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iifil-T Runsm'lfin HEB Efifirmmue Rifle.

BY CAPTAIN “BRUIN” ADAMS,

A THOR 0F “LITTLE RIFLE," 1:10., ETC:

TEE BULKY BBUTE CAVOB’I‘ING AND TUMBLING ABOUT OLD RUFF, WITH THE PLAYFUL AFFECTION 01" A KITTEN.

 

 

,_

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2

Rufi" Robsart and His Bear.

 

 

  Robsart

AND HIS BEAR;

OR,
"THE TRAIL 0F LITTLE RIFLE. '

BY CAPT. “BRUIN ” ADAMS,
AUTHOR or “LITTLE RIFLE,” ETC., are.

CHAPTER I.
“GIVE Us YOUR HA‘SD ON THAT.”

YOUNG Harry Northend remained by his
lonely campfire in the wilderness, long after
the dull, dismal day had dawned, in the hope
that Little Rifle, his promised bride of the wil-
derness, as he loved to look upon her, would re-
turn. , r
Now and then he ventured to call her, al-

I though be well knew the risk he incurred in so

doing; for he had learned, by his previous ex«
perience, that the dreaded Blackfeet Indians
were to be expected at any time, when beyond
gun-shot of the fort.

The snow had stopped falling, but it lay to
the depth of several inches upon the ground, and
seemed to have extended over a wide area of
country. He walked round and round the
camp several times, searching for the imprint
of her delicate moccasin; but the keenest search
he could make failed to reveal the slightest trace
of her footsteps.

This proved that, whatever might be the cause
of her disappearance, it had operated before the
fall of the snow—so that, at least, she had al—
ready been absent several hours.

But whither had she gone? What was the
cause of her disappearing so suddenly? Had
she departed alone and unattended, or was some
one else concerned in it?

These were questions which, without exag er-
ation, it is safe to say, the lad asked himse f a
hundred times, and which still remained unan-
swered.

There was but one conjecture that he could
make which seemed to bear the least shadow of
reason, and that was that she had voluntarily re-
turned to the lodge of her uardian and
friend, old Rufl Robsart, the ol mountaineer
and hunter—not with the intention of re-
mainin there, but with the purpose of
consultm with him before taking the all~im-

rtant s p which she had .decide to take,'in

caving that Oregon wilderness.

“ It is no great distance there,” he mused, as

‘ he turned this thought over in his mind, “ and

seeing me asleep in the early part of the even-
ing, she may have thought she could go and re-

, turn before I would awake; for she can traverse

these woods as well in the dark as in the day-
time, and she might easilfirohave made such a
journey, but I suppose old heart has kept her,
and I must 0 there after her.” - '
Settling own to this conclusion,,’he decided-
first to go on to the fort, as he‘ could make the
distance in a few hours. He had been absent

several do a, and his return would set at rest

any uneas eastbat his friends might feel, and
possibly avert the awkward consequences of a-
searoh for him by several of the hunters of the

ost.
p Accordingly; when-he had made up’hia mind
that'it was usfless to wait any lon or by the
campfire, he slung his rifle over hfs shoulder
and started at a brisk walk for; his head-quarn
tors at Fort Abercrombie, which was safely
reached within a couple of hours after. '
He found everything here as when he had
left, a few da 3 before, and after partaking of
breakfast an remaining a short time, he start-
ed on his return to the lad e of Old Ruff, on the
Columbia river, below. 11 the ‘route he visited
the scene of their encampment in the ravine,
the night before thinking it barely fissible
that Little Rifle had visited it during 'a ab-
sence, but there were no indications of her hav-.
ing done so, and he resumed his walk in unsust-
w'iiddimtim' t 1 b h ii d
any so gran va ue y. is el telesco
which he constantly bore with him, and Why’d-
ever he reached a point a little, more elevated
than usual, he acted like a general who was re-
connoitering a hostile territory — making as
careful a survey as was possible in the limitéd
tune which his impatience would permit him to
use. r ,« A
Scarcoly once did thglglass fail to show him the
presence of Indians. ey were here, there and
'everywhere in this part of Oregon. Indeed,
more than once he paused and scrutinized more

was $68,

 

closely his immediate surroundings, for it
seemed that there must be more still nearer
him; but” happily he appeared to be free from
that. danger, and he took care to conceal his
trail as much as possible, by using rocks and
flinty surfaces wherever he could turn them to
account. '

In this fashion he finally reached the ridge,
upon which Little Rifle had slain an antelope
on the preceding day. Here he made another
survey of the territory, in every direction,
wondering all the time whether any of the
numerous “signs” which he encountered indi-
cated the preSence of Little Rifle; for despite
the theory into which he had settled, he could
not free himself of the doubt that, after all, he
might have failed in his supposition.

’lhis naturally increased his eagerness to
hurry forward, and end the suspense as soon as
possible; and so, lingering but a short. time up-
on the rid 6, he descended the eastern slope,
and carefu ly following the route taken the
morning before, being compelled on his way to
ford several streams, he succeeded in reaching
his destination at last.

It was ver near the hour of noon when he
did so, and t 6 mild warm sun had completely
dissipated the snow that had fallen the previous
night. Here and there the leaves were wet, and
on the shady side of u. rock he occasionally de-
tected a white tuft of the cold feather snow,
but it may be said, that if unaware of t e fact,
no one would have believed what a fierce flurry
had occurred but a few hours before. '

As Harry entered the ravine, in which the
odd. fantastic home of old Robs-art was located,
while gathering peltries, he found his heart
beating violently and his face flushing, a. is the
case when one walks forward to hear hi doom
pronounced by the stern and inflexible judge.

" Suppose she has not retumed,” he‘ repeated
to himself, “what will he say? What will he
do? What will I do?"

The next moment the little compact dwelling-
house—if such it may be termed—was in sight,
and before the entrance he saw the old moun—
taineer, engaged in cleaning the skins of several
animals, preparatory to stretching them out on
sticks in the sun to prepare them or packing.

He merely glanced up as he heard him com-
in , and then, without 5 eaking or making an
sa utation, continued is work. Harry a —
vanced resolutely forward, and, determined to
know the worst at once, said:

“ Good-day, Uncle Ruff. Has Little Rifle re-
turfited?” 1 ' t th t

e trapper, seeming y suspec ing a some-
thing was Wrong, suddenly started and looked
up with a sharp, inquiring glance. Next mo-
ment came his answer, too clear and direct for
an mistake:

- I haven’t sot eyes on him sense you and him
went away yesterday.” , -

“Then eaven onl knows what has become
of her !” exclaimed arty, in the very wretch-
edness of despair, as he sat down'u n alog
and covered his face with his ban 5. “She
went away in the night, and I cannot tell why
it was she left."

The sharpened tra per noticed the liar
we. in which the lad) referred to Litt e Rifle,
an , ceasing his work and walking to where he
ted, he demanded:

“What do you mean, younker, by calling
Little Rifle her? What are yet thinking
lboutl” , ,, r

It had not been the intention of Harry North-
end to reveal the revelations of last night in
this fashion; indeed,‘ he had not settled a his
mind that he was goin to reveal it at all; but
now, as hcghad given t e all-important hint in
his ill-guarded speech, there was nothing left
fgrthim tado except to make a clean breast
o l . l 3 ’

And this was done. He told the story from
beginning to‘ end, even to the declaration of,
lore that he had made to Little Rifle, and her

‘rtlal confession of the same; he referreqiar-

icularly to her tender regard for Uncle off,
and her determination to consult him before
leaving the wilderness for a civilized life, which
declaration caused him to believe that she had
absented herself for that p ' ose. He related,
too, their conversation and p ans regarding the
future especially the project he had framed of
haired ng taken in charge byhis father and edu-
ca . r . ”
I And the confession was a wise thing upon his
part. . Old Ruff had liked the led from the first,
and his rather annoying surveillance of him
during the receding day was merely an at-
tempt to so iafy himself as to whether the lad
suspected anythin of the secret of the sex of
his protease. Sue was his course toward any

 

one who was accidentally thrown into theircem-
pany, and his renter regard for his charge,
naturally made im willing to see any one do-
part after he had spent a little time with them.

But what a tale was it that the lad told him!
Here was a clew, or a partial one, to the very
mystery which he had vainly sought to unravel
for a dozen years. '

He had learned her true name—the, name of
her father—the fact that she had no mother
living, and the name of the chief in whose
charge she had been placed, and that a few
years ago would have been sufficient for him to
have learned all, for he knew her earliest pro-
tector, Muquesa, the Blackfoot, very well, and
had encountered him more than once, without
suspecting that he ever had anything to do
with the little waif, which was taken from a
lodge far up in the country.

“ Now, Uncle Ruff,” said Barry, afterhe had
completed the narration, “ I have told you
everything I know, and I have come to you for
help. How do you feel about it?”

The old, hairy-faced bear-tamer stretched out
his broad, horny palm, and grasped that of the
lad with a warm and almost crushing grip.

“I liked you the fast time I seen you, and
you've come to me in such a squar’ fashion that
I like you more than ever—so give us your hand
on it. a

“ Heaven only knows what has become of
Little Rifle—I don’t; but we do know that she
is somewhar above ground, and you and I are
going to diskiver her-so give us your hand on

1 r.

“ I’ve been puzzling my head for the last six
months to try and lay out some course to take
with that little pet of mine, but it was mighty
hard to fix on anything. As I see’d her grow—
ing up without civilized ways, I felt I warn’t
doing right, but I ke t putting things off,
’cause I didn’t know what I orter‘to do. Of
course it war my place to take her into the set-
tlements somewhar and give her a fair start:
that Icould see plain enough, but the trouble
war that I hadn’t any of the sort of acquaint
ances that Iwanted to put her among. You
can see she’s purty, and she’s getting purtier
every week, and the fear that haunted me was
that if I took her down to Fr’isco or Sacramento,
or some of them other places, she mi ht be
ruined. and I’d rather keep her here till she
died, than to feel that I’d had anything to do in
bringing about that sort of business.

“But the plan that you’ve got up in that
smart head of yours, is jist the thing, and
Providence put it there! Nothin’ on airth
could have pleased me more; if the little pet
war only here I’d give a war—Whoop and dance.

We’re going to set out to find her, and we’re .

going to find her, and when“ she’s found she’s
goin East with you and your father, and. when
you th get old enough she’s going to be your
wife, and ’m goin to be your grandmother-
no, your grandad y I mean—so give us‘your
hand on it ag’inl” . , ‘

CHAITER II.
Dover AND ream.

Tans the compact was sealed, and.
Northend already felt a renewal of_ hope at this
hearty manifestation of confldencain him
the map who was to be the all-important auxi -
ary in the work of searching out his lost bride
of the wilderness. _

But he was naturally desirous of hearing
from the experiencedrtrap r and mountaineer
his theory to account for he misgerioua likin-
gmnce of Little Rifle, as they th preferred

call her in preference to the new and correct
name of Hagar. As yet 'ha I: .flared to con-
jeotur‘e, and indeed so far as could per-
ceivehad not even given it a thought. He now
ventured mask the question. ,, ' .- ‘ -' ’

“11¢ was the ’arthquulce I” was fiiepstounding
1‘6 y. M n ‘ 2 '  ,

at for the seriousness“ mammogram
the perfect solemnness of the bearMor’i man-
ner Barry would have taken-this as a men

of tn wagtFez'y, but no“; ing but that,
and thsla ‘stared,,inrblauk V ‘ t.

“Don’t you know what { meaht'tasked the

old hunter, observing‘his wonderment. .
“ I haven’t the retmtest idea,” was the reply.
“ Wal, you knew what an Earthquake is, don’t
you? i I s pose you’ve  about ’em, hain’t
youl’

"Of course .I have; every school~boy has read
of terrible earthquakes, but what do you mean
by saying that the loss of Little Rifle has been
caused by such a thing as that?”

“ I s’pose you slept so healthy last night that
an didn’t hear it, nor know nothin’ b0ut it;

t just nfore the snow begun fallin’, the ground

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Rufl‘ Robsart and His Bear.

 

 

shock; I felt the old lodge of mine rock like a
cradle, and Imade a dive outdoors so sudden—
like that I hit my head ag’in’ the log thar and
split it, so it’s almost sp’iled. I knowed_the
’arth was off on a waltz, and I done a little
dancing, too.” _ _

“How strange that I knew nothing of it,”
exclaimed the awed lad; “I never even sus-
pected such a thing could have . happened,
although I heard them say something at the
fort about an earthquake. and I have heard it
said that they have tell. a shock once or twice in
California; but I hardly thought it could be
real. But how, Uncle Ruff, could that have
caused Little Rifle to leave?”

“ Wal, you see it must have tOok something
extronnery to get her away from you and me—-
nothin’ else would have done it, and I think an
’zirthquake is about the most extronnery thing
that could have come—so it must have been
that.”

“I can admit all that,” returned Harry, as
much perplexed as ever, “ but still I cannot see
in what particular way the earthquake caused
her to desert us. You don’t mean that it caused
her death?”

“No; I don’t believe it caused the death of
any one, and I don’t know how it affected her;
but here the whole thing is: Little Rifle is gone,
and it’s a mighty strange thing—her going.
About as near as we can figure thar’s a mighty
big ’arthquake that come along ’bout that time
———so it’s just as plain as the nose on your face
that the two are mixed. ’Zactly how it is I
don’t pretend to sa , but we’ll go up to your
camping-ground an cipher round, and try and
find out.’ .

This looked like “ business,” and it was a great
relief to Harry, who chafed at the delay, feel-
ing that every hour was lessening the chances
of discovering the lost one.

There was little cause for tardiness, and the
old trapper made none. When he had finished
the words just given, he threw his long, deadly
rifle over his shoulder, and moved with sweep—
ing strides up the ravine, Harry being obliged
to kee up a sort of dog-trot to prevent himself
from ailing in the rear. As he emerged into
the more open country he cast a hasty glance
around, as if in obedience to an instinctive cau-
tion; but nothing of an alarming nature was to
be seen.

The lad judged from the manner of old Rob-
sart that he was speculating in his mind as to
the probable cause of the disappearance of
Little Rifle, and so he did not vex him with
questions which he knew he was unable to
answer.

“ Do you know thar’s one thing which I think
is mighty luck '11” said the trapper. suddenly
turning his hea toward the lad, and speaking
as if the idea had been in his mind for some
time.

“ I don’t know what it is,” said the boy; “but
I hope it is something hi , for we need it.”

“ I was thinkin’ol= that ere glass of yonrn. I‘ve
seen ’em at the fort and down at Fr’ihco, and of
course knowed what they war used ter, and yet
I was always such a fool that I never knowed
enough to bring ’em ’long With me. You can
see how mighty handy a telescope would be_ on
the pererie, where ou could tell the var-mints
along time before they could see you. Hold on
to that tight, for I’ve an idee that it’s gomg to
be of some use to us.” _ I

.“ I think there is little danger of my 105311;“.
for you know I carried it over the falls with
me where I lost nearly everything except that
and my life. But, Robsart, didn‘t I hear you
say that you knew this Indian chief Maquesa,
who gpd charge of Little Rifle in her earlier
w ears
I “Yes,” replied the trapper, “I knowed him
several years ago, on the other side of the Gas—
cade Range. I never met him on this side, and
that ’ere puzzled me a little. You see when I
picked up the little pet, it was on this side the
range, and some distance further north, and it
seems that here is whar I orter find the old rip.”

“His tribe is on both Sides, so that mystery
may not be a very deep one after all. But how
isit that he comes to be an acquaintance of
yours? Do you class him as a friendly Indian?”
asked Harry, naturally enough deeply inter-
ested in any matter that here any re ation to
Little Rifle.

“It was rather u’ar,” replied the grizzled old
hunter, as he recs ed some reminiscences. “ l
was going down one of the forks of Willamette
river, just over the mountain. I was ’ust then
hunting hem, and didn’t understan ’em as

well as i do n0w. One arternoon I spied a fei-
ler full as big as Old Adams’s Samson. I seen
him come down to the edge of the river and

’ington and

 

start to swim across, and I put out in a canoe
to head him off. I wanted to drive him back
among the rocks on the side whar he was leavin’
as I had a smashin’ big trap set there, that
thought would hold him; but the critter
wouldn’t turn, and when I got a little too c1059
with my boat he just give it a slap with his aw,
and away it went all to shivers, and me eels
over head.

“ I wa’n’t much afraid of the varmint in the
water, as I knowed I could dodge him, but I
was thundering mad ’cause I lost my gun, cap,
and one of my moccasins, and the bear wouldn’t
turn back for me arter all. So I had to paddle
ashore, and when I got thar, with nothin’ but
my knife, who should I see pop out from behind
the rocks but a Blackfoot. He let drive his
toniahawk, just to let me know he was coming,
and when I dodged that he came with his knife,
leaving his gun somewhar behind him.

“ Wal, you can make up your mind that thar
was some music about then. We had just the
same weapons, and we sailed in, cutting and
slushin’ each other like a couple of wild—cats.
VVal, be war a little the toughest varmint I ever
got hold on. We clawed awhile, and then I
knocked his knife out of his hand, and dropped
mine at the same time. Arter that we kept it
up in Yankee Sullivan style, until we both got
so tired that we couldn’t strike a blow hard
enou h to make a musketer wink.

“ a], to make a long story short,” added the
old fellow, with a grin, “it turned out that me
and Maquesa war exactly even matched. I
wasn’t a ha’r stronger than him, nor was he a
hair stronger, and arter we laid back and rested
and kept it up fur full three hours, he got upon
his feet and said: ‘White man is too much for
Maquesa,’ and ofiered me his hand. That rather
took me down; but I shook his paw, and we
parted. That sorter made us friends you know,
and I’ve met the old Varmint three or four times
since, and he always acts as though he thought
a milghty heap of me.”

“ didn’t know as the Indians ever showed
such chivalry as that,” said Harry; “it sounds
like a romance to hear that you met such bitter
enemies and parted such friends.”

“ I’ve run afoul of him several times when he
had a pack of warriors at his back, and could
have raised my ha’r as easy as say so, but he
never offered to do anything of the kind. And
now think,” continued the bear~tamer in avoice
of inexpressible disgust, “ that at that time I
war looking up something that could give me a
clew to the little pet that I had found, and that
I hadn't ’nough sense to ax Maquesaasingle
word,when he could talk English purty well, and
was the very man of all others that could have
answered my questions. You see I found the gal
on this side the mountains and met him on
t’other, and so it never got through my thick
skull th at that all milght be, and so I’ve gone on
ever since without arnin a single thing till
you come down here and to d me.” _

“Then your first proceeding, I suppose, will
be to Seek out Ma uesa, in case we fail to find
any trace of Little ifle before."

‘ But hang it l”‘exclaimed old Robsart, “ whar
shall I go to find him? I haven’t seen him for
two, three years, and I don’t know whether he’s
alive or dead, or whether he’s within ten or five
hundred miles; and who shall I ax? It’ll ‘ust be
my luck to 0 train ing over Californy, ash-
regon or the next ten years."

WBut can’t you inquire of such Indians as you
see. .

The old trapper-indulged in a hearty laugh.

“ Que Blac foot in a thousand can’t talk
English, and you’d have to catch ’en'i and tie
;eni pp afore you could get an ansvrer out of
em. ‘

“ Provided she is a captive among the Indians.
we have an almost hopeless task before us,” said
Harry, somewhat dispirited by the sweeping
declaration of the trap r, who instantly added:

“But I don’t think 5 e is in the hands of the
varmints; we’ve got a different kind of ‘work to
do than that, and here we are close to the place
where you camped.”

Picking their ,way through the ravine, they
5 eedily stood upon the very spot where the last
,0: im so of Little Rifle had been iven Her
Nort end. Old Rufl paused, an placing his
feet upon the dead ashes of the campfire, looked
with a keen, searching lance about him. He
was a arently examining the minutest objects,
determined that not the slightest clew should
seen a his scrutiny. - ‘

“ ave you found out any thing?” asked
Hart , when he saw that he was through.

“ ot a blamed thing,” was the reply; “stand
whar you are for a time, till I take a look at
the ground.”

 

 

This, the young lad supposed was the real
test of the w ole business, and he watched the
actions of the old trap r, with an interest
which it would be imposs1ble to describe.

“I find tracks of yourn and hem here,” he
said, straightening up after a long search, “but
that snow has played the mischief. It fell art-er
she left, so as to hide her trail.”

“But it has melted a ain.”

“And that don’t hep any; its melting has
just shot out the prints of her moccasins, so
that there is no use in trying to look for ’em.
Tlhis’s’arch has got to be made on general princi-
p es.

The general principles of the hunter meant
that, without seeking to follow, and find their
friend by means of palpable evidence that she
had left behind her, it only remained for them
to reason out or conjecture, as to the course she
had taken, and to pursue that.

He gave it as his belief now that the nearest
stream, of size, had been used by her, and that
tahportion of her flight had been made upon

at.

This meant that the hunt was to be an in—
definite one, and like a prudent man, Old Ruff
resolved to make his arrangements, so that if
necessary, he could continue it for several
months. He meant to go into this business to
Win.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE REDS.

THE first proceeding of old Robsart was to
cache—that is bury—his peltries so that they
would be safe from molestation from Indians
and meddlers, and he could return in his own
good time and remove them.

Then he made the round of his traps, and
sprung them all, carefully concealing them
where they, too, could be found when he should
require them, after which he was ready to take
up the work.

Having failed entirely in disooveripg any
traces of the means by which Little Rifle had
disappeared, the trapper was now disposed to
believe that the Blackfeet had had something to
do with it, and that his search must be made
parts)? among them. '

“ ou know she is purty cute,” he added,
“ but the smartest man in these parts is likely
to run his head in trouble any time, and she
may have done it afore she knowed. I s’pose
you want to jine me in this excursion?” .

Harry, as a matter of course, declared that
he did, and the trap r added:

“ Wail, we’ll war 11 toward the fort, for
you’ll have to see the ol gentleman, so that if
you’re gone a month or two, he’ll know where
you 31", and won’t blame me for keeping away
so long.”

