Cl9€D\/ARD5.6LLiS 
 
; STATiOSKR, 
 r£8T BOOKS 
 
 K. Main St. 
 cktoii, Cal 
 
 .\ 
 
 
 \ 
 
 ' !():>:. 
 
 
■lie 
 
 ,1/^^' ,.r^^, 
 
 '■'//,^- 
 
 ,'!(' 
 
 /(/. 
 
 ir 
 
 y /^ 
 
 ./ 
 
 /A 
 
 
 ■ ij/- 
 

" FOREST AND PRAItllE SERIES," Ko. 2. 
 
 THE PATH m THE R AYINE 
 
 BY 
 
 EDWARD S. ELLIS 
 
 AUTHOR OF "boy PIONEER, SERIES," " DEERFOOT 
 SERIES," '■ WILUWOOD SERIES," ETC. 
 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 HENRY T. COATES & CO. 
 
COPTKIGHT. 1895. 
 BT 
 
 PORTER & COATES. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 I. In the Beak Paw Mothsttains, 
 
 II. An Impressive Scene, 
 
 III. At Bay, 
 
 IV. A Cry from the Darkness, 
 V. Stirring Times, 
 
 VI. The Camp Fire in the Gorge, 
 
 VII. The Mountain Flood, 
 
 VIII. With the Torrent, . 
 
 IX. Up a Tree, .... 
 
 X. Aimless Wanderings, 
 
 XI. A Strange Tug, 
 
 XII. A Friend Tried and True, 
 
 XIII. The Descending Path, 
 
 XIV. The Lower Level, . 
 XV. An Antelope, 
 
 XVI. An Exchange, .... 
 
 XVII. The Toss op a Nickel, 
 
 XVIII. At Fort Assinaboine, 
 
 XIX. The Mountain Trail Again, 
 
 XX. The Prisoner, .... 
 
 iii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 21 
 29 
 
 38 
 47 
 59 
 66 
 74 
 84 
 92 
 
 101 
 
 111 
 
 119 . 
 
 128 
 
 138 
 
 146 
 
 150 
 
 163 
 
 172 
 
 MaiJlj^^ 
 
IV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 XXI. The Signal, 182 
 
 XXII. The Cabin, 191 
 
 XXIII. A Young Hostess, 201 
 
 XXIV. The Strength of Weakness, . . 210 
 XXV. Through the Lines, 218 
 
 XXVI. The Lesser Trail, .... 227 
 
 XXVII. Turning the Tables, .... 244 
 
 XXVIII. The Wild Oat's Prisoners, . . 253 
 
 XXIX. " Now, Kitty, Do your Best ! " . . 263 
 
 XXX. The Death of Kitty, . . » 273 
 
 XXXI. Along the Mountain-side, . . . 281 
 
 XXXII. Up the Trail, 292 
 
 XXXIII. "GooD-BYl" 304 
 
THE PATH m THE UAYINE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. " ■ ■; 
 
 ITT THE BEAR PAW MOUkTAmS.' 
 
 WHEX Russell Hillson entered the United 
 States Military Academy at West 
 Point, from one of the New England States, 
 his resolution was that of almost every young 
 gentleman admitted to that institution ; he 
 would graduate at the head of his class, which 
 numbered 103. This is a commendable ambi- 
 tion, since it ensures the best efforts of the 
 cadet, but, inasmuch as only one budding gen- 
 eral of the army can attain that distinction, it 
 follows that the others must be disap23ointed. 
 
 One of the shocks, to which the parents of 
 the prim cadets are destined, is that of awak- 
 ing to the fact that a young man may be the 
 pride of his school at home, and display prom- 
 ise of becoming one of the most distinguished 
 
 *•. ». • 
 
2 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 of liis coniitrymen, yet a few months at West 
 Point are quite certain to bring out the fact 
 that there are a great many in his class 
 brighter than he. 
 
 ^'I tell you our 'Lige will show 'em what's 
 what," said Deacon Harris, when his only 
 son and 'heir left home with his trunk, and 
 iUs' appointment from the Secretary of War ; 
 "there isn't a boy in Pike County that is 
 his ekle ; he'll do credit to Pennsylvany and 
 niore'n likely he'll be put in teacher before 
 he's been there long; 'tween you and me I 
 wouldn't be s'j)rised if he took charge of 
 things and run 'em, for 'Lige is as smart as 
 they make 'em." 
 
 Alas, at the end of half a year Elijah joined 
 the thirty-eight *' found," and went back to 
 Pike County with the dismal word that the 
 
 m 
 
 pace up the Hudson was too hot for him. 
 His father was dumfounded, and for a time 
 couldn't understand it, but, with a knowing 
 shake of his head, declared he was now con- 
 vinced of what he had suspected all along: 
 gross favoritism was shown in that school, 
 which is really as free from it as any institu- 
 
IN THE BEAR PAW MOUNTAINS. 3 
 
 tion in the world. Besides, lie knew the ad- 
 ministration had learned of the active war he 
 had waged in Pike County against it during 
 the last election, and was mean enough to 
 take this way of paying him off for his manly 
 independence. 
 
 But young Hillson was more fortunate, for 
 nature and training had done much for him. 
 He was mentally bright, had a fine physique, 
 was an excellent horseman, and possessed the 
 rare good sense of knowing that the first duty 
 of a soldier is to obey, and he always did it 
 cheerfully. True, it was rather rough to be 
 ** skinned" because the inspector detected a 
 couple of drops of water on the bare floor of 
 his room one day ; and when a large mosquito 
 was boring into the end of his nose while at 
 parade, he gave a quick flirt of his hand and 
 not only smashed his tormentor but got a 
 demerit at the same moment. 
 
 A week later, when Yelverton of Arkansas 
 came to the front at "rear open order," he 
 was sure he never saw a i^air of ears stand 
 out more comically than those on his nicely 
 cropped head, and smiled. It was only a 
 
4 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 shadowy yielding of the facial muscles, but it 
 was enough to win another demerit, as were 
 slips which he made now and then. These 
 strike the outsider as trifles light as air, 
 but they have their weight at the institution, 
 where, it may be said, discipline ranks all 
 other attainments of the cadet. 
 
 '^ Grant and Sherman and Thomas and Lee 
 and Sheridan and all the rest went through it, 
 and /can," muttered Hillson, closing his lips, 
 and making sure that the candles, by which 
 he was *' boning" after taps, were so well 
 screened by the blankets over the window and 
 transom that no passing officer could detect a 
 chance ray. 
 
 At the end of the first year, when the class 
 was reduced to an even sixty, Kussell stood 
 fourth, which was certainly a creditable 
 record. He was still in the first section in 
 all his studies. 
 
 But the second year brought its stumbling 
 block in the form of Church's Calculus, which 
 swung him into the second section. This was 
 a good way from the *' immortals," in the 
 sixth section, but nearer than he liked. He 
 
IN THE BEAR PAW MOUNTAINS. O 
 
 struggled liard and came within a hair of get- 
 ting back, but he stepped over the threshold 
 of the third year with the handicap still upon 
 him. 
 
 It was odd that on young Hillson's nine- 
 teenth birthday, when he strolled down to the 
 gymnasium to examine the lists posted there, 
 he discovered that at last he was in the first 
 section again. Had it been a year later he 
 would have received the usual '' bumping" 
 down by the sink, by which the other cadets 
 love to express their congratulations. 
 
 Mineralogy and petrography worried him 
 the third year, and law was the lion in his 
 path during his last terms. 
 
 *' You are doing well," said his old friend. 
 General Hancock, "for in these days any 
 young man does well who succeeds in graduat- 
 ing at all at West Point, where we old-timers 
 would have to hustle from the beginning." 
 
 He might have taken consolation also from 
 the fact stated by General Sherman, as late as 
 June, 1889, when talking with a lot of us on 
 the porch of the West Point Hotel, that the 
 history of the West Point graduates shows 
 
6 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 the record of tlie lowest five in eacli class ex- 
 ceeds that of the highest five. 
 
 Kussell came out thirteenth in a class of 
 fifty. This slid him below the engineers and 
 into the artillery, but he took the cavalry by 
 choice. He was fond of horses and fancied 
 the exhilarating service on the frontier. He 
 had a natural dread of the flaming climate of 
 Arizona and the Southwest, and was greatly 
 relieved, therefore, when he found himself 
 assigned to the — th cavalry, at Fort Assina- 
 boine, away up in Northern Montana, at the 
 junction of the Big Sandy Creek and Milk 
 River, and within the Indian Reservation of 
 the Gros Ventre, Piegan, Blackfeet, and River 
 Crow tribes. 
 
 The Big Sandy Creek flows from the south- 
 west, and like its own tributaries, Duck Creek, 
 Box Elder, and smaller streams, has its source 
 among the wild fastnesses of the Bear 
 Paw Mountains, while the Beaver Creek, 
 Peckham's Creek, Clear Creek, Snake Creek, 
 People's Creek, and others, rise in the Little 
 Rocky Mountains and flow into the Milk 
 River to the east of the fort. 
 
IN THE BEAR PAW MOUNTAIXS. 7 
 
 The first lieutenant of tlie — th cavalry was 
 Albert Palmer of Illinois, several years older 
 than Hillson, while Martin Draper, a grizzled 
 colonel of the Civil War, was post commander. 
 Many of the troopers had seen service on the 
 battlefields of the south, and the force was one 
 of the best on the frontier. 
 
 The life of a soldier on the border is gener- 
 ally of the most monotonous nature, consist- 
 ing of the same round of parade, inspection, 
 drill, and officer of the day duty, with hours 
 of idleness between, enlivened now and then 
 by some brisk marching toward a point whence 
 have come rejDorts of trouble that generally 
 prove groundless. 
 
 !N'aturally the attaches of such a remote post 
 as Fort Assinaboine, located in one of the best 
 hunting regions of the world, find time to look 
 for game, which is tempting enough to attract 
 professional sportsmen from the other side of 
 the Atlantic. Thus it was no unusual thing 
 for Lieutenants Palmer and Hillson to engage 
 in an excursion among the rugged defiles of 
 the Bear PaAv Mountains, whenever j)ermission 
 could be obtained for that pur^^ose. 
 
8 THE PATH IN THE EAYITTE. 
 
 Less than a score of miles to the south of 
 the fort was a section which had become some- 
 what familiar, for more than once they found 
 the rarest and most stirring kind of enjoyment 
 there. The young officers were always well 
 mounted, their weapons consisting of a re- 
 volver and magazine rifle, and in the autumn 
 time the air was cool and bracing. 
 
 It may not be generally known that the ele- 
 vation of the greater part of the State of 
 Montana is so slight, compared with the sur- 
 rounding States and Territories, that the cli- 
 mate is much milder than at other places of 
 the same latitude. 
 
 *'I wonder where this trail would take us if 
 followed to the end," said Palmer, as his horse 
 led the way up the gradual ascent, around 
 bowlders, massive rocks, by the side of canons 
 and chasms, where a misstep was like to bring 
 irretrievable disaster. 
 
 "I suppose," replied Hillson, ''that years 
 ago, before the reservation was established, 
 there was some village of Blackfeet or Crow 
 Indians located among the wildest portions, 
 that they might be safer from their enemies, 
 
IN THE BEAR PAW MOUNTAINS. 9 
 
 and this mountain trail is the route by which 
 the warriors reached the level country north- 
 ward to hunt the buffaloes." 
 
 *' Some of these days, when we can gain the 
 time, we will start on a little tour of exj)lora- 
 tion," said Palmer, who, like his companion, 
 was in high spirits at the prospect of a day's 
 sport in the mountains. 
 
 ''Holloa!" exclaimed Hillson, a moment 
 later, observing that his friend in advance had 
 halted, "what's up?" 
 
 " I suspect we are at the end of our tether," 
 laughed Palmer, turning his head ; " it looks 
 as if the aboriginal authorities don't keep 
 their bridges in good repair." 
 
 Hillson edged his mare ahead until her nose 
 was at the haunch of the horse, when the rider, 
 by peering forward, saw the cause of the ab- 
 rupt stoppage. 
 
 The mountain trail followed for some dis- 
 tance the side of a range whose slox)es were 
 covered with a thick growth of timber and no 
 end of rocks, bowlders, ratines, and chasms. 
 The course was steadily ascending, but the 
 path was not broad enough for the horsemen 
 
10 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 to ride abreast, and not infrequently was so 
 narrow that, accustomed as they were to 
 danger, they shrank close to the wall on their 
 left, caught their breath, and asked themselves 
 whether they were not taking more chances 
 than was prudent. 
 
 The trail, so far as they could judge, had not 
 been travelled lately by a horseman, though 
 any number of Indians or w^hite hunters 
 might have made their way over it on foot, 
 without leaving traces that could have been 
 detected except by the trained eye of the 
 dusky red man. 
 
 On the left was the mountain, and on the 
 right the vast slope descended at such an angle 
 that a bowlder once started would crash to the 
 bottom, hundreds of feet below, with almost 
 resistless momentum. A man might save 
 himself by grasping the trees and taking 
 advantage of the interposing rocks and ob- 
 structions, but it would have taken a good 
 deal of skill and much outlay of strength. 
 
CHAPTER 11. 
 
 AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. 
 
 DIRECTLY in front of Lieutenant Palmer 
 the ledge along which they were thread- 
 ing their way was broken by a rent a couple of 
 yards wide. It looked as if some enormous 
 rock, starting near the crest of the mountain, 
 had shot downward with terrific force, and 
 bounding aloft, dropped upon this section of 
 the path, carrying it away like so much card- 
 board. 
 
 " There seems to be nothing the matter with 
 it just beyond," remarked Hillson, rising in 
 his stirrups and looking over the shoulder of 
 his friend, "and it is no jump for either of 
 our animals." 
 
 "That isn't the trouble," replied Palmer; 
 "but, after the leap, will their hoofs land on 
 solid ground ? If not, we shall take a tobog- 
 gan slide into the gorge, without a chance of 
 climbing up again.' 
 
 11 
 
12 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 It was a serious question, and the young 
 ofScers debated it several minutes before de- 
 ciding upon tlieir course. They had pene- 
 trated so far tliat they were loath to turn back, 
 while, with all their pluck, they hesitated to 
 advance. 
 
 ''An elephant tests a shaky structure before 
 trusting it," said Hillson, ''and that's what 
 we will do." 
 
 "Howr' 
 
 "I'll show you," he replied, slipping from 
 his saddle and taking the mare by the bit. 
 With a few gentle words, he backed her sev- 
 eral paces and then asked Palmer to do the 
 same. " We shall have to back further than 
 this to find a place broad enough for them to 
 turn round," he explained, as the first lieu- 
 tenant imitated him. "IN'ow let me pass," 
 added Hillson, placing himself in front of his 
 companion, who watched his movements with 
 no little interest. Hillson gave no further ex- 
 planation, but, finding himself in advance, 
 paused a moment, as if measuring with his 
 eye the yawning abyss before him. Then, 
 gathering his muscles, he ran swiftly to the 
 
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. 13 
 
 edge of the break, and with a vigorous bound 
 landed on the other side. 
 
 The meaning of this action was manifest: 
 he Avished to examine the trail where their 
 horses must alight. Stooping over, he tested 
 the flinty ground by means of his hands and 
 feet. 
 
 ''It's all right,'' he said, addressing his 
 friend, "you needn't be afraid to try it." 
 
 " Of course not, if I follow your style ; make 
 room for me." 
 
 A short, rapid run, and he dropped in front 
 of the other, who stepped back to give him 
 space. 
 
 The intelligent animals watched the action 
 of their riders and awaited orders to follow 
 them. Palmer called his steed by name and 
 he instantly obeyed, while a single whistle of 
 Hillson to Kitty brought her almost upon the 
 heels of the leader. 
 
 The animals caused some misgiving, for 
 their greater weight was sure to put the edge 
 of the trail to a severer test than did the 
 youths, who made sure of clearing by several 
 feet. The mare did not deem it worth while 
 
14 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 to exert herself to the degree of her predeces- 
 sors, and, as a consequence, one of her hoofs 
 knocked the dirt loose and she sank as if about 
 to go over the precipice. Hillson called sharply 
 to her and sprang forward to seize her bit, 
 but, before he could do so, she struggled to 
 her feet, regained her poise, and shook her 
 pretty head as if to say : 
 
 " Don't worry about me, young man ; I can 
 take care of myself." 
 
 The officers remounted, and once more 
 moved up the mountain trail, along w^hich 
 they had already advanced further than ever 
 before. Their experience taught them to be 
 guarded, for other gaps w^ere likely to be 
 found, and treacherous foundations were apt 
 to occur where everything looked solid and 
 safe. 
 
 The afternoon was half gone, and the sky, 
 which was clear when they left the fort, was 
 clouded and had every appearance of a coming 
 storm. From the fort, they had witnessed a 
 great fall of rain in the direction of the moun- 
 tains a couple of days before, but feared no 
 inconvenience therefrom, though the X)ools of 
 
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. 15 
 
 water in the hollows showed that the warm sun 
 had not yet evaporated all the moisture. 
 
 Some of the older men had warned them 
 against venturing in the mountains, Avhere the 
 rush of water in the pent up canons was 
 often sudden and resistless, as in the appalling 
 calamity which not long since desolated 
 Johnstown and the surrounding country, but 
 the young officers were ardent and hopeful, 
 and, like many others of their age and limited 
 experience, were confident they knew how to 
 take care of themselves. 
 
 They were pushing their way up the moun- 
 tain trail in the guarded manner shown from 
 the first, when Palmer, still a short way in 
 advance, halted with the abruptness of before. 
 
 " Is it another break?" called his companion. 
 
 *' Yes, but not of the other kind," replied 
 Palmer, jjartly turning his head as before. 
 
 " Have we reached the end of the road — well, 
 I declare ! ' ' 
 
 The exclamation was caused by the sudden 
 disappearance of the leader. Had not Hillson 
 been looking directly at him, he would have 
 believed the ground had given away under the 
 
16 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 hoofs of his horse and let him and his rider 
 down to destruction ; but nothing of the kind 
 took place. Palmer had turned the head of 
 his steed to the left, and ridden seemingly 
 straight into the solid mountain, as if entering 
 the door to some mysterious cavern. 
 
 But they were not in a land of mystery, and 
 Hillson twitched the rein of Kitty, who stepped 
 more briskly. A few paces further and, with- 
 out any direction from her rider, she, too, 
 turned sharply to the left, passing out of 
 sight of anyone moving along the trail, either 
 above or below the point of vanishment. 
 
 The mountain wall which they had followed 
 so long seemed to have been rent apart by 
 some convulsion of nature, ages before, leaving 
 a rent several yards wide, which wound indefi- 
 nitely in front of them. The bottom, although 
 rough and uneven, was comparatively level, 
 offering such easy travel for their animals 
 that the change of direction was made with 
 but slight hesitation on the part of the 
 leader. 
 
 At the moment of turning into this *'side 
 issue," as it may be called, Hillson saw his 
 
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. 17 
 
 companion only two or three rods in advance. 
 The chasm was broad enough for them to ride 
 abreast, and he checked his horse for the 
 younger to join him. 
 
 "■ I don't know how far this can be traced," 
 said Palmer, ''but it struck me as worth look- 
 ing into." 
 
 " You look into it before entering," replied 
 Hillson, "and it may prove more extensive 
 than the other. However, if it has not too 
 many branches we ought to be in no danger 
 of getting lost." 
 
 As the couple progressed it began to look 
 as if they were entering a land of wonders and 
 enchantment. The channel gradually widened 
 until it was a hundred feet broad. This in- 
 creased after a time to double that extent, 
 which, so far as they could learn, was its great- 
 est width. The mountains rose on either 
 hand to a height of three, four, and even five 
 hundred feet. The sides were composed of 
 enormous gray rocks, with irregular projec- 
 tions, a huge mass sometimes reaching so far 
 out over the gorge that it seemed on the point 
 of toppling over and falling with a crash that 
 
 2 
 
18 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 would have cruslied every thing beneath into 
 fragments. 
 
 Between the many layers of rocks and bowl- 
 ders were patches of dirt, which afforded 
 enough sustenance to numerous stunted pines 
 for them to acquire a sturdy foothold with 
 which they had defied the storms. These 
 seemed to shoot out in many places from 
 cracks in the rocks themselves, where no earth 
 could be discerned (though of course it must 
 have been there), after which the tough, wiry 
 trunks curved upward, so that the crests of 
 the trees, like all vegetation everywhere, was 
 turned toward the x^oint where the sun first 
 showed itself. 
 
 There were other places where a species of 
 running vine of ivy clung to the Jagged masses 
 of stone and climbed upward, as it does along 
 the walls of the old baronial castles of the 
 Rhine, smothering all things in its path, and 
 reaching for others beyond. 
 
 There were spots along the upper edge of 
 the ravine which must have been attained 
 long before, for the green vine kept on grow- 
 ing until it tottered several feet above its sup- 
 
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. 19 
 
 port, tlie beautiful top so delicately balanced, 
 that, as the wondering youths gazed ui^ward 
 at it, it was seen to sway gently back and forth 
 in the gentle breeze which was not to be felt 
 by them in the gorge below. 
 
 Here and there among tliis wealth of vege- 
 tation a violet flower gleamed like a jewel 
 against the emerald background, while the 
 trunk of one huge vine that had been detached 
 dangled downward as if it were an immense 
 serpent watching for its prey in the dej^ths 
 below. 
 
 By a common imx)ulse the young officers 
 drew the reins of their animals and looked 
 around them, impressed and awed by the 
 striking scene. They had been among the 
 mountains before, but never had they beheld 
 such a sight as this. 
 
 "This is worth a long journey to see," re- 
 marked Palmer, in tones unconsciously low- 
 ered, as a person will modulate his voice when 
 standing within the cool shadows of some vast 
 cathedral. 
 
 "Yes; nature laughs at the efforts of man 
 to rival her grandeur and power. What a 
 
20 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 prodigious eartliquake it must have been that 
 wrenched these mountains asunder ! " 
 
 ''And why should it have been an earth- 
 quake, when the same power that creates the 
 earthquake could fashion this temx)le?" 
 
 " Only that the strata on the sides of the 
 gorge corresiDond so closely that they must 
 have been once joined together." 
 
 '' I have noticed that, and probably you are 
 right, but — look! " 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 AT BAY. 
 
 A T tlie point wliere the young officers had 
 -/ijL. halted the wild gorge was fully two 
 hundred feet wide, the vast walls of gray and 
 black rock on either hand being covered in 
 places with dwarf pine and vines, as already 
 described, while the trees far above their heads 
 grew in most places to the very edge of the 
 ravine. 
 
 This gorge, instead of following a straight 
 course through the mountains, trended so 
 often to the right and left that the view both 
 in front and rear was brief. A stone's throw 
 in either direction would have brought one to 
 a curve which shut out everything beyond. 
 
 The bottom of the ravine was strewn with 
 huge bowlders and rocks, which forced the 
 horsemen to pick their way in and out among 
 them, sometimes riding close to one side and 
 then obliged to pass to the other, before they 
 
 21 
 
22 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 could make their way forward. The pools of 
 water in the hollows, between the loose bowl- 
 ders, were connected by a rivulet which showed 
 that at times huge bodies of water rushed 
 through the gorge in the direction of the 
 mountain trail left some time before. 
 
 This stream must have X30ssessed a subterra- 
 nean outlet, since the point where the horse- 
 men turned to the left from the main path 
 was iDerfectly dry. 
 
 That which caused the exclamation of Lieu- 
 tenant Palmer was a unique scene. At the 
 highest i3oint of the walls above their heads, 
 and only a short distance in advance, a mass 
 of rock, weighing many tons, obtruded over 
 the gorge, expanding as it advanced, until the 
 wonder was how such a colossal pile could be 
 sustained by the neck of stone joining it to 
 the mainland. 
 
 This of itself, while striking and picturesque, 
 was not the attraction to the young horsemen. 
 At the moment Lieutenant Palmer cast his 
 eye toAvard it, he observed an animal picking 
 his way along the rough top toward the outer- 
 most point over the gorge. The stone was 
 
AT BAY. 23 
 
 not covered by vine, tree, or a shred of vege- 
 tation, so tlie animal was in plain sight. 
 
 " It is a big-horn sheep," whisi^ered Palmer, 
 "and what is he going to do ? " 
 
 " It looks as if he meant to try a leap to the 
 other side." 
 
 "He is not such a fool as that, when it is 
 fully two hundred feet, and the big-horn isn't 
 lacking in brains." 
 
 "We shall soon see." 
 
 The animal continued his walk until at the 
 furthest point from the edge of the ravine, 
 when, of necessity, he stopped. He gave only 
 a glance at the other side, which was far 
 beyond his reach, when he stopped and looked 
 about him. The watchful creature was quick 
 to perceive the horsemen, hundreds of feet 
 below, in the gorge, and, as they looked up at 
 him, he returned the stare by elevating his 
 head and gazing enquiringly down at them. 
 
 The animal must have felt himself safe at 
 that great height, for, although very timid by 
 nature, he showed no signs of fright, and 
 seemed to find something interesting in tlie 
 sight of the tiny figures far below, where they 
 
24 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 were probably the first white men who had 
 entered. 
 
 The big-horn sheep is a widely distributed 
 animal, ranging along the mountain chains of 
 the Great Divide from the arid tablelands of 
 Central Mexico to the frozen regions of British 
 America. During the warm weather he climbs 
 the loftiest mountains, often passing above the 
 timber line, while during the blizzard season he 
 descends to the foot-hills or migrates south- 
 ward. 
 
 In Mexico, the animal is known as the cim- 
 maron sheep, and is the only representative of 
 the various kinds of mountain sheep of the 
 Old World. Their weight sometimes reaches 
 four hundred pounds, and, because of their 
 skill in climbing the mountain crags and their 
 alertness against danger, tbey are regarded as 
 among the choicest prizes of the Rocky Moun- 
 tain hunter. 
 
 The sheep on which the young officers 
 looked, it was easy to see, despite its great 
 elevation, was one of the largest of its kind. 
 Both were stirred by the thought of bringing 
 down such a noble specimen of game. 
 
AT BAY. 25 
 
 **I think we can reach him," said Palmer, 
 after watching the animal for a minute or two. 
 
 " I have no doubt of it, but it seems a pity 
 to wing him, after showing such confidence 
 in us." 
 
 "I think it is rather a lack of confidence in 
 our marksmanship," added the elder, with a 
 laugh, "but he does make a fine picture." 
 
 The buck was furnished with a magnificent 
 pair of horns, which curved backward over his 
 neck, and, because of the elevated position of 
 his head, formed the most prominent features 
 of the creature. 
 
 Since the two had come out for game, it 
 was hardly in keeping that they should refuse 
 to take advantage of the unexpected chance 
 thrown in their way. Despite the sentimen- 
 tality of the younger officer, the elder dis- 
 mounted, in order to take the more careful 
 aim at the sheep, when something in his action 
 caused him to hesitate. 
 
 " The fellow is cornered," said Hillson. 
 
 The remark was caused by the sight of a 
 huge gaunt wolf, which was now seen sneaking 
 out on the projecting rock after the sheep, 
 
26 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 wliich it will be seen was caught in a bad box, 
 for while retreat was cut off, he could not 
 reach the mainland without walking directly 
 into the embrace of his enemy, who saw the 
 finest dinner of his life almost within his jaws. 
 
 ^'Now, if you want to test your marksman- 
 ship. Palmer, let us try it on that brute that 
 is after him." 
 
 *' Wait a minute ; every animal is provided 
 by nature with some means of defence. A 
 sheep isn't a very dangerous creature, but even 
 he will fight when driven into a corner, and the 
 old fellow may make better nse of those fine 
 horns than we suspect." 
 
 But Hillson saw so little ho^De for the poor 
 fellow that he was not inclined to wait. While 
 the wolf was stealing toward the animal, he 
 sighted his Winchester with great care at the 
 former and fired. The shot was a difficult one, 
 owing to the unusual position of the wolf, and 
 there was no evidence that he had been hit. 
 Neither he nor the big-horn started or looked 
 down at the point whence the report came. 
 Just then their mutual interest was too in- 
 tense. 
 
AT BAY. 27 
 
 The sheep stood for several seconds staring 
 at the wolf drawing slowly but surely near. 
 He seemed to become panic-stricken, and 
 started forward in a timid way, as if he ex- 
 pected to flank his enemy, but the space was 
 too narrow, and the savage brute was too 
 watchful. The sheep hastily withdrew again 
 to the further edge of his sujoport, where he 
 could not retreat another step without falling 
 into the gorge below. Here he stood with 
 head still erect, and eye fixed upon the beast 
 approaching with the slow certainty of death 
 itself. 
 
 After his single shot Hill son did not repeat 
 the attempt, but, like his companion, gave his 
 whole attention to the singular tragedy draw- 
 ing to a crisis before his eyes. Could he have 
 been certain of tumbling the wolf from his 
 perch he would have fired again, but, since the 
 big-horn seemed doomed under any circum- 
 stances, he preferred the simple part of spec- 
 tator. 
 
 When the wolf was within about ten feet, 
 the sheep lowered his head as if he meant to 
 make a fight to the death. He could do some- 
 
28 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 thing with those horns, but, after all, they 
 amounted to little against the greater strength, 
 activity, and means of defence possessed by his 
 assailant. 
 
 The latter crouched on his belly, as if gath- 
 ering his muscles for a spring. He must have 
 known the risk he ran, for the sheep was so 
 close to the edge that the momentum was 
 likely to throw both over, unless the defender 
 should brace himself to withstand the shock. 
 
 For several seconds neither animal stirred. 
 The wolf lay flat, with jaws parted, and the 
 spectators in the gorge far below fancied they 
 could hear the exultant snarling, as he meas- 
 ured the distance separating them and pre- 
 pared for his fatal leap. 
 
 The splendid big-horn, balanced on the very 
 edge of the bewildering height, waited with 
 his head lowered for the charge. Had he 
 possessed straight, pointed horns like the 
 species of ibex of the Dark Continent, he 
 might have done effective work, but, as it 
 was, he was helpless against his merciless 
 enemy. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A CEY FEO:vr THE DARKNESS. 
 
 IT may have been that in that supreme 
 moment a realizing sense of his helx^less- 
 ness overwhelmed the big-horn, for suddenly, 
 without the least thought of any such thing 
 on the part of the spectators, he wheeled about, 
 so as to face the other way, and made a single 
 tremendous leap straight out into space. 
 
 It was a thrilling sight as the despairing 
 animal, with his head thrown far back, so that 
 his curving horns lay on the soft wool on his 
 neck, and his shajDely legs gathered under 
 him, w^ent sailing out into the air. His 
 body described a beautiful parabola, until, 
 reaching the further point, it shot straight 
 downward like a stone, its velocity accelerated, 
 until it struck the rocks at the bottom with a 
 violence that must have shattered every bone 
 and driven out the breath of life as if smitten 
 with a bolt of lightning. 
 
 29 
 
30 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 The big-horn saw it was simply a choice of 
 deaths, and he wisely chose the least painful. 
 It was a case of deliberate suicide, in which the 
 guilty party cannot be condemned. 
 
 The wolf seemed puzzled by what had taken 
 place. The instant the sheep made his leap 
 he rose upon his four feet, and watching him 
 for the instant he was in sight, while he held 
 that position, he trotted to the edge, and, 
 with his nose thrust over the rock, gazed 
 downward at the body descending with such 
 dizzying swiftness, until it lay a shapeless 
 mass at the bottom of the gorge. Then, as if 
 he understood the base trick that had been 
 played upon him, he pointed his snout toward 
 the darkening sky and uttered one long dis- 
 mal howl of disappointment and rage. 
 
 ''Let's try it," said Hillson, sighting his 
 Winchester at the beast ; '' he deserves death 
 for his meanness." 
 
 Palmer was more than willing, and he also 
 levelled his weapon at the wolf, which was in 
 the act of repeating his wail when both guns 
 were discharged at the same moment. 
 
 The bullets hit him fairly, and the howl 
 
A CRY from: the darkness. 31 
 
 which was issuing from his throat changed to 
 a short yelp, as he leaped straight up in 
 air, doubled together like a jack-knife, and 
 came down on his side, rolling over several 
 times, and, swinging clear of his support, 
 came sx)rawling through the air to the bottom 
 of the gorge, striking within a few feet of the 
 suicidal big-horn and as devoid of life as he. 
 
 By this time the sky had grown so dark 
 that there could be no doubt that a storm was 
 at hand. Yivid flashes of lightning darted 
 across the sky which spanned the ravine, but 
 it was seen that its violence would be spent 
 further in the mountains, and that at the 
 worst the officers would receive nothing more 
 than a severe drenching — an inconvenience 
 which they had learned to bear with equa- 
 nimity. 
 
 It was useless to turn about and ride down 
 the gorge, for they were fully a mile from the 
 point of junction with the mountain trail, 
 which, if reached, would afford them no better 
 shelter than they could obtain where they 
 were. 
 
 "I don't think we need suffer much," re- 
 
32 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 marked Hillson, who was scanning their sur- 
 roundings ; "this place looks as if it can give 
 us something in the way of shelter." 
 
 A short way beyond the point where the two 
 carcasses lay, they observed an inward trend 
 of the rocky wall on their right, the cav^* 
 looking extensive enough to afford protection 
 for their animals as well as themselves against 
 the rain, provided no wind drove it in against 
 them. Such a gust was not likely to be en- 
 countered at the bottom of the gorge, since 
 there was scarcely room for its formation. 
 
 Leaping into their saddles, they guided 
 their horses thither, and were glad enough to 
 find the refuge better than it appeared at first. 
 They dismounted and drove their ponies as 
 far beneath as possible, and found that an 
 immense mass of rock, hardly twenty feet 
 above their heads, projected outward, shelter- 
 ing them from any storm that might come. 
 
 " I think this is the place to make our camp 
 for the night," remarked Hillson, after survey- 
 ing their refuge. 
 
 " I don't believe we can find a better one," 
 was the reply of Palmer, equally well pleased ; 
 
A CEY FROM THE DARKNESS. 33 
 
 ''but we ought to have fuel to last us through 
 the darkness." 
 
 The rain had not yet begun falling, though 
 the peals of thunder were almost incessant, 
 and it was evident it was descending heavily 
 ^jgeper in the mountains. But it was liable to 
 i;each them at any minute, and no time was to 
 be lost. 
 
 The gathering of fuel was an easy matter. 
 At times this gorge had served as a canon or 
 outlet for a vast amount of water from the 
 heart of the rugged range, which had brought 
 trees, limbs, sticks, and debris in such quanti- 
 ties that it was deposited on every hand. 
 
 Much of this stuff had lain so long exposed 
 to the elements that it was as dry as tinder 
 wood. Leaving their rifles leaning against the 
 rocks by their ponies, the couple began col- 
 lecting the fuel with a vigor which showed they 
 understood the value of time. As soon as one 
 had his arms full, he ran to the spot selected 
 and threw it to the ground. This was con- 
 tinued until a large pile was gathered, fully 
 enough to last them till daybreak, even if kept 
 burning continually. 
 
34 THE PxVTII IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 Here and there at the sides, and in the 
 middle of the gorge, were patches of grass 
 which their i)onies would have been eager to 
 nibble, but they did not wish to ex^^ose them 
 to the storm, now threatening to burst at any 
 moment. 
 
 The youths, therefore, gave their energies 
 to plucking the grass for their animals. With 
 the time at their disposal they secured a 
 goodly quantity, which, if not as much as the 
 animals could have disposed of, was sufficient 
 to keep them from suffering. 
 
 The friends would have gathered more of 
 the succulent grass, but, while they were busy, 
 great drops of water began pattering about 
 them, striking the rocks with a noise like 
 splintering hail. They skurried to shelter, 
 and feeling they had done all that was pos- 
 sible, calmly awaited the breaking of the 
 storm. 
 
 It i)roved less violent than was expected. 
 The drops, although of unusual size and dart- 
 ing downward with a force which made each 
 one audible, were not numerous nor did thev 
 continue long. There could be no question. 
 
A CRY FROM THE DARKNESS. 35 
 
 however, that the floodgates of heaven were 
 opened over the mountains not far off. 
 
 But the darkness was awe-inspiring. It 
 became like that of night itself, illumined now 
 and then by vivid flashes of lightning which 
 left the gloom the more intense because of 
 the violent contrast. The sun was so low in 
 the sky that had there been no clouding of its 
 face a deep twilight would have reigned in 
 the gorge, and it was now relieved only by the 
 awful electric display in the heavens. 
 
 The ponies showed their indifference to the 
 grandeur of the display by calmly munching 
 the fodder that had been laid before them, 
 while their masters stood side by side, their 
 hats in their hands, silent, admiring, wonder- 
 ing, and adoring the source of all this amazing 
 power. 
 
 For a full hour there was no diminution. 
 Then the storm subsided almost as rapidly as 
 it had risen. The sullen mutterings of tlie 
 thunder continued, but they receded until 
 they were heard only now and then, while the 
 flashes were so much weaker that they only 
 partly lit up the darkness at long intervals. 
 
36 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 *' Since niglit is here," suggested Hillson, 
 *' it is a good time to start a camp fire." 
 
 *' The idea isn't bad," replied Palmer, set- 
 ting to work to help carry out the advice. 
 
 The rude shelter proved all they could wish. 
 I^ot a drop ofmoisture reached man or animal, 
 and the fuel, therefore, was in the best con- 
 dition. It required only a few minutes, when 
 a cheery blaze was kindled against the back 
 wall and its rays were thrown far out in the 
 surrounding gloom, revealing the couple and 
 their horses with the distinctness of mid-day. 
 
 They had brought a lunch with them, though 
 it would be supposed that in such a fine 
 hunting country they ought to have been able 
 to rely on their own markmsanship. 
 
 ''It strikes me," remarked Hillson, while 
 the two ate their bread and cold meat, " that 
 that mutton ought to be palatable. The big- 
 horn did not depart this life in the fashion we 
 would have preferred, but it ought not to 
 make much difference, after all." 
 
 ''It is easy enough to find out," replied 
 Palmer, "for the body isn't far off." 
 
 Without catching up his rifle, the younger 
 
A CRY FROM THE DARKNESS. 37 
 
 sprang to his feet and walked out in the gorge. 
 The darkness was so profound that he coukl 
 not see a half-dozen feet from him, but he 
 knew the spot so well that he was confident of 
 making his way to it without hesitation ; but 
 in case he w^ent astray, he could strike a 
 match to guide him aright. 
 
 The moment he disappeared Lieutenant 
 Palmer set to work getting things ready for 
 broiling the meat, wdiich he was confident 
 would prove toothsome to a degree. 
 
 '* It will give us the kind of meal to relish, 
 for Hillson is as hungry as I am, and I am so 
 hungry I cannot be any hungrier ; there is 
 nothing like this bracing mountain air to give 
 a fellow an appetite that is unknown in the 
 effete civilization of the East " ■ 
 
 He sprang to his feet as if shot, for at that 
 moment the cry of the plucky Hillson rang 
 out with startling distinctness : 
 
 ''Quick, Palmer! your gun! don't lose a 
 second ! " 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 STIPwRING TIMES. 
 
 IIEUTENANT HILLSOj^ cannot be blamed 
 ^ for leaving tlie camp fire in the dark gorge 
 for sucli a brief walk without carrjdng his 
 loaded Winchester with him. He had hunted 
 often enough in the Bear Paw Mountains to 
 know that wild men and animals were liable 
 to put in an appearance at the most inoppor- 
 tune times, but the oldest frontiersman would 
 have done just as he did under the circum- 
 stances. 
 
 He left the camp fire, as will be remembered, 
 to secure a portion of the carcass of the big- 
 horn that committed suicide a short time 
 before. The spot was not far off, and he made 
 his way with considerable confidence, but 
 when he halted at the place where he sup- 
 posed it to be, he was disappointed. 
 
 When his eyes became accustomed to the 
 gloom he was able to see perhaps eight or ten 
 
 38 
 
STIRRING TIMES. 39 
 
 feet from liim. He was hesitating whether to 
 try the effect of a match held over his head or 
 to return to the fire for a brand, when he was 
 started by a low cavernous growl, not in front, 
 but directly behind him. 
 
 Turning his head like a flash, he saw out- 
 lined against the blazing camp fire the form 
 of the most gigantic grizzly bear on which his 
 eyes had ever rested. 
 
 The lieutenant comi)rehended the situation 
 at once. He had j^assed by the carcass of the 
 big-horn, to which Old Ephraim had been at- 
 tracted, and the monster paid no attention to 
 him until he began groping for the meat. This 
 brought him so near the bear that the latter 
 was angered, and, ceasing his feast for a mo- 
 ment, proceeded to attack the lieutenant with 
 vigor. 
 
 It was at this juncture that Hillson called 
 for re-enforcements, and the startled Palmer 
 caught up his rifle and dashed to his help. 
 
 The latter was under an almost fatal disad- 
 vantage for the space of a few seconds. He 
 had been engaged in preparing the fire for 
 broiling the mutton which he expected his 
 
40 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 companion to bring to the spot in the conrse 
 of a few minutes. The glare of the blaze and 
 coals in his eyes made him literally blind 
 when he wheeled and ran to the aid of 
 Hillson, 
 
 Since the younger officer was further out in 
 the gorge than either his friend or the bear, 
 the movements of the two were plainly shown 
 against the background of the fire. Hillson 
 could hardly expect to know the curious 
 danger in which Palmer was placed because of 
 the glare in his eyes, but he was astonished 
 when he saw him run straight toward the bear 
 without raising his rifle to fire. 
 
