Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 12, Number 44, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 April 1882 — Page 6

6

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

The Novelist.

MAD EZEKIEL

—OR—

Mystery of the Backwoods.

BY BANDY G. V. ORISWOU).

CHAPTER VIII. A I.IGHT IN THE WOODS.

Hugh and Bessie wondered at the Btrange conduct of the Mingo, but they 4i,l not tarry long at the tree-root.

The two set out through the blind wilderness straight before them, only anxious to leave the dreadful spot where their savage foes had so lately been, and where the stiff and ghastly forma of MitHKwanco and Rabbit Legs still lay.

Just at daybreak they found themuelveH at the margin of a dried-up swamp.

In the luxuriant and dense undergrowth here formed, Hugh concluded it advisable to pas# the day.

The lovers found a cozy little retreat, and the day came and passed uninterrupted by any alarming occurrence.

Our fnenda gubaisted entirely upon berries and roots, McFarley not daring to use his gun to secure game for fear of attracting some lurking foe.

When evening came, they were off again, their course being shaped as nearly as possible in the direction of Harmar.

They had traversed a very short distance, when the twinkling light «f a tire caught their vision.

Cautiously moving closer, the low hum «f voices struck their ears. "Indians!" Exclaimed the startled hunter, an he came to a halt. "Oh, Hugh. I don't believe—there, hear that laugh? Surely tbey are white men," and Bessie trembled lest her hopee should be dashed down by disappointment. "Thank Heaven! Bessie, it is even so they are whites, und there's quite a party of them! Como, wo will throw oqraelvos upon their mercy."

Grasping Bessie's hand, Hugh hurried toward the camp-fire asif in fear it would ieuve them.

In a fow minutes they had reached a clump of alders, but a hundred yards or BO from the tire, and just as McFarley obtained a glimpse of the face of Jim Holmes, his foot caught in a hidden vine und sent him crashing headliug among the bushes. "Who goes thar?" came in stern tones from the hunters'bivouac. "Hugh McFarley, Jim, and Bessie Morgan!" critid the almost frantic huntor, as he scrambled tw his feet, and dashed from the eovcrt toward the dumfounded borderer.

Ralph Dnrfee, Mothotug and their threo Hulxmlinates, after tlie tragic fate of Mtirtkvvanco and IlabbitLegs, retreated far into the wilderness, never baiting until tho bullied outlaw declared they wore safe from pursuit.

Thoy had brought up on the outskirts of thA identical lried-up niora«s mentioned in this narrative several times before and i» the tangled undergrowth hero formed, they found a fit place of concealment.

Immediately after recovering from their precipitous flight, Methotug and iJurtao held an earnest conference, which resulted in the Indian's dispatching tho fleotewt runnei in the gang to tho nearest Irfingo toAU for re-enforcements.

The night passed, tho following day Oaino went,, and the etoning shadows still found the murderous party lying concealed in the covert of the awiunp.

AH tho gloom deepened and twilight tied, Mothotug grew impatient at the nonappearance of the expected re-en-forrements.

He strode Iwckward and forward near their place of concealment, restless, sullen and brooding.

Again, as for the twentieth tinaet tho -fretful chief arose to maxo observations. His quick cyesnddonly caught the faint glimmer of a tiro far back iu the gloomy reverses of the swam r. "H-ooh!' he exclaimed in deep "let ray

brothers look," and nis out-

Wtretohod tinger pointed toward the will-o'-the-wisp-like object that had attracted his attention.

Tho other two Mingos and Durfee speedily reached his side and gazed eagerly in the direction indicated. "Their cat-like eyes caught tho glimmering light almost instanteously.

IT\S A camp-tire!" declared one. "White or ml that's the question," inter joined the renegade. "Hist!" wharplv objured the chief. "To- whit-ta-wlio-oo-o!" "Hal the Wolf." exultantly exclaimed Methotug. "The tireat Spirit is with the Minuet* to-night. To-whit-la-who-hoo-ck-4" and again the dismal signal rewounded through the forest.

A brief interval of sib-nee followed, and then out of the darkness came the grim messenger whom Methotog had dcspatchm! for re-enforcement*, and at hi» beeJs stalked a down swarthy warri«n«.

