Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 48, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 25 May 1878 — Page 2

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TilE MAI I.

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

XERRE HAUTE, MAY 25,1878

THE DIFFERENCE,

To you the day ia fair Asdays may be My eyes are filled too bitterly with tears

To see.

Ton view a thousand grave® And sigh at none! My heart is breaking at the simple thought

Of one!

THEN AND NOW*.

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The White mist rose from tlie rlverV brink, And the moon shlned through its sheen And the roses told their beads in leaves,

And the dew drops fell between. We walked the length, my love and I, Of a fairy land, where tear nor sigh

Is ever admitted in. Mr stars were in thine eyes, dear love, Sly moonlight in tby glance My silver tide in thy silver lmgh, *,

The mist's grace In thy dance: My roses bloomed in thy cheek's soft h^e, My rose-leaf prayers were words from you

And life is a golden trance.

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Bat now the mist, like a ghost, floats by, And the moon has lost her ljgbt The rose tree bears no flowers now.

And the stars have vanished quite. I stand alone by the moaning tide Thy grave'* so cold, and deep and wide,

That It fills the world to-night.

The Witch of the Dakotas. ',

A STORY OF WESTERN LIFE.

BY C. LEON MEREDITH.

CHAPTER I, HOMELESS.

Spires of silver and red light were streaking up from what to the eye ap» pearod to be the eastern border of the modulating prairie. The sun had not quite risen, and nature wore that peculiar charm which only the first delicate tints of early dawn oan give.

A youth of not more than sixteen years, one would judge from his boyish yet intelligent face, sat upon the back of a restless steed, gazing intently upon the exquisite landscape before him. There was a troubled look upon bis face, however, and the panting animal beneath him appeard to be as anxious as its master.

At first one might be led to believe tbe boy was spellbound by the sublimity of the scene, but when his features are closely scanned and he is heard to speak, the fact is revealed that he is wholly unmindful of it all. •Can it be that I have lost my course?' be said, slowly turning bis head to the right and to the left, and looking up and down the narrow valley of a winding river. 'No, I must be right, for there is tbe plowed field, and all is here as when I left, save my father's house but what Is that

Just then the horse lifted up its head, set its ears afront, gave a shrill neigh, and then stood breathlessly still, as if for a response.

The answer came. From lialf a mile down the valley, where there was a turn hi tho river, and a rocky declivity, came a whinny as clear and anxious as the first. •We aro right, Flash,' said the boy, patting the animal's neck, as it began pawing impatiently for a start 'your mate is not fAr away but where is my home, and where is my father, mother, and AUelti? Can it be that the redskins have been here, and left nothing bnt wreck and ruin behind them Oh, heaven forbid!' he cried aloud 'but we must know the worst, Flash there may be work for you and I to do, my good fellow, and we must away.'

The boy was right in his conjecture. Tbe Indians had besn there, and bad ]eft only a bed of ashes where only a few hours before had stood the humble pioceer'shoaie. ,» ~t

Three years before the opening of our story, Farewell Hampton had taken his family, consisting of his wife and two ohildren. Arthur, thirteen years ®f age, and Alletla, a beautiful girl of fifteen, and emigrated to tbe fertile soil beyond the Mississippi river, and established a home upon the banks of one of its important upper tributaries.

Very well understanding the character and treachery of the red man, the pioneer did not neglect precautionary measures to defend his home, in case they should attempt to overcome and destroy it.

After three years of undisturbed residence, the Hamptons had become fully accustomed to the isolated life, and considered themselves safe from molestation but the time of trial came.

It was a lovely summer evening. The twilight had faaed out, and tbe shadows of night stolen over the murmarlog river. Alletta sat at a favorite spot upon a rock, that was kissed by the rippling waters at her feet, half abstracted in the thouglfts of tho old home and its associations far away in the East, when she was startled by an object like a phantom suddenly floating beside her, and pausing with uplifted nand.

