Black Ralph, the forest fiend!, or, The wanderers of the West
page: Illustration (TitlePage) [View Page Illustration (TitlePage) ]OR THE WANDERERS' OF THE WEST. A M11*A- ?TALE F OD A 1 Y DR. J . fROBINSON. BOSTON: NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 164 WA SHNGTON u 185kve ^4 1 T A / page: 0[View Page 0] _,'y-1. j lt Ubrary / 5. ~IITEUD 9Ofl)ZN T Atr r owxss, Ix Tn YEAR 1851, BY WILLIAM R. IIA'YDLN, IN u_, t K~OIIC OWiiT$IE DI T1ICT COURT or MASSAOU5~5 PREFACE. IN the following romance, the writer has attempted to shadow forth scenes in the life of the Western hunter, trapper, and adventurer. How far he has succeeded, the reader must judge. It is easier to find fault with a book, than to write one; although in this respect the author has no reason to complain, inasmuch as his ' SILvIm KNIFE,' and many other tales, have been re- ceived with much more favor than he had presumed to expect. The hero of the following pages may not be without his faults, and Gilmore and Buston may possibly be overdrawn; but if the writer has succeeded in his design in any degree, and the indulgent reader finds a pleasant hour over the pages of 'BLACK RAL 'H,' he will feel himself sufficiently rewarded for his labor. c -± 9 " '5 7- ; ^ A tY r 'y ' .r r . s,{ y tie! R1 0 (, page: 0[View Page 0] CHAPTER I. THE OSAGE. STOOD leaning thoughtfully upon mytifle 'be night was clear and beautiful. The fleecy clouds-that occasionally floated across the disc of the moon, obscured it for a moment only. The stars had a soft, silvery glow. From th, cninence upon which I stood, I could gaze over a vast extent of country. Be! fore me flowed the Red Fork of the Arkansas River. Upon my left, the distant peaks of the Rocky Mountains were visible. Upon my right, were prairies, stretching far away, and lost to view in the dim distance. Not far from me the smoke of a cheerful -fre went curling upward. Near it were too appar- ently sleeping persons wrapped in blankets, and stretched upon the earth. They were the comn panions of-my journeyingil through the West. I had laid down to sleep in the first part of the evening, but sleep did not visit my eyelidss. and Ihad arisen silently from the earth without disturbing them,. in order to contemplate the quiet beauty of the uight;, until I could slumber better. r wansoon lost in contemplation. The placid skie ;he dreamy +Wglight; the sighing of the running river ; the gentle murmur of the wind amid the trees, all conspired to make me reflect e. As I stood in the indolent attitude I have named, kay attention was arrested by a moving object upon the opposite bank. At first I was at a loss to determine to what class of animated creatures it belonged; but as it drew nearer, all doubts on that subject were dispelled; for, from a stooping, itt arose suddenly to an erect posture, and revealed the figure Of an athleti. Osage.warrior. There was no time lose; in an instant my rifle was at my shoulder. I pulled ; the look fell upon the cap, but there was no report ; my rifle had missed fire; and a I threw it from me in ;despar I heard a trium. pliant laugh from the grim lips of the .atg?. A sickness came over me ; I gasped for breath, and felt that my last hour had come. .Iaw he savage level his piece ; I saw the mosbeszans glisten upon the long, dark barrel; and .n, w his eyes were glancing along the sightss that his finger was upon the trigg How rapidly the thou ghiRythe so } hrgi the brain in moments of deadly peril; the events of a whole lifetime-seem,-to passe oyes the field of the: mental vision in a mompiat. z misdeds stand outbgfeore us in bol4 all I f _- .- :mss K ' W t 4 t j a £\ ft 1) /i\ ; Ci 1 L " f t . J i /bf page: 12-13 (Illustration) [View Page 12-13 (Illustration) ] BLACK RALPH our hours misspent come and stare us in the face ; all the good we might have done, but have not, is realized with a bitterness previously un- known; we exist an age in a single flash of time. I was not angry ; the evil demon that sometimes rises within me was silent. The muzzle of the warrior'srifle covered my heart ; but he did not fire. Like the cat that toys with its victim before rending it, he' dotzb- less experienced a savage'delight in holding me a moment in suspense so terrible. The sudden- ness of the whole transaction had in a measure paralyzed me. I knew full well that it was too late to attempt to evade the vengeance of the. Osage, and giving myself up for a lost man, I awaited my fate. But the painted savage never fired ; he fell suddenly forward with the rifle still in his hands, ati never moved again. pingthe perspiration from my brow, I wondered at what I had seen, and could with difcultjy eedit my senses. When I had recov- 'eret 'su$iently to do so, I took my rifle from 'tib earth, and with a heart full of gratitude, stagg diltowards the fie where my companions irl eping not knowitin how to account for hat had witnessed. ,'As', I a r oaehed, one of the sleepers was ene y myfootsteps, and seizing his- rifle 1sap ickly to his feet. ' isIlInore, be not alarmed,' I managed 6 i ulats, a he was in the act of leaving t thught it was one of the varmints,' re. p6l Ghlinore, restoring his rifle to its place, the trouble'? you look-kind of white. the mouth.' ned, as well as T was able, what had inspired. 'eyoa hear any report when the onregen- rate critter weut down ?' asked the trapper. 1t sound Hefell{as if 'th eIIHand that , 4~. nec him had stricken him down.' a enhe'll not be likely to git pgi till S t thiYuet shallbe ?dowed, sahl Gilinore, 11inhis voie, and shaidig his hea tisti- rigutly. And then he added in a still lower tone: ' Black Ralph is doin' his work of death.' 'And who is ' Black Ralph?' I asked, my curiosity much excited. 'That's what I can't say exactly;' replied the trapper, almost in a whisper, 'but he's one' that deals out death in silence; one as can't be tracked, nor found out; one as you can't keep the run on ; one as is seldom seen, but -often felt; one as is sure death to the -red varmints; one as is alters nearand allers a great way off; one as none on us can perfectly comprehend; one as it isn't best to talk on a great deal The Ingin critters call him the 'Forest Fiend ;' but I can't call him nothin' better than Black Ralph. No sound gives notice of his coming' or goin', and nobody's any wiser than afore.' i-s it a man you are talking-of?' I asked. 'I havn't, never 1been illuminated on that subject,' replied Gilmore. I suppose it must be some kind of a man, but what sort I don't know.' 'Why is he called Black Ralph'?' 'It's a sort of nickname that he's got by comn- mon consent like but the Ingins say he's black all over,, and'6ncomnion ugly in his personal ap- pearance, looking' like:nothin' airthly' Then you really believe that this personage, by some strange agency, killed the Osage war, ior ! 'It's a sure thing. Trri that varmint over- and you'll find a, shnall wound right in the region of the heart. It's allers there when Black IaVh is about.' I shook my head doubtfully. 'You dont seacely credit it,' added Gilmore, 'but nothing' can't be no truer. We'll cross the Red Fork, and you shall-see.for'yourself; for seem' is believin'.. 'It is true;' I replied, ' that I can't account for the strange manner in whieh the 'savage fell far d pa entlydlad ; and after allMit uay l e somie ruse of which shill knew mQreanon; Iut it does not seem to me probable thatche has felt thepowOre4teh*read pe onage yoiuthave beeii desefibing. ta'ouepi your ofert We will. cross the Fork, and I can judge for myself.' ~ t [sEE, CHAPTER I.] * 12 page: 14-15[View Page 14-15] THE FOREST FIEND. 15 I',' d F I I) i By lashing together the trunks of trees, we formed'a rude raft, upon which we crossed the river. In a short time we reached the spot where the Osage had fallen. He lay upon his face, and his, hands still grasped the rifle. Gilmore turned him over, and there was no sign of life within him. The moonlight streamed down upon his swarthy chest. Directly over, the region of the heart was a small and scarcely perceptible wound, from whbeb the dark coagu- lated blood was slowly oozing. 'I thought sb,' said the trapper, in a subdued tone. *'That's his mark.' ' That resembles the wound of a rifle shot.' I; remarked, as I attentively examined the body. '3ut it's very strange that I heard no report. It is a quiet night; the running of the river makes little sound, and the leaves scarcely stir.' It's allers so when Black Ralph is abroad. The red critters fall down and die when they ain't expectin' no harm. No matter what they're doin', whether they're walkin', sittin', or stand. in,' it's all the same ; they jump of a sudden into the air, and fall down without a pulse of life in 'em. It isn't one tribe, or two, or three, for that matter, but the whole red race that s'uf fers. The' silent tread of this unknown critter is arter 'em by day and by night, in fair and in foul. This ain't the first varmint I've looked on in the course lof my nateral life that didn't know how he cum to his eend, and coudn't give no satisfactry account on't. - 'Very singular,' I mused. IIt aint nothin more nor less than singular,' added the trapper. 'What shall be done with the body? Some of his friends may find it, and suspicion may be fastened on us as authors of his death.' 'We'llthrow it into the water, and let it float towards the wigwams of his 'people,t said Gil- more. The trapper drew the inaniinaite fonrmof the Osage warrior to the edge of the water, and thirew it in. t sank, arose againand went yrhA the rier. ,-,I CHAP-TER II. BLACK ALPa. T is now fitting that I shbuld speak- more particularly of myself. ,4.ro'viug disposi- - tion had prompted me to)become a denizen of the forest. For some months I had roamed through the wilds of the West, meeting with many startling adventures, and by some good fortune making numerous hair-breadth escapes from the natural lords of the wilderness-the savages. Gilmore, the trappr, alluded to in the fore. going chapter, and a yo ng man bthe name of Arthur Dale, had been companion of my wan- derings. I sojourned in the wilderness merely fem a love of adventure; but it was not so with Ar- thur Dale. Six months previously, his nearest relatives had emigrated to the far West, with the hope of bettering their condition in a worldly point of view. Among these friends were a father, sis- ter, and brother. Their intention had been to settle far up upon the Red Fork of the Arkan. sas River Arthur had tarried behind for the purpose of collecting monies due his father and others of the emigrants. Thinrbusiness had delayed him longer than he had anticipated, and it was some months before he was ready to follow in the trail of his friends. I had fallen in with him airF'ort Gibson, and since the period of our first meet ing we had been the firmest of friends. Gilmore was an old trapper whom U had also accidentally met during my peregrinations. A strange kind of friendship had been the result of our companionship. He seemed to entertain for me the love of a'father, while I,,in trt" felt for him the respect of a son.My' a4 and impulaive di position had not{ givhi aise of offence. Many misgivings had filled tl fA thur Dale as we eered te IRed Fork. lie had confid i dh friends some two days bdi appointed. No signs of hast M yet been found. y of a red son of the ~- ,,,- .- -_ ., .. .. ,°ti , ". - '4, page: 16-17[View Page 16-17] IBLACKL RAL' -f II 'What promptedyoyti friehditotleave a place of security, ease and-plenty, for a wild country I like.this? Tyasked;,o e 'day, of youngrDal6. 1 Might ,not p pound the same question to youwith equal propriety?' he replied. ' Quite the reverse,' I answered. .Ihaveno t family; I endanger no person but myself' ndVery true. My father,endangers'a young, a d eautiful girl,' rejoined, Arthur. M:Flora is fair,'. then ?'a 'None fairer or better,' added Dale, earned ly. You.cannot appreciateher until youk4w her. 'Sheis too precious a treasurefto be ez' posed to- te bloodthirsty cruelty of ,the fed denizons of these wilds. I am proud of her, I tminwillirig to own. And why am I proud f her, Seward ?'--.it is not because she isifair and( comely to look upon, but because she isgod,' isa just and praiseworthy. pride' I ;de- joines , 'and does honor to your head 'and heat. Fortunate is the young man who ~has a sister like her you have so eloquently praised.. I knwe#I hall'dream to-nightf of Flora Dale. 'Sweet =be your dreams then,' said Arthur, with a pleasant smile. aviag-digressed thus far by way of intro- du . remarks, I shall begin'Where I left off at tie " le of 'the frst chapter. . hen the body;of the wretched Indian had be swept from sight bythe owing waters, w r~ssed the Fork. We foundArthur still sleeping. Wrapping myselffin my war blanket, soon in a profound slumber. [n the dim visions Qf sleep I stood face to f th the brawny savage; the munie of s e ce more covered my heartr; bis ominous oneione more ;tornyears; and then he l _ if $5 all his. members, and the deadly, . S '" F ae, "' *_ ; Hy night-visions came ; anmong of one Ihad never seon;and seeiiwa 40 others han :Flera)Da aJ 1 di e o la e-I knew ot, but it w s spreanth xand{ the viionlegrp bieis#*ttidsrftil I was sorry with it SBut why shozkl thefaeo and fgr ,of -onerI bad mover looked upoxa come and stand before mean4 give meAsogmuch pleasure. The vision passed, and I was sad, and endeav ored to recall it;p but it came not. Other phanr!. asies followed, and when I awoke I 'was purse- g Black Ralph-4aW most forbidding creature, with=an-aspenesinister, and darker than the chil-'' hin of Ind. . Gilmore was sitting' besideme' smoking his pipe, while Arthur wasbusily-employed in wash' ghis'rifle and wiping it dry. 'A. very fine piece of workmanship is that,' said the'former, rather contemptuously, ' but it has't seen much sarviee, I reckon. I wouldn't give'old Two S/tooter for it arter all's said anal done, nothwithstandin' the silver fixins on the- stock, and all such kind of fancy work.' would here 'remark that. "Two Shooter' was. the trapper's double-barrelled rifle, and, in his' estimnation,-the best in the whole world. Perhaps I shall have an opportunity to prove yet,' said Arthur, good humoredly, whos hap- pened, to hear what was not intended for his 'It wouldn't be -strange if you should, re torted Gilnore, drily. 'A man dont expect to a great 'while among the Ingin varmntsi putsome brushes w em, accordin' to my lition, andIve seen some forty4f ve winters im the course of my nateral life.' 'I don't think you'll find, me craven-hearted in the hour of danger,' replied Dale, still unruf- fled' by the trapper's sarcasm. ' t's rather hard -tellin' what a youngster'll dQ when hehears the red-critters yelling' like mad,' repliedGilmore. 'I knowed, ,achap onea as was about yeorsize that thought it popkbbe oncommou#pleas nt workto fight the varnts; but the fust howl the critters set q6 g"n dhiiarawl uder a-baggage wagon Pe ~apI hall, 'eturne Daledarghing 'What do you tin hIt age1, beingdesireus t h conversation. T E4'R a'!'' ND. 7 It's my opinion that they'd better stayed at I did not think it expedient to continue a St. Louis, where they were safe and sound, an( conversation evidently so painful to the trapper, had enough to eat, drink, and to wear, instead and he smoked out his pipe in silence. of undertaking' to penetrate into ,an unknown After our stomachs were suitably{cared for, country, to encounter unknown dangers and we mounted our horses and continued our jour- hardships. That, I reckon, is putty near what ney upon the river. I think about the matter. I know the 'nateral ' We're gettin' pretty well toward the source silo is good, and game is plenty, but 'taint no of the Red Fork,' said Gilmore. ' We've, left place for females. It's different with men; Fort Mann in our rear, and Bent's Fort is away they can fight, and endure hardship, but women off in that direction. I reckon if there's any as were reared in idleness and "luxury, can't settlement on the Red Fork, we shall find it be. scarcely bear the ieat of the' sun, and are ready fore a great while, for the Upper Spring can't to faint at the sound of a' hunter's rifle;' an- be more nor a 'half day's travel from here. swered Gilmore, puffing industriously at his Rather a dangerous country this, for a small pipe between each period. party of emigrants to settle in. The Cherokees :But do you seriously think that anything and other tribes are often' met with hereabouts, unfortunate has befallen my friends ?' asked and they ain't over and above peaceable in their Dale, eagerly. habits. They ain't to'be trusted under no car- 'The Ingins may have killed 'em, or they cutmnstances whatsoever. A red-skintwill be a may not, accordin' to carcumstances,' added the red-skin, and you can't change him if you try trapper. 'They may have concluded to go far- ever so hard.' other up than they intended in the onset; or the ' Be kind enough to tell me something- more criters may have driven 'em away; it's bard about Black Ralph,' I ,asked, as we picked our tellin', but we must hope for the best.' way along over the rough and broken country. 'Perhaps you never had a daughter?' said Dale. 'Sartain, if it will be any measure to 'y'.y Perhaps not; and perhaps she wasn't car. but I wasn't never good at story-telling. I re- ied away by the varmints when she was five member a little incident that happened about a years old; and perhaps I've never seen her Iear ago. since; and perhaps I didn't mourn for her, and I was trapping on a small ty tary of the travel all over the wide West to find her;- I say Yellow Stone, and had beenpetty successful. perhaps' I had' with me a half-breed critter that had The old trapper paused, looked serious, and made himself useful on many occasions. =Ihired then resumed: him by the 'month, and be had no.other "interest 'Perhaps I didn't love that girl; and perhaps in the business. Well, he used to help we set it; didn't almostbreak myheart to loseheryin th traps, and sometimes used to go i such a way.t lookMt~.em alone.' At-length he Gilmore paused again *his pipe from hi onsteidy' and would be gone a day41 :nouth, and wiped hi the back of hi tine, add couldn't give no satisfactry hand. liimsif. This I didn't like very we=1 'I never heard ct be didn't give me no greataoneasines bee a if fore,' t remarked. "didn't mistrust no treachery. One artetoon,* w it eak on't,' he ree as long towards night, wie ere ettin' tythh 4oo r ho tomyhe'll of our sanp wmokin' ,s iuSthehabit f be wek i she's alive-but doin'. 'All to cd ee d agairi n e a hardthing. fori a Gundred yards from its ihos ad~dereent kee itnu f nil all a1loein" yy; but suchia hie ta en nd~ t~iz page: 18-19[View Page 18-19] 18 BLACK RALPH a common boss-that it wasn't, by no means. It was about twice the size of common anermals of that kind, and black as jet. This tremen- dous critter abot past us like an arrer, with his ears laid back, and his nose thrust for'ard like a reg'lar pinter. When I assart that it war an ugly lookin' beast, I dont express half that 1 raly mean. . But one thing you musn't forget ; the critters feet didn't make no noise, 'and he passed clean by without any sound. That was oncommon ; for the feet of sich a mighty aner- mad ought to make considerable clatterin', if not more. Now I'm a coming' to the toughest part o' the story-the half human varmint that rode him. He was near about as large for a man as thehoss was-for a boss. ,His dress I couldn't very well describe, for he went by, as I was sayin', as if the old Niek had kicked him in eend, and I ain't' by no means surd but he had. He might have been dressed in bar skins, for that matter for he was black and shaggy as a nateral wild beast. Away they swept, hoss and rider, and] didn't see 'em no more, and didn't wish to.. Bu idn't that half creed Ingin indervidooal' tur 'fie about the gills, though? I expected t see h6 sink into the nateral bosom of the sile. 'It' ~tack Ralph !' said he, and went righ into the eap, and didn't show his head agi 'till the next; , and I couldn't git a word ;ou o' him. The fact is, thlt when an Ingin sees Blac Ralph,-he thinks itkwarnin' to him that death I went dereetly to the spot where I kept 'em concealed. The cache was-tore open,:and not a single skin was to be found. I must confess that my onregenerate natur begun to rile up, and I vowed to roller the critter 'till I could- bring old Two Shooter to bear upon him. I'm used to follerin' a trail, and it warn't long afore I was arter him. Well, what do, you think ? I hadn't gone three hundred yards afore I found the varmint, flat on his back, and the peltries layin', beside him. I examined him, and found a sinall hole in the left breast. He was wounded in the heart, and it was the handy-work of BlackRalph. I took up my peltries, and left him there, as I had found him, wonderin' how strangely people would die.sometimes when death seemed a long way off, CHAPTER III. PRAIRIE WOLF. ILMORE had scarcely ceased speaking, I when a large buffalo made his appear- ance, about two hundred yards before us. n The trapper motioned us to stop, and we rein- o ed up instantly. His horse understanding what was recfuired t of him, stood motionless, while 'Two Shooter' n was levelled upon the shaggy front of the un- t tamed forest rover. The whip-like crack went echoing through the woods, and the buffalo, with k a faint bellow of pain, fell down where he had h stood. ain't a great way:off, and will soon be upon him. 'A capital shot r Ten to one if he dent set right down and sing ' I dent call that isdeath song, and git ready for the happy hunt- rather contemptuousl, ° grounds. The half breed went mopin' about four hundred yards m sR; day, hardly stirrin' from camp. The follow- cent kind of 4 y~'day,however, he began to' drink whiskey ; like that at t for, usually-kept soe o' the stuff by me in br tase o' sickness, though the half-breed seldom so )Ou got any of it.I left him in better spirits than usual,=and went to.oekgarter my traps. When uobjen la tihe Frepoh gin indervidooal warn't in'. ends out a .: Q o found. The idee seemed to be withstood or remi 4tk u yr forcibly that it wouldn't be fail. For the last py go and lookc at my pile of"peltries. t have missed my m THE FORE opened to be an Tngin indervidooal, or any kind of a quadruped whatsomever. A great many of, the' copper-colored varmints call me the ' Death Slot,' and allers think it prudent to keep a civil tongue in their heads,:or to keep out of the way when I'm known to be about. They know what to depend on when they par ceive Two Shooter a coming' to my shoulder, and nothin' wont set 'em a howlin' quicker.' 'I am tempted to, call you Never-fail after this,' retorted Dale, smiling. . 'It wouldn't be so bad a name as you might think,' replied the trapper; but my native mod- esty wont permit me to trumpet my own fame. The time may come when I can prove my good qualities by my works, and not be obliged to speak on 'em as I have in this instance.' The buffalo was soon dressed,'and we regaled ourselves upon the flesh; it was the first we had found during our journey up the river, and we did not eat sparingly. Those familiar with Western life know that the hump of a buffalo s a delicious morsel, highly esteemed by the hunter and trapper. While we were roasting it, the delicious odor attracted several smaltk wolves, resembling the prairie wolf, who locked at us most wistfully, occasionally entertaining us with a mournful howl. 'It's gettin' so near night,' said Gilmore, 'I reckon we'd better content ourselves to stay where we are 'till morning . There's nothin' gained by bein' in a great hurry.' This proposal was very agreeable to ie, but to Arthur Dale'it was anything but welcome ; he being desirous to move forward as fast as pos sible, in order to learn something in relation to his friends, on whose account he was hourly growing more uneasy. We heaped up the logs, and when the night set in a cheerful blaze streamed up,"and gave an air of -rude comfort to our lonely camping ground. As we sat by the fire, listening to the tales of Gilmore, we were startled by the sud- den appearance of a stranger. - He proecito. e 'a herokee, whom we had met at Fort Gibson. lie was called Prairie ST FIEND. 19 Wolf, and among his people was a person of some consequence, He and others had been sent to Fort Gibson by his tribe, in order to make some reparation, if possible, for sundry outrages they- had com- mitted at divers times, for which they had good - cause to suppose they should be punished by the whites. How well he had sped on his mis- sion, I knew not ; but it was evident that 'his reception had not been just what he had hoped. He hobbled and turned his horse loose, and seated himself by our fire, with all. the assur- anee characteristic of the race. Gilmore re- ceived him in true Indian style-scarcely no- I ticed him-said not a word. Prairie Wolf helped himself to a liberal slice of buffalo meat, roasted it over the blazing fire, I and truth forces me to say he did ample justice to his name. When this interesting piece of business had been dispatched, Gilmore lighted his pipe, puff- ed a few mouthfulls of the fragrant weed, and passed it to his guest, who followed his example with Indian gravity, and then, in turn, passed it to me ; and so it went around. We felt not a little curious to know why he had followed us; whether he had come alone,. l or if more of his tribe were near. We weirnot kept long in. doubt. Some of his fried s had been slain by the mysterious being cale& Black Ralph. They were found at various times, a short distance from their lodges, with a single wound in the left breast. In some instances others had been near them at the time of their death; but no sound was heard to indicate that - a death wound had been dealt. The victims were seen to leap upward, and then fall lifeless upon the earth. Upon looking hurriedly round fox: the per. petrator of the 'deed, no living being could be discovered. They would holein th region of the heart, and'Xay- djspas, and with dismay upon their _fue s tlork of Black Ralph, the bad fquito of ti:. f . These deaths had been s#be bravest of the braves grew indl RZeltQm te- jected, and took council together in~i org. t44 page: 20-21[View Page 20-21] TILE FOREST FIEND. 21 20 BL CK RALPH vise some means of avenging the death of their warriors. Butall were at a loss. Their enemy was. unseen and unknown. Many of them believed him to be of no mortal origin. All they knew of him was from hearsay, as those who averred they had seen him never lived long afterward to describe his appearance. At last, a few of the most resolute of the tribe had volunteered to go in quest of the mys- terious being so terrible to their race., Prairie Wolf was-of the number who had de- voted themselves to this task. A feast was, made, the war dance danced, and then the avengers bade adieu to their friends, took their muskets; mounted their steeds, andleft the lodg- es of their people. Gilmore:heard this relation in silence, and shook his head gravely when it was .concluded. 'Do-you expect to find. Black Ralph,' he asked, signi lcantly. 'Prairie Wolf is called brave in wa, he an- swered. 'He never turns his back upon the enemy. He never returns to his village with- out the scalps of his enemies to hang up at the door of his lodge.' 'You may be.a great warrior, but I reckon, as how Black Ralph will live longer nor you. Thesame sun as ;will shine upon your dead face, will shine upon that unaccountable Critter a livin' man.' A;slight change passed over the features of the savage, Perhaps to him there was some- thing prophetic in the words of the trapper. 'It.strikes me, red-skin, that you want see the smoke of four wigwam no more. "Sunthin' seem;sto tell:me that the silent steps o' death are arterye. It's my impression the sun wont andre a yethree times afore there'll be a hole ie our left breast, jest over the heart.' PrairieWolf made no reply. It's a proper easytway of gettin' out o' the world,' added Gilmore. 'It's my belief that theatter as.goes under in that say never kw what hrt him-' Teiel tof prairie Wolf is verybig,' said @th Idian, gravely,. 'Not big enough for him you're arter,' re- plied the trapper. ' You'd better pass the night in singin' your death song, or you may, be obleeged to go to the celerbrated huntin'- grounds without it.' Wishing Prairie Wolf pleasant dreams, we stretched ourselves out by the fire, and were soon oblivious in sleep. If I d-eaied that night, by some strange in-, ensisteney I dreamed of Flora Dale, so .much had the glowing words of Arthur impressed me in her favor. We arose with the sun, and pressed forward, momentarily expecting to find the new settle. ment. As we progressed, we found the way more difficult. The river, as we neared -its source, grew narrower, and we were sometimes obliged te deviate from our course, making wide circuits around high bills, which seemed to rise in our pathway continually. On account of these obstacles, we did not travel very fast, and were forced to halt before night ; for both ourselves and beasts were weary. We encamped on a tributary of the Red Fork, where we found{excellent pasturage for the horses. They fell to cropping the soft grass with an earnestness that betokened they had lost nothing of their appetite by hard travelling. As soon as a fire was kindled, I stretched- myself beside it, and slept. I awoke in about an hour, and found my friends busily engaged preparing supper, which in the wilderness is a simple process. The sun went down, and the moon came up. My friends ate in silence, and then sought repose after the day's fatigues. But I did not -feel inclined to slumber. The beauty of the night invited me forth to silent communion with nature. Taking my rifle, I followed the devious wind- ings of the stream. I~s sloping banks were cov- ered with tender verda'e, and its waters had a musical urmur which wooed me on. Sometimes it wound though an open wood land ; sometimes through p thcets ofurze ; and sometimes through delightful mneadows. 'The emigrants should have settled upon this tributary stream.!' I exclaimed, ' and not upon the Red Fork. Here is an excellent soil, rich meadow lands and uplands, to tempt the tillers of the earth.' I had scarcely expressed myself in this man- ner., before Iwas sure, that I heard the barking of a dog. For the first time during my solitary walk, I thought of the adventures of the previous night. I paused, and felt that I'had been imprudent in wandering so far from my companions. The barking continued, and appeared at no great distance. At first I was undecided what to do, whether to go forward, remain perfectly still, or beat a cautious retreat. I might be in the vicinage of an Indian village or encampment, and consequently in a.position of great danger. But this feeling of indecision passed in a mo- ment; I resolved to go forward. I waited un- til the dog had ceased barking, an' then atiously went forward in the direction whence the so~und had proceeded. Before I had advanced ten minutes in this manner, reached a small clearing, and beheld, to my great amazement, some half a dozen cab- ins built of logs. Through the chinks of some} of tbese primitive dwellings, a cheerfl-l light was reflected, while the smoke went curling up fantastically from the roofs. I was about to go forward to learn what kind of a settlement I had found, when a new object of interest diverted me from my purpose. It was a female figure that had suddenly passed before my vision, and riveted my atten- tion. r She stood upon the bank of the stream whose graceful windings I had been following for the last three quarters of an hour. fleF attitude was one of perfect ease and re- pose-gone which lends such unriralled grace to a symmetrical figure. The moonbeams revealed enough of her person and features to assure me, that she was young and exquisitely fair. When the memory of earthly. things fades away, the. emotions of that moment will be the last -to lin- ger. I felt mslthwihng worshipper of a being s. divinely moulded. 'lora Dale!' I said, when I was sufficient- ly calm to do so, aking a step forward.:, The whole attitude of the maiden changed, and she was in the act of flying from me, when I added : 'I bring tidings from your brother.' She turned toward me with surprise depicted upon every feature. ' Be not 'alarmed,' I continued, 'I am the bearer of good news. Your brother is well, and not an b u 's walk from us.' 'You are a stranger,' she replied, timidly, ' but if you bring news from Arthur, you will certainly receive the welcome of a friend.' 'Had I not met your brother, I should nit have known that I now stand in the presence of Flora Dale.' The maiden blushed deeply. ' And d6 you recognize me only fron the pid- ture he has drawn of me ?' she asked. 'Believe me, Miss Dale, I never gazed upon your face before ; but I knew well It could 'ie none other than Flora Dale ; for Arthur has often described you with the eloquence of a lo'r- 'He's a partial brother,' replied Flora, with a smile, 'and I must reprove him for his exaggera- ted notions of my merits. But I have nearly forgotten to extend to you the hospitality of our rude home. Let us hasten to impart the good news to my father and brother.' 'Seek not to detain me, Mifs Dale' Te most acceptable service I can render, will be to return and relieve the anxiety of Arthur in e.. gard to your safety.' ' It is not strange that he should fave isiv- ings in relation to us. It is a rough and" dahi- gerous country we have traversed, andiwe do not by any means -dwell in security; There is not an hour in the day when we can go forthin perfect safety. The red men are continuafy hovering about us, ready to, pillage and to slay. Several of our numbers have already'felt ;heir power, and their faces will be seen. no mWre among us. The hills, and woods, and streanie, are pleasant to look upon, hut we cannot pos- sess them in safety.' page: 22-23[View Page 22-23] 22 BLACK RALPH THE FOREST FIEND. 28 I feared as much,' I replied. ' You are too near the Cherokees.' 'Much toe near,' returned Flora. They say the country is all theirs, and we have no right to make settlements upon it. The eon- sequeces are what I have said-a continued fear o pillage and bloodshed, and in fact, of ut- ter extermination.' 'ourfaer must forego his purpose of be- co kwoodsman, and return to the hab- tatio s '+Qf ejilized men. at he says he will not do, while he has a weapon to wear, and an arm to wield it. Many are the sanguinary encounters he has had with the Indiana, Nothing daunts him, and he re- gards the whole red race with the deepest ha- tred.' 'Icannot say that I differ from him in that respect. I never could breathe freely where there was;an Indian. For the life of me I can- not help feeling that a savage is lawful game ; as much so as the wild wolf, the bear, or the buffalo. It is no credit to the dictates of my hears, when I say that I never behold a red mat without the desire to shoot him down as I would some hurtful beast. When I confess that I hate them, I do not express a tithe of the bitter enmity I feel for that race of painted fiends called Indians.' I observed that Flora gazed intently into my face as Ispoke, and instinctively shrank from me as she beheld its changed and fierce expres- lion. Such a feeling is dreadful,!' she exclaimed You are but too much like my father. Oh why should man burn with such,.bitter hatred towards his fellow man.'. Pardon me,' I said, with sonie asperity, 'I do t call Indians my fellow men. They are demons in human forms, knowing neither rier- ty, magnanimity, or one of the softer and better mpulses that sway the bosom of a white mari I have not spared them, neither shall I wheni dthey cross my path.' Again Flora shrank from me, and shuddered at the expression which my previously tranquil features had assumed. 