m\
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES

 
 DEERFOOT SERIES. Xo. 3. 
 
 THE LAST WAR TRAIL 
 
 BY 
 
 EDWARD S. ELLIS 
 
 AUTHOR Oy "VOCXG PIONEER SERIES," "LOG CABIN 
 SKRIES," ETC. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 PORTER & COATES.
 
 COPTBIOHT. IH87. 
 BY 
 
 PORTER & COATES.
 
 COXTEM 1 :?. 
 
 L "Hs WAS TAUGHT TO BUT, TO Ju. ASD TO 
 
 Snxr His Ruiz." .... 5 
 
 H. "HE SAW SEYEKAI. FAIST Couriers OF SXDKX," 15 
 
 IF. " QUICK, TEXET! Rex! THKT'EE Arm Tor." . 37 
 
 Y. "THEY LAT Fur ox THEM FACES LIKE A 
 
 COUPLE or SHAXPSHOOTEBS.*' . . 47 
 
 TL "Irs DEKKFOOT, THE SHAWASOE!" . . 57 
 
 TIL "THE! SAW A WOXDEEFUL SlSHT," . . - 68 
 
 TKL "Go ts PEACE," . . . . .79 
 
 IX. "Aso tr WAS DOSE," .... 98 
 
 XL "Too SHOULD SXTLE THBOOGH Tom TEAB&" 113 
 
 TTT. "Wx SHAU. SOOT Ksow THE TECTH," . . 128 
 
 YTTT ^WHEKE is HE?" .... 130 
 
 XIV. ' WHAT, THEX, SHAU. BE DOSE?" . . 138 
 
 XT. " SOXEXHDO HAS Gosx Wxose," . . 150 
 
 XVL "Ho SBSXAI. WAS HEAXD A MOHEXT LATEX," 158 
 
 XVIL " COXE, BOTS, Fx EEADT," . . . 168 
 
 XVLLL 4i lT ts GAUXA!" . . . .178 
 
 vi v 4i Sow HE o COXQCKEJED," . . 
 
 XX. Mr BBOTHEK, THEKE m Hon,- 1 . . 197 
 
 481C..55 
 
 UKUl:
 
 IV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEB. PAGE. 
 
 XXI. "!T WAS NOT DEERFOOT," .... 206 
 
 XXTT. " HE is WAITING TO SEE SOME ONE," . 215 
 
 XXin. "THEY ABE NOT INDIANS, .... 223 
 
 XXIV. " OFF WITH You : GOOD-BY," ... 234 
 
 XXV. "A THIRD PARTY ARRIVED ON THE SCEKE," . 244 
 XXVI. "HE WELL SHOW THE SERPENT THE EIGHT 
 
 WAY," 253 
 
 XXVIL " THE SERPENT HIMSELF QUIETLY WALKED FORTH 
 
 FROM THE WOOD," .... 264 
 
 XXVni. "THE SERPENT HAD SCORED His FIRST POINT," 273 
 XXIX. "EDITH WAS SURE SHE DISTINGUISHED THE 
 
 FAINT OUTLINES OF AN INDIAN WARRIOR," 283 
 
 XXX. " THEY'LL GIVE THE SERPENT AN ESCORT," . 293 
 XXXL "HE SAW A WARRIOR EMERGE FROM THE 
 
 GLOOM," ..... 303 
 XXXTI. "HE PLAYED His PART WELL," . . . 313 
 XXXIII. ONE Two THREE ALL OF THEM, . . 323 
 XXXTV. "EOLLING THUNDER DECIDED ON A PLAN WHICH 
 WAS IN ACCORD WITH His VENOMOUS NA- 
 TURE 333 
 
 XXXV. "HE CAN CHANGE ALL HEARTS," . . 341 
 
 XXXVI. " ALAS, HE WAS EIGHT," . . . .351 
 
 XXXVII. " HE DOETH ALL THINGS WELL," . . 359 
 
 XXXVILL " DEEBFOOB DIES FOB THE WHITE MAN," . 370
 
 THE LAST "VTAR TRAIL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HE WAS TAUGHT TO EUN, TO JUMP, AST) TO 
 SHOOT HIS RIFLE." 
 
 "VTOW, I have a secret which I wish to tell 
 J-N my young friends in this the first 
 chapter of '-THE LAST WAB TRAIL/' I 
 believe it is the rule among story- writers that 
 such matters are to be held back until the 
 close of the narrative. In one respect I am 
 following that rule, for the little secret about 
 which I dropped a hint here and there among 
 the ; - Young Pioneer Series," "Log-Cabin 
 Series," and the two volumes of this series, 
 has been reserved for the last in which the 
 name of Deerfoot the Shawanoe will ever be 
 mentioned. 
 
 You who have done me the honor of reading
 
 6 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 the books I have named, will call to mind that 
 Deerfoot now and then went off on mysterious 
 journeys beyond the Mississippi. Weeks 
 and months passed, during which his friends 
 neither saw nor heard any thing of him. 
 Wnen he was questioned as to the cause of his 
 absence he gave unsatisfactory answers. 
 Those who were his friends respected him 
 enough to refrain from pressing him closely, 
 aware also, as they must have been, that it 
 was useless to do so. 
 
 Well, to shorten the story, Deerfoot was in 
 love, and his journeys were made with the 
 purpose of wooing the dusky maiden who had 
 already taken his heart captive. I am sorry 
 to confess that with all the pains that I have 
 used, I have never been able to get any par- 
 ticulars about the wife of this extraordinary 
 young Shawanoe warrior. That she was a 
 member of another tribe was unquestionable, 
 since the Shawanoes at that time lived east of 
 the Mississippi, while her home was many 
 miles westward of the Father of Waters. 
 
 As the story of " The Last War Trail " pro- 
 gresses, I shall have something to tell you
 
 S *HJE WAS TAFGHT TO 
 
 about Reverend Elijah Griffiths, a Moravian 
 missionary, well known along a certain por- 
 tion of the western frontier a hundred years 
 ago. He was a good man who could fight 
 Indians, swing an ax, shoot off-hand, outrun 
 most of his fellow pioneers, and yet, beside 
 the sick or dying bed, he was as gentle and 
 sympathetic as a mother with her first-born 
 child. 
 
 Between this Moravian andDeerfoot existed 
 a peculiarly tender love. The missionary was 
 unusually well-educated, and he was as 
 delighted to impart instruction to the youth- 
 ful Shawanoe as the latter was to receive it. 
 They spent many sweet hours together, and 
 one of the pleasantest memories of the good 
 man who lived to be nearly five-score years 
 old was of a certain radiant morning in 
 spring, when Deerfoot escorted a blushing 
 young maiden to the post where the minister 
 was located for a time, and asked him to make 
 them man and wife. 
 
 In the presence of the garrison tt 
 ravian united the handsome couple in wed- 
 lock. It was the verdict of all that they were
 
 8 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 the most prepossessing bride and groom they 
 had ever seen. 
 
 After that the Moravian, on the urgent 
 request of Deerfoot, became a frequent visitor 
 to his humble cabin which he had built in the 
 wilderness, far removed from all other habi- 
 tations. Some of the most delightful hours of 
 the good man's life were those spent in that 
 home, in converse with Deerfoot and his wife, 
 who was well fitted to be the companion of 
 such a gifted person. 
 
 When the couple were married, the Shaw- 
 anoe gave the name of his bride as Naomi 
 evidently one which they had adopted before- 
 hand and which the Shawanoe had taken 
 from his Bible. 
 
 Having told you this much there is really 
 little, if any thing more, to relate about this 
 remarkable young woman. The missionary 
 was as familiar as any person living at that 
 time with the Indian nationalities of the west, 
 and he made many attempts to penetrate the 
 mystery of Naomi' s life, but was never able to 
 do so. His sense of propriety would not permit 
 him to urge the question to which no doubt he
 
 "HE WAS TAUGHT 9 
 
 could have obtained an answer, and the in- 
 formation, therefore, never came to him. 
 
 An old gentleman who died a few years ago 
 in St. Louis, and who remembered the Mora- 
 vian well, told me that he had heard him say 
 that he believed Xaomi, the wife of Deerfoot, 
 belonged to the tribe of Indians known as the 
 Sauks. whose hnnting-gronnds lay in the direc- 
 tion of his secret journeys. He believed fur- 
 ther, that she had been cast out by her people 
 for loving the young Shawanoe that had done 
 so much for the pale-faces as against his own 
 race. 
 
 This theory would account for the reserve of 
 the couple in referring to the past of the wife, 
 and since it fitted many other facts of their 
 lives, and since also the Moravian must have 
 observed something in the young woman her- 
 self to confirm this theory, I propose, if you 
 are willing, that we accept his explanation as 
 the true one. 
 
 Going back a number of years in the history 
 of Deerfoot, you will recall that in his early 
 youth ho was one of the fiercest of the Sliawa- 
 noes in his hatred of the white rr.
 
 10 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 while yet a boy, lie was converted to Christi- 
 anity, and, like Saul of Tarsus, he became 
 bold and aggressive in combating the errors he 
 had formerly proclaimed. 
 
 The belief of Deerfoot was that the Great 
 Spirit had laid out a special work for him. He 
 meant that his gifts in the way of fleetness of 
 foot, quickness, skill in using the bow and 
 arrow, and rifle, and his consummate wood- 
 craft, should be used for the good of the peo- 
 ple that had broken to him the Bread of Life. 
 You will bear in mind that the achievements 
 of the youth of which I have already told you 
 were in that line, and never would have enlisted 
 his support except for his gratitude to those 
 whom he served. 
 
 For years, as you well know, Deerfoot gave 
 himself to this work. It often, too, took him 
 away from home for long periods during which 
 Naomi was left alone ; but she did not mind 
 that, as she was skillful in the use of the rifle, 
 and, like her husband, she believed that he was 
 doing the will of the Great Spirit. 
 
 Then there came delightful weeks and months 
 during which Deerfoot was never beyond call
 
 "HE WA- 11 
 
 of Xaoml He and his wife often hunted in 
 company, and, in the exuberance of their 
 bounding health they enjoyed life to over- 
 flowing. 
 
 After a time Deerfoot changed his home for 
 one much nearer to the settlement of GrcTille. 
 A little boy had come to brighten the hearts of 
 the father and mother, and he wished to be 
 more convenient to his friends in case their 
 help should be needed for either the mother or 
 child. 
 
 Unto this little fellow who was the picture 
 of his father was given the name of Paul. 
 There was no human character that Deerfoot 
 reverenced so highly as that of the immortal 
 apostle whose imprint on the thoughts and 
 hearts of men was next to that of the Saviour 
 Himself. He never tired of reading or talking 
 about him, and so it was not at all strange that 
 his first-born should be named for the marvel- 
 ous man of the New Testament. 
 
 Deerfoot married young, but no happier hus- 
 band ever lived. You must bear in mind that 
 all the incidents of "The I^st War Trail" 
 took place fully four years after those of
 
 12 ( THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 which I told you in "The Hunters of the 
 Ozark," and "The Camp in the Mountains." 
 Deerfoot, therefore, had been a full-grown war- 
 rior for a good while, and his boy was about 
 four years of age. 
 
 The little fellow, even that early in life, 
 showed a remarkable resemblance to his father 
 both in mind and feature. Of course there were 
 the same jet-black eyes and hair, supplemented 
 by the beautifully oval face, the small white, 
 even teeth, the slightly Roman nose, the small 
 hands and feet and perfectly symmetrical 
 figure. 
 
 Even that early, Paul knew every letter of 
 the alphabet and could repeat the principal 
 Bible stories. Night and morning he folded 
 his tiny hands at his mother's knee, mur- 
 mured the sweet prayer of childhood, his faith 
 in the goodness and all -protecting care of his 
 Heavenly Father being as full and unquestion- 
 ing as was that of his parents. 
 
 But, as you may suppose, the out-door 
 training of the lad was not forgotten. Young 
 as he was, he was taught to run, to jump, and 
 to shoot his rifle, so that his experience in that
 
 **HK WAS TAUGHT TO i 13 
 
 respect was all that it could possibly be in one 
 so young. 
 
 Yon know, of conrse, that the gnus of our 
 ancestors were much more clumsy affairs than 
 those of to-day. Let me describe a Kentucky 
 squirrel rifle : The barrel was some forty 
 inches long, a third greater than the sporting 
 rifle of to-day, and there was enough metal in 
 it to make a fair-sized crow-bar. The stock 
 ran the whole length of the barrel and 
 there was a brass box in the butt for 
 matches. 
 
 To shoot off-hand with one of those guns 
 was a task for a strong man. When he 
 couldn't find a sapling or log to be used as a 
 support, he would sometimes take out the 
 hickory ramrod which he had whittled into 
 shape himself, and hold it in his left hand 
 with one end against his hip so as to make a 
 brace to support the weight of the gun and 
 steady his aim. 
 
 Now, the rifle used by Deerf oot was not so 
 cumbersome that he had to resort to this means, 
 but I am sure it would have been a burden for 
 you had you been called to use such a weapon.
 
 14 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 You can understand, therefore, that although 
 he had managed to secure a smaller gun than 
 usual for his son, yet it was altogether too 
 heavy for one of his years to use without arti- 
 ficial support.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "HE SAW SEVERAL FAIST COLUMNS OF SMOKE." 
 
 I DESIRE to introduce you to a pleasing 
 scene on a certain beautiful morning in 
 early spring. The forest was clothed in the 
 wealth and glory of exuberant vegetation : a 
 delicate perfume was everywhere in the air ; 
 the woods were vocal with the songs of the 
 sweet-throated birds ; the air was so luminous 
 with sunshine and light and life, that there 
 was bliss in simple existence itself. Had you 
 lain beneath the wild roses, looking upward at 
 the fleecy clouds drifting through the upper 
 sea of azure, you would have inhaled the 
 delicious odor of flowers, and heard the low 
 humming of bees as they loaded themselves 
 with sweetness and sped away toward their 
 homes like bullets fired from the hunters' 
 rifles. 
 
 Just within sight of the small cabin, made
 
 16 THE LAST AVAR TRAIL. 
 
 of logs, rocks and stones, and covered with 
 climbing flowers and vines, stood Deerfoot and 
 his little boy, Paul. The latter was dressed 
 almost the same as his parent and was looking 
 up with much interest as he arranged his rifle 
 for him to shoot. The youngster with some 
 help had been able to load the weapon and 
 the father was examining the pan and flint to 
 learn whether they were ready to fire. 
 
 All appeared to be right and Deerfoot 
 pointed to a beech about a hundred yards 
 away, its white trunk showing in patches 
 through the green vegetation. 
 
 " Does my son see the mark ?" asked Deer- 
 foot, speaking more directly to his child than 
 he was accustomed to do when addressing 
 other persons. 
 
 The boy glanced about in his quick, bright 
 way and replied in an infantile voice : 
 
 " I see a round place that you marked with 
 your hunting-knife : is that what you mean ? " 
 
 " That is the mark : now, are you going to 
 hit it right in the center ? " 
 
 " I am going to try" replied Paul, reaching 
 up for the rifle.
 
 ' Keep one eye shut aim straight then fire."
 
 "HE .SAW SEVERAL COLT" SMOKE.* 1 IT 
 
 " That is all any one can do ; kneel down 
 and I will fix the gnn for you to shoot." 
 
 The little dusky-faced lad knelt beside the 
 ^log on which Deerfoot rested the gnn ready for 
 ^aiming and firing. The spring of the latter 
 was too rigid for the strength of the youngster, 
 who had tried in vain more than once to draw 
 the hammer back. 
 
 Then the proud and happy father withdrew 
 a pace or two and watched him as he sighted 
 the piece. The lad was deliberate and careful, 
 as he had been told to be, and when the click 
 of the flint was heard, followed by the flash 
 and hiss of the powder in the pan, the Shaw- 
 anoe saw a white spot appear just above the 
 ring he had marked on the side of the beech. 
 
 " How did I make out, papa \ " asked Paul, 
 raising his head without shifting his position, 
 and peering at the target. 
 
 " Pretty well ; you struck a little above the 
 ring, but such a shot would have brought down 
 a bear or deer. Xow we'll try it again." 
 
 The boy helped in reloading the weapon, 
 and a few minutes later took his place as 
 before.
 
 18 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 "Let your father see what Tie can do," said 
 the warrior before the lad was quite ready. 
 
 "I know well enough what you can do," 
 said he, looking up at him with his trusting 
 smile. 
 
 " What can I do ? " asked his parent, gazing 
 down upon him with the same affectionate ex- 
 pression. 
 
 " You couldri 1 1 miss if you tried." 
 
 "Oh, yes, I could," replied Deerfoot, throw- 
 ing back his head and laughing merrily and 
 silently. 
 
 "No, you can't," persisted Paul : "let's see 
 you try." 
 
 " Very well ; here goes ! " 
 
 The gun which had never failed the Shaw- 
 anoe was brought to a level and fired so quickly 
 that the owner seemed hardly to take time to 
 do more than glance along the barrel. 
 
 "There! what did I tell you?" exclaimed 
 Paul, clapping his hands with delight. 
 
 In the very center of the circle gleamed a 
 white spot, which showed that the bullet of 
 Deerfoot liad hit the bull's-eye. He affected 
 to be amazed and stared at the tree and then
 
 *' HE SAW SKY KRAI* COLTUfXS OP SMOKE." 19 
 
 at Ms gun as though he did not know hour it 
 came about. 
 
 "Well, thatfo* strange," added the father, 
 proceeding to reload his weapon, "but I guess 
 we'll make this bargain: T<m'U do all the 
 missing and TU&o the hitting : what do jou 
 
 I 
 
 "It kind of looks that way," replied Paul, 
 kneeling down and preparing for another 
 trial. The fond father was hopeful, for he 
 understood his child well enough to know 
 that he was determined to succeed, if pos- 
 sible 
 
 So after the parent had again drawn back 
 the hammer he watched the little fellow with 
 the keenest interest. 
 
 " Ah, you have missed ! " he called out, when 
 tiie gun was fired, and not the slightest abra- 
 sion was added to the marks already on the 
 trunk of the beech. 
 
 X ; I haven't," persisted the lad, drop- 
 ping the gun and starting on a run toward the 
 tree. Ms parent close behind him. 
 
 Deerfoot was quite sure his boy had failed, 
 but saw the possibility that he had not* But
 
 20 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 surely there was no indication that the bullet 
 had touched the broad, gray trunk. 
 
 " Show me where you hit the tree," said the 
 father, looking down at the base and among 
 the limbs as though searching for some trace 
 'of the lead. 
 
 "I hit it right where you did," was the 
 sturdy response of little Paul ; "now look and 
 see if I didn't." 
 
 Believing it hardly possible that his child 
 was right, Deerfoot took out his hunting-knife 
 and began gouging the sappy wood where his 
 own bullet was imbedded. He had not to dig 
 long before the point of the weapon pried out 
 a twisted ball. 
 
 " That's mine!" exclaimed Paul. 
 
 "Don't be too sure," replied the father, still 
 gouging and cutting with the point of his 
 knife. 
 
 Lo and behold ! 
 
 A second bullet was brought to light. The 
 boy was right : the first was fired by him. 
 
 " There ! there ! what did I tell you ? " called 
 out the happy youngster, clapping his hands 
 again and dancing like a little elf while his
 
 "HE SAW SEVERAL COL T 
 
 tiny moccasins kicked the leaves hither and 
 thither. 
 
 Setting down his gun Deerfoot seized his 
 boy and flung him a dozen feet in the air. 
 The chubby fellow went end over end, but 
 when caught by the unerring arms of his 
 father, he was right side up, and his velvety 
 cheek was pressed against the equally smooth 
 cheek of the parent, who kissed him again and 
 again, tossed him aloft, held him out at arm's- 
 length and acted just the same as you have 
 seen circus performers do. 
 
 Paul laughed and shouted with delight, for 
 it was the finest sport in the world when his 
 father frolicked with him in that fashion. I 
 could not tell you a quarter of the perform- 
 ances of the couple, which brought a smile to 
 the face of the mother as she stood in front of 
 the cabin with glowing face and kindling 
 watching those whom she loved far more than 
 her own life. 
 
 Then, as each caught up his own gun, they 
 started on a race for the cabin. It was neck and 
 neck most of the way, but the parent was begin- 
 ning to draw a little in front when unfortu-
 
 22 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 nately lie caught his moccasin in some obstruc- 
 tion and rolled heels over head. Before he could 
 scramble to his feet and recover his pace the 
 laughing Paul had won the race. 
 
 Deerfoot seemed to be much crest-fallen over 
 his defeat and complained that when one of 
 the contestants stumbled, the other ought to 
 stop and help him up instead of doing his 
 best to beat him. 
 
 "I fell the other day," replied Paul, "and 
 you didn't help me up, but run right on and 
 beat me and then said I ought to be ashamed 
 to tumble down like that." 
 
 "And so you should," insisted the other, 
 "for you are a little bit of a fellow that ought 
 to be able to keep his feet without trouble." 
 
 "Well, you're big enough to have learned 
 that long ago : I'll leave it to mother whether 
 I didn't beat you fair." 
 
 " She'll take your part of course," said 
 Deerfoot, looking as though he had no friend 
 in the world. 
 
 "If Deerfoot doesn't know enough to run 
 without falling," said the mother, glancing 
 slyly at her husband, whose acting was clear to
 
 "HE SAW SEVERAL COLUMNS OF SMOKE." % 2o 
 
 her from the first, u he ought to be beaten by 
 every body." 
 
 Bending over, Xaomi reached out her hands, 
 and, dropping his small rifle, the youngster 
 made one bound, his arms closing about her 
 neck at the same moment that she pressed him 
 to her breast and began showering kisses upon 
 him. 
 
 The heart of Deerfoot the Shawanoe swelled 
 with gratitude to the Great Spirit when he 
 looked upon the scene. His whole heart went 
 out in love to his wife and little boy. Xo one 
 could have viewed the family without being 
 touched almost to tears. 
 
 You have heard enough of Deerfoot to 
 require little to be told you about him, and 
 you hardly need to be reminded that Xaomi 
 a worthy companion of the youthful war- 
 rior. She was as devout as he, and, night and 
 morning, as I have told you, Paul knelt at her 
 knee and prayed to Him about whom his 
 father and mother told him such wonderfully 
 beautiful truths. 
 
 All three preferred to live by themselves in 
 the woods. Being Indians it was natural that
 
 24 THE LAST WAE TKAIL. 
 
 such should be their taste, but you may think 
 that since they embraced Christianity they 
 would have been inclined to seek the Society 
 of civilized persons. 
 
 You may recall that when a boy, Deerfoot 
 became a follower of the meek and lowly One, 
 and tried to live with the white people in the 
 settlement, but he could not content himself 
 within such restricted limits. Ever since that 
 time he had roamed at will through the track- 
 less forests and across river and prairie. 
 
 Believing that the Great Spirit had appointed 
 him to do the work on which he had been 
 engaged so long that of serving the white 
 race Deerfoot intended to train up his young 
 son in the same path, so that when he became 
 a warrior the two could travel and work 
 together, so that in time the son might succeed 
 to his father. 
 
 It was a fine plan and a worthy ambition on 
 the part of the Shawanoe, but alas, I have set 
 out to tell you why it came to naught. 
 
 After romping and frolicking with both wife 
 and son, the father left them for a brief time 
 while he climbed to the top of an elevation,
 
 "HE SAW SEVERAL 3MOKEL X 
 
 not far off. to look over the surrounding coun- 
 try. It may be said that Deerfoot resembled 
 an advanced sentinel in an enemy's terri- 
 tory. 
 
 Far to the left lay the village of Greville, 
 (of which you heard something in " The 
 Hunters of the Ozark," and "The Camp in the 
 Mountains* ' ). It looked charming in the radi- 
 ance of this spring day, and the eyes of the 
 Shawanoe rested on it for a long time, his 
 heart softened by the reflection that every 
 white person in the place was a friend of his. 
 The cabins were fully two-score in number, 
 and there was an air of thrift and comfort 
 about the place which it lacked when you saw 
 it, years before. 
 
 On this beautiful spring morning. Deerfoot" s 
 keen eyes discovered something which caused 
 him disquiet and misgiving. Far to the right, 
 miles away from the village, he saw several 
 faint columns of smoke against the clear blue 
 sky. They might have been mistaken for 
 clouds even by experienced frontiermen, but 
 they did not deceive the Shawanoe. 
 
 He knew they came from the camp-fires of
 
 26 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 Indians, and they indicated that a large party 
 were not many miles away. 
 
 This was unusual, and therefore unexpected. 
 For years only a few wandering Indians vent- 
 ured near Greville, and there was not a settler 
 who believed the place would ever again suffer 
 from them, but here was the evidence too plain 
 to be doubted that something was wrong. 
 
 The suspicion that came to the mind of Deer- 
 foot was that the old enemy of the pioneers, 
 Black Bear, had gathered his Winnebagoes 
 together for a last and decisive raid upon the 
 settlement. N~o doubt he had with him the 
 strongest war party he had ever led so far from 
 their hunting grounds, and unless the settlers 
 were fully prepared themselves for the assault 
 the result was likely to be disastrous. 
 
 Deerfoot went back to his home, where he 
 spent most of the day with his wife and boy. 
 He could not believe the peril to the settlement 
 was imminent, but he become uneasy toward 
 night and decided to make his way to the vil- 
 lage so as to be certain that his friends were 
 not surprised. 
 
 So he disguised himself to some extent,
 
 "HE SAW SEVERAL COLUMNS OF SMOKE." 27 
 
 kissed and embraced his little boy and his wife, 
 and just as the day was closing, set out on an 
 expedition which he believed would not keep 
 him away from his beloved ones more than one 
 or two days.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 "THE WAREIOK LET FLY WITH THE SUDDEN- 
 NESS OF LIGHTNING." 
 
 ON the morning succeeding the day where- 
 in took place Deerfoot's contest with his 
 little boy, our old friends, Terry Clark and 
 Fred Linden, were standing on an elevation 
 overlooking Greville, and gazing upon a scene 
 stirring enough to quicken the pulses of a man 
 of iron. 
 
 The little settlement, as I have told you, had 
 increased to two-score buildings, besides a 
 large structure near the middle of the place 
 which was used as a school-house and church, 
 and was intended in case of sudden emergency 
 to answer the purpose of a block-house. 
 
 The years of quietness which followed the 
 incidents described in "The Camp in the 
 Mountains," naturally brought the belief that 
 all danger from Indians was over. More of
 
 "THE WABRIOR LET '2v 
 
 the forest was cleared away and cultivated. 
 Tigilance was relaxed, and the thoughts of 
 the pioneers turned to every subject except 
 that of the red men. 
 
 At this juncture the danger came like a 
 lightning-bolt from a summer sky. A horde 
 of Winnebagoes swept down from the north- 
 east, and threading their way through the 
 many leagues of forest, reached the village 
 unsuspected, until their yells rang through the 
 wood and they burst like a cyclone across the 
 clearing. 
 
 Our old friends Terry dark and Fred Linden 
 were off on one of their many hunts when the 
 blow felL During the preceding day, while 
 tramping through the wilderness, they saw 
 signs which caused them uneasiness. They 
 came upon the embers of several camp-fires, 
 and observed enough to know that a large 
 party of red men were in the neighborhood. 
 Alarmed for the safety of the settlement they 
 had hastily turned their steps homeward ; and 
 now as they rounded a little rocky point and 
 gained their first view of Greville they learned 
 that their fears were more than realized.
 
 30 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 Contrary to the usual custom of the aborig- 
 ines, the war party had not made their attack 
 on the settlement until the morning sun was 
 in the sky. 
 
 There must have been fully a hundred Win- 
 nebagoes who had opened fire from every side 
 of the clearing that gave them a chance to 
 conceal their bodies. Dashing across the open 
 space they had spread consternation for some 
 minutes, until the pioneers began rallying, 
 when the Indians fell back to cover and kept 
 up the attack with their rifles. 
 
 The little puffs of smoke continually appeared 
 at numberless points along the fringe of the 
 woods, the dark figures of the yelling warriors 
 occasionally showing themselves, and the bodies 
 stretched here and there on the open ground 
 proving that the assailants, despite the sudden- 
 ness of their attack, had already paid no small 
 price for their temerity. 
 
 Every pioneer's house contained one or more 
 rifles, and there were but a few brief minutes 
 of confused running to and fro, when men, 
 women and children found shelter within some 
 building or behind some strong breastwork.
 
 "THE WARRIOR LET FLY." 31 
 
 Fred Linden scrambled over the rocks to a 
 point which commanded a nearer view of the 
 settlement, while Terry Clark stood as if spell- 
 bound and gazed eagerly at the sight. The 
 cheek of the sturdy youth grew pale as he 
 watched the deadly combat that was in progress. 
 
 ' Ah, why was not Frid and mesilf in time 
 to reach home last night, that we might have 
 given the folks warning V was the lamentation 
 that came to his lips ; "it's mesilf that's afeard 
 they've done harrum to me own people, and 
 my heart will be sorry till I know whither the 
 same is the thrnth or not/' 
 
 The Irish lad was not to be permitted to 
 play the part of spectator, nor, indeed, was he 
 given time to make his surveys as thorough as 
 he wished. The crack of a rifle, the whiz of a 
 bullet before his face, and the whoop of an 
 Indian, seemed to come almost simultaneously 
 from a point a short distance to his right. 
 
 Terry whirled about just in time to find him- 
 self confronted by a fierce warrior who was 
 bounding toward him with upraised toma- 
 hawk. He must have felt sure that the shot 
 just fired had hurt the white youth so severely
 
 32 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 that he was unable to offer much resistance, 
 or he would not have taken the risk of 
 attacking a Long Knife who owned, and at 
 that moment held possession of, one of the 
 best of rifles. 
 
 Observing that the youth kept his feet and 
 showed a bold front the warrior stopped short 
 and, bringing his weapon back over his shoul- 
 der, let fly with the suddenness of lightning 
 straight at the head of the brave Terry, who 
 did not budge or turn away. 
 
 The result was singular. The tomahawk, 
 struck the side of the rifle-barrel near the 
 muzzle, ground out several splinters of fire, 
 and was deflected just enough from its course 
 to glance harmlessly by, bounding end over 
 end among the rocks beyond. 
 
 At the instant of impact, Terry Clark pulled 
 the trigger of his gun, but the blow of the 
 hatchet swerved the weapon enough to send 
 the bullet whizzing over the shoulder of the 
 Winnebago. 
 
 During the seconds in which Terry was gaz- 
 ing along the leveled rifle he identified the 
 redskin as an old acquaintance. He was the
 
 "THE WARRIOR LET FLY." 33 
 
 ugliest warrior on whom lie liad ever looked, 
 his nose being so distorted and awry from 
 some wound received years before, that it bore 
 little resemblance to that organ, which ought 
 always to be an ornament to the human coun- 
 tenance. 
 
 "Begorrah, but it's Ap-to-to ! " muttered 
 the youth, the moment he saw that his shot 
 had done no execution ; "it's a good time for 
 the spalpeen and mesilf to settle accounts." 
 
 You will recall, in the story of " The Camp 
 in the Mountains," that a Winnebago warrior 
 to whom the trappers had shown great kind- 
 ness proved an ingrate and did all he could 
 to bring about the death of those that had used 
 him so well. But for the subtlety of Deerfoot 
 the Shawanoe, he would have succeeded. 
 
 Here was the dusky miscreant again, eager 
 as ever to commit murder. But the combative 
 boy of fifteen was now a young man, active,, 
 powerful, and not afraid to assail any one 
 living. 
 
 It is not to be supposed that the treacherous 
 Winnebago recognized the youth as one of the 
 little party which had such a narrow escape
 
 34 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 from Black Bear and his warriors, though 
 the recognition on the other side was easy. 
 But the long experience and training of Ap- 
 to-to led him to seize every advantage with- 
 out delay. 
 
 Understanding the slip that had taken place, 
 and observing that the youth was unharmed, 
 the warrior whipped out his hunting-knife and 
 bounded toward him. It would have been 
 natural for Terry to club his rifle and meet his 
 assailant with a swinging blow : but an agile 
 savage can sometimes dodge such a stroke which 
 of necessity can not be as quickly delivered as 
 a shorter one, and after all perhaps Terry 
 showed his wisdom by flinging his gun to the 
 ground and putting himself in a position of 
 defense in which his naked fists were the only 
 weapons to be used. 
 
 Terry's pose was one that would have been 
 commended by the most scientific pugilists of 
 the present day. The left foot rested on the 
 ground a short distance in front of the right, 
 the weight of the body being so evenly bal- 
 anced that it was easy to leap backward or for- 
 ward as necessity might require. The shoul-
 
 "THE WARRIOR LET FLY." 35 
 
 ders were well up and back, the left fist 
 clenched and extended, while the other was 
 crossed jnst in front of the chest. The right 
 arm was to be used for parrying, while the left 
 was to shoot forward like the flash of a piston 
 rod, the instant an opening presented itself. 
 
 Bat Terry was dealing with a more skillful 
 enemy than he suspected. Instead of rushing 
 forward with upraised knife and catching a 
 rattling blow from the waiting fist, the red 
 man stopped short and began slowly circling 
 round his antagonist, with his knife tightly 
 clenched, while he, too, was evidently on the 
 watch for a chance to deal a mortal stroke. 
 
 But Terry was not to be deceived nor denied. 
 He slowly retreated, inch by inch, until he had 
 drawn Ap-to-to forward, when he made a sud- 
 den leap, and shot out his left hand with all 
 the strength and quickness of which he was 
 master. 
 
 Had the fist landed on the head of the red- 
 skin it must have stunned him, but with a 
 dexterity that was not expected, the Winne- 
 bago ducked, and the fist shot over his shoul- 
 der, grazing his ear in its passage.
 
 36 HIE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 But again Terry Clark displayed his clever 
 science. While the Indian was quick enough 
 to save himself from the crashing blow, he had 
 no thought of the sudden peril to which his 
 avoidance exposed him, and he therefore took 
 no means of escaping it. 
 
 Without drawing back the left hand, which 
 glanced past Ap-to-to's ear, Terry whirled his 
 arm to the left, wrapped it about the neck of 
 the warrior, and closing his arm against his 
 own side, held the head of the Indian bent for- 
 ward and imprisoned as if in a vise. 
 
 In other words, Terry Clark had the head 
 of Mr. Ap-to-to in what is know as " chan- 
 cery."
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " QUICK. TERRY ! RUX ! THEY 5 BE AFTER YOU !'' 
 
 A PUGILIST caught " in chancery ; ' is in 
 an awkward position. His head is 
 imprisoned under the arm of his antagonist, 
 whose other hand is free to deliver fearful 
 punishment. 
 
 Science has indicated the means by which a 
 person caught at such dreadful disadvantages 
 may save himself, but the particular Winne- 
 bago now under consideration had received no 
 instruction in the method and he could not 
 call it into play. 
 
 Xot only was he unable thus to free himself 
 but. as it proved, there was no need of his 
 doing so. Terry had hardly got his man where 
 he wanted him when he discovered to his dis- 
 may that despite all his efforts to prevent it 
 the Indian was slipping from his grasp. 
 
 The youth tightened his grip around the 
 coppery neck until it seemed impossible for
 
 38 THE LAST WAK TKAIL. 
 
 the Winnebago to breathe, but, all the same, 
 he slowly squirmed away, just as an eel will 
 do, no matter how tightly you may close your 
 hand around its body. 
 
 The youth's nostrils soon disclosed the rea- 
 son : Ap-to-to had daubed the exposed parts 
 of his body with some kind of rank-smelling 
 grease. 
 
 "Ye cowardly blackguard," muttered the 
 Irish youth, stooping lower and seizing the 
 body of the savage with the intention of fling- 
 ing him over his head. He would have done 
 so, at the risk of the red man's neck, but for 
 that odoriferous unguent which once more 
 saved Ap-to-to. 
 
 The latter slipped from the grasp of his 
 antagonist, having dropped his knife during 
 the first moment of the flurry (else, as you may 
 be sure, he would have called it into play), and 
 then bounded again at Terry Clark. 
 
 The latter was so unprepared that he had not 
 time to gather himself for the proper blow 
 with which to meet such a rush. Ap-to-to 
 proved he was not without nerve in thus seiz- 
 ing his antagonist around the waist, and striv-
 
 ICE, TERRY! m 3.? 
 
 ing to drag and throw him over the rocks but 
 a few steps away. 
 
 Once again it would hare been an easy mat- 
 ter for Terry to vanquish his foe, bnt for the 
 slippery state of his body. The Irish lad had 
 learned a good deal of the art of wrestling 
 since the time, four years before, when Beer- 
 foot and Fred Linden were able to lay him on 
 his back. 
 
 There was a fierce straggle for a few sec- 
 onds only, when down went the couple, with 
 the yonth on top. Ap-to-to strove desperately 
 to turn his foe and writhe from beneath him, 
 bnt he was held immovable until the exasper- 
 ating grease which had got on the hands of 
 Terry, allowed the other to work himself 
 partly free. Quickly releasing his right hand 
 the youth clutched some dirt and gravel so as 
 to enable him to hold fast. 
 
 The single instant thus employed allowed 
 the agile redskin to free himself and to leap 
 to his feet. But Terry seized him again and 
 the two struggled with greater fierceness than 
 before, both edging toward the chasm which 
 was fully twenty feet deep, for each
 
 40 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 confident of his ability to fling the other 
 over. 
 
 It was an even thing until the edge was 
 reached, where the Winnebago nerved him- 
 self for the supreme effort. The two were 
 fighting with only the weapons furnished by 
 nature, and but for the greased body of the 
 Indian he would have speedily succumbed 
 before the powerful and more scientific on- 
 slaught of the other. Terry, however, was 
 exasperated by the manner in which he was 
 continually baffled. 
 
 It was at this juncture, when the issue 
 looked so doubtful, that Terry Clark brought 
 it to a close by a single act. 
 
 With a cleverness that did him credit he 
 worked Ap-to-to around so that the Indian 
 stood between himself and the chasm. Then, 
 freeing himself for an instant from his grasp, 
 he struck him a blow on the frontispiece that 
 fell like the stroke of a battering ram. The 
 Winnebago was not only knocked clean off 
 his feet, but sent spinning fully two yards out 
 over the ravine, down which he sped like a 
 meteor.
 
 '' QUICK, TEKRY ! RUX ! " 41 
 
 Terry stepped to the margin and looked 
 over. He saw Mm strike the bottom with a 
 force that ought to have disabled him, though 
 it was doubtful whether he was hurt at all. 
 
 "It's mesilf that is thinkin'," said Terry, 
 " that ye' ve had a slight jar, as me cousin said 
 whin ' ' 
 
 "Quick, Terry ! Run ! they're after you ! " 
 
 It was Fred Linden who shouted the start- 
 ling words from a point no more than a hun- 
 dred yards off, and a slight distance below the 
 startled Irish youth. The latter glanced toward 
 his friend and saw him making excited ges- 
 tures, and he needed no one to tell him that 
 Fred had the best of reasons for doing so. 
 
 Terry saw nothing of the Indians against 
 whom he was warned, but the motions of his 
 friend indicated the direction from which the 
 danger threatened. Less fleet of foot than his 
 companion, and well aware that almost any 
 Indian could readily overtake him, Terry lost 
 no time in fleeing from the perilous spot. 
 
 Before he had taken a score of steps he 
 recalled that his rifle was still lying on the 
 ground, but a short distance behind him.
 
 42 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 "Begorrah, but there's no use of savin' 
 mesilf if I have to lave that jewel behind." 
 
 And with the sturdy stubbornness which was 
 a part of his nature, he turned about and ran 
 for his gun, whose polished stock was seen 
 gleaming in the sunlight where he had flung it 
 before engaging in his wrestling bout with the 
 Winnebago. 
 
 It looked as if this delay, slight as it was, 
 scattered all hope for Terry ; for, as he 
 straightened up, with his weapon in hand, 
 several whoops apprised him that he was dis- 
 covered, and his enemies were almost upon 
 him. 
 
 There was no trouble now in seeing them. 
 Three Winnebagoes in their war paint were 
 coming up the ascent on their rapid, loping 
 trot, and were already so close that any one 
 could have dropped him with his gun ; but it 
 was evident that on that day the Indians 
 favored the policy of taking prisoners when- 
 ever they saw a chance of doing so. 
 
 Terry Clark's flight was of necessity a blind 
 one : he could do nothing but simply turn 
 about and run from the red men; but as is
 
 ICK. TERRY ! EUX'." 43 
 
 sometimes the case, it proved the best course 
 possible. 
 
 The rocks, ravines and roughness of the sur- 
 face prevented him making the moderate speed 
 of which he would have been capable under 
 more favoring circumstances, and he had run 
 but a short distance when he found himself 
 picking his way along the very ravine over the 
 edge of which he had driven Ap-to-to. But 
 he was some distance from where the mishap 
 had overtaken that individual, and he noticed 
 that the depth of the chasm was but little more 
 than half of what it was where he went down. 
 
 The fugitive had about time to form this 
 idea when he personally verified it. A stone 
 upon which he trod rolled under his foot, and 
 before he could recover himself, over he went. 
 
 Terry dropped on his feet, and, though 
 considerably jarred, was not injured. Cool 
 headed as he generally was in danger, he 
 paused long enough to glance around and take 
 his bearings, with a view of deciding, if 
 :ble, the best course if there was any 
 to follow. 
 
 The ravine had a varying width of from
 
 44 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 twenty to fifty feet, with perpendicular sides 
 to a height ranging from a dozen to three times 
 as many feet. Fortunately for Terry he had 
 fallen at one of the shallowest portions of the 
 gorge. The latter wound around and in and 
 out, its appearance indicating that a large 
 stream of water had once flowed through it, 
 and that during certain seasons it became the 
 outlet for the overcharged fountains of the 
 same element. 
 
 The youth could not see that it made any 
 difference which direction he took, for he was 
 as likely to confront his enemies from one 
 point as from another. Fearing to meet Ap- 
 to-to he turned the opposite way. 
 
 Since the three Winnebagoes from whom he 
 was trying to escape were on his right, he 
 kept as close as he could to the rocks on that 
 side, so as to prevent them firing down upon 
 him. It was well he took this precaution, for 
 his pursuers were striving to get the chance to 
 do that very thing, since it looked as if there 
 was little hope of making him prisoner. 
 
 The foremost of the Winnebagoes ran close 
 to the upper edge of the ravine, gun in hand
 
 " QUICK. TEP.:. 
 
 and peeping over at the fugitive who was 
 stealing rapidly forward, watched the first 
 chance of sending a bullet after him. 
 
 Behind this warrior trotted the other two 
 at varying distances ; but they made no effort 
 to gain a shot. Apparently they believed 
 their leader was sure of his game and they had 
 no wish to interfere in his sport. 
 
 The Winnebago in front cut a singular figure 
 as he trotted so close to the edge of the ravine 
 that he seemed in danger of falling over. He 
 held his rifle cocked and grasped with both 
 hands so as to raise and fire it the instant he 
 Ms chance. His task was a hard one, for 
 he was compelled to keep so near that despite 
 his dexterity, he narrowly saved his footing 
 more than once by a mere hairs-breadth. 
 
 It was odd to see him suddenly bring his 
 gun half way to his shoulder as he slackened 
 his gait, without entirely stopping, and then, 
 before he could make his aim sure, lower the 
 weapon again. The glimpses of the fugitive 
 were too fleeting to warrant him in risking a 
 shot. 
 
 Had Terry kept further out in the ravine it
 
 46 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 would have been the easiest thing in the world 
 to pick him off. More than likely the Winne- 
 bago expected him to make some such move 
 and was holding his fire for the opportunity. 
 
 All at once, the fugitive committed the very 
 blunder for which his enemy was waiting. A 
 boplder suddenly confronted him, and instead 
 of climbing over the obstruction he turned 
 further out into the ravine so as to pass 
 around it. 
 
 The watchful Winnebago stopped short, 
 brought his gun to a level, and sighted at the 
 youth, who was all unconscious of his peril. 
 The finger was pressing the trigger when the 
 dusky marksman, leaning far over the chasm, 
 took a header, like a boy from his bicycle, and 
 plunged to the bottom as dead as Julius 
 Csesar.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THEY LAY FLAT ox THEIR FACES LIKE A 
 
 COUPLE OF SHARPSHOOTERS." 
 
 , I do not wish *o mystify yon about 
 this plunge which die Winnebago took 
 to the bottom of the chasm. You understand, 
 of course, that it was altogether involuntary 
 on his part, the inciting cause being a bullet 
 which arrived fromjthe other side of the ravine, 
 fired thence by one of the finest athletes that 
 could be found along the Western frontier, 
 and his name was, as you will be pleased to 
 know, Frederick Linden. 
 
 He was a lad of sixteen when you last read 
 about him; now he was a young man of 
 twenty, being one year older than his friend 
 Terry Clark. The two were dressed in a 
 fashion similar to that which I have already 
 described for a hundred years ago and less, 
 there being little difference between the attire 
 of the parents and their children.
 
 48 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 After warning Terry of his danger Fred 
 supposed that he would lose no time in hurry- 
 ing from the spot, but the return of the fugi- 
 tive for his gun so disarranged matters that 
 during a few precious minutes the elder lost 
 track, so to speak, of the other. Fred had 
 sought a place where he believed they could 
 make a safe defense, for a while at least, and 
 he expected that Terry would lose no time in 
 following him thither. 
 
