Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 56 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

| nS ee moonlight fell upon her captor, she glanced askance at him. In the obscurity he seemed ten times more hideous and repulsive than ever before. __ She did not dare to struggle or resist him. She knew what a fearful temper he possessed, and she wondered at his forbearance, in the face of the strug- gle she had already made, to flee from him. Perhaps the exultation he felt in her recapture compensated him for all the labor he had undergone in the pursuit. Whither would he take her? Back to the camp, where his companions were awaiting his return? She had scarcely asked herself this question, when he left the path, taking the side opposite to the one by which they had entered it, and at that moment utter, hopeless, dead despair took possession of her. Why chy against fate? She was doomed to fall into his hands; the fond dreams that had cheer- ed her for years were not to be realized; hope was alla mockery; there was no happiness for her; she was never to see that cherished mother again, nor the face of that father that had vanished as sudden- ly as he appeared before her. “Lead on, Red Bear,” she murmured, hardly knowing what she said. The triumphant young chief needed no such ad- monition, for he strode through the wood so rapidly, drag ing her after him, that she could scarcely keep er feet. She had no knowledge or thought of the direction she was pursuing, for it was nothing to her, and she did not seek to know. She only knew that she was the most wretched and suffering of mortals, and that the future was all a blank to her. The bright yay overhead held no moon or stars for her. n, still on he led, his grasp never relaxing, and stumbling forward, as though held in the power of some horrid nightmare. When it seemed to her that she had been dragged forward for a mile (although it was less than one eighth of that distance), she saw that they were near- ing a camp-fire. She concluded at once that it was the main one, around which most of the party were gathered, but was somewhat surprised upon reach- ing it that no oneelse was near. They were still as much alone as though buried in the very depth of the forest. Still the camp had been recently visited, for the fire was burning so brightly as to prove that it must have been replenished but a short time before. There was a heap of brush and fuel lying near, and os up anarmful, Red Bear cast it upon the es. ; As they flared up they made the immediate circle in which Nay were standing ae oo as day. Perhaps, her distress, ona’s remarkable beauty was increased, for when the young chief turned his dark sb npon her, there was no anger and nothing but love in his expression, and with somethi ke sadness in his voice, he asked: ‘“ Why did the Queen of the Woods fly from me?” **She wished to go to her own home and kindred.” **Her home is with the Blackfeet, and none of her can love her as they do.”’ ‘*But Miona is white and they are red; they are of different races and cannot consort together.’ ** Love knows no race nor color,’’ was the rather — expression of the dusky lover, who certainly d not intend to be argued out of the position he had assumed, *“Woo-wol-na promised that when five summers had come and gone, I should be sent to my people. Has Woo-wol-na two tongues?”’ **Red Bear made no such promise,’’ was the sullen reply of the Blackfoot. ‘It is Red Bear that claims the iqueen.” **But he does the een a great wrong; she has spent many years with the Blackfeet; they have treated her kindly, and. she loves them; but her heart is with ber father and mother, who are wait- her coming.’ ‘Let them come to the Queen,”’ replied the war- rior; ‘‘they shall be given the chief's lodge, the shall sJeep upon the finest furs, and shall eat the fa test buffalo; they shall be welcome for all the moons they wish to stay, because they are the friends of the Blackfoot Queen.” _Miona had no hope or thought of gaining a conces- sion from her captor, but she was seeking merely to gain time, There was a faint stir of hope again when she found no other Indians near the fire, Surely, Nick Whiffles and her lover must speedily miss her and institute a search, and she believed the sagacity of the trapper ought to be sufficient to di- rect him to the right apoe. The absence of the Blackfeet was inexplainable as that of her friends. She knew that the wood was swarming with the dusky foes, and how it was that they still remained away was certainly singular, to say the least. he was not aware that this was only one of a number of fires, kindled here and there in the valley for the purpose of distracting the fugitives and pre- venting their escape over the ridge, Red Bear showed the same deference toward her | that had characterized him during the years past. He evidently regretted the outbreak of which he had been guilty at the deserted village, and which he was certain had hastened the flight of the girl, and pi the aversion with which she seemed to regard m. Having recovered possession of her again, he was now anxious to ado this mischief and to restore himself to his original place in her esteem. Both were standing near