wee A Ly! ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1871, BY STREET & SMITH, IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, WASHINGTON, D. C. a emer Vou. X XVI. THE FIREMAN’S DEATH. BY FRANCIS 8S. SMITH. He slept, and o’er his dauntless brow a shade of sorrow stole, As though some scene of deep distress was busy with his soul, When suddenly the dread alarm came ringing shrill and clear, Cleaving the night air till it struck upon his startled ear. He bounded up! His practic’d eye Was turned upon the lurid sky, Lit by the flames which, mounting higher, Soon cloth’d the night in a robe of fire. With lightning speed he reached the scene—oh, what a sight was there! A mother stood amid the flames and shrieked in wild despair! Her arms around her frighten’d babe were thrown with frenzied clasp, As though she feared the fire-fiend would tear it from her grasp With helmét tain’d, through flame and smoke The gallant fellow fearless broke— He sayed them both, but ah, his life Was lost in fhe unequal strife. Now in sweet Greenwood’s peaceful shade the noble hero sleeps, And o'er his grave full many a friend in silent sorrow weeps, A monument erected there is pointed to with pride By those with whom he off has fought the fire, side by side. Sweet flowers exhale their fragrant: breath Where now he calmly sleeps in death, And trees their spreading branches wave Around his solemn Greenwood grave. A STORY-.OF WILD ADVENTURE. The Wood-Giant; ’ SPOTTED DICK, THE RANGER. By Duke Cuyler. CHAPTER I. SPOTTED DICK’S VISITORS. One golden September afternoon, in the year 17—, a light canoe was silently dropping down the smiling Mia- mi. In the canoe were two young men, clad in the garb of hunters, and by their sides rested the long, trusty ri- files of those days. Neither had seen more than thirty years, and from the glow upon their cheeks and the breadth of their chests, it was evident that they were full of health and strength. Both were possessed of blue eyes, light complexions, and brown hair and beards. From a casual glance at them, seated in the canoe, one might have thought that they were brothers; yet in truth they were in no way re- iated except im ~Q¢ bonds of tendship, which bound them closely to each other. The name of him who seemed slightiy the tallest, as they sat there, was Simon Baker. The other bore the name of Philip Hadley. They belonged to a smal! settle- ment up the river, which they had left that morning for a purpose of which the reader will soon be informed. Neither had a family of his own, but rumor said they both contemplated matrimony at no distant day. With this much known to the reader, we will watch their movements, that their errand here in the wilderness may be revealed. For a time they had paddled swiftly down the stream, but at the hour they are introduced to the reader they had allowed the canoe to drift idly, not touching the paddles except when the current had a tendency to carry the ca- noe in toward either shore. Little conversation had passed between them, but they made good use of their eyes, and there was hardly the rus- tle of a leaf on either bank that escaped their attention; nor did a sound come out from the depths of the forest that they did not hear. Evidently they were on the alert for some danger or enemy. Down, down drifted the canoe, and lower and lower sank the sun toward the tree-tops. Now it was that the silence that for some time had been maintained between the friends was broken by Baker, who exclaimed: ‘We can’t be far from the spot, now, Philip.’’ ‘‘T should say not. In fact, Ihave almost begun to fear that we have passed it.’’ “No; Lam sure we have not. I have kepta sharp Jook- out for an hour past, on both banks, and had I seen the tree Spotted Dick described, I should haye known it at once.”’ “So have I, but I have seen nothing like it. But I did not know but what it might have escaped my notice.” ‘It could hardly have escaped both ofus. I think I have seen the tree myself. It seemed familiar to me the momentI heard him deseribe it. But we can’t be far from it at any rate.” “T hope not, for see how low the sun is getting. We Must have daylight all the way, or we shan’t find Spotted Dick’s habitation, for you know he told us it wasn’t set upon a hill by any means.”’ “J think we have got plenty oftime. The wood is quite open here, and I don’t think he lives very far from the bank. I guess he little thinks of seeing us so soon.” “Perhaps he does not, yet he would not have bid us come to him had he not mistrusted that there was dan- ger brewing. Somehow he seems to know of all the movements of the savages, and what they are going to do. It seems strange to me that they have not managed to kill him before this day.” ‘‘He is enough for a score ofthem any time, and they know it, and so stand in fear of him. Many’s the settler in these parts that owes his life tohim. Ina fight, with his great-strength, he is worth adozen common men. I don’t think he knows what fear is, but then heis such a giant in stature that it gives him the advantage. There ain’t a Savage on the Miami that can take his scalp while he is standing on his feet.”’ “I guess you areright there. He is a giant as his name implies. But, look! Is not that the tree he told us of?” He pointed as hespoke toward the left shore, at a point a little distance before them, where a gnarled and twisted tree thrust its unshapely, snake-like trunk out over the water, “Yes #here is no mistaking it. You can’t find another tree like that between here and the Ohio. The Wood- Giant has a good guide-post to show the turning point to his dwelling.’