 Furthermore, Fred thought that his shout- 
 ings and signals to his friend had given him 
 such instructions that he would be sure to do 
 as told ; but no doubt in the excitement of the 
 occasion Fred was not as explicit as he sup- 
 posed. When, therefore, he looked for his 
 comrade and saw him not, he became alarmed 
 and ran forth to meet him. His arrival was so 
 opportune that he was able to fire the shot 
 that saved the life of Terry from the Winne- 
 bago. 
 
 But it must be borne in mind that in doing 
 this Fred Linden plaed his own life in great 
 danger. The smitten warrior had two com- 
 panions fully armed, on the war path, and but
 
 :ZY LAY FLAT OX THZIR FACES/' 49 
 
 a few paces behind him. They were looking 
 for scalps, and there was none more tempting 
 just then than that of the youth who had 
 tumbled their leader to the bottom of the 
 gorge. 
 
 Fred Linden needed no reminder of this fact, 
 for the smoke had not yet fully lifted from the 
 muzzle of his rifle when he darted back be- 
 hind the rock from which he had stepped to 
 make his aim sure. As he did so he began 
 reloading his weapon, for he was likely to 
 need it within a few seconds, and the cardinal 
 rule on the frontier is always to reload with- 
 out delay. 
 
 .while Terry Clark was engaged in pre- 
 cisely the same proceeding. He had heard 
 the thump of the body behind him, following 
 directly on the rifle crack, and the death-shriek 
 of the redskin, and he was quick enough to 
 read their meaning at once. 
 
 " Be the powers," muttered the awed youth, 
 turning half way round and staring at the 
 impressive sight, ; from the way the spalpeens 
 are divin" over the rocks, they must be think- 
 ing that the gorge is full of wafer and they are
 
 50 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 in bad nade of a bath, which mesilf is the last 
 one to dispoot." 
 
 Even in that stirring crisis Terry was on the 
 point of running to pick up the rifle of the 
 Winnebago, when he observed that it had re- 
 bounded from his hand and struck the rocks 
 with such force that it was badly shattered. 
 
 Then, as if recalling his own peril, he whisked 
 back to the side of the ravine, where he stood 
 as close as he could against the rocks, while he 
 hurriedly reloaded his gun. That done, he was 
 unable to decide the best thing to do, if indeed 
 he could do any thing at all. 
 
 The most desirable course, as it seemed to 
 him, was that he and Fred should come to- 
 gether, for they were at an almost fatal disad- 
 vantage so long as they were apart ; but just 
 how the union was to be effected was more 
 than the lad could tell. 
 
 If he ventured away from the rocks he 
 would expose himself to a shot from the 
 Indians who had been chasing him. Doubt- 
 less there were many places along the ravine 
 where the height of the walls as well as their 
 configuration permitted him to climb to the
 
 "THEY LAY FLAT OX THZTE FACES." 51 
 
 top ; but whether that favorable point was 
 near or far, or whether it was on the right or 
 left of the ravine, could be learned only by 
 examination. 
 
 But it was not to be supposed that the two 
 warriors above would patiently await his re- 
 appearance. The fight at Greville was a: 
 height and stirring events were following each 
 other too closely for them to idle their time. 
 It might be set down as certain that the youth 
 would hear from them very soon. 
 
 y 11 be after me," thought Terry, ;; and 
 they won t fool away many minutes in doing 
 it. This ain't the best place in the world to 
 bate off the attack of a dozen of the spalpeens, 
 and I must find a better spot where I can 
 do mesilf justice, as me grandfather used to 
 obsarve after crackin' all the heads within 
 raich at Donnybrook." 
 
 He began stealing along the ravine, keeping 
 close to the rocks, and fortunately had not 
 gone far when he discovered a place which, if 
 not absolutely safe, was much more favorable 
 than the spot where he had been standing. 
 
 me time in the past a bowlder weigh-
 
 52 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 ing a dozen tons or so had been loosened from 
 the side of the gorge and had pitched forward 
 half a dozen feet, leaving a cavity in the flinty 
 wall large enough to shelter a half dozen men. 
 Crouching behind the bowlder a person was 
 screened from any shots fired from above and 
 on the same side of the ravine. Terry consid- 
 ered it a providential refuge, of which he lost 
 no time in taking advantage. 
 
 The two Winnebagoes who saw their leader 
 take his plunge into the ravine were quick to 
 read the cause, and Fred Linden was not a 
 moment too soon in dodging behind the rock, 
 where he reloaded his gun. He heard the ping 
 of the bullet which was sent after him, as it 
 glanced along the side of the stone close 
 enough to his head to cause him to start and 
 mutter : 
 
 " That could not have come any nearer with- 
 out hitting me." 
 
 But, as you well know, the young man had 
 been trained in the woods from infancy, and 
 he conducted himself with the coolness of a 
 veteran. Peering around the edge of the rock 
 just far enough to gain a view of the two war-
 
 " THEY LAY FLAT OX THEIR FA 
 
 riors he carefully sighted at one of them. At 
 that moment the two were standing in plain 
 sight, and the distance was so short that he 
 could hardly fail to bring down his man. 
 
 Before he could perfect his aim, however, the 
 Winnebagoes awoke to the fact that they were 
 not dealing with a child. They dropped so 
 simultaneously that it looked as if the same 
 cannon ball had taken away the legs of both. 
 They lay flat on their faces like a couple of 
 sharp-shooters, and with their guns extended 
 along the ground in front, watched for a chance 
 to pick off the young man who had just 
 made] such a fatal display of his marksman- 
 ship.- 
 
 Fred could see both, but it will be under- 
 stood that the view was so slight that it seemed 
 hardly worth while to risk a shot. Neverthe- 
 less, he tried it, sending the bullet skipping 
 along the earth almost in the eyes of the war- 
 rior who was stretched a few feet to the right 
 of his companion. 
 
 The Indian was not three seconds later in 
 returning the shot, which came equally near the 
 crouching youth. Evidently all concerned were
 
 54 THE LAST WAR 'TRAIL. 
 
 excellent marksmen, and it would not do 
 for either party to hold the other too 
 cheaply. 
 
 Fred kept his body entirely shut out from 
 sight while reloading his gun, but the moment 
 he drew back the flint he looked from behind 
 his shelter in search of another chance to try 
 his skill. 
 
 The first glance puzzled him, and then he 
 smiled in spite of himself. Each warrior had 
 placed an irregular stone no larger than his 
 head in front of him, just as soldiers in battle 
 avail themselves of any object, no matter how 
 slight, which will screen a small part of their 
 body from the whistling bullets. 
 
 From behind these stones the Winnebagoes 
 pushed out their guns on the alert for an open- 
 ing. Guarded as were the movements of Fred 
 Linden, he saw that when he gently thrust the 
 muzzle of his rifle around the corner of the rock, 
 the others discovered him. One of the results 
 of this discovery was not without its humorous 
 feature. 
 
 The warrior on the left was so eager to pick 
 off the youth that he disturbed the stone, which
 
 ''"THEY LAY FLAT OX THEIR FACES." 
 
 seemed to have been delicately balanced in front 
 of his face, and it rolled to the left. He 
 grabbed it with one hand, and replaced it so 
 hurriedly in position that it rolled to the other 
 side. Snatching it np more spitefully than 
 before, he adjusted it quickly, but with such 
 skill that it kept its place. 
 
 The slight flurry, as you will understand, gave 
 Fred Linden a good opportunity to reach the 
 warrior, and sighting as best he could he fired. 
 But the shot went wilder than any he had dis- 
 charged in a long time, passing fully a foot 
 above the head of the target. 
 
 The cause for this was that at the moment of 
 pressing the trigger the youth could not restrain 
 a sudden inclination to laugh over the efforts 
 of the Winnebago to keep the sheltering stone 
 in place. The slight, mirthful convulsion was 
 enough to spoil the aim of the best marksman 
 that ever contended at Creedmoor. 
 
 As before, Fred withdrew from all possibility 
 of gaze while employed in ramming another 
 charge home. Then, when he peered out, he 
 failed to see any thing of his enemies. Suspect- 
 ing some trick he did not dare to make a very
 
 56 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 thorough scrutiny for some time, and even 
 then he was a long while in reaching a con- 
 clusion. At last, however, the truth dawned 
 upon him : both warriors had withdrawn.
 
 CHAPTER YL 
 
 "IT'S DZEBFOOT, THE SHAWJLJf OE ! " 
 
 WHERE the two Winnebagoes had gone 
 was the question which assumed imme- 
 diate interest to Fred Linden. The duel between 
 him and them, having opened and continued 
 some time, was not likely to end by the with- 
 drawal of the stronger party. The circum- 
 stances were such that there could be no doubt 
 that the disappearance of the warriors was a 
 move to outwit their enemy. 
 
 The theory of Linden was that they would 
 make a cautious circuit, and entering the ravine 
 at some favorable point, either cross and strive 
 to get behind him, or make an attack upon 
 Terry dark. 
 
 Be the result either of these, or any thing 
 
 Fred felt that he must lose no time in 
 
 rejoining his friend. Xever could it be said 
 
 with greater truth that in union was strength.
 
 58 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 Several quick glances failed to show any 
 thing of the red men. Grasping his rifle in a 
 trailing position and crouching low, the youth 
 ran to the edge of the ravine and peered over. 
 Just there the wall was too high for him to let 
 himself down, but he saw a spot a short dis- 
 tance off where it could be done. He was 
 hastening in that direction when Terry caught 
 sight of him. 
 
 " Hallo, Frid, why are ye runnin' ? I'll not 
 harm ye." 
 
 " Some one else will, though," replied his 
 friend, who having reached the point where 
 the wall was low, hastily let himself down 
 with the aid of one hand. Dropping lightly 
 on his feet he sped across the intervening 
 space and the next minute grasped the hand 
 of the Irish youth who was glad indeed to be 
 joined by him. 
 
 " Is this your fort ? " asked Fred, surveying 
 the bowlder. 
 
 " I didn't build the same, but it struck me 
 that it was the best use to which it could be 
 put, as me cousin remarked when he cracked 
 the head of his grand-uncle."
 
 U H I >OT. TffE 5HAWA3T BB 
 
 n't say that I admire it," added Fred, 
 whose late experience qualified Mm to speak 
 as an expert on snch questions ; "it senred to 
 keep you out of reach of the Indiana above 
 you. and on this side of the ravine, and if yon. 
 are careful it wfll shield yon from any on 
 the side from which I came ; but it will be 
 bad if a lot attack us from the right or 
 
 "Do ye mane that it'll be bad for fhim or 
 **?" 
 
 "Bad for us ; don t yon see that they wffl 
 have a raking fire, and we shall be caught in a 
 trai 
 
 ' Fm afeard I shall have to agraa wid ye ; 
 but what shall we do I n 
 
 - out at once." 
 Whither wffl we go?" 
 
 :-n"t know that it makes any difference, 
 but lefs start to the left, because that takes us 
 in the direction of home.**' 
 
 " By the sounds of the firin* and yelpin' it 
 > to me that that's the worst place we can 
 
 Perhaps you are right, bnt come on."
 
 60 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 During these hurried words both youths 
 were using their eyes to the best of their 
 ability. Neither up nor down the ravine could 
 they catch any sign of an Indian, though that 
 was no proof that a half-dozen of the mis- 
 creants had not their' eyes upon them at that 
 very moment. Fred was especially sure that 
 they had not done with the two Wirmebagoes 
 with whom he had exchanged shots a few min- 
 utes before. 
 
 There was little choice, however, as to the 
 best line of flight, and Terry followed his friend 
 on a loping trot down the gorge. 
 
 A brief distance brought them in sight of the 
 warrior whose life had paid the penalty of his 
 attempt to shoot Terry Clark when fleeing 
 down the ravine. It would seem that the boys 
 had lived long enough on the frontier to become 
 used to such scenes, for it was not the first or 
 second time that they had taken part in sim- 
 ilar affrays ; but both turned their heads aside 
 and quickened their pace until the sad sight 
 was behind them. 
 
 Neither spoke, but their senses were on the 
 alert. They knew they were in deadly peril.
 
 "IT'S DEERFOOT, THE SHAWAXOE ! " 61 
 
 Both felt that they could not get out of the 
 dangerous gorge too soon. 
 
 And so, as they ran, they glanced from side 
 to side, on the look-out for some place where 
 they could readily climb out of the ravine. 
 
 " There it is just beyonst, to your lift," 
 said Terry, in an undertone. 
 
 ' ' Yes but it's too late ! " 
 
 Terry saw that his companion spoke the 
 truth, for coming up the incline of the gorge 
 in front of them were five Winnebago war- 
 riors. 
 
 The party came in sight barely a hundred 
 yards away. They would have been descried 
 sooner but for the winding course of the ravine. 
 Since they, as well as Terry and Fred ; were on 
 the watch, the enemies observed each other at 
 the same moment, 
 
 In the case of the Winnebagoes the dis- 
 covery was announced by a volley from their 
 guns. Instead of replying, the youths darted 
 aside. Fred to the right and Terry to the left, 
 in quest of cover. The irregularity of the walls 
 gave them sufficient shelter from their enemies, 
 so long as they did not come any closer, but if
 
 62 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 they should charge down the gorge, a hand to 
 hand fight was sure to follow ; or by climbing 
 to the ground above, they could dispose of our 
 friends at their leisure. 
 
 The width of the ravine where this check 
 took place was barely twenty yards, so that 
 it can hardly be said that the boys were obliged 
 to part company at all. 
 
 "Terry," said Fred, speaking no louder in 
 the stillness than if he stood at his elbow : "it 
 won't do for us to fire at the same moment." ' 
 
 "Ye are corrict," replied the other ; " and 
 whin we do fire, it won't do f or aither of us to 
 miss." 
 
 Having delivered their volley the five Win- 
 nebagoes also fell apart, placing themselves as 
 close to the walls of the ravine as they could 
 without clogging their freedom of movement. 
 They expected an immediate return fire, and 
 it was natural that they should take advantage 
 of this partial protection. 
 
 Our young friends showed a coolness and 
 self -restraint creditable to them, in not empty- 
 ing their guns at once on receiving the fire of 
 their enemies. Had they done so, they would
 
 DEERFOOT. THE SHAW.*.: '.o 
 
 hare been practically defenseless for the 
 moment, and the red men would have dashed 
 forward and attacked them before they could 
 be prepared. 
 
 There is a good deal of power in a leveled 
 and loaded gun. One of the youths might 
 discharge his rifle, but so long as the other 
 held his ready to fire, the menace would 
 probably hold the Winnebagoes in check. 
 Though the Indians might know that only one 
 of their number could fall, yet the uncertainty 
 as to the victim was sure to dampen the ardor 
 of the rest 
 
 Fred was able to see each of the five Indians 
 distinctly, and he was convinced that the two 
 foremost were those with whom he had ex- 
 changed shots. Their appearance was so sim- 
 ilar to that of the others that it would seem 
 that this recognition was almost impossible, 
 but he recalled that the countenance of the 
 warrior who had so much trouble in keeping 
 the stone which he used for a shield in front of 
 his face was marked by a couple of round 
 spots of white paint, one above each eyebrow, 
 so laid on that he looked as if he were the
 
 64 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 owner of two pairs of eyes. When Fred saw 
 the peculiar marking in front of Mm, he* was 
 warranted in believing it was the same person. 
 
 Probably the couple had started off for the 
 purpose of finding a favorable spot to enter the 
 ravine, when they met three of their friends, 
 and all joined in the search for Terry, who, it 
 may be said, was imprisoned in the gorge. 
 
 More than once each of the boys saw what 
 they were sure was a chance of bringing down 
 one or two of the Indians. The distance separ- 
 ating the parties was so short that it was 
 hardly possible that either could have missed. 
 
 But both were reluctant to fire. If there was 
 restraining power in one loaded gun, there was 
 a good deal more in two, and so long as the 
 warriors came no closer it seemed to the 
 friends that it was wise not to shoot. The 
 situation, however, was so strained that it was 
 evident a break must come very soon. 
 
 "Ah, Frid, me boy," said Terry, who began 
 to feel easier in mind, after several minutes had 
 passed without an increase of danger : ' ' there's 
 one chap that ought to be here." 
 
 "Who is that?"
 
 
 14 Deerfnt ! ?T exclaimed Terry in an excited 
 nndertone ; "if we only had him wid us, he 
 would give them spalpeens a good deal more 
 to do than they want. Where is the hand; 
 
 Shawanoe, that iverybody says looks more like 
 me than I looks like mesilf !" 
 
 " It is hard to tell," replied Fred, closely 
 watching the red men down the gorge. " He 
 hasn't been in Grevillefor a long time. You 
 know he lives off in the woods somewhere, with 
 his wife and little boy." 
 
 " So r re heard Mr. Griffiths the missionary 
 say ; he married 'em, I believe, and the sly dog 
 had a wife whin he helped git us ont of the 
 scrape we got in down there by the Camp in the 
 Mountains Whist ! do ye mind fAalf" 
 
 Fred saw what startled his friend. A sixth 
 warrior suddenly joined the others. He 
 advanced on the same loping trot as the others, 
 and stopped near the middle of the ravine as if 
 puzzled by what he saw. 
 
 The last arrival carried a long blanket, gath- 
 ered about his neck and trailing to his knees, 
 and his countenance was smeared as fantasti- 
 cally as the rest. Standing in the middle of
 
 66 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 the gorge, he exchanged several words with 
 those on the other side of the ravine and it 
 looked as if all of them were holding a con- 
 sultation. 
 
 Drawing his arm from under his blanket and 
 grasping his rifle, he gesticulated with such 
 earnestness that it looked as if he was urging 
 his brethren to make a charge upon the two 
 youths at bay. 
 
 " That fellow is so defiant," said Fred Lin- 
 den, "and stands out there in such plain sight, 
 as if daring us to fire, that I have a mind to 
 give him a shot : what do you say, Terry ?" 
 
 "I'm thinkin' that it would be a good idea 
 just to show 'em that they shouldn't be in too 
 much of a hurry." 
 
 Fred Linden had half raised his gun to his 
 shoulder, when a thrill went through him as if 
 from the prick of an arrow. He had made an 
 astounding discovery. 
 
 He noticed that the new arrival, while talk- 
 ing with the others, gesticulated with his left 
 hand. Watching him closely he now saw him 
 make a peculiar movement with the same hand : 
 a movement which Fred had seen many a time
 
 "IT'S DELRFOOT. THE BHAWANOEl" 67 
 
 before, for it was no less than a distinct signal, 
 intended only for the eyes of himself and his 
 companion. 
 
 "My gracious! " gasped Fred: "who do 
 yon suppose that Indian warrior is ?" 
 
 ' How should I know " 
 
 11 Iff s Deer foot the Shawanoe ! " 
 
 Fred Linden spoke the truth.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 "THEY SAW A WONDERFUL SIGHT." 
 
 PROBABLY no two youths were ever more 
 amazed than were Fred Linden and Terry 
 Clark when they recognized the sixth warrior 
 as their old friend Deerfoot the Shawanoe. 
 They had been talking about him only the 
 minute before, and wishing that he of all men 
 was within call, when he trotted forward into 
 view. 
 
 The fact that he was in a guise which they 
 had never seen him wear before deceived them 
 as completely as it did the Winnebagoes with 
 whom he was holding converse. His use of 
 his left arm with which to gesticulate, and 
 the peculiar gesture itself, about the meaning 
 of which there could be no mistake, told 
 them what otherwise they would never have 
 suspected. 
 
 Terry Clark had noticed the signal which 
 his companion identified and he recognized it 
 as the one that Deerfoot had often employed
 
 "THEY SAW A WOXDEEFUL SIGHT." 69 
 
 when they were hunting or scouting: but he 
 believed that in this case it was merely a 
 coincidence until just as Fred uttered the 
 exclamation it was repeated. 
 
 "Be the powers!" muttered Terry, "but 
 that bates rrery thing, as all the mithers used 
 to obsarre about me when I was a baby. Yes, 
 it is Deerfnt, but did ye iver see the spalpeen 
 wid such a blanket around him and wid his 
 purty face painted up that way 1 " 
 
 And despite the grave situation the youth 
 indulged in a laugh that shook him from 
 head to foot. Abruptly straightening his face 
 L~ added: 
 
 "But through the paint ye can detict the 
 same illigant resimblanoe to my own faytures 
 do you mind, now ! " 
 
 Fred made no answer, for to him there was 
 nothing in the situation to warrant the jovi- 
 ality of Terry, which, as you have learned 
 elsewhere, would crop out at the most inap- 
 propriate times. 
 
 "Why has he got himself up in that style!" 
 continued the Irish youth, fixing his attention 
 on their friend again ; " I don't mind that I
 
 70 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 iver obsarved any thing like it wid Deer- 
 fut." 
 
 Fred Linden made no answer but held his 
 cocked gun in hand ready to fire, and watched 
 the young Shawanoe with the closest interest. 
 Something singular was going on. 
 
 But Deerfoot prevailed. There was a gen- 
 eral nodding of heads and a series of grunts, 
 and then he started on a trot toward Fred and 
 Terry, who were astonished when they ob- 
 served that the other red men kept their 
 places instead of following him. 
 
 There was an instant when each lad felt a 
 dread of a mistake on their part, and suspected 
 that the daring warrior after all was an enemy 
 like the other savages. 
 
 But while in the act of advancing on a slow 
 trot and with his bright eyes fixed on one or 
 the other of his friends, he made a slight sig- 
 nal accompanied by a smile which showed 
 his handsome white teeth and dissipated all 
 doubt of his identity. His back being toward 
 the Winnebagoes, he was not afraid to use his 
 features for the purpose of reassuring his 
 friends.
 
 "THEY ~O5DZRFUL SIGHT. 71 
 
 Some twenty paces separated him from the 
 youths, when he called out in English : 
 
 " JLet my brothers run as fast as they can ! 
 Quick! Sow!" 
 
 This strange command was uttered in appar- 
 ent anger. The words being in Fjigtish were 
 not understood by the Winnebagoes, but the 
 manner must hare made them believe that he 
 who uttered them was in a wrathful mood and 
 that they were a summons to surrender. 
 
 Such was the impression Deerf oot aimed to 
 give, for his brief interview with the Winneba- 
 goes consisted mainly of his insistence that he 
 was able to enforce the submission of the two 
 youths without any further firing or risk. 
 Being able to speak English, he said he would 
 show them that there was no earthly chance of 
 getting away. 
 
 In telling the fugitives this, Deerfoot would 
 tell nothing more than the truth, and since he 
 assured the Winnebagoes that he meant to 
 accompany it by the usual promise of mercy in 
 case of surrender, and since it reduced their 
 personal risk to the minimum, they gave their 
 it.
 
 72 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 So Deerfoot ran forward with his painted 
 face, his blanket wrapped about his shoulders, 
 and his smiling countenance, and called 
 out: 
 
 "Let my brothers run as fast as they can ! 
 Quick! Now!" 
 
 Fortunately for all parties, both Fred Linden 
 and Terry Clark were too wise to wait for any 
 explanation. Nothing could be clearer to 
 them than that the wisest thing to do under 
 all circumstances was to follow the command 
 of Deerfoot the Shawanoe. They obeyed 
 before the words had fairly left his mouth. 
 Fred and Terry at the same moment leaped 
 from where they had been crouching and ran 
 with all speed up the ravine, while a dozen 
 yards or more behind them loped Deerfoot the 
 Shawanoe. 
 
 It is impossible to say what the Winne- 
 bagoes thought, but the whoops emitted by 
 the Shawanoe must have scattered all sus- 
 picions of the trick that was carried out under 
 their very eyes. 
 
 "Let my brother run fast," added Deerfoot, 
 in the same angry voice and directing his com-
 
 ::EY SAW A WONDERFUL SIGHT/' To 
 
 mand mainly to Terry, who, of course was 
 doing his 
 
 It strikes me, ?? muttered the latter, putting 
 forth all the energy of which he was capable, 
 "that it's a mighty poor time to be castin' 
 slurs on a young gintlemans efforts to git 
 along in a gintale manner whin I can't do any 
 gintaler." 
 
 A short distance ahead the ravine made a 
 sharp turn to the right. Deerfoot called out : 
 
 "My brothers must hide themselves before 
 the Winnebagoes can see them." 
 
 This command explained the whole plan of 
 the sagacious Shawanoe, and fortunately 
 before, the ears which heard the words com- 
 prehended their full meaning. 
 
 It should be said however that the escape of 
 the fugitives did not fully hinge upon the des- 
 perate scheme that was now on foot. If the 
 TVinnebagoes should snspect the trick and the 
 chance for which the youths were looking 
 should not present itself, Deerfoot was pre- 
 pared as a last resort to turn about and join 
 forces with his young friends and make a fight 
 for their lives.
 
 74 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Providentially this alternative was not forced 
 npon him at least for a time. 
 
 In such a rugged and broken gorge it was 
 natural to look for secure hiding-places that 
 is secure enough for the purpose needed in this 
 case. Even before the turn was reached, the 
 fugitives saw more than one spot where they 
 could have sheltered themselves, but the act 
 would have been observed by their enemies. 
 
 The latter stood a few moments after the 
 singular chase began as if doubting its mean- 
 ing, and then with loud whoops they started 
 in the same direction so that the two boys in 
 advance, with the Shawanoe close behind and 
 the Winnebagoes a considerable distance to 
 the rear formed the swiftest kind of a proces- 
 sion up the ravine. 
 
 You have heard long ago that of the two 
 Fred Linden was much the fleeter of foot ; but 
 as he had done many a time, he restrained 
 himself from drawing away from his compan- 
 ion. They had risked their lives together too 
 often for either to seek his advantage at the 
 expense of the other, no matter how hard 
 pressed.
 
 "THEY SAW A TrOXDEBFCX SIGHT." 
 
 When yon bear in mind that the Indians 
 were not far to the rear, and that their speed, 
 to say the least, was fully equal to that of the 
 fugitives, and thai if the latter did not find 
 shelter before their pursuers **w% in aapjit, it 
 would be impossible to do so at alL you wffl 
 see upon what a narrow chance their hopes 
 depended. 
 
 " Here we are ! " called out Fred, who despite 
 his care had forged slightly ahead of his com- 
 panion. 
 
 That which caught his eye was a bowlder 
 almost precisely like the one which had shel- 
 tered Terry himself for a brief white. Itwas 
 not the place that they would hare selected, 
 had several been presented to them, but there 
 was no choice. 
 
 like a couple of boys playing hide and seek, 
 they whisked behind the huge stone and 
 squeezed themselves into the smallest space 
 possible. 
 
 "My gracious!" whispered the panting 
 Fred ; "Tm afraid this isn't big enough to 
 hide us, but it's too late now to change." 
 
 'The spalpeens won't be thinkur of Deer-
 
 76 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 fut's thrick, so they won't be after looking 
 very sharp to the right or left." was the wise 
 remark of Terry, which, however, could not 
 fully remove the fears of himself and his com- 
 panion. 
 
 The eyes of Deerfoot sparkled when he saw 
 how admirably his friends had "caught on" 
 to his plans. He dashed by the bowlder and 
 shouted as if to some party a hundred yards in 
 advance : 
 
 "Be careful, my brothers, that the Winne- 
 bagoes do not see you ! When they have 
 passed, let my brothers make haste to their 
 homes, for there is need of them there." 
 
 It seemed as if the Shawanoe had not fin- 
 ished speaking when the fugitives heard the 
 soft but rapid tread of the Winnebagoes' moc- 
 casins. It was another extremely fortunate 
 fact that the ravine made a second curve 
 directly beyond the spot where the fugitives 
 had halted, so that when the pursuers dashed 
 around the first and saw the single warrior 
 vanishing around the second, they did not sus- 
 pect the truth, but supposed he was close 
 upon the heels of the frantic youths that
 
 "THEY TOXDERFCL SIGHT 
 
 were straining every nerre to save them- 
 
 You may imagine the feelings of Fred and 
 Terry, as they stooped down and pressed 
 themselves together as closely as they 
 could. Their suspense was trying, bnt 
 from the nature of things it could not 
 last long. Each friend afterward insisted 
 that he distinctly heard the beating of 
 the other's heart during those terrible mo 
 ments. 
 
 Although the Winnebagoes caught sight of 
 the Indian whom they supposed to be an ally 
 disappearing from sight behind the second 
 curve, yet he was only a comparatively short 
 distance in advance and they increased their 
 own pace so that it may be said they were 
 almost on his heels. 
 
 But lo! Bounding the second curve, they 
 saw a wonderful sight. Beyond that point, 
 the ravine, although rough and broken, was 
 comparatively straight, so that they could see 
 for some distance ; and looking up the gorge 
 they discerned nothing of the two pale-faces, 
 
 but observed the anppnspd Indian ally hounding
 
 78 THE LAST WAB TEAIL. 
 
 along with a speed like that of the bird on the 
 wing. 
 
 The Winnebagoes actually stopped in aston- 
 ishment, and stared at the extraordinary scene. 
 They had never known of such speed as that 
 shown by the willowy youth who bounded 
 over obstructions and darted up the gorge as 
 if in the mere wantonness of his unapproach- 
 able fleetness. 
 
 Suddenly this strange youth leaped upon a 
 rock, swung both arms above his head, and 
 uttered a defiant shout. As if this was not 
 explicit enough, he brought his rifle to his 
 shoulder and fired at the amazed group of red 
 men. The distance was too great for the bul- 
 let to do any harm, and he who sent it had no 
 thought or wish in that direction, but it served 
 one purpose. 
 
 It dawned upon the five Winnebagoes that 
 they were the victims of the shrewdest trick 
 ever played upon them.
 
 CHAPTER YUL 
 'GO is PBACK!" 
 
 ^NVYJtLLLE the little frontier town of 
 JLYJL Greville was the scene of the most stir- 
 ring events in its history. 
 
 I have already said that the Indian attack 
 upon it was utterly unexpected on the pout of 
 every person in the place. But the settlement 
 of many portions of our country was marked 
 by crises similar to that of which I am telling 
 yon. Seeing the steady advance of the pale- 
 faces, the Indians roused themselves to one 
 despairing effort to drive them back. Doubt- 
 ful of their own success the aborigines fought, 
 nevertheless, with a fierceness that they rarely 
 showed at other times, seemingly willing to 
 pay dearly for an attempt which even if 
 unsuccessful was yet a blow that would be 
 remembered for generations in the annals of 
 the frontier. 
 
 The people of Greville must not be blamed
 
 80 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 because they were surprised by the attack of 
 the Winnebagoes, for either you or I in their 
 situation would have believed, as did they, 
 that there was no more danger of an Indian 
 assault than there was of being struck by a 
 bolt from heaven at noon on that beautiful 
 spring-day. 
 
 Indeed there was good reason to think that 
 not a hostile Indian was within a hundred 
 miles. The few red men who occasionally 
 straggled into the settlement were well-treated, 
 and even one skilled in affairs of the border 
 could see no reason to suspect that any tribe 
 would send enough warriors into that portion 
 of the Louisiana territory to endanger the 
 little town. 
 
 It was only common prudence that led the 
 settlers to erect, among their first buildings, 
 one that was meant to answer as a secure shel- 
 ter in the event of any sudden attack like the 
 one I have set out to describe ; and it was only 
 in the natural order of things that as the sea- 
 sons came and went the exclusive use of the 
 structure grew to be that of a place for Sunday 
 and week-day instruction.
 
 IX PEA' 81 
 
 It so happened that Elijah Griffiths, the sil- 
 ver-haired, but sturdy-framed Moravian mis- 
 sionary, was the first to discover the peril 
 that broke like a cyclone upon the settlement. 
 His house stood at the northern end of Gre- 
 ville. There he and his aged wife lived alone. 
 They had never been blessed with children, 
 and so had come to be looked upon as the 
 father and mother of the small frontier town. 
 
 Mr. Griffiths was standing in his own door, 
 looking northward at the mountainous section 
 where Fred Linden and Terry Clark were on 
 the eve of running into serious difficulty, when 
 by the merest accident, or Providence as the 
 good man insisted, his eyes rested upon a spot 
 in tlie wood more open than the rest. 
 
 He was as skillful a woodman as Simon 
 Kenton himself, and he was quick to det* 
 couple of figures moving stealthily toward the 
 settlement, and equally quick to identify them 
 as Winnebago Indians. 
 
 While there was nothing noteworthy in this 
 circumstance, yet the apparent care the red 
 men were taking to avoid observation arc 
 Diving which speedily became fear when
 
 82 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 he observed several other warriors also 
 approaching the clearing, with extreme 
 caution. 
 
 He had seen enough. Catching up his gun 
 he shouted to his wife what had taken place, 
 and started to warn his neighbors, who never 
 dreamed of that which was so close at hand. 
 Just as the missionary dashed out of doors 
 the attack came, and the whirlwind of events 
 that immediately opened was beyond descrip- 
 tion from such a weak pen as mine. 
 
 It occurred to Mr. Griffiths when he had run 
 about half the length of the settlement that 
 not only was his cabin the most exposed of 
 all, but that he had left his wife there without 
 the means of defense. Turning on his heel, 
 with the loaded gun still in his hand, he ran 
 hastily back, escaping more than one shot that 
 whistled close to him. 
 
 The settlers were making for their houses ; 
 mothers caught up children and dashed 
 within doors ; every body seemed to be shout- 
 ing at the top of his voice, while most of the 
 men hurriedly stationed themselves at the 
 corners of their dwellings or stood boldly at
 
 "GO IN PEACE ! '' 83 
 
 their own doors and windows and fired at the 
 screeching miscreants on the outer edge of the 
 clearing. You have already been told that 
 the pioneers, great as was their surprise, not 
 only kept the Winnebagoes out of the settle- 
 ment itself for a time, but stretched more than 
 one dusky warrior on the plain. 
 
 Finding the settlers defending themselves so 
 stubbornly the assailants remained along the 
 edge of the wood, where they could avail 
 themselves of the protection of the trees, and 
 fired as often as a chance presented itself. 
 More than one of the Winnebagoes displayed 
 a bravery which none of the white men could 
 have surpassed, and there were several raids 
 attempted by the miscreants that aroused a 
 certain admiration on the part of those who 
 were forced at the risk of their lives to beat 
 them back. 
 
 The missionary Griffiths was within a few 
 rods of the cabin when he received his first 
 shock. In passing out he had closed the door 
 behind him, and now it was open something 
 for which he could not account, and which 
 deepened his misgiving.
 
 84 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Before lie could reach the open door an In- 
 dian warrior came backward through it. He 
 came too with such haste that he went over, 
 with the toes of his moccasins pointing toward 
 the sky. A tomahawk, which he had been 
 grasping in his right hand, fell from it as 
 though the arm had become paralyzed. 
 
 "Methinks that Abigail has used violence 
 with him," was the grim conclusion of 
 the missionary, who never felt prouder of 
 his gentle helpmeet than he did that mo- 
 ment. 
 
 The truth was that when the wretch bounded 
 through the door with uplifted tomahawk, he 
 meant to brain every one within reach. The 
 sweet-faced Abigail Griffiths had caught the 
 fearful meaning of the words uttered by her 
 husband as he ran by her, but in his excite- 
 ment he left her without any weapon with 
 which to defend herself. 
 
 "It will be wise for me to follow Elijah," 
 was her conclusion, stepping forward and 
 raising the latch of the door. She had drawn 
 it open, when she walked to the fire which 
 was burning on the hearth, and picked up
 
 
 
 from tlie little pile near it a stick three feet 
 long and as thick as her wr: - 
 
 ** If I am compelled to defend myself I can 
 strike a strong blow with this *' 
 
 Jost then the entrance was darkened and a 
 Winnebago warrior burst into view. The 
 sudden transition from the bright snn-light to 
 the twilight of the cabin dimmed his vision 
 daring the first few seconds ; bnt if his sight 
 was defective, a moment later he gazed npon 
 more stars than Herschel ever discovered. 
 
 Abigail Griffiths possessed much of the 
 promptness of her husband in emergencies like 
 that which was now upon her. The Indian 
 showed some bravery in dashing through the 
 door as he had done, without any knowledge 
 of whom he was likely to encounter, but he 
 did not remain in ignorance long. 
 
 Whack ! 
 
 And the Indian executed the backward 
 somersault to which I have already alluded, 
 Gathering himself together in a dazed sort of 
 way. he began climbing to his feet. He had 
 not yet straightened up, when he was seized 
 in the iron grip of the missionary himself.
 
 86 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 "Go in peace," said he, delivering a kick 
 which to ail intents and purposes equaled that 
 of a mule. The Winnebago was lifted clear of 
 the ground, and when he alighted on his feet 
 he kept on running straight for the woods, for 
 whose shelter he never longed more earnestly 
 than he did that minute. 
 
 "Is there any one hurt in here?" asked 
 the missionary, hurrying through the open 
 door. 
 
 "No, Elijah, but I think the one who went 
 out a few minutes ago was jarred, somewhat." 
 
 "There is no doubt about that," replied the 
 good man, closing the door again, and drawing 
 in the latchstring. 
 
 "Are you not harmed?" asked the wife, 
 surveying her panting husband with some mis- 
 giving. 
 
 "Thank God, I have not received a scratch," 
 was the response; "though I am sure that 
 several shots were aimed at me." 
 
 By this time the shouts, yells and firing 
 seemed to fill the air, and the two listened for 
 a minute while their faces grew pale. 
 
 "There must have been many lives lost
 
 "GO ix PE >? 
 
 already.*' said he, in an awed voice, "and 
 many more must fall before the red men can 
 be driven oft" 
 
 "I had no thought ^>f anything like this 
 taking place." 
 
 "For had any one in the settlement. I will 
 take a look through the door, for perhaps I 
 may do some good." 
 
 4 s Have a care," warned his wife, who could 
 not forget her recent experience. 
 
 "I wffl do so, Abigail " 
 
 Mr. Griffiths had just raised the latch when 
 there came a shock that seemed to carry the 
 door off its hinges. At the very moment when 
 the fastening was unloosed, two Indian warri- 
 ors threw themselves with might and main 
 against the puncheon slabs. 
 
 The result was unexpected to themselves. 
 Their hope was that the heavy structure might 
 be so loosened that it could be forced inward 
 by quickly repeating the catapult charge. On 
 the contrary, there was no resistance at all. 
 and both Indians not only sprawled full length 
 on the floor, but carried the missionary down 
 with them in the general collapse.
 
 88 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Quick to realize that it was a fight to the 
 death, Griffiths seized the one nearest him by 
 the throat, and threw himself astride of his 
 breast. Looking down in the painted face, 
 gleaming with ferocity, he recognized him as 
 Black Bear, the famous war chief of the Win- 
 nebagoes. 
 
 " You are a dog ! " called the indignant mis- 
 sionary, knowing that his words would be un- 
 derstood : "for a dog will sometimes forget 
 the hand that feeds him; it is but a few 
 months ago that I divided my venison with 
 you, and when the night grew cold you shared 
 my blanket with me ; now you come as my 
 enemy. Yery well let us be enemies ! " 
 
 And holding the chieftain as though he were 
 wedged in a vise, the good man began tighten- 
 ing his grip upon his throat. 
 
 Undoubtedly he would have strangled the 
 miscreant, who fully deserved it, but in the 
 excitement of the moment the good man for- 
 got that there was a second foe in the room. 
 
 The other warrior, as it happened, went 
 down on the floor underneath his chieftain. 
 He was somewhat bruised, but he quickly
 
 iy PEA 89 
 
 pulled himself loose and crawled toward the 
 open door. In the shock of his fall the hunt- 
 ing-knife which he grasped in his right hand 
 flew half way across the room. Stealthily 
 moving around so as to place himself behind 
 the couple on the floor, he once more closed his 
 dusky fingers about the weapon and began 
 advancing toward the missionary, who held 
 Black Bear at his mercy, and was expressing 
 his views by choking him to insensibility. 
 
 But if the missionary forgot all about his 
 second enemy, so did that enemy forget about 
 another inmate of the apartment. It may have 
 been that he considered an elderly gray-haired 
 lady of no account in such a crisis, but if so, 
 he made the greatest mistake of his life. 
 
 The treacherous Winnebago was stealing 
 across the floor with the tread of a panther 
 advancing upon its prey when every ear tin- 
 gled with the explosion of a rifle, its sharj 
 intensified in the confinement of the room. 
 Simultaneously with the report arose the ear- 
 splitting screech of the Winnebago. who with 
 a single bound went forward on his hands and 
 face as dead as dead could be.
 
 90 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 So yon see what a blunder the warrior made 
 in omitting the old lady from his calculations. 
 She had not lived three-score years on the 
 frontier to leave any lessons unlearned. Detect- 
 ing the purpose of the savage, she caught up 
 her husband's gun, and I need not describe the 
 effective work she did with it. 
 
 The missionary turned his head to learn the 
 cause of the report, and Black Bear made a 
 furious effort to free himself. Mr. Griffiths had 
 to put on the brakes to subdue his dusky ene- 
 my, but before proceeding to extremes the 
 excellent man relented. 
 
 " I cannot take your life." said he, releasing 
 the savage, "and I won't do so if you will go 
 peaceably ; in order that you may make sure 
 of doing so, I will give you some assistance. 
 Go thou in peace ! " 
 
 The kick which he delivered was certainly 
 equal to that of a few minutes before, and it 
 must have jarred every tooth in Black Bear's 
 head. Leaving his gun, tomahawk and knife 
 behind, he came out of the door very much 
 after the style with which you sometimes take 
 a header from the perch on your bicyck-.
 
 "GO IN PEACE! " 91 
 
 Catching up the inanimate figure the mis- 
 sionary pitched it out of the door with a force 
 that caused it to fall several yards away. 
 Though he preached peace and good -will 
 toward all men, he knew that emergencies were 
 sure to arise in which there was nothing to do 
 but to fight ; and this was one of those emer- 
 gencies. 
 
 Once more the door was fastened this time, 
 in addition to the heavy latch, by means of a 
 massive bar stretched across the middle. 
 
 " There, Abigail," observed the husband, 
 " let us forbid all visitors until they make 
 their business known."
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " AND IT WAS DONE." 
 
 YOU and I can not conceive how any indi- 
 vidual who receives such a prodigious 
 kick as did Black Bear, chief of the Winne- 
 bagoes, can feel any thing like forgiveness 
 toward him who inflicts the indignity upon 
 him. If a Caucasian finds it difficult to sum- 
 mon up pleasant emotions at such a time, you 
 can understand what a volcano of wrath raged 
 in the bosom of the red Indian who was kicked 
 clean out of the cabin of the kind-hearted mis- 
 sionary. 
 
 Indeed, Black Bear was so overcome by his 
 fury that for the moment he lost his head. He 
 had no weapons with him, and he could not 
 forget from his recent experience that he might 
 as well dash against the solid rock as to 
 attempt to turn about and re-enter the cabin ; 
 but standing a few paces away, with his whole
 
 "AND IT WAS I 93 
 
 frame tingling with the smart caused by the 
 heavy shoe of the muscular missionary, he 
 began a series of whoops intended to summon 
 his warriors around him. His anger was such 
 that he was eager to call them off from assail- 
 ing the rest of the settlers, and bid them con- 
 centrate their fury upon this single cabin. He 
 would have given half a dozen of his followers 
 for the sake of getting that pleasant-faced mis- 
 sionary in his power. 
 
 I remarked above that Black Bear began a 
 series of whoops intended to call his followers 
 about him, but he did not finish them. 
 
 Seeing the missionary fleeing homeward in 
 such excitement one of the settlers started to 
 follow him in the hope of being of some service, 
 but the fighting became so hot that he stopped 
 at the house adjoining and stood at the corner 
 to await his chance. 
 
 A couple of shots fired at him so disarranged 
 the pioneer's plans that he was unable to 
 settle himself for a minute or two. but finally 
 he brought his gun to his shoulder at the 
 moment Black Bear began signaling to his 
 warriors.
 
 94 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 He aimed carefully, fired deliberately and 
 succeeded admirably. Enough be it to say 
 that Black Bear never took any interest in the 
 subsequent raids of his people. 
 
 The settler who sent the decisive shot was 
 James Bowlby, whom perhaps you will recall. 
 His lamed ankle had recovered long ago and 
 he and his old triends Linden and Hardin 
 had been on their hunting and trapping ex- 
 peditions each winter, just as they had been 
 for years previous to their introduction to the 
 reader. 
 
 More than that, Bowlby recognized Black 
 Bear. 
 
 " You are of the most account," he mut- 
 tered, "for you are the leader so I'll snuff 
 you out!" 
 
 And it was done. 
 
 Although the series of signals or calls were 
 split in twain while they were passing the lips 
 of the chieftain, yet enough of them reached 
 the ears of his warriors to produce a response. 
 The daring red men, obedient to the summons 
 of their leader, issued from the shelter of 
 the forest and dashed across the intervening
 
 3 rr WAS DO: H 
 
 space, ready to risk their lives at Black Bear's 
 bidding". 
 
 re than a dozen of the savages responded 
 to the call of the chieftain ; bat half the dis- 
 tance only was passed when they saw him fall 
 before the well-aimed shot of the pioneer, fired 
 from the corner of an adjoining cabin. 
 
 In one respect the act of Bowlby was disas- 
 trous in its consequences, for it nerved the 
 advancing Winnebagoes to try more than they 
 would have done, but for the extinguishment of 
 their leader. 
 
