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diff --git a/old/66309-0.txt b/old/66309-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b44c8b5..0000000 --- a/old/66309-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3924 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Three Trappers; or The Apache Chief's -Ruse, by Seelin Robins - -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 Three Trappers; or The Apache Chief's Ruse - Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 84 - -Author: Seelin Robins - -Release Date: September 14, 2021 [eBook #66309] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois - University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE TRAPPERS; OR THE APACHE -CHIEF'S RUSE *** - - - - - THE THREE TRAPPERS; - OR, - THE APACHE CHIEF’S RUSE. - - - BY SEELIN ROBINS, - Author of “The Specter Chief.” - - - NEW YORK: - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by - FRANK STARR & CO., - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I Comanches 9 - II In Camp 22 - III The Comanches and Their Prize 27 - IV The Emigrant Party 33 - V Leonidas Swipes, Sheep Dealer 39 - VI Florence Brandon 45 - VII Fort Mifflin Institute 52 - VIII An Apache Courtship 58 - IX An Audacious Proceeding 64 - X Preparing for the Pursuit 71 - XI Pursuit 78 - XII The Apache Gorge 84 - XIII The Rescue 90 - XIV Conclusion 97 - - - - - THE THREE TRAPPERS. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - COMANCHES. - - -It was now quite late in the afternoon, and Fred Wainwright reined up -his mustang, and from his position took a survey of the surrounding -prairie. On his right stretched the broad dusty plain, broken by some -rough hills, and on his left wound the Gila, while in the distance could -be detected the faint blue of the Maggolien Mountains. - -But it was little heed he paid to the natural beauties of the scene, for -an uncomfortable fear had taken possession of him during the last hour. -Once or twice he was sure he had detected, off towards the mountains -signs of Comanche Indians, and he was well satisfied that if such were -the case they had assuredly seen him, and just now he was speculating -upon the best line of retreat if such were the case. - -“If they are off there, and set their eyes on me,” he speculated, “the -only chance for me is towards the Gila, and what can I do there?” - -He might well ask the question, for it was one which would probably -require a speedy answer. The Comanches, as are well known, are among the -most daring riders and bravest red men on the American Continent, and -when they take it into their heads to follow up an enemy, one of three -things is certain—his destruction, a desperate fight or a skilful -escape. - -The young hunter had no desire to encounter these specimens of -aboriginal cavalry, for he was certain in the first place that there -were half a dozen of them, and that it would be madness to stand his -ground, while his chances of eluding them were exceedingly dubious. -Although mounted on a fine mustang, there was little doubt but what the -Indians were equally well mounted, and he had little prospect of success -in a trial of speed. - -There was only one thing in his favor, and that was that night was close -at hand. He was somewhat in the situation of the mariner when pursued by -the pirate, who sees his only hope of life in the friendly darkness -which is closing around. The young hunter looked at the low descending -sun, and wondered what kept it so long above the horizon, and then he -scanned every portion of the sky, to see whether no clouds were -gathering in masses, which would increase the intensity of the darkness. -But the sky was clear, although he remembered that there was no moon, -and when night should fairly come it would be one of Egyptian gloom, -which would give him all the shelter he wished. - -At the precise point where the young hunter was journeying was a mass of -tall grass, which partially concealed himself and horse, and which, as a -natural consequence, he was reluctant to leave so long as he was sure -that danger threatened him. His little mustang advanced slowly, his -rider holding a tight rein and glancing toward the river, and then -toward the hills on the right, from which he expected each moment to see -the screeching Comanches emerge and thunder down toward him. - -But as the sun dipped below the horizon the young hunter began to take -heart. - -“If they give me an hour longer, I think my chances will be good,” he -muttered, growing more anxious each moment. - -At one point in the hills he noticed a broken place, a sort of pass, -from which he seemed to feel a premonition that the Indians would sally -forth to make their attack; so before coming opposite he reined up, -determined to proceed no further until it was dark enough to be safe. - -He had sat in this position a half an hour or so, and the gloom was -already settling over the prairie, when a succession of terrific yells -struck upon his ear, and glancing toward the hills, he saw half a dozen -Comanches thundering down toward him. The hunter at once threw himself -off his horse, and resting his rifle on his back, sighted at the -approaching redskins. They were nigh enough to be in range, and -satisfied that they could be intimidated in no other way, he took a -quick aim and fired. - -Fred Wainwright possessed an extraordinary skill in the use of the -rifle, and the shriek and the frantic flinging up of the arms, and the -headlong stumble from his horse of the leading Comanche, showed that the -fright of his situation had not rendered his nerves unsteady. - -This decided action had the effect of checking the tumultuous advance -for a few moments; but the hunter had been in the South-West long enough -to understand the nature of these Comanches, and he knew they would soon -be after him again. Springing on his horse therefore, he wheeled about -without a moment’s delay, and started at full speed on his back track. - -Wainwright soon made the gratifying discovery that the speed of his own -mustang was equal to that of the animals bestrode by the Comanches, and -that even for a time he steadily drew away from them. But his own horse -was jaded with half a day’s tramp, and could maintain this tremendous -gait for comparatively a short period, while those of the Indians were -fresh and vigorous and could not fail soon to draw nigh him. - -“However, if the fellow keeps this up for a half hour longer, we shall -care nothing for them.” - -The little animal strained every nerve, and worked as if he knew the -fate of himself and master was depending upon his efforts. The young -hunter glanced over his shoulder and could just discern his followers -through the gloom, they still shouting and yelling like madmen, as if -they sought to paralyze him through great terror. He loaded his gun as -he rode, and several times was on the point of turning and exchanging -shots with them; but he did not forget there were two parties to the -business, and that their return shots might either kill or wound himself -or mustang, the ultimate result in each case being the same. So he gave -his whole attention to getting over the prairie as fast as possible. - -About fifteen minutes had elapsed when the crack of a rifle rung out -upon the air, and the bullet whistled within a few feet of the head of -the fugitive. He again looked back and could see nothing of his -pursuers. At this juncture he struck in among some tall grass similar to -that in which he halted when he first beheld the Comanches; and at the -same instant he saw that his beast was rapidly giving out. - -He hated to part with him but it could not be helped. Delay would be -fatal, and reining his horse down to a moderate canter, he sprang to the -earth and gave him a blow, which sent him with renewed speed on his way. - -Then running rapidly a few rods the hunter dropped flat on his face and -listened. All the time he heard the thundering of the approaching -horsemen, but he did not dare to raise his head to look. They came -nearer and nearer, and the next moment had passed by and for the present -he was safe. - -Not doubting but that they would speedily come up with the fleeing -mustang and discover the ruse played upon them, Wainwright arose to his -feet and made all haste toward the Gila. - -By this time it was very dark and he was guided only by a general -knowledge of the direction in which it lay, and by the sound of its -gentle flowing. Once along its steep banks he felt sure of being able to -conceal himself, and, if needful, of throwing his enemies off his trail -entirely, should they attempt pursuit, when it again became light. - -Hurrying thus carelessly forward he committed a natural blunder but one -which made him ashamed of himself. He walked straight off the bank a -dozen feet high, dropping within a yard of a small camp fire, around -which were seated two trappers smoking their pipes. - -“Hullo, stranger, did you drop from the clouds?” asked one of them, -merely turning his head without changing his position. The other turned -his eyes slightly but did nothing more. “This ’yer what I call a new -style of introducing yourself into gentlemen’s society; shoot me for a -beaver if it aint!” - -“That it is,” laughed Wainwright, “but you see I was in quite a hurry!” - -“What made you in such a hurry?” - -“I was fleeing from Indians——” - -“What’s that?” demanded both of them in a breath. - -“I was fleeing from Indians, and was looking more behind than in front -of me.” - -“That yer’s what I call a different story,” exclaimed the oldest, -springing up and dashing the burning embers apart, so as to extinguish -the light as soon as possible. It required but a few moments thoroughly -to complete the work, when he turned to Wainwright and asked in a -whisper: - -“Mought they be close at hand, stranger?” - -“I don’t think they are.” - -“Have you time to talk a few minutes?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then just squat yourself on the ground and tell us all about this -scrape you ’pear to have got yourself into.” - -Our hero did as requested, giving a succinct account of what we have -told the reader, beginning the narration at precisely the same point in -which we did, and carrying it up to his “stepping off” the bank. The two -trappers listened respectfully until he was done, when one of them gave -an expressive grunt. - -“'Younker, you don’t look as if you had two faces, and I make no doubt -you’ve told us the truth; but it was qua’r you should happen to be -trampin’ alone so far away from the settlement.” - -“I was with a party of hunters this morning, but became separated from -them and was on my return to the camp when I was shut off in the manner -I have told you.” - -“Do you want to get back to them?” - -“I aint particular,” laughed the young hunter, with a peculiar -expression. “It aint likely they have waited an hour for me when they -discovered my absence, and so I should be at a loss to know where to -look for them.” - -“Wal, it’s all the same to us,” said the trapper; “you don’t look like a -scamp, and you can stay with us, if you want to do so.” - -“You see, furthermore, that I have lost my horse, and shall have to take -it afoot until I can buy or capture another.” - -“We can fix that up easy enough,” grunted the trapper. “My hoss Blue -Blazes can carry all that can get on his back, and we can give you a -lift till you can scare up an animile of some kind or other.” - -It was plain that the trappers were really kind at heart, and were -anxious to give the young hunter a “lift.” They were rough in their -manner and speech but the diamond is frequently forbidding in its -appearance until it is polished, and the wonderful gem displayed. - -While this trapper was conversing with the stranger, his companion had -stealthily made his way down the bank some distance, where he had -clambered up on the plain, and made a reconnoissance to assure himself -that the “coast was clear.” Discovering nothing suspicious, he had -turned back again and speedily rejoined the other two. - -The fire having completely gone out they were left in entire darkness -sitting together on the bank of the Gila. - -One of the trappers was short, muscular, with a compact frame, -resembling in physique the renowned Kit Carson. His name was George -Harling, and he hailed from Missouri, and was a hunter and trapper of a -dozen years experience. He was generally mild, quick and genial -tempered, but when in the Comanche fight, or when on the trail of some -of the daring marauders of the northern tribes, he was a perfect terror, -fearless, dashing and heedless of all danger. - -The second hunter who hitherto had maintained the principal part of the -conversation with Wainwright was a tall, lank, bony individual, restless -in manner and sometimes impulsive in speech, was called Ward Lancaster, -and seemed to have tramped in every part of the country west of the -Mississippi; for you could not mention a tribe of Indians, or a peculiar -locality, but what he had been there, and had something interesting to -tell about it. - -He was about fifty years of age, with not a gray hair in his head, and -with as gleaming an eye as he possessed thirty years before, when he -first placed his foot on the western bank of the Father of Waters, and -slinging his rifle over his shoulder, plunged into the vast wilderness, -an eager sharer in the adventures and dangers that awaited him. - -Ward was a pleasant, even tempered individual, who, when led into the -ambush, and fighting desperately the dusky demons who were swarming -around him, did so as cooly and cautiously as he galloped over the -billowy prairie. He was one of those individuals who seemed born to act -as guide and director for parties traversing those regions, where it -seems to a man of ordinary ability, fully a lifetime would be required -to gain a comparatively slight knowledge. His instinct was never known -to be at fault. When in the midst of the immense arid plains, which -stretched away on every hand, until like the ocean it joined the sky; in -the centre of these vast tracts, with man and beast famishing for water, -and when no one else could see the clue, by which to escape from the -dreadful situation, Ward displayed a knowledge or intuition, which to -say the least, was extraordinary. Looking up to the brassy sky, and then -away to the distant horizon, and then at the parched ground, he would -fall into a deep reverie, which would last for a few moments, at the end -of which he would start off at a rapid gallop toward some invisible -point, and the end of that ride was——water. - -When questioned as to the manner by which he acquired this remarkable -skill, the trapper never gave a satisfactory answer. He sometimes said -it must be that he scented the water; but, as it is well known that this -element has no smell, taste or color, although the presence of -vegetation, which it causes, and which is nearly always a sign of it, -frequently gives out a strong odor, which guides the thirsty animal from -a long distance, yet it cannot be supposed for an instant that the -hunter acquired his wonderful knowledge in this manner. No human -olfactories have ever been known to hold a hundredth part of the -delicacy necessary for such an exploit. Ward always smiled rather -significantly when he gave such an answer. - -It might be that he was really ignorant of the means by which he -possessed such a superiority over his fellow creatures in this respect, -and which made them only too glad to follow him to any point he -indicated, without fear of consequences; or it may be that he had -acquired some subtle secret of the “hidden springs” of nature—some -knowledge of her means of working—so hidden from human knowledge that -they can be reached by no process of reasoning, and are only discovered -(which is rarely the case,) by accident. - -Such a knowledge, or “gift,” as it is properly termed, is frequently -found among the North American Indians—a people whose inability to grasp -the simplest truths of art or science, is too well known to need -reference here. Some withered old Medicine man, or wrinkled old woman, -with her crooning and sorcery, is frequently the depository of a secret -in medicines,—of the subtle working in certain forms of disease, of some -apparently harmless plant, which when made known to the prying eyes of -his pale faced brother, has made his fame and reputation and has given -him a name for learning and skill, that has made him the enemy of the -whole profession. - -How many of the colossal fortunes of the present day have been builded -upon the knowledge of some Medicine Man, or some negro woman who has -gained a well founded reputation among the ignorant people. - -So we say Ward Lancaster may have stumbled upon some secret of nature’s -workings, which the jealous dame had carefully veiled from other eyes; -and in the presence of this knowledge he never went astray. - -The hunter was full of adventures, and could recount his experience by -the hour as he sat smoking around the camp fire, at the end of the -chase, or at the close of the day’s tramp. He had acted as guide to -several expeditions which had crossed the Rocky Mountains into -California and Oregon; and, at the present time, he and Harling were -looking for a caravan or large emigrant party, which they had been sent -from Santa Fe to intercept and guide into Lower California. - -Having thus introduced somewhat at length our friends to our readers, we -come to speak more particularly of their first meeting. They soon -explained each other’s name and destination to each other, when Ward -seemed disposed to question Wainwright still further. He thought he saw -about the young man signs indicating that he had followed this hunting -and trapping business but a comparatively short time. His well shaped -hands, had not the brown, hardy character which characterized those of -his companions, and the jetty luxuriant beard failed to conceal the -rosy-tinted skin, which could never have been retained under the storm -and tempest of the prairie. - -Wainwright, however, skilfully parried the questions when they came too -close, or refused to answer them altogether. - -“I belong further east,” said he, “but there are some things which I -don’t choose to tell at present. The time may come when I shall be glad -to do so, but it hasn’t come yet.” - -“All right; that yer is what I call a hint to keep my mouth shet. -Howsomever, you’ll allow me to ask another question or two.” - -“Certainly, you may _ask_ all you please,” replied the young hunter, -with a significant intonation. - -“How long have you been on the prairies, and among the mountains?” - -“A little over a year.” - -“Been with one party of hunters all the time?” - -“No; with half a dozen, and once with a party of Indians.” - -“Have you learned any thing of the ways of the mountains and prairies in -that time?” - -“As I expect to be associated with you for some time, I will waive that -question for a few months, and then allow you to answer it for -yourself.” - -“That’s sensible,” grunted Harling, “I’ve only one more question to ax.” - -“I am ready to hear it.” - -“What brought you out here? A quarrel, love adventure, or what?” - -“If any one asks you such a question tell him you are unable to answer -it.” - -This was a decided reply, and the trapper so accepted it. They had -conversed together in low tones, occasionally pausing and listening for -any sound of their enemies, but they heard none—nothing