"Friend Jehiel: I am safe and sound, and with good friends. Tell Gray Eagle that the Pawnees are encamped on the other side of the hill. If he wants to fight them, let him find the pass to the top of the hill, where he can pick them off at his leisure. There is another camp a few miles further west, but I can not tell who they are. As soon as it is dark, do you ride around the hill until you strike the creek. Get into it, and walk up until you come to the falls, where you will find me. We must leave here as soon as possible; there is danger ahead.Yours,Lew."
"Friend Jehiel: I am safe and sound, and with good friends. Tell Gray Eagle that the Pawnees are encamped on the other side of the hill. If he wants to fight them, let him find the pass to the top of the hill, where he can pick them off at his leisure. There is another camp a few miles further west, but I can not tell who they are. As soon as it is dark, do you ride around the hill until you strike the creek. Get into it, and walk up until you come to the falls, where you will find me. We must leave here as soon as possible; there is danger ahead.
Yours,Lew."
As he concluded reading, the face of the Indian girl grew bright, and she said:
"I am so glad! I shall see the White Panther once more."
"Yaas, I s'pose so," said Jehiel. "But you'll please to obsarve that he didn't ask you to come along."
"No matter, I shall go!" was the positive reply.
"Waal, jest as you like; but if you want the old man to know any thing about this gittin' on top of the hill, you'd better tell him—I won't! The infarnal old traitor! I wouldn't keer a durn if the Pawnees should lick him like blazes!"
Snowdrop went and told her father what the scout had written, and he immediately sent several warriors to look for the pass.
The top of the hill was inaccessible except at one point, and a dozen well-armed men could have guarded the plateau against all the Indians in the territory.
The shades of night were just falling around the Indian camp, when, without a word as to their intentions, Jehiel and Snowdrop started south, along the base of the hill, in search of the creek which was to lead them to the hiding-place of the brave scout.
Upon returning to the menagerie room the old trapper still retained the rope, of which he had as yet made no use. Seeing that the scout noticed it, he said:
"Yes, I didn't know but yer mought want ter draw yer friend up ter ther openin' uv ther cave, but yer seemed ter hev some other plans uv yer own; so now mebby we'd better improve the time ter go down inter ther kasm."
"I should like to visit it before I leave," replied Kelly. "I am afraid we shall never have another chance."
"What makes yer talk that a-way?" asked Bear-Paw.
"I don't know, indeed, but somehow I feel as if there was going to be some fighting around here, before this time to-morrow; and I have a kind of foreordination that you and I will be mixed up in it."
"An' so hev I," replied the old trapper. "An' more nor that, I've er big notion that I'll git killed, and yer won't! But it's time enuf to think on that bime-by. Only ef I should happen ter go under, an' yer don't, I want ye ter promise me yer will take the nigger gal with yer, an' take good care uv her es long she lives. She's ther only friend I hev on airth, an' I'll leave enuf fur ter pervide fur her es long es she lives. What do yer say?"
"That I will accept the trust, and guard her life as I would my own!" replied the scout.
"I knew yer would, and now let's go down."
He fastened one end of the rope round a projecting rock, and let the other fall into the darkness below.
"Does that rope reach to the bottom of the chasm?" asked Kelly.
"No," replied the old trapper, "not more nor half-way. But I've got er pair uv stairs thar what goes ter ther bottom. I'll go first, with the light, then yer kin foller. Yer see ther rope is knotted, so that yer won't hev much trouble in hangin' on—an' boy, jest stick some torch-wood in yer belt, fur it's orful dark down thar."
The old trapper descended the rope with an agility surprising in one so old, and gave the signal for the scout to follow.
He soon found himself standing upon a ledge of rock, about six feet square, from which he could see steps leading down into the darkness below, evidently cut in the soft limestone rock.
To the scout there seemed no end to the steps, but he soon found himself walking along upon the level ground.
"Light er couple uv torches," said Bear-Paw, "an' I'll show yer more gold nor yer ever dreamed on."
The scout did so, and the old man's promise was fulfilled.
Some great convulsion of nature had rent in twain the mountain of rock, revealing on all sides countless seams—and they were filled with gold. What he had supposed to be pebbles under his feet, proved on inspection, to be nuggets of pure gold.
He thought not of the treasures by which he was surrounded, but of the Great Architect who had planned it all; and reverently he bowed his head, as if in the immediate presence of the Divine Master.
He was utterly overwhelmed by the magnificent grandeur of his surroundings, and could easily have dreamed himself in fairy-land. Perhaps, when he had gone the way of all the living, strangers would come here and the world would be electrified by the intelligence of the marvelous discoveries they would make.
He had pledged his word that he would not tell any one of the existence of gold in that locality, and yet—poor human nature craved more.
The old trapper stood and watched him, as in mute adoration he contemplated the scene, until finally he said:
"Ef yer wants er mule-load instead uv er back-load, jest help yerself! Ef I peg out in ther scrimmage what ar' sure to come to-morrer, then I won't hold yer to yer promise—yer kin take all yer want, an' tell who yer please."
"I hope you may live many years, and enjoy the wealth that is yours!" replied the scout. "May I ask why you remain here in solitude? It is not natural for men to live alone, and I do not believe you areobligedto hide from your fellow-man."
"Sometime," said the old man, "I will tell you my history. Then you will not wonder that I choose to live alone!" Then fearing that the scout had detected the difference in his speech, into which he had momentarily been betrayed, he changed to his customary vernacular.
"Now that yer know ther way, yer kin come down an' help yerself any time. An' now less git back, ur ther rest uv ther folks 'll be wonderin' whar we ar'."
In a short time they presented themselves before the fire; but it is doubtful if Curtiss or the Indian girl had missed them at all.
They were seated where the scout had left them, and seemed no nearer the end of their story than when they first began.
That old, old story, forever new!
When will men cease to tell it? and when will women weary of listening?
At first the scout was inclined to think that Curtiss was trifling with the girl's affections; but he became satisfied that the young man was "really and truly" in love.