 They uttered whoops of fury, and charged 
 into the settlement like a whirlwind. Bowlby 
 had no time to reload Ms gun and he was so 
 far in advance of his supports, as they may be 
 called, that he saw that only one thing could 
 save him that was to fall back at the highest 
 rate of which he was capable. 
 
 At such a time no man can afford to stand 
 on ceremony or to think of dignity. Bowlby 
 whirled short about and ran with might and 
 main for the next cabin, which, as it hap- 
 pened, was that of George Linden, the father 
 of Fred.
 
 96 THE LAST WAB TRAIL. 
 
 From the two corners of the building and 
 from the lower windows, men were firing upon 
 the Winnebagoes. The Indians were determ- 
 ined to force their way, as it seemed, through 
 the heart of the settlement. 
 
 Three red men flung themselves against the 
 door of the missionary's house, but it was too 
 strongly barred to be endangered by such an 
 attack. Two of them hurried after their com- 
 panions ; the third was indefinitely detained 
 by a ball from Mr. Griffiths' s rifle. 
 
 Bowlby expected to be riddled with bullets 
 before he could reach the nearest protection, 
 but the good fortune which had attended him 
 so often did not desert him now. He knew 
 that he was shot at several times on the run, 
 but you must bear in mind that when the 
 excitement is so great there is little chance for 
 accurate aim, and the majority of the shots 
 which the Indians fired at him went wide of 
 the mark. 
 
 Bowlby was on the very threshold of escape, 
 as may be said, when he found himself con- 
 fronted by a Winnebago, who, to say the least, 
 acted in a singular manner. He carried a rifle in
 
 "AXD IT WAS DONE." 
 
 one hand and a knife in the other, but, instead 
 of using either, he threw up both after the 
 manner of a person seeking to frighten a flock 
 of hens into taking another course. At the 
 same time he uttered the exclamation, l i Huh ! " 
 meaning no doubt, to order the white man to 
 halt and submit. 
 
 Bowlby did not stop, but sent his fist against 
 the painted visage, and toppled the red man 
 to the earth as though he were a ten-pin. 
 Leaping over his prostrate body, he stopped 
 short behind a corner of the building, where 
 Ruf us Hardin was loading and firing as rapidly 
 as he could. 
 
 And there amid the indescribable din and 
 confusion, he coolly rammed a bullet down 
 his rifle barrel, poured powder into the pan, 
 drew back and looked around to see what he 
 could do. 
 
 "It'll go bad if they get inside the house," 
 remarked Hardin, whose face was pale with 
 excitement. 
 
 "Why r" asked Bowlby, who did not see 
 why the danger to one structure should be 
 greater than that to another.
 
 98 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 "Not only are Linden and his wife and 
 daughter in there, but others have taken refuge 
 with them. What a pity we had not time to 
 get them all into the block-house ! " 
 
 And Hardin's fears were only too well 
 founded. A terrible disaster to the settlers 
 was close at hand.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 "I 8UEEEXD ER ! " 
 
 w 
 
 ITH that instinct which at times seems 
 to be a part of the nature of the Indian, 
 the Winnebagoes saw that the cabin of the 
 Lindens afforded them the best chance of taking 
 some of the prisoners of whom they were in 
 quest. After delivering a scattering volley, 
 they too skurried for any and every thing that 
 could serve them as a screen, and began return- 
 ing the fire that was poured upon them from 
 every quarter. 
 
 Had this intrepid band comprised all whom 
 the pioneers were obliged to look after, you 
 may be sure that they would have cut them 
 off to a man. But as is often the case in civil- 
 ized warfare, the assailants did their best to 
 create a diversion in their favor. Not only did 
 they try, but they succeeded to a galling 
 degree.
 
 100 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 The Winnebagoes on the edge of the clearing 
 fired as fast as they could reload and aim, some 
 of them in their eagerness exposing themselves 
 more than is the custom of their race. Their 
 firing was so constant that the other settlers 
 found it out of their power to give any atten- 
 tion to the red men who had entered the north- 
 ern or upper part of the settlement. 
 
 It was a singular fact that during these excit- 
 ing minutes not a single defender availed him- 
 self of the shelter of the block-house. That 
 which was meant as an impregnable defense 
 against assaults of this character became, from 
 the force of circumstances, utterly useless. 
 
 Suddenly smoke was seen rising from a cabin 
 near the southern extremity of the settlement. 
 By some means unknown to the pioneers the 
 assailants had managed to use the torch. 
 
 "Great heavens!" exclaimed Hardin ; 
 " McCluskey' s house is on fire, and there are 
 half a dozen children in it ! " 
 
 ' : Quick ! " called Bowlby, to those who were 
 making such a brave defense against the band 
 of Winnebagoes ; " we must put out the 
 flames or they'll be burned alive ! "
 
 " I SURRENDER ! " 101 
 
 This thrilling appeal was heard above the 
 din and turmoil, and there was a dash for the 
 endangered building. 
 
 Linden, Griffiths, and the rest must hold 
 their own until the urgent peril was overcome. 
 
 Some eight or ten lusty pioneers bounded at 
 the top of their speed between the cabins and 
 down the single street, if it may be called such, 
 until they reached the building from which 
 the blue smoke was rising. 
 
 The mischief had been done by a single war- 
 rior, whose exploit approached the marvelous. 
 Lighting a torch on the margin of the wood, 
 he had run across the intervening space, cir- 
 cling the brand above his head, and heedless of 
 more than one shot that met him. Unharmed, 
 he hastily gathered up such sticks, twigs, and 
 combustible material as were within reach, 
 piled them at the corner of the building, and 
 set them in a blaze. 
 
 As if he never knew the meaning of danger, 
 he calmly watched the progress of the flames, 
 which soon took hold of the seasoned logs. 
 He was quietly surveying his frightful work 
 when he discovered the pioneers rushing down
 
 102 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 upon him. Then he leaped away, and ran at 
 the top of his speed for the woods. 
 
 Man after man brought his gun to his shoul- 
 der and discharged it after the flying fugitive ; 
 but when he bounded among the trees he was 
 without a scratch. Thus it is that an inex- 
 plicable good fortune sometimes helps a man 
 through a labyrinth of danger, in which a 
 dozen others are sure to fall. 
 
 It was the work of but a few minutes to dash 
 out the blaze which, despite the smoke it gave 
 forth, amounted to little. It looked hardly 
 possible that the astonishing attempt would be 
 repeated. 
 
 If any further proof of the bravery of the 
 Winnebagoes was needed, it was given while 
 the party of settlers rushed toward the other 
 portion of the settlement to put out the burn- 
 ing house of McCluskey. 
 
 Before the whites could run the short dis- 
 tance, the surviving warriors, nine in number, 
 leaped from their partial shelter and charged 
 at the top of their speed toward the building, 
 whose inmates they seemed determined to 
 bring to terms.
 
 i SURBESDEB! " l-.>3 
 
 While wonderful good fortune had attended 
 many of the efforts of the whites, it now ran 
 the other way. The house of George Linden, 
 like a few others in Grerille, had a front and 
 back door. The former was secured by such a 
 massive wooden bolt that it may be said to 
 hare been as strong as the walls themselves, 
 but the rear entrance had nothing more than 
 the ordinary latch which was so common on 
 the frontier. 
 
 During the few minutes at command, the 
 defenders did what they could to remedy this 
 weakness. Chairs and benches were piled 
 against the door, but after all these could 
 not amount to much in the event of the 
 Winnebagoes making a break for that point. 
 
 But that is precisely what they did. Whether 
 it was fate, guess-work or knowledge can not 
 be said, but so it was that three of the warriors 
 sped with might and main over the short dis- 
 tance as though they were trying to leap across 
 some broad chasm. 
 
 When within six or eight feet each in turn 
 leaped from the ground, turning half-way 
 round in the air. so that his back struck the
 
 104 THE LAST WAR TKAIL. 
 
 door with the utmost momentum that could 
 be given. They followed one another so closely 
 that the thumps were as rapid as the discharge 
 of a magazine rifle. 
 
 The second Indian who bounded against the 
 door felt it yielding, and he said something to 
 his follower which caused him to brace himself 
 against mishap. The forceful impact of the 
 last scattered every thing behind the door, 
 which flew wide open. 
 
 Another display of skill and daring on the 
 part of the warriors took place at this moment. 
 Had the three leaders, as they may be called, 
 been unsupported, nothing could have saved 
 them, but the way was no more than opened 
 when the whole nine swarmed through, so 
 close together that it may be said they trod on 
 one another' s heels. 
 
 Within the cabin was George Linden, his 
 wife and daughter, Molly Bourne, a neighbor's 
 daughter, who was a little younger than Edith 
 Linden, and Hank Grubbens. The last was a 
 young man of such indolent habits that he was 
 considered the ne'er-do-well of the settlement. 
 While he was not believed to be vicious, yet he
 
 "i SURRENDER! " 105 
 
 was held in small consideration. He was with- 
 out any relatives in Greville. and spent most 
 of his time in hunting, following wild bees to 
 their hiding - places, fishing and lounging 
 among the neighbors. 
 
 I must say here that although George Lin- 
 den seemed unaware of the fact, it was evident 
 to many others that Grubbens had turned a 
 partial eye upon sweet Edith, who could not 
 believe that the fellow had such impudence. 
 
 The mother and the two girls knew how 
 to fight as bravely as the two men, who fired 
 from the windows as rapidly as they could 
 reload their guns. They were used to the rifle, 
 but unfortunately there was but a single one 
 among the three, so that they could not do 
 much to defend the cabin. 
 
 But for the help of the other pioneers, who 
 were firing from every coigne of vantage, the 
 little garrison could not have held out against 
 the first charge of the Winnebagoes. The 
 moment their friends left to put out the fire, 
 this garrison, as you have learned, was help- 
 less. 
 
 The first shock showed George Linden that
 
 106 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 nothing could keep the Indians out. All 
 three of the guns were empty when the impact 
 of the second savage opened the door far 
 enough for those within to see the crouching 
 figure as it was driven against it. The third, 
 having received the hint, as I have told, did 
 not allow himself to be carried oif his feet as 
 he followed the yielding structure into the 
 apartment. 
 
 An instant before this crisis Linden called 
 to his wife, daughter and Molly Bourne to 
 group themselves behind him and Hank. 
 
 "We will die fighting," he said, as calmly 
 as if talking about a trip with Bowlby and 
 Hardin to the mountains. "These are the 
 bravest set of Winnebagoes I ever saw, and 
 there's no help for us." 
 
 "I'm with you especially with Edith," said 
 Grubbens, not quite able to master a tremor 
 in his voice. 
 
 Both had clubbed their guns, and, with the 
 stocks drawn back over their shoulders, 
 awaited the onset. They did not have long to 
 Wait. 
 
 The warrior who drove the door open, and
 
 ",I SURRENDER ! " 107 
 
 led the others, shouted, even while he was 
 skurrying from the force of his own momentum 
 across the room : 
 
 "Stop! stop! S' render no hurt ! " 
 
 George Linden knew well enough that as a 
 rule one of the Indian preliminaries to mas- 
 sacre is the pledge to protect their prisoners. 
 Xot for an instant did he relax his grip around 
 the muzzle of his gun, but was as resolved as 
 ever to die defending his loved ones. 
 
 To his consternation, however, Hank Grub- 
 bens accepted the order, with an eagerness 
 that left no doubt of his cowardice. 
 
 "There ain't no use in fightin', Linden," he 
 said, " 'cause they're too many for us, so let's 
 stop afore we've killed half of 'em, and make 
 the rest so mad that our scalps are gone 
 sure. v 
 
 Throwing his rifle on the floor, he called 
 out: 
 
 " I surrender !" 
 
 Only by a strong effort did the wrathful 
 pioneer restrain himself from braining the 
 poltroon at his side. 
 
 The Indian who made the demand for a
 
 108 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 surrender attempted to dodge the terrific blow 
 which was aimed at him by Linden. Despite 
 his agility he succeeded only in partly doing 
 so. Had it fallen fairly it would have killed 
 him ; as it was, it sent him spinning against 
 the opposite wall of the room, with his ideas so 
 muddled that for several minutes he was of no 
 account. 
 
 This particular party of Winnebagoes must 
 have been engaged in similar business long 
 enough to acquire a certain skill, for none 
 could have handled the infuriated Linden 
 more effectively. Before he could draw his 
 arms back to deliver a second blow with his 
 rifle, one of the warriors grasped the stock. 
 
 You can see how great is the advantage of 
 one thus holding a gun over him who grasps 
 it by the muzzle. With little exertion, but by 
 a dexterous flirt, he fairly snapped the 
 weapon from the hands of the owner, who was 
 made defenseless before he could strike 
 another blow. 
 
 "Don't make a fool of yourself!" called 
 Grubbens, from the other side of the room ; 
 "what's the use of trying to fight when there
 
 "I SURRENDER ! UN 
 
 ain't no show ? Knock under, Linden, and 
 save TOUT scalp ! " 
 
 The valiant speaker had a couple of warriors 
 near him and the fact could not be disputed 
 that no violence had been offered him. In 
 his front were the rest of the Winnebagoes, all 
 fully armed and unquestionably masters of the 
 situation. Some held their knives aloft, others 
 their tomahawks, while two or three were 
 continually calling out in their stumbling 
 English : 
 
 " S'render ! ^render ! won't hurt ! ^render !-" 
 
 " Where are Bowlby and the rest ? " groaned 
 Linden ; " why don't they come to our help 1" 
 
 "They've got their hands full," called 
 Grubbens, in mortal fear lest his friend's stub- 
 bornness should bring vengeance upon alL 
 'I tell you there ain't no show ; if you don't 
 give in, mighty quick, you'll be tomahawked." 
 
 It might well be said that the pioneer was 
 rash to hesitate to call out his submission, 
 since his only weapon had been wrenched from 
 his grasp ; but that which restrained his words 
 and which caused him to back against the side 
 of the room and assume the posture of a pugi-
 
 110 THE LAST TTAE TRAIL. 
 
 list awaiting assault, was the hope that every 
 moment would bring half a dozen of his friends 
 through the open door. 
 
 Why they failed to appear was more than 
 he could understand, since only a few minutes 
 before they had done their best to aid in the 
 defense from the outside. 
 
 An unexpected truth, however, became 
 apparent within a few seconds after the dis- 
 arming of Linden : the Winnebagoes, as I 
 have intimated, preferred to take prisoners 
 rather than to kill their enemies. They did not 
 offer to harm Grubbens nor did they make an 
 assault upon him, though they could have 
 slain him in a twinkling. 
 
 At the moment when Linden braced himself 
 against the side of the room so that no one 
 could get behind him, the three females 
 cowered in the nearest corner. They may have 
 thought it strange that their protector should 
 suddenly have deserted them in that manner, 
 but he knew he could do nothing in the way 
 of their protection and his hope was to pro- 
 long the contest, if such it might be called, 
 until his friends should arrive.
 
 i SFBEE^TDEB!" Ill 
 
 But matters eould not remain thus long, for 
 brave as were the Winnebagoes, they would 
 not allow him to stand at bay when it was so 
 easy to bring him to terms. 
 
 One of the warriors stepped np in front of 
 the three females cowering in the corner and 
 raised his tomahawk. Holding it poised over 
 his head he looked toward the father and 
 asked: 
 
 render 1" 
 
 The gesture and words were too eloquent to 
 be misconstrued. Without a second's hesita- 
 tion, George Linden dropped his hands and 
 called out : 
 
 "I surrender!"
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 "T~T"JTITH the same astonishing coolness 
 
 V V which this band of Winnebagoes had 
 shown from the first, they now started off 
 with their prizes. 
 
 Never was there a more docile prisoner than 
 Hank Grubbens. When one of the captors 
 ordered him by a gesture to place himself in 
 front of the door, he obeyed with so much 
 enthusiasm that he came near knocking a 
 warrior from his feet. Next Mrs. Linden and 
 the two younger ladies were led out beside 
 him, and then Linden himself brought up 
 the rear. 
 
 The females were dazed by the rush of 
 events, and they obeyed with a meekness 
 which caused the heart of Linden to ache for 
 them. 
 
 None could know better than did the Win- 
 nebagoes that every second was precious.
 
 "YOU SHOULD SMILE.' 113 
 
 They knew why the whites had left the vicin- 
 ity with such abruptness, and they had no 
 doubt that they would soon be back again. 
 
 The outside was no sooner reached than the 
 dusky "director of ceremonies" pointed to 
 the wood, and said to the captives : 
 
 "Go go fast!" 
 
 The brief walk to the door placed Gmbbens 
 at the head. 
 
 " Of course," he hastened to say, " shall I 
 runr ? 
 
 " Run run go fast ! " 
 
 The fellow broke into a pace which not only 
 took him directly toward the enemy's lines, 
 but carried him in advance of the other 
 prisoners who, under the guard of the : 
 began a rapid walk in the direction of the 
 wood. 
 
 They were hardly clear of the house when 
 Bowlby and his friends, having quenched the 
 flames, came running back. The hostiles see- 
 ing them, instantly placed the four captives so 
 as to expose them to any shots that might be 
 fired by their friends. This was done by put- 
 ting Linden and the three ladies side by
 
 114 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 side while the Indians walked in front of 
 them. 
 
 You will see that in order to reach a red 
 man the bullet would have to pass dangerously 
 close to one of the captives. Fearing that the 
 attempt might be made by his impetuous 
 friend, Linden turned his head and while still 
 walking waved his hand as a protest against 
 any such interference. 
 
 He was not a minute too soon, for Bowlby 
 already had his rifle at his shoulder when the 
 warning gesture caused him to lower it again. 
 
 * ' What' s the matter with George ?' ' he asked 
 in a wondering way, turning toward Hardin, 
 who was at his elbow and on the point also 
 of sending a shot after the party ; "I had my 
 varmint picked out, and there wouldn't have 
 been any mistake about droppin' him, though 
 the bullet would have to pass within an inch 
 of his darter's head." 
 
 "I could bring down that other fellow," 
 added Hardin, "and George knows we would 
 not hurt any of his people, but it must be 
 that he don't want us to anger the Indians out 
 there."
 
 "YOU SHOULD SMILZ." 115 
 
 " That's it," said Bowlby, stepping back so 
 as to gain the corner of the building as he 
 realized that somebody was taking a fly at 
 him from among the trees. " If the varmints 
 thought there was a likelihood of losin' the 
 folks they would tomahawk 'em just as they 
 have done many a time afore By gracious ! I 
 can't stand that ! " 
 
 By this time three-fourths of the distance 
 between the settlement and woods was crossed, 
 so that it may be said the captives were beyond 
 all possibility of rescue. The firing that had 
 been so brisk for some time almost ceased, the 
 lull being caused by the general interest which 
 every one took in the captives who were 
 carried off by such a small band, under the 
 very eyes of those who it would seem ought to 
 to have saved them, but who through a strange 
 perversity of fate, were denied the power of 
 doing so. 
 
 At the moment the "Winnebagoes felt sure 
 of their success in carrying off the prisoners, 
 one of the daring band deliberately stepped 
 from before them, and with a temerity that 
 was amazing made an insulting gesture at
 
 116 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Bowlby and his companions, who had held 
 their fire in obedience to the protest of Linden. 
 
 The insult was a costly one. At sight of it 
 Bo wlby uttered the exclamation I have recorded 
 and with surprising quickness aimed and fired 
 at his insulter. 
 
 Enough be it to say that it was the last time 
 that particular Winnebago ever indulged in 
 any thing of that nature. 
 
 The next minute the captors and captives 
 vanished among the trees, and the success of 
 the intrepid band of warriors was complete. 
 
 This exploit for it certainly was one of the 
 most marked ever achieved by a party of 
 American Indians was the crisis of the last 
 attack ever made on the village of Greville. 
 From the security of the forest the assailants 
 kept up a dropping fire on the settlers, but 
 the shots were sent rather in the hope of 
 checking any project which might be enter- 
 tained of rescue than with the thought of doing 
 any harm to* the defenders. 
 
 The latter were too vigilant to be caught off 
 their guard, and they were equally prompt in 
 discharging their guns without waiting for a
 
 ''YOU SHOULD SMI. 117 
 
 chance to make their aim effective. It perhaps 
 not remarkable, under the circumstances, 
 that the last shot which did any execution was 
 that of James Bowlby. 
 
 The assailants,, having ended their dreadful 
 work, prepared to withdraw from the vicinity. 
 While they had gained only a partial success 
 they had paid dearly for it. More than a dozen 
 of their best warriors had been laid low, and 
 among them was Black Bear, the most famous 
 chief they had had for a generation. Ten-fold 
 the triumph achieved would not have paid for 
 h:^ loss. 
 
 The sad result to the settlers was one that 
 caused the Winnebago raid to be referred to 
 with a shudder for many long years after- 
 wards. Six men, two boys, and two women 
 had been stretched in death while fighting 
 bravely, and an entire family (excepting the 
 absent son) with two other persons, had been 
 carried away prisoners. 
 
 All this was sorrowful enough, but the raid 
 resulted in another series of events, ending in 
 a tragedy which in many respects was sadder 
 stilL We are now on the threshold of those
 
 118 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 events, about which I shall make haste to tell 
 you. 
 
 The Winnebagoes carried off their dead and 
 wounded, as is the custom of the people when 
 it is in their power to do so ; but, as if to show 
 their contempt for the whites, they halted 
 among the precipitous hills which were the 
 scene of the opening events of this story. 
 
 Within two hundred yards of the very spot 
 where Fred Linden and Terry Clark crouched 
 behind the bowlder and saw the pursuing Win- 
 nebagoes pass by, they stopped, built a large 
 camp-fire and prepared to stay as long as they 
 chose, just as they would have done had they 
 known that not a white man was within a 
 hundred miles. 
 
 What a commentary on the cruelty of man- 
 kind were the incidents that followed this 
 encampment ! 
 
 It was fortunate that among the wounded 
 settlers there was none who was seriously 
 hurt. Barring accident, all were sure to 
 recover. But the dead ! They were gone, and 
 many a heart was bowed with grief. 
 
 It was at such times that the good Moravian
 
 "Tor SHOUXD SMILEL" i:; 
 
 missionary and his wife were Mke ministering 
 aiiffpU They had done their utmost to beat 
 back tike fierce marauders, and it cam not be 
 denied that they did their duty wefl. They 
 knew every man, woman and child in the set- 
 tlement, and they were so acquainted with 
 their surroundings, their habits,, and their 
 peculiarities, that their words were not only 
 tender and sweet, but they were uttered with 
 a tact which made them more comfort- 
 ing than those of any other person could have 
 bean. 
 
 The bodies were soon prepared for buriaL 
 In the little plot of ground, a short distance 
 to the south of the settlement, they were 
 placed away in the narrow graves amid the 
 sobs and moans of their friends. 
 
 "Why this blow has been permitted to foil 
 upon our fair Tillage," said the preacher at the 
 conclusion of the sad rites, "is not for any 
 of us to try to say, but that He doethaU things 
 well is as true as that the sun is shining at 
 this moment in yonder sky. God's ways are 
 mysterious, and beyond the power of man to 
 understand. The affliction is a sore one, but
 
 120 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 were it in my power to dry those tears I would 
 not do so. There is a time to weep as well as 
 to langh, and hard would be that heart that 
 was not impressed by these sorrowful 
 doings. 
 
 "We had been spared so long that I, like the 
 rest of you, had come to believe that all 
 danger Jrom the rage of the red men had 
 passed. That we were mistaken has been 
 proven at a fearful cost. We can not be taken 
 thus again at disadvantage, though I am sure 
 that the wild men have struck their last blow 
 against our homes. 
 
 "But, my dear friends, we do not mourn as 
 do those without hope. My heart is suffused 
 with a sweet, peaceful joy when I reflect that 
 each one of the men, women and boys whom 
 we have laid away to sleep, until awakened by 
 the trump at the morning of resurrection, has 
 gone forth fully prepared. I have knelt in 
 prayer with every one ; I have heard their joy- 
 ful testimony ; I know that they are with Him 
 who is love, and who will hold them safe in 
 His blessed arms for evermore. 
 
 " What comfort can there be like that ? You
 
 YOU SHOULD SMILE. 
 
 should smile through your tears and you 
 should be able to say with me : 4 The Lord 
 hath given, and the Lord hath taken away ; 
 blessed be His Holy Name.' "
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SIMILAR in some respects, and yet widely 
 different, were the ceremonies going on 
 among the rocky hills scarce a mile away. 
 
 The distance to the Winnebago villages was 
 so great that it was decided, since there were 
 no horses at command, that none of those that 
 had fallen should be carried thither. With 
 the help of the numerous hatchets in the hands 
 of the remaining warriors, a large excavation 
 was made in the rocky ground, and in this the 
 bodies were buried. They were not stretched 
 on their backs, as is the custom of civilized 
 people, but all were placed in a sitting posture, 
 with their faces turned toward the west. 
 
 With each warrior were placed his rifle, 
 knife and tomahawk (excepting where they 
 had been lost and could not be recovered). 
 Had the red men been the owners of dogs, as is 
 often the case, the canines would have had to
 
 "WE SHALL SOOX KXOW THE TRUTH." 123 
 
 bear their former masters company, so it was 
 fortunate for those quadrupecls that they 
 happened just then to be somewhere else. 
 
 Black Bear, the chieftain, was honored with 
 a separate grave, where he sat bolt upright, 
 ready to greet the morning sun. He was put 
 away with the utmost tenderness, and a large 
 bowlder was rolled in place over the grave, so 
 as to prevent the remains from being disturbed 
 by wild animals. 
 
 There being no inanimate bodies left above 
 ground, the survivors expressed their lam- 
 entations by a series of howls, groans, moans, 
 and cries whose dolefulness was beyond im- 
 agination. For more than an hour they kept 
 up a monotonous dance, during which the dis- 
 mal sounds never slackened. They sprinkled 
 dirt on their crowns, struck their breasts sav- 
 agely, and some of the most ardent thrust 
 skewers of wood into their flesh. The scene 
 was weird and impressive. 
 
 And yet why need there have been mourning 
 in the lodges of the Winnebagoes, and among 
 the cabins of the pioneers ? 
 
 The only reason was that which causes'"
 
 124 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 nearly all the sorrow and suffering in the world 
 the sinf ulness of man himself. 
 
 As may be supposed, the captives of the 
 Winnebagoes were interested spectators of 
 these savage ceremonies. Although Linden 
 had seen a great deal of Indian life (for you 
 know that he was one of the founders of the 
 Greville settlement), he had never before wit- 
 nessed anything like this. To his wife and 
 daughter, to Molly Bourne, and Hank Grub- 
 bens, it was entirely new. 
 
 There was something in the barbarous rites 
 which accorded with the gloomy spirits of all, 
 for it need not be said that they were depressed 
 to a painful degree. None of them had re- 
 ceived any indignity or cruelty at the hands of 
 their captors, though each was confident that 
 suffering awaited them. 
 
 The entire party stood to one side, looking 
 upon the scene, and naturally commenting 
 upon that which passed before their eyes. 
 Perhaps I should except from the general 
 depression Grubbens, who, if weighed down by 
 his hapless situation, felt it to a less degree 
 than did the rest.
 
 "WE SHALL SOOX KNOW THE TRUTH." 125 
 
 The little company of captives stood just far 
 enough removed not to interfere with the 
 actions of the Winnebagoes. The spot ap- 
 proached more nearly a level than would have 
 been looked for among such a mass of rocky 
 and broken hills. . Mrs. Linden was between 
 her daughter and Molly Bourne, while Grub- 
 bens was on the right that is, next to Edith, 
 and her father was at the other end of the 
 short line, close to Molly. 
 
 The five were silent spectators until the 
 remains of Black Bear were covered, the stone 
 rolled over the grave, and the loudest part of 
 the lamentations ended. 
 
 " They are almost through," remarked 
 Edith ; " I wonder what will come next" 
 
 "Why, they 11 start on the tramp to the 
 north-east that is toward their hunting 
 grouds and lodges." 
 
 ' ; And I suppose we shall have to go with 
 them." 
 
 " There can't be much doubt of that," replied 
 the father, as he smiled grimly at the simpli- 
 city of his child ; ci do you imagine they would 
 go to the trouble and danger of taking us
 
 126 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 prisoners for the sake of turning us free 
 again?" 
 
 " I do wonder," added Edith, directing her 
 words to her father, "what is to become of 
 us?" 
 
 " Indeed ! who can tell ? " asked her mother. 
 
 " Alas, I can not," said the parent, "except 
 to say that one of two fates is in store for us ; 
 they intend to hold us prisoners for an indef- 
 inite time, or they will put us to death." 
 
 " Suppose they offer us for ransom?" 
 
 " I have been thinking of that, but I believe 
 it unlikely." 
 
 "You know that Mr. Bowlby and Terry 
 Clark were given in exchange for their chief 
 some years ago." 
 
 "Yes, but this situation is very different 
 from that. That same chief who served such 
 a good purpose has just been put under ground, 
 and can never be of further use. We had some- 
 thing to give which the "Winnebagoes valued 
 more highly than a score of white men and 
 boys. Besides," added Mr. Linden, as if to 
 clinch the matter, "Deerfoot the Shawanoe 
 had charge of that business."
 
 i; WE SHALL SOON KNOW THE TRUTH." 127 
 
 " I wonder where he is now," said Edith, 
 looking around, as if she expected to see him 
 sitting on one of the rocks and acting the part 
 of spectator. 
 
 "Xo doubt he is miles away in his own 
 home, with his wife and little boy." 
 
 "Have you ever seen them ?" asked Molly, 
 whose friendship for the young warrior was 
 as deep as that of every one in the vil- 
 
 "Yes; Bowlby, Hardin and I ran against 
 his cabin one day last fall, just before we went 
 on our hunting expedition to the Ozarks. His 
 wife belongs to some tribe east of the Missis- 
 sippi, I think, and is just as pretty as he, while 
 the little fellow who calls Deerfoot father, is 
 a picture." 
 
 It was a partial relief to the wife and young 
 ladies to listen to Mr. Linden's account of the 
 visit paid to the cabin of Deerfoot, which he 
 had located in such a secluded spot that it was 
 almost impossible to find ; for the Shawanoe 
 knew that there were members of his own race, 
 and even of his own tribe, who were eager to 
 seize any chance to strike him a mortal blow,
 
 128 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 and none could be more mortal than if aimed 
 at Ms wife and little boy. 
 
 " I don't suppose," added the father, "that 
 there is any use of trying to guess what the 
 Winnebagoes mean to do with us, but I 
 suspect that they will take us to their 
 lodges, which are a long way to the north- 
 east." 
 
 " And then 3 " asked Edith. 
 
 " I dare venture no more." 
 
 He spoke so lightly that he concealed the 
 awful fear in his heart ; but the man whose 
 experience with the Indians was more extended 
 than that of most of his friends, believed that 
 a shocking fate awaited all. 
 
 The main cause of this belief was the punish- 
 ment which the assailants had received. Almost 
 a score of their men had fallen, including their 
 great war chief, Black Bear. One of the lead- 
 ing traits of the American Indian is his thirst 
 for revenge, and it was not to be expected that 
 the chance to wreak it upon these captives 
 would be allowed to pass. The fact that some 
 consideration was shown them just then could 
 be no guarantee of the future.
 
 "WE SHA KNOW THE TRUTH/' 129 
 
 any rate," said Mr. Linden, with a sigh, 
 'we shall soon know the truth." 
 
 The knowledge of the intention of their cap- 
 tors was indeed much closer than even he 
 suspected, for it was but a few minutes dis- 
 tant.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 "WHERE is HE?" 
 
 THE first Winnebago upon whom George 
 Linden fixed his attention was the treach- 
 erous miscreant Ap-to-to. He keenly regretted 
 that in the brisk fighting which had taken 
 place around the settlement it had fallen to 
 the lot of that warrior to escape the bullets 
 that brought so many of his comrades low. 
 
 Had he known that Ap-to-to had spent 
 almost his entire time in those precipitous 
 hills he would have understood why he came 
 out of the fray without a scratch. 
 
 As might be supposed, Ap to-to was one of 
 the most demonstrative of the mourners of 
 Black Bear. It was natural that it should be 
 so, for he was always a courtier of the fiery 
 leader, who held him in great regard. In fact, 
 Ap-to-to stood so high in his favor that many 
 of his warriors had come to look upon him as
 
 M WHERE IS HI 131 
 
 the destined successor of the sachem and chief- 
 tain. What more fitting, therefore, than that 
 he should express his grief in the most extrav- 
 agant fashion ? 
 
 Linden made no reference to Ap-to-to, 
 though he had often told his family of his 
 ingratitude and baseness. Indeed, he had 
 depicted him in such strong colors that he was 
 afraid of the effect that would be produced by 
 the knowledge that he was a member of the- 
 party which held the whites captive. 
 
 But the sight of the warrior with the dis- 
 torted nose was so disturbing to the pioneer 
 that it was hard to conceal his fear. He was 
 certain from several glances given him by the 
 savage that he recognized Linden, who had 
 been involved in the series of adventures with 
 him four years before, and that he was exult- 
 ing over the chance to revenge himself upon 
 him. Then, he had the power to injure only 
 the hunter and his boy : now the rest of the 
 family were in his hands, and the loss which 
 the Winnebagoes had suffered would justify 
 the successor of Black Bear in proceeding to 
 any length he thought proper.
 
 132 THE LAST V\'AE TRAIL. 
 
 The barbarous funeral ceremonies were 
 hardly finished when Ap-to-to walked over and 
 paused in front of the captives. Merely glan- 
 cing at the rest, he fixed his eyes upon Linden, 
 who said : 
 
 " Well, Ap-to-to, we meet again." 
 
 " Howdy do ? " asked the savage, extending 
 his hand, which the pioneer thought best to 
 take. 
 
 " How do you do ? " said Linden, answering 
 the query, after the usual fashion, with a sim- 
 ilar question. 
 
 Still looking steadily into the face of the 
 settler, who felt it hard to restrain his impulse 
 to strike him, the savage added : 
 
 " Black Bear dead soon all you be dead." 
 
 The ladies, who were listening, gasped, and 
 Grubbens moved uneasily. 
 
 " Why have you spared us so long ? " 
 
 "Ain't ready wait till reach lodge den 
 kill you you you you you ! " 
 
 As lie uttered the words, he pointed his 
 finger in turn to each of the captives, begin- 
 ning with Linden, as though he were telling 
 them off for execution.
 
 WHEKE is HE!" 133 
 
 -jirr- ":= r_: :'::i.:^_: ::.:- :irii- Z ~-r_ '-::/:- 
 bens braced himwlf 3 and faced the inevitable 
 with a firmness which did much to remove the 
 disgust Linden felt for his collapse at the crit- 
 ical moment in the cabin. 
 
 " We are ready any lime, Ap-to-to ; wegave 
 your people the hardest fight they hare had for 
 along time; we killed more of your warriors 
 than you did of our men, and we are not afraid 
 to take the consequences ; but why do you 
 wait till we reach the lodges of your people 1 
 They are a long distance away." 
 
 " Squaws pappooses aU see pale face-cry 
 and beg we please them we make you cry 
 and beg." 
 
 "You can never do that," replied Linden, 
 compressing his lips and forcing back a shud- 
 der at the thought of his lo red ones under- 
 going the torture so Yhidly pictured by the 
 broken words of the wretch before him. 
 
 All who heard Ap-to-to took in the full mean- 
 ing of his terrible threats, and something akin 
 to despair filled their hearts. George Linden 
 had lived too long on the frontier, and had 
 come in contact with too many Indiana to see
 
 134 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 any ground for hope. He and his friends were 
 prisoners in the hands of between seventy and 
 eighty Winnebago warriors, every one of whom 
 was well armed, and most of whom had proven 
 their bravery that morning. Having lost so 
 many of their own men, they were not likely 
 to give up the captives without a sharp fight. 
 Even if driven into a corner, they would toma- 
 hawk every one on the first likelihood of losing 
 them. 
 
 Linden put a brave face on the matter. He 
 reminded his friends that he himself had been 
 in many desporate situations, where his pros- 
 pects were as dark as they were at that mo- 
 ment, and yet he had been delivered. 
 
 In saying this, the husband and father was 
 guilty of a deception, or rather exaggeration, 
 which is hard to censure. He never had been 
 so placed that there seemed really no hope -at 
 all, but that was the outlook now. 
 
 Although the pioneer did not reveal his 
 thoughts, yet he was dismayed by the result 
 of a little computation which continually ran 
 through his mind. He knew that Bowlby, 
 Hardin, and indeed all of his friends, would
 
 135 
 
 do their best to help him and his companions, 
 but Linden's calculation convinced him of one 
 dreadful fact: it was impossible to send a 
 force strong enough to defeat the war party of 
 Winnebagoes. 
 
 If you will reflect that, fighting under cover 
 of their houses and behind other screens, the 
 entire force of settlers was only just able to 
 beat off their assailants, you will see the self- 
 evident truth of Linden's conclusion. Further- 
 more, every person in Greville had taken part 
 in the defense of the village. X o emergency 
 could allow the same number to start in pur- 
 suit of the captors and captives, for to leave 
 the settlement defenseless would be to invite 
 the destruction of ten times the number who 
 were now imperiled. 
 
 As nearly as Linden could calculate, the 
 settlers could send about twenty to the rescue. 
 They would be true and tried men, capable of 
 doing all that could be done by any equal num- 
 ber of frontiersmen, but there was no glossing 
 over the fact that they could not help the 
 imprisoned ones. 
 
 Was it strange that in his perplexity and
 
 136 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 despair the hopes of Linden gradually came to 
 center on one man? Such was the fact, for with 
 the conviction that force was worse that use- 
 less, and that strategy alone could avail, who 
 so likely to succeed as Deerfoot the Shawanoe. 
 
 "Where is he?" muttered Linden. "His 
 home is not so many miles away that he could 
 not pass the intervening distance in a few 
 hours ; he must have seen the smoke and 
 heard the guns, and he is sure to be on hand. 
 Yet I saw nothing of him during the fighting ; 
 it may be that he is on some distant task that 
 will keep him absent for a long time." 
 
 Had the pioneer only known that Deerfoot 
 at that moment was within a hundred yards of 
 that very spot ; that he had been the means of 
 rescuing Fred Linden and Terry Clark from 
 the Indians ; that he had noted the movements 
 of the withdrawing Winnebagoes, and that 
 the wonderful brain of the Shawanoe was busy 
 conjuring up some means of giving aid to 
 those whom he loved why, Linden would 
 have felt some slight hope, even though it 
 should rest upon such a frail foundation. 
 
 But for the present the pioneer could not
 
 SHE!" 137 
 
 know it, and when a few minutes later the 
 march was resumed, it was with the belief on 
 his part that neither he nor any one of his 
 companions would ever see their homes and 
 
 loved ones again.
 
 CHAPTEE XIV. 
 
 "WHAT THEN SHALL BE DONE?" 
 
 IT may sound as if the pioneers were unfeel- 
 ing when it is stated that before the sun 
 reached the meridian on the day of the attack 
 of the Winnebagoes, every one of the whites 
 who had fallen was laid away in the grave, 
 reverently covered up, and their intimate rela- 
 tives were among those deeply interested in 
 the project of rescuing Linden and his com- 
 panions. 
 
 "It's a most serious matter," said the mis- 
 sionary, Griffiths, addressing about two-thirds 
 of the settlers, including a few women and 
 children, who had gathered in the block-house 
 to talk over the question of the rescue. " The 
 Winnebagoes, who fought harder than I have 
 ever known them to do before, have carried 
 off Mr. Linden, his wife and daughter, and the 
 daughter of Mr. Bourne there, whose heart,
 
 "WHAT THEN SHALL BE DOXE ? v 139 
 
 as well as that of his wife, is almost broken. 
 I must also include Mr. Grubbens among the 
 prisoners." 
 
 "If it were only Tie we could spare him," 
 remarked Hardin in a voice which the mis- 
 sionary did not hear, but to which those who 
 did hear responded by nods of their heads. 
 
 "It seems to me that thar's but the one 
 thing to do," said Bowlby in his blunt way. 
 
 "What's that?" asked several. 
 
 "Follow the varmints as fast as we can, and 
 on the first chance sail in and wipe 'em out or 
 get wiped out ourselves." 
 
 "There wouldn't be any 'or' about it," 
 commented the missionary, with a faint smile, 
 "for to attack four times our number of Win- 
 nebagoes in the woods, which is their own 
 chosen fighting ground, could only end in the 
 destruction of almost every one of us." 
 
 "Wall, that disposes of my plan," said 
 Bowlby; "and since I hain't got any other, 
 I'll set down and take a chaw." 
 
 He sauntered back toward the door, where 
 he deliberately seated himself on one of the 
 long, rough woixlen benches that served the
 
 140 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 worshipers on Sunday and the children during 
 week days. With his big strong white teeth 
 he wrenched off an enormous piece, leaned his 
 rifle against the side of the building near him, 
 flung one leg over the other, and was prepared 
 to listen to what the rest had to say. 
 
 "The dominie is right," said Hardin, refer- 
 ring to the good man by the affectionate title 
 he generally received ; "nothing would please 
 the Winnebagoes more than to have us try 
 such a thing. I believe that one reason why 
 they stopped among the hills up yonder to 
 bury their dead was to tempt us to attack 
 them. We couldn't spare enough men to 
 make it safe ; the dominie is right." 
 
 Nobody said any thing until Bowlby, raising 
 his head as though he were looking over a 
 fence, addressed the chairman, as he may be 
 called, his words receiving attention, for his 
 well-known bravery and woodcraft merited 
 . such respect. 
 
 " Since the dominie is right as I'm ready 
 to own he is oftener than I am and my plan 
 is all wrong, I'll be obleeged if some one will 
 tell us what to do."
 
 " WHAT THZX SHALL BE IK 141 
 
 All eves were turned upon the tall, spare, 
 white-haired figure standing at the other end 
 :f the room, just as he had stood so many 
 times when breaking the Bread of Life to his 
 
 . :e force is out of the question, we must 
 do one of two things, buy the captives back 
 -iving some big ransom for them or gain 
 them by strategy. I see no hope for the latter 
 and very little for the former. If there was 
 but a single prisoner we might secure him or 
 her by some cunning exploit, bnt nothing less 
 than a miracle could gain five of them. 7 ' 
 
 What can we give in the way of ransom!" 
 asked Bourne, the father" of the missing Molly, 
 as he walked back and forth too unstrung to 
 keep quiet. "It is strange that while they 
 got five of our people we did not take a single 
 prisoner/' 
 
 "You know," explained the Moravian, 
 i; that an Indian as a rule doesn't surrender, 
 for to him that is a more fearful fate than to 
 die fighting. Still I believe we would have 
 got a good number as an offset to our friends, 
 had the chance been given us; but, as yon
 
 142 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 know, the Winnebagoes withdrew directly 
 after the capture and the opportunity was 
 lost," 
 
 "So let's stop talking about that" said 
 Bourne ; " what can we give in the way of ran- 
 som or exchange ? " 
 
 ^ We can give horses, cows, blankets, guns, 
 ammunition and other things that the Indians 
 are fond of, though it will take a good lot of 
 them." 
 
 James Bowlby sprang to his feet half angry. 
 
 "What's the use of talkin'? You all know 
 that nothing like that will work at all. Shall 
 I tell you why? S'pose you gathered all the 
 blankets and cows arid horses and guns and 
 stuff that we could spare and offered it to the 
 varmints for our folks, and the In j ins should 
 say they would make the trade ? How would 
 you do it? Thar ain't a Winnebago this side 
 of the Rocky Mountains that would trust him- 
 self to bring in the captives and git the goods, 
 and maybe he wouldn't be such a big fool 
 after all to fight shy of us. 
 
 "Then is thar any body here that's willing 
 to trust tTtcm?" demanded Bowlby, looking
 
 "WHAT THEN SHALL BE DONE V' 143 
 
 round in the faces of his friends, none of whom 
 made answer. " You can't get up any plan 
 that they wouldn't cheat you on. They would 
 take all the goods and stuff you wanted to 
 trade, and then they would scoop in every 
 person. By that time they would have half 
 of us. Then we could send the other half and 
 they could scoop them too. Then they would 
 have us all and we could settle down among 
 the lodges up country and they could 
 here, and things would be topsy turvy all 
 around and the mischief generally to pay." 
 
 Bowlby talked fast and the picture he drew 
 was so bewildering that several smiled, includ- 
 ing even the missionary himself. 
 
 "Four years ago," said Mr. Griffiths, becom- 
 ing more serious than usual, as if remorseful 
 because he had shown levity on such an occa- 
 sion, "you yourself were ransomed with 
 another for Black Bear, the chieftain of the 
 Winnebagoes." 
 
 "You are right," Bowlby hastened to say, 
 "but that little business was managed by a 
 master of art. which his name is Deerfoot, and 
 if thar s any body here that thinks he knows
 
 144 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 one quarter as much as that handsome yoimg 
 chap, he is respectfully invited to.step outside, 
 whar I'll learn him different." 
 
 The door of the block-house was wide open. 
 Most of the people inside were looking in that 
 direction, for Bowlby, as you will recall, had 
 seated himself near the entrance, when the 
 figure of an Indian appeared. He was wrap- 
 ped around by a long blanket and his face was 
 daubed with vari-covered paint, just as were 
 the countenances of the Winnebagoes, to 
 whom nearly every one in the building 
 believed the visitor belonged. 
 
