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'75

May 16, 1383.

Copyright, 188?, by BEADLE AND Anus.

Entered at the Post Omce at New York. N. Y.,

 

as Second Class Mail Matter.

 

No. .

Pric
Five 0:11“.

Hunted Maiden.

BOWEN

ET, NEW YORK.

pr, The

No. 98 WILLIAM STRE

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS.

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N11125:

Vol. III

THE BORDER GUNMAKER

 

 

BY JAMES L

 

 

 

 

 

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GREEN JACKET, THE BORDER GUNMAHB, IN HIS DEN.

 

2 .

The Border Gunmaker.

 

The Harder Gunmaker;

. on,
' ' THE HUN TED MAIDEN.

BY UAMES L. BOWEN.

CHAPTER I.
THE GUNMAKER.

A'r first sight you would most likely have ro-
nounced him an old man, but then a second ook
would have changed this impression, anda third
left you still more than ever in doubt as to the
real number of years he mi ht have, seen. It
was the sunken eye, the strong g-marked visage,
the thick sandy Whiskers an heir, streaked
here and there with gray, which first conveyed
the impression of age, and it was the freshness
of the complexion, the quick, nervous move-

, ’ ments of the evidently muscular figure, which
* ' . seemed to indicate youth. But when both were
 considered together, the mind vacillated from
point to point in uncertainly.

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

His dress was that of bordermen in eneral,
save that he wore a short green rounds ut in
filace of the usual hunting~frock, and a close-

tting cap ingeniously made of dressed buffalo
and deer-hide. The peculiarity of his dress had
won from the Indians the name of Green Jacket,
which had come to be adopted by most of the
whites: so that he was generally known as
' Green J acket, the Gunmaker. Most peo 1e knew
I ‘ that he had at some time been honore with a
more civililed name, but so generally had.his
Indian cognomen been used that the other was
almost, if not quite, forgotten. .

In feature he was not handsome. His eyes
were quite too keen and piercing, looking out
from beneath heavy overhanging brows, which

eve him at all times a half-savage a pearauce.

- I is nose was too large, and his cheek- nes quite
r too prominent. .
-’. He was standing now beside a narrow bench,
fixed upon one side of the cabin engaged in re—

pairing the broken stock of a ri e. Beside him

sat a heavy, iron-bound box of tools, and a few

more were lying about upon the bench. Two

or three guns stood in as many corners of the

room, and one, evidently the favorite weapon

of the occupant, a long, heavy rifle, hung in a

pair of brackets above the bench. Very little

in the way of furniture was apparent-on a few

blocks, some simple cooking utensils, and a
quantity of dry fuel. ' .

, A curtain of dressed skins ran across one and

v of the cabin but if curiosity prompteda peep

g . r ' ‘behind, nothing was to be seen save the rude
w' couch Where thegunmaker passed his sleeping

hours. , | r

Outside, the prospect was scarcely less bare.

‘ The cabin was related from all others, and shut
1  in by the hills and woodlaud'so that no other
it , hm habitation was in sight. Immediately
 r a the cabin the primitive forest had been

,- cutaway, and some portion of the land had evi-

' .' r doubly been cultivated in cars past. But now
A  ‘ the bushel and weeds bed almost undisputed
- ' ' accession, and the forest seemed ikely

“ regain its lost territo . A “trail” seed

7 {v . by the humble dwelling, t ough wherei came

' - a from, orwhioh way it led, seemed a matter of

m tery. '
, green Jacket himself wean. mystery.
7 Quite a. number _ yearsbefore, when the set-
L‘; ' tlemeuts in that vicinity were in their infancy,
' a settler had built the cabin to which we have
 ‘ , made reference, and cleared up the land about
it. He remained the first season, and then went
tong his family. But neither himself not
, family ever came there afterward.
_. .' It was given out at length that the cabin was
-"~ , again occupied, and on visiting the spot such
I was found to be the case. Green Jacket was
there with a small kit of gunsmith’s tools, and
. seemed calm in the possession. His right was
\ questioned and no satisfactory answer given;
but no dec ded measures were resorted to,,for
two reasons: he was very calm and undemon-
atrative in manner, and promised to vacate at
once in case the owner returned. He proved a
skillful mechanic, and as no other repairer of
fire-arms was in the vicinity, he became rather
a. necessity in that region, where life or death
might at any moment depend upon having the
Customary weapons in perfect order.

. \

 

  

 

The owner of the cabin had not returned, and
Green Jacket had not been required to vacate.
But be was still almost as much of a mystery
as six years before. Quite frequently he closed
the cabin, and was absent for weeks at a time,
going no one knew where, and returning when
east expected.

On one occasion a neighbor, having a curiosity
to learn something more in regard to Green
Jacket than be had been able to thus far, broke
into the cabin during his absence. But before
his investigations were completed, the gunsmith
returned. The intruder escaped with his life,
but never afterward allowed his curiosity to
rise above the control of prudence.

On another occasion an attem t had been
made to follow him when he left t 6 place, but
the party was soon discovered, and informed
that he was meddling with matters which did
not concern his welfare, and that it would be
much more prudent never to attempt the like
again. The gunsmith emphasized the words by
shooting a bird from the limb of a distant tree,
and after witnessing the act, and looking once
in the depths of those fierce gray eyes, the scout
lost all ambition to learn more of the secret
haunts toward which Green Jacket was repair—

mg.
While the gunmaker was Wiping his brow in
perplexity, and whistling because he had not
such a tool as he desired—as though whistling
would supply the deficiency—there sounded
movements without, and presently alight knock
was heard upon the door.
“ Come in,” was the bidding, in a somewhat
husky voice.
The door opened, creaking on its hinges, and
a. young man introduced himself cautiously into
the room. He hesitated a moment, as t ough
to assure himself that there was no real danger,
and then advanced to the side of the occupant.
The smith ran his sharp eyes quickly over the
new-comer, and then, as though quite satisfied
b the inspection, extended his hand to receive a
rifle which the other proffered.
,“That lock is out of order, sir; can you re-
air it?" the visitor asked, in tones which were

- mat a little affected.

“ If it’s a look I ken,” was the unhesitating re-
ply. “But I can’t make a new one, because I

aven’t got the meal 5 here.”

“ The fault is very trifling, sir, very trifling.
It can be but a few moments’ work to repair it.”

“ Ye'r’ right; and if ye’ll hold yer breath
about two minutes, the work’ll be done.”

He proceeded to remove the lock, keeping up
the conversation as he worked“

“ Ye’r’ a stranger here, I see.”

“ I am, sir.”

“I knowed that, for people out here don’t
wear that kind of clothes very lon' . You’ll
soon want so’thin’ more for service— ike mine,
here. But then, perhaps, ye don’t intend to

sta l” ' . .

‘y I scarcely know, sir. I always admired the
spirit of the Far West, and ‘have come out here
to take a hunt, and tr it. If I realize the an-
ticipations of my be ood, I shall remain and

come a ermanen fixture somewhere here.
Otherwise shall return East.’ . ,

“ I ken tell yer what ye’ll do—ye W111 go back
to the East.” ,

“ Do you really think so?” ~

" Do ye think the sun’ll rise to—morrer morn-
in’i I ain’t speakin’ disrespectful of the land
whar ye come from, not the we ye do things
thar; at you ain’t one of the d, of tellers
what’ll take naterally to this here sile. It may
do fora month or few but arter that yte want
suthin’ more like the o d sort. You didn .come

to any place to hunt, though; there ain’t any-

game here!”

“ No game here?” ’

The young man seemed quite confounded at
the assertion. "

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

“ What game would I find there?”

“Red-skins, boss-thieves, painters, Mars, and
anvquantity of‘ smaller f .”

The young man shook is head in rather a

“ I don’t think I have anyI particular ambition
to hunt in that direction,” e said. “‘ Much asI
would like tones the class of characters of which
you speak, I understand pretty well that it
would be at a cat risk to myse f."

“ If you don t understand it now ye’d be pur—
ty likely to afore ye’d been thar long. But I
reckon e won’t take it anyways onkind if I ask
ye who handle ye’re earned by."

'1 “”I probably do not understand your meaning,
3 r.

dubious manner.

 

“I mean yer name.”

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

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

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

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

Before they reached it, however, it was

thrown open and a young woman entered. She
was pale and terribly excited, but it did not
need a second glance to discover that she was
very beautiful. Her hair, which floated wildly
about her neck and shoulders, was long, waving
and silken in texture, while her dress and gen-
eral appearance betokened at least respectable
standing in good society. Altogether, the fall-
ing of a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky would
have been much less startling than her appear-
ance at that time and place and in such a man-
ner. - '
Only a few feet behind her came a second per-
sonage, a man evidently some five and thirty
years of age, or thereabouts, much less respect-
able in appearance than the fugitive woman,
and apparently beside himself with passion.

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

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

“0h, sirs, don’t let him take me away from
here!” exclaimed the woman, with clasped
hands. “ Save me, and I will be your friend
for life.”

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

“No, indeed, I am not; and never will be
your wife!” she exclaimed, vehemently.

The pursuer here attempted to pass by Green
J ackst and seize the woman, but he was thrown
back with one movement of the strong mm
which opposed him, while the gunsmith re;
marked:

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

‘ That's your style, is it?” hissed the mfuriated
man, producin a knife and movmg toward tine
gunsmith. “ ust‘get out of my way, will you,
or I may be oblige to carve your insolence.”

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

“Perhaps you ca culate tosettle matters right
here,” he remarked, with those keen eyes pene-
tratin the man with the knife.

' The utter returned his weapon to the sheath,
remarkin : ‘

“I clout expect to fight a man in his own
housg, of course; but 1 may meet you some

gNothiniomore likely."
“ Come. uisa, come; I’m going now. Don’t
be so foolish.” I ~ I

But she only shrunk back, with an appealing
look to Green J ucket. , _

“ I tell yer the girl ain’t gom’ with ye unless
she wants ter. Sartin not ill ye tell why and
Wherefore, and what ye want to dew With her.
It’s plain that she hain t been well used in some
wa , and unless ye can clearu matters more’n
ye Kev done so fur she’ll stay ere for the pres—
ent.”

“I tell you she’s my wife,” persisted the in-
truder. ’

“ No, I am not: indeed I am not!” the girl ex- .

claimed. ,

The gunsmith looked-from onto the other,
half-puzzled. -

f‘In that case I shall believe the 831,” he

said.

“Well, I don’t see the difference,” pursued
the claimant. “If she hasn’t been married in
form, and all that. she’s mine by promise, and
that is all the same, the way reckon. She
knows the promise, and knows what her father
would do about it, if he were here.”

The woman looked from one to the other of

 yiThe‘ Border Gunmaker.

3

 

 

the parties with an air of deep suffering. ‘\But
she did not speak.

“Come, ain’t yer comin’ along peaceablet’"

the man persisted, taking another step toward
the door. _

“ Oh, sir, tell me,” she implored, stepping
close to Green Jacket, “ had even my father the
right to send me away from all that makes life
endurahle, with such a man as Dan Duffey? I
can not, can not, CAN NOT give up life thus 1”

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

“ Is that Dan Duffey?" he asked.

“ It is, sir, him and no other.”

“Are you Dan Dulrey l” he asked of the per-
son in question, stepping a pace or two nearer
h.

1m.

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

“I have, Mr. Dan Dufley, I have heard of
you. And now let me tell you one thing. If
after I have counted twenty I ever sap you in
this room again, I’ll send a bullet through your
karkiss Without any word or warnin’. Do ye
understand that?” _

-' “ I heard your words, certainly}:

“ Well, sir,” nd he raised the plstol b way
of emphasis, “ ’m goin’ to’gin now. and count
purty fast—you can make yer calkilations ac-

oordin’ly.” ' I .
He turned artlally away, though stlll keep-
ing an eye xed upon the movements of his

antagonist, and his bearded lips were seen to
move rapidly. Dufi'ey remained irresolute a
moment, and then turned upon his heel. ‘

“ You’ll hear from me again,” he said, as he
step ed outside the door.

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

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

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

“Please lie down here for a while. It isn’t a
nice place, but such as it is, it’s at your sarvice,
and nobody will disturb you there. When you
feel rested and make up your mind what you
want ter dew, or what ’11 be for the best, we can
talk things over at our leisure.”

She hesitated only a moment, and than, with
many thanks, availed herself of the kind oflfer.
Having disposed of his fair guest, Green Jacket
joined Thurber, who, standing beside the 0 en
door, had been watching the movements of an
Dolley.

 

CHAPTER II.
nan DUFFEY.

TEE wagon-trail, of which previous mention
has been, made, ran a few rods from the door
of the cabin. When Theodore Thurber first
followed Dufley as far as the door of Green
J acket’s cabin, two horses were were uietly
feeding along the borders of the trail. as of
them being provided with a. sidesaddle, while
the other had only a blanket indicated that
they were the animals which ad been ridden
by the woman Louisa, and Dan. Toward them
the last named was making his way, boiling
with indignation and baffled ven canoe. He
caught the bridle of, one. mounte the other,
and rode back toward the settlement proper,
some quarter of a mile distant. .

Green Jacket reached the spot in tune to be-
hold him disappear.

“ There goes as big a scoundrel as there is un-
hung,”he remarked. “If the woman hadn’t
been there I’d have shot him when he brought
out that knits, spite of the Old Boy."

“Who and what is he?” Thurber asked.

“.1 (F1933 You have me there,” the gunsmith
replie . “I never have happened to meet the
rascal before, but he bears a name of all that‘s
ev1l. He is a. runny ads, I reckonzleastways
he spends most of his line among the reds, and
they do say he knows more about hoss-stealin’,
and all them kind of 1m uities, than any man
orter to knew and live. 9 has been known to

.murder men. but nobody ever took it up, ycause

they all seemed to be afraid of him.”
“He seems, then, to be a. notorious desperado

\w-a rfect fire-eater?”

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

“But what do on think of this affair? This
must'be one of h s evil tricks}:

“It, jest is; but I can’t quite see through it,
myself. From what they .said, it seems the
girl’s father is mixed up in it some way. I

 

s’pose she’ll clear it all up when we come to talk
the matter over with her.”

“ Rather an interesting young lad «decided—
1y pretty, and apparently very sensi lo. I have
a curiosuay to know more about her.”

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

“ Anyhow, what will come of this? Will
Duffie come back again?”

“ 8.1, now ye’ve got me thar, for I don’t

' know much about his way of doin’ business, nor

what lays at the bottom of the whole thing.
But, unless I’m considerably deceived about the
teller, we shall hear more from him.”

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

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

“No, ye kin stay. Of course ye know it
wouldn’t be a pleasant place for ye if ye was
one of that feller’s gang. But I don’t really
think ye are."

“I assure you, on my honor, that I never
heard of Dan Duffey until this hour or know
the existence of sue a man. But, if you we
pect me of complicity with him I would not of
course wish to remain.”

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

to sa :

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

“ Do you suspect fighting may result?”

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

“You are right. and I will help you to the
best of my ability.”

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

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

also.

Elghat is the meaning of that?” Theodore
as e .

“ Coming to talk the matter over, and try to
persuade me to ‘ve u the girl,” returned
Green Jacket. “ 9 see i: eyer all as afraid of
this Duifey as though he was the very Old Boy
himself, and he has sent them over—now see if
I ain’tin the right.” I V _

By this time the two men, both middle-a
citizens ot the settlement, had come wit in
speaking distance, and saluted the gunmaker
very respectfully. When within a, few feet of
him they stopped, and seemed somewhat em-
barrassed as to the manner in which their er-
rand should be made known. At last one of
them led the way.

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

“Against me 3” '

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

“‘ ell?" , 5

“It looks as thou h ou’d let her go back,
and save a great dea o excitement, and poo
sibly bloodshed.”

“ She can go back any time when she wants
to,” was the very calm reply. “ If she prefers
to stay here he can't take or away i”

“ es, as; but her father parted with them
at the‘ v11 age and had just started back. Dan
has sent for im, and m a few hours at most
he’ll be here so you sec——”

“Sartin, seeyall about it. And if you will
go back and tell Dan Duflsy that you couldn’t
make out any thing whatever, you’ll do me a
favor.” _

“ As you say,” ursucd the speaker, turning
his back, and mov ng away. ‘ But you know
something of what Dan is—I wouldn’t like to
stand in our shoes.”

“ Nor wouldn’t like tow have ye, if that con-
founded runnygade can scare on out that way.
The shoes wouldn’t know who to make of itj’

The cunmaker laughed, a harsh, peculiar
laugh, but the visitors evidently felt in no mood

!
\

 

for hilarity. They plodded slowly back toward
the wood from which they had so recently emerg-
ed talking together very gravely as they went.

Turning to enter the cabin, the smith and his
guest were almost startled to behold, standing
close to the door, the fair object of all the dis~
cussion. She was very pale, now that the fierce
excitement of her flight had passed away. and
her voice was not quite steady, as she asked: _

“My father! Did they say my father was
coming here?”

 ma’am, that was what one of them
sai .

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

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

"You cannot go anywhere, alone. ' We all
seem to be mixed up in this affair, but none of
us knows anything about it. Now, what in the
Old Boy does it all mean? If ya don't want to
go with these men, why they sha’n’t obleege yo
to; but all this time we don’t know anything
about the facts of the case, ye 566—” ’

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

“ But, how the Old Boy is it yer father wants
ye to marry such a creator as this? I guess he’s
no better than crazy.”

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

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

“But, lady, you must not go alone,” excluim~
ed Thurber. " You would be hunted down and
brought back, even if you did not lose yourself,
and wander back to the very lace you were
seeking to avoid. Let me, as have nothin
else to en go my attention, g; with you ang
render at assistance I may able.”

The gunmaker bent not or searching gaze
upon the young man, as he uttered the words,
and then exclaiméd:

“ In my young days, before the Old Boy got
quite so complete mastery over me, I used to go
to meetin’ sometimes, and their I heard tell of
blind men lesdin’ other folks that was blind—'—
somethin’ of the kind. I don’t jest remember
how it come in. If, you’re a stranger here. I

uess yer goin’ oif with the lady’d be aboutlike
tt—onily ye'd both git lost in about half the
one. , ,

“ I surely only showed my willln ass to hel
the lady! exclaimed Thurber, qu to oflen .
“ Perhaps you can show a more advisable
wa . ' -
“ 0h, ye needn’t o to take on ” was the
soothing reply. “ I a mire yer spa-it. only l’m
afraid it won’t amount to muc . 3'0wa ye
are in ’arnest about doin’ the lady I). favor,
won’t ye stand out by the (100178116 keep a
watch on all sides, while I talk over matter;
Evith ”the lady, and think what’s best to be

one. \ ,

Theodore’com lied, not very graciousl‘ for
truth to tell he had an intense desire to beyhear
the fair fufitive; but he had a deep and earnest
interest in er welfare, with a considerable con-
fidence in the ability of Green Jacket,zso that
he was willing ‘to occupy any subordinate posi-
tion while that individual planned for the safety
of Louisa. ‘ l

The gunmaker pointed out a ition a little
distance from the cabin, where a could keepn
close watch of all the diflerent approaches, and
toward it he hastened. ' , ’ '

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

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

ion. ‘ ' .

