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diff --git a/old/66335-0.txt b/old/66335-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a4b3ac0..0000000 --- a/old/66335-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4269 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Wetzel, The Scout; or, The Captives of the -Wilderness, by Boynton Belknap - -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: Wetzel, The Scout; or, The Captives of the Wilderness - Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 39 - -Author: Boynton Belknap - -Release Date: September 17, 2021 [eBook #66335] - -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 WETZEL, THE SCOUT; OR, THE -CAPTIVES OF THE WILDERNESS *** - - - - - WETZEL, THE SCOUT; - OR, - THE CAPTIVES OF THE WILDERNESS. - - - BY BOYNTON BELKNAP, M. D. - - - 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 On the Ohio 9 - II Pompey in War 16 - III The Renegade 19 - IV Surrounded by Peril 22 - V Thrilling Adventures 29 - VI At the Settlement 36 - VII Waiting and Watching 39 - VIII Home Again 44 - IX The Night Attack 54 - X Colonel Clark and His Rangers 68 - XI The Captain and the Indian 77 - XII {Sowing the Wind} 80 - XIII Reaping the Whirlwind 84 - XIV {Conclusion} 94 - - - - - WETZEL, THE SCOUT - - - - - CHAPTER I. - ON THE OHIO. - - -“Who fired that gun?” demanded Captain Parks, as he turned around and -faced his terrified negro, Pompey. “Hang me, if I don’t believe it was -you, Pompey.” - -“Heben sabe me, massa captain; I wouldn’t do such a ting for ten fousand -dollars!” - -“Let me see your gun.” - -The trembling African obeyed. It required but a moment for the irascible -captain to ascertain that the piece had just been discharged. - -“Yes, you black rascal, it was you! Take that!” he added giving his -servant a tremendous kick. The latter paid not the least heed to it, and -finally added, as if addressing himself, - -“Come to tink soberly on de matter, I bring to mind I did have de hammer -up, so as to be ready for de Injins when dey do come, and jist now I -stubbed my toe, and jerked on de trigger, and I s’pose dat am what made -de blasted ting go off so mighty suddint like.” - -“Of course it was, you black rascal! It came within an inch of my head. -If anything like that happens again, I’ll leave you here in the woods -for the Indian’s tomahawk.” - -“Heben sabe me, I’ll be careful.” - -Captain Parks, a blunt, corpulent, middle-aged man, who had served and -been wounded in the Revolutionary war, was toilsomely making his way -along the banks of the Ohio, near the close of day, followed by his -servant, a great fat negro, of about as much use as a common ox would -have been. He was endeavoring to reach a certain point, which had been -described to him by the renowned ranger Lew Wetzel, for the purpose of -being taken on board a flat-boat on its way down the Ohio. His own -family and a number of friends were on board, and after seeing them -embark, a goodly number of miles above, he had gone overland for some -distance in order to meet a man on an important business matter. -Remaining with him no longer than could be helped, he made all haste -toward the rendezvous, which he had just reached at the time we -introduce him to the reader. - -“Yes, Pompey, here’s the spot!” exclaimed Captain Parks, looking around -in surprised pleasure. “There’s the uprooted tree, with the shrubbery -growing around its roots, that Wetzel told me to be on the look-out -for.” - -“Yaas, and dar am de riber dat he said would be dar, too.” - -“The river, you blockhead? Of course, else how could we meet the -flat-boat.” - -“Dat am so,” returned Pompey, thoughtfully, and a moment later he -shouted, “Ki yi? dar he comes now.” - -“You blasted fool, that is a canoe full of Indians! Stoop down, or -they’ll have our scalps in ten minutes.” - -The men sank down out of sight, while the canoe that had attracted their -attention, made its way swiftly across the river several hundred yards -above. Its inmates seemed unaware of their presence, as they advanced -straight across the river without swerving to the right or left. - -As Captain Parks was anxiously scanning the savages he was certain he -saw a white man sitting in the stern, and from appearances he was the -guiding spirit of the forces. While scrutinizing him the negro at his -elbow again spoke. - -“Dar it am dis time, shuah.” - -He was not mistaken this time. Coming around a bend above, the flat-boat -floated slowly and silently forward under the perfect control of the -current. When first seen it had the appearance of a large, square box, -at either end of which was hung a lengthy oar, which now and then swayed -and dipped in the water. The cabin ran the entire length, except at each -end there was a small space left sufficient to contain a half-dozen men. -Above these open spaces the heavy bullet-proof sides rose for five feet. -A small narrow window was pierced in the sides, opening and shutting at -pleasure, while a trap afforded egress to those within. The spaces at -the ends communicated with the cabin by means of another small door, so -that the inmates of the boat, whoever they might be, were able to pass -and repass without exposing themselves to danger from an ever watchful -foe without. - -Viewed from the shore, not a sign of life would have been seen at first. -Some invisible but skilful hand seemed to dip and sweep the long guiding -oars and keep the boat in the channel. But a closer view would have -shown a small, dark spot-like appearance above the gunwale at the stern, -which at long intervals changed its position, and then for so long a -time remained stationary as to give the impression that it was a part of -the boat itself. This small object was a coon-skin cap, and it rested -upon the head of him who was guiding this boat through the perils that -environ it. A nearer approach, and a low hum, as though persons were -conversing in the cabin, might have been heard; but no other appearances -of life would have been seen upon the outside, except the one individual -referred to. He was a man young in years, yet with an expression of face -and appearance of dress that showed he had much experience in backwoods -life. He was rather dull, of a muscular, massive frame, and had a fine, -intelligent expression of countenance. His nose was small and finely -formed, his eyes black and glittering, his long black hair fell in -curling masses over his shoulders, his mouth was small and expressive, -and there was an appearance of compactness about his frame that showed -his formidable reserve of strength and activity. He was attired in the -usual hunting costume of the day—coon-skin cap, with hunting shirt, -leggins and moccasins made of deer-skin. A belt passing around the waist -was the repository of a couple of savage-looking knives, while a long -polished rifle rested against the cabin. - -Our two friends on shore waited until the flat-boat was nearly opposite, -when Captain Parks arose to his feet and made a signal with his hat. The -eagle eye of Wetzel quickly detected it, and swinging his own cap over -his head to signify that all was right, a small sort of canoe was -instantly lowered, and propelled by the skilful paddle of the renowned -ranger himself, it soon reached the shore, and received the two men on -board. - -“Dar am a hundred fousand Ingines!” whispered Pompey in a horrified -whisper. “Let’s got back to de flat-boat a little sooner dan possible.” - -Wetzel looked inquiringly at the captain, who made answer: - -“A canoe full, passed just before you came in sight.” - -“I seen ’em,” returned the ranger. “There’s a white man with ’em too. -I’m afraid we’ll have trouble from ’em afore long, too.” - -“Golly hebbin! let’s go back home.” - -“Shut up, you black rascal.” - -A few minutes later our friends were received on board the flat-boat, -and most joyfully welcomed by its occupants. It was already getting -dark, so that the meeting had not occurred too soon. It singularly -happened that both Captain Parks and the flat-boat were delayed several -hours in reaching the appointed spot. - -There were a dozen upon the boat beside Wetzel, including the females of -Stuart, Kingman and Parks, and several young, enterprising men. - -Stuart was a sturdy, middle-aged farmer, who had first proposed this -undertaking, and was the leading spirit of the enterprise. He was a -corpulent, good-natured man, and was accompanied by his wife, and a -meek, blue-eyed daughter of eighteen or twenty years. Kingman was a -relative of Stuart’s, was of about the same age, and of the same -pleasant, social disposition. His only child was a son, just verging -into manhood, who had hopefully joined the little expedition. The third -mentioned was Parks, our first acquaintance, who was about forty years -of age, with a heavy grizzly beard and bushy hair, and of so irascible a -disposition that he had gained the name of the “Mad Captain.” He was -childless, having lost his only son in battle some years before. - -The party at the time we introduce them to the notice of the reader, -were engaged over their evening meal, and thus the hunter Wetzel was -undisturbed by the presence of any of them. - -Suddenly, like the flash of a demon’s eye, a bright spot of fire flamed -from the inky blackness of the western shore, the sharp crack of a rifle -burst upon the night air, its sullen echoes rolling far up and down the -river. Not a motion or word on the flat-boat betrayed that the sound of -a rifle had been heard. Wetzel was standing as usual, resting quietly on -the oar, and heard the whizz of the bullet as it skimmed over the boat -in front of him. Not the least discomfited, he neither spoke nor changed -his position at the startling sound. A deliberate half-turning of the -head and an apparently casual glance at the shore from which the shot -had come, were all that betokened his knowledge of the threatened -danger. There was little need of cautioning the inmates, as they were -well aware of the dangers by which they were surrounded. Around Wetzel -stood Kingman and Parks, while at the opposite end were young Kingman -and a friend by the name of Russel. The females remained below. - -The night was one of those clear, beautiful ones, when the silence is so -perfect that the dark forest seems to have a deep, sullen, and almost -inaudible roar, and there is soft music in the hum of the myriads of -insects in the air. As the moonlight rested upon the youthful, but -already bronzed face of the brave Wetzel, it disclosed one of no -ordinary intelligence. - -There is a magic power in the moonlight, when it rests like a silver -veil upon the countenance, softening and mellowing the outlines, until -every feature glows with a radiant mildness. - -And, when a few moments later, Irene Stuart made her appearance, her -face was of surpassing beauty. She was rather below the medium size, of -a light delicate frame. As she emerged from below a heavy shawl -enveloped her, concealing her faultless form to the shoulders. There was -no covering for the head, and her dark clustering hair gathered loosely -behind, fell in a black mass over her shoulders. The moonlight gave to -the mild blue eyes a languid softness, and the whiteness of the face -seemed increased by the same enchanting veil. The night journey was -continued in safety, and the next day the wished-for settlement was -reached. Here they were all received with open arms, and were speedily -incorporated into the settlement proper. - -The men had come for the purpose of carving out new homes for themselves -in this great wilderness, and they went to work with the determination -to do so. By mutual assistance, cabins for all were soon erected, and a -large portion of the forest cleared and put under cultivation. - -Matters progressed well until, after the lapse of a few months, rumors -reached the settlement of a frightful increase of the outrages upon the -part of the savages. The menacing danger to the settlement finally -assumed such a form that stockades were erected and the place put in a -state of defense. - -A month or two passed thus, until the succeeding spring, when Wetzel -arrived at the settlement with a call for twenty men to join a company -that were going to march into the Indian country for the purpose of -teaching them that the whites could not be murdered with impunity. - -The desired twenty at once responded to the call. Among these were Mad -Captain Parks, Kingman, Stuart, and others who were in the flat-boat. -Wetzel was to be the leader until they reached the appointed rendezvous, -a number of miles up the river, when the whole was to be placed under -the command of Col. Sandford, a man who had experienced considerable -Indian fighting. The entire force was to number two hundred and fifty, -and it was confidently hoped that a summary check would be put to the -outrages that were becoming frightfully common along the frontier. - -At the appointed time the whole two hundred and fifty gathered at Fort -Lafayette (the one of ancient days) and with high hopes they set out for -the Indian town of Lushne, under the lead of the gallant Colonel -Sandford. - -To reach this, it was necessary to cross a large stream—a tributary of -the Ohio. This was done in safety, and late one night they encamped -within a comparatively short distance of the Indian town. A greater -number of sentinels were put on duty, and the rest lay down to be ready -for the “tug of war” that they confidently counted on for the morrow. - -In spite of the extraordinary precautions that were taken the picket -line was broken through, and an overwhelming body of Indians poured into -the camp. The officers endeavored to rally them; but Colonel Sandford -was almost instantly shot, and the panic become complete. - -Many of the men performed prodigies of valor. Wetzel raged like a -madman; but the men broke, and were scattered like chaff, and were hewn -down as they ran. - -Finding it was all useless to attempt to stay the tide, Wetzel, Captain -Parks and Kingman attempted to save themselves. The two former -successfully made their escape in the darkness, but the latter was -wounded, and crawled for safety beneath a cluster of bushes. Here he lay -all night, while the dreadful carnival went on. He caught sight of the -shadowy forms rushing to and fro, heard the continual shrieks of the -victims, and now and then the death yell of some over-venturesome -Indian. He expected every moment to be discovered, and to share the fate -of his companions. - -When the morning finally dawned, the tumult died away, and overpowered -by his exhaustion he fell asleep. When he awoke the day was well -advanced. As he regained his consciousness he looked about him; but no -person was visible. The massacre was finished. - -Kingman crawled to a brook near by and quenched his thirst, and then -made his way back again, seeing no prospect for him but to lie there and -perish, or suffer a death of violence from the hands of the first one -who should discover him. - -He lay there all day. At nightfall he was startled by the appearance of -a little whiffit of a dog directly in front of him. Knowing that some -one else must be close at hand, he managed to lure the brute to him, -when he cut his throat from ear to ear. - -“There,” he muttered, as he wiped the blood from his hands, “you can’t -betray my hiding place.—sh!” - -Just then he looked up and saw the renegade Johnson but a few rods away, -and apparently looking for something. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - POMPEY IN WAR. - - -“Dis yer gemmen ob color orter for to go to war, dat am sartin. While de -rest am sheddin’ dar blood round dese parts, it ain’t right for him to -be idle.” - -Thus soliloquized Pompey when the forces marched from his village to -join those in invading the Indian country. The reason he gave himself, -however, was not the true step that influenced him. Through his thick -skull there crept some such logic as this: - -“If de best men lebe dis place, den dis place becomes de weakes’. De -Injins will find dis out, and den what’s to sabe us dat stays behind? -Whereas and wherefore dem dat goes away will be de safes’. _Darfore_, -inasmuch as, de best ting I can do is to go wid _’em_. _Darfore_, -howsumever, I go.” - -He hurried along and overtook the party before they had penetrated any -great distance in the forest. The leaders were disposed to send him -back; but he was so earnest in his entreaties to be allowed to go that -they finally consented, and he formed one of the party. - -When the attack was made, Pompey broke for cover. His prudent resolve -was to remain out of sight as long as there was danger, and then to be -“in at the death,” and claim his share of the glory. - -Such being his situation, it was out of his power, as a matter of -course, to comprehend at once the disaster that had befallen Colonel -Sandford and his command. When he found the whites were scattering and -seeking individual safety, and the Indians roaming everywhere in search -of victims, he began to suspect that all had not gone as well as he had -hoped. - -“Gerrynation! I begin to tink it’s time dis yer black man was tinking of -libing.” - -At the time he gave expression to this thought, Pompey was crouched -beneath some thick undergrowth, and glaring out upon the Indians, who -seemed to be passing all around and in every direction. Here he remained -until broad daylight. He had wit enough to understand that it was now -impossible for him to escape discovery. The place in which he lay was -the very one which a frightened fugitive would naturally secrete -himself, and was therefore the one which the Shawnees would search. It -would be certain death to attempt to escape by fleeing. His huge feet -and short legs could not be compared with those of his enemies. He -therefore hit upon the brilliant idea of feigning death until nightfall, -when he could make off under cover of darkness. - -He had barely made this resolution, when a stalwart Indian walked -straight to the bushes, and pulling them aside, peered in. Perhaps the -glare of the sun, or the utter darkness of Pompey himself, made the -negro invisible for a few moments; for it is certain that some -considerable time elapsed ere the savage uttered his all-expressive -“Ugh!” - -Pompey kept his eyes open until he saw the red-skin glaring down upon -him, and then he shut his orbs as tightly as if he were expecting to -hold a fly beneath each lid. At the same moment he drew in a long -breath, stoutly resolved to hold it until the Indian went away. But as -second after second passed, his discomfort rapidly became overwhelming. -But he held out like a hero, until absolutely human nature could do no -more. Suddenly he gave a tremendous puff, somewhat after the fashion of -a laboring steam-engine. - -“Gosh hang it! dar! no use tryin’! If I’d kept in any longer I’d -busted!” - -The Shawnee indulged in a huge grin as he discerned the African -stretched out upon the ground, his eyes rolling, and his great white -teeth chattering with fear. - -“Ugh! come out—me kill.” - -“Oh, good Mr. Injin, I love you ’most to death. Please don’t hurt me! -Oh, good Mr. Injin, please don’t hurt a feller like me!” - -“What do here?” - -“Please don’t hurt me. I come along, good Mr. Injin jes’ to keep de rest -from hurtin’ _you_. You can ax any of ’em if I didn’t.” - -What would have been the ultimate result of all this it is impossible to -say, but there can be little doubt but that the negro would have been -tomahawked had not a peculiar whoop attracted the attention of the -Indian. Without further noticing the supplicant he leaped away in the -woods, uttering a reply to the signal, and disappeared almost instantly. - -Pompey took advantage of this opportunity. He left that part of the -neighborhood as fast as he could travel, and continued walking all -night. - -The whole distance back to the settlement was made alone, without -encountering a single human being. A kind Providence watched over the -poor fellow’s footsteps. The first man he saw was the sentinel of the -town, who discharged his gun at him, excusing himself on the plea that -he was so dark he thought it was night itself, and fired his gun into it -to clean out the barrel. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE RENEGADE. - - -The renegade stooped and narrowly examined the marks which his dog had -made in searching for the new trail, but as he had been to the spring -once or twice, and had gone in many other directions beside the one -toward Kingman’s retreat, it was impossible to follow up the right one. - -It was now getting dark rapidly. Already the shadows of the wood were -growing darker each moment, and blending together. - -The renegade moved cautiously about, peering at each spot which he -judged possible to contain a human being. - -“Don’t ’pear to find any, though I shouldn’t wonder if thar’s two, there -’bout. Like to know where Nero is.” - -He stopped and called again his brute, but, of course, he came not. - -“Beats the devil whar that dorg am!” he exclaimed, somewhat nettled. -“I’ll have to wollop him when he comes home ag’in.” - -It was now so dark that his form was quite indistinct to Kingman. The -latter saw him stand a moment and then soliloquize: - -“Now, s’pose there war some feller hid under them bushes, he’d have a -fine chance to bring me down, wouldn’t he? Thunder! I didn’t think of -that all the time I’ve been standin’ here.” - -This sudden discovery appeared considerably to affect him, for he turned -on his heel and disappeared in the darkness. Pete Johnson, the renegade, -was perhaps as incarnate a monster as Simon Girty; but, added to his -crimes, he had a failing which the other great renegade had not. He was -cowardly and fearful of his personal safety in battle. Girty, no one -will deny, was a brave and daring fighter, and was often perfectly -reckless of danger, while Johnson invariably showed the white feather -when in peril. - -Darkness had now settled over the forest, and Kingman, having greatly -recovered, stealthily emerged from his hiding-place. - -“Yes,” he muttered, looking toward the spot where he had last seen his -enemy; “yes, there was a fellow under a bush, and nothing in the world -would have given him a greater pleasure than to have sent a bullet -through that black heart of yours. Never mind; your reward will come -some day.” - -And he turned and plunged in the forest. - -The spot where the battle recorded had taken place, was in Sciota -Valley, but a short distance from the river of that name, and toward -this Kingman bent his steps. He could hear the shouts of the savages, -and see their lights flitting through the trees, as they moved about in -the village. Some, he knew, were still absent in the forest, searching -for prey, and he was yet by no means out of danger, as the river bank -would probably be watched the whole night. His wound pained him now more -than usual, and he was fearful of a fever renewing itself before -morning. - -He took the river bank, for by following this he would avoid that -singular mistake which persons lost in the wilderness so often make—that -of coming, after a long time, back to the precise spot from which they -started. The Sciota emptied into the Ohio, and by following its banks he -would in time reach the settlement, as Wetzel and the hunters had done -some time before. - -As he approached the river, the moon was shining upon it, and he could -plainly discover the dark line of the opposite shore. He hurried along -the bank in the hope of finding some Indian canoe, but was disappointed. -As every moment was of value to him, he commenced his homeward march at -once. For a mile or so he kept within the wood, until, judging that he -had gone far enough to be beyond danger, he took the shore and hastened -onward. For a mile or so the beach was composed of a hard, gravelly -sand, which made the walking easy and pleasant on such a warm moonlight -night. Kingman could not help congratulating himself upon his own -pleasant lot, when he reflected upon the fate of so many others, despite -the severe and troublesome wound he had received. - -“Yes,” he exclaimed, half aloud, “I’m in a fair way to get home again, -and I thank Heaven for it. If I should happen——hello!” - -The latter exclamation had good reason for its utterance. In coming -around a sharp bend in the river, he had encountered a Shawnee Indian, -and the two stood face to face! They were not fifty feet apart, and each -appeared equally astonished. As Kingman stood, the moon shone upon his -back, so that his features were concealed from his enemy, while the face -of the latter was as distinctly visible as at noonday. Kingman saw his -large, dark eyes glowing, and his whole countenance working with -passion; but suddenly it changed, and losing the hold upon his knife, a -grim smile came over his swarthy features as he said in a low tone, - -“You scare Long Tom, Pete. He tink you oder man.” - -Kingman saw in a moment that he had been mistaken for the renegade. His -dress was similar, and his stature about the same, so that it could not -be wondered at. - -Without losing a moment he availed himself of the mistake. - -“Wal, I reckon I did scarce you, Tom! Wagh! wagh!” he laughed, imitating -as nearly as he remembered the renegade’s tones and actions. - -“What scarce me for?” - -“’Cause you was fool enough to git scart, wagh! But ain’t there no more -of Injins with you?” - -“Long Tom all alone.” - -“Wal, he won’t be long.” - -“Why tink so?” - -“’Cause here’s as’ll send him whar thar are more. Wal, I will.” - -“Send Long Tom where?” - -“You’ll see in a minute. But what made ye come down this way alone, Tom? -Ye mought ov met some o’ the white men.” - -“Damme! wish me had.” - -“What would you do?” - -“Me do so,” and the savage made a motion with his hands as though he -were scalping a person. - -“You’ve come a good ways lookin’ fur him, wagh!” - -“Me go furder.” - -“Thar won’t be need of that.” - -“Why, white dog round here?” eagerly asked the Indian, approaching -nearer. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - SURROUNDED BY PERIL. - - -This conversation, as will probably be seen, was purposely carried on by -Kingman in order to throw the savage off his guard. An encounter he saw -was unavoidable between them, and Kingman, in his wounded state, was -fearful of the consequences to himself unless he employed some such -stratagem as this. - -He glanced at his rifle and saw he had preserved the priming from loss -and moisture. - -“I think the woods are full of the whites, Tom. Haven’t you seen any?” - -“Only dem shoot in battle. Me no find any in woods.” - -“I seed one hid in a tree. Wal, I reckon I did.” - -“You kill him?” - -“That’s a purty question to ax Pete Johnson. Thought you knowed better, -Tom, than that. Ef Pete didn’t raise thar har bootyful then smash me.” - -“Eh! fix ’em did, Pete? Good!” added the savage approaching still -closer. - -The two were now within ten yards of each other. Kingman feared a -discovery each moment. - -“Would you like to shoot a white, Tom?” - -“Eh? wouldn’t Tom serve him so quick!” replied the savage, again going -through the motions of scalping in the air. - -“Wal, just look ’cross the river. Don’t you think there is something -there that looks suspicious?” - -The unsuspecting Indian turned and gazed in the direction indicated. At -the same moment he heard the click of Kingman’s rifle. - -As he turned his alarmed gaze around he received the bullet full in the -heart, and with a wild yell sprang several feet in the air. - -The savage saw at once the treachery which had been practised upon him, -and in his death-struggle, as he was, he hurled his tomahawk with -tremendous force at Kingman. - -So truly was it aimed, that a mere accident may be said to have saved -his life. - -He had only lowered his musket, and the barrel was still before his -breast. - -As the weapon whizzed through the air it was driven directly at -Kingman’s body, but in its passage it encountered the gun-barrel, -emitting a stream of sparks at the concussion, and glanced off several -yards into the river, and fell with a loud splash. - -“There, Long Tom, I didn’t want to kill you, but I had no choice. I feel -sorry for you,” said Kingman, as he saw the savage clutching the sand in -his agony. - -He avoided looking at him, and rapidly passed on, hoping to get beyond -so sickening a sight. - -Had the savage been any other than a Shawnee, Kingman would have felt -more pity for him; but he well knew that the whole trouble upon the -frontiers was owing to this same tribe. In fact, it is a question -whether a more villainous tribe of Indians ever existed upon the North -American Continent then than the Shawnees. They had figured in many of -the blackest tragedies of the “dark and bloody ground,” and their very -name for a long time was one of the greatest terror to the settlers. -There was no compact, however sacred, no treaty, however pledged, that -they hesitated to violate. - -Then first known, their hunting-grounds were in the everglades of -Florida and the adjoining country. Here their savage, treacherous -disposition became at last so unbearable to the other tribes that the -Choctaws, Cherokees, and most powerful tribes of the South united -together and swore eternal destruction to them. - -The Shawnees stubbornly maintained their ground for a number of years, -until, seeing that nothing but decimation or utter annihilation remained -to them, they gathered together and left their hunting-grounds forever. - -Journeying northward, they reached the Ohio in time, when they -determined to settle. There were broad, waving prairies, and deep, -glorious forests, where the deer and buffalo ranged in thousands, and -bright, flashing rivers, in which the fish sported in myriads. The -Wyandots (as friendly then, when a mighty nation, as now, when the -miserable remnant of one) welcomed them, spread the deer-skin for them -to sit upon, and smoked the calamut as the token of eternal friendship. - -Here the Shawnees grew to be one of the most powerful tribes in the -whole North-west, and at the same time their vindictive, blood-thirsty -disposition seemed to increase. None were more active in the old French -war, and none more difficult to bring into Wayne’s treaty, when forty -years afterward the war on the frontiers was believed to have been -brought to a close. - -After the celebrated victory of Mad Anthony, the Shawnees remained -peaceful for a dozen years, when they again broke out in the well-known -war under their renowned Tecumseh. As this is a matter of history, it is -not necessary further to refer to it here. - -Of course, it is not to be supposed that this long digression passed -through the brain of Kingman after slaying the Shawnee before him, for -the good reason that one half of the events mentioned had not yet taken -place. It was now only 1780, and the Shawnees were in the fell tide of -their strength, and had received no check from the pioneers. Kingman -only remembered that the Indian he had slain was a Shawnee—his most -mortal enemy. - -The moon was now high in the heavens and as he journeyed along the -shore, its light was so intense as to render it quite perilous to remain -so exposed. - -Once or twice the long, low howl of the wolf was heard faintly in the -distance, and the shrill, human-like cry of the panther sounded -fearfully nigh. The fact that there were others than human enemies in -the wood made him hesitate about plunging into it. As he had used his -ammunition, he had also thrown his rifle away, so as not to be -encumbered with it, and with no weapon but his knife, he was in no -condition to run into danger. - -But at last the low, gravelly beach terminated. The dark overhanging -forest, with its matted undergrowth, reached down to the water’s edge, -and his path must now lead through to this tangled maze. - -As he stood hesitating whether in his present exhausted condition it was -best to camp for the night, or to continue his journey, a bright thought -struck him. Directly before him lay a small tree, shivered by lightning. -It was partly decayed, light and buoyant, and could be easily shoved -into the water. This was quickly done, and he once more returned to -congratulate himself upon his success. The water was warm and pleasant, -and as it was a cool summer night, much warmer than the air. The sapling -contained a number of dead branches and knots upon it, and being -considerably lighter than Kingman at first supposed, he was able to -float upon it with scarcely more than wetting his feet. - -Fatigued and exhausted as he was, he found a heavy drowsiness gradually -creeping over him. He had had little sound sleep for the past ten -nights, and his exertions had been so great, that he felt certain it -would be impossible to resist the feeling. So, placing his limbs so -securely among the branches as could be done he gave way to the feeling, -and prepared for a pleasant night’s slumber. - -Gliding unresistingly along with the smooth current, with nothing but -the gentle, liquid rippling of the river around, and the bright moon -overhead, and the sullen, hollow roar of the forest on shore, no one -could resist the drowsy goddess. Slowly but surely unconsciousness was -creeping over him. Sky, forest, and water were mingling in a delightful -confusion from which he felt no desire to separate them; and as all -things were assuming that blankness which precedes our passing off into -sleep, he was startled and recalled to his senses by a sudden shock. -Starting up, he saw that he had struck against the upper end of a small -sandy island, and the tree had remained fast. It required but a few -moments to free this, and once more he was floating gently with the -current. This time he slept, but he was destined to have a startling -awaking. His wound made him feverish, and all sorts of fantastic visions -were darting through his head. Bears, Indians, renegades, and dying -friends, passed continually before him, and finally, after a fitful -hour’s sleep, he partially awoke. As he lay languidly stretched on the -tree, striving to set things right before him a peculiar clicking noise -sounded in the water. At first, it seemed a part of his dreams, and he -took no further notice of it; but it continued regularly, and was -evidently approaching. He waited a few moments, until thoroughly -awakened—he raised his head and looked about him. The moon was pouring a -flood of light upon the river, so that the slightest object was -discernible. As he turned his eye toward shore, he discovered a canoe, -propelled by a single man, rapidly bearing down upon him. He looked -hurriedly at the person, and was satisfied that it was no other than -Pete Johnson the renegade. - -“I’d rather see the bear, or the devil, than you,” was Kingman’s mental -ejaculation as he quietly dropped off the tree, and commenced swimming -toward the opposite shore. He did not believe the renegade was after -him, or had discovered him, but was only crossing the river; and, as he -was likely to pass rather uncomfortably close to the tree, he thought it -best to get out of his way. - -But such was not the case. As he turned his head, he saw that the canoe -was pursuing him. Still hoping that he had not been seen, he came up a -dozen feet away, and commenced swimming in an opposite direction. But -the canoe was after him, no mistake. - -“No use, ole hoss, I’ve got you this time!” exclaimed he in the boat. - -“What do you want of me?” demanded Kingman. “Keep off, or I’ll shoot -you.” - -“Wagh! wagh! You will, eh? Blaze away, if _you can_. Come, you might as -well knock under and go ’long docile, for there’s no airthly help for -yer.” - -As he said this the canoe shot rapidly ahead again, almost upon him. - -The latter again dove, and came up directly under the stern of the -canoe, where he hoped he would not be discovered. He felt he would -rather be shot in the water than fall into the hands of the renegade. - -Hearing a movement in the boat, and fearing discovery, he closed his -feet together to sink again; but, before his head disappeared beneath he -was caught by the hair, and in spite of every resistance he could offer, -was pulled into the canoe. - -As he was pulled head foremost into the canoe, he fully expected to be -brained upon the spot, and more than once his head rang with the -expectation of the blow. He lay for a moment on his face, without -moving. In his feverish, exhausted condition, what resistance could he -offer to the herculean strength of the renegade? His clothes were wet, -and clinging to his shivering body, and a more miserable being probably -never existed than he was at this moment. - -Astonished at the silence of his enemy, he raised his head and looked -up. Instantly one of the loudest, heartiest, most ringing laughs he ever -heard greeted his ears. - -“Wal, Kingman, you’re the most doleful-looking rat I ever heard on! Why, -who’d you take me for? Ha! ha! ha!” - -“Why, Abram Moffat, is this you?” - -“No, it’s me. How are you? Give us your paw for old acquaintance.” - -Not the renegade, but Kingman’s old friend was sitting before him. The -very person of all he wished to see. - -“Where in the name of creation did you come from?” asked Kingman. - -“And where, I may ask, did you start?” - -“Why, you known well enough. I was wounded in the battle, and have been -trying to reach home.” - -“Trying to swim all the way?” asked Moffat, with a sly look. - -“No, only a part of it. I believe I stand a chance of getting a ride the -rest of the way.” - -“Yes, a slight chance if you behave yourself, and don’t jump overboard -and try to paddle off.” - -“No danger of that, for I am about used up now.” - -“Yes, I can see that you are; let’s pull into shore and start a fire.” - -So saying, Moffat turned the head of the canoe, which had been floating -down the current all this time, toward shore, and in a few moments its -prow struck the land, and they sprang out. It was now near midnight, and -it was high time that Kingman was in other hands. His exposure in the -water had hastened his chilling fever, and the strain which his system -had undergone now suffered reaction, and his condition was fast becoming -critical. In a few moments Moffat had a bright fire burning down in a -ravine or hollow, where it could not be easily seen until within a few -yards of it. He saw Kingman’s condition, and immediately stripped him -and gave him a most vigorous rubbing, until he was all aglow with the -circulation. He examined his wound, and found that it was not at all -dangerous, but needed dressing. This he hastily did, and then wrapping -him in his own blanket, he laid him near the fire and maintained watch -himself until morning. - -Nothing occurred seriously to alarm our two friends through the night. -Once or twice Moffat heard the distant bay of the wolf and the piercing -scream of the panther, and several times, as he looked up, he could see -the fiery eyeballs of some wild beast glaring through the bushes above -him. Then apparently after wondering at the meaning of the unusual -scene, they withdrew, and their retreating steps could be heard, while -the continued footfalls of other beasts were audible until daylight. But -the fire was a life-guard. No denizen of the forest dare cross the -blazing ring, no matter how slight it was; and when the faint streaks of -morning illumined the east, the last hopeful loiterer took his departure -and disappeared in the wood. - -Kingman slept sweetly and heavily—so heavily, in fact, that it was broad -day when he opened his eyes and gazed wondering about him. - -“How do you feel, George?” asked Moffat. - -“Oh!—is that you, Abe? I didn’t know you.” - -“How many more times are you going to ask whether I am what I am? But -that ain’t answering my question—how do you feel?” - -“Like a new man, as I am,” replied Kingman, springing triumphantly to -his feet. - -Not a trace of last night’s fever remained. The restless, bloodshot eyes -were now calm and sparkling; the red, throbbing face was cool and -glowing; and the shivering, exhausted frame was now firm and graceful. -Moffat had taken him just at the proper moment, and the fever had been -broken and the equilibrium of the system restored. - -“Wal, you do feel right, eh? Glad to hear it. Hungry?” - -“I’m slightly of that opinion. I feel, just at this moment as though I -could eat a Shawnee, tomahawk rifle and all.” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - THRILLING ADVENTURES. - - -Moffat took his departure in quest of game, and soon returned with a -wild duck, which he had managed to approach unobserved, and kill with a -well-aimed stone, there being too much danger in firing his gun. The -bird was speedily cooked and eaten, with the keenest of appetites upon -the part of both. - -“Now,” said the ranger, “as we ain’t exactly sartin of our neighbors, -we’ll seperate fur awhile. I’ll go to the left and you to the right, and -we’ll jine again, by that point of bank, which you remember is about a -quarter of a mile down the river.” - -There was some risk in this, although, with proper prudence, there was -no need of either running into danger. Accordingly they separated, and -each taking the route designated by the scout, and moving with the -stealthy tread of panthers seeking their prey. - -They had been separated about fifteen minutes, and each was advancing -silently, cautiously and stealthily, when our hero suddenly discovered -an Indian in his war paint approaching. As quick as thought the young -man “sprang to cover,” by darting behind a large oak tree. The tree -behind which he was sheltered was, as said, a very large one of the oak -species. The protection of the Shawnee was much smaller, and barely -served to cover his body; but it was enough, and all he desired. - -Kingman stood a moment, as if to decide his course, and then he walked -with a stealthy tread about ten feet from the tree, and dropped upon the -ground. In doing this, the tree had been kept in a range with the -Indian, so as to still screen his body, and his purpose was unsuspected. -He now sank flat upon his face, and commenced working himself slowly -backward, his eye fixed upon the tree he had just left, and his whole -caution exerted not to deviate from the range. - -Had the savage once caught a glimpse of his movements, it would have -been all up with Kingman. As it was, the Shawnee was half expecting some -stratagem or treachery, and never once removed his gaze from the spot -where he supposed his victim to be; but so consummately had our hero -arranged this that as yet not the remotest suspicion had crossed the -mind of the savage. He was, however, doomed to pass a more fearful -ordeal than he yet dreamed. - -The wood being open, and the ground devoid of the thick, tangled -undergrowth so common in some other parts, Kingman was compelled to use -the most extreme caution that no mismovement was made upon his part. As -he proceeded, the friendly angle he made with the tree grew less, and -the ground that was safe for him consequently more narrow each moment. -More than once he found himself deviating from the line, and almost -exposing himself. His progress was very slow and wearisome. The distance -necessary to be passed before he could rise to his feet was considerably -over a hundred yards, and not half that distance was yet crossed. When -near the center, and moving slowly and painfully along, Kingman was -startled by his feet coming in contact with some hard substance. Turning -his gaze, he saw a rotten and decayed log lay directly across his path. - -This was a new difficulty to be got over, or gone around. But there was -no time for hesitation, and waiting but a second, he lifted his feet and -commenced pushing himself over. His body passed over safely, and, -feeling considerably relieved, he recommenced his novel retreat. But he -had scarcely taken a step, when he heard a sound beside him that made -his blood tingle with horror. It was the warning of the rattlesnake! -Glancing furtively around, Kingman saw the reptile within six feet of -him. His scaly, glittering body lay coiled like a rope, and from the -centre his head, terrible in its beauty, rose some eighteen inches, and -was drawn back, ready for the fatal strike. The tail on the outside of -the horrid ring was gently swaying, giving forth that deadly rattle, and -the whole body seemed alive and excited. Hardly a more terrible -spectacle can be conceived than that of the coiled and bristling -rattlesnake. The one in question was about five feet in length, and was -gathered in a circle of a foot in diameter. The head was drawn back in a -glistening arch, like the neck of a swan. As he lay, a patch of the -sunlight broke through the treetops and rested upon him, making his -whole body to glisten with a thousand brilliant variegated colors. His -eye shone with a malignant glitter, like the ray of the star through the -dark cloud, and his tongue flashed with lightning-like rapidity round -his flat, swaying head. So rapid and incessant were the movements of -this, that to Kingman it resembled a tiny stream of bright red blood -crossing the neck and head in every direction. Several times the -cavernous jaws were distended, and the white fangs, loaded with venom, -could be seen curving inward, and as pointed as a needle. - -Kingman saw all this in less time than it takes us to describe it. His -first movement, upon seeing the reptile so nigh him, was an involuntary -recoil, which had well discovered him to his human enemy. He felt the -double danger that now menaced him. The rattlesnake had warned him