This was all prudent, and the lad had no wish
to make any objection to the arrangement. They
shouldered their rifles, and turning their faces
toward the Cascade Range, started on what
was destined to prove the most memorable ven-
ture of their lives. "

The old hunter having announced his theory
of Little Rifle’s disappearance, it behooved.
them both to maintain as sharp a scrutiny as
possible u n the different part es of Blackfeet
that were n the neighborhood.

“I can tell you," he muttered, with a com-
of the lips that attested his earnestness, “ if the
varmintshave got the gal, they’ve gotta keep
ami hty close watch on her or shellglve ’em
the 5 ip. Let her have a few hundred yards the
start, and old Maquesa himself couldn’t catch
her. She can run like an antelope, and knows
how to dodge and double on herself and hide
her own trail, so that a bloodhound would give
up the hunt in dis st, and go to watchin’ sheep
for the rest of his ife.”

“But in this case, it seems to me she would
have taken every pains to make her footprints
visible, knowing that we would be on the hunt
for her. ”

“ How could she know that?” asked the old
man, in return; “it ain’t likely that she got
into trouble till she war a good ways 01!, from
camp, and it wouldn’t, be till then that she
won (1 think or such a thing. Yonder is a pnrty
high hill, and we’ll climb up to the top of tha ,
and take a look around.”

The elevation alluded to was considerably out
of their way, lying more to the southward ; but,
as there was a. prospect that it might be of
some use to them, they made all haste toward
it.

It was very much of the, nature of the ridge
where Little R! and Harry had made their
morning meal on the previous do. except that
it was higher, and consequently e view was
much [more extensive. '

  

    

4

Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

 

 

 

When at last the reached the top, the boy
was charmed with t e scenery spread out be-
fore him. It was indeed one of the finest views
with which he had been favored since coming
to the Northwest.

Looking to the east, he saw hundreds of
square miles of forest, prairie, ravines, gorges
and mountain-peaks spread out before him,
crossed in. every direction by rivers, creeks.
torrents, canyons and waterfalls, while the
deep emerald tinge of the vegetation, as seen in
the spring and early summer, gave a soft splen-
dor to the whole scene that never could have
been equaled at any other season of the year.

This view was much the same to the north
and south, while in the West it was backed up
by that vast snowy range, whose peaks, in
many laces, were hid from sight among the
ver ' c ouds.

he same alternation of the forest, ravine and
prairie encountered the eye in this View, and the
soft, mellow haze that infolded the distant

Cascade Range, gave the landscape 8. peculiarly
American appearance, such as rarely meets the
eye of the traveler in other parts of the world.

The majestic loneliness of the vast solitude
was deepened and made more impressive by the
faint view of Fort Abercrombie in the distance.
It was many miles away, standing in asmall
elevated clearing. The stockades by which it
was surrounded, and the compact log building
itself, resembled some tiny toy, as they were
revealed to the e e.

From a tall gvstaif the Stars and Stripes
floated in the breeze, and the nakede e was
just able to detect the evolutions of the anner
as it folded in and out, stretching for an instant
to full length, and then flapping about the stair
again.

It was a si ht to kindle the heart of the
patriot, as he ooked upon‘this most beautiful
emblem of his country floatin to the breeze in
this far-away wilderness, proc aiming to all the
protection they could find beneath its aegis. and
that while they trod this vast domain, it could
be with the consciousness that they were still
upon the soil of their own dear native land, al-
though- perhaps thousands of miles from the
spot of eir birth.

The feeling of desolation and loneliness which
came upon one when he looked for the first
time upon this immense landscape of silence
was made still greater by the faint signs of the
presence of human beings that were here and
i ‘there discernible. The very insignificance and
paucity of their number, as compared with the
enormous extent of territory, was what made
the contrast the more impressive.

, Severalmiles to the south, a thin blue column
of smoke indicated the camp—fire of some
party; further to the north, a similar sign
showed where another com ny was gathered,
and between and around t ese two little halt-
ing-places for human beings, stretched mile
after mile and league after i no of unbroken
wilderness, in which crouched he bloody-mind-

ed Blackfoot and the savage bear.

' Of such a nature as this were the emo-
tions of Harry Northeud, as he stood on
the elevation and permitted his eyes to wander
ed in the direction of the great Cascade Range.
Young, romantic and imaginative, the grand
scene produced a powerful impression upon him
and he stood for several minutes forgetful of
the grief and anxiety of heart that ad been
his when hemade his way to this point. His
soul Was filled with solemnity and awe, such as
come over it in the resence of the Infinite, and
at that moment he sit a pride in the thou ht

that this was a portion of his country, and a

devout thankfulness that God had thus far

tected him from the dangers and perils
threaten all who venture into these wilds.

But if the old mountaineer possessed an
poetry in his nature, he had too much oh h s
mind to ve any heed to it at resent. Rer-
hape' his amiliarity with the subl me scener of
the grandest ortion of our continent had-du led
the ed of appreciation, or it ma be that
his in nd was so intent on discoverin some-
thin tangible by which to continue h s hunt
for ittle ifie, h
other thought; but be that as it may, his fee -
ings were very diflerent from those of the lad
beside him as, with the field glass in his hand,
be careful roved over the immense expanse of
Vision, on the lookout for some sign that might
«tell him somethin of the loved and lost one.

' It' was success vely turned toward the two
. camp-fires which we have mentioned, but the
survey of neither was ve satisfactory. He

ro-
hat

learned nothing that coud afford him any
grounds to‘ihope, and lie withdrew his atten-
' on em, and pointed the instrument toa

from

at he had no room for an '

 

broad stream of water that flowed westward
and southward, until it was bid among the
can ons of the Snowy Range, from which it
flna ly made its way, and continued onward
t0ward the great PaCific.

On every foot of all that sinuous line of the
distant water-course had Ruff trumped and
trap ed; over all these bills had he ranged in
his orty years of hill and hunting—life, and,
after Little Rifle came to his lodge, often had
the blithe, beautiful child been his companion in
these deeply-enjoyed wanderings.

Carefu ly his eye roved along the banks of
this stream, wherever they were visible, while
the broad silvery current did not escape his
survey.

Harry, who had recovered in a de ree from
the awe that had accompanied his st view.
now watched the countenance and actions of
the old trapper. He remarked his slow, steady
shifting of the glass from point to point, until,
as his view ranged along the river for a time, it
suddenly paused, and he gave a slight start.

The lad took this as an indication that his
friend had discovered something at last, and he
was right in his supposition.

Harry carefully avoided speaking, while he
saw the trapper thus engaged, knowing that he
would make nown in his own good time what-
ever discover might reward his search.

After awhi 9 he handed the glass to the lad,
and, pointing toward the point at which he had
been directing it, said:

“Take a squint out that way and tell me
whether you can‘t see nothin’, or whether you
can’t see anything.”

Harry gladly did as requested, and, as soon
as he had the instrument directed toward the
proper point, he saw a party of half a. dozen

ndians, who appeared to have just effected a
landing, as a couple of canoes could be seen
lying against the bank. eir motions indicated
that they had halted to kindle a fire, most
probably for the purpose of preparing a meal.

After watching them a few minutes, the boy
stated this to the trapper who said:

“ That’s the idea; you re right; them canoes
show that the varmints are on the travel. Most
likely they’ve come from t’other side the moun-
tains and are going back ag’in."

“ Perhaps t e ’re the same ones whose lodges
I saw the (other ay, and from whom I had such
a narrow escape.”

“ Like enough, and it’s my opine that they’ve
hagsomething to do with the taking ofl.’ of little

Harry started and stared at the hunter in
amazement.

“ Can it be possible? She is then a prisoner
in their hands?”

“ Mind I didn’t say that ” replied Old Red,
in his cautious fashion, “ ut there be srme
things which I can’t tell you just now that
make me think them varmints are mixed up in
this business some way or other, and it’ll pay
to take a look aroun thar camp, even if we
don’t l’arn nothin’.”

And with characteristic promptness, when he
had fully settled in his mind, upon the roper
courso topUrSue, old Robsart started 0 at a
rapid walk in the direction of the camp of hos.
tile Blackfeet, determined, no matter at what
risk, to learn whether there was anything to be
picked up among these savage foes.

CHAPTER IV.
BETWEEN 'rwo ms.

Two hours from the time of starting, Old Ruff
and Harr Northend were within a hundred
yards of t e Blackfoot camp.

Fortunately for them, they halted in the midst
of a dense growth of pines, where they had

lenty of o portunity to maneuver and keep
themselves nvisible.

They were so cloe to the cam that the
voiCes of the red-skins could be card, and
Harry even caught the smell of burning meat
proving that, as the trapper had said, they ha
come ashore for the Ipurpose of preparing their
meal. Such being t 9 case, they were not like-
ly to remain in camp for a very long time.

Robsart had bro! ht the boy closer to this
congregation of r -skins than was prudent,
and be expressed regret at doing so, but the
can felIow was so brave and eager that it was
ardgo refuse him such a request. But he was
determined that he should not advance another

ste .

‘?Stay right here where on are," he added,
“5651 impressive whisper, ‘and keep mighty
s a y.

It may be supposed that the lad scarcely need—
ed these instructions, as his own sense would
have taught him their importance. .

 

Although he felt equal to the task of recon--
noitering the cam himself, yet he dare not
propose such a wil scheme to the old hunter,
whose especial province it was to attend to such
perilous enterprises himself. -

Leaving the latter to carry out the dangerous
reconnoissance upon which he had started, we
must take the space to describe the strange ad-
venture that befell the lad, who, it would seem,
was placed in much the lesser peril. ’

His situation was interesting and exciting
from its proximity to camp, as he could hear
the jingle and mumble and guttnral hum of the
Blackfeet, as they gathered around the fire,
eating and smoking in the very abandon of en-
joyment. v

“ I don’t think there is much chance of Little
Rifle being there,” mused Harry, when he found
himself alone. “If she were among them we
would have sec-n something of her with the tele-
scope, but Old Rufi" seesa chance or he wouldn’t
have undertaken it.”

It was comparatively an easy matter for
Harry to content himself for a short time, lying
down among the bushes, listening to the noise
of the red-skins; but when a half-hour had
passed, and the noise decreased, and he saw
nothing of old Robsart, he began to feel im—
patient. He could not understand why it was
that the old hunter should remain away so long,
when he seemed to accomplish nothing thereby.
It seemed to him that the redskins had all gone
asleep or taken their departure, and he and his
friend were wasting valuable time.

But the half-hour was doubled and trebled,
and then the lad made the exceedingly im-
prudent resolution to steal a little ways toward
the camp—just far enough to get the slightest
glimpse, and find out for himself the meaning
of this strange silence and delay. He deemed it
necessary only to crawl forward a short dis-
tance, confident that he could detect the pres-
ence of danger in time to Withdraw, if indeed
there was any possibility of encountering any
such thing.

It was with some twitchings and misgivings
that Harry began creeping forward, knowing
that it was in direct violation of the commands
of the old hunter, who would not be apt to look
lightly upon such an offense should he discover
it

This caused him to hesitate a few minutes, but
hearing and seeing nothing more, he began
stealing forward on his hands and knees, ad-
vancing inch by inch, frequently pausing and
listening, and peering round in the undergrowth,
so as to guard against any danger stealing upon
him from any direction.

Two or three times he was on the eve of re-
treatin , and he looked furtively back over the
course e had come—hut the continued silence,
and his impatience prevented, and he ressed
on, until be judged that he had passed fu 1y one-
half the distance that intervened between him
and his starting-point. -

Thus far he had carried his rifle with him,
and it had proved no little impediment, besides
incurring the constant danger of .being dis—
charged from the hammer catching in some of
the bushes and undergrowth.

The lad had now reachedapoint rilously
near the Blackfoot camp, and althoug he could.
no longer hear any sounds of the save es, he
felt that a dozen feet further must revea them
to him‘, and in all probability solve the question
as to the delay of Robsart.

“I will lay my gun down,” be reflected, “ so
that I can crawl a few steps further in rfect
quiet, and with that much less risk 0 being
discovered.” .

Harr was not the simpleton to separate him-
self vo untarily from his wea I), when he
believed there was the remotes possibility of
his needing it, nor, were the circumstances all
in his favor, would he leave it beyond his
reac .

But it will be remembered that it wasaheav
gun, and that it seriously interfered with h s
progress; so he laid it carefully down, point-
ing the muzzle a little to the right, so that
in case of accident no harm coud come to

him.

Satisfied then that he had done no imprudent
thin , he resumed his progress .upon his hands
and nees, moving slowly, cautiously and steal-
thily, eyes and ears on the alert for the slightest
indication‘ of danger. _

All was still—nothing bein heard but the
soft flow of the river, and so tly drawing the
undergrowth aside, he crept onward, until
111: was fully a dozen feet from where his4 gun

in ,
Still he was unable to catch the coveted
glimpse of the camp, and be paused, thinking

 

 

Rufi‘ Robsart and, His Bear.

5

 

that there was already too great a distance
between him and his weapon, and_resolved to
return and bring it back and place it nearer to
him. , -

But the path which he had made in his
panther-like progress was clear and open, apd
he could dart backw in an instant and seize
it; and so, hesitating but a few Seconds, he re-
sumed his advance with the determination that,

.t the most, he should not go more than a yard
further—just enough to pass through an un-
usually matted mass of vegetation that feebly
barred in his progress.

One step further, and both hands sunk into a
cavity in the ground, a couple of feet in depth
—-so suddenly and unexpectedly that lie pitched
head-foremost, making a terrible breaking and
thrashing of the shrubbery.

Harry was not hurt in the least, but he was
almost paralyzed with terror; for he was cer-
tain that the whole camp must be alarmed, and
the Blackfeet would be swarming around his
head before he could rise or make any attempt
to retreat. ‘

He did not seek to do so but lay still, listening
with a throbbing heart, and conjuring all man»
net of dreadful consequences that were sure to

follow this mishap upon his part. As a matter‘

of course he lamented his rashness with the
must bitter feelings, but it was all useless now,
and he lay still with a grim resolve to take the
punishment nnflinchingly.

A few seconds only had passed . when he
heard footsteps, but to his surprise, instead of
being in front they were in the rear. Some one
was approaching from that direction!

Like a flush he thought of his gun, and of the
supremely silly thing he had done in placing it
beyond his reach. As he was about to scramble
forth in an attempt to reach it before his enemy,
it occurred to him that it might be Old Red

who was searching for him. He would have,

preferred almost to have seen a Blackfoot,
rather than be caught in this dilemma by the
trapper, for the latter, discovering his foolhardi-
"l uses this early in the business, would be certain
“ to lose all patience with him, and send him
on to the fort, while he continued the hunt
alone. I

The poor lad was in a sad predicament, not
daring to move from where he was in either
direction; for to retreat would only bring him
face to face with the Blackfoot, if such he was,
and to advance would be to throw himself into
the hands of the whole party. .

” And if he catches me here,” he reflected, in
the intensity of his chagrin, “he will find me
without an weapo except the knife and tele—
scope,” and he ad ed, with something of his
natural drollery, “ there is no need of my look-
ing through the glass to bring the danger an
nearer, or to make it appear any bigger; for it
is too near and too big already.

The extreme slowness of the party approach-
ing him satisfied Harry that it must be an In-
dian scout, who may have been on the lookout
for just. such interlopers as he. _

At the same time he thought the red-skin was

an "unusual racket, for such a proceed-
in . e could hear the motion of the feet——
soil and heavy—and the bending and breaking
of the shrubbery beneath his passage, as though
he was taking no pains to hide his a preach.
,“ What’s the use of it?" he re ected; “ he
knows he’s got a surething of it.’ ’ - I

By this time he gave up all be e or fear ofits
being old Robsart and was ce in that it was
one of the dreaded Indians, who, knowing that
there was no escape for the lad, was toying and
hiding with him, as a cat toys with a mouse

I‘vei’ore devouring it.

makinfi

In the intensity of his fear in this direction

lin'ry forgot all about the camp in front. and
nad no time to wonder at the continued silence
there, a condition of things which would
have struck him as very strange, under the cir-
cumstances. ,

The crackling and treading of the under-
growth continued, and the suspense soon be-
came greater than the actual coming of the
danger itself would be.

“ As I don’t see any way out of the scrape,”
he thought, I may as wellend it one way or the
other, and so I will meet it."

He had a faint hope, too, that bflstcaling
along on the ground, he might secure is rifle in
time to make a fight for his life. ,

Accordingly he started with the same care
and caution that had marked his approach to

» the camp.

A be] ~dozen feet were passed in this manner,
and then he aused, stupefled with wonder,
amazement and absolute terrbr!

For of all the strange sights and experiences

I
/

 

that he had encountered in this country, of all
that had been his during his past life, he never
had seen anything that could compare with that
which now greeted his vision!

CHAPTER V.
x A WONDERFUL ANIMAL.

As Harry Northend crept out from beneath
the matted undergrowth that surrounded the
Blackfoot camp, and came in view of his rifle,
Where he had left it lying upon the ground, he
saw not Old Ruff Robsart, nor a repulsive In-
dian, but a grizzly bear.

And not such a bear as naturalists and hunt—
ers tell us about, of a black or tawny color, but
something sui generis—so‘mething such as he
was sure no mortal had ever heard of before,
or was ever to hear of again. '

For, instead of being of the midnight hue
that universally characterizes his spec1es, this
one was striped with green and blue and red
from head to tail!

As soon as the lad had recovered in a degree
his self—possession, he rubbed his eyes and
looked again, doubting whether he had seen

 

ar§ght.

es; there was no mistake about it. There
was the creature, the conformation of his head
and body proving that he was agenuine grizzly
bear beyond all question, and the only remark—
able thing about him was his color, and that
surely was remarkable enough.

“ I have heard of men seeing such things as
that,” he mused, as, crouching on his hands and
knees, he riveted his eyes upon it, “but it was
always when they were drunk, and I am sure I
have never been in that condition, and never
shall be.”

The hear was of rather large size, but not un—
usually so, but the lad judged from his appear-
ance that he was very fierce and savage, and,
in his way, was probably as dangerous as a
half-dozen red-skins.

His alarm would have been somewhat less
had the position of the creature been such as to
afford him a hope of securing his gun; but,
as matters stood, that was clearly out of the
question.

For the mottled grizzly was snufflng and claw-
ing the weapon, as if he had some curiosity to
find out its use.

“I wonder whether he thinks he knows how
to use it,” muttered Harry, as he slowly sunk
down upon his face, in the hope of escaping his
eye. “If he did know how to handle a rifle, I
couldn’t be more astonished than I am at the
color of his cost. He does not as if be under-
stood what it is for.”

The bear poked the barrel and stock around
with his nose, then rattled his long claws over
it, as though he was not exactly satisfied with
its appearance. When Harrv saw that it lay
so that the muzzle pointed directly at him, he
concluded that the danger was getting too
ggfious and complicated for him to remain

9.

Indians between him and the river, a grizzly
bear before his face, and a loaded rifle pointed
straight at his head, with very strong chances
of its being discharged by the clumsy clawing
and scratchin of the brute.

“I think 1’] back a little nearer the camp,”
he concluded, “for if I can get down in that
hollow again, the bullet will pass over my head,
and the monster may miss seein me altogether,
until I can get further out of t e way, if that
nose of his don’t scent me out, or if his brains
don't tell him that when he comes upon a gun
like that,~ in these parts, the owner isn’t apt to
be far off.”

But the movement made by Harry caught the
ear of-the bear, who raised his head as quick as
p‘flash, and catching sight of him, “went for
nm.

The boy was only fairly ensconced in the
cavity alluded to, and had turned to see
whether he could maintain his invisibility,
Eben he saw the frightful monster almost upon

im.

In the presence of this threatened immediate
death it was natural that the boy should run
into the other danger, and with a howl of terror
he sprung up from the ground and struck
straight or the Blackfoot camp, preferring, in
the flurry of the moment, to run into their em~
brace than to remain'and take a hug from the

bear.

Only a few leaps, and he landed directly in
the open s cc where the red-skins, a short time
before, ha partakeu of their meal.

But not one was to be seen. The fire was
still burning, but all had departed.

Harry paused a single instant, looking about
with an inquiring stare, and then, hearing the

 

bear directly behind him, he made a dash for

ward, and catching up one of the sticks that

was still burning, he circled it swiftly Over his

head, fanning it into a blaze, and with this,
potent weapon he turned about to face his

foe

It was a fortunate thought in the young man,
for the bravest wild animal can never screw up
his couragetothe point of advancing straight
upon fire; but for all that such a'precaution was
unnecessary.

Hairy had scarcely placed himself upon the
defensive when he heard something very much
like a laugh immediately behind him; but he did
not dare turn his head in the presence of this
horrible creature.

The bear, instead of halting before-the blazing
brand, seemed to be on the point of advancing
strai ht upon the boy, when the latter, holding
the flgaming brand before him, turned the tables
by moving directly toward him.

This checked the bear, and at thesameinstant
that familiar laugh struck upon the ear of
Harry, followed by the words:

“Throw down yer candle!
you! Ain’t he a booty?” _

That was the voice of Old Ruff Bohsart and
no mistake. The boy hardly dared to turn his
head to see, but the (rapper made it unnecessary
by walking forward and placing himself directly
beside him.

As he did so he reached out, and taking the
torch from his band flung it away, and then
gave out a peculiar whistle.

Instantly the bear came forward, lumbering
awkwardly, but with many indications of plea-
sure at the sound of the hunter’s voice, who
continued addressing him by pet names until he
was within reach, when he patted him familiarly
upon his head, and at another signal or com-
mand the mottled phenomenon rose upon its
haunches, moving its fore-legs like ihe flippers
of a turtle, while its large hazel eyes'were fixed
upon Old Ruff with an expression almost human
in its intelligence. ,

By this time Harry Northend had gotten the
suspicion that the trapper and this speckled
wonder were old acquaintances The surely
met as such, and their conduct continued to
give color to the suspicion.

“ Bless your old heart!” exclaimed the trap er
advancing and throwing his arms about he
hairy neck of the bear, “ next to my little et,
I’d rather meet you than any othercritter t at
tram s the woods. You look as though ou’d
got a ong purty well sence I gave you a cave
of absence, last fall.” , , . , ’

While the two old friends were engaged in ,
their fraternal demonstrations, iHarrv concluded
to sli around and secure his gun. t would
be on y prudent, while he had great fear that
old Robsart would discover his men-useny de—
fenseless condition. , ._

He saw that strange and unnatural as the
animal looked, there was nothing to be feared
from it, and he dpassed within arm’s-length of
it, into the woo from which it had emerged
but a few minutes before. and a few steps
brought him to his gun, lying unharmed upon
the ground.

