Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 92 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

Canada Chet. Canada Chet, THE COUNTERFEITER CHIEF; OR, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Qamp. A Tale of Two Boys’ Adventures. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF *‘ DEADWOOD DICK ’’ NOVELS AND ‘*' ROSEBUD ROB’’ NOVELS, CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS—A WARNING BY A GIRL. THe past autumn was one of | Noe beauty up in the far North-west. Warm weather prevailed longer than any previous season for a number of years, and consequently Nature was in her loveliest moods. The prairies were growing dry and dun-hued, and the trees were beginning to rattle down their leaves as the result of the early frost, when we open our romance in a location as hitherto quite neglected by the pen of the novelist and veracious historian—i. ¢., in the British possessions to the north-west of Min- nesota. A land of singular beauty, with its vast rolling prairies, its level plains, its vast tracts of — forest, its numerous clear streams and lake- ets. The day we have chosen for the opening of our romance was a calm sunny one in the early part of October, with a gentle but invigorating breeze stir- ring down from the boreal regions over the dun prairies and through the great silent forests. A soft moody haze hung about the horizon, while old Sol looked down smilingly, doubtless to see his round good-natured countenance reflected in the bosom of oo lake or flowing stream. ) go in a boat were leisurely descending a stream which ran through a dense forest of hem- locks and pine, and which was both wide and deep, the waters flowing sluggishly. On either hand naught was in view but the dense and dismal stretch of timber; even the sky was al- most hidden by the overhanging branches. As their boat, a light, gayly-painted skiff, with two sets of oars, drifted along at will of the current, the two youths gazed around in awed silence, with an occasional glance at each other, in which were ex- pressed wonder and anxiety. The foremost youth, about eighteen years of age, was of a full, supple form, and fair, good-natured face, but was not handsome. His eyes were brown and sparkling, and his hair a half-shade lighter. He was attired in a handsome and serviceable hunting- suit, and equip with a Winchester rifle, of the Centennial model, while his revolvers were fine wea- ns. Ammunition was carried in one of two lea- hern bags, which were strapped to his back. His companign was evidently about a year older, and in form was something of a curiosity. He tow- ered aloft to the measure of six and a half feet, when. ding in his boots, and was literally a living skeleton, as his skin was simply drawn over the bones, with not a pound of superfluous flesh in his make- up. is clothes sat loosely upon him, and his boots were the only thing that fitted , and they were number 14s. In face he was thin and pinched as in form, with a sallow complexion, and little, green- ish eyes that peered strangely from their sockets, He was a remarkable contrast to strong, sturdy Hal Dayton, his companion, looking old enough to be his father. His name was Dave Laam, or as he was better known, Big Track; for it was declared that no man in the North-west could fill his track, with a human foot. What should bring these two contrasts together, and 80 far out in the North-western wilderness can be readily explained, in a few words. Both were sons of wealthy merchants, in Ottawa, Being possessed of an adventurous spirit, their parents had equip them, and sent them into the wan BUPROsTe of course, that a couple of weeks would satisfy their desire for ‘‘ roughing it,’ when they would then return gladly an business. But neither Hal nor Big Track had any desire to return until they had seen all there was to see, and consequently we now, behold them many hundred miles from their homes, in the wilds of a thinly settled tract of the British possessions. For the last twenty-four hours, they had been fol- settle down to lo the course of the stream, in the ho of eme again into the settled district of Quinne- bog, which they believed to lie southofthem., But the forest was seemingly endless, Jinks, I’m gettin’ tired o’ ridin’ along this “BB way. sae Dave Laam, as he glanced at his elegant ‘*Tt’s gettin’ on toward night again, and we in’t out of the woods by a long shot. y joints predict rheumatiz, unless we get out o’ here.” ae Hovesouch grub have you got in your pouch?” ‘Nary a crumb!” : ian GE we've got to shoot the first living object that turns up, or go hun My appetite is now ha a tussle with my backbone.” 2 *Twon’ do to shoot,”’ Big Track assured, “for, don’t you remember they told us up at the Forks about old Sitting Bull’s being up hereabouts?”’ ~ old Sitting Bull! He ain’t afraid of me, nor I of I'll run the risk, you bet, rather than suffer the pangs of hunger.” “ Can't we queso — ‘‘ Bother the fish! Haven't we subsisted on fish diet for the last twenty-four hours? I’m going to shoot something that walks or flies, be it bird, beast ——- -— r ob ‘* Well, at least let’s row on down the stream fur- ther, and see if rene vo turn up, Micawber re a We've got two hours at least before sun- se Ba They mechanically seized the oars, and shot the boat along over the smooth, even surface. The dips of their paddles and the rustling of the leaves os oe branches overhead, were the only sounds that broke the monotony of the somber sur- roundings. After pulling on for an hour, steadily, they again shipped their oars, as if by one impulse. e trees had grown a trifle more open, and light came down from ahead. But this was not what caused Hal Dayton to seize Big Track by the arm, and point to the eastern shore, Look! look!” he whispered, excitedly, “see! en the bank. Who in the name of Jupiter can Big Track looked as directed, and beheld a white horse standing upon the bank in plain view—a noble, snowy stallion, handsomely caparisoned, and mount- ed by a young girl, and a white one at that, even though her attire was that of an Indian princess. ‘She was young—less than Hal’s own age, with a graceful, willowy form, and a round, pretty face, pacing Drgney with health, a tempting mouth, arge, sparkling eyes, and hair of a brown hue, which fell in waves to a tapering waist. Her costume was gay, yet modest spangled with Indian beadwork and gol ornaments, solid bands of gold encirec ng her wrists. A rifle of Ballard’s fine make lay in front of her, across the saddle. apis Wagan she made up a strange picture to view in the heart of a far north- western forest. ae Sgn muttered an admiring ejaculation as he caught sight of the fair equestrian, for, although he was anything but beautiful himself, he had a keen appreciation of all that was. * Who is it?’ Happy Hal asked, excitedly. ‘* Jove! she’s a reg’lar beauty.”’ ‘* She looks like an Indian queen or princess,”’ Bi Track replied, in alowtone. ‘* But don’t you go an get struck after her.” ae rae not, you cheely? Who’s got a better right?’’ ca No one; but you'd stand no show. Beauty like mine always wins;”’ and the young lanky rolled his tongue about in his cheek in a manner that made him doubly ludicrous. The girl equestrian still maintained her position on the bank, and watched the drifting canoe containing Hal and Dave. “‘ T propose we pull toward her, and have an inter- view. She’s white, clean out and out, and probably she can speak United States,” said Dave. Accordingly they pulled toward the bank, but she did not change her position, nor did her horse stir. When they were a few feet from the bank, Happy Hal arose to his feet, doffed his hat and bowed low. In reply, a low, musical laugh came back that caused gallant Hal to redden. The strange equestrienne was looking at him cu- riously. “The young pale-face does honor to Hazel Eye, the Lily of the Forest,” she said. ‘* Why is it so?”’ “We are surprised at finding a young lady in these desolate surroundings, and thought we’d ‘ask about ou,’ Hal managed to stammer, for the steady, un- inching gaze of the forest princess had literally abashed his self-possession, “The pale-face is inquisitive, but is not the first one of the same characteristics,’ was the reply. " To one and all, Hazel Kye has no word of explana- on,’ “Oh! just as you please about that. But aren't you afraid to be alone in the forest, unprotected?” ‘‘No! Hazel Eye knows not fear in the forest alone, for it is her home—her hunting-grounds, She heard of the pale-faces’ coming, and Pd came hither to warn them that they are surrounded by dangers. To retreat means death; to advance is perilous, ‘Phew! you don’t say so,”’ and Hal gave vent toa whistle. ‘“Who’s going to hurt us—a couple inno- cent babes in the timber?” “The young pale-faces have many enemies un- known to them. The great chief, Sitting Bull, is now monarch of these forests, and his warriors count many. He has learned of the two young pate faces, pod wants their scalps.”’ and richly d and silver “The blasted old son-of-a-sea-cook! Say, Fatty, what do Po say to be! with the upper circum- ference ot your glober”’ ‘T’d rather not, for a choice,” Big Track replied, with a cadaverous smile. ‘* Just my fix, too. Say, look here, Miss Hazel Eye! what grudge has old Sitting Bull got against the top-knots of a couple o’ young roosters of our og Rave ein ee ; ‘Sitting Bull is a ty warrior,” the girl re- piled, ‘‘and he counts his faiibeinisete by the_hun- reds. He is a bitter foe to the white race; he hates them as the snake hates fire. They drove him his hunting-grounds, and he came hither; and he has sworn to kill eve le-face who invades these hunting-grounds, which he claims as bis own.”’ ‘* But, is there not a settlement below here, some- ; we “Yes; the pale-faces’ settlement of Quinnebog, or the Choppings, lie not far below. And it is there the young pale-faces are bound?” ‘Exactly. And why does he not war upon these settlers of the Choppings?”’ ‘* Because they number many ey woodsmen and their f es, and are strong. \ a | were here before Sitting Bull came, and are not at war with him and his braves.”’ ‘How many braves has he?” _ ong * but all are not Sioux. Some are rene- gades th painted faces, some are of other tribes.”’ ‘You seem to know all about it, young lady,” observed Big Track; “you must belong to old Sit- ting Bull’s caravan.’ ‘* Hazel Eye is a child of the forest. She has none to stay her; she comes and goes at pleasure; she be- — to no one?”’ ; * But, see here, there is no Injun about you?”’ ‘‘No Indian blood flows in the veins of the Forest Lily ” was the reply. “Then you are a friend to the whites, I take it. Give us your advice what we'd best do.” — “Hazel Eye has no advice to give the pale-face youths, They come from a great distance into the wilderness, where there are many perils. They are armed, and are young and strong. Hazel Kye has ra) to warn them of the warriors cf Sitting Bull and of Canada Chet, of Beaver Lake?” “Who is Canada Chet?” at Canadian trapper, who takes many skins each year. He, too, knows of the coming of the pale-face youths, and swears to drown them if he catches them near the great village of the Beaver.” ‘Well, let him drown. We've heard big stories about this Beaver Lake, and we’re the very lads who are i to see it and trap there!’’. Hal cried, inde- pendently. “The words of the pale-face are very brave, but Canada Chet is a powerful enemy.” ‘‘Pghaw! ye don’t know us! We can lick half-a- dozen Canadians in a fair fight. S’pose we’d best slope for Quinnebog, eh?” “The pale-faces must guide their own actions. Hazel Eye has ken,” and with these words, she turned and rode back into the forest. - Sa-ay! Hold on! Don’t be in a hurry,” saluted the Forest Lily was out of sight. Hal then turned to his companion. ‘‘ Well, Fatty, what’s tobe done? It looks kind as if it would be healthier for us in Ottawa about this time, don’t it, than in this ee ee eh?”’ ‘No. We've just arrived at the Mecca of our de- sires, where we can get our fill of adventure and— Indians |” He a as he spoke into the wood on the west- ern side of the stream; then suddenly slid flat into the bottom of the skiff, p ly after him. Not a moment too soon, The next instant several rifles cracked; bullets whizzed close over the sides of the boat, and the re- ports echoed and re-echoed through the great silent aisles of the forest. CHAPTER II. A DRINK OF MILK—FUGITIVES STILL. Tue rifle-sshots were accompanied by wild yells, and carefully ao over the side of the boat, Bi Track beheld the western shore swarming wit ieee. red-skins, who were about descending into he water ulling Hal unceremonious- ‘The varmints are goin’ to swim out fer us,’’ he said to Happy Hal, who was crouching flat in the bottom of the canoe. ‘ We're in a confounded fix and no mistake.”’ “Hark! what does this mean? The sound of horse’s footfalls upon the left shore. Can Hazel Eye have returned?” “Tl be hanged if she hasn't!” Dave replied, joy- fully. ‘ Hark! sheis addressing the Injuns, It was even so. The Forest Lily had 4 Say ete Patan her voice rung out across the water, her wor di- rected to the red-skins, who had suddenly ceased their yelling as she appeared upon the eastern bank. “Stop! what means this outrage? Has not the warriors of Sitting Bull had enough of warfare for one day, when their hands have become stained thrice over with human blood, and another fair slave has been added to their chief's lodge? Away! away! I say, and iene _ against the young pale-faces. Hazel Eye oken,’ b . * r The words of Forest Lily are of great wisdom, stalwart young buc we Seal of an aterd et: but Mink Cap is a chief t as the great Sitting Bull, under whom pees ant he aan bow at the words of the Forest Lily. the Demon of the Forest invoke his om ae 1” the girl cried, sharply. At this the red-skins seemed to shrink in terror, as if some RS choc reptile had been dropped in their midet hey shook their heads with guttural excla- The ords of the Forest Lily are stern and re- king. hat would she have Mink and his warriors do?’ the chief demanded, from: heroes the stream. “Hazel Eye would have Mink Cap and his war- riors give up ti warfare against the two pale-faces, and return to their village,” was the reply. “‘ If they disobey the Forest Lily, she will surely invoke the wrath of the Woods Demon upon them. a “ Then it shall be as the Gin) Ranger wills,” Mink Cap replied. “The warriors of Sittin Bull shall retard to their lodges, and suffer the pale-face dogs “The yo all with- noke to his rier the AB Po te A yest rd t) * a 6 th 2S ys oO rt = "Hh ( , a fiz : then she turned her eyes who had resumed their seats in the and Dave Laam, ides, they | skiff. IOO com cS appy . But there only came back, in answer, a laugh, and |