xt71c53dz560 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt71c53dz560/data/mets.xml Harbaugh, T. C. (Thomas Chalmers), 1849-1924. 1877  books b92-242-31439919 English Pictorial Print. Co., : Chicago : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Rexford, Eben Eugene, 1848-1916. Treed by a bear. Little Oskaloo, or, The white whirlwind  / T.C. Harbaugh. text Little Oskaloo, or, The white whirlwind  / T.C. Harbaugh. 1877 2002 true xt71c53dz560 section xt71c53dz560 



Complete in one Number.



Entered scord ng to Act of C.rngr-
SERIES ONE.



C0ICAGc3o.



flstflNl. D. c., i. the year i1yy
     NUTMBER 17



r-



Wvil XIT3



BY rr C  B3:A AIJTTE:.



                THE TRAlles 0r THE 2ORE8T.--8ee page 4.
            ('CIAPTER 1.             been struck with the wonderful activity man-
        HISTORY AND A MYSTERY.       l ifested in the various Indian villages on his
 If, in the month of July, 1794, an observingI route.
'White man could have traveled unmolested d  No signs of idleness would have greeted
from the banks of the Ohio river due north to his eye; the young warrior did not recline in
the famous Maumee rapids, he would have the shadow of his birchen lodge enjoying the
                           Cbhagod fr.o LIM.sZ MOCCASIN.



'VV'XX X 3M 3[j'7VX.WX)0.

 



THE NICKEL LIBRAR Y.



comforts of summer life in mid forest. If
his image was reflected in the clear streams,
it was but for a monment, as his lithe canoe
shot from bank to bank. Everything between
the two rivers portended war.
  Indian runners were constantly departing
and arriving at the several native villages,
and excited rroups of Shawnees, Delawares
and Wyandots discussed-not the latest deer
trails, nor the next mQin-feast. but the ap-
proaching coniest for rhe miaslery of power.
  A few years had peassiti away since they
had msta and conquered   larmar and St.
(lair. Those bloody victories had rendered
the Indian bold and aggressive. He believed
himself invincible, and pointed with pride to
the scalps taken on the ill-fated 4th of No-
vemiber, '91.
  But a new foe had advanced from the south 
-treading in the tracks of St. Clair's butch-
ered troops, but with his stern eye fixed on
victory. The Indians were beginning to ex-
hibit signs of alarm-signs first texhiilited at
the British posts in the " Northwe-rnit :n Ter-
ritory," where the powers and generalship of
Wayne were known and acknowledged.
  It was the impetuous, Mad Anthony who
led the advancing columns through the Ohio
forests. He had entered the blood-drenched
territory with the victory of Stony Point to
urge him on to nobler deeds, and with the
firm determination (if punishing the tribes,: I
well as of avenging the defeat of his prede-
cessors.
Tidings of his advance spread like wild-
fire from village to village, and councils be-
came the order of day and night alike.
The Indians knew the Blacksnake, as they
called Wayne. and some, in their fear, coun-
seled peace. But that was not to be thought
of by the chiefs and the young Hotspurs
whose first scalps had been torn from the
heads of Butler's men.
Such sachems as Littl- Turtle, Blue Jacket,
and Bockhougahelas stirred the Indian heart,
and not a few words of encouragement came
from the British forts on the Maumee.
  Simon Girty and kindred spirits moved
from tribe to tribe underrating Wayne before
the august councils, until a united cry of
"war to the knife! "; ascended to the skies.
  The chase suddenly lost its charms to the
scarlet hunter; the dandy turned from his
mirror to the rifle; the very air seemed heavy
with war.
  The older warriors were eager to lay their
pli ns before any one who would listen; they
said that Wayne would mairch with St. Clair's
carelessness, and affirmed that the order of
Indian battle, so successful on that occasion,
would drive the Blacksnake from the terri-

  1Jnder the Indian banner-if the plume of
Little Turtle can be thus designated-the
warriors of seven tribes were marshalling.
There were the Miarmis, the PottawaLtamies,
Delawares. ghawnees, Chippewas, Ottawas,



and Senecas; and in the r .nks of Vach nation
stood not a few white renegades.
It was a formidable force to oppose the
victor of Stony Point, and the reader of our
forest romance will learn with what success
the cabal met.
  We have thought best to prelude our story
with the glimpses at history just given, as it
enables the reader to obtain an idea of the
situation of affairs in the locality throughout
which the incidents that follow take place.


