Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 9, Number 28, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 11 January 1879 — Page 7

THE MAIL

A Paper

for the PEOpfl.

THE ANGEL'S WHISPER.

Bea

V-

And the tempest waa swelling Round the fisherman's dwelling. And she cried, "Dermot, darling, oh! onme back to me." 5 Her beada while sho numbered,

The baby still slumbered.

DO DftDj

Bull

Slum

Owl

My child, thy sleep adorning,

Bald, "I knew that the angels were whispering with the-?. —Samuel Lover.

From the Inter-Ocean.

The Marked Rifle

OR,

THE FATE OFTHE OVERLANDERS

upmB

Bright watch t'er thy sleeping. O pray to th« soaly, my baby, with me And say thou would'at rather

They'd watch o'er thy father! For 1 know that the angels are whispering miration and tenderness. wtv ihoA Hatuxma ValantinA Kfl with thee.

The dawn of the morning Saw Dermot returning. And the wife wept with joy her babe father to see,

And closely oaressiDg Her child with a blessing.

lir

BY C. LEON MEREDITH,

Author ot "Boy Captive." and other stories

CHAPTER I.

THE HUNTER'S GIFT.

It was an isolated but oomfortable looking house in Iowa, before which a wagon stood loaded with all sorts of household effects.

Only one glance was necessary to show even a casual observer that the lonely habitation was about to be de66rt6(i«

A middle aged man was carrying out trifling articles such as at first bad been set aside as worthless, and sticking them here and there into the load, as If, when the hour for departure had come, he could not bear the thought of leaving a single heirloom behind, however old and useless.

At last, as if satisfied with the work of packing, Lester Hamley stood with folaed arms in the doorway of the domicile and took a general survey of familiar objects on either hand. Then, as if be had bidden all a silent farewell, he turned gently to a beautiful girl, who stood at the doorstone, and said: 'There, Mabel, I believe we are ready for a start. I do not see anything more to be done.' 'The iron tube, father is that safely placed

Lester Hamley started. 'It i9 singular, Mabel, that I should have forgotten that,' he said, with a flash upon his face, and, wheeling quickly about, be drew a spade from the loaded vehicle, and began lifting the earth from an unmarked spot close by the doorsteps.

A few shovelfuls of clay were thrown out. then a flit stone lifted, which revealed the object sought for. It was an iron tube, not more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and some eight or ten inches long.

The iron was rusty, indicating that it had lain secreted for a long time, but whatever it contained could not have been damaged either by corrosion or moisture, for the ends of tho tube were firmly plugged and sealed. 'I would give a little something to know what this bit of musket barrel contains,' the father said, turning the article over in his bauds slowly, and gazing upon it as if his sight might possibly penetrate its mysteries. 'You have never heard from tae one who so hastily forced it upon you?' Mabel said. 'Never a word he was doubtless overtaken and killed, poor man. Had there been a dozen seoonds for explanation I

been a dosen seoonds for explanation affection had taken upon might have learned something as to who

he was, and what this piece of iron contains now I know nothing and c&u con jecture nothing.' othing. tears coursing down her cheeks her 7 »you

n,°i ope»ni.i'

see what it contain* tho knowledge

may lead yon to the owner if he lives, or to his family should he be dead.' 'Not now, alabel. will I do that. I made disturb would be secure from fire or thieves. I -r-

a laconic answer as be finished speaking, but did not change her attitude. Lester Ilamley oould not help but notice the peculiar change in his daughter's manner, and, glancing in the direction the girl appeared to be gazing, he murmured: 'Ah! I see.' 'There is a horseman coming, father. •Certainly, I have observed the fact but I suppose it would be extremely difficult for you to surmise who the fellow is?' 'Not at all, father,' the girl said, blushing. 'No one can mistake (Jerome Val-

that silence would »e the more discreet, for she eon Id not deny an admiration for the approaching horseman, and she did not care to confess it.

Mis* Hamley was in her I9tb year, and her girlish Vaoe possessed more than ordinary beauty. Her form wua tall and shapely her rich brown hair, unbound, covered ahead perfect in shape, and fell in waving masses around the iraoeful shoulders and perfect neck.