Alletta gave a little cry of frfght, and was about to flee from the spc^, when a musical voice said: 'Stav, pretty maiden: I came to warn yoa o? danger. The Dakotaa are coming here to-night, after the big star is set, to rob your home. I can do no more be onyour guard.'

The girl was half paralvzed. She sought to reply and ask further intelligence of tbe straoge personage, but when sh foanl her tongue the object had faded away a* noiselessly as it had oome. Terrified by the words, she hastened to the house and told of the warning from the mysterious nymph.

Mrs. and Mrs. Hampton exchanged glances of concern, for they gave mil credence to the story, knowing that Alleta was not given to vain imaginings, and the latter said 'Farewell, this premonition is in full harmony with a gloomy foreboding of danger that has rested upon my heart all day. I had believed it came from anxiety for Arthur in his trip aione to the Yellow Medicine, bat it may prove that Providence has directed that he a a a •You needn't wony about Arthur on the prairie, for the Indians will not be likely to surprise him, and if they do, they haven't a hone In tbe whole reservation that can keep in si«htof Flash thirty minutes," answered the husband. 'I thiuk now that my forebodings have been of danger to ourselves without taking direct form,' said the lady. 'I don't believe we are in as much

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'Certainly we wonld be cowards indeed, to run away and leave all we possess to a few wandering vagabonds and perhaps the warning was only a fancy or a scare.' •It may have been a scare,' answered Alletta, earnestlv, 'but it was no fancy.' •Who could be so interested in our welfare asked the father. •Could it have been Canoe Bird, of whom we have heard so much?' Mrs. Hampton interrogated. 'It was she!' dried Ailetta, grasping her father's arm as if to force the same conviction upon him 'Very well,' said Mr. Hampton, composedly: 'then there is but little question as to the importance of the work before us, and the sooner we set the bouse in order tbe better, for Canoe Bird, be sbe 'ghost *r flesh and blood never misguides tbe whites.'

Half an "hour later two farm horses had been taken to a rocky declivity half a mile distant, saddled and bridled for nse in case of a necessity the doors and windows barred, and all the valuables of the family taken into the cellar.

The evening wore away heavily, for over tbe heart of each hung a gloom that could not be shaken off.

It must have been near midnight there came heavy knocks upon the door.

Glances were exchanged in silence, «nd the knocks were repeated with very short intervals. •If the enemy is here,' said Mr. Hampton. 'silence will be of very little advantage we may as well know the worst.'

Tbe wife bowed her head in assent. Going to the door, Mr.Hampton asked in a firm voice 'Who iB there 'Me hungry and tired, and want to come in,' was the reply, in broken English. 'It's a Sioux,' said the farmer.

Just then there came a crushing weight against the door that shook the house to the very center. 'Our barricade won't stand much of that,' Mr. Hampton said, 'and we had better go t« the cellar, where we will have an advantage.'

Tbe women were not slow to act upon the suggestion, and the farmer followed, bearing a caudle, which he placed in a position that would enable them to get a sight of an intruding object while they could not be seen. They had scarcely gained this retreat when there came a final crash, and a dozen savages bounded into the room above.

For a few minutes they appeared to be dancing about and carrying out such articles as they took a fsncy to, and then there appeared a dusky form through the trap door.

A sharp report rang out from Mr. Hampton's rifle, and the stalwart body of a Sieux roiled with a heavy thud to the floor.

Two more followed, and one mot a like fate from the guns of the women while the other withdrew in a lively mauner. A terriflic yell was set up and tbe savages appeared to be bounding around the room and turning everything upside down. Presently there came heavy blows following each other in quick succession. •They are splitting the floor!' cried Alletta, clinging to her father's arm in the wildest alarm.

Let them split.,' answered the sire composedly. 'Don't give way, my daughter we oan guard a dozen points from above with our firearms.'