 The fact w^as Palmer could not see the 
 brute, though the latter and Hillson saw him 
 plainly. 
 
 ''Look out!" called his friend, beginning 
 to suspect something was wrong ; '' he'll have 
 you!" 
 
 Palmer was on the point of stopping, w^hen 
 his foot struck one of the bowlders, and in 
 stumbling he was forced to drop his rifle to 
 save himself from injury. 
 
 "Confound it!" he called, ''I can't see 
 
STIRRING TIMES. 41 
 
 anytliing, Hillson ; get your gun and give liim 
 a shot!" 
 
 Hillson would have been eager to do tliis 
 had not the appeal of his friend frightened 
 him. If he should run to camp, now some 
 distance off, the grizzly was likely to kill 
 Palmer before he could return. The true 
 course, it would seem, was to secure the gun 
 of Palmer and use that upon him. Mean- 
 while, each had his revolver at command. 
 
 Drawing the latter weapon (in which it must 
 be confessed he had little faith), Hillson 
 opened on the monster, more with the hope of 
 frightening him off than of doing him any 
 harm. At the same time, with the aid of the 
 light from the camp fire, he saw that Palmer 
 had fallen to the ground. He knew, however, 
 that such being the case was no evidence that 
 he had lost his self-command, unless he had 
 been stunned by the mishap. 
 
 The grizzly was pushing things. Those vast 
 creatures, when once roused, fear nothing on 
 earth. He was quietly banqueting on moun- 
 tain mutton when he perceived the figure of a 
 man passing by in the gloom. The brute was 
 
42 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ready to receive liim, but inasmuch as he con- 
 tinued on, he did not think it worth while to 
 stop his feasting to disclose of him. 
 
 But when Hillson, not satisfied with being- 
 left alone, turned about and aj^proached, the 
 grizzly raised his bloody snout from the meal 
 and warned him off by his growl. The brute 
 might have suspended hostilities had not a 
 second intruder put in an appearance at 
 this juncture with a gun. That was too 
 much, and, as has already been shown, the 
 grizzly went for the second arrival with a 
 vim and vigor that could not have been sur- 
 passed. 
 
 Like the ordinary black bear, he rose partly 
 on his haunches, and reached out his beam- 
 like paws to gather the young officer to his 
 embraces, when the latter stumbled and went 
 forward on his hands and knees. 
 
 Palmer showed a quickness of resource 
 which would have done credit to a veteran 
 frontiersman, for, knowing the imminence of 
 his peril, he avoided the fatal mistake of rising 
 directly to his feet. Instead of that, he rolled 
 to the right with the quickness of an acrobat, 
 
STIRKING TIMES. 43 
 
 and, turning on liis hands, held a cronching 
 posture until he could run several x)aces before 
 standing ux)riglit. 
 
 This was quick work, but it compelled 
 him to give up his gun, for had he stopped to 
 grope around for that, the mountainous body 
 would have descended upon him like an ava- 
 lanche. 
 
 Palmer did not forget, too, that his pistol 
 was with him ; for, while Hillson was popping 
 away, he joined in the fusillade, w^hich became 
 of the liveliest character, though it served no 
 more as a deterrent than a bombardment of 
 pebbles. 
 
 "Why don't you use your Winchester?" 
 called Hillson, thinking his friend had for- 
 gotten himself for the moment. 
 
 " I haven't got it to use ; I think the bear 
 is going to open fire with it." 
 
 Understanding from this that the brute was 
 too near the weapon for it to be recovered just 
 then, Hillson made a dash for the camp fire to 
 secure his own, calling to his friend to retreat 
 in the same direction until matters took better 
 form for them. 
 
44 THE PATH IIS" THE EAVIIS^E. 
 
 No time was to be lost, and the space to be 
 travelled was so brief that Hillson was at the 
 camp the next moment. 
 
 Matters there were not in the most pleasing 
 shape. The horses were quick to snnff dan- 
 ger, probably learning of the presence of the 
 grizzly as soon as did their owners. The 
 ponies were not tied, and when Hillson looked 
 around without seeing them, he did not need 
 to be told what it meant. They had fled in 
 the darkness. 
 
 ''But they will be back," he reflected, re- 
 membering how well they were trained, though 
 he could not lose sight of the probability that 
 they too might become involved in danger. 
 
 But the minutes were too precious to give 
 any thought to them. Palmer had changed 
 places with Hillson, and himself was in urgent 
 need of re-enforcements. 
 
 There was one fact in favor of the young 
 officers — the grizzly was not in need of addi- 
 tional supper, though his enormous capacity 
 in the eating line would have enabled him to 
 use one of the West Pointers as a dessert to 
 the main meal upon the big-horn and wolf. 
 
STIRRING TIMES. 46 
 
 The fact that such a tempting carcass awaited 
 him on the ground, only a few feet away, 
 somewhat restrained his fierceness, else Lieu- 
 tenant Palmer might not have escaped so easily 
 after his fall in front of the brute. 
 
 A number of the pistol shots must have 
 struck him, and they roused the dormant fury 
 of his nature. He felt the smarts, and could 
 not fail to know that the young men near him 
 were the guilty ones. 
 
 The flashing of the weapons and their sharp 
 reports, almost in his eyes, bewildered him 
 slightly, though they could not divert his 
 attack. He had set out to make mince meat 
 of Lieutenant Palmer of the United States 
 Army, and he allowed no other business to 
 tarn him aside. 
 
 By the time this curious pursuit had fairly 
 begun, Palmer was fast regaining his eyesight. 
 Everyone knows that the pupil of the eye 
 quickly accommodates itself to the violent 
 contrasts of light and darkness, though it can- 
 not do so instantaneously. 
 
 It would have required a nimble man to 
 elade the grizzly when the advantages w^ere 
 
46 THE PATH IN" THE EAVI]S"E. 
 
 equal, but the fugitive was better placed tlian 
 his i^ursuer. 
 
 A friendly bowlder was turned to good 
 account by Palmer, who deftly interposed it 
 between him and his cumbrous foe. The 
 latter, in his eagerness to reach him, tried to 
 clamber over the obstruction. The clatter of 
 his immense nails against the flinty surface 
 gave the young officer a vivid idea of what his 
 fate would be if the huge brute but once got 
 him in his power. 
 
 He had emi)tied his revolver into him with 
 no effect other than that already named. The 
 animal's wrath was intensified, and he pushed 
 his assault like a giant blinded by his own 
 fury. 
 
 Palmer did not dare resort to a direct flight, 
 for the bear could travel faster than he — his 
 only hope being that of dodging him nntil 
 Hillson brought his Winchester into play. It 
 seemed to him the lieutenant was a long while 
 in getting into action, but the seconds are 
 unusually long at such times, and the gloom 
 kept his friend from nsiug his weapon until 
 sure of not injuring Palmer himself. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE CAMP FIRE IN THE GOEGE. 
 
 THE situation was iDecnliar. So long as 
 Lieutenant Hillson could hold the bear 
 and Palmer between him and the camp fire, he 
 was able to distinguish their movements with 
 tolerable accuracy, but, in the furious pursuit 
 and flight, this could not continue. Besides, 
 Hillson was in a state of terror lest his com- 
 panion, through some slip or mishap, should 
 be seized before he could interpose. 
 
 Matters were going with a rush, and the 
 impetuosity of Hillson brought about the very 
 misfortune he dreaded for the other. He 
 came down to a walk and, believing he saw a 
 chance for a fair shot, raised his Winchester, 
 and was in the act of sighting when he caught 
 his foot under a flat stone and fell headlong 
 before he could check himself. 
 
 The rifle was not only discharged, but it was 
 knocked from his hand, so that his fall was 
 
 47 
 
48 THE PATn IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 tlie same as the one wliicli overtook Palmer a 
 few minutes before. 
 
 *' Confound it ! " he muttered, " it seems as 
 if the fates are against us." 
 
 '^Take better aim next time!" called 
 Palmer ; "• your bullet nipped my cheek, and 
 don't wait so long, for this is getting warm." 
 
 Fortunately the rifle had fallen within 
 reach, and, before rising, Hillson had it in his 
 hands again. He saw the grizzly only a short 
 way off, and, balancing himself on one knee, 
 he took careful aim and pulled the trigger. 
 
 But no answering report followed. To his 
 dismay he found that the weapon had been so 
 injured by the fall that it was useless. But 
 for that he was confident he would have 
 brought down the beast with a single ball. 
 Hoping he was mistaken, he tried again, but 
 in vain. 
 
 '' My gun is broken," he called to his friend ; 
 *^work your way back to camp, for I can't 
 help you ! " 
 
 ''Get there ahead of me," replied Palmer, 
 *' and try fire on him." 
 
 Hillson followed the suggestion on the 
 
THE CAMP FIRE IN THE GORGE. 49 
 
 instant. He dashed to tlie burning fagots, 
 dropped his gun, quickly drew out a torch, 
 and circling it above his head, fanned it into 
 a vigorous blaze. 
 
 This was done on the run, as may be said, 
 for he did not stop the vigorous circling until 
 he was almost upon the brute. The glare of 
 the torch gave him enough light to save his 
 falling while in such haste. 
 
 He could not have arrived more opportunely. 
 Palmer was almost exhausted, and he had 
 had more than one escape which could not 
 have been narrower. Once, he actually felt 
 the tip of a long claw against his face, and he 
 repeated the prayer that had been on his lips 
 more than once since being pressed so hard. 
 
 Hillson took all possible chances, and halt- 
 ing, jammed the flaming torch almost into the 
 eyes of the grizzly. This was a terror which 
 neither he nor any quadruped can stand. It 
 did that which the Winchesters could not be 
 made to do. It frightened him into a sullen 
 withdrawal, leaving the young officers safe 
 for the time. 
 
 As soon as it was seen that he had retreated, 
 
 4 
 
50 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 tliongli lie was likely to return to the attack 
 at any moment, Palmer made a break for tlie 
 camp fire, calling to Hillson to do the same. 
 The latter was but a moment behind him. 
 
 Before sj^eaking, the elder threw a lot of fuel 
 on the flames, which quickly spread until their 
 glare reached far out in the gorge, showing 
 numerous bowlders and rocks, though the 
 grizzly was beyond the circle of illumination. 
 
 "I say, Hillson," said the panting lieuten- 
 ant, " what is your opinion of hunting grizzly 
 bears?" 
 
 Hillson looked behind him to make sure the 
 particular specimen which had caused all this 
 rumpus was not within sight, before replying : 
 
 ''Well, when you get fairly into it, things 
 are apt to move lively." 
 
 " That's the hottest game of hide and seek 
 I ever played ; I can't understand, even now, 
 how I managed to dodge him so long." 
 
 "It must have been because of his size ; I 
 don't believe there is a bigger bear in the whole 
 West ; had he been smaller he would have been 
 nimble enough to nail me at first, and then 
 serve you the same way." 
 
THE CAMP FIRE IN THE GORGE. 51 
 
 a 
 
 I wonder whether he will bother us any 
 more," said Palmer, peering into the gloom ; 
 " I don't see anything of him." 
 
 "He may come nosing around, but the fire 
 is our salvation; he can't stand that, audit's 
 mighty lucky that we collected enough fuel to 
 last us through the night." 
 
 " I hope he won't get at the horses, for they 
 are not far off ; one would think that the car- 
 casses of the big-horn and wolf would give 
 him abundant sux)per without demolishing a 
 pony." 
 
 " He's big enough to devour both," was the 
 disgusted remark of Hillson ; "and, when we 
 had the best chance in the world to bag the 
 monarch of all' grizzlies, we must have that 
 awkward blunder with both our guns ; it's 
 too bad." 
 
 He picked up his rifle as he spoke, and with 
 a furtive glance or two behind him, examined 
 it by the light of the camp fire. He found, to 
 his consternation, that it could never be used 
 again until repaired. The spring was broken. 
 It could easily be put in shape by the ord- 
 nance department at the fort, but so far as 
 
52 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 present purposes were concerned, it was of no 
 more account than a w^alking cane. 
 
 *'Mine is all right," remarked Palmer, after 
 the extent of the injury was seen, "but it is 
 lost and will stay lost till daybreak." 
 
 '' I think we can find it with the help of a 
 torch, for you know where you dropped it." 
 
 " I am not sure of that," said Palmer doubt- 
 ingly ; *' the old fellow stirred me up so much 
 that I hadn't much chance of keeping track 
 of my latitude and longitude." 
 
 ''It's worth trying, anyway; I shan't be 
 satisfied till I've closed accounts with that 
 grizzly." 
 
 Palmer went with him, and, after standing 
 still a minute or two to decide, as well as he 
 could, the right direction, he pointed it out 
 and his friend moved cautiously forward, 
 swinging the torch at intervals over his head. 
 
 ''This is quite near the spot, though I may 
 be wrong." 
 
 Holding the light aloft, they peered into the 
 illuminated space with a keenness which 
 would have revealed a pocket-knife lying on the 
 ground ; but the rifle was nowhere in sight. 
 
THE CAMP FIRE IN THE GORGE. 53 
 
 While looking for tliat which they were so 
 anxious to find, they kept a sharp look-out 
 also for that which they had no wish to dis- 
 cover. The bear could not be far off, and the 
 prosx)ects of stumbling over him, even with 
 the torch as a protection, was not coveted by 
 either. 
 
 The search was not without its amusing 
 features. Palmer kept so close to his compan- 
 ion that he sometimes interfered with his 
 progress, his theory being that, inasmuch as 
 the blazing fagot was their only protection, it 
 should be equally shared. 
 
 ''Quick!" suddenly whispered the elder; 
 " the torch is going out." 
 
 Hillson realized the alarming fact as quickly 
 as his friend, and swung the stick with might 
 and main. The fact was it had already burned 
 itself so nearly out that not enough body was 
 left to feed the flame. The eiforts to renew it 
 were useless. 
 
 ''There Tie comes !''^ cried out Palmer, 
 scrambling for the cam}) with the terrified 
 Hillson tumbling over him. 
 
 It is safe to say that despite the speed made 
 
54 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 on tlieir former essays in the same direction, 
 this surpassed them all. 'No one could have 
 made the passage quicker than they. 
 
 **I should have said," remarked Palmer, 
 as the two looked in each other's faces and 
 laughed, ''that the bear was likely to be 
 coming ; I was not strictly correct in declaring 
 that he had started and was on the way." 
 
 " Much allowance must be made for a fellow 
 half scared to death." 
 
 ''I was imi3ressed with tJiat truth when 
 you first yelled for me to go to your help," 
 replied Palmer. 
 
 But both could afford to make merry over 
 their misadventure, for, though it had not 
 resulted very creditably to themselves, they 
 were lucky to escape without wounds or 
 injury. 
 
 They decided that it was imprudent to make 
 any further hunt for the gun until daylight. 
 The situation was not pleasant, since they 
 would be forced to spend the night with 
 no fire-arms besides their revolvers, which 
 amounted to little against a bear of the size 
 and strength of the one with which they had 
 
THE CAMP FIRE IN THE GORGE. 55 
 
 collided. They were not without hope that 
 the grizzly would be found in the vicinity 
 when the sun rose, and they could make a 
 more scientific hunt for him. 
 
 The only thing that remained to do was to 
 see that the fire burned briskly until morning. 
 So long as that protection existed, they had 
 nothing to fear from the bear, nor indeed from 
 any other wild beast disposed to make them 
 a call. 
 
 The matter was easily arranged. Hillson 
 agreed to stand guard until one o'clock, when 
 he would arouse his companion and they 
 would exchange places. It was so easy for 
 either to hold his senses for a few hours, that 
 no fear was felt of falling asleep. The true 
 course would have been for the sentinel to 
 continue walking back and forth in front of 
 the flames, pausing only when it was necessary 
 to throw wood upon them. This would have 
 insured perfect protection; but since the 
 watch was to be quite equally divided, neither 
 felt any misgiving of the consequences. 
 
 The officers had brought a blanket apiece, 
 but unfortunately they were strapped behind 
 
5Q THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 the saddles of tlieir horses, which had not 
 been removed before the grizzly interfered 
 with the arrangements. However, the warmth 
 reflected from the flinty wall behind the flames, 
 that were kept going vigorously, was strong 
 enough to ward off the chill, which otherwise 
 would have been too great to admit of sleeping 
 with comfort. 
 
 A quantity of the dried branches and drift- 
 wood was adjusted so as to make a fair couch 
 for Palmer, who managed to get himself into 
 an easy X30sture, after which he bade his 
 friend good-night, instructing him to call him 
 on time to take his place as sentinel. 
 
 Hillson waited for some minutes after all 
 was still, when he pronounced the name of 
 the other several times. Receiving no reply, 
 he concluded he was asleep and gave him no 
 further thought. His watch showed that it 
 was only a few minutes past nine, and he had 
 a long, wearisome wait before him, but he 
 preferred that it should come during the first 
 instead of the latter part of the night. 
 
 '' We have done this thing before," was his 
 thought, *'and we ought to understand it." 
 
THE CAMP FIRE IN THE GORGE. 57 
 
 The scene was impressive to the last degree. 
 The darkness was profound, and from his 
 IDhxce on the ground he could see nothing that 
 lay outside the circle of illumination of the 
 the camj) fire. Looking ni^ward at the sky 
 spanning the gloomy gorge, he observed a 
 single star shining from the heavenly arch 
 wliich was not yet freed from the clouds that 
 had drenched the earth. 
 
 From some point, deeper in the mountains, 
 came the wail of a wild animal, rising and 
 falling on the stillness with a dismal, weird 
 effect which caused Hillson to fling more wood 
 on the flames and to look at his revolver, 
 which he held ready for instant use. A gentle 
 wind at times soughed through the ravine, the 
 peculiar tunnel-like passage giving it a soft- 
 ened roar like that of the ocean when it 
 reaches the ear through the miles of intervene 
 ing forest. 
 
 K'ow and then the lieutenant started and 
 glanced apprehensively into the very blackness 
 of darkness, fancying he detected the elex)han- 
 tine form of the grizzly with whom they had 
 held their stirring interview earlier in the 
 
58 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 evening. Hillson edged a little nearer tlie fire, 
 his chivalry for his friend causing him to 
 maintain the blaze as near him as it could be 
 done without discomfort. 
 
 But, though he used his keen vision at its 
 best, he saw nothing of their dreaded foe, nor 
 did the first cavernous growl show that he 
 was anywhere near. 
 
 ''He may be lurking out there," thought 
 Hillson, "but we have only to stay close to 
 the fire to be safe. After the experience 
 Palmer and I have had we can't forget to do 
 that, but," he added with a look of ]3erplex- 
 ity, " it seems to me there is something strange 
 about that roar that has been in my ears so 
 long." 
 
CHAPTER yil. 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN FLOOD. 
 
 WE have referred to a dull roaring sound 
 which resembled that of the distant 
 ocean. It had been heard by the officers from 
 the time they had dismounted to go into camp 
 in this lonely place, and at first they gave 
 little heed to it. 
 
 But Lieutenant Hillson was mystified by the 
 fact that the sound was increasing, not only 
 steadily but with unmistakable rax)idity. He 
 could not understand what it meant, and yet 
 it was strange that the nature of the approach- 
 ing peril was not suspected from the first. 
 
 ''It may be a cyclone or hurricane cavorting 
 among the mountains above us," he thought ; 
 "and, if so, we have nothing to fear, for no 
 cyclone that ever desolated a country can over- 
 turn oz^r house." 
 
 And he looked upward at the vast mass of 
 stone arching out over them, and felt that it 
 
 59 
 
60 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 must stand until the last great day, unless dis- 
 placed by some convulsion of nature such as 
 originally sj)lit the mountain range apart. 
 
 But the explanation suggested by Hillson to 
 himself could not satisfy him. He rose to his 
 feet and walked a few paces into the gorge, 
 taking care to keep within the light from the 
 camp fire, and, standing thus, he looked and 
 listened. 
 
 Eyesight was of no use at such a time, and 
 for a while the ear was unable to interpret the 
 uproar, swelling rapidly into an overwhelming 
 volume of sound. 
 
 He was becoming alarmed. It seemed as if 
 the cool autumn air was taking upon itself a 
 greater degree of cold in which there was a 
 marked dampness. He was inclined to awaken 
 Palmer, who might be able to tell what it 
 meant, but he asked himself in what possible 
 way it could threaten either, and why he 
 should break the slumber of his friend, who 
 needed the rest. 
 
 This uneasiness increased, until he abruptly 
 stepped to where Palmer was lying and shook 
 his shoulder. 
 
THE MOUNTAIlSr FLOOD. 61 
 
 **Wake lip!" he called. "It won't do to 
 sleep longer." 
 
 The elder roused on the instant, and sup- 
 porting his head on his elbow, looked across 
 in the firelight. 
 
 " What's the matter?" he asked. 
 
 *' I can't tell, but something strange is going 
 on ; do you hear that roar ? ' ' 
 
 *'I should say I did," replied Palmer, 
 springing to his feet ; " what does it mean ? " 
 
 " That's what I've been trying to figure out. 
 but can't." 
 
 The two stood beside each other for a full 
 minute without speaking or stirring. Mean- 
 while the alarming sound deepened until it 
 resembled the sweep of a strong wind through 
 a great forest. Palmer had noticed the in- 
 creasing chilliness in the air, and referred to 
 it as ominous. The wind was rising, too ; this 
 added to their alarm. 
 
 "I don't know why we need have any 
 fear," said the elder, whose words and manner 
 were not those of a man who felt secure ; "for 
 it cannot be anything that will disturb us." 
 
 "If it did not grow louder so fast I would 
 
62 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 be sure it was a strong gale in the woods 
 above us, but ^' 
 
 "Hillson," interrupted the other, catching 
 his arm, ^^tliat sounds like water ! " 
 
 "So it is, Pahner! Great Heaven, we are 
 doomed ! " 
 
 *' So we are ! a stream like l^iagara is sweep- 
 ing down this gorge upon us ! " 
 
 The couple might well stand appalled, for 
 there was no longer a doubt of the meaning of 
 the fearful roar which was now swelled to an 
 overpowering volume. A prodigious torrent 
 was charging down the gorge with resistless 
 m.omentum. No human i30wer could with- 
 stand it, and there was no refuge whither they 
 might fly. 
 
 The mountain trail was a mile away, and 
 had they been borne by a lightning express, 
 they could not have reached the outlet ahead 
 of that awful rush of waters. The walls of 
 rock rose on either side for hundreds of feet, 
 and they were without the means of scaling 
 their perpendicular faces, even had they pos- 
 sessed x)recious minutes sufficient to reach the 
 top. 
 
THE MOUNTAIN FLOOD. 63 
 
 But they confronted their fate like the 
 young heroes they were, displaying a coolness 
 that could not have been surpassed. 
 
 "It's no use trying to fight the torrent," 
 said Hillson, "but we can make some jDrepara- 
 tion." 
 
 Palmer knew what he meant, and instantly 
 began throwing off his surplus clothing, even 
 to his hat, though they retained their shoes. 
 No attempt was made to save the single Win- 
 chester within reach, though each retained his 
 revolver, whose weight was too slight to affect 
 them one way or the other. 
 
 "When it comes, we will simply go with it 
 and trust to Heaven to save us." 
 
 "Of course we will go with it^^'' grimly 
 replied the elder, "for how can we help doing 
 so?" 
 
 The fire still burned vigorously, the blaze, 
 fanned by the strong wind which rushed down 
 the ravine ahead of the torrent, producing a 
 perceptible effect. In the hope that it might 
 be safer near the middle of the gorge than 
 at the sides, they hastily moved thither, until 
 they were so far out as to be only dimly 
 
64 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 visible to each other in the faint light of the 
 camp fire. 
 
 The brave youths formed a dramatic picture 
 as they stood side by side in tbe gloom of the 
 gorge, dimly outlined in the yellow light 
 beneath the shelving rocks beyond them, as it 
 was fanned by the gale sweeping down the 
 ravine. Their hair was blown about their 
 temples ; for, like the soldier condemned to 
 death by shooting, they resolutely looked into 
 the face of the approaching peril, as though 
 they welcomed their fate, even when it came 
 in such terrible form. 
 
 For a few seconds neither spoke. The 
 reader must bear in mind that events were 
 sweeping past with hurricane swiftness. Some- 
 where up in the mountains beyond, the tre- 
 mendous rainfall of the evening had gathered 
 and accumulated until, like that reservoir 
 suspended so long over the doomed Pennsjd- 
 vania valley, it burst all barriers and rushed 
 downward, carrying destruction and death in 
 its trail. 
 
 Had they but taken warning of the peril 
 to which they were exposed as long as they 
 
THE MOUNTAIN FLOOD. 65 
 
 stayed in the gorge, after the fall of the rain 
 in the mountains, they might have escaped by 
 fleeing with all haste down the ravine to the 
 narrow passage where they left the mountain 
 trail ; but the fear never entered the thoughts 
 of either, until long after all hopie in that 
 direction was cut off. 
 
 **Good-by, Russ ! " 
 
 *'Good-by, Al, old boy!'' 
 
 The two clasped . hands, the warm palms 
 tightly closed, as if each instinctively felt that 
 it was the last time the loving greeting could 
 ever be known between them. 
 
 And they stood thus in affectionate embrace 
 when the awful avalanche of water came ! 
 
CHAPTER YIII. 
 
 WITH THE TORRENT. 
 
 THE brief farewell, in the words given, was 
 all that passed between Lieutenants Hill- 
 son and Palmer, but, though neither had said 
 anything to that effect, each was resolved to 
 hold fast to the hand of the other in the final 
 struggle with death that was upon them. 
 
 They might as well have tried to ride upon 
 the cyclone, for at the first smiting of the ap- 
 palling torrent they were swept apart as if by 
 the explosion of a bomb between their feet. 
 The fire, which up to that moment permitted 
 them to see faintly each other's forms, was 
 extinguished and all was blank darkness. 
 
 Both of the young men were jiowerful swim- 
 mers, and their acts were instinctively the best 
 that could have taken place. The instant they 
 felt the water upon them they drew in a deep 
 respiration, and, refraining from wasting their 
 
 66 
 
WITH THE TOEKENT. 67 
 
 strength by fighting the current, tried hard to 
 keep their heads above the surface. 
 
 It was at this crisis that each heard, above 
 the frightful rush and roar, a sound such as 
 never struck upon their ears before, and such 
 as, it is safe to say, they couki never hear again. 
 It was the cry of the grizzly bear when he felt 
 himself in the grasp of death, for which he 
 cared naught in any other form. The hoarse, 
 rasping shriek, with tremendous depth and 
 volume, was fearful enough to impress itself 
 upon both youths, at the moment they believed 
 brought their own last struggle. 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer was as helpless in the 
 rush as a feather in the maelstrom below Ni- 
 agara. He knew he was borne down the ra- 
 vine with a speed which, if it should dash 
 him against the rocky sides, would instantly 
 kill him. It may be said that, after finding 
 he was not overwhelmed and drowned by the 
 first rush, he expected to lose his life in this 
 way. 
 
 Possibly it was fortunate for Palmer and his 
 friend that the first contact of the water was 
 of such prodigious volume that they were 
 
68 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 lifted bodily from the ground and borne to a 
 lieiglit of fifty feet above it, for, had it been 
 less, they could not have escaped being dashed 
 against some one of the many rocks and 
 bowlders at the bottom of the ravine. As it 
 was, they were carried above these obstructions, 
 though the danger from the sides was as great, 
 if not greater, than before. 
 
 It was a desperately fierce struggle for a few 
 minutes. Palmer caught his breath as he 
 could, and, more often than otherwise, water 
 instead of air streamed down his throat, and 
 had to be coughed out again. Leaves, sticks, 
 branches, whole trees, bark, and every imagin- 
 able product of the mountain forests were 
 around and about him, but since all were 
 borne forward with the same rush and at com- 
 paratively the same speed, the danger of col- 
 lision with these objects was slight. 
 
 It was no difficult matter for the lieutenant, 
 when he found himself on the surface, to 
 sustain himself there, but since his out- 
 stretched hands struck a large tree bobbing 
 along on the torrent, he was only simply pru- 
 dent when he threw one arm over it with the 
 
WITH THE TORKEXT. 69 
 
 conclusion that it might as well sustain him as 
 to drift uselessly downward. 
 
 At the moment of doing this Lieutenant 
 Palmer, for the first time, asked himself : 
 
 '^Is it among the possibilities that I shall 
 ever live to tell of this ? Alas, poor Russ 1 " 
 
 Now that the first gleam of hope for himself 
 appeared, his thoughts turned to his friend 
 from whom he was wrenched with such sud- 
 denness that they had time to utter only the 
 simple words of farewell. He gave no thought 
 to the ponies, for they were of little account, 
 but he wondered whether the manly Hillsou 
 was still alive and battling for life. 
 
 "I see no reason why he should not have 
 been as fortunate as I," he reflected, "for he 
 is a better swimmer and must have encoun- 
 tered but the same difiiculties." 
 
 It was not strange perhaps that he recalled 
 an incident somewhat similar which occurred 
 at one of the Southern forts not long before. 
 The captain and first lieutenant were over- 
 whelmed in the same manner by a sudden 
 rush of waters while hunting in the mountains 
 and both were drowned. The noticeable point 
 
70 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 was that by one of tliose curious complications 
 which sometimes take place in the army, the 
 two who lost their lives were the couple stand- 
 ing immediately ahead of the second lieuten- 
 ant in line of promotion. He nearly lost his 
 own life in the effort to save the officers, but 
 failed and was soon rewarded by being made 
 captain. 
 
 Now that hope was awakened in the breast 
 of Lieutenant Palmer, and his sympathies 
 were stirred for his late companion, he could 
 not avoid speculating as to what the end of all 
 this was to be. At such a time one thinks 
 rapidly, and there was hardly a possible phase 
 of the fearful dilemma that did not present 
 itself to him. 
 
 The first truth which impressed him was 
 that this mighty volume of water could not be 
 driven through the fissure-like cut by which 
 he and Hillson entered the wild region. That 
 was so exceedingly strait that it must become 
 choked and a back current formed. How- 
 would that affect him? Could he keep out of 
 the fissure through whicli it must be forced, 
 as if from the throat of a gigantic hose, long 
 
WITH THE TORRENT. 7l 
 
 enougli to help himself? If caught resist- 
 lessly in it, he knew he would shoot over and 
 across the mountain trail as if fired from the 
 mouth of a columbiad. Such an experience 
 in all the elements of terror would surpass the 
 experience of the fool-hardy Captain Webb, 
 who essayed the impossible. 
 
 But was there not another outlet to this 
 flood ? He recalled that, for some distance 
 after leaving the mountain path, the trend of 
 the fissure was downward, but he and Hillson 
 saw no passage or larger chasm connecting 
 with the one leading into the mountains. 
 
 And yet it might exist and escape their 
 notice, for their eyes were always fixed in 
 advance, and a wide-throated ravine could 
 join this one in such a manner that it was 
 prominent only when they were facing the 
 other way. 
 
 This seemed like a violent presumj)tion, but 
 after all, it was reasonable enough to set his 
 thoughts in that direction. 
 
 However, the question of life and death 
 must soon be determined. The prodigious speed 
 with which he was borne forward was sure to 
 
72 THE PATH IN" THE RAVINE. 
 
 bring him to the mountain trail in a few mo- 
 ments or bear him along the diverging torrent. 
 
 Incredible as it may seem, it was a fact that 
 the outlet of this volume of rushing water was 
 through a channel almost as broad, but con- 
 nected with the ravine in such a way that it 
 was not observed by either of the officers 
 when riding toward the point where they 
 made their camp for the night. 
 
 It will be remembered that the main gorge 
 was sinuous and possessed many sharp turns in 
 its course. It was at one of these that, instead 
 of sweeping onward, the torrent shot into 
 another channel, which, rightly considered, 
 was the real continuation of the ravine, which 
 had really been entered through a branch, as 
 it may be termed, by our young friends. 
 
 Into this new course Lieutenant Palmer was 
 swept with the same amazing swiftness that he 
 had been carried along the old one. He did 
 not suspect the truth until he had passed some 
 distance and had actually grazed the side, the 
 momentary touch of which first gave him an 
 adequate idea of the bewildering speed with 
 which he was rushing forward. 
 
WITH THE TORRENT. 73 
 
 The second cliannel being mncli narrower 
 than the first caused an instant rise of the 
 water, a portion of which still continued along 
 the narrower fissure in the direction of the 
 mountain trail. 
 
 Nothing can give a more vivid idea of the 
 amazing volume of water than the statement 
 that within a minute after it passed the ex- 
 tinguished camp fire, it had risen to within a 
 short distance of the to^) of the gorge. Not 
 only that, but at XDoints where the summits of 
 the walls were depressed, it overflowed. 
 
 It followed, therefore, that after the water 
 was driven into the narrower passage, it rose 
 still higher, and, before Palmer dreamed of 
 what had taken place, he was "out of the 
 swim" altogether. That is to say, the whirl- 
 ing volume carried him over the top of the 
 rocks on one side and among the bowlders and 
 trees, where it would seem his chances of 
 death were increased tenfold, for all manner 
 of obstructions were now on every hand and 
 his progress must come to an end within the 
 briefest space of time. 
 
CHAPTEH IX. 
 
 UP A TEEE. 
 
 THE first proof Lieutenant Palmer received 
 of the unexpected change was when his 
 foot struck the ground below him. It was 
 what might be called a glancing blow, the con- 
 tact being so slight that he could not secure 
 an ounce's resistance. 
 
 While he was w^ondering whether he had 
 touched the top of some towering rock, rising 
 nearly to the top of the new bed of the tor- 
 rent, he found himself shooting through the 
 branches of trees. 
 
 This signified something. Those trees must 
 have their roots imbedded in the soil, an im- 
 possibility had they been in the path of the 
 direct rush of the waters. It followed, there- 
 fore, that he had been "spilled over" and, like 
 a Mississix)pi steamer gone astray in a flood, 
 
 74 
 
UP A TREE. 75 
 
 was skurrying over territory where nothing of 
 the kind was ever known before. 
 
 The instant the limbs began brushing about 
 his face, he threw out his hands and caught 
 desperately at everything within reach. The 
 twigs shot through his grasp with blistering 
 speed, and, when he seized a stronger limb, it 
 snapped off short as though it were a pipestem. 
 
 He was now in terror of being dashed to 
 death against the trunk of some tree. When 
 the next instant he was among the branches of 
 other trees, he repeated his efforts with such 
 vigor that he held fast. The strain was in- 
 tense, but it meant life or death and he did 
 not let go. 
 
 The moment his forward motion was checked, 
 he lifted himself so strongly by the hands 
 that his feet were drawn clear of the rushing 
 current and he was perched above its reach. 
 
 "Thank God!" was his fervent exclama- 
 tion, now realizing that at last he was saved ; 
 "it is a miracle, but it is real." 
 
 The tense strain being lifted. Lieutenant 
 Palmer was able, for the first time, to remove 
 his thoughts from the immediate present to 
 
76 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 the immediate future. He had done a vast 
 deal of guessing and speculating while in the 
 torrent, but he was in constant danger of 
 sudden death, and it was that fact which dom- 
 inated all others. 
 
 It was clear to him what had occurred. The 
 time spent in the water suggested that the 
 torrent had turned into a new channel, since 
 the speed with which he was carried downward 
 ought to have taken him to the mountain trail 
 before this. That new bed had so narrowed 
 that the impetuous water rose quickly and 
 Palmer had been carried over and outside of 
 the banks from which at one time there seemed 
 to be no possible hope of effecting his escape. 
 
 He reasoned further that this flood in all its 
 characteristics w^as very like the breaking 
 away of some reservoir ; it was mighty and 
 overwhelming, but must soon subside, since 
 the source of supply was exhausted. The rain 
 had ceased falling a long time before, and 
 probably, in the course of a few hours, the im- 
 mense gorge would be so freed that the ride of 
 the horsemen might be repeated, were other 
 circumstances favorable. 
 
UP A TPwEE. 77 
 
 There could be no great depth of water 
 below him, and ere long the ground must be 
 uncovered, and it would be safe for him to 
 descend. He decided, however, not to do so 
 before daylight, since he was liable to make a 
 misstep in the darkness, with no chance of 
 helx)ing himself. 
 
 The situation could not have been more 
 discomforting, but he was mighty glad to 
 exchange it with that of a few minutes 
 before. It seemed to him the tree was not 
 very tall nor large, but after a while he suc- 
 ceeded in securing a x)osition much better 
 than before. 
 
 If any x')erson wants to realize how slowly 
 the minutes and hours can drag by, let him 
 place himself in a situation something like that 
 of Lieutenant Palmer. He was clothed scan- 
 tily, the water was chilly, and, now that he 
 was deprived of all exercise, it seemed he must 
 be chilled through and joerish before he could 
 help himself. 
 
 His matches were carried in a small rubber 
 safe, and his revolver was so protected that its 
 submersion was not likely to affect it in the 
 
78 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 least. He therefore possessed the power to 
 strike a light Avhenever he wished. 
 
 "It seems to me I have been here about 
 a month," he muttered after shifting his 
 position, which quickly became unbearably 
 cramped, ''but it can hardly be as long as 
 that," he grimly added, as he began fishing 
 out the little safe. 
 
 It required no little care and skill to ignite 
 the bit of i^ine, but he succeeded, and held it 
 in front of his watch. Then he muttered an 
 exclamation of amazement. 
 
 It lacked a few minutes of ten o'clock ! 
 
 "Heavens, that is impossible! I thought 
 
 so." 
 
 He placed the timepiece against his ear and 
 found it had ceased ticking. 
 
 "It must have been stopped by the first 
 rush of water," was his conclusion, as he 
 returned it to its place at his waist, "and that 
 surely was hours and hours ago." 
 
 For some minutes a suspicion had been 
 growing upon the young officer that he was 
 not the only one in the branches of the tree. 
 The wild thought that Hillson might have 
 
UP A TREE. 79 
 
 reached tlie refuge first caused him to pro- 
 nounce his name several times, but he was 
 almost ashamed the next moment of having 
 done so. 
 
 He had forgotten the impression while work- 
 ing with the tiny match, but no sooner had the 
 twist of flame shone over the polished face of 
 the watch than a warning growl from some 
 of the limbs i^roved that his fears were well 
 founded. 
 
 *'If you are only peaceable," said Palmer, 
 dropping the point of flame among the limbs 
 below, "I won't bother you, but you may as 
 well understand that, after such a trip as I 
 have made, I'm ready to fight every inch of the 
 way hereafter, whether it is an elephant, a tiger, 
 or a treacherous Indian that crosses my path." 
 
 He believed that a wild animal — most prob- 
 ably of the panther variety — had been carried 
 by a strange chance to the same refuge that 
 had interposed to save him. No doubt the 
 brute was terrified for the time out of its 
 natural fierceness, though ere long it would be 
 ready to resume business at the old stand. 
 
 The growl came from some point above and 
 
80 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 not far off, and caused the officer to reacli for 
 his revolver, for he was liable to be assailed at 
 any moment. 
 
 The growl was followed by occasional pur- 
 ring mutterings which enabled him to decide 
 the exact spot w^here the beast was crouching. 
 It was on a limb hardly ten feet above his 
 head, and far enough away and around to 
 require an elevation of some forty-five degrees 
 to reach it with a shot. 
 
 Palmer reflected that his position could not 
 be worse, for an easy jumi3 on the part of the 
 wild beast must bring it directly down on his 
 shoulders, and he was in no condition to engage 
 in a fight of that kind. That the animal would 
 make such an attack he did not doubt, and it 
 would seem, therefore, that the best thing was 
 to anticipate it. 
 
 He tried for several minutes to gain a sight 
 of its eyes, so as to aim with some certainty of 
 hitting it, but he failed to obtain the first 
 glimpse, and though he knew the very place 
 where it was crouching, he dared not take the 
 chances of firing without more conditions in 
 his favor. 
 
rP A TREE. 
 
 81 
 
 The first thing to be done was to change his 
 own position. He was quite near the trunk of 
 the tree, and, carefully rising to his feet, he 
 shifted slowly around so as to interpose the 
 trunk between him and the brute. 
 
 The instant he began the movement his 
 enemy renewed its growling with such vigor 
 that he was sure it was gathering itself to 
 spring. He held his weapon ready to fire, but 
 the leap was not made, and, balancing himself 
 with one foot on the right and the other on 
 the left, the latter resting on a limb some 
 inches higher than the other, Palmer placed 
 one arm around the trunk opposite his shoul- 
 ders, and felt that his situation was excellent. 
 He was behind ramparts, and, though the 
 beast might reach him with his sharp claws, 
 there was a chance of using the revolver effec- 
 tively. 
 
 It was at this juncture that Palmer, while 
 peering cautiously around the right of the 
 trunk, caught the greenish phosphorescent 
 o-litter of the animal's eves. It was only for a 
 moment, the head shifting so quickly that they 
 instantly vanished. 
 
32 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 He pointed the weapon at the place, but 
 held his fire, waiting for another display. 
 
 It came a minute later, when the shifting 
 head revealed the peculiar gleam of the round 
 eyes. At such a time, when Palmer could not 
 see his upraised hand, of course he could do 
 nothing in the nature of sighting his weapon ; 
 but his familiarity with its use enabled him to 
 point the chambers as accurately as though the 
 sun were shining. 
 
 At the same instant that the greenish flash 
 was observed, he let fly with two charges in 
 quick succession. 
 
 There could be no doubt that he hit the 
 brute, for the snarling yelp which instantly 
 escaped it was as much of pain as anger. 
 Without a second's hesitation it bounded 
 downward and straight at its assailant, who 
 would have been torn but for the interposing 
 tree trunk. 
 
