Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1104 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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——— eee ing his eye behind him, he saw five or six Indians al- ready down the embankment and in full chase, And now commenced a race for life and death. Graham was as fleet of foot as a deer, and as well trained and disciplined, but his pursuers numbered five of the swiftest runners.of the Mohawk nation, and he feared he had at last found his match. Yet he was as skillful and cunning as he was sinewy and fleet of foot. The plain over which he was speeding was perfectly bare and naked for six or eight miles before him, while it stretched twice that distance on either hand before the slightest refuge was offered. Thus it will be seen that he took the only course which offered hope—a dead run for it, where the pur- suers and pursued possessed equal advantages. He was pretty certain that his pursuers possessed greater endurance than himself, and that in a long run he stood small chance of escape, while in a short race he believed he could distance any living Indian. So he determined to try the speed of his enemies. As he heard their yells, he bounded forward al- most at the top of his speed. The pursuers, however, maintained the same regular and rapid motion. Graham continued his exertions for about a half- mile, making such use of his arms and limbs as to ve the impression that he was doing his utmost. oward the latter part of the first mile, his speed be- gan to slacken, and his dangling limbs and furtive lances behind him would have convinced any one at he was nigh exhausted, But this was only a stratagem, and it succeeded as well as he could have wished. The Indians believed he had committed a common and fatal error—that of calling into play the uttermost strength and speed of which he was master at the outset, and that he was wearied out, while they themselves were just warming into the glow of the chase. Seeing this, they sent up a shout of exultation, and darted ahead at the top of their speed, each endeavoring to reach and tomahawk him before his companion. But their surprise was unbounded when they saw the fugitive shoot ahead with the velocity of a race- horse, while his veins, too, were only filling with the hot blood of exertion. They saw this, and they saw too, that should such speed continue long, he would be far beyond their reach, and all now ran as they never ran before. We say Graham’s stratagem succeeded, It did, and it gave him the knowledge he wished, It showed him that he had met his match! His pursu- ers, at least one or two of them, were nearly as fleet as was he; and, although he might distance them foratime, yet ere half the race was finished he would inevitably lose his vantage ground! | Could one have stood and gazed upon this race of life, he would have seen a thrilling scene. Far ahead, over a vast seiner a fugitive white man was flying, and his swift, steady gait showed that his limbs were well trained and were now put to their severest test. As his feet doubled with such quick- mess beneath him as to be almost invisible, the ground glided like a panorama from under them. Behind were a half-dozen savages, their gleaming visages distorted with the passions of exultation, ven- geance, and doubt, their garments flying in the wind, and their strength pressed to its utmost bounds. They were scattered at different distances from each other, and were spreading over the prai- rie, so as to cut Off the fugitive’s escape in every di- rection. Two Indians maintained their places side by side, and it was evident that the pursuit would soon be left to them. The others were rapidly falling be- hind, and were already relaxing their exertions. Grahain saw the state of things, and it thrilled him with hope. Could he not distance these also? Would they not leave him in such a case? And could he not escape ere he was compelled to give out from ex- haustion? ‘*‘ At any rate I will try, and God poy me!”’ he ut- tered prayerfully, shooting ahead with almost su- rhuman velocity. He glanced back and saw his ollowers, and they seemed almost standing still, so Sr can did he leave them behind, ut as nature compelled him to again cease the terrific rate at which he was going, he saw his un, wearied pursuers again recovering their lost ground. ho parties now understood each other, The In- dians saw his maneuvers, and avoided the trap, and kept on in the same unremitting, relentless speed, fully certain that this would sooner or later compel him to yield; while Graham knew that the only chance of prolonging the contest rested in his drop- ping into and continuing his ordinary speed. They now sunk into the same steady and terribly monotonous run. Mile after mile flew beneath them, and still so exact and similar were their relative - rates, that they were absolutely stationary with re- gard to each other! The two Indians now remained alone and they were untiring—they were determined to hold out to the end! At last, Graham saw the friendly timber but a short distance from him. The trees seemed beckon- ing him to their friendly shelter, and, panting and gasping, he plunged in among then— ised right ahead till he stood upon the bank of a large and rapidly-flowing stream. | en the Anglo-Saxon's body is pitted against that of the North American Indian, it sometimes ields; but when his mind takes the place of con- testant, it never loses, Graham gazed hurriedly around him, and in the space of a dozen seconds his faculties had wrought enough for a lifetime—wrought enough to save him. Throwing his rifle aside, he waded carefully into the stream until he stood waist deep. Then sinking upon his