Thus far they had given the lie to the remark of Shakspeare (or some other man) that "the course of true love never runs smooth."
The coloredgalsat before the fire, smoking her pipe, and utterly oblivious to all earthy matters, croning the air to some old hymn she had learned—where?
She was never more surprised in her life than when the old trapper gave her a slap upon the back, and said:
"Kem, gal, it's time ter go ter bed. This yer young feller hes got all he kin do ter court one gal, an' he's proberbly thinkin' that yer room is better nor yer company, eh? An' jest make a good bed fur ther leetle gal while yer about it."
The old woman did as she was bid, and soon all hands had sought their respective couches.
But did any of them sleep? Doubtful!
As the firelight flickered about, making strange and grotesque figures upon the wall, all were awake, and trying, amid the dim shadows, to solve the problem of life—to work out the destiny in store for them.
It is needless to say that in the doctrine of manifest destiny they were firm believers; and, as they have all night before them, we will leave them for awhile, and record the events transpiring in another quarter.
The runners who had been sent out by Red Pine were particularly fortunate in meeting several large parties of Sioux, who, in view of the reported fun and plunder ahead, hastened to join the chief.
So we find him all ready for marching, on the evening of the same day that Gray Eagle and his band were about changing their quarters to the top of the hill, within the dark recesses of which our friends lay castle-building.
As the darkness began to envelop the earth, Red Pine, at the head of his warriors, cautiously approached the camp of the Pawnees.
He was aware of their being there, and congratulated himself that now he would have a glorious revenge.
But White Wolf was watchful, and his warriors were in readiness to meet the Sioux as soon as they came in sight.
He did not know that any new accessions had been made to the Sioux forces, and did not doubt that he could whip them as easily as he had done once before.
But the Sioux made the attack soon after midnight, and the fortunes of war were decided in their favor. The Pawnees were completely routed.
Daylight revealed to the Blackfeet upon the hill the singular fact that the Pawnees were changed to Sioux.
The only avenue was well guarded, and Gray Eagle did not fear a surprise. His only anxiety, now, was for his daughter.
He had formed his camp very nearly in the center of the plateau, which covered an area of perhaps forty acres, so that discovery from below was an impossibility, as long as they kept away from the edge.
But in this case their curiosity obtained the mastery over their prudence, and an incautious exposure of one's body convinced them that the Sioux were on the alert.
Before long the bill was surrounded by Indians, eager to find the pass to the top, which they had not much trouble in doing, as they had only to follow the trail left by the Blackfeet.
An attempt to go up was met by the most disastrous result, the whole file of Sioux warriors being swept from the path at the first blow. They withdrew to the foot of the hill near the pass, and resolved to wait.
If the thing could be accomplished in no other way, Red Pine had resolved to starve them out.
Gray Eagle had been improvident in not laying in a supply of provisions before going up, and he saw his mistake—when it was too late.
About noon a loud shout was heard, and Gray Eagle, looking from the top of the hill, saw a great commotion in the Sioux camp.
The cause was soon apparent. They had taken a prisoner.
And Gray Eagle did not need a spy-glass to show him that the prisoner was his daughter.
Red Pine did not care, now, for the lives that had been lost. He forgot for the moment his habitual stoicism, and danced for joy.
"Waugh! the Blackfoot squaw has bad luck!" he said. "The warriors of Red Pine have killed the Pawnees, and there is now no help for her. The Queen of the Blackfeet shall yet sit in the lodge of a Sioux chief."
"Never!" exclaimed Snowdrop. "My people are near, and they will sweep the Sioux from the earth."
"Let the Blackfoot maiden look up, and she will see that her father and his warriors are prisoners. There is but one path up there, and Red Pine will stay here until the last of the Blackfeet are starved to death, if Snowdrop does not consent to be his squaw!"
Tradition had handed down to her the legend of the last of the Illinii—she knew how the remnant of a once powerful tribe had sought a refuge from their relentless foes, in just such a place as this. She knew that when the enemy had at last gained the top of the rock, they found only the dead bodies of that ill-fated band.
Was it possible that the tragic scene was to be re-enacted here, and this hill become anotherStarved Rock?
She knew the fallacy of trying to oppose Red Pine in his ambition, so, like a sensible girl, she closed her mouth and walked away to the lodge assigned her.
Red Pine was not without his misgivings. He knew that as long as he pleased, he could keep the Blackfeet from coming down the pass. He knew, also, that they could make smoke-signals, which would call down upon him more Blackfoot warriors than he could successfully cope with; and though he had secured the principal prize, he dared not go back without his sister.
He was satisfied that she was somewhere among the hills with his late prisoner, Curtiss, and he resolved to find her at all hazards.
The Blackfeet had withdrawn from the edge of the bluff, and an ominous silence reigned around. Subtle influences were working upon the brain of the Sioux chief, and he wished himself out of the scrape.
How came the Blackfoot queen in his power?
Jehiel and Snowdrop, when they left the camp of her father to go in search of the scout, soon came to a stream, up which they turned their horses' heads, and silently traveled on. After an hour's hard toil Jehiel came to where the stream issued from a narrow cleft in the rock, and he was disappointed.
"There hain't any falls here!" he exclaimed. "I wonder why in thunder Lew didn't say where the creek was, and not let a feller lose time in tumblin' over these rocks—to say nothin' of tearin' his clothes?"
They returned to the place where they had entered the stream and again started on. Before long they found another, which Jehiel was sure was the right one, but his search for the falls had ended in precisely the same manner as his first attempt.
And so they kept it up until long after midnight, when they tied their horses and lay down to sleep.
They did not awake until after daylight, but as there was no breakfast to cook, they had not long to wait, and again started on.
Up at least half a dozen streams they went, only to meet with disappointment.
The forenoon was well-nigh spent, when they returned to the place of their last entrance, and again started around the hill.
Presently they came to a stream which was formed of two smaller ones; one upon each side of a spur in the hill.