S[ereytwof

£-rdn.fpi'rP,«i»r,,(

the

''"V

Tf W Mll«Vi 1

whioh they were fates had passed hi*

heart8

gave the man my n.me h. could h.T. {JHILfound me had I been soagbt, tad yet

tood with her faoe partly turn-

ed away, and as if wholly unmindful of

what her father was saying. She gave

fit^

of the beauty—ifegav® her

but the him be

to journey

... edict upo

must go, and Mabel woula not be left behind. There was a heaviness lurking at the heart of the loving parent whluh be oould not shake off—a foreboding of some evil he kuew not what, but there was comfort in knowing that the girl did not partake of the feeling.

A baby was sleeping. xhe pat 01 me norae a itwk w» uuw Its mother was weeping, heard as It galloped on toward the For her husband was far on the wild aging

The pat of the horsed feet was now

hQuse oyer aoft graaa

that carpeted

the prairie. A few seconds more and Gerome Valentine drew rein and dismounted at the doorstone.

Shaking hands with Mr. Hamley, he lifted his bat to Mabel with a cheery 'good morning,' and_ expressed his re

uu 9 o«

And smiled in htr face as she bended h«r grets that the new friends, so he oalled them, had found it neoeasary to leave ofblpst be that warning,

Where he belonged they knew not, for they had not deemed it prudent to ask, and the hunter had never taken the trouble to tell. This muoh was known: he was in the West to spend the summer sporting, and had oome from the East.

Standing nearly six feet in height, of splendid proportions, handsome features, with an unmistakable show of culture and refinement in hia every movement, it is no wonder that Mabel in her secluded home was attracted by the youthful stranger.

His words to her were choice and kind In tone, but he had never seen hor exoept in the presence of her father, and no words of love had ever passed between them.

He had learned of the intended departure of Mr. Hamley, and had oome especially at this time to bid him adieu.

Ten minutes of kind wishes and talk as to route, and the hunter mounted his horse again and laid his highly ornamented rifle upon the pommel of the saddle before him, preparatory tor a start.

Mabel was helped to a seat upon the wagon, her father took his place beside her, and drew up the reins for a start but the team did not move just then. Young Valentine had dismounted again and asked them to delay just a moment.

Throwing the bridle over his arm, the hunter led his steed to the side or the wagon upon which Mabel sat, and, looking up into the girl's crimsoned face, while his own was pale and his lips tremulous, said:

Miss Hamley, you are going into a new, wild region, where dangers will beset you on every hand fierce beasts and fiercer savages lurk there for the destruction of the unprotected, and I ask you to take from me this rifle it Is of beautifal workmanship, a repeater, and I feel certain has a strange bistoury, though that historv is unknown to me.' 'Mr. Valentine, could not think of receiving—' •Da not refuse,' he pleaded, interrupting her reply, and there was such an earnestness in his words, such adepth of entreaty in the handsome face, that Mabel allowed the ornamented piece, with its accoutrements, to be placed mpon her lap.

She could not find words for reply. She felt confused, and. hardly knowing what she did, her hand fell into the palm of the one that lay at her side, and. In the silent second or two that followed, heart told heart of a deep, pure love that lips dare not then express.

The sweet season of silent rapture ended all too soon neither wished to separate, but it .must be

ho.

He had gone there for the

ii-i

their prairie home for the rocky wilds of

For Iknowthkt t^rngete a?e whispering ^e unsettled regions ot the Northwest with thee. And while they are keeping'

ern territory. His expression was not mere words his looks were in full keeping with the regret spoken, and his large, dark blue eyes were bent upon the gentle belnu before him with a peoullar look of ad

Gerome Valentine bad called at the Hamley cottage several times when crossing the prairie upon his hunting •s expeditions, and beoame acquainted in a very natural way with father and child.

Before

Mabel really comprehended her feelings there was a dash of horses' feet, and Qerome Valentine was galloping away to the northward, now and then lifting bis hat as he passed over the billowy prairie, while tire wagon in which she aat was trundling westward.

