost imploringly.

“Go, while there is time," simply replird the

chief, waving his hand toward the door. “I hear.

‘tjhegleniinoles returning. Go, or stay to meet your
an . .

“ If I do go without Blanche, it will be to return
with a force that shall outnumber the very leaves of
the forest. I will wipe your tribe from the face of
the earth I”

“Come and welcome. There is plenty of room
{pr your scalps in our lodges,” tersely replied King

a ne.

arry Vories saw that he could not alter the reso
liition of the chief , and he, too, heard the sounds of
returnin braves. it was now too late to think of
force. ven though he might succeed in killing the

chief, he could not hope to escape from the camp »

with Blanche. The returning warriors would over-
takeltthem. and the death of both would be the
resu .
“ I will go, but you will regret this. Ioffered to be
your friend, but you chose my enmity. So be ill
'ou will visit the hunting-grounds the soonerl“ he
uttered, in a quiet, stern tone, and then strode from
the lodge.

Almost at the entrance, he encountered several
warriors, returning from the ursuit of McGirth’s
men. and withou heeding tieir black looks, be
brushed rudely past them, heading toward the for-
est. For a moment it seemed as though there would
be trouble. The savages paused and half-drew their
weapons, as though about to seize the scout.

But there was a bold freedom in his movements
that would hardly be displayed by a captive at-
temptin to esca e, and remember'm his com act
with the r chief, t ey suffered Vories pass t em
by unmolested.

Hastening on, Harry soon entered the forest, al«
most upon the trail by which King Payne had led
the trio back to the village. Scarce] was Cuscor—
rilla hidden from view, when a dark orm suddenly
rose before him. Vories flashed forth his knife, an
crouched for a leap upon the man, but then the
weapon dropped from his hand, as a well-known
voice uttere :

“ Is that on Ha . , old boy?” ‘~

“ Pete-Lt ank i you are alive and safe l" cried

ories, flinging his arms around the tall scout, in an
ecstasy of slight. ~___

CHAPTER XI.
sons on THE Bmobnom.

Tm: comrades withdrew deeper into the forest,
and there conversed earnestly, carefully weighing
the chances for and against the success of the bol
resolve that held firm possession of their hearts.
Come what might be the result what it would,
Harry Vories was determined to free Blanche from
the hands of King Payne;and though the determin-
ation was not expressed in so many words, Left-
Handed Pete vowed in his heart that he would not
turn his back upon Cuscorrilla unless Enowilla held
him company.

Snugly ensconced in the dense, bushy top of a tree
growing not far from the edge of the cleared tract.
the two scouts in cautious whispers discussed the
project, forming their plans asfar as the course of
events could be foreseen. By (parting the leafy
bou be, they could gaze out upon uscorrilla, guided
by t e fires that glowed before several of the lodges,
and the still-smoldering mbers that marked the
spot where the quarters 0 Daniel McGirth had so
latel stood. ‘ ,

“ on see the town is all alive—the will not
think of closing their eyes this night, ' observed

ones.

“ So much the better for us, then," returned Left-
Handed Pete. “ The ’11 be busy pow-wowin‘ over
that dead, an‘ won’t likely to notice one extry
feller in the crowd. I kin go in that, by flxin' up a
leetle, an’ fetch the gals out withouta scratch. An‘
mark me; onless we git them out o’ thar afore do ,
then good-by to ’em fer ood. You say the o d
heathen wants Blanche fer is squaw; then he won‘t
take his e es oif'm her ontel she is his, when event
they git k odor sorter settled down ag‘iu a’ter thar

 

\—7

  

I

‘ , Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. 1‘5

 

 

rumpus an‘ throat-cuttin’. To-night‘s our only
chance, in my 'pinion.”

“There's a good deal in what you say, I’ete,"
thoughtfully returned Vories. " We will try it. At
worst, we can only fail.”

