Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 50, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 June 1878 — Page 6

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

JF TffOU ART WORN.

"I thon art worn, Mid bard beset With torrovA that ihoa woaldst forjret If thoa wonldst reid alewon 'hat will keep Thy heart frotn fainting, and thy soul from sleep Cio to the woods and hills! Xot^ars Dim the sweet look that nature wears."

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK.

Hope plants for as a beanstalk That grows In a single night, And keeps on climbing sky ward,

Up to some blossomy height. Perhaps, If we reached the summit,

We'd find no charmed late But only the grim old giant— And death would strike us mute. —Julie K. Wetherhill.

an UNj*a in ted picture.

A little girl is standing at an open door, The vines upon the neighboring wall Are lighted into emerald radiance by the morning son The noisy sparrows, darting in and oat, Revel among the lovely greenness The little maid remembering her task. Kneels to the un poetic scouring or the sill, "J 'ien spies the lofty chimney l-'rlrigVtd and hid in green. Guiding her hands, and gizlt np in ad miration. Th* artist «e«s in her uncouvclw..8 attitude i.wVoute»t admiration!

The Witch of the Dakotas.

A STORY OF WESTERN LIFE.

BY C. LBON MEREDITH.

CHAPTER IX. THE DEFENSE.

The borderer watched closely all the proceedings below, and while be kept 'himself out of sight, his heavy rifle had protruded beyond the feeble verdure which struggled for 11 with rootlets winding through seam* in tbe rock* which the elements had furrowed, or some Convulsion of nature bud riven, and frequently, while our little hero was holding tbe conference with Red Eye had tho the barrel of tbe long range gun been in direct line with the heart or brain of the savage, and well it.was for tbe proud Sioux that he did not lift a band against the brave boy.

The rangerposscssed a deadly hatred against Red Eye, for be had learned that it was he who bad led the party of cutthroats against his home that it was he .who baa murdered his sweet child Lilian seven years before, and the wound was just as fresh then as the day tho deed was perpetrated.

Rjd Eye bated the White Snake, as he called tbe scout, none the less bitterly, an«l he bad planned all sorts of wary schemes against the enemy to get possession of his person, that the most barbarous torture known to the red man tiu/ht bo initiated upon him, but Rube bad every time managed to slip through tlie meshes of tbe net set far him.

Tho meeting of these two sworn enemies meant warfare with no offer of terms of conciliation, and now tbe subtle savage had great odds in bis favor, and felt certain of ending forever the mortal feud, and of dangling the huutcr's scalp In fiendish exultation.

With perhaps the exception of the Crows, there is no tribe of Indians posnessed of more dignity in certain directions than the Sioux, and It was with the Idea of manliest nobleness that Red Eve allowed tbe youth, whom he ad wired for his courage, to go back to the bluff and help In the defense against tbe attack that was to follow. 'No go!' our young friend exclaimed, as he dropped behind tbe sheltering rock, a smile upon his face, and looking a# Hnoonnorneu as If thoy were ft bundrpd miles away from danger. 'lied Eye knows of my presenoe, I presume?' •lie does, and calls you White Snake, and says you have got to die.' 'Very likoly. He has said snch things before^' and as he spoko Rube drew bis revolvers and knife from beneath his limiting frock, and placed them In his l»elt, so that they would be ready for immediate use when needed. •It will take sharp manoeuvering, my l»v, to whin the blood thirsty heathen, tor iliey will fight harder to capture me tb*n for any other white man in these parts.' liuba had not for an instant removed his eyes from tho spot where the Sioux, skulked. His experience taught him that a charge would probably not be made at once, as the Indians would talk the matter over and agrse upon a definite mode of action. Durlug this tinisMur frieuds were also busy In prep-' arntion for the onset. •Wo must sels* upon every advantage,' the ranger continued, 'irnd bo careful abuut having our guns empty at the ttm, for in that event tue scalpers will uiake a charge. Their plan will donbtlessi be to dr*w our fire and attempt to raach us before we can load Again.' •Cannot we re'.rea:, in such an eveut,' Arthur asked. •Our rettva! limited to a lew rods in the roar. At fie right and left, as well as back of us are perpendicular walls. Our only way from off this tower of acottr Is in front, and that is not an inviting way at pnwtent.' ''I do not think we will need to retreat,'the boy answered in a confident one. 'Dauntless cYild and Rube tiok the boy's hand in bis own and pressed it affect tonatel v.

The conversation bad been carried on in a whisper, and now lapsed into atlenoe.