Lester Hamley was not entirely ignorant of the feeling that had grown up between his daughter and the geutlemanly hunter, but he did not kuow the

their hearts. He looked sympathetically into the girl's faoe as they rode on. There were

©yes were bent upon a little green

re9ted

upon a small hillock

mound that rested at the left, her mother's grave

Tk«? .1.21! fi weep,' he said to himself, and he was a pledge, a hasty pledge, not to altogether wrong in this conclusion It, but to secrete it where it

'Perhaps it is the last 1 xk at chat makes her

in f„ara

her

^oart

wag gore

wa»on

his not coming does not remove the aradually. the pang that moral obligation I feel resting upon

faad closed the

the partings, and

"le felt relief in tears. An hour or two passed up6n the emi-

before 'many'words were

™.tino .innn spoken, then, gradually, the pang that resting upon

,«* inawmnd in fia weinht

tokened in its weight

'S?nhMrt'

*nd

M,bel

bec4"" b8r"

Jfle bad lain upon

G^e Valentine

her knees as

bad placed it. The

father thought best not to disturb it, and n"w the girl lifts the piece with admir ing eyes, and calls the attention of her parent to its beauty.

It was mounted with silver, and ornamented on the stock with artistic inlaying* of gold and pearl.

Mabel turned the rifle over, and examined every, part, for all displayed masterly workmanship. Finally her eyes rested upon peculiar marks cut upon the silver guard. Letters, clear aud distinct, were engraved there, and surrounded by a pannel covered with

JiO (Jut? Cili UllHUlKtt VicruluW wronthn 8be ."nod the piece, and, placing

d"j not^p^Tlur.Sh, felt I

bat aat upon the quwnlyh^d, one side, Hamley looked at the lettering of the narrow brii^urn^^ and ^»y-nous,' he read aloud, ed, while a iTi i' Why should the words be in French?' This bat well

$*j»ner(ius soul, and was not a little

'Th'rri'fl8'°m»8t Skve a hiMory," lb.

wrong in his conjecture, but how came hebv it? If I am not mistaken, I have seen it before. The same desperate man who thrust upon me the iron tnbe bore a rille li ko this.'

Mabel stared in the speaker's face with a look of bewilderment. Sure enough, if that desperate man of whom her ftUber had talked so much waq owner of this weapon, how came Qerome Valentine by it?

raoeiui 'The words in the marking may have dark hazel If,*??i a double meaning,' the man continued, •oft, filled with^ a qmd. i1®^"jji' as if to relieve his child's apparent anxthe mouth wassmall^wlatralandiWOuld like to see the hunter

^^'t^snss'sisss

the WrTOm^exioii _oerlwJj but his conjectures were

a saucy

which, Sn her gentleness, made her all

more bewitching. aide, what trials they were to endure hor a minute or two Mabel stood

fore uj6_ should

I P"«

,b0M

Dpo°""

look, yr9 uttle knew, nor had it entered

intQ fche

thoughts of the fair one at hia

know the fullim-i

""WOKta!

*M-

thk ihoa ttjhk,

Mood of her beauty and graces. He Two years before the opening of our ip »ot feel that she was fitted for the atory, Leeter Hamley settled, temporariiaolated place they had been oconpying. ]y( iQ the prairie home that we hare just and much le«s for the wllderneae into'ge«n him deaert.

restoring the impaired health of Mrs. Hamley, but the fell deatroyer came the balmy, pure brefesaa oould not build up the wasting lung*, and one year after tfie removal," the inound was made upon the hillock, and the spot marked aa the resting plaoe of Mabel's mother.

Hamley's business at the metropolis having been disposed of, be oared not wblob way be turned now. His daughter and only child was all he had to live tor. Although his means were not great, he felt that they were sufflolent to provide for their comforts.

Months passed after the death of the matron, and the question of leaving the rented prairie home was hardly dlaoussed. Mabel had left school lust before their retirement, and the wild, free life was so exhilirating, ao romantic, she did not oare to leave It and there was the spot where the cherished mother bad breathed out her last prayerful breath, and the placo seemed hallowed and sacred to the loving child.

One day, soon after the death of the matron, Lester Hamley made a short trip up the Sioux river, where he met with a most singular occurrence.

It was at the hour of nightfall. The twilight had faded into a shadowy darkness, not intense, but such as gives to Inanimate objects all about the appearanoe of speaters when one is alone in the solitudes of the wilderness, and with his own thoughts. The most solemn hour of the day.

He was moving rapidly down the river bank. Suddenly bis attention was attracted by the craok of a rifle not fi away, and Immediately following this white man, hatless, and with glaring eyes, rushed out of a thicket, ana dashing up to his side, cried out: 'In the name of mercy take this and seorete it for me. It contains the most sacred thing I possess. I am pursued by Indians—they are olose upon my trail. Take Itl take it!