“Not we, but me. One kin do better than two, by
hafe. You’ll stay here ontel we come. _Ef I git
‘em free, all l‘l ht. Ef' not, an’ the varmints grup
me, do you ma *e a hairline fer the old neighbor-
hood, an‘ pick up a wheen 0‘ good boys to come
back Witliye. Anyhow you‘d be in time to make
the heathen, King Payne an’ all, sweat blood fer
what they may hev did to us."

“ Let me go instead of you—I know the lodge they
are—H

"You couldn't do nothin’ with Enowilla; an’ I
won‘t leave this without her. You‘d hev to wait
cute] I went back fer her, anyhow. You know you
kin trust me. I wouldn‘t so so onless it was fer
the best," quietly replied Ho man.

There were few words wanted. for by the time
Pete should complete his preparations, ’twould be
late enou h for the venture. These preparations
were sim e enough.

He do ed his extra clothin , and descending from
the tree, rubbed the expose portion of his person
with the dark mud of the nei hboring bayou. A
whisp of grass tied about his ead corn ieted his
toilet. Rude though it was, Pete believ that his
disguise was sufiicmnt. In the gloom of night, the
mud might well ass for the bronzed 8km of an In‘
diaii warrior, an he didn’t intend venturing Within
the glow of the campfire. . I

Harry Vories gave him all the information in his
power, and Pete felt confident that he would experi—
ence no difficulty in finding the lodge which con-
tained Enowilla and Blanche Forrester. And then,
with a silent hand-clasp, the comrades parted, Hoff-
man gliding stealthin toward the village. But when
within a hundred yards, he arose and stalked boldly
forward. Even if noticed by any of the savages
who were gliding to and fro. or standing in little
knots, Pete believed they; would have no suspicion of
his identity, but would t ink him one of themselves,
from his upright carriage, so devoid of any attempt
at concealment.

Dame Fortune still seemed to stand his friend, for
he gained the rear of the lodge indicated by Vories,
unmolested. With no little gratification he saw that
there was no fire built before the lodge door, which
was cast into deep shadow by the next house.
Everything seemed to work in his favor, for. though

. the heavy slab door was closed and barred, there was

no guard stationed there, as he had full ex cted.
“ it‘s a good sign—J don‘t reckon that-s om’ to be
so much trouble, a‘tel‘ all," he inutterc , listening

3 intent] . “The reds seem busy with tliar dead;

guess ’d better try it now, while ihnr‘s a show.“

Gaining the door, he cast a swift yet thorough
glance around. Not a living soul was to be seen,
though the hum of voices came distinctly to his ear.

Cautiously, noiselessly, the scout removed the stout
bar. and then gently Opened the door a few inches.
As he hstened, he heard a faint rustling within, and
a smothered exclamation in a voice that lie recog
nized; at least Blanche Forrester was awake. Fear-
ing that she would make some outcry and thus
alarm the Seminoles, Lei‘.—Handed Pete ventured to
whisper, though knowing that he ran no slight risk
in so doing:

“Don‘t be skeered, Miss Blanche. It‘s a fri’ncl—

. me. Left-Handed Pete". I‘ve come to take you back

home.“

His speech suddenly ceased, for a lithe form ap-
peared n the aperture. and in an instant his strong
arms were flung around it. A faint report followed;
but that was nothing more serious than a kiss. In
the gloom, dense as t was, Left-Handed Pete could
not mistake that figure; he knew that Enowilla had
heard his call.

She did not make any outcry as would seem nat-
ural that she should. Possi ly she was growl
accustomed to these audacious freaks of the tal
soon .

"Where is Harry?” eagerly asked-Blanche. ap-
proaching the door.

1 £‘ Waiting for us," promptly replied Pete. “ Come.
8 .S gun ‘

“Farewell, then. If you escape and reach your
people in safet . think sometimes of the Indian girl,”

uietly uttere Enowilla, withdrawing herself rom
t e Scout's embrace:

P‘gYou’i-e goin’ With us," faltered Left—Handed

e .