 Stepping softly across the threshold, the 
 warrior moved modestly to one side, like one 
 who was seeking to shrink from observation. 
 He did not speak, but looked up the room at 
 the missionary, as if wondering what it all 
 meant. The group within the block-house 
 were astounded, for had there ever been such 
 temerity ? Here was a member of the hated 
 tribe, which had spread death and anguish 
 through the settlement, actually placing him- 
 self in the power of the outraged people ! Not 
 only had the main body encamped within sight
 
 "WHAT THZN SHALL BE DOJTEf" 145 
 
 of Greville, but, finding they were undisturbed, 
 they had become daring enough to send one of 
 their number into the Tillage itself ! 
 
 i *Thar"s one thing sartin!*" called out 
 Bowlby, stepping in front of the open door, 
 so as to bar the flight of the Indian : " We've 
 got one prisoner, though whether he's worth a 
 gun flint or not isn't sartin till we examine '' 
 
 The impulsive pioneer was moving toward 
 the visitor, every one else watching him, when 
 the Indian smiled. Something in the expres- 
 sion of his face caused Bowlby to stop, and 
 look inquiringly at the missionary. The latter 
 was quietly laughing. 
 
 Bowlby turned again, and stared at the 
 painted warrior. 
 
 "Great thunder!" he exclaimed the next 
 minute, u if that isn't Deerfoot himself I ?J 
 
 The arrival of the very person whom all 
 desired to see, threw the little assembly into 
 confusion. Griffiths, the missionary, was the 
 only one who recognized him when he stepped 
 within the door : he had seen his young friend 
 in similar disguise before. 
 
 There was an instant crowding around the
 
 146 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Shawanoe, every one insisting on shaking 
 hands, while the demonstrative Bowlby slapped 
 him on the shoulder, and was as delighted as a 
 schoolboy over his first day's vacation. 
 
 " Now thar'll be something done," said he, 
 " we've got a chap here who knows more about 
 every thing than all of you don't know about 
 nothin'. Give him fresh air; don't crowd so 
 hard, or you'll make him mad, and he'll take 
 a few scalps to cool his fevered brow." 
 
 The flurry quickly passed off, Deerfoot 
 answering the many questions asked him in 
 Ms own diffident way. His listeners were not 
 surprised to learn from him that in his distant 
 cabin he had detected signs the night before 
 which caused him uneasiness. He knew that a 
 large party of Winnobagoes were in the neigh- 
 borhood, but he hardly believed they medi- 
 tated an attack on the settlement. His suppo- 
 sition was that they had started upon, or were 
 returning from a long hunt, or that they had 
 some thought of moving their lodges, and had 
 gone to " spy out the land." 
 
 He furthermore supposed that the proximity 
 of the red men would be discovered by the set-
 
 "WHAT THZ:? 5HAU. BE D- 14? 
 
 tiers in time for them to guard against surprise : 
 therein, yon will note, he committed an error, 
 which was disastrous in the extreme. 
 
 Deerfoof s misgiTings increased during the 
 night, so that he resolved to look into the mat- 
 himself . He painted his face, slung a 
 blanket about his shoulders, kissed his wife 
 and little Paul good-by, and started for the 
 settlement. 
 
 He had a long distance to go, as you have 
 already learned, but calling into play his mar- 
 velous fleetness of foot he reached the rocky 
 hills in time to perform good service for Fred 
 Linden and Terry Clark. 
 
 It was a dreadful shock to the youths to 
 learn what had taken place during their brief 
 absence, and when some minutes later, Terry 
 and Fred walked into the large building, the 
 of both showed they had been weeping, 
 and it required the utmost self-control of Fred 
 to maintain his composure while receiving the 
 sympathy of his friends. 
 
 All felt, however, that it was time for action 
 rather than words. Deerfoot had lingered in 
 the vicinity of the Winnebagoes until they
 
 148 THE LAST \TAE TRAIL. 
 
 resumed tlieir tramp northward, and indeed 
 had followed them a short way. He reported 
 that there were seventy-three in all, and they 
 were among the finest warriors of the tribe. 
 He did not hesitate to say that it was idle to 
 think of rescuing the captives by means of 
 force : such an attempt would be sure to result 
 in disaster, not only to the rescuers but to 
 those who were left behind. 
 
 The TTinnebagoes would be quick to detect 
 the scheme and, dividing their own party 
 would send back enough to overwhelm the 
 settlement before the rescuers could return to 
 the help of their friends. 
 
 "What then shall be done?" was the ques- 
 tion that came to the lips of each one, as he 
 fixed his eyes upon the Shawanoe. 
 
 And once more did Deerfoot realize the 
 inconvenience of bearing a reputation beyond 
 his power to sustain at all times. Probably 
 all, including the missionary himself, were 
 confident that the Indian would propose a plan 
 of which none of them had thought, but which 
 was almost sure of success. 
 
 But they were mistaken ; he shook his head
 
 He might be aide to offer something after 
 awhile, but; he could not then. 
 
 "Deetfoot wants &* aim.*' said he. sud 
 denJy kmkiiig 19 as though an idea had struck 
 him ; "can he have then!" 
 
 Tfigy hearers clamored so aidcntiy to be 
 iz: LJ -Lr :.-.:_'-: :"_:.: LT 5-_Li".--.i :-r::ilri^ 
 step or two and waved them back. 
 
 "Hay Deecfoot take those of Ms brothers 
 whom he wants 1" he asked^loofcrng aromidm 
 :lr T,:.J,? :;.:rv 
 
 "Tes, yea, ye,, so you take ^ and me, 
 and *."" was the boisterous response from
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 "SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG." 
 
 THE scene which followed was a striking 
 one. Deerfoot had suddenly become the 
 "chairman," against whose decisions there 
 was no appeal. 
 
 Looking calmly around in the eager faces, 
 the very first man whom he indicated as a 
 member of the little band of volunteers was 
 Griffiths the missionary. Some may have 
 wondered at the choice, but later events 
 proved that the Shawanoe knew his man. 
 
 The second was Bowlby, the third, Hardin, 
 the fourth Fred Linden and the fifth Terry 
 Clark. Deerfoot seemed to hesitate about 
 taking Jonas Bourne, for you can understand 
 how the grief of the father, who was so 
 anxious to recover his daughter, was likely to 
 warp his judgment at critical times. But 
 perhaps Deerfoot relied upon the coolness of 
 his companions, or he may have been touched
 
 iLETHrS'G HAS GOXE WBOXG." 151 
 
 he pleading look in the parent's face, for 
 Bourne stepped to one side as the sixth 
 member of the rescue party. 
 
 The remaining four were quickly selected, 
 and only a few minutes were taken for prep- 
 aration,, for little preparation indeed was 
 needed. Those who had friends to bid good 
 by did so. The guns were looked after, a 
 supply of balls and ammunition provided for 
 each, and, within twenty minutes after the 
 party was made up, it filed across the clearing 
 and entered the woods to the northward. 
 
 The gallant pioneers, under the direction of 
 the young Shawanoe, had started to rescue 
 their friends. Xo one could tell whether they 
 would succeed or fail, and certain it is that no 
 one. not even the dusky leader, dreamed of 
 the strange events that were to follow. 
 
 No one could guess what the plan of Deer- 
 foot was, if, indeed, he had formed any def- 
 inite plan. About the only thing certain was 
 that he would depend on strategy, as he had 
 depended so many times before when trying 
 to help his friends. 
 
 Most of the members of the party partook
 
 152 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 of food before starting, while others carried 
 some lunch with them : not that any one 
 feared he would not be able to bring down all 
 that he wanted in the way of game, but you 
 can readily see that there were likely to be 
 occasions when the report of a rifle would be 
 dangerous to our friends. 
 
 From the settlement, the trailers went 
 directly to the rocky hills where Fred and 
 Terry had their stirring interview with the 
 Winnebagoes. Since the main party were 
 known to be a considerable distance in ad- 
 vance, the progress of the pursuers up to the 
 point named was somewhat straggling. But 
 on the elevation a halt was made, and the 
 young Shawanoe laid down the law to the 
 rest. 
 
 He put forward no claim to the leadership 
 of the company, some of whom were old 
 enough to be his father ; but he insisted that 
 he should always keep as far in advance as he 
 believed right, and that no step or movement 
 that could effect the result of the enterprise 
 should be taken without consultation with 
 him.
 
 HAS GONE WEOSfG." 153 
 
 It might be set down as certain that emer- 
 gencies would arise when such consultations 
 could not be had, but the general summary of 
 Deerfoofs requirements was put by Terry 
 dark in his characteristic fashion. 
 
 "Deerfnt wants ye all to understand that 
 he rejicts wid scorn the idaya of his leadin' 
 such a fine set of gintlemen as this, but at the 
 same time he desires ye to bear in mind that 
 he is the boss, and any chap that wants to 
 dispute the same can step forward and have 
 his head cracked. How far am I wrong, Mr. 
 Bowlby I" 
 
 " Yon think the same as the rest of us," said 
 the pioneer, with a laugh. 
 
 Deerfoot's next proceeding was to acquaint 
 his friends with the signals that were to be 
 used. Bowlby, Hardin and the missionary 
 gave much aid in this, and in briefer time than 
 would be supposed a full understanding was 
 reached. Griffiths and Deerfoot had been often 
 together, so that little instruction was needed 
 by the former. 
 
 Although it was high noon when the halt 
 made on the elevation, and although it
 
 154 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 was known that the Winnebagoes were a long 
 distance in advance, the Shawanoe showed no 
 disposition to hasten his pursuit. He took 
 care to keep his friends hidden from the view 
 of any stragglers who might be in the neigh- 
 borhood. It can hardly be believed that it 
 was necessary that such precautions should 
 be taken, but no doubt the youth was wise in 
 requiring it as a means of discipline. 
 
 " Let my brothers wait until Deefoot comes 
 back," said he, abrupty departing at the mo- 
 ment when every one supposed that the 
 pursuit was to be resumed, or rather begun. 
 
 "AVhat's the matter with him?" asked 
 Hardin, looking inquiringly at his friends, 
 who were grouped around him. 
 
 "He seems to be uneasy over something," 
 replied the missionary, gazing in the direction 
 taken by the youth. 
 
 " Where has he gone ? " persisted Hardin. 
 
 " I think," replied Bowlby, " that he's made 
 some discovery that don't suit him and he 
 has gone off where he can look into it a little 
 further ; and like enough he wants to pray 
 over it."
 
 XTHTS-G H 155 
 
 {; I believe yon are right," said the good 
 Moravian, "though Deerfoot does so mnch 
 praying before he goes upon the war-path that 
 he rarely has to stop to commnne with God 
 when it is likely to canse any delay in proceed- 
 ings. I hare seen him close his eyes in prayer 
 when dashing throngh the woods ; for he has 
 the same privilege that yon and I have of 
 commnning with onr Heavenly Father at all 
 times." 
 
 This was said in snch a cheery manner and 
 with snch a glowing face that it was the fur- 
 : remove possible from cant. Every 
 person who heard the words knew that the 
 good old missionary preached eloqnently by 
 his own example, which is the most effective 
 sermon that is within the power of all of ns to 
 preach. 
 
 " He is the most extraordinary young man I 
 ever knew," remarked the missionary, gazing 
 once more toward the point where the Shaw- 
 anoe had disappeared, as thongh he expected 
 his return : 4 * he has a mind whose brilliancy 
 would attract remark, if any of ns possessed 
 it, while his skill in the way of running, leap-
 
 156 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 ing, shooting, and every thing that requires 
 the highest possible training of the senses, is 
 incredible. I suppose that if any one should 
 attempt to write and print the facts about 
 Deerfoot, he would not be believed." 
 
 (I am afraid the good man spoke the truth.) 
 
 When several more minutes passed without 
 bringing back their absent guide, the mission- 
 ary took the liberty of stealing through the 
 wood in the direction taken by him. 
 
 This was altogether contrary to orders, but 
 it may have been that the missionary presumed 
 a little upon his years, and the peculiar rela- 
 tion he bore to Deerfoot. Be that as it may, 
 he had not far to go when he caught sight of 
 the young warrior standing on a rock elevated 
 so far above the immediate surroundings that 
 his view extended several miles to the north- 
 ward. 
 
 He was leaning on his rifle and shading his 
 eyes with one hand, while he was studying the 
 horizon of the clear, sunlit sky before him. 
 Noting his keen scrutiny, the misssionary, 
 whose vision was still excellent, looked in the 
 same direction ; but, though he used his eyes
 
 1ETHIXG HAS GOXE WROXG." 157 
 
 the best lie could, he was unable to discover 
 that in which his young friend was so inter- 
 ested. 
 
 "He sees something," was the conclusion, 
 " but what it is is more than I can tell. If he 
 thinks we ought to know, he will tell us when 
 he comes back, and if he don't think we ought 
 to know, it will be useless to question him." 
 
 Not wishing to offend the Shawanoe, the 
 preacher quietly withdrew and rejoined his 
 friends, to whom he told what he had seen. 
 He was none too quick to avoid Deerfoot, who 
 came directly after him, stopping a few steps 
 away, and looking down to the ground as if 
 in deep thought. He said nothing, but he was 
 unusually disturbed. 
 
 " I tell you, whispered Fred Linden, " some- 
 thing has gone wrong ! " 
 
 He was right, as speedily became apparent.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 QJ TANDING on the elevated rock and look- 
 kJ ing off to the northward, the keen eyes 
 of Deerfoot the Shawanoe rested on a certain 
 spot in the horizon where neither you nor I 
 would have seen any thing. He observed a 
 thin, spiral column of smoke climbing upward 
 and dissolving so fast in the air above that the 
 wonder was how he was able to make it out. 
 
 Then, as the same wonderful eyes ranged 
 along the dim, hazy line that marked the top 
 of the forest, to a point a couple of miles away, 
 they discoverd a still fainter column of vapor 
 which slowly rose above the trees, and like 
 the other, was gradually absorbed in the clear 
 atmosphere. 
 
 It was these two sights which disturbed 
 Deerfoot and threatened to overturn his plans 
 before he could put them in execution. What
 
 "HIS SIGNAL WAS HEARD." 159 
 
 he feared was that the Winnebagoes, having 
 broken into two parties, had also apportioned 
 their captives between them. You will see 
 that if such was the case, it would compel 
 Deerfoot in turn to divide his small company. 
 Two squads of pioneers would have to follow 
 two much more numerous bodies of Indians. 
 In other words, the task that our friends had 
 entered upon was doubled, with a greater 
 proportional increase of difficulty and dan- 
 ger. 
 
 The Shawanoe did not hesitate to make 
 known his perplexity, when Bowlby, with the 
 freedom of an old friend, laid his hand on his 
 shoulder, and asked him to let them know 
 what the matter was. 
 
 " What's the odds ? " said the trapper, after 
 the explanation was made : "if one of the sets 
 of varmints has taken the Grubbens, and the 
 other the rest of the prisoners, why, we'll let 
 Hank look out for himself and our job will 
 become that much easier." 
 
 t; Where's the harrum ? " asked Terry, who, 
 now that Fred Linden was so oppressed, felt 
 that he must speak for both; "Deerfoot can
 
 160 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 take charge of one party and folly up which- 
 ever he chooses, while several of us will do the 
 same wid the ither set of spalpeens." 
 
 " Deerfoot would take one party, but who 
 would lead the other ? " asked Bourne. 
 
 "Excoos me blushes," replied Terry, "but 
 I'm too modest to call out his name before 
 yees all." 
 
 Even Deerfoot smiled at the quaint fellow, 
 who showed so little respect for time or place 
 in uttering his whimsicalities. 
 
 "If we find it necessary to divide, there 
 must be some one in charge of the other com- 
 pany," was the suggestive remark of the mis- 
 sionary. 
 
 " And it shall be my father," said Deerfoot, 
 whose dark eyes glowed with affection as he 
 looked upon the beaming face before him ; 
 "but it maybe that the Winnebagoes have 
 not separated ; it may be another party ; we 
 shall soon know." 
 
 "Then thar's but the one thing to do," said 
 Bowlby, "and that's to find out ; and the only 
 way to find out is to pitch in." 
 
 "My brother speaks wisdom," observed
 
 "IIIS SIGXAL WAS HEARD.'' 161 
 
 Deerfoot, as if catching the inspiration of his 
 ardor ; " let them follow me." 
 
 He moved down the slope at a rapid walk, 
 avoiding the rocks and obstructions with a 
 skill which the others found hard to equal. 
 The tall Moravian kept close to his heels, as 
 he had done so many times in threading his 
 way through the forest, while the others strung 
 along in Indian file. 
 
 Xow nothing could be much easier for Deer- 
 foot than to find the answer to the question 
 that troubled him. Since the withdrawing 
 Winnebagoes were too powerful to hold the 
 white men in fear, they would make no haste 
 on that account, and inasmuch as their captives 
 included three females, they would be obliged 
 to moderate their pace to suit them. It fol- 
 lowed, therefore, that the eleven men hurrying 
 over their trail would have no difficulty in over- 
 taking the Indians before they could travel 
 far. 
 
 It was utterly out of the power of such a 
 large body of men as the war party of Indians 
 to hide their trail, and there had been no 
 thought of any such attempt by the warriors.
 
 162 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 The pursuers, therefore, advanced with as 
 much certainty as if they were following a 
 beaten path, as indeed may be said to have 
 been the case. 
 
 Deerfoot made no mention of the fact, but 
 more than once he discerned, among the mul- 
 titudinous footprints, those of one or two of 
 the captives. He was quite sure that the 
 Winnebagoes meant to take them all the way 
 back to the villages, and that no harm was 
 likely to be done them on the road, except it 
 might become necessary to prevent their 
 escape. 
 
 Despite the deliberate pace of the Winneba- 
 goes, they had gained so much start that the 
 pursuers were forced to a long tramp before 
 they could overtake them. Since the Indians 
 had buried their dead and held the ceremonies 
 among the rocky hills just north of the settle- 
 ment, Deerfoot hardly expected them to make 
 a halt before night. Nevertheless they had 
 done so, resuming their march while the after- 
 noon was still young. 
 
 The sun was half way down the sky when 
 our friends reached a small stream, no more
 
 "HIS SIGNAL WAS HEARD." 13 
 
 than a dozen feet wide. The water was so 
 transparent that the bottom was seen all the 
 way across, though the depth was considerable. 
 
 The Indians, who are not very fond of water, 
 had overcome the difficulty by leaping across, 
 the jnmp not being a difficult one for any of 
 them. The whites did the same, starting from 
 a slight distance back, running a few steps and 
 then bounding over. Deerfoot did not take an 
 extra step, but standing close to the water, 
 went over as lightly as a greyhound. 
 
 Terry Clark indulged in such an extensive 
 start, that he was pretty well tired out by the 
 time he reached the edge of the stream. 
 Nevertheless he went across, though he would 
 have fallen backward into the water had not 
 the hand of Deerfoot been stretched out in time 
 to save him. 
 
 "How was it they got over without wetting 
 their feet i "' asked the missionary, alluding to 
 the female captives. 
 
 " I know that both mother and Edith could 
 easily jump that,'* said Fred Linden, "and 
 since there are no signs of any one stepping 
 into the water, and there is no bridge by which
 
 164 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 they could have walked over, why they have 
 leaped as did the others." 
 
 "It would have been a small matter for 
 Molly," said Jonas Bourne with a sigh, in 
 which just a little tinge of pride at the athletic 
 skill of his daughter could be detected. 
 
 " That has been the way it was done then," 
 said the missionary, compressing his lips and 
 nodding his head after the manner of one that 
 has just heard a convincing argument. 
 
 " Let my brothers wait here," added Deer- 
 foot, who seemed to have discovered something 
 of interest a short distance beyond where the 
 halt was made. 
 
 The upper bank of the stream wore such an 
 odd look that it was noticed by all. You know 
 that an Indian always leaves a faint trail, when 
 passing through the forest, but since all of the 
 ."\Vinnebagoes took the leap across the stream, 
 each landed on the other side with a force that 
 caused his moccasins to sink so deep into the 
 soft earth that the imprint was plain. Over 
 a hundred indentations were marked. 
 
 " I wonder what it is this time," said Har- 
 din, changing his gaze from the imprints to
 
 "HIS SIGNAL WAS HEARD." 165 
 
 the point in advance -where the Shawanoe had 
 vanished; "he seems always to be finding 
 something." 
 
 " If the Winnebagoes have separated, as he 
 suspects, it must have been not far from this 
 spot," said Mr. Griffiths, " and I suppose he is 
 looking for evidence on that question." 
 
 " And he'll find it too," was the declaration 
 of Bowlby, who never grew tired of praising 
 the Shawanoe ; for Deerfoot's services some 
 four years before had won the hearts of the 
 hunters and trappers. "Jonas," he added, 
 turning toward the father of one of the captive 
 girls, " I don't know how it is, but since Deer- 
 foot has taken charge of this business, I sort 
 of feel as though we're going to win." 
 
 " I would like to feel as you do," replied the 
 parent, with another sigh, "but I can't see 
 how it is possible." 
 
 ''And I can't either, but that don't make 
 any difference to Deerf oot, you know. He can 
 see things that we would miss with a dozen 
 pair of spectacles." 
 
 " We know how skillful he is in all the ways 
 of the woods," added the dejected Fred Lin-
 
 166 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 den, "but no matter how wise lie may be, 
 there are many, many problems which he can 
 not solve, and I'm afraid this is one." 
 
 " There can't be any doubt of it, so far as 
 we're concerned, but," sturdily persisted the 
 hunter, "that don't apply to Deerfoot. Now, 
 when me and that red-headed Irish lad thar 
 was in the hands of the Winnebagoes about 
 four years ago, who would have dared to Say 
 that we would ever git out agin? The chap 
 that said thar was the least chance for us 
 would have been a fool, but what does Deerfoot 
 do ?" demanded the eloquent Bowlby, spread- 
 ing out the palm of his hand, like an orator 
 illustrating some point in his speech. "Yes, 
 what does he do ? He walks over to the hills, 
 scoops in Black Bear, and trades him for us 
 two. The varmints would have give a thous- 
 and Terrys, if they had 'em, for Black Bear, 
 and then would have got their chief mighty 
 cheap," he added, with a sly look at the 
 youth, who was quick to say : 
 
 "If ye' 11 mind that time there was not a 
 word iver said about an exchange so long as 
 the only white man wid the spalpeens was the
 
 "HIS SIGNAL WAS HEARD/' l'?7 
 
 one wid a lame fut. Deerfut would not insnlt 
 the intilligince of the bowld warriors by axin' 
 only sich a chap for a great chief. So he 
 arranged that mesilf should skip over the line, 
 after which there was a basis for a respectable 
 trade to be worked up." 
 
 A laugh followed the reply of Terry, and 
 there was a general looking for Deerfoot to 
 come back. He was not in sight, but he was 
 heard from a moment later.
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 "COME, BOYS, I'M EEADY!" 
 
 THE cautious signal which reached the ears 
 of the listening pioneers was recognized 
 as a call for them to go forward. Deerf oot had 
 found what he was seeking, or had learned that 
 it could not be found. 
 
 The missionary walked rapidly, the others 
 close behind him. They crossed the broad 
 clearing, and a short distance beyond caught 
 sight of the Shawanoe, standing erect and look- 
 ing expectantly toward them. Pointing down 
 to the ground, he said : 
 
 " The Winnebagoes parted company there ; 
 one-half went that way and one-half that way." 
 
 With his hand he indicated two widely di- 
 verging paths, one leading toward the camp- 
 fire on the right, and the other toward that on 
 the left. A glance at the ground showed that
 
 "c<: -.I'M READY!" 1- v 
 
 the statement of the Shawanoe was one whose 
 truth was self-evident. 
 
 " That is all well enough," said Hardin, "and 
 it is no more than we expected after what yon 
 told us, but the main question hasn't been an- 
 swered : what about the prisoners ?" 
 
 "How can you expect Deerfoot to answer 
 that question until he has followed up each 
 yarty and found out for himself T' asked 
 Bourne, with a reproving look at the ques- 
 tioner. 
 
 But that was the very querry that Deerfoot 
 could answer truthfully. He discovered the 
 division of the war party of Winnebagoes, after 
 which he set out to find what disposition was 
 made of the captives. 
 
 To do this compelled him to advance a con- 
 siderable distance along each trail in turn, 
 while he scrutinized the ground for the signs 
 that would answer the question just asked him. 
 Sooner than would have been thought, he 
 found the knowledge he was seeking. 
 
 " With them" said he, pointing along the 
 path made by the company that pursued almost 
 a direct northerly course, "went the father of
 
 170 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 my brother, and his mother, and his sister ; 
 with them," he added, pointing more to the 
 westward, "went the daughter of my brother" 
 (looking at Bourne,) "and the other man." 
 
 The hearers stared at Deerfoot in astonish- 
 ment, most of them disbelieving, or at least 
 doubting what he had said. 
 
 Wow it may not strike you as very wonder- 
 ful that the Shawanoe learned from examining 
 the trail that one man and two ladies had taken 
 a certain course, while a man and another lady 
 had gone with the other party ; but you might 
 well wonder by what possible means the young 
 warrior was able to identify the captives. 
 
 There were only two of the listeners who did 
 not believe there was a possibility of Deer- 
 foot's mistake : they were the missionary and 
 James Bowlby. The former knew that his 
 young friend would not utter a falsehood, and 
 the latter was sure Deerfoot could do any 
 thing that he set out to do. 
 
 "That' sail very well," said Hardin with a 
 doubting smile, "but I will be much obliged 
 to you, Deerfoot, if you will explain how you 
 were able to tell that the footprints you saw
 
 -'Tg *~J- 
 
 
 
 That was torn from the dress of Dolly."
 
 jiz, BOYS, I'M EEA: 171 
 
 were not made by Edith Linden instead of 
 Molly Bournr 
 
 The Shawanoe held np a small shred of 
 homespun such material as composed the 
 dress of many of our great-grandmothers. It 
 was of darker color than usnaL Without a 
 word the warrior handed it to Jonas Bourne. 
 
 The latter examined it with the minutest care. 
 
 "My gracious!" he exclaimed, pale with 
 excitement ; " that was torn from the dress of 
 Molly!" 
 
 ^Yhe^e did you get it ! " asked Hardin. 
 
 Deerf oot by way of answer pointed to the 
 northwest that is, in the direction taken by 
 the second company of Winnebagoes. 
 
 "What did I tell you!" demanded the 
 enthusiastic Bowlby, oblivious of the feet that 
 he hadn't told any thing ; " didn't I say there 
 wasn't any thing that that Deerfoot can't do \ 
 After this I want it understood that whoever 
 insinuates any thing of the kind why, him or 
 me has got to die, and I don't think it'll be 
 me." 
 
 '* I was puzzled to understand by what 
 means he learned the truth," said the mis-
 
 172 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 sionary, " but when Deerfoot says anything 
 it must not be doubted." 
 
 " Having found out that much," continued 
 Hardin, who was highly pleased with the 
 exploit of their friend, " it was an easy matter 
 to learn that it was Hank Grubbens who was 
 in the company of Molly Bourne." 
 
 "He doesn't place his foot on the ground 
 like the father of my brother, but walks 
 straight, as does an Indian." 
 
 Every one understood the allusion of Deer- 
 foot. Hank Grubbens when walking kept his 
 feet pointed straight forward, while Linden 
 followed the usual practice of the white man 
 and turned his toes outward : there was no 
 mistake, therefore, on that point. 
 
 "The Winnebagoes having divided," said 
 the missionary, " it follows that we must do 
 the same." 
 
 Deerfoot nodded his head. 
 
 " Let us lose no time," said Bourne, who 
 became more agitated than before ; " every 
 minute has its value. Pick out your men, 
 Deerfoot, and let us be off ; we are doing 
 wrong to idle away our time."
 
 "'COME, BOYS, fit READY." 173 
 
 The father's solicitude for his daughter ex- 
 cused, in the eyes of all, the words, most of 
 which should have come only from Deerfoot 
 himself. 
 
 " My father will be the leader," said he, 
 pointing to the missionary, " and with him 
 will you go, and you, and you." 
 
 He indicated Bourne, and the four mt mbers 
 of the company whom I have not thoi:ght it 
 necessary to introduce to you by name. This 
 left Hardin, Bowlby, Deerfoot, Fred Linden 
 and Terry Clark as the members of the com- 
 pany who were to take the other trail. 
 
 Deerfoot drew the missionary aside, and, 
 despite the impatience of Bourne, they held an 
 earnest conversation lasting several minutes. 
 They talked in such low tones that no one 
 else could hear any thing said by them. The 
 Shawanoe was doubtless giving his venerable 
 friend some instructions, for nothing cculd 
 have been more appropriate than such a 
 counsel. 
 
 Mr. Griffiths was seen to nod his head several 
 times, while he spoke earnestly, as if in fullest 
 accord with the duskv vouth whom he loved
 
 174 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 so well. At the end of the interview, the good 
 man grasped the hand of Deerfoot and shook 
 it warmly. Then, turning toward his waiting 
 friends, he said : 
 
 " Come boys, I'm ready ! " 
 
 Those who were about to part company 
 waved each other good-by, and almost imme- 
 diately were lost to sight. 
 
 One of the results between the missionary 
 and Deerfoot was shown by the former a few 
 minutes later, when the leader, turning about, 
 halted his followers and said several words to 
 them. 
 
 HQ reminded them of the difficulties ahead 
 so great indeed that he saw no way, except by 
 a special interposition of Providence, that they 
 could be overcome. He said that from time 
 immemorial the custom had been that when a 
 party of Indians ran off with a captive, his 
 friends would pursue the captors in the hope of 
 retaking the prisoner. 
 
 Now it was easy enough to pursue the Win- 
 nebagoes a single man might do that but 
 when it came to retaking the lost ones, that 
 was another matter. If any person could show
 
 "COME, BOYS, I'M KEADY." 175 
 
 how six men could outwit and overcome five 
 times as many, he was willing to be instructed. 
 
 The missionary intimated his hopes by say- 
 ing that he looked for an indication from his 
 Heavenly Father. If He wished the captives 
 rescued, He would open the way ; if He did not, 
 then He would not give His help ; but whether 
 He did or did not, He did all things well, 
 blessed be his name ! 
 
 And" then while standing before his listening 
 friends the missionary raised his hands, and in 
 a low voice prayed to Heaven for guidance in 
 the crisis before them. The others bowed their 
 heads and joined, for I tell you, my young 
 friends, if you do not feel like calling upon 
 God to-day, the hour is coming when you will 
 want to call upon no one else. 
 
 The Moravian was frank to tell Jonas 
 Bourne that his chief misgiving was because of 
 him, and Deerfoot had not hesitated to ex- 
 press the same fear. While Bourne was a 
 good woodman and pioneer, yet his natural 
 nervousness was so intensified by his anxiety 
 about his daughter, that he was likely at any 
 moment to be betrayed into an indiscretion
 
 176 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 that would be fatal to all. Unless lie would 
 promise to obey the leader under all circum- 
 stances, he could not bear them company any 
 longer. 
 
 The father was earnest in his promise to fol- 
 low every direction of the missionary, who was 
 not entirely relieved by the pledge, even 
 though he knew it was sincere. 
 
 It took very little time to complete these 
 preliminaries, as they may be called, when 
 Griffiths resumed the pursuit. Of course he 
 acted as leader, the others following in Indian 
 file. There was no attempt to hide their trail, 
 nor was there much care put forth in their 
 advance. The footprints of the Winnebagoes 
 were so plainly shown that it took no effort to 
 keep them in sight. 
 
 The advance, while in a general north-west- 
 erly direction, was through the primeval forest. 
 There was no path or trail, except that which 
 had been made by the withdrawing Indians. 
 The surface was comparatively even, the woods 
 were quite open, though the exuberant vegeta- 
 tion of spring often shut off the view from any 
 point within a hundred feet.
 
 177 
 
 The rocky regions having been left behind, 
 the progress of the little party was as easy as 
 could have been desired. They were in want 
 of no food, and since nothing was to prevent 
 them making good progress, it is hardly neces- 
 sary to say that they advanced faster than a 
 usual walk. This continued for about an 
 hour, when the first of the strange incidents I 
 have set out to tell took place.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 U IT IS GAUMA !" 
 
 "TVTEVER in all Ms life was Jonas Bourne 
 JL-M so startled as he was at the end of the 
 first hour of the pursuit under the leadership 
 of the missionary. 
 
 The latter, like Deerfort, not only put him- 
 self in front of his followers, but he was so far 
 ahead that at times he was out of sight. These 
 disappearances, as they may be called, lasted 
 no more than a minute or two, and therefore 
 caused no question on the part of his friends. 
 
 The next in order was Bourne, the other 
 four always keeping close to him. Griffiths 
 wished the father to be within call at all 
 times. 
 
 Bourne was walking at a rapid gait, and had 
 lost sight of the missionary when he suddenly 
 became aware that the good man had collided 
 with something or somebody. He heard a
 
 "IT is GAUMA!" 179 
 
 threshing of leaves and a crashing of under- 
 growth which showed that a fierce struggle 
 was going on. 
 
 ' What the mischief can that mean ? " asked 
 Bourne, running forward with the others at his 
 heels. 
 
 The amazement of the little party was in- 
 creased if possible, when it was seen that the 
 Moravian, instead of grappling with some 
 wild animal, as was supposed, was closed in 
 deadly embrace with an Indian warrior. 
 
 One of the most striking features of what 
 was certainly an extraordinary struggle was 
 its silence. Neither of the combatants spoke 
 a word, but, to use a not unappropriate ex- 
 pression, each attended strictly to business. 
 
 It looked as if the Moravian and the redskin, 
 on catching sight of each other, had flung 
 down their rifles and leaped forward like a 
 couple of panthers. Such was the fact indeed, 
 though the missionary, after throwing aside 
 his gun, made no attempt to draw his knife. 
 
 The truth was that the meeting was an utter 
 surprise to both. Griffiths was moving with 
 more stealth than his friends, when in passing
 
 180 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 around a thick clump of undergrowth he 
 almost ran against a Winnebago warrior who 
 was coming from the other direction. 
 
 Seeing that a collision was inevitable, the 
 red man made a fierce bound at the white- 
 haired old gentleman. 
 
 You have been told enough about the latter 
 to believe that a person who rashly assaulted 
 him was likely to commit a serious blunder. 
 The pioneers of the West at three-score were 
 often as vigorous and active as you will be at 
 two-thirds of that age. 
 
 Among the numerous people that made the 
 blunder I have spoken of was the particular 
 red man who set upon the missionary with such 
 ardor. The wrist of the hand that was raised 
 to strike was grasped with a grip which could 
 not be twisted loose, and the arm that 
 encircled the waist of the warrior lifted him 
 so high in the air that his moccasins kicked 
 nothing but vacancy in their effort to find a 
 resting-place. 
 
 Down went the two on the ground, the 
 Indian under ; but he was one of the strongest 
 of the nine warriors who made the valiant
 
 IT is irAFMA ; " isi 
 
 attack that I have described elsewhere, and 
 the Moravian was quick to perceive that he had 
 closed with the toughest antagonist he had 
 ever met. 
 
 Having wrenched the knife from the hand 
 of the Winnebago, the combatants were with- 
 out any weapons except those of nature. The 
 savage had his tomahawk, but before he could 
 draw that, it was worked out of the girdle 
 about his waist, and the wrestlers rolled away 
 from it. 
 
 The missionary had hardly got his man 
 down, when the latter turned him like a flash, 
 and brought himself on top. Even in the 
 exciting moment the good man admired the 
 skill with which this was done ; but he knew 
 a trick or two himself, and the redskin top- 
 pled over before he could brace his body to 
 resist the shock. The Moravian, however, did 
 not place him fairly beneath, but the struggle 
 for mastery remained an even thing for a full 
 minute. 
 
 W hat's the use of standing by and allow- 
 ing this to go on ? " called Jonas Bourne, to 
 whom it seemed a sin to refuse a helping hand
 
 182 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 to their friend ; " I can end this bout in short 
 order." 
 
 He advanced to seize, or rather to strike the 
 Winnebago, when Griffiths, who amid the 
 terrific swirl saw his intention, shouted : 
 
 "Keep off! I want to learn whether my 
 strength is failing ! Wait till I ask you for 
 help!" 
 
 "Well I'll be hanged !" muttered the dis- 
 gusted Bourne, stepping back among his 
 friends ; " I suppose after the redskin tears 
 his scalp off he will remark that he has no 
 objection to our giving him a lift." 
 
 But it did not take the Moravian long to 
 prove that he was the better man of the two. 
 Despite the Indian's most desperate efforts 
 he gradually forced him downward until he 
 was once more astride of him, and the red man 
 was made helpless. 
 
 Since Griffiths and the warrior were old 
 acquaintances, it followed that a mutual re- 
 cognition took place the moment they flew at 
 one another's throats. Though they did not 
 speak, their eyes met in that fierce conflict, 
 and the words were not needed.
 
 "IT IS GAT73CA!" 183 
 
 As soon as it became apparent to the men 
 ling around that the missonary had con- 
 quered, they stepped back so as to give him 
 full play to do as he chose. 
 
 "I suppose he will take good care not to 
 hurt hinv' growled Bourne, whose hatred of 
 the Indians was intense enongh to shut out all 
 mercy from his heart. "Likely enough he 
 will preach him asermori, and then let him go." 
 
 While it can not be said that the good Mora- 
 vian was weak enough to do any thing like 
 that, he certainly did show a kindness to the 
 vanquished foe which would not have been 
 shown by any of the spectators. 
 
 I have already told you that the missionary 
 and the warrior were not strangers. In 
 wandering back and forth along the frontier 
 and through the miles of wilderness, the old 
 man formed as wide an acquaintance among 
 the Indians as he did among those of his own 
 race. Like Roger Williams, of colonial times, 
 he went where no other white man dared go, 
 sleeping among the savages at the very time 
 when they were making ready to go upon 
 their vrar path.
 
 184 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 You know why he was treated with snch 
 consideration ; a good man commands the 
 respect even of those who are bad. The mis- 
 sionary had never been known to speak with a 
 "double tongue," nor had he wronged a 
 human being. But at the same time you do 
 not need to be told that he belonged to the 
 church militant, and when necessary could 
 fight as well as any of "the pioneers. 
 
 Among the numerous acquaintances of the 
 missionary was a warrior known as Gauma, or 
 The Serpent. His bravery, skill, remark- 
 able activity and strength, gave him fame 
 among his own people. From the ridge pole 
 of his wigwam fluttered more ghastly trophies 
 of his prowess than were displayed by any 
 other Winnebago brave. He had been named 
 for chieftain more than once, second in rank 
 only to Black Bear, but he refused, and won 
 the friendship of Ap-to-to by advocating his 
 choice. 
 
 The missionary had always felt a special 
 interest in The Serpent because he had shown 
 an unusual concern in what was told him 
 about the Bread of Life. He listened atten-
 
 "IT is GAUM A! " 185 
 
 tively to what was said by the preacher and 
 several times asked questions. More than 
 once the missionary believed that an impres- 
 sion had been made on the warrior ; but, alas, 
 it did not last. When the war dance took 
 place Gauma threw himself into the exciting 
 ceremonies with the wildest abandon of all, 
 and none was braver than he upon the war 
 path. You have learned of the daring work 
 of the little band which burst through the 
 door of George Linden's house and made off 
 with the five prisoners. 
 
 The leader of the band was Gauma, or The 
 Serpent, but even in the delirium of the fight 
 he would have offered no harm to the mission- 
 ary had the chance been given him. There 
 was one man whom he held in reverence, and 
 that was he. Still he was willing that in the 
 furious fight then going on, he should take the 
 chances with the rest of the pioneers. 
 
 That he did take the chances you need not 
 be told and it proved to be somewhat worse 
 for the assailant than for himself. 
 
 The Indian had not uttered a syllable dur- 
 ing the savage wrestling bout, and the only
 
 186 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 words spoken by the Moravian were those for- 
 bidding Jonas Bourne to interfere. The con- 
 queror waited till he had his man secure 
 against all struggling, and then looking down 
 in his flashing eyes, he uttered the single word 
 ".Gemma!" 
 
 And the warrior, looking up from the 
 ground, said in his native tongue, and with- 
 out a tremor in his voice, 
 
 "It is Gauma ! He asks no mercy from 
 his father!"
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 AFTER what I have told you of the rever- 
 ence which the Wiimebago warrior, 
 known as Gauma, or The Serpent, felt for the 
 missionary, you may wonder how it was that 
 the savage bounded so fiercely at him with 
 drawn knife. The Indian was like a boy sud- 
 denly caught doing something wrong: over- 
 whelmed by a feeling of shame he became des- 
 perate, and fought with ten-fold savagery. His 
 resolution was to drive his knife to the heart 
 of the man against whom he really felt no 
 enmity, and he never strove harder to do any 
 thing than he did to kill the Moravian. 
 
 Having failed he was ready, as he was at all 
 times, to take the consequences. Though he 
 knew the good man to be forgiving, he did not 
 ask for mercy after such an attempt on his 
 life. 
 
 But he mistook the Moravian. The latter
 
 188 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 shifted himself and allowed the red man to 
 rise to his feet. 
 
 " Just what I expected ! " remarked Bourne 
 with a disgusted sniff ; " but I'll keep my eye 
 on him and, if he tries any of his tricks I'll 
 take a pop at him. 
 
 An Indian does not often show embarrass- 
 ment, no matter under what circumstances he is 
 caught, but The Serpent's awkwardness was so 
 apparent to all, that more than one felt a sym- 
 pathy for him. He stood silent with his hands 
 hanging by his sides looking in the beaming 
 face before him. and uncertain what to do or 
 say, if indeed he could do or say any thing 
 at all. 
 
 The Moravian stepped away a few paces, 
 picked up the knife of his late combatant and 
 holding the point toward himself bowed low 
 and presented it to the Winnebago as if he 
 was the conqueror to whom the missionary 
 desired to make his surrender. 
 
 Gauma accepted it without a word or sign of 
 acknowledgment. Manifestly he was dazed by 
 the turn of affairs. 
 
 "Don't forget this," was the sarcastic
 
 "NOW HE IS CONQUERED." 189 
 
 remark of Bourne, hurrying over to where the 
 gun of the warrior lay on the leaves, picking 
 it up and passing it to the Indian. Just as the 
 latter reached out his hand for it, the settler 
 turned toward the missionary and, with all 
 sarcasm he could summon, asked : 
 
 " Hadn't I better raise the flint so as to help 
 him fire at one of us ? " 
 
 Mr. Griffiths smiled and answered : 
 
 " I guess he knows how to do that himself ; 
 thank you ; never mind." 
 
 By this time, though only a few moments 
 had passed, The Serpent began to recover his 
 poise. He thrust his knife into his girdle, and, 
 holding his rifle in his left hand, stepped for- 
 ward and extended the other to the missionary, 
 who, I need not tell you, warmly grasped 
 it. 
 
 "Is not the father of my father angry with 
 his wicked son \ ' ' 
 
 There was a strange pathos in this question. 
 The words were uttered in the Winnebago 
 tongue, which was as familiar to the good man 
 as it was to the warrior himself. The voice 
 dropped several notes, and there was a delibera-
 
 190 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 tion in their utterance which added to their 
 impressiveness. 
 
 Still knowing the American race as well as 
 he did, and familiar as he was with the doings 
 of The Serpent, Mr. Griffiths was not disarmed 
 by the words and manner of the warrior. Hid- 
 ing his own distrust, he decided not to give 
 him his full confidence until after testing him 
 further. 
 
 The following conversation now took place 
 in the Winnebago tongue, my interpretation 
 being a very liberal one, for your special benefit : 
 
 "I am grieved but not angry with my son. 
 Winnebago, why did you raise your hand 
 against me?" 
 
 "The Serpent is sorry, but he did not wait 
 till he could hear what his heart said ; he struck 
 before, and then he fought to save himself from 
 the anger of his father." 
 
 "But you had no need of doing that, for you 
 know I wished not to harm you. However, I 
 will not reprove you, Guama, for there is no 
 braver warrior among your tribe than you. 
 You are the nearest approach to Deerfoot that 
 I ever saw ; y6u can't equal that wonderful
 
 191 
 
 youth, but yon are the best of your tribe. I 
 feel no wish to punish yon, as you must know 
 from the way I have acted, but will yon, my 
 son, answer with a single tongue the questions 
 Iwanttoaskf" 
 
 "The Serpent will do sol" 
 
 Guama looked directly into the eyes of the 
 questioner, who belieYed that the information 
 he was after would be truthfully given. 
 
 " Why did you, Winnebago, come back over 
 the trail instead of staying with the other war- 
 rior!" 
 
 " It was to see whether any of the Long 
 Knives were following us." 
 
 " How many of the captives are with your 
 party i" 
 
 The Serpent held up two fingers, thus speak- 
 ing the truth on that point. 
 
 " One is a squaw, she is young, and her face 
 is bright ; the other is a warrior, who stoops 
 like an old man ; his hair is the color of the 
 leaves of the maple in autumn." 
 