With the words he forced an iron tube into tbe hands of Hamley. 'Promise to keep it intact—promise, ha cried again, with singular vehemence 'It is more than life to me. Tell me you will keep it safely, secure from the hands of thieves, or the fiendish tongue of fire. Every second endangers our lives—promise, for the loye of heaven promise!'

The frantic man clung wildly, Implor ingly to the stranger, his sad, worn face full of anguish and terror. 'I promise,' Hamley answered, firmly, •but how shall I find you to restore it again?'

Give me your name, that is all sufn clent. I will find you if I survive this night, the fugitive whispered hoarsely.

The name was given and the place where Hamley lived then the pursued gazed in the direction from whence he had come, and starting up, exclaimed in bated breath: 'Save yourself, quick, away, the de mons will keep my trail you must not be seen.'

With the words the^ speaker bounded away like a young roe, and the bewildered Hamley stood alone, holding in his hand tbe cold, solid article so singularly ferced upon him.

He was puzzled more deeply, perhaps, from having noticed that the strange man had a handsome, intellectual face, the apparel ef a gentleman, and carried a rifle beautifully ornamented with choice settings and bright mountings.

Under the excitement of the moment that they were together, he had not thought to ask tbe fugitive's name, and neither did he think, in time, to offer bis aid in defense.

These reflections came as Lester Hamley moved away from the place of meeting.

Ten seconds after tbe spot had been left a brace of fully equipped Indians darted from the brushwoJa with rapid, silent steps upon tbe trail of the flying white man.

At tbe place where tbe paths crossed a little delay was made, a second or two, and then the savages started on.

Hamley saw nothing more of the pur suers or pursued, but several times he stopped and listened, believing that he haa heard faintly from the distance the detonations of a rifle.

The iron tube was carefully buried near his own doorstone, so as to be safe from either thieves or fire, as he bad promised, and It was left undisturbed until the bright May morning—a year later—when father ana child abandoned the place forever.

The wagon containing our friends moved with tolerable speed toward the great river of tbe far northwest without halting until full noon. 'I dare not go further until the boy comes/ Mr. Hamley said, after they had

Eave

artaken of a frugal dinner he should overtaken us before this.' «1 think I see him now,' replied Mabel, shading her eyes and looking back over the prairie in the direction from whence they bad come. 'Right,' responded the father,'that's Flip, the rogue, he's been up to some deviltry, I'll warrant, to make such a delay.'

With the .family had oome to the West a negro boy, or servant, a bright, intelligent fellow, some 15 or 10 years of age— no one knew exactly bow old he was, but he was a sprightly lad, as supple as an eel and as artful as a fox.

Flip was the only ame tbe boy would answer to. so all indulged him. He preferred this to bis teal name, Philip, for he felt it to be more appropriate, as tbe boys at the East had dubbed him thus, and, to his immense satisfaction, years before, on account of his wonderful antics.

On the day of tbb departure Flip had gone npon an eirrand to a settlement five miles distant, and was to cross the prairie and join the wagon wherever he could overtake it but it was expected that he would reach the point of meeting long before the hour in which we now find Mr. Hamley and Mabel waiting for htm.

Twenty minutes passed after the ap-

roach of the boy was discovered before galloped up to the wagon. On his rouud, ebony race a smile was beaming, as if something had occurred to please the lad. 'Why were you so long gone, Flip?' the master asked, as the yonth dismounted. 'We have been delayed on your account. We dared not move ahead, fearing you might fall to find us.' 'I mot dat gemman, de hunter, an' he ask me heap ef questions about where we was goin, an' he gib me dls,' Flip said, palling a revolver from tbe inside his coat. (Gave you that Mabel said, wonder-

'n*Yes, Missus, he said dat we was goin' where de Inglns was thicker dan muskeeters, ao' I must protect you, missus de man made me promise on my knees dat I'd stan' by ye and fight if I loss my woolly scalp by it, an' 1% dah missus, •very time.'

