Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 16, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 6 October 1877 — Page 6

Vf

THE MAIL

PAPER

c.

FOR TIIE

PEOPLE.

SPEAK NO ILL,

5ay, spc-ak 110 ill! A kindly word Can nevr leave a

sting behind

AndOto breathe each tale we've beard F! Is far bci path a noble mind. .V" Fnll oft. a better seed 1h sown

By choosing thas the kinder plan Tor, If but little good be known, ,, 8UU let us speak the best we can. dire me the heart that fain would hide,

Would fain another's fault efface How can it pleasure human pride To prove humanity but base? J«o let us reach a higher mood,

A nobler estimate of man Be earnrst in the search for good, And speak of all the best we can. Then speak no ill, but lenient be

To others'failings as your own If you're the first a fault to see, Be not the first to make It known For life is but a passing day-

No lip can tell now brief Its span Then O, the little time we stay, Let's speak of all the best we can.

PRIDE.

I

had a little r»sebud given to roe I dropped it as I wore it one day would not turn to seek It—no, for then 'Twer© plain I prized it so I went my way. had a love that made life a Joy It seamed to falterone brlglit sninmer day coulrl have won It buck with l-nt a smile, 1 would not smile, and no I went my way 0 pride, thou stealest oar most treasured things—

Things which to gain we'd risk all else belde! Xx»at, lost, my rosebud, lost mvlove, alas!

I might have found them but for thee, pride!

SARATOGA.

INDIA

A'

TALE OF FROXTIER LIFE.

A TRUE STORY.

CHAPTER I.

1

A MEETXNGf IN THE l'OREST.^

I KNOW

1

One summer morning in the year 1787, a party of four persons were traversing the forest, near the spot where now stands the gay watering place of Saratoga. Two of the party wer.j yonng women, mounted on horseback. Their attendants, who were on foot, consisted of a white man and an Indian, or rather half-breed. 'How soon do you think we shall come to the rock, James?' said the taller of the two horsewomen 'it seems to me that we have beon riding long enough to be there by this time.' •No, uo, Mian Marion, not quite replied the man who was addressed 'no doubt it may seem a long way to you, who are not used to it but, Lord bless you!

every foot of this here

ground, well as you know the road to ehurcb. Wo aro now full a mile to the aoutbward of the spring yet. We needn't hurry, for the colonel won't be able to jlne us till arter we've been there some time.1 'Are you uure,' said the fair interlocutor, 'that we aro in tho right wa? For, to me, one of these paths looks just like another.' 'Sure, Miss Marlon!' was the reply, 'why Indian Joe hero, could find his way blindfold, I'll be sworn. Besides, you can see the light in the east shinin through the tops of them hemlocks, so you may bo sartain we're not turned round, and that our heads are still looking towards SkP®n borough.' •What blindfold mean, you say7' asked the person disignated as Indian Joo, who now joined in the conversation.

The Lord loye us, miss!' replied the other man 'you see the ignorance of them savages. Why, Joo, where was yduedioated? Blindfold means walking with somthlu' tied over your eyes, Sliest as if't was pitch dark now—'

His further explanatory remarks, on ffcat bead, were cut short by a slight ex*tamation from the second young lady. Iter horse was standing still, while sbo was pointing with her riding whip at motile object oy the (-lde of their path Her eyes seemed to be riveted upon this whatever It was, as if by a kind of fascination, while her cheek was slightly blanched with the fright which it caused. Within a few feet of her, in fact, was a fallen tree, now old and decayed but which In its descent had broken off a yard or so above the ground, so that, as it lay, the top or the trunk was nearly as high as a man's head. •What is the matter, Lucille? what is St?' exclaimed her companion, observing her alarm, and approaching her in anxiety. Lucille made no reply, but continued pointing at the object which fixed her attention, apparently unable to do more. 'What's got into the gal?'said tho man who had been addressed as James: •don't be skoered, Miss Va'cour sit still, and I'll see what it is In a jiffr.'