'But,' I immediately added, with a smile, 'I must away to Arthur to be the bearer of wel- come news.' Bowing respectfully, I turned and hurried away, with my heart full of Flora Dale. I had walked over that same ground a few minutes before, with only a few indistinct and half remembered dreams of her; but now I saw nothing save her bright image. It is time that the reader should know that I am, and ever was, a creature of impulse. My great fault is, and has been, that I go to extremes in all things, and know no middle course. My dislikes are not simply dislikes, but absolute hatreds. My resentments are not merely resentments, but perfect madness. My passions have never been conquered by. whole- some self-restraint. I have from childhood known no master but myself, and only thetvo . extremes of .love and hatred. There are tips when I regret this peculiarity most deeply ; but I cannot conquer it-it was the fault ofmy youth and must be the fault of my manhood. The reader will not be much surprised after this confession, that I left Flora as deeply in love as it was possible for a man to be at first sight. She was the same I had seen in my dreams ; and it was by my dreams that I knew her, and not by Arthur's description, as I had said. Yes, I loved' Flora Dale--loved her as I believed no other living man could love. Every- feature of her face; every intonation of her voice ; every look ; every gesture ; all her di- vine symmetry of form, was indelibly impressed upon my soul: never to fade, never to grow less distinct ; never to become less divine and glori, ous. I was an idolator-I worshipped--I a- dored, and asked for no fairer or better divinity. You may call this madness; you may call it wronging my Maker ; but Icould not help it; it was so, and as it was, so I relate it, with- out shame or prevarication. C II A P T E R I V. hatchet was glancing about my head in all diree THE RIDE OF DEATH. tions. . S I walked on I heeded not whither I f I pressed suddenly upon him with the in- went. Unconsciously I wandered from tention of crushing his skull at a blow, he as the stream until its murmurs were heard suddenly jumped aside or retreated, and I beat no more. The true guide to my friends was the air only. - lost; but I knew it not. - I kept on, with my Thus the contest lasted for three quarters of thoughts still clustering about the image of an hour, probably, and I had gained nothing. Flora Dale. The blood was flowing freely from my side, I traversed many acres of tangled wild-wood; while my face was bathed with prespiration, and of upland and lowland, until I was completely my lips were covered with foam, like the mouth bewildered amid a labarynth of hills. , I rubbed of an over-ridden horse. my eyes like a person awaking from a dream, I perceived with joy that the savage was grow- and looking at the moon, perceived that I had ing weary of his motions, and began to breathe travelled an hour longer than would have suf- bard, and give other indications of exhaustion. ficed to take me to my friends. While exulting in this thought, his hatchet fell I listened to catch the sounds of the stream upon the three last fingers of the left band, and which I had wandered from, but its murmur nearly severed them. was lost in the distance. I changed my course, The pain of this infliction I did notheed, and and went forward,,reproaching myself for my indeed did not feel it; but it inflamed me to carelessness, and impatient of the delay thus the highest possible pitch of fury. I gnashed occasioned. my teeth with rage, and with a terrific cry and As I urged my way through a thicket of low a sudden bound closed in with him despite his pines, I came suddenly into an open space weapon, and all his activity. where a small fire was blazing. The sound of He- was a strong powerful Indian, and it cost my coming awakened one who slept beside it, me a fierce and bloody struggle to conquer him. It was an Indian. He sprang to his feet, pre. At length I lifted him from the ground in my sented his gun and fired before I had become arms, and fell upon him with my whole weight. fully conscious of my position. When he dis- The fall knocked the breath from his body charged his piece I felt a sharp pain in my left and for a time he lay whplly stunned and sense- side, and recoiled a step, but recovered my less. I placed my knees upon his broad chest, presence of mind immediately, and with my knife cut my deer skin hunting Perceiving that I did not fall, he rushed upon frock into strips. With these I bound his wrists me with uplifted hatchet to finish his bloody firmly together, and then his feet; and those work. . thongs were not drawn lightly, for they raised All the dark passions of my soul arose within the veins like whip cords in a moment me on the instant, and nerved my arm with a This done I arose from his chest, and respira- giant's strength. tion began to go on once more with difficulty, With ,my rifle I 'warded off the blow, and and slowly. aimed another at his head, but with cat-like I paused to consider the best mode of von- agility he leaped aside and baffled me. geance. At a short distance I beheld the In- I now pressed upon him, dealing him blow dian's horse. -A horrible idea flashed in upon after blow, which he as often evaded, until I my hot and excited brain. wras 'half fasntio with a- wa hlffrntc it rge. I had read the poem of Mazeppa and his fear-- buring this time the savage was uttering the ful ride, and [ resolved with dfemoni~ exulta- most frightful ,yells to intimidate me, and his tion that my conquered foe should sharebIdafto. 23 page: 24-25[View Page 24-25] 24 BLACK RALPH I acted upon the idea as suddenly as it had Do not despise me, reader ; because I have been nceived. tIna moment the horse stood told you of such a deed. If I go to extremes in readyirmyv purpose, and a large and smooth cruelty, remember that my soul may also be easily limbed beast he was. I raised the wretched swayed, to acts of mercy. He who is more cruel savage, and with scarcely an effort placed him than the graven moments of anger,may be gentle uponthe back of the animal ; then with the as the lamb in moments of calmness and kindness. thongs I had cut, I lashed him there with hell- Judge me not then, 'fellow mortal, till you ish ingeniousness. That task completed not a know me better. If I confess to you my evil limb could move, and there was not a remote deeds, I will not scruple to relate also the re- possibility that he could by any means freehim. deemingacts of my life. Were I like most oth- self from his horrible position. er men, I should have nothing to write, and Gradually the consciousness of the savage re- these chapters would not be before you. turned, and in mute despair he abandoned him- When the horse and themiserable victim of self to his fate. m rage which he bore, had swept from my My work was not yet done. I saw a stick my r I endeavored to retrace my way to il- of pitch pine blazing upon the fire. With the vie ndArIe t rwas more fortunate Indian's hatchet I split it into small pieces, and than I expected o be. A walk of three qua- fastena.cl 4tbea upon the horse's' mane, tail and ter of an hour to be to the stream I had sides 1 skill worthy of a better cause. Nor. ter f an the to of stsewatersa didmy prrblecrult stp hre.,1 huderwandered from, and the murmur of its waters did mnyhprrible cruelty stop here. . I shdd sounded plaanl n my cars.. In a short while I' tell, m heart sickens when I recall it.sone pleasantly imy er. I hr wyn fiama time Ireached the camping ground of my friends, thrut sundry splinters of the highly fama-the herald of good news to Arthur. ble materialtinto the flesh of the hopeless savage. My next care was to set them all on fire, as Awaking him from a sound sleep, I related and that was all that had transpired connected with my meet- the reader. has already anticipated ;adtaa ngwt lr.- , right speedily accomplished. should recoise her WitW , a terrific snort, and with an eye as fiery 'very, singular that you shouldrcgniee aith a teficorod ithe horse dashed mad- from such a meagre description as I gave you.' lyawa bearing his death doomed burden. dAs 'Not at all,' I replied. 'You described her he was borne from me like the wind, one cry of as the loveliest of girls, and as the lovliest of bitter hate, defiance and despair, was wafted to girls=I recognised her.' my ears fromthe track of his flight. Iran shout- Arthur smiled. n ing to the top of the nearest eminence to see 'Did yo tarry long?' t ie i e him o famin upn hs corse an thepith- I did not see her more than fifteen minutes, himogo fb ained uponvely d marked the wayp of not wishing to cheat you out of the good tidings the Idian's last ride, with a red stream of fire. a moment longer than t necessary.' I watched the meteor-like blaze, as it sped on' y d like lightning; and yelled till I was hoarse; but and now the night y far ned.' in a moment or two the darkness closed in upon dI know it, I lost my way on my return,' I the track of the maddened horse and wretched answered -rider. As I replied, . I heaped more fuel upon the id no relenting did not fire, and a bright blaze streamed up, revealing heart shrink within you at that sight? y y features and person. heart h nrekaweth yo fet notha m s h k- A rthur started with an exclam ation of alarm . Nsorthleninoder, I felt norelmorse, noshr 'Good Heavens, Seward hat is the matter? ands nthenaGkos thoe ken I fltrthem, Your face is haggard and fightful, and your and cursed my perverted nature. person is covered wit -lo. THE FOREST FIEND. 25 ' I have had an encounter with a red devil,' I replied. 'Your features are dreadfully pale and savage in their expression. One might believe that all the dark passions of our nature were strug- gling for utterance. My dear Seward strive to look more like a christian man.' I attempted to laugh at his astonishment, but it sounded unnatural even to myself. You are wounded ; sit down and let me ex- amine your injuries. - I have some skill in sur- gery,' added Arthur. I obeyed him mechanically, and he dressed my hand first. 'There is a slight scratch upon my side, I believe,' I said when that part of his ta#k was done. lie now noticed for the first time that my hunting shirt was gone. 'You have had a narrow escape,' he con- tinued. 'See ! the shot has carried away a por- tion of your vest, and passed close to the ribs, but fortunately there is nothing serious about the wound. Tell me all concerning the adven- ture.' No, Arthur, I cannot now. I beg you will excuse me. The subject is painful. The fact is I have been angry, mad, if you will; it may be that I have been cruel, more cruel than death itself. 1 begin to be myself again. 'Do not question me. There are things that had better be forgotten, than remembered, or if not known, had better remain hidden forever.' 'I have been blind,'returned Arthur. 'I have seen hitherto only half of your character-per- haps the better half. Your features when at rest, give no indication of your darker moods. I have beheld only the lamb, while the lion has dept.' True, Arthur,' I answered, you are right. You have not seen my whole nature convulsed with passion, and I devoutly hope you never may.,, But the storm passes quickly away, and leaves me as I feel that it will now, penitent,I ieniorseful, and dejected. But do not condemn me; suspend your judgment until you know me still better, [ ask ino inore.' 'I judge you not-I condemn you not-for what have I seen or known to condemn. Your face a moment ago told me that something fright- ful had transpired,:more than that I do not com- prehend, and at present I will not question you ; but I warn you, Seward, and hope it will prove a timely warning, that if you would be happy in life, govern these terrible outbursts of passion that they may not lead to acts of savage cruel- ty. During this conversation, Gilmore and Prairie Wolf, lay sleeping by the fire.' The latter for some reason unknown, had not left us for an hour since the moment of his first. appearance. His deportment had been very grave, as'though his mind was deeply occupied with important subjects. Of the mysterious personage known as Black Ralph, he had said not ' the night of his advent among us. We awoke Gilmore, and we ted and on our way,' accompanied h .ad, venturer, towards whom my , fee .°d not been very friendly, as the reader may suppose. We reached the new. settlement after a-short and silent ride, and I had the pleasure of gazing once more upon the fair face of; Flora Dale. The fierce excitement had passed away from myl countenance, and given place to an expres- sion of moody sadness. I- Eaw Flora'turn pale while Arthur recounted what he knew in rela- tion to my recontre with the savage. 'What would be the feelings of thatyoung girl towards me, if she knew what a demon slept within me ?' I asked of myself, with a heart full of misgiving. How would she ,regard me if the deeds.of this night only were hon. I turned from her with a sigh of regret. I felt that I had forfeited all claims to the ove of wo, man. Had the wanton barbarity of this night been the only deed of wickedness I had commit there might be a hope of pardon and amend' rent, t, added, 'but alas, whole life has been blotted with acta isee. Thrmore I azed updx he featufes of Flra; the more I' listened to' her voide fthe nrt I studis~d the graces of herini; thme norfdel page: 26-27[View Page 26-27] 26 BLACK RALPH within the pleasant light of her eyes, the more Flora. I feared she might read my thoughts, deeply I became enamored. 4 Happy Arthur,'I behold in me the monster that I really was, and thought, 'to be loved by such a being.' despise me as I deserved to be despised. I About ten o'clock the following day while I thought to myself while I stood alone there that was visiting the different cabins composing the I would wander away into the, wilderness and new settlement, I beheld Prairie Wolf sitting hide myself forever. Who would miss me, who* upon a"log at a short distance,. howling most would care if I should. My friends, what few dolefully. I had, dwelt in another country. My mother 'Tey. -itra Blck ah' said slept with the sleepers that wake not. My The critter has seen Back aph, sal ahrIhdneePenh addsre e Gilmore, who joined me at that moment, 'and I had never seen; he had deserted me he's singin' his death song. He's bound for the when a child-a helpless child, with no one to hunting' grounds of his people.' care for me-to 'rejoice if 1 lived, or to lament *Has he really seen him I' I asked, eagerly, if I died. Grown to manhood full of evil pas- for my curiosity was getting strangely excited sions, with no one to love me, no wonder I in relation to this unknown and dreaded being. deemed the wilderness a fitting home. tIt's my belief that that Ingin individooal I stretched forth my arms to the woods: 'My has k'Ralph as much as any critter home shall be beneath the shade of your trees r' +eve ing, replied, Gilmore. 'He I exclaimed. 'The game that runs wild there eo n' better than sing his death shall be my food. I shall not want.' son e a hole in his left breast afore I paused and looked upon the earth You the wo ree days older. Mark what I shall receive my ashes when I die Wide shall say and don't forget it.' be my grave, hollowed by no human hand.' =It cannot be possible. You are supersti- I stretched my hand to the skies, and turned Gilor. anot fr he life of mbe tjousGilmore. I cannot, for ie o me, e- my eyes thither: 'You shall receive my erring lieve much in this evil genius of the red men. soul when I assume a new form of existence, No, no, old friend ; people cannot fall down and I will find rest among your stars ' and die without a cause rAs I finished speaking I beheld a fgure stand- Of course not, and I dont say they can.. Ain shed speig It ha fiure stand- say there is acause of their fallin' down in sieh ing at the foot of the hill. It was Prairie Wolf. a- suddene 'w acandutecitrHe stood in a thoughtful attitude ; his left hand a sudden ,way, and the critter I have mentioned la pno hebridle e f hishore'wie n is that cause, and nothin' else under the canerpy la po dre '~ the right he held his nife-. of, the Heavens as shines over our heads., I ie told you that that onhappy varmint sittin' on He was gazing intently at the gloriousWest, thatkgthereWill be but a eaas if wondering whether the happy hunting grounds were there. asheafore the airth has been lighted by three more sus. I don't retract. I am willin' to re- Though a savage, and the victim of my dis- peat it any number of times. like, I fancied I could observe something like I smiled incredulously, and passed on. humanity struggling up into his swarthy face as if to tell of a soul within. Yes, even through LA _ T E V.the dark cloid of prejudice that covered my IsightI.saw as much as this, andecould'nothelp THE DEATHDANcE. confessg it. BOUT gfouroadloek of the san e day I airie Wolfturned him from the West to stod extjhe sunnit of a shill in the vi- the soth, and lifting his left hiana from the oist- f the :settlement. -I had gone bridle, pointed witli his finger. I apgroached ghtbhe, aloe, for, my heart ws him softly that I might hea h1 wods.' le ~torn wth remorse, and I felt unfit to be near spoke in the Chrkelangua . 7 THE ! FOREST FIEND. 2. 'They say that yonder is the path that leads in the left breast; some deadly thing had enter. to the land of souls; but the West looks more ed his heart. glorious when the sun is there, and methinks it The horse bent his head over the body of his might be easy to find the way. The soul master, snuffed the air, and uttered low, mour 1 must be a shadow, and the happy hunting ful neighs, as of grief. I was, touched in spite grounds must be a world. of shadows. They of myself. 'This poor Indian has made his say there are trees and flowers there; and those horse his friend,' I said musingly. 'Poor are shadows also. They sayathere are broad wretch ! you desired a horse to ride-I will send rivers, and bright canoes to flat upon them, your faithful steed after yo .' and they are alike shadows. They say there I drew a pistol from my belt, and was about are beautiful -singing birds there, and they are to shoot the animal through the head, when I shadows like the rest. heard the voice of Gilmore, saying: They say the men there are brave, and the 'Hold ! the horse is a good one, and yours is women beautiful; but they are shadows all. Yet lame. Don't harm him, he may be saryiceable.' all these are as real as though they were not 'As you will,' Ianswered, and repJace 4the shadows ; and they are eternal also. Strange weapon in my belt. that shadows should be real and eternal. Who Gilnore looked thoughtfully at the body of knows all this ? Hark! I hear a whisper; it is Prairie- Wolf. the whisper of my heart, and it tells me all this 'I told you it would be so,' he 4 hen is true. the critter is once seen, they can't eva e him.- And what is death ; is that a shadow also.- They go out and don't return no more. There's Yes, a very dark and dreadful shadow ; dark a heap o' mystery about it. The varmint lays even to the bravest warrior. But why do I there on his back. The question is what laii think of these things. Why do I talk of the him there. Nobody knows; be fell down- all world of shadows, and the shadow of death.- of a sudden. There is a hole in his breast; Hark ! once mere I hear another whisper;- this what made it ? Nobody knows that either- time it is not from my heart, it is not from my They say it is the work of Black Ralph; but head ; it seems like the, voice of 'Monedo him who is he ? that's the mystery of it; nobody self. It says the summers and the winters of knows. I've had my say and have done ; now thy life time are counted, and the path to the I am ready to go, for I don't like to look at land of s uls is open. The days of Prairie that critter as he lays there so nuch like coi- Wolf areffilled, and his shout shall be heard mon airth. no more in battle-.Minno, Monedo ! The Gilmore took the horse of Prairie:Weof bly the spirit of thy red child is ready.' bridle, and we turned slowly and thought- Prairie Wolf paused. He laid his hand once ly rom the spot. I mused as i w ralked=(h more upon the arching nek of his steed; he death, how suddenly thou comes stroked his mane and looked into his eyesas if . When we reacthe g settle ent e on wd bidding him farewell. .itthe scene of the-greatest.excite nd alarm. Flora had gone forth as usual,'n a 'I am going to the hunting grounds, and I nora A shall need a horse to ride,' e added;' a horse n te rthur was out in pu io feet of' foot, for the hunters there' ride faster elder Dale was putting. his long rifle it The India trn no order, and making other preparations togoon '.te ndin urnd uddnl frm he h e trai, ?rdia ghis wor t life a +a ol d e - i ' 'respiled -atid fell.I' r to him, reaized. K ,Fs ' bent over him, raised him up; but he was dead S r fkins from his chest anl thefl soea u to i mark ~t~ak Iph was indeed tliere.'.a hole of Floars dumb page: 28-29 (Illustration) [View Page 28-29 (Illustration) ] 'They have carried her away,' he said sternly, I I am used to the critters, and I dont advise 'and I shall not rest till I find her. I will fol- you only for the best, because as I know the low them to'the last-I will wash out! the inju- feelings of a father.' ry in blood. What can daunt me? What shall --' Your advice is good,' replied Dale. 'I change my purpose ? Who shall bid me turn am not without experience in these matters , for tack? Do not speak to me ; do not seek to since our sojourn here, we have been continu- detain me a moment, for the moments are pre= ally beset by the savages, and have learned cious. They are bearing my child away-; but t something of their ways. What would you rec- will dog them like the -footsteps of death.' commend us to do ?' I said no more, for I knew that all words 'Follow on foot, by all means, and push wete useless-that action was needed. arter them night and day. When the trail is Of my own emotions I will say nothing. ,Suf. once discovered, I- am the man asI will go with ice it that I felt rising within me all the indig- you; and it's my crpinion that Two Shooter 'll nation, mingled with alarm that I was capable see some sarvice afore we get back agin to this ef feeling. jsprinklin' of a settlement Death to the critter Flora, the idol I had so recently set up in that this bit of iron looks in the face ; and there y ha to worship, was taken from us by a aint't nothin' surer. When you're ready, say the ruthl fd.;and that was enough to inflame-{ word, and I'm on the trail ; and you can't say = and make me eager foi pursuit. I it too soon; for my huntis' blood is up, and I laid hand gently upon the 'arm of Dale. feel it fermentin' in me like sonethin' hot and Old man , I said, ' your arm is getting uncomfortable. I'm gettin' rilcd up clear from Feeble, but nine is strong, I will go with you the bottom of my onregenerate natur'.' all that is sacred, I will not leave you until 'Lead the way,' said Dale, hoarsly; lead ' °i restored to your arms, or her death be the way, and we follow; but for God's sake bitterly avenged ee ! I am ready ; let us hurry. Dont delay ; remember that it is Flora way to the woods.A I am yours for the rescue, that we seek.' more than yours for vengeance' ' I could'nt forget arter seem' her once,' re- Dale Vaused and looked steadily at me. 'Yes, plied Gilmore, shouldering Two Shooter. 'She's ouare pg man, he said, in a low determined the fairest gal the sun ever looked on, and the voice. the one I should have chosen sight-of her has done my old eyes good.' thei The I sh om aethni Byts from ah °li men. There is something in Bylthis time the whole settlement was gathered y ogthat uits me; it's devilish, but I like about us,' men, women, and children. The men were eager for pursuit'; but prudence re- .that moment Arthur mfde his apearance quired that they should:stay at home, totguard "breathlesswith exertion, an&black withdismay. the helpless ones that looked to them; for pro - i1e's gone, he articulated, with difficulty.' tection.' . Reuben Dale the youngest son, tar- The red ljounds have dragged her away. Let ried with :the others, for ho was dot practiced s arm, and away in pursuit. in Indian warfare, and could be wore useful e not too hasty,' said Gilmore. 'All must at the settlement itn case of an attack. p; } 4ene with caution, or there wont be nothin' 'Four is enough,' said Gilmore, 'and pe ood 'cie, of it. It wont hoto pursue an In- haps one too many,' he added, in a lower it;of you would a Buffalo. The minit they vice, know you're on their trail, they~begin to play All being ready, Arthur guided us to the Lthe evSlt. re ngth dent do ; it want's cunnin'. spot where Florftwaslast seen. t ust hodone y stratagem. We must ' The critters .have beeti erej!' gxclaimed follow thorn as the cunnin' eatamount somxneimes Gihnore. . Therea where 4y trod down the follows his prey ; silently, cautiously, yet swiftly grass; and there's the print of' a moccassin in the PORTRAIT OF FLORA DALE. ' v7'$ R I3LA K EAiJi fl 28 page: 30-31[View Page 30-31] THE FORE I soft earth. Come on'; they have gone this way. Here is a limb broke off. She did it with her. own fair fingers, I'll be bound. And see here's sumuthin' more ; it's the band she tied up her glossy black hair with, she threw it down most likely that we might track her by it. -I shant foller this trail long you may depend on't. I shall find out what the critters are drivin' at soon, or my name ain't Gilmore. When I can judge pretty well of the gineral direction of the varmints, I shall go arter them in a straight line, and strike the trail, it may be many long miles froi this. An hour's travel will tell me which way they mean to steer.' It was now night, Gilmore strode on before us like a tall, daik spectre. Well acquainted with Indian wiles and Indian warfare, it cost him but little trouble to follow the trail. For an hour or more we followed his gliding move- ments, without uttering a word. 'I know what I'm about now,' said the trap- per. - Their course is towards Canadian River ; we'll take the shortest way, and may be able perhaps, to cut them off afore mornin'. It's the Cherokee's we're arter, or I' dont know much about Ingins.' We took the advice of Gilmore and pressed forward as fast as our limbs could bear us. I felt no fatigue,'no fear-of danger ; I thought of Flora only ; and that thought gave me strength. Poor Arthur suffered much fear and anxiety, and was deeply impatient for the time to couie, when he could strike a blow for his beloved sister. There was not a heart among us that did not burn to avenge the wrong of Flora. At break of day, much to our satisfaction, we came upon the trail once more ; after following it for a time, we found two trails diverging widely. We made a short halt to determine what course to pursue. At length it was decided that Gilmore and myself should take the lefand each party press forward with 1ll has i au on. We did so, and our companions :e soon lost to view. We kept the trail unil Iear noon when we reached Canadiae River-, where it seemed to 'terminate and baffe us. U p .ST FIEND. 81 ' Shall we cross ?' I asked.' Gilmore shook his head dubiously. They cant be a long way off,' he said, 'and its hard to tell which will be the safest side of the river. It seems to me there's some devil- try afloat, and we can't be two cautious'; throw yourself down here in the bushes and I'll go for'ard and reconnoitre. If I dont return in an hour, you may set me down among the lost ones.' Somewhat reluctantly I laid myself down upon the ground, and saw Gilmore glide swiftly yet softly away. One may be impatient for the lingering steps of his swe-etheart ; he may be impatient for his wedding night ; he may be impatient under the lash, or the surgeon's knife ; he may be impa- tient to meet his enemy,,in deadly combat; but not more impatient than was I as I lay prone upon the earth, awaiting the return of Gilmore. In moments and under circumstances like those, how inaction preys upon the heart, and. stings it into madness. How terrible.it is for the bold, daring man to lie'still, while the be- loved of his soul is in danger. To amuse myself I counted the birds as they flew over ; I watched the sun as it went on at a snail's pace, and wondered if some modern Joshua had not commanded it to stand still: I watched a limb, broken partly from the top of a sturdy sycamore, as it swayed to and fro with a mournful creaking sound, and asked my heart if it were not a requiem for Flora. I gazed at the clouds that floated across the skies, and thought that all human hopes were like them [saw the branches moving softly in the gentle breezes, and wished that no ruder winds might blow upon Flora. Had my life depended upon it, I could have lain there no longer. I sprang to my feet, 'hot and feverish, with impatience. .Iknew that an hour must have elapsed since Gilmore leffi e '['he position of the sun assured me that ,it.ust be so ; although it appeared like °the Iong hours to my anxious mind. I felt loth to leave the spot at once, so I paced back and forth a quarter of an hour long. er; as near as I could judge of' time. page: 32-33[View Page 32-33] 32 BLACK RALPH I will follow him,' I said, mentally, if it be I to death. I will never forsake a brave man.' Though I felt uneasy at the stay of Gilmore, yet I did not really believe that any harm had befallen him I knew him to be brave, cautious, intrepid, and more than a match for two Indians. I walked rapidly forward. When I had gone about a hundred and fifty yards, I found the river made an abrupt bend to the right. In- stead of following 'upoy the bank, I kept a straight onward course; I was soon made con- scious that I was in a dangerous neighborhood ; foV I saw the imprint of Indian feet, and beheld at a short distance the smoke -of many fires. My heart fluctuated between hope and fear-a hope that I was near Flora, a fear of the worst. I advanced with more caution. With the power of a strong will, I hushed the tumultuous beatings of my pulse, grew cooler, and firmer as I neared the place of danger. I was soon near enough to hear the sound of savage merri- nerit ; -and finally to look down upon the fires of a large body of Cherokees.. The cause of their fiendish exultation was soon apparent. I beheld Gilmore lashed firm- ly to a tree, stripped to the skin,=while his cap- tors were 'busily piling fagots about him. My heart sank within me, and my brain grew dizzy with the sight. For a moment I leaned against a tree, for support, and fervently wished the earth might open at my feet and receivee me. To save Gilmore semed impossible ; toleave 'him seemed cruel; to stay and witness his tor- tures I could not What then could I do? I could not go for assistance ; for before my re- turn the awful tragedy would be completed. But the savages appeared in no great hurry to dispatch their prisoner. The faggots were not placed against him, but at-the distance of two paces, in order that his deathstruggle might edengthened out as much as possible. The trapper bore himself bravely ; as yet I had' heard im utter no words eof complaint or entreaties fornmercy. I1 sawthim look wistfully at Two Shooter, as it leaned against a tree. Doubtless he thought of the many times it had} proved his friend, and longed for another oppor- tunity to face his foes with it. At a short distance from the trapper, I saw another scene. Some savages vere howling bit- 1 terly over the bodies of two of their warriors ; that was the work of Gilmore. In vain I look; ed for some signs of Flora ; I could see noth- ing of her. The preparations for torture were now com- pleted. A horribly bedeviled savage taught a burning torch from the fire, and , deliberately placed it to the breast of Gilmore ; a dark itchy smoke curled upward. My temper could bear no more. I feltt every drop of blood boiling within me. Without a moment's hesitation I raised my rifle, took de-. liberate aim and fired. The exultant smile faded from the grim lips of the Cherokee ; and his tongue never uttered war-whoop more. He fell across the pile of faggots, and the burning torch fell blazing upon his own lifeless breast A smile of triumph flitted across the lips of Gilmiore, for he recognised the well- know;- crack of my rifle;. but that expression gav lace to one of alarm, and he cried out at th top of his voice. 'Save yourself, Seward, for God's sake save yourself Care not for me.' The warning came too late, even had I been disposed to profit by it. Before a.'minute had elapsed, I was completely surrounded, and the- hope of escape cut off. I placed my back against a tree and fought desperately with my clubbed rifle. I prostrated several, and shot two with my pistol before11 was overpowered. I was at length knocked down by a blow upon the head; but I made resistance even after I was down, fighting with my hunting knife, and dealing some fatal wounds. Human effort could do no more.. I was firmly secured and soon stood beside Gilmore, a can- didate for the same fate. While I stood there sufeii the taunts and abuse of my captors, an Indian, who seemed to be wounded, slowly, and with much difficulty approached. TIE FORE. The moment my, eyes fell upon him, I fel my heart sinking within me, for it was the very same [ had lashed upon the horse, and sent flaming away, as I supposed, rpon the long rids of death. .The recognition was mutual. A yel of unearthly triumph burst from his lips, t shadow forth, if possible, some faint portion o the overpowering joy and triumph of the mo ment He advanced grinning, like a fiend, spat in my face, struck me upon the mouth and breast and expressed his malignity in various ways. ,He then turned to the others, talked a long time, pointing at me with frantic gestures. A long shout of approval followed his harangue, which was repeated, apparently by every squaw in the camp. 'lHe's tellin' them about sunthin' you've done,' said Gilmore, 'the critters are gettin' oncommon savage. Our wanderin's together are putty nigh ended, and we shall go on our last journey together to-day. But dont be down-hearted about it, my boy.; they can't make it last more nor a few hours at the most ; it's best to die game, and let the varmints know we've got some o' the- rale stuff in us. You tipped the critter over handsum and no mistake; it did me good to see him go under in sich an onexpected manner; but I'm sorry for you, boy --sorry for you!l' 'It can't be helped now, old friend,' I an- swered, ' As you say it will soon be all over ; and our ashes will be given to the winds to toy with. Well, let it be so; it may be as well in the end, we can't die but once, and who knows but we may be better off . Gilmore turned his face inquiringly to mine. The light winds from the West played with the scattering grey hairs upon his temple ; a tear stood in each eye, but a faint smile was discerna- ble upon his lips. You talk like a brave man,' he said, and may God give you his blessin' as I do mine. We shalt have a hard time on't for the next few hours ; but I hope Heaven wont quite desart us, though we're but sinful. men at the best. Dont look at the critters ; they're preparin' their s ' FIEND. 33 It worst tortures for you, and it will be terrible y for nothing' but flesh and blood to bear.' t 'I deserve it in some sort,' I replied, for I e have meted it out to others, and "now just Heav- I en returns it to me in full measure. I have o been a hard, passionate man, Gilmore, and I f am hardly fit to die; but I will strive to hear - it. May God be more merciful than I have been.' ' Even so, and the old trapper's prayer goes t with yours. Bat look, Seward, they're bringin' pitch-wood and splittin' it into small pikes ; I told you the devil was in them. Perhaps you don't know what them are for; but you'll know soon enough.' 'They are to ornament our flesh with,' I re- plied. 'May lightnin' blast them !' exclaimed Gil- more, 'They a going' to truss you up like a goose for a roast.' I was divested of clothing and bound to the tree to which Gilmore was lashed. The faggots which were already heaped, were removed a pace, farther from us, in order that our tortures might be protracted to the last moment. The Indian who had escaped the horrible death to which I had doomed him in the hour of my frantic madness, was most busy of all. The task of putting us to death, seemed by com- mon consent given into his hands. He ordered everything-the arrangements of the dry sticks-the manner of securing us- the preparing of the inflamable wood, and in short the exact mode in which the infernal rites should proceed. lie was careful that the Pitch- pine should b properly split, of the best quali- ty, and abtindatit in quantity.' I served with a shuddtibat several fires were to delighted, before the erdrionies would be ended; and our sufferings cease , The indians iow formed"a circle around us, and the death dance commenced. Even now a horrible faintness creeps over me whna I recall that scene.- The air was rent with yelle, which fournds a thousand distant echoes amid the surrondn hills. in page: 34-35[View Page 34-35] 84 BLACK RALPH The women and children caught up the bur- den of that satanic song of triumph, and made it many times more dreadful. Who can describe such orgies? No person living ; it surpasses the power of human de- scription. They leaped about like drunken devils; they threw themselves into all manner of uncouth shapes; they gnashed their teeth, and foamed at the mouth. Then a warrior would dance up to us' tell us what he had done, and what he would do, call us cowards, squaws,shake his hatchet in our faces, and retire greatly sat- isfied with what he had done ; and so the rites proceeded. At length all was ready for the torture. The same savage that 1 have before called attention, to, approached me with his hunting knife. 'White men die like women,' he said, in his own tongue. ' They have no courage ; but In- dians die like men.' Another Indian followed, bearing a bundle of inflarablo wood. The savage grasped my left arm with his thumb and fingers and raised the :skin; looking steadily into my eyes to see if I inched, he thrust his knife slowly through that portion which he held. The pain of the inflic- tion was considerable, but I uttered no cry. Through the opening which he had made in my flesh, with no gentle hand, he forced one of the pieces of piteh-wood. The savage'spectators shouted in concert, and the operator proceeded with his work. I shut my eyes and commended myself to While he was inserting the knife for the third time into my arm, I heard a yell of consterna- tion from the Indians,and opening my eyes in sur- prise, beheld them flying in all directions, while one of their number lay dead, apparently, within the area of the" circle. I have alluded casually to an abrupt bend in the river ; at it swept back again to resume its general direction, it passed between two mighty, ledges, some fifty feet high, which arched over until they nearly spanned it like a bridge, form- ing a frightful chasm about .fifteen feet wide at the top, and the width of the streamn below. Directly over this abyss, through which the waters went roaring and tumbling-and casting up foam, I beheld in mid-air, a horse and rider of gigantic size. It was but a moment that I beheld them, for the twain flew over the chasm and landed safely upon the other side, before my lips could utter an exclamation of astonish- ment. It was right gallantly achieved, and when my tongue found its use ; I shouted mad- ly in the excess of my admiration ; and Gil- more's stentorian voice arose in concert with mine. [sEE FRoNTIsPIECE]. The Indians were seized with a sudden panic; when I turned my eyes to where I had last seen them, not one was in sight, save him who had fallen. 'Tis Black Ralph,' said Gilmore, 'and he rides as though God had sent him express. Did you obsarve how the varmints run, crying Ma- chinito, Machinito!' Before he had time to answer, the mighty. steed and rider alightd at my feet as though shot down from the clouds, from the bow of an in- visible archer. I felt that my bands were severed, and that I was free ; I knew no more at that time, for 4 fell fainting to the earth. When 1 recovered, I looked wildly about me for the mysterious horse and rider ; but they were no where to be seen. I beheld only Gilmore who was holding my head upon his knees. 