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CHAPTER I.

THE BROKEN CHIEF.

"I wonder what has become of that everlasting Yankee? He promised tomeet me here at noon, yet I have stood here and seen the shadows ofthese old pines lengthen for the last hour. Surely something must havehappened to detain him, for he never deceived me yet, and I do not liketo believe he will commence now—"

"Yew are 'tarnal right; he won't!" interrupted the second speaker, whowas no other than the "everlasting Yankee" himself.

Thus soliloquized the celebrated scout, Lew Kelly, and thus repliedhis tried friend and companion, Jehiel Filkins, as they stood upon apeak of the Black Hills, west a five-day's ride from Fort Randall—thenearest place where white men could be found, for they were already inthe hunting-grounds of the Blackfeet.

The two scouts, well-mounted, and armed to the teeth, were spendinga sort of vacation in that dreaded vicinity to satisfy themselves asto the truth of certain rumors, rife at Fort Randall and Yankton,concerning the gold, which it was asserted was laying around loosein the ravines and damp, dark gulches of the Black Hills; and of theexistence, in the hills and valleys of the North-west, of bear, elk,antelope and beaver, which an adventurous scout had asserted made thatcountry a perfect paradise for the hunter and trapper.

They had gone far enough, and seen enough to convince them that therewas good foundation for these rumors. Gold they had found in the blacksand washed down from the hills, and in the quartz ledges underlying orjutting out from the very crag upon which they stood. As to game, theywondered they had not heard of it before, so abundant was it.

"What was you sayin', Lew?" asked Filkins. "Are you getting in a hurryto go home? Wal, I ain't, then. There ain't an Ingin within forty milesof here, and if there was I know you would not be afeared of them; butif you will wait just a week longer I will goanywhere with you, ifit's to Halifax."

"You said those same words, ten days ago, Jehiel, yet here we are, ahundred miles further west than we were then."

"Sartin!" replied Jehiel. "But what's the hurry, Lew? You're too old ascout to get homesick so soon; I wouldn't."

"Mighty good reason why you wouldn't, and why you never tire out or gethomesick.Your home is wherever you happen to find yourself, and youcare for nothing but that old coat of yours. Besides, you forget thataway over the hills there a dear little wife is waiting and watchingfor me, and no doubt alarmed at my protracted stay."

"Jes' so, Lew. A scout has no business gettin' married. It e'ena'mostmakes a coward outen him—"

"You lie, and you know it!" exclaimed the scout, angrily. "Have youforgotten our fight with the Blackfeet, two years ago? Where would yourold yellow scalp have gone to then, if it had not been for me? Andwasn't I married then, you old fool?"

"Cor-reck, Lew; I take it all back, and beg yer pardon. But, I neversee'd such a kentry fur game as this, and besides, I hev' jes' set myheart on goin' over to that round peak there where it looks so foggy.You see it is right on the home stretch, and I can camp there while youpack up and foller to-morrer."

"All right, Jehiel; I will wait another day. But if you are bound to goyou had better make a start; it is a good ten miles over there and apretty rough trail."

"Cor-reck ag'in, Lew, and I'll jog along."

And the Yankee shouldered his rifle and started for the designatedpoint. He was soon out of sight of the scout, who descended the westernslope of the bluff and made his way to their camp, beside a limpidstream which flowed through the valley to the north.

He had nearly reached his camp when a sight met his eye which causedhim to halt and take shelter behind a tree.

He saw, coming down the valley from the west, three persons onhorseback, who seemed to be riding for dear life.

Two rode side by side, and fully a hundred yards in advance of thethird, and all were lashing their horses to their best speed.

Of those pursued, one was evidently a female, and as she was bound, itwas also evident that she was a prisoner.

The Indian in the rear, who was in such hot pursuit of the foremost,was lashing his horse in a perfect fury; and as they passed the treewhere the scout was concealed, he said:

"It looks like a long chase, but I don't see any signs of anybody afterthem. If the squaw was only a white woman I would sail in and help herout of the fix—but then it is none of my business, and I guess I won'tmeddle. And I reckon they have too much on their hands now to take anynotice of me."

Just as he reached his camp he looked after the Indians and saw thehorse of the pursuer drop dead from exhaustion, and its rider wasthrown violently upon the rocky path.

The Indian lay so very still that the scout thought he must be dead,and he started out to ascertain.

As he approached the fallen Indian, he discovered that he was stillconscious, though unable to stand upon his feet.

The Indian was the first to break silence.

"Me know you—you are White Panther!"

"Yes, that is what some folks call me. But who are you, and what is thematter with you?"

"Me Gray Eagle, big chief of the Blackfeet. Heap matter! Leg broke, armbroke! Red Pine, the Sioux, has stolen Snowdrop, the daughter of GrayEagle, and if I can not get her back, then my heart broke!"

"Then you are old Gray Eagle, are you? Are you alone?"

"Gray Eagle all alone. Kill him if you want."

"Well, I don't know as I want to; scalping broken-legged Indians is notmy business, just now. But, I'll tell you what I will do! If you willagree not to make war upon the whites again, but let them hunt and trapin these hills when they please, I will go for Snowdrop, and I will notreturn until I bring her and Red Pine's scalp! What do you say?"

"Gray Eagle will promise!"

"But your promise is not worth shucks unless you swear to it."

"Gray Eagle will swear!"

"Swear by the Great Spirit?"

"Yes."

"Swear by your knife and your tomahawk, and your horse?—even if he isdead he is good enough to swear by."

"Yes, I swear by all these that I will be a friend to the pale-faces aslong as I live if Snowdrop is saved."

"Well, I don't know but that is about all you can do, and I will trustyou; though if Jehiel was here he would say, 'Shoot him and let theSioux keep the gal.' But I will carry you to my camp, and then I willgo for Snowdrop; and I'll get her, too, if I have to follow Red Pineclear home!"

The scout raised the chief in his arms and carried him to the camp.

"There," he said, as he laid the chief upon a blanket, "you keep quietuntil I come back."

He called his horse, a beautiful black stallion, and mounting, startedon the trail of the Sioux.

CHAPTER II.

SMITTEN.

The daughter of Gray Eagle was one of the very few handsome Indianwomen. Though not more than sixteen years of age, she deserved theproud distinction she had won of being the flower of the Blackfootnation, and the only really beautiful girl in the tribe.

Dozens of chiefs had sought in vain to win her heart; even bravewarriors from other tribes had offered fabulous gifts for her; but herfather gave them all the same answer—that Snowdrop was the idol of hisheart, and that he would not force her to marry a brave she did notlike.

As for Snowdrop herself, she had never loved any one except her father,and consequently none of the braves received any encouragement.

But, Red Pine, a cruel chief of the Sioux, had seen her, and with him,to see her was to covet her; so he did not ask the consent of any one,but, watching his chance when the Blackfeet were nearly all gone on ahunt, and Gray Eagle was confined by sickness, he had stolen her away.

Gray Eagle had followed on the trail, and when within rifle-shot of theSioux, had met with the accident already narrated.

Red Pine, seeing the fall of Gray Eagle, immediately slackened hisspeed so as to save his horse as much as possible; for the chasehad been a long one, and they were now fully thirty miles from theBlackfoot village. But he would not have ridden so slowly had he knownwho was upon his trail in the place of Gray Eagle.

"Would Snowdrop like to rest?" he asked.

The only reply he received was a flash of scorn from the wondrouslyblack eyes of the captive.

"Ugh!" he grunted. "Snowdrop mad now, but by-and-by Red Pinemake hertalk!"

Snowdrop looked back to see what had become of her father, as she couldno longer hear the sound of his horse's feet.

Red Pine also looked back and saw, what she evidently did not, that awell-armed and well-mounted white man was upon his trail. Furiously helashed the horses ridden by himself and Snowdrop, and once more theyflew down the rough valley.

Not long before he had received a severe chastisement at the hands ofa party of white men, and he actually dreaded this single man who wasnow in pursuit of him more than he would have done the whole Blackfootnation.

Lash as he would, his pursuer rapidly gained upon him. He stopped hishorse, and placing himself behind Snowdrop, he drew her to him so thather form covered his breast, and drawing his knife, held it above herbreast, resolved to kill her rather than give her up.

Snowdrop was prepared for the blow, but it never fell. With a howl ofmingled rage and pain, the Sioux sprung from his horse, his arm hanginglimp and useless at his side, and darted into the bushes, where it wasimpossible for any one to follow him, just as the scout rode up.

Snowdrop, when she discovered that she had merely changed captors, wasat first inclined to be angry, but when Kelly drew his knife and cutthe thongs which bound her hands, at the same time saying that she wasfree, she replied:

"Snowdrop can not thank the pale-face, but he has saved her life, andnow she is his."

"Gracious! I don't want you!" replied the scout. "Now you hold my horseuntil I find that red-skin and get his scalp, then I will take you toyour father."

But he was unsuccessful. The Sioux had taken care to hide his trail,and the scout soon returned, and mounting his horse, led the way backto camp.

Neither spoke, but Snowdrop thought, "What a handsome man he is," andfor the first time in her life she was in love. She had yet to learnthat it takes two to make a bargain, though she resolved to win thelove of the brave scout, or die.

When they reached the camp where Kelly had left the old chief, theyfound him sitting beside the fire, endeavoring to tie a cloth aroundhis broken leg. An expression of pleasure lit up his swarthy face as hesaw his daughter unharmed; then, as his eye rested upon the belt of thescout, Kelly said, as if anticipating his thoughts:

"No; the red devil got away that time. You see, I had to break his arm,or he would have struck the girl to the heart. But never mind, I willhave his scalp yet; for I never go back on my word with any man, be hered or white. I brought back his horse for you, and I don't suppose youare far from your village, so you can go home when you please."

"White Panther is a great brave, but Red Pine has many warriors withhim, and they may come and take Snowdrop from him. The village of GrayEagle is only a day's ride from here; will the white brave build asmoke to call the warriors of Gray Eagle here?"

"Yes," replied Kelly, "and while I am about it, suppose you haveSnowdrop get something to eat. There is plenty here," he said, pointingto several saddles of venison hanging in the trees near by. Then Kellywent to build the smokes.

The transparency of the atmosphere in that region is such that objectscan be seen at a great distance; for example, a mountain presents adistinct and bold outline at fifty or sixty miles, and may occasionallybe seen as far as a hundred miles.

The Indians, availing themselves of this fact, have been in the habitof practicing a system of telegraphing by means of smokes by day,and fires by night, and there are but few men who have crossed themountains who have not seen these signals made and responded to frompeak to peak, in rapid succession.

The Indians thus make known to their friends many items of informationhighly important to them. If enemies or strangers make their appearancein the country, the fact is telegraphed at once, giving them time tosecure their animals and to prepare for attack, defense or flight.

War or hunting parties, after having been absent a long time from theirfriends at home, and not knowing where to find them, make use of thesame preconcerted signals to indicate their presence.

Very dense smokes may be raised by kindling a large fire with dry wood,and piling upon it the green boughs of pine, balsam, or hemlock. Thisthrows off a heavy cloud of black smoke which can be seen very far.

Kelly proceeded to the top of the bluff where we first met him, andsoon three long, white columns of smoke were rising heavenward. Thisdone, he returned to his camp, and found dinner awaiting him.

Snowdrop presented him a nicely broiled steak upon a clean bark plate,and was well repaid for her trouble by the smile he gave her, andcomplimented her upon her skill in cookery.

After dinner Kelly set the broken limbs as well as was possible withthe appliances at hand. When completed, he said:

"Will Gray Eagle remain with me until morning? Then I will start on thetrail of the Sioux."

"Why does my white brother stop here?"

"I'm waiting for my partner, who went to visit a big hill over to thenorth-east. He was going to stay until morning, but that smoke willbring him as soon as he sees it; anyhow, I won't go without him!"

"It is right for White Panther to be true to his brother, but the Siouxwill be upon our trail before morning."

"Well, let them come. If they do, you can make a big addition to yourstock of scalps."

Suddenly the sound of footsteps was heard, and in a moment JehielFilkins stood before them.

"Glad you are back, for we have got some work to do."

"I thought there was something up," he replied, "though I was on my wayback when I see'd your smokes. Then, you just bet, I traveled! But say,I'm awful hungry! Who is that handsome creetur'?" he asked, as he setabout getting his dinner.

"Oh! she is the daughter of that old cub who lays in there with abroken leg."

"It strikes me I have seen him somewhere, before, but I never see'dsuch a pretty gal as that, any place."

"Well," replied Kelly, "pitch in and make love to her if you want to,and marry her if you can. I'm sure you need some one to mend yourclothes. But I have not told you yet that we have got to escort them totheir village."

"Yes, we will," said Jehiel, "and lose our scalps for our kindness!"

"We won't do any such thing. I have been making a treaty of peace withGray Eagle, and he has promised not to fight the pale-faces any more!"

"Wal, what's an Injun's promise good for?" asked Jehiel.

"You don't know them as well as I do, or you would not ask such aquestion!"

"No, I s'pose not—nor you don't know 'em as well as you will a yearfrom now. But," he continued, "if we are going, let us be on the move.I will eat as we ride along."

Snowdrop was well pleased when she heard Jehiel speak thus, and smiledas she said:

"The Long Hunter is brave and good to be the brother of White Panther."

"Much obleeged," said Jehiel, "but he ain't my brother, though he is abully boy, and fit to be the brother of a king."

Lifting the wounded chief to his saddle, they started up the valley,Kelly taking the lead, the chief next, and Snowdrop behind him, whileJehiel brought up the rear; preferring to be where he could admire thelovely form of the Indian girl.

"By Gunner!" he muttered, "butain't she nice! I'll do somethingdesperate, and marry her or bu'st!"

Truth to tell, Jehiel Filkins was desperately and irrevocably in love,but he was "counting his chickens" too soon.

In the midst of his reverie he was made aware of a sudden halt, and helooked up to see what was the matter.

CHAPTER III.

THE SIOUX STROKE.

When the scout had halted, of course the others stopped and Jehielfound himself close beside the object of his meditations before hehad fairly recovered from his day-dream. But close ahead he saw acamp-fire, and the silly lover was at once transformed into the bravescout.

He rode to the front, and took his stand beside Kelly with his guncocked and ready for service.

"White men, and a hard-looking lot they are too!" exclaimed Kelly.

Seated around the camp-fire were a dozen men, who, as soon as theydiscovered the party of our friends, sprung to their feet, and stoodready with their guns.

"Come on," said Kelly, "we may as well be bold about it, for we are tooclose to back out now."

The strangers stepped out in front of their camp, and waited for thescout to approach.

He had seen too many of that class of men before on the plains andin the mountains, not to know that he had come across a gang of roadagents, through he was at a loss to imagine what they could be after,in that section.

He knew that these outlaws were frequently in league with the Indians,and he did not know but this party were in some way connected with theSioux, from whom he was endeavoring to escape.

The leader of the party of whites was the only good-looking one in thecrowd; the rest wearing a hang-dog, ruffianly look, as if they had beenlife-long murderers. The leader saluted Kelly with:

"Hello, stranger, which way are you going?"

"North," replied Kelly, "as you can see, if you use your eyes!"

"Yes, I see; but what are you going for?"

"It is not evident to my mind that it is any of your business where weare going," replied the scout. "I don't mind telling you, however, thatwe are bound for the village of the Blackfeet."

"What may I call your name? It strikes me I have seen you somewherebefore to-day."

"You may call me Robinson Crusoe, if it will do you any good, thoughthat isn't my name; and it is barely possible you have seen mesomewhere, for I have been there several times."

"Where?"

"I told yousomewhere!"

"Well, where are you from?" asked the stranger.

"Home!" replied Kelly.

The stranger laughed and said:

"I am not likely to get much information out of you! I believe thereare some men in this western country who dare not tell their names."

"You do, eh? Well, I am not one of them," replied Kelly.

"Who said you was?"

Kelly made no reply, but turning to his party, said: "Come on," and wasabout to start when the stranger again accosted him with—"Won't youstop and camp with us?"

The scout noticed the looks which the ruffians bestowed upon the Indiangirl, and did not like them, and he replied:

"No, I thank you. We have plenty of provisions, and will make our campa few rods away."

"All right," said the leader, "I will come over and make you a visitafter supper."

Kelly rode on about eighty rods, and halted beside a stream, saying, ashe dismounted:

"We will camp here. But," he added, "you can all make up your minds toleave here before daylight."

"Heap good!" said Gray Eagle. "White Panther knows what is best, andGray Eagle trusts his life with him. White Panther has said he wouldtake him to his village."

"Yes," replied Kelly, "and I will do it; you need not worry any more."

The wounded chief was taken from his horse and laid upon the softgrass, and while Kelly went to find a good place in which to secure thehorses, Snowdrop set about getting the supper. In this occupation shewas assisted by Jehiel, who, as we have said, was desperately in lovewith the beautiful squaw.

Shortly after Kelly had returned to the fire, the leader of the otherparty came into their camp, and entered into conversation with him.

"You were not brought up on the plains, though you seem to be an oldhand at camp-life," he said.

"How do you know that?" asked Kelly.

"Because you do not look like a plainsman or a common trapper, neitherdo you use such language as is common with that class."

"I see," laughingly replied Kelly. "You think if a kitten is bornin an oven it must surely be a loaf of bread! But you are mistaken.I have spent my life, or all of it that I can remember, west of theMississippi; and I never went to school a day in my life. Manners andlanguage are like the small pox, contagious; and if I have caught morethan most men in my calling, it is my good luck, not education."

"Well, will you tell me your name now?"

"I don't know of any reason why I should not, as I never done any thingto disgrace it. It is Kelly; my friends call me Lew, for short—"

"What! Lew Kelly, the famous scout? Your name is well known all alongthe frontier, and I am glad to meet you, though I must confess I amsomewhat disappointed."

"In what respect?" asked Kelly.

"Why I expected to see a great burly fellow, who could whip his weightin wild-cats, but you are not much older than I am; nor much, if any,larger."

"A gentle hint that you think you can whip me," said Kelly.

"No, sir, nothing of the kind; and I hope I may never have any occasionto try it."

"You will be liable to get the worth of your money if you do," repliedthe scout. "But will you tell me your name?"

"You may call me Curtiss, if you please—those fellows over there callme Captain."

"Well, Captain Curtiss, it is none of my business, perhaps, what youdo, or what becomes of you, who you are, or where you are going; but Ishall not be doing my duty unless I tell you that you are liable to getinto a pretty lively muss before morning."