But, in the mean time, the Indian, whom nobody, just then, noticed, had taken a short turn toward the head of tho prostrate tree, and with silent but vapid steps, was now seen approaching thegroBp, walking along the elevated trunk, when within a yard or so he

Sand

kused, making a quick motion of his toward Lucille, as if to beckon bar awav. But she either did not understand the sign, or was unable to obey it. She did not stir. 'Have a care, all on yo!' said James 'have a care, for it may be a painter or some tamal thing of that Kind. You jest move off, miss, while Joe and I ukw of the creetur. What Is it, Joe? Ws kuow at once'

But Joe seemed too modi occupied to heed what his companion said fbr, casting a few hasty glances around him as he stood balancing himself on the timber, and apparently not discovering what he nought, he slowly removed his rifle from the hollow of his left arm, where it lav, and keeping his gaxe fixed ua obi

on some object hitherto undiscoverable toail but him and Lucille, he steadily polntod a little downward and lired. There

WM

£01 Kan

8

a scrambling among the

bushes, a loud, ferocious *aarV waa heard, and then the sound of rapidly retreating footstep*. The Indian, as soon an he 6r*d. had boon vied backward on the log where he stood, loosing his hold «m his gun, which was caught by the bushes and held test. 'That's what I call Indian ahootin',' wled James: 'if he'd been behind a imp or a log, now, he might have done it. Faugh! Catamount! you'll never wear that wolfs tail in your belt. It's as good as ten doliara gone,' 'What is it you say about a wolf, James?' asked tbe first speaker »uraly you do not mean to say that Lucile has Men so near one as that?' 'Don't I, miss? Ask the Indian, then, If you don't believe me. But I ought to know the critters by this time. Joe, how on arth could yon miss him? 1 thought you'd white natur enough In yon for •ueh a fob as that.' 'Too much talk!' said tbe savage, with some ili-bunoor *vou big brag: why no see dat?' he added, pointing to a larga Mmb, which had Intervened between

him and tbe animal, and which was marked with tbe charge which bad been fired et the wolf. •That's true, for once,' said James •this time I sdmit there's some excuse for vou, 'specially as I see tbe leaves below are oovored with tbe varmint blood.' 'James, I think you are too rough with Joe,' said the fair speaker again he seems to have saved Lucllo'a life, and—'

Lucile's life!' exclaimed the man: *No, no, my young lady! WLo ever heard of a wolf attacking folks in broad daylight? Taint that way. Take my word for it, the gentleman was asglad to get off, as you to see him go. 'Taint in the natur of them crittors to set on human beln's, onless when they come in droves like, and find a man alone. I'll be bound this one was as frightened as Miss Waloour herself.' •Ah! Lucille,' said her oompanion. •how frightened you mnat have been! How did vou come to see it? I'm sure if I had b» iii in your place I should have fainted away!' 'No,* said Liucile. who had now recovered from her fright, and whose spirits revived with her release from danger, 'I do not think you would have fainted away but you would have run away, as I should have 0one if I had thought of It. But I never saw such a horrid thing bofore, and It is no wonder I was startled.' 'Do you know, Lucile,' said the other, 'that you will be quite a heroine after this? 'But James, 1 thought that fellow said there were no wild animals ia this region?' •Lord! miss,' replied the man, 'do you call a wolf a wild animal? why he's as harmless as a woodcbuck, compared with some that used to be in these woods. Hows'ever, the crittur's bein' here shows we must be pretty well on our journey for it's seldom they ventur' far from the rocks and hills in daylight, and this chap must have been caught out late a gallivantin'. What do you say Catamount? Arn't we pretty near the

