Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 183 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

| 4 ' — . Lo - — a —_" <a = - ee ~- a a « _ gene - - egg ee == on oo —— 16 are you here? Do you come to do an injury to Gandelion and his men?” “T have no quarrel with him,” answered the Guide. ‘*'We came to seek and save Helen Carlyon, who was not lost, after all, as I told you. I was deceived by appearances, and we found her afterward; but since then she has been taken prisoner by Darromed.” The girl darted impulsively forward, took the hand of the Guide and kissed it. ‘** You bring me happy news, my father!” she said. ‘‘I have been sad many times whenever I thought of the maiden, whom you thought so beautiful, but whom I did not see.” ‘* Father!” said the Guide, raising his eyes to heaven. ‘She called me father, this sweet child. How long, oh, how long is it since I have heard that sweet name!” “The people with whom I live have taught me to call men whose hair is getting gray by that name. Morena has sharp eyes and she can see that it is sorrow, more than years, which has made your hair white. But I do not love you less because you are not my father, for you have been very kind to me.” “Call me father always when you meet me,” said Gilbert. ‘‘1t brings sad memories to me, but it is sweet to hear that name again. I had daughters once who loved me, but 1 lost them.” **Oh!” said Morena, in a plaintive tone, ‘* father, that is very sad, when we lose little children who love us, and whom we love. I will call you father because your hair has snow upon it, and because you are so tender when you speak of the little children you lost.” Gilbert pressed her hand again and again to his lips. “]T am oe ene myself,” he said, at last. ‘“‘In my own griefs, 1 must remember that others are sad. Isit safe to talk here, so near the camp?” ‘“*T know that Gandelion would not willingly do you harm, for he laughed in the morning when he found that you had esca in the night. He has a kind heart, and has done much for Morena.” * Let us g0 further away from the camp, however, as I wish to ask you some questions d to Darromed,” said Gilbert. bey found a secure place among the rocks at some distance from the camp, upon a narrow shelf which ran close to the river bank, where they sat down. ‘* Has Darromed come to the camp since I left it?” he said. “Yes; he came in this morning, and Gande- Yon was kind to him, for it is his business to ook after the Indians. He had some evil in his mind as he talked, for when Darromed is angry his eyes turn green, and he speaks soft and low like a little child. Yet, even he has been very kind to me, ever-since I came among the Wyandots. But I could see that he had something on his mind, though what it was I could not tell. He took some meat with him when he went away, and asked Gandelion for a little wine, which he said was for a com- rade who was wounded, and needed it. Then Gandelion said he would send ont men and bring the wounded man into camp, but he ane not hear to it, because he said that the sight of white faces would drive bim mad.” ‘‘Ha!l I see through all this!” said Gilbert. ‘‘The fellow bas taken Helen to some hiding- em and is keeping her a prisoner, and wanted e food and wine for her.” ‘** Not a doubt of it in my mind,” said Water- man, eagerly. ‘‘ At least, he does not seem to treat her unkindly.” ‘* He will not do that, as he doubtless has an object in getting her safe to his le,” re- — the uide. ‘Did he say he was coming ? ‘* Yes; he told Gandelion he would come at dusk to bring more food for the sick man, and he will do it.” Just then the Guide felt a hand upon his shoulder, and saw Owasco kneeling beside him on the rock and pointing downward. The river was visible for over a mile, and just at the point where it turned and was lost to view, they saw a figure standing, which, even at that distance, they could not mistake for any other. It was the chief, Darromed, standing in a statuesque attitude, looking down the stream. As they looked, they saw another figure come out from the shadow of the rock, and stand be- side him. ‘*Helen!” cried Waterman, eagerly, stretch- ing out his hands. ‘It is she!” CHAPT?ER XV. PLOTTING. ** Like the baseless fabric of a vision.”’ WHILE they stood gazing at the two figures the chief started, ah seizing the,girl b more. It was not probable that he had seen them, for he had been startled by something nearer at hand. However this might be, he | was gone, and doubtless would hurry Helen to his secret hiding-place, wherever that might be. Evidently, too, he was quite alone, or he the | waist by main strength dragged ber back into | the shadow of the rock, and they saw them no | ———— Gilbert, the Guide.. would not have shown fear so readily, backed by the power of his fierce band.” “Why does he guard her so carefully?” mut- tered the Guide. “It is not the usual way with Darromed, for I know to my sorrow he cares but little for female prisoners, and would not hesitate to destroy one who cumbered him in the least, had he not some strong motive. One oa is decided, however, and that is that he has a hiding-place near at band, in which he keeps her confined. Poor girl, how her heart must be torn each hour she remains in that cruel man’s power. Let him look to himself, for there are those upon his track who are tire- less and unforgiving. He ought to know me by this time, and that Iam not one to falter or turn back.” , **Let us hasten to her relief, and take her out of this cruel villain’s power?” pleaded Wa- terman. , ‘*T suppose you would rush in now and drive him to kill her, as he would certainly do if hard pushed, for he isa man to whom revenge is very sweet. meet craft, and cunning, cunning. Let us work, who bave all our lives made it our stady to pry into the wiles of the Indian, and to un- derstand the deep guile of which he alone is capable. Not even the Hindoo is more subtle in his revenges than this Darromed, chief of the Wyandots.” * Why does he hate you so?” “Because, through my means, he once re- ceived a severe but well-merited punishment which he never forgot and terribly revenged. I wish I had let him escape, for that act has made my whole life very bitter.” ‘** What do you propose to do?” ‘“‘T will tell you directly. Morena, come this way, for I wish to speak with you.” e Indian maiden followed him to one side, and they conversed eagerly and earnestly for a few moments, when Owasco was called to join in the conference. When it was finished Morena took up ber carbine, which she had placed agaiust a rock, and with a graceful gesture of farewell sprung up the mountain path and dis- 8 ae At the same time Owasco tightened his belt, laid bis rifle upon.the rock, and taking another course, also left the place, while Water- man looked on doubtfully. “You do not explain * intentions yet,” he said. ‘Surely you will omit no means to save Helen from this scoundrel.” ‘* [have taken an oath to save her or die with her,” replied the Guide, ‘“‘ and you must permit me to say that I know how to work against a man like Darromed better than you do. Morena and Owasco are already at work, but even they can do nothing until Darromed returns to the camp of Gandelion.” ‘‘ What is that body of men doing here?” in- quired the young man, uneasily. “*T think they are here to watch their Indian allies and see that they do not go further than is deemed necessary by the English. There will be no child’s play, now that they have rejected the terms of the peace commissioners.” ‘ What are you going to do?’ _ * Follow me and you will know,” was the an- swer, as the Guide lifted his own rifle and that of Owasco, and started up the path, Seeing the indecision upon the face of the young soldier, he turned upon him almost fiercely, throwing up his hand with an impatient gesture. ‘*'You must have faith in me, or we can do nothing, sir. I have an oath to fulfill as well as you, and Lam — the best way I know. I would yield to you if I dreamed that you could think of a better plan, but I know that you can- not. Morena has promised to track this savage to his lair, and she can do so more safely than either of us, for I do not think he wou d dare do her any barm, for she is a power among the Indians, Once for all, will you obey me or not? “ Yes,” replied the young man, “and I beg your pardon for my indecision, and can only plead one excuse, my distress and anxiety.” “‘Enougb. But your excuse, though a _— one in most cases, will not work here, and I will not permit it to interfere with my plans.” ‘‘Tt shall not again, if I can control myself,” said Waterman, humbly. “You must control yourself, I say again. Only by calmness and circumspection can we hope to win the stake for which we are playing. The stake is a high one, and well worth careful play. I beg of you for her sake whom we have come here to serve to act as if you had no mo- tive but that of common humanity, and we shall surely win. Now follow, as I charged you once before.” They found a cover among the limestone rocks, from which’they could look down upon the camp of Gandelion, whose men were enjoy- ing their seclusion as best they could. Some Ls, ee at cards, others wrestled, or tried their skill at leaping; two or more couples of fencers were having a turn with swords, and Morena | was standing with downcast eyes before Gande- lion, who was leaning against a great bowlder, talking with her. The merry laughter came to the men hidden among the rocks. “The girl loves Gandelion, I believe, surely, if he could turn his foolish pride No, no, Waterman; craft must | and | out of ' ness in the great nation when Darromed goes doors, he might do