A full boar went by, and not a sign of life below had appeared. The Indians, knowing who they had to contend against) were shy, and were doubtless watching from their ambuscade the appssrance of a head. Our friends were doing the same, aud every point beneath thorn had been closely soauned by th quirk eye of the raager.

Arthur at la* beoame anxious, and asked if thev could not by some means brhm out the redskins, and have the matter settled without so macb of pre-

UR«bey'repUed

only by motioning

silence. The hunter's eye was set intently upon some oqfect, ana tae youth, following the direction, saw a rifle barrel slowly passing ovar the surface of a rock a hundred reot away, but it appeared to move without theald or human hands. The ranger pressed his cheek against the stock of his own gun, and sat ailently watching, his finger upon the trigger of the lock and the hammer set. Another minute passed, and a feathered head popped up, and almost simultaneously two sharp reports rang oat, and the guu of the Sioux flew upward, indicating that the white man's bullet bad been well directed, while

Rube found that be bad reoelved a disa-

IT Rrpesbly call, by the enemy's

y—I I /l /A I 1 missile tearing up theedgo liiscap I I JU iV 1A A JL_^' close to the temple.

Scarcely had the echo returned from the rocky wall around, when the seven remaining savages ran out and rasbed op the incline with whoops and yells of rage, but they nad not passed over onehalf of the intervening distance when a bullet from Arthur's gun sent the foremost savage spinning to the eartb.

Knowing that now both of the guns of the white men were empty, the Indians pnsb6d on with all their physical power, swinging their tomahawks with frantic gesticulations. 'Now for nerve, my boy,' Robe whispered, banding Arthur one of his revolvers. 'Come.'

The two moved quickly along the border of the great rock'a few feet, and tben turning at aright angle, entered a recess which brought tbem close Hpon the enemy, but with good shelter.

At a signal given by the hunter both lifted their pistols and fired in rapid succession upon the remaining six.

The were not looking for the enemy in this quarter, for the lower surface of the rock did not indicate the peculiar structure above, nor did they know that the whites were armed with revolvers, and tlie charge set tbem in complete confusion. Three of their number Ml with the first and second rounds, and the remafning tbree'bouudod back to their first skulking places.

Arthur laughed outright. •White Snake must die!' he cried, repeating the words of the stalwart brave. •We have the better of tbem by good odds so far, my boy, but I do not think the worst is over. Red Eye still lives, and I know the savage so well that I feel confident that, he will not give up the contest now. but will use stratagem hereafter that may bother us to subvert.' •Of what nature 'I have no idea be still basan advantage. There are three against t» o, and those three bold possession of the only passway from the bluff. It will be irnp6sslble to go down without exposing ourselves to their deadly fire, the same as they exposed themselves to ours coming up. .So we are somewhat ut their mercy.' 'We can aw«dt developments, Rube continued, at the saui'* time driving a ball into bis gun. A-liur reloaded,and the two stationed themselves where th^y could command a view of all the space beneath them.

CHAPTER X. CORNEREB AT LAST.

Hours passed away in silence. To all appearance tbe rugged bluff contained not an animate object. Each party knew it would be fatal to lift their heads above the rocks that gave shelter, and so both kept securely concealed in their retreats.

It .was afternoon when the ranger called Arthur's attention to a bulky evergreen in tbe path which they had traversed in ascending the hill. 'I do not remember seeing that bush until within the past few minutes, and now it appears further away than when first noticed.'

The two fixed their eyes upon this new object of interest, but there was no visible motion to be detected. A few minutes late Arthur confirmed the suspicion of his comrade as to tbe faot of its receding. •It is near tbe foot of the bluff, now,' tbe bov said in wonderment, 'much bolow tMe spot where it stoed wbeu you first directed my attention to it.' 'I will venture a shut at all events.' And with the words, tbe ranger lifted bis rifle to bis shoulder, but before he could draw bead, tbe bush, by a sudden movement, disappeared, and a Sioux darted away out of sight. Arthur sprang to bis feot at the occurrence, and cried eut: "Tbe imps are escaping us J"

Before Rube could draw the excited boy down, a bullet whistled past his head, cutting the rim of tbe ear and a lock of tbe auburn hair. As tbe blood trickled down the boy's cheek and dropped from his chin, be remarked, without any apparent concern •Tally one for Pled Eye!'

The ranger, who did not lose his guard for an iustant, returned the shot promptly, and the eagle quills that bad been shown diopped back into their retreat, and as there was no further movement at the place, our triond doubted having hit his mark.