Tbe girl blushed at the words of Flip, and there was alight in her sweet eyes which revealed the fact to a certainty In the mind of the doting father that his daughter cared more for Gerome Valentine than she would oonfoss, and the two gifts from the young hunter, he thought also, that the man bad a greater interest in the safety of Mabel than a

TERRE HAUTE RATI] RD AY' ICY EN IN G- MAIL

r—r

IlfSSS

mere admiring friend would have but be appeared not to notice tbe girl's emotion, and, taking the revolver from tbe negro's band, he examined it closelv. •"Tls a splendid seven shooter, of improved pattern,' be said, handing the pistol back. 'With all of our weapons we shall be a host, a regular army, but I hope we will have no occasion to u*e our firearms upon human beings.' 'I trust not, father,' Mabel returned, 'but Mr. Valentine appears to be apprehensive that we are to meet vyith dangers, and shonld we, I feel that I shall be possessed of sufflolent nerve to use tbe king of rifles, wbioh has been so generously bestowed.' •Noidoubt of It, child. Your mother was as firm In the hour of danger as a chieftain,. and you are her second self. But come, Flip, mount, we mu9t move on.' 'I has more to say respecting what happened at de burg, Massa Hamly,' the boy said, as be obeyed the order given. 'I seed dat man wid de black eyes, and de spurs on bis heel, what come to de house several times wldout no reason, and looked at Missus Mabel as if be'd burn her frew wld his optics.' 'Vican!' Miss Hamley said, with a start. 'Dem's wbat he calls blsself,' Flip replied 'but it ain't no sign dat it's bis name.' 'I was in hopes the man bad left the West,' tbe father put in, with a sympathetic look upon bis face as be noticed Mabel's distress. 'Did be speak to you, Flip?' 'Yes, sab he passed de oompliments of de day, and den says, "how's de folks?" I says dey's all well. Den be says, "Ibeard dat Mr. Hamley was goin' to move West," arid I told him dat you did think something about it, but hadn't fixed no time yet to go. He said I was lying to him, and he banded me dls and said: "Now, boy, tell me de trufe. When is de move to take place?" Flip took from his pocket a new silver dollar and held it up to view. 'You took the money and told him, did you, Flipr 'I took de money, massa, dat's suah, bat I wooled him on de oder part. I told him dat you'd be on de road in about two weeks. I felt dat to be oertaln, cos ye will, massa Hamley dat was no lie.'

They knew tbe boy well enough to be confident that he was telling the truth, and did not censure him for misguiding Vican, for both Mabel and her father had a rather bad opinion of tbe man. They hardly felt that he would follow them on their journey, and yet they preferred that he be in ignorance of their removal until they were well out of his reach.

Luther Vican hM made excuses to visit the Hamley family a dozan times or more, and at last, after he had become somewhat familiar, declared an attachment for Mabel, and pleaded for her hand in marriage.

He was kindly but firmly refused. The girl told him that it would be a solemn mockery, for she had no affection to bestow upon him. He talked of her learning to love him, but all to nu avail, and at last his evil spirit came to the surface. He became enraged, and declared that the day would come when she would be his wife, and repent not having submitted to his pleadings willingly.

After that Mabel refused to see Vican, and for several weeks she had not heard anything of him.

In part to free themselves from this man, whom they felt certain had some mercenary motive, they knew not what, in asking for Mabel's hand,' the father and daughter determined tbe westward trip.

Hamley, aside from this, possessed the same burning spirit that filled the breast of Baone and a host of others, and led them into a wilderness with their families, where dangers lay thick on every hand. Hamley believed that the great region of country along the Upper Missouri River should be subjugated and become a valuable portion of the commonwealth, and Mabel, all of earth be had to care for, being in full sympathy with the parent, there was no hindrance to the immigration. Others had gone before and broken tbe way they would follow. »r if

CHAPTER III.

?JVALKNTINK MAKES A DISCOVERT.

When Gerome Valentine turned away from the girl to whom he had presented tbe marked rille, he felt a great light go out from

his

soul felt as if the one

bright object of his existence was lost to him forever. He had loved her from the first moment in which they had met, but ber ways were so quiet, sweet, and compla cent he had not dared to hope that her gentle words and looks to him were more than Mabel would bestow upon any friend.

This last meeting, the firm pressure of the trembling hand, the quivering lip and moistened eye had told his heart that his great love was requited, but the haste of the moment, the excitement under which he attempted to make known his devotion, did not permit of words, and the avowal which the young hunter's heart was bursting to make was left unspoken.

Again and again Gerome Valentine turned In his saddle and watched for a little time the great vehicle which was slowly bearing his treasure away. 'Must it be so?' he said aloud, with a heavy frown resting upon his brow 'I cannot remain away from New York longer than the 1st of June. 1 cannot go wltn her, and when I shall be able to oome West again, where Mabel is, God only knows.'