the fire; he had his arms folded, in the stoical indifferent manner of the In- dian warrior while his swarthy face, and his dark eyes that scarcely ever wandered from hers, were lit : with an expression of undisguised tion and love. Nick Whiffles’s Pet, Surely no Indian had ever coveted maid as he cov- eted her; surely never had the earth seen such a flower bloom as she at his side; surely she ae worth any sacrifice or danger that he could offer. Miona stood with her blanket gathered about her, her long, dark, Indian-like tresses hanging over her shoulders, her face downcast, as she looked gloomily into the fire, answering his questions and making her remarks with the dreamy indifference of one who is unconscious of what she is saying. ** When will Red Bear take the Queen of the Woods back to his village?” ‘**Now,”’ was the instant reply of the Indian, his . eyes flashing up at the thought of her concession. ** But the way is long and Miona is weary.”’ **She can sleep in the canoe of Red Bear; he will spread his blanket for her, and while he paddles, she can sleep.” ‘“The way is long to the water where his canoe is lying; she would rest here until daylight comes, and en go with him.” The black eyes of the Indian flashed, for he under- stood on the instant what the request meant. She wished to tarry here by the camp-fire until her friends could come to her rescue again. He glanced furtively about in the gloom, to make sure that no form was st g upon him, and then, stepping close to the girl, asked, in a hurried under- tone: ‘Does the Queen look for the coming of her friends? She may turn her eyes away, for they will never come again [” ‘** What!’’ gasped Miona; “ are they dead?”’ ‘They sleep in the ground,”’ replied Red Bear, in- tending to give ical phase to the deliberate falsehood he was telling. ‘*Oh! how can I bear this?’’ wailed the poor strick- en captive, a her hands to her forehead, as if to keep her head from bursting. She believed the monstrous deception, for it ac- counted for the continued absence of her friends. She was certain no other cause could explain their failure to return to her. Very naturally, when, she awoke in the wood, it seemed to her that she had been a for a much longer time than was really the case. She was con- fident that three or fours had ed since she closed her eyes in slumber, and while she sat unconscious on the und the two men who had risked all for her had met their doom. Red Bear saw that his deceit had done its work, and with a sort of chiv difficult to understand, he maintained a respectful silence until she could re- cover, in a measure, from this great woe that had comie upon her. There were no tears and no more lamentations up- on the part of Miona. A sortof dull stupor appeared to possess her. There was one sharp, agonizing pang when the Blackfoot pronounced the terrible words. and then the same stolid despair came back to her. The bright flower of hope that she had cherished was withered and dead, and no tidings could deepen her miserable condition. Some five, ten, fifteen minutes passed, and still the two figures stood silent and motionless by the lonely heew pe Miona was in that dull, unnatural state, hardly conscious of where she was, while her com- nion was all alert, ite nen m= turning his head and ooking about him, as though he was not entirely free from personal fear. “Will the Queen go with Red Bear?’ finally ventured the Indian, in the hope of breaking the op- pressive spell that was resting upon her. *“Not yet—not yet,’ she answered, waving her head sadly from side to side. She was ons but calm, and turning her face upon him, she asked in a voice which, while it sounded like that of another rson, was still without the least trace of emo- on. ‘** Where are all the warriors of Red Bear?” He pointed to the south. ‘Yonder is kindled the camp-fire of the Blackfeet, and there the warriors are gathered,” ** Are they ail there?” “There are some hunting through the wood for the pale faces.” Again was there a painful flicker of hope in the _ heart of Miona, and she asked, with an eager quick- ness: ““Why do you hunt for the pale-faces if they are i dead ?”’ | The question was so quick and une ted that the wily red-skin was nonplused for the moment. He recovered quickly, and answered: ‘** All do not know it; those who have not heard of it, are still searching the woods for them.” | Ah! that one single second of hesitation undec6iv- ed Miona; she knew Bear had told a falsehood, and her friends were still cb 5 Still Miona, as far as possible, concealed her dis- risa Sone oe captor. She a resolved to vee d eir going by every means in her power; so she finally ask- resorted to several trivial questions, ‘Do we return alone, or with the warriors of Woo- ing: wol-na?”’ “We shall go back together—’sh!’’ he added, ed Mackintosh came | turning his head as quick as lightning. e did so, the figure of As he did th _ out of the gloom, and stood before him with his re- volver in hand. ‘Attempt to raise your gun and you're a dead | re 1 muttered the young scout, raising his hand. *“ Lf he don’t understand that, Miona, please translate it for me.” Whether he understood it or not, cannot be said, but forgetting all in the one thought of self-preser- vation, he whirled on his feet to flee, when he found himself face to face with Nick Whiftles. a 18 ee ——E —- — ‘‘Hold on a minute, Red Bear,’’ said the meee ‘‘there’s a condemned little diffikilty atween us § had better be settled now!” CHAPTER XVIL OVER THERE, ‘‘Cantamity,” said Nick Whiffles, addressing his dog, ‘‘ jest keep watch, and ef you smell any of the varmints comin’, let us know in time to slope.”’ Thus assured that there was no danger of sur- — the trapper gave his attention to the case be- ore him. Red Bear was standing with his arms folded, bis n leaning against the nearest tree, fairly cornered, But still defiant and ready to die the death he was certain was aot delayed for a few minutes, Ned Mackintosh held his pistol so as to cover the red- skin, and to anticipate any movement he might make. Nick stood silent a moment, and then turning to Mackintosh, said, in a low, rapid voice: P " . have told you what to do lad; take the gal and oO it. The yo man motioned to the girl to approach, and with one bound she sprung across the interven- ing space. Taking her by the arm, the two turned their backs upon the motionless figures, and at a rapid walk disappeared in the wood. ‘Red Bear,” said Nick, ‘‘I want you to stop chas- ing that ; she don’t belong to you, and I'll be con- demned if you shall foller her.” He made no reply—sullen, stoical, and defiant as ever, and Nick began to lose patience. “Tve got ye in my power, and it wouldn’t take much for me to send you under and raise your ha’r, but I don’t want to do it, on account of your father, fur me and him went on the war-path together afore ou were born, and we allers took a sort of hankerin’ r each other.” Red Bear now raised his gaze and showed by his manner that he felt some interest in what was said. ‘*Sarcumstances have made me run summat ag’ in’ Woo-wol-na durin’ the few years, and I don’t — ose he’ll look over the part I’ve played; but it’s the same to me whether he does or don’t. We've had a purty hard job of it, Red Bear, to keep out of your way, and you come mighty near gettin’ ahead of us, but I think we’ve sarcumven you at last. Don’t you think so?” The Indian answered by darting a quick glance around in the woods, the meaning of which was ap- parent to the trapper. . ‘You needn’t expect that any of them are om to help you. My pup is on the watch, and he'll let me known soon enough to keep out of the way of the Blackfeet.”’ It may be said here that it was through the as- sistance of Calamity that Nick and Ned finally a ag ame a ma are mq ae neue, e en hastily agreed upon the of action. The trapper directed that the should approach simultaneously from opposite directions, and Ned should take the girl in c e and start in as direct a line as possible for the northern ridge, passing on over that until he reached the stream upon the op- te side, where he was to await the co of iffies. The latter with the assistance of his dog, had no doubt but that he could easily discover them. His great ee was to get them out of this dan- gerous va ey as speedily as possible, and at the same time place them beyond any likelihood of being over- taken by the Indians, who, as a matter of course, would not relinquish the hunt so long as there was any prospect of success. ine mountaineers out of ten would have put R:¢ « Bear to death the instant they ed the opportuni- ty; but Nick ‘Whiffles, although of a terrible nature when aroused, was not vindictive. To him the crime would have been nothing but murder, and he had no thought of injuring any one except in case of inevitable necessity. His object now was to gain time; he wished to give the lovers all the start possible, and for that reason he was remaining ” the camp-fire to prevent Red Bear dashing away for assistance, or i his comrades to his aid. In doing this, it will be seen that Nick incurred eat personal risk, which, however, was character- tic of him. Despite the vigilance of Calamity, some treacherous red-skin might steal near enough to give a fatal shot. In the gloomy depths of the woods lurked the most darimg of red-skins, who were willing to risk their lives at any time for the sake of their leader, or that they might secure revenge upon 4 oad for whom they entertained a hereditary All this, as I have said, Nick Whiffles understood perfectly, but it produced no drawing back or hesi- tation in the part he had marked out for himself. The position taken by the ere gv was such that it laced him as near the rifle of Red Bear as was the tter. This, although apparently done by accident, was for the purpose of preventing the Indian taking any sudden advantage of the weapon. At the same time Nick kept his eye upon him, ready to detect and frustrate any movement looking towari escape. ; - As their relative positions were a little embarrass- ing, Nick naturally indulged his habit of talking Ww mm! an op hea y occurred. . “The gal made a regular bargain with you, Red Bear, or with Woo-wol-na, which is the poh thing, that when five years come round she should have the right to go or stay, and why, in thunder, don’t you stick to your n?” “Red Bear loves the Queen of the Woods,” replied the warrior. IJOO <eom “S (E