'The critter has vamished,' he said, with a solemn shake of the head. 'He went jest as he come, and we dont know no more of Black Ralph than afore. There's a heap of mystery about it, and I hav'nt got no philosophy to account for it ' Did he say nothing'? IJasked. 'Not so much as a word. He pointed with his hand off in that direction, and I saw him no more- I arose like one awaking from a horrible dream. 'Pve taken the liberty to take the ornaments from your, arms,' added Gihrnore, pointing to the splinters which he had withdrawn during my unconsciousness. 4 THE FOREST FIEND. 35 'Hurry on your clothes, my boy; dont delay, in thinking of the strange events of the last for there's no safety, here. It wont be long hour. t had been captured by those knowing afore some o' the varmints will be creepin' no mercy ; I had been made ready for the sac- back to see what has becomeof their things.' rifice ; the fires were prepared to light, the work I was not long in doing the bidding of Gil- of torture bad commenced, when a horse and more, as the reader may suppose. My rifle rider shot suddenly before mir vision like a bolt was fortunately left by the Indians in their hur- from the archer of God. The gigantic steed had ned flight; so was Two Shooter ; and the trap- spanned a chasm, which seemingly no mortal per possessed himself of it once more with an horse could master; a savage fell down dead at expression of pleasure I shall not forget. the moment of his appearance ; my captors dis- It's been a good friend to me,' he said, 'and appeared as if by enchantment ; my bands were I -could'nt learn to do without it. I've been in severed like burning flax, and I was free. many a straight place during my pilgrimage in But where was my deliver'? He had vanish- this great wilderness, and the critters have thirst- ed with his leviathan horse. Had he sunk ed for my nateral blood more nor once ; but down into the earth'? or had he risen into the Two Shooter was by my side, and when it open- clouds? Ii)knew not; and Gilmore could give ed its iron mouth and vomited its fire at them no account of it. they give back and could'nt stand it.. But let But I was saved. How much that word ex- us take a hasty look into them lodges as the presses ; saved-saved from torture, fire, a hell warmints have desarted, and see if we can find upon earth. Flora Dale-bless her sweet face.' Was I thankful--did my heart run over- We were not long in examining the lodges. did my eyes fill with the warm tears of grati- Flora was not there, and we turned away with tude ? heavy hearts, though thankful to God for deliv- Yes, for a period of time; and then my darker erance from a cruel death. nature arose within to road me to acts of retal- We had gone but a few paces when a thought suggested itself to me. I seized a= burning brand from a fire, hurried back and applied it to all the lodges successively. 'Good,' said Gilmore. 'We'll do the critters all the mischief we can.' Saying this, he gathered up all the guns, rifles,. and other things of value which the sava- ges had left, and threw them far out into the river. The last. we saw of the encampment, the lodges were burning splendidly, sending up long columrns of red flame. 'Now,' said Gilmore, 'we niust away in that direction, and cross the other trail. One terri- ble danger has passed ; and God is merciful, but there's more jest, afore us. Black Ralph has proved our:friend this time, but I should a leetle rather not give him a chance to save us agin.' AsI followed the swift footsteps of the trap- per, I half forget the danger that environed us, iation and vengeance. The pain of my arm added not a little to my savage mood. I vowed death to every red man who should come within my reach. Such was the resolution I formed as I went forward. CHAPTER VI. A MYSTRnIOUS VISITOR. T was night when we found the trail refer- ed to; and we followed it with unabated vigor until midnight. 'We need rest,' said the trapper. 'We will lay down, somewhere hereabouts, and try to sleep until mornin'.' 'I.feel no weariness,' Ireplied. 'I think not of myself. It is Flora, only that is first in my thoughts.' 'You wont feel tired while your young blood is hot, of course, but you set down a 'inute and get cool, and see if ypu x3n'# -feel stiff in the joints. Rest to-nigtit, and you'll he able to hold' out the ,Iodger; beee we e w deday- page: 36-37[View Page 36-37] THE FOSIE FIEND.- light to fuller the trail, for I parceive that it up a piece of the choicest venison that I've seen grows more difficult at every step. Let us walk for many a day ; and here it is.' away in this direction, and we'll soon find a The venison was -cooked, and a portion of itJ spot for our purpose.' eaten ; but I cannot say that I enjoyed it very' 'Do you intend to kindle a fire? I have al- much, though I had fasted long. ways heard it was not'safe to do so in the neigh- This done Gilmore gave me one of the blan- borhood of Indians.' kets he had taken; I wrapped myself in it and 'It isn't allers safe ; but human critters must was soon asleep, forgetful of all the dangers eat and drink and git their nateral warmth re- that environed me. stored. Perhaps you dont remember that no I slept perhaps three hours before I awoke.. food has passed our, lips since mornin'. The Upon opening my eyes I perceived the figure of fact is we dont know what is afore us. We a man sitting thoughtfully by the fire. At first may have to foller the critters several days, and I thought it was Gilmore ; but a second glance shall need all our strength and courage ; and a assured me that it was not, for he lay sleeping hungry man hasn't much strength and courage beside me. Come on, Seward, here's our chance. We'll Though much astonished at what I saw, my build a fire right under the shelter of this great presence of mind did not forsake me ; I observ- rock. Bring on your dry sticks, and we'll ed the intruder attentively. I perceived that have it lazing in no time. That's your sort-- he was a white man, though his face was tanned now it smokes-now it leaps up into a cheerful byexposure nearly to the complexion of an In- blaze. Fire is a useful sarvant, boy ; but it's a dian.t I judged him a man of uncommon size bard master. Jest think of being burned alive ! and inured to all kinds of hardship. Before I Marciful God ! what an escape we've had. It had time to scan him more minutely, he spoke. a'most brings the tears into my old eyes to 'You should have extinguished your fire, think on't. I'd given up all- airthly things as was dear to me when I heard the crack of your yo ' m a , in a aid d o n rile Sou can't never know whatathilo soundly,' he said, in a calm, clear voice. 'An joifse on't rough no when I hri, ad enemy might have surprised you as easily as I joy it sent through me when I heard it, and have done. He who finds his bread in the wil- knew it, and 'saw the red varmint fall. Butderness, must be cunning as a serpent. Al- afore the smoke had cleared away, I'd a given ways be on the alert. ,Never give an enemy a worlds if I'd had 'em, to have had you a dozen chance to strike while you slumber.' miles away. Misery likes company ; but that d. h t kept me case was an exception ; I didn't want none of I made no answer. Astonishment kept me Knowing as I do aysrapea thart, I can dOne of those red hounds of hell might have well believe it,' I answered; 'and that brings shaped yen here, and carried your scalp to stoBlack Ralph n. 'hold up to the eyes of her you love, before the s , Ba ' o ed to stop, besun had kissed the east with his beams of light. Yes, and there we're obleegedgav to aestopsek be-api .maden cause we can't get no further,' added Gilmore. Brave men are you to seek for captive maien, You spoke of eating,' 2 said after a short or to follow the trail of the copper faced fiends! pause. "Our fire burns brightly, but what have ou and that ma threwould sheep ranl we t coo ~'your; throats were being cut,' added the' stran~ we to cook?''2.. You youngsters are not so thoughtful as old ger in tones of withering sarcasm. fellers'lik. ne as have lived ' the bush all 'Who spoke '?' said Gilmore, rubbing his eyes their ifdtinie.'MWhen we left the Ingin ea- between sleeping and waking. campenettio-day, ou obsarted that I took a ' One who might have scalped you while you aoule3 of iblankeis in them blankets I rolled slept," etorted the unknown contemptuously. 37 'What do you say ?' exclaimed the trapper, ed that shall-pass threagh my body; the hemp springing nimbly to his feet. is not sown that:shall hang me; the fire has not ' I might have said a thousand things for the been kindled that shall consume my flesh. But last hour and you would ,have been no wiser,' if it were not thus, I should not feel what men he added, in the sametone. call fear ; 'tis not a part of my nature. I am ' Don't provoke me,' returned Gilmore, seat- constitutionally bold; and circumstances have ing himself. 'I ain't in exactly the right mood rendered me reckless.. Dare me to call you a to be trifled with.' coward, or what you will, and I will repeat it The intruder laughed scornfully, any number of times, and suffer no harm in body 'Trifled with indeed?' he, said derisively.- or limb.' 'Your head is sprinkled with the grey hairs of ' You're a madman,' retorted the trapper. some fifty wintery, but you are a fool.' 'And you are what I have said,' returned 'The hand ofdivine proverdence as is stretch- the stranger. ed out over all of us, has within a few hours Quicker than thought Gilmore snatched his saved me from death, and been mareiful to me; rifle from the ground beside him, pointed it at but if it were not so I would shoot you through the stranger's head, and pulled the trigger.-- the head,' replied the trapper solemnly. The lock fell, but there was no report. 'Bah ! do you think that 1 do not know my The trapper flung it from him, muttering as man ?' he rejoined. 'Yes, you do think so ; he did so- but you are mistaken. What is a man good for 'It is the firat time Two Shooter ever served who lays down and sleeps under the very nose me such a trick.' of an enemy. I pronounce you ignorant of ' Had you been a skilful backwoodsman, you woodcraft; and furthermore, I pronounce you a would have examined your rifle as soon as you coward.' arose from the ground ; then you would have .4I will face you with a rifle at twenty yards,' learned that the caps were taken from the tubes said Gilmore angrily, of both barrels. I did it while you slept like That sounds like Indian bravado,' replied all the seven sleepers put together. It wont do the itruder, with the same provoking sar- you any harm; perhaps it ngay learn you a les- casm. son of, prudence and wisdom." I can't stand this no longer,' exclaimed Gil- Gilmore looked disconcerted. more, enraged beyond endurance. 'I've lived ' And who are you that would teach an o in the wilderness some twenty-five years, offand nearly fifty winters?' he asked. on, and no man. ever dared call me what ydi 'One who has never harmed you or yours .have called me this night; and there's 'not, a and perhaps never will,' replied the "ntrdr..., man been St. houis and the Rocky Moun- 'Who I am, or what my business is d tams as would think it safe to say half what matter; but my advice to you i b more you ve 'said within the last five minutes. I don't your guard when you'rton the, Ic know you, and don't know your business; and you aFcoward; I dentI think youdare really what's more,' I don't want to; but my advice is coward, but I wished to show-'you that you mend your manners, and keep a civil tongue in' were 'wholly unprepared for an enemig yur head, and-itmay be you'll live the longer grew angry, caught your rifle and' attem, for it.'shoot me; but attracted by the light o You speak as if there were.things I dare 'fire,'thad found you sleepingtikenhc not do, but you do not know met There is from your rifles, sat dop, andwatehedbesid nothing on the wide earth that I fear; I bear a you for more than an hour. You heavenly to charmed life, TMe steel is nota hameiered that imagine me a :Chei-okee or Blackfdot to know shall wound me ; ihe bullet has not been mould.'the imprudenceyou have heen'guiiltyge of5 BLACK " 1ALP; 16 page: 38-39[View Page 38-39] BLA K RAif1 'You are not exetly right, stranger, nor yet to my nature. I knew full well that I should exactly wong. I knew well wat I was about destroy them without mercy when circumstances he I indled a fire agii that' rook, because I gave me the power of doing so. know the habits of- the Ingins. The critters at While I sat there muing, thoi deep darkness present feel more like gettin' out of our way that precedes the d ga gave place to the first tpaen rin' aver'is,.faint blush of day. The sun lifted itself slowly While the trapper was speaking, the stranger from behind.the distant hill; his bright, red arose, stood beside me,; and said in a low voice : beams came creeping through the umbrage of 'Flora shall be rescued. Be bold; show no the trees. The vast forests and mountains smil- mercy to the red men. Slay them without re-, ed once more in sunlight. Birds, whosesnotes morse. They are wild beasts,hell-hounds, dev- were pleasant in song sang upon the.branohes. ils; spare' them not. When you are in danger Theimurnmur of the waters, and the murmur of think of me, and perhaps I shall be near.' winds camesoftly, to the ear. Happy Would The unknown ceased.: Before I had time to have been the heart within me had Flora Dale reply, lie was gone, I knew not whither. been beside_ me-there. Atng yiitor,'e nosaid, turning to Gil- Alas! she waswith those whose tender mer- more. cies were cruel. One as I should'nt wantmuch to do with,' Gilmore supplied the wxning fire with freph he answered with a significant movement of the fuel. My eyes :followed him mechanically in, his movements. He out slices of venison and 'Did you ever meet him before?' ' roasted them as a hunter only can. To gratify ,Never to my knowledge, and don't care to him I ate ; but heaven knows I felt not like. be cquainte4 with him. eating. oe seemed to-wish us no evil, whoever or - While tlius employed we were not a little hatever he may be. startled by hearing the sound of approachig I can't say that I'n pleased with him,' ad- feet close behind us. the trapper,,with the same mysterious air Our eyes were instantly turned in that direc- I strikes me that the critter would find it un- tion, and rested upon the figure of a man clad in posserable to repeat the Lord's prayer without true hunter style. He bestrode a dark grey- mistake.' horse of 'excellent proportions, powerful and 's human enough,' I replied, laughing. spirited. He may be human, but its my opinion he's When he perceived he had our attention, he a letle too intermate with a certain old gentle- reined up his steed, caused him to rear and wa as has a oeien foot' plunge, jump sidewise, and perform sundry 'Nonsense ! You have too much good sense evolutions. to entain such absurd notions,' I answered. ,While executing these feats he held a rifle in For y ti; h of psas busy with his own bis left hand, guiding and directing them otions- thoughts. T rting wods of the.stranger of the animal with the right. still rungIin myar; and L felt that they would 'The top of the morning to ye,' he said' have an influence upon me.. He had said that l ping lightly from his horse-. lora should be renoued, but what knew he of ' Th ame to yourself,' answered Gilmore, B'lorashaking tie proffered hand. J' A fine spirted Yet I' liked bigdtetter because he had spoken critter lyou'ar got.' Sher name, and praised her deliverance from ' Two forty's a game beast, stranger. There's floaptivtynothin i the shape of a hos that can beat had bidene slay therd men without hin,' aepled the new comnerwith a satisfied remorse, andothapaddi wa# but to o egenri airs THE FOREST FIEND. 'Two forty's the critter's name, I suppose, 'It's a hoss/l' replied the hunter empati. added the trapper. eally.rp You may set that down, as the critter's proper 'Will you eat ?' I asked, painting .to the last Damne, Mister Greaser,' said the stranger. piece of venioanl u oses I took 'Flora's hand. g. piee . son in our possession.' No occasion, though I took but a slight break- My name is'nt Greaser, by no means,' re- fast. Where are you bound,.and what's your torted Gilmore, with some asperity. business ?' Perhaps you never saw a hoss afore?' We made known to him what had happened continued the other. and thewnature 'of.our-business. 'Perhaps not!' said Gilmore. eI'm hound to go with you,?nhess ,'Taint by no means likely that you ever did, when we had finished our relation. r' either of ye, jest look at that eretur ! There, now nothin' suits my disposition better nor hutitin' you see a hoss as is nothin' shorter than a hoss. Ingins. Somehow it cones natural; and it' Two Forty come here.' ' oeo tcoe aua; andits- Tw 3ot cm e' priverlege i' could'nt be -deprivedon' at no rate. The animal walked quickly to his master's What say you old Fire-Eatern' side. ' i stranger, you've got a disergreeable habit of Rare up behind,' said the hunter. cam enae sI a'tchitnd fy n The animal immediately fell to kicking vigor- you'd oblege me I wai' iteed In ard 9usly with both hinder feet, throwing them high tyou ge m' it o In as in thtar your goin' with us, I amn't no objeetion ; a in the, air. y our boas seems to hav osdrbedwrto ' Kick up for'ard,' added the hunter. if you hav'nt got none tondare' a sretio Forthwith, the half human beast commenced the trapper, in rather bad humr.;answered the rearing in an extraordinary manner. 'Il'm grateful for any. complerment pidto 'He stands as straight as a man,' observed Two Forty; and it's the same as thoughyo Gilmore. paid it to me, I'm called.'Buston, and often~ an- 'A great deal straighter than some men; 'old swer to it.' Deer-Killer,' rejoined the hunter, slapping the 'We are wasting time,' I remarked eiphat. trapper on the shoulder. ically, "Let us be off. 'My name is'nt Deer-Killer, in the least,' 'Agreed,' said Gilmore, ' Come Buster,' he said the trapper, with a scowl . added, turning to the hunter. 'Show us how this old fuller's hoss moves ' Comin' replied Buston. 'Go it old Cart d over the ground,' continued the stranger. Box.'dge Two Forty laid back his ears, dropped his And we shouldered our' rifles and no head until his nose nearly touched the ground, swiftly away upon the trail. and moved off in that particular and indescriba- ble waypeculiar to lazy horses. -IA PTER VI. ' That's slander, Leviathan ain't no sich TWO FORTY. varmint,' said Gilmore, smiling in spite of MPATIENT to atone for whatsemed tome himself at the comical appearance of the beast. unnecessary delay 'Show us 'how old Ramrod here, '11 do when as possible and s pressed oar asfast ho sees an Ingin?' continued our new friend, of my companions. Heag the f n va 'My name ain't Ramrod nor never was,' said small stream .on miy right and feeln thisI the trapper, angrily. left the trail in order to tat its a Two Forty instantly turned tail towardse, I found I had be-i swt and ran away with all possible speed, lookingre t is neare; di wsom ar u behind, like an animal really frightened. ndred ards tot oafo ri case h t ' It is a noble beast,' I remarked, wards it in order to return rottai page: 40-41[View Page 40-41] 40 THE - FOREST FIEpTD. 41 BLACK RALPH Gilmore and Buston passed; in doing so I did not observe due caution, for the way was'ex- tremely rough, and seamed with wide, rocky chasms. Making an unlucky step, I fell. I knew -no more, for some time. Upon opening my eyes, I found myself lying at the bottom of one of the chasms I have named. My temples were bleeding and so wa's my wounded arm and hand. Still somewhat bewildered, I arose, and with some exertion reached the stream for which I had started. Sitting down on its sloping bank, I bathed my hand and arm in its cooling waters. I then drank freely of the same and felt much revived. 'What's the matter ?' said a voice near me. I turned to see who - the speaker might be. It was a tall, lean fellow, whose face was not familiar., I have got an unfortunate fall,' I replied, not a little astonished at such an unexpected meeting. Falls are common in this region,, young man; and he is lucky who falls to rise again. But *hat for Heaven's sake are you doing here alone ?' I briefy explained the nature of my present business. He listened very attentively, and when T mentioned the name of Flora Dale, it seemed to affect him n9t a little. Captured by the Indians, did you say?' * And carried I know not whither,' I an.. weed. For a few seconds the stranger looked ear- nestl$ into my face as if to read my thoughts. 'And you are resolved to rescue her,' he said, at length. 'Or die in the attempt,' I added. An expression that did not please me passed over the face of the man before me. ° ulove this Flora Dale, perhaps?' he re- ' I said no t that I loved the maiden,' I re- turned, drily.1 ah"i isnot necessary that you should say so; ca read it uoiyour face every time you Well, take it for granted, 'that I .love her, or do not love her, just as seems good to you. It makes little difference.' 'On the contrary it makes all the difference in the world. Look at me a moment.' .I see you.' Do I not look like a match for you in your present wounded and bruised condition ?' he asked, curling his nether lip contemptuously. 'I fear no man, large or, small,' IL answered, wondering what all this could tend to. 'You perceive that I am a man in stature, I presume ?' , 'Tall enough to trim the Northern Lights, I should think,' I replied. 'You take it pleasantly, but it will be seri- ous enough by-and-by. Look at my face.' - The stranger paused, and a - most forbiding scowl appeared upon his brows, while the whole expression of his face was sinister in the ex- treme. 'Not a very prepossessing visage certainly; it will probably hang you one of these days.' 'Very good ; according to your own; show- ing I am one not to be trifled with, and so you will find it. I love Flora Dale.' 'You!' I exclaimed contemptuously. 'Yes, J!' 'I must say there's but a poor chance for you, if I have seen the best side of your face,' I replied, laughing. 'No christian woman will ever fancy such a figure as yours.' 'I have made a solemn vow that, Flora Dale shall be no wife unless she be wife of mine, and it is registered in - ' 'Hell,' I added. 'I was going to say Heaven, but if it will please you better, I will alter it and say that my vow is registered in hell. Little difference will it make to me where it registered.' ' Youare an arrant scoundrel ! I'retorted, growing hot with passion. 'Fool!' Boastinmiserable coward! How dare you speak the name of Flora.' h t, ecried,in evoice of thunder. 'It needs bt a word more to make me trample the breath from your body, and give your carcase to the wolves.' ' Cease your prating!' I exclaimed, in a voice as terrible as his.own. ' Cease, or T shall forget that it is wicked to do murder. You speak of not knowing you; God in Heaven ! if you knew but half of what I am capable of do- ing, your six feet and a half of bone and mus- ele would shake like the leaves of yonder as- pen. In the anger of the moment I had forgotten my wounds, my bruises, my weakness, and felt within me all the strength which my fiercest mood always inspires. 'Listen to the conditions I offer,' said the stranger, after a short pause, in which he ap- peared to be struggling with himself for some- thing like composure. 'Mount your horse, if you have one, lash your rifle upon your back, and leave this country forever ; do this, and I swear I will not harm a hair of your head.' Well, what if I do not choose to comply?' Ig you are fool enough to stay, I will not promise you a week's probation upon the face of the earth ; I swear it.' 'Damnable villain ! get out of my path, or I shall not be able to control myself. To my other crimes will be added the crime of murder. Begone I say! 1begonel' These words fell from my white lips in tones of thunder. The ruffian recoiled a step in sur- prise., 'Mistaken idiot ; do you suppose for an in. stant that I can be daunted. A thousand wretches like you could not shake my soul with terror. Ask the winds to pause in their flight and listen to you, and they will do your will as soon.' 'Hold !' shouted the stranger, in a voice thick-with passion, 'or by my soul's salvation, Will beat'you with rods as a. man beats his dog; and afterwards I will tell Flora Dale what I have done.' I made no reply ; I- waited no longer ; the evil aemon of my nature was in the ascendant. I leaped upon the boasting ruffian with more ferocity than ever- famishing tiger pounced up- on its prey. He was borne to the earth in an instant of times--quicker, if that were possible. With the fingers of my right hand I clutehed his throat like a vice. Tighter grew my grasp. His eyes started from their sockets ; his tongue protruded from his purple Wpa, while his whole. system was shaken by convulsive throes. Gradu- ally the struggle ceased. The chest ceased its. motions; the limbs grew passive. I dragged the body to the stream and threw it in. The water was not deep enough to cover it ; and it lay with its face upward, unmoved. Vain boaster!' I exclaimed, ' where now is your six feet of flesh and bone?' I gazed at it for a brief moment, as it lay there in the waters ; then, taking up my rifle, turned hastily away. The sun kept shining, and the birds sang on, as though no murder had been done. The winds and the waters murmured together ; but their pleasant sound was gone. The wilderness seemed to smile in sunlight, as an hour ago;- but it smiled not for me. I thought of Flora ; but now her name was linked to the remembrance of a crime. I walked on faster and faster ; but I could npt walk away from that which seemed like a heavy burden; growing heavier and heavier. My eyes caught glimpses of an object tha flitted from tree to tree, like a spectre. What could- it be ? Was it the ghost of the murdered man ? Was it an optical delusion? I strode boldly toward the spot to see if my imaginati9 was indeed playing tricks with me. I saw it again, and it moved away like a frighten*4 creature ; it was the figure of a female. Always ready to obey the dictates of the mo- ment, I followed the form; but as it saw itself the object of pursuit,"it quickened its flight ani flew over the ground like a wounded bird urging itself forward by the assistance of its injuredd wings. I ran as fast as I was able. Like;the timid hare ; like the light footed, deer;like every wild thing that flies fromiorse and rid r and hound, so fled the figure.. The ,distance shortened between u, flying one heard my footsteps, an& without$t~ page: 42-43[View Page 42-43] 42 -BLACR RALPII THE O1FS1'ID. ing a glance behind, fell senseless to the ground. I bent over her-raised her-looked intoher face ; it was Floral/ . I lifted her softly from the earth, laid her earefully,'gently, upon my bosom, and bore her towards the runnin water. Though I held in my arms all that I loved in the World, I gazed upon her with no unhallowed eye. I feared to touch her too rudely-I did dot desecrate with mfr lips the pale cheek so neat ny own-for my hands were stained with a new erime. Though I had left the brook some distance behind,,I was not long in regaining it, and roy burden did not weary me.- Her swoon was long and death-like ; but I' had the pleasure of seeing her open her eyes at last. She looked timidly in my face, shudder- ed, and closed them"again. 'Floral' I said, softly. The full, dark orbs were again fixed upon me, but this time with an exclamation of joyful surprise. Flora, you are safe. One is with you who wonld give his life to save yours,'I added. A sweet"smile flitted over the pale lips of Flora Dale. O, sir, say again that I am safe,' she said, with an afibrt. A"thousand tines, Flora, if itwill please you,' I answered. She made no reply, but covering her face With her hands, wept freely. Let your heart be strong, Flora. By the good assistance of Heaven, you shall soon be *re- stored to the armns of your friends,' I added. - She now seemed to be conscious for the first tie; that she was lying in my' arms. She itlf disengaged herself, blushing as she did Wherehave you been? What is your his- tory?'Have you suffered ? I asked. ' You ask many questions at once,' she. an- swered, with smile. ' I have/been with those Liked not ; my history is short; and I have 8tird But' you ee that I have escaped, an tthankeGod.' 'Go it, Catridge-Box !' said a voice, and be. fore I had time to turn, Two Forty leaped the brook, and stood panting before us, with his master sitting in the saddle. 'You're a mighty queer chap,' said Buston. 'You're setting' here as contented as a saint, while we've; been racing-arter you for the last hour. Mother of the pilgrims ! but it's a gal you've picked up I It's posserbly one o' the 'babes in the woods' grown to womanhood. My eye ! She's not a bad lookin' piece o' human flesh. She looks about as nice for a gal as Two Forty does for a 'hoss.' Flora reddened to the eyes. I was about to reprove the hunter for the liberty he had taken, when she stopped me by a motion of the hand, saying : He,- means well. Suffer him to have his way. 'This is Miss Dale, the young woman we were seeking, I said, turning to Buston. 'And you've rescued her all alone ! That warn't fair, by no means.' No, I can't take to myself such credit. By some means 'she escaped from her captors with. out my help.' And you mean to say that you found her here in the woods arter she had got away from the Ingins?' - Exactly.' 'There must be some magnetism about that. It's mighty strange that two young creturs should find each other in this great country without chart or compass.- But it can't be helped now, though I slpould a liked to have had a brush with the varmints. I believe I could fight like a regerler hound for sich a nice, young female.' ' There may be a chance for you yet,'- said Flora, smiling pleasantly upon the trapper. 'Yes, very true, marm: the creturs may catch you again.I But I Can be of sarvice to you yet ; you shall ride Two Forty, and he's the best hose living. 'I thank you, I am sure,' replied Flora., 'Two Forty, you scoundrel! make your man- ners to t1 uncommon cretur.' Th~e iana obeyed as well as he was able to do. 'Nowkneel to her jest as I would if I was a young man like that chap.' Two Forty kneeled very gracefully, ,and Flora, laughing, patted him upon ;the neck. I've, e'enamost forgot the signal I was to give if I found you,' said Buston, and putting his hand to his mouth, he gave a shrill kind of whistle, which was-instantly answered. Gilnore was soon seen approaching us. 'Stir your stumps, old Two-Shooter! this young chap has taken a prisoner!' 'Two-Shooter, I'd thank you to remember is the name of my shootin'-irona; but where's the prisoner?' returned the trapper. ' That's her !' replied Buston, with a corni- cal leer. 'Flora Dale, as I'm an old sinner ! How in the name o' natur did it happen ?' What the reader already knows in relation to the subject, was soon related.' Flora then mounted Two Forty, and we moved away as fast as we could. It was 'a relief to me to leave the spot, and I was truly glad when I could hear no longer the murmur of the brook where the body of my rival lay.. It was a little past noon when we halted in a pleasant ravine. Gilmore and myself kindled a fire, while Buston went forth to kill a deer. When this task was completed, I seated my. self by the side of Plora. "This is a quiet, secluded spot,' she remark. ed. I could almost wish to live here,' I replied. 'What ! and turn hermit ?' O no; I should want a companion. Flora Dale would suit me best,' I answered, gaily. See how rank the wild sage grows on yonder1 bill-side,' she said, without heeding my last re- 'mark. 'How should you like living here, Flora ?' O very well, if the Indians would keep away.' You would prefer to be alone, probably ?' By no means. I should want all my friends f with me, and Two Forty to ride.' 'Youh tave not told mt 'your adventures yet, Mias Dale ?' 'That is the first time you have called me lis Dale to-day.' 'I beg your pardon.' Granted, of course I for I prefer Flora to all other names. 'So do I.' 'Something dies ! i heard tlIecrack oft the hunter's rifle.' "You have not yet fold me how you were taken by the savages ?' 'There, is but little to relate ; I will tell you now. Previous to your arrival with Arthur we had been so much harrassed e Indians that- I had not walked as much as nual in the open air. -After your coming-the next day-I felt inclined to take the fresh air that breathes through the forest, near the settlem t. The idea of danger did not occur to me. ' he joy I experi- eneed in seeing Arthur once more banished such th ughts. Thewoods had never looked so green; the brook had never murmured so merrily-; the wild flowers never looked half so inviting; the birds never sang more sweetly; the breezes never sighed so softly in my ear. My heart beat in unison with all things about me as I walked slowly on. I sang and gathered flowers as I went. I was thinking about Arthur, and what a fine looking youth he had grown to be, when a hand was laid rudely upon my arni, and another upon my mouth. I would havh cried out for help ; but no sound passed ny lips. I was in the power of savages. Mylterror, it is impossible.'to describe ;'for the thought of an Indian was always terrible to me. Could make but feeble 'resistance. I was lifted 'upon the back of a 'horse whose feet were co'verrd with buffalo skin, that his steps might leave no trask to indicate the way I had gone. My captors were six in number. One took the horse by the 'bridle, while another ran along by my side, the' others coming after in single file. The smoothest and best ways were chosen, and I was conducted rapidly away frdm the settlement. My captors premed for- ward all night without stopping readfli night ! weary and painful houirs! A shooter was made in the morning. Food was efferel l 4 ' page: 44-45[View Page 44-45] THE FOReEST FIEND. 45 me, but you may readily suppose I refused it. I was again placed upon the herse, and we went s on as before. t We .had gone but a short distance, when, I greatly to my surprise, as you may imagine, s we were jgin by a white man. I recog- t nizqd him at olce as one of our settlers, suppos- l ed to have bee'nkilled by the Indians some weeks previously. My heart grew heavier still; for I I had reason to remember shim.' 'Was he a tall man?' -I asked, eagerly. I He was of uncommon stature,' she; replied. Excuse th uption. Please go on, Flo- ra' I added, quie ly. He had been one not greatly beloved by the other emigrants, and his reputation as an honestI man was far froth enviable. He was usually call-1 *ed Osborne : wt other name he might have passed by while among us, I know not. What- ever faintly lingering hope of escape I might hitherto have cherished, left me when I saw him approaching. Cease to tremble,' he said. .'Your life is not in danger. A word from me sets you at lib- erty.' 'Then speak that word, that I may return to my father,' I answered. 'Not so fast, it takes two to make a bargain. There are certain conditions to be observed be- fore I give you your freedom.' ' Those creatures are employed by you then,' ~I answered. 'I shall deny nothing,' he replied. ' But I will come te the point at once. Flora paused, overcome by her emotions. Spare yourself the pain of telling me the nature of the conditions he imposed,' I said. Thank you I' she 'answered, recovering her self-possession., ' Suflice 'it that I rejected his offers with scorn and indignation. . I was tor- tured with his presence during the long hours of that day. He menaced and entreated by turns; but the wife; of such a man, who could be? At Right we encamped. An Indian lodgewas prepared for an to sleep -in ; while Osborne watched at the door, and 4he savages slept near it. I la'ud, down upon the rudp couch prepared for me and feigned leep. I knew but too well that I could not long be afe in the power of such aman, and resolved o attempt'a escape. The lodge was built part- y of skins, arranged as you have often seen. I succeeded in detaching one of these from its fas- enings 'I stood in the open air, without the odge, and saw no one to oppose my flight. Like one who flies from despair and death ; ike one who flies from all that is dreadful on earth ; like one whose only hope is in flight, I ran from the scene of my thraldoni. But I glided away cautiously at first, and my footsteps sent back no sound to betray me. What joy filled my heart as I threaded the dark and lonely wilderness. I had escaped dis- honor-I had baffled a bad man. Yet dreary was the prospect before me ; for I might wander many dcays without meeting a human being to aid me;and I might perish for want of food. But thoughts like these did not trouble me at that time. I thoughtof, and only dreaded pur- suit. I kept on and on; the dreary night roll- ed away, and, the light of another.morning shone upon me. More than once I imagined I heard footsteps and was pursued. When I ran from you, I supposed I was flying from Osborne ; hence my terror. What followed is known bet- ter to you than to myself; for terror had nearly driven me mad. I most earnestly pray that I may never see the face of Osborne again.', 'Your prayer is answered,' I replied. ..You need not fear him more-he is but dust and ashes.' 'What do I hear,' she exclaimed, struck by the solemn manner in which I had spoken. 'The man you have called Oshrne will nev- er harm so much as a hair of your head,, Flora,' I answered. Is he dead-have you slain him?' 'Do not question me. Suffer me to forget; or to emember that justice only has been done.' 'Your wordsinspire me with the conscious- ness of something terrible. God preserve us ll. 'Pray often; Flora,' I answered. ' The prayr of the innocent are acceptable to God; andt when you address the Throne of Mercy, if you I should remember my name, and say 'God keep him,' it might be better for me in the last day.' 