 He heard it fiercely clawing and clutching 
 at the limbs in the effort to sustain itself, 
 and, by way of helping matters, he pumped a 
 couple more balls into the body. The strug- 
 gles and outcries were redoubled, but the beast 
 
UP A TREE. 83 
 
 could not sustain itself. It dropped downward 
 through the few remaining limbs, striking the 
 water with a splash, without having harmed a 
 shred of the young man's scanty clothing. 
 
 All this was a source of congratulation, but 
 that which pleased him the most was what 
 immediately followed on the fall of the brute. 
 The instant it landed it hastily left the spot, 
 but instead of doing so by swimming it 
 trotted off. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 
 AIMLESS WANDERINGS. 
 
 THE patter of the animal's feet as it trotted 
 away from tlie foot of the tree proved 
 that the water had become very shallow. In- 
 deed, its dei3th could not have been more than 
 a few inches, as was shown by the ease with 
 which the brute travelled. 
 
 ''I shall soon have solid land under me," 
 thought Palmer, "and all that I can pray is 
 that Hillson has been as fortunate as I." 
 
 The flow was plainly heard, and he was sure, 
 from its peculiar noise, that it was falling 
 rapidly. Clearly all danger from that source 
 was at an end. 
 
 But the lieutenant was in a pitiable condi- 
 tion. He was shivering with cold, and his 
 limbs were so cramped that more than once he 
 was in danger of losing his hold and falling to 
 
 84 
 
AIMLESS WANDERINGS. 85 
 
 the ground. In fact, he was tempted to do so, 
 for any change Avas preferable to that in the 
 tree. 
 
 But while he was debating with himself 
 what was best to do, he was thrilled by a 
 growing light in one portion of the sky. He 
 had been disappointed so often that he feared 
 it was only another delusion. Looking long 
 and earnestly at the spot, he fancied he was 
 mistaken ; but, when he turned his gaze in 
 another direction for some minutes, and then 
 brought it back to the former place, all doubts 
 were removed. Day was breaking. 
 
 The next gratifying discovery came when 
 the light was strong enough to give him a sight 
 of the ground below. While the leaves and 
 grass were wet, the water w^ as gone ; there was 
 not so much as a rivulet flowing. The prodig- 
 ious reservoir was rapidly exhausting itself, if 
 it had not already done so. 
 
 At the same moment he learned this cheering 
 fact he let himself down from the limbs, land- 
 ing lightly on his feet, and looked about him. 
 By the rapidly increasing light he saw he had 
 been carried among a grouj) of trees of much 
 
86 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 less extent than lie supposed. He shuddered 
 on noting that several had been uxirooted by 
 the torrent, which had flung great bowlders 
 against them with tremendous force. 
 
 It was easy to trace the course of the flow, 
 and he had to go little more than a hundred 
 yards when he reached the edge of the ravine 
 from which he was carried by the friendly 
 overflow. 
 
 He was astonished beyond measure to find 
 that that was also substantially free from 
 water. Muddy pools were here and there, 
 while trees, branches, and overturned bowlders 
 lay in many places, but there was no defined 
 flow of the torrent, which hours before had 
 l)oured through the ravine with a rush and 
 volume which of necessity speedily drained 
 dry its source. 
 
 He stood for some minutes gazing over the 
 edge of the gorge with strange thoughts stir- 
 ring his heart. He could not help recalling the 
 fearful experience of the night before, when, 
 with his hand clasj^ing that of Hillson, the 
 awful fury of the flood tore them apart, with 
 not a hope in the heart of either that they 
 
AIMLESS WANDERINGS. 87 
 
 would ever look upon each other's face, or hear 
 each other's voice again. 
 
 He monrned him as one mourns a true and 
 noble friend, but his own situation demanded 
 every attention. 
 
 He was so chilled that the first thing he did 
 was to run rapidly back and forth, swinging 
 his arms and leaping in the air, to restore his 
 circulation. This was kept up with such vigor 
 for several minutes that his system was thrown 
 into a glow and he felt much better. 
 
 ^' What would I not give for an army blan- 
 ket ? " he said, panting from his exertion ; ''it 
 is enough to tempt a fellow to duplicate his 
 pay accounts to get one." 
 
 The sensation of hunger was strong, but he 
 had learned how to bear that uncomplainingly 
 during his campaigning on the frontier. The 
 most obvious course was for him to locate 
 himself as soon as he could, and then to set 
 out on his return to the fort, many a weary 
 mile away. 
 
 He knew there were Indians, some of them 
 vagrant and dangerous, in these mountains, 
 but he would have welcomed the risk could he 
 
88 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 have caught sight of the smoke of one of their 
 camp fires, but his vision was not gratified by 
 the first sign of a human being's presence in 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 Since it was out of his power to cross the 
 gorge, while it was not certain his situation 
 would be improved thereby, he picked his 
 way along the sides, keeping it in sight at all 
 times, though the roughness of the Journey 
 compelled him to advance with the utmost care. 
 
 AVhile he was wondering w^here the torrent 
 of water had found its outlet, the overjpower- 
 ing answer burst upon him. 
 
 The gorge, after one of its violent turns, 
 entered an underground x^assage whose mouth, 
 a hundred feet wide and almost as high, was 
 like the gateway to some vast subterranean 
 cavern, into which it seemed the Mississippi 
 might have lost itself. 
 
 For several rods in front of this vast tunnel 
 the bottom w^as so depressed that a pond of 
 motionless water lay, muddy, full of leaves, 
 trees, and vegetation. 
 
 The lieutenant shuddered as he reflected 
 that but for that sudden and fortunate over- 
 
AIMLESS WANDERINGS. 89 
 
 flow, lie would have been swept into tliose 
 fearful dej^tlis, from which no man or animal 
 could emerge alive. 
 
 "That is the tomb of Hillson and the 
 ponies," he reflected, weighed down Avith un- 
 speakable sadness; "the torrent may flow 
 for many miles underground before reaching 
 its outlet in some of the rivers, and it is not 
 likely that his body will ever be seen or heard 
 of again." 
 
 Inasmuch as the ravine had been entered 
 from the other side, he crossed the arch of the 
 tunnel and pushed his journey in that direc- 
 tion. The ground was so rough, covered with 
 pines and undergrowth, that travelling was of 
 the hardest nature, while the towering moun- 
 tains behind him and the scarcely less pre- 
 cipitous slopes and elevations along which he 
 was obliged to make his way shut off his view 
 on every hand. 
 
 The position of the sun, however, gave great 
 help. It appeared to rise in the south, but he 
 was sensible enough to understand his mis- 
 take, and he headed toward the fort, greatly 
 relieved to find that, while following the 
 
90 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ravine, his course was favorable almost from 
 the first. 
 
 His aim now was to reach the mountain 
 trail which he and his friend left the afternoon 
 before, little dreaming of what was to follow. 
 This attained, he would be able to locate him- 
 self without trouble, for, as has been shown in 
 another place, it served as the popular gate- 
 way to the fame -IS hunting grounds of that 
 section. He could not forget, however, that 
 the ascent of the rocks to the left of the moun- 
 tain trail, as they rode up it, was so steep in 
 most places as to be insurmountable ; and, 
 that being so, he might well wonder how he 
 should ever find his way down to it again. 
 
 But all that remained was to press vigor- 
 ously onward, for, if compelled to stay long in 
 the mountains in his present plight, he must 
 X)erish. While he carried a few matches, no 
 fire could take the place of warm clothing. 
 The autumn was advancing, and in that nor- 
 thern climate when the autumn season does 
 close in it is like that which the Arctic ex- 
 plorers encounter in the extreme northern 
 regions. 
 
AIMLESS WANDERINGS. 91 
 
 At the end of a couple of liours Lieutenant 
 Palmer could not see that he was any nearer 
 his destination than before. His clothing had 
 been torn by the briars and bushes, and he 
 was beginning to feel the effects of his con- 
 tinual and laborious climbing. 
 
 "I wonder," he said to himself, stopping 
 for a brief breathing spell, " whether there are 
 any Blackfeet or Gros Ventres or Piegans 
 within call. They are not the most desirable 
 acquaintances in these parts, but there isn't 
 much about me in the way of inlander to tempt 
 them, and my revolver is still serviceable " 
 
 The crackling of the undergrowth behind 
 him caused the startled officer to tarn his head 
 like a flash ; and as he did so, he received the 
 greatest surprise of his life. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 A STRANGE TUG. 
 
 WE are quite sure tlie reader will admit 
 that Lieutenant Palmer passed through 
 a stirring experience, and that his escape from 
 death was as wonderful in many respects as 
 some of those that marked the Johnstown 
 disaster which appalled the civilized world. 
 
 But by one of those marvellous complica- 
 tions which seem to defy the laws of chances 
 and probabilities, his friend, Lieutenant Hill- 
 son, passed a night in many respects more 
 amazing than that of the elder officer. 
 
 Palmer was right when he declared his 
 friend to be a better swimmer than he, but no 
 skill could avail him when caught by the re- 
 sistless torrent which thundered through the 
 mountain gorge like an Alpine avalanche. 
 Finding his hand jerked from the grasp of his 
 
^ l It t 
 
 
A STRAXGE TUG. 93 
 
 companion, lie instinctively imitated his ac- 
 tion, and with the same result that he found 
 himself on the surface, plunging forward in 
 the darkness, with only a dim idea of where 
 he was going, content to fight off death for a 
 few minutes only. 
 
 Hillson was overtaken by a mishap which 
 his friend escaped. A huge tree, caught in 
 some peculiar Avhirl of the torrent, threw its 
 dangling roots aloft, descending again with a 
 violent splash. The darkness was too intense 
 for the swimmer to see his danger, and as the 
 trunk descended he was struck with a shock 
 that rendered him partly senseless for a few 
 minutes. 
 
 It was at this juncture that his skill in 
 swimming served him well. Most persons 
 would have drowned while suffering from the 
 blow, but he kept his limbs moving with an 
 expertness that saved him, while the chilly 
 current speedily brought him back to his full 
 senses. 
 
 He knew what it was that had struck him, 
 and saw the chance to save his strength by 
 using some of the debris to help float him, as 
 
94 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 his friend was in reality doing at that very 
 moment. 
 
 He had heard that frightful cry of the grizzly 
 when overtaken by the flood, but gave it no 
 further thought, until in groiDing around in the 
 gloom both hands came in contact with some- 
 thing soft and yielding. He was frightened at 
 first, but the next moment recognized it as the 
 coat of the grizzly bear, who was swimming for 
 dear life. 
 
 "I don't see why you won't do as well as 
 anything else," muttered Hillson, struck by 
 the oddity of the situation, "so here goes!" 
 
 The head of the brute was mostly above 
 water, the vast body sloping backward and 
 downward, until the haunches were too far 
 beneath to be of any service ; but, just back of 
 the shoulders was the spot which could not 
 have been excelled as a means of support for 
 one in the situation of the young officer. He 
 grasped the long, glossy hair at that place, 
 finding that so long as bruin maintained him- 
 self, his own situation was all he could wish. 
 
 " I don't know what point you're aiming at, 
 Ephraim," said Hillson, "but it's all the same 
 
A STRANGE TUG. 95 
 
 to me, and I prefer that you should serve as 
 my steam tug rather than to go it alone." 
 
 For some time the grizzly gave no sign of 
 knowing what had taken place. He was 
 swimming powerfully, though it appeared to 
 be aimlessly. He was forced to go with the 
 torrent, wheresoever that bore him, and was 
 using his immense strength with might and 
 main. 
 
 It struck Hillson that the brute was wasting 
 his efforts, but before long he changed his 
 mind, for, though the ursus species includes 
 the most stupid of the animal kind, it was not 
 long before he gave proof that he was following 
 a definite plan which did him no discredit. 
 
 In fact he was making for the side of the 
 gorge, which in many places was within his 
 reach. While he drifted with the current he 
 also worked quartering, and had not struggled 
 long when he was spinning along shore so close 
 that he grazed the walls of rock. 
 
 At the first opportunity he reached one of 
 his huge paws upward and struck the bank 
 above, but the force of the water swept him 
 past without the slightest cessation of speed. 
 
96 THE PATH IN THE PwAVINE. 
 
 Hillsoii understood what he was trying to 
 do, and hope was at once aroused that his 
 Samson-like strength would enable him to 
 draw himself out of the resistless rush. 
 
 '' It will delight me to have you succeed, my 
 old enemy, but I am determined you shall not 
 get out of the swim without taking me with 
 you. I can't give you much help, but you 
 may be able to do a good deal for me." 
 
 By and by the grizzly essayed it once more, 
 and then again and again, but with no more 
 success than in the first instance. Possibly he 
 might have accomplished it in one case but for 
 his heavy handicap. Some idea of that nature 
 must have come to him, for, after falling back 
 in the water, he emitted one of his ugly growls 
 and turned about in the wrathful effort to 
 reach the fellow with his jaws. 
 
 But Hillson had been expecting this from 
 the beginning and was on his guard. He had 
 nothing to do but to retain his grip on the 
 shaggy coat at the shoulders, and the brute 
 had no power to shake him off. He tried it 
 several times, turning entirely around more 
 than once, but Hillson could afford to despise 
 
A STRANGE TUG. 97 
 
 his efforts, and he was not frightened in the 
 least. 
 
 The animal himself quickly saw he could do 
 nothing in that line, and resumed his swim- 
 ming, close to the upper edge of the wall, 
 which for some distance was beyond his reach. 
 
 However, nature was kind enough to do that 
 which was out of the power of the grizzly. He 
 was still clawing and scrambling in the vain 
 effort to climb out of the water, when he went 
 headlong over a depression below the main 
 torrent. It was here the choked water, seek- 
 ing every possible overflow, shot a portion to 
 one side, carrying the huge beast in spite of 
 himself. True to his resolve, Hillson clung 
 fast, and, before he understood what was com- 
 ing, found himself tumbling, half-strangled 
 and seemingly so mixed up with the brute that, 
 had the latter used the chance, he could have 
 destroyed him in a twinkling. 
 
 But the grizzly just then was fighting for 
 nobody but himself. The shallowness of the 
 water allowed him to get upon his feet, while 
 the lieutenant was sufficiently wise to let go 
 before angering him into an attack. The run- 
 
98 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 ning stream was almost to his knees, and, 
 though it rushed past with great force, he, 
 too, was strong enough to retain his feet. 
 
 Hill son Avas wise and kept his head. He 
 knew he was still in imminent i^eril, and 
 anything in the nature of undue haste or panic 
 would be fatal. He was outside the main 
 gorge, but still much nearer than was agree- 
 able. A step or two to the left was likely to 
 drop him into the foaming flood again, and, 
 once there, he could hope for no such good 
 fortune as had just saved his life. 
 
 Not only was the bear gone, but it might be 
 that this overflow, after running a short dis- 
 tance, returned to the gorge through some still 
 lower depression, over which he was liable to 
 be precipitated at any moment if he took the 
 wrong course. 
 
 But he could not stand still with the torrent 
 rushing about his knees. With a coolness 
 natural to him, he began working his way 
 at right angles to the course of the smaller 
 stream, and directly from the gorge, provided 
 the course of the latter had not changed 
 abruptly. This certainly was the safer pro- 
 
A STRANGE TUG. 99 
 
 ceeding, according to all reasoning, but Hill- 
 son determined, now that Heaven had given 
 him such aid, that he would not throw away 
 his opportunity. He stepped with as much 
 care as that shown by an ele^Dhant when ven- 
 turing upon a rickety bridge, never allowing 
 the advanced foot to bear his weight until he 
 knew it rested on solid foundation. 
 
 It did not take much travelling, even in this 
 slow fashion, for him to emerge from the side 
 stream, which had been the means of saving 
 himself and the grizzly. He was simply seek- 
 ing a firm basis for his feet, where he would 
 be willing to stand until the light of day 
 enabled him to make another venture for 
 himself. 
 
 He had secured it at last, and his prayer of 
 thankfulness was as fervent as that of Palmer 
 when rescued from what he looked upon as 
 certain death. 
 
 He had no means of learning how extensive 
 was the *' platform" on which he w^as sup- 
 ported, but was satisfied to know it was firm. 
 Drawing his match safe from his pocket he 
 managed with considerable trouble to ignite 
 
100 THE PATH ITSr THE EAVINE. 
 
 one of the tiny torches, but it was instantly 
 put out by the wind, which blew quite strongly. 
 When a second effort failed, he forebore re- 
 peating it, for it occurred to him that those 
 lucifers were likely to acquire great value to 
 him before he was fully delivered from the 
 labyrinth of peril in which he was entangled. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 A FRIEND TPwIED AND TRUE. 
 
 TOUNG Hillson gained a more vivid idea 
 than ever before of playing the martyr. 
 His situation was fully as dismal and trying 
 as that of his old friend in the tree, but he 
 fought off the torturing chill by leaping up and 
 down, slapping himself, and going through 
 more than one form of violent gymnastics. 
 The hours were unspeakably long, but dark- 
 ness fled at last, and the glorious sun once 
 more rose over forest and mountain. 
 
 The first fact impressed upon him, after dis- 
 covering that he was in a dense growth of 
 trees at the foot-hills of a range that seemed to 
 tower to the very clouds, was that there was 
 no water of account nearer him than that con- 
 tained in the gorge from Avhich he had effected 
 his escape several iours before. 
 
 The next discovery fairly took away his 
 
 101 
 
102 THE J>ATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 breath, for only a few yards away was a 
 liorse cropping tlie scanty grass beneath the 
 t^efes.' 'That 'S-ume horse was saddled and 
 bridled, and hardly a second glance was re- 
 quired to identify it as his own pet mare, Kitty. 
 
 " How in the name of creation did you save 
 yourself?" asked the delighted lieutenant, 
 calling the Jiame of his gallant beast. 
 
 The latter threw up her head, and recogniz- 
 ing him, gave a whinny of x)leasure as she 
 trotted toward him. The soldier was not 
 ashamed to throw his arms about the neck of 
 the beautiful animal, who pressed her silken 
 nostrils against his cheek and showed her hap- 
 piness in every way at command. 
 
 The surprise of the unexpected meeting over, 
 the shivering lieutenant jDroceeded to secure 
 the blanket strapped behind the saddle. 
 
 " It won't be verv comfortable saturated as 
 it must be with water," he muttered, "but it 
 beats freezing to death a thousand per cent. 
 Well, I'll be hanged if that don't get me ! " 
 
 That which astonished the lieutenant anew 
 was the fact that, when he came to unfold the 
 precious blanket, he found it dry or nearly so, 
 
A FRIEND TRIED AND TRUE. 103 
 
 the only moisture penetrating it being tliat 
 which had struck it in the form of rain. 
 
 The result of subsequent investigations may 
 as well be given in this place, in order that the 
 reader may not suspect us of telling fiction for 
 truth. 
 
 When the ponies fled from the camp at the 
 bottom of the gorge, terrified by the appear- 
 ance of the grizzly bear, they headed up the 
 ravine, thus continuing the course they had 
 been following from the first. Not far from 
 the spot the gorge rapidly broadened, with 
 such gentle sloiDes on the right and left that 
 it was not difilcult for any animal to make his 
 way out of it. Had the two officers, on the 
 first sound of the approaching flood, hastened 
 in the same direction, they could have escaped 
 without danger. 
 
 But the ponies were fleeing in the dark, and 
 it was simple accident that led Kitty to climb 
 out to the left, before her hoofs were wet by 
 the rush of the torrent. Her companion con- 
 tinued in the gorge and was never seen again. 
 Fortune was less kind to him than to his 
 master and companion. 
 
104 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 It may be said that Kitty had been in no 
 danger at all, so that her escape surpassed in 
 some respects that of the officers themselves. 
 The dryness of her accoutrement suggested the 
 true explanation to her owner which, as we 
 have explained, was confirmed by subsequent 
 investigations. 
 
 When Lieutenant Hill son wrapped himself 
 in a heavy w^arm blanket, he executed a war 
 dance, winding up with a whoop w^hich would 
 have done credit to a Blackfoot chieftain. 
 
 " Ah, if Palmer was only as lucky," he said 
 with a sigh. 
 
 One of the best results of the officer's good 
 fortune was the strong hope it inspired in his 
 heart for his friend. He reasoned that if he 
 and his mare escaped the flood, there was 
 good grounds for believing Palmer had done 
 equally well. True, he had no grizzly bear to 
 land him, but Hillson believed he could man- 
 age that point without such aid. 
 
 So it came about that, while the elder was 
 in despair over the fate of the younger, the 
 latter was hopeful in the highest degree con- 
 cerning him. 
 
A FRIEND TRIED AND TRUE. 105 
 
 But Hillson appreciated the situation too 
 well to waste time in rejoicings. Nothing was 
 to be seen of the other horse, and he believed 
 it likely that Palmer was afoot without a 
 blanket to protect him from the cold. His first 
 aim, therefore, was to find his companion. 
 
 He spent several minutes in figuring out, as 
 nearly as he could, his position as to the 
 mountain trail, which, if found, would serve 
 him as a compass, as Palmer expected it to 
 do in his case. 
 
 He followed a different system from his 
 brother officer. Instead of following the 
 course of the gorge, he turned away from it, 
 plunging deeper into the hills and mountains. 
 One reason for doing this was because of his 
 mare. He could tread in many j>laces where 
 she could not walk, and the necessity of pick- 
 ing out a route for her led him through a 
 different part of the wild region. 
 
 But the path along the mountain side was 
 his objective point from the first, so that while 
 the friends followed different routes their des- 
 tination was the same. 
 
 In fact, the principal anxiety of Hillson was 
 
106 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 that he would be unable to extricate his mare 
 from the rugged section in which she was 
 forced. He mounted, and, with his blanket 
 wrapped around his shoulders and his black 
 hair uncovered, might well be mistaken for a 
 Blackfoot Indian who had been out rather 
 late the night before and was effecting a zig- 
 zag return to hit wigwam or tepee. 
 
 Hillson had pushed his way for an eighth of 
 a mile in this laborious fashion, when his ani- 
 mal stopped without word from him. She 
 had reason for doing so, for she could pene- 
 trate no further. 
 
 ''Well, Kitty," he said with a sigh, "this 
 is rather rough ; you have done your best, but 
 it looks as if it is love's labor lost. The gates 
 are closed in front and we must hunt some 
 other path." 
 
 Slipping from the saddle he left the animal 
 to search for an outlet. He could not think 
 of retracing his steps, since there was no surety 
 of gaining anything by the act. It would 
 have proven a strange condition of affairs if 
 he should find himself obliged to abandon 
 Kitty altogether. 
 
A FRIEND TRIED AND TRUE. 107 
 
 But the wonderfully good fortune that had 
 attended him thus far did not desert him now. 
 He crept only a few rods among the bowlders 
 and rocks, when, before he expected anything 
 of the kind, he stepped into a well-worn path. 
 
 "It looks as if I were in a land of enchant- 
 ment," he said, '^ for everything I want or 
 need comes to me. This trail is the only way 
 to safety for my mare and me." 
 
 He did not linger a minute, but, returning 
 to where Kitty was awaiting him, began help- 
 ing her forward. It was not necessary to lead 
 her by the bridle, but at a word she began 
 working her way after him, he carefully select- 
 ing the path for her hoofs. 
 
 It was hard work, indeed, and more than 
 once she stumbled and fell on her side, but 
 she was instantly up and at it again, her 
 master cheering her with encouraging words, 
 while a chamois could hardly have surpassed 
 her achievement. 
 
 "Here we are, Kitty!" he exclaimed, pat- 
 ting her neck, when they stood in the narrow 
 path, she directly behind him. Her hand- 
 some coat had been ruffled, and she was not 
 
108 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 able to escape several rough bruises, but the 
 injuries, after all, amounted to little, and she 
 was as ready for active service as when she 
 bore him from the fort the day before on their 
 way to the Bear Paw Mountains. 
 
 It now occurred to Lieutenant Hillson that 
 the trail which he was so glad to find was not 
 likely to prove an unmixed blessing. 
 
 Since the path was there, it was proper to 
 ascertain the reason for its existence. It must 
 have been made either by the feet of wild ani- 
 mals or men. It has been stated that among 
 these mountains were members of the various 
 tribes of Indians, who were far different from 
 those met at Fort Assinaboine and on the cul- 
 tivated portions of the reservation. They felt 
 little fear of the military power in those inac- 
 cessible fastnesses, where a half dozen warriors 
 could defy the whole United States Army, as 
 Geronimo and his handful of Apaches did for 
 years. 
 
 The course of the trail, so far as he could 
 see, was favorable, and, without spending time 
 in studying it, he once more climbed into the 
 saddle and started Kitty at a moderate walk. 
 
A FRIEXD TRIED AND TRUE. 109 
 
 The path was too narrow for a couple of 
 horsemen to ride abreast, but that was likely 
 to be the case had the footprints been those of 
 men or animals, since both travel in the same 
 manner. It would not have been pleasant to 
 follow the path into a village of red men, 
 though, had the choice been forced upon himj 
 he would have preferred it to turning back. 
 
 He noticed that the trend was downward, 
 though not inconveniently so for Kitty, who 
 advanced without hesitation, as if she too 
 understood the streak of good fortune. 
 
 Probably an eighth of a mile was passed in 
 this manner, when, without the least warning, 
 a curve in the trail brought him in sight of a 
 single Indian wigwam, standing at the right in 
 a small natural clearing. The mare pricked 
 her ears and slackened her gait, as if not fully 
 satisfied with the appearance of things. Hill- 
 son brought her to a halt, and spent several 
 minutes in inspecting the outlook. 
 
 The trail was enclosed on its sides by rocks 
 and an unusually dense growth of trees, which 
 shut off the view except immediately in front, 
 so that the meeting, as it may be called, came 
 
110 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 witliont tlie notice lie would have received had 
 tlie topography been different. 
 
 As far as he could see, there was but the 
 single tepee, which was of the usual conical 
 shape, with the tops of several poles projecting 
 through the crest, and a flap in the skins below 
 showing the only door with which the abor- 
 iginal residence was furnished. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE DESCENDING PATH. 
 
 BUT Lieutenant Hillson was less interested 
 in the tepee than in the occupants. He 
 had seen hundreds of similar lodges in the 
 Nortliwest and knew they contained enemies 
 more frequently than friends. 
 
 The singular feature of the scene was that 
 only the single primitive structure was in sight. 
 It is a rare thing for the American Indian to 
 play the hermit. Their numbers may be few, 
 but where one family is, it is safe to count upon 
 several. As the mare slowly walked along the 
 trail and brought her rider in front of the 
 lodge, however, it became manifest that there 
 was but the single dwelling. 
 
 That was curious, but the youth would have 
 
 felt better pleased had the dwellers shown 
 
 themselves. Not a living person was in sight. 
 
 Ill 
 
112 THE PATH IN THE KAVIIs^E. 
 
 He hoped all were absent, but it was not i3rob- 
 able. The existence of an Indian's lodge 
 means that some member of his family is 
 near. 
 
 The ignorance of Hillson on these points 
 left the imagination free to conjure up all 
 manner of perils. He fancied the red men 
 had detected him before he saw the lodge, and 
 were only waiting until he. reached a certain 
 point in the trail before opening upon him 
 with their rifles. He even fixed the precise 
 spot where the attack would be made. 
 
 There was a slight depression in the gravelly 
 ground, a few inches to the left of the path, as 
 if made by the hoof of a horse slipping. 
 
 " Tliere^ s where I will catch it ! " he thought, 
 giving way to one of those powerful whims 
 which at certain times the strongest minds 
 cannot resist; '^the instant Kitty puts her 
 forefoot opposite that spot they will fire at 
 me ! " 
 
 Such being his conviction, perhaps the 
 reader can form an idea of his feelings as his 
 mare steadily drew near the j)oint. He tried 
 to laugh at himself, but at the decisive moment 
 
THE DESCENDING PATH. 113 
 
 his feelings were too strong. He ducked his 
 head and cast a furtive look behind him. 
 
 No shot was fired and he saw nothing to 
 cause alarm. The flap of the lodge was pulled 
 aside, and at the upper part of the opening 
 appeared a pair of bright black eyes, a por- 
 tion of the copper forehead and upper part of 
 the cheeks of someone slyly peeping at him 
 as he rode past. 
 
 That countenance did not belong to a war- 
 rior nor to a foe. It was that of some child 
 or comely squaw (that is as comely as they are 
 ever known to be), and being satisfied of this, 
 Hillson extended his hand and fluttered it in 
 salutation, nodding his head at the same time 
 and smiling in his very best style. 
 
 Possibly the sight of the bareheaded man 
 with a blanket wrapped about his shoulders, 
 riding by on the pony, raised a doubt in the 
 mind of the Indian as to his race, and she was 
 trying to answer the question when the mys- 
 terious horseman turned and saluted her. 
 
 That removed all doubts. The hand that 
 was withdrawn from under the blanket and 
 gracefully waved, the smiling nod, and, above 
 8 
 
114 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 all, the full view of the face and features 
 showed the Caucasian too clearly to be mis- 
 taken. 
 
 The instant the Indian saw the attention of 
 the white youth fixed upon her (or possibly 
 him), she withdrew from sight like a flash. 
 
 *'But all the same she is watching me," 
 laughed Hillson, passing from view around a 
 bend in the trail. 
 
 He was now able to laugh at his own fears, 
 though he was not altogether rid of them. 
 The dread of a shot in the back led him to 
 force Kitty to a trot, which was the swiftest 
 gait attainable along the narrow path. She 
 held it for several hundred yards when the 
 ground became so rough and descending that 
 she was forced to pick her way with greater 
 care. 
 
 The fact that the grade was steadily down- 
 ward impressed Hillson. He had already 
 settled in his mind that it was not the path 
 made by wild animals in going to and return- 
 ing from water, but a genuine Indian trail. 
 
 '* And I have no doubt that the hoof of the 
 Wild Cat's pony or his own moccason has 
 
THE DESCENDING PATH. 115 
 
 pressed the ground here many a time," he 
 muttered, referring to one of the worst vagrant 
 Blackfeet known on the reservation ; ^'I have 
 been half exi^ecting to meet him ever since I 
 struck this path ; it would have been singular 
 if that lodge back there proved to be his 
 own." 
 
 Hillson was giving his fancy free rein when 
 Kitty pricked her ears and slackened her pace 
 in a way that left no doubt she had discovered 
 something in the path in front. Her rider had 
 hardly time to grasp his revolver, which he 
 had just shoved back into place, when the 
 noise of a pony came round a bend in the trail, 
 quickly followed by his small, shapely head, 
 coal black in color, with an Indian warrior 
 astride of his bare back. 
 
 '' T/iafs the Wild Cat!'' was the thought 
 which instantly came to the startled youth, 
 ** and a row is bound to come." 
 
 The Blackfoot vagrant to whom he referred 
 had an ugly countenance, with irregular fea- 
 tures, made tenfold more repulsive by the 
 vario-colored paint daubed and streaked over 
 it. His long, coarse black hair dangled over 
 
116 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 his slioulders, and the eyes had the evil gleam 
 of the rattlesnake. 
 
 The Wild Cat carried a rifle across the spine 
 of his pony in front, and an ugly knife was 
 thrust into the girdle about his waist. 
 
 Whether he was alarmed at sight of the 
 young man approaching cannot be said, but 
 if so he gave no evidence of it. He rode evenly 
 forward, his pony on a walk, with his piercing 
 eyes fixed on the face of the young man. Per- 
 haps he recognized him as one he had seen 
 at the fort, though he must have wondered at 
 sight of the head, without any covering except 
 that which crowned his own, and Avith the 
 blanket drawn up and gathered about the 
 chin. 
 
 The cloth, whose ends fell about Hillson's 
 knees and feet, completely covered his hand 
 and arms, except where the fingers of one hand 
 partly peeped out and held the folds together. 
 
 The other clasped the single revolver in his 
 possession, ready to fire at the first hostile 
 move on the part of the notorious vagrant, 
 who preferred murder and thieving to any 
 other forms of amusement. 
 
THE DESCENDIIs'G PATH. 117 
 
 The Wild Cat saw himself approached in a 
 manner different from ever before. He could 
 not know what was beneath that all-enveloi)ing 
 blanket, nor how ready some deadly weapon 
 was to be discharged. Had the arms been 
 uncovered he could have formed his '* combina- 
 tion," and guided his own actions with more 
 intelligence, but the danger most dreaded is 
 that whose nature is unknown or only sus- 
 pected. 
 
 The Wild Cat gave part of the path. Kitty 
 was about to reciprocate when Hillson checked 
 her, holding her to the centre of the trail. 
 
 The Indian pony was obliged to step entirely 
 outside and pick his way forward, while the 
 mare strode forward like an empress. 
 
 The knees of the lieutenant and the Black- 
 foot grazed as they met, but the look of the 
 youth was as defiant as that of the vagrant, 
 who found the flash of his own treacherous 
 orbs met by the manly glow of the youth who 
 feared him not. 
 
 They passed without a word or a hostile 
 movement, though each was x^repared to meet 
 it with lightning quickness. Hillson had 
 
118 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 bluffed magnificently, but lie was vastly 
 relieved when anotlier bend in the descending 
 trail shut them out from each other's sight. 
 He dreaded one of those quick discharges from 
 the rifle of the Blackfoot. 
 
 But nothing of the kind took place, and the 
 lieutenant w^as beginning to congratulate him- 
 self that all danger was over, when Kitty unex- 
 pectedly showed that she had made another 
 discovery. 
 
 This time, instead of simply pricking her 
 ear, she came to a stop, snuffing and looking 
 so sharply to the left that it was easy to locate 
 the point where the danger was located. 
 
 Her rider did not urge her, for his confidence 
 in her intelligence was too great. Instead of 
 that he softly slipped from the saddle and 
 began stealing through the wood and among 
 the rocks, with the noiseless tread of an 
 Indian, little dreaming of what was to meet 
 his vision within the following three minutes. 
 
E 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE LOWER LEVEL. 
 
 EA.VING liis mare Kitty standing in tlie 
 i path, Lieutenant Hillson continued tread- 
 ing liis way througli the bushes, iindergrowth, 
 and wood, and around the bowlders and roclis, 
 until he had penetrated to a distance of fifty 
 yards, when he stopped. He had caught the 
 outlines of a figure through the vegetation. 
 
 The second look identified it. It was 
 Palmer, with his bacli toward him, apparently 
 debating with himself the next step to take. 
 Hillson' s heart gave a throb of delight, and 
 he was planning a surprise, when, in his agita- 
 tion, he stepped upon a twig which snapped 
 under his foot. His friend turned his head 
 with a start. 
 
 *^ Hello, Riiss!" 
 
 ** Hello, Al!" 
 
 And tlie next minute tlieir hands met in a 
 
 119 
 
120 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 clasp as warm as that of the night before, when 
 both believed the farewell the final one. 
 
 A few words told each the strange experi- 
 ence of the other since their separation. The 
 exchange was hardly finished when Hillson, 
 taking the blanket from his shoulders, flung 
 it about those of Palmer. 
 
 '' You need it more than I do." 
 
 **A compromise will be better," replied 
 Palmer, who, although his teeth were chat- 
 tering, drew his knife, and proceeded deliber- 
 ately to cut the cloth into halves. This made 
 the portion of each scanty, but the comfort 
 afforded to both was appreciated to its fullest 
 extent. 
 
 ''Well, old fellow," said Hillson, as they 
 began picking their way to where Kitty was 
 awaiting them, '*I think this little exi3edition 
 of ours has not been a howling success." 
 
 '' In one res^^ect it has not, but in another it 
 has never been surpassed." 
 
 *'I have thought the same as you about our 
 escape from the torrent," replied Hillson, un- 
 derstanding to what he referred; ''but again 
 I have asked myself, that since both of us 
 
THE LOWER LEVEL. 121 
 
 escaped, whether it was so wonderful, after 
 
 all." 
 
 The elder shook his head. 
 '' Don't make the mistake of minifying onr 
 deliverance, which I do not believe could be 
 repeated again in a thousand times. To me it 
 is little short of a miracle." 
 
 <'I have. thanked God many a time, and 
 shall continue to do so as long as I live, for it 
 was the most striking event of its kind that I 
 have ever known." 
 
 ^' We have lost our rifles, and I shall never 
 see my horse again, while we shall have to 
 make a requisition on the commissary depart- 
 ment before we are fit to go on parade, but 
 what will not a man give in exchange for his 
 
 life?" 
 
 *' Here we are," observed Hillson, halting in 
 
 the path. 
 
 ''Ah, Kitty, I am glad to see you," said 
 Palmer, petting the intelligent mare, "and I 
 really suspect you do not feel very bad over 
 my return, do you, my pretty jade ? " 
 
 The animal's pleasure was shown as clearly 
 as when she greeted Hillson, who, with a 
 
122 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 laugh, remarked that if this thing continued, 
 he would begin to grow jealous. 
 
 '* She will be glad to carry us both," he 
 added, *' though we shan't be able to make 
 very great speed with her. I wonder whither 
 this path will lead us if we stick to it." 
 
 Palmer studied the position of the sun a few 
 minutes before answering : 
 
 " It has almost the right course, but we can 
 hardly hope that it joins the mountain trail 
 we were foolish enough to leave yesterday 
 afternoon." 
 
 However, it was clear that nothing was to 
 be gained by speculating. The only way to 
 settle the questions that came up was by push- 
 ing forward and finding out for themselves. 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer took the lead, with Hill- 
 son walking close behind him, and Kitty fol- 
 lowing like an affectionate canine. They did 
 not mean to tax her strength until it should 
 become necessary. Palmer had done consider- 
 able hard tramping since early morning, but 
 he declined his friend's invitation to ride. 
 The trail continued to descend, though occa- 
 sional rises were encountered, and many a 
 
THE LOWER LEVEL. 123 
 
 bowlder and rock were flanked by tiresome 
 
 detours. 
 
 The hopes of the yonng oflacers were that 
 the path they were following would lead them 
 to the mountain trail, though they were not 
 without grave doubts from the first. It has 
 been explained that if they could return to 
 the route they were following on entering the 
 mountain region, they could have ridden 
 straight to Fort Assinaboine without loss of 
 
 time. 
 
 Their doubts were confirmed at the end of 
 half an hour, when they were convinced they 
 were as far from the mountain trail, if not 
 actually farther, than when they first met. 
 This might or might not be favorable. If it 
 wound among the foot-hills to the more open 
 country northward, little would be lost ; but 
 they saw that if they wished to reach the fort 
 before night, no time must be thrown away. 
 
 ^'What's the use of playing the hypo- 
 crite T' suddenly asked Palmer, turning his 
 head and looking at his companion with an 
 odd expression on his face. 
 
 *' What do you mean, old fellow 2" 
 
124 THE PATH IN THE E A VINE. 
 
 '' You are waiting for me to refer to it, and 
 I have been holding back for yon, bnt you are 
 too pig-headed to come down like a man and 
 own up." 
 
 Hillson's looks showed his continued per- 
 plexity. 
 
 "Confound it! we are both half starved to 
 death, though we haven' t said so. Am I right, 
 Lieutenant Russell Hillson ?" 
 
 ''You never hit the head of the nail more 
 squarely in all your life; although I have 
 had nothing to say I have kept up a lively 
 thinking as to how we can get something to 
 fill the aching void within, that grows steadily 
 more aching each half hour." 
 
 " Have you found the solution ?" ' 
 
 '' JS'ot yet, though I don't feel that the time 
 has come to despair; we have each his re- 
 volver with plenty of cartridges that have not 
 been harmed by the water. This is a country 
 abounding with game, but it takes something 
 bigger than pistols to bring it down," 
 
 '' We ought to get nigh enough to something 
 eatable to wing it with a pistol shot," replied 
 Palmer, resuming his lead of the procession. 
 
THE LOWEE LEVEL. 125 
 
 It was evident by tins time tliat they had 
 left most of the mountains behind them, and, 
 though they saw nothing of the other trail to 
 which they had pinned their hopes, they were 
 as far from the wild precipitous section as 
 though they had followed it down the side of 
 the towering inaccessible walls, which they 
 were able to pierce only at the one point where 
 the fissure appeared on their left. 
 
 In other words, the mountain trail would 
 have imj)roved their jDresent situation only 
 slightly beyond giving them the i^ower to 
 locate themselves more definitely. 
 
 Having exchanged their views on the food 
 question, they pushed on once more, neither 
 speaking, for almost half an hour. By that 
 time the face of the country underwent a 
 marked change. 
 
 The brush, rocks, bowlders, and roughness 
 remained, but they had reached a much lower 
 level than at any time since morning. The 
 trail not only ceased its downward trend, but 
 was broader and so much fainter that it was 
 evident it served as an outlet from the moun- 
 tainous regions, and that the Indians who 
 
126 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 were accustomed to use it for tliat purpose 
 diverged to the riglit and left after reaching 
 the section where our friends now found them- 
 selves. 
 
 They came to a stop, as if they felt a crisis 
 had been reached. 
 
 *' My proposition," said the elder, **is that 
 we go into camp here and renew, in a humble 
 way, the hunt on which we started yester- 
 day." 
 
 *' I am afraid Indians are not far off," replied 
 his companion. 
 
 *' I have seen no signs of them." 
 
 *' But that signifies nothing; wears follow- 
 ing one of their trails, and I have had a 
 suspicion all along that we shall hear from 
 the Wild Cat before we reach the fort." 
 
 ''He has had plenty of time to overtake you 
 if he wished to do so ; besides, he won't dare 
 to molest us while he is alone." 
 