  It was near the close of a sultry day in
July. 1794, that two men reached the right
bank of the Maumee about ten miles below
Fort Defiance, w4hib Wayne had erected and
garrisoned.
  Thev looked like Wyandot warriors, paint-
ed for the war path. `1hey were athletic men,
and one, as could be seen despite the profu-
sion of paint which his face wore, was at
least twenty years the other's senier.
  JLong-barrelled rifles were traisled at their
sides, and their belts carried the Indian's in-
separable companions-the tomahawk and
scalping knife.
  II" There goes the sun." said the youngest of
the pair in unmistakable and melodious En-
gliq-h. "Look at the old planet, Wolf Cap,
if you want to see him before he goes to bed.
These are dangerous times, and one does not
know when the sun sets if he will be permit-
ted to greet it in the morning."
  " That is so, Harvey," was the reply, in the
brusque tone of the rough frontiersman. and
the speaker looked at the magnificent god of
daywhose last streaks of light were crimsoning
the water. "There was atime when I didn't
care if I never beheld the sun again, It was
that night when I came home and found no
house to shelter me; but a dead family among
a heap of smoking ruins, and in a tree hard
by a tomahawk buried to the handle."
  "You have told me," the younger said, as
if to spare his companion the p-ain of nar-
rating the story of the Indian descent upon
his cabin in-Kentucky.
  "So-I have, but I never grow weary of
talking about it. It makes me think of the
revenge I have taken, and it nerves my arm
anew. Boy," and the speaker touched the
youth's shoulder with much tenderness,
" boy, I was goin' to say that I hope the In-
dians will never do vou such an injury."
  "I hope not, Wtolf Cap; but I hate them
all the same.
  ,The frontiersman did not reply for a mo-
ment, but looked across the river longingly
and sad.
  " Harvey," he said, suddenly starting up.
  "we have been separated for four days.
Have you heard of him "
  " Of     " the young scout hesitated.
  " Of Jim Girty, of course."
  "No; but we may obtain some news of
him in a few moments."


 



A.N EiAND OF M1ERCY.



  "In a few moments I do not understand
you.,'
  "I will tell you. I am here by appoint-
ment," said the youth. "In a few moments
I hope to meet a person who will give me
valuable information concerning the hostiles.
She-"
  "A woman " interrupted tie oldest scout.
"Boy, you must not trust these Indian girls
too far. '
  " How do you know she is an Indian girl"
asked Harvey Catlett, starting.
  " Because there are precious few white
girls in these parts. Don't trust her further
than you can see her, Harvey. I would like
to take a squint at the dusky girl."
  The youth was about replying when the
dip of paddles fell upon his practiced ears,
and Wolf Cap started back from the water's
edge, for he, too, had caught the sound.
  "Indians!" he said, and the click of his
rifle was not heard six feet away, but the
youth's painted hand covered the flint.
  "iNo enemy at any rate," he whispered,
looking in the scout's face. "Stay here till
I return. It is Little Moccasin."
  Without fear, but cautiously, Harvey Cat-
lett, Wayne's youngest and trustiest trailer,
glided to the edge of the Water, where he
was joined by a canoe containing a single
person.
  His giant companion rose, and, full of cu-
riosity, tried to distinguish the features of
the canoe's occupant, who was met with a ten-
der welcome at the hands of the young scout.
  But the sun had entirely set, and the couple
formed dark silhouettes on a ghostly back-
ground.
  For many minutes the conversation con-
tinued at the boat, and the impatient Wolf
Cap at last began to creep forward as if upon
a napping foe.
  "I want to get a glimpse at that girl," he
was s Lying to his eager self. "If I think
she is soft soapin' the young feller, why.
this shall be their last meetin'."
  The young couple did not suspect the
scout's movements, and, as he crouched not
twenty feet from the boat and within ear
shot be was surprised to hear Catlett say:
  " i'll let you go when I have shown you to
my friend. He wants to see you. Come,
girl."
  Wolf Cap saw a lithe, girlish figure slip
nimbly from the canoe, and when the youth
turned his face toward the forest, as if to
speak his name, he rose.
  " Here I am," he said, " Forgive me, boy,
but I've been watchin' you. Couldn't help
it, as you talked so long. So this is Little
Moccasin "
  As the border man uttered the euphonious
title he stooped, for he was almost unnatur-
ally tall, and peered inquisitively into the
girl's face.
  It was a pretty face, oval and faultlessly
formed. The skin was not so dark as a war-