The lady bit her lips, than tamed to her in~
terlocutor, and in, beseechlolg tones said:, . 

“Do not press me to to you th‘ which I
should not speak. You hare heard‘ got I an;
promised to Dan Duflev as his wife,
rather die than fulfill the contract. Is not that
all you need to know} Will you not excuse mil
from telling you anything more? .

 

 

 

 

 

atI had , r ‘5

 

  

, 4

 

V The Border" Gunmaker.

 

 

.~.... . w.

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

“ Oh, no, sir, no; you would not think so if
you could know all—~but I cannot tell you—~I
cannot stay—let me fly as soon as possible, so
that they may not come upon me here, and add
to your trouble.”

“Wait a moment, my little girl. Don't you
suppo>e the idea has occurred to others that you
might fly? What the Old Boy would they ex-
pect you were oing to do? On every side
thar’s woods, and some sneak is keepin’ watch
for ye not a bit 0‘ doubt. Dan Duffey is not
the feller to let ye slip 03 that way. So we
must look for suthin’ else."

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

“ h, dear, dearl” she exclaimed, “is there
no help—no hope? Must I be made the victim

‘ of that villain whom I loathe and despise?"

“0h. hush, hush; don’t take on sol” re—
marked Green Jacket. “ If we can’t fly, there
are other wars of getting at a good result.
Now listen to me.” ‘

He arose, shut the door carefully, and then
£23118 back, and took one of her hands within

own.‘

 

CHAPTER III. ’

A TRAP SPRUNG.

THEODORE Tnuanna was getting decidedly
uneasy. Not alone that he was posted ina very

‘ consgicuous place, where 'any person so disposed

coul take a deliberate aim at him from the ad—
jacent forestsvand he knew enough of border
lifeto know that he was not particularly safe
under all the circumstances— but he was anxious

' to see the mysterious being who had been so

 

 

 

  
   
    
   
   
  
  
  
 
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
    

 

 

 
 

, not

_ . maker came forth.
.fully, and then strode over toward the place

’ standing his attempt at

strangely connected with the events of the day.
Of course he had a great curiosity to know who
and what she was.

“ She didn‘t wish to tell before the old gun~
maker,” he reasoned; “but if I could only see
her alone, I know _very well she would not ob-
ject to confiding in me.”

The sun was fast getting lower, and Thurber
wasgetting more andmore uneasy. Why did

reen Jacket come to him in some manner
or other? He was not a coward, in the ab-
stract, but What if that murderous outlaw,
whom ever body seemed to fear, should take a
fancy to s oot at him, just by way of diver‘
sionf The thought was far from comfortable.

Presently the door ogened, and the old gun-

e looked around care-

where the young man stood.

"I reckin we shall hear from ’91:: soon,” he
said closely. .
Thur r loo ed about uneasily.

. “What do you anticipate when they get

here

" by they’ll be here, that’s all!”

“ Yes, know; but what will be done?"

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

An exclamat on of impatience arose to Theo-
doro’s “3, but he repreSsed it. The thought oc-
cxirred him that if the old gunmaker .was
thus perplexing to his friend what must he he
to‘ an enemy? '

‘» Before he , could make any further remarks

. the other exclaimed:

“ Well, thar the serpents come. Now you’ll
have a chance to see some first-class fun I”
And, sure enough, from the opening in the

’j‘oreat, came a dozen men, pressing hastily 11

toward the cabin, regardless of path or trai .
The numbers were significant, taking into con-
sideraticcn the fact that there were scarcely
more than a dozen white men living within as
many miles. , r
‘ Theodore felt a thrill of anxiety, notwith-
. rfect calmness. Bend-
Ing toward Green Jae at, he asked, scarcely

' abovea whisper:

“ Where is she?”
“See here,” the person addressed responded,
“if any of these men ask you any such ques-

 tion, you know just as little about it as any of

them. Do you understand?”

“ I think} do.”

“ Then we’ll get down toward the door. ”
'r They moved down as though to enter the
house, but were met at the door by the party
who were led by Dan Duffey. This individua
at once stepped in front of the gunmaker, and

4 , hissed fort -

Jr‘eNyow,  I‘ll trouble ye'to bring out my

 

“ You haven’t any wife, Dan Dufi'ey, and ye
never ought to hevl”
“I tell you I have, and she’s in here. She

hain’t gone away, ’cause there ain’t any way.

she gould go. Now be so kind as to bring her
out.

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

While this exchange of words had been oing
on, a tall, elderly—looking man stepped orth
from the crowd, and addressed Green Jacket,
speakin very distinctly:

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

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

“ Perhaps I could, but I certainly shall not,"
was the dignified answer.

“Don’t mind anythin more of him,” broke
in Dan. “ I’ll go in andfining her out!”

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

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

Duffey had fallen back, thoroughly cowed by
the cold muzzle of the weapon looking into his
face, for which he was quite unprepared, and
all the others, knowin something of Green
Jacket’s mysterious habi , hesitated to pass in.

“Go in, some of you,” said the professed fa—
ther, “ o in, and tell the irl that I am here.
She wil not remain there ong afterward.”

Still they hesitated.

“Perhaps you had better go yourself,” re-
marked the gunmaker. “No doubt ou can
settle for it as well as any of the party. ’

The person addressed did not pause to reflect;
had he done so ver likely he would have
changed his mind. ut, glancing around, to
make sure that a sufficient number of friends
were at hand, he stelpped over the threshold,
and was quickly f0 owed by four or five
others.

Green Jacket, holding his pistol and leaning
against the cabin wall, quiet] awaited for their
reappearance. There was t 8 sound of con-
siderable bustle inside, a brief consultation
seemed to be held, and then the party appeared
in the doorway. I

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

“I tell you she must be,” was the reply, with
an oath. “I left her here, and I know she
couldn’t get away. Have you looked down the
cellar?"

“We to (1 no cellar.”

“There a cellar,” Green Jacket broke in,
“and a well, both under the house. There’s
some fat-pine torches ust behind the bench. if
ye want touse ’em. otter take a purty full
survey, for it won‘t cost any more.”

f course the excitement was now intense.
The party had expected to encounter the maiden
at once on gaining entrance to the cabin, but in
this the were more than disappointed. Not a
trace 0 her having been present could be dis-
covered, nnd the extreme willingness of Green
Jacket that they should explore further, seemed
topromise but poorly for an success. And
then those who know most of t e strange man,
began to fear that a day of reckoning might not
be far distant. So that but three or four joined
in the further search, though all felt an equal
interest.

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

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

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

But as no one responded, he stepped forward
himself and lifted t e plank which covered the
opening. A torch was then lowered,‘hut they
b ack water several feet belowalone gave back

its reflection. With a mutter of dissatisfaction .

i

 

the investigators lowered the plank and retreat-
ed from the cabin.

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

“ We are not quite satisfied with the cellar 

Will you go down with us and let us take in J
other look i” .

“ Here is the light—you can go down alone. .
imagine. What in the Old Boy do ye suppose I
need go for?"

“ 0h, nothing in particular. Only one of th' so
men saw something down there he wants you to
explain. But it may be a mistake. Suppose we
go and see ’2’”

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

“ Come down here, Green Jacket, and tell us
what this means.”

Merely bidding Theodore kee an eye out, the
gunmaker hastened down, an found the two
men bending over some object almost beneath
the rude stairs. He moved to the spot, and was
about bending over in like manner, when a gar—
ment was quickly thrown over his head, and he
Eeceived a blow which momentarily stunned

1m.

Upon recovering sufficiently, he tore away the
garment, which was a woman’s frock, and found
himself in utter darkness. The traitors had left-
the cellar and closed the door above. Following
as best he could in the darkness, he ascended the
rude steps, out in a massive log, and found that;
the trap, made of a heavy plank, had been
closed and weighted down.

Finding that his utmost strength was insuf~
ficient to raise it, he stood for some moments,
listening.

The party was still evidentl in the neighbor
hood, but had left the cabin a ove. For a mo»
ment anger and the pain of his aching head,
seemed to deprive the gunmaker of conscious—
ness, then he descended to the cellar and set
about taking the shortest courso toward liberty.
This was none other than to di with his hands
a passageway through the soft irt, out beneath
the wal s of the cabin.

This, though a perfectly feasibleundertaking,
was one involving considerable labor, and most
earnest application. The only assistance Green
Jacket could obtain was from a heavy clasp—
knife in his ket, with which be dug into the
firm earth. et it was some distance to freedom,
and though he never relaxed his efforts for a.
moment, pilchy darkness had settled over the
earth before he was able to get a breath of fre sh
outer air through the opening.

But all was still outside, and feeling that his
unwelcome visitors had left the premises. the
gunmaker worked furiously upon the enlarge—
ment of his opening, until he was able to draw
himself through it, out into the cool air beside
the cabin walls. -

Here he waited a moment to regain breath
and brash some of the dirt from his clothing,
and when this had been done. he glided around
the rude structure like some flitting spirit.

As he had anticipated, he found that the in»
traders had all gone, and his new—made friend
seemed to have gone with them, for the culin—
door was shut and every thing was as profound»
ly silent as the grave. .

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

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

He called once or twice 11
late customer. youn Thur r, but as no voice
answered, he procee ed to inspect the interior
of the cabin, fearing lest at any stage he might
come upon rhe young man’s dead body.

But no such discovery was made, and Green
Jacket came to the very natural conclusion that
Then lore had either been taken away by the
crow d, or had left the place in alarm.

“ Course ye can’t depend nothin’ on each a
boy," he muttnred, “ ’cause he don’t know any
thing what lifo means in this lawless place.
don’t blame him Pnyvtime was when I’d ’a’
done just the same way myself.”

He paused and listened—crept to the door

n the name of his i

 

l
l
l
.
l
l
l
.
l
l

  

1, .
i
l

, suddenly from sight.

 

The Border Gunmaker.

5

 

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

By the exercise of considerable caution, the
gunmaker raised it without making any horse,
and laid it very carefully aside. Then lower-
ing his head within the inclosure, he gave ut—

‘l terance to a very low signal.

To his evident surprise, some moments
passed, and there was no response. Then the
signal was repeated, this time a ti ifle louder.

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

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

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

It was some twelve feet down to the water
but before reaching it Green Jacket disappeared

In fact, he had entered
a lateral chamber, opening from His well, and
passing out from benefit: the but. The entrance
to this passage had been so arranged that it
was not to be seen from above, though it could
be entered without difficulty by any person
descending the well.

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

The other extremity of this singular gallery
was an old well, outside the cabin, which had
beCome dry and fallen into disuse sinCe Green
Jacket dug one inside the dwelling to furnish
Water in case of attack 'rom foes of any kind.
And then, by some (news, this method of com-
munication with the outer world through the
de the of the earth had been constructed.

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

But to his unbounded surprise she had not
answered his signals. nor was she to be found.

’ Surely this was mystery beyond measure.

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

Losing no further time he quickl remounted
to the cabin, replaced the cover 0 his now use—
less retreat, and then threw himself upon the
narrow work-bench. ‘

“ What in the Old Boy is the world a-coming
to, I wonder,” he muttered. “ Here I’ve been
fooled and beaten in my own game by that
prince, of darkness. that unnamed mockery of
manhood, Dun Dufreyl Not in his game, but in
my own ! That’s the rub. I don’t mind beir.
beaten, for I am usod .to it. But not when
play the cards just as I want them. Dan has

at the woman—he’s got the other fellow, With

‘ ne thunderin’ name; yes, and he’s got me, '0‘!
out never mind—~I’m oin’ after 5’6. Dam
Daffey, right away, and w en I do over'ake ye
there’ll be a reckonin’; now count on Hmf! ’ '

He was gratified to find that none of his ri-
vuie property had been molested, and in ass
than ve minutes, heavily armed, and repared
for a serious struggle with any form 0 danger,
he was ready, stan ing in his cabin-door, to set
‘forth upon his selfdmposed mission.

 

CHAPTER IV.
BACKWARD.

Win-return now to Theodore Thurber, He
had entered the cabin, scarcely realizing
whether the movement was from intention or
otherwise. He had come to look for an adven—
turer-there was eve probability of having his
utmost desire: in the direction satisfied.

» hen Grew Jacket went into the collar,
"Theodore thought of accompanying him. But,

 

before he could make up his mind to do so, or
find an opportunity, it was too late.

He saw the men who had led the way for the
gunmaker spring quickly up the entrance, and
at the same moment the trap was dropped and
fastened. Of course he did not need to be told
that this meant mischief; but just how or what
he could not determine.

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

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

ear:

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

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

He was sorry a moment afterward that he
had even thus partially betrayed the secrets of
the man for whose fate he already had such
deep fears; but it was too late now to undo
What had been done, and in fact it seemed to
make very little difference, so far as Dan was
concerned.

“ You lieI” he continued. “I knowit is all a
lie. Tell me where she is, or you never will see
daylight ag’inl” ' I

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

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

“Shadow, tell me whar she is, or out comes the
r . »

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

rofessled to be the father of the woman who
ad caused all this commotion came up, and
placed a. hand upon Dufl’e ’5 arm.

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

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

“Tie him up well, so he won’t get away,”
were his parting instructions. “I’ll show him

pretty soon that he’d better not try to thwart 3

me in that way. I ain’t in the habit of bein'
trifled with—I ain’t!" '

The order was quickly obeyed, for the crowd
of satellites evidently neither dared or wished
to disobey the wild-man who had spoken to them.
Cords were produced in abundance, the you: 9;
man’s arms and feet securely tied, and then he
was disposed of in one corner of t e cabin.

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

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

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

A half-down wild resolutions rushed through

the young man‘s mind, but he could put none of '

them into practice. for he was raised to his feet,
the thongs upon his ankles loosened, and then,
With Dan upon one side and‘an assistant upon
the other, he was led forth.

Once outside the cabin his conductors strode
forward With hasty steps. and half-walking,
partially running and partially dra ed along,

hurber was obliged to keep pace With them.

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

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

n fact, so difficult was their progress that

3

 

Dan soon stopped short with a savage oath, do-
manding why the guide had brought them into
such a labyrinth.

But while the other was endeavoring to

frame something of an apology, the leader 0011‘- r.

tinned:

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

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

“lhope you’ll rest well to night,” was the,

mocking sneer with which Dufley stepped back. I

and regarded his brutal work.

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

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

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

ISSP :

"Don’t fret, my brave boy. Maybe some—
body’ll come along and liberate ye. he woods
is full of red-skins, they say, what don’t feel
good toward men of yourfiolor, and then that's
any uantity 0’ wild animals. Atween ’ all,
so yin nothin’ of rattlesnakes, it ain’t likely
ye’ll suffer long!" '

And with these fiendish remarks he was gone.

Theodore did not feel worse, now that be was
left alone, for with all the misery of his painful
situation, he certainly preferred solitude to the
prescnce of those who would mock at his cuter-v
mes.

Still. now that he had an abundance of time
for thought, he did not feel at ease in mind, no
more than in bed . It was possible that some
kind friend mfg i come to his relief, andpn
that possibility he tried to bang many a .
But then he knew very well that against is
pissibility was interposed the certainty of a
speed death from pure ph sical torture, unless
some indly hand came to is relief.

A single effort convinced him that he would
not by any possibility eflect his own escape.

, His hands were firmly bound, and then he was

lashed to the sapling as closely as the cards
could be drawn. He had a keen bunting-knife
at his back, a pair of pistols upon either side, a

 rifle leaning against a tree, not tenfeet distant.

 

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

. he'llpless as if entirely disarmed.

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

Presenth he heard a movement in the forest.
not far distant. A ray of hope sprung in
his soul. If it was only some human on!
He listened attentively, and Was soon satisfied
so far as this fact was concerned. Those stead} l
careful footsteps could onl be made by a mm .
And they were passing by im at some diatom ‘,
moving toward the settlement.

It might be Indian. or foe, or friend. ‘Wldo' -
ever the case should prove, ,he determined by
run the risk. and call for help. Even if it
btrpught him speedy death he could hardly fear
1 onger. '

He called three times in quick Won:

"Help! help! HELPI” - , >

Then he paused and listened again. Fossiny
his cry might be unheeded. N thame
were coming that way, more rap dly, and fi-on’x
the general character of the tread the sum
at once took courage. *

“Where he ye? What in the Old Boy letha-
mal’ter?" ‘ ’
' Oh, how his heart beat now! He steam
know that voice among all the voices of earth,
though he had never heard it until that day.“ ‘-

” Here, here, help mel” he gasped‘yroaning ‘

now. even in the moment of his great joy, I -
Green Jacket knew the v0 ce

‘1

now, m: f

 

 

   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
  
    
 
   
   
 
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
    
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
    
   
   
  
   
    
  
   
  
    
    
     
  
    
   
   
    
    
   
   
   
  

,—

     
 
   

 

 

 

, Nolan's. Tim was there, and

6

The Border Gunmaker.

 

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

“ How in the Old Boy come ye here? Was it
some of that runnygade’s doin’s? I’ll pay him
for all this. Which way did they go? How
long have they been gone? Did ye see any-
thing of the woman 2” ‘

Thurber dropped upon his knees as the bonds
were loosened, but soon regained his feet, rub-
bing the suffering ankles With both hands.

It needed but a few words for the relation of
his stor , and then Green Jacket recounted so
much 0 his adventure as the reader is already
familiar With, ending by saying:

“I seen right away that they must hev found
her, and I set off for the settlement; but I
didn’t go the common route, for fear they’d got
spies posted alon . And ye see it’s lucky I
didn’t, for I shou dn’t boy found ye if I had.
And an all-night's lodgin‘ wouldn’t hev been
pleasant out here. We old trappers wouldn’t
mind it, maybe, but for such as you, what ain’t
iisedluto it, the night would seem rayther
on

“ es; I imagine it would,” Theodore replied.
“In fact, it did not seem to me that Icould
live much longer. But, now, I feel as good as
new, almost, and only want to come across the
men who put me here."

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

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

“,Only one of thhse men is really to blame.
Dan Dulfey rules ever thing around him—I
don’ know why, but he oes. Once get him out
of the way, and the rest of the men would be as
civil as ye please. Now, I don’t want to make

‘ any threats, ’causc a man can never tell just

what course matters will take. But it’s my
opinion that if I meet Dan Dufley where cir—
cumstances looks right, surnm’ WILL HAPPEN 1”
Something of a silence followed, and then
Theodore said:
“gou are going to the village, if I mistake

not
“ Yer right.