 " That's the point ; he is likely to get some 
 of his warriors together and follow us so rapidly 
 that we cannot keep out of his way." 
 
 "I respectfully renew my proposition that 
 we go upon a foraging expedition," said 
 
THE LOWER LEVEL. 127 
 
 Palmer, who felt that his hunger could bear 
 inattention no longer. 
 
 ''Very well ; I am as anxious for food as 
 you, though it is mighty little chance I see of 
 getting it." 
 
CHAPTER XY. 
 
 Am ANTELOPE. 
 
 THE officers had campaigned long enongb. 
 in tlie Northwest to neglect no precaution 
 at such a time. Kitty was carefully led from 
 the trail to a point so far off that she could 
 not be seen by anyone passing along the path. 
 Fortunately, her friends found a spot where 
 considerable grass was growing. It was 
 welcome, as she x^roved by beginning to crop 
 it without delay. 
 
 Reaching the main path once more, Palmer 
 and Hillson devoted several minutes to blotting 
 out the prints of her hoofs. This could not be 
 fully done, but they were convinced that even 
 a Blackfoot Indian w^ould have to scan the 
 ground closely to detect the imj)ressions of 
 their single animal. 
 
 In obedience to a whim rather than as the 
 result of reasoning, Hillson knelt down and 
 pressed his ear to the ground. 
 
 128 
 
AN ANTELOPE. 129 
 
 ''By gracious!" he exclaimed, instantly 
 rising ; " someone is coming, sure enough ! " 
 As he spoke he made a leap from the trail 
 and hastily scrambled to the dense under- 
 growth near at hand. Behind these he lay 
 flat, Palmer placing himself by his side. 
 
 ''Are you sure you were not mistaken?" 
 asked the elder, after \vaiting a minute. 
 
 "The sounds were too distinct Sh ! 
 
 does tliat look as if I was in error?" 
 
 It was the Wild Cat himself who rode into 
 sio'ht. Behind him came two other ponies, 
 each bearing a warrior with knife and ritie. 
 They were as grim and silent as spectres, ap- 
 parently gazing straight ahead and seeing 
 nothing not in front of their horse's noses. 
 
 But the youths needed no one to tell them 
 that the keen black eyes of each took in 
 the ground on either hand and were sure to 
 see o])jects that would escape the ordinary 
 
 vision. 
 
 The question which each officer asked him- 
 self was whether any or all were likely to 
 detect Kitty^s footprints. If so, what would 
 
 follow % 
 9 
 
130 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 If they were in pursuit of Hill son (for they 
 had no reason to know he had a companion), 
 they were not likely to suspect he had turned 
 aside from the main trail, and, sharp as was 
 their eyesight, they were not scrutinizing the 
 ground for evidence of such diversion. 
 
 The coming of the Blackfeet was so sudden 
 that Hillson and Palmer were given no time to 
 agree upon their course of action, but each 
 held his only weapon grasped in his right 
 hand and ready for instant use. Neither was 
 willing to run from these vagrants, even though 
 they were veteran warriors each armed with 
 a deadly rifle. The moment the miscreants 
 wheeled from the path they would rise to con- 
 front them and await their business. 
 
 But the threatened collision did not occur, 
 for the reason that the Wild Cat and his com- 
 panions rode straight on, their ponies on a 
 walk, until they passed from sight a short 
 way beyond. Then Hillson and Palmer 
 looked at each other before rising from the 
 ground. 
 
 '' I would give considerable," said the latter, 
 *' to know the real meaning of that ; we are 
 
AN ANTELOPE. 131 
 
 acting as though they are enemies seeking our 
 lives, when, after all, we may be mistaken." 
 
 " We know the Wild Cat is bad enough to 
 shoot his own brother, but it is not impossible 
 that he is afraid of the consequences of putting 
 an extinguisher on us." 
 
 Should it turn out that the Blackfeet were 
 hunting for the officers, the latter saw the risk 
 of hunting game in the neighborhood ; and 
 yet, great as was the danger, they undertook 
 to do so within the next five minutes. Not 
 only that, but they parted company the better 
 to ensure success. 
 
 Palmer in one respect was not disappointed. 
 He had picked his way only a short distance, 
 after parting from his friend, when a soft 
 rustling in the vegetation directly in front 
 warned him he was approaching some man or 
 animal. Hoping it was the latter, he sank on 
 his hands and knees and began feeling every 
 inch that he passed. Fortunately there was 
 no wind blowing, so his scent could not be 
 carried to the game, if such it proved to be. 
 
 The anxious hunter's heart fluttered a 
 minute later, when he caught the indistinct 
 
132 THE PATH IN THE EAVHSTE. 
 
 outlines of some creature still in a direct line 
 with his approach. So great was his agitation 
 that for a minute or two he believed he must 
 give way to an attack of ^' buck fever." But 
 by a resolute exercise of the will he overcame 
 that strange, nervous weakness, and, with the 
 steadiness of a veteran, resumed his painfully 
 slow advance. 
 
 The fever threatened him again when he 
 identified the game as a solitary antelope 
 cropping the tender shoots and leaves from 
 some bushes by which it was surrounded. 
 
 Ah, if he could but bring it down, what 
 a royal feast he and Hillson would make ! 
 His hunger was now so keen that he cared 
 nothing for the Wild Cat and his warriors. 
 There might have been a hundred of the most 
 venomous dusky vagrants camped within a 
 stone's throw, but he would not abandon the 
 chance of securing the banquet for which he 
 longed with a yearning that was felt through 
 every fibre of his being. 
 
 The delicacy of the lieutenant's situation 
 will be appreciated. Had he possessed his 
 Winchester at the moment of detecting the 
 
AN ANTELOPE. 133 
 
 antelope, lie could have broiiglit it down with 
 ease, but he must get still closer before he 
 could use his pistol effectively. 
 
 Could he do it ? 
 
 Since an absolute calm prevailed, it would 
 seem that he had only to make his advance 
 noiseless. The antelope kind are not only 
 gifted with wonderfully fine eyesight and 
 scent, but their hearing is so fine that one finds 
 it hard to understand how a hunter is ever 
 able to bring them dow^n. 
 
 Palmer glanced at the ground immediately 
 in front, and so far as he could judge it was 
 favorable. With hardly a X)ause, therefore, 
 he resumed creeping forward, his weapon in 
 hand, for he was now so close that he had 
 decided to fire should the creature start, even 
 though he was not as near as he wished. 
 
 It was a rare piece of good fortune that he 
 had been able to catch sight of the antelope, 
 and if it were once scared away, there was no 
 possible chance of gaining another shot at it. 
 
 The timid creature continued browsing for a 
 minute or two longer, as if in perfect security. 
 Then, all at once, it stopped and raised its 
 
134 THE PATH IN THE K A VINE. 
 
 head, as if listening. Many species of game 
 make a practice of this, which is not a sign 
 that they have heard anything, but rather an 
 ordinary precaution against the approach of 
 enemies. 
 
 Palmer's heart was in his mouth, and he 
 brought his x3istol to the front. 
 
 " Whatever happens," he thought, *' I shall 
 give you a shot, but I prefer not to do so 
 just yet." 
 
 The creature resumed its browsing, as if 
 satisfied, and understanding its meaning, he 
 began moving forward once more with a slow- 
 ness which made his progress like that of the 
 hour hand around the face of a clock. 
 
 But almost at the same moment, the ante- 
 lope ceased browsing again, and threw up its 
 head, its Jaws half tilled with autumn leaves 
 and shoots. It held those jaws motionless, 
 that nothing should interfere with its delicacy 
 of hearing. 
 
 " That means something," was the truthful 
 conclusion of the alarmed Palmer; "it is 
 suspicious." 
 
 He had not detected the slightest rustling 
 
AN ANTELOPE. 135 
 
 made by liimself, and yet that might have been 
 the case, while the extraordinary hearing of 
 the antelope gave it warning. 
 
 The hunter would have asked for only ten 
 feet more before using his i)istol. That 
 attained, he was confident he could bring down 
 the game. As the matter stood, he considered 
 the chances of a miss or hit as about even. 
 
 The pretty creature held its attitude of 
 intense attention only a minute or two, when 
 it whirled like a flash of sunlight and was 
 gone. 
 
 It flight was amazingly quick, but Palmer 
 had been expecting it and was prepared. The 
 instant it turned he let fly with three chambers 
 of his Colt. He discharged them with the 
 utmost celerity, but the animal was out of 
 sight when the last bullet sped after it, simply 
 following after the others with which he had 
 managed to secure something resembling an 
 aim. 
 
 The disappointment was so bitter that 
 Palmer could not submit without a desj^erate 
 effort to retrieve it. At another time he would 
 have laughed at the hunter, placed as he was, 
 
136 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 wlio tried to gain a second chance to bag an 
 antelope with a Colt revolver as his only 
 weapon. Leaping to his feet he dashed after 
 the fleeing game as though he expected to run 
 it down by his own superior fleetness. It was 
 not until he had stumbled and fallen several 
 times, and was panting from his severe ex- 
 haustion, that he paused with a full under- 
 standing of the folly of the task. 
 
 '' What a fool ! " he muttered ; '^ that ante- 
 telope is a mile away by this time and still 
 going. I may hunt for a week without getting 
 such a chance again. If I did hit it with one 
 of my charges, the hurt was only enough to 
 lend wings to its flight. I hope," he added 
 with a sigh, ^'that Hillson has done better, 
 but I haven't heard anything from his 
 pistol." 
 
 He recalled that he had travelled a goodly 
 distance from the spot where he separated 
 from his friend, and that unless he used great 
 care they would become lost to each other. 
 While that might mean nothing serious, it 
 ensured a long and laborious tramp to the fort, 
 during which he must suffer a great deal. 
 
AN ANTELOPE. 137 
 
 He recalled, too, another alarming prob- 
 ability. 
 
 ^* What will the AYild Cat and his warriors 
 think of the report of my pistol, for they must 
 have heard it? If they mean any crooked 
 business, I have given them valuable help. 
 
 ''Come to think, though," he added grimly, 
 *4t is likely to prove of no assistance at all. 
 Suppose they hastened to the spot where they 
 heard the firing, they would have no more 
 chance of overtaking me than I had of running 
 down the antelope." 
 
JLj 
 
 CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 AN EXCHANGE. 
 
 lEUTENANT PALMER sat down on a 
 
 J huge stone until he could recover his 
 breath. He did not need the half blanket he 
 had managed to retain during his hurried 
 movements, for he was in a warmer glow than 
 he had experienced for a long time. 
 
 He was about to rise for the purpose of seek- 
 ing his companion, with the advice that they 
 were only throwing away time in their efforts 
 to secure game, and urging him to hasten to 
 the fort, when he heard a low, bird-like whistle, 
 apparently from a point behind him. 
 
 His first thought was that it was made by 
 some bird, but something peculiar in the tone 
 and its manner of repetition reminded him of 
 the signal which he and Hillson sometimes 
 used when on their hunting excursions. 
 
 ** It must be he," he said, after the call had 
 
 138 
 
AN EXCHANGE. 139 
 
 been repeated several times ; " anyway I shall 
 soon know." 
 
 He replied, and the next moment his face 
 lit up. 
 
 " I might have known it was Hillson ; but I 
 don't understand the need of his working 
 business in that style." 
 
 By occasional signalling to each other, the 
 young officers kept track of their mutual 
 positions and were able to meet without a pro- 
 longed search. 
 
 "I heard your pistol," said Hillson, "but I 
 don't see any game." 
 
 "Nor I either; it was another failure, my 
 boy ; I hoped that you had met with more 
 success." 
 
 "I haven't had the first glimpse of anything 
 of the kind, though I neglected nothing I could 
 think of ; there isn't much fun in this kind of 
 sport, Palmer." 
 
 " Why were you so guarded in signalling to 
 me?" 
 
 " So the Blackfeet wouldn't notice it." 
 
 " Were they anywhere near ? " 
 
 "There are five of them encamped within a 
 
140 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 hundred yards of where we saw the Wild Cat 
 and that couple ride past." 
 
 Palmer was astonished, as he might well be, 
 and his friend explained : 
 
 '' You had been gone only a little while, and 
 I was groping around for game, when I 
 came within a hair of stumbling right into the 
 encampment of redskins. I was just in time 
 to save myself, when I took some careful 
 observations. The first thing I noticed Avas 
 that the Wild Cat and those whom we saw 
 were there. They had dismounted and their 
 ponies were cropping the grass near by. All 
 five of the warriors seemed to be holding an 
 earnest talk about something, which of course 
 was beyond my finding out." 
 
 ''You had no means of judging whether 
 they were friends or enemies ? " 
 
 " None, but one fact interested me ; the two 
 Indians that were first there had been cooking 
 some kind of game. I saw fragments of the 
 feast lying about, and the faint odor I caught 
 drove me almost frantic. I did not dare go 
 forward and beg for a share, and, while trying 
 to decide on what was best to do, it occurred 
 
AN EXCHANGE. 141 
 
 to me that yon might spoil everything by 
 tiring your revolver. They would hear the 
 report, and, if they wanted to find you, the 
 means was thus furnished. 
 
 "I was so nervous over the fear of such a 
 mistake on your part, that I stole away from 
 the camp and set out to find you. Before I 
 could do so, I was startled by hearing the three 
 shots from your pistol. I started on a run to 
 overtake you, but you travelled too fast for 
 me ; so I saved my strength and fell back on the 
 signal which I was sure you would recognize." 
 "We have been acting on the theory all 
 along," said Palmer, "that every Indian 
 whom we meet or see in this part of the world 
 is a foe. I believe we are mistaken, though it 
 is erring on the safe side. Inasmuch as there 
 is no chance of our getting any game without 
 rifles, I propose that we take Kitty and strike 
 a bee line for the fort. We have not been 
 deprived so very long of food, though I am 
 sure neither of us could be any hungrier if we 
 hadn't tasted a morsel for a week." 
 
 ''If we find our appetites too much for us 
 we can fall back on our shoes." 
 
142 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 *' Or Kitty," suggested Palmer significantly. 
 
 But her owner shook his head : 
 
 ^' We must approach much nearer famishing 
 before a hair of her body shall be harmed." 
 
 The couple found themselves close to the trail 
 over which they had passed some time before. 
 They walked briskly in the direction taken 
 by the Wild Cat and his companions, of wdiom 
 nothing was seen. Reaching the i^oint where 
 the mare had been turned aside, Hillson said : 
 
 *' Before making our start for home, let's 
 have another try for food ; come with me." 
 
 Without asking for any explanation, Palmer 
 kept company with his friend, who speedily 
 left the trail and made a wide detour to the 
 left. By and by he paused long enough to 
 whisper : 
 
 '' We are approaching the camp I told you 
 about." 
 
 ''Do you understand the danger?" asked 
 Palmer. 
 
 ''I am quite sure I do," was the surprised 
 answer. 
 
 '' I mean the danger to the Indians .^" 
 
 "How?" 
 
ATSr EXCHANGE. 143 
 
 *'If I get a sniff of that game you told me 
 about, I won't be satisfied with anything less 
 than it all; they will probably refuse ; then 
 I will become irrestrainable and woe to the 
 red men ! " 
 
 Hillson smiled, but uttered no comment. 
 He had pushed only a short way further, 
 when he said ; 
 
 "That's good; it's just what I hoped, but 
 hardly expected." 
 
 If Lieutenant Palmer, after firing his three 
 ineffective shots at the frightened antelope, 
 were told he had hit the "bull's eye," he could 
 not have appreciated the jest ; but he now 
 saw he had builded better than he knew : the 
 miss was the very best thing that could have 
 happened. 
 
 It drew the attention of the Blackfeet to the 
 fact that white men were near at hand ; for 
 the short, sharp crack of their revolvers was 
 familiar to them. Instead of setting off in 
 haste after the one that had discharged the 
 weapon, however, they made toward another 
 point of the compass. It was not their inten- 
 tion to run into any ambush set for them by 
 
144 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 the cunning palefaces. They were not the 
 ones to break the laws until an opportunity- 
 was given to gauge the probable consequences. 
 
 They were gone, and, although the proceed- 
 ing of the young officers savored of rashness, 
 they hastened to the deserted camp, and pro- 
 ceeded to help themselves to the fragments 
 of the feast which were plentifully scattered 
 around. 
 
 It cannot be said that the meal was the 
 choicest of which they had latel}^ partaken, 
 but their intense hunger gave it a relish which 
 no condiment ever invented could equal. 
 They ate rapidly, with furtive glances around 
 lest the red men should pounce upon them 
 before they were aware. 
 
 Nothing occurred to alarm them, for, with 
 all their cunning, the Wild Cat and his war- 
 riors were not likely to suspect any such flank 
 movement as that named. The meal was 
 speedily completed and Hillson and Palmer 
 were ready to push their return to Fort Assina- 
 boine to the utmost. 
 
 And just then, when it would seem that all 
 real danger was over, the young officers came 
 
AlSr EXCHANGE. 145 
 
 near committing a blunder which threatened 
 their overthrow. Palmer halted at the edge of 
 the trail to watch against the Blackfeet, while 
 Hillson hurried after his mare, which had been 
 left only a short distance off. 
 
 The first surprise came when he reached the 
 place, and, after thoroughly examining it, saw 
 nothing of the animal. He walked back and 
 forth, pronouncing her name in a guarded 
 voice, but there was no answering neigh. 
 
 Finally he stooped down and studied a faint 
 impression beside the one made by the hoof of 
 his matchless steed, where the ground was still 
 moist and soft. 
 
 *'Just what I feared!" he muttered, 
 straightening up ; '' that's the mark of a moc- 
 cason. . While Palmer and I were helping 
 ourselves to dinner the Blackfeet were helping 
 themselves to my property ; but they haven't 
 got away with it yet," he added, with a flash 
 of his handsome eyes; *'and if the court 
 knows herself, and she thinks she do, there 
 there will be a first class row before that little 
 thing is accomplished." 
 
 10 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 THE TOSS OF A NICKEL. 
 
 WHILE Lieutenant Hillson was searching 
 for his pet mare, Kitty, Lieutenant 
 Palmer was holding his place as sentinel along 
 the trail only a short way off. 
 
 He was wondering at the delay of his friend, 
 when, to his amazement, a Blackfoot warrior 
 came riding along the path from the north. 
 He appeared so suddenly that the young 
 officer had no time to get out of his sight. He 
 therefore made the best of it, and assumed a 
 boldness which would have become him had 
 he been at the head of a squad of well-armed 
 trooi)ers. 
 
 Palmer's supposition was that the Indian 
 was the first of the party about which Hillson 
 had told him only a few minutes before, but 
 when the scamp had advanced to a point nearly 
 opposite, he perceived he was alone. 
 
THE TOSS OF A NICKEL. 14? 
 
 He perceived also that the pony which he 
 was riding was Kitty, and Palmer rose to 
 the situation at once. 
 
 There are no more inveterate horse thieves 
 in the world than the vagrant Indians of 
 the West and Northwest. It was evident 
 that this particular one had stumbled upon 
 the valuable mare, and was making off with 
 her. 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer stepped into the path in 
 front of Kitty, who gave a faint whinny of 
 recognition, and, levelling his revolver at the 
 amazed redskin, said : 
 
 " Come down out of that or I will let day- 
 light through you ! " 
 
 The Blackfoot may have been ignorant of 
 the niceties of the English language, but no 
 words were required to make clear the mean- 
 ing of the young officer. He slid from the 
 saddle as though jerked therefrom, and hast- 
 ened to say : 
 
 "Gib horse — good friend— tanks ! " 
 
 " That's all right ; off with you, or this gun 
 of mine may accidentally discharge itself and 
 you'll get hurt." 
 
148 THE PATH IlSr THE EAVITTE. 
 
 The warrior, completely flanked by the 
 bluffing of the bareheaded young man in his 
 half blanket, was glad enough to escape with 
 a whole body, and he skurried along the trail 
 with a speed which quickly took him out of 
 sight. 
 
 Meanwhile Hillson had caught the sound of 
 voices, and lost no time in hurrying to the 
 spot to learn what it meant. His surprise and 
 delight was great. 
 
 ''I couldn't have done better myself," he 
 said; "but I am afraid we are not through 
 with the Wild Cat and the rest." 
 
 *'It wasn't he that I compelled to slip out 
 of that saddle a good deal quicker than he 
 got in." 
 
 "But he belongs to his gang ; he is another 
 of those vagrant Indians that are the curse of 
 the reservations." 
 
 "Which being the case, it strikes me this 
 is a good time for Kitty to carry double." 
 
 Hillson compelled his friend to take his 
 place in the saddle, and was on the point of 
 taking his seat behind him when he changed 
 liis mind. 
 
THE TOSS OF A NICKEL. 149 
 
 ''What's that for?" asked Palmer. 
 
 ''We can't travel very fast just here, so I 
 will walk ahead. As soon as we reach better, 
 ground I'll join you." 
 
 The plan seemed a good one, and Palmer 
 consented. He really needed the rest more 
 than his companion, while it struck the latter 
 that, in the event of a meeting with the Wild 
 Cat or any of the " Dog Indians," he could act 
 more effectively on his feet. Two officers on 
 the same steed cannot look very formid- 
 able, no matter how hard they may try to 
 do so. 
 
 The situation of the young men was unique. 
 Like other white men, they were accustomed 
 to travel back and forth over the reservation, 
 with no more thought of molestation from the 
 Indians than if journeying in a railway train. 
 While hundreds of the aboriginal Americans 
 are engaged in farming, and are j)eaceful and 
 law abiding, the "Dog Indians" prefer horse 
 thieving and all manner of outlawry. It is the 
 fear of the white men that keeps most of the 
 savages on the reservations docile. Those who 
 will not be restrained wait till they are far 
 
150 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 enough from the forts to feel beyond the reach 
 of the military. 
 
 While, therefore, Hillson and Palmer con- 
 sidered themselves in peril so long as they 
 were in the mountains, where their dead bodies 
 might lie weeks undiscovered, they knew that 
 the nearer they placed themselves to Fort 
 Assinaboine the less likely were they to be 
 inj ured. 
 
 It followed that the true course was to 
 decrease that distance as fast as it could be 
 done. Indeed, they believed that only a few 
 miles were needed to ensure their safety. 
 
 Hillson walked briskly along the path which 
 for the time led directly toward the fort. 
 Palmer following with Kitty. The Blackfeet 
 were quite near, and it might be there were 
 others besides those whom they had seen,, who 
 would be glad to fire a stealthy shot at the 
 young men, provided they were safe against 
 punishment. 
 
 Palmer's place in the saddle was a vast 
 improvement, so far as comfort went, over 
 that of walking, and he appreciated the kind- 
 ness of his friend, who insisted that he should 
 
THE TOSS OF A NICKEL. 151 
 
 ride ; but, all the same, lie felt that his situa- 
 tion was the more dangerous because of its 
 prominence, and the fact that the Blackfeet, 
 as he believed, were likely to make their 
 attack or demonstration from the rear. 
 
 But fully a half mile was passed without 
 the first evidence of the proximity of their 
 enemies. Palmer continually looked behind 
 him, while his friend, playing the part of 
 guide, pushed on at a brisk gait, his hopes 
 rising the further he went. 
 
 A singular feature was noticed by both. 
 The trail had grown fainter, until at one time 
 it promised to disappear altogether ; but it 
 now became more distinct, suggesting that 
 the Indians, who had gradually separated 
 after coming down from the mountains, had 
 resumed the process of coming together 
 again. 
 
 "Ah ! " said Hillson, abruptly halting and 
 looking around with a smile, " you know the 
 old truth, that there are always two paths or 
 roads in our front, and it is for us to choose 
 the right or wrong one." 
 
 "I think I have heard something of the 
 
152 THE PATH IN THE EAVIISTE. 
 
 kind during my early childhood," replied 
 Palmer from the saddle. 
 
 ''We have now an illustration," added the 
 younger, repeating the dramatic gestures and 
 manner of which he was an exponent when a 
 country school-boy. 
 
 " I observe." 
 
 Palmer saw his reference. The clearly 
 marked trail bifurcated directly in front of 
 them. The angle was so gradual that the 
 branches diverged like the sides of the letter 
 V. Since one was probably the more direct 
 course to the fort, they saw the need of mak- 
 ing a right selection, though in that respect 
 the question was not one of life and death. 
 
 But when they had consulted a minute or 
 two, each confessed to a strange belief that, 
 after all, it had become a question of life and 
 death. 
 
 They had accepted the absence of all signs 
 of the Blackfeet as proof that the vagrants 
 dared follow them no farther because of the 
 approach to Fort Assinaboine ; but now, when 
 they came to consult over the matter, they 
 feared it was another of tlie treacherous 
 
THE TOSS OF A NICKEL. 153 
 
 schemes of the Wild Cat, whose resentment 
 over the bluffing received by him and his war- 
 riors would rankle in his breast until he found 
 the means of resenting the insult. 
 
 " Somewhere along one of these trails," said 
 Hillson, " that miscreant has laid an ambush, 
 and he and his brother dogs are waiting for us 
 to walk into it." 
 
 " But along ^D7l^c7l trail 1 " asked Palmer. 
 
 "Aye, thafs the question to be decided; 
 you see that the chances for and against us 
 are even. Now, if the Wild Cat fixes upon 
 one he has some reason for it ; what is that 
 reason 1 " 
 
 ''He has concluded that we will naturally 
 take the most direct road to Assinaboine ; but, 
 so far as I can judge, there is no choice in that 
 respect." 
 
 " Perhaps he will decide that we will follow 
 the one most travelled." 
 
 " And there is little choice in that respect." 
 
 "Then," continued Palmer, "it is more 
 than likely that he has laid his ambush along 
 both paths, and the danger from one is as great 
 as from the other." 
 
154 THE I*ATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ''It may be; but I am inclined to think 
 lie has not enough warriors to divide in that 
 fashion, but has concentrated them at one 
 
 S130t." 
 
 ''If they were white men they w^ould not go 
 through all this fol de rol, when there are a 
 hundred places already passed by us that 
 would give them secure shelter; but that's 
 the Indian of it, and there's but the one way 
 to solve the puzzle." 
 
 Hunting through his pockets, which were 
 beginning to dry after their saturation in the 
 torrent, Palmer brought forth a nickel half 
 dime, w^hich he had carried for months as a 
 pocket piece. 
 
 "If head turns up," said he, balancing it on 
 bis thumb and forefinger and looking down 
 at his companion, ' ' w^e wheel to the right ; if 
 tail, we take the left." 
 
 " I'm agreed," replied Hillson, putting np a 
 silent prayer, as did the other, that Providence 
 would decide it aright. 
 
 The coin went fluttering aloft, and Hillson 
 bent over as it dropped on the ground by 
 Kitty's left forefoot. 
 
THE TOSS OF A NICKEL. 155 
 
 *^ Head it is," lie said, picking it up and re- 
 turning it to tlie owner ; *' follow your leader." 
 
 Hillson walked briskly along the right trail, 
 lioj)ef 111 that the choice had been the right one, 
 but altogether too sensible to believe there 
 was no liability of mistake. It was at his 
 suggestion that Palmer descended from the 
 saddle and took his place behind him on foot, 
 where the prominence of the two was the 
 same. 
 
 Kitty, who seemed to know what all this 
 meant, walked demurely behind her friends, 
 who arranged to keep her quite near. She 
 had proven her intelligent vigilance so fre- 
 quently that great reliance was placed upon 
 her. 
 
 It is hardly in the power of the brainiest 
 horse to detect the presence of a party of 
 Indians in hiding some distance off, and whose 
 training enables them to lie as motionless as 
 if they were not breathing the breath of life, 
 but the dumb brutes, as they are called, have 
 performed more than one wonderful exploit 
 in that line, and Kitty herself had a record of 
 w^hich any of her species might feel proud. 
 
CHAPTEE XYIIL 
 
 AT FOKT ASSINABOINE. 
 
 FOR three hundred yards the journey along 
 the dimly marked trail was pushed in 
 silence, the senses of the lieutenants seemingly 
 concentrated into those of sight and hearing. 
 There was not a sjDot on either hand where an 
 Indian could not have remained in absolute 
 hiding, while the officers walked in review 
 before his levelled rifle without seeing their 
 peril. Why, therefore, the Blackfeet should 
 have gone through all this '^red tape" had 
 no other explanation than that hinted by 
 Lieutenant Palmer. 
 
 Kitty was fully as alert, but the time soon 
 came when their friends were satisfied that 
 either there had been no danger at all, or they 
 had successfully flanked it. 
 
 *' More than likely we were mistaken," said 
 Hillson, suggesting that his friend should 
 remount. 
 
 156 
 
AT FORT ASSINABOINE. 157 
 
 *'We can believe so now, but could not 
 a while ago ; I will walk a little farther ; I 
 have rested enough, and we may as well save 
 
 the strength of the mare " 
 
 At that very moment, when they felt more 
 assured than at any time since setting out on 
 their return, the crack of a rifle broke the still- 
 ness on their left, and they heard the whistle 
 of the bullet which passed between their 
 faces. 
 
 ''Let's run!" whispered Hillson, ducking 
 and moving swiftly along the trail in momen- 
 tary expectation of other shots. 
 
 Looking around after running a brief way, 
 he saw Kitty near him, as his ears had already 
 told him she was, but Palmer was missing. 
 
 "Can it be?" he asked himself, straighten- 
 ing up with a suspicion of the cause, and dis- 
 covering the next moment that his suspicion 
 was right. 
 
 Palmer was so enraged by the unexpected 
 shot that for the moment he forgot himself, 
 and throwing his prudence to the winds, 
 dashed through the undergrowth and around 
 the rocks, revolver in hand. 
 
158 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 ''Confound you!" lie exclaimed, 'Til 
 teach you that assassination don't pay." 
 
 But the dusky miscreant had been quick to 
 detect his peril, and while the smoke was curl- 
 ing upward from the muzzle of his rifle, he 
 made off. His pursuer caught only a glimpse 
 of the figure as it vanished, but he let fly with 
 every chamber of his weapon, his success 
 being about the same as that which attended 
 his effort to bring down the antelope. 
 
 ''It wasn't a prudent thing to do," he re- 
 marked, as he rejoined Hillson, "but such 
 treachery is unbearable." 
 
 "The Wild Cat did what we might have 
 feared ; while he and most of his warriors lay 
 in ambush along the other trail, he did not 
 leave this entirely unguarded ; but I am sure 
 we have seen the last of him." 
 
 "For the present; but if we continue our 
 hunting excursions among the Bear Paw 
 Mountains, we are sure to meet him again." 
 
 " Do you propose to give up our sport on 
 account oiliim f " asked Hillson reproachfully, 
 after they had gone some distance farther in 
 the direction of the fort. 
 
AT FORT ASSINABOIISrE. 159 
 
 "Hardly; just as soon as we can get per- 
 mission for another trip I am ready to try it 
 again." 
 
 ^' And I am with you ; we shall have to lie 
 by several days for repairs ; I have a horse 
 and gun to pay for, but there are others to be 
 had, as well as Winchester rifles, and Kitty is 
 always at your service." 
 
 The officers were in the situation of those 
 who have received a challenge from a foe 
 whom they despised. The Wild Cat had given 
 them to understand that when they ventured 
 upon a hunt in that wild region they did so at 
 their peril. They were eager to take up the 
 gage of battle, and were certain to do so on 
 the first opportunity. 
 
 But at present their task was to reach Fort 
 Assinaboine with the least possible delay. A 
 good many miles lay before them, and the way 
 was rough and hard to travel, but they now 
 knew where they were, and were not only in 
 no danger of going astray, but were without 
 fear of the Indians, with whom they had had 
 more than one lively scrimmage, though fortu- 
 nately without harm to either. 
 
160 THE PATH IN THE RAYINE. 
 
 The weather, which had been only moder- 
 ately cold, became more severe. By the mid- 
 dle of the afternoon the temperature had fallen 
 fully ten degrees. Many were the congratula- 
 tions they uttered because of the single blan- 
 ket between them. Even with that, however, 
 they suffered not a little, and no returning 
 wanderers were ever more pleased to reach a 
 safe haven than they were that evening, when, 
 at last, they found themselves within their 
 comfortable quarters at Fort Assinaboine, 
 where they received all necessary attention. 
 
 Hillson and Palmer expected unpleasant 
 consequences from their violent experience, 
 and they were not fully themselves nntil a 
 couple of days had passed. Nothing serious, 
 however, resulted. They were young, strong, 
 rugged, and with good habits, while they had 
 already served an ai^prenticeship in campaign- 
 ing in the Northwest, and were, therefore, 
 capable of withstanding privations and suffer- 
 ings before which many others would have 
 succumbed. 
 
 The lieutenants did not forget the resolution 
 formed on their way home, after the meeting 
 
AT FORT ASSINABOINE. 161 
 
 with the Wild Cat and his gang. These 
 people were defying the military authorities 
 by their acts, and were liable to arrest for leav- 
 ing the reservation. The only obstacle to 
 bringing them to book was the difficulty of 
 laying hands upon them. It was known that 
 the Wild Cat often apj)eared among the farm- 
 ing Indians, and once or twice had the impu- 
 dence to present himself at the fort with his 
 claim for an annuity. 
 
 Colonel Draper could have placed him under 
 arrest at that time, but he desired irrefragable 
 proofs of the serious crimes of which he stood 
 accused. Though most of the other Blackfeet 
 were obedient to the laws and showed com- 
 mendable interest in their grazing and farming 
 interests, they could not rid themselves of their 
 kinship toward those of their race who chose 
 to feel otherwise. The best of these men would 
 screen a dusky horse thief or murderer who 
 applied to them when hard pressed by the 
 Indian police or the mounted white guards. 
 
 While this was due, in many instances, to 
 
 fear of the dusky desperadoes, it was more 
 
 frequently inspired by sympathy for the red 
 11 
 
162 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 men, whose tastes were those that had been 
 born in them, and from which these Indians 
 themselves were not entirely free. 
 
 Colonel Draper, therefore, awaited the time 
 when something could be fixed so clearly npon 
 the Wild Cat that, when arrested and brought 
 to trial, his conviction must follow. In the 
 meantime he advised his friends to keep clear 
 of that portion of the Bear Paw Mountains 
 which he claimed as his stamping ground ; 
 but, all the same, when Lieutenants Hillson 
 and Palmer respectfully asked permission to 
 make another venture up the mountain trail, 
 he cheerfully granted their request, and 
 wished them God-speed and a safe return. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE MOUNTAi:Nr TRAIL AGAIIT. 
 
 AND so it came about that preoisely one 
 - week after the incidents we have de- 
 scribed, Lieutenants Russell Hillson and 
 Albert Palmer were riding up the mountain 
 trail from which they had diverged before 
 reaching the highest point, and suffered the 
 misfortunes described because of that depart- 
 ure from the straight path. 
 
 The day was clear, crisp, cool, and sunshiny. 
 They had spent so much time on the way that 
 the sun was well down in the sky when they 
 reached the spot where the narrow fissure 
 opened on their left, apparently into and 
 through the solid wall of the mountain. 
 
 Hillson, it need not be said, was mounted 
 on his favorite mare, Kitty, while Palmer had 
 secured a horse fully the equal of that which 
 was drowned by the flood. Each carried an 
 
 163 
 
164 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 excellent magazine rifle, and tliey were, there- 
 fore, as fully equipped as they could be for 
 whatever adventures were in store for them. 
 
 The former trip had proven rather expen- 
 sive, especially to Palmer, who was obliged to 
 pay for the horse as well as his lost gun ; but 
 that was one of the ''casualties of war," as he 
 expressed it, and it did not lessen his anticipa- 
 tions of the glorious enjoyment before him. 
 
 Upon reaching the fissure they halted a 
 minute or two to view it. 
 
 ''Some of that tremendous mass of water 
 must have found its way through there," re- 
 marked Palmer, who was riding in advance ; 
 "though there are few signs of its having 
 done so." 
 
 " You mustn' t forget that a week has passed 
 since then, and little evidence would be left ; 
 but you will recall that, for a considerable dis- 
 tance after entering the opening, our course 
 was descending. It may be, therefore, that 
 we are considerably higher than the top of the 
 torrent which gave us such a hustling." 
 
 The matter, however, was of no moment, 
 and they pushed on, the elder still at the head, 
 
THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL AGAIN. 165 
 
 and on the watch for the unsafe places in the 
 mountain trail which were liable to let them 
 down into the vast ravine on their right, whose 
 slope was like the roof of a house. 
 
 "Look!" 
 
 It was Palmer who uttered the exclamation, 
 as he reined up, without turning his head. 
 
 The sight was a striking one. Two hundred 
 yards away the jutting path wound around 
 a mass of solid rock, disappearing from view 
 immediately beyond. Thus the ledge was the 
 most prominent part of the vast, sloping 
 mountain wall, and must have been visible 
 from a great distance. 
 
 Standing at the uppermost portion of the 
 trail was a noble buck with huge spreading 
 antlers. He had approached from the other 
 direction at a leisurely gait, and was turning 
 the bend when he observed the horsemen 
 ascending the path toward him. 
 
 The animal stopped short, threw up his 
 head, with its magnificent spread of horns, so 
 as to bring his fine figure in relief against the 
 brilliant sky behind him. The situation of 
 himself and hunters brought him almost in 
 
166 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 direct line with the orb of day, which, it may 
 be said, was partly eclipsed by the gigantic 
 form of the animal as it was interposed before 
 its face. Indeed, it dazzled Palmer and Hill- 
 son Avhen they looked at him because of the 
 overpowering glare. 
 
 It took the buck but a few seconds to scent 
 danger. Whether he had ever heard the crack 
 of a hostile rifle or not, he knew those two 
 horsemen could not be friends. Rearing on 
 his hind feet, he whirled with astonishing 
 grace and ease, his head, neck, and forefeet 
 seemingly suspended over the abyss below as 
 he turned to face the other way. 
 
 It was a splendid chance for a shot, and 
 Palmer's Winchester was brought instantly to 
 his shoulder, but the light partly blinded 
 him and he knew his aim was poor ; never- 
 theless, seeing the game about to vanish, 
 he let fly. 
 
 To the surprise of both of the youths the 
 buck made a wild leap fully ten feet to the 
 right of the ledge, over which he went with 
 a crash among the trees, undergrowth, and 
 bowlders, disappearing from sight as if he were 
 
THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL AGAIN. 167 
 
 a rock cast into the sea, above which the rush- 
 ing waters instantly closed. 
 
 '' Well, if there ever was a chance shot tliat 
 was one ! " exclaimed Palmer. ** I believe my 
 eyes were shut when I fired, and I had no 
 expectation of hitting him." 
 
 *'And you didn't hit him." 
 
 Palmer turned his head, as though uncertain 
 of the meaning of the remark. 
 
 *'Do you intend to claim him ? " 
 
 *' No, though I have as much right as you ; 
 but at the moment you pulled trigger, or the 
 fraction of a second before, I caught the report 
 of another gun, and it was the bullet of that 
 which slew the buck, sending him over to the 
 ravine, where none besides the beasts of prey 
 will ever find his body." 
 
 ' ' I did not notice the report, but you may 
 be right ; for, as I just said, if I slew him it 
 was by accident. It follows that other hunters 
 are ahead of us." 
 
 '' Doubtless there are plenty of them in the 
 mountains, as we learned last week, and it may 
 be we are in for another scrimmage with the 
 Wild Cat and his gang." 
 
168 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 " And we are fortunate enougli to have otlier 
 weapons tliis time than Colt's revolvers." 
 
 *'But the fellow fights like a wild animal, 
 from cover, instead of standing up to his work 
 like a man." 
 
 *' We learned that long ago," said Palmer, 
 shrugging his shoulders as he resumed his 
 ascent of the mountain path, Hillson follow- 
 ing, with only a few paces between them. 
 There was enough change in their course to 
 enable them to look at the ledge without en- 
 countering the blinding glare of the sun. They 
 kept glancing thither, on the watch for the 
 hunter that had so cleverly taken the game 
 from their grasp. This portion of the path 
 appeared to be firm, but they did not permit 
 their interest in this stranger to lessen their 
 caution. 
 
 The shot from the other side of the project- 
 ing ledge could not fail to cause the youths 
 considerable uneasiness. As has been re- 
 marked, the Indians ought to be peaceable 
 wherever encountered on the reservation. In 
 fact, as we have shown, many of the Crows 
 and Blackfeet helped in the arrest of the 
 
THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL AGAIN. 169 
 
 horse thieves of their own race, who now and 
 then stole across the border line from the 
 British possessions and raided upon the farmer 
 Indians that are making such creditable ad- 
 vances in civilization ; but there are always 
 a number of red men who are untrustworthy 
 and vicious, as is the case with their paleface 
 brethren. Some of these are dissatisfied with 
 their treaty stipulations and become "Dog 
 Indians," or vagrants, w^hose hands are against 
 everyone, whenever there is any temptation 
 presented to do evil. 
 
 ''Lieutenant," called Hillson, just before 
 reaching the turn in the mountain trail, "don't 
 hurry ; there's no saying who may be lurking 
 beyond waiting for the very chance you will 
 give them if you ride straight forward." 
 
 Palmer checked his steed, and partly turning 
 in his saddle, looked in the face of his friend, 
 while they held a brief conversation. 
 
 " I have been thinking about that, but you 
 will recall that the best plan, as both of us 
 proved last week, is to bluff the Wild Cat, 
 and not let him think that we hold him in any 
 fear. When you met him alone you refused 
 
170 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 to give liim half the path. Had you turned 
 aside and allowed him to have it all, he would 
 have shot you from your mare." 
 