breaking the -stillness but the solemn flow of the dark river. - -“I think,” said Harling, “we had better move our quarters, for these -sneaking Comanches can smell a white man, about as far as you can smell -water.” - -“Yes, what I was a thinkin’ on,” muttered his companion, “Mo -when-your-right, or Wainwright, you’ll foller.” - -The three began stealing along the bank of the river, frequently pausing -and listening, but as yet, hearing nothing suspicious. The sky had -cleared somewhat during the last hour, and the clouds which had -overspread it after the sun went down, and a number of stars were -visible. Still it was very gloomy, the party being barely able to -discern a few feet in front of them, as they advanced so stealthily upon -their way. - -Ward took the lead, his form being faintly visible, as he carefully -picked his way, while behind him came Harling, and our hero, the young -hunter, brought up the rear. The latter had heard them speak of their -horses, and knew of course that they must be the owners of animals, -which were so indispensable in this desolate country; but he wondered -where they were kept, as he failed to see anything of them. - -“However, I shall learn all in due time,” was his conclusion, as they -walked leisurely along. - -They had progressed in this manner perhaps for a third of a mile, when -the leader hastily scrambled up the bank the others following, found -themselves on the edge of the prairie, which had witnessed the exciting -chase between the Comanches and the young hunter, a few hours before. - -By this time the sky had cleared and objects could be seen quite -distinctly, for a considerable distance. The three men halted and looked -out upon the prairie, but saw nothing but darkness. - -“Where are your horses!” inquired Wainwright. - -“About a mile from here.” - -“Aint you afraid of losing them!” - -“Not much; they’re lied where it would take a pair of sharp eyes to find -them.” - -“But those Comanches——” - -“Sh!” interrupted the trapper, “I hear something walking.” - -They listened, and the faintest sounds of footfalls could be heard, -quite hesitatingly, as if some one were very cautiously approaching -them. - -“Down!” whispered Ward, sinking silently to the earth, “whoever it is is -coming this way.” - -The others were not slow in imitating his example, and lying thus upon -the ground intently listening, they now and then caught a dull sound, as -if made by an Indian carrying a heavy body, with which he retreated, as -often as he advanced. A person who had had no experience of prairie life -would have failed to hear the sound at all; but all three of our friends -heard it distinctly. - -Ward Lancaster had detected the direction of the sound, and was peering -out on the prairie in the hope of discerning the cause of it. All at -once he gave utterance to a suppressed exclamation, and then added, as -he turned his head. - -“What do you s’pose it is?” - -“I am sure I cannot tell,” replied Wainwright. - -“It’s a horse, and if I’m not powerful mistaken it’s your own animal; -but hold on; don’t rise; it may be a trick of the Comanches to find out -where you are.” - -The horse steadily advanced until a few feet of the prostrate men, when -it pawed and snuffed the air Ward then quietly arose, and before the -animal could wheel about, he seized the bridle and held it a prisoner. -Wainwright then came up and found that it was his own mustang, with all -his accoutrements complete. - -“How fortunate!” he exclaimed in pleased surprise, as he examined the -saddle and bridle; “every thing seems to be here.” - -So it proved, and Wainwright lost no time in putting himself astride of -his mustang. Following the direction of his friends, they soon reached a -small clump of stunted trees and undergrowth, where the trappers’ horses -were found. It was at first proposed that they should encamp here for -the night, but, as the Comanches were unquestionably in the vicinity, -they concluded to get as far away as possible. So they mounted their -animals, and under the leadership of Ward took the river for their -guide, and rode at a moderate walk until daylight, by which time they -had placed many a long mile between themselves and their dusky enemies. - -The hunters scrutinized every suspicious point and took a careful survey -of the surrounding prairie and hills, but discovered nothing suspicious, -and they concluded that there was nothing further to fear from these -wild riders of the plains. - -The range of hills was still in sight, and offered a secure hiding place -for any of their enemies who chose to conceal themselves there, but if -such were the case, the trappers were confident they could detect them, -and failing in this they believed themselves justified in coming to the -conclusion mentioned. - -Ward took his bearings and headed towards a point where he hoped to -intercept the emigrant train; but when night came they had not yet -reached it, and they encamped in a small grove. Wainwright had brought -down an antelope with his rifle, at such a distance as to extort a -compliment from the hunters, and thus bountifully provided for supper, -they counted upon a pleasant evening. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - IN CAMP. - - -“Come, George, isn’t that steak done yet?” inquired the impatient -Lancaster. “It strikes me that it has just got the color to insure a -good taste. What do you think Fred?” - -“I’m hungry enough to make anything taste good to me, stewed, fried or -raw.” - -“Now just keep easy,” replied Harling. “When the meat is ready you shall -have it—not before—no matter how hungry you are.” - -“Woofh!” exclaimed Lancaster, “if I get much hungrier, I’ll eat the meat -up and take you by way of dessert. So hurry up, will you?” - -Not the least attention did the imperturbable cook pay to the murmurings -of those around. He turned the meat around as slowly and carefully as -ever, and when it had reached the point when Lancaster declared it was -“spoiled” he removed it from its perches, served it into three equal -slices, and announced that it was ready. - -So it proved—rich, steamy, juicy and tender, so that it fairly melted in -their mouths. No sooner did it touch their palates, than they inwardly -thanked the cook for resisting their importunities, and furnishing them -with such a choice morsel. They thanked him inwardly, we say, but, as -might be expected, each took particular good care to say nothing about -it. - -But Harling saw his advantage and followed it up. - -“You’re a couple of purty pups, aint you? Don’t know what’s best for -you. If it wasn’t for me, you’d both starve to death.” - -“Get out!” replied Lancaster, “let other people brag up your cooking; -don’t do it yourself.” - -“There’s no one in this crowd got gratitude to thank me after I’ve -crammed their mouths for them.” - -“Then I wouldn’t do it myself,” laughed Fred Wainwright. - -“Yes, I shall too, for it deserves it, and it’s time you learned to say -so.” - -“Hang it,” cried Lancaster, pretending to have great difficulty in -tearing the meat asunder; “if this piece hadn’t been cooked so long, it -would be fit for a white man to eat, but as it is, it is enough to tear -my teeth out.” - -“’Cause you’re making such a pig of yourself. Try and eat like a -civilized being, and you’ll find it tender enough for an infant.” - -“How do you find it Fred?” turning toward their younger companion. - -“I can manage to worry down a little.” - -“I should think you could!” was the indignant comment of the cook, as -his friends swallowed the last mouthful. - -The darkness slowly settled over prairie and mountain, and when the -hunters had gorged themselves with meat, so rich and juicy that they -could not conceal their delight, they wiped their greasy fingers upon -their heads, produced their pipes, lay back and “enjoyed themselves.” - -Although in the midst of a hostile country, all three were too -experienced to feel any apprehension regarding their safety. This fire -had been so skilfully kindled at the bottom of a hollow, so artfully, -that a lynx-eyed Apache or Comanche might have stood within a hundred -feet of them without suspecting its existence. Their horses, too, had -been trained long enough in danger and peril to know the value of -silence on a dark night and in a still country; and there was no fear of -their discovery by hostile eyes through any indiscretion on their part. - -From long exposure to danger, the hunters had acquired a habit of -speaking in low tones, and frequently pausing and listening before -making responses to a question. When they laughed, no matter how -heartily, it was without noise, except out upon the broad prairie, when -their cramped up lungs demanded freedom, and then their laugh rang out -clear and loud, like the blast of a silver trumpet. - -Even as they smoked, the coal in their pipes was invisible. They had a -fashion unknown to us of more civilized regions, of sinking the coal or -burning part of the pipe below the surface of the tobacco, by a few -extra long whiffs, so that, as they leisurely drew upon them afterwards -there was no fear of the red points betraying their presence, a thing -which has more than once taken place in the early history of our -country. - -The party drew at their pipes in quiet enjoyment for some time, and -then, as the night was pleasant and warm they fell into an easy -conversation. - -“I wonder whether we shall come upon the caravan tomorrow,” remarked -Fred Wainwright, not because he imagined there was any thing -particularly brilliant in the remark, but for the same reason that we -frequently say a pointless thing—because we can’t think of something -better. - -“P’raps we shall, and p’raps we shant,” was the non-committal answer of -Ward Lancaster. - -“You are right for once,” said Harling. “No matter whether we see ’em or -not there isn’t much danger of you prophesying wrong. - -“But I really think we are somewhere in their vicinity and we shall see -something of them tomorrow—some sign at least that will give us an idea -of their whereabouts.” - -“Are you sure this emigrant train is where it can be found?” asked Fred -Wainwright. - -“Yes, _sir_. I said that; I understand it, which is a blamed sight more -than either of you two lunkheads could do. The fellow was in earnest -about it. Didn’t you see Harling how quick the feller came straight at -me, and talked to me like a man whose life depended on his getting my -service.” - -“Did he go far enough to offer a price?” inquired Harling, rather -quizzically. - -“Yes, _sir_,” was the triumphant reply. “He hauled out several yellow -boys, and wanted to put them in my hands to seal the bargain.” - -“You took ’em, of course?” remarked Fred in a serious tone, but taking -advantage of the darkness to grin to an alarming extent. - -“No SIR!” was the indignant response. “I told ’em I took money after I’d -done a thing—not before. He seemed quite anxious and urged me to take it -saying it was a-ahem-a-rainen-strainer.” - -“Retainer,” accented Fred. - -“Yes; something like that; don’t know what it means, but I told him I -did not do business in that way. I axed him all about the company and -learned all I wanted, and then told him when it reached ‘Old Man’s -Point,’ I’d be thar!” - -“How near are we to it?” - -“About ten miles off; we’ll ride there before breakfast tomorrow, and -take our first meal with the party.” - -“What became of their guide?” - -“The guide was shot by an Apache Indian two days ago, and the party have -been half frightened to death ever since. They declared, if they could -not find a guide, they would never enter California; as you can see -we’ve good reason to ’spect they’ll be _rather_ glad to have our -company.” - -“It seems singular that the very man upon whom they relied, and the one -who no doubt knew more about the Indians than all the others combined, -should be the very first one to fall a victim.” - -“How do you know he was the first one?” demanded Ward Lancaster, almost -fiercely, as he turned his face toward Fred Wainwright. - -“I don’t know it; only imagined it from the remark you made.” - -“Well, perhaps he was the first one,” was the complacent remark of the -hunter, as he resumed his pipe. “I don’t know neither to the contrary -notwithstanding.” - -“Then it’s my opinion you’d better keep your mouth shet,” was the -comment of Harling. “Them people that don’t know nothing, gain the most -credit by saying nothing.” - -“That’s the reason you keep mum so much of the time, I ’spose. Wal, -that’s right; you ought to know yourself; don’t let me change your -habits, because that is a mighty good habit you’ve got.” - -“It strikes me it would be a good habit for us all to follow at this -time,” suggested Fred Wainwright. “It is getting late, and I feel like -going to sleep.” - -“Go ahead then,” said Ward. - -But the hour was growing late, and shortly after the three hunters were -wrapped in profound slumber. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE COMANCHES AND THEIR PRIZE. - - -The gray dawn of early morning was just beginning to break over the -prairie when the “Trappers of the Gila” were active. Such men are -invariably early risers, unless they have been deprived of several -night’s rest, and desire to make it entirely up at one stretch. - -Harling’s culinary skill had given him the position of caterer to the -company’s appetite, and from what has been mentioned in the preceding -chapter, there will be but little doubt but that he had succeeded -admirably. - -The time to which we refer being quite modern, the party always went -provided with lucifer matches, instead of resorting to the use of the -tedious flint and tender. Of course they were easily carried in such a -manner as to be impervious to damp, and to be reliable at all times. - -Abundant fuel was close at hand, and not five minutes intervened after -their rising, when a bright fire was crackling and snapping, and the -cook had another goodly-sized piece of antelope steaming and sizzling, -giving out an odor enough to drive a hungry man distracted. A clear icy -cold stream a hundred yards away, afforded them the means of performing -their morning ablutions. - -The breakfast was hastily swallowed, and just as the first beams of the -morning sun came up the eastern horizon, the three hunters, mounted on -their animals, were galloping over the prairie, toward Old Man’s Point, -quite a noted place, which could be distinguished on the plains for a -distance of twenty miles. - -At the very moment of starting, Lancaster looked to the north, where a -dark point, apparently the size of a man’s body could be distinguished. -This he announced was the point of rendezvous, so well known to parties -crossing the plain and passing into Lower California. As it was in plain -sight, all the party had to do was to ride straight toward it. - -The hunters were galloping in this leisurely manner, when Fred -Wainwright suddenly exclaimed with no little excitement, - -“Yonder come the emigrants this very minute.” - -As he spoke he pointed away to the east, where in the distance could be -seen a cloud of smoke, as if made by the trampling of animals. Nothing -else could be distinguished, but a moment’s glance sufficed to show -unmistakably that it was not natural clouds, such as an inexperienced -eye would pronounce it, but it was the fine dry powder of the parched -prairie raised by the passage of multitudinous feet. - -From the distance and through the haze nothing at all could be -discovered of those who were “kicking up the dust.” The fact that it was -very near that quarter from which they expected the coming of the -emigrant party, and that it was at the very time they were looking for -their coming, argued strongly for their being their friends. But neither -Harling nor Lancaster were quite satisfied on this point. - -Reining their horses down to a slow walk, they gazed long and fixedly in -the direction of the tumult, and finally the sharp-scented trapper -exclaimed: - -“They ain’t white men; they’re Injins!” - -“How do you know that?” inquired Fred. - -“I can smell ’em!” - -This, however, was an attempt to be facetious, and the hunter -condescended to give his reasons for holding such strong suspicions. - -“You see there is too much dust, in the first place, for a party of -white folks.” - -“You know the prairie looks as if it hadn’t rained for six months, and -we have left a trail behind us, something like a Mississippi steamer -leaves, when she throws every thing she has on board into her furnaces, -for the sake of beating her rival. Just look behind you and see what a -cloud you have left in the air.” - -“Yes; I know,” returned Lancaster, without turning his head. “And that’s -just the reason for them ’ere thieves off yonder being redskins. We’ve -had our horses in a gallop, and their hoofs have kicked up this dust, -an’ that’s just what has been done over yonder. You have heard, I -suppose, that emigrant parties aint apt to go ’cross the plains on a -full canter, you’ve larn’t that I ’spose, haint you?” - -“I’ve learnt it now if I didn’t know it before,” laughed Fred. “You know -there may rise occasions for them to put themselves at their highest -speed, as when a party of Indians come screaming down upon them.” - -Lancaster shook his head. - -“You’re mistook there, my friend; you’re mistook there. I’ve guided many -a party through the Rockies and across the plains, and some of ’em from -St. Louis and Independence, and I never yet seed that thing done. ’Cause -why, it would be all tom-foolery, with their loaded wagons, and jaded -horses and sleepy oxen; such a thing would be impossible—yes, sir, -impossible, even if all the Injins were on foot. You see, don’t you?” - -Wainwright could not deny the force of what the hunter said, and much -against his will he was led to believe that a party of hostile Indians -were rapidly nearing them. This, while it gave the hunter no uneasiness -as regarded themselves, looked as though the emigrant train had gotten -into trouble, and on that account the three horsemen were more -apprehensive than they would have been under ordinary circumstances. - -In the mean time the agents in this cloud of dust were rapidly nearing -the party of hunters, who, with their horses upon a slow walk, were -attentively watching for some further evidence of the identity of their -enemies. - -“Hark!” admonished Harling, raising his hand with a gesture of silence. - -All bent their heads and listened. Faintly through the turmoil and -confusion, they caught the sound of shouting, as though the parties were -calling to each other; at the same time a faint rumble or trembling was -heard which showed that numerous animals were tramping the prairie. - -“Doesn’t it look as though the emigrants were in trouble?” asked Fred, -with an expression of familiar alarm. “I do hope they haven’t been -attacked.” - -“It is a party of Injins driving a lot of animals,” said Harling. “They -have stampeded them, and if you listen very hard you can hear the tramp -of their feet.” - -“But the shouting?” - -“All as matter of course. They have got the animals on a full run, and -are shouting and yelling at them to keep them going. Hark! How much -plainer you can hear ’em?” - -Such was the case; the fearful whooping of the excited redskins coming -to their ears with great distinctness. Suddenly Lancaster’s face -brightened. - -“I understand now what it all means. A lot of thieves have stampeded a -drove of sheep and have ’em on the full run so as to get them as far -away from re-capture