"What makes you think so?" asked Curtiss.

"I have every reason to believe that a large body of Sioux are on ourtrail, under Red Pine, the fellow from whom I rescued this girl. Ifthey do not try to recapture her, then I am no judge of Indian nature."

"I am much obliged to you," said Curtiss. "I will be ready for them, ifthey come. And now, good-night."

After he had gone, Jehiel sat beside Kelly and talked for nearly anhour. It was arranged between them that they would remain on guard, andJehiel said:

"Come now, Lew, you turn in and sleep till midnight, and I will takethe first trick at watching."

"Wait a few minutes," replied Kelly; "I want to see how they are fixedover there;" and he proceeded to inspect the camp of the strangers.

He soon returned, and to the inquiry of Jehiel, he said:

"The fools have all gone to sleep, and left a big fire over there. Ifthe Sioux should come, they will get the first slice, that's sure."He gave the fire a kick, and rolling himself in his blanket was soonasleep.

The camp-fire of the strangers had burned low and no unnatural soundscould be heard, when Jehiel awoke the scout to take his place.

"You should have called me before, Jehiel, you will not get much sleep,I am afraid."

"Who keers a durn? I'll be ready when you are!" and Jehiel sought hisblankets and sleep.

Kelly began his watch, keeping in the shade of the bushes, and fornearly an hour he heard no unusual noise. Then the breaking of a twigbetween himself and the camp-fire of the strangers alarmed him, andhe crouched down to the ground the better to watch the movements ofwhatever was prowling around.

The object was moving as stealthily as a cat, and Kelly could notdiscover it until it passed an open spot where the fire light reflectedupon it, when he made the somewhat alarming discovery of a Siouxwarrior; and he had barely time to notice that he was in his war-paint.

The question arose, what should he do? The problem was solved by theIndian himself, who was now coming straight toward the tree behindwhich the scout was concealed.

Nearer and nearer he came, until the brave scout could hear himbreathe, and as he passed the tree could have touched him.

The Indian halted to listen, and apparently satisfied, started on.He had taken but one step when the scout sprung upon him, and with asingle blow of the keen-pointed knife the Indian sunk to the groundwithout a groan.

It was but the work of a moment for the scout to secure the horses, andlead them to the camp.

Here he gave Jehiel a kick which brought that worthy to his feet with"Durn yer pictur'," when he was interrupted by Kelly placing his handover his mouth, and saying:

"Keep still, and saddle the horses; the Indians are here."

Then he silently awoke the chief and said, "Let us go." Gray Eagle andSnowdrop were soon ready for a start.

"Here, Jehiel, you take the chief and the girl and go on down thecreek; I will join you in a few minutes."

"Where are you going?" asked Jehiel.

"I am going to tell the strangers to be on their guard," and the braveman, unmindful of his own peril, mounted his horse and started for thecamp of the strangers; while Jehiel, and the chief and his daughter,went down the stream.

Kelly had got about half-way to the other camp when a dark figuresprung from the bushes in front of him, and struck at the head of thescout.

He missed his mark, but not so Kelly, who reached out and dealt theIndian a blow between the eyes which brought him to the ground.

Spurring over the prostrate body he drove into the camp of thestrangers, shouting as he went:

"Up, men, for your lives! The Sioux are here!"

A hundred dusky forms sprung up as if by magic, and the air was filledwith murderous yells. Drawing his revolver he shot right and left, anIndian falling with every shot.

The first thought of the brave scout was to join his party as soonas possible, but his afterthought was worthy of him. He knew that toinsure the safety of Jehiel, Gray Eagle, and Snowdrop, he must go inan opposite direction, and thus lead the Sioux in pursuit of himselfrather than his friends.

The impulse was a brave and noble one, well worthy of the scout, and heturned his horse, resolving to trust to his speed.

A row of angry, painted faces met him, but he charged through theirranks, shooting two Indians as he went.

Then he became aware that another horse was close beside his, andturning in his saddle he beheld Snowdrop, who had followed him, and wasnow close by his side.

"Come on, girl. Ride for your life!" he shouted, "and keep close to me."

He turned his horse in the direction of the stream, and in a fewminutes both horses were dashing through the water, and up the oppositebank. The scout never paused except to see that the Indian girl wassafe across, and having satisfied himself on that score he dashed ahead.

Meanwhile the camp of the strangers was the scene of a bloody conflict.The white men were battling desperately for their lives, but they hadbeen surprised, and the scout knew from the rapid and incessant firing,that the battle could not last long.

He halted and listened to the noise of the conflict upon the oppositeside of the stream. All at once it ceased, and as he was wonderingwhich party had met with success, there came to his ears a wild,prolonged shout, which was answered by a single yell of defiance.

"That sounds as if them white men had passed in their checks, and theSioux had won the battle." He looked at Snowdrop as he spoke, and hereyes were looking sorrowfully in his own, as she said:

"My father is a prisoner. He has tried to follow me and the Sioux havefound him. Now he must burn."

"I guess not," replied the scout; "but why didn't you stay with him andJehiel?"

"Snowdrop had ratherdie with the White Panther, whom she loves, thanlive with any one else!"

"Well, you are a queer one, though, when I told you I did not want you.I have one wife already, and that is all the law allows a white man.But, I'll tell you, Snowdrop, there's Jehiel is in love with you headover heels, and he will take you if you'll only give him half a chance."

"The White Panther saved my life, and I will never cook meat for anyother man!"

"Oh, fudge! You'll get over that before long."

"Never. What will Snowdrop do now they have taken her father, and willburn him?"

"Keep cool, little gal! They have not burned him yet, and I havepromised Gray Eagle that I would give him the scalp of Red Pine, andI'd do it. They have probably got Jehiel too; and now, girl, it'sabout daylight, and I want you to ride as fast as you can to thevillage of your people, and bring back all the warriors you can get.I will stay here and wait for you, and when you get back we will givethem Sioux particular fits!"

Without a word the Indian girl obeyed, and was soon lost to the sightof the scout.

CHAPTER IV.

THE YANKEE'S QUEST.

After the Indian girl had departed on her mission, Kelly rode hishorse into a thicket of willows beside the stream, and tied him. Thescout then ascended the hill and looked in the direction of the latebattle-field, but it was not yet light enough for him to discern anything.

A tall, bushy oak stood near.

"Just the thing," said the scout. "I'll climb this tree, and thenperhaps I can see what they are about. They are too quiet to suit myidea, and I shouldn't wonder but they are up to some new deviltry. Ofcourse they have not found Snowdrop, and as that is about all they areafter they will not give up the search. Then they'll be tramping aroundon my trail. But let them come; they will not find the Indian girl, forshe is a good piece toward home by this time."

The scout was now among the branches of the trees, from which he couldget a good view of the surrounding country, and there, for a shorttime, we will leave him and take a look at the camp of the victoriousSioux.

Upon the ground sat Gray Eagle, Curtiss, and Jehiel Filkins, while infront of them stood Red Pine, the Sioux chief.

"Ugh!" he said, addressing Gray Eagle, "Red Pine has got you at last;and now as soon as he gets Snowdrop he will start for home!"

"Red Pine will never get her. She is far toward the village of theBlackfeet, with the White Panther, and will bring enough of thewarriors of Gray Eagle upon the trail of the cowardly Sioux that willsweep them from the face of the earth!"

"Waugh! Gray Eagle talks brave! He forgets that he is the prisoner ofRed Pine."

"No, Gray Eagle does not forget. He is ready to die; he does not careas long as his daughter is safe."

"Before the sun goes down Snowdrop will be a prisoner like her father.Sioux warriors are on her trail, and she rides alone. The pale-face hasleft her to take care of herself, and she shall yet sit in the lodge ofRed Pine!"

"Then let me die!" said Gray Eagle.

"No. The Blackfoot shall go to the village of the Sioux, and when hesees Snowdrop the slave of Red Pine then he shall die by torture!"

Then addressing Captain Curtiss, he said:

"What does the pale-face want here?"

"We were just traveling through the country on our way to Oregon,"replied the captain.

"Do you know Gray Eagle, the Blackfoot?"

"No; I never saw him until last night."

"And the pale-face who went with the Blackfoot squaw?"

"I do not know him. I have nothing to do with either."

"Red Pine will keep the pale-face, but he shall die with the Blackfootdog!"

Then to Jehiel:

"This other pale-face squaw—what right has he here, and what does hewant?"

"None of yer business, you darned fool! Now what are you goin' to doabout it?"

"Red Pine will make you cry before long!"

"No you won't, you old sucker; you can't do that little thing," repliedthe scout.

"We will see. When the sun shows its face above the trees, thepale-face shall die by fire."

"The sooner the better, old stoughton bottle. It's a chilly night, anda little fire will do a fellow good."

"Red Pine says you shalldie!"

"Yaas, I heerd you, you dirty squaw thief, but you Sioux will lie sothat a feller can't depend on what you say. If you should accidentallybe telling the truth, it will be better to die than live around whereyou are!"

"Pale-face talks brave now; we will hear him cry when he eats fire!"

"Oh, shut up, you maw-mouthed imp, and go on with your concert!"

The Sioux chief took Jehiel at his word, and ordered the prisoner to bebound to the stake, and almost before Jehiel knew what he was about,the brush and dry wood were piled nearly to his chin.

When this was accomplished the chief said to him:

"When the sun shows his face above the trees, let the pale-face squawburn!" and the scout sung:

and calmly awaited the torture.

And that was what Kelly saw from his perch in the tree, upon theopposite bank of the stream.

"That will never do!" he exclaimed; "I must hurry up, or they willroast Jehiel, in spite of fate."

Descending the tree he mounted his horse and started for the scene oftorture.

It was well for him, perhaps, that the Sioux were so busy preparing forthe torture and therefore did not see him approaching.

He was within a few rods, when a warrior was seen approaching, with ablazing firebrand, and stood awaiting the order of the chief to firethe pile.

Soon the order came, and just as he was about to apply the brand, thereport of a rifle was heard, his arm fell at his side, and with a cryof rage and pain he ran beyond the circle of warriors.

The Sioux stood in mute astonishment at the turn of affairs, and atthat instant Kelly dashed through the line and to the prisoner, andwithout dismounting, cut the thongs which bound Jehiel to the stake.

"Jump up here, behind me," he shouted, and before the Sioux hadrecovered from their surprise, they had reached the bottom of the hilland were dashing at top speed down the valley.

As would naturally be expected, the Sioux started in pursuit, but theirponies were no match for the powerful black of the scout, and they weresoon left far behind.

"Gunner! Lew, but you happened around just in time, didn't you? Themyer fellers was goin' to heat up my carkiss!" were the first wordsspoken.

"How did you fall into their hands?" asked Kelly.

"W'y, you see, when old Gray Eagle found out that his gal wasn't along,he jest turns his hoss's tail like an old fool, and cuts after her!Say, Lew, where is the little angel gone to?"

"Home," replied the scout.

"Hold on a minute!" exclaimed Jehiel; "my horse is in here somewhere.Wait until I find him, then we can go the faster."

Dismounting, he soon found the horse and again they started on down thevalley.

"We must go a little slow," said Kelly, "or the Sioux will give up thechase."

"Don't you want them to?" demanded Jehiel, in some surprise.

"No, I don't; at least, not until I get a shot at some of them."

"Cor-reck!" responded Jehiel. "I didn't think of that. Let's find agood place, and stop until they come up."

A few rods ahead they found a pile of rocks, and secreting themselvesand their horses behind these, they awaited the approach of thepursuing party.

These soon appeared, tearing down the valley totally unconscious ofdanger, and when within a few rods of the ambuscade, Kelly whispered toJehiel:

"You take the leader, and I will take that fellow in the rear; thatwill stop them. Then, before they get over wondering, we can pick offthe rest."

There were but five of the enemy to be seen, and as the two scoutsdischarged their repeating rifles, the leader and rear man fell.

The other three were too astonished to move, and soon fell victims tothe skill of the scouts.

"There!" said Kelly, "I guess there are no more after us, and we mightas well go back."

"Go back!" exclaimed Jehiel. "What in the Old Scratch do you want to goback for?"

"To release Gray Eagle, and get the scalp of that dusky nigger, RedPine!"

"Why, Lew Kelly, are you crazy? If you want scalps there's five of 'emout there; though I can't see what in thunder you want with the dirtythings!"

"I believe I told you I had promised Gray Eagle I would get the Siouxchief's scalp for him, and I'm going to do it, or lose my own."

"Cor-reck! You ain't in such a hurry to get home as you was, are you,Lew?"

"Yes, I am just as anxious as ever, but I have pledged my word, and youknow I never lie. More than that, I consider that if we can secure thefriendship of the Blackfeet at so small a cost, I shall be doing thecountry a good service. So I shall make a desperate effort to get thescalp of the Sioux chief, and—perhaps lose my own in trying."

"Wal, wherever you go, you can depend on yours truly, Jehiel Filkins!"

"Thank you. But I want you to go the other way," replied the scout.

"Which other way?"

"I want you to find the trail of Snowdrop, and follow it until you findher. I more than half suspect that Red Pine started some of his fellowsonher trail when he found she was not with you, and they may haveovertaken her."

"Where did you say she had gone?" asked Jehiel.

"Home. I sent her after some Blackfoot warriors, because I thoughtthe Sioux would be after us before we could reach the village of GrayEagle; and you see I guessed right.

"What made you think so?"

"Because she is what he came for, and he will use every effort to gether."

"Wal, I'll go. But, Lew, I'd jest like to ax you one question. IsSnowdrop in love with you?"

"Yes," replied Kelly, "at least she said she was, and that was thereason she came back after you got started last night."

"Then my bread is all dough," said Jehiel; "but I'll go all the same,seein' as how you asked me to."

"What makes you say your bread is all dough?" asked Kelly.

"Cause you said she was in love with you."

"That does not make any difference," replied the scout. "I am not inlove with her, by a long shot, and what is more I am not liable to be,while I have such a good little wife of my own living."

"Does she know you are married?"

"She ought to," replied Kelly, "for I have told her once or twice."

"Wal, I'll go, as I said afore; but, Lew, do you s'pose there is anyairthly chance for me?"

"I don't know, I am sure," replied Kelly; "but you can try, and I willdo all I can to help you. Remember, faint heart never won fair lady.And now, hurry up and get started, for Snowdrop may even now be in thehands of the Sioux."

"Where'll I find you when I get back?"

"I don't know, Jehiel; I shall stay around here and keep watch for theSioux, for I am certain they are waiting to get Snowdrop before they gohome."

"What makes you so sartin?" asked Jehiel.

"In the first place, this is Blackfoot country, and not Sioux, and weare not more than thirty miles from the village of the Gray Eagle. Inthe next place, Red Pine would have burned Gray Eagle before this, ifhe thought he could not get Snowdrop. If I am not here, you will find aletter in this clump of willows that will tell you where I am gone."

"Wal, take good keer of yourself, and I will find the gal if I kin!"

So saying, Jehiel started upon his errand, while the scout prepared todog the Sioux.

CHAPTER V.

TRAILING A TRAIL.

Snowdrop, after she had left the scout, was obliged to ride very slowlyuntil she was over the rough hills, but after she had reached the openprairie she increased the speed of her horse.

She was a fearless rider, but the long, treeless plain which laystretched out before her wore a dreary aspect, well calculated todiscourage her.

But her mission was one of life or death to her, and she undertook thetask.

The sun was just rising as she entered the plains, and putting hertough pony to the run, she dashed ahead. She was doing all this forwhat? Not for herself, for she would have preferred to remain with thescout; nor yet for her father, for she did not think Red Pine wouldspare him so long; but she was going just because the man she loved hadasked her to go!

Onward the brave girl urged her horse until the sun was nearlyoverhead, still no signs of the Sioux. She paused a moment to allow herhorse a breathing-spell, and while resting she discovered a party ofhorsemen on her trail, and though they were a long ways off, she knewby the way in which they rode that they had a definite object, and thatthat object was herself.

She was convinced that a long and tiresome race was before her; and,having been reared to a life of peril and strategy, she allowed herhorse a long rest, that he might the better stand the race.

She displayed her good sense by removing the saddle from the horse, andnow, armed only with a small rifle, she sprung upon his back and puthim to his best speed.

On the brave girl rode—on, over the treeless and trackless waste, andonly at long intervals did a roll in the prairie obstruct her view ofher pursuers. At length she came to a small stream running at rightangles with the path she was pursuing, and here she paused again toallow her horse to drink.

The advancing party, whoever they were, gained rapidly upon her, untilshe could now count their number. There were twenty of them, all wellmounted, and by the manner in which they rode, she was no longer indoubt as to their object.

Far ahead she saw a long, dark line of timber, just beyond which, sheknew, was the village of her people, and she thought if she could onlygain that, she would be safe; and she resolved to gain the shelter ofthe forest, or die in the attempt.

Slowly but surely her pursuers gained upon her, and she could now heartheir yells. The sound maddened her, and the very thought of failuremade her heart sick; but she lashed her horse to renewed and desperateefforts.

Her horse, too, seemed to partake of the same fear and feelings as hismistress. A few rods more and she will be among the trees where shetrusted she could elude her pursuers.

Vain hope! Just as the goal is won her horse falls, and the bloodflowing from his dilated nostrils shows that he has ruptured ablood-vessel. A shrill yell of triumph comes from her pursuers, yetstanding firm beside her dead horse, the brave Indian girl brings herrifle to bear upon them.

Never did a stricken buck turn more fiercely at bay upon the dogs onits track, than did Snowdrop when she found that she could not escape.

With Spartan firmness she held the short rifle, and when she thoughtthey were near enough, pulled the trigger, and the foremost Indian fellfrom his saddle. She had not time to reload her rifle, but clubbing it,she awaited the approach of the Sioux.

Short time was given her for thought, and she was almost immediatelysurrounded and overpowered, but not until a brawny warrior had beenmade to bite the dust at her feet.

She was lifted to the saddle made vacant by her shot, and the youngbrave who seemed to be the leader took her bridle-rein, and they turnedto retrace their way across the prairie.

"Do you speak the language of the pale-faces?" asked the warrior.

"Yes," answered Snowdrop.

"Then tell me who you are, and what tribe you belong to."

"I am called Snowdrop, and my father is Gray Eagle, the great chief ofthe Blackfeet."

"The White Wolf of the Pawnees has heard of Snowdrop before," he said.

"Are you White Wolf?" she asked.

"So I am called by both red men and white!" he replied.

