RED 
 PLUME 
 
 Edward S.Ellis
 
 UNIV. OF CALLf. USHARY. LOS ANGELES
 
 RED PLUME 
 
 OR 
 
 A Friendly Redskin 
 
 By 
 
 Edward S. Ellis 
 
 Author of "Up the Tapafos," "Through Jungle and Wil- 
 derness," "Down the Mississippi," "Life of Kit 
 Carson," "Lost in Samoa," "A Waif 
 in the Mountains," Etc. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 M. A. DONOHUE & Co.
 
 Copyrighted 1900 
 
 % THB MBRSHON G 
 
 Copyrighted 1902 
 K^' THOMPSON 
 
 '-t
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 I. THE Sioux OUTBREAK, . . . . " i 
 
 II. THE CANOE UNDER THE BANK, .... 8 
 
 III. RED PLUME 12 
 
 IV. THE FUGITIVES ON THE RIVER, .... 17 
 V. OLD JUD, 27 
 
 VI. THE Two SCOUTS, ....... 32 
 
 VII. TREACHERY, . 41 
 
 VIII. THE CONFERENCE, 46 
 
 IX. AN INDIAN STRATAGEM, ...... 53 
 
 X. IN THE WOOD, 63 
 
 XI. A HEROINE 68 
 
 XII. COMPANIONS DU VOYAGE, '79 
 
 XIII. LOVE AND JEALOUSY, 86 
 
 XIV. THE STRUGGLE IN THE LAKE, 108 
 
 XV. THE TORCH, . . 117 
 
 XVI. THE FLAMES, 134 
 
 XVII. THE FLIGHT, 142 
 
 XVIII. THE MEETING, 167 
 
 XIX. A KEG OF WHISKY, 173 
 
 XX. DOWN THE RIVER, . . . . . . . 180 
 
 XXI. LOVE'S LONGINGS 203 
 
 XXII. ON THE ISLAND, ....... 210 
 
 XXIII. MANEUVERING FOR POSITION, 232 
 
 XXIV. THE VALE OF SHADOWS, ...... 250 
 
 XXV. RED PLUME'S PRISONER, ...... 259 
 
 XXVI. THF RETURN SHOT, 276 
 
 iii 
 
 2129221
 
 IV 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 XXVIL THE QUAKER'S WOOING, . 
 
 XXVIII. AN UNSUCCESSFUL WOOING, . 
 
 XXIX. THE RAFT, .... 
 
 XXX. ADRIFT, . . . * . 
 
 XXXI. DOWN THE RIVER, . . 
 
 XXXII. Sioux VERSUS Sioux, . . 
 
 XXXIII. RED PLUME'S JOURNEY, . . 
 
 XXXIV. THE OVERLAND ROUTE, 
 j. IXXXV. THE PRAIRIE FIGHT, 
 
 XXXVI. THE LAST STRUGGLE FOR LIFE, 
 
 XXXVII. THE END,
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE SIOUX OUTBREAK 
 
 IT came about that in the summer of 1862. when 
 many friends of the Union almost despaired of tne suc- 
 cess of our arms, and the most important battles in the 
 field had gone against us, that a vicious outbreak oc- 
 curred among the Sioux Indians of Minnesota. These 
 people, known also as the Dakotas, are the most power- 
 ful tribe on the continent, and for a time they spread 
 death and destruction, and caused a reign of terror 
 over a large portion of one of the fairest States of the 
 Union. 
 
 The outbreak occurred in the month of August, and 
 was so sudden that, as is generally the case, hundreds 
 of settlers were caught wholly unprepared. Recruit- 
 ing for the Union armies was going on at the time, and 
 after awhile, when other troops had been sent into the 
 State, the revolt was quelled and summary punishment 
 visited upon the most guilty 
 
 Near the central part of Minnesota is a romantic 
 sheet of water about three miles in length, known as
 
 a THE RED PLUME 
 
 Man-yo-han or Sleeping Water. On one shore stood 
 the dwelling of grim old Captain Swarthausen, a vet- 
 eran, who was at home just recovered from a wound 
 received on the Peninsula. He had no family of his 
 own, his housekeeper being Mrs. Muggins, whose hus- 
 band looked after outside matters. The captain's 
 nephew, George Havens, was fighting the battles of his 
 country with the Army of the Cumberland. 
 
 On the opposite side of the lake was the home of 
 John Fielding, a young Quaker, and his negro servant 
 Pompey. The two were actively preparing the house 
 for the parents of Fielding, who intended to remove 
 thither from Philadelphia in the coming autumn. 
 Close at hand, was the residence of the Prescotts, in- 
 cluding the head of the family, Hugh, who was a 
 wealthy consumptive, his wife, two daughters, Lillian 
 and Edith, and two negro servants, Cato and Elijah, or 
 " Lige," as he was always called. Dinah, the cook, 
 was the mother of Cato, who naturally was her pet and 
 pride. 
 
 It so happened that on this memorable day in Au- 
 gust, the Prescott household was increased by still an- 
 other in the person of Augustus Pipkins, a Chicago 
 insurance clerk, and cousin of the young ladies, whose 
 most puzzling problem, after his visit had lasted several 
 days, was to determine which of the fair sisters he ad- 
 mired the most. 
 
 The Sioux outbreak reached Sleeping Water in a 
 most peculiar manner. The younger members of the
 
 THE RED PLUME 5 
 
 Prescott household had gone for a sail on the lake, and 
 the three lusty negro servants were lazily fishing on the 
 banks of the lake, when a dozen Indians, in their war 
 paint and fully armed, came from the wood as silently 
 as so many shadows and made all three prisoners. 
 
 It need not be said that there was consternation, for 
 no one expected mercy, but the incident was accom- 
 panied by another whose full significance was not un- 
 derstood until sometime afterward. One of the Sioux, 
 known as Jarrik, an under chief, greeted the negro 
 Lige with a grin, and, taking him to one side, talked 
 with him in broken English. In truth, the two were 
 old acquaintances, and the African, surly and reserved 
 by nature, had furnished the chief more than once with 
 whiskey. 
 
 While Cato and Pompey were bewailing their fate, 
 Lige suddenly made a break for liberty, heading 
 straight for the Prescott house, where young Fielding 
 had gone. Several shots were fired at the fugitive, 
 but they must have been poorly aimed, for he was un- 
 touched, and being admitted by Mr. Prescott, told his 
 startling story, whose full meaning was instantly un- 
 derstood by all. 
 
 Meanwhile Captain Swarthausen had exchanged 
 shots a short time before with the same party of ma- 
 rauders, so that he knew what was in the air. 
 
 The house in which Mr. Prescott and his family had 
 dwelt during the last two years, was partly an exotic 
 and partly a native of Minnesota.
 
 4 THE RED PLUME 
 
 In the first place he had had a neat little one-story 
 cottage made in St. Louis. When this was put up in 
 proper shape, he had it taken down and set up again on 
 the shore of Sleeping Water Lake, it going through an 
 experience very similar to the habitation of Captain 
 Swarthausen. 
 
 It had stood here but a short time when he discov- 
 ered that it was altogether inadequate to his wants. So 
 he brought carpenters and masons from the nearest set- 
 tlement, and erected an addition so large and roomy 
 that it was really the main building, being two stories 
 in height, cut up into convenient apartments, and con- 
 structed in the best style possible. 
 
 That portion of this house which migrated from St. 
 Louis, of course was simply frame, which barely pro- 
 tected them from freezing during the first fearful win- 
 ter that they spent in their new home. To prevent the 
 recurrence of their suffering, every part of the building 
 was " filled in " with stone, and the red pipestone clay, 
 which is so plentiful in this State. 
 