At this Mr. Hampton went to where the ax was being used, and as soon as an opening was made he poured a charge of shot into the group above and sent them howling away.

This was experience' enough the work was abandoned, and for a little time quiet reigned. •What next?'asked Alletta. 'Deviltry brewing,' said her father, and we will know soon enough.'

Nothing was heard save the soft tread of moccasined feet for fully five minutes, and then there came a bright glow of light. The trio stood grouped together waiting the further action of the marauders. The light grew brighter and brighter. What could it mean

Mrs. Hampton divined the trulb. Shrinking back in terror, she whispered in a half gasping breath

They have fired the bouse!' Then our defense is at an end said Mr. Hampton, excitedly. 'It will be certain death to remain here, and we must yield our, home, and look out for ourselves.'

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With this lie quickly pushed out a portion of the stone wall of the cellar, which opened a narrow underground passage to the river, not more than twoaty feet away. This means of escape was provided, in case of surprise, when the house was erected, tbe outer terminus so shielded by rocks and shrubbery as to prevent disoovery in passing the spot.

The wife and daughter having passed through, Hampton hastily placed into passage tbe valuables that bad been brought from the room above, then stepped boyond the wall himself and replaced the atones. The tr'o crept along until the outer end was reached, then carefully parting the bushes, tbe farmer ga*ed about a moment, and turning to tbe women, said: 'Now is our time! Tbe whelm are dancing about tbe house, gloating over their triumph, and the roasting ot their supposed victims. Follow without a wow.'

Unobserved the family reached a clump of willows several yards away, and after plying tbe women In a little boat that was moored there, the husband whispered: 'I must return lA tho cellar. We have

«heprovisions,

danger as you apprehend,' mid Mr. Hampton, taking down his guns to see if they were in good order. 'I doubt ifasked Alletta, stepping from the boat,

more than three or four of the dirty thieves will eouse, and we will have but little trouble in vanquishing them.' 'Then yon propose remaining here, JMher said the daughter.

afid our journey is along

to the settlement.* Mts. Hampton attempted to remonstrate, but before half a doaan syllables had passed ber lipa the man had disappeared. Five minutes passed, which seemed as many hours, and the women became impatient. •What detains him, do you suppose

and peeping through the shrubbery in the direction her father had taken. •No knowing what new notion has entered his head,' answered the mother, impatiently'He should not have gone

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'Me want to come in and sleep,' continued the voice. •We will admit no one to-night,' spoke Mr. Hampton, sternly, 'and you must go away now, or there will be trouble.'

The parley ended here, and all became silent without. 'Has he gone?' asked tbe *omen, eagerly. •Gone only to confer with hi3 posse as to what stratagem to try next,' was the answer.

Mr. Hampton mounted the stairway to the chamber and peered out into the darkness a moment from a small window, and then returned below.

Tbe wife and daughter detected a troubled look upon his face and anxiously asked him what he had discovered. 'There area score of the dirty imps,' bo replied, 'and they are preparing to force an entrance, I think, from their movements.' 'What are we to do Alletta asked. 'Fight as long as we can, and then retreat,' said the rarmer, with compressed lips.

back we had better go hungry a day or two than imperil our lives by delay.' 'I think so too,' said the girl, with a look of concern. 'I am going to find him, and hasten his coming.' •Do 1* breathed the matron, prayerfully 'but, Alletta, be quick and cautions 1'

Tbe girl glided along the shadowed bank nntil she had gained half the distance to the place of exit, when a broad flame of light shot up from the burning building, throwing a flood of light over the bank, and .out upon the water beyond. Alletta crouched low, and dared not move an inch further. Presently she saw tbe object of ber search creeping down the incline, but at the sanae instant there came a yell from the Sioux that made tbe girl shiver with terror.

Her father bad been discovered, and rising to his feet he gave an alarm and fled in the opposite direction, with half a dozen Indiana at his heels.