 There could be no questioning the accuracy 
 of The Serpent's statements thus far. While 
 his description could have applied to Edith
 
 192 THE BAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 Linden as well as to Molly Bourne, yet it 
 could not be doubted that he referred to the 
 latter. As for Hank Grubbens, that was too 
 plain to be mistaken. 
 
 Gauma could not have suspected it, but the 
 last replies raised him higher in the confi- 
 dence of the missionary than a hundred of 
 his pledges could have done. 
 
 " Who leads the party yonder ? " asked Mr. 
 Griffiths, pointing along the path over which 
 the Winnebago had just come. 
 
 "The Serpent," was the proud reply, though 
 the words were accompanied by an inclina- 
 tion of the head, as if making his acknowl- 
 edgments to some great dignitary. 
 
 "Is it the rule among your tribe for the- 
 chief to leave them for such unimportant 
 business as this?" 
 
 "It is the rule, my father, for the chieftain 
 to do as he pleases," was the answer; "but 
 The Serpent is not a chieftain ; he is only a 
 warrior like those with him." 
 
 "Who is your chief, now that Black Bear is 
 no more?" 
 
 " There is none now, but there soon will be."
 
 "NOW HE IS CONQUEKED." 193 
 
 "What is his name?" 
 
 "Ap-to-to." 
 
 "Where is he?" 
 
 The Serpent pointed to the north over the 
 course taken by the other and larger party. 
 The probable successor of Black Bear had 
 taken one direction, while the best warrior of 
 the tribe led the rest by another course. 
 
 " Who divided the Winnebagoes into two 
 companies ?" 
 
 "Ap-to-to." 
 
 "Why did he do it?" 
 
 For the first time the Winnebago showed 
 hesitation in answering ; but the missionary, 
 who was watching him closely, believed the 
 cause was not any wish to deceive him, but 
 rather that he was at a loss how to explain. 
 
 " Was it not, my son, that Ap-to-to thought 
 the whites would follow and try to get the 
 captives ? Did he not think that because he 
 divided his warriors, we would do the same, 
 and then he would have a better chance of cap- 
 turing us in turn ? " 
 
 It might be hard to show wherein the strik- 
 ing wisdom of this step lay, but that such was
 
 194 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 his plan was shown by The Serpent's vigorous 
 nodding of his head, and the words several 
 times repeated : 
 
 "My father is right." 
 
 " Well, Winnebago, he has succeeded in the 
 first part of his scheme, that is, he has forced 
 us to divide, though whether he will succeed 
 in the rest is uncertain ; but I must confess 
 that our chances of success are slight. 
 What do your people intend to do with the 
 captives?" 
 
 There was no hesitation in the startling 
 answer. 
 
 "The squaws will be given as the wives of 
 the warriors, after the Winnebago villages are 
 reached." 
 
 " What is to be done with the two men ? " 
 
 "They will run the gauntlet and then be 
 burned ; Black Bear and so many of the 
 Winnebagoes have fallen that this must be 
 done." 
 
 Little did Jonas Bourne and the others who 
 were listening to the conversation imagine the 
 fearful meaning of the words just uttered by 
 the Winnebago. Had they been able to com-
 
 \V HE IS CONQUERED. " 195 
 
 prehend them their impatience would hare 
 been changed to consternation. 
 
 c< This is a dreadful fate, Winnebago, that 
 you have named : is there no way of buying 
 back the captives \ ' ' 
 
 The warrior dropped his eyes to the ground 
 as if debating the question. But less than a 
 minute passed when he slowly swayed his head 
 from side to side : he knew of none." 
 
 " Can not they be ransomed \ " 
 
 " What has my father to give " 
 
 "Horses, cows, guns, ammunition, blankets, 
 beads and many more things your people are 
 fond of.'' 
 
 " How will they be given ? The Indian and 
 white man will not trust each other, for the 
 white man speaks with a double tongue." 
 
 It was not strange perhaps that The Serpent 
 should have named the very difficulty which 
 Bowlby had spoken of with such emphasis 
 that day in the block-house. Mutual distrust 
 would prevent the exchange which possibly, 
 under other circumstances, could have been 
 effected between the red men and the whites. 
 
 11 Deerfoot once arranged an exchange,
 
 196 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 though that was some four years ago. 
 Gauma," suddenly asked the missionary, 
 laying his hand on the shoulder of the warrior, 
 " won't you show you are my friend by help- 
 ing us ? For you can help us." 
 
 The Serpent recoiled a step, with his flash- 
 ing eye fixed upon the kindly face of the 
 missionary. For several seconds he did not 
 speak a word. His face was seen to quiver 
 with emotion, there was a strange twitching 
 about his lips and, most amazing fact of all, 
 the Moravian saw (slight though they were) 
 tears in his eyes ! 
 
 "Father," said he, bowing his head, "The 
 Serpent was thrown on the ground and his 
 knife taken from him, but he was not con- 
 quered ; now he is conquered ! "
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 " 3TT BROTHER, THERE IS HOPE." 
 
 U will bear in mind that the party led 
 -^- by Deerfoot the Shawanoe had a task 
 exactly similar to that of the little band under 
 the direction of Elijah Griffiths the Moravian 
 missionary. Bnt there was no sameness in 
 the experience which befell each. 
 
 Less than a fonrth of a mile from the spot 
 where onr friends broke into two parties Deer- 
 foot and Ms companions reached another 
 stream of water so mnch smaller than the one 
 to which I hare referred that it was little 
 more than a brook that was easily crossed by 
 every one. 
 
 After this had been done the Shawanoe 
 stopped, and with an odd expression of coun- 
 tenance looked at himself as mirrored in the 
 clear element. It was evident that he was not 
 pleased with his appearance. He had daubed 
 his features with paint, after the manner of
 
 198 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 the Winnebagoes, and the thick blanket was 
 gathered about his shoulders. You know 
 that his object in doing this was to disguise 
 himself, and you know too that he succeeded 
 so well that he had been able to save Fred 
 Linden and Terry Clark from the warriors 
 among the hills. 
 
 Having accomplished that task in his clever 
 fashion he was aware that the disguise could 
 serve him no further. The exploit which he 
 performed revealed his identity, and he was 
 too well known to his enemies to deceive them 
 any further. 
 
 Without a word, but with the same quiz- 
 zical expression on his face, he bent down and 
 began vigorously washing off the stuff, his 
 friends watching his actions with no little 
 amusement. 
 
 "I'm glad of that," was the hearty remark 
 of Bowlby ; " for a chap that is as good-look- 
 ing as Deerfoot don't want to hide his purty 
 self from his friends." 
 
 "I want ye to obsarve," said Terry, whose 
 bubbling spirits would not keep down, "the 
 striking resimblance which Deerfut bears to
 
 "MY BROTHER, THERE IS HOPE." 199 
 
 mesilf. as ye' 11 have a chance to notice in a 
 few minutes." 
 
 Bowlby looked at the youth as though he 
 had never studied his countenance closely, 
 and then at the young warrior who was now 
 rubbing his dusky face with the blanket 
 which he had been wearing. 
 
 " The resemblance is a striking one, as you 
 say, younker, that is, so striking that any 
 body that can see it ought to be struck hard. 
 The Shawanoe has a nose that's slightly 
 Roman, while yours is the worst pug in Gre- 
 ville ; his hair is as black as night, and yours 
 is the color of a half-baked brick ; he has a 
 small mouth, and your face is made up mostly 
 of jaw ; his teeth are small and white, while 
 yours are big enough to shovel dirt with and 
 look as though that was chiefly what you 
 used 'em for; he is tall and straight, while 
 you look as if you had been squashed by a 
 house fallin' on top of you. Yes," added the 
 pioneer, amid the laughter of the others, 
 "the resemblance is striking." 
 
 Poor Terry got more than he bargained for 
 that time. His broad honest face flushed,
 
 200 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 but his mirtli was as hearty as that of the 
 rest. 
 
 Deerfoot had heard the remarks of Bowlby, 
 who took care to speak loud enough for all, 
 and he could not help laughing in his silent 
 way. He said nothing, however, and cast a 
 pitying glance at the Irish youth. 
 
 Having washed all the paint from his fea- 
 tures and neck and wiped them dry with the 
 blanket, he flung the latter upon the ground 
 as though he had no more use for it. 
 
 "Don't you intend to take that along?" 
 asked Hardin. 
 
 ' ' The clothing of Deerfoot is so warm that 
 he does not wish it, and it may get in the way 
 of his arms and legs when he wants to move 
 them fast," was the reply of the warrior. 
 
 "We are pretty well provided for in that 
 respect," said Hardin, "but it seems a pity to 
 throw away such a good article ; so, if you have 
 no objection, I'll take charge of it." 
 
 The Shawanoe signified that he had no wish 
 in the matter, and the pioneer flung it over his 
 arm, as though it was an overcoat for which 
 he had no immediate need.
 
 201 
 
 It may be said that Deerfoot was himself 
 again, and he resumed his leadership of the 
 company that had set out on what seemed the 
 hopeless task of rescuing three captives in the 
 hands of a powerful party of Winnebago 
 Indians. 
 
 There was not one of the company that did 
 not feel the deepest sorrow for Fred Linden, 
 for it was hard to think of any more cruel blow 
 that could have befallen him. Father, mother, 
 sister, every one of the family except himself, 
 was a captive of one of the most merciless tribes 
 of Indians of the Xorth-west. Not only that, 
 bat the sagacious Deerfoot wisest of his race 
 dare not hold out any hope to him of ever 
 seeing them again. 
 
 The cheerfulness which Terry and the others 
 showed at times was often assumed in the hope 
 of lifting in some degree the crushing weight 
 from the heart of Fred. They uttered jests and 
 indulged in reminiscences of other days, with 
 the aim of winning him from his brooding sor- 
 row. Even Deerfoot showed his sympathy by 
 paying him special attention when the occasional 
 halts allowed him to mingle freely with his
 
 202 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 friends. He could not do so while pushing the 
 pursuit, but his thoughtfulness at other 
 times was so marked that it was noticed by 
 all. 
 
 Nothing showed more plainly that Deerfoot 
 had not yet fixed upon a definite line of action 
 than his deliberation in the pursuit of the 
 Winnebagoes. Had he settled upon some pol- 
 icy, he would have pushed the rest to the 
 utmost ; but though he indulged now and then 
 in something like a spurt, it did not last long, 
 and, having halted to clear the paint from his 
 face, he lingered as though it was his wish to 
 keep a goodly distance between him and the 
 war party until night should close in. 
 
 " Gintlemin," said Terry, extending his hand 
 toward the warrior and bowing to his friends, 
 " I have the honor of introducing to yees Mis- 
 ter Deerfut, me own twin brother. What's the 
 matter wid ye?" he demanded, as if angry 
 with the Shawanoe, because he stood quiet 
 without acknowledgment of the compliment : 
 "why don't ye duck yer head and scrape yer 
 fut along the ground, as all the gintry do to 
 me when I chooses to spake to thim ? "
 
 " XT BBOTHEE. THERE IS HOPE." 2 3 
 
 To the astonishment of every one, Deerfoot 
 performed the ceremony which Terry asked 
 for. He inclined his head far forward and 
 drew one of his moccasins along the earth 
 as though abashed by the majesty of his 
 audience. 
 
 It was the most flagrant waggery in which 
 the youthful warrior had ever been known to 
 indulge by those who saw it It was accom- 
 panied by such a solemn expression that every 
 one laughed. For the first time since the com- 
 pany started, Fred linden's face lighted up 
 with a smile. 
 
 Deerfoot was repaid, for the whole purpose 
 of the whimsicality was to amuse his young 
 friend, who, without dreaming of the fact, said 
 in an undertone to Terry : 
 
 "I never saw him do any tiling like that 
 before: 
 
 "For the raison, I s'pose that he never 
 done any thing of the kind, as me grandfather 
 on me mither s side used to obsarve whin he 
 was axed to pay a debt. Bo ye mind, Frid," 
 continued Terry, overdoing his part in his 
 wish to keep up the spirits of his friend,
 
 204 THE LAST WAR TKAIL. 
 
 " that Deerfoot always manes something whin 
 he cuts up in that style ? " 
 
 " How can that be, when we have just agreed 
 that he never did any thing of the kind until 
 just now?" 
 
 "I mane that whiniver he gets a little 
 frisky, it's because he's made up his mind 
 that he sees a way of doing what he has set 
 out to do." 
 
 Fred Linden looked into the frank face of 
 his companion, sighed, and shook his head. 
 
 "That can not be : there's no hope here." 
 
 "Ye must not talk that way," insisted 
 Terry, lowering his voice and speaking the 
 more earnestly because he saw that the rest, 
 including Deerfoot, were watching him. "If 
 ye' 11 let yer mind run back to the time of our 
 racket in the mountains about four years ago, 
 ye' 11 remember that I was in just as bad a 
 shape as yer folks are this blessed minute." 
 
 Fred shook his head again, with another 
 sigh. 
 
 "I feel your kindness, Terry, but it won't 
 do ; you and I have tramped the woods too 
 long to deceive ourselves. The simple truth
 
 "MY BROTHER, THERE IS HOPE." 205 
 
 that father, mother and sister are prisoners 
 with thirty or forty Winnebagoes is enough 
 to show that we might as well try to walk 
 to the Rocky Mountains and bring back a 
 whole tribe of Indians as to rescue them. 
 
 At this juncture, Deerfoot, as if fearing that 
 the situation might become strained, walked 
 over to the couple, and, taking the hand of 
 Fred Linden, said in a voice which was heard 
 by all : 
 
 " My brother, there is hope ! "
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 " IT WAS NOT DEERFOOT." 
 
 THE words of Deerfoot caused a profound 
 sensation, for every one knew they 
 would not have been uttered had he not had 
 ground for the hope he expressed. 
 
 Whether a series of methods and plans 
 which he had been revolving for hours in his 
 mind suddenly crystallized, or whether there 
 was at that moment a blossoming of the 
 faith which was always present with him, 
 can never be known, but I am inclined to 
 believe that the latter was the case ; for the 
 incidents which followed made it seem that 
 they could not have been in accordance with 
 any line of action that he had laid out for 
 himself and his friends. 
 
 Fred Linden looked yearningly in the face 
 of the young warrior, and, still clasping his 
 hand, asked :
 
 "IT WAS ^OT DEERFOOT. 207 
 
 "Are yon in earnest, Deerfoot ? " 
 
 "Deerfoot speaks with a single tongne." 
 
 "God bless you!" 
 
 Throwing his arms aronnd the neck of the 
 Shawanoe, Fred Linden sobbed like a child on 
 the breast of its mother. 
 
 There was not a dry eye, for the pathos of 
 the act touched all. Bowlby blew his nose 
 more vigorously than ever, and, glaring at 
 Terry who was coughing enthusiastically, 
 demanded : 
 
 ' What in thunder are you laughing at 1 " 
 
 "I ain't laughing, Bowlby, but Tm cryin' to 
 think think," said the lad, swallowing the 
 lump that kept rising in his throat, "to think 
 what a pity it was that whin whin ye broke 
 yer ankle four years ago it wasn't yer 
 nick." 
 
 And poor Terry, unable to restrain his pent- 
 up emotions, wept as unrestrainedly as did 
 Fred Linden. Deerfoot was the calmest of all, 
 though there could be no doubt that in his case 
 the fountains of the deep were broken up, and 
 his heart responded fully to the tender emo- 
 tions around him.
 
 208 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 The touching scene did not last long. Fred 
 was the first to rally, and, as he wiped the 
 tears from his eyes and stepped back, he 
 seemed ashamed of the weakness that had 
 overcome him. There was a general move as 
 if to resume the pursuit, and Deerfoot, as 
 before, placed himself at the head of his 
 friends. 
 
 Unlike the Moravian, he kept so far in ad- 
 vance of his followers that he was entirely 
 beyond sight. He told them that he would 
 walk at a moderate pace, and they were always 
 to be on the alert for his signals. If he wished 
 them to hasten their steps he would notify 
 them, and if it should be necessary to halt they 
 would not fail to receive notice ; the latter 
 order was the one they were most likely to 
 hear. 
 
 With this understanding the tramp was 
 resumed, Bowlby coming next after the leader, 
 and doing his utmost to follow his directions 
 in spirit and letter. 
 
 In the face of the impatience of the pursu- 
 ers, the Shawanoe delayed the pursuit still 
 more, sometimes driving Bowlby almost wild.
 
 The signal which all understood as a warning 
 to halt was heard before they had gone a hun- 
 dred rods, and it was not recalled until after 
 the passage of half an hour. 
 
 This was repeated, until every one was con- 
 vinced that Deerfoot did not intend that a 
 sight of the Winnebagoes should be gained 
 before night. None of the whites could see 
 the necessity for this extreme caution, but it 
 may be said that Deerfoot knew no reason why 
 the necessity should be seen by them. He was 
 "running the administration," and when he 
 wished a consultation with his cabinet he 
 would be sure to ask for it. 
 
 But however aggravating the tardiness of 
 the leader might be, it was of no use to com- 
 plain. He was master there and no one dared 
 to dispute with him. 
 
 And so it came about that the shadows of 
 night were settling through the forest when 
 the little party drew near to the scene of the 
 camp which Deerfoot had discerned from the 
 high rock several miles to the southward. 
 Bowlby was beginning to feel a hope that 
 something would be done, when once again the
 
 210 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 low, bird-like whistle, whose meaning could 
 not be mistaken, came tremulously through 
 the arches of the forest. 
 
 " Hang it ! " growled the hunter, as the rest 
 closed about him ; " if this keeps on we won't 
 overtake them varmints afore next winter, 
 and then our only chance will be when they 
 squat down in their lodges and wait for us to 
 call on them." 
 
 " What do you imagine is the cause of this 
 tardiness ? ' ' asked Hardin, removing his cap 
 and mopping the perspiration from his brow. 
 
 "No one knows beside Deerfoot, and I'm 
 not sartin that Tie knows," said Bowlby. show- 
 ing more dissatisfaction with his dusky friend 
 than he had ever shown before. 
 
 " I am sure," ventured Fred Linden, who 
 could not forget the cheering words of the 
 Shawanoe, "that he has fixed upon some 
 plan, though he has not given us a hint of its 
 nature ; and that he fears it will be endan- 
 gered if we are seen by the Winnebagoes. At 
 any rate, whatever his reason, we ought to 
 be the last ones in the world to find fault 
 with it."
 
 "IT WAS NOT DEERFOOT. 211 
 
 There was an earnestness in these gentle 
 words which all felt. 
 
 "Wai," replied Bowlby, moving a little 
 awkwardly, "it don't do any hurt to growl so 
 long as the chap you're growling at don't 
 know it, and so long as you don' t do no thin' 
 more than growl. Such being the case, a fel- 
 low ought to be allowed to do a powerful sight 
 of it if he hankers that way." 
 
 " I don't know that I ought to object," said 
 Fred, who was disposed to feel kindly toward 
 every one else. 
 
 "Yis, ye had ought to objict," insisted 
 Terry Clark, with an assumption of anger 
 which deceived no one ; " it' s a burning shame 
 that Mr. Bowlby should be findin' fault wid 
 Deerfut and mesilf cause Deerfut always 
 agraas wid mesilf." 
 
 "Being as you don't fancy the business," 
 said Bowlby, turning toward the Irish youth, 
 " why I'll have to shut off that's all. Never- 
 theless I'd like to know what's the use of 
 staying right here holloa ! what's the mean- 
 ing of that?" 
 
 Another signal reached them from the front,
 
 212 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 but it was different from any tiling heard 
 since parting company with Deerfoot, though 
 beyond question it came from no one 
 else. 
 
 In the gathering gloom the four friends 
 looked in each other's faces with a feeling 
 akin to dismay. They had been commanded 
 to do something, hut could not tell what it 
 was. It was not an order to hasten forward, 
 nor to retreat, nor to stop for all of them 
 had been heard that afternoon and could not 
 be mistaken. 
 
 Suddenly it became clear as sunlight to 
 Terry Clark. 
 
 " I have it! I have it!" he whispered : "it 
 tills us to stip aside from the path, so that no 
 one comin' along it can obsarve us." 
 
 Before Terry had interpreted the signal, the 
 meaning flashed upon Fred Linden, though 
 neither of the others would have been able to 
 read it without help. 
 
 There was no hesitation, nor asking for more 
 explanation. The four friends moved as 
 silently as shadows the youths to the right 
 and the men to the left, until the trail left by
 
 i% IT WAS JsOT DEERFOOT. 213 
 
 the Winnebagoes was between them and 
 several paces distant from each. 
 
 Xot a moment was to spare. The parties 
 had no more than fairly sheltered themselves 
 behind trees, when they heard the soft rustling 
 of moccasins upon the leaves. The general be- 
 lief was that it was Deerfoot who was subject- 
 ing them to a test of vigilance, but no one pre- 
 sumed upon such being the fact. They re- 
 mained motionless and hidden behind the 
 trunks, from which they carefully peered out 
 at the warrior. 
 
 Enough light lingered among the trees to 
 disclose the figure of the approaching red man 
 the moment he came opposite the watchers. A 
 little later, even though the moon would be 
 out, he could not have been distinguished 
 among the dense vegetation. 
 
 The first look at the Indian made known the 
 fact that it was not Deerfoot. He was taller, and 
 of heavier build, the outlines of his figure lack- 
 ing the grace of the young Shawanoe. Still it 
 wa* clear that he was unusually powerful and 
 active, and one whom the most daring pioneer 
 would have hesitated to attack single-handed.
 
 214 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 When exactly opposite the watchers, the 
 Indian stopped. His head was bent over and 
 he was looking at the ground, as though his 
 eyes were keen enough to detect the strange 
 footprints in the gloom. But such could not 
 be the case, and not one of our four friends 
 felt any misgiving on that account. 
 
 But surely he must suspect something, or he 
 would not have halted in that abrupt manner. 
 He was standing erect, a rifle in one hand, 
 while his head could be seen moving about as 
 if on a pivot, as he gazed toward different 
 points of the compass. The Indian was not 
 only looking but listening with that intensity 
 and keenness which is often educated to such 
 a marvelous degree by his race.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 YOU have not forgotten that before the 
 Moravian missionary had led his little 
 company far along the trail, he came in col- 
 lision with the fiery Winnebago known as The 
 Serpent. 
 
 Deerfoot knew how common among his peo- 
 ple was the practice of sending one of their 
 warriors over the back trail to learn whether 
 an enemy was following them. Bnt he thought 
 it unlikely that the "Winnebagoes whom he 
 was pursuing would do any thing like that, for 
 no other reason than that they held the whites 
 in contempt. What concern of theirs was it 
 whether or not the despoiled pioneers clung to 
 their footprints, in the idle hope of gaining 
 back what had been taken away ? 
 
 But knowing the watchfulness of the red 
 men as he did, the Shawanoe was anxious to
 
 216 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 keep out of their sight until nightfall. If he 
 could do so and it was not a difficult matter 
 there was less danger of detection by their 
 enemies. 
 
 So it was when halting or threading his way 
 through the woods, he was on the alert for a 
 warrior from the front, but none was seen until 
 close to the spot where the main party of Win- 
 nebagoes had built their fire earlier in the day. 
 Then he discovered that one of the enemies 
 was near. 
 
 Before Deerfoot caught the outlines of the 
 Indian in the gathering gloom, he gave the 
 signal for his friends to move aside from the 
 trail. The message was sent so skillfully that 
 the watchful Winnebago suspected nothing, 
 though, as you know, those who heard it came 
 near spoiling every thing by their failure to 
 understand the command in time. 
 
 Deerfoot studied the figure as closely as he 
 could by the aid of the faint light in the woods, 
 but he could not remember that he had ever 
 seen him before, though they might have met 
 in battle. Emerging from the gloom among 
 the trees, the unknown Indian walked slowly
 
 "HE IS WAITING TO SEE SOME 
 
 aero ssthe open space where the camp-fire had 
 been kindled, and where some of the embers 
 were still burning. His shoulders were thrown 
 forward and his head bent in a way which 
 showed that he was examining the ground with 
 the utmost care. 
 
 N : only that, but walking back to where a 
 glow of fire was seen among the ashes, the 
 Winnebago picked up one of the sticks and 
 whirling it about his head so as to fan it into 
 a blaze, he bent down still, closer to the earth 
 and studied the signs intently. 
 
 Xothing was to be feared just then, for the 
 footprints of Deerfoot, among so many others, 
 could cause no suspicion, though the warrior 
 would not have to go far before coming upon 
 those of the pioneers. Then, probably, the 
 truth would be known, or at least suspected. 
 
 But the red man seemed to be impatient 
 with his work, and, flinging his brand aside, 
 he silently passed from sight like a shadow 
 gliding over the ground. For one minute 
 Deerfoot was inclined to follow him, but be- 
 lieving that nothing was to be gained by doing 
 so he refrained.
 
 218 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 Under other circumstances lie would have 
 been afraid that Linden or Bowlby would 
 shoot down the warrior on sight, for the laws 
 of the border would have justified them in 
 doing so, but the Shawanoe knew they would 
 wait for his consent, and his consent of course 
 would never be given. 
 
 I have told you that The Serpent, when 
 directly opposite the pioneers, who were watch- 
 ing him, halted as though considering some 
 question. He stood erect, and the motion of 
 his head showed that he was looking and list- 
 ening with all the intensity of his nature. 
 
 You may be sure that he saw and heard 
 nothing, for our friends were too wise for that, 
 but from some cause he changed his mind about 
 following the back trail further. He faced the 
 other way, and with the same erect but silent 
 step he moved in the direction of the aban- 
 doned camp. 
 
 You will not think it necessary for me to tell 
 you that the Shawanoe had no superior in 
 woodcraft ; but wise as he was, he began to 
 feel mystified by the action of the Winnebago, 
 who, stopping near the ashes, stood two or
 
 11 HE IS WAITING TO SEE SOME ' 
 
 three minutes as motionless as the trunks of 
 the trees around him. 
 
 The night was closing in so fast that at the 
 end of the time named the keen eyes of the 
 Shawanoe were unable to discern his outlines, 
 though he knew that he was still standing like 
 a statue. 
 
 Deerf oot was now depending upon his subtle 
 power of hearing to tell him when the Winne- 
 bago went away, for no matter how carefully 
 the other might move, he could not hide the 
 soft rustling from the ears of the listener. 
 
 Suddenly a twist of flame rose a few inches 
 from the ground. Increasing in size it spread 
 until it lit up several feet of the surrounding 
 gloom. By its light The Serpent was seen 
 stooping over and bringing the embers together 
 so as to nurse the blaze which soon illuminated 
 a dozen square yards. 
 
 The night as you will remember was mild, 
 so that it was plain the Winnebago had not 
 started the fire for the purpose of warmth. 
 His figure soon came into full view, and a 
 striking picture it was indeed. 
 
 In his right hand was his rifle while his
 
 220 THE LAST WAR 'TRAIL. 
 
 knife and tomahawk rested in the girdle at his 
 waist. He stood evenly poised on his feet, 
 with his face to the fire and his gaze fixed upon 
 the coals, his attitude being that of one in 
 deep thought. 
 
 From his crown with its black straggling 
 hair, down to his face, chest and front, to his 
 beaded moccasins, he was in full view, while 
 the rest of his body was hidden in the gloom, 
 made all the deeper by the contrast. 
 
 Deerf oot began to wonder what all this could 
 mean. It was natural enough that the war- 
 rior should take the back trail for some dis- 
 tance, but it was hard to see the reason for all 
 his actions. 
 
 If he was awaiting the whites who were 
 threading their way toward that point, he had 
 done the most imprudent thing in the world 
 by placing himself in the glare of the light 
 where he was such a good target for an enemy. 
 Not one of the four who held him under their 
 eyes could have asked for a better chance to 
 pick him off. 
 
 The action of The Serpent therefore could 
 not be explained on the theory that he was
 
 "HE IS WAITING TO SEE SOME OXZ." 221 
 
 awaiting the arrival of Ms enemies, nor was it 
 clear why he stayed behind after Ap-to-to and 
 the rest of the Winnebagoes had penetrated 
 some distance further toward the villages of 
 their tribe. 
 
 Whatever the cause which kept the war- 
 rior in the vicinity of the camp-fire, it 
 was so strange that Deerfoot could not 
 for a time make a guess at the explana- 
 tion. 
 
 "He is waiting to see some one" was the 
 first clear conclusion reached by the watcher, 
 though that, if possible, deepened his mystifi- 
 cation, for what possible guess could be made 
 as to the identity of the person for whom he 
 was waiting ? 
 
 The conclusion of Deerfoot was a reasonable 
 one ; some communication had been opened 
 with the other party of Winnebagoes, sepa- 
 rated by several miles of forest, and the war- 
 rior by the camp-fire was awaiting the messen- 
 ger' s coming. 
 
 There were difficulties in the way of this 
 theory, but since it was the best one which 
 Deerfoot could form, he accepted it for a time,
 
 222 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 until it was displaced by a still more startling 
 decision. 
 
 How it came to the Shawanoe he never could 
 understand, but like a flash of inspiration the 
 young warrior said to himself : 
 
 "The Winnebago is waiting to see Deer- 
 foot!" 
 
 It was a startling conclusion indeed, as I 
 have said, but nevertheless it was true.
 
 CHAPTER XXTTT. 
 "THEY ARE SOT IXDIAITS!" 
 
 HE heart of the Moravian missionary was 
 thrilled by the impressive declaration of 
 Ganma, or The Serpent^ when, placing his hand 
 in the palm of the good man, he said that he 
 had been conquered, not by the physical prow- 
 ess of the iron-limbed preacher, but by the 
 more powerful agency of love. 
 
 Looking into the moistened eyes of the 
 splendid specimen of the American Indian, the 
 good man said : 
 
 Winnebago, I believe you ! It is not I, but 
 the Great Spirit on high who has subdued 
 your fiery nature, and He will keep you with 
 Him if you will but let Him do so." 
 
 No man can follow the sacred profession as 
 long as had the Moravian without learning 
 much of the wickedness of the human heart. 
 He was sure that The Serpent was honest* but
 
 224 THE LAST VVAE TRAIL. 
 
 he could not be sure that he would stay so. 
 He had seen his heart touched before, but the 
 impression had passed off like the dew in the 
 morning sun. 
 
 Would his heart remain melted ? That was 
 the all-important question, for upon it de- 
 pended the lives of the two captives whom he 
 held prisoner. His position with his people 
 was such that his power was absolute, so far 
 as it could affect the company under his 
 charge. If therefore he could be completely 
 won by the missionary, he might not refuse to 
 show his friendship to the extent of releasing 
 Molly Bourne and Hank Grubbens. 
 
 The missionary felt that the face of those 
 two at least hung upon the course of The 
 Serpent. He had said that the intention was 
 to take all of the captives back to the lodges 
 of the Winnebagdes, and there subject the 
 males to torture and death. The Serpent 
 alone could save the two under his charge ; 
 would he do it ? 
 
 " Winnebago," said the good man, speaking 
 in a low voice and in his most earnest manner, 
 " the Great Spirit of the white man, who is
 
 "THEY AKE NOT INDIANS!" 225 
 
 the Great Spirit of the red man as well, has 
 whispered in your ear ; yon have listened to 
 his words ; what did he say to yon ? " 
 
 " He said that the pale face was my brother ; 
 that The Serpent must love his brother, or the 
 Great Spirit would not love him." 
 
 " Winnebago, He spoke the truth; He has 
 whispered in your ear many times, but you 
 did not listen ; will you listen now ? " 
 
 " The Serpent will never shall his ears be 
 closed again to the words of the Great 
 Spirit." 
 
 This was said with a firmness which left no 
 doubt of the sincerity of the warrior. The 
 missionary, who had been holding the hand of 
 the red man in his own, pressed it warmly as 
 he added : 
 
 " God will keep you fast in that good 
 promise, but it will cost you a harder struggle 
 than I gave you a few minutes ago on the 
 ground." 
 
 "That can not be," said The Serpent, with 
 something resembling a smile, "for then The 
 Serpent would die." 
 
 The Moravian smiled in turn at the compli-
 
 226 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 merit of his late antagonist, and hastened to 
 explain : 
 
 " The fight will be a hard one, but you can 
 conquer if you hold out." 
 
 "The Serpent will hold out ! " was the con- 
 fident response." 
 
 "I am glad you speak thus, and the test 
 shall be made now : Winnebago, it is the will 
 of the Great Spirit that you set free the cap- 
 tives whom who you have taken. You can not 
 be blamed for those you struck down in battle, 
 but it is wrong to torture the men to death and 
 to keep the women for your squaws, as you 
 meant to do with them." 
 
 The Serpent made no answer, but looked 
 down to the ground as if in deep thought. 
 The missionary studied his face closely for he 
 knew how severe a struggle was going on 
 within that dusky breast. It might have 
 seemed cruel to put the new convert on his 
 mettle so soon, but the test after all ought not 
 to have been too severe for him to stand. 
 
 What is faith without works ? What do all 
 the professions of a person amount to, if the 
 life he leads is contrary to their spirit ? Of
 
 ''THEY ARE NOT INDIAN.-?! " 
 
 what nse, therefore, could be the declarations 
 of The Serpent, if he did not act in accord 
 with them \ 
 
 This was the ground the missionary took, 
 and though he trembled for the issue, he was 
 hopeful. 
 
 The struggle, whatever its nature, that was 
 going on in the mind of The Serpent, ended 
 sooner than was expected by the preacher. 
 The warrior threw up his glance so quickly 
 that Griffiths thought he heard some suspi- 
 cious sound. 
 
 " Let my father and his people wait here till 
 The Serpent comes again from among the 
 trees." 
 
 And without another word the warrior 
 turned about and walked off, as though he 
 expected to see the white people no more. 
 
 If possible the disgust of Jonas Bourne was 
 greater than before. He had seen a furious 
 Indian, while struggling to slay the mission- 
 ary, overthrown by him, and then, when he 
 was at his mercy, the conqueror took care to 
 see that he suffered no harm. Xot only that, 
 but he allowed him to walk away unmolested
 
 228 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 when lie might have served a good purpose as 
 an exchange for one at least of the captives. 
 
 It is probable that had Mr. Bourne been 
 aware that the warrior who had just turned 
 his back upon them was the leader of the 
 company holding his daughter captive, he 
 would have broken into open rebellion, but 
 he and the others listened to the good man's 
 explanation before venturing to condemn 
 him. 
 
 He told the whole story, and you can im- 
 agine the sensation it produced. Bourne 
 turned pale when he heard what the intentions 
 of the captors were respecting their prisoners, 
 nor was he much reassured by the pledge of 
 The Serpent to the missionary. 
 
 "We have made a mistake," said he, com- 
 pressing his pale lips and shaking his head ; 
 "we ought, or rather you ought not to 1st 
 such an important Indian as he get away. We 
 could have done just as Deerfoot did four 
 years ago, when he traded Black Bear for 
 Bowlby and Terry Clark." 
 
 "You may be right," replied the mission- 
 ary, who could not free himself from a fear
 
 "THEY ARE XOT ETDIAJTS!" 229 
 
 that lie had made a grievous error, "bnt my 
 conscience would not allow me to take the 
 course you wish, and you know as well as I 
 that there are obstacles to the success of your 
 plan that could not be overcome." 
 
 " There was a chance of success, at least, 
 which is more than can be said of your 
 proposal." 
 
 "Be not so sure of that. Suppose we had 
 kept The Serpent as a prisoner and I had gone 
 to his people and told them that he would not 
 be set free, would they not hare held me as a 
 hostage for him ! " 
 
 "That might have been, but The Serpent 
 being a leader of the Winnebagoes, they would 
 have been glad to give all they could for 
 his return." 
 
 " What would have prevented their coming 
 and taking him away from us!" 
 
 We might have hastened to Greville and 
 placed him in the block-house, where the 
 whole tribe of Winnebagoes could not have 
 taken him from us." 
 
 Si You know not what you are saying ; the 
 red men are cunning ; The Serpent would have
 
 230 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 been missed ; and you would have been over- 
 taken before reaching the settlement with him. 
 Then, too, if they had put your child to the 
 torture before your eyes, you would have been 
 glad enough to surrender The Serpent for the 
 sake of saving yourself from that sight, even 
 though it should be her fate to suffer death 
 after a time." 
 
 " I had hope," continued the stricken father, 
 who could not bring himself to see things as 
 did the missionary, "that if you went among 
 the Winnebagoes with the message they would 
 show enough respect for you to help our 
 scheme." 
 
 The Moravian shook his head. 
 
 "I pardon such blindness on your part, 
 because of your anxiety for your dear child ; 
 but when the mists shall have cleared from 
 before your eyes you will see clearly." 
 
 "Tell me then good Mr. Griffiths, do you 
 believe that The Serpent will bring back my 
 Molly?" 
 
 ' ' I can only say that I Jiope he will ; cer- 
 tainly, if his mood remains the same after he 
 joins his people, he will do so."
 
 "THtY~ARE NOT E5TDI.1 C'31 
 
 " Bnt is there a probability that it wfflf " 
 
 "I can only repeat thai I hope so, but, for 
 all that, I think that we hare adopted the only 
 plan that giTes the least promise of success." 
 
 Since nothing remained for the little com- 
 pany to do but to wait and hope, they seated 
 themselves on the ground to pass the hours of 
 suspense as quietly as they could. One of the 
 party caused some misgiving by saying he 
 believed that when The Serpent did come back 
 he would bring, instead of the captives, enough 
 warriors to slay the missionary and all his 
 companions. 
 
 'If that proves the case," said the leader, 
 " we are as safe here as any where ; let us see 
 that our guns are ready, and we will make a 
 good fight. What an impressive lesson that 
 we should always have our houses ready for 
 the coming of the Master, for come He must, 
 sooner or later/ 1 
 
 While these words in one sense were reas- 
 suring, you can understand what little com- 
 fort they gave to the father, whose whole be- 
 ing went out to his beloved child. 
 
 It was plain to all that the missionary had
 
 232 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 grave doubts of the loyalty of the Winnebago. 
 He might well ask himself whether it was 
 reasonable to expect such a leader among his 
 people to change his whole nature so com- 
 pletely as to release the captives, whom 
 doubtless he would have been as glad as any 
 of his warriors to see put to the torture. 
 
 But behold! 
 
 The afternoon was not half gone, and the 
 little party were seated on the ground, con- 
 versing only at intervals, and then in the low- 
 est tones, when the missionary started to his 
 feet. 
 
 "Some one is coming," he whispered; 
 "Look to your weapons ! " 
 
 Every one sprang up and held his rifle 
 ready for use, while all eyes were turned 
 toward the point upon which the leader had 
 fixed his gaze. 
 
 Yes, some one was coming. The under- 
 growth parted, and the figure of The Serpent 
 emerged to view. 
 
 " Look out ! " said the excited Mr. Bourne ; 
 "he has other Indians with him !" 
 
 " They are not Indians!" exclaimed the
 
 "THEY ARE NOT INDIAN- ! " 233 
 
 missionary, more agitated than any of his 
 friends. 
 
 Down went the gun from the hands of Jonas 
 Bourne, who bounded forward. 
 
 ' My daughter ! my daughter ! O my own 
 Molly ! God be thanked ! " 
 
 With a low cry of joy, the child ran to meet 
 her parent, and was enfolded in his arms, 
 their joy so vivid over the reunion that they 
 saw and thought of nothing else, caring only 
 that a merciful Father had plucked the brand 
 from the burning, and that she who was dead 
 was alive again.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 " OFF WITH YOU : GOOD-BY." 
 
 WITH Molly Bourne came Hank Grub- 
 bens, who stepped aside and stared 
 around him, as did most of the others, not 
 quite able to grasp the meaning of the strange 
 scene. 
 
 The Serpent, who had been the means of 
 bringing back so much happiness to the sor- 
 rowing hearts, showed an embarrassment 
 hardly less than that of the rest. He who was 
 so accustomed to cruelty and violence could 
 not school himself all at once to look unmoved 
 upon what he saw before him. 
 
 The Moravian tried hard to master his emo- 
 tion, and had nearly succeeded, when he 
 gave up the attempt, and, placing one hand 
 over his face, stood with heaving bosom and 
 the -tears streaming down his cheeks. Surely 
 when mercy and love can do so much to
 
 "OFF WITH YOU: GOOD-BY." 235 
 
 lighten human hearts, we all should strive to 
 develop those divine instincts within us. 
 
 Only for a moment or two did the tempest 
 of emotion sweep over the good man. Molly 
 was still in the arms of her father, when the 
 preacher brushed aside the tears, and, walking 
 over to The Serpent, the most uncomfortable 
 spectator of all, took his hand. 
 
 " Winnebago, are you sorry you have done 
 this?" 
 
 " The heart of The Serpent is light." 
 
 " That is because you have pleased the Great 
 Spirit ; Gauma, you have won the victory." 
 
 "The Serpent has fought harder than ever 
 before ; something bad kept whispering to him 
 when he was walking among the trees that he 
 would be a squaw if he should do this. Then, 
 as he looked at his warriors, his heart failed 
 him and he said he would not do so ; but all 
 the time another voice whispered in his ear ; it 
 was a softer voice, just as the Great Spirit 
 always talks, and it told The Serpent to do it ; 
 and he did it." 
 
 "And the Great Spirit will bless you for 
 what you have done to-day as He never yet has
 
 236 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 blessed you," added the missionary, fervently 
 pressing the hand of the Winnebago and feel- 
 ing tempted to throw his arms about his neck. 
 
 "But tell me," added the good man, 
 straightening up, as he mastered his emo- 
 tions, ' ' how did you explain it to your people 
 when you said you wished to set the captives 
 free?" 
 
 The Serpent's painted face wore a curious 
 expression, and he hesitated a second or two 
 before answering. 
 
 "The warriors were not told that the pale 
 faces would be set free ; they were told that 
 they would be taken through the woods to the 
 company of Ap-to-to, because he had sent for 
 them." 
 
 A light broke in upon the Moravian. The 
 Serpent, instead of making known his real 
 purpose, had disguised it. Returning from 
 his scout over the back trail, he had told his 
 warriors that he met a messenger from Ap-to- 
 to' s party, with orders that the prisoners 
 should be sent to him. As was afterward ex- 
 plained by The Serpent, his wish was for him 
 and his warriors to continue their tramp ho
 
 "OFF WITH YOU: GOOD-BY." 237 
 
 ward by the course they 'were then pursuing, 
 which would join that of the other party at the 
 close of the second day. 
 
 This subterfuge worked well, as it could not 
 fail to do for a time, for nothing was further 
 from the thoughts of the Winnebagoes than 
 that The Serpent felt any thing but the most 
 uncompromising hatred toward the white race. 
 He had proved that so often by his exploits 
 that Ap-to-to himself would have been sus- 
 pected before him. 
 
 It may be doubted whether Gauma could 
 have succeeded by any other means. Had he 
 set out to free the captives by making known 
 his purpose, there would have been a rebellion ; 
 for with the leader were several of that band 
 which made such a fine record in the attack on 
 the settlement that morning, and they were 
 not the ones to allow any sentimentality to 
 sway them. 
 
 Although the Moravian did not refer to it, 
 he saw that The Serpent's action was one 
 which he could never explain to Ap-to-to and 
 the other warriors. The most skillfully con- 
 trived fiction could not hide the flagrant
 
 238 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 defiance. But it was done, and beyond 
 recall. 
 
 "Yes," said Hank Grubbens, when he saw 
 that his friends had some curiosity to hear 
 from him, "the chap over there managed it 
 well, but if he hadn't been quick he would 
 have been too late." 
 
 " How was that ? " asked one of his hearers. 
 
 "Why, I had just made up my mind that 
 this had gone fur enough, and I wouldn' t stand 
 it any longer. I tell you I was getting mad 
 and was all ready to make a rush, when up 
 steps this feller and motions for us to leave. 
 I held back a little at first, 'cause I wasn't 
 willing to let 'em off so easy, but I happened 
 to think it might be bad for Miss Molly there, 
 so I put my hat under my arm, jined the pro- 
 cession and here we are." 
 
 "And precious little help you gave in the 
 matter," said the missionary sternly, for he 
 had no admiration for the ne'er-do-well with 
 whom he had expostulated so often in vain. 
 
 By this time, Molly Bourne and her father 
 had recovered from the first emotion of their 
 meeting. The young lady, whose eyes were
 
 : WITH vor : GOOD-BY." 239 
 
 still red from weeping, shook hands with each 
 of her friends, the Moravian kissing her with 
 as pure a fatherly love as though she had been, 
 his own daughter. The Serpent had withdrawn 
 a short distance, and stood looking at the 
 whites with the indifference which his race are 
 so capable of assuming while in the presence 
 of white men. He had overcome his agitation, 
 and was now master of it. The missionary 
 believed that a peace and calmness had suc- 
 ceeded the struggle with his evil nature, and 
 having won the victory he would now stay to 
 the end. 
 
 It may be said that the mission of the little 
 party under the leadership of the Moravian 
 was ended. They had set out to rescue Molly 
 Bourne and Hank Grubbens, with hardly a 
 shadow of hope, and the two were now with 
 them. What next should be dor. 
 
 Before deciding upon the answer to this 
 question, the missionary drew The Serpent to 
 one side, and they engaged in an earnest con- 
 versation. As was their custom, they spoke 
 in Winnebago, so that they would not have 
 been understood had all their words reached
 
 240 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 the ears of the others who were watching them 
 with such interest. 
 