While the friends had met frequently at the house ot tbe girl's father, they knew but little of each other's past history or future plans. Mabel cared not to know further than her own heart gathered Intuitively. If Gerome Valentine had been proven over and over again to be a model of all that was good, it would not have strengthened her convictions one iota, and had he been accused as convincingly of being all that was bad she would not have believed a word of it. His great, honest, generous soul was indexed upon the shapely face, and beamed from the clear, dark blue eye with unmistakable certainty.

He had nev$r told Mabel of Jiis wealth of his father's vast possessions, both in this country and India, to whioh he was the sole heir. He bad n6v»r alhtded to bis superintendence of importations in tbe metropolis. She only knew that he had oome out from tbe hum of the great city to spend a month or two In the chase upon the wild, free prairie.

As Lester Hamley had no fixed plan, no Idea oould be given as to the part of the Northwest in which he would bring up. He intended to travel leisurely, and investigate as he went, and when a location was found that pleased him, be •would stop, and remain there that was tbe way he reasoned before setting out —that was what be had told Gerome Valentine, so the search in tbe future might be a long, weary, and fruitless one.

Yonng Valentine finally dropped tbe bridle rein upon the neck uf hia steed, folded his arms upon his breast, and allowed the animal to take its own gait. The wagon was now out ef sight, and

.^v'' '4"

every moment appeared to be placing an unfathomable distance between himself and his love—be could not hasten on.

At the margin of tbe settlement, the horseman met Flip, tbe negro boy. Valentine oould not send such a message, as bis very soul was yearning to. by the African, but he found opportunity to make manifest again his thoughtful care for tbe gentle girl. His wish was to dare to do more, a thousand times more, but he could not overreach the bounds of propriety. He bad never spoken of love, and be bad no right to assume the position of inamorata.

Valentine did not hunt that day he spent his time moodily around the settlement, but most of bis hours at tbe little tavern at which be had taken lodgings while remaining in that region of the oountry.

A dozen times, at least, he started for tbe stable, determined to monnt his borse and overtake tbe emigrants, but before his saddle was adjusted the thought would come to him: 'What excuse have I for doing susb a thing?'

He would leave tbe stable again, but carrying before bis face in a sweet vision a pair of soft hazel eyes, with drooping lias, looking up bewitchingly into bis own.

Thus tbe day wore slowly away, and night settled down upon the prairie town, and like a pall cloth over the heart of the lover.

It was late when he returned to his room, and, fearing that be would disturb tbe other inmates of the little inn, he walked through tbe house in his stocking feet.

The room adjoining his was occupied by new guests just arrived that day— two men dressed In half Spanish costumes, but evidently American by adoption, if not by birth. Tbe men had not retired. Gerome soon found by tbe frequent movement of heavy boots upon the floor, and the low, hoarse voices which stole through the not over tight partition.

The young hunter at first paid no attention to the noise created in the apartment at tbe left be did not expect, that night, to sleep any way, and bis own thoughts would hold his attention so that he could not be disturbed by tbe words of the conferring men.

He threw himself upou his couch with out undressing, but his head had scarcely touched the pillow when he started up again. He had heard the name of Mabel Hamley spoken by a rough tongue, and a terrible oath was uttered with tbe same breath.

Slipping cautiously from the bed, Gerome Valentine stepped close to tbe partition, with a full determination to eavesdrop. He felt no compunctions of coasoience, for if these rough men were talking profanely of his idol, he should know what it was about—his protection might be needed. 'The girl's a prize, aside from tbe matter we have been talking about,' tbe listener beard one say, 'and I'm a goin' to have her in spite of all power, holy or infernal.' 'That's the way to talk it, Vican,' was the return. 'I'm with ye, but when the whole work's done, I come in for my share oftbespoils.' •A cool five thousand, Beck but, by the wav, have ye seen that young hunter to-day? That ornamented rifle be took out this morning is the one we are looking a fter, I'm certain. I got a pretty close view of it, and think there's no mistake, for there is but one such gun in the West. We must have that piece let come wbat will—buy or steal it— have it auyhow.'