face, he swam oy upward until he had gone a hundred yards. Here he struck out into the ehannel, swimming uj-stream as well as across it, so as not to reach the bank at a lower point. The cur- —_ eee ee oe Seth: J ones. —°- ——- — oo oe ae ee rent was very swift, and required an exhausting out- lay of his already fainting frame before he reached the opposite bank. Here he immediately sprung upon the shore, ran quickly a short distance down the stream, making his trail as plain as he could; and then springing into the water, swam np are up- ward, remaining as close to the shore as possible, so as to avoid the resisting current. The reason of these singular movements will soon be plain. e shore was lined thickly by overhanging bushes, and after swimming until he ) ese it time for his agi tee to come up, he glided beneath their friend- ‘shelter, and awaited the further development of things. Almost immediately after, both 2 i upon the opposite bank, but at a point considerably lower down, Without hesitation, they sprung into the stream and swam across. As they landed, they commenced a search, and a yell announced the dis- covery of the trail. Instantly after, another yell proclaimed their disappointment, as they lost it in the river. The savages supposed that the fugitive had again taken to the water, and had either drowned or reached the other side. At any rate, ech had lost what they considered a certain prey, and with feelings of baffled malignity they sullenly swam back again, searched the other side an hour or so, and then took their way back to their companions, CHAPTER VII. . THE EXPERIENCE OF SETH. ‘*By gracious! stars and garters! &c.! &c.! This isa new way of introducing one’s self!’ exclaimed Seth, as he sprawled out among the savages around the council-fire. The consternation of the Indians at this sudden apparition among them may well be imagined. The crackling of the undergrowth above had aroused them, yet the advent of Seth was so sudden and almost instantaneous that ere they could form a sus- picion of the true nature of things, he was among them. Their habitual quickness of thought came to them at once. Graham was seen as he wheeled and fled, and as has been shown, a number sprung at once in pursuit, while a dozen leaped upon Seth, and as many tomahawks were raised. ‘‘Now jest hold on,’ commanded Seth; “there ain’t any need of being in a hurry. Plenty time to take my hair. Fact, by gracious,” His serio-comical manner arrested and amused his captors. They all paused and’‘looked at him, as if expecting another outburst, while he contented himself with gazing at them with a look of scornful contempt. Seeing this, one sprung forward, and clenching his hair in a twist, hissed: ‘Oh! cuss Yankee! we burn him!”’ “Tf you know what's best, ole chap, you'll take yer paw off my headin a hurry, Ef you don’t you mought find it rather convenient to.”’ The savage, as if to humor him, removed his hand and Seth's rifle, too. Seth gazed inquiringly at him a moment, and then, with an air of conscious supe- riority, said: “T’}l lend that to you awhile, provided you return it all right. Mind, you be keerful now, ‘cause that ar’ gun cost something down in New Hampshire.” From what has just been written, it will doubtless be mEpecven that Seth’s conduct was a part which he | was playing. When thrown into peril by the impa- tience of his companion, he saw at once that an at- tempt at flight was useless. Nothing was left but to submit to his misfortune with the best grace pom ble; and yet there was a wayin which this submis- sion could be effected which would result better for himself than otherwise. Had he offered resistance, or submitted despairingly, as many a man would have done, he would doubtless have been toma- hawked instantly. So, with a readiness of thought which was astonishing, he assumed an air of reckless bravado. This, as we have shown, had the desired result thus far. How it succeeded after, will be seen in the remaining portion of this history. Seth Jones was a man whose character could not he read in an hour, or day. It required a long com- panionship with him to discover the nicely-shaded points, and the characteristics which seemed in many cases so opposite. United witha genial, sport- ive humor and apparent frankness, he was yet far- seeing and cautious, and could read the motives of a man almost at a glance. With a countenance which seemed made expressly to vail his soul, his very looks were deceptive; and, when he chose to play a certain vole, he could do it to perfection. Had any one seen him when the conversation above recorded took place, he would have unhesitatingly set him down as a natural-born idiot. ‘“How you like to burn, eh, Yankee?” asked a savage, stooping and grinning horribly in his face. “T don't know; I never tried it,” replied Seth, with as much nonchalance as though it was a dinner to which he was referring, ‘f-e-e-e! you will try it, Yankee.”’ Se ‘Don’t know yet: there are various opinions about that, p’raps. When the thing is did I mought believe®t.”’ “You sizzle nice—nice meat—good for burn!’’ added another savage, grasping and feeling his arm. ** Just please do not pinch, my friend.” The savage closed his fingers like iron rods, and clenched the member till Seth thought it would be crushed. But, though the pain was excruciating, he manifested not the least feeling. The Indian tried again, and again, till he gave up and remarked, expressive of his admiration of the man’s pluck: “Good Yankee! stand pinch well.” ‘‘Oh! you wa’n’t pinching me, wasyou? Sorry, I didn’t know it. Try again, you mought p’raps do better.” The savage, however, retired, and another stepped forward and grasped the captive’s hand. “ « ;> - ~ . a, 7 “ me a ~ 2 AS ~ , ee’ =—s. _ Stee - a: _* = | ’ — | | ; | ee eee —_—_— ~~ --- ** Soft, like squaw’s hand—let me feel it,’’ he re- marked, shutting his own over it like a vise. Seth winced not in the least; but as the Indian in turn was: about to relinquish his attempt at making sport for his comrades, Seth said: ‘Your paws don’t appear very horny," and closed over it with a terrific ae te The savage st ke a martyr, till Seth felt the bones of his hand actual] displacing, and yielding like an apple. He determined, as he had in reality suffered himself, to be revenged, and closed his fingers tighter and more rigid till tle or wretch sprung to his feet, and howled with pain! “Oh! did I hurt you?’ he asked, with apparent sé- licitude, as the savage’s hand slid from his own with much the appearance of a wet glove. The discom- fited Indian made no reply but retired amid the jeers of his comrades, Seth, without moving a mus- cle, seated himself deliberately upon the ground, and coolly asked a savage to lend him a pipe. It is known, that when an Indian sees such hartinood and power, as their captive had just evinced, he does not endeavor to conceal his admiration, Thus it was not strange that Seth’s impudent request was complied with. One handed him a well-filled pipe, with agrin in which could be distinctly seen admiration, exulta: tion, and anticipated revenge. From the looks of the others, it was a they anticipated an immensé deal of sport. Our present hero continued pring 7a 5 lazily watching the volumes of vapor, as they slowly rolled before and around him. His captors sat about him a moment, conversing in their own tongue (every word of which, we may remark, was perfectly under- stood by Seth), when one arose and stepped forward before him. ‘White man streng; him pinch well, but me make him cry.” So saying he stooped, and removing the captive’s cap, seized a long tuft of yellow hair which had ita roots at the temple. A stab in the eye would nog have caused an acuter twinge of pain: but, as ha | | | their captive’s countenance. tormentor’s eves with an indescribable look, ; | jerked it forth by the roots, Seth _miratio’. Seeing no effect ave not the slight- est indication save a stronger whiff at the pipe. Tha savages around did not he a ne & murmur of ads rom this torture, the tor. mentor again stooped and caught another tuft that rrew low upon the neck, Each single hair felt like the point of a needle thrust into the skin, and as it came forth, the Indians seated around noticed a livid paleness, like the track of a cloud, quickly flash over He looked up in his \ For a moment he fixed a gaze upon him, that, savage as he wane caused a strange shiver of dread to run through iim. To say that Seth cared nothing for these inflicted agonies would be absurd. Had the savage dreamed what a whirlwind of hate and revenge he had awakened by them he would not have attempted what he did. It was only by an almost unaccounta- ble power that Seth controlled the horrible pains of both body and mind he suffered. He felt as though it was impossible to prevent himself from writhing on the ground in torment, and springing at his per secutor and tearing him limb from limb. But he had been schooled to Indian indignities, and bore thep unflinchingly. His tenia had the appearance of white parci- ment, with innumerable bloody points in it, as {he blood commenced oozing from the wound, and his neck seemed as though the skin had been scre,ped off! His momentary paleness had been caused b the sickening pain and the intensest passion, His look et the savage was to remember him. After the events which have just transpired they reraained seated a moment in silence. At last one who ap- peared to be the leader, addressed, in an undertone, the Indian whom we have just seen retire from the post of tormentor. Seth, however, caught the words, and had he not, it is not probable he would have successfully undergone the last trying ordeal. The same savage again stepped forward in the circle before the helpless captive, and removing the cap which had been replaced, clinched the long yel- low locks in his left hand and threw the head back- ward, Then wiping out his scalping-knife, he flashed it a second in the air, and circled its cold edge around his head with the rapidity of lightning. The skin was not pierced, and it way only an artifice. Seth never took his eyes from the Indian during this awful minute. B=, The tormentor again retired. 'The savages were satisfied, but Seth was not. He handed his pipe back, replaced his cap, and rising to his feet, sur- veyed for a few seconds the group around, He then. addressed the Jeader, “Can the white mannow try the red-man’s cours age?” “The voice sounded like another person’s. Yet the chief noticed it not, and nodded assent to the re- quest, while the looks of the others showed the eé seen and interest they felt in these dread- ful proceedings. The savage who had inflicted all this agony seated _ himself directly beside the chief. Seth ate Der to | him, and grasping his arm pressed moderate y. The Indian gave a scornful grunt. Seth then stooped and gently took the tomahawk from his belt, He raised it slowly on high, bent down till his form was like the crouching panther ready to Spring. The glittering blade was seen to flash as it circled through the air, and the next instant it crashed clean through the head of the unsuspecting savage! CHAPTER VIII. = AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. Weartep and exhausted, Graham crawled forth from the water, and lay down awhile to rest himself upon the soft, velvety carpet of grass, Here, overcome by the terrific strain which bis system had undergone, he fell into “~*~ Ger ; ba ee 8