 At the same time Mr. Prescott did not forget that his 
 family incurred some danger in this solitude. Not that 
 he ever dreamed of passing through anything like the 
 Minnesota Massacre, for, had he believed such a catas- 
 trophe possible, he would have been the last man to re- 
 move his defenceless ones to their new home; but he 
 knew that there were wild animals, which, when driven 
 by hunger, were daring and ferocious; and evil men 
 sometimes tramped through the border counties, and 
 were not the most pleasant companions to encounter.
 
 THE RED PLUMB J 
 
 With these facts staring him in the face, his house 
 
 was built. All the lower windows were protected by 
 massive wooden shutters, and the doors were bullet- 
 proof, and secured by such a series of bolts and locks 
 that it was far easier for a man to cut and hack his way 
 in than to burst them from their fastenings, or to suc- 
 ceed in picking the locks and bolts. 
 
 Of course this building, although the strongest one 
 that stood along the lake, was not a fort, and could not 
 be made to answer for one. It was vulnerable from al- 
 most any direction, and the dry, seasoned pine which 
 entered largely into its composition made it as com- 
 bustible as touch wood. The flames could be easily 
 started, and when once under way would rage with re- 
 sistless fury. 
 
 Then there were no means to stand a siege, even if 
 the element of fire should not be employed by the In- 
 dians. There was a small quantity of food in the house, 
 and not enough water to last more than a few days. 
 
 The Sioux really could not have chosen a more fa- 
 vorable time to attack the settlers. Captain Swarthau- 
 sen was shut up in his own building, not only unable to 
 get out and render any assistance, but sorely needing it 
 himself. Pipkins and his two cousins were on the other 
 side of the lake, while the two negroes were already 
 prisoners in the hands of their enemies. 
 
 The forces were scattered and divided, and a half 
 dozen Sioux, with a little circumspection, could fall 
 upon them in detail and destroy them all.
 
 6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Captain Swarthausen and Mr. Prescott could be 
 easily burned out, Pipkins and the girls were defence- 
 less, and could not hope long to escape discovery, so 
 that so far as human foresight was concerned, there 
 could be but one result to this expedition of the red- 
 skins. 
 
 The barn belonging to the Prescott house was situ- 
 ated within a stone's throw, directly back of it. Noth- 
 ing could prevent the Indians from entering and firing 
 this, and should the wind blow toward the lake, the 
 house would be certain to follow its fate. 
 
 Indeed the sagacious Quaker had detected unmis- 
 takable signs of the Sioux having already ensconced 
 themselves there ; but, as there was not a breath of air 
 stirring the zephyr which had wafted the boat across 
 the lake having entirely died away there was little 
 fear of a conflagration breaking out at present. 
 
 The long summer afternoon was wearing away, and 
 night dreaded night the time when the treacherous 
 red man steals to his work, was close at hand. 
 
 The sky was clear, but the moon was in its last quar- 
 ter, and afforded so faint a light, that there was good 
 cause for our beleaguered friends to fear the worst. No 
 one dared hope that their enemies would remain idle 
 during the favorable darkness so close at hand. 
 
 It was not strange that two men should come into 
 the thoughts of the whites two men whom, of all oth- 
 ers, they longed to see. 
 
 These were Red Plume, a friendly Sioux, and Jubal
 
 THE RED PLUME 7 
 
 jjudkins, or " Old Jud," as he was more generally 
 known. These strange characters were companions 
 who had often visited the Lake settlements, and had al- 
 ways received such hospitable treatment, that they 
 formed a strong attachment for the settlers, and both 
 Lillian and Edith had been the recipients of many curi- 
 ous mementoes and trophies of the chase from their 
 dusky friend, and his hardly less dusky comrade. 
 
 Was it not more than probable that these men knew 
 of the uprising of the Sioux? And if they did, would 
 they not appear on the ground in time to befriend their 
 imperilled friends. 
 
 These were the questions which suggested them- 
 selves, and to which Captain Swarthausen, Mr. Pres- 
 cott and Fielding could not fail to give favorable an- 
 swers. 
 
 As yet none of them had any idea that Red Plume 
 ,was already on the scena of action, and was just getting 
 to work. It was " Greek against Greek," and there was 
 to be no child's play.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 THE CANOE UNDER THE BANK 
 
 EVERYTHING within the Prescott house was speedily 
 put in the best condition for defence. Mrs. Prescott, 
 quiet, calm and self-possessed, never speaking above an 
 ordinary conversational tone, moved hither and thither, 
 carrying her great grief with her, and doing the hun- 
 dred little things which are none the less necessary, and 
 inspiring confidence by her freedom from the appear- 
 ance of anything like despair. 
 
 Dinah had an immense kettle of water boiling on the 
 stove. 
 
 " All I wants is de chance," said she, in explanation, 
 " and if I doesn't scald some of dem niggers dat's all. 
 Ef dey don't bring my baby back, I'll bile 'em all." 
 
 There were four rifles in the house, and an abun- 
 dance of ammunition. Prescott and Fielding, as a mat- 
 ter of course, were each provided with one, although it 
 was to be remarked that the young Friend thus far had 
 remained true to his faith and had not discharged his 
 weapon, although the opportunity of effectually doing 
 so had not been lacking. -f 
 
 Lige was also given gun, and he seemed eager for 
 a chance to help punish the marauders. 
 
 8
 
 THE RED PLUME 9 
 
 " All I wants is de chance," said he, " and I'll pay 
 'em for takin' Pomp and Cato, and 'sultin' me." 
 
 " I don't doubt it," replied Mr. Prescott ; " do your 
 duty, Lige, for you can see that our safety is yours, and 
 if you behave like a man I will not forget you." 
 
 " Yes, sah," was the hearty response. 
 
 When Mrs. Prescott came to the upper story, and 
 took the position assigned her, the whole four sides of 
 the house, or more properly the different directions 
 from which an assault of the Indians was possible, were 
 under the surveillance of those within the building. 
 
 There were really but the two points from which 
 they looked for danger the rear toward the barn, and 
 the west, but, as apparently the most unlikely points 
 were aptest to be the very ones selected by the redskins, 
 Fielding counselled all to relax none of their vigilance 
 for an instant. 
 
 In the meantime, the young Friend had taken his 
 station at an upper window, which commanded an un- 
 obstructed view of the lake, and with a small but pow- 
 erful field-glass, was anxiously searching for the sail 
 boat in which Pipkins and his cousins had set out upon 
 their pleasure excursion. 
 
 " Verily there is danger on every hand," he mut- 
 tered, as simultaneous with the spiteful crack of a rifle, 
 the bullet cut a clean hole through the window pane, 
 and passed within an inclr^>f his face. " It behooves 
 me to be more careful." 
 
 Moving a short distance back, he succeeded in pro-
 
 10 THE RED PLUME 
 
 tecting his face, while he retained the same view of the 
 lake as before. 
 
 He first ran his eye rapidly over the water and shore 
 and along the island near its centre, but not a sign of 
 life was visible. Everything was drowsy and seem- 
 ingly at rest on this hazy afternoon. 
 
 The yellow pine of Captain Swarthausen's little cot- 
 tage could be partly seen through the shrubbery, but 
 that too was silent, and devoid of all appearance of life. 
 
 The broad, silvery head of the Crescent River, where 
 it started on its wanderings for the Arctic Sea, was the 
 only break in the wall of green vegetation which en- 
 compassed Sleeping Water. 
 
 Failing to see anything with the naked eye, Fielding 
 raised his glass and scrutinized the distant land with a 
 closer gaze. He at first directed it toward Captain 
 Swarthausen's cottage, and plainly discerned the form 
 of an Indian creeping under the bank, as if he were 
 seeking a new position. The Quaker watched him a 
 few minutes until he disappeared in the undergrowth 
 which was so plentiful here, as everywhere else. 
 
 He now directed his glass toward the river, and a 
 flush lit up his face as he distinctly saw a stealthy move- 
 ment under the bank. 
 