? _ ‘Surely he has. there.” hilip took up the paddle which had been lying idle be- tween hisfeet, and dipped it into the water, and witha single stroke brought the canoe round so that it pointed to the bank in the direction of the twisted tree. Another stroke sentit gliding onward and brought it to the shore upon which they lightly sprang as soon as it grated upon the bank. Then, without loss of time, they lifted it from the water and carried it back a little way and carefully concealed it in a thicket. This done, they gave one searching 100k about them and out upon the water, and then as if convinced that they were not observed they turned their back upon the river and struck out through the iorest. Simon led the way onward at a rapid pace. He was anxious to reach the habitation of the Wood-Giant as soon as possible. His mind was ill at ease for the safety of his itlends at the settlement, for it was owing to danger to them that he had come on this errand. The man who Was known as Spotted Dick, or the Wood-Giant, had bac themto come to him,when danger threatened and he eo do his best to avert it. There was danger now for the Savages were on the war-path again and he knew not but what that very night they might fall upon the defenseless settlement, Therefore heand Philip hadcome to give him notice of the danger and to request him to aid them to resist the attack, which threatened them. he thought that he might be absent from his dwelling, had intruded itself upon their minds, butin this they hoped they would be disappointed, : rhere was little that a common observer would have Roticed to guide them, but used as he was to woodcraft, Simon saw here and there a sign which told him that he Was going aright, even though the shadows grew thick about them. . _The Wood-Giant had so spotted his linefrom the bank pf the river, that those who were in the secret would have ho difficulty in following it. No one can fail to read the letters FRANCIS 8S. STREET, FRANCIS S, SMITH, } Proprietors, Sees O4, 1871. eet chisel a Three Dollars Per Year. TERMS ate Copies Five Dollars. No. 41. \ \ WN SW LQN ANY NEW YORK, AUGUST N ~ Giant, The sunlight died out, and then night gathered thick in the forest. At last, in alow tone, Simon communicated to his companion the intelligence that they were close upon their destination. A rocky knoll rose before them, crowned by two or three scraggy trees that loomed up, ghost-like, in the darkness. The hill seemed composed of great boulders, heaped one upon another, and in the midst of and above them a weird light seemed to play. Simon pointed to it, and declared that it must come from the camp-fire of the Wood-Giant, who was doubtless cooking his evening meal, Elated at thus finding him at home, our friends pressed on, and in a few moments beheld him whom they sought. They stood for a moment contemplating him before they made their presence known. Little wonder it was that the one before them had been named the WooD-GIANT. He was a giant indeed. In hight he must have been upward of seven feet, and his breadth of shoulders was fully proportionate, As he stood bending above the fire, on which his supper was roasting, he seemed even taller than this. The light falling upon his face showed that it was badly pitted, the effects of the small-pox, with whieh he had been afflicted at some former time. This was why the name of SpoTtTED Dick had been given him. His garments were composed wholly of the skins of wild beasts, and these he had fashioned with his own hands. . His age might have been fifty, but the years had not as yet impaired his strength or abated his agility. His hair and beard were long, having, to all appearance, not been clipped for years. : % A rifle, almost as long as himself, stood close at hand, ready for instant use. Such, in appearance, was the strange being that our friends stood gazing enviously | They, in common with the rest of the settlers on | upon. the Miami, had heard much of him, but he had been rath- er shy of making their acquaintance. More than once had he effected the deliverance of some settler in peril; but when they sought to know more of him he would bury himself away in the heart of the forest. None knew from whence he came, or even his name, other than that given him; but they.knew that he was a friend to the settlers, and an uncompromising foe of the Savages. At the sound of our friends’ footsteps he started up, and laid his hand upon his rifle. Buta glance of his eye, as they came within the circle of light thrown out by the fire, showed him that they were friends, and dropping his rifle he took a step toward them, extending his huge hand as he did so. “Glad to see ye, boys,’’ he exclaimed, in a hearty man- ner, as though he had been well acquainted with them for years. ‘‘What’s the news? Anything wrong up to the settlement? The redskins ain’t getting on the rampage up in that section, are they?” In his hearty welcome to them, the Wood-Giant gave the hand of Simon such a squeeze that the young man almost uttered a groan; and he was glad when he dropped it and took Philip’s. “There 7s something wrong, Dick,” he said, addressing the ranger. ‘‘The red-skins are on the war-path again, and we fear they mean us mischief at the settlement. Night before last they burned two cabins up at the Bend, and murdered or carried off the inmates,”’ The Wood-Giant started as though some one had given him a blow. “How do you know this?’ he said. “Rube Granger came in and brought the news. He came by the way of the Bend, and found the cabins in ruins. Besides that he struck the trails by which they came and went.’’ “Did he say thar was many of the varments ?”’ “About a dozen had done the bloody work there, he thought.” “It may be a strolling party then, instead of the red- skins hereabouts. I had kinder made up my mind that they were going to be quiet like for awhile.” “But perhaps they would, were it not that that white scoundrel is here again.” Spotted Dick gave another start that almost took him off his feet. “You don’t mean to say that that cursed varmint, Sam Green, i$ in these parts, Go ye?’ he cried. “Yes, it must be him. There wasa white man’s track along the trail when it came to the Bend, and Rube says he has seen it too often to be mistaken. Heis sure that the renegade, Sam Green, is here, and at his terrible work again.’ “Then thar is enough for us all to do,’ cried Spotted Dick. ‘‘He’s gota blacker heart than any red-skin on the Miami. Thar won’t be no. peace here until he is under the sod. But arter all, I aint sorry he’scome. I’ve been trying to get right on him this three years. When Ido, I wish he had a hundred lives so that I could take ’em all. I wouldn’t be half satisfied then.’’ There was. a look of rage upon the countenance of Spotted Dick, such as they had never seen there before; and as he drew himself up to his fullest hight he 1ooked almost like an avenging angel. Evidently the name of the renegade had brought up a host of recollections that stirred his inmost passions. “Heaven grant that you may find him soon,” said Philip. ‘‘Set on by him the red-skins will do anything." “I know it. I’ve had proof enough of that before now, boys. Satan himself aint any blacker at heart than lic is, But we will circumvent him if the thing can be done. i’m glad you came to me with the news.” “We started as soon as we got the word,’ said Simon. ‘“‘We knew if there was a@ man on the Miami who could circumvent this renegade and his red-skins, it was you.”’ “T have done it afore, and I’ll try what I can do now. Help me eat this ere meat here and then we’ll be off. I guess thars enough forallof us. I either had a master appetite when I cut this ere steak, or else I was ’specting company. Somehow I’ve felt all day as though I was go- ing to hear some news. Take holt here, boys, and if thar aint enough thars plenty more in my cabin thar.”’ He indicated with his thumb over his shoulder, the mouth of a sort of cave behind him, in which he made his home. Then with his knife he cut the meat into three equal parts, and both Simon and Philip found that their part was more than they could manage. The meal over their host disappeared into the cavern for a few moments. Then he’ came forth, and after carefully closing the en- trance, announced his readiness to depart. : CHAPTER II. A BLOW FROM THE REDSKINS. The night was fairly down, and the sentinel stars had taken their places in the heavens, when Spotted Dick had completed his preparations and announced his readiness to depart. A somber gloom filled the forest, and a silence like that of death reigned around. There was a moon, but it would not rise until after midnight. But Spotted Dick had little need of its light. The forest was as familiar to him asthe streets of a great city are to the denizens thereof. By the stars when they shone, and by the moss on the trees when they did not, he could shape his course in any direction that he wished to go. In a word he was as well versed in forest lore as a student with his books; and it was very seldom that he was mistaken. ‘Shall we go back by the river, or through the forest?” asked Philip. ‘‘Let’s take the forest for it,’ saidthe ranger. “We can get there the soonest so. Three of us would load the canoe so, that it would be hard work paddling it up against the current. If the news you bring is true we ought to get thar'as soon as wecan. Thar aint no telling what bit of deviltry Sam’ Green may be up to, if he’s at the head of the redskins agin.”’ “You are right,’? said Simon. ‘Let the canoe remain where it is:?.We can come after it any day we want it. I’m worried for the-folks at home; and jwant to go there by the nearest way.’ ' ‘So do I,’’ said Philip. “Then let us be off at once. All is snug here, I believe. ll jest stamp out this fire, and then for a tall walk to yer settlement.’’ Suiting the action to the word, Spotted Dick stamped the embers into the earth, and then throwing his rifle over his shoulder he led the way amid the rocks and down over the knoll to the level ground beyond, “Now, boys, jest you keep up with me, and we will see yer settlement in less than an hour after midnight.’ ‘““‘We will do our best,’? answered Simon. “That we will,’ said Philip. ‘‘Weare nimble walkers, but we can hardly hope to hold out as long as you.”’ The Wood-Giant made no further observation, but struck out at once through the forest at a round pace. Both our friends were tolerably good walkers, and urged on by the anxiety they felt for their friends at the settle- ment, they had but little difficulty in keeping up with him. Straight as an arrow flies he went on through the forest, No slight obstacle turned him from his course. A fallen tree he leapt over as lightly as a deer. If his youthful vigor was in the least diminished by rea- son of his years, his companions wondered what it must have been in his early manhood. Thus they went on, hour after hour, and atlast it was close on to midnight, Determined as they were to Keep up with him, our friends had been obliged before this to request him to moderate his pace. They found he was a giant in work and deed as well as in size. He seemed to have the strength of two ordinary men, at least. The rising moon new began to light up the heavens, and in a little time, it was pouring a flood of pale silver light into the forest. Spotted Dick paused now for a moment to allow his com- panionsto get their breath. As near as they cotld judge they were within a mile of the settlement. At the rate they had been going afew minutes more would bring them to the edge of the clearing. “This is the hardest job I have done for many a day,”’ said Philip. ‘I should hardly care to follow you for twenty- four hours.”’ “T can say the same,’’ said Simon. nearly winded before in my life.’ ‘Hark!’ exclaimed Spotted Dick, = ‘What was that.” They were as silent as death, for a minute’s time. “T heard nothing,’’ said Philip. Spotted Dick threw himself upon the earth, where he lay for a moment as motionless as though dead. His companions held their breath to listen, A distant sound fell upon their ears, and struck like a knell to their hearts. The Wood-Giant was upon his feet.in a moment. “There is trouble at the ‘settlement,’ he cried. redskins are up to their fiendish work agin.’’ “T fear so,’? cried Philip. ‘‘Alas, I fear we are too late.”’ “Come on,’’ shouted the ranger. ‘‘We’ve got to have a hand in what’s going on. Make themere pins of yourn fly under you for I am going to walk now.” “Go on, we will keep up with you,’ said Philip, and Simon echoed his words. A Nothing more was said. Spotted,Dick bounded for- ward and they followed close upon his heels. For five minutes they went on in..this way, and then they had further evidence of the work of the savages. A red glow lighted up the heavens and was reflected from thence back upon the trees about them. One at least of the cabins at the settlement was in flames. This evidence was not to be mistaken, and a cry of horror and dismay broke from the lips of our friends. Spotted Dick also gave utterance to an expression, which told of the excited state ofthis feelings. “They are burning and slaying,’ he cried; ‘‘bwt for every scalp they take, two redskins shall go under. Come on, boys, we must have a hand in this if it is not to late.” “Heaven grant we may not be,’’ said Philip. ‘‘Amen,’’ echoed Simon. A little longer and the edge of the clearing was before them, and they beheld the settlement lighted up as by the noonday sun. The cabins were all untouched save one, This stood some fifty rods apart from the others, and was a mass of flames. “Great Heaven, itis Frank Haven’s cabin!’ cried Simon. “Philip, can it be that harm has come to Ruth and Edith of all others?” The voice of the young man trembled with emotion he could not repress. And well it might, for beneath the roof now in flames, dwelt his promised bride and that of his friend. A month back their troth had been plighted to Ruth and Edith Haven, and in a little time they had hoped to take them from the shelter of their brother’s cabin, to those they were about to erect for themselves. What wonder was it, then, that they felt as though they had received a biow which at one fell swoop had dashed their cup of happiness from their lips. 3ut the voice of Spotted Dick recailed them to their senses. *“Oome on!’ he shouted, ‘‘Let us know the worst at once. It may be that we can help them yet.” All former fatigue was forgotten, and they bounded for- ward with the speed of the wind. The course they took was a direct one, and so led them past but one other cab- “JT was never so “The % Yee Tal S e> EQNS MAM WN 39 \\ \ ANY See oe WS \ re NR S79 <7 Uff 4 Ke Yl in. Here all was as still as death, no sign of life being about it. Its inhabitants had either flied, or else weré keeping quiet within doors, hoping thus to escape with their lives. A few minutes sufficed to bring them close to the burn- ing cabin. The roof had tumbled in , and all was, in fact, little more than a mass of glowing embers. The authors of the deed had fled away, but they had left plenty of signs behind them. Neither had they departed until they had thoroughly completed the work in that spot, at least. Not one of the family was there alive to tell of their ter- rible fate. Frank Hayen, his wife and two children lay about the ruins weltering in their blood. Thescalp of each had been torn from their heads, most likely before the breath had left their bodies. Sick at heart at the sight, our friends turned from them, fearing to encounter a like spectacle near by. They were afraid their eyes would behold the forms of the sisters in a like mangled condition. But no trace of them was about the cabin, and, if they had perished, their bodies were being consumed amid the glowing embers. Spotted Dick did not joinin the search. He was in- tently regarding the signs madein the soft earth about the cabin. He was doing his best to determine how many com- posed the party who had done this fiendish work. At last an exclamation from him startled his com- panions. “The renegade has been here!’’ he cried. ‘I knew it was his cursed work from the beginning. Here’s his track —l’ll swear to it any time.”’ “May it not be some other white person ?’’ said Philip. “No; it is that varmint’s and no other. I’ve seen it too @ften, and have too good cause to remember it, to be mis- taken. This is his work, and it is but a beginning of what he will do unless he can be brought under.”’ ‘Where can Ruth and Edith be?’ cried Simon. “It seems too horrible to believe that their bodies are being consumed in this fiery furnace. O, why would fate have it so that we should arrive here too late ?’’ Philip’s heart was so full that he could make no reply to his friend. The trail, which led away from the cabin, was broad and plain, and this Spotted Dick was closely scrutinizing, Suddenly he turned and told his companions that he had made a discovery. “What is it??? said Simon, going toward him. “The gals ain't dead,’’ he said, in reply. ‘‘But then they had better be than in the hands of a wolf, likeSam Green. See, here is a bit of cloth torn from the clothes of one of ’em by this bush here;’’ and he held up a tattered frag- ment, which the young man at once recognized as a part of a dress that he had often seen Ruth wear. “But that may have caught and been left there at’some other time,”’ said Philip, coming up. “It might, but it wan’t’’. said the ranger, laconically. “No, thar ain’t any doubt about it. Sam Green and his redskins have carried ’em off. That’s as plain as the nose on my face.’ As this was very large and prominent, our friends felt as though thére was no gainsaying it. “Then we must follow on and rescue them!’ exclaimed Simon. ‘Thank Heaven, Philip, they are alive! and that should be some comfort to us.”’ His friend assented, and the look upon his countenance showed that he felt in a measure relieved. “Let us follow on the trail at once,’’ said Simon. ‘‘I can- not be content until we have rescued the girls, and pun- ished the villains who have done this terrible crime.” To this Spotted Dick demurred at once. “‘oTain’t no use to be in a hurry,” hesaid. ‘‘They won't do ’em any harm jest yet, and we’ve got other things to *tend to here. We've got to see if the rest of the settlers are dead or alive. °*Tain’t no use to follow ’em up too closely. We've got to use a little cunning if we get the girls safe in our hands agin,’? ~% aeRO? 2 mg THE NEW YORK WEEKLY. vi 44+ A TALE OF A STRANGE YOUNG LIFE. Hazel-Eye, GIRL TRAPPER. By Ned Buntline, (£. Z Judson. ) Author of LITTLE BUCKSHOT, BUFFALO BILL, CARLOS THE TERRIBLE, ete. [‘Hazel-EyeY was commenced in No. 37. Back Numbers may be’obtained from any News Agent in the Union.] CHAPTER XIX. Though Rupert Norcross and Hazel-Eye ran as,fast as possible toward Cale Durg, he Would have fared ill indeed against such odds even with ‘b tigantic Strength ‘aiid fierce will, for he was stricken h almost atthe instant their eyes fell upon him. But at that.same moment a band of fifteen.or twenty mounted Indians was seen speeding down thé hill, and their wild yells rung throug the forest and over the hills as they dashed toward the spot. It changed matters for Cale Durg in a second, for the men whose weapons were raised to end his life, sprung away ih hot haste and evident terror, and before Rupert and the girl could reach the fallen hunter, they were lost to sight among the thicKets.in the direction of the river. “Are you badly hurt??? cried. Rupert; as he knelt by the side of phe‘hunter and raised his head in his arms. ‘ Ohj yes! See how he bleeds from this cruel gash in the breast!’ said Hazel-Eye. ‘‘Oh, must I lose my best friend?’ “Hush, gal, I’m not on the die this time. I don’t choke any—there’s no bleedin’ inside. Just shove a. something in. that hole to check the bleedin’ afore I get too weak,” said the hunter, cheerfully. ‘‘Look, there’s Mad Eagle and his friends. He’ll know what to do.” “Who has drawn the blood of Red Panther?” cried Mad Eagle, who rode at the head of the Indian band, as he sprung from his horse. ‘‘Whose Knife is red with this ?”’ And he touched the blood which Hazel-Eye was now endeavoring to staunch with her handkerchief. “Are the pale-faces from the camp already striking at you because you arethe red man’s friend ?? he continued, as he took the handkerchief and with a hand used to such work, pressed it into the gaping wound, effectually. “Jt was a different gang from them we There was but one-man from the camp,”’ “Is thishe? Iwill. take his. scalp les spurning with his foot a,dead whit hole in his head fe “No—I laid that chap atin t in on me,’ said Durg. , ‘‘If it haG@n’ with a yell, Mad Eagle, Ireckon i been cooked this time, though ite Pin were doin’ their level besi D “Who was the one from ross. = e and Hazel-1 ye It was this strewed the streets with the riotous slain, 4 to its fullest i 4+ with whom Cale Durg had been so recently engaged in | wound properly dressed, and revived by a stimulating ‘Mad Eagle is not deaf. And he would rather strike than talk. But Howling Wolf, the great war chief of the sBiacKiect, doeg notwant to take from the Great Master of ‘Life, any men, if he can leave them to His hand instead of to the Hands of his warriors. He is not hungry for blood. He would rather see,the,pale-faces.go-in peace from his hunting grounds, and sdvexp feed his own people with go away and néyer come back #% “The Great Spirit made the Jahd for all his people, ¥ white, and black, and as we, are tillewe choose to go! What has Mad Hagle to saymow ?% “Phat! evied the chief, With eyeg all ablaze;and he drew the hat@het from his belt and cagsteit at t the major. . Ohh aa | ae Qh, what Hight, for a-sculptor! His_tall foum drawn . ht, his head thrown backifhis yerght rest- ing on’his lefédeg, while the right was throsteforward in the attitude of defiance, his extended right hand pointing to the hatchet. “Warl? he cried. ‘The Black Feet will talk no more. The palé faces shall hear the crack of the rifle, and grow sick at heart. The twang of the bow-string shall whis- per death, and the red knife shall, open their way to the hunting grounds of lost spirits. \Mad Eagle has, no.more to say to you; but to kim? Mad Eagle turned fiercely on Captain, Norcross now, adding: ‘‘To him Mad Eagle Will speak. You, whoarearobber, a murderer, and a coward, to creep up on single men and slay, with your robbers’at your backsand the Evil Spirit to-hide-you when your work.is.done—to you Mad Kagle gives warning! The red men will not slay you in battle, but they willtake” you alive, and thei prophet-shall,blacken your face, and yousshall die.at the térture-post.”’ f . “What does he mean??? asked the captain, bewildered at-the strange language, as.well.as the yindictiye looks which accompanied the hot-spoken words. The Indian offered no explanation—no one else conld give it—but mounting his horse, with his grim and silent warriors following, Mad Eagle rode away, leaving the hatchet on the ground where he had cast it in defiance, as knights of the olden time used to throw down the gauntlet. CHAPTER XXiI. ‘After leaving the cabin to follow the trail of the men the death-struggle, Mad Eagle and his people were gone fer along time. That they had found them the occupants of the cabin almost felt sure, for the ringing yell of dis- covery, made when an enemy is in sight, was heard -dis- tinctly, and recognized by the hunter, who, with his tea made from potent herbs by Hazel-Eye, sat listening near the cabin door to hear each sound. But no sound of conflict reached the ears of the hunter and his friends, following the cry first heard. Yet the absence of Mad Eagle, prolonged until the night-shadow fell on the earth, made the hunter think they were on the trail, and would follow it up until the men were found. It was dark when Mad Eagle came back. He turned his horses loose on a grassy spot near the’ cabin, and his warriors built there a camp-fire. After this was done, and he had set a watch for his camp and animals, Mad Eagle came to the door of the cabin from which the three occupants had watched his motions, ; ‘ Cale Durg asked no questions. He knew Indian nature too well. Mad Eagle would speak when he got, ready, and questions would not make him speak any sooner. The chief came up, entered the cabin, and threw some pine knotsfrom the pile near the hearth, on the fire, to make it blaze up. Then as the red light fell on each face and revealing his own striking face and figuyégin weird beauty, he looked long and earnestly on the face of Ru- pert Norcross. “White Pine must make prayers to, the GreatSpirit for himself,’’ said the chief. “The Evil Spirit holds the form? of his father in his hand, and makes him strong to do bad) things. The great rocks open at the touch of the Evil Spirit, and the father of White Pine and the fends who do his work are hidden from the warriors that folow. We try everywhere to find a trail to follow. Bub it is lost in’ the’rocks we cannot go through.” / “Then you saw my father?” cried Rupert. 4 “Yes, He laughed in the face of Mad Eagle, he shook, before my eyes the knife which killed the father of Hazle~ Eye, and then when Mad Eagle threw his hatchet to strike him down, it rung against the rocks, for the pale-face captain-qWwas gone.”’ Aied 4 aot “Where was this??? asked Cale Durg iy who laid hands on Hazel-Bye,"? sai “And Lexpect the same whither T as jowder andwiéad for game toy) es our pl b good. nab says the ¢ f the want, wi 1 Prdtioas and pale-faces? If we will be stil.for threé suns, wi he then § ‘ you oN i \ Sire ip “We will not go in three sung, Nor, Beven suds, nor yet for twenty, ifwe are not ready!/-said the major, pe bh Cea heré we wills here | feet off ‘A “} though spectral-looking, a horde of mounted Indians rode “By the Jeaping water, and the whi @ rock that goes e ap ; straight, dighce tins the pine tree: ‘ar hs foot.?? ee “Aé the same waterfallwhere I. lost the track of him oat = — —_ expose my men either. There is good cover-rocks and stunted trees on the bank.”’ “Suppose they cross.aboye and _below,and come on your rear?’ ie Ries foe dae “Then we'd have'fo git. But we could keep down the river under good cover tillywe could, feach you here!’’ il twenty nf as yo m. IY ty offammuni ae ules you would pret the party.’ NY ney ‘sir, aud I’m rather atvaid Has been missing.’ ¥ /~ ‘his temple With his finger a8 he’said Save YOUsO comnt the eis not men Garniey t this. ] » *I fea is hale P trust all Ye 1 Be > “Thank major, Ill do my level best, andAf I go under I hope you'll remember'them that I left behind at Fort Sully and see they geymy pay.’ __, “Your wife and children Pbecared for, Garnier, but I hope you wiil live to see-and care for them yourself, I hope to get my command back,-hale and hearty, with wealth enough tomake them, and those dependent on them, happy.”’ » “T hope so, sir—but hope can’t stop bullets nor turn ar- rows; to one side. Goodnight, sir. I'll gather my men and! Bg Oe if I’m not here, ora messenger don’t reach you at daylight, tt-will be-because I’m too busy with the recdcusses.to come or to Spare a scout |?’ ‘‘All right, my good Garnier.| I trust in your judgment. Where away, doctor ?”’ , ., The, lash question was addressed to the doctor, who, with ‘2'pair of huge saddlée-bads Of One arm ahd a double- barreled’ shot gun-in=-the- other-and, came out,followed by Jean Burte, who bore a case of instruments and a large package. “Whi to the front, sir—to the front, where surgery will be needed. I heard Garnier volunteer to open the fight, and T hurried in to provision myself-and Jean Burte;and get my instruments, bandages and lint ready.*’ “But, doctor, you may be needed here, and you will certainly be more safe in the stockade.”” “Sir, as I sacrificed ease and comfort to the call of sci- ence to come upon this expedition, so will I throw the consideration of personal safety to the winds, while as a surgeon I place myself in the vicinity of those who will have limbs to set, bullets to be extracted and arrows to extricate. I only hope the latter may be poisoned, so that I may thoroughly test my antidotes !”’ “You'd better stay here, Doctor Bugle,’ said Garnier, drily. ‘If Land my men have to gif,where’ll you be with your sprained ankle?” “On my horse, to be sure, sir—on my horse !"’ “Weare all going on foot, sir. Horses wili be in the way, and so will doctors.” : “msotent ! Oh, if you come under my care, I’ll pay you for this |’ said the indignant doctor, ‘Jean Burte, take back the instruments. I hope every man will geta poisoned arrow into him, and no antidote within a thou- sand miles !’? And he dasha back to his quarters, while Garnier and the major smiled, awdibly. CHAPTER XXHI. It was moonlight. And never did moonliggt fall on a scene more picturesque and striking. The ‘river above the great falls whose thundering roar echqed with a dull and heavy sound among the gray cliffs constantly, widen- ed out, and was dotted here and there by dark rog¢ks, or small shrubby islands, showing, as well by that ag by the rippling shimmer of its current that it was shallow. On its northern bank, the cliffs rose Sharp and steep at every point but one, where a gorge or canyon opened to a bank up which animals could pass, as’a well-beaten butfalo trail testified. Above these cliffs, and all along,the bank, there was a woody growth, thick with foliage, ~ On the southern bank all was Clear for a considerable Space back of the river, and up and down to the verge of the great falls. Over the latter rose a mist, or fog, which looked cloud-like in the glimmer of the moonshine, The moon was but a little way above the trees, when, from, the soutie silent as shadows, but, ah, how real, are Uae too core " in your suspicions; "He ad and jyou can take the party yourself, I b yu. 7 ae Ras? ev 5 steadily toward the riyer. Not a cry drom a single lip, not eyen a low-muttered order could ‘be: heard, and the unshod feet of their horses made but slight sound as they , K *|to sane one\VEt must'be Red Panther’e )} perliaps both. \V A once more be strong to walk the war-path. In an agony of suspense he listened, for his head was growing dizzy with weakness, and he felt asd@fhe could nottong live and sustain his grasp upon the lib Which he!@him from the embrace of the current, which coald sweep hit! mangled and lifeless down the fearful catapact. ; e in-he heard. voice—lower, sweeter, MOTe musica! Ait fad eV pede to him before. was talking hite Pine— Ww the Weakness seemed to oyercofie him! He Jongea 7 out—to ¢all theirnames—but he could not. Yethis ering was. painfully distinct. \ Neater and neare?,came leryoice, and she was asking her companions to look and San, those Who hud been engaged inmbattle were in » *Perchance,?? § ea Creature, ané@Helpshim in his agony:”’ ‘What are theirdead or their wounded to/S?! said 2a stern, harsh voice. ‘We may have Our own #@eare for!’’ Mad Eagie was amazed. HeMfad heard/#abyoice be- fore. It was notthat of Red Panther or éfW Pine, but it was the voice of Captain Norcross—of the father of White Pine. Whatcould she, the noble Hazel-Eye, be saying if such a friendly tone to the murderer of her father—to the en- emy of her best friends? Why was she in his company? He would crawl upthe bank—he would confront her, if he died in the struggle! He madea mighty effort—the blood gushed fresh from his wounds; but he was on shore, in under the fringe of bushes, and he would yet creep up the bank. But he must ron and check that blood, or he would die ere it coulda be done. Weaker..and .weaker..as»the blood ran. fast—his eyes were dim—when with his belt he checked the flow at last. And! Now'ishe: paused uponthe very verge of the-bank above; his; head... He» conld hear her light, footfali—her sighs, he fancied—as she looked down on some bodies lodged-against.the rocks in the stream. ‘There seems to be no one living in sight,’’ she said, af- ter a pause, bak sol >) ; “Tam glad of it. There is no need-tor you to exercise your sickly humanity.”’ : 33 It was the cold, harsh voice of Captain Norcross, which fell upon his ear now as Vefore. “Father, the time was when "you werenof» yourself so cruel. Your avhole mature has:-undergone.a change. '-To me alone you yet are kind—for me alone show buman feeling !” What more could Mad Eagle hear to amaze’‘him? © She, Hazel-Eye, was calling the man jather, whom 7ié fully be- lieved to be the murdérer of wer yather? “The Great Spirit has takemosemse; before He takes my life into his hands,’ thought the warrior. “Iam ina aac I have lost my mind; and ‘hear sounds which are not! She spoke again. Trembling. im the dizziness which too often precedes death, he clung. to life that. he might yet listen to her voice. " “Let us go back |’? shesaid. ‘The day will soon be here, and then we may bediscovered?” She rose, andeas ‘he looked up he sasy' a face bending ov- er the bank—a face of utter loveliness, wreathed: by curl- ing hair as bright as sunlight falling on the shadowy rock —eyes like stars in all their splendcr—but the eyes, the face, the hair, all belonged to’a stranger. “He had never seen that angelic face before! Itwas but a glimpse—he saw, aud then his consciousness. was lost. To be continued. GiL UrRaGA, the white Indian; Who. is in) league wiih the savage freebooters of the plains, is one of the charac- ters in Captain Mayne Reid’s great story of “Taz LONE | RaNcHE.” It will be commenced next week. -’ “we may find soine poor wound- - OUR KNOWLEDGE BOX. = A Few Paragraphs W orth Remembering.»> . QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND INFORMATION WANTED Pain Men E. Piuribus Unum.