Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 19, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 27 October 1877 — Page 6

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siifsl

THE MAIL

PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

BIDE A WEE, AND DINNA FRET.

I» the road veiy dreary? Patience yet!

Kent will be sweeter If (boa art-o-weary, And after nigbt oomeili (he morning cheery,

Then bide a wee, audi dinua fret.

The clouds have silver lining,' Don't torg»»: And, though he's hidden, still the Bonis shining? Courage! instead of tears and rain repining,

Taut bide a wee and dlnna fret.

With toll and cares unending Art beset? JBetblnk thee, how the storms from heaven de*cendlnx Snap the swift oak, bat spare the willow bending.

And bide a wee, and dlnna fret.

Grief sharper sting d*th borrow

Fromregret

But yesterday is gone, and shall Its sorrow ITnflt ns for tne present and the morrow? Nay! bide a wee, and dlnna fret.

An over -anxious broodiDg^tf^lfc^j Doth beget A host of fears ana Cantaalegdeludinffi- *4 Then, brother, lest these ton ents be lntrnd-

jDj»wt'blde

SARATOGA.

INDIAN TALE OF FRONTIER LIFE.

I. A

In the confusion and alarm of the moment, Ladle could not tell in what direction thev were going and even when she sufficiently recovered herself to look about, owing to the rapidity of the flight And the thlcknew of the trees, she found it impossible to form anything like a te&sonable conjecture upon the point. Though apprehend *.*« of sortie act of violence, the intrepid girl, when she found herself beyond tne i.nmediate reach of awilef, refrained from streams and outbut turned her mind resolutoly to contemplate hor actual situation, and if prowl

ble,

to dovise some means of avert-

ing its dangers. AUtsr Hie few struggles •which sbo had impulsively made in the beginning she concluded that entire, apparent passiveness, at least for the present, wa» hex bebt policy. She spoke 40 her captor firmly, but ontreatingly, ID a voice so gentle and touching that She rudest heart should have been Moved by it. But he heard or heeded nothing, as be crashed through the Sfcrush, aud swept like a phantom past Jho chirk and/3omber trees.

When at length his speed was somewhat slackened, and when she renewed l»r entreaties to be released, or to be tokon back to her friends, he only answered by his wild laugh though its extcmo loudness was now suppressed, acid In other ways he gave indications of that cunning so ofion manifested by anadmen.

As will have been teonjectu rod he purrood tbo route which was attorward so successfully followed by Walcott and Ills gnldo. When he arrived at the jdaee near the creek, where the skill of •he Irdlan wes baffled, and the patience •f bis coinirado so severely tried, he released the trembling girl trom his arms, and allowed her to walk. •So, so, my pretty pass you and lave given thorn all the slip/he exel si mod 'we've beat 'em all to Gretna dreent IIo! Ho! But the old Doctor •will

have

Luollo was not Ignorant of the fact that i* a common delusion for the insane to iutmglue others around them to fee out of their wits. This reflection, while the idea was grotesque enough, was still fraught with consolation, for it was not likely that any violence wonld fee offcred to Wsolong *s*he was supposed to benueha uatural j-xt of compassion. With such armor nas beneficent wisdom shielded those from whom •11® mind, their ordinary protector, has toon withdrawn ..

Whatov. Wight be the Issue, Lucile linmediatvlv determined to assume, or at least not to contrad let, the character, which the delusion of her captor had as* signed her. •I am hungrr,* said she, fallowing op her thought

Jr*n

you Uke me to some

convenient place where food can be obtained?' •Poor thing! poor tblngf *ply which Jacob, Ibr the fO»«hMf«lto make. •How far is

was all the moment,

It,'

she said, 'to my father"*

aroused Please tell me, won't you, brother.' reik is way *o an back ka!' 'But, you know,' she continued, tremMing at the turn be was givingtoaflairs, •TOUknow you're my brother and we «u't get roarriel.' •Hs! bal'be repiled: *isbe la eo flighty ake thinks I em her brother. But no matter! I'll take her to my madhouas end cure her. Then well be married. Bat it's a pit she's wild, and has no one to eve for her so, I most wwrifice my Mm ibeii wr teer sake. There bow, possyt «®et«lt greatly alarmed and ledmutKd i«v ivA»urance ¥y what bad

!een said. Sho followed bim slowly. Her limbs trembled ss she walked her cheek was pale, and her eyes half blinded by tears. She was in the power of a madman, and nothiug but the utmost

Eeror

rudence anfl circumspection could save avert the danger with which at every moment she was threatened. What if the marriage should be insisted on? How could she evade It? And what ceremonies might he Imagine to be necessary or suitable for such an occasion as this?