a



rior's, and the eyes were soft and full of
depth. Wolf Cap did not study the close-
fitting garments. well beaded and fringed,
nor did he glance at the tiny, almost fairy-
like moccasins which she wore.
  It was the facc that enchained his attention.
  All at once his hand fell from Little Mocca-
sin's shoulder, and he started back, saying in
a wild, incautious tone:
  " Take that girl away, Harvey! For heav-
en's sake don't let her cross my path again(
And if you know what is good for yourself-
for Wayne and his army-you will keep out
of her sight. Is she not goin'"
  The excited scout stepped forward with
quivering nerves as he uttered the last-words.
  "Yes, sir," said the youth quickly, but
throwing himself between the forest beauty
and Wolf Cap. " She is going now,"
  "And will you promise never to see her
again"
  "We'll talk about that at another time.
Come."
  The last word was addressed to Little Moc-
casin, upon whose face an expression of won-
derment rested, and Harvey Catlett led her
to the canoe.
  For several minutes he held her hand, talk-
ing low and earnestly the while, and then
saw her send her light craft into the deep
shadows that hung over the water.
  When the sound of her paddles had died
away the young scout turned to inquire into
Wolf Cap's unaccountable conduct; but to
his surprise the rough borderman was not to
be seen.
  But Harvey Catlett was not long in catch-
ing the sound of receding footsteps, and a
moment later he was hurrying forward to
overtake his companion.
  Ile soon came upon Wolf Cap walking de-
liberately through the forest, and hastened
to address him.
  " Here you are! Wolf Cap, I want to know
who Little Moccasin is."
  The borderman did not stop to reply, but
looked over his left shoulder and said, sul-
lenly:
  "I don't know! Do you
  Harvey Catlett was more than ever aston-
ished; but a moment later, if it had not been
for the dangerous ground which they were
treading, he would have burst into a laugh.
              CHAPTER 11.
          AN ERRAND OF MERCY.
  Abner Stark, or Wolf Cap, was a man well
known throughout Ohio and Kentucky in the
border days of which wve write. Moody aud
sullen, but at times possessed with a humor
that seemed to reflect happier days; he was
cherished as a friend by the Wetzels. Boones,
and Kentons of the early west.
  He had served as a scout under Harmar,
St. Clair and Scott, and was among the first
to offer his valuable services to General
Wayne.

 

THE NICKEL LIBRARY



  It is needless to say that they were eagerly
accepted, and in the camnpaig;i of 1793 that
witnessed the erection of forts Recovery and
Defiance, he had proved of great worth to the
invaders.
Ten years prior to the date of our story the
Shawness, led by James Girty, crossed the
Ohio and fell like a pack of wolves upon Ab-
ner Stark's Kentucky home.
  The settler, as we have already heard him
narrate to young Catlett, was absent at the
time, but returned to find his house in ashes,
and the butchered remains of his family
among the ruins. He believed that all had
perished by the tomahawk and scalping
knife.
By the hatchet buried in the tree which
was wont to shade his home, he recognized
the leader of the murderous band, From the
awful sight he stepped upon the path of ven-
geance, and made his name a terror to the
Indians and their white allies.
His companion on the occasion described
in the foregoing chapter, w as a young border-
man who had distinguished himself in the
unfortunate campaign of '91. Handsome,
cunning in woodcraft, and courageous to no
small degree, an expert swimmer and runner,
Harvey Catlett united in himself all the
qualities requisite for the success of his call-
ing. lIe was trusted by Wayne, from whose
camps he came and went at his pleasure,
questioned by no one, save at times, his
friend Wolf Cap.
  We have said that the singular reply given
by Wolf Cap to the young scout shortly after
the meeting with Little Moccasin almost pro-
voked a laugh. The situation smacked of the
ridiculous to the youthful borderer, and the
time and l)lace alone prevented him from in-
dulging his risibles.
But when he looked into the old scout's
face and saw no humor there-saw nothing
save an unreadable countenance, his mirth
subsided, and he became serious again.
  "We will not follow the subject further
now," he said; '' I want to talk about somne-
thing else-about something which I heard
to-night."
  His tone impressed Abner Stark, and he
came to a halt.
  " Well, go on, boy," he said, hisz hard coun-
tenance relaxing. " If you did get any news
out of her, tell it."
  "The lives of some of our l)eople are in
danger," Catlett continued. " Several days
since a family named Merriweather emb;rked
upon the M aumee nea- its mouth. Their
destination is Wayne's camp; they are flying
to it for protection."
  " Straight into the jaws of death!"
  "Yes, Wolf Cap. If they have not al-
ready fallen a prey to the savages, they are
struggling through the woods with their boats,
which cduld not stein the rapids."
  " Hlow many people are in the company"
Stark ;isked.