Rock Spring by this time?' The Indian to whom this question was addressed, was at that moment occupied in disengaging his gun from its entanglement, and in xamining whether it bad sustained any injury. Atter some delay, he replied without deigning to turn his /see toward his questioner: 'What I tiuk. you say? Indian no link he do.' •Yes, I know,' said the man, but you needn't be hufly about what I said about your shootin'. I mean, don't this wolf bein' bare show we must be near the eend of our journey?' 'You know how shoot-,' replied tho savage, 'why you no see path clear, eh? Why you no see sky out dere? Big tree dere, what you call rock, too, plenty.' 'Ibe redskin seems to think, miss, that the mountain is clus by,' said the white man, turning to tho young ladies under hia charge. 'I used to be this away often enough, and knew every deer track then. Them ledges he speaks on, are nigh hand to the Rock Spring, and the hill country beyond used to be full of varmint. But I'm a little onsartin now, for I don't think I've been here since Colonel Mooer's division camped up in Palmertown a mile or -so above these springs, soon arter the battle of Sarotogue.' 'Well, well!' said the young lady,'I understand all that, but when once you begin to talk, there is no stopping you. If Joe, now, had a little of your tongue, and you a little of h's thought, it would be a great deal better for both ol you.' 'Thought, miss?' said the man, 'why thought in a savage would give him the stomach-ache. lie aiu't used to it.' •That may be,'said she, interrupting him 'but I havo known your talk to give others the bead-ache. But Lucile, what makes jou so Silent? Has the sight of the wolf tied your tongue, or locked up all your smiles?' 'No, Marion,' was the reply, 'but you know, one is naturally a little stupid after alright I was only trying to be thankful that tbe danger was not very great, alter all. I was wondering also, wby the dog, who went ahead of us did not give us some notice of the presence of this creature.' 'I can tell,' said tbe man, still pushing himself into the conversation. 'You can tell,' said Lucile, turning to bim 'well, what is it then?' 'Why, you see, miss, the dog is city bred, that's all he may be a very good dog lor smelling out a thl&f who gets into your hali but as for the wild varmint, I ventur to say that he never so much as put eyes on one yet.' •Well. James,' said she, 'let that be as it may, ne's a good dog in his way. But what can be tbe matter with him now? I'm sure it is his bark I hear out there ahead.' 'I think,' said Marion, 'we must be coming to some house, or clearing, as they call it for there seems to be an opening among the trees a little further on. James, what is it we are coming to, there where you Bee the woods lighting up, and whore you hear the dog barking?' •I kind o' think,' said tho man, 'that we must be coming to some bit df low ground. Thero can't be no clearing hereabouts, and I remember a little swamp a quarter of a mile or so this side of the Rock Spring.'

All now moved forward. At a little distance they found the path more plainly defined, and freer from obstruction. It came out upon the southwestern edge of a small piece of marshy ground, covered with a thick growth or alder and tamarack. Tbe upland about it was dry and sandy, and along its margin ran a footpath, into which our party passed from that which'led away to the south. They followed tbe path along the western aide of tbeswale which by a alight descent conducted them down to a smalt rivulet that emptied Into it.

At the £oint where th«-y etrnck the low ground, they had found the dog whose bark bad attracted their attention. With nose to the ground, he was making courses up and down along the trodden track, giving a yelp now and then, as If he was on the scent of some object, the character of which he could not wall make out. However, he uneasily followed the travelers down to tho little brook, when the tired horses had been watered. A tew rods beyond this, where tbe ground again gradually ascended, was a fios clump of magnificent beeches beneath which the ground was free from brush, and was covered with a rich green sod. The beautiful situation, and the vicinity of the running stream, made this a desirable halting place. By thu time the sun had so tar risen as to shine full upon the spot. The aky was clear, and the morning wta delightful. •What can be the matter with Prince, Marlon?1 said Ladle: 'he stopped at the creek and keeps running up and down tbe path whining and barking. I have a great mind to follow him and see where he will go.'

On this same morning Arthur Walcott was In the forest alone. He had been there through tbe night. Hia couch and bis covering had been of hemlock boughs. standing among the high trees on the east sin side of the liUJe swamp. The tight of the morning son comes down warmly through the open branches. He is psing upon, and enjoying the scene. Youth and health are

always fond of things ploasaat—of physical oomforta and animal delights. He basks in the warm, pertumed air, and the cheerful aunllght, just as a bone, a snake, or a vegetable might do. And

SInary

et, In oharacter, he Is far above tbe orgrade of even the human animal. The reader will find out In what respect, as we go on.

He is of medinm height, perhsps a little more, and is both lightly and strongly made. His shoulders are broad and bis limbs tapering. His forehead is high and wide his

§erness.

his eye, large, well

opened, snd gray, easily dilating, brilliant and steady. (We describe him simost zoologically.)

(We We must sdd a lit­

tle more, however^ His complexion Is brown by exposure snd bis hands and feet, though tbe first are well tanned and the last encased in tough woodsman's boots, are small and delicately made, and would not seem to belong to laboring man, or one whose occupation was either bumble or menial.

His countenance is composed and quiet, though its whole expression indicstes uncommon resolution and firmness of purpose. It is thoughtful, snd even, to some extent, dignified. His dress is composed mainly of coarse, strong, gray, woolen cloth, such as was then tbe usual product of the domestic loom.

At the moment when our attention is called to him, he was carelessly surveying tbe scene around him. On all sides but one it was a pine forest. Tbe trees, for the most part, were large and tall, and bad but little underbrush between them but, although for this reason, the view between their trunks was tolerai ly clear, yet it was not of any great extent, ou account of their thickness and proximity to each other. To tho west the round tell away, and sunk for a space, nto the little marsh of which wo have spoken.