In the meanwhile be led the way down an easy, sandy slope, upon which grew a large pino tree—large enough to have stood there

for

a wee, and dlnna fret.

TRUE STORY.^^

Saratoga was commenced in The Satunlay Kvenlng Mail, Vol. 8, No. 10, October #th. Back nun ber* can be had of newsrfealerx, or at this office, or sent by mail for five cents each.]

CHAPTER VII. THE FLIGTHT.

Wo mast now return to poor Lucile Valconr, who has been lelt, all this wbilo, at the mercy of a being more to fee feared than a beast of prey.

When she was first seized by Jacob, nature had come to her relief and deprived her of consciousness For some momenta after she became restored to the nfie of her Benoes, sbo was too much startled to be fully conscious of h»r situation, or to reflect upon the imminent peril to which she was exposed. She lelt herself in the power of one who soemed to possess more than human strongth ana agility. He dashed through Iho woods with the speed of a deer bearing her as easily cs an ordinary man would bear a child.

centuries. It bad reared

itself for nearly a hundred feet into the air, without a branch, and apparently, without a knot. But either from its enormous weight, or from the washing away of the earth from its roots, it had lost its perpendicular position, and now leaned far over down the hilL Its vast bulk, hanging thus in mid air, was like a natural tov.L. of Pisa and gave to one standing under It a constant, uneasy apprehension lest its supports might give way, and the enormous shaft itself topple overand fall with a crash to the ground. Around its

base, protected

ows of

thick

than

branches

and

ing tree formed nearly

by tbe shad

bushes, had

poles and strips of

been arranged

bark, so

rude kind of

to form

hut,

which was

Something

the

bare shelter of

open

rustling

leaves.

Tbele»n-

one

side

of tbe

conical ly shaped cabin and although its base was

tbe

outer margin of

vallev, itsshartswept

the creek

sloplogly ispward,

by the peak or apex. To this rude abode, or rather place of concealment, was Lucile led

her captor.

To divert his thoughts, if possible, from the channel in which tbey had for some time appeared to be flowing, she still continued to complain of hunger, hoping thus to set him to the task of providing food—a task which in their situation, she thought, could not fail to keep himforsoms time occupied. In this design she Was to a certain extent success

es soon as she had entered the cabin, and sat down to gather her thoughts into order, as well as to recover her exhausted strength, be departed from the but, often cautiously looking back, and re ascended the bank down which they had com

In doing this, however, he practiced a precautionary maneuver," of which she was at the time ignorant, and which had sho known of it, might have rendered her still more unhappy, as it showed the cunning and determination to retain her of the creature who had so suddenly beeometbe absolute controller of all her movements, and perhaps arbiter of her fate.

Instead of walking up the acclivity, in tbe ordinary way, be walked backward, carefully placing his feet in the tracks which ne had made in descending. He was familiar, it seems, with the Indian method of pursuit by trailing itnd with a foresight almost diabolical, had anticipated that he would be followed, not only with the energy and force of white men bat with all the wonderful sagacity and experience of the aboriglues.

At tho spot where tboy had halted, it was his desigu that his pursuers, whoever they might be, ana whenever they might come, should be thrown out and utterly baflled. As soon as he reached tfco level ground at the top of tho ascent n»i uioved boldly oS into the woods, leaving a plain trail—ht least to tho eye of an Indian. After be had continued on thus for thirty or forty rods he returned up6n his footsteps in the same manner, as be had ascended from tbe cabin that is to sav by walking backward. This operation he went through several times, on each ^occasion taking a different direction.