  " Little Moccasin says eight."
  " Women and children, of course"
  "Yes."
  "And is this known by the Indians"
  "Unfortunately it is."
  For a moment the avenger did not reply.
  He appeared to be forming a plan for the
safety of the imperilled family, and the
young scout watched him with much anxiety.
  "I don't know the Merriweathers; never
heard of them," Wolf Cap said, looking up
at last. " They are in great danger. There
are women and children among them. I had
a family once. We must not desert the little
.band that is trying to get behind Mad Antho-
ny's bayonets. God forbid that Abner Stark
should refuse to protect the helpless from the
tomahawk."
  "And here is one who is with you! " cried
Harvey Catlett. " Let us go now."
  " Yes. We must not see Wayne be-
fore we have offered help to the Merriweath-
ers. Are we not near the tree  "
  " Nearer than you think. Look yonder."
  The speaker pointed to a tree whose great
trunk was just discernible, and the twain
hastened toward it.
  About six feet from the ground there was
a hole large enough to admit a medium sized
hand, and Wolf Cap was not long in plung-
ing his own into its recesses.
  He withdrew it a moment later with a show
of disappointment.
  "Nothin' from Wells and the same from
Hummingbird," he said, turning to Catlett.
  " We are too soon, perhaps," was the an-
swer.
  "They will be here, then. We mazy need
their assistance. Hummingbird or M ells-"
  "The first that comes."
    That will do. Write."
  The young scout drew a small piece of pa-
ier from his bullet pouch, and wrote thereon
o ith a pointed stick of lead the following
message:
"To the 1frxt here:
We have gone down the Maumee to protect a
white family flying to Wayne. Follow us. No
'mews.
RWS
  The message was dropped in the forest let-
ter box, and the disguised scouts set out upon
their errand of mercy and protection.
  One behind the other, like the wily Indians
whom they personated, they traversed the
forest, now catching a glimpse of the starlit
waters of the Maumee, and now wrapped in
the gloom of impenetrable darkness.
  Not a word was spoken. Now and then an
ear was placed upon the earth to detect the
approach of an enemy should any be lurking
near their path. With the woodman's prac-
ticed care they gave forth no sound for lis-
tening savages, and with eager hopes contin-
ued to press on.
  The tree, with its silent call for help, was
soon left behind, and the scouts did not dream
that the robber was near.



4


 



THE TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.            3



  Not long after their departure from the
spot a figure halted at the tree, and a dark
hand dropped into the letter box. With al-
most devilish eagerness the fingers closed
upon the paper that lay at the bottom of the
hole, and drew it out.
  "A paper at last," said the man in triumph-
ant tones. "1 knew I would find it some-
t inie."
  The next moment the thief hurried towards
the river with the scouts' message clutched
tightly in his hand.
  " Wolf Cap and Harvey Catlett would have
given much for that man's scalp, for at the
time of which we write he was the dread of
every woman and child in the Northwestern
Terrtory.
  His name was James Girty, and his deeds
excelled in cruelty his brother Simon's.



     CHAPTER III.
THE TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.