 '' Possibly, though we cannot be certain of 
 that." 
 
 " I believe it was he who fired from the brush 
 and then ran like a coward when I made for 
 him with only my revolver, while he had a 
 rifle." 
 
 ''Even if you are right about that," said 
 the younger officer significantly, ''the fact 
 remains that he fired the shot before he ran, 
 and he may do so at this time." 
 
 "The fact also remains," added Palmer, 
 "that he didn't hurt anybody by his marks- 
 manship." 
 
 " Which is no proof that he may not do so 
 next time." 
 
 It was apparent that the elder was eager to 
 meet the vagrant with whom he had had such 
 stirring dealings the week before. Hillson was 
 hardly less desirous of a brush with him, but 
 he appreciated the need of caution in every 
 movement. 
 
 "I will be careful," finally remarked 
 
THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL AGAIN. 171 
 
 Palmer, who straightway proceeded to violate 
 the pledge by riding toward the turn of the 
 mountain trail, as though not the shadow of 
 danger impended. 
 
 Hillson urged him to dismount and take a 
 cautious peep before trusting himself in full 
 sight, but he thought that was showing a 
 timidity which would react upon them. He 
 kept his horse, however, at the slowest possible 
 walk, and leaned forward over his neck that 
 he might be as quick as he in detecting what- 
 ever lay beyond. 
 
 " I suspect our friend has concluded " 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer had uttered these words 
 when Hillson saw him fling himself over the 
 side of his horse, as if making a plunge after 
 the stricken buck. The crack of a rifle ring- 
 ing among the gorges at the same moment left 
 no doubt of the cause of the desperate attempt 
 of the young officer to save himself. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE PKISONER. 
 
 FOE, an instant Lieutenant Hillson believed 
 his companion had been struck by the 
 unexpected shot from beyond. His chivah'ous 
 nature led him to bound forward with the 
 alarmed question : 
 
 *' Are you hurt, Al?" 
 
 ^'No; I'm all right, but don't let him get 
 away ; it was one of those Blackfeet that fired 
 at me." 
 
 Hillson turned like a flash and glanced 
 along the trail, which descended as rapidly 
 beyond the curve as it did in the opposite 
 direction. That wdiich he saw angered him 
 beyond expression, for nothing could have 
 been more treacherous than the attempt 
 against the life of his friend. 
 
 Two Blackfoot warriors were skurrying 
 down the jDath as fast as their sinewy legs 
 
 172 
 
THE PRISONER. 173 
 
 could carry them. Their long coarse hair 
 streamed over their backs, and each was partly 
 envelojped in an untidy blanket wrapped about 
 his shoulders, and from beneath which his 
 moccasons twinkled as he made all haste to 
 get out of danger. 
 
 The faces which they often turned to glance 
 affrightedly behind them showed they were 
 painted after the fashion so popular with the 
 American race, and the young lieutenant was 
 certain he recognized one of them. 
 
 "Now, gentlemen," he muttered, bringing 
 his rifle to his shoulder, "it is my turn." 
 
 The distance was considerable and increas- 
 ing every moment, but Hillson was an excel- 
 lent marksman, and was confident of bringing 
 down his man. There was no means of know- 
 ing who fired the cowardly shot, but both were 
 equally guilty, and he selected the one in front 
 on the theory that, after discharging his piece, 
 he would naturally be the first to run. The 
 distance between the fugitives was sufficient 
 to permit him to tire over the head of the 
 rear one. 
 
 "It was the Wild Cat," said Palmer, hast- 
 
174 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ily righting himself in the saddle ; ''he is the 
 one leading, and I hope you will make a better 
 shot than he did." 
 
 It was the intention of Palmer to take a 
 hand himself, but at the moment Hillson's eye 
 was ranging along his Winchester, and he was 
 sure the bead was true, behold ! both Indians 
 vanished as though they had never been. 
 
 "Well, if that doesn't beat the beaters!" 
 exclaimed Hillson, lowering his weapon and 
 staring with open mouth at the point where 
 the warriors were visible but a moment before ; 
 '* what's become of them? Are we in a land 
 of enchantment ? " 
 
 "Not a bit of it," replied Palmer; "they 
 are hiding behind the trail ; give me room." 
 
 And what did the audacious young officer 
 do but, like another "Old Put," spur his 
 horse down the trail on a dead run, straight at 
 the point on which he kept his eyes fixed, 
 with the determination of punishing the mis- 
 creant that had attempted his life, and whom 
 he knew to be one of the worst Indians in the 
 Northwest ! 
 
 Hillson was but a second or two behind him. 
 
THE PRISONER. 175 
 
 He was not the one to hesitate when a comrade 
 was in peril, and, swinging himself into the 
 saddle, he spurred his mare to her best. Both 
 animals had been in battle before, and they 
 scented it from afar. 
 
 No heed was now paid to the trail that had 
 not been pressed by a hoof for a long time. 
 Bits of rock and stone, displaced by the flying 
 hoofs, rattled down the ravine at their side, 
 and more than once the sure-footed animals 
 seemed to be going over, but the reins lay 
 loose on their necks, and, left to themselves, 
 they did better than if their riders had tried 
 to guide them. 
 
 Palmer believed that the Indians, seeing the 
 levelled rifles, had dropped on their faces and 
 rolled among the dense undergrowth, where 
 they could not be seen a dozen yards away. 
 It was frightfully perilous thus to charge upon 
 them, since they had only to lie still and pick 
 off the youths as they came within range. 
 
 But it is not impossible that the very impet- 
 uosity of the rush averted this danger, for no 
 shot was fired during the few seconds thus 
 occupied, although the officers expected it. 
 
176 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 The speed of tlieir liorses was so great that 
 they went several paces beyond the spot before 
 they could be checked. 
 
 The youths were on the ground in a twin- 
 kling, and leaving the steeds to themselves, 
 they leaped into the undergrowth. 
 
 '^ Hallo ! " called Palmer ; " here is another 
 trail ; we are close upon them ! " 
 
 The pursuer forgot that he was no match for 
 an American Indian on foot, especially among 
 the vines, trees, and rocks, where he is as much 
 at home as is the chamois among the Alpine 
 heights. 
 
 Hillson was as eager as his companion, for 
 one of the miscreants had fired at his friend, 
 and the two Indians were among the very 
 worst of their race. Palmer, with his Win- 
 chester firmly grasped in his right hand, sped 
 down the path, Avliich, like the main trail, 
 rapidly descended, as though the one whom 
 he was pursuing was only a few paces in 
 advance. 
 
 Hillson was not quite so forgetful as his 
 friend. It occurred to him that if the Black- 
 feet had darted from the main trail at this 
 
THE PRISONER. 177 
 
 point they were likely still to be near it. 
 Instead, therefore, of rushing after his com- 
 panion, he paused for a moment and glanced 
 searchingly about him. 
 
 Nothing met his eye, and he was on the 
 point of following the other, when something 
 moved in his field of vision. It resembled a 
 short, thick stick, which appeared to fly up a 
 few inches from behind a large rock. He 
 caught only a glimpse of the object, but it was 
 enough to reveal that, instead of what it 
 seemed, it was the arm of an Indian, exposed 
 for the instant, as if he were striving desper- 
 ately to accomplish something before he could 
 be prevented. 
 
 Suspecting its meaning, Hillson, with a 
 couple of bounds, reached the other side of the 
 rock, where he came upon the vagrant Black- 
 foot known far and wide as the Wild Cat, 
 who was making a fierce effort to reload his 
 Sharpens or single-shot rifle, before the youth 
 should disappear in the direction taken by his 
 friend. 
 
 The warrior was in a kneeling posture, and 
 in the act of fixing a cartridge at the breech, 
 
 12 
 
178 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 when the young officer descended npon him. 
 It was an act of amazing carelessness that led 
 the Wild Cat to unmask himself in the manner 
 described, and was explainable only on the 
 ground of his furious haste, which caused him 
 to forget himself for the instant. 
 
 Even with Hillson within arm's length, and 
 holding him at his mercy, he persevered in the 
 attempt to reload his piece, which would have 
 been re-charged before, but for the haste which 
 caused him to drop the cartridge. 
 
 " You scoundrel ! " exclaimed the lieutenant, 
 drawing his revolver ; " drop that gun, or I'll 
 riddle you ! " 
 
 The Wild Cat continued his effort in a vague 
 way, but the cartridge dropped a second time 
 from his fingers, and, instead of picking it up, 
 he turned bis painted visage toward the youth 
 and said : 
 
 ^^Meno shoot — me friend of white man ! " 
 
 Under other circumstances the phenomenal 
 effrontery of this proceeding would have 
 brought a smile to the face of the officer, who 
 could not treat the wretch as he deserved, 
 since he was helpless, but had he continued his 
 
THE PRISONER. 179 
 
 attempt to reload his gun, Hillson would have 
 executed his threat. Now, however, he was 
 surprised to discover that the terrible warrior 
 was too badly hurt to aid himself. Immedi- 
 ately after uttering his words, he attempted to 
 rise, but reeled backward, and had he not 
 grasped a sapling, he would have sunk to the 
 ground. 
 
 It was not strange, perhaps, that on the 
 discovery of his condition the emotions of 
 Hillson underwent a revulsion, although he 
 was filled with consuming wrath a moment 
 before, and could hardly restrain himself from 
 taking instant vengeance on the one that had 
 come within a hair of slaying his best friend. 
 
 Something akin to pity now stirred the lieu- 
 tenant at sight of this grim warrior in his 
 pitiful i3light. No wound could be seen, and 
 Hillson, after studying him a moment or two, 
 concluded that in his haste to escape the 
 levelled Winchester he had injured himself 
 upon the rocks. If such were the fact he 
 would speedily recover. 
 
 Knowing the venomous nature of the Black- 
 feet the lieutenant was not free from the 
 
180 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 suspicion tliat, after all. tlie Wild Cat was 
 feigning a weakness with the purpose of 
 throwing him off his guard, but if so he failed 
 in his design, for the officer did not remove 
 his grasp from his revolver during the brief 
 interval he was studying him. 
 
 The result was the conviction that he had 
 been injured in some unaccountable manner. 
 Indeed, but for the extraordinarily tough char- 
 acter of his race, it is likely he would have 
 swooned when striving, with the help of the 
 sapling, to stand erect. The youth believed 
 he turned pale, but the paint on his counte- 
 nance prevented any certainty on that point. 
 
 Even in his pity Hillson did not forget his 
 caution, for he had seen a supposed dead war- 
 rior, when stretched upon the ground, make a 
 lightning-like blow with his knife at the sur- 
 geon bending over him, as a rattlesnake will 
 strike when wounded unto death. 
 
 "I'll take your gun, if you please," said 
 the youth, setting his own against a tree, 
 reaching his hand forward and grasping the 
 rifle of the Blackfoot. The latter made no 
 attempt to retain it, but loosening his fingers, 
 
THE PRISONER. 181 
 
 allowed it to pass into the hands of bis 
 master. 
 
 The only other weapon visible was the bunt- 
 ing knife, shoved behind the girdle at his 
 waist. Hillson hesitated, but, knowing his 
 task would not be finished until he secured 
 that, he deftly extracted it, without any pro- 
 test on the part of the owner. 
 
 It was singular, perhaps, bu^ at the instant 
 the young officer's hand closed about the 
 buckhorn handle, the thought flashed upon 
 him that the weapon had been used against 
 many an innocent member of his own race. 
 With a shudder, as if it were a serpent, he 
 flung it twenty feet away through the wood. 
 
CHAPTER XXL 
 
 THE SIGNAL. 
 
 THUS Lieutenant Hillson had actually 
 made prisoner of the notorious Indian 
 known as the Wild Cat. This rogue took liis 
 place some years before on the reservation 
 with the rest of his tribe, expressing his inten- 
 tion of adopting the calling of a farmer for the 
 rest of his life and becoming that rare per- 
 sonage known as a "good Indian," respect- 
 ing whom some military authorities claim the 
 last one perished long ago. 
 
 The Wild Cat lived up to his profession for 
 a few weeks, and then in a quarrel, brought 
 about by himself, slew one of his people. He 
 was arrested by the Indian police, but broke 
 away and took to the mountains. Occasionally 
 he ventured upon the settled portion of the 
 reservation, and was engaged in other brawls, 
 
 183 
 
THE SIGNAL. 183 
 
 becoming known as one of the worst tempered 
 and violent of bis race. 
 
 We have shown that, Avhether on his own 
 hunting grounds or the reservation, this out- 
 hiw could always count on the active sympathy 
 of his people. The most peaceful Blackfeet, 
 who abhorred his crimes, used every effort to 
 baffle the officers of justice in their attempts 
 to place him beyond the power of doing further 
 harm. Patient and well-disposed as were the 
 authorities, it is not to be supposed that they 
 would have put on mourning had they learned 
 of his death at the hands of known or un- 
 known parties. Had Hillson and Palmer re- 
 turned to the fort with word that in an affray 
 with the Wild Cat, they had found it neces- 
 sary to despatch him, the chief executive 
 Avould never have been petitioned to X)ardon 
 them. 
 
 But enough has been said to show the char- 
 acter of the prisoner that had fallen into the 
 hands of Lieutenant Hillson, who, realizing 
 the importance of the capture, asked himself 
 the question: "Now that I have caught 
 him, what shall I do with him?" 
 
184 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 The plan of taking him twenty miles and 
 more to the fort could not be contemplated 
 with pleasure, since he was too weak to walk, 
 and if his captor waited until he recovered 
 he was sure to take advantage of the many- 
 chances offered to escape before leaving 
 the mountains. Hillson naturally disliked to 
 share his horse with him, for such a compan- 
 ionship was rex)ellant in every sense. 
 
 While these thoughts were passing through 
 the brain of the youth, the prisoner himself 
 was an interesting study. Hillson had formed 
 a theory about his hurt which afterward proved 
 to be correct. The Blackfoot, in his desperate 
 hurry to avoid the bullet that was on the point 
 of being fired at him, flung himself with such 
 violence to the earth that he struck a bowlder 
 with sufficient force to knock him almost 
 senseless. It was a singular accident to befall 
 such a veteran mischief-maker, but when he 
 rolled among the undergrowth and behind the 
 rock, it was with an instinctive rather than a 
 reasoning impulse, and his senses left him 
 altogether at the moment of finding the refuge. 
 
 Chivalry would have required his companion 
 
THE SIGNAL. 185 
 
 to remain with him and give what help he 
 could in his extremity ; but chivalry is not so 
 common among the American Indians as some 
 people supxDose. His associate cast a single 
 glance at him, and then concluded that his 
 best course was to look after his own safety. 
 Instead of taking refuge near and firing at 
 the horseman the instant he came within fair 
 range, he lied with all speed down the faintly 
 marked path, whither the impetuous Palmer 
 followed with headlong haste. 
 
 The shock received by the Blackfoot was of 
 that nature that he quickly recovered, and, 
 brief as was the interval occupied by the 
 young officers in their charge, he rallied suffi- 
 ciently to comprehend his peril, and, striving 
 hard to reload his gun, was detected, as we 
 have shown, in the act. 
 
 The outlay of strength overcame him, and 
 the red man was nearer swooning outright than 
 ever before. Only by the supreme exercise 
 of his strong will did he succeed in keeping 
 his feet, with the help of the sapling at his 
 side. 
 
 Hillson was sufficiently skilled in reading the 
 
186 THE PATH IN THE RAVIKE. 
 
 symptoms which he sought to hide to observe 
 that the redoubtable warrior was rapidly be- 
 coming himself again. That being evident, he 
 was sure to be equally quick in regaining his 
 natural viciousness. The youth had possession 
 of his gun, and, slipping his revolver in place, 
 he held one rifle in either hand, the knife hav- 
 ing been eliminated from the problem. 
 
 "Wild Cat," said he, ''you are at my 
 mercy, but the white man does not make war 
 like the dog of a Blackfoot ; I will not hurt 
 you if you do as I tell you." 
 
 ''Wild Cat can't walk," was the reply, as 
 the warrior still clung to the sapling and 
 looked at the lieutenant with an expression 
 that would have touched his heart had he not 
 suspected its sincerity. 
 
 At this juncture, Hillson, to his delight, 
 caught a familiar signal. It was a clear, sharp 
 whistle, such as he knew was made by his 
 brother officer, who meant it as a call for him 
 to join him at once. 
 
 " I wonder whether he, too, has an elephant 
 on his hands," was the thought of his friend, 
 who noticed that the summons came from a 
 
THE SIGNAL. 187 
 
 point considerably removed ; ^4f he has, we 
 must manage to pool our issues." 
 
 Turning to his prisoner, who must have 
 noticed the signal, he added : 
 
 " Wild Cat, walk ahead of me in this path ; 
 you are strong enough to do that, and you 
 can't deceive me. I will follow you, and if you 
 do as you are told, you won't be harmed, but 
 if you attempt to dodge among the trees or call 
 to your friends, I will fire upon you at once." 
 
 The warrior looked keenly at him, as if 
 debating some plan for misleading him ; but 
 the handsome face of the officer could be stern 
 when necessary, and, as the best and only 
 course left to the Wild Cat, he began moving 
 along the trail, but did so with great slowness, 
 as if suffering pain. 
 
 Possibly such was the fact, but the occasion 
 was one for harshness ; and stepping from the 
 path, so as to place the warrior in front, he 
 allowed him to hear the click of the hammer 
 on his rifle as he raised it. 
 
 *'It all depends on you,^^ said he ; **walk 
 along the path and don't look around, but if 
 you don't- 
 
 j) 
 
188 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 The break in the sentence was as expressive 
 as any words could have been, and the Wild 
 Cat asked no further explanations. 
 
 It was an extraordinary sight, this veteran 
 Blackfoot warrior, wearing the scars of many 
 a fearful hand-to-hand encounter, plodding 
 sullenly, but submissively, in front of the 
 youth, who kept only a few paces to the rear, 
 with his senses on the alert, and half convinced 
 that he would have to carry out his threat 
 of summary punishment before advancing a 
 hundred feet. 
 
 Hillson would have signalled to Palmer to 
 join him but for the suspicion that he was in- 
 volved in some difficulty with his own particu- 
 lar Blackfoot, which rendered it out of his 
 power to respond. Despite the lieutenant's 
 misgivings, however, the Wild Cat maintained 
 his deliberate progress for nearly fifty yards 
 without any change of gait or apparent pur- 
 pose of rebelling against his strange captivity. 
 But, before long, Hillson became aware of a 
 disquieting fact. 
 
 A faint call, seemingly made by some bird, 
 sounded through the wood, but it was so 
 
THE SIGNAL. 189 
 
 nearly inaudible tliat had lie not been listening 
 intently, lie would not have noticed it. Even 
 as it was, it is doubtful whether it would have 
 disturbed him, had he not observed a slight 
 movement of the Wild Cat's head. It was 
 just the least possible flitting to one side, 
 which gave a brief glimpse of the profile. 
 There was no change in his pace, nor any evi- 
 dence that he had noticed the soft, tremulous 
 call, other than the one described, and even 
 that seemed to be due to a momentary forget- 
 f Illness that could not occur again. 
 
 "It is a signal from the other Blackfoot," 
 was the conclusion of Hillson ; "he must have 
 eluded Palmer, and is stealing back to help 
 this one. Well, that makes two of them, and 
 I have a couple of guns, even if one is un- 
 loaded, but I am afraid they will prove more 
 than I can handle Ah ! " 
 
 To his surprise he caught precisely the same 
 signal again ; but, instead of coming from the 
 point where first heard, it was to the right, 
 and, more significant still, much closer than 
 before. 
 
 The Wild Cat moved like a feeble old man. 
 
190 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 not turning his head in either direction. He 
 could not have failed to hear the second 
 sound, but nothing in his demeanor indicated 
 the fact. 
 
 *'This contract is growing faster than is 
 agreeable," thought the lieutenant, "but I 
 
 can' t back out now There it goes again ! ' ' 
 
 he added, as the bird-like call sounded so near 
 that he knew the Indian who emitted it would 
 be in sight the next moment. 
 
E 
 
 CHAPTEK XXII. 
 
 THE CABIN. 
 
 lEUTENANT HILLSON" was in a most 
 
 peculiar situation. The dusky rogue 
 known as the Wild Cat was walking slowly, 
 as if in pain, a few paces in front, while some- 
 where near at hand were hovering one or more 
 warriors awaiting the chance to strike a blow 
 for the leader. 
 
 The second signal showed that the stranger 
 was but a short distance to the right, and the 
 officer was certain he would reveal himself the 
 next minute. His advent upon the scene 
 promised to turn the tables completely, for it 
 will be perceived that every advantage was on 
 his side. It was another example of the hunter 
 who, while hunting the tiger, finds the tiger 
 hunting him. 
 
 Hillson had his loaded Winchester in his 
 right hand, and the Blackfoot's unloaded 
 
 191 
 
192 THE PATH IN THE KAYINE. 
 
 weapon in liis left. Carrying a revolver also, 
 it will be conceded that lie was well supplied 
 with the means of defence, but the gun of the 
 Wild Cat was such an impediment that, could 
 lie have been sure that the second warrior 
 lurking near would not see him, he would have 
 flung the weapon away. 
 
 The Indian acted for a moment as though he 
 had not heard the second call of his ally, which 
 so disturbed the lieutenant, and the latter was 
 left the duty of watching not only him but the 
 other, who was liable at any moment to send a 
 stealthy shot from cover. 
 
 It was this close scrutiny of the Wild Cat 
 that enabled Hillson to observe that he was 
 walking slower than before. His step, too, 
 was uncertain, as if overtaken once more by 
 the weakness that came so near mastering him. 
 
 *' That is all j^retence," was the rightful con- 
 clusion of his captor ; "he is about to attempt 
 some trick. None of that ! " he called to him ; 
 *^ I know what you are driving at." 
 
 The Blackfoot stopped, and, turning half- 
 way round, deliberately stared at the youth, 
 as if studying the expression of his counte- 
 
THE CABIN. 193 
 
 nance. Then, to the amazement of the latter, 
 he coolly rej)lied to the whistle that had so 
 alarmed Hillson a minute before. 
 
 It was a daring proceeding on the part of the 
 Wild Cat, and looked as if he meant openly to 
 defy his captor, who was angered almost to 
 the extent of shooting him, thereby not only 
 ridding the country of a pest, but reducing the 
 number of his enemies demanding immediate 
 attention to unity. Instead of doing so, how- 
 ever, he resorted to a shrewder artifice that 
 would have done credit to a veteran frontiers- 
 man. 
 
 *' Wild Cat," said he, '^ signal again to your 
 friend, and tell him that if he makes the first 
 move against me, I will shoot you ! He may 
 bring me down, but not before I can send a 
 bullet through you, and Fll do it I'*^ 
 
 The officer uttered these words in a loud 
 voice, intending they should reach the ear of 
 the second Indian, for whom they were spe- 
 cially meant. Perhaps the latter did not 
 understand the English language, and it was 
 well to employ an interpreter. 
 
 The lieutenant hardly expected to be obeyed 
 
 13 
 
194 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 as promptly as he was, but the Wild Cat 
 instantly emitted a tremulous whistle, so dif- 
 ferent from his previous one that it was evi- 
 dent it conveyed another meaning altogether. 
 Whether this was of the precise character 
 Hillson had in mind, and whether such a mes- 
 sage could be transmitted by that means, may 
 well be doubted, but it must have been quite 
 easy to warn his associate against any attempt 
 to harm the white man. 
 
 This was bringing speculation down to a fine 
 point, and Hillson had no time nor disposition 
 to follow the train of thought suggested by 
 the action of the Blackfoot. He was in con- 
 stant fear of the appearance of the one that 
 had first given the signal, with a complication 
 that must increase his own danger to an alarm- 
 ing degree. 
 
 It was awkward to carry two rifles, one of 
 which was pointed at the target in front, but 
 he managed to do so, determined that there 
 should be no mistake as to his earnestness. 
 The Wild Cat walked with the same sullen 
 deliberation as before, while the youth devoted 
 his energies to the task of keeping him under 
 
THE CABIN. 195 
 
 his eye, and maintaining a lookout for the 
 other. 
 
 Skilful and daring as was Lieutenant Hill- 
 son, it was beyond his power to hold his ad- 
 vantage for more than a few minutes longer, 
 without receiving aid from some quarter. His 
 threat probably frightened the Wild Cat into 
 uttering a warning signal to his friend, but the 
 latter would have been quick to see how easy it 
 was for him to fire a shot so instantly fatal 
 that the leader would be in no danger at all. 
 
 It was at this critical juncture that Hillson, 
 looking at his prisoner, observed something 
 moving just beyond him. Before he was quite 
 sure of its meaning, the warrior stopped, threw 
 up both arms and called : 
 
 " Huh ! huh ! no shoot ! '' 
 
 There was good cause for the cry, for the 
 figure in front of him was Lieutenant Palmer, 
 who, catching sight of the savage, instantly 
 brought his rifle to his shoulder with the in- 
 tention of firing. 
 
 But the path just there was perfectly straight, 
 and when he pointed his gun at the Blackfoot 
 he descried his friend, so exactly in range 
 
196 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 that a shot at one was likely to endanger the 
 other. 
 
 "Don't fire," called Hillson in turn, "he is 
 a prisoner of war." 
 
 Palmer lowered his weapon and stared en- 
 quiringly at the Indian, who still hesitated to 
 advance. 
 
 "That's the head scoundrel," remarked the 
 first lieutenant ; '' it was he who gave me that 
 snap shot, but what do you mean to do with 
 him?" 
 
 " I want your help to decide." 
 
 "There's a cabin right behind me, which we 
 can use for a prison until we make arrange- 
 ments to dispose of him." 
 
 This was interesting news to Hillson, who 
 ordered the Wild Cat to resume his advance. 
 The officer followed only a few paces, when 
 he observed a small natural clearing in 
 which stood a heavily built cabin, one story in 
 height and perhaps twenty feet square. The 
 single door affording ingress and egress was 
 open, and a large, well-favored man stood just 
 outside calmly contemplating the curious pro- 
 ceedings. 
 
THE CABIN. 197 
 
 The Wild Cat stopped, and since tlie indi- 
 vidual was a stranger to Hillson, lie hesitated 
 whether to repeat his order. Suspecting his 
 embarrassment the man called out : 
 
 "Send him right along; the door is open 
 
 for him." 
 
 The Blackfoot must have realized at this 
 moment the great error he made in warning 
 his ally to remain in the background, for, had 
 he been on hand to use the opportunity pre- 
 sented in the slight confusion that lasted for a 
 second or two, the prisoner could have dodged 
 among the trees and been off like a shot. 
 
 But it was too late now, and, hiding the 
 exasperation and chagrin that must have 
 gnawed at his heart, he strode through the 
 open door with a certain dignity, and entered 
 the cabin. 
 
 "Now let us do the same," said the first 
 lieutenant, "for there are more of them in the 
 neighborhood." 
 
 He knew nothing of the warrior who, after 
 approaching within striking distance, had 
 withdrawn at the command of his master, or 
 he might have shown greater hurry. Hillson 
 
198 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 believed lie would be heard from, and lie 
 nervously followed his friend within the struct- 
 ure, the host stepping quickly after them and 
 instantly closing and securing the door. 
 
 The astonishment of the visitors was in- 
 creased by a glance at their surroundings. 
 The cabin, as we have stated, was about twenty 
 feet square and a single story in height, but 
 one half of the ax)artment was covered by a 
 broad shelf or planking, between which and 
 the eaves was a foot's space and with three 
 times that extent in the middle. The ends of 
 a number of buffalo, bear, and beaver robes 
 showed that this i^ortion was devoted to sleep- 
 ing purposes, it being reached by several cross 
 pieces nailed against one side of the cabin, 
 almost directly beneath. 
 
 The floor was made of well-fitted logs, 
 roughly dressed, and worn smooth by much 
 tramping of feet. There was a small stand or 
 table, several stools, a short, low bench, and a 
 fireplace with a lot of wood piled near it, as if 
 in readiness for use, though there was none 
 burning on the hearth. The firex)lace was of 
 the most primitive pattern, built of stone and 
 
THE CABIN. 199 
 
 set even with tlie wall, the prime object sought 
 evidently being strength and security. 
 
 The door was massive, and when closed and 
 secured was almost as strong as any part of the 
 structure. On the side opposite were two nar- 
 row, window-like openings for the admission of 
 light. They lacked panes, but could be closed 
 by pieces of planking when danger threatened, 
 their straitness being such that a child could 
 not have been forced through either of them. 
 
 The occupant of this cabin was Hadley 
 Rainsford, a man of powerful physique, a 
 little x)ast middle life, with grizzled beard and 
 hair, bright blue eyes, strong features, and pre- 
 possessing manner. He was attired like a 
 professional sportsman, and encountered any- 
 where would have attracted favorable atten- 
 tion. His rifle was of the latest pattern, and 
 it was evident that, although following this 
 singular hermit life, he was an individual of 
 intelligence and culture. 
 
 *' Well, here we are ! " he said, in his cheery 
 way, after glancing about the room, ^'and if 
 you will keep out of range of those windows, 
 we may dismiss all thoughts of troublesome 
 
200 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 neiglibors for tlie present. I think wlien sup- 
 per-time comes we can scare np something 
 digestible. I don' t know," he added, glancing 
 quizzically from one to the other, " whether it 
 is a safe proceeding, lieutenants, for me to 
 receive a couple of United States officers into 
 my house when I am an intruder myself." 
 
 '*We are here unofficially," said Palmer, 
 with a laugh, " and having accepted your hos- 
 pitality, we cannot violate it." 
 
 *'The crime is not a heinous one, anyway, 
 and I would be glad to have you make me a 
 visit, if we only knew what to do with this 
 precious fellow." 
 
 He looked at the Wild Cat as he spoke. 
 The white men had seated themselves, but the 
 warrior stood on the side of the room furthest 
 from the door. His arms were folded, a scowl 
 upon his forbidding features, and his black, 
 serpent-like eyes seemed to be staring at the 
 solid logs before him, as if seeking to pierce 
 them and peer among the trees beyond. He 
 did not speak nor seem to notice the words of 
 his captors, though it is safe to believe that, 
 none of their words were lost upon him. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 A YOUNG HOSTESS. 
 
 NATUHE lias given the red man a repel- 
 lent countenance, with Ms large nose, 
 higli cheek-bones, and retreating chin. His 
 face was made doubly repulsive by fantastic 
 daubs of crimson, black, and white paint 
 spread over forehead, nose, cheek, and chin. 
 His long black hair, instead of being gathered 
 in the defiant scalp-lock, dangled about his 
 shoulders, the coarse strands showing that 
 they, too, had received their share of paint, of 
 which the American race is so fond. 
 
 ^'What did you do with your Indian?" 
 asked Hillson, turning with a smile toward 
 
 his friend. 
 
 " I didn't get a chance to do anything with 
 him ; I found he could beat me running with- 
 out half trying, and there wasn't much hope 
 of tiring him^out, as he had the better wind. 
 
202 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 The longer that sort of race continued the bet- 
 ter it was for him. When I caught sight of 
 this house I concluded to let up on my fugi- 
 tive and make a few investigations on my own 
 account. Mr. Eainsford had heard the guns 
 and was in his door wondering what it meant, 
 when I loomed up in his field of vision." 
 
 ''Not precisely in the dignified style of 
 which the West Pointer is so fond," said the 
 gentleman, in his pleasant way, "for at the 
 moment I saw you, your foot caught in an ob- 
 struction, and you had hard work to save your- 
 self going forward on your hands and knees." 
 
 " So I did ; and when you told me the In- 
 dian I was after hadn't j)assed in sight of the 
 cabin, I saw I was throwing away time and 
 labor. Then I signalled for the lieutenant, 
 and, thinking he might need my services, set 
 out to see what I could do for him." 
 
 ''Well," said Mr. Eainsford, "you have 
 captured the worst Indian in Montana, and 
 one who I do not believe ever felt a spark of 
 gratitude or honor." 
 
 The youths looked wonderingly at the gen- 
 tleman who spoke with such emphasis. A 
 
A YOUNG HOSTESS. 203 
 
 glance at the Blackfoot sliowed that he had 
 shifted his i^osition so as to permit him to 
 lean one shoulder against the side of the struct- 
 ure, his weight resting mainly on one leg, 
 while the toe of the other foot, swung around 
 in front of the rigid limb, was supported on 
 the floor of the cabin. 
 
 *' You speak pointedly," said Hillson. 
 
 ^' And I have the right to do so ; ten years 
 ago Morris Hitchman and I spent a part of the 
 summer building this cabin. The reservation 
 was not fairly established, though we knew it 
 was coming. The Wild Cat claimed to be a 
 good Indian, and we anticii)ated no trouble 
 from him, though the accounts we received 
 from hunters and trappers gave us some un- 
 easiness. We had hard work to get this 
 structure finished, and it was hardly done 
 when he and his gang came down on us like 
 a thunderbolt, and we stood a siege of three 
 days and nights. 
 
 " We stayed here all that winter, and ex- 
 changed a good many shots with him and his 
 party. Do you see that scar ? " abruptly asked 
 the gentleman, removing his cap and display- 
 
204 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ing a cicatrice on liis forehead, plainly observed 
 by both his visitors. 
 
 ^'' He gave it to me," added Mr. Bainsford, 
 with a jerk of his thumb toward the Wild Cat, 
 ''and about that time I winged him. Hitch- 
 man and I secured a good many peltries, and 
 were preparing to start homeward with them 
 when down came the old fellow again with his 
 party. They cut off our retreat to the house, 
 and we kejDt up a running fight for two hours 
 along the mountain trail. We had to abandon 
 our whole winter's catch, and more than once 
 I believed, in the language of the hunters of 
 the olden time, that our last sickness had over- 
 taken us. So it proved indeed with Hitchman, 
 for at the very point where Lieutenant Palmer 
 tells me he came so near being shot off his 
 horse, my friend went down, killed so quickly 
 that he hadn't time to bid me good-by. I was 
 wounded myself, but, as night was at hand, 
 managed to hide among the wood and under- 
 growth until I got a chance to creep out. I 
 wandered about for several days, more dead 
 than alive, when I came upon a party of trap- 
 pers, who proved good Samaritans to me." 
 
A YOUNG HOSTESS. 205 
 
 "I should tliink that would have wearied 
 you of the Bear Paw Mountains," remarked 
 Palmer. 
 
 '' So it would, but for what happened after- 
 ward. I married one of the best women that 
 ever lived. A year later Heaven sent us sweet 
 little Bessie. It seemed as if my earthly hap- 
 piness was too great to last. But the mother 
 died, and I was crushed with sorrow. The 
 only hope, as it appeared to me, of partially 
 forgetting it was by plunging into these moun- 
 tains, where nothing could remind me of my 
 affliction. I see now that it was an unwise 
 thing to do, but I came here a couple of years 
 ago. and have not been out of the country 
 since. There is such an abundance of game 
 that it is easy to support life, and from the 
 few hunters that know of my presence here, 
 I can get my ammunition and other necessaries 
 in exchange for the peltries which I gather 
 during cold weather." 
 
 "Did you bring your little daughter with 
 you ?" asked Lieutenant Hillson. 
 
 " She was six years old at the time, and has 
 been with me ever since." 
 
206 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 u 
 
 But we have seen nothing of her." 
 
 ^' Hallo, Bessie! where are you?" called 
 Mr. Rainsford. 
 
 A rustling was heard among the robes over- 
 head, and to the unbounded amazement of the 
 visitors a little girl about eight years old came 
 down the stei)s, dropping lightly upon the floor. 
 Smiling and blushing she ran forward, sprang 
 upon her father's knee, received an embrace 
 and kiss, and then, looking at the young 
 oflacers, said : 
 
 *^ I've been watching you upstairs ever since 
 you come in." 
 
 ''Now isn't that odd?" replied Hillson. 
 ''I have a little sister at home named Bessie, 
 and she is about your age, and I think she 
 looks almost as sweet as you. Anyway, I 
 want to tell her all about little Bessie Rains- 
 ford that I visited away up in the Bear Paw 
 Mountains. I hope, too, I shall be able to tell 
 her that I held her on my knee, and that she 
 gave me a kiss just as she did her father." 
 
 He extended his arms, and Bessie, with a 
 little natural timidity, walked to him and was 
 lifted upon his knee, and at once became a 
 
A YOUNG HOSTESS. 207 
 
 warm friend of the handsome young officer. 
 He knew how to entertain a child like her, but 
 Palmer complained that he was slighted, insist- 
 ing that, tliongh he hadn't a sister Bessie, he 
 deserved one, and he was always fond of good 
 little girls. 
 
 It was a strange experience of the two in 
 coming upon this dainty bit of humanity in 
 one of the wildest regions of our country. 
 Bessie was unusually bright, for it was evident 
 that her doting father gave much time to her 
 care and instruction. She was educated be- 
 yond her years, but retained the infantile ways 
 so-winning in one of her age. 
 
 Her dress was neat, and little bits of bright 
 ribbon here and there added to the pleasing 
 appearance of her costume. Her luxuriant 
 golden hair, hanging below her shoulders, 
 was gathered with a blue ribbon at the back, 
 while her rosy complexion, clear eyes, and 
 elasticity of frame betokened the highest pos- 
 sible degree of health. 
 
 But charmed as were the visitors with her 
 sweet face and ways, they were disturbed to 
 know she was buried in the wilderness, and 
 
208 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 not only deprived of association with those of 
 lier own sex and age, but saw so few of the 
 necessities of civilization. Her parent had no 
 right, even in the depth of his affliction, to 
 doom her to such a life. 
 
 *'I know what is in your thoughts," said 
 Mr. Eainsford ; "I have done wrong, and 
 shall make amends ; my arrangements were 
 completed to-day to leave this place forever, 
 and unless prevented, we shall start to-morrow 
 morning by sun-up." 
 
 *'I am glad to hear you say that," said 
 Hillson, uttering the sentiments of his friend, 
 *'and I hope nothing will occur to prevent 
 your departure." 
 
 It may seem singular that this conversation 
 should take x)lace on the heels of the stirring 
 incidents recorded, and when there was reason 
 to believe more than one hostile Indian was 
 hovering on the outside, eager to give their 
 leader all the help possible. But there were 
 breaks in the sentences, and Mr. Rainsford 
 was ever on the alert, as were his comi^anions. 
 The gentleman, however, gave more attention 
 to the prisoner than did they, and it was this 
 
A YOUNG HOSTESS. 209 
 
 fact wliich caused liim to make a sign to tliern 
 to refrain from looking at the Wikl Cat, who, 
 there could be no doubt, was np to some 
 miscliief. 
 
 He had turned his head, so that, instead of 
 gazing at the blank wall, he was able to glance 
 sideways through one of the narrow windows 
 on his right, and Mr. Rainsford was not mis- 
 taken in believing the glittering eyes were 
 turned in that direction. 
 
 Furthermore, this steady scrutiny was not 
 aimless on the part of the prisoner. He was 
 holding stealthy communication with parties 
 on the outside, though it was done with a 
 subtlety and skill that might have deceived 
 the eye of suspicion itself. 
 
 Beyond question between these red men, 
 separated by the wall of the cabin, a plan for 
 the rescue of the Wild Cat was rapidly crys- 
 tallizing, and an explosion was nearer at hand 
 than even the vigilant Mr. Rainsford suspected. 
 
 14 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE STKENGTH OF WEAKNESS. 
 
 THE better to carry out the request of Mr. 
 Rainsford, the two officers continued 
 their conversation with him, he answering and 
 speaking as though feeling no interest in the 
 Blackfoot, who was leaning against the side of 
 the structure, and holding secret communica- 
 tion with parties outside. The warrior acted 
 his part with rare skill, as did the single indi- 
 vidual or more without, since not the slightest 
 sound indicated what was going on. 
 
 Now, while no one of the three cared 
 enough for the feelings of the dusky prisoner 
 to restrain the expression of his opinion of 
 him in language which could not be misunder- 
 stood, it was desirable that some things should 
 be kept from him. 
 
 "Habla v. esx)anol?" (Do you speak Span- 
 
 210 
 
THE STRENGTH OF WEAKNESS. 211 
 
 ish ?) asked Mr. Rainsford, turning toward his 
 visitors. 
 
 "Si, lo a]3rendimos a West Point" (Yes, 
 we learned that at West Point), was the 
 prompt reply of Hillson, and from thenceforth 
 for a time the conversation continued in Span- 
 ish, which it was safe to conclude was an 
 unknown tongue to all ]^orthern Indians. 
 
 '' Had your call been deferred a single day," 
 said Mr. Rainsford, ''you would not have 
 found me and Bessie here." 
 
 "Then we are glad it took place when it 
 did," replied Palmer, ''though it might have 
 been better for you had you been absent,- for 
 we know enough of the Wild Cat to see you 
 are in danger as long as you are in this i)lace." 
 
 " Yes," was the quiet reply, "he is incorrig- 
 ible, and I have been thinking since you made 
 him captive what course should be taken with 
 him. He deserves death half a dozen times 
 over, but that will not warrant us in inflicting 
 it, and I do not see how you can take him back 
 to the post with you." 
 
 "I brought him here alone," said Hillson, 
 " and it would seem that Palmer and I ought 
 
212 THE PATH IN THE PwAVINE. 
 
 to be able to drive liim in front of us over the 
 trail to the fort, or, since the journey is con- 
 siderable, we could take him on one of our 
 horses." 
 
 ^' That would be feasible if the other Black- 
 feet did not interfere ; but you know how 
 ready the friendly Indians are to shield the 
 most guilty of their race. You would be sure 
 to meet trouble by adopting either course." 
 
