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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef9cfb4 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63868 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63868) diff --git a/old/63868-0.txt b/old/63868-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2c4565f..0000000 --- a/old/63868-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4478 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Miners, by Edward S. Ellis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: The Boy Miners - The Enchanted Island, A Tale of the Yellowstone Country - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Jessica Hope and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois - University Digital Library Nickels and Dimes Collection) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY MINERS *** - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Bold text is denoted by =equal signs=. - - Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - THE BOY MINERS; - - OR, - - THE ENCHANTED ISLAND - - A TALE OF THE YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY. - - - BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. - - - NEW YORK - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by - BEADLE AND ADAMS, - in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. “THERE THEY COME!” - - CHAPTER II. - - CHAPTER III. - - CHAPTER IV. - - CHAPTER V. - - CHAPTER VI. - - CHAPTER VII. - - CHAPTER VIII. - - CHAPTER IX. - - CHAPTER X. - - CHAPTER XI. - - CHAPTER XII. - - CHAPTER XIII. - - CHAPTER XIV. - - CHAPTER XV. - - - - -THE BOY MINERS; - -OR, - -THE ENCHANTED ISLAND. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -“THERE THEY COME!” - - -Young Edwin Inwood leaped down from the small tree in which he had -been perched for the last half hour, and ran swiftly toward the brook -where his elder brother, George, and a large negro named Jim Tubbs, -were waiting, ever and anon raising their heads, and looking towards -the boy who was acting as sentinel, several hundred yards away, as if -they were expecting some such an alarm as this. - -“Quick! they’ll soon be here!” he added in his terrible excitement. - -“How many are there?” inquired George, catching up his shovel at the -same time with his rifle. - -“I shouldn’t wonder if there were twenty. I’m sure I saw a dozen, any -way.” - -“More likely dar’s a tousand!” angrily exclaimed Jim, gathering his -implements together, preparatory to making a move. “Dis yer’s a -nonsince--jest as we gits in among de gold, dem Injins has to ’gin -dar tricks.” - -“Hurry, Jim,” admonished the young man, beginning to grow nervous. -“It won’t do to be caught here.” - -“Dey hain’t cotched dis pusson yit, an’ if dey undertooks it, -somebody’ll git hurt. I can swing dat pick kind o’ loose when I -makes up my mind to do so. I’s ready--now whar does ye pitch to?” - -“Into the cane, of course.” - -George Inwood, loaded down with his gun and implements, hurried up -the channel of the brook, for several hundred feet, and then, making -a sudden plunge to the right, disappeared as abruptly as if the earth -had opened and swallowed him. The next moment, his brother Edwin, a -lad some fifteen years of age--whisked after him, and then Jim came -lumbering along, somewhat after the manner of an ox, when goaded off -his usual plodding walk. - -“Dis yer’s graceful!” he muttered, not deigning to look behind him to -see whether the envious aborigines were visible, “I never did like to -trot, s’pecially when an Ingin was drivin’ me, an’ only does it to -please de boys.” - -“Come, Jim, move faster!” called the voice of George Inwood from some -subterranean point. - -“Yas, yas, I’s dar!”---- - -Further exclamation was cut short, for at this instant the indignant -African was seized by the ankle with such force, that he fell -prostrate upon his back, and, despite his struggles and threats of -dire punishment, was quickly drawn out of sight and hearing. - -This was scarcely done, when a dozen Mohave Indians swarmed over -the ridge of rocks and trees which bounded the northern part of the -stream, and scattered here and there in quest of the gold hunters, -whom they had been watching from a distance nearly all the afternoon. -Each of them was armed with a gun, several displayed tomahawks and -knives at their girdles, while the majority had large, beautifully -woven and ornamented blankets thrown over their shoulders. - -Running hither and thither, their sharp black eyes darting in every -direction, they could not be long without discovering traces of the -interlopers. A sort of halloo, something like the yelp of a large -dog, when a cow flings him over the fence, told that one of the dusky -scamps were on the trail. Immediately the whole pack darted up the -channel, and the next moment, had halted before the mouth of a cave, -the entrance being of sufficient width to admit the passage of an -ordinary sized man; but just now a large boulder prevented their -ingress. - -Certain that the gold hunters were immured here, and were within -their power, the Mohaves indulged in a hop, skip, and dance around -the cave, flinging their arms aloft, and shouting continually in -their wild, outlandish tongue. When their clamor had somewhat -subsided, a gruff voice from within the cave was heard. - -“Hullo! dar I say! Hullo! I say! Can’t yese keep yer clacks still a -minnit when a gemman wishes to speak?” - -The singular source and sound of the human voice had the desired -effect, and instant silence fell upon all. - -“Am dar any ob yous dat spoke English? If dar am, please to signify -it by sayin’ so, an’ if dar ain’t, also signify dat by obsarvin’ de -same sign.” - -Jim waited several minutes for a reply, but, receiving none, he -became more indignant, and was about to burst out in a tirade -against them, when George Inwood ventured to suggest that, as in all -probability they could not speak the English language, as a matter of -course, they were deprived of the ability of saying so. - -“But dey orter to know ’nough to say _no_--any fool know _dat_,” -persisted the African. - -“But how can they understand what _you_ say?” - -“Clar--didn’t tink ob dat. What am we to do?” - -“Defend ourselves--that is all that is left us.” - -“I’ll go take a look at dem,” said Jim, beginning to creep along the -passage toward the mouth of the cave. - -“I insist that you be more careful in your dealings with them. You -ought to know what a treacherous and untrustworthy set of people they -are.” - -Jim promised caution, as he always did in such matters, and Inwood -kept close to him to see that he fulfilled his pledge. Reaching -the mouth of the cave, the African gave a sneeze to proclaim his -presence, emitted with such explosive vigor, that the Mohaves -gathered around, startled as though the ground beneath them had -suddenly reddened with heat. They recoiled a few steps, and then -waited with some anxiety for the next demonstration. - -Jim Tubbs had a voice, composed half-in-half of those tones which -are heard when a huge saw is being filed, and that which is made by -the rumbling of the distant thunder. The judicious mixture made from -these, it may safely be said, was terrific and rather trying to a -sensitive man’s nerves; and, as he was in rather an indignant mood -on the present occasion, when he called to the Mohaves, it was more -forcibly than politely. - -“What does yer want?” - -When a person has reason to believe that the one whom he is -addressing has difficulty in understanding his words, he seems to -think the trouble can be overcome by increasing the loudness of his -tone. Jim repeated his question each time with greater force, until -the last demand partook more of the nature of a screech than anything -else. - -By this time, the aborigines had obtained a good view of the black -face, cautiously presenting itself at the opening made by the partial -withdrawing of the stone, and one of them, laying down his gun and -knife, as an earnest of his pacific intention, deliberately advanced -to the entrance of the cave, and reached out his hand. - -“Take it, Jim,” whispered Inwood, “he means that as an offering of -good will.” - -“I hope yer am well,” remarked Jim, as he thrust his immense digits -through the opening. “I is purty well, an’ so am all ob us--gorry -nation! what am yer at?” - -The Mohave had suddenly seized the hand of the negro in both his own -with tremendous force, and was now pulling with such astonishing -power as slowly to drag the unsuspicious African forward. - -“I tell ye let go!” shouted the latter, “it won’t do! Wal, if ye -wants to pull wid dis chile, why pull, an’ see who am de best feller!” - -Inwood, in his apprehension for the safety of the negro, seized his -leg, and endeavored with his utmost strength to stay his forcible -departure, observing which, the gentleman in dispute turned his head: - -“Nebber mind, George, nebber mind if dem darkeys - -[Transcriber’s Note: Several lines of text are missing from the -original here due to a printer’s error] - -Jim was six feet three inches in height, and along his limbs was -deposited an enormous quantity of muscle almost as hard as the bone -itself; he was not quick, but he was a man of prodigious strength, -and when he chose to exert it, there were few living men who could -withstand it. If there could ever be a suitable occasion to exert it, -that occasion was the present. - -And Jim did call it into play. Closing his great fingers around the -hand of the Mohave, he held it as firmly as if it were thrust into -the jaws of a Numidian lion, and then bracing his feet against the -sides of the cavern, he said: - -“Now, my ’spectable friend, you pull an’ I’ll pull.” - -At the first contraction of that muscular arm, the Mohave was drawn a -foot forward; and, in dreadful alarm, he uttered a cry which brought -several of his companions to his relief, and they, seizing him by his -lower limbs, pulled as determinedly in the opposite direction. - -“If yer gets dis feller back agin, I tinks he’ll be about a foot -taller,” muttered Jim, as he gave another hitch with the hapless -aborigine, which jerked not only him forward, but those who were -clinging fast to his extremities. They, in turn, united in a “long -pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether,” with no effect, except -to give the subject under debate a terrific strain. - -“Yeave ho! here ye go!” - -And with amazing power, Jim Tubbs drew the Mohave clear into the -cave, beyond all reach from his companions. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -“Now you keep still, or I’ll come de gold tuch ober you!” admonished -Jim, as he hurried the captured Mohave to the rear portion of the -cave, and delivered him in charge of George Inwood and his brother. - -“What do you mean by the gold trick?” inquired the latter, as he -caught up his gun, and placed himself in an attitude to command the -movements of the captured Indian. - -“Why I mean dat--hullo!” - -Jim turned and darted up the passage, in which he had detected a -suspicious noise. He was not a moment too soon. The red men, furious -at the abduction of one of their number before their eyes, had united -to force away the stone, and, at the instant the negro returned, one -of them had shoved his body half through the opening. - -“Out ob dar!” shouted Jim, as, with uplifted pick, he made straight -at the intruder. The latter, fully panic-stricken, turned about -and whisked out of the cave much more rapidly than he entered, -his moccasins twinkling in the air, as if the same means had been -employed to extract him, that had been used to draw his venturesome -companion in. - -The ludicrous appearance of the Mohave, as he scrambled out among -his friends, exceedingly pleased the ponderous African, who laughed -loudly and heartily. - -“Didn’t fancy de way I swung dat pick round! I was kinder loose wid -it, an’ if I’d let it drap on him, it would’ve made him dance.” - -It looked very much as if our friends, in capturing the Mohave, had, -to use a common expression, secured an “elephant.” What to do with -him, was the all-important question, now that he was in their power. -Being without any warlike implements, he was comparatively harmless, -and, as there was no escape for him, except through the passage by -which he had entered, it was hardly to be supposed that, so long as -he was unmolested, he would indulge in any performances likely to -bring down the wrath of his captors upon him. - -Withdrawing to the opposite side of the cave, (which was not more -than a dozen feet in diameter) he stood silent and sullen, while -Edwin Inwood, with his loaded and cocked rifle, watched him with -the vigilance of a cat. George Inwood, feeling that nothing was -to be apprehended from the present shape of affairs within their -subterranean home, passed up the narrow entrance to where Jim was, -in order to learn how matters stood there. - -At the moment of reaching his sable friend, the discharge of a gun -was heard, and Jim hastily retreated on his hands and knees a few -feet. - -“Are you hit?” inquired Inwood in some alarm. - -“Yes, but dey didn’t hurt me; _dey hit me on de head_!” - -“Can they not force back the stone?” - -“Not if we can git close up behind it.” - -The negro spoke the truth; for, when immediately in the rear of the -immense boulder, they could hold it against the combined efforts -of any number of men on the outside, and, at the same time, keep -themselves invisible, while, by remaining in their present position, -they ran every risk of being struck. Consequently, no time was lost -in creeping into the proper place, where, for the time being, they -felt themselves masters of the situation. - -Having successfully staved off all danger for the present, the -question naturally arose, how was this matter to end? The gold -hunters were walled up in a cave, with plenty of arms and ammunition, -little food and no water. The Mohaves, if they chose so to do, could -keep them there until they perished from thirst or starvation. - -Edwin Inwood soon grew tired of standing in his constrained position, -and he cautiously set down his gun, within immediate reach, and -then sinking down upon one knee, resumed the work which had been so -peremptorily checked by the entrance of the captured Mohave. A large -stone, weighing over a dozen pounds, was held firmly in position, -while he employed both hands in drilling a hole into the center. -This, as all know, is quite a tedious operation, and, although he -had the usual tools of the blaster of rocks, he made slow progress. -Still, he was animated by that great spur to exertion, necessity, and -he applied himself to his task without intermission. - -While his brother and the gigantic African were parleying and -debating upon their situation, he succeeded in reaching the depth -desired, and then carefully removing the debris, he thoroughly -cleaned the cavity, as does the skillful dentist when preparing our -molar for the golden filling. Into this hollow, the lower portion -of which he had managed to give a globular shape, he poured several -handfuls of Dupont’s best, a piece of fuse all the while standing -upright, while the jetty particles arranged themselves around it. -Dust and sand were then carefully dropped in, until they reached the -surface of the stone, when it assumed the appearance of a solid, -honest fragment of rock, with the odd-looking fuse sprouting from its -side. - -“There!” exclaimed the boy, with a sigh, “it is done, and I think it -will answer very well.” - -As he looked up, he saw the Mohave still standing silent and sullen, -but with his dark eyes fixed upon the young artisan with a curious -expression, as though a dim idea of the meaning of all this was -gradually filtrating through his brain. - -“What do you think of it?” asked the youngster, holding up the block -of stone, with a smile at his own success, and at the whim which -prompted the query. If the questioned had any idea of the meaning of -the question, he did not choose to manifest it, but maintained the -same stolid silence as before. - -“I don’t suppose it will suit you very well; at any rate your friends -will be more astonished than pleased with it.” - -The boy called his brother, who immediately made his appearance. It -took but a few moments to explain his scheme, which pleased the young -man. - -“It can do no harm to us to try it,” he said, as he picked it up and -carried it to Jim. The latter listened to the explanation a moment, -and his great eyes rolled with delight at the scheme. - -“Fus’ rate, fus’ rate, almost as good as de gold trick.” - -“It is as good a time as any to try it, isn’t it?” - -“I s’pose so--you kin see dey’re purty thick out dere.” - -Inwood produced a match and set fire to the fuse. It burned quite -rapidly, like the string of a Chinese cracker. - -“Throw it out as quick as it reaches the sand!” called Edwin from the -cave. - -“Golly, it’s dar now!” exclaimed Jim, springing up, and preparing -to toss it out among the Mohaves gathered outside. Unfortunately, -his elbow struck the side of the entrance, and the bombshell dropped -at his feet. Believing it about to explode, the negro ran back in -dismay, when Inwood, with remarkable coolness, drew the huge boulder -a little to one side, and, catching up the stone, swung it through -the opening. Before the Mohaves could understand the intent of this, -the terrible object burst into a thousand fragments, and with wild -whoops of terror, the red men scattered in every direction, as though -they themselves were a portion of an immense bombshell which had -exploded. - -The success of Edwin’s scheme, and delight of our friends were -complete. - -“Anybody killed?” asked Jim, and his companion peered cautiously -around the edge of the boulder. - -“I suppose not; but they have been hit and frightened almost out of -their senses, and that will do as much good as though it had slain -half a dozen of them. I don’t believe they will come back again.” - -“Dunno ’bout dat; dey’re a queer set ob darkeys, am de Injins.” - -“I don’t think, from what I have heard, that these Mohaves are the -bravest tribe of Indians in California, and they are too much afraid -of us to make much trouble so long as we remain in the cave. And that -reminds me of our prisoner--what are we to do with him?” - -“Kill him,” was the decided response. - -“No; that will never do; we cannot murder him.” - -“Let me come de gold trick ober him.” - -“I haven’t learned what that is.” - -“Jes’ come back where he am, an’ I’ll soon larn you.” - -Inwood was apprehensive that the “gold trick,” so often referred to -by his sable friend, meant something cruel, and he concluded it safer -to restrain him. - -“Never mind about it now, Jim; I have a plan of my own.” - -“What’s dat?” - -“Let him go.” - -“You don’t mean dat?” - -“Yes, I do; although he is our enemy, and although his own people -are barbarians, who are none too good to put us to the worst kind of -torture, if they had us in their power; yet, we are Christians, and -cannot do such a thing.” - -“Dunno but what you are right; fetch out de feller.” - -“Besides,” added Inwood, as he moved away, “it may change their -feelings toward us. They know we have one of their number in our -power, and, if we let him go unharmed, they will have less reason to -look upon us as their enemies--this one at least will regard us as a -friend.” - -The decision made, it was carried out without delay. The Mohave was -led from the cave, carefully along the passage toward the opening. -He evidently believed he was being conducted to his doom; he was -as sullen and stoical as his race generally are at such times. Jim -had rolled the boulder back, so as to afford him free egress, and -Inwood, first taking him by the arm, motioned for him to retire. The -aborigine did not comprehend his meaning, when his captor turned his -face toward the opening, and gave him a gentle shove. This was a hint -which could not be misunderstood, and he darted out in a twinkling, -and disappeared. - -“Now, I will take a look and see whether there are any of them left,” -said Inwood, as he stealthily followed the liberated Mohave. - -By this time it was growing dark, but objects for a considerable -distance were quite distinct, and George Inwood made a thorough -reconnoisance of the bed of the brook for several hundred yards up -and down. At the end of a half hour, he returned with the pleasing -word that the Mohaves had taken their departure. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -Having given this episode in the history of the gold hunters, it is -necessary to take a look at events which came to pass a few months -previous. - -One bleak day in the winter of 1857-8, a young man was walking slowly -down Broadway, humming a lively tune in a mournful voice, and doing -his utmost to keep up his spirits, which, just then, were at their -lowest ebb. In the nature of things, the poor fellow could not be -otherwise. While in the senior class in college, preparing for the -ministry, and succeeding most brilliantly, he was summoned home to -New York, just in time to receive his father’s dying blessing; his -mother having fallen asleep several years before, he was thus left an -orphan, with a younger brother to provide for. As his father had been -a leading merchant in the great metropolis, there seemed to be little -difficulty in this, and he assumed the control of affairs at once. - -But the mutterings of that financial storm were already heard in -the sky, and it soon burst over the land, toppling old, established -houses, like so many ninepins, and carrying woe and desolation to -many a hearthstone. George Inwood placed his shoulder to the wheel, -and toiled manfully; but, where so many thousands of experienced -merchants were swept away by the current, it would have been almost -a miracle, had he been able to resist the whelming tide. Finding it -useless, he threw up his arms, and went down with the multitude. When -everything was gone, he found that he still owed his creditors many -thousand dollars. - -And so he hummed the lively air in his mournful voice, as he dreamily -walked down Broadway, and asked himself what was to be done. He was -poverty-stricken, with his younger brother depending upon him, and -the big African, Jim Tubbs, who had always lived in the family from -his childhood, with no means of support. - -Naturally, a hundred schemes presented themselves, as they always -will to a young man, when thrown upon his own resources. He might -serve as a clerk--that is if anybody wanted him, which was by no -means likely; he might teach, if any school was in want of such a -teacher as himself, which was equally improbable. He might do any -thing, if the opportunity were given him; but, during these “hard -times,” he soon learned that the worst possible place for a man out -of employment, is in a large city. When he was turned away again and -again, his heart failed him, and as he hummed his lively air in his -mournful voice, he came to a conclusion which he ought to have made a -considerable time before. - -“I must leave New York; I shall soon starve here.” - -When he reached his lodgings, where his brother Edwin was staying, -and where Jim managed to earn his own board, by doing odd jobs around -the house, he called the two together, and proposed the oft-repeated -question: - -“Where shall we go?” - -“Let’s go to Quito,” said Edwin, who had just been studying his -geography, “they always have spring weather there, and plenty to eat, -and so they have in several other places in South America.” - -“It is hardly the place for us, however.” - -“I tells you whar to go,” said Jim. - -“Where is that?” - -“I’s been tinking about it for free weeks, an’ made all de -’quiries possible, an’ found out it’s jest de place for us, an’ -dat’s Californy. Dere’s a man stayin’ at this house now--his name -is _Swill_--no, Mills, an’ he’s jest got back from Californy, -an’, golly! you orter hear him tell ’bout de country! It’s awful -splendid,” added Jim, in his enthusiasm. - -“It will be quite an undertaking to go to California, and we’ll take -a day or two to think about it,” said Inwood, feeling at the same -time that the Golden Gate was the door through which he should pass -to comfort and wealth. In the evening, he walked out alone to think -over the matter. - -It being nearly ten years since that flood-tide of navigation had -set in toward California from every part of the world, the charm, in -a great measure, was now broken, and those who went there, did so, -very frequently, for other purposes than to dig gold. Yet, Inwood -concluded that if he went, it should be for the purpose of extracting -the yellow metal from the rocks and earth. He was twenty-five years -of age, his heart was set upon being a Christian minister, and he -felt that if he ever intended to become one, even with the help which -his church extended to indigent men, he had no time to plod up the -hill of fortune. - -But right here arose the troublesome question, how was California -to be reached? He had but little over a hundred dollars, barely -sufficient to pay his own passage, without taking into account the -necessity of carrying at least Jim with him, and the outfit which was -indispensable. - -But again, kind Providence smiled upon his project. After announcing -his willingness to go to California, if he possessed the means, Jim -Tubbs suddenly disappeared, and was gone for a couple of days. When -he came back again, he was very important, and seemed as well becomes -a man who carries a mighty secret in his breast. - -“Doesn’t make no difference where I’ve been,” he said rather -savagely, in response to the inquiries of the slip-shod, bulky -landlady. “I’s been on bis’ness--dat’s whar I’ve been--on very -_’portant_ bis’ness. Yas, ma’am.” - -The tubby landlady lowered her head, as does a cow when about to -charge, that her spectacles might slip down far enough on her pug -nose to allow her to look over them. Then she stared at Jim a moment -in mute amazement. - -“A black man off on bis’ness--never heard of such a thing,” and she, -lifting her skirts rather gingerly, retreated from the apartment, -leaving Jim alone with the two Inwoods at the tea-table. The two -latter knew that the African had some news to tell and they forebore -to question him, choosing to wait until he was ready to unbosom, -which was just what he didn’t want them to do. He waited and waited -for them to inquire of him, until he could wait no longer. - -“Gorry’ation! why don’t you _ax_ me?” he finally demanded in high -dudgeon. - -“Ask you what?” mildly inquired George, who saw that the secret was -coming. - -“Why, what I’ve got to say.” - -“How did I know you had anything to say?” - -“’Caus you _did_ know it--dat’s de reason. I’s been an’ seen Captain -Romaine--mighty glad to see me. ‘_How are you, Jim?--how’s all de -folks?--how’s George an’ Ned getting ’long? Why don’t dey come down -an’ see me?_’ Couldn’t do much, stuffed one so full, I liked to -cracked open from my chin down to my heels.” - -“That’s very pleasant, but had you your important business with -_him_?” - -“’Course I had--very _’portant_, but you don’t seem to care much -about it, so I won’t take the trouble to tell you.” - -If the curiosity of Inwood had not been already aroused, he would -have left the African alone, knowing that he would burst, if -compelled to hold his secret a half hour longer. So he asked him: - -“What was it, Jim? don’t keep us waiting.” - -“Wal, the way ob it, you see, was dis way: Arter the Captain had axed -about my healfh, free, four times, I tells him what had happened, an’ -how we wanted to go to Californy. ‘Is dat so?’ he axed me, in a great -flurry; ‘how lucky dat are. Old Mr. Inwood was allers a good friend -ob mine, an’ I’m mighty glad I can do sumfin’ for his children. I’s -Captain ob dis steamer, Jim,’ said he, ‘an’ we’re going to sail -on Saturday. Tell George, an’ Ned, an’ yourself to git ready an’ -sail wid me. I’ll land you on de Isthmus, (don’t know whar dat am) -an’ give you a ticket cl’ar to San Francisco’--dat’s what he said, -George--cl’ar he did.” - -This was as pleasant as unexpected to George and Edwin, who expressed -their delight to each other, and commended the shrewdness of Jim -Tubbs. - -“How came you to think of the Captain?” inquired the younger. - -“Wal, you see I’ve know’d him for a dozen years. When dat steamer -used to run to New Orleans, ole Mr. Inwood got him de place ob -Captain on it, an’ before dat, when Captain Romaine’s wife died, an’ -he was too poor to bury her, ole Mr. Inwood done it all for him. Den -gitten him de place ob Captain right arter dat--why, I tell you it -was almost more dan de man could stand, an’ he’s mighty glad to do -anything he can for his children.” - -“I’ll go down and see him to-morrow.” - -“Yas, dat’s what he said he wanted you to do--you go right off, for -he wants to see you mighty bad.” - -“He sails on Saturday, and to-day is Thursday. We must get ready -to-morrow. Well, we can do that easily enough, as we are not going to -take a fortune with us to California, and a few hours are enough to -get our baggage together.” - -“Dar’s plenty ob room on dat steamer. I tell you, she’s a whisker, -an’ she can take a big lot ob people. De Captain showed me frough -ebery part ob it, an’ it war a sight to see. I told him I shouldn’t -go, ’less he’d let me work my passage. He kinder laughed, an’ said if -I was so anxious to make myself useful, he’d find some little jobs -for me to do somewhere ’bout de boat.” - -The next morning, George and Edwin Inwood went down to the wharf, -and made a call upon Captain Romaine, who commanded the California -steamer, “Golden Gate.” The large hearted captain was glad to see -them, shook them both cordially by the hand, and, having learned how -matters stood, from the loquacious Jim Tubbs, he soon put his friends -at ease. They agreed to take passage with him on the following day, -and then bade him good morning. As they were stepping off the plank, -the captain touched the shoulder of George, and motioned him aside. - -“These are dreadful times, and I know it has gone hard with you. A -man who is going to California, as you are, needs quite a pile to -equip him. Now, my boy, if you need anything, I hope you will do me -the kindness to say so; for nothing would give me greater pleasure -than to do a favor for the son of the best friend I ever had.” - -Inwood thanked him, but assured him that he needed nothing. He felt -that he could not receive any more favors at the hand of one who had -already done so much. - -On the following day, when the Golden Gate turned her head down the -Atlantic, and steamed swiftly toward her distant destination, she -carried with her the brothers Inwood, and the colossal African, Jim -Tubbs. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -There was a strong attraction which drew George Inwood toward the -golden sands of California, to which we have not even hinted thus -far; but it is high time it received notice. - -Several years before, when the young student had just entered -college, he was descending the Hudson in the ill-fated Henry Clay. -On board, he formed the acquaintance of the most engaging young -lady he had ever met. Intellectual, vivacious and accomplished, he -felt strengthened mentally and morally when he left her presence--a -condition far different from that in which one is sure to vacate the -society of nine-tenths of the fashionable women of the present time. - -A mutual interest sprang up between the two, and everything was -progressing delightfully toward a tenderer state of feeling, when -that well-remembered calamity burst upon the doomed steamer. In the -confusion and tumult, Inwood, who was an excellent swimmer, became -the means of saving Miss Marian Underwood and her father from death -by drowning. - -There can be but little doubt of the result of all this, had -matters been left to take their natural course, but Inwood had just -entered college, and the next tidings that reached him relating to -the Underwoods was, that the father, who was quite wealthy, had -removed to California, and settled quite a distance to the south -of San Francisco. After deliberating a long time upon the matter, -he addressed a respectful but friendly letter to Marian, and then -anxiously awaited the reply; but it never came, and, concluding that -her hand was pre-engaged, he did not repeat the experiment, and did -his best to forget her. - -Absorbed in his studies and preparations for his sacred calling, he -succeeded, not in forgetting her, but in preventing her occupying his -thoughts so prominently, although this would have been impossible, -had he known that the letter so carefully written had never reached -its intended destination, and that the fair Miss Underwood often -wondered and as often sighed that he did not seem to deem her worth -the trouble of a letter. - -But now that Inwood’s attention was drawn toward California, the -image of this lady constantly rose before him, and he found himself -speculating, at all times of day, regarding her. The great question -was, whether there was “room” for him in her thoughts--that is, the -room which he wished--that which should exclude everything else. -He resolved to find out her residence, and make her a call--his -subsequent course regarding her to be determined by the reception he -received, and her manner toward him. - -The voyage to Aspinwall was without incident worthy of mention, as -was the trip across the isthmus on the new railroad, which had been -finished a little over three years. The journey was an unceasing -delight to Edwin, who was just of that age when everything seen -and heard make such a weird impression upon the mind. The broad, -surging Atlantic, the vessels which skimmed like sea-gulls along the -horizon’s edge, the glimpse of the tropical islands, the majesty -of the storm, the exuberant vegetation of the isthmus; these, and -hundreds of other sights, made up a continual banquet for him upon -which the eye could feast and never become sated. - -Captain Romaine presented each of them with through tickets to San -Francisco, so as to be sure of their reaching their destination -without further expense. - -They waited several days at Panama for the steamer which was to -carry them the rest of the way, and when they went on board, found -themselves greatly crowded for room, and obliged to undergo much -privation in the way of food; but they were as able to bear it as -were the rest of the passengers, and were none the worse, when, on a -bright morning in early spring, they landed in San Francisco. - -The first step was to secure temporary lodgings, which was done -without difficulty, and then, while Jim sat on the low porch in front -of their “hotel,” and smoked his pipe, George and Edwin wandered over -the new city. The curiosity of both was, perhaps, equal, and the day -passed rapidly away in gazing at this wonderful giant which sprang so -suddenly into full grown manhood. - -By making careful inquiries, George learned that Mr. Underwood was -settled to the south some fifty or sixty miles, and was one of the -wealthiest land-owners and stock-raisers in that section--which was -anything but pleasant information to Inwood, who would have much -preferred to hear that they were in destitute circumstances--in -order that he might call upon them, and feel himself upon something -like equal terms. The information, indeed, seemed to make our young -friend reconsider his decision of calling upon the Underwoods until -he returned from the mines laden with wealth, when he could have no -hesitation in doing so. - -Perhaps, if he passed within the immediate vicinity of Underwood’s -ranche, as some of the people termed it, he might seek occasion to -get a glimpse or peep at Marian--but nothing in the world should -induce him to do more. - -George Inwood had about a hundred dollars--not enough to procure him -the outfit he needed. He had brought three rifles, three revolvers, -and some cooking utensils with him; but he still needed digging and -mining implements, cloth for tents--to say nothing of a horse apiece, -and one or two mules to carry their luggage. - -As a matter of course, it was out of the question to think of -procuring these; and, as the best that could be done under the -circumstances, he bought a rickety old mule, capable of carrying all -that could be piled upon his back, and going like a clock when wound -up, without retarding or increasing his speed, and disposed to walk -straight over a precipice, if it happened to be in his way, unless -he was gradually shied off by Jim Tubbs placing his shoulder against -his, and forcing him to swerve from his course. - -“Dat are beast’ll carry all we’ve got to carry, ’cept ourselves, an’ -if thar’s only room for us to get on, he’d carry us too,” remarked -the negro, when everything was ready, and they were about to start. - -“Yes; he will answer for our luggage.” - -“And must we walk?” inquired Edwin in dismay. - -“I do not see how it is to be prevented,” replied his brother, as -cheerfully as he could speak. - -“Why don’t you buy free hosses?” inquired Jim. - -“For the reason that I have not the funds to do it with. I haven’t -enough money left to buy the poorest animal, in the shape of a horse, -that walks the streets of San Francisco.” - -“_If you hain’t, mebbe somebody else has._” - -“What do you mean?” inquired Inwood, in perplexity. - -Ah! wasn’t that a moment of triumph for Jim Tubbs? How cool and -deliberate he tried to be, as he shoved his great hand away down in -his pantaloons pocket, until it looked as if he were fumbling at -his shoe string, and finally fished up a huge leathern purse, so -corpulent that it had very much the appearance of that humble kitchen -edible known as the dough-nut. - -“Dar!” he said, as he flung it carelessly toward the amazed George -Inwood, “mebbe dar ain’t nofin’ in dat! Mebbe dat’s all counterfeit; -mebbe Mr. Tubbs hain’t been sabin’ up his money dese five years! -’Spose you look at dat--p’raps dar may be sumfin’ or other in dar.” - -Jim leaned back against the column of the porch, cocked his old wool -hat on one side of his head, shoved both hands down into his pockets, -carelessly swung one foot around the ankle of the other, so that it -was supported on the toe, and then, smoking his little black pipe, -looked at Inwood, as he opened the purse and counted out the yellow -gold pieces one after the other, until he had finished. - -“How much do you make?” asked Jim, in the same style that he would -have inquired the time of day. - -“Four hundred and seventy dollars. Is this all yours, Jim?” inquired -Inwood, hardly comprehending the pleasant truth. - -“Shouldn’t wonder now if I had sumfin’ to say ’bout it.” - -The three withdrew to a more private place, where the money was -again counted, and it was found to amount to the sum mentioned. Jim -explained how he had been engaged in saving for the last five years, -as he had an idea that there would come some “’casion” like this. -He was shrewd enough to keep its existence a profound secret until -the crisis in their affairs, well knowing that Inwood would have -considered that moment of necessity as at hand long before. - -And so the three horses were purchased, and a number of articles -which they needed, and, leaving San Francisco, they took a southeast -direction toward San Jose and continuing on in the same course, -struck a pass in the Coast Range near the 37th parallel. - -By this time, they were far beyond the limits of civilization, and -traveling in a wild, savage country, where they occasionally met -emigrants and miners, but more frequently encountered red men and -wild beasts. - -California then, as now, was rapidly filling up, but among the -mountains were thousands of miles where the foot of white men had -never trod, and where, beyond question, the auriferous particles lay -in glittering masses, only waiting for the spade of the miner, or the -rock-splitting powder of the blaster. - -Before reaching the regions of the mountains, Inwood made careful -inquiries, and learned that the residence of the Underwoods lay but -a small distance from San Jose, and that, by a slight deviation from -his course, he could take it in his path. He did so, neither his -brother nor the astute African entertaining the slightest suspicions -of the true object which drew him thither. - -They caught sight of the large Mexican-looking building, with its -low roof, broad wings and extensive outbuildings, its vast droves -of cattle and sheep, which were scattered here and there over an -area of many miles; all these signs of the thrift and wealth of the -owner, and it was with strange emotions that Inwood halted on a small -eminence a short distance away, and gazed down upon the pleasant -scene. - -He saw no signs of life about the house. Here and there were to be -seen one or two men passing hither and thither, over the hills or -among the cattle, but the house itself was as still as death, and the -thought once occurred to his mind that, perhaps, the proprietor lay -cold and inanimate within those shaded rooms, or, perhaps, Marian -herself was stretched in the robes of the tomb. - -Jim proposed that they should honor the proprietor of this estate -by spending the evening with him, but Inwood objected, and they -encamped in an adjoining piece of wood. When everything had been -made ready for the night, and the full moon had risen, Inwood left -his companions, and sauntered toward the house, his heart throbbing -tumultuously with its varied emotions. - -As he walked slowly by, he caught the faint notes of the guitar, and -heard a low, sweet voice humming a familiar song. He looked in the -direction whence it came, and, through the interlacing vines, could -faintly detect the form and outline of Marian Underwood. He knew it -was _her_--he recognized the voice, and twice he paused and was about -to enter the gate; but he checked himself by a painful effort of the -will, and, loitering as long as he dared in the vicinity, he turned -on his heel and wandered back. - -“When I return, I will call!” was the comforting conclusion he gave -himself. - -In a few days, by patient traveling and perseverance, they reached -the eastern slope of the Coast Range, and found themselves in the San -Joaquin Valley, where they intended to prosecute their search for -gold. Carrying out their purpose of getting into a region where there -was little danger of being disturbed by any of their own race, they -followed the slope to the southward, keeping among the mountains, and -guarding every movement. - -They “prospected” a long time, and suffered at first for want of -food, but they soon overcame this difficulty, and prosecuted their -search for gold with greater vigor than ever. They had poor fortune -for awhile, but they pushed resolutely forward, and finally came upon -a small mountain stream, which contained an abundance of the shining -particles among its sands. - -Here they would have pitched their tent, had they not accidentally -discovered a remarkable cave, which answered their purpose so well, -that they carried everything within, and at once made it their -quarters. Their horses were tethered in a dense grove further down -the stream, where they were visited once a day to see that all was -well. - -They had been here but a few days, when they discovered signs -of Indians, and Edwin was put on watch, while the others busied -themselves in “making hay while the sun shone.” The young sentinel -had been there but a short time, when he descried the troublesome -visitors approaching along the slope; and what then and there took -place our good readers have already learned. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -The cave which afforded such an opportune retreat to Jim Tubbs -and the Inwoods, was one of these natural formations which are -occasionally found, and which have more the appearance of being the -handiwork of some skillful architect than of nature. - -A narrow passage, sufficient to admit an ordinary sized man, extended -about thirty feet, when it opened into a broad chamber, which was -lighted by several thin rents in the rocks overhead, they being so -massive as to exclude all hope of ingress from that direction. The -only disadvantage connected with this subterranean dwelling was, that -during rainy weather, it required extreme care to prevent its being -flooded. Occasionally, they were driven out in this manner; but there -being a lower portion of the mountain close at hand, the water thus -gathered, almost as speedily filtrated through the rocks into the -outlet. - -When George Inwood made his reconnoisance, after the departure of -the Mohave Indians, he was confident of finding some of them dead, -or desperately wounded; but, to his surprise, he discovered neither. -He was rather pleased at this; for he had never slain a human being, -and his teaching and tastes were utterly opposed to it. He more than -expected that, ere he saw San Francisco again, he would be compelled -to slay some of the troublesome aborigines in self-defense, but, -until absolutely compelled so to do, he had resolved to abstain from -it altogether. - -“De next thing, I s’pose, am whedder dem hosses are wisible or -inwisible. I ’clines to tink dey’re inwisible,” remarked Jim, when -informed that the red men had taken their final departure. - -“They have been undisturbed,” replied Inwood. “I took a look at them -before I came in.” - -“Bless de good Lord for dat; I hopes dey will let dem animals be; for -if dey tucks ’em away, we’ll hab a mighty hard road to trabbel to get -back agin--carrying dem big piles ob gold.” - -“Ah, Jim, we haven’t got that gold yet----” - -“But ain’t we getting it, eh? I s’pose I didn’t get a pocketful dis -berry arternoon, did I?” he demanded indignantly. - -“We have comparatively a small quantity, and there’s no telling when -that will give out.” - -“I tink it’s gibbin’ out all de time, an’ if it only keeps on gibbin’ -out long ’nough, we’ll soon get all we want.” - -“I hope we may, but I very much doubt it; and come to think, I -believe we have nothing for supper. How is that?” - -“You’re right--not ’nough to feed a ’skeeter.” - -“You ought to have done some fishing for us, Edwin.” - -“I would, if you hadn’t put me in the tree, and set me to watching -for the Indians.” - -“Dat is so,” assented Jim, quite emphatically, “couldn’t watch a fish -at de same time. We’ll have to go widout supper, an’ den make up when -we get de chance agin; dat’s de way I ginerally fixes it. I can go a -week widout eatin’ anything, but I tells you Jim Tubbs ’gins to feel -holler, an’ he makes meat fly when he git de chance.” - -“We can then wait until morning.” - -By this time, it was completely dark in the cave. The three conversed -together awhile longer, and then Jim, having finished his pipe, arose -and said: - -“I tinks I takes a look at de hosses.” - -“You had better remain where you are. They are all right, and you may -get yourself into trouble.” - -“Ain’t afeerd; who can git me into trouble? Jus’ let me try de gold -trick on ’em, an’ dey’ll be glad ’nough to cl’ar de track.” - -“You haven’t told us what that gold trick is.” - -“You’ll hab to wait now till I come back,” said Jim, as he knocked -the ashes from his pipe, “takes some time to ’xplainify de science ob -dat movement.” - -With which information, he made his way to the mouth of the cavern, -accompanied by George Inwood, who gave him a parting admonition. - -“Be very careful, for some of these dogs may be loitering around, and -waiting for the chance to cut you off.” - -“I’ll be keerful, ob course; look out for yourselves, an’ don’t let -anybody in till you knows who he am. Some ob dem darkeys may try dere -tricks on you, an’ you can’t be too keerful.” - -“You needn’t be afraid of my getting careless; you’re the one who -needs the most advice.” - -“O, I always _keeps dark_,” laughed the African, with which profound -witticism, he turned the corner of the cave and disappeared. Inwood -waited awhile at the opening of the passage, listening and watching, -but only the murmur of the brook caught his ear, and he could see -nothing but the dark wall of bank which shut out his view beyond, and -above these, in the clear sky, floated the full moon. The hour and -the surroundings were impressive, and he remained a long time in a -kneeling position, lifting up his heart in silent communion with the -only One who then saw and heard him. - -When he returned, he found his younger brother somewhat apprehensive -at his continued absence. - -“If the Indians should come down upon us when we are separated,” said -Edwin, “I don’t think we would get off as well as we did to-day.” - -“No; if we hadn’t this cave to retreat to, we should have seen -trouble. As it is, I am a little anxious about Jim.” - -“He is careless, but he has been very fortunate. I never saw anything -so strange as that which happened to him when we were coming through -the mountains. Don’t you think that was strange, George?” - -“Very Providential, indeed, although I did not see it myself.” - -“I did; he was only a little ways ahead of us, riding along on his -horse, when those two Indians sprang out from behind the trees, not -more than twenty yards off, aimed both their guns straight at him, -fired, and then run away.” - -“And never harmed him?” - -“Never touched him; he said he heard both bullets whistle past his -ears.” - -“It was very singular, but not unaccountable. His color and his size -are such as to startle these superstitious people, and, no doubt, -when these two aimed at him, their nerves were very unsteady, and to -this alone their failure is to be attributed.” - -“Then he has been in danger several times since we have been here, -and was scratched a little this afternoon--so he told me--but he -hasn’t been really hurt.” - -“He is great help to us. I don’t know what we could do without him. -He can do more work in a day than I can in a week, and he has got to -be a good shot, too. We must arrange that, however, so that you can -do the hunting for food, while we do the hunting for gold.” - -“I am ready to begin at any time, and have wondered why you haven’t -set me at work before,” said Edwin, with great animation, at the -prospect of a day’s ramble through the woods. - -“It is with some misgiving, as it is, that I consent to this step. -Remember you are very young, Edwin, and there is a great deal of -danger for an old hunter in this part of the country.” - -“Not if he is careful, and you know I would be careful. I shall -always keep a sharp look out for grizzly bears.” - -“They are dangerous enough, but not so dangerous as the red men.” - -“But don’t you think they are easily scared?” - -“That may all be, and yet, it isn’t to be supposed that they would -be much frightened at the sight of a youngster tramping through the -woods with a gun on his shoulder.” - -“I will not wander off beyond call.” - -“You must remember that; for if you get lost, I don’t know how you -would ever find your way back again.” - -“I should follow up the stream.” - -“But do you suppose this is the only stream in the mountains? There -are hundreds of such, and you would be a great deal more likely to -get upon the wrong than upon the right one. I mention these facts, -because I wish to impress upon you the great necessity of being -careful. Boys are very seldom inclined to be thoughtful, and you are -no exception to the general rule.” - -Edwin repeated his resolve to take good heed of what he did, and -appealed to his record since coming into California in support of his -actions. - -“Yes; I am glad to say that you have, but I sometimes tremble to -think of what we have done.” - -“You ain’t sorry, George?” - -“No; but I am frightened almost. Just to think that we are entirely -cut off from the civilized world, and it is known to these Indians -that we are here.” - -“But they can’t harm us.” - -“Suppose they took it into their heads to root us out, what is to -hinder them? They could soon starve us to terms, and then do as they -pleased with us.” - -“You seem gloomy to-night, brother.” - -“No; I do not mean to be so--I wish you to understand truly our -situation.” - -“I am sure I do--but isn’t Jim gone a long time?” - -“Hark!” - -Faintly through the still night air came the far-off exclamation: - -“_Hold on dar! hold on dar! or I’ll come de gold trick ober you!_” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -When Jim Tubbs issued from his subterranean domicile, he was rather -too strongly inclined to act upon the report of Inwood, that is, it -had been affirmed that there was no visible danger; he believed there -was none, and, accordingly, he started straight for the tethering -ground of the horses and mule, to make sure that they had suffered no -disturbance from the marauding Mohaves. - -“Dat are place whar we put ’em, is de place dat _I_ selected, an’ -dar’s no danger ob dere being troubled while dey stay dar,” he -muttered, as he walked rapidly along, occasionally pausing to make -sure that no one was following him. - -“I always understood hosses,” he added, as he approached the vicinity -of the dense undergrowth. “Dar ain’t many----” - -He paused with unutterable emotion as he drew the bushes aside, and -there, where they should have been, he saw them not! For a moment he -was completely stupefied, and stood like one who, from the tangled -web of a dream, endeavors to form the skein of coherent thought. - -But he speedily recovered himself, and was sharp enough to comprehend -that the animals must have been abstracted very recently, and were -within the possibility of recovery. With a muttering exclamation of -impatience, he dashed headlong through the bushes into the open space -beyond, and stared around. Being at the base of the mountains, he was -also on the edge of a broad valley, and the bright moonlight gave him -quite an extended view over the broken, rocky country. - -It required but one sharp glance of the African to discover, about -a quarter of a mile distant, the three horses and one mule, making -their way among the boulders and patches of broken land, with all the -deliberation with which they would have answered the call to work. -Jim paused long enough to see that no one was driving them, when, -uttering the exclamation which has been given at the close of the -last chapter, he started on a full run after them. - -With his usual thoughtlessness, he had come out without his gun, and -he was now running at his utmost speed, entirely regardless of his -personal danger from the hubbub he was creating, and from withdrawing -so far from his base of operations. There was something so singular -in the spectacle of these four animals leisurely trotting off over -the country, that he ought to have hesitated and attempted to explain -the matter before venturing after them in this open, boisterous -manner. - -It was observable, too, that, immediately after Jim gave the terrific -outcry referred to, the slow trot of the animals increased to quite a -brisk gait, a thing so unusual on the part of the mule, as to cause -no little wonder upon the part of the pursuer. - -“Beats all natur’!” he exclaimed, as he struck his foot against a -stone, and was almost thrown forward upon his hands and knees. “Fust -time I ebber seed dat ole mule raise a trot; split two, free rocks -ober his head, smashed all de limbs off a big tree ober his back, but -no use, couldn’t get him off a walk, an’ dere he goes now swingin’ -’long like a feller on stilts. Beats all natur’!” - -It was indeed so curious, that he paused to take a look at them. -Just at that moment they were ascending a small swell; and, as they -came in relief against the blue sky beyond, they were as plainly -visible as at noon day. It was clear that none of them had a rider -upon his back, nor was any one following, except him who was trying -so valiantly to recapture them. What then was the explanation of this -singular movement? - -Jim, who had suddenly resumed his running, as suddenly paused, for he -had discovered something. - -“Wal, dere! if dat don’t beat eberything! dar’s an Ingin right -in among dem hosses, or else dat switch-tailed mare has got six -legs--one or t’oder!” - -It would have required a good pair of eyes to notice this curious -fact, had not the mare referred to at that moment fallen somewhat in -the rear, when the singular addition to her means of locomotion made -the usually large eyes of the African considerably larger. - -The fact was apparent that a red man was among the quadrupeds, and -inciting them to their rapid gait by some outlandish means which -seems to come natural to the aborigines, and which, up to this time, -had escaped the attention of the pursuer. - -Immediately upon this discovery, Jim broke into a fiercer gait than -ever after the fugitives, shouting in his tremendous style-- - -“Drop dat hoss, I tell you! drop that hoss, or I’ll make you!” - -Inasmuch as it was hardly possible for the marauder to hold up one -of the equine specimens, if he choose to tumble, it was not exactly -clear how he was to obey this command. On the contrary, the animals, -including the mule, (which, having once got up a loping trot, didn’t -exactly comprehend how to stop it,) increased their speed, and the -indescribable whirring howl with which he accomplished it, reached -the ears of the exasperated pursuer. - -“O, if I only had a gun!” he muttered, as he jogged along, “wouldn’t -I pepper dem legs for him!” - -At this juncture, the ground assumed a rougher character, and the -animals were compelled to deviate to the left to pass a canon, -where the waters raged with such fury, that the shrewd Mohave did -not attempt to force them into it. Observing this, Jim took the -hypotenuse of the triangle, and went sailing down the course in -magnificent style, gaining so rapidly, that he gave utterance to a -joyous shout. - -“Cl’ar de track! or I’ll run ober you! I’s comin’!” - -This startling intelligence did not have the effect expected and the -copper-colored gentleman evidently concluded that all was not lost, -for he still maintained his position between the two horses, and, -just then, striking a fording place, he tumbled them turbulently in, -and, scrambling up the opposite side, renewed the flight in the same -admirable fashion. - -“Dat ’ere beats all natur’!” he exclaimed in absolute amazement, as -he witnessed the exploit. “Whoeber dreamed dare was so much _go_ in -dat mule?” - -The chase by this time had become interesting; but, if the Mohave -had displayed some natural smartness in stampeding the animals, he -now found himself at fault so far as regarded the mule; for this -character, as he rattled down the canon with a noise like the charge -of cavalry, lost his unnatural gait, and, finding himself back into -his natural one, it was impossible to change it under a furlong, -seeing which, the charging body dashed forward with such a burst of -speed, that the Mohave and his body-guard were compelled to leave him -behind. Five minutes later, Jim vaulted like an avalanche upon the -saw-like back of the mule. - -“Now, ole fellow,” said he, addressing the beast most affectionately, -“show ’em what you can do.” - -But the mule didn’t seem anxious to obey; for, although his -enthusiastic rider thumped his sides with his huge heels until he -nearly bounced off, the beast subsided into a moderate walk, as if -he didn’t exactly comprehend the meaning of all this uproar upon his -back, and all efforts to change his gait was useless. A man in a -great hurry has very little patience, and it took but a little while -for Jim’s to exhaust itself. - -“You want de gold trick comed on you--dat’s what you do, an’ you jes’ -wait till I get you home.” - -Sliding off the serrated animal, he left him alone, and resumed the -chase with greater vigor than ever. The few minutes’ halt which he -had made, were precious moments to the Mohave, who, still keeping his -body invisible, had improved them to the utmost; but the roughness of -the ground was against him, and the African gained rapidly. - -“Ye’d better drop dem hosses while you got de chance!” he shouted, as -he came sweeping down with great velocity. A few minutes later, he -observed a diminution in the speed of the horses, and finally they -walked, and then stood still. - -“You oughter s’rendered sooner, den I might been ’sposed to show you -some mercy; but I don’t know--hullo! where be you?” - -He might well ask the question, for, as he came in among the horses, -there was nothing to be seen of the aborigine--he had taken the -occasion quietly to slip away, when he found himself compelled to -relinquish his prize. - -Jim stared all around, but could see nothing of him he sought, and -concluded, under the circumstances, it was best to make his way back -as speedily as possible. - -“I tinks I’ve run ’nough to ’arn a ride,” he reflected, as he put -himself astride the back of his own horse, and turned his head -homeward; “an’, as dat darkey ain’t anywhere’s about, I won’t wait -for him.” - -When the nature of the ground would permit, he put the horses on a -good swinging gallop, and, in a short time, encountered the mule -walking leisurely toward him. Before this obstinate animal could be -induced to take the right direction, Jim was obliged to get off his -horse, and press his shoulder against that of the mule, until he had -described a half circle, when he came round right, and was left to go -without any other direction. - -The rider exercised himself awhile in endeavoring to get him off his -walk, but he speedily gave that over as useless, and rode ahead, well -aware that so long as he kept a linear direction, the long-eared -animal would eventually come up with him. - -It was not long before he struck the canon, but at a point where it -looked unsafe to cross. Believing himself above the place he had -forded, he turned down its bank in quest of it; but, after going -fully a mile, discovered his mistake, and was about turning back, -when he caught a glimpse of a broad sheet of water, and suspected -at once that here was a lake into which the stream flowed. As the -roaring, compressed canon must end here, he kept steadily on, and -soon halted at the view of a scene so beautiful and enchanting, that -his untutored mind was filled with admiration. - -The canon suddenly spread out into a broad rapid stream, which flowed -into a lake of about a half mile in diameter. Under the bright -moonlight, it had the appearance of “liquid silver”--an expression -by no means original, but so literally truthful, that we can use -no other--and in the still summer night there was not a ripple -upon its surface. In the center rose a small island, so abruptly, -that, covered as it was with vegetation, it had the appearance of a -bouquet, and would have reminded a traveler of the famous Lakes of -Killarney. - -Jim noticed that the opposite shore was rocky and fringed with trees, -and the lake appeared to stand on the edge of a large wood. - -“Dat ’ere is nice!” was his reflection, as, from the back of his -horse, he looked out upon the fairy-like scene. “What a good place -dat would be for George to build a house. I tink we could run a -bridge ’cross to de land, or hab a ferryboat to run atween it an’ de -shore.” - -“Hullo! dere goes sombody,” he added, as he saw a canoe put out from -the shore to his right, and head toward the island. The full moon -had now sunk toward the horizon, so that the shadow of the trees and -island were thrown far out upon the lake; and, as the single Indian -who impelled the canoe, issued from the broad band of darkness which -lay along the shore, every motion of his dusky, muscular arms was -plainly seen. He managed his oar with such skill, that his body -never seemed to incline a hair’s breadth to the right or left. The -flash of the paddle seemed born of the paddle itself, as he held the -point in the water, instead of coming from his hand, as the tail of -a fish is sometimes seen to move in the water, when its body remains -motionless. The canoe sped forward without the least sound, but -instead of halting at the island, Jim observed that it passed behind -it, and immediately disappeared. - -The African now drove his horses into the water, and crossed without -difficulty. As he came out, he halted a moment to take a last view -of the little gem which rose from the lake. The first glance nearly -frightened him out of his wits; for, on the nearest point, he saw a -thin, waving, arrowy point of light rise to the height of five or six -feet, and then vibrate back and forth, as though held by a hand which -oscillated from right to left. - -While he sat amazed, a second flame, precisely similar, arose from -another point of the island, and then another, and another, until -fully half a dozen were visible, every one issuing from that portion -of the island which touched the edge of the water. It was indeed a -small representation of what Magellan, the great circumnavigator, saw -in 1520, when he sailed by Terra del Fuego. - -“I tinks it’s ’bout time Mr. Tubbs left dese parts,” chattered Jim, -as, with a shiver of horror, he started his horses homeward. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -Jim had gone but a short distance, when, still fascinated by his -great terror, he reined up his horses and looked back at the moonlit -lake and the little island in its center. Could he believe his eyes? -_Yes; it was moving._ He saw it slowly float toward the wood, until, -unable to control his excessive fear, he once more gave the rein to -his animal, and did not pause until he was far beyond sight of the -lake and its Enchanted Island. - -The negro rode a considerable distance, when, as objects around him -began to wear a singular look, he drew his animals down to a walk, -and, on the edge of a rocky grove of small trees, came to a dead halt. - -“Dis yere looks strange! I disremember dese trees; Ise afeerd Mr. -Tubbs is off de track, an’ how is he gwine to git on agin, am de -question.” - -The country through which he was journeying, was a broad valley, -interspersed with streams and canons, trees and open spaces, and huge -boulders piled promiscuously here and there, and in some places so -thickly strewn as to become almost impassable. There were acres where -one could gallop as free as upon the beaten road, and then, for the -same distance, it was the utmost that a horseman could do to pick his -way along. - -In the hurried manner in which Jim had made headway across the -desolate tract, it was not to be supposed that he entertained a very -vivid recollection of the landmarks; but he had quite a memory of -places, and after he had rested his animal for a few moments, he -became certain that he was lost. Under these circumstances, his only -resource was to fall back on general principles, and take the course -which he believed would eventually lead him to the neighborhood of -the cave. - -By carefully studying the position of the moon, he believed he was -going too much to the south, and, turning to the right, he followed -this course at a slow walk, watching carefully for some landmarks -which could be recognized. Discovering none, and it being well on -toward midnight, he checked his horses, with the intention of waiting -until morning. - -Jim was pretty tired, and, tying the horses together, he lay down on -the ground beside a rock, and in a few moments was asleep. He was -undisturbed until daylight, when he was awakened in a manner which -brought a howl of terror from him. - -Some crushing weight descended upon his foot, and, starting up, -he gazed about him for the cause. It proved nothing less than the -baggage mule so frequently referred to, which, in journeying straight -forward in the path which he had been started upon, had thus come -directly upon the sleeping African. - -“What!” he shouted, placing himself directly in front of the animal, -and checking him in the same manner that a wall of rock would have -done. “Dat ’ere is queer!” he laughed, “dat I put myself right afore -you. Shouldn’t wonder now if you was on de right track; leastways -we’ll try you.” - -The mule was fired up, and, as it moved on again, the negro -followed on the back of his own horse. To his great surprise and -gratification, he had gone but a short distance when he caught sight -of a small clump of trees which he recognized as a point passed by -him shortly after he had started in pursuit of the Mohave and his -prey. - -He was highly pleased at this, and pressing on until he had reached -the grove, became convinced that he was on the right track, and would -rejoin his friends in the course of an hour. Beyond this spot all was -familiar, and he advanced without hesitation or misgiving. Reaching -the point where their animals had been tethered, he drove them in -among the trees, and, first securing them, started out in quest of -his friends. - -Jim had walked but a few yards, when it suddenly occurred to him, -as he recalled the previous night’s experience, that there might be -danger in advancing so openly to the cave. It was a very easy matter -for a party of aborigines to conceal themselves along the banks, and -rush upon and secure him before he could help himself. - -It struck him, too, as he approached the cave, that an unnatural -stillness reigned around it. The sun was now up, and it was high -time that his friends were bestirring themselves. A vague fear took -possession of the African, as he halted some rods away, and looked -furtively about him. Everything was so quiet--nothing moving except -the stream, and that made scarcely a ripple as it glided over its -sandy bed. - -Jim was standing in this apprehensive state when a slight noise in -the rear startled him. Turning his alarmed gaze, he expected to -behold a whole troop of painted red men about to swoop down upon him; -but, in the place of that, recognized the smiling face of young Edwin -Inwood. - -“Bress me, but you scart dis chile dat time!” said Jim, his teeth -fairly chattering at the remembrance of his shock. - -“I threw a stone to let you know I was near; I didn’t mean to -frighten you.” - -“It wasn’t de stone dat scart me, it was de thought dat I tink it was -sumfin’ else. Whar’s George?” - -“Inside the cave.” - -“Had breakfast?” - -“No; we were just going to prepare it. Here he comes!” - -At this moment, George Inwood made his appearance above ground, and -he greeted the negro with great gladness. The latter soon gave an -account of his pursuit and capture of the horses, and his safe return -with them. - -“You have done very well, Jim, especially when we remember that you -had no gun with you. There are few men who would have dared to do so, -even when fully armed.” - -“But, dat ain’t all,” added the colored man, as he heaved a great -sigh, “I seen de most awfulest ting you ever heard tell on.” - -In answer to their anxious inquiry, he gave what has already been -given by us, winding up with the declaration: - -“An’ when I looked back de last time, what do you ’spose I seen? Why, -I seen dat island rise up, flap its wings, an’ fly away!” - -“There, Jim, that’s a little too much,” laughed the elder Inwood. - -“When it flapped its wings, didn’t it also crow?” asked Edwin, whose -interest in the narrative was turned into equally intense amusement -at this culmination. - -“You folks can laugh,” retorted Jim, indignantly, “but wait till you -see what I did, an’ de shivers will run all ober you.” - -“It may be possible that it was a _mirage_,” said George, somewhat -impressed by the earnest manner of his sable friend. - -“A _mirage_ by moonlight?” inquired Edwin. - -“Such things have been heard of, I believe, although very rarely.” - -“What’s a _mirage_?” demanded Jim. - -By great perseverance, George succeeded in giving Jim a sort of an -idea of what he meant, although, in all probability, he would have -regarded the _mirage_ itself equally mysterious and wonderful as the -bodily exit of a _bona fide_ island before his eyes. - -“All I got to say is, you jes’ go an’ see it, an’ den you’ll stop -laughing at dem as what undertakes to explanify it to you.” - -“Perhaps we shall have the opportunity, as I have concluded to leave -these quarters.” - -“What fur?” - -“In the first place, our safety demands it. The Indians have found -out we are here, and they will hover about and watch us, until some -time they will pounce down upon us before we know it.” - -“What ob dat? Didn’t they do it last ebening?” - -“Yes; and Providentially we were able to drive them off; but you -can see that if a hundred of them should come down here, they could -keep us in the cave until we died of thirst or starvation, or were -compelled to surrender, and our end in each case would be the same.” - -“But we hadn’t orter leave de gold jus’ as we ’gin to find it.” - -“We shall leave a very small quantity of it behind. The supply has -about run out. You remember that we had a small lot yesterday. The -reason was that we had gathered about all there was, and so you see -there is nothing to keep us here, while we have every inducement to -draw us away.” - -As this was undoubtedly the case, there was no gainsaying the -argument of Inwood, and it was decided to move their quarters without -further delay. Breakfast was prepared, during which Edwin took his -station and kept a sharp watch for straggling Indians. None were -discovered, and he descended and joined them in the morning meal. -Their baggage was piled on the mule, the five tiny sacks which -contained the yellow dust, were taken in charge by George, and while -it was yet early in the day, they took up the line of march. - -Very appropriately, Jim led the way, he riding his nag with all -the dignity of a conqueror at the head of his army. Inwood was not -so particularly anxious to see the Enchanted Island, as he was to -make sure that no Mohaves were following or watching them. The most -vigilant scrutiny failed to detect any of the dreaded creatures, and -our friends finally ventured to believe that with due prudence they -could reach a place of safety. - -It was past noon, when Jim, who was riding a short distance in -advance, ascended a small elevation, and then suddenly made a signal -for his companions to hurry alongside of him. The next moment the -three were side by side. - -“Dere!” said Jim, pointing off to the east, “is de lake an’ de -island.” - -The beautiful, circular sheet of water lay a half mile away, and -right in the center was an island about fifty feet in length, and -half that distance in breadth. It was covered with young trees and -dense vegetation, and in the bright sunlight had a cool, fresh -appearance, which made it still more pleasant than when viewed under -the witching rays of the moon. - -George Inwood produced a small spy-glass from his pocket, and scanned -it long and narrowly. There was something about this little island, -aside from the marvellous stories related of it by Jim, which -awakened his curiosity. While apparently still and devoid of life, he -saw signs which convinced him that more than one person was upon it. - -In among the leaves he could detect a fluttering, tremulous motion, -and around the edge of the island were ripples which must have been -caused by human hands, as the surface of the lake in every other -portion was as smooth as a mirror. He thought he heard once or twice -a plashing sound, which came either from the island itself, or from -directly behind it. He decided to say nothing of his suspicions until -he had learned more of it, what certainly wore a singular look, to -say the least. - -He was on the point of lowering his glass, when a slight movement -among the bushes on the eastern shore of the lake caught his eye, and -he immediately directed his gaze toward that point. - -The naked vision would have discovered nothing, but by the aid of -the lens he discovered a man standing on the very edge of the wood, -and scrutinizing the party. At first glance, he took him to be -an Indian, but a continued examination satisfied Inwood that the -stranger was a white man, dressed and painted as a red man. What gave -this impression was the fact that his outfit was not complete, being -deficient about his head. This, instead of being bare, with the long, -wiry black hair stained and ornamented with eagle feathers, (as is -the custom of the Mohaves and Apaches) was surmounted by a slouched -hat which entirely concealed the short hair. - -The painted white man gazed long and intently upon the party, from -which fact Inwood judged that he was displeased at their appearance -and anxious to keep himself invisible. This, united with the curious -facts noted regarding the appearance of the island, furnished food -for speculation, and Inwood lowered his glass and placed it away with -the conviction that there was some mystery connected with this lake -and the tiny island resting in the center, which, perhaps, it might -be well for him to attempt to fathom. - -“What you tink ob him?” inquired Jim, much wondering at the continued -silence of Inwood. - -“It is the finest scene I have ever looked upon. Nothing could be -more beautiful than the lake, and the island, and the green shores -which surround, and the white mountain peaks away in the distance.” - -“Wait till you see it fly away--den I guess you tink it beautifuller -yet.” - -“I am afraid I shall have to wait a good while,” said Inwood. - -“Shall we go on?” inquired Edwin. - -“I rather like the appearance of the country around here, and I think -we are as likely to find gold as in any other place. We will hunt up -some good spot, take up our quarters, and go to prospecting. The best -plan, I think, is for us to turn square around and start back again.” - -“What dat for?” - -Edwin, too, looked an inquiry, but George said he had a good reason, -and accordingly it was done. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - -The party turned about as if to retrace their steps; but the moment -they had descended the hill, so as to be out of sight of the -Enchanted Island, Inwood dismounted, and said to his friends: - -“Now, you walk the horses as slowly as you can, and when you get -beyond that grove of trees, wait for me, but don’t halt until you are -there.” - -Jim and Edwin looked wonderingly at him, but he waved them -impatiently away, and trailing his rifle, ran rapidly around the -brow of the hill from which he had taken his view of the lake, and, -gaining a position where he could still see it, he screened himself -from observation, and carefully awaited the confirmation of his -suspicions. - -He had been here about twenty minutes, when he observed an agitation -in the bushes between the hill and the lake, and the next minute the -head and shoulders of a man rose to view. One glance identified him -as the individual whom he had surveyed through his telescope, and it -is hardly necessary to say that our young friend watched his motions -with intense interest. - -Looking cautiously about him, as if to satisfy himself that he was -unobserved, the stranger soon came fully to view, and commenced -ascending the hill with a silent, cautious step. Reaching a point -almost to the summit, he sank down on his hands and knees, and looked -over. Watching the horsemen, who, by this time, were a third of a -mile distant, for a few moments, he laid his rifle across a mound of -earth, and took a long, deliberate sight. - -Inwood felt very uncomfortable as he watched this operation, and he -was on the point of bringing his own gun to his shoulder to prevent -this murder, when the piece was discharged, and, glancing at his -friends, he saw that they were not disturbed enough to cause them to -look around. - -“Try it again!” muttered Inwood, “that is rather too long a range for -a gun like yours.” - -The man, after the failure of his piece, took an upright position, -and watched the horsemen with an intensity of gaze which showed that -for some reason or other, he had a deep interest in their movements. -Finally they rode behind the grove referred to, and the man, with a -great sigh and some muttered words, turned on his heel and descended -the hill. - -“That man, for some reason or other, doesn’t wish any visitors in -these parts,” was the reflection of Inwood, “and he has a special -objection to white men. There is some connection between what I have -seen and that island out in the lake.” - -Having learned all that he deemed it safe to learn, he carefully made -his way out of his hiding place, and soon after rejoined his friends -behind the grove. Jim had had some difficulty in controlling the -actions of the mule, but he had succeeded at last in bringing him to -a stop by shying him against the trunk of a tree, as he swung round -his circle. - -“Dat’s de way to put de brakes on,” said Jim, “no danger ob de wheels -slippin’--fotched him up _chock_!” - -“I suppose you didn’t understand what I meant,” remarked George, as -he resumed his horse, “but I discovered a man watching us, and I -wanted to watch him a little.” - -“Did you see him?” - -“Yes; but I took good care that he didn’t see me. You heard a gun -fired shortly after you left. That was done by him, and he took -deliberate aim at you, but the distance proved too great.” - -As might be expected, this announcement created quite a sensation. - -“He is a white man,” added George, “although he is disguised as an -Indian. Why he should do so, I cannot understand, but I suspect -he does not want any one to know that there are white men in this -vicinity. It might draw others here, to which he appears to have a -strong objection.” - -“It has sumfin’ to do wid dat ’ere island!” asserted Jim. - -“I believe you are correct.” - -“An’ dere is _spooks_ about, so’ de best ting we can do is to -trabble. I--I--I--don’t tink the air around here ’grees wid me.” - -“We must find a suitable place and settle down here for a few months, -or, at any rate, until I understand the mystery about this Enchanted -Island.” - -“Jus’ as you says; I don’t care about Ingins, for I can come de gold -trick ober dem, but I don’t like _spooks_.” - -“Can’t you serve them the same way?” - -“No; dey won’t hold still; dey is always oneasy, an’ den I’s afeered -ob ’em.” - -“They have never harmed any one as yet.” - -“But dey will carry you off--dat’s what dey will do.” - -“Do you think we are going to find any gold?” inquired Edwin. - -“We may and we may not; the chances are equally good in almost any -place in this section.” - -“I suppose there is plenty of hunting?” - -“Yes; and we will let you range the woods. Jim may look for gold, -while I keep my eye on this island. I think we shall all find enough -to interest us.” - -“I’s no ’bjection, so long as I don’t have to hunt _spooks_,” replied -the negro. - -“It seems to me,” continued George, pointing to the south, “that off -yonder must be a good place for our camping ground. Suppose we make a -search there?” - -“Dat’s good,” said Jim, with a pleased countenance, “don’t you see -dat de mule has got his head turned dat way. Jus’ wait a minute.” - -The animal was shoved a little to one side, so as to go clear of the -tree, when he instantly started off on his long, loping walk, while -the rest followed. - -The point indicated by George Inwood was a mile away, and when they -reached it, they found themselves on the border of a large wood, with -an undergrowth of almost impenetrable density. A small stream of -clear cold water gushed silently forth; and, following up the pebbly -bed of this for several yards, they made an abrupt turn to the right, -when they fixed upon their camping ground. A small space was cleared -off, and their tent erected, when they made search for a grazing -ground for their horses. This was found without much difficulty, and, -by the middle of the afternoon, they were fairly settled in their new -quarters. - -They had enough provisions to give them a meal, when they all lay -down to rest and chat over matters. - -“To-morrow, Edwin, you start on your hunt,” said George, “and, as we -are in a totally new country, you must use extra caution.” - -“What shall I bring you?” asked the young hunter, “a grizzly bear or -an antelope?” - -“I prefers an antelope,” replied Jim, “an’ if you comes across a -grizzly b’ar, you’d better take my advice an’ give him a wide berfh.” - -“Yes; fire your gun only when it is necessary; don’t be tempted aside -by any wish for sport, or any ambition to become a great hunter.” - -Edwin had received this advice so often that he did not see the -necessity of its being repeated. He could only repeat his intention -to be prudent and careful, as he had been at all times. - -“As we have several hours of daylight before us,” continued Inwood, -“suppose we make a reconnoisance of the lake?” - -“Dat ’ere will suit me,” replied Jim, “I want you to see dat island -fly away. I know you won’t b’lieve it till you see it.” - -“That I certainly shall not; you will go with us, Edwin?” - -“I would rather take a ramble in another direction, if you are -willing.” - -“Certainly; try and be in before dusk. Come, Jim, if you are ready.” - -They stepped into the brook, and, walking on the hard, pebbly bed, -soon emerged into the open, rocky country, about a mile distant from -the lake. - -“Now, Jim,” said Inwood, “we must be particularly cautious. There are -other white men in this neighborhood, and I am sure if they knew we -were here, they would as lief kill us as not, to get us out of the -way.” - -“’Spose so; but den what would _we_ do all dat time?” was the surly -demand of the African. “While dey was doing dat, we’d have de chance -to try de _gold trick_. I would just as lieb see dem as not--a little -lieber, I tink.” - -“I would not; if we can get along without trouble, it is our duty -to do so, and I particularly request you to be cautious in your -movements. The man that I watched has already fired his gun at us, -and if he can steal up within a hundred feet, it isn’t likely he’ll -make such a miss as he did awhile ago.” - -“Hang ’em! what do dey wish to shoot us for?” - -“That’s the question which I wish to settle.” - -“An’ what does he want to make hisself look like one ob dem darkeys -for, ’stead ob being ’spectable?” - -“It is all curious, Jim, but I have hopes that we may penetrate the -mystery before long.” - -All this time the two men were carefully making their way toward the -lake, both of them constantly gazing about them to discover any signs -of danger. Inwood saw nothing, and was about to congratulate himself -upon the secrecy which had attended their entrance into this strange -section, when Jim suddenly started. - -“Dere he is! look dere!” - -“Where?” - -He pointed a little to the right of the lake; but, as Inwood followed -the direction of his finger, he saw nothing, and so he said. - -“He jest now dropped down--right dere--let’s foller him up,” -exclaimed the negro, dashing straight at the spot, while Inwood -speedily followed him, hardly certain whether he was acting prudently -or not in doing so. - -All the time they kept their eyes fixed upon the point, and the -nature of the ground being such that the stranger could not escape -without being seen, they were confident of either catching or -identifying him. Jim made good progress despite his ungainly manner -of traveling, and, in a few minutes, he came upon the place, which -consisted of a small rock raised about a foot above the surface. -Dashing forward, he made a spring over it, his immense feet coming -down simultaneously and tremendously. - -“_Dere, I got you! hold still now, for you is fast!_” - -But he wasn’t, no one was there. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -Inwood laughed at the look of his sable friend, as he gazed about -him, as if he did not understand the meaning of all this. - -“Where is your man?” he asked. - -“Gracious! I don’t know; wonder if I didn’t mash him down into -de ground,” he said, stepping to one side and reviewing the huge -footprints which he had made in the sod. “He ain’t dere! wonder where -he went?” - -“I suspect he hasn’t been there at all. You must have been mistaken, -Jim. Are there any other footprints?” - -After strict search they failed to find any, and Inwood was satisfied -of Jim’s mistake, although the latter was loth to admit it. - -“Now,” said Inwood, “I am going to find out all I can about matters -and things. If you choose you can go home, or you can remain here.” - -“If it’s all de same to you, I tinks I’ll retire,” said Jim, -displaying considerable eagerness to get out of the immediate -neighborhood. Inwood watched him until he disappeared from view as he -went crouching among the rocks and hills back to his hiding place. - -It was now near nightfall, and our young friend deemed it best to -make himself invisible until he could reconnoitre with safety in the -darkness. In this wild, rocky country, it was easy to find a secure -hiding place, and this he did, first satisfying himself that he was -not watched in his manœuvres. - -Night finally descended upon mountain and lake, and when it was fully -dark, Inwood crept cautiously forth, and approached the edge of the -water. The moon did not rise until late, and he was sure that if any -sentinel was on guard, he had not detected his approach. He had come -upon the lake at a point several hundred yards removed from the point -where the canon debouched into it, and he sat down for a few moments -to meditate upon the best thing to do. - -As he sat and listened, he was sure he heard a faint rippling out -upon the lake near the point where he could just make out the dark -outlines of the island looming up in the distance; but the gloom -prevented his discovering anything more. Behind and around him was -darkness, and in that solemn moment, George Inwood (naturally devout -and thoughtful) lifted up his heart to the great Being above the -stars, and sat for a time in blissful communion, such as the men of -the world can never know. - -He felt that this was a strange undertaking upon which he was about -to venture, and, with the simplicity of a child, he asked that he -might do that only which was right, and that he and those with him -might be protected to the end. - -He concluded, after fully deliberating upon the matter, to remove his -clothing, and swim out to the island. By this means he could examine -it silently and thoroughly, and with more safety than if he remained -on shore waiting for a suitable opportunity. - -His clothing was rolled into a bundle, and placed in a niche among -the rocks, after which he took his bearings to make sure of no -difficulty in recovering them. This done, he waded carefully out, -immediately rushing above his head into the chilly waters. The first -shock over, the lake felt cool and pleasant, and he struck out slowly -and easily toward the island. - -As he neared the place which had created such wonder, he slowed his -strokes, until he barely moved through the water, while he kept his -eyes and ears open. Nothing suspicious rewarded his vigilance, and -he was on the point of advancing more rapidly, when he detected the -outlines of a man standing on the very edge of the island nearest him. - -Inwood was so close that at first he was sure he had been discovered; -but, as the stranger gave no evidence of suspecting anything, he -slowly backed water, and gradually worked his way round to the -opposite side. Here he dallied awhile, until seeing nothing alarming, -he began making his way in. - -But again, at this very juncture, he caught the glimmer of a light, -heard the suppressed murmur of a voice, followed by a gentle -plashing. The next moment he made the startling discovery that, -while he was not approaching the island, it was approaching him. An -indescribable thrill ran through him, and he understood the feeling -which Jim had expressed; but his own sense forbade any faltering, and -he concluded to wait for the “mountain to come to Mohamet.” - -A moment later he touched the edge of the island, and then learned -that instead of earth, his hands were resting against logs, and that -they extended several feet below the surface. - -“I have learned one thing,” was the reflection of Inwood, “this -Enchanted Island rests upon logs, and isn’t much more than a -skilfully covered raft.” - -But the question still remained, as to what it all meant. What -earthly reason could there be for a floating island in the midst of -a lonely lake? There was some object beyond all question, and he -resolved, if possible, to ascertain it for himself. - -As he floated along with the island, he heard the grating of poles -upon the bottom of the lake, and it was therefore easy to comprehend -the means of locomotion. Shortly after he detected shadowy forms -passing to and fro, as they busied themselves in shoving the craft -along. The phantom like appearance of things was increased by the -silence with which these men worked. As yet, he had not heard a -whisper exchanged between them. - -Inwood right speedily appreciated the delicately dangerous position -in which he was placed. One of the raftmen, as he drove his pole down -into the water, just missed driving it into his crown, but he was -an excellent swimmer, and he relied upon his skill in the perilous -feature which this adventure was putting on. - -“The old thing moves rather heavy!” finally remarked one of the men, -in a gruff voice. - -“Yes,” was the response, “it acts as if the logs were becoming -water-soaked. I’ve noticed for the last day or two that it seems to -have sunk a few inches.” - -“I s’pose maybe it’s carrying a pretty good load.” - -This remark seemed to contain some hidden meaning which pleased the -fancy of the others, for they all indulged in a quiet laugh. - -These words, as a matter of course, were overheard by Inwood, who was -puzzled more and more to understand their meaning; but the men did -not seem to take up a train of remarks calculated to enlighten him. -They plied the unwieldy craft for a few minutes longer in silence, -and then, as one paused to rest a moment, he spoke in this manner to -him who was standing nearest: - -“Too bad that a parcel should come down on us at this time.” - -“Yes; and I’m afraid they’re going to stay.” - -“We gave the darkey a good enough fright to keep him away, but that -man doesn’t look as if he could be frightened by any such thing.” - -“There’s a youngster, too, I noticed to-day, when I fired at them.” - -“Very likely they’ll get far enough away not to trouble us any more. -It looked to me as though the darkey had brought them back to take a -look at the lake and island, seeing which, they were satisfied and -went back.” - -“I hope so, for it’s too bad----” - -At this juncture, the man thrust his pole into the water, and applied -his strength to it, as a consequence of which, his words came so -mutilated through his closed teeth as to be unintelligible to the -intensely interested person on the other side. - -All at once, Inwood felt his feet touch the bottom, and, turning his -head, saw that they were within a hundred yards of the shore. Whether -they intended anchoring a short distance from the land, or to lie -against it, was unknown to him, although he surmised the latter, as -the depth remained the same, and they still used their poles with -the same resolve as at first. - -If Inwood was right in his conjectures on this point, he saw that he -must evacuate his position to escape being jammed between it and the -rock. - -Moving carefully along the edge of the raft, he made his way around -the end, when he became aware of another fact which could not fail -to give him uneasiness. The moon was rising, and as soon as it came -above the wood or mountain, could scarcely fail to reveal him; but, -as a few moments later they would be along the shore, he conjectured -that if the worst came to worst, he could dart into the wood and take -his chances of escape. - -Shortly after, the Enchanted Island lightly touched the shore, -and immediately, to the delight of Inwood, the three men whom he -had noticed, sprang off and disappeared with rather a remarkable -abruptness--so singular indeed that he believed they intended to -return, and he therefore maintained his position until this point was -settled. - -Fifteen or twenty minutes passing away, and bringing no sight nor -sound of them, he hesitated a moment, and then concluded to clamber -upon the island and satisfy himself, so far as possible, regarding -it. Still a vague sense or danger restrained him. It did not seem -improbable that a sentinel was stationed upon this curious piece of -workmanship, although if such were the case, he took particular good -care to keep quiet and unobserved. - -To satisfy himself, Inwood, with his hands drew himself twice -entirely around the island. This gave him an accurate idea of -its size, and showed him that its base was wood. He saw nothing -suspicious, although a dozen men could have been effectually -concealed in the dense shrubbery. - -Suddenly a whim took possession of him to dive beneath it, and -examine its construction as he passed along. This plan offered the -least danger, and the breadth of the island was such that he could do -it with little or no difficulty. - -Sinking softly downward until he reached the lowest point, he struck -rapidly out, and had taken but one stroke beneath the surface, when -he came abruptly upward, and as he threw his hands above, felt -nothing but the water. The next moment, to his unbounded surprise, -he found that he was in the center of the island, which enclosed him -on every side. In fact, it was a floating circle, the middle portion -being open and full of water. - -George felt around until he placed his hand upon a support, when -he came to the conclusion that he had advanced another step in the -solution of this mystery, but the step had taken him into as blank -darkness as had the first move he made. - -Here was proof that the Enchanted Island, as he had named it from -his first impression, was the careful work of human hands, although -why it ever should have been made was totally unexplainable. In the -midst of his meditation on this point, he was not a little startled -to observe, by the increasing light of the moon, the figure of a man, -undoubtedly a sentinel, who, by the nodding of his head, was either -half or wholly asleep. - -Which was a very fortunate thing for Mr. Inwood, otherwise he could -not have failed of discovering himself to him. Sheltered by the shade -of the shrubbery, he made as hasty examination as possible of the -contour of this interior basin, but could discover nothing more than -that it was oblong in shape, and quite even around its edges. - -It was while engaged in this survey that the man arose and looked -down into the water, as if he saw something suspicious. - -“There’s _something_ there!” he muttered in an audible voice, “and -I’ve heard it more than once. It’s a queer fish, I think.” - -The queer fish, at this juncture, deemed it prudent to sink down and -retreat to the outer surface of the lake, which place he reached just -in time to see his man standing along shore with a huge pole, as if -watching for him to rise. Fortunately, he was so close to the shore, -as to be in shadow, and, feeling his way along, he speedily reached -land, where he waited until his friend’s attention was called in -another direction, when he crawled out, somewhat weakened by his long -habitation in the water. - -But the object of his reconnoisance, so far as possible, was -obtained, and he set out on his return. He experienced some -difficulty in recovering his clothing, but succeeded at last, and -started rapidly homeward. He was not a little alarmed upon reaching -the place to find that neither Jim nor Edwin was there. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -Young Edwin Inwood had been deprived so long of his hunt, that he -determined to improve his time to the utmost. He took a direction -exactly opposite to the one pursued by his brother, and soon found -himself in the midst of the wood which contained their new home, -where it was open and easily traveled. - -It was his wish to secure an antelope, which were quite abundant -in this section, although almost entirely unknown a little further -south, and he walked very carefully, well aware of the acuteness of -their hearing. A quarter of a mile or so brought him to a broad, wild -ravine, and, looking down this, the first object that met his eye -was a group of Mohave Indians seated around a camp-fire. Three sat -smoking, and two were engaged in dressing a fine plump antelope, and -preparing it for their supper. - -They were fully a hundred feet below where the boy stood, and several -hundred yards distant. He watched them for some time with interest. -Each had around his person or near him, one of those brilliant and -wonderfully woven blankets, which have made the Indians of the -distant southwest known all over the country. They were painted and -daubed up like a lot of children’s toys, their coarse black hair -hanging loosely over their shoulders, while its usual stiffness was -intensified by the rainbow-hued stuff smeared among it. It makes a -fellow look hideously comical to see his face of all colors, and -there was something in the outlandish look of these Mohaves which -would have brought a grim smile to the countenance of him who had -scarcely ever laughed. - -They never once raised their heads, although Edwin scrutinized them -so closely that he was sure they were a portion of the party which -had attacked them at the cave, and he recognized the very individual -who was so handsomely vanquished in his attempt to shake hands with -Jim Tubbs. This being the case, he entertained much less fear of them -than he would, had they been strangers. - -But, recollecting that he had come out for the purpose of obtaining -food, he turned away and wandered off in another direction. While -he was asking himself whether it would be prudent to fire his gun -in their vicinity or not, a fine plump young antelope rushed by him -with the speed of the wind. Quick as thought his gun was over his -shoulder, and, with a frenzied leap, the beautiful creature dropped, -and, after a few frantic struggles, lay dead. - -Edwin hurried up to him, and, drawing his knife, commenced dressing -it and securing the choicest portions for their supper. Absorbed thus -in his work, he forgot entirely the proximity of the aborigines. He -had about completed his work, when, with lightning-like suddenness, a -reflection of his peril came over him, and he rose erect and glanced -about him. - -Providentially his first look was directed toward the proper point, -and he saw at quite a distance two Indians, standing perfectly -motionless, and watching him seemingly with great interest. The -moment he raised his head they darted each behind a tree, evidently -not through fear, but with a far different object. - -Edwin was a boy with an intelligence and perception beyond his years, -and he immediately saw his danger, and looked furtively around to -learn the best direction in which to retreat. His first thought was -to run straight from the red men and, observing that the wood was -thicker and more broken, he did not hesitate, but started off at once. - -Casting one glance over his shoulder, he observed the two aborigines -after him, although neither of them gave utterance to the “yell,” -which, with the proverbial “_ugh_,” seems to be about the only -language which ever emerges from the lips of the North American -Indian, if the authority of story writers is to be taken. - -In a race of this kind, we could not dare risk our reputation in -saying that the little fellow was anything like a match for his lithe -pursuers. He hadn’t been in training as long as they, and it was -impossible that the cowardly Mohaves should not gain upon him with -sad certainty. - -All of which he expected, and he therefore turned all his energies -toward finding some place in which he could conceal himself. Bounding -over and among the rough and rugged rocks, he turned at right angles -to the course he had been following, darted a few rods ahead, and -then, to his dismay, found himself on the banks of a small, rapid -stream. - -But there was no time for hesitation. He ran along the shore a little -way, and then rapidly climbed a small tree, dragging his rifle as -best he could after him. Here he crouched among the branches, and, -panting and trembling, awaited the result. - -As yet, he had not heard a sound, but he did not dare hope that his -pursuers were off the scent. He had read certain wonderful tales of -the miraculous prowess of the “red men of the woods,” and had every -reason to believe that they were perfect bloodhounds in such matters. - -Nor was he mistaken; for he had not been in his elevated position -five minutes, when, through the interstices of the leaves, he saw one -of them walking along the edge of the stream, carefully examining the -ground, occasionally pausing and looking about him, and now and then -making a curious, gyrating motion with his hand over his head, which -the boy did not understand, but which we suspect was a signal for his -companion. - -It would have been the easiest thing in the world for Edwin Inwood -to load his gun, and shoot the Mohave who was stealing so cautiously -upon him; but he hesitated. It is no light thing to take a human -life, even if it belong to an Indian, and he did not wish to commit -such a deed, unless his own self preservation demanded it. Whether it -did or not was the question which the boy considered, and upon which -he was hardly able to decide. - -Suppose he did slay the red man, his companion remained, against -whom he could do nothing, and who would be sure to visit a cruel -punishment upon him. No; he decided that the time had not yet come -for him to do such a thing. - -In the meantime, the Mohave was close at hand. Not once did he -raise his head, but walked slowly along, examining the ground, and -looking across the stream as though he expected to see the fugitive. -The heart of the latter gave a throb as he saw him pass beyond the -tree which contained himself; but the temporary hope thus awakened -was speedily dispelled by observing the red man suddenly halt, look -around him as though he failed, for the moment, exactly to comprehend -things, and then he raised his head and saw the youngster cowering -among the branches. - -The Mohave surveyed him quietly a moment, and then motioned for him -to descend. The boy could not refuse, as he was entirely in his -power, and he obeyed without delay. The captor looked into his face -with a curious expression, but still uttered no exclamation or word. -Finally, he took him by the arm, led him a short distance down the -stream of the brook, and then motioned for him to fall behind and -follow. - -On the whole, this struck Edwin as rather a curious proceeding. The -Mohave had not deprived him of his gun, and did not even take the -trouble to examine whether it was loaded or not, nor did he once look -over his shoulder to see whether he was followed by the captive. -It was a strong temptation to the latter to dart aside, and make -another effort to get away, but he could hardly bring his mind to the -“sticking point.” - -As a matter of course, Edwin had strong hope of getting out of this -difficulty, and he therefore paid strict attention to the route which -they followed, so as not to be lost, when the opportunity should come -to him. The Mohave literally took the “back track,” going over his -own footsteps, and turning off from the stream at precisely the point -where the boy first struck it. - -As yet there was nothing seen of the other Indian, and the boy -was wondering where he could have taken himself, when he made his -appearance as suddenly as if he had risen from the very ground. He -seemed to entertain the same constitutional objection to talking as -did his predecessor, for not a word was exchanged between them. One -walked in the front and the other in the rear of the boy, so that, -for the present, he gave over all thoughts of taking abrupt leave of -them. - -The party passed directly by the remains of the antelope slain by -Edwin, and so on until they reached the gorge where he had first -descried the Mohaves as they were seated around the camp-fire. This -led the boy to think that they were a part of those who had besieged -them in the cave. - -Whether this was a matter for congratulation or fear was more than he -could determine, although it gave him hope that the captured Mohave -might be among them, who he was sure would not forget the magnanimity -shown him when he was at the mercy of those whom he sought to injure. - -Nightfall was close at hand, and the party made their preparations -for remaining on the old camping-ground of their former friends. -They had a portion of the antelope with them, and offered a piece to -Edwin, who accepted it more for the sake of pleasing them, than on -account of any hunger he felt. After this, they seated themselves -upon the ground, and motioned for him to do the same. Their pipes -were then produced, and then began the longest and dreariest evening -of Edwin Inwood’s life. - -He lay on the ground, looking up at the stars, communing with the -Great Being who dwelt beyond them, wondering what George and Jim -thought of his prolonged absence, and speculating as to what the -morrow would bring forth. Hour after hour wore away, and it was near -midnight, when his ear detected a faint, regular jarring of the -ground, and, raising his head, he saw through the gloom a party of -men close at hand. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - -“I doesn’t care ’tic’larly ’bout gittin’ ’quainted wid any _spooks_,” -muttered Jim Tubbs, after bidding good-bye to George Inwood, as the -latter started on his reconnoisance of the Enchanted Island. - -“Dat ’ere George was always a fearsome boy eber since he was a little -codger, dat used to ride de hosses at home in ole New York--nebber -could make him b’lebe any stories about ghosts, an’ hobblegoblins, -an’ spooks. Beats all natur’ how queer some folks be; I don’t care -much for darkeys, whedder dey be red or black, while he does; but -when _spooks_ is around, I ’fers to be ’scused, while he don’t.” - -Thus did the African commune with himself, as he made his way -carefully from the lake and its phantom-like island. Not until he was -far from it, did he pause, look around, and ask himself what was the -best thing for him to do. - -“I has de ’pinion dat when I ’grated to dese parts, I come arter -_gold_, an’ dat’s what I’m going to hunt for at present. I sometimes -tinks I orter be de ’prietor ob dis ’stablishment, as I ’wested de -most money. Howsumeber, Mr. Tubbs, we’ll ’scuse de ’scussion ob dat -question to some subsequent ’casion.” - -Without suspecting it, the African took almost precisely the same -direction as that followed by Edwin Inwood. As he was looking for -gold, he went along the margin of a small stream, and began examining -its banks and current for some signs of auriferous deposit. - -“Dey say you’re the most aptest to find gold near de water, ’less you -find it somewhere else--so I’ll take a peep. O!----” - -Jim stopped, absolutely thunderstruck, for there in the water before -him he saw a large piece of yellow metal, whose nature he divined at -a glance. Plunging forward the next instant, he seized it in his -hand, and held it up, and turned it over. It was a piece of pure -gold, nearly the size of a hen’s egg. It lay imbedded in the sand, -only a small portion displaying itself. - -The dusky fellow could scarcely restrain his delight. He turned it -over and over again, and danced about, and laughed, and almost cried. -Finally he sobered down. - -“Dat’s de best fish I ebber catched an’ I’ve fished a good deal. -Shouldn’t wonder if dere’s some more ob ’em ’bout.” - -There was some reason, if not much truth, in this conclusion, and he -fell to work with might and main. The stream was about a dozen feet -in breadth, some eighteen or twenty inches in depth, with a clear -current, and a hard, sandy bottom. As he had not his tools with him, -he laid his rifle on the bank, and procured a heavy stick with which -he raked the sand hither and thither in his search. - -A few minutes’ search revealed another piece considerably smaller -than the first, but large enough to fill Jim’s heart with joy. - -“Talk about _spooks_!” he exclaimed contemptuously, “dat ’ere lump ob -yaller stuff is more interesting dan all de _spooks_ on de lake or in -de wood. I tinks I’ll settle here for de present.” - -He plied his rude rake with unabated vigor, but nothing more rewarded -his labor. He gradually worked his way up the channel, so intent on -his labor as not to observe or care for aught that took place around -him. - -This persevering toil undoubtedly would have continued until -darkness, had it not been checked in a most sudden and alarming -manner. Jim’s head was bent down, as he grovelled in the dust, when -a peculiar, whirring noise caught his ear, and he looked up just in -time to see a dark, circling ring descending over him, and, ere he -could dodge, the loop of the lasso dropped to his elbows, and was -drawn taut with the quickness of lightning. - -The huge fellow comprehended his predicament in an instant, and -exerted his giant strength to the utmost to free himself. - -“Dat ’ere will nebber do! My gracious, dey’ll got all my gold!” - -So great was his strength, that, in all probability, he would have -broken the rope which enclosed his arms; but, in the midst of his -furious struggles, a second lasso, from nearly an opposite point, -shot up in the air, and, in spite of the attempt he made to dodge it, -came down with unerring certainty, and helped imprison his arms. - -“Dat ’ere is a little too lubbin’,” muttered Jim, toiling like -a giant in his bonds, but, finding himself unable to accomplish -anything in this manner, he resorted to different tactics. - -“I can _pull_, if I can’t break.” - -With which, he made a furious plunge up the bank, thereby entailing -a rather ludicrous occurrence. The Mohave who had hurled the second -lasso, simply held it in his hand, he and his companion instantly -dropping out of sight the moment they threw their ropes. The sudden -and tremendous strain upon the rope found him totally unprepared, -and he came scrambling headlong out of the bushes and over the bank -before he could recover himself, observing which, Jim made a dash at -him; but, as the first red man had secured his around the point of a -projecting rock, the doughty fellow was brought up with a round turn, -and the other made all haste to rectify the mistake which he had -committed. - -“Lucky for you I couldn’t cotch you! If I’d got one ob dem feet ob -mine on you, I’d have mashed you.” - -At this juncture the red men revealed themselves, three of them -rising to their feet, and all motioning to their captive to come -ashore. This command he obeyed, all the time puzzling his wits to see -whether there was not some means by which he could extricate himself. -The third Indian placed his loop over his arms, and they then mounted -their horses, fastening the ropes to the saddle, and taking good care -to keep their sable prey at a respectable distance. - -Poor Jim Tubbs was now fairly secured. The three ropes, which encased -him like a child, were woven of a peculiar thread, which made their -tenacity almost equal to that of strands of iron. The Mohaves were -perfect adepts at this kind of business, and, coming upon the African -unawares, they had effected his capture with rare skill. - -“Dey’ve got me dis time, sure,” he reflected, as he walked along -between their horses, “an’ de ’portant question is, what am dey gwine -to do wid me, an’ when dey gwine to do it, an’ how dey gwine to do -it, an’ how it’s gwine to ’gree wid me when dey come to do it.” - -He walked along a short distance in silence, but his thoughts were -busy. - -“I remember dat dat gentleman in New York dat put up at my boarding -house, said de Ingins sometimes roasted de prisoners what dey took. -Gracious! I hope dey don’t s’pose to do dat wid me.” - -He scanned the face of each one for a few moments, and concluded: - -“Dey don’t look very awful in de face; don’t b’leeve dey’ll roast me. -Oh! jus’ hear dem gold pieces clink in my pocket. Wonder if I can’t -bribe ’em wid one ob ’em to let me off. But den dey don’t know what -gold am worth; dey’d jus’ as lieb hab my jack-knife, an’ I’d jus’ as -lieb hab it, too; so I tinks I’ll let it stay in my pocket fur de -present. Mighty glad dey didn’t tink ’bout my ole gun in de grass, -for I can go back an’ get it myself arter a while.” - -That “after awhile” was the “to-morrow” of the unrepentant--a period -about which one might reasonably entertain a few grains of doubt. -Jim was philosopher enough, seeing that there was no help under the -circumstances to take things as a matter of course. He walked along -quietly and peacefully, the Mohaves being sharp enough to keep an -unremitting watch upon his every movement. - -Just as night was setting in, they halted near a pile of rocks, where -one of their number collected sticks, and speedily started a fire. In -this portion of California during the summer season, it is generally -very warm and oppressive, but the last few days had been remarkably -cool, and a fire was by no means unwelcome. The cramped position of -his limbs made him chilly, and he came as near to the blaze as they -would permit. No food was prepared, nor did the fellow care for any. - -An hour or two after dark, and while the Mohaves were pulling at -their pipes, and Jim was half asleep on the ground, he heard a -footstep, and, raising his head, saw near him the identical Indian -with whom he had shaken hands so emphatically. The African’s -complexion was such as to make him easily recognizable, and the -start and glance of the red man told plainly that there was no -misunderstanding upon his part. - -“How do you do?” inquired Jim, with a nod of his head. “If you’ll -untie my arms, I’ll shake hands with you again.” - -The Indian seemed pleased in his way at meeting the man who had -vanquished him so nicely. He offered no rudeness to the captive but -came nearer, and, seating himself upon the ground, smoked his pipe. - -This was extremely gratifying to the sable individual, for it was -proof positive that the Mohave had not forgotten the kindness which -he had received, and that he was well disposed toward the unfortunate -African. - -“How lucky dat he doesn’t know I wanted to come de gold trick ober -him--don’t b’lebe he’d tink so much ob me. Tank you, I guess I’ll -smoke.” - -He inclined his head forward, and the pipe stem was inserted between -his teeth, and he puffed at him in a style which showed that there -was no pretended enjoyment on his part. - -“Dat ’ere tastes good, I can tell you,” he said, with an expression -on his shiny face of genuine pleasure. “I’s much obliged to you, an’ -you needn’t be ’fraid ob ’fending me if you want to offer it to me -to-morrer agin.” - -The Mohave knowing nothing at all of English, and Jim Tubbs -understanding not the first syllable of Mohave, it is not to be -supposed that they got along very well in conversation. Jim tried -increasing the loudness of his voice, but that did not seem to help -matters, and their communication therefore took the character of -signs, the African’s words being thrown in by way of embellishment. - -After he had smoked awhile, he turned his back so that the Mohave -might see how his arms were bound, and then said: - -“Jus’ cut dem, won’t you? I’ll be much obliged.” - -The Indian unquestionably understood the request, but he was not -satisfied as to the propriety of granting it. He looked at his -companions, exchanged a few words, when they came up and debated the -matter. - -“I won’t run away--I’ll promise you dat--feller treats me kind, I’ll -do de same wid him--gib you my word ob honor.” - -They seemed disposed to grant his desire, but before doing so, began -a search to assure themselves that he had not any weapons of offense -about him. Jim sat motionless, except when he assisted them as much -as possible, never once thinking of the gold until he heard the two -pieces jingle together in his pocket. Instantly he started up in -terror. - -“I hain’t got noffin dere--dat am sartin’--no use ob feelin’ dat -pocket.” - -But a coppery-hued hand was already inserted, and the next instant it -drew out the two yellow pieces. - -“Dem ain’t mine,” added Jim, and then, unwilling to tell an untruth, -he added, “dey ain’t, sartin--’cause I’ve got to divide wid de rest.” - -They were passed back and forth, the Indians seeming to care very -little about them. When they reached the hands of the hand-shaking -Mohave, he turned them over several times, and then replaced them in -the pocket of the rightful owner. - -“Gracious! but you’re a good feller,” exclaimed Jim, “if it wan’t -fur de boys, I b’lebe I’d settle down among you, an’ take you fur -my bruvver chief, if you’ll only let my arms loose, you needn’t be -afreed dat I’ll swing ’em round careless.” - -The obliging Mohaves, at this point removed the lassoes from his -limbs, and left his body entirely unrestrained--a proceeding like -the former, the result of the magnanimity showed the Indian, when he -expected no mercy. - -“I ’gin to tink George is right,” mused Jim, “he always told me to -be kind to ebery one, no matter if he was your enemy. If I had come -de gold trick ober dis feller, he wouldn’t have been half so cleber. -Gracious! he wouldn’t have been at all.” - -The prisoner was now almost entirely at ease, and had given over all -fear of his own personal safety. He argued that they would not be so -lenient and considerate, if they intended any ultimate harm, and he -endeavored to content himself as well as he could until the morrow, -which he hoped would see him set at liberty. - -As the night wore on, none of the party seemed to be sensible of -its somniferous tendency. The Mohaves remained wide awake, and Jim -had had too many things in his mind to feel drowsy. The former kept -consulting together, and finally, when it was quite late, they all -arose, and with the prisoner between them, started off. - -A half hour later, they came upon the party which held Edwin Inwood. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - -It was a painful surprise both to Edwin Inwood and Jim Tubbs -when they met each other in captivity. They conversed together, -and acquainted themselves with their mutual history after their -separation during the day. - -“Poor George will be anxious enough about us,” said the boy. “I feel -worse on his account than I do on my own.” - -“What’s de matter wid him?” asked the negro, not exactly -comprehending the force of this remark. - -“Nothing, so far as I know; but what will he think when he comes back -and finds nothing of us?” - -“Tink we ain’t dere, I s’pose.” - -“I don’t believe these people intend us any harm. They have treated -us both so kindly that they will let us go to-morrow.” - -“Hope so.” - -“I see among these who came with you, the same one that we had in the -cave the other day.” - -“Yes; me an’ him are great friends,” replied Jim, with an important -air. “I kinder tink he always had a notion of me.” - -They chatted together until toward morning, when, becoming sleepy, -both lay down upon the ground, and slept until daylight. The African -race is proverbial for its drowsy proclivities, and it required -some hard shaking upon the part of Edwin before he could arouse his -companion. But once awake, he was thoroughly so, and he arose to his -feet. - -The Mohaves had the camp-fire burning, and a number of birds, which -resembled quails, cooking, while they had collected quite a quantity -of mesquite beans, very numerous more south in California, and -occasionally encountered further north. These furnished an abundant -and nourishing breakfast, much needed by our friends. - -Daylight brought another surprise in the shape of a third prisoner--a -large, stalwart looking man, dressed in the garb of an Indian--in -fact, no other personage than he who had guarded the lake and the -Enchanted Island so zealously. He was sullen and obstinate, and -his hands had been tied behind him for the purpose of security. -He scowled at his fellow prisoners, as he was brought up, and -undoubtedly hated them as thoroughly as he did his captors. - -On the other hand, the Mohaves were particularly vindictive toward -the man, and, from his appearance, had been subjecting him to -suffering and torture for their own amusement. Only two held him, -and they must certainly have secured him by strategy, as he was -almost as muscular as Jim, and would have been an ugly customer in a -hand-to-hand struggle. - -“They’ve got quite a lot of us,” he remarked, addressing Inwood. - -“Yes; dar am tree ob us.” - -The stranger paid no heed to the negro, but spoke directly to Inwood. - -“I s’pose you know what tribe these belong to?” he continued. - -Edwin made answer that he did not. - -“They are Mohaves--a villainous set of dogs. I consider ’em as bad as -the Apaches, and you know they are as ugly as ugly can be.” - -“They have treated us kindly.” - -“Yes,” replied the stranger, with a contemptuous expression, “you -will find out. You remember the Oatman family that were massacred, -except a boy and two girls, in ’49, in crossing the plains?” - -“Yes; I saw the son in New York, and one of the sisters, with her -chin all tattooed with India ink, which they said the Indians did -when they had her with them.” - -“Do you know what tribe murdered them?” - -“I heard, but I have forgotten.” - -“It was these same Mohaves, and there ain’t a more villainous set of -dogs this side of the Mississippi. You may make up your mind, as I -have, that you’ll never see that sun go down again.” - -This was uttered coolly, but with such an air of conviction as to its -truth, as to send a chill to the hearts of the hearers. - -“Bress de Lord! you don’t mean dat?” asked Jim, fairly quaking with -terror. The stranger turned toward him, and said: - -“There’s no chance for _you_, for I never seen an Indian that didn’t -hate a nigger, and I’m with ’em there myself. If I could say the -word, I wouldn’t get _you_ out of this scrape, for you’ve no business -in these parts.” - -“Bress your heart! nobody has axed you to say a word; I’d rather hab -de ill will ob such a miserable lookin’ darkey as you dan your lub, -an’ if you doesn’t like it, all I’ve got to say is, dat I’m at your -sarvice, an’ you can help yourself.” - -The stranger glared at Jim like a wild beast, but as his own hands -were tied, and those of the African’s were not, he was unable to help -himself. - -“O, you needn’t look so lubbin’ at me!” said Jim, “I ain’t afeerd ob -you; I’ll try an’ coax ’em to ontie your hands, an’ den we’ll hug -each other, if you want to.” - -The stranger’s feelings were inexpressible, and in his supreme -contempt, he turned his back upon the negro, and addressed himself -directly to Edwin. - -“My name is Gaylor, and I’ve been out in these parts about a year, -with a lot of others. We’ve had to dodge and fight the Indians all -the time, and they know me well enough I reckon, and there ain’t any -great amount of love atween us. I’ve played some purty smart tricks -upon ’em, but they got ahead of me at last. I was so tired last night -that I lay down to sleep, and when I woke up, a couple of ’em had me -fast, sure, and--well, you see I’m here with you.” - -Inwood gave the particulars of their own misfortune, and then -inquired: - -“What have you been doing here?” - -Gaylor hesitated a moment, showed some confusion, but quickly -rallying himself, replied: - -“The same as yourself, I suppose; we have been looking for gold.” - -“You must have found something, or you would not have remained so -long.” - -“Well, yes, we have had tolerable luck--putty good I may say toward -the last--but what good is it going to do me?” - -“Not much, I am afraid, nor us either; but you had a number of -friends with you, will they not attempt your rescue?” - -Gaylor shook his head. - -“No use of looking there; they’ll be sure I’ve been rubbed out, and -won’t take the trouble to hunt me up.” - -“How many are there?” - -“Three beside myself. They think enough of me, too, and, if they -thought there was a chance, they would be here in a jiffy; but what’s -the use? They even don’t know that I’ve been run off with, but -likely enough imagine that I have gone off on a hunt, and they won’t -look for me back under a week.” - -All three prisoners were seated on the ground close together, the -Mohaves allowing them opportunity to converse without molestation, -although several scowled at Gaylor, as if unwilling to grant this -small boon. - -“I see you are dressed as an Indian,” remarked Edwin, in an inquiring -voice to Gaylor, who smiled for a moment, and did not reply. -Finally, he looked down at his leggins and stained skin, as if their -appearance were a new thing to him. - -“Well, I don’t see as there is any harm in telling you. This is the -style of dress we have all adopted. You see we’ve got particular -reasons for not wishing any white men to know we are here, and it was -my plan to get ourselves up in this rig, so that if anybody should -see us, they would think they was looking at Mohave Indians.” - -Edwin forebore to ask the reason for all this, for it was -impertinent, but he concluded that Gaylor and his three companions -were criminals fleeing from justice. - -“I shouldn’t tink such a rapscallion as you would want folks to -know dat you was white--don’t blame you fur paintin’ ob yourself,” -remarked Jim Tubbs, who was an attentive listener to the conversation. - -“See here,” said Gaylor, fairly white with passion, “I’ve had enough -of you! I’d like to--I’d like to see these dogs burn you. _I hate -you!_” - -“All right,” replied Jim, and was about uttering some more badinage, -when Edwin requested him to keep still. - -Before the conversation could be resumed, the Mohave who was brought -so prominently into notice at the beginning of our narrative, walked -up to Jim and Edwin and motioned to them to stand up. They did so, -the boy still holding his gun. He then led them about a rod away, -halted, pointed to the northward, placed his left hand on the back of -Edwin, and gave him a gentle shove, and then did the same with Jim. - -“Golly, dat means _trabbel_, an’ here’s de gemman what’s goin’ to -frow himself out all kinder loose like!” exclaimed the delighted -African, as he straightway began what may be termed “tall walking.” - -“Hallo!” he exclaimed, abruptly halting after a few steps, “I forgot -to tank you. Much obliged. Good-bye.” - -Edwin expressed his thanks as well as he could by pantomime and -hurried after his sable friend. - -The Golden Rule! Golden, indeed, and the true measure by which to -mark our steps to Heaven. Here were two lives saved by the one -“little deed of kindness.” - -They walked rapidly some distance, and then Edwin placed his slight -hand upon the colossal shoulder of the negro. - -“Well, what be it?” demanded Jim, looking down in his pale face. - -“I’m afraid they are going to kill Gaylor.” - -“I hope so----” - -“O, Jim, don’t talk that way.” - -“I dunno as I hope so, but I don’t care; he’s an ugly darkey, an’ -orter have de gold trick come ober him.” - -“I don’t feel right in going off and leaving him this way, _and it -isn’t right_.” - -“Well, what you goin’ do?” asked the African, betraying some -uneasiness. - -“We must go back, and try and get them to let him off.” - -“Dey won’t do dat.” - -“How do you know they won’t?” - -“I don’t tink so.” - -“We can try.” - -“I’ll wait here while you go.” - -The boy ran back, and in a few moments reached the camp. Gaylor was -standing with his back toward him and did not notice his approach. -The Mohaves were all standing near him, and in their looks was great -evil. They all turned inquiringly toward Edwin, who walked rapidly -up to the prisoner, then dropped on his knees, made a supplicating -motion, and then, placing his arm within his, started off. A half -dozen Indians sprang forward to prevent it. He dropped on his knees -again, and, with tears in his eyes besought his release. He could -not be misunderstood, but his answer was scowls, and one who was -quite angry, drew his knife; but before he could do harm, our first -acquaintance sprang forward and, leading him quite forcibly a few -steps, pointed earnestly in the direction whence he came. - -“You understand that,” said Gaylor, speaking for the first time, -“it’s no use; I’m much obliged to you for your good will, but these -dogs don’t like me, and you’re only fooling away your time to bother -with ’em.” - -Edwin’s heart was overflowing, and, unable to speak, he broke into a -rapid run, and speedily reached the spot where the trembling Jim was -awaiting him. - -“I couldn’t do anything, Jim,” he faltered. - -“Sorry--’cause dey’ll be kind ob heavy on him.” - -“Jim, you must go try them.” - -“Oh! I can’t! I can’t!” - -“But you must.” - -“What’s de use?” - -“That Indian that was in the cave thinks a great deal of you. Go and -plead with him.” - -“But dat ’ere Gaylor said he hated me.” - -“What if he did; if you can save his life, don’t you wish to do it?” - -Jim was greatly agitated, and rubbed a tear from his eye. - -“You’re right Ned; dar’s sumfin’ in me dat tells me I ought to do it, -an’ by de help ob God _I will_!” - -“Be quick then, for there is no time to lose.” - -The negro needed no urging, for he was prompted by the most powerful -of motives--Conscience, the “still small voice,” which, if listened -to, guides us all aright. - -When he reached the camp, matters were about the same as Inwood had -left them. - -“Mr. Gaylor,” said Jim, speaking abruptly, “I’ve come to see if I can -sabe you.” - -The man turned around and looked at him silently for a moment, as if -unable to comprehend what he meant. Then he slowly shook his head -from side to side. - -“No use; you’d better go back.” - -“I’m goin’ to coax these fellers, an’ if dey won’t do it, we’ll pitch -in an’ fight.” - -The Mohaves stood in a sort of irregular circle, their expression -forbidding enough. Jim walked straight up to his first acquaintance, -and, leading him to where Gaylor stood, pointed at him, and motioned -toward Inwood, whose great anxiety had brought him within sight -and hearing. The Indian shook his head, and looked around at his -companions in a manner that showed _he_ had no particular objections, -if they would give their consent. - -Jim repeated his request, and he again swayed his head, but he was -solicited more vehemently than before, whereupon the savage withdrew, -and began an earnest conference with his friends. The consultation -was long, earnest and stormy--but the end was victory. The Indian was -a man of authority--Gaylor was loosed from his bonds, and he and Jim -walked away side by side, and, rejoining Edwin Inwood, all three took -their departure. - - “We do not make our thoughts; they grow in us, - Like grain in wood; the growth is of the skies, - Which are of nature; nature is of God. - The world is full of glorious likenesses.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -The three walked silently forward for a considerable distance, when -Gaylor paused, and, stepping in front, so as to face the two, he -spoke as a man speaks when in earnest. - -“See here Jim and Ned, as I believe you call each other, I’ve got -a few words to say to you. I’m a pretty bad man, but when one does -me a kindness, I’m like an Indian, and don’t forget it. I want to -thank you Ned, again, for what you tried to do. This here darkey has -been the means of saving my life, when I’d given up. I spoke mean to -him awhile ago, I want to ask his pardon for that, and give him my -thanks.” - -“Gorry, don’t say nuffin’ ’bout it,” said Jim, drawing his huge hand -across his eyes, “’tain’t worth spoken ’bout. It’s all right.” - -“I’m glad to hear it. When you hear me speak again as I did of a -black man awhile ago, it will be when I hain’t got any senses left. -But see here, I’ve got something I’m going to do for you. You have -another man with you, haven’t you? One who is the leader.” - -“Yes; my brother George.” - -“Take me to him.” - -“Hold on,” interrupted Jim, “I’d like to get dat gun ob mine. I know -where I left it up among de grass ’long de creek where dey lassoed -me.” - -“Lead on then.” - -The three deviated from their course, and soon afterward reached -the stream, where Jim had found his gold, and the Mohaves had found -him. A short search discovered his gun, and they started homeward. -The distance was considerable, and it was fully an hour before they -reached the wood, where George Inwood was overjoyed to see them. - -A few minutes’ talk made everything plain to him. - -“You see, George Gaylor ain’t the man to give a friend the go by,” -said that personage himself. “And I’ll prove to you that I mean what -I say. I s’pose you’re in these parts looking for _gold_?” - -“That is what has drawn us hither,” replied George, with a smile. - -“Have you found much?” - -“Not a great deal; we have had middling good fortune.” - -“I s’pose maybe now I hain’t got noffin’,” said Jim, as he drew his -two nuggets from his pocket, and displayed them to the wondering gaze -of his friends. - -“You seem to be made of gold,” said George; “you know how you put -your hand in your pocket, and brought it out, when we bought our -horses; but where did you obtain it?” - -“Maybe I was digging it out ob de sand when de Ingins slung dere -ropes ober my neck--maybe I didn’t got it dere.” - -“Is there any more?” - -“Don’t tink dere is.” - -“Whether there is or not, don’t matter,” said Gaylor, “I’ll show you -more gold to-day than you ever seen before, and all that you will -ever care about seeing.” - -All looked at him with a look which said they failed to take in his -meaning. - -“Just come with me--you will see it is no humbug.” - -And the whole party started toward the Enchanted Island, Gaylor -himself leading the way. - -At first sight, George Inwood recognized Gaylor as the man whom -he had viewed through the telescope, and who had fired his gun at -their friends. He did not deem it best, however, to refer to these -circumstances, as he placed full faith in the honesty of the man’s -intentions. - -Reaching the lake, he searched awhile along the shore for a canoe. He -had great difficulty in finding it, but succeeded at last, and then, -asking his friends to await his return, he paddled rapidly across -the lake, and, landing on the shore, entered the thick wood. He was -undoubtedly with his companions, and remained away a good while. -While they were watching for his return, Jim exclaimed in great -excitement: - -“See dar! look at de island! I’s agwine to leabe when spooks comes -about.” - -The island, which at first sight was lying along shore, could now -be seen slowly approaching the center of the lake, and at the same -moment, the form of Gaylor was distinguished, as he plied his pole. -This seemed to convince Jim that there was nothing supernatural about -it, and he consented to remain. - -Reaching a point near the middle, the mass of shrubbery came to a -stand still, and Gaylor then put off in his canoe. - -“Jump in,” said he, as it lightly touched the shingle, “it will hold -you all. I’ll show you something which you have never seen.” - -They stepped carefully into the small canoe, and it sank to its -gunwales with the unusual weight. But Gaylor managed it skilfully, -and a few minutes later they all stepped upon the Enchanted Island. - -“Now, let me tell you a little story,” said their friend. “Some -months ago a party of five of us came down through these parts -looking for gold. Reaching this lake we started across it in a boat, -and near the middle discovered several yellow nuggets lying on the -bottom. I dove down and brought them up, and found them to be gold. -We soon found there was any quantity lying around loose, and, of -course, we determined to get all we could. But while we had come -upon a fortune, there were several bad things in the way of bringing -it up. The country was full of Indians, and there were white men -wandering over the country. If any of them should get news of our -windfall, it would be all over with us. So, after thinking over it, -we hit upon a plan. We made a frame-work of logs, and then covered -it over with green sod, pebbles and trees, so as to make it look -just like an island. Then we sometimes kindled fires, so as to scare -any one who saw it. This we floated right over the spot where we -saw the gold, and began bringing it up. We had to dive for it after -we had managed to loosen a portion with our poles. We had so much -trouble in getting it, that one of our men started to San Francisco -for tools to answer our purpose. But we never heard of him again, and -we suppose the Mohaves got track of him. Howsumever, we worked away, -and the amount of it is, we have all made an independent fortune, and -there is enough left for you. We used to float this ashore at night, -as we had a good hiding place there. I have started my party north -to San Francisco, and I expect to join them in half an hour. No one -knows this secret but you. You can work here as long as you please. -You seem to have the good will of the Mohaves, but look out for white -men. Be very careful to let no one see you at work. Now, if you will -only take me ashore, I will leave you alone.” - -George Inwood paddled their friend to land, where they bid farewell -to each other, and he returned to the Enchanted Island, and began -work. - -Gaylor had not deceived him. They saw large quantities of gold -shining on the bottom of the lake. George observed that it lay -directly in the path of the canon, which has been referred to as -emptying into the lake. This made it seem as if it had been washed -down by the current, whose tremendous velocity was sufficient to -hurl boulders of a ton’s weight down its channel as if driven by a -columbiad. - -It is not often that a fortune can be picked up from the bottom -of a lake, and, even when the inviting auriferous nuggets and the -glittering sand lay before their eyes, it was found no easy task to -bring it up to the surface. But what will man not do for gold? A -bountiful harvest awaited them, and they toiled and labored as they -never had done before. - -Jim was the great machine for procuring the precious yellow -particles. Neither George nor Edwin could remain under water long -enough to secure much; but the African took to it as if he was -amphibious, and rather preferred it to the hard, dry earth, and pure -mountain air. His great rolling eyes, first located the rich mineral, -and, poising himself for an instant, down he went like an arrow -until he touched bottom, where he clawed around with a vigor and -persistency which were sure to show substantial results. - -“When I gits down dar,” said Jim, as he sat on the edge of the -Enchanted Island resting himself, “I jes’ opens my eyes, an’ I can -see as well as you can. The water looks kinder yeller, but de gold -looks yellerer, an’ so I’m sure to see it.” - -The negro always plunged in head first. - -“Cause you see if I happen to strike de rocks, it’ll be my head, an’ -den dar’s no danger ob gittin’ hurt.” - -This was his philosophy. - -Our friends had unmistakeably found a prize, and it only remained -for them to work it up. As Edwin was of comparatively little use, he -occasionally roamed in the woods in search of game. He was careful -not to stray far away, as there really was no necessity for doing so, -and even if he failed in obtaining his food in this manner, the lake -offered a good supply of fish, which were always at their disposal. - -When the first night came, an inventory of their receipts was taken, -and George Inwood was sure that they were several thousand dollars -richer than at morning, and so expressed himself to his friends. - -“Rather better earnings than we have yet made,” he remarked, with -some degree of complaisance, as the three sat in the cool of the -evening, chatting and discussing the matter. - -“Yes, I think we ought to be satisfied with that,” replied Edwin. - -“I isn’t,” was the sententious observation of Jim, as he quaffed his -black clay pipe. - -“And why not?” inquired George. - -“’Cause I ain’t, dat’s de reason. In de fust place, dat ain’t ’nough -gold, an’ in de next place, it’s too little, an’ den we orter git -more. Wait till I gits to work to-morrer, an’ I’ll show you sumfin. -Dar’s a sort ob gineral looseness dat I hab to git frough me, afore I -can do what I orter.” - -“Well, I shall be satisfied if you only do as well as you have -to-day.” - -“I must do better to-morrer, an’ I’s goin’ to.” - -There was a fear--a continued apprehension, which made our friends -quite uneasy--that is, that some prowling band of hunters or miners -might discover their secret. If such a dreaded contingency should -occur it would make a fearful time. Unrestrained by any fear of the -law, and prompted by the great prompter of the majority of human -actions, such a company would hesitate at no crime to secure the -booty. - -George Inwood’s experience had taught him the value of money in this -world’s affairs, and he was resolutely determined to resist to the -bitter end any encroachments upon their rights. There are some things -more valuable than gold, but they are few, and it cannot be wondered -that a man should feel some reluctance at parting with it. - -Jim verified the boast that he made; for on the morrow he began work -so soon as it was bright, and toiled with scarcely any intermission -until nightfall, his net proceeds fully doubling those of the day -before. Inwood, by this time, had managed to arrange a contrivance -with the poles which materially assisted him. One of these being -sharp-pointed, he was enabled to wrench off goodly-sized nuggets, -while with another arrangement, he was able to grapple and bring -them to the surface. Still a third had a pan fastened to the end, by -means of which he scooped up a large mass of sand, all flecked with -gleaming points, and abounding with riches. - -Edwin Inwood’s principal occupation, aside from attending to the -animals, was to wander through the surrounding woods on the lookout -for white men, who, as will be easily understood, were more dreaded -than anything else. On one occasion, he discovered a party of five -miners encamped within a mile. He instantly made all haste back, and -acquainted his friends with the startling fact. - -Labor was suspended at once, the gold carefully concealed, and all -three set themselves on the watch. The miners were prospecting, and -were ignorant of the Enchanted Island and its history. They lingered -for several days in the vicinity, and then, to the great relief of -the Inwoods and Jim, they took their departure. - -Week after week passed away, and still the little party toiled as -unceasingly as ever; but when a month had come and gone, they saw -that the supply was giving out. Still, as all of us would have done -under the circumstances, they kept to work as long as there was -anything like a reward to be obtained for their labor. - -But the end finally came, and they stopped work, and took an account -of stock. As nearly as George Inwood could calculate, they were the -owners of something less than a hundred thousand dollars--all of it -in _gold coin_. They certainly had reason to be satisfied with this, -and all were, with the exception of Jim, who, of course, growled -about it, and proposed that they should hunt up some more “Enchanted -Islands” before going home; but then, had another proposed the same -thing, he would have vehemently opposed it. - -All the gold they could conveniently carry was distributed about -their persons, and the rest was concealed among the saddles on the -backs of their animals. The old mule was not honored with a particle, -but carried the luggage and personal baggage. - -All being ready the little party turned their faces toward San -Francisco, and on a bright summer morning started homeward. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -One hundred thousand dollars in gold in one sense is a comfortable -sum, and yet, in another, it is the very reverse. A man who finds -himself in possession of that amount, and attempts to carry it, will -find that it weighs several hundred pounds, and is rather awkward to -manage. If he tumbles a portion of the nuggets into his pantaloons -pockets, their excessive weight is almost sure to send them through -the bottom down into his boots, where they are certain to feel still -more uncomfortable. If he slings the auriferous luggage over his -shoulder, the burden is too great to be carried for any time; if the -money is placed upon the strong back of a mule, there is the haunting -terror of its being lost or stolen during some unguarded moment. - -Perhaps the best thing that any of our readers can do with their -hundred thousand dollars, is to put it in a strong safe, or in a -good solvent bank, where it can be drawn out piecemeal and devoted -to charitable objects; but it will be seen at once that neither of -these plans were practicable for our friends while their cargo was -_in transitu_ for San Francisco, and when we say that they all felt -uneasy, we but feebly express their feelings. - -“I tell you if it was know’d what a load we’s takin’ frough de -mountains, dere’d be some fo’ks dat would rather like to git -’quainted wid us,” remarked Jim, as they toiled laboriously through -the wild country. - -“Yes; we may meet with strangers, and if so, we must be very careful -that they don’t suspect we have so much gold with us.” - -“Yes; I’s been tinkin’ dat I orter caution you an’ Ned ’bout keepin’ -a close mouf when strangers am ’bout.” - -“You needn’t be afraid of me,” replied Edwin. “If any one reveals it, -I am sure it will be you.” - -The third night after leaving the Enchanted Island, they encamped -in a rocky gorge, close by a small running stream, where immense -precipitous walls rose on either hand, and at mid-day a twilight -gloom rested upon the ground and stream. Fine, tender green grass was -growing in profusion; and, picketing the animals within ear-shot, the -gold was removed with the saddles, and placed close to the camp-fire, -where it could always be seen by every member of the party. They had -a fine plump bird shot during the latter part of the afternoon, which -Jim took in hand, and soon had sputtering and broiling over a small, -brisk fire--“doing” it with a skill which would have tempted the -appetite of the most fastidious epicure. - -By the time this was disposed of, it was entirely dark, and the three -gathered more closely about the fire, for there was a chilliness in -the air which made its warmth pleasant and grateful. Jim found solace -in his inevitable pipe, while the brothers chatted as usual. George -lay with his head upon the saddles containing the gold, Edwin sat -near him, while Jim was upon the opposite side the fire, half sitting -and half reclining in his listlessness. - -“Am dat a soft piller?” he asked of the older brother. - -“I can’t say that it is,” was the reply, “but it would be pretty hard -work to sleep with my head on anything else, so long as I know we had -the gold with us.” - -“I s’pose when folks have a big lot of gold they’re apt to think a -good deal about. I never yet hefted dat ’ere pile. Jes’ luf me heft -it.” - -The African passed over to where the three saddles lay, and Inwood -removed his head, picked them up and held them suspended for a few -moments. - -“I tell you gold am purty heavy----” - -The next instant, the whole pile dropped from his hand, the nuggets -giving forth an unmistakeable chink, for there before all stood a -stranger, his appearance as sudden and unexpected as if he had risen -from the very earth! - -There was several bad things regarding the advent of this man. In -the first place, he came at a moment when it was certain he had -discovered that a large quantity of gold was in the possession of the -little party. The words of the negro, and his sudden dropping of the -riches, made it impossible that it should be otherwise. - -And again, the stranger had an evil look. He was in the costume -of a hunter, but his scowling features, keen eyes, low forehead, -flat nose, and cunning expression, were those of an outlaw from -society--one whom it was exceedingly perilous to encounter, where the -arm of the law was powerless to protect or to strike terror. - -“Good evening, friends,” was the salutation, before the party had -time to recover from their surprise and indignation. - -“Good evening,” returned Inwood, who could not be rude, even when -under such great provocation. - -“Like to know what _you_ want?” demanded Jim, as he seated himself -upon the saddles, and defiantly looked at the new-comer. - -“_Me?_” grinned the other, as he also seated himself as coolly as -if he were an invited guest, “I can’t say that I want anything in -particular. Happened to catch sight of your fire a little while ago, -and I came down to see who you might be. Rather like your appearance.” - -“We’re a company journeying alone,” said George Inwood, “and, wishing -you good speed, you will let us say that we prefer to remain alone, -and therefore ask you to pass on.” - -This was rather a palpable hint, but there seemed no disposition upon -the part of the stranger to act upon it. He sat still a few moments, -and then also produced a pipe, which he lit with an ember from the -fire. - -“My name is Muffins,” said he, “and, as I told you a few minutes ago, -I’m a hunter in this neighborhood. It isn’t often that I see a white -man, and when I do, I must stick to him and enjoy his society all I -can. So, of course, I couldn’t think of leaving you just yet.” - -It occurred to George Inwood that he had not only been discourteous, -but had overdone matters altogether in manifesting such a prompt -anxiety to get rid of Muffins, and he now attempted an impossible -thing, namely, to undo his mistake. - -“Are you alone?” he inquired. - -“Yes, sir; nobody goes with me. I live alone in these woods, except -when I meet a friend, as I have met you to-night; but I never stay -with them long, so you needn’t be anxious regarding me, ’cause I’ll -leave you as soon as it is daylight.” - -This was intended to be reassuring, but it was anything but that, -and made Inwood more uneasy than ever. His great fear was that there -were others close at hand, and the darkness, gloom and solitude gave -opportunity for treachery. He did not see how he could rid himself of -his dangerous visitor; but Jim now spoke up: - -“See here, Mr. Buffin, I wants to ax you a question.” - -“I am at your service, sir.” - -“Did you ’serbe me when I dropped dese saddles?” - -“I noticed that you let something fall as I came up, but I didn’t -pay any attention. It was no concern of mine, you know.” - -“You didn’t tink--dat is, you don’t tink dere be any gold about dat?” - -“Course not; why should I think so?” - -“All right, Mr. Buffer, I doesn’t want you to tink so--jes’ ’member -dat if you please.” - -George Inwood was greatly irritated, but there was such an air of -simplicity about what Jim said, that it was impossible not to be -amused. When the African received the reply of Mr. Muffin, he seemed -satisfied, and seated himself upon the saddles. - -George saw that their visitor understood the precise condition of -affairs, and there was no further use of attempting concealment. - -“I s’pose you’re miners?” remarked Mr. Muffin, by way of initiating -the conversation. - -“Yes; we have spent several months among the mountains, part the time -hunting and part the time mining.” - -“What luck?” - -“Quite good I may say; we have toiled long and hard, and have made -pretty good wages--so much, that we have concluded to return home.” - -“Live in California?” - -“No; our home is in the Empire State, where I hope we shall shortly -be.” - -“Going to San Francisco?” - -Inwood answered in the affirmative, and then concluded that it was -about time he asked a few questions. - -“Where are your friends?” - -But Mr. Muffin was too sharp to be taken off his guard, and, with a -meaning smile upon his evil countenance, he said: - -“The nearest I’ve got, I believe, are a couple of brothers in -Sacramento City.” - -“You hunt alone, do you?” - -“I have done so for nigh onto five years--not quite that, howsumever.” - -“That is a singular way of managing one’s affairs. A man isn’t apt -to act in that manner unless he has a strong motive for doing so.” - -“What might be a chap’s motives?” demanded the other, removing his -pipe and glaring upon the speaker with an ugly look. - -“Sometimes a man has a natural taste for solitude, but it more -generally happens that he leaves society for society’s own good.” - -“Do you mean to ’sinuate that that’s what I’ve done?” - -“I don’t insinuate anything, because I know nothing about you; but I -strongly suspect that you are some scamp who dare not return to the -society of your people on account of the crimes you have committed -against them.” - -Mr. Muffin looked very angry, and Jim had strong hopes that he would -say or attempt something bad, for he was eager to lay his hands upon -him; but their visitor evidently concluded it unsafe to let his angry -passions rise just then, and so he held his peace, and smoked his -pipe harder than ever. - -“When a man addresses me as I have addressed you,” said Inwood, “I -quietly leave his company, and have nothing more to do with him.” - -“Dat so,” added Jim, beginning to lose all patience at the impudence -of their visitor. “If you know what’s best for yourself you’ll _cl’ar -out_.” - -Mr. Muffin smoked in silence a few moments longer, and then rose to -his feet. Glaring first at Inwood, and then at Jim, he shook his fist -at each, and said: - -“I’ll go, but you’ll hear from me before long. _You haven’t seen the -last of me._” - -And the next moment he strode off in the darkness. - -The miners waited until they were sure of being alone, when George -said: - -“I am sorry we saw anything of that man--he has had his eyes on our -gold, and has made up his mind to have it.” - -“Yes; I’m sorry you told him about it,” gravely remarked Jim. - -“I think _you_ were the first to give him the hint.” - -“How dat?” inquired the African, with profound amazement. - -“He saw you drop the saddles, and heard you speak about them -containing gold.” - -“I know dat, but he told me he didn’t tink dere war any gold here, -while you tole him dat we had had purty good luck, an’ had got -’siderable.” - -“However, there is no need of disputing about it, Jim; he has made up -his mind to rob us of that gold, if he has to cut our throats to do -it, and the question with us is, how are we to prevent it.” - -“The camp-fire has burned down pretty low,” said Inwood, “let’s pick -up our traps and change our quarters.” - -“No doubt he is watching us.” - -“What if he is? It is so dark that we can give him the slip.” - -The suggestion of the boy’s seemed to be the best under the -circumstances, and the two concluded to act upon it at once. Jim -quietly stole down the bank of the stream, slipped the lariat pegs -by which the animals were held, and then led them about a half -mile down the rocky bed of the brook, several times stumbling and -bruising himself. Finally he reached a spot which _felt right_, where -he tethered them, and returned to the brothers, who were rather -impatiently awaiting him. - -“I’s found a place,” said he, “you needn’t tumble down more nor a -dozen times in gitten’ dere.” - -The gold was burdensome, but they distributed it among themselves, -the African taking about nine-tenths, and George very nearly all that -remained. They then began picking their way down the stream, being -guided almost entirely by the sense of touch. The negro’s remarkable -memory of places was found to assist them a great deal. George kept -so close to him that he could touch him at any moment with his -outstretched arms, while Edwin did touch his brother continually to -make sure that he was not losing him. They stumbled quite often, -and bruised themselves considerably, but not enough to affect their -progress to any degree, and at the end of something over an hour, Jim -suddenly came to a stand still, with the whispered exclamation: - -“_Here we is!_” - -The brothers strained their eyes, but in vain; for the darkness was -too great for them to perceive anything. The faint neigh of a horse, -however, told them that Jim was not mistaken. - -“Here we stays till mornin’,” said the latter, “an’ if Mr. Buffalo -finds us, he’ll have to have purty sharp eyes.” - -“I think we are safe, unless we have been followed. Be careful and -speak in low tones, and say only the words that are necessary. Have -you got your blankets and everything with you?” - -Edwin replied in the affirmative, but the negro burst into a low, -hearty laugh. - -“What do you s’pose I’ve done?” he asked. - -Of course neither could answer his question. - -“I’ve gone an’ left my gun up dere by de camp-fire.” - -“Never mind, let it go,” said George, “we cannot be a great ways from -home, and we can get along without it.” - -“No, _sah_; can’t do widout dat; s’pose Mr. Bufton brings down a -party ob men to-morrer mornin’, where’ll you be den?” - -There was reason in this question, and George added: - -“We may need it, but you run a great risk in going back. They may be -there, and you must take great care that you are not seen.” - -“Yah, yah, won’t see much ob me--dark a colored man as I am, on such -a dark night, ain’t apt to be generally visible, an’ what dey can see -ob me, dey’re welcome to see.” - -But Jim promised extra caution, and started on the back track. The -trouble was that he was in a great hurry; for, by this time, the -night was well advanced, and he was desirous of securing his usual -allowance of sleep. It was not such a difficult matter for him to -make his way, as he had become pretty well acquainted with the -ground, and the rippling brook was an infallible guide, if he were -dubious for a single moment. - -It seemed a long time before he came upon the dull embers of the -fire, which were smouldering so low as to be hardly visible at any -distance; but fortunately, Jim discovered it while several rods -distant. - -At this instant, he recalled that he had promised his young friend -to be careful, and he therefore hesitated and took a survey as well -as he could under the circumstances. Nothing was seen to arouse -suspicion, and he was about to advance, when the embers assumed a -glow so sudden and bright as to startle and alarm him. - -Stepping back, he watched it intently, and, a moment later, saw a -shadowy form pass in front of it, and then two others, although -neither of them was heard to speak a word. - -“So you’re dere, be you?” muttered Jim, as he sank down to the earth -to watch his opportunity; “but you don’t find us, an’ don’t see -noffin’ ob de gold.” - -Prudence would have dictated to the negro to withdraw from the -presence of such danger; but he placed too great a value upon his -rifle to allow it to leave his hands in this unquestioned manner. -He remembered while they were busy making their preparations, that -he had laid it down to one side; where, as yet, Mr. Muffin and his -friends had seen nothing of it. - -Jim was several yards from the brook, where he could hear any words -spoken. By-and-bye one of the men seemed to become very impatient, -and, with a profane expletive, said: - -“What’s the use? They’ve given you the slip, and we might as well go -back again.” - -“Where’ve they gone?” asked another. - -“A pretty question to ask! I s’pose you think we can see ’em a dozen -miles off on such a bright moonlight night as this.” - -This remark was greeted with derisive laughter by the others, and -the one propounding the question, no doubt was greatly discomfited -thereby. But, at this point, Jim began to grow apprehensive about his -rifle and commenced crawling toward the spot where he had left it -upon the ground. - -The African’s complexion was greatly in his favor, and united with -the extreme darkness of the night, secured his safety so long as -he kept out of the light of the fire. Unfortunately this had been -rekindled by one of the strangers, so that the attempt was attended -with considerable risk. - -Still Jim crept stealthily forward, and was already groping over the -ground in search of his weapon, when it was suddenly snatched from -the earth, and a voice called out: - -“Helloa! here’s a gun anyhow. They left in such a hurry that they -forgot to take that with ’em, and I guess----” - -The speaker was suddenly prostrated by a powerful blow, and the -weapon violently wrenched from his grasp. - -“Quick! there’s one of ’em!” was the lusty cry of the man, as he -staggered to his feet. The others were bewildered by the unexpected -assault, but they attempted a pursuit, rushing off blindly in the -darkness in a direction almost opposite the right one. - -“Yaw! yaw!” chuckled Jim, as he stumbled and hurried down the bed of -the stream. “Won’t have to run fur to git away from the likes ob you.” - -A half hour later, the anxious brothers were relieved by the -appearance of Jim among them, when he gleefully recounted his -adventure, quite jubilant at his success. - -“Won’t they follow you?” inquired Edwin. - -“Dey undertook dat, but dey went de wrong way.” - -“But they may now go the right one.” - -“How dey know dat?” - -“We are not sure that they have any suspicion of the truth,” said -George, “but they would naturally suspect that they had followed the -course of the brook.” - -“Let ’em foller,” was the reply of the African, “an’ if dey do so, -dey might tumble ober us widout seeing us.” - -“Do you know how many there are?” - -“Seed tree ob ’em, an’ I tink dey was more around.” - -“I don’t fear that so much, as that they may encamp near us, and make -an attack in the morning.” - -“We must move off as soon as it is daylight,” said Edwin, “and get -all the start we can before they discover us.” - -Edwin and Jim finally lay down in their blankets and went to sleep, -while George maintained watch. He was too nervous and troubled to -feel any desire for slumber, and too anxious to get out of this -dangerous neighborhood to allow any advantage to escape him. - -More than once, through the lonely hours of the night he was sure he -heard whisperings and footsteps, and as often he raised the hammer of -his rifle, and endeavored to pierce the Cimmerian gloom. The faint -neigh of one of the animals sent a thrill of apprehension through -him, and he was certain the outlaws were among them, but nothing -further was heard, and, at the first streak of light, he aroused his -friends, and told them they must start at once. - -Their preparations required but a few moments, when they resumed -their march. They found that the face of the country materially -changed as they advanced, and they made much more rapid progress than -they had dared to hope. - -They were constantly looking back, and once Jim’s keen eyes were -positive that he detected a number of men on a distant eminence, -evidently watching them; but nothing more was seen of their enemies, -and when they encamped at night, they were confident that none but -the All-seeing Eye observed them. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -It was toward the close of a warm summer day, that our friends drew -rein in a grove within sight of the residence of Mr. Underwood, in -precisely the same spot that they had encamped a number of weeks -before. - -George Inwood was rather shabby in his appearance, but he determined -to call upon Marian, and have a chat with her before he returned -East. He washed himself in a running brook, combed out his hair -and whiskers, brushed his clothes, and, having made himself as -presentable as possible under the circumstances, he told his friends -that perhaps he would not return until late in the evening, and that -they were by no means to wait for him. - -There was a faint moon, as he came up the path made by the passage of -many animals, and he could discover no human beings near the house. -He missed the voice of Marian, but he knew she was there, and that in -a few moments more he would be sitting face to face with her. - -Walking forward, he stepped upon the long, low porch which ran along -the entire front of the house, and, seeing no bell near, or knocker -upon the open door, he rapped it smartly with his knuckles, and then -stepped back and endeavored to feel cool and unconcerned. - -In a moment a servant appeared, and he said: - -“Is Miss Underwood in?” - -“_¿Pregunta V. par alguno?_” - -Not understanding Spanish, Inwood stood for a moment embarrassed and -silent. - -“_¿Acerca de quien quiere V. informarse? A quien bresca V.?_” said -the female, quite excitedly. - -Seeing little probability of coming to an understanding, Inwood -repeated the words “Miss Marian Underwood,” and then walked into a -low broad hall. The servant immediately opened a door on his right, -and the young man walked into a broad, well-furnished room. Taking -his seat on a sofa, which he knew had been brought from the East, he -awaited the coming of whomsoever chose to answer his summons. - -He had waited scarcely a minute, when a light step caught his ear, -and, looking up, Marian stood before him. He saw at once she did not -recognize him in the dim light, and he concluded not to undeceive her -for a moment. Rising, and bowing profoundly, he lowered his voice and -asked: - -“Have I the honor to address Miss Marian Underwood?” - -“Yes, sir,” was the reply, as she still remained standing. - -“I am from the East; Mr. Inwood desires you to receive his kindest -wishes.” - -“Ah! you are acquainted with him?” she said, with great vivacity, -exceedingly inspiring to the listener, as she seated herself in front -of him. “When did you leave New York?” - -“Several months ago; I am on my return now.” - -“Is he well?” - -“Never better.” - -“I am glad to hear it, indeed, as father will be.” - -“His father died last autumn--Inwood was compelled to leave college, -as he found himself penniless.” - -“Is it possible? May I ask what he is doing now?” - -“Nothing at all.” - -“I wondered that he never wrote to us.” - -“I remember very well seeing him put a letter in the office, -addressed to you.” - -“Indeed, I never received it; he must have thought it strange that I -never answered it.” - -“However, he went to California.” - -She gave a start. - -“And never inquired after us?” - -“Yes; he sought your home out with great difficulty, and, Miss Marian -Underwood, he sits talking with you this minute.” - -There was a start, and a slight scream, but no fainting. Sensible -ladies don’t faint at such times. The light of the lamp was made -instantly brighter, and Marian, all trembling and excitement, was -seated beside George, looking earnestly in his face. - -“Can it be possible?” she asked, half smiling and half weeping, “I am -really glad to see you.” - -“And I am to see you.” - -But it is becoming delicate ground, and we will retire. - -Our friends remained several days at Mr. Underwood’s, during which, -Jim explained that his famous “gold trick” consisted in looking -upon an opponent as a _gold mine_, and using his pick accordingly, -and George, having received the strongest confirmation of the true, -womanly love of Marian for himself, he revealed to her the wonderful -success which he had met among the mountains, with the Enchanted -Island, and he assured her of his intention to complete his -preparatory course, and enter his chosen field--the sacred ministry. - -When they parted, they were betrothed, and their future was painted -in the roseate colors of hope and youth. - -A few days later, as the steamer El Dorado steamed through the Golden -Gate, down the great Pacific, she carried among her motley passengers -the three who have occupied so prominent a part in these pages. The -trip to New York was made safely and pleasantly, and without any -incident worthy of record. - -Edwin, as a matter of course, resumed his studies, and Jim Tubbs -settled down with his old mother, whom he had left behind, and who -had sustained herself during his absence by weak tea, a strong pipe, -and tremendous washing and ironing. - -George carried out his intentions in every respect; the debts due his -creditors, with interest, were paid to the last cent; and he and his -wife are located in the Pacific Slope in the noble young State of -California, engaged heart and hand in their great Master’s work. - - -THE END. - - - - -DIME POCKET NOVELS. - -PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH. - - - =1=--=Hawkeye Harry.= By Oll Coomes. - =2=--=Dead Shot.= By Albert W. Aiken. - =3=--=The Boy Miners.= By Edward S. Ellis. - =4=--=Blue Dick.= By Capt. Mayne Reid. - =5=--=Nat Wolfe.= By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - =6=--=The White Tracker.= Edward S. Ellis. - =7=--=The Outlaw’s Wife.= Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. - =8=--=The Tall Trapper.= By Albert W. Aiken. - =9=--=Lightning Jo.= By Capt. Adams. - =10=--=The Island Pirate.= By Capt. Mayne Reid. - =11=--=The Boy Ranger.= By Oll Coomes. - =12=--=Bess, the Trapper.= By E. S. Ellis. - =13=--=The French Spy.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =14=--=Long Shot.= By Capt. Comstock. - =15=--=The Gunmaker.= By James L. Bowen. - =16=--=Red Hand.= By A. G. Piper. - =17=--=Ben, the Trapper.= By Lewis W. Carson. - =18=--=Wild Haven.= By Oll Coomes. - =19=--=The Specter Chief.= By Seelin Robins. - =20=--=The B’ar-Killer.= By Capt. Comstock. - =21=--=Wild Nat.= By Wm. R. Eyster. - =22=--=Indian Jo.= By Lewis W. Carson. - =23=--=Old Kent, the Ranger.= Edward S. Ellis. - =24=--=The One-Eyed Trapper.= Capt. Comstock. - =25=--=Godbold, the Spy.= By N. C. Iron. - =26=--=The Black Ship.= By John S. Warner. - =27=--=Single Eye.= By Warren St. John. - =28=--=Indian Jim.= By Edward S. Ellis. - =29=--=The Scout.= By Warren St. John. - =30=--=Eagle Eye.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =31=--=The Mystic Canoe.= By Edward S. Ellis. - =32=--=The Golden Harpoon.= By R. Starbuck. - =33=--=The Scalp King.= By Lieut. Ned Hunter. - =34=--=Old Lute.= By E. W. Archer. - =35=--=Rainbolt Ranger.= By Oll Coomes. - =36=--=The Boy Pioneer.= By Edward S. Ellis. - =37=--=Carson, the Guide.= By J. H. Randolph. - =38=--=The Heart Eater.= By Harry Hazard. - =39=--=Wetzel, the Scout.= By Boynton Belknap. - =40=--=The Huge Hunter.= By Ed. S. Ellis. - =41=--=Wild Nat, the Trapper.= Paul Prescott. - =42=--=Lynx-cap.= By Paul Bibbs. - =43=--=The White Outlaw.= By Harry Hazard. - =44=--=The Dog Trailer.= By Frederick Dewey. - =45=--=The Elk King.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - =46=--=Adrian, the Pilot.= By Col. P. Ingraham. - =47=--=The Man-hunter.= By Maro O. Rolfe. - =48=--=The Phantom Tracker.= By F. Dewey. - =49=--=Moccasin Bill.= By Paul Bibbs. - =50=--=The Wolf Queen.= By Charles Howard. - =51=--=Tom Hawk, the Trailer.= - =52=--=The Mad Chief.= By Chas. Howard. - =53=--=The Black Wolf.= By Edwin E. Ewing. - =54=--=Arkansas Jack.= By Harry Hazard. - =55=--=Blackbeard.= By Paul Bibbs. - =56=--=The River Rifles.= By Billex Muller. - =57=--=Hunter Ham.= By J. Edgar Biff. - =58=--=Cloudwood.= By J. M. Merrill. - =59=--=The Texas Hawks.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =60=--=Merciless Mat.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - =61=--=Mad Anthony’s Scouts.= By E. Rodman. - =62=--=The Luckless Trapper.= Wm. R. Eyster. - =63=--=The Florida Scout.= Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =64=--=The Inland Trapper.= Chas. Howard. - =65=--=Wolf-Cap.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - =66=--=Rattling Dick.= By Harry Hazard. - =67=--=Sharp-Eye.= By Major Max Martine. - =68=--=Iron-Hand.= By Frederick Forest. - =69=--=The Yellow Hunter.= By Chas. Howard. - =70=--=The Phantom Rider.= By Maro O. Rolfe. - =71=--=Delaware Tom.= By Harry Hazard. - =72=--=Silver Rifle.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - =73=--=The Skeleton Scout.= Maj. L. W. Carson. - =74=--=Little Rifle.= By Capt. “Bruin” Adams. - =75=--=The Wood Witch.= By Edwin Emerson. - =76=--=Old Ruff, the Trapper.= “Bruin” Adams. - =77=--=The Scarlet Shoulder.= Harry Hazard. - =78=--=The Border Rifleman.= L. W. Carson. - =79=--=Outlaw Jack.= By Harry Hazard. - =80=--=Tiger-Tail, the Seminole.= R. Ringwood. - =81=--=Death-Dealer.= By Arthur L. Meserve. - =82=--=Kenton, the Ranger.= By Chas. Howard. - =83=--=The Specter Horseman.= Frank Dewey. - =84=--=The Three Trappers.= Seelin Robbins. - =85=--=Kaleolah.= By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N. - =86=--=The Hunter Hercules.= Harry St. George. - =87=--=Phil Hunter.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - =88=--=The Indian Scout.= By Harry Hazard. - =89=--=The Girl Avenger.= By Chas. Howard. - =90=--=The Red Hermitess.= By Paul Bibbs. - =91=--=Star-Face, the Slayer.= - =92=--=The Antelope Boy.= By Geo. L. Aiken. - =93=--=The Phantom Hunter.= By E. Emerson. - =94=--=Tom Pintle, the Pilot.= By M. Klapp. - =95=--=The Red Wizard.= By Ned Hunter. - =96=--=The Rival Trappers.= By L. W. Carson. - =97=--=The Squaw Spy.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - =98=--=Dusky Dick.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =99=--=Colonel Crockett.= By Chas. E. Lasalle. - =100=--=Old Bear Paw.= By Major Max Martine. - =101=--=Redlaw.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =102=--=Wild Rube.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =103=--=The Indian Hunters.= By J. L. Bowen. - =104=--=Scarred Eagle.= By Andrew Dearborn. - =105=--=Nick Doyle.= By P. Hamilton Myers. - =106=--=The Indian Spy.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =107=--=Job Dean.= By Ingoldsby North. - =108=--=The Wood King.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =109=--=The Scalped Hunter.= By Harry Hazard. - =110=--=Nick, the Scout.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =111=--=The Texas Tiger.= By Edward Willett. - =112=--=The Crossed Knives.= By Hamilton. - =113=--=Tiger-Heart, the Tracker.= By Howard. - =114=--=The Masked Avenger.= By Ingraham. - =115=--=The Pearl Pirates.= By Starbuck. - =116=--=Black Panther.= By Jos. E. Badger. Jr. - =117=--=Abdiel, the Avenger.= By Ed. Willett. - =118=--=Cato, the Creeper.= By Fred. Dewey. - =119=--=Two-Handed Mat.= By Jos. E. Badger. - =120=--=Mad Trail Hunter.= By Harry Hazard. - =121=--=Black Dick.= By Frederick Whittaker. - =122=--=Kit Bird.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =123=--=The Specter Riders.= By Geo. Gleason. - =124=--=Giant Pete.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =125=--=The Girl Captain.= By Jos. E. Badger. - =126=--=Yankee Eph.= By J. R. Worcester. - =127=--=Silverspur.= By Edward Willett. - =128=--=Squatter Dick.= By Jos. E. Badger. - =129=--=The Child Spy.= By George Gleason. - =130=--=Mink Coat.= By Jos. E. Badger. - =131=--=Red Plume.= By J. Stanley Henderson. - =132=--=Clyde, the Trailer.= By Maro O. Rolfe. - =133=--=The Lost Cache.= J. Stanley Henderson. - =134=--=The Cannibal Chief.= Paul J. Prescott. - =135=--=Karaibo.= By J. Stanley Henderson. - =136=--=Scarlet Moccasin.= By Paul Bibbs. - =137=--=Kidnapped.= By J. Stanley Henderson. - =138=--=Maid of the Mountain.= By Hamilton. - =139=--=The Scioto Scouts.= By Ed. Willett. - =140=--=The Border Renegade.= By Badger. - =141=--=The Mute Chief.= By C. D. Clark. - =142=--=Boone, the Hunter.= By Whittaker. - =143=--=Mountain Kate.= By Jos. E. Badger Jr. - =144=--=The Red Scalper.= By W. J. Hamilton. - =145=--=The Lone Chief.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =146=--=The Silver Bugle.= Lieut. Col. Hazleton. - =147=--=Chinga, the Cheyenne.= By Edward S. Ellis. Ready - =148=--=The Tangled Trail.= By Major Max Martine. Ready - =149=--=The Unseen Hand.= By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready - =150=--=The Lone Indian.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready - =151=--=The Branded Brave.= By Paul Bibbs. Ready - =152=--=Billy Bowlegs, the Seminole Chief.= Ready April 20th. - =153=--=The Valley Scout.= By Seelin Robins. Ready May 4. - =154=--=Red Jacket, the Huron.= By Paul Bibbs. Ready May 18th. - - -BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - The Table of Contents has been created by the transcriber. - - The original spelling of “reconnoisance” has been retained wherever - it occurs in the text. - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the - text and consultation of external sources. - - On page 12, “eparture” has been changed to “departure”: “stay his - forcible departure” - - On page 16, “skillfu” has been changed to “skillful”: “as does the - skillful dentist” and “his his” has been changed to “his”: “a few - moments to explain his scheme” - - On page 27, “Marion” has been changed to “Marian” for consistency: - “get a glimpse or peep at Marian” - - On page 28, “be” has been changed to “he”: “‘Dar!’ he said, as he - flung it” - - On page 42, “boquet” has been changed to “bouquet”: “it had the - appearance of a bouquet” - - On page 55, “despite, his ungainly manner of traveling” has been - changed to “despite his ungainly manner of traveling” - - On page 59, “unwieldly” has been changed to “unwieldy”: “plied the - unwieldy craft” - - On page 60, “some” has been changed to “same”: “with the same resolve - as at first” - - On page 63, “childrens’” has been changed to “children’s”: “daubed up - like a lot of children’s toys” - - On page 66, “beseiged” has been changed to “besieged”: “who had - besieged them in the cave” - - On page 75, “tatooed” has been changed to “tattooed”: “her chin all - tattooed with India ink” and “their” has been changed to “there”: - “there ain’t a more villainous set of dogs” - - On page 77, “bandinage” has been changed to “badinage”: “was about - uttering some more badinage” - - On page 79, “promted” has been changed to “prompted”: “for he was - prompted by the most powerful” - - On page 99, the original text represented here by the word “office” - is obscured: “seeing him put a letter in the office, addressed to - you” and “thought strange” has been changed to “thought it strange”: - “he must have thought it strange” - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY MINERS *** - -***** This file should be named 63868-0.txt or 63868-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/6/63868/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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-} - -.transnote a:hover { - text-decoration: none; -} - -.coverimage { - max-width: 166.6875em; -} - -.tpage .main_title { - font-size: xx-large; - letter-spacing: -.02em; -} - -.tpage .connector, .start .connector { - font-size: x-small; -} - -.tpage .subtitle { - font-size: x-large; - margin-bottom: 5em; -} - -.tpage .tale { - letter-spacing: -.02em; - margin-bottom: 4em; -} - -.tpage .authorship:before { - content: ""; - display: block; - margin: 0 auto; - width: 13%; - padding-bottom: .4em; - border-top: thin solid black; -} - -.tpage .authorship:after { - content: ""; - display: block; - margin: 0 auto; - width: 13%; - padding-top: .4em; - border-bottom: thin solid black; -} - -.tpage .city { - letter-spacing: 0.1em; - margin-top: 5em; -} - -.tpage .city, .tpage .street, .tpage .publication { - margin-bottom: 0; - line-height: 1; -} - -.tpage .street, .tpage .publication { - margin-top: .3em; -} - -.tpage .street { - font-size: small; -} - -.tpage .publication { - font-size: large; -} - -.verso { - margin: 6em auto; -} - -.verso p, p.final { - text-align: center; -} - -.start p, .contents p { - text-align: center; -} - -.contents p { - text-indent: 0; -} - -.contents a { - color: inherit; -} - -.contents a:hover { - text-decoration: none; -} - -#CONTENTS { - margin: 2em 0; - font-weight: bold; -} - -.end { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 2em; -} - -#DIME_POCKET_NOVELS { - font-size: x-large; - text-align: center; - letter-spacing: 0.1em; -} - -.advertisement { - text-align: center; - font-size: small; -} - -p.final { - margin-bottom: 1.5em; - margin-left: 10%; -} - -.listcontain { - margin: 0 auto; - page-break-before: avoid; - padding-left: 10%; - display: table; -} - -@media handheld { - .listcontain { - display: block; - padding-left: 0; - width: 95% -} -} - -#endtn { - page-break-before: always; -} - - </style> - </head> - -<body> -<pre style='margin-bottom:6em;'>The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Miners, by Edward S. Ellis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: The Boy Miners - The Enchanted Island, A Tale of the Yellowstone Country - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Jessica Hope and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois - University Digital Library Nickels and Dimes Collection) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY MINERS *** -</pre> -<div class="transnote"> -<p>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</p> -<p>Some minor changes to the text are noted at the <a href="#endtn">end of the book</a>.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter nobreak illowp45 coverimage" id="boyminers"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="The Boy Miners" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter tpage"> -<p class="main_title">THE BOY MINERS;</p> -<p class="connector">OR,</p> -<p class="subtitle">THE ENCHANTED ISLAND</p> -<p class="tale">A TALE OF THE YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY.</p> -<p><span class="authorship">BY EDWARD S. ELLIS.</span></p> -<p class="city">NEW YORK</p> -<p class="publication">BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,</p> -<p class="street">98 WILLIAM STREET.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter verso"> -<p>Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by</p> -<p class="lsp2">BEADLE AND ADAMS,</p> -<p>in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="contents"> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> -<table class="autotable" summary="Table of Contents"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl">“THERE THEY COME!”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a>.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a>.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -</table> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter start"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[Pg 9]</span></p> - -<h1 class="nobreak" id="THE_BOY_MINERS">THE BOY MINERS;</h1> - -<p class="connector">OR,</p> - -<p>THE ENCHANTED ISLAND.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="r30" /> - -<div> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<h3>“THERE THEY COME!”</h3> - -<p>Young Edwin Inwood leaped down from the small tree -in which he had been perched for the last half hour, and -ran swiftly toward the brook where his elder brother, -George, and a large negro named Jim Tubbs, were waiting, -ever and anon raising their heads, and looking towards -the boy who was acting as sentinel, several hundred yards -away, as if they were expecting some such an alarm as -this.</p> - -<p>“Quick! they’ll soon be here!” he added in his terrible -excitement.</p> - -<p>“How many are there?” inquired George, catching up -his shovel at the same time with his rifle.</p> - -<p>“I shouldn’t wonder if there were twenty. I’m sure I -saw a dozen, any way.”</p> - -<p>“More likely dar’s a tousand!” angrily exclaimed Jim, -gathering his implements together, preparatory to making -a move. “Dis yer’s a nonsince—jest as we gits in among -de gold, dem Injins has to ’gin dar tricks.”</p> - -<p>“Hurry, Jim,” admonished the young man, beginning to -grow nervous. “It won’t do to be caught here.”</p> - -<p>“Dey hain’t cotched dis pusson yit, an’ if dey undertooks -it, somebody’ll git hurt. I can swing dat pick kind o’<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> -loose when I makes up my mind to do so. I’s ready—now -whar does ye pitch to?”</p> - -<p>“Into the cane, of course.”</p> - -<p>George Inwood, loaded down with his gun and implements, -hurried up the channel of the brook, for several hundred -feet, and then, making a sudden plunge to the right, -disappeared as abruptly as if the earth had opened and swallowed -him. The next moment, his brother Edwin, a lad -some fifteen years of age—whisked after him, and then Jim -came lumbering along, somewhat after the manner of an ox, -when goaded off his usual plodding walk.</p> - -<p>“Dis yer’s graceful!” he muttered, not deigning to -look behind him to see whether the envious aborigines were -visible, “I never did like to trot, s’pecially when an Ingin -was drivin’ me, an’ only does it to please de boys.”</p> - -<p>“Come, Jim, move faster!” called the voice of George -Inwood from some subterranean point.</p> - -<p>“Yas, yas, I’s dar!”——</p> - -<p>Further exclamation was cut short, for at this instant the -indignant African was seized by the ankle with such force, -that he fell prostrate upon his back, and, despite his struggles -and threats of dire punishment, was quickly drawn out -of sight and hearing.</p> - -<p>This was scarcely done, when a dozen Mohave Indians -swarmed over the ridge of rocks and trees which bounded -the northern part of the stream, and scattered here and there -in quest of the gold hunters, whom they had been watching -from a distance nearly all the afternoon. Each of them was -armed with a gun, several displayed tomahawks and knives -at their girdles, while the majority had large, beautifully -woven and ornamented blankets thrown over their shoulders.</p> - -<p>Running hither and thither, their sharp black eyes darting -in every direction, they could not be long without discovering -traces of the interlopers. A sort of halloo, something -like the yelp of a large dog, when a cow flings him -over the fence, told that one of the dusky scamps were on -the trail. Immediately the whole pack darted up the channel, -and the next moment, had halted before the mouth of -a cave, the entrance being of sufficient width to admit the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span> -passage of an ordinary sized man; but just now a large -boulder prevented their ingress.</p> - -<p>Certain that the gold hunters were immured here, and -were within their power, the Mohaves indulged in a hop, -skip, and dance around the cave, flinging their arms aloft, -and shouting continually in their wild, outlandish tongue. -When their clamor had somewhat subsided, a gruff voice -from within the cave was heard.</p> - -<p>“Hullo! dar I say! Hullo! I say! Can’t yese keep yer -clacks still a minnit when a gemman wishes to speak?”</p> - -<p>The singular source and sound of the human voice had -the desired effect, and instant silence fell upon all.</p> - -<p>“Am dar any ob yous dat spoke English? If dar am, -please to signify it by sayin’ so, an’ if dar ain’t, also signify -dat by obsarvin’ de same sign.”</p> - -<p>Jim waited several minutes for a reply, but, receiving -none, he became more indignant, and was about to burst -out in a tirade against them, when George Inwood ventured -to suggest that, as in all probability they could not speak -the English language, as a matter of course, they were deprived -of the ability of saying so.</p> - -<p>“But dey orter to know ’nough to say <em>no</em>—any fool know -<em>dat</em>,” persisted the African.</p> - -<p>“But how can they understand what <em>you</em> say?”</p> - -<p>“Clar—didn’t tink ob dat. What am we to do?”</p> - -<p>“Defend ourselves—that is all that is left us.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go take a look at dem,” said Jim, beginning to creep -along the passage toward the mouth of the cave.</p> - -<p>“I insist that you be more careful in your dealings with -them. You ought to know what a treacherous and untrustworthy -set of people they are.”</p> - -<p>Jim promised caution, as he always did in such matters, -and Inwood kept close to him to see that he fulfilled his -pledge. Reaching the mouth of the cave, the African gave -a sneeze to proclaim his presence, emitted with such explosive -vigor, that the Mohaves gathered around, startled as -though the ground beneath them had suddenly reddened -with heat. They recoiled a few steps, and then waited with -some anxiety for the next demonstration.</p> - -<p>Jim Tubbs had a voice, composed half-in-half of those<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -tones which are heard when a huge saw is being filed, and that -which is made by the rumbling of the distant thunder. The judicious -mixture made from these, it may safely be said, was terrific -and rather trying to a sensitive man’s nerves; and, as he was -in rather an indignant mood on the present occasion, when he -called to the Mohaves, it was more forcibly than politely.</p> - -<p>“What does yer want?”</p> - -<p>When a person has reason to believe that the one whom he is -addressing has difficulty in understanding his words, he seems -to think the trouble can be overcome by increasing the loudness -of his tone. Jim repeated his question each time with greater -force, until the last demand partook more of the nature of a -screech than anything else.</p> - -<p>By this time, the aborigines had obtained a good view of the -black face, cautiously presenting itself at the opening made by -the partial withdrawing of the stone, and one of them, laying -down his gun and knife, as an earnest of his pacific intention, deliberately -advanced to the entrance of the cave, and reached out -his hand.</p> - -<p>“Take it, Jim,” whispered Inwood, “he means that as an offering -of good will.”</p> - -<p>“I hope yer am well,” remarked Jim, as he thrust his immense -digits through the opening. “I is purty well, an’ so am all ob -us—gorry nation! what am yer at?”