  Leaving the characters of our story already
mentioned for a brief time, let us turn our
attention to the devoted little band of fugi-
tives who were flying through the gauntlet of
death to Wayne's protecting guns.
  While Harvey Catlett was conversing with
Little Moccasin, watched with a jealous eye
by the tall scout, a large but light boat was
nearing the foot of the famous Maumee
rapidst.
  It kept in the center of the stream, as if its
occupants believed that danger lurked along
the shadowed banks, and consultation was
carried on in whispers.
The boat thus slowly ascending the stream
contained eight persons. Four were men,
strong, active and with determined visages;
the others consisted of a matron, a girl of
eighteen, and two children whose ages were
respectively twelve and fourteen.
  Abel Merriweather, the matron's husband
and the father of the interesting ones grouped
about her, was the oldest person in the craft;
his male companions were George Darling,
his nephew, an Englishman called John Dark-
night, and a young American named Oscar
Parton.
To Darknight the navigation of the Mlau-
mee was well known, as he had spent much
time upon its bosom, and he was serving the
Merriweathers in the capacity of guide.
Abel Merriweather, a little headstrong and
fearful, had overruled the counsel of true
friends. He believed that his family was in
danger while the roof of the cabin near the
mouth of the Maumee sheltered it. The mut-
tered growls of war made him timorous, and
he saw no safety any where save behind the
bayonets of Wayne. Therefore, in company
with his nephew and Oscar Parton, who was
his daughter Kate's acknowledged suitor.
and with John Darknight for a guide, he had
embarked upon the perilous attempt of reach-
ing Fort Defiance with his loved ones.
   Of course we cannot stem the rapids,"



the guide said in response to a question from
young Darling. "Our portage must now be-
gin."
  As he spokc- the boat began to approach
the left bank of the stream.
  " We are nearing the wrong bank," said
Parton.
  "Of course we are," the settler replied,
noticing the boat's course, and he turned
upon the guide:
  "What does this mean" he demanded,
with his usual brusqueness.
  " Nothing dangerous, sir. You see that
we can best journey up the left bank of the
river. The Indians are massing in the soutn."
  " But I have been advised by the scouts of
Mad Anthony to go up the right bank."
  "You have"
  "Yes, sir. If I understand you, you have
not been in these parts for a month, while
my informants and advisers were here but a
week since."
  The guide did not reply for a minute, dur-
ing which the boat continued toward the
dusky shore, for his hand was upon the rud-
der.
  " Pardon me, John," the settler said; "but
I feel constrained to listen to the scouts, one
of whom was William Wells himself."
  " Wells, eh " said Darknight, with a sneer.
  Between you and I, Merriweather, I would
not trust that Injun-bred fellow farther than
the length of my nose."
  "I consider him a true man," said Kate,
the daughter, who had overheard the latter
part of the conversation between her father
and the guide.
" He doesn't look like a rogue, and I am sure
that he would not advise us wrongly on pur-
pose."
  John Darknight did not reply to the girl's
remarks; but relapsed into sullenness, and
doggedly turned the prow of the boat to the
other shore.
  " What do you think now " whispered
George Darling in the settler's ear.
  "I really do not know, George," was the
reply as an expression of fear settled over
the father's face. "I trust in God; but we
are on dangerous water. Do not be so suspi-
cious, boy, for you make me tremble for the
safety of my dear ones."
  No further words were interchanged by
uncle and nephew, and the boat touched the
ghostly shore amid deep stillness of voice
and tongue.
  But the ceaseless song of the wild rapids
fell upon the voyagers' ears, and the first
stars were burnishing the dancing waves with
silver.
  The debarkation took place at once, and
the craft was drawn from the water and pre-
pared for the sleeping place of the settler's
family. A day of hard pulling against the
stream had ended, and the travelers proposed
to enjoy the needed repose. The boat was
large enough to contain couches for Mmr.



THE TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.



5


 


6  THE NICKEL LIBRARY.



Merriweather and the children, while the
men would sleep and watch at intervals on
the ground.
  No tire was kindled on the bank, but a cold
supper waA eaten in silence, and not long
thereafter the settler's household lay almost
hidden in the boat. Star after star came out
in the firmnament above, and the gentle winds
of night sighed among the leaves; now and
then the plash of some amphibious animal
disturbed the stillness, but excited no com-
ment, though the noise caused an occasional
lift of the head and a brief moment of silent
inspection.
  The camp was just over a little rise in
the river bank, and the starlit water was
hidden from the eyes of the watch, who, for
the first part of the night, was the settler
himself.
  He stood against a tree, wakeful, but full
of thought, keeping guard over the precious
lives committed to his charge. The boat con-
taining his family was quite near, and the
forms of his three male companions looked
like logs on the darkened ground.
  HIe did not watch the latter, for suspicion
never entered his head, and he did not see
that one was rolling over and over, gradually
leaving the bivouac, and disappearing. Im-
mersed in thought, but quick to note a move-
ment on the part of his sleeping family, Abel
Merriweather let the hours pass over his head.
  At last the plash of the muskrat no longer
alarmed him; the singular cry of the night
hawk that came from the woods across the
stream did not cause him to cock his rifle. A
bat might have flapped her wings in his face
without disturbing him. Despite the peril of
the moment and the great responsibility rest-
ing upon him, Abel MerFi-.. other was asleep!
  The fatigue of the past two days' voyage,
and the almost sleepless nights had told upon
his constitution. He had struggled against
the somnolent god, but in vain; and at last
passed into slumberland unconsciously and
overcome.
  And while he slept there was a noise in the
water which was not made by a night rat.
Something dark, like a great ball, was ap-
proaching the camp from the northern bank
of the river, and the strong arms that pro-
pelled it gave the waves thousands of addi-
tional gleams.
  It came towards the camp with the rapidity
of a good swimnmer, and at length a huge fig-
ure emerged like a Newfoundland dog from
the water.
  It was an Indian!
  For a mouient he stood on the bank and
panted like an animal, then a low bird-call
dropped f romn his lips, and a second form
came front the shadow of a fallen tree.
  The twain met at the edge of the water,
and with signs of recognition.
  " Oskaloo cross the river," said the savage,
in the Wvandot tongue. ' White guide break
him promise, and land on wrong side."