I’m goin’ to keep an eye on that
oonfonnde runnygade.

Thar’s a mystery

‘ about that I» can’t make out—only this, that

mthm’ ain’t ' ht.”
“ Can I go w th on?”
There was a litt e hesitation, and then Green

,Jacket returned:

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

“ promise that.”

Theodore began to think his thirst for ad-
venture was about to be satiated.

Not more than fifteen or twent minutes later
they crept carefully into the v llage. Onlya
single light was to be seen, and was er-
fectly qmet. Green Jacket shook his head in a
Vet unsatisfied manner.

“ don’t like this, and I don’t understand it,
too,” he muttered. “That li ht is in Tim
nows. I’ll go
and ask him.”

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

“Never mind that now,” the strange man ex—
claimed. “ 1 want to know where Dan Dufl'ev
is. It you can tell me that, and tell me the
truth, I ll overlook all that you done this arter-
noon.” _‘ .

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

“Off—which way?"

“.To’rd the East."

“Did the woman want to

“I don’t know—I didn’t

o?”
ear her say any-

.‘thin ."

l‘ at ya know (forty well by her actions
whether she want:- to go or not.
“ Well. to tell the truth, Green Jacket, I
don’t think she wanted to go. But the old man
learned to kinder threaten her, and she didn’t
gay a word. They rode ofi, she

'  V gout ycr wizen, and knocked this other teller on

 

!

 i. ' L.

between ’em,.
'and I heard Dan say he was sorry bu hadn’t

 

ther head. But some of the boys hev gone
back now to let ye both loose.”

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

When fairly outside he drew Theodore toward
him, and said, in very cautious tones:

“ I’m going arter them tellers, till I know
more about this thing. Do you want to go
along?”

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

at he would certain y have the opportunity
for addition to his alread obtained stock of
adventure, and he finally Signifled his intention
of going.

“ Ye want to think it over well,” his compan‘
ion said, significantly. .

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

“ Then come on.”

And Green Jacket, who had not stopped dur-
ing the brief conversation, len thened his strides
so that it required Theodore’s st efforts to keep
pace with him.

 

CHAPTER V.

EVENTS OF A NIGHT.

“ You don’t expect to overtake them ?" Theo-
dore inquired rat or dubiously, as they left the
evidences of civilization behind, and struck into
the dense forest, through which a very indiffer—
ent wagon-trail led.

“ Can’t say, of course,” responded Green
Jacket. “ But I don’t know any good reason
why we can’t. They must go in this trail, can’t
do any other way, anyhow to advanta%e, and
sartin we kin go as fast as they’ll ride. 6 see
thar’s low branches and oneven places—all these
things to look out for in the ni t.”

Then, in a more reflective manner, he
added:

“ They may know some track of! that I don’t.
If they dew, why that’s a. big trump keerd in
their hand. A good dog new, would ut that
all right, tew, at we liain’t one. hen the
moon 5 up we sha’n’t need any, but that won’t
be for an hour now. So I guess the best we kin
do will be to push right on, and 'est as likely as
not we’ll come acrost ’em somew ar.” ‘

And in accordance with this determination,
away the went over the rough trail, keeping a
sharp 100 out for any “signs,” but encounter—
ed nothin save the monotonous forest,
which stretc ed darkly along as though inter-
minable.

They had left the settlement far behind ere
the moon rolled its silver disk up among the
eastern trees, and some time more passed ere the
level rays were of any practical use to the tWO
exfilorers. _

ut finally they came to an open stretch in
the trail, and here the moon’s beams fell full
upon the ground.

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

ere

He bent down, examining the path closely
from side to side, but rose presently with an ex-
clamation of im atience.

“ Your) ster,’ he said, “sure as the Old Boy
we’re bar in’ up the wrong treel They haint
bran this way tonight I”

And Theodore realized from his own‘observa-
tions that the speaker was right. Quite_a dew
had alread fallen, and the earth was meist and
yielding. ut not a sign of any horse havmg

assed that way could be discovered. Their own
oot- rints were perfectly visible, no matter how
care ul their movements.

“Well, what can we do in such cease?” he
asked, biting his lips with vexatinn.

“ Do? Why, what in the Old Boy kin we do
butgo back and find where they branched off?
That ain't a nice job I allow, but it won't be so
very had.,as the moon’ll help us, and they didn’t
leave this road far back, I’m satisfied.”

They hurried back, moving as fast as they
could, and keep up a proper scrutiny of the
way. Their attention was divided between the
trail, in some places lighted by the moon and in
others quite dark from the lon shadows, and
the margin of the road, where t ey looked for
any b -ways which the objects of their pursuit
could ave taken. But a considerable distance
was passed over, and as yet no traces could be
discovered.

Theodore Ventured the remark that the must
have lost them, but Green Jacket thong t dif-
ferently.

“flew in the Old Boy could we lose ’em‘l" he

i

 

demanded. “Don’t ye see thar ain't but one
road they could hev gone?”

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

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

“Can it be that Tim Nolan did me on that
yarn?” he mused. " It is possible, I declare,
and it looks very much that we . Bur it’ll
never do to give in that way. I e must find
the trail.”

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

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

“Now which way did they go?”

This was not so easy to settle. F 1" some (lis-
tance alon the road the tracks Could be made
odt, only iai’ely distinguishable, ouir g to the
hardness of the road, and then all evidences
seemed suddenly lost.

The way was bordered with ulldtl‘gl‘llfi‘lh,
and beyond this the forest was more or less
choked up, so that horses could only pass at cer—
tain points, in either direction. But upon
which side, or where, they had left the princi-
pal trail, no clew seemed to present. Even the
guusmith, who seemed as much at home on the
trail as at his bench, shook his head often in
doubt, as he assed back and forth, scanning
closely every inch of the margin.

Presently he gave an exclamation of satisfac-
tion, opened the bushes and passed from sight.
He was ver speedily followed by Thurber,
who found im pushing through the forest,
here uite open, with the avidity of a bound.

“ e’i'e on the road; we’ve got ’em this time,”
he remarked, never pausing, but springing along
with such strides that his companion was almost
obli ed to run in order to keep near him.

“ ow I’ll tell ya what ye do,” said Green
Jacket: “you keep a sharp lookout ahead. so
that we won’t run onto them, in an blind kind
ofaway, and I foller up the true 5. They’re
purty plain, and we, kin foller a heap faster-’n
they could make ’em through this rough route.
Though I must say I don’t quite like the way
they seem to lead now.”

‘ Which way?”

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

nrber did not feel particularly at ease,
when he realized that they were hastening at
this rapid rate toward the region of a common
enem , but he consoled himself with the reflec—

tion t at they must soon overtake the puffy of .

which they were in pursuit. So he kept his
access on the alert for any ‘si us of such a con-
summation, while Green Jae et, with a skill
which seemed almost instinct, deciphered the
trail, and thus side by side, the hastened away
throu h the forest, checkere by the bright
moon ight. _

The moon bad mounted hifher and higher, so
that now its almost vertica rays reached into
the forest—depths, and made the darksome re.
treats quite endurable.

Our two adventurers were still plunging
along, Theodore keeping a lookout in advance
and Green Jacket minding the trail, when the
latter looked up and uttered a sharp sign of
willing sto d d n: th 1:

e young man an e 0 or as-
toned to his side. we ’ .

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

Theodore looked around in surprise.

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

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

Both crept along as carefully as ossible, and
soon had gained a spot 11 n the row of the.
little elevation, from whic they could overlook
the scene before them. It was one of grand
beauty. Right in the foreground rolled a broad
silver stream, glowing in the moonlight with a
stran e magnificence, while its banks were
heavi y timbered, and at a little distance on
either side, rose hills of beautiful proportions.

But the grandeur of the scene was utterly
lost upon the gunmaker and his com anion.
They had no time or occasion to adm re the
grand or lovely. . I _ .

Pausi'ng upon the hill, while all around seemed

l
l
l
x
i

 

 

I

I The Border Gunmaker.

\

7

 

m, inmmhi_  .

hushed to a more than earthly silence, they lis-
tened, and not in vain.

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

They both beard it—the sound of human
voices from below, and it required but a short
time for them to decide that theparty of which
they were in search was Within ear—shot of
them, and consulting in regard to a place for
crossin the stream.

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

“Tell ye what I want to do now,” he said, in
a whisper so low that it seemed to die upon his
lips. “This thing is turnin’ Jest as I was in
hopes. They don’t want to stop. this Side the
river, but right over on that Side they’ll be
about sure to bivouac, for they must be very
well satisfied that nobody kin find ’em here. Till
they git to the other side the gal ’11 be safe
enough, for they’re busy with suthin’ else.
Now, right above here, not more’n a quarter of
a mile, is a good ford, where we kin wade over,
and I rayther think steal the march on ’em. It
will be a trifle rplexin’ to ’em to meet us on
the other side, fancy l” _

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

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

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

The river was very wide here, and rip led
over a gravelly bed, giving indications 0 its
shallowness. Just as they were about stepping
in, the gunmaker placed a hand upon his com-
panion’s arm, and pointed down the stream.

The bright moonlight resting upon the sur-
face rendered every object perfectly distinct,
even at the distance which intervened between
the two parties. 80 our friends, standing upon
the brink, plainly saw the three horsamen en-
ter the line of light and ride over toward the
opposite bank.

“ We’ll have to wait for them, n0w "Theodore
remarked, seating himself upon the shore, for he
was ver much fatigued.

“ Not ong; they’re half-way across, already.
What in the Old Boyl Why, the gal has run
away, right in the middle of the river!”

Thurbers rung to his feet and saw the con—
firmation Green Jacket’s not very definite
words.

At first he could only see that the parties
seemed moving up the stream. But, a moment
later a turn of the direction showed that one of
the persons was in advance, a woman, and that
the others seemed in pursuit. This supposmon

, was confirmed as oaths and brutal words came

to the ears of the listeners.

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

“ She’s ahead; she’s got a good start,” he mut-
tered. “I wouldn’t wonder if she led ’em a
good race. Maybe she’ll get up as far as this,
and if she does I’m a.poor geese if thar ain’t
hot work. I won’t see that poor girl abused so
_1 don’t care a fig who does it. It can’t be
much of afathei‘ that uses her that way, and
I don’t think I’ll respect his authority any great
deal—not if I know myself. Hello, her boss
has stumbled—she’s on"! _
By George, she rides like a born queen; Just
swung herself back at arm’s end, as handy as
ever ye seen a hossback performer do. I tell
you that gal is worth hevin’l Thar she’s all
right now, and goin’ ag’in; but it’s delayed her
so I guess the mean alligators ’ll catch her.
There! she turns her boss toward the bank.
She’s goin’ to try the woods. But I guess she
won't git tow ’em. No, they’re‘ gainin’ on her
Inst now: I guess her boss is hurt. There, she’s
out of Sight now, but they are so clus thar ain’t
anv help for her- We“, never mind: she’s got
friends nigher than she thinks, poor gal i"

The moment the lll’itefltlou of the‘plll‘filllng‘
party was dll'eCted  the ShOIje, Green Jacket

asped the hand of his companion and together

a plunged into the water. It was rather
rapid, but quite shallow; and in a yery few
minutes they stood upon the opposite bank.
Here they, 31159;}, and being in heavy shadow,
l°°k°d back to watch the mOVements of the
party on the shore they had so recently quittem
- Scarcer had they seated themselves, for both

,throat, as with a grip of iron, an the

No she ain’t either..

 

were very much, exhausted by their long and
difficult walk, when the two again ap cared,
and once more entered the stream. he wo-
man seemed tobe regarded as a captive now,
and one of them grasped her bridle-rein, as they
commenced to ford.

Green Jacket rose to his feet almost reluct-

an .

“ It’s time for us to be movin’,” he said,
pointing significantly down the little river.

The woman was indeed a captive. She had
made an unsuccessful effort to escape from the
two men who held her in aposition evidentl
distasteful to her, and, since that had failed:
she must know very well that hereafter she
would be much more closely guarded, and very
likely that her fate prospective would not be
more pleasant.

Her father held the bridle and led her horse
over, keeping a sharp lookout for any move-
ment on the part of his daughter calculated to
indicate another attempt at escape, while Dan
Duifey went in advance and selected the way.

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

“ You look out for a good sto ping-place, and
I’ll keep her here till you come Back.” ,

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

loring the vicinity. He was not gone a great
engtli of time, however, before he returned,
saying, in loud, careless tones, which indicated
the security he felt:

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

They moved back a little way, till at a si nal
from Dan the horses stopped, and the fat er,
dismounting, waved his hand toward Duffey,
saying:

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

Dan Dufley hastened forward, his wicked
heart full of satisfaction, and extended his arms
{70-11le Louisa from the Saddle. But he recoiled a
trifle when he found himself gr b the
arsh
voice of Green Jacket ringing in his ears:

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

The villain writhed and struggled furiously,
and attem ted to get at a weapon, but it wasin
yain. He ad met more than his match ph s-
ically, and besides, he was so much astoun ed
at. the appearance of the man he least of all
Wished or expected to meet, that he was almost
unable to summon his energies to the contest.

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

“ Move from your tracks, lift a and, or speak
a loud word, and you die like a dog!"

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

“ You miserable, low, contemptible creater 1—

you skunk in human disguise l” he exclaimed,
every emphatic word accompanied by a shake,
“I allers knew you was the essence of mean-
ness, but I declare I never did think quite so
little of ye as this. I did raythur think ye’d
hold erSt-lf above persecutin’ helpless, onpro—
tecte women-kind—and tew men to one woman
too! What a show ye’d make through the civ-
ilized States, where people are eddicated and
hev had some bringin up! Why, a man could
make pp independent fortin there in a few days
exhibitin’ e at a cent a head. I’d tal'e ye tbar
if it wasn’ so much work; but as it is I guessit
would be better for the world and all the folks
In It. lf’I were to duck ye intew this here drink.
Ye can t swim, as I happen to know, and if ye
dew I’ll seeto it that ye don’t swim far.”
. Even while speaking he had been gradually
backing the miscreant in the direction of the
river. What his puiiporie may havebeen we can
only imagine from h s words; but be it what it
may, it was destined to an interruption.

Just as Green JaCket ceased s aking some-
thing like a small white cloud, in ght have been
scan for a moment upon the opposite bank of
the river, a strap e, hollow report came across
the water, and a most at the same moment a

/

l

 

ears than his own: ‘

bullet, with a peculiar whistle, hurtled through
the trees just above their heads, and struck with
a dull “ chunk ” in a large limb not far away.

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

It was but a moment, yet both the men they
had in charge had broken away, springing up-
on their horses, and were dashin through the
forest, as though a demon pursu them. They
had realized something of this, but werevnoti
prepared to find, when they looked for the cap
tive, that she too was gone.

CHAPTER VI.
a W A x D E R. E R .

GREEN JACKET appeared the very picture of
mystification, while Theodore was quite speech-
less with wonder.

The former was the first, however, to give
vent to his feelings in low words:

“I’d like to know what in the Old Boy the
meanin’ of all this is ” he muttered. “It beats
any sl’ight-ol-hand Iever seen. Justa minute
ago I had that miserable runnygade fast by the
throat, and was goin’ to pitch him intew the
drink. Now I don’t know what has become of
him, or the old man, or the woman we’ve
tramped so fur to find. Thar’s a big mystery
of some kind alon with that shot. Didn’t ye
notice what a ecu iar sound that was, and what
a deuce of a w istle to the bullet? Them tellers
knowed what it meant, but they didn’t stop to
tell us.”

“Very likely you noticed more about that
than I did,” returned Theodore. “ I only
know that I ducked when the ball came, and
when I looked u my man was making tracks,
on horseback. t was all quicker than a flash,
and when I saw that he was gone I looked after
the woman.
her horse making good time through the
bushes.”

“ Then you heard the horse? Why didn’t you
say so! hich way was it going?” v

‘ That I could not tell. I was uncertain, and
while I was trying to make out in my own
mind, the sounds ceased.”

“ Can’t be she’s gone fur. Possibly her boss
didn’t like the noise of the bullet, and took the
reins to himself for a ways. But, a runawa
boss, in the woods, isn’t a safe means of trav
We’d better look for ’em.”

Losing no further time, the two men not out.

Just behind them rose quite a sharp ascent,
up which it was by no means probable that the
fair rider had gone. The alternative then, was
to look upon either side. To this end they se
amted, agreeing to meet at some point in 9
interior, within half an hour.

Green Jacket sent his companion ugthe river,
tak'm the opposite coume himself. e did this
that e might take the ater risk upon his
own shoulders since the atter route led more
nearly in the direction taken by Dan Dufleyand
his companion.

If Louisa had taken this direction, she had
most likely fallen into the hands of her persecu-
tors, or would very speedily do so; cause ent-
ly there was no need of the most earnest e orts
to find her whereabouts, ere disaster came to all
their plans.

Alternately bounding along and stopping to
listen, the Scout soon put such a distance be-
tween himself and the starting-point, that his
anticipations of overtaking the missing woman
began to be small indee . The great forest
stretched away on all sides in its magnitude,
and when he paused to listen, not a breath or
sound came’to his ears. The silence was opmes—
sive and discouraging, ‘

“ I’d better 0 and look after the boy, or he’ll
be lost, too,”= reeii Jacket muttered.

Then, turning his face in the direction he
would need to take, he continued:

“I allus hate to have one of these oung
sprouts with me. They take just as run 03::
as a baby, and then they never amount
much. True this teller seems to havea party
good idea, in general, of what he otter do, but
after all he’s only a boy in this kind of busi-
ness.”

Almost between each successive step the scout,
for such was his present character, stoo’ ‘
listsn. In such a place it'Would not do tornab

 

But, all I could hear of her was “

forward recklessly, no matter in how great a, '

hurry be m' ht be. r ;_- a

Suddenly e stopped short. and the géneral
alertness changed in a moment techno and in-
tense application. I _‘

A moment onl ' he seemed in doubt, and“
he drew himsel up, whispering, for 

 
 

 

8

I

,l. be?”

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

The intruder, whoever he might be, was not
coming that way, and it was to reach the vicin-
ity of his path that Green Jacket made this
movement. He was successful, gaining the cov—
er of a fallen treetop, a few yards in advance
of the other part¥

"That is not hurher,” Green Jacket solilo—
quized. “No, it is a taller, larger man than
him. It is none of them other chaps, either. If
I suspected that was the feller what sent the
 , bullet, I’d be inclined to return the compliment.

I AWfihl Good gracious! what a lookin’ object!
* ‘ We , I’ve hearn tell of the ‘Old Boy,’ but I

never seen him till now! He come from whar
‘ the boy ought to hev been. I don’t fancy that

much. It ma be the boy ain’t all right when
’ ‘I find him. f e’ve been a-dewin’ mischief,

Injun, devil or white man, whatever ye be,

thar’ll be a clay of reckonin’.”