What can afl this mean?' Valentine asked of himself. 'He must have Mabel there are spoils to be divided he mnst have the ornamented rifle, which be does not know that she possesses. There is a mystery here. Some villainous scheme that needs looking after.'

Valentine turned his ear again to tbe crack in the partition to catch the words of the plotters.

A creaking doer in the hall, which tbe wind from an open window was dallying with, broke in upon tbe sentences whioh fell from the lips of Vican and his confederate, but enough was beard to reveal the fact to Gerome that this man had proposed to Miss Hamley, and been refused, firmly, aud that if it became necessary, tbe father of the girl would be put out of the way, and Mabel abducted. 'What we do must be done quickly,' he heard Vican say. 'for I saw tbe nigger boy to-day who lives up ther»j, and found ouc that they are to start in two weeks for the far west.' 'Good for Flip,' tbe voung hunter muttered under his breath.

For an hour or tuore the men talked, and Valentine listened, but nothing particularly new was learned. Then all retired, and the house became silent save the creaking sound of the swinging door.

On the fnllowlnt? day Vican came to Gerome. and alter a short prelude mentioned tbq rifle which he had been seen to carrv, aud when informed that it bad Men disposed of to a traveling party, Vican gave expression to ai oath and turned away.

Valentine did uot lose sight of the two men, and on the third day saw the desperadoes visit the deserted house that stood on the prairie five miles away, and then learned, by low words dropped in the apartment adjoining his own that tbe men were to follow Lester Ham lov*

All idea of returning to New York by the first of June was given up by Valentine without discussion, and a letter was posted, giving important reasons for his indefinite stay at the West.

Next he sought out an old mountain scout, who had been at the settlement a few days, to engage bis services, If possi ble.

The ranger's name was Dan Gleason, a man some forty years of age, with an honest face. Hia hair grew long, and fell in faded locks upon his broad shoul ders. His thin features were expressive of genius in every part. The lines about tbe mouth, aud the twinkle of his pleas ant blue eye, showed a kind, genial nature, and, at the same time, bore evidence of pluck, sagacity, and endurance.

He was dressed in a hunting suit of corduroy, and was well supplied with all tbe necessary equipments for a trip through the Indian oountry, where be felt particularly at home.

sswssw

It was Valentine's good fortane to find Gleasod unemployed, and the promise of a liberal sum secured tbe services of tbe ranger.

Tbe young hunter believed he oould trust the scout, and so unbosomed himself entirely.

,,,

He told Dan of his love, of the villainous plot against Mabel Hamley, and of his desire to save her from the ruffians' hands. •I have bad an eye on the two men, Gleason said, after hearing the lovers story. 'They are strangers to me, but carry too plainly tbe stamp of crime to ba at large. They are desperate men. and will not hesitate to shed blood, but I'm accustomed to deal with that class. When shsll we set abont the work?' •To-morrow.' «I will be ready. I have as good a horse as ever wore a saddle.'

So it was arranged that they were to

follow tbe emigrants as rapidly as possible. Valentine was really glad in his heart that an excuse had been offered, as painful as it appeared, for his seeking out Mabel Hamley and offering his protection.

CHAPTER IV. THE LOST CAJiOB.

Above Yankton, where the great bluff on either side of the Missouri River rise up with bold sides and rugged crests, giving the appearance of having stood the undermining

process

of flowing wa

ter as long as possible, and ready to precipitate tbemselves into tbe muddy stream, a small steamer lay foundering on a sandbar. •Night was rapidly settling down upon the unfortunate craft with its human freightage. Heavy shadows from the great bluffs at the west fell over the river, adding gloom to the disheartened people, who bad learned that the boat oould not be moved that night, at least, and not, perhaps, for a day or two.

The prospect of a wearisome delay was dlsoouraging at tbe best, but this was not wbat brought the solemn stillness over the little assemblage of people. There were apprehensions of danger.

Soon after sunset, one of the boatmen bad espied several canoes with dusky oocupants gliding along the bank where the shadows fell deepest, a little later, dusky forms bad been seen in tbe ravines and upon tho bluff sides, appearing and disappearing, as if watching and reporting tbe oonditlon of tbe stranded boat.

These ominous movements had been

Secame

ointed out to all on board. At once it apparent tbat, if mischief was really intended, the steamer, in its helpless condition, wonld fall easily Into the hands of the multitude of Sioux who oould be assembled under Long Trail at tbat point.