as soon as possible.” - -“They must be Apaches, then,” remarked Fred. - -“No, sir,” and the hunter pressing his lips, “them’s _Comanches_.” - -“What are they doing as far up as this?” - -Lancaster looked at the interlocutor in surprise, and then repeated. - -“As far up as this! Ten years ago I seed a party of over twenty -Comanches along the Yellowstone, a thousand miles from here, and I’ve -seen hundreds of ’em ’atween here and there.” - -“I thought they rarely came so far north. I have never seen any of them -till yesterday.” - -The hunter laughed as he answered. - -“There’s no need of your taking the trouble to tell us that; _I_ never -’sposed you have. True, the most of ’em sticks down in New Mexico, Texas -and around there, but they often come further north, just to get a -chance to stretch their limbs.” - -“But how can you tell them from the Apaches who resemble them so -closely?” - -“That is rather a nice point, I’ll own,” said Lancaster, “with some -professional points, but the fact is, that since we’ve been sitting on -our horses, riding and listening, I’ve heard a scream given by one of -the dogs, that I’ve heard afore and that always came from the throat of -a full blooded Comanche.” - -“It strikes me that if such is the case, the best thing we can do is to -get out of this region as rapidly as possible.” - -This was really the most sensible remark Fred Wainwright had made for -some time; and feeling it to be such, he was not a little confused to -see that it attracted scarcely any attention. Finally, Lancaster, who -was still looking toward the tumultuous crowd which was passing toward -them, remarked, - -“They’re going to pass to the north of us, between us and the Point.” - -“But they’ll see us.” - -“What if they do?” - -“Why we shall have a chase and all for nothing too, and be kept away the -whole day from joining the party who are looking as anxiously for us.” - -“See here, youngster,” said the trapper, turning toward their younger -companion. “You’re talking about something that you don’t know nothing -about. These Comanches are stealing them sheep, and they want to get -along with them as fast as they can, if not faster; they have got no -time to stop and fight, no matter how bad they want to.” - -“You’ve guessed right, for once in your life,” remarked Harling, “you -can see that the drove have turned to the north, and when they pass us -there will be a good half mile between the Comanches and us.” - -Lancaster looked inexpressible things and kept silence. - -The remark of the hunter, or rather his prediction came true. In a few -minutes, through the dust and smoke, they could distinguish the forms of -Indians mounted on their mustangs, dashing hither and thither in the -most rapid evolutions, while the affrighted sheep huddled together, or -piled pell mell in their frantic attempts to make faster time. The -Comanches displayed the most extraordinary skill in horsemanship, -darting hither and thither, sometimes under their horse’s belly, then -over his neck, and in every conceivable position. - -The Indians discovered the hunters at the same instant that the latter -saw them; but they did not give them the least heed. They were too -numerous to fear any thing from the white men, and they knew they had -too much shrewdness to disturb them; and so the mortal enemies passed -within a comparatively slight distance of each other, with no other -evidence of recognition than a mutual scowl of hate. - -The hunters waited until a portion of the thick dust had settled, when -they resumed their march for the point where they expected to meet the -approaching emigrant party. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - THE EMIGRANT PARTY. - - -The dust raised by the multitudinous drove of sheep was so dense, as -almost to suffocate the trappers as they rode along, even when they -waited till the yelling, gyrating Comanches were far in the west with -their terror-stricken animals. - -A thin coating of the powder settled upon their garments, so that when -they emerged with the free air beyond, they were all of a yellowish -white color; but a vigorous brushing and shaking of their clothes -speedily resumed this, and they became themselves again. - -A half hour later, the party reached the “Old Man’s Point,” but as they -swept the horizon, saw nothing of the approaching emigrant train. The -rocks themselves were a mass of irregular boulders piled above each -other to the distance of fully a hundred feet, while the base covered an -area of fully a quarter of an acre, so that no better spot could be -selected as a rendezvous, or from which to take observations. - -“Fred, go to the top and take a look!” said Lancaster, “I expect they -must be in sight.” - -“I was just thinking of doing so,” was the reply of Wainwright, as he -dismounted and began clambering up the rocks. His agility soon carried -him to the top, and shading his eyes with his hands, he looked off -toward the east a moment, and then called out, - -“_They are coming!_” - -“Make right sure,” called Lancaster back to him, “for you are powerful -apt to make blunders in this part of the world. Be you sure they ain’t -Comanches or Apaches or some other party of stragglers.” - -“I can see the white tops of their wagons.” - -“I guess you’re right then,” was the comment of both the hunters below, -as they considered that this fact established the other truth. - -Turning their heads in the direction indicated they were able to discern -the caravan, at that great distance, apparently standing still, but, as -they knew, moving as rapidly as possible toward them. - -Having assured himself that it was all right regarding them Fred -Wainwright turned his gaze toward the vanishing Comanches and their -stolen sheep. There was no difficulty in locating them, as the vast -volume of dust indicated their whereabouts as unmistakably as does the -smoke the track of a fire on the prairie. - -The young hunter observed something which struck him as rather -remarkable. The Comanches, after reaching a point, when it was plain -they could not be discerned by any one, standing at the base of the -Rock, made a bend fully at right angles to the course they had been -pursuing. This they continued, until they grew faint and finally -vanished from sight altogether. - -This rather puzzled Fred until he mentioned it to the two hunters below -when he descended, when Harling explained its meanings. From whomsoever -the Comanches had stolen the sheep, it was evident they had fears of -pursuit. It is the easiest thing in the world to follow a sheep trail -over the prairie; but, if the pursuing party should ever happen, for the -sake of convenience, to leave the trail, they would be very apt to take -a general direction in their pursuit, without going to the trouble of -keeping to the main path. In this manner, unless some such ruse were -suspected, they would never notice the change in direction made by the -thieves, and thus give the latter just what they wanted, sufficient time -to get themselves and their prizes into safety. - -But the emigrant party was now close at hand, and Fred reascended the -rocks and waived his hat as a signal that all was right. This -demonstration relieved them in a great degree, for upon discerning the -figures, the company had come to a dead halt, and seemed to be -consulting together; but now they immediately moved forward; and as the -trappers moved out to meet them, the two parties speedily mingled with -each other. - -The emigrants numbered about a hundred,—ten wives, a young woman, a half -dozen children, while the rest were strong, stout bearded men, -well-armed, and willing to dare anything in the defence of their -property. They had got pretty well used to Indians, storms and danger in -coming thus far, and felt considerable confidence in themselves. - -“But we’ve never traveled this way before,” remarked Mr. Bonfield, a -pleasant, middle aged man, who by virtue of having the largest family, -and owning almost all the horses and wagons, was looked upon as a sort -of leader in the enterprise; “and, of course we ain’t acquainted with -the route. We engaged a capital guide at St. Louis, but several days ago -he was shot.” - -“He oughter known better than that,” remarked Lancaster; “if he learned -enough to be a guide, he oughter learned enough to take care of -himself.” - -“He did; but this was one of those things which sometimes happens when -we don’t dream there is any danger. He and Templeton here were chasing -an antelope, just at sunset, when they struck him, and he limped a short -distance, and finally tumbled over in a small grove not a half mile -distant from camp. Of course they dashed after him, when, just as they -went down into the timber, I saw a flash from behind one of the trees, -the poor fellow threw up his arms, rolled off his horse and fell dead to -the ground. Templeton dashed on into the grove, when a single Apache -warrior on foot, started on a run across the prairie, but he hadn’t -taken a dozen leaps, jumping from side to side, so as to distract his -aim, when he put a ball through his skull and laid him dead in his -track. I suppose, when the Apache saw them coming, he knew it meant sure -death to him, and as he did the best he could—shot one and run for it; -but who of us, if we had been in the guide’s place would not have done -precisely as he did?” - -“You’re right,” replied Harling. “What was his name?” - -“Hackle.” - -“Joe Hackle?” asked Lancaster, with considerable interest. - -“That was it.” - -“Poor Joe; he and I trapped together for three years on the upper forks -of the Platte, and a braver or better fellow never lived. He knowed -every mile of ground between the Mississippi—that is if you follow the -route travelers generally take.” - -“And that reminds me that we were told that we should find Mr. Ward -Lancaster, and George Harling at this place, and that they would act as -our guide into Lower California. I presume you are the gentlemen?” - -“Well, yas,” replied Lancaster with a huge grin, “I s’pose we be: that -is I’m Ward Lancaster without the _Mr._” - -Mr. Bonfield laughed; for he evidently understood what it all meant. The -emigrant be it remembered had halted, and the leader and several of the -men had advanced a hundred yards or so, and were consulting with the -hunters. The rest of the emigrants were busy attending to their animals, -or to themselves and their private affairs. - -“Can we engage you as guides?” asked the leader, unable to conceal his -eagerness. - -“I rather think so, as we come out here for that thing.” - -“There’ll be no difficulty about the compensation; for we need a guide -badly enough. Most of my party had concluded to halt here and wait until -we could procure one; and, although I opposed this conclusion, I should -have disliked very much to have penetrated further into this country, -which is entirely unknown to every one of us.” - -“It wouldn’t have done,” said Wainwright. “You would have lost your way -among the mountains and every one of you would have been picked off by -the Indians before a week had passed over your heads.” - -“So I thought; or else taken prisoners.” - -“Those Indians in these parts, ain’t apt to take prisoners, unless they -are in the form of valuable animals, or fair women.” - -“He is right,” said Lancaster, deeming it necessary that the statement -should receive his endorsement before he could pass for genuine in such -a promiscuous company. - -Mr. Bonfield and Lancaster now went apart by themselves for a few -moments, and talked together in low tones. They soon rejoined the others -when the trapper announced that the arrangements were completed, and -they were to accompany the party to their destination, which was Fort -Mifflin, on the western side of the Coast Range, or Rocky Mountains, in -the midst of a gold region. At the little town which encompassed this -fort, were a dozen of their friends, who had been there a couple of -years, and who had sent for them. They had a young lady, whose father -was the principal man at Fort Mifflin, and who had sent for his daughter -to join him, at the time the party crossed the plains. - -The preliminaries being settled, the party rode back to the emigrant -train, made the acquaintance of the others and the march was resumed. -They had all breakfasted, and it was concluded to make no halt until -they reached a small stream, which Lancaster hoped could be found by -noon, when they could rest as long as they chose. - -“What part of the States are you from?” inquired Fred Wainwright, of the -gentleman who had been referred to by the leader as Mr. Templeton. - -“Missouri,” was the reply. - -“Ah! what part of it?” - -“From the capital.” - -The young hunter could not avoid an exclamation of surprise, uttered so -naturally that the emigrant turned abruptly toward him. - -“Are you from there?” - -“I—ahem!—I know several persons from that part of the country—that is I -used to know them, but it is a good while ago.” - -Mr. Templeton gazed at him sharply, and remarked by way of explanation -of his apparent rudeness: - -“Most of us are from there, and I thought at first there was something -in your voice that was familiar, but I don’t remember your name. We have -a young lady—Miss Florence Brandon, whose name you may have heard, as -she was a belle at home.” - -“I think I have heard of her.” - -“Would you like to renew your acquaintance with her?” - -“No; I thank you; we hunters are hardly in a condition to appear in the -presence of refined ladies, as I judge Miss Brandon to be, and our lives -are such that we should cut a sorry figure, if we attempted to do so.” - -“But you talk like one who has not always led a hunter’s life.” - -“I have some education, but at present, I am simply a hunter and -trapper.” - -_Florence Brandon!_ Little did Mr. Templeton dream of the strange -emotions awakened in the breast of Fred Wainwright, the young hunter, at -the mention of that name. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - LEONIDAS SWIPES, SHEEP DEALER. - - -The sun had barely crossed the meridian, when the emigrant party reached -a small stream of water, and made midday halt. The animals were fed, -dinner cooked and eaten, pipes smoked, and everything done in accordance -with the time and circumstance. - -Fred Wainwright did his best to appear natural, but since the mention of -Florence Brandon’s name, his heart had been stirred, as it had not been -stirred for many a day. Old emotions which he imagined were dead -had——but enough for the present. - -When the call was made for dinner, he saw a young lady descend from one -of the large baggage wagons, so remarkably handsome, as to cause an -exclamation of surprise and admiration from all who had not seen her. -The young hunter started and gasped, and then passed his hand over his -face, as if to make sure that his massive beard was there, then he -slouched his hat so as to be sure the fair girl could not possibly -recognize him. - -At meal-time, he managed to keep a goodly distance from her; and, when -pressed to go forward and make himself known, he resolutely refused, and -acted very much as though he had a mortal terror of Miss Florence -Brandon. - -The alloted time for rest had expired, and the party were making ready -to move on again, when three strangers made their appearance mounted on -rather sorry looking nags. Two of them were dressed in half civilized -costume, with shaggy, untrimmed beards and hair, and a remarkable talent -for saying nothing except when directly appealed to. The third would -have attracted attention in any part of the world,—being nothing more -nor less than a genuine, traveling Yankee, dressed in precisely the same -suit of clothes in which he left his own native Connecticut a year -before. A huge, conical hat surmounted a small head, from which sprouted -a mass of yellow hair, a portion of which protruded through an opening -in the top, while the rest hung down over his shoulders. Sharp, grey -eager eyes, a thin peaked nose, a yellow tuft of hair on the chin, -prominent cheek bones and bony, angular muscular frame, completed the -noticeable points in the most talkative character in the group. - -While the party were as yet nearly a hundred yards distant, the Yankee -called out, - -“Say, you folks, have you seen anything of any stray sheep in these -parts?” - -The earnest simplicity with which this question was asked brought a -broad smile to the face of all who heard it. Lancaster asked as the -three horsemen rode up, - -“Have you lost any?” - -“Ye—s! a few.” - -“How many?” - -“Five thousand, four hundred and twenty eight.” - -From the remark of the horseman, it was evident that the flock of sheep -stolen by the Comanches belonged to him and his party. Lancaster, -therefore had no hesitation in replying, - -“We seed a drove of almost that size go ’long this morning.” - -“Did you count ’em?” - -“I rather think not.” - -“Pretty good sized drove?” - -“Right smart size.” - -“Who was driving on them!” - -“A half dozen Comanches.” - -“There’s our sheep!” exclaimed the horseman clapping his knee and -turning his face toward his companions, who merely looked their reply -without speaking. - -“Now, ain’t that mean!” he asked, turning back again toward the trappers -and emigrants. “My name is Leonidas Swipes, and me and these two -gentlemen left New Haven, a year ago last April. All three of us teached -school in districts that joined, but we concluded we was intended for -better business, and so we put our heads and purses together and started -for California.” - -“What were you doing with such a number of sheep!” asked Mr. Bonfield. - -“Taking ’em into California where mutton is five times as high as it is -east.” - -“But where did you get the sheep!” - -“Wal, the way on it was this,” replied Mr. Swipes, ejecting a mouthful -of tobacco juice, rolling his quid to the opposite cheek, and assuming a -position of ease. “We started from St. Louis just at the beginning of -Spring, lost our way and afore we knowed it fetched up in Santa Fe, five -hundred miles off our course. Of course, we were considerably riled to -think we had made such fools of ourselves, but there was no help for it, -and we soon found there was as good chance to make money in Santa Fe, as -in any other part of the world.” - -“Yes,” said Harling, “it is one of the greatest gambling holes this side -of the Mississippi.” - -Mr. Swipes instantly straightened himself with righteous indignation. - -“You don’t s’pose we ever gamble? No, sir; such things are frowned upon -in Connecticut, and there aint one of this party that can tell one keerd -from another. No, _sir_; we never gambled in our lives. If you aint -mistaken there, then my name aint Leonidas Swipes,—no, sir; by jingo.” - -“But how did you get the sheep?” pursued Mr. Bonfield, for there was -something in the rattling loquacity of the Yankee that made him -interesting and that caused the male members of the party to gather -around him. As the horseman found himself in this pleasing position, he -grew more voluble than ever, and declaimed in a style and manner, which -demonstrated that while his two companions were mum, yet his party in -the aggregate did enough talking to answer very well for one of its -size. - -“I’m saying it was rather queer, the way we come in possession of them -sheep, I swan if it wasn’t. We hadn’t been in Santa Fe a great while, -when a sickly looking Missourian and a gander legged Arkansian came into -the town with this drove of sheep. They tried to sell ’em, but nobody -would