Hampton did not see his daughter so near him had he done so his course would have been different. He sought to lead the enemy away from bis wife and child.

Alletta became so anxious for her father's safety that she forgot her own, and arose to "her knees, and when sbe turned ber head from the disappearing forms, it was only to see grim objscts about herself.

A brawny hand was laid heavily upon her arm, which lifted her as a toy to her feet, but sbe did not lose her presence of mind. With a voice clear and shrill she cried out: 'Posh down the river, mother, quick, for your life 1' *r

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CHAPTER II.

ARTHUR AND THE HUNTEK. Ten good miles away from the scenes described in the foregoing chapter, a hunter had quartered for tne night in a rudely constructed resting place. The mar., scarcely past middle age, is strongly built, and although somewhat weather beaten, by exposure to sun and storm, bears a vigorous look, indicative of health and good habits.

It is an bour past midnight when we find him sleeping upon his grassy bed. Suddenly he rises to a sitting posture, and opening bis eyes as if by intuition, he gazes upon a luminous spot marked upon the western sky. 'Something wrong,' be murmurs to himself. 'There is nothing upfon the prairie to barn now except buildings, and they are mighty few. The redskins are going through the settlers' home, I'll bet a buffalo skin, and if that's the case, there may be a chance in for me.' 0 The hunter rose to bis feet, strapped his rifle and other traps, and made a bee line at a lively pace toward the light that shone up brightly over the wild prairie, and it was just at dawn that be reached the spot where smouldered the remains of Farewell Hampton's habitation. 'Just as I thought,' he soliloquized, after surveying the spot a short time •here are the footprints of the Sioux in the wet sand, and there are the evidences of slaughter in the cellar. I wish I could have been here three hours ago— there would be less of tbe yelping thieves now!'

While the hunter stood with folded arms, leaning on his gun and talking to himself, his reverie was broken by the neigb of a horse falling upon his ear from quite a distance away then there came another from a different direction. 'There may be a chance to putin some good work yet,' the man said aloud, changing his position so as to see an approaching party before being seen himself.

Now there came the dash of a horse's feet at full speed, upon the sand and turf of the valley, and'in a minute Arthur drew rein and stood before the hunter. 'Can you tell me anything of this destruction?' tbe boy asked, eagerly. 'My father's house stood here, and I mistrust foul play.' 'Your arrival and mine, young man, are but a few moments apart, and I can only assure you, from unmistakable signs, that the .Sioux are auswerable for it all.' 'My parents! do you know anything of them?' 'I do not know any more than you, excepting what is reveaiod in the cellar. Two have fallen victims to the flames.'

Arthur grew pale as he looked at the charred and shriveled forms in tbe ashes below. He bad slipped from the back of Flash, and stood with hands clinched until the nails of his fingers penetrated tbe flesh. 'A hard sight, young man.,' said th^ stranger in a sympathetic tone, 'but from what I can see of tbe remains there 1 should hardly take them to be of your parents they look more like Indians than whites, but I can't tell certain.' 'How could bodies of the savages be left there, and my parents gone?' asked tbe youth, doubtingly. 'I don't pretend to give any solution to the problem, my young friend, now we may be able to develop something, however. How many were there oi the familv?' 'Four—three besides myself.' 'One a child?' •No, all full grown.' •Then one has escaped, at least,' the hunter said in a hopeful tone. 'Now that it is light,let us examine the tracks. I can read tbe earth better than tbe sky, for I have been on the trail nigh on to eight years.'

Arthur became singularly interested in the stranger, and followed him to tbe bank of the river, where he began examining the tracks.

After the ranger had gone some way oft onjthe trail,Arthur went into tbe subterranean passage, and finding tbe family treasures there, be quickly emerged, atter first securing a few necessary articles for himself. He concluded to say nothing of this to tbe hunter, at least until he knew him better. 'It's a mixed up affair,'said tbe man. returning to where Arthur sat awaiting him. •The Indians evidently came by canoes, and left in the same way, and I find their footprints mixed tip with those of those of both white men and women, but the latter were as likely made before as after the

Sioux came.'