Hesiin catching this up, he lost no time in
rejoining the two friends—human and brute—
that wiere fraternizing upon the deserted camp»
groan . ‘ I

“Where in the name of the Seven Wonders
did that creature come from?”,he asked, as he
saw the old hunter leaning on his rifle oonteur
plating what was evidently a great, (2. The

ace of the trapper was expanded wit a fear~
ful grin, while he occasionally shook in a way
that showed he was stirred by mirth.

“That ’ere critter is what I call Speckled
Beauty! I cotched him five years ago, when he
war a little cub. He allers had a good temper,
and I fotclied him up and made him one of the

He won’t hurt

_best-tamed critters I ever saw. 'Old Griz’

Adams never had a neuter critter, and Little
Rifle—why she an’ that b’ar war great cronies,
I tell you. ’

“But that color!" exclaimed Harry; “surely
that is not nature“ If it is, he is worth a very
fortune to you!”

“No, in course not; hair don’t grow green
and blue even on a grizzly hear. I. had that
critter so well~tamed that he was just-like a
dog. He usad to go off on a hunt in three or
{our days at a time. but was always sure to
come back ag'in. He wa’n’t of much use to me
and so I let him go and come as he chose, an
when I hadn’t nothin’ better to do, I used to
wrestle and tumble with him and teach him
tricks." , , d ’

“But, lam anxious to hear how he gained
such a coat as that?”

 

 

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i
i

,n as V; . ..... an. wage...“

.,.
l
V

,y,‘

 

    

6

Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

 

 

Old Ruff laughed as he replied:

“ Last summer I wasin at the fort, to take ’em
some antelope~meat, that I had promised, when
one of these long-nosed genuine Yankees come
in. He was on the lookout for something to
make money of, no matter what it was, and
when he see’d my b’ar prancing around, he
prgposed that we should go into artnership,
an show him around through the rates; but I
told him one b’ar wasn’t enough to travel on,
and then he said that he’d fix him. He had a.
lot of dyes and paints with him that he said he
had got up on a patent of his own,\and was go-
ing to sell to the Injins, and he painted up the
b’ar in high st 16. The dye was the genuine
stuff, for thoug the b’ar was as black as jet, it
took hold, and made him a purtier color than
you see him‘now, ’cause you know he has shed
a good deal of his coat sence then.

, ‘The idee of this chap Was to take him round
the country showing him off as a phenomenon,
but I see’d that he thou ht it was such a big
spec’ that he wanted to ave the whole job in
hisown hands—so I mm him to take him and

o. 4

g “He promised to send me half his profits, but
I knowed that if he got away with the b‘ar, I’d
never see either of ’em ag’in.

“But, I reckon he didn’t get fur away, for
the next day the Speckled Beauty come back
lookin’ fur me and Little Rifle. He had the
seat of the Yankee’s trOWsers in his mouth, and
so I made up my mind that they’d had falling
out. I left the fort that day, but I l’arned that

the Yankee come in the next day to get a new.

seat to his breeches, and left for Fr’isco, swear-
in’ that wa’n’t any chance for an honest man to
make a‘living in these parts. Since that time,

‘ Speckled” Beauty has been trampin’ the woods

as he pleases, but he seems to have got weaned
away. I s’pose ’cause he’s come arter us so of-
ten, without flndin’ me or Little Pet at home.”

CHAPTER VI.
WHAT THE TELESCOPE REVEALED.

ALL this was very entertaining, especially
when “ Speckled Be" uty,” the hero of the tale,
was before the listener, prancing and cavorting,
as though be appreciated the compliments of
the did mountaineer, but Harry could not for-

tthe fact that their errand was to discover

ittle Rifle, of whose fate as yet they had not
gained the slightest inkling. ‘

“But, Uncle Ruff, what of her? Have you
no cod news to tell me?”

e sober-ed on the instant the question was
asked, and shook‘his head.

“ I’m afeard not. V You see I had an idee that

uesa was at the head of this party, and, as
soon as I tin and ran e of ’em, I aid down
and watc ed. counted em overa half-dozen
times, and found thar war just eight. But the
old God or wasn’t among ’em. To make sartcn
I wui inthe bushes till they all got aboard
and shaved ofl', thinkin’ p’rhaps Maquesa was
someer out of sight; but be warn’t,.nnd then
Incurred to hunt you up, and found you and
Speckled Beauty, waltzin’ ’round the camp-
ground.” ' i

“ Sup you had seen the Blackfoiit chief,”

' iuqu ’Harry, “suppose tyou had discovered

that he was at the head of t islittleayarty, what
claw would that have given you? he would
such gifact have told you about Little Rifle?”
“1 ad an idea that if I seen him, I’d see the
gel too. If them val-mints hadn’t looked so
mighty ugly, I’d gene in among ’em, and axed
about the health of Maquesa, and l’arned whe-
» tber he’d been seen in these parts label , but it

I r‘didn’t look as though that war much s ow fur

one. Still I believe that that varmint is at the
"bottom of this business, and the fuel: thing I’m
.goin to Peru is whether he’s been seen in this

r neig borhood. If he has he’s the rooster we’re

goin fur." ,

*‘ ncle‘Rufl,” said Harry, as a bright idea.
struck him, “ isn’t there some way in which we
can turn this bear to account? It seems to me
that such a. strange, wonderful-looking animal
would scare an Indian out of his wits.”

“That’s who I've used him fur," replied the
bear-tamer. “ These Blackfeet don t know
much, about hair-dye and such stuff though
they can paint up their faces, and when the
see Speck ed Beauty they’re apt to think hes
comet ing of a. spiri . Ef he’ll only scare them
as much as he does these younkers that go

. moopin’ ’round Injin camps, they’ll never git

over it, as long as they live.”

Harry coul but “ acknowledge the corn.”
pleadingas an excuse that any one unacquainted
with Speckled Beauty could not look upon him
without agitation.

 

Old Ruff then announced his intention of con-
tinuing the Eursuit of these red-skins toward
the Cascade ange, as he had strong reason to
suspect that they would be joined by Maquesa
before they advanced much further.

Harry was unable to understand what his
reasons were for this persistent belief, but he
knew he was too clear-headed to follow any
phantom. and that there was good cause to ex-
pect tangible results from such a course.

But, there remained the trifling difficulty al-
ready alluded to. This course was taking them
further and further away from the fort, and the
old hunter could not consent that the lad should
accompany him, until he had received the per
mission of his father.

This necessitated quite a detour, and the loss
of much valuable time; but happily this neces-
sity was averted by the unexpected appearance
of Mr. Northend himself.

While the two were talking, they heard
voices, and the next moment three men emerged
to view. All were mounted upon horses, and
one was a. hunter and guide Well known to old
Robsart, who instantly went forward to greet
him, while Harry hurried up to salute his par—
ent.

Considerable time was passed before a full
understanding all around was reached. Mr.
Nortbend, under the guidance of Matt Muggs,
a noted scout, was making a sort of tour with
a friend through this part of Oregon, in the in-
terests of the Missouri Fur Company, and was
now on his we back to Fort Abercromhie,
with the intention of soon leaving there for
home by wn of San Francisco.

It require considerable persuasion before he
would give his consent for his son to 0 off on
what he termed a “ wild~ oose expedition,” but
he finally gave in, and, alter some further ex-
change of friendly converse, and the acceptance
of qmte a sum of money on the part of the boy,
in order to defray all possible expenses, the two
parties were about se arating to go their re-
spective we 5, when 0 d Robsart, noticing that
the trio he come by a route that must have
given them a view of the river, asked Matt
whether he had seen anything of a party of
Blackfeet within the last hour.

“ I reckon,” was,the instant response, “ ther's
a party of ’em less nor a mile 03 in thar boats,
steerin’ straight for the kenyon in the mono-
tains. As they was a-comin’ from this way,
you must have see’d the same skunks, Rum”

“ So we did.” replied the hunter; “ them’s the
coves we’re follerin’. Did you count ’em, Matt?”

“ Allers does that, when I kin git a fair squint
at ’em. They war in two canoes, and that war
just ten of ’em—~”

“ WHAT?" demanded old Robsert, in great ex—
citement “sure of that, Matt?” ‘

“ 1 rec on I kin count ten, ef I can‘t count
an more, and I ciphered up them skunks twice,
as had an all-fired notion of takin’ a crack at
one of ’em. Howsumever, you can ax Mr. Far-
rell,”or Northend here, ’cause they seen ’ em,
too

“Yes,” replied the latter gentleman, “I re
member distinctly that; Matt remarked that
there were ten, upon which I counted them and
found that he was right. But why are you so
deeply interested in this particular party i”
asked Northend, as he reined up his bores.

" ’Causo I think that little at that I’m otter
is anion ’81:], that’s all. I on’t s’pose you no—
ticed, att, if the old chief, Maquesa, was with
em?

“ No,” answered the hunter, “they war just
for enou in off for me to see fairly, and I wa’n’t
thinkin’ out nothin’ of the kind, or l’d tuk a
little closer peep on your account. If you think
the little go is among ’em, you’d better be oi!
with your Speckled Beauty."

The three horsemen aused for some time to
watch the curiousl -co cred animal, as it went
prancing and lum erin after its master, and
when it was out of sig t they resumed their
pro ress toward t e fort.

“ ust what I t ought," exclaimed Old Ruff,
in some excitement, as soon as they were alone;
” the pet is thar, and she and Maquesa make up
the extra. two that Matt s ke about. ”

“ But where did they jom the part. l‘.’

“ Somewhat further ’long, and I b’ ieve now,”
continued the mountaineer in his emphatic way,
“ that the whole cahoodle of ’em have come over
here after Little Rifle. Maquesa has l’arned
somethin’ that has made him s’pect the gel that
was left in his charge is the same one that I’ve
been bringin’ up and he’s come over the moon»
tains in s’arch of her.”

. “All that looks reasonable,” replied Harry,
“but I haven’t heard or thought of Myth!)

8 . .
yet that can make nae understand the course of I instantly resumed their pursuit of

 

Little Rifle in the business. That is the mys’m
te which passes my com rebension.”
ftroubled look crassed t e face of the hunter,
and he stared earnestly into the countenance of
the lad for a, moment, and then asked in a. low

vmce:

“ Shall I tell you what it means?”

“ If you can,’ replied Harry, intensely eager
to hear his explanation.

"Wal, Ican—I can see it all; I know more
’bout the pet than you do, and it all come to me
why she left you in that style, when you war
asleep by the camp-fire.”

Harry Northend stared wonderingly at the
hunter, as if be doubted his sanity. But the old
man was never in clearer mood, and he was in
dead earnest. But now, when the very words
seemed trembling upon his tongue, he hesitated,
as if unwilling to pronounce them. He ap-
peared, indeed to control his emotions only by
the strongest eifort. ‘

Harr waited, wondering what the words
would e; but they came not, and the trap er,
who had partly paused in his walk. now wal ed
faster, as if seeking to get away from some ex-
ceedingly painful recollection.

Under any other circumstances, the lad would
have respected this embarrassment upon the
part of his friend; but, where Little Rifle was
concerned, he was unwilling to do so, and he
put the question direct.

“ that. is it that you were going to say about
our lost friend? You have raised my curiosity
and I hope it wasn’t merely for the purpose 9
tantalizing it. by a refusal to reveal what it is
you know.”

Robsart was silent a moment and then he
spoke briefl , but with much feeling.

“ No; I idn’t do it fur that, younker, for I
think too much of you—but I was in too much
of a hurry when I spoke; I can’t tell on yit;
the time will come arter awhile; wait ill then;
I won’t forgit.”

There was no refusingHsuch a request as this,
much as it distressed arry to do so. He re—
solved that he would make no further reference
te the matter until the trapper, in his own good
time, should see fit to make clear the mysterious
references that had escaped his lips.

The great purpose now was to overhaul the
Blackfoot party before they got beyond their

reach. This seemed easy enough, as they had ‘

no cause to fear pursuit, and their quite lengthy
bait for dinner looked . as if the intended to
continue their journey in a very elsurely man-
ner. » *

True they had their canoes, and if they chose
they could easily'maintain a speed that would
carry them much more sw1ftly than their pur—
suers, but they were not likely to do so, for the
simple reason that there was no occasion (at
least in their estimation) for such haste, and
Maquesa was not a chief who was accustomed
to run away from an enemy, evon when he was
more oWerful than he. ‘- .

An so, making all haste, the we continued
down the banks of the river, movmg almost
due westward, until they struck another eleva-
tion which gave them an extended new of the
river flowing awe before them. And to their
delight they saw t e two canoes about half a
mile distant paddling along with a tardy de-
liberation, that showed they thou ht and cared
little for all who might ch005e to ollow them.

In an instant, Old Ruff had Harry’s telesco e
to his e e. In a moment his face lit up and 6
passed t baclagain with:

“ Take a squint at that front canoe, and tell.
me what you see.”

And the boy looked and saw beyond all mis-
take that Little Rifle was sitting in the forward
canoe.

1......
CHAPTER VII. l
DOWN THE RIVER.

Tm: vision as told by the field-glass could but.
inspire both Old Roi! and Harry Northend
with the liveliest hope and enthusiasm.

Again and again they looked through the in-
strument, althou h the first glance had shown
them Little Ri e’s identity beyond all ques-
lion.

Her size and dressaud general appearance, so
distinct from that of the Blackfeel, by which
she was surrounded, made it impossible to mis-
take her. The trapper was almost equally posi-
tive that the form immediate] next to her was
that of the chief Me nose—a though in this his
conclusion was hard y based upon what the
glass revealed, but. upon his own knowledge
and previous supposxtlon of the Indian’s part in
the abduction of the girl.

Pasaing the telescope back to Hang, the two

is e canoes,

/

 

I now used I:

Rufi‘ Robsart and His Bear.

7

 

;

the mottled grizzly following them with the
same dog-like fondness and obedience, now and
then lumbering out of sight, but never for any
length of time. _

rlhe hopeful enthusiasm of the two friends
was somewhat modified by the fact that the
afternoon was almost gone, and the Blackfeet
appeared to be paddling with greater speed
than they had used heretofore.

Unless they came ashore to cncamp for the
night, there was indeed little probability of
their being overtaken. Old Rohsart, who had
horses at the fort, was more than once inclined
to procure them for use in the pursuit. He
would not have hesitated to do so, had the
Blackfeet themselves been mounted, or had he
believed there was any prospect of his being
permitted to choose his own route.

But his purpose was to keep close upon the
trail of Maquesa, in case he should, secure it, and
this could only be done by traveling afoot or by
using a boat.

A good many miles still intervened between
where they stood and the canyon of the rivcr,a.nd
nothing just now would have been more welcome
than a canoe, with which he could not only pro-
ceedmnch faster, but which would also give the
legs of himself and Harry a good rest—a desirable
thing, so far at least as the latter was con-
cerned. -

V Believing there was good prospect of finding
one, he kept close to the river, on the alert,
cautioning the boy to do the same. The
latter was afraid that by this means they would
become hopelessly separated from the bear, but
the old man showed his confidence in the saga-
city of the creature, by declaring that he would
not permit himself to be lost by such means.

As they came down from their elevated posi-
tion, they naturally lost sight of the canoes,
and Harry could hardly repress his impatience
lest the should fail altogether in finding them
again' ut the trapper, as he moved on with his
long, loping strides, seemed as cool and confl-
dent of the issue as if he was only making a
round of his traps.

The nalure of the ground compelled them to
leave the river at intervals, but never long
enough to make them feel that there was any
danger of their passing on beyond the Blackfeet
without discovering them.

The sun Went down, and twilight told of the
coming of darkness. but still, although our
friends were close upon the margin of the
swiftly flowing stream, nothing was to be seen
either of the canoes or of their camp-fire.

Despite the exdtement that had kept up the
spirits of Harry, it was impossible that he
5 cold maintain this gnit without rowing
weary. He felt that he could not me ntain it
much longer, but still he hurried forward, de-
termined not togive up so long as he could keep
his legs. and prevent himself from falling be-
hind his tireless companion.

“ Helloa! here it is!” suddenly exclaimed Old
Ruff. as he abruptly halted. “Just the thing
I’ve been looking fur all the arternoon. Now
my boy, you can rest them pegs of yourn, fur
Flow they can’t stand this sort of thing much
onger.

As he spoke, he stooped down and lifted from
the round directly before him, one of those
smal , delicately-framed Indian canoes, which
are. intended to carry but a single person, but
which, in case of emergency; are capable of
floating a con 19.

Glad enoug was the boy to ensconce himself
in the stern, where, nestling down in as comfort-
able a position as he could assume, he felt that
he could remain a week at least, before he
would long to indiilge in edestrianism again.

Robsart flung him the heavy Indian blanket,
which he always carried with him when on his
travels, and told ‘him to rest while he could, for
there was no_ telling how lon the opportunity
would be his, and then taking the long, flat
paddle in hand, he made ready to turn to the

est account the chance that was given him.

Speckled Beauty stood on the edge of the
shore as they pushed OH, and ave utterance to
a whine or rather growl like t e mastifl', who is
begging his master to take him along. The
traéiper replied in a language which, if not
un erstood by Harry Northend. seemed to be
comprehende by the brute—~Wh0 Instantly be-
gan following them downstream, until he was

id b the intervening gloom.

" e won’t give it up so,” laughed Old Rum
“but I’ll warrant you when we land, he'll'be
close by and won’t wait long afore showmg

himself.”
The trapper felt the need of haste. and be
e paddle with all the power and
skill of which he was master. The current was

' won’t distress him by tellln’ him until

 

quite rapid, the stream bein narrow and deep,
and the light canoe seeme to speed over the
surface like a swallow.

There was a chilliness in the air, and gather-
ing the thick blanket about him, Harry lay back,
too tired to sleep, but so utterly used up,
that he wished the Blackfeet would keep up
their rowing for several hours yet, so that by
the time they halted, he would be in abetter
condition to do something. He was sure that
he was useless for the present.

Although the old hunter said little. be under-
stood the condition of the lad, and he hoped
very much the same as he did. He let him
alone, wishing that he would fall asleep, for he
very justly mistrusted his ability to cope with
the physical requirements before him.

The sky was clear, and the moon was not
likely to rise until later. The trapper continued
his powerful sweeps of the paddle, his urpose
being to make the distance between himself
and the Blackfeet as small as was prudent,

'when he could slacken his gait, and prolong the

pursuit all through the night if necessary.

Fully five miles were passed in this manner,
the stream frequently making such short curves
that he held up, fearful that he might betray
himself to his foes. As yet he had seen and
heard nothing of them, when as he rounded a
rock headland, he abruptly paused and listened.

“ 0 you hearauy thing, younker?” he asked,
holding the paddle suspended in hand.

There was no answer, even after he had re.
peated the question.

“ Poor chap, he’s asleep!” concluded the trap-
per, “and I’m glad of it. Isha’n’t wake him
till I have to. Ile’s full of pluck and nerve, but
he ain’t used to this business; he’s got to get
older afore he kin stand it as well as me. I
don’t know much ’bout such things, but I think
he 10ves that gal and she feels sorter the same
toward him. I on’t know what he’d think if
I’d tell him why she left his cémp the other
night. He’s got to find it out some time and I
I can’t
put it of! any longer. 'Sh !”

As he listened he heard faintly but distinctly
the sound of pa dles. His experienced ear en-
abled him to tell that two canoes were only a
short distance ahead, so there could be no
reasonable doubt but that he was close in the
rear of the Blackfeet party. ‘

“ I wonder ef they’re going to keep it up all
night?” was the next thought of Old Ruff; “ ef
they are, I kin paddle as well as them, but then
it ain’t going to ive me much chance to geta
word With Little ifle, and it will sorter bother
the brains of Speckled Beauty to kee the hang
of things But he's smart, and has one ’cnter
things than that, in his time.”

He did not forget to handle his own paddle
with all the care possible, forthe most/awkward
consequences might follow a discovery on vhe
part of Maquesa that some one was following

him.

In the still, calm night, sound was conveyed
some distance with wonderful distinctness. To
the casual ear, the red-skins were no more than
a hundred yards distant, but he knew that triple
that breadth of water separated them, and he
was enabled to judge also the exact speed with
which they were progressing.

The tre pper had no wish 0 lessen this space,
and he took good care not to do 80. His wish
was that they would land, and give him a
chance to bring things to an issue.

Once he was filled, with misgiving, when, as he
paused to listen he was unable to catch the
slightest sound of their paddles. He concluded
at once that he had betrayed himself, and Ma-
quesa had given the word for his warriors to
halt until their pursuer should come up and
place himself in their power.

Old Robsart was not the man to do this, and be
halted, too, holding his paddle ready to send his
boat back again with its arrow-like speed.

“ Ef the want a race, I’m ready," he conclu-

ded, “an I’ll make a present of my scalp to
any red-skin kin cotch me in a fair canoe-
chase.”
But it was apparently some other cause that
had roduced t is temporary cessation in their
padd ing, for the next minute it was resumed
the same regular sweep as before.

The trapper permitted his boat to remain
stationary until the distance had been greatly
increased, when he resumed his pursuit, with a
caution and silence that made it impossible for
the trained and listening our to detect his com-
ing. He appreciated the position too keenly to
make any mistake at such a critical time.

He did not speak again. but, lifting the addle.
pushed the shoulder of Harry vigorou y; but

eywas in too sound a slumber to awake. ,

I

 

“Sleep on,” muttered Old Ruff as he can-
tiously impelled the canoe. “ You ain’t of
any account now, and you’re safe till morning
anyway. If there’s any ticklish business to be
done to-night, I’d rather have you asleep than
awake. .I left you up the river, and gave you
orders not to stir; but you couldn’t wait till I
come back, and ef the varmints hadn’t left jist
when they did. you’d had us both in the ugliest
scrape of our lives. I’ll pay him for that yet,” .
added Old Ruff, with a shake of his head; l
“ when I take younkers to train, they’ve got to
obey orders. Ah! what does that mean?”