'Go it, old Cutridge-Box !' said a voice near us. Looking up, we perceived the eccentric hun- ter approaching, leading Two Forty by the bri- die, bringing a good supply of venison. Nor was this all; near him were Arthur Dale and his father, accompanied by an Indian. With an exclamation of delight, Flora ran to meet her dearest earthly friends. 'I thank the protecting hand of God for this deliverance!' said the old man, in a tremulous voice, as he embraced Flora and kissed her. ' To have lost thee would have brought my grey hairs in sorrow to the grave, even as said one of old. But He tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. He breaketh not the bruised reed. A sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his: notice.' How I envied Arthur the pleasure of press- ing her so lovingly to his heart ; but it was the dear right of a brother. The father of Flora took my hand in his. 'I would thank you if I could, young man, for-the assistance you have rendered ; but I feel myself incapable of doing so. Imagine, that I have said much, and receive an old man's bles- sing. There is Flora; she must say to you what I feel, but cannot express.'' 'Go it, old feller!' said Buston, in a low voice, gsit's reasonable and just.' "" 'The consciousness of having served Flora Dale, renders me sufficiently happy, and you owe me no gratitude,' I answered. Arthur shook me warmly by the hand. 'Two Forty is every inch a hoss!' added Bus- ton, slipping the bridle from the head of the an- imal in question. 'I like him,' said Flora. ,W' lie's the only hoss this side the Rocky Mountains, fit to carry sich an oncommon ere- tir.' The hunter paused,-and then turning to!Gil- more, slapped him good naturedly on the shoul- der, saying : .' Don't you wish you was younger, Old Ram- rod?' 'Ramrod isn't no part of my name,' replied the trapper drily. 'Two Forty's a hoss, and Flory's an oncom- mon cretur ! them's my sentiments, and if any- body wants to fight on that pertickerlar subjeck, I'm ready.' But no person seemed disposed to take up the gauntlet. .During this time the Indian referred to had stood at a short distance in dignified silence.- He was truly a noble looking savage, and I could not help observing him closely. 'Well, Bust-your-Biler, what kind of a spec- imen of red human natar have you got there?' asked Gilmore, pointing toward the Indian. That's a eretur I fell in with while I was gone,' he replied, and approaching the stranger Indian, he struck him upon the shouldering his own familiar style. The red man turned upon Buston with an in- dignant curl of the nether lip. But the rattle-brained hunter was not abash- ed ; nothing could abash him for a moment. 'How fare ye, Redskin ? Can you repeat the catechism! do. you know the Lord's Prayer? are you in a state of grace 2 Do you know whiskey from bad rum?' The Indian shook his head and made no re- ply. 'Deaf as a gate-post, and in a complete state o' natur!' The stately savage remained silent. 'Perhaps you're Chenango, the last of the Big.Reds, and don't like to speak to common people 'C Still there was no reply. ' Come here, old Brass Eyes, and see if you can make him understand !' continued Buston, turning to Gilmore. : ' My nanue doesn't begin with Brass Eyes, in any degree,' said the trapper. Buston now addressed the Indian in a toague which I could not understand a word of, and the latter replied in the same language. ' .'He tells me he lives thear the Great Salt Lake,' said Buston. I 44 BL4VK . ALPH 4 t page: 46-47[View Page 46-47] 46 BL _C AL THE FOREST FIEND. 47 'The iPah-Utahs are found up in that region,' Gilmore remarked. 'And they're a dangerous set o' Red skins, take 'em together,' replied the hunter. 'But this cretur is an exception, for he come to me in a very civil sort of way while I was cuttin' up the deer I had killed. Two Forty snuffed the air, and grew restless, and I knew there was sunthin' about that be did'nt fancy. I looked up and saw this varmint coming' towards me. ' Mind what you're about, Copper Face!' said' T, catchin' up my rifle ; but the cretur laid his hand upon his heart to signify that no hurt was intended. 1 spoke to him in several kinds of lngin, and we soon come to an understandin'. He said he was a great friend to the pale faces, and had been to Westport'all alone to see 'em.' ' He's a noble looking fellow,' said Dale. 'There's one deadly sin recorded against him,' I answered. *'What is it?' asked Dale. 'It is the unpardonable sin of a Red skin,' I replied. A'Are you really in earnest ?' 'I never was more in earnest !' 'What is the cause of your antipathy ?' I cannot tell you; I think it must be con- stitutional.' 'It's very singular,' said Dale, 'but I confess that I have the same aversion, and cannot con-r quer it.' ' Gentlemen, parmit me to introduce to your partickeler attention, Brass Eyes, the last of the Long Reds,' said Buston, with that peculiarly comic expression wlich characterized all he did. Don't be a foolin' with the critter,' said Gilmore. 'The varmint's proud, and doi't like to be talked about too freely;' The trapper now addressed a few words to him:in the Indian tongue ; he then informed us that he was. a Utah Chief,.with a. long name, which, being interpreted into our language, means 'War Path.' CHAPTER VIII. THE DECLARATION. WILL;not dwell upon the details of our return to the settlement. It will be suffi- eient to sqy that we reached- it without ae- cident. In the society of Flora,,the days passed pleasantly. . The more intimately I became ao- quainted with her, the more I saw to admire in her character. On the subject of love, my lips had been-si- lent. Ieared to tell her my passion. I wish- ed that the sweet illusion, if illusion it indee4 were, might last, nor be dispelled too soon. Since our return, the Indians had been guilty of no inroads upon the.settlers. All had been quiet. Gilmore and Buston vied with each other in story telling, and we listened to, them many evenings. Very many things were rela- ted which I am sadly afraid never happened. ' Perhaps you never saw adog ?' said Buston, on one occasion, 'though I am happy to say you've seen a hoss. 4 number of. years ago, I had the good luck to own a generwine dog.--- None e' your low bred common curs was Lion. He come of a good family, and his airly eddi- cation warn't neglected. He was'nt very large; on there contrary, he was quite small. To look at him, you would'nt think him no more nor a com- mon dog, because you could'nt see none o' his good qualities.' 'What could he do?' asked Gilmore, rather- contemptuously. He could run,' replied Buston. 'When he happened to see anything' bigger nor himself ! I s'pose,'. added the trapper, in a low tone of voice. 'There was nothin' could beat him at 4, dead run, He could catch a deer, or a buffalo, or antelope, afore they had run fifty rods.' 'An antelope!' said Gilmore, with a shrug of the shoulders. 'There was'nt nothin' that he could'nt catch,' continued Buston. 'I've known him to out- run the wind, on a prairie, many a time. He travelled on one occasion from Fort Walla Wal- la to Westport, and back agin in two days, and carried a letter, waited for an answer, and brought-it to me. I used to grease him to prevent the friction of the air from pullin' his hair out. He used, frequently to git up and run in is sleep ; and I was often obleeged to tie him over night to keep him still; for I feared the Wretar would run himself into a gallopin' con- sumption. Every body that knew him said he run to extremes. When there was nothin' in pertickerler for him to do, I allers tied up one Leg ; but that did'nt make much difference rter all; he'd go out o' sight like a streak o' chalk.' 'Did he die a nateral death in his kennel ?' inquired the trapper. 'I ain't got to that yet, Brass Eyes,' return- ed Buston. him; for when he got tired o' runnin' on one side, he could turn over and run on the other. 'What become of him at last 2 ' He got a runnin' one day and co l'nt stop, and I hav'nt set eyes on him since . I've no doubt but he's a runnin' yet.' 'He was a wonderful critter.' 'Yes, Bose was-as wonderful for a dog as Two Forty is for a hoss.' ' You said his name was Towser.' 'He had three names, said Buston, after a momentary pause; 'two for week days and one for Sundays.' The hunter smoked a few whiffs, and then went on. 'I once killed seven Blackfeet, who attacked me at one time.' ' How was it done?' I asked. ' Why you must know I am mighty powerful 'Don't call me that name no more,' said Gil- in the magnetic line; and when I see the var- nore, sharply. mints a coming' at me, I throwed down ,my weap. ' One day a curious accident happened to ons and commenced making' passes at 'em like fowser.' all natur. I had'nt made at the rate- of one 'You called him Lion just now.' apiece afore they was all asleep-completely ' He had two names-one for Sunday, and one paralyzed. I took out their eyes, put 'em in or week days. As I was obsarving, a curious my pocket, willed 'em to stand there forever, cident happened to h'im. There was an awful and left 'em, terrible moniments o' my power. hunder shower one day, and the cretur, out o' Two years arterwards I passed that way, and nischief, was a chasing' the chain lightnin'; I the bones were still standin'. Their friends ay out o' mischief, because he was a well in- had tried to get' 'em away but could'nt ; a yoke brmed anermal, and knew very well it would be of oxen can't start 'em as long as my will's on io sarvice to him if he should catch it. Well, as 'em.' e was a. running' with his head kinder up, he 'You're an oncommon critter !' said the trap. id'nt mind exactly where he was going , and run per. ight square agin a small beach saplin'. I run 'I never pertend to hobble Two Forty as o him as quick as I could, and found him lay- other people do,' continued Buston ; 'when I a' in two pieces-cut clean in, two, from the want him to stay in one place, I jest shot up ip of his nose to the extreme end of his tail.'- one eye, paralyze his legs, and there he stands 'What dia you do then ?' asked Gilmore. like a pillar o' salt. It s all done by the fluid 'I eked up the two pieces as quick as pos- you see ; and I've got a mighty heap o' the erble, and clapped 'em together ; but unfortu- stuff about my clothes; but I can't stop to ox- ately, in the hurry and excitement of the mo. plain to you how the will and the fluid are the ent, :. put the poor dog together wrong-two same thing, and I allers charge a little santhin' egs up and two legs down !' ',for sich information.' 'IDid it hurt his speed any ?' queried the Tired of listening to the-stories of the back-.; rapper. woodsmen, I arose and left t I stepped 'Not in the least ; it was a great benefit to into the open air, andfound the eight quiet and page: 48-49[View Page 48-49] THE'. FOREST FIEND. 49 beautiful. A gentle west wind was breathing softly over the trees and flowers. The settlers' cabins looked pleasantly in the moonlight., In thetear of the- clearing was a range of low hills, covered with cotton woods, beach and maple ; upon the left, at a short distance, flowed the Red Fork of the Arkansas river ; upon the right were the green meadows I have before referred to; in front of the cabins the small brook, also mentioned in another chapter went murmuring. I felt attracted towards the game meadow which had delighted me so much on a previous occasion. With sauntering, yet thoughtful steps, I ap- proached it. As I passed on, I could not help, looking at the range of hills where I had wit- nessed the' death of Prairie Wolf. The whole scene was recalled with .a distinctness I could not well account for. I saw him standing again by his horse ; saw him raise his hand, point to the south; heard him speak of the land of souls ; saw him fall down dead. j' Who is Black Ralph ?' I asked for the thou- sandth time. Who could answer me ? No one, and so the mystery must remain a mystery still. How rational it was that I should think of my escape also, and other events following it; the strange visitor ; the fatal meeting with Os- borne.- I felt sorry that I had slain him, notwith- standing that I knew he deserved his fate. No man, when he is calm and rational, wants the crime of murder on his hands. He may wish a person dead, but the consciousness of being his murderer would hang like an incubus upon his soul. I paused in my walk to view the scenery.- The meadow lay like a smooth, green carpet before me, and the light of the moon fell upon it like beams of silver. On every side the woods and hills shut it in, and it waa indeed an oasis in the wilderness. It was the same I had passed thro before I met Flora for the first tize; and iemed dearer for that remem- branco. Id slowly along its margin, stop- ping a moment to contemplate the skies, and the quiet scene at my feet. I had gone about half the circumference of the meadow. I was passing a avery dense growth of sycamores, when a man sprang from their concealment, presented a pistol to my head, and fired. The ball grazed my cheek, and the weapon was so near that the blaze burned m hair. In a moment my cocked rifle was at i breast.. 'Stir' not, on your peril!' I cried. The man recoiled a step ; the moonlight streamed down upon his face ; Osborne was before me. 'I thought you were in h-ll' lI exclaim ed. 'It is by no favor of yours that I am no there,' he answered, fiercely. 'I thought I had left you a heap of dust an ashes; but I am glad that the breath of life r mnained in you ; that I have not cheated th hangman. No doubt but you have merite death many times; yet I thank God that I a not your murderer.' ' Canting hypocrite ! devil's own ! it is eas to talk thus while you hold a loaded rifle to m breast!' exclaimed Osborne. 'Oh yes ! youe play the saint as well as the devil. Fire, i you are going to, and don't let me hear your l ing words; they torture me.' 'You sprang upon me like an assassin,' I re plied, 'and would have laid me bleeding at yea feet. There .is no good reason why I should show you mercy. How can you g agine for moment that I shall spare you. Come, man many crimes, prepare for death. , Look up the moon, and stars, and quiet skies, for the la time. Say your adieus to all on earth-t wood; stream and prairie. Send up a prayer Heaven, and be quick ; for I would, have over 'That is mercy indeed ! give a man like -a two minutes in which to make his first and Inl prayer ! Fool! do you suppose an old sinne like me to make peace with offended Heaven i so short space ? A~ year would not sullice-' ' Time is flying. Remember that in a few nn utes those very mooubeamns at your feet wi shine upon your dead face. Try to imagine yourself lying down here at my feet, with your dead, ashy face, turned towards Heaven-the place you have thought of least in life. 'Taunt on, devil's bantling ! you have the advantage-; I cannot defend myself; but were we in a fair field, armed alike, and face to face, it would be different.' 'If .I will yield up my present advantage, and spare your life, will you meet me in the field, armed as I am? Speak!' - 'Try me ; but that you fear to do.' 'Swear that you will meet me in his meadow to-morrow morning at sunrise, armed with a rifle at fifty yards, and I will forego my present advantage.' Surprise for a moment kept Osborne dumb. 'I swear it!' he said, in a lower tone, 'and bright and early will I be on the spot' 'And you may bring one friend with you to see fair play,' I added. 'I agree to it,' replied Osborne, with a grim smile. 'It suits me well.' ' Go, then, unharmed, and reme you fall to-morrow, that I shall not be your murder. er-only the means Heaven makes use of to mete out justice.' 'Please yourself with such folly, if you will ; I care not, if you keep your appointment. I will not oblige you to wait for me a second.' I dropped the muzzle of my rifle. Os- borne turned slowly away. 'At sunrise,' I added. 'Aye t at sunrise ; and don't forget that I have often killed my man,' and the tall figure Osborne was soon lost to view. As I retraced my steps, I could not help thinking -'that it might be I was taking my last walk by moonlight. . I found Flora standing near the door of the cabin. 'You have been walking,; you are very im- prudent,' she remarked., 'It matters little what becomes of me,' I answered. *I have no father or mother to weep for me. ' But you have friends.' ' Perhaps I have a few,' I returned, sadly : for at that moment I felt my loneliness and friendlessness most bitterly. 'You are sad to-night,' she replied. 'Yes,; Iam sad; I have been thinking of the past. It is a dark subject to dwell upon ; but such reflections are natural.. Imagine a help- less child, that never received a mother's kiss, or a father's blessing. Imagine him fighting his way up to manhood, with no one to love and care for him. - What can you hope from such a being-what redeeming influence can save him ?' ' The God that rules the-universe, has said that He will be a father to the fatherless. Trust to His guidance, and all may be well. Per- haps you have a mother in Heaven who throws around you the soft influence of her presence.' 'Not so, Miss Dale,' I answered, 'It is sel- dom. that my perverted nature confesses the presence of an angel mother. My heart-is too hard and unrelenting to be receptive of such influences. ' I believe the human heart is always suscep- tible of spiritual impressions. Bad indeed must be he who is forsaken by an angel mother, or sister.' 'It is a pleasant doctrine to believe in, Flora, and to one who is young and pure, it may not seem unreasonable. Were you to -assure me that you had felt the presence of your sainted mother, I wouldnot quarrel with your credulity. There are periods in my own existence when 1 firmly believe in the immortality of the soul.' 'You should, believe it ever. There is a voice within you that speaks continually of eter- nal life. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and you will cease to complain of the want of kin- dred ; you will be able to stretch forth your hands to the whole human family, and say, behold my father and my ,other, and my brethren.' Nought but the christian religion can satisfy the desires of the human eoul, and fraternize mankind.' I made no answer, for I wished to express no doubts to shake the trusting faith or distresathe heart of one so young and innoc5 ta 48 BLACK --RALPH page: 50-51 (Illustration) [View Page 50-51 (Illustration) ] BLACK XALPI We remained silent for a short space of time f'You spoke to me once,' said Flora, at length, ' of Osborne, in a manner so strange that it has been a source of pain to me since. I could have wished that some other hand had- had-' 'Slain him,' I added. 'Then you did slay him !' she exclaimed, clasping her hands as if terrified. 'Do you regret his fate, Flora?' 'It is not that ! Oh it is not that ; but the crime is yours.' And that pains you ?' It does-it does / I would that some other hand had wrought the deed !' and Flora cov- ered her face with her hands to hide her .tears. 'Flora, dearest Flora ! the sin of murder is not mine. 'I have learned within the hour that he still lives.' Flora gasped for breath like a drowning per- son., Have you met him ?' she asked, in tremb- ling accents. Nay, Flora, question me not.. Suffice it that he lives, and has the power to injure you' ' But I am glad for your sake, that it is so.' ' Think of yourself, Flora. Be careful not to venture from the cabin alone. If aught should happen-if I should leave you sooner than'you expect-.--I 'beg that you will think of me peca- sionally one who was your friend, however unworthy of that honor I may have been. In a paiieular manner do I request that you will he- aN f the machinations of Osborne. I *ill noftrust myself to give utteance to all that rises up in my heart; there is one secret I will keep, perhaps it will die with me. I cannot say; it is hard to tell what the future maybring forth. . -- Flora blushed. *Something tells me that you have met Os; borne; I.hope nothing unfortunate will come of it.'.; ' You believe that God orders all things, Flora; perha Hie will .direct all for the best in this case. *Trust in Him, Seward ; your faith will not be lost. Yog/will think me a strange girl, but I feel sure that we all owe a duty to Heaven; and that the trusting heart will be strengthened and made better.' 'Speak on, Flora, your words are kindly and true,; they fall upon my heart as rain upon the parched earth,'or as the dew upon the grass. I only wish that I coup- be ever near you-ever listen to your gentle tones-ever 'be blessed with such a monitress.' ' You give me too much credit for goodness. You will shlme me into silence by your flattery.' I mesit 6t to flatter you ; God forgive me if I did-it was the thought farthest from nly heart. I would that I could speak to you, Flora ; but it is the vast difference in our moral condition, that makes me dumb.' 'I dare not trust myself to say more now; but whatever may happen before another sunset, do not forget that Edward Seward was your friend-more than friend, if that be possible.' I sQ d and pressed -my lips to her hand, Anda d 4 so, I was conscious that a tear fell upon it. 'These are strange words,' she said, 'but I will notsforget.' I was ready to depart; but I still lingered, I knew not why.. I still held her hand; and it laid trembling in mine. I sank softly upon my knees beside her. 'Dear Flora, I can keep the secret no longer: Do not frown-do not despise me-I love you 1' 'Arise,' said Flora, in gentle accents; 'such * posture does not become you.' 'Dearest, best of girls, that my boldness has not offended you!' ' Do I appear angry, Seward ?' I ited to hear'uo more. I caught Flora to my heart, and experienced the happiest moment of my life. I had found one heart to care for and love me, and was no longer alone in the world. The memory of that hour lingers yet. Sweet hour! blessed remembrance. The moon rode on in the skies and the stars looked down and smiled. Never was night so GILMORE, THE TRAPPER. 50 9 k k page: 52-53[View Page 52-53] THE FOREST' FIEND. S r ' z i f = rrLF S' S ,t A a C3 W {e. rt K f- r s F f L. f i t I s. s serene and beautiful. The stream murmured drearmily along, and the flowers nodded in the lightly whispering breezes. Flora was never so sweet and fair ; her lips never smiled so pleas- antly; her hair never curled so gracefully about her face; her voice was never so musical. With a kiss, and whispered words of fondness, I tore myself from Flora. 'You're a brick-a perfect brick,' said a well known voice, as I walked away. 'How long have you' been here ?' I 'asked, somewhat annoyed. ' Long enough to see what I have seen,' he replied, with provoking coolness. 'Courtin' by moonlight ! courting' that uncommon cre tur!' 'No harm in it, I hope?', 'That is as it may be ; hard to tell! You're a sly one, youngster.' 'Whore's Gilmore?' 'He's coming. ' The trapper made his appearance. 'I wish to speak to you both,' I said. ' Go ahead ; we're ready, replied Buston. 'Well, come this way. It's what gentlemen call an 'affair of honor.' 'A fight?' said the hunter. _ ' A duel?' added Gilmore. 'You are both right.' What weapons?' Rifles!' Rifles, of course,' said Buston. 'Pistols aint fashionable heft. They might do among your fine gentlemen, but they're of no account with uJs.' ' What's it all about asked the trapper, anxiously. I gave them an account of what had taken place between myself and Osborne. I had not mentioned his name to them before.' ' Then you must fight the critter?' said Gil- more thoughtfully. 'It cannot be avoided,' I answered. There's but one way to get you out of the scrape,' he added. ' How is that1?' ' Let me take your place.' Ah, my friend, that will not o' 'You see you're a young man, Seward, and ifanything unfortunate should happen, somebody -I wont say who, might feel bad, and never know no happiness arterwards. Not so with me, by any means. The best days of my nateral life are over., If I should go under, there wouldn't be nobody to weep for me ; and you see it wouldn't make a great deal o' difference -in the long run. I'm as willin' to die by a rifle ball as any way, pervidin' my hour has come.' 'Brass Eyes!' exclaimed Boston, grasping the hand of the old trapper,' you're a brick I a brick, and nothin' shorter.' I took the other hand of the well me aning old man. 'If to be a brick, as our eccentric friend has called you, means to be all that is kind and generous and noble, then do I agree with him perfectly. Not for a world would I expose you to danger. No, no ; your grey hairs are sacred ; they shall never come between me and Osborne to. save me, or to slay him, or both. I were in- deed unworthy the name of a man to permit it.' 'Goodi youngster; you're a screamer!t I'll back you agin any critter as is at large at this present time. ut let us come to some kind of an understandin'. Gilmore wants to fight for you, and you wont listen to it on no account, whatsomever ; that's jest as it ought to be. Now I can prove to you in two ininits that I am the individooal as ought to have the priverlege of doin' the fightin'. Sich things come kin o' nateral to me, you know, and I like 'em."I; can't say that it aint morally out o' jint to stand' up and fire at your. feller cretur, and run the risk of losing' your own wind at the same time, I wont stop to decide that question. I want to fight this infernal Osborne, myself, Florry Dale is an oncommon cretur, and I 'slould'nt' want her to meet withno disappointment. Il take my rifle on my shoulder airly in the inornin', or jest at sunset, or jest as it happens to be and go whistlin' to the place o' meeting , I should'nt come back agin, let lorry keep Two Forty, and use him well for hi master's sake. That's about all T've got to say" 53- page: 54-55[View Page 54-55] BSLCK RALPH ise chained my tongue in the world ; and the object of its thoughts was F ha lomed for al goodness of Flora and Osborne. Ihad not looked" for so much reag.hdtelttlttevre heat I had undervalued those rough spoken, How heartily I-wished the atte.at the verge r wof the Rocky Mountains, and even.to. a darker ythano or these offers of friendship, abode. The moment that the cup of happiness ot earestly and sincerely, but I cannot ae- had been placed to my lips, it was likely to be Sh d to fight Osborne. I dashed away; for I might fall on the morrow, epteu t khem.Lave agree o t shall meet him and leave all my new-born happiness behind. feel bound to ,e al eethi ndlmy word.h.hrdt i udray at ask is I knew that it was hard to die under any tai youwill go with me to the sp"t and, see circumstances,- but I felt that it was stilharder tat al isconducted fairly. If I fall, tell to die and leave Flora-much harder an o Flora I did not cease to think of her while I have fallen before I had spoken to her of lov had ii-'I said in my heart:- 'If Iedont tell her that, and twice as much Man-is born to affliction. He is blown to I be tn u b catamounts,' an- and fro like a leaf upon the winds. His life is erd yBuston. a thing of chance and change. That wh swRuston.'n-s -as-evdes him a.When he 'Baston you're quite a critter,' said Gilmore. seems in his grasp evads hit nothe is pur- 'Nw my friends, I shall lie down and try segks for happiness, S I shall be suing a shadow.' e Sleep.M Before the is upMy thoughts grew confused aridincoherent, at e wont fa replied the trapper Before length. t sun rises we shalliedbthe you. But sleep came not like a friend to set it seal th un re me mb sh e esyi s e wo rd,' I ad- upon m y heavy lids': it came as an oppressive d. r m snightmare-to make me more xraiserable. ded."d..'b.th fire I asked myself 'Al unersood bo,'answered Gilmore. I arose and "sat "by, the',fire. I askdm el AlTunderstood, boy,' ng e Gwhre I might be to-morrow night at that hour'? Thus we parted for the night. Is man an immortal being, destined to survive f HAPTER IX the destruction of the body ? TH E DUEL. At that moment my eyes fell upon a pocket HEN I returned to Dale's cabin, ble lying upon a shelf. I was impelled to Athur had not yet retired. He was stretch forthmy han ds ndet my gae-- e sitting by the fire, waiting for me. t t be- Ihave been anxious on your account,' he ' There is hope of a tree if it be cut don said 'I feared your love of star-gazing had that it will sprout again, and that the r carried youtoo far from the cabin, and into dan- branch thereof will no cease. Though t stk You must leave offwandering away alone thereof wax l in e et, the scentk 50 oen. You areavwellaware that such moon, thereof die the ground; yet through the scent .ghtheecurions are not safe.' of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like 'ierobably the boundaries of my life were a plant But man dieth, and wasteth; yea,U ' Frbaby te bundriesof y lfe p e ? As actogago' I answered I must live until man giveth up.the ghost, and where is s time comes, and die when it has arrived.' , the waters fail from the sea, and the flondd- A very comforting belief, certainly,' re- cyeth and deth up; so mabnlh mor ta plied Arthur. iehnt iltehaeb e nou moe they 'It is time to lie down to our dreams,' said I, shall not awake, nor be raise ouaf hi We stretched ourselves before the blazing sleep.- ' 'h e. Arthur was soon in a profound sleep ; but I laid the book aside with a iohati r not so with me ;my mind wass never so busy Death tben is a sleep- Wltaisbte TIU9! FOft° ST'.FIND. thane the fire that dieth not. Better to sleep eternally, than to suffer eternal condemnation. The reader may perhaps deem me weak and cowardly, to indulge in such thoughts ; but weak and cowardly Iam not. rIt is natural for man to think of such subjects,"when death seems' near. To sa y that I feared'to meet Osborne, would do me great injustice ; for there is nothing craven in my nature. You may call this avow- al egotistical;' but I affirm that it is not; my own heart acquits me of the charge. Hard would it fare with him to-day, who should call me a coward, although my nature has lost some- thing of its fire,, and the hot quick blood -of youth has cooled into the -sober currents of' manhood. Where is the person who can lay down to die in the possession of his senses, without asking if he has within him the germs of an immortal lifei; This is not all. He will ask if there is a God to whom he is accountable for the deeds done in the body'? I o not speak .of a man as having -these peculiarities when he is convulsed with anger ; for then he gives such thoughts to the winds,' and rusheth to death as the horse to battle. I heard a gentle' tap upon, the door. I stepped to it, ' Who in there ' 'Gilmore,' said a voice.- ,Is it time'?' I asked, as I opened-the door. By no means ; I thought I'd come to see you once more, and perhaps you'd think better on t The fact is Ive been talkin' with some ' the settlers about this critter you call Os- borne. They say he's a dead shot, lie can I snuff a candle at two hundred yards, or split a ball on the edge of a knife, and think nothin' it , 'It can't be helped,' said I. They say he's a quarrelsome, unprincipled critter, and his death would'nt be nio loss to nolmdy liehas fouigat duels afore; and rifles are terrible things to stand u) afore, and be _afeet y steady. It requires narve, ian. Now you knpw I'm a good shot. Two Shooter never refuss fire, and I never miss my mark ; the consequence is; nothing' can stand'afore me! aid live. Pont you take, myeboy t 'My excellent, disinterestei f, facrifici friend ! if I knew thet Osborne wchld'snd two balls through my heart, I would ot fbrfeity word, or suffer you to take my 1tce' I an swered, earnestly and withfeeling.° 'Are-you a pretty good shot?' ''Tolerable. Yo have.b seen sdme of my shooting. ' Yes, I saw the Inginfall down ndiad all of a sudden; and I've seen you blaze aWkay at wild critters with good success ' I will show you what I can a if you think best,' I replied. 'Get a candle, if you can find sclia luxury in these digging.' - - I stepped- into the cabin and ha e good fortune to find one without awaking Arthur I then followed the trapper. We alked about three quarters of a mile from the -settlementee fore we stopped. Gilmore then lighted tie candle and fastened it upon a;map limb. let then paced off two hundred yards.. ' Now, youngster, see if - you can snuff that candle ?' 'That'srather too nice' shooting,' I replied. Nothin'like trying' Straghten up and let, flyResol-ving to do the best I could I took de- deliberate aim and fired. ' You've:missed it!' said Gilmore. We hastened to examine the tree in front of which the candle was bu-ning. ' It went about-two inighes wide of the mark. Not bad. Let sliver again.' I reloaded and fired again with better suc- cess--the ball passing within- an inch of the blaze. SI'm not used to shooting by moonlight' I do better by daylight.' ' Never mind, you're gamin' upon it.'d- I've tried twice;, now its your turn 'My nerves are not over aid above steady o-night, but I dont care it' I try my handa t it once: Come, Two Shooter, look at that blze. The old trap r brought the 'hreich o page: 56-57[View Page 56-57] BL CK '1ALPU rifle to his shoulder, with the muzzle de- essed. He raised it steadily;, the instant it upon the mark, he fired. The candle flared, flickered a moment, and burned up again. 'I'might have snuffed it a sixteenth of an inch closer,' said the trapper, cooly, as he proce ed- ed to charge his empty barrel. The candle which burned faintly at first, streamed up brightly. Gilmore stood perhaps four feet from me. While I was preparing to fire again, a ball went whistling between us, and the light of the candle disappeared. Every person who has heard a ball go hissing by them, know what a peculiar ringing it makes. I said that a rifle ball went whistling between the trapper and myself; suchI believed it to be at that moment, but what was very singular, I heard no sound to indicate that a gun had been discharged. Full of Surprise and curiosity, we hastened to examine our target. About half its diameter below Gilmore's shot, was another, which in its assagehad severed the blazing wick close down. The trapper grew pale as he laid his finger upon the spot where -the ball had struck.- 'If the devil ain't at large this year, it's my humble opinion he'll never visit the airth. You observe that two balls have gone into this tree; but they hav't made but one hole, though it has gone half its thickness below the other. The question is how did it get there'? Do you know? Do 1 know'? Does anybody know ? It was fired from a rifle I But whose rifle was it'? Who fired it? I'm dumb-founded and used up'? Say sunthin'!i Put your finger in my eye f Prick me with your hunting' knife, and see if I'm awake' It's certainly very mysterious,' I replied. It's Black Ralph, or the devil ' said Gil- more. Or both.' ' When, rifle balls git to flyin' about without any powder, it's time to give up the business of huntin' and trappin'. It's hard to tell where ballswill hit when nthey git to 1e their own masters. I gaess we'd better be a travellin' towards the settlementt" 'By no means. I am not at all disturbed or alarmed, although I frankly own that I am astonished beyond .measure. Light the candle, and I will try my luck for the third time.' The trial proved successful. The wick was severed, although, not in so perfect a manner as Gilmore had peformed the feat. t Capital!' he exclaimed. 'Do as well as that to-morrow mirain', and there'll be one scoundrel the less.' We shouldered our rifles and returned to the settlement. I was silent and thoughtful, and the friendly trapper was oppressed with gloomy forebodings. The hours of darkness rolled away. Before the sun had reddened the east, we were -.on the way to the meadow. Gilmore and I walked, along together, while Buston followed, leading Two Forty., 'I thought I would take the cretur along, as he might be wanted if you should take any blue pills for breakfast,' said! Buston. ' I never got into but two or three sich scrapes myself. I kept perfectly cool, an4 let fly as soon as the word was given, for dinner was waitin'. I shan't forgit it very soon for I had a tearin' ap-, pertite.' 'What became of your antagonist'?' 'He died of a broken heart !' The sun was rising when we reached the ap- pointed spot ; and the dew was yet upon the grass. Osborne was no where in sight ; but in an instant he stepped from the thicket near "_s, He, wasnot alone. A large, powerful tqauwas with him. I recognized in him the stranger who visited us at night. I ould not disguise, my surprise at seeing him. 'It is the same as caught us napping,' said, the trapper. . ' I'm sorry to see the critter here. He wont do us no good.' The parties approached. I saw the stranger's' eye fastened upon me for a moment; after that he appeared to notice me no more. He and Gilmnore now stepped aside and con-. versed together~ confidentially; for a moment. During the time they were thus opgaged, Osborne E THE FUR lighted his pipe and be n to smoke. I turned my back upon him aff looked toward the spo where I had.leftflora. At that very momen she might be dream 'g of me. I looked toward the east. The sun was fairly above the lowes range of hills, and glowed fiery red. The dew upon the branches of the trees glistened lik ' diamonds. The lark was up already, and the robin was singing his morning bsong Pleasing sounds from flowing waters and sigh ing Winds saluted my ear. How joyous and smiling were all things that fell beneath my vision. How delightful it would be to meet Flora there on such a morn. I might never meet her in this quiet meadow. 'Have you said your prayers?' asked Osborne, ironically. 'Save your .own soul!I' retorted Buston. The youngster ain't got no sins of any conse- quence to repent on. He worked out his salva- tion last night, while you was sleegin'.' There's enough of the devil in him to damn a dozen men,' replied Osborne, contemptuously. 'There's enough o' the 4tif in him to shake you out of your moccasiasnor to strangle you like a dog,' returned Buston. 