"Now, Snowdrop," said Jehiel, "you go up one, and I will the other. We'll save time in that way, and if I find the falls I will fire my rifle—then you can come to me. If you find them first then you can fire yours. And if we don't neither one of us find it, then we'll meet ag'in here."
Snowdrop still carried her father's rifle, and she consented to the hunter's plan, and at once began the ascent of the stream.
Jehiel had been fortunate enough to find the falls, and was about to discharge his rifle, when he heard the voice of the scout:
"Don't do that, Jehiel! Get in here as soon as you can."
"But, Lew, I told the little gal I'd shoot my gun off if I found you first."
"Oh, fudge! What did she come along for?" ejaculated the scout.
"You'll find out when she sees you," replied Jehiel.
While they were yet conversing they heard the report of a gun, which Jehiel recognized as that of his companion.
"What in thunder does that mean?" he asked.
Just at that moment there came a loud whoop from the same direction.
"It means that she has been taken prisoner by the Pawnees," said the scout.
"Waal, I'm goin' to find out for sure," returned the Yankee. "Come with me, Lew."
The two men proceeded down the stream until they came within sight of the place where Jehiel had parted with the Indian girl. Kelly caught him by the arm and drew him back behind a projecting rock, at the same time whispering:
"See—there goes a lot of them, and they have taken Snowdrop prisoner. They are not Pawnees, either, but Sioux! I wonder what it all means?"
Then he thought of a plan by which he hoped to entrap them, and rescue the Indian girl.
"Is your gun loaded, Jehiel?" he asked.
"Sartin! Do you think I'm a fool?" replied Jehiel.
"Then let us have a shot at them."
Together they raised their guns and fired, and two Indians dropped dead in their tracks.
The rest, looking up the stream, saw the two white men, and a dozen of them sprung in pursuit.
"Now run for the falls," said Kelly, and he led the way.
They arrived at the opening several rods ahead of the Sioux.
"Here," said the scout; "you stay here, and shoot every one that makes his appearance. I will take care of your horse."
He led the horse to the door leading to the middle room, and giving the signal, was admitted without delay.
Passing in, he tied the horse near his own, and shouted:
"Come, Curtiss, Bear-Paw, get your guns and come out; there is some fun for you!"
The two men sprung up and followed him, and were soon beside Jehiel, waiting for the Sioux to make their appearance.
They soon heard them, moving cautiously up the creek until they arrived opposite the opening, and there they stood gazing at the falls.
They had not yet discovered the entrance to the cave, and were doubtless wondering where the white men could have disappeared so suddenly.
"Fire!" cried Bear-Paw, and four of the Indians found a resting-place beneath the waters of the stream.
The rest turned to run, but the party of whites sprung behind them, and before they could reach a protecting shelter of rock, four more were sent to their final account.
The scout and Jehiel started in pursuit of the remaining Sioux, but the old trapper called them back.
"Jest let 'em go, boys. Ef they don't bring back er pack uv ther varmint, then yer may say Old Bear-Paw's er liar. Then, yer see, we kin captur' a good haul uv 'em."
When they were once more within the cave the old man asked Kelly who the new-comer was.
"He is my pardner—the fellow I was telling you about the other day."
"He's er Yank, ain't he?"
"Yes," replied Kelly, "but he is all right—I will vouch for him."
"Wull, kem inter ther other room. Ther old gal must hev dinner ready by this time, I reckon, an' we'll want er full stomach fur our arternoon's work."
Their dinner consisted of a huge venison roast, strong coffee, and wild honey; and though not an elaborate bill of fare, it was one to which every one of the party could do full justice.
After dinner the old trapper called Kelly to one side, and said:
"Thar's somebody a-top uv this yer hill, an' I'm er goin' ter find out who it ar'. Wull yer go erlong?"
"Certainly," replied the scout.
Jehiel wanted to accompany them, but when the scout told him there was danger of soiling his clothes, he laughed and said he "b'lieved he'd stay there and have a nap."
The old trapper and Kelly made their way quietly to the top of the hill through the canyon before mentioned, and were immediately discovered by the Blackfeet, who rushed for their arms and were about to fire upon the two white men, when Gray Eagle interposed his authority, he having recognized the scout.
The two white men walked into the Blackfoot camp and seating themselves beside the fire, entered into conversation with the chief.
"Red Pine, the Sioux, has taken the daughter of Gray Eagle once more," he said. "Can White Panther tell who is to rescue her?"
"It is as much your business as anybody's, I should say," replied the scout, who had heard what Gray Eagle had said about him to Jehiel and Snowdrop.
"Does White Panther remember his promise?"
"Yes. But it seems that the chief of the Blackfeet has forgotten his," replied the scout.
"No. Gray Eagle never forgets! When the White Panther doesallhe promised, then the pale-faces can come and go when they please, among the Black Hills."
The scout felt the spirit of perverseness rising within him.
"I don't know as I care very much about it any more," he replied. "It is all the same to me if Red Pine keeps the Blackfoot queen, and starves her father to death—as it seems he can if he wants to. Jehiel told me all about it, chief, how you was going off home without making an effort to find me, after I had risked my life half a dozen times for you and your daughter!"
"Snowdrop loves the White Panther," suggested Gray Eagle.
"I don't care if she does; I don't love her, and I have told her so; and if she had not made a fool of herself by running after me, she would not now be in the hands of the Sioux. But no matter about that—youdon't love me, if she does; and I am half a mind to let the Sioux starve you out."
"That will never be!" replied the chief. "Gray Eagle has made the smoke signals which will bring every warrior in the Blackfoot village to fight the Sioux. Then Gray Eagle can go down and fight them, too, and when he has killed them all, he will take White Panther prisoner, andmakehim marry Snowdrop!"
"You must be an old fool!" retorted the scout. "But then, I won't quarrel with you. When you get ready to take me prisoner, please let me know, and perhaps I can help you—and, chief, if it should accidentally happen that you get taken yourself, let me know that, too; and if I don't help you, it will be because I don't want to!"