The Blackfeet ahead had ceased paddling
again. Certain that they had heard nothing of
him, old Robsurt was naturally curious to know
the cause, and he ceased too, permitting his
canoe to float with the current.

For several seconds everything remained as
silent as the tomb, and then he detected a sound
which he understood too well.

“Good!” he growled, with a grin of delight.
“The varmints have landed to go into camp,
and now the fun will begin l”

CHAPTER VIII.
“smoan BEAUTY ” IN CAMP.

THE old hunter kept his canoe motionless in
the current until he Was certain that ever one
of the Blackfeet had left their boats, an had
pulled them up on the shore beyond danger of

cing swept away by the current.

Even then he waited until no doubt could re-
main of their intention tckindle afire and to
make a prolonged halt. As soon as he caught
the first twinkle of their camp fire, he shot his v
boatswiftly to the bank, and stepping softly
out, drew the prow clean up out of the water
beneath some overhanging bushes, where it
could not be seen by any one who might acci—
dentally pass near.

Not the slightest movement indicated that
there was any dan er of awakening on the part
of the lad, and con dent that there was not, he
only aused long enough to gather the bushes
a htt e more compactly about the boat, so as
to make the concealment as perfect as. pos—

sible.

Old Ruff then, with rifle in hand, straightened
up and looked of! in the darkness, turning his
gaze up instead of down the river.

“ I don’t hear anything of Speckled Beauty "
he mused: “ but I s’pose I’ve traveled a litte
too fast in the darkness for him to keep track
of us all the way; but he’ll be along arter
awhile.”

With this confident conclusion he moved off
in the direction of the camp-fire, which was'
now burning brightly and cheerily, and the
hustle and activity of the red-skins about the
blaze made the scene interesting if not cheerful
to the ordinary locker-on.

It was an easy matter for the trap r to re-
connoiter the camp of a foe at m t, and he
moved leisurely a 0 until he reac ed a point
from which he was a orded the best view pos-
sible of the congregated Blackfeet. I

The latter had brought a haunch of venison
with them, which was being cooked over the
fire, most of the Indians moving hither and
thither, while one or two were lazily stretched
cut upon the ground smokiugltheir pipes. '

Upon a fallen tree, near t e blaze, sat Little
Rifle. Her head was bent, and an Indian
blanket was athered about her, so that her
face could not seen by the trapper, although
he stood directly in front of her. '

But it needed not the sight of the beautiful
little weapon lying at her feet for the old man
to identif her. 1 he was enabled to do so
when hal a mile distant, there was no mistak-
ing now, when no more than a hundred feet
separated. i

After watching her intently for a minute or
two, in the hope that she would raise her eyes,
the trapper turned his gaze upon Maquesa, who,
lounging at her feet, was looking up in her face
and talking. Old Rufl could catch the crumble
of his voice now and then, when there was a
lull in the racket made by the others, and he
could see from his manner that he was deeply
in earnest about something, though unable to
catch a syllable that he uttered.

“ I think I know what that means,” wled
thehunter, ashe fairly lured upon 8 red-
skin. “1 was afeard ofi . E! it hadn’t been
fur that despn't fight that me and Maquesa had,
and the consequent lovo atween as, I’d ta
bullet spring through him from wharI nd
though s’pose the redskin does mean well
enough—”

At this moment the watcher heardacmck-
ling at to the right, and turning his head, he
saw, to his dismay, Speckled Beauty, the. got.

 

 

 

 

  
 

i

Ruff Robsart and His Bear

 

grous grizzly bear, emerge from the gloom, and
without a moment’s hesitation, walk directly
toward the camp-fire.

Robsurt would have prevented this had it
been possible; but he had forgotten all about
the animal for the time, and he could not have
signaled to him or crossed his path, without be
truying himself to the group of savages. So,
with no little chagrin, he stood where he was
and watched the antics of his pet.

S kled Beauty, coming to the camp fire
on or the impression that it was kindled by his
friends, and descrying Little Rifle, had turned
his steps toward her, as best he could do under
the circumstances.

The moment he came within the circle of
light, there was a furious uproar, and nearly
every red-skin sprung for his rifle. Maquesa
leaped to his feet, greatly startled by this in-
mu t; but before any one could discharge their
pieces, he recognized the brute and forbade
them firing.

Little Rifle also raised her head for an instant,
looked steadily at the bear, and then, without
changing her position, looked down again
drawing the blanket about her shoulders, an
seemingly indifferent to what was going on
about her.

The tumult and confusion created by the
Blackfeet alarmed Speckled Beauty, and caused
him to pause in his walk toward the girl. He
glared at the red—skins, and then apparently
seeming danger in the sight of so many guns,
turned squercl y about and lumbered off in the

I daikness again. .r

“ He’s done all the mischief he can, out thar ”
growled Old Ruil’, .irnpatientlv, “ and now he 11
nose around till he finds the Yankee or me, and

,make every thing ten times Worse.”

He began to suspect that he had made a blun-
der in brin ing the curiosity along; for Ma-
quesa, know ng to whom he belonged, would be
very apt to suspect that his master was some-
where in the neighborhood, and placed thus
upon his guard, the labor that Robsart had laid

> out for himself, would be increased ten-fold.

This was the mischief that undoubtedly had
been alreadycommitted; but fearful that Harry
Northend would also betray his position, when
suddenly aroused from his slumber by the snout
of the bear thrust against his face, the trapper
cautiously withdrewyfrom his advanced osi-
tion, and circling around, came to the river-
bank, a short distance above where he had left
the bout.

He was none too soon, for at the same instant
he saw the outlines of the dark, cumbrous body

4 of his pet bear, which gave a growl of leasure
as he recognized his master, and hurried orward
to receive his caress.

It was not withheld, the bulky brute cevort-
ins, and tumbling about Old Ruff with the play~
ful affection of a kitten. It took fully a half
hour before he could be quieted down into any-
thing like tractability, during all of which
Harry was sound asleep, and happily uncon—
scious of what was going on so near him.

It was the wish of the bear-tamer to prevent
the lad from being awékened, and when he had
shown the bear where he was, and permitted
him to nose around for a short time, be con-
cluded that the danger was past, and impressing
'upon the sagacious brute the'importance of re-
maining where he was, he returned to his re-
connoissance of the camp.

Here another surprise and a bitterdisappoint—
me is awaited him. The huge fire was burning
as rlightly as eyer, but not an Indian was to be
seen .

As silently as shadows, they had launched
their canoes again, and floated away in the
«gloom of the nighti ‘
, And so abruptly had all this been done, that
Old Rut? had no suspicion until he saw the evi~
deuce before his eyes. '

"That’s it!” he exclaimed, in his anger.
"Maquesa is sharp-witted, and if he’d been a
fool he’d knowed what that sign of Speckled
Beauty was. He has tramped a good many
miles of the woods alone, but I don’t 5’ so he 5
been aee’d by any one who knows him 1; at they
haven’t made up thar minds that I was close
by. That’s jist what the‘chief has understood,
and he and his varmints has slipped off ng’in.”

He stood a moment, fairly gnashing his teeth
in his cha rin, and feelin anything but are
‘tiuularly riendi tower the bear that ad
been the cause 0 the mishap. ,

“Confoqu him!” he growled, “I wish that
that Yankee that dyed him up had made him
die himself or hadtook him alon with him; fur
Maqum isn’t goin’ to be cotche nappin’ ag‘in.
Howeomever, if rowin’s the word, I’m in!”

Roused to action, he strode rapidly back to

l

 

where the canoe was concealed, and pulling it
from its concealment, seated himself in it, and
shoved odt from shore, paying no heed to
Speckled Beauty, who lingered on shore, ex—
pecting an affectionate farewell.

Reaching the center of the current, be per-
mitted his boat to float with it for a short time,
while he listened.

No sound of paddling reached his ear—n ught
but the soft flow of the river, and the soughiug
of the night-wind. -

But for all that he knew the Blackfeet were
paddling swiftly down the river. They were
simply using due caution in the handling of
their paddles, so as not to afford him the claw
that had already guided him so far.

When he resumed the use of the paddle, the
impetus of the boat aroused Harry, who rousing
up, looked around for a. moment in bewilder-
menés. Then, recalling his situation, he mut-
tere :

“Paddling yet, Uncle Ruff? It was last
night, it seems to me, that I went to sleep, so
that you must have kept it up for twenty-four
hours. Don't you feel a. little siiif in the
joints?”

“I think I would if I had been paddling as
lonrr as all that, but I think you’re a. little ahead
of t a right number—say an hour or two.”

“ But what about the Indians? What about
Little Rifle? Have you seen nothing of her?
Have we lost all trace of Maquesa and his
men?"

And then the trapper proceeded to tell, in his
characteristic manner, all that had happened
since his young friend had closed his eyes in
slumber.

As may be supposed, Harry listened with the
most absorbing 1nterest. It was a grave ting to
reflect that they had been thus nig Little Rifle,
without opening an communication, and with
the only result of p acing matters in a. much
more favorable light than before; but such was
the irresistible fact.

All this time the man was busy at the paddle,
occasionally pausing to tell whether he could
catch any sound from those ahead, but failing
as yet to do so.

‘ How easy it would be for them to land,”
said Harry, in a cautious voice, “and allow us
to pass them in the gloom, and so get entirely
ofi’ the track.” _

“ They could do it, I allow,” replied the hun-
ter, “but they won’t. Maquesa IS aiming for
t‘other side the mountains whar his Villa 9 is,
and he won’t stop ’g’in, for any time, til he
gets thar, as he thinks he’s got a sure thing of
it.
Notwithstanding the confident tone of the
trapper, it began to look as if the supposition
made by the lad was correct; for as the night
passed, not the slightest sound of paddles in
front or rear could be heard. The risin of the
moon made the course of the river visxb e for a
greater distance, but the eye roamed along the
stream and bank in vain.

All night long old Robsart continued at work
with the paddle, passing from side to side, halt-
ing, listening and watchin , and Harry assisted
him to the best of his ability, but it resulted in
naught. '

 

CHAPTER IX.
THROUGH THE CASCADE RANGE.

THE scene now changes to the western slope
of the Cascade Range.

The spot is hundreds of miles from where we
last saw Old Ruff Robsart and Harry Northend.
Long days and nights have passed since then,
and during that time these two, who have be-
come deeply attached to each other, have fol-
lowed the river to its canyon in the mountains,
and taking advantage of a pass wellknown to
the tra per, they have safely worked their way
throng the immense snowy chain, and are now
upon the western slope facing the Pacific.

It was a daring feat for these two to attempt,
and many a. time and oft they have been in the
most imminent peril of their lives. Snow,
biting arctic winds, fierce Indians, savage Wild
iheaets and hunger—these were the enemies that
man and boy were compelled to encounte
again and again, and only the matchless skill o
the great bear-tamer, his coolness and self-pee»
session under all circumstances, his wonderful
knowledge of the mountain solitudes and fast-
nesses, and the superb physical conditipn of
both, enabled them to come forth from this tre-
mendous labyrinth of snow—crowned peaks,
roaring canyons, dizzying ravines, gorges and
chanms not merely in as good condition as they
entered, but (notably in the case, of the lad)
stron er, more rug ed and better prepared to
facet 9 remaining ifl'iculties to be overcome.

 

Although as we have stated above,'many
days have passed since Maquesa and his little
party gave them the slip on the river, yet de-
spite the most determined exertions upon the
part of the trapper, the trail had never been to—
covered.

Maquesa was one of the most cunning of a
proverbially cunning race, and the lesson
taught him by the sudden appearance of the
mottled grizzly had not been taught in vain.
He knew at once that his old adversary and
friend was after him and his charge, and he
“ISlopid ” in such a decidedly French style that
his pursuers with all his remarkable skill had
not again caught sight or sound of him. .

Finding that the trail was irrecoverably lost,
the trapper gave up the attempt entirely, and
believing that Maquesa’s ultimate destination
was a village upon the other side of the
Cascade, he made his way through by the
shortest and most expeditious route, intending,
if possible, to head him off.

That curiously colored bear seemed to have
given up as hopeless the atteni t to keep up
with the two, as they slowly wor ed their way
through the vast mountain-chain, and he had
not been seen since their encampment several
nights before in the pass.

Harry was alone in a glen where he had
kindled a fire secure from the observation of
any and all who did not pass too close. He had
learned a great deal since he and his friend had
left the river, and there was little danger of his
committing the rash mistake that had marked
his first essay in hunting a party of Blackfeet
Indians.

Old Robsart carefully noted the rapid im-
provement of the led, and he had come to trust
him far more than he would have done a Week
before.

Harry was sitting alone with his blanket
thrown over his shoulders, for there was a
chilliness in the air that seemed to Come from
the snow mountains on the east. His rifle was
between iis knees, and he sat upon a bowlder
looking down in the embers, thinking and
speculating upon the future. ‘

“Here we are on the other side of the moun—
tains from Fort Abercombie," he thought,
“ and who shall tell whether we are ever to see
Little Rifle again. Old Buff seems to lose no
heart, and yet he is silent and thoughtful and I
think he must feel at times as though all hope
was about over. He has taken the telescope
and gone off to hunt a Blackfoot village. I
went yesterday with him to find the village
where Maquesa reigned a few ears ago; and
when we got there, not a sign 0 a lodge was to
be seen.”

Such was the fact. Confident of discovering
the chief, the trapper in company with the lad
had made his wa direct] to the s t where he
and a portion of is peep 9 had be their homes
for years; but only to find that, like the Bedou-
ins of the desert, they had departed—months
before—no one could tell, and there was no
means of learning, whither.

This was a damper, and for a time he was
completely nonplused. But, declaring his be-
lief that the village was somewhere in the
neighborhood, he had returned, and from an
elevated point, carefully surveyed the vast area
that was 5 read before him toward the Pacific.

Finally e and detected the appearance of an
Indian town many miles to, the west and south;
and, as Harry had been constantly on the
watch and tramp for several days, it was ar-
ranged that he should go into camp in a secure
spot and await the return of the trapper, who
expected to put his own powers of endurance to
the severest test.

He had no misgivings in doing this, as there
were no signs of the immediate presence of In-
dians, and, as for wild animals, the'y were to be
met with at all times, and he had an‘abundance
of ammunition, with which to defend himself.

Harry was also furnished with enough meat,
cooked and repared, to last several days—~it
having been t eir prudent custom, when among
the mountains, to guard against any emergency
in the way of food, by carrying at all times a.
sup ly with them.

'1‘ ie lad had secured a comfortable little nook
_in which the fire was kindled, and had gathered
fnglugh fuel, as he supposed, to last until day-

i t.

“ It is strange,” he continued as he sat azing
absently into the fire, “that Robsart makes no
explanation of the reason why Little Rifle de-
serted me on that night. I shall never ask him
again if I nevar learn; Ihave puzzled my brains
over it a hundred times, but all to no use.

“ And now, if he fails to find Maquesa, what
is to be done? Among- these thousands of miles

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Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

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of wilderness, ten thousand Blackfeet may hide
for their lifetime, and no one can find them.
But for that mishap of the bear, it might have
been ended long ago. Now the chief has been
warned of‘what is afoot, and he is toosharp to
be caught—” -

He paused suddenly in his meditations, as he
heard the sound of something moving near him,
and looking up, caught the outlines of some
huge dark animal as it moved back out of the
ran e of the fire.

T ere was nothing particularly alarming in
this, as he had become accustomed to such
creatures; but, as he sat alone, miles from any
friend, in a mournful reverie, it was a rather
startling awaking, and he caught up and cocked
his rifle, as though he expected a charge from
it.

His second thought was thatit was “ Speckled
Beauty,” still faithful to his friends; but the
action of the brute proved the contrary, as he
remained in the background.

Harry caught the phosphorescent glare of his
eyes, and heard a deep, guttural rowl, which

roved that if he belon ed to the ear species,

6 was not the one w ich had been so well
trained by Old Ruff, and so skillfully but un-
prpfitahly ornamented by the Yankee specu-

a or.

The young man was somewhat 10th to fire his
gun, as the trapper had cautioned him never to
do so unless compelled, as the report was fre-
quently more dangerous to the one discharging
it than the bullet was to the one at whom it
was aimed.

But Harry had to choose between the horns
of a dilemma. If he did not give the brute his
quietus, he would probably prowl around all
night and keep him continually on the alert to
save his own life. The probabilities, too, were
that additional fuel would be required to keep
the fire up to the re uisite oint, and in the end
he would be oblig to ki the creature in self-
defense.

“And such being the case,” he concluded,
after turning the matter over in his mind, “I
may as well dispose of my visitor at once.”

But the brute, although he was growling and
nosing around the camp-fire, as though seeking
an unguarded point where he could seize his

)rey, still remained too much in the background
0 afford the fair aim that was desirable.

Now and then the glassy glitter of its eyes
could be discerned, but they flashed in and out
of view before a fair aim could be settled upon
and the boy had no disposition to throw away
a shot. , - .

The agility displayed by the beast, as it ap~
pleared here and there in the gloom, caused

srry more than once to suspect that it was
some other kind of creature than a bear, while
its cat-like stealth of movement made him fear—
ful that it would make some sudden, treacher-
ous spring that would take him off his guard.

He sat with his gun at his shoulder, waiting
for the coveted chance, when all at once it ad-
vanced into full View, and takinga quick aim,
he fired.

, There was a fearful snarling howl and the
brute made a. tremendous bound directly back-
ward in the gloom, that carried him entirely

out of sight.

“Therel it’s my opinion that that pill will
have a good effect upon your system,” exclaimed
Harry, as he proceeded to reload his piece. “ I
think it struck you somewhere about the-head,
and Will make i ache, to say the least.”

H6 confidently exPected to hear it roll over on
the ground, clawing and clutching the earth in
its death-struggles; but the howl and leap were
succeeded by a rofonnd silence,

“ He has subs tied without making any extra
fuss,” was his conclusion, as he placed the cap
upon the tube of his gun. “That is, perhaps,
the plan most to  commended, for he might
haive “rolled over in the fire and burned him-
as f— x

A soft, stealthy movement just then caught
the listening ear of Harry. and turning his gaze
as quick as thought to the opposite side of the
fire, he savv, to his amazement, the beast that
he had just renounced dead, stealing toward
him on its he ly.

The sight that met the eyes of the young ads
venturer was enough to startle a man of stron-
ger nerve. The animal was as black as mid-
night, quite large, with a long neck, and :1 went
that resembled that of a wolf or fox, only much
larger and flercer. Stretched out, as it stole
along in the manner mentioned, it seemed un—
naturally prolonged, while the almond-shaped
6 es seemed to emit fire, as they were fixed with
t e most deadly intent upon the one who had
already lodged a. bullet in its body.

 

This horrid head and front were covered with
blood, that trickled upon the ground, showing
that if the shot had not killed, it had certainly
inflicted a grievous wound. To what species
this animal belonged it was impossible to say;
but most probably it was a cross of some kind,
combining in itself the activity and fierceness
of the panther, and the treacherous cunning of
the wolf. .

,Whatever it was it was bent upon the life of
the boy, and would have had it in another mo-
ment but for its soft, glidin movement over
the ground, which providentially revealed its
approach before its sharp claws could beburied
in his body.

 

CHAPTER X.
A BRUTE’S SACRIFICE.

THIS sudden and unex acted ap earance of
the wild beast caused I'llirry to re without
taking the careful aim that he would have done
had the case been different; but he made sure
that his rifle was pointed straight at the brute,
and that the discharged bullet would be certain
to enter his body.

And so it did, but missing the head, buried it-
self in the flesh somewhere along the back, the
result being another serious wound and the
maddening of the wild animal to such a degree
that he became perfectly frantic in his rage.

Forgetting his habitual cunning and treach-
ery, he rose to his feet, giving utterance to a sav«
age growl, and with his head lowered likea bull
when about to use his horns, be advanced di-
rectly upon the lad.

Thevlatter had no time to reload, and reading
the deadly intent of his foe, he ran round to the
opposite side of the fire, so as to interpose it be-
tween them. The brute still glaring and growl-
ing, trotted after after him.

t would not venture through the fire; but as
it was more nimble of foot than the lad, he could
gain nothing by this course.

Still, as it seemed to be the only thing that he
could do, Harry threw down his gun and
snatched n his blanket and made a dash for
liberty. is hope lay in the belief that the
brute was so badly injured that he would soon
become disabled, and that he would not venture
as near the blaze as did his intended victim.

Disappointed in both of these respects, Harry
made a hasty grab and caught up one of the
burning embers of wood, which, as he walked
backward, he whirled about his head asa guard
to keep the brute away.

This was a partial success, as all animals
naturally have a terror of fire, and the one in
question fell back growling and glaring, as if
deliberating with himself as to the best method
of circumventing this obstacle.

He showed no disposition to give up his re-
venge, but continued stealing forward inch by
inch, as a cat is sometimes seen to do when
about to leap upon its prey. Harry halted, ex-
pecting, of course, it would do the same. For
amoment he thought it had, but as be fixed his
eyes upon it, he observed that it was s’. ill ad-
vancing, almost imperceptibly, but none the less
surel , for all that.

“ Lonfound him i” exclaimed Harry, as he be-
came conscious of this insidious movement. “ I
never heard of such a creature; if he wants a
taste of fire I’ll give it to him.” '

The beast was now less than a dozen feet dis-
tant, when the he took a step toward him and
then dashed the bliizing brand full in his face,
muttering as he did so: .

“ There! take that, if you want it.”

It was enough to daze and terrify anything,
and the brute, with a howl such as he gave
when struck by the first bullet, recoiled on him-
self, reared on his hind-legs, and pawed madly
as if to fight off the torch, which had struck his
black head and then glanced off in the dark-

ness.

This bewilderment lasted but a second or two,
when it moved toward the lad more deter-
minedly than ever. The latter had made a
snatch at a brand, but in his hurry it had slipped
from his hand after he had risen to his feet, and
retreated a step or two.

Before he could recover it, the brute was not
only nearer to him than that, but had actually
interposed between him and the fire!