"I have heard that White Wolf was a brave chief. If it is true, he willnot make war on a woman!"

"No. Snowdrop need not fear! White Wolf already loves her and will makeher his wife, for she is more beautiful than any woman of the Pawneetribe!"

"But Snowdrop loves another, and can not go to the lodge of White Wolf,though he is a great brave and all the tribes fear him."

"White Wolf is in no hurry, and Snowdrop will learn to love him. Wewill wait till we get to the village of the Pawnees, and then whenWhite Wolf asks her to be his wife she will say yes!"

"No, she will not; but if White Wolf loves Snowdrop, as he says hedoes, then let him go and rescue her father from the hands of theSioux, for if he should die, then Snowdrop will die, too!"

"White Wolf will rescue Gray Eagle. Will Snowdrop tell him where herfather is?"

"In the forest beyond the big hills which I left when the sun rose."

"White Wolf will go there, and he will take Gray Eagle from thecowardly Sioux, and when Snowdrop sees her father safe, then she willconsent to be the wife of the Pawnee chief."

Snowdrop did not promise that she would, neither did she say that shewould not; nor yet did she dare to tell him that the two scouts weredoing what he was trying to do.

She acted wisely and kept silence, which White Wolf construed in hisfavor, and he said:

"We will go to our camp to the south, where I have a good place toleave Snowdrop in safety, then White Wolf will go on the trail of theSioux. He will find them, and will bring the father of Snowdrop awaywith him!"

"Let Snowdrop ride back with the Pawnee braves," she said.

"No," replied White Wolf; "the Pawnees will ride fast, and Snowdrop istoo tired. She must go to the camp of White Wolf, and stay until hebrings her father to her."

Snowdrop did not repeat her request, for she knew that it would do nogood, and that it would be a mere waste of words for her to do so. Shebowed her head in submission, and soon saw all but two of the Pawneesstart toward the west. The remaining two placed themselves upon eachside of her horse, and one of them taking her bridle-rein, they startedfor the south.

When Jehiel took the trail of Snowdrop it was without much hope ofovertaking her, for he knew that the brave girl would ride fast whenshe knew there was so much at stake, and she had a long ways the startof him.

But he was better mounted than she, and had no difficulty in findingand following her trail, and before noon he had her in sight.

He saw the party of horsemen come from the south and start in pursuitof her, and by the aid of a powerful field-glass he saw her capture andthe manner in which she was disposed of, though he could not tell whattribe had done it.

He saw when the party of which Snowdrop was one, left the main body andstarted south, and he also saw the main body riding swiftly over theback track.

He turned his horse to the right, and when the larger party had arrivedat the place where he left the trail, he was but a few miles away, andit was with a grunt of satisfaction that he saw them pass on and rideaway toward the hills where he had left the scout.

Jehiel waited very patiently until they had passed out of sight, thenhe found the trail of the party who had charge of Snowdrop, and hestarted after her.

"Them fellers what has my gal will be mighty apt to meet with anadventure afore mornin', or my name ain't Jehiel Filkins. Gosh! but Iwish I had the sweet critter in my arms this minnit! Wonder what JemimaBrown will say when she hears I am married to jest the prettiest littlegirl in America? Sartain, I hain't axed her yet, but I don't reckon shewould refuse such a good-looking fellow as me."

He was thus soliloquizing as he reached the woods, and here he stopped.Finding a good place for his horse, he resumed his way on foot.

It was now nearly dark, and he was obliged to proceed cautiously,imagining that the Indians might have seen him following after them.

Leaving the beaten trail he carefully worked his way through thebushes, pausing occasionally to listen. No sound of falling hoofs wasto be heard, and he again crept on.

Proceeding in this manner for about half a mile he discovered theglimmer of a camp-fire between the trees.

In the small opening three tired horses were leisurely feeding, whilethe Indians were busily engaged in building a fire and preparing theirsupper.

Snowdrop was sitting behind a tree with her hands and feet securelybound, and an expression of deep anxiety upon her face.

As Jehiel gazed at the group, he thought how easy it would be to shootthe two Indians, but he was not one to shed blood unnecessarily, and hedetermined to wait. He must contrive some way to let the girl know ofhis presence, but the question of how was a hard one to solve.

The trees surrounding the little camp were large, and the space open,so that he could advance no nearer without betraying his presence.

He solved the problem in his own quaint way. Depositing his rifle atthe foot of the tree beside which he stood, he began to climb the tree.Once among the branches, the foliage of which he found dense enough forhis purpose, he had no difficulty in making his way to the next nearesttree.

Creeping along the branches as stealthily as a panther, he passed fromone tree to another until he found himself at the side of the opening,and directly opposite the tree near which Snowdrop was seated.

He was in imminent danger of being discovered, but with an intrepiditypeculiar to the brave scout, he set about arranging his plans for thefuture.

CHAPTER VI.

THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN.

When Kelly was left alone after Jehiel had started in pursuit ofSnowdrop, he dismounted from his horse, and at a signal from him thesagacious animal lay down upon the ground, and Kelly proceeded to takehis rest.

With his rifle beside him, his head pillowed upon the neck of the noblebrute, he was soon in the realm of dreams. His sleep was long and deep,for the scout was very tired, and he did not awake until long afterdark. Then the uneasy actions of his horse aroused him, and the motionof his ears, when the scout partially raised up, showed that he hadheard some suspicious sounds; and Kelly felt confident that whateverthe danger was it was very near, for the animal lay quite still, withhis ears pointed forward in the attitude of intense apprehension.

The scout silently drew back the hammer of his rifle, and felt in hisbelt to see that his knife and revolvers were in their accustomed place.

Silence reigned for a few minutes, as deep as though no living thingwas within miles of there.

Then Kelly heard some peculiar sounds—very slight at first, but plainand distinct. He recognized the sounds as being produced by the feetof human beings, and he knew that at least two persons were comingdirectly toward his hiding-place.

The scout did not move, neither did the noble black horse beside him.Both seemed instinctively to know that Indians were about, and thescout thought it more than probable that it was a part of the Siouxband who were trying to find him and Jehiel.

He kept still also because he thought that by so doing the Indiansmight pass by without noticing him.

The sound of falling footsteps came nearer and nearer, and the bravescout could see that they were moving with great caution. And they werecoming straight toward him, and so close were they that Kelly imaginedthey might hear the beating of his heart.

His rifle was already cocked, and he now brought it to his shoulder,resolving to use it should his presence be discovered or necessityrequire.

"Listen," said a strange voice in unmistakable English, "I thoughtI heard something!" and another voice responded—"Yes, I heard thebreaking of a twig;" and Kelly recognized the last as the voice of awoman.

"I wonder if it can be Jehiel and Snowdrop?" he soliloquized, but hecould not tell whether the woman was white or red.

Whoever it was they kept perfectly still, evidently listening fora repetition of the sounds; and although the silence was of only aminute's duration it seemed an hour to the scout.

Again he heard them moving along, and they were now within a few feetof him, when Kelly, in a low, firm voice, said: "Halt!" As the stepsceased he continued—"Who comes there?"

"A white man, and an enemy to none but Indians!" was the reply.

Kelly recognized the voice of the speaker, and exclaimed:

"Gracious! is that you, Curtiss? Come on—but who have you got there?"

"I do not know what her name is, or where she came from; but I do knowthat she has done a good job for me, that I will not soon forget. Shecrept to my side about an hour ago, and cut the thongs with which I wasbound to a tree, and probably saved me from getting roasted."

Then the scout looked at her as well as he could in the dim light, butshe did not speak.

"She is no Blackfoot," he said, "and she is too good looking for aSioux. Tell you what it is, Curtiss, I believe she is a white girl! Howis it, girl, can you speak the language of the pale-faces?"

"Yes," replied a low, sweet voice, "I am Nu-le-la, the sister of RedPine, the Sioux chief."

"The dickens, you are! Well, Curtiss, you and I are in luck, no matterwho the young lady is. But, if she is a Sioux we will have to keepher close, or she will betray us to her brother. There will be a loudrumpus when they find out you are gone."

"Just listen! They have found it out already," said the Indian girl."Let us leave here, for Red Pine will have a hundred braves upon ourpath as soon as the light comes, and he can be cruel when he chooses!"Loud yells could now be heard far down in the valley.

"Did you conceal your trail when you came here?" the scout asked ofCurtiss.

"No," he replied, "we came as fast as we could, and had but onethought—that was to get away as fast as possible."

"Then they will have no trouble in following your trail when daylightcomes, so the best thing we can do is to get out of here as soon aspossible. I found a cave one day when I was out hunting, and not farfrom here. If I can only find it again, we will be all right. We havea few hours the start of them, so I guess we can find shelter beforethey can find us. Come on, now, and be sure and keep in a line directlybehind me," said Kelly, as he entered the stream leading his horse."And another thing," he continued, "you must be careful and not breakany of the bushes along the bank, nor leave a footprint in the sand!"

And leading his pet horse he led the way up the stream.

When the stream became too narrow for the scout and his horse to walkabreast, he led the way, the faithful black following him, and Curtisswith the Sioux maiden bringing up the rear.

The current of the stream was swift, and whatever footprints were madewere quickly washed full of sand and stones; and half an hour after notrace could be found in the bed of the stream, of those who so recentlyhad passed through. They could hear the angry yells of the Sioux fardown the valley, and they pressed on without halting.

The stream now came through a narrow defile with huge rocks toweringperpendicularly upon either side; then having gone a few rods further,the scout halted.

"This looks very much like a trap!" said Curtiss.

"Well, yes," replied the scout. "It would be a trap if the Sioux onlyknew we were here. But they don't know it and this is not the place Iproposed for us to roost in. Follow me a little longer." So saying, heled the way a few feet further, then turning abruptly to the right,disappeared in what seemed to Curtiss to be solid rock.

Presently the voice of the scout was heard:

"Why don't you come in? 'Walk into my parlor, said the spider to thefly,'" he sung, as Curtiss and the Indian girl entered the fissure inthe rocks through which the brave scout had disappeared with his horse.

They found themselves within a large cave, thirty or forty feet inlength, and perhaps half that distance in width. The floor was assmooth as could be wished for, while the room was high enough for allpurposes.

"How do you like this?" asked Kelly. "Here is room enough and to spare,and no one can find the entrance unless they come up the stream as wedid; and even if they should, we could defend ourselves against thewhole Sioux nation!" He at once led his horse to the further end of thecave, and returned to the opening.

It was now daylight, and he took the opportunity to have another lookat the Indian girl.

"Great Cæsar! But you are pretty," he said, as his eyes met those ofthe maiden.

"If this pale-face will only think so," she replied, pointing toCurtiss, "I shall be very happy!"

"Well, if he don't make you happy, I shall be tempted to punish him insome way!" said the scout.

"No, not that," answered the girl. "I saved him from torture, and nowhe is mine—yes, all mine forever!" said the impulsive girl, and shethrew her arms round the white man's neck.

"There is no doubt but what the girl is in love," said the scout tohimself, "and, as matters stand just now, I don't know but what it isthe best thing that could happen for me, and it certainly is for him."Then he added, aloud—"If you and Nulela will remain here with old Pet,I will climb to the top of this rock and see if I can discover what theSioux are about."

"All right," replied Curtiss—"we will wait here for you. But do notexpose yourself unnecessarily, Kelly."

"I am not in the habit of doing that," answered the scout, "but let meadvise you to keep on good terms with the girl. The more you can talklove to her, the better it will be for us, because if you make herangry she would not stop short of putting you again in the hands of herbrother."

Proceeding down the stream a short distance, the scout came to a placewhere he could climb to the top of the rock.

Arriving there, he hurried to the end overlooking the valley, whence hecould get a good view of the plains and the valley below him.

Away off, as far as the eye could reach, he saw straggling partiesof Indians moving about, as if endeavoring to find the trail of theescaped prisoner.

Some of them were very near the foot of the hill upon which he stood,but the scout was satisfied that they had not yet found the trail.

There was one thing, however, which seemed somewhat singular to thescout. He noticed that a large addition had been made to their force.But it was soon made plain to him.

He saw large parties coming from the north, and knew that they werenot all Sioux who where there, but that the Blackfoot braves had cometo answer the call of Gray Eagle made by the smoke-signals, which thescout had sent up for the old chief.

"By Jingo!" he muttered, "I wish I could be down there to help one sideor the other; but then, where is the difference? It is only dog eat dogafter all, and they can fight it out without my assistance. Wish I onlyknew whether Jehiel is in the scrimmage or not? Reckon not, though, forhe has not had time to go to the Blackfoot village and back. Wonderwhere the dickens he is, anyhow?"

But no answer came to any of the scout's queries, and the gnawings ofhunger brought him back to his senses.

In a few minutes a drove of mountain sheep were discovered, slowlyfeeding toward him, and drawing his revolver he waited until they werenear enough, and shot one. Shouldering his meat, he retraced his stepstoward the ravine, only pausing once on the way to secure an armfulof dry wood. He then descended to the stream, and once more presentedhimself before the group in the cavern.

"All right, here?" he asked, as he entered and deposited his armful ofwood and meat upon the floor.

"Yes; all right!" replied Curtiss. "Did you learn any thing of ourIndian friends, down in the valley?"

"Not much," replied the scout. "They seem to be having lively timesdown there, but I don't know as it is any thing that can interest us asmuch as a good roast of this mutton will, so I propose that we eat now.After breakfast I will take another look at them."

While they were yet eating their breakfast they were saluted by astrange voice, shouting:

"Hello! Who in thunder has tuck possession uv my domicil?"

They all sprung to their feet, and, grasping their weapons, stood readyto receive the new-comer, whoever he might be.

"Put up yer shooters, yer little nubbins; I won't hurt yer, seein' 'atyer mostly white," and as they did so the stranger advanced to the fire.

He was, to all appearances, an aged man, as his hair and beard, whichwere both long and flowing, were as white as the driven snow; but hisstraight, athletic form belied his age.

His dress and arms were such as are usually worn by the mountaintrapper, though he wore one very singular ornament. This was no lessthan a necklace, consisting of a double row of bear claws.

This, the reader will understand, if he is conversant with Indiancharacter, was a badge of distinguished bravery, and one of which anyhunter might well be proud.

The stranger stood before the fire, silently regarding them forseveral minutes, then he broke out—"Why don't yer say suthin? Yer adoggoned purty set, to come inter a feller's house in this way, withouteven askin' the owner. Ef I was a leetle better 'quainted I'd take yer'cross my knee an' spank ther hull caboodle uv yer!"

"I was not aware, sir," said the scout, "that we were intruding on anyman's domain. I accidentally discovered this cave about a week ago, andmade use of it this morning in effecting our escape from a party ofSioux who were on our trail."

"Sioux? Ther devil! Ther' ain't a Sioux in ther kentry what dare kem' anigh here!" exclaimed the stranger.

"But," replied Kelly, "there are Sioux within a very short distanceof here, as you can see for yourself if you will go to the top of thebluff."

"Wal, yer needn't bother yerselves any further. I've l'arnt 'em torespect old Bear-Paw, as they calls me; an' now ef yer a mind ter kemwith me, I'll show yer a better place nor this."

He led the way to the further extremity of the cavern, and haltedbefore the solid wall.

At his feet were a number of small stones, one of which he took in hishand and struck the wall before him three times.

The astonishment of the scout and his friends can not be imagined asthey saw the rock slowly recede before them and swing noiselessly back.They followed their leader through the aperture, the huge rock swungback to its former position, and they discovered a room nearly twice aslarge as the one they had just left.

At one side a brisk fire was burning, and over this an old negro womanwas cooking a savory venison ham. Piles of fur were lying around,indicating that their host was a trapper.

"Here we ar'," said the old man; "an' here I have lived fur nigh ontoten year. Thar's wood enuf an' pervison enuf ter stan' a ten yearsiege, an' now ef ye'll jes' tell me what the trouble ar' an' all aboutit then mebby I kin tell yer what ter do."

Thereupon Kelly proceeded to relate all that had transpired up tothis time; and there we must leave them for awhile and look after thefortunes of others.

CHAPTER VII.

JEHIEL'S WOOING.

After Jehiel had gained a position to suit him, his first endeavor wasto let Snowdrop know that he was there, and to make her aware of hisintentions.

But the question then arose how this was to be accomplished.

Like nearly all border men, Jehiel could imitate perfectly the beastsof the field and the birds of the air, and he now resolved to make gooduse of the power he possessed to attract her attention.

The whirring sound made by the sudden swoop of the night-hawk fell uponthe air, but no notice was made of it.

He was within short pistol-shot of the Indians; indeed he could smellthe savory steaks as they were broiling upon the coals, and he knewthat a discovery would result in instant death, and the fact affectedhim in any thing but a pleasant manner.

Then he chirped like a wren, but no more attention was paid to thatthan to the whir of the night-hawk.

This was followed by the dulltoo-hoot of an owl, and the long,mocking note of the cat-bird.

They were all too common sounds. Neither the Indians nor Snowdrop paidthe least attention to what they had been accustomed to hear every dayand night of their lives.

Jehiel now gave a good imitation of the crow, and as the ringingcaw,caw, sounded through the forest, the Indians merely looked up at theclouds to see if there were any indications of rain, and proceeded withtheir meal.

Jehiel did not despair, even though his efforts thus far had failed toattract the attention of the Indian maiden.

"Thunder!" he muttered, "where is the use in whistling when she won'teven look up!"

Reaching up among the foliage his hand came in contact with a bunch ofacorns, one of which he pulled off, and parting the leaves in frontof him, he threw the acorn at Snowdrop. It hit her upon the hand, andstartled her from her gloomy reverie. She looked up at the tree aboveher head, and not in the direction of the scout, but not seeing anything, she concluded that the wind had likely dislodged the acorn, andagain bent her head in contemplation.

Again Jehiel threw an acorn, and again she looked up and around, and atlast her eyes rested upon the opening in the foliage of the huge oakopposite where she sat. She suppressed the cry of surprise which roseto her lips, and Jehiel noticed that the Indians did not pause in theirwork; so he made the opening larger.

Snowdrop was now looking attentively at him—her form wasmotionless—not a feature relaxed, but the glad look in her eyes toldJehiel that he was at last seen and recognized.

He bent down his head and placed it in the palm of his hand, then puthis fingers on his eyes. This was to signify that he would come andhelp her when the Indians were asleep.

She answered him in precisely the same way, then made a quick motionwith her hand toward the two Indians, as if to tell him that she fullyunderstood him.

