Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1104 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

10 —_——_—————— ee oe arrangement about the manner in which we are going to travel. Double caution is now necessary.” “T will keep my eyes upon the trail, as I have done all along, and see that we don’t walk into a hornet’s nest with our eyes shut. You can help keep a look-out, while you, Graham, who have been so lucky thus far in stumbling upon what neither of us saw, will watch for more signs. Just as like as not, that Jones has been clever enough to give us some more good directions.”’ Each understanding his duty, now prepared to ful- fill it. The progress was necessarily slow, from the extreme caution exercised. The hunter had paornccen but a short distance when he noticed his shadow was cast upon the ground; and, looking up, he saw, to_his regret, that the full moon was in the heavens. This was unfor- tunate for them; for, although it discovered the trail with as much certainty as in the day, and thus as- sisted them in the pursuit, yet the chances of their approach being made known to the Indians was al- most certain. ** Hist!’ suddenly called Graham, in a whisper. ‘““What’s up now?” asked the hunter, turning stealthily around. ‘*Some more writing from Seth.” Haverland and Haldidge approached. Graham was stooping beside a flat stone endeavoring to de- cipher some-characters upon it. The light of the moon, although quite strong, was hardly sufficient. By dint of patience and perseverance they succeed- ed in reading the following: “ Be very careful. Theimps begin tosuspect; they have seen me making signs, and are suspicious, They keep a close watch on the gal. Remember the sig- nal when you come up with us. Yours, in haste, but nevertheless with great respect, ‘SeTru Jones, Esq.”’ It was now evident that they were in close proxim- ity to the savages. After a moment’s hurried de- bate, it was decided that Haldidge should walk at a greater distance ahead than heretofore, and com- municate instantly with his companions upon dis- covering the camp. Slowly, silently and cautiously the three moved erean. A half-hour later, Graham touched the shoulder of Haverland and pointed meaningly ahead. A red reflection was seen in the branches overhead; and as they stood in silence, the glimmer of a light was seen through the trees. The next instant the hunter stood beside them. ‘+ We've come to them at last,’’ he whispered; ** see that your priming is all right, and make up your mind for hot work.”’ They had already done this, and were anxious for the contest to be decided. Their hearts beat high, as they realized how near the deadly conflict was, and even the hunter’s breath was short and hurried. But there was no faltering or wavering, and they moved stealthily forward. CHAPTER XITT, SOME EXPLANATIONS, Tue village of the Mohawks was at a considerable distance from the spot where had once stood the home of the woodman, and incumbered as they were with plunder, their progress was necessarily slow; besides, knowing full well that pursuit would be useless upon the part of the whites, their was no oc- caston to hasten their steps. When, however, Seth Jones’ unceremonious entrance among them, to- gether with the escape of his new companion and the subsequent report of the smaller party with Ina, was made ono the old chief began to have some mis- ivings about his fancied security. It occurred to im that there might be a large party of whites on the trail, and in such case, his greatest skill was re- quired to retain the captives. And here was the trouble. If he was pursued—and upon that point there could be no doubt—his progress must be has- tened. His pursuers would follow with the swiftness of vengeance, With the plunder in their possession, the thing was impossible, and he saw, at length, that stratagem must be resorted to. ; He selected six of his bravest and fleetest warriors —two of whom had been Graham's most troublesome enemies in his fearful chase—and placed Ina in their charge, with instructions to make all haste to the Indian village. Before starting, it occurred to him that the best plan would be to send the white man also with them. Were he to remain with the larger party, in case of attack, his presence, he had reason to fear, would be their own destruction, while six savages fully armed and ever vigilant, could surely guard an unarmed idiot and a woman. The chief, as stated, was satisfied he was pursued. Hence, if he could throw his pursuers off the scent, their discomfiture would be certain. He believed this could be done, Wow well he succeeded, has al- ready been shown. The six savages with their charge parted from the larger party, and struck off rapidly in.a direction diverging to the north. Their trail was so concealed as to give the impression that there were but three, and this deception we have seen misled the hunter. A piece of Ina’s dress was urposoly lodged upon a bush, in the rear of the arger party: and promiscuously and“hopefully, the chief leisurely continued his way with his dusky fol- lowers. After the parties had parted company, the smaller one hastened rapidly forward. Ina, in charge of a stalwart, athletic Indian, was kept to the front, the more effectually to conceal her trail, while Seth kept his position near the center of the file. He was al- lowed the free use of his hands, though, as has been remarked, he was deprived of his weapons. As they journeyed hastily forward, he made it a point to enlighten them as much as possible by his conver- sation, and certain original remarks. —— ees Beadle’s Half-Dime Library —— — eee + ee - eee ‘*Tf you have no objection, I wouldn’t mind know- ing your idea in thus leaving the other Injins, eh?” he remarked, quizzically, to the savage in front. No 5 being given, he continued: ‘I s’pose you're thinking about that house you burnt down, and»feeling bad—oh, you ain't, eh?” suddenly remarked Seth, as the Indian glared fierce- ly at him. “Tt was a bad trick, I allow,’”’ he continued, “ enough to make a fellur mad, | swow. That house, I shouldn’t wonder now, took that Haverland a week to finish; ’twas an ugly piece of business—yes, sir. At intervals the savages exchanged a word with each other, and once or twice one of them took the back trail, evidently to ascertain whether they had any pursuers. Finding they had not, they slackened their speed somewhat, as Ina had given signs of fa- tizue, and they believed there was really no occasion for hastening. But the weariness which the fair captive had endured, so increased, that long before the sun had reached its meridian, they halted for a half-hour’s rest. This was at the crossing of a small, sparkling stream. As the sun was now quite hot, and the atmosphere thick and heavy, the rest in the cool shadows of the trees was doubly refreshing. Ina seated herself upon the cool moist earth, her captors preserving, singularly enough, a far more vigilant watch over her than over Seth Jones; but, for that matter, the latter was allowed no very spe- cial freedom. A couple of Indians again took the back trail, for prudent reasons, but met with nothing to excite their apprehensions. In the meantime, Seth continued tumbling over the ground, occasionally giving vent to ment of song, and now and then a sage remark. Without being noticed, he picked a small chalky pebble from the margin of the brook, and working his way to a large flat stone, executed, with many flourishes, the writing to which we referred in a preceding chapter. Although cleverly done, this latter “act did not es- cape the eyes of the suspicious savages. One imme- diately arose, and walking to him, pointed down and gruffly asked: ‘What that?” ‘Read it fur yourself,’’ replied Seth, innocently. ‘* What that?” repeated the savage, menacingly. ‘A little flourishing I was executing, jist to pass away time. “Ugh!” grunted the Indian, and, dipping his big foot in the brook, he irreverently swept it across the stone, completely wiping out Seth’s beautiful chiro- graphy. ‘*Much obliged,”’ said the latter; ‘‘saved me the trouble. I can write it on again when it gits dry.” But no opportunity was given, as a moment after the scouts returned, and the line of mnarch was taken up. But Seth well knew he had accomplished all that could be desired. He had taken particular pains that the pebble should be flinty enough to scratch into the soft stone every word he wrote. Conse- quently the party had not been gone a half-hour when every letter came out as clear and distinct as before, despite the wet daub the indignant savage had given it. Their progress for a time was quite rapid. Seth somehow or other, was‘tonstantly pitching out of file, breaking down twigs along the way, stumbling against the stones which were not in the way, and, in spite of menaces and occasional blows of his cap- some, making the trail unnecessarily distinct and plain. At noon another halt was made, and all partook of some food. Ina was sick at heart, and ate buta mouthful. An apprehension of her dreadful posi- tion came over her, and her soul reeled as she began picturing what was yet to come. Seth quarreled with two of his captors, because, he affirmed, they took more than their share of the dinner; and, take it all in all, affairs were getting into as interesting a state as one could well conceive. The meal finished, they again set forward, From the whispered consultation of the savages, as well as the words which reached Seth's ears, and their utter disregard of Ina’s painful fatigue, he began to be- lieve that the Indians suspected that their stratagem had not misled their pursuers, and were apprehen- sive of pursuit. Finally, Seth became satisfied that such was the case, and when they halted, toward the middle of the afternoon, he again gave vent to his thoughts upon a friendly stone which offered itself, and this, again, Bos erg a fierce wipe from the foot of the same savage, and the words again came out to view, and accomplished all that their ardent au- thor could have desired, These acts of Seth settled the suspicions of his captors into a certainty, and a closer surveillance was kept upon their refractory captive. No further opportunities were given him, and as he himself had expected this turn of matters, there was no need of it upom his part. Although he had but little reason to hope it, he did hope and believe that Haverland and Graham were upon the trail, and he felt that if the words intended for their eyes could only reach them, the fate of Ina and himself was determined. The moon being at its full, and shining in uncloud- ed splendor upon the forest, so lightened the way that the savages continued their fight—ce it may now be called—for an hour or two in the evening. They would have probably gone further, had it not been pain- fully evident that Ina was ready to give out. The old chief had given them imperative commands not to hasten her too much, and to rest when they saw she needed it. Accordingly, though they were bru- tal enough to insult her with menaces, they were of no avail, and, finally they came to a reluctant halt for the night. It will be necessary to understand the situation of these savages and their captives, in srder to com- prehend the events that followed. eel A fire was