</p> - -<p>The Mohave had suddenly seized the hand of the negro in both his -own with tremendous force, and was now pulling with such astonishing -power as slowly to drag the unsuspicious African forward.</p> - -<p>“I tell ye let go!” shouted the latter, “it won’t do! Wal, -if ye wants to pull wid dis chile, why pull, an’ see who am de -best feller!”</p> - -<p>Inwood, in his apprehension for the safety of the negro, seized -his leg, and endeavored with his utmost strength to stay his forcible -<ins class="corr" id="tn1" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'eparture'">departure</ins>, -observing which, the gentleman in dispute turned -his head:</p> - -<p>“Nebber mind, George, nebber mind if dem darkeys</p> - -<p>[Transcriber’s Note: Several lines of text are missing from the -original here due to a printer’s error]</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span></p> - -<p>Jim was six feet three inches in height, and along his -limbs was deposited an enormous quantity of muscle almost -as hard as the bone itself; he was not quick, but he was a -man of prodigious strength, and when he chose to exert it, -there were few living men who could withstand it. If -there could ever be a suitable occasion to exert it, that occasion -was the present.</p> - -<p>And Jim did call it into play. Closing his great fingers -around the hand of the Mohave, he held it as firmly as if it -were thrust into the jaws of a Numidian lion, and then -bracing his feet against the sides of the cavern, he said:</p> - -<p>“Now, my ’spectable friend, you pull an’ I’ll pull.”</p> - -<p>At the first contraction of that muscular arm, the Mohave -was drawn a foot forward; and, in dreadful alarm, he -uttered a cry which brought several of his companions to -his relief, and they, seizing him by his lower limbs, pulled -as determinedly in the opposite direction.</p> - -<p>“If yer gets dis feller back agin, I tinks he’ll be about a -foot taller,” muttered Jim, as he gave another hitch with -the hapless aborigine, which jerked not only him forward, -but those who were clinging fast to his extremities. They, -in turn, united in a “long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether,” -with no effect, except to give the subject under -debate a terrific strain.</p> - -<p>“Yeave ho! here ye go!”</p> - -<p>And with amazing power, Jim Tubbs drew the Mohave -clear into the cave, beyond all reach from his companions.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p>“Now you keep still, or I’ll come de gold tuch ober -you!” admonished Jim, as he hurried the captured Mohave -to the rear portion of the cave, and delivered him in charge -of George Inwood and his brother.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by the gold trick?” inquired the -latter, as he caught up his gun, and placed himself in an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -attitude to command the movements of the captured Indian.</p> - -<p>“Why I mean dat—hullo!”</p> - -<p>Jim turned and darted up the passage, in which he had -detected a suspicious noise. He was not a moment too -soon. The red men, furious at the abduction of one of -their number before their eyes, had united to force away the -stone, and, at the instant the negro returned, one of them -had shoved his body half through the opening.</p> - -<p>“Out ob dar!” shouted Jim, as, with uplifted pick, he -made straight at the intruder. The latter, fully panic-stricken, -turned about and whisked out of the cave much -more rapidly than he entered, his moccasins twinkling in -the air, as if the same means had been employed to extract -him, that had been used to draw his venturesome companion -in.</p> - -<p>The ludicrous appearance of the Mohave, as he scrambled -out among his friends, exceedingly pleased the ponderous -African, who laughed loudly and heartily.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t fancy de way I swung dat pick round! I was -kinder loose wid it, an’ if I’d let it drap on him, it would’ve -made him dance.”</p> - -<p>It looked very much as if our friends, in capturing the -Mohave, had, to use a common expression, secured an “elephant.” -What to do with him, was the all-important -question, now that he was in their power. Being without -any warlike implements, he was comparatively harmless, -and, as there was no escape for him, except through the -passage by which he had entered, it was hardly to be supposed -that, so long as he was unmolested, he would indulge -in any performances likely to bring down the wrath of his -captors upon him.</p> - -<p>Withdrawing to the opposite side of the cave, (which -was not more than a dozen feet in diameter) he stood silent -and sullen, while Edwin Inwood, with his loaded and -cocked rifle, watched him with the vigilance of a cat. -George Inwood, feeling that nothing was to be apprehended -from the present shape of affairs within their subterranean<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span> -home, passed up the narrow entrance to where Jim was, in -order to learn how matters stood there.</p> - -<p>At the moment of reaching his sable friend, the discharge -of a gun was heard, and Jim hastily retreated on his hands -and knees a few feet.</p> - -<p>“Are you hit?” inquired Inwood in some alarm.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but dey didn’t hurt me; <em>dey hit me on de head</em>!”</p> - -<p>“Can they not force back the stone?”</p> - -<p>“Not if we can git close up behind it.”</p> - -<p>The negro spoke the truth; for, when immediately in the -rear of the immense boulder, they could hold it against the -combined efforts of any number of men on the outside, and, -at the same time, keep themselves invisible, while, by remaining -in their present position, they ran every risk of being -struck. Consequently, no time was lost in creeping -into the proper place, where, for the time being, they felt -themselves masters of the situation.</p> - -<p>Having successfully staved off all danger for the present, -the question naturally arose, how was this matter to end? -The gold hunters were walled up in a cave, with plenty of -arms and ammunition, little food and no water. The Mohaves, -if they chose so to do, could keep them there until -they perished from thirst or starvation.</p> - -<p>Edwin Inwood soon grew tired of standing in his constrained -position, and he cautiously set down his gun, -within immediate reach, and then sinking down upon one -knee, resumed the work which had been so peremptorily -checked by the entrance of the captured Mohave. A large -stone, weighing over a dozen pounds, was held firmly in -position, while he employed both hands in drilling a hole -into the center. This, as all know, is quite a tedious operation, -and, although he had the usual tools of the blaster -of rocks, he made slow progress. Still, he was animated -by that great spur to exertion, necessity, and he applied -himself to his task without intermission.</p> - -<p>While his brother and the gigantic African were parleying -and debating upon their situation, he succeeded in reaching -the depth desired, and then carefully removing the debris, -he thoroughly cleaned the cavity, as does the <ins class="corr" id="tn2" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'skillfu'">skillful</ins> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -dentist when preparing our molar for the golden filling. -Into this hollow, the lower portion of which he had managed -to give a globular shape, he poured several handfuls -of Dupont’s best, a piece of fuse all the while standing upright, -while the jetty particles arranged themselves around -it. Dust and sand were then carefully dropped in, until -they reached the surface of the stone, when it assumed the -appearance of a solid, honest fragment of rock, with the -odd-looking fuse sprouting from its side.</p> - -<p>“There!” exclaimed the boy, with a sigh, “it is done, -and I think it will answer very well.”</p> - -<p>As he looked up, he saw the Mohave still standing silent -and sullen, but with his dark eyes fixed upon the young artisan -with a curious expression, as though a dim idea of -the meaning of all this was gradually filtrating through his -brain.</p> - -<p>“What do you think of it?” asked the youngster, holding -up the block of stone, with a smile at his own success, -and at the whim which prompted the query. If the questioned -had any idea of the meaning of the question, he did -not choose to manifest it, but maintained the same stolid -silence as before.</p> - -<p>“I don’t suppose it will suit you very well; at any rate -your friends will be more astonished than pleased with it.”</p> - -<p>The boy called his brother, who immediately made his -appearance. It took but a few moments to explain -<ins class="corr" id="tn3" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'his his'">his</ins> -scheme, which pleased the young man.</p> - -<p>“It can do no harm to us to try it,” he said, as he picked -it up and carried it to Jim. The latter listened to the explanation -a moment, and his great eyes rolled with delight -at the scheme.</p> - -<p>“Fus’ rate, fus’ rate, almost as good as de gold trick.”</p> - -<p>“It is as good a time as any to try it, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose so—you kin see dey’re purty thick out dere.”</p> - -<p>Inwood produced a match and set fire to the fuse. It -burned quite rapidly, like the string of a Chinese cracker.</p> - -<p>“Throw it out as quick as it reaches the sand!” called -Edwin from the cave.</p> - -<p>“Golly, it’s dar now!” exclaimed Jim, springing up, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -preparing to toss it out among the Mohaves gathered outside. -Unfortunately, his elbow struck the side of the entrance, -and the bombshell dropped at his feet. Believing -it about to explode, the negro ran back in dismay, when -Inwood, with remarkable coolness, drew the huge boulder -a little to one side, and, catching up the stone, swung it -through the opening. Before the Mohaves could understand -the intent of this, the terrible object burst into a -thousand fragments, and with wild whoops of terror, the -red men scattered in every direction, as though they themselves -were a portion of an immense bombshell which had -exploded.</p> - -<p>The success of Edwin’s scheme, and delight of our friends -were complete.</p> - -<p>“Anybody killed?” asked Jim, and his companion peered -cautiously around the edge of the boulder.</p> - -<p>“I suppose not; but they have been hit and frightened -almost out of their senses, and that will do as much good -as though it had slain half a dozen of them. I don’t believe -they will come back again.”</p> - -<p>“Dunno ’bout dat; dey’re a queer set ob darkeys, am -de Injins.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think, from what I have heard, that these Mohaves -are the bravest tribe of Indians in California, and -they are too much afraid of us to make much trouble so -long as we remain in the cave. And that reminds me of -our prisoner—what are we to do with him?”</p> - -<p>“Kill him,” was the decided response.</p> - -<p>“No; that will never do; we cannot murder him.”</p> - -<p>“Let me come de gold trick ober him.”</p> - -<p>“I haven’t learned what that is.”</p> - -<p>“Jes’ come back where he am, an’ I’ll soon larn you.”</p> - -<p>Inwood was apprehensive that the “gold trick,” so often -referred to by his sable friend, meant something cruel, and -he concluded it safer to restrain him.</p> - -<p>“Never mind about it now, Jim; I have a plan of my -own.”</p> - -<p>“What’s dat?”</p> - -<p>“Let him go.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span></p> - -<p>“You don’t mean dat?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I do; although he is our enemy, and although -his own people are barbarians, who are none too good to -put us to the worst kind of torture, if they had us in their -power; yet, we are Christians, and cannot do such a -thing.”</p> - -<p>“Dunno but what you are right; fetch out de feller.”</p> - -<p>“Besides,” added Inwood, as he moved away, “it may -change their feelings toward us. They know we have one -of their number in our power, and, if we let him go unharmed, -they will have less reason to look upon us as their -enemies—this one at least will regard us as a friend.”</p> - -<p>The decision made, it was carried out without delay. -The Mohave was led from the cave, carefully along the passage -toward the opening. He evidently believed he was -being conducted to his doom; he was as sullen and stoical -as his race generally are at such times. Jim had rolled the -boulder back, so as to afford him free egress, and Inwood, -first taking him by the arm, motioned for him to retire. -The aborigine did not comprehend his meaning, when his -captor turned his face toward the opening, and gave him a -gentle shove. This was a hint which could not be misunderstood, -and he darted out in a twinkling, and disappeared.</p> - -<p>“Now, I will take a look and see whether there are any -of them left,” said Inwood, as he stealthily followed the liberated -Mohave.</p> - -<p>By this time it was growing dark, but objects for a considerable -distance were quite distinct, and George Inwood -made a thorough reconnoisance of the bed of the brook for -several hundred yards up and down. At the end of a half -hour, he returned with the pleasing word that the Mohaves -had taken their departure.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p>Having given this episode in the history of the gold hunters, -it is necessary to take a look at events which came to -pass a few months previous.</p> - -<p>One bleak day in the winter of 1857-8, a young man -was walking slowly down Broadway, humming a lively tune -in a mournful voice, and doing his utmost to keep up his -spirits, which, just then, were at their lowest ebb. In the -nature of things, the poor fellow could not be otherwise. -While in the senior class in college, preparing for the ministry, -and succeeding most brilliantly, he was summoned -home to New York, just in time to receive his father’s dying -blessing; his mother having fallen asleep several years -before, he was thus left an orphan, with a younger brother -to provide for. As his father had been a leading merchant -in the great metropolis, there seemed to be little difficulty -in this, and he assumed the control of affairs at once.</p> - -<p>But the mutterings of that financial storm were already -heard in the sky, and it soon burst over the land, toppling -old, established houses, like so many ninepins, and carrying -woe and desolation to many a hearthstone. George -Inwood placed his shoulder to the wheel, and toiled manfully; -but, where so many thousands of experienced merchants -were swept away by the current, it would have been -almost a miracle, had he been able to resist the whelming -tide. Finding it useless, he threw up his arms, and went -down with the multitude. When everything was gone, he -found that he still owed his creditors many thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>And so he hummed the lively air in his mournful voice, -as he dreamily walked down Broadway, and asked himself<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -what was to be done. He was poverty-stricken, with his -younger brother depending upon him, and the big African, -Jim Tubbs, who had always lived in the family from his -childhood, with no means of support.</p> - -<p>Naturally, a hundred schemes presented themselves, as -they always will to a young man, when thrown upon his -own resources. He might serve as a clerk—that is if anybody -wanted him, which was by no means likely; he might -teach, if any school was in want of such a teacher as himself, -which was equally improbable. He might do any -thing, if the opportunity were given him; but, during these -“hard times,” he soon learned that the worst possible -place for a man out of employment, is in a large city. When -he was turned away again and again, his heart failed him, -and as he hummed his lively air in his mournful voice, he -came to a conclusion which he ought to have made a considerable -time before.</p> - -<p>“I must leave New York; I shall soon starve here.”</p> - -<p>When he reached his lodgings, where his brother Edwin -was staying, and where Jim managed to earn his own -board, by doing odd jobs around the house, he called the -two together, and proposed the oft-repeated question:</p> - -<p>“Where shall we go?”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go to Quito,” said Edwin, who had just been -studying his geography, “they always have spring weather -there, and plenty to eat, and so they have in several other -places in South America.”</p> - -<p>“It is hardly the place for us, however.”</p> - -<p>“I tells you whar to go,” said Jim.</p> - -<p>“Where is that?”</p> - -<p>“I’s been tinking about it for free weeks, an’ made all de -’quiries possible, an’ found out it’s jest de place for us, an’ -dat’s Californy. Dere’s a man stayin’ at this house now—his -name is <em>Swill</em>—no, Mills, an’ he’s jest got back from -Californy, an’, golly! you orter hear him tell ’bout de country! -It’s awful splendid,” added Jim, in his enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>“It will be quite an undertaking to go to California, and -we’ll take a day or two to think about it,” said Inwood, -feeling at the same time that the Golden Gate was the door<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -through which he should pass to comfort and wealth. In -the evening, he walked out alone to think over the matter.</p> - -<p>It being nearly ten years since that flood-tide of navigation -had set in toward California from every part of the -world, the charm, in a great measure, was now broken, and -those who went there, did so, very frequently, for other -purposes than to dig gold. Yet, Inwood concluded that -if he went, it should be for the purpose of extracting the -yellow metal from the rocks and earth. He was twenty-five -years of age, his heart was set upon being a Christian -minister, and he felt that if he ever intended to become one, -even with the help which his church extended to indigent -men, he had no time to plod up the hill of fortune.</p> - -<p>But right here arose the troublesome question, how was -California to be reached? He had but little over a hundred -dollars, barely sufficient to pay his own passage, without -taking into account the necessity of carrying at least Jim -with him, and the outfit which was indispensable.</p> - -<p>But again, kind Providence smiled upon his project. -After announcing his willingness to go to California, if he -possessed the means, Jim Tubbs suddenly disappeared, -and was gone for a couple of days. When he came back -again, he was very important, and seemed as well becomes -a man who carries a mighty secret in his breast.</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t make no difference where I’ve been,” he said -rather savagely, in response to the inquiries of the slip-shod, -bulky landlady. “I’s been on bis’ness—dat’s whar I’ve -been—on very <em>’portant</em> bis’ness. Yas, ma’am.”</p> - -<p>The tubby landlady lowered her head, as does a cow -when about to charge, that her spectacles might slip down -far enough on her pug nose to allow her to look over them. -Then she stared at Jim a moment in mute amazement.</p> - -<p>“A black man off on bis’ness—never heard of such a -thing,” and she, lifting her skirts rather gingerly, retreated -from the apartment, leaving Jim alone with the two Inwoods -at the tea-table. The two latter knew that the African -had some news to tell and they forebore to question -him, choosing to wait until he was ready to unbosom, which -was just what he didn’t want them to do. He waited and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -waited for them to inquire of him, until he could wait no -longer.</p> - -<p>“Gorry’ation! why don’t you <em>ax</em> me?” he finally demanded -in high dudgeon.</p> - -<p>“Ask you what?” mildly inquired George, who saw that -the secret was coming.</p> - -<p>“Why, what I’ve got to say.”</p> - -<p>“How did I know you had anything to say?”</p> - -<p>“’Caus you <em>did</em> know it—dat’s de reason. I’s been an’ -seen Captain Romaine—mighty glad to see me. ‘<i>How are -you, Jim?—how’s all de folks?—how’s George an’ Ned getting -’long? Why don’t dey come down an’ see me?</i>’ Couldn’t -do much, stuffed one so full, I liked to cracked open from -my chin down to my heels.”</p> - -<p>“That’s very pleasant, but had you your important business -with <em>him</em>?”</p> - -<p>“’Course I had—very <em>’portant</em>, but you don’t seem to -care much about it, so I won’t take the trouble to tell you.”</p> - -<p>If the curiosity of Inwood had not been already aroused, -he would have left the African alone, knowing that he -would burst, if compelled to hold his secret a half hour -longer. So he asked him:</p> - -<p>“What was it, Jim? don’t keep us waiting.”</p> - -<p>“Wal, the way ob it, you see, was dis way: Arter the -Captain had axed about my healfh, free, four times, I tells -him what had happened, an’ how we wanted to go to Californy. -‘Is dat so?’ he axed me, in a great flurry; ‘how -lucky dat are. Old Mr. Inwood was allers a good friend ob -mine, an’ I’m mighty glad I can do sumfin’ for his children. -I’s Captain ob dis steamer, Jim,’ said he, ‘an’ we’re going -to sail on Saturday. Tell George, an’ Ned, an’ yourself to -git ready an’ sail wid me. I’ll land you on de Isthmus, -(don’t know whar dat am) an’ give you a ticket cl’ar to San -Francisco’—dat’s what he said, George—cl’ar he did.”</p> - -<p>This was as pleasant as unexpected to George and Edwin, -who expressed their delight to each other, and commended -the shrewdness of Jim Tubbs.</p> - -<p>“How came you to think of the Captain?” inquired the -younger.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span></p> - -<p>“Wal, you see I’ve know’d him for a dozen years. -When dat steamer used to run to New Orleans, ole Mr. -Inwood got him de place ob Captain on it, an’ before dat, -when Captain Romaine’s wife died, an’ he was too poor to -bury her, ole Mr. Inwood done it all for him. Den gitten -him de place ob Captain right arter dat—why, I tell you it -was almost more dan de man could stand, an’ he’s mighty -glad to do anything he can for his children.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go down and see him to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Yas, dat’s what he said he wanted you to do—you go -right off, for he wants to see you mighty bad.”</p> - -<p>“He sails on Saturday, and to-day is Thursday. We -must get ready to-morrow. Well, we can do that easily -enough, as we are not going to take a fortune with us to -California, and a few hours are enough to get our baggage -together.”</p> - -<p>“Dar’s plenty ob room on dat steamer. I tell you, she’s -a whisker, an’ she can take a big lot ob people. De Captain -showed me frough ebery part ob it, an’ it war a sight to -see. I told him I shouldn’t go, ’less he’d let me work my -passage. He kinder laughed, an’ said if I was so anxious -to make myself useful, he’d find some little jobs for me to -do somewhere ’bout de boat.”</p> - -<p>The next morning, George and Edwin Inwood went down -to the wharf, and made a call upon Captain Romaine, who -commanded the California steamer, “Golden Gate.” The -large hearted captain was glad to see them, shook them -both cordially by the hand, and, having learned how matters -stood, from the loquacious Jim Tubbs, he soon put his -friends at ease. They agreed to take passage with him on -the following day, and then bade him good morning. As -they were stepping off the plank, the captain touched the -shoulder of George, and motioned him aside.</p> - -<p>“These are dreadful times, and I know it has gone hard -with you. A man who is going to California, as you are, -needs quite a pile to equip him. Now, my boy, if you -need anything, I hope you will do me the kindness to say -so; for nothing would give me greater pleasure than to do -a favor for the son of the best friend I ever had.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span></p> - -<p>Inwood thanked him, but assured him that he needed -nothing. He felt that he could not receive any more favors -at the hand of one who had already done so much.</p> - -<p>On the following day, when the Golden Gate turned her -head down the Atlantic, and steamed swiftly toward her -distant destination, she carried with her the brothers Inwood, -and the colossal African, Jim Tubbs.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p>There was a strong attraction which drew George Inwood -toward the golden sands of California, to which we -have not even hinted thus far; but it is high time it received -notice.</p> - -<p>Several years before, when the young student had just -entered college, he was descending the Hudson in the ill-fated -Henry Clay. On board, he formed the acquaintance -of the most engaging young lady he had ever met. Intellectual, -vivacious and accomplished, he felt strengthened -mentally and morally when he left her presence—a condition -far different from that in which one is sure to vacate -the society of nine-tenths of the fashionable women of the -present time.</p> - -<p>A mutual interest sprang up between the two, and everything -was progressing delightfully toward a tenderer state -of feeling, when that well-remembered calamity burst upon -the doomed steamer. In the confusion and tumult, Inwood, -who was an excellent swimmer, became the means of saving -Miss Marian Underwood and her father from death by -drowning.</p> - -<p>There can be but little doubt of the result of all this, had -matters been left to take their natural course, but Inwood -had just entered college, and the next tidings that reached -him relating to the Underwoods was, that the father, who -was quite wealthy, had removed to California, and settled -quite a distance to the south of San Francisco. After deliberating -a long time upon the matter, he addressed a respectful<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> -but friendly letter to Marian, and then anxiously -awaited the reply; but it never came, and, concluding that -her hand was pre-engaged, he did not repeat the experiment, -and did his best to forget her.</p> - -<p>Absorbed in his studies and preparations for his sacred -calling, he succeeded, not in forgetting her, but in preventing -her occupying his thoughts so prominently, although -this would have been impossible, had he known that the -letter so carefully written had never reached its intended -destination, and that the fair Miss Underwood often wondered -and as often sighed that he did not seem to deem her -worth the trouble of a letter.</p> - -<p>But now that Inwood’s attention was drawn toward California, -the image of this lady constantly rose before him, -and he found himself speculating, at all times of day, regarding -her. The great question was, whether there was -“room” for him in her thoughts—that is, the room which -he wished—that which should exclude everything else. He -resolved to find out her residence, and make her a call—his -subsequent course regarding her to be determined by the -reception he received, and her manner toward him.</p> - -<p>The voyage to Aspinwall was without incident worthy -of mention, as was the trip across the isthmus on the new -railroad, which had been finished a little over three years. -The journey was an unceasing delight to Edwin, who was -just of that age when everything seen and heard make -such a weird impression upon the mind. The broad, surging -Atlantic, the vessels which skimmed like sea-gulls along -the horizon’s edge, the glimpse of the tropical islands, the -majesty of the storm, the exuberant vegetation of the isthmus; -these, and hundreds of other sights, made up a continual -banquet for him upon which the eye could feast and -never become sated.</p> - -<p>Captain Romaine presented each of them with through -tickets to San Francisco, so as to be sure of their reaching -their destination without further expense.</p> - -<p>They waited several days at Panama for the steamer -which was to carry them the rest of the way, and when -they went on board, found themselves greatly crowded for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -room, and obliged to undergo much privation in the way -of food; but they were as able to bear it as were the rest -of the passengers, and were none the worse, when, on a -bright morning in early spring, they landed in San Francisco.</p> - -<p>The first step was to secure temporary lodgings, which -was done without difficulty, and then, while Jim sat on the -low porch in front of their “hotel,” and smoked his pipe, -George and Edwin wandered over the new city. The curiosity -of both was, perhaps, equal, and the day passed -rapidly away in gazing at this wonderful giant which sprang -so suddenly into full grown manhood.</p> - -<p>By making careful inquiries, George learned that Mr. Underwood -was settled to the south some fifty or sixty miles, -and was one of the wealthiest land-owners and stock-raisers -in that section—which was anything but pleasant information -to Inwood, who would have much preferred to hear -that they were in destitute circumstances—in order that he -might call upon them, and feel himself upon something like -equal terms. The information, indeed, seemed to make our -young friend reconsider his decision of calling upon the -Underwoods until he returned from the mines laden with -wealth, when he could have no hesitation in doing so.</p> - -<p>Perhaps, if he passed within the immediate vicinity of -Underwood’s ranche, as some of the people termed it, he -might seek occasion to get a glimpse or peep at <ins class="corr" id="tn4" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'Marion'">Marian</ins>—but -nothing in the world should induce him to do more.</p> - -<p>George Inwood had about a hundred dollars—not enough -to procure him the outfit he needed. He had brought three -rifles, three revolvers, and some cooking utensils with him; -but he still needed digging and mining implements, cloth -for tents—to say nothing of a horse apiece, and one or two -mules to carry their luggage.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course, it was out of the question to think -of procuring these; and, as the best that could be done -under the circumstances, he bought a rickety old mule, -capable of carrying all that could be piled upon his back, -and going like a clock when wound up, without retarding -or increasing his speed, and disposed to walk straight over<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -a precipice, if it happened to be in his way, unless he was -gradually shied off by Jim Tubbs placing his shoulder -against his, and forcing him to swerve from his course.</p> - -<p>“Dat are beast’ll carry all we’ve got to carry, ’cept ourselves, -an’ if thar’s only room for us to get on, he’d carry -us too,” remarked the negro, when everything was ready, -and they were about to start.</p> - -<p>“Yes; he will answer for our luggage.”</p> - -<p>“And must we walk?” inquired Edwin in dismay.</p> - -<p>“I do not see how it is to be prevented,” replied his -brother, as cheerfully as he could speak.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you buy free hosses?” inquired Jim.</p> - -<p>“For the reason that I have not the funds to do it with. -I haven’t enough money left to buy the poorest animal, in -the shape of a horse, that walks the streets of San Francisco.”</p> - -<p>“<em>If you hain’t, mebbe somebody else has.</em>”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” inquired Inwood, in perplexity.</p> - -<p>Ah! wasn’t that a moment of triumph for Jim Tubbs? -How cool and deliberate he tried to be, as he shoved his -great hand away down in his pantaloons pocket, until it -looked as if he were fumbling at his shoe string, and finally -fished up a huge leathern purse, so corpulent that it had -very much the appearance of that humble kitchen edible -known as the dough-nut.</p> - -<p>“Dar!” he said, as <ins class="corr" id="tn5" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'be'">he</ins> flung it carelessly toward the -amazed George Inwood, “mebbe dar ain’t nofin’ in dat! -Mebbe dat’s all counterfeit; mebbe Mr. Tubbs hain’t been -sabin’ up his money dese five years! ’Spose you look at -dat—p’raps dar may be sumfin’ or other in dar.”</p> - -<p>Jim leaned back against the column of the porch, cocked -his old wool hat on one side of his head, shoved both hands -down into his pockets, carelessly swung one foot around -the ankle of the other, so that it was supported on the toe, -and then, smoking his little black pipe, looked at Inwood, -as he opened the purse and counted out the yellow gold -pieces one after the other, until he had finished.</p> - -<p>“How much do you make?” asked Jim, in the same -style that he would have inquired the time of day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span></p> - -<p>“Four hundred and seventy dollars. Is this all yours, -Jim?” inquired Inwood, hardly comprehending the pleasant -truth.</p> - -<p>“Shouldn’t wonder now if I had sumfin’ to say ’bout -it.”</p> - -<p>The three withdrew to a more private place, where the -money was again counted, and it was found to amount to -the sum mentioned. Jim explained how he had been engaged -in saving for the last five years, as he had an idea -that there would come some “’casion” like this. He was -shrewd enough to keep its existence a profound secret until -the crisis in their affairs, well knowing that Inwood would -have considered that moment of necessity as at hand long -before.</p> - -<p>And so the three horses were purchased, and a number -of articles which they needed, and, leaving San Francisco, -they took a southeast direction toward San Jose and continuing -on in the same course, struck a pass in the Coast -Range near the 37th parallel.</p> - -<p>By this time, they were far beyond the limits of civilization, -and traveling in a wild, savage country, where they -occasionally met emigrants and miners, but more frequently -encountered red men and wild beasts.</p> - -<p>California then, as now, was rapidly filling up, but among -the mountains were thousands of miles where the foot of -white men had never trod, and where, beyond question, -the auriferous particles lay in glittering masses, only waiting -for the spade of the miner, or the rock-splitting powder -of the blaster.</p> - -<p>Before reaching the regions of the mountains, Inwood -made careful inquiries, and learned that the residence of -the Underwoods lay but a small distance from San Jose, -and that, by a slight deviation from his course, he could -take it in his path. He did so, neither his brother nor the -astute African entertaining the slightest suspicions of the -true object which drew him thither.</p> - -<p>They caught sight of the large Mexican-looking building, -with its low roof, broad wings and extensive outbuildings, -its vast droves of cattle and sheep, which were scattered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> -here and there over an area of many miles; all these signs -of the thrift and wealth of the owner, and it was with -strange emotions that Inwood halted on a small eminence -a short distance away, and gazed down upon the pleasant -scene.</p> - -<p>He saw no signs of life about the house. Here and there -were to be seen one or two men passing hither and thither, -over the hills or among the cattle, but the house itself was -as still as death, and the thought once occurred to his mind -that, perhaps, the proprietor lay cold and inanimate within -those shaded rooms, or, perhaps, Marian herself was -stretched in the robes of the tomb.</p> - -<p>Jim proposed that they should honor the proprietor of -this estate by spending the evening with him, but Inwood -objected, and they encamped in an adjoining piece of wood. -When everything had been made ready for the night, and -the full moon had risen, Inwood left his companions, and -sauntered toward the house, his heart throbbing tumultuously -with its varied emotions.</p> - -<p>As he walked slowly by, he caught the faint notes of the -guitar, and heard a low, sweet voice humming a familiar -song. He looked in the direction whence it came, and, -through the interlacing vines, could faintly detect the form -and outline of Marian Underwood. He knew it was <em>her</em>—he -recognized the voice, and twice he paused and was about -to enter the gate; but he checked himself by a painful effort -of the will, and, loitering as long as he dared in the vicinity, -he turned on his heel and wandered back.</p> - -<p>“When I return, I will call!” was the comforting conclusion -he gave himself.</p> - -<p>In a few days, by patient traveling and perseverance, -they reached the eastern slope of the Coast Range, and -found themselves in the San Joaquin Valley, where they -intended to prosecute their search for gold. Carrying out -their purpose of getting into a region where there was little -danger of being disturbed by any of their own race, they -followed the slope to the southward, keeping among the -mountains, and guarding every movement.</p> - -<p>They “prospected” a long time, and suffered at first for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span> -want of food, but they soon overcame this difficulty, and -prosecuted their search for gold with greater vigor than -ever. They had poor fortune for awhile, but they pushed -resolutely forward, and finally came upon a small mountain -stream, which contained an abundance of the shining particles -among its sands.</p> - -<p>Here they would have pitched their tent, had they not -accidentally discovered a remarkable cave, which answered -their purpose so well, that they carried everything within, -and at once made it their quarters. Their horses were -tethered in a dense grove further down the stream, where -they were visited once a day to see that all was well.</p> - -<p>They had been here but a few days, when they discovered -signs of Indians, and Edwin was put on watch, while -the others busied themselves in “making hay while the -sun shone.” The young sentinel had been there but a -short time, when he descried the troublesome visitors approaching -along the slope; and what then and there took -place our good readers have already learned.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p>The cave which afforded such an opportune retreat to -Jim Tubbs and the Inwoods, was one of these natural formations -which are occasionally found, and which have more -the appearance of being the handiwork of some skillful architect -than of nature.</p> - -<p>A narrow passage, sufficient to admit an ordinary sized -man, extended about thirty feet, when it opened into a -broad chamber, which was lighted by several thin rents in -the rocks overhead, they being so massive as to exclude all -hope of ingress from that direction. The only disadvantage -connected with this subterranean dwelling was, that -during rainy weather, it required extreme care to prevent -its being flooded. Occasionally, they were driven out in -this manner; but there being a lower portion of the mountain -close at hand, the water thus gathered, almost as -speedily filtrated through the rocks into the outlet.</p> - -<p>When George Inwood made his reconnoisance, after the -departure of the Mohave Indians, he was confident of finding -some of them dead, or desperately wounded; but, to -his surprise, he discovered neither. He was rather pleased -at this; for he had never slain a human being, and his -teaching and tastes were utterly opposed to it. He more -than expected that, ere he saw San Francisco again, he -would be compelled to slay some of the troublesome aborigines -in self-defense, but, until absolutely compelled so to -do, he had resolved to abstain from it altogether.</p> - -<p>“De next thing, I s’pose, am whedder dem hosses are -wisible or inwisible. I ’clines to tink dey’re inwisible,” remarked<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -Jim, when informed that the red men had taken their -final departure.</p> - -<p>“They have been undisturbed,” replied Inwood. “I took -a look at them before I came in.”</p> - -<p>“Bless de good Lord for dat; I hopes dey will let dem -animals be; for if dey tucks ’em away, we’ll hab a mighty -hard road to trabbel to get back agin—carrying dem big -piles ob gold.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, Jim, we haven’t got that gold yet——”</p> - -<p>“But ain’t we getting it, eh? I s’pose I didn’t get a -pocketful dis berry arternoon, did I?” he demanded indignantly.</p> - -<p>“We have comparatively a small quantity, and there’s -no telling when that will give out.”</p> - -<p>“I tink it’s gibbin’ out all de time, an’ if it only keeps -on gibbin’ out long ’nough, we’ll soon get all we want.”</p> - -<p>“I hope we may, but I very much doubt it; and come -to think, I believe we have nothing for supper. How is -that?”</p> - -<p>“You’re right—not ’nough to feed a ’skeeter.”</p> - -<p>“You ought to have done some fishing for us, Edwin.”</p> - -<p>“I would, if you hadn’t put me in the tree, and set me -to watching for the Indians.”</p> - -<p>“Dat is so,” assented Jim, quite emphatically, “couldn’t -watch a fish at de same time. We’ll have to go widout -supper, an’ den make up when we get de chance agin; dat’s -de way I ginerally fixes it. I can go a week widout eatin’ -anything, but I tells you Jim Tubbs ’gins to feel holler, an’ -he makes meat fly when he git de chance.”</p> - -<p>“We can then wait until morning.”</p> - -<p>By this time, it was completely dark in the cave. The -three conversed together awhile longer, and then Jim, having -finished his pipe, arose and said:</p> - -<p>“I tinks I takes a look at de hosses.”</p> - -<p>“You had better remain where you are. They are all -right, and you may get yourself into trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Ain’t afeerd; who can git me into trouble? Jus’ let me -try de gold trick on ’em, an’ dey’ll be glad ’nough to cl’ar -de track.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span></p> - -<p>“You haven’t told us what that gold trick is.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll hab to wait now till I come back,” said Jim, as -he knocked the ashes from his pipe, “takes some time to -’xplainify de science ob dat movement.”</p> - -<p>With which information, he made his way to the mouth -of the cavern, accompanied by George Inwood, who gave -him a parting admonition.</p> - -<p>“Be very careful, for some of these dogs may be loitering -around, and waiting for the chance to cut you off.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be keerful, ob course; look out for yourselves, an’ -don’t let anybody in till you knows who he am. Some ob -dem darkeys may try dere tricks on you, an’ you can’t be -too keerful.”</p> - -<p>“You needn’t be afraid of my getting careless; you’re -the one who needs the most advice.”</p> - -<p>“O, I always <em>keeps dark</em>,” laughed the African, with -which profound witticism, he turned the corner of the cave -and disappeared. Inwood waited awhile at the opening of -the passage, listening and watching, but only the murmur -of the brook caught his ear, and he could see nothing but -the dark wall of bank which shut out his view beyond, and -above these, in the clear sky, floated the full moon. The -hour and the surroundings were impressive, and he remained -a long time in a kneeling position, lifting up his -heart in silent communion with the only One who then saw -and heard him.</p> - -<p>When he returned, he found his younger brother somewhat -apprehensive at his continued absence.</p> - -<p>“If the Indians should come down upon us when we are -separated,” said Edwin, “I don’t think we would get off as -well as we did to-day.”</p> - -<p>“No; if we hadn’t this cave to retreat to, we should -have seen trouble. As it is, I am a little anxious about -Jim.”</p> - -<p>“He is careless, but he has been very fortunate. I never -saw anything so strange as that which happened to him -when we were coming through the mountains. Don’t you -think that was strange, George?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span></p> - -<p>“Very Providential, indeed, although I did not see it -myself.”</p> - -<p>“I did; he was only a little ways ahead of us, riding -along on his horse, when those two Indians sprang out -from behind the trees, not more than twenty yards off, -aimed both their guns straight at him, fired, and then run -away.”</p> - -<p>“And never harmed him?”</p> - -<p>“Never touched him; he said he heard both bullets -whistle past his ears.”</p> - -<p>“It was very singular, but not unaccountable. His color -and his size are such as to startle these superstitious people, -and, no doubt, when these two aimed at him, their -nerves were very unsteady, and to this alone their failure is -to be attributed.”</p> - -<p>“Then he has been in danger several times since we have -been here, and was scratched a little this afternoon—so he -told me—but he hasn’t been really hurt.”</p> - -<p>“He is great help to us. I don’t know what we could -do without him. He can do more work in a day than I can -in a week, and he has got to be a good shot, too. We -must arrange that, however, so that you can do the hunting -for food, while we do the hunting for gold.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready to begin at any time, and have wondered -why you haven’t set me at work before,” said Edwin, with -great animation, at the prospect of a day’s ramble through -the woods.</p> - -<p>“It is with some misgiving, as it is, that I consent to -this step. Remember you are very young, Edwin, and -there is a great deal of danger for an old hunter in this part -of the country.”</p> - -<p>“Not if he is careful, and you know I would be careful. I -shall always keep a sharp look out for grizzly bears.”</p> - -<p>“They are dangerous enough, but not so dangerous as -the red men.”</p> - -<p>“But don’t you think they are easily scared?”</p> - -<p>“That may all be, and yet, it isn’t to be supposed that -they would be much frightened at the sight of a youngster<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -tramping through the woods with a gun on his shoulder.”</p> - -<p>“I will not wander off beyond call.”</p> - -<p>“You must remember that; for if you get lost, I don’t -know how you would ever find your way back again.”</p> - -<p>“I should follow up the stream.”</p> - -<p>“But do you suppose this is the only stream in the -mountains? There are hundreds of such, and you would be -a great deal more likely to get upon the wrong than upon -the right one. I mention these facts, because I wish to impress -upon you the great necessity of being careful. Boys -are very seldom inclined to be thoughtful, and you are no -exception to the general rule.”</p> - -<p>Edwin repeated his resolve to take good heed of what he -did, and appealed to his record since coming into California -in support of his actions.</p> - -<p>“Yes; I am glad to say that you have, but I sometimes -tremble to think of what we have done.”</p> - -<p>“You ain’t sorry, George?”</p> - -<p>“No; but I am frightened almost. Just to think that -we are entirely cut off from the civilized world, and it is -known to these Indians that we are here.”</p> - -<p>“But they can’t harm us.”</p> - -<p>“Suppose they took it into their heads to root us out, -what is to hinder them? They could soon starve us to -terms, and then do as they pleased with us.”</p> - -<p>“You seem gloomy to-night, brother.”</p> - -<p>“No; I do not mean to be so—I wish you to understand -truly our situation.”</p> - -<p>“I am sure I do—but isn’t Jim gone a long time?”</p> - -<p>“Hark!”</p> - -<p>Faintly through the still night air came the far-off exclamation:</p> - -<p>“<em>Hold on dar! hold on dar! or I’ll come de gold trick -ober you!</em>”</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p>When Jim Tubbs issued from his subterranean domicile, -he was rather too strongly inclined to act upon the report -of Inwood, that is, it had been affirmed that there was no -visible danger; he believed there was none, and, accordingly, -he started straight for the tethering ground of the -horses and mule, to make sure that they had suffered no -disturbance from the marauding Mohaves.</p> - -<p>“Dat are place whar we put ’em, is de place dat <em>I</em> selected, -an’ dar’s no danger ob dere being troubled while -dey stay dar,” he muttered, as he walked rapidly along, occasionally -pausing to make sure that no one was following -him.