Arthur's injury was of so slight a nature that he scarce uoticod it, but there was a lesson iu the event that was not unheeded. •What object can the one have in leaving tbe other two?' he asked, while wiping the blood from his face. •The object was not to escape us,' the other returned. 'He has gone on some mission that is intended to aid tbe rascals in overcoming us. It may be for food, so as to enable tbem to starve us •ut, or for a forceol their tribe sufficient to take us, doad or alive.'

Tbe hunter was correct In his conjecture. .A little after sunset, and just as the heav* shadows bad become so lengthened out *nd widened that a veil of gloom settled over tbe whole grand panorama, fully twenty Sioux came trooping on ponies across the plateau in the direction of the bluff.

Our two friends saw them in the twilight at the same time, and now tbete came over the features of Arthur an expression of anxiety not seen there triors. He did not apeak, but grasping his lalthful gun with a firmer grip, looked inquiringly into the stolid face of the ranker. 'Ien minutes passed in silence, and by this time the force had gathered at the foot of tbe hill. 'I think now It.will bs s*fe for you to creep out, my boy, and get the guus and ammunition of tue dead savages,' Rube said, 'for the coming of tbe new party will attract for the present the attentiou of the two left on guard, but go cautiously and quickly and I will keep a good lookout.'

Arfbur needed no seoond hint to act, and presently came back dragging three guns and a good supply of powder and balls. 'Now station yeurself at my side and load the guns as fast as 1 empty them. Our only hope is iu preventing the reds coming up through the narrow cut, where they will be obliged to walk single tile.'

The precautionary step had been taken none too soon. The Indians began the ascent, and Kobe sent a bullet spinning down, and tbe leader fell the seoond eauie on, but the crack of another rifle brought trorn him a yell of torture. Shot followed shot in rapid succession until a half dosen had fallen, and the Sioax, dutrbfounded by tbe work of destruction carried on by the two whites, Ml back again. Arthur was wild with excitement, but the hunter told him to keep qalet, as their best judgment was needed in their defense.

A little time passed before the Sioux made a second appearance. The guna were all loaded, ana Rube began firing upon the line as before, bat this time without the slightest effect. On they eame, with whoops and yells that made the welkin ring. 'What in the mischief la to pay?' Arthur asked hastily. •The foremost have shields of slabs of wood or stone,' the ranger returned in a

rERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVE-NLNG MAIL.

troubled way. 'They will be upon us in a minute, and there are more than we can overcome.' 'But we will not surrender?' 1 /»t:}. 'No, not until tbe last. We can make matters no worse for ourselves tb'anthey are at present.'

The Indians had now passed the narrow cut, and spreading out upon the bluff, clambered op tbe uneven hill with loud and prolonged exclamations of triumph. 'We bad bett« make what retreat we can before they get any nearer,' Rube said, gathering up their effecta and creeping away. The boy followed closely, and neither paused until they bad reached tbe very summit of the rocky tower. The ranger took one view, then peering down the perpendicular side of the bluff to the eartb a hundred feet below, turned to bis bundle, and quickly undoing his blankets, drew his knifeand began cutting tbem into stripe. Artbnr watched tbe movement with an anxious, inquisitive look. 'Strap your guu upon your back, my boy,' be said, in a hoarse whisper 'not a minute fs to be lost.'

The knife flashed through the stout fabric again and auain, until the two blankets lay at bis feet in narrow strips. Knotting them to^eth^r, with a dexterity that astonfchcijUbe youth, he dropped tbe long worsted rope over the side, and stayed the end by tying a knot and slipping it into a crack iu tbe rocky margin. •Descend at once!" he exclaimed, pushing Arthur to tbe very verge. 'Never fires!' the noble little fellow replied, standing up stoutly.

Rube planted a kiss upon Arthur's brow and said firmly: "It must be as I say. If I should break tbs rope you would be left you safe, my chances will be »s good as now.'

He did not wait for a replj there was no time to be spared in parley, aud seizing the lad he placed him over the verge of the cliff, and when the boy had safely clasped tbe fabric, be left him to descend.

Hand undrr hand, and legs locked around tbe swaying rope, Arthur went rapidly downward

.CHAPTER XI. CANOE BIRD.