•Wait a moment,'cried the boy springing to his feet, as a new thought struck him, 'I will see if our boat is gone.'

He ran down the bank, and in a few seconds came hounding back, elated with his discovery. •Our ftmily boat is not there perhaps they escaped in that!' be exclaimed. •That don't signify anything, my friend. Tbo Indians would be as likely to tako it as any other party.' 'That's so tbe youth muttered. 'I did not think of that. What can I do?' he interrogated after a minute's silence. 'Do!' said the hunter,eyeing the yoatb sharply. Are you of good blood?' 'My father's family—' 'I don't want your pedigree, young man I mean are you afraid of anything?* •1 dont know,' Arthur answered quickly, 'I never was frightened to find out.' •Youll do! If you have never be*n frightened In these parte, it Isn't likely vou ever will be, so I'll give you a chance to do something in the wsy of

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HAUTE iSA LURDAY EVENING MAllx

redress .but first let me give you an introduction. My name is Reuben Stanton aBd yours?' •Arthur Hampton.' 'i

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good name, my boy! Give me your band.' After a hearty shake the scout continued: 'flight years ago the Sioux, while I was away from home a few hours, murdered my little daughter, nine years old, who was alone at the time, her mother having died the year before, and then burnea the honse as they have yours. I

swore

vengeance on the tribe over the ruinSi of'my home, and vowed that I would never be satisfied until I had made tbe.scalpers yield one huifdred for the one life they had taken. Many a Sioux has bit the dust since tbsrt day but my number is not full yet. I have been on the war path ever siace, and my string of shells show the work I have done, each checking off one ,of the hundred. 'I rionot take the life of any mortal in cold blood, and so the work goes slow I guide tbe overlanders and help protect them and aid the pioneers in defending their homes whenever chance is given. It is only in defense of the white man's life and property that I lift my gun.'

Here the hunter took from his breast along string of small shells, and held it up before the boy. 'Nearly full count, Mr. Stanton,' Ar thur remarked. 'No, not full when it is it will be a wampum belt. By the way, don't call me Mr. Stanton that is too formal for the border. You are well bred, I know, and it would be all right in general association but just to please me put the name simply Rube that's tbe name always go by, the one my little bird of a girl, Lilian,'first lisped. God bless the sweet child.'

The ranger choked for a moment, and drew up the corner of his hunting frock and brushed away the tears that gushed from his eyes and fell upon his brown cheek, then bracing himself up be continued: •I have nothing to do but aid you in following the thieves and finding out if they have any member of your family in captivity. Certainly not more than two have perished, if any, and I'm inclined to think none have, and we may be able to aid them all. Are you with rae, Arthur?' 'lam.' 'Through thick and thin?' '-VhJ 'i 'Through fire unto death,if necessarvl' answered the youth, with beaming eyes and compressed Jips_ 'That's good, my boy, that's.good!'

And the compact was sealed by a firm pressure of hands.

CHAPTER III.

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UP THB

The sun had risen well up before the scout and Arthur had fully made their preparations to set out upon the search for the mis-sini of the Ham'pton family. 'Will you leave your horse?' asked Rube, after the compact was made. 'Leave Flash! By no means he knows more than any member of the Sioux tri be, an is unapproachable in the race.' •But our chances will not be equal,you mounted and Ion foot.' 'His mate is not far away. Flash called as I approached home, or the place where my home was,' said the boy with a sigh,'and you shall have Dave to ride.' 'I remember now having heard the neich of two,' said Rube,-'and it will be right fortunate if we secure the second beast,'

A hundred or more rods down the river, 'Dave' was found where Mr. Hampton had taken him the night before, saddled and bridled, fully rigged for nse. •How is this?' asked the ranger, with a look of wonderment, 'I know nothing more of it than you.' 'But tracks show that another horse has been here and been taken away again.' 'Perhaps the Sioux took it.' •Not a bit of it had tbe Sioux discovered one, they would have taken both. They never leave a horse that they can get their dirty bands on.' 'Then perhaps some one has escaped on its back.' 'More than likely. I think I can tell to a certainty,' And here Rube set to work closely scanning tbe ground.