  "Couldn't help it," was the reply. "The
old man is doing just what We Is has told
him was best. I tried to run the boat over,
and bless me if I don't pay 'im for his stub-
borness yet."
  " How many " asked the Indian.
  " Seven."
  " White girl along"
  " Yes; but recollect what I have said about
her."
  " Oskaloo never forget."
  "Is the White Whirlwind over there"
and the speaker glanced across the river.
  " No; him with Little Turtle, gettin' ready
to fight the Blacksnake."
  "That is good. Now, Oskaloo, go back
To-morrow night at this time come wben you
hear the night hawk's cry."
  "All come"
  " Yes, all; but meet me first."
  The savage nodded and turned towards the
water, and the next moment plunged almost
noiselessly beneath the waves.
  As he put off from  the shore a hand
dropped upon sleeping Abel 'Merriweather,,
arm, and roused him with a start.
  " Hist! " said a voice in a warning whisper.
"Father, you have been asleep. We are gu-
ing to be massacred. John Darknight, our
guide, is a traitor."
  The settler was thoroughly awake before
the last terrible sentence was completed, anc
he looked into the white face of his little son
Carl. whom he thought was sleeping beside
his mother in the boat.

             CHAPTER IV.
      LITTLE MOCCASIN IN THB CAMP.
 The settler was thoroughly aroused by hits
 little son's startling communication, which
 appeared too terrible to be true.
 "A traitor, Carl " he said.
 " Yes; an Indian who swam the river ha;
 been talking to him on the bank."
 " It cannot be," replied the incredulous
 parent. "He is sleeping-"
 He paused abrubtly, for he made the dis
 covery that but two forms were lying near
 the boat. The spot lately occupied by the
guide was vacant.
Then Abel Merriweather began to believe
that Carl had not been mistaken.
  " Hist! " said the boy, breaking in upon his-
father's disturbing thoughts.  He is com-
ing back. "
  "To your place in the boat-quick! Dc
not let him see you here."
Little Carl left his father and glided unseen
to his couch in the boat, but peeped over the
gunwales to watch the traitor's movements
Slowly and without noise John Darknighl
came over the hill, and inaugurated a series
of cat crawls toward the spot which he had
lately deserted. Once or twice he glanced a.
the settler, whose drooping head appeared ti'
tell him that he still slept, for he recouh-
iuenzed his crawls, and at last, without dit-



_. _



==



6

 


LITTLE MOCCASIN IN TIlE (AMP.