When all

these/vajrious

to be sharp to find roe this

time.' •But you don't mean to trtke me any Jbrtber away now, do you?' Lucile ventured toa*k. •No further? Ha! h«! ha! Why what should wo go further for? ^.tn't we here already? My l«or little pussy! you've pot a nienpretty iaee' (and be patted her •nder the'chin with his huge, long sailed black fingers.) 'but a little soft' (touching hor an the lore head,) 'jtnt a little flighty, yop know, here, eh? Bless »o, what a pity!1 ha continued as if speaking to hl:n«*lf 'Tbey say crazy wouien arc sometimes the devil. So, lor til sho looks so vorj innocent and tender like, I'll lust manage to keep an »ye on her awhile. Poor thing! poor thing!!

maneuvers

bad beon accomplished, the next task was to depart from the vicinity in such a careful manucr as to leave no clue to is

Tbe place of concealment in which he had left his captive, was so cunningly devised, and so. carefully hidden, that it was quite unobservable from any position which his pursuers wore likely to take and all bis approaches to it, he had scrupulously rendered indistinguishable.

It was his present purpose to proceed alone. During His absence, which he intended to bo a brief one, he had noap-

reben&ionsof the escape of his prisoner, fact ho hardly looked upon her In the light'of a prisoner. The notion which seemed paramount in his mind was that they were two lovers who bad run away to be married.

Besides, sbe was now surrounded by a wilderness which was to the inexperienced eye utterly trackless, and beset with difficulties'which rendered traveling, in any given direction, almost impossible to a novice.

Thcsa considerations were not, properly speaking, distinctly palpable to the mind of the lunatic if it may be said that the unregulated chaos of sensations aud fancies which he experienced be longed to such a thing as mind He appeared rather to be guided by the instinctive Impulses which sometimes move animals, and often seem to iuspire them with what looks like superhuman cunning.

It will be recollected that, at a short distance from the old pine tree at whose base the cabin stood, was a small stream flowing in its general course toward tbe lake.

Jacob, while making his false trails, bad also bent bis steps to this creek. He even went beyond it, and again retfsced bis way.

The stream was ten or twelverffifet in width, and was

generally

fringed with a

thick border of willows. Its bottom was hard, aud was of a stiff day except where now and then it was paved with a deposit of white pebbles. Tbe water was only aVoutslx inches in deptb and when Jacob, on his return, reached nearlv the center of It, bo made a powerful spiing side wise, and alighted some distance down tbe stream. He then carefully walked away in the water, avoiding places where his weight might make some marked impression upon the bottom.

Poor Ladle bad, meanwhile, remained almost in a state of stupefaction, arieing from terror and exhaustion, Kight was now coming slowly oft. Its approach is always heralded among the shadowy recesses ot the forest long, hetore it becomes apparent la open plains, and on tbe bill tops.

Utterly helpless as she was, sbe reolinupon a pile of boughs and rough old deer skins whieh formed a rude coach. Her despondency lor tbe moment was such as to disincline ber to any further exertion. Tbe drowsy silence around ber, SSTS as It was disturbed by tbe low tipple of tbe neighboring, brook, combined with tbelatigtie, and with tbe shades of early evening to lull ber into an uneasy half slumber, like tb*t produced by narcotics in a person suffering great agony. Her intense feeling of tbe jwrtl of ber situation grew gradually jler ai»d fainter, and finally paased away from her oonectoostieee, somewhat s$ the sarrouudlng landscape became shrouded, first in shadows and then lit darkness.

And as

this

outward

night,

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EV ENLN MAIL.

tery and silence, but was lighted by Innumerable stars, snd was disturbed by the hum of Insects, the wbir of reptiles, snd tbe distant bowl of awakening beasts of prey so the mind of Lucile was not wrapped in dreamless slumber, but visions shone out like stars through the mist, and her repose was agitated by confused and multitudinous thoughts of pain and danger.

Hers was tbe sleep of fever. Her body alone rested snd even that not fully. Tbe confusion in its citadel, the brain, communicated itself to her whole system, snd shook her limbs with convulsive starts. Her lips moved, with the struggles of memory, and with the efforts of her senses to resume their proper offices.

How long sbe lay in this stste, sbe did not know. Everything around had become shrouded in utter darkness. Her breathing was just audible within the but. Outside of it, from different directions, could be beard the howl of the wolf— tbe almost universal denizen of tbe primitive American forests. Nearer at band, a nice ear might, perhaps, have heard the low sOund of stealthy footsteps pacing slowly and cautiously about tbe cabin. Occasionally there was a pause, and then the walk would bo resumed. But of all this the sleeping occupant of that rude abode was happily unconus

At length tbe bearskin which hung across the entrance was thrust aside and a pair of keen black eyes, dilsted, and blazing with eager curiosity, shone through the opening. Presently a shadowy form crept through. Then there was a pause and silence. Again the form was in motion and, after some slight rustling, interrupted by periods of listening, alight was struck, and the buge ogre like form and fierce countenance ol' Crazy Jacob becamo faintly discernible in the dull glimmer. Still the tired girl slept on, unconscious of any chango about ber.