 At first, even with the aid of the telescope, he was 
 unable to make out what it was ; but as it slowly crept 
 along under the partial shelter of the undergrowth, he 
 made out that it was a small Indian canoe in which a 
 single person was seated. 
 
 Whoever this individual was, it was plain that he in*
 
 THE RED PLUME II 
 
 tended to conceal his movements, and so skillfully did 
 he manage it, that when Fielding removed his glass and 
 looked at it with the naked eye, he could detect nothing 
 at all. 
 
 Still he crept along until one-fourth the circumfer- 
 ence of the lake had been passed, by which time the ca- 
 noe was less than a mile distant. Here the man halted, 
 as if fearful of coming any further. 
 
 All this time Fielding was doing his utmost to detect 
 the identity of the stranger, but as yet he had not suc- 
 ceeded, for only a slight portion of his body was re- 
 vealed, and that only now and then, the boat seemingly 
 impelled by a power of its own. 
 
 Only the stern of the canoe could now be seen, and 
 for a long time that was as stationary as the island in 
 the centre of the lake. Then the Friend distinctly saw a 
 hunter's cap raised over the gunwale of the canoe, and 
 slowly waved to and fro, as one would swing a bell. 
 
 This was done only once or twice, and then all was 
 motionless again; but it was enough. The eye of the 
 young man sparkled as he laid down his glass, and he 
 walked back and forth in no little excitement. 
 
 " Most grievpusly am I mistaken, if that is not the 
 hunter Judkins, and he is seeking to communicate with 
 the man, Red Plume. We have need of such friends as 
 these." 
 
 He picked up his glass again, but at this moment 
 Mrs. Prescott touched his shoulder, and whispered : 
 
 " I am afraid something wrong is going on. I don't 
 like the actions of Lige ; please come with me,"
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 RED PLUME 
 
 *' WHAT dost thou see ? " asked Fielding without 
 moving out of the room. 
 
 " I think Lige is signalling to some one in the wood." 
 
 " I placed him there because I thought he would be 
 less likely to see the heathen than thy husband; but 
 truly I was mistaken. Do thou remain here while I go 
 to him, but let me caution thee against approaching the 
 window too close. It was a narrow escape I had from 
 my rashness." 
 
 It was the wish of the young Quaker to come in upon 
 Lige so softly as to detect him in the act, whatever it 
 might be, but the fellow caught sight of him, and was 
 as mum and motionless as the furniture of the room. 
 
 " Hast thou discovered anything? " he inquired, as 
 the African looked around at him. 
 
 " Nuffin." 
 
 " Have seen no indications of the heathen ? " 
 
 " Can't 'zactly say dat, Mister Fielding." 
 
 " Pray what is it? " asked the latter, his conscience 
 pricking him at his misjudging the fellow. 
 
 " I've seen two or free of dem sneakin' round de 
 
 12
 
 THE RED PLUME 13 
 
 barn, and dere's lots of dem in it. 'Spect dor's whar de 
 trouble will begin." 
 
 " Thou talkest sensibly; keep a bright look-out" 
 
 " Yes, sah." 
 
 Fielding passed to the room of Mr. Prescott, who, 
 with rifle in hand, was cautiously peering out of the 
 window commanding the approach of the wood, he 
 having changed places with Lige, who had the rear of 
 the house under his guardianship. 
 
 The young man was in a dilemma. Fully aware of 
 the violent temper of Mr. Prescott, he dreaded to 
 arouse it by awakening his suspicion of his servant, 
 and, at the same time, it seemed necessary to put him on 
 his guard. 
 
 Furthermore, he wished to place the negro under 
 surveillance, without having him suspect it. The few 
 words of conversation that had just passed between 
 Lige and Fielding had almost, but not quite, convinced 
 the latter of his honesty, and he desired to have the 
 point cleared up, and to dissipate that dreadful sense of 
 insecurity which was constantly creeping over him. 
 
 He exchanged a few words with Mr. Prescott, inci- 
 dentally mentioning that the Sioux were undoubtedly 
 scattered and concealed, so as almost entirely to sur- 
 round the house, and that they would not be long in 
 discovering an unguarded point. 
 
 This was all that he felt safe in saying, when he re- 
 turned to his station; for he had a strong desire to 
 watch the movements of that canoe that had come out
 
 14 THE RED PLUME 
 
 of Crescent River, and moved so cautiously around the 
 coast of the lake. 
 
 " I trust thou misjudged thy servant," said he, as he 
 returned to his station. " He seems to be on the alert, 
 and quite trusty." 
 
 " It may be so, John, but I am sorry that he was al- 
 lowed to re-enter the house. I would rather have him 
 on the outside." 
 
 " Do thou endeavor to look in upon him when con- 
 venient, and if thou seest anything wrong, instantly ap- 
 prise me of it." 
 
 With this admonition the two separated, Mrs. Pres- 
 cott going to the end room, which was her own bed- 
 chamber, and was at the opposite side of the house from 
 where her husband was stationed. 
 
 Directing his field-glass toward the point where he 
 had seen the signal from the canoe, he was not a little 
 surprised and disappointed to find that the latter was 
 gone. 
 
 The place was so fixed in his mind that he could not 
 mistake it, and there was nothing to be seen. Old Jud, 
 the hunter, had changed his position in the few minutes 
 during which Fielding had been absent from his post. 
 
 The sun was still an hour high, and his slant rays 
 penetrating through the woods in many places, lit up 
 the surface of the lake, giving it a glowing splendor 
 like unto molten gold. 
 
 Turning his gaze toward the house of Swarthausen, 
 everything was seen to be as lifeless as if no living
 
 THE RED PLUME 15 
 
 being were within miles. If the family were still be- 
 sieged, it was with the same persistent quiet with which 
 the Prescotts themselves were surrounded. The Sioux 
 were probably waiting for night, before striking what 
 they intended to be the final blow. 
 
 Fielding was gazing in this wandering manner, not 
 knowing where to look for the canoe, but supposing 
 that it had been drawn so far up under the bank as to 
 make it invisible, when he made another discovery, that 
 gave him greater wonder than before. 
 
 From the source of the Crescent River, where the 
 lake poured out its surplus water, he saw another boat 
 issue, following precisely in the track of the canoe, 
 which had preceded it by something over an hour. 
 
 As he scrutinized this, however, he observed that it 
 was of different construction, and considerably larger 
 than the small vessel, and like that, contained but a sin- 
 gle person. 
 
 The wonderment of the Quaker was not a little in- 
 creased when he recognized the boat as the identical 
 one in which Pipkins and the girls had crossed the lake. 
 The sail and even the small mast was gone proof that 
 the individual controlling it was taking every means to 
 avoid observation. 
 
 Fielding's first thought was, that the party had been 
 captured, and this was one of their captors proceeding 
 to some point with the boat. 
 
 But he could not satisfy himself on this point, as he 
 could think of no reason for such a course being pur-
 
 Z 6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 sued. There must be some other explanation of the 
 singular proceeding. 
 
 Steadily the large boat followed in the wake of the 
 smaller, taking precisely the same course, but checking 
 its speed before it had proceeded to so great a distance. 
 
 Now and then the Friend resumed his glass, and at- 
 tempted to follow the movements of the 'boat with his 
 eye, but found it so difficult that it practically amounted 
 to nothing. 
 
 The next moment the mystery of the occupant was 
 explained. Something red flashed out upon the air, and 
 the eye of the Friend sparkled again. 
 
 " Verily, it is Red Plume! "
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE FUGITIVES ON THE RIVER 
 
 RED PLUME, the friendly Sioux, had suddenly pre- 
 sented himself to the cousins on the other side of the 
 lake and warning them to keep out of sight, departed 
 with the boat to give what help he could to their 
 friends, who were in great danger. 
 