As the scout walked away to a considerable distance, Arthur followed him with his eyes, and murmured to himself: 'I really believe Providence sent me this man it is at least a most fortunate circumstance. I believe there is something in bis history untold, for be is an intelligent as he ii brave and earnest. I like him already.'

After this short soliloquy the boy started as if a new idea hack taken pos session of him, and ran away in the direction of the subterranean passage. Presently he returned with a pair of blankets, amunition and two long ropes and had strapped them on the horses, when ftube returned. 'Well, how is it?'asked the youth. •The horse evidently bad a rider, and was neither pursuing or pursued.' •Was the rider a woman?' •No, a man the footprints show tbat plainly.' 'Then it may be it was my father who escaped, and it was mother and Alletta who perished.' 'f think not so, bnt the quickest and best way to find out will be to follow the redskins. Tbe party with the horse does not need our aid otbers«may.'

Here Rube for tbe fir&t lime caught sightof the articles his companion had brought, and gazing at tbe pile with a half comical air, asked: 'Where did you get all that?' 'Where it had been secreted.' 'You must have been in possession of Aladdin's lamp, or tbe enchanted bag tbat belonged to tbe Swiss Family Robinsons','.the ranger laughed, mounting upon the back o( Dave, and leading tbe way out of the rocky recess.

Arthur followed with flash, and tbe two set off up the river at a good round pace.

After an hour or two of bard riding they came to a halt, and the ranger proposed that they seperate. *1 will cross 'over,' he said, 'for there is no telling when or where Sioux will land,' ana Rube forced Dave into tbe water, and forded to the other side.

The horsemen kept in sight of each other, and it was near noon when Arthur made a discovery that sent his blood whirling through his frame, and he at onee signalled tbe hunter.

As Dave came dripping up the bask, tbe youth pointed to the gravelly bed before them, and dismounted and closely surveyed tbe spot. •Canoes have been landed here, sure,' tbe ranger muttered, 'and the redskin* have made their way out to .the prairie through tbe cut.' •Aie tbey long gone?' •Only a little while away the gravel which they disturbed is not yet dry.' •Shall we leave tbe horses.?' and Arthur looked around him anxiously. •It will not answer to do that, as we must get out into fair sailing before we are discovered. You take charge of them, and I will go in advance and MM that tbecoast ia clear.'

After a few instructions as to bow his

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companion should do his part, Rube, at a quick pace, disappeared in the slight brushwood, and tbe youth followed at a safe distance with the horses.

The banks of earth and rooks upon either side grew less and less in altitude, until on the right band and ou the left, there wefe only gradually swelling hillocks, and in front the broad expanse of brnsb covered prairie.

Rube was nowhere to be seen, and not a living being was in sight. Arthur had been careful in keeping Flash and Dave well covered Irom sight by the verdure through which he had stolen his way. but he could go no further with safety, so be concluded to wait there until the hunter returned.

Fully a quarter of an hour passed. The boy sat still, scanning through the evergreen boughs the open space bevond, wbon be heard a rapid step from behind.

Instantly cocking his rifle he turned, but lowered it as quickly on seeing Rube come trotting down the incline. 'Wan't going to shoot m^, were you?' said the ranger with a grin. 'I don't propose to allow any advantage,' was the cool reply 'but what ol the Sioux?' 'I am afraid we're on the wrong scent. There are Indians around the bend preparing a meal, but they don't look to me like the ones we are after. But,' he continued, as he began undoing a coil of rope, 'we will tether the horses on yonder grass plot, and investigate.'