No sooner was tho light obtained than Jacob turned it so that its beams fell upon tbe face of the sleeper, which he, for a moment, contemplated with a look of mingled admiration ferocity and pity. In a few seconds, however, the torch was extinguished, and all was again left in darkness.

The roadman then crept quietly up to where she lay, and took her geutly up in his arms and bore her, still unconscious, from the cabiu. But, as the chill night air fell upon her cheek, she immediately woke with a start and wilh a

Blight

scream. •Ha! Ha!' laughed the maniac, as he heard her voice, and felt her feeble struggling 'the poor little kitten's afraid to travel in the dark.'

The sound of bis voice at once recalled her to a full consciousness of her eituation. •You are going to take me back to my friends, now, are you not, good Jacob?' she ventured to suggest. •To your friends little puss?' he replied 'why, no, you silly thing you don't know what's good for you. I have a house fit for a princess, and I'm

goiDgto

take ou there. Hoi ho! What gay times there will boat our marriago, to be sure! Nobody is to bo seen thpre but there are voices thero which always answer and when one laughs they are such jolly companyl Voices all around, coming from everywhere and such good creatures that you never hear 'cm unless you say something yourself, or show yourself inclined lor a bit of fun. Ain't it ajoliy placo?' •But j'ou do not mean to take a poor girl liko me thure without seeing her father, and asking his consent?' 'Flighty again by jingo!' said he. 'Consent? Wliy, didn't you run off with me without leave or license, you silly little puss?'

During this short dialogue he had set her down, and was busied in so arranging tbe bushes in front of the hut, as to conceal it as much as might be from observation. She perselved that he was doing swmethiug near her, and partly divined what it was but could see little or nothing.

To him darkness and daylight seemed as one. He did not talk much to himself, as maniacs are apt to do and save now and then giving vent to his hoarse and dissonant, but slightly suppressed laughter, as he worked away in silence.

Tbe position of the hut Itself was admirable for the purpose of concealment. By a slight arrangement of the bushes it could be made entirely to eludo the notice of any ordinary observer. The only difficulty was in so arranging the trail as to induce any who might be in search, to pass by it. For this purpose he was careful to xh&ke distinct footsteps leading past it, and toward the brook. The number of indications pointing that way, only rendered the confusion greater but while the trace was plain, it would be rapidly followed up and tho pursuer would only think of pausing where, like a hound, be began to lose tbe scent.

All these dispositions were soon made, and again he took the helpless and trembling girl into his arms, to bear her away. She found it vain to resist, and more vain to entreat. Her earnest beseeching, and irrepressive sohs, were only met by wild laughter or wilder answers to her questions.

WJiither he was now going to take her, she could, of course form no conception but her startled imagination pictured to ber beating heart unspeakable horrors. Danger is always more formidable when we are called upon to face it from out ot slumber. So it was now with ber.

When she was first seized, the terriblehess of her position was

Dot

so stronglv

depicted to heir fancy. Now sbe felt faint with fear, and at length permitted herself to be borne along in speechless apprehend loii. Their course was, at first to tbe creek. Once In the watery however, instead of following tbe current, be faced it, and went in tbe opposite direction.

The horrors of that night passage—ber fatigue and falntness—the thick darkness which reigned around, tbe howl of pursuing wolves, which, like sharks in tbe wake of an ill fated wreck, bung upon their traoes, wore too much for the nerves of tbe frail and delicately nurtured girl. She soon became uncoil--Le maniac, and urs knew no

scions 111 tho, arms of tb or many succeeding bo more.

which now

began to vail the world was not all roj*

CHAPTER VIIL8ARATOOA tJkMM.

It was past midday when Walcott and hia Indian companion reached sonw high ground overlooking the lake. It was the spot which had been agreed on as tbe maee of xendecvoua. Tbeyftwind no signs of the presence of their associates, and everything around was quiet and still.