Jehiel then held up two fingers of one hand and made an undulatingmotion with them, to signify that he had horses, and that they wouldride away after the Indians were asleep; and then drew back to the bodyof the tree to watch and wait.

He now endeavored to familiarize himself with the surroundings, so thathe would have no trouble in getting away if he succeeded in releasingSnowdrop. He did not wish to kill the Pawnees if he could possibly helpit, and thought more of outwitting them, but he had resolved to shootthem both rather than be defeated in his plans. He knew, too, thatthere were no better trailers in the world than the Pawnees.

Snowdrop was as calm and stoical as if she had been at home among herown people, and gave no sign which might arouse the suspicions of herguard, and Jehiel felt like cheering her for her bravery.

"Ginger! but she's jest the gayest little squaw on earth, and thereain't a Yankee gal living could take things as cool as she does. She'sas sweet as they make 'em—she is!"

By this time the Pawnees had finished their cooking, and one of thembrought a large slice of meat to Snowdrop, who immediately commencedeating.

After she had finished the slice they asked her if she wanted more, towhich she shook her head and placed her fingers upon her eyes, givingthem to understand that she was sleepy. They immediately piled a lot ofblankets near the fire, and untied her ankles, so that she could walkabout and lie down.

It seemed a long time to Jehiel before the Indians became sleepy,but, after smoking and talking a long time, they gave up, androlling themselves in their blankets, were soon asleep. They tookthe precaution, however, of tying a strip of leather about one ofSnowdrop's wrists, and to their own, so that she could not move herhand without disturbing them.

Jehiel remained in the tree until he became satisfied, from the loudsnoring, that the Pawnees were sound asleep; then he descended, andin a moment had cut the thongs which bound the Indian girl; and then,taking a large piece of meat from before the fire, they silentlydeparted. Though Jehiel was very hungry, having fasted for thirty-sixhours, he had no disposition to eat until he had put a safe distancebetween him and the Pawnees.

"Come on, little gal, and come jest as still as you can," he whispered.

A gentle pressure of his hand was the only reply, and they went on.

After going several rods, Jehiel halted to decide whether he shouldstill further insult the Indians by going back and turning their horsesloose, but a few whispered words decided in the negative.

So, closely followed by Snowdrop, he walked along to where he had lefthis own horse.

The faithful animal stood where he had been left, and Jehiel led himout to where he had secreted the horse of Snowdrop, and they were soonmounted. Then he took the route to the open plain, having decided topush on with Snowdrop to the village of the Blackfeet.

It was not until they were out of the forest that Jehiel spoke a loudword, but now he felt that he was out of danger, and he said:

"Little gal, you had a purty hard time on't, didn't you?"

"Yes," replied Snowdrop. "Did White Panther send you after me?"

"Wa-al, he said I could come if I wanted to, and I felt as if my heartwould bu'st if I didn't, so I come."

"The Long Hunter has a good heart to take Snowdrop from the hands ofthe Pawnee," said the Indian girl.

"Thunder! was them Pawnees?"

"Yes," answered Snowdrop, "and their chief, White Wolf, said he wasgoing to keep me for his squaw. But I would have killed him first."

"Bully for you—you are the rummiest little chick in America! Did youever—that is—ahem! you didn't love him much, I reckon?"

"No. I love your friend, the White Panther, and will behis wife."

"Lord! that can't be, for White Panther, as you call him, has got awife already," said Jehiel.

"I do not care. He is a good hunter and can feed more wives than one."

"But, gal, you don't understand. Us white folks has a law which won'tallow a feller to have more than one wife at a time."

"Then that law is no good," replied Snowdrop. "Suppose there are twowomen and only one man—must one woman go without?"

Jehiel was getting a little mixed in his love-making, but he replied:

"In course she must! But just suppose there is one woman and two men,must one man be without a wife?"

This was a question that Snowdrop was not prepared to answer. But shesaid:

"I am notwhite. I love the White Panther and I do not care how manywives he has got, so long as I am the last one, and he loves me best!"

"You will be disappointed, my gal," was all that Jehiel could say.

Riding a little way further they came to a clump of timber, and hereJehiel resolved to stop a while and eat the meat which they had broughtwith them from the Indian camp.

Accordingly they dismounted, the horses at once went to feeding, andthey proceeded to build a fire and cook the meat. Jehiel had not beenbashful in helping himself to a large piece, and the fact that itrapidly disappeared after being roasted, was sufficient evidence thatit was good. Besides, they were hungry, as an Indian or a frontiersmanalways is.

They had not finished eating, when Jehiel noticed that his horse hadstopped eating, and was looking in the direction from which they hadcome.

"There comes them cussed Pawnees, not a mile away," he said. "We mustget out of here, or shed blood."

The next moment they were mounted and speeding away over the plain,satisfied from the yells of the savages who were in pursuit, that theyhad been already discovered. Placing one of his revolvers in the handof Snowdrop, he said:

"If we must, we must, I suppose; but I don't want to. You ride onahead, and I will stop here and settle their hash for them!"

The Pawnees were within rifle-shot, and were fast gaining upon thescout and Snowdrop, who would not leave him.

On they came—nearer and still nearer—until, in an instant, Snowdropraised her revolver and fired.

"Gosh! gal, you made a hole clean through that critter. Now I'll fixthe other one."

The remaining Pawnee had turned his horse and was leaving as fast aspossible, but he could not outrun the bullet from the rifle of thescout; so went on a visit to the happy hunting-grounds sooner than heexpected or wished.

Then they turned and again started on, when a sight met them thatcaused the scout to halt and exclaim:

"Gewhillakens! Look at that!"

Snowdrop looked in the direction in which he pointed and saw asmany as two hundred painted warriors but a short distance away, allwell-mounted and apparently ready for charge.

Jehiel was in despair, but it was quickly changed to joy by theexclamation of Snowdrop.

"They are Blackfoot braves! My own people, come to look for me!"

She gave a shrill cry, which instantly changed the hostile attitude ofthe savages, and bidding Jehiel ride close to her, and not be afraid,she rode on to meet the war-party.

The war-party was led by a young warrior, who saluted Snowdrop, andasked:

"Who is this pale-face, and where do you come from?"

"He is the Long Hunter—the friend of White Panther. I was in the handsof the Pawnees, and he got me away," replied the girl.

"Where is the chief, Gray Eagle?"

"The Sioux have got him. I was going to the village of my people forwarriors to help White Panther get him away. White Panther stayed towatch the Sioux, and keep them from burning my father."

"There are enough Blackfeet here to save your father without any helpfrom an accursed pale-face!" exclaimed the warrior.

Snowdrop made no reply, though the flashing of her eyes betrayedthe fact that the young chief was treading on dangerous ground.They continued in conversation a few minutes longer, when they wereinterrupted by an exclamation from Jehiel.

"Gracious airth! Jest look at that! There come the Sioux! What does itmean?"

Then Snowdrop observed them, and she saw what the scout did not, thatthe approaching party was led by her father.

But where was Lew Kelly?

CHAPTER VIII.

THE YANKEE ON HIS MUSCLE.

The warriors sent out by Red Pine to capture Snowdrop had not returnedto the Sioux camp, neither had those sent after the brave scout and hiscompanion, whom he had rescued from torture; and, as might naturally beexpected, the Sioux chief was getting very anxious about them.

He did not dream that every one of both parties were dead, for he hadnot been present to see the scout and Jehiel shoot down the five whowent after them, nor did he know that those who had gone in pursuit ofSnowdrop had met the party of Pawnees who had captured her, and had allbeen sent on a pilgrimage to the other world.

Had he known this, his anxiety would have been still greater. He seemeddestined to misfortunes and disappointments at every turn, and now anew disaster had befallen him:

The morning after the rescue of Jehiel he had looked in vain for hisother white prisoner, Curtiss. No one could tell where he had gone.

"Who guarded the pale-face?" he demanded.

"It was I," replied a young brave, as he stepped out before his chief.

Without a word the Sioux chief raised his hatchet, and sunk it to theeye in the brain of the warrior, who fell dead at his feet.

An old warrior approached him, and said:

"Nulela, the sister of Red Pine, is gone!"

Somehow or other he could not help connecting the sudden disappearanceof his sister with the escape of the white prisoner.

"Did any one see them go?" he asked.

There was no response.

Turning to Gray Eagle, he said:

"Dog of a Blackfoot, do you know any thing of this? Speak quick, beforeI kill you!"

"The Sioux is very brave when he can kill a man who is hurt and bound,"replied Gray Eagle. Then he continued: "I did see the Sioux girl goaway with the pale-face captive."

"Which way did they go?" demanded the Red Pine.

"If the Sioux is a great brave, as he pretends to be, he can find theirtrail. Gray Eagle is glad they are gone!"

Red Pine gave up the task of acquiring any information from theBlackfoot chief, and at once the whole camp were searching for thefugitives. In a short time they found it and followed it to the creek,where it was lost.

Unremittingly they searched, up and down on both sides, but could findno trace after it entered the water, and after searching several hourswere obliged to give it up.

Of course Red Pine was very angry when they returned to camp andannounced their failure.

And now a new danger beset him.

A scout came in with the intelligence that a large party of strangeIndians were approaching. Whether friendly or not, he could not tell.

Red Pine had his warriors all mounted and ready for them, should theybe friends or foes. He stationed a warrior beside the old chief, GrayEagle, with instructions to start for the country of the Sioux, shouldthey be obliged to give battle to the strangers.

The strange Indians were soon in sight, and halted within a hundredyards. Their leader then rode to the middle of the space, and stopping,signified to Red Pine that he wanted to talk with him.

The Sioux chief rode out to meet him, alone and unarmed, as was thestranger. The stranger was the first to break silence, which he did bydemanding:

"Who are you?"

"I am Red Pine—"

"A Sioux?" interrupted the first.

"Yes, a chief of the Sioux! Why do you ask?"

"Is the great chief of the Blackfeet with you?"

"Gray Eagle, the Blackfoot chief, is the prisoner of Red Pine," heanswered. "But who are you that asks?"

"I am White Wolf, the great chief of the Pawnees, and I want yourprisoner!"

The mention of the name, Pawnee, struck a chill to the heart of RedPine; for it is a fact that nearly all the western Indians stand inwholesome fear of them, and would as soon meet a spirit of evil as aPawnee. I can not say why this is so, but give it as the facts in thecase.

Red Pine saw that the affair was assuming rather a formidable shape,yet he did not feel disposed to give it up so.

"Why does my brother want the Blackfoot chief?" he asked.

"White Wolf has promised to bring him to his daughter, the Snowdrop,then she is to be my wife."

"Does White Wolf know where Snowdrop is now?"

"Yes, she is in the camp of White Wolf, among the hills."

"Did the Pawnee see any of the Sioux warriors when he found her?"

"Yes," replied White Wolf, and he chuckled to himself as he continued,"they will never return to their chief!"

"Why so?" asked Red Pine.

"Because their scalps hang in the belts of my warriors, as yours willsoon, if you do not give up the chief, Snowdrop's father!"

Were all the plans of Red Pine to be frustrated in this way, after hehad come so far, and been to so much trouble? Were the fond hopes hehad entertained when leaving the village of his people to be lost now,when they were so near realization? Must he give up the main object ofhis mission, and go back without the Blackfoot maiden?

Impossible! He would die first! So he said:

"Gray Eagle is my prisoner, and the Pawnee can not have him!"

Without a word White Wolf turned and rode toward his band, and Red Pinereturned to his warriors.

White Wolf was a big, fat, burly Indian, who has since become quitewell known on the plains as the meanest beggar of them all; one whowill steal a blanket or murder a white man for the sake of a drink ofwhisky. He has became very much demoralized since the time we first methim, demanding the prisoner of the Sioux chief.

Red Pine is not much better, though much younger. He was never knownto do an act of kindness, and was by nature cruel and vindictive. Eachwere, and still are, a type of their respective tribes.

Neither were disposed to wait very long. Red Pine because he wasin haste to have it over, believing that he would be the victor,notwithstanding the foe with whom he had to deal was no common one.White Wolf was in a hurry for the same reasons, and also because he wasin haste to secure Snowdrop for a wife, as he had no doubt he would.

Both were destined to learn that disappointment is the lot of mankind.

The battle was commenced by the Pawnees discharging a shower of arrowsat the Sioux. Then the Sioux returned the compliment, and thus theycontinued for nearly an hour, not seeming to make much headway, or tocause any very great slaughter. They did yelling enough, however, foran army of twenty thousand men, and this, by the way, is the manner ofIndian fighting generally.

Usually, one party or the other will run before that time, but inthis case both of the leaders had too much at stake—both wanted theBlackfoot girl.

The warrior who had been left to guard Gray Eagle had taken his captiveand started off at the first round between the opposing forces.

This movement had not escaped the notice of the Pawnee chief, and heimmediately started two of his warriors to intercept the Sioux, andrecapture Gray Eagle. In this movement they were quite successful; thefact being that the Sioux guard deserted his prisoner as soon as hefound himself pursued—believing, no doubt, that discretion was thebetter part of valor.

His new captors conducted Gray Eagle to a position where he could watchthe progress of the battle, then one of them returned to take a part inthe, thus far, bloodless war, and to inform his chief, White Wolf, oftheir success.

Then White Wolf resolved to strike his death-blow, and giving the orderto charge, they swept down upon the Sioux, and a hand-to-hand fightensued.

But it was of short duration, for the Sioux soon broke and fled fortheir lives.

The Pawnees did not pursue them very far, as they had secured what theycame after, and were now ready to return to their camp.

Gray Eagle was not very well pleased when he learned into whose handshe had now fallen, for he, too, dreaded the Pawnees.

White Wolf saluted his prisoner kindly and said:

"I have rescued Gray Eagle from the hands of the Sioux squaws, and whenSnowdrop sees him safe she will consent to be the wife of White Wolf."

"Does the chief know where Snowdrop is?" asked the chief.

"In the camp of White Wolf, a day's ride from here," was the reply.

"How came she there?" demanded the old chief.

"White Wolf found her upon the big plain toward the village of theBlackfeet. Let us go."

Gray Eagle knew the utter uselessness of arguing the question with thePawnee chief, and bowing his head they rode away.

The Pawnees had discovered the party of Blackfeet at the same time thatJehiel had done so, and just now it occurred to White Wolf that he wasin rather a disagreeable situation. He saw that the party of Blackfeetoutnumbered his party, five to one, and he knew that they were bravewarriors and would not run as easily as the Sioux had done.

Gray Eagle was pleased at the turn in affairs, as would naturally beexpected; but when he saw that Snowdrop was one of the approachingparty, he turned to White Wolf and said:

"Does my brother speak with a forked tongue?"

"No," replied the Pawnee; "who dare say he does?"

"He said that the daughter of Gray Eagle was in the camp of White Wolf,a day's ride from here. Now Gray Eagle sees her there with his people!"

White Wolf did not know what to say. He had left the Blackfoot beauty aprisoner in the hands of two trusty warriors, and for the life of himhe could not imagine who had rescued her. He said:

"Shall there be peace between the Pawnee and Blackfeet braves, or shallWhite Wolf take the scalp of Gray Eagle and go away?"

The old Blackfoot chief saw that there was much to gain and nothing tolose, and he replied:

"There shall be peace." And they again moved on.

The young chief who led the party of Blackfeet accompanied by Snowdropand Jehiel, now rode forward, leaving the Blackfeet in a body; whileGray Eagle and White Wolf rode out to meet them.

"Has the Blackfoot maiden a sister who looks just like herself?" askedthe astonished Pawnee.

"No, Snowdrop has no sister," replied the girl. "I see you thought Iwas your prisoner. I was, but I did not stay so very long."

"How did you get away?" asked White Wolf.

"I rode away! Your warriors slept too sound, you see."

"Waugh!" was all White Wolf could say. He knew that Snowdrop was merelytrying to banter him, and after a moment's reflection, he said:

"The warriors shall die! They are not fit to live if they can not keepone little squaw!"

"No, they will not die!" assented Snowdrop.

The chief looked at her in surprise. He was not in the habit of havingsquaws contradict his word.

"White Wolf is his own master, and the chief of all the Pawnees! Whydoes the Blackfoot maiden say they shall not die?"

"Because they are dead already!" answered Snowdrop.

"Dead! Who killed them?"

"I killed one; Long Hunter the other," she replied.

White Wolf glared fiercely at her, as if he could kill her where shesat, but in a few moments the expression changed, and he said:

"I have rescued your father from the hands of the Sioux as I promised;now will Snowdrop go to the home of White Wolf, and be his squaw? Sheshall have as many slaves as she wants, and there shall be peacebetween the tribes. What says the queen of the Blackfeet?"

"That she does not love the great chief of the Pawnees, and can neverenter his lodge," replied Snowdrop.

"Does she love some one else?"

"Yes, Snowdrop will be the wife of White Panther or marry no one!"

"Who is the White Panther?" asked the chief.

"He is the bravest of pale-faces, and Snowdrop will give her life tohim!"

"Tell me where he is, that I may go and kill him. He is a dog!"

Hardly had the words escaped his lips before he received a blow uponthe side of his head which knocked him from his horse, and laid himsenseless upon the ground.

"There, ye everlastin' skunk!" exclaimed Jehiel, for it was he hadadministered the blow, "that'll l'arn ye not to be callin' names!"

The Pawnees seized their weapons when they saw their chief go to theground, but at the motion, the Sioux also put themselves in readinessto repel any attack.

Slowly the Pawnee chief rose to his feet, and for a moment he seemedto be measuring the strength of Jehiel, then his smothered indignationfound vent, and he exclaimed:

"The pale-face shall die!"

"Waal, he won't, unless he runs across a smarter red-skin than youare!" exclaimed Jehiel.

"If he is not a coward he will fight the great chief of the Pawnees,and White Wolf will surely kill him!" said the chief.

"Waal, I may be a coward, but I ain't afeard of you nor any otherdurned Injun in this kentry. An' durn yer skin, I'll fight ye any dayand place ye dare to mention!"

"Then we will fight now and here," said the chief.

"Agreed! You'll see fair play, won't you?" he asked of Gray Eagle.

"Yes," replied the chief. "If White Wolf kills my friend, he must do itfairly."

"Bully for you, old feller!" said Jehiel. Then turning to White Wolf,he said:

"Now, ye red sarpent, jes' git off there; an' when the old chief givesthe word, we will see who can shoot the best."