</p> - -<p>“I always understood hosses,” he added, as he approached -the vicinity of the dense undergrowth. “Dar -ain’t many——”</p> - -<p>He paused with unutterable emotion as he drew the -bushes aside, and there, where they should have been, he -saw them not! For a moment he was completely stupefied, -and stood like one who, from the tangled web of a -dream, endeavors to form the skein of coherent thought.</p> - -<p>But he speedily recovered himself, and was sharp enough -to comprehend that the animals must have been abstracted -very recently, and were within the possibility of recovery. -With a muttering exclamation of impatience, he dashed -headlong through the bushes into the open space beyond, -and stared around. Being at the base of the mountains, -he was also on the edge of a broad valley, and the bright -moonlight gave him quite an extended view over the broken, -rocky country.</p> - -<p>It required but one sharp glance of the African to discover, -about a quarter of a mile distant, the three horses<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -and one mule, making their way among the boulders and -patches of broken land, with all the deliberation with which -they would have answered the call to work. Jim paused -long enough to see that no one was driving them, when, -uttering the exclamation which has been given at the close -of the last chapter, he started on a full run after them.</p> - -<p>With his usual thoughtlessness, he had come out without -his gun, and he was now running at his utmost speed, -entirely regardless of his personal danger from the hubbub -he was creating, and from withdrawing so far from his base -of operations. There was something so singular in the -spectacle of these four animals leisurely trotting off over the -country, that he ought to have hesitated and attempted to -explain the matter before venturing after them in this open, -boisterous manner.</p> - -<p>It was observable, too, that, immediately after Jim gave -the terrific outcry referred to, the slow trot of the animals -increased to quite a brisk gait, a thing so unusual on the -part of the mule, as to cause no little wonder upon the part -of the pursuer.</p> - -<p>“Beats all natur’!” he exclaimed, as he struck his foot -against a stone, and was almost thrown forward upon his -hands and knees. “Fust time I ebber seed dat ole mule -raise a trot; split two, free rocks ober his head, smashed -all de limbs off a big tree ober his back, but no use, couldn’t -get him off a walk, an’ dere he goes now swingin’ ’long like -a feller on stilts. Beats all natur’!”</p> - -<p>It was indeed so curious, that he paused to take a look -at them. Just at that moment they were ascending a small -swell; and, as they came in relief against the blue sky beyond, -they were as plainly visible as at noon day. It was -clear that none of them had a rider upon his back, nor was -any one following, except him who was trying so valiantly -to recapture them. What then was the explanation of this -singular movement?</p> - -<p>Jim, who had suddenly resumed his running, as suddenly -paused, for he had discovered something.</p> - -<p>“Wal, dere! if dat don’t beat eberything! dar’s an Ingin<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> -right in among dem hosses, or else dat switch-tailed -mare has got six legs—one or t’oder!”</p> - -<p>It would have required a good pair of eyes to notice this -curious fact, had not the mare referred to at that moment -fallen somewhat in the rear, when the singular addition to -her means of locomotion made the usually large eyes of the -African considerably larger.</p> - -<p>The fact was apparent that a red man was among the -quadrupeds, and inciting them to their rapid gait by some -outlandish means which seems to come natural to the aborigines, -and which, up to this time, had escaped the attention -of the pursuer.</p> - -<p>Immediately upon this discovery, Jim broke into a fiercer -gait than ever after the fugitives, shouting in his tremendous -style—</p> - -<p>“Drop dat hoss, I tell you! drop that hoss, or I’ll make -you!”</p> - -<p>Inasmuch as it was hardly possible for the marauder to -hold up one of the equine specimens, if he choose to tumble, -it was not exactly clear how he was to obey this command. -On the contrary, the animals, including the mule, -(which, having once got up a loping trot, didn’t exactly -comprehend how to stop it,) increased their speed, and the -indescribable whirring howl with which he accomplished it, -reached the ears of the exasperated pursuer.</p> - -<p>“O, if I only had a gun!” he muttered, as he jogged -along, “wouldn’t I pepper dem legs for him!”</p> - -<p>At this juncture, the ground assumed a rougher character, -and the animals were compelled to deviate to the left -to pass a canon, where the waters raged with such fury, -that the shrewd Mohave did not attempt to force them into -it. Observing this, Jim took the hypotenuse of the triangle, -and went sailing down the course in magnificent style, -gaining so rapidly, that he gave utterance to a joyous -shout.</p> - -<p>“Cl’ar de track! or I’ll run ober you! I’s comin’!”</p> - -<p>This startling intelligence did not have the effect expected -and the copper-colored gentleman evidently concluded that -all was not lost, for he still maintained his position between<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> -the two horses, and, just then, striking a fording place, he -tumbled them turbulently in, and, scrambling up the opposite -side, renewed the flight in the same admirable fashion.</p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere beats all natur’!” he exclaimed in absolute -amazement, as he witnessed the exploit. “Whoeber -dreamed dare was so much <em>go</em> in dat mule?”</p> - -<p>The chase by this time had become interesting; but, if -the Mohave had displayed some natural smartness in stampeding -the animals, he now found himself at fault so far as -regarded the mule; for this character, as he rattled down -the canon with a noise like the charge of cavalry, lost his -unnatural gait, and, finding himself back into his natural -one, it was impossible to change it under a furlong, seeing -which, the charging body dashed forward with such a burst -of speed, that the Mohave and his body-guard were compelled -to leave him behind. Five minutes later, Jim vaulted -like an avalanche upon the saw-like back of the mule.</p> - -<p>“Now, ole fellow,” said he, addressing the beast most -affectionately, “show ’em what you can do.”</p> - -<p>But the mule didn’t seem anxious to obey; for, although -his enthusiastic rider thumped his sides with his huge heels -until he nearly bounced off, the beast subsided into a moderate -walk, as if he didn’t exactly comprehend the meaning -of all this uproar upon his back, and all efforts to change his -gait was useless. A man in a great hurry has very little patience, -and it took but a little while for Jim’s to exhaust -itself.</p> - -<p>“You want de gold trick comed on you—dat’s what you -do, an’ you jes’ wait till I get you home.”</p> - -<p>Sliding off the serrated animal, he left him alone, and resumed -the chase with greater vigor than ever. The few -minutes’ halt which he had made, were precious moments -to the Mohave, who, still keeping his body invisible, had -improved them to the utmost; but the roughness of the -ground was against him, and the African gained rapidly.</p> - -<p>“Ye’d better drop dem hosses while you got de chance!” -he shouted, as he came sweeping down with great velocity. -A few minutes later, he observed a diminution in the speed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -of the horses, and finally they walked, and then stood -still.</p> - -<p>“You oughter s’rendered sooner, den I might been -’sposed to show you some mercy; but I don’t know—hullo! -where be you?”</p> - -<p>He might well ask the question, for, as he came in among -the horses, there was nothing to be seen of the aborigine—he -had taken the occasion quietly to slip away, when he -found himself compelled to relinquish his prize.</p> - -<p>Jim stared all around, but could see nothing of him he -sought, and concluded, under the circumstances, it was best -to make his way back as speedily as possible.</p> - -<p>“I tinks I’ve run ’nough to ’arn a ride,” he reflected, as -he put himself astride the back of his own horse, and -turned his head homeward; “an’, as dat darkey ain’t anywhere’s -about, I won’t wait for him.”</p> - -<p>When the nature of the ground would permit, he put -the horses on a good swinging gallop, and, in a short time, -encountered the mule walking leisurely toward him. Before -this obstinate animal could be induced to take the right -direction, Jim was obliged to get off his horse, and press -his shoulder against that of the mule, until he had described -a half circle, when he came round right, and was left to go -without any other direction.</p> - -<p>The rider exercised himself awhile in endeavoring to get -him off his walk, but he speedily gave that over as useless, -and rode ahead, well aware that so long as he kept a linear -direction, the long-eared animal would eventually come up -with him.</p> - -<p>It was not long before he struck the canon, but at a -point where it looked unsafe to cross. Believing himself -above the place he had forded, he turned down its bank in -quest of it; but, after going fully a mile, discovered his -mistake, and was about turning back, when he caught a -glimpse of a broad sheet of water, and suspected at once -that here was a lake into which the stream flowed. As the -roaring, compressed canon must end here, he kept steadily -on, and soon halted at the view of a scene so beautiful and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span> -enchanting, that his untutored mind was filled with admiration.</p> - -<p>The canon suddenly spread out into a broad rapid stream, -which flowed into a lake of about a half mile in diameter. -Under the bright moonlight, it had the appearance of “liquid -silver”—an expression by no means original, but so -literally truthful, that we can use no other—and in the still -summer night there was not a ripple upon its surface. In -the center rose a small island, so abruptly, that, covered as -it was with vegetation, it had the appearance of a <ins class="corr" id="tn6" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'boquet'">bouquet</ins>, -and would have reminded a traveler of the famous Lakes of -Killarney.</p> - -<p>Jim noticed that the opposite shore was rocky and -fringed with trees, and the lake appeared to stand on the -edge of a large wood.</p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere is nice!” was his reflection, as, from the back -of his horse, he looked out upon the fairy-like scene. “What -a good place dat would be for George to build a house. I -tink we could run a bridge ’cross to de land, or hab a ferryboat -to run atween it an’ de shore.”</p> - -<p>“Hullo! dere goes sombody,” he added, as he saw a -canoe put out from the shore to his right, and head toward -the island. The full moon had now sunk toward the horizon, -so that the shadow of the trees and island were thrown -far out upon the lake; and, as the single Indian who impelled -the canoe, issued from the broad band of darkness -which lay along the shore, every motion of his dusky, muscular -arms was plainly seen. He managed his oar with -such skill, that his body never seemed to incline a hair’s -breadth to the right or left. The flash of the paddle seemed -born of the paddle itself, as he held the point in the water, -instead of coming from his hand, as the tail of a fish is sometimes -seen to move in the water, when its body remains -motionless. The canoe sped forward without the least -sound, but instead of halting at the island, Jim observed -that it passed behind it, and immediately disappeared.</p> - -<p>The African now drove his horses into the water, and -crossed without difficulty. As he came out, he halted a -moment to take a last view of the little gem which rose<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> -from the lake. The first glance nearly frightened him out -of his wits; for, on the nearest point, he saw a thin, waving, -arrowy point of light rise to the height of five or six -feet, and then vibrate back and forth, as though held by a -hand which oscillated from right to left.</p> - -<p>While he sat amazed, a second flame, precisely similar, -arose from another point of the island, and then another, -and another, until fully half a dozen were visible, every -one issuing from that portion of the island which touched -the edge of the water. It was indeed a small representation -of what Magellan, the great circumnavigator, saw in -1520, when he sailed by Terra del Fuego.</p> - -<p>“I tinks it’s ’bout time Mr. Tubbs left dese parts,” chattered -Jim, as, with a shiver of horror, he started his horses -homeward.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<p>Jim had gone but a short distance, when, still fascinated -by his great terror, he reined up his horses and looked -back at the moonlit lake and the little island in its center. -Could he believe his eyes? <em>Yes; it was moving.</em> He saw -it slowly float toward the wood, until, unable to control his -excessive fear, he once more gave the rein to his animal, -and did not pause until he was far beyond sight of the lake -and its Enchanted Island.</p> - -<p>The negro rode a considerable distance, when, as objects -around him began to wear a singular look, he drew his animals -down to a walk, and, on the edge of a rocky grove of -small trees, came to a dead halt.</p> - -<p>“Dis yere looks strange! I disremember dese trees; Ise -afeerd Mr. Tubbs is off de track, an’ how is he gwine to git -on agin, am de question.”</p> - -<p>The country through which he was journeying, was a -broad valley, interspersed with streams and canons, trees -and open spaces, and huge boulders piled promiscuously -here and there, and in some places so thickly strewn as to -become almost impassable. There were acres where one -could gallop as free as upon the beaten road, and then, for -the same distance, it was the utmost that a horseman could -do to pick his way along.</p> - -<p>In the hurried manner in which Jim had made headway -across the desolate tract, it was not to be supposed that he -entertained a very vivid recollection of the landmarks; but -he had quite a memory of places, and after he had rested -his animal for a few moments, he became certain that he -was lost. Under these circumstances, his only resource -was to fall back on general principles, and take the course<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -which he believed would eventually lead him to the neighborhood -of the cave.</p> - -<p>By carefully studying the position of the moon, he believed -he was going too much to the south, and, turning to the -right, he followed this course at a slow walk, watching carefully -for some landmarks which could be recognized. Discovering -none, and it being well on toward midnight, he -checked his horses, with the intention of waiting until morning.</p> - -<p>Jim was pretty tired, and, tying the horses together, he -lay down on the ground beside a rock, and in a few moments -was asleep. He was undisturbed until daylight, -when he was awakened in a manner which brought a howl -of terror from him.</p> - -<p>Some crushing weight descended upon his foot, and, -starting up, he gazed about him for the cause. It proved -nothing less than the baggage mule so frequently referred -to, which, in journeying straight forward in the path which -he had been started upon, had thus come directly upon the -sleeping African.</p> - -<p>“What!” he shouted, placing himself directly in front -of the animal, and checking him in the same manner that a -wall of rock would have done. “Dat ’ere is queer!” he -laughed, “dat I put myself right afore you. Shouldn’t -wonder now if you was on de right track; leastways we’ll -try you.”</p> - -<p>The mule was fired up, and, as it moved on again, the -negro followed on the back of his own horse. To his great -surprise and gratification, he had gone but a short distance -when he caught sight of a small clump of trees which he -recognized as a point passed by him shortly after he had -started in pursuit of the Mohave and his prey.</p> - -<p>He was highly pleased at this, and pressing on until he -had reached the grove, became convinced that he was on -the right track, and would rejoin his friends in the course -of an hour. Beyond this spot all was familiar, and he advanced -without hesitation or misgiving. Reaching the point -where their animals had been tethered, he drove them in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> -among the trees, and, first securing them, started out in -quest of his friends.</p> - -<p>Jim had walked but a few yards, when it suddenly occurred -to him, as he recalled the previous night’s experience, -that there might be danger in advancing so openly to -the cave. It was a very easy matter for a party of aborigines -to conceal themselves along the banks, and rush upon -and secure him before he could help himself.</p> - -<p>It struck him, too, as he approached the cave, that an -unnatural stillness reigned around it. The sun was now -up, and it was high time that his friends were bestirring -themselves. A vague fear took possession of the African, -as he halted some rods away, and looked furtively about -him. Everything was so quiet—nothing moving except the -stream, and that made scarcely a ripple as it glided over its -sandy bed.</p> - -<p>Jim was standing in this apprehensive state when a -slight noise in the rear startled him. Turning his alarmed -gaze, he expected to behold a whole troop of painted red -men about to swoop down upon him; but, in the place of -that, recognized the smiling face of young Edwin Inwood.</p> - -<p>“Bress me, but you scart dis chile dat time!” said Jim, -his teeth fairly chattering at the remembrance of his shock.</p> - -<p>“I threw a stone to let you know I was near; I didn’t -mean to frighten you.”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t de stone dat scart me, it was de thought dat -I tink it was sumfin’ else. Whar’s George?”</p> - -<p>“Inside the cave.”</p> - -<p>“Had breakfast?”</p> - -<p>“No; we were just going to prepare it. Here he -comes!”</p> - -<p>At this moment, George Inwood made his appearance -above ground, and he greeted the negro with great gladness. -The latter soon gave an account of his pursuit and -capture of the horses, and his safe return with them.</p> - -<p>“You have done very well, Jim, especially when we remember -that you had no gun with you. There are few -men who would have dared to do so, even when fully -armed.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span></p> - -<p>“But, dat ain’t all,” added the colored man, as he heaved -a great sigh, “I seen de most awfulest ting you ever heard -tell on.”</p> - -<p>In answer to their anxious inquiry, he gave what has already -been given by us, winding up with the declaration:</p> - -<p>“An’ when I looked back de last time, what do you -’spose I seen? Why, I seen dat island rise up, flap its -wings, an’ fly away!”</p> - -<p>“There, Jim, that’s a little too much,” laughed the elder -Inwood.</p> - -<p>“When it flapped its wings, didn’t it also crow?” asked -Edwin, whose interest in the narrative was turned into -equally intense amusement at this culmination.</p> - -<p>“You folks can laugh,” retorted Jim, indignantly, “but -wait till you see what I did, an’ de shivers will run all ober -you.”</p> - -<p>“It may be possible that it was a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mirage</i>,” said George, -somewhat impressed by the earnest manner of his sable -friend.</p> - -<p>“A <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mirage</i> by moonlight?” inquired Edwin.</p> - -<p>“Such things have been heard of, I believe, although -very rarely.”</p> - -<p>“What’s a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mirage</i>?” demanded Jim.</p> - -<p>By great perseverance, George succeeded in giving Jim -a sort of an idea of what he meant, although, in all probability, -he would have regarded the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mirage</i> itself equally -mysterious and wonderful as the bodily exit of a <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">bona fide</i> -island before his eyes.</p> - -<p>“All I got to say is, you jes’ go an’ see it, an’ den you’ll -stop laughing at dem as what undertakes to explanify it to -you.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps we shall have the opportunity, as I have concluded -to leave these quarters.”</p> - -<p>“What fur?”</p> - -<p>“In the first place, our safety demands it. The Indians -have found out we are here, and they will hover about and -watch us, until some time they will pounce down upon us -before we know it.”</p> - -<p>“What ob dat? Didn’t they do it last ebening?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes; and Providentially we were able to drive them off; -but you can see that if a hundred of them should come -down here, they could keep us in the cave until we died of -thirst or starvation, or were compelled to surrender, and -our end in each case would be the same.”</p> - -<p>“But we hadn’t orter leave de gold jus’ as we ’gin to -find it.”</p> - -<p>“We shall leave a very small quantity of it behind. -The supply has about run out. You remember that we -had a small lot yesterday. The reason was that we had -gathered about all there was, and so you see there is nothing -to keep us here, while we have every inducement to -draw us away.”</p> - -<p>As this was undoubtedly the case, there was no gainsaying -the argument of Inwood, and it was decided to move -their quarters without further delay. Breakfast was prepared, -during which Edwin took his station and kept a -sharp watch for straggling Indians. None were discovered, -and he descended and joined them in the morning meal. -Their baggage was piled on the mule, the five tiny sacks -which contained the yellow dust, were taken in charge by -George, and while it was yet early in the day, they took up -the line of march.</p> - -<p>Very appropriately, Jim led the way, he riding his nag -with all the dignity of a conqueror at the head of his army. -Inwood was not so particularly anxious to see the Enchanted -Island, as he was to make sure that no Mohaves -were following or watching them. The most vigilant scrutiny -failed to detect any of the dreaded creatures, and our -friends finally ventured to believe that with due prudence -they could reach a place of safety.</p> - -<p>It was past noon, when Jim, who was riding a short distance -in advance, ascended a small elevation, and then suddenly -made a signal for his companions to hurry alongside -of him. The next moment the three were side by side.</p> - -<p>“Dere!” said Jim, pointing off to the east, “is de lake -an’ de island.”</p> - -<p>The beautiful, circular sheet of water lay a half mile away, -and right in the center was an island about fifty feet in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> -length, and half that distance in breadth. It was covered -with young trees and dense vegetation, and in the bright -sunlight had a cool, fresh appearance, which made it still -more pleasant than when viewed under the witching rays -of the moon.</p> - -<p>George Inwood produced a small spy-glass from his -pocket, and scanned it long and narrowly. There was -something about this little island, aside from the marvellous -stories related of it by Jim, which awakened his curiosity. -While apparently still and devoid of life, he saw -signs which convinced him that more than one person was -upon it.</p> - -<p>In among the leaves he could detect a fluttering, tremulous -motion, and around the edge of the island were ripples -which must have been caused by human hands, as the surface -of the lake in every other portion was as smooth as a -mirror. He thought he heard once or twice a plashing -sound, which came either from the island itself, or from directly -behind it. He decided to say nothing of his suspicions -until he had learned more of it, what certainly wore a -singular look, to say the least.</p> - -<p>He was on the point of lowering his glass, when a slight -movement among the bushes on the eastern shore of the -lake caught his eye, and he immediately directed his gaze -toward that point.</p> - -<p>The naked vision would have discovered nothing, but by -the aid of the lens he discovered a man standing on the very -edge of the wood, and scrutinizing the party. At first -glance, he took him to be an Indian, but a continued examination -satisfied Inwood that the stranger was a white man, -dressed and painted as a red man. What gave this impression -was the fact that his outfit was not complete, being -deficient about his head. This, instead of being bare, -with the long, wiry black hair stained and ornamented with -eagle feathers, (as is the custom of the Mohaves and -Apaches) was surmounted by a slouched hat which entirely -concealed the short hair.</p> - -<p>The painted white man gazed long and intently upon the -party, from which fact Inwood judged that he was displeased<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -at their appearance and anxious to keep himself invisible. -This, united with the curious facts noted regarding -the appearance of the island, furnished food for speculation, -and Inwood lowered his glass and placed it away -with the conviction that there was some mystery connected -with this lake and the tiny island resting in the center, -which, perhaps, it might be well for him to attempt to -fathom.</p> - -<p>“What you tink ob him?” inquired Jim, much wondering -at the continued silence of Inwood.</p> - -<p>“It is the finest scene I have ever looked upon. Nothing -could be more beautiful than the lake, and the island, and -the green shores which surround, and the white mountain -peaks away in the distance.”</p> - -<p>“Wait till you see it fly away—den I guess you tink it -beautifuller yet.”</p> - -<p>“I am afraid I shall have to wait a good while,” said -Inwood.</p> - -<p>“Shall we go on?” inquired Edwin.</p> - -<p>“I rather like the appearance of the country around here, -and I think we are as likely to find gold as in any other -place. We will hunt up some good spot, take up our -quarters, and go to prospecting. The best plan, I think, is -for us to turn square around and start back again.”</p> - -<p>“What dat for?”</p> - -<p>Edwin, too, looked an inquiry, but George said he had a -good reason, and accordingly it was done.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p>The party turned about as if to retrace their steps; but -the moment they had descended the hill, so as to be out of -sight of the Enchanted Island, Inwood dismounted, and said -to his friends:</p> - -<p>“Now, you walk the horses as slowly as you can, and -when you get beyond that grove of trees, wait for me, but -don’t halt until you are there.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span></p> - -<p>Jim and Edwin looked wonderingly at him, but he waved -them impatiently away, and trailing his rifle, ran rapidly -around the brow of the hill from which he had taken his -view of the lake, and, gaining a position where he could still -see it, he screened himself from observation, and carefully -awaited the confirmation of his suspicions.</p> - -<p>He had been here about twenty minutes, when he observed -an agitation in the bushes between the hill and the -lake, and the next minute the head and shoulders of a man -rose to view. One glance identified him as the individual -whom he had surveyed through his telescope, and it is -hardly necessary to say that our young friend watched his -motions with intense interest.</p> - -<p>Looking cautiously about him, as if to satisfy himself that -he was unobserved, the stranger soon came fully to view, -and commenced ascending the hill with a silent, cautious -step. Reaching a point almost to the summit, he sank -down on his hands and knees, and looked over. Watching -the horsemen, who, by this time, were a third of a mile -distant, for a few moments, he laid his rifle across a mound -of earth, and took a long, deliberate sight.</p> - -<p>Inwood felt very uncomfortable as he watched this operation, -and he was on the point of bringing his own gun to -his shoulder to prevent this murder, when the piece was -discharged, and, glancing at his friends, he saw that they -were not disturbed enough to cause them to look around.</p> - -<p>“Try it again!” muttered Inwood, “that is rather too -long a range for a gun like yours.”</p> - -<p>The man, after the failure of his piece, took an upright -position, and watched the horsemen with an intensity of -gaze which showed that for some reason or other, he had a -deep interest in their movements. Finally they rode behind -the grove referred to, and the man, with a great sigh -and some muttered words, turned on his heel and descended -the hill.</p> - -<p>“That man, for some reason or other, doesn’t wish any -visitors in these parts,” was the reflection of Inwood, “and -he has a special objection to white men. There is some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> -connection between what I have seen and that island out in -the lake.”</p> - -<p>Having learned all that he deemed it safe to learn, he -carefully made his way out of his hiding place, and soon after -rejoined his friends behind the grove. Jim had had -some difficulty in controlling the actions of the mule, but -he had succeeded at last in bringing him to a stop by shying -him against the trunk of a tree, as he swung round his -circle.</p> - -<p>“Dat’s de way to put de brakes on,” said Jim, “no danger -ob de wheels slippin’—fotched him up <em>chock</em>!”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you didn’t understand what I meant,” remarked -George, as he resumed his horse, “but I discovered -a man watching us, and I wanted to watch him a little.”</p> - -<p>“Did you see him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; but I took good care that he didn’t see me. You -heard a gun fired shortly after you left. That was done by -him, and he took deliberate aim at you, but the distance -proved too great.”</p> - -<p>As might be expected, this announcement created quite a -sensation.</p> - -<p>“He is a white man,” added George, “although he is disguised -as an Indian. Why he should do so, I cannot understand, -but I suspect he does not want any one to know -that there are white men in this vicinity. It might draw -others here, to which he appears to have a strong objection.”</p> - -<p>“It has sumfin’ to do wid dat ’ere island!” asserted -Jim.</p> - -<p>“I believe you are correct.”</p> - -<p>“An’ dere is <em>spooks</em> about, so’ de best ting we can do is -to trabble. I—I—I—don’t tink the air around here ’grees -wid me.”</p> - -<p>“We must find a suitable place and settle down here for -a few months, or, at any rate, until I understand the mystery -about this Enchanted Island.”</p> - -<p>“Jus’ as you says; I don’t care about Ingins, for I can -come de gold trick ober dem, but I don’t like <em>spooks</em>.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t you serve them the same way?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span></p> - -<p>“No; dey won’t hold still; dey is always oneasy, an’ -den I’s afeered ob ’em.”</p> - -<p>“They have never harmed any one as yet.”</p> - -<p>“But dey will carry you off—dat’s what dey will do.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think we are going to find any gold?” inquired -Edwin.</p> - -<p>“We may and we may not; the chances are equally -good in almost any place in this section.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose there is plenty of hunting?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; and we will let you range the woods. Jim may -look for gold, while I keep my eye on this island. I think -we shall all find enough to interest us.”</p> - -<p>“I’s no ’bjection, so long as I don’t have to hunt <em>spooks</em>,” -replied the negro.</p> - -<p>“It seems to me,” continued George, pointing to the -south, “that off yonder must be a good place for our camping -ground. Suppose we make a search there?”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s good,” said Jim, with a pleased countenance, -“don’t you see dat de mule has got his head turned dat -way. Jus’ wait a minute.”</p> - -<p>The animal was shoved a little to one side, so as to go -clear of the tree, when he instantly started off on his long, -loping walk, while the rest followed.</p> - -<p>The point indicated by George Inwood was a mile away, -and when they reached it, they found themselves on the -border of a large wood, with an undergrowth of almost impenetrable -density. A small stream of clear cold water -gushed silently forth; and, following up the pebbly bed of -this for several yards, they made an abrupt turn to the -right, when they fixed upon their camping ground. A -small space was cleared off, and their tent erected, when -they made search for a grazing ground for their horses. -This was found without much difficulty, and, by the middle -of the afternoon, they were fairly settled in their new quarters.</p> - -<p>They had enough provisions to give them a meal, when -they all lay down to rest and chat over matters.</p> - -<p>“To-morrow, Edwin, you start on your hunt,” said<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -George, “and, as we are in a totally new country, you must -use extra caution.”</p> - -<p>“What shall I bring you?” asked the young hunter, “a -grizzly bear or an antelope?”</p> - -<p>“I prefers an antelope,” replied Jim, “an’ if you comes -across a grizzly b’ar, you’d better take my advice an’ give -him a wide berfh.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; fire your gun only when it is necessary; don’t -be tempted aside by any wish for sport, or any ambition to -become a great hunter.”</p> - -<p>Edwin had received this advice so often that he did not -see the necessity of its being repeated. He could only repeat -his intention to be prudent and careful, as he had been -at all times.</p> - -<p>“As we have several hours of daylight before us,” continued -Inwood, “suppose we make a reconnoisance of the -lake?”</p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere will suit me,” replied Jim, “I want you to -see dat island fly away. I know you won’t b’lieve it till -you see it.”</p> - -<p>“That I certainly shall not; you will go with us, Edwin?”</p> - -<p>“I would rather take a ramble in another direction, if -you are willing.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly; try and be in before dusk. Come, Jim, if -you are ready.”</p> - -<p>They stepped into the brook, and, walking on the hard, -pebbly bed, soon emerged into the open, rocky country, -about a mile distant from the lake.</p> - -<p>“Now, Jim,” said Inwood, “we must be particularly -cautious. There are other white men in this neighborhood, -and I am sure if they knew we were here, they would as -lief kill us as not, to get us out of the way.”</p> - -<p>“’Spose so; but den what would <em>we</em> do all dat time?” -was the surly demand of the African. “While dey was doing -dat, we’d have de chance to try de <em>gold trick</em>. I would -just as lieb see dem as not—a little lieber, I tink.”</p> - -<p>“I would not; if we can get along without trouble, it is -our duty to do so, and I particularly request you to be cautious<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -in your movements. The man that I watched has already -fired his gun at us, and if he can steal up within a -hundred feet, it isn’t likely he’ll make such a miss as he -did awhile ago.”</p> - -<p>“Hang ’em! what do dey wish to shoot us for?”</p> - -<p>“That’s the question which I wish to settle.”</p> - -<p>“An’ what does he want to make hisself look like one -ob dem darkeys for, ’stead ob being ’spectable?”</p> - -<p>“It is all curious, Jim, but I have hopes that we may -penetrate the mystery before long.”</p> - -<p>All this time the two men were carefully making their -way toward the lake, both of them constantly gazing about -them to discover any signs of danger. Inwood saw nothing, -and was about to congratulate himself upon the secrecy -which had attended their entrance into this strange section, -when Jim suddenly started.</p> - -<p>“Dere he is! look dere!”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>He pointed a little to the right of the lake; but, as Inwood -followed the direction of his finger, he saw nothing, -and so he said.</p> - -<p>“He jest now dropped down—right dere—let’s foller him -up,” exclaimed the negro, dashing straight at the spot, -while Inwood speedily followed him, hardly certain whether -he was acting prudently or not in doing so.</p> - -<p>All the time they kept their eyes fixed upon the point, -and the nature of the ground being such that the stranger -could not escape without being seen, they were confident -of either catching or identifying him. Jim made good progress -<ins class="corr" id="tn7" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'despite, his ungainly manner of traveling'">despite his ungainly manner of traveling</ins>, -and, in a few minutes, he came upon the place, which consisted of a -small rock raised about a foot above the surface. Dashing -forward, he made a spring over it, his immense feet coming -down simultaneously and tremendously.</p> - -<p>“<em>Dere, I got you! hold still now, for you is fast!</em>”</p> - -<p>But he wasn’t, no one was there.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - -<p>Inwood laughed at the look of his sable friend, as he -gazed about him, as if he did not understand the meaning -of all this.</p> - -<p>“Where is your man?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Gracious! I don’t know; wonder if I didn’t mash him -down into de ground,” he said, stepping to one side and reviewing -the huge footprints which he had made in the sod. -“He ain’t dere! wonder where he went?”</p> - -<p>“I suspect he hasn’t been there at all. You must have -been mistaken, Jim. Are there any other footprints?”</p> - -<p>After strict search they failed to find any, and Inwood -was satisfied of Jim’s mistake, although the latter was loth -to admit it.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said Inwood, “I am going to find out all I can -about matters and things. If you choose you can go home, -or you can remain here.”</p> - -<p>“If it’s all de same to you, I tinks I’ll retire,” said Jim, -displaying considerable eagerness to get out of the immediate -neighborhood. Inwood watched him until he disappeared -from view as he went crouching among the rocks -and hills back to his hiding place.</p> - -<p>It was now near nightfall, and our young friend deemed -it best to make himself invisible until he could reconnoitre -with safety in the darkness. In this wild, rocky country, -it was easy to find a secure hiding place, and this he did, -first satisfying himself that he was not watched in his manœuvres.</p> - -<p>Night finally descended upon mountain and lake, and -when it was fully dark, Inwood crept cautiously forth, and -approached the edge of the water. The moon did not rise -until late, and he was sure that if any sentinel was on guard,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span> -he had not detected his approach. He had come upon the -lake at a point several hundred yards removed from the point -where the canon debouched into it, and he sat down for a -few moments to meditate upon the best thing to do.</p> - -<p>As he sat and listened, he was sure he heard a faint rippling -out upon the lake near the point where he could just -make out the dark outlines of the island looming up in the -distance; but the gloom prevented his discovering anything -more. Behind and around him was darkness, and in that -solemn moment, George Inwood (naturally devout and -thoughtful) lifted up his heart to the great Being above the -stars, and sat for a time in blissful communion, such as the -men of the world can never know.</p> - -<p>He felt that this was a strange undertaking upon which -he was about to venture, and, with the simplicity of a -child, he asked that he might do that only which was right, -and that he and those with him might be protected to the -end.</p> - -<p>He concluded, after fully deliberating upon the matter, -to remove his clothing, and swim out to the island. By -this means he could examine it silently and thoroughly, -and with more safety than if he remained on shore waiting -for a suitable opportunity.</p> - -<p>His clothing was rolled into a bundle, and placed in a -niche among the rocks, after which he took his bearings to -make sure of no difficulty in recovering them. This done, -he waded carefully out, immediately rushing above his -head into the chilly waters. The first shock over, the lake -felt cool and pleasant, and he struck out slowly and easily -toward the island.</p> - -<p>As he neared the place which had created such wonder, -he slowed his strokes, until he barely moved through the -water, while he kept his eyes and ears open. Nothing -suspicious rewarded his vigilance, and he was on the point -of advancing more rapidly, when he detected the outlines -of a man standing on the very edge of the island nearest -him.</p> - -<p>Inwood was so close that at first he was sure he had -been discovered; but, as the stranger gave no evidence of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> -suspecting anything, he slowly backed water, and gradually -worked his way round to the opposite side. Here he dallied -awhile, until seeing nothing alarming, he began making -his way in.</p> - -<p>But again, at this very juncture, he caught the glimmer -of a light, heard the suppressed murmur of a voice, followed -by a gentle plashing. The next moment he made -the startling discovery that, while he was not approaching -the island, it was approaching him. An indescribable thrill -ran through him, and he understood the feeling which Jim -had expressed; but his own sense forbade any faltering, -and he concluded to wait for the “mountain to come to Mohamet.”</p> - -<p>A moment later he touched the edge of the island, and -then learned that instead of earth, his hands were resting -against logs, and that they extended several feet below the -surface.</p> - -<p>“I have learned one thing,” was the reflection of Inwood, -“this Enchanted Island rests upon logs, and isn’t much more -than a skilfully covered raft.”</p> - -<p>But the question still remained, as to what it all meant. -What earthly reason could there be for a floating island in -the midst of a lonely lake? There was some object beyond -all question, and he resolved, if possible, to ascertain it for -himself.</p> - -<p>As he floated along with the island, he heard the grating -of poles upon the bottom of the lake, and it was therefore -easy to comprehend the means of locomotion. Shortly after -he detected shadowy forms passing to and fro, as they -busied themselves in shoving the craft along. The phantom -like appearance of things was increased by the silence -with which these men worked. As yet, he had not heard -a whisper exchanged between them.</p> - -<p>Inwood right speedily appreciated the delicately dangerous -position in which he was placed. One of the raftmen, -as he drove his pole down into the water, just missed driving -it into his crown, but he was an excellent swimmer, -and he relied upon his skill in the perilous feature which -this adventure was putting on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span></p> - -<p>“The old thing moves rather heavy!” finally remarked -one of the men, in a gruff voice.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” was the response, “it acts as if the logs were becoming -water-soaked. I’ve noticed for the last day or two -that it seems to have sunk a few inches.”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose maybe it’s carrying a pretty good load.”</p> - -<p>This remark seemed to contain some hidden meaning -which pleased the fancy of the others, for they all indulged -in a quiet laugh.</p> - -<p>These words, as a matter of course, were overheard by -Inwood, who was puzzled more and more to understand -their meaning; but the men did not seem to take up a train -of remarks calculated to enlighten him. They plied the -<ins class="corr" id="tn8" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'unwieldly'">unwieldy</ins> craft -for a few minutes longer in silence, and then, -as one paused to rest a moment, he spoke in this manner -to him who was standing nearest:</p> - -<p>“Too bad that a parcel should come down on us at this -time.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; and I’m afraid they’re going to stay.”</p> - -<p>“We gave the darkey a good enough fright to keep him -away, but that man doesn’t look as if he could be frightened -by any such thing.”</p> - -<p>“There’s a youngster, too, I noticed to-day, when I fired -at them.”</p> - -<p>“Very likely they’ll get far enough away not to trouble -us any more. It looked to me as though the darkey had -brought them back to take a look at the lake and island, -seeing which, they were satisfied and went back.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so, for it’s too bad——”</p> - -<p>At this juncture, the man thrust his pole into the water, -and applied his strength to it, as a consequence of which, -his words came so mutilated through his closed teeth as to -be unintelligible to the intensely interested person on the -other side.</p> - -<p>All at once, Inwood felt his feet touch the bottom, and, -turning his head, saw that they were within a hundred -yards of the shore. Whether they intended anchoring a -short distance from the land, or to lie against it, was unknown -to him, although he surmised the latter, as the depth<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -remained the same, and they still used their poles with the -<ins class="corr" id="tn9" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'some'">same</ins> -resolve as at first.</p> - -<p>If Inwood was right in his conjectures on this point, he -saw that he must evacuate his position to escape being -jammed between it and the rock.</p> - -<p>Moving carefully along the edge of the raft, he made his -way around the end, when he became aware of another -fact which could not fail to give him uneasiness. The moon -was rising, and as soon as it came above the wood or mountain, -could scarcely fail to reveal him; but, as a few moments -later they would be along the shore, he conjectured -that if the worst came to worst, he could dart into the -wood and take his chances of escape.</p> - -<p>Shortly after, the Enchanted Island lightly touched the -shore, and immediately, to the delight of Inwood, the three -men whom he had noticed, sprang off and disappeared with -rather a remarkable abruptness—so singular indeed that he -believed they intended to return, and he therefore maintained -his position until this point was settled.</p> - -<p>Fifteen or twenty minutes passing away, and bringing -no sight nor sound of them, he hesitated a moment, and -then concluded to clamber upon the island and satisfy himself, -so far as possible, regarding it. Still a vague sense or -danger restrained him. It did not seem improbable that a -sentinel was stationed upon this curious piece of workmanship, -although if such were the case, he took particular -good care to keep quiet and unobserved.</p> - -<p>To satisfy himself, Inwood, with his hands drew himself -twice entirely around the island. This gave him an accurate -idea of its size, and showed him that its base was wood. -He saw nothing suspicious, although a dozen men could -have been effectually concealed in the dense shrubbery.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a whim took possession of him to dive beneath -it, and examine its construction as he passed along. This -plan offered the least danger, and the breadth of the island -was such that he could do it with little or no difficulty.</p> - -<p>Sinking softly downward until he reached the lowest -point, he struck rapidly out, and had taken but one stroke -beneath the surface, when he came abruptly upward, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -as he threw his hands above, felt nothing but the water. -The next moment, to his unbounded surprise, he found -that he was in the center of the island, which enclosed him -on every side. In fact, it was a floating circle, the middle -portion being open and full of water.