Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1104 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

—— ee ek an | | | | the stream againyt the roots and dipping branches | alon. ne saver. **Can it be?” he asked, with a painful whisper, as he raised his head, ‘* that we have been heard?” **T do not think so,”’ replied Haldidge, apparently ‘in as much doubt as the rest. “Then they have run in to shore, and departed.” **T feur that has been dune.” »* But we have kept so close to the shore, would we not have geen or heard the boat?”’ “Provided they landed at once. They may have run in this irs minute, and may not be more than a few yards off.”’ * If so, we must hear them yet, and it won’t do to slide down upon them in the inanner we are now go- inz, or we shall find ourselves tn the same fix we ex- pected to get them in.” ‘Very true, and a good suggestion,’ remarked Haldidze, and as he did so, he reached up and caught an overhanging limb, and held the canoe still, ** Now, boys, if you've got ears—”’ “Sh! Look there!” interrupted Haverland, in an excited whisper. Each turned his head, and saw what appeared to ——EEE eee, be a common lighted candle floating upon the sur- | face uf the stream. »It was a small point of light which at intervals glowed with a fuller redness, and which for a time completely confounded our friends, On it came as noiselessly as death, gliding forward with such a smooth, regular motion as to show that it was certainly borne by the current. ; ** What in the name of—”’ ‘*Stop!” cried Haldidge; “that’s the canoe we're after} It’s the light of one of their pipes we see. Are your guns ready?” **Yes,’’ replied the two, just loud enough for him to hear. **Make right toward it, then, and fire the instant you see your mark, Now!”’ At the same instant he released his hold upon the limb, and they threw all their force ha the oars. The canoe bounded like a ball directly ahead, and seemed about to cut the other in twain. A minute after, the-shadowy outlines of three forms could be dimly seen, and the avenging rifles were already raised, when the hegconetietit was suddenly ex- tingu'shed and the Indian canoe vanished as if by magic, ‘It’s one of their tricks!’ excitedly exclaimed Haldidge. ‘‘Dash ahead! Curse them; they can’t be far off.”’ The two dropped their rifles, and again seized the oars, and Haldidge sheered it abruptly up-stream, for he fancied they had turned in that direction. He bent his head forward, expecting each moment to see the forms of their enemies loom upto view in the mist, but he was mistaken; no savages greeted his anxious vision. He guided his boat in every direc- Nee tion—across the stream, up and down—but all to no | purpose. They had surely lost their prey this time. the Indians had undoubtedly heard the pursuers— had miuftled their Own oars, and so proceeded as silently as they. ** Hold a minute!’ commanded Haldidge. As they rested, they listened deeply and intently. **Do you hear anything?” he asked, leaning breath- lessly forward. “There! Listen again.”’ They could distinguish the ripple of water, grow- ing fainter and fainter each minute. ‘They are below us again, and now for a trial of speed,”’ The two needed no more incentives, and for a time the canoe skimmed over the water with astonishing speed, The moon was now up, and there were patches in the stream, where the wind had blown away the fog, and being exposed to the light, were as clear as midday. Now and then they crossed such known tothem., spots, sometimes but a few feet wide, and at others | several rods. At these times the shore on either side was perfectly outlined, and they glided over with a sort of instinctive terror, as they felt how easily an enemy might be concealed. In crossing one of these, broader than usual, a glimpse of the Indian canoe showed itself, just dis- appearing upon the opposite side. They were not more than a hundred yards apart, and they bounded towar’l it with great rapidity.. The patches of light became more frequent, and the fog was evidently disappearing. Quite a breeze had arisen, which was | fast sweeping it away. Haldidge kept close in to the eastern shore, feeling sure that their enemies would land upon this side!- Suddenly the whole mist lifted from the surface of the water in a volume, and rolled off toward the woods. The bright moon was reflected a long dis- tance, and the pursuers gazed searchingly about, fully ws gs to see their enemies not a dozen rods | away. But they were again doomed to disappoint- ment. Not a ripple disturbed the waters, except their own canoe. The moon was directly overhead, 60 that there was not a shadow cast along the bank, sufficient to conceal the slightest object. The In- (dians had evidently landed, and were far distant in the forest, “It's no use,” remarked Haverland, gloomily, * they are gone, and we might as well be too.” ** [i is a sore disappointment,” said Graham. *“ And as much so to me as to either of you,” said Haldidge. ‘‘I have an old score against the infernal wretches that will take many years to wipe out. 1 heped to do something toward it to-night, but have been prevented. There is no use of hoping more at this time; they have eluded us, that is self,evident, and we must try some other means. No doubt you are wearied in body as well as in mind, and don’t faney particularly this remaining outin the river here, | a shot for any one who might possess the will; so le as go into shore, have a rest, and talk over things.”’ Dispiritedly and gloomily the trio ran the canoe to the bank and landed. eee ee ————_ ee CHAPTER X. A COUPLE OF INDIAN CAPTIVES, So sudden, so unexpected, so astonishing was the crash of Seth’s tomahawk through the head of the doomed savage, that, fora moment after, not an In- dian moved or spoke. The head was nearly cleft in twain (for an arm fired by consuming passion had driven it), and the brains were spattered over num- bers of those seated around. Seth himself stood a second to satisfy himself the work was complete, when he turned, walked to his seat, sat down, coolly folded his arms and commenced whistling. A second after, nearly every savage drew a deep breath, as if a load had been removed from his heart; then each looked at his neighbor, and in the scowl- ing, ridged brows, the enka eyes, the distorted visages, the strained breathing rough the set teeth, could be read the fearf@l intention. Every face but that of the chieftain’s was livid with fury. He alone sat perfectly unagitated. Three Indians arose, and, grasping their knives, stood before him waiting for the expected words. “Touch him not,’’ said he, with a shake of the head; “‘ him no right here.” As the chief Bpoxe, he tapped his forehead signifi- cantly with his finger, meaning that the prisoner was demented. The others believed the same, still it was hard to quell the pent-up fire which was scorchin their breasts. But his word was law inviolate, an without a murmur, they seated themselves on the ground again. Seth, although his eye appeared vacant and un- meaping, had noted all these movements with the keenness of the eagle. He knew that a werd or sign from the chief would be sufficient to hack him to a thousand pieces. When he stood before his in- human tormentor, with the keen tomahawk in his hand, the certainty of instant death or prolonged torture would not have prevented him taking the savage vengeance hedid. Now that it was over, he was himself again, His natural feelings came back, and with it the natural desire for life. The words of the chief convinced him that he was regarded as eith- er insane or idiotic, and consequently as not deserv- ing death. Still, although saved for the present, he ever stood in imminent peril. The fallen savage had living friends, who would seize the first opportu- nity to avenge his death. At any rate, let matters stand as they might, Seth felt that he was in hot quarters, and the safest course was to get out of them as soon as possible, It was perhaps ten minutes after the horrid deed, that the savages commenced bestirring themselves, Several arose and carried their comrade to one side, while the others commenced preparations for taking up the day’s march. At this moment the runners who had pursued Graham to the water’s edge, re- turned, and the tragical occurrence was soon made A perfect battery of deadly, gleam- ing eyes were opened upon Seth, but he stood it un- flinchingly. The Indians would have relished well the idea of venting their baffled vengeance upon the helpless captive in their hands; but the command- ing presence of their chief restrained the slightest demonstration, and they contented themselves with meaning looks, One thing did not escape Seth’s notice from the first, and it was an oecasion of wonder and specula- tion to him, Nothing could be seen of Ina. In fact, the appearance of things was such as to lead one to believe that the savages knew nothing of her. Could it be that he and Graham had been mistaken in the party? Could some other tribe have made off with her? Or, had they separated, and taken her in another direction? As he ruminated upon these questions, he became convinced that the last sug~ gested thecertainanswer. They could not have mis- taken the party, as they had never lost sight of the trail since taking it; and, moreover, he had noticed several slight occurrences, since his advent among them, that satisfied him, beyond a doubt, of the iden- tity of the party with the one which had descended upon the home of the woodman, From the caution which the aggressors evinced in their flight, together With the haste with which it had been conducted, it was plain they had some fears of pursuit; and to guard their treasure, a number had left them ata favorable point, intending to join the main body where pursuit was not to be expected, or where the pursuers had been sufficiently misled to warrant It. As he reflected, Seth was satisfied that this was the only and true explanation of her non-appearance. The preparations were soon completed, and the Indians commenced moving forward. If Seth had entertained any doubts of their intention relating to him, they were soon dispelled by his experience, It was n0t at all likely that he would be reserved as prisoner, unless they intended to pnt him to some use. Accordingly he found himself loaded down with an enormous burden, consisting mostly of food, ——————— eee 7 ED ee ae Cee ee ae | ee | ingly. Most of the journey was through the forest, where the arching tree-tops shut out the witherin rays of the sun. Had they encountered any suc open plains as the one passed over near their en- campment, Seth would have never lived through it, As it was, his load nearly made h'm insensible te pain. A consuming thirst was ever tormenting him, although he found abundant means to slake it in the numberless rills which gurgled through the wildes- ness. ‘** How Yankee like it?’ grinned a savage by his side, stooping and peering tiendishly into his face. “Tirst rate; goes nice. Say, you, s'posen you try it?”’ ‘Ugh! walk faster,’ and a whack accompanied the word, ‘*Now I cac’late, I’m going to walk just about as fast as 1 durned please, and if you ain’t a mind to wait, you can heave ahead. Fact, by gracious,” And Seth did not hasten bis steps in the least. Toward noon he found he should ke obliged to have a short rest or give out entirely. He knew it would be useless to ask, and consequently he determined to take it without asking. So, unlcosing the cords which bound the pack to his back, he let it fall to the ground, and, seating himself upon it, again went to whistling. ‘Go faster, Yankee—youno keep up!’ exclaimed one, giving him a stunning blow. ‘*See here, you, p’raps you don’t know who it mought be you insulted in that way. I'm Seth Jones, from New Hampshire, and consequently you'll be keerful of tetching me.”’ The savage addressed was upon the point of strik- ing him insolently to the earth, when the chieftain “interfered, QL ——— in the shape of deer’s meat, which the savages had | brought with them. They buried their fallen com- rade, without the ceremony and mourning which might be expected. The North American Indian | rarely gives way to his emotions, except upon such | occasions as the burial of one of their number, 4 “ war-dance,”’ or something similar, when the whole nest of devilish passions is allowed free vent. They pculged in no such ceremonies—if ceremonies they may be called—at this time. A comparatively shal- low grave was dug, and into this the fallen one was | ip gee in an upright position, his face turned toward he east. His rifle, knives, and all his clothing were | buried with him. ———_—. The day was a suffocating one in August, and Seth’s sufferings were truly great. He was natural- ly lithe, wiry, and capable of enduring prolonged exertion, but, unfortunately for him, the savages had become aware of this and loaded him accord- _ - ‘No touch pale-face—him tired—rest a little.”’ Some unaccountable whim had possessed the sav- age, as this mercy was é€ntirely unexpected by Seth and he knew not how to account for it, unless it might be he was reserving him for some horrible torture, The resting-spell was but a moment, however, and just as Seth had begun to really enjoy it, the chief- tain gave orders for the replacement of the load. Seth felt disposed to tamper awhile, for the sake of prolonging his enjoyment, but, on second thought concluded it the better plan not to cross the c ief who had been so lenient to him thus far. So, witha considerable number of original remarks, and much disputation bout the placing of the burden, he shouldered iv at last and trudged forward, Seth was right in his ccnjectures about Ina. To- ward the latter part cf the day, the three Indian who had been pursued by cur other friends, rejoine the main party, bearing her withthem. She noticed her companion in captivity at once, but no comme nication passed Letweenthem, A look of melancholy relief escaped her as she became :ssured that her parents were still safe, and that only she and her new friend were left to the sufferings and horrors of captivity, But there was enovgh on that to damp even such a young and hopeful spirit as was hers, Not death alone, but a fate frcm the sensuous ca tors far worse than death itself, was to be apprehen ed. In the future, there was but one Hand that could sustain and safely Celiver them, and to that One she looked for deliverance, CHAPTER XI. STILL IN” PURSUIT, at seems the devil himself is helping them imps!” remarked Haldidge, as they landed. Fit I trus Heaven is aiding us,” added Haver and, ‘Heaven will, if we belp curselves, and now as I’m in this scrape, I’m bound to see the end. Look for trail.” age “It’s poor work I’m thinking we'll make, groping in this moonlight, ’ said Graham. ‘While there's life there’s hope. Scatter ‘long the bank, and search every foot of land. I'll 1un up- — & ways, as I’ve an idea they landed not fur onl, The hunter disappeared, with these words, and Graham and Haverland commenced their work in an opposite direction, The branches overhanging the water were carefully lifted up, and the muddy shore examined; the suspicious bending or parting of the undergrowth was followed by the minutest scrutiny, and although the heavy darkness was against them, oe it would have required a most guarded trail to lave escaped their vision. But their efforts were useless; no trail was detected; and convinced that the savages must have landed upon the opposite side, they turned to retrece their steps. As the ont 80, a low whistle from the hunter reached the * What does that mean?” ssked Greham. - He has discovered something. Let us hasten, What is it, Haldidge?”’ asked Haverland, as they reached the hunter, : oe ‘Here’s their tracks as sure as I’m & sinner, and it's my prevate opine they ain’t fur off neither. ; ip we wait till daylight before we undertake 0 follow it?” “Tam much afraid we shall have to, as thers may be signs which we might miss in this darkness. Day can’t Ps far off.”’ ‘Several hours yet.” | re oe we will make ourselves comfortable until én,” With these words the trio seated themselves upon the earth, and kept up a low conversation until morning, As soon as the faint light appeared, they detected the Indian canoe a short distance up the bank, secreted beneath a heavy, overhanging mass of undergrowth, As it was during the summar séea- ° lillie, — o -- cbooks.com © ~ ea aos 7 . 7