'Or to sntff the candle of your life,' said. Gilmore, who now approached. ' It'sarranged at fifty yards,' le added. That's a long distance,' answered Osborne. 'You'll find it near enough,' replied the trapper significantly. The ground was measured off. The principals will take their places,' said' J]ustom. 'I can't stand there,' said Osborne, ' the sun will shine directly into my face. I'm not going to be ahotin that way.' The ground was measured off in another di- rection. We took our places. The rifles were loaded and placed in ouir hands. ' Be perfectly cool,' said Gibniore, ashe gave me the deadly weapon. 'fDont be in too much of a hurry about firing . Be steady, and your shot will tell when you do fire.' EIST FIEND. 57 d If I should fall, tell Flora that I blessed her t with my dying breath.' t I glanced towards my antagonist. I He had thrown Away his pipe and stood there t straight as an arrow, and calm as a statue. ' 'Are'you ready ?' iaid Buston. e ' All ready.' 'I will count three, and when I say three, fire.' 'One.' I thought of Flora. ' Two.' I raised my rifle slowly. ' Three.' Both of our rifles cracked at the same time. Osborne over-shot, and I heard the ball whistle over my head. I looked quickly towards him to see if he was hit. He stood for the space of half a minute without moving or speaking. He then staggered a step andfell. The danger was past. ' He's got it said Buston. .Good !' exclaimed Gilmore. The stranger raised him up, and searched for the wound. It was in the left side, near the heart. 'Leave us,' said the stranger. 'I will take care of him. He wont want care a great, while, probably.' II returned thoughtfully to the. .settlement; but my companions were in high glee. I met Flora, and her smiles dispelled a por- tion of the gloom the adventures of the morning had left upon my mind. 'I have discovered your secret,' said Arthur, before the day had expired. ,' Gilmore hsabe- trayed you. Why did you not confide the whole to me ?' From motives of kindness,' I replied. 'If I had fallen, you would have reproached your- self, and made yourself unhappy, because you were concerned ii' it.' 'But I would have insisted on taking. your place.' ' It would hive been of no avail ; I should have remained firm.' Flora overheard this conversatie, andI was page: 58-59[View Page 58-59] compelled tprelate all that had lapponed in re- lation to the meeting with Osborne. She gave' me a look of=gentlegpropch, aud said in a low voice: 'Wet if you d been killed!' ' Leaving Fg ywouldhave been the b terest. ingredient in the cup of death,' I anu pred int the same.tene. CHAPTER X. AN ADVENTURE HOUGH the events of the morning still hung likea darkYcloud over my mind's horizon, the evening that followed passed away very pleasantly, Story telling was again resorted to. Dale re- lated the following. IrWas 3lte fist.man who felled a t-re-in this tart of tlhe country, said the old mant' It has been my fortune ,0,etperiefe esome hardship in trying to make a home here in the wilderness. It was rather a bold ;push er a man of .m.yage, to venture so far into the backwoods, I know;- but 'Iam constitutionally bold. Nothing can 'daubt tne. As for bears,uIndians and panthers, I care but little about them. But I ought to think of Flora, Isuppose. The poor girl isn't used to siteh a=life: I 'wish it was place of greater security on her account, heaven.:'knows. If I ever leave here, and it is iot at allunlikely, it will be together out' of 'har a's way. -.They eay there'ar-excellent lau1i nea Salt Lake, up therewhere the Moimon: ettleiient is. If one was once there with then °le Would be come par- atielyhafe. But Iam getting away from my story Yog all .know,6 or aught to, in order to understand what I am telling; that I am pas- sionately fond of hunting; and it is not always safe to-be ut .alone Things havn't changed -ti li 1orthe beater since'i hate'b e here.- (n the whole they rather grow worse. "Exel- lent hunting grounds are these. Thero are' a grdatnnaiyheonveniences, it is true,tbut one gets in a measure accustomed to them. There is bne thitg abouti it; We are nut troubled with any neighbors ; that is excejpttb hdiafis. 1ell,.biig"fiiid of iiniting,'I iied to take my rifle and dog, and pass the whole day in the woods,.and nothing suisiW ne .hter. Boxer, you know, is a fine large , ,apd abynt as knowing as a man. He c en the -pgrstant companion of my peregrinations in the wilder- negs. There are few anim ls that he:fe rs, and lie has been very useful to me, firstand last.-- He can scent an Indian asfer as he can a bic bear or a panther. Now I cannot say thatzJam afraid of a red man, but I give thein plenty -f room when I can. But there are wild animals about as much to be dreaded as the Inianins. the panther, for instance, is an ugly eustoiner, full of cunning and malignity. .'I ha a ac- venture with one of those animals I never shall forget. I had been hinting allday, and began to feel tred and somewhat discouraged withal, for I had not been very successful. -I stood on the margin' of a small lake, which lies about south-west from here. It had lg" a finesday. The sun was just bidding the western wilderness good night.; While E leaned upon my rifle, musing, thebenms *f the sinking sun ceased'to gild the peaks of the far distant mounlains.- The night was fair, upon me. Old' Boner lay quietly at my feet I started from my reverie, for I was sonie miles from here. Conie, Boxer, 'it's time to be going towards, the settlement.' Boer sprang up and wagged his t, as much as to .say . 'I'm ready if you are.' I shouldered my i fli, and' walked swiftly along the margin of ine- lake. I hadgone about twentyyards we, a ,shriek $.loud and piercing that it made me shudder,,wasborney to my e~re., It fame;from the other side .,of the lake, and resembled athe shrill, ,artling cry. of a woman in distress; butmore pitepis angd op- rible far. r Boxer uttered a lop , discontented whinse, and pressed as close to m4 as possible. This was uncommon conduct foru him'; for hewas iot easily frightened, Iampwilling to owl that I was niot perfectlyunnmoveil myself. '*Thatsbriek sent the blood tingling tth~e en'd 'of mnyIfuiger' I knew very well Whatkind a thrtaftt ta i M. U THE FORIEIST FIEND. earthly sound came from. I had heard it be- fore, but not often,and never when alone ; and I hid heard old hunters afflirta that they could successfully imitate the screams of a woman. Not knowing What else to do, I quickened my pace, hoping, the distance :between me Lnd the animal being so great, that I could reach the settlement in safety. But I had gone only a few steps when I heard the panther set up a frightful yelling, exactly opposite, me, as be- fore. 'I made a 'full stop,' as the school master used to say, to consideriwhat to do next. 'We'll try it once more, Boxer,' I said to my canine companion, and then pushed forward gain. This'time perhaps I went twenty rods before I heard the savage beast cry out again; and he seemed to be a little ahead of me. ' 'This would'nt, of course, answer, because it could'nt be a great while before we should meet at that rate. 'I turned again and walked faster than ever, but with no better success, and with hardly so good ; for the creature was obviously impatient,' and was resolved to make the circuit of the lake. I thought at first that I would now walk away from the lake as rapidly as possible:; but a mo- ment's reflection: ade me abandon :this idea ; for when the panther had once gotten upon the side of the lake where I then was, he could ea- sily overtake me ; hence my only chance of es- cape seemedto be in keeping'the water between us. There was no time to lose ; so I changed my " direction once more The lake is about three miles long, and there was a pretty' good chance for a run; so;I started and ran about a mile or more in a way that showed thatI was in a hurry, I assure you. During this time I heard not a single sound;' and that silence was more ominous than: any thing else, because I could not tell where my enemy was, and I feared he might come upon 1ne of a sudden. But when U had gone the distance I have named- -'and I wasn't long about it-I' heard the blood- thirsty animal cry out again, and on this occa- iron it came from the extremte end of the pod; he had not changed his course when I did, and the truth that he was gaining on me could not be concealed or lost 'sight of. When the water was no 'longer betweeri us, how long would it take him to overtake me-t- Not long certainly. What was to be done noir? I knew not what to-do, and so I kept on as fast as my limbs would carry me. My particular sensations:it will not be neces- sary to attempt to describe ; if any ofyou have been in a similar situation, you know. something about it ; otherwise you do not. A rman may be brave, and" a good hunter, and all!that, yet not feel exactly comfortable with -a catanount after him. Such a-state of things gives one an unpleasant sensation of being torn in piecesand eaten alive. If 'you imagine for the shortest possible space of time that, I didn't run, you labor under a mistake ; for Two Forty could'Tht have done much better, On I went, and on came the-panther,of course. All at once he shrieked again; but that wasn't all ; his terrible cry was answered by another of his species in the opposite direction, which was directly before me. - So there was danger behind meand: danger before me. 'Well, what did I do then ? I stood-still for the space:of four minutes. -During that time a dreadful hor- ror of being eaten by panthers seized'me: I fancied I heard the cracking of the dry sticks and leaves; their low angrygrowls; the gnabh- ing of their terrific teeth ; that I felt their hot breath' in my face ; that they were tearing my flesh; that' the bones were being crushed. I shuddered with unmitigated horror.; A happy thought darted through my,, brain. I would limb a tree! Yes, I could climb atreet 1 and be comparatively safe. But there was Boxer, my old friend ant eon- panion ; what was to become of him?- Shod I desert him who *had neveredeserted =me? 2Oie who would'flgbt:for'me"to the last gasp:of4ii? Would that not be a base and: cowardly 'ati6 Poor Boxer!' It seenned to" me selfish 'and cruels to leaves him. H~is lighting blood now seemed to be getting aroused. He began to walk around runakieg'the page: 60-61[View Page 60-61] THE .FOREST,FIEND. 61 60 BLACK ALPB hair stand straight upon his back, and emitting low, threatening growls. ' Are they coming, old Boxer?' asred I. Boxer wagged his tail, and looked anxiously into my face as though he understood me; and I know he did. Are they near ?' I asked again. He put his large .nose upon the earth, and snufied as if to find out. A very tall sycamore stood close behind me,; but at a little distance, were others quite as elevated. 'Take to the water, Boxer,' I said, pointing to the lake; 'into the drink with you, old friend, and I'll look out for myself.' The creature seemed to comprehend me in a moment. He walked round and round the tree until I had got up some distance, and didn't appear to take it hard that I was leav- ing him. Hark I what was that? Boxer heard it; it was the sound of an animal in rapid motion. I heard i.:distinctly ; and on it came, bound af- ter bound, clearing a goodly space at a leap. The dog continued to walk round the tree, occa- sionally looking up to see how it fared with me, and how fast I ascended. He wagged his tail asiifto encourage me to persevere ; and seemed anxious on my account more than on-his own. ' Into the water, Boxer, good fellow !' Iecried, I'in safe enough now.' Boxer made the circumference of the tree once more, then sprang out into the lake, and swam several rods from the shore, taking a po- Asition,-where he could see me and watchmy movements ,keeping his shaggy head just above water, which he did with little or no effort. All was silent again ; I heard no bounding pounds ; nocracking of the sticks ; no rustling of the: leaves. There was something dreadful to me in that silence. I dont know why it was dreadful to me unless I was impressed by way ofpresentiment ; for I believe when danger. is really ;impending, the person in jeopardy -is often nmade sensible of it in a way lhe cannotl account for- Mank is, a curious creature, I as date gotrt; and I have found it so.- Just at thai moment the moon came up in full orbed splendor and looked mildly down unpn the lake and the great forest. I was glad to see it ; for I need- ed light on the subject, sorely. But where were my enemies ? I will tell you where one of them was ; he came down with a tremendous bound, within two rods of the syca- rmore among whose branches I was lodged. He snuffed the - air a moment, and then crouched down like a cat. Hewas a monstrods beast, and ugly enough be looked as he lay there lashing the ground with his long tail. Saint Peter, what an enormous paw he stretched out ; and what a tongue he displayed. And- that was not all; he exhibited two rows of terrible teeth. Did I have a peculiar tingling sensa- tion in my flesh about that time of night, or did I not, or what was it? I knew there was strength enough in one of those paws to rend a dozen men in an instant of time ; and how easily those large jaws could crush the bones. I will fix you, my lad,' said I to myself, for I felt quite secure up there. Before I had commenced climbing, I, had been :careful to lash my trusty rifle to my back, as, you will readily suppose. After I had located my- self firmly between two large branches, I disen- gaged it, examined the pruning, and satisfied myself that it was in first rate order. About in the centre of the animal's breast, there wasa small round white spot. I rested my rifle upon a i6nb, and took beautiful aim at that spot; and a nice mark it was, but my nerves shook a little, despite all my self control. I did not pull the trigger_; something seemed to tell me not to, and to restrain:me. Boxer who had hitherto been perfectly quiet now howled furiously,,of a sudden. I looked at him and perceived that he was gazing intent- ly and; anxiously upward into another tree, a few yards from, that which I had climbed. I turned my eyes in that direction. also. Good Heavens,! what a sensation I experienced'!-. what a shiver of horror ran through my frame -Crouched upon a short, stout limb, that extsud- t ed out towards my place of fancied scuriy, S A f 1 i F F 11 G+ _ Y L 3 =T X 4 t Z 3 1 t i was the other panther ! a more ugly looking monster, if possible, than the first. His fire eyes were fixed upon me with a peculiar long-' ing, savage expression; and his paws were placed in the attitude of springing. It was a critical moment. I felt for the first time the full sense of the imminent peril of my position. I had hitherto, lost sight of the fact that a panther is the most agile and cat-like of all ani- mals, capable of climbing a tree, and of leaping from one tree to another. But the horror of my position did not have the effect to unman me; it acted like a powerful tonic, although if you could have seen me at that instant, with the moonbeams shining down upon my face, a pale visage you would have beheld. Strange what a habit the blood has of receding from the face in a moment of dan- ger; where does it go, I wonder ? But it's about the panther I'm talking.' 'Go it, Bricks,' said-Buston, somewhat em- phatically. If you never saw a panther's tongue, you ought to, especially when he is excited ; it re- minds me of the deadly fangs of a serpent; such venomous creatures as I have read about, and sometimes seen. Seeing an Indian com- ing at you full of fight and fury, is nothing to that.' 'Please dont keep this cretur springin' so long, old Gunpowder,' interrupted the hunter. ' I will not dwell upon it longer, for I feel myself incapable of describing the scene, and my own sensations at the time. At'the crisis, when all appeared. lost, with a wonderful self- possession (which I cannot account for) I pulled trigger, upon the panther. ' Lhe very second that I fired, and I may say simultaneous with the act, he made a mighty bound, straight to- wards me. His long body struck upon the limb upon which I stood, broke it short offclose to my feet, and then went crashing downward to the earth.' 'Did he stop when he got down?' asked Buston.' ' When he reached the ground there was'nt life enough in him to shake his great body with a single convulsion.' 'You might put it all in your eye, and not have it hurt you, I spose,' added the hunter- 'What next? Explode, Gunpowder!' 'I took a long breath!' resumed Dale. 'From your heels up'ards, probably,' con- tinued Buston. 'I took a long breath, thanked God-..' 'Stop,.old feller ! you'd ought a waited a bit 'till you'd disposed o' the other varmint. My father used to tell me never to crow 'till I got out o' the woods. What difference would it a made to you which o' the varmints had you for his supper?' I 'Not much, certainly,' replied Dale, good humoredly, ' but I always think it best to be grateful when the Father of mercies seems to befriend us in a particular manner.' 'If having' two catamnounts arter you is being' befriended, I should'nt care about bein' be- friended ; that's a mercy I-should'nt want to be the father on,' said Buston, seriously. 'The other panthe-, when he saw the fate of his companion, uttered frightful yells, and tore up the ground with his long claws, and old Box- er made a triumphant splashing in the" water, and barked gloriously to celebrate my success. ' All understood ; Boxer was takin' a bath while you was takin' an airin' above. Proba- bly he never had his feet soaked so we l 'nce he was a pup. Wasn't his general healt1tier arter it?' 'I should'nt wonder if my hand shook a little when I poured the powder into it for the next charge, put the ball-- 'Would'ntit do jest as well to load it up all at once, and not keep the other cretur waitin' at the root of the tree ? If it will be any help to you, we'll imagine you've got the ball drove home, and are all primed and cooked; but I'd advise you to take a short aim.' 'Yes, I was all-ready-to fireand-' ' Let sliver!' ' No, I did'nt1 you are wrong there. All at once the creature leaped all of fifteen feet into the air--a few migihty-spasms shook his frame, and to all appeg.eshe was dead.' ' You did'nt say wbethqi ~ ,~4w ut o' the air again,' added Butoua page: 62-63[View Page 62-63] BLACK MLPII 'That was an oversight he did come down tiers have resolved to abandon this pa of and never leaped again. I looked earnestly country, and proceed towards the Great Salt about me for the cause of what I "had seen. Lake.' Once I imagined, through a vista in the trees, 3, it is so. What think you of the.en- I saw what seemed to my astonished eyes like a terprisew?' l a d s n horse and rider ; but that could npt have been 'That ditiomngle it was more like some dark and swiftly that you will improve your condition but little. oving shadow than realhorse or real rider. It Does he think to oin the Mormons n. melted away like a phantom or a dream, upon y 7 t n of the lake and I .saw it no more.' They think of forming a settlement on, or near, the marginfth ak ,ud swi ooe y 'Had you ever heard of Black Ralph then?' Utah Lake.' adde Gimoreanesly.' That's close by the Mormon settlement. It's added -Gilmore, earnestly. 'I had heard that there' was such a being ; a long way there, Flora.' d or what- 'Ah es ! it is along way ; but I am willing -lhat he had been seen, man jardevil, o wye ever he is or was, riding like the wild huntsman to go with my father.' over mountain and plain, through wood, and 'And leave me. through wild. I could not believe the animal ' You can go with us. Why shold, you was really dead until old Boxer springing fiom stay ?', the water, flew at him and commenced tearing 'Sure enough, why should I stay? I must - h o to protect my girl to die in her defence, if out his hair hy mouthful. g ,0,d a l ' It was the work of Black Ralph,' added need require. But it is a long an weary pil- " , a I-ust said, and, my heart fears for More, ' 'and when ,e have all said that, we grimage,.a s rthe result. Since I have known you and loved caa% say no more.'d fo h first ' Iagee with you'repliedDale. Of course ou-and Flora, It have loved you rom 'agree. withfyoutrep 6.er* that was perplexed and confounded. I examined -----I have felt that there was somethig ohis sid d e found a miht be worth living for. When upon that e beast as he lay upon aie, an .g w ' brigt, clear night I became so bold, and said small wound,-- g goher*that In the left breast?' added he trapper. so many strange things, and among terat ]xaetig. It was like thewound of a rifle I loved you, I felt more than ever that there ball; but te animal had received its death in was something hat mght render life pleasant silenoce, there .bad: beemno soul4 that I arid happy. I .m salfih ;I do not ish yon to eo ld hea t jecate that sTrifleor any kind beyexposed to dangerfor fear I may,1pse you of fire arms had been used.' when .ife:would .beyoe a burden . 'hats ather an .nreasonableistory, begin' upon the many evils hat may befall you in mour. yu par o for the liberty I tale in a n' no, eying to Utah Lak '' -p't.h "o Y hthe same hand sa d Bastoahaomie4leer. ' 'I-have rho htef; buttheme"h erha's he ;never owned d. 4ogwth three that keeps me here ,can preserve me there. The P retorted'.nil ore- ':-r settlers believe we ah 14 dwell in comparative The hunter knooked the ashes fro, ahispipe, safety there.' and commenced filling it ,gain in silence: I o nob .Bt there is a' spot that, should like tofind,. somewhere in the, wide HA P T E R XI. worl.' TE inNING. ' Ddscribe it, Reward1' SHE following conversation, between Flora 'Well, listen. The spot that I refer to IIand myself, oeourred a few days after the would be something like this. It should be in Yor father a inormed me, that the set~ tions There should be great hils on asd ,4 THE' FOREST FIEND. but one, and on that side there should be a narrow and delightful entrance. The hills that embosom this spot should be covered with trees of noble growth. I will not name the different kinds, but they should all be green and comely. You perceive that the place would be a deep valley. A small crystal stream should pass through it, and find its way out somewhere, I don't know how; but its banks should be luxi uriantly verdant. All kinds'of flowers, -lerbs and grasses should bud, bloom, &nd grow up- its . banks ; and the clear, sparkling waters should make a dreamy murmuring sound, as they went onward. Fish should be there also; nice, speckled trouts, perch, and shiners. The valley should be beautifully clad in green, for I should want no winter there, and birds whose songs are sweetest should sing without getting weary. Not far from the stream there "should be a cottage, and the graceful willow and the sweet rentedd thyme, and the wild sage should luxu- riate in the genial soil around it. Creeping vines should run over the roof, and insinuate "themselves into every nook and granny, and hang upon every projecting corner. This same spot should be a garden of Eden.' I would be the Adam-and-and Flora Dale should- should be my Eve.' Kind reader, would it not be well for you to believe that f spoke' the last, words in a veryJ soft voice'? Would it not be proper to suppose also, that a certain young person blushed? Go it, Cattridge Box ! I dropped Flora's hand ania turned toward the intruder with a scowl of displeasure. My eyes fell upon Buston and Two 'Forty. I beg the oncommon cretur's pardon,' he said ; 'I did'nt- expect' to find you here ; but there's no tellin' where folks 'll be found - days. No harm done I hope ' None at all,' replied Flora, laughing. If young Gun Flint here, aint no objections I'm going to make you an offer, marm.' r'Well, I'a gn' tosa to omonFor- clean to the Great Lake, or to the end of the world, if she wants to.' 'A kind and generous offer, truly. I thank you and will consider the subject. I should not like to deprive you of your horse, so good a one too.' 'That's the' very reason why I want you to have him; he's the only horse livin' as is is fit to carry you on his' back. He'll nake nothin' o' your light figure, and I raly believe the ore- tur likes to have you ride him. Two Fort you see, is an oncommon boss, and you're an uncommon Florry; now you understand my meani'' You flatter me, and I am pleased with it,' answered the maiden, and she forthwith stretch- ed out her hand to the hunter, who seemed almost afraid to touch it with' his hard, rough fingers ; he did manage, at length Ito 'ust 'touch he fai little and'; but he didit so respectfully, and appeared to feel it such an honor, that I could not help forgiving his intrusion, and show- ing that; I took his offers-kmdl as well as Flora. I will now pass over a period of time. The reader will imagine that we have left the settle- ment upon the Red Fork, and are en route for the Great Salt Lake. There were about 'tei- ty of us, children and females included? The baggage wagons are drawn by rules and horses, and make quite a picturesque appear. ance as they wind along on their devious way. Flora rides Two forty, and Buston is never a great way off, mounted upon the animal which formerly belonged to Prairie Wolf. I shall not enter into the detailsof travelling i the West. They are well knowanto thoe who have read Irving's 'works, and followed Bonneville and Fremont in their wandeing. . Long is the way, slow'and toilsome" our rnove- ments. But I am writing my adventures and tie ad- ventures of those most intimately, conugeted with me ;.therefore I shall not relate the his- We have passed Mt. Rabn th 'aiish page: 64-65[View Page 64-65] 64 BLACK South Park, the Old Park, and the kind reader will now find us comfortably encamped upon White river; at its junction with the Rio Colo- rado. If you look for me you will find me seated on the bank of the last mentioned river. At no great distance from me you will perceive the smoke of our fires curling up through the trees ; you will observe also that the sun is just setting and his last beams are seen upon the tops of the mountains. I am thinking of Flora; how could I live without her, and how dear she grows to me every day. . . . . . And it happened as I sat musing, that I heard foot. steps. I looked up to see who came, and the strange visitor at night.-Osborne's second- stood before me. I gazed at him with profound astonishment. Again we meet,' he said, slowly. 'So it seems.' 'What do you here ?' 'Whatever pleases me. What do you do?' 'What you would not dare do.' ,That cannot be true.' Why not ?' 'Because I fear not to do what other men dare.' 'You have an excellent opinion of yourself, 'young man.' 'That concerns nobody but myself. What is your business with me?' I have come to warn you of approaching danger.' 'Judging from the position you occupied when I last met you, I should suppose you would not be the man to warn me of danger.' Judge not from appearances, in all cases, young man.' Is Osborne dead ?' 'Osborne is living.' Is it possible?' I have said it.' ~ hat is your namie V 'You are inquisitive, young man.' f What is your name?' 'Yen may call me Forrester, for want of a- bettor. RALPH ' I think you said you had come to warn me of approaching- danger. I am ready to hear you. ' 'You dont seem to be in the best of humor.' 'As good as usual. I doubt your good faith.' 'That is natural. Ingratitude is the most common of sins.' * Why do you speak of ingratitude?. What do I: owe you in the way of gratitude ?' 'More thanyou are aware of, perhaps. You should be-grateful that I have sought you to tell you to be on your guard-that danger is lurking near you.' 'Convince me that such is your object, and I will not cease to be grateful; but as I have said, I doubt you.' 'Well, doubt on; I like your frankness.' 'I wish I could say that I like you, or any. thing about you.' 'No matter whether you like or not. I can live without you better than you, aan without me. 'I have got along thus far very well without any of your help, and I dare say I shall con- tinue to.' 'Very good ; be as independent as you like.;. it is all the same te me. What I wish to say to you is this : Before the sun is twenty four hours older, you will be in great danger ; perhaps death will be- the result; perhaps not; it de- pends much on yourself. If you heedwhat I say to you, it is very probable that you will escape; if you disregard mycoansel, there}are two chances of degteto ene of escape.' 'Is that all?' { 'No ; Flora is also in peril.' Flora?' Yes, .blora! That name seems to dispel apathy.' 'Forrester-if that indeed be your name-I beg of you to syeak to me more plainly, if you really mean whatyou say, and have the remo- test wish to befriend me.' I uttered these words with great earnestness, and looked searchingly at the tall, powerful man before me-. 'I have touched the right chord at last, ut T r : .S A e u t t a , i [ b : # f c Y THE FORE said he, with a smile. 'There i magic in' he name of Flora.' 'For me there is, stranger, I confess.' 'Well, I think no worse of you' for that. There is magic in her eyes, also, as well as- in her name, and 'a dangerous kind of magic it is.' 'You wander from the subject, I replied, pleased in spite of myself, at the tribute he had paid to Flora's beauty. 'The nature of the impending peril, I may not divulge. It is sufficient for you to know, that it is near, and imminent; and that by ob- serving due caution you can meet it, and over- come it.' 'Let your speech be less ambiguous. Speak frankly, if you would be believed. Mystery I like not, and I have always remarked that where there is much mystery there is much de- ceit. A stranger comes to me and says, 'There is danger near you,' but refuses to make known the nature of that danger; now how much importance ought to be. attached to his words ?' 'Your reasoning is false--your inferences' are wrong. If you love your own life-if you love Flora Dale, during the next twenty-four hours, be continually on your guard. Let the whole party keep together. Do not leave them for a moment, nor suffer Flora to.' 'Tell me one thing. How do you know Flora Dale ? Where have you met her ?'. 'You have asked two questions instead of one, young man ; suffice it that I have seen her, and know her ; that is enough for your pur- pose and mine. Will you do as I have direct- ed?' M' I dont know ; I will see.'- 'You are self willed and obstinate. I have a mind to leave you to your fate,-let you die as the fool dieth.' ' I came into the world like a fool, and to be consistent, should go out like one. What do you say to that ?' The stranger changed color and bit his lip. 'aWas your father like you-?' he asked ai-d ruptly. EST FIEND. -6 I dont know. My father and I were stran- gers. I never had the honor of his aequain- tance. What more would you say?' He died when you were an infant, proba- bly. 'You say so.' 'No; I asked a question.' 'You'll have to answer it.' 'Then you. dont know your own father?' 'Cease to question me. My father was a villain whoever he was,' I replied, with much bitterness. 'You were speaking of some great danger. Have you more to add ?' 'No ; you scorn my friendly counsels.' ' Give me some proof that you speak truly, and I will follow your directions implicitly, and will henceforth class you among my friends.' 'Listen, you number twenty in all ; before to- morrow night there will be but nineteen of you.' . Where will the other one be V' 'No matter; I have said. Twenty now, nineteen to morrow. Think of 'it young man.' And the man who called, himself Forrester, turned abruptly from me, and walked away. Once he paused as if he would turn back, then he quickened his pace and was soon lost to my view. I sAt still and mused on. I was not in the best of humor,;I acknowledge. Who was For- rester ? What did he want? Had he spoken in good faith? Dont know I Can't tell. I shall see. But I have but little faith in this stranger, though I have often thought of him since the night of our first meeting. I recalled his words, and repeated them in my mind ; yet they gave me but little uneasiness. I walked leisurely towards tie encampment. War-Path, the Utah Indian, iet me. This friendly savage had not left- us since we first fell in with him, near the settlement ; and he had acted in the capacity of guide during our journey. He had learned a few words of English, and seemed much pleased withi his new friends, the pale faces. I had also applied myself to the ~Pah-Outah language, andeconquered a portion of ijts hard words ; so we could now get along to- page: 66-67[View Page 66-67] 60 BLACK gether very well, in the way of conversation. War-Path was, accompanied on this occasion by an Indian who had joined us a few days before, and of whom I knew but little. They were talking earnestly together. 'How is my white brother?' said War-Path. 'Very well. How is my red brother; and what is he talking 'about so earnestly ?' ' 'am well, and I was talking of the bad Manito of the woods.' 'And what of the bad Manito of the woods,, red brother'?' *All my brethren fear him. I was thinking what a great honor it would be to kill him. *iYou cannot kill him, brother. He rides upon the winds. He comes and goes, and deals out death to the red lnah, and you cannot see him How then can you slay him?' War-Path looked at me seriously, then at his companion. He thinks he can kill him, white brother,' he replied, pointing his fInger at his red friend. Letlhim try,' I answered. ' It will be the hardest day's work he ever attempted.' War-Path smiled, shook his head doubtfully, and passed on. 'How are you, stranger?' said a voice. I paused. wondering v hat new adventure was before me. The figure of a man leaning upon a long rifle, was the first object that met my sight. At-first I thought it was Osborne, for- the. figure was about his height. Did you speak ?' . I reckon as how I did.' was the rejoinder. I'am happy to see you.' Them's my feeling's ' was the reply. 'And here's my hand for you to shake; and though its rough and hard, its an honest one.' The franknes of the stranger pleased me, and I shook the proflered hand with right good will. This is a strange wild country,' he added. Do you like it?' Do I like it, stranger I as I loved my moth- er's milk, when a babe. It's a glorious coun- try, and I could live in no other. Have you seen any of the'/seathen creturs in your wanderin's ?' RALPlh 'I have met them, often. I dare say you have had nAny adventures with them' 'My name is Baptiste La oy; and when I've said'that you'd ought to have inown sunthin' about it ' -' It gives me pleasure to shy that I have; often heard of you. Gilmore has mentioned; the name of La Roy, more than once.' 'Is Gilmore near these diggins, stranger?' ' He is where you see the smoke curling up through the trees yonder.', 'It can't be possible ! I've known him ever, since he's been" in the wilderness. I've often, been in at the leath with him ; though he has no partickelar system o' finishin'. I go in for the eye.' 'So Gilmore has told me.' 'There paint nothin' like death in the eye ; though there is some very clever chaps who go, in for the bridge o' the nose system, and don't. like no other style o' finishin'. ' Do you invariably shoot them in the eye?' ' Allers, when I can see the heathen creturs' eyes ; if I can see 'em, why then, I do the best I can, though it goes rayther agin the grain to finish 'em in any other style.' ' There is one thing I wish to ask you,' I said, with considerable earnestnes. 'Have' you ever heard of a being galled Black Ralph,- during your lotg pilgrimage in the woods ?' La:Roy approached me and laid his hand on my arm. ' Have I heard of Black Ralph I Can any human cretur wander up and down this great wilderness for years, and not hear of that onao- countable cretur ?'f 'What do you think of him?' 'That's a hard question, stranger ; I'd' rather you'd ask me sunthin' else;, Would you like to, bring old Ironsidea to bear upon him once ?' Hush I stranger, I- wouldn't no more level this shootin' stick at Black Ralph, than I'd put my hand into the fire that's blazin' out yonder where your friends are. And why should I wish to harm him ? Has he done me any hurt? :No!I Am I any the worse offfor. him ? a TH FOREST FIEND. Not; I H.~s Injins, its true, and I dont blame him" '.r they dont do but little good upon , of the earth. With your, leave I'll go roke a pipe with Gilmore,' Sleeping an isg; waking and sleeping; dreaming of' F and' Osborne, Forrester and Black Ralph; so the night wore away. CHAIPER XiI. )(was up int morning before my com- panions. The first rays of the rising sun blushed faintly in the east. The birds were singing merrily. Thinking I was the only person stirring about the encampment, I stepped forth to inhale the refreshing air of morning. I was much surprised at beholding Flora at a short distance from the encampment. I hasten- ed to join her, and the next moment stood by her side. 'You are abroad early, Flora,' I remarked. 'Yes, I thought it too fine a morning to be lost in sleep.' But you, are. imprudent. It is not safe to move so far from the encampment. Let me hope you will be cautious in future.' 'Are you given to presentiments ?! 'Not often, but there are moments when I: seem to feel the approach of danger. No long- er ago than last night I experienced one of those mysterious influences that.warn us of the approach of an evil hour.' ' To be frank with you, Seward, I experi- enced the same undefinable feeling of impending evil. I wonder what it can be?' 'I wish I could tell you,' I replied; but that I cannot do. Lema walk upon this bank. What a romantic spot 1' 'You are violating your own maxims,' said Flora, with a smile. 'We are going from the encampment.' 'We will be careful not to wander far. With thee, Flora, it- seems to me that the whole journey of -life would be but a pleasant stroll through delightful groves, and a land of per- petual flowers. Row much real happiness can, 67 I perceive in the storehouse of the future.. I shall call you mine, and you will be near me ever.. There is only one thought that chills my happiness-the life on earth is too brief a period for the enjoyment of love like mine. Would that time -could. be lengthened into eter- nity. But death steps in like a.grim. and fell destroyer ; and so my Flora, and I, must pass away.' 