Mothotug immediately went to see what the light meant, ami soon returnmi, stating that it was the white rangers f»»e*nipodt-here, and that Bessio was with them. 1 jke a line of evil spirits, the Mingos bwjan their advance upon the hunters' Mvonao, their black eyes scintillating with ferocious eagerness, and their reu tingw* nervously clutchiug their weapon* of death.

CHAPTKK IX.

A TRKAl'HKROt'S SHuT.

"Whoopee! whoopla! whar's the nee?" roiled the old der-stalker, inn delirium of delighted amawment, as young McFarley and Be«.ie answered his challenge by mshing among the startled and wonder-stricken trail-hunters. "I'm a heikiring alHgnter ef this dont beat aiij thing "*t I ever feed. «»ve up your fisl."

Tho meeting was a glad one, and our friends were soon made comfortable in Iho ramp.

They were carrying on a lively con•ersaUon when

the

deer-stalker sudden­

ly bounded to his feet and cried out: "What w«a that?'' It was the aharp crack of a rifle, and a ahert of flame was seen issuing from the underbrush, not a hundred paces distant.

Affrighted and bewildered, the eutire party leaped to their feet, but one soon n*nk to the earth again, with a low, piteous moan, and his pallid face tnrned toward the biasing fire.

It waa Aaron Smith, and he was a

way, boy«!" wildly called

Holme*. he gl»nced at the quivering and bleeding fonn of poor Aan»n. "We mnst have the life of the devil who fiml that shot, or die trying!" and with a fierce, maddened cry, he bounded to­

ward the clump of "bushes, over which still hung a cloud of sulphurous vapor, reckless of his own life, and with the entire band of borderers shouting and eager for vengeaace, at his heels.

In a few seconds, the last one had disappeared. A silence like that of the grave now held sway ovor and around th© spot where burned the hunters' camp-fire.

The lovers, like the scouts, had regained their feet on the deliverance of the shot that had killed Smith. "Oh, Hugh, this is terrible!" wailed Bessie. "Courage, Bessie, I will defend you with my life but come, we must leave this spot. Who knows what minute another shot may be fired?"

With this declaration, the young man turned in his tracks, enly to find himself face to face with two stalwart Indian warriors, who had come, whither he knew not.

Before he could determine on any action whatever, like tigers they leaped upon him.

As McFarley struggled to free himself, he saw Ralph Durfee bound forward from out the darkness, and with the assistance of still another Indian, who seemed born of the black gloom around, drag the fainting form of Bessie away.

Desperately the young hunter struggled with his foes, but the fates were against him.

Indian after Indian appeared, and Hugh was quickly overpowered and bound and then, panting, bruised and bleeding, he was hurried off into the

As Holmes and his men dashed toward the spot from which the shot had been fired that killed Smith, they caught a glimpse of the dusky figure of the cowardly assassin as he vanished.

With infuriated clamor they sprang after him. They had little hope, however, of overhauling the fleet-footed skulker in the dark and tangly morass.

Nevertheless they dashed on, determined to slay or capture the cowardly villian if itbe within the scope of human possibility.

Not a quarter of a mile had been traversed, when suddenly, to their surprise, they ran upon an Indian, a solitary warrior, stanuing with his back against a tree and his hands folded over the muzzle of his gun.

The woods were quite open at this point, and the starlight of sufficient strength to render surrounding objects distinctly visible. "Whoola! by the ringed tail of the old he alligater hisself, boys, hyar's the eneakin cur we're arter what shall we do with him?" cried the old deer-stalk-er, leveling his rifle at the head of the Indian. "What have vou got to say fur yourself now, Mr. Injun? Shall I blow your brains out right hyar, or tote you back an' toast you over a slow fire? Speak out, orIfll jest send an ounce of lead through your painted noddle quicker'u & wink!" "Would the Long Knife take the life of a friend?"

Not a muscle quivered in the red man face as he asked the question. "A friend! Kill him fur that, Jim. Kill him, I say, or I'll throttle you!" and big Zack Flinn grew livid with rage at what he considered eftrontery 011 the part of the Indian, and quickly drawing his knife he rushed furiously toward him.