give their price, and one of ’em got out of patience, and turned -his horse’s head around and started straight back for home. The other -staid at the hotel where we was, and got took sick, and I soon seen he -was going to die. As I’ve read law some, I axed him whether he hadn’t a -will to make, and I’d be happy to draw it up for him. He said he hadn’t -a single friend in the world, except the Arkansian, and he didn’t s’pose -he’d ever see him again. He said he hadn’t any property except the -sheep. - -“Well, friends, I was not long in seeing there was a fine opening for a -young man, and the way I stuck to that poor Missourian would have -teached your hospital nurses a lesson. I hope you don’t think there was -any selfishness in it; for if any of you get sick, I’ll do the same for -you. Howsomever, that aint here nor there; the fellow died after awhile, -and, in his will, it was found that the five thousand and odd sheep had -been left to Leonidas Swipes. - -“I was about to sell the drove to a couple of Mexicans, when I happened -to hear that sheep in California was worth twenty dollars a piece. -Jingo! wasn’t there a chance? That flock that I wast just on the point -of selling was worth over a hundred thousand dollars, if I could only -get it through the mountains. I tell you the bare idea gives me the -head-ache, I swan if I didn’t. - -“Wal, I told my friends here, Mr. Doolittle and Birchem that if they’d -join, each of ’em could have a third, and we’d make our fortune. So we -started, and here we are without a sheep to our name.” - -“How did you expect to get through the mountains?” - -“The thing has been done before and can be done again.” - -“But you did not know the way.” - -“Oh! we had a guide, but he played us a mean trick. I agreed to give him -a hundred sheep for his payment, just as soon as he got us into the -Sacramento Valley. We hadn’t been out three days, when one night, he -give us the slip, taking two or three hundred sheep with him and leaving -us to go alone. We felt a little shaky about doing it, but we couldn’t -do anything else, and so we shoved ahead, and by jingo here you see us, -only three sheep of us,” and Mr. Swipes’ face expanded into a broad -smile. - -“But you haven’t told us how these Comanches got the sheep away from -you?” said Fred Wainwright, echoing the curiosity that all the others -felt. - -“You wish the _modus operandi_ I presume, I can soon give it, I swan if -I can’t. Last night we stopped on a small stream of water, where we knew -the grass was so _succulent_,—so _succulent_, that the sheep would stay -there all Summer if we’d only let them; and, as we was pretty tired, and -hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since leaving Santa Fe, we made up our -minds to take a square night’s sleep. - -“Well, we did so; and when I awoke this morning, I looked around and -seen our sheep about a half mile distant, tearing away like mad, and a -party of Indians driving on ’em. Well, if you ever seen three Yankees, -you know what the matter was with us. We hopped around there awhile, -like a lot of chickens that had stepped on a hot johny cake, and then we -set off after the Indians, shouting to ’em to hold on, while we -explained the matter to them; but hang ’em, they only went the harder; -and, as our horses was used up, we had to give it up and yumer ’em along -like to keep ’em from giving out.” - -“You have been rather unfortunate,” remarked several, feeling really -sorry for the unfortunate Yankees. - -“Yes, but I hope we can recover ’em agin.” - -“How?” - -“Can’t we make a party and pursue them? I’ll do the fair thing with any -of you that will join us. You see it hardly looks smart to let a hundred -thousand dollars stray off in that style.” - -“I cannot speak for the three hunters here, but it would be hardly -prudent for the rest of us to weaken our force by dividing it when we -are in such a dangerous portion of the country,—but, I beg pardon, we -have forgotten the laws of hospitality. Have you been to dinner?” - -“I was about to observe that _we had not_, and we would rather do that -just now than anything else we can think of.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - FLORENCE BRANDON. - - -Loss of property, grief and misfortune is almost always sure to affect -the appetite. A hearty vigorous digestion is incompatible with -depression of spirits, or sudden paralysis of sorrow. - -But Leonidas Swipes was subject to no such weakness, so far as the loss -of his magnificent drove of sheep was concerned. How remote the prospect -of his recovering a tithe of his property, he was resolved that it -should interfere in no way with the meal before him. - -Himself and his two companions seated themselves upon the ground, near -one of the large baggage wagons, while several of the females occupied -themselves with placing their food upon a matting before them. - -In the caravan were a couple of fine milch cows which, although they had -traveled all the way from the States were in good condition and gave -excellent milk. When a large pitcher of the cool delightful liquid was -placed before the hungry horsemen, their eyes expanded in amazement; but -neither Mr. Doolittle nor Mr. Birchem uttered a syllable, except when -Swipes asked them whether it was not splendid, whereupon they replied -with a grunt and nod of the head. - -“Well, I swan if it doesn’t beat all I ever seed or heerd tell on. -That’s the first drop of decent milk I’ve tasted since leaving -Connecticut,” said he, addressing the elderly woman who was acting the -part of a waiter. “We had some in Santa Fe, but it couldn’t begin with -this.” - -At this point, Swipes poured out a large cup-full, and slowly drank off -its contents, gradually lifting the cup until it was inverted over his -face thrown back so far as to be horizontal. In this position, he held -it for some time until sure the last drop had descended into his mouth, -when he lowered it again with a great sigh and a prolonged—“A——hem!” - -“But that is splendid now! _splendid_, by jingo! if it isn’t. When I had -that up to my mouth, I just shut my eyes, and there! I was back in -Connecticut agin, a sitting under the old mulberry tree, at noon, after -we have been mowing hay, and was taking our lunch! Ah! I was a boy -again.” - -While the hunters were eating, most of the emigrants were consulting -together, making the arrangements for the day’s journey, and debating -the proposition, the Yankee had made for some of them to join in the -pursuit of the thieving Comanches. - -Fred Wainwright, feeling somewhat interested in Swipes, sauntered slowly -toward him, and took a seat on the ground near the party, while they -ate, that he might relieve his depression of spirit somewhat by -conversing with the quaint New Englander, who, as has been seen was more -disposed to be loquacious than anything else. - -“I say Mr.——also Mr.——what did you tell me was your name?” remarked the -latter, as he suddenly cast his eyes toward the young hunter. - -“Wainwright.” - -“I say, Mr. Wainwright, you belong to them trappers; don’t you?” - -“Yes.” - -“Wal, what do you think of my proposition. Fine chance for a spec,” said -he, speaking rapidly and looking shrewdly. “’Taint often you have such a -chance.” - -“I have no particular feeling about it either way,” replied Wainwright. -“It is a big loss for you, but we are bound to this emigrant party, -having made an engagement to accompany them through the mountains, and -don’t believe Lancaster or Harling will join you without the free -consent of this party.” - -“Hang the Comanches!” exclaimed Swipes, as well as he could, with his -mouth full of meat, bread and milk; “hang ’em I say, they’re up to all -kinds of tricks, I understand, but I think they have served us just -about the meanest one I ever heerd tell 'on. I swan if they haint. I -say, Mr. Wainwright, are you much acquainted with the place over the -mountains where you’re going!” - -“Never have been there in my life.” - -“Don’t say; how in creation then are you going to act as guide; that’s -what I should like to know?” - -“I am not the guide; it is Lancaster; he has been on the mountains -several times.” - -“O—ah! I understand; then he could tell me all about the country. Have -you ever heard him speak of the place?” - -“Oh! yes; he has referred to it many times.” - -“Do you know whether there is a good opening for a talented young man?” - -“It isn’t likely these emigrants would be traveling there through all -this danger, unless there was a prospect of their bettering themselves. -But what sort of business do you expect engaging in?” - -“Well, anything most; I’m handy at everything; served my time as -shoemaker, worked some at tailoring and blacksmithing and on the farm, -and teached school in the winter. Say, you now,” exclaimed Swipes, with -a sudden gleam of eagerness. “What kind of a place would it be to open a -select school?” - -The young hunter could not forbear a laugh at the simplicity of the -question. - -“I don’t think I could give you much encouragement in that direction. -The country is most too young to give much attention to their schools, -as yet, but I’ve no doubt there will be a fine chance in a short time, -for such an institution. I am quite aware there is nothing more -beneficial to a new settlement than a church and school.” - -“Say Mr. Wainwright,” said Mr. Swipes, looking up in the face of the -young hunter, with no little interest. “You look to me and you talk just -as if you’ne been a school teacher.” - -“No,” laughed Fred, “I never taught school a day in my life.” - -“You’ve got larning enough to do so. I swan if you haint! when I hear a -man say _taught_ for _teached_, and _beneficial_, and all them kind of -words, I always set him down as knowing enough to teach school. Perhaps -you notice I don’t allers speak grammatically and call my words exactly -right; but don’t let that give you the idea that I havn’t got no -education. I’m sensible of the mistakes after I make them, and when it’s -too late to help ’em——Jingo!” - -Leonidas Swipes raised his hands in the most profound amazement, as -Florence Brandon suddenly walked around the wagon, came up to where they -were sitting, and asked in the most musical of tones, “Is there anything -more to which you will be helped?” - -The discomfited Yankee for a time was unable to find his tongue. He sat -gazing at the picture as one enraptured. His companions now found their -tongues, and both replied that they were amply provided and wished for -nothing more, whereupon she turned and disappeared. - -Poor Fred Wainwright was in a dilemma fully as sore as that of Swipes. -He had no thought of the girl until the exclamation of the latter. She -halted within a few feet of where he was reclining upon the ground, and -when Swipes became confused she turned toward the young hunter, and -looked in his face with a smile as if she would like to have him join -her in the enjoyment of the scene. But Fred’s face was as red as a -Comanche’s when he looked up and encountered those soulful eyes. - -Ah! those eyes with their deep heavenly blue! had he not looked into -them before? Those red lips! had he not heard the sweetest words of his -life come from them? and that queenly head; had he not bent over that! -But stay! this will never do. - -The minute he felt the eye of the young lady fastened upon him he let -his own fall to the ground, and had his life depended on it he could not -have raised them again. He could feel that his countenance was burning -and fiery red, and his heart was thumping as it never thumped before. -Indeed he feared that he should really faint unless he could recover -himself. - -He was enraged at himself for displaying such an unmanly weakness, and -by a strong effort of the will he overcame his emotion—not enough to -raise his eyes, to catch a glimpse at the hem of her dress as she -flitted from sight again. - -“Can it be that she suspected me?” he asked himself where she had gone. -“No, I think she would not recognize me in this dress. Then my beard -conceals my features, so that when I look into a spring, as I am about -to drink, I cannot believe that I am the person I was a year ago. And my -cap; I would hardly know my own brother in it. I would not have her know -me at this time for the world, and I do hope that her look at me raised -no suspicion in her mind.” - -“By jingo!” exclaimed Leonidas Swipes, as soon as he could find tongue -to express himself, “isn’t she a picter? If I wan’t engaged now, I—ahem! -might sail in.” - -“So you are engaged?” remarked Wainwright, glad to find an excuse for -directing the attention from his own awkwardness. - -“Yes,” replied the Yankee, resuming his eating in a serious -matter-of-fact matter. “Yes, I’m fast; and if them Comanches hadn’t -stolen them sheep, I calculated being in San Francisco in ten months -from now, to take passage in the steamer for hum, and to buy Deacon -Poplair’s farm and settle down with Araminty—but hangnation, the sheep -are gone, and where’s the use of talking?” - -And as if to draw his griefs clean out of his remembrance, he ate more -ravenously than ever. - -But all that is temporal must have an end, and so did the enormous meal -of the three half famished sheep dealers. When they had finally gorged -themselves, and were remounted on their animals, they by no means were -the woebegone-looking wretches that might have been imagined, in those -who had just seen a hundred thousand dollars slip and escape off on the -prairies. On the contrary they seemed quite cheerful. Messrs. Doolittle -and Birchem were silent, as a matter of course, but Leonidas looked -greasy and rather jovial. - -As soon as the meal was concluded and the march was resumed, the train -heading a little toward the north west, as Leonidas remarked they were -some distance north of the pass by which they hoped to make their way -through the mountains into Lower California, which in reality was -Southern California, a considerable ways north of the Gulf, and not the -peninsula known by that name. - -Leonidas Swipes was informed by the trappers that they truly sympathized -with the loss borne by him and his friends, but their engagement with -Mr. Bonfield and the leaders of the train forbade them to unite with -them in the attempt to secure the sheep. In fact, the trapper informed -them that it was useless for them to expect to regain their property. It -would require but a short time for the Comanches to reach one of their -villages, where they could marshal a hundred warriors with which to -defend their property; and mounted on their swift mustangs, it was -almost impossible to compete with them. - -It was a hard dose to swallow, but Swipes took it philosophically, and -persisted in believing there was some hope of recovering them. At least, -as the Comanches took the same direction that the train was following, -he concluded to remain with the latter for the present. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - FORT MIFFLIN INSTITUTE. - - -Until the great Pacific Railroad is completed, traveling across the -plains must always be a wearisome labor. The rapid staging between many -of the distant points, has in a measure toned down this laborious -monotony; but, even with this improvement, hundreds who have made the -trip will testify to its wearying sameness. - -But, when an emigrant train starts forth it is the very impersonation of -monotony to an impatient spirit. For a time the variety of landscape -occupies the mind and in a great degree relieves the tedium; but, -although some of the finest scenery in the world is in the West, it soon -loses its power to amuse, and all feelings are absorbed in those of -apprehension regarding dangers and anxiety to get ahead—manifested in -some by a figuring and calculation as to the number of suns that must -yet rise and set before they can hope to see their destination; in -others to hurry and make the best time possible, and in still others by -a dogged resolve to plod along without noting the distance traveled, but -with the intention of suddenly awaking to the fact that they have -completed their journey, and their travels are at an end. The only -objection to carrying out this whim, is that he who undertakes it, is -sure to find himself in spite of all he can do to divert his mind, -looking for the _denouement_ long before it is due. - -The emigrant train, which from this time forth must occupy a prominent -part in our narrative, was one of those that have plodded patiently all -the way from the Mississippi, until now having passed three-fourths of -the distance, it was on the very border of the wild regions of -California. - -On the whole they had experienced good fortune. They had not lost an -animal or a member of the party since starting, excepting their guide -who was slain in the manner already narrated. Not a man, woman or child -had seen an hour’s sickness, and all were now in the best of spirits. - -But they had encountered more hardships than they anticipated, and on -this day instead of having such a stretch of wild wilderness before -them, it was their confident expectation to be at Fort Mifflin. They had -terrible times in crossing some of the swift rivers; their horses had -been carried away, and many a precious hour had been spent in recovering -them; ten of their wagons had been hopelessly mired, and a large portion -of their most valuable goods had been whirled away by the rushing -torrents. - -Then storms, whose fierceness they had never seen equalled in their own -home, had swept over the prairie, causing them to tremble for their very -lives—but here at last they all were, secure, intact, with a skilful -guide at their head. So had they not every reason to be thankful, to -take courage and to press on? - -Ward Lancaster appreciating the magnitude of his charge, rode some -distance at the head of the train, his eye constantly sweeping the -prairie, and his mind taken up with the duty before him. He rode alone, -except when some of his friends chose to keep company with him; but -these generally found him as morose and incommunicative, that they were -glad to fall back again and join the more sociable portion. - -The horsemen were scattered all through the train, so that in case of -attack they could rally to the defence of any portion without -unnecessary delay. As naturally was to be expected, intimate friends and -acquaintances found their way into each other’s society. - -Warfield and Mr. Bonfield appeared to take a strong liking to each -other, for they rode side by side, and chatted in the most pleasant and -familiar manner. Little was seen of Florence Brandon. Occasionally she -indulged in a few miles walk, but at other times she was in one of the -large lumbering covered wagons with Mrs. Bonfield and a maiden aunt. -Miss Jamison, whose loquacity equalled that of Leonidas Swipes, and -whose bosom seemed incapable of any emotion except that of the -importance of keeping her sharp eye and long nose turned toward her -ward. - -Messrs. Doolittle and Birchem rode side by side; and as neither was -heard to utter a syllable to the other, there can be but little doubt -but that they vastly enjoyed themselves. - -Swipes was getting along handsomely. He appeared to have recovered his -spirits entirely, and to have forgotten the brief time he enjoyed the -bliss of expected wealth. - -“I tell you Mr. Wainwright,” said he, as he rode beside him, shaking his -head and gesticulating his long arms, “_I’ve an idee._” - -“Ah!” - -“Yes; it come into my head