After trying what further views be might obtain from the tops of hillocks, ana of fallen trees, and finding that he gained little or nothing thereby, our forester, in older to gain a more distinct notion of bis whereabouts, determined to climb up smong the branches of some of the taller trees standing near at hand. Being light of foot, and strong of arm, tbe task was an easy one. So depositing his gun, bis pouch, and bis forest tackle upon the ground, he swung himself readilv into one of the neighboring saplings and after a few moments, might have been seen near tbe top of a tall yellow pine, perched upon a limb, like a look out upon the mast head of a ship at sea. The view before and around him was, in fact, like a wide sea of forest green. To the north and the south it lay level and uniform. To the west and northwest, at the distance of a few miles, it was bounded by a low range of bills while eastward it stretched away for many a league, growing hazy in the distance, until it was terminated by along chain of misty mountains, that lifted their blue and billowy tops against the silver brightness of tbe morning sky.

The sun shone cheerfully, though with slanting rays, all over tho wide expanse but i: touched no visible bouse tops, sunk down into no rude clearings, and brightened up no fields of waving

rain for that whole region was a wilThe chirp of the squirrel, or the twitter of the wild birds, could be beard among the leaves but no other sounds broke the stillness. On one side and in one particular alone, was there any evidence of the vicinity of human beings. At a considerable distance to the southward was to be seen a thin column of smoke, winding lazily up into the air above tbe trees.

Unexpressive and indefinite as the view may seem to tbe reader, it appeared to satisfy the young man who was gazing upon it for after a few hasty glances, be descended from his perch to the ground.

Here, as the day was now beginning to advance, he proceeded to set about such preparations for a morning's meal as his situation admitted of. Tbe meaus to that end, it must be confessed appeared meagre enough but, nevertheless, he seemed In no wise embarrassed by the

Upon a limb hard by, the remains of a saddle

circumstance. were suspended of venison from which, with a sheath knife, he soon cut a few slices: and, afKline, QO soon CUl* a WW outoe, «uu| »i ter striking afire among the dry leaves by aid of bis gun flint, he was soon enabled to effect a hasty broil, using such expedients as are familiar to huuters in like situations

While partaking of this primitively prepared meal, bis attention became, from time to time, attracted by slight sounds that faintly struck upon his ear. The seemed to come from the direction of afoot path, which wound around the eastern and southerly side of the alder swamp and he was led to tbe conjecture that some one might Be advancing along it. As every meeting, amid those solitudes, wss one of interest, he kept from time to time glancing in the direction in which any new comer would be likely to appear. Very soon afterward bis watchfulness was rewarded, and there emerged into view, the tall, gray form of a hound, that, with nose to the earth, came speeding along the path, directly toward where the young man sat.

The latter immediately sprang to his feet, and seized his gun, exclaiming to himself as be did so: •As I live, that must te Mr. Valcour's dog! Prince! Here! Don't you know me, old fellow? Aha! 11 honght so!'

The animal, with many signs of friendly recognition, at once ran to the young man. and leaned and fawned around him In great glee. •Keep down, yon outrageous dog!' said the latter, «be quiet, sir! But what the deuoe has brought yoa off here alone? Where's your master, Prince? What! down there la he? coming this way, I suppose.'

Tbe brute appeared to have some idea of the purport of the question thus addressed to him for, skipping away in &he direction Indicated, he turned, and locking back, uttered a sort of half bark ss much aa to aay 'Come on.' •\So, no, my fine fellow,' said the yonng man, 'not till I have finished my breakfast, at all events.'

At this moment, however, tbe sounds of a horse's footsteps, coming at a gallop began to be beaid and anon a. ter, and before the person of the rider oould he seen, a clear and pleasant female voice called out through the trees: •Prince! why, Prince, yon truant where have yen gone? There** a good dog! come hack here at oncer

But Prince was indifferent to tbe call, or at leaat deferred answering it for the preeent for stepping aaide from the path, he seated himeelf upon his frannchas,and with his red tongue lolling from bisjatra, awaited with composure the course of events.

Meanwhile the yonng man hastily roae again, for tbe voles of the new comer aam be

VIUI^ liM voloi of ___

Imonisbed him thst she wss to received with more ceremony than ber four footed courier had been.