When the two reached the place where Rube first made tbe discovery they dropped to their knees and'crept to a point of better observation. 'I think we can satisfy ourselves here,' and the ranger drew the boy up beside him, and pointed with his ramrod across an open space, where the savagas.agood way. off, were trotting around a low fire they had built. 'It is as I first surmised,' Rube said, after watching the actions for fully a minute in silence. 'They are not &ioux, nor have they a captive.' 'How can you tell 'Well, ycu see there are none bnt In-

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the group, for all move alike,

and now that they are seated to smoke tho pipe, each one takes a whiff at the stem.' 'But that does not prove they are not Sioux,' argued Arthur. 'But the motion, does. The Sioux, when he smokes, throws his head back and sends the smoke straight up into the air. These do notso they are Winnobagoes they blow two putfs upward, two to the east, west and south. These traits will never misguide, so we may as well consider ourselves sold, and take back to the river again.' ri-

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CHAPTER IV.

XIOHT AT |TH3B DALLAS. j,

After alloying the horses to graza an hour, our friends mounted again and resumed their march. The sun had slowly settled behind the great bluffs, and a heavy shadow had fallen over the river, when anothar bajt was made, aud this time Arthur crossed to where Rube awaited him. From before them came the roar of rushing water, and even at their feet the river was swifter and more turbulent than it had been before. 'We are near the Big Rapids,' the ranger said, as the youth drew rein at his side. 'The Sioux could not gp up that boiling spot, nor down it, for that matter, so they must have left the river below.' 'I have closely examined every inch of the bank I have passed, and I know tbat a track could not escape your quick eve.' Arthur replied in a half defensive wav. 'My opinion is that they have turned from tbe main water int® some tributary stream, and thus escaped for the time,' and the scout wheeled his borse as if to take the back track, then checking Dave, continued: 'It's getting too late to do more tonight, and wo may as well look out for comfortable quarters, and allow tbe horses to rest. By the way, there is a small cavern at the very margin of the rapids what say you to a night there?' •You seem to know this section well,' the boy said, without answering the question. •I have been here before. It's a dismal place, but somehow 1 like the wild spot, as there aro strange stories about its being haunted.'

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•Then it's the place above all others I would prefer,' and Arthur's face showed the newly awakened iuterest he expressed. 'You are not afraid of ghost*, then •If such a thine as a gboSt were possible I should gladly meet one.' 'Don believe in them, then continued Rube, smiling. •I do not so qauch as give the possibility a thought. Whatever has the power of voluntary action in this world has flesh and blood,' answered the youth stoutly. •Correct, my boy, correct. You are made for a hero born so, educated so, and will be so as certainly as you live. Superstition has made more fools and cowards than all tbe realities of life. But oome, we must get out of this betore it's any darker,' ani tbe ranger, a little troubled, reined David around a bend In tbe bluff, followed by his companion, and rode down through a narrow gully until they came out upon tbe margin of a broad plateau. •We will leave tbe horses here,' he said, dismounting 'food is abundant, and they can regale themselves to lull satisfaction while we enjoy oumehes amid the mysteries that surroand

Devil's Bin," as tbe cave is called. Alter making sure tbat all was right, tbe ranger and Arthur, with blankets, guns, and stock of provisions, went to tbe small cavern that bordered the rapids. In a great mass of rocks, built up by the hand of nature, there was an airy, open chamber some ten feet square, and tbe same height of wall. •1 can't see why they call this the "Devil's Bin,"' tho youth said, after surveying the place, 'it's more like an a a •A good lodging place, at least one can & sure of sleep by the rushing waters,' Robe replM. ving down bis gun and preparing .•« eveniug meal.