turbing his sleeping companions, regained
his buffalo skin.
  But his movements had not escaped the
sentry's eyes, and Carl was regarding him
from the boat. The father was a prey to
great perplexity; he believed that the guide's
movements indicated treason, but he did not
know what course to pursue. To discharge
him at once might precipitate the bursting of
the plot. To keep him longer and watch,
seemed the better plan, and was the one
which the settler felt inclined to adopt. He
did not see how they could ascend the river
above the rapids without Darknight's experi-
ence, for in the voyage thus far his assistance
had proved invaluable.
  The night was far advanced and day was
no longer remote, when Abel roused Oscar
Parton, whose duty it.was to stand guard un-
til daylight. He did not impart his suspi-
cions to the impetuous young man, but told
him not to close his eyes for a moment, but
to watch, for life was at stake. Then, in-
stead of lying by the boat that contained his
family, he dropped upon the ground beside
the suspected guide, and with a hand at the
hilt of his knife, watched the man who was
sleeping heavily.
  A bird call from the guide's lips, or a sus-
picious movement, and he might have for-
feited his life.
  " Father does'nt want to suspect any-
body," murmured the boy Carl, who was
surprised to see John Darknight sleeping so
soundly in the camp after his meeting with
Oskaloo on the banks of the river. "I do
not know how he came to undertake this
trip. We might have been safe where we
lived. I know we are not here. He did'nt
tell Oscar about the treason, for I heard
every word that passed between them. lay
be he does'nt think I saw straight. Well, I
know I was'nt very close; but I would swear
that it was the guide talking to the Indian,
and did'nt he come up the bank after the red-
skin left ' I have a rifle, and I am going to
watch John Darknight myself ! "
  Having thus delivered himself of his
thoughts, Carl Merriweather continued to
watch in silence, and he saw that the night
was wearing away.
Oscar Parton was wakeful. No sound es-
caped his ears, and he saw the river growing
darker with the dense gloom that precedes
the dawn.
  Then he redoubled his vigilance, for the
hour was suggestive of surprise and mas-
sacre; but the gloom gradually departed,
and the first streaks of dawn silvered the
flowing water.
It was a welcome sight, for the long night
of anxiety had worn away, and with strength
recruited by repose, the journey could be
resumed.
  The young sentry was watching the long
arrows of light fall upon the waves, when an
object startled him. It seemed to have risen



from the river's unseen depths but a second
look told him that it was an Indian canoe.
It skimmed over the water like a thing en-
dowed with life, and the beholder, eager to
inspect its occupant, stepped to the brow of
the bank, but with the woodman's usual
caution.
  The light growing stronger as the day ad-
vanced, revealed the tenant of the solitary
canoe to the young man. and while he gazed
intently, the craft suddenly shot like an
arrow to the shore.
  Instinctivelv Oscar Parton raised his rifle,
but the moveiient was detected by the per-
son in the stream, and a hand gave the peace
signal.
  "I cannot shoot a woman!" the guard
murmured, lowering the weapon.    ' Her
coining may be oui- destruction, but I cannot
harm her. Bless me, I believe she is a white !"
  The work of a few moments sufficed to
bring the canoe to the shore, and when its
tenant stepped upon terra firmit, she was
confronted by the curious guard, who had
come boldly down the bank.
  " White family up there " the jauntily
clad girl said, pointing up the slope.
  " What if they are" said the young bor-
derman, evasively. " Who are you" "
  " Areotha," was the reply. "The white
people call me Little bloccasin. See! "
  With her exclamation she put a toot for-
ward, and displayed, with innocent pride, a
tiny moccasin gaily ornamented with beads.
  " It is a pretty name, but what do you
want here " asked Oscar.
  " Want to tell white father that Little MoK-
casin has seen him."
  "Seen whoulm "
  "Don't you know-the young white spy
who tracks the red men for the Blacksnake  
the grl said with surprise.

Little Moccasin was nonplussed.
  " Me see him," she said at length, and her
deep eyes brightened. " Him and the tall
hunter come by and by, maybe."
  "Assistance, eh " said Parton, catching
the import of her words. "Well, we shall
not reject it. You don't hate the whites,
then' "
  "Little Moccasin their friend."
  "But you are not an Indian. Your skin is
like mine."
  " Been Indian long time, though," the girl
said with a smile. "Have Indian mother-
the old Madgitwa-in the bigludian village."
  " Don't you know where you were born,
Areotha " questioned Parton.
The girl shook her head.
  "tCome up to the camp. I believe that
you are true to our people. We have a girl
up there who will like ybu. "
  "Little Moccasin like her already," was the
artless answer.
Having made her canoe fast to the bank by
a rope of twisted sinews, the mysterious girl


 



S                            TllET NICKE

followed Oscar Parton up the slope. He led
her straight to the enzaanipmnent, where her
unexpected appearance created much excite-
ment, and she was immediately surrounded.
  Abel Merriweather was the first to question
her, and Arcotha was alout to reply when
she caught sight of John Darknight, the
guide.
The next moment every vestige of color
fled front her face, and, staring at the guide,
she started back.
She looked like a person w