once, -and in a minute would strike. He could spring to his feet, and, with a -little dexterity, avoid him; but, in the place of the sluggish reptile, -the swift bullet of the Shawnee could not be avoided. No; Kingman made -up his mind that an encounter with the reptile was preferable to one -with the vindictive Shawnee. - -Favored by the log over which, as will be remembered, he had just -passed, and by still being in perfect range with the Indian, Kingman -rose upon one knee and grasped his stick with both hands. It was a -dangerous movement, and he durst not turn to see whether the savage had -noticed it. But it must be done, and he could not remove his gaze from -the snake, whose head now rose and drew back several inches, and whose -eye glittered with tenfold brightness at his own threatened danger. He -now rattled for the last time, and drew his neck back like a bent bow, -when the stick of Kingman flashed through the air so rapidly as to be -invisible, and struck the reptile just at the junction of the head and -neck. Any other snake would have dodged the blow, quick as it was; but -this species, besides being sluggish, is easily killed with a slight -wound. As it was, the force with which Kingman struck was so great, and -the blow so well aimed, that, incredible as it may seem, the head was -stricken clean from the body. Kingman heard it snap, and, as the trunk -spurted its hot blood on him, saw something spin like a ball through the -air, and fall several yards away. A glance showed him the head writhing -among the leaves, and the mouth gaping to its utmost extent. - -The instant the head of the rattlesnake was severed from his trunk, the -body doubled in a knot, and then whirled with lightning-like gyrations -in his horrible agony. Fortunately for Kingman it took another -direction, and still writhing and twisting, it shot off among the trees. - -The greatest immediate danger was now rid of, and Kingman betook himself -again to escaping from the Indian. When he fully realized the imminent -peril from which he had been delivered, a sort of desperate reaction -came over him, and he grew reckless and careless. He turned and made the -rest of his retreat on his feet, stooping very low and moving quite -rapidly. He was, however, unobserved, and reached another small ravine, -for which he had so earnestly wished. Down this he bounded, and ran for -the river. - -“It is the opinion of this gentleman that he has gotten into about -enough trouble from leaving broad trails for the Shawnees, and he -proposes another plan.” - -With this, our hero stepped into the water and again commenced swimming. -He did not strike for the channel, for this would have been certain -destruction, but continued close along shore. Heavy branches of trees -and huge bushes overhung the water for fifteen or twenty feet from the -shore and afforded an almost impenetrable protection for him. Beneath -these he gently swam, and was half carried by the current, catching at -the leaves and twigs within his reach. - -When Kingman and Moffat separated, as mentioned in our last chapter, the -latter concluded that before making his retreat sure, it was best to -determine more definitely the whereabouts and intentions of the -Shawnees. With this purpose he proceeded farther down the ravine and -crossed it in the same place, and a few minutes after Kingman’s pursuer -did; so that three individuals moved over nearly the same spot, and at -nearly the same time, without one suspecting the presence of the other, -except in the case of our hero. Kingman reached the opposite side of the -ravine, and he reascended it for several hundred yards for the purpose -of ascertaining the precise position of the Indian above. This -necessarily required some time, and was only partially successful. He -approached nigh enough to hear the “ugh!” of a savage in conversation -with another, when he deemed it best to make good his retreat. - -The fact that the Shawnees were still watching above he considered as -evidence that his stratagem to insure the escape of Kingman had been -perfectly successful; for, if they suspected anything, they would not -still be lying in ambush as they were. With these thoughts, he now made -his way toward the river for the last time, trusting to come upon -Kingman and the boat. He reached the river at a point _behind_ the -Shawnees, pursuing our hero, so that the two latter were below him on -the river. It was singular that the three should be in such proximity -and still ignorant of the other’s proceedings. The appearance of Moffat -upon the ground would have made a material difference in the programme -of affairs; but such was not destined to be the case. - -Moffat took a careful survey of the river bank, but of course saw -nothing either of Kingman or the boat. Not doubting, however, but the -latter had made off with it, and was waiting at some point lower down -for him, he proceeded onward. Scarcely a hundred feet lower he saw the -boat lying under and fastened by one of the overhanging bushes. He was -considerably surprised at this, and feared that it augured ill for -Kingman. He waded out and examined it. There were no signs of a struggle -having taken place, and the oars lay precisely as they did when he left -the boat himself. Still, only partially satisfied, he stepped into it, -shoved it out clear from the bushes, and commenced rowing down stream. -The noise made doing this reached the ears of the Shawnee above, but did -not succeed in drawing him from his watch; for, as the reader has -probably noticed, he had fixed his heart upon obtaining Kingman’s scalp, -and was determined that nothing else should draw him from it. - -Moffat had rowed several hundred yards as silently as possible, when he -was startled by hearing a movement in the bushes. He dropped his oars -instantly, seized his rifle, and sank into the bottom of the boat. -Fixing his gaze upon the shore, he imagined he could see a dark body -half in the bushes and half in the water, struggling as though it -wounded. Not daring to fire, he rowed within a short distance, and -called out just loud enough to reach it: - -“Is that you, Kingman?” - -“I am of that opinion. What’s the news?” - -“I have just found a poor dog, half drowned, in the water.” - -“Why don’t you pick him up, then?” - -“Afraid he might swim away, if I should try.” - -“Try, and see whether he will.” - -Moffat rowed up to him, and took him in. - -“Now pull for the other shore,” said Kingman, “for I have had enough of -this for the present.” - -In going across, nothing occurred to alarm them, and our two friends -related to each other their experience since they parted. Moffat gave it -as his opinion that Kingman had had quite an adventure—something that -would do to tell when they got home. - -“But where do you suppose that Shawnee of yours is?” asked Moffat. - -“I suppose he is watching behind that tree yet,” laughed Kingman. “You -haven’t told me yet how you came by this canoe.” - -“Oh, there is little to tell of that. When our company dropped their -doors with which they were carrying the Injin fort, and I found every -man was for himself, and all for no, I thought I’d try a journey on my -own hook. So I dug for the woods until I supposed I was clear of the -crowd, when I made tracks for the river. Just before I got there, I come -’cross two little Injin boys—little devils out shooting our men and -learning to scalp on their own hook; and, would you believe it, the -confounded imps had a couple top-knots they had haggled off of some poor -fellow’s head. They found them half dead, I suppose, and then shot and -finished them. They didn’t happen to have loaded their guns yet, and the -way I walked into their meat-houses was a caution to bears. That split -in that rifle stock came from splitting both their heads. I laid ’em out -stark and stiff, so that there’s no likelihood of their lifting the hair -of any more of our boys for a considerable time. Wal, as their guns -wan’t of any use to me, I let ’em alone, and just took their ammunition, -and went on down the river. After going a half mile or so, I stumbled -onto this canoe pulled in snug under the bank. As the owner wasn’t about -to ask permission, I _borrowed_ it until I could return it. - -“Wal, I spent that day pulling down the river, keeping close under the -shore, and watching all-fired close for Injin sign. I didn’t see -anything worth noticing through the day, and at night I run into shore, -turned the canoe over me, and curled up for a snooze. The air was so -warm and there was so many musketoes, and I felt so kind of all-overish, -that I crawled out agin, and squatted on top of the boat. I heard a gun -go off, and that started my nerves. I sat watching the river a good long -while. The moon was shining so bright that I could see anything as plain -as day. Purty soon a tree come floating down, and I thought I seed an -Injin’s head in it. Thinking as how it might be the one that owned the -canoe, who was looking for it, I launched it, and when out, I intended -to apologize. The moon shone so bright, that, before I got to him, I -seed it was a white man. The rest you know.” - -By this time our friends had reached the opposite shore. Here, after a -short and earnest consultation, they determined to keep the river as -long as possible. Accordingly they again shoved into the stream, and -continued upon their way. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - AT THE SETTLEMENT. - - -The disastrous termination of the battle of Chillicothe was a severe -blow to the settlements along the frontier, and none, perhaps, felt it -more than our own village. Defeat was not dreamed of with such ardent -troops, and under the leadership of Colonel Sandford, and the -experienced Indian-fighter, Wetzel. Instead of giving a check to the -savage depredations, this really added an impetus. The Shawnees and -several tribes united, and under the harangues of their chiefs and -leaders, finally believed that the whites could be still driven from -their grounds forever. The great Tecumseh had not arisen yet to seek to -stay the inevitable tide of extermination with his masterly genius, but -the warriors were as numerous and their intentions as deep-rooted. - -Could some such man as Tecumseh have arisen at this time, the Indian -wars on the frontier would have been much more bloody and formidable -than they were. Many of the tribes were at variance with each other, and -some of the severest battles ever fought upon the “dark and bloody -ground” were between the rival tribes. Though all were opposed to the -whites, they could not unite against them. Their leaders were too -short-sighted, and in spite of their utmost efforts, the tide of -emigration still rolled westward. - -Long and anxiously was the return of the volunteers looked for. The -sentinels at the block-houses continually watched every point of the -forest and river, and the deep interest felt in the result of this -expedition was shown by all. Finally a few days afterward, a couple of -stragglers, worn and haggard, emerged from the wood, and entered the -settlement. They were immediately surrounded by numbers, eager and -anxious, to whom they related the sad particulars of defeat. Several -they had seen fall upon the battle-field, but who were shot or wounded -they were unable to tell. The retreat had been so disorderly and -confused that the two in question had taken to the woods together, and -made all possible haste for home. - -In the afternoon, Captain Parks, Prentice, and all of the volunteers, -except Pompey, and the killed and our two friends, returned. From them -the full particulars of the battle were received. Those who escaped the -massacre had made a rapid retreat for Pennsylvania, so that the -settlements were again left to their own protection. - -“But where are Kingman, Smith, and Moffat? I don’t see them among your -number,” asked the minister, Edwards, of Captain Parks. - -“Smith I saw killed. I don’t know where Moffat and that madcap, Kingman, -are. I saw them both fighting like devils, and suppose if they ain’t -scalped, they’re scouting around the country somewhere. Umph! the -all-firedest battle I ever saw fought.” - -“Very unfortunate—very unfortunate.” - -“That Wetzel is a trump, and understands what he is about, but the men -hadn’t a chance.” - -“The boldness of the Indians will no doubt be increased by their -triumph.” - -“I don’t know as their boldness will require much increase, but the way -they walked into the retreating soldiers did credit to their cruelty.” - -“This is a sad thing if Kingman is lost. He was a fine noble-hearted, -promising young man, and his loss will be deeply felt by all. But, -beside his parents, there is one to whom the blow will be terrible.” - -“Who is that?” - -“Irene Stuart. You know her. She came with you.” - -“Yes; but why should _she_ feel it?” - -“There is something more than friendship”— - -“Umph! I understand. He’s _gone in_ there. Yes; I understand. But, I -don’t believe he’s gone _under_, because his being absent at the same -time with Moffat shows pretty certain that they are together, and they -do say that that long, spindle-shanked fellow that I once kicked clear -of the ground is one of the best Indian fighters in the parts. He can -run like a deer, and is as cunning and wide-awake as that Mingo, Logan. -No; I think they’re in some scrape but he’ll bring both out all right.” - -“I do earnestly pray that he will. Irene asked me to inquire when she -heard some of the men had arrived, and I must now go to her. You think, -then, there is nothing wrong done, if I encourage her to hope?” - -“Of course not. I won’t believe he’s dead if he don’t come back for a -month, unless Moffat comes in and says he saw him go under.” - -“If you have nothing to detain you, suppose you go on to the house. The -families are very anxious to get the particulars, and I suppose your -wife is looking with much concern for your reappearance.” - -“Umph! not much, I guess; but I’ll go down with you, for I happen to be -most confoundedly hungry.” - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - WAITING AND WATCHING. - - -The result of the battle had one salutary effect upon the settlement: it -gave every one a true sense of the danger in which they all stood. Thus -far they had relied too much upon the good-heartedness of the Indians. -They now saw their mistake, and remedied it before it was too late. Most -of the men set to work, and in a short time a double row of firm pickets -enclosed the settlement. Although buried deeply and firmly into the -earth, of course they were not impregnable; but they were a protection -which few settlements on the frontier were willing to do without. They -enclosed the settlement in the shape of a square, with a block-house, -well manned, at each corner. - -A scout, whose principal duty was to skirt along the Ohio and watch the -movements of the hostile tribes, came in a short time after the battle -and reported that a flat-boat, with some thirty persons on board, bound -for this settlement, had been enticed into shore by a white man, not -more than a dozen miles up the river, and every one tomahawked! - -The scout believed that the renegade was no other than the notorious -Pete Johnson, who figured in our account of the battle of Chillicothe. -Girty was at the bottom of the affair and had given strict and positive -orders that no white man, woman, or child who fell into their hands -should be spared! - -This scout’s present duty was to visit the settlements along the -frontier and warn them to make preparations for the worst. The Indians -were evidently concentrating to strike some decisive blow against -civilization, and woe to the villages whose sentinels slumbered and who -were found unprepared. - -There could no longer be any doubt of the intentions of the tribes -through the whole territory. - -“A war, and a long and bloody one, I fear, is unavoidable,” remarked -Edwards, in conversation with the scout. - -“It must come to that, sooner or later,” replied the latter, “and I -don’t see the need of putting the thing off. Them Injins have got to -lose about half their number, and get most eternally lammed before -they’ll holler ‘enough.’ I go in for giving them particular fits when we -undertake to do it.” - -“There have been rumors that Colonel Clark is to march against them with -his Kentucky Rangers. Do you know whether such is the case?” - -“I think he will—since this battle he will be compelled to. I hope the -colonel will do it, for he ain’t the man to order his men to retreat -when they get the upper hand of the red cowards.” - -“Provided they do get the upper hand,” smiled the minister. - -“Oh, no danger about that. The colonel understands Indian fighting, and -he’ll show some of it, too, when he undertakes it.” - -“Something better than their last colonel, I hope. Umph!—couldn’t be any -worse,” remarked Captain Parks, who had just come. - -“Wal, mistakes will sometimes happen,” said the scout in extenuation; -“and I s’pose that Colonel Sandford’s was one of them; but that don’t -shift the blame, for all that. He made the blunder, and would, like as -not, do it again, and consequently he ain’t fit to go into Injin -ground.” - -“The Wetzel brothers render great service to the settlement, I -understand,” observed the minister. - -“They are regular teams. If they’ll let Lew Wetzel manage matters, -there’ll be no mistake made; he knows all about Injin ways.” - -“The Shawnees, I believe, are causing the most trouble?” - -“Them imps are at the bottom of the whole trouble we’ve had. They have -always been mean and ugly enough to do anything, and since Simon Girty -has got among them, they’re nothing but a set of devils let loose upon -airth. It’s the fact,” added the scout, as he noticed a look of -displeasure upon the minister’s face. “It’s the fact, I say; them -Shawnees are the biggest set of villains that ever walked on two legs or -four either, for that matter.” - -“I suppose that this renegade has a great influence over them?” - -“A great influence? Well, there?” repeated the scout, gesticulating very -emphatically, “There ain’t a Injin chief west of Pennsylvania that can -do more with his tribe than he can, and there ain’t a single chief among -the Shawnees who dare persist in opposing him. No, sir.” - -“Girty I knew when a boy,” said the minister, “and I have prayed many a -time for him since. Although a dark and guilty man, he is a brave one, -and was led to forswear his race on account of the brutal treatment he -received from them. I have often wondered whether it were possible to -win him back again.” - -“_Win him back again?_” repeated the scout, recoiling a step or two, in -perfect amazement. “No, sir; _never_. A greater monster never breathed, -and as long as he lives his whole aim will be to revenge himself upon -us; and what is worse, he isn’t alone. There’s that Pete Johnson, as big -a devil, and a bigger coward, and a half dozen others, among the Injins, -who are ever setting them on.” - -“Umph! they’ll get paid for it yet.” - -“But I see the day is well along,” remarked the scout, “and I must be on -my way to the other settlements.” - -The ranger, after a few minutes further conversation, left our friends, -and departed. The words recorded took place the next day after the -battle described in a preceding chapter, and up to this time nothing had -been heard of Moffat and Kingman. During the interval Pompey had come -in, who of course knew nothing. Their prolonged absence occasioned the -most painful apprehension. All but Captain Parks were extremely doubtful -of their return and Kingman’s parents were compelled to believe that -their promising “George” was lost forever to them. The sad uncertainty -of their fate cast a gloom over all the settlement. - -But there was one upon whom the blow fell, as the minister remarked, -with double weight. The gentle, blue-eyed Irene Stuart and the daring -George Kingman had long been plighted—plighted in hearts, but not in -words. All had seen and understood the claim which he had upon her, and -although there was many an admiring eye cast upon the lithe and graceful -form, yet none pretended to dispute his right. All gave way, and -pronounced the handsome twain “a fine match.” - -Irene watched with a straining eye for the form of her beloved to appear -among the returned. None other than she who has experienced it can -understand the painful doubt, the distressing uncertainty of a heart in -such a situation: and when the fatal knowledge, like a blow of death, -strikes all at once, then it is that the soul feels its great agony. As -the good minister communicated gently, and with an air of hopefulness, -the tidings that Moffat and Kingman had not returned, she felt her heart -sink within her. The minster noticed her sudden paleness and faintness, -and hastened to remark. - -“Oh, my child! you must not take it thus. There is good reason to -believe that your friend is living, and will yet return.” - -“Did any one see them fall?” she asked, in a voice so calm that it was -frightful. - -“Not at all. Gavoon, who was killed, was seen when shot, as were most of -the others; but no one noticed our friend.” - -“Then there is hope!” - -“To be sure—to be sure. Moffat is very skillful, they say, in savage -ways, and has been delivered from so many dreadful dangers that it can -hardly be supposed with reason that he has not escaped from this.” - -“But why do they remain so long away?” - -“Many reasons might detain them of which we know nothing, child. I have -by no means given up hope, and I think it is not wrong for me to -encourage you in hoping for the best.” - -“I will try,” she remarked, faintly, as she arose and went to her room, -where she might indulge her sorrow in secret. - -The good minister had arisen to depart, when Mrs. Stuart hurried into -the apartment. - -“Ah! how do you do, sister?” he exclaimed, extending his hand. - -“Pretty well in body, but wretched in spirit. O dear! few know the -horrors and sufferings we nervous women go through for the men’s sake.” - -“What is the trouble now?” he asked, with an air of solicitude. - -“What is the trouble, do you ask? Why, isn’t these awful times now, with -these savage Indians murdering and hacking people. I expect, just as -like as not, they’ll murder us all in our homes. There’s no telling what -they won’t do in this heathen country. Lord of massy! I should think -they had done enough now.” - -“Ah! my good sister, you must be more hopeful. The Lord will deliver us -from our peril. Remember there are strong and willing hearts around -you.” - -“Yes, that’s a slight consolation; but then them Injins will do almost -anything. Only think how they run off with George Kingman.” - -“But that is not certain yet, by any means. Many others, including -myself, have not given up our hopes of him yet.” - -“Oh, he’s gone, you may be sure of that. I’ve been up to see Mrs. -Kingman. She felt a little propped up, I believe, by what the people had -said; but I told her there was no use in hoping, for he’d got into the -hands of them heathens, and they hacked him all to pieces.” - -“And what did she say to that, my good sister?” - -“Oh, she burst out a cryin’ like, and wrung her hands saying as how she -feared so all the time. It’s always so; we women do suffer nearly -everything for the unfeeling men. Yes, oh, yes!” - -A sort of hysterical sob and whimper followed this, but in a moment she -revived again. - -“I have one consolation, at any rate—we won’t see any of them nasty -Indians in heaven, when we get there.” - -“Don’t say that, sister, for I hope and expect to meet a great many -there.