 The sisters sat side by side. The face of the elder 
 was blanched with her great fear, and she held her right 
 arm around the waist of the younger, whose head was 
 pillowed on her shoulder, while her face was covered 
 with her two hands, pressing her handkerchief as if to 
 keep back the overwhelming sorrow. 
 
 In that hour of supreme woe, the sisters, with the 
 trusting faith of childhood, were sending up petitions 
 to the Great Being for the safety of those whom they 
 had left behind, and who were in such dire extremity. 
 
 Not a tear moistened the eye of Edith, who seemed 
 to be gazing through the interstices of the under- 
 growth, up the river and across the lake to her friends, 
 who in turn were looking for her ; but who shall doubt 
 the great woe that was weighing her down, and almost 
 checking the flow of the life-current in her veins? 
 
 17
 
 l8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Lillian was swayed like a leaf in the tempest. Her 
 frame quivered and shook, and the hot tears dropped 
 through her ringers, while she nestled, like a frightened 
 bird, closer to her stronger sister, who drew her warmly 
 and lovingly to her embrace. The arrow aimed the 
 highest has the farthest to fall. Naturally light-hearted 
 and joyous, with spirits like the morning sunlight, her 
 depression was all the greater, and the darkness the 
 more gloomy, when the change did come. 
 
 They sat without speaking, for what could either say 
 to comfort the other? There was but one Source to 
 which they could look, and the hearts of both were 
 earnestly fixed upon that blessed Refuge. 
 
 Pipkins sat at the other end of the boat, now and then 
 looking dolefully and askance at them. 
 
 " Jingo, this is rough ! " he repeated, as he began ner- 
 vously searching his pockets. " My pipe has gone out, 
 and I hain't got a match." 
 
 As is apt to be the case with those similarly circum- 
 stanced, he examined each pocket at least a half-dozen 
 times, continually " pulling " furiously at his pipe, as if 
 there were a spark lingering somewhere in it. 
 
 " No use," he finally exclaimed, with a despairing- 
 look. " The pipe is extinguished, and I hain't a match. 
 I say, Edith, you hain't got such a thing as a lucifer 
 about you ? " 
 
 When he had repeated the question several times she 
 merely swayed her head, without removing her fixed 
 gaze from the direction of the lake.
 
 THE RED PLUME 19 
 
 " I don't 'spose Lil has any? " 
 
 But no attention was paid to the hint, and he did not 
 press it. 
 
 " Just as like as not we'll have to stay here all night/' 
 he soliloquized ; " and I'll catch cold, and be laid up a 
 week. If I had a match it wouldn't be so thundering 
 bad bless the Lord ! " 
 
 All the time he was fumbling and thrusting his 
 thumbs into his pockets, and his exclamation was 
 caused by his fishing up the fraction of a match with 
 the phosphorus upon it. 
 
 " Ain't that jolly, now ! " he added, as he twisted up 
 his last love-letter, the better to catch the flame. Then 
 bending down, so that his body and the two sides of the 
 boat kept away whatever puff of wind might be in the 
 air, he carefully struck it upon the dry, painted board. 
 
 The result was all that he could wish; and, a few 
 seconds later, his head was enwreathed in the volumes 
 of tobacco smoke that issued from his mouth. 
 
 " That mends things somewhat. Lillian, confound 
 it! what's the use of feeling so bad? " 
 
 But neither of the sisters paid any heed to this prac- 
 tical question ; and, after surveying them a moment or 
 two, he added : 
 
 " Edith, hangnation ! what's the use? If you keep on 
 that way you'll make me feel bad." 
 
 This he considered an unanswerable appeal; and it 
 did cause his cousin to turn her dark eyes reproach- 
 fully upon him.
 
 30 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " How can we help it? " 
 
 " I know I know. But then cheer up what's the 
 use? Try and keep it back on account of me. If you 
 go on that way you'll have me in the blubbering busi- 
 ness, too, before long." 
 
 The few words uttered by Edith seemed to open her 
 heart, and, for a few minutes, her grief was more vio- 
 lent in its manifestations than Lillian's; but, by-and-by, 
 it spent itself with both, and they became more calm 
 and composed. 
 
 During these trying moments Augustus Pipkins sol- 
 emnly smoked his meerschaum, and wondered which 
 was the shortest route back to Chicago, and, whether, if 
 a favoring breeze should spring up, it wouldn't be a 
 wise plan to crowd on all sail down the river, and get 
 out of this dangerous neighborhood. 
 
 He said nothing while his cousins were in the tem- 
 pest of their grief. When it had passed over, and they 
 had calmed down and uncovered their faces, he ven- 
 tured to console them in his own peculiar way. 
 
 " I don't believe the folks are all killed. It would 
 take considerable time for the Indians to do that." 
 
 " Dolph, how can you talk so ! " was the reproving 
 response of Edith, who could scarcely restrain another 
 outburst. 
 
 " I I meant to comfort you," he stammered ; " but 
 that's the way I always put my foot in it. I told our col- 
 ored washerwoman, when she was blubbering about her 
 little boy that kicked the bucket, that she ought to be
 
 THE RED PLUMB ai 
 
 thankful for it, because, if he had lived to grow up, he 
 wouldn't have been anything but a nigger; and never, 
 after that, would she put a smitch of starch in my shirts, 
 except just where I didn't want it." 
 
 " I wonder whether Red Plume will get there soon 
 enough to help them ? " said Lillian, whose face showed 
 that some degree of hope was returning. 
 
 " I think so," replied her sister. " If if he had not, 
 we should hear the shots of the Indians, and see the 
 smoke of the burning buildings ; but I haven't heard the 
 report of a gun since he went away." 
 
 "Sh!" 
 
 At that instant the distant sound of the rifles fired by 
 the Sioux, as Lige rushed into the house, came across 
 the lake, and penetrated the concealment of the girls. 
 
 " What does that mean ? " asked Lillian, trembling 
 again with her nervous fear. 
 
 " Oh, that's nothing! " replied Pipkins, still smoking 
 his pipe. " I've read in Cooper that the redskins fire 
 promiscuously when they get a chance, and it ain't 
 likely they've killed more than one or two of your folks ; 
 but then Cooper always makes his females get shot at 
 the last minute, so we won't quote him as authority." 
 
 " I wish old Jud would come," added Lillian ; " why 
 did I not think to ask Red Plume about him? " 
 
 " They seem to be together nearly all the time," re- 
 plied Edith. 
 
 " I tell you what," said Pipkins, with the air of a 
 man who was about to reveal a tremendous secret, 
 " I've got a plan! "
 
 22 THE RED PLUME 
 
 He puffed his meerschaum more vigorously than 
 ever, while the cousins looked as if they did not under- 
 stand what it meant. 
 
 " You have a plan for what? " inquired Edith, seeing 
 that he was waiting to be questioned. 
 
 " For our escape. Would you like to hear it? " 
 
 Supposing his scheme included all, he received an 
 affirmative reply. 
 
 " We must keep out of sight till dark, as your friend 
 Red Plume remarked. But when it is fairly dark, we'll 
 hoist sail, and let her went, till daylight, when we'll 
 lie-to till night, and keep the thing up till we reach some 
 of the settlements." 
 
 " You don't mean for us to go and leave father and 
 mother behind ? " asked Lillian, in amazement. 
 
 " The idea exactly." 
 
 " You cannot be in earnest, certainly, Dolph ? " 
 
 " Never more in earnest in my life. We can't help 
 them any by staying, for like as not they are all killed 
 by this time " 
 
 " There, there, don't," she plead, raising her hand 
 and turning her head, as if to ward off the fearful pro- 
 posal. 
 