 This was Grubbens's opportunity and he 
 improved it to impress upon his listeners the 
 theory that he could have left the custody of 
 the Winnebagoes at any moment he choose, 
 and that he was restrained simply by his wish 
 not to imperil the safety of his companion. 
 
 " You see that if I had just let myself out 
 and slung 'em right and left as I would have 
 done if alone, why they might have turned on 
 Molly, and abused her by way of revenge." 
 
 ''But you might have taken her away with 
 you," suggested one of his listeners." 
 
 "I did think of that, and if that Indian 
 hadn't got scared and let us go " 
 
 "You would have died of fright," inter- 
 rupted Jonas Bourne, impatient at the vapor- 
 ings of the young man. "Let us hear no 
 more of such staff, for it deceives no one. 
 The dominie there had a talk with The Ser- 
 pent, as they call him, and persuaded him to 
 go and bring you and Molly to us. Nothing 
 else in the world would have saved you, and 
 I'll own that I didn't believe there was any
 
 'OFF WITH YOU: GOOD-BY." 241 
 
 hope of that. As soon as I get the chance 
 ril ask the pardon of the dominie for the way 
 I talked to him." 
 
 The conference between the missionary and 
 the TVinnebago was not long, though it was 
 of great importance. They had quickly 
 reached a conclusion, and the venerable 
 preacher walked over to the group to make 
 it known. 
 
 "You, Jonas," said he, addressing the 
 father of Molly, "are to take your child, 
 and lose no time in reaching home with her." 
 
 "But she isn't afraid to go alone," said 
 the pioneer. "If I can be of any help to 
 the rest of the folks, I want to do what I 
 can." 
 
 "You are not needed, for though Molly is 
 a brave girl, it would not be right to let her 
 travel so far when night is coming on." 
 
 "If thars anv danger to Molly, why I'll 
 take care of her," volunteered Hank Grub- 
 bens, who would have been glad to go back 
 to the settlement and leave the others to do 
 what they could to help Deerfoot and his 
 friends.
 
 242 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 "It doesn't make much difference where 
 you are," said Bourne ; "but since some one 
 ought to go with Molly, I am the most fitting 
 person. Dominie, I can't talk the lingo of 
 the redskins, but will you thank that fellow 
 there for me, and tell him there is nothing 
 which I will not be glad to do to show my 
 gratitude ? " 
 
 The message was translated to Lhe Serpent, 
 who grunted something which meant noth- 
 ing and acted as though he cared little 
 whether he was thanked or not. 
 
 "And while I am about it, I want to ask 
 your pardon." 
 
 "For what, my man?" asked the mis- 
 sionary. 
 
 " For questioning your judgment, and ' 
 
 "Never mind that! Off with you: good- 
 by." 
 
 Waving their farewells to the rest, the 
 happy father and his daughter started home- 
 ward, both reaching the settlement late that 
 night, where, as you can well imagine, they 
 received a most joyous welcome. 
 
 Then, as the Moravian turned to explain the
 
 "OFF WITH YOU: GOOD-BY." '243 
 
 line of action agreed npon by Mm and The 
 Serpent, he noticed that the Winnebago was 
 gone. But he was not alarmed, for he under- 
 stood what it meant : The Serpent had started 
 in haste to meet Deerfoot, the Shawanoe.
 
 CHAPTEE XXV. 
 
 "TT1NOUGH has been said to give you an 
 -LJ inkling of the reason why The Serpent 
 waited by the deserted camp-fire for the 
 coming of the young Shawanoe who never 
 suspected that fact until he had watched the 
 Winnebago for some time. 
 
 When the Moravian held his last brief talk 
 with The Serpent, he was astonished and 
 delighted to find how thoroughly the heart 
 of the warrior had been changed. By this I 
 do not mean that the transformation was 
 like unto that of the great apostle after the 
 light had shined upon him while on the road 
 to Damascus. That wonderful, mysterious, 
 divine new birth does not follow so soon upon 
 the blind groping of him who hardly under- 
 stood that for which he was searching. But 
 The Serpent had been conscious for a long
 
 "A THIRD PARTY ARRIVED." 245 
 
 time of the tugging of something within which 
 prompted him to reach out for help. Having 
 resolved to obey the strange whisperings, he 
 straightway became more resolute in clinging 
 to the hand that seemed to be reached down 
 for his guidance. 
 
 The Winnebago, therefore, told the mis- 
 sionary that having liberated his own cap- 
 tives, he now meant to make his way to the 
 band of Ap-to-to, and risk his life to set free 
 Linden and his wife and daughter. 
 
 This was a task prodigiously greater than 
 that which he had just performed, and, though 
 the will of the Winnebago was firm, yet he 
 himself could not see the way by which it was 
 to be done, or in fact to be attempted. 
 
 The missionary impressed upon The Serpent 
 that he must not take the first step until he 
 had seen Deerfoot, and effected an under- 
 standing with him. The Shawanoe had some 
 scheme of his own, and two such wise men as 
 he and The Serpent were certain to have their 
 ideas brightened by mutual discussion. 
 
 It mattered nothing that The Serpent and 
 Deerfoot were strangers. They would have no
 
 246 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 trouble in coming to an agreement since the 
 Shawanoe spoke the tongue of the Winnebago 
 as well as did The Serpent himself. 
 
 The Winnebago, instead of attempting to 
 overtake Deerfoot and his companions, has- 
 tened through the forest ahead of them. 
 Striking the footprints of Ap-to-to' s party, it 
 did not take him long to learn that he was 
 between the warriors and the white men. 
 Accordingly he set out over the back trail, 
 and followed it until he reached the deserted 
 camp. By that time it was so dark that he 
 decided to stay where he was until Deerfoot 
 and his friends should reach the spot. He 
 knew they were not far off. 
 
 He made a brief search for the footprints, 
 which he failed to find. Then he started a 
 blaze in the hope that it would bring the 
 Shawanoe to him. 
 
 In taking this course The Serpent was well 
 aware that he was exposing himself to some 
 danger, but the missionary had given him 
 confidence. He knew that Deerfoot would 
 not fire upon him, unless he believed it neces- 
 sary ; and, since Deerfoot was the leader of
 
 "A THIRD PARTY ARRIVED." 
 
 his party, the risk after all did not seem to 
 be so great. 
 
 The slight noise which the Shawanoe pur- 
 posely made in advancing from the gloom was 
 heard by the keen ear of the Winnebago who 
 instinctively raised his gun and looked search- 
 ingly out in the darkness. 
 
 I: is Deerfoot," were the words of the 
 Shawanoe, uttered in a low voice. 
 
 The gun of the Winnebago was lowered, and 
 he replied : 
 
 "The Serpent has waited long for Deer- 
 foot." 
 
 "Why does the Winnebago look for the 
 Shawanoe?" 
 
 "The good man who tells us about the 
 Great Spirit sent The Serpent to talk with 
 Deerfoot. 7 ' 
 
 This was important, if true. The Sha- 
 wanoe would have been glad to believe ir. 
 but he was cautious. While not showing dis- 
 trust, he kept several steps from the other, and 
 held himself ready to meet any sudden leap he 
 might make. Unquestionably the Winnebago 
 was the stronger cf the two, but in activity
 
 248 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 and subtlety lie was not to be compared with 
 the Shawanoe. 
 
 In the conversation which follows I seek to 
 make clear only the substance of what passed 
 between these two warriors, met under such 
 strange circumstances. 
 
 "Is The Serpent the friend of the pale 
 faces?" 
 
 This was somewhat abrupt, and Deerfoot 
 regretted the question the moment it passed 
 his lips. The Winnebago hesitated so long 
 before answering that the suspicions of the 
 young warrior were increased. 
 
 " The words of my brother sound strange in 
 the ear of The Serpent," finally replied the 
 Winnebago, as though talking with himself. 
 " When the sun went down behind the woods, 
 The Serpent hated the pale faces : now he does 
 not." 
 
 " What has made this change 1 " 
 
 " The Great Spirit," said the warrior, look- 
 ing reverently toward the stars. "The good 
 father with the gray hair has talked many 
 times with The Serpent, who would not hear 
 his words. To-day he sprang at him with a
 
 249 
 
 knife, but the good man threw him down, and 
 then when The Serpent's life was his no more 
 he gave it back to him. He felt sorry for his 
 enemies, just as he told me there was One who 
 once gave His life for the whole world. When 
 the good father did that the heart of The Ser- 
 pent became like the heart of a pappoose." 
 
 ''What did my brother do?" asked Deer- 
 foot, who, as you can well understand, was 
 deeply touched by the story of the Winne- 
 bago. 
 
 "He went back to his warriors; he took 
 away the captives, and brought them to their 
 friends. They are free." 
 
 Deerfoot was astounded. He recoiled a step, 
 and looked at the Winnebago a full half min- 
 ute without speaking. The Serpent seemed to 
 enjoy the sensation he had produced, and 
 looked calmly at the youth in silence. 
 
 " Can it be he is telling the truth ? " was the 
 query which the Shawanoe asked himself. He 
 was inclined to believe the amazing story, but 
 his caution bade him go slowly in that direc- 
 tion. None could know better than Deerfoot 
 the innate treachery of his own race, and he
 
 250 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 still kept the little fire between him and the 
 Winnebago, who, however, showed no wish to 
 approach closer. 
 
 "Why does The Serpent seek Deerfoot?" 
 
 " He will give his life if it will save the cap- 
 tives who are with the party of Ap-to-to. The 
 Serpent wishes to talk with Deerfoot, for the 
 Shawanoe has a mind full of light. He may 
 give some of the light to The Serpent." 
 
 This statement was too clear to be mistaken. 
 The Winnebago was eager to prove his change 
 of sentiment toward the white race by still 
 greater service than he had already given. He 
 was ready to go among Ap-to-to' s larger war 
 party, and risk his life in the attempt to free 
 George Linden and his wife and daughter. 
 
 Surely no stronger proof could be asked for 
 or given, but the difficulty, even in the eyes of 
 Deerfoot, was insurmountable. It was well 
 enough to resolve that the prisoners should be 
 rescued, but who should answer the question 
 as to the means of effecting that rescue ? 
 
 Deerfoot was certain that never in all his 
 life had his brain been in such a haze of doubt. 
 He wanted to believe the words of- The Ser-
 
 'A THIED PARTY ARRIVED." 2?1 
 
 pent, but they were too extraordinary to be 
 credited, or at least he conld not free himself 
 of several doubts while seeking to credit 
 them. 
 
 One of the embers composing the fire be- 
 tween the feet of the two warriors fell apart. 
 The twist of flame that curled upward for a 
 moment brought the face of The Serpent in 
 plainer view than at any time since the meet- 
 ing of the two. Deerfoot looked keenly at the 
 painted countenance, and for the first time 
 became certain that he had seen it before that 
 evening. 
 
 The Serpent was one of the warriors who, 
 about four years before, had made a raid 
 through the valley a hundred miles to the 
 southward among the Ozarks. Deerfoot saw 
 him at that time, and knew even then that he 
 one of the fiercest braves of the tribe. He 
 had recognized him among the most demon- 
 strative mourners that afternoon at the burial 
 of Black Bear. 
 
 While the Shawanoe in his devout faith in 
 the Great Spirit could set no bounds to its 
 power, nevertheless he knew how hard it was
 
 252 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 to interpret the divine purposes at all 
 times. 
 
 The recognition of The Serpent produced 
 such a disquieting effect upon Deerfoot that 
 he felt like doubting his story altogether. He 
 had opened his lips to do so, when most unex- 
 pectedly a third party arrived on the scene.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 HE WILL SHOW THE SERPENT THE EIGHT 
 WAY." . 
 
 when The Serpent parted company 
 with the Moravian missionary, after 
 Hank Grubbens and Molly Bourne were re- 
 stored to their friends, he had said nothing 
 about the course that the other party was to 
 follow. Indeed he seemed to feel no interest in 
 any thing except his own success, and as you 
 will recollect, left Mr. Griffiths in ignorance of 
 what he meant to do. 
 
 The Serpent took a shorter cut through the 
 wilderness to the party of Ap-to-to, while the 
 others, as you have been told, found the trail 
 left by their friends, and kept to it until they 
 caught sight of The Serpent. 
 
 They pushed on with much vigor, and only 
 a few minutes after the appearance of The 
 Serpent and his odd movements before Deer-
 
 254 THE LAST AVAR TRAIL. 
 
 foot's party, the missionary and his friends 
 appeared upon the scene. They were taken 
 for Indians in the gloom, but Fred Linden 
 overheard some words spoken in a low voice, 
 which made known that they were white men. 
 Thereupon the two youths, Bowlby and Har- 
 din, advanced and shook hands with those 
 from whom they had parted but a few hours 
 before. 
 
 You may imagine the astonishment when 
 the new arrivals told their story. A brief while 
 before there seemed not the remotest hope of 
 saving Grubbens and Molly, and now they 
 were free. The maiden was well on her way 
 home, if not already there, and here was Grub- 
 bens as proof of the wonderful deliverance. 
 
 "Wall, that beats any thing I ever heerd 
 on," was the exclamation of Bowlby, who 
 almost felt faint over the news ; "if the 
 dominie hadn't told us, I wouldn't believe a 
 word." 
 
 "Ain't I here?" demanded Grubbens. 
 
 "That don't make no difference," was the 
 sturdy response of the hunter, whose opinion 
 of the fellow was any thing but compliment-
 
 "HE WILL SHOW THE SEBPE' 
 
 ary: "I wouldn T t take your oath that you 
 was alive if there warn't somebody else to 
 back it up." 
 
 a all right," said Terry Clark, as if 
 anxious to hare the dispute settled ; "thatrs 
 Hank. Mr. Bowlby; dou r t ye obsarve his 
 bootif ul rid hair shining through the gloom I 
 H-'s alive, though I had a little doubt mesilf 
 whether the spalpeen was telling the throoth 
 when he remarked that he wasn't somebody 
 
 "And so that Winnebago called The Ser- 
 pent set you free?" asked Fred Linden, 
 deeply moved by the narration. 
 
 "He was the identical chap," replied 
 Gmbbens, who felt it hardly prudent to 
 attempt the role of a hero before those who 
 knew his real character. 
 
 " Didn* t the other warriors make any op- 
 position ?" 
 
 "They would hare done so had they 
 known the truth,'" said the missionary, who 
 saw that Fred did not fully understand the 
 story; "but The Serpent made believe that 
 Ap-to-to had sent for the captives. It would
 
 256 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 have been very strange had the warriors 
 suspected his motives, for he has been one 
 of the most terrible Winnebagoes that ever 
 lived. The marvelous part of the business is 
 that Gauma should have done that which you 
 can see was easy for him to do." 
 
 "You say that he has set out to meet 
 Deerfoot?" 
 
 "Yes, and doubtless they have met before 
 this." 
 
 When the Moravian learned of the signal 
 emitted by Deerfoot and of the strange Indian 
 whom his friends had seen advance to where 
 they stood and return, the good man saw 
 what it all meant. 
 
 "The two are within a hundred yards of 
 us : stay you here while I go forward and join 
 them." 
 
 Thus it came about that the missionary 
 presented himself to the two warriors at the 
 moment when the younger was on the point 
 of telling the elder that he was sure he spoke 
 with "two tongues." 
 
 The Moravian shook hands warmly with 
 both, and since the Shawanoe understood
 
 " HE WILL SHOW THE SEKPENT THE WAY." 257 
 
 Winnebago as well as a native, that tongue 
 was used by all three, for the reason also that 
 The Serpent might have suspected the sin- 
 cerity of one of them at least had a language 
 been employed with which he was not 
 familiar. 
 
 u Deerfoot," said the Moravian, laying his 
 hand upon the shoulder of the young warrior 
 in his affectionate way, which was always 
 pleasing to the youth, " I suppose that Gauma 
 has told you of the wonderful events that have 
 taken place this afternoon." 
 
 " He has told Deerfoot that my good father 
 spared his life that he has freed the captives 
 and that he is now on his way to Ap-to-to's 
 camp to see whether he can do the same for 
 the pale-faces there ; but 
 
 Before Deerfoot could say more the saga- 
 cious Moravian broke in : 
 
 "And every word that he has told you is 
 true ; the Great Spirit has given him a new 
 heart, and he is now as anxious to do His will 
 as he was a few hours ago to do his own pleas- 
 ure. I asked him to seek you out and to talk 
 with you, for if there is any hope for George
 
 258 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 and his wife and daughter, you and he together 
 will find what it is." 
 
 This brushed aside the mists that had gath- 
 ered before the eyes of the Shawanoe. Moving 
 around the edge of the fire he extended his 
 hand to his brother, who returned the warm 
 pressure. They were now friends and trusted 
 each other. 
 
 You would grow wearied if I should give you 
 the whole conversation that followed among 
 these three remarkable persons. They had but 
 one purpose, and that was to secure the liberty 
 of the captives withAp-to-to's band ; but such 
 had been their object all along, and the ques- 
 tion remained still unanswered. 
 
 Here are a few facts that must be stated : 
 
 Ap-to-to and his men were in camp a mile to 
 the northward, and, as I have already made 
 mention, the two war parties were to reunite 
 at the close of the following day. There was 
 no special reason why they should have divided 
 at all, but The Serpent said the idea was Ap- 
 to-to' s, who hoped to draw the white men into 
 a trap, and thought he could do it better by 
 that means than if they stayed together.
 
 * ; HE WILL SHOW THE SERPENT THE WAY/ 
 
 If nothing should be accomplished within 
 the following twenty-fouj honrs, then it was 
 folly to hope for snccess. By that time the 
 treachery of The Serpent wonld become 
 known, and he wonld become an ontlaw to his 
 people. As soon as Ap-to-to and the rest 
 learned what he had done, his life wonld not 
 be safe for a minute in their hands. 
 
 ISbne knew this better than The Serpent, 
 bnt he took his step deliberately, and he did 
 not intend to sacrifice himself to the vengeance 
 of his brother warriors. He had counted the 
 cost of his change of base, and he was ready. 
 
 It seemed idle to hope that the same means 
 conld be nsed in the second as in the first 
 instance. What plea conld The Serpent make 
 to Ap-to-to for the transfer of the three cap- 
 tires to his own party? The request itself 
 would excite a curiosity which could not 
 be satisfied without a revelation of the 
 truth. 
 
 Although Deerfoot had played so well the 
 part of a Winnebago warrior early in the day, 
 he could not do so again. Ap-to-to knew all 
 his men too well to be deceived. Besides,
 
 260 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 there was nothing to be gained by acting such 
 a part. None but a zany would have hoped 
 thus to outwit the vigilant Winnebagoes. 
 
 The result of the conference, which lasted 
 half-an-hour, promised to be a deepening of 
 the despair that all felt, when The Serpent 
 startled his companions by striking the butt 
 of his rifle on the earth with a thump which 
 all heard. 
 
 "What is the matter? " asked the Moravian, 
 " what does tJiat mean ? " 
 
 "The Serpent has sharp 3yes, and he sees 
 something." 
 
 "What is it ?" asked Deerfoot, sharing the 
 agitation of the other two. 
 
 You know that as a rule the American 
 Indian is master of his emotions, but for two 
 or three minutes the Winnebago walked back 
 and forth, and moved around, just as you do 
 when you hear some news that takes away 
 your self-possession. 
 
 His companions watched him with strange 
 feelings, but they did not question him fur- 
 ther. If he chose to keep his secret they were 
 willing, though their curiosity was as great as

 
 " He will show the Serpent the right way."
 
 " HE WILL ?HOW THE SERPENT THE WAY." 261 
 
 yours and mine would have been under simi- 
 lar circumstances. 
 
 Stopping abruptly before his two friends, 
 with the small fire burning at their feet, the 
 warrior said : 
 
 " The Serpent must go to Ap-to-to." 
 
 " When will he come back ! " 
 
 "He can not say ; perhaps before the rising 
 of the sun perhaps after it has risen perhaps 
 never/" 
 
 " But," interposed the Moravian, who 
 checked himself, uncertain what he ought to 
 say iii the face of such a singular situation. 
 
 "The Serpent can not tell," remarked the 
 Winnebago looking off into the gloom, as if 
 communing with himself ; " he has thought of 
 a way that may bring back the captives, but it 
 may not." 
 
 " Can we do any thing to help you I " asked 
 the missionary. 
 
 " My father and my brother may ask the 
 Great Spirit to hold up the hand of The 
 pent." 
 
 "You may depend upon our doing that 
 unceasingly."
 
 262 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 Deerfoot as well as the Moravian were 
 eager to have their new friend make known 
 something of his plans, but, as before, they 
 refrained from questioning him, knowing that 
 if he wished to inform them he would do so 
 without any inquiry from them. 
 
 For a full minute the Winnebago stood in 
 his thoughtful position. Several times he 
 seemed on the point of saying something ; but 
 if he was he changed his mind and held his 
 peace. Then, with the same abruptness as 
 before, he walked off in the gloom and van- 
 ished. 
 
 Left alone, the missionary and the Shawanoe 
 looked in each other's faces in silence. The 
 elder was the first to speak. 
 
 "It is the work of the Great Spirit," said 
 he reverently ; " only a few hours ago Gauma 
 was the fiercest warrior of the Winnebagoes : 
 now he is the friend of the white man." 
 
 "Great is the power of Him," said Deer- 
 foot, softly, looking upward ; "He will show 
 The Serpent the right way." 
 
 "Let us pray that He will, for if he fails, 
 then must we believe that for reasons of His
 
 " HE WILL SHOW THE SERPEXT THE WAT." 263 
 
 own, God wills that our friends shall suffer 
 torture and death." 
 
 Saddened and oppressed, despite the actions 
 of The Serpent, the two turned about and tak- 
 ing the opposite course from that of their 
 friend, they quickly joined the rest of the 
 party, who were impatiently awaiting them. 
 
 Fred Linden was thrown into a nutter of 
 hope and expectancy by the story which the 
 missionary told, but neither he nor any of his 
 companions could form the faintest conjecture 
 of what scheme had entered the head of the 
 Winnebago. 
 
 Not if they had been given a week could 
 they hare guessed his line of action, for it bore 
 no resemblance to any thing of which they had 
 erer heard, or that had ever entered their 
 minds, or was likely ever to take place again.
 
 CHAPTEK XXVII. 
 
 " THE SERPENT HIMSELF QUIETLY WALKED 
 FOETH FROM THE WOOD." 
 
 AS I have told you, the larger party of 
 Winnebagoes went into camp at no 
 very great distance to the north of the spot 
 where the Moravian and Shawanoe held their 
 conference with The Serpent. As is the prac- 
 tice of their people, they chose a site near a 
 stream of running water, and all the game 
 that was needed for supper was obtained 
 by several of their hunters before the set of 
 sun. 
 
 While there was nothing in the scene, at 
 least for a time, different from those which I 
 have described to you more than once, yet 
 the leading incident was of a new nature 
 altogether. 
 
 Black Bear, the war chief of the Winne- 
 bagoes, was dead and buried, and it. was felt
 
 " THE SEKPEXT HIMSELF WALKED FORTH." 265 
 
 that a successor should be chosen without 
 delay. Just as when our president is called 
 away, the vice-president steps into his place, 
 so it was decided that the great Wionebago 
 nation should not be long without a head and 
 leader. 
 
 The decision was reached that the new chief 
 should be chosen that evening, and it was this 
 fact which gave the encampment an unusual 
 character. 
 
 Xow you must think, from many references 
 I have made, that there was but one warrior 
 thought of for this honor, and that of course 
 was Ap-to-to. Had Black Bear been given a 
 voice in the matter he would have named that 
 wily fellow with the twisted nose, for the lat- 
 ter had long cultivated his good will. 
 
 There had been a general feeling among the 
 warriors that Ap-to-to was the next in order 
 in the presidential succession, but that senti- 
 ment had undergone a change during the last 
 few days, especially since the attack on the 
 settlement. 
 
 You know that all through that fierce light- 
 ing, Ap-to-to and several of his warriors
 
 266 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 remained among the rocky hills to the north 
 of Greville, while the chief lost his life during 
 the contest. This fact, being generally known, 
 deepened the feeling against Ap-to-to to such 
 an extent that a strong opposition developed 
 during the journey homeward and in the 
 encampment, and he was frightened by the 
 fear of being defeated. 
 
 - The dearest dream of Ap-to-to' s life was 
 that he should go back to his villages as the 
 successor of the great war chief, Black Bear : 
 the prospect, therefore, that another would be 
 chosen to the honor filled him with chagrin 
 and dismay. 
 
 Not only was the opposition to Ap-to-to 
 strong, but it was dangerous, because it had 
 settled upon the one who should receive the 
 honor in his place : he was The Serpent. 
 
 It may be said that he made his reputation 
 that day in the attack upon the settlement. 
 He had been known for years as without a 
 superior among his people for prowess, dar- 
 ing, and readiness of resource, but the fame of 
 the brave Indian was completed by the lead- 
 ership of the band that attacked the house
 
 " THE SERPENT HIMSELF WALKED FORTH." 267 
 
 of George Linden with such courage and 
 succ 
 
 The plan, of making The Serpent chief had 
 been named to him before, bnt he was one of 
 those rare persons who shnt their eyes 
 against political preferment. He insisted 
 that the honor belonged to one warrior only, 
 and he was Ap-to-to. 
 
 This refusal would have been decisive, but 
 for the events of the day. They lowered 
 Ap-to-to and raised The Serpent so much in 
 the estimation of the other warriors, that the 
 current was setting irresistibly against the 
 former. 
 
 Xow it was the custom of the Winneba- 
 goes, in choosing a chief, to call all the war- 
 riors together and to give them a voice in the 
 question. It was decided, however, to vary 
 the custom in the present instance. 
 
 It was agreed by a majority that they 
 should not wait until the next night, when 
 the rest of the war party would join them. 
 These two together formed a large majority of 
 the warriors of the tribe, and the party which 
 had taken the matter in charge constituted
 
 268 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 less than half of those entitled to vote, so that 
 it would seem they were assuming more 
 privileges than belonged to them. 
 
 The cause of this was the impatience which 
 a number felt with Ap-to-to since his shirking 
 of duty and his persistency in pressing his 
 claims for the chieftainship. 
 
 Thus you will understand that the wily war- 
 rior was the most uneasy of the two score, 
 when they went into camp for the night and 
 the question came up for decision. 
 
 Nothing could more strikingly prove the 
 contempt in which the Winnebagoes held the 
 whites than the events of that night. They 
 did not send any one back over the trail as 
 was done by The Serpent, to find out whether 
 the settlers were following them, nor did they 
 even place sentinels around their camp to 
 guard against any attempt at rescue by the 
 friends of the prisoners. It was a matter of 
 indifference to the Indians what was done or 
 attempted to be done by the pioneers. And 
 you can not wonder that such should be their 
 feeling. 
 
 Early in the evening, Linden, his wife, and
 
 11 THE SERPENT HIMSELF WALKED FORTH." 269 
 
 Ms daughter, were sitting on a fallen tree and 
 doing what they could to cheer one another. 
 The settler of course was without his weapon 
 and in no form to make a fight, had the chance 
 presented itself. The TVinnebagoes had offered 
 them no indignity, for they could well afford 
 to wait until the arrival at the villages. Xot 
 only that, but each of the three hapless ones 
 had been presented with a piece of the half- 
 cooked venison for supper, and they were 
 allowed to drink from the clear running brook 
 near them. 
 
 Had George Linden been alone when the 
 latter privilege was given, he would have 
 made a break for liberty ; but in that case it 
 is not likely the temptation would have been 
 put in his way. 
 
 As I have said, the three who were seated 
 on the log did what they could to encourage 
 each other, but it was very little they could 
 do. Bright-hearted Edith, seeing how utterly 
 her parents were depressed, assumed a cheer- 
 fulness which she was far from feeling, and 
 which could not deceive them. Even the 
 maiden herself was compelled to see ho\v
 
 270 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 vain her efforts were, and she finally gave 
 them up. 
 
 From several expressions in broken English, 
 and from the action of the warriors themselves, 
 George Linden was able to fathom the cause 
 of the stir among the Winnebagoes. 
 
 You will find that persons at the most 
 serious crises of their lives often become 
 interested in trifles which they would not 
 notice at other times. 
 
 Thus it was that Linden, although unable to 
 understand an expression in Winnebago, was 
 able to keep a fair run of the aboriginal cau- 
 cusing and electioneering. Nearly every war- 
 rior carried a pipe in his mouth, and some of 
 them smoked so vigorously (just like their civ- 
 ilized friends on similar occasions) that the 
 smoke which curled upward rivaled that of the 
 camp-fire itself. Here and there were groups 
 squatted on the ground or sitting cross-legged 
 like so many tailors, talking and gesticulating 
 as though the fate of all their beloved hunting- 
 grounds was dependent upon the issue, while 
 others walked back and forth discussing the 
 question with the same earnestness.
 
 "THE SERPENT HIMSELF WALKED FORTH." 271 
 
 It might well be wondered how there could 
 be so much argument when the sentiment was 
 so strongly in favor of one man The Serpent. 
 It may be answered that most of the talk of 
 the warriors was on the same side of the ques- 
 tion. Thus three AVinnebagoes who stood so 
 far back that they were barely visible by the 
 reflected glow, simply strengthened each other 
 in the view that no one except The Serpent was 
 to be elected. 
 
 You would say that there was no possible 
 chance for Ap-to-to, and that he ought to have 
 withdrawn from the contest, resigning in favor 
 of some one else, as the expression goes. 
 But you know how hard it is to con- 
 vince an aspiring politician that the peo- 
 ple prefer another to him. Ap-to-to con- 
 tinued moving hither and thither, discuss- 
 ing, promising, pleading, and when it was 
 prudent threatening those who opposed him. 
 
 The strongest argument used by him was 
 that The Serpent would not accept the honor 
 if it were offered to him. This statement was 
 not without its weight, for there was more than 
 one warrior who had heard Gauma utter the 
 declaration.
 
 272 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 The explanation by Ap-to-to of his absence 
 among the hills was that he and several braves 
 were engaged in a sharp fight there, but since 
 none could show any trophy of the victory 
 they claimed, the statement was not satisfac- 
 tory by any means. 
 
 Ap-to-to could not fail to see that the cur- 
 rent was setting too strongly against him to be 
 resisted. As a last resort he asked that the 
 matter should be postponed until the next 
 night, when the two companies would reunite, 
 and all could have a voice in its settlement. 
 
 The majority refused to concede this, inas- 
 much as Ap-to-to had been quite willing that 
 the question should be disposed of until he 
 found another than himself was agreed upon. 
 
 Finally, Ap-to-to begged that they would 
 wait till The Serpent could be sent for. If he 
 agreed to accept the chieftainship, then Ap-to- 
 to would yield, as of course he would be com- 
 pelled to do. 
 
 While this request was under consideration 
 The Serpent himself quietly walked forth from 
 the wood and joined the astonished assem- 
 blage.
 
 CHAPTER XXV ILL 
 
 " THE SERPENT TTAT> SCORED HIS FIRST POINT." 
 
 THE American Indian has many traits in 
 common with his civilized brother. For 
 a long time after the arrival of The Serpent the 
 Winnebago encampment was a political n 
 ing, in which the lines were drawn very 
 sharply. 
 
 Before advancing from the gloom, Ganma 
 tarried long enongh within earshot to get a 
 fair knowledge of what it all meant. The sur- 
 prise which he showed, in his restrained way, 
 was assumed, for you do not need to be told 
 that he was one of the shrewdest and most 
 cunning of his kind. 
 
 The instant he was recognized, most of the 
 others crowded around him, grunting their 
 pleasure, which was so deep that it seemed hard 
 for them to refrain from embracing him. He 
 saluted all, and explained his presence by say- 
 ing that since his own party went into camp,
 
 274 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 he decided to come through the woods to ask 
 the advice of Ap-to-to on several matters. 
 
 Ap-to-to perhaps was the most demonstra- 
 tive of all in his delight over the arrival of The 
 Serpent. His welcome was like that extended 
 to one who had come back from the dead. He 
 knew that the visitor had but to say a single 
 word to become the successor of Black Bear, 
 but a deep-laid scheme was in his mind. 
 
 Indeed the feeling was so high among the 
 "Winnebagoes that it pressed aside all others. 
 It was almost unanimously decided that the 
 election should be held at once, and The Ser- 
 pent was told that he was the one fixed upon 
 for the leadership of the Winnebagoes. 
 
 During these exciting moments Ap-to-to 
 was the most wretched of men. He passed to 
 and fro, not daring to make the appeal to The 
 Serpent, which more than once was on his 
 tongue ; but his eyes told that which he did 
 not dare put into words. 
 
 There was no stopping the proceedings, and, 
 when the Winnebagoes gathered in a large 
 circle, which extended near enough to the log 
 whereon the captives were sitting to shut out
 
 "THE SERPEXT SCORED HIS FIRST POI: 275 
 
 all thought of escape on their part, The Ser- 
 pent suggested another comparison with the 
 policy of white men under similar circum- 
 stances. He meant to make a speech. 
 
 "Brothers," he said in a deep rich voice, 
 and instantly every eye was fixed upon him ; 
 " the heart of The Serpent is full of ligh: 
 are the clearings when the sun shines from be- 
 hind the clouds. You loved Black Bear, our 
 great chieftain, and you love me ; therefore 
 the heart of The Serpent is full of light, and 
 he is glad. 
 
 " Brothers, The Serpent is a warrior like 
 you, but he is no greater than you. He is no 
 braver; he fights by your side; he does not 
 fight at your head, as did Black Bear." 
 
 It must be said at this point that The Ser- 
 pent* s modesty prevented him doing himself 
 justice. Even Black Bear had not shown such 
 conspicuous bravery as Gauma or The Serpent. 
 So marked indeed was his courage that it 
 looked like hypocrisy on his part to deny it ; 
 but his object was a deeper one than of ward- 
 ing off the compliments of his friends. 
 
 "Brothers, 5 * he continued, "The Sen
 
 276 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 no braver than The Buffalo, The Ante- 
 lope, Rolling Thunder, The Panther, or Ap- 
 to-to." 
 
 As the orator uttered each of these names, 
 he indicated them by his finger, making a 
 little extra gesture when he pointed out the 
 last. There was a series of grunts and shakes 
 of the heads by way of protest, and those who 
 were named were the most vigorous in parry- 
 ing the compliments. 
 
 ' ' Brothers, you shut your eyes to many 
 things. Our chief must be brave like Black 
 Bear, and he must be wise like him, for brav- 
 ery without wisdom is like the buffalo bull 
 when the wolves have torn out his eyes. He 
 will fight hard, but he can not see where to 
 drive his horns. 
 
 "Brothers, Ap-to-to has the eyes of the 
 eagle ; he can see further than The Serpent or 
 The Buffalo, or The Antelope or Rolling Thun- 
 der : he must be your chief. ' ' 
 
 The speaker saw the storm he was raising. 
 It may be said that he was springing Ap-to-to' s 
 candidacy upon them too soon : they needed 
 to be educated up to the point of acceptance.
 
 " THE SERPENT SCORED HIS FIRST POINT." "JT? 
 
 But The Serpent had uncovered his battery, 
 and he could do nothing less than fire it. 
 
 ' My brothers, if you love The Serpent, lis 
 ten to his words. Do you not love the memory 
 of Black Bear ? " 
 
 The response to this was enough to make 
 that old chieftain smile in his grave. 
 
 "Then, brothers, listen, for The Serpent now 
 speaks the words of Black Bear. He loved 
 Ap-to-to, for he knew the Great Spirit meant 
 he should be chief of the "Winnebagoes ; he 
 said so often ; could he speak now those would 
 be his words." 
 
 This was a telling thrust, and it produced its 
 effect. Ap-to-to seemed aware that it was his 
 strongest weapon. None of the hearers could 
 doubt that what the Serpent said was the 
 truth, and that for some reason, which the rest 
 could not explain, Black Bear always had a 
 partiality for Ap-to-to. 
 
 A thrill of pleasure went through the heart 
 of the wily schemer, for it was plain enough 
 that The Serpent was his friend, and meant to 
 insist on his choice for the chieftaincy. If he 
 should do so it must be decisive.
 
 278 THE LAST WAR TKAIL. 
 
 You would have smiled, could you have 
 been present to watch the next step in the pro- 
 ceedings of this singular meeting. You know 
 that at many of our political gatherings the 
 orator is often interrupted by some one who 
 desires to ask him a question. Precisely the 
 same thing now took place. The warrior 
 known as Rolling Thunder said : 
 
 " When the fight was hot this morning, and 
 the Long Knives were falling like leaves in the 
 autumn wind, where was The Serpent ? " 
 
 "By the side of my brothers," replied the 
 speaker, who saw what was coming. 
 
 ' ' The Serpent was not at our side ; he was 
 at our head / will my brother tell me where 
 was Ap-to-to?" 
 
 " The heart of The Serpent is glad, for he can 
 speak to his brothers. He will tell them 
 truths which will open their eyes wider than 
 when the Great Spirit speaks from the sky. 
 
 " Brothers, you ask me where Ap-to-to was, 
 when the fight was going on around the cabins 
 of the Long Knives. I will tell you. 
 
 " Brothers, who is the most terrible enemy 
 of the red men ? He is not a Long Knife ; he
 
 " THE SERPENT SCORED HIS FIRST POEST. " 
 
 is one whose skin is red like ours ; he is a 
 Shawanoe and his name is Deerfoot. 
 
 When The Serpent was fighting with his 
 brothers, Ap to- to was hurrying to join them. 
 Among the hills he came face to face with the 
 panther they call Deerfoot. He was painted 
 like a Winnebago, and some of our warriors 
 thought he was a friend ; he was more subtle 
 than they. He closed all their eyes but those 
 of Ap-to-to." 
 
 " Brothers, Ap- to- to met the Shawanoe, and 
 he would hare torn the scalp from his head, 
 had not the Shawanoe, who runs faster than 
 the antelope, fled in terror before him. Deer- 
 foot fears no one but Ap-to-to ; when he sees 
 Ap-to-to he runs as does the fawn before the 
 wolves." 
 
 Now, I am sure I need not tell you that this 
 story of The Serpent was one of the most out- 
 rageous yarns that a writer of romance could 
 have put together. Among all the Winne- 
 bagoes there was not one who held Deerfoot in 
 such dread as did the warrior who was so 
 anxious to step into the moccasins of Black 
 Bear.
 
 280 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 But the story of the audacious Serpent was 
 believed by every one of his hearers, except 
 Ap-to-to himself. He knew he had no right 
 to the glory thus given to him, but it was so 
 well put by his friend that the scamp began to 
 wonder whether after all there was not a 
 grain of truth in it. It must be, thought 
 Ap-to-to, that he was a better man than those 
 who knew him best believed him to be. 
 
 "Brothers," resumed The Serpent, seeing 
 how truly he had struck the mark, "why did 
 not Ap-to-to tell you the reason he could not 
 be where his heart was with us in the fight ? 
 He was fighting a worse foe than the Long 
 Knives. When the Shawanoe ran, then Ap- 
 to-to turned to join us, but the battle was 
 ended." 
 
 Had The Serpent told the exact truth, he 
 would have said that the individual under dis- 
 cussion took good care not to hasten to join 
 the rest until the contest was over. But the 
 pleader chose to put the silence of Ap-to-to to 
 the credit of the most worthy of all motives 
 his modesty. 
 
 "Brothers, Black Bear loved Ap-to-to be-
 
 ' THE SERPENT SCORED HIS FIRST POINT." 281 
 
 cause he knew him better than we. He wanted 
 aim to be chieftain : Black Bear never wanted 
 The Serpent to be a leader of his braves. Had 
 Black Bear said so, then would The Serpent be 
 glad to be your chief ; but we all love Black 
 Bear too much to do that which would dis^ 
 please him. 
 
 "Brothers, The Serpent can not be your 
 chief ; Ap-to-to must be. If you think as does 
 The Serpent, cheer his heart by saying so." 
 
 The shrewd orator had won the victory, and 
 he proved his tact by seizing its fruits without 
 delay. Had he waited until the feeling had 
 subsided, a discussion would have followed, 
 full of danger to the project The Serpent had 
 in mind. Instead, therefore, of joining in a 
 council to consider the matter, as was the 
 almost invariable rule among the Indians, he 
 wound up his oration by putting the question 
 to a vote. 
 
 The response was unanimous. Every war- 
 rior signified his wish to follow the counsel of 
 Black Bear and The Serpent. Ap-to-to became 
 war chief of the Winnebagoes so suddenly 
 that it almost took away his breath.
 
 282 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 The sharp political work was done by The 
 Serpent alone, and without him it never could 
 have been accomplished. Having been elected 
 it devolved upon Ap-to-to to thank his constit- 
 uents for the honor, and he -did it with no lit- 
 tle skill. 
 
 "Brothers, the heart of Ap-to-to bounds 
 with joy, and he asks the Great Spirit to make 
 him worthy to lead you as Black Bear has done 
 so many times. The Serpent is better fitted to 
 be your chief than is Ap-to-to, but he will not 
 consent. Ap-to-to will try to emulate the 
 bravery and virtues not only of Black Bear 
 but of The Serpent." 
 
 The Serpent had scored his first point, but 
 how about the second and decisive one ?
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 i; EDITH WAS SUBE SHE DISTINGUISHED TUB 
 V4TVT OUTLINES OF AJF ESDIAS WARRIOK." 
 
 YOU know enough about the political his- 
 tory of our country to recall that when 
 two leading candidates are before a convention 
 for nomination, and one of them withdraws in 
 faror of the other, the latter, in case of his 
 own election, is quite sure to remember his 
 sacrificing friend in making up his cabinet or 
 in distributing the choicest plums of patron- 
 age. 
 
 So it would seem that Ap-to-to. knowing in 
 his own heart that his election was due solely 
 to the grace of The Serpent^ would be more 
 than glad to do any thing he could for him. 
 When I tell yon that that was the very thing 
 for which The Serpent had striven from the 
 first.. you will see the line of policy which he 
 adopted without explaining at the time he was
 
 284 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 holding converse with the Moravian and Deer- 
 foot. 
 
 But with the subtlety of his nature The 
 Serpent waited before pushing his advantage. 
 He joined with the others in congratulating 
 the new chieftain and there was a general 
 smoking of pipes, and conversation for a full 
 hour. 
 
 From the moment of The Serpent' s arrival in 
 camp he had not shown any attention to the 
 three captives who were still sitting upon the 
 fallen tree, occasionally exchanging a few 
 words, and feeling a languid interest in the 
 strife for the selection of a chief. 
 
 It was not necessary that The Serpent should 
 manifest any interest in the hapless prisoners. 
 He could not help observing them now and 
 then as he moved to and fro. On their part 
 it could not be expected that they should have 
 any idea of the plot that had been formed for 
 their benefit. 
 
 By and by matters cooled down, as may be 
 said. The Serpent found the means of taking 
 Ap-to-to to one side for a little private conver- 
 sation. Several observed it, but since there
 
 EDITH SEES AX INDIAN WARRIOR. 
 
 was nothing inappropriate in the proceed- 
 ing, they took care not to interrupt the speak- 
 ers. 
 
 A liberal interpretation of the conversation 
 may be given : 
 
 " Gauma, you did Ap-to-to the greatest favor 
 of his life." 
 
 " The Serpent made Ap-to-to war chief of 
 the Winnebagoes ; but for him he never would 
 have been chosen." 
 
 "My brother is right. Can Ap-to-to do 
 any thing to prove his love for The Serpent \ " 
 
 "He can." 
 
 " Tell Ap-to-to what it is." 
 
 " The chief Ap-to-to has three Long Knives 
 in his captivity." 
 
 " Yonder they sit on the fallen tree," said 
 the chief, turning his head as though afraid 
 they had slipped away during the late excite- 
 ment. "We shall take them to the villages. 
 The squaws shall become the slaves of our 
 squaws, and the warrior shall run the gaunt- 
 let, and then we will burn him to a tree." 
 
 "That is good/' 
 
 " Does my brother want to burn now ?
 
 286 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 If he does, the wish of his heart shall be 
 gratified." 
 
 The Serpent looked steadily at the little 
 group seated on the log, as though he was 
 half disposed to claim the favor promised, but 
 he shook his head. 
 
 "No; but Ap-to-to did not make them 
 captive ; it was The Serpent who led the 
 way." 
 
 "The Serpent speaks words that are true." 
 
 " The Serpent asks the chief to give him the 
 captives." 
 
 "What will my brother do with them ? " 
 asked Ap-to-to, plainly surprised by the 
 request. 
 
 ' ' He will take them with him through the 
 wood to The Serpent's encampment. Then 
 when we reach our lodges the five captives 
 will be with Ap-to-to as well as with The Ser- 
 pent and his warriors." 
 
 Now, this may seem to have been a slight 
 request, but it was manifest that Ap-to-to was 
 much opposed to granting it. Among his war- 
 riors were a number who had taken part in the 
 brilliant raid already described, and to them
 
 EDITH SEE? A>- rS'DlAV WARRIOR. 287 
 
 the transfer of the captives to the other party 
 would be without reason. Possibly they might 
 not make objection if they believed the change 
 was honestly intended, but Ap-to-to suspected 
 that his loyal subject meant to give all three 
 over to torture at the hands of the other 
 company. 
 