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - HOME AGAIN. - - -The prolonged absence of Kingman and Moffat, to say the least, was -certainly singular. Several days had now elapsed since the battle, and -if they were in the woods, or had escaped the vengeance of the Shawnees, -there could be no reason offered why they had not made their appearance. -The most sanguine began to doubt—all despaired save the captain, who, -when questioned, replied with more than his usual protervity. - -“He’ll come if you only wait. Umph! I don’t see anything to worry -about.” - -The fifth day wore slowly away without any tidings of the missing ones, -and darkness was again gathering over the quiet village. There was an -air of subdued repose up on everything. The quiet tree-tops were not -swayed by the slightest zephyr, and the broad Ohio glistened like a -sheen of silver as it flowed without a ripple beneath the horizontal -rays of the setting sun. The dark forms of the sentinels could be seen -at the block-houses, and here and there a quiet settler wended his way -through the ungainly streets. The few cattle and horses were gathered -home, and all were ready for the slow approaching night to close around -them. - -Irene Stuart stood at the open door of her cabin, as she had every -evening since the battle, gazing vacantly out upon the Ohio. The last -rays of the sun were shooting brilliantly over the tree-tops and -illuminating them with a golden glow; the hum and noise of work around -her had ceased, and the mournful stillness harmonized well with her sad -and mournful thoughts. It was easy to tell where they were. It was easy -to tell where they had been every night when she had stood thus, lost in -communion with them. It is sometimes hard beneath the most convincing -proof to believe that one is dead. When gazing upon the form of some -cherished one, dressed ready for the grave, a strange doubt will -sometimes come over us, that there is still life within him. The most -improbable theories will present themselves and have a hearing. Perhaps -we imagine that he is only feigning death, and will yet arise and speak -before fastened within the coffin; or we may experience a faint, -tormenting part of that awful thought of burying one alive, and our -tortured imagination conceives of the unutterable horror of his waking -within the tomb. Then, again, a hope that there yet is power in medicine -subtle enough to win the soul back, sustains us to the brink of the -grave. A thousand conflicting theories—perhaps in Divine -Providence—prevent us from fully realizing the truth as it is. - -Hopes, fears, doubts, constant and intensified, had had continual play -with Irene. Sometimes when cold, common sense had its sway, it carried -with its overwhelming evidence the conviction that George Kingman was -lost forever to her. Then instantly a thousand contingencies would -present themselves, and her heart would throb tumultuously with the hope -thus awakened. These conflicting feelings had told upon her, even in the -short time since they had held alternate region. There was a vacant -wandering expression of the eye, a languid listlessness of manner, and -an absent unconsciousness to what was passing immediately around her, -that show unmistakably the deep hold these thoughts had upon her. -Sometimes she would stand as motionless as death itself, with that -expression of the eye as though gazing at the clouds in the horizon -miles away. And often when questioned upon some different subject, her -reply would relate to the all-absorbing topic of her mind, she would -move like an automaton among the living, scarcely heeding a word or -movement of those around. - -Her parents pronounced her conduct queer, and trusted she would soon get -over it. The good minister frequently visited the house. At such times -Irene would be herself again, and would cheer up and converse about -whatever was proposed, gradually verging to the one great topic, -however, until, at the departure of her friend, she was completely lost -again. The worthy man understood fully her case, and used every means he -could devise to win her from the fearful control of her feelings. - -Irene was standing in an attitude of earnest meditation, as was said, at -the door of her cabin. Her parents were absent, so that there was -nothing to prevent her relapsing into one of her unconscious spells. -This was the reason why she did not notice an unwonted noise in the -village—this was the reason why she did not hear a confusion of voices a -short distance away, and the reason why, when a form flitted past her -vision, it made no impression upon it; or more properly, the impression -was made upon the retina, and the optic nerves sped the intelligence up -to the brain; but the brain had took much other business on hand, and -took no notice of it whatever. - -A confused, waving field was Irene Stuart’s vision at that time. There -was that peculiar, indescribable confusion of forms and colors which one -sometimes experiences during a mental aberration. All unimaginable -figures doubled and disappeared within one another with noiseless -celerity; objects never dreamt of before took form and motion, and her -vision finally became a gorgeous mixture of light and darkness, of -shadow and sunlight, and of forms and colors. - -But amid all these, an object gradually took shape. At first it had the -appearance of a long, dark, undulating column, directly in the centre of -her field of vision. It swayed gently from side to side, as though -agitated by a passing breeze, but the base still maintained its place -without motion. Slowly, almost enough to be imperceptible, it diminished -in size, and the airy figures around grew dimmer and more obscure every -moment. Once or twice it seemed as though some sound proceeded from the -shaft, but Irene heeded it not, although her gaze still remained from a -languid unwillingness to remove it, riveted upon the dark object. -Suddenly it diminished in size to that of a man, and the first thought -that had anything of vigor in it was, that it bore some resemblance to a -human form. By a seemingly desperate effort, she roused herself and -looked intently at it. It was a human form. - -“Why, Irene, how long before you are going to speak to me?” - -“Oh, George! is it you? I was thinking so deeply!” - -“Thinking? thinking of what?” asked Kingman, approaching and taking one -of her hands, and looking searchingly into her rich blue eyes. - -“Why, thinking of _you_,” she replied, impulsively. - -“Thank Heaven!” he added, in a low tone, as he embraced her fervently, -and half carried her within the cabin. For a moment Irene was totally -overcome; the great strain which her system had undergone now suffered a -reaction, and she was as weak and helpless as a child. There seemed an -utter _abandonment_ about her which made her a dead weight in Kingman’s -arms: not a dead weight, either, but a live one, and for that matter our -hero felt perfectly willing that it might be thus for any length of -time. He brushed the dark curls from her forehead, and kissing it -ardently, drew her head down upon his shoulder, where for a few moments -the sobs came without restraint. But she shortly recovered herself, and -he allowed her to withdraw herself from his arms and seat herself beside -him. - -“What made you remain so long away?” she asked, with a deep, yearning -look which Kingman felt. - -“I could not help it.” - -“Could not help it? Why not? Were you hurt?” - -“A little; not much, but so much that we could not travel fast without -danger.” - -“Was Moffat injured?” - -“Not in the least; and had it not been for him, it is doubtful whether -you would ever have seen me again.” - -“Oh, George, you do not know how many times I did think so! Mother and -father and your folks all thought you must have been killed. Captain -Parks said you were not, and Mr. Edwards believed you would yet return -to us. I prayed that you might, and yet it did not seem that you,—I am -so glad!” and she gave one of those soulful glances that it made Kingman -blush at his own happiness. - -“I thought perhaps you might think rather strange of my absence”—— - -“Rather _strange_,” she interrupted, with a reproving look. - -Kingman drew her head over upon his shoulder, and pressed her ardently -to him. She sprang to her feet. - -“I must look upon you again,” she laughed, “for it seems hardly possible -that you are really here now. Yes; I believe it is George Kingman, after -all.” - -“And as I have some doubt of the truth of my eyes, permit not only to -look upon you, but to taste you,” added Kingman, rising and imprinting a -kiss upon her burning cheek. - -“There, that will do! Now tell me where you have been all this time. But -does any one else know you have returned?” - -“Does any one else know I have returned? A fine question to ask when I -have been in the village three or four hours.” - -“That time? Impossible! What have you been doing?” - -“Circulating among the neighbors. Moffat and I have been here a long -time. I went home and the folks acted crazy. I thought mother _would_ go -demented. I never knew she thought so much of me before. As luck would -have it, Captain Parks was in, and he made a great time.” - -“Very glad to see you of course?” - -“I suppose so; he just gave his ‘umph!’ and said he was beginning to -respect me. A little while after, Edwards, hearing, I suppose, that I -had arrived, came in. He gave me one of the heartiest grips I ever had, -and told me that before I stopped to see my parents, I should have knelt -down and thanked God for my preservation.” - -“How like him! What did you answer?” - -“I told him I had already done so. He said it gave him pleasure to hear -it, and he hoped I would remember the One who never forgot me. Well, -after a little talk, he smiled in that pleasing way of his, and said he -was just thinking there was some one else who would like to see me. I -asked him who he could mean, of course, not knowing who it was; but he -looked so mischievous, I know I blushed and showed that I knew well -enough who he meant. So after some more conversation, I left and came -here.” - -“How long ago?” - -“A good while, indeed. I came up as silently as possible, intending to -give you a surprise. When I came up to the door, I saw you standing in -it, and supposed you had seen me, so I laughed, called you by name and -approached. You did not reply, and I was frightened to see you look so.” - -“To see me look how?” - -“Why, so much like death. At first I started, and almost believed you -were dead—you appeared so white, and your eyes were fixed upon the -clouds away off in the sky. I spoke again, but you made no answer, and I -was afraid to approach you. I thought perhaps you were asleep, and in a -fit of somnambulism, and waited to see if you moved. By-and-by, you -remember, you did, and finally saw me standing before you. What did it -mean, Irene? Have you ever been thus before?” - -“I suppose so, several times. At any rate, I have been spoken to about -it.” - -“Were you really asleep.” - -“I don’t know, George, I have been filled with such distressing doubts -about you, that it must have caused my singular actions. It seemed I -couldn’t help it, and I _was_ afraid I would go crazy. Perhaps I have -already,” she laughed, looking up into his face. - -“I am glad and yet very sorry to hear this, Irene,” said Kingman, -pressing the affectionate girl to him and drawing her head down again -upon his shoulder. “I am glad for it shows me unmistakably that my love -is returned; and I am sorry because it shows that it may have had a sad -effect upon your system. You must get over it now.” - -“I hope I shall, as the cause is removed.” - -“Not removed, for it strikes me that he is nearer you this moment than -he has been for a number of days.” - -“Then if the cause is not removed, the cure has been applied, I -suppose,” smiled Irene. - -“Yes, once or twice; another application cannot hurt,” added Kingman, -applying his lips to the cheek of his fair companion. - -“But, George, you have not told me yet the whole particulars of the -battle with the Indians, and the terrible suffering you must have -undergone. Let me hear it now, will you?” - -“Just sit a little closer, then, as I do not wish to talk too loud.” - -Irene offered no resistance as Kingman drew her close to him, and, -twining one arm around her, commenced the recital of his adventures. The -night had now come on, and the room was dark, save where the mellow -moonlight streamed within the half open door. Not another soul was in -the house, save the two lovers. There was a delicious feeling that came -over both, as they were together, _alone!_ where no curious eyes were -gazing upon them, and no inquisitive ears were bent to catch their -sacred words. Kingman proceeded, and, in a low tone, related all that -has been given to the reader. As he spoke of the fearful escapes he had -passed through, he could feel the heart of Irene flutter painfully, and -she would start involuntarily when he referred to the sudden -deliverances from all of them. The hours unnoticed flew by, and still -they sat and conversed. - -“Did you see father and mother?” asked Irene. - -“Yes, they were at home, talking with Edwards.” - -“It is time they returned, is it not?” - -“O, never fear! they will be along after a while.” - -“But it seems to me it must be late, for see there is scarcely any -moonlight upon the floor as there was a while ago.” - -“Something must be in the way—helloa! there!” - -This exclamation came from Kingman as he raised his hat and saw both Mr. -and Mrs. Stuart standing in the door. - -“Why, how long have you been there?” asked Irene, springing to her feet, -and bundling around for the pine knot with which to light the room. - -“Not more than a couple of hours,” laughed Stuart. - -“Gracious alive! what do you suppose will become of you?” indignantly -demanded his wife. - -“I am sure I have no idea. Why do you ask?” - -“Just think what an awful falsehood you told!” - -“Pray, what was it, my dear?” - -“Why, that we had been standing here over two hours, when you know we -just arrived. Only think of it!” - -“I told no story, my dear. I said we had not been here over a couple of -hours, and I don’t think you will pretend to contradict it.” - -“Well, it’s all the same,” snapped Mrs. Stuart, bouncing into the house. -Irene, by this time, had succeeded in lighting the pine knot, which -threw out an oily, smoky light, making every part of the room, however, -perfectly visible. Kingman arose, and after bidding all a good night, -stepped forth and made his way toward his home. The sky was clear, and -the bright moon rendered objects very distinct at a great distance. He -had nearly reached his destination when he encountered Moffat. - -“Ah! how’s this, Moffat? What keeps you out so late?” - -“Something different from what has kept you.” - -“It is of more importance?” - -“I think so, as it concerns the welfare of the settlement.” - -“Why, what is it, then? Out with it.” - -“There’s something suspicious-like down in this part. I have been up to -fort for an hour or two, talking to the boys. It was up at that one. I -was talking to Tom O’Daniels, when he pointed his finger down this way, -and axed me if I seen anything. I watched pretty closely, and after a -while I thought I did. He was going to fire his musket, but concluded it -wasn’t worth while, as it might scare all the people for nothing. I -started down this way, and was coming ’long quiet-like, when I heerd -you. So I just rose and come on as though I didn’t s’picion anything and -I suppose if there was anything going on I spoilt the sight of it.” - -These words were spoken in a half whisper, but in such a manner as to -give the idea to any one who might see them that it was but a -commonplace conversation passing between them. - -“Any idea of what it is?” asked Kingman. - -“I suppose there have been Injins skulking ’bout the place every night -since the battle. The boys say they’ve seen something going on about -this time for two or three nights. They couldn’t make a mark big enough -to fire at, but the people know it, and don’t sleep so sound as they did -before. See here, Kingman, we must watch.” - -“What I was thinking. Where shall we station ourselves?” - -“Not a great distance apart, as we may need to help each other. You go a -little nearer the upper fort, and I will go down toward the river bank -and keep a look-out there. Move careful, for I s’pose you’ve learned by -this time that a Shawnee has sharp ears.” - -“What signal between us shall call the other?” - -“A whistle like the whippowil.” - -The two parted. Moffat, as he proposed, made his way to the river bank, -while Kingman approached the picket at a point further above. The town, -it will be remembered, was inclosed by a strong, double row of pickets -planted firmly into the ground, and protected at each angle by a -compact, bullet-proof block-house. Kingman opened a sort of door or -entrance, which could only be opened from the inside, and passed out, so -that he was in the space between the two picket rows. Here he lay upon -the ground and listened. - -He did not expect to hear anything, as he judged if there were Shawnees -in the vicinity, they had found out they were suspected, and would not -make their appearance again that night. But he had scarcely lain two -minutes when he heard that dead thumping, such as is made by several -persons walking upon the ground. Placing his ear to the earth, the -footsteps were plainly audible. The Indians, as they undoubtedly were, -approached the outside picket, at the nearest point to Kingman. Here the -low mumbling of their voices could be heard, as if in conversation, but -no words could be distinguished. A few minutes after, and Kingman heard -them at work at one of the pickets. They were fast loosening it, and, -fearful that they might make an entrance, he gave the signal for Moffat -to approach. The savages instantly paused as if listening, and then made -off, just as Moffat entered the door behind Kingman. - -“What’s the matter?” queried Moffat, eagerly. - -Kingman related all that had happened, and the alarm of the savages at -hearing his signal. - -“What I feared,” said the hunter. “These are bad doings. I’d bet my life -that this settlement will be attacked by Indians to-morrow night.” - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - THE NIGHT ATTACK. - - -Kingman and Moffat remained on watch the whole night, but the Shawnees -did not again make their appearance. There was evidently some deep laid -plan upon their part, which they were prosecuting with unusual caution. -Although there had been suspicion awakened with the settlers, and their -most careful and experienced men were deputed as sentinels, yet nothing -thus far had been discovered during the day-time to awaken apprehension. -Several times before, in the history of this settlement, the first -intimation the settlers had of danger was by detecting savages lurking -in the woods during the day. - -In the morning, after the event alluded to, the men were made aware of -the danger which threatened them, and a consultation was held as to what -steps should be taken. The general belief was that a large Indian force -was scattered through the woods, and were making preparations for an -attack. Under these circumstances the advice of the minister, Edwards, -was taken; viz:—to dispatch several scouts to ascertain if possible the -strength of their enemies, and the probable manner in which they would -attempt the assault, and also for each settler to fortify his own house, -in case they should get within the enclosure. - -Several old Indian fighters, including Moffat, crept carefully into the -woods, and reconnoitered for over an hour. The result was what was -anticipated. There were unmistakable signs of a large Indian force. In -addition to this, Moffat examined the outside row of pickets, and found -there were several which had been nearly severed by some keen instrument -in the hands of the Indians. No other part of the enclosure had been -touched. - -Late in the afternoon, a scout from Boonesborough made his appearance, -and was admitted. He reported that there was a pretty general uprising -among the savages, and Colonel Boone was daily expecting an attack. -Kenton was at one of the weaker settlements, as there were alarming -signs of war along the whole frontier, and there was no certainty who -would suffer first. - -As the night slowly settled over the wilderness, the pioneers collected -in their homes to spend an hour or so with their families. The evening -meal was scantily partaken of, at the close of which all knelt and sent -up a fervent supplication for protection by the Great Being above. Then, -after a few more words, the females and children retired, and the men -rose and sallied forth to the block-houses. - -Kingman, after leaving his mother, proceeded to the house of Stuart. -Stuart himself was gone, but Irene was still watching for him. - -“Ah! up yet?” he laughed. “You ought to be abed.” - -“I have no desire to sleep, and do not intend to, until the danger is -over.” - -“Why, what help do you suppose you can offer?” - -“Perhaps none, but when our friends are in such danger, little sleep, it -seems, should come to the others.” - -“I trust we shall escape without much trouble,” said Kingman, hopefully. -“There may be no attack, after all is said and done.” - -“Oh, I hope not! There is war all the time. It is dreadful. I pray it -may soon end.” - -“Keep up a good heart, Irene. So, good by, now.” - -“Good by, dear; may heaven protect you.” - -He hastily embraced her, and then turned and joined the rest. - -The men congregated, as said, in the different block-houses, which were -so built as to protect the four sides of the town, while several of -their scouts entered the space between the two picket rows to guard -against any artifice or stratagem. The Indians were probably aware that -the settlers had made