Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 8 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ota. So es . == - ~— = ey A 1 = + oo! —_—s a — —_2>_* or ee ee en Oe ce a re — i oun-e~ 10 —— arrangement about the manner in which we are going to travel. Double caution is now necessary.”’ “] 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 proceeded but a short distance when he noticed 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, aithatee quite strong @vas hardly sufficient. By dint of patience and perseverance they succeed- in reading the following: “Be very careful. The imps begin to suspect; 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, “Sera Jones, Esq.”’ It was now evident that they were in close proxim- ity to the sav . 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. mete silently and cautiously the three moved forward. A half-hour later, Graham touched the shoulder of Haverland and 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 d 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 XIII. 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- casion to hasten their steps. When, however, Seth Jones’ unceremonious entrance among them, to- gether with the escape of his new companion and the su uent report of the smaller party with Ina, was made known, the old chief began to have some mis- givings sas his fancied security. It occurred to im that there might be a large party of 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 ve nce. 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 fearful chase—and placed Ina in their charge, with instructions to make all haste to the Indian . 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 rty, in case of attack, his presence, he had reason 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. How well he succeeded, has al- ready been shown. The six savages with their aaa parted from the larger party, and struck off rapidly in a direction diverging to the north. Their trail was so concealed —e the impression that there were but three, and deception we have seen 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 ~— leisurely continued his way with his dusky fol- owers. After the parties had parted company, one hastened rapidly forward. Ina, in charge of a poco athletic Indian, was kept to the front, the more effectually to conceal her stone Ota: 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 yed hastily forward, he made it a point to hten them as much as possible by his conver- sation, and certain original remarks, pointed meaningly ahead. | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library ‘*Tf you have no objection, I wouldn't mind know- ing your idea in thus a tay, Br other Injins, eh?’ he remarked, quizzically, to the savage in front. No ls being given, he continued: . : oo you’re thinking about that house you burnt down, and feeling bad—oh, you ain't, eh?” meee od remarked Seth, as the Indian glared fierce- y at him. “Tt was a bad trick, I allow,” he continued, ‘enough to make a fellur mad, 1 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 a had any pursuers. Finding they had not, they slackened their speed somewhat, as Ina had given signs of fa- tigue, 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 — A“ 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 ee over the ground, occasionally giving vent to snatches 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 prec 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 erufty asked: ‘*What that?” ** Read it fur yourself,” replied Seth, innocently. ‘* What that?’ repeated the savage, menacingly. ‘** A little flouris I was executing, jist to pass away time. ‘“*Ugh!’’ nted 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 march 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 p for a time was quite rapid. Seth somehow or other, was constantly pite out of file, breaking down twigs along the way, stumblin against the stones which were not in the way, and, in spite of menaces and occasional blows of his cap- og 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 but a mouthful. An apprehension of dreadful tion came over her, and her soul reeled as pote picturing what was yet to come, Seth qu 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 interes a state as one could well conceive. The meal finished, th f agaht 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, received a fierce wipe from the foot of the same savage, and the words in came out to view, and accomplished all that their ardent au- thor could have d ott on These acts of Seth settled the suspicions of his captors into a certainty, and a closer surveillance was kept upon their tory captive. No further opportunities were given him, and as he himself had expected this turn of matters, there was no need of it upon his pers Although he had but little reason to hope it, he did hope and believe that Haverland and Graham were upon the 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 nares eee the way that the savages continued their flight—as 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 old chief had given them im ve 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 n to understand the situation of these savages and their captives, in order to com- prehend the events that followed. —_—-——— EE ————— ae to give out. The ra ———— lr A fire was started, and just within the circle of this, half reclining upon the ground, was Ina, with a 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 for any 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 about a hundred yards on the back-trail. Here, lying flat on his face, he silently waited for the approach of the enemy. CHAPTER XIV. IN THE ENEMY’S CAMP. THE savages, after starting the fire, allowed it to smolder and die cut, for fear of iding 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 pesos 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 aoe pg 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 afew 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- owth, they might have touched each other without nowing 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 ve him a knowledge of his position and determined is own mode of action. _ Without the least noise, he slid soe 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 his head, and was gradually 9 me oy Be 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 upon 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 of life left. Then casting his body to one side, he made his way back to his com- _ ons. Here, in a few words, he explained what ad taken place. It. was evident that the Indians were so cautious ard alarmed, that the most con- summate skill was required, to accomplish the work in band. . Suddenly an ingenious plan occurred toGraham. It was to dress himself in the fallen Indian's dress, walk pom atto the camp and be guided by circum- stances. ter a moment's consultation, it was ac- uiesced in by all. Haldidge made his way to where the savage lay, and hastily stripping him, returned with his garments. These Graham onned in a few moments, and was ready. It was agreed that he should walk aye | among them, while Haverland woul and Haldidge follow him, and remain nigh enough to be ey A a moment’s warning. If dis- covered, he was 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. ‘The 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 in a moment. th pointed to his feet; Graham nodded. ‘Say, you, you was clever enough to tie up my feet, and now have the kindness to move ’em a little nearer the fire. Come, do, and I’']l 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 ard, all that would be necessary was—to act. But t was hardly possible. While ruminating ppen the next step to be taken, an Indian addressed him in the Indian tongue. Here was a dilemma, and Graham was already meditating upon making the on- slaught at once, when the ready wit of Seth came to his aid. D sing most completely his voice, the eccentric fellow replied in the Tndian tongue. This slight stratagem was executed so perfec tires not a savage entertained the mamee suspicion that another than their dead comrade had spoke to them. Another question was put, but before Seth could reply, there came a startling ery of the whippowil close at hand. All the savages Le, ae nay es their feet, and one held his tomahawk, ready to brain the cap- tive Ina, in case they could not retain her. Another leaped toward Seth, but his surprise was great, when the man in turn sprung nimbly to his feet, and this Eomilcsaoo (a) (E(0)