The scout and his companion were turning to leave, when Gray Eagle asked:
"What is to hinder Gray Eagle from going down where his pale-face brothers go?"
"Perhaps nothing—perhaps much!" replied the scout. "In the first place, there is some one down there who will shoot the first Indian he sees, whether Blackfoot or Sioux! That is reason enough, and if it was not, there is a better one—I don't want you to go down there!"
The old chief could not avoid showing surprise at the bold, and even threatening language of the scout, and he concluded to adopt a different course.
"Would White Panther see the father of Snowdrop, who loves the pale-face, die here? Gray Eagle has nothing to eat."
"There is no one to blame but yourself," replied the scout. "You should have brought up provisions enough to last you. Are you very hungry?"
"Yes," replied Gray Eagle.
"Then why don't you go down and fight the Sioux? They have plenty to eat, and the plains are covered with buffalo."
"The Sioux can not come up, neither can the warriors of Gray Eagle go down!"
"Then why don't you stand up here and pick them off, one at a time? If you could manage to shoot Red Pine, the rest would leave—then you could go down and have things all your own way!"
The remarks of the scout were very tantalizing, and the old chief nearly choked himself trying to smother his anger.
"Come, Bear-Paw," said the scout, "let's go to the edge of the bluff and see what the Sioux are up to. You come too, chief."
The three cautiously approached the edge of the cliff and looked down upon the Sioux camp.
Every thing was quiet there—the warriors were lying around on the grass—smoking, sleeping or gambling, as they pleased.
Snowdrop was sitting at the door of a rudely-constructed teepe, her head bowed in meditation; while twenty yards away stood the Sioux chief, engaged in a like manner. None of them had yet observed the three figures above them.
"Gray Eagle, have you a bow and arrows?" asked the scout.
"Yes," replied the chief.
"Get it, then, and send an arrow down to Snowdrop. I want her to look up here."
The chief did so, and a glad smile filled the Indian girl's face when she saw the scout with her father.
Now that she knew he was safe, she trusted with all her loving woman's heart that he would rescue her from her captors.
Just then two Indians, who had been amusing themselves with a pack of greasy cards, looked up and saw them, and with a loud yell they sprung for their guns.
"Le's salt them fellers," said the old trapper, now speaking for the first time since he left the cave.
The two white men discharged their rifles.
Immediately all was commotion in the Sioux camp. A hundred armed men sprung to their feet, but there were none of the enemy in sight; and the howlings over the bodies of their slain warriors were both long and loud.
The scout and Bear-Paw then returned to the cave, and seated themselves beside the fire, and for a few minutes had all they could do to answer Jehiel's questions.
"If the Blackfoot chief had any spunk at all, he could easily drive the Sioux away," said Kelly; "but it seems as if he was completely discouraged. I'll just bet, if it was me, I would make a big hole in their ranks before dark!"
"Oh, Lew!" exclaimed Jehiel, as a new idea struck him, "let's me and you go up and take the contrack of lickin' the Sioux! Mebbe we could make some kind of a swap with old Gray Eagle, and get a load of beaver-skins to carry home with us. What do you say?"
"I say that we can have a load of something better to carry, without running any risk."
"I don't know of any thing any better," said Jehiel. "Beaver and mink fetch a good price, now-a-days, and we kin make our 'tarnal fortunes—pervidin', of course, we kin git the contrack. But then, mebbe, arter we'd licked the Sioux, old Gray Eagle wouldn't pay us for it—he's an o'nery old thief. What do you suppose is the reason, Lew, that Snowdrop don't fall in love with me? Ain't I good-lookin' enough? Can't I shoot as good as the best of them—and hain't I done enough for her, I'd like to know?"
"I'm sure I can not tell, Jehiel. Have you said any thing to her about it?"
"Yaas, and she give me the mitten quicker 'n spat!" said Jehiel.
"Well, don't get discouraged—perhaps she will come around all right yet. Now, Jehiel, supposing you were rich enough to go back to Vermont and buy out the richest man in your county, would you want to marry an Indian girl?"
"In course I would! Darn it all, Lew, I love the gal, and I don't care whether she is white or black, red or yellow! 'Sides, there hain't no chance to speculate out here. And I don't never expect to get rich here."
"Sit still a minute, and I will convince you to the contrary," said Kelly, and he produced the bag of gold which the old trapper had given him, and poured the contents out before the astonished Jehiel.
"Thunder, Lew! Where did you get all this? Is there any more where this come from? Du tell me if it's all your'n?"
"One question at a time, Jehiel—they will last the longer. In the first place, this bag of gold was a present to me from our friend Bear-Paw; and I assure you there is plenty more where this came from—and this is all mine. Under certain circumstances I shall be at liberty to show you where it came from, and to furnish you enough to make you richer than the wealthiest man in the State of Vermont! But, if those circumstances never transpire, then I will divide this with you."
The scout would have revealed the secret of the chasm, but he did not feel at liberty to do so, as the old trapper had trusted to his honor. He turned to Bear-Paw, and said:
"Will you show Jehiel your menagerie?"
"Sartin, ef he wants ter see 'em," replied the old man, leading the way to the chasm.
Jehiel had not the slightest intimation of what was before him, and his astonishment was unbounded when they arrived at the chasm.
"Jewhillakens!" he exclaimed. "S'pose a feller should walk off here sometime, would he ever touch bottom?"
He received no reply, for had there been any, he was too much surprised just then to have heard it. He saw the old trapper swing off on the end of the rope, and heard him when he stopped upon the opposite side, and waved his torch as a signal for the scout to catch the rope.
"Now," said Kelly, "you go over."
Jehiel showed signs of cowardice.
"How fur is it over there?" he asked.
"About sixty feet," was the reply.
"But durn it, Lew, I might fall and break my tarnal neck."
"Oh! there is no danger of that—all you have to do is to hang on to the rope; and you see there is a big knot in the end, so that your hands won't slip."
"But what's the use in goin' over there? Hain't there plenty of room here?"
"Yes, I suppose so; but I want to show you something on the other side," replied the scout.