"No," replied the Indian, "the gun of the pale-face is better than thatof White Wolf. Let us fight with knives."

"Not much, you don't!" exclaimed Jehiel, who was not very skillful inthe use of that implement, "not much, you don't. I don't want to dirtymy knife—it's the one I use to cut my meat with, and it would goag'in' my stomach to use it arter I'd cut a dirty Injun to pieces!"

"Then let the chief of the Blackfeet say how the fight shall be," saidWhite Wolf.

"Agreed, ag'in! Crack ahead chief, and any way you say fight, I'llfight!"

"Gray Eagle says, let the fight be with knives and on foot," was thedecision of the chief; and although it did not exactly suit Jehiel, heimmediately began to strip for the fight.

He was soon naked to the waist, and handing his gun and garments toSnowdrop, he asked her to hold them for him. He was encouraged by asweet smile from her, and in reply to the whispered, "Kill him if youcan," he replied:

"I'll do it, sartin!"

White Wolf then stripped, and he too handed his gun to Snowdrop, butshe refused it with scorn. This angered the Pawnee still more, and heexclaimed:

"Wait until I kill the pale-face dog!" and he strode into the circlewhich had been formed by the two parties pressing forward in theireagerness to see what was going on.

White Wolf was a tall, finely formed Indian, and was well skilled inthe use of the knife, so that really, he had the advantage over Jehiel;but what Jehiel lacked in skill and experience, he more than made up inquickness and grit.

They stood within six feet of each other, waiting for Gray Eagle togive the signal to commence.

So it came, and as the two forms met, the gleaming steel told that thebattle was begun. Flashing in the sunlight, as the antagonists cametogether, and then sprung apart, only to renew the conflict without amoment's pause.

Jehiel soon became satisfied that he was in no particular danger fromthe Pawnee chief, and he laughed to himself as he parried the furiousblows of the Indian. But he soon grew tired of this, and pressed hardupon his adversary, who gradually fell back toward the side of thecircle occupied by his warriors.

Jehiel anticipated his intentions, and springing past the Pawnee,placed himself between the chief and his warriors.

Then he pressed the Pawnee still harder, and began to nerve himself forthe last desperate effort.

By a skillful blow he severed the string by which the knife of thechief was attached to his wrist, and another lightning-like stroke sentthe Indian's knife whirling a rod away.

"Now, red-skin, if you hain't satisfied, go and pick up your knife andI'll do it again."

"The pale-face can take the scalp of White Wolf, for he has won it!"replied the chief.

"I don't want yer scalp, ye durned fool, but I guess, seein' it's you,I'll cut it off close to yer head; then, while you're raisin' anotherone, you can think of the lickin' I've g'in ye."

"White Wolf will not accept life from a pale-face dog!" exclaimed thechief.

Again the sledge-hammer fist of Jehiel came in contact with the head ofthe Pawnee, and again the chief found himself flat on his back.

"Waal, now, didn't I tell you so?" said Jehiel. "I don't takedogfrom no man, let alone a durned Injun."

Then Jehiel shaved the braided scalp-lock of the Pawnee chief close tohis head, after which he returned, and donning his garments, mountedhis horse and was ready for the next thing that might turn up.

White Wolf was not slow in following his example, and then withdrewwith his warriors, without saying a word to any one.

CHAPTER IX.

BEAR-PAW AT HOME.

The party at the cave were enjoying themselves as well as they couldunder the circumstances.

Kelly was getting anxious about his friend Jehiel, and had resolvedthat, if he did not make his appearance in the vicinity that day, hewould go in search of him next morning.

But he did not know that about that time Jehiel was having his littleround with the Pawnee chief—if he had, he would not have rested quiteso easily.

Then there was his promise to Gray Eagle, which was only half kept, butwhich he resolved should be fulfilled to the letter.

Yes, hewould have the scalp of the Sioux chief, or die in theattempt to get it.

Nulela, the sister of Red Pine, was indeed happy, and with goodreason—the white man whom she had rescued from her brother's power nowreciprocated her great love, and she felt herself amply rewarded forthe risk she had run and the sacrifice she had made.

Full well she knew that she could not return to her own people, exceptin disgrace. Such is the moral code of the Sioux—if a maiden of thetribe marries a white man, and he dies, or, as is more generally thecase, deserts her, she is thenceforth an outcast.

For a long time after the old trapper had tendered them thehospitalities of his subterranean retreat, they sat beside the firetrying to determine what was best to be done.

"I am afraid that the Sioux will hang around here until they find outsome way to get into this cave," said Curtiss.

"Young man," said the old trapper, "it ar' a great pity yer could nothev been born with more brains, an' less stomach!"

"What do you mean, sir?" exclaimed the astonished young man.

"I mean yer must be a durned fool fur bein' afraid, when I've told yerthar ain't a mite o' danger in here!"

Curtiss thought his best plan was to humor the eccentricities of OldBear-Paw, and it was perhaps well that he did.

"Kem with me, my friends," said the trapper, "an' I'll convince yer wear' perfeckly safe."

He led the way to the further end of the cave, where the party foundthemselves standing upon the brink of a fearful chasm, the light fromthe torches revealing no boundary except that upon which they stood.Below and beyond them, all was inky blackness.

"Gracious, what a place!" said Kelly. "Do you know how deep this holeis, or what is on the other side?"

"Yas. I've bin down inter this 'ar' hole clean ter ther bottom, an' efyer behave yerselves purty well, I'll take yer down thar with me, oneof these days."

"Thank you," replied the scout; "but do you know what is on the otherside of here?"

"Sartin, I've bin thar too! Would yer like ter go over? I've got ermenagery over thar, as ther show fellers used ter say, uv ther finestlivin' speciments on ther contynunt!"

"But how do you get across?—I can't see. Two steps more and down yougo, into that bottomless pit. It is not possible that you can walk onair, and there is no way of making a bridge, that I can see."

"Yer see, I ain't lived here ten years fur nothin'—so now I'll showyer how it's done."

He stepped to one side and returned holding in his hand the end of arope, the other end of which was lost in the darkness above them.

"Now yer see," said the old man, "yer jest hang on ter this yer end, answing off. Wull, ther swing 'll take yer clear across this yer blackhole—then when yer feel yerself comin' back, all yer hev ter do ister drap yer feet down, an' ye'll find yerself on terry furmy onc'tmore. Then yer kin throw ther rope back fur ther next feller, ef tharis any more, an' ef thar ain't yer must hang it up on ther peg at therside—'cause ef yer don't it will hang straight down ther middle arterit gits done swinging. Then thar can't no one git it."

"Yes, I understand. Now, Mr.—"

"Bear-Paw, I told yer, only leave off ther mister!"

"Well, Bear-Paw, supposing you take your torch and go across, then wewill follow you."

The old trapper took the torch between his teeth and seizing the ropewith both hands, he swung off. In a minute he waved his torch on theother side, and shouted—"Ketch ther rope," and in another minute Kellywas ready to follow.

He tried the rope, as if to make sure that it would hold his weight,never considering that a much larger man had just swung on the samerope; and it was with a sensation that he had never before experienced,that he grasped it firmly and swung off. He soon found himself besidethe old trapper, who said:

"Yer done it well, boy! But I'm afeard that booby over thar won't dareter try it!"

He shouted to Curtiss to catch the rope, and again it went to the otherside and was caught by him.

"You go first, Nulela," said Curtiss.

"No, Nulela will follow her chief!"

"Are you sure you can hang on?"

"Nulela is not a child," she replied. "But is the white chief afraid?"

"Oh, no! But what should I do if you were to fall? It would be instantdeath!"

"Does my chief then care for me?"

"Care for you? Yes, little one—I love you!" he answered.

"Oh! I am so glad!" exclaimed the Indian girl; "then I can go with you,and be your wife?"

"Yes," replied Curtiss, "if we ever get out of here."

A call from both Kelly and the old trapper to "hurry up," put a stopto their love-making, and Curtiss took a firm hold upon the rope andstarted for the other side. He had barely regained his feet when theold trapper seized the rope and sprung out, leaving the scout andCurtiss alone on the brink of the chasm.

Their first thought was of treachery. Could it be possible that theold man was about to leave them there as the easiest and surest way ofgetting rid of them?

They surmised all sorts of things—probable and improbable. They sawhim land on the other side. Here he said to the Indian girl:

"Jest wait a minit till I git some more torches."

Then he put the rope into her hand to hold until he should return.Presently he came back with a lighted torch in his hand, and severalmore stuck in his belt.

"Now, gal, we'll jine our friends on ther other side."

He held his torch up to her face, to see if she exhibited any signs offear, but though he saw no such expression, he saw what puzzled himmore—he saw that her eyes were blue.

"Girl, who are you? Certainly you are no Indian!" he exclaimed, inlanguage entirely different from that he generally used.

"I am Nulela, the sister of Red Pine," she answered.

He looked at her a moment, as if trying to recollect somehalf-forgotten event, and bowing his head upon his hands, the strongman wept.

"Can it be that I have found my lost one?" he murmured. "My God! If itshould be true, what a joyful ending there would be to all these yearsof sorrow and heart-ache! But no, it can not be!She was stolen bythe fierce Apaches, and this one—ha! where is she?"

During his soliloquy the Indian girl had swung off and was now standingbeside her friends on the other side of the chasm, and the voice ofKelly was heard shouting:

"Here comes the rope, Bear-Paw, catch it!"

A moment later and the old man stood beside them.

"Wull," he said, "yer kem acrost all right, didn't yer? An' now we'llgo an' see ther anermiles."

Proceeding a few yards further into the cave, he turned abruptly to theleft, and entered a large circular room. Here the party were greetedwith a chorus of howls, yells, and snarlings, which continued until theold man said:

"Hush! yer 'tarnal critters! Don't yer see I've brought yer somecompany?"

Immediately the growling ceased, and the old man led the way around theroom.

Chained to the walls were four monster bears and an equal number ofpanthers, and they manifested great pleasure when the old trapperpatted them on the head, and called them by their names.

The party were much surprised when the old trapper removed the chainfrom the neck of the largest grizzly, and said to him—"Now go an'shake paws with ther gentlemen." The bear did as he was ordered, andreturned to his master.

"Do you have many visitors?" asked the scout.

"No, yer ther only men these anermiles has seen in eight year," was thereply of the trapper.

"I should think it would take you all of the time to keep these fellowsin meat."

"Thar yer mightily mistaken then, for when thar is too many reds about,I send them out ter hunt fur me! Now yer moughtn't like ter b'lieve me,but I kin send any one uv 'em out, an' they'll bring in suthen ter eatquicker nor either uv yer fellers kin."

"Is it possible that they are so well trained as that?" asked the scout.

"I'll show yer," replied the hunter, and he let loose a huge panther,and patting him on the head, said:

"Now, Andy Jackson, go an' ketch me a deer, an' be spry about it, too!Yer knows whar ter find 'em, don't yer?"

The animal looked up at the hunter's face, and then actually nodded hishead in assent.

"Wull, go on then, an' don't yer stop ter play!"

The panther bounded past the party and disappeared in the gloom beyond.

"How in the world can he get out?" asked Curtiss. "Surely he can notswing over the chain?"

"Wull, I reckon he could ef I'd ever l'arnt him! But yer see ther's nooccasion—this yer hole goes clean through ther mountain. But I'll showyer thet some other time."

"Hark! What is that?"

"It's Andy Jackson passin' ther guard," replied the trapper.

"Who do you have for a guard?"

"He's er brother uv Andy Jackson, but I calls him Barnum jest 'cause hekin humbug more Injuns than any other feller in ther kentry, 'thout itar' ther king uv humbugs, old Barnum his self. Tell yer what, stranger,he's ther knowin'est varmint uv 'em all. 'Tain't more'n ten days ago, Iwar out looking arter things gineraly, when I run inter a nest uv 'bouter dozen Blackfeet. They had er white feller what they war a-goin' terroast, an' I allowed it didn't look jest right, so I kem back an' gotAndy Jackson an Barnum, an' we went fur ter stop ther fun. Wull, theywar so 'tarnal busy with ther white man that they didn't see us at all,tell jest as they war goin' ter set fire ter ther brush. Then I shotther feller what was ther leader, an' you'd jest orter see'd them twoboys, Andy an' Barnum, sail in, an' go ter sp'ilin' Injuns! Fact, thardidn't a one uv 'em git away! All ther Injuns in this kentry are scartuv me, an call me a heap big medicine; so they don't very often kemaround here—an' thet leaves me all uv ther trappin' ter myself. Kem,let's go back now to ther fire."

"But what will become of Andy Jackson?" asked the scout.

"Oh, he'll kem back purty soon, an' be in his stall when I want him!"

"What will he do with the meat, even supposing that he gets any?"

"He'll dervide with the rest, like a man," replied the trapper.

"I don't believe—"

The speaker was interrupted by the old man, saying:

"Thar he kems, now. Ef yer don't b'lieve it, jest keep watch on him."

The trained panther came bounding in, with the carcass of a deer in hismouth, and thrown across his back.

Kelly noticed that the head was gone, and said:

"Andy stopped by the way to take his own lunch, I see."

"Yer don't see anything uv ther kind! Andy jest chawed ther head off,an' giv it to Barnum, 'cause thet's his favor-ite piece. 'Sides yersee it saves ther trouble uv ruunin' back when he feeds ther rest. Yerneedn't laugh, fur as sure as yer live, that ar' Andy Jackson has gotmore good sense than half uv ther humans in this territory. Now, efyer ain't in a hurry, jest watch ther critter."

The panther had laid the deer upon the floor of the cavern, and stoodwagging his tail in anticipation, while the old hunter took his knifeand proceeded to cut it into so many pieces as there were animals.

"Thar, Andy," he said, "feed ther rest, an' take yer own piece, an' goter bed."

The party were by this time prepared for 'most any degree oftractability on the part of the animal, yet they could not repress anexclamation of admiration and surprise, when they saw the animal do ashe was bid; it was hard for them to imagine how they could be broughtso completely under the control of the strange old man.

They recrossed the chasm in the same manner in which they had goneover, and were soon again seated around the fire.

Curtiss and the Indian girl were upon one side, by themselves,completely lost to their surroundings. But, the story of theirlove-making was so like others of the same kind, that need not repeatit here. Those of my readers who do not "know how it is themselves,"have the sympathies of the writer!

CHAPTER X.

A WOMAN ON THE TRAIL.

In his fight with the Pawnees, Red Pine had lost several warriors,which fact was not at all calculated to produce any good feeling on hispart. More than this, he lost what he could not well afford to—histemper.

He fumed and swore around, venting his anger upon whoever happened toget in his way.

He resolved to make one more desperate fight, even if he had to takeall the warriors of the Sioux nation to do it. Just then, he felt as ifhe would like to exterminate the whole Pawnee tribe, and the Blackfeet,too, with the exception of Snowdrop. Especially would he sweep fromthe face of the earth the young pale-face who had come between him andhis desires.

To this end he dispatched his swiftest runners to the Sioux villagewith an earnest appeal for help. There is no doubt in the world butthat he misrepresented facts to his superiors, but then his consciencewas one of those elastic affairs which do not give their possessor muchtrouble, and he thought that all was fair in war as in love.

Then, too, his sister was gone, and he knew that he would not dare togo back without her. Had he been alone, he would have trumped up somelie, by which he might get clear of all responsibility; but he knewthat many of the old warriors who were with him, would not hesitate toput the affair in its true light before the councilors of the nation.

Thus we find him encamped with his followers within a few miles of thescene of his recent defeat, to await the return of his messengers.

And White Wolf felt very much as if he had been doing a large amount ofwork for a very small remuneration.

He was not angry—oh! no! But, as Jehiel remarked when he saw thePawnees leaving: "I'll jest bet that critter feels awful demoralized!"

White Wolf knew that somewhere among the hills there was a white manwho had been instrumental in rescuing Snowdrop from the hands of theSioux, and who stood between his wishes and the love of the Blackfootqueen; and he resolved to hunt up that white man, and put him out ofthe way.

So he returned to the place where he had won so decisive and brillianta victory over the Sioux, and went into camp.

We left Jehiel mounted and ready for whatever might turn up next, andthere he sat, as did the whole band of Blackfeet, until the Pawneeswere nearly out of sight.

"We will go to the village of my people," said Gray Eagle; and heturned his horse and started for the north, followed by the Blackfootwarriors.

He had gone a full mile when he spoke to Snowdrop; but receiving noanswer, he looked around to see what had become of her. Then he sawher and Jehiel standing where he had left them.

Ordering his band to remain where they were, the old chief gallopedback.

"Why does my daughter and the Long Hunter stay here?" he asked.

Snowdrop did not reply, but Jehiel did.

"Waal, old man, we was tryin' to think of suthin' mean enough to callyou for desarting a friend in this way."

"What does the Long Hunter mean?" asked the old chief.

"I mean just this, that you're an old liar! You agreed to be a friendto us fellers, if Lew would get your gal away from the Sioux! He didit, he did, and now, dog gone your old pictur', you was goin' off humwithout tryin' to find out if he is dead or alive! I told Lew just howit would be, when he said you had swore to befriend him. I don't thinkmuch of such friends as that!"

"White Panther promised to bring the scalp of Red Pine to Gray Eagle,and he has not done it."

"Waal," replied Jehiel, "he hadn't had time yet. Jest wait a few days,and you'll see him come walkin' inter your camp a-whistlin' YankeeDoodle, and old Red Pine's head under his arm—see if you don't!"

"Gray Eagle can not wait. The Long Hunter had better find his friendand go home, or my warriors will find them and kill them both!"

"Are you goin' to desart Lew Kelly in this way?" asked the thoroughlyangry Yankee.

"Gray Eagle owes the pale-face nothing, for he has not done all hepromised."

"I've a good mind to shoot you myself, you 'tarnal old traitor you!"exclaimed Jehiel.

The old chief did not notice him, but turning to Snowdrop he said:

"Come, my daughter."

He turned and started toward his band, but Snowdrop made no effort tofollow him.

He came back with an angry frown upon his face. It was the first timeSnowdrop had ever refused to obey him.

"Why does my daughter linger?" he asked.

"Snowdrop will not enter her father's lodge until he has found theWhite Panther! He saved her life, and Snowdrop will not desert him!"

"The Pawnees have gone that way, and they will find him and kill him!"replied the old chief.

"Then Snowdrop will die with him!" exclaimed the maiden.

The old chief loved his daughter as the apple of his eye, and he knewthat she would not give up by coaxing—she was too much a chip of theold block for that.