The same mysterious creature who bad warned Alletta of tbe danger to ber family tbe same who bad glided down tbe Dallas in the moonlight, singing tbe

fodgicg

lainti.ve

air tbe night our friends found at the Devil's Bin, was tbe one

who untied the lariats of the horses and spirited them away. She had detected the approach of Sioux, and knowing of the coming of tbe palefaces, with that pervading care for tbe interests of tbe white man, she took tke two steeds by circuitous routes to the rear of tbe great bluff and left tbem, hoping the proper

Sians

arties would find them, and tbe Inbe none tbe wiser for it. Tbe animals were securely fastened where they could not be seen by parties passing up or down tbe river, and thus left.

When evening came again and the shadows of the huge bluff bad spread over the rippling water, Canoe Bird came back, as her missions were of the night, and her power over the superstitions of tbe Indians strengthened by the strange and almost supernatural feats she performed in the darkness. Who this wonderful personage was none knew. Tbe white man as well as tbe red man held her in reverential awe. Where she came from, and to what retreat she vanished, no one could tell, and but few attempted to solve the mystery of her life and actions.

Some of the settlers had glverfher the appellation of Witch of tbe Dakotas, while tbe Sioux, believing ber to be tbe spirit of an Indian maideu who bad died for the love of a brave of their tribe, kept tbe name of the first, and either spoke of ber as Canoe Bird, or 'The Spirit of the Wind.'

At nightfall, as I have said, she came back to where tbe horses were fastened, and was standing at their heads* listening, when there came a rustling noise from tbe summit of the great bluff, and a streamer floated out and in beside tbe huge rocks. Then a dark object came ramdly down.

Canoe Bird waited to see no more, but unfastening the baiters, mounted Dave and led Flash from the recess. As tbe reader knows, it was Arthur making the descent upon the blanket rope, that had so startled tbe Witch of the Dakotas.

Tbe boy swung in and out, and be descended with as mnch rapidity as possible, for be well knew that one minute's delay might cost a life as dear to him as bispwn.

Down, down he came until within a few feet of the earth, hope beaming in bis eye, but suddenly there came a change. Tbe long coil yields to the pendulum weight below, and separates half way to the summit, and the youth falls flat upon the sand, and tbe circling fabric coils down around him.

Arthur sprang to his feet in alarm. 'What can Rube do now?' was the thought that passed through his mind. •There is no way of esoape left him. Ob, my poor' friend,' he murmured, in his sadness, 'may—'

He caught the sound of moving feet just tben, and turning, saw the jiorses moving away. 'Flash!' he called with delight. 'Fl&sh, come here!' 1 he animal, with a low neigh, broke loose from the band that was leading him, and turned back to its master.

Arthur threw his arms arouad tbe noble animal's neck, with tears in his eyes. He stood but a moment in his devotion to the steed. Dave was being taken off, and there was work for him to do at once.

Mounting Flash, the boy glanced up at the cold stone tower, and with a sigh, and sob, turned away. He could do nothing for his more than friend, and in his noble generous heart regretted having left his side. •Rube will be killed! Rube will be killed!' be moaned sorrowfully, as he went np the rock ascent which brought him out to the level river marglb.

Canoe Bird reached the border several rods In advance, and laahing Dave to b!S best speed, swept along tbe narrow coarse like a phantom in the deepening shadows.

Flash understood his young master's will without urging, and spread himself to the full limit of his muscle on the track of his mate. Arthur gained slowly, although he had never seen Dave ran so before.

Now and then he caught glimpses of the flying maiden In the moonlight, made fitful by the rifted clouds. He saw it wss tbe same who had passed him at raplda, and this discovery doubled his anxiety to overtake the myatis crea-

tUJCearer,

nearer, be came, till not a

hundred yards be*«rosn th» ©orsoar and pursued still on, and not half tbe distance intervened. Letting forward, the bey patted the nsok of the willing animal, and Fiash appeared to better his efforts in obedienoe to the gentle enooara«ea*nt. Batit wssonlv momentary. Suddenly ho alackened, and with a fow broken'bounds eame to a dead halt, and lifting his head in won

derment and turning his ears afront, gave a loud, significant snort. Arthur, whose attention bad been diverted for few aeconds, was no less astonished at the discovery that neither Dave nor his rider were in sight. 'Where have they gone? Where could they have gone were the interrogations that tbe boy spoke aloud, as if Flash oould make reply. Befdre them the way was clear at the right tbe bold fronted bluffs, and at the left tbe shimmering river. 'I shall yet be forced to believe that that girl la a phantom, alter all—that she hss vanished into air, and taken Dave into nonenity with her,' Arthur murmured again, as he sat gaslng around in an abstracted manner. Then a smile curled his lip. 'Foolishness, such thoughts. She has lound found a passway somewhere, and any place she can go, Flash can take me.'