"Wal, I hain't afraid, in course, but if it hain't necessary I won't go!"
"Itisnecessary!" answered the scout.
"Wal, if I must, I must; but the Lord knows I don't want to! And Lew, if I fall and kill myself, I shall always blame you."
"All right! I'll take the blame—you hang on to the rope."
Jehiel let his weight bear on the rope, shut his eyes, and raising his feet from the floor, soon felt himself swinging through space at a rate that made him hold his breath, and tighten his grip upon the rope. He would have retained his hold and swung back again, had not the old trapper seized him by the arm and stopped him.
They were soon joined by the scout, and proceeded at once to the menagerie.
Here the old trapper stuck his torch in the ground, and spoke with a voice trembling with emotion:
"Here's my pets—jest ther best lot uv b'ars an' painters I ever see'd—an' I've got ter leave 'em! I didn't think uv thet when I got 'em here, sech little fellers; but now I feel thet I'm er goin ter die, an' thar won't be nobody ter take care uv 'em, an' love 'em as I do!"
Seeing his evident distress, Kelly said:
"If there was any way to get them away from here, and to the settlements, I would agree to take care of them for you. But don't give way to such feelings, Bear-Paw—you may live many years yet to enjoy the companionship of your pets."
The old man bowed his head and remained silent. After a time he asked:
"Do you care any thing about ther daughter uv ther Blackfoot chief?"
"No, I do not," replied Kelly. "And yet I would rather see her in other hands. If I could only rescue her, and get the Sioux chief's scalp, I should be happy! Then Gray Eagle could have no excuse for not keeping his promise to me."
"Then I'll help yer; an' I reckon we kin do it ef anybody kin!" said the old man.
"I don't think of any way that we can do it, though."
"Kin yer talk the Blackfoot language?"
"Yes," replied the scout.
"Then let's go ter ther openin' whar we war ther other day, an' mebby yer kin git er chance ter say suthin ter her."
They proceeded to the opening, before described, passing the guard, Barnum, after considerable trouble; for the animal was unusually cross that day, having been some time without food.
Here the scout mounted the ladder, and was soon peering through a fissure at the Sioux camp. Two hours before, he had been upon the hill nearly a hundred feet above his present position.
Again fortune favored him, for he saw the Indian girl approaching the stream close by where he stood.
The scout waited until she had reached the water's edge, when he gave a low whistle.
She looked up, and he spoke to her, making use of the Blackfoot dialect, which, for the convenience of the reader we will interpret.
"Snowdrop," said the scout, "when it is dark, come to the place where you are now, and I will take you away. Bring the Sioux chief with you, that I may take him a prisoner."
"Is it White Panther who speaks?" asked the girl.
"Yes."
"Snowdrop will come."
The conversation had not been heard by the Sioux, and Snowdrop returned to her teepe, while Kelly descended the ladder and stood beside his friends. The three then returned to the main room to await the coming of night.
About the time that Snowdrop returned to her teepe, a scout came running into the Sioux camp with the intelligence that a large herd of buffalo were in sight, a few miles to the east; and within five minutes two-thirds of the Sioux, including the chief, Red Pine, had gone in pursuit of them.
Those within the cave knew nothing of this movement, while the Blackfeet at the top, though aware of it, were afraid to make an attack.
Had they been allowed to make use of the pass through which Kelly and the trapper went up and down, every one of them could have left the hill and given battle to the few Sioux who were left to guard the pass and the camp.
Two days without food had not produced a very enviable state of feeling among the Blackfoot braves. Treason was rife among them. Mutterings of discontent arose on every hand, and those who all their lives had been accustomed to render the strictest obedience, now felt the spirit of rebellion.
The young chief, who had led the party from their village, was loud in his denunciations of the policy adopted by the old chief. He used every argument in his power to prove that the old man was in his dotage, and unfit to be intrusted with the government of the nation.
It is quite probable that had he put the question to an actual vote, at that time, the "house" would have been divided in his favor; and it is equally probable that had Gray Eagle known what was "in the wind," the young chief's head would have had something in it besides brains.
But Red Pine was not the first man who has stood aghast at that big little word,If.
The old trapper, after consulting with the scout, concluded that it would be best not to say anything to the rest of the party respecting their plans. So that when the shadows of twilight were beginning to close around the Black Hills, the two silently withdrew and crossed the chasm to the rear opening.
The hunting party of the Sioux had not yet returned, and Snowdrop would not come until she could bring the Sioux chief with her.
The scout was not long in determining the cause of her delay, when he saw the hunting party coming across the plain.
He explained the situation of affairs to Bear-Paw.
"But," he said, "the girl will surely come, and she will bring the chief with her. Now, if you have another rope, I can make a lasso, and when she brings him near the rock I will throw it over his head; and we can draw him up without killing him. We can draw the girl up in the same way."
"I've got er rope, an' we'll jest do it as yer hev' planned," replied the old man.
He then led his pet, Barnum, into the menagerie, where he secured him among the rest.
"Thar," he said, "you're all on yer crosser nor ther dickens, an' thet's all right! I'll hev' some work fur yer purty soon, an' I'll pay yer in raw Injuns. Jest keep quiet now till I kem fur yer—then yer may howl, an' snarl, an' fight, an' kill jest all yer a mind ter!"
Then he secured more ropes and took them to the edge of the chasm, where he deposited them upon the floor. Evidently he was looking ahead. Selecting a long, small one he returned to the scout.
Kelly soon had the running noose made in the lasso, and stood awaiting the appearance of Snowdrop and the Sioux chief. Presently he heard the voice of the Indian girl, saying:
"Let the great chief of the Sioux go with Snowdrop to the other side of the stream, where she can talk to him without his warriors hearing. Snowdrop had words that the chief alone must hear."
Red Pine was flattered and readily consented to the arrangement. He hoped that the Blackfoot maiden had changed her mind, and was about to comply with his wishes.
When they were standing upon the opposite side the girl said:
"Snowdrop can not see her people starve to death! Will not the great chief of the Sioux let them come down?"