Springing to one side the warrior straightened up his splendid form awd said: "Swallow Wing stands before you— he is a Mingo, and would save you all!" "Swallow Wing!" echoed Holmes, in undisguised astonishment. "I am Swallow Wing, the white man's friend!" "How are you going to prove that? "If my deeds do not, theu I must die." "Wall, they don't seem to, but quite the contrary. What are you doing hyai?" "Watching the white man's enemywatching my enemy." "Whoare they?" "Does the white hunter know Ralph Durfee?" "Yas, yas. What of him, redskin— what of him?'' "Last night I ran away with his captive, a fair young girl." "Where is she now?" "Swallow Wing saw her safe in the hands of a white hunter." "Who was she?" "Bessie Morgan, Durfee called her." "Bessie Morgan! boys, d'ye hear that?" and Holmes turned excitedly to his men, continuing: "Now, 1 reckon you'll allow him to be taken into camp, an' if Miss Bessie identifies him as her rescuer you'll not clamor so loud fur his life? Shall we go back and see what the girl has to sav?" •,Yas, Jim, it is no more than fair that we should, and let's hurry, furl feeloneasy about leaving the boy and gal alone so long."

Without further ado the party set out on their return to camp, with Swallow Wing accompanying them submissively.

In a short time they reached the little open space iu the morass' heart, where smoldered their camp-fire, but not a living soul was visible. "Augh! boys, this looks quar, powerful quar, an' I'mafcard—ah! look hyar!'' and leaping forward, tho old deerstalker stooped and picked up an arrowthat had been dropped by one of the Indians in their struggle with young McFarley. "The reds hev been hyar since we left, an' the boy an' gal are gone," muttered Jim, as he arose from his hands and knees, on which he had been examining the multitude of moccasin imprints about the camp-tire. "Yas, the bloodthirsty wolves hev been hj-ar," cried Zack Flinn, "and I'll l*t my shooter agin a toad-stool that this nigger we've got in our clutches has Iwen a party to thar visit. Let's kill him bove."

Just then from ont a little open space shot a strange and uncouth figure, whose loug, bonv arm knocked up the rifle's muzzle, aimed at the Mingo's breast, just as it poured forth its stream of fire and smoke, and sent its deadly missile whistling off over the Indian tufted head.

Startled and awe-stricken alike, the hunter's gazed upon the incomprehensible being.

It wasMad Esekiel!

CHAPTER X.

THE OR ART HVNTKB'S WARXlSO. The captive Mingo seemed to shrink within himself at the sight of the crazy wanderer, and uncertain as was the light of tbe glaring eyes of the maniac observed the movement of the Indian. "Ha. ha! 'tis well yuocower from me!" cried Ezekiel, his burning orbs rolling in a horrible frenzy. "I am death to

from yours into mine, and stayed the uplifted hand. "I am not mad, but then why should I

see in one's eyes another's—why mistake thing* for what they are not. When I saw the hunter's rifle bearing on your heart, Mingo, there was something in your eyea, your face, your form, brought to life the dead, and with this resurrection came my reason. She, too, had a tawy skin, dark eyes and black hair, hence your life was spared but should my madness return again I'd tear thee limb from limb! I crave thy life's blood—would lap it up drop by drop. "I shall kill you yet, I know I shall. Heaven defend! for in your eyes shine hers. Ha! my brain grows hot and dizzy! Fly, fly, son of the forest, ere my madness seizes me!" and clasping his forehead with one band, the hopeless maniac pointed with his gun off into the dismal depths of the woods.

Swallow Wing, whose face seemed to have turned fairly white, awaited no second urging, but turning, like a hunted deer, he sprang away into the darkness, and not a hunter dared lift hand or voice in remonstrance. "Hark!" adjured the madman, in ft hoarse whisper, after the Indian had vanished. "Hark!" and he took a step forward and bent his shaggy head to listen. "Hark! a woeful tale the winds tell". Oh, men of mortal mold, awake! Death is swooping full-winged through the black woods the red wolves are abroad. Mad Ezekiel hears their unholy clamor for blood! Be warned in time, be warned!

The mysterious being glided away in the gloom. After the mad hunter had gone, the borderers stood like so many statues, gazing iu fearful confusion and bewilderment into each Others' faces.

Jim Holmes, tbe sturdy old deerstalker, was the first to regain his equanimity, and giving the expiring tire a qicious kick, he exclaimed: "Augh, boys, he a quar critter, an' you may depend on't that we'll see sights afore we're many hours older."

Silent and sad the borderers set to work,and with their knives and hatchets soon made an excavation of sufficient dimensions to receive the corpse, which was solemnly lowered into it and carefully covered.