Captain Peros oould not see wby they should be molested, for the red men had been friendly to him ever before tbat time, and yet he could not deny the fact that mischief of some kind was brewing.

was

not yet dark when a canoe con

taining a single Sioux approached the boat. He reached a point naif way between tbe bank and the steamer. There he stopped and made gestures, which were interpreted to mean that he wished to communicate with some one on board.

No decoy was intended, Captain Peros well knew, for no other members of the tribe were in sight, either apon the bank or tbe water, and tbe savage was now within easy range of the boatmen's guns.

Tbe mate came forward and proposed that he go out and see what tbe messenger wanted, as he could speak the Sioux tongue tolerably well.

The mate went, and, after half an hour of talk with the savage, returned, declaring that be could not determine what the Indians proposed to do. Thev threatened to make an attack, bnt, If allowed to take what they wanted from the freightage, they would depart in peace.

There were but three passengers on board, and these would have been readily recognized as our friends Lester Hamley, Mabel, and Flip.

They bad taken tbe boat at Sioux City, bringing aboard the wa^on, household effects, and team, as well as tbe deet footed horse upon which had been mounted the little African when first introduced to tbe reader.

Mabel moved about upon the deck with a pale, calm face. Iler fears bad not found expression upon her lips. Self possessed, she sought her father after darkness had fully come. He was In* close consultation with the chief officer and bis

mate,

as to tbe propriety of mak

ing a defense, when Mabel came up. She reached the group just in time to hear Captain Peros ssy the Indians were after plunder, and not seeking bloodshed, and that if they were allowed to rob the boat, the marauders would depart, leaving the whites to go their way. •You would not think of peacefully submitting to such a thing, would you, captain?' Mr. Hamley asked. •I prefer to lose mv property, and save my life,' was tbe quick answer. •And I prefer to die in defense of my rights, in preference to submitting to a ruthless robbery,' spoke Hamley, warmly. •It Is not best to get overwrought, mf dear sir,' spoke the captain. 'We areonlv imagining things now there may be no attack upon us the best we can do is to be prepared for what may oome, and act according to the demands of the, oocasion.'

Hamley was about to reply, when be! discovered tbe presence of Mabel, and' in to a id glad, childL that you heard the lam captain's words. it's ilble

He savs

nortrouble will oome of tbe skulking Indians about us, so we must not worry' over the affair.'

He led bis child away to the stern of the boat, and then she answered him. 'I heard more than you repeated to me, father. You spoke bravely of defense, he of surrender, in case of attack. Without a unity of feeling and action there can be no hopes of protecting our' rights. If the captain is inclined to cubmit to the demands of the savages, what will his men be worth in defense? I have a thought which I wish to express to you alone. Let us leave the steamerby our own boat, upon the wagon there, while we can.' •Mabel,' said tbe father, seriously, 'you say you heard my words to the« captain. If so, you will not expect meir to leave all I possess on earth to the^ heathenish horde, and fly like a craven b6C8U86 dfln^r threatens. You know* me better than tbat, my child.' 'Fathe'-, bear me first, before you become fixed In purpose,' the girl said,• taking the parent's hand. 'I admire your counts* And spirit more tbsn I can express but there are forebodings of evil in my soul which I cannot avert. You kuow whom the red men seek as captives, and we must not, cannot, be

separated. I feel somehow—I cannot tell wby—that there is more in this movement than is apparent on the surface that it is I whom the Sioux are seeking, and that they are only tools in tbe hands of worse men than them-

'What do you mean, Mabel?' the father interrupted. •Two horsemen have frequently been seen by Flip one of them, he to certain/ Is a party well known to both of us.'* •Vican!' •Yes, Vican. At Sioux City, you will remember, a dark man, a stranger, oame on board. He watched me for a time* attentively, and. after a talk with the mate. (jutaiDj^tho boatmen, Flip followed the man, and saw n\m join Vican, and the two made off up thei river. I am apprehensive of evilly* father. Do you, oan you, blame me •Wby did you not speak to me before*..,, of this, child when the villains were* dogging our steps why did you not' let me know of it?' 'I feared you would make an assaulton Vican, and perhaps lose your life by it. for be is a desperate man. I feel confident of this, for the lamb-like lion*** showed hia teefh tbe last time we met,'and left me with a threat upon his profane lips.' [Cbnftnti4w on Seventh Page.]