When the horsewoman omoigod into view, ahe caused him to start srlthsurprfss, for the apparition which ahe presented, wss not one often ssen in the wilderness. Aside from the quality of her dress, and the and beauty of her form, ber cheeks wers now flashed with eaterdpe. and her ayes shone with excitement. Tbe meeting to

both wss unexpected, and the embarrassment wss consequently mutusl. The young lsdy was toe first to recover from it, and feeling tbe abeurditv of a prolonged silence under such circumstances, she said, as she reined in ber horse, •I beg your pardon, sir, for so suddenly intruding upon you but my dog, that I see sitting there, and with whotn you seem to be acquainted, ran off frotn me, and I was mernly following him for a little wsy up this pleasant path.' •Were any apologies necessaiy,' said Walcott in reply, 'they should come from me, who should nave been astir like you instead of idling over a hunter's meal. You are as free of the forest as others. But I thought I wss far enough from places where young ladles rode out alone.' 'Ob, as for that,' said she, 'I sm not alone, by any means the dog there, for instance—' •It is the sight of that very dog.' he replied, 'which excites my curiosity for, as you surmise, he is an old acquaintance, and I thought I knew everybody that knew him. So, when he came up, I expected to see him followed by—' 'By same moro agreeable person, dare say,' she said, laughing as she interrupted him but added, after a alight pause, during which she sst patting the neck of hernorse, while now and then she stole a glance at her new acquaintance, 'So, you can form no idea who I am?' •You will pardon me,' he answered, 'if I confess myself at fault on that head but—may I take the liberty of tightening the girths of your saddle? For I perceive them to bfe loosened, and I fear if you should ride back with the same mad cap speed as that with which you came, that some accident might happen.'

Here he made a movement toward tbe side Of the horse, which, Irom the suddenness of his approach, shied. As the young man baa feared, the loosened girths proved dangerous, for tbe saddle turned and the rider was thrown off. The other, however, was too closo and too quick to permit any serious consequence? for while with bis left hand he caught the bridle rein and so stopped the norsp, with the right he caught the young ltuly round the waist, t.rid lifted her gently to the ground all bad been tbe work of but a moment. Her color went and came with tbe suddenness of tho danger, and the immediate relief. She found at the moment, no words to express either fear, censure, gratitude, or pleasure. •No injury is done, I hope?' said the young man as he gazed anxiously in her face 'I was to blame for the way I approached you.' •You have, I must say,' she answ^rfld, now beginning to laugh a httlu Iter situation, 'an expeditious way of dismounting your opponents. But be assured, I am not at all incommoded, and must thank you for your timely aid. If the accident bad not occurred here, it would somewhere else, where I might not have found assistance.' 'You are very good to say

HO,'

he re­

plied 'but I can hardly forgive my own awkwardness but let me now repair tbe tnischiet.'

Saying this h9 speedily readjusted tr.e saddle, and rendered it secure against the recurrence of a similar .shap. He then gave to the fair rider his assistance in remounting, not icing as he did so, her small buskined foot, and tbe agile spring with which Bhe regained her place. He almost wished to himself that she might then and there fall off again it was so pleasant to catch her in his arms, and so delightful to help her to remount. •This seems destined for a day of adventures with me,' she said, 'for this is my second one since daylight.' 'What was the first?' lie asked qulokly. 'Nothing but a great fright, after all,' she replied, 'a tbing not worth telling of now but I fear some one may be expecting me down yonder, and so I must hasten my departure. I think, sir,' she added, looking archly in his face, 'I think I have the advantage of you—for I imagine that I know who you are, while you seem not to recognize me. I have the better memory, or the warmer bearl! Good morning to you!' 'Stay one moment!' he said, ae she started 'can I not know to whom I have been so pleasantly introduced at least so mush?' •Not now,' she added, laughing, as she rodo away 'our camp is not fsr+Jk

off."

on-

she was visible, and almost sighed as tho little plume in ber riding hat at last became undistinguisbsble among the leaves of tho forest. He found, on turning round, a little to bis surprise, that tbe dog had not followed his mistress, but sat as coolly as if in bis right plaoe, or as if, by Instinct, he had divined that the young man would soon have occas ion to travel the same road as himself. The remains of tbe morning's meal were soon^disyosed of, the larger portion being given to the dog, who, without scruple took upon himself tbe character of a guest. The young man tben gathered up his few accouterments, and prepared to follow his late visitor. 'It most be little Lucile,' be said to himself musingly, as be went slong: •she knows me, and goes accompanied by old Valcour's grayhound. That explains It alL But what a charming girl she has grown! I suppose Marlon, and tbe reet of them are with her. Heighbo! how beautiful she looked on that Cana-

dlan pony! I wonder what other adventure she met with. But I shall soon know all about It.'