The sod was replaced with remarkable accuracy, aud all traces of fresh earth concealed.

To guard still more effectually against discoverv, Zack Flinn cut off several bushes and stuck them in tbe ground directly over the grave. This was done so natnrally that none but the most

Fraud.

racticcd eye would have detected the

"Now, my boys, we'll take the trail, an' I fer one will never rest until Bessie Morgan is either dead or safe, an' Ralph Durfee receives his just desarts."

For an hour's time they tramped along in the same dreary silence, Jim Holmes in the lead, the rest following close behind, with ready rifles, and eyes and ears open, on the lookout for danger.

Suddenly the little band of adventurers were brought to standstill by a crashing in the undergrowth in their front, a cashing as if one of the heavy, overhanging limbs had fallen among the bushes below. "Now, what in the thunderation war that?" queried Holmes, in suppressed tones, bringing his rifle into a position for instant use, before taking a step in reconnoissance. "It sounded like 'down, boys, down!'"

As he spoke, the old deer-stalker threw himself prostrate upon the earth. Ere his loss fortunate comrades could follow his example, a bright glancing sheet of flame burst athwart the low line of shrubbery in their front, arid the deafening report of a score of rifles rang upon tho morning air.

Hezekiah Starke fell like a log, dead in his tracks. Huggins and Kirby received severe wounds, yet maintained their feet, while big Zack Flinn escaped with a scratch, and Jim Holmes was untouched.

With the roar of their muskets, a swarm of half naked warriors, with the fierce Methotug at their head, sprang from the bushes, brandished their weapons, and came screaming down upon the scouts like a whirlwind.

Holmes, Flinn, Huggins and Kirby raised their rifles together, and tired only when the savage horde was close upon them.

Three shots out of the quartette took effect, and as many swarthy figures fell Shrieking and writhing to tho earth.

Their pieces emptied, the hunters eagerly bounded forward to meet their treacherous assailants, demonstrating that coolness and bravery that has passed the naoio of the eariy borderer Into proverb.

Swinging his heavy rifle over his head, the old doer-stalker brought it down upon the shaven crown of the nearost barbarian with such force as to shatter it like an egg-shell, and theu, in a mad frenzy, he dashed into the very midst of the howling fiends.

Determined to share the fate of tlieir noble leader, whatsoever it might be. Flinn, Huggins and Kirbv followed close in his tracks, infuriated to the last degree, and shouting and whooping worse than the Mingos themselves.

They were quickly surrounded, and it looked asif their wonderful vUor and fierce resolution could avail them naught.

Hope seemed to flee yet they never turned to retreat, nor did they evince a single symptom of fright or demoralization onlv hurled their reeking weapons upon the assailants with fiercer determination than ever.

Upon every hand were the trail hunters effectually hemmed in,and heroically, fought for life ami vengeance.

Bravely, heroically, these desperate scouts battled for tlieir lives yet their prodigious deeds were all in vain.

In ten minutes from the first onset, Jim Holmes and big Zack Flinn found themselves alone in the midst of that circle of malignant barbarians.

All the rest were down, and still those two old veteran woodsmen would not succumb. (-loser and closer pressed the exultant Mingos, and each second their situation grew more hopeless.

At last Flian gave a quick, backward leap, as if he would escape the ball that bad already done its work then recoving himself, he continued the terrible struggle as if nothing to discourage him had occurred.

His looks, also, told a sadly different tale. A deathly hue had overspread his shrinking features, his powerful frame began to tremble like a reed in the wind, and it was with tbe utmost difficulty be retained bis feet.

It was his magnificent physical condition and invincible will that alone sustained him.

Suddenly, for the first time, he seemed to realize the terrible disaster that bad befallen him, and placing his hand to his breast, something trickled between his fingers, and removing it, he beheld it dripping with blood.

The murderous work had been well done big Zack Flinn's life was slowly ebbing.

Holmes did not suspect tbe horrible calamity that had overtaken the last of his brave men until he was startled by the wounded hunter's exclamation

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MATT.

uiGood-by,

Jim, good-bv I'm shot,

through ana through I'm Here his rifle fell from his weakening grasp. He staggered a step or two, a spasmodic shudder ran over his relaxing frame, and with a low moan of agony, he stretched forth his trembling hands, convulsively clutching at Holmes' arm for support but failing in his feeble effort, he fell prone to tbe earth, with a copious ejection of blood from his mouth and nostrils. "All dead!" cried Jim, frantically "then, Holmes, you dog, you must get out o' this."