, He hastened away, still preserving his cau-

, tion, and looking intently on all sides for any
 ' traces of his companion.

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

 . When he took the direction inted out b his

companion, the young man to t a thrill 0 im-
pulse quite foreign to his usual emotions. He
, , ad every reason to suppose that the fair object
'  v of their search had taken this route, and it‘ so
the probabilities were that he would find her.
This was the hight of his ambition. Not on]

did he feel an earnest enthusiasm in her behal ,
but an emotion deeper, more inexplicable, had
‘ taken possession of his fancies. .It was not

‘2' , ‘ enough that he saw her safe from-danger, he

' wished to learn more of her life—that life
which had in it so much of mystery, and, to
him, romanccbalbeit the romance was rather
’_ r of a ainful nature. And now there was a
vi“ ‘ probability of all these yearnings and aspira-

"» tions being satisfied. He had only to find her. ,

Only to find her. But then he did not realize
howmuch offa task that might be.

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

Here he looked out upon the stream, as the
thought occurred to him that possibly the maid«

r en might seek the other banl;,hut seeingno in-
dications of any effort on her part to cross the
river, he turned and plunged into the forest.

He found himself at once in a labyrinth and
maze of uncertainty. The woods lay all about
him, a great. unexplored Wilderness, and in any

, direction a horse and rider mi ht have passed

_ with perfect ease and freedom. e listened,but
could hear no sound. What could he do, or in
which way should he go? . .

’ Now he began‘ to realize more than ever the
great skill and experience necessary for a
thorough woodman. The task which had
seemed so trifling when there was but one way

. in' which he could o, and which it was proba<
 » L bib the object of his search had taken also, now
' swelled to herculean pro ortions as the wooded

:venues multiplied and iverged in every direc-
ion.

He stopped and looked about in perfect be-
wilderment. Oh, that he could ask a moment’s
,. advice of his late companion, or have his eru—

n v flit: knowledge for a guide! But it was too

1

 

a .
' He did, under these circumstances, what first
occurred to him—took a course leading him as
nearly as he could judge in a central direction,
and hastened along, hoping that some different
I -, conformation of the land would Occur to sim-
, pill? his task.
h e was still proceeding, not very far from
‘tho point of setting out, wh n he was attracted
‘ by a rustling noise close beside and partially be-
, . nd him.
Usually it does not require a long time'to turn
,, ,one’s‘head, but before the young man could ox-
. I mrthis move even, he found himself grasped
', by' the neck and hurled to the earth, wit a
_. . war for superior to that of any mortal man
I chad ever encountered.

   
   
     
  
   
  
 

,' 'rlfle was thrown for from him through the for—
: “wand ere he was fully aware of his condition
’ t grasp was fastened upon his throat which
threatened to crush the entire neck.
Looking u with a half-stran ling gaze, he
now above h in a bending form n such terrible
, v , win that he involuntarily gasped out anex-
; clemaan of astonishment. ' -

S‘overy sudden had been the onset that his.

“Some one’s coming; I wonder who it can;

,by coaxing his

 

The Border Gunmaker.

The frame was extraordinarily large, and of
its great muscular power he was even then
painfully aware. But this migh‘tjy body was
very poorly clothed, being covere
ing better than a mass of re s, fastened and
held together by most origina and crude de-
Vices.

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

The eyes were the principal feature. Deep—
set, and lighted with a most ferocious glow, per-
fectly discernible even through the night, they
seemed to penetrate the young man’s very sou ,
and freeze his blood with horror. He had looked
into the eyes of a maniac before, and it needed
no confirmation to satisfy him that at that mo-
ment he was lying there at the mercy of a
frenzied man. He expected no fate but a terri-
ble death, and mentally he prayed that this
might come speedily. In the act of death there
could be no suffering equal to lying there under
the glow of those burning eyes, and hearing
those infernal cries of satisfaction with which
the maniac crushed his victim down into the
dust, and brandished before his eyes a fearful
knife]

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

Only a moment, and than relaxing his hold he
allowed the young man to fall. back upon the
ground.

“Mistaken again—what a fool!" he laughed.
“I made a mistake. Did it scare you? ll here
have they gone? is she with them?”

He asked the questions in such a tone of voice
that Theodore saw at once a method in his mad-
ness, and realized why his life had been so near—
ly sacrificed. But the present res ite ave him
opportunity to produce a into], w nch e did as
a preventative to any urther demonstration
from his not very trusty companion.

He got upon his feet without difficulty, and
injured throat somewhat,
managed to answer:

“ The went down the river.
where 3 Le is. Who is she?"

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

“ Don’t you know? Well, you never will 1”

And with a low, chuckling laugh he turned
11 on his heel, and strode away into the de tbs
or the forest, moving with a. strange rapi ity,
andh yet almost as silently as the shades of
nip: t.

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

Very soon it was too late to recall the strange
being if he could, and then the young man be—
gan to cast about him as to the course most pro-
per for him to pursue. Should he proceed in his
search for the hunted girl, or strike over and in-
tercept Green J ticket?

He dccided upon the latter, because now he
felt certain that ifvshe had not fled from a
knowledge of the madman, she had taken a
course nearly or quite direcrly inland. If he
could find the gunmuker,’ and communicate the
knowledge to him, it seemed more than proba-
ble that together they might decide upon a
plan which would bring success.

Picking up his rifle and finding it was unin-
jured, be reprlmed the weapon, and then set
forth once more, keeping a very sharp lookout
in every direction for danger.

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

“ Holt !"

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

He fingered the lock of his piece uneasily, and
strove to discover the whereabouts of his chale
lengie’r, but all to no purpose.

“ ut down that gun and come here!” con-
tinued the so me voice, in a sharp whisper.

But he heard more distinctly now, and recog-
nized the tones.

it was Green Jacket who spoke!

I do not know

with noth- I

 

Without stopping to obey the first part of the
command, he sprung to the side of his com-
panion, a dreadful load all at once lifted from

is heart.

But, the scout grasped his, mm in a strange
manner, and nodding his head in the direction
whence he had come, asked in a solemn tone:

“Did you not see bin?”

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

And the young man displayed his damaged
neck.

"Why, what?. How in the Old Boy was that
done?"

Theodore related the facts as the reader al‘
ready understands them, and Green Jacket lis-
tened with the most intense interest.

“ That’s a critter I never heard tell of ” he ex—
claimed, when his I ompanion had finished.
“ Strange I haven’t, hit I rever happened tew.
Seems he’s on this woman’s track, tew; I wonder
what in the Old Boy it means?” _

But mere 5 ecnlations would never solve the
mystery, an at the present time they had no
leisure for deliberation. Theodore stated his
convictions in regard to the route taken by the
girl, and was somewhat surprised to find that
they quite coincided with the views of his more
experienced companion.

As they set out in the direction it seemed to
them most likely the fugitive u ( man must have
taken, Green Jacket bowed his htao in perplex—
ity, and Thurber heard him mutter:

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

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

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

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

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

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

” What an idea!"

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

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

“Are on, too, crazy?” he demanded.

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

They both listened intently.

“Iheer a horse,” said Green Jacket, after a
moment. “Some of them are ccming this way.
Lay shady now. Thar’s n. ood place behind
that big tree. I’ll stay here ‘side this bush."

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

 

CHAPTER VII.
UP THE CLIFF.

PRESENTLY a cark, moving shape was dis-
cernible, not for army, and in a short time it ap—
peared more plainly, in the form of a horse and
rider. And more than this, it couldbeseen that
the rider was a woman.

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

At first the irl seemed sun prised, lut very
soon recover her self-possession on findin
that she had encountered friends again, en
gave her hand to each. '

“ How singular that we should meet again,”
she said. “I cannot understand it. I supposed
you far back near the rivar."

“There isn’t much chance about it.” Green
Jacket said, frankly. “We were looting for
you. But how far from the river do you sup-
pose ”we are? I mean the place wLere we—
we—

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

“Not abovo a mile, if as much." ,,

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

"Most likely you’ve ridden much fiirthero

\

 

 

 

l:


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i

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l?
A:


ii
i,

 

 

 

 

i
i ‘,
if
.

doe , dark river.
I ares

 

- n 7' '7 l -

The Border Gunmaker.

\

9.

 

But it’s a. very difficult matter to ride in the di-
rection one wants to take. Fact is, jest at this
particular time you was a-ridiu’ toward the
river, rather than away from it.”

“ Can that be?"

“ It is a fact.”

A shudder, as of deadl fear, seemed to come
over the woman, and s e glanced around, as
though striving to penetrate the dark forest
which surrounded them.

“ Have you seen—”

She paused, as though fearful to express in
words the image which floated before her mind,
and then added:

“ Have you seen anything horrible?"

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

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

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

“ ‘Nhere or which way do you want to go?
I’m better acquaintel in this region than you.
We want to see you safe out of this, and we’ll
dew anything to help you along.”

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

“ You must be purty tired by this time, I
should so ."

“ Tire I Ah, that word very poorly ex«
presses my feelings. But I can still endure any-

, thing. so that I may eventually escape.”

“ Well, I was goin’ to say that suthin' like five
or six miles from here, I should judge, there’s a
spot whar I think we could rest and never be
found out by these prowlin’ creators. If you-
1eel able to ride that far we’ll try it, for it’s the

I only place I know ofjn this part of the country.”

, yes, certainly. I feel very strong with

, such brave friends to assist me. But I fear you

do not understand the nature of the work you
have undertaken. ”

Theodore found an opportunity for speech at
that moment, and did not fail to improve it, in-
asmuch as‘he had been looking for the opportun-
ity 8 Ion time.

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

A pained expression passed over the woman’s
face, and after a momentary silence she re
plied:

“ I assure younl appreciate your kind assist—
ance and protection, but I cannot answer any
questionanow. Unless you are willing to help
me still, only knowing that I am a woman in
dire need, then I must bid you farewell, and
seek my own fortunes as best I ma 1"

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

so : .
y‘ I fear I spoke without thought. Pray ex-
cuse me, and in future I shall be careful how I
use my tongue.”
“That’s wise,” broke in Green Jacket, “ and
the carefuller we all are, the better it will be

for us. These trees may have ears and there

may be rifles behind ’em, for all we ow.”

A deep silence fell upon the party, only
broken by the footfalls of the horse, and the
lighter steps of the two men who walked beside
't

1 . .

Mile after mile they went onward through the
forest, picking their way at times through
devious deflles and obscure retreats, then climb-
ing hills and emerging upon more open and fa-
vorable ground. _

Green Jacket walked beside the bridle-rein,
leading the horse over the more unfavorable
localities, while Thurber followed at a little
distance, kee ing'his ayesand ears open for any
sounds wblc might indicate the presence of
other parties.

Finally they wound around the base of a

root ledge, into a retreat which seemed rather
the creation of fancy than any-actual nook ar-
ranged by nature. On three aides rose a pre-
cipitous wall of rock, only broken at the spot of
their entry, while on the other side flowed a
The area. was some one hun<

feet in len th by half as‘much in width,
and notwithstan ing its Situation, was dry and
comfortable. Several trees of small growth
covered the space, and at one and grew a quan-

 

tity of grass, toward which the horse was al-
ready casting longing eyes.

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

As may be supposed, both his companions
were delighted with the idea of resting, and as
their present retreat seemed reasonably safe,
they were not disposed to search further.

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

In a very few minutes the young girl, who
had chosen her retreat close under the over-
hanging ledge, was sleeping soundly, though
often she started, and sometimes even cried out
in fancied alarm.

“ Poor dear!” Green Jacket said, in tones un-
usuall tender, “ how bad that she is persecuted
in suc shape. I declare I am oing to take a.
new policy. When I see one of her persecutors
ag’in, I’m jest goin’ to let a. thin lift of dayl ht
right through him; and I declare, I don’t e-
lieve, there would be any sin in it—now do
you?

Theodore hesitated to answer positively so
great a question. He had but recently come to
the wild western border, and he shrunk from
bloodshed, wild as Were the scenes in which he
found himself acting a part. Naturally he
would only have advocated the shedding of
blood in selfdefense, but now the sufferings of
this unknown woman had touched his heart,
and he finally declared:

j‘ I don’t, for they can’t be human. No being
With any humanity about him would persecute
a poor woman in this way.”

“Human or not, it doesn’t make any differ-
ence to me. The one that sees first will shoot
first. So we want to keep these eyes of ours
open and our wder dry. But they can’t find
our trail till it‘s light, so we may as well sleep
two or three hours. See, it’s coming daylight
in the east, as true as the Old Boy. So we’d
better take a few winks while we can, and then
have our eyes open for business.”

“ Yes, the {list faint beams of day could be
plainly seen now, lighting u the sky beyond
the tops of the trees, and in icating that in a
few hours at furthest, the 'party would be in
danger, should their enemies undertake to fol-
low up their trail.

The two men threw themselves upon the
ground, their rifles resting beneth their knees,
ready for service in case of alarm, but ere they
found oblivion, Theodore could not refrain from
proifiunding the uestion nearest his heart:

" ow afraid s 9 seems of that crazy man!
Who or what do you so pose he is?”

Green Jacket raised imself from the earth,
and glanced quickly around, as though the hor-
rible being of whom mention had been made
might be close at hand, and then exolaimed, al-
most sharply: _

“See here, boy, if you say anythin’ more
about that critter just as I’m goin’ to sleep, I’ll
be very likely to punch yer head! What in the
Old Boy do ye suppose I know about him?
Waughl What in fury did ye want to say any~
thing about him for?"

And another glance around, more searching
than before, showed the uneasiness aroused by
the remark of his Companion.

“ Well,” re lied Theodore, rather dryly, “ the
feeling aroun my throat prompted the remark.
But if I ain’t afraid of him I shouldn’t think

you need be.”

“ I, ain't afraid,” growled Green Jacket; “ but
Idon’t want to hear any more about the con-
founded critter !” and he threw himself upon the
earth, as ghougl'. determined to shut out all un-
pleasant sxghts and fancies.

Theodore followed his example, highly satis-
fied that in one direction he had an advantage
over his reckless companion; for no matter how
much he shuddered at the thou ht of another
encounter with thewild man, i was evident
that he did not regard the strange bein with
such an unutterab

a horror as did Green acket.

 

The morning sun had
zon, as though to assure itse i the earth was still
waiting for its coming, and then wheeled its
broad isk grandly up into the azure sky. The
level beams glanced through the great forest,
and awoke myriads of sleeping life, ‘ving to
the late darksome retreats a new lingi livelier
alppearance. Soft winged birds flitted here and
t ere, while the speckled trout leaped and
glanced in the streams, as the first bright
golden beams darted through the waters.

But our wearied trio, reposing in fancied se-
curity in their hidden retreat, did not awake.
The sleep of each was haunted by wild and
fearful visions, be sure, but they did not awake.
Only Green Jacket aroused once. just before
the sun appeared, and feeling in his mind that
there could be no danger for an hour to come, ‘
gave himself up again to repose. I

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

Down, rapidly nearer he came, growing more
horrible, more fiendlike in appearance as he
drew nearer, his great white beard swaying over
the face of the cliff as he threaded so unhesi~
tatingly the narrow path, where a single mis-
step would have been certain death. Those
terrible, burning eyes glowed with a fiendish

urpose, and the long knife, now drawn from
his belt, was brandished with fiercer exultaition.

At length he touched and stood upon the
ground, close beside the sleeping woman, who
changed position and moaned uneasily at the
moment. The wicked smile faded away; his

eyes ran quickly up the fearful face of the rock -

where he had found his way down; the knife

was returned quietly to its sheath, and be bent '

over the sleeping girl with bated breath.

His purpose had changed.

Green Jacket and Theodore were startled
from their slumbers by what seemed a of
distress, but, as neither of them had enjoy an
over peaceful sleep, they were not so much
alarmed as would otherwise have been the case.
Still, both rung up, glanced at each other,
and then at he spot where Louisa hadbeen last
seen. ,

She was not there, yet not far away.

Ten or fifteen feet above, on the face of the

rugged cliff, they beheld her in the arms of that ;

terrible maniac, being rapidly home up the mo
row and dangerous way! Their hearts seemed
to freeze with horror at the spectacle. Fora
moment they stood as though riveted to-flio
spot, palsied at the sight.

Then Green Jacket raised his rifle. Bathe "

could not use it. The girl was held out over the
precipice, between them and thermaniac, while,
were they sure of shooting him without injury
to her, the fall would Very likely be fatal.

Theodore comprehended this state of afl’alrs, I

and then rushed to the path which the madman
was traversing. Up this he ascended some feet.

but the movements of the man above checked "

him. . -
Shifting his burden somewhat, that individual
reduced a monstrous pistol which he carried
in some kind of a receptacle at his belt, and
aimed it downward at his pursuer.

ed above the hori- '

“ Go back, or you’ll get hurt!” he cried, with: i

a wild laugh. \ -
Theodore scrambled down and reheated to 7

the side of Green Jacket.
“What can we do?” he asked.
“The gal’s insensible, that‘s plain to be seen ”

the gunmaker mused. “Consequently Sheen‘s?"

help herself any. We must dew somethin’, but
we’ll have to wait till he gets up, and if he
should lose his footin’, or drop the gall” '
It was a terrible sight to behold the ' ut
madman, climbin slowly and with e nt
weariness up that ong, precarious ascent, with
the form in which these two agoniaed men felt

so great an interest hanging upon his single V '

arm. out over the great clifl. , I
Would his strength be equal to the he

1

. l

had undertaken? Could he make thatmul .-

ascent, and never his foot slipor his mudin— »
imam

stinct fail? The slightest failure would

her death, his was of little consequence to the]

anxious watchers. ‘ p, ,
Up he went, higher and still bigger, at every
step drawing nearer the summit, t ' V '
also the danger. Sonnet/lines his mum
to tremble and give way, almost, but as often
helaughed and mounted higher. , ,  ‘

Yea, his strength. mighty as it wu,;wu‘-
way, and yet the roughest, most uncertain par

"0h, heavens! would he never reaohtlimg '

 

 
 

‘ , settle our diflerences

 
 

10'

 

The Border Gunmaker.

 

 

of the pathway lay before them still. Was
there no place where he might dispose of his
burden, regain his strength, and pre are for the

l ascent before him? No; and he still presses on,

creeping, kneeling now upon the bare, slippery,
horrible rocks.

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

Still up he goes, higher and higher, and the
dizzy top is almost gained. But how weak the

iant is now, and how he trembles! He sways
ac): and forth—he will fall, and that fall must
be outward!

But no, he can grasp the top of the rock now.

_ He does so, takes another step upward and the
great danger is. passed. His human prize is
thrown senseless upon the round at the sum-
mit and the maniac stumb ed 11 beside her.