He moved on again, watching narrowly every point. Not but a little distance was made before the youth was startled by the sound

guns in tbe rear. Rifle

crack follow*-*! rifli crack in rapid succession. Turiiinu, took the back track and passed w«t he sandy stretch as rapidlv as he hao comes minute before. Was Rube alone making a defense against twenty? No tbe firing was below the bluff. What could it mean

CHAPTER XII.

REUBEN OTANTON'S STRATAGEM. Lying flat upon tbe great rock, to which tbe rope made from th9 blankets had been attached, tbe borderer watched tbe descent of Arthur with anxious eyes.

Tbe Indians were coming on as fast as they could clamber up the uneven side of the bluff, and our friend calculated closely upon the time left to make his escape.

His gun was already lashed upon bis back and as Arthur went down, he threw bis body over the edge of the cliff, and was holding on with breathless anxiety, when he felt tbe fabric give way 'below, and saw tbe severed ends flutter out in tbe breeze half way to the earth. Tbe last source of retreat was cut off, and tbe last chance of cscape gone.

In this condition there are very few men but would have yielded without further effort yet Reuben Stanton was not the person to despair or lose his wits so long as breath was left him, aud suddenly, as if throwing off a bewilderment that bad clouded his face, he cautiously drew himself back upon tbe rock's surface and crept along its verge to tbe right. Reaching a farther extremity, he lound a bushy evergreen struggling for life at that high point, and so close to the margin that its boughs reached out and hung beyond the margin of the tower. Orasping this aioatiJ the trunk close to the roots, with both hands, the borderer crept under the verdsnt foliage, and dropped out of s«igbt beneath its friendly limbs. Scarcely had be disappeared, when tbe bowling Sioux reached the point that he had just left. He heard tbe grunt of disappointment as tbe savages gathered at tbe spot, *nd presently was electrified to hear them talk of how the palefaces had escape-1.

S*tne were not apparently satisfied, and the patter of moccasinod feet upon the stone told plainly enough that the biding places were being searched out.

Tbey ran rapidly here and there, keaping up a continuous chatter. Enough could be heard by the hunter to assure him that with the majority but little was entertained of finding there the ones they sought. His hope now was that tbey would give up at once, for be could not long endure the strain upon his physical strength. A tread came near the busb to which Kube was clinging and hanging suspended over the yawning abyss below. The boughs rustled, the borderer's heart throbbed rapidly, but tbe suspense was only momentary tbe soft tread retreated and the savages made their way hurriedly down the decline.

After they had gone our friend made an effort to regain tbe rock, but his arms bad become so numbed supporting the weight of bis heavy body, that the effort was almost superhuman that brought bim back to terra firma again. •Wbew!' he breathed with a sigh of relief, as he worked bis arms back and form to renew the circulation of blood through the veins. 'Now the redskius think the lad and I have gone down tbe rope, tbey will go to the foot of the bluff, and then whip around it in tbe hopes of finding us there, and more than likely tney will meet the boy, for he will not leave until he knows what has beceme of me. I must look to this.'

So saying, Rube unstrapped his gun and foUowed in the footsteps of tbe enemy, but keeping himself well covered in all his movements. When be reached tbe spot where the defense bad been made, be suddenly stopped, and drawing bis long bunting knife severed three long braids of hair from tbe bead of one of the fallen Sioux, and fastening them together with a string, tied tbem to tbe crown of his own head, so that tbey bung upon hia back after the manner of that tribe. Tucking bis slouch hat in bis pocket, he smeared bis face with dampened powder, and wrapping himself in tbe blanket of the unfortunate enemy, I he artful hunWr glided on at an increased rate of speed.

When be reached the base of tbe hill tbe Indians bad left, and having a sufficient number of horses to mount tbem all, Robe f«lt dubious about his stratagem being of any advantage, but he did net stop to ponder on tbe situation. Turning an abrupt corner, he found himself face to face with half a doean Sioux who were returning, leading their ponies. There was not time for nim to turn to tbe right or left, so he stood stock-still and determined to let them pass in silence if they would if not, to make tbe best ot the situation.

One of the foremost accosted him in his own tongue, and the hunter replied with a cold grunt, and asked where they were going, in as good Sioux language as the first.