"If the Blackfoot Queen will go with Red Pine, and be his squaw, then her father and his people may come down. Red Pine will divide his meat with them, and the two tribes shall be at peace forever!"
"Snowdrop will go with the chief of the Sioux, and will be his wife—if there is no other way to save her father's life."
"There is no other way! The Blackfoot Queen has made Red Pine happy! He will now take his warriors away from the pass, and Gray Eagle may come down."
Snowdrop did not know what to say. She was not quite sure that the scout was there, or feared that he had been there and left again because she was too late.
She did not see the tall form of the scout rise from the rock, not a dozen feet above where she stood; she did not see the coil of rope shoot out and descend square over the head of the chief.
But she did see the noose slip down over his arms and tighten.
She saw him raised from the ground, and hang suspended in mid-air. She saw another rope lowered to her, and heard the scout say:
"Hang on to that, Snowdrop, and I will pull you up!"
She seized the rope and was soon beside the scout. She flung her arms around his neck, and was about to thank him, when the old trapper interrupted:
"No time fur foolin' now! Take her, Kelly, an' cross ther kasm with her, an' hurry back ter me!"
The scout did as requested, and came back to the opening.
The body of the Sioux chief still swung in the air, and he was exercising his lungs by calling upon his warriors for help. When the trapper saw that the whole Sioux camp was astir, he said, "Now less snake him in!"
The scout seized the rope with him, and in an incredibly short space of time the Sioux chief was within the cave. Dragging him to the edge of the chasm, the old trapper tied his hands behind him and bound his feet together.
"Here, Kelly," he said, "now yer strap him onter my back, an' I'll take him over thar. Yer kin stay here ef yer wants ter see some fun arterwards!"
The Sioux chief was tied to the back of the old trapper, who swung off, and landing in safety upon the other side, called Jehiel to come and take him off.
This done, the old trapper returned to the scout. "Now then, fur ther end," he said.
By this time the Sioux were pouring into the cave.
"Quick!" exclaimed the old man. "Git inter ther menagery!"
He began at once releasing the hungry animals, and then Kelly understood the horrid doom to which Bear-Paw was about to consign the Sioux.
"Here, Barnum, yer kin go first! Fight, scratch, bite, any way ter kill; only kill all yer kin! An' here, yer, Andy Jackson, pile out thar an' help yer brother!"
The other animals were let loose, and with fearful screams they sprung for the opening, closely followed by the scout and Bear-Paw.
The work of carnage was soon ended in the cave, but the infuriated animals did not pause here.
Down they dashed upon the horror-stricken Sioux, who mingled their yells of despair with the fearful screams of the panthers, and the roar of the grizzlies.
Those of the Sioux who were not disabled mounted their horses and sped away over the plain, to carry the tale of their fearful, inglorious defeat to the Sioux village.
The animals did not pursue them very far, but fell to eating the huge hams of buffalo, which the Sioux had brought in for an altogether different purpose. They were soon gorged to their fullest extent, and of their own accord returned to the room in the cave which they had so long occupied.
"I'm er goin' down ter see what ther critters hev left," said Bear-Paw. "I won't be gone but er minit."
He was about to descend, when a wounded Sioux at the bottom of the rock raised his gun, and sent the contents into the body of the old trapper.
At that distance it could but prove fatal. It was the last spasmodic effort of the Sioux, and his life went out with it.
The old trapper fell back into the arms of the scout, who bore him to the inner room, and laid him upon a pile of furs beside the fire.
Through all the exertions of the scout to restore life, the old man lay senseless.
For nearly an hour he remained in this state, while his friends looked on in mute sympathy.
When his consciousness returned, he recognized the scout, and said:
"Kelly, yesterday I told you I would sometime relate the story of my life, and I will do it now, if God spares my life long enough. I have felt a strange presentiment of evil for several days, and now I know that I have but a few hours to live, and I will be as brief as possible.
"I told you to call me Bear-Paw—my true name is Gallaudet. I was born in Scotland, and my father emigrated to this country when I was ten years of age. I say emigrated, but he did not. He started, but the vessel never reached America.
"When nearly in the middle of the Atlantic, the vessel was wrecked in a storm, and all but four perished. My parents found a grave in the ocean, while through an inscrutable dispensation of Divine Providence, I was saved. Three days after the storm, we were picked up by a vessel bound for New Orleans, where we arrived in due season.
"When the story of our misfortunes became known, I was offered a home with a wealthy gentleman of that city, and was by him educated, and started in business. When I was twenty-one my kind guardian died, leaving no family but one lovely daughter.
"She became my wife, and for five years longer we lived happily together.
"At that time I engaged in a speculation which proved disastrous, and I awoke one morning to find the bulk of my fortune swept away. I resolved to go to California, and to that end set out with a party of emigrants, taking with me my wife and the little golden-haired daughter who had been born during the first year of our married life, and also this colored woman, whom you see here.
"Near the western borders of Texas, the train was attacked by Apaches, and I saw my wife struck down before me, and my little one carried off. With no friend left but old Chloe, and no property but my rifle, I was tempted to take my own life, but better counsel prevailed.
"There is no need to tell you of the many years since then—how, after long wanderings, I found myself among these hills, and while trapping, discovered the entrance to this cave. Here Chloe and I have lived these many weary, weary years. The animals you have seen were taken when young, and have lost all their desire to leave here.
"It pains me more than you can well imagine to leave them, for they have been a comfort, even to my broken heart. I would rather kill them myself than to know that they would ever suffer ill-treatment at the hands of another.
"It was a singular fancy of mine to print upon the left arm of my daughter, just above the elbow, a square and compass, in India ink. But I have long since given up all hope of ever meeting her on earth. When I first saw the Sioux girl, Nulela, I was struck by the remarkable resemblance she bore my wife. Indeed, she is the perfect picture of my lost one at her age. But she says she is the sister of the Sioux chief, and for the last time, my hopes are blasted. Should you ever meet a woman bearing upon her arm that figure, tell her how her father died.