Swinging his formidable weapon over, around and about him, he absolutely closed upou the blood-craving Mingos, and before they could comprehend the object of his unexampled daring, he had accomplished his purpose, and had mowed a passage through their lines into the grav old woods. \Vith a derisive shout, the invulnerable old scout vanished into the nearest thicket, and the Mingos, setting up a yell of baffled rage, followed in swift pursuit.

CHAPTER XL

WING-OF-THE-SWALLOW.

Holmes had fled but a short distance, when his practiced ears told him that his pursuers were gaining on him.

Day was just breaking, and as he turned his head and hokea back through the misty light of the woods, he saw the dusky figures of three IndiaBs bounding forward upon his track, like the tireless animals they were, and skillfully reloading his rifle as he ran, he endeavored to increase his rapid pace.

The quick-witted hunter was not slow to see that he would shortly be overhauled unless some other plan than merely straightforward flight was called into requisition. Accordingly, he turned all his efforts toward misleading his enemies, fully sensible that if this could be accomplished for but a few minutes, it would give him sufficient vantageground to warrant his ultimale escape.

Into this flimsy hope he threw all the energy of his body, all the sagacity of his mind, and yet the human bloodhounds could not be baffled pr thrown off the scent.

Miles of hill and ravine, of rocks, morass aud stream, were crossed, and still the indurated borderer held on his way, unbroken in epirit, yet terribly wearied in limb.

Holmes glanced back over his shoulder hurriedly, and hope instantly gained the ascendency, only one pursuer being in view. This one, however, persistent and untiring as a sleuth-hound, was gaining upon him with dangerous rapidity.

Had the old deer-stalker known that the tireless Mingo in his rear was the treacherous murderer of Aaron Smith, he would have stopped and given him battle, notwithstanding the imminent risk he ran of losing his own scalp.

It was the Wolf, aud no swifter footed runner belonged to the whole Mingo nation.

Suddenly he uttered a quick, exultant shout and whirled al»ft his deadly tomahawk, preparatory to the fatal cast.

Just at this critical instant the panting scout again turned his head for a backward glance, and in so doing pitched headlong over an old log, falling upon his face with considerable violence.

The Mingo was close behind, but he nimbly cleared'the obstruction at a leap, and yet, in spite of a desperate attempt to prevent it, be went sprawling at full length over the prostrate body of the hunter.

Holmes, quickly springing to his feet, clutched his rifle and rushed upon his outstretched enemv.

The Wolf was just raising himself on his elbow, grinning hideously through his war paint, when the old deer-killer thrust the muzzle of his gun into bis face and pulled the trigger, thust cutting off a most diabolical howl.

Jim was about to resume his flight when be felt a pair of vise-like arms close around him.

He struggled .desperately, but was quickly lifted bodily from the ground, hurled violently upon his back, and pinned to the earth as if by the prodigious power of a giant.

Holmes knew that he was within the grasp of one of the other Indians, who had pounced upon him unawares.

The old deer-stalker continued to writhe and twist and essay to defend himself, but so effectually washesecured bv his adversary's engirdling arms that be had not the slightest show to use any Weapon, albeit the savage was in precisely the same predicament, for if he relinquished his hold on the hunter there was danger of his losing the advantage he hud already gained.

It was while the two combatants lav thus that a fierce whoop rang through the arches of the forest.

This elicited an exclamation of savage satisfaction from the muscular heathen holding the deer-stalker down, and the hapless ranger's heart sank within him as he espied the dusky form of the third Mingo leaping toward him.

Hope gave way to despair, and in another minute the Indian spainted visage was gloating over him as he performed a series of scientific flourishes around his feathered head with his tomahawk, as if to deliver the final blow with fell accuracy.

Instead of the expected stroke—instead of feeling the cold steel crashing through his brain, ho heard a horrible thud, dull and hollow, and felt the weight of his burly antagonist roll suddenly from his breast.

In wonder and bewilderment the old deer-stalker scrambled to his feet. Standing before him, motionle.-w as an image carved from stone, was an Indian warrior, decked out in the full war-paint of the Mingos.