 " Beg pardon at it again, I see but what I wanted 
 to get at was, that it's the best thing all around, for we 
 can't help them. If they're still alive, they've got their 
 hands full, and will be glad to get us out their way, and 
 they won't have us to think about don't you see ? " 
 
 But neither of the sisters would consent for a mo-
 
 THE RED PLUME 23 
 
 ment to any such movement. It looked too much like 
 desertion, and besides, they would be disobeying the 
 parting injunction of Red Plume, who certainly ought 
 to be able to give the best advice about such matters. 
 
 It was undeniably the truth, that the plan of Pipkins 
 was a good one. There was every prospect of their 
 being able to reach Forest Grove, the nearest settle- 
 ment, by using care and circumspection in their move- 
 ments ; but, when the young man found that his scheme 
 could net be forced upon his cousins, he seemed to feel 
 that some explanation was necessary. 
 
 " You see it ain't myself that I care about, girls 
 that has never once entered my head but it is you" 
 
 " We do not wish to leave the vicinity until our par- 
 ents can go with us." 
 
 " I was about to say that my vacation expires this 
 week, and if I expect to reach Chicago in time, I ought 
 to be on my way this very night. Old Blifkins gets as 
 mad as thunder when any of the clerks disappoint him. 
 That is the only thing that gives me any anxiety." 
 
 " You ought to be home then, by all means," replied 
 Edith. " Lillian and I will go ashore and wait in the 
 woods, while you can take the boat and make a good 
 start to-night." 
 
 Pipkins started, and looked earnestly at the speaker, 
 but her face was serious, and his heart throbbed at the 
 unexpected hope thus held out to him. 
 
 He was seated on the very prow of the boat, so that 
 he was perched quite up in the air.
 
 84 THE RED PLUME 
 
 What answer he would have made to this proposi- 
 tion, had the opportunity been given, it is impossible to 
 say, but just then Lillian started, and half rose to her 
 feet, with such an expression of terror upon her face, 
 that Pipkins instantly slid down from his perch, and 
 demanded what the mischief was now on hand. 
 
 " I saw an Indian coming up the river in a canoe." 
 
 "Where?" fairly gasped Pipkins, crouching down 
 and glaring about him, as if there were instant danger 
 of collision. 
 
 " It is a long way off. I saw something move just in 
 line with you. I took it to be an insect at first, creeping 
 over your coat, and was about to speak, when I noticed 
 that it was a canoe coming up the other side the river." 
 
 " I don't see it," said the young man, cautiously look- 
 ing in the direction indicated by Lillian. 
 
 " Nor I," added Edith. 
 
 " It has gone ; it seems to 'be coming along the shore, 
 as though the Indian was trying to keep out of sight." 
 
 " If that is the case, I think we had better get out of 
 this," said Pipkins. " Let us get nearer shore and hide 
 in the woods somewhere, till the savage goes by." 
 
 " Do you think there is any danger of our being 
 seen ? " 
 
 " Shouldn't wonder, but I can't say sure." 
 
 Grasping the limbs and undergrowth (the mast hav- 
 ing been previously unshipped), the boat was drawn as 
 close under the bank as was possible. 
 
 A hurried debate followed as to whether it was best
 
 THE RED PLUME 25 
 
 to remain where they were, or to step ashore, and go 
 further into the wood. Pipkins was anxious to do the 
 latter, and Lillian was inclined to think it was best, but 
 Edith, with characteristic sense, said that the boat 
 
 would be as likely to be seen, whether they were in it or 
 not, and if seen, an Indian would require but a few min- 
 utes to trace them through the woods. Nothing, there- 
 fore, was to be gained by leaving the boat. 
 
 It was decided that each should keep his or her head 
 below the gunwale, so as not to be seen by any one pass- 
 ing, and wait before raising the head until sure that the 
 canoe had disappeared around the bend above. 
 
 " Sh ! down " whispered Lillian, " I see it again, 
 only a little way off." 
 
 Every head was ducked, and for the next five min- 
 utes, the listeners could hear the pulsations of their own 
 hearts. Then Edith called the attention of Pipkins to 
 the fact that he was smoking, and might betray their 
 presence by that means. Loth to allow his pipe to go 
 out, and yet sensible of the risk, he held it down in the 
 bottom of the boat, giving it a slight puff now and then 
 to keep it from expiring altogether. 
 
 Soon the soft dip of a paddle could be heard, and 
 their hearts almost stopped beating as they speedily 
 learned that it was approaching. 
 
 Still praying that they might not be seen, all kept si- 
 lent; but nigher and nigher it came, until the rustling 
 of the undergrowth showed that the canoe was close at 
 hand, and coming still closer each second.
 
 86 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Hardly conscious of what he did, Pipkins raised his 
 head, and no pen can picture his horrified consternation, 
 as he saw the boat less than a dozen feet distant, and 
 heading straight toward them.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 OLD JUD 
 
 "WAL, now, if that doesn't beat all natur!" ex- 
 claimed a gruff, cheery voice, as the tiny canoe glided 
 gracefully beside the larger boat, and a grizzled, rough 
 borderer looked over in it at the blanched faces and 
 cowering forms. " Thar's my little Rosebud," he 
 added, his homely face relaxing into a pleased smile, as 
 he recognized Lillian, " and my Queen Edith," he 
 added, turning toward the sister ; " and, if I ain't pow- 
 erfully mistaken, that's Spider Legs." 
 
 It would be hard to picture the relief experienced by 
 all, as they recognized in their visitor, not some fero- 
 cious Sioux in his war paint, but Old Jud, the hunter, 
 the very man, whom, of all others, they were longing 
 to see. 
 
 He shook hands with them all, and then inquired 
 what was meant by their peculiar situation. In a few 
 minutes everything was told. During the narration, he 
 sat perfectly motionless, with his keen gray eyes fixed 
 upon Edith, as if he did not wish to lose a word she ut- 
 tered. 
 
 " Old Jud," as he was commonly called, was a man 
 about fifty years of age, tall, thin to emaciation, with 
 
 27
 
 S8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 sparse, iron-gray hair, and a short cropped grizzly 
 beard, which covered his face to his eyes. His teeth 
 were as sound and clear as pearls, and when he laughed, 
 which he did frequently, by expanding his broad mouth 
 into a still broader grin, and opening it without making 
 the least articulate sound, it added not a little to the pre- 
 possessing character of his face. 
 
 His brows were heavy and beetling, the gray eyes 
 shining beneath like the watch fires of the soul. His 
 skin was as brown as a nut, and his muscles like iron, 
 and, furthermore, his great height was made to look 
 much greater than it really was, by a decided stoop of 
 the shoulders. 
 
 Such characters as Jud generally own a horse or 
 a dog, or more generally both, but he owned neither. 
 What was certainly rather curious, he seemed to dis- 
 like a canine animal, but regarding the equine, he 
 showed no dislike, but rather indifference. He was a 
 sort of amphibious animal. He reached and returned 
 from his hunting and trapping territory, by means of 
 water, never travelling across wide stretches of prairie 
 or open country, when on one of these expeditions, un- 
 less he was compelled to do so ; but he was nearly al- 
 ways to be found in the vicinity of some stream, which 
 communicated directly with the navigable rivers below. 
 
 Although Pipkins had never noticed Jud, yet the lat- 
 ter had " taken his measure " some time before, when 
 he had seen him at a considerable distance, and he 
 formed no very exalted opinion of him.
 
 THE RED PLUME 39 
 
 " Me and Red Plume was on a hunt yesterday," said 
 he, in answer to the numerous questions, speaking with 
 a quiet deliberation that was peculiarly effective in giv- 
 ing hope and confidence to his listeners, " when we seed 
 things ahead that looked rather squally. We come onto 
 a camp-fire, about a dozen miles down the river, this 
 noon, and the redskin said right away that it was a 
 party of his people on their way to the lake. I wasn't 
 so sartin of it, but he started ahead on the trail, and told 
 me to hurry along with the canoe." 
 