"You have promised me, Kelly, that you would take care of my old servant, and I have faith to believe you. It will not be for many years.
"To you I give the furs in this room. There are many of them, well preserved and very valuable. To you I also give the secret of the chasm. You will find enough there to make you all rich—richer than your wildest fancy could ever picture! And now I have one more request to make. It is that you will bury me in the bottom of the chasm—will you do it?"
"It shall be done," sobbed the scout.
The old man sunk back upon his couch, patiently and silently awaiting the coming of the dread messenger, Death.
But it possessed no terrors for him.
The Sioux chief spoke to his sister:
"Let Nulela show her arm to the old man."
The girl tore the sleeve from her left arm, and displayed to the wondering group the blue figure of a square and compass thereon.
"Bear-Paw was right, after all," said the scout. "When he awakes we will tell him."
The old man moved restlessly. His pulse was growing faster and weaker.
"I thought I saw her," he murmured.
"Who?"
"My angel wife and my little Marguerite."
"Look here, Bear-Paw," and the scout held up Nulela's arm so that he could see the figures thereon.
"It is her—my daughter—my long-lost daughter!" and father and child were locked in a loving embrace.
His mind wandered:
"Wife, wife—I am coming—I have found her at last!"
His arms, clasped about the neck of his daughter, slowly relaxed, and with the sacred name of wife upon his lips, the old man's soul went out to meet the loved ones beyond the River of Death.
But little remains for us to tell.
The body of the old trapper was taken to the bottom of the chasm, and buried. After they had returned to the fire—for they all accompanied the old man to his last resting-place—the scout called Snowdrop to him, and said:
"Will you go to the top of the cliff, and bring your father down here? I must see him!"
"Snowdrop will go," replied the girl.
The scout led the way to the main entrance, and showed her the pass up which she was to climb, and in a short time he saw her enter the cavern accompanied by her father.
Kelly led the way to the inner cave, and then addressed the old chief:
"Does Gray Eagle remember his promise?"
"Yes: Gray Eagle never forgets! It was that if the White Panther should take his daughter from Red Pine, and bring him the scalp of the chief, there should be peace between the Blackfeet and the pale-face forever!"
"Your memory is pretty good, chief," replied Kelly. "Now you have your daughter—here is Red Pine, scalp and all! Are you satisfied?"
"It is well! Gray Eagle will do as he has promised; but he will take the Sioux dog to the village of the Blackfeet, and torture him to death."
"Well, take him and go! And I warn you never to come near this place again—a sudden and fearful death awaits you if you do. Now go!"
The old chief removed the cord which bound the feet of Red Pine, never doubting but that he could keep possession so long as his hands were tied.
Red Pine rose to his feet and said:
"A chief of the Sioux does not fear to die! Let the Blackfoot lead the way!"
Gray Eagle was about to reply when Red Pine broke from his grasp, and sprung in the direction of the rear entrance.
All was darkness there, and he seemed to have forgotten the existence of the chasm.
He made the discovery too late!
The yell of defiance changed to one of terror as the Sioux went whirling down to the bottom of the chasm, and the pursuers were only in time to hear the echoes of the dullthudas he struck the rocky bottom, a shapeless mass of flesh.
Gray Eagle recoiled in horror from the brink of the chasm and the party returned to the fire.
"Come," said the old chief to his daughter—but she did not stir.
"Snowdrop loves the White Panther, and will never leave him again!"
Gray Eagle did not know what to say or do, neither did the scout; but he saw that something must be done, and he dreaded a scene. He approached the Indian girl, and taking her hand said:
"It may be a disappointment to you, Snowdrop, but it is one you will live through. You must obey your father! In the morning I shall start for my home, and you can not go along! I shall probably never see you again—so you may as well give up this love notion of yours. I would rather be a brother to you, and will always be your friend—nothing more. Now go with your father!"
The Blackfoot queen bowed her head, and sobbed aloud.
So rude a repulse—so decided a refusal, kindly spoken, it is true, but firmly—such a wealth of tender soul-love to be cast aside—was more than she could bear.
"Look a-here," said Jehiel, once more taking hope, "you know I love you, desput bad, Snowdrop. Hain't I rescued you from the durned Indians half a dozen times? S'posen you take me? You can't git Lew, that's sartin! We'll stay right here—I'll buy the old man's traps, and we'll jest be as happy as any two kittens!"
What a strange revulsion of feeling!
Snowdrop put her hand in Jehiel's and said:
"Snowdrop will stay, and be the wife of Long Hunter!"
What need to recount the homeward journey—unless the reader may wish to know what became of the other characters?
Captain Curtiss and the lovely Nulela were married immediately upon their arrival in Yankton—the nearest place where a minister could be found.
Lew Kelly made happy the heart of his little wife by his return. He gave up scouting, for the gift of Bear-Paw had placed him beyond the need of work. He is one of our living heroes, and could, undoubtedly, have told this story much better than I have done.
As neither Snowdrop nor Jehiel had any conscientious scruples about marriage, they remained where they were. Jehiel still inhabits the cave in the Black Hills, happy as mortal can well be, in the love of theBlackfoot Queen.
THE END.
DIME POCKET NOVELS.
PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY.
1—Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes.
2—Dead Shot. By Albert W. Aiken.
3—The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis.
4—Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid.
5—Nat Wolfe. By Mrs. M. V. Victor.
6—The White Tracker. Edward S. Ellis.
7—The Outlaw's Wife. Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.
8—The Tall Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken.
9—Lightning Jo. By Capt. Adams.
10—The Island Pirate. By Capt. Mayne Reid.
11—The Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes.
12—Bess, the Trapper. By E. S. Ellis.
13—The French Spy. By W. J. Hamilton.
14—Long Shot. By Capt. Comstock.
15—The Gunmaker. By James L. Bowen.
16—Red Hand. By A. G. Piper.
17—Ben, the Trapper. By Lewis W. Carson.
18—Wild Raven. By Oll Coomes.