'You are wrong, Seward. There are low, sweet voices that whisper unceasingly into my ear of a life to come.. Call not'death a destroy. er ; he comes like a friend to emancipate the soul from its earthly slavery. . Our loves hg11' not pass away with the fleeting breath; they shall be renewed in a world of eternal blessed. ness. The voices that I tear hourly and daily, tell me this. Did' you ,never hear the voices, Seward ? They are best heard in the calm hour of early morning, in the quiet noon of night, in the still, whispering twilight. It is glorious to listen to them, for they seem to 'be' the voices of my guardian angels. Speak not thou of the shortness of time. If we have 'loved truly here, we shall love truly where the sun never sets, and where the trees and flowers, bloom eternally.' 'The voices have told you so?' I said, with. a smile, pressing the fair little hand of Flora, in my own. 'A thousand times, Seward.' 'You cannot talk of the' voices. too much,. Flora. I like to hear you. I have heard few preachers that I liked better.' 'Look I' said Flora, suddenly changing the subject, 'yonder is the Indian that j ed us a few days since. He seems thoughtful' M. I followed the direction.of Flora's eyes, and beheld the Indian, to whom I have before allud- ed, standing on the bank of the river. We both paused and contemplated him some- time in silence. 'A curious.race of beings are these same savages,' I observed, thoughtfully. 'Have you conquered your dislike to them yet? Not in the least. I do not. I page: 68-69[View Page 68-69] 68 BLACK 'They are not to blame for having a red skin, Seward.' 'I dont know about that,' I replied. ' Just look at that creature ! What can you see about him that looks human?' 'He does not look like us, it is true, yet there is something human about him, notwithstand- ing. But he is not like War-Path.' 'Very true he is not so noble.' 'Then you will allow that there is somthing noble about War-Path.' 'But very little, however.' 'I see you are resolved not to give the poor red man any credit for his goodness.' 'Never mind; let us rest ourselves upon the bank. Here is a moss covered stone, that invites us to sit.' We both sat down ,upon the moss covered stone, and in a short time the thought of In- dians, and danger, were effectually dispelled from our minds, or at least from, mine. Perhaps we had remained there half an hour, perhaps twice that time, for we gave little heed to the footsteps of the old man with the grey locke and the scythe. Flora's smiles were pleasant to look upon ; her voice was sweet to listen to ; the river made a dreamy sound, the birds thrilled it merrily ; so time went on. How long we should have sat there and talked, and smiled upon each other, I know not; a scream, shrill and start- ; flg, from Flora, caused me to spring sudden- 1 to my feet, and as I did so, I perceived the Indian of whom I have just spoken, in the act of falling, and he was not three feet from us. e had approached us it would seem unheard. In his right hand he grasped his hunting knife, and the fingers retained it after he had fall- emto the earth. Before I noticed him farther, I was obliged to turn my attention to Flora, for she was fainting with terror. I strove to reassure her, but it was some mo- ments ere she grew calm enough to explain what she had seen. It appears, as she sat upon the bank, and gazed down into the water, she had seen the shadow efthe Indian reflected there with great i THE FOREST FIEND. RALPH distinetness, and he was in .the act of striking with the deadly weapon, whioi*disifeless hand still grasped, when she utt e' cry which. caused me to spring to my fe 'Fear nothing, Flora,' I S as calmly as I could. 'The savage is p doing you an injury. Justice is even now meted out to him. Black Ralph is abroad. Flora turned and looked at the body. I1: pointed to a small wound in his left breast. 'Behold where the life oozed out,' I said. 'I perceive only a large drop of blood there,' replied Flora. Yet death found an entrance there. That dark drop of blood flows from a wound that no leech on earth can heal.' leecannot realize that he is dead,' returned Flom. ' It is but a moment since I saw that strong, tawny arm upraised to strike. What a strange thing is death! how suddenly it comes.' 'Strange enough is death; but a death like this is passing strange.' ' There is much that is wonderful about this whole transaction, Seward. Why did he wish to aim a blow at my life ? What cause had he' for such an act ? I know him not ; and to my knowledge have rendered him no evil.' .' What have I always told you, Flora? have I not assured you many times that red men are a treacherous and faithless set! I have always hated them-I hate them still-and with a hatred more bitter and unrelenting will I regard them in the future. Look at him as he lies there. A moment or two since he was a living creature, with a heart full of hate, cunning, and malignity. He would have slain you with- out cause. But God in, his justice sent an un- known and unheard messenger to lay him low, and I thank Him for it. He is merciful; hence- forth the name of Black Ralph shall be dear to me. Twill picture lhim a good angel, ever hov- ering near those in danger, to shield them from harm. No longer will f clothe his name with teri-or and dread ; but to me it shall be a pleas- ant sound ; for he has saved an existence dear er far than my own. . Flora looked trustingly into my face, and tears of gratitude bedewed her cheeks. 'This seemed incredible,' she murmured at length. 'It surpasses belief. What hand sped l the' soul of this poor savage to its long home. s Touch him.-raise him up-dash water upon s his face-see if he be really dead ?' ' Nothing can shake him back to life ; all theI water in the sea would not revive him. That dust will never live again.' ' And this you' say is the work of Black t Ralph ?' 'Yes, Flora.' 'And who is he ?' 'That I cannot tell you. He is one that comes and goes with the silence of a shadow.- He dispenses death, and the stillness of the for-x est is not broken. He speeds a soul-if an In- dian' has one-and mystery still covers him like a mantle. This is all I know of the 'Forest Fiend.'I He seems a fiend indeed,' added Flora. Not a fiend, Flora.' And why not?', Because he saved your life.' Very true, and yet I know not how it was done; I wlll try to. be grateful to him neverthe- less.' To-day you number twenty ; to-morrow you will number .but nineteen,' I said musingly, as I gazed at the stiffening body ; and I repeated it again and again, until Flora asked what - it meant. ' I was thinking of something that has passed,' I answered, quickly, not wishing to excite her fears by a recital of yesterday's adventures. The stranger had spoken sooth; the sign had been given. ' Go it, Cattridge Box !' said one whom the reader will know by this time. 'Go it yourself, and see how you like it,' I answered, 'Allers at it,' added Buston. 'Allers court- in', the oncommon eretur. If you was both travelling from sunrise to sunset, I a'pose you'd allers' find sunthin' to talk about. But what in the name o' natur is this ? Git up, you red Inj in Wha n irthi are ye layin' here 'I don't much think that he will rise at your bidding,' I said. 'Sure enough, youngster. He's got it in the eft breast. Its my opinion the devil lives omewhere hereabouts. It's dangerous to be afe anywhere in these parts.' At that moment Gilmore, Dale, Arthur' and La Roy made t eir'appearance. 'Brass Ey s what do you think of this ?' In the heart,' said Gilmore, looking atten- ively at the body, 'right in the heart. The )' ilent and onheard cretur is doing' his work.' 'That heathen eretur has been called to stick his toes up in a sudden and onexpected manner, prepared or onprepared,' said La Roy. 'He has lost his hold on all things of a sublunar natur. I hope his mind had been properliyex- ercised in regard to the futur state.' 'He never had no mind to brag on,' added Buston. 'He's got sunthin' now tiat he can't get up nor down-sunthin' as he's sure on.' 'Poor fellow!' said Arthur, I "wish him a happy journey to the land of souls.' I don't wish the Ingin indervidooal no worse nor that,' added Gilmore. tI wish all the creturs were there, and there's any hurt in it, I'm w Min' to be for- given,' rejoined Buston. 'Thein's the natur of my sentiments, Brass-Eyes.' ' I can't account for this,' said Arthur to me, in a low voice, after I had stated what had taIen place. ' There is something strange and awful about it. Just think of arresting the course of life so suddenly as a death like this indicates.-- Alive and well one moment, a lump of clay the next.' As we all moved from-the spot I again said to myself, 'Twenty to-day, nineteen to-morrow.' The stranger had not spoken falsely. As he had predicted, so had it happened. As we walked towards the fires of our en- campment, I glanced backward to the scene of the strange tragedy ; War-Path was omitting the body to the waters of'the Rio Colorado, During that day's journey not on9 pf cus, I believe, could help thinking of the p4aordi nary being called Black5Rlh. K~ page: 70-71[View Page 70-71] 70 BLACK RALPNT I wish to talk with you,' said Arthur, after to ride. The motions of the horse made my, all bad become quiet in the encampment. head ache more bitterly, and I as conscious that Takig my rifle I followed the brother of the blood was trickling down over my forehead. Flora. Caught at last,' muttered Osborne, and : Dont go ar,'aid La Roy, 'I've seen.signs Black Ralph himself cannot save you. You of the heathen ereturs to-ay.' had better be saying'your prayers.' This way,' added Arthur' The noon will -'Poor Flora !' I said, mentally. 'Poor Flo- be up soon, and it will shine pleasantly upon ra !' and then my eyes felt as though they were yonder hill-side.' hot and burning. We strolled on and conversed upon the many Occasionally the moonbeams revealed the strange things we had seen and known in the features of the Indian, and I beheld the lines of wilderness. After we had gone some distance hate and malignity pictured thereon. I was we sat down and talked a long time upon various used to seeing ugly faces, but his made me shud- interesting subjects. der, uptwithstanding. We were upon the point of rising and leav- We rode on without abating our speed, and ing the spot, when I was conscious of receiving my sufferings' were most intense. A dozen a stunning blow upon my head. fevers seemed to be running riot in my veins I knew no more at that time. Dark, dreamy, No water was offered to cool my tongue. When confused images went swimming and whirling the morning dawned, I was a long, weary way before i eyes. I must have remained uncon- from my friends. sious for a long time. ' You are most to your journey's end,' said When, with a painful effort, I opened my Osborne. ' There remains but one more jour. eyes, Arthur was no where to be seen. Spots ney for you, now.' of blood were distinctly perceived upon the 'We now descended into a deep and danger- ground. Two figures stood beside me.- ous ravine. Several times I was in danger of I looked at the taller of the twain; it was losing my seat, and being thrown upon;the rocks. Osborne 1 I glanced at the other ; he was the Upon one side of this ravine were high moun- veiy same I had lashed upon the horse, and tains, and towards those our course was directed. doomed to a cruel death. A grim smile of When we reached them, I thought I could go triumph flitted across the features of Osborne. no farther ; but I was mistaken. Between the Do you realize it?' he said sneeringly. immense fragments of rocks that seemed to ob- I made no answer.. My tongue was parched struct our way, there appeared a narrow open- and dry, and refused to utter a word. ing. 'You do not speak. You are daunted then, A horse and rider could with difficulty pass last through. The Indian entered this rocky defile, I laid my hand upon my head, for it ached I followed him next in order, and Osborne came horribly, last. dealt that blow,' added Osborne. 'It was ',No human foot save mine has explored this given with right good will. Three times have passage before,' said Osborne significantly. you baffled me, twice have you wounded me ; We emerged from this narrow way into an but that is past and over.' open space embosomed by the mountain ranges. My;hands were now firmly bound together. ' The hand of the Almighty has flung a wall h"e a.led forwar-, and I was lifted upon about us that is impregnable. Which of your his back. -Osbor-ne and the Indian then mount.. friends will find you here ?' ed the animals which had been placed there for I would have spoken, but I could not. tI e purjose,' and we all moved away at a brisk ' Sullen 1' he cried, fiercely, 'ullen as h-..-l I' trot, the former leading the beast I was forced The sun was now high in the heavens, and THE FOREST streamed his light down among the mountains gloriously. I was taken from the horse and placed upon my feet,, but my limbs refused to bear me up. I sank upon the grass, and cared but little what my fate might be, providing it were soon over, and I were released from pain. The Indian;took his hatchet and trimmed the lowest branches from a small cotton-wood.-- When this was done, he produced several strong thongs of deer-skin. I was then stripped of my clothing' I submitted to all with the dogged apathy of despair. Had I been in the full possession of my strength, and not been rendered deathly sick by that racking pain in my head, I would have resisted and foughtto the last. I was now dragged to the cotton-wood, and placed against it. My hands were carried back- wards and lashed so firmly that there was danger of the hard thongs cutting through the flesh.- My other limbs were next tied to the cotton- wood with equal rigor. While this was being done, Osborne looked on with a smile of satisfaction. 'If any person, by the merest chance should find their way to this spot, at the expiration of a few days, they will discover a skeleton lashed to a cotton-wood !' said Osborne ; and mounting his horse, he rode away, followed by the Indian, leading tho animal I had ridden. They were soon out of sight, and I was alone -left to starve-to faint--to perish in the sin. I was cut off from my friends ; human aid could not reach me. Indulgent reader, attempt, for a moment, to imagine yourself in my position. Endeavor to fancy yourself in the heart of an immense wil- derness, doomed to the most cruel of all deaths. Strive to picture yourself exposed to the hot rays of the'sun, and sighing for a drop of wa-1 ter, even as the rich man sighed when he beheld1 Lazarus afar off in Abraham's bosom. Imagine also that you feel a deadly sickness at the stomach, and that your brain is dreadfully rack- ed and dizzy-. ' A fearful situation, truly I' you will doubt- less exclaim. ' - T- FIEND. - 7I The hours went rolling heavily onward. My limbs began to, swell and pain me horribly.-.-- The sun shone fiercely upon me and burned my skin. I made frantic exertions to free my- self, but I could not move an inch, so well iail the work of my enemy been done. I cast my:aching eyes towards heaven ; but the sun flashed into them as if to burn them dry. I looked down to the earth,; and thep the thought occurred to me that I should never have decent burial, but be eaten by birds and wolves before my poor body was cold perhaps. What would Flora say when sle learned that I had suddenly disappeared and could not be found. Perhaps she might, in an evil moment think I had ba ely deserted her. But.no; that could not he; she knew me too well to do me so much injustice.. She would doubtless conclude the worst had happened, and would mourn my untimely fate many a long year. How my temples throb I My brain seems actually on fire ! What a blessed boon one single drop of water would be. 12bshall taste water no more. Gracious Father of men,! in thy infinite mercy proportion my strength to the immergencies of my day. I am weak; thoR art strong. I am finite, everlasting .years are thine. I shall go mad. This fierce sun, is scorching my brain. My sufferings overpower- ed me at length,. and insensibility put a tempo- rary end to my sufferings. I knew there was an interval in which a thousand incoherent thoughts and strange im ges went whirling before me. I have a faint remembrance that as I began to revive, I-f the horrible sickness and faintness again..z I knew I heard a friendly' and well known voice exclaim: 'Go it, Cattridge-Box ! Qome. on, Brass- Eyes. I've found the cretur tied to a tree, parfectly safe ; won't it make the heart of occommon Florry glad"1 How my heart leaped ithin me, when tel tones of that voice fell upon my ear. How fervently I blessed the well meaning old hun- ter. Tears came to my aid-the first I had shed -and they moistened my burning eye-balls. ;; . - . page: 72-73[View Page 72-73] 72 BLAC 'Bring water, stir your stumps ! Be lively, tie poor boy is in an unhappy state.. His tongue is as dry as a stick. The Lord be mer- ciful to us all! -What a trick to serve a human eretur,' added Buston, while he severed the thongs that were imbedded in my flesh, with rap- '1a and dexterous strokes of his hunting knife. The critters shall smell gunpowder for this,' maid Gilmore. 'Open your mouth, my boy ;- here's water, fresh, clear sparkling water. Hurry up Brass-eyes ! turn the precious fluid down Iiis throat ; 'twill do him good. Now give him sunthin' out o' the bottle---a good dose of it. There, he opens his eyes.' 'How hot the boy's flesh is,' replied Gilmore. £ It makes me feel oncomfortable to look at him. It puts me all aback. You'll have to hold old Two Shooter, to keep it still, arter this. Yes, this hollow bit -of steel will have work to do, and -the criters will take blue pills. Can't some pious indervidooal give me a chance at the varmints, about this hour of the day. 'Becalm, Brass-Eyes ! govern your religious feelin's. The time 'll come when we'll stand up shoulder to shoulder, and send particular conviction among the Ingin indervidooals. The spirit o' prophercy has fell on me like a stick o' timber. We shall see what we shall see.' Gilmore carried me in his arms to a shady spot. He put my clothes on me with the gentleness of one who cares for-an infant. He bathed my head, face and hands in cool water, from which I experienced the most grateful sensations. Buston placed the bottle again to my lips, and I managed to swallow a considerable quan- tity of whiskey. While Gilmore was thus engaged with these kind offices, I relapsed into a deep and refresh- ing sleep. I faintly remember that something like a dream occurred to me. The form of my saint- ed mother stood beside me. Sweet sometimes, are the vagaries of sleep. i K RALPH' CHAPTER X III. BUTTON'S STORY . OPENED my eyes. A change had taken place in the appearance of things around me. A tent had been raised over me, softly, while I slept, and I found Gilmore's blanket wrapt about me. No person was in sight. The, pain in my head had subsided, and I no longer felt the deadly sickness at the stom- ach. It was near the hour of sunset, or sun- rise, I knew not which. As I lay there, the entrance to the lodge was darkened by the figure of a man. Forrester was again before me. He hesitated a moment, cast a furtive glance behind him, and then en- tered. 'I find you sick and weak,' he said. ' When last I met you, you were well, strong, and bold. What are you now?' 'I am helpless to-day; but I may be bold and strong again to-morrow, I answered. 'What more have you.to say?' 'You have doubtless forgotten what I said to, you three days ago?' 'Forgotten your words!' I wish I could for- get them. 'I warned you of danger; you scorned my counsel. Look at yourself in a vessel of water, and mark the result.' 'Yes; you did speak of danger near, and imminent ; but could you not have done more ?' 'You speak like all the rest of mankind-not grateful for a little-ever reaching for pore- ever finding fault. Had you followed my coun- sel, you would not have been stretched upon this couch of pain.' 'But you were so ambiguous in your lan- guage !' ,If I told you one truth, and you believed it not, why should I have told you another. . If you would not heed my advice in one thing, why should I suppose that you would in another ?' Very true ; but I like not mystery, as I told you then. There is one question I would ask.' Ask it.' y t i t r- IM Y ^t .s, t C' s: x r ~s .i = r z 3 l 4+y s 4 b f - % t THE FOREST FIEND. ' If you knew what would happen, why did you not save me'?' 'Let the future answer that.' 'I do not comprehend you. Who are you? Why do you seek me? Why do you wander up and down these woods? What am I to you, or what are you to me?' 'Do not trouble your head about those mat. terms. Try to get well. Seek out your enemy and slay him; hate Indians, be bold, and strong of heart.' ' That's singular advice to give a sick man.' 'It's the best I have ; receive it, or not, just as you please. I am not particular about such matters. I take care of number one ; you must do the same. I would give you advice to direct your course in future ; but you would heed it not, and, I forbear.' 'Speak the truth, and I care not,' I an- swered. 'I seldom speak falsely,' he said, proudly, ' There is something more I would ask?' 'Well?'' 'Are you my friend ?' For a moment Forrester was silent, and gave me a searching and earnest look. ' Before God,' he replied, seriously, ' I know not whether I have been your friend or your greatest enemy!' 'That would seem singular,' I returned, in- terested in the stranger, in spite of myself. Shall I see you again ?', If you live long enough, you will be likely to.' Indeed -' 'Adieu for the present.' 'You have no more to say, then?' It would be useless to say more. You are headstrong. We may meet again soon. Be careful of yourself:' and Forrester turned and left me as abruptly as he came., He had been gone but a few minutes when Buston entered the lodge. 'Where is Arthur ?' I asked. 'I hope he's in some-safe place,' he replied, hesitatingly. 'Have you seen or heard from him?' 'I can't say I have.' 'You know nothing of his fate, then ?' 'I'm sorry to say I'm parfectly ignorant on that subject. It wont be well for you to think much about him at present. Try to get up agin as soon as you can ; that'll be better nor anythin' you can do. You've had along sleep.' 'How long have I slept ?' ' You went to sleep at. dark ; it's . mornin' now.' ' I feel much better. Where are the rest ,f our friends?' 'They are on the way here. You will be likely to see oncommon Florry afore the sun goes down.' How did you find me?' ' We stumbled upon a tall, mighty queer chap, who put'us on the trail.' 'Is it possible ?' ' It isn't more nor less than possible.' 'How did the stranger appear? 'Jest as though he was in a great hurry, and had. got to go in another direction, post haste.' 'Did he say much ?' ' He pinted out the direction, and told us.not to let the grass grow under our feet.' Just as he - was turning away he said: 'if you don't find him there, I shall find himin another place, and you can tell the young gal so. With that he left us. We didn't have time to ask who he was, or ,where he came from. We followed his directions, and found our way into this curi- ous place, where we discovered you tied safely to a cotton-wood.' 'Where is Two Forty?' 'That oncommon horse ain't a great way off, you may depend on't. At that moment Gilmore appeared. I felt truly glad to see his friendly face. He came and sat down beside me, felt my pulse, exam- ined my tongue, &c., in a manner that evinced considerable knowledge of the healing arts 'You are a: great deal better,' said he. 'You'll be able to give the{ varmints their due yet, my boy.' ' It is not the Indians I am indebtedtfor this last trick,' I answered, 'It ~ oOtorne.' t f 4 I 3 73 page: 74-75[View Page 74-75] '74 BLACK: ' Osborne !' exclaimed the trapper, with a start of astonishment. 'I thought you'd fixedI the critter's fhial accounts t' He lives!' It was him, then, that left you to roast and starve in the sun?' It was; thanks to your timely aid.' 'The man you call Osborne won't never die a* nateral death,' returned Gilmore, earnestly. He'll step out of the world in some awful and unexpected wanner.- It airi't often I prophecy, but when I do, you may set it down as sunthin' ,atain, and ras will take place sooner or later.' Go'it'Isaiah I' said Buston. 'When I say that Osborne will die with hisI moccasin on, I don't exaggerate in any degree,' added the trapper. 'Speak your mind, Brass-Eyes. Don't re- strain your nateral piety.' 'I've often told you that my name wasn't Brass-Eyes, or any sich nonsense, and I'd thank you to bear it in mind,' returned Gilmore, in an offended tone. 'I've stood it as long as I could, and I egn't stand it no longer.' x' plode,Gunpowder!' i' f you Want the priverlege of standin' up afor Two Shooter, you can have it.' SIt wouldn't be a very comfortable place to stand, I reckon; but in case of necessity I should'nt be afeared to stand there.' 'It isn't my natur to quarrel, by no means; but I know of a capital spot for anytl in' of that kind.' 'I hope it isn't a great way from here, old Flarup.' 'I'mrthe man as is readyto go to it at any minnit,' replied Gilmore, considerably excited. I now thought it time to interfere.' My'good friends,' I said, 'cease to cavil abottrifles. You will probably have fighting enough to do before you reach Utah Lake.' 'Right,' said lBuston. ' There's no good reason whyl slpoulM fight old Brass-Eyes. As 'long's thie heart's in the right jglace, why should we mind about names. One name's as good's another 'In a short time good humor was restoi-ed. RAbIPH Before night the rest of our party joined us. I need not say that I was glad to see Flora; and that she proved an excellent nurse. The reader will understand this, and why Buston said that' ' oncommon Florry was a Great Medicine.' But the fate of Arthur still remained a mys- tery, and cast a gloom over us all. 'I shall go and seek him,' said the elder Dale. 'I will never return untilI obtain some knowledge of him.' 'Did you find the spot 'where I was taken ?' I asked. 'I have reason to suppose so. I found a spot wet with blood, and some signs of a strug- gle, but nomore,' replied Dale.' 'I think he must be living,' I answered. 'Had he been slain, you would have found his body. ' I wish I was well, that I might go with you and share the danger of the undertaking.' 'Stay where you are until perfectly recovered. A few stout hearts will go with me, and with the blessing of God I hope to be successful. Flora will be your nurse until strength returns once more to your limbs; then it will be yours to protect her until I rejoin you.' Dale departed, accompanied by two of the emigrants. Gilmore and Buston remained be- hind to protect those not able to go on the trail, and who naturally look to man for protection. Under the gentle care of Flora, in a few days I was able to be about again, though my strength was not fully restored. Had our minds been at ease in regard to Ar- thur, time would have glided on very pleasant. ly. Many hours did I sit by the side of Flora, and listen to the wild tales of Gilmore and Bus- ton. Sometimes we heard thesestartling reci- tals in the open air, beneath the bright siun, or the silvery moon, and .at others in the quiet lodge, during the mild hours of evening, while the howl of the wolf and the hooting of the owl was heard in the distance. - Once, when'I had recovered sufficiently, we sat near the door of our rural habitation, and Buston related the following, which I feel would be defrauding the reader to withhold from these pages. . THF, FOREST FIEND. 'Many years have gone by,' said Buston, I looked about a little and found tracks in the 'since I began to wander up and down between soft airth-tracks made by the varmints with Westport and the. Rocky Mountains. You moccasins on. can't find many spots in this great country as To tell the truth, and nothin' but the truth, I isn't well known to me. I could call every riv- didn't sleep so well the next night as I did the er by name that rises among the mountains, and night afore. I couldn't help" thinkin' about my goes flowing towards the big, blue sea. As for sitewation, all alone there in the woods. The Ingin creturs, I know the whole race of 'em, Blackfeet might surprise and kill me any time, and I can't say I know much good of 'em eith- and I shouldn't be no wiser for it till I waked or. The Blackfeet and the Crows are the great- up and-found myself dead. est blackguards. of all the painted varmints, The idee of dyin' in that style aint pleasant I've suffered a great deal by 'em, fust and last. it isn't' like standin' up and fightin' for life,.like Once I was trapping on Madison River. It a brave feller ; there's a vast'difference. wasn't a very safe place to trap, and I knew it; It allers struck me that dyin' in 6ne's sleep but as game seemed to be abundant thereabouts was a kind of steakin' way of gettin' out o'the I determined to try it awhile, hit or miss. S world. I found a snug out o' the way place, not far In the mornin' I visited my traps as usual, from the river, where I built me a little but, and found two more of 'em carried away. which would answer my purpose very well while ' This wont do: for me,' said L 'Ididn't I staid there. You don't see such a place as bring my traps all the way up hereto have 'em that often, I tell you. 'On one side there was a stole by the tarnal Ingin indervidooals." great rock, as big as four of it, which sarved to I went to work and set my remaining traps conceal me from the Iogins. , On the other three in rather bad humor, and said some hard things, sides were thick and aln ost impenetrable thick- I reckon, about the varmints. ' When the night ets of furze and other kinds of wood. ' I used come agin, instead of going into my 'hut, 'Ista- to be very careful about going about too boldly 'tioned myself in a thicket, near where my traps during the day;. for I knew it wouldn't be pru- were set. -I had a double barrelled rifle at that dent like. So when I went to.set my traps, I time, that could be depended upon;under all took that part of the day when the creturs would circumstances. .Besides this, I had a, brace of be stirring' tpe least. I was very successful for regular horsespistols, such as is used in the Usi- a time, and got quite a pile o' peltries. Well, ted States sarvice, by the troopers.; These were one mornin' I went to look at my traps, and found tremendous things at a short distance, and would that .some, of 'em had been stolen and carried off make a proper ugly hole in a cretur's. skin, I by the varmints. I said nothin', but set all the loaded up my two shootia' stiekq with oncommon rest o' my traps in another place. I didn't sleep care, and put my pistols in prime order, detar- that night quite so well as usual, for I knew the mined to sell my life at a dear bargain, iffthe creturs had discovered that a white trapper was Ingin indervidooals happened to find me. Laid somewhere in. that neighborhood. I got up down flat in the thicket, and watched the traps. bright and early in the mornin', and went to I didn't make much noise, ,I tell you, for I un- look at my traps again. derstood woodcrafts though I say it selff as .It 'was 1with the greatest difficulty that I could shouldn't say it. restrain my nateral piety, when I found some I laid there hour arter hour, and all was as more of er'gone, Now you must know, young- still as .death. :The stars come out ia4 'o pleas- ster, that aman thinks a great deal of his traps, ant like, and the moon shone down upon me as and Aon't hike to lose 'em, when he's been to though it was the only friend I had on the arth the; trouble to carry 'em so fur.' I tried to be I shan't forget that night very soon for I hadga as patient as I coul4, and set 'em agin, hopin'. to great many curious thoughts about thet time. I have better luck. 'had heerd people say that the planets was alJ 75 'A page: 76-77[View Page 76-77] BLACK RALPH inhabited by some kind o' human nature ; but it didn't seem' to me possible that any kind of a varmint whatsomever, could 'manage to live up there. I made up my mind as I lay there, that there wasn't a single indervidooal livin' upon any of the heavenly bodies. The stars and the moon was made to illumernate the airth during' the light, and. for nothin' else. Bat that's neither here nor there. My views of astronomy mayn't be altogether interestin'. While I was. studying' about the moon and stars, and all sich nonsense, I heerd a poise not a great way from me. I thought at once it must be.one; o' the varmints, and so I opened my eye tight.' 'What does that mean ?' asked Gilmore. 'Keep cool, Brass=Eyes, and I'll tell you all about what happened. As I was obsarvin', I opened my right eye tight, and kept up a terri- ble lookin'. towards my traps. The sounds tlat I heerd at first kept comm' nearer and nearer, and seemed to me like somethin' walk- in' cautiously. Well, on it come, and pretty soon 'I had the uncommon satisfaction of seem' a Blackfoot=standin' right over one o' my best traps. The critter.stooped down and sprung it with p sti6k then took it up and was turnin' to look fi Oreim6 'when I reckoned it was time to stop hin. Iaimed at the critter's head, and list ,,yifpinion that a rifle ball never went through: an indervidooal's upper story easier than that same ball did. The sinfil varmint dropped the trap all of a sudden; and fellaback without. so much as half groan. I dent think the red' feller ever real. ized what'sentIhim off to the 'happy hunting' grounds: It was good enough for him, for its awful wicked to steal iraps'! I waited a few minutes to see if any more of the . creturs were near, and then dragged the body and threw it into the river. When I had done this I set n 'traps, and took my place agin in th thicket. t was all of an hour afore I wa disturbed aging. At' the expiration of that time J heerdl other sounds; anda another heathen in dervidooal made his appearance. I was nearer to this one than I had been to 'the other.' He sprung the trap just as 'his predecessor did. I let him turn fairly round with his back, to me, then I couldn't restrain my religious feelin's no longer. I jumped to my feet like lightning , and lit right down behind him, chucked the rifle agin the back of his head and let drive. The cretur tipped over like a brick, and didn't give me so much as a crooked word, or look. His face wasn't in a state for hislfriends to recognize him you'd better believe. I throwed him into the drink, just as I had done the other.' And you killed the whole tribe in that way, I s'pose,' said Gilmore. 'No, I didn't, Two Shooter; you shall hear. When I had dragged the Ingin's body into the drink, sunthin' seemed to tell me to go towards my hut and see what was goin' on in that di- rection. 1 obeyed the in'ard promptin's and crept softly back. When I got-very near the door, I began to think that I wouldn't go in, so I sat down in the thicket a little way off. You perceive that I had fired twice, and I was afeared the noise might attract the attention of other Ingins 'who might be in that vicinity. I sat there with my rifle across my knees, thinkin' about-it a long time-perhaps an hour. I didn't feel in the best of temper, because I couldn't keep the traps out o' mind. Just then I heard a slight rustling among the leaves. I looked steadily towards the spot where it come from and presently I saw a human cretur. He walked directly towards my hut. As - soon as he reached the door I knew him. It was a voyageur whom I had seen in various places, under various circumstances. He was half French and half Ingin, and' a rascally feller he was. He was allers found hanging' about some o' the Ingin tribes, puttin' them up to all man-. ner of mischief. If he knew where 'there was white trappers or hunters in the vicinity; he swas sure to go and see 'em, and pertend to be .a great friend to 'em, find out where their pelP - tries were, whether they had any caches; and THE FOREST FIEND. what was in 'em. When he had found outfall seem to git ov he wanted to know, he wouldn't fail to play ground like a some ugly trick with 'em. If he couldn't his hands bit manage 'em alone, he'd bring down a 4t o' the himself into al varmints upon 'em, and ten to one, if some of acted as thoug the whites wasn't murdered on the spot. ' Go it, Cat As good fortune would have it, I had got good in the lo pretty well posted up in regard to this cretur, traordiner to c for he had played off one of his tricks on me ; . I let him ki but I was fortunate enough to escape with my a chance to pri life, and that was a great marcy. goin' to.' I never could think of r this treacherous var- 'Very kin mint without sayin' some kind o' wicked words 'Of course and I had resolved more iior once, to settle his mints etarnal' final accounts. When I saw the anermal I human critter couldn't restrain my religious feelin's on no ac- what has he to couit whatever,' petss? Noth 'Go it, Bust-your-BilerI1' said Gilmore. 