After threading his way for some distance along the path, and following It around to tbe oppoeite side of the valley, he suddenly came upon the party to which tbe yonng lady waa attached.

Before proceeding further. It ia proper that we ahould give tbe reader some roller explanations of tbe characters and circumstances of the various personages already spoken ot

Lucille Valcour, the younger of the girls, was the only daughter of a French Canadian refugee, who, daring tbe war of tbe American Revolution, had espoused tbe cause of the colonists and had, in conseqnence, during tbe continuance of the straggle, been compelled to abandon tbe provinces north of tbe St. Lawrence, and to take up his abode within the limits of the United States. This he had been enabled to accomplish without material pecuniary lose, aa mart

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from the Bute of New York. He was now somewhat advanced in life, living in retirement and affluence at a country seat near the dty of New York, and not tar from the Huguenot village or settlement of New Rocbelle—a place teoommended to bis favor by its name, and by the example ot bis compatriots, who, exiled for a different cause, had formerly establiahed themselves there.

At tbe period when oar story opens, It was already customary for gentlemen and men of leisure, during tbe summer

months, to bring tbelr families from the towns and the sea board into the interior and tbe mineral springs of Ball sten, having alreadv attracted attention, had thus early made that neighborhood one of considerable resort.

Thither bad Jules Valcour and his daughter repaired. Among those by whom they had beeu accompanied were Colonel Henry Belden and his daughter Marion, with whom the reader is partially acquainted. This gentleman had served, withsome credit, in tbe American army during the war. He was now living in comfortsble circumstances in one of tbe southern counties of the State and was an old friend and neighbor (us neighbors went) of Mr. Valoour.

In respect to the two men who accompanied tile riding party, on the present occasion, the one was a thin slightly madp man, with a bronzed and hardy countenance, and a wiry, athletlo frame. He was partially dressed in tbe livery of a groom, for such things hsd not then gone out of fashion. The other, though to appearance an Indian, was in reality a half breed. His whits biood however, did not show itself so much in his appearance as in some of bis habits. He wss a large, powerful man,- with thick stolid features, and small, fiery black eyes. His garn was chiefly that of the white people, with whom, when occasion offered, he liked to associate. He was armed with along rifle, and a hunting knife stuck in his belt. Tue groom was also provided with a pair of horseman's pistols.

In respect to our young woodsman, Arthur Walcott, we have also a few more words to say. He was of a good N*»w York family, the onl son of a widowed mother, and a distant relative of tbe Beldens. His father who had been a physician of some distinction, and

who was particularly noted for his treat ment of the insaue and j»ersons of diseased minds, had been dead many years and tbe young man bad been brought up with a good education, but with much indulgence, and with but few restraints upon* bis inclinations. Natural good sense bad, however, in

Ecense.

art, remedied the evil caused by early

When quite young, suitableness of age, of social position, and supposed compatibility of temper, bad suggested to bis mother, and to tbe father of Miss Belden, the propriety of a marriage between tbem. Hence they had been taught to rogard themselves as affianced. Beyond this they gave but little thought to the matter. This relation, instead of kindling any positive attachment between them, seemed, on the contrary to have lulled their passions, and to have superinduced in their conduct, in spite of a real and mutual esteem, a certain indifference of bearing.

Marion, in temperament, was gentle quiet and lady like iu manner with no lack of sensibility, but with much re serve and self possession. She was tall, well formed, with light complexion, brown eyes, delicate features. She might easily have excited the admiration of any young man of taste and apprecia tion.

Her present companion, young Lucile Valcour, was younger, ltss tall, and more sprightly than herself. Ilor tern' perament was warmer and moro mercurial her features less regular, but more mobile and expressive. Her eyes and hair were dark, and her complexion less clear though her lips and cheeks possessed a warmer and richer tint.

She knew of Marion's engagement to young Walcott though of tne latter she knew but littlo else. She imagined, however, that be must bo sometbingof a nero, and haudsome, of course. That be and Marion were ardent lovers she did not doubt. She had not seen tbe young man for some years—not, In fact, since she was quite a girl and she had almost forgotton him, while he had wholly forgotten her. When she met him in the forest she bad merely guessed at his identity and, as we have seen be had arrived at her own by the same process.