A Iter supper the uvermation turned upon tbe adventures of the scout, who told a long atory of his struggles as a pioneer, and when he came to tbe destruction of his home and the loss of bis beautiful child, Lilian, Arthur heard the stout man sob, and then be said, trying to steady his vol je: •I don't like to talk of the sweet child at night, for I dream that she is with me again, and when I awaken in the morning, and think of the murderous Sioux, my hlood bolls for vengeance. Let us to our cets now, for we must be away at dawn.'

The tired hunters laid themselres down, and soon fel asleep. It must have been near morning, for tbe moon bad gone down near the hori*on, when Arthur was aroused by vigorous shake from a strong hand Iwa upon his arm. He sprang to his feet in an Instant, and caught up bis gun. •Hist came from the ranger, There Is no cause for alarm but *ktento that, voice, tbat seems to hang above the

Just then there came a pUiatlve wall. mingled with tbe roar of the seething

water, at first loud and strong, then it seemed to die away into a soft, musical cadence, like a spirit voice, one would imagine. 'What is it?' Arthur asked, excitedly. •The Sit ux say that a wandering spirit of an Indian'maiden CMines here to lament a Dakota chief who lost his life in attempting to ride the rapids.' 'Let us go and see if we can find who the owner of that pretty voice is,' said the youth, running to the opening of the rocky chamber.

Now the song came to them louder and fuller thau before, for tbe singer was nearing them. Both rushed to the very edge of the great stone platform just in time to see a canoe dash past down the wild cataract, and in it was a maiden guiding tbe frail bark with a-paddle, whilo her raven tresses floated,out behind. I 'She will be killed!' Arthur cried, springing away down to the bottom oi' t&e Dallas as if he oouid aid the girl. Rube followed quickly, but when the two reached the place where the river glided off peacefully, nothing was seen of the little boat or its mysterious occupant. 'Was it Canoe Bird the boy queried. 'It evidently was,' tho old hunter answered, as much puzzled as his companion. 'Then she has not perished,' continued llie first. 'Perished! Novforshe has ridden the rapids a hundred tin es, If stories concerning tho wild girl are true.' 'I have heard many opinions expressed of her. Some of Our own people oelieve fully that she is possessed of a supernatural power—can materialize and dissolve into nothingness again at will.' 'If we could only believe that, Arthur, it would not be necessai-y to speculate long upon how she ever run the rapids, for certainly you or I could never accomplish sucn a feat and live. She holds a spell over the Sioux, asd has ih her phantomlike ways saved the lives of many whites.' 'Has any oue met and talked with tho girl?' •No one, to my knowledge, bus ever seen more of her than we to-niirht. The Indians, of course, think her a spirit.' •I think myself she is all spirit,'Arthur put in, with a positive voice, 'and I'll see more of her and know more.of her, before the end of another year, providing the Sioux do uot 11 tt tny hair in the time.' 'Very well, my boy but you won't be likely to get another glimpse here, so let us finish our nap.'

After giving Dave and Flash a new position for grazing, the hunters returned to their resting place, and slept until broad davliRht.

They had overslept, and without waiting to build a fire, dispatched their breakfast cold, aud hastened awav. Nearing the spot where the trusty steeds had boon securely fastened, the scout and Arthur both suddenly stopped and gazed steadily in each other's laces in astonishment.

Tbe horses were gone! [TO BE CONTINUED *(V Y.

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4",

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1

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A CARD.

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OTIC# OF ASSIGNMENT

In

the

matter of John

0.

fierce, an in-

^NoUw^h^reby given that John John ?. Pleree, an insolvent debtor, of Vigo comity. Indiana, has made an awljtpment, under the law of the Ktats of Indians, for the benefit of his creditors, an* that the underKigoed has been appointed and qualified as Trustee of said estate.

ABRAHAM U.SPARKS, Trustee. W. W. itpxsBr, Attorney. LT0UN1~THAT TH« SATURDAY EVJ ninst Mail is the most widely circulated n«wspsper In the State outside of Indianapolis.