He strained his visual organs almost to bursting in an unavailing effort to recognize bis benefactor.

Then, as he was about to dart off into the woods again, the strange savage turned his tufted crest and looked him full in the face. "Swallow- Wing!" wildly exclaimed the Astonished hunter. "Yea, Swallow Wing and does the fate of yon bowling Wolf and Hocyah

S[nives?"

rove his friendship for tho Long and the mystic Indian pointed at the lifeless forms at their feet. "It does, fur a dead sartin thing. Hyar. give us your band," and Jim stepped forward and warmly grasped the Indian's hand hencefotwaru your enemies nre mine!" "It is well," was tbe sententious response of Swallow Wing, and then he continued: "But come if we would help the young hunter and the little squaw we must overtake Methotug hefore the breaking of another morn/'

With this the two started at a brisk pace, shaping their course in a northeasterly direction.

CHAPTER XII.

DKKB-STALKKR AKD HIS BED FBIK!»D. After hurriedly marching a mile or two into tbe forest, after the capture of Hugh McFarley and Bessie Morgan, Ralph Durfee and bis barbarous associates came to a halt for tbe purpose ef holding a consultation.

All the succeeding day tbe renegade

and his party kept up their steady march through the. pathless woods. In the evening they brought up at the base of a slight eminence, deep in the woods, and made their preparations for passing the night.

While one went for more fuel, another stirred the fire, a third examined the priming of the rifles, and the Mingo chief and the renegade approacned the captives for the purpose of securing them against the possibility of escape.

They compelled Bessie to place her hands behind her, and then with a tough deerskid thong tied her delicate wrists together.

This thong they then attached to another piece of deerskin, which they made fast to a tree.

Having at last secured the prisoners to their satisfaction, the Indians, laid down upon the ground, moccasionedfeet to the fire.

Thus disposed, half an hour went by, when all, including Durfee, gave evidences of being asleep, or at least in that peculiar drowsy state from which the North American Indian gains rest when on the hunt or war-path.

All this time, Bessie Morgan had been watching them intently, with the faint hope that she might" discover some means of escape.

None rewarded her search, and fiually she gave up in despair, and gazing listlessly about her, with her eyes fixed on no particular place or object, she was suddenly startled, almost into an exclamation* of betrayal, by having her attention riveted upon a spot not one hundred yards away.

She saw a knot-like protuberance slowly rise l'rom behind and old log, slowly and cautiously, until the coonskin cap of a hunter was visible then came the two restless eyes glaring from among a mass of shaggy brows, then the whole face, but immediately ducked out of sight again.

So distingly was the thrilling sighi imprinted upon her vision, that no sooner had the face disappeared than^ts identitv beoome fixed in her mind,

It was the face of Jim Homes, the deer-stalker! Bessie was allowed but a minute to speculate over this electrifying discovery when at tbe opposite end of the log another exhibition somewhat similar took place.

This time the head that appeared, instead of being crowned with a coonskin cap, was smoothly shaven, save the scalp-lock,and ornamented with tbe tail feathers of an osprey.

It was with an almost over-powering emotion that Bessie recognized her old friend, the mysterious young Mingo chief, Swallow Wing.

Her feelings were those of unspeakable joy, and tbe knowledge that friends were near filled her throbbing heart with a renewal of hope.

As she again glanced toward the log she saw- Holmes motioning to her with his baud.

For little time she was at a loss to uuderstand his meaning, but soon felt certain that it wa9 only a signal to assure her that they were friends.

Darhiiess, however, soon deepened, and in the fading lig'ht, the outlines of the log could bo but indefinitely described.

Half an hour elapsed in unbroken quiet, but at the end of that time, Bessie heard a slight disturbance among her slumbering custodians, and turning her head, she saw one of them rise to replenish the tire.

The girl covertly watched him kick the smoldering embers (together, and then cast on the handful of fagots that remained.

He stood watching them a minute, and then, with a surly grunt, strode off into the woods, evidently in quest of additional fuel.

Bessie's heart almost ceased its beating as she beheld him stalking straight toward the old log where her friends lay concealed.

Suddenly he stopped still, not twenty feet from tho log, and she saw him bend his head and body slightly forward, as if barkening for a repetition of some sound that had aroused his suspicions.