So much by way of introducing some of tbe persons with whom the reader is to become acquainted in the course oi the story, the thread of which we now rosume.

When young Walcott approached the group beneath the beecn trees, Miss Belden called out to bim saying: 'Why, Arthur, who would have expected to meet you here? I thought ou had gone up to tbe lakes fisbiug. ou area gallant man Indeed! Lucile 'ou eating your break

says she found you eating

So saving, she galloped rapidly away, fast out there In and soon disappeared around the LkeJ with turning of man gazed

the' path, after ber

Tbe as

vouna or go up to the cabin and take it long as us, like a Christian?'

•Pooh! Marion,' said he, as ho sauntered in among tbem, *how waa I to know yon were here? And as for the but, I take it that I know bow to broil a venison steak as well as Sandy Brigham, or any of bis men. But, I say, where the deuce are yon all traveling to, in this Amazon-like manner?' •We did not come quite as badly attended as you think,' replied Msrion •for we left my father only a little way back.' 'Well, that's fortunate, as far as it goes,' be answered 'but I have specisl reasons for wishing that even bo would not stray off amid these wilds quite so much. Where did he stop?' •Only a mile or so from here,' answered Marion 'be took a path to the right, to examine some -bottom land, as he called It and he promised to meet us here by this time, fco we came on with James'and tbe guide.' •Well,' said the young man 'I hope he understand^ the paths well enough to find bis way here for tbef» woods are not, at this time, quite so safe as they might be.' ,, •Why,' said Marion, quickly 'what Is there to harm hlra?' •Many things,' said be, 'even your wandering friend on tbe pony taere, came nigh meeting with an adventure Just now.' •Ob! I forgot,' exclaimed Marlon. •Lucile, tbisTa Mr. Arthur Wak»«, of whom vou have beard me speak. •He Jugbt to know me without any introduction,' said Lucile, poutingly. •But these men are so indifferent! I knew him at once, lam sure butbe only stared at me, without manifesting any Interest, Instead of speaking to me familiarly at once, as be ahould have done to my father's daughter.' •But, pray, how waa 1 to know your ffcthert daughterf asked Walcott. •How did yon know hia dogT retorted she. 'Am I of less consequence than Prince?' ... •Ah! but you know,' he said, 'that Prince did not hesitate to acknowledge bis acquaintance without pretending manner tbe yonng people, for a few momenta, conversed toge&er, sometimes sorionsly and sometimes jokingly hot their conversation was at length interrupted suddenly, and in a manner a little remarkable.

The bound, which bad been for a few seconds uneasily snuffing the air, all at ones began to yelp, and then broke forth intoftiU cry. Taking a few turns around the party, with bis nose to the ground, bs then sst off at full speed, through tbs open woods. •ne Indian, who was only known by

the English nsme of Joe, immedistely started to his feet, snd, wi tbout a moment's hesitation, ran rapid lv away.Jollowing tbe course taken by the dog, which was in a southwesterly direction. •This is 'tarnal atrange,' now exclaimed M'Carty, the little groom, as he ventured to intrude into the conversstion 'I never knowed Indisn Joe to be riled up so sudden before. And tbstonessy dog seems to have got the bydiopboby all at once. Here, Mr. Wal cott, if you'll look arter tho young women, I'll try and see what's the mstter.'

But it was already too late, for young Walcott had dissppeared, leaving the two girls iu no small alarm, at the turn affairs hsd taken but without any definite idea of what tbe cause of the sudden tumult or the danger might be. 'Well, to be sure,' said M'Carty grumbling 'when a feller's young, he's more fit for runnin' but I rayther think I understand matters here in tbe woods better thau any on 'em. Hows'ever. let 'em have their own way and I'll just wait and aee tbe end on't.' •Do you think any thing could have happened to my father, James?' asked Miss Belden, with much anxiety. •There's no tellin', miss.' replied M'Carty. 'Them boun's is odd critters, aud I never hear 'em cry out that way without feelin' sort of onsartin. And Joe, too, is a parfet bcar-ometer, as they says at

BCS

and can tell when any

wild critter's about by the feel ol the air and especially beais, as the name shows. Now miss—' 'But,'said Marion, interrupting the loquacious attendant, 'if any tbing has happened, had we not better ride that way?* •Not a bit on it Miss Marion,' replied the other, 'that 'ud only be tanglln' things up worse. Keep in the traces, saysI, and then they'll know where to find us." 'But what can it be?' persisted the alarmed girl. 'There can be no danger from Indians, and I hope there are no wild animals about?' 'As I said, Miss Marion, there's no tellin',' replied. M'Carty, 'but—whew! there goes tbat yelpiu' hound again! Can't nobody take these bosses? But no! I'd better look arter bis gals. That 'ud be the Colonol's orders I know.'