Thus, in a twuiklln , as it were the lad found
that he had been tota ly disarmed; not only de-
prived of the use of his gun, through the denial
of opportunity to reload it, but he was shut off
from his denier reason—the chance of usin the
fire toflght off the determined advance 0 his

enem . ,

Hairy had now his blanket thrown over his
left arm, and his hunting-knife at his waist;
but he knew that if he was forced toe handvto-

\

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hand fight with the furious beast be wouldhe
torn to shreds before he could do any execution
with his weapon. His case looked exceedingly
desperate, for the snarling animal having in-
truded himself between him and the fire, was
too knowing to permit him to recover his place
again.

It was useless to attempt to flee, and Harry
Northend stood his ground, looking down with
a fascinated gazeupon the horrid-looking brute,
as creeping a ring for a foot or two more, it be-
gall; gathering its paws beneath its body to make
its cap. ‘

With a courage born almost of despair, he
saw all this and never stirred, standing like the
bird that is charmed by the rattlesnake, that
knows it sees certain death, but has neither the
power nor the will to escape.

But it was not entirely thus with the lad. He
possessed rare courage and pluck, and had de-
cided his own course of action. It was ades-
perate resort, but it was all that remained to
him and he held his nerves with a will of iron
until the critical moment was upon him.

It came with the next breath. There was a
sudden quickening of the legs as they were
gathered beneath the belly o the animal, and
then it made its fearful leap.

For a moment the dark, panther shaped body
was visible in the air, and then, as Harry saw
it descending upon him, he gave the blanket a
flirt so as to throw it directly over the head of
the snarling beast, leaping aside at the same in—
stant, and making another attempt to recover
his ition by the fire.

e succeeded in doing this, although he fell
upon his hands and knees, and before he could
scramble to his feet again the brute had pawed
the blanket from his eyes, and glancing around
for an instant, discovered where his slippery
victim was. ’

There can be but little doubt of the ultimate
result of this strange contest, for every advan-
tage was upon the side of the beast, which gave
no evidence of suffering the least exhaustion
from the wounds it had received.

But at this critical juncture a third partfy ap-
Eeared upon the scene, not in the shape 0 0 d

off or an Indian, but in that of another wild
brute.

As Har rose to his feet, torch in hand, and
stood con routing his enemy, he heard a growl
from his right hand, and concluded that it was
all over with him beyond a question, if he was
to. be called upon to combat two such ens.
mies.

The wounded animal heard the ominous
sound, and also turned his head, sending back a
defiant growl, as if to warn all outside parties
that there was to be no interference here.

The thunderous growl was still rumbling in
the throat of the brute when Harry saw a huge
dark body pass like an arrow through the air,
coming down from the rock over his head, and
speeding as straight and truly as if fired from
the mouth of a 'ant columbiad, directly at the
defiant beast, w ich was not given time to pre-
pare for the charge.

The attacking rute landed directly upon the
shoulder of the other, and at the same instant
the two closod in a deadly, fearful encounter.

With the quickness of lightning the fi ht as-
sumed the fiercest character, the two wild asts
going at each other with the determination to
do or die. Snarling, growling clawingficratch-
ing, gouging, biting, snapping, tearing and
reading, they rolled over and over upon the
ground, the heir fl ing in every direction.

Harry Northen stood transfixed for the time
by the terrible scene before him. Theflght was
0 that furious nature which showed that it
would never terminate until one or both were
dead, and that the consummation was sure to
take place very speedily.

And reflecting that whichever party was the
victor would be certain to turn upon him, the
young hunter was too prudent to throw away
the opportunity thus providentially placed in
his hands, and he hurriedly caught up his rifle
and began reloading it, with e intention of
taking a position from which he could watch
the fight, and when it should terminate, could
lodges bullet in the brain of the victor and

' leave himself master of the situation.

The act of loadin his weapon naturally drew
his attention from t e combatants for the time;
but when he had 1placed the percussion upon the
tube he turned is gaze upon the struggling
beasts a n. A

'Justt en they rolled closer to the fire than
they were before, and were cons'e neatly
brought into closer view, and as the la with-
drew from beyond their reach and looked down
upon them, he saw, with feelings that may be

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Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

 

imagined, that the one making the attack was
his old friend and acquaintance, “Speckled
Beauty.”

One look at his hide, now crimsoned with
a deeper dye than the art of the sh0wman could
give it, showed this, and the whole resentment
that he had felt for the mishap caused by him
was now turned to gratitude and admiration for
the gart he was playing in his defense.

“ ight away, my friend!” he exclaimed.

“ Neither Old Ruff nor I shall ever say or think

ill of you again, for you meant well, and but

for your coming now I should have been in your
place. Good luck to you, and I will give you
what help 1 can.”

His purpose now was to lodge another bullet
in the other beast in such a way as to “ luy him
out,” and leave Speckled Beauty the master, for
it looked as if he had undertaken a job which he
was unable to carry through, his foe showing
not only the greatest tenacity of life, but also
displaying a. strength and activity almost in-
credible.

The mottled bear possessed enormous strength,
but in quickness of mOVement he was far infe-
rior to his foe, whose long, sharp claws were
rearing and poundiu at his Vitals with blows
like the piston—rod o a steam engine; but the
Beauty was game, and he stuck to his antago-
nist to the last, never intending to' give up the
fight so long as the strength remained to con—
tinue it.

Harry held his rifle cocked for several min-
utes, waiting and unable to get the chance to
fire: for the two rolled over so rapidly—first one
under and then on top again—that he was fear-
ful he might wound his friend instead of his
enemy.,

Leaping back and forth around the two dark
bodies, now upon one side and then upon the
other, and once or twice narrowly escaping being
thrown beneath them, with the blood and heir
flying all over his clothes—Harry at last saw his
chance.

There was a momentary lull in the fight, the
bear was under and the head of the other was

/ in full view. Quick as thought the muzzle of
thrilrilfle was thrust into his ear and the trigger
pu e . "

The shot told, and the bullet went crashing
and tearing through the skull and brain of the
beast, who lay motionless for a moment, and
then, with a s smodic quiver, rolled over u on
the round w thout a spark of life in his ha y.

“ y poor, brave friend,” said Harry, bend-
ing over the grizzl hear, “ you have done me a
service for which can never pay you.”

He stooped lower and looked more closaly at
him. The animal never stirred. A groan of
anguish escaped him, and it [was his last.
Speckled Beauty was as dead as his foe! .

 

CHAPTER XI.
UNWELCOME VISITORS.

zAs Harry look upon the dead body of his
brute friendLhe could but feel saddened and
pitiful. It had followed him and Robsert for
hundreds of miles, in obedience to that emotion
of affection which is u characteristic of the en»
tire animal creation, and now it had iven u
its life to save‘ him, who for days past ad to t
little but resentment toward it for the mistake
it had ‘uUWittingly made.
But little time was given the lad for in-
dulgence in the finer emotions of his nature;
, for, while he stood leaning .on his rifle, and
looking down upon the mangled carcass, his
our, trained to unusual acuteness, detected the

approach of something else. and he imme-
‘d

ately raised his weapon and stood on the de-
fensive.

“Another of those brutes,” he thought, " but

I there is no Speckled Beauty to help me this

time, and I cannot throw away a. shot—
Hellcat!”

Well might be start with alarm, for just then

‘ the figure of an ,Indinn warrior came out of the

gloom, and walked directly toward him. Harry
turned his head to see what chance there was to
dart back in the darkness upon that side, but
only to encounter two other red skins fully as
near as the first!

“ He felt that he was fairly caught, and he
could do nOthing but submi to the inevitable
with the best gmca possible under the circum-
stances.

The two redskins halted but a few feet dis-
tant, and remained standing and motionless, as
if to shut 03 any attempt to escape, while they
left to the third the part of chief actor and
spokesman in the business. >

As Harry turned again and looked fullv in

the face of the latter, it struck him that he had

 

seen him before. He was tell and well-formed,
with e. gaudily-colored blanket covering his
shoulders, and which thrown partly back from
his front showed a large hunting—knife at his
girdle. in his left hand he carried a rifle, while
the right left tree was extended in greeting to-
ward the lad.

“How you do, white pappoose?” he asked
with a grim smile, and a perfection of accent
that amazed the boy.

The latter could do nothing less than accept
the proffered hand, although he did so with no
little misgiving, fearing that it was only a. pre-
lude to some treachery upon his part.

But the Indian relinquished it the next mo-
ment, and then seemed disposed to act the part
of an attorney conducting a cross—examination.

“ Where you come from?” he demanded.

“From the fort, the other side of the moun-
tains," replied the boy, extending his hand to-
ward the northeast, in which direction the fron-
tier Spost lay.

“ on come all alone—come away here—no-
body with you?”

“ Nobody is with me now excepting you and
your warriors,” said Harry.

“You come alone—who bring white pap-
poose from fort, away ’cross mountain?”

“The great hunter has been my guide and
com union all the way.”

“ hich his name?”

The lad hesitated a. moment, not knowing
whether it was prudent or not to use deception
under the circumstances, but his questioner
manifested some impatience at the attempt al-
ready made to parry his ueries, and he con-
cluded it best to repl trut fully.

“ He is known as (did Ruff the mountaineer,
although he has been more in the trapping busi—
ness lately; there lies one of the animals that he
tamed to be his do .”

He noticed a sligilit manifestation of surprise
upon the part of the Indian as he made this
reply, and just then the impression came with
renewed force that he had seen him before.
Where could it be? Ah! now he recalled. He
was one of the Blackfeet that he and Old Ruff
had seen in the canoe, when scrutinizing Little
Rifle throu h the field-glass.

Could it e Ma uesa l” was the next ques~
tion that came tot e mind of Harry. when he
took occasion at the same instant to throw a
sidelong glance at the other two, in the hope
that ossibly he could recognize one of them as
the c lief.

But the scrutiny through the glass had not
been complete enough to enable him to do this.
He believed that :11 three of his visitors had
been in the canoes at that time, but whether
either of them was the Blackfoot for whom he
and the old hunter had been so persistently
searching for many days, and. for whom the
trapper was hunting this very moment, whether
he was one of the three, he could only con-
jecture.

When the red-skin received the reply re-
corded, he was silent a. moment or two, coking
sharply down in the face of the boy, who felt
somewhat embarrassed by the keen scrutiny.

“ Where he be now?” he asked, 10wering his
voice, but keepin his eyes fixed upon him.

“He is gone— e went away today—he is
down yonder at the foot of the mountain some- .
wi'eii'” h h h 1 h

h e go—w y e eave w ite pappoose
all along’ for big bear to eat him up?”

Hurry became uneasy under these pointed
questions~the object of which he could not
divine. He was unwilling to be more explicit
in his re lies, until he could be certain of what
the resu t of such a. revelation was likely to be.
So be rather ingeniously took up the appella-
tion the Indian had applied to him, resenting it
with an assumption of indignation.

“Why do you call me a pappoose?”he de-
manded, straightening up. “1 am no more a.
babe than are your warriors. I am a. hunter
and a man l”

This grandiloqueut replg brought a broad grin
to the faces of all three luckieet, who seemed
to admire the spirit of the lad; but it did not
divert the leader from the “line” of question-
ing which he hurl laid out.

‘Where old‘hunter go—why he leave little
brave white man?”

“ He has gone off on a hunt, and when he
gets through, I suppose he will return.”

Such a reply as this, it would seem, ought to
have satisfied any ordinary mortal, and it
would have done so, but for the fact that the
redvskin was unquestionably upon the scent of
something, and most probably knew a great
deal more than he pretended.

“ What he 160k for—big bear or big Injun?”

 

“ He is looking for Maquesu, the great Black-
foot chief,” replied Harry, feeling thut there
was no avoiding the issue; “ he and I have been
hunting for him for weeks, but have not been
able to see him. Old Rufi’ thought to find him
in his village, where he met him along time
ago, but the village is gone, and he knows not
where he is.” _

v “ Why he look for big lnjin chief?”

“Because he stole Little Rifle, and has run_

away with him," answered Harry, purposely
using the masculine reference.

At this the Indian flared up, and replied in a
quick, angry voice:

“ You liel Rufi' steal pappoose from anuesa
—-Maquesa take pappoose back from him.”

That solved the question that had been puz—
zling Harry during the last few minutes. .He
knew now that he was talking to Maquese. him—
self.
After following him for days and weeks in
vain, and when about ready to give up the
search as hopeless, the chief had come forward
from his hiding—place and shown himself.

The lad still felt himself in a dangerously
delicate position, and he never longed so much
for the resence of Old Ruff as he did now that
he had 'scovered the identity of his interlocu—
tor.
What was the object of these three men com-
ing from the gloom and surrounding him in the
manner they had done? What dld Maquesu
mean by questioning him so closely? And whet
was their purpose regarding the boy Whom they
had so completely in their power?

These were the questions which the lad put to
himself, and whose answers caused him no
little trouble and anxiety.

Maquesa, upon making the foregoing reply,
gave some signal to the other warriors, and all
three seated themselves upon the ground, as if
they had concluded to spend the night with
him. Without waiting for an invitation, Harry
followed suit, and he played the part of a host
by drawing the cooked meat from beneath the
stone, where he had hid it from prying animals,
and offering it to his guests. But all declined
accepting it, and he placed it back again.

As the chief remained silent for some time,
Harry concluded to put some questions to him
on his own account, hoping to gain a little
information,~ but somewhat distrustful of the

result.

“Old Ruff found Little Rifle asleep, and no
one was near; he thought the pappoose would
die, and he brought it away to save its life.”

“Old Ruff tell hi lie! Pappoose in lodge—
Maquesa close by- e come back, no find pap-

oose; get mad—burn d0wn his lodge, den go
way. One, two, t'ree, good many moons, and
he neber see her—t’ink she dead; den he hear
Old Hunter huh Little Rifle—McQueen t’ink him.
do squew pappoose, and he come ober mountain
arter her—she go ’way wid him. Old Hunter
try catch ’em; but he ddle too slow—can’t
find Little Rifle—and ne er see her agam I”

It would be impossible to describe the inten-
sity of interest with which Harry Northend
listened to these broken utterances of 'the chief,
and the closing declaration that Little Rifle
would never be seen again brought him to his
feet in the greatest excitement.

“ Why do you say that Little Rifle will never

be seen again? What have you done with her?
Is she dead? What has become of her?”

M11un and the other lndiuns looked quietly
ut the excited lad, as if rather amused than
otherwise at his flurry; but the chief showed no
disposition to be as explicit in his replies as
Harry himself had been. It was not until the
question had been repeated that he answered:

" Little Rifle gone—Old Hunter and white
pa noose neber see her ’gin 1”

ad Harry Northend been certain that Ma—
quesa. had been the cause of the girl’s death, he
would have sprung upon him as the mottled
bear sprung 11pm the savage hour but, by
this time he he managed to think a little, and
his own common sense taught him that it was
extremely improbable that the Blackfoot had
done her any personal harm. Her history, as
revealed by the sli of paper, painted to a dif-
ferent conclusion a together. .

It was useless to attempt to question Ma nose,
when he was not dispOSefi to reply; but any
took a. dlfierent course, In the hope of reaching
the truth in another wuy.

“ Do you hunt for Big Hunter?”

The wily Blackfoot was fully authorized to
grin. as he did, when he said:

“When Ma uese. look for Big Hunter, Mu—
gw-sa can fin him I”

Suddenly the boy recalled the mystery which
had puzzled him so long, and it seemed to him

 

 

 

Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

11

 

 

that the means of solving it might be now
placed in his hands. ,

“ Can you tell me, Maquesa, why it was that
Little Rifle left me, as she did, and went away
with you? You did not steal her, and why
should she go without awaking me from sleep
and saying good-by?” .

The chief was about to answer this query
fully and explicitly (a half-dozen words would
have done it), when perverse fate interfered
and closed his mouth again, with the all-impon
taut words upon his very tongue.

 

CHAPTER XII.
THE REVELATION or MAQUESA.

THE interference this time came in the shape
of Old Rufi‘f Robsai‘t himself, who strode for-
ward out of the gloom, and advancing straight
to the chief, extended his hand, and said:

“ How do you.do, Maqueszi? I have been
huntin’ for or for a long lime.”

The Blac foot returned the Salutation with
every appearance of cordiality, much to the
surprise of the other two red-skins, who were
hardly prepared for the exhibition of any thing
like friendship between a white man and one of
their race.

Having paid his respects to him, the trapper
turned to his youn friend with one of his huge
grins that moved ii
ears.

“I don’t s’posc you war lookin’ fulime; but
the way on it was—while I was huntin’ round
fur that Injin village thathad strayed off some-
whar and got lost, I found their was a little
clump of lodges closer by, and I made up my
mind to pay them a visit fii’st. Wal, Iwas
trampin’ ’long when I heard your gun go off,
and purty soon I heard it go ag’in, and then I
knowed you war in some row, so I struck a bee-
line fur you, and here I is. Hellol” be ex-
claimed, noticing the bodies of the two wild
animals for the first time, “ that war the
trouble, eh? And as sure as I’m alive, thar’s
old Speckled Beauty gone under at last. Tell
me how it all came about.”

As the Blackfeet showed no disposition to
interfere, or prevent this conversation, Harry
related, as briefly as possible, what the reader
has already learned of his adventure with the
strange animal, from whose clutches he was
hardly saved by the timely coming to his assist-
ance of the tame grizzly bear.

“He always war a plucky critter,” said the
mountaineer, when the recital was finished,
and speaking as though he had no particular
regrets at his death; “ I thought that ever since
the time when be war a. cub, and come mighty
near chawin’me up; but what sort of critter
was it that be lit on?" he asked, as he walked
forward to examine it.

The trapper poked_the carcass with his foot
and gun, for some minutes, stooping down and
peering at it with no little curiosity. Finally
he seemed to give up the conundrum as past his
ability. - , _

“See here, Maquesa,” said be, turning? to
the chief, “you was born and raised in the
woods. Come and tell me what sort of a. critter
this is.”

The Blackfoot thus appealed to walked for-
an‘d. and made the same examination as did
his white friend, but seemingly with very little
more success.

b ‘I‘Pl’ioohl” be granted, “he no bear—he deb-

e

“P’r’aps he is." was the comment of Old
Rufl', as he walked back and resumed his seat,
“ but I didn’t know the Old Boy was killed as
easy as that.”

This piece of badinage being finished, the
party arranged themselves for more serious
business. The two_ red-skins, who had acted
the part of dummies thus far, lit their pipes
and stretched out in}. lazy posture u n the
ground, ready and Willing to wait their mas-
ter‘s orders, no matter how long they might be
deferred.

Maquesa and Old Ruff seated themselves near
each other, and Harry assumed a position
where he could be certain of hearing every
word that passed between them. Great, there—
fore, was his disappointment, when they began
talking, to find that it was In the Blackfoot
tongue.

“Confound it!” he exclaimed, desperately,
“ if I had known that that was the trick they
were goingto la , I would have learned the
gibberish myse f.’

But there seemed to be no help for it, and he
concluded to take the matter philosphically.
SO he gathered his blanket about him, and,
nestling down by the rocks, went to sleep.

5 beard clean back to his ‘

 

It was well he did so, for thereby he escaped
a Weary waiting. Maquesa and Robsart must
have entered into the discussion of political
questions, for, although it was not very late in
the evening when they began, yet they never
finished until nearly daylight.

Finally there seemed to be no more for either
to say, and the Blackfoot rose, shook the hand
of the trapper, in token of amity, and then
speaking to his warriors, they too arose, and
the three moved off in the gloom and were seen
no more.

The fire had burned very low, the two speakers
paying no heed to it in the earnestness of their
conversation. The old hunter cast on a few
more sticks, and then rising and yawning he
looked ofl? at the sky.

It was still dark but in the east were signs of
the coming sun. Ills experienced eye told him
that day was close at hand.

“ Skulp me!” he growled, “ ef I thought our
confab had lasted as long as that. Thar’s the
youuker curled up and snooziii’ like a sensible
chap. I seen him curl down here thinkin’ he
was goin’ to hear every word and Porn a good
deal; but I nipped that by opening the bull in
Blackfoot rigmarole, ’canse I knowed thar war
some things which it Wouldn’t do fur him to
hear just yit. He’ll l’arn it all in good time,
and bein’ it’s so late I guess thar ain‘t no use in
my layin’ down. I grabbed a couple of salmon
out of an eddy in the water, down yonder, and
dressed ’em, and laid ’eni away ’mong the
leaves, ’causc thar wasn’t ’nough for these red
varmints, and they kin catch thar fish as well
as me. I’ll get ’em and cook ’em for breakfast,
and I guess when they begin to smoke and fry,
and he gets a sniff, he’ll wake.”

He disappeared for a short time, and when he
returned he carried two large spotted fish in his
hand. They were plump and luscious, and all
prepared for the coals.

The fire, having been burning and smoldering
for so many hours, was in the best condition

ossible. The coals were raked out into a glow-
ing bed, free from dirt and ashes, and the two
fish laid thereon.

Instanth scorching crisp, they gave out a
smoke on savor enough to drive a hungry per—
son frantic. The trapper carefully watched
and turned them for several minutes, by which
tinlief they were thoroughly prepared for the
pl) 3 .9.

By this time it was fairly light, and Harry
not having awoke, Old Ruff having lifted one
of the hot, smoking fish upon some fresh green
leaves, and kneelin softly beside the lad, held
'the morsel so thatt e odor was sure to reach
the nostrils.

One good snifl was enough. The boy moved
uneasily, flung the blanket from his is onlders,
opened his eyes, and. called out:

“ Quick! give me something to eat before I
starve!”

“ A‘l right, you shall have it," replied
Old Rufl’; “only sit up like a Christian and
eat it.”

A few minutes sufficed to make matters clear,
and as Harry began to eat the tempting fish he
looked around for the Blackfeet, and seeing
them not, made inquiry.

“ That ’ere Ma uesa is the cunningest var-
mint I ever run a foul of,” said the trapper, after
answering the question; “ of course he knowed
that I was arter him, ever since that night
Speckled Beauty walked into camp and told
him so. He never stopped to see inc, but be
Just trumped ahead, and arter fixing things to
suit him, he then turned ’bout to meet me. He
must have seen us when I left you yesterday,
and waitin’ till I had at out of sight he went
in to plague you a ittle, fél‘ the old Greaser
ain’t above a. joke now and then."