“King Payne is my father, though he spoke hot,
angry words to me. M place is here.“

" our place is witht a one you love the best! Ef
you Will go with us, be sure 0’ one thing: you shall
always be well taken keer of, an‘ shain 1; want for
nothin’ while I live. Thar it is, short an’ sweet. I
love you, an” will marry you the fust preacher we
find. Mebbe you kin find a. smarter man, one more
worthy of you; but of you s’arch the whole world
through, ltttle 'un, you won’t find one who'll love

on any better, or be truer to ye than me,” earnest-

y responded Left-Handed Pete.

“My father would curse his child," murmured
Enowilla.

“That settles it, then,” coolly added Pete, enter-
ing the led e, and closing the door behind him.

"What 0 you mean? Every moment lost now
ma be your deathl If any brave passes by and
notices the bar down, he Will give the alarm and you
Will be killed i"

“All lit-let ‘eni come. I don't care,"doggedly
replied etc. “You say you don’t keer a snap 0‘
tbs fln er for me—-"

ml d dn't say that." _

Mounts to the same in the send. You choose to
stay here when the chief says you've got to die fer

porting

 

bein’ a traitor to our people rather than to go
with me as my wi e. That’s why I’m goin‘ to stay
here. Ef I'm so skv or'nary that a woman would
ruther be killed t en be my wife, I don’t keer much
’bout livln' any longer.”

“Go—or it will be too late! Remember that you
are doomin her too—would you kill her, too?”

“I don’t eer. Onless you go with us, we’ll all
sta'an" see the show out No use talkin'—I‘m a.
mu e when I putt m foot down." '

"Come. then, I wil g0," desperately cried Eno»
willa. “ They would burn on at: the fire-stake, and
I could not see that and ivc. Let them call mea
traitress and heap curses upon my head-I can bear
that better than to see on die.”

“God bless ye, litt 8 ‘un— ou shell never hev
cause to regret this,” broken y muttered Pete. as
once more his strong arms drew the Indian maiden
to his heart.

The next moment he was once more the cool, as-
tute scout. While searching for the lodge that con-
tained the captive maidens, he had come across the
water-ditch and he remembered this now. 'Through
it he hoped to convey the women to the forest, un-
observed. Except at one point, the ditch was en-
veloped in darkness- aheap of smo derin embers
that marked where the lodge of Daniel Mc irth had
stood earlier in the day, cast a. dim glowu n the
ditch. That passed in safety, and there wou d be no
further danger of being seen.

Fortune still favored the bold scout, and ten min-
utes later he led his charges into the forest, where
in a short time Harry Varies joined them. It was a
rapturous meeting, that between the two lovers,
and both Pete an the chief’s daughter were affect-
ed b it. At this point Enowilla wished to return,
but ete pleaded so eloquently aided by both
Blanche and Varies, that she flna y yielded to her
fate. never a sin to struggle against i .

Knowing t at when the escape was discovered,
insult instant and determined would be made, the
ugitives lost no time, but ressed rapidly on through

the remainder of the nig t. They knew that they
would not be safe until fairly in the midst of their
friends, for King Payne would follow them to the
very door of his enemies before ‘ving them up.
And a long and weary trail lay be ore them, beset
with no ordinary perils and privations.

After an hour 3 rest, the party again set forth up-
on their weary 'ourne . As the women were faint
and weary wit suc excessive exertions, their
progress was more slow, and Pete improved the
opportunity to lay several false scents, and to break
the trail as thoroughly as he could.

At noo they halted and ventured to build a fire,
by which 0 cook some squirrels, which Left-Handed
Pete had killed with a now and arrow, picked up at
the spot where Colonel Newman and his volunteers
 made such a-desperate stand against the Sem-
ino es.

Greatly refreshed by this meal, the f 'tives re<
sumed their journey. Shortly after Le t-Handed
Pete struck out to lay another false scent, while the
others availed themselves of the waters of a. bayou
that lay close at'hand to break their trail.

It would be tiresome to- detail their journey, hour
by hour, even if space permitted. During that and
the succeeding day they had several narrow escapes
from the savages though these enemies appeared
journe 'ng toward Cuscorrilla instead of being in
pursui of them, which may account for their rail
not being noticed.