 "What did you mean by referring to his 
 'gang' ? " 
 
 ' ' He has gathered a half dozen vagrants about 
 him as treacherous as himself ; they will seize 
 any opportunity to pick off a hunter in the 
 mountains, as no doubt they have done many 
 a time. I was hopeful, on my last return, 
 that I would find him farming, but, as usual, 
 he welcomed me with a rifle shot." 
 
 " It is unaccountable to me," said Palmer, 
 '* that you expose your child to such great peril, 
 and that, having done so, you have escaped so 
 long." 
 
 " I confess that I ought to have left the hour 
 I learned our danger, but I was hopeful that 
 the Wild Cat and his men would be won over 
 
THE STRENGTH OF WEAKNESS. 213 
 
 at least to neutrality by fair treatment. I 
 once did a good turn for a Crow warrior, and 
 he lias been my friend ever since. I tried it 
 with this rogue, and the mistake was well-nigh 
 fatal. It is only recently that I reached the 
 decision that he is so bad that all efforts are 
 thrown away on him. When the conviction 
 came I resolved to leave this spot forever." 
 
 ''What are your means for doing so ? " 
 
 "I brought an excellent horse, and he is 
 turned loose in a valley less than a fourth of a 
 mile away. I take a look at him every day or 
 two, and occasionally enjoy a little spin on his 
 back. If I can bring him to the mountain 
 trail, knowing none of the Wild Cat's gang is 
 in front of me, I shall have no fear of harm to 
 me and mine, for he is as fleet-footed as the 
 wind." 
 
 "We know that the Indian's weakness, 
 like that of many white men, is horse-flesh," 
 observed Palmer, "and I wonder that your 
 animal was not stolen long ago." 
 
 "There has been risk from the first, as a 
 matter of course, but you must not suppose 
 that the Wild Cat and his fellows lie awake 
 
214 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 nights planning schemes for my harm. They 
 have other mischief on hand, and have let me 
 alone for higher game." 
 
 " Why not propose that we will let him go 
 if he and his men will molest us no further ? " 
 asked Hillson. 
 
 " He would accept it at once, and then seize 
 the first chance to break his pledge ; he can't 
 be trusted to the least extent." 
 
 ^'Doubtless you are right; but why not 
 hold him as a hostage ? " 
 
 "That is the only scheme that promises 
 anything, but I see no way of carrying it out. 
 There must come a point when the honor of 
 the Indian will have to be trusted, and at that 
 moment the break will take place." 
 
 *' Suppose we make no conditions, but 
 release him offhand, will he and the rest lie in 
 wait for us, or will they besiege the cabin in 
 the hope of securing us all ? " 
 
 *' My belief is that they will slay us all, if 
 the way opens for doing so. You put an 
 unpardonable indignity on him by making 
 him a x)risoner when he was tem^Dorarily dis- 
 abled, and he suspects I mean to leave with 
 
THE STRENGTH OF WEAKNESS. 215 
 
 my little girl, so he would bend all his efforts 
 to capture the cabin. If he succeeds none will 
 be left to accuse him, and the colonel at the 
 fort can never learn who is responsible for the 
 taking off of his two fine young lieutenants." 
 
 "Then, Hillson and I should watch for the 
 chance to steal away and make haste to the 
 fort for the helj) that the colonel will be only 
 too eager to send." 
 
 "Do that, and the solution is found; 
 but " 
 
 Some minutes before this little Bessie Eains- 
 ford, who had consented to perch herself again 
 on the knee of Lieutenant Hillson, noticed 
 that her friends were using words that were 
 unintelligible to her. She looked enquiringly 
 from face to face, and hearing nothing to 
 interest her, fixed her gaze on the prisoner, 
 who was leaning against the wall, near one of 
 the narrow windows, seemingly paying no 
 attention to anything. 
 
 She had seen so many of his people that she 
 felt little fear of them. She was like the 
 fawn, which unhesitatingly trots up to the 
 hunter with no thought that it is approaching 
 
216 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 its deadliest enemy. Sliding off the knee of 
 the officer, she picked up one of the stools and 
 walked to where the Wild Cat stood, setting 
 it down so near him that the edge touched the 
 fringe of his leggings. Then, placing her hand 
 on one of his forearms, she said : 
 
 *' You must be tired ; sit down." 
 
 The Blackfoot turned his head like a flash. 
 His attention was directed so intently else- 
 where that his first thought was that he had 
 been detected. It was a striking proof of the 
 subtlety of the American Indian, that whoever 
 was on the outside became aware on the instant 
 of the interruption. Had any of the white 
 men within peeped through the opening at 
 that moment, he would have discovered nothing 
 to explain the telegraphy that was going on an 
 instant before. 
 
 The Wild Cat glanced down at the little girl, 
 whose hand rested on his arm, the two being 
 still folded, and shook his head. 
 
 "Wild Cat no sit down." 
 
 This was a decisive declension for a warrior, 
 but it did not satisfy the young lady. She 
 insinuated her chubby fingers between the outer 
 
THE STRENGTH OF WEAKNESS. 217 
 
 forearm and the wrist of the other with such 
 deftness that, ere he was aware, she had 
 broken the lock, as it may be called, and the 
 limbs dropped to his sides. He was about to 
 refold them, when she closed her fingers about 
 his wrist and said : 
 
 " I want you to sit down, 'cause, if you aint 
 tired, you will be very soon." 
 
 The appeal was accompanied by such a smart 
 backward pull of the Indian's arm that he 
 was forced to make an undignified movement 
 to save himself from sitting down on the stool. 
 It must have angered him, and more than 
 likely he would have struck the innocent 
 cause, but for the presence of her friends, who 
 shifted their seats in order to watch the curi- 
 ous proceedings. 
 
 Still holding his wrist, Bessie added : 
 
 *' You must sit down." 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 THKOUGH THE LINES. 
 
 PERHAPS the Wild Cat saw that the 
 easiest course was to comply with the 
 orders of the little empress, for, with an odd 
 grin on his painted features, he seated himself 
 on the stool and looked at the child that had 
 compelled him to obey her. 
 
 The others smiled, but even the father was 
 not prepared for what followed. The Wild Cat 
 allowed his arms to hang at his side for a 
 second or two, as if in doubt what to do with 
 them. Before he could decide, Bessie climbed 
 upon his knee, and, with the confiding faith of 
 childhood, gazed up in the repellent counte- 
 nance and straight into the serpent-like eyes 
 without a tremor of misgiving. 
 ^' Have you a little girl like me ? " 
 The American Indian justly bears the repu- 
 
 218 
 
« > •«« 
 
THROUGH THE LINES. 219 
 
 tation of a stoic so far as all outward expres- 
 sion of liis emotions goes ; but it is safe to say- 
 that if ever one of them was comx)letely floored 
 it was this Blackfoot when the golden-haired 
 Bessie, sitting on his knee, asked her question. 
 He looked down in her blue eyes, but his 
 dusky lips remained closed. Far be it from us 
 to speculate upon the feelings that stirred 
 the depths of that heart, but he was a human 
 being like ourselves. Though the river may 
 be frozen deep, yet far below the solid shield 
 the crystal water flows, and the ice itself 
 must yield in time to the rays of sunlight 
 that fall upon it. 
 
 " Have you a little girl like me ? " repeated 
 Bessie, seeing that he hesitated, as though he 
 did not understand her question. 
 
 '' Wild Cat hab young warrior — hab girl, 
 too," came the reply in tones which Lieu- 
 tenant Hillson will always insist showed a 
 perceptible tremor. 
 
 " So you've got a little girl," repeated Bes- 
 sie, her face lighting up. *' I guess her name 
 aint like mine ; my name is Bessie ; what is 
 your girl's name ? " 
 
220 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ^'Sliebe Aff-to-wa." 
 
 Bessie's laughter rang out so merrily that 
 her friends smiled. 
 
 ^'Aff-to-wa! what a funny name! Why 
 don't you call her Bessie, or Susie, or Dolly, 
 or some other name that I used to know in St. 
 Paul. Have you ever been in St. Paul ? " 
 
 The warrior shook his head. 
 
 "It's a nice place, and we are going back 
 there, for I don't like to stay here. Papa 
 promised to take me back to-morrow, and we 
 mean to start real early." 
 
 Kainsford glanced at the officers and 
 remarked in Spanish : 
 
 " The secret is out now without mistake, 
 and the Wild Cat knows it all." 
 
 "We've got a horse that Pm going to ride 
 on with papa ; he's a good way off, where the 
 bad Indians can't find him; it's down that 
 way" (pointing with her hand), "but I know 
 you won't tell the bad Indians, for papa is 
 afraid they will take Saladin away." 
 
 "We'll let the young tell-tale alone," said 
 her parent with a smile, "and she will give 
 her whole family history.' 
 
 j> 
 
THROUGH THE LINES. 221 
 
 But cliildhood is impulsive, and Bessie 
 switched off in characteristic fashion : 
 
 '^ Won't you bring Aff-to-wa to see me 
 before we go away?" 
 
 What the Wild Cat's answer would have 
 been can only be conjectured, for the opportu- 
 nity was denied him. The words were yet 
 upon the childish lips when the reports of sev- 
 eral rifles rang out in the stillness, and Lieu- 
 tenant Hillson, who had shifted his seat more 
 than his companion, felt the wind of one of the 
 bullets, which whizzed in front of his eyes and 
 was buried in the wall opposite. 
 
 It was a startling interruption, and for a 
 few seconds each white man believed one of 
 his friends had been killed. They leaped from 
 their seats, while the terrified parent rushed 
 to his child, who was on her feet, bewildered 
 like the others, not knowing what it all meant. 
 
 It was a cunning scheme of the marauders 
 outside, and accomplished its end marvellously 
 well, for it was meant to give the Wild Cat a 
 chance of escax)ing from his prison. 
 
 Thinking only of Bessie, the father caught 
 her in his arms, and stepping hastily back, so 
 
222 THE PATH IN THE PwAVINE. 
 
 as to be out of range of tlie windows, lie 
 asked : 
 
 " My dear child, are you liurt ? " 
 
 ^'Wliy, no, papa; but what made him set 
 me down so quick?" 
 
 Expecting another volley, the young officers 
 imitated the action of their host, not pausing 
 to catch u]y their rifles, which were leaning 
 against the wall near the fireplace. As they 
 did so the Blackfoot darted across the room 
 with arrowy swiftness. He seemed hardly a 
 second at the door, but during the brief inter- 
 val occupied in unfastening it, he managed by 
 incredible deftness to secure his rifle, when he 
 vanished through the opening as if shot from 
 a gun. 
 
 ** Shall I fire?" shouted Hillson, dashing 
 after him, revolver in hand. 
 
 ^' No ; what's the use?" demanded Palmer, 
 leaping to his side. 
 
 *' Then I'm off after help ! " 
 
 To the amazement of his friend, he darted 
 in the direction of the trail along which he had 
 conducted his captive a short time before. The 
 elder called to him to return, believing he was 
 
THROUGH THE LINES. 223 
 
 rnsliing to certain death, but the sinewy youth 
 gave no heed, and before the summons could 
 be repeated he was out of sight. 
 
 Success often follows such instant seizure of 
 an advantage, the impulse for which comes 
 like an inspiration. Had Lieutenant Hillson 
 hesitated for a single minute, he must have 
 been brought down by one of the dusky va- 
 grants, who dreamed of no such attempt. The 
 shots had entered the rear windows, where the 
 warriors were telegraphing to their leader. 
 They fired blindly, only taking care not to 
 harm the Wild Cat, and then started around 
 the structure to cover the flight of the prisoner, 
 who they knew would seize his opportunity 
 on the instant. Before they could make the 
 circuit he met them. 
 
 It was at this juncture that Hillson took his 
 desperate chance, and, instead of turning to 
 the left, on the heels of the fugitive, sped up 
 the faintly marked path toward the mountain 
 trail where he and his friend had left their 
 horses. 
 
 He expected to hear the crack of rifles 
 behind him, and perhaps to be wounded ; but 
 
224 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 believing lie had taken the only course that 
 could save his friends, he bent his whole ener- 
 gies to flight, not venturing to reply to his com- 
 rade, nor even to glance over his shoulder. 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer was as quick of percep- 
 tion as his friend, and understood the meaning 
 of the break. Dreading the consequences of 
 the reckless act, he held his place by the open 
 door, ready to fire at the first warrior attempt- 
 ing pursuit ; but the seconds passed, and he 
 knew Hillson was using them for their utmost 
 worth. Nothing could prevent his reaching 
 the main path after gaining so good a start, 
 for the very boldness of his flight had done 
 that which the most deliberate preparation 
 would have failed to accomplish. 
 
 Furthermore, Palmer believed that, though 
 several minutes had passed, there was a chance 
 of following in the footsteps of his friend, and 
 he would have done so but for his reluctance 
 to desert Mr. Rainsford and Bessie. 
 
 ^' Thank Heaven!" murmured the gentle- 
 man, when he saw his child was unharmed ; 
 '*I don't see how you escaped, but, like the 
 rest of us, you are safe." 
 
THROUGH THE LINES. 225 
 
 He placed her on her feet again and cau- 
 tioned lier to keep in the rear part of the room, 
 beyond reach of the bullets. She obeyed, as 
 she always did, her greatest wonderment being 
 that the Wild Cat should have set her down 
 with such suddenness before replying to her 
 question. 
 
 *^I don't think I would pose there, lieuten- 
 ant," said Mr. Kainsford, observing the intense 
 attitude of Palmer at the door. " You wear a 
 nice uniform, but it won't impress an Indian 
 as too good to shoot at." 
 
 '' I was trying to cover the flight of Hillson," 
 replied Palmer, stepping back and hastily 
 fastening the door. 
 
 " Whither has he gone?" asked Eainsford. 
 
 *'He took a sudden notion to make for the 
 fort, I presume, or some point where he can 
 get help. I don't know whether it was a wise 
 act or not." 
 
 ** That will speedily appear ; but there is no 
 questioning its bravery." 
 
 '' No one who knows Lieutenant Hillson has 
 ever questioned his bravery," was the honest 
 compliment of his comrade. 
 
 15 
 
226 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 '' I observe lie went in such haste that he 
 left his Winchester behind, though he may 
 have done so purposely." 
 
 "I am quite sure he did, fearing it would 
 affect his speed, which is of the first conse- 
 quence in reaching the mountain trail." 
 
 "More than likely you are right; but 
 hark!" 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer turned pale, for the 
 sounds that alarmed him and his friend were 
 the reports of weapons from the direction of 
 the mountain trail, which until that moment 
 it was hoped Hillson had reached in safety. 
 
 Mr. Rainsford compressed his lips and shook 
 his head. 
 
 ''I fear the worst for him," he said, and 
 Palmer's heart echoed the words. 
 
CHAPTER XXYI. 
 
 THE LESSER TRAIL. 
 
 THE sliots from the direction of the moun- 
 tain trail filled Lieutenant Palmer and 
 Mr. Rainsford with dismay, for they proved 
 that Hillson, despite the excellent start gained, 
 had been discovered before he could reach a 
 safe point in his flight from the cabin. Pro- 
 vided he found his mare where she was left ear- 
 lier in the afternoon, there was a possibility of 
 his getting away, but the chances were so over- 
 whelmingly against it that the two men forgot 
 their own danger in their anxiety for the 
 brave youth who had assumed this risk for 
 their sakes. 
 
 '' I wish I could go to his help," said Palmer, 
 pacing the floor, ^^for I cannot bear the 
 thought of his fighting the Blackfeet alone." 
 
 *'If there was the first chance of he]x)ing 
 
 227 
 
228 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 him I would say : ^ Go, and God speed you ; ' 
 but there is none." 
 
 ^' How are you fixed for a siege ? " asked the 
 officer, facing abruptly about. 
 
 "I couldn't be in much worse shape; ordi- 
 narily I keep several days' supply of provisions 
 on hand and enough water for a week ; but, 
 expecting to leave to-morrow morning early, I 
 have enough only to last until then." 
 
 *' That is sufficient," said Palmer decisively, 
 ''for I shall not stay here longer than to- 
 night. We must make a break before day- 
 light ; there is no moon until near morning, 
 and that is in our favor." 
 
 *'Hark!" said the elder, raising his hand. 
 The others listened, but all remained still. 
 
 '' What did you hear ? " asked Palmer. 
 
 ''Nothing; the firing has ceased, and prob- 
 ably it is ended one way or the other. Hold ! " 
 he added, in some excitement ; " those reports 
 showed that several Indians were near the 
 upper trail ; do you conceive it likely that 
 the Wild Cat will send all his men after the 
 one fugitive ? " 
 
 Why not? As you have shown, he will 
 
 <( 
 
THE LESSER TRAIL. 229 
 
 realize that if Hillson gets away lie is sure to 
 secure help, and he will bend every energy to 
 prevent it." 
 
 *'But hardly to the extent of leaving this 
 cabin unguarded, though it may be unwatched 
 at this moment ; and if we do leave, 7ioio is the 
 time." 
 
 ^'I agree with you," said Palmer, greatly 
 impressed, "and we haven't a minute to lose. 
 It won't do to take anything excex)t what can 
 be easily carried in our hands." 
 
 "Make sure of the gun of your friend as 
 well as your own, while I look after Bessie." 
 
 Naturally the little one required the most 
 attention, for her hat had to be adjusted, her 
 sacque secured about her with some other 
 extra clothing, while no stress of circumstances 
 could induce her to leave her doll Peggy be- 
 hind. With the help of her father, however, 
 the arrangements were quickly made. 
 
 "I will lead the way," he said, observing 
 that his friend was about to anticipate him. 
 
 " But you have her, and would better keep 
 in the background." 
 
 "No; we shall not take the route of the 
 
230 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 others, but a new course witli wliicli I am 
 familiar. I shall seek the place where my 
 horse ought to be grazing. Come on." 
 
 Bessie, who onlydimly understood the cause 
 of this hurry, was about to ask for some expla- 
 nation, but a word from her j^arent closed her 
 lips, and slipping her hand within his, she 
 bravely accompanied him to the door. 
 
 The act of our friends was reckless. Mr. 
 Eainsford paused on the threshold as if about 
 to recede, but, with a prayer to Heaven, he 
 resolutely stepped forward, and moving 
 rapidly, turned to the left, that being the 
 course of the Wild Cat in his dash for 
 liberty. 
 
 It seems incredible that a band of Indians, 
 assailing a cabin like that of Mr. Eainsford, 
 should, at the very beginning, give an oppor- 
 tunity to those within to walk forth to free- 
 dom. Such a thing, it maybe insisted, has 
 never, and, in the nature of things, can never 
 take x^lace. 
 
 But for the reports of guns from the moun- 
 tain trail Mr. Eainsford would not have 
 thought of the attempt he now made. To him 
 
THE LESSER TRAIL. 231 
 
 it seemed that failure at one end of the line 
 was necessary for success at the other. 
 
 The most trying moment in the flight of him- 
 self and the lieutenant was when they turned 
 the corner of the cabin and left the closed 
 door out of sight to the rear. They then knew 
 they had gone too far to return ; they had 
 burned their bridges behind them. 
 
 The sun had set, and the obscurity of twi- 
 light was settling over the dismal solitude. The 
 Bear Paw Mountains, with their vast gorges, 
 caiions, ravines, chasms, wooded peaks, and 
 depths of gloomy wilderness would soon be 
 wrapped in the darkness of night. Rainsford 
 would have been immeasurably relieved could 
 he have postponed the attempt until a later 
 hour, for the chance of success would have 
 been far greater. 
 
 *' I wish that Hillson had his Winchester,'^ 
 reflected Lieutenant Palmer, as he glided like 
 a shadow after the form of Rainsford; ^^for, 
 though I may need it, he is sure to need it 
 still more." 
 
 Mr. Rainsford clasped the hand of Bessie 
 tightly in his own, holding his Winchester in 
 
232 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 the other in a trailing position, while eyes and 
 ears were on the alert for the first sign of 
 danger. 
 
 Every foot advanced was in his favor, now 
 that it was impossible to return to the cabin. 
 He was following no well-beaten path, but one 
 made by his own feet in visiting the pastu- 
 rage ground of his horse, and which was 
 marked just enough to make his progress easy. 
 Palmer noticed that it continually descended, 
 indicating that the spot where he had left his 
 animal was in a species of valley, probably a 
 part of that along which the mountain trail 
 skirted. 
 
 When the progress had continued a hundred 
 yards the fugitives began to breathe more 
 freely. Now that he was debarred from help- 
 ing his comrade in arms. Palmer was anxious 
 to protect Mr. Rainsford and his child so far 
 as it was possible for him to do so. It was 
 reasonable to believe, after having penetrated 
 to this point, that whatever danger threatened 
 would approach from the rear. The Blackfeet 
 wdio had pressed Hillson so sorely would 
 speedily return to the cabin, and though the 
 
THE LESSER TEAIL. 233 
 
 door was shut, they were likely soon to dis- 
 cover what had taken place. They would 
 then know the folks had followed the opposite 
 course from that of the fugitive, and would 
 put forth every effort to overtake them before 
 they passed beyond reach. 
 
 According to the views of the lieutenant, 
 his position as rear guard was the most imjDor- 
 tant, and it was this conviction that led him 
 to slacken his pace so as to interpose more 
 ground between him and his friends. Thus, if 
 the officer were forced into a collision with any 
 of the Indians, Mr. Rainsford would have the 
 better opportunity to save the little girl and 
 himself. 
 
 Palmer would have preferred to make 
 known the cause of his slackening pace, but it 
 was too perilous to call out. His knowledge 
 of his companion led him to hope he would 
 understand his course without explanation. 
 
 But in his anxiety to befriend him and his 
 child, the lieutenant committed the natural 
 mistake of allowing too much space between 
 them. He forgot that night was rapidly clos- 
 ing in, and was alarmed when, in peering 
 
234 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 aliead, lie failed to see the figures of Mr. 
 Rainsford and Bessie. 
 
 ^'Tliis won't do," lie concluded, hastening 
 his steps ; * ' it is against the principles of war 
 to divide your forces in the presence of the 
 
 enemy Hallo! it's all right now," he 
 
 added, as he observed a shadowy figure walk- 
 ing ahead of him in the gloom. 
 
 He could not see as distinctly as he desired, 
 for, as the trail descended into the valley the 
 density of the woods seemed to increase, 
 rendering the light treacherous and uncertain. 
 There were remarkably few bowlders or rocks 
 encountered, though plenty of them were near. 
 In traversing the route, Mr. Rainsford had 
 naturally sought the easiest course and avoided 
 all obstructions i^ossible. 
 
 Palmer saw only the head and shoulders of 
 the figure in front, the rest of the body being 
 hidden by the vegetation which in many places 
 overhung the path. He detected nothing of 
 Bessie, whose figure was too tiny to rise into 
 his field of vision. 
 
 It would have been easier for the father to 
 place his child immediately in front or rear, 
 
THE LESSER TRAIL. 235 
 
 because of tlie straitness of tlie path, and 
 under ordinary circumstances he would have 
 done so, but his solicitude for her was so deep 
 that he could not let her hand pass out of his 
 own, though to retain it increased the diffi- 
 culty of walking. Should the trail become too 
 narrow to permit them to journey side by side, 
 he would lift her in his arms. 
 
 While the general course of the path was 
 downward there were places showing a slight 
 rise, as was the case with the mountain trail 
 along which he and Hillson had ridden earlier 
 in the day, and it was this fact that imparted 
 a bit of information to Lieutenant Palmer 
 which fairly took away his breath. 
 
 The figure ahead came more fully into view 
 because of one of the elevations named, than 
 when both were on a common level. There 
 was enough light to show his form quite dis- 
 tinctly to the knees, as it happened that both 
 sides of the path were more open than usual. 
 
 Palmer was gaining, and, watching the man 
 as he came into clearer view, he observed that 
 he was alone. Little Bessie was nowhere in 
 sight. He would have concluded that she was 
 
236 THE PATH IN THE RAVHSTE. 
 
 walking in front, had not the second glance 
 revealed that he was not following Mr. Kains- 
 ford, but an Indian warrior ! 
 
 This astonishing discovery, while explaining 
 the child's absence, comx3licated matters still 
 more, for, despite the lieutenant's care, the 
 force, originally consisting of three men, had 
 been twice divided in the face of the enemy, 
 and here, when he never dreamed of the possi- 
 bility, a Blackfoot Indian had insinuated him- 
 self between him and Mr. Eainsford. 
 
 Where he came from, whether he knew of 
 the white man following him while he was 
 prowling after the leader, what his intentions 
 were, whether or not there were others in the 
 vicinity, were questions which it was useless 
 to consider, since it was clearly out of his 
 power to answer them. 
 
 *'You have no business there," muttered 
 Palmer, breaking into a stealthy loi:)e, and 
 holding himself ready to use one of his guns 
 the instant the emergency arose. 
 
 His dread was that the Indian would steal 
 close enough to Mr. Rainsford to do him ill. 
 Taking it for granted that the young officer 
 
THE LESSER TRAIL. 237 
 
 was protecting tlie rear, lie was likely to give 
 less attention to that than to the front, thus 
 increasing his enemy's chances in any move 
 against him. 
 
 But if the Blackfoot was cunning enough to 
 step between friends in this manner, he was 
 quite sure to be on guard against any such 
 trick as the lieutenant contemplated. Appear- 
 ances indicated that he was unaware of the 
 whereabouts of Palmer at the moment of enter- 
 ing the path and beginning his peculiar pur- 
 suit of Mr. Rainsford and his child, but this 
 ignorance could not continue. 
 
 Nothing would have been easier than to 
 shoot the skulking savage, who was only a 
 few rods in advance, but he had no intention 
 of that, since as yet there was no call to pro- 
 ceed to such extremes, and the report of the 
 gun was quite sure to bring others to the spot. 
 
 The head, shoulders, and body of the Black- 
 foot steadily dropped, as, having passed the 
 higher point, he descended the brief slope on 
 the other side, while his pursuer rose more 
 rapidly, for he kept up a trot. 
 
 A few seconds were enough to take him to 
 
238 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 the elevation, where, recalling that, if the 
 Indian looked around, he was sure to see him. 
 Palmer crouched low and moved as stealthily 
 as he could down the declivity. This extreme 
 care, however, proved unnecessary, since he 
 had taken only a few steps when he discovered 
 that he was following no one. The warrior 
 who was in his front a moment before was 
 there no longer. His keen senses had apjirised 
 him of his danger, and he concluded the occa- 
 sion was a favorable one for disappearing. 
 
 While this was gratifying in one sense, it 
 was disturbing in another ; for, to rejoin Mr. 
 Rainsford in front, the officer must continue 
 along the path and pass directly in front of 
 the Blackfoot, who would doubtless be crouch- 
 ing like a panther to leap upon him the instant 
 he came within reach. 
 
 But the lieutenant hesitated only a moment 
 as to his right course. He was convinced that 
 the occasion called for a smaller fire-arm than 
 his rifle, and besides the report would not be 
 heard so far away. Accordingly he slii:>ped 
 both guns under his left arm, and, holding his 
 revolver in his right hand, moved down the 
 
THE LESSER TRAIL. 239 
 
 slope toward the point where he believed his 
 enemy was waiting for him. 
 
 Had he been familiar with the locality he 
 would have tried to flank his enemy, but to 
 turn to the right or left would involve him in 
 a labyrinth of difficulty, with the prospect of 
 losing his way altogether, without giving him 
 the first advantage over his subtle foe. 
 
 It was a tremendous test of the officer's 
 nerves. He was advancing upon a treacherous 
 Indian without knowing where he was or 
 from what quarter his deadly blow would 
 come. He was uncertain, even, whether he 
 was on his right or left, but with sight and 
 hearing at the highest tension, he advanced 
 quietly along the trail, glancing in every direc- 
 tion and on the alert. 
 
 He had passed perhaps fifty feet beyond the 
 slight elevation, when a shiver of apprehen- 
 sion passed over him, for he was certain he 
 saw the Biackfoot crouching on his right and 
 close to the path. It looked as if he had 
 managed, after all, to come upon the warrior so 
 unexpectedly that he had no time to conceal 
 himself in the abundant vegetation around 
 
240 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 liim. Certain that lie was trying to do so, tlie 
 lieutenant paused, and levelling his revolver, 
 said in a low voice : 
 
 " Stej) in front of me or I will shoot I " 
 
 Possibly the red man did not understand 
 the words, for there was no move to obey the 
 command. 
 
 The situation was too critical to admit of 
 trifling. There was no saying how far in 
 advance Mr. Rainsford had got by this time, 
 and the distance was increasing each second. 
 Palmer repeated his command in the same 
 low, but earnest voice : 
 . '' Stand up or I will fire ! " 
 
 Not the slightest movement followed, and 
 with his pistol pointed full at the figure the 
 lieutenant let fly with two chambers in quick 
 succession. 
 
 He expected a wild leap and cry to follow, 
 accompanied perha]3s by a fierce bound at him, 
 to avoid which he recoiled a step, with his 
 weapon ready to use again, if necessary. 
 
 But to his amazement the figure did not stir. 
 It looked as if he had missed and the Black- 
 foot was coolly defying him. 
 
THE LESSEK TPwAIL. 241 
 
 The officer stood a moment bewildered, and 
 then, prompted by a susi)icion which flashed 
 across his mind, he stej^ped guardedly forward 
 and scrutinized the form before him. 
 
 " Well ! " he exclaimed, "I aint very proud 
 oitliatf' 
 
 The remnant of a tree, probably shattered 
 by lightning, so as to leave a few feet of sx)lin- 
 tered stump, had been mistaken for the form 
 of an Indian and had received the two bullets 
 which the lieutenant was so prompt to fire. 
 
 " No wonder he didn't obey me," he added, 
 moving hastily past the stump, and wondering 
 how, even in the gloom, he made the absurd 
 blunder. 
 
 But his enemy could not be far off, as was 
 proven the next instant, when he was heard 
 moving so hurriedly among the vegetation that 
 his course was easily traceable. He had left 
 the path and was effecting a change of base 
 with all possible despatch. 
 
 The lieutenant decided that he had reason to 
 congratulate himself, after all, for though his 
 revolver had inflicted no damage, it was the 
 means of dislodging the Blackfoot from a posi- 
 
 16 
 
242 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 tion in which it was easy to pick off the 
 courageous youth. 
 
 He knew Mr. Rainsf ord had heard the report 
 of his weapon, and doubtless would stop in his 
 flight to learn the cause. He was likely to 
 identify the sound as that of a pistol instead 
 of a Winchester, and could not fail to know 
 that the rear guard had collided with the 
 enemy. 
 
 Palmer did not dare to call out, though 
 tempted to do so, for he feared bringing other 
 parties to the spot. They were still near 
 enough to the cabin, and, indeed to the moun- 
 tain trail, for the Wild Cat and his party to 
 hear the report of the revolver, which was 
 likely to hurry them forward. 
 
 The gloom was deepening, and the officer 
 was not long in learning that he must moderate 
 his pace to avoid straying from the path and 
 losing his way. He had narrowly missed leav- 
 ing it more than once, and he found it neces- 
 sary to halt now and then and nse his hands to 
 make sure of the right course. 
 
 But recalling that Mr. Kainsford had told 
 him that the spot where he hoped to find his 
 
THE LESSER TRAIL. 243 
 
 horse was only a fourth of a mile away from 
 the cabin, he concluded that he had already 
 travelled that distance, and consequently it 
 was time he saw or heard something of his 
 friend. 
 
 Pushing on a short way farther, he halted, 
 convinced that it was imprudent to advance 
 another step. He had stood but a minute, 
 however, when he caught the sound of a 
 guarded whistle — so faint that at first he could 
 not determine the point wlience it came. 
 
 '' Possibly it is Mr. Rainsford," he reflected, 
 "but more likely it is the Wild Cat or one of 
 his warriors, and I'll make him uncover first." 
 
 And with this prudent conclusion, he 
 crouched as low as possible in the vegetation 
 at the side of the path. 
 
CHAPTER XXYIL 
 
 TUENING THE TABLES. 
 
 STANDING as motionless as a statue in the 
 gloom. Lieutenant Palmer listened to the 
 guarded signal which reached him from some 
 point near at hand, though so faintly that he 
 was unable to decide the direction, until after 
 a full minute's pause he heard it again, with 
 just enough increase of force to show that the 
 one emitting it was in front and close at 
 hand. 
 
 The officer's good fortune thus far gave him 
 enough confidence to reply to the signal when 
 he noted it the second time, though he still 
 suspected it came from a foe instead of a 
 friend. 
 
 ^' Hallo, lieutenant, is that you?" 
 
 The query was uttered in a cautious under- 
 tone, but there could be no doubt of its source. 
 
 '' Yes ; where are you, Mr. Eainsford ? " 
 
 S44 
 
TUEXING THE TABLES. 245 
 
 The liead and shoulders of his friend rose to 
 view, not half a dozen paces away, and Palmer 
 moved forward to greet him. 
 
 ^^It seems to me," said the elder, *'that 
 matters are getting mixed ; why did you fire 
 your pistol just now 1 " 
 
 *' I tried to hit an Indian, but didn't." 
 
 ''Where was he?" 
 
 "He got between you and me in the path ; 
 but when he found I was after him, he slipped 
 away. Where is Bessie ? " 
 
 "A few steps off; she understands the 
 trouble, and not only treads as lightly as a 
 fawn, but hardly ever speaks except in a 
 whisper." 
 
 " Why did you halt here ? " 
 
 '' I missed you, and besides, the spot where 
 I have been keeping my horse is just beyond." 
 
 "Is he here?" 
 
 "I haven't seen him yet, but I am hopeful 
 of doing so. Come with me, and, if you please, 
 don't fall far enough behind to tempt another 
 interloper to slip between." 
 
 "No fear of that," replied Palmer, follow- 
 ing close upon the heels of his friend. 
 
246 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 A few steps farther and he perceived that 
 Bessie was again walking beside her father. 
 Shortly after they emerged into a natural clear- 
 ing of a half acre's extent. There were bushes 
 and shrubbery at intervals, but even in the 
 gloom it was easy to see the place was admir- 
 ably fitted to furnish the best of grazing for 
 horse or kine. 
 
 The ever-i^resent fear of an attack by the 
 Blackfeet kept the little party on the move. 
 There were many places where a large animal 
 could conceal itself against a prolonged search 
 in the darkness, and the owner of the horse 
 did not attempt to search for him. Instead, 
 he called the name "Saladin" several times, 
 sufficiently loud to be heard a hundred yards 
 away. 
 
 The wonderfully good fortune which had 
 attended Mr. Rainsford thus far remained with 
 him, for, at the first call, an answering neigh 
 came from the lower side of the clearing, and 
 the horse, concerning which there was so much 
 anxiety, trotted toward tliem. 
 
 '' Oh, there he is ! " exclaimed the delighted 
 Bessie, clapxDing her hands and running a few 
 
TURNING THE TABLES. 247 
 
 steps to meet the noble animal, which, pausing 
 with a snuff of i)leasnre, reached down his 
 nose for her to caress. 
 
 ''Mr. Rainsford," said the surprised lieu- 
 tenant, "how is it that he is saddled and 
 bridled?" 
 
 "I did that this afternoon, removing the 
 bit so that he could graze ; you will remember 
 I told you we meant to start early, and though 
 I was obliged to leave many things behind, we 
 are well enough provided as it is." 
 
 " You are fortunate, indeed ; but how about 
 leaving this place ? We shall have to follow 
 the x)ath that leads by your house and ui3 to 
 the mountain trail, where we are likely to 
 meet our old acquaintances." 
 
 "It is not so bad as that," was the reply, 
 " though not as favorable as I could wish. 
 We will push beyond this opening, and then, 
 by climbing a steep x>ath to the left, reach the 
 main one, which leads along the mountain 
 side, and which, unfortunately, is the only 
 avenue that will take us out of the neigh- 
 borhood." 
 
 ' ' Will you mount your horse ? " 
 
248 THE PATH IN THE EAYINE. 
 
 *' Not until we reach the mountain trail, 
 because the climb is too steep, and Saladin 
 will have all he can do without carrying any- 
 extra burden, but he will follow wherever we 
 lead." 
 
 The gentleman moved along the upper side 
 of the clearing holding Bessie's hand, the 
 horse just behind her, while the lieutenant, as 
 before, formed the rear guard. Only a short 
 distance was passed when the leader made an 
 abrupt turn to the .left, pausing to say : 
 
 ** The j)ath here is so narrow that we shall 
 have to walk in Indian file ; I will go in front, 
 Bessie next, and Saladin and you last." 
 
 Mr. Rainsford was correct when he said that 
 the tributary trail was precipitous. It seemed 
 to the lieutenant that they were climbing 
 directly up the mountain-side, compelling even 
 such a fine athlete as he to breathe faster than 
 usual, while it was equally hard on the others. 
 He was surprised to observe how well Saladin 
 did his part. Occasionally his hoofs knocked 
 a stone loose, and he stumbled slightly once 
 or twice, but persevered, like the intelligent 
 animal he was. It may have been he remem- 
 
TURNING THE TABLES. 249 
 
 bered his previous experience, for otherwise 
 he must have fallen. 
 
 After a time, the leader halted to give all a 
 breathing spell. 
 
 " How does Bessie stand it ? " asked Palmer, 
 closing in about his friends, and mopping his 
 brow with his handkerchief. 
 
 *'Ifc's pretty hard work," said the cheerful 
 girl, ''but I can stand it if you and Saladin 
 can." 
 
 *' We haven't much farther to go," remarked 
 her father, " and when v/e reach the mountain 
 trail we will take turns in riding." 
 
 "From that point how far is it to where 
 
 9 
 
 Hillson and I left it in such a harry 1" 
 
 "Less than a fourth of a mile." 
 
 " If I shall be fortunate enough to come 
 across my horse, it will be plain sailing thence- 
 forward." 
 
 "I am sure you build no hope upon any 
 such imiDossibility as tliatf'' 
 
 " No," replied Palmer, with a sigh. 
 
 The journey was resumed and found as 
 difficult as before, the progress often being of 
 the roughest nature, but they were cheered by 
 
250 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 the knowledge that they were close to the main 
 path or mountain trail. 
 
 *' This is the last stoj)," remarked the leader, 
 when the panting travellers paused again, 
 *'for we are within a stone's throw of the 
 other path." 
 
 " Why should we stop at all ? " 
 
 '*We will be in better shax)e when the 
 climbing is ended." 
 
 '^I will go back a little way," said the lieu- 
 tenant, *'and listen for the Blackfeet, for it 
 cannot be possible we are rid of them." 
 
 He retraced his steps a short distance, but 
 saw and heard nothing. Kecalling the com- 
 mon expedient of persons in his situation, he 
 lay flat on his face and pressed his ear to the 
 ground. 
 
 The result was disquieting, for he did hear 
 someone treading the path. The sounds were 
 very faint, and when he raised his head be- 
 came inaudible. 
 
 His first thought was that the disturbance 
 was produced by hoofs, but he was convinced 
 that the cause was moccasons and that there 
 were several pairs of them. The fact that he 
 
TURNIl^G THE TABLES. 251 
 
 could hear them at all was proof that they 
 were alarmingly near. 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer was puzzled, and for a 
 minute or two undecided what to do. His 
 inclination was to hasten back and warn 
 Rainsford of this new and imminent danger, 
 but he feared his enemies would follow so 
 quickly that escape would be cut off. 
 
 He wondered that he could not see the 
 Blackfeet, when, resting on his hands, he 
 raised his head and peered into the gloom 
 behind him, for, as has been shown, there 
 could be no question that they were very 
 near. 
 
 For the third and last time he bent his head 
 to the earth and listened intently. To his 
 astonishment he heard nothing. 
 
 What could it mean ? Could it be the war- 
 riors were moving in the opposite direction, 
 and had passed beyond hearing ? Or had they 
 come to a halt on learning they were so near 
 the fugitives ? 
 
 These questions were in the mind of the 
 young officer when a noise, different from any- 
 thing yet noted, struck his ear, and, before he 
 
352 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 could spring up or guess its nature it seemed 
 that a mountainous bowlder liad fallen upon 
 liim. 
 
 From the gloom immediately behind bounded 
 a sinewy Indian, landing on the back and 
 shoulders of the lieutenant with a violence that 
 almost drove the breath from his body. He 
 struggled fiercely, but was caught at a fatal 
 disadvantage. He twisted, turned, and 
 writhed with such vigor that he would have 
 displaced the incubus had not his assailant 
 been joined by a second and third Indian, all 
 of whom took a hand in the unequal struggle. 
 The two rifles to which Palmer had clung were 
 wrenched from his grasp, and before he could 
 prevent it he was a prisoner as powerless as a 
 child. 
 
 But his tongue was at command, and before 
 any of his cajDtors suspected his purpose he 
 shouted : 
 
 "Eun, Mr. Eainsford, they have me fast ! " 
 
CHAPTEH XXVIII. 
 
 THE WILD cat's PRISONERS. 
 
 IT was a startling cry that rang out along 
 tlie mountain-side in the profound stillness 
 of the night, but no one hearing the words 
 could mistake their meaning. 
 
 Lieutenant Palmer was quick-witted enough 
 to catch a single ray of hope from a feature 
 of his stirring experience which would have 
 escaped the notice of most captives in his 
 situation. Nothing was clearer than the fact 
 that, had they chosen to slay him, they could 
 have done so with the utmost ease and without 
 the slightest risk to themselves. They had 
 demonstrated their overwhelming strength and 
 their ability to do as they chose with him. 
 