“ But he showed no disposition to hurt me,”
said Hairy.

“ ’Causc I come up in time to sp’ile their game;
but ef I’d stayed away a couple of hours longer
they’d put you through a course of sprouts, and
made you b’l’eve sartin you war goin’ to be
skulped and burnt at the stake. That was all
them varmints come fur—just for the sake of
having a little fun out of you.”

“Then I’m Very glad on put in an appear-
ance when you did, for don t fancy these red-
skins, and, I don’t understand all the little
tricks the, ’re up to. If they had begun that
business I d been certain they were in dead
earnest, and would have done my best to
uso my gun or rifle upon them, and then, I
suppose, the fun would have turned to dead
earnest." .

“ You may bet on that; that ain’t the kind of
fun they fancy, apd them other two chaps with
him are a- couple of bloody dogs that would

A

 

have been glad of the chance to split your head
0 en

“ But what about Little Rifle?” asked Harry.
unable longer to conceal his impatience. “ I
noticed that you talked Indian, so you must
have given Maquesa a chance to do most of the
talking.”

“ He 5 cake English purty well, but of course
it ain’t ike his own woshy-boshy, so I steered
ahead in that.”

“ And what did you learn?"

“ It was a mighty strange story that he told,"
said the trapper, seriously, “ and it’s nmhin"
more nor less than this. He said that a couple
of moons ago he l’arned that the little gal that
had been left in his charge was the Little Rifle
that I had, and so he come across the mountains
ar’ter her.”

“ How was it that he found out?” asked Harry.
“Who could have told him the Secret when,
at that time, even you and Little Rifle herself
did not know it?”

“That’s the question I put to him, and he
wouldn’t answer; but I don’t b’l’eve any one
told him, but that he thought it out for himself.
Of course it took him a long time. for he has
known for a good many years that Little Rifle
has been with me, but the old chap has got
brains enough to cipher out a thing like that
without any help.”

“How does his story correspond with that
told by the sli of paper?”

“’Zactly. e says the babe was left in his
charge by a great white man, who thought all
the world of him. and that be seen him write
something on a. slip of paper and put it in the
handle of the gun. He and his squuw took it to
their lodge on the other side the mountains, and
war kee in’ it that. They often left it alone,
and it appencd at one of these times that I
slipped in and went away with it, and I’ve had
it ever since.” ,

“Then it was anuesa who succeeded in
getting her away from us. Did he tell you
why it was that she came to leave me so will—
ing] 1”

“ 0' he didn’t tell me that, ’cause thar warii‘t
no n o! it. I knowed it already.” i

Harry had hoped to catch the trapper off
his guard, and secure the coveted answer.
but Robsart saw through the trick in time to
esca e.

“ ut what is he doing with Little Riflei.
Why does he keep her?"

“He says he hasn’t got her at all—that he
hasn’t seen her for several days—and that he
never expects to see her again.”

 

CHAPTER XllI.
COUNTERPLOTTING.

HARRY Nonmnivn sat astounded and stupe—
fied at the answer of Old Ruflf,,and when he
had partly regained his self-poise he repeated
the words. ‘ . ,

“Maquesa says he has not seen her for sev—
eral days, and never expects to see her again.
Is that what the chief said?”

“ Them’s almost his words ’zactly—leastways,
that’s ’mctly what he meant.”

“ In the name of Heaven what does he
mean?”

“ He says that he has met the father of Little

Rifle—that he met him a couple of Weeks ago,

and that it was on his account he came through
the mountains utter her. I...‘ father waited
somewhere for him-down toward the Willa—
mette, I h’l’eve, at one of the forts.= Thar
Ma uesa met him, and thar be turned over Lit-
tle ifle to him, and both have started for
Astoria, whar they’re going to take ship for
San Francisco.” ‘
Here was a revelation indeed, and for several
minutes Harry sat with open mouth, hardly:
able to realize all that ha been said. Before
he could make any comment, the trapper
added, in a significant tone: , ,
“ That’s a big story to tell, and it may all be
true, but somehow or other] think old Ma new
was lying to me, and tryin’ to throw me o the

right track."

“What is it you su ct, Uncle Ruff?”

“ I don’t knew as kin tell ’zactly,” he an—
swered, with a puzzled air as he scratched his
head, “ but he let drop one or two things that
made me think he was very anxious to get you
and me OE to Astoria, Where we’d be out of his

way.”

‘ You think, then, that that part of hisistory
was a fabrication?” ‘

,“Yes; I don’t believe Little Rifle has started
for Astoria; but tbar’s some truth, too, in what,

the Varmint said.”

“And how muyhi”

\
i

 

47;“:- , ,

’2?!“

r

 

 

:zr'zT—“X't'; .~.—<

 

 

 

.....V......:._ {-m: . Var.”

   

Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

 

(—7

“That’s hard to tell; but I s’pect he has met
the father of Little Rifle, or else, when he went
away a good many years ago, the man prom-
isedtocome back ag’m, and the time being ’bout
up, Ma uesa has started off to hunt up his little
gal for im.”

“That does not seem probable to me,” said
Herr , after a moment’s thought. “No man
woul go away or remain away voluntarily for

' years, knowing that his only daughter was

[among a tribe of barbarous savages. No father

could willingly leave a child to grow u among

aheii’n, as your theory would make Mr. avenna
o

“I guess you’re right,” replied the trapper.
“I didn’t think of that, but I kin see the reason
in it now. It must be, then, that Maquesa is
waiting to see the father, and wishes to get us
out the way until arter he delivers her 11 .”

“That seems very likely,” said arr -
“ there is reason and consistency in all that.”

“Arter he turns the gal over to the father,
then I s’pose he don’t care, and we kin tramp
and hunt all we’re a mind to."

“ Why does he wish us to go to Astoria?”

“Thar ar’ ships sailin’ from thar to Fr’isco.
The smart dog thinks when we git thar, t at
we’ll just hear of some vessel goin’ down the
coast, and we will be sartin the father and gal
have gone, and we'll start arter ’em. That’ll
put us out of the way for a couple of months,
you see, and that’ll give the old coon plenty
time to get through with his part of the busi—
ness,'and when we come back mad and tearing,
what’ll he care?”

“ You sus set, then, that Little Rifle is still in
the hands o?Maquesa?"

“That’s what 1 think. As long as he was on
the go with her, he didn’t mind how hard we

,follered arter, for he could dodge us all the
time; but now he’s settled down for a while,
and it’ll take ’bout all his time to watch the gal,
without watchin'us too. ” ‘

“And Little Rifle is probably at Maquesa’s
village close at hand?” >

“ I shouldn’t wonder, and of course I’m going
to find out store I make a fair start for Frisco.

.‘Iain’t uite’nough fool to start off on such a
hunt w thout something more than the word of
Ma uesa.”

“ at, you know how cunning he is, Uncle
Rufl; he will be on the watch for us, and it will
be hard for you to reconnoitcr the village with-
out hie discovering it; and that will show him
that we don’t believe what he has told us.”

“ He’s beat me up to this time,” replied the
trapper with agrin, “ but if he beats me now,
I’ll cave. the woods and 'inountaius. and open an
oyster saloon‘in Fr’isco. But comel do you see
how high the sun is? Let’s be off.”_

Harry noticed that as they moved away the
old man headed for the Columbia river, which
lay of! to the southwest and to reach which by
the present route, would carry them entirer
out of the way of the Indian village in which
Maqueea ruled and reigned.

The trapper ex laiqu by saying that his in-
tention was to “ ool " the chief into the belief
that he had given his words full credence, and
was really on his way for the little trading-
;post at the head of the Columbia.

“ He’s very kind—oncommonl so," he added;
"‘he told me where I could nd one of his
crimes, which he said was a mighty ood thing
to shoot the Dulles with. We’ll ta 0 it, and
p’r’raps use it for that.”

The river was still a goodly distance away,

’ and it was a couple of hours before they reached

.it; but, so explicit had been the instructions of
the Blackfoot, that scarcely fifteen minutes
.named, after striking the stream, before the
boat was found, and the two entered, and
,headed down—stream, ,Dld Ruff paddlin at a
leisurely rate, like one who has a week 0 labor
.ahead. ‘

. .‘Not until the had rounded a large bend in
‘the river, did 9 make any reference to the
BlackaOt who had sent them upon this errand.
Then it was to inquire:

“ Didn’t notice nothin’ ’ticular when we
:shoved ofl, younker?” ,

Harry re lied in the negative, wondering to
what he re erred.

“ Maquesa and another varmint were on
‘t’other side the river, watchin’. I seen ’em, but
they didn’t know it. You see, the wa’n’t
sartin whar I meant toga, and that’s w at they

"war after.” , ‘

“Then you are certain they have been de-
ceived as to what you mean to do?”

“Ain’t sartain yet, and I don’t believe he is.
I’m paddlin’ mighty slow, as you have observed,
7cause I’m expecting he’ll ta 9 another squint.
E! be dues, it will be from the top of that swell

' ; » . i

 

ender. He orter reached it by this time,
cause we haven’t traveled fast. Jes’ turn your
glass that way—as careless, like, you know, as
you can—and see whether you can catch sight
of any top-knots.”

The boy did as requested, and after a few
seconds‘ careful surve , he declared that he saw
nothingl suspicious. he swell alluded to was
upon 1; e right bank of the river, rising to a
hight of a dozen feet or so, with no trees, but
covered with long, luxuriant grass.

” Let me take it,” said Robsart to Harr , and
turningit in the direction indicated, he held it
motionless for considerable time. leaving the
canoe to drift with the current.

“ Don’t see nothin’ of him.” he said, still hold-
ing the instrument to his eye; “ guess he thinks
thar ain’t no use of his going to Astoria~ fikulp
me! ef I didn’t cotch a glimpse of his top~knot
then. He’s a-layin’ flat, and raised his noddle
jist high ’nough for me to see it through the
grass. Now it’s down ag’in.”

Several times this was repeated, until the
trapper, convinced that he was entirely alone,
grew weary, and passing the telescope to his
companion, resumed the paddle.

The Columbia, at this part of its course, was
quite broad and winding, and b keeping close
to the shore, Robsart managed is boat in such
a way that, while he appeared to be at work all
the time. he was in reality making little pro-
gress; for, as will be easily seen, every rod thus
passed over, very likely would have to be
tramped back, not once but twice again.

The experienced eye of the trapper was en-
abled to discover, almost to a certainty, the
point from which the Blackfoot chief would
make his observations, and after doubling an-
other rape, he directed the glass to the suspi-
cious point. 4

But a careful survey, repeated many times,
failed to reveal anything at all; and the conclu-
sion was inevitable.

Maquesa had been satisfied in his own mind
that his statements were fully credited, and that
the two were on their way to the mouth of the
Columbia. Consequently he had withdrawn
from watching and following them.

Another result from all this was the convic-
tion that the chief had been using deception,
and that, in the words of Harr , they had not
only overtaken Little Rifle, ut had passed
beyond her, and to find her again they must
turn about and retrace a goodly part of the dis-
tance.

Old Ruff Robsart, understanding the tricky
nature of Maquesa as he did, dared not take
anything for granted, and all hough almost posi-
tive that he was no longer tinder surveillance,
he kept 11 his semblance of journeying west-
ward until the sun went down, and darkness
wrapped the forest and stream in its sable
mantle.

And then, as soon as assured that he was
Under the scrutiny of no prowling redskin, he
shot the canoe under the bank and leaped out.

Everything had been arranged beforehand,
so that no time was now lost in the exchange of
words.

Harry was to remain where he was until his
return,no matter if he was absent a month.
This was to be a journey entirely on foot, and
the trapper’s legs had enjoyed such a good rest
that they felt capable of almost anything. A
run of a dozen miles would be no more than
cnnugh to give them a good stretching.

After springing ashore he merely uttered a
word of arting, and then whisked away like a
shadow, caving Hurry Northend alone.

The latter made up his mind for a good long
period of waiting, so he ran the canoe out a
short distance into the stream where he made the
stern fast to a long, outreaching limb, and then,
wrapping himself up in his blanket, went to
slee .

othing occurred to interrupt his sleep, and
when he awoke the stream was sparkling in the
sunshine, and the cool, fresh morning air was
crinkling the surface.

The next sensation of 'which he was aware
was one of execssive hunger, and unfastening
the boat, he paddled ashore and sprung out togo
on a hunt after something.

Harry drew the canoeupthe bank and entirely
out of the water, remembering the caution that
the trapper always took at such a time, not
merely from any sudden rising of the current
but to revent its catching the eye of any foes
who in ght pass up or down stream.

This done to his own satisfaction. he threw
his rifle upon his shoulder and was just starting
01! upon his hunt when the crackling of a
branch told him that some one was approach-
ing! ‘ ‘

I

7 l

 

CHAPTER XIV.
DOWN THE COLUMBIA.

THE next moment the copes parted, and to
the sur rise and pleasure 0 Harry Northend,
not an ndian or wild animal, but old Robsart
himself appeared.

The lad was not expecting him before night-
fall, but he had strong hopes that when he did
come he would bring Little Rifle with him;
when he saw, therefore. that he was entirely
alone, the pleasure of meeting his old friend
again was mingled with a bitter disappoint-
want.

But the trapper did not appear cast down or
discouraged, although he, too, was apparently
disappointed in the result of his journey.

A ter grasping the hand of the lad, he said:

“ What do you ’OSe, younker’i Arter all I’ve
said, and arter alsi) we’ve seen that M aquesa
has been tellin’ me nothin’ but the truth itself.”

“Are you in earnest?" inquired Harry, with
no little amazement.

“ Never more in ’arnest in my life; I got
a look into thar village. and was mighty lucky
in finding the lodge of Maquesa himself. Thar
I listened fur a half—hour while he talked with
his squaw, and what I heard him say made me
sartin that Little Rifle has joined his father, and
with a couple of lujins to guide ’em, they’re

one down the Columbia, on thar way to Fr‘isco.

fwe ever expect to overhaul ’em, that’s just
what we’ve got to do. The little gal is still
ahead of us, and we’re a good ways behind."

“ How much have they the start of us?” asked
Harry.

“I dunno;but I think it can’t he fur from
two days, and mehbe a good deal more.”

“Do you think there is any probability of
our overtaking them, before they reach the
mouth of the Columbia?”

“The chances are all ug’in’ it;’cause it ain’t
likely that them two red-skins have slept much
on thar way. You know the old man would be
purty sartin to give ’em good pay and hurry
em up all he could. I shouldn't wonder if
the ’ve set him and Little Rifle alreed ashore.
an then our only chance is that t e vessel
they’re goin‘ on don’t sail afcre we git their."

“ Then let us be off at once.”

Both were so eager to get forward that they
took no more time than was absolutel neces-
sary for taking their dinner. The ay was
clear and pleasant. inst cool enough to make
the exercise of paddling exhilarating to one of
Old Ruff’s powerful, healthy frame.

He worked as untiringly as a steam engine,
and aided by the swift current of the Columbia
they made good progress toward the ocean.

All the way along the river the trap er was
on the lookout for the returning canoe, n which
Ravenna and Little R fie had been taken to
Astoria. Having seen nothing of it thus far.
he had strong hopes of reaching the mouth of
the Columbia so near behind it as to intercept
their friends before they started for San Fran‘
cisco.

At the same time there was the possibility,

if not the probability, that the returning
Blackfeet had either gone back overland or
had avoided them.
, The most vivid reminder that they were out
of the woods was the sudden appearance or a
sloop coming upstream. It was under full sail.
and at first sight of it Harry started and ex»
claimed that they were now indeed in a land of
civilization.

The Columbia is ascended by large vessels to
Fort Vancouver, about a hundred miles from the
month, while vessels of very light draught now
reach a point nearly double that distance.

A few miles further.and just as the day was
drawing to a close, our friends came in sight of
a schooner anchored close to shore.

Robsart ran the little boat alongside, and
finding several of the crew aboard, made in-
quiries as to whether the had noticed a canoe
going by at any time dur ng the past few days.

Upon hearing the question the sailors laughed.
and declared that they had seen fully a hundred
during the week that they had been ascendin
the river: and even when the trapper explained
particularly the number and gleneral ap ear.
ance of the o ~cupants of the one B was see ing,
the seamen could give no satisfactory answer,

and Old Ruff resumed his journey, rather ill-V

’naturedly remarking that it was no use of
making in<¥uiries of men who knew nothing and
never won (1 know any thing.

They had come 3. ion distance during the
day and the trapper nee ed rest. Accordingly
the boat was run ashore, turned over on its
face. and they sought and procured lodging-1
in a little settlement that stood back a shell:
distance from the shore.

 

 

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A: may be believed, the sun was scarcely
n'imve the horizon when the canoe was again
speeding down the Columbia, which was rapidly
expanding in depth and width as they advanced.

They‘xhad now past the last great bend in this
majestic river, and had almost a. due westerly
course befOre them until they should reach the
Pacific. Off to the northeast they could 58e the
massive snow—covered peak of St. Helen’s, as it
towered aloft for full thirteen thousand feet.
Shortly after they g ided by the mouth of a
considerable stream that put in from the north.

Just as the twilight descended upon wood and
stream the canoe reached Astoria, and this
portion of their journey was finished.

 

CHAPTER XV.
rnn SEA TRAIL.

Amnonon, as we have said, the day was drawing
to a close when our friends landed in Astoria they
lost no time in making search for Little Rifle and
her father, directinglitheir steps, naturally enough,
to the old tavern w ch stands back some distance
from the river.

“ Thar they ar’ now!“ suddenly exclaimed Old
Robsart.

“ Where? where?" asked Hurry, starting and look-
ing about in great excitement.

"Thar! don't cu see ’eui'! I mean them two red-
skins that fotc ed ’em here! They’re Blackfeet,
both of ’em; they’re the very varmmts we’ve been
lookin’ fur."

As he spoke he pointed out two Indians seated
upon the ground, with a bottle of whisky between
them. Sure enough they were the very men that
had brought down Raveuna and his dau hter from
the Blackfoot vill re. Having been we paid for
their work they h purchased a fewAgaudy orna-
ments at the fort, and were now fast drinking them-
selves dead-drunk upon the red-man‘s great enemy,
“ fire-water."

Indeed, they were so far one now that there was
very little to be got out of t mm. and Old Ruff would
have succeeded no better than he (lid with the sail-
ors up the river had he not snatched their whisk -
bottle away from them and sworn that they shou d
not have it again until they answered him every
question.

After a half—hour‘s hard work he learned that
the ,had reached Astoria. on the preceding day.
wit their charge, that they had seen them sail
away in a “ much big canoe " toward the great lake,
as they supposed, on a. trip to some happy hunting-

roun .
g At the tavern, or inn, more definite information
was gained. They learned that Mr. Ravennzi had
arrived there in a ship from San Francisco, several
weeks before, and remaining only a day, had hired
a couple of hunters to take him up the river to meet
some Indian chief. 0n the preceding do. he had
returned in a canoe, under the charge 0 the two
Blackfeet, and having with .him what seemed a boy,
attired in Indian dress. He was very quiet, had

‘ scarcely anything to say, and very little was seen of

m.

The had taken ppssage on this same morning for
San rancuico, in t e same vessel that had brought
the father there, and by this time were fairly out to
sea on their wa thither.

This was to t e paint, as were the query and an-
swer as to when another boat left the port for the
same destination._ The captain of the schooner
Albatross was sitting in the bar-room at the time,
and replied that he should'weigh anchor at sunrise
on the marrow, when the tide would be in and the
bar could be passed without trouble.

Could he take a couple of passengers who would
pa him well for the accommodation? _

. rtainly; an thing in the way of busmess, and to
please the out omen. ,

But just ere the trap ~r called Harry oxide and
c011ng the mic startling information that
be h decided to o no further.

“ What‘s the use " he said, b way of explanation.
"I can’t be of no further help on; all you’ve got
to do is to go on board the Al stress. and .. not
down and wait till she lands you in Frisco. hen
you git there you ldn hunt out the little gal as well
Without as you with me. I must look after them
furs and ltries of mine, and when I go back'l‘ll
stop at art Abercromble and tell your old man
that oujre all right, and on know that‘ll be a great
satis action to him. You re on the right track now,
and that ain't no Blackfeet in the way to make an
bother._ You’ve ot plain sailin’, and like ’nough

ou‘ll git into Fr” soo as soon as the other boat does.

tways you'll have no trouble to find the little
critter, and when you do give her my love, and tell
her I‘ll be down that way purty soon to see her,
or I‘ll foller her wherever she goes. Don’t on
see, younker, that that’s the true plan and the st
one?

Harry could not help seeing‘the force of what the
trapfir had said, and he admitted it; but as he had
not a least thought of such a. proceedin upon his
part, it required some time for him to fee perfectly
resigned to it.

The agreement was made that Old Ruff should re-
main- over night with Harry at the um, and then
start on his return to the beaver rims be oud the

Cascade Range, while he should move own the
coast toward San Francisco. , _

And with this understanding the parties retired at
a late hour. \

The arrangement was carried out almost to the let-
ter us ‘he trapper left the inn at an early hour, bid-

 

ding Harry ail-affectionate farewell, with the confi-
dent hope that they would soon meet again.

It was nearly noon when the Albatross crossed
the bar at the mouth of the river. ten miles further
down, and placed herself fairly on the Pacific ocean.

As soon as the sloop was fairly out to sea. and sail.
ing northward, Harry gave himself up to the emoy-
ment of the scene. alking to the prow, he took a
station where he was not likely to be in the way and
feasted upon the view, which wasa novel and deeply
interesting one to him,

CHAPTER XVI.
ran WIND THAT 13an no GOOD.

WHEN Har Northend finally aroused himself
from the fanci ul dreams into which he had fallen,
the sun had gone down, and it was already growing
dark. He noticed that the sea was heavier than
usual, and the ship tossed and pitched in a way that
was anythin but pleasant to a, landsman.

He had a read of being sea-sick, but it may be
that there was something in the rough out-door life
that he had been leading during the past few months
that acted as a preventive; for now, when the real
test had come, in the tossing and heavin of the sea,
he was not sensible of the sh htest distur ance, and,
as he descended into the co. in to take his supper
with the captain, that functionaty took occasion
to congratulate him upon his good fortune.