preparations, for they deferred the attack until a -late hour. - -Although the settlers’ families retired to rest, there were few indeed -who closed their eyes upon that night. Irene stood in the same spot she -had bidden adieu to Kingman, waiting and watching with a beating heart -the men as they passed to and fro, or stood motionless at their posts. - -The sky was full of tumultuously flying clouds, which obscured the light -of the moon, and sometimes threw an inky darkness over the town and -forest. Then, again, it would shine out full and clear, and the dark -forms of the watchers and scouts could be seen as they passed out from -the block-houses and communicated with each other. - -Then, as a straggling cloud passed over the face of the moon, its -shadows glided noiselessly and swiftly over the village, like a great -phantom, shrouding everything in its ghastly light. - -Gradually the night wore on. Irene and her mother stood side by side, -and when the moonlight streamed down upon the village, they could see -that in every cabin door there were others standing the same as -themselves. - -Not a word was spoken by any one, for there was something in the hour, -the occasion, and surrounding circumstances that made every heart -silent. Irene had fallen into a sort of half-unconscious, dreamy -reverie, when she was startled by hearing her mother exclaim: - -“In mercy’s name, what is that?” - -The cause of Mrs. Stuart’s exclamation was what appeared to be a bright -stream of fire that shot from the northern block-house and ascended high -into the sky. A moment’s glance showed it to be a burning arrow cast by -their assailants. It arose in a fiery curve, and as it turned and fell -described a beautiful arch. Ere it had reached its destination another -shot upward, and another, and another, until the air was filled with the -hissing, burning missiles. They were flying in every direction, and -falling upon the cabins and block-houses. For a moment Irene was -bewildered by the scene, and scarcely comprehended it. - -“Oh, we shall be burned alive!” exclaimed Mrs. Stuart. - -The daughter saw that one of the burning arrows had struck the cabin -within a few feet of her. Here it stuck, while the small twist of flame -round the head crackled and snapped in the logs. Without a moment’s -hesitation, our heroine stepped forward, and seizing the arrow, drew it -forth and threw it upon the ground. - -“Heaven save us! Ain’t you burnt?” asked her mother. - -“But slightly; but look, they are falling all around us.” - -It was true. Everywhere, like serpents of fire, they crossed in the air, -while some fell upon the ground, and others buried their keen points in -the cabins and block-houses. Little balls of fire were visible in -different places, and the air was filling with smoke. As may be -supposed, the females were greatly alarmed, and there seemed imminent -danger of all the cabins being ablaze in a short time. Women began -running to and fro, plucking the arrows and dashing water upon their -cabins, while the fiery missiles continued raining down upon them. - -“Don’t be scart,” called out Moffat, as he rushed among them. “Don’t be -scart; these arrers can’t do no harm. The cabins are too green to burn, -and the Injins are too green to see it. Jerusalem!” - -This last exclamation was caused by one of the flaming missiles dropping -so close to his person as to graze his coat or hunting-shirt, and set it -on fire. He slipped out of it in a twinkling, and dodged back to the -block-house as fast as possible. His words had allayed the panic and -reassured the females, for he had spoken the truth. The cabins were of -such construction that, with one exception, there was the least possible -danger of their taking fire, and it was the same with the block-houses -and pickets. The wood in them was still green, and full of sap, and the -flame borne by the Indian arrows had no effect upon them, except to -cause a slight smoke and a great panic. - -This the Indians soon learned, and ceased their efforts in this -direction. A silence of perhaps a half hour followed—the deep, almost -audible silence which precedes the bursting of the storm. The savages, -up to this point, had given utterance to no yells, and had persisted to -a man in remaining invisible, so that not a shot had been exchanged upon -either side. Those in the block-houses had done their utmost to catch a -glimpse of their assailants, but thus far had not succeeded. When the -flying arrows made their appearance, they seemed as if shot from the -branches of the trees, and the wood was so dense that a most effectual -concealment was given all. - -The clearing around the settlement, it will be remembered, extended -several hundred feet, so an enemy would be compelled to expose -themselves if they made a close attack. As the Shawnees ceased their -efforts for a while, every settler loaded his gun, for he well knew that -it would be needed in a short time. - -“What’s the next thing on the programme?” asked Moffat, who was standing -beside the minister within the block-house. - -“It is hard telling, I guess,” replied Edwards. - -“Some trickery that we ain’t thinking about, I’ll be bound. Them -Shawnees won’t give up so easy as all that.” - -“Moffat—see here, Moffat!” called a man at one of the loop-holes. - -“What’s the trouble there?” - -“Just take a peep through the loop-hole and see whether there is -anything to be seen.” - -Moffat stepped forward as requested, and took a scrutinizing glance of -the clearing in front. His suspicions were aroused, for he gazed several -minutes without speaking a word. - -“Do you make anything of it?” inquired his friend. - -“Shawnees, as sure as thunder!” - -“Pass the word to the others there, and blaze away.” - -The pioneers were soon aware that the Shawnees were attempting to -approach them. As they looked forth, they could see upon the outer edge -of the clearing, their forms flat upon the ground, and creeping as -stealthily as shadows. At the distance, and among the stumps and logs, -it was hard to discover them, and none but a hunter’s eye would have -done it. Orders were given to withhold the fire until they were much -closer, and upon the point of rising for the result. - -Steadily, but imperceptibly to the inexperienced eye, the Shawnees -approached the settlement. They could not be seen to move, and the way -in which Kingman judged of their approach was by comparing the position -of one of the dark forms with that of a stationary object. In a short -time a relative change of position would be seen which became more -perceptible each moment. Edwards, who was one of the leaders, seeing -that the savages would turn all their exertions toward scaling the -pickets or effecting an entrance through them, dispatched a large number -of men from the block-house to guard the block-houses, so that the -guards of the towns was not weak at any point. - -Fortune favored the settlers. When the Shawnees were but comparatively a -few yards distant, the clouds cleared from the face of the moon, and as -the moonlight streamed down once more, the gleaming, expectant, upturned -faces of the Indians could be seen. All understood that this was the -moment to fire, and simultaneously nearly a hundred rifles in the -different block-houses broke upon the air. As many infuriated yells -broke forth, and seemingly from the very ground, scores of savages -sprang to their feet and rushed toward the pickets. Here the cool and -steady conduct of the settlers availed them. It was impossible to scale -the guard, or either to burn or batter it down, except by vigorous, -prolonged labor. - -The Indians set desperately at work, not heeding the murderous fire -which was poured upon them. But it soon told too fearfully, for every -shot was well aimed; and when a hunter’s rifle belched its contents a -Shawnee was sure to bite the dust. The block-houses were unrelentless in -their fire, and continued to pour their shots in upon the dark, dancing -bodies without, who still kept madly at work, howling and yelling like -so many demons. - -And all this time numbers kept pouring from the woods, until there were -several hundred assaulting the settlement. The attack was made from all -sides, at the same moment and by equally formidable numbers, so that -each block-house had its due share of work. To add to the confusion, the -horses and cattle within the enclosure became panic-struck, and their -affrighted snorts and bellowing could be heard among the din of -conflict. The discharge of the rifles was so continued and regular that -it sounded like the firing of a well-drilled army—platoon at a time; and -though it could not help telling fearfully upon the Shawnees, it seemed -in reality to have no effect. - -“Fire quicker, boys, and with a sure aim,” commanded Edwards, in a low -tone. “The pickets will be down, if they keep on in that way.” - -“Well, here’s a try,” said a man beside him, as he placed his rifle -through a loop-hole. “I wonder what execution this bullet will do?” - -As he fired it, Edwards heard a groan, and turning hastily around, saw -the man was dying. An Indian bullet had entered the orifice directly -beside the muzzle of his rifle, and flashing along the barrel, had -struck him in the face, shattering his forehead and killing him almost -instantly. - -“Take him out of the way; there’s no help for him,” commanded Edwards. - -Moffat and Captain Parks (who was also a leader upon this occasion,) -seized the poor fellow and quickly drew him outside the block-house. - -“Umph! his shot had a different effect from what he thought,” remarked -the captain, as he deposited him on the ground and hastened within -again. - -The Shawnees, with unusual bravery, maintained their efforts, fired to -desperation at the resistance encountered, and seemingly determined to -force the pickets at all risks. It was no longer necessary for the -hunters to take aim—in fact, it was impossible to miss hitting the -Indians, they were everywhere—and Captain Parks finally ordered his men -to load and fire as fast as possible, without taking time to aim. - -In the height of the conflict the pickets, which had been weakened the -previous night, yielded to the tremendous pressure, and the Shawnees -commenced pouring in the breach. - -And now came the struggle for life. Once within the village, and its -doom would be fixed forever. At sight of the dark forms of the Shawnees -struggling through the opening, a perfect fury took possession of the -settlers. The good minister, Edwards, understood in an instant the cause -of the increased tumult, and with a yell that might and would have done -honor to a Shawnee chief, leaped from the block-house, and flew to the -defence. His ready, powerful arm was needed, for the exultant savages -were pressing almost irresistibly forward. - -But the impetuosity of the Indians was their own destruction and defeat. -They pressed and struggled so desperately among each other that their -actions were cramped and rendered of little avail. The pioneers, fired -with fury of desperation, cut and shot and battered and knifed them like -so many animals, until, in a short time, the further entrance of the -assailants was prevented by the dead bodies of their own comrades -blocking up the breach! - -The crisis of the battle had now passed. There was no prevailing against -the defense of the settlers, and the Shawnees made as disorderly and -turbulent a retreat as they had an assault. Without stopping to carry -the dead or the wounded, they plunged headlong into the corner of the -wood. - -The dead bodies of the savages were instantly thrust through the breach, -which was closed up and barricaded as firmly as circumstances would -allow. This done, Edwards and Captain Parks returned to their -block-house, leaving a sufficient number to still guard the pickets, -should the assault be repeated. But those skilled in Indian warfare knew -that for an hour at least they were safe, as their enemies would spend -that time in consulting upon the next step to be taken. The wives and -children of the hardy pioneers, as soon as they saw that hostilities -were suspended, hastened forward to see who had fallen in the conflict. -The deep sigh of relief which they drew, when Edwards communicated the -strange fact that, beside the man shot at the commencement of the -skirmish, not one of the number was killed, showed the deep, heartfelt -interest they felt for all. - -Many of the hunters took the occasion to clean their guns and refresh -themselves, while others more cautious, continued their ever vigilant -watch. As the moon permitted, they could sometimes distinguish among the -prone bodies before them the writhing form of some poor savage in his -death agonies, and the glazed stare of the others, stark and stiff, -their features distorted and their hands closed with a rigid, deathly -clutch upon their body or upon the ground. It was a sad, soul-sickening -sight, but a sight which would pale before the horrors that were yet to -be enacted along the frontier. - -As the night wore on, the Shawnees from time to time fired their random -shots from their concealment, but no general demonstration was made. -Their repulse had been a most complete and decided one. At intervals a -burning arrow whizzed over the pickets and buried itself in the cabins -beyond, as if they still had hope of accomplishing the destruction of -the settlement, and now and then a venturesome savage crawled as close -to the block-house as possible and fired his rifle at the loop-holes -alone; but such a daring attempt was pretty sure to cost him his own -life, as the flash of his gun would discover him to the watchful -hunters, who sent a volley at him. - -Then many attempts were made to approach the settlement by stratagem. -The inexperienced settler would be struck at seeing a bush upon the -outer edge of the clearing, and he would wonder with himself that it -never attracted his notice before; after which he would be surprised at -seeing it much nearer than at first; and while at a loss to explain the -curious circumstance, which no extra rubbing of the eyes could do, he -would perhaps be startled by the flash and report from out the very -centre of it, and then immediately the death yell of the assailant as he -attempted to make his retreat to safer concealment. Then, again, objects -so like logs as to deceive the eye of all but the most suspicious, would -make their appearance, and seemingly rolled by invisible hands, continue -to approach slowly and surely the settlement, until their sudden change -of form showed their true character. - -In many cases the Indians did conceal themselves behind the logs which -still lay upon the outer edge of the clearing, and by cautiously rolling -them forward as they lay extended upon the ground, succeeded in -approaching within a few yards of the block-house without the least -personal danger to themselves. They would then make several shots over -the top of the log and dodge down to avoid. But they accomplished -nothing at all, and ran such imminent risk themselves of being shot -during their retreat, that these and similar attempts were finally -abandoned. - -All such artifices were but artifices indeed, which the prisoners had -learned long before, and which could not take them by surprise. The -Shawnees had learned much from the Mingo Logan, as their attempts of -conducting the attack were similar in several cases; but, as we have -shown, they met with such poor success that they finally ceased, and for -a long time not a shot was exchanged between the two parties. The whites -believed that their silence was a ruse to give the impression that they -had withdrawn, and thus threw them off their guard. For over an hour, -not the slightest sound or movement betrayed the presence of the -Shawnees. - -Suddenly the combined yell of over a hundred throats rent the air, with -such horrid force as to make the blood of every one tingle, and as many -bullets rattled against the pickets and block-houses. But the settlers -were not thrown off their guard; they cocked their rifles and held them -pointed toward the wood. But no Indians made their appearance. This was -another stratagem, the meaning of which could hardly be divined, if it -had any meaning at all. - -Finally the settlers saw with glad hearts that the day was at hand. The -east was fast becoming gray and light and there would soon be an -opportunity of resting their harassed and weary frames. Edwards and -Captain Parks would not suffer one of the men to withdraw until the sun -had risen above the wilderness, and its broad dazzling light showed the -perfect day. Then, as nothing could be seen of their vindictive enemies, -and it was pretty certain they had returned to a man, the majority of -the settlers left the block-houses and their stations for refreshment -and rest. It was found that three of the whites had been killed, and -some half dozen slightly wounded. During the day the former were buried -with appropriate and solemn ceremony. Several were so disfigured and -mangled that the white sheet which had been thrown over them was not -removed when they were placed within the ground. - -It was in the afternoon that most of the settlers gathered in the corner -of the settlement which had been set apart for the resting-place of the -dead, to witness and participate in the ceremonies. The minister read, -in a subdued and feeling voice, a short hymn, which was sung in low and -mournful tones, and then all knelt upon the earth, and his clear, rich -voice ascended to heaven. As they rose to their feet, he made a few -remarks upon the solemn scene, and then the three bodies, one by one, -were lowered into separate graves. In a short time they were covered -with the sod, and their forms blotted forever from the face of the -earth. - -The scene in front of the settlement was horrid and soul-sickening in -the extreme. The Shawnees during the preceding night had succeeded in -removing a number of their dead companions, but over a dozen still -remained scattered over the clearing and around the closed breach. In -front could be seen three Indians stretched upon the earth, stark and -stiff, their hands closed with a deadly clutch around their rifles, and -their fixed glazing eyes staring at the blue sky above them. The -disfigurement of their faces was rendered more ghastly by war paint -daubed upon them. The blood had mixed with this until it was impossible -to distinguish them, and, as the wound of each was in the face, some -idea may perhaps be formed of their appearance. Others lay doubled and -knotted in heaps just as when they died, and a couple were stretched -face downward upon a stump, their arms dangling over. The greatest -number were stretched before the breach. There they lay in every -imaginable position; some as if quietly sleeping and others twisted and -bent into inconceivable distortions, and scattered over the clearing -were coagulated pools of blood, dark and murky on the hard earth, and -bright and glistening on the logs where the sun could reach it. - -It was near the middle of the afternoon, when most of the men were -engaged in the funeral ceremonies of the dead, and while Kingman and -Moffat were keeping watch in the northern block-house that a curious, -yet characteristic circumstance took place. Moffat had seated himself -for a time, while Kingman was still gazing intently through one of the -loop-holes. The hunter watched him a few moments and then remarked, - -“It seems to me, George, that something has taken your eye out there. -What is it? Does one of the Shawnee’s top knots strike your fancy?” - -“No; but I tell you, I ain’t satisfied yet by any means that the Injins -are out of the wood.” - -“What’s up? Seen one? Shouldn’t wonder if there was two or three there; -but I’ll bet my life that there ain’t no more.” - -“There is something moving in the bushes yonder, certain. Just take a -look. It is close to that tree where you shot your first Shawnee.” - -Moffat arose and did as requested. He answered in a moment. - -“There is somebody there, sure enough, but I can’t make him out.” - -“Shall I not fire, and teach him better manners?” - -“No. You would only scare the women, and it ain’t certain by no means -that there’s an Injin there, and I make it a point never fire at a -venture.” - -“Indian it isn’t, sure enough,” replied Kingman, excitedly. - -As they both looked, they saw a white man dressed in the costume of a -hunter step cautiously forth and approach one of the bodies. He stooped -and looked at it a moment, and then catching the head in his left hand, -jerked out his knife and had the scalp off in a moment. This he repeated -until there were several bleeding trophies suspended at the girdle -around his waist. - -“That is cool,” remarked Kingman. “What business has he to do that?” - -“Settling some old grudge, perhaps, against the varmint.” - -“A cowardly way of settling it, at any rate. Why doesn’t he take the -live savages instead of the dead ones.” - -“’Cause there are none to take. He ain’t one of the chaps as is -_afraid_. No, sir, he’d raise the top-knot of any Shawnee, dead or -kicking.” - -“But this is not the place to commit such barbarities as that, and I’ll -stop him before any of the others see him.” - -Kingman applied his mouth to the loop-holes, and shrieked. - -“Helloa there! What are you at?” - -The backwoodsman raised his eyes and looked up at the block-house, but -made no reply. He then stooped, and seizing another Indian committed the -same disgusting outrage upon him. His coolness and unconcern touched -Kingman, and he called out. - -“Did you hear what I said?” - -“None your business,” retorted the hunter, continuing his operations as -before. - -“Confound him!” muttered Kingman to Moffat. “I have a great notion to -give him a taste of cold lead for his imprudence.” - -“You try it, and you will never pull another trigger,” replied Moffat in -his tone of deadly meaning. - -“Why, what has got into you so suddenly?” - -“Do you know who that man is?” - -“I known he is as much savage as any Shawnee I have ever yet seen.” - -“Wal, sir, that chap is my brother, and if you’ve got any differences to -settle he’ll give you the chance, but if you undertake any trick, here’s -his brother, and there’ll be a dead man in your tracks in two minutes -and a half.” - -“I beg your pardon, Abe; I had no idea who the man was. A friend of -yours is a friend of mine, no matter who or what he is. Forgive me, will -you? Your hand on it?” - -With true backwoodsman frankness and good nature, Abe Moffat extended -his bony palm, and a genial smile lit up his countenance. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - COLONEL CLARK AND HIS RANGERS. - - -At this moment the subject of their conversation, Tom Moffat, made his -appearance at the entrance. Upon seeing that he was a white man, he was -admitted at once. He strode in with that independent, careless air so -common to his race, paying no attention to the inquisitive looks that -were cast upon him. - -The first person who met him was Edwards, who had just returned from the -funeral ceremonies referred to. - -“Why, what brings you here?” he asked, with a smile. - -“My legs, I believe. How are you thriving, George?” - -“Very well. How does it go with you?” - -“Tolerable only. Had quite a scrimmage here, from the look of things.” - -“Yes; this is bad business—though kind Providence has watched over us -thus far. His great name be praised for it.” - -“How many killed?” - -“Three only. This is a severe loss; but it’s nothing to that which we -were compelled to inflict upon these heathens who so wantonly assail us. -It seems that they should learn wisdom by their sad experience.” - -“Any other of the varmint would, except them Shawnees. They kill and -hack so much they’re willing to stand it just for the fun.” - -“It seems that you have been indulging in some of their savage -practices,” remarked Edwards, in a tone of quiet rebuke, as he glanced -at the scalps at the hunter’s waist. - -“Yas,” he returned, looking complacently down at them, “I sometimes -indulge. There was such a smart chance of ha’r lifting that I had to -walk into the business.” - -“It is strange to me that any man professing to be civilized can cammit -such revolting crimes that these North American Indians alone have the -credit for.” - -“All edycation—all edycation, George. It went kindly against the grain -the first time I tried it, but I soon got my hand in; and, sir, there -ain’t nothing like it. I tell you it’s high, George, to serve a Shawnee -that way.” - -“It is horrible, Thomas, and I would that you could be induced to cease -it.” - -“Now, have you ever clipped a red-skin top-knot?” - -“Me! Why, of course not!” - -“Then you can’t tell anything about it, my good friend without -experimenting. I and any one else can see what a disgusting”—— - -“Beg pardon, George, I can’t you know.” - -“Any one else can see what a disgusting practice it is. You have seen it -thus. It struck you as such when you first contemplated it, and you -admit that it required considerable effort before you could bring -yourself to it.” - -“Wal, now, George, it lays all in edycation. You know what imps these -Shawnees are; and where they have done as them have, I can’t see the -harm of serving them in the same way—can’t see the difference to save my -life.” - -“It’s no use talking with you, I see, Thomas. I am sorry that you are so -wedded to the practice; but it will make no difference in my respect for -you. We are old friends, remember, and I am glad to see you any time. -Pardon me for keeping you talking so long, when I should have asked you -to rest and refresh yourself.” - -“Thank you, George, I don’t need rest. ’Cause why? I ain’t tired. And as -for refreshments, I don’t know much about them.” - -“Wel, then, consider this your home as long as you are willing to remain -with us, which I trust will not be a very brief period. Do you bring any -news?” - -“I have a little, which I’ll give you after a while.” - -“Good or bad—I suppose I may inquire?” - -“Wal, it’s good; so you needn’t worry about it.” - -“In that case I shall not, for we have had enough gloomy tidings and -doings of late.” - -“I believe I’ve got a brother somewhere ’bout these parts, or used to -have,” remarked the hunter, gazing searchingly about him. - -“He is in the block-house, I believe, standing watch. I will call him, -or you can visit him there, as you choose.” - -“What is he standing watch for? Shawnees?” - -“For enemies, which are certainly thick enough around us.” - -“You kin call him, then, for he’s watching for what ain’t about. I took -a tramp around the settlement afore I came in, and things is all right.” - -“Have our enemies indeed retreated?” inquired a spectator. - -“There isn’t a shadow of one of ’em for five miles around, except the -dead ones.” - -“Thank Heaven for that, for we have had enough of this awful business to -last a lifetime. May I ask, friend, the appearance things bear along the -frontier? You are a scout, I take it, and are able to give us -information.” - -“Things look dubious, I must say,” replied the backwoodsman, looking -down to the ground and shaking his head. - -“Any fresh outrages of which we have not heard?” - -“Not that I knows on, being I don’t know what you’ve heard; but I can -tell you the varmint, especially these thundering Shawnees, are at it -all the time. They are at Boonesborough half the time trying to come -some of their tricks over the colonel, and we boys as are ranging the -woods up and down the ’Hio sees tall times—wal we do. It’s hard fur the -settlements and wimmen folks, but fur us scouts and rangers it’s big -fun.” - -“What is the probability of general war?” - -“It must come sooner or later—there’s no helping it.” - -“Why are you so certain, my friend?” - -“’Cause I can see things as they is. If Bowman had given them a regular -lambasting when he tried it, you wouldn’t have seen the trouble you -have—no, sir!” - -“I have no doubt of it. That unfortunate campaign has given the Indians -a poorer opinion of our strength and powers and a much better one of -their own.” - -“Just so—exactly. If them Shawnees could get all the other to jine in -like, they would feel able to sweep us clean from the airth; and I ain’t -certain but what they’d be able to do it afore we got help from the -East. But there’s the rub, you see, some of these tribes hate each other -as much they do us; and being as they all hate us, each one is trying to -finish the job without the help of the other.” - -“I see no help, either, except in a war of extermination. It would be a -dreadful thing to carry the struggle to the knife, but I see no other -alternative. They have rejected all our offers of friendship, and are -determined to exterminate us, and the safety of us and ours absolutely -requires that the war should be carried into their own country, though -for that matter they claim, I suppose, that it is already within their -own country.” - -“That’s the doctrine I’ve been argyfying for a long time and I think -they’ll soon see it’s got to be done. But it ’pears to me that George is -gone a long time for that brother of mine. Hello! here they come. How -d’ye do, Abe?” - -“How are you, Tom?” - -The brothers met, and the others feeling the indelicacy of remaining, -withdrew and left them alone. A conversation, which it is not necessary -we shall record, passed between them. - -Tom Moffat was older than his brother by six or seven years, and was one -of those scouts or rangers whose business it was to skirt along the Ohio -between the settlements, and to ascertain the doings and intentions of -the hostile tribes and to warn the whites when danger threatened them. -The services of such men were invaluable. There was hardly a movement of -the Shawnees which they did not discover and communicate, and to their -timely warning, in more than one instance, was the salvation of hundreds -owing. - -The information which the scout imparted upon this occasion was that -Colonel Clark had determined, with his Kentucky Rangers, to march -against the Indians at Chillicothe, and to bring them to battle. A -summary chastisment was imperatively demanded, and our settlement -willingly volunteered to assist their gallant friends in the expedition. - -Colonel Clark, a few weeks subsequent to these events, called together -his Kentucky Rangers, as they were termed, for marching against the -Indian settlements at Chillicothe. Tom Moffat, the scout, conducted his -brother, Kingman, and half a dozen others, through the wilderness to -join them, as our settlement had already gained quite a fame for its -readiness in assisting such expeditions. - -This was in the summer of 1780. The Rangers collected together, and -headed by Colonel Clark, a gallant and inexperienced Indian fighter, -they reached the Indian town a day later; but the Shawnee runners had -apprized their nation of the force marching against them, and when the -villages were reached not even a squaw or pappoose was visible. This was -a surprise to the whites, as they fully expected to meet the combined -warriors and have a bloody battle; nevertheless, they determined that -the cowardly Indians should not escape them. - -Their scouts were first dispatched to reconnoitre the forest, to prevent -falling into ambush. They reported that not a savage was in sight, and -it was evident they were thoroughly intimidated, and had retreated to a -safe distance. Colonel Clark then gave the order to burn the Indian -villages and destroy their corn-fields. - -In a few moments the flames from the different lodges burst forth and -communicated to the others. They were made of light, combustible -material, and in an incredible short space of time the whole village was -one mass of roaring, crackling flame. The smoke ascended far over the -tree-tops and gathered and formed a dark, heavy cloud, which settled in -the horizon. These evidences of conflagration were witnessed by more -than one Shawnee from his hiding-place, and he trembled, for he knew -what a justly-excited people was revenging its wrongs. Not an Indian -made his appearance while the rangers were at work. - -When the last cabin had burned to the ground, the whites entered the -corn-fields. A half hour later and not a stalk of corn was standing! -Everything was destroyed upon which it was possible to lay their hands. -Colonel Clark then gave orders to remain upon the ground until the -afternoon, hoping that the Shawnees would still give battle. But it was -useless; they had apparently lost the bravery for which they had become -so distinguished, for they carefully avoided showing themselves. - -Finally the rangers set out on their return homeward, burning and -destroying everything along the way. While retreating, a few of the -infuriated Shawnees followed them and managed to pick off several of -their number from their hiding-places in the tree-tops and ledges. An -attempt was made to draw them into ambush, which came uncomfortably nigh -succeeding. So effectually was it arranged that the most cunning and -experienced scouts did not discover it until almost upon it. - -During the wars on the frontier, it was the invariable custom of the -white forces in marching through the forest to keep their scouts -constantly ranging the country for the double purpose of being warned of -all ambushes and to gain a knowledge of the enemy’s movements. These -scouts were often the salvation of the whites, and a few years later, -when the great generals marched with their forces against the arrayed -tribes of the West, they were enrolled and recognized as an -indispensable part of the army. The brilliant and wonderful exploits of -such men as Captain W. Wells, M’Arthur, Davis, M’Cleland, Beason, -Williams, O’Bannion, M’Donald and others are found recorded in the -history of our country. - -Several skirmishes took place during the homeward march, and the rangers -were constantly harassed by the Indian scouts following and lurking in -the rear. Several hand-to-hand struggles took place between the whites -and these scouts, and it was not until they were all within sight of -their destination that the pests disappeared and our friends were -allowed to proceed unmolested upon their way. - -This chastisement of the Shawnees was most effectual and summary. Their -depredations and outrages up to this point had increased frightfully, -and scarce a day passed in which the report of a murder or a massacre -did not reach the different settlements. The power of the settlers, -through the blunder of Colonel Bowman, had been greatly underrated and -scorned, and there were many chiefs who really believed that a vigorous, -determined movement by the Shawnees alone would be sufficient to -overwhelm every settlement along the Ohio river. But the expedition just -returned had convinced them of their fatal mistake. They saw what a -comparatively small force could do against all of their numbers, and -they had sense enough to understand that nothing short of general -combination of the rival tribes of the “dark and bloody ground” could -offer any check to the approaching tide of civilization. - -It was now the autumn of 1780. The great revolutionary struggle of the -colonies was nearly terminated, and many were turning their attention -toward the millions of acres of rich land beyond the Ohio. The advent of -a foreign army had impoverished the country, and many a homestead had -been razed to the earth and its wealth swept away for ever. Several new -settlements had been implanted upon the river above, and the old ones, -in spite of the disastrous circumstances by which they were surrounded, -had continued to thrive and increase. It sometimes seems, when -emigration commences to a new country like the West, at this time, that -the settlers are without will of their own, but fulfilling destiny, for -no combination of opposition, dangers and perils can check them. Rumors -constantly reached the East of the horrid barbarities perpetrated, and -of the numerous flat-boats that were decoyed into shore and their -inmates slaughtered; and yet there was hardly a week in which some boat, -freighted with its weak and defenceless load, did not launch upon the -Ohio and turn their prow fearlessly forward. - -Some of these were victims to the cruelty of the renegades and savages, -but their places were filled by others as hopeful and eager as they had -been. - -And amid all these formidable circumstances there were meek and good men -who hesitated not to brave all for the pleasure of their good Master. -The Moravian missionaries had penetrated the wilderness, and the seed -sown by them was already bearing good fruit. Numbers of Indians were -converted to Christ, and withstood all the temptations of the chase and -battle-field. They remained together and engaged in agriculture, and -withdrew entirely from their rude and warlike brethren. It was a -beautiful and instructive sight—the one small spot radiant with the -smile of Heaven amid the mighty wilderness, made doubly dark and gloomy -by the hand of man. - -The faithful energetic followers of Wesley were already numbered among -the pioneers. They were brave, resolute men, who could shoulder the -rifle and lead to battle, swing the glittering ax in the forest, or -point the way to heaven. Theirs was the religion for the time. Freed -from the restraints and conventionalities of civilized life, it was from -the heart. Its representatives were men whose words were plain to the -uneducated backwoodsman, and who never set forth truth beyond their -comprehension. - -For a time after the expedition of Colonel Clark comparative peace -reigned along the frontier. A number of flat-boats descended the river, -and reported that they had not been disturbed during the passage. This -made the settlers hopeful, and many began to believe war over. Numbers -engaged in felling the trees around their settlements, and extending -their boundaries; strong commodious cabins made their appearance; and -some, more venturesome than their tired neighbors, erected their -dwellings in the edge of the wood, beyond the immediate protection of -the block-house, and here they removed with their families. Emigration -received an impetus which otherwise would have required years. - -But matters could not remain thus. The warlike disposition of the -powerful Shawnees could brook restraint for a long time. - -In the summer of 1781, reports reached the settlements that a boat had -been stopped near the mouth of the Sciota and all its inmates—nearly a -score—had been massacred. The notorious Pete Johnson and Simon Girty -figured in this outrage. They made several attempts to decoy them to -shore, but the whites had been warned, and would have escaped had they -possessed any knowledge of the channel of the river; but unfortunately -they ran ashore during the night, and before they could escape, the -savages, headed by Girty, poured a volley into them, which killed or -rendered helpless all on deck, and then rushed upon the boat. - -The women were outraged and tomahawked, Pete Johnson leading in the -latter barbarity; and, as if to incite the settlers along the river, the -flat-boat was carefully preserved from injury, and with several of the -mangled corpses upon it set afloat. - -It glided some twenty or thirty miles when it struck the shore and -grounded. - -One of the rangers, passing down the river, discovered it, and -suspecting foul play, waded out and climbed into it. - -As he passed over the gunwale he was nearly overcome with the horrid -stench of the putrefying bodies. Nothing daunted, he plunged resolutely -into the cabin, where the full horrors burst upon his vision. Stretched -out at full length lay some eight or nine women and men, bloated and -bloody, piled upon each other, and glued together in their own blackened -blood. - -He waded to the shore, broke off several dried branches, and piled them -at the cabin door. It was now nearly dark, and he set fire to them and -pushed the boat into the stream. At last the hull, burnt to a charred -cinder, dipped beneath the water and disappeared from view. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE CAPTAIN AND THE INDIAN. - - -The report of the outrage on the flat-boat, we say, reached our -settlement, but it was discredited by many, among whom, of course, was -Captain Parks. And even when the ranger himself related to the -astonished people what he had witnessed and done, the irascible captain -told him he had imagined it all. He held such faith in the chastisement -given by Colonel Clark, that there was but one argument which could make -him believe the savages had really commenced their outrages again. That -argument, in its most convincing form, he was to receive. - -As is generally the case, the long pre-emption from attack gave to the -pioneers an undue sense of security, and many of them more than once -culpably exposed themselves to danger. No warning or remonstrances could -induce some from plunging into the forest and erecting their cabins more -than a rifle-shot from the block-houses. The restless, eager enterprise, -so peculiar to the American people, manifested itself in every -proceeding. - -In those days nearly every species of game abounded in the wood: the -bear, buffalo, deer, panther, elk, coon, wolf, and the numberless -smaller animals. These, with the myriads of delicious fish, showed the -goodly inheritance of the pioneer. - -One morning, in the late summer, Captain Parks shouldered his rifle and -plunged into the wood, determined to spend the day in the hunt. The -minister, Edwards, ventured to caution him, but he only received an -impatient “Umph!” for his good intentions. He would neither permit any -one to accompany him, and evinced considerable temper when it was -ventured upon the ground of safety. He turned his footsteps toward the -Licking river, and his object was to bring down several deers. In a -short time he reached a celebrated deer lick, and bringing his dog to -him, concealed himself in the bushes. - -Lying thus, with his gaze turned up the lick, he saw nothing behind him -until his dog uttered a low growl of alarm. Turning around, instead of -an animal, he saw nothing less than a Shawnee Indian following his -trail! - -But at this unlucky moment the dog gave a bark and sprang to his feet. -The Indian, at the first alarm, sprung backward, and stood on the -defensive, and the captain seeing that he was discovered, arose and -approached him, while each held his rifle ready to fire at the first -demonstration of the other. But neither fired, as they both recognized -each other. - -The savage had often been in the settlement, and was generally known to -the whites as a drunken, worthless sot. Some suspected him of treachery, -although he had never been detected in any overt act, and professed -friendship to them. But he had the appearance of a low, cunning fellow, -and was carefully shunned by the most cautious. He had been christened -Bill by the settlers, and it had been remarked that for the last few -months he had not been noticed in the vicinity of the settlement. - -“Why, how see you, Bill?” asked the captain, extending his hand. - -“Me good. How captain?” - -“All right. Hunting, I see?” - -“Yeh; me huntin’ for dam deer.” - -“Wal, did you get on their track?” - -“Purty nigh track o’ sunken’.” - -“Track of what?” demanded the captain, in a towering passion. - -“Me don’t know; tink him dam Mingo,” eagerly replied the savage. - -“Umph! our tracks looks a good deal alike.” - -“Yeh! much like,” repeated the Indian. - -“If I’s sure you were following me, Bill, I’d shoot you in a minute.” - -The small restless eye of the Shawnee fairly snapped with electric -blackness for an instant as he gazed at the captain; but the latter -returned his look with his own glittering orbs and awed him at once. - -“I hardly think you would try such a thing, because I always treated you -gentlemanlike; kicking you out the house when you gave me any of you -jaw, and licking you like blazes when you insulted the woman. And you -chaps got such a whipping from our boys that I hardly believe you will -try any of your tricks very soon again.” - -“Shawnees do nothing; much ’fraid.” - -“S’pose so. Come, Bill, be honest. Did the Shawnees stop a flat-boat up -the river and butcher all hands?” - -“No; big lie; nebber do such thing.” - -“Well, I don’t believe they did. Where’s Simon Girty and that devil, -Pete Johnson? Raising the devil among your people?” - -“Girty am so (imitating the action of scalping) and Johnson gone back -with own folks.” - -“You don’t say?” asked the captain, swallowing the falsehood. - -“Yeh; me help to do it to Girty.” - -“Umph! that’s one good thing you have done in your life. How came them -to scalp Simon Girty.” - -“Him want to kill all whites: he do too much.” - -“I haven’t seen you around the settlement since you went off so drunk. -Thought maybe you were gone.” - -“Bill go live with squaw and take care of ’em.” - -“Oh, married, I see. Well, that’s all right, I s’pose—but I started out -on a deer hunt, and I am of the opinion that it’s few deer we shall see -if we stand here talking.” - -“Very good; Bill shoot deer, too.” - -Captain Parks returned to his hiding place, and the Indian followed, and -passed beyond and concealed himself behind him. The Shawnee held his -rifle toward the captain, and continually raised his head as though he -expected the approach of some animal; but the captain soon became -convinced that these glances were bestowed upon himself. They remained -in this position for an hour. At the expiration of that time the captain -arose and expressed his determination of going home. The savage arose -also, and they started together. - -When within a few miles of home, they reached a large brook, in which -were thrown several stones, to assist in crossing over. Without -hesitation, our friend stepped on these and commenced passing. As he -reached the opposite shore, he turned suddenly around to see the savage. -This movement saved his life, for at that instant the savage raised his -rifle and fired. The bullet shattered the powder-horn at the captain’s -waist, and before he could recover, the Indian uttered a yell of -defiance and disappeared in the forest. - -“After him, dog, and tear him to pieces!” he exclaimed, furiously. - -The dog plunged into the forest with a howl, and took his trail with the -quickness of lightning. Suddenly the yelp of the dog ceased, and before -he had taken a dozen steps, the moaning, bleeding form of his dog -appeared. He dropped with a whine at the captain’s feet. The poor brute -was dead, and Captain Parks was convinced that the Shawnees were pretty -well rid of their friendly feeling toward the settlers. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - -It is one of those pleasant summer days, a few months after the -occurrence of the events recorded in our last chapter, that we take a -glance at the settlement which figures so conspicuously in our -narrative, and which latterly had enjoyed comparative quiet. - -Captain Parks, on his return from the adventure related in our last -chapter, had given his opinion that the whole Shawnee tribe, and Bill -especially, were a set of unmitigated scoundrels, and that it would -never do to repose the least confidence in them. - -Late in the evening of the beautiful summer’s day of which we speak, -Kingman and Irene passed through the block-house and arm-in-arm made -their way slowly toward the river. - -The girlish beauty of Irene had ripened into all the fascinating charms -of womanhood. There was a deeper blueness in her mild, affectionate eye, -though it could still sparkle with its wonted fire, and a meeker, more -subdued expression of the countenance. - -“What a magnificent night,” remarked Kingman. - -“Too beautiful to sleep,” returned Irene. - -“For what, then, is it made?” - -“For meditation and devotion.” - -“And love!” added Kingman, pressing the girl impulsively to him. “It is -now three years since I first asked you to be my bonny wife, Irene. You -did not refuse me, but thought you were too young, and I waited another -year before I asked you. You made the same answer the second time, and I -have now waited two long years without making the slightest reference to -it. We are both older, and I trust I am wiser now. Irene, will you be my -wife?” - -“I guess I am too old now.” - -Kingman looked down into the face resting upon his shoulder, for he did -not know the meaning of the words—but it was not dark enough to conceal -the roguish twinkle of her eyes. - -“Don’t you think I am getting too old?” she asked, reaching up and -brushing the hair from his forehead. - -“Well, you are rather old, that’s a fact—older than I ever knew you to -be before—‘but better late than never,’ you know.” - -“Then it matters little how late it is—so suppose we wait a few years -longer yet.” - -“An unsupposable case, my dear.” - -“But not an impossible one.” - -“I hope so. My gracious! I have waited three years already.” - -“But we will be wiser and older then.” - -“We will be older, I suppose, but little wiser.” - -“And wiser, too, I am sure. We can try it and see, at all events.” - -“Irene, will you not promise me now?” asked Kingman, in an earnest tone. - -“Perhaps so. Ask and see.” - -“Well, then, will you be my wife?” - -“Yes.” - -“Within a year?” - -“Yes.” - -“Within six months?” - -“Yes.” - -“Within three months?” - -“No, sir.” - -“When will you, Irene?” - -“Next spring.” - -“In February?” - -“February is not in the spring; no, sir, not then.” - -“Do name the time; I suppose it will be the last day of the season.” - -“No, George. I will become your wife on the first of May—in the month of -roses and flowers.” - -Kingman drew the trembling girl closer to him, and pressed a pure kiss -on her burning cheek. They sat and conversed far into the night, their -voices just loud enough to reach only the ears for which they were -intended. - -“Should we not return?” at length asked Irene. - -“I see no need of hurrying. Why do you ask?” - -“It is somewhat late; and, besides,” she added, in a lower tone, “I -believe I have heard something wrong.” - -“Not frightened, Irene, are you?” - -“Yes: for I fear we are in danger.” - -“In danger from whom, I should like to know.” - -“From Indians and wild animals.” - -“From Indians! do you suppose there could be found a savage, Irene, who -would harm a hair of your head?” - -Kingman had hardly ceased speaking when he heard a rustling, and started -to his feet. He reached forward to his rifle, which he had leaned -against a tree not three feet away. It was gone! - -“By heavens! we are in danger. Keep quiet, dearest,” he whispered. - -The next instant they heard the deep, suppressed laughter of some one. -Both were confounded. Wonder for a moment held them silent, then, as -Kingman looked up he saw a form standing in the entrance. - -“Frighten you any?” asked the well-known voice of Abe Moffat. - -“Rather,” laughed Kingman. “Have you got my rifle?” - -“I picked one up that was leaning against a tree here.” - -“How did you get it without my knowing it?” - -“Just reached over and hauled it up without saying a word. You needn’t -blush so, Irene; I didn’t hear George ask you to be his bonny wife; I -didn’t hear you promise him you would; but, George, if you value your -little angel, you’d better get out of this as soon as convenient.” - -“What mean you?” asked both, eagerly. - -“O nothing! only the devil is to pay among the Shawnees again.” - -“How did you know we were here?” - -“I seen you go, and I can tell you, as I just now told you, you must do -this courting at home, or in some safer place than this.” - -Kingman concluded that the advice of the ranger was good, and arose at -once. - -Whether the storm of war would not have reached our settlement or not it -is difficult to tell. But the smouldering fire among the frontier was -fanned into a raging flame by the perpetration of one of the greatest -outrages that ever disgraced the American history. In March, 1782, -Colonel Daniel Williamson and his command inhumanly massacred over a -hundred of the peaceful Moravian Indians. These had long been such warm -friends to the whites that they had incurred the displeasure of their -own people thereby, and their murder was therefore entirely unprovoked -and without the shadow of excuse. - -Colonel Williamson sowed the wind and others reaped the whirlwind. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - REAPING THE WHIRLWIND. - - -A few days subsequent to the massacre of the Moravian Indians, Abe -Moffat made his appearance at the village, and reported their slaughter. -For days nothing else was referred to, and the minister, Edwards, was so -heartbroken that he started at once and alone through the wilderness to -satisfy himself of the full extent of horrors. - -The distance to the scene of the massacre was great, and it was a week’s -journey to go and return; but an impetus, such as seldom influence the -motives of any one, impelled him forward. He arrived upon the ground -late at night. With a silent and cautious tread the divine emerged from -the forest and walked through the stricken village. - -There was a faint moon overhead that threw a ghastly light upon the -scene, and the ripple of the muddy Tuscarora, as it flowed darkly by, -was the only sound that disturbed the solemn stillness. All at once, and -unconsciously to himself, he came upon the edge of the pit containing -the slaughtered bodies. At sight of the putrid Indians, piled -promiscuously together, and rendered doubly woful by the moonlight -streaming down upon them, a sudden faintness overcame him, and ere he -could withdraw, he fainted and swooned away. - -He recovered in a few moments, and without trusting himself to look -again, turned and disappeared in the forest. - -Late at night he started a fire against the dark trunk of a huge oak, -and lay down to rest. - -The divine generally slept heavily; but the terrible sight which he had -so lately witnessed still haunted him in his dreams. He was feverish, -and often uttered words that showed upon what his mind was constantly -running. After a while he commenced dreaming. He saw the whole butchery -again, as his terribly excited imagination conceived it, and finally it -seemed that one of the Indians suddenly sprang up and brandished a -tomahawk over his head. He possessed no power of moving, and finally -awoke, covered with cold and perspiration. As he started up he found a -portion of his dream a reality. In the dim moonlight the glowing -eyeballs and gleaming visage of an Indian were visible close to his -face. - -“Why, Wingenund, is that you? What is the matter that you look so?” - -This Wingenund was a Shawnee chief who was known and respected by many -of the whites for the sterling qualities he possessed. He was brave, -honorable, and—what was almost a paradox in a Shawnee—was merciful. He -had taken little part, in the frontier wars, although, in the battles -with other Indian tribes, he was the bravest among the brave. He was a -middle-aged man, of much intelligence, and often visited the different -settlements. He spoke the English language very fluently, and avoided -that extravagant manner of expression so common among the North American -Indians. Hence, the astonishment of Edwards was natural at seeing him in -such a suspicious attitude. - -“What is the matter, Wingenund? You would not take my life, would you?” - -“I did not know you, good man, and came near doing it. But Wingenund -will never harm you.” - -“Nor any other white man, I hope.” - -“Wingenund has dug up the hatchet, and it shall never be buried again -until it has drank the blood of the cowardly white men.” - -“What does this mean, good friend? I thought you were our friend.” - -“I _was_, good man, but am no longer.” - -“Not the friend of our settlement?” - -“I am the friend of no man in whom a drop of pale-faced blood runs, -except of Simon Girty and his men.” - -“Are you not a friend to me, good Wingenund?” - -“If we meet in battle, there is nothing but enmity between us.” - -“I am sorry for that, but I trust we shall never meet thus. But, -Wingenund, let me ask the meaning of this change, although I fear I know -the reason already.” - -“Have you been yonder?” asked the savage, pointing his hand back of him. - -“I have only just returned,” replied the divine. - -“You have seen the Moravian Indians?” - -“I have seen them, Wingenund.” - -“And yet you ask why I have dug up the hatchet!” - -“But, remember, Wingenund, that none of us undertake to justify the -cause of Williamson, and why should you seek to take vengeance upon the -innocent?” - -The chieftain’s brow grew darker still as he replied: - -“It cannot do, good man; the tribes who have fought each other will -unite together to make war upon you. I have passed through the villages -and stirred them up. I told them what Williamson and his men had done, -and that was enough. You must beware now.” - -“Wingenund, I know you are a brave man, and do not believe you would -harm anyone whom you believed to be a friend. Listen, then, to what I -say. We heard, some months ago, that Colonel Williamson, with one -hundred men, was preparing to march against the Shawnees. The Shawnees -had broken in upon their settlements at night, had burned their houses -and scalped their women and children. They did this without provocation -upon the part of the whites, and we knew they would do it again. To -prevent this, these men were sent to chastise the offenders. They were -not sent to murder defenceless people, as they did. One of our men -joined them. He accompanied them to the Moravian towns, not dreaming of -their intentions. When he saw the awful work they were about to -commence, he told Colonel Williamson to his face that he was a base -coward and villain to undertake it. He appealed to the men to join him -in their resistance, running the risk of being shot himself while he did -so. Nearly a score besought their commander to spare the lives of the -Indians, and boldly stepped forward and demanded that it should be done. -But the others refused. They were determined that all in their power -should die, and those who first spoke against it, finally joined the -others. But he from our settlement did not. He did what he could to -prevent it, but could not. But he took no part in it. He was their -friend, and felt as all but these men did. When this man arrived, and -reported that he had seen these things, I could not believe him at -first. I hastened here alone to satisfy myself of what I saw. I have -told you how we feel, and, Wingenund, will you raise the hatchet against -us?” - -The chief trembled at this question, and Edwards saw that he was deeply -affected. He remained silent a moment, and then answered: - -“The good man has spoken truth. The other Shawnees and Indians may slay -your people, but Wingenund never will.” - -“That rejoices my heart, my good friend.” - -“But I warn you,” he added, impetuously, as he recoiled a step—“I warn -you, good man, of what is coming, that you may be prepared. The red men -have gathered like the stars in heaven, and they have sharpened their -knives and sung the war-song around the camp-fires. Wo to him who -crosses into the country! He shall never return. Our scouts are scouring -the woods, and none shall escape their eyes. Be warned, good man, -Wingenund has spoken.” - -Before Edwards could intercept the chieftain or make a reply, he wheeled -around and darted away into the darkness. - -The minister replenished his fire, and although he knew that the -warnings of his savage friend should be heeded, he did not hesitate to -lie down again in slumber. This time he was not disturbed, and when he -awoke the sun was shining high in the sky, and the songsters of the wood -were chattering gaily overhead. Slinging his rifle over his shoulder, he -turned his face toward home. - -The savages had comparatively little success along the frontier. The -different settlements were so thoroughly armed and prepared, and the -rangers so watchful and vigilant, that it was impossible to come upon -them unprepared. Stragglers and hunters underwent the most danger, as -they were followed and attacked by superior numbers in the woods, and -rarely escaped their implacable foes. The great Tecumseh at this time -was but a mere boy, yet the valiant deeds of his companions fired his -soul, and he gave evidence even at this early day, of that wonderful -prowess and courage which has since rendered his name immortal. - -The Indians, growing bolder and more exasperated at their ill-success, -finally crossed the frontier and attacked the settlers in Western -Pennsylvania and Virginia. Several houses were burned, and their inmates -either put to the torture or carried away into captivity. This was a -bold proceeding, and demanded punishment immediately. A call was made -for volunteers, and the incensed settlers collected together at once. -Nearly five hundred men enrolled themselves for the campaign, and to -show the feeling which actuated the settlers, we have only to mention -that the monster, Williamson, was elected leader; and he made no secret -of his intention to murder the remaining Moravian Indians. This created -so much indignation among the men and subordinate officers that Col. -Crawford, a brave and humane man, was appointed to the command, with -power to control the actions of the entire force. - -On account of the unexpected change in the aspect of affairs along the -frontier, Irene had informed Kingman that she considered it best to -defer their marriage day until there was peace, or at least, a nearer -approach to it than at present. In the midst of war, when their own -people were engaged in it, it seemed hardly proper their marriage should -take place. Kingman saw the justice of what she said, and agreed that an -indefinite postponement was demanded. - -On the 22nd of May, a glorious spring morning, Colonel Crawford marched -with his force into the Indian country. The first point visited was the -Moravian towns, which they found deserted and forsaken. Here Abe Moffat, -who had joined the company as spy, notified Crawford that their motions -were watched by numerous Indian spies, and that every preparation was -made to give them battle. The greatest care was necessary to avoid being -drawn into ambush, and Crawford ordered the men to march slowly, keeping -a good distance behind the rangers and scouts. There were nearly a dozen -of these constantly outlying the army, who communicated at all times -with it. As there was a score of Indian spies, most consummate tact and -cunning was called into play for the two forces to avoid each other. As -it was, personal encounters took place between the scouts, and the -soldiers often heard the report of their arms or the yells of conflict. -The Indian spies concealed themselves in the thick tops of the trees, -and as this was practiced by numbers of the white rangers, it more than -once happened that an Indian or American spy found themselves both -inhabitants of the same tree. In such a case a short contest, always -fatal to one and often to both, took place. - -In this manner the American party marched forward, until at Upper -Sandusky they found themselves compelled to give battle to an -overwhelming force of Indians. The rangers warned Crawford that it would -be a desperate and bloody struggle, as the savages were exasperated to -the high pitch of fury by the slaughter of the Moravian Indians, and -they had learned that Colonel Williamson was with him. - -Crawford formed his men in order of battle as quickly as possible, -addressing them, and awaking an enthusiasm which gave him great -confidence. The battle commenced immediately, Crawford’s force -preserving admirable order, and withstanding nobly the charge of the -savages. But at the next charge Crawford saw, with inexpressible -disgust, the cowardly Williamson (who feared the Indians were -endeavoring to secure him) turned in with the utmost confusion and make -a break for the woods. Crawford, in a voice of thunder, sprang forward -and endeavored to check the retreat; but it was impossible. A panic had -taken possession of them, and the exulting Indians gave them no chance -or opportunity to reform. - -Simon Girty took part in this memorable conflict, and during the retreat -dashed into the woods and took prisoner—Abe Moffat! This he would never -have accomplished had Abe not labored under the greatest disadvantages. -He had broken the lock of his rifle so as to be unable to fire it, and -was singled out by Girty, who being mounted ran him down before he had -the slightest chance of concealing himself. Giving him in charge of -several Indians, Girty again took to the woods and captured two more -whites. Upon arranging them, it was found that there were over forty. -Among these was Colonel Crawford himself. A council was immediately -held, and the whole were painted black, and condemned to the stake! - -We shall dwell upon the fate of but two of these—Colonel Crawford and -Abe Moffat. - -At the village resided the Indian chief, Wingenund. This chief had been -known to Crawford sometime before, and had been on terms of true -friendship with him, and kindly entertained by him at his own house; and -such act of kindness, all red men remember with gratitude. Wingenund -does not appear to have been present when the preparations were made for -burning of the prisoners, but resided not far from the village and had -retired to his cabin that he might not see the sentence of his nation -executed upon one calling him his friend; but Crawford requested that he -might be sent for, cheering his almost rayless mind with the faint hope -that he would interfere and save him. Accordingly Wingenund soon -appeared in the presence of the bound and naked white men. - -He was asked by Crawford whether he knew him, when the Indian said he -believed he did, and then asked: - -“Are you not Colonel Crawford?” - -“I am,” replied the colonel. - -The chief displayed much agitation and embarrassment. - -“Do you not recollect the friendship that always existed between us?” -said Crawford. - -“Yes,” said the chief, “I remember that you have been kind to me and we -have often drank together.” - -“I hope the same friendship continues,” said Crawford. - -“It would, of course, were you where you ought to be.” - -“And why not here?” urged the colonel. “I hope you would not desert a -friend in time of need. Now is the time for you to exert yourself in my -behalf, as I should do for you were you in my place.” - -“I cannot. The King of England himself, were he to come to this spot, -with all his wealth and influence, could not interfere. The blood of the -innocent Moravians, more than half of them women and children, cruelly -and wantonly murdered, calls too loudly for revenge!” - -“My fate, then, is fixed,” said the wretched man, “I must prepare to -meet death in its worst form.” - -Wingenund, shedding tears, and deeply affected, then withdrew. - -The colonel, observing terrible preparations going forward, called to -Girty, who sat on horseback, and asked if the Indians were going to burn -him. Girty replied in the affirmative. The colonel heard the -intelligence with firmness, merely remarking that he would bear it with -fortitude. At this juncture a Delaware chief arose and addressed the -crowd in a tone of great energy, pointing frequently to the colonel. As -soon as he had ended, a loud whoop burst from the assembled throng, and -they all rushed at once upon the unfortunate Crawford. - -A terrible scene of torture was now commenced. The warriors shot charges -of powder into his naked body, commencing at the calves of his legs, and -continuing to his neck. The boys snatched the burning hickory poles, and -applied them to his flesh. - -The squaws would take up a quantity of coals and hot ashes, and throw -them upon his body, so that in a few moments he had nothing but fire to -walk upon! - -While this awful scene was being enacted, Girty rode up to the spot -where Dr. Knight stood. After contemplating the sufferings of the -colonel for a few moments, Girty told the doctor that he had a foretaste -of what was in reserve for him. He swore that he need not expect to -escape death, but should suffer it in all the extremity of torture. - -The terrible scene had now lasted more than two hours, and Crawford had -become much exhausted. At length he sunk in a fainting