He could take her home by force; but she would certainly run away if hedid.

He could confine her so that she could not leave; but she would takeher own life.

He knew the scout would not take Snowdrop for his wife—he had heardhim say that he had a wife already.

Looking at the case in all its bearings, he resolved to assist hisdaughter in finding White Panther, and then compel him to marry her,whether or not. So he said:

"Gray Eagle will find the pale-face, and give him to Snowdrop."

Signaling for his band to return, he started for the place where he hadlast seen Lew Kelly. When within a few miles of the place a scout camerunning back with the intelligence that the Pawnees were encamped onthe old battle-ground.

This intelligence was not at all pleasing to him, for it necessitatedthe making of his camp on the side of the range where he then was.However, necessity knows no law, and he was obliged to call a halt uponarriving at the foot of the hill.

He did not know that the object of his search was within shortrifle-shot of him at that moment.

He had made his camp close by a small stream which ran along the baseof the hill. Upon the opposite side of the stream the rocks toweredabove them a hundred feet or more, forming an insurmountable barrier tofurther progress in that direction; and with his scouts out, he did notfear surprise.

Lew Kelly was telling Bear-Paw how he came to be in that section, andalso of the treaty of peace he had made with Gray Eagle.

"But," he said, "I don't know whether the old chief will considerhimself bound to keep the contract until I bring him the scalp of theSioux chief, as I promised. I hope he will, for there is plenty of gameabout here, and every indication of gold. In the hills, where my friendand I made our camp, we found several nuggets of pure gold; and I haveno doubt there is plenty of it among these hills, as they are of thesame range."

"I've got er gold-mine what'll do yer eyes good ter see," said the oldtrapper. "Jest wait er minit an' I'll show yer."

He went to the opposite side of the room, and returned, bearing abuck-skin bag, which he opened and poured the contents upon the floorbefore the scout.

"Thar," he said, "is about fifty pounds of ther durned stuff, enuf termake yer rich fur life; an' I'll give yer ther hull lot on't, ef ye'llagree ter go hum, an' never say nothin' about thar bein' any here."

The scout was too much surprised to reply.

"What does yer say?" asked the trapper. "Ain't it enuf?"

"Yes, it is enough," replied Kelly; "but, did you find it all amongthese hills?"

"Sartin. An' I kin show yer more nor ten bushels uv it, layin' aroundloose!"

"Where?"

"Down in ther kasm—will yer go down an' see it?"

"Not now," replied the scout. "I must find out, first, where my friendis. I blame myself for keeping still so long, and if you will let meout, I will go to the top of the bluff and see if I can discover him."

"All right. I'll go with yer," replied Bear-Paw.

Kelly took care to return the gold to the bag, and place it where hecould find it again; then he signified his readiness to go.

"I'm goin' out, gal," the old trapper said to the aged negro woman."Jest keep yer ears open, fur I may be in a hurry when I kem back," andthey were ushered into the outer cavern.

A low whinny greeted Kelly.

"Poor old horse!" he said, "you are on short rations just now. I musttry and get you something to eat."

"Yes," said Bear-Paw, "we'll cut some grass fur ther critter, an' bringback with us."

Kelly led his horse to the water, and after he had drank, returned himto the cavern and told him to lie down.

The two men were soon upon the level plateau which formed the top ofthe hill. Once there, they saw a sight which surprised them not alittle.

Directly below them was the camp of the Pawnees, while beyond, and notmore than five miles away, they could discern another camp, but couldnot make out who they were.

Kelly easily recognized the Pawnees, for he was well acquainted withthem, and knew White Wolf almost as well as he did Jehiel.

"I wonder who those others can be, off yonder," he said.

"I can't tell yer, they's so fur off; but you can bet they ain't noBlackfeet!"

"How do you know?" asked the scout.

"'Cause that 'ar is west, an' ther Blackfoot village ar' off here terther north furder. Le's go over ter ther other side an' see ef we candiskiver them."

Approaching the other side, they saw immediately below them the campsof Gray Eagle, and Kelly recognized his friend Jehiel, and alsoSnowdrop.

"What does this all mean, do you suppose?" he asked.

"Can't tell," replied the trapper. "It looks as ef there mought be funahead. But come on, le's cut some grass fur ther hoss an' git back.We'll know more about it afore mornin'."

With their knives they cut each a large bundle of grass, and returnedto the cavern. The scout threw down his load, but the old trapper said:

"No, not thar. We must take ther animile inside, fur I an goin' ter hevthis room full uv Injuns afore long."

"What do you mean?" asked the scout.

"Jest yer wait an' see," was all the reply he could get.

The old trapper was getting terribly excited about something, and itwas not until after the huge rock door was between them and the outercave that he regained his composure.

Kelly found a good place for his horse, and throwing a bundle of grassbefore him, left him to his own enjoyment. This done, he was about toseat himself beside the fire, when Bear-Paw said to him—"Kem with me,"and they proceeded to the chasm, where they swung over.

From a recess in the wall the old man took a bow and arrows and a longrope, and led the way into the room used as the menagerie.

"Now," said he, "jest write er letter ter yer friend, an' I'll let himknow whar yer ar'"—and while the scout was writing a few words tosatisfy his friend of his safety, the old trapper went about among hisanimals, talking to them, and petting them in his usual manner.

When the letter was completed, he told Kelly to follow him, and thenled the way to the rear entrance of the cave.

He soon arrived near the opening, where he halted and said:

"Don't let Barnum humbug yer, fur he kin scratch like ther Old Boy,ef he's a mind ter. Yer see, he's crosser nor ther rest, an' ain't inther habit uv lettin' folks go by him. But ef yer keep close ter me, Ireckon ye'll be all right."

Proceeding a few feet further, they came to an abrupt turn in thepassage, and a low growl warned them that they were near the guard. Theold trapper held his torch before him and went ahead.

"Shut up, Barnum! What ar' yer so sassy about? I'll give yer alickin'," he said, "ef yer don't quit yer foolishness."

And he stood and talked to the animal until Kelly had passed beyond hisreach.

About fifty feet further on, they came to the end of the cave, andthe daylight streaming in from above showed Kelly the outlet of thissingular cavern. With the exception of the chasm, it was a completetunnel through the mountain.

The old trapper brought a ladder of poles, which he placed against theside of the opening, and told the scout to go up and see what he coulddiscover.

An exclamation of surprise escaped the lips of Kelly, as he beheld, notmore than four rods away, the camp of the Blackfeet.

Jehiel was just leading his horse to the creek to give him water, whenthe scout told the old man to come up where he was.

In a moment Bear-Paw was by his side, and hastily fitting an arrow tothe bow-string, he sent it within an inch of Jehiel's foot, where itstuck in the sand.

Jehiel sprung back as though bitten by a snake, and looked up to seewho had discharged it; but could discover no sign of any living beingin the huge bowlders opposite. Then he pulled the arrow from theground, and returned to the camp.

"Come here, little gal," he said to Snowdrop; "I want to tell yousuthin."

The Indian girl came out, and Jehiel showed her the arrow, and afterexplaining how it came in his possession, added:

"I guessed you might know more about it than me. What does it mean? Kinyou tell, from the looks of the stick, what tribe made it?"

The girl took the arrow and examined both the steel head and the spiralcoil of feathers upon the tip.

"Snowdrop does not know. She will ask her father; perhaps he cantell—but what is that tied around it?"

Then Jehiel observed, what had before escaped his notice, that a pieceof paper was wrapped about the arrow-stem, and he carefully removed it.

"Jewhillakens!" was his exclamation, as he recognized the handwriting.

He read it over to himself, while Snowdrop stood waiting for anexplanation.

Jehiel looked up with a puzzled expression—he did not know whether itwould be safe for him to tell her or not. He more than half-doubted thesincerity of the Blackfoot chief—at the same time, he had resolved toshoot him, should he find that Gray Eagle had deceived them.

And, he argued, what need he care for Snowdrop? She still insistedthat she would be no man's wife if she could not be the wife of WhitePanther.

Jehiel knew that there was no earthly hope for her in that direction,and he rather congratulated himself on the fact that he was not theonly one who would be disappointed.

"Waal, Snowdrop," he said, "this here letter is from Lew Kelly, thefeller what you call White Panther—"

"Where is he? What does he say?" eagerly demanded the Indian girl.

"He's all right," replied Jehiel, "and I'll read you what he says," andthe scout read:

As he concluded reading, the face of the Indian girl grew bright, andshe said:

"I am so glad! I shall see the White Panther once more."

"Yaas, I s'pose so," said Jehiel. "But you'll please to obsarve that hedidn't ask you to come along."

"No matter, I shall go!" was the positive reply.

"Waal, jest as you like; but if you want the old man to know any thingabout this gittin' on top of the hill, you'd better tell him—I won't!The infarnal old traitor! I wouldn't keer a durn if the Pawnees shouldlick him like blazes!"

Snowdrop went and told her father what the scout had written, and heimmediately sent several warriors to look for the pass.

The top of the hill was inaccessible except at one point, and a dozenwell-armed men could have guarded the plateau against all the Indiansin the territory.

The shades of night were just falling around the Indian camp, when,without a word as to their intentions, Jehiel and Snowdrop startedsouth, along the base of the hill, in search of the creek which was tolead them to the hiding-place of the brave scout.

CHAPTER XI.

CROW EAT CROW.

Upon returning to the menagerie room the old trapper still retained therope, of which he had as yet made no use. Seeing that the scout noticedit, he said:

"Yes, I didn't know but yer mought want ter draw yer friend up ter theropenin' uv ther cave, but yer seemed ter hev some other plans uv yerown; so now mebby we'd better improve the time ter go down inter therkasm."

"I should like to visit it before I leave," replied Kelly. "I am afraidwe shall never have another chance."

"What makes yer talk that a-way?" asked Bear-Paw.

"I don't know, indeed, but somehow I feel as if there was going to besome fighting around here, before this time to-morrow; and I have akind of foreordination that you and I will be mixed up in it."

"An' so hev I," replied the old trapper. "An' more nor that, I've erbig notion that I'll git killed, and yer won't! But it's time enuf tothink on that bime-by. Only ef I should happen ter go under, an' yerdon't, I want ye ter promise me yer will take the nigger gal with yer,an' take good care uv her es long she lives. She's ther only friend Ihev on airth, an' I'll leave enuf fur ter pervide fur her es long esshe lives. What do yer say?"

"That I will accept the trust, and guard her life as I would my own!"replied the scout.

"I knew yer would, and now let's go down."

He fastened one end of the rope round a projecting rock, and let theother fall into the darkness below.

"Does that rope reach to the bottom of the chasm?" asked Kelly.

"No," replied the old trapper, "not more nor half-way. But I've goter pair uv stairs thar what goes ter ther bottom. I'll go first, withthe light, then yer kin foller. Yer see ther rope is knotted, so thatyer won't hev much trouble in hangin' on—an' boy, jest stick sometorch-wood in yer belt, fur it's orful dark down thar."

The old trapper descended the rope with an agility surprising in one soold, and gave the signal for the scout to follow.

He soon found himself standing upon a ledge of rock, about six feetsquare, from which he could see steps leading down into the darknessbelow, evidently cut in the soft limestone rock.

To the scout there seemed no end to the steps, but he soon foundhimself walking along upon the level ground.

"Light er couple uv torches," said Bear-Paw, "an' I'll show yer moregold nor yer ever dreamed on."

The scout did so, and the old man's promise was fulfilled.

Some great convulsion of nature had rent in twain the mountain of rock,revealing on all sides countless seams—and they were filled withgold. What he had supposed to be pebbles under his feet, proved oninspection, to be nuggets of pure gold.

He thought not of the treasures by which he was surrounded, but of theGreat Architect who had planned it all; and reverently he bowed hishead, as if in the immediate presence of the Divine Master.

He was utterly overwhelmed by the magnificent grandeur of hissurroundings, and could easily have dreamed himself in fairy-land.Perhaps, when he had gone the way of all the living, strangers wouldcome here and the world would be electrified by the intelligence of themarvelous discoveries they would make.

He had pledged his word that he would not tell any one of the existenceof gold in that locality, and yet—poor human nature craved more.

The old trapper stood and watched him, as in mute adoration hecontemplated the scene, until finally he said:

"Ef yer wants er mule-load instead uv er back-load, jest help yerself!Ef I peg out in ther scrimmage what ar' sure to come to-morrer, then Iwon't hold yer to yer promise—yer kin take all yer want, an' tell whoyer please."

"I hope you may live many years, and enjoy the wealth that is yours!"replied the scout. "May I ask why you remain here in solitude? Itis not natural for men to live alone, and I do not believe you areobliged to hide from your fellow-man."

"Sometime," said the old man, "I will tell you my history. Then youwill not wonder that I choose to live alone!" Then fearing that thescout had detected the difference in his speech, into which he hadmomentarily been betrayed, he changed to his customary vernacular.

"Now that yer know ther way, yer kin come down an' help yerselfany time. An' now less git back, ur ther rest uv ther folks 'll bewonderin' whar we ar'."

In a short time they presented themselves before the fire; but it isdoubtful if Curtiss or the Indian girl had missed them at all.

They were seated where the scout had left them, and seemed no nearerthe end of their story than when they first began.

That old, old story, forever new!

When will men cease to tell it? and when will women weary of listening?

At first the scout was inclined to think that Curtiss was trifling withthe girl's affections; but he became satisfied that the young man was"really and truly" in love.

Thus far they had given the lie to the remark of Shakspeare (or someother man) that "the course of true love never runs smooth."

The coloredgal sat before the fire, smoking her pipe, and utterlyoblivious to all earthy matters, croning the air to some old hymn shehad learned—where?

She was never more surprised in her life than when the old trapper gaveher a slap upon the back, and said:

"Kem, gal, it's time ter go ter bed. This yer young feller hes got allhe kin do ter court one gal, an' he's proberbly thinkin' that yer roomis better nor yer company, eh? An' jest make a good bed fur ther leetlegal while yer about it."

The old woman did as she was bid, and soon all hands had sought theirrespective couches.

But did any of them sleep? Doubtful!

As the firelight flickered about, making strange and grotesque figuresupon the wall, all were awake, and trying, amid the dim shadows, tosolve the problem of life—to work out the destiny in store for them.

It is needless to say that in the doctrine of manifest destiny theywere firm believers; and, as they have all night before them, we willleave them for awhile, and record the events transpiring in anotherquarter.

The runners who had been sent out by Red Pine were particularlyfortunate in meeting several large parties of Sioux, who, in view ofthe reported fun and plunder ahead, hastened to join the chief.

So we find him all ready for marching, on the evening of the same daythat Gray Eagle and his band were about changing their quarters to thetop of the hill, within the dark recesses of which our friends laycastle-building.

As the darkness began to envelop the earth, Red Pine, at the head ofhis warriors, cautiously approached the camp of the Pawnees.

He was aware of their being there, and congratulated himself that nowhe would have a glorious revenge.

But White Wolf was watchful, and his warriors were in readiness to meetthe Sioux as soon as they came in sight.

He did not know that any new accessions had been made to the Siouxforces, and did not doubt that he could whip them as easily as he haddone once before.

But the Sioux made the attack soon after midnight, and the fortunes ofwar were decided in their favor. The Pawnees were completely routed.

Daylight revealed to the Blackfeet upon the hill the singular fact thatthe Pawnees were changed to Sioux.

The only avenue was well guarded, and Gray Eagle did not fear asurprise. His only anxiety, now, was for his daughter.

He had formed his camp very nearly in the center of the plateau, whichcovered an area of perhaps forty acres, so that discovery from belowwas an impossibility, as long as they kept away from the edge.

But in this case their curiosity obtained the mastery over theirprudence, and an incautious exposure of one's body convinced them thatthe Sioux were on the alert.

Before long the bill was surrounded by Indians, eager to find the passto the top, which they had not much trouble in doing, as they had onlyto follow the trail left by the Blackfeet.

An attempt to go up was met by the most disastrous result, the wholefile of Sioux warriors being swept from the path at the first blow.They withdrew to the foot of the hill near the pass, and resolved towait.

If the thing could be accomplished in no other way, Red Pine hadresolved to starve them out.

Gray Eagle had been improvident in not laying in a supply of provisionsbefore going up, and he saw his mistake—when it was too late.

About noon a loud shout was heard, and Gray Eagle, looking from the topof the hill, saw a great commotion in the Sioux camp.

The cause was soon apparent. They had taken a prisoner.

And Gray Eagle did not need a spy-glass to show him that the prisonerwas his daughter.

Red Pine did not care, now, for the lives that had been lost. He forgotfor the moment his habitual stoicism, and danced for joy.

"Waugh! the Blackfoot squaw has bad luck!" he said. "The warriors ofRed Pine have killed the Pawnees, and there is now no help for her. TheQueen of the Blackfeet shall yet sit in the lodge of a Sioux chief."

"Never!" exclaimed Snowdrop. "My people are near, and they will sweepthe Sioux from the earth."

"Let the Blackfoot maiden look up, and she will see that her fatherand his warriors are prisoners. There is but one path up there, andRed Pine will stay here until the last of the Blackfeet are starved todeath, if Snowdrop does not consent to be his squaw!"

Tradition had handed down to her the legend of the last of theIllinii—she knew how the remnant of a once powerful tribe had soughta refuge from their relentless foes, in just such a place as this. Sheknew that when the enemy had at last gained the top of the rock, theyfound only the dead bodies of that ill-fated band.

Was it possible that the tragic scene was to be re-enacted here, andthis hill become anotherStarved Rock?

She knew the fallacy of trying to oppose Red Pine in his ambition, so,like a sensible girl, she closed her mouth and walked away to the lodgeassigned her.

Red Pine was not without his misgivings. He knew that as long as hepleased, he could keep the Blackfeet from coming down the pass. Heknew, also, that they could make smoke-signals, which would call downupon him more Blackfoot warriors than he could successfully cope with;and though he had secured the principal prize, he dared not go backwithout his sister.

He was satisfied that she was somewhere among the hills with his lateprisoner, Curtiss, and he resolved to find her at all hazards.

The Blackfeet had withdrawn from the edge of the bluff, and an ominoussilence reigned around. Subtle influences were working upon the brainof the Sioux chief, and he wished himself out of the scrape.

How came the Blackfoot queen in his power?

Jehiel and Snowdrop, when they left the camp of her father to go insearch of the scout, soon came to a stream, up which they turned theirhorses' heads, and silently traveled on. After an hour's hard toilJehiel came to where the stream issued from a narrow cleft in the rock,and he was disappointed.

