Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 8 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

that would make you open your eyes. I believe these Mohawks are certain we won't suspect they’ve let the gal go off with two or three of their number, when there were enough to watch her and keep her out of the hands of a dozen such as we are. Feeling certain of this, I say they have let her go; and being sure also that we'll tramp on after them, they have made arrangements some distance away from here to dispose of us.” ** Sound reasoning, I admit, but here’s something to offer on the other side,” said Graham, producing another fluttering rag from a bush. ‘* How is that upon the other side of the question ?"’ queried the hunter. , “Tf you will notice the bush from which I took this, you will see it is upon the trail of the larger party, and consequently Ina must have been with that party to have left it there. ‘‘ Just show me the exact twig from which you took it,’’ quietly asked Haldidge. Graham led the way afew y off and showed him the spot. The hunter stooped and carefully examined the bush. “I’m now satisfied,’ said he, “that I was right. This rag was left there by a savage for the express purpose of misl us. We must seek Ina in an- other direction.” “ Haldidge,”’ said Haverland, earnestly, ‘‘I place great reliance _ your skill and judgment, but it strikes me at this moment that you are acting capri- ciously against reason.” ‘*There’s but one way to decide it; will you agree to it?” asked the hunter, smilingly, The other two expressed their willingness, and he produced his hunting-knife. For fear that some of our readers \ Ww Pt Ww wn \ Wi \\ r\ As MAY, 4 A v ,, ANS 2 Ww \ \4 vy S| Set ¢ en Seth Jones. cure in their possession, into the hands of one or two of their number, when they were conscious they were pursued. But the decision of the hunting- knife could not be appealed from, and in a moody si- lence he followed in the footsteps of the hunter. It was now getting far along in the afternoon, and the pursued savages could be at no great distance. Their trail was plain, as no efforts had been mace to | conceal it; but, although Haldidge strove his utmost | to detect signs of Ina’s delicate moccasin, he failed entirely, and was compelled, in spite of the assur- ance which he manifested at the start, to take some misgivings to himself. The hunter, notwithstanding the consummate cun- ning and skill he had shown thus far in tracing up the omen had made one sad mistake. He had been misled altogether in the number of the smaller party. Instead of three or four Indians, there were six: he began to think he had undertaken a more difficult matter than he anticipated. Still, there was no time for halting or faltering, and he strode reso- lutely forward. ‘*Ah—some more signs,’’ exclaimed he, stopping ree. ep a's ‘** What are they ?”’ queried his companions erly. ** Just notice this bush, if you please, and tell me what you make of it?’’ The two friends did so, and saw that one of the branches of some sprouts of chestnut, growing round a stump, had been broken short off, and lay pointing toward the trail. Ina has done this to guide “T make it favorable. us,”” said Haverland. ‘My opinion exactly,’’ added Graham. AN ‘\) » a TWSSE 1 } . ra proba | © we fee failed altogether thus far to detect it, is it le that she is among them?” ‘*T think so. You must remember that these half- dozen Mohawks are walking promiscuously and not in Ingin file, as is generally their custom. It is ve agg that the gal is in front, and what tracks her ittle moccasin might make would be entirely cov- ered up with the big feet of the Ingins.” returned Haver- land, in such a tone as to show that he still had his **T hope you are not mistaken lingering doubts. ‘That matter cannot be decided until we peep at the dusky cowards, and the only course us to push ahead.”’ et a for ‘It strikes me that they can be at no great dis- tance, and if we are going to come u n their camp- fire to-night, we have got to do it pretty soon,”’ ‘*Come on, then.”’ With this, the hunter ain strode forward, but with more stealth and caution than before. He saw in the different signs around them unmistakable proof that the Indians were at no great distance. Just as the sun was setting, the trumvirate reached a small stream which dashed and foamed direc across their trail. They halted a moment. to Sake their thirst, and the hunter arose and moved for- ward again. But Graham made it a point tosearch at eve ed out halting-place for guiding signs, and his companion# to wait a moment, he call- “Time is too precious,’ replied he, ‘‘and you won't find anything here.”’ ‘*Won’t find anything here, eh? Just come and look at this.” The hunter stepped back over the stones in the < a < \ . re a WITHOUT LOSING A MOMENT, HE RAISED HIS RIFLE, TOOK QUICK BUT SURE AIM, AND FIRED.—Page 12. may be apprehensive of the use to which he intended putting it, we will describe his modus operandi at once. Stepping back a pace or two, the hunter took the point of his knife between his thumb and fore- finger, and flung it over his head. As it fell to the earth again, the point was turned directly toward the trau of the less er party. | * Just what I t ought * remarked the hunter, with another quiet smile. The mooted question was now settled to the satisfaction of all, and our three friends turned unhesitatingly to the westward upon the trail of the sm y. How much sometimes hangs upon the slightest thread! How small is the point upon which great events often turn! The simple fact of the direction in which the blade of the hunting-knife remained when it fell, decided the fate of every character in this life-drama. Had it pointed to the northward, an hour later the three would have walked into an ambush intended for them, and every one would have been massacred. The hunter was right. Ina Haverland had gone with the smaller party. CHAPTER XII. PENCILINGS BY THE WAY. We have said the hunter was right. By the acci- dental turning of the hunting-knife, he had not only saved his life, but his efforts had been turned in the right direction. It must be confessed that Haverland himself had some misgivings about the course which they were taking. He could not believe that the savages were short-sighted enough to place a captive, who was se- i +o are mistaken about one thing. Jna did not 0 ? ‘Did not do it?’ exclaimed the others; ‘and who did then?’’ ‘ That’s the question. I’m of the opinion that that white man you have told me about has done it.” , But it cannot be that he is with them too.”’ ‘Surely it is impossible that the Indians would al- low doth of their captives to be in charge of two or three of their number at the same time.” As for two or three, there are six —— Mo- hawks ahead of us for that matter. I haven't de- tected the trail of the gal yet, but have discovered several times pretty convincing evidence that a white man is among them. If you will look at that stick again, you see that it is not likely your gal broke In the first I don’t believe she is able; for notice how thick it is; and, if she could have done it it would have taken so much time that she would have been prevented.”’ _ “Very probably Seth is among them, although it is singular, to say the least. Some unaccountable whim has take possession of the Indians.” ; * But you say you discern nothing of Ina’s trail?” asked Graham. ** Not as yet.” $s + you think she is among them?” **T do.” ‘* Where is her trail, then?” ** Somewhere on the ground, I ig ete ‘* Well, why have we not seen it, then?” ‘*T suppose, because it has escaped our eyes.”’ **A good explanation,” smiled Graham; “but if brook, and with Haverland a ae latter pointed to a broad, following words: have got Ina with them. are follo them, and are h lage. I think we will camp two or ed Graham. t stone at his feet n it was scratched, with some softer stone, the forward. There are six Indians, and they They don’t suspect you up for the vil- miles from here. Make the noise of the whippowil when you want to do the business, and I will understand. ‘Yours, respectfully, “Sern Jones.” “Tf I warn’tafraid the imps would hear it vote three cheers for that Jones.” ex didge; “he’s a trump, whoever he is.”’ “You may d n upon that,’ added Graham, , I would Hal- ‘for what little I saw of him was sufficient to show me that.”’ “Let me see,’’ repeated the hunter, again the writing — he stone, “he says th t, but “shall ;~ a Ste er an hou now set, but we s ave light for Ov r suffi ee best for us to be ” camp two or yet, cient to guide us. moving forward, as there is no time to It beats my time how this Jones got ey will en- The sun has into that crowd,”’ said Graham, half to himself, as the three again moved forward. “* Fle’s there, we know, and that is enough for the present: when we have the time to All read speculate upon the matter. Tt we may “Yes—but a moment. Haldidge, let us have some com (E 0)(0\(6) ‘Ss (€()