</p> - -<p>George felt around until he placed his hand upon a support, -when he came to the conclusion that he had advanced -another step in the solution of this mystery, but the step -had taken him into as blank darkness as had the first move -he made.</p> - -<p>Here was proof that the Enchanted Island, as he had -named it from his first impression, was the careful work of -human hands, although why it ever should have been made -was totally unexplainable. In the midst of his meditation -on this point, he was not a little startled to observe, by -the increasing light of the moon, the figure of a man, undoubtedly -a sentinel, who, by the nodding of his head, was -either half or wholly asleep.</p> - -<p>Which was a very fortunate thing for Mr. Inwood, otherwise -he could not have failed of discovering himself to him. -Sheltered by the shade of the shrubbery, he made as hasty -examination as possible of the contour of this interior basin, -but could discover nothing more than that it was oblong in -shape, and quite even around its edges.</p> - -<p>It was while engaged in this survey that the man arose -and looked down into the water, as if he saw something suspicious.</p> - -<p>“There’s <em>something</em> there!” he muttered in an audible -voice, “and I’ve heard it more than once. It’s a queer -fish, I think.”</p> - -<p>The queer fish, at this juncture, deemed it prudent to -sink down and retreat to the outer surface of the lake, -which place he reached just in time to see his man standing -along shore with a huge pole, as if watching for him to rise. -Fortunately, he was so close to the shore, as to be in -shadow, and, feeling his way along, he speedily reached -land, where he waited until his friend’s attention was called -in another direction, when he crawled out, somewhat weakened -by his long habitation in the water.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span></p> - -<p>But the object of his reconnoisance, so far as possible, -was obtained, and he set out on his return. He experienced -some difficulty in recovering his clothing, but succeeded -at last, and started rapidly homeward. He was not -a little alarmed upon reaching the place to find that neither -Jim nor Edwin was there.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p>Young Edwin Inwood had been deprived so long of his -hunt, that he determined to improve his time to the utmost. -He took a direction exactly opposite to the one pursued by -his brother, and soon found himself in the midst of the -wood which contained their new home, where it was open -and easily traveled.</p> - -<p>It was his wish to secure an antelope, which were quite -abundant in this section, although almost entirely unknown -a little further south, and he walked very carefully, well -aware of the acuteness of their hearing. A quarter of a -mile or so brought him to a broad, wild ravine, and, looking -down this, the first object that met his eye was a group -of Mohave Indians seated around a camp-fire. Three sat -smoking, and two were engaged in dressing a fine plump -antelope, and preparing it for their supper.</p> - -<p>They were fully a hundred feet below where the boy -stood, and several hundred yards distant. He watched -them for some time with interest. Each had around his -person or near him, one of those brilliant and wonderfully -woven blankets, which have made the Indians of the distant -southwest known all over the country. They were painted -and daubed up like a lot of <ins class="corr" id="tn10" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: childrens'">children’s</ins> -toys, their coarse black hair hanging loosely over their shoulders, while its -usual stiffness was intensified by the rainbow-hued stuff -smeared among it. It makes a fellow look hideously comical -to see his face of all colors, and there was something in -the outlandish look of these Mohaves which would have<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> -brought a grim smile to the countenance of him who had -scarcely ever laughed.</p> - -<p>They never once raised their heads, although Edwin scrutinized -them so closely that he was sure they were a portion -of the party which had attacked them at the cave, and -he recognized the very individual who was so handsomely -vanquished in his attempt to shake hands with Jim Tubbs. -This being the case, he entertained much less fear of them -than he would, had they been strangers.</p> - -<p>But, recollecting that he had come out for the purpose -of obtaining food, he turned away and wandered off in another -direction. While he was asking himself whether it -would be prudent to fire his gun in their vicinity or not, a -fine plump young antelope rushed by him with the speed -of the wind. Quick as thought his gun was over his shoulder, -and, with a frenzied leap, the beautiful creature dropped, -and, after a few frantic struggles, lay dead.</p> - -<p>Edwin hurried up to him, and, drawing his knife, commenced -dressing it and securing the choicest portions for -their supper. Absorbed thus in his work, he forgot entirely -the proximity of the aborigines. He had about completed -his work, when, with lightning-like suddenness, a reflection -of his peril came over him, and he rose erect and -glanced about him.</p> - -<p>Providentially his first look was directed toward the -proper point, and he saw at quite a distance two Indians, -standing perfectly motionless, and watching him seemingly -with great interest. The moment he raised his head they -darted each behind a tree, evidently not through fear, but -with a far different object.</p> - -<p>Edwin was a boy with an intelligence and perception beyond -his years, and he immediately saw his danger, and -looked furtively around to learn the best direction in which -to retreat. His first thought was to run straight from the -red men and, observing that the wood was thicker and -more broken, he did not hesitate, but started off at once.</p> - -<p>Casting one glance over his shoulder, he observed the -two aborigines after him, although neither of them gave utterance -to the “yell,” which, with the proverbial “<i>ugh</i>,”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> -seems to be about the only language which ever emerges -from the lips of the North American Indian, if the authority -of story writers is to be taken.</p> - -<p>In a race of this kind, we could not dare risk our reputation -in saying that the little fellow was anything like a -match for his lithe pursuers. He hadn’t been in training as -long as they, and it was impossible that the cowardly Mohaves -should not gain upon him with sad certainty.</p> - -<p>All of which he expected, and he therefore turned all his -energies toward finding some place in which he could conceal -himself. Bounding over and among the rough and -rugged rocks, he turned at right angles to the course he had -been following, darted a few rods ahead, and then, to his -dismay, found himself on the banks of a small, rapid -stream.</p> - -<p>But there was no time for hesitation. He ran along the -shore a little way, and then rapidly climbed a small tree, -dragging his rifle as best he could after him. Here he -crouched among the branches, and, panting and trembling, -awaited the result.</p> - -<p>As yet, he had not heard a sound, but he did not dare -hope that his pursuers were off the scent. He had read -certain wonderful tales of the miraculous prowess of the -“red men of the woods,” and had every reason to believe -that they were perfect bloodhounds in such matters.</p> - -<p>Nor was he mistaken; for he had not been in his elevated -position five minutes, when, through the interstices of -the leaves, he saw one of them walking along the edge of -the stream, carefully examining the ground, occasionally -pausing and looking about him, and now and then making -a curious, gyrating motion with his hand over his head, -which the boy did not understand, but which we suspect -was a signal for his companion.</p> - -<p>It would have been the easiest thing in the world for -Edwin Inwood to load his gun, and shoot the Mohave who -was stealing so cautiously upon him; but he hesitated. It -is no light thing to take a human life, even if it belong to an -Indian, and he did not wish to commit such a deed, unless -his own self preservation demanded it. Whether it did or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> -not was the question which the boy considered, and upon -which he was hardly able to decide.</p> - -<p>Suppose he did slay the red man, his companion remained, -against whom he could do nothing, and who would be sure -to visit a cruel punishment upon him. No; he decided that -the time had not yet come for him to do such a thing.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the Mohave was close at hand. Not -once did he raise his head, but walked slowly along, examining -the ground, and looking across the stream as though -he expected to see the fugitive. The heart of the latter -gave a throb as he saw him pass beyond the tree which -contained himself; but the temporary hope thus awakened -was speedily dispelled by observing the red man suddenly -halt, look around him as though he failed, for the moment, -exactly to comprehend things, and then he raised his head -and saw the youngster cowering among the branches.</p> - -<p>The Mohave surveyed him quietly a moment, and then -motioned for him to descend. The boy could not refuse, as -he was entirely in his power, and he obeyed without delay. -The captor looked into his face with a curious expression, -but still uttered no exclamation or word. Finally, he took -him by the arm, led him a short distance down the stream -of the brook, and then motioned for him to fall behind and -follow.</p> - -<p>On the whole, this struck Edwin as rather a curious proceeding. -The Mohave had not deprived him of his gun, and -did not even take the trouble to examine whether it was -loaded or not, nor did he once look over his shoulder to see -whether he was followed by the captive. It was a strong -temptation to the latter to dart aside, and make another effort -to get away, but he could hardly bring his mind to the -“sticking point.”</p> - -<p>As a matter of course, Edwin had strong hope of getting -out of this difficulty, and he therefore paid strict attention -to the route which they followed, so as not to be lost, when -the opportunity should come to him. The Mohave literally -took the “back track,” going over his own footsteps, -and turning off from the stream at precisely the point where -the boy first struck it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span></p> - -<p>As yet there was nothing seen of the other Indian, and -the boy was wondering where he could have taken himself, -when he made his appearance as suddenly as if he had risen -from the very ground. He seemed to entertain the same -constitutional objection to talking as did his predecessor, -for not a word was exchanged between them. One walked -in the front and the other in the rear of the boy, so that, -for the present, he gave over all thoughts of taking abrupt -leave of them.</p> - -<p>The party passed directly by the remains of the antelope -slain by Edwin, and so on until they reached the gorge -where he had first descried the Mohaves as they were seated -around the camp-fire. This led the boy to think that they -were a part of those who had <ins class="corr" id="tn11" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'beseiged'">besieged</ins> -them in the cave.</p> - -<p>Whether this was a matter for congratulation or fear was -more than he could determine, although it gave him hope -that the captured Mohave might be among them, who he -was sure would not forget the magnanimity shown him -when he was at the mercy of those whom he sought to injure.</p> - -<p>Nightfall was close at hand, and the party made their -preparations for remaining on the old camping-ground of -their former friends. They had a portion of the antelope -with them, and offered a piece to Edwin, who accepted it -more for the sake of pleasing them, than on account of any -hunger he felt. After this, they seated themselves upon -the ground, and motioned for him to do the same. Their -pipes were then produced, and then began the longest and -dreariest evening of Edwin Inwood’s life.</p> - -<p>He lay on the ground, looking up at the stars, communing -with the Great Being who dwelt beyond them, wondering -what George and Jim thought of his prolonged absence, -and speculating as to what the morrow would bring forth. -Hour after hour wore away, and it was near midnight, when -his ear detected a faint, regular jarring of the ground, and, -raising his head, he saw through the gloom a party of men -close at hand.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p>“I doesn’t care ’tic’larly ’bout gittin’ ’quainted wid any -<em>spooks</em>,” muttered Jim Tubbs, after bidding good-bye to -George Inwood, as the latter started on his reconnoisance -of the Enchanted Island.</p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere George was always a fearsome boy eber since -he was a little codger, dat used to ride de hosses at home -in ole New York—nebber could make him b’lebe any stories -about ghosts, an’ hobblegoblins, an’ spooks. Beats all -natur’ how queer some folks be; I don’t care much for darkeys, -whedder dey be red or black, while he does; but -when <em>spooks</em> is around, I ’fers to be ’scused, while he -don’t.”</p> - -<p>Thus did the African commune with himself, as he made -his way carefully from the lake and its phantom-like island. -Not until he was far from it, did he pause, look around, -and ask himself what was the best thing for him to do.</p> - -<p>“I has de ’pinion dat when I ’grated to dese parts, I -come arter <em>gold</em>, an’ dat’s what I’m going to hunt for at -present. I sometimes tinks I orter be de ’prietor ob dis -’stablishment, as I ’wested de most money. Howsumeber, -Mr. Tubbs, we’ll ’scuse de ’scussion ob dat question to some -subsequent ’casion.”</p> - -<p>Without suspecting it, the African took almost precisely -the same direction as that followed by Edwin Inwood. As -he was looking for gold, he went along the margin of a -small stream, and began examining its banks and current -for some signs of auriferous deposit.</p> - -<p>“Dey say you’re the most aptest to find gold near de -water, ’less you find it somewhere else—so I’ll take a peep. -O!——”</p> - -<p>Jim stopped, absolutely thunderstruck, for there in the -water before him he saw a large piece of yellow metal, -whose nature he divined at a glance. Plunging forward<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -the next instant, he seized it in his hand, and held it up, -and turned it over. It was a piece of pure gold, nearly the -size of a hen’s egg. It lay imbedded in the sand, only a -small portion displaying itself.</p> - -<p>The dusky fellow could scarcely restrain his delight. -He turned it over and over again, and danced about, and -laughed, and almost cried. Finally he sobered down.</p> - -<p>“Dat’s de best fish I ebber catched an’ I’ve fished a -good deal. Shouldn’t wonder if dere’s some more ob ’em -’bout.”</p> - -<p>There was some reason, if not much truth, in this conclusion, -and he fell to work with might and main. The -stream was about a dozen feet in breadth, some eighteen or -twenty inches in depth, with a clear current, and a hard, -sandy bottom. As he had not his tools with him, he laid -his rifle on the bank, and procured a heavy stick with -which he raked the sand hither and thither in his search.</p> - -<p>A few minutes’ search revealed another piece considerably -smaller than the first, but large enough to fill Jim’s -heart with joy.</p> - -<p>“Talk about <em>spooks</em>!” he exclaimed contemptuously, -“dat ’ere lump ob yaller stuff is more interesting dan all de -<em>spooks</em> on de lake or in de wood. I tinks I’ll settle here -for de present.”</p> - -<p>He plied his rude rake with unabated vigor, but nothing -more rewarded his labor. He gradually worked his way -up the channel, so intent on his labor as not to observe or -care for aught that took place around him.</p> - -<p>This persevering toil undoubtedly would have continued -until darkness, had it not been checked in a most sudden -and alarming manner. Jim’s head was bent down, as he -grovelled in the dust, when a peculiar, whirring noise caught -his ear, and he looked up just in time to see a dark, circling -ring descending over him, and, ere he could dodge, -the loop of the lasso dropped to his elbows, and was drawn -taut with the quickness of lightning.</p> - -<p>The huge fellow comprehended his predicament in an instant, -and exerted his giant strength to the utmost to free -himself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span></p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere will nebber do! My gracious, dey’ll got all -my gold!”</p> - -<p>So great was his strength, that, in all probability, he -would have broken the rope which enclosed his arms; but, -in the midst of his furious struggles, a second lasso, from -nearly an opposite point, shot up in the air, and, in spite -of the attempt he made to dodge it, came down with unerring -certainty, and helped imprison his arms.</p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere is a little too lubbin’,” muttered Jim, toiling -like a giant in his bonds, but, finding himself unable to accomplish -anything in this manner, he resorted to different -tactics.</p> - -<p>“I can <em>pull</em>, if I can’t break.”</p> - -<p>With which, he made a furious plunge up the bank, -thereby entailing a rather ludicrous occurrence. The Mohave -who had hurled the second lasso, simply held it in his -hand, he and his companion instantly dropping out of sight -the moment they threw their ropes. The sudden and tremendous -strain upon the rope found him totally unprepared, -and he came scrambling headlong out of the bushes -and over the bank before he could recover himself, observing -which, Jim made a dash at him; but, as the first red man -had secured his around the point of a projecting rock, the -doughty fellow was brought up with a round turn, and the -other made all haste to rectify the mistake which he had -committed.</p> - -<p>“Lucky for you I couldn’t cotch you! If I’d got one ob -dem feet ob mine on you, I’d have mashed you.”</p> - -<p>At this juncture the red men revealed themselves, three -of them rising to their feet, and all motioning to their captive -to come ashore. This command he obeyed, all the -time puzzling his wits to see whether there was not some -means by which he could extricate himself. The third Indian -placed his loop over his arms, and they then mounted -their horses, fastening the ropes to the saddle, and taking -good care to keep their sable prey at a respectable distance.</p> - -<p>Poor Jim Tubbs was now fairly secured. The three -ropes, which encased him like a child, were woven of a peculiar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> -thread, which made their tenacity almost equal to -that of strands of iron. The Mohaves were perfect adepts -at this kind of business, and, coming upon the African unawares, -they had effected his capture with rare skill.</p> - -<p>“Dey’ve got me dis time, sure,” he reflected, as he -walked along between their horses, “an’ de ’portant question -is, what am dey gwine to do wid me, an’ when dey -gwine to do it, an’ how dey gwine to do it, an’ how it’s -gwine to ’gree wid me when dey come to do it.”</p> - -<p>He walked along a short distance in silence, but his -thoughts were busy.</p> - -<p>“I remember dat dat gentleman in New York dat put -up at my boarding house, said de Ingins sometimes roasted -de prisoners what dey took. Gracious! I hope dey don’t -s’pose to do dat wid me.”</p> - -<p>He scanned the face of each one for a few moments, and -concluded:</p> - -<p>“Dey don’t look very awful in de face; don’t b’leeve -dey’ll roast me. Oh! jus’ hear dem gold pieces clink in -my pocket. Wonder if I can’t bribe ’em wid one ob ’em to -let me off. But den dey don’t know what gold am worth; -dey’d jus’ as lieb hab my jack-knife, an’ I’d jus’ as lieb hab -it, too; so I tinks I’ll let it stay in my pocket fur de present. -Mighty glad dey didn’t tink ’bout my ole gun in de -grass, for I can go back an’ get it myself arter a while.”</p> - -<p>That “after awhile” was the “to-morrow” of the unrepentant—a -period about which one might reasonably entertain -a few grains of doubt. Jim was philosopher enough, -seeing that there was no help under the circumstances to -take things as a matter of course. He walked along quietly -and peacefully, the Mohaves being sharp enough to keep an -unremitting watch upon his every movement.</p> - -<p>Just as night was setting in, they halted near a pile of -rocks, where one of their number collected sticks, and -speedily started a fire. In this portion of California during -the summer season, it is generally very warm and oppressive, -but the last few days had been remarkably cool, -and a fire was by no means unwelcome. The cramped -position of his limbs made him chilly, and he came as near<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> -to the blaze as they would permit. No food was prepared, -nor did the fellow care for any.</p> - -<p>An hour or two after dark, and while the Mohaves were -pulling at their pipes, and Jim was half asleep on the -ground, he heard a footstep, and, raising his head, saw near -him the identical Indian with whom he had shaken hands -so emphatically. The African’s complexion was such as to -make him easily recognizable, and the start and glance of -the red man told plainly that there was no misunderstanding -upon his part.</p> - -<p>“How do you do?” inquired Jim, with a nod of his -head. “If you’ll untie my arms, I’ll shake hands with you -again.”</p> - -<p>The Indian seemed pleased in his way at meeting the -man who had vanquished him so nicely. He offered no -rudeness to the captive but came nearer, and, seating himself -upon the ground, smoked his pipe.</p> - -<p>This was extremely gratifying to the sable individual, -for it was proof positive that the Mohave had not forgotten -the kindness which he had received, and that he was well -disposed toward the unfortunate African.</p> - -<p>“How lucky dat he doesn’t know I wanted to come de -gold trick ober him—don’t b’lebe he’d tink so much ob me. -Tank you, I guess I’ll smoke.”</p> - -<p>He inclined his head forward, and the pipe stem was inserted -between his teeth, and he puffed at him in a style -which showed that there was no pretended enjoyment on -his part.</p> - -<p>“Dat ’ere tastes good, I can tell you,” he said, with an -expression on his shiny face of genuine pleasure. “I’s -much obliged to you, an’ you needn’t be ’fraid ob ’fending -me if you want to offer it to me to-morrer agin.”</p> - -<p>The Mohave knowing nothing at all of English, and Jim -Tubbs understanding not the first syllable of Mohave, it is -not to be supposed that they got along very well in conversation. -Jim tried increasing the loudness of his voice, but -that did not seem to help matters, and their communication -therefore took the character of signs, the African’s words -being thrown in by way of embellishment.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span></p> - -<p>After he had smoked awhile, he turned his back so that -the Mohave might see how his arms were bound, and then -said:</p> - -<p>“Jus’ cut dem, won’t you? I’ll be much obliged.”</p> - -<p>The Indian unquestionably understood the request, but -he was not satisfied as to the propriety of granting it. He -looked at his companions, exchanged a few words, when -they came up and debated the matter.</p> - -<p>“I won’t run away—I’ll promise you dat—feller treats -me kind, I’ll do de same wid him—gib you my word ob -honor.”</p> - -<p>They seemed disposed to grant his desire, but before doing -so, began a search to assure themselves that he had not -any weapons of offense about him. Jim sat motionless, -except when he assisted them as much as possible, never -once thinking of the gold until he heard the two pieces jingle -together in his pocket. Instantly he started up in terror.</p> - -<p>“I hain’t got noffin dere—dat am sartin’—no use ob -feelin’ dat pocket.”</p> - -<p>But a coppery-hued hand was already inserted, and the -next instant it drew out the two yellow pieces.</p> - -<p>“Dem ain’t mine,” added Jim, and then, unwilling to -tell an untruth, he added, “dey ain’t, sartin—’cause I’ve -got to divide wid de rest.”</p> - -<p>They were passed back and forth, the Indians seeming to -care very little about them. When they reached the hands -of the hand-shaking Mohave, he turned them over several -times, and then replaced them in the pocket of the rightful -owner.</p> - -<p>“Gracious! but you’re a good feller,” exclaimed Jim, -“if it wan’t fur de boys, I b’lebe I’d settle down among you, -an’ take you fur my bruvver chief, if you’ll only let my -arms loose, you needn’t be afreed dat I’ll swing ’em round -careless.”</p> - -<p>The obliging Mohaves, at this point removed the lassoes -from his limbs, and left his body entirely unrestrained—a -proceeding like the former, the result of the magnanimity -showed the Indian, when he expected no mercy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span></p> - -<p>“I ’gin to tink George is right,” mused Jim, “he always -told me to be kind to ebery one, no matter if he was your -enemy. If I had come de gold trick ober dis feller, he -wouldn’t have been half so cleber. Gracious! he wouldn’t -have been at all.”</p> - -<p>The prisoner was now almost entirely at ease, and had -given over all fear of his own personal safety. He argued -that they would not be so lenient and considerate, if they -intended any ultimate harm, and he endeavored to content -himself as well as he could until the morrow, which he -hoped would see him set at liberty.</p> - -<p>As the night wore on, none of the party seemed to be -sensible of its somniferous tendency. The Mohaves remained -wide awake, and Jim had had too many things in -his mind to feel drowsy. The former kept consulting together, -and finally, when it was quite late, they all arose, -and with the prisoner between them, started off.</p> - -<p>A half hour later, they came upon the party which held -Edwin Inwood.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - -<p>It was a painful surprise both to Edwin Inwood and -Jim Tubbs when they met each other in captivity. They -conversed together, and acquainted themselves with their -mutual history after their separation during the day.</p> - -<p>“Poor George will be anxious enough about us,” said -the boy. “I feel worse on his account than I do on my -own.”</p> - -<p>“What’s de matter wid him?” asked the negro, not exactly -comprehending the force of this remark.</p> - -<p>“Nothing, so far as I know; but what will he think -when he comes back and finds nothing of us?”</p> - -<p>“Tink we ain’t dere, I s’pose.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe these people intend us any harm. They -have treated us both so kindly that they will let us go to-morrow.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span></p> - -<p>“Hope so.”</p> - -<p>“I see among these who came with you, the same one -that we had in the cave the other day.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; me an’ him are great friends,” replied Jim, with -an important air. “I kinder tink he always had a notion -of me.”</p> - -<p>They chatted together until toward morning, when, becoming -sleepy, both lay down upon the ground, and slept -until daylight. The African race is proverbial for its -drowsy proclivities, and it required some hard shaking upon -the part of Edwin before he could arouse his companion. -But once awake, he was thoroughly so, and he arose to his -feet.</p> - -<p>The Mohaves had the camp-fire burning, and a number -of birds, which resembled quails, cooking, while they had -collected quite a quantity of mesquite beans, very numerous -more south in California, and occasionally encountered -further north. These furnished an abundant and nourishing -breakfast, much needed by our friends.</p> - -<p>Daylight brought another surprise in the shape of a third -prisoner—a large, stalwart looking man, dressed in the -garb of an Indian—in fact, no other personage than he who -had guarded the lake and the Enchanted Island so zealously. -He was sullen and obstinate, and his hands had -been tied behind him for the purpose of security. He -scowled at his fellow prisoners, as he was brought up, and -undoubtedly hated them as thoroughly as he did his captors.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, the Mohaves were particularly vindictive -toward the man, and, from his appearance, had been -subjecting him to suffering and torture for their own amusement. -Only two held him, and they must certainly have -secured him by strategy, as he was almost as muscular as -Jim, and would have been an ugly customer in a hand-to-hand -struggle.</p> - -<p>“They’ve got quite a lot of us,” he remarked, addressing -Inwood.</p> - -<p>“Yes; dar am tree ob us.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span></p> - -<p>The stranger paid no heed to the negro, but spoke directly -to Inwood.</p> - -<p>“I s’pose you know what tribe these belong to?” he continued.</p> - -<p>Edwin made answer that he did not.</p> - -<p>“They are Mohaves—a villainous set of dogs. I consider -’em as bad as the Apaches, and you know they are as -ugly as ugly can be.”</p> - -<p>“They have treated us kindly.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the stranger, with a contemptuous expression, -“you will find out. You remember the Oatman -family that were massacred, except a boy and two girls, in -’49, in crossing the plains?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I saw the son in New York, and one of the sisters, -with her chin all <ins class="corr" id="tn12" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'tatooed'">tattooed</ins> with India ink, which they -said the Indians did when they had her with them.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know what tribe murdered them?”</p> - -<p>“I heard, but I have forgotten.”</p> - -<p>“It was these same Mohaves, and <ins class="corr" id="tn13" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'their'">there</ins> -ain’t a more villainous set of dogs this side of the Mississippi. You may -make up your mind, as I have, that you’ll never see that -sun go down again.”</p> - -<p>This was uttered coolly, but with such an air of conviction -as to its truth, as to send a chill to the hearts of the -hearers.</p> - -<p>“Bress de Lord! you don’t mean dat?” asked Jim, -fairly quaking with terror. The stranger turned toward -him, and said:</p> - -<p>“There’s no chance for <em>you</em>, for I never seen an Indian -that didn’t hate a nigger, and I’m with ’em there myself. -If I could say the word, I wouldn’t get <em>you</em> out of this scrape, -for you’ve no business in these parts.”</p> - -<p>“Bress your heart! nobody has axed you to say a word; -I’d rather hab de ill will ob such a miserable lookin’ darkey -as you dan your lub, an’ if you doesn’t like it, all I’ve got -to say is, dat I’m at your sarvice, an’ you can help yourself.”</p> - -<p>The stranger glared at Jim like a wild beast, but as his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> -own hands were tied, and those of the African’s were not, -he was unable to help himself.</p> - -<p>“O, you needn’t look so lubbin’ at me!” said Jim, “I -ain’t afeerd ob you; I’ll try an’ coax ’em to ontie your -hands, an’ den we’ll hug each other, if you want to.”</p> - -<p>The stranger’s feelings were inexpressible, and in his supreme -contempt, he turned his back upon the negro, and -addressed himself directly to Edwin.</p> - -<p>“My name is Gaylor, and I’ve been out in these parts -about a year, with a lot of others. We’ve had to dodge -and fight the Indians all the time, and they know me well -enough I reckon, and there ain’t any great amount of love -atween us. I’ve played some purty smart tricks upon ’em, -but they got ahead of me at last. I was so tired last night -that I lay down to sleep, and when I woke up, a couple of -’em had me fast, sure, and—well, you see I’m here with -you.”</p> - -<p>Inwood gave the particulars of their own misfortune, and -then inquired:</p> - -<p>“What have you been doing here?”</p> - -<p>Gaylor hesitated a moment, showed some confusion, but -quickly rallying himself, replied:</p> - -<p>“The same as yourself, I suppose; we have been looking -for gold.”</p> - -<p>“You must have found something, or you would not -have remained so long.”</p> - -<p>“Well, yes, we have had tolerable luck—putty good I -may say toward the last—but what good is it going to do -me?”</p> - -<p>“Not much, I am afraid, nor us either; but you had a -number of friends with you, will they not attempt your rescue?”</p> - -<p>Gaylor shook his head.</p> - -<p>“No use of looking there; they’ll be sure I’ve been -rubbed out, and won’t take the trouble to hunt me up.”</p> - -<p>“How many are there?”</p> - -<p>“Three beside myself. They think enough of me, too, -and, if they thought there was a chance, they would be here -in a jiffy; but what’s the use? They even don’t know that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -I’ve been run off with, but likely enough imagine that I -have gone off on a hunt, and they won’t look for me back -under a week.”</p> - -<p>All three prisoners were seated on the ground close together, -the Mohaves allowing them opportunity to converse -without molestation, although several scowled at Gaylor, -as if unwilling to grant this small boon.</p> - -<p>“I see you are dressed as an Indian,” remarked Edwin, -in an inquiring voice to Gaylor, who smiled for a moment, -and did not reply. Finally, he looked down at his leggins -and stained skin, as if their appearance were a new thing to -him.</p> - -<p>“Well, I don’t see as there is any harm in telling you. -This is the style of dress we have all adopted. You see -we’ve got particular reasons for not wishing any white men -to know we are here, and it was my plan to get ourselves -up in this rig, so that if anybody should see us, they would -think they was looking at Mohave Indians.”</p> - -<p>Edwin forebore to ask the reason for all this, for it was -impertinent, but he concluded that Gaylor and his three -companions were criminals fleeing from justice.</p> - -<p>“I shouldn’t tink such a rapscallion as you would want -folks to know dat you was white—don’t blame you fur -paintin’ ob yourself,” remarked Jim Tubbs, who was an -attentive listener to the conversation.</p> - -<p>“See here,” said Gaylor, fairly white with passion, “I’ve -had enough of you! I’d like to—I’d like to see these dogs -burn you. <em>I hate you!</em>”</p> - -<p>“All right,” replied Jim, and was about uttering some -more <ins class="corr" id="tn14" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'bandinage'">badinage</ins>, -when Edwin requested him to keep still.</p> - -<p>Before the conversation could be resumed, the Mohave -who was brought so prominently into notice at the beginning -of our narrative, walked up to Jim and Edwin and -motioned to them to stand up. They did so, the boy still -holding his gun. He then led them about a rod away, -halted, pointed to the northward, placed his left hand on the -back of Edwin, and gave him a gentle shove, and then did -the same with Jim.</p> - -<p>“Golly, dat means <em>trabbel</em>, an’ here’s de gemman what’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -goin’ to frow himself out all kinder loose like!” exclaimed -the delighted African, as he straightway began what may -be termed “tall walking.”</p> - -<p>“Hallo!” he exclaimed, abruptly halting after a few -steps, “I forgot to tank you. Much obliged. Good-bye.”</p> - -<p>Edwin expressed his thanks as well as he could by pantomime -and hurried after his sable friend.</p> - -<p>The Golden Rule! Golden, indeed, and the true measure -by which to mark our steps to Heaven. Here were -two lives saved by the one “little deed of kindness.”</p> - -<p>They walked rapidly some distance, and then Edwin -placed his slight hand upon the colossal shoulder of the negro.</p> - -<p>“Well, what be it?” demanded Jim, looking down in -his pale face.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid they are going to kill Gaylor.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so——”</p> - -<p>“O, Jim, don’t talk that way.”</p> - -<p>“I dunno as I hope so, but I don’t care; he’s an ugly -darkey, an’ orter have de gold trick come ober him.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t feel right in going off and leaving him this way, -<em>and it isn’t right</em>.”</p> - -<p>“Well, what you goin’ do?” asked the African, betraying -some uneasiness.</p> - -<p>“We must go back, and try and get them to let him -off.”</p> - -<p>“Dey won’t do dat.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know they won’t?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t tink so.”</p> - -<p>“We can try.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll wait here while you go.”</p> - -<p>The boy ran back, and in a few moments reached the -camp. Gaylor was standing with his back toward him and -did not notice his approach. The Mohaves were all standing -near him, and in their looks was great evil. They all -turned inquiringly toward Edwin, who walked rapidly up -to the prisoner, then dropped on his knees, made a supplicating -motion, and then, placing his arm within his, started -off. A half dozen Indians sprang forward to prevent it.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> -He dropped on his knees again, and, with tears in his eyes -besought his release. He could not be misunderstood, but -his answer was scowls, and one who was quite angry, drew -his knife; but before he could do harm, our first acquaintance -sprang forward and, leading him quite forcibly a few -steps, pointed earnestly in the direction whence he came.</p> - -<p>“You understand that,” said Gaylor, speaking for the -first time, “it’s no use; I’m much obliged to you for your -good will, but these dogs don’t like me, and you’re only -fooling away your time to bother with ’em.”</p> - -<p>Edwin’s heart was overflowing, and, unable to speak, he -broke into a rapid run, and speedily reached the spot where -the trembling Jim was awaiting him.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t do anything, Jim,” he faltered.</p> - -<p>“Sorry—’cause dey’ll be kind ob heavy on him.”</p> - -<p>“Jim, you must go try them.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I can’t! I can’t!”</p> - -<p>“But you must.”</p> - -<p>“What’s de use?”</p> - -<p>“That Indian that was in the cave thinks a great deal of -you. Go and plead with him.”</p> - -<p>“But dat ’ere Gaylor said he hated me.”</p> - -<p>“What if he did; if you can save his life, don’t you -wish to do it?”</p> - -<p>Jim was greatly agitated, and rubbed a tear from his -eye.</p> - -<p>“You’re right Ned; dar’s sumfin’ in me dat tells me I -ought to do it, an’ by de help ob God <em>I will</em>!”</p> - -<p>“Be quick then, for there is no time to lose.”</p> - -<p>The negro needed no urging, for he was <ins class="corr" id="tn15" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'promted'">prompted</ins> -by the most powerful of motives—Conscience, the “still small -voice,” which, if listened to, guides us all aright.</p> - -<p>When he reached the camp, matters were about the same -as Inwood had left them.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Gaylor,” said Jim, speaking abruptly, “I’ve come -to see if I can sabe you.”</p> - -<p>The man turned around and looked at him silently for a -moment, as if unable to comprehend what he meant. Then -he slowly shook his head from side to side.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span></p> - -<p>“No use; you’d better go back.”</p> - -<p>“I’m goin’ to coax these fellers, an’ if dey won’t do it, -we’ll pitch in an’ fight.”</p> - -<p>The Mohaves stood in a sort of irregular circle, their expression -forbidding enough. Jim walked straight up to his -first acquaintance, and, leading him to where Gaylor stood, -pointed at him, and motioned toward Inwood, whose great -anxiety had brought him within sight and hearing. The -Indian shook his head, and looked around at his companions -in a manner that showed <em>he</em> had no particular objections, -if they would give their consent.</p> - -<p>Jim repeated his request, and he again swayed his head, -but he was solicited more vehemently than before, whereupon -the savage withdrew, and began an earnest conference -with his friends. The consultation was long, earnest -and stormy—but the end was victory. The Indian was a -man of authority—Gaylor was loosed from his bonds, and -he and Jim walked away side by side, and, rejoining Edwin -Inwood, all three took their departure.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“We do not make our thoughts; they grow in us,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Like grain in wood; the growth is of the skies,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Which are of nature; nature is of God.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The world is full of glorious likenesses.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p>The three walked silently forward for a considerable distance, -when Gaylor paused, and, stepping in front, so as to -face the two, he spoke as a man speaks when in earnest.</p> - -<p>“See here Jim and Ned, as I believe you call each other, -I’ve got a few words to say to you. I’m a pretty bad man, -but when one does me a kindness, I’m like an Indian, and -don’t forget it. I want to thank you Ned, again, for what -you tried to do. This here darkey has been the means of -saving my life, when I’d given up. I spoke mean to him -awhile ago, I want to ask his pardon for that, and give him -my thanks.”</p> - -<p>“Gorry, don’t say nuffin’ ’bout it,” said Jim, drawing -his huge hand across his eyes, “’tain’t worth spoken ’bout. -It’s all right.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad to hear it. When you hear me speak again -as I did of a black man awhile ago, it will be when I hain’t -got any senses left. But see here, I’ve got something I’m -going to do for you. You have another man with you, -haven’t you? One who is the leader.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; my brother George.”</p> - -<p>“Take me to him.”</p> - -<p>“Hold on,” interrupted Jim, “I’d like to get dat gun -ob mine. I know where I left it up among de grass ’long -de creek where dey lassoed me.”</p> - -<p>“Lead on then.”</p> - -<p>The three deviated from their course, and soon afterward -reached the stream, where Jim had found his gold, and the -Mohaves had found him. A short search discovered his -gun, and they started homeward. The distance was considerable, -and it was fully an hour before they reached the -wood, where George Inwood was overjoyed to see them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span></p> - -<p>A few minutes’ talk made everything plain to him.</p> - -<p>“You see, George Gaylor ain’t the man to give a friend -the go by,” said that personage himself. “And I’ll prove -to you that I mean what I say. I s’pose you’re in these -parts looking for <em>gold</em>?”</p> - -<p>“That is what has drawn us hither,” replied George, -with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Have you found much?”</p> - -<p>“Not a great deal; we have had middling good fortune.”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose maybe now I hain’t got noffin’,” said Jim, as -he drew his two nuggets from his pocket, and displayed -them to the wondering gaze of his friends.</p> - -<p>“You seem to be made of gold,” said George; “you -know how you put your hand in your pocket, and brought -it out, when we bought our horses; but where did you obtain -it?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe I was digging it out ob de sand when de Ingins -slung dere ropes ober my neck—maybe I didn’t got it -dere.”</p> - -<p>“Is there any more?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t tink dere is.”</p> - -<p>“Whether there is or not, don’t matter,” said Gaylor, -“I’ll show you more gold to-day than you ever seen before, -and all that you will ever care about seeing.”</p> - -<p>All looked at him with a look which said they failed to -take in his meaning.</p> - -<p>“Just come with me—you will see it is no humbug.”</p> - -<p>And the whole party started toward the Enchanted Island, -Gaylor himself leading the way.</p> - -<p>At first sight, George Inwood recognized Gaylor as the -man whom he had viewed through the telescope, and who -had fired his gun at their friends. He did not deem it best, -however, to refer to these circumstances, as he placed full -faith in the honesty of the man’s intentions.</p> - -<p>Reaching the lake, he searched awhile along the shore -for a canoe. He had great difficulty in finding it, but succeeded -at last, and then, asking his friends to await his return, -he paddled rapidly across the lake, and, landing on -the shore, entered the thick wood. He was undoubtedly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -with his companions, and remained away a good while. -While they were watching for his return, Jim exclaimed in -great excitement:</p> - -<p>“See dar! look at de island! I’s agwine to leabe when -spooks comes about.”</p> - -<p>The island, which at first sight was lying along shore, -could now be seen slowly approaching the center of the -lake, and at the same moment, the form of Gaylor was distinguished, -as he plied his pole. This seemed to convince -Jim that there was nothing supernatural about it, and he -consented to remain.</p> - -<p>Reaching a point near the middle, the mass of shrubbery -came to a stand still, and Gaylor then put off in his canoe.</p> - -<p>“Jump in,” said he, as it lightly touched the shingle, -“it will hold you all. I’ll show you something which you -have never seen.”</p> - -<p>They stepped carefully into the small canoe, and it sank -to its gunwales with the unusual weight. But Gaylor managed -it skilfully, and a few minutes later they all stepped -upon the Enchanted Island.</p> - -<p>“Now, let me tell you a little story,” said their friend. -“Some months ago a party of five of us came down through -these parts looking for gold. Reaching this lake we started -across it in a boat, and near the middle discovered several -yellow nuggets lying on the bottom. I dove down and -brought them up, and found them to be gold. We soon -found there was any quantity lying around loose, and, of -course, we determined to get all we could. But while we -had come upon a fortune, there were several bad things in -the way of bringing it up. The country was full of Indians, -and there were white men wandering over the country. If -any of them should get news of our windfall, it would be all -over with us. So, after thinking over it, we hit upon a -plan. We made a frame-work of logs, and then covered it -over with green sod, pebbles and trees, so as to make it look -just like an island. Then we sometimes kindled fires, so -as to scare any one who saw it. This we floated right over -the spot where we saw the gold, and began bringing it up. -We had to dive for it after we had managed to loosen a portion<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> -with our poles. We had so much trouble in getting -it, that one of our men started to San Francisco for tools to -answer our purpose. But we never heard of him again, -and we suppose the Mohaves got track of him. Howsumever, -we worked away, and the amount of it is, we have all -made an independent fortune, and there is enough left for -you. We used to float this ashore at night, as we had a -good hiding place there. I have started my party north to -San Francisco, and I expect to join them in half an hour. -No one knows this secret but you. You can work here as -long as you please. You seem to have the good will of the -Mohaves, but look out for white men. Be very careful to -let no one see you at work. Now, if you will only take me -ashore, I will leave you alone.”