In all this time the two scouts had not suffered
themselves to close their eyes. For, more than their
olivifi lives were depending on their watchfulness and
s .

It was nearly sunset of the second day. Pete, as
before. was out scouting around, leaving Vories to
guide the women.

Suddenly Harry paused. bending his ear, while a
ghastly puller over-spread his countenance. A hor-
rible sound came to is ears, faint and from afar off,
but unmistakable.

Enowilla and Blanche also heard and recognized
the sound. It was no new one to their ears, yet
never before had it affected them so terribly as

now.
V“ lily God! we are hunted by bloodhounds!” gasped
or es.
And the deep, musical, but terrible bay of the
bloodhound sounded more and more distinct.

 

CHAPTER XII.
A KING TO THE LAST.

"Ar least we will die together, dear Harry,"
r‘rriuijmured Blanche Forrester, clinging closer to

ones.

“Yes, in darling—they shall not take you from
me againil' the (youn, scout breathed, an arm sup-

t e iel ing orm of the maiden.

“Is thist e time to act like love-sick s uaw‘s?"
half angrily cried Enowilla. “Are you tire of life
that yfpu stay here in idleness, waiting for the Semi-
no es ’ r

“What can we do? Blanche is ,com lately ex-
hausted. We cannot run as fast, as tiose devil-
nosed dogs can follow us. They must soon come up
With us. What matters it whetherI fi ht here or
further on? The end will be the same, quietl re-
phed Vories yet, brave as he undeniably was, is th e.
cadence of despair in his voice.

“You could not fight here. Before you could
breathe mice, your soul Would hang at King
Payne‘s belt. Come—I w' guide you to a better
spot,” hurriedly added the In ian maiden.

There was no time to lose in asking questions, and
Harry now placed implicit confidence in Enowilla.
As she glide away, he raised Blanche in his arms
and followed after.

 

Enowiila diverged abruptly to the left, and in a
very short space of time stood upon the edge of a
bayou. The water was dark and nmsome. The
prospect was anything but cheering. Even in the
gloom, more than one slimy, serrated back could be
seen partin the stagnant water. It seemed the
home of a igators. And yet this was the refuge
Enowilla had in view.

She ran hastil along the bank, motioning Vories
to follow her. ‘ith the maiden's head resting upon
his shoulder, her arms around his neck, her fair
face, with half~cl sed eyes and gently-parted lips,
upturned toward is, Hag followed, more like one
in a dream than sober re ty. And from the black
forest behind came the song of the bloodhound,
guiding its scarcely less savage masters unerringly
along their trail.

“ here is where we must hide, and fight, if they
find us," hurriedly said Enowilla, pausing. “Give
me your gun and owder. Iwill cross first. You
must carry her. ut be cautious and do not 5 lash
in the water, or the evil spirit of the swamp ‘ send
the water-dogs to destroy you.”

From some cause the bayou here was less densely
wooded, and spread out to double its ordinary width.
Near its center was a small island, densely fringed
with vine-clad bushes. But to reach this, full
twenty yards of black water must be crossed. And
Vories s uddered as he remembered the large sau-
rians he had noticed but a minute before. It seemed ,
nothing short of suicide toventure in the water;
yet Enowilla did not hesitate. . .

Holding the scout’s rifle and ammunition above
her head, she silently entered the water, proceeding
with extreme caution. Not a sound betrayed hei-
progress. And thus she gained the island in safety.

Vories fprepared to follow her example. Bidding
Blanche ear nothing, he entered the water. In the
middle, it reached nearly to his armpits, the maid-
en‘s weight hearing him deep in the mud. In extri-
cating one foot, he trl ped and sunk beneath the
water with a sudden Sp ash, yet ever mindful of the
welfare of her he so devotedly loved, the scout held
Blanche‘s head above the noisome water. ' .