They stood npon slight knoll, free from trees, whieh commanded a line view of the beautiful sheet of water. At this time, It was not, as It Is now, surrounded by a cultivated country, with fields, farm bouses, and orchards to homanixe the view. A thick wilderness of green trees hemmed it on all sides, abd the glaasy water looked like a vast mirror set in a frame of emerald, A *utalis fervid

mer sun was pounnc us tervia enuigenceover all the lanoscsr*, hisfc, as a wlldomsw, w»» l»now. 'I™ Snakei

distance, to give anything like an air of ruggeduesa to the otherwise gentle picture.

[and is occupied by men, not only of another generation, but of another blood, and complexion—a nation, powerful, industrious, intelligent. Revolutions have taken place in governments, and political institutions have been overthrown but the vast and noble physical features of the land which has witnessed these mutations have remained the same. Times may, as the proverb says, change, and men abange with them, but the lakes still reflect the headlands, the rivers still flow, and the mountains still stand, almost unchanged, since the dawn of the creation. 'I wonder,' said Walcott, 'what has become of Brlgham he ought to be somewhere about, snd should have been here since daylight.* •Him there,' said the other quietly, poiuting down the slope before them, to a thick clump of sycamores. •Where?' asked Walcott, as he looked at the place indicated, but failed to discover any indications oi his friends. 'I can see notning, A am sure. Besides, it is time for the others tb be here. What can keep them all loitering in this way?' 'All there,' replied the Indian, again glancing his eyo at the spot.

To remove all doubt, however, they now walked down to the cluster of trees and, sure enough found them there, and all fast asleep. The ashes of an extinct fire was near them, and the remnants of a breakfast of fish were still visible. As Walcott and the guide camo up within a few yards of the sleepers, they were accosted by tho voice of Brigbam, who said, springing lightly to his feet: 'Hooray! Catfoot, my old boy, where have you been all this while? We bad made up our minds to leave at noon in case you didn't come, and so determined to lie down and taka a little nap, till tho time was up.'

Tho Indian made no reply, but sat down by the remnauts of the fish and commenced to break his fast, as a thing of the first importance. •What are you in such a hurry there foi?' exclaimed Brigham, at this proceeding 'are you so near starved that you can't wait for something more to be cooked? I thought you'd more control over your appetite than that, Catfoot.' 'No time to cook him,' was tho other's brief reply. •Why not? But there's no use trvin' to get an explanation from an Indian Can you,'he said, turning to Walcott 'tell what he means by being in such tarnal hurry all at once? If you've seen anything you've done better than I for I'm blowed if I've hit upon the ghost of a discovery all night—not so much as a giggle from that laugbin' hyener, crazy Jake. Them fellers there,'pointing to M'Carty and Iudian Joe, who were by this time awake and had-risen up, 'ain't any wiser than two blind cubs al'ore nine days is out, eb, Joe?'

Joe vouchsafed no reply and Walcott proceeded to explain in detail the result of' their night's adventure, and their morning's fruitless search. Brlgham listened with deep attention to tho recital, and when it was finished, he inquired: •Did vo happen tp notice there was a big pino tree near whsre the trail led down t6 the kil?' •Yes,' said Walcott. 'I noticed that particularly, because it leaned over so far that it eecmed every moment about to fall.' 'There's a kind of hut there,' replied Brigham 'and if I'd 'a had any notion tho trail led thereabouts, I shouldn't have passed without a visit. It liefe at tbe foot of the tree, and you wouldn't notice it unless told on't beforehand. I've a consate that Jake is or was somewhere about there. Catfoot's right there'sno time for foolin'.' •But,'said Walcott,'we followed the tracks this way, down tho creek, afterward. He opuldn't very well have stop ped there ttny length of time without leaving some mark which Catfoot would have noticed.' •How was it, did boy?' sAid Brigaam to the latter, 'hadn't you eyes enough to see tho hut?' •Hut empty,' said the other, in reply. •Medicine man been thero—gone.' •But about the'trail,' continued Brigham, 'how did you happen to lose it. when once yoti found it in the kil again?' •He de debbill, don't I saj?' replied tbe Indian, testily 'he leave one, tree, six, four trail. Gone anywhere.'

Having said this Catfoot, who had now finished his meal, or rather finfehed the fish, rose np, tightened his belt and seemed prepared for anew start.