 However, you can well understand the desire 
 of the new chief to please The Serpent, for he 
 knew that if this doughty follower should wish 
 to do so he could go behind the returns, over- 
 throw the election, have Ap-to-to deposed and 
 himself chosen in his place. 
 
 The Serpent saw the hesitation of the chief- 
 tain and suspected its meaning, but refrained 
 from letting it be seen that he thought any 
 thing of it. Instead of looking in Ap-to-to's 
 face, as was his custom when talking with 
 him, he seemed to be interested in a group of 
 smoking Winnebagoes on the other side of the 
 fire. 
 
 When does The Serpent wish to take away 
 the captives \ " asked Ap-to-to, as though he 
 was willing to grant the request. " 
 
 The Serpent, as you can well see, wanted
 
 288 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 above every thing to take them with him at 
 once, for the hours were beyond value. If he 
 could guide them back to the spot where their 
 anxious friends were waiting, the journey to 
 the settlement could be pushed so vigorously 
 that it would be reached shortly after sunrise 
 and before the Winnebagoes could take any 
 steps in the way of pursuit. 
 
 Between the evening and daylight fatal 
 complications were likely to arise. Never- 
 theless, The Serpent kept his head. The 
 hesitation of Ap-to-to, slight though it was, 
 awakened a misgiving that increased his 
 caution. 
 
 " Ap-to-to is chief. He shall say." 
 
 "It shall be as The Serpent wishes. At 
 the rising of the sun the captives shall be his." 
 
 This gave the permission asked, but the 
 delay must not be permitted. 
 
 Affecting to be pleased with the permission, 
 The Serpent talked of other matters, and by- 
 and-by sauntered off among the other warriors. 
 He was held in such high esteem by all that he 
 was welcome wherever he went and was 
 treated with consideration.
 
 EDITH SEES AX IXDIAX WARRIOR. 289 
 
 During his strolling to and fro The Serpent 
 passed near the captives, looking at them 
 with such close attention that the three 
 noticed it. 
 
 "What a fine-looking warrior," said Lin- 
 den in an undertone to his wife and daugh- 
 ter, between whom he was sitting. 
 
 " He is the Winnebago who joined them a 
 little while ago," replied the wife, she having 
 been a close observer of the proceedings. ' * lie 
 made the speech which caused so much excite- 
 ment." 
 
 " Yes, father said his speech was in favor of 
 Ap-to-to, who wanted to be chief." 
 
 " So it seems to me. though I may be wrong. 
 You know the Indians use a great many ges- 
 tures, and their looks helped me to understand 
 the meaning of all this rumpus." 
 
 '* I wonder why he is so much interested in 
 us?" was the wondering remark of the wife. 
 ' ' He has stopped over there again and looks 
 as though he would like to say something." 
 
 "If he wanted to say it, what is there to 
 hinder him \ ' ' 
 
 " Perhaps he can't speak English."
 
 290 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 "There must be some of the warriors who 
 know enough to translate his words, that is, if 
 he desires to say any thing, which I don't be- 
 believe is likely. There!" exclaimed the 
 pioneer, "I knew I had seen that fellow be- 
 fore. He was the leader of the band that burst 
 through our door and gave us such af right." 
 
 " I recognized him while he was making his 
 speech," said his wife, "and supposed that 
 you did also." 
 
 "Well, there is only one warrior that's his 
 equal in that kind of business, and that's 
 Deerfoot." 
 
 " But Deerfoot isn't nearly as large or 
 strong as he," ventured Edith. 
 
 " That may be, but he is lightning itself in a 
 fight. A man that can strike hard enough to 
 bury his knife in your body, strikes hard 
 enough for all purposes, and his blow is as 
 effective as if made by one of double his 
 strength. It's quickness that counts in this 
 dreadful work. If Deerfoot and that fine- 
 looking warrior were set against each other, 
 the Shawanoe would kill him in the twinkling 
 of an eye."
 
 EDITH SEES AN INDIAN WARRIOR. 291 
 
 " But suppose the Winnebago should catch 
 the Shawanoe in his grasp ? " 
 
 "Ah," said the father, with a smile, "you 
 are supposing that which is unsupposable. 
 But where has our friend gone \ ' ' 
 
 The three turned their heads in different 
 directions, and scrutinized each warrior in 
 turn, until quite sure they had seen all. But 
 among them was not the one in whom they 
 had become so interested. 
 
 " We shall find him before long " 
 
 "&/" whispered Edith, "I think I see 
 Mm!" 
 
 She was looking directly behind her, out 
 among the trees where every thing was 
 shrouded in impenetrable darkness. Some 
 one had stirred the big mass of sticks burning 
 in the open space so that they threw a glow a 
 little further into the gloom than before. The 
 gleam of the water was plainly seen in one 
 direction, while the features of most of the 
 warriors, as they lolled on the ground, were as 
 distinct as at noon tide. 
 
 Beside the trunk of a large oak several 
 yards to the rear of the prostrate tree on which
 
 292 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 the captives were sitting, Editli was sure she 
 distinguished the faint outlines of an Indian 
 warrior. The light was too dim for her to 
 make out the form, but she was convinced that 
 it was the tall Winnebago, and that he was 
 studying them with a closeness for which they 
 count not account, and which filled all with 
 unspeakable dread.
 
 CHAPTER XTT. 
 ''THEY'LL GI\TB THE SZRPEST AS ESCOBT." 
 
 YOU can understand how frying was the 
 situation of our three friends sitting on 
 the fallen tree. They were on what may be 
 called the outer rim of the circle of light 
 thrown out by the camp-fire, so that while 
 looking behind them, they could see only a 
 Tery short distance into the forest. But when 
 Edith told her father and mother about the 
 strange figure, they also observed it. 
 
 Remembering The Serpent as the leader of 
 the band which burst with fury into the cabin, 
 it was inevitable that the captives should 
 regard him as a mortal enemy. Indeed the 
 belief was that his hatred was so venomous that 
 he was seeking a chance to deal them some 
 treacherous blow before the arrival of the 
 party at their villages. 
 
 How strange would have been the emotions
 
 294 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 of the three, had they but known that the 
 presence of the warrior in the camp was for 
 the purpose of befriending them ! 
 
 Linden became so uneasy that he was on 
 the point of proposing that they should leave 
 the log and approach closer to the fire, when 
 Edith said that the Indian was gone. He was 
 certainly invisible, though it was doubtful 
 whether he had done more than merely shift 
 his position. So the captives kept glancing 
 behind them until half an hour had passed, 
 and they could see nothing more of the Indian. 
 Then they agreed that he had left the neigh- 
 borhood. 
 
 Yes ; The Serpent had departed. While 
 Linden and his fellow-captives were peering 
 into the gloom behind him, he walked over to 
 Ap-to-to and said he would go to his own 
 camp, returning at daylight for the prisoners. 
 
 Had he pressed his request, The Serpent 
 could have gained permission to bind the arms 
 of the captives, and to take them with him, 
 without waiting for daylight. Unfortunately 
 the warrior's excessive caution prevented him 
 making the request.
 
 i% THEY'LL GIVE THE SERPENT AX ESCORT." 295 
 
 The Serpent had no thought of going to his 
 own camp, though the distance was not great, 
 and he could have done his own cause service 
 by the journey. But his anxiety now was to 
 see his new friends. The delicate business for 
 which he had already risked his life had 
 reached the point where he needed the counsel 
 of the sagacious Shawanoe. Indeed the TViu- 
 nebago was determined to go no further with- 
 out help or device from him. 
 
 Thus it came about that within a short time 
 after his withdrawal from the camp, The Ser- 
 pent joined the Moravian and the Shawanoe, 
 who were waiting for him near the deserted 
 camp of the Winnebagoes. Since the business 
 had now reached a point in which it was safe 
 to consult all, the three, after talking a few 
 minutes moved further back along the trail 
 until they reached the rest, who, you need not 
 be told, were in a nutter of expectancy. 
 
 It would have been unwise to start a fire, 
 even though The Serpent assured them that 
 none of the Winnebagoes was coming in that 
 direction. So the party stepped aside until 
 they found an open space where there was
 
 296 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 enough moonlight for them to dimly see each 
 other's forms. 
 
 Here they sat on the ground close together, 
 and held the most important conversation of 
 their lives. 
 
 First of all, the Moravian interpreted the 
 remarkable story of The Serpent. The fact 
 that he had been promised the custody of the 
 captives at daylight stirred the hearts of every 
 one, and sent such a thrill of hope through 
 poor Fred Linden that for a minute or so he 
 was too faint to speak. 
 
 "It is wonderful! wonderful!" said the 
 missionary in an awed voice ; I never have 
 known of any thing so amazing ; the hand of 
 God is so plain in it that who shall fail to give 
 Him praise ? I am growing to be an old man, 
 and I have been a humble follower of Him 
 from boyhood, but never were His mercies and 
 goodness so clear to me as they are this min- 
 ute. Thanks be to Him ! thanks be to 
 Him ! " 
 
 The last ejaculations were uttered with a 
 bowed head and in a low voice, showing that 
 they came from an overflowing heart. But
 
 m 
 
 all heard the words, and every heart echoed 
 the thanks. 
 
 "But," said Bowlby, "in the gineral hur- 
 rahing we mustn't forgit one thing which 
 the same is that George Linden and his 
 wife and darter are with the Injuns yet." 
 
 u Ye are corrict," said Terry Clark, whose 
 whole being throbbed with hope ; " but the 
 same are in much better shape than they was 
 before." 
 
 "That's all true," remarked Hardin, the 
 others listening to every word; " and, as the 
 dominie says, the exploit of The Serpent is 
 simply wonderfuL Twelve hours ago he was 
 a raging wildcat in his efforts to take our 
 lives ; now he is risking his own to save those 
 whom he sought to destroy. To me i 
 marvelous it is miraculous." 
 
 " It is the hand of God, with whom nothing 
 is impossible," said the Moravian; "but," 
 arousing to the situation, " we must not for- 
 get that much yet remains to be done before 
 they can be safely plucked from the dai E 
 It may be that He means to bring them thus 
 close to deliverance, but will not allow them
 
 298 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 to be saved. We must not lay aside our 
 armor until our work is done." 
 
 During the early part of the conversation, 
 which of course was unintelligible to The 
 Serpent, though the Moravian occasionally 
 interpreted a word, the two Indians were 
 silent. More than once the others looked 
 through the gloom at the graceful figure 
 reclining on the ground close to the Winne- 
 bago, but he remained still. Every one felt 
 that with him rested the decision as to the 
 line of action to be adopted. 
 
 But Deerfoot was not ready to speak. He 
 would do so when he thought best, and it was 
 idle to try to force him. 
 
 "My friends," said the missionary, address- 
 ing himself directly to the work before them, 
 "the situation, though more hopeful than we 
 ever dared to expect, is attended by much 
 danger, and more than one complication is 
 likely to arise. First of all, there is a danger 
 which The Serpent doesn't seem to see as 
 plainly as I do. The two Winnebago camps 
 are within such easy distance of each other 
 that it is quite probable other messengers will
 
 "THEY'LL GIVE THE SERPENT AN ESCORT." 299 
 
 pass back and forth before morning. The 
 Serpent has done so, and why should not 
 some one else do the same ? If a single one of 
 the Winnebagoes crosses through the woods 
 to the other camp-fire, the startling act of The 
 Serpent must become known, and then, as you 
 can see, scarcely a hope remains." 
 
 " There is truth in what you say," remarked 
 Hardin; "and it strikes me that while we are 
 talking, The Serpent ought to go to his own 
 camp and take steps to prevent any of his 
 own warriors leaving to visit Ap-to-to." 
 
 "You hear that, Deerfoot," said the Mora- 
 vian, turning toward the Shawanoe; "what 
 do you think of that ? " 
 
 "The words of my father are wise." 
 
 Changing to the Winnebago tongue, he told 
 The Serpent that he had already waited too 
 long before performing that duty. The war- 
 rior proved his confidence in the judgment of 
 his friend by leaping to his feet and plunging 
 into the wood without a word. 
 
 "Begorrah, but whin the swate-looking 
 gintleman makes up his mind it don't take 
 him long to act," laughed Terry, "which was
 
 300 THE LAST AVAR TRAIL. 
 
 the remark they used to make about me grand- 
 fither whin he was invited to take something 
 that wasn't exactly wather." 
 
 "He won't be gone a great while," said the 
 missionary ; "for he is eager to be with us and 
 to learn our conclusion. So long as he is 
 unsuspected he can do the work which even 
 Deerfoot dare not undertake." 
 
 "You spoke of other complications," said 
 Fred Linden, who was anxious to get a true 
 idea of the situation. 
 
 " If the decision of Ap-to-to becomes known 
 and I can't see why it should not some of 
 the other warriors may object. You know 
 that it will be a great honor to carry five 
 prisoners back to their villages, for I don't 
 believe the Winnebagoes ever secured so many 
 white captives at one time before. Some of 
 Ap-to-to' s men have helped to capture them, 
 and they will not be willing that it should 
 appear that the entire glory belongs to The 
 Serpent and his party." 
 
 At this point Deerfoot interrupted the 
 Moravian to remind him that the arrangement 
 of the two wings of the Winnebagoes was that
 
 " THEY'LL GIVE THE SERPENT A:. 
 
 they might unite long before reselling the 
 
 ; I think The Serpent did tell me that, but 
 it had slipped from my memory. The peril 
 from that cause, then, is not so great as I 
 thought. Still there is peril," insisted the 
 good man, "for when The Serpent was asked 
 for his reason, he could not refuse to answer, 
 and what should he say ? He couldn't say 
 any thing that would satisfy them, for the 
 request is so singular that the only sufficient 
 explanation is the true one." 
 
 "That, however, is a difficulty which would 
 have to be met under any circumstances," 
 said Linden. 
 
 Y-s ; the delay can not affect that point 
 one way or the other." 
 
 "I've been thinking, 77 remarked Bowlby, 
 "that when The Serpent starts through the 
 woods with George and the rest, that is if he 
 ever does start, that twisted-nosed Ap-to-to 
 won't be so apt to do half what is expected 
 of him." 
 
 This was the only occasion ever known 
 wherein the hunter tried that sort of witticism.
 
 302 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 Having committed it, he waited a minute to 
 see how it was received, but not a single per- 
 son, not even Terry Clark, gave it the least 
 notice. So, without daring to call attention 
 to it, the hunter continued : 
 
 " They'll give The Serpent an escort to make 
 sure that the folks don't get away from him 
 on the road." 
 
 "They will give him an escort, but not for 
 that," said the Moravian ; "but to see that The 
 Serpent doesn't put them to death before 
 reaching his own camp." 
 
 "And that'll make more trouble," was the 
 disgusted remark of Hardin, who began to 
 feel that, after all, the outlook was not so rosy 
 as it seemed a short time before.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 "HE SAW A WARRIOR EMERGE FROM THE 
 GLOOM." 
 
 DISCUSSING the critical situation in low 
 voices, the little party of whites saw 
 that despite the astonishing success of The Ser- 
 pent, there was after all little ground for hope. 
 If the warrior should be allowed to take charge 
 of the captives in order to lead them through 
 the wood to his own camp, he would be accom- 
 panied by an escort of Winnebagoes, that, as 
 it seemed to Hardin, would neutralize every 
 advantage gained by The Serpent. 
 
 The hunter added, "That's enough to shut 
 us out." 
 
 " Yas, I don't see as we can do any thing," 
 added Bowlby, quick to feel the gloom that 
 was settling over the rest. 
 
 Deerfoot, who was reclining on one elbow, 
 straightened up as if a knife had pricked his 
 body and demanded in a sharp voice :
 
 304 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 " Where then will Deerfoot and his brothers 
 le?" 
 
 The question was the sharpest sort of re- 
 proof, signifying that the matter of an escort 
 was of little account. Could not Deerfoot and 
 the whites dispose of two or three or even more 
 warriors sent by Ap-to-to to help The Serpent 
 conduct the party a short distance through the 
 woods?" 
 
 Bowlby shifted his position so as to bring 
 him a little closer to the Shawanoe, and ex- 
 tending his hand, said : 
 
 "Shake!" 
 
 Deerfoot warmly returned the pressure of 
 his impulsive friend. 
 
 Hank Grubbens, who had not opened his 
 mouth since the council began, thought it time 
 that he gave the others the advantage of some 
 of his choice wisdom. 
 
 "I was jist on the p'int of sayin' that I 
 hoped they would send an escort along so as 
 to let us have a little fun." 
 
 " What fun would it be to you t " was the 
 demand of Hardin ; ' ' you would be the first 
 to run."
 
 WARRIOR EMERGED FROM TITE GLOOM." 305 
 
 " Of course I would ctfter the varmints, as I 
 always hare done," responded Hank with a 
 laugh for which no one else saw the occasion. 
 
 '* In the Bearer Moon (November), when the 
 geese fly towards the south, we hear them 
 honking high in air," said Deerfoot; "their 
 Toices sound like that which is still in our 
 ears." 
 
 This sally was so appropriate that every 
 one, including Fred Linden and excepting 
 Hank Grubbens, laughed more heartily than 
 they had done since morning. 
 
 Grubbens* s voice had a twang, which resem- 
 bled the cry of the goose. The man was one 
 of those cowards whom Deerfoot despised, but 
 whom he would hare let alone, had he not 
 tried to figure as a hero. It may be doubted 
 whether any character was more displeasing 
 to the Shawanoe than the one I have named. 
 Only a strong disgust could have led him to 
 utter the direct reproof which he did. 
 
 Grubbens was angered. Had there been 
 enough light to reveal his face, it would have 
 been seen to flush almost to the color of his 
 hair. Had he dared, he would have attacked
 
 306 THE LAST WAE TKAIL. 
 
 Deerfoot for the insult. He thought it safe, 
 however, to use his tongue. 
 
 "It's all easy enough for a redskin like 
 you to talk when you're among friends, but 
 if ever I catch you alone I'll make you pay 
 for this," was the audacious remark of Grub- 
 bens, a remark which caused the others to 
 smile again. 
 
 "If you're anxious for a tussle with Deer- 
 foot, we'll all step aside and let you have it 
 out," suggested Bowlby. 
 
 "This ain't the time or place," said the 
 boaster, '"cause we've got more important 
 matters on hand, but Fll remember it! I 
 won't take any apology either from the 
 scamp." 
 
 Deerfoot of course heard all this, but he 
 did not make any answer. He was reclining 
 on the ground as though his thoughts were 
 elsewhere. 
 
 The Moravian did not like the unseemly 
 wrangling, but there was enough human 
 nature in his composition to enjoy the dis- 
 comfiture of the boaster, and so he forced him- 
 self to remain quiet for a minute or two longer.
 
 " A WARRIOR EMERGED FROM THE GLOOM." 307 
 
 Observing that the Shawanoe did not make 
 any reply to his taunts, Grubbens was 
 encouraged to venture further. 
 
 "I've heard a good deal about Deerfoot 
 being so mighty smart, but I never seed any 
 thing of it. If he ever runs across my path, 
 he'll be mighty sorry- " 
 
 Still the young Shawanoe did not move or 
 speak. His contempt for the man was such 
 that nothing that he might say could move 
 him, and he would not so nnrch. as show that 
 he heard him. 
 
 But Bowl by could not restrain his waggery. 
 Leaning over so as to bring his mouth close to 
 the ear of Grubbens, he whispered with much 
 excitement of manner : 
 
 "Have you noticed that Deerfoot has 
 drawed his knife and is goin' for yer scalp?" 
 
 Grubbens was so terror-stricken that he 
 stopped short and was on the point of dart- 
 ing among the trees to escape the wrath of the 
 warrior whom he dreaded like death itself : 
 but changing his mind he said in a husky, 
 tremulous voice : 
 
 " Gracious ! Bowlby, I was jest in fun ! I
 
 308 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 didn't mean nothin' ; explain to him, won't 
 you ? This ain't no time for fightin' ! " 
 
 The laugh which followed this terrified 
 appeal, and which was heard by all, told 
 Grubbens of the joke played on him ; but it 
 was too late to withdraw what he had said and 
 he could only bear his chagrin in silence. 
 
 The quiet mirth had hardly subsided when 
 Deerfoot came to the sitting position with a 
 warning " Sh / " 
 
 Every one listened, but if the Shawanoe 
 heard any thing he was the only one who did 
 so. After a minute of silence the Moravian 
 was about to speak, when Deerfoot repeated 
 the warning, and in the gloom was seen to 
 raise his hand to emphasize his command. 
 
 Still nothing was heard, and the Shawanoe 
 rose quietly to his feet. At that moment each 
 caught a faint rustle somewhere along the 
 trail which they had left a short time before. 
 Deerfoot did not move, but stood in the 
 attitude of attention until the slight sound 
 ceased. 
 
 "It must be The Serpent," whispered the 
 missionary, " though it seems to me he has
 
 "A WAKKIOK EMERGED FROM THE GLOOM. 1 " 309 
 
 hardly had time to go to his camp and back 
 again." 
 
 "If it's him," was the remark of Bowlby. 
 "why don't he show himself ?" 
 
 "He may have missed us," replied Hardin ; 
 " the fact is I don't see how he could help 
 doing so." 
 
 Deerfoot again signed for silence. At the 
 same time he emitted one of his low, cautious 
 whistles, hardly more than the tremulous call 
 of some night bird. 
 
 There was no response, and he glided softly 
 forward through the gloom toward the trail. 
 He had believed at first that it was their AYiii- 
 nebago friend ; but in obedience to a doubt 
 that rose when his signal brought no response 
 he set out to learn the truth. 
 
 The occasion proved one of those rare ones 
 in which the wonderful young warrior made a 
 blunder. He ought to have known from the 
 brief time that had passed since the departure 
 of The Serpent that he could not have gone 
 to his camp and returned. Deerfoot reproved 
 himself for waiting until the person, whoever 
 he might be, had gone by ; but he was still
 
 310 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 hopeful that lie was early enough to overtake 
 the stranger and bring him to account. 
 
 But the signal which he had emitted proved 
 to be the greatest blunder of all ; for not only 
 did the stranger refuse to answer it, but he 
 was warned thereby to take the very precau- 
 tions of which he would not have seen the 
 need but for the warning. 
 
 Thus it was that listen as closely as he 
 could, and move as silently as he might, the 
 Shawanoe could see and hear nothing of the 
 individual who he was certain was an enemy. 
 
 The deserted camp was but a short distance 
 away, and a couple of minutes brought him in 
 sight of the handful of brands burning among 
 the ashes. 
 
 Between the Shawanoe and the glowing 
 embers of the ground suddenly loomed a gro- 
 tesque shadow. A man was moving away 
 from the watcher, and in the direction of the 
 Winnebago camp beyond. His soft mocca- 
 sins made no noise, and he was hardly seen 
 when he vanished on the other side. 
 
 Deerfoot bounded as lightly as a fawn after 
 him. Though he, too, moved without sound,
 
 " A WARRIOR EMERGED FROM THE GLOOM." 31 1 
 
 some perverse fate must have caused the one 
 in advance to turn his head, after entering the 
 gloom, and just at the moment the Shawanoe's 
 form was revealed for an instant in the dim 
 firelight. It was enough for the stranger, 
 who, favored by the impenetrable shadows 
 among the trees, slipped from view as utterly 
 as if he had dropped a thousand miles toward 
 the center of the earth. 
 
 But though Deerfoot found it impossible to 
 locate him by aid of ear or eye. he could not 
 doubt his destination. He was making for 
 Ap-to-to's camp, and he must be prevented at 
 all hazards from reaching it. 
 
 The theory of the pursuer was that the 
 Indian had stopped moving, intending to 
 remain motionless behind some tree until he 
 believed that the eavesdropper had passed. 
 Then he would resume his flight as noiselessly 
 as before. 
 
 This stealth of movement was likely to con- 
 tinue until some distance from the spot, when 
 he would hasten!. though not likely 
 
 to forget his caution. Instead, therefore, of 
 waiting where he was, Deerfoot stole along,
 
 312 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 never stopping until in sight of the Winne- 
 bago camp-fire .Then he came to a halt, confi- 
 dent that his man would betray himself before 
 coming within reach. 
 
 Ten minutes perhaps had passed and Deer- 
 foot still listened, with his eyes upon the 
 strange group around the camp-fire, hopeful of 
 outwitting the dusky miscreant after all. 
 Looking steadily at the flames, he saw a war- 
 rior emerge from the gloom on the opposite 
 side and join the Winnebagoes, who looked 
 at him in a way that showed he was a new 
 arrival. 
 
 And then it was that Deerfoot realized he 
 had been outwitted. The warrior for whom he 
 was watching had quietly eluded him by 
 circling around to one side, so as to approach 
 the camp from a point opposite to that where 
 the Shawanoe was waiting for him.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 "HE PLAYED HIS PAKT WELL." 
 
 DEEKFOOT saw that lie had made one of 
 the most inexcusable mistakes of his 
 life, and that there was but one way of rem- 
 edying it : that was to shoot the warrior who 
 carried the fatal knowledge before he conld 
 impart it to Ap-to-to or any of his warriors. 
 That would close the mouth of the Winnebago 
 forever, and save the captives. 
 
 But you can understand why the Shawanoe 
 shrank from such an act. His tomahawk, his 
 knife, his bow and arrow and his rifle had 
 brought many an antagonist low, but it had 
 always been in fair contest. He had never 
 played the sneak, he had never been guilty of 
 treachery, and he had never taken life 
 wantonly. 
 
 It could not be said that it would be a wan- 
 rime if he should bring down the messen-
 
 314 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 ger, for more precious lives than his required 
 that his voice should be silenced ; but the 
 trouble lay in the fact that the warrior was an 
 innocent agent. He had not come into 
 Ap-to-to's camp for the purpose of playing the 
 traitor to his leader. If he was to tell that 
 the two captives of the other band had been 
 taken away by The Serpent (as he was abso- 
 lutely certain to do, if not prevented), it would 
 be only the natural thing for him to do. He 
 could not be blamed, although his announce- 
 ment would insure the death of George Lin- 
 den, his wife and his daughter. 
 
 While the story of the new arrival might 
 be told in full, it would not necessarily make 
 known the plot which The Serpent had 
 formed. The belief would be that the daring 
 brave had put the two captives to death out 
 of pure fendishness. That being the case, 
 Ap-to-to and his warriors, despite the popu- 
 larity of the Serpent, would take good care 
 that no chance was given him to massacre the 
 others. 
 
 These thoughts ran through the brain of 
 the chagrined Deerfoot, who stood far enough
 
 "HE PLAYED HIS PART WELL." 315 
 
 back in the gloom to be invisible, while he 
 kept his eye on the new arrival. The latter 
 did not seem to cause any special commotion, 
 for there was no reason why he should. He 
 was a well-known warrior whose camp was 
 not far off, and it was not expected that he 
 brought any news of importance. 
 
 Closely watching his actions, Deerfoot 
 could read almost every word that fell from 
 his lips. He saw him exchange greetings 
 with several^ most of whom were lolling on 
 the ground, though three of the Winne- 
 bagoes one being Ap-to-to were seated 
 on a fallen tree that was almost opposite to 
 where the captives were doing what they 
 could to console each other in the hour of 
 sorrow. 
 
 After the messenger, if such he may be 
 called, had talked to his friends in this aim- 
 less manner for some minutes, he sauntered 
 in the direction of the chief. As he did so 
 he glanced about him in a way which told 
 Deerfoot that he was looking for The Serpent, 
 and probably wondering why he was not 
 visible.
 
 316 THE LAST WAK TRAIL. 
 
 In walking toward the chieftain the Winne- 
 bago passed in front of the Lindens seated 
 on the log. It was natural that he should 
 turn his head aside to look at them ; but his 
 sudden stop and the quick flirt of his head 
 made known the alarming truth: he missed 
 the other two captives, and for the first time 
 discovered that they had never reached the 
 camp of Ap-to-to. 
 
 The warrior moved a step nearer the 
 hapless group, as if to assure himself that 
 he had made no mistake. No ; there were 
 only three instead of the five he expected to 
 see. 
 
 He now strolled toward the chieftain, 
 glancing over his shoulder while doing so as 
 if to guard against every possible blunder. 
 No ; there was none, and he continued draw- 
 ing near the chieftain. 
 
 The critical moment had come. The fatal 
 secret was about to be told unless the only 
 method possible was taken to seal the lips of 
 him who carried that secret. 
 
 Deerfoot held his rifle with the hammer 
 raised, but he did not bring the weapon to his
 
 "HE PLAYED HIS PART WELL.' 317 
 
 shoulder. His nature rebelled at doing the 
 deed. He could not slay the innocent warrior. 
 
 The latter had made a half military salute, 
 for he had learned from the others of the elec- 
 tion of Ap-to-to, and then he spoke a few 
 words. Doubtless they were words of con- 
 gratulation, before the query should be asked 
 respecting the missing captives, to be followed 
 by the revelation that would set all by the 
 ears. 
 
 Xo : Deerfoot could not shoot the Indian. 
 A voice within him whispered that it would 
 be wrong. He lowered the flint of his rifle 
 but kept his eyes on the warrior. He saw him 
 talking, and then he turned his head toward 
 the log where the captives sat. He was on the 
 point of asking the fearful question ! 
 
 But before it could take shape on the dusky 
 lips, he flung his arms aloft with a ringing 
 screech and tumbled over dead, killed by a 
 bullet through his skull. 
 
 Deerfoot did not fire the shot, but he knew 
 who did. It sounded a little to his right and 
 less than a hundred feet away. The Shawanoe 
 needed no one to tell him that the hurried
 
 318 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 steps which he heard a moment later were 
 those of The Serpent. 
 
 Such was the fact. The latter, having de- 
 layed his return to his own camp, did what he 
 could to retrieve the mistake by going at his 
 highest speed through the woods. Arriving 
 there, he was chagrined to find that one of his 
 warriors had set out to visit Ap-to-to's camp, 
 with no purpose except to make a friendly 
 call. 
 
 The Serpent saw that the situation was 
 desperate. Unless the warrior could be headed 
 off, the game was up. Telling his men that 
 under no circumstances was a single one of 
 them to leave, he set out to overtake the red 
 man who had departed only a short time 
 before. 
 
 An insurmountable difficulty lay in the 
 path. He could form no idea of the course 
 taken by the other, and all the signals which 
 The Serpent emitted were unanswered. With 
 that daring which had always beeji a character- 
 istic of him, The Serpent then made straight 
 for Ap-to-to's camp, in the hope of arriving 
 there ahead of his man. If he could do that,
 
 "HE PLAYED HIS PART WELL." 319 
 
 he wonld be able to shoot him before he could 
 reveal anything. The Serpent did not feel any 
 of the sensitiveness that restrained the arm of 
 the Shawanoe. 
 
 By exerting himself to the utmost the 
 Winnebago reached the camp of the chieftain 
 only a few minutes behind the warrior whom 
 he was so anxious to overtake. Knowing, 
 like Deerfoot, the momentous news carried by 
 this savage, The Serpent could also interpret 
 his words as plainly as if he heard them. 
 
 At the critical moment, he fired, shooting 
 down one of his own men with no more com- 
 punction than he would have felt in slaying 
 the Moravian missionary a few hours before. 
 
 Deerfoot did not turn to flee as did The Ser- 
 pent immediately on firing the fatal shot ; he 
 waited awhile to observe the effect it produced 
 on the others. 
 
 The Winnebagoes, like all of their race, 
 were too much accustomed to scenes of vio- 
 lence to feel any of that awe which would have 
 been inspired among white men by such a 
 catastrophe. There was some excitement, and 
 several warriors hastened in the direction
 
 320 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 whence came the bullet. These were brave 
 and were eager to find the foe that had dared 
 to do such a thing. 
 
 The body of the red man was allowed to lie 
 where it had fallen while Ap-to-to and his 
 braves discussed what had taken place. Their 
 faces were frequently turned toward the point 
 whence the shot had come and the reflection 
 of the firelight on their painted visages made 
 the scene striking and impressive. 
 
 No parties around the camp-fire were 
 more startled than were George Linden and 
 his wife and daughter. All three happened 
 to be looking at the new arrival when he 
 fell, and the spiteful crack of the rifle sounded 
 closer to them than to Deerfoot. 
 
 The whole thing was inexplicable to the 
 Lindens, as it must have been to every one of 
 the Winnebagoes, who could not guess any 
 reason why this particular warrior should 
 have been dispatched. It would seem that 
 if any Indian was selected as a victim it 
 would have been Ap-to-to, the chieftain. 
 
 It isn't worth while to put on record the 
 guesses of Linden and his relatives, who of
 
 "HE PLAYED HIS PART W7 321 
 
 course could not imagine the truth. Edith 
 insisted that the ball had been aimed at 
 Ap-to-to, and that the other was hit by mis- 
 take. Since the two stood nearly in a line 
 with the shot, Linden was disposed to accept 
 this theory, though it could not explain why 
 any friend should hare wished to pick off 
 even the chieftain when it could not possibly 
 help the captives. 
 
 Deerfoot was on the point of withdrawing 
 when he quietly smiled as he observed, 
 among the warriors returning from their 
 brief search in the woods, The Serpent him- 
 self. He played his part well, for, after all, 
 it was not difficult to do so. He asked many 
 questions, walked to where the lifeless body 
 lay. looked at it as though searching for some 
 clew to the author of the dastardly deed, and 
 then he repeated that either Deerfoot the 
 Shawanoe or some of the pioneers had fol- 
 lowed them on their tramp, and, recognizing 
 the Winnebago as one who had been espe- 
 cially aggressive during the morning, had 
 adopted this means of revenge. 
 
 Since this was the explanation which Ap-
 
 322 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 to-to and all the warriors had agreed upon, 
 I need not tell you that no one suspected 
 that The Serpent had had a hand in the 
 taking off of the victim.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 ONE TWO THREE ALL OF THEM. 
 
 THE whole matter being clear to Deerfoot, 
 he deemed it best to make his way back 
 to his friends, who, as may well be supposed, 
 were on the tiptoe of expectation. 
 
 The sound of the rifle, followed by the death- 
 shriek of the Indian, had been heard by them, 
 and not one could imagine the cause. You 
 can well believe how interested they were in 
 the narrative told by Deerfoot. 
 
 "By gracious!" exclaimed Hardin, in an 
 awed undertone, ' ' but that was a close call for 
 The Serpent. Deerfoot says he shot down one 
 of his own men while in the very act of telling 
 the secret that would have ended all hope for 
 George and his folks." 
 
 "Thar can't be no doubt about that," 
 assented Bowlby, " for Deerfoot says so."
 
 324 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 "I should like to know how Tie can tell," 
 growled Hank Grubbens ; "he wasn't near 
 enough to hear what was said." 
 
 "But he had the help of that which you'll 
 never have," replied Hardin, " and that's 
 brains." 
 
 "It's bosh." 
 
 "Yes your brains are." 
 
 "There can be no question that The Serpent 
 is right," said the Moravian, in his soothing 
 manner ; " he is an unusually sagacious Indian, 
 and, as I have before remarked, he comes 
 nearer to Deerf oot in that respect than does any 
 one I ever met ; but it would not have taken a 
 very wise red man to interpret the words of the 
 Winnebago by his actions." 
 
 Fred Linden shuddered to think how nar- 
 rowly his folks had been saved for the time, 
 and he grew faint at heart to recall that the 
 final saving of their lives was a problem whose 
 solution was frightfully uncertain. 
 
 "I've been thinking," said Terry Clark, 
 when a lull occurred in the conversation, 
 "that there's a little difficulty in the road 
 which ye haven't noticed, as a friend of me
 
 ONE TWO THREE ALL OF THEM. 
 
 own obsarved whin he fell over an illi- 
 phant/' 
 
 What's that I " asked Hardin. 
 
 "Mr. Linden and the others haven't any 
 iday a that The Serpent is a friend of theirs and 
 they may make him throuble." 
 
 " My brother speaks the truth," said the 
 Shawanoe ; " Deerfoot has thought of what 
 his brother says, but Jie sees how the trouble 
 can be made less." 
 
 "That's enough then," remarked Bowlby, 
 in his own emphatic manner; "if Deerfoot 
 has it fixed in his mind, it will be made 
 straight in time to save from bother." 
 
 "Fm satisfied," assented Terry. 
 
 "I guess we all are," said Hardin, "unless 
 ( rrubbens there." 
 
 " Let Grubbens alone," said the missionary ; 
 " we have had enough of that talk." 
 
 All felt the rebuke and held their peace, 
 though Grubbens was heard muttering some- 
 thing which no one. understood or cared to 
 understand. 
 
 It was clear that no attempt would be made 
 to remove the captives until morning, and our
 
 326 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 friends had nothing to do except to content 
 themselves in waiting as best they could. 
 
 "I wonder whether The Serpent will not 
 make us another visit," said the missionary, 
 inquiringly, to Deerfoot. 
 
 1 'He will be here before the rising of the 
 sun," was the reply of the Shawanoe ; "he is 
 coming now." 
 
 No one else heard the faint footfalls which 
 apprised the the Shawanoe of the approach of 
 the very party who was in their minds, but 
 every one knew he was right. 
 
 A few seconds later, a soft signal was 
 detected, as if some one was in doubt about 
 the right course to follow. This was responded 
 to by Deerfoot, who had risen to his feet, and 
 then The Serpent appeared among the little 
 group as though he had risen from the very 
 ground. 
 
 The Serpent's story was a brief one. He 
 told his friends what they already knew, that 
 Ap-to-to and his warriors believed the shot 
 which laid low the Winnebago was fired either 
 by Deerfoot or one of the settlers, who had 
 been hovering in the woods, and who had
 
 ONE TWO THREE ALL OF THEM. 327 
 
 some personal grievance against the victim. 
 The result was that a great deal of care had 
 been taken to gnard against a repetition of the 
 act. A number of sentinels were stationed at 
 such a distance from the camp among the 
 trees that it would be hard for one to approach 
 close enough to do harm. 
 
 Nothing had been said about The Serpent 
 taking the three captives to his own party, but 
 he added that he should insist on Ap-to-to ful- 
 filling his pledge, threatening him, in case of 
 refusal, to take steps to have him deposed 
 from his chieftainship. Ap-to-to could not 
 fail to know, from the proceedings of the 
 night before, that The Serpent would be sure 
 to succeed in such a move, and he would stop 
 at nothing to prevent the culmination of such 
 a disgrace, tenfold worse than if he had never 
 received the honor at all. 
 
 He suspected the warriors would think he 
 meant to slay his prisoners, but he would give 
 his promise that nothing of the kind was con- 
 templated. He preferred that the pale-faces 
 should be left in his charge, but, if an escort 
 was insisted upon, he agreed with Deerfoot
 
 328 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 that it was not prudent to make too strong 
 objection. 
 
 The Serpent had given out that he must go 
 back to his camp but would return before 
 morning. He stayed with his friends until the 
 time was just enough to allow the journey to 
 be made, when he once more and for the last 
 time bade them good-by. 
 
 Previous to going, he and Deerf oot talked a 
 good while together, for now that the crisis 
 was at hand it was necessary that a full 
 understanding should exist between them. 
 Some exceedingly fine work had to be done, 
 and more than likely success would depend 
 upon trifling movements which would not be 
 thought of by others possessing less of the 
 amazing skill that belonged to these fine speci- 
 mens of the American race. 
 
 The Serpent made known to Deerfoot the 
 route he intended to take with his party. He 
 would start toward his own camp, his war- 
 riors having been instructed to await his com- 
 ing, but would gradually tend to the south, 
 and, at a point half way between the two, cross 
 an open space fully an acre in extent, near one
 
 ONE TWO THREE ALL OF THEM. 329 
 
 of the streams of water which I have men- 
 tioned as being passed by the settlers in their 
 pursuit. 
 
 The Shawanoe knew the place. It was in plain 
 sight of the rock from which he had taken his 
 observation the day before, and he promised 
 to keep it under his eye, so that it was there 
 the success of the project if it was to be a suc- 
 cess would become manifest to their anxious 
 friends. 
 
 It was agreed that immediately on the de- 
 parture of The Serpent, Deerfoot and his com- 
 panions should set out over the back trail, for 
 their presence was likely to embarrass The Ser- 
 pent, since the shot of the night before had 
 made known to Ap-to-to that some of his 
 enemies were lurking in the woods, and it 
 would be almost impossible for the party to 
 escape discovery, unless they placed a goodly 
 distance between them and the Winneba- 
 goes. 
 
 And so it was that The Serpent had been 
 gone less than five minutes, when, with Deer- 
 foot in the lead, the pioneers began threading 
 their way through the woods, as if they had
 
 330 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 given np hope, and were only seeking to return 
 to the settlement. 
 
 It made no difference to the Shawanoe that 
 there was scarcely any moonlight in the forest, 
 for he seemed to be able to travel with unerring 
 precision in the absence of all light. Behind 
 him came the Moravian and the others, rely- 
 ing so fully upon his guidance that they 
 walked with the certainty of midday. 
 
 It was a long tramp they had to take, and 
 more than once Grubbens complained, but no 
 one paid attention to him. The journey lasted 
 till the night was far spent, when the rising 
 ground and the appearance of rock, looming 
 up in the dim moonlight, made known the 
 welcome fact that for the present their task 
 was ended. 
 
 Wearied and worn out, every one, including 
 Deerfoot, threw himself upon the ground and 
 slept. 
 
 The slumber, however, did not last long, for 
 there was such a weight on the mind of each 
 that he awoke at the moment it began growing 
 light in the east. Those who had been 
 thoughtful enough to bring food divided with
 

 
 "Thi-y are coming one two three, all of them.'
 
 ONE TWO THREE ALL OF THEM. 331 
 
 the others, who had but little appetitite, ex- 
 cepting Gfrubbens. Rough, hardened men 
 though they were, and inured to all manner of 
 exposure, they were nervous over the certainty 
 that the fate of three of their dear friends 
 would soon be settled, if indeed it had not 
 already been settled beyond change. 
 
 Deerf oot sprang upon the rock so as to keep 
 his eye on the open space where the captives 
 would appear, if they ever appeared at all. 
 He would not allow any with him, but per- 
 mitted them to crouch in the undergrowth 
 near, and he promised to make known what- 
 ever he saw or learned. 
 
 No pen can picture the torturing anxiety of 
 the hour that followed. Poor Fred Linden 
 did not once speak. He was pale and abso- 
 lutely ill, and Terry Clark was hardly any bet- 
 ter. He ventured on an encouraging word or 
 TW.->. but he was in no mood to attempt any of 
 the waggery that might have cheered his com- 
 panions under less terrible circumstances. 
 The others held their peace, for it may be said 
 that it was no time for words. The missionary 
 frequently closed his eyes, and the movement
 
 332 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 of Ms lips showed that he was praying with 
 all the fervor of his nature. 
 
 Suddenly all were thrilled by the words of 
 Deerfoot : 
 
 " They are coming there is The Serpent 
 he walks alone now he stops there come the 
 captives one two three all of tJiem, but 
 they haw two other warriors with them"
 
 CHAPTER XXXTV. 
 
 " EOLLIXQ THUXDEB DECIDED OX A PLAN 
 WHICH WAS IN ACCOBD WITH HIS VEXOM- 
 XATCTfcE." 
 
 IT may be doubted whether any one with 
 less audacity than The Serpent would 
 have been able to effect a start with the three 
 captives from the camp of the Winnebagoes. 
 
 Before the sun appeared above the horizon, 
 he went to Ap-to-to, who was sleeping soundly 
 in his blanket, and told him that he was ready 
 to take the prisoners to his own camp. The 
 Serpent expected opposition and he was not 
 disappointed. 
 
 Having passed a night as war chief of the 
 Winnebagoes, Ap-to-to felt more secure in the 
 position than he did a few hours before. He 
 said it would be unfair to place all the cap: 
 in charge of The Serpent, even though he 
 asked that it should be only till nightfall.
 
 334 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 In reply, The Serpent said in substance that 
 that phase of the question was "not before the 
 house," inasmuch as he held the promise of 
 Ap-to-to and the permission had already been 
 given. 
 
 Ap-to-to now remarked that the shot of the 
 night before showed that their enemies were 
 abroad, and that it would be unsafe to intrust 
 the captives beyond the guardianship of the 
 war party. The Serpent quieted this fear by 
 saying that if the chief had been where he 
 ought to have been the day before, instead of 
 hiding among the hills, he would have seen 
 that a half dozen Winnebagoes could beat off 
 all the Long Knives that dared to attack them. 
 
 Ap-to-to winced under this stroke, but a 
 harder one was struck when The Serpent gave 
 Ap-to-to to understand that if he dared to 
 refuse him he would tell the whole truth and 
 have him deposed from his position. He then 
 turned as if to walk off in disgust, but, as he 
 had anticipated, the chief called him back 
 with the assurance that he was at liberty to 
 depart at once, either with or without an 
 escort.
 
 44 A PLAN IN ACCORD WITH HIS NATURE." 335 
 
 The Serpent suppressed his exultation over 
 his success, but he must have had a thrill pass 
 through him, as it does through any one who 
 has won a coveted triumph. He had gained 
 permission not only to depart with the captives 
 but to do so without any warriors to embarrass 
 his plans. 
 
 But an opposition quickly appeared which 
 made it unsafe, even for such a popular brave 
 as The Serpent, to carry out his desires. Hear- 
 ing the opinion expressed that he meant to 
 have the enjoyment of massacring the prisoners 
 to himself, The Serpent assured them that no 
 such thought was in his head. 
 