“ Quick! or on are lust.m cried Enowilla, as the
rifle sprung to er shoulder. _

Vones glanced over his shoulder, half—blinded by
the water. He indistinctly caught a_ " pse of an
alligator darting toward him. with Wi ely distended
jaws. His has? turned faint with a sickening
dread. not for imself, but for Blanche. Still be
pressed forward as rapidly as possible. I

He heard a sharp report—a violent splashing be-
hind him then a heavv stroke hurled him upon the
ed e of the island half-stunned.

he iéuick eye and ready hand of Enowilla had saved
him. he sent a bullet down the yawning throat of
the alligator, and stung with the pain, the reptile
whirled around its massive tail, sweeping the scout
and Blanche to the island‘s edge.

Yet it seemed as though the rifle-shot in saving
them from one death, had doomed them 0 a scarec-

less certain destruction. From the forest beyond.
1; a wild, triumphant yell of the Seminole rose clear
and distinct even above the terrible music of the
bloodhound 3 song. Following upon the fresh trail,
they knew that the report came from the fugitives.
And the next'minute they were gathered, a. score
in number, upon the bank of the bayou.

The muddy water, the torn and trampled mud
upon the island’s edge, but too plainly revealed the
retreat of the fugitives. Yet the Seminoles did not
advance“ they dare not. The bayou was almost
alive with alli ators, drawn thither by the noise. the
splashi of t eir wounded fellow, and the scent of
his bloo . To venture into the water then would be
instant death. v . .

The Seminoles lyelled madly in their disappoint-
ment and severe; rifleballs and arrows were sent
into the bushes that concealed the fugitives, before
King Payne could hinder. He did interfere, but not
from motives of mercy. He spoken the doom
of the fugitives. They must die—and at the stake!

The quick strokes of hatchets filled the forest.
Vories steme clinched his teeth and pr: pared for
the end. He knew that the savages were building a '
raft upon which they might reac the island in spite
of the alligators. ,

Suddenly he started a. wild light filling his eyles.
The cause was plain. he forest beyond was fl ed
with the reports of rifles and pistols, the loud cheers
and fierce yell of battle. And above all he could
distinguish the shrill war—c of Left-Handed Pete!

“ Thank Godl we are sav 1“ he muttered, clasp-
infiBlanche to his breast. '

e was right in this. Half an hour later the cheery
voice of Pete Hoffman hailed them, and men the
raftwas pushed across the bayou and the fiiends
were visited. In answer to Enowilla, Pete said that ‘
Kin Payne had fallen, fightingzbravely. but not by.
his and. She asked to be 3 own his body. In
silence Pete complied with her request.

To his surprise, the chief was found alive, though
fast sinking. Even throu h the Igathering loom, _
King Pa recognized h s dang ter. But fore
she coul utter a word, he made a rapid motion;
then his head fell back. He had driven his knife
dee into his own heart.

A dog he lived ' a king he die .

There remains little to add. he Seminoles under
Billy Bowie had been defeatedin their fornyr and
retreating, ad been hotlfimusued by the whites.
Falli in with these. Left- anded Pete hadlnduccd
them aid his friends. The result is recorded.

Of course Blanche and, Harry were married; and
gqually of course EDOWIHB rewarded Left-Handed

ete '

The remainder may safely be left, to 'the reader‘s

imagin~ anon.
rim END,

W

LIRAY 

 