 But from some cause they refrained, at least 
 for the time, from offering him harm. He was 
 panting from his severe exertions, and when 
 he strove to rise he was allowed to do so with- 
 out interference on their part. 
 
 253 
 
354 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 The young officer was in a sorry condition. 
 His clothing was disarranged and torn in some 
 places, and both rifles were in the possession 
 of his captors. Little fear of his renewing the 
 struggle under such conditions. He thought 
 there were at least a half dozen engaged in the 
 fight, for at times the red men interfered with 
 each other in the vigor of their efforts. But, 
 looking around in the gloom, only three war- 
 riors were in sight. He concluded that the 
 others had hurried along the path in pursuit 
 of Mr. Rainsford. 
 
 Of course he could not know whether his 
 warning cry had done any good, but he was 
 hopeful that it had. That gentleman was ex- 
 perienced in the ways of the border, and had 
 come in collision with the Blackfeet more than 
 once. Besides this, he was familiar with the 
 locality, and ought to be able to do far better 
 than anyone else when hard pressed by the 
 Indians. It all depended upon the time the 
 warning reached his ears ; a few seconds might 
 settle his fate one way or the other. 
 
 Another discouraging truth flashed upon the 
 lieutenant in his hapless situation. He knew 
 
THE WILD cat's PRISONERS. 255 
 
 tlie rule of the border, that the first step after 
 firing a weapon is to reload it ; but two cham- 
 bers of his revolver were empty, he having 
 failed to recharge them after his bombard- 
 ment of the supposed warrior at the side of 
 the path ; but if he could draw the weapon 
 unnoticed, there were enough bullets left for 
 the trio, after which he could rush to the help 
 of his friend. 
 
 As he stood on his feet he was surrounded 
 by his captors, and it was impossible to break 
 away in any direction. Not a word was ut- 
 tered by any one of the party, and he glared 
 at the painted faces dimly visible in the 
 gloom, wondering whether the Wild Cat was 
 among them. He thought not. 
 
 Determined to use his pistol if he could, he 
 let his right hand drop carelessly at his side, 
 and moved it cautiously toward the back of 
 his belt. He was sure the action would not be 
 noticed, but it was, and a brawny hand closed 
 like a vice around his wrist. He struggled to 
 free himself and succeeded, but before doing 
 so his adversary deftly extracted the weapon 
 from its leathern case. 
 
256 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 At last the lieutenant was utterly helpless. 
 He was only a youth, and these three warriors 
 were in their i)rime. Having possession of all 
 his weapons, it was useless to resist further, 
 and he gave it up. A feeling of despair came 
 over him, and he sullenly awaited the will of 
 these red men, who had turned the tables so 
 completely upon him. 
 
 The next action of his captors showed they 
 could not converse in English. One of them 
 said something, evidently for the prisoner ; 
 but, being in the Indian lingo, he had no idea 
 of its meaning, though he had picked up a few 
 words of the tongue since his assignment to 
 frontier service. 
 
 The warrior repeated the words in a louder 
 tone, and pointed up the path toward the 
 point where he had parted from Mr. Rains- 
 ford. The gesture was such a plain command 
 for Palmer to move in that direction that he 
 obeyed at once. 
 
 This was not the order he expected, for he 
 thought his captors would descend the slojie 
 again. He had heard no sound from the direc- 
 tion of his friends, and was quite hopeful they 
 
THE WILD cat's PRISONERS. 257 
 
 had effected their escape, since the last half, 
 as already shown, was near the main trail, 
 where their horse would be able to make 
 excellent progress. 
 
 The Apaches of the Southwest have been 
 known to trot up the side of a mountain for a 
 thousand feet wdthout showing the least evi- 
 dence of fatigue on reaching the crest. The 
 Northern Indians sometimes display an endur- 
 ance hardly less wonderful. They are indiffer- 
 ent to cold, heat, hunger, and thirst, and others 
 succumb where they show no inconvenience. 
 
 The three Blackfeet holding Lieutenant 
 Palmer in custody climbed the steep path with 
 as much ease as they would have walked the 
 same distance of level prairie, while the youth, 
 who was an excellent specimen of lusty man- 
 hood, found the exertion of the most trying 
 nature, due, no doubt, to the fact that he was 
 unaccustomed to that kind of labor. There 
 were other tests of physical endurance which 
 he would have done better than they ; for it 
 is beyond dispute that the Caucasian race is 
 capable of development to a higher point in 
 every direction than any other. 
 
 17 
 
258 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 While Lieutenant Palmer could see no 
 present hope for himself, his relief was great 
 at observing nothing of Mr. Rainsford and his 
 child, for it seemed to him that, if they once 
 attained the mountain trail, all would be well. 
 The fact that he had heard no guns fired gave 
 him hope. 
 
 Ten minutes later the party stood on the 
 level path above, and the keen eyes of the 
 prisoner, scanning the course as far as the 
 darkness would permit, still failed to detect a 
 sign of his friends. 
 
 "Thank Heaven!" he murmured, "that 
 the others have been more fortunate than I." 
 
 His gratitude was mingled with a faint hope 
 for himself, for he reasoned that if Mr. Rains- 
 ford succeeded in getting away he would make 
 all haste to Fort Assinaboine w^ith word of his 
 misfortune, and immediate steps for his rescue 
 would be set on foot by the commandant. 
 True, the vagrant Blackfeet meanwhile would 
 have abundant opportunity to do what they 
 chose with him ; but the military arm, after 
 all, is the deterrent i)ower and the great civil- 
 izing agency among the Indians. As has been 
 
THE WILD cat's pkisoners. 259 
 
 stated elsewhere, these red men were well 
 aware that if harm befell him the most search- 
 ing investigation would be made, with every 
 chance that the crime would be fixed upon the 
 guilty parties and bring certain punishment. 
 
 It was not impossible that therein lay the 
 cause of the lieutenant's present immunity. 
 Perhaps the Wild Cat had given orders that 
 he was to suffer no harm until everyone was 
 in custody. This was theorizing to the fine 
 point, but it brought its measure of consola- 
 tion to the otherwise hapless prisoner. 
 
 Palmer was disappointed when, instead of 
 turning to the left, thereby following the 
 course of his friends, his captors took the 
 opposite direction, thus plunging farther 
 among the mountains and lessening his 
 chances of success in case he made a break for 
 liberty, little prospect of any such opportunity 
 being offered while the situation remained as 
 it was. 
 
 One of the Blackfeet took the advance, 
 the others walking behind him. The only 
 possible way open, therefore, was by a sud- 
 den bound to the rio:ht or left. The latter 
 
260 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 course would compel liim to climb the precipi- 
 tous mountain-side, where the red men would 
 be upon him before he could take a dozen 
 steps. A leap to the right was equally hope- 
 less, for the slope soon assumed such a steep 
 incline that a venture would be like the plunge 
 of the stricken buck over the precipice. 
 
 But the prisoner had scant time for specula- 
 tion. The trail, which continued uniformly- 
 even, wound in and out among the mountains, 
 until, at a shorter bend than usual, a broad 
 ledge was reached, where the width was fully 
 two score feet. 
 
 In this place a large fire was burning, with 
 a couple of Blackfeet seated on the ground 
 smoking their long-stemmed pipes, and show- 
 ing no surprise at the arrival of their compan- 
 ions and their prisoner. 
 
 "I suppose this is the court that will settle 
 my case," concluded the lieutenant, coming to 
 a halt a few paces from the fire, and awaiting 
 the pleasure of his captors. 
 
 The three held a brief conversation with the 
 couple, who seemed to feel no interest in the 
 white man, though he noticed they took care 
 
THE WILD cat's PEISOISTERS. 261 
 
 SO to dispose of themselves that flight in the 
 only possible direction was shut off. 
 
 The brief conversation finished, the two that 
 had risen to their feet resumed their places on 
 the ground, still smoking their pipes. One of 
 the new arrivals busied himself for a few min- 
 utes in gathering fuel, which was thrown on 
 the blaze, whose glare must have been visible 
 a long way to the northward. 
 
 The lieutenant did not venture to sit down, 
 but stood with folded arms gloomily looking 
 into the embers and occasionally glancing at 
 the red men, whose countenances were doubly 
 repellent in the reflection of the firelight. 
 They often turned toward the trail, as though 
 looking for the coming of someone. 
 
 Since there were five of them present, and it 
 was evident others were in the neighborhood, 
 Palmer reflected that Mr. Rainsford must have 
 under-estimated the strength of the Wild Cat's 
 band, for it was likely that the leader had fully 
 as many with him ; and as long as they made 
 their home in the recesses of the Bear Paw 
 Mountains they could defy the police authori- 
 ties, and indeed a large military force. 
 
262 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 One of the captors uttered an exclamation 
 which turned all eyes in the direction of the 
 trail. The lieutenant, doing the same, saw four 
 more warriors approaching. One of them was 
 leading the horse of Mr. Eainsford, and in 
 the saddle sat that gentleman, with Bessie 
 supported in front by one arm passed around 
 her waist. They, too, were prisoners of the 
 vagrant Blackfeet. 
 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 ** NOW, KITTY, DO YOUR BEST ! " 
 
 EAINSFORD and Palmer gave Lieutenant 
 Hillson more credit than was Ms due 
 when tliey believed he left his Winchester 
 behind because it was likely to impede his 
 desperate flight from the cabin. In truth, the 
 officer had not run a hundred yards when 
 he recalled his forgetfulness, and felt he had 
 made a mistake which promised to defeat the 
 very object that insi^ired the venture. He 
 would have turned back for the weapon had 
 not the thought come too late. He therefore 
 hurried along the trail with his utmost speed. 
 Lieutenant Palmer would have felt no little 
 self-reproof could he have known that he was 
 responsible for the difficulties and perils in 
 which his friend speedily became involved, 
 but such was the fact. 
 
 The sudden break of Hillson carried him 
 beyond sight of the Blackfeet before any of 
 
 263 
 
264 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 them shifted his position so as to gain a view 
 of the front of the house. The Wild Cat was 
 hardly received into the arms of his friends, 
 as may be said, when one of them took it into 
 his head to bring the other side of the struct- 
 ure under surveillance. 
 
 He stole into view a few seconds after Hill- 
 son had vanished, and while Palmer was stand- 
 ing in the half -open door, gazing so earnestly 
 up the path that the sagacious warrior read 
 his purpose almost on the instant the door 
 was shut. But for that brief sight he would 
 not have suspected the daring feat of Hillson, 
 who would have reached the mountain trail 
 with an unobstructed road to Fort Assina- 
 boine. 
 
 The prowling Blackfoot made known his 
 suspicions to his comrades, and the Wild Cat 
 himself, with one of his best men, set off in 
 pursuit. In doing so they took care to reach 
 the lesser path at a point beyond view of those 
 in the cabin — an unnecessary precaution, since 
 neither Mr. Rainsford nor Lieutenant Palmer 
 happened to be on the watch at that moment. 
 
 Even with this mishap all might have gone 
 
"now, kitty, do your best ! '' 265 
 
 well with Hillson but for liis hesitation at a 
 crisis when there was not a second to spare. 
 He reached the main trail so far in advance 
 of his pursuers that he could have secured a 
 good start, which, if vigorously used, would 
 have quickly taken him out of the dangerous 
 neighborhood. 
 
 It was natural that he should be anxious to 
 secure Kitty, his mare, for once in the saddle, 
 with a clear path in front, he could have 
 scorned pursuit by the fleetest of the Indians, 
 whose horses, if they had any, were beyond 
 immediate reach. 
 
 To his keen disappointment, nothing was 
 seen of her nor of Palmer's horse. He 
 paused at the spot where they had been 
 abandoned, but they were gone. He deemed 
 it probable that they had not been captured 
 by the vagrants, since there was no reason to 
 suspect any of them had been there, but all 
 were in the vicinity of the cabin. 
 
 It was this hope that caused him to hesitate, 
 when he ought to have turned northward and 
 lost not a minute in leaving the section. The 
 horses, as he supposed, were wandering some- 
 
266 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 wliere near, but wlietlier to tlie right or left 
 could only be conjectured. He decided to 
 make a hasty search along the trail to the 
 right, which, it will be borne in mind, led 
 deeper into the mountains, and away from any 
 help he might otherwise secure. 
 
 He realized the risk of this course, but he 
 did not intend to go far. Should the Black- 
 feet come up the lesser path, they would have 
 every opportunity to cut off his escape before 
 he could return. 
 
 He must act promptly, and, having regained 
 his wind during the brief halt, he resumed his 
 run along the mountain trail, not only i^eering 
 ahead for his mare, but listening and watching 
 for those whom he dreaded to see. 
 
 He had run a short way when he uttered a 
 suppressed cry of delight, for around the first 
 bend in the path he descried both horses, sad- 
 dled, bridled, and improving the opportunity 
 by cropping the tufts of grass and tender 
 vegetation within reach. 
 
 In his joy he called the name of Kitty, who 
 raised her head, and, with a whinny, trotted 
 forward to meet him. He paused long enough 
 
*'now, kitty, do your best!" 267 
 
 to caress her forehead and nose, and to examine 
 the trappings, when he placed his foot in the 
 stirrup and vaulted into the saddle. 
 
 "Now for Fort Assinaboine," he muttered, 
 "and we'll soon rout these fellows, and teach 
 them better than to interfere with Uncle Sam's 
 boys in blue." 
 
 It was barely two hundred yards to the inter- 
 section of the trails, and the mare required but 
 a few seconds to reach the point ; but swift as 
 was her gait, the Blackfeet beat her. Hillson 
 decided to leave his companion's horse, in the 
 hope that he might prove of some use to the 
 owner, and he therefore gave his whole atten- 
 tion to the task before him. He meant to urge 
 the mare to the utmost, not sparing her until 
 the fort was reached. 
 
 Half the space named was passed when he 
 observed two Blackfeet standing where the 
 paths met. One was the Wild Cat, whom he 
 recognized as he dodged behind shelter. He, 
 too, had committed an error, but just then 
 the chief occupation of all parties concerned 
 seemed to be that of blundering. 
 
 The lieutenant, being warned of his danger, 
 
268 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 saw lie must run tlie gauntlet or turn about, 
 and fleeing in the opposite direction, enter 
 a network of perils with little prospect of 
 ultimate escape, and Avith none at all of 
 befriending those in the cabin. But in this 
 instance there was not a second's hesitation 
 on his part. 
 
 *' Now, Kitty, do your best ! " 
 
 He touched the spur against her silken side, 
 and she responded with a burst that sent her 
 up the trail like a whirlwind. The officer sat 
 erect in the saddle, with the reins lying loose 
 on her neck, and revolver in hand he charged 
 straight forward, as if resolved to run down 
 the dusky rogues that disputed his path. 
 
 Sometimes, at the most critical period in a 
 person's life, the oddest fancies assert them- 
 selves. The moment he pricked the mare 
 with his spur, and she responded so gamely, 
 -he recalled that wild charge across the grounds 
 at West Point which is the last official 
 *^ demonstration," as it may be termed, of the 
 graduating class. 
 
 He was once more among the eager cadets 
 as they wheeled their steeds in front of the 
 
*'NOW, KITTY, DO YOUR BEST ! " 269 
 
 academy buildings, and heading toward the 
 hotel, sent them flying on a dead run across 
 the level plain. The horses champed their 
 bits, and in their excitement became almost 
 uncontrollable ; their young riders knew that 
 half of them were running away and were glad 
 of it, for it was the one time for animals as 
 well as horsemen to abandon themselves to the 
 thrilling spell which ends the four years' 
 arduous course at the institution. 
 
 Lieutenant Hillson lived it all over again. 
 He heard the shouts of the gray-coated 
 cadets as they swung their sabres right and 
 left, slashing at imaginary foes crouching on 
 the ground, and each steed stretched his neck 
 forward in the fierce effort to out-strip his 
 competitors ; he caught a glimpse of the 
 blanched faces, the bright eyes, and glowing 
 countenances of the pretty maidens gathered 
 on the hotel porch and along the sides of the 
 plain among the cannon to admire the young 
 heroes as they thundered past ; he recalled 
 the scared countenances of the proud fathers 
 and mothers, the half envious glances of the 
 plebes and lower classmen, whose blood tingled 
 
270 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 witli the tliouglit of the coming June day when 
 they should become the mad body of troopers ; 
 it was all there again — the calmly flowing 
 Hudson, the grand old mountains wreathed in 
 luxuriant foliage, through which the Observa- 
 tory and the ruins of Fort Putnam frowned, 
 the chapel, the library and academic buildings, 
 Officers' Row, half hidden behind shade trees, 
 the hotel in front, with the gleam and sparkle 
 of the romantic river beyond, Crow's Nest, the 
 rugged crags, the landscape and water, bathed 
 in the glory of summer — all these took form 
 in the gathering twilight as Lieutenant Hillson 
 spurred his mare to a wild run and charged 
 directly at the Blackfeet, who eagerly awaited 
 his coming. 
 
 He did not shout, though the old thrill fired 
 his blood, but with pistol levelled at the spot 
 where he knew that two at least of his foes 
 were crouching, he let fly with three chambers, 
 the last being discharged at the instant he was 
 abreast of the spot and speeding by like an 
 arrow. 
 
 He did not expect to hit anything, unless by 
 accident, his purpose being to confuse the 
 
"now, kitty, do your best !" 271 
 
 miscreants and spoil tlieir aim, when the space 
 was so fearfully short ; but he knew they were 
 veterans at that kind of work, and, though 
 they might be bewildered for the moment, they 
 would rally quickly. 
 
 Having discharged his three shots, Hillson 
 adopted the Indian tactics by flinging himself 
 forward, with his face close to the neck of 
 his mare, and as much of his body as pos- 
 sible over her right shoulder. This minified 
 the human target, but could not ensure his 
 safety. 
 
 The purpose of the young officer w^as accom- 
 plished by his reckless charge. Although the 
 bullets from his revolver whistled harmlessly 
 among the rocks and vegetation, they confused 
 the Wild Cat and his companion for the 
 moment, and prevented their shooting him 
 when he and his steed were almost within 
 arm's length. 
 
 As he sped past, the Blackfeet leaped from 
 their shelter into the open path and brought 
 their guns to their shoulders. The mare was 
 going up the trail like a meteor, with only a 
 part of the rider's uniform visible, as he bent 
 
272 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 low and refrained from increasing his peril by 
 an attemi^t to look back. 
 
 The two guns were discharged in rapid suc- 
 cession, and then, absurd as the act appeared, 
 both warriors broke into a run after the flying 
 fugitive. 
 
CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 THE DEATH OF KITTY. 
 
 THE Wild Cat was an excellent marksman, 
 and fully conscious that the youth must 
 not escape, though the motion of the mare and 
 the small portion of his body visible rendered 
 the target a poor one. Had he been erect in 
 the saddle he must of a surety have been pierced 
 by the well-aimed bullet. As it was, he felt a 
 stream of fire run along his left thigh, and he 
 clapped his hand thither to learn the extent of 
 the wound. 
 
 The ball had ploughed across the limb, cut- 
 ting a rent of several inches in the trousers and 
 slightly abrading the skin, but not to the 
 extent of drawing blood. He could not have 
 had a closer call. 
 
 The second Blackfoot also fired, but his 
 weapon was not so well directed, and, instead 
 of striking the rider, buried itself in his steed. 
 
 Hillson felt the mare's spasmodic shudder 
 
 18 273 
 
274 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 under the saddle and knew she was hit hard. 
 He could not tell how hard, but, because she 
 continued her fierce gallop, he hoped the 
 wound was not serious. He gradually shifted 
 round in the saddle again, but continued to 
 lean forward, with his head bent low, until he 
 could look back at his pursuers. 
 
 When he saw them speeding after him on 
 foot he would have smiled but for his solici- 
 tude about Kitty. He assumed the upright 
 posture, for by keeping watch of the red men 
 he could tell when either was making ready to 
 fire, and it was easy to fling his body forward 
 again. Furthermore, the distance between 
 them was increasing fast, and he doubted 
 whether their weapons were loaded, since, if 
 they were of the Sharpe pattern (as was the 
 fact), no opportunity for recharging them had 
 been given. 
 
 Kitty was swiftly nearing the turn in the 
 trail from which the buck had taken his last 
 leap, and where Lieutenant Palmer came so 
 nigh being winged by the Wild Cat, when her 
 rider was startled by her action. She lurched 
 to the very edge of the path on the left, missing 
 
THE DEATH OF KITTY. 275 
 
 going over by a hair ; then she swung back 
 again, and with a moan reeled to the right and 
 left like a drunken person. At the same 
 moment several warm crimson flecks from her 
 nostrils were sprinkled over the knees of the 
 rider. 
 
 She was mortally wounded and could not 
 last a minute longer, but she was game 
 to the end. She knew she was bearing her 
 master from danger, and she gave him the last 
 ounce of strength. She was still on a furious 
 run, and for a moment staggered, as if about 
 to go down, but shaking herself together, 
 pointed her nose up the trail, and bent every 
 energy toward reaching the bend, now but a 
 few bounds distant. 
 
 Few forms of affection are stronger than 
 that of a man for his intelligent and faith- 
 ful horse who shares his perils and priva- 
 tions with him. Lieutenant Hillson had 
 owned his mare for a couple of years, and 
 no deeper pang ever pierced his heart than 
 when he saw her stagger, and knew she was 
 doomed. 
 
 '^ Poor Kitty ! " he murmured, as tears filled 
 
276 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 liis eyes, and lie forgot his danger ; ** I would 
 give my right hand to save you, for a nobler 
 creature never lived, and you are dying 
 for me." 
 
 Could it be that the brute, seeing her min- 
 utes were numbered, felt that she had but to 
 carry him around that bend in the path to save 
 him ? If she could dash beyond view of the 
 Blackfeet without betraying her mortal hurt 
 they would not keep up a hopeless pursuit, 
 since, by the time they regained sight of the 
 fugitive, he ought to be beyond reach of their 
 guns. 
 
 In all probability the pursuers, already far 
 to the rear, would stop on the disappearance 
 of the horse and rider and return to their 
 allies near the cabin. 
 
 The lieutenant realized this, and nothing 
 could shake his belief that the last ambition 
 of Kitty was to accomplish the task ; but it 
 was impossible. She labored harder than pen 
 can tell, but at the moment of reaching the 
 spot and about to make the turn, she sank so 
 suddenly that only by great dexterity did he 
 escape being caught. He had barely time to 
 
THE DEATH OF KITTT. 277 
 
 slip liis feet from the stirrui^s and leap off on 
 the opposite side, when she fell so near the 
 cliff that a few inches more would have carried 
 her over. 
 
 It was her dying act indeed, for, with a 
 moan human in its depth, it all ended. With 
 his heart wrung by grief at his great loss 
 and the touching devotion of the animal, he 
 dropped on his face to shelter himself behind 
 her body, and awaited the attack of his 
 enemies. 
 
 They were so far away that he seized the 
 chance to fill the empty chambers of his re- 
 volver. 
 
 ''Ah! if I had brought my rifle," he mur- 
 mured, glancing down the trail, "I could 
 easily pick off both of them." 
 
 In the chase the Wild Cat had placed him- 
 self several paces in advance of his companion, 
 who was also running hard. On seeing the 
 mare fall the leader paused and waited for the 
 other to join him. They stood a minute, as if 
 considering the next step to take; but they 
 could not have failed to see that the officer 
 was without any rifle, and was therefore pow- 
 
278 THE PATH IIT THE EAVINE. 
 
 erless to injure tliein so long as tliey kept 
 their distance. 
 
 But the intervening space was within easy 
 rifle range, and while halting the two pro- 
 ceeded to reload their weapons that were dis- 
 charged just previous to the opening of the 
 race. No wonder that Lieutenant Hillson 
 regretted so keenly that he had left his Win- 
 chester behind in the hurry of his flight from 
 the cabin, for no better chance could have 
 offered for checking effectively the assault of 
 his enemies in fair sight before him, and who 
 would not have dared to advance another step. 
 
 The afternoon was drawing to a close, and 
 darkness would soon wrap mountain and 
 gorge in shadow. If his assailants could be 
 stood off until night he could stealthily with- 
 draw and reach the more open country to the 
 northward. There he might be able to obtain 
 another horse from some of the friendly In- 
 dians, or, failing in that, press on to Fort 
 Assinaboine for help. 
 
 Had time been at command the Wild Cat 
 doubtless Avould have seized the animal of 
 Lieutenant Palmer ; but, to return for him 
 
THE DEATH OF KITTY. 279 
 
 now could do no good. Tliougli one only of 
 the Blackfeet started on tlie errand, Hillson 
 was not likely to stay where he was until his 
 return, and the other horse therefore could be 
 of no help under the circumstances. He was 
 theirs already, and could be appropriated at 
 their leisure. 
 
 Hillson' s thoughts were busy, and more 
 than one way out of his perilous situation 
 suggested itself. He might leap to his feet 
 and start on a run down the trail, but the act 
 must be instantly perceived by his enemies, 
 who were fleeter of foot than he, and would be 
 at the turn before he could place himself 
 beyond reach of their guns, whereas, if they 
 waited until night was fully come, the chance 
 of such a piece of strategy would be immeasur- 
 ably increased. 
 
 What he feared was that the Wild Cat and 
 his companion would climb the mountain side, 
 and, making their way along the precipitous 
 face, get behind him. This being done, they 
 could readily signal to the other warriors and 
 effectually shut off all escape on his part. 
 The two were still standing in the middle of 
 
. 280 THE PATH IN THE EAYIKE. 
 
 the trail, after reloading their guns, as though 
 undecided upon the course to follow ; but, 
 while watching them, Hillson perceived that 
 they had reached a decision, and were coming 
 directly up the trail toward him. 
 
CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 ALONG THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE. 
 
 LIEUTENANT HILLSOjST crouclied beliind 
 1 the body of his mare with the coolness of 
 a veteran campaigner of the frontier. He was 
 at bay, and meant to give these dnsky mis- 
 creants the hottest kind of reception. 
 
 It is curious how, at the most critical times, 
 when it would seem that the mind has no 
 room for any thoughts except those bearing 
 directly upon the occasion, little incidents will 
 force themselves upon one's consciousness. 
 At the moment of getting down behind the 
 strange rampart, he recalled the many times 
 he had done the same when a cadet at West 
 Point, undergoing his severe cavalry drill in 
 the riding academy. 
 
 This peculiar exercise was not a feature at 
 that institution until 1889, but the young men 
 were allowed to ride "at will," as the expres- 
 sion goes. At such times Hillson and a num- 
 
 281 
 
282 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 ber of Ms classmates compelled their horses to 
 lie down while they tired their revolvers over 
 them. Sometimes the animals were docile, 
 and sometimes they took it into their heads to 
 ''kick" with a vigor that made things lively 
 for a time. 
 
 All this came back to the young officer at 
 this critical period in his career, and even 
 caused him to smile at the recollection of 
 some of the ludicrous scenes in which he had 
 taken part ; but the memories of those halcyon 
 days could not of necessity occupy more than 
 a few minutes of his time. 
 
 The Blackfeet had not yet appeared when it 
 occurred to Hillson that he had not chosen the 
 best position for defence. The carcass of 
 Kitty afforded at best only a poor protection 
 against the bullets of his enemies. Such ram- 
 parts sometimes do good service on the plains, 
 when those assailed are provided with Win- 
 chesters or guns possessing long range, and 
 they are able to stand off their foes by keeping 
 them at a distance, but at close range the rifle- 
 balls are likely to bore their way through the 
 breastwork and reach the men behind it. 
 
ALONG THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE. 283 
 
 "Poor Kitty," lie murmured, "no one can 
 serve a master better than you served me, for 
 you have given your life, and no one can do 
 more, but your service for me is ended." 
 
 It was this fact which caused the officer to 
 decide that it was unwise to rely upon the 
 body of his faithful mare as a safeguard against 
 the bullets of his enemies. He believed that 
 the Blackfeet would force a fight at close 
 quarters, in which event, if unable to get a 
 fair sight of him, they would drive their bul- 
 lets through the warm carcass and reach him 
 as he crouched behind it. 
 
 "Good-by, once more," he muttered, as he 
 sprang to his feet and ran to the rocks project- 
 ing from the mountain-side. Behind these he 
 took refuge, with the determination that the 
 contest should be fought to the end from be- 
 hind this new and improved defence. 
 
 " J^Tone of the bullets can pierce this stone," 
 he reflected, as he hastily took position behind 
 it ; "it would be safe against a bombardment 
 of artillery." 
 
 It was a wise move on the part of the youth 
 in more than one respect. He could peer out 
 
284 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. "^ 
 
 and watcli tlie movements of his enemies 
 without exposing more than a part of his head 
 to their missiles. Since his left hand was next 
 to the mountain, his right was in proper po- 
 sition to use to the best advantage whenever 
 the vagrants attempted a move against him. 
 
 Many a frontiersman, in a similar situation, 
 has been able to hold an entire war party of 
 Indians at bay. All that was needed was 
 vigilance on his part, for no people are quicker 
 to learn the danger to which they are exposed 
 than the dusky maurauders, who prefer a 
 light in which the advantages are overwhelm- 
 ingly on their side. 
 
 The lieutenant's experience in frontier cam- 
 paigning had taught him the necessity of seiz- 
 ing his opportunities at once. The change 
 decided upon was effected so quickly that 
 before the warriors could sight their pieces he 
 was beyond reach. They were puzzled for the 
 moment by the act, which clearly gave him 
 great benefit, since they might maintain a 
 fusillade indefinitely without harming him, to 
 accomplish which they must necessarily bring 
 themselves within range of his small weapon. 
 
ALONG THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE. 285 
 
 The Wild Cat, however, decided to try it. 
 Standing less than a hundred yards away, he 
 brought his gun to his shoulder, and, sighting 
 at the bit of officer's kepi, or forage cap, in 
 view, he pulled the trigger. 
 
 An instant previous the lieutenant drew 
 back. It was fortunate he was so prompt, for 
 the bullet was well aimed and chipped off a 
 bit of stone in front of his eyes. He thrust 
 forward his head again, but withdrew it with 
 the same celerity when he perceived that the 
 second Indian had raised his weapon, while the 
 leader proceeded to place another cartridge in 
 his own gun. 
 
 The lieutenant waited a minute, and hearing 
 no report cautiously peeped out. The warrior 
 had lowered his weapon and was watching for 
 him to show himself. Before he could fire 
 Hillson pointed his pistol at the couple and 
 discharged three chambers. He had no expec- 
 tation of reaching either of them at that dis- 
 tance, and he was not disappointed, but one of 
 the bullets, impinging against a rock, glanced 
 onward, its form so twisted and flattened by 
 the contact that it gave out an odd whistling 
 
286 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 noise quite trying to one's nerves when in its 
 path. 
 
 Rather curiously the two warriors retreated 
 several paces, as if startled by the singing ball, 
 but they were too wise to be scared off by so 
 trifling an occurrence. 
 
 Every minute counted. Night was closing 
 in so rapidly that already the figures of the 
 Blackf eet assumed a shadowy appearance, and 
 must soon become indistinct, if they main- 
 tained their position. Hillson could not af- 
 ford to wait much longer before resorting to 
 his last attempt to extricate himself from his 
 perilous position. 
 
 It was evident that the discharge of the 
 revolver had produced a deterrent effect on 
 the Blackfeet. Though they possessed supe- 
 rior weai^ons, they were deprived of their full 
 advantage. To strike the youth they must 
 come within reach of his revolver, which he 
 was so ready to use the instant a chance pre- 
 sented itself. But they would not have been 
 worthy members of the American race had 
 they retired before such difficulties. They had 
 allies within call, and there were means at 
 
ALONG THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE. 287 
 
 tlieir command which they had reason to be- 
 lieve were unsuspected by the white man. 
 
 The latter kept close watch, believing they 
 would attempt some trick before long, and 
 that the only chance for him was to penetrate 
 their purpose before they could carry it out. 
 To his surprise he abruptly discovered that, 
 instead of two warriors, there was only one in 
 sight. The other had vanished unaccountably, 
 and he had no possible way of learning whither 
 he went. 
 
 It might be he had stolen down the trail to 
 bring more of his people to the spot, travelling 
 with such swiftness that he disappeared in the 
 gloom before his flight was noticed, but Hill- 
 son believed he was about setting on foot the 
 scheme he dreaded — that of noiselessly climb- 
 ing the mountain side with the purpose of 
 getting behind him and shutting off his flight. 
 
 ''If that's his plan, this is no place for 
 me," was his conclusion, as he withdrew his 
 head for a few moments; "well, that is 
 strange ! " 
 
 The exclamation was uttered when he peeped 
 out again and failed to see the other Indian. 
 
288 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 Both had passed out of sight like dissolving 
 figures of vajpor. 
 
 The fact confirmed his suspicions. He 
 instantly fired one barrel of his pistol toward 
 the point where they were last seen, his ob- 
 ject being to convince them he was still at 
 his post and on the alert. Then he started 
 down the slope in the direction of the fort, 
 determined that, if they were attempting to 
 cut him off, they should find the task more 
 difficult than they anticipated. 
 
 Had he continued his flight he would have 
 eluded his enemies easily, for remarkable as 
 was their skill in making their way over pre- 
 cipitous ground, it could not equal his speed 
 along the comparatively level mountain trail 
 below, but, like his army friends, he was 
 actuated by a chivalry which led him always 
 to place the welfare of others before his own. 
 
 He was convinced that the loss of his mare 
 had destroyed the scheme he had in mind 
 when he fled in such hot haste from the cabin. 
 Mounted on his fleet animal he would have 
 reached the fort before midnight, while he 
 would be unable to cover the distance on foot 
 
ALONG THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE. 289 
 
 before the following day was well advanced. 
 At the best, help could not reach his friends 
 before afternoon. It seemed to him, there- 
 fore, a waste of effort to i:)ush on alone, when 
 by remaining in the neighborhood he might be 
 able to give aid to his friends. 
 
 Subsequent events proved that Lieutenant 
 Hillson committed a grave mistake in acting 
 upon this theory, for had he pressed toward 
 the fort he could have reached a point of com- 
 parative safety in the course of a couple of 
 hours. Not only that, but three other mem- 
 bers of his command, w^ho were out on a hunt, 
 had gone into camp where he was almost 
 certain of coming u.pon them. Of this, how- 
 ever, he could have no knowledge ; but his 
 absence would have made the Wild Cat fear 
 the authorities were about to learn the truth, 
 and he was sure to pause before inviting their 
 certain vengeance. 
 
 From this it is also manifest that, although 
 our friends had performed more than one 
 brilliant deed, there were other errors made. 
 Had Mr. Rainsford and Lieutenant Palmer 
 been content to stay in the cabin, they could 
 
 19 
 
290 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 have maintained themselves against their as- 
 sailants for twenty-four hours at least, while 
 the absence of one of them, as we have ex- 
 plained, would have prevented the Wild Ca.t 
 from pressing the siege further than that, if, 
 indeed, he dared to maintain it that long. 
 
 The clever exploit of Hillson gave the whites 
 an immeasurable advantage which should have 
 been pushed vigorously to the end, by the 
 continued flight of the lieutenant, while the 
 others should have stayed in the cabin and 
 awaited the development of events. Instead 
 of that, they ventured out, and both, including 
 little Bessie, were made captives by the va- 
 grants whom they were trying to avoid. 
 
 Hillson decided to hasten down the slope 
 until beyond the point where the Blackfeet 
 were likely to take the trail, and then wait 
 in the hope that some way would open for 
 helping his friends. 
 
 It was perhaps an eighth of a mile from the 
 abrupt turn in the path, which had been the 
 scene of so many stirring incidents, that he 
 came to a stop under the shelter of some of 
 the rocks which were so abundant everywhere, 
 
ALONG THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE. 291 
 
 feeling little fear of being noticed by anyone 
 in passing, unless special attention drew liim 
 to the spot. 
 
 *'I can afford to wait a while, and, if those 
 fellows do not show up, it will be safe to con- 
 clude they have gone back to rejoin the rest, 
 and I shall have nothing to fear if I " 
 
 The thought had hardly shaped itself when 
 he was startled by a rattling on the mountain- 
 side above his head. The noise was such as 
 might have been made by the passage of an 
 animal, or possibly the accidental loosening of 
 some stone. That the latter was the cause was 
 proven the next minute, when a bit of rock 
 the size of his hand shot over his head, and, 
 striking the ground with considerable force, 
 bounded across the ledge into the gorge 
 beyond. 
 
CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 UP THE TKAIL. 
 
 HILLSON just then was standing so close 
 to the mass of rocks that the missile 
 cleared his crown by several feet, though it 
 might have struck him had he been walking. 
 The incident was something to cause misgiv- 
 ing, but it had hardly taken place when he 
 heard voices so near that he dared not move. 
 The words were in the Blackfeet lingo, so that 
 their meaning was unknown, but he correctly 
 guessed the significance of the occurrence. 
 
 The Wild Cat and his companion had done' 
 what he dreaded. They had climbed the 
 mountain-side above the trail, and, by a cir- 
 cuitous and laborious course, returned to the 
 path, considerably beyond the point where for 
 a time he held them at bay with his revolver. 
 
 The most surprising fact about this piece of 
 strategy was that they went so far below the 
 turn before coming back to the trail. Why 
 
 S92 
 
UP THE TEAIL. 293 
 
 they did this surpassed the conjecture of the 
 lieutenant, but the result j)laced him in a more 
 delicately dangerous situation than ever. 
 
 Within thirty seconds of the fall of the stone 
 the Wild Cat imitated it, excejDt that he halted 
 in the trail instead of bounding over into the 
 ravine, but it gave the lieutenant a shock 
 when the shadowy figure of one of the warriors 
 passed lightly over his head, immediately fol- 
 lowed by the other. It was an experience that 
 comes to few people, though it is not strictly 
 correct to say that the Blackfeet leaped 
 directly over his head ; they were slightly to 
 the left — that is, a little nearer the angle in 
 the trail than he stood. 
 
 His position placed his back against the flat 
 face of the rock, and it seemed to him that he 
 pressed it hard enough to cause a goodly in- 
 dentation. He would have been glad to push 
 himself out of sight within its solid substance. 
 
 It was fully night, and there was no moon. 
 He was enclosed in such deep shadow that he 
 was hopeful of not being seen unless the war- 
 riors chanced to come nearer, but it was neces- 
 sary to remain silent and motionless. 
 
294 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 It must not be supposed that Lieutenant 
 Hillson liad any thought of submitting in the 
 event of detection. The instant his presence 
 became known the revolver would be called 
 into play, and he was sure to give a good 
 account of himself. It may as well be ad- 
 mitted that he was on the point several times 
 of opening the fight ; for, if anxious to serve 
 his friends, how better could he do so than by 
 the extinguishment of the leader and one of 
 the principal warriors 1 
 
 Could he have been certain of making his 
 way up the trail to where he had left the horse 
 of his friend, and of finding the steed there, 
 Hillson would have opened the struggle in 
 hurricane stjde and ended it in a twinkling, 
 but to do that was to bank upon too small a 
 capital, so to speak, and, fortunately for him- 
 self, he decided to preserve an armed neutrality 
 as long as possible. 
 
 The Blackfeet stood for several minutes talk- 
 ing in their characteristic fashion, and then one 
 of them — not the Wild Cat — started on a lope 
 up the trail. The leader remained where he 
 assumed position after vaulting over the lieu- 
 
UP THE TRAIL. 295 
 
 tenant's head, as if awaiting tlie return of the 
 other, or some message from him. 
 
 The dim figure was outlined so clearly in the 
 gloom that Hillson could tell when his face, 
 his side, or his back was turned toward him, 
 and it need not be said that he watched him 
 with intense attention. The moment his com- 
 panion left him the Wild Cat faced that w^ay, 
 and gazed after him for a few moments after 
 he vanished in the darkness. Then he shifted 
 about so as to look down the trail in the other 
 direction. 
 
 The stillness was so absolute that the youth 
 heard the soft rustling of his moccasons as he 
 gently moved them over the ground. Then he 
 coughed slightly and cleared his throat, just 
 like a white man, and taking a couple of steps, 
 stopped again, his black eyes doubtless search- 
 ing the gloom, while he listened for sounds 
 that would tell him of the flight of the officer 
 who had held him and his associate at bay 
 with but a single small fire-arm. 
 
 The change of position brought the Wild 
 Cat almost opposite Hillson, who was sure 
 detection could not be postponed many seconds 
 
296 THE PATH IN THE KAVINE. 
 
 longer. He noted the untidy blanket secured 
 around the shoulders of the warrior, his long, 
 coarse hair, the lower part of his leggings, and 
 the rifle held in his right hand. Once, when 
 he made a partial turn of his head, the officer 
 fancied he detected the Roman nose and re* 
 treating chin, though the darkness did not 
 permit a sight of the paint, and it is doubtful 
 whether the features were seen at all. 
 
 Justice to Lieutenant Hillson compels us to 
 say he was troubled by nothing in the way of 
 fear. He had made a prisoner of this individ- 
 ual earlier in the day, and there was no cause 
 to hold him in dread in the present turn of 
 affairs. 
 
 In fact the young officer was seriously con- 
 sidering the question of taking him captive 
 again. He had no doubt of his ability to do 
 so, and with the Wild Cat held as a hostage, 
 to be given in exchange for the safety of those 
 within the cabin, it may be said that Hillson 
 would have commanded the situation. 
 