After the lapse of a few seconds, the Indian seemed satisfied, and he continued his course on toward tho log, when a dark figure shot through the air in a noiseless leap, coming down square upon the helpless Mingo with a precision that showed how infallible had been his calculations.

It was Swallow Wing! With fingers of steel ho clutched the horrified wretch by the throat, and bearing him to the earth, drove his keen blade to its hilt into his naked breast.

Despite the young chief most strenuous efforts to prevent it, a long wild shriek escaped the lips of the dying warrior, and rang in startling reverberations through the dark woods.

Instantaneously, Ralph Durfee, the renegade, Methotug and his hideous confederates were upon their feet, and with weapons drawn, thej- glared about them in terror and confusion.

A rifle flashed upon the night's blackness, and another brave tottered and fell, half into the fire.

Realizing that they were attacked by a determined foe, Durfee and Methotug. the craven scoundrels, turned and fled into thedarknoss.

The fourth savage was a fiend to the core, and with a whoop of fury, he branished his krife and rushed toward Dossio*

His purpose could hardly have been divined before something was seen to flash in a circle around the head of Swallow Wing, and tbe next instant bis gleaming tomahawk shot as if from a catapult from his upraised hand, and the warrior fell to the ground dead.

Then the old deer-stalkei1 and the young chief sprang to the release of the captives.

Holmes, with several quick sweeps of his knife, liberated the young hunter, while Swallow Wing performed alike service for Bessie.

Finding bis limbs free, McFarley ran eagerly toward his sweetheart prying: "Heaven bless you, Bessie! are you hurt?" "Thank tbe merciful father, dear, Hugh, we are saved and the maiden fell forward into the youth's arms.

The fugutives turned their backs upon the tragic spot and plunged into the forbidding woods.

The old deer-stalker led the way, closely followed by the watchful Mingo, while the lovers brought up in the rear, the trembling girl clinging tightly to the young hunter's arm.

In tbe course of an hour the fugitives reached the banks of tbe Muskingum, and Swallow Wing, after a little search, faund tbe canoe ne had referred to, where be left it secreted while on a aeerbunt several moons before. "Let my friends get in, and we wui be off at once," observed tbe Indian, as he steadied the frail craft with bis band.

Before any one oould make a

Since the days oC

"8wayne*s Oiatment" Hlppocratcs no rem"8wayiie'» Ointment" edy has obtained so "Swayne'S Ointment") boundless confidence "Swayne's Ointment" or conferred on man"8wayne's Ointment") kind so wtimable a "Swayne's Ointment") bhssing as Swayne's "Swayne's Ointment" -Ointment. "Swayne's Ointment" "Swayne's Ointment" "Swayne's Ointment" "Swayne's Ointment"» "Swayne's OinUneut") "Certainly the best "Swayne's Ointment" J-remedy ever in my "Swayaes Ointment"! practice." O. W. Ooiton.M. D. ot Vermont.

"Cures" "Cures" "Cures" "Cares" "Cures" "Cures" "Cures" "Cares"

1 ItcuresTettu*-, Itch, Salt Hhcum, Scald Head, Karbers Itch,

Sores, Scaly, Crusty, S ItcJis Skiu Eruptions ^and that terrible malady, "Itching Piles."

The symptoms of J- which are moisture like perspiraHon, inten so itch 1 uc—partic«lnrly at nignt after getting wnrni, which feels as it pin worms were erawliuy in and 1 about, tlio lcctum.

"Itching Piles'' "Itching Piles'' "Itching Piles" "Itching Mies" "Itching Piles'' "Itching Piles" "Itching Piles" "Itching riles" "Itching Piles'"

The private parts are .-often ailiicted. For this or any skin disease Swayne's Ointmcnt is superior to any articlo in the tliii market.

I

'•All" "All" •All"

"I have suitered 25 "1 veans from Itching '-lMIcs.consulted many pliysiciuns nod used many remedies but Wound no permanent I until 1 used Swayne's *i C»i 111." (rftO. '-Simpson, Now Haven, Cl. *1

"Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases" "Skin Diseases"

Ask your drumist for it. siSMwly

A CARD.

To all who are suffering from the errors and indiscretions of youth, nervous weakness, early decay, lossof manhood, AT., I will send a recipe that will cure you, FREE OF CHARGE. Tills great remedy was discovered by a missionary in South America. Scud a self-addressed envelope to tiic Rev. Joseph

I.i in 1, iti') 11 D. New York City. no-(iin.