</p> - -<p>George Inwood paddled their friend to land, where they -bid farewell to each other, and he returned to the Enchanted -Island, and began work.</p> - -<p>Gaylor had not deceived him. They saw large quantities -of gold shining on the bottom of the lake. George observed -that it lay directly in the path of the canon, which -has been referred to as emptying into the lake. This made -it seem as if it had been washed down by the current, whose -tremendous velocity was sufficient to hurl boulders of a -ton’s weight down its channel as if driven by a columbiad.</p> - -<p>It is not often that a fortune can be picked up from the -bottom of a lake, and, even when the inviting auriferous -nuggets and the glittering sand lay before their eyes, it was -found no easy task to bring it up to the surface. But what -will man not do for gold? A bountiful harvest awaited -them, and they toiled and labored as they never had done -before.</p> - -<p>Jim was the great machine for procuring the precious -yellow particles. Neither George nor Edwin could remain -under water long enough to secure much; but the African -took to it as if he was amphibious, and rather preferred it -to the hard, dry earth, and pure mountain air. His great -rolling eyes, first located the rich mineral, and, poising -himself for an instant, down he went like an arrow until he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -touched bottom, where he clawed around with a vigor and -persistency which were sure to show substantial results.</p> - -<p>“When I gits down dar,” said Jim, as he sat on the -edge of the Enchanted Island resting himself, “I jes’ opens -my eyes, an’ I can see as well as you can. The water -looks kinder yeller, but de gold looks yellerer, an’ so I’m -sure to see it.”</p> - -<p>The negro always plunged in head first.</p> - -<p>“Cause you see if I happen to strike de rocks, it’ll be -my head, an’ den dar’s no danger ob gittin’ hurt.”</p> - -<p>This was his philosophy.</p> - -<p>Our friends had unmistakeably found a prize, and it only -remained for them to work it up. As Edwin was of comparatively -little use, he occasionally roamed in the woods in -search of game. He was careful not to stray far away, as -there really was no necessity for doing so, and even if he -failed in obtaining his food in this manner, the lake offered -a good supply of fish, which were always at their disposal.</p> - -<p>When the first night came, an inventory of their receipts -was taken, and George Inwood was sure that they were -several thousand dollars richer than at morning, and so expressed -himself to his friends.</p> - -<p>“Rather better earnings than we have yet made,” he remarked, -with some degree of complaisance, as the three sat -in the cool of the evening, chatting and discussing the matter.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I think we ought to be satisfied with that,” replied -Edwin.</p> - -<p>“I isn’t,” was the sententious observation of Jim, as he -quaffed his black clay pipe.</p> - -<p>“And why not?” inquired George.</p> - -<p>“’Cause I ain’t, dat’s de reason. In de fust place, dat -ain’t ’nough gold, an’ in de next place, it’s too little, an’ -den we orter git more. Wait till I gits to work to-morrer, -an’ I’ll show you sumfin. Dar’s a sort ob gineral looseness -dat I hab to git frough me, afore I can do what I orter.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I shall be satisfied if you only do as well as you -have to-day.”</p> - -<p>“I must do better to-morrer, an’ I’s goin’ to.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span></p> - -<p>There was a fear—a continued apprehension, which made -our friends quite uneasy—that is, that some prowling band -of hunters or miners might discover their secret. If such a -dreaded contingency should occur it would make a fearful -time. Unrestrained by any fear of the law, and prompted -by the great prompter of the majority of human actions, -such a company would hesitate at no crime to secure the -booty.</p> - -<p>George Inwood’s experience had taught him the value -of money in this world’s affairs, and he was resolutely determined -to resist to the bitter end any encroachments upon -their rights. There are some things more valuable than -gold, but they are few, and it cannot be wondered that a -man should feel some reluctance at parting with it.</p> - -<p>Jim verified the boast that he made; for on the morrow -he began work so soon as it was bright, and toiled with -scarcely any intermission until nightfall, his net proceeds -fully doubling those of the day before. Inwood, by this -time, had managed to arrange a contrivance with the poles -which materially assisted him. One of these being sharp-pointed, -he was enabled to wrench off goodly-sized nuggets, -while with another arrangement, he was able to grapple -and bring them to the surface. Still a third had a pan -fastened to the end, by means of which he scooped up a -large mass of sand, all flecked with gleaming points, and -abounding with riches.</p> - -<p>Edwin Inwood’s principal occupation, aside from attending -to the animals, was to wander through the surrounding -woods on the lookout for white men, who, as will be easily -understood, were more dreaded than anything else. On -one occasion, he discovered a party of five miners encamped -within a mile. He instantly made all haste back, and acquainted -his friends with the startling fact.</p> - -<p>Labor was suspended at once, the gold carefully concealed, -and all three set themselves on the watch. The -miners were prospecting, and were ignorant of the Enchanted -Island and its history. They lingered for several -days in the vicinity, and then, to the great relief of the Inwoods -and Jim, they took their departure.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span></p> - -<p>Week after week passed away, and still the little party -toiled as unceasingly as ever; but when a month had come -and gone, they saw that the supply was giving out. Still, -as all of us would have done under the circumstances, they -kept to work as long as there was anything like a reward to -be obtained for their labor.</p> - -<p>But the end finally came, and they stopped work, and -took an account of stock. As nearly as George Inwood -could calculate, they were the owners of something less -than a hundred thousand dollars—all of it in <em>gold coin</em>. -They certainly had reason to be satisfied with this, and all -were, with the exception of Jim, who, of course, growled -about it, and proposed that they should hunt up some more -“Enchanted Islands” before going home; but then, had -another proposed the same thing, he would have vehemently -opposed it.</p> - -<p>All the gold they could conveniently carry was distributed -about their persons, and the rest was concealed among -the saddles on the backs of their animals. The old mule -was not honored with a particle, but carried the luggage and -personal baggage.</p> - -<p>All being ready the little party turned their faces toward -San Francisco, and on a bright summer morning started -homeward.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p>One hundred thousand dollars in gold in one sense is a -comfortable sum, and yet, in another, it is the very reverse. -A man who finds himself in possession of that amount, and -attempts to carry it, will find that it weighs several hundred -pounds, and is rather awkward to manage. If he tumbles -a portion of the nuggets into his pantaloons pockets, -their excessive weight is almost sure to send them through -the bottom down into his boots, where they are certain to -feel still more uncomfortable. If he slings the auriferous -luggage over his shoulder, the burden is too great to be carried<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -for any time; if the money is placed upon the strong -back of a mule, there is the haunting terror of its being lost -or stolen during some unguarded moment.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the best thing that any of our readers can do -with their hundred thousand dollars, is to put it in a strong -safe, or in a good solvent bank, where it can be drawn out -piecemeal and devoted to charitable objects; but it will be -seen at once that neither of these plans were practicable -for our friends while their cargo was <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">in transitu</i> for San -Francisco, and when we say that they all felt uneasy, we -but feebly express their feelings.</p> - -<p>“I tell you if it was know’d what a load we’s takin’ -frough de mountains, dere’d be some fo’ks dat would rather -like to git ’quainted wid us,” remarked Jim, as they toiled -laboriously through the wild country.</p> - -<p>“Yes; we may meet with strangers, and if so, we must -be very careful that they don’t suspect we have so much -gold with us.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I’s been tinkin’ dat I orter caution you an’ Ned -’bout keepin’ a close mouf when strangers am ’bout.”</p> - -<p>“You needn’t be afraid of me,” replied Edwin. “If any -one reveals it, I am sure it will be you.”</p> - -<p>The third night after leaving the Enchanted Island, they -encamped in a rocky gorge, close by a small running stream, -where immense precipitous walls rose on either hand, and -at mid-day a twilight gloom rested upon the ground and -stream. Fine, tender green grass was growing in profusion; -and, picketing the animals within ear-shot, the gold -was removed with the saddles, and placed close to the -camp-fire, where it could always be seen by every member -of the party. They had a fine plump bird shot during the -latter part of the afternoon, which Jim took in hand, and -soon had sputtering and broiling over a small, brisk fire—“doing” -it with a skill which would have tempted the appetite -of the most fastidious epicure.</p> - -<p>By the time this was disposed of, it was entirely dark, and -the three gathered more closely about the fire, for there was -a chilliness in the air which made its warmth pleasant and -grateful. Jim found solace in his inevitable pipe, while<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -the brothers chatted as usual. George lay with his head -upon the saddles containing the gold, Edwin sat near him, -while Jim was upon the opposite side the fire, half sitting -and half reclining in his listlessness.</p> - -<p>“Am dat a soft piller?” he asked of the older brother.</p> - -<p>“I can’t say that it is,” was the reply, “but it would be -pretty hard work to sleep with my head on anything else, -so long as I know we had the gold with us.”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose when folks have a big lot of gold they’re apt -to think a good deal about. I never yet hefted dat ’ere pile. -Jes’ luf me heft it.”</p> - -<p>The African passed over to where the three saddles lay, -and Inwood removed his head, picked them up and held -them suspended for a few moments.</p> - -<p>“I tell you gold am purty heavy——”</p> - -<p>The next instant, the whole pile dropped from his hand, -the nuggets giving forth an unmistakeable chink, for there -before all stood a stranger, his appearance as sudden and -unexpected as if he had risen from the very earth!</p> - -<p>There was several bad things regarding the advent of this -man. In the first place, he came at a moment when it was -certain he had discovered that a large quantity of gold was -in the possession of the little party. The words of the negro, -and his sudden dropping of the riches, made it impossible -that it should be otherwise.</p> - -<p>And again, the stranger had an evil look. He was in -the costume of a hunter, but his scowling features, keen -eyes, low forehead, flat nose, and cunning expression, were -those of an outlaw from society—one whom it was exceedingly -perilous to encounter, where the arm of the law was -powerless to protect or to strike terror.</p> - -<p>“Good evening, friends,” was the salutation, before the -party had time to recover from their surprise and indignation.</p> - -<p>“Good evening,” returned Inwood, who could not be -rude, even when under such great provocation.</p> - -<p>“Like to know what <em>you</em> want?” demanded Jim, as he -seated himself upon the saddles, and defiantly looked at the -new-comer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span></p> - -<p>“<em>Me?</em>” grinned the other, as he also seated himself as -coolly as if he were an invited guest, “I can’t say that I -want anything in particular. Happened to catch sight of -your fire a little while ago, and I came down to see who -you might be. Rather like your appearance.”</p> - -<p>“We’re a company journeying alone,” said George Inwood, -“and, wishing you good speed, you will let us say -that we prefer to remain alone, and therefore ask you to -pass on.”</p> - -<p>This was rather a palpable hint, but there seemed no disposition -upon the part of the stranger to act upon it. He -sat still a few moments, and then also produced a pipe, -which he lit with an ember from the fire.</p> - -<p>“My name is Muffins,” said he, “and, as I told you a -few minutes ago, I’m a hunter in this neighborhood. It -isn’t often that I see a white man, and when I do, I must -stick to him and enjoy his society all I can. So, of course, -I couldn’t think of leaving you just yet.”</p> - -<p>It occurred to George Inwood that he had not only been -discourteous, but had overdone matters altogether in manifesting -such a prompt anxiety to get rid of Muffins, and he -now attempted an impossible thing, namely, to undo his -mistake.</p> - -<p>“Are you alone?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; nobody goes with me. I live alone in these -woods, except when I meet a friend, as I have met you to-night; -but I never stay with them long, so you needn’t be -anxious regarding me, ’cause I’ll leave you as soon as it is -daylight.”</p> - -<p>This was intended to be reassuring, but it was anything -but that, and made Inwood more uneasy than ever. His -great fear was that there were others close at hand, and the -darkness, gloom and solitude gave opportunity for treachery. -He did not see how he could rid himself of his dangerous -visitor; but Jim now spoke up:</p> - -<p>“See here, Mr. Buffin, I wants to ax you a question.”</p> - -<p>“I am at your service, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Did you ’serbe me when I dropped dese saddles?”</p> - -<p>“I noticed that you let something fall as I came up, but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> -I didn’t pay any attention. It was no concern of mine, you -know.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t tink—dat is, you don’t tink dere be any -gold about dat?”</p> - -<p>“Course not; why should I think so?”</p> - -<p>“All right, Mr. Buffer, I doesn’t want you to tink so—jes’ -’member dat if you please.”</p> - -<p>George Inwood was greatly irritated, but there was such -an air of simplicity about what Jim said, that it was impossible -not to be amused. When the African received the reply -of Mr. Muffin, he seemed satisfied, and seated himself -upon the saddles.</p> - -<p>George saw that their visitor understood the precise condition -of affairs, and there was no further use of attempting -concealment.</p> - -<p>“I s’pose you’re miners?” remarked Mr. Muffin, by way -of initiating the conversation.</p> - -<p>“Yes; we have spent several months among the mountains, -part the time hunting and part the time mining.”</p> - -<p>“What luck?”</p> - -<p>“Quite good I may say; we have toiled long and hard, -and have made pretty good wages—so much, that we have -concluded to return home.”</p> - -<p>“Live in California?”</p> - -<p>“No; our home is in the Empire State, where I hope we -shall shortly be.”</p> - -<p>“Going to San Francisco?”</p> - -<p>Inwood answered in the affirmative, and then concluded -that it was about time he asked a few questions.</p> - -<p>“Where are your friends?”</p> - -<p>But Mr. Muffin was too sharp to be taken off his guard, -and, with a meaning smile upon his evil countenance, he -said:</p> - -<p>“The nearest I’ve got, I believe, are a couple of brothers -in Sacramento City.”</p> - -<p>“You hunt alone, do you?”</p> - -<p>“I have done so for nigh onto five years—not quite that, -howsumever.”</p> - -<p>“That is a singular way of managing one’s affairs. A<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> -man isn’t apt to act in that manner unless he has a strong -motive for doing so.”</p> - -<p>“What might be a chap’s motives?” demanded the other, -removing his pipe and glaring upon the speaker with an -ugly look.</p> - -<p>“Sometimes a man has a natural taste for solitude, but -it more generally happens that he leaves society for society’s -own good.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean to ’sinuate that that’s what I’ve done?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t insinuate anything, because I know nothing -about you; but I strongly suspect that you are some scamp -who dare not return to the society of your people on account -of the crimes you have committed against them.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Muffin looked very angry, and Jim had strong hopes -that he would say or attempt something bad, for he was -eager to lay his hands upon him; but their visitor evidently -concluded it unsafe to let his angry passions rise -just then, and so he held his peace, and smoked his pipe -harder than ever.</p> - -<p>“When a man addresses me as I have addressed you,” -said Inwood, “I quietly leave his company, and have nothing -more to do with him.”</p> - -<p>“Dat so,” added Jim, beginning to lose all patience at -the impudence of their visitor. “If you know what’s best -for yourself you’ll <em>cl’ar out</em>.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Muffin smoked in silence a few moments longer, and -then rose to his feet. Glaring first at Inwood, and then at -Jim, he shook his fist at each, and said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll go, but you’ll hear from me before long. <em>You -haven’t seen the last of me.</em>”</p> - -<p>And the next moment he strode off in the darkness.</p> - -<p>The miners waited until they were sure of being alone, -when George said:</p> - -<p>“I am sorry we saw anything of that man—he has had -his eyes on our gold, and has made up his mind to have -it.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I’m sorry you told him about it,” gravely remarked -Jim.</p> - -<p>“I think <em>you</em> were the first to give him the hint.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span></p> - -<p>“How dat?” inquired the African, with profound amazement.</p> - -<p>“He saw you drop the saddles, and heard you speak -about them containing gold.”</p> - -<p>“I know dat, but he told me he didn’t tink dere war any -gold here, while you tole him dat we had had purty good -luck, an’ had got ’siderable.”</p> - -<p>“However, there is no need of disputing about it, Jim; -he has made up his mind to rob us of that gold, if he has -to cut our throats to do it, and the question with us is, how -are we to prevent it.”</p> - -<p>“The camp-fire has burned down pretty low,” said Inwood, -“let’s pick up our traps and change our quarters.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt he is watching us.”</p> - -<p>“What if he is? It is so dark that we can give him the -slip.”</p> - -<p>The suggestion of the boy’s seemed to be the best under -the circumstances, and the two concluded to act upon -it at once. Jim quietly stole down the bank of the stream, -slipped the lariat pegs by which the animals were held, and -then led them about a half mile down the rocky bed of the -brook, several times stumbling and bruising himself. Finally -he reached a spot which <em>felt right</em>, where he tethered -them, and returned to the brothers, who were rather impatiently -awaiting him.</p> - -<p>“I’s found a place,” said he, “you needn’t tumble down -more nor a dozen times in gitten’ dere.”</p> - -<p>The gold was burdensome, but they distributed it among -themselves, the African taking about nine-tenths, and -George very nearly all that remained. They then began -picking their way down the stream, being guided almost -entirely by the sense of touch. The negro’s remarkable -memory of places was found to assist them a great deal. -George kept so close to him that he could touch him at any -moment with his outstretched arms, while Edwin did touch -his brother continually to make sure that he was not losing -him. They stumbled quite often, and bruised themselves -considerably, but not enough to affect their progress to any -degree, and at the end of something over an hour, Jim suddenly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> -came to a stand still, with the whispered exclamation:</p> - -<p>“<em>Here we is!</em>”</p> - -<p>The brothers strained their eyes, but in vain; for the -darkness was too great for them to perceive anything. The -faint neigh of a horse, however, told them that Jim was not -mistaken.</p> - -<p>“Here we stays till mornin’,” said the latter, “an’ if -Mr. Buffalo finds us, he’ll have to have purty sharp eyes.”</p> - -<p>“I think we are safe, unless we have been followed. Be -careful and speak in low tones, and say only the words that -are necessary. Have you got your blankets and everything -with you?”</p> - -<p>Edwin replied in the affirmative, but the negro burst into -a low, hearty laugh.</p> - -<p>“What do you s’pose I’ve done?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Of course neither could answer his question.</p> - -<p>“I’ve gone an’ left my gun up dere by de camp-fire.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, let it go,” said George, “we cannot be a -great ways from home, and we can get along without it.”</p> - -<p>“No, <em>sah</em>; can’t do widout dat; s’pose Mr. Bufton -brings down a party ob men to-morrer mornin’, where’ll -you be den?”</p> - -<p>There was reason in this question, and George added:</p> - -<p>“We may need it, but you run a great risk in going -back. They may be there, and you must take great care -that you are not seen.”</p> - -<p>“Yah, yah, won’t see much ob me—dark a colored man -as I am, on such a dark night, ain’t apt to be generally visible, -an’ what dey can see ob me, dey’re welcome to see.”</p> - -<p>But Jim promised extra caution, and started on the back -track. The trouble was that he was in a great hurry; for, -by this time, the night was well advanced, and he was desirous -of securing his usual allowance of sleep. It was not -such a difficult matter for him to make his way, as he had -become pretty well acquainted with the ground, and the -rippling brook was an infallible guide, if he were dubious -for a single moment.</p> - -<p>It seemed a long time before he came upon the dull embers<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> -of the fire, which were smouldering so low as to be -hardly visible at any distance; but fortunately, Jim discovered -it while several rods distant.</p> - -<p>At this instant, he recalled that he had promised his -young friend to be careful, and he therefore hesitated and -took a survey as well as he could under the circumstances. -Nothing was seen to arouse suspicion, and he was about to -advance, when the embers assumed a glow so sudden and -bright as to startle and alarm him.</p> - -<p>Stepping back, he watched it intently, and, a moment -later, saw a shadowy form pass in front of it, and then two -others, although neither of them was heard to speak a -word.</p> - -<p>“So you’re dere, be you?” muttered Jim, as he sank -down to the earth to watch his opportunity; “but you don’t -find us, an’ don’t see noffin’ ob de gold.”</p> - -<p>Prudence would have dictated to the negro to withdraw -from the presence of such danger; but he placed too great -a value upon his rifle to allow it to leave his hands in this -unquestioned manner. He remembered while they were -busy making their preparations, that he had laid it down to -one side; where, as yet, Mr. Muffin and his friends had seen -nothing of it.</p> - -<p>Jim was several yards from the brook, where he could -hear any words spoken. By-and-bye one of the men seemed -to become very impatient, and, with a profane expletive, -said:</p> - -<p>“What’s the use? They’ve given you the slip, and we -might as well go back again.”</p> - -<p>“Where’ve they gone?” asked another.</p> - -<p>“A pretty question to ask! I s’pose you think we can -see ’em a dozen miles off on such a bright moonlight night -as this.”</p> - -<p>This remark was greeted with derisive laughter by the -others, and the one propounding the question, no doubt -was greatly discomfited thereby. But, at this point, Jim -began to grow apprehensive about his rifle and commenced -crawling toward the spot where he had left it upon the -ground.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span></p> - -<p>The African’s complexion was greatly in his favor, and -united with the extreme darkness of the night, secured his -safety so long as he kept out of the light of the fire. Unfortunately -this had been rekindled by one of the strangers, -so that the attempt was attended with considerable risk.</p> - -<p>Still Jim crept stealthily forward, and was already groping -over the ground in search of his weapon, when it was -suddenly snatched from the earth, and a voice called out:</p> - -<p>“Helloa! here’s a gun anyhow. They left in such a -hurry that they forgot to take that with ’em, and I -guess——”</p> - -<p>The speaker was suddenly prostrated by a powerful blow, -and the weapon violently wrenched from his grasp.</p> - -<p>“Quick! there’s one of ’em!” was the lusty cry of the -man, as he staggered to his feet. The others were bewildered -by the unexpected assault, but they attempted a pursuit, -rushing off blindly in the darkness in a direction almost -opposite the right one.</p> - -<p>“Yaw! yaw!” chuckled Jim, as he stumbled and hurried -down the bed of the stream. “Won’t have to run fur -to git away from the likes ob you.”</p> - -<p>A half hour later, the anxious brothers were relieved by -the appearance of Jim among them, when he gleefully recounted -his adventure, quite jubilant at his success.</p> - -<p>“Won’t they follow you?” inquired Edwin.</p> - -<p>“Dey undertook dat, but dey went de wrong way.”</p> - -<p>“But they may now go the right one.”</p> - -<p>“How dey know dat?”</p> - -<p>“We are not sure that they have any suspicion of the -truth,” said George, “but they would naturally suspect -that they had followed the course of the brook.”</p> - -<p>“Let ’em foller,” was the reply of the African, “an’ if -dey do so, dey might tumble ober us widout seeing us.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know how many there are?”</p> - -<p>“Seed tree ob ’em, an’ I tink dey was more around.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t fear that so much, as that they may encamp -near us, and make an attack in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“We must move off as soon as it is daylight,” said Edwin, -“and get all the start we can before they discover us.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span></p> - -<p>Edwin and Jim finally lay down in their blankets and -went to sleep, while George maintained watch. He was -too nervous and troubled to feel any desire for slumber, -and too anxious to get out of this dangerous neighborhood -to allow any advantage to escape him.</p> - -<p>More than once, through the lonely hours of the night -he was sure he heard whisperings and footsteps, and as -often he raised the hammer of his rifle, and endeavored to -pierce the Cimmerian gloom. The faint neigh of one of -the animals sent a thrill of apprehension through him, and -he was certain the outlaws were among them, but nothing -further was heard, and, at the first streak of light, he -aroused his friends, and told them they must start at once.</p> - -<p>Their preparations required but a few moments, when -they resumed their march. They found that the face of -the country materially changed as they advanced, and they -made much more rapid progress than they had dared to -hope.</p> - -<p>They were constantly looking back, and once Jim’s keen -eyes were positive that he detected a number of men on a -distant eminence, evidently watching them; but nothing -more was seen of their enemies, and when they encamped -at night, they were confident that none but the All-seeing -Eye observed them.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - -<p>It was toward the close of a warm summer day, that our -friends drew rein in a grove within sight of the residence -of Mr. Underwood, in precisely the same spot that they had -encamped a number of weeks before.</p> - -<p>George Inwood was rather shabby in his appearance, but -he determined to call upon Marian, and have a chat with -her before he returned East. He washed himself in a running -brook, combed out his hair and whiskers, brushed his -clothes, and, having made himself as presentable as possible -under the circumstances, he told his friends that perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -he would not return until late in the evening, and -that they were by no means to wait for him.</p> - -<p>There was a faint moon, as he came up the path made by -the passage of many animals, and he could discover no human -beings near the house. He missed the voice of Marian, -but he knew she was there, and that in a few moments -more he would be sitting face to face with her.</p> - -<p>Walking forward, he stepped upon the long, low porch -which ran along the entire front of the house, and, seeing -no bell near, or knocker upon the open door, he rapped it -smartly with his knuckles, and then stepped back and endeavored -to feel cool and unconcerned.</p> - -<p>In a moment a servant appeared, and he said:</p> - -<p>“Is Miss Underwood in?”</p> - -<p>“<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">¿Pregunta V. par alguno?</i>”</p> - -<p>Not understanding Spanish, Inwood stood for a moment -embarrassed and silent.</p> - -<p>“<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">¿Acerca de quien quiere V. informarse? A quien -bresca V.?</i>” said the female, quite excitedly.</p> - -<p>Seeing little probability of coming to an understanding, -Inwood repeated the words “Miss Marian Underwood,” -and then walked into a low broad hall. The servant immediately -opened a door on his right, and the young man -walked into a broad, well-furnished room. Taking his seat -on a sofa, which he knew had been brought from the East, -he awaited the coming of whomsoever chose to answer his -summons.</p> - -<p>He had waited scarcely a minute, when a light step -caught his ear, and, looking up, Marian stood before him. -He saw at once she did not recognize him in the dim light, -and he concluded not to undeceive her for a moment. Rising, -and bowing profoundly, he lowered his voice and -asked:</p> - -<p>“Have I the honor to address Miss Marian Underwood?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” was the reply, as she still remained standing.</p> - -<p>“I am from the East; Mr. Inwood desires you to receive -his kindest wishes.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! you are acquainted with him?” she said, with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -great vivacity, exceedingly inspiring to the listener, as she -seated herself in front of him. “When did you leave New -York?”</p> - -<p>“Several months ago; I am on my return now.”</p> - -<p>“Is he well?”</p> - -<p>“Never better.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad to hear it, indeed, as father will be.”</p> - -<p>“His father died last autumn—Inwood was compelled to -leave college, as he found himself penniless.”</p> - -<p>“Is it possible? May I ask what he is doing now?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing at all.”</p> - -<p>“I wondered that he never wrote to us.”</p> - -<p>“I remember very well seeing him put a letter in the -<ins class="corr" id="tn16" title="Transcriber's Note—original text is obscured">office</ins>, -addressed to you.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, I never received it; he must have <ins class="corr" id="tn17" title="Transcriber's Note—original text: 'thought strange'">thought -it strange</ins> that I never answered it.”</p> - -<p>“However, he went to California.”</p> - -<p>She gave a start.</p> - -<p>“And never inquired after us?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; he sought your home out with great difficulty, -and, Miss Marian Underwood, he sits talking with you this -minute.”</p> - -<p>There was a start, and a slight scream, but no fainting. -Sensible ladies don’t faint at such times. The light of the -lamp was made instantly brighter, and Marian, all trembling -and excitement, was seated beside George, looking -earnestly in his face.</p> - -<p>“Can it be possible?” she asked, half smiling and half -weeping, “I am really glad to see you.”</p> - -<p>“And I am to see you.”</p> - -<p>But it is becoming delicate ground, and we will retire.</p> - -<p>Our friends remained several days at Mr. Underwood’s, -during which, Jim explained that his famous “gold trick” -consisted in looking upon an opponent as a <em>gold mine</em>, and -using his pick accordingly, and George, having received the -strongest confirmation of the true, womanly love of Marian -for himself, he revealed to her the wonderful success -which he had met among the mountains, with the Enchanted -Island, and he assured her of his intention to complete<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -his preparatory course, and enter his chosen field—the -sacred ministry.</p> - -<p>When they parted, they were betrothed, and their future -was painted in the roseate colors of hope and youth.</p> - -<p>A few days later, as the steamer El Dorado steamed -through the Golden Gate, down the great Pacific, she carried -among her motley passengers the three who have occupied -so prominent a part in these pages. The trip to -New York was made safely and pleasantly, and without any -incident worthy of record.</p> - -<p>Edwin, as a matter of course, resumed his studies, and -Jim Tubbs settled down with his old mother, whom he had -left behind, and who had sustained herself during his absence -by weak tea, a strong pipe, and tremendous washing -and ironing.</p> - -<p>George carried out his intentions in every respect; the -debts due his creditors, with interest, were paid to the last -cent; and he and his wife are located in the Pacific Slope -in the noble young State of California, engaged heart and -hand in their great Master’s work.</p> - -<p class="end">THE END.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="nobreak" id="DIME_POCKET_NOVELS">DIME POCKET NOVELS.</p> -</div> -<p class="advertisement">PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH.</p> -<div class="listcontain"> -<p><b>1</b>—<b>Hawkeye Harry.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p><b>2</b>—<b>Dead Shot.</b> By Albert W. Aiken.</p> -<p><b>3</b>—<b>The Boy Miners.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>4</b>—<b>Blue Dick.</b> By Capt. Mayne Reid.</p> -<p><b>5</b>—<b>Nat Wolfe.</b> By Mrs. M. V. Victor.</p> -<p><b>6</b>—<b>The White Tracker.</b> Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>7</b>—<b>The Outlaw’s Wife.</b> Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.</p> -<p><b>8</b>—<b>The Tall Trapper.</b> By Albert W. Aiken.</p> -<p><b>9</b>—<b>Lightning Jo.</b> By Capt. Adams.</p> -<p><b>10</b>—<b>The Island Pirate.</b> By Capt. Mayne Reid.</p> -<p><b>11</b>—<b>The Boy Ranger.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p><b>12</b>—<b>Bess, the Trapper.</b> By E. S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>13</b>—<b>The French Spy.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>14</b>—<b>Long Shot.</b> By Capt. Comstock.</p> -<p><b>15</b>—<b>The Gunmaker.</b> By James L. Bowen.</p> -<p><b>16</b>—<b>Red Hand.</b> By A. G. Piper.</p> -<p><b>17</b>—<b>Ben, the Trapper.</b> By Lewis W. Carson.</p> -<p><b>18</b>—<b>Wild Haven.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p><b>19</b>—<b>The Specter Chief.</b> By Seelin Robins.</p> -<p><b>20</b>—<b>The B’ar-Killer.</b> By Capt. Comstock.</p> -<p><b>21</b>—<b>Wild Nat.</b> By Wm. R. Eyster.</p> -<p><b>22</b>—<b>Indian Jo.</b> By Lewis W. Carson.</p> -<p><b>23</b>—<b>Old Kent, the Ranger.</b> Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>24</b>—<b>The One-Eyed Trapper.</b> Capt. Comstock.</p> -<p><b>25</b>—<b>Godbold, the Spy.</b> By N. C. Iron.</p> -<p><b>26</b>—<b>The Black Ship.</b> By John S. Warner.</p> -<p><b>27</b>—<b>Single Eye.</b> By Warren St. John.</p> -<p><b>28</b>—<b>Indian Jim.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>29</b>—<b>The Scout.</b> By Warren St. John.</p> -<p><b>30</b>—<b>Eagle Eye.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>31</b>—<b>The Mystic Canoe.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>32</b>—<b>The Golden Harpoon.</b> By R. Starbuck.</p> -<p><b>33</b>—<b>The Scalp King.</b> By Lieut. Ned Hunter.</p> -<p><b>34</b>—<b>Old Lute.</b> By E. W. Archer.</p> -<p><b>35</b>—<b>Rainbolt Ranger.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p><b>36</b>—<b>The Boy Pioneer.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>37</b>—<b>Carson, the Guide.</b> By J. H. Randolph.</p> -<p><b>38</b>—<b>The Heart Eater.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>39</b>—<b>Wetzel, the Scout.</b> By Boynton Belknap.</p> -<p><b>40</b>—<b>The Huge Hunter.</b> By Ed. S. Ellis.</p> -<p><b>41</b>—<b>Wild Nat, the Trapper.</b> Paul Prescott.</p> -<p><b>42</b>—<b>Lynx-cap.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p><b>43</b>—<b>The White Outlaw.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>44</b>—<b>The Dog Trailer.</b> By Frederick Dewey.</p> -<p><b>45</b>—<b>The Elk King.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>46</b>—<b>Adrian, the Pilot.</b> By Col. P. Ingraham.</p> -<p><b>47</b>—<b>The Man-hunter.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.</p> -<p><b>48</b>—<b>The Phantom Tracker.</b> By F. Dewey.</p> -<p><b>49</b>—<b>Moccasin Bill.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p><b>50</b>—<b>The Wolf Queen.</b> By Charles Howard.</p> -<p><b>51</b>—<b>Tom Hawk, the Trailer.</b></p> -<p><b>52</b>—<b>The Mad Chief.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>53</b>—<b>The Black Wolf.</b> By Edwin E. Ewing.</p> -<p><b>54</b>—<b>Arkansas Jack.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>55</b>—<b>Blackbeard.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p><b>56</b>—<b>The River Rifles.</b> By Billex Muller.</p> -<p><b>57</b>—<b>Hunter Ham.</b> By J. Edgar Biff.</p> -<p><b>58</b>—<b>Cloudwood.</b> By J. M. Merrill.</p> -<p><b>59</b>—<b>The Texas Hawks.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>60</b>—<b>Merciless Mat.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>61</b>—<b>Mad Anthony’s Scouts.</b> By E. Rodman.</p> -<p><b>62</b>—<b>The Luckless Trapper.</b> Wm. R. Eyster.</p> -<p><b>63</b>—<b>The Florida Scout.</b> Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>64</b>—<b>The Inland Trapper.</b> Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>65</b>—<b>Wolf-Cap.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>66</b>—<b>Rattling Dick.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>67</b>—<b>Sharp-Eye.</b> By Major Max Martine.</p> -<p><b>68</b>—<b>Iron-Hand.</b> By Frederick Forest.</p> -<p><b>69</b>—<b>The Yellow Hunter.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>70</b>—<b>The Phantom Rider.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.</p> -<p><b>71</b>—<b>Delaware Tom.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>72</b>—<b>Silver Rifle.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>73</b>—<b>The Skeleton Scout.</b> Maj. L. W. Carson.</p> -<p><b>74</b>—<b>Little Rifle.</b> By Capt. “Bruin” Adams.</p> -<p><b>75</b>—<b>The Wood Witch.</b> By Edwin Emerson.</p> -<p><b>76</b>—<b>Old Ruff, the Trapper.</b> “Bruin” Adams.</p> -<p><b>77</b>—<b>The Scarlet Shoulder.</b> Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>78</b>—<b>The Border Rifleman.</b> L. W. Carson.</p> -<p><b>79</b>—<b>Outlaw Jack.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>80</b>—<b>Tiger-Tail, the Seminole.</b> R. Ringwood.</p> -<p><b>81</b>—<b>Death-Dealer.</b> By Arthur L. Meserve.</p> -<p><b>82</b>—<b>Kenton, the Ranger.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>83</b>—<b>The Specter Horseman.</b> Frank Dewey.</p> -<p><b>84</b>—<b>The Three Trappers.</b> Seelin Robbins.</p> -<p><b>85</b>—<b>Kaleolah.</b> By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N.</p> -<p><b>86</b>—<b>The Hunter Hercules.</b> Harry St. George.</p> -<p><b>87</b>—<b>Phil Hunter.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>88</b>—<b>The Indian Scout.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>89</b>—<b>The Girl Avenger.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>90</b>—<b>The Red Hermitess.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p><b>91</b>—<b>Star-Face, the Slayer.</b></p> -<p><b>92</b>—<b>The Antelope Boy.</b> By Geo. L. Aiken.</p> -<p><b>93</b>—<b>The Phantom Hunter.</b> By E. Emerson.</p> -<p><b>94</b>—<b>Tom Pintle, the Pilot.</b> By M. Klapp.</p> -<p><b>95</b>—<b>The Red Wizard.</b> By Ned Hunter.</p> -<p><b>96</b>—<b>The Rival Trappers.</b> By L. W. Carson.</p> -<p><b>97</b>—<b>The Squaw Spy.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p><b>98</b>—<b>Dusky Dick.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>99</b>—<b>Colonel Crockett.</b> By Chas. E. Lasalle.</p> -<p><b>100</b>—<b>Old Bear Paw.</b> By Major Max Martine.</p> -<p><b>101</b>—<b>Redlaw.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>102</b>—<b>Wild Rube.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>103</b>—<b>The Indian Hunters.</b> By J. L. Bowen.</p> -<p><b>104</b>—<b>Scarred Eagle.</b> By Andrew Dearborn.</p> -<p><b>105</b>—<b>Nick Doyle.</b> By P. Hamilton Myers.</p> -<p><b>106</b>—<b>The Indian Spy.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>107</b>—<b>Job Dean.</b> By Ingoldsby North.</p> -<p><b>108</b>—<b>The Wood King.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>109</b>—<b>The Scalped Hunter.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>110</b>—<b>Nick, the Scout.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>111</b>—<b>The Texas Tiger.</b> By Edward Willett.</p> -<p><b>112</b>—<b>The Crossed Knives.</b> By Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>113</b>—<b>Tiger-Heart, the Tracker.</b> By Howard.</p> -<p><b>114</b>—<b>The Masked Avenger.</b> By Ingraham.</p> -<p><b>115</b>—<b>The Pearl Pirates.</b> By Starbuck.</p> -<p><b>116</b>—<b>Black Panther.</b> By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.</p> -<p><b>117</b>—<b>Abdiel, the Avenger.</b> By Ed. Willett.</p> -<p><b>118</b>—<b>Cato, the Creeper.</b> By Fred. Dewey.</p> -<p><b>119</b>—<b>Two-Handed Mat.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p><b>120</b>—<b>Mad Trail Hunter.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p><b>121</b>—<b>Black Dick.</b> By Frederick Whittaker.</p> -<p><b>122</b>—<b>Kit Bird.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>123</b>—<b>The Specter Riders.</b> By Geo. Gleason.</p> -<p><b>124</b>—<b>Giant Pete.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>125</b>—<b>The Girl Captain.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p><b>126</b>—<b>Yankee Eph.</b> By J. R. Worcester.</p> -<p><b>127</b>—<b>Silverspur.</b> By Edward Willett.</p> -<p><b>128</b>—<b>Squatter Dick.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p><b>129</b>—<b>The Child Spy.</b> By George Gleason.</p> -<p><b>130</b>—<b>Mink Coat.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p><b>131</b>—<b>Red Plume.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p><b>132</b>—<b>Clyde, the Trailer.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.</p> -<p><b>133</b>—<b>The Lost Cache.</b> J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p><b>134</b>—<b>The Cannibal Chief.</b> Paul J. Prescott.</p> -<p><b>135</b>—<b>Karaibo.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p><b>136</b>—<b>Scarlet Moccasin.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p><b>137</b>—<b>Kidnapped.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p><b>138</b>—<b>Maid of the Mountain.</b> By Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>139</b>—<b>The Scioto Scouts.</b> By Ed. Willett.</p> -<p><b>140</b>—<b>The Border Renegade.</b> By Badger.</p> -<p><b>141</b>—<b>The Mute Chief.</b> By C. D. Clark.</p> -<p><b>142</b>—<b>Boone, the Hunter.</b> By Whittaker.</p> -<p><b>143</b>—<b>Mountain Kate.</b> By Jos. E. Badger Jr.</p> -<p><b>144</b>—<b>The Red Scalper.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p><b>145</b>—<b>The Lone Chief.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p><b>146</b>—<b>The Silver Bugle.</b> Lieut. Col. Hazleton.</p> -<p><b>147</b>—<b>Chinga, the Cheyenne.</b> By Edward S. Ellis. Ready</p> -<p><b>148</b>—<b>The Tangled Trail.</b> By Major Max Martine. Ready</p> -<p><b>149</b>—<b>The Unseen Hand.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready</p> -<p><b>150</b>—<b>The Lone Indian.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready</p> -<p><b>151</b>—<b>The Branded Brave.</b> By Paul Bibbs. Ready</p> -<p><b>152</b>—<b>Billy Bowlegs, the Seminole Chief.</b> Ready April 20th.</p> -<p><b>153</b>—<b>The Valley Scout.</b> By Seelin Robins. Ready May 4.</p> -<p><b>154</b>—<b>Red Jacket, the Huron.</b> By Paul Bibbs. Ready May 18th.</p> -</div> -<p class="final">BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="transnote" id="endtn"> -<div class="chapter"> -<p>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</p> -</div> -<p>The Table of Contents has been created by the transcriber.</p> -<p>The original spelling of “reconnoisance” has been retained wherever -it occurs in the text.</p> -<p>Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the -text and consultation of external sources.</p> -<p>On page 12, “eparture” has been <a href="#tn1">changed to “departure”</a>: “stay his -forcible departure”</p> -<p>On page 16, “skillfu” has been <a href="#tn2">changed to “skillful”</a>: “as does the -skillful dentist” and “his his” has been <a href="#tn3">changed to “his”</a>: “a few -moments to explain his scheme”</p> -<p>On page 27, “Marion” has been <a href="#tn4">changed to “Marian”</a> for consistency: -“get a glimpse or peep at Marian”</p> -<p>On page 28, “be” has been <a href="#tn5">changed to “he”</a>: “‘Dar!’ he said, as he -flung it”</p> -<p>On page 42, “boquet” has been <a href="#tn6">changed to “bouquet”</a>: “it had the -appearance of a bouquet”</p> -<p>On page 55, “despite, his ungainly manner of traveling” has been -<a href="#tn7">changed to “despite his ungainly manner of traveling”</a></p> -<p>On page 59, “unwieldly” has been <a href="#tn8">changed to “unwieldy”</a>: “plied the -unwieldy craft”</p> -<p>On page 60, “some” has been <a href="#tn9">changed to “same”</a>: “with the same resolve -as at first”</p> -<p>On page 63, “childrens’” has been <a href="#tn10">changed to “children’s”</a>: “daubed up -like a lot of children’s toys”</p> -<p>On page 66, “beseiged” has been <a href="#tn11">changed to “besieged”</a>: “who had -besieged them in the cave”</p> -<p>On page 75, “tatooed” has been <a href="#tn12">changed to “tattooed”</a>: “her chin all -tattooed with India ink” and “their” has been <a href="#tn13">changed to “there”</a>: -“there ain’t a more villainous set of dogs”</p> -<p>On page 77, “bandinage” has been <a href="#tn14">changed to “badinage”</a>: “was about -uttering some more badinage”</p> -<p>On page 79, “promted” has been <a href="#tn15">changed to “prompted”</a>: “for he was -prompted by the most powerful”</p> -<p>On page 99, the original text <a href="#tn16">represented here by the word “office”</a> -is obscured: “seeing him put a letter in the office, addressed to -you” and “thought strange” has been <a href="#tn17">changed to “thought it strange”</a>: -“he must have thought it strange”</p> -</div> - -<pre style='margin-top:6em'> -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY MINERS *** - -This file should be named 63868-h.htm or 63868-h.zip - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/6/63868/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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