started, and just within the circle of this, half reclining upon the ground, was Ina, witha heavy Indian shawl thrown around her. She had partaken of none of the food offered, and was al- ready in a semi-unconscious state. On either side of her was seated a vigilant savage, well-armed and prepared fo ~ iy emergency. Upon the opposite side was Seth, his feet firmly lashed together, while his hands were free. Two Indians were upon his right, and upon his left. The remaining one took his station a @ hundred yards on the back-trail. Here, lyimg flat on his face, he silently waited for the a of the enemy. ™ CHAPTER XIV. IN THE ENEMY’S CAMP, Tue savages, after starting the fire, allowed it to smolder and die cut, for fear of liding their ene- mies. Now this was the most fortunate thing that could have happened for their pursuers; for, in the first place, it burned long enough to give them a per- fect knowledge of the position of Ina and Seth; and, when its light could no longer be of any assistance, but would materially injure their hopes, the Indians were kind enough to let it fade entirely out. Before giving the signal, the hunter deemed it best to ascertain the whereabouts of the savage missing at the camp-fire. Leaving his rifle in charge of Haver- land, and cautioning them not to move, he crept stealthily forward. So silent and snakelike was his approach, that the savage lying directly in his path had not the slightest suspicion of his proximity, The first thing that attracted his attention was the thought that he heard a slight movement in front of him. Raising his head a few inches, he peered cau- tiously forward. Nothing meeting his keen vision he sunk back again. The hunter and savage, both being on the ground, were in blank darkness, and although their forms, if standing on their feet, would have been plainly dis- cernible, yet, under the thick shadows of the under- growth, they might have touched each other without knowing it. The hunter, however, as he lay, caught the outlines of the savage’s head against the fading light of the fire behind him, as he raised it. This ave him a knowledge of his position and determined is own mode of action. Without the least noise, he slid slowly forward un. til he was so close that he could actually hear the In. dian’s breath, Then he purposely made a slight movement. The Indian raised bis head, and was gradually coming to his feet, when the hunter bound- ed like a dark ball forward, clutched him by the throat, and bearing him like a giant tothe earth, drove his hunting-knife again and again to the hilt in his heart. It was a fearful act, yet there was no hesitation wpon the hunter’s part.” He felt that it must be done. He loosened his gripe upon his victim’s throat, when there was not a spark of life left. Then casting his body to one side, he made hit way back to his com- anions. Here, in a few words, he explained what ‘ad taken place. It was evident that the Indians were so cautious and alarmed, that the most con- summate skill was required, to accomplish the work in hand. Suddenly an ingenious plan occurred to Graham. It was to dress himself in the fallen Indian’s dress, walk boldly into the camp and be guided by circum- stances. After a moment’s consultation, it was ac- quiesced in by all. Haldidge made his way to where the savage lay, and hastily stripping him, returned with his garments, These Graham donned in a few moments, and was ready. It was agreed that he should walk leisurely among them, while Haverland and Haldidge would follow him, and remain nigh enough to be ready at a moment's warning. If dis- covered, he was to seize Ina and make off in the woods, while his two friends would rush forward, free Seth, and make an onslaught upon the others. The fire was now so low, that Graham had little fear of exposing himself, unless compelled to hold a conversation. ‘rhe savages started as he came to view, but fortunately said nothing, as they supposed it to be their comrade. Graham walked leisurely to the almost dead fire, and seated himself by Seth. The savages continued placidly smoking their pipes. “Ugh!” grunted Graham, peering into Seth’s face, The latter started slightly, looked up, and under- stood all in a moment. Seth pointed to his feet; Graham nodded, “Say, you, you was clever enough to tie up my feet, and now just have the kindness to move ‘em a little nearer the fire. Come, do, and I'll remember you in my will.” Graham mumbled something, and, stooping for- ward, he moved the feet slightly, dexterously cutting the thong at the same moment. ‘‘ Much obliged,’ said Seth; ‘that'll dew; needn’t take no further trouble, you old painted heathen.” Graham felt that if he could now put Ina upon her guard, all that would be necessary was--t~ act. But this was hardly possible. While rum*.ating pen the next step to be taken, an Indiary addressed him in the Indian tongue. Here was « dilemma, and Graham was already meditating won making the on- slaught at once, when the ready wit of Seth came to his aid. Disguising most completely his voice, the eccentric fellow replied in the Indian tongue, This slight stratagem was executed so perfectly that not a gavage entertained the slightest suspicion that another than their dead comrade had spoke to them, Another question was put, but before Seth could reply, there came _a startling cry of the whippowil close at hand. All the savages sprung to their feet, and one held his tomahawk, ready to brain the cap- tive Ina, in case they could not retain her, Ancther leapad toward Seth, but his surprise was great. when the man in turn sprung nimbly to his feet, and this one aoe ~< ; | } JOOKS:coMm