—TO PRESERVE ICE.—We cannot answer all your questions in detail on aecount of our limited space. The following recipes may be of service to you: 1, To make ice last a long timesget a double pockét of strong woolen cloth; have@ space of two inches or so between. the inner and outer pockets, came slowly, steadily on. wt § Evidently they had not thoughtthe pale faces would be the firstto fire a/gun, or to meet them outside of their for- ‘tified’ camp—for their scouts had. already marked the he Valley of Gold. i en send a Suffalo,vOn a coal-black horse wh in the water when it scarcely ruffians who knocked me sens eless,’ Rupe “This is a wii tystery » said Hale hye can thus escape is wonderfull’. = - “One as gone | sai lale Durg did not an; we know by yours ” sail Rape yet, Anyway, ¥ Sam Granger. od ma: ines; be Thaps i the one that has leit Cmthe Top mind that you don’t make so. mu 0 arter something toeat™ ha Spotted Dick took a step forward, and the r - about to follow, When the Irishman suddenly ex ' <‘Whist, ivery mother’s son There redskin close tous, as Sure aS my a] ' «Where ?? ejaculated the ranger, while they all gazed eagerly about them. ’ — ' “Faith and Iain’t seen him yet,’ said Pat, in a-“Whis- per. ‘But I smelt him, sure. Ican smell ene of the hey- » then a half-a-mile any time.’? ~ “Then you can scent the trail as well as a hound,” ex- claimed theranger, contemptuously. ‘‘Most likely there’s whwre yer nose gets the smell now.’’ SNe, <‘Hark!)? exclaimed Philip, laying his hand. upon his” ' arm. ‘“Ithought I heard.a feotstep then.” F «Where? ejaculated. the other. “Look! What is that 7.exclaimed Philip. He pointed out a little to the left, and they behéld a shadowy figure gliding among the trees. «Faith, and it is a redskin,’’ exclaimed Pat. ‘‘Ye can make ali the fun of my nose that ye will, but I niver, knew. it desaye me yet.?? Rube Granger.raised his rifle, and brought it to bear upon the figure. Spotted Dick saw the movement, -and raised‘his hand in time to prevent him from,pulling the trigger. “‘Stop!”’ he cried, in a loud whisper. ‘‘Do you want to tell °em all-that we are here??? “But that savage will, onless we put an end to him,”’ answered Rube: ; : Wego to give the pale-faced ae warning to Jeaye our hunting grounds !’’ said” Bagle. “The ‘Ay, lsawatiat noon-time, or thereabout. I knew I'd youSoon. Don’t let me keep you.back, you the father of White Pine, tell him Red P C 4 him @ ~<— helpay.it when we meet aga “J will™ But now Mad Eagle wants Red Pant White Pine titdeiazel-Eye to Keepfear thei Ted.men will not come here. But whe dark: over. them, they. do not see plain face will fall upomsywhom their eyes rest. 8 te Pine as they have l looked on Red Panther and “Prapy Guy and Hareliye | But when their blood is hot, they may Only Seea white | face and not remember Whose it is..7 "= 9 “Ay, you’re right. And we'll keep out of your road ail .we can,’ said the hunter. “I’ve lost blood enough to make me feel quiet for a While: But if them devils who just left area hangin’ ‘ronnd here, I'll lose more or they?lL o under !” “J will trail them now to their death !*? said Mad Eagle. ‘Before I go to the camp of the pale-faces, this shall be done. They shall not live to do moreharm tod the friends of Mad Kagle!’?’ The Indian turned, went back tohis people, mounted his horse, and rode off on the track of the men who had fled on his approach. CHAPTER XX. | It was the morning of the second day of the new-camp in what-Major Whelpley had named the ‘Valléy:efGold,”’. and the Major, with Captain Norcross, was superintend-: ing the erection of a stout stockade from timber floated down the stream tothe beaver dam by which the camp: was pitched. There had been nodisturbance oralarm during the night, though the animals had been picketed close to the camp for fear of it, and the guards:doublédin number. ‘The scouts, out till dark the night before, !re- ported the, Indians collected ‘jngreat nuntbers south of the stream, but not showing/any open intention of imme- diate attack, though evidently making ready for it; At the first glimpse of the coming dawn, carrying their rations for the day with them; Garnier: and’ his sconts - went out again, for the experience “of these men: ‘itold them that the safety of the camp would depend om their vigilance. : ' The major was confident, though not without» anxiety, and he hastened his ‘preparations for defense that le might then go to work at the gold with ‘his. party, for ‘its shining particles could be seen in-every handful’ of sand which he raised from the verge of the stream. The doctor was in ecstasy, and Jean Burte stood om the pinnacle of happiness. He had killed; without injuring its appearance, a fine specimen of the Snake which the doctor wanted, and if was now ‘coiled away in a jar of al- cohol for the doctor to study over at his leisuré. He had also found a deserted tarantula’s nest, and as this was the first the doctor had seen, it also was a new subject for him to ponder oyer and dissert upon. Captain Norcross, as he had been from the time his\son rushed away from him, seemed lost in a wild, deep ‘mel ancholy, fast verging to actual insanity, as the major feared, Only by putting him on aetive duty could his mind be at all drawn from sad reflections; and for this reason the major asked him to specially saperintend the erecting of the stockade timbers. The sun wag perhaps two hours high, when one of Gar- nier’s scouts rode furiously into camp and reported’ that the guide had haited a small band of Indians’ whe were coming in with’a flag of truce to hold:a talk with the chief of the pale-faces. The guide, with "great wisdom, had halted them out of sight of the camp, over aridge a mile or thereabout, away, untii the major could come outi there to hold the talk. Forit would have been sheer folly to let the Indians see what was being done at camp if it could be helped. “Come captain, ride out with me and my escort, and let us See What those red fiends have to say.. If we can buy peace with a few gallons of whisky and a pack or two of tobacco, it will be better than war, and we may as well give them the talk they ask!’ Captain Noreross bowed assent to the invitation of the major, and when his horse was brought with the rest, We mounted, and in a short time the party were in sight of the Indians held back by the prudence of Garnier. ‘ Major Whelpley at once recognized his previous visitor. Mad Eagle, and addressed him kindly, as he was evident- ly the leading chief present, and as such to be mollified if is was possible. “My red brother has had a short ride!”