'Well, don't ' I'm gettin on as fast as I can; so dont in- Gilmore. terrupt me. ' No longer The half-breed cretur stopped at the door sarns, Brass-E and listened ; but he couldn't hear nothin', of 'He's been course. He next tried the door to see if it torted Gilmore was fastened. Findin' it wasn't, dont you think ' That's bui he had the impudence to push it open ! end of a huma Well, arter doin' that, he seemed to grow offif it'll be an bolder ; first he looked in, and then he walked nor I meant in, jest as though he was the lawful owner and mustn't do no perprieter of the consarn. I had managed to When I thoi keep down my airly piety 'till that minit; but and he was wi when I see him doin' that, I give right up to I jest clapped, my feelin's. I arose from where I was sitting' his nateral bra and walked arter the varmint in double quick away. It seer time, to use a military figure of speech. sition. He la I met him face to face in the door, and you as though not probably never see a cretur looked so astonished. been known I had one of the horse pistols in my hand consarns since and the way it was loaded up was no man's thing that eve business. ',What did As soon as he saw me, he began a long per. per. larver, and tell me how glad he was to see me 'Gathered and all that kind o' stuff. started, resolve ' That sort o' nonsense d n't work on me,' neighborhood said I, ' and with that I held the pistols about ' Did you h~ a foot from his stomach, and let him have it in ' Of course the bread basket. He jumped up and yelled without a bos as though sunthin' had hurt him, ana couldn't bad luck. 77 ver it; He rolled round on the mad cretur, tore up the airth with at everything in reach, and put l manner o' shapes, and in fact h he had the rebellious colic. tridge-Box I' says I, 'It'll do 'you ng run. You need sunthin' or- hange your wicked natur.' ck round a spell, jest to give him epare for the new country he was d in you,' said Gilmore. I didn't want to injure the var- prospects in the least. When a is layin' aside his airthly natur, cheer him but-his etarnal pros- in' under the light o' the sun.' keep the critter in pain,' added than is good for his etarnal con- yes.' kicking' about Ave minits ' re- t a short time on the very last n cretur's life ; but I'll finish him ay accommodation to you, soone- to in the first place, though I violence to the facts of the case. ought his mind in a suitable state, lin' to go, from this world o' pain 'tother pistol to the place where gains ought to have been and blazed med to change his whole disper- id down on the cold airth'as quiet hin' had happened. He's never to interfere with other people's and I believe that was the last r occurred to him.' you do then ?' asked the trap- up my peltries, took my traps and ed to git out o' sich a dangerous as quick as possible,' ave a hosa?' I had; a free trapper is never s, unless he meets with terrible I page: 78-79[View Page 78-79] Two forty carried me along way afore I con- B ton, gravely. 'That, was her Ingin name.' eluded to make any stop. I commenced tra "hat's because she run away, Is'pose.' ping again in the neighborhood of Saptin's, at No;, she was allers called the Runin' Ivy.' friedlyinfnsie sot o peple liyn' pon 'Sh didn't prove-to be the kind of Ivy that friendly 5; mfensive sort .o people , lyen', upon dSdh l- the Yaller Stone, and its tributaries. I set my would cling to your affections,' added Gil- traps on Tongue River, which runs along near more. the base of the Black Hills, and -I believe 'She was the Runnin' sort,' returned the takes its rise among 'emsomewhere. hunter, with a sigh. Well, while,I was there, I did sunthin' as I 'Did you own a dog at that perticular period never did afore ; I fell in love.' o' time asked Gilmored 'Who ithBustn?' I did, Brass-Eyes ; and he, had three names 'Who with, Buston ?Vd 'The gal was half Mexican, and. half Ingin two for week days and one for Sundays. I and a handsomer eretur you eves set eyes alleys run to extremes in all things. But I on. Her father and mother we e both livin' never could keep anythin' a great while at a with the Saptins. I did my" best to please 'em time, more's the pity.' all, and succeeded. But I had a rival, and he 'It appears, added Gilmore, that you' was one of the chiefs of the tribe. He looked a runnin' dog and a running' wife, and a run- on me with an evil eye, as you may suppose ; nin' oss I What in the name ' natur will you but I wasn't afeard of him, by no means, though have next.'; e-give me some ugly looks.. The old folks con-1 'Don't be hard, old Cattridge-Bax. Keep, sented, and I was married to my Ingin gal, in down your nateral piety. I shan't never for- true Ingin style. git the Runuin' Ivy.' 'Half Mexican, you said just now,' inter- .So we parted for the night; Buston to dream pted Gilmore. of the Runnin' Ivy, and I to dream Flora. ruptedouilmore. Gentle rader, =whose dreams d outik So she was, Brass-Eyes, and it would have e re you think doue your eyes good to see her, she was sich a were the sweetest ? pictur of natural beauty. She was as much like uncommon Florry, as she could be, and I SURROUNDED. often think of it when I look at her. She W a el ine m n proed rae lvinandgoo wie wile I had WAS- awakened early in the morning b proved a rate- lovin and good wife whieIhd Bso. Usher, but. that wasn't long ; for she mysteriously )J ' Wsta disappeared one day, and I've never seen her ' se' asked ,since, from that time to this; and that was four 'Trouble enough,' h oesterday.'We're surrounded.' years ago, yeseray I lid"h What on airth become on her ? asked the 'Surrounded y mountais, repi, wth trapper, a smile. apl'e. ' Bythe Ingms ' 'Can't tell you. All I know is that she dis- Byt y 'What kind of a ians appeared, and that chief also disappeared, and 'Watnd oflInoans 'P wasn't seeh no more among his people. I shan't , think.' never forget my Ingin gal, though I may wan- der over all partso' the world. 1 never git up Wh a es ' in the mornin' without thinkin' on her;, and I'rounded se 'e,. and isn'ttanoug?' never goto bled at night without hopin' that' no 'Wherseen Gme?'adin hteog harm has come upon her.' 'Hes tryin' to get a chance to bring Two What was, your gal called' interrogated Sotrobernsmen'm. ' She was called the Runnin' Ivy,' returned I.os notm namn yef dte sallied out with Buston- You see that spur of the your right?' said the hunter, point finger. 'Well, airly this mornin'--half perhaps-I see several of the varn rom place to place, and peerin d I went and waked Gilmore, and same. We kept kind o' quiet,a long afo-e we see some more off tion. We then begun to watch pu found in a short time that.they we us.' Y1 4 'If there were no females with not be such bad news; it is for th I fear.' 'I'll fight for oncommon Florr male creatures as long as I can lift not the man as gives back when death looks me in the face.' Thank you Buston.' I'd stand up alone betwee Florry and a thousand Ingin mde 'And you'd fight nobly, too.' 'I'd do my best, young man, anybody can do. Keep behind much as you can. Don't seem to of anything wrong. There, this is for observation: Let us set do watch a little while. I dont thi see us here.' I followed the directions of Busto our position in a small cluster of t the place we occupied, we had chance to scan the mountain rang My eyes wandered anxiously an along their steep and broken sides. a wily enemy lurk among the tho places they afforded. , There were I mighty fragments of rocks, rent- knows how-by sonie terrible cony ture; yawning chasms; precipicei depth ; gorges deep and almost in unpractised feet. 'Looki' said Buston. ' Where?' 'Away there. Do you see ?' THE FOREST FIEND.79 mountain on . ' Ido. I see a painted face. It seems to be sting with his nearing us.' 'It's a scout, probably. He's a coming' to see what we look like. It'll- be well for him not to an hour ago, come too near.' mints runnin' 'Now I can see his shoulders. By heavens ! own upon us. he's reconnoitering, sure enough.' 1 he see the ' That's the varmint's intention, youngster.' and it wasn't 'Have you warned the rest of the encamps in that direc- meant of the impending danger'?' tty close, and 'Gilmorel1 attend to that. He isn't the man re all around as will neglect anythin' as consarns the gineral safety. They've all got their orders afore this us this would time. It wont be long afore you'll see all the iem only that ,men as can lift an axe, busy at work. See!1 they're at it now. They'll build a fort as will hold us all afore night, if the creturs don't come y and the fe - t ahand. I'm down upon us ; and there aint much danger o' a and.rI'mdthat, because theydon't like fair fighting . They danger anid e-us te prefer to fight behind trees, or to make their at- tacks under the cover of darkness.' 'After all they may be nothing but Root Dig. n oncommon 88 .n ndooa' gers,- and do not intend any acts of hostility' rvidooals. ay,' They're led on by a white man,' replied Bus, ton; 'a white man as stands more nor six incb;- es in his shoes.' the trees as i be suspicious ' Osborne!' I exclaimed. a suspc 'Perhaps so ; but I don't know.. Gilmore a good-place ad caught aglim o bta n here anandnd I cg g ps of a white face among nk theycanthe painted devils, and that's all we know about they can it. Just look at that feller, now I' 'nIam observing him. He seems determined )n. We took to find out what kind of a state of defence we trees. From are in. He sees the settlers at work.' a very good 'And it don't please him, I dare say.' es around us. 4., What should you call him?' d nervously 'A Utah ' Well could 'Where is War Path?' usand hiding ' Hewent with Dale.' setling cliffs, 'And where is the trapper and guide, called -heaven only La Roy, who joined us at White River ? 'ulsion of na- 'He shouldered old ronsides and went his of a dizzy way. le said there was a voice calln hims accessible to and he must obey it' 'A brave man! I would he were with us. Poor Arthhr!' 'He was a fine lad,' answeredBtn ad it will make sad the heart of oncommon Florry. page: 80-81[View Page 80-81] BLACK RAL 1H 'That Indian is still coming towards us.', ' He's makin' for that precipice jest afore him. When he reaches that, he'll have a good chance to see all that's goin' on.' 'I wish he might tumble over it and break his confounded neck'!' ' He'll be careful not to do that.. The creturs love life as well as a white man; though some of 'em die better. That's a darin' varmint. Cuss his ugly picter ! If it's only a little nearer.' 'He is a daring fellow, sure enough. He stretches his long neck over the precipice, and looks down. And now nearly half his body hangs over the yawning abyss. Wouldn't' a ri- fle ball reach him from here ?' At that very instant there was a sharp report. The Indian scout swayed to and fro a moment, grasped spasmodically at the surrounding bushes, and then went whirling down the awful height. 'Good heavens ! He's gone 1' ' Go it, Cattridge-Box !' exclaimed Buston, with a yell of delight. 'Hurrah fer Gilmore !' shouted the sturdy settlers, who had been observing the progress of the scout for the last five minutes. 'Gilmore forever !' Hark I All along the ragged sides of the mountain ranges, from gorge and rock, and beet- ling cliff, there breaks forth a yell, as if hell it- self had cast forth its inhabitants, to give vent to their long pent up curses. The helpless children and females within our eieampment heard the' terrifl outburst; some grew deadly pale, some fainted, and others §creame4 with terror. 'l'hat was a capital shot,' said the hunter. 'Two Shooter never did better. But it was on. expected, and' the red-skin didn't have time t think of the happy huntin' grounds twice afore he was off.' I should like to get a good chance at one.' You'll have a chance afore many days, my lad. We shall have fightin enough to do for v week to come. Look ! I can see another ore tur. If Ps only where Brass-Eyes is. I won der if he sees him?' Could he reach him, think you ' 'T think eh nril. Two Shooter's streat on r: I THE FOREST' FIEND. ' 80 r-, c II I:r a long shot.' 'Gilmore's hard to beat.' ' He can't be beat. He's a dead shot. When you see old Brass-Eyes run his two lookers along them ere sights, you may know that sun- thin' is goin' to be rubbed out, and that imme-, diately. 'It's a little too fur to fire, but I've a mind to try the cretur. By aimin' high, I think I might posserbly finish up his snublunary con- sarns. 'You'll have to do it quick, then, for he's making off with himself.' The comical old hunter was in the act of bringing his rifle to his shoulder, when the well known crack of Two Shooter came once more to our ears. 'The devil sieze Brass-Eyes!' exclaimed the disappointed hunter ;' he's cheated me out 'o my shot. The red 'un has tumbled over.' 'You were a little to late that time, my good[ friend.' 'Jest half a second. The varmint tipped over kind o' graceful like, and I 'spose it won't make much difference in the long run who set- tied up his airthly consarns. - There's one ene- my the less at any rate. Moses in the bulrush- L es ! how they yell up there!' The figure of Gilmore was now seen ap- proaching us. He appeared calm and collected as usual, but more serious. 'It was handsomely done,' said I, as he joined us. 'Two Shooter never wastes good powder and ball,' replied the trapper. 'What's the prospect?' Bad.' 'Do you apprehend much mischief from them.' 'If a single one of us lives to tell how I shot them two critters, we shall fare better than I have reason to expect. I don't want to excite anybody's fears ; but we're in a desperate con- dition. There is hundreds of them varmints to a mere handful of us.' 'What shall we do ?' ' Jest what they're doin' there ; try to make the bark, its force being spent. for us all.' Occasionally a settler would put down his axe, Several incidents of a similar character oe. seize his rifle and blaze away at his persecutors. curred during the day. Sometimes these shots would have effect; though I would have whispered many words of com. not invaribly ; for the enemy was not near fort to Flora, but there was little need of it ; she enough as a general thing for dead shots. was one.of the calmest and most hopeful among The work of fortifying our mountain embos- us. . Instead of needing strength, she was able omed home went on rapidly. A kind of fort to speak words of consolation to us. She was formed of the trunks of the largest trees we a little paler than usual, but I noticed no oth- could find, was soon erected. In building this, er change. The yells of the savages did not strength and not neatness was the sole desider- seem to terrify her ; and the sound of the firing atum. did not discompose her nerves. Several times we feared the savages would 'I am more inured to this kind of life than make a general attack in order to defeat our you imagine,' she said with a smile. 'Do not purpose, make yourself miserable on my account. There But the most they did was to creep as near is One who is able to proteet us in all places. as they dared, covered by a high rock, or under Let us not forget.His name.' shelter of trees, fire, and not show their heads 'I am a sinful man, but since yak. desire it, at all. I will endeavor to direct my thoughts tHim.' 'I can see one approaching,' I said to the 'Do it,.not because I 4 you, but because old trapper, who was busy at my side, .'anda it is your duty, Edward.' when he gets'near enough, I shall fire at him.' 'I shall try to /y ora.' ' Well, keep your eye on him, and pertend ' Promise me, one thing.' not to see him all the while.' 'I will--two, if you wish.' I watchedthe red skin as he gradually drew ' Do not expose yourself to danger uneoessa- near.. He *as advancing under cover of a rock; rily.' but it was not large enough to conceal his entire ' Since my life is valued by you, I will not.' body, and at almost every moment some portion ' Do you know I have been thinking of of his person was exposed. This he did not Arthur?' appear to be aware of, so he came on. "I saw you weep. to-day, and though you ' As soon as he fires; you take your rifle and were. What is it that you have been thinking level it towards the rock. It wont be long of him?' the place as strong as possible. Let's go and help 'em. We all set ourselves to work right earnest- ly to erect a kind of fort with ramparts where the women and children could find a place of comparative safety while we were able to fight for them. The enemy did not suffer us to proceed peaceably with the work, but annoyed us with an incessant firing. As they had but a few rifles among them, most'of their shots fell short but those who ventured within reach of our ri- fles were sure to be the sufferers. Several of their balls fell near us, and once, one struck a tree I was cutting into ; but it merely wounded 81 afore he'll pop his head up ; when he does that let fly and take him right between the twt eyes,' said Gilmore. The red-face came on. He reached the rock. I saw him aim and fire. The moment he fired his bead disappeared. 'Now's your time,' said Gilmore. I levelled my rifle towards the rock. 'Be patient; his head will come up soon,' added the trapper. 'I was patient, and the head came up as pre- dicted. I fired, and the head disappeared. 'He's got it,' said Gilmore. 'I wish all the reptiles were sarved in the same way. It would be better for you and Flora-it would be better 3 3 r J s page: 82-83[View Page 82-83] 82 'BLACK That he may still be living; I dreamed ghat he was last night.' There is much in dreams,' I replied, hoping to encourage her by my seeming faith. I know there is, but you do not think so.' 'Didn't I say so ?' 'You did; but you know why_ As I was about to tell you, I dreamed of seeing Arthur, and he seemed well, and in no danger. You will think me weak ; yet I have felt less uneas- iness since on his account. ' It makes my heart glad to hear this from you,' I answered. ' Your. dream will prove sooth, I doubt not.' ' He was a good brother,' added Flora. 'A noble fellow. It will be a happy day when we meet.' Happy indeed,' said Flora, with a sigh. CHAPTER XV. SKIRMISHING. EFORE night we were in a tolerable state of defence. The structure whicl was to supply the place of a fort, wa completed, and the men were employed in build ding a kind of breast-work around it. This was also built of the trunks of trees, arrange with strength and order. If driven from this wooden rampart, we couli .etreat to our fort, and keep the enemy at ba there.' 'What do you think of this work?' Gilmor asked. I think it will do us good service. It i well and strongly built. I see nothing to hit der us from fighting a good battle.' 'So we shall, my boy. We've been in on tight place afore ; but it was'nt much tight nor"this, arter all. We stood beside each ot er then, and we'll do it agin. Only a sing thread separated us from the gateway of etern ty then. I've thought about it a great ian times since, and wondered to myself that youngster like you, could be so cool in the fa and eyes of desth, Perhaps you 'wouldn't so wili to die now, my poor boy, Ther Flory, you know, to think about.' RALPH e h d U3 a e n n It be e's to worst.' 'But few persons would be required to de- fend so narrow a pass.' wI The kind old man paused and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his hunting shirt. 'Poor gal!' he added, ' perhaps she'll be spared. God knows how to take care of his own.' 'Let us hope so,' I replied. ' Let us hope- and pray that it may be thus. As, you haveF observed, you and I have been in a straighter place than this and escaped.'k 'I've got to mark here the critter made with the burnin' brand ; and I shall be the last hu. man bein' to forget it,' answered my friend. 'When do you think they will attack us ?' 'I should'nt wonder if they did to-night. In fact they'll be skirmishin' all night-perhaps-all the time.' 'There's one thing that we must think of.' 'What's that, boy '?' 'What we shall eat and drink, provided we should be beseigedI for any length of time.' 'An old backwoodsman like me wouldn't be likely to, forget that. There has'nt been a minit in the day but I've bad my mind on't. If s the critters can't fight us out, they'll starve us .out ; that's what they mean to do.' '"How long do you suppose what provisions d we have will last us with economy?' 'Not much more nor three days at the long- d est.' y 'Let me ask you one thing more : Do you think it possible for any of us to pass through e the narrow defile by which we entered this place at the deepest and darkest hour of the night, s and return again ?'- n- ' I won't say that it can't be done, but I'll venture to say that the human critter thatunder- e takes that, will go on a forlorn hope-and you er need'nt expect to see him come back aginx.- h. Them's the nature. of my honest senterments, le roughly expressed, accordin' to my lateral abil- ji. ities. , When it comes, to that, mylad, I'll be y the man as will go.', a ' We shall'see:about that,' I answered. ce 'I've made up my mind to it, if worst comes THE FOREST FIEND. 83 ' I know it, but when that's done they must ' You'll have to climb for it,' retorted Gil- be outwitted., We are commanded to be eun more. Iy 1" pi ti ning as serpents, and that's what we must do to git along with these Ingin indervidooals.' Our whole party now took possession of the new structure, and forlorn as our condition was, we felt a sensation of relief when we found our- selves surrounded by those strong, though rude walls ; but it was not on our account that we felt relieved- -there were helpless ones with us for whom we cared.' 'How much like the Runnin' Ivy she looks,' whispered Buston to me, looking significantly at Flora, while she busied herself in performing woman's offices in the new dwelling. 'Poor girl !' said'I, thinking of the danger that surrounded her. 'Have a stout heart,' said the trapper, 'I dare say there won't be no more nor half on us killed, and a few burned at the stake'; and it's kind o' consolin' like to' think on at this pertic- erler period o' time.' Consoling ?' 'In course it is. I say that perhaps there. won't be no more nor half or two thirds on us rubbed out, and leave the probationer state.- Now we can't tell who'll go, or who'll stay, because it would make us uneasy if we did.- We can set our minds to rest, and say inardly, it may be him, or it may be her, or this one, or that one, or tether one, and it leaves us a hope to cling to.' 'I can't see it in the light you do. The thought of half of us being roasted, in the way you hint at, makes me shudder.' 'But you must'nt think it's yourself that's goin' to be agonized, but some other onfortu- nate indervidooal.' 'I think we shall fight some before any of us will beroasted,' said a settler who had been lis- teningxi4itely to the conversation. 'Them's the nater of my own in'ard senter- ments,' responded the trapper, who stood near us. 'Wbzen it grows a little darker,' resumed Buston, 'I shall go out and take a scalp, the Lord willin' and the weather permittin'.' 'Perhaps so, Brass Eyes. We shall have more knowledge on that perticerler subject arter we know.' When the shades of evening began to gather, Buston loaded, his rifle with great care. He then sat down and smoked a few whiffs of the frag- rant weed with his usual carelessness of manner. He then arose and left the fort, for such I must call it, for want of a more appropriate name. Our horses were all fastened within the breast works,. with the exception of Two Forty, he being allowed to nip the grass without, close to the rampart. 'Two Forty come here ; I-want to see a you a minnit, and perhaps more nor that time.?, Two Forty -pricked up his ears, and came briskly towards his master. ' Doyou feel willin' to trots me round this 'ere holler square, old feller?' Two Forty rubbed his nose against Buston's arm, as if to signify his willingness to trot his master anywhere he might want to go. 'I'd recommend you to go as if you'd been somewhat kicked in eend,' continued the trap- per, vaulting upon the highly trained animal. 'What in the name o' the Bible are ,,you going' to do ?' asked Gilmore. 'Keep down your religious feelin's, Brass Eyes. The Lord willin', and the weather per- mittin', I shall ride out for the gineral benefit of my in'ard constituteo. You'd better git your shootin' irons in . , because it is'nt onpossi- ble that there m }'a chance for you to go into the red nigger Ji ldin' material afore long. 'Like bricks, you mean ?' 'I don't mean nothin' shorter, Ees. Go it, Two Forty.' And Two Forty sprang out of the fold re like a wild and maddened steed that had never camped the bit, or felt the weight 'of the sad- dle. ' What mad trick is the rattle-headed critter tryin' now, I wonder?' exclaimed the trapper. 'He won't never die in his 'IA.." JMt ee thi page: 84-85[View Page 84-85] - 3s THE FORE iF 84. BLACK RALPH calm as the calmest, when the ruddiest cheeks onacecountable varmint go. The Old Nick's ly to be expected from one of his years, follow, grow pale: incomparable Flora. in that hoss, or he never entered any critter on ed by myself and settlers. Buston dashed past I am digressing from my subject. The re- the airth. us, and we fired several shots with good effect, membrance of the past has wiled me away; Away sped Buston without saddle or bridle, judging by what we could see, and the yells forgive me gentle reader. whooping and yelling like an Indian. With which each fire occasioned. We stood there in the moonlight and fought increasing speed he swept around the mountain For a few moments the bullets went singing as long as our balls could reach the enemy; enclosure, followed by a continuous fire;from about our ears in dangerous proximity. One of bjut when they retreated to their mountain fast- the enemy; and answering cries of derision and the settlers was wounded in this rencontre, and it nesses, we returned to our fortification, where defiance. was a long time before he fully recovered. we found pale faces and anxious he As he dashed on like a madman, guiding I wish I could jest put my eye on that white us. Two Forty was grazing quietly close to the Two Forty with his feet and hands, he seemed turn-coat for the space of a second,' said the rampart, perfectly unmoved by his late ex- to form a part of the animal, and govern him trapper. As he spoke, a ball whistled through1ploits. by the will only. - his foraging cap.1 ' A certain number of us will watch, while I've seen a great deal o' riding' in my day,' 'Tis'nt the first time, by no means,' he added, the rest sleep,' said Gilmore, 'for we shall all said Gilmore, 'but I never seed anythin' like coolly. 'That's happened afore, more nor once; have n' ed of stren gti'. that afore.' but a man can't die 'till his time comes. I'll ''I will take watch first,' said J. 'I never 'Except once,' I replied, fix the critter as-fired that.' can sleep while danger is near. Do not speak 'Right, boy ; when Black Ralph leaped that Gilmore was as good as his word. He fired, to me of sleep Look at these helpless ones, chasm !' and I distinctly saw acdusky son of the wilder- aud listen to those ditant shouts.' -It: don't seem possible that he can live to derness go down.y It's on account of these same helpless ones make the circuit of the valley,' as the savages How often, since that time have I recalled that I want you to get all the rest you can,' re- kept raining their balls after the fearless hunter. the strange scenes of that period of my life.- plied the trapper. But Two Forty bore his master nobly on- Even in the calmer sleep of riper years, have ' None of us'll be likely to sleep much to- :ard, despite the leaden shower. they gassed and repassed vividly before me. I night, Brass Eyes,' said Buston. 'They'll try Much to my amazement, he accomplished have seen the tall form of Gilmore, terrible in to surround us afore morning , or I ain't no judge the circumference of the valley unharmed by! battle-the first to fight, the last to fly; and I of red-skins,' powder and ball. Suddenly Two Forty turned have seemed to hear the crack of 'Two Shooter,' 'I should'nt wonder,' answered Gilmore; to retrace his steps, influenced, doubtless, by a and have started up to see the keen eye that 'but we'll be ready to meet 'em and trust in well hnown sign from his rider; but instead of took such fatal aim, and knew how to send a Providence.' going in a circle he flew off in a tangent; and bullet home-home to the heart. This is not Not one of us laid down to sleep that night. away he went, climbing up the spur of a moun- all: I have seen Buston-with my dreamy eye Every one was ready and willing to do his best. tain where the ascent was less steep and dan- -mounted upon Two Forty, flying over prai- We took our places silently at the breast-work, gerous. Before we had time to recover from ries, up mountains, speeding over every danger- and with anxiety, looked continually toivard the the new astonishment, which this bold maneu- ous place, dealing death, returning in safety- a dim and shadowy mountain sides. Hour after ire occasioned, he was within rifle distance of cheering all hearts once more with his broad hour sped on, and no sound disturbed the re- the enemy. Two Forty suddenly became motion- humor. pose of the quiet air, save at long intervals, less as stone, and instantly the report of.Bus- Gilmuore---Buston ;oyou wll not he forgotten when the deep and melancholy cry of the wolf ton's rifle announced that the object of this if God should lengthen out .my life to the was borne to-our ears,. or when the night-owl daringnot was accomplished. years of antedeluvian ages. You have stood sent forth his dismal hootings. Where were The moment the rifle cracked,, the horse turned by me in the hour of danger; your d though our foes sleep set its silent seal upon and made for the fort, As a natural conse- rough words have comforted me gs hours their did? Were they dreaming per- quence the Indians rushed from their coverts, of extreme peril. - chance l~leh*nd of souls ? and many of them came whooping after the1 But there is one other vision 4hat gill never All et rse upon every side of us the rider and his steed. fade, and it is easily recalled. m t is the vision shouts The foe had crept down from Now's or ohanceu' exclaimedsGilmore and of a yQuthful maiden-fair as the dWllers in their he clefts of the rock,' thinking brandishing .Two $hooter' over his head he theMoslem prophets' heaven-f S he firm- to take fort by storm. We poured in darte4 from the enclosure, with a speed scarce- est, when the nerves of strong an are tried; 6 upon them a deadly volley, which seemed to dis- appoint and enrage them. They had hoped to find us unprepared. For a time the firing was incessant, and the Utah's held their own very well, considering that Indians are not good fight- ers, save in the woods. . In one respect we had the advantage of them; our shots told a tale of death, while theirs rattled harmless, as a gen- eral thing, against the logs raised for our pro- tection. Several of the settlers', wives made themselves useful during the engagement, not unfrequently loading guns. Before morning the firing ceased, and the savages fell back to their mountain fastnesses. Not feeling inclined to sleep, lest we might afford the enemy some advantage, we naturally began to converse upon various subjects relating to Indians, and their mode of warfare. The name of Black Ralph was spoken more than once, when a settler by the name of Gray told the following story : 'Before I settled upon the Red Fork of the, Arkansas River, I \vas in the habit of trading with the Indians. I have made many journey from Westport and St. 1ouis, up as far as Fort Laramie, and I have been as far as Fort Wallah Wallah, visiting the various tribes of Indians with whom the whites were on trading terms. During these excursions, I usually joined some fur company, as .it would have been very dangerous travelling alone. The articles of merchandise which I carried would have proved too. tempting to the red men ; I should have been murdered in the first dark pass, or in fact anywhere. About a year and a half ago I left Fort Lar- amie in company with a party of trappers em- ployed by the North American Fur Company. My objet in going so far was to Trade with the Nez Perces, Shoshonies, Bannecks, and othe friendly tribes living near them. When we reached the Southgass, I was ta- ken sick. I awoke one morning after a troub- led sleep, with a dull, heavy pain in the back of my head and limbs. My neck was stiff, my tong ee as dr adn~ parched, and my skin was hot and eei~li," 4e, ST FIEND. 85 page: 86-87[View Page 86-87] 86 BLACK 1K(LPH I arose and washed my head in cold wter and strove to shake off the impending sickness, but it was too firmly fixed upon me to be shaken off so easily. When I had walked about a short time, a gloomy, desponding feeling tookI possession of me, and I went into the camp and laid down. The pain in my limbs and head increased, .. and I felt a burning heat in all parts of my frame. I had a fever upon me. The trappers ate their breakfast as usual, and prepared to go on their way. Come, Gray,' said one, ' be lively-it's time to be moving.' I can't help it,' I replied, in. a feeble voice. I'm sick, and can't go any farther.' 'He's got a regular fever,' said one. 'It'll be a long time before he'll be able to travel.' 'You won't desert me?' I said, with some anxiety of manner. My companions looked at each other in si- lence. 'It would be an act of inhumanity to desert ; e,' I added. suppose some one of us must stay,' re- plied the leader of the company, at length. 'Who will it be ? is the next question,' added another, I will reward the man liberally who stays,' I said. After considerable conversation which 1 could not hear, a Frenchman, who had acted in the capacity of voayaguer in our passage up the Mis- souri, volunteered to remain with me, for which service I was to pay him a stipulated sum. Now I liked this fellow the least of all of them. There was not a single feature of his visage that was not ugly in the extreme. He in fact car- ried one of those villainous faces which marks a man an arrant rogue wherever he goes. With such a face he could not conceal his character- or disguise it for a moment. He was no favor- ite among the trappers. They said little to him and he kept himself sullenly aloof. Ibelieve every one of them was rejoiced to find any kud~ of a pretext to get rid of his com- pany. Such WMs the person who was left to care for me during the weary and dreary hours of sick- ness. A poor companion indeed, even in health. He seemed more willing to tarry than I could have expected ; but there appeared to me, to be a most diabolical smile upon his sinisterlips all th e w h ile.d si t he prod uce d an old black pipe, and sitting down where I lay smoked without interruption for an hour, favoring me occasionally with a glance from beneath his matted and heavy brows. 'Do you know much about fevers?' I asked. 'Moudien ! I know all about them,' he an- swered, with a hoarse laugh. ' Have you any knowledge of roots and herbs ?' 'Le diable, I know all about roots and herbs too. Have you got any tobacco?' I attempted to get him some tobacco from my package of good, but I could not. It's in that,' I said pointing. 'I'll help myself,' said he ; and in an instant his great red hand was tearing open the pack- age. His eyes sparkled with pleasure, as he beheld the valuables contained therein. I could not help shuddering at the singular expression of his face. ' You'll find a lot of the weed there, and you may use as much of it as you like. A grim smile was the only reply to that lib- eral offer. My fever increased during the day. But my strange attendant did nothing but regale him- self with smoking, and it would seem that he en- joyed it amasingly. If I turned restless from side -to side, he smoked; if I uttered Ii moan of distress, still be smoked on unmoved. When noon.came, he replenished the fired cooked a great slice of meat, and ate voracious- ly. The odor of the roasted meat, andthe way he had of eating it made me-sicker t ver. While I lay there tossing upihard couch of fever, a curious idea suggeditself to my mind. I resolved to eo~* tepain, lie still as possible, and impress with the belief that I was asleep. I .to obey A THE FOREST FIEND. 81 this inward impulse, and have reason to suppose I was great astonished to see such a change that I succeeed'in feigning a pretty sound sleep. in his manner. But I kept one eye upon my kind nurse, you ' What's the matterY' I asked. may rest well assured. 'I've seen Black Ralph !' said he. When my breathing became deep and regu- 'No ! lar, like the respiration of a sleeper, he began 'But I have.' to look at me more attentively, and mutter to 'Then probably your last hour is near,' I re- himself. plied, wishing to impress him with that belief As I apparently kept on, his countenance as much as possible. 'No person ever liveslioe grew fiercer in its expression, and he shook his after seeing him.' fist at me several times; then he looked at my 'So the Ingins say,' he answered. Indianmerchandize with a greedy eye. This 'How did he look?' was not all; he got up and handled them over 'Like nothin' human,' he replied, shaking .i .ea .ui.slP 'erdeg with evident satisfaction. He was thinking how his head dubiously. 'He rode a monstrous much he could get for them if they were fairly horse whose feet didn't seem to touch the ground, in his possession. and he went like a messenger of Satan him. Near the package lay my loaded pistols. I self.' shall never forget the demoniac expression of .'Is hea mortal, do you think ?' his whole visage when he laid his hand upon 'He's a devil,' he answered, with an expres- them. le was in the act of cocking the weap- sion I shall remember to my dying day.' on, when I thought it was about time to begin 'They say he always appears to those who to wake up. I did so with a well counterfeited have been doing wrong, or meditating so start and a moan. great crime,' I remarked. Tefellow threw down the pistols instantly, The malignant villain fluxed hisa and commenced re-filling his old dirty pipe with eyes upon me as if to read the silent o great assiduity. of my mind; but his face was as whit. 'This never will do,' I said to myself. 'There winding sheet. must be an end to this, or to one of us before a 'I don't affirm that you have bee great while.' any wrong,' I added, ' or that you have medi- ' You told me you knew something of the na- tated any crime. I am only referring to the In- ture of different kinds of roots and herbs,' I said dian notion of his character. If I were in your with affected composure. situation, I should prepare for the last jour- He nodded assent, without taking the pipe ney.' from his mouth. He produced his pipe again, and attempted to ' Well, if you know anything good for fevers, smoke ;. but he did not appear to enjoy it. lie I want you to go arid get it, and prepare it for threw out a few whiffs, then held it in his hand me. When I recover, I will pay you well for until it went out. your trouble.' How it rejoiced my heart to see this sudden I'll go,' replied, ' but you'd better go to change in his appearance. Perhps'fear would sleep firs.