 " Why didn't you come together? " asked Lillian. 
 
 " Wai, the principal reason was that I thought as 
 how we might need the canoe. You see, if there is 
 trouble, and it looks as though you folks had better 
 leave, we're gwine to take you off in boats, bing as it 
 will be handier to manage than if we tramp through the 
 woods." 
 
 "Then you do think we shall get away together?" 
 asked Lillian, her face all aglow with the bright hope, 
 
 " That's what we're going to try to do, Rosebud," re- 
 plied the hunter, his grizzled features lighting up with 
 affection as he looked upon the trusting girl. 
 
 " And we are to wait here ? " inquired Edith. 
 
 " Depend on it, gals, that what Red Plume told you 
 was for the best. There ain't many things about the 
 woods that that 'ere redskin don't know. What airthly 
 ase can you be there? " 
 
 "But suppose the Sioux withdraw," added Edith, 
 ** and no one is injured in the house? They will be safe.
 
 jo THE RED PLUMB 
 
 but how will it be with us, especially if they find out 
 that we are somewhere in the woods ? Indeed I think 
 they must know it already." 
 
 " No doubt about that ; they couldn't help seeing you 
 going across the lake." 
 
 " Then is not our situation dangerous ? " 
 
 " You forget you're hid." 
 
 " We remember that, and remember, too, that the 
 first man coming up the river discovered us." 
 
 " That was your own fault. I seed you afore you 
 hauled yourselves further under the bank. Even then I 
 wouldn't have got eyes on you, if it hadn't been for 
 Spider Legs roosting up on the bow as if he were stuck 
 out for a clothing sign, and puffing away like a steam 
 engine." 
 
 " You didn't see the smoke, now, did you ? " inquired 
 Pipkins, somewhat red in the face at this " personal 
 allusion." 
 
 " When you hauled the boat further under, and he 
 hopped down from his roost, I couldn't see hide nor 
 hair of you but all I had to do was to foller the streak 
 of smoke, and that brought me straight to the spot." 
 
 " Thunder ! " exclaimed Pipkins, as he knocked the 
 ashes from his meerschaum, " if that's the case, I'll shut 
 up shop." 
 
 " Then we are to remain here until you or some one 
 returns? " 
 
 " That's the idee." 
 [ " But for how long? " asked Lillian.
 
 THE RED PLUME 31 
 
 " Very likely till morning. When we're trying to 
 help the others, I won't forgit to keep an eye in this di- 
 rection, and somebody will be along to see you by day- 
 light at least." 
 
 " I hope they will be friends," remarked Pipkins, 
 with a ghastly grin. " You see we haven't got as much 
 as a revolver " 
 
 " What would you do with a revolver, if you had 
 it ?" laughed Jud. 
 
 " A man who has fought as many duels as I have has 
 some right to be considered a pretty good shot," re- 
 plied Pipkins, with a desperate attempt at bluster. 
 
 " If I get a chance I'll send you a cannon to practice 
 on," laughed Jud ; " and that reminds me that young 
 Havens has come home rather suddenly to help put 
 down these Sioux." 
 
 " Where is he ? " asked Lillian, rather more eagerly 
 than her cousin liked. 
 
 " I heard he was down at Fort Grandon, but it ain't 
 likely he'll be able to git up here in time to be of any 
 help. But it won't do for me to wait ; Red Plume is 
 expecting me ; and keep quiet cheer up, and hope for 
 the best." 
 
 And with this parting, the hunter sped swiftly up the 
 stream; and, if ever earnest prayers went up to the 
 Throne of Grace for the success of a daring undertak- 
 ing, they ascended from the hearts of the two sisters a 
 their friend vanished from sight
 
 . CHAPTER VI 
 
 THE TWO SCOUTS 
 
 WE have already shown how the hunter Jud, after 
 leaving the river, coursed along the shore of the lake, 
 halting at no great distance from the Prescott cottage. 
 
 In doing this his object was to communicate with and 
 discover his Indian comrade, Red Plume a delicately 
 difficult task, when at the same time it was necessary 
 to avoid the other treacherous members of his race. 
 
 His supposition was that the friendly Sioux was 
 either in the house or in its immediate vicinity, and he 
 purposely exposed his canoe to any one in the building 
 who might be looking out upon the water for him. He 
 knew his dusky friend was expecting his appearance, 
 and one glimpse of the boat would be sufficient ; so he 
 cautiously advanced as near as was prudent, and then 
 halted under the bank. 
 
 Whether Red Plume was in the house or not, he 
 could not determine. As yet he had received no notifi- 
 cation of such being the fact; but, to make sure, he 
 made the signal we have described, by swinging his 
 hunting cap over the stern of the canoe. 
 
 Receiving no response to this, after waiting a short 
 time, he shoved his boat further under the bank, con*
 
 THE RED PLUME 33 
 
 vinced that the Sioux had not succeeded in entering the 
 house. It now remained for him to reach him by some 
 audible signal, such as was in common use between 
 them when hunting. 
 
 There was great risk in making an outcry, for no 
 matter how skillfully he might imitate the call of some 
 animal or bird, it would be sure to reach hostile ears 
 that would suspect its meaning. 
 
 Fortunately, the necessity was saved him ; for while 
 he was hesitating, the bushes parted, and Red Plume 
 stood before him. 
 
 This remarkable redskin had been looking for the 
 canoe of his friend, and had seen it from the first mo- 
 ment it entered the lake, and, as soon as it halted, he 
 made haste to join his friend. 
 
 The meeting, as a matter of course, was cordial, as it 
 always was between these two singular characters ; but 
 it was not their custom to indulge in any demonstra- 
 tions such as would have been natural between two 
 comrades of long and tried friendship. There was busi- 
 ness before them. 
 
 A few minutes sufficed for Red Plume to hear all that 
 Jud had to say, and to impart the information he pos- 
 sessed. 
 
 The Sioux were mostly on the other side of the 
 house, in the wood, where several of them were holding 
 the house under close surveillance, but they seemed to 
 be waiting until the cover of night before making any 
 further demonstration. There were several of them in
 
 34 THE RED PLUME 
 
 the barn, although what their ultimate intentions were 
 could only be conjectured. 
 
 The hunters decided upon attempting two perform- 
 ances, both of which were perilously difficult, but 
 which they believed could be accomplished. Red 
 Plume proposed to enter the cottage, acquaint the in- 
 mates with the precise condition of affairs on the out- 
 side, and instruct them as to the course for them to pur- 
 sue in the attempts that would probably be made by the 
 Sioux in the course of the next few hours. 
 
 But before doing this, it was determined to free Cap- 
 tain Swarthausen from his enforced imprisonment, as 
 he and Muggins would add not a little to the strength 
 of the party, which needed every arm and gun that they 
 could possibly procure. 
 
 The Sioux had learned that the captain was now be- 
 sieged by only two Indians, while the others were con- 
 gregated near the Prescott house, so as to be prepared 
 for an assault or any peculiar method of attack that 
 their leader might wish. Before it could be prevented, 
 the hunters could steal upon these redskins, speedily put 
 them hors du combat, and release the beleaguered fam- 
 ily. 
 
 Then, with the additional force thus gained, there 
 was some prospect of doing something against the main 
 body of redskins. 
 
 As it looked as though it might be necessary to get 
 the Prescotts out of their house, and to flee with them, 
 the cautious Red Plume determined to make everything 
 ready for this contingency.
 
 THE RED PLUME 35 
 
 Accordingly, he sped with all haste to where the fugi- 
 tives were concealed in the river, placed them in as se- 
 cure a place as possible in the wood, and then propelled 
 the boat to a point as near the building as it was discreet 
 to approach. 
 
 By the time this was done the sun was setting, and 
 time had become precious. A half hour later the two 
 had approached within a few hundred yards of Captain 
 Swarthausen's house, and began carefully reconnoit- 
 ering it. 
 