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

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

“Nor I. But now we must go for him. I’d
shoot him from here, but my nerves ain’t quite
steady, and if I hit him ever so fair he might
’hev strength enough left to pitch her Over. We
must wait till he ets back a bit from the ed e,
Endithen I’ll ’te to him. Do you look out or

er.

“Yes, indeed I will.”

The madman gazed down pitched a single
pebble toward the watchers be ow, gave utter-

' ance to one of his blood-curdling laughs, and

». thenagain raised his burden.

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

“ Now. quick,” said Green Jacket, in tones
more exciting than Theodore had ever heard
him use. “You take the boss, and go after
him full eed. Try to get his attention and
keep him usy with JSou, but I‘ll be on and
and attend to him. 0 you look out for her,
and see that he don’t play devil. Can you ride

Iv well?”

“I guess so. Never mind me, I’m used to 3.

And springing upon the animal the young
man quick] urged him out through the narrow
filthway, reen Jacket keeping close beside

in.

They were not a little disconcerted at fludin
themselves face to face with Dan Duifey an
his com nion, who with weapons presented,
were, a dently masters of the situation!

“Stop,” and Dan, who alwa is acted the
spokesman. “ We don’t want to ght you'now.
We want en hcl in gittin’ my wife away
from that evil. ill on help us, and we kin
ter that is done. Will

cu!”

“ Who is that crazy devil!”

“ No matter! We want your help to get her
awa . Will you do it 6“”

f‘ as, sir; you can count on me as far as

. that’s concerned, but be kind enough to recol-
lect, Dan Duifey, that you and l have an ac—
count of our own to settle after this job is done!

Can ye remember that?”

“I i not be likely to forget it in a day or
two,” growled Dan, pointing to his discolored
neck. “ You gave me a choking, and it’s to be

7 paid-for; but we’ve business fust.”

" ,  “All right; what’s yer plan?”

 

CHAPTER VIII.
, NOT YET.

".Wn must surround him.”

V, “ Very Well, I agree. Now, which of you
will ride beyond him, and brin him back?”

“ 1’11 dqthat,” exclaimed Du “ Roswins,
you get yonder, and keep him from making
away toward the river, while Green here does
the something on this side. Green aeket and

' his chum can arrange their sides.”
Not waiting for another word, the two horse—

" r men'dashed away through the forest, leaving

~ our two friends quite mystified at the turn at.

' fairs had taken.

But there was no time now for speculations,

' and directing Theodore to ride along the. river.
and vent the madman from escaping to the
‘rlgh , Gwen Jacket scaled the cliff. and kept a.

l ‘ lookout for the’retreat of the wild-man. in that

-1 n.
g T . Ho was barely in time. That personage, and
’ in: how vigorously the pursuit of him was to be

 

made, had changed his plan again, and was now
dragging the helpless girl rapidly toward the
brow of the cliff. Duffey and Roswins, having
taken quite a wide circle, had but just observed
the movement, although both were now riding
rapidly toward the spot. But plainly they
would not be in time, while they dared not fire
through fear of injuring the woman. Green
Jacket was nearer, but he dared not fire, and
was on foot, so that it was a great question to
him and all parties Whether he would reach the.
icene‘ in time to prevent a horrible consumma-
ion.

The madman rushed across the level spare
upon the summit of the elevation with fearful
speed, seemingly little impeded by the weight
of the still insensible woman. His late exhaus-
tion was evidently all gone, and an energy and
deadly purpose fearful to contemplate fired his
every movement.

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

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

But, Green Jacket only climbed the hill,
straining every nerve to reach the brow in ad-
vance of the wild-man.

He reached the summit of the abrupt ascent,
and found himself and the maniac at about
equal distances from the point of interest.
There was surely hope now, and not onl from
himself, but the riders had now reacbe more
open ground, and were coming more rapidly.

But a trifling accident changed the whole face
of affairs.

As the madman dragged the woman along,
her garments caught upon asharp knot, pro—
f‘ecting from a fallen log, and momentarily de—
ayed them. Brief as was the time, it was suffi-

cient to allow Green Jacket to get the advant-
age in distance, a fact which the maniac noticed
in a moment. _
' Pressing the maiden against him as a shield
from the deadly aim of those by whom he was
surrounded, the wild abductor again roduced
that monstrous pistol, which he levele deliber-
ately at Green Jacket. The scent bad no cover
at hand, and could not fire in return, for he
would sooner die than endanger the captive.

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

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

Des erate and horrible as was the act, it re-
ceive only a momentary attention from those
who came upon the scene a moment later.

Roswins stopped beside the prostrate young
women, while Dufl’e coolly rode to where
Green Jacket was ll'yin The latter had
been struck in the ea by the bullet, and
his face and clothing, as well as the ground
abfoll§d him, was liberally besprinkled with his

00 .

Without dismounting, Dan gazed at the san-

inary spectacle a few moments, until Theo-

ore, who had at first set out rapidly in another
direction, reached the spot.

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

"1 ho e 50,” growled Dan. “But you’ve
nothin’e ssto do; suppose on stay here and
take keer of him. Maybe ye in bring him back
to life; but I must say that upper story of his
don’t look Very promisin’l” "

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

“ What’s the prospectf’he demanded.

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

A wicked smile crossed the face of Dan

u o . -
, “Git the bosses! I reckon it any bosses are

 

 

wanted I kin git ’em, if that’s any in the coun-
try. Old Green’s gone by the board. and I’ll
manage this other fellow, if he don’t attend
to his,own roast! Maybe I’d better do it any—
way.’

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

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

A significant shake of the head indicated the
alternative.

Roswins raised the form in his arms, and
moved down the hill toward the river, taking a
course which would bring him to the brink some
distance from where the remains of the self-
destrnyed maniac must be lying. He did not
wish to look upon those dreadful features again
—why, we shall know in due time.

Thurber was bending over the body of Green
Jacket.

Duffey rode his own animal, and leading
the one ridden by Roswins, moved to where
Thurber had dismounted, and where his horse
still stood.

“This is our animile, I s’pose yer know?” he
hissed. “Now we karkilate you’ve used him
about long enough, and we’ll take him. Don’t
ye open yer head, if ye do-”

The words were grated through the speaker’s
set teeth, and the flourish of apistol showed very
clearly his dis osition. Once even, after hehad
turned away, e looked back, as though thirst-
ing for an opportunity to shed blood. But if he
had any intention of so doing, his better nature
for once prevailed, and he rode down to rejoin
his companion.

When Roswins reached the river, his daugh-
ter had begun to revive somewhat, so that she
was gasping for breath, and in a few minutes
afterward she was uite conscious. Her first
act was to look aroun timidly, as if fearin that
some foul specter lurked near, and thong she
recognized the one who held her with a groan,
she seemed relieved that some yet more fearful
presence was not there.

“ Don’t fear, Louisa, you’ll never see him any
more,” Roswins said, with something approach-
in tenderness.

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

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

Placing her careful] upon the mid, Ros-
wins left her thus whi e be joined uifey.

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

“We’ll wait till she is stron enou h to ride,
and then push on a few mi es, be ore taking
breakfast. This is not a place very con enial to
my fancies I” And be cast a suggestive 00k to-
ward the foot of the cliff.

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

“But are on sure about him?” pointing up-

ward town the summit.
“ You didn’t see him, I guess?”
H No.”

“’Cause if you had, there wouldn’t be an
doubt in your mind any longer. Ye see he too
the ball sque re in the top of the head—” v

“Oh, Well!" ,

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

“ Oh, no necessity for that. He’ll never trou-
ble us.”

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

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

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

“ Come, Louisa.” said her father, as he lifted
her from the ground, “if on feel better now,
so that you can ride, ve’l go where we shall
find more comforteblequarters, and there we’ll
reet What do you say?”

With a weary sigh she leaned against the.

 

’

 

— ‘ . -m»... .c ....».. .,... , _ Maw.  ...w ..,._,.

 

The Border. Gunmaker.

 

irca beside which she had been lying, and
looked around, up to the brow of the hill where
she had narrowly escaped death, though all un—
consciously to herself.

“If you’re lookin’ for help,” sneered the
desperado, Duffey, “ ye can spare ycr eyes that
trouble. Your friend with the big.wh1skers
just blew the brains out of. your friend With
the green coat, and then Jumped over that
ledge. So we’ll hev no more trouble from any
of them, and you can behave yourself, and
come along with us, just as soon as you can.
And another thing,” he added, very near to
her, and hissing the words into her ears, with a.
fiendishness worthy of his base self alone, “ we
don‘t want any more of your foolin’. If thar
is, ye’ll repent, dearly, when repentin’ won’t
dew ye any good.”

“ Oh, dear, my last- friend is gone now,” the

r girl moaned, as she realized the fearful
story which Dan Dufi‘ey had taken so much de-
light in telling her. “There is no more hope
for me in this—”

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

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

gscowl of deadly hatred came over the rene-
gade’s features. and again he hissed forth:

“ Be keerful, gal, or you’ll insult me once too
much! I ma not stand everythin .”

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

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

The r girl had no power to resist, fearful
as she new the life intended for her to be. She
could eat none of the rough food cflered her,
and so was won riding away from the spot,
with a heavy heart. ‘

The “little ways” could have had no definite
meaning, for mile after mile they went on, till
it se=med to Louisa that she must fall from her
horse, and in fact often she came near doing so.

In vain were her an plications for rest and
even death. Little h Was paid to them, and
the journey continued until at length she lost
all consciousness, and the world in a chaotic
mass seemed revolving about her. .

Roswins prevented her from falling, and

placed her upon the ground, to effect her restora-
tion. ‘
. “ We shall have to hold on now,” he said.
“We can’t go any further, comfortably, and
perhaps this will does well as an place. I’ll
stay here with her while you fin a camping-
ground.”

They were in something of a rough region,
but that fact was rather in their favor. A lit-
tle brook ran not far from the spot, and judging
that the spring was not very distant, Dudley
set out to find it.

Presently he returned, and announced a fine
locality, with abundance of wood, water and

time.

8 And not much later, in a little nook, up
among the rocks and giant trees. they had
located, with a cough—house neat and attractive
save incompanionship, prepared for Louisa.
Here she was placed, while her companions at-
tended to the horses, and looked for game.

“ Tell ye what,” 331d Roswins, confidentially,
“we must be very careful of her, and make
things as smooth as possible, for it Wouldn’t
work well to have her sick on our hands here.”

“See here,”retorted Bailey, “1 don’t want
any of your interferin’. Atrade is a trade and
this matter rests on my hands now. It on’t
cousarn you whether she’s sick or not, any
longer, does it?”

“oh, we’ll not quarrel.” said Roswins, very
humbly. “I don’t calculate to meddle with

our affairs. 1 am only helping
§ou know I never meddle with
do not belong to me.”

“Oh, you meant well enough, only you have
a. curious way of showin’ it, that’s‘alll” and
la hing brutally at some supposed witticism
in 8 words. Dan separated temporarily from
his companion. ,

on along.
airs which

 

CHAPTER IX.
nor DISCOURAGED.

WHEN Theodore heard that strange report
from the brow of the cliff, which he recognized
as similar to that which had come over the
river, creating such an excitement, the previous
evening, a deadly chill came over his frame,
despite all his efl‘orts to be brave. He wished
himself almost anywhere else, but he had
thirsted for an adventure, and now realized
that he was bound to see it through.

In a. moment his alarm changed to anxiety
for his friend. Should anything happen to de—
prive him of Green Jacket’s counsels, he felt

ow utterly alone he should be among those who
pow regarded him with a. far from friendly

ee in .

Hisgalarm did not decrease when he saw his
friend lying upon the ground, his head and face
besmeared with blood. Reaching the spot, he
sprun from his horse, and bent over to ascer-
tain i possible the extent of the injury.

At first he feared that his friend was really
killed, butasecond look gave him hope. The
wound was upon the top of the head, and while
the scalp was torn and mangled, and blood had
flowed profusely, it was rather probable that
the bullet had not penetrated the skull. But
with all his hopes, Theodore was unable to sat-
isfy himself that such was really the case.

While he was still trying to satisfy himself on
that point, Dutfey rode u , and took away his
horse. as detailed in the Fast chapter. In his
anxiety and confusion, the young man scarcely.
expected any further use for the animal, and so
gntfi‘red no decided protest against the action of

n ey.

Some moments after, chancing to look around,
he saw Louisa being borne down toward the
river.

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

He raised the inanimate form as well as
he could, and staggerin under the weight, made
his way down the hi1 side, taking a course to
bring him to the river quite a distance from the
spot selected by Roswins. He laced Green
Jacket upon the earth, close to t e bank, and
commenced bathing his head and face, washing
away the stains of blood, that he might form an
estimate of the nature of the wound the gun-
ma‘ker had received. .

He was encouraged by the appearances, and
also by the evidences of returning consciousness.
The bullet only seemed to have torn the scalp,
just where p renologists locate the or n of
“firmness,” and though the wound bl quite
freely, it was not necessarily, mortal or serious.

Indeed, just at this juncture the wounded mun
opened his eyes, and with something approach—
ing a groan resumed an upright posture.

“ Confound that pesky craz loonl” be ex-
claimed, in a voice barel dis inct. “he came
near settling my business or me. How hot my
head feels, and how it aches! Just douse on the
water till my brains get a little clearer, and
then I’ll tell ye what to do.”

Theodore followed his directions, and in afew
moments the wildness of manner left the gun—
maker, and he rose to his feet.

“How much of a hurt is there?” he asked,
bending over so as to obtain a reflection from the
water. .

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

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

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

“I feel most as good as new. You’d make a
real good doctor, youngster. Now I'll find an
InJin remedy that’ll cure it up in a hurry, and
then for the trail again I” ~
in'l‘lheodore gazed upon his companion admir-

8‘ Y-

“Then you are not discouraged,” he said,
“ after that narrow escape?”

. “ Discouragedi Why should I be? If a. man’s
time comes to. die, why he’ll die. and thar’s no
chance about it. You wonder why that teller
didn’t kill me, but I don’t. My time had not
come, and so his big hossapistil was of no ac
count.”

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

Green Jacket moved about with his eyes fixed
upon the ground, and in a few minutes found a

 

117

small plant, of which he picked several leaves
and handed them to his companion. 7

“Now if ya want to do me a sarvice,” be ex-
plained, “ jest chaw up these here and fix ‘em on
that bald place. It works like fun, for I‘ve
tried it afore.”

“Then this is not your first wound,” Theodore
observed.

“Fast! well, I rayther guess not! But that
ain’t here nor thar, and if you’ll ’tend to them
leaves jest now, I‘ll be much obliged to ye.”

Thus admonished, the young man gave the»
herb a thorough chewing, although the taste
was none of the pleasantest, and bound the pulp
upon the injured scalp.

“ That feels better a’ready,” Green Jacket as-
serted, and Thurber rejoiced as heartily as os-
sible under all the circumstances, thatrea or
fancied, a cure might be speedily cifected.

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

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

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

“ But you believe in destiny—why look after " ‘

your gun?” Theodore laughingly asked.

“Yes, I know; but then suppose I meet Dan
Duffey, and his time had come? What in the
Old Boy would I do without my gun?”

The interlocutcr offered no reply, but hastened
up the hill, and found the missing articles where
they had been dropped at the time of the scout’s
fall. He looked around for the other party, but
saw nothing of them. VVbile returning, how-
ever, he heard a sharp crackling, as of dry
branches, away through the forest, and looking
in that direction beheld a horse and rider disa
peering among the trees, whom he had bar y
time to recognize as swins. o .

“ Now, whar d’ye suppose the sni hev gone
With the gal and what are they oin’?" Green
Jacket aske , when he had examined his rifle
and satisfied himself that it was ready for serv-

ice. ‘
Theodore related what he had seen as he. deo
mended the hill.
“Yes,” growled the gunmaker, "the ’re oi!
on another tramp. It must be most aw hard.
on the poor gal, ut I don’t suppose there’s any

 
 
 

help for it, not at present. There will be help, ‘ v

though, when we meet the confounded critters
ag’in. But let me think a. bit. I do ima inc
that crazy critter muddled up in trap a tri 9.”

After musing to himself an drawing dino-
grams upon the rock for some time the n-
maker summed up the result of his deliberations
thus:

“ We may as well let ’em go on through the '
We must go about the ,, ‘

day, if they do well.
same way in order to reach Thompson’s Pass,

and that is our best cut. If they go on peace« ~

ab] we may let them get twenty miles ahead,
an all the time they’ll be getting us nearer to
the very place where we want to go. But we.
must foller ’em close, and this is the way we'll
do it: You can track ’em well enough in broad
daylight, right arter they hev gone along. 80
you go on, and keep ’em almost in
they see
I’m knoc'ed out most likely, and won’t filly
much attention. I’ll keep aways behind, is
near enough so you can signal me in case it’s

needed, and we can work together if anything’s' L

wrong.”

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

“ ’Tain’t anything but a scratch ” he‘said, al-
most inrlignantly. “Most likely I shall never ‘
think of it ag’in. I sha’n’t if Iget ane eon the
miserable critters what are abusing t‘ t poor '
girl so, ye can feel sartain of that. If I'feél

like givin’ out on the way it’ll be‘ time enough r

to stop."

Theodore did not oftenhaye anytmuble in =

followiu the trail, as the part . deeming them-
selves rigd of all opposition,  nopains to
blind their we , and when ‘
doubt a sign on: Green Jacket generally set,
him right. .

But the scout had somewhat underestimated
the severity of his wound. His head backfire .
very painful at times, and once or twice be was
obliged to stop and rest. But __ 
couragements they kept within 0 ugdir
tones of the travelers, and when they.de
because Louisa could ride no longer, a: prgv‘

sight. It, ~
on, no great matter, for they think "

he was sometimes in ‘

   
 
  

  
   
  
  

 

   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  

  12

 

, The Border Gunmakex‘. f

 

viously recorded, all their actions were under
survey. In the narrow retreat not t‘ortv rods
from the bush-house in which the worn ouisa
was, resting, and overlooking the spot, Green
Jacket and his companion had found a hiding-
place.

Dan Duffey passed near the spot in his search
for game, and fortunate it was for him that the
mmmaker was suffering so severely from the
p ound upon his head that he was not upon the
I ikout. But the ranger did not discover his
/- wxpected neighbors, and passed on all uncon<
scious of the peril hanging over his head.