He was informed that the fast running of the tribe had gone after tbe pale faces, and that they were going back to take away the dead that were lying upon tbe bluff. •Will you go with us?' continued tbe

"^Slck/ the bord«frer answered, leaning up against a rock. 'Ride pony asked one of the Sioux, sympathetically.

Rube assented very readily, for here, be thought, was an opportunity to pat bimvelf la a situation to follow tbe horsemen who won, ss ho believed, in nutsuit of Arthur.

During tbe conversation, which bad not been canted pn very rigoroaaly, from a lack of Interest on tbe part of the Indian, and from foar of exposure on the part of the wldte man In praise, the party of Sioux, save ths Oood Samaritan, passed on, and to let tbem get a Mr disUaoe awa^tbebuntor feigned weakness and lassitude, and made all the delay be ooold^

After an apparently painful eSint^tn aeated himself upon the animal, Hia next effort wss to get the freedom ofthe beast, hut this waa not so easily dona the Sioux dung to the thonf that waa used for a bridle and urged the pony along. I

Robe drew up on the cord, and the Tndian believing it was done from the rider being unable to support himself without aid, stepped back and took Rube by the leg.

One touch was sufficient. One look at the heavy boots of tbe borderer told the quick eyed son of the forest that no Sioux wore those things, and with a yell as shrill as a locomotive's whistle* the savage drew his tomahawk.

Tbe borderer could not get possession oF tbe horse he oould not have the heart to atrike down the man, savage as he was, who bad shown kindness, and before the weapon in the hand of tbe stalwart brave could be used, the mimic Indian slipped from the back of tbe animal, ana bounded of right.

CHAPTER XIIL

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.

Arthur had scarcely changed his purpose from pursuing the mystic girl to going back to tbe oluff, from whence bad eome the report of firearms, when a new surprise was met.

There were the sound 3 of dashing hoofs upon the stony stretch along tbe river oourse.

He suddenly drew in Flash, and peered Into the deepening twilight. Horsemen were coming down upon him at a rapid gait, ana in a minute more would reach the spot where be had halted.

He could only discern phantom-like figures they were he knew not what perhaps Indians fleeing in dismay, or, as probable, Red Eye's braves in hot pursuit of some outnumbered party of whites.

Hardly had these reflections crossed the mina of our little hero, when evidences came that tlie latter thought was corriBct. Hideous yells broke out upon the evening air, and were echoed back from the walls that bound the other side of the singing. •We had better be getting out of this,' the boy said to his horse, as he tnrned the animal's head to take tbe back tr&ck

Half a mile below the lad came to a cut through the rugged hills—an open space that led out into tbe prairie. 'We are in plain sailing now,' he murmurred, as be turned into tbe gap, 'and noSionx, however well mounted, can reach us. What ssy you, old fellow?'

As If in answer, Flash swept along an arrow from a bow five hundred yards or more, and then the master, as if a new resolution bad been formed, drew up tbe rein again, and came to a full stop.

Glancing over his shoulder be saw that pursued and pursuers were following in bis tracks. Arthur's curiosity was awakened Perhaps Rube bad escaped and the savages were at his heels at all events he would know. Guiding Flash into a deeply shadowed nook, he awaited the comiug of the party.

Flash waa in the height of excitement. His well turned ears stood straight up, and bis eyes shone with an unnatural fire. He pressed hard against tbe bit, and pawea the earth furiously. 'Quiet, old fellow, quiet!' spoke the boy in gentle, soothing words. 'I will not keep you long.'

On came tbe horsemen two there were of tbe fugitives, and as tbe moou fell upon the face of one tbem who bad turned bis head aside, Arthur cried out wildly:

Father"!' Mr. Hampton, for it was he, htard the voice, audit thrilled him through and through. 'Arthur! my boy, my boy!' he cried with emotion, at the same time drawing rein on Nell.

The meeting bad been so sudden, so unexp'vted,. and under such exciting circumstances that both were almost overpowered with ecstasy.

A halt had scarcely been made, however tether and son rode away side by side, Hiid Zip, the dwarf, kept fully abreast.

Hasty words were exchanged, tho one all anxious to know if any discovery had been made of Alletta, the other to know if his oioiher and sister lived.

Arthur learned that Alletta was a captive, the mother safe. But there was no good news of the cherished daughter for the anxioas sire.

For a full half hour the horses kept up a faster rate of speed than the savages oould make upon their ponitts, aud so absorbed bad been our friends in the happy meeting that they became almost unconscious of all else around tbem, and not until five straight miles bad been passed, was it discovered that Zip was no longer with them and nowhere to be seen.