 The result of this was the discovery of the curious 
 fact that one of the two redskins referred to had with- 
 drawn and joined the main body, while the other com- 
 posed the entire besieging force. 
 
 The audacious villain was stretched out on the bank, 
 directly in front of the house, where his own body was 
 effectually protected from any danger from those 
 within, while with loaded rifle, he commanded the en- 
 trance to the building. 
 
 Had those within been aware of this curious situa- 
 tion of affairs, they could have emerged from the back 
 windows and walked away without fear of disturbance ; 
 but Captain Schwarthausen very naturally believed that 
 every portion of his home was continually scanned by 
 his enemies, vigilant and watchful for the first oppor- 
 tunity to accomplish their design. 
 
 When Red Plume became certain of the precise con- 
 dition of affairs, he took upon himself the task of dis- 
 posing of the savage who was taking matters as coolly
 
 3$ THE RED PLUME 
 
 as if he had everything his own way, and was going to 
 wait until the ripe fruit fell into his hand. 
 
 With the stealthy, crouching tread of the panther, he 
 stole upon his unconscious victim, who looked continu- 
 ally in the front, and never once in the rear. When the 
 two grappled, the struggle was brief and fierce, but Red 
 Plume emerged from it without a scratch, while his an- 
 tagonist never emerged from it at all. 
 
 It now remained to apprise Captain Swarthausen of 
 the raising of the siege. As Red Plume was in the 
 usual paint and dress of his people, the probabilities 
 were that he would not be recognized, but would be 
 fired upon the instant he showed himself. 
 
 As it was now almost dark, there was some fear that 
 Jud, in his half-civilized dress, would also be subject 
 (although in a less degree) to the danger. On account 
 of the proximity of their enemies, it would not do to 
 halloo or make any outcry, as their suspicions would in- 
 stantly be aroused ; so, perforce, he did as follows : 
 
 Placing his hunting-cap on the end of his ramrod, 
 he waved it back and forth over his head, to show that 
 he had no gun with him, and at the same time had 
 something to say to those within. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen at this moment was on the 
 watch, and detected the figure approaching; but in the 
 gloom, rendered deeper by the shadows of the trees, he 
 failed to identify it. Believing it to be some device of 
 his foes, he raised the hammer of his rifle and drew a 
 bead upon it
 
 THE RED PLUME 37 
 
 But while his finger was already pressing the trigger, 
 it struck him that there was something so un-Indian- 
 like in the appearance of the form approaching that he 
 lowered his piece again, and scrutinized it more closely. 
 Still unable to make it out, he hailed it, 
 
 " Halt ! who comes there? " 
 
 The hunter obeyed orders, and called back his name. 
 
 This was sufficient, but the captain did not under- 
 stand precisely how matters stood. 
 
 " Be careful, Jud ; we are surrounded by Indians." 
 
 " Thar isn't a redskin near you," was the reply, as 
 he strode toward the door, which opened before him. 
 
 " Lor' bless you, Jud ! " exclaimed Mrs. Muggins, as 
 she threw her arms around his neck, and hugged and 
 kissed him in her transport of joy. " I can't tell you 
 how glad we are to see you." 
 
 " Then 'spose you don't try jist now," he replied, not 
 rudely disengaging the muscular arms which were al- 
 most suffocating him. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen and Muggins shook him cor- 
 dially by the hand, and almost overwhelmed him with 
 their exuberant delight. 
 
 While they were talking, Red Plume appeared beside 
 them, with the suddenness and silence of a shadow, and 
 he was greeted none the less warmly. 
 
 It required but little time to state what was wanted, 
 and to agree upon their course of action. Mrs. Mug- 
 gins was to be taken down the river, and left with 
 Lillian and Edith, while her big husband joined the ef- 
 fective force that was to operate against the Sioux,
 
 3 8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " And I shall have to leave the house entirely unpro- 
 tected ? " remarked Captain Swarthausen. 
 
 " I don't jist see how you're going to help it," re- 
 plied Jud. 
 
 " Nor I neither; so don't let me delay you." 
 
 Mrs. Muggins was placed in the canoe of the captain, 
 which, when not in use, lay moored under the bank, 
 while Red Plume took upon himself the task of convey- 
 ing her to the retreat in the woods. 
 
 As the good lady moved away, she gave her trem- 
 bling husband her parting injunctions, enforcing them 
 by threats of the direst penalties ; and there is no tell- 
 ing when she would have ceased, had not her escort per- 
 emptorily ordered her to do so, from fear that the tu- 
 mult would reach the Indians further up the lake. 
 
 A few minutes later, Red Plume safely deposited his 
 passenger in the wood among the startled but pleased 
 females, and near the soundly sleeping Pipkins; and 
 with an additional word of cheer, he bade them good- 
 by, and swiftly vanished in the gloom. 
 
 The Indian that had fallen beneath the hand of Red 
 Plume furnished an additional rifle, so that all were 
 now armed. Muggins was not the best of support in 
 such a crisis as this; but, as he was removed from all 
 fear of his spouse, there was a good prospect of turning 
 him to some account. 
 
 In the increasing darkness, it was impossible to see 
 across the lake. As the readiest means of reaching 
 their destination, the four men entered the canoe, which
 
 THE RED PLUME 39 
 
 was pressed down to its very gunwales, and under the 
 skillful propulsion of Red Plume, they sped with far 
 greater swiftness than they could had they proceeded 
 through the woods. 
 
 They had gone the greater part of the journey, when 
 some alarm was caused by hearing the Sioux signalling 
 to each other. The Indian stopped paddling and 
 listened. 
 
 They were low, tremulous whistles, that had a won- 
 derful distinctness in this still summer night, and most 
 of them came from the wood near the house, although 
 several showed that some of the redskins were at quite 
 a distance in another quarter. 
 
 " I wonder whether that concerns us? " remarked 
 Captain Swarthausen in an undertone, looking inquir- 
 ingly toward Jud. 
 
 " Can't say; I'll ask Red Plume." 
 
 The savage shook his head to signify that it had no 
 reference to them, and resumed his paddle. 
 
 Almost immediately the canoe slid softly to the 
 shore, within a dozen feet of where the other two boats 
 lay, and the four men stepped softly out. 
 
 " Here we are to stay," said Jud, by way of explana- 
 tion, " till Red Plume comes back agin." 
 
 " But suppose he doesn't come back ? " inquired the 
 captain. 
 
 " In that case he will send me word." 
 
 " Send you word ? " repeated Muggins, in amaze-
 
 40 THE RED PLUME 
 
 ment; " how in the name of creation will he do that? " 
 " Just as you heard them redskins do a few minutes 
 
 ago." 
 "Ah, I understand."
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 TREACHERY 
 
 FIELDING the Friend, when he discovered that botK 
 Red Plume and Jud, the hunter, were in his immediate 
 neighborhood, became so interested in watching and 
 speculating upon their movements, that he forgot 
 wholly the suspicions that had been renewed in his 
 breast regarding the fealty of Lige and for the time the 
 negro passed from his mind altogether. 
 
 The only one who kept the suspected party in mind 
 was Mrs. Prescott. More than once she softly stole to 
 the door of the room ; but, after she had done this sev- 
 eral times, and detected nothing suspicious, her misgiv- 
 ings fled, and she ceased her visits almost entirely or 
 made them much more rarely. She concluded, too, that 
 Fielding would take all necessary precautions, and that 
 it was all important that she should not neglect her 
 duty as sentinel. 
 
 And thus it came to pass that Lige was left to him- 
 self for the greater part of the time. The cunning Af- 
 rican heard the cat-like step of Mrs. Prescott, although 
 the good lady could not have believed it, and he knew 
 well enough the art of dissembling. 
 