Walcott in the meantime, hastily partook of some smoked venison which, through the prudent foresight of Brigham, had been brought along. Though feeling but little appetite he still thought it best to avail himself against such fatigues and fasts as the expedition might yet call upon him to undergo.

No sooner .had he finished, than Catfoot, who was evidently waiting for nothing else, having put himself in complete marchlng'trlm, took tho load and beckoned tbe others to follow. 'Something Is in the wind,' said Brlgham to Walcott, as they also were preparing to start 'I never Knowed mm to act so prompt like unless he had some good idea at the bottom. All we've now got to do Is to foller the befct way we can. Come, Mac, you and Joe must stir yourselves to keep up, Ibr I. can see in bis look that we're to have along and bard pull.'

What project was really on foot Wal-

Satursl^feiiiirtrftjr

itt coolA not divine and the Indian's fcml reserve when questioned rendered It difficult Ibr him to ascertain.

bad, however, already

sufficient experience of tbe skill of the Indian to give bim great confidence In

alt la A

preparations for tbe departure of all were hastily completed.- '1G.± These, in fact, were very trifling. A belt tightened, tbe cold food gathered into a package, the sheath knife secured, tbe ritie dropped Into the boitow of the arm, and all were ready. 4fray, *hen,w«t 5*tteet no longer with slow tread and searching eye: but with tbe confident air and long, loping trotof tbe American savage, wi»n npon an assured trail. The pace waa not only rapid but constant—such a pace assuring a day's journey, *oulI aometimee accomplish more than the gallop of a horse.

Tbe coarse far a short distance lay doe westward. Passing over a few light hills of sand, tbey came upon tbe high shore of dark, deep pond of water Moat half a mile in width. Here tbey diverged to the right, keeping upon the brow of tbe bank. Sheer down through tbe trees could they see tbe glassy water which ail around tbe border of tbe little lake was overhang aud shaded by thick txeea. In tbe center it w«s as smooth and unruffled sa if no living thing occupied its depths. It was a gloomy plsoe at tbattlmn and such ss we have described it, it will be found at tbe present day. Throagh this sluggtaii pool, one of ttowcmk# ^TOtntSowi, flows talis

to thawdasr.

fetent thing from what it is now, even without tbe aid of steam. A journey of four or five miles in a thick forest, through swamps, down slopes, covered fallen logs, and

with brambles, over across deep and muddy streams was not the labor of half an hour. Ten miles of such traveling often occupied a long summer day.

It will not, therefore,

surprising

that severkl hours elapsed before the five men had come near to the place where the trail of Jaoob had eluded the keen eye of Catfoot. Though their course was still direct, tbey now moved more slowly. In some places the stream upi which they traced their way, had

Decome

choked by brush and fallen trees, and expanded into small natural basins or ponds. As they were passing by one of these, M'Carty inquired:

What sort of fish do you catch in these 'ereponds, Sandy?' •Why, nothing in particular,' replied Brigham. •Bull neads I believe, and like enough, a sucker now and then but why do you ask?' •Because I see somebody hoa been down here fishing lately.' •Somebody been hero fishing?' exclaimed Brigham, coming to a full halt. •Halloo, there, you Catfool! wait a minute! Where have they been fishing, Mac? Let's see how you come to know it?'

Thus appealed to M'Carty led the way back for a rod or so, and pointed out something that had escaped even the sharp eyes of the Indian, Thi was the mark of a fish pole, set in the bank. By the time they had begun to gather round it, Catfoot also joiued them, and instautly began to scrutinize the hdjacent ground, in order to get some further clue to the character of the fisherman. In a short time they heard from him the Indian expression of surprise, uttered with'peculiar emphasis 'Ugh!' said he, as he marks ham anu him in the examination but neither could make anything out of it. Walcott indeed, thought it bore some resemblance to the footprints which he snd Catfoot had followed during tho rnorniug and npon turning a look of inquiry to the latter, he received an affirmative nod.

said he, as he pointed to some upon a bit of sand bard by. Brigad Walcott immediately joined

A. t_ I J.A A a. W fUa*

All now set themselves toseo what more could be made out of the discovery The single indication found, was not sufficiently defined to prove anything. It was, therefore, all important to obtain something more, by way of verification. The impression formed might have been old, though it did not appear to bepo. But in the case of a character like Crazy Jacob, any sign was worth attention.