>
B Q 9 S

1 Adventures of Bufi'alo Bill. Prom Boyhood to Man

hood. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

2 The Ocean Hunters; or, The Chase of the Leviathan. By

Captain Mayne Reid. An extra large number. m
3 Adventures of Wild Bill, the Pistol Prince. Remarkable
career of J. B. Hikok. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.
4 The Prairie Ranch; or, The Young Cattle Herders. By Joe.
E. Badger, Jr.
5 Texas Jack. the Mustang KinJg. Thrilling Adventures in
the Life of J. B. Omohundro, “ Texas ask.” By Col. P. Ingraham.
6 Cruise of the Plynway; or, Yankee Boys in Ceylon. By C.
Dunning Clark.
Joe: The History of a Young “ Border Ruflian.” Brief
Scenes in the Life of Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By A. H. Post.
8 The Plynwny Afloat; or, Yankee Boys ’Round the World.
By C. Dunning Clark. '
9 Bruin Adams. on Grizzly Adams’ Boy Pard. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
10 The Snow Trail; or, The Boy Hunters oi Fur-Land. A Narra-
tive of Sport and Life around Lake Winnipeg. By T. C. Harbaugh.
11 Old Grizzly Adm,the Bear Tuner; or, The Monarch of
the Mountain. By Dr. Frank Powell.
18 Wood. and Waters; or, The Exploits of the Littleton Gun
Club. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
13 A Rolling Stone : Incidents in the Career on Sea and Land as
Boy and Man, of CoL Prentiss Ingraham. By Prof.Wm. R. Eyster.
14 Adrift on the Prairie. and Amateur Hunter: on the
Bum . By 011 Coomes.
15 Kit Carson. Kluge of Guides; or, Mountain Paths and
Prairie Trails. By Al rt W. Aiken.
16 Red River Rovers: or, Life and Adventures in the Northwest.
By C. Dunning Clark. ,
17 Plaza. and Plain; or, Wild Adventures of “ Buckskin Sam,”
Major Sam S. Hall; By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
18 and Reva ver; or, The Littleton Gun Club on the
Butfalo Range. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
19 Wide-Awake George, the Bo Pioneer. By Ed. Willett.

20 The Du Dragoon; or, T e Story of General George A.
Custer, from est Pointto the Big Horn. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

21 Deadwood Dick as a. Boy; or, Why Wild Ned Harris, the New
England Farm-lad, became the Western Prince of the Road. By
Edward L. Wheeler.

28 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. Harbaugh.

28 Paul De Lacy, the French Beast Charmer; or, New
York Boys in tho Jungles. By C. Dunning Clark.

24 The Sword Prince: The Romantic Life of Colonel Monster-y,
(American Champion-at-arms.) By Captain Fred. Whittaker.

25 Round the Can? Fire a or, Snow-Bound at “Freeze—out Cam .”
A Tale of Roving 0e and his Hunter Pards. By Joe. E. Badger, r.

26 Snow-Shoe Tom: or, New York Boys in the Wilderness. A
Narrative of Sport and Peril in Maine. By T. C. Harbaugh. ,
’ 27 Yellow Hair. the Boy Chief of the Frames. The Ad-
venturous Career of Eddie Burgess of Nebraska. By Col. Ingraham.
28The Chase oftheGi-ent White Stognnd Camp and
Canoe. By C. Dunning Clark.
29 The PortuneHnnter; or, Roving Joe
. Trs :- and Hunter. By A. H. Post. .
80 W‘ t Ferguson's Cruise. A Tale of the Antarctic Sea. By
C. Dunning Clark. '

81 The Boy Crusader; or, How a Page and a Fool Saved 3 King.

‘ By Captain Frederick Whittaker.

'324‘White Beaver, the Indian Medicine Chief: or, The RO-
mantic and Adventurous Life of Dr. D. Frank Powell, known on the
Border as “Fancy Frank,” “ Iron Face,” etc. By Col. P. Ingraham.

33 Captain Ralph. the Young Explorer; or, The Centipede
Among the Flues. By C. Dunning Clark.

34 The Young Bear Hunters. A Story of the flaps and Miahaps
of a Party of Boys in the Wilds of Michigan. By Morris Redwing.

35 The Lost Boy Whalers; or, In the Shadow of the North Pole.
By T. C. Harbaugh.

36 Smart Sim. the Lad with a. Level Head. By Ed. Willett.

3'! Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums: or, The Monsters

‘ of the Esquimaux Border. By Roger Star-buck.

v 38 The Settler’s Son; or, Adventures in Wilderness and Clear-
ing. By EdWard S. Ellis.