"There hain't any falls here!" he exclaimed. "I wonder why in thunderLew didn't say where the creek was, and not let a feller lose time intumblin' over these rocks—to say nothin' of tearin' his clothes?"

They returned to the place where they had entered the stream and againstarted on. Before long they found another, which Jehiel was sure wasthe right one, but his search for the falls had ended in precisely thesame manner as his first attempt.

And so they kept it up until long after midnight, when they tied theirhorses and lay down to sleep.

They did not awake until after daylight, but as there was no breakfastto cook, they had not long to wait, and again started on.

Up at least half a dozen streams they went, only to meet withdisappointment.

The forenoon was well-nigh spent, when they returned to the place oftheir last entrance, and again started around the hill.

Presently they came to a stream which was formed of two smaller ones;one upon each side of a spur in the hill.

"Now, Snowdrop," said Jehiel, "you go up one, and I will the other.We'll save time in that way, and if I find the falls I will fire myrifle—then you can come to me. If you find them first then you canfire yours. And if we don't neither one of us find it, then we'll meetag'in here."

Snowdrop still carried her father's rifle, and she consented to thehunter's plan, and at once began the ascent of the stream.

Jehiel had been fortunate enough to find the falls, and was about todischarge his rifle, when he heard the voice of the scout:

"Don't do that, Jehiel! Get in here as soon as you can."

"But, Lew, I told the little gal I'd shoot my gun off if I found youfirst."

"Oh, fudge! What did she come along for?" ejaculated the scout.

"You'll find out when she sees you," replied Jehiel.

While they were yet conversing they heard the report of a gun, whichJehiel recognized as that of his companion.

"What in thunder does that mean?" he asked.

Just at that moment there came a loud whoop from the same direction.

"It means that she has been taken prisoner by the Pawnees," said thescout.

"Waal, I'm goin' to find out for sure," returned the Yankee. "Come withme, Lew."

The two men proceeded down the stream until they came within sight ofthe place where Jehiel had parted with the Indian girl. Kelly caughthim by the arm and drew him back behind a projecting rock, at the sametime whispering:

"See—there goes a lot of them, and they have taken Snowdrop prisoner.They are not Pawnees, either, but Sioux! I wonder what it all means?"

Then he thought of a plan by which he hoped to entrap them, and rescuethe Indian girl.

"Is your gun loaded, Jehiel?" he asked.

"Sartin! Do you think I'm a fool?" replied Jehiel.

"Then let us have a shot at them."

Together they raised their guns and fired, and two Indians dropped deadin their tracks.

The rest, looking up the stream, saw the two white men, and a dozen ofthem sprung in pursuit.

"Now run for the falls," said Kelly, and he led the way.

They arrived at the opening several rods ahead of the Sioux.

"Here," said the scout; "you stay here, and shoot every one that makeshis appearance. I will take care of your horse."

He led the horse to the door leading to the middle room, and giving thesignal, was admitted without delay.

Passing in, he tied the horse near his own, and shouted:

"Come, Curtiss, Bear-Paw, get your guns and come out; there is some funfor you!"

The two men sprung up and followed him, and were soon beside Jehiel,waiting for the Sioux to make their appearance.

They soon heard them, moving cautiously up the creek until they arrivedopposite the opening, and there they stood gazing at the falls.

They had not yet discovered the entrance to the cave, and weredoubtless wondering where the white men could have disappeared sosuddenly.

"Fire!" cried Bear-Paw, and four of the Indians found a resting-placebeneath the waters of the stream.

The rest turned to run, but the party of whites sprung behind them, andbefore they could reach a protecting shelter of rock, four more weresent to their final account.

The scout and Jehiel started in pursuit of the remaining Sioux, but theold trapper called them back.

"Jest let 'em go, boys. Ef they don't bring back er pack uv thervarmint, then yer may say Old Bear-Paw's er liar. Then, yer see, we kincaptur' a good haul uv 'em."

When they were once more within the cave the old man asked Kelly whothe new-comer was.

"He is my pardner—the fellow I was telling you about the other day."

"He's er Yank, ain't he?"

"Yes," replied Kelly, "but he is all right—I will vouch for him."

"Wull, kem inter ther other room. Ther old gal must hev dinner ready bythis time, I reckon, an' we'll want er full stomach fur our arternoon'swork."

Their dinner consisted of a huge venison roast, strong coffee, and wildhoney; and though not an elaborate bill of fare, it was one to whichevery one of the party could do full justice.

After dinner the old trapper called Kelly to one side, and said:

"Thar's somebody a-top uv this yer hill, an' I'm er goin' ter find outwho it ar'. Wull yer go erlong?"

"Certainly," replied the scout.

Jehiel wanted to accompany them, but when the scout told him there wasdanger of soiling his clothes, he laughed and said he "b'lieved he'dstay there and have a nap."

CHAPTER XII.

COURTSHIP UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

The old trapper and Kelly made their way quietly to the top of the hillthrough the canyon before mentioned, and were immediately discovered bythe Blackfeet, who rushed for their arms and were about to fire uponthe two white men, when Gray Eagle interposed his authority, he havingrecognized the scout.

The two white men walked into the Blackfoot camp and seating themselvesbeside the fire, entered into conversation with the chief.

"Red Pine, the Sioux, has taken the daughter of Gray Eagle once more,"he said. "Can White Panther tell who is to rescue her?"

"It is as much your business as anybody's, I should say," replied thescout, who had heard what Gray Eagle had said about him to Jehiel andSnowdrop.

"Does White Panther remember his promise?"

"Yes. But it seems that the chief of the Blackfeet has forgotten his,"replied the scout.

"No. Gray Eagle never forgets! When the White Panther doesall hepromised, then the pale-faces can come and go when they please, amongthe Black Hills."

The scout felt the spirit of perverseness rising within him.

"I don't know as I care very much about it any more," he replied."It is all the same to me if Red Pine keeps the Blackfoot queen, andstarves her father to death—as it seems he can if he wants to. Jehieltold me all about it, chief, how you was going off home without makingan effort to find me, after I had risked my life half a dozen times foryou and your daughter!"

"Snowdrop loves the White Panther," suggested Gray Eagle.

"I don't care if she does; I don't love her, and I have told herso; and if she had not made a fool of herself by running after me,she would not now be in the hands of the Sioux. But no matter aboutthat—you don't love me, if she does; and I am half a mind to let theSioux starve you out."

"That will never be!" replied the chief. "Gray Eagle has made the smokesignals which will bring every warrior in the Blackfoot village tofight the Sioux. Then Gray Eagle can go down and fight them, too, andwhen he has killed them all, he will take White Panther prisoner, andmake him marry Snowdrop!"

"You must be an old fool!" retorted the scout. "But then, I won'tquarrel with you. When you get ready to take me prisoner, please let meknow, and perhaps I can help you—and, chief, if it should accidentallyhappen that you get taken yourself, let me know that, too; and if Idon't help you, it will be because I don't want to!"

The scout and his companion were turning to leave, when Gray Eagleasked:

"What is to hinder Gray Eagle from going down where his pale-facebrothers go?"

"Perhaps nothing—perhaps much!" replied the scout. "In the firstplace, there is some one down there who will shoot the first Indian hesees, whether Blackfoot or Sioux! That is reason enough, and if it wasnot, there is a better one—I don't want you to go down there!"

The old chief could not avoid showing surprise at the bold, andeven threatening language of the scout, and he concluded to adopt adifferent course.

"Would White Panther see the father of Snowdrop, who loves thepale-face, die here? Gray Eagle has nothing to eat."

"There is no one to blame but yourself," replied the scout. "You shouldhave brought up provisions enough to last you. Are you very hungry?"

"Yes," replied Gray Eagle.

"Then why don't you go down and fight the Sioux? They have plenty toeat, and the plains are covered with buffalo."

"The Sioux can not come up, neither can the warriors of Gray Eagle godown!"

"Then why don't you stand up here and pick them off, one at a time?If you could manage to shoot Red Pine, the rest would leave—then youcould go down and have things all your own way!"

The remarks of the scout were very tantalizing, and the old chiefnearly choked himself trying to smother his anger.

"Come, Bear-Paw," said the scout, "let's go to the edge of the bluffand see what the Sioux are up to. You come too, chief."

The three cautiously approached the edge of the cliff and looked downupon the Sioux camp.

Every thing was quiet there—the warriors were lying around on thegrass—smoking, sleeping or gambling, as they pleased.

Snowdrop was sitting at the door of a rudely-constructed teepe, herhead bowed in meditation; while twenty yards away stood the Siouxchief, engaged in a like manner. None of them had yet observed thethree figures above them.

"Gray Eagle, have you a bow and arrows?" asked the scout.

"Yes," replied the chief.

"Get it, then, and send an arrow down to Snowdrop. I want her to lookup here."

The chief did so, and a glad smile filled the Indian girl's face whenshe saw the scout with her father.

Now that she knew he was safe, she trusted with all her loving woman'sheart that he would rescue her from her captors.

Just then two Indians, who had been amusing themselves with a pack ofgreasy cards, looked up and saw them, and with a loud yell they sprungfor their guns.

"Le's salt them fellers," said the old trapper, now speaking for thefirst time since he left the cave.

The two white men discharged their rifles.

Immediately all was commotion in the Sioux camp. A hundred armed mensprung to their feet, but there were none of the enemy in sight; andthe howlings over the bodies of their slain warriors were both long andloud.

The scout and Bear-Paw then returned to the cave, and seated themselvesbeside the fire, and for a few minutes had all they could do to answerJehiel's questions.

"If the Blackfoot chief had any spunk at all, he could easily drivethe Sioux away," said Kelly; "but it seems as if he was completelydiscouraged. I'll just bet, if it was me, I would make a big hole intheir ranks before dark!"

"Oh, Lew!" exclaimed Jehiel, as a new idea struck him, "let's meand you go up and take the contrack of lickin' the Sioux! Mebbe wecould make some kind of a swap with old Gray Eagle, and get a load ofbeaver-skins to carry home with us. What do you say?"

"I say that we can have a load of something better to carry, withoutrunning any risk."

"I don't know of any thing any better," said Jehiel. "Beaver andmink fetch a good price, now-a-days, and we kin make our 'tarnalfortunes—pervidin', of course, we kin git the contrack. But then,mebbe, arter we'd licked the Sioux, old Gray Eagle wouldn't pay us forit—he's an o'nery old thief. What do you suppose is the reason, Lew,that Snowdrop don't fall in love with me? Ain't I good-lookin' enough?Can't I shoot as good as the best of them—and hain't I done enough forher, I'd like to know?"

"I'm sure I can not tell, Jehiel. Have you said any thing to her aboutit?"

"Yaas, and she give me the mitten quicker 'n spat!" said Jehiel.

"Well, don't get discouraged—perhaps she will come around all rightyet. Now, Jehiel, supposing you were rich enough to go back to Vermontand buy out the richest man in your county, would you want to marry anIndian girl?"

"In course I would! Darn it all, Lew, I love the gal, and I don't carewhether she is white or black, red or yellow! 'Sides, there hain't nochance to speculate out here. And I don't never expect to get richhere."

"Sit still a minute, and I will convince you to the contrary," saidKelly, and he produced the bag of gold which the old trapper had givenhim, and poured the contents out before the astonished Jehiel.

"Thunder, Lew! Where did you get all this? Is there any more wherethis come from? Du tell me if it's all your'n?"

"One question at a time, Jehiel—they will last the longer. In thefirst place, this bag of gold was a present to me from our friendBear-Paw; and I assure you there is plenty more where this camefrom—and this is all mine. Under certain circumstances I shall be atliberty to show you where it came from, and to furnish you enough tomake you richer than the wealthiest man in the State of Vermont! But,if those circumstances never transpire, then I will divide this withyou."

The scout would have revealed the secret of the chasm, but he did notfeel at liberty to do so, as the old trapper had trusted to his honor.He turned to Bear-Paw, and said:

"Will you show Jehiel your menagerie?"

"Sartin, ef he wants ter see 'em," replied the old man, leading the wayto the chasm.

Jehiel had not the slightest intimation of what was before him, and hisastonishment was unbounded when they arrived at the chasm.

"Jewhillakens!" he exclaimed. "S'pose a feller should walk off heresometime, would he ever touch bottom?"

He received no reply, for had there been any, he was too much surprisedjust then to have heard it. He saw the old trapper swing off on the endof the rope, and heard him when he stopped upon the opposite side, andwaved his torch as a signal for the scout to catch the rope.

"Now," said Kelly, "you go over."

Jehiel showed signs of cowardice.

"How fur is it over there?" he asked.

"About sixty feet," was the reply.

"But durn it, Lew, I might fall and break my tarnal neck."

"Oh! there is no danger of that—all you have to do is to hang on tothe rope; and you see there is a big knot in the end, so that yourhands won't slip."

"But what's the use in goin' over there? Hain't there plenty of roomhere?"

"Yes, I suppose so; but I want to show you something on the otherside," replied the scout.

"Wal, I hain't afraid, in course, but if it hain't necessary I won'tgo!"

"Itis necessary!" answered the scout.

"Wal, if I must, I must; but the Lord knows I don't want to! And Lew,if I fall and kill myself, I shall always blame you."

"All right! I'll take the blame—you hang on to the rope."

Jehiel let his weight bear on the rope, shut his eyes, and raising hisfeet from the floor, soon felt himself swinging through space at a ratethat made him hold his breath, and tighten his grip upon the rope. Hewould have retained his hold and swung back again, had not the oldtrapper seized him by the arm and stopped him.

They were soon joined by the scout, and proceeded at once to themenagerie.

Here the old trapper stuck his torch in the ground, and spoke with avoice trembling with emotion:

"Here's my pets—jest ther best lot uv b'ars an' painters I eversee'd—an' I've got ter leave 'em! I didn't think uv thet when I got'em here, sech little fellers; but now I feel thet I'm er goin ter die,an' thar won't be nobody ter take care uv 'em, an' love 'em as I do!"

Seeing his evident distress, Kelly said:

"If there was any way to get them away from here, and to thesettlements, I would agree to take care of them for you. But don't giveway to such feelings, Bear-Paw—you may live many years yet to enjoythe companionship of your pets."

The old man bowed his head and remained silent. After a time he asked:

"Do you care any thing about ther daughter uv ther Blackfoot chief?"

"No, I do not," replied Kelly. "And yet I would rather see her in otherhands. If I could only rescue her, and get the Sioux chief's scalp, Ishould be happy! Then Gray Eagle could have no excuse for not keepinghis promise to me."

"Then I'll help yer; an' I reckon we kin do it ef anybody kin!" saidthe old man.

"I don't think of any way that we can do it, though."

"Kin yer talk the Blackfoot language?"

"Yes," replied the scout.

"Then let's go ter ther openin' whar we war ther other day, an' mebbyyer kin git er chance ter say suthin ter her."

They proceeded to the opening, before described, passing the guard,Barnum, after considerable trouble; for the animal was unusually crossthat day, having been some time without food.

Here the scout mounted the ladder, and was soon peering through afissure at the Sioux camp. Two hours before, he had been upon the hillnearly a hundred feet above his present position.

Again fortune favored him, for he saw the Indian girl approaching thestream close by where he stood.

The scout waited until she had reached the water's edge, when he gave alow whistle.

She looked up, and he spoke to her, making use of the Blackfootdialect, which, for the convenience of the reader we will interpret.

"Snowdrop," said the scout, "when it is dark, come to the place whereyou are now, and I will take you away. Bring the Sioux chief with you,that I may take him a prisoner."

"Is it White Panther who speaks?" asked the girl.

"Yes."

"Snowdrop will come."

The conversation had not been heard by the Sioux, and Snowdrop returnedto her teepe, while Kelly descended the ladder and stood beside hisfriends. The three then returned to the main room to await the comingof night.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE MENAGERIE TO THE RESCUE.

About the time that Snowdrop returned to her teepe, a scout camerunning into the Sioux camp with the intelligence that a large herd ofbuffalo were in sight, a few miles to the east; and within five minutestwo-thirds of the Sioux, including the chief, Red Pine, had gone inpursuit of them.

Those within the cave knew nothing of this movement, while theBlackfeet at the top, though aware of it, were afraid to make an attack.

Had they been allowed to make use of the pass through which Kelly andthe trapper went up and down, every one of them could have left thehill and given battle to the few Sioux who were left to guard the passand the camp.

Two days without food had not produced a very enviable state of feelingamong the Blackfoot braves. Treason was rife among them. Mutterings ofdiscontent arose on every hand, and those who all their lives had beenaccustomed to render the strictest obedience, now felt the spirit ofrebellion.

The young chief, who had led the party from their village, was loud inhis denunciations of the policy adopted by the old chief. He used everyargument in his power to prove that the old man was in his dotage, andunfit to be intrusted with the government of the nation.

It is quite probable that had he put the question to an actual vote, atthat time, the "house" would have been divided in his favor; and it isequally probable that had Gray Eagle known what was "in the wind," theyoung chief's head would have had something in it besides brains.

But Red Pine was not the first man who has stood aghast at that biglittle word,If.

The old trapper, after consulting with the scout, concluded that itwould be best not to say anything to the rest of the party respectingtheir plans. So that when the shadows of twilight were beginning toclose around the Black Hills, the two silently withdrew and crossed thechasm to the rear opening.

The hunting party of the Sioux had not yet returned, and Snowdrop wouldnot come until she could bring the Sioux chief with her.

The scout was not long in determining the cause of her delay, when hesaw the hunting party coming across the plain.

He explained the situation of affairs to Bear-Paw.

"But," he said, "the girl will surely come, and she will bring thechief with her. Now, if you have another rope, I can make a lasso, andwhen she brings him near the rock I will throw it over his head; andwe can draw him up without killing him. We can draw the girl up in thesame way."

"I've got er rope, an' we'll jest do it as yer hev' planned," repliedthe old man.

He then led his pet, Barnum, into the menagerie, where he secured himamong the rest.

"Thar," he said, "you're all on yer crosser nor ther dickens, an'thet's all right! I'll hev' some work fur yer purty soon, an' I'll payyer in raw Injuns. Jest keep quiet now till I kem fur yer—then yer mayhowl, an' snarl, an' fight, an' kill jest all yer a mind ter!"

Then he secured more ropes and took them to the edge of the chasm,where he deposited them upon the floor. Evidently he was looking ahead.Selecting a long, small one he returned to the scout.