For a tew minutes, the men spread in different directions, so that every inch of ground might be carefully examined. Presently Indian Joe, as If tired of the search, sat down upon the limb of a fallen tree, and lazily watchod the disappointed looks of the othors, as, one by one, they began to show evidence of failure. •What are you sittirfg thore for, you lazy varmint?' exclaimed Brigham, in dignantly, as with much annoyance at his own want of sueoess, he observed the cold indifference of the other. •No good look,' said Joe, in reply.

This question and auswer having attracted the attention of Catfoot, he walked lip to Joo, sranulng his face, as 11 ho was reading it then, laying his hand upon his shoulder, while lie looked him full in the oye, ho asked: •Where?'

Joo

rose up, and pointed below the branch on which ho sat. There, in fact, was discernible a pole and line with the necessary appliances for fishing, of the rude&t ana most primitive character. They were at once seized upon. Oil inspection, it was obvious that they had bat recently been used. Tho marks of tbo earth upon the polo were still fresh. It was then carried to tbe hole in the border of tho pond, and found to fit it exactly.

If, then, it had In reality belonged to Jacob, as the footprints in tho sand would seem to indicate, he must still be within a short distance. How had he left the fipot? That was the question. He could not have flown into the air and on earth, almost everything leaves a trace discoverable to tbe practiced eyo. No such trace, however, bad yet been seen, though already Catfoot bad discovered in the bed of the stream above tho pond, footmarks which led down to it. They corresponded with those provlously seen. All proved that Jacob had come thither, and to that extent were important but tney did not show bew he had departed. That question still remained unsolved.

A sudden thought occurred to Walcott. Taking a small stick, be carefully measured the length and width of the impression they had first discovered In the sand, and afterward those which were formed in the bed of the stream. They differed materially both in length and breadth. Ho also in this way ascertained that n^ t^wt) of tbetn correspond©d

•Brigham,' said he, 'what do you think of A man walking backward? It has occufred to me as just possible in this case. The tracks here ail differ in size and it may be that this has been caused by. an endeavor to step twice in the samo place.' «A good idea, by Jovel" Mtclalmed Brigbam 'Catfoot!* be continued, calling to tbe latter, 'come this way a minute.' .,

As soon as tbe other came up, Brigbam ti» order to cdnvey bis meaning more readily, walked forward a short distance on ft strip of soft ground, and then went back, stoprby step, treading in bis tracks.,

The eyedbr tbe savage imm lighted up-with Intelligence, and

ige immediately

w-v, iigence, and be placed himself to re-examine tbe trices In the citak. Alter looking closely but hastily at a few of them, he rose op saying: •Good—now we go.'

Again the whole troop resumod their course, now quite confident that Jacob could nowbere below tbem and full of hope that, with the last clew whifcb tbey ba^obtalned, they would sqon be edabled to find bim. From time to time tbey hastened on did tbey observe the" old trail, In near the stream.

as Wherever the groutid on tbe shore was dry anS hard enough to leave no trail, It was suppowxl, tbat the water had been left. In fact, as a proof of tbe probability oftbla theory, in oue place, they found tbe mark of aYootatep plainly stamped npon a broad flat stone, as if some one nisd trod upon it, after coming oat of water. All this evidence was con' firmatory. The last fact was something mors than that and was regarded as proof positive, for tbs teack pointed np tbe stream.

Tbe place where Walcott and tbe guide had at first followed tbe trail to the brook, was soon rescbed. Near at hand, stood the large leaning pine tree. To Walcott and MHJlarty, Use discovery of tbe embowered hot at its bale, was matter of much surprise but the took it quite coolly.

intimated, examioed it in Ms forma visit bat no had sot seen fit to oommu nicate tbe lfec& toiris companion. It now eagerly reviaitod by all eagerly roviaitod by all but as h*rof those they were in search of,

was expected to be there, no disappointment was felt, at the place being found tenantless and deserted. Catfoot, in a short time had again examined the different trails which led from the spot, and found the same evident of a return upon them, which had been observed in tbe brook. Indeed as ho now held a dew to this proceeding, tho fact was quite obvious. All the courses on the plain abovo were thereforo speedily given over and the men betook themselves again to tbe water. They now turned their attention to the examina-tion-of tho upward course of tbe brook. For nearly twenty rods they proceeded without discovering any thing. At last as a reward of their persevering search, the trail again became visible and this time leading plainly in tbe direction they were then pursuing.