far worse among the women of his nation. Rich in beauties and graces, strong in her virtue, she is a bride worthy of a king. “Vou think highly of this beautiful girl, and she deserves it at your hands. How these fel- lows make themselves at home.” ‘*Gandelion always does that wherever he may be. I cannot help liking the man, though he is full of the most consummate impudence I ever read or heard of. He would beard an em- peror, and pull a king by the nose, who chanced to vex him, and then offer him the choice of weapons.” ‘* Faith he ought to be an Irishman,” said Pat, witha chuckle. ‘‘I’ve seen gintlemen in Ire- land walk up to anotber with a grin and say, ‘Was it me ye meant that twist av the lip for? Maybe he’d say yis; most likely he w’u’d, any- how, and thin, maybap, next morning they’d arade wan anither in the park they call the haynix, and pop at one anither wid the little pistols. Many’s the gintleman I’ve seen car- ried wid his fate foremost out of the Park into Dublin, and all the gossoons eryin’, ‘ Huroo! here’s anither candicate for a grass quilt!’ Faith an’ it was a great divarsion to me whin I were a lad.” ** You Lrishmen fight as a pastime, while most of other nations never fight trom choice; I mean Christian nations.” ‘** Sure an’ ye don’t call Irishmans Christians?” demanded Pat, with a queer twist of the mouth. ** Anyhow they think over the Channel we are a set of philanderin’ savages, good for naught but to ate praties and sour milk. But whin the time comes fora war, isn’t it the illigant names they call us! By the tones of the O’Don- abugh, but it’s a puzzle to me how quick they erry om = ou are a wit, Pat,” said Gilbert, with a smile. ‘**Dade I’m not, for the praste called me a foolish gossoon, because I liked s wate milk bet- ter than sour, and whisky better than anither man. What wid the landlords, an’ dhrivin’ the cows an’ pigs for the rint, an’ the tithes an’ taxes, it’s a bard life a poor man basin IreJand, barrin’ it’s a market-day or a fair. I'd givea sro av me life to see Donnybrook ag’in, an’ | a’e a set-to wid shillalahs wid Teddy Miles, the blacksmith. Sorra a oneo’ me ever will for- it ic an’ how fire the hob-nails av his brogues ooked whin tbey flew in: il the air.” “*Keep still, you rascal,” said the cther, lau hing. ‘Here comes that scoundrel Darro- med. As he spoke the Wyandot appeared at the other side of the valley, coming down into the camp. At that distance there was somethin grand in the attitude of the savage, even thou they knew him to be full of wicked tuoughts. His erect figure, his bold eye, and the martial ae of his motions, had their effect even upon ilbert, who had an innate reverence for mus- cular power, even when that power appeared in the person of his deadly enemy. Gandelion rose from his position against the bowlder, and gave a quiet glance at Morena, which told her of the presence of the stately chief, and she turned to meet him. The Indian advanced boldly, caring nothing for the fact that they bad parted in anger, and greeted the young leader proudly. rt ‘* You have come back, chief,” said the young . “How is your sick companion now?” ‘‘ He is better,” replied the chief, ‘‘and the angel of health has driven away the fever, and if be has care he will do well. I have come for food that he may grow stronger and better, and take the war-path again against those who have tried to rob us of our country.” “Tam with you in that, as you well know,” replied Gandelion. ‘‘The Yankees must and shall keep out of the North-west country, if it is in the power of man to beat them. But they have sent out a general who is strong in war, and the end is yet far off.” | ‘*‘Mad Anthony is a great chief,” replied the * Indian, ‘‘and he will fight well. Many braves must press the earth before the war is over, but when it is ended the Indian shali possess again the land of his fathers. Who is yobs | in war like the great tribe, or able to stand in war against us? Woe to the white man when we dig up the hatchet and send the war arrow from tribe to tribe, from village to village, from man to man and call them to the feast of death, The vultures scent blood from far off, and I see them gathering from east and west, from north and south, to feast upon the bodies of the slain. But I waste breath; give me food for my friend, who is very sick.” ‘‘] will bring food for the friend of Darro- med,” said Morena, advancing, ‘‘for I would see him strong again.” Darromed looked at her with a sad expression in his dark eyes. ‘‘ Morena is not the friend to her people she once was,” he said. “She has forgotten that the whole tribe have bowed down to her and loved ber. When she was sick the people mourned ; when she called they beard her voice and came to her as the wind comes at the cal] of the spirit of the storm. There will be sad- eGoim Ho(GO) (C OO