Kelly soon had the running noose made in the lasso, and stood awaitingthe appearance of Snowdrop and the Sioux chief. Presently he heard thevoice of the Indian girl, saying:

"Let the great chief of the Sioux go with Snowdrop to the other side ofthe stream, where she can talk to him without his warriors hearing.Snowdrop had words that the chief alone must hear."

Red Pine was flattered and readily consented to the arrangement. Hehoped that the Blackfoot maiden had changed her mind, and was about tocomply with his wishes.

When they were standing upon the opposite side the girl said:

"Snowdrop can not see her people starve to death! Will not the greatchief of the Sioux let them come down?"

"If the Blackfoot Queen will go with Red Pine, and be his squaw, thenher father and his people may come down. Red Pine will divide his meatwith them, and the two tribes shall be at peace forever!"

"Snowdrop will go with the chief of the Sioux, and will be his wife—ifthere is no other way to save her father's life."

"There is no other way! The Blackfoot Queen has made Red Pine happy! Hewill now take his warriors away from the pass, and Gray Eagle may comedown."

Snowdrop did not know what to say. She was not quite sure that thescout was there, or feared that he had been there and left againbecause she was too late.

She did not see the tall form of the scout rise from the rock, not adozen feet above where she stood; she did not see the coil of ropeshoot out and descend square over the head of the chief.

But she did see the noose slip down over his arms and tighten.

She saw him raised from the ground, and hang suspended in mid-air. Shesaw another rope lowered to her, and heard the scout say:

"Hang on to that, Snowdrop, and I will pull you up!"

She seized the rope and was soon beside the scout. She flung her armsaround his neck, and was about to thank him, when the old trapperinterrupted:

"No time fur foolin' now! Take her, Kelly, an' cross ther kasm withher, an' hurry back ter me!"

The scout did as requested, and came back to the opening.

The body of the Sioux chief still swung in the air, and he wasexercising his lungs by calling upon his warriors for help. When thetrapper saw that the whole Sioux camp was astir, he said, "Now lesssnake him in!"

The scout seized the rope with him, and in an incredibly short space oftime the Sioux chief was within the cave. Dragging him to the edge ofthe chasm, the old trapper tied his hands behind him and bound his feettogether.

"Here, Kelly," he said, "now yer strap him onter my back, an' I'lltake him over thar. Yer kin stay here ef yer wants ter see some funarterwards!"

The Sioux chief was tied to the back of the old trapper, who swung off,and landing in safety upon the other side, called Jehiel to come andtake him off.

This done, the old trapper returned to the scout. "Now then, fur therend," he said.

By this time the Sioux were pouring into the cave.

"Quick!" exclaimed the old man. "Git inter ther menagery!"

He began at once releasing the hungry animals, and then Kellyunderstood the horrid doom to which Bear-Paw was about to consign theSioux.

"Here, Barnum, yer kin go first! Fight, scratch, bite, any way terkill; only kill all yer kin! An' here, yer, Andy Jackson, pile out tharan' help yer brother!"

The other animals were let loose, and with fearful screams they sprungfor the opening, closely followed by the scout and Bear-Paw.

The work of carnage was soon ended in the cave, but the infuriatedanimals did not pause here.

Down they dashed upon the horror-stricken Sioux, who mingled theiryells of despair with the fearful screams of the panthers, and the roarof the grizzlies.

Those of the Sioux who were not disabled mounted their horses and spedaway over the plain, to carry the tale of their fearful, ingloriousdefeat to the Sioux village.

The animals did not pursue them very far, but fell to eating the hugehams of buffalo, which the Sioux had brought in for an altogetherdifferent purpose. They were soon gorged to their fullest extent, andof their own accord returned to the room in the cave which they had solong occupied.

"I'm er goin' down ter see what ther critters hev left," said Bear-Paw."I won't be gone but er minit."

He was about to descend, when a wounded Sioux at the bottom of the rockraised his gun, and sent the contents into the body of the old trapper.

At that distance it could but prove fatal. It was the last spasmodiceffort of the Sioux, and his life went out with it.

The old trapper fell back into the arms of the scout, who bore him tothe inner room, and laid him upon a pile of furs beside the fire.

Through all the exertions of the scout to restore life, the old man laysenseless.

For nearly an hour he remained in this state, while his friends lookedon in mute sympathy.

When his consciousness returned, he recognized the scout, and said:

"Kelly, yesterday I told you I would sometime relate the story of mylife, and I will do it now, if God spares my life long enough. I havefelt a strange presentiment of evil for several days, and now I knowthat I have but a few hours to live, and I will be as brief as possible.

"I told you to call me Bear-Paw—my true name is Gallaudet. I was bornin Scotland, and my father emigrated to this country when I was tenyears of age. I say emigrated, but he did not. He started, but thevessel never reached America.

"When nearly in the middle of the Atlantic, the vessel was wrecked ina storm, and all but four perished. My parents found a grave in theocean, while through an inscrutable dispensation of Divine Providence,I was saved. Three days after the storm, we were picked up by a vesselbound for New Orleans, where we arrived in due season.

"When the story of our misfortunes became known, I was offered a homewith a wealthy gentleman of that city, and was by him educated, andstarted in business. When I was twenty-one my kind guardian died,leaving no family but one lovely daughter.

"She became my wife, and for five years longer we lived happilytogether.

"At that time I engaged in a speculation which proved disastrous, and Iawoke one morning to find the bulk of my fortune swept away. I resolvedto go to California, and to that end set out with a party of emigrants,taking with me my wife and the little golden-haired daughter who hadbeen born during the first year of our married life, and also thiscolored woman, whom you see here.

"Near the western borders of Texas, the train was attacked by Apaches,and I saw my wife struck down before me, and my little one carried off.With no friend left but old Chloe, and no property but my rifle, I wastempted to take my own life, but better counsel prevailed.

"There is no need to tell you of the many years since then—how, afterlong wanderings, I found myself among these hills, and while trapping,discovered the entrance to this cave. Here Chloe and I have lived thesemany weary, weary years. The animals you have seen were taken whenyoung, and have lost all their desire to leave here.

"It pains me more than you can well imagine to leave them, for theyhave been a comfort, even to my broken heart. I would rather kill themmyself than to know that they would ever suffer ill-treatment at thehands of another.

"It was a singular fancy of mine to print upon the left arm of mydaughter, just above the elbow, a square and compass, in India ink.But I have long since given up all hope of ever meeting her on earth.When I first saw the Sioux girl, Nulela, I was struck by the remarkableresemblance she bore my wife. Indeed, she is the perfect picture of mylost one at her age. But she says she is the sister of the Sioux chief,and for the last time, my hopes are blasted. Should you ever meet awoman bearing upon her arm that figure, tell her how her father died.

"You have promised me, Kelly, that you would take care of my oldservant, and I have faith to believe you. It will not be for many years.

"To you I give the furs in this room. There are many of them, wellpreserved and very valuable. To you I also give the secret of thechasm. You will find enough there to make you all rich—richer thanyour wildest fancy could ever picture! And now I have one more requestto make. It is that you will bury me in the bottom of the chasm—willyou do it?"

"It shall be done," sobbed the scout.

The old man sunk back upon his couch, patiently and silently awaitingthe coming of the dread messenger, Death.

But it possessed no terrors for him.

The Sioux chief spoke to his sister:

"Let Nulela show her arm to the old man."

The girl tore the sleeve from her left arm, and displayed to thewondering group the blue figure of a square and compass thereon.

"Bear-Paw was right, after all," said the scout. "When he awakes wewill tell him."

The old man moved restlessly. His pulse was growing faster and weaker.

"I thought I saw her," he murmured.

"Who?"

"My angel wife and my little Marguerite."

"Look here, Bear-Paw," and the scout held up Nulela's arm so that hecould see the figures thereon.

"It is her—my daughter—my long-lost daughter!" and father and childwere locked in a loving embrace.

His mind wandered:

"Wife, wife—I am coming—I have found her at last!"

His arms, clasped about the neck of his daughter, slowly relaxed, andwith the sacred name of wife upon his lips, the old man's soul went outto meet the loved ones beyond the River of Death.

CHAPTER XIV.

JUST AS EXPECTED.

But little remains for us to tell.

The body of the old trapper was taken to the bottom of the chasm, andburied. After they had returned to the fire—for they all accompaniedthe old man to his last resting-place—the scout called Snowdrop tohim, and said:

"Will you go to the top of the cliff, and bring your father down here?I must see him!"

"Snowdrop will go," replied the girl.

The scout led the way to the main entrance, and showed her the pass upwhich she was to climb, and in a short time he saw her enter the cavernaccompanied by her father.

Kelly led the way to the inner cave, and then addressed the old chief:

"Does Gray Eagle remember his promise?"

"Yes: Gray Eagle never forgets! It was that if the White Panther shouldtake his daughter from Red Pine, and bring him the scalp of the chief,there should be peace between the Blackfeet and the pale-face forever!"

"Your memory is pretty good, chief," replied Kelly. "Now you have yourdaughter—here is Red Pine, scalp and all! Are you satisfied?"

"It is well! Gray Eagle will do as he has promised; but he will takethe Sioux dog to the village of the Blackfeet, and torture him todeath."

"Well, take him and go! And I warn you never to come near this placeagain—a sudden and fearful death awaits you if you do. Now go!"

The old chief removed the cord which bound the feet of Red Pine, neverdoubting but that he could keep possession so long as his hands weretied.

Red Pine rose to his feet and said:

"A chief of the Sioux does not fear to die! Let the Blackfoot lead theway!"

Gray Eagle was about to reply when Red Pine broke from his grasp, andsprung in the direction of the rear entrance.

All was darkness there, and he seemed to have forgotten the existenceof the chasm.

He made the discovery too late!

The yell of defiance changed to one of terror as the Sioux wentwhirling down to the bottom of the chasm, and the pursuers were onlyin time to hear the echoes of the dullthud as he struck the rockybottom, a shapeless mass of flesh.

Gray Eagle recoiled in horror from the brink of the chasm and the partyreturned to the fire.

"Come," said the old chief to his daughter—but she did not stir.

"Snowdrop loves the White Panther, and will never leave him again!"

Gray Eagle did not know what to say or do, neither did the scout;but he saw that something must be done, and he dreaded a scene. Heapproached the Indian girl, and taking her hand said:

"It may be a disappointment to you, Snowdrop, but it is one you willlive through. You must obey your father! In the morning I shall startfor my home, and you can not go along! I shall probably never see youagain—so you may as well give up this love notion of yours. I wouldrather be a brother to you, and will always be your friend—nothingmore. Now go with your father!"

The Blackfoot queen bowed her head, and sobbed aloud.

So rude a repulse—so decided a refusal, kindly spoken, it is true, butfirmly—such a wealth of tender soul-love to be cast aside—was morethan she could bear.

"Look a-here," said Jehiel, once more taking hope, "you know I loveyou, desput bad, Snowdrop. Hain't I rescued you from the durned Indianshalf a dozen times? S'posen you take me? You can't git Lew, that'ssartin! We'll stay right here—I'll buy the old man's traps, and we'lljest be as happy as any two kittens!"

What a strange revulsion of feeling!

Snowdrop put her hand in Jehiel's and said:

"Snowdrop will stay, and be the wife of Long Hunter!"

What need to recount the homeward journey—unless the reader may wishto know what became of the other characters?

Captain Curtiss and the lovely Nulela were married immediately upontheir arrival in Yankton—the nearest place where a minister could befound.

Lew Kelly made happy the heart of his little wife by his return. Hegave up scouting, for the gift of Bear-Paw had placed him beyond theneed of work. He is one of our living heroes, and could, undoubtedly,have told this story much better than I have done.

As neither Snowdrop nor Jehiel had any conscientious scruples aboutmarriage, they remained where they were. Jehiel still inhabits the cavein the Black Hills, happy as mortal can well be, in the love of theBlackfoot Queen.

THE END.

DIME POCKET NOVELS.

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY.

1—Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes.

2—Dead Shot. By Albert W. Aiken.

3—The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis.

4—Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

5—Nat Wolfe. By Mrs. M. V. Victor.

6—The White Tracker. Edward S. Ellis.

7—The Outlaw's Wife. Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.

8—The Tall Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken.

9—Lightning Jo. By Capt. Adams.

10—The Island Pirate. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

11—The Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes.

12—Bess, the Trapper. By E. S. Ellis.

13—The French Spy. By W. J. Hamilton.

14—Long Shot. By Capt. Comstock.

15—The Gunmaker. By James L. Bowen.

16—Red Hand. By A. G. Piper.

17—Ben, the Trapper. By Lewis W. Carson.

18—Wild Raven. By Oll Coomes.

19—The Specter Chief. By Seelin Robins.

20—The B'ar-Killer. By Capt. Comstock.

21—Wild Nat. By Wm. R. Eyster.

22—Indian Jo. By Lewis W. Carson.

23—Old Kent, the Ranger. Edward S. Ellis.

24—The One-Eyed Trapper. Capt. Comstock.

25—Godbold, the Spy. By N. C. Iron.

26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner.

27—Single Eye. By Warren St. John.

28—Indian Jim. By Edward S. Ellis.

29—The Scout. By Warren St. John.

30—Eagle Eye. By W. J. Hamilton.

31—The Mystic Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis.

32—The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck.

33—The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter.

34—Old Lute. By E. W. Archer.

35—Rainbolt, Ranger. By Oll Coomes.

36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis.

37—Carson, the Guide. By J. H. Randolph.

38—The Heart Eater. By Harry Hazard.

39—Wetzel, the Scout. By Boynton Belknap.

40—The Huge Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis.

41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. Paul Prescott.

42—Lynx-cap. By Paul Bibbs.

43—The White Outlaw. By Harry Hazard.

44—The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey.

45—The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard.

46—Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham.

47—The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe.

48—The Phantom Tracker. By F. Dewey.

49—Moccasin Bill. By Paul Bibbs.

50—The Wolf Queen. By Charles Howard.

51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer.

52—The Mad Chief. By Chas. Howard.

53—The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing.

54—Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard.

55—Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs.

56—The River Rifles. By Billex Muller.

57—Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff.

58—Cloudwood. By J. M. Merrill.

59—The Texas Hawks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

60—Merciless Mat. By Capt. Chas. Howard.

61—Mad Anthony's Scouts. By E. Rodman.

62—The Luckless Trapper. Wm. R. Eyster.

63—The Florida Scout. Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

64—The Island Trapper. Chas. Howard.

65—Wolf-Cap. By Capt. Chas. Howard.

66—Rattling Dick. By Harry Hazard.

67—Sharp-Eye. By Major Max Martine.

68—Iron-Hand. By Frederick Forest.

69—The Yellow Hunter. By Chas. Howard.

70—The Phantom Rider. By Maro O. Rolfe.

71—Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard.

72—Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard.

73—The Skeleton Scout. Maj. L. W. Carson.

74—Little Rifle. By Capt. "Bruin" Adams.

75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson.

76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. "Bruin" Adams.

77—The Scarlet Shoulders. Harry Hazard.

78—The Border Rifleman. L. W. Carson.

79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard.

80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. R. Ringwood.

81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve.

82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard.

83—The Specter Horseman. Frank Dewey.

84—The Three Trappers. Seelin Robins.

85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N.

86—The Hunter Hercules. Harry St. George.

87—Phil Hunter. By Capt. Chas. Howard.

88—The Indian Scout. By Harry Hazard.

89—The Girl Avenger. By Chas. Howard.

90—The Red Hermitess. By Paul Bibbs.

91—Star-Face, the Slayer.

92—The Antelope Boy. By Geo. L. Aiken.

93—The Phantom Hunter. By E. Emerson.

94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot. By M. Klapp.

95—The Red Wizard. By Ned Hunter.

96—The Rival Trappers. By L. W. Carson.

97—The Squaw Spy. By Capt. Chas. Howard.

98—Dusky Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

99—Colonel Crockett. By Chas. E. Lasalle.

100—Old Bear-Paw. By Major Max Martine.

101—Redlaw. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

102—Wild Rube. By W. J. Hamilton.

103—The Indian Hunters. By J. L. Bowen.

104—Scarred Eagle. By Andrew Dearborn.

105—Nick Doyle. By P. Hamilton Myers.

106—The Indian Spy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

107—Job Dean. By Ingoldsby North.

108—The Wood King. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

109—The Scalped Hunter. By Harry Hazard.

110—Nick, the Scout. By W. J. Hamilton.

111—The Texas Tiger. By Edward Willett.

112—The Crossed Knives. By Hamilton.

113—Tiger-Heart, the Tracker. By Howard.

114—The Masked Avenger. By Ingraham.

115—The Pearl Pirates. By Starbuck.

116—Black Panther. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

117—Abdiel, the Avenger. By Ed. Willett.

118—Cato, the Creeper. By Fred. Dewey.

119—Two-Handed Mat. By Jos. E. Badger.

120—Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard.

121—Black Nick. By Frederick Whittaker.

122—Kit Bird. By W. J. Hamilton.

123—The Specter Riders. By Geo. Gleason.

124—Giant Pete. By W. J. Hamilton.

125—The Girl Captain. By Jos. E. Badger.

126—Yankee Eph. By J. R. Worcester.

127—Silverspur. By Edward Willett.

128—Squatter Dick. By Jos. E. Badger.

129—The Child Spy. By George Gleason.

130—Mink Coat. By Jos. E. Badger.

131—Red Plume. By J. Stanley Henderson.

132—Clyde, the Trailer. By Maro O. Rolfe.

133—The Lost Cache. J. Stanley Henderson.

134—The Cannibal Chief. Paul J. Prescott.

135—Karaibo. By J. Stanley Henderson.

136—Scarlet Moccasin. By Paul Bibbs.

137—Kidnapped. By J. Stanley Henderson.

138—Maid of the Mountain. By Hamilton.

The following will be issued in the order and on the dates indicated:

139—The Scioto Scouts. By Edward Willett. Ready October 21st.

140—The Border Renegade. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready Nov. 4th.

141—The Mute Chief. By C. D. Clark. Ready November 18th.

142—Boone, the Hunter. By Frederick Whittaker. Ready December 2d.

143—Mountain Kate. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready December 16th.

144—The Red Scalper. By W. J. Hamilton. Ready December 30th.

145—The Lone Chief. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready January 13th.

146—The Silver Bugle. By Lieut. Col. Hazleton. Ready January 27th.

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Address, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.