* before you wake up, 1'll be ready preve t him frompcarryin out his desigof for .odt murdering me while I slept. Full of this idea, 'iou probably would,' thought I. you will know JgI talked to him in the wa I 'Do not delay,' I said, 'for the fever is burn- did. ing me.' About an hhii before sunset he got up and Rather unwillingly the fellow got up and left went out. He did not turn. Night t in me. ~ad been gone but a short time before I felt very sick, but mtaan edl to get some sticks he returned pale and trembling, and made a fire. page: 88-89[View Page 88-89] 88 BLACK RALPH The waters of Sandy River flowed on, within It was- the body of the Frenchman. I re- gun-shot of me. I crawled down the bank and coiled with an exclamation of horror. I had drank freely ; for my thirst was intolerable. I not entertained the remotest idea that any dan.- then made the best of my way back, and laid ger was really neai- him, though I had striven down by the fire. to excite his fears. The deep draught of pure water which I had ' Strange are the ways of Providence,' I mur- taken had a good effect. A gentle perspiration mured ; as I strove to overcome the repugnance appeared all over my body, and in a little time and dread which I felt, and approached the body. I was wrapped in a profound slumber, forgetful Upon the left side directly over his false of my late companion, Black Ralph, and every- heart, was a small hole, about the size of a corn- thin elsemon rifle ball. Death had knocked there and The sun was shining, and the birds were sing- found an entrance. ing when I awoke. The first breathings of a I sighed as I looked at him. delicious morning cooled the fever of my teas- 'Poor wretch!' thought I, 'you were -unfit ples. I looked about me ; the Frenchman was to.live, and as unfit to die ; but God is just.' no where in sight. Deeply impressed, I left the spot, while the What a sensation of relief I experienced when name of Black Ralph was associated with all I found that he had not returned ; for I knew I that was strange and terrible. was fully in his power. In a few days I was sufficiently. recovered I arose; feeling somewhat better, though still to travel, and reached the country of the Shos- feverish and sick. moniess without accident. .Prompted by some impulse, I hardly know - alked slowly down to the river again CHAPTER XVI. iag off my garments, plunged into the FINALE. waters. I shall always remember what -; HAT'S a good story,' said Buston. ul sensation of relief I experienced at ' A capital one,' I remarked. 'It illus- ent. My blood ceased to boil with rates the character of that unknown my brow to throb as if the veins and strange being called Black Ralph. It would of my forehead were bursting ; my tongue no seem that he has indeed the singular faculty of longer falt parched and burning in my mouth. ubiquity-existing in all places at the same The fever had taken a favorable turn, and time.' the crisis had past. I felt like a new man. The 'It's just as I've told you from the first,' said bath operating so favorably, I staid in the water Gilmore. ' He's a critter as can't be tracked a long time, nor found out; one as deals out death in silence I came out at last, and while I drew on my one as it isn't best to speak on too much. clotges tried to feel grateful for the mercy that 'And yet it appears to me,' I answered, 'that had 6een shown me. he never does any real hurt ; it is those who I returned to the camp, took my rifle, and meditate "treachery only that need fear him. walked until I began to perspire. To the whites he seems a guardian angel.' Just as I turned to go back, I saw a large buck 'Them's the nature o' my feelin's.f Give me looking at me with the greatest apparent curi- your hand, boy,' and the old trapper gave my osity. I immediately fired and wounded him ; hand a hearty shake.' but the wound did not prevent him from run- ' What thinks oncommon Florry ?' .asked ning several hundred yards. I followed on at Buston. my leisure. Before I reached the spot. where .'3Just as our good friend Gilmore does,' she he fell, I saw a humnar4 body, cold stiff and dead, answered, with her usual kindness o manner. Iyingk upon the ground IDo you give me your hand on that i' THE FOREST FIEND. 'Both on 'em, if you wish ; and you shall ride that oncommon hoss as long's he's able to trot out any human eretur.' Upon the following day our fortification was strengthened by additional labor, and. consid- erable skirmishing took place. 89 spite of all I could do the bullets would go whist- ling over my head most musically. I resolved to see, if possible, something of the strength of the enemy,.and I cherished a secret hope that I might meet Osborne-or rather that I might see him. 'I observed that a constant firing was kept I felt myself in the right mood to encounter up from a certain quarter which was in the him then, and the thought of mercy or pity was neighborhood of several large rocks. This an- not within me. noyed the men very much while they were at II worked my way onward with cat-like .cun- work. My own temper, as the kind reader ning. I knew well that I was performing an know~ was not of the mildest kind, and I be- act of daring which few men would attempt, gan to grow disagreeably excited ; in short my however experienced they might be in Indian evil nature got the mastery of me. I resolved warfare. to put a stop to their sport in that particular di- I was now quite near the nearest of the ene- rection, or give them a chance to fire with some my, and the balls still whistled over my head. effect. And often the shots of my friends from the en- Accordingly when the night set in, without campment struck near and around me ; thus was making known my purpose to any person, I exposed to a new danger. watched for an opportunity and glided from the, Ireached a large and broken hedge, from encampment, as I believed, unobserved. each side of which the red foe was firing. Noth- Anger often makes men imprudent, and it ing daunted, I crept onward with additional sometimes makes them cunning and cautious ; caution. I could now hear their voices distine 'and the last was the ease with me. ly when they spoke in an ordinary tone. Perhaps few persons are aware how much one A few minutes more sufficed to takes resolute man can accomplish when lie taxes the place where the ledge terminated abrub I every faculty of soul and body. He can per- forming a covert for the enemy. "Lyigod i form wonders. my face, I drew myself to its edge, -and looked Strengthened by the fixed purpose I felt with- down upon the heads of about a dozen Indians. in me, I crept towards the rocks which covered The ledge of rocks formed a fine bulwark for the foe. I was protected from view by they them. Having fired they would instantly re- stinted shrubbery, and a rank growth of wild treat behind it, and remain in perfect security. sage, as well as by the broken nature of the In the attitude I have named I observed their ground. movements sometiArk. I heard the leaves 'rus- T went on slowly but boldly, and dragging my tie behind me. Alarmed I turned, ,y head rifle after me. I had a large hunting knife in quickly to see what new danger menaced. my belt, and an excellent pair of pistols 'good 'Hush!' whispered a well known voice. with a ball' and 'sure fire.' ' Good heavens, Buston ! is it you'?' Now in the hands of many persons these would 'You may bet your life on it,' replied the have been almost harmless ; but not so with me hunter, in the same tone. ' Come on, old Brass- -for I had the courage necessary to use them Eyes.' -and courage will render tny man formidable, 'What, is Gilmore coming also?' if you give him anything like a fair chance. 'Yes ; he would do it. But aint you a I should think I was all of two hours in go- brick, though i' ing two hundred yards up the mountain side. Then turning to Gilmore :- I wag careful during this time to keep out of the 'Hurry up, old Two Shooter; here's ,a.ance range of the firing as much as possible ; but in for a sprinklin of death.' page: 90-91[View Page 90-91] THE FOREST FIEND. 91 'lEst!' whispered Gilmore. For several minutes we all looked down in silence upon the unsuspecting red men. We drew back and gazed enquiringly at each other in the moonlight. 'It's best to have a shot all round,' said I ; 'if it proves our last, so be it ; and may heaven protect those we leave behind.' ' Two Shooter's ready,' replied Gilmore. 'Let each one select his Ingin,' replied Bus- ton. 'And let the pistols do something said Gil- more. 'And the knife!' I added, with. peculiar emphasis. Knife it is!' answered Buston. 'There wont be no great chance for it,' re- turned Gilmore. 'You've got a terrible ugly look about the eyes,' whispered the hunter. Once more we gazed down upon our enemies. Some of them wore loading their guns, others were telling of their daring exploits at different es and places ; and a third party was engaged king a buffalo's hump. Tach of us selected our man. The fellow w hmyheart I covered with the muzzle of my rifle, was pouring powder into his hand, while Gilmore, I observed, levelled at one who was relating many acts of bravery, with violent ges- ticulations, and a multitude of words. 'Are you all ready?' I asked. All ready !' was the whispered response. Let them have it then,' I -hissed from be- tween my fixed teeth. We fired simultaneously. The Indian who was pouring powder into his palm, fell backward with it still in his hand ; the fel- low who was reciting his bloody deeds, left off in the middle of his story; the one who was roasting the hump, fell across hid own fire. Getting upon our feet, we ran to a spot where the ledge terminated less boldly, and leaped down among the Utahs. They were struck with a sudden panic, and fled from us. ' We followed and shot down several with our pistols. Their yells attracted the attention of others who came rushing to their aid. Each of us grappled with a foe, and our hunting knives were soon reeking with crimson gore. The first one I met hand to hand fell beneath s the well-directed blow j not so with the second ; for he was a strong active savage, and he strug- gled hard for the mastery. We both fell to the ground, and tugging at each other's hearts, dealt furious blows. But I proved the stronger of the two, and when I arose I was grim and bloody, and my knife was quivering in his heart. It's time to go !' cried Gilmore. ' We've done enough for one night.' Go it, Cattridge-Box ! Give 'em death !' shouted Buston, in his loud ringing tones, at the same instant striking down a savage with his clubbed rifle. Heedless of the warning voice of Gilmore, I sprang at another Utah, and with a dextrous movement buried my knife in his bosom. The trapper and Buston sprang forward to my aid ; for the enemy began to press upon me in} great numbers. Though mirthful on ordinary occasions, Bus- ton was a lion in battle. The enemy gave back. Gilmore, seized me by the arm and dragged me away. 'Now run.for life!' he exclaimed. S I hesitated. 'Think of Oncnmmon Florry!' said Buston. The words acted like a charm upon me, andF I ran for the fort with a speed that defied suc- eessful pursuit. We had accomplished half the distance when we were startled by a general discharge of fire arms. The enemy had surrounded our fort during our absence, and we were cut off We made a short halt, loaded our rifles, and with loud shouts- attacked the enemy in the rear, with the fixed determination to force our way to the encamp- ment, or perish in the attempt. This bold manoeuvre took the Utahs by sur- prise. Not knowing our numbers, they probably sus- pected there were many of us. They gave way, and we reached the fort in safety, greatly to the joy of our friends, who were getting extreme- ly anxious on our account. ' It'll learn 'em a good lesson,' said the trap- per. ' They know now what kind of critters they've got to dial, with.' 'Oncommon Florry is looking at you,' whis- pered Buston. I looked up and met the gaze of Flora. She averted her eyes instantly, and a faint blush re- lieved for an instant the marble paleness of her face. . 'You'd better, wash your upper story a little, and your hands too. Your present appearance aint jest the sort to please the ladies, by no means,' added the hunter. As 1I passed Flora, to do as my friend sug- gested, she placed a small pocket mirror in my hand. I glanced at it and returned it instant- ly, for I was startled at my own looks. In a short time the firing without ceased, and was not renewed till the next day. At the urgent solicitation of friends, I laid down and slept soundly. jI awoke greatly refreshed,.and endowed with new hope and courage. ' The provision is gettin' short,' said the trap. per, when we were alone. 'I've made up myj mind to get out o' this place to-night hnd kill a buffalo.' 'That's easier said than done.' 'I know it ; but there's nothin' onpossible. Who would have thought that you could have done what you did last night, and live through it; and yet you did live through it; well, what we're talkin' of seems hard to accomplish, and yet it may be done. It's a parallel case.' ' I will go with you.' 'That's what I was afeared of ; I'd rather go alone.' ' What did you ' say?' asked Buston, who joined us at that moment. 'We were speaking about going through the' defile in quest of food.' 'Two Forty and I are calculated for that kind o' business,' replied thle hunter. 'We'll take the job off from your hands .' Fix it just as you please,' said I, ' only do not expose yourself unnecessarily.' . There was considerable skirmishing during the day, resulting in nothing very important to eitherparty. A dark, stormy night set in. The thunder, heard faintly in the distance at first, now broke over our heads in terrible volleys. The light- ning's flashed along the heavens, and the rain began to descend in torrents. A tree, not far from the encampment, was struck and shivered from the tops to the roots. 'It's a fearful night,'.said Flora. ' Yes; the demon of the storm and the thun- der rides triumphant. See ! that tree is on fire. What a flash that was!' 'It lighted the whole extent of the mountain ranges, and I saw distinctly the faces of our foes,' answered Flora. 'The critters are afeared o' thunder. In times like this they think the Great Spirit is an- gry,' said the trapper. '.Perhaps now would be a good time to strike a blow,' I added. 'On such a terrible night, as this ?' asked Flora, with faltering accent 'Somehow it seems wrong to seek the lives of our fellow mor- tals while the elements are in such fearful t rn- motion.' 'What we do is in self defence, Flora.' Buston now drew Gilmore aside, and they conferred together in a low tone. I heard the latter say ' I'll see to that,' and soon he left the - fort. Flora and myelf were left standing alone at the door of the same. 'The storm abates nothing of its fury,' I ob- served. 'On the contrary it rages with greater vio- lence. What a fearful crash that was ! It. shakes the mountain ranges, as it goes echoing among them. Think of the power pf Him who is able to govern even the elements in their fiercest moods.' At that instant a blinding flash illuminated the whole valley, and the rugged elevations that fenced it in. 'I thought that flash revealed the figure of a man,' remarked my fair and brave companion. ' Of an Indian, you mean. ' A white man, Edward. Look toward te 99 BLACK RALPH page: 92-93[View Page 92-93] 92 BLACK spot where I am pointing, and when the next sheet of flame lights up the valley, you will per- haps see him.' I followed her directions, and beheld distinct-i ly the tall form of Gilmore. He was half way up the mountain side. I turned to look ,for Buston. When I found him, he was painting his face with various strange pigments unknown to me. Where is Gilmore going?' I asked anx- iously. 'To git an Ingin dress,' he answered. I'm bound on an expedition, and must have one.' 'But how is he to procure one?' 'He'll strip one of the dead ones, and if he *an't do no better, he'll use the knife.' 'That's a dangerous undertaking. I must follow him. The lightning will reveal him to the enemy.' ' So it would you, if you should go after him.- Stay where you are. I'll risk Gilmore where I wouldn't ris yself. He'll be back in the oguie of Three quarters of an hour. The var- ints are kind o' bewildered now ; the thunder . d lighining puts a damper on their courage. 'You intend, doubtless, to pass -through the1 defile to-night?' You've guessed it, my lad. Two Forty and Iare bound to shine.' When he had finished painting, he took a buffalo skin and cut it into several pieces. These pieces he bound on to the feet of Two Forty. He was thus employed when I returned to the side of Flora.. 'I have been watching the bold trapper,' she said. 'He is walking directly into the face and eyes of the enemy. It is a pity that such a brave ian should throw away his life.' Again the lightning flashed, and sent its broad glare of light along the mountains; but Gilmore had disappeared. ' I failed to see him that time,' remarked Flora. 'He'll be more cautious how he advances, probably, as hie approaches them.' The next time hI saw the brave old trapper by the lightning's red lamnp, he waf fighting with the enemy-one mantoo many. RALPH Who will follow ' I cried, and seizing my airms, was rushing from the encampment, when Flora laid her hand quietly upon my arm, say- ing 'Stay, Edward. The old man is victorious.- The last flash of lightning revealed him standing unharmed and alone. There, that flash revealed him returning to us.' Flora was right. In a short time the trapper made his appearance, bearing a small bundle; it was an Indian's dress., 'Three cheers for Brass-Eyes !' said Buston. ' Go it, Cattridge-Box !' And three as hearty cheers went up from the fort as ever arose amid the din of a terrific storm. I glanced at Gilmore's hands, and perceived that they were not of the natural color, the blade in his belt was of the same sanguine hue. Buston took the dress without a word of in-. quiry, and soon returned to us the exact coun- terpart of a Utah Indian. He mounted his famous steed, and with his usual-. Go it, Two Forty,' sprang, from the enclo- sure, and soon disappeared in the deep darkness. Gradually the reverberating thunder ceased to break over our heads ; the lightning grew fainter and less vived, and long before morning the storm had passed. The following day the Indians were unusu- ally quiet, and we judged by certain movements which we noticed a general attack that was medi- tated sometime during the coming night. The usual precautions were observed, and all went on quietly until about one o'clock. At that hour the mountain ranges were suddenly lighted by bright fires which streamed up one af- ter another, and seemed to dance about in a singular manner. 'That's the work of a white man,' said Gil- more. Them lights are- caused by pitch-pine torches, and they mean to burn us.' ' I doubt whether they can make these ma- terials burn,' I replied-. ' Some of these trunks was putty dry when we placed 'em here, 'and if they hadnt a been, it wouldn't have taken a great while to dry then in the hot suns we have here. They in- THE FORE ST FIEND. tend to come down upon us in a body, throw with them several months, but I knew little or their blazing torches on to our fott, and all nothingof her history, until her heroic conduct around it. If they succeed in setting it on fire attracted my attention while we were beseiged we are lost ; but you'd better believe that some ationg the mountains, though her extraordinary of the varmints wont live to see the sun rise to- beauty had often excited my admiration. She morrow mornin'. had domicilled with Mr. Gray, and had won the 'We will shoot them down like dogs !' I ex- esteem of every one by her sweetness of tem- claimed, ' if they make such an attempt.' per, and many acts of kindness. But she al- 'We'll do our best, and nobody can do bet- ways seemed to me to be laboring under a set- ter nor his best. tled sadness, which nothing could dissipate for ' If these helpless ones were not with us,' I any great length of time. She always passed replied, turning, and looking upon the emigrant among us by the name of Alice. Between her families, 'I. should care little for yonder red and Flora a very strong and sisterly affection fiends. subsisted, and the dangers they had recently The emigrants-ten in all-were stationed experienced had strengthened it. judiciously within the ramparts, and everything Flora and Alice were standing. near me, in the shape of fire-arms was made ready for ac- watching with painful interest the -fires dancing tion. Some of the wives of the settlers took meteor-like upon the mountain range. their places by the side of their husbands, with 'You had better retire within the fort,' I the heroic determination to die with them, if all said, taking a hand of each. our exertions should prove unavailing. j 'Flora had better do so,' said Alice. I observed one female in particular who cx- 'I prefer to stay here,' replied:Flora. ' The hibited great courage and spirit. The history of feeblest band can be useful where there is a this female was somewhat singular, and she well will. I have foresight enough to perceive that deserves a passing notice. She was about twen-( those burning brands will be hurled among us ; ty five years of age. She had formerly been in and I can extinguish one of them as quickly captivity among the Crows, having been taken as the strongest among you.' by them near the Wind.River Chain of the Rocky ' Very true ;but the thought that you are e Mountains, while on her way to the great Salt posed to danger, will be sufficient to make me Jsake, with a large party of emigrants. She re- miserable.' mained among this wandering, marauding peo- Well, let us go in,' said Flora, and she and ple for the space of two years, when she es- Alice left me to ay unspeakable relief. aped from them during one of their long ex- Before two o'clock, the fires of our enemies oursions near Laramie Plains. were approaching on every side. It was a strange Having some idea of the locality of Fort Lira- and startling sight ! Soon from the base of the mie, she endeavored to reach it; but unfortunate- mountains half way up their sides, the lurid ly lost her way, and fellin with the Arapah9es. glare of the flaming torches, fell upon grin and She passed some maths with that tribe of In- painted visages moving steadily towards us. dians, but finally escaped from them also, with ' That's the work of Osborne,' 'said 'Gilmore. the intention of finding her way to Bent's Fort. ' Curses upon his renegade hear!1'Tha's what Again her evil genius prevailed. they've been so busy about all day. Possessing little practical knowledge of that 'There are hundreds of them,' I remarked. portion of the country, she failed to accomplish ' Yes, boy ; it'll soon be all over with us.' her object ; but after many days of suffering. 'And lora?' reached the settlement on the Red Fork of the ''Will be spared,' added Gilmore ared Arkansas River. by Osborne and for himn.' When I joined the settlers, she had been At that nioment the object of my soi~. I : ' page: 94-95[View Page 94-95] A i I ,' ; c R, . r ' A i- v ;' - _, ,. , , , , f BLACK RALPH approached and laid her little hand upon my On came the burning brands, swung aloft in arm. savage hands, forming a circle of flame around 'Edward, I have a request to make,' she us.- More fiercely arose the battleshout. Our said, in a low earnest voice. hearts seemed to stand Mill with expectation. 'Speak on my own girl,' I answered, pres- The circle of fire narrowed, and the wall of sing the fair hand to my lips. flame grew momentarily more dense. It is that I may not be taken prisoner.' The enemy were within gun shot, burt Gilmore 'Not while I live, Flora.' stayed his hand, and Two Shooter lay quietly 'That is not what I mean. When you across the breastwork. How deep and death- see that all is lost, be more merciful than our like was the hush that had fallen upon our little enemies-put an end to my existence with your garrison. own hand.' The trapper stood immoveable as a man of 'Impossible ! How could Edward Seward iron. lift his hand against one dearer to hint than his More dense and narrower still grew the flain- own life ?' ing circle. We could see the red hands that 'Edward, I entreat of you, by the love of held the burning wood, and the bedevilled merciful heaven, to listen to my request.' faces that they lighted toward us. 'Promise,' said Gilmore, in a hoarse voice, There was a moment of breathless, fearful sus- while tears -flowed down his weather-beaten pense. The eyes of the enemy were visible. Two cheeks. Think of Osborne-save the dear gal Shooter leaped to Gilmore's shoulder, and fire from dishonor.' streamed from the muzzle. A light went down, 'I solemnly romisc !' I exclhimed-with a and the han that held it, never held it agtin. choked and faltering voice. Instantly we poured in a deadly fire. Many For a single moment I held her to my heart, burning brands fell to the earth. and kissed her cheeks, her brow, her lips, as I The Utahs wavered, and I heard a voice well believed, for the last time on earth. known cheer them on. 'My blessin's on you, gal,' said Gilmore, in Oh for a shot at Osborne !' exclaimed the a broken voice. ' I'll do the deed with my own trapper. hand afore you shall be taken.' With a fiendish yell they rushed upon us. Flora gently disengaged herself from my arms As they reached the rampart, wc, ve, them a and disappeared within the fort. second volley ; but it checked them only for a 'They come,' added the trapper, ' and their moment. torches blaze finely. It will take every woman 'Now it is hand to hand, and man to man !' and child in the encampment to put them out, cried the trapper. 'Give 'em death! hurl their when they begin to fall among us. Hush!' brands into their faces! fight like devils, all!' The stillness that had reigned hitherto, was While Gihuore was speaking, a shower of now broken by an universal shout. burning torches fell around us, and upon the 'It's a war-song,' said Gilmore. And higher fort. I saw the females rush from within and and louder swelled the shout, and Ihe chorus commence throwing them over the rampart with of savage voices. It rang out among the gorges a heroism unequalled ; and Flora was of the with terrible distinctness, calling up innumera- number. ble discordant echoes. ' They are scaling the breast-work ! Beat ' iBe all ready, men!' cried Gilmoro. 'Don't them back, men!' I shouted, and leaping for- fire, a man of you, 'till you hear TPwo Shooter ward, beat back three with as many blows. Des~- apeak, then fight 'till you drop down dead.' perately raged the battle for a few moments-. So let it be,' answered Gray. ' There's not Our men seemed to be everywhere at the samte a man here that fears to die in defence of lis ~time, fighting with the strength of lions. own.'Though we fought with superhuman courage, I THE FOREST FIEND. 95 it was not possible in the nature of things that we could hold out long against such overwhelm- ing numbers. Some of the enemy had already scaled our breast-work, which was blazing in several places, despite all our exertions ; the fort was also on fire ; one of the settlers was killed, and several of them desperately wound. ed.; The smoke blinded us, and the burning' sparks and splinters were continually falling upon us. would have been the 'visage of the arch fiend himself. As he thundered down among us, he dealt fatal blows with a weapon which he wielded with his right band. The Utah's gave back, and he rode them down in spite of smoke and flame. Suddenly his eye fell upon Osborne. With a shout of exultation he spurred his gigantic steed, which, with a tre- mendous bound and snort, cleared the space be- 'Kill those within the breast-work !' shouted tween them and his victim. The instant the the trapper, and every one did his utmost to hoofs of the animal struck deep in the soft and obey. ' bloody soil, the tall form of Osborne sank down The flames were now spreading in every di- to rise no more. rection, and some portions of the breast-work Alice was still in danger-for an athletic sav- were defended better by the fiery element, than age was in the act of striking his knife to her we could have defended it with our.bodies; but heart. The eagle glance of the strange rider the enemy were pouring in, and the fight now I was upon him-the steed dashed forward, and went on within the ramparts. ere the fatal weapon had tasted the blood of Al- I looked about for Flora. She. stood near ice, the Utah's brains were dashed against the me. Her eyes met mi'e, and she said, in that crackling timbers of the fort. dreadful moment of carnage and horror- But the fearless hand that dealt the blow 'Remember your promise !' . seemed suddenly paralyzed ; the unknown threw The words nerved me on to deeds of desperate himself from his horse, and with a cry of joy daring, clasped Alice to his bosom. 'All is lost !' said Flora, as I ceased for an As he did so, a deafening yell of ' Black instant from the work of slaughter. - . Ralph,' and 'Machinito,' Machinito !' rent the At that instant a white man leaped over.the air, and the Utah's fled in every direction. rampart, followed by a dozen savages. He '' Go it, Two Forty ! Carry double' said a sprang towards Flora, and threw his left arm voice, and Buston cleared the rampart with a around her, fighting with his right. flying leap, and a female clinging to his back. ' We're lost !' shouted Gilmore. ' Remem- With his clubbed rifle he struck down one of her your promise! Good bye, boy ! God bless the retreating enemy. you, and give you an easy death.' 'Go it, Cattridge-Box ! the day is ours!' ad- I heard no more, nor heeded the words of the ded the hunter, as he dashed after the fPing foe trapper. I saw Alice struggling with a savage, at a mad rate, with his fair companion stillniouht- and the ruffian arm of Osborne around the waist ed behind him. of Flora. I fought my way towards her, bear- In two minutes from that time there was not ing down all before inc. an enemy in sight. The flames roared and leaped up from the ' Thank God !' said Gilmore, fervently. breast-work, and from the fort, and hope aban- I held the fainting forul of Flora in .my arms, doned every heart ; but I still fought my way while our strange delivererwausing all the mneape towards Flora. in his power to recover Alice, who had relapse4 All at once, over the flaming ramparts leaped into a deep and death-like swoon. a mighty steed and a mighty rider. As his face 'This is the 'Runnin' Ivy said Buston, as was seen in the red glare of the burning tim- he returned; and a sprightly looking girl jumped hers, it was grim and terrible to our enemies as lightly from the back of Two Forty. Ii page: 96-97[View Page 96-97] 96 4 BLACK RALPH 'If you could only find that dog with three cause. They would raise hhn, up. A small names, you'd be a made man,' retorted Gilmore, wound would be found in the region of the with a smile. heart, bearing every appearance of having been 'She didn't ran away on purpose, Brass-Eyes, inflicted by a rifle ball. But no sound had by no means. My old rival took her away by been heard--no iharksman bad been seen !--. violence; bat she escaped, and has lived among Whence, then, came the messenger of death! various tribes since. Tonight I had the good Who among them could answer ! Not one. luck to find her ; but I had a hard chase to over- They said that some evil demon infested their take her, as she didn't know who I was. So, woods and wilds, and their hearts were filled when she found out, she jumped up behind, and with awe. They knew, and could conceive of left the Utah's with right good will.' no explosive, that could send a leaden ball to a Our unknown deliverer now appeared,.lead- human heart in silence ; that was a secret known lg AAlice by the hand. only to myself. Concealed from view by roek It's Black Ralph !' whispered Gilmore, but 'and tree, and hill, I sped the. unheard ressen- the words 'reached the stranger's ears. ger, and then swept away like the wind. Ma- Forrester !' I exclaimed, involuntarily. ny have felt my vengeance. But now shall the 'You are both right,' he replied. '1I have red man rest in peace. I will pursue them no been Black Ralph and the Forest Fiend. You more with my hatred, (dlliow them o more with will know me no more as Black Ralph. The unrelenting fury. The work of vengeance has reign of the Forest Fiend is ended. Many' been more than fulfilled ; and the wrongs of years ago I loved this maiden. $he was my Alice avenged. Henceforth, blessed with the affianced bride. We journeyed towards the love of her beside me, shall my days flow on Great Salt Lake with a large party of emigrants. like the current of a peaceful river. The past We were attacked by the savages. Most of the let us all strive to forget, while we crown. the emigrants were slain, and I was left upon the present with good actions. All the acts of my field for dead. life while I have figured in the character of When I recovered my consciousness, I sate Black Ralph, I do not attempt to justify, but ,ny the stiffening bodies of many of my late many of them bring with their remembrance no empanions. Survived that terrible encounter, pulses of remorse, for I often laid aside my as- but the fate of Alice I never knew. I swore sumed character,, and as a simple trapper or hun- vengeance against the red men, and you all ter joined parties of white trappers, discovered know how well I have kept my 'word. By their scouts, punished the guilty and protected means of a kind of explosive which makes no.' the weak and helpless.. I have often been near report, I have been able to do my work of death you, Edward Seward, since you left Westport, in sileGee. Often have I hovered about the and you have, let me hope, been benefitted by white trappers and traders, to protect them with my proximity. An Indian fell dead on the the terror of my name. I have always punished quiet bank ofthe Red' Fork of Arkansas River. treachery, and befriended the innocent.' Prairie Wolf gave up his breath on the sloping Mounted upon a steed of great power, I came hill-side. A savage ceased to live, of a sudden, and went unseen,. and unfeared ; for I took the on the banks of the Rio Colorado. All of thewi precaution to wrap my horse's feet with buffsdo were mortal foes to you; hence they died.-- skin when I approached my victims ; and some- Had I not have been near you, you would have times I suffered them to see me a few hours be- fallen long 'ere this by the band of Osborne,. fore I wrought my work of death. It is through But why have I been thus interested in you, that my name became a word of terror among you will probably ask ? Listen ! I will reveal the red men ! One of their numbers would a secret. drop down dead of a sudden without visible I am y6our father's br-other ! My name is THE FOREST FIEND. 9' truly Forrester. I loved my brother, wild and was united to Flora-Dale; Forrester to Alice ; erring though he was ; is it strange, then, that Arthur to Gilmore's daughter; and the heart of I have felt an interest in his child--a child in- the old trapper was glad. heriting all the fiery impulses of his nature, and Buston and the Running Ivy participated glo- all his generous qualities of heart. riously in the festivities of the occasion, and the 'Why was- you Osborne's second when I former cracked his jokes liberally at the expense fought him?' of his friend 'Brass-Eyes.' 'In order to favor you. Had I loaded his Two Forty is still living, and ' Oncommon gun as he was in the habit of charging it, noth- Florry' still has the privilege of riding him. ing could have saved you; for he was a dead shot. * * * * * * ' And the warning I think I can now under- Hark.! I hear the voice, of Gilmore; and stand.' there is joy in its tone. I see the face of For- ' Many of my movements have been mysteri- rester, and it is radiant with hope. ous; but not one without an adequate cause. Black Ralph is no more ; but his name will 1 might have slain Osborne many times, but that long be remembered with awe by the red dwell- I had no right to do, as he had never injured ers amid the western wilds. And here comes ice. The most I could do was to be ever Arthur with his bride upon his arm. There is near you, when I discovered that you were my a ringing, mirthful sound in my ear ; it is the brother's child, to warn and save you in the voice of Buston. hour of peCril.' Gentle reader, ad'eu, and iny blessing, and 'How did you discover that such a relation- that of Flora go with you through the devious ship existed between us?' windings of life. 'By means of certain papers which you lost rH END. mysteriously; also by a ring which you wear; upon the middle finger of the left hand. Now all is briefly explained, and you can answer the question,of- 'Who is Black Ralph?' S'But when I wash this dark paint from my face, you will know him no more. My Alice recovered, my hostility towards the red many dies.' Reader, I have little more to relate. My story is well nigh told. I have only to add that Arthur, his father, and the settlers who accom- panied him, returned to us in safety on the fol lowing day. But how Arthur found a white captive among the Jndians~ and made his escape with her, and by her assistance, and how she proved to be Gil- more s long lost daughter, and how she Oeame his bride, I cannot stop to explain. The indul- gent reader will be kind enough to picture it all out in his own mind, and try to imagine the happiness which these pleasing events produced. We all journeyed to the Great Salt Lake in4 safety,'where a triple wedding took place. if