8I5SO per year can be ea-sily made at heme working for K. O. Hideout A Co., 10 Barclay Street, New York. Send for their catalogue and full particulars.

CONSUMPTION.

Owing to a popular idea that a remedy said to cure ii variety of tmiliulies should ho treated with caution, if not suspicion, the, Inventor hesitated some time in placing It before the pub'ic but from the gratifying assurance by a great number of the rare vitadsr.lng and health-renewing properties of his preparation of Hypophosphites, under a variety of circumstanocs, he is equally satisfied that these effects are secured by its use, Hint its action is pceuller to his preparation, and that 4'«»nnnni|»ilon is not only curable but up to a certain stage, is as oasily controlk'd us most other organic I sense*.

While it is the aim of the invents to convey information to such as require his Hy-tiun .. t. *1.. «!.. llu pophosphitcs, it is his firm bullet that will be va

valuable to all who desire a long life, or who are struggling for health. "With faith based upon the experience 01 twelve years, he would not despair of rcstrrIng a patient suffering from the above-named dtseftHe, even though reduced to a very low state and not complicated by actual organic loss.

FI.INT, Mini. May 10th, LR80.

Dear Sir: A'low me to say that I esteem your •'Hypophosphiten"most highly, and for those engaged in professions whlrti draw largely on the nervous system it is Invaluable. I have used it myself with Hi" inont"satisfactory results and have Introduced ii to a large

Iteverend K. liAiiut.

Pastor St. MichnelV Catholic Church. SOLI) HY ALL DHUOCISTS.

WHS. LVDIA E. PINKHiM, OF LYNH, MISS.,

S7) J*

wf

y) /J A/ Ar

LYDIA E. PINKHAM'S

•VEftrcTABLE COMPOUND. IN a POBHITC Core f««ll tk«»o Fulnrul CompUlota MBA

Jt will care •ntlr»ly tl»« wornt

mo*f,

obedience to his suggestion, a long, wilo tumultuous halloo, that rang far

Md

wide through the gloomy woods, emanated from a spot not

$5 to

five-hundred

soa&Co~, ParUand/lMaiae.

yards

froan where tney stood! [TO BE OOirnXtrBP 5BXT WEKK-1

form

otTtmti* Com-

otalnto, nil oT*rl»n trouble, In0*m«n«tion and Wcor* tlon FalUn* PUipl—awnf. «"J

con*T1«nt

Bptn'.l W«lrneM, and te particular "Uptod to Chang* *C Ufa ,, It will ll»eol** and «*p*l tumor* from the *Urn« in an ewly »t*g* d***kpm*nt. Hi* Undeoey to canoeroM Mmor»U»*r*I* checked very »pee4Uy by Me w*.

It rtrnvorM tatoto*** flatofcney, dortrojenU wlnc for stimulant*, and relieve* w*«kn«** of tbe *tomacb. It cure* BlotUnf, (MarfaebM, N*rroa* lYo»lratton, General Mrfllty, B^cple—n—, l*pre*lou auti IxxU-

That rating of l»«uir^r down, rAndnr r«,n. «nd backache,i«alwayp(MrmaiMNtl/ cured by It* oe*. It will at all Hmiff a®4 «ad*r all drcumntaw** act In barmosy with tlM lav* that govern Uie female

For tl»* cur* of Kidney Coaqrialsta of *JUi** mx l&J* Compound «MOIT****4I.YPIA T~ PMEHiXI VEGETABLE COM* POCKD1* prepared at in and US W««um Arena*, Lysa.lfaa*. Price ft. IlibottJeefor $8. Sent by mall la tbe fona of pOls, also Intb* form of lo**»*«a, on reeatpt of prfee, |1 p*r bo* for either. Urt, Ptnfcbam freely uuwer* all letter* of Inquiry, Send tor pempklet. jtilih i* a* above. KtiUion tht* Paptt. %o family ebouMI be without I.TDIA E. ruHHIHI LTvm PILLS. Tbey rur* eouaUpation, hoipurna^ torpidity of tbe Il*er. S3 cent* per beat. gsr Hold by all Dragglfta.

.Per VMU can be made in any local^Jtty. Homethlng entirely new tor ente. 15. outfit free. ii. W. IGRA RAM CO- Boston Maw. rij*-flm.

$30 2