Theodore having agreed to watch the camp
of the enemy carefully, and awaken Green
Jacket promptly at any new phase of afluirs,

that individual finally fell asleep, and remained ,
It was toward evening 3

9: _. r thus for some hours.
v s when he awoke, and offer satisfying himself of
I. the fact, he informed Thurber that he felt much
'  better. The pain had almost entirely left his
’* head, and he felt quite himself again.
‘ 7 ' ‘ “ Now what is going on over that?" he asked.
a .' Theodore reported every thing quiet. Ros-
,"w I .wins and the renegade, returning from their
, hunt with game sufficient for all present need,
had made some trifling arrangements, and laid
them down to sleep, in which they still seemed

wrapped.
“ hat is that? Asleep, are they ?" exclaimed
, Green Jacket. “ I’m a great mind to go over——
'but I guess not. There’s a’mosr too much light
now for What we want to dew. Jest arter dark’ll
be our time.”
But an irrepressible conflict was going on in

the gunmaker‘s mind, and after a silence of a ‘

few minutes, during which he had been fidget-
ing uneasily, he continued:

 _ ' “ It seems to me, though, we’d better know
f ,' how the land lays, and have everything ready.
~, We '~kin do better than we can to go on any uns
‘ certainties. So now if you’ll stay here, and

keep, shady 1’ go out and see to things in

l» ' . ’ general. Most likely they calculate to move

3 soon as the darkness gets t ick enough for their

purpose, and if that’s the case we want to have

, ourplaus all cut and dried.”
J 5 . It: seemed to the young man that his com-
‘ * pauion was gone a we long time. The sun had

V“ V sunk so low beyond t e western hills that its

' r beams no longer slanted through the forest, and
still Green J acket had not returned.

Becoming more and more alarmed, as dark-
ness drew on, Theodore had just risen, and crept
from the retreat, purpdaing to go in search of
his'absent com anion. when he heard a stealthy
movement, an on turning found himself face
to face, with THE WILD MAN! The latter seemed
to be looking for something, as at the moment
of encounter he was peering anxiously into the
retreat from which the young men had just
emerged. Apparently as much startled as the
other at the meeting, he stood motionless for a
moment, one hand grasping his lar o my
board, the other resting on the rock be.- de im.
' ’r Thurber’s first movement was toward his pis-

~11431, which he went even so far as to produce.

But the Wild-man raised his hand from the rock,

withxa‘de recaior gesture, shaking his head

slowly, wh e a wot d of sorrow seemed beaming
from his strange eyes.

It seemed to Theodore as though he were
frozen to the earth b that glance, and for a
moment he'scarcely new w at was passin
about him. When he resumed his wonteg
. energy, however, and looked about him, the
'strange figure was gone, having vanished as
utterly and silently as though the earth had
swallowed it up. "

' . The young man did not immediately pursue
his former purpose, but returned to the nook

,‘Emong the rocks, and leaning against the solid

ranite, mused upon what had just passed. For

, , ,,'.'he first time since t e singular appearance of

; ltile maniac, he recollected t at he had seen that

personage spring from the summit of the cliff,

swore! hours before—taking a leap which'ac-
cording to all human calculation must have

. produced instant death!

He did not, of course, we t that when the
maniac took that fatal leap e struck among the
branches of a small tree, which broke his fall,
> landing him upon the ground with only a few

scratches and bruises.

While he was thus musin , Green Jacket stole
.in, very quietly, and stood side him. '

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

“Ell Who is he!"

The young man pointed to his companion’s

   
 

ac . .
‘1. ‘?%e’u not trouble as any more." was the
V, positive reply «the person addressed.

 

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

“How? What?”

Green Jacket had no more calmness now. It
had all given place to disquiet and unrest.
He glanced about from time to time, almost
fearfully, while the young man related the
story of the singular appearance. When it was
finished, he said:

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

There were a few moments7 silence, and then
Green J ackct resumed:

“I’ve got everything laid out nicely. All
we’ve got to do is to go over and get the gel,
which we kin do first rate if they sleep. If they
don’t, we may have to fight for it. But in any
case, we can do it. Their bosses are down by
that little run, just below the big rock, so that
after we git the gel we can go down there and
pick our nags. Thar’s a way of vetting to the
bush-house without waking them.”

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

A yawn, followed by an impatient exclama-
tion. came distinctly through the forest.

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

" You are right."

They emerged from the nook among the
rocks, and here Green Jacket stopped to whis.
Jcr:

I “Keep close behind me; I know how to go;
afid” don’t make any noise, or we shall spoil it
a .

 

CHAPTER X.
THE MISSION.

DOWN the rocky slope, into the hollow where
ilio mountain stream glided and gurgled along,
making its wa with difficulty between the
great masses 0 stone at one int, and then
flowing a few feet smoothly, t 0 two figures
crept, pausing to analyze every sound, lest b
any incautious movement they should jeopar -
ize their own safety, and tend to defeat the very'
object for which they were striving.

" Here’s the hOSses," whispered Green Jacket
after they had crossed the run, and turned up
toward a somewhat open glarle where the ani»
mals had been secured. “You see how they
are, if anything shbuld happen that 3,011 want to
come after ’em.”

Theodore bowed assent, for he did not wish to

trust his lips even in a whisper, and then they
moved away up the opposite ascent, here and
there stopping to listen and take breath,until
they were some distance above the point they
wished to reach. Thence they glided 'down,
creeping between, over, and around huge rocks,
until at last, peering through between two
ggcat ledges, the scene of interest was before
t em. ‘
All was wrapped in complete darkness, save
such feeble light as the stars gave down
through the leafy coverin of the forest, yet
the spies were able to istinguish the spot
where Duffe and his companion were lying,
and the dar but of boughs which contained
the object of their search.

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

in .

%‘ Come, Dan," he said, “ if you are going on,
it is time vou were up and getting ready for
business. t’s dark as a pocket.”

“Then I ain’t goin’ ” growled the not very
apiiyz’l’ble outlaw. “T e gal’s all right, ain’t
s e

“She is here, and I think asleep," was the

repl .
“ Then go to sleep yersolf. I’ll get up when I
get good and ready-not a minute store.”
Roswins back and forth a few minutes
in silence, and- seeing that Dufley had, toiall
a pearance, gone to sleep again, finally con-
0 uded to fol ow his example. ,
Then a silence ensued, so deep as to be almost
minim. It was broken at length by the irregu-
, snorin of one sleeper, and when this sound
was bear . Green Jacket pressed his companu
ion’s arm, whispering in very low tones:

 

“Now I’m goin' in to get the ladv out. Do
you stay here till I come with her. if either of
these hounds wake up, and thar‘s any need for
it, shoot. and don’t be afraid to dew it! Do you
understand?”

M I do.”

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

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

“ Where are you?”

No response came, and after listening in-
tently for some time, Green Jacket repeated his
in uiry.

._ till the same dead silence.

“ She’s sound asleep,” he mused.

He proceeded slowly around the narrow limit,
feeling his way, and carefully examining
with his hands every foot of the surfaca, but
when he rencllcdthc point from which he star t-
ed forth, be u as quite astonished at finding that
the but was perfectly empty.

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

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

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

Presently the stars which were to be seen here
and there through theentrance were shut out,
and looking up, the dim darkness of the place
was just sufficient to reveal to Green Jacket the
great gray heard, the huge, steeping form of
the nameless madman!

Had the dead risen from the grave he could'

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

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

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

They stopped at once, however, when, strugv
gling from the ruins, came the madman whom
they supposed dead, and with one of his peculiar
laughs egan to disengage his weapons. The
efl’ect upon them was no less marked than it
had been upon Green Jacket and his young
friend. '

Without waiting to accept the offer of battle
iven them, the twain retreated in mad haste
mm the spot. The cause of this alarm, forget-

ling his old foe in the new, followed ate rate of
speed very little inferior to their own.

In consequence of this new phase of affairs,
Green Jacket found himself free again to pur»
sue the business of most congenial nature. His
first work was to extricate himself from the
bushes which had fallen upon him, and then,
gathering the facts which his senses had not

ully supplied, he crept down to where he had
left Theodore.

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

nion, he was upon the point of firing at the
women who started toward the scene, when

the strange laugh of the maniac deprived him
of all ower of movement for the time. When
he he regained the use of his nerves the two
Were dashing wildly through the forest.

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

“She‘s gone !”

 

 

 

 

. 1.1.- 4’: 1‘ .:I A ~

 

 

 

I The. Border Gunmaker.

13

 

“ Where has she gone?”

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

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

The other jumped at the su stion.

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

“I thought I heard some movements down
there, just a few moments before the uproar,
but I may have been mistaken,” Thurber whis~

ered.
p Not being obliged to move with so much can-
tion as before, they were but a few moments in
reachin the place where the horses were
ickete . DuEfey and his companion seemed to
ave forgotten or ignored the animals, as they
had gone in quite an opposite direction. Still
one of the horses was missing!

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

at!

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

“But it must have been. Who else would
have taken away a single horse? Only I don’t
see how we are going to tell which way she
went.”

“ Then you don’t understand that?”

“ No. Do you?"

H I do.”

it HOW?”

“ Get onto that horse, an’ we’ll see.”

Theodore did as directed, and when Green
Jacket was mounted he said:

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

“ Are on sure he’ll go right?”

“I’d li e to hev ye git these bosses any other
way than what the fust one Went, unless ye was
to drive ’em. Now see!”

They did see, as the horses at once set oil? to
ward the east, picking their way with freedom,
and cvincing no hesitation or uncertainty.

“The very course I laid out,” said the leader.
“Now, if the gal hasn’t got too far away, and
doesn’t take the wrong track, it all looks plain
to me once more. . Let us fairly give "em the
slip  time, and 1 don’t think they’ll catch us

in.

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

“I know it. But if we sin get five miles start
we are all right. ”

The way was not the most pleasant which
might have been selected, had leasure alone
been consulted; but they made be best of it,
and after traveling a time paused to listen.

“ Don’t you hear that?” asked the leader
quickly.

Yes they could plainly hear the movements
of a horse through the soft soil in front of them,
and under the circumstances, they had no
doubt but they were near the object of their
search. .

“ I suppose the poor gal will feel scared when
she finds we are arter er,” said. Green Jacket,
“ and thinks it’s the other chaps. But no, we
are friends, and she'll find it out in due time.
Maybe it would do to speak and tell her.”

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

“ Lady!" said the leader, raising his voice
somewhat. . .

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

“ Lady, friendsl" was repeated, and then the
two moved forward.

Theodore was the first to discover the fugi-
tive, Sitting her horse beside the route they
were takipg, and almost fearing that her ears
had deceived her, or that the word was only
used as a mockery. With a cry of joy she
grasped the young man’s hand and pressed it
within her own, unable to express her emotion
in words.

“ So-ho, here’s the gall” exclaimed Green
Jacket, raining in his horse. “You see we’ve
found you ag'ln. DO you want to go with us,
or have us go with you? I s'pose ye do, onless
there‘s some change come over yer feelinls since
we parted so'onceramonlous like.”

“ Oh, yes. indeed,” was the faint answer. “I

want to go with you to escape from these dread-.

ful scenes. or die! Sometimes I little care which.
I was wishing but now that I was back again to
the c111, so that I might cast m self over, and
be in this terrible, terri le ordeal.”

“ No, 0, now, poor irl,” said the scout,
drawing his hand myste ously woes his face.
“Don’t fret that way any more. Acause'this

 

feller and I are with ye now, and these bloody
brutes never shall catch us napping ag’in till We
bring ye back in safety to your friends.”

“ Alas, sir, you know not what you promise!
I have no friends!” . '

‘?‘"No friends! Then whar do you want :0
go

“Anywhere, sirs, anywhere, so it be among
civilized people. I will threw myself upon the
protection of all honorable people, and pray
that this persecution may ceasel’

After a momentary silence, she continued:

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

“Never mind it now; never mind it,” said
Green Jacket, hurriedly. “ We want first to
get you awa from these eathens, whoever they
may be, an then we can talk. Course you’re
terribly tired out, but if you can ride. we must
get along a ways toward Thompson’s Pass.”

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

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

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

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

And as they moved slowly on in the darkness,
through a wild, obstructed region, he had the
opportunity so long coveted. Brief and hesi-
tatin'g were the first few sentences which passed
between them, but, finally, the gates were
opened, and they came to speak with confidence
and mutual pleasure of such topics as presented
themselves, until they were a little startled by
the abrupt halt of their leader.

CHAPTER XI.
“AGAIN!”

“ AIN‘T ye tired?" he asked, addressing himself to
Louisa.

The woman would have replied that she was not,
but in truth she could not make the statement. It
seemed as though she could scarcely sit in the
saddle from minute to minute, and so she replied,
with a smile:

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

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

“ What is your reason Y" Theodore in nix-ed;

“ Well, the Lady here is tired and n rest; that
is one of ’em," was the rather hesitating reply of
the scout. “ And then, if we go on, its goin‘ to be
rayther slow, difficult work. It‘s so confounded
dark, and goin’ to storm. Then I ain't acquainted
with the land first best. and don’t- know how we’d
better steer/to hit Thompson’s, Pass ”

“ You do not mean to say that we are lost!” Theo-
dore asked, in much excitement.

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

Green Jacket dismounted, and his companions
followed suit. The young man busied himself with
leading the horses a ittle aside and carefully secur-
ing them to the trees, while Louisa seated herself
upon the ground. weary and exhausted be and
measure. Ieantiine the lea/dt‘I‘ISPt himself a ut
exploring the nigged ledge. which with numerous
 and ram1ficialti0iis, elite“ng tlll-llgch fuarlthcr

l e senses con com re en in t a '
blackness. p pp 1mg

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

$301316 up here l" .

e0 ore came up, took his com ion by the
 Eggnghesguntotged in glac- dirccltiippilfnwhence the
* . ie m e ver t e rogressuss

the blank rock met tli’em on all sides. p,

Green Jacket came to their assistance. and in a
short time they had gained the retreat. It was
reached by a Winding shelf. runnin up and around
the face of one portion of the l e, overhung by
another pro act-mg rock of mammoth roportione,
beneath wh ch was a perfectly shel recess suf-
fiCIently large to contain a dozen persons. In some
portions 3. sort of moss had gathered about the
rough bowlders which were scattered here and
there, so that the place seemed far from uncomfort-

l

 

able, even though it was only composed of the solid

roc .

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

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

“ Ye’r’ right. my boy." said Green Jacket to Thw-
dore. who first mentioned the fact. “ I was think-
ing of that very thing and don’t see but one way to_
remedy it. If we h blankets, or dry leaves. or

.‘ grass, or something of that kind, we might fix up

in grand shape. But we haven’t got ’em, and they
can t be got. There‘s one thin we can get, and
that is boughs—they don’t ma 9 a real nice. soft
bed, but they are better than nothing and we km
get a good mess, and fix up things in the best shape
ossible.’

p “Just so. I will go with you for some," said Theo—
dore. as his companion was about moving away,

" N0. I’ll go, and I can get enough in a_ short time.
I‘d rayther you stay here. Lsuppfuse it’s all safe,
but something doesn‘t seem ust right to me now.
If on are here I shall feel rig it about it.”

reen Jacket was not absent very long, ere he
returned with quite an armful cf boughs, which he
proceeded to arrange in the remotes: comer of the
niche.

Louisa was quite surprised at this unlocked—for»

reparation, and protested against so much pains

cin taken in her behalf, but the gunmuker on
lung ed in his quiet manner, and assured her that it
would be as much a protection to their consciences
as to her body; and with the words he was scramb-
ling down the ledge again. _

‘- \\ hat a kind, brave. man he is,” the am ,
Louisa remarked, as his footsteps. f away.
“ And after all. how much a mysteryl" .

She spoke the last words in a lower tone_ of vaice,
as though :0 herself, and started perceptiny when
her companion remarked:

“He is not the only mystery over which we ma
surmise, and puzzle our brains. I know of others. ’

“Yes, indeed," remarked Louisa, when she had .
recovered somewhat from her momentary embw
rnssmcnt. “ I know a certain young 'man, evidently
not deeply versed in Woodcraft, who is a mystery to
—to his companions." _

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

“You would scarcely expect a young lady With
two traveling companions who witheld their confi-
dence. to make h/N‘elf too freely known, You have
heard me claimed by Dan Duffey as his wife. That
I denied. You have heard me claimed by this man.
Roswins, as his daughter."

“ Which I have not heard denied.”

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

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

“More than this, for I knew that
home, no real friends on earth, save
with you now. Am I not right therei'l‘

“So I suppose." . ‘

“Then I can so. , here and now, what I must say
sooner or later. have a home—or what would be;
home, if it had the spirit of such. That spirit is
wanting now, but you shall go there, and it will
want no longer." _

“ 1 go to our home!” the woman almost shriekai,
starting to or feet. “ You can not know—no, you do
not know what you are saying 1" .:

It was Theodore’s turn to be astonished now. He
had not fox-an instant premeditated his last words—v
in fact they had come forth without any volition.
upon his part, and now that such had been the re-
sult, he was quite uncertain whether he had models
fatal mistake, or simply a contemptible blunder.

“What do you mean?“ he asked, the words com-
ing drfi‘ly from his mouth.

“ ‘ at do you mean?"

“I mean that if you are not the wife of Dan V
Dufl'ey, I would make you mine!”

“ Illicn. indeed, you do not know of what you
spca 'l" .

And with a sorrowful air she turned away, leasing
a alnst the wall of rock.

on have no
ose who are

eodore walked out to the front of the led do- , ' ‘

bated a moment whether to throw himselfo out”
then, thinking better of the matter, walked back t...
where he had left Louisa. -

“Our friend is coming ” he said, assumingas in- ‘ £1 -’

different a tone as posslb e.’ “I heard him moving,
I fancied." .' . . '
“Say nothing to him of this,” Lonisa remarked,
turning toward her companion. . '»
But moments passed, and no Green Jacket made
his appearance. ’ ,
“Possibl I was mistaken,” Theodore exclaimed;

listening, ‘ but i certainly fancied i heard him mm» , -' » ‘

ing up—" «
The storm had been coming nearer all this time,

and now the flashes of light were brilliant enou to

reveal something of the surroundings of the p

One came at this moment, and there, not six feet

away from them, bcth distinctly beheld the an... r 

gaunt form, floating hair and massive heard of the,

madman. ' -
Louisa shrieked fortm “Oh, God! againl” 

sunk upon the rock. ‘ I
The same flash of light revealed both pmto

the other, and with a bound the marijuana-soggy .

upon Theodore.

The young man was crushed down in a moment; ‘,

 

   
   
 
   

  

14

 

i

The Border Gunmaker.

 

 

and though he st glad valiantly, his strength was
as nothing, 0 pos to the insane fury which the
maniac broug t to bear upon him. This time there
could be no possibility of mistake. The assault was
of a deadly character. for the madman had grasped
his neck with both «hands, and it seemed as though
his desperate clutch would rcnd the bones and li a-
ments asunder. An ' defense which he would ma '9
must be made quick y.