39 Ni lat-Hawk George, and His Daring Deeds and Adventures
in t e Wilds of the South and West. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

40 The Ice Ele hunt; or, The Castaways of the Lone Coast. By
Captain Freder ck Whittaker. .

41 The Pumps.- Hunters; or, New York Boys in Buenos Ayres.

' B 39. C. Harbaugh.

42 '1‘ Yo Land-Innhhor. By C. Dunning Clark.

43 Bronco B . the Saddle Prince. By 001" P. Ingraham.

as Miner, Cow-Boy,

 

44 The Snow Hunters; or, Winter in the Woods. By Barry
De Forrest.

45 Jack, Harry and Tom, the Three Champion Brothers: or,
Adventures of Three Brave Boys with the Tattooed Pirate; By
Captain Frederick Whittaker. ’

46 The Condor Killers; or, Wild Adventures at the Equator.
By T. C. Harbaugh.

47 The Boy Coral Fishers; or, The SearCavern Scourge.
Roger Starbuck.

48 Dick, the Stowaway; or, A Yankee Boy’s Strange Cruise.
By Charles Morris.

49 Tip Tressell, the Floater: or, Fortunes and Misfortunes on-
the Mississippi. By Edward Willett. ‘

50 The Adventurous Life of Nebraska. Charlie, (Chas. E.
Burgess.) By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

51 The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an Indigo Plantation.
Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

52 Honest Harry: or, The Country Boy Adrift in the City. By-
Charles Morris.

53 The Boy Detectives; or7 The Young Californians in Shanghai,
By T. C. Harbaugh.

54 California Joe, the Mysterious Plainsman. By Col. Ingraham.

55 Harry Somers, the Sailor-Boy Magician. By S. W. Pearce.

56 Nobody’s Boys; or, Life Among the Gipsies. By J. M. Bot!
man.

57 The Menagerie Hunter; or, Fanny Hobart, the Animal
Queen. By Major H. Grenville, “Sea Gull.”

58 Lane Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris.

59 Lud Lionheels, the Young Tiger Fighter. By Roger Starbuck.

60 The Young Trail Hunters; or, New York Boys in Grizzly
Land. By T. C. Harbaugh.

61 The Young Mustangers. By C. Dunning Clark.

62 The Tiger Hunters; or, The Colorado Boys in Tiger-Land.
By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

63 The Adventurous Life of Captain Jack, the Border Boy.
(John W. Crawford, the Poet Scout.) By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

64 The Young ‘Moose-Hunters; or, Trail and Camp-fire in the
New Brunswick Woods. By Wm. H. Manning.

65 Black Horse Bill. the Bandit Wrecker; or, Two Brave Boys
to the Rescue. By Roger Starbuck.

66 Little Dan Rocks: 01", The Mountain Kid’s Mission. By

Morris Redwing. , ‘
67 ’Lo shore me: or, How 9. Rough Boy Won His Way. By
Cngunning Clark. ,

68 Plntboat Prod: or, The Voyage of the “Experiment.” By
Edward Willett. '

69 The Deer-Hunters; or, Life in the Ottawa Country, By
John J. Marshall. ‘

70 Kentucky Ben, the Long Ride of the Plains; or, The Boy
Trappers of Oregon. By Roger Starbuck. .

71 The Boy Pilot; or, The Island Wreckers. By 001. Ingraham.

72 Young Dick Talbot. By Albert W. Aiken. ’

73 Pat Mullenei's Adventureag or, Silver Tongue, the Dacot-ah
Queen. By C. . Edwards.

74 The Desert Rover; or, Stowaway Dick Among the Arabs.
By Charles Morris.

75 The Border Gunmnker; or, The Hunted Maiden. By James
L. Bowen.

'76 The Kit Carson Club; or, Young Hawkeyes in the North‘
west. By T. C. Harbaugh.

7’7 Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

’78 The Boy Prospector; or, The Scout of the Gold Ravine. By
Roger Slarbuck.

79 Minonee, the Wood Witch; or, The Squatter’s Secret. By Edwin
Emerson.

80 The Boy Cruisers; or, Joe and Jap’s Big Find. By Edward
Willett.

By"

By

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