The footprints, whenever they could be seen, differed from those they had oeen following all the morning, In now being-of a uniform size. Clearly then, in this case, Whoover"had pffssed up before tbem had not returned at all events not by tbe same path.

By this time the sun was approachiug the western horizon. If anything satisfactory was to be accomplished before it reached that goal, no time waa to be lost. After nightfall, the pursuit could not be continued. Walcott already entertained the keenest apprehensions as to the consequences of delay. It is true, that the missing girl was a stranger to him, except so far as a previous knowledge of her family, and the casual encounter on the morning of the previous day may te said, iu some sort, to have made them acquainted. Still ho thought to himself that any person of proper feelings would do. and ought to do all in his power to rescue one so young and interesting from tho dangerous companionship into which she had been forced, or tho frightful fate which might at any moment befall her in consequence of it. All this might be true—doubtless was so and yet among thoso now engaged in tbe same pursuit, and exerting themselves so energetically on her behalf, any disinterested person might have observed widely different degrees of interest In the result.

The Indians had embarked in the undertaking, partly upon Brigham's persuasion, and partly from their natural love of difficult and adventurous enter-

(iar

rises

in which their prowess and peauskill might be called into play. Brlgham Was chiefly interested ou account of old Colonel Bolden's anxiety. Why M'Carty was there, has already been shown,

Waloott thought to himself that his own conduct was quite natural aud so, in fact, it was. At the same time the recollection of the bright eyes, which at his first interview with her, had shone upon him of the gentle smlio which bad jgreoted him, and .if the lithe, but graceful and harmonious form, whioh the Canadian pony had borne away, qontribytfsd not a little to warm his entb'usiasui.'

More than once ho found himself dwolling upon these lhl:ig8, and he permitted his fancy to depict her now iu attitudes of distress and supplication and the touching intonation of her voice already vibrated, so to speak, over the very chords of his heart.

In fact, her beauty, and real oi* imaginary perfections, formed, at the time, the material of his pleasantest thoughts while the lright ana suffering, which in all probability sho now underwent, and me imminent peril which hung over her, formed a stimulus to exertion, which drovo all ideas of hesitation from his mind and all fatigue from IIIB strong limbs.

It was remarkable and so It appeared to all, that Jacob should havo pursued a courao which must very soon havo brought him to or near the Rook Spring. It was not imagined that he woula thus voluntarily seek the vicinity of tho friends of his prisoner and tbe pursuers now, at every moment, anticipated that the trail would lead away in eouie other direction.

Such, bowover, was not the case. It continued to point directly on. Soon, in fact, the smoko of Brigham's log hut began to be visible, above the trees and the distant bark of dogs, at intervals disturbed the stillness of the evening air.

Lower and lower sunk th©' descending sun, aud as the space between It and the western horizon grew less, the anxiety of thoete who felt a personal intorest in tho recovery of the abducted girl, grew more and more Intense. More than twenty-four hours ha 1 already elapsed since Iter disappearance and the moods of insunity during this long interval might have devised a thousand reasons for ber destruction.

The condition of Colonel Belden and his daughter, in the meantime, had been one of anxiety and apprehension, which grow deeper, as tiVno wore away, and brought no information and no grounds for hope.

Tbe sun was near sotting as those who had been engaged in tha search came in sight of their point of departure. All this round appeared to have been run to no purpose. They might not now be nearer their object than when thev started. But yet they brought back with them a trace or clew, slight enough tobeshre, but one which they hoped to follow up to some Issue.

Tbe course pursued by Jacob did not ascend the side of the valley or swale, so as to go near the cabin but continued on the .Hue of tbe stream, till it led fully pjM it. Here the party baited. Tbey had already, for some time, been seen and recognized from tbe bouse and tbe old man was well nigh giving way to despair,when., be saw tbem thus returning without his protegee, and, as he imagined, without tlie design or tbe inclination to continue the pursuit further. Bat he was no less astonished than tbey bad been when be found that it was the trail itself which bad brought them thus strangely back to their starting point. ,. [TO BE CONTINUED.]

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