Tbe moon shone out with its full, round face, lighting up tbe landscape so that a moving object as large as tbe dwarf and bis hoise could have been seen a good distance away.

Hampton became anxious, and after a little conference with Arthur, tbe steeds were guided to the brbw of a large knoll, whert a better viftw might be gained. 'How came that queer looking fellow with you Arthur asked, after tbey bad scannod tbe broad expanse as far as the eye could reach, without discovery. •His services were tendered by tbe farmer under whose protection your mother waa left.' 'Services!' laughed tbe youth. 'What can such a tree-toad do among tike Sioux?' 'I queried the same way wben we started out, but very soon found my mistake. He is a prodigy, my boy as sly as a fox and wakeful as a weasel, ss slippery as an eel, artful on the trail, and a dead shot.' •Possible?' 'I owe much to Mm, Arthur, already. It was his intuition that led me to you it was bis sagacity that saved our lives anbouragp." 'How was tbat?' 'We came np the river to tbe rapids by his suggestion, and then crossed over onto this side, when wo ran spat upon a score of Sioux, and before we could comprehend tt* situation, were surrounded by tbem."

Arthur became deeply interested. 'I supposed there wss no use making a defense, as tbe number was too great for us to oope with, and the Indiana felt so certain of us that tbey lifted not a gun.' •Who did shoot tben tbe boy put In impatiently. 'I certainly beard several shots.' 'I will tell you. Zipdld not appear in tbe least disconcerted. "Is there any way to get out of this?" I ssked, and he replied, "Mor'n likely," a favorite term of his when expressing an afflmative opinion, and the next I knew tho fellow bad apparently turned himself wrong side out. He stood npon tbe horse back on all fotxr% and barked likea'wolf then sssuming the form of a fowL bespread hia coat skirts and gave the ahrili cry of tbe "death bird," which the Sioax hold in aortal terror unde* certain dreomsfancwa. •The savagee drew baek and the dwai/ renewed hia efforts to bewilder them. Quick as lightning be turned a baek suusetssull and alighted

horse, began firing after the retreating forms. 1 did tbe sam», hoping to add oonsternation to frenzy, but here was' our mistake the firing appeared to assure tbem that they had not meta ghost, and gathering their force, they came back pell mell af er us. The way waa now opan and we fled.' 'It ia not probable, tben, tbat tbe fel-#, low has been captured since,' our little" hero said, in a hopeful way.' •I think he is all right, wbea-ever he is,' returned the other 'there is no knowing what crochet entered his head it may be tbat he has attempted to divert the Sioux from us, and then outwit tbem *xu his own release.'* 'I would liketoseehismanoauverings.' And Arthur gathered up the bridle reinstx g! as if to start in quest of Zip. 'We will remain here a little longer,' the father said, 'and, by the way, you left a letter pinned to tbe wall of the "-v/ subterranean passage from the cellar of our home to the river, in which you spoke of going away with one Reuben^* Stanton, a hunter. What of him?' jMi

Arthur bowed his head sadly J:// 'I fear be is dead, the good, faithful^:' an I a an he

tion in which I left bim was of extreme^, peril, but then be was so prudent, so$r, artful—' S

Hampton took tlie boy by the arm.|!~ 'Arthur, tell me of it all!' be breathed^ out hurriedly. 'I have reasons for wish-pf ing that man to livo!'

Briefly the circumstances of theirg meeting, tbe adventure at tbe Devil'spi Bin, tbe encounter upon tbe bluff, and^ the separation, were given. I •Then you see no—' b.

The question was interrupted. Just'* then there came on the s-,111 air of the evening, from a mile away, a whooping tbat startled the horsemen and took^ their uudivided attention. •Zip is stirring tbein up in some man-1^" ner,' said the father, as he stood listening. 'They certainly have not captured? him, for they would not yell in that way51? if they had,'returned the boy. 'Wo shall know what is up presently,' continued tbe first, 'for they are evident-y ly coming this way.'

Five minutes later, and objects came in sight. There were mounted Indians* in the rear, while leading them came a horse without rider. 'Tuey have taken Zip, and are nowjij trying to capture bis horse,' Arthur said

There was such a comical look upon the dwarfs homely face as ho spread tbe great mouth and ball* shut bis twinkling^

weekV

upon

the earth

than, llkeaeatamounk apcang onto the leader*a pony behind the rider, and pricked the animal with hia knits until it plunged away in apite of the efforts of tbe rider to stay him. The whole posse followed, and Zip, mounting hia own

hurriedly. Tbe father made no reply. Tbe single horse was wall in advance,^ so they could wait until it came up before giving rein to tbeir own steeds.