fit upon his -face, and lay motionless. Instantly an Indian sprung upon his back, -knelt lightly on one knee, made a circular incision with his knife upon -the crown of his head, and clapping the knife between his teeth, tore -the scalp off with both hands. - -Scarcely had this been done when a withered hag approached with a board -full of burning embers, and poured them upon the crown of his head, now -laid bare to the bone. The colonel groaned deeply, arose, and again -walked slowly around the stake. But why continue a description so -horrible? - -Nature at length could endure no more, and at a late hour in the night -he was released by death from the hands of his tormentors. - -When Colonel Crawford was stripped and painted black for the stake, his -shoes were also taken off and cast away. - -Moffat stood by when this was done, and the action seemed to have given -him a thought, for he kicked off his own moccasins, and walking forward -to where the shoes lay, he managed to work his feet into them. - -Of course his actions were observed by the Indians, but they supposed -that nothing was intended by it further than to secure a protection for -his feet. - -When Crawford, in his torture, was compelled to walk barefooted over the -living coals, Girty turned upon his horse and spoke to Moffat: - -“Ah, that’s what you put on them shoes of his’n for, is it? Never -mind—when we come to toast you, they won’t do you no good.” - -One or two more of the prisoners were burned upon the spot, when it was -determined to march the others to the Shawnee towns, where hundreds of -others might feast themselves with the sight. For this purpose the -prisoners were separated, and under the guardianship of either one or -two Indians, marched off singly into the wood. - -Dr. Knight, the companion of Crawford, as said before, was given in -charge of one warrior, from whom he managed to escape in the wood during -the march. The others, who had any appearance of stubbornness, or who -seemed likely to give trouble, were given over to well-armed savages to -watch their motions. - -Such was the case with Moffat. - -The Shawnee towns were a long distance away, and, as the prisoners were -compelled to keep separate by their masters, the march required -considerable time. - -Moffat was the very last one who started. He rejoiced at this, as it -left the coast clear behind him, and Girty had accompanied those in -front. - -The ranger could see, from the looks the two savages gave him, that they -were anxious to ascertain his feelings. If his eye sparkled, or he -retained his usual vivacity, their suspicions would be aroused; and he -accordingly feigned the deepest despondency and despair. - -During the day, Moffat’s hands had been simply tied behind him, and he -marched in front of the two savages. At night, he well knew he should be -more securely bound, and it was his determination to elude his enemies, -if possible, before that time. - -In the afternoon he feigned sickness, beseeching the savages to halt and -rest at short intervals. Although hungry, he refused all food, and on -one or two occasions actually dropped to the ground, as if with -faintness. - -The suspicions of the Indians were naturally roused at first, but the -sickness of their captive was so well assumed and carried out, that they -were finally deceived. They halted several times, and allowed him a few -moment’s rest. As Moffat lay upon the ground, at such times, he groaned -and rolled and writhed as though in great pain; but, in reality, he was -working at the thong which held his wrists. By doubling his foot beneath -him, catching it and twisting the thong over the shoe, he succeeded in -getting it in such a position as to allow him to chafe and rub it -against the nails in the shoe. Now, it is no easy matter for a person to -bring his foot and hand together behind him and keep them in that -position for any length of time; and if one is disposed to doubt it, -they can easily satisfy themselves by a trial. But with the lithe, -muscular ranger it was quite an easy matter. His great hope was to chafe -the ligature until it could be broken by a desperate tug. In this he was -more successful; for, as he lay upon the ground, rolling and writhing as -usual, he felt the cord part behind him, and his hands were free. In a -moment he arose, of course keeping them behind him, and the string in -its position as much as it was possible for him to do so. - -From the manner of the savages, it was evident they suspected nothing. - -Abe, however, rather overdid the matter at last. He became so faint, and -sank to the ground so often, that the savages began to get out of -patience. They ordered him to his feet several times, and once, when he -did not rise soon enough, he was brought up all standing by a rousing -kick. This did not suit him very well; but under the circumstances he -concluded to pocket the insult, for the good reason that there was no -other course for him to pursue. - -At last darkness commenced settling over the forest. The savages were -anxious to reach some point ahead, and as their frequent halts for their -prisoner had delayed them, they now hurried forward and traveled later -than they otherwise would. One savage, as stated, walked in front of -Moffat, and the other behind. - -As they were walking in a part of the forest darker and denser than -usual, Moffat suddenly wheeled upon his feet, and before the hindmost -savage could suspect his intention, struck him a stunning blow that -felled him like a death-stroke. As he darted away the rifle of the other -Indian was discharged and he started in pursuit. But he was out of -sight, and in the forest—that is all a Western ranger asks. The whole -night was before him, and he would have every opportunity that he -wished. - -He had run but a few rods when he settled down to a walk, for he felt -that his escape was effected. The settlement was reached in due time, -where he was gladly received by his friends. His escape may be -considered one of the most remarkable that he had yet met with. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - -When Abe Moffat reached the settlement, he heard startling news indeed. -Irene Stuart, while wandering a short distance from the stockade the -afternoon before, had been heard to utter a piercing shriek, and when -the minister, Edwards, who was the nearest, ran toward the spot, he saw -her in the hands of a brawny, painted savage, who, carrying her as he -would have carried an infant, dashed into the woods, and immediately -disappeared. - -This bold abduction, as a matter of course, created the greatest -excitement. Several started at once in pursuit; but it being near dusk, -they were unable to follow the trail, and they shortly returned without -having gained a glimpse of the captor or captive. It happened that at -this time Lewis Wetzel, the renowned ranger, was at the settlement, and -he and the leading men at once met together for consultation. Kingman, -naturally enough, was anxious to begin the pursuit instantly. - -“No use,” said Wetzel; “we can’t help getting off the track, and then we -shall lose all the time it’ll take us to come back and start agin.” - -“But will they pause to camp to-night—for there must be other Indians in -the vicinity—and will we come up to them right away in the morning?” -asked the excited lover. - -“I hardly think we shall. They will hurry, of course, all they can, for -they know well enough they will be pursued, and we’ll have to travel -pretty fast if we get sight of them before they are safe home again.” - -“The plan, then, is decided,” said Edwards. “Wetzel and Kingman, here, -will start at daylight, in pursuit, while, from the necessity of the -case, we are compelled to remain at home. May God be with them!” - -This moment there was a movement at the door, and as they parted, Abe -Moffat entered. Several grasped his hand, and he asked: - -“What’s the row? No trouble, I hope, this time?” - -“Trouble enough,” replied Kingman, and he gave, in a few words, the -particulars of what is already known to the reader. - -“And I have bad news, too, for you,” said Abe. “Colonel Crawford’s force -was defeated more completely than was Sanford’s. Over one hundred have -been killed, and more than thirty burnt at the stake! I seen Colonel -Crawford burnt myself! I was painted black for the stake, but the Lord -helped me to get away, and I’m down here, ready for any service.” - -The effect of this intelligence can scarcely be imagined. - -“I’m good for a two week’s tramp, and I ask it as a special favor, -Wetzel, that you let me take your place.” - -“I’ve a great notion to foller that girl, and I don’t see how Abe can do -much, as he must be about used up now.” - -“Why not both of you go?” queried Stuart. - -Both Wetzel and Abe shook their heads. - -“It won’t do,” replied the former. “There mustn’t be over two in -pursuit. Just as sure as there are, they won’t do nothing. No sir—it -won’t do.” - -“Two is just the number that is needed,” added Abe. - -“You can go, Abe,” said Wetzel, after a moment’s reflection. “It hurts -my feelings to back out, but I don’t believe you would ask to go unless -there was some good idee in your head. If you can draw a sight on that -Pete Johnson, just make it your special duty to wipe him out from the -face of the universe!” - -It was agreed by Moffat that he would rise at the earliest sign of morn, -awake Kingman, and the two pass noiselessly out into the forest without -disturbing the others. Each was provided with a rifle, some thirty -charges of powder, and a piece of jerked venison sufficient to last them -several days. - -At a late hour the men departed from Edward’s house to their homes. - -As the night settled over the village, it was still and motionless, as -though all were wrapped in the profoundest slumber. Not a soul was -moving save the few sentinels, conversing together and exchanging their -places at long intervals. - -Hour after hour wore slowly away, and for the twelfth time Kingman -returned, fretful and impatient, to his corner, as the light of day had -not yet illumined the east. He sat a moment, when he heard Moffat move. - -“Hallo! anybody about?” called out the latter. - -“Yes, yes, I’m here! Do wake up, for your sleep seems eternal.” - -“Fudge! Now don’t be in a hurry,” replied Moffat, kicking his blanket -off from him. “Just take a peep at the door to see if there’s any -light.” - -“No, there is not a streak of day. I looked only this minute.” - -“Look again. I’ll bet my rifle against your life you will see it this -time.” - -Kingman stepped to the door, and again looked forth. Sure enough, just -over the eastern edge of the wilderness a gray, misty light was visible, -and there was no mistaking its cause. - -“Day is at hand, indeed!” exclaimed he, joyously. “Let us be off at -once.” - -“Not too fast, for there must be considerable more light before we -start.” - -The two men made noiseless but careful preparations for their journey. A -burning pine knot afforded them a bright, though oily and smoky light. -Their hunting shirts were buckled tightly beneath their girdles, from -each of which protruded the handles of a couple of knives; their -moccasins secured, and their rifles examined most minutely; and as -Moffat looked around and saw that nothing else was wanting he blew out -the light and the two men stepped forth into the open air. No one was -yet visible stirring in the settlement, and they made their way -cautiously toward the northern and largest block-house. It was yet so -early and dark that there was no necessity of starting for a half hour -yet. As they reached the block-house Kingman was surprised to find a -considerable number of their friends already there. Among them he -noticed Captain Parks, Wetzel, Stuart, Prentice, and several others. - -“Rather ’arly, ain’t you?” remarked Wetzel. - -“Yes; we will wait here a while before we start. Lew, do you suppose it -is the Shawnees who have carried her off, or some other tribe?” - -“I guess it’s the Shawnees. They’re generally in all kinds of deviltry, -and that Pete Johnson, I believe, figures among them.” - -“He is as often in the other tribes, so that you can hardly tell -anything by that. She’s in desperate hands, I can tell you,” added -Moffat, in a lower tone. - -“I know that, and you have a hard job before you, Abe.” - -“Umph!” remarked the captain; “If you can only rid the country of that -Pete Johnson, you will be immortalized. Do it, and I’ll never kick you -again—I won’t, upon my honor.” - -“Then I think I will do it,” laughed the ranger. - -“Isn’t it time to be moving?” asked Kingman, anxiously. - -“Yes; it’s getting light, and we might as well start.” - -“George,” said Stuart, as he took our hero’s hand, and the tears -streamed down his face, “be careful, and do your utmost, for you know -what there is at stake. She is yours forever if you can save her. God -grant it.” - -All now bade our friends farewell, and they made their way cautiously -out of the block-house. By this time the sun was just appearing above -the edge of the forest, and they hurried forward upon their dangerous -duty. - -The trail was immediately taken, and pursued with the most unwearying -assiduity. Kingman, whose border experience had toughened his sinews and -strengthened his muscle, was unwilling to pause for more than a moment’s -rest. The great fear that his beloved was in the power of the renegade -Johnson, was too tormenting to allow a moment’s rest. - -In a few hours they reached the spot where the fugitives had encamped. A -brief examination revealed the gratifying fact that they were all -comparatively a slight distance ahead, although there was no question -but that they were proceeding quite rapidly. - -With this was made a startling and dreaded discovery—a white man was one -of the captors. Such being the case it could be no other than Johnson -the renegade. - -“Merciful heavens!” exclaimed Kingman, in agony. “We must soon overtake -them or it will be too late.” - -“You’re too excited,” said Moffat, to whom the same question could be -applied. “You’re too excited. Take things coolly.” - -“But how can I? How much longer is that man to desolate the frontier?” - -“I have an idea that he has run about the length of his rope. I somehow -or other feel as though we were going to wipe him out.” - -“God grant it!” fervently exclaimed Kingman. “He has earned his death -over and over again for the last dozen years.” - -An hour or two later Moffat announced that they were rapidly gaining -upon the captors, and if they continued progressing as they were -evidently doing at that time, the probabilities were that they would be -overtaken by nightfall, or sooner. - -It was only when the hunter insisted upon it that our hero would consent -to stop and take a few mouthfuls of food. - -There was a cool deliberation in the movements of Moffat that was -strangely in contrast with the nervous restlessness of the lover. In -fact they were just the men to engage in the enterprise. In the -afternoon the trail showed signs of an increased gait upon those who -were being pursued. This discovery gave Kingman increased anxiety. -Finally the gathering darkness compelled them to give up the pursuit. - -“Just what I expected!” exclaimed Kingman, in despair. “We may now as -well yield up, and go home.” - -The ranger touched him on the shoulder, and pointed ahead. - -“What does that mean?” - -The glimmer of a camp-fire was discernible through the trees. That it -was the camp-fire of those whom they were searching for, there could not -be a moment’s doubt. - -“All now depends upon keeping cool,” said the ranger. “We will steal up -until we get a good view. You may take the Indian and I will take the -renegade.” - -Side by side the two crawled cautiously forward. The Indian was -preparing supper, while Pete Johnson was lying upon the ground, smoking -a pipe. Irene sat on a fallen tree, her wrists bound together, and her -head bowed as though she was giving away to her great woe. - -Abe Moffat looked at Kingman, and whispered so that he was just able to -hear him. - -“Take your man, and be sure that you don’t miss, or he may not miss me.” - -“All right; I will take the savage. Never fear for me.” - -Simultaneously the rifles came to their shoulders, and pointed like the -finger of fate toward the doomed ones. Simultaneously their sharp crack -broke upon the stillness, and at the same instant the two victims fell -forward upon their faces, dead. - -Irene Stuart was still gazing in wonder for the explanation of this, -when her lover came rushing toward her, and the next moment she was -enfolded in his arms. - -Abe Moffat scratched his head until they were through, and then -suggested that they take the back trail. This they did until they were -far removed from the dead bodies, when, as all three were thoroughly -exhausted, they halted for the night. - -Bright and early, after a refreshing breakfast, the homeward journey was -resumed, and just as night set in they came in sight of the settlement. -As they looked toward it Kingman said: - -“As we are now safely back again, and our marriage has been postponed -several times, don’t you think it is about time it was consummated?” - -“You need wait no longer, dearest,” said she, leaning on his arm; “you -have been very good to submit to my whims thus far.” - - * * * * * * * - -It was a genuine old-fashioned wedding, such as our grandmothers tell -about. Fiddling, and dancing, and mirth, and cider, and apples, and -jollification were the distinguishing features. All went as merry as a -goodly number of marriage bells, and it was not until the “wee small -hours ayant the twal” that the parties separated and went to their -homes. - -The death of Johnson the renegade, was a relief to all the settlements. -His influence, beyond all question, had incited most of the massacres, -and now that he was gone, there was some hope felt that peace might be -reasonably looked for. - -But peace did not come until 1794, about a dozen years later, when the -incomparable Anthony Wayne—“Mad Anthony”—gathered his invincibles -together, and scattered the combined forces of the aggressive tribes as -the autumn leaves are scattered before the tornado. A long, lasting -peace then came, unbroken until the mighty Tecumseh arose, and led his -warriors to battle. But his history belongs not to us. Our work is done, -and we now bid our kind readers an affectionate adieu. - - - - - BEADLE & ADAMS’ - New Twenty Cent Novels! - - -The TWENTY CENT NOVELS’ series will embrace none but NOTED WORKS OF -NOTED AUTHORS, chiefly in the field of a purely American romance, of -marked originality and high interest—price, size and literary character -all adapting them to the widest circulation. Those seeking for The Best -American Novels will find them in this series. The books already issued -embrace: - - ALBERT W. AIKEN’S - NOTED DICK TALBOT ROMANCES! - NAMELY: - - Overland Kit, - Rocky Mountain Rob, - Kentuck, the Sport, - Injun Dick. - -Works of unequaled power, brilliancy and interest—a combination of Bret -Harte, Gustave Aimard and Charles Reade—virtually introducing a New -School of _American_ Romance, and whose extraordinary success opens a -New Era in Popular Literature. - -Now in press, and to issue in order, as indicated: - - 5—The Scalp Hunters. BY CAPT. 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By Oll Coomes. - No. 2—Dead Shot; or, The White Vulture. By Albert W. Aiken. - No. 3—The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. By Edward S. Ellis. - No. 4—Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief’s Vengeance. By Capt. Mayne - Reid. - No. 5—Nat Wolfe; or, The Gold-Hunters. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - No. 6—The White Tracker; or, The Panther of the Plains. By Edward S. - Ellis. - No. 7—The Outlaw’s Wife; or, The Valley Ranche. By Mrs. Ann S. - Stephens. - No. 8—The Tall Trapper; or, The Flower of the Blackfeet. By Albert W. - Aiken. - No. 9—Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail. By Capt. J. F. - C. Adams. - No. 10—The Island Pirate. A Tale of the Mississippi. By Captain Mayne - Reid. - No. 11—The Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden Horn. By Oll - Coomes. - No. 12—Bess, the Trapper. A Tale of the Far South-west. By Edward S. - Ellis. - No. 13—The French Spy; or, The Fall of Montreal. By W. J. Hamilton. - No. 14—Long Shot; or, The Dwarf Guide. By Capt. Comstock. - No. 15—The Gunmaker of the Border; or, The Hunted Maiden. By James L. - Bowen. - No. 16—Red Hand; or, The Channel Scourge. By A. G. Piper. - No. 17—Ben, the Trapper; or, The Mountain Demon. By Maj. Lewis W. - Carson. - No. 18—Wild Raven, the Ranger; or, The Missing Guide. By Oll Coomes. - No. 19—The Specter Chief; or, The Indian’s Revenge. By Seelin Robins. - No. 20—The B’ar-Killer; or, The Long Trail. By Capt. Comstock. - No. 21—Wild Nat; or, The Cedar Swamp Brigade. By Wm. R. Eyster. - No. 22—Indian Jo, the Guide. By Lewis W. Carson. - No. 23—Old Kent, the Ranger. By Edward S. Ellis. - No. 24—The One-Eyed Trapper. By Capt. Comstock. - No. 25—Godbold, the Spy. A Tale of Arnold’s Treason. By N. C. Iron. - No. 26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner. - No. 27—Single Eye, the Scourge. By Warren St. John. - No. 28—Indian Jim. A Tale of the Minnesota Massacre. By Edward S. - Ellis. - No. 29—The Scout. By Warren St. John. - No. 30—Eagle Eye. By W. J. Hamilton. - No. 31—The Mystic Canoe. A Romance of a Hundred Years Ago. By Edward - S. Ellis. - No. 32—The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes. By Roger - Starbuck. - No. 33—The Scalp King; or, The Squaw Wife of the White Avenger. By - Lieut. Ned Hunter. - No. 34—Old Lute, the Indian-fighter; or, The Den in the Hills. By - Edward W. Archer. - No. 35—Rainbolt, the Ranger; or, The Ærial Demon of the Mountain. By - Oll Coomes. - No. 36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis. - No. 37—Carson, the Guide; or, the Perils of the Frontier. By Lieut. J. - H. Randolph. - No. 38—The Heart Eater; or, The Prophet of the Hollow Hill. By Harry - Hazard. - No. 39—Wetzel, the Scout; or, The Captive of the Wilderness. By - Boynton Belknap, M. D. - No. 40—The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies. By Edward - S. Ellis. Ready Jan. 4th. - No. 41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. By Paul Prescott. Ready Jan. 18th. - No. 42—Lynx-cap; or, The Sioux Track. By Paul Bibbs. Ready Feb. 1st. - No. 43—The White Outlaw; or, The Bandit Brigand. By Harry Hazard. Feb. - 15th. - -☞ Beadle’s Dime Pocket Novels are for sale by all newsdealers; or will -be sent, post-paid, to any address, on receipt of price, TEN CENTS EACH, -by - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, - 98 William Street, N. 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