The movement for a weapon was rather in-
stinctive than otherwise on the young man‘s part,
and by chance he first encountered his knife- aft.
It was immediately drawn forth, and though there
was no light to guide his hand, he struck out, once
twice thrice and each time the blade encountere
something. on he was conscious of a great effort
of strength on the part of the giant; it seemed for a
moment as though the rocks had fa len over and
crushed him, and then all became a dark void, from
which sense and power had fled, and only a dim
_ realization of existence remained, too dim and
; vague to be even a certain evidence of actuality.

' reen Jacket came stumbling u the ascent with
E an armful of b0 3, and made is groping way
into the retreat. he unusual still somewhat sur-
prised .him, and possibly be felt a trifle vexed at the
, same time. _
, “Where are you?" he demanded.
-‘ , Green Jacket; yeneedn’t be afeard."
But no response was made. The unwonted still-
’ ness seemed filled with danger. He moved a ace
.' orlttwo, and then paused again, muttering to lilll-
8e :
“ I wonder what in the Old Boy is up now! Suthin'
ain’t‘ ht somewhat.“
> A f endly lightning-flash came at the mtoment,
, , _ rendering every object in the retreat visible or one
r ' I brief instant, and then fading out into profounder
. ’- ess.
.But that moment of light had been long enough
to show Green Jacket 9. lood form lying close to
g . his feet, and all else vacant. n a moment he was
‘1 bending ovor the form, and had satisfied himself
" that it was Theodore.
’ He started to his feet, his mind fired with a fierce
determination.

“It is more of that crazy critter's work,” he mut-
tered. “ He can't be far away, and I'm going to find
him. Let me once come across him ug’in, and
" there’ll be one less wanderer in these woods—either
’ him or me, that’s a positive fact!"
' He Went tothe rear of the lace, and deposited

his bushes, buckled his belt wit a decided purpose,

and then moved out ain upon the she] . Con—

fident that the madman iad not assed him, he felt

his way up along the incline, unt‘ at length he stood

upon the o n ground above. From this point, of

course, he ad no ion or the slightest clew, save as

the oft-recurring flas es of light momentarily pre-

sented thescene before him. But he ushed on in

 the direction which his judgment eclded must

-. . standthe greatest chance of being correct, looking

and hstening, and nerving himself for the expected
conflict.

He had gone but a little way when something very

likea groan reached his ears. He stopped, isten-

' , inglintently for a repetition, and keeping his eyes

. fixed in the direction whence the sound seemed to

" r proceed. '

" v Hewas not obliged to wait long, and while a re-

, , petition of the sound came on the heavy air, a flash

. .. of light, just feeble and flickering enough to show

‘ ‘ H. some human forms, a little distance to the right,

gauge him positive assurance that he was not mis-

en.

‘ , But be had distinguished no details and holding

‘ \ ,' his rifle ready for instant use, he stole forward, look-

‘_ .' ink with no mall anxiety for further revelations.

' , The next flash seemed along time in coming, but
i, , at lo th its red glow blazed among the trees, and

, a filled e forest, so that Green Jacket had no diffi-

‘ ' cuity in comprehending the condition of affairs be-
A. fore him. *
 Close at hand stood the maiden, Louisa, trembling

L A and leaning against a tree for support, while at a lit-
-.  tie distance lay the maniac. groaning and uivering,
, ’ " in the throes of mortal agony. Of course his was a
- , state of affairs very uniookeddor, but it was no time
, to stop and wonder. .

“Gal, itiin" he exclaimed, that she might not be

too severely frightened, and sprung to her side.
, .7 1' She uttered one glad cry of an rise, and bowed
i}, u her head 11 his broad breast, rambling, weak,
. ' and almost ainting from the intensity of her emo-

ons. r

' But in a few moments she recovered somewhat,
and raising her head, said, in uncertain tones:
, v “ Oh, what a horrible. dreadful scene i"
,. , “ What is the meaning of all this?" Green Jacket
3’ . - . inquired. .

' ‘ Icannot tell you. This man is dying, I think
and i fear Theodore is killed. What can we do? i
can not tell."

“ Wait here a moment, and let me see how it fares
u withthis man. Then we‘ll go back and attend to
‘ . ‘ Theodore."

»‘ ' v Ho bent over the maniac, just as a flash of light-
.’ . v ning revealed the featu s, and it needed no second
'1‘ A T v look to assure himthat eath had set its seal there.
I The man‘s breath came hard, and his eyes were
», fi , , already fixed, but he managed to articulate, so that
- I the other distinguished the words:

 4 “ Don’t kill nae—don't let—Jerry Nobles—go un-
punished!”

, They were the maniac's last words, borne almost

' on his latest breath.

' Aufew more respirations came, slowly and pain-
fully, the intervals growing longer, then a pause~a
gas ~a gurgle, and _the life went out from that
shrinking frame, out into that great unknown, upon

1 V /

 

“ It is me, old

 

 

 

 

whose shores mortals stand ever, gazing, wondering,
dreadin r, yet catching no whisper, no message, no
knowle go from those realms beyond the river.

CHAPTER XII.
FROM THE pas'r.

Gum. JACKET did not feel as he had expected
when he realized that the madman was dead. He
had felt astrange fear of the man when living, and
now he felt Iclluite as singular sensations regarding
his death. ‘hose last words—“ Don't let Jerry
Nobles go unpunished," seemed ringing in his ears
still. But he re ained his feet, and asteued to the
place where he ad left Louisa.

“Come."he said, “we can do nothing more for
him; let us go back and see to Theodore."

No words assed, as he led the fair advonturess
along, until t icy had nearly reached the lodge, when
he as ed almost abruptly:

" \ he s Jerry Nobles?"

“Jerry Nobles! Why do you ask that?" was the
startled exclamation.

Green Jacket hesitated a moment, and then re«
turned:

“ ecause, that strange man, when drawing his
last breath, said: ‘ Don’t let Jerry Nobles go unpun-
ishedi' And I khlder wanted to know who he
meant. ’

“I will tell you, presently," she said. “But hal
there comes the storm.“

The first great drops of rain came down through
the tree-tops with a force like that of bullets, and
the storm promised to be one of great fury. But
fortunately they were not far from shelter. and just
as the drops came down in profusion, they reached
the retreat from which Louisa. had been hurried
only; a few minutes previously, under threat of death
if s e uttered a cry.

It was sweet. even if sad, to realize that this terror
never could overshadow her life more.

A moan which came to their ears as they entered,
gnvc assurance that Theodore still lived. and on mak-
ing an examination, it was found that he was coming
back again to consciousness. The madman, feeling
the keen thrusts of the knife, had dashed him against
the rock with dreadful fury but the moss coverin
mad Thurber‘s nearness, had saved him from feta
ill ury.

After a few minutes‘ attention from the gun-
maker, Theodore was able to sit up, and then the
news was communicated to him that Louisa was
safe, and that her dangers from one source were at
an end. >

"Then she's only two more enemies," said the
young man. . '

“ That’s all, and thank goodness I ain‘t afeard to
measure wee ons with them any minute. I don’t
think I wusa card of this teller, but there was some—
thiu’ about him I did not particularly fancy."

Hearing the sound of Theodore‘s voice. Louisa
crime forward to express her gratification that he
had escaped with so slight an injury.

“I feel a great interest in that." she said, “for it
was in my defense you were injured. I can only
express my sympathy, for I can never repay you
otlieiwise."

Did she realize how much those words meant to
the young man?

He turned away with more emotion than he would
have cared to exhibit. But the darkness favored
him, and in a moment he was calm again.

The storm was now raging in all its fury. The
very flood—gates seemed unloosed, and the rain de-
scended in torrents, while the loud thunder filled the
air with its almost constant reverberations. Minia-
ture rivers went leaping down around the rocks in
all directions, and in the valley below quite a creek
seemed surging alo .

But where our adventurers sat all was sheltered——
not a. raindrop falling or gust of wind reaching.

" I am sol-r for our poor horses " said Theodore.
“ They have ad a severe time, and this storm must
seem most on leasant to them."

“ Yes, it’s ad,',’ Green Jacket returned, “ but
we've no help for it, and they ain‘t human bein‘s,
after all. "

Then noticing that Louisa was sitting close beside
them, gazing out at the mad play of the elements, he

I .

so (1. -

“ Hadn't ye better 0 yonder and lie down? May-
go ye kin sleep a bt, or rest better than ye can

ere."

“No, no,“ she returned, quickly. “I cannot rest
now, or sleep. Too many old memories are busy.
Scenes I had tried to forget forever are coming 133
to my mind now, and perchance it would be a go
time to relate my life story, if you wish to know it.
No doubt (you have wondered much concerning it.
and indee , but for the events of this night I should
never have revealed what I purpose now to tell
you."

Of course the listeners were all attention and in~
terest for the commencement of the narration.
Green Jacket planted both elbows upon his knees,
resting his chin in the open palms, while Theodore,
forgetting even his aching head, found a seat upon
the o posits side of the s nker and avehis undi-
vide attention to the reel al which to owed.

“Ten 'years ago," she commenced, “I was not
what you see me to-da , but a lively careless girl,
just coming to the esta e and unders nding of wo-
manhood. I lived with my father, my mother hav-
ing died some years before and I, being his on]
child, naturally came in for all the indulgence whic
it would be possible for an one in my position to
base. Vgotikivedbih one all); be small Eastitarn cities,
an m 0. er, frug managin ano very ex-
tensng business,ygave in: a good Education—just
finished, as the gin-ace goes, at the time of which I
amispeaking. 6 had also placed a few thousand

dollars in the bank; all for me, as he had no other
object or nrpose in life. His name, I should have
mention , was \\ illiam Nobles.

“Very naturally, I suppose, I was not free from
suitors, even at that early age. I had fancued my-
self in love several times already, but finally my
heart was given truly to a man my senior by many
years, named Alfred 5. But the disparity in our
ages was nothing to me. I was a blooming girl, he
a hale, vigorous man, just in the full glory of his
manhood. We were betrothed, though not formally.
no express notice of our intention to wed having
been given to my father. But Iliad every reason to
sup use that he would approve my chome.

" ut he did not live to do so. One day a un in
the hands of other Earties accidentally exp oded-
wounding him, and e was brought home to die.
Before breathing his last, however, he commended
me to the care of his brother, the only near relative
surviving. who had always been his favorite, though
never my own. This brother, Jerr Nobles was
present, and expressing some fear hat he sheuld
not be able to care for me as well as though I were
his own daughter. my father exacted a. further sol-
emn promise from me that I would obey him in all
things, as though I were really his child. I was too
young and inexperienced then to know how this
promise might bind me to an unprinci led man, but

was destined soon to learn. Everything my father
had was placed in the hands of Jerry Nobles, to be
kept and guarded for me, when I should need it,
and with many protestations of undyin faithful-
ness the charge was accepted. 1 won cred even
then at this complete devotion of my father to this
brother, for he had enerally the name of a pur-
poseless, good-for-not ling man. He had been mar-
ried to an amiable, good woman, but could not live
hap ily with her, and so a separation had been the
resu t. Much of his living had b: en gained by dick-
ering, in which honesty (lid not always play a prom-
invnt part. And yet this man had always been the
favorite of my father—a man radically different in
character, who had even furnished him money from
time to time, when his usual sources of revenue
failed. And to that 'man was I given, with all my
worldly interests, with no other friend to counsel or
assist me.

" I was not long in learning that life had changed
to me. I saw no more of its pleasures. One of the
first acts of my new father—tor so I was taught to
call him, much as I disliked to do so—was to forbid
Alfred Ross from seeing me, as he argued that I
was too young to think of love affairs, and insisting
that my father had piivatelydiscountenanced our
growing intimacy. In vain I ur ed our betrothment.
he would listen to nothing, on refused Alfred ad-
mittance to the house or grounds. But Alfred
came—and to his sorrow.

“ One «vexing; we had met b chance, and walked
to the gate. ere we stood is king, never dreaming
of danger, when Jer Nobles stole upon us and
dealt Alfred set'ernlxheavy blows upr‘n We head,
nearly killing him, and inflicting mjurh s v-‘l.ich made
him a confirmed lunatic i"

"The Old B0 1 You don’t mean to say—" inter-
rupted Green acket, but checking himself, he ndd-
ed: “Pardon me, I didn’t mean to break in that

we. .”

“yBut you asked a question, and I can answer it.
That wretched man who died to-night was the man
Illoved so devotedly years since; But I must ex-

am."

p Her voice trembled, and she hesitated for some mo-
ments before proceeding.

“When it was feared that Alfred would die in
uncle left the place, taking with him all my father 8
ready mone , and was gone some time. When it
was safe to 0 so he came back, and proceeded to
close up the business, converting it into money.
Then we left the place, professedi to visit some of
my SChOOl friends, but never sto p ng there. keepin
on, far away into the wild W . I scarcely can]
tell what became of me now, for all my hopes of
life were blasted. We sto ped at length, and Jerry
Nobles resumed his disso ute habits, using for the
purpose of pinging the rate of a gentleman, the
money he shoui have securely kept or me.

" So several years passed sadly, as you may sup-
pose, and then we we were startled by the appear-
once of a lunatic in our village—for we were stop-
ping in a small settlement in hi0. This was none
other than Alfred. who had tracked out our course,
by what means I have no idea, and who nearly suc-
ceeded in wreaking vengeance upon Jerry at the
first meeting.

“ That was but the beginning of a series of adven-
tures. We left that vicinity at once, settling else-
where, on] to be tracked out and exposed to fresh
dangers. cannot detail all these, and you would
not care to hear them: Ross seemed to have now
two purposes, one to kill J errly and the other to ab-
duct myself. What horrors have suffered from
that time to~the gresent you may imagine but not
, realize. Thank 0d. they are over in one direction,
though I could now weep for a life that was once so
dear to me."

Again she paused, and it was some minutes before
she resumed. But at length she went on:

. “In ashort time my father, as I now called him.
was moneyless again, having spent all in movin
about the country to evade this mad avenger‘. t
was about this time that he met Dan Dudley, and
some arrangement (its nature I never knew) was
made between them, by which Jerry came into pos-
session of more money. They were together much,
and as it seemed that we were now rid of the crazy
man things went very well.

“lint just then I was startled by a profition
more fui than I can describe~that I ome
l the w e of Dan Dufley. I knew now enough of the

 

 

.‘
l
i

l
l

 

. n

The Border Gunmaker.

15,

 

 

man to condemn him in my eyes, but all myna -
ments were of no avad. and I finally dec r I
never would, even in the face of death so the
words that should make me his. ,But this was
coolly informed would make no difference. He was
going to his Western fl‘iends-—Indiaus, he meant—
and they never inquired whethera ceremony had
been said or not. I would have fled, but there was
no opportunity. I was not even allowed to speak
with any person to whom I could breathe of what
was threatenin me. and one night we left our home
to commence t is strange journey. _
" M. the settlement near your cabin," addressing
‘f particularly to Green Jacket, “me

   
 

.‘, and Dan, su posing I was now who y.

on ,r, undertook conduct me alone. I ad re—
Solved to appeal to anybody who would give me
help, and w en I saw your cabin, some words which
I had heard in regard to your singularity of charm-1
ter led me to suppose that you would assist me.
And I found that did not up cal in vain, varying
as have been the strange for miss which have re-
sulted thus far."

“No, you didn’t, gal, and if you want to ut your—
self under our rotection for a further t me. you
shall have it. 'd like to see any such sneaksas
them comfuddle Green Jacket. If Dan Dufl'ey don‘t
keep away I‘ll shoot him as I would a snake, and as
for this uncle, he’d better go and make up the
money of yourn he's squandered. So make your-
self perfectly at ease: we're safe here, our powder's
dry, and nothin‘ shall molest ye."

‘Thnnks a thousand thanks," the fair one mur-
mured, and then added:

“I can onlyerepay ou in thanks, for I am no bet—
ter than a ggar, ides;but my heart is full of

ratitude, and comprehend the greatness of all

989 favors on are bestowing ulpon me.“

‘ Don’t t; k of that, don’t tal ' of it," said Green
Jacket, as though something dry was in his throat.
“ We only dew what we orter, and the Old Boy take
a man that wouldn’t do as much. Theodore, my
boy, I want to slip down and see to the horses 9. mo-
ment for they are our principal stay. I’ll not be
gone ong. Fire your pistol if any thing’s wrong.”

The storm had EYIIICIDRHY gone past, and the flood
of rain which a s ort time before deluged the earth
was now dwindling down to scattering drops. But
the darkness was nonetheless profound, and now
it was unbroken by flashes of electric light. The
wind, too, sighed dismally among the trees, and the
general as ct of affairs was dreary enough. To
Theodore it seemed especially so, as he reflected
upon the surroundings, but yet a gloom of hope, like
a star behind the dark night-clouds, would at times
twinkle forth.

Regarding the present as o. favorable moment, he
resolved to make one more appeal to the afflicted
maiden sittin beside him.

"Louisa," esaid, gently, "ma I not hope that
you have reconsidered those wo which you spoke
just before—before hr came?"

“Why do you ask me that?"

“Because, when Jerry Nobles comes for you, if
ever he should come again, I could tell him that you
were my romised wife, and then I should be justl‘
fled in de ending you to the last extremity."

"But consider how hasty you are. Your assion
might soon cool, and then my life would e only
another round of misfortune. You have only
known me here, and you sympathize with me, but
love is quite a different thing. Do not be hasty.“

“Believe me I am not hasty. I know Syllllgath
from_love, and I know that our future can oal
happiness, if you will give me the power to make it
so

“ It maybe as ou wish, then, since he is dead' but
while that man Eyed I could never ledge myse f to
another. It w0uld have cost his Ii 6. as well as my
own

Theodore shuddered when he recollected that it
was his own arm, thou h nerved in self-defense,
which had you the fatal low; but he felt no guilt,
,only a pro ound sorrow, not unmixed with horror.

“ Louisa, my own," he said, “ let usho that now
your troubles have ended forever. At t e first.op—
portunit you shall be made so wholly mine that no
fiower, owever disposed, can molest you again.

ow lie down and try to rest, for we have not yet
reached the land of safety.“

There was a greeting of pure and holy affection,
and then they artedhjust as Green Jacket came up
and announce “ all right."

CHAPTER XIII.
AND 1431'. '
I For: two or three hours all was quiet, and the trio
II] the niche gave themselves up)? rest feel that
no danger could threaten them fore the co ng of
morning light.

But with the earliest beams Green Jacket was
astir. 'He awoke Theodore and after learning that
no serious effects were like] to result from the
young man’s in ury of the nig t previous, deported
to see that the orses were in condition to continue
th;'journey. M ed

xe poor anirn s seem quite hunzr after their
night's drenching, but not otherwise suyfiering, and
having satisfied imself upon this point, the scout
returned to his companions.

He found that Louisa. had arisen, and althou h
still suffering from'the fatigue and excitement of the
events through which she ad passed during the last
few days, she seemed In good 5 irits, and welcomed
the scout with a pleasant “ go morning."