CHAPTER II,, CRAZY JAKE.

To explain what was tbe real cause of the little commotion we have noted, it will be necessary for us to refer to some events which bad preceded tbe time at which our story opeued.

Colonel Belden, with his daughter and her friend, accompanied by the groom and the guide, bad early that morning set out irom their quarters at Ilallston, on an excursion through tbe woods. Their purpose was to visit tbe 'Rock Spring' at Saratoga, which had already become known, and was an object of much curiosity. It was situated some seven or eight miles distant in a northeasterly direction. As the day wHslikoly to be xtretnoly warm they hud i,aken this early start, in older to arrive at their place of destination before the full heat of noontide c»uld bo i'elt. Tbelr route thither lay through a heavy plbo forest, which was traversed by numerous paths, worn by the feet of anlmalB, or those of tho Indians, in their different migrations and hunting excursions over tbe country.

For apart of tbe way, tbo path lay along tbe western bank of the btream now known as the Kayadero-seras Creek. When thev bad accomplished about balf of their journey, they reached a point where tbo track which they were to follow, diverged to the northward, and left the stream some distance on the, right. The Colonel, who affected an agricultural taste, here left tbe others to pursue the regular path while he went to examine the 'Dottotn lands' along the creek. He accordingly rode down some distance in the required direction, and after having accomplished his object, boagalu leisurely resumed his journey, but by a route somewhat to the eastward of that taken by tbe young people, supposing tbat he could arrive at tbe place of rendezvous, at the worst, within hair an hour after them.

When, however, in following down tbe course of tbe stream, he came to a point where it diverged considerably to tbe east and where, in order to pursue the right course, it was necessary for bim to leave it, he sought out some path by which be could mount tbe high bank which there bordered the valley. He soon found a narrow, rough, dry water course, by which he hoped to ascend tho sharp acciivity and Into this he Immediately turned his horse.

Tbe hour was still early. The air was fresh with nlgbt dews, and the copse was still dim with lingering shadows. Dsylight was broad upon fbe bills, but crept more slowly down through thef busby slopes of tbe rocks, snd tbe tangled brakes of the valleys.

The Colonel, without much difficulty for an old gentleman, as ho indeed was, rode up tbe steep and stony way but when he bad nearly reached tbe top, at a point where the path was unusually narrow and rough, there suddenly stood before bim an apparition which might well have caused a younger and stronger man to pause In alarm. It was that of a man of large size, clsd in the skins of wild animals. His balr was long and tangled, and bis beard unshaven. His bead wss bare, and his feet were rudely swathed in uioccasinsof uutanned hides In person be was squalid beyond description: and although he was spparently a white man, yet so weatberbeaten and sun burnt wsshls face, and so disfigured and distorted by brutal habits, and unbridled passions, tbat one might almost fancy that be was some upright

He maintained his ground square in tbe pathway eyeing with a fierce and mocking smile, tbo appslled traveller whom he hadtbua suddenly confronted. It must be confessed tbst tbe latter had sufficient cause for terror. Although a man of nerve, and tried courage, he was not a little alarmed at his present position. Rumors bad indistinctly reached hia ears ot a crazy man. who, for some yean, bad infested these woods and/ bad, on several occsslons, been found to be extremely ferocious and violent. These rumors, however, had been so vsgue that Colonel Belden had been inclined to consider tbe whole story as/ fabulous. Now, however, there was before bim a living and startling proof of their truth.

Tbe horse, also, upon wblcb bo rode, seemed qutte aa uneasy ss himself. At tbe first appearance of the wild man, he had snorted and plunged with violence, but after a short struggle with his rider, be stood trembling, as if in some sort familiarized with tbe danger, or fesdnated by it. The gorge where be stood, waa too narrow

and

steep to permit of turn­

ing around and tbe thicket was on all sides close and apparently impenetrable. The place waa a natural ambush.

At last, to put a bold face upon tbe matter, Colonel Belden accosted the stranger, saying: •Well, my frfei

.. jend, how do you do this My horse was a little fright-

moroing?