? he said. ‘His horses have not turned a hair, I see!’ Mad Bagie did not reply. . His eyes were fixed upon the pals, sad face of Captain Norcross. Heseemed to bein a state of pérplexed thought. ‘Is the chief, Mad Eagle, deaf—or has he not come to talk ?” said the major, rather vexed that no attention was | looking at her with a smile as he heard. the droll expres, One] 0 a sure t -eonte r tras red who don’t lo n he talks.?, Us ig*bear. - You kill him?'? asked Mad Eagle of e-Eye, a8 his” fell on the fresh skin which Rollo’ Ss stretched out on. ' ee ‘No—it was Red Panther!’’ said the Girl-trapper. ‘Had henot done it the bear would have killed me, J expect.” > -“No, gal—you’d weakened it with nigh a dozen bullets, and had your knife. You're not born to die that way, ’m a thinkin’. I’ve heard folks say that know, that gals can bear huggin’better than men.”? 14 A grim smile brightened the face ofthe old hunter, and. eye ‘flashed a'kindly light on the lovelyface, which wed .iwith a roseate blush—for, the gill saw Rupert’ “A wounded bear is not a very pleasant companion, is all that I say—at least to look upon,’ said’ Hazel-kye. Cale Dufenow told Mad Eagleall of the adventure." “Ugh! Hazel-Eye is strong braye!”’ said the chief, with 100k of admiration, ‘‘She has a big heart. She is fit to be the wife of a great warrior. . The women of .the Black-. feet are not fit) tocook meat for one like her. , Sie looks death imthe eyeand laughs... The,spirit of aman rests in’ ‘her breast! Mad Hagle loves toJook at her. - It makes his heart Warm. 90) 9d hae oti Thoci@sticor cory ‘ The eyes of the Indian spokehis admiration, even more, warmly than his svords, ances heart of Rupert, Norcross. felt a strange pangs» What i $,Bayage. chief, with pow,- er, to “Wack yitisavishes, should) demand. her as a DEEL Could slevresistif her heart; abhorred.such a demand? | Or. could. } hunter; pro ) through hisemimdaythe Indian. stood .confemplating girl, while she, Without. a thought of having created the - interest Norcross. feared so much, roseto prepare the eyén- ing meal, which had not been thought of before amid the excitement, »ol? : i Mad Eagle saw. what she sas doing, and, though, agked to stay and’ ealt; hepassed out, saying: ea ‘“F Tnust eat) with, my warriors and stay with . thém.. When anothersun- comes we must go and hold a,.talk with, the pate-faces \at their,camp, and tell them to go, or we; Will. Kiilithem alk e®hey;must hear the message’ of Howl.’ ing Wolf and his tribe’? ‘There will be war, and a hot one,’ said Cale Durg: ‘That major is hard-headed and stifl-necked. He will fight. In the end he’ll get wiped out;-but many Reds Will go under beforé it is all oven? Weve got to keep close and not get mixed updn ite? py, CHAPTER Sxl. ‘Two. days went by after Mad Eagle had cast the war- hatchet at the feet of Major Whelpley—busy days for the ‘command; and’ 2. strong ‘corral for the animals, and a stockade at one corner of it to hold all ‘his men, had been ‘built with the skili of mem used:to defenses on the fron- tier. The hunters had been kept busy in killing all the game which was within a safe vicinity of the post,.and now men Were engaged in drying thteymBat for preserva- tidi, so as tobe ready for a siege;if ome! was to come; Garnier and “his: scouts had kept wateh night and) day upen the massing Indians, and they reported active prep- arations for battle being’ made by the datterx. ; They; too, were collecting ang. drying jarge quantities of food, so that mot a warrior would be forced, to hunt while the war. went on; and thé young warrior§fvere putrto the terrible test of self-torture, which would filithem to battle for fame in the coming contest. ‘We'll have ’em on us afore another day dawns, ma- jor,’ said Garnier, as he rode if, just at sunset of the second day. ‘They’ve caught up their horses;and have ’em at the lariat, so they’re sure to move in the night.”’ “We will be prepared for them,” said the major. ‘I hoped to commence at the gold toxmorrow—but we'll beat them off first and work afterward.” “There’s a big crowd of ’em, sir—nct less than twenty- five hundred or three thousand, and more comin in all the time.” ‘TI gare not for their numbers.» Our arms and superior discipline will make us their masters.” “We Can kilka big lotof ’em, sirebut)they’ll wear us ontin time. Ifyon’d not get madataman like me ad- visin’, [think I could tell you how to;dishearten ’em on the start, sir.’’ : 7 shall be glad to listen to you, Garnier, You’ve been reared in the West and: Know moreef Indians than Ido, though I’ve fought them in Florida, Texas, and on the plains &@ good many times.. What is your plan ?”” ; “They’re south of the river, and havegot to eross it to get here. They have three or four crossing places, bat at all but one they’ll have toswim their horses, and that’s risky to rifies' and powder. So it is likely they’ll take a ford—hardly girth deep, where the river spreads, and widens above the Big Falls. It’s a couple of hours sharp riding from here. 1 think they’ll start to cross there, as soon as the moon is up, and that comes not far from mid- night. I've set two men to watch there. Now the crossin’ is wide and easy, but the gettin’ ont plaee is rough. They have to come up a pretty steap bank into‘a kind of canyon which leads ont to the level, and then over the roll of hills and valieys it is all plain riding till they get here,’’ “So you think: they might! be met and opposed at the crossing, and we begin the war instead of them ?? “Yes, sir—it willbe where we can meet them at the most advantage. I can hold this side of the crossing with rode at the head of the column, his §' hide over) yeence svood, upon his léft’arm, and spear, -ascalp lock for a pennhon, in his right Other ch Aig? hg Mp e pressed on in a mass ont oon the fordeWas hidden with forms in the unbroken march. Yet more were : as far as eye could reach. ruly when he Said they nunthered ering fOr” Drovw, - 2 and silent, they 9 surprise the whites in their slumber, hem just béfore the dawn, an hour ays slumber soundly, deeming the ii St gone, and danger gone with it. a eB Builalo had al ft reached the northern bank, nd he was glancing batk with @proud look at the armed host which followed, when 4 singie rifle broke -the still- ness with its sharp crack. } ‘He straightened on his coal-black horse, shook his spear Wildly in the air, then with a gasping yell fell from his horse ifito the stream, which swiftly carried him toward the eataract.