19—The Specter Chief. By Seelin Robins.
20—The B'ar-Killer. By Capt. Comstock.
21—Wild Nat. By Wm. R. Eyster.
22—Indian Jo. By Lewis W. Carson.
23—Old Kent, the Ranger. Edward S. Ellis.
24—The One-Eyed Trapper. Capt. Comstock.
25—Godbold, the Spy. By N. C. Iron.
26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner.
27—Single Eye. By Warren St. John.
28—Indian Jim. By Edward S. Ellis.
29—The Scout. By Warren St. John.
30—Eagle Eye. By W. J. Hamilton.
31—The Mystic Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis.
32—The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck.
33—The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter.
34—Old Lute. By E. W. Archer.
35—Rainbolt, Ranger. By Oll Coomes.
36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis.
37—Carson, the Guide. By J. H. Randolph.
38—The Heart Eater. By Harry Hazard.
39—Wetzel, the Scout. By Boynton Belknap.
40—The Huge Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis.
41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. Paul Prescott.
42—Lynx-cap. By Paul Bibbs.
43—The White Outlaw. By Harry Hazard.
44—The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey.
45—The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
46—Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham.
47—The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe.
48—The Phantom Tracker. By F. Dewey.
49—Moccasin Bill. By Paul Bibbs.
50—The Wolf Queen. By Charles Howard.
51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer.
52—The Mad Chief. By Chas. Howard.
53—The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing.
54—Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard.
55—Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs.
56—The River Rifles. By Billex Muller.
57—Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff.
58—Cloudwood. By J. M. Merrill.
59—The Texas Hawks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
60—Merciless Mat. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
61—Mad Anthony's Scouts. By E. Rodman.
62—The Luckless Trapper. Wm. R. Eyster.
63—The Florida Scout. Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
64—The Island Trapper. Chas. Howard.
65—Wolf-Cap. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
66—Rattling Dick. By Harry Hazard.
67—Sharp-Eye. By Major Max Martine.
68—Iron-Hand. By Frederick Forest.
69—The Yellow Hunter. By Chas. Howard.
70—The Phantom Rider. By Maro O. Rolfe.
71—Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard.
72—Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
73—The Skeleton Scout. Maj. L. W. Carson.
74—Little Rifle. By Capt. "Bruin" Adams.
75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson.
76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. "Bruin" Adams.
77—The Scarlet Shoulders. Harry Hazard.
78—The Border Rifleman. L. W. Carson.
79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard.
80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. R. Ringwood.
81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve.
82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard.
83—The Specter Horseman. Frank Dewey.
84—The Three Trappers. Seelin Robins.
85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N.
86—The Hunter Hercules. Harry St. George.
87—Phil Hunter. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
88—The Indian Scout. By Harry Hazard.
89—The Girl Avenger. By Chas. Howard.
90—The Red Hermitess. By Paul Bibbs.
91—Star-Face, the Slayer.
92—The Antelope Boy. By Geo. L. Aiken.
93—The Phantom Hunter. By E. Emerson.
94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot. By M. Klapp.
95—The Red Wizard. By Ned Hunter.
96—The Rival Trappers. By L. W. Carson.
97—The Squaw Spy. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
98—Dusky Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
99—Colonel Crockett. By Chas. E. Lasalle.
100—Old Bear-Paw. By Major Max Martine.
101—Redlaw. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
102—Wild Rube. By W. J. Hamilton.
103—The Indian Hunters. By J. L. Bowen.
104—Scarred Eagle. By Andrew Dearborn.
105—Nick Doyle. By P. Hamilton Myers.
106—The Indian Spy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
107—Job Dean. By Ingoldsby North.
108—The Wood King. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
109—The Scalped Hunter. By Harry Hazard.
110—Nick, the Scout. By W. J. Hamilton.
111—The Texas Tiger. By Edward Willett.
112—The Crossed Knives. By Hamilton.
113—Tiger-Heart, the Tracker. By Howard.
114—The Masked Avenger. By Ingraham.
115—The Pearl Pirates. By Starbuck.
116—Black Panther. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
117—Abdiel, the Avenger. By Ed. Willett.
118—Cato, the Creeper. By Fred. Dewey.
119—Two-Handed Mat. By Jos. E. Badger.
120—Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard.
121—Black Nick. By Frederick Whittaker.
122—Kit Bird. By W. J. Hamilton.
123—The Specter Riders. By Geo. Gleason.
124—Giant Pete. By W. J. Hamilton.
125—The Girl Captain. By Jos. E. Badger.
126—Yankee Eph. By J. R. Worcester.
127—Silverspur. By Edward Willett.
128—Squatter Dick. By Jos. E. Badger.
129—The Child Spy. By George Gleason.
130—Mink Coat. By Jos. E. Badger.
131—Red Plume. By J. Stanley Henderson.
132—Clyde, the Trailer. By Maro O. Rolfe.
133—The Lost Cache. J. Stanley Henderson.
134—The Cannibal Chief. Paul J. Prescott.
135—Karaibo. By J. Stanley Henderson.
136—Scarlet Moccasin. By Paul Bibbs.
137—Kidnapped. By J. Stanley Henderson.
138—Maid of the Mountain. By Hamilton.
The following will be issued in the order and on the dates indicated:
139—The Scioto Scouts. By Edward Willett. Ready October 21st.
140—The Border Renegade. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready Nov. 4th.
141—The Mute Chief. By C. D. Clark. Ready November 18th.
142—Boone, the Hunter. By Frederick Whittaker. Ready December 2d.
143—Mountain Kate. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready December 16th.
144—The Red Scalper. By W. J. Hamilton. Ready December 30th.
145—The Lone Chief. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready January 13th.
146—The Silver Bugle. By Lieut. Col. Hazleton. Ready January 27th.
Beadle's Dime Pocket Novelsare always in print and for sale by all newsdealers; or will be sent post-paid, to any address; single numbers, ten cents; six months (13 Nos.) $1.25; one year (26 Nos.) $2.50.
Address, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.