“Perhaps I may be sick yet," timidly returned
the boy, “ as we are only fairly started on our trip,
1 sh pose."

“ erhaps you will,“ was the hearty reply of the
captain, as he helped himself to a. huge slice of fried
pork, “though a chap, if he is going to have it, is
pretty sure to show s1 us of it by this time. How-
ever, we are going to ve rough weather before we'
get through.

Harry looked up at the bronzed and bearded face
with some apprehension.

“ Do you mean that a storm is brewing?”

“Exactly. I can always feel it in that larboard
leg of mine—a. touch of the rheumatics, you know——
a reg‘lar barometer—sure to tell me when trouble is
coming.”

b “ What sort of a coast have we here?” asked the
oy.
“It is one of the infernalest coasts in the whole
creation," was the reply of Ca tain Cole. “I was
wrecked on it twice. and the zist time Icame up
onl missed it by a hair’s breadth." ‘
arry could not but feel alarmed at the words of
the captain; buttbeyond his own personal fear was
anxiety about Little Rifle, who, he knew, was at no
great distance ahead, and whose vessel would be
can ht in the same tempest, if it should come, and
You d, in all human probability, share the same
a e.
“Do you know what boat Mr. Ravenna and his
daughter sailed upon?" he asked of the officer.

“ ‘ertuiuly,H was the prompt answer. “ It was
the North Star, a schooner belonging to the Smith
Brothers, of Fr’isco, engaged in the same trade with
us.’

“Is she a stanch vessel, able to weather such a
storm as seems to be coming?"

“ She is one of the rotienest, good-for-nothin old
hulks in the trade. It’s a wonder to me tha she
hasn‘t gone to the bottom before, for she ain’t any
better than an old tub."

This was very dispiriting tidings, to. say the least,
and Harry beglan to believe that instead of b '
throu h with t e difficulties and dangers, the grea
est sti remained before them. '

As if to emphasize the words of the captain, the
whistling of the wind through the cord at this
moment rose 50 hi h and shrill that they istinctly
heard it in the cab 11, although the door was close .
At the same time the vessel made a deep plunge in-
to the sea. _

Ca tain Colo shook his head in a knowmg way.

“ h, I tell you it’s coming sure; you can make
up your mind to that. I tell you tliatahowler is
coming up l”

The on tain arose and went on deck, and Harry
followed rim that he might see for himself the pros-
pect before t em.

The change that he encountered was enough to
make the strongest man, unaccustoli to the sea,
draw back in terror.

It was of pitch darkness, and the gale, as it
whistled throu h t. e rigging. rose and swelled like
the shriekingo spirits in the air as they floated high
above the most or glided over the deck; the Wind
that blew against hixs cheeks brought with it the
brine of the ocean, and he lnstinctivel clapped his
hand upon his headto prevent his hat ing carried
away. v

The sloop was itching and tossing quite heavily,
but still she held er own. All sail was crowded on
and she seemed to be under capital control, if it
would only last. _

The captain speedily vanished in the loom. as he
went to take hi place at the helm an relieve the
mate, who had been stationed there during his ab-
sence.

When Harry found himself out of the cabin and
upon the deck he staggered to the gunwale. Where
he caught hold With both hands and held on, while
he listened and looked. and endeavored to gain a fair
view of the situation. ‘

“There is a strong gale of wind,” he thought, as
the spray went dashing over his head; “ but I cannot
see why there sho be any great danger. She
has not taken in an sail yet, and so long as the
wind keep: as it is, t will only hurry us on‘our
wa .‘ _ ‘

Lyooking aloft, not a. star was to be. seen. The
silty seemed to be wrapped in the densest, blackest
g oom.

 

Lookin off to the southward, Harry fancied, once
or twice, at be detected a bright point of light ap-
pear through the ni ht.

Only for an instan was it visible. when it vanished
again, and he supposed it was produced by the
p osphorescence of the sea, until he happened to be
gazin directly toward the point where it appeared,
when t struck him that its a pearance was different
from that. It was more 1' e the glimmerin of a
star that is shut out at intervals by some dark
coming between it and the observer, to reappear
again in a few moments. ‘

While Harry was puzzling his brains over the '
singular ap arauce of this light, somebody slapped-|
him upon t 1e shoulder, causin him to turn With a
suddenness that almost threw off his feet.

In the murky gloom, he was barely able to make
out a human figure, which be suspected was that of
the captain.

“ Come, my boy, you had better go belowl” he
called out, in a cheery voice.

“ Can you tell me what that light means?" Harry
inquired. _

‘ Where? I don’t see any,” replied the ofllcer,
halting by his side.

“ It is gone now—there it is again. Look! it seems!
like a star!”

“ Oh, that! Why, that’s the binuacle light of
another boat.”

“ Do you know what one it is?" asked the lad,
Evith a vague but terrible misgiving freezing his

cart.

“ Hardly eno h li ht to read her name; waituntil
morning and I’ tel you what she is and where she
hails from.”

Harry was about to ask more, but the captain
moved away in the darkness, leavm him alone.

He remained on deck, watching ,t e fltful twink-
ling of the point of light as it rose to view on the
crest of a wave and then dip :1 out of sight again,
and speculating as to what t e night and following
dog would bring forth.

ut. as the night advanced, he thought there was

ve ' little, if any increase in the fury of the gale,

an he descends into the the cabin, where Captain
Cole had placed a hammock at. his disposal.

Here he committed his soul in fervent prayer to

God, and then lay down without removing anycf

hisgarments; for he had no expectation of sleep,
and had little hope that he would be ermitted to
remain undisturbed until the rising of t e morrow's

sun.
CHAPTER XVII.
WHAT or TEE mom?

HARRY Non'rnnxn had beenthrough many perils
and trying scenes in the wilderness of the horth- '
west; but just now he felt more wretched from
physxcal fear than ever before. ‘

It was useless for him to lie upon his hammock,
and he only did so because he had nothing else to
do. Finally he leaped down upon the floor and tak-
ing a seat upon the bench. concluded to sit out the

n ht.

lfi‘he lantern swinging from the roof threw a dim,
yellow glare through the cabin, and, as he mechani-
cally looked u , he saw a hulf~dozen life-preserves
dangling bcsi o it. They were made of cork, and
were the same as he had often seen upon the Missis—

i steamers.

nfastenin one of the useful articles, he care-
fully fasten it beneath his shoulders, and then re-
suming his seat, waited as the terrible ’moinems
dragged slowly b .

Harry was siti ng with baited head his thOughts
upon his mother and home, when e was ain
brought to his feet by another outburst. This t me
it was the heavy boom of thunder, that appeared to
burst overhead, scarcely higher than the masts and
which made the sloop tremble as if struck by a
mountainous surge. '

This was the first time since startin that he had
heard the noise of thunder, and some ow or other,
whether with or without reason, we cannot say, he
had mainly founded his hope upon that fact, per-
suading himself that so long as that was sheen
there was good reason for believing the vessel woul
safely ride out the gale. ‘

The boat was st 1 shivering beneath the shock,
when there came another rattling. reyerberating

cal ten times louder than before, and that para-
Evzcd Harry for the moment with terror.

"The vessel has been struckl“ he gas , as soon
as he recovered his self-possession, an then stag-
gering _to the door, he drew it open, and looked out,
exgcting to see the boat hissing in flames.

t no: it was still unharmed: but the dense
blackness was cut in a hundred places by the zigzag
lightning, that was flaming from every portion of
the heavens, and seemed Io be laying about the
vessel preparatory to splitting t into a. thousand
fr merits. '

arry partially ascended from the cabin, and then

paused transfixed b the terrible scene. It was now

ramln , the dropsg water being carried along el-
y y

_most orlzontal the hurricane. and slrik’ his
face like particles of sand. B the intense b ht-
ness of t le lightning, he con :1 catch 3 ht of- the

towering billows that rushed tumultuou toward
the doomed vessel, each one, as if it were about to
overwhelm it, their tops white with foam, while
their concave walls appeared, as momentarily seen,
as if th‘edvnwerepf ink.

The d shneked and moaned through the‘cord‘
age, and the captain‘s orders, as ,he shouted them
thro n his speaking-trumpet, sounded as if they
came ram some pomt miles away.. By the same I
vivid flashes. he caught sight of him and the sca-
men, standing like statues, cool, self- assessed. and
ready for whatever the elements shou d bri them.

Harry was called to a more vivid sense of ‘5 per-

   

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ilous osition by a tremendous surge, which striking
the 5 do of the vessel with all its force, instead of
dashing itself into s ray and mist, broke so as to
send an immense vo ume bodily across the decks,
Frecifiitating itself against him with such violence
hit e was thrown senseless to the floor of the
co in.

lie had an indistinct recollection of hearing the
door slammed to at the same instant, and concluded,
when he recovered his senses, that it had been done
by one of the seamen, as a reminder for him to keep
it closed, so as to prevent the water from entering,
the hatches having long since been fastened down.

The lad did not remain unconscious for any length
of time. The sense of impending danger was too
vivid and intense, and the shuddering and tossing of
the vessel too constant for him to continue insensi-
ble to it. Recovering his feet he again sat down
holdin on tightly to prevent himself being tossed
upon 5 head.

And sitting there he could hear the mighty wach
sweep over the dock with a fierce impetuosity that
it seemed must rend the vessel asunder.

“ How much longer, on Heaven! can this tor-
turcd vessel stand this?” he exclaimed, more than
once, as it labored up from the trough of the sea.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
WAITING FOR THE END.

.
THE terrible night were slowly away. If the
sloop Albatross was unseaworth 'she still struggled
manfully and bravely with the urious tempest. It
seemed at times as if human ingenuity could not
at timbers to ether strong enough to withstand
he avalanche-1i ’e pounding of the mountain surges;
ut still she labored on, panting and plunging
through the waves that broke and swept hcr decks
from end to end. i
It, was near daylight, and Harry was sittin in the
manner mentioned, when he observed that t 1e floor
of the cabin was covered with water. or course a
considerable quantity had been dashed in with him
at the time he was struck by the wave and recipi-
tated to the bottom, but it appeared that this quan—
tit was increasing. .

e constant gitching and tossin made it im-
possible for him measure the high by any mark
upon the side of the cabin, but a few .minutcs’
caieful survey convinced him that be was'not mis-
ta ’en.

Just then the dull thumping of one of the pumps
reached his cum, and he understood that the vessel

was leaking.

His little knowledge of a vessel had led him to
suppose that in case they sprung a leak the last
place into which the water made its way was the
cabin: but he could well understand how in such a
gale as this such furious wrenching must open the
seams in a score of placos.

“She is leaking~that’s certain!" he exclaimed,
as the sensing and (lashing of the water made his
position anything but a pleasant one. “I believe
it will gain upon them too, if the storm continues
much longer, so that the hold will fill with water."

Scarcer any change was to be noticed in the
tliundervclaps, which continually sounded in the ear
with a stunningnuiproar to which Harry was in a
Certain res ect d rterent. It was not the lightning
which he cared, but the sea. the tempest; it was
the ‘shlvering' ship, the crashing blilows, whose
frightful rils he could not drive from his mind if
he desire , which at any moment might consign
him to the merciless ocean.

Final! he concluded to make the attempt to
reach is e deck again. for he was convinced from
the way that the boat was laboring, and the increas—
ing water in the cabin, that she was sinking, and he

dged that Captain Cole was too much occupied to

ve his post, and perhaps when the critical mo-
ment came would forget him altogether and leave
him to his fate.

At the very mom nt he laced his hand upon the
door it was shove vioien .ly inward, and the sten-
torian voice of Captain Cole shouted:

“ come, my boy, time's up; are you ready to go to
Davy‘Jones‘sloc er?" '

rA fri htful scene met his gaze as he came 11 on
deck. e night was past but the morning t t
had succeeded was scarcely ess terrible.

The wind, which had been blowing a hurricane,
had abated somewhat, but a rain, {nixed with snow,
awe t horizontally through the air,with a cutting
chil laces; the billows came swecpin tumultuously
forward, so close after each other 1; at they looked
like the snowy ridges of conntless mountains‘ the
hold of the vessel was half full of water, anc she
plunged and struggled like some dying monster.

No sunlight lit up the dreadful scene, but a gray,
horrid mist shut out all sight for a distance of a
hundred yards the seamen seeing that all further
effort was use ess, had lashed themselves to the
rigging, the stern Captain Cole disdained all such
assistance, and managed by herculean strength and
skill to keep himself from being washed overboard
by the waves that broke ceaselessly over the deck.

saw that it was sure death to venture away,
and he crouched down by the cabin, so as to permit
it partly to shield him from the fearful avalanches
of water.

The minutes seede of eternal length. but he had
been here only a. few seconds when he b me aware
ofa dull. boomin roar that rose above t e tumult
of the tempest. he captain, maintaining afosition
near him, seemed to div ne his the hts, an stoop-
ing down so as to bring his mouth c 080 to his ear,

shouted: ’
" It is the breakers you hear! We shall strike in

" a few minutesl Hang on till the hulk goes to piecel.

D

 

 

Ruff Robsart and His Bear.

 

and than do what on can to reach the shore. Can
you swim :1" he as 'ed, noticing the lifelpreserver.

Harry nodded, for it was useless for him to at
tem t to speak in this pandemoninm of sound.

“ an’t help each other," shouted back the strong-
lunged Captain Cole; “ if i can, l’ll do all that’s pos-
sible for on."

The A1 atross was drifting ra idly toward shore,
for at this moment the bold, roe :y headland of the
California coast loomed up to view, with the churn-
ing breakers at their base, curling and foaming in
their restless fury.

The rocks looked black, dripping and iinutternbly
checrless in ti e misty morning; but the yearning
eyes that peered through the fog could see also the
sand of the bench at their feet, showing slanding—
room for any who might be fortunate enough to be
cast thither.

But, behold: As Hurry looked he saw the dark
hull of another vessel pounding against the shore.
It had struck some time before, and while the bow
remained immovably fixed, the stern was rearing
and plunging in a way uhich showed that it must
speecilygo to pieces. Not even an iron-clad could
withstand such blows as it was receiving cach mo-
ment. .

Harry Northcnd forgot his own peril in his interest
in the some. He could discern Severn] figures
clinging to the bow, and one of them as dimly rc-
vcaled through the blinding mist and sleet, he was
sure was Little Rifle, while the tall, dark form near
her must be that of her father.

“ It’s the North Star!“ screechcd Captain Cole,
who well understood the anxiety of the lad; “ we’re
going to strike pretty near her. Hello!”

This exclamation was caused by a sudden thump-
ing Jar. followed by anolher plunge and then a fear-
ful shock, that threw the captain forward 11 on his
face, causing him to roll heavily against t e gun-
wale, which he clutched, barely in time to save
himsle from going overboard. .

Every blow of the waves only drove the prow the
more firmly into the sand, while the stcrn, still in
deep water, worked heavily around, until that, too,
remained fast, and the Albatross thus lay broadside
on, exposed to the full fury of the tempest; but a
moment later, from some unexplained cause, the
how was lifted, and by a strange action of the waves,
swunrr around, so that it pointcd directly out to sea,
and the rudder was the pan; nearest shore.

This rendered the stern the surest. Jart, especially
as the bow began working down in t 10 sand, and it
became necessary for Harry to shift his position.
The seamen. by ascending some distance up the rig-
ging and lashing themselves fast, had placed them-
selves above the reach of the waves, and Captain
Cole, feeling that nothing else remained, prepared
to do the same with Harry.

Watching his chance, he dashed forward, and
catchin the hand of the boy, had him at the foot
of the adder in a twinkling. Here another sur 0
caught them, and but for the help of the officer, the
boy would have been shot out on the crest of one of
the billows, like an egg-shell.

But he knew what was required of him. and he
went up the ladder as nimbly as a monkey, the
captain at his heels, neither musing until they
reached a safe point, where t cy could maintain
themselves With comparatively little difficulty for
some time.

The trouble was, that if compelled to remain here
very long, the drivinf: sleet would so benunib their
limbs that they won d become unable to maintain
their hold. The seamen although strong and rugged
men, had been on deck for twelve hours, and needed
to be lashed to make sure of their footing.

But every probability was that not a soul would
he left on board at the end of an hour, and this pre-
caution was unnecessary in the case of the two who
had last ascended.

It was not until Harry had been perched here for
several minutes that he was able to take a survey of
his surroundings.

As the chief ofilcer hill] predicted, they had struck
the beach very near the other vessel—loss than a
hundred feet separated them—and, as the lad looked
of! in that direction, he saw among the three figures
clustered at the how that of Little Rifle.

Most of the crew of the North Star had also
lashed themselves to the rigging, but the bow being
much more sheltered than was that of the Alba—
tross. the three ersons mentioned were enabled to
maintain) themse ves with little exertion.

The tall dark figure, which Harry supposed to be
the father, had placed himself in such aposiiion 'as
to shut off most of the fury of the tempest from his
loved daughter.

And Little Rifle holding on like a heroine, as she
was, looked off in the rigging of the other ship, and
gaw Hurry Northend, who was also gazing toward

er.

“ Does she recognize me?” was the thought in the
mind of the lad, as he gazed wistfully at her,

His heart warmed with delight, even at this awful
time when the next moment he saw her raise her
hand and wave it toward him. Regardless of his

,own den or he returned the salutation, and shout-
ed back, 11 the sound scarcely reached the ears of
the captain, directly below him.

In that moment what must have been the thoughts
of Little Rifle?

She could but have known what the presence of
Harry Northcnd meant at this time. That one
glance must have told the story of his patient, lovmg

ollowing of her through forest and mountain, and

over river and Se until finally the were brought
face to face again in the midst of t e teinpestuous
fury of the Pacific. '

"Ahl what would I not give for the rlvilege of'

 

exchanging one single word with'her." thought

 

Harry, as he remained azing steadfastly across the
short but impassable c asm. “I wonder which of
us will have to go first?"

Soon shall the question he answered.

CHAPTER XIX.
THE LEAP FOR LIFE.

ALL this time the eye of Captain Cole was scan-
ning the coast before them, and he was coolly
weighin the chances it offered for an escape for
him an his companions.

He noticed that the high precipitous bluffs, as we
have alread mentioned, ( irectly opposite them, sat
back some istancc from the shore. Wore it other-
wise, not the slightest hope would remain for the
most daring swimmer that ever cleft the wavu.

Not a living soul was to be seen upon these- liluil‘s.
He knew that further inland were Inai'auding in‘
(Hans. who, if they knew of the booty that was thus
offered, would swarm along the shore in niyrizxds,
eager and impatient for the sea to cast the prey into
their hands.

If they should appear, one would have little to
choose between going down in the sea at rest. or in‘
being washed ashore in the full possession of life and
strength,

Harry had withdrawn his attention for the mo-
ment from the other vessel, when he fell: tliecap-
tain touch his leg, and, as he looked down at him to
see what it meant, he ointcd to the wreck.

One glance showe that it was breaking n .
Laige fragments could be seen tossed aloft by t e
waves, and to several of them, men were clinging.

Only two remained upon the row and they were
Little Rifle and her father. ‘he other had also
plunged into the boiling sea, in his desperate strug-
gle for l‘fe. - ‘

“ Why do they wait .9" was the question that came
involuntarily to the lips of the terrified lad; "they
ma ' as well take the leap first as last.” I

8 had considerable hope of their escaping. 'He
knew that Little Rifle was a perfect swnnmer, and
he had heard old Ruff Robsart tell of some of her
wonderful exploits in water. It was to be supposed,
of course, that her father was also an 9x1 err.

Instead of watchin those upon the “rock. Cap-
tain Cole was careful y observing those who were In
the water for the probability was that whatever
fate befeli them would befall those who came after.
If they escaped, so might be; if they failed, the
probabilities were that he would.

He saw them carried swiftlv southward, all pose
ing close to his own boat, and one poor fellow was
swept under the bow, bruised and drowned; but the
three others clinging to the fragments. cleared the
second wrec ’, and by ii. curious action of the eddy—
ing current were whirled in so close to shore, that
by tremendous and powerful swimming all three
reached land and were seen to wade up the beach,
mapping with brine and scarcely able to stand.

is was encouraging, for the captain would not
acknowledge that his superior in swimming had yet
been born. It was characteristic of the man that,
disclaiming all assistance in the shape of life- re-
servers or pieces of the wreck, he should fling gim-
sclf boldly into the ocean and begin the struggle
single-handed.

The eyes of Harry Northend were naturally fixed
upon him, and he watched his niovcnienls with an
intensity of interest that can scarcely be imagined
He observed that as he drifted southward he aimed
directly for the shore, swimming with a steady and
powerful stroke. He made no attempt to u-cveut
the foam of the breakers from going over his head.
for the simple reason that he knew no mortal man
can support himself in spray and foam. All that he
can do is to hold his breath and wait for a chance to
gt‘t another mouthful of air.

This the sailor did, surely and steadily approach-
ing the shore, until, as tossed high upon the crest of
a mighty wave. he made land and chnging to the
sand, scrambled up out of the baffled waves.

Harry’s eyes were upon the brave captain, and
his heart gave a. throb of dpleusure as he saw that
one at least had escape . when something dark
caught his eye in the water and he saw that Little
Rifle was in the water clinging to a fragment of the
wreck, and using might and main to reach the shore.
One lance_at where the other wreck had been,
showeg that it was gone. The sea was sweeping
over the spot, and the only part that remained visi-
ble was that to which the two were holding fast, and
this was spinning reSIstlessly in the current.

Harry would have saluted them by way of encour-
agement, as they passed, but the were too much
engaged With their own work to ance right or left.

The lad wondered why it was t at Little Rifle per-
sisted iii clingin to the lank, when her abilit in
swimming woul enable or to makemuch be ter
progress toward the shore; but, as he watched the
movements of the two, he, rightly suspected that she
did this to assist her father, who was not her equal
in sw1mming,and who was afraid to trust himself
alone in the waves.

The regress upon a. ’raft is necassarily much
slower than that of simpl relying upon one's mus.
cular ower and skill in be water; and so, with a,
terrib e misgiving, he saw the two sweep on down
the coast without, so for as he was able to judge,
coming any nearer.

it was plain that the exertions of the noble-heart,-
ed 'rl were intended mainly to benefit her parent.
if s e should fling herself loose from the float, and
strike out for the shore,«she could reach it as cer-
tainly asdid Captain Cole and the semen of her
own vessel.