 This was sufficient, for the word of an In- 
 dian given under such circumstances is sacred. 
 When two of the bravest warriors said that 
 they would go along to make sure that The 
 Serpent did not forget his promise he was too 
 prudent to object. He said that if the two 
 were afraid of the one man and squaws they 
 could take more ; but they did not do so. 
 
 Linden and his wife and daughter had 
 passed a most wretched night. The husband 
 sat on the ground with his head on the log
 
 336 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 behind him, while Edith held the head of her 
 mother in her lap. They slept now and then, 
 for they were worn out, but they were in such 
 a feverish state that the slumber did them little 
 if any good. 
 
 "Oh, there is that Indian again!" whis- 
 pered the young lady, raising the head of her 
 mother. 
 
 The father, who just then was nodding in a 
 half doze, opened his eyes and saw The Ser- 
 pent standing in front of them, while just 
 behind were two other warriors. All three 
 were looking steadily at the captives, who nat- 
 urally enough were startled. 
 
 You know The Serpent could not speak a 
 word of English, but one of his companions 
 had a slight knowledge of the language. He 
 motioned for the prisoners to rise, saying as 
 he did so : 
 
 "Up-up-git!" 
 
 " That is an order for us to rise," said 
 Linden, obeying the command, as did his 
 wife and daughter with muttered expres- 
 sions of wonder as to what was coming 
 next.
 
 U A PL AX IN ACCOED WITH HIS NATURE.'' 337 
 
 u Can it be they're going to kill us?*' said 
 Mrs. Linden, showing not the least tremor in 
 her voice. 
 
 %; Xo; not that," replied her hnsband, 
 half doubting his own words : " Yon re- 
 member that Ap-to-to, the new chief, said 
 that they wonld wait till we reached their 
 Tillages." 
 
 "But they may have changed their mind," 
 suggested Edith, who not unnaturally was 
 in a state of great trepidation. 
 
 {k I think not, but we shall soon know." 
 
 The three stood side by side, ready for 
 whatever might come so that it did not 
 separate them from one another. 
 
 "Come," added the warrior who had 
 acted as spokesman, leading the' way across 
 the open space, while The Serpent and the 
 other Indian brought up the rear. By this 
 time most of the sleeping red men had 
 aroused themselves. They looked at the 
 strange procession with a drowsy interest 
 which did not rise to the interest of asking 
 any questions. 
 
 Just beyond the edge of the open space
 
 338 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 The Serpent, as if to let it be known he was 
 master, ordered the warrior at the head to 
 come to the rear, the commander, as he may 
 be called, changing places with him. 
 
 The procession was of necessity an Indian 
 one, The Serpent being in advance, Mr. Lin- 
 den, his wife, daughter and each of the two 
 warriors following in single file. This ren- 
 dred traveling through the woods easier than 
 if they kept beside each other. 
 
 You will remember that in his speech in 
 favor of Ap-to-to's election to the presidency, 
 The Serpent mentioned Rolling Thunder by 
 name. This Indian was a lithe, active fellow, 
 but one of the most treacherous wretches that 
 ever lived. He was a devoted supporter of 
 Ap-to-to and a hater of The Serpent, because 
 he recognized in him his superior in every 
 respect. It may have been that because, like 
 the new chieftain, he was so unworthy himself, 
 he could not be convinced that such a thing 
 as honor existed in any one else. 
 
 Rolling Thunder was the warrior who 
 addressed the captives in his broken fashion, 
 and commanded them to rise from the log
 
 " A PLAN IN ACCORD WITH HIS NATURE." 339 
 
 and follow him ; and he it was whom The 
 Serpent compelled to change places with 
 him after the journey began. 
 
 Now it could not have been possible that 
 Rolling Thunder had any suspicion of the 
 actual part The Serpent was playing, since 
 that was so exceptional in every respect 
 that not even Deerfoot would have divined it 
 without explanation, but the events which 
 followed proved that he was convinced that 
 something was on foot altogether different 
 from that which Ap-to-to and the other Winne- 
 bagoes suspected. 
 
 The first well-defined suspicion came just 
 before reaching the open space where the 
 watchful Deerfoot caught sight of the party. 
 It then became apparent to Rolling Thunder 
 that their leader was not following a direct 
 course to his own encampment whose loca- 
 tion was shown by a thin column of smoke, 
 clearly discernible to the trained eye, against 
 the bright morning sky. 
 
 By this time Rolling Thunder was con- 
 vinced that their leader was aiming for some 
 other point than his own camp. He must
 
 340 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 have belie red that his purpose was to mas- 
 sacre the three, as he had been accused of 
 wishing to do. 
 
 Rolling Thunder had the choice of several 
 schemes for defeating The Serpent. He 
 could have taken his companion into his con- 
 fidence and united with hini to prevent the 
 success of the other's plan, for it is reasonable 
 to suppose that two warriors walking at 
 the rear of a third could easily overmaster 
 him. 
 
 Undoubtedly the best course was to slip 
 away and bring help to checkmate The Ser- 
 pent. The latter was not seen to look around 
 a single time, and would not be likely to 
 notice the absence of one of his warriors, or, if 
 lie did, would not be apt to lay it to the true 
 cause. 
 
 But instead of trying something of the 
 kind, Rolling Thunder decided on a plan 
 which was in accord with his venomous 
 nature.
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 ROLLIXG THUNDER waited until he saw 
 that the warrior near him had noticed 
 that they were not approaching the camp, 
 when he said in a voice which no one else 
 could hear : 
 
 "The Serpent is a traitor ; he is not taking 
 the captives where he promised Ap-to-to to 
 take them." 
 
 "My brother speaks the truth." 
 "All traitors shall die." 
 "My brother is right," assented the other, 
 who seemed to hold Rolling Thunder in great 
 fear. 
 
 That was all the warrant the Indian wanted, 
 thily drawing his knife, he set out to 
 carry his threat into execution. 
 
 ^vhile it was impossible that George 
 Linden and his relatives should have any idea
 
 342 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 of the part they were playing until the tragedy 
 developed itself. The course they followed 
 might have been reversed without any suspi- 
 cion of the fact on the part of one of the 
 three. 
 
 One advantage to our friends in the pres- 
 ence of the escort was the fact that none of 
 them was bound. Had The Serpent started 
 without companions he would have been com- 
 pelled, from the force of circumstances, to 
 secure the arms of all three of the prisoners. 
 True he could have soon freed them, but it 
 was better as it was. 
 
 Gradually the belief fastened itself upon 
 George Linden that the explanation of the 
 singular move was that they were to be taken 
 to some secluded spot and put to death. This 
 was not in accord with the threat of Ap-to-to, 
 made the day before, but that was no argu- 
 ment against it, for deceit is one of the cardi- 
 nal virtues of the American Indian. 
 
 The pioneer grimly resolved that when the 
 last struggle should come, he would make a 
 brave fight, not so much for his own life as for 
 his beloved ones. Although he had no weap-
 
 " HE CAN CHANGE ALL HEARTS." 343 
 
 ons except such as nature furnished, yet he 
 knew how to use them and was active and 
 strong. He could not expect to prevail 
 against three armed warriors, but they were 
 sure to find him any thing but an unresisting 
 victim. 
 
 "My gracious!" he often exclaimed in 
 after years, in relating his strange experience, 
 "could I have known that that Indian just 
 ahead of us, and whose equal I never saw 
 except in the case of Deerfoot, was our devoted 
 friend, what a load would have been lifted 
 from my heart! But I would as soon have 
 looked for friendship on the part of a spitting 
 cat o' mountain." 
 
 Suddenly Rolling Thunder drew his knife 
 from his girdle and began gliding around the 
 three captives, so as to reach The Serpent and 
 strike him in the back. The other Indian had 
 agreed that the leader was a traitor and ought 
 to die, and the miscreant was resolved to 
 destroy him. 
 
 Edith Linden heard no noise, but was start- 
 led almost out of her senses by seeing the 
 crouching Indian move noiselessly and swiftly
 
 344 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 past her elbow, with his knife tightly grasped 
 and his gaze fixed on some one in front. 
 Naturally she believed he meant to strike her 
 father, and uttered a scream which saved The 
 Serpent's life. 
 
 He turned like a flash and saw Rolling 
 Thunder with face aflame in the act of leaping 
 upon him. The Serpent had no thought of 
 any thing of the kind, so that, as I have said, 
 the outcry of the maiden gave him warning in 
 the nick of time. 
 
 The Serpent whipped out his knife with 
 lightning-like quickness, and, instead of 
 awaiting the advance of Rolling Thunder, 
 bounded forward to meet him. The struggle 
 was as short as it was terrific, and it is hardly 
 necessary that I should tell you how it ended. 
 The Serpent did not receive a scratch, while 
 Rolling Thunder went down before him like a 
 rotten oak in a hurricane. 
 
 All this was unaccountable to Linden and 
 his relatives, who stared in a dazed way at 
 the frightful scene ; but that which followed 
 was still more inexplicable to them. 
 
 Stooping over the prostrate body, The Ser-
 
 " HZ CAX CHANGE ALL HEARTS." : ? 4~ 
 
 pent took the knife from the nerveless hand, 
 picked up the rifle from where Rolling Thun- 
 der had flung it aside when he slipped forward 
 to make the attack, and handed both to Lin- 
 den ! Not only that, but the bullet-pouch and 
 powder-horn were passed to him. 
 
 " I took them," said the pioneer, when tell- 
 ing the story to his children, "like one in a 
 dream, wondering whether the whole thing 
 was not a ghastly farce, of which I was to be 
 ictim. A curious thrill stirred me when 
 my hands closed about the gun, for I realized 
 that not only was the number of our enemies 
 reduced, but I was armed myself. That made 
 one against two, and I felt for the first time a 
 genuine hope of saving myself and dear ones. 
 But lo ! when I looked around, I beheld instead 
 of two, only one Indian, and he was the warrior 
 that had just handed me the weapons ! " 
 
 h was the fact, for the third Winnebago 
 believed that discretion was the better part of 
 valor. He knew that one of the combatants 
 was sure to succumb in the fierce struggle, and 
 he did not doubt his identity. Since The 
 pent seemed to be on the rampage, he decided
 
 340 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 that the best place for him was somewhere 
 else. 
 
 The Winnebago was as much astonished 
 as was Linden when he discovered that the 
 other had departed. Doubtless he meant to 
 hasten back to Ap-to-to or to the nearer 
 camp, and make known what had taken 
 place. This threatened a serious complica- 
 tion, for, though it would consume some 
 time to bring other Winnebagoes to the spot, 
 yet the distance necessary to pass before 
 reaching the settlement was so great that, bur- 
 dened as were the fugitives with ladies, they 
 were almost certain to be overtaken before 
 arriving at Greville. 
 
 Indeed, The Serpent was so disturbed by the 
 situation that he was on the point of starting 
 in pursuit of the warrior, who could not have 
 gone far, when fortunately the necessity for 
 doing so was saved him. 
 
 The moment Deerf oot from the elevated rock 
 recognized The Serpent and the fugitives, he 
 told his companions to wait where they were 
 and then dashed through the woods at his 
 highest speed. This was in accord with the
 
 " HE CAX CHANGE ALL HEARTS." 347 
 
 plan lie and the Winnebago had agreed upon. 
 The latter wished the Shawanoe to join him 
 without delay, for he felt the need of his help. 
 The Serpent counted upon trouble with his two 
 warriors, but he was confident that with the 
 Shawanoe' s aid they could easily be dis- 
 posed of. 
 
 Deerfoot was within a few rods of the 
 strange scene, when he saw the warrior dash- 
 ing through the undergrowth and among the 
 trees as if for life. Knowing what it meant, 
 the Shawanoe leaped forward and was at his 
 heels within a few seconds. 
 
 " Stop ! " he said, in the Winnebago tongue, 
 "and no harm shall come to you." 
 
 The fugitive would not halt, and Deerfoot 
 tripped him with such violence that his gun 
 flew from his hands. Before he could rise, 
 Deerfoot's own weapon was pointed at him. 
 
 "Let the Winnebago be still and he shall 
 not be hurt," commanded the Shawanoe, 
 clearly implying what would follow if he was 
 not obeyed. 
 
 This threat brought the terrified warrior to 
 his senses, and he not only stood still but
 
 348 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 asked in turn: "What does tlie Shawanoe 
 want with the Winnebago ? " 
 
 " Walk to where The Serpent is waiting." 
 
 " He will take the scalp of the Winnebago." 
 
 "He will not ; Deerfoot will save the Win- 
 nebago." 
 
 At the same time Deerfoot handed the rifle 
 to its owner, who must have felt in as peculiar 
 a frame of mine as did George Linden before 
 learning the whole truth. He could not fail 
 to see, however, that the wiser course was to 
 obey the young Shawanoe, who was clearly his 
 master, and who, therefore, was able to punish 
 any disobedience on his part. 
 
 So the Winnebago walked slowly back in 
 front of the Shawanoe, and it was The Ser- 
 pent's turn to be astonished when the two came 
 in sight. 
 
 "Why did the dog of a Winnebago flee \ " 
 asked The Serpent, advancing threateningly 
 upon the warrior. 
 
 "The wrath of The Serpent consumes every 
 thing before it," was the reply of the terrified 
 Indian; "the brother of The Serpent was 
 frightened and fled."
 
 '* HE CAX CHAXGE ALL HEARTS." 349 
 
 It is doubtful whether The Serpent in his 
 anger would have accepted this explanation, 
 which undoubtedly was the true one, but for 
 the interference of Deerfoot, whose sense of 
 right and wrong was much clearer than that 
 of the Winnebago, even though the latter had 
 started on the true path. 
 
 "Let not my brother The Serpent harm the 
 warrior who meant no evil," said the Shawa- 
 noe, raising his hand to emphasize his pro- 
 test. 
 
 The Serpent slowly pushed his knife behind 
 his girdle, though the scowl on his face showed 
 that he would hare preferred to bury it 
 in the chest of the cringing red man and have 
 him out of the way once and for alL 
 
 Turning to the dazed Linden, Deerfoot 
 pointed to the leader and said : " The Serpent 
 is the friend of the pale-faces." 
 
 " Well, by gracious ! " exclaimed the pio- 
 neer, " Tm glad to learn that, for I was begin- 
 ning to believe that my senses had left me alto- 
 gether from the way things looked. But, if I 
 ain' t mistaken, he is one of the band that burst 
 in our door yesterday."
 
 850 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 " He was the leader," was the quiet remark 
 of Deerfoot. 
 
 " What then has wrought such a wondrous 
 change in him ? ' ' 
 
 "The Great Spirit," replied the Shawanoe, 
 looking reverently upward ; ' ' He can change 
 all hearts." 
 
 " Can it be possible ? " exclaimed Mrs. Lin- 
 den, awed by the strange declaration and 
 glancing at The Serpent, whose pose was that of 
 the ideal Indian warrior ; " it seems incredible. ' ' 
 
 "Nevertheless it is true, for Deerfoot has 
 not only said it, but the actions of the Winne- 
 bago whom he calls The Serpent, prove it." 
 
 " Yes," said Edith, " 1 can now understand 
 his conduct, which puzzled us so greatly last 
 night ; then we must be saved ! " she added in 
 a tremulous voice, while her rosy face flushed 
 with the radiance of hope. 
 
 ' ' Well, we are in much better form than we 
 were yesterday," declared the joyous parent, 
 "but we're not out of the woods yet, are we, 
 Deerfoot?" 
 
 "Not yet," was the significant reply of 
 the Shawanoe.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 BOTH The Serpent and Deerfoot knew too 
 well the value of time to allow any of the 
 minutes to be squandered. The recaptured 
 TYinnebago was no more than fairly back in 
 place, as may. be said, when the Shawanoe 
 took the lead on the return, saying as he 
 did so: 
 
 ' There must be no delay ; we hare a long 
 distance to go before we are safe from the red 
 men." 
 
 Linden and his wife and daughter hastened 
 forward. The Serpent bringing up the rear with 
 his brother warrior in front of him where the 
 fellow was under his eye. Strange thoughts 
 must have come to this brave when he saw the 
 foremost fighter of his .tribe deliberately turn 
 the captives over to the charge of their friend
 
 352 THE LAST WAK TEAIL. 
 
 and the most implacable enemy of the Win- 
 nebagoes. 
 
 You will remember that in dashing from the 
 rock to join The Serpent, Deerfoot gave no 
 heed to the Moravian, and his friends whom he 
 left behind. The distance was considerable, 
 and they decided that it was the Shawanoe's 
 wish that they should wait for him. Accord- 
 ingly, they kept their places for the time, 
 though Fred Linden's impatience was shared 
 in a less degree by the others. 
 
 Deerfoot felt that the safety of the captives 
 demanded that there should not be a minute's 
 unnecessary delay. The most direct route to 
 the settlement was taken and he struck a gait 
 which compelled Edith and her mother to do 
 their best to keep up with him. 
 
 The Shawanoe's decision to make haste the 
 first object led him to take a course consider- 
 ably to the right of the rock where his friends 
 were awaiting him. In doing so he was able 
 to use the path made by wild animals in going 
 to and from the stream of water. This was a 
 great help, since it was traveled so much more 
 easily.
 
 "ALAS, HE WAS RIGHT." 353 
 
 There was no need of the settlers accompany- 
 ing the captives over this route, but, when at 
 the nearest point, Deerfoot meant to signal to 
 them to join him, since it would be cruel to 
 delay the meeting of Fred Linden and his 
 family. 
 
 The speed at which the party were going 
 quickly took them to the point, when the 
 Shawanoe sent a ringing whoop through the 
 woods that he knew would thrill the hearts of 
 the waiting son and friends. 
 
 The keen-eared Indian recognized the an- 
 swering signal as that of Fred Linden himself, 
 who came bounding among the trees with a 
 heart so light that he seemed to be racing 
 through mid air. With him was Terry Clark, 
 who would have overflowed with waggery had 
 not his companion kept him running so hard 
 that he was not able to say any thing, except 
 to protest now and then against so much 
 haste. 
 
 Deerfoot showed his face so as to give the 
 youths time to come up. He had hardly 
 done so when he and The Serpent heard 
 the discharge of several rifles somewhat to
 
 354 THE LAST WAE TRAIL. 
 
 the left, but not in the direction of the rock 
 from which he had taken his observation. 
 
 Both the Indians were surprised, for it 
 was totally unexpected by them. The two 
 stopped abruptly and looked in each other's 
 faces, at a loss to explain the meaning of 
 the firing. 
 
 A close observer of the Shawanoe would 
 have seen that not only was he astonished 
 but alarmed, for the reports of the guns were 
 from the direction of his own home, whose 
 nearness to the route of the Winnebagoes had 
 caused him no little uneasiness. 
 
 The only explanation of the shots was that 
 the settlers had come in collision with some 
 Winnebagoes, though it must have been pure 
 chance that took the red men in that direction. 
 
 But the solicitude of Deerfoot did not 
 allow him to stay away from his cabin when 
 danger threatened. He told The Serpent 
 to hurry toward the settlement, promising 
 to rejoin him if he could, though it was 
 not likely that would be necessary, since 
 his presence would add to the speed of the 
 fugitives.
 
 "ALAS, HE WAS EIGHT." 355 
 
 He had scarcely gone fifty paces when he 
 came face to face with Fred Linden and Terry 
 Clark. 
 
 "O Deerfoot ! " gasped the white -faced 
 youth ; t; where are they ? " 
 
 The warrior pointed behind him and said: 
 " All are there : father, mother and sis- 
 ter!" 
 
 " Heaven be thanked ! " exclaimed the 
 happy fellow, bursting like a frightened deer 
 among the trees and undergrowth. 
 
 "What means the firing of those guns'" 
 asked Deerfoot of the panting Terry Clark, at 
 the instant he made a break to follow his 
 half wild friend. 
 
 "I'm thinkin' it's 'canse some one pulled 
 the tliriggers, as me grandmither on me 
 uncle's side " 
 
 But Terry's foot became entangled in one 
 of the running vines at that moment, and he 
 went down with such emphasis that all utter- 
 ance was cut off. Deerfoot did not wait to 
 question him further, but was away with the 
 speed of the wind. 
 
 No more shots were heard from the direction
 
 356 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 of the first, but this fact did not remove the 
 misgiving that alarmed the Shawanoe. 
 
 He remembered that by his directions his 
 wife, who bore the sweet name of Naomi, had 
 taken their little boy Paul and gone into the 
 woods, where she was to stay until the danger 
 of discovery was over. Her fine woodcraft 
 made this an easy task for her, and she had 
 proven her ability so many times in this 
 respect that Deerfoot felt no uneasiness dur- 
 ing his long absences in the service of the 
 whites. 
 
 Since the Winnebagoes went beyond the 
 neighborhood of her habitation the evening 
 before, Naomi was naturally warranted in 
 believing that the peril had gone by. She 
 was likely, therefore, to return to her home, 
 which was indeed the dearest spot on earth 
 to her. It was this fact that startled Deer- 
 foot the moment he heard the reports of the 
 guns. 
 
 I may as well pause here long enough to say 
 that Fred Linden and Terry Clark joined the 
 fugitives a few minutes after meeting Deer- 
 foot. The reunion was a most joyful one, and
 
 357 
 
 despite the impatience of The Serpent he was 
 compelled to wait some time before they recov- 
 ered to the extent that they could resume their 
 journey to the settlement, which they safely 
 reached a few hours later. 
 
 Meanwhile Deerfoot was hurrying through 
 the forest, agitated to an unusual degree, 
 for the conviction was strong upon him that 
 something terrible had happened. Alas, he 
 was right. 
 
 The Moravian, believing that it was the 
 Shawanoe's wish that he and his companions 
 should await his coming near the rock from 
 which he had taken his observation, refused 
 permission to the rest to move out to meet the 
 party. The anxiety of Fred Linden, however, 
 overcame his scruples, and, unseen by the good 
 man, who, having no thought that any one 
 would disobey him, was less watchful than he 
 should have been, he stole away, closely fol- 
 lowed by Terry, whose agitation was hardly 
 less than that of his comrade. 
 
 Thus it came about that at the moment Deer- 
 foot gave the signal for his friends to join him
 
 358 THE LAST WAR TEAIL. 
 
 and The Serpent, the two youths were already 
 well on the road, and the rest would have 
 
 \ 
 
 speedily followed but for an unexpected and 
 tragical occurrence.
 
 CHAPTER XXXTII. 
 
 ' HE DOETH AiL THEN'OS WELL." 
 
 T~1ROM Ms position on the rock, where he 
 -l^ was keeping a careful look-out, Mr. 
 Griffiths the Moravian missionary discovered 
 two Winnebago warriors moving through the 
 wood, as though unsuspicious that any one 
 else was near. Their course was a little to 
 the east of a route that led to the camp of 
 Ap-to-to, though where they had come from 
 and what was the meaning of their presence 
 in that section was beyond the power of the 
 Moravian or any of his companions to guess. 
 
 Bowlby and Hardin believed they belonged 
 to a squad, as they may be called, which 
 threatened the safety of the returning cap- 
 tives- The Moravian agreed with them, con- 
 cluding that by some unaccountable means the 
 Winnebago chieftain had learned of the plan 
 for the rescue and had sent a strong party to 
 the rear to head off the fugitives.
 
 360 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Had the pioneers been given a few minutes 
 in which to discuss the question, they would 
 have decided that this was impossible, but the 
 situation demanded prompt action, and they 
 set out after the warriors, who, immediately 
 discovering them, fired their guns and broke 
 into a run. 
 
 The speed of the respective parties was 
 about the same, and the Indians, finding them- 
 selves hard pressed, turned sharply to one side 
 and took refuge, or rather tried to take refuge, 
 in a small cabin which they evidently believed 
 to be deserted. 
 
 The two warriors were on the point of burst- 
 ing in the door, when it was opened from 
 within and Naomi, the wife of Deerfoot, with 
 little Paul in her arms, issued forth. The 
 meeting was purely accidental, but the two 
 parties were for a second or two necessarily 
 thrown together. 
 
 At this moment every one of the settlers, 
 excepting the Moravian, let fly at the Winne- 
 bagoes, hoping to bring them down before 
 they could reach the shelter of the cabin. 
 
 The result was awful. Both warriors and
 
 361 
 
 the squaw and her child fell to the earth as if 
 smitten by a lightning bolt. 
 
 "Merciful Heaven!" exclaimed the horri- 
 fied missionary, who being several paces in 
 advance of the rest, did not see the general 
 bringing up of their rifles. " What have you 
 done? 7 ' 
 
 " We've sent them two varmints under," 
 replied Bowlby, unaware of the full result of 
 the volley. 
 
 " Yes, and you have killed the wife and 
 child of Deerfoot !" 
 
 The terrible deed was done beyond recall. 
 
 There was not one of the company of 
 pioneers who would not have given his right 
 arm or his eye could it have been undone. 
 
 " Why did we not see her ? " wailed 
 Bowlby, walking a few steps ; and then, stop- 
 ping short of the inanimate bodies, he 
 dropped his rifle to the ground, covered his 
 bearded face with his hands and sobbed as if 
 his heart was breaking. 
 
 Every one, even Hank Grubbens, did the 
 same, while the Moravian, as white as death, 
 stepped softly forward, and, stooping dcwn,
 
 362 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 examined the body of the mother and the child, 
 hoping that there might be some life left, but 
 there was none. The cruel bullets had done 
 their work effectively. 
 
 "Poor Deerfoot!" murmured the good 
 man, ' ' this will break his heart ! ' ' 
 
 "Are they dead?" asked Hardin, who 
 being the first to recover from the shock came 
 timidly forward. 
 
 "Yes, not a spark of life remains. It is, 
 perhaps, as well as it is, but my heart bleeds 
 for Deerfoot." 
 
 "It is rough," added Grubbens, "and 
 though me and him had some words, they 
 didn't amount to nothin', and I would take 
 the bullets that killed them into my own 
 breast, if it would do them any good. The 
 worst of it is'that none of us knows which one 
 fired the shots that done it." 
 
 "I'm mighty glad that's so," said Bowlby, 
 "for as we can't be sartin which, missed, we 
 can't be sartin either which hit. We all aimed 
 at the varmints, not noticing the woman that 
 got mixed up with 'em that minute. I s'pose 
 Deerfoot will soon be here By gracious ! I
 
 "HE DOETII ALL THINGS WELL." 363 
 
 can't stand it," added the hunter, catching up 
 his gun from where he had thrown it on the 
 ground ; "I'm goin' to leave." 
 
 The dread of witnessing the grief of the 
 stricken warrior was so great on the part of 
 the pioneers that they eagerly followed the 
 example of Bowlby. Their conduct had the 
 savor of cowardice, but, after all, it was as 
 well, perhaps, that they left only the good 
 man to be present when the blow fell upon the 
 Shawanoe. 
 
 The Moravian uttered no objection to the 
 wishes of his companions, who hurried away 
 almost in a panic. Finding himself alone, he 
 knelt by the body of the mother, which lay 
 with her child clasped in her arms, both look- 
 ing as if in a sweet sleep, and began praying 
 to heaven. 
 
 The words were so low that his voice 
 sounded like a gentle murmur, but never were 
 words more fervent than those that came from 
 the servant of the Most High. 
 
 " Xot for these, O God," he pleaded, "do I 
 offer up supplication to Thee, for they are 
 with Thee and all is well with them, but for
 
 364 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 Mm, the husband and the father. He has 
 been Thy servant for years, and has walked 
 humbly and reverently in Thy sight. For 
 some wise reason of Thine own, Thou hast per- 
 mitted this blow to fall upon his head, and 
 now I beseech Thee, Heavenly Father, give 
 Deerfoot strength to bear the heaviest burden 
 that has ever been laid upon his shoul- 
 ders " 
 
 A groan checked the gentle words of the 
 Moravian. Opening his eyes and glancing to 
 his side, he saw Deerfoot. 
 
 The poor warrior, hurrying with all speed 
 through the woods, his heart oppressed by the 
 misgiving that something was amiss, first 
 caught sight of the Moravian on his knees in 
 prayer. Next he saw the forms of the two 
 Winnebagoes, and then those of his wife and 
 child. 
 
 Staggering forward, he reached a tree near 
 the missionary, when his weakness became 
 such that his rifle fell to the ground, and he 
 grasped a limb to save himself from falling. 
 Hearing the moan, the Moravian sprang to 
 his feet and caught the young warrior just as
 
 "HE DOETII ALL THINGS WELL." 365 
 
 he fainted, the first time in his life that he 
 succumbed to such weakness from simple 
 emotion itself. 
 
 "My poor son ! my poor son ! " murmured 
 the missionary, gently letting him down to 
 the ground with his head against the tree ; 
 " I would have died to save you this." 
 
 Deerfoot's superb vitality quickly brought 
 back his fluttering senses. Sitting motionless 
 he stared in the face of the missionary with a 
 dreamy, far-away expression. Then he slowly 
 moved his head and looked at the forms of his 
 wife and little boy so yearningly, so woefully, 
 so despairingly, that the Moravian raised up 
 his hand and gently moved his head back so 
 as to face himself again. 
 
 " Don't, Deerfoot, it can do no good ! " 
 
 "Are they lotli dead?" asked the Shaw- 
 anoe, faintly and slowly. 
 
 The missionary inclined his head by way of 
 answer. 
 
 Deerfoot continued staring at his friend 
 with that dreamy, absent expression which 
 indicated a dazed condition of mind. Then, 
 brightening somewhat, and with something
 
 366 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 like a flash of his fine black eyes, he glanced 
 at the inanimate figures of the two warriors. 
 
 The Moravian saw that he supposed they 
 were the ones who had slain his wife and 
 little boy, and that a thrill of the old warrior 
 stirred within him when he saw that they had 
 paid the penalty. 
 
 The good man parted his lips to tell him the 
 truth, how the shots that had laid his loved 
 ones low were fired by their own friends, 
 though intended for others ; but he checked 
 himself. 
 
 "There is no need of his knowing the truth 
 now," he concluded; "he will learn it some 
 day, and then it will be sad enough to know 
 that his awful affliction came from the hands 
 of those who loved him." 
 
 Deerfoot did not try to change his posture, 
 but sat with his back against the tree, and his 
 eyes fixed on the pitying countenance of the 
 venerable missionary. 
 
 "My heart bleeds for you, my son," said 
 the Moravian in those soft, sympathetic tones 
 that had smoothed the pillow of many a dying 
 mortal, "but nothing can avail now. God
 
 "HE DOETH ALL THINGS WELL." 367 
 
 will sustain yon, if you bnt put your trust in 
 Him." 
 
 The hungering expression on the face of 
 Deerfoot encouraged the Moravian to continue 
 his attempt to lift the crushing weight from 
 his heart. 
 
 11 My son, you have been a true follower of 
 the meek and lowly Saviour. He has been 
 very kind to you ; He gave you gifts which He 
 has denied to most of your race. You have 
 been able to read His Word and to draw com- 
 fort from it, when others have not found the 
 same consolation. 
 
 "Deerfoot, He will not desert you now. I* 
 know it sounds cruel to say, while you are 
 writhing under this blow, that He has chas- 
 tened you for some wise purpose of His own, 
 but so it is. I beg you to rouse yourself, to 
 try to live closer to Him, and to bear your bur- 
 den like a true Christian. His own beloved 
 Son was nailed to the cross and suffered death 
 for you and me. He lingered for days and 
 nights before His spirit left His tortured b 
 bnt Xaonii and little Paul passed from this 
 life to the other so quickly that they could not
 
 368 THE LAST WAR TRAIL. 
 
 have drawn more than one breath of pain. The 
 shots which our friends fired were aimed at the 
 Winnebagoes, and struck your dear ones by 
 mistake ; so cruel was the error that they will 
 never get over the sorrow ' 
 
 The good man noticed the quick, inquiring 
 expression that flashed over the countenance 
 of the Shawanoe. He. bent forward just 
 enough to draw his head away from the trunk 
 of the tree that was supporting it, and gasped 
 the single exclamation : 
 
 " What!" 
 
 The Moravian had forgotten himself, and 
 revealed the true cause of the death of his 
 dear ones. He saw his mistake, but it was too 
 late to correct it, and, after all, it could make 
 no difference, since the blow had fallen. 
 
 "Yes," gently added the good man, "the 
 men wept over their awful mistake, and were 
 unable to stay and witness your grief. I am 
 sure you bear them no ill will \" 
 
 Deerfoot's head swayed slowly from side to 
 side. At that moment there was no thought 
 of resentment in his heart. He knew it was an 
 accident, but oh, what a cruel one !
 
 ; HZ DOETH AIJ. THTS'GS TTT7 3'?? 
 
 "At the most, Deerfoot, we have but a few 
 years to live. Xaomi and Paul have gone on 
 ahead of you, but they will wait for you above, 
 and yon shall soon be reunited with them to 
 part no more forever." 
 
 n not Deerfoot go now?" asked the 
 Shawanoe with such a strange wistful expres- 
 sion that the heart of the Moravian almost 
 stood still. 
 
 " In His own good time ; he doeth all things 
 well : wait with patience and your reward is
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 " DEEEFOOT DIES FOE THE WHITE MAN." 
 
 73 ALLYING slightly from the dreadful 
 JTt shock, the left hand of Deerfoot began 
 groping in the folds of his hunting-shirt. The 
 Moravian did not catch the meaning of the 
 movement, which was so weak that he was 
 anxious to give him help. 
 
 But, while wondering how it should be done, 
 he saw its meaning. The hand rested upon the 
 small Bible, which he drew forth, and, reach- 
 ing it toward the good man, said : 
 
 " Read, father, for Deerfoot ! " 
 
 The missionary took the sacred volume and 
 noticed a passage, which, judging from the 
 thumb marks, was a favorite of the Shawanoe. 
 In a low, solemn, impressive monotone, he 
 read : 
 
 "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multi-
 
 ;< DEERFOOT DIES FOR THE WHITE MAX.'' 371 
 
 tude, which no man could number, of all 
 nations, and kindreds, and people, and 
 tongues, stood before the throne, and before 
 the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and 
 palms in their hands ; 
 
 "And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salva- 
 tion to our God which sitteth upon the throne, 
 and unto the Lamb. 
 
 " And all the angels stood round about the 
 throne, and about the elders and the four 
 beasts, and fell before the throne on their 
 faces, and worshiped God, 
 
 "Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and 
 wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and 
 power, and might, be unto our God for ever 
 and ever. Amen. 
 
 "And one of the elders answered, saying 
 unto me, What are these which are arrayed in 
 white robes ? and whence came they ? 
 
 "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. 
 And he said to me, These are they which came 
 out of great tribulation, and have washed their 
 robes, and made them white in the blood of the 
 Lamb. 
 
 "Therefore are they before the throne of
 
 372 THE LAST WAR TKAIL. 
 
 God, and serve him day and night in his 
 temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall 
 dwell among them. 
 
 ' ' They shall hunger no more, neither thirst 
 any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, 
 nor any heat. 
 
 " For the Lamb which is in the midst of the 
 throne shall feed them, and shall lead them 
 unto living fountains of waters ; and God shall 
 wipe away all tears from their eyes." 
 
 The Moravian had reached the end of the 
 beautiful chapter, and he glanced at Deer- 
 foot to see whether he wished him to con- 
 tinue. 
 
 He was startled by the appearance of the 
 Shawanoe. There was a peculiar dilatation of 
 the pupils, an ashy hue under the rich, dusky 
 skin, and a ghastly appearance that he had 
 seen only on the countenance of dying persons. 
 It was indeed the shadow of death. 
 
 " Deerfoot ! " said the missionary, laying his 
 hand on his shoulder, " rouse yourself ! " 
 
 " God is good," he said faintly, the sweet, 
 shadowy smile lighting up his face for the last 
 time. "He is going to take Deerfoot to
 
 ' ; DEEEFOOT DIES FOE THE WHITE MAN." 373 
 
 Naomi and his little Paul Deerfoot dies for 
 the white man good-by!" 
 
 With his last nicker of strength he reached 
 out his hand, which was grasped by the sor- 
 rowing Moravian. Again the lips moved, and 
 the good man could distinguish only the whis- 
 pers, " Paul, Naomi" 
 
 Bending his head, he kissed the lips as ten- 
 derly as if they had been those of his dying 
 wife. Then drawing back, he became aware 
 that the hand which he held in his own was 
 lifeless. Looking again into the countenance 
 before him, he saw that Deerfoot the Shawanoe 
 was dead ! 
 
 "Died of a broken heart, and, as he truly 
 said, for the white man," murmured the Mora- 
 vian, still holding the small, shapely hand in 
 his own. 
 
 The Moravian would not leave the sacred 
 spot, through fear that the remains of the 
 loved ones might suffer disturbance. The 
 settlers, who had fled in order to avoid wit- 
 nessing Deerfoot's grief, felt that the act was
 
 374 THE LAST WAR TKAIL. 
 
 too much like a desertion, and they returned 
 that afternoon. 
 
 By that time it was learned that the Win- 
 nebagoes, finding that the captives had 
 escaped beyond recovery, made no attempt to 
 retake them, but devoted their energies to 
 securing The Serpent, who had played them 
 one of the most audacious tricks ever known. 
 They would have given a dozen warriors for 
 him. 
 
 But they never laid hands on the daring 
 warrior. He remained in the settlement for 
 some weeks, but he was so discontented that 
 he finally bade the pioneers good-by, assur- 
 ing the Moravian that he would strive for the 
 rest of his life to be as good a follower of the 
 Great Spirit as Deerfoot had been. Then he 
 left, but instead of going east or north, he 
 faced the setting sun. 
 
 No one in the settlement ever saw him again, 
 so that his final fate could only be conjectured. 
 The general belief was that he affiliated with 
 some of the tribes in the far West, where his 
 prowess and skill as a warrior must have made 
 him welcome.
 
 " DEEKFOOT DIES FOK THE WHITE MAX." 375 
 
 Some years later rumors readied the mis- 
 sionary of an Indian stranger who had joined 
 a tribe beyond the headwaters of the Missis- 
 sippi, where he not only proved to be one of 
 the most daring warriors, but he told the red 
 man about the religion of the pale-faces which 
 was preached by the missionaries. 
 
 There can be little doubt that this was The 
 Serpent, though nothing positive was ever 
 learned. 
 
 A large grave was dug near the cabin of 
 Deerfoot, and in it were laid the remains of 
 the Shawanoe, his wife and little boy. In that 
 hour of affliction, an unwonted tenderness 
 touched all hearts, and a decent burial was 
 given to the two Winnebagoes who had fallen 
 by the rifles of the pioneers. 
 
 For a couple of years nothing but a simple 
 mound marked the last resting-place of Deer- 
 foot and his family ; but as the news of his 
 death spread through the West and on both 
 sides of the Mississippi, it was found that he 
 had left scores and hundreds of mourning 
 friends, who took steps to erect a suitable 
 monument to his memory.
 
 376 THE LAST WAE TEAIL. 
 
 Fred Linden and many others joined in the 
 work, and a beautiful pointed shaft of marble 
 was placed over his grave. On one of the 
 sides is the word " NAOMI," on another 
 "PAUL," and on the other this inscription : 
 
 "DEERFOOT, THE FRIEND OF THE WHITE 
 
 MAN."
 
 Famous iTastlemon Boohs, 
 
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 extra, black and gold 5 oo 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Julius ; or, The Street Boy Out West. Illust'd. i6mo. 125 
 
 The Young Outlaw ; or, Adrift in the World. Il- 
 lustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Sam's Chance and How He Improved it. Il- 
 lustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 The Telegraph Boy. Illustrated. i6mo i 25 
 
 LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. (FIRST SERIES.) 
 By Horatio Alger, Jr., in box containing the following. 
 
 4 vols. i6mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold 5 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Luck and Pluck; or, John Oakley's Inheritance. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Sink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve. Il- 
 lustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Strong and Steady ; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter 
 
 Conrad. Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. (SECOND 
 SERIES.) In box containing the following. 4 vols. 
 
 l6mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold 5 OO 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Try and Trust; or, The Story of a Bound Boy. Il- 
 lustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Bound to Rise ; or, How Harry Walton Rose in the 
 
 World. Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Risen from the Ranks ; or, Ham' Walton's Success. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Herbert Carter's Legacy ; or, The Inventor's Son. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo I 25
 
 6 PORTER & COATES'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 
 
 BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. By Horatio 
 Alger, Jr., in box containing the following. 4 vols. 
 
 i6mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold $5 oo 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Brave and Bold; or, The Story of a Factory Boy. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Jack's Ward; or, The Boy Guardian. Illustrated. 
 
 l6mo i 25 
 
 Shifting for Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo i 25 
 
 Wait and Hope ; or, Ben Bradford's Motto. Illus- 
 trated. i6mo i 25 
 
 CAMPAIGN SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr., in 
 box containing the following. 3 vols. I&mo. Cloth, 
 
 extra, black and gold 3 75 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Frank's Campaign; or, the Farm and the Camp. 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo . I 25 
 
 Paul Prescott's Charge. Illustrated. 161110. . . i 25 
 Charlie Codman's Cruise. Illustrated. i6mo . . i 25 
 
 PACIFIC SERIES. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols. 
 
 l6mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold 5 oo 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 The Young Adventurer; or, Tom's Trip Across 
 
 the Plains. Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 The Young Miner; or, Tom Nelson in California. 
 
 Illustrated. l6mo I 25 
 
 The Young Explorer; or, Among the Sierras. Il- 
 lustrated i6mo i 25 
 
 Ben's Nugget ; or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A 
 
 Story of the Pacific Coast. Illustrated. i6mo. . . . I 25 
 
 The Young Circus Rider; or, The Mystery of 
 Robert Rudd. Being the 1st volume of the "Atlantic 
 Series." Illustrated. i6mo. Cloth, extra, black 
 and gold I 25
 
 PORTER 4 COATES'S POPULAR JUVENILES. J 
 
 Do and Dare ; or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune. 
 Being the 2d volume of the " Atlantic Series." Illus- 
 trated. i6mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold . . . . i 25 
 
 Hector's Inheritance ; or, Boys of Smith Institute. 
 Being the 3d volume of the "Atlantic Series." Illus- 
 trated. i6mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold .... I 25 
 
 By \t. A. Stephens. 
 
 Rare books for boys bright, breezy, -wholesome and instruc- 
 tive full of adventure and incident, and informati< . 
 natural history they blend instruction with amusement 
 much useful and valuable information upon the habits of animals, 
 and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity. 
 
 CAMPING OUT SERIES. By C. A. Stephens. 
 In box containing the following. 6 vols. i6mo. 
 
 Cloth, extra, black and gold $7 50 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Camping Out. As recorded by " Kit." With eight 
 
 full-page illustrations. i6mo I 25 
 
 Left on Labrador ; or, The Cruise of the Schooner 
 Yacht " Curlew " As recorded by "Wash." With 
 eight full-page illustrations. l6mo I 25 
 
 Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in 
 Iceland. As recorded by " Wade." With eight full- 
 page illustrations. i6mo 1^5 
 
 Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the Author of 
 " Camping Out.' 7 With eight full-page illustrations. 
 i6mo i 25 
 
 Pox Hunting. As recorded by " Raed." With eight 
 
 full-page illustrations. i6mo I 25 
 
 On the Amazon ; or, the Cruise of the " R.i 
 
 As recorded by ' WaMi." With eight full-page illus- 
 trations. i6mo i 25
 
 PORTER A COATES'S POPULAR JUVENILES. 
 
 By ]. IT. 
 
 These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's 
 books for the young, and he has written some of the best of our 
 juvenile literature. 
 
 JACK HAZARD SERIES. By J. T. Trowbridge. 
 In box containing the following. 6 vols. l6mo. 
 
 Cloth, extra, black and gold $7 So 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 
 Jack Hazard and his Fortunes. With twenty 
 
 illustrations. 161110 I 25 
 
 A Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and his 
 
 Treasure. With nineteen illustrations. i6mo. ... I 25 
 
 Doing his Best. With twenty illustrations. i6mo. i 25 
 
 Past Friends. With seventeen illustrations. i6mo. I 25 
 
 The Young Surveyor; or, Jack on the Prairies. 
 
 With twenty-one illustrations. i6mo I 25 
 
 Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cut- 
 ters, Glass Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship 
 Builders. With twenty-four illustrations. i6mo. . . I 25 
 
 By Ebwarb $. Ellis. 
 
 A New Series of Books for Boys, equal in interest to the " Cas- 
 tlemon" and "Alger" books. His power of description of 
 Indian life and character is equal to the best of Cooper. 
 
 BOY PIONEER SERIES. By Edward S. Ellis. 
 
 In box containing the following. 3 vols. Illustrated. 
 
 Cloth, extra, black and gold $3 75 
 
 (Sold separately.) 
 Ned in the Block House ; or, Life on the Frontier. 
 
 Being the 1st volume of the "Boy Pioneer Series." 
 
 Illustrated. i6mo I 25 
 
 Ned in the Woods. Being the 2d volume of the 
 
 " Boy Pioneer Series." Illustrated. i6mo i 25 
 
 Ned on the River. Being the 3d volume of the 
 
 " Boy Pioneer Series." Illustrated. 161110 I 25
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 HI&R101959
 
 L 006 836 1989 
 
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 PLEADS DO NOT REMOVE 
 THIS BOOK CARDZi 
 
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 University Research Library