 The idea was excellent, but there were a 
 number of practical difficulties in the way 
 which might well cause hesitation. He was 
 
UP THE TRAIL. 297 
 
 afraid the prisoner would prove hard to handle, 
 and when the moment came to deliver him 
 into the custody of his people, Hillson was 
 likely to find himself obliged to keep him 
 company. In other words, being without a 
 secure place in which to hold him, pending 
 negotiations, the result was likely to be more 
 disastrous to the origin^or of the enterprise 
 than to anyone else concerned. 
 
 The lieutenant had not yet reached a deci- 
 sion when a cry like the dismal hoot of an 
 owl came from some point above, and the 
 Wild Cat, with an exclamation, broke into a 
 trot up the path, almost instantly disappear- 
 ing in the gloom. What the exclamation 
 meant the only listener was unable to declare, 
 but he was quite sure its English equivalent 
 was an expression of disgust and anger. 
 
 "He sent the warrior to the bend to see 
 whether I was there ; finding I am not, he has 
 signalled the fact to his leader, who sees no 
 call to linger in this vicinity." 
 
 It would seem that the Wild Cat could not 
 avoid the conclusion that Hillson had effected 
 his escape and was beyond reach, and such 
 
298 THE PATH IN THE KAVIN"E. 
 
 being the case, lie would make no further 
 attempt to overhaul him, accepting what had 
 been hitherto done as a failure in every sense 
 of the word. 
 
 *'His belief that I am on my way to Fort 
 Assinaboine," thought the lieutenant, *'is as 
 effective for present purposes as though I 
 were. It secures me against officious curiosity 
 as long as I use prudence, and increases my 
 prospect of doing something for my friends 
 below." 
 
 This theory sounded logical, but unfortu- 
 nately the premises were wrong. It was un- 
 reasonable to suppose that he could establish 
 any understanding with those in the cabin 
 without betraying himself to their enemies. 
 Furthermore, as the reader knows, there was 
 no one in the dwelling, and consequently Lieu- 
 tenant Hillson was all at sea. 
 
 It was not likely that the Wild Cat or his 
 companion would stay at the bend, but he 
 waited a considerable time before venturing 
 in that direction, peering as best he could into 
 the gloom, and often pausing to listen for 
 the sounds which in the profound stillness 
 
UP THE TRAIL. 299 
 
 could be heard at a much greater distance than 
 would be supposed. 
 
 "I don't think they will wait there, when 
 they must know I would be on the watch for 
 them " 
 
 The thought had hardly taken shape in his 
 mind when he suddenly checked himself, 
 convinced that he had escaped, by the narrow- 
 est conceivable chance, walking into a trap 
 that had been set for him. 
 
 Close against the mountain wall along which 
 he was making his cautious advance, he de- 
 tected the outlines of a man, evidently the 
 Wild Cat or his comrade. Whichever it might 
 be, the other was sure to be at hand ready and 
 eager to take part in assailing him. 
 
 The officer hesitated for a minute or two as 
 to the best course he should take. It would 
 seem that really there was but the one thing 
 to do, and that was to withdraw without an 
 instant's delay. He had striven hard and 
 shown great cleverness in "holding off" his 
 enemies— that is, he had prevented anything 
 in the nature of a hand-to-hand encounter 
 between them and himself. To advance at 
 
300 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 this time was to invite tlie very thing which 
 he had striven with such success to avoid. 
 
 But a daring project had taken shape in 
 the brain of the lieutenant, being nothing less 
 than an attempt to bring down both of his foes, 
 and thus clear his path in the most effectual 
 manner of the vagrants whose taking off would 
 be a blessing in every sense. 
 
 His plan was to steal forward as though he 
 did not see the motionless figure so close to 
 the mountain wall. The Indian would natur- 
 ally wait until he was within certain reach 
 before bringing him down. Hillson, having 
 thrown him off his guard, would be on the 
 watch for such demonstration, and would an- 
 ticipate it by making a lightning-like assault 
 himself. 
 
 It will be understood that the point of this 
 strategy was that it would bring the lieutenant 
 so near that when he raised his revolver and 
 fired there would be no possibility of missing. 
 In other words, it would give him the drop on 
 the other fellow. 
 
 But the imminent peril lay in the probabil- 
 ity that the Blackfoot would not await the 
 
UP THE TRAIL. 301 
 
 officer's convenience before opening his bat- 
 teries. As likelv as not he would start thino-s 
 
 V O 
 
 moving before Hillson was ready. The gloom 
 would permit him to move his arms without 
 being perceived in time to be thwarted. 
 
 All this was on the theory that the In- 
 dian was deceived by the pretence of the 
 officer ; but suppose, what was likely, the 
 shrewd scamp penetrated his design, what 
 then? 
 
 Nevertheless, Lieutenant Hillson determined 
 to make the rash attempt. Revolver in hand, 
 he moved stealthily forward until close upon 
 his foe, and about ready for the daring attempt, 
 when he once more stopped, and with a smile 
 gave expression to the exclamation : 
 
 *^Well, I'll be hanged ! " 
 
 It was neither the Wild Cat nor his com- 
 panion, but a portion of the rocks themselves, 
 which under his active imagination had taken 
 upon itself the form of an Indian warrior 
 waiting for him to come within reach of his 
 vengeance. 
 
 Encouraged by the circumstance, Hillson 
 pushed forward to the spot with less hesi- 
 
302 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. * 
 
 tation than he had yet shown, and arrived 
 without seeing or hearing anything of the 
 red men. 
 
 It had been his intention to remove the sad- 
 dle and bridle from the body of Kitty and to 
 hide them among the rocks until he could take 
 them away. The hurry of his flight had pre- 
 vented his doing this before. 
 
 But on searching for the remains of the ani- 
 mal they could not be found. Carcass as well 
 as trappings were gone, and it was easy to 
 guess the explanation. 
 
 The Wild Cat had appropriated the latter, 
 after which, with little effort, he rolled the 
 body over the precipice to follow that of the 
 buck. Hillson remembered hearing a peculiar 
 rustling and crashing which could have been 
 well caused by such a proceeding on the part 
 of the dusky miscreant. 
 
 The lieutenant approached the edge of the 
 ravine and looked longingly down in the 
 gloom. The darkness was too deep to permit 
 him to distinguish anything, and as he turned 
 away he heaved a sigh to the memory of his 
 faithful beast. 
 
UP THE TRAIL. 303 
 
 He had set out to aid liis friends in whatever 
 way might present itself, and he now resumed 
 his guarded advance along the mountain trail, 
 little dreaming that the most trying experience 
 of all awaited him. 
 
CHAPTEH XXXIII. 
 
 '^good-by! " 
 
 THERE were seven of tlie Blackfeet va- 
 grants gathered round tlie fire to which 
 Lieutenant Palmer was conducted, and where 
 he had stood only a few minutes when Mr. 
 Rainsford and his little Bessie were brought 
 upon their horse, which was led by another of 
 the red men, who had three companions. 
 
 It was a painful shock to the young officer, 
 who, though overtaken by misfortune himself, 
 was confident until then that it had gone well 
 with the others. But here they were, with 
 only Lieutenant Hillson unaccounted for, and 
 now the dispirited Palmer began to fear the 
 worst for him. 
 
 **We made a great mistake," remarked 
 Mr. Rainsford, '' for we ought to have stayed 
 in the house where we were safe for a time at 
 least." 
 
 He had dismounted and lifted Bessie down. 
 
 304 
 
"good-by!" 305 
 
 The lieutenant walked forward and took liis 
 hand, after which he leaned over and kissed 
 the child, who was quite bewildered by the 
 turn affairs had taken. 
 
 The Blackfeet showed no disposition to 
 molest them further than to take good care to 
 prevent any escape on their part. They had 
 disarmed both men, and so placed themselves 
 that the latter were shut off from any attempt 
 at flight. The only way oi3en led to the 
 mountain trail, and it will be understood that 
 neither thought of a dash in that direction. 
 They could not have been more secure bad 
 they been locked within the granite walls of a 
 penitentiary. 
 
 ^^I heard your call," said Mr. Kainsford, 
 after the lieutenant had briefly related the 
 particulars of his mishap, *'and managed to 
 reach the main trail, but they were right on 
 our heels. Before I could vault into the 
 saddle with Bessie, she was snatched from me 
 and my gun was knocked from my grasp by 
 one of the neatest tricks you ever saw. I did 
 not believe it possible the thing could be done 
 so cleverly. Still, you may be sure I would 
 
 20 
 
306 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 have made a fight but for the certain conse- 
 quences to her. The warrior who held her 
 told me in broken English that if I would sur- 
 render she should not be hurt, but if I did not 
 they would dash out her brains. Little reli- 
 ance is to be placed on the pledges of these 
 people, but the risk was too dreadful to be 
 contemplated, and I gave up. They allowed" 
 me to mount and hold Bessie in front, but one 
 of them took Saladin's bit and started in the 
 other direction along the trail. They went a 
 considerable distance, when, from some cause, 
 they wheeled about, and here we are." 
 
 '^ There are many things about this business 
 which I do not understand," said the lieuten- 
 ant ; ^' there has been a good deal of firing, 
 but none of us has been hurt, unless it is Hill- 
 son. Why didn't they finish me when they 
 had me on my back, and why didn't they 
 shoot you and Bessie instead of bringing you 
 in prisoners ? " 
 
 " The Wild Cat is their leader, and no doubt 
 they are following his orders." 
 
 "But why should he give such orders? 
 What can he wish to do with a party like us 1" 
 
"good-by!" 307 
 
 *'He may want to hold us as hostages in 
 order to make terms with the authorities." 
 
 The lieutenant shook his head. To him the 
 theory was untenable. 
 
 ''The only explanation that occurs to me," 
 he said, after a minute's thought, "is that 
 which we have discussed before. The Wild 
 Cat desires to put us all out of the way, but is 
 afraid his crime would become known, and he 
 would be hunted down, unless he can destroy 
 us all so absolutely that no trace will be left 
 to tell the tale. If he can bring in Hillson the 
 conditions will be just what he is trying so 
 hard to make them, for then he will have free 
 rope and need not fear punishment." 
 
 "Then we are already doomed." 
 
 " Why do you say that ? " 
 
 "Look behind you." 
 
 The lieutenant's back was toward the trail 
 as he faced Mr. Rainsford, who was looking 
 the opi)osite way. Palmer turned like a flash 
 at the words, and saw two warriors, one of 
 whom was the Wild Cat, approaching the 
 camp with Lieutenant Hillson between them. 
 
 The latter, in playing his game against the 
 
308 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. ^ 
 
 Blackfeet, had taken desperate chances. He 
 acquitted himself admirably more than once, 
 but he prolonged the contest with the experts 
 in treachery, with the result that he was out- 
 witted at last. 
 
 It was the hope of helping his friends that 
 led him to steal along the mountain trail 
 toward the scene of the trouble, instead of 
 hurrying off for help. He proceeded with the 
 utmost caution, and walked directly into the 
 trap set for him. He was pounced upon and 
 disarmed before he could help himself, and 
 thus it came about that every one of the party 
 fell into the power of the Wild Cat, and the 
 hopeless condition spoken of by Lieutenant 
 Palmer became a reality. 
 
 Lieutenant Hillson smiled sadly as he caught 
 sight of his friends, and shook his head, like 
 one who realized the woful blunder he had 
 made. He looked at the Wild Cat as if to 
 ask his permission to join the others, but the 
 leader gave no sign, and he walked forward to 
 where they were standing. 
 
 The conversation, as may be supposed, was 
 of anything but a cheerful nature. The scene 
 
**good-by!" 309 
 
 became a striking one. In the open space, at 
 one side of the mountain trail, was burning 
 a fire which illuminated the broad level 
 area, enclosed on all sides but one by stone 
 walls, too precipitous to be scaled by man or 
 animal. 
 
 Two horses, saddled and bridled, stood close 
 to the rocks on one side of the blaze, while, 
 with the exception of three of the Blackfeet, 
 the warriors assumed all manner of indifferent 
 and indolent attitudes. 
 
 Four were smoking, one was stretched full 
 length on the ground, seemingly interested 
 in the fire, two were examining the horses and 
 equipments, as if pleased with the prizes 
 whose ownership they envied, while a charac- 
 teristic jerking conversation engaged at times 
 nearly all of them. 
 
 On the broad, flat bowlder, placed opposite 
 the animals and near enough to the blaze to feel 
 the ruddy warmth, w^ere seated the Wild Cat 
 and two companions, evidently his favorite 
 warriors. One was smoking, and all were 
 talking in low tones, accompanied by frequent 
 glances at the whites. There could be little 
 
310 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 doubt tliey were discussing the disposition to 
 be made of tliem. 
 
 Mr. Rainsford and the two officers stood 
 facing each other as nearly as that could be 
 done, and so close together that their voices 
 rose hardly above a whisper, for they now 
 used English instead of Spanish. The still- 
 ness, with the slight interruptions named, was 
 profound. The young men held their arms 
 folded, and in the glow of the firelight looked 
 strikingly manly and attractive. Both had 
 made a gallant fight, but fortune at last turned 
 against them. 
 
 As Mr. Eainsford looked from face to face 
 he held the hand of Bessie clasped in one of 
 his own. He had asked her to rest herself by 
 sitting on the ground, but she preferred to 
 keep her feet, and looked wonderingly from 
 one to the other, perhai)s with a clearer idea 
 of the situation than any suspected. 
 
 *'I believe as you do," said Hillson to 
 Palmer, after the latter had repeated his belief 
 that the Wild Cat was only awaiting the capt- 
 ure of the entire party before putting them to 
 death ; '*so long as he feared that one of us 
 
'*good-by!" 311 
 
 had got away lie did not dare take tlie risk, 
 but now there is nothing to restrain him." 
 
 ^' We shall be missed in time," remarked 
 his friend, '^and the colonel will have search 
 made for ns ; perhaps, too, it will become 
 known that we have fallen victims to the 
 vagrant Indians, but as to who our slayers 
 were ' ' 
 
 He finished the remark by a shrug of the 
 shoulders and a shake of the head. The three 
 men could discuss their own awful fate thus 
 coolly, but they forgot that young as was the 
 child that glanced so silently from one to the 
 other, as these fearful words were uttered, she 
 comprehended their meaning. 
 
 The three Blackfeet sitting on the bowlder 
 near the blaze were in a row, the Wild Cat being 
 at the farther end, where he was only partly vis- 
 ible to the prisoners. Bessie, as if wearied with 
 listening to her friends, turned her attention 
 to the group. Just then the leader leaned 
 forward, and, grasping a piece of wood at his 
 feet, gave it a slight toss on the fire. As he 
 did so the glare lit up his countenance — the 
 dangling hair, the Roman nose, the retreating 
 
312 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 chin, and the daubs of paint being as vividly 
 seen as if tlie sun were at meridian. 
 
 *' Why, there's the Wild Cat!" exclaimed 
 the child, as if she had not noticed him until 
 that moment, and before her father read her 
 purpose she slipped her hand from his, ran 
 between the knees of the leader, and looking 
 into his face with her winsome smile she 
 asked : 
 
 " Why didn't you speak to me before ? " 
 
 The savage, with a forbidding scowl, pushed 
 her from him. 
 
 " Go way — don't want." 
 
 '*But I want to talk w^ith ?/02^," and with 
 childish persistency she forced her way to her 
 former position. He made as if to thrust her 
 from him again, but the effort was weaker than 
 before, and she would not be denied. In a 
 twinkling she Avas on one of the brawny knees, 
 and with the same innocent expression placed 
 one of her dimpled arms around the dusky 
 shoulder and said : 
 
 *' What a funny name your little girl 
 has ! I can't think of it. What did you 
 say it is?" 
 
*^good-by!'' 313 
 
 **Aff-to.wa." 
 
 ** Won't you bring lier to see me ? I want 
 to play with lier. I haven't any little girls to 
 play with, and I get so lonely." 
 
 The warrior made no further effort to drive 
 her from him, while his immediate companions 
 looked on in silent amazement. Indeed, all 
 the Blackfeet were gazing at the extraordinary 
 scene, while the three prisoners, faced that 
 way, held their peace and wondered what the 
 outcome would be. Had the Wild Cat offered 
 the prattling child any harm, every one, 
 though unarmed, would have sprung upon 
 him, but they awaited the issue of one of 
 the most remarkable situations that can be 
 conceived. 
 
 With her hand resting on the shoulder of 
 the vagrant, Bessie pushed aside the coarse, 
 dangling hair, a portion of which lay on his 
 chest, and it seemed that her tongue could 
 never be still. 
 
 " We are going a long way," she said, *' but 
 you must bring Aff-to-wa to see me. I will let 
 her play with my dolls, and I've got a real nice 
 one that I will give her, and she can stay, oh ! 
 
314 THE PATH IN THE RAVINE. 
 
 the longest time with me ; and when you come 
 to take her away you can stay a long time, 
 too. Do you like dolls?" 
 
 The i)ainted countenance, so close to her 
 own, remained as immobile as the face of a 
 stone image. 
 
 ''I guess you're too big to play with dolls, 
 but papa loves everybody that loves me, and 
 he will give you lots of nice things, so you must 
 come ; won't you ?" 
 
 Still the iron features gave no sign. See- 
 ing that he did not mean to speak, Bessie 
 continued : 
 
 "Do you want me to kiss you?" 
 
 The Wild Cat nodded his head, and the 
 spectators were dum founded w^hen the child 
 touched her mouth to the coppery lips of the 
 savage. Those who looked closely at the 
 dusky arm that hitherto had only half enclosed 
 the tiny figure saw it draw closer, and he held 
 her for a moment just as any affectionate 
 parent might clasp a cherished child to his 
 heart. 
 
 Only for a moment, however, when he re- 
 leased her, and she sat back on his knee, her 
 
ii ri/^^r> T.XT t 5> 
 
 good-by!" 315 
 
 countenance aglow with happiness, while she 
 still looked at the features, seeing a beauty- 
 visible only to one of her pure and spotless 
 nature. 
 
 '^ You haven't told me whether Aff-to-wa is 
 coming to see me when I get home to St. 
 Paul." 
 
 ''She come," replied the Wild Cat, nod- 
 ding his head several times, as if to make 
 up for his former refusal to answer her 
 questions. 
 
 "I am so glad," said the delighted child; 
 " I will send Peggy to her." 
 
 Running to her parent, she made a demand 
 for her pet doll, which was under his special 
 care. With a smile he produced the some- 
 what dilapidated plaything from within his 
 coat, where he had hoped to preserve it for 
 her against a happy deliverance out of their 
 troubles. 
 
 " She is yours, Bessie ; do what you please 
 with her." 
 
 Hurrying back to the Blackfoot, she pressed 
 the precious pet upon him. The iron features 
 relaxed as he curiously surveyed the gift, and 
 
316 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 he made as if to return it, but she persisted, 
 and who shall measure the grief of that little 
 heart on parting company with that which 
 could not have been dearer had it possessed 
 life and being ! 
 
 "Tell Aff-to-wa that Bessie Rainsford sent 
 it to her, and you have promised to come and 
 see me at St. Paul, .and now Wild Cat, — that 
 isn't a very nice name, — we will have to leave 
 you." 
 
 She slid off his knee to the ground, and at 
 the same moment the Indian stood uj) and said 
 something to his companions. They stared, 
 as if doubting his meaning, whereupon he 
 repeated the words so angrily that they 
 bounded to their feet. He could be as harsh 
 as death to his friends as to his enemies. 
 
 Still holding the hand of the child, the 
 Wild Cat walked around the fire to where the 
 horse of Mr. Rainsford was nibbling at the few 
 scant blades of grass growing near, and taking 
 hold of the bridle, led him to the group of 
 prisoners. Then, fixing his black eyes upon 
 the owner, he said : 
 
 *' You ride him — you go." 
 
*^good-by!" 317 
 
 The hunter was too wise to show his surprise 
 or to hesitate, for at this point everything 
 depended on promptly accepting the extraor- 
 dinary offer of the Blackfoot. He was acting 
 under the impulse of such an unwonted emotion 
 that it was not likely to last. Mr. Rainsford 
 placed his foot in the stirrup and swung him- 
 self into the saddle. It was the Wild Cat 
 himself who handed the child to him, and he 
 set her in front, where he was accustomed to 
 hold her when travelling. 
 
 The leader spoke sharply to one of his men, 
 who quickly led the other steed to the spot 
 without a word of protest. 
 
 ''You ride— you go," he said, addressing 
 Palmer, who whispered to Hillson at the 
 moment of mounting : 
 
 " Get up behind me ; it won't do to wait a 
 moment." 
 
 The young officer saw the situation, and, 
 with slight assistance from his friend, bestrode 
 the horse behind him. The Wild Cat spoke 
 brusquely again, and each man received back 
 his fire-arms. 
 
 All were now mounted, with the heads of 
 
318 THE PATH IN THE EAVINE. 
 
 the animals pointed toward the mountain trail. 
 The situation was unj^aralleled, and the hearts 
 of our friends throbbed painfully. They feared 
 every moment that the Wild Cat would become 
 ashamed of the weakness that impelled him to 
 the step and break forth into greater fury 
 than before ; but they had their weapons now 
 in their hands, and the instant result of such 
 a reversal of sentiment would be a fight to the 
 bitter end. 
 
 The Wild Cat was standing in front of the 
 horsemen, as if undecided whether to step 
 aside, when Bessie, from her father's arms, 
 said : 
 
 " Well, Wild Cat, good-by ! " 
 
 She leaned as far over as she could, and the 
 dusky vagrant, without a moment's hesitation, 
 met her, and once more, and for the last time, 
 the kiss was given and taken. 
 
 *' Don't forget to bring Aff-to-wa to see 
 me." 
 
 By a common instinct Mr. Bainsford and 
 the two officers raised their hats in saluta- 
 tion, not only to the Wild Cat, who now 
 moved aside, but to the other warriors that 
 
**good-by!" 319 
 
 were silently gazing at the most remarkable 
 scene they had ever v/itnessed, and then 
 they rode out on the mountain in the dark- 
 ness and headed northward toward Fort 
 Assinaboine. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Number 3 of the Forest and Prairie Series will be The 
 Young Rancher ^ a story of the Wyoming cattle ranges 
 m 1892. 
 
i IIIBIllll « 
 
 The 
 
 Famous 
 
 Castlemon 
 
 Books. 
 
 BY 
 
 Harry 
 Castlemon. 
 
 
 
 specimen Cover ol tbe Gunboat 
 Series. 
 
 No author of tbe present day has become a greater favorite wihboys thaa 
 ''Harry Castlemon;" every book by him is Mire to meet witfi henrty re- 
 ception by young readers generally. H.s naturahiess and vivacity lead his 
 readers from page to page with breathieps interest, and when one^vo'.ume w 
 finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks " for more." 
 
 %* Any voiume sold separately. 
 
 GUNBOAT SERIES. By Harry Castlemon. 6 
 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 
 in colors. In box ^7 5° 
 
 Prank, the Young Naturalist i 25 
 
 Frank in the "Woods ' 25 
 
 Frank oa the Prairie ^ ^S 
 
 Frank on a Gunboat ' 25 
 
 Frank before Vicksburg i 25 
 
 Frank oa the Lower Mississippi 12^ 
 
2 HENRY T. COATES & CO.'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 
 
 GO AHEAD SERIES. By Harry Castlemon. 3 
 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 in colors. In box i^3 75 
 
 Go Ahead ; or, The Fisher Boy's Motto I 25 
 
 No Moss ; or, The Career of a Rolling Stone .... I 25 
 
 Tom NeTvcombe ; or, The Boy of Bad Habits . . I ^5 
 
 ROCKir MOUNTAIN SERIES. By Harry 
 
 Castlemon. 3 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra, printed in colors. In box >»3 75 
 
 Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho i 25 
 
 Frank among the Rancheros i 25 
 
 Frank in the Mountains i 25 
 
 SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES. By Harry 
 Castlemon. 3 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra, printed in colors. In box l3 75 
 
 The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle .... i 25 
 
 The Sportsman's Club Afloat i 25 
 
 The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers . i 25 
 
 FRANK NELSON SERIES. By Harry Castle- 
 mon. 3 vols. i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, 
 printed in colors. In box i^3 75 
 
 Snowed Up ; or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mts. . i 25 
 
 Frank Nelson in the Forecastle ; or. The Sports- 
 man's Club among the Whalers I 25 
 
 The Boy Traders ; or, The Sportsman's Club among 
 
 the Boers 12$ 
 
 BOY TRAPPER SERIES. By Harry Castlemon. 
 3vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 I in colors. In box $3 7$ 
 
 The Buried Treasure ; or. Old Jordan's " Haunt " i 25 
 
 The Boy Trapper ; or, How Dave Filled the Order . i 25 
 
 The Mail Carrier i 25 
 
HENRY T. COATES & CO.'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 3 
 
 ROUGHING IT SERIES, By Harry Castlemon. 
 3 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 m colors. In box ^3 75 
 
 George in Camp ; or, Life on the Plains i 25 
 
 George at the "Wheel ; or, Life in a Pilot House . i 25 
 
 George at the Fort ; or, Life Among the Soldiers . i 25 
 
 ROD AND GUN SERIES. By Harry Castlemon. 
 3 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 in colors. In box 3 75 
 
 Don Gordon's Shooting Box i 25 
 
 Rod and Gun i 25 
 
 The Yonng "Wild Fowlers i 25 
 
 FOREST AND STREAM SERIES. By Harry 
 Castlemon. 3 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra, printed in colors. In box 3 75 
 
 Joe "Wayring at Home ; or, Story of a Fly Rod . i 25 
 
 Snagged and Sunk ; or, The Adventures of a Can- 
 vas Canoe I 25 
 
 Steel Horse ; or, The Rambles of a Bicycle .... i 25 
 
 "WAR SERIES. By Harry Castlemon. 4 vols., 
 I2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in 
 colors. In box 5 00 
 
 True to his Colors i 25 
 
 Rodney, the Partisan i 25 
 
 Marcy, the Blockade Runner i 25 
 
 Marcy, the Refugee i 25 
 
 OUR FELLOWS ; or. Skirmishes with the Swamp 
 Dragoons. By Hsrry Castlemon. i6mo. Fully illus- 
 trated. Cloth, extra I 25 
 
Ill' UhnAumil 1 1 to itnttiB la ummm n »!• ii mmi' 
 
 3_ 
 
 
 Alger's 
 
 Renowned 
 
 Books. 
 
 BY 
 
 Horatio 
 Alger, Jr. 
 
 Specimen Cover of the Ragged 
 Dick Series. 
 
 Horatio Alger, Jr., has attamed distinction as one of the most popular 
 writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his best 
 books. 
 
 ^% Any volume sold separately. 
 
 RAGGED DICK SERIES. By Horatio Alger, 
 Jr. 6 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, 
 printed in colors. In box $7 S^ 
 
 Ragged Dick ; or, Street Life in New York .... i 25 
 
 Fame and Fortune ; or, The Progress of Richard 
 
 Hunter 12$ 
 
 Mark, the Match Boy ; or, Richard Hunter's Ward i 25 
 
 Rough and Ready ; or, Life among the New York 
 
 Newsboys i 25 
 
 Ben, the Lug-gage Boy ; or, Among the Wharves . i 25 
 
 Rufus and Rose ; or, the Fortunes of Rough and 
 Ready 
 
 TATTERED TOM SERIES. (First Series.) 
 By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., i2mo. Fully illus- 
 trated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box , . . 
 
 (4) 
 
 I 25 
 
 5 00 
 
HENRY T. COATES & CO.'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 5 
 
 Tattered Tom ; or, The Story of a Street Arab ... 1 25 
 
 Paul, the Peddler; or, The Adventures of a Young 
 
 Street Merchant i 25 
 
 Phil, the Fiddler ; or, The Young Street Musician . i 25 
 
 Slow and Sure ; or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop i 25 
 
 TATTERED TOM SERIES. (Second Series.) 
 4 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 
 in colors. In box $S <^ 
 
 Julius ; or the Street Boy Out West . i 25 
 
 The Young Outlaw ; or, Adrift in the World ... i 25 
 
 Sam's Chance and How He Improved it . . . i 25 
 
 The Telegraph Boy . i 25 
 
 LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. (First Series.) 
 By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., i2mo. Fully illus- 
 trated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box ... ;^5 ^^ 
 
 Luck and Pluck ; or John Oakley's Inheritance . . i 25 
 
 Sink or Swim ; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve ... i 25 
 
 Strong and Steady ; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe . i 25 
 
 Strive and Succeed ; or, The Progress of Walter 
 
 Conrad I ^5 
 
 LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. (Second 
 Series.) By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 vols., i2ino. 
 Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In 
 
 box ^5 00 
 
 Try and Trust ; or. The Story of a Bound Boy ... i 25 
 
 Bound to Rise ; or Harry Walton's Motto I 25 
 
 Risen from the Ranks ; or, Harry Walton's Success i 25 
 
 Herbert Carter's Legacy ; or, The Inventor's Son . i 25 
 
 CAMPAIGN SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 
 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 
 in colors. In box ^3 75 
 
 Prank's Campaign ; or. The Farm and the Camp . i 25 
 
 Paul Prescott's Charge i 25 
 
 Charlie Codman's Cruise i 25 
 
6 HENRY T. COATES & CO.'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 
 
 BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. By Horatio 
 Alger, Jr. 4 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra, printed in colors. In box $S ^^ 
 
 Brave and Bold ; or, The Story of a Factory Boy . . i 25 
 
 Jack's Ward ; or, The Boy Guardian i 25 
 
 Shifting for Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's For- 
 tunes , . . . I 25 
 
 Wait and Hope ; or, Ben Bradford's Mottu .... i 25 
 
 PACIFIC SERIES By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 
 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 in colors. In box $5 °o 
 
 The Young Adventurer; or, Tom's Trip Across 
 
 the Plains i 25 
 
 The Young Miner ; or, Tom Nelson in California . i 25 
 
 The Young Explorer ; or, Among the Sierras . . I 25 
 
 Ben's Nugget; or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A 
 
 Story of the Pacific Coast 12$ 
 
 ATLANTIC SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 
 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 in colors. In box $5 ^^ 
 
 The Young Circus Rider; or, The Mystery of 
 
 Robert Rudd I 25 
 
 Do and Dare ; or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune . i 25 
 
 Hector's Inheritance; or. Boys of Smith Institute . i 25 
 
 Helping Himself ; or. Grant Thornton's Ambition . i 25 
 
 WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES. By Horatio 
 Alger, Jr. 4 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra, printed in colors. In box $S ^^ 
 
 Bob Burton ' 25 
 
 The Store Boy i 25 
 
 Luke Walton i 25 
 
 Struggling Upward I 25 
 
 New Book by Alger. 
 
 DIGGING FOR GOLD. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 
 
 Illustrated 1 2mo. Cloth, black, red and gold ... I 25 
 
A 
 
 New Series 
 
 of Books. 
 
 Indian Life 
 
 and 
 
 Character 
 
 Founded on 
 
 Historical 
 
 Facts. 
 
 Specimen Cover of the Wyoming 
 Series. 
 
 By Edward S. Ellis. 
 
 ^*^ Any volume sold separately. 
 
 BOY PIONEER SERIES. By Edward S. Ellis. 
 3 vols., l2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 
 in colors. In box p3 75 
 
 Ned in the Block House ; or, Life on the Frontier, i 25 
 Ned in the Woods. A Tale of the Early Days in 
 
 the West ^ ^5 
 
 Ned on the River ^ ^5 
 
 DEERFOOT SERIES. By Edward S. Ellis. In 
 box containing the following. 3 vols., i2mo. Ulus- 
 
 trated • ' . . • ^3 75 
 
 Hunters of the Ozark ^ ^5 
 
 Camp in the Mountains ^ 25 
 
 The Last "War Trail ^ ^5 
 
 LOC^ CABIN SERIES. By Edward S. Ellis. 
 3 'ols., 13'Mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, pnnted 
 
 f CG-oW. \nbox ^3 75 
 
 (7) 
 
8 HENRY T. COATES & CO.'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 
 
 Lost Trail ^12$ 
 
 Camp-Pire and Wigwam i 25 
 
 Footprints in the Forest i 25 
 
 WYOMING SERIES. By Edward S. Ellis. 3 
 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 
 in colors. In box ^3 75 
 
 Wyoming i 25 
 
 Storm Mountain i 25 
 
 Cabin in the Clearing i 25 
 
 New Books by Edward S. Ellis. 
 Through Forest and Fire. i2ino. Cloth ... i 25 
 On the Trail of the Moose. i2mo. Cloth . , i 25 
 
 By C. A. Stephens. 
 
 Rare books for boys — bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive ; full of 
 adveniure and incident, and information upon natural history. They blend 
 instruction with amusement — contain much useful and valuable information 
 upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity. 
 
 CAMPING OUT SERIES. By C. A. Stephens. 
 6 vols., i2mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 in colors. In box • • j^7 5° 
 
 Camping Out. As recorded by " Kit " i 25 
 
 Left on Labrador ; or The Cruise of the Schooner 
 
 Yacht " Curfew." As recorded by " Wash " .... i 25 
 
 Off to the Geysers ; or, The Young Yachters in Ice- 
 land. As recorded by ''Wade'' I 25 
 
 Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the author of 
 
 " Camping Out " I 25 
 
 Pox Hunting. As recorded by " Raed " , i 25 
 
 On the Amazon ; or. The Cruise of the '* Rambler." 
 As recorded by " Wash " I 25 
 
 By J. T. Trowbridge. 
 
 These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for thf 
 young — and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature. 
 
 JACK HAZARD SERIES. By J. T. Trowbridge. 
 6 vols., i2mo. Fully Illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed 
 in colors. In box $7 S^ 
 
HENRY T. COATES A CO.'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 9 
 
 Jack Hazard and His Fortunes J$i 25 
 
 A Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and his 
 
 'i'reasure I 25 
 
 Doing His Best i 25 
 
 Fast Friends i 25 
 
 The Young Surveyor ; cr, Jack on tlie Prairies . i 25 
 Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cut- 
 ters, Glass Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship 
 
 Builders i 25 
 
 — G OOD BOOKS— 
 
 Suitable for Girls between the Ages of 12 and 15. 
 
 "Ways and Means. A Story for girls. By Mar- 
 garet Vandegrift. With four illustrations. l2mo. 
 Cloth, extra I 25 
 
 The Queen's Body-Guard. A Story for Girls. By 
 Margaret Vandegrift. With four illustrations. l2mo. 
 Cloth, extra I 25 
 
 Rose Raymond's "Wards. A Story for Girls. By 
 Margaret Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings 
 on wood. i2mo. Cloth, extra I 25 
 
 Doris and Theodora. A Story for Girls. By Mar- 
 garet Vandegiift. Illustrated with four engravings on 
 wood. i2mo. Cloth, extra ' 25 
 
 Dr. Gilbert's Daughters. A Story for Girls. By 
 Margaret Harriet Mathews. Illustrated with four en- 
 gravings on wood. i2mo. Cloth, extra i 25 
 
 Esther's Fortune. A Romance for Girls. By Lucy 
 C. Lillie. Illustrated. i2mo. Cloth, extra, brown 
 and gold I 25 
 
 Helen Glenn ; or, My Mother's Enemy. A Story for 
 Girls. By Lucy C. Lillie. Illustrated with eight illus- 
 trations. i2mo. Cloth, extra I 25 
 
 The Squire's Daughter. By Lucy C. Lillie. i2mo. 
 
 Illustrated. Cloth, extra I 25 
 
 For Honor's Sake. By Lucy C. Lillie. i2mo. 
 
 Illustrated. Cloth, extra I 25 
 
 Marion Berkley. A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B. 
 Comins (Laura Caxton). i2mo. Illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra, brown and gold I 25 
 
 Hartwell Farm. A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B. 
 Comins (Laura Caxton). i2mo. Illustrated. Cloth, 
 extra^ brown and gold . . ■, I 25 
 
THE HANDSOMEST AND CHEAPEST GIFT BOOKS. 
 
 Z^k^ "-gells" ;3eries. 
 
 The" BELLS " Series has been undertaken by the publishers with a view 
 to issue original illustrated poems of a high character, at a price within ♦he 
 reach of all classes. 
 
 Small 4to ^i 50 
 
 Ivory surface i 50 
 
 Embossed calf, gilt edges \ 50 
 
 GEMS FROM TENNYSON. 
 By Alfred Tennyson, Elegantly illustrated by Hammatt Billings. 
 
 BEAUTIES OF TENNYSON. 
 
 By Alfred Tennyson. Elegantly illu-trated with twenty engravings, from 
 original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully printed on the finest 
 plate paper. 
 
 FROM GREENLAND'S ICY MOUNTAINS. 
 
 By Bishop Heber. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings, from 
 original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully printed on the finest 
 plate paper. 
 
 LADY CLARE. 
 
 By Alfred Tennyson. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings, 
 from original drawings by Alfred Fredericks, F. S. Church, Harry Fenn, 
 F B. Schell, E. P. Garret and Granville Perkins. Beautifully printed on 
 the finest plate paper. 
 
 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. 
 
 By Clement C. Moore. Never before has this popular poem — a favorite 
 with both the old and the young — been presented in such a beautiful dress. 
 It is elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings, from original draw- 
 ings by F. B. Schell, W. T. Smedley, A. Fredericks and H. R. Poore. 
 
 BINGEN ON THE RHINE. 
 
 By Caroline E. Norton. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two en- 
 gravings, from original drawings by W. T. Smedley, F. B. Schell, A. 
 Fredericks, Granville Perkins and E. P. Garrett. 
 
 THE BELLS. 
 
 By Edgar Allan Poe. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings, 
 fi-om original drawings by F. O. C. Darley, A. Fredericks, Granville 
 Perkins and others. 
 
 THE DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 
 By Oliver Goldsmith. Elegantly illustrated with thirty-five engravings, 
 from drawings by Hammatt Billings. 
 
 THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT. 
 
 iiy Robert Burns. Elegantly illustrated with fifty engravings, from draw- 
 .ngs by Chapman. 
 
 10 
 
^tanbarb J][istopies. 
 
 History of England, from the Accession of 
 James the Second. By Thomas Babington 
 Macaulay. Standard edition. With a steel portrait 
 of the author Printed from new electrotype plates 
 from the last English edition. Being by far the most 
 correct edition in the American market. 5 vols., 
 
 l2mo. Cloth, extra, per set ^5 00 
 
 Sheep, marbled edges, per set 7 5^ 
 
 Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges 7 5° 
 
 Half calf, gilt ^^ "^ 
 
 History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman 
 Empire. By Edward Gibbon. With notes by Rev. 
 H. H. Milman. Standa?'d edition. To which is 
 added a complete Index of the work. A new edition 
 from entirely new stereotype plates. With portrait on 
 
 steel. 5 vols., i2mo. Cloth, extra, per set 5^0 
 
 Sheep, marbled edges, per set 7 5° 
 
 Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges, 7 5^ 
 
 Half calf, gilt, per set ^o ^o 
 
 History of England, from the Invasion of 
 Julius Caesar to the Abdication of James 
 the Second, 1688. By David Hume. Standard 
 edition. With the author's last correcdons and im- 
 provements, to which is prefixed a short account of his 
 life, written by himself. With a portrait on steel. A 
 new edition from entirely new stereot)-pe plates. 5 
 
 vols., i2mo. Cloth, extra, per set S^ 
 
 Sheep, marbled edges, per set 7 5° 
 
 Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges 7 5^ 
 
 Half calf, gilt ^o ^ 
 
|iJ]|/|isce!!Qneous. 
 
 A Dictionary of the Bible. Comprising its An- 
 tiquities, Biography, Geography, Natural History and 
 Literature. Edited by Wilham Smith, LL.D. Re- 
 vised and adapted to the present use of Sunday school 
 Teachers and Bible Students by Revs. F. JS'. and 
 M. A. Peloubet. With eight colored maps and 440 
 engravings on wood. 8vo. Cloth, extra ...... ;^2 00 
 
 Sheep, marbled edges 3 00 
 
 Half morocco, gilt top 3 50 
 
 History of the Civil War in America. By the 
 
 Comte de Paris. Translated with the approval of the 
 author. With maps faithfully engraved from the origi- 
 nals, and printed in three colors. 8vo. 
 
 Cloth, extra, per vol 3 50 
 
 Red cloth, extra, Roxburgh style, uncut edges, per vol. 3 50 
 
 Sheep, library style, per vol 4 50 
 
 Half Turkey morocco, per vol 6 00 
 
 Volumes I, II, III and IV now ready, put up in a neat 
 box, or any volume sold separately. 
 
 The Battle of Gettysburg. By the Comte de Paris. 
 
 With maps. Svo. Cloth, extra i 5° 
 
 Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary. Em- 
 bracing accounts of the most eminent persons of all 
 ages, nations and professions. By E. A. Thomas. 
 Crown Svo, 
 
 Cloth, extra, gilt top 2 50 
 
 Sheep, marbled edges 3 00 
 
 Half morocco, gilt top , , 3 50 
 
 Half Russia, gilt top 4 50 
 
 The Amateur Photographer. A manual of photo- 
 graphic manipulations intended especially for begin- 
 ners and amateurs, with suggestions as to the choice of 
 apparatus and of processes. By EUerslie Wallace, 
 Jr., M.D. New edition, with two new chapters on 
 paper negatives and microscopic photography. i2mo. 
 
 Limp morocco, spnnkled edges .,,,,,,,. i 00 
 
 X8 
 
I— ravine 
 
 ♦ y 
 
 XX& UAi.^ 
 
 M35642 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 

 \ \ 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 \