as I was riding along. I tell you it is an -idee _that is an idee_—bound to make my fortune.” - -“As sure as the sheep would have done had they remained in your -possession?” - -“Y-es-s; but perhaps not quite so fast; but in a much better manner; in -a manner that shall make my name famous along the Pacific coast.” - -“It must be quite a grand scheme that has entered your head.” - -“It _is_!” was the emphatic response. “One of those idees such as you -don’t get more than once in a life time.” - -“Do you wish me to share your knowledge of it?” - -“Of course I was preparing your mind for it like. What do you think of -the Fort Mifflin Institute for the education of youths of both sexes?” - -“That certainly _sounds_ well.” - -“And ain’t it well—isn’t it grand? And what do you think of it?” - -“You will have to be a little more explicit in your statements, before I -can give you any decided opinion.” - -“Why, as soon as we get to Fort Mifflin I shall erect a building, to be -called the Fort Mifflin Institute for the Education of the Youths of -both sexes. I shall have a lot of circulars printed.” - -“Where will you get them printed?” - -“At Fort Mifflin, of course. I believe in supporting home industry; I -swun if I ain’t!” - -Wainwright laughed. - -“There is no printing office within a hundred miles of Fort Mifflin.” - -“Whew! is that so? That’ll make some trouble—not much, however,—I can -run up to San Francisco or to Sacramento city; have a few thousand -circulars printed and distribute them on my way coming back. Jingo! it’s -good I’ll have to go so far, don’t you see?” - -“Where will you obtain your pupils?” - -“From every part of California! Fact is, I should not wonder, after the -Institute becomes known thro’ the Atlantic States, I should draw quite a -number from there. You see, Mr. Wainwright, I’ve _teached_ before, and -I’ve got a reputation up in Connecticut. What do you think of it, Mr. -Wainwright?” - -“Perhaps you will succeed—hardly as well though as you seem to -anticipate. I presume you would run the institution yourself.” - -“I shall be the head of course—the principal; but I shall organize a -faculty at once. Mr. Doolittle there will be just the man to be -professor of mathematics, and Mr. Birchem professor of the natural -sciences.” - -“Can you get them to do enough talking to fill their positions?” - -“Plenty, plenty. Fact is, Mr. Wainwright, teachers do too much talking -altogether. They’re just the men for the position, I swan if they aint.” - -“And yourself?” - -“Professor of Belles Letters, modern languages, &c. I’ve got another -idee!” - -And totally unable to control himself Mr. Swipes boiled over, laughed, -gave utterance to several strange squeaking screams, which drew all eyes -toward him, and wound up by declaring, - -“It is a grand idea—_grand_! oh! so grand!” - -“Pray let’s hear it, and don’t make quite such an excitement!” said the -young hunter, feeling some embarrassment at the attention which was -being drawn in his direction. - -“It is grand—a grand idea, worth forty thousand droves of such sheep as -I lost; bound to make Professor Swipes and the Fort Mifflin Institute -for the Education of the Youths of Both Sexes famous from one end of the -country to the other. What do you think of the idea, Mr. Wainwright?” - -“I can tell better when I know what it is.” - -“At the head of the ladies’ department, I will place, whom do you -’spose?” - -“Araminta, your beloved in Connecticut.” - -“N—no!” was the somewhat hesitating response. “I propose to place Miss -Florence Brandon! Aint that grand?” - -“You mean the young lady who is a member of this party?” - -“Certainly; who else could there be?” - -“But you must remember, my good friend, that the consent of herself and -father is to be gained in this matter, before you would be warranted in -publishing her as the head of your department for the instruction of -young ladies.” - -“Her consent,” repeated Swipes with the greatest amazement. “Why—why -she’ll be crazy at the chance? You won’t be able to hold her, when she -knows what a grand opening it will be for her.” - -Fred Wainwright shook his head. - -“Begin modestly, Mr. Swipes; begin modestly; establish your school, get -it in thorough operation, and then look about you for a female -assistant. Why not send for your Araminta?” - -“Well, you see, she isn’t quite so pretty as this Miss Brandon, and I’ve -thought of having Miss Brandon’s likeness published and distributed with -the circulars. I think it would help. I will mention the matter to her -the first chance.” - -“Take my advice and don’t do it; it will do no good.” - -“You speak as if you knowed her.” - -“I—I know how any modest woman would act under such circumstances.” - -The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stoppage of the -emigrant train, near a small stream of water, and it was observed that -Lancaster was talking quite earnestly with the male members who were -gathered around him. Riding forward the young hunter and Yankee heard -him. - -“I don’t want to scare you but there’s a good sized war party of Apaches -in the hills yonder and they’n been following us all the afternoon, and -we’ll see more of ’em pretty soon.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - AN APACHE COURTSHIP. - - -The trapper pointed toward a pile of wooded hills, in which direction -every eye was immediately drawn, without discovering, however, the -“signs” to which he alluded. - -“They’re there,” he added, “and I’ve had a half a dozen glimpses of ’em -since we started. It won’t be long before you all see ’em.” - -In confirmation of the hunter’s words, at this moment a couple of -mounted Indians were seen to come forth from the wood and undergrowth, -ride to the bottom of the hill, where they halted as if waiting for -something. The next moment a half a dozen followed them until ten were -gathered together upon their gaudily-caparisoned mustangs. - -The next moment, they commenced riding at an easy gallop toward the -expectant train. - -“By jingo! they’re going to tackle us!” exclaimed Leonidas Swipes in -considerable excitement, and with the hope of alarming those around him. - -“Hardly,” replied Fred, “Apaches don’t do things in that style; they -generally take the night time and steal upon their enemies unawares.” - -“But what does it all mean?” - -“Such an approach in broad day generally means peace.” - -“But—but—” persisted Swipes, as if unable to comprehend what it all -meant; “the Apaches are not on friendly terms with us.” - -“When it suits their purpose it may be so.” - -The emigrants understood, as a matter of course, that the approach of -the redskins meant nothing hostile, although more than one of them -quietly examined his rifle to make sure it was loaded and ready for -instant use. - -A few moments later, the war party came to a dead halt about a hundred -yards distant, and the leader or chief made a gesture of friendship, -which was answered in pantomimes by Lancaster, who muttered at the same -time to those near him. - -“Two of them dogs is Comanches.” - -“Wonder if they aint the ones that stole my sheep!” exclaimed Leonidas, -sagely. - -The preliminaries being arranged the chief now rode forward, his -warriors following at a distance of a dozen yards or so. The emigrants -reassured them by signs that they were welcome, whereupon the whole ten -slid lightly from their horses, and, leaving them stand without any -fastening or guardianship, came forward, until it may be said, they -mingled in with the whites, at which point they laid their arms upon the -ground, and waited for their white friends to do the same. - -“Put down your guns,” said the trapper, “that’s what they’re waiting -for, but if you can hang on to your pistols at the same time without -their noticing you, why I haint any ’bjection.” - -“I swan, if I let go of my revolver,” muttered Swipes, as he shoved the -weapon as far as possible down his pantaloons pocket. - -The Apaches now came forward, and seated themselves upon the ground, -placing themselves in a semi-circle, while the circle was completed by a -dozen of the emigrants, including the hunters, Swipes taking good care -to occupy the centre of the Caucasian line, so as to be as far away as -possible from the American. - -At this juncture, Mr. Bonfield whispered to Lancaster, who was sitting -next to him, that the chief or leader was the same fellow who had -visited their camp alone, about a week before. He was now painted and -bedaubed, with the evident intention of concealing his identity, but Mr. -Bonfield was sure he recognized him. When finally he opened his mouth, -and spoke, the last atom of doubt was removed. - -Lancaster nodded his head to signify that he understood what it all -meant. - -At this point, the chief uttered an exclamation, spoke several words, -and lit a large ornamented pipe. The trapper immediately replied. - -“Can you understand him?” inquired Mr. Bonfield. - -“Yes; he speaks the Apache tongue.” - -“What did he say?” - -“He announced himself as Cherouka, mighty chief of the Apaches, and that -he was our friend, which you know is the thunderingest lie ever told.” - -Cherouka took a few whiffs at the pipe, passed it to his neighbor, who -imitated him, and in this manner it passed the entire circuit, including -the white men. This was an official declaration of friendship, but it -deceived no one. - -The way being now opened, Cherouka recognizing Lancaster, as his “man,” -addressed his words to him, while the trapper responded promptly and -unmistakably. The language, as a matter of course was all “Greek” to the -emigrants, who could only gain a knowledge of its meaning, when their -guide chose to enlighten them. - -The first remark of the Apache was a repetition of his friendship, and -his best wishes for the safe advance of the party “toward the setting -sun.” This was “chaff” and was so understood by him who comprehended the -words, who replied in the usual diplomatic manner, returning the -hypocritical professions, and seeking to draw the real meaning from the -crafty Apache. - -But it seemed impossible to get any word from Cherouka, explanatory of -his true object in thus visiting a camp of people, between whom and his -own kindred it was generally understood, the most implacable enmity -existed. This fact convinced the shrewd guide, that the whole thing was -a ruse to cover some hidden design. - -As Lancaster looked the painted redskin in the face his own wits were -busy, and his keen eyes constantly wandered hither, and to make sure -that he should not be surprised by any sudden _coup-d’etat_ of the -enemy. Finally the presence of the two Comanches in the party, gave him -as he believed the correct clew. - -Undoubtedly these two gentlemen were concerned in the theft of Leonidas -Swipe’s sheep; and, fully impressed with the value of their prize, they -were resorting to every means to delay pursuit. They had known or -suspected of the union of the unfortunate sheep dealers, with emigrants, -and fearful that they might thus organize a vigorous and dangerous -campaign against them, they had adopted this artifice of keeping them -and their friends off the scent, until the plunder was beyond their -reach. - -Five thousand and odd sheep are not a very mobile organization in a -precipitous country; and if any one thinks they are, we advise him to -try the experiment and undeceive himself. - -Consequently the Comanches only displayed ordinary sagacity in -attempting the stratagem to which we have referred. - -“All well, if it’s no more,” was the reflection of the trapper, as these -thoughts passed through his mind, “but these dusky scamps may have -something behind all this.” - -As the interview progressed, the emigrants gradually gathered around the -parties. The curiosity, naturally enough affected the women; and, when -they saw the Indians, in their war-paint and war-dress seated upon the -ground, gravely chaffering with the whites, they too approached until -they were within a few feet of the parties. - -As Fred Wainwright sat looking upon the face of the Apache chief, during -the interview, he noticed that he kept gazing to his left as though -something in that direction attracted his attention. His looks became so -fixed at last, that he turned his head, and then discovered that the all -absorbing object which had caught the dusky scamp’s eye was no less a -personage than Miss Florence Brandon, who, occupied in the scene itself -was unconscious of the attention which she had attracted. - -“By jingo! he’s smitten!” whispered Swipes to the young hunter. - -“The old dog is struck with her,” was the reply, “and if we aint -careful, there’ll trouble come from this. Just watch him!” - -“I never shall give my consent to his taking Miss Brandon away; you see -it would be a severe loss for the Fort Mifflin Institute.” - -“Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open,” was the somewhat strong hint -that Mr. Swipes received to remain quiet during the progress of the -interview. He looked at the young hunter a moment as if he were about to -resent this insult to his dignity; but he finally concluded to remain -silent and look on. - -Cherouka hadn’t sense enough to conceal his admiration of Miss Brandon -or he didn’t care if it was observed. Fixing his sharp black eye upon -the girl, he suddenly arose to his feet and walked toward her. Alarmed -at the movement, she started back with a slight exclamation, and the -Apache chief found his progress suddenly checked by Fred Wainwright the -young hunter, who strode across his path and waved him back. - -This occurrence created some little excitement, and for a moment -threatened serious consequences. The brow of the chief darkened and he -placed his hand upon his knife handle; but, his second thought evidently -prevailed, and he sank back again, addressing Lancaster the interpreter. -The latter laughed, - -“What do you s’pose he says?” he asked turning to his friends. - -No one could possibly imagine. - -“He says he loves that gal, begging her pardon, that lady, and he wants -her to go to his wigwam with him.” - -This caused a smile, but, as it was plain that the chief was in earnest, -all felt the propriety of hearing his ridiculous passion, as if it were -entitled to serious consideration. Lancaster was therefore directed to -inform the dusky dog that his compliment was duly appreciated, but that -the “White Plume” could not accept his offer. - -This being duly communicated to Cherouka served only to make him eager -to secure the coy prize. He instantly offered a large belt of wampum and -two horses for her. This was courteously but firmly refused as before, -whereupon he made still more extravagant offers. - -These meeting with the same fate as the others, he demanded the reasons -why his offers were refused. - -“What shall I tell him?” asked Lancaster, looking at the blushing girl. -“Hanged if I know what excuse to give him.” - -“Tell him she’s engaged!” called out Swipes in a husky whisper. - -“Shall I tell him you’ve got another feller?” asked the trapper, with -all the simplicity imaginable. - -“_No; tell him no such thing for I have not!_” - -Little did Florence Brandon dream of the vast happiness produced by that -declaration in the breast of a certain young hunter standing near her, -with his eyes fixed upon her face with almost the keen eagerness of the -Apache lover himself. - -The latter was made to believe, at length there was no hope for his -suit; and mounting his horse, he and his followers rode away sullen, -lowering and vengeful, while the whites breathed freer, when the -troublesome visitors were fairly out of the range of the camp. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - AN AUDACIOUS PROCEEDING. - - -When the Indians, including the lover-like Apache were fairly beyond -hearing of the emigrants, they ventured to indulge fully in their mirth. - -There was something so inexpressibly ridiculous in the facts of this -courtship, which could only find expression of laughter. None enjoyed it -more than the fair one concerned; she considered it the greatest -adventure of her life, and never wearied of listening to all its -particulars, from those who had taken a closer observation of Cherouka’s -actions than she had. - -But after all there was a serious side to this matter,—at least the -trappers concluded there was. They understood perfectly well the -treacherous nature of these redskins, were certain that this chief would -neglect no means of securing the prize which had been so decidedly -refused him. - -Believing it inadvisable to alarm their friends, they discussed the -matter among themselves. The conclusion was that all three should stand -guard that evening; and that through the day, one or two of them at -least should keep unremitting watch. - -When the suppers were eaten, several of the leaders of the emigrant -train were acquainted with the facts of the case, while the others -believed that only a prudential course was taken to guard against the -thieving propensities of the redskins. - -Fred Wainwright took his station near the wagon which contained the -sleeping Florence Brandon, and to him no occupation could have been more -delightful than thus to watch by the side of her whom he loved,—yes, -madly loved: he confessed it, standing there alone in the gloom of the -night. This girl, who little imagined that Fred Wainwright was not Fred -Wainwright—but——ah! well, perhaps the past was to be a dream and perhaps -not. At any rate his duty just there was to stand guard over the fair -being who occupied his waking and sleeping thoughts to the exclusion of -almost everything else. - -Not a minute’s sleep visited the eyes of the Trappers of the Gila, -through that same summer night. They passed from point to point, -continually moving through the train, among the wagons, and once or -twice, one or two of them passed out upon the prairie and scrutinized -every point visible. - -The night was semi-dark,—a faint moon rising high in the sky, now and -then obscured by the passing clouds. Occasionally the vision was able to -penetrate for several hundred yards, and then it was restricted to a -fifth of that distance. - -Leonidas Swipes had scented the danger, and declared that he would also -keep guard during the night; for he could not consent to run any risk of -losing the intended head of the female department of the Fort Mifflin -Institute. He averred that his sense of hearing was so acute that he -could instantly detect the approach of any creature,—no matter if it was -a weasel, or the tiny serpent that sometimes moves among the grass. - -Mr. Swipes took his position just in the rear of the large white-covered -wagon in which Florence Brandon was sleeping, all unconscious of the -faithful guardianship which was kept over her. Here he leaned against -the heavy rear wheel, and gave himself up to cogitation. - -The young hunter, toward the middle of the night, made a circuit of the -encampment; and, as he came back, observed the figure of the man leaning -against the wagon, and concluded to test the extreme watchfulness of -which he had boasted. Walking rather lightly, therefore, he approached -him from behind, and, finding he attracted no attention, he stepped more -heavily until he was making more than usual noise. Still the vigilant -sentinel did not turn his head, and Fred noticed that he was muttering -something to himself. - -“No doubt she’ll be just the ticket, I swan if she won’t; but to wake -her now, or to wait till morning is the question. I’d have a better -chance to talk it over with her, and by jingo! I’ve a good notion to -give the wagon a rattle so as to wake her up——Injins! Injins!” - -At that instant, the heavy hand of the young hunter grasped the Yankee’s -shoulder, and, fully assured that he was in the power of the dreaded -Cherouka, he sprang several feet from the ground, and shouted at the top -of his voice; but, confronting Wainwright, and immediately comprehending -his mistake, added in fully as loud a tone, - -“No Injins! No Injins! I was mistaken! Jingo! what’s the use of scaring -a fellow that way?” he demanded, still shivering from the shock he had -received. - -“I didn’t know you were so easily frightened.” - -“But you come on a feller so suddent like,—didn’t give me time to -collect my presence of mind.” - -“That is about the style that a redskin would have approached you, -except that instead of his hand, he would have brought down his tomahawk -on your head.” - -“You don’t say so! I s’pose he would, but then I wouldn’t ’ve let him -come in that style. I’d ’ve fout him mighty hard.” - -“Didn’t you tell me, you would detect the approach of an Indian, no -matter how stealthy he came up to you?” - -“Well, so I would.” - -“Why didn’t you hear me?” - -“You didn’t come up like an Indian, as you say yourself.” - -“I know that; I made twice as much noise.” - -“That is just the reason I didn’t notice you; if you had come up natural -like,—that is as one of your genouine redmen always do, I’d ’ve heard -you, you may be sure.” - -“And what would have been the consequence?” - -“I would have whipped round with the quickness of lightning, if not a -little quicker, and blowed the audacious redskin to blue blazes, before -he would have known anything or could have said Jack Robinson.” - -At this juncture, a figure suddenly appeared among them, which quickly -resolved itself into Ward Lancaster, their guide. - -“What’s all this húbub about?” - -“Nothing at all, Mr. Lancaster, nothing at all,” replied Swipes. - -“But if I aint powerful mistaken, I heern some one yell out that the -Injins were coming.” - -Thus fairly detected, the Yankee was compelled to acknowledge the truth, -and receiving a warning from the trapper to “put a stopper in his -meat-trap,” the guide sauntered away to his own post of observation -where he remained until the break of day. - -Finally morning came, and with it the pleasant fact that nothing had -been seen or heard of a single redskin since the departure of the party -the evening before. This was a pleasant fact we say, and was a great -relief to the trappers, who had concluded to a certainty that there -would be trouble before the night passed. - -As soon as it was fairly light Lancaster and Harling rode out on the -prairie and took a survey of the surrounding country to look for signs -of their enemies. They scrutinized the hills closely, but with the same -result,—nothing was seen or heard regarding them. - -“We’ll keep a sharp look-out for the warmints to-day, and if we don’t -see nothin’ of ’em, why it’ll _kinder_ look as though they didn’t intend -to trouble us.” - -“Your fear, I suppose, is that Cherouka became so desperately enamored -with the young lady we have in our charge that he may try to take her -away from us against our will.” - -“Injins are queer critters,” replied the guide, “and it’s just like ’em -to try some such a trick. I’ve knowed of such things before.” - -“That fellow was desperately smitten, wasn’t he?” - -“Yes,” drawled the trapper, “but not much more than another person we’ve -got with us.” - -“Who is that?” demanded Fred innocently. - -“Him as riding alongside of me on his horse. They call him Fred -Wainwright I b’leve; and, if I aint powerful mistaken, the gal has took -quite a shine to him.” - -The poor young hunter almost sank from his beast. He never dreamed for -an instant that any one suspected his secret, and he now feared that it -had been discovered by all. - -“Shoot me, you’re red in the face as a b’iled lobster,” laughed the -guide perfectly merciless. “It’s plain enough you’re gone any way. Wal, -she’s a pretty critter to look and to have take a hawkerin’ for a -feller.” - -“Do you think she has noticed me,—that is—that is—” - -“Loves you, why don’t you say?” - -“Well, yes, if you please.” - -“Can’t say that. When you stepped in atween the Apache and her, all so -sassy and bold, I could see plain enough she rather liked your way of -doing things. I think everything is plain sailing for you.” - -There was a vast deal of comfort in the words of the honest hearted -trapper, and the young hunter reflected upon them many a time through -the day. They stirred old emotions in his breast, and nothing that could -have been said by any one—always excepting the fair Florence -herself—could have been more prized or imparted a greater degree of -pleasure. - -The journey of the train was resumed, and progressed through the day -without any incident worthy of record. The character of the country -changed, becoming more rugged and precipitous and they came in sight of -several snow-covered peaks, towering against the blue sky beyond, like -masses of white clouds. Now and then, too, a breeze of wind—chilling and -penetrating swept over them, bringing the climate of these icy regions -with it. - -Mr. Swipes introduced himself to Miss Brandon during the afternoon, and -regaled her for over an hour with his plans for the successful -establishment of the Fort Mifflin Institute, greatly to her edification -and amusement. She listened patiently to him, and then, as in duty -bound, referred him to “papa,” with which the enthusiastic educator was -compelled to content himself for the time being. - -A sharp vigilance was maintained during the entire day; but nothing was -seen of wild Indians although there was any abundance of wild animals. -This fact led the trappers to the hope and half belief that they would -suffer no further molestation from Cherouka and his party at least. - -The encampment at night was in a small beautiful grove, on the banks of -a tiny stream of icy cold water, where abundance of the best of fodder -was found. Everything was arranged with the usual care, and, as the -trappers were considerably wearied, Lancaster and Wainwright concluded -to obtain a good night’s rest, while the opportunity was given them. -There was no saying when a like chance would occur. - -Harling remained up, taking a general oversight of the sentinels, while -Swipes, as before placed himself in the vicinity of the wagon, -containing the precious person of her whom he intended should help him -make a fame and fortune in the State of the Golden Gate! He affirmed -that she could not be safe unless he were in the immediate vicinity. - -It was far beyond midnight, and Leonidas Swipes was soundly sleeping, -when a shadow emerged from the darkness that surrounded the grove, and -stole as noiselessly forward as a phantom. Straight toward the wagon it -glided. Sh! it pauses and glares around in the darkness; the sentinel is -soundly sleeping—now it enters the rear of the wagon; there is a slight -sound but not enough to wake the dilatory sleeper—the next moment he -reappears bearing a form in his arms, with his broad hand pressed over -her mouth,—with the same absolute silence it steals through the -encampment and the next moment Cherouka, the Apache chief has vanished -and with him Florence Brandon. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - PREPARING FOR THE PURSUIT. - - -Just as day was breaking over prairie and mountain, a succession of -ear-splitting shrieks issued from the wagon in which Miss Sillingsby had -passed the night. They were so terrific and rapid that in a few minutes -the whole camp was active, and the people hurrying toward the poor lady, -and anxiously inquiring the cause of her alarming terror. - -“Oh! Florence! Florence! Florence! I shall die! I shall die! Oh! what -will Mr. Brandon say! I wish I was dead! I wish I was dead!” - -It was a long time before she could be quieted, and then the dreadful -truth became known. Florence Brandon was missing! - -With the first shriek of Miss Sillingsby, a suspicion of what had -occurred flashed through the minds of Lancaster and Wainwright with the -instantaneousness of an electric thrill. They were sleeping together -near one of the large camp fires, and they instantly sprang to their -feet; but, instead of running to the wagon toward the shrieker, they -hurried outside the encampment and the grove, and gazed around in search -of some evidence of this excessive fright. It is scarcely necessary to -say that they discovered nothing at all. - -“Maybe it isn’t as bad as we imagine!” said the young hunter, addressing -his elder companion, for the first time since they had risen from their -sleep. “It may not be _that_.” - -Lancaster shook his head. - -“I’ve been a fool to go to sleep; we’ve been outwitted by that infernal -Apache. I feel it in my bones. He has stolen in on her while we were -asleep and walked off with that critter.” - -“But let us find out the truth from Miss Sillingsby.” - -“I ’spose we may as well, ’though I know what it is,” muttered the -trapper, as he sullenly complied with the request. - -Miss Sillingsby, in answer to the clamorous demands made upon her, -finally let the truth ooze out. Near the middle of the night, as she -imagined, she dreamed of seeing a terrible Indian crawl into the back -part of the wagon and carry off her ward. It was so dark that she could -only catch a glimpse of him as he came in and went out. - -She woke up with a conviction that her dream was true; and now that she -was awake long enough, she was satisfied that it was no dream at all, -but an actual occurrence that had taken place before her eyes. Hence her -excitement. - -Then did the cheeks of the females blanch with terror. Florence Brandon -spirited away in the night by an Apache Indian! The very thought was -enough to fill one with shuddering terror. - -“Yes, she is gone,” exclaimed Miss Sillingsby, wringing her hands and -threatening to go into hysterics again. “She is gone, and what is to -become of me and her poor father?” - -“Yes, by jingo!” wailed Leonidas Swipes, darting hither and thither and -fairly dancing in excitement to the tune of the lamentations around him. -“What’s to become of the Fort Mifflin Institute for the Education of the -Youths of Both Sexes? Gone up, and my hopes and fortunes dashed to the -ground; jest as they always get dashed when they are about to bud and -blossom; I swan if they don’t.” - -“See here, my man,” called out Fred Wainwright, “you acted as sentinel -last night—didn’t you!” - -“I believe—come to think, I am almost sure I did.” - -“And you took this wagon of Miss Brandon’s under your special charge, as -you were satisfied that was the only way of making her safe; you did -this, didn’t you?” - -“I believe—come to think I s’pect I did do something like that.” - -“Then what kind of a sentinel are you?” demanded the young hunter, -contemptuously, “to allow an Indian to come in here at night and steal -her away.” - -“By jingo, I don’t understand it; I swan if I do; I must have -been—ah—have been—” - -“Asleep of course.” - -“No, no, oh no; I was abstracted at the time—absorbed in the -investigation of some great truth which made me oblivious, as it were, -to what else was going on around me.” - -By this time the first fever of excitement was over, and the people -began to converse rationally upon the all-absorbing subject, while the -trappers occupied themselves in searching through the camp for some -evidence of the direction taken by the audacious Apache with his prize. - -When it was stated that the entire grove had been traversed back and -forth by the men and animals, it will be seen that this was about -impossible, even when all three of the keen-eyed hunters set themselves -to work at the task, passing back and forth and scrutinizing every foot -of ground. - -But upon the outside of the encampment, beyond the range of the travel -by the whites, Lancaster detected the print of a moccasin in the dusty -earth. He followed it for twenty yards out upon the prairie, and then -looking up, saw that it led directly toward a clump of trees about a -quarter of a mile distant, and along the branches of the creek on which -they were encamped—the stream making a sharp bend just above where the -train halted. - -“We’ll find something there,” said the old hunter, pointing toward the -tree, “the snip has made for that point.” - -“And left it as soon as he reached it.” - -“I s’pose so; but he wouldn’t have gone there, if it wasn’t for -something particular. Let’s go and see.” - -The hunter hurried over the prairie, and in a few minutes reached the -trees. Here, upon looking down at the ground, they were rewarded with -another sight of the trail, proving the correctness of the conclusion at -which Lancaster had jumped. - -“And we’ll soon see what it all means,” he said, as he passed in among -the trees. - -It required but a moment indeed; a sudden “Ah!” was heard from the old -hunter and he pointed down to the ground. - -“Do you see that?” - -“Horse tracks, I believe.” - -“Yes, that tells the whole story; the scamp had his horse fastened among -the trees, and has toted the gal here as fast as he could travel, -mounted his critter and then put.” - -“Shall we follow any further?” - -“No; I don’t see as there is any use just now, as we haint got our -horses; we’ll go back to camp and let ’em know what we’ve learned.” - -Fred Wainwright all this time was in a fever of excitement, although he -had made superhuman efforts to conceal it from his practical companion -thus far; but he began to be seriously alarmed at the coolness and -indifference which he manifested. - -“Ward,” said he, endeavoring to speak in a matter-of-fact tone, “we’re -going to follow these scamps, are we not?” - -“I’ll promise you they’ll get such a chase as they never dreamed of; but -you know enough to understand it’s going to be work and not play. That -Apache having got his hands upon the gal, won’t let her go in a hurry.” - -“You know the Apaches are an ugly set of people. How do you suppose they -will treat her?” - -“Just as the folks out east would treat General Washington’s mother, if -she was alive and should go through the country. Cherouka wants to make -her his squaw, and the old fool will try and win her love by kindness. -No; we may take a week to capture her in and bring her back just as -unharmed and free from insult as she was before she heard of Cherouka.” - -“O heavens! Ward, you cannot imagine how much you have relieved me.” - -“I seed you was kinder worked over it, though your’ne been trying mighty -hard to keep it from me,” replied Lancaster with a sly grin. - -“Of course; who is there in our whole party that doesn’t feel terrible -over it?” - -“Y—a—s, I know, but I reckon you feel a little terribler than the rest.” - -“I don’t know as I do.” - -“But I do though; don’t try to play any of your foriniky tricks on me, -Fred; I’m an old enough coon to know what it all means.” - -“If that is the case where is the use of any reference being made to it, -by either you or me?” asked Wainwright. - -Lancaster and Wainwright made their way back to camp, where they had -found the excitement among the females had increased, while upon the men -it had settled into a determination, that if it were possible for mortal -man to rescue the fair captive, it should be done. Not a man among them -all but was ready and anxious to join in the pursuit. - -Time was precious, the guide, who from his position, naturally fell into -that of a guide in other matters, determined to organize the pursuit at -once. It would be madness to think of allowing all the men or a majority -to undertake the business, as the train was in a dangerous part of the -country, and such a proceeding would invite their destruction by the -thieving hordes who would be very quick to discover their defenceless -condition, and take advantage of it. - -Ten men well mounted and armed were all he needed, and he selected these -at once. It is hardly necessary to say that himself and Wainwright were -the first two. Harling, it was concluded best, to leave with the train, -where his knowledge and watchfulness would detect the very first -opinion. Mr. Templeton and seven others, whose appearance struck the -trapper as being favorable, were then selected—he expressing the belief -that each of them possessed the requisite amount of “grit” for the -business before them. - -Leonidas Swipes insisted that he should accompany the expedition. It may -have been that he felt an obligation in the matter, thus to seek to -repair, in so far as possible, his shame or rather remissness as a -sentinel; or, it may be, that his shrewd mind saw a slight opportunity -of gaining some knowledge of the five thousand and odd sheep which had -been so unceremoniously taken from him. - -But Lancaster would not count him as an effective man, and as it came -about that the Yankee made the eleventh or odd man, a matter which -created much merriment, but no ill will upon the individual concerned. - -Mr. Bonfield remained with the emigrant train. At the advice of the -guide he agreed to throw up some temporary fortifications, to insure -safety in case of attack. It was not at all improbable that the eleven -men would be seen as they rode away, by the sharp eye of some prowling -Indians, who might deem the occasion just the one, in which to make an -attack on the remaining ones in the hope of securing plunder, and -perhaps destroying the whole party. The loss of their animals would be -an irreparable one just as they were entering that mighty wall of rocks -and chasms which separate California from the territories, where every -ounce of their animal strength would be needed. - -Mr. Bonfield’s intention was to make a sort of “outer wall” to inclose -the entire encampment, and from behind which, in case of attack, he and -his men could rain their bullets upon the redskins, without fear of -return. - -The eleven men were mounted on the fleetest and best animals that could -be selected from the party, and the sun was hardly above the horizon, -when they rode forth in their attempt to rescue Miss Florence Brandon -from the hands of Cherouka, the Apache chief. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - PURSUIT. - - -Fairly outside of the encampment, the little party of hunters struck -wide a sweeping gallop toward the hills where Lancaster had discovered -the evidence of Cherouka’s having mounted his horse and fled. Here he -made another examination of the ground, when he discovered the direction -the trail took, his manner showed that it was precisely what he -anticipated and desired. - -“Do you see that grove yonder?” he asked of his men, pointing toward a -clump of trees about a mile distant. As a matter of course all replied -in the affirmative. - -“Wal, now, we’ll just not notice the trail and strike a bee line for -them trees. If we find the trail there, and p’raps a few other horse’s -feet, there it is all right and I know just where to look for the -Apaches.” - -As he spoke he again loosed his rein, and the whole eleven went -galloping almost in a compact body across the country, toward the grove -which had been indicated. In doing so, all of those who were capable of -doing so, observed that they left the trail, in taking another course. -They, and among them was our hero, the young hunter, looked upon this -proceeding with strong misgivings as to its prudence. It was a -comparatively easy matter to follow the footprints of the horses over -the open plain, and this leaving it for a doubtful matter, looked like a -waste of precious time. - -However, Ward Lancaster was the leader of the expedition, and he was the -last one who should attempt to gainsay any command of his. - -A few minutes brisk ride brought them to the grove in question; and on -the very edge of the timber, the eyes of all were gladdened by a sight -of fresh tracks of horses. - -“What I expected,” remarked Lancaster, as his grey eyes sparkled with -pleasure. “The rest of the dogs waited him.” - -“How many of them?” - -“Only a half dozen; don’t you see where their horses have gnawed the -bark off the trees? Six of ’em.” - -“I swan we ought to be able to manage _them_, without difficulty,” -remarked Swipes. “Just foller ’em up, sail in a dash around: that’s my -advice.” - -“It wouldn’t do,” replied Fred with a shake of the head, while Lancaster -did not deem it worth while to notice the Yankee’s ignorance. - -“Why not? I tell you, my friend, that’s just the thing, and jingo, I -claim the credit of originating that’ere idea. Like all of mine it’s -rather hefty.” - -“It is about the most foolish plan that could be proposed,” said Fred, a -little anxious to take some of the conceit out of the fellow, “and is -the one which would be sure to be the death of the girl, we hope to -rescue.” - -“What’s that?” he demanded in amazement. - -“It is the quickest plan that could be devised to ensure Miss Brandon’s -death.” - -“Show me how,” added Swipes, with the air of a man who had proposed an -unsoluble puzzle. “Demonstrate that as we say in geometry.” - -“Suppose now that we should catch sight of this party of Apaches, out on -the prairie, and should dash away after them at the top of our speed. -There are six of them and eleven of us: what do you suppose would -happen?” - -“They’d drop the lady like a hot potatoe, or else put her in a safe -position and then turn round and fight us.” - -The young hunter laughed. - -“Neither; they would see that there was no chance of getting the girl -away, when they would tomahawk her, leave her dead on the plain, and -then do their best to take care of themselves.” - -“Good heavens!” exclaimed Swipes, perfectly aghast, “that would never -do! Tell, Mr. Lancaster, I recall that advice, and do not risk him to -follow it out.” - -“There is no necessity of going to that trouble.” - -“Yes; why not?” - -“Because there is no danger of his following it; he knows too much; and, -Mr. Swipes, you will allow me to suggest that it looks rather out of -place for you or me, who never saw a prairie, except a short time ago, -to attempt to advise a man who hunted upon them before either of us were -born.” - -Leonidas could only stare his surprise, as the hunter allowed his horse -to walk around to a point a few yards away, where Lancaster was -earnestly discussing some matter with several of his friends. - -“That’s cool,” muttered the Yankee, as he gazed after him, “but I swan, -I think it served me about right; that’ere Lancaster knows more about -the prairies, and the mountains and Indians in one week than I could -learn in my life time; so, after this, I’ll keep still that is so far as -giving advice is concerned, though I do think I might give him a good -idea now and then.” - -As Lancaster was talking about something which interested all, Swipes -concluded to join the group around him, and learn what it all meant. -Just as he did so, it seemed matters reached a decision. - -“I’m satisfied,” said Lancaster, with a decided shake of his head, “I -know just what point them dogs are aiming at.” - -“Where is that?” - -“The Chevenine Hills.” - -“And where are they?” asked several. - -The trapper turned his head, as if he expected to see them, and then -answered. - -The guide now spoke as a man speaks who has been long debating a matter -in his mind, and has at length reached a decision. - -“I might have knowed you couldn’t see the Chevenine Hills; they’re off -to the South, a good fifty miles from here. There’s many a traveler that -remembers them, for it’s a great place for Apaches; they hide in there, -and you never see nothin’ of ’em, till they come yelling and whooping -down from the hills and woods, and sail through the train, shouting, -tomahawking and raising all the hair they can. That’s where these dogs -have gone, or have started to go and we must head them off.” - -“Why do you think so?” ventured several who felt this was too serious a -matter to run much risk about. - -“If any of you had ever seen the place you wouldn’t ax me the question. -The reason why I think so is this: The Chevenine Hills may be said to be -the gate of the Apache country—that is from a hundred miles around these -parts. From here to there is a broad level plain, and south of them for -a hundred miles stretches a low level valley, making the best kind of a -country for traveling for horses and men, while if you take any other -route, you’ve mighty rough traveling through the mountains, and canons -and rocks.” - -“But have they not got too far ahead of us?” - -“Don’t think they have; they’ve got only a few hours’ start, and have -gone along the eastern ridge which would carry them ten miles to the -north till they got pretty near the hills, when they’d have to bend to -the right of course. Then they’ve got the gal and they’ll travel more -careful than if they hadn’t her; for when a feller is in love with a gal -he’s mighty careful how he treats her. Isn’t that so, Fred Wainwright?” - -“How should I know?” responded the young hunter, his face turning the -color of scarlet. - -“You’re right,” Leonidas Swipes hastened to say. “_I_ can answer that -question by experience. When a young man is in love, he’s sure to treat -his young lady as tender as if she’s a sick kitten.” - -“You see we’ll take the western side or ridge of this plain; this will -keep, the two parties so far apart that there’ll be no danger of our -running together, and we’ll do some pretty sharp riding and get there -ahead and be ready to nab ’em when they come up.” - -“Suppose we are mistaken after all,” remarked Mr. Templeton. - -“How do you mean?” enquired Lancaster. - -“They may get in ahead of us.” - -“Can’t do it,” was the decided reply. “If we’re mind to put our horses -to it, we can get six hours ahead of ’em.” - -“But they may have taken another route.” - -“All I’ve got to say then, Mr. Templeton, is that if you know so much -you’d better take charge of the business and work it out to suit -yourself.” - -Mr. Templeton looked at the wrathful trapper a moment, then quietly -smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. - -“Now you don’t say so, Ward, do you? Are you really in ‘_airnest_’? -Let’s take a _chew_.” - -With which he thrust an enormous plug of tobacco under the nose of the -trapper, who was compelled to smile in spite of himself. - -“I guess I’ll take a chaw,” said he, thrusting the whole piece in his -mouth and then changing his mind, and wrenching off about a third he -added as he stowed the rest somewhere about his person. - -“In course you don’t want it after it has been in my mouth, so I’ll just -save it till I want another chaw. Come, boys, we’re losing time; let’s -be off.” - -And without parleying further, Ward Lancaster struck his horse into a -rapid gallop, the others following rapidly behind. - -“Git up! Confound you!” called out Swipes, “I swan if I can get this -horse off this infarnal trot which nearly jolts the life out of me.” - -But at this point, the animal broke into a rapid canter, and it may be -said that the real journey began. It was yet early in the day, and the -horses being fresh, and numbering the very best that the emigrant train -could afford, they were fully able to bear a strain. - -And the guide did not spare them. He took the eastern route, where the -traveling was somewhat rougher, and his gallop soon grew into what -almost was a run. The sun reached the meridian, and still he did not -show any signs of abating his speed. When it was considerably past, they -reined up near a small stream, watered their horses and gave them a -breathing spell. - -Leonidas Swipes rode up beside the guide and said, - -“I say, Mr. Lancaster, wouldn’t it be a rather good idea to—that is to -take lunch just now?” - -“You can stay and eat if you choose, but the rest of us don’t wait for -that; or they can eat on the way, but we don’t stop agin till we’re -among the Chevenine Hills. Come, boys, we’ve no time to wait.” - -And they remounted and sped away. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - THE APACHE GORGE. - - -Lancaster the guide, in his reference to the Chevenine Hills, had -described them quite aptly. A long sweep of level country, containing -thousands of square miles, was divided by a ridge of hills, which after -making a long sweep went straight across the country. At one point in -this wild ridge, there was a pass through which the Indians traveling -north and south naturally made their way, in preference to climbing and -clambering for a quarter of a mile through and over rocks, chasms and -gorges, dangerous to horses and sometimes to men. This was the famous -“Apache Gorge.” - -This famous spot was notorious to emigrants for its danger. Those who -were journeying toward the most southermost part of California generally -passed thro’ the gorge, and those who did as if wise were fully prepared -for an assault from the vigilant Apaches or Pah Utahs. Indeed many -preferred when it was possible to labor through the hills, when such a -thing was within the range of human possibility, in preference to -braving the perilous pass. - -It was this point at which the trapper had aimed, and toward which he -pressed his horse to the utmost. It was scarcely past noon when he -pointed to a ridge rising in the sky, clearly defined against the blue -horizon beyond, which he informed them were the Chevenine Hills, and he -was soon able to locate precisely the “Apache Gorge.” - -“There’s the spot,” he added an hour or two later, “where if the gal is -ever seen again you’ve got to lay hands on her. If the redskins get -through there with her I don’t see as there is much chance of our -getting sight of her.” - -If the two parties, the Indians and whites were approaching the Apache -Gorge at the same moment, it will be seen that they must rapidly -converge. The former it was supposed, (and there was every reason for -believing it to be the fact,) were coming down the eastern, while the -latter were following the western ridge. As both had the same objective -point, as a matter of course they were rapidly nearing each other, and -must finally come together. - -Whichever party reached the Gorge first, it may be said, commanded the -situation. If the Apaches had passed through, the fact in itself was -evidence of a speed which would carry them safely beyond danger. If they -had not done so, then it only remained for the whites to make their -arrangements and await their approach. - -The whites now saw the keen wisdom and foresight of their guide. What -apparently seemed a rash risk on his part, it was now plain was the only -plan which offered the least success, and was the only one which in any -degree could deceive the Indians themselves. In the first place in -penetrating their destination was a fine exploit which won half the -battle, and in the next place, the course of leaving the trail and -heading off the Indians was the only plan of surprising them—and in this -lay the only hope of rescue. - -Beyond a doubt, the Indians expected to be pursued. Where would they -look for their pursuers behind or in front? Had they any reason to -believe or even to suspect that there was any one among the emigrants -shrewd enough to suspect the Apache Gorge? Was it likely that one man in -a thousand, in attempting to follow an enemy would take any other course -than follow his trail? Who so audacious as to strike across the country -and seek to head him off? Seeing nothing of the whites as they neared -the pass, there was scarcely a possibility that they would expect to -find them _there_. - -All this we say the party saw, and gladly acknowledged the superior -sagacity of the unlettered guide. Mr. Templeton, offering the trapper a -segar, said, - -“Ward, I’ve something to tell you.” - -“Wal, let’s hear it then.” - -They were now within a few miles of the hills, and were riding at a more -leisurely gait. - -“I have just found out that you know more in five minutes than all the -rest of us here knew in our lifetimes.” - -“You mean about the prairies and Injin signs?” - -“Exactly.” - -“Wal, all I’ve got to say,” said the trapper with a broad grin, as he -proceeded to light his segar. “I wouldn’t have to know much to know -that; you’re the biggest set of lunkheads I think I ever came across, -always barring Fred here, who hasn’t been out in these parts a great -while, but long enough to learn and keep his mouth shet when them as -knows more are talking.” - -“Well, that is a very modest way of accepting a compliment,” laughed -Templeton. “I supposed you might perhaps find it possible to say a word -or two in our favor.” - -“Hoogh! wagh!” laughed Ward, shaking his whole body by the violence of -his convulsions. “If axed to pick out the biggest set of jackasses that -ever got loose, I’d hurry up powerful quick and lasso this crowd. I’d -have ’em sure.” - -“I—I—trust you would not place me in that category,” said Leonidas -Swipes, fondly expecting he would except him on account of his learning -and accomplishments. - -“No; I’d stand you out alone by yourself, as having more of the jackass -in you than all the rest put together.” - -The loud laughter which followed this somewhat discomfited the Yankee, -who, however, made a despairing effort to recover his lost ground. - -“And where would you place yourself, if I may ask, Mr. Lancaster?” - -“Where there was the least danger of seeing _you_, but, come, boys, -we’re losing time.” - -Just as the sun was sinking over the western ridge of the Chevenine -Hills, the party drew rein and slowly approached the Apache Gorge. While -yet some distance, Fred Wainwright had dismounted, and entering the wood -cautiously, made his way to the dangerous spot, to reconnoitre, and to -see that no ambush threatened. Discovering nothing to excite alarm, he -appeared on a high rock, and waved his hand as a signal that all was -right. A few minutes later the horses thundered underneath the thick -trees and vegetation that wrapped the hills from peak to base, and the -wearied riders dismounted to rest and refresh themselves. - -All were wearied and dusty, yet the guide said, - -“It won’t do to stay here; there’s a good camping ground farther in.” - -He led the way for a quarter of a mile in a westerly direction, where -they found a stream of icy cold water which issued from the mountain -side, and an abundance of rich rank grass. Here their animals were -tethered, and Lancaster told the men that they might lunch and rest -themselves, while he and Fred Wainwright would return to the Gorge and -keep watch for the Apaches. The cool shadow and the soft grass were so -welcome that the remainder of the party immediately stretched themselves -out upon the ground to enjoy the luxury of that perfect rest, when it -succeeds perfect exhaustion and weariness. - -Reaching the Gorge the two hunters clambered up among the hills, until -they were elevated several hundred feet above the plain and had a view -of the surrounding country for many miles. It was yet very light, and -nothing obstructed their view except the horizon itself. - -When they had reached an available spot, Fred Wainwright turned his -head, looked one moment toward the north and uttered the thrilling -words, - -“_Yonder they come!_” - -The trapper squinted his eyes for a moment, looked long and searchingly, -and then replied as cooly as if he had asked for a chew of tobacco. - -“You’re right, that’s Charouka and his Apaches, _sartin_!” - -Off to the north-east, precisely in the direction indicated by the -guide, a party of a half a dozen horsemen were seen approaching at a -sweeping gallop. To the ordinary eye they were a half a dozen horsemen -and nothing more; but the keen vision of the trapper of the Gila saw -among them the object of their search. Florence Brandon held in front of -an Apache Indian, who was no other than the famed Charouka. - -The redskins were only a few miles distant, and would reach the Gorge -within half an hour at the most. As the two surveyed them a moment, the -young hunter suddenly turned to the older one. - -“Suppose Ward they make no halt but pass on through?” - -“What of it? They won’t go far. More likely they’ll stop here and kindle -their fires,” replied the guide, rolling his huge tobacco quid from one -side of his cheek to the other. - -“Don’t you wish to let the others know what is going on?” - -“No; let them be; they’re sound asleep and better off than here. We -can’t do any thing until after dark, when the time for work will be on -us. Till then why we’ll just watch.” - -The Apache party rapidly approached, and as they neared the Gorge they -came down to a walk. By this time they were so near that their features -could be distinguished, and the young hunter looked upon the pale face -of the fair captive with strange emotions. - -She was held by the giant Cherouka directly in front of him. One arm was -thrown around her as if to keep her from falling, while with the other -he attended to himself. Although he grasped her firmly, yet it was not -roughly. It was that grasp with which we hold the being we are unwilling -to give up, and yet which we love with all the fondness and affection -that our whole nature can summon. - -Florence was seated in the usual lady-like fashion, as if she were -supported by the ordinary “side-saddle,” her long dress sweeping almost -the length of the horse’s body and shrouding her own feet, and the -moccasined limit of the wild Apache from view. Her long dark hair was -streaming over her shoulders, her face was white and deathly, and there -was a wild agonized look in her dark eyes, which ought to have moved the -hearts of the brutes which surrounded her, but which, as may well be -imagined, did not affect their sensibilities in the slightest degree. - -O how the young hunter longed to raise his rifle as they came within -range and send his bullet through the brain of the treacherous Apache. -But he was too sensible a fellow to do any such thing, even if he had -forgotten that he was under the orders of his older companion. - -True to the prediction of the latter, they rode a short distance through -the Gorge, and then turning a little aside, dismounted, and made their -preparations for a night encampment. - -Florence was assisted gallantly to the ground, and allowed to take a -seat near a tree, removed a few feet or so from the others, while they -merely glanced at her as they moved hither and thither, Cherouka, -however scarcely moving his eyes from her. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - THE RESCUE. - - -The Apaches had scarcely halted, when one of their number was observed -to walk back toward the mouth of the gorge where he stationed himself. -The two hunters looked at each other and smiled significantly, while -Lancaster gave his younger companion a nudge in the side. - -“How does that look, Fred? All right, aint it?” - -“Yes; there hasn’t been a failure to-day in anything you have said or -done.” - -“Wal,” said the trapper with a complacent yawn, “if a feller hunts and -traps for thirty years among the redskins, he ought to know _somethin’_ -about ’em, hadn’t he?” - -“Of course.” - -“That’s all about it then; if you had been in my place, may be you’d’ve -knowed pretty near as much. But that’s neither here nor there. Things -look good; now I tell you what must be done, Fred. It’s time the boys -were waked up and got ready; I’ll go up and bring them and the animals -down where they’ll be handy, and then we’ll see what’s to be done, -whether we’re to sarcumvent ’em or to sail in and knock ’em over.” - -“Am I to remain here?” - -“You’ll stay here till I come back and we’ll arrange things.” - -And the next minute the trapper was gone. - -Left alone, Fred Wainwright looked cautiously about him, and then, so -far as the gathering darkness of the imperfect light of the small -camp-fire would permit, saw the position of matters. The Apaches had -kindled a fire, and were cooking a large piece of meat over it; Florence -was seated on the ground about a dozen feet back of them, not secured or -bound in any manner. - -Why need she be? What chance had she of fleeing? Was there ever a moment -when the black eyes of an Apache were not fixed upon her, and were those -of Cherouka ever removed? No; she was too sensible of thinking of such a -step. - -Yet as the keen eyes of the young hunter rested upon the scene, he saw -there was an opportunity which might never come again. If she could only -be apprised of the proximity of her friends, there was no reason why she -should not give her enemies the slip. At any rate, he had looked but a -few minutes when he determined to make the attempt. - -Good fortune which had favored our friends so far, caused the encampment -to be on the western side of the gorge, the same as that occupied by the -hunters, and where now Fred Wainwright began creeping stealthily forward -toward the captive. - -He was too experienced a hunter to attempt anything like this, unless -there was a good prospect of success. He was as certain, as any one -could be of the most certain of all things, that when his friends were -gathered together, and made a charge upon the Indians, they could -scatter them like chaff, and retake Florence Brandon without the danger -of a scratch to her. Consequently nothing like the present would be -attempted, if there was cause for the least fear of precipitating -matters. - -Our hero reached a point about twenty feet not in the rear but at one -side of the girl, and then paused to deliberate upon the best method of -apprising her of his presence. Carefully scrutinizing everything around -him, he finally searched on the ground until he found a small pebble -which he tossed so dexterously that it dropped in her lap. She instantly -raised her head and looked toward the Indians evidently thinking it came -from them. This was the critical moment; and Fred improved it, by -flinging another one as skilfully as before. - -This accomplished its mission. Florence Brandon knew that a friend was -near at hand, and she signified her understanding of matters by glancing -quickly in the direction from which the pebble came and giving a quick -wave of the hand. - -“Good!” muttered the hunter, “she understands; she is as bright and keen -as ever.” - -Creeping still closer until he had reached a point, beyond which he dare -not pass, he paused to make sure that his situation would admit his -acting as he had determined to do in case he made an attempt to rescue -the captive. Behind him the wood and shrubbery were of impenetrable -darkness, so that he could maneuver in them to the best advantage. - -Now that he was sure the ear of the girl was strained to catch the -slightest sound, he waited but a moment, and then whispered, - -“_This way, quick!_” - -She turned her head, glanced fearfully around her, and then rising to -her feet, ran rapidly and lightly toward the young hunter. She had gone -but a dozen steps or so, when an exclamation of Cherouka showed that he -had discovered the attempt, and he darted after her. He evidently -believed it a despairing attempt upon her part, done without the -connivance of any one, and he intended to bring her back with the least -trouble to herself and without any outcry or demonstration, so far as he -was able to prevent it. - -The other Apaches witnessed the whole thing, but very probably they -concluded if Cherouka intended to make a wife of the “pale face,” it was -about time he commenced the “breaking in” process, and they therefore -continued their attention to the roasting antelope. - -Fred Wainwright stood in a crouching position until Florence Brandon -reached him, when he whispered hurriedly, - -“_Don’t stop; we’ll take care of you; run on, and I will attend to this -gentleman._” - -Cherouka came straight ahead until he had reached a point only a few -steps behind the girl, and his arm was outstretched to seize her, when a -dark body suddenly arose to his feet, and the next moment to use an -elegant expression, “the first thing he knew he didn’t know anything,” -for he was felled senseless by the crashing blow of Fred Wainwright -dealt straight in his face. - -Thus far, thus well. The hunter now whirled on his heel, and started -after the flying girl. She was too startled to comprehend that it was a -friend instead of an enemy who was pursuing her, and she fled all the -faster. Not until they had run quite a distance, and he had called to -her several times in as loud a tone as he deemed prudent, did she pause -and wait for him to come up. - -“Oh! is that you, Mr. Wainwright?” she asked trembling like an -affrighted bird, hardly daring to trust her senses, and ready to dart -away again. - -“Yes; there is no need of this hurry, Miss Brandon; they don’t suspect -you have had help and we can take matters more leisurely.” - -“Where is Cherouka?” - -“I don’t think he will trouble you very soon.” - -“You haven’t killed him?” she asked, her heart recoiling at the thought. - -“No; he merely ran against my fist; he will be alive and kicking and -howling in a few moments.” - -“Oh! let us hurry then, for I would rather die than let him get me -again.” - -“No fear I think.” - -“Are you alone?” - -“Yes, except there are ten of our men waiting for us a short distance -from here.” - -“Oh! how thankful I am; let us hasten to them before it is too late.” - -“Please take my arm; and we may be able to travel faster.” - -She did so, and they walked forward as fast as the nature of the ground -would permit. - -As yet there was no outcry or clamor from the Apache camp, proof that -the real flight of the girl had not been discovered. - -“How much farther away are our friends?” - -“Only a short distance; we will meet them in a few minutes.” - -“And you think they cannot get us—the Indians will not follow and kill -you and take me back again.” - -“They may pursue us; but as to getting you into their hands again, that -is a far different matter, and one about which there will be a little -fun if they attempt it.” - -“Oh! I cannot realize that I am safe again; and you have followed us all -the way?” - -“Not exactly; Lancaster the guide, knew they were making for this point, -and so we hurried and got here ahead of them.” - -“Did you see us come?” - -“Yes; we or rather I have had my eyes on you for the last hour or more, -but we waited until it was dark——” - -“Hark!” - -“I swan if I didn’t run my chin over a limb that time, and it nearly -sawed my neck off.” - -“Keep your mouth shet or you’ll spile the whole game. Hello! there’s -somebody here. That you, Wainwright?” - -“Yes; I am here, Ward, all right.” - -“And the gal?” - -“Is with me.” - -“Good for you! you’re a trump—hello!” - -At this instant, a succession of yells was heard from the direction of -the Apache camp, proclaiming that Cherouka had come to his senses, and -the redskins were at work. - -“Let ’em yell,” muttered the guide, as he noticed some trepidation among -those around him, “what can they do?” - -“But they may get torches—that is, as it were,—and follow us,” ventured -Mr. Swipes, “but, Miss Brandon, allow me to congratulate you on your -successful escape from the Indians.” - -“Yes; let’s hear how it was,” said several as the two young persons -appeared among the overjoyed whites, who gathered around them and shook -their hands again and again. - -Fred Wainwright related in a few brief words, how he had seen there was -a good chance to get her away from the Indians without waiting for the -return of his friend. At its conclusion the latter said, - -“Well, you saved us a fight any way; and I s’pose that suits the gal -better. Let’s mount and be off. Fred, we’ve only ’leven animals and -there be ’leven of us. I’m mighty afraid you’ll have to take the gal on -your hoss with you.” - -This was nothing very dreadful, and the young people managed to survive -it. Strange emotions thrilled the heart of Fred Wainwright, as he held -the dear being close to him, and several times he was on the point of -giving utterance to the tumultuous feelings which thronged upward,—but -he restrained himself. The time had not yet come. - -All night long they traveled their progress being necessarily slow. -Nothing more was heard of their pursuers, and at daylight they halted on -the ridge not more than half their distance accomplished. - -“I will ascend to the top of the ridge and take observations. I swan if -I feel quite safe!” remarked Mr. Swipes as he clambered to the top. -Reaching the backbone of the ridge, he took a careful survey of the -opposite plain which stretched far away to the South and South-West. - -The next moment a loud shout was heard from the Yankee, and he was seen -dancing and flinging his arms like a lunatic. All eyes were turned -wonderingly toward him. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - CONCLUSION. - - -Leonidas Swipes continued dancing, shouting and gesticulating like a -madman. He threw his hat in air, and, as it came down stamped upon it, -turned summerset, hooted like an Indian, and finally shouted to the -upturned faces below him. - -“By jingo! just come up here! Did you ever see such a sight! Ki ’yi!” -and he executed another double shuffle as a vent to his superabundant -glee. - -Fred Wainwright finally accepted the invitation and clambered up beside -him. - -“Just look off there!” shouted the Yankee, before the man has fairly -reached him, “aint that enough to make your eyes sparkle? I swan! Ki -’yi!” - -The next moment, the young hunter saw that the fellow had good cause for -his unusual excitement; for there, right below him, were resting the -five thousand and odd sheep, which the Comanches had taken so -unceremoniously from him a few days before. Their multitudinous -_baaing_, made it a source of wonder that their proximity had not been -suspected ere this. - -It was yet early in the morning, and the sheep were resting from the -severe marching to which they had been subjected. The Indians could be -seen, scattered here and there on the outer confines of the immense -drove, where any stampede would be sure instantly to arouse them. Here -they were slumbering, their faithful animals cropping the grass close -beside them, where they could be reached in a second’s call. - -One Comanche had just risen, and stood leaning against his horse, and -appeared to be yawning and gaping. As there was imminent danger of -Swipes being seen, Fred pushed him down from his perch. - -“You want to alarm them, do you, and have them all get away, not that -you have a chance to recover your property?” - -“Well, I swan it makes a feller feel so good that it don’t make much -difference whether I get ’em back agin or not.” - -“Little good will it do you, then. Let’s go down again and have -consultations with Ward, and decide upon our means of recapturing them.” - -“But won’t they give us the slip while we’re talking?” - -“Not much.” - -“I guess I’ll stay here and watch while you go down and make the -arrangements. Be as quick as you can.” - -“Come along; you’ll get to dancing and hooting again and alarm the whole -country, so don’t wait.” - -The prospect of recapturing the entire herd of sheep was too tempting to -pass by. When a man sees an opportunity of recovering a fortune lost, is -he apt to shut his eyes and turn his back upon it? Not much. - -The arrangements were soon made. Ward Lancaster, Fred Wainwright and -four of the best mounted men dismounted and led their horses up the -ridge, and as carefully descended on the opposite side. Here they -remounted, consulted a few moments, and then with a series of resounding -whoops, dashed around the southern side of the drove, firing their guns -at the Comanches at the same time. - -The latter comprehending that the game was up, vaulted upon their -mustangs and sped away like an arrow over the prairie, firing as they -rode. In a few minutes, the entire body of sheep was in motion to the -northward. They kept along the western side of the ridge, while Florence -Brandon and her friends followed the eastern slope, both parties -instantly remaining within call of each other. - -In the afternoon of the same day, the entire company united with the -emigrant train and the march westward was resumed. - -Messrs. Swipes, Bircham and Doolittle with the occasional assistance of -the others kept the sheep drove in motion losing a very slight per cent. -When the point was reached where they were to divide, they met a party -from Sacramento who were going east to purchase sheep and cattle. They -had an abundance of funds, and, after considerable bantering, they took -the entire flock off of Swipe’s hands, giving him thirty thousand -dollars. - -The Yankee divided the money as he had agreed, with his companions, and -compelled Lancaster and several others to take quite a handsome present. - -“And now,” said he, as the three set their faces toward San Francisco, -“I’m going hum.” - -“But how about the Fort Mifflin Institute for the Education of the -Youths of both Sexes?” inquired Fred Wainwright. - -“Fort Mifflin Institute be hanged. I’m going hum to buy Deacon Popkin’s -farm and settle down with Araminta.” - -And home he went. - -It was a beautiful day in spring time some years ago, and the emigrant -train was proceeding leisurely through Southern California. It was -within a few days of its destination. A few hundred yards in the rear of -the company, a lady and gentleman were riding, their horses walking -closely together, while the riders conversed in those slow sweet tones, -so unceremoniously by persons under such circumstances. They were our -old acquaintances, Fred Wainwright and Florence Brandon. There was a -peculiar smile on the face of the latter, as she said, after a moment’s -lull in the conversation. - -“Do you suppose Mr. Fred Wainwright, that I do not know who you are?” - -He looked inquiringly at her. - -“What do you mean?” - -“You are Mr. Frederick Ashland, of Missouri.” - -“Florence! Florence, who has betrayed me?” - -“No one, but yourself, on the night you so nobly rescued me from the -Apaches. I penetrated your disguise.” - -“Why didn’t you let me know it?” - -“I thought I would wait and see your object in thus remaining INCOGNITO; -but I can’t divine your meaning, as I thought I would let you know that -I generally keep my eyes shut. Mr. Frederick Ashland, what is the cause -of this?” - -“You.” - -“Please explain.” - -“You know after we were engaged, I called several times to see you, and -was told you were out. I felt hurt very much at this, as I knew it was -untrue. Finally, when I concluded to go to California, I made up my mind -I would call and bid you good bye, your aunt, Miss Sillingsby told me -you positively refused to see me, and I received a note which I had sent -unopened. This was the last drop in the bucket and I left you, resolved -never to look on you again, and I should never have done so until we -were so strangely brought together, and I believed you did not suspect -my identity.” - -Whereupon Florence told how she had been deceived; that Miss Sillingsby -had taken a fancy to a rich old crusty bachelor, and resolved that -Florence should marry him. She had started the false message between the -two, and finally succeeded in making both believe that the other had -committed the transgression, and hopelessly estranged them. - -But now all was made right—and well, we have nothing more to say. Our -readers can fill in the minor details of a little scene at Fort Mifflin -a few months later, when Miss Sillingsby had the chagrin and the others -the exquisite pleasure of seeing our hero and heroine made happy in each -other’s love. - - - THE END. - - - - - DIME POCKET NOVELS. - PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. - - - 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. By Edward S. Ellis. - 7—The Outlaw’s Wife. By 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 Raven. 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. By Edward S. Ellis. - 24—The One-Eyed Trapper. By 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. By 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 Iliff. - 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. Redman. - 62—The Luckless Trapper. By Wm. R. Eyster. - 63—The Florida Scout. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 64—The Island Trapper. By Capt. 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. By Maj. L. W. Carson. - 74—Little Rifle. By Capt. “Bruin” Adams. - 75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson. - 76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. By “Bruin” Adams. - 77—The Scarlet Shoulders. By Harry Hazard. - 78—The Border Rifleman. By L. W. Carson. - 79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. By R. Ringwood. - 81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve. - 82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard. - 83—The Specter Horseman. By Frank Dewey. - 84—The Three Trappers. By Seelin Robins. - 85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N. - 86—The Hunter Hercules. By 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, Jr. - 120—Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 121—Black Nick. 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. - - The following will be issued in the order and on the dates indicated: - - 131—Red Plume. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 132—Clyde, the Trailer. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 133—The Lost Cache. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 134—The Cannibal Chief. By Paul J. Prescott. - 135—Karaibo. By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready - 136—Scarlet Moccasin. By Paul Bibbs. Ready - 137—Kidnapped. By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready September 23d. - 138—The Maid of the Mountain. By W. J. Hamilton. Ready Oct. 7th. - - -☞ Beadle’s Dime Pocket Novels are always in print and for sale by all -newsdealers; or will be sent post-paid, to any address: single numbers, -ten cents; six months (13 Nos.) $1.25; one year (26 Nos.) $2.50. - - Address, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - -—Silently corrected a few typos. - -—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook - is public-domain in the country of publication. - -—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by - _underscores_. - -—Created a Table of Contents based on the chapter headings. - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE TRAPPERS; OR THE APACHE -CHIEF'S RUSE *** - -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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