Nearer, nearer came the Hying animal, and as it dashed up and stopped, ZlpJ^ slipped from under its neck, where he'v, had susprrded himself by legs and arms^ to avoid the bullets of the enemy, andv with tbe agility of a monkey, sprang^' into his saddle.

Arthur burst into a roar of^

eyes, that lauguter [TO BE CONTINUED.]

V.rf si AN AWFUL SCENE.

t.j.ji

Wanting to the Devotees of Tight Skirtp— ,%i VW AMM '/V/TT'TL LL/V What aLong Train Did.

A dinner party was about to be held' at a very grand bouse in London the guests had arrived a gorgeous flunkey5® had announced that ail was ready, and»l. the guests, pairing off in tbe usual rash-^ ion, so suggestive of the loving 6ouples|^ In the valentines aderuing our shop" windows, were the act of descending the stairease toward tbe dining room. Belew in tbe hall stood any number of& magnificent men servants, waiters andf&i retainers generally. And now, leaving^,, the guests UDOU the Btairs for half a^ minute, I must diverge first to infoim^r you, in case, as a member of tbe sterner$$ and less made up sex, you should not be\ aware of the fact that the present attenuated style of femalo figure from tbow hips downward is caused by what a fine^f writer, In a late millinery and dry goods^ advertisement, called a "perfect revolu-^ tion in the style of ladles' upidercloth-^ ing," which revolution, being interpret-^ ed, means tbat the multitudinous unmentionable garments which used in&> days of yore to make up that portion of a woman's dress which is not displayed^.,'outside for a rude masculine public ta%x jiaxe at, are by tbe present devotees of fashion entirely discarded, and that^ underneath a lady's dress nowadays is& hardly anything to be found, save a$g%,. tight fitting fciiit of brown, composed of^ soft and yielding leather in the winter, and of heaven knows what in tho aum-w mer. Only by wearing tbis perfectly5 revolutionary style can the closely clinging fit of the skirts, so dear to thef" fair sex of to-day, be produced. Tab return to tbe dinner guestB upon tbeh* staircase. The lafdy on the arm of tbeP first gentleman of the procession was^ gliding down in all ber glory, her trains trailing after ber several yards along the^ stairs, when suddenly the gnntloman^next behind ber, in the drendiui clumsy& manner of bis misguided sex, trod upon*1* ber dress. Can you not fancy the look, with which, across ber shoulder, sber, withered that unbappy wretch? Horror! There was, all in the space of a-m second, a dreadful crack, a fearful sound .! of rending, and.tbe entire sklilr, in sight of all tbe company behind wearer and of the flunkies in tbe hall below.L, fell to her fe-t. Shall I pursue the awful**1 story, or will you fancy for yourself the^ picture? Tbe elaborately arranged hair, tbe white neck ringed round with glit-r tering jewelry, the fashionably trimmed dress body, and then—no, really, it is'quite too awkward.—London Letter.

SMALL BEGINNINGS. A writer in tbe St. Louis Herald recalls^ wben, in 1846-7, be and a number of oth-|$ er actors boarded at tbe beuse of a Widow O'Brien, ia Baltimore-rates, |250 a week, salaries ranging from fo to |12 a,/ week. When they baa a few red cents to spare, Mike O'Brien, the boy, was sent out for a pitcher of beer. (At present be is general superintendent of the, Southern Express Company.) Mike and another boy used to quarrel nightly for the privilege of carrying tbe basket to tbe Museum, tbe salary attached to this: important position being 25 cent* a week. (Tbe other boy is now known to' the profession aa Theodore Hamilton.) Averyotreful young actor who was' playing seoond comedy partagot |7 a-

besides |2.5C for helping to paint

soeneiy* (The present generation knows him Joe Jefferson.) Another useful, young man, subsequently known ss Dolly

Davedport, got |5. A third was? conmdered to be more valuable and ess- j? ily commanded fB. His name was John S. McDonough. John X. Mortimer wss another member of tho company, while of the ladlea the most distinguished got no less than 912 a week. Subsequently she married an expreasman named ,* John Ho«w and baa entertained a Presl-' dent la ber humble cottage at Long

iArgeaales indicate the merits of all good articles. Druggists sell more of Dr. Bull'a Baby Syrup than of all other ramedifla fur the con of Baby Disorders.