As if to convince her of the truth of this, the
sailors who had been- lashedi to the riggin of the

Albatross were now strugg ng in the w. r and

steadily making their way'to shore.

 

l
l
y

 

 

paww

But certain death itself would not have dissuaded
her from the attempt. With all her bravery and re-
izuirlmlle skill, she worked the craft toward the
land, determined l but if saved or lost it should be in
the coiiipnny of her areiit. '

Harry felt that t ie time had come for him to
make the “leap for life," fpr lie was the only one
left, and the wreck itself gave signs of breaking up;
but before doiii so he was anxious to see what he-
came of Little tie; for if she escaped. he would be

, iicrved to make greater exertions for his own safety.

Harry tool; a look it the father and daughter, but
it was not a very satisfactory one, and convinced
that it would not do for him to remain longer, he
come curei’ull down the ladder. so as to leap into
the sea in sue a way as to run no danger of being
swept under or against the hull.

Ho was nearly to the bottom. when there wuss.
fearful swaying, end he 5th that the wreck was
turning upon its sxdc.

Not 11. moment was to be lost, and with a prayer
upon his lip, he leaped as far out in the boiling
waves as was osSiblc. and like Captain Colo, struck
straight for s ore, With all the strength at his com-
mand, dreading each moment to receive a crushing
blow from the mast or one of the spars.

He escaped this, but he found it almost impossible
to prevent himself from strangling, us he seemed to
be under water nearly all the time.

But he struggled 1111“le as long as power
remained. He could see the black rocks glemning
wet and clieei'less near llllll'. dun figures of men
uP011 the beach—.somel'hma like a shouf~then all
was blackness of darkness—cud he knew nothing.

Was this death?

CHAPTER XX.
coxcnusms.

As Harry Northend found himself battling with
the billows, he struggled Imlnflllly and heroically;
fur like every young, horcful boy. he had every~
thing to live, fox; His lifc-pw-server kept him from
sinking, but it could not prevent the crests from
curling over his head, and 171 this Way, when he was
comparatively a short distance from shore, he
became bewildered, confused and strangled, and
lost consciousness at the moment when only a few
lsggady strokes were needed to carry him safely to

But here were a. number who were watching his
movements, ready to give "ha? assistance they
$831151, the moment they could gain the opportunity

so.

Little Rifle and her father succeeded in reachin
land Without difficulty, and S_lle Was little exhauste .

e moment she felt the solid land beneath her, she
turned about to see what had become of her friend
Harry Northend. For one moment she thought he
was gone; but the next instant he rose to View on
“.8 CWSE of a. wave, and she saw that he was strug-
gling for iiie.

3 he was drifting down the coast. the eight or
ten Demons on the beach hurried down. so as to keep
Rpclmllaebaiad to be ready to lend a hand the moment

e one. .

” 0h. if we had a rope!” exclaimed Little Rifle, as
she saw how vainly her lover was Struggling, “we
might save him." ,,

13,? We hain’t got a rope. growled Captain
C°le~ 80 what‘s the use? But We can form a line
Ourselves. and maybe get out to him,“

T 18 was no sooner mentioned. than it was done,
all taking hold of hands, and while those composing
one end of the fines on the shore, the others
wade out as m as was prudent. the whole line
runnin backward when it was deemed prudent or
those. rthest out to sea did their best to “ride”
the bluowg’ as they came rolling in.

Captain Cole intended to take the outer end, or
£95” I” danger himself? but seem? the anxiety of

ittle Rifle, and noticing her exec] once as a swim-
merhhe permitted her to go out, while he griped her
sma hand in his horny palm, With a power that
would have pulled the arm from the socket before‘
fiisvgléld have permitted it to be withdrawn from

sp.

It was well that the captain retained his hold 11 n
the hand or wrist of thtle Rifle; for her anxietgoto
fit out to the assmtauce of the despairin Harry

ortheud was so great, that she won d have
plun ed directly 81130118 the Waves, careless of her
own ate, in be;- desn‘e to save him_

But the sailor would not permit any such vicari-
ous Sacrifice as. that. struggle,“ much as she might.

mee sepam times Little Rifle attempted to catch
the coat of t e boyfias 11? Went up the billow, but
he was too-weak t0 ell) himself, and she just missed
111111 each tin]? _

Again a, giant WIIVP curried him aloft, and, 85
Cu.an Cole gave her more room, she threw herself
into it also, Will-I the FeSOIVG to secure him this time,
no matter at what cost.

A desl'xel‘at8 Clutch, 4-8 far out as the iron grip of
the sailor would pegmt, and her hand grasped the
sleeve of the. boy. blie had caught him at last.

The ca tam saw it, and iving the signal, the
rest of e line ran up the acii, the half—dozen
who were furthest out tumbling pell-mell over each
othar, as the wave broke and carried them up the
sari .

49 counts she felt that they were safe against
being carried back 1; the undertow, Little Rifle
knelt over the form ofyHai-ry, and raisin his head
upon her knee looked longin ly down on is face to
see whether life had de Neil; or not. It was hard
for her to tell, but w e gazing, the blufl 93 min
over her shoulder and put 1118 d
upon his orahecd and than upon his chest.

‘ Obi he’s all right}? he said; ‘,‘ considerably

t

Ruff‘Robsart and His Bear.

bruised and half-choked, but don‘t you see he's
breathing?" r

“ You think, then, he will not die?” she said, just
raising her voice loud. enough to be heard in the
tumult.

“ He's worth ten thousand dead boys; he’ll come
around all right in a few minutes; but we must get
up afire some way or other or we shall all perish.
Dobbins must have gota crack on his head by some
means, for he’s dead as a door-nail. Well, you
watch him while I see what can be done about
starting a fire.”

By uintof great effort, sufficient fuel was "nthci'cd
and a. stron fire was kindled, around which the
miserable shipwrecked sufferers gathered and man-
ugod to keep themselves from polishing.

No Indians were to be seen, and, as t ie hiin cliffs
shut out the View inland, they had strong hopes of
escaping this danger.

It was found that two of the seamen had suffered
such anul‘leS that in spite of all that could he done
they succumbed and 1. led. Wet, cold and hungry,
the others could not have been much more miser-
able than they already wcr .

The storm rapidly abated, the sun coming out
toward noon, and, as they caught sight of a sail in
tlie_tlistance, ever thing was done to attract their
notice. Cu tain ole and a couple of his sailors

, ascended t e cliffs and displayed signals of dis-

tress.

Fortunately these attempts succeeded, and about
the middle of the afternoon the ship came in as
close to shore as was prudent, and a boat was sent
in? to bring the shipwrecked crew and passengers
0 .

The sea was still running very hi h, but by good
seuinansli'ijp the task was accomplislied without any
mishap. he two dead bodies were also brought 0!!
and givcna burial from the ship.

On the clear, starry night that succeeded the tem-

estuous one, Hurry Norl‘hend and Hagar Ruvemia,
Better known as Little Rifle sat by themselves, con-
yersing over the past and speculating as to the

utui‘e.

Her hand was imprisoned in his, and she no longer
attempted to conceal the love that. warmed her
hecti' .

They first conversed of the past, and she made her
story full and complete.

On that night when the two encampod in the Ore-
gon wilderness, she had not the remotest intention
of leaving him in the manner ,she did.

But while he slept the‘ revelation that had been
made to her during‘ the preceding few hours drove
all slumber from or eyelids. I so wrought upon
her finally that she was ob ‘ ed to rise to her feet,
and ace back and forth in he gloom, as a man will
do w en crushed by some overwhelmingcaluniity.

And then, fearful of awakening him, she wan-
dered away in the gloom, expecting to rcturn when
she was able to master her emotions.

She weft and cried, and was almost beside her-
self, unti she flung herself upon the ground and

rayed God to fireVent her reason dcserting her.

While 1 mg t us in the gloom of the forest, she
felt the d stant shock of an earthquake, and spring-
ing to her feet, was sensible of the ground swaying
beneath. This new terror caused her to fall sense

885.

When she regained her consciousness she was in a
canoe, speeding sw1ftly down-stream, and in the
dim 1i ht of 1: ie early dawn, she recognized the
chief a need, who, in answer to her questions, told
her that o wastaking her to her father.

All that he said corresponded with what she had
learned the revious day. and sad as she felt at the
manner that she had left her dear friend, she could
not refuse to go with him.

She gave the particulars of their journey through
the woods and mountains, saying1 that never until
she caught sight of Harry u n t e wrecked Alba.-
tross di she know of a ce inty that he was pur—
suing her.

It was plain now that when Robsartreferred to
the manner of her delparture, he was convinced that
shehad tom oral-fly ost her i‘eaSnn—but he forbore
shying 50. t ough fear of needlessly distressing

im

I’l‘he meeting between father and daughter was
Singular and pathetic, and it was a. sad, strange
story that he told.

Jured Eavean was one of the early pioneers of
California, and in the year 1846 visited Astoria,
where he met anuesa, the Blackfoot chief, one
day while hunting. A curious concurrence of cir-
cumstances caused a. strong friendship to spring up
between the two. He roamed the woods for weeks
and months With him, and might have rem'ained for
years; but the discovery of gold in California,
caused him, With hundreds of others, to hurry
thither.

Good fortune attended him in the mines, and
leavmg there he went East, married the love of his
youth, and returned again to California; but the
rug ed hfe he was compelled to lead was too much
for 15 Wife, who died at the birth of H ar.

California at that time was infested wit the scum
of the earth. and not knowing what to do with the
intent, {16 thought of his old friend Maquesa and
sailing 0 Autumn, placed her in charge 0 the
cliieufl, who agreed to give her the best care until she
she 11 reach a suitable age to be taken on the long
journe eastward, to receive proper attention an
educat on,

A whim led the father togglrchm the little rifle
of a, miner, and to leave t twlth her, to rovide
agluust a contingency which he hoped woul never

 

occur.
It was the intention of Mr. Revenue to return and

'715

I claim his child at the curl of two years. he agreeing
, to pay the chief a handsome sum [or the care she
was to receive in the interval at the hands of his
squaw. himself and people. ,

Only moderate fortune attending Mr. Ravennas
second venture in the mines. he entered into a spec
ulatioii somewhat of a different and somewhat oi'
the same character. .Recciving what they deemed
reliable information of the existence of gold on an
almost unknown portion of the African coast. a
party was formed to go thither.

When near their destination their vessel was
wrecked, and those of their company who were not
lost fell into the hands of the savages. A lialfajozen
were kept in confinement for nearly ten years.
when three of them succeeded one dark night in
swimming off to a slaver, and by a roundabout and
wearisome route the despairing father at last found
his way back to California, Where to his amazement
he discovered himself wealthy from the a precise
tion of a. large quantity of land to which e pos-
sessod a clear title. _ '

But he cared nothing for this, His child was his
whole thought, and without an hour’s unnecessam'
delay he reached Astoria, where he found not a soul
recognized him, so great had. been the personal
change in his appearance during his long years of
absence. _

With the assistance of a couple of Indians he had
little dimculty in reaching llluqiiesu. who had long
since given him up as dead. The chief undoubtedly
suspected the identity of Little Rifle. but cared not
to interfere between her and Old Ruff Robsart, so
long as he believed her parent would not return to
claim her.

So much of the Past.

And now of the Present.

Mr: Ravcnna was devotedly attached to his child,
who was rapidly learning to return his love.
his absence San Francisco had become a great on
growing cit '. and he proposed to settle down there
and devote imself to the education and welfare. of
his daughter. He received Harry as his own child,
and made him promise to make his home with him
until his own father should come to claim him.

And the future, who shouldpenetrate that?

A con la of months later Mr. Northend surgicared
in San rancisco, in compan with Old R Rob:
sart, who was almost as Wil with delight to meet
his own Little Rifle it min as she was to see him. He
already noted a rapii improvement in her manner
and ap nmuce, and he was sure she was gomg to
make t e handsomest woman that ever lived. He
said, in course of their many conversations, that one
reason he returned to the wilds of Oregon waste
visit the cavern, in which it will be remembered
Harry and Little Rifle had become lost, after the
former had gone over the falls. He expectedto
find gold there, and so he did, but in too insignifi-
cant quantities to compensate him, and so he left in
disgust.

Five years later, the prosperous merchant. Harry
Noflhend. received the Bride of the Wilderness, as
he still fondly) termed her, and wishing them all
happiness we id them farewell.

TEE mm.

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i Adventures ornufl‘alo Bill. From Boy-
hood to Manhood. Deeds of Daring and Roman-
tic Incidents in the early life of William F. Cody.
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. »'

2 The Ocean Hunters; 0;, The Chase of
Leviathan. A Romance of Perilous Adven-
ture. By Captain Mayne Reid.

WAIL Extra Large Numbw'rfiéfi

3 Adventures of \Vlld Bill, the Pistol
Prince. Remarkable career of J. B. Hikok,
(known to the world as “ Wild Bill,“) giving the
true story of his adventures and acts. By Col.
Prentiss Ingraham.

4 The Prairie Ranch; or, The Young Cattle
Herders. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

5 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. Thrill-
ing Adventures in the Life of J. B. Omohundro,
‘ Texas Jack.“ By 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

6 '(Trulsc of the Flyaway; or, Yankee Boys
in Ceylon. By C. Dunning Clark.

3 7 Roving Joe: The History of a Young “ Bor-
der Ruffian." Brief Scenes from the Life of
Joseph E. Badger, or. By A. H. Post.

8 The Flyuway Afloat; or. Yankee Boys
‘Round the World. By C. Dunning Clark.

9 Bruin Adams, 01d Grizzly .‘da‘lns’
Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahum.

10 The Snow-Trail; or. The Boy Hunters of . ‘

Fur-Land. By T. C. Hm-baugli.

I 1 Old Grizzly Adams, the Bear Tamer;
or. The Monarch of the Mountain. By Dr.
Frank Powell.

12 Woods and Waters; or, The Exploits of
the Littleton Gun Club. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

13 A Rolling Stone: Incidents in the Career
on Sea and Land as Boy and Man of Colonel
Prentiss Ingraham. By Prof. Wm. R. Eyster.

l4 Adria on the Prairie, and Amateur
Hunters on the Butl‘alo Range. By
011 Ccomes.

15 Kit Carson, King of the Guides; or
Mountain Paths and Prairie Trails.
Aiken.

16 Red River Rovers; 01', Life and Adven-
turns in the Northwest. By C. Dunning Clark.

17 Plaza and Plain; or, Wild Adventures of
“ Buckskin Sam." (Major Sam S. Hall.) By
Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

18 [line and Revolver; or, The Littleton

‘ Gun Club on the Buffalo Range. By Captain
hederlck Whittaker.

19 Wldc-Awake George, The Boy Pioneer;
or, Life in 9. Log Cabin. Incidents and Adven-

_ tune in the Backwoods. By Edward Willett.

20 The Dashing Dragoon; or, The Story of
General George A. Custer, from West Point to
the Big Horn. By, Captain Frederick Whittaker.

21 Deadwood Dick as a Boy; or. Why
Wild Ned Harris, the New-England Farm-lad, be-
came the Western Prince of the Road. By Ed-
warde. Wheeler.

22 The Boy Exiles of Siberm; or. The
Watch-Dog of Russia. By T. C. Harbaugh.

23 Paul De Lucy, The French Beast Charmer;
or, New York Boys in the Jungles. A Story of
Adventure, Peril and Sport in Africa. By C.
Dunning Clark.

24 The Sword Prince: The Romantic Life
of Colonel Monatery, (American Champion—at-

, anus.) By Captain Frederick Whittaker.

25 Round the Camp Fire; or, Snow-Bound

. at “Freeze-out Camp." By Joe. E. Badger, J r.

26 Snow-Shoe Tom; or, New York Boys’in
the Wilderness. A Narrative of Sport and Peril
in Maine. By T‘. C. Harbaugh.

. £7 Yellow Half, the Boy Chief of the
Pawnees. The Adventurous Career of Eddie
Burgess of Nebraska. By Colonel Prentiss In-
graham. ,

28 The Chan of the Greg: White Stag
and Camp and Canoe. By 0. Dunning
Clark.

By A. W. -

 

 

29 The Fortune-Hunter; or, Roving Joe
as Miner, Cowboy, Trapper and Hunter. By
A. H. Post.

30 “Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. ATale of the
Antarctic Sea. By C. Dunning Clark.

31 The Boy (Trunadcr; or, How a Page and a
Fool Saved 8. King. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

32 White Beaver, the Indian Medicine
Chief; or, The Romantic and Adventurous
Life of Dr. D. Frank Powell. By Co]. Ingraham.

33 Captain Ralph, the Young Explorer: or,
The Centipede Among the Flees. By C. Dunning
Clark.

34 The Young Bear Hunters. A Story of
the liar-s and Mishaps of a Party of Boys in
the Wilds of Northern Michigan. By Morris
Redwing.

35 The Lost Boy \Vhalers; or, In the Shadow
of the North Pole. By T. C. Ilarbaugh.

36 Smart Sim, the Lad with a Level Head.
By Edward Willett.

37 Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums; or,
The Monsters of the Esquimaux Border. By
Roger Sterbuck.

38 The Senior”; Son; or, Adventures in the
Wilderness and Clearing. By Edward S. Ellis.

39 Night -lilnwk George, and His Daring
Deeds and Adventures in the Wilrls of the South
and West. By Col. Prentiss Ingmham.

40 The Ice Elephant; or, The Castaways of
the Lone Cozts‘t. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

41 The Pampas Hunters; or, New York
Boys in Buenos Ayres. By T. C. Harbnuglx.

42 The Young Land-Dubber; or. Prince
Porter‘s First Cruise. By C. Dunning Clark.
43 Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Col.

Prentiss Ingrahum.

44 The Snow Hunters; or, Winter in the
Woods. By Barry De Forest.

45 Jack, l-Iarry and Tom. The Three
Champion Brothers; or. Adventures of Three
Brave Boys with the Tattooed Pirate. By Capt.
Frederick Whittaker.

46 The Condor Killers; or, Wild Adventures
at the Equator. By T. C. Harbaugh. 1

~17 The Boy. Coral-Fishers; or, The Sea-
(‘avern Scourge. By Roger Starbuck.

48 Dick, theStowawa ; or, A Yankee Boy's
Strange Cruxse. By Char es Morris.

49 Tip Trcssell, the Floater; or, Fortunes and
Mister-twice on the Mississippi. By Edward
Willctt.

50 The Adventurous Life of Nebrauka
Charlie, (Charles E. Burgess.) By Colonel
Prentiss lngraham.

51 The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an Indigo
Plantation. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. '

52 Honest Harry ;' or, The Country Boy Adrift
in the City. By Charles Morris.

53 The Boy Detectives; or, The Young Cali-

fornians in Shanghai. By T. C. Harbaugh.

54 California J oe, The Mysterious Plainsman.
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

55 Harry Somers, The Sailor'Boy Magician.
By S. W. Pearce.

56 Nobody’s Boys; or, we Among the Gipsies.
By J. M. Hoflmau.

57 The Menagerie Hunter; or, Fanny Ho:
hart, the Animal Queen. By Major H. Grenville.

58 Lame Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines; or,
Life Among the Black Diamonds. By Charles
Morris.

59 Lnd liouheell, the Young Tiger Fighter.
By Roger Starbuck.

 

 

60 The Young Trail Hunters; or, Near
York Boys in Grizzly Land. By T. C. Harbaugh.

61 The Young Mustangers. By C. D. 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 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

64 The Young Moose-Hunters; or, Trail
and Campfire in the _New Brunswick Woods. By
Wm. H. Manning.

Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker; or,
Two Brave Boys to the Rescue. By Roger
Siarlmck.

' Limp Dan Burks; or, The Mountain Kid's

Mission. By Morris Redwing.

’Longshore Lijc; or. How a Rough Boy

Won His Way. By C. Dunning Clark.

Flatboat Fred; or, The Voyage of the “ Ex—

periment.” By Edward \Villett.

The Deer-Hunters; or. Life in the Ottawa.

Country. By John J. Marshall.

Kentucky Ben, the Long Rifle of the Plains;

or, The Boy Trappers of Oregon. By Roger '

Starbuck.

The Boy Pilot; or, The Island Wreckers.

By C01. Prentiss Ingraham. 7

Young Dick Talbot. By Albert W. Aiken.

Pat Mnlloncy’s Adventures; or, Silver

Tongue, the Dacotah Queen. By C. L. Edwards.

The Desert Rover; or. Stowaway Dick

Among the Arabs. By Charles Morris.

The Border Gunmaker; or, The Hunted

Maiden. By James L. Bowen.

The Kit Carson Club; or, Young Hawk-

eyes in the Northwest. By T. C. Harbaugh.

Leftillnnded Pete, the Double-Knife. By

Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

The Boy Prospector; or, The Scout of the

Gold Ravine. By Roger Starbuck.

79 Mlnonce, 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.

81 The Border Rovers; or. Lost on the Over-
land Tmil. By J. Milton Hoffman.

82 Alaska, the Wolf Queen; or, The Glrty
Brothers‘ Double Crime. By Captain Charles

‘ Howard.

83 The Young Nihilist; or, A Yankee Boy
Among the Russians. By Charles Morris.

84 Little Rifle; or, The Young Fur Hunters.
By Capt. “ Bruin " Adams.

85 Fighting Fred; or, The Castaways of
Grizzly Camp. By T. C. Harhaugh.

86 Dr. Carver, the “ Evil Spirit " of the Plains;
or, The Champion Shot of the World. By Col.
Prentiss Ingraham.

87 Rufl‘ Robson-t and m: Dear. By Capt.
“ Bruin " Adams. -

88 dPagan)“ the Cowboy. By Major H. B. Stod-

'77

78

89 Gaspar. the Gaucho; or, Lott on the
Pampas. By Captain Mayne Reid.
[virgin Brim Large Number.@

90 Texas Charlie, the Boy Ranger. By Col.
Prentiss Ingraham.

A new (mu every week.

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BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS.
95 William street. N. Y.