"Glad you're here now," Green Jacket said, with-
out losing any time, “because there's somethin‘ I
want to have you settle right away now. The bosses
are all right, 0 a bit hungry, and I suppose we all
feel that way. at we can go on a ways before we

 

stotp to eat, or make such abreakfast as we‘kin here
be ore we start. It’s for you to say which. ’

“ My preference," Louisa said, " would be to 9 on
as far as possible before we stop for anyt mg.
Hunger will not seriously interfere With our Journey,
and delay may do so."

“ That s as true as preachin’,” remarked the first
speaker, " and it‘s Jest my mind. So while you
folks are gettin‘ ready I’ll go down and look after the
n .n

e started out toward the edge of the cliff, but re-
treated quito precipitately. The cause of this move-
ment was a bullet which incised
cheek, almost gazing the s '
against the mo beyond and fell, a flattened, harm-
less mass, at the feet of ouisa.

The hollow report of a musket came at the same
moment, and a curl of smoke floated away from the
branches of a heavy-topped tree, some seventy-five
yards distant.

“ What does that mean i" the young man asked.

“ It means bizmsa, if nothin’ else,” returned the
gunmaker. “ If it’s what I suspect, anfey has run
acrost some of the reds, and got ’em to sip him.
But no great matter, we‘re proof against the cusses,
I think. They can’t well get here, and we can get
away as soon as it comes dark again.”

Some time passed before any further demonstra-
tion took place. N o a pearances of any foe lurking
in the vicinity were to e seen, and Theodore finally

me impatient to venture forth and ascertain
positive] . But Green Jacket would listen to no
proposition of the kind. .

“ Wait awhile," he said, “and if all remains quiet
I‘ll go and see what the prospect is. But acause the
red sneaks are still is no reason that they ain’t here.
l’ve hed service with ’em, and know suthin’ how
the conduct. They labor under the disadvantage
tho. they can’t see "1 here, and in fact we can’t see
out first-rate. But I never know single red-skins to
pick a fuss with several white men, and I guess we
shall find more concerned in this.”

Suddenly the quick movemonts of a home were
heard almost below them. Theodore sprung to his
feet, but was held back by Green Jacket.

“Don’t go out there in sight, unless you want to
get shotl" he exclaimed.

The warnin might have been too late unless some
greater rovic once interfered. Even as the scout
was pul mg the coat of his more impulsive com )an-
ion, there came a sun ) and flush, quite distinct, rom
the very tree which iad once before concealed a
marksman. and another un was dischar ed. But
the unreliable weapon ha been wet. and ield fire,
so that the aim of the sharpshooter was lost, and
the bullet went'wide of its mark.

“ Hush l” whispered Green Jacket, “ do not move
now, but have your gun ready, and pistols, likewise.
They are coming up the rocks!”

Yes, the movements of stealthy climbers could
now be heard, and the two defenders put themselves
in position to meet the foe—how numerous they had
no means of knowin .

"Keep cool—cool! ‘said Green Jacket, in meas-
ured tones. “ Take/your rifle fust, then pistols, and
close with the knife. You can dew it.”

Whether he could or not, the moment of trial was
at band, for just as his companion ceased speakin ,
three Indians, followed by two white men, appeal? ,
and With aloud whoop, infernal enough in tones to
frighten any person not accustomed to such shrieks,
they rushe into the arena. -

But they were promptly met. The stem hunter
was not dismayed by the shout, and before its fear-
ful din had ceased, his rifle had given its note of
warnin . It was fired with a deadly , and
two to before it—one of the Indians an a white
man. The remaining two savages fired their guns,
but Green Jacket was not in 'ured, and wdthout wait-
ing tolseo whethera one e was struck, he threw

Hebad no timeto roduce a fresh weapon, neither
had the red-skins, w o, quite astonished at the fury
of the onslaught, were pressed back and over the
brink of the rock, to the ground below, where they
fell in a confused pile. One of them rose hastily,
and fled from the spot, but the other remained,
moanin and helpless.

But 1; e fight was not finished. As the gunmaker
pressed the two Indians over the brink, and before

e could turn or defend himself, he was d
firigm behind, and the voice of Dan Duffey Win

ear:
“ We’ll settle no'w; die, you—"

He had already snapped two pistols at the scout,
but both had missed fire, and, throwing them to the
ground, he had drawn his knife, at the same moment

asping Green Jacket, and aiming a blow at his

leart from the k.

but the blow was not given. The assailant, in fact,
quickly relaxed his hold and. turning at the mo«
ment, Green J ackct foun that he owed his preserva-
tion to Louisa. She it was who had Dufiey’s
arm, staying the blow and causing im to turn upon
her with murderous p ose at heart.

How quickly the strife ended now! One blow
from the scout’s clubbed gun, and Dan Duffey lay
beside his groaning comrade and the dead Indian.

The first attention was
had been shot through the shoulder, making a pain-
ful wound, and preventing him from taking any part
in the m id struggle which ensued. But it was not
necessarl y severe or dangerous, and Green Jacket
merely remarked;

“Keep quiet while I look over the field, and see if
thar‘s anybody else wants lookin' after. That is
nothing serious, only wants rest, and we‘re in a fair
way to get that now. The bone is not broken much,
if any, and I’ve surgeoned a good many worse
cases.’ ' ‘

himself upon the Ind ans.

. about the outlaw.

Cautionin Louisa to stay near him, and take his
pistols, so t atshe could give a promnt alarm in
case of need, Green Jacket went that to Dun Dnfl'ey.

But he had no need to concern himself further
The skull was crushed in by the

' force of his blow, and death must have resulted

. yeiy close to his :
in its course, struck ‘

given to Theodore, who ‘

 

instantly. Close beside him lay Jerry Nobles, or
Roswins, as we have known him. He was shot in
the breast, and an ugl wound it was, from which
the tide of life was trickling forth.

Green Jacket bent over it, and would have pro-
ceeded to examine as best he might the injury, but
Nobles pushed him back.

“Go and leave me," he said, feebly. “You‘ve
killed me, now don‘t come to trouble me while I am
getting ready to die. Must I die?" he added, with
sudden ener y.

“ I see no elp for you," said Green Jacket. “You
may live awhile, but we can not care for you—you
can at no help. ' .

“ et Louisa come here. I want to speak with her

in.“

On hearing her name spoken, the maiden came

forward and knelt beside the man who had been :0 '

unfaitth to her.

“Louisa,” he said, “I have never done the right
thing by you, but I can not undo it now. I\ ill you
forgive me before I die?”

“ Everything, uncle. I would do anything in my
power if I could heal this cruel wound—’3

“ Never mind," the wounded man interposed,
speaking faintly, “I was at fault. I was to blame.
not the man who shot me. But I could do no less
now. I ought to have lived a better life in years
gone. Oh, it is hard to die like this, but lfcel that I
must 0 soon. And. oh, the great, awful future!
What fins it in store for me?”

Leaving them thus, Green Jacket hastened away.
glancin at the dead lndian who lay close beside the

two white men, and descending to where the other, '

with broken legs, was com osing himself for the
death he knew was not far ismnt.

Only two of the parly had escaped. and they were
far from the spot. in safety—seeking flight. As good
fortune willed it, they had nottaken away the horses
before the fight, counting upon an easy victory, and
now it was G1 een J acket’s pleasant task to lead
them closer to the rcndezvous, and secure them
afresh, one of them hcvingbeen set loose and driven
about in order to draw the party above out into
range of the attacking Indians.

T eodore came down at his companion‘s call. and
the twain proceeded to a stream near by, finding
very opportuner a sprin where the water gushé d
forth in its purity, and ere the wounded shoulder
was dressed as well as possible under the circum—
stances. .

Just at this time they were startled by a polar,
and hastened back, filled with most lively fore i-
ings. But they were relieved to find that the Indian
’Wltll the broken limbs had‘rcloaded a gun which lay
near him, and blown out his own brains to end his
sufferings ‘

Jerry Nobles was fast failing, and already he spoke
with much difl‘lculty, but when Theodore came up
he called the young man to his side.

“ Don’t do as I have done," he said, very broken-
ly,1"“hut be good—good to Louisa, for she Is a good
gir .

fl we scarcely need say that the promise was heart-
iven. ‘

Slug an hour more .12sz Nobles had finished his life

record. We surely n not dwell rpon the painful

scene.

The bod was carefully placed in the recess that
of Alfred ,the man whom he had injured and
whose life he had clouded. placed beside it, and in
another corner the remains of the dissolute outlaw.
Thethree dead Indians were gathered together at
the foot of the rock, and then our party bade fare
well to the,spot. Their hearts bore much of sad-
ness, but over it all beamed a great happiness m
henceforth they were to be free from p‘ Mien.

Sto ing but once for food, the mm“
son ’5 ass before night came, an at a little ca
on the other side made their bivouac.

Green Jacket shot a. fawn. and its flesh, nicer
cooked before the glowmg fire. made such a repast
as they scarcely remembered having tasted, for del-
icacy and flavor. _ V

A ni ht‘s slee free from fear and forebod-
i re reshed an strengthened all ' wonder-
fgfi}. and with the coming of light t ey sci forward
again.

Before noon of that do they reached a settlement
where proper medical s"ll could be obtaiqu for
'I‘heodom. and where the kind women soon collected
a wardrobe for Louisa, to replace her dht and blood-
stained garments. ~ ’

And when this had been done, and fallen:
ments for the future made, Green Jacket bade
now happy lovers a kind farewell. and despite their
urgent appeals that he remain With them, departed
for some unknown region. Theymever. met him
afterward. Nor could they ever learn thehistory
of his life. Peculiar, brave, impulsive, be had won
u n their gratitude, and in years subsequent othe r
5 5313 were “ode to seek out his history, but all

a . .

When Theodore had recovered from his wound
sufficiently to travel, he was united to the maidenhe
had so strangely won, and to ther they sought the”
home in western Penn. lvan which awaited their
coming. And to—dafl, the reader chance that way,
he will find them st ha pily living there, repeating
sometimw to their chi! re_n and the minim mung
their friends. as we have given it, the stay of those
days of trial. and of Guam Jam, m Boson
Gunman. * ,

m' “D.

 

 

 

 



A

LERY. "1

 

> ' ©sr9s

1 Adventures of Bufl‘alo Bill. Prom Boyhood to Man
hood. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. '
2 The Ocean Hunters; or. The Chase of the Leviathan.
Captain Mayne Reid. @1171 extra large number. M
3 Adventures of Wild Bill, the Pistol Prince. Remarkable
career of J. B. Hikok. By Colonel Prentiss Ingrahnm.
4 The Prairie Ranch; or, The Young Cattle Herdcrs.
E. Badger, Jr.
"5 Texas Jack. the Mustang King. Thrilling Adventures in
the Life of J. B. Omahundm, “ Texas Jack.” By Col. P. Ingraham.
6 Cruise of the- Plyawmy; or, Yankee Boys in Ceylon. By C.
Dunning Clark.
7 Roving Joe: The History of a Young “ Border Ruffian.” Brief
Scenes from the Life of Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By A. H. Post.
8 The Flyaway Afloat; or, Yankee Boys ’Round the World.
By C. Dunning Clark.
9 Bruin Adams, Old Grizzly Adams’ Boy Pard. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
'10 The Snow Trail; or, The Boy Hunters of Fur-Land. A Narra-
tive of Sport and Life around Lake Winnipeg. By T. C. Harbaugh.
11 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. Frederic-k Whittaker.
13. A Rolling Stone: Incidents in the Career on Sea and Land as
Boy and Man, of Col. Prentiss Ingrahunl. By Pr'of.VVm. R. Eyster.
14 Adrift on the Prairie. and Amateur Hunters on the
. Buffalo Range. By 011 Coomes.
15 Kit ‘ Carson, King of Guides ; or, Mountain Paths and
r ‘ Prairie Trails. By Albert W. Aiken.
16 Red River Rovers; or, Life and Adventures in the Northwest.
' By C. Dunning Clark.
17 Plaza. and Plain; or, Wild Adventures of "Buckskin Sam,”
. ~ (Major Sam S. Hall.) By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ’
‘18 Rifle and Revolver; or, The Littleton Gun Club on the
‘ Buffalo Range. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
Pioneer.

By

By J 05.

’_ 19 Wide-Awake George, the B0

By Ed. Wine“.
20 The Dashing
Custer, from West Point to the Big Horn. By Capt. F. Whittaker.
21 Deadwood Dick as a. Boy; or, Why Wild Ned Harris, the Ne-w
England Farm—lad, became the Western Prince of the Road. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
22 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. Harhaugh.
23' Paul De Lucy, the French Beast Charmer ; or, New
York Boys in the Jungles. By C. Dunning Clark.
24 The Sword Prince: The Romantic Life of Colonel Monetary,
(American Champlon-at-arms.) By Captain Fred. Whittaker.
25 Round the Cam Fire ; or. Snow-Bound at “Freeze-out Carrp.”
A Tale of Raving co and his Hunter Pards. By J os. E. Badger; Jr.
26 Snow-Shoe Tom: or, New York Boys in the Wilderness. A
Narrative of Sport and Peril in Maine. By T. C. Hnrbaugh.
27 Yellow Hair. the Boy Chief of the Pawnees. The Ad-
' venturous Career of Eddie Burgess of Nebraska. By Col. Ingraham.
28‘ The Chase of the Great White Stag and Camp and
’ Canoe. By c. Dunning Clark. '
29 The Fortune-Hunter; or, Roving Joe as Miner, Cow~Boy,
. ‘ ' Trapper and Hunter. By A. H. Post.
' 30 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. A Tale of the Antarctic Sea. By
’ C. Dunning Clark.
. 31 Tho‘Boy Crusader; or, How a Page and a Fool Saved a King.‘
' By Captain Frederickwmttaker. -
32 White Beaver, the Indian Medicine Chief: or, The Ro-
mantic and Adventurous Life of Dr. D. Frank Powell, known on the
Border as “ Fancy Frank,” “ Iron Face, ” etc. By 001. P. Ingraham.
‘33 Captain Ralph. the Young Explorer; or, The Centipede
Among the Flees. By C. Dunning Clark.
’ 34 The Young- Bear thters. A Story of the Hope and Mishups
of a Party of Boys in the Wilda of Michigan. By Morris Redwing.
35 The Lost Boy lots; or, In the Shadow of the North Pole.
By T. C. Harbaugh.
36 Smart Sim, the Lad with a, Level Read. By Ed. Willett.
87 Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums; or, The Monsters
r of the Esquimaux Border. By Roger Starbuck.
38 The Settler’s Son; or, Adventures in Wilderness and Clear-
ing. By Edward S. Ellis.
39‘Night-Hawk George, and His Daring Deeds and Adventures
3 in the Wilds of the South and West. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
 40 Tho Ice Elephant; or, The Castaways ot the Lone Coast. By
I ' Captain Frederick Whittaker. ‘ .
' ‘ 41 The Pampas Hunters; or, New York Boys in Buenos Ayrea.

a .r B T.C.Harbaugh. ‘ r
H 42 The Yo Luna-Wow. By C. Dunning Clark. .
43 Bronco B y. tho Saddle Prince. .By .001 P. lngraham.

Dragoon; 01', 'l‘ 0 Story of Gem-ml George A. .

‘74 The Desert Rover;

 

44 The Snow Hunters; or, Winter in the Woods.
De Forrest.

Jack, Harry and Tom, the Three Champion Brothers; or.
Adventures of Three Brave Boys with the Tattooed Pirate. Ly
Captain Frederick “’hittaker.

The Condor Killers; or, Wild Adventures at the Equator.
By T. C. Harbaugh.

The Boy Cora-l Fishers; or, The Sea-Cavern Scourge.
Roger Starbuck.

Dick, the Stowaway; or, A Yankee Boy’s Strange Cruise.
By Charles Morris.

Tip Tressell, the Floater; or, Fortunes and Misfortunes on
the Mississippi. By Edward Willett.

The Adventurous Life of Nebraska Charlie, (Chas. E.
Burgess.) By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an Indigo Plantation.
Joseph E. Badger, Jr. .
Honest Harry; or, The Country Boy Adrift in the City. By'
Charles Morris.
The Boy Detectives; or, The Young Californians in Shanghai.
By T. C. Harbaugh.
California Joe, the Mysterious Plainsman.
Harry Somers, the Sailor—Boy Magician.
Nobody’s Boys; or, Life Among the Gipsies.
man.
Th: Menagerie Hunter; or, Fanny Hobart, the Animal
Queen. By Major B. Grenville, “Sea Gull.”
Lame Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris.
Lud Lionheels, the Young Tiger Fighter. By Roger Starbuck.
The Young Trail Hunters; or, New York Boys in Grizzly
Land. By T. C. Harbaugh. /
The Young Mustangers. By C. Dunning Clark.
The Tiger Hunters; or, The Colorado Boys in Tiger-Land.
By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. _
The Adventurous Life of Captain Jack, the Border Boy.
(John W. Crawford, the Poet Scout.) By Col. Prentiss Ingraham,
The Young Moose-Hunters; or, Trail and Camp-fire in the
New Brunswick Woods. By Wm. H. Manning.
Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker; or, Two Brave Boys:
to the Rescue. By Roger Starbuck.
66 Little Dan Rocks; or, The Mountain Kid’s Mission}
Morris Redwing.
67 ’Lo shore Lije; or, How 9. Rough Boy Won His Way.
C. unning Clark.
68-Flatboat Fred; or, The Voyage of the “Experiment.”
Edward Willett. .
69 The Deer-Hunters; or, Life in the Ottawa Country.
John J. Marshall.
70 Kentucky Ben, the Long Rifle of the Plains; or, The Boy
Trappers of Oregon. By Roger Starbuck.
71 The Bonyilot; or, The Island Wreckers. By Col. Ingraham.
72 Young Dick Talbot. By Albert W. Aiken.
73 Pat Mulloney’s Adventures; or, Silver Tongue, the Dacotah
Queen. By C. L. Edwards.

By Barr“

45

By

By

By Col. Ingrnham.
By S. W. Pearce.
By J. M. Hoff

54
55
56

57

58
59
60

61
62

83
64
65

or, Stowaway Dick Among the Arabs.
By Charles Morris.

’25 The Border Gunmaker; or, The Hunted Maiden.
L. Bowen.

76 The Kit Carson Club; or, Young Hawkeyes in the North-

‘ west. By T. C. Harhaugh.

'77 Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife.

‘78 The Boy Prospector; or, The Scout of the Gold Ravine.
Roger Slarbuck.

79 Minonee, the Wood Witch; or, The Squatter’s Secret. By Edwin
Emerson.

80 The Boy Cruisers; or, Joe and Jap's Big Find. By Edward
VVillett. ' .

By James

By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
By-

A New Issue Every Week.
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