 In the heart of this evil negro rankled the most vin- 
 
 41
 
 42 THE RED PLUME 
 
 dictive feelings toward the persons whose safety he held 
 in his hands. The Quaker had detected him in stealing, 
 and had spoken honest words of reproof ; Mr. Prescott, 
 when provoked, had punished him severely, and the fel- 
 low's bosom was filled with intense resentment toward 
 him and all his family. 
 
 Lige was looking for Jarrik. Between this merciless 
 Sioux and the treacherous African a sort of under- 
 standing existed, and both were working for the same 
 end. 
 
 When he felt secure from detection on the part of 
 those in the rear, Lige leaned his head out the window, 
 looked carefully around, and waved his hand. Not a 
 shot was fired, and he was convinced that the chief had 
 not only seen him, but that he had understood him. 
 
 In the course of the next ten minutes the traitor saw 
 something flit from one tree to another, and then dis- 
 cerned the tufted head of an Indian cautiously pro- 
 truded to view. Lige shook his hand again, and the 
 redskin darted to the tree nearest the house which of- 
 fered any chance of screening his body. 
 
 For the space of fifteen minutes matters remained in 
 statu quo. The Sioux manifestly was waiting until as- 
 sured that the coast was clear. 
 
 Lige signalled to him several times, and finally he 
 glided, with marvellous speed, across the clearing, and 
 reached the shelter of the kitchen, without being seen 
 by any of those upon the watch, excepting the traitor 
 who was luring him onward.
 
 THE RED PLUME 43 
 
 It was necessary for the savage to ascend the side of 
 the kitchen and come across the roof, before he could 
 enter the room where the negro was impatiently await- 
 ing him. The lower story was so secured that he could 
 not force an instant entrance into it, and should he at- 
 tempt to work his way, the noise would reach and alarm 
 the ears of those within. 
 
 Here, therefore, he crouched, directly beneath the 
 shelter of the shutter, waiting until assured that it was 
 safe to clamber up the roof, and into the building. 
 
 Suddenly the trained ear of the chief heard a noise, 
 as if the shutter were being cautiously unfastened. This 
 was better still, as it would open the way for his brother 
 warriors to swarm in after him. 
 
 Very softly and stealthily was the shutter dallied 
 with, while the redskin fixed his eyes exultantly upon 
 it, and waited for it to open. 
 
 The next moment it was shoved back, and he raised 
 up and thrust his head and shoulders in preparatory to 
 doing the same with his body. 
 
 " Much lub pale face ob night " 
 
 At this interesting juncture, a kettle full of scalding 
 water was dashed full in the face of the grinning red- 
 skin. 
 
 " Ain't you ashamed yourself, you big nigger, tryin' 
 to steal in de house dat way. I'll tech you how to 'buse 
 my baby Cato." 
 
 And the furious Dinah jerked the shutter to again, 
 and fastened it in a twinkling, while Jarrik, " the noble
 
 44 THE RED PLUME 
 
 red man," leaped high in air, with a howl of agony, and 
 plunged headlong for the lake, to check the intense 
 pain that was driving him wild. 
 
 " Verily it would be doing an act of kindness to put 
 thee out of thy fmisery," said Fielding, who witnessed 
 the headlong flight, and understood what it meant. 
 " And I will consult friend Prescott to see what he 
 thinks." 
 
 But friend Prescott needed no consultation. He 
 ran to the front of the house upon hearing the out- 
 cry, and as Jarrik plunged beneath the water, and 
 came to the surface again, he offered such a tempting 
 target that it was accepted, and when the Sioux sank 
 beneath the water a second time, he remained there. 
 
 Baffled, chagrined and malignant, Lige knelt at the 
 window, feeling that his revenge had only been post- 
 poned. 
 
 It was now quite dark. None of those within the 
 building came near him, and he sat alone, looking for 
 some further sign from his dusky allies. 
 
 He had not long to wait. A little more to the left, 
 he dimly made out a form, stealing forward on his 
 hands and knees, following almost in the footsteps of 
 the destroyed chief. Glancing around to make sure 
 that he was not observed, Lige leaned out of the win- 
 dow and beckoned to him to come on. 
 ; The savage made several signals with his hand, as 
 he advanced, which gave the African great uneasiness, 
 as he feared they would attract the attention of Field-
 
 THE RED PLUME 45 
 
 ing or Prescott. But all was still, and by-and-by he ap- 
 proached the kitchen so near that he was shut out from 
 view. 
 
 The traitor now impatiently looked for his appear- 
 ance upon the roof, but the minutes wore away, and 
 nothing was seen of him. 
 
 It could not be supposed that he was about to com- 
 mit the same blunder as his predecessor, and lay him- 
 self liable to the same fearful consequences. 
 
 Was he not rather waiting for the deeper gloom of 
 the night ? Or was he making ready to fire the build- 
 ing? 
 
 Perhaps 
 
 But at this moment the form of the Indian suddenly 
 rose over the eaves, and he crawled over the kitchen 
 roof with the agility of a monkey. 
 
 The overjoyed negro raised high the sash, and stood 
 back so as to give him free entrance. The next instant 
 the redskin bounded through the window into the 
 room. 
 
 If the treacherous negro had been infuriated at the 
 mishap of Jarrik, who shall describe his sensations 
 when, at this juncture, he recognized the Indian whom 
 he had just admitted as no other than Red Plume, the 
 chivalrous friend of the whites?
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE CONFERENCE 
 
 So overwhelming was the chagrin of the negro, 
 Lige, when he found that he had admitted the Indian, 
 Red Plume, that it was impossible for him to conceal 
 his emotions. 
 
 " Whar de debbil you come from ? " he asked, stand- 
 ing motionless, and staring at the Sioux. 
 
 " Hooh ! much glad to see you, " returned the latter, 
 who, it may be conjectured, had some suspicion of the 
 predicament of the African. 
 
 " I didn't know it was you," muttered the latter, to 
 himself, but in words that were understood by the iron-: 
 limbed Indian. For one moment the latter stared 
 fixedly at the negro, and there was a dangerous gleam 
 in his eye, as he rested his hand upon the handle of his 
 knife. 
 
 In that one moment Red Plume was debating 
 whether to bury his knife to the haft in the dark, 
 treacherous bosom before him, or to wait a little longer. 
 Only for a second did the mental struggle last. Well 
 would it have been had the first thought of the Indian 
 
 been acted upon then and there, and the negro been 
 
 4 6
 
 THE RED PLUME 47 
 
 cast out of this life into the other, even had it been 
 without a second's warning! 
 
 But the grasp of Red Plume loosened upon his wea- 
 pon, and without a word of explanation, he strode out 
 of the room into the apartment where Mr. and Mrs. 
 Prescott were impatiently awaiting him. 
 
 Fielding, as the night closed in, and the partial 
 moonlight illuminated the lake and wood, had detected 
 the stealthy approach of Red Plume, who established 
 his identity by means of signals, so that the young 
 Quaker instantly announced the fact to his friends, and 
 thus secured his immunity against injury from those 
 within. 
 
 With the cunning, characteristic of his people, the 
 Sioux effectually concealed his individuality from the 
 savages around him, so that his unchallenged approach 
 to the beleaguered building can be readily understood. 
 
 Although aware that the friendly Sioux was in the 
 building, yet Fielding deemed it unsafe to leave his 
 station ; so he gave that privilege to the parents, while 
 in the silence of the building he was able to overhear 
 everything that passed between the parties. 
 
 " Oh, Red Plume ! " exclaimed Mrs. Prescott, rush- 
 ing forward, and grasping one of his hands in both of 
 hers, " tell me where are Lillian and Edith? Are they 
 safe ? Are they alive ? " 
 
 " Dey alive. " 
 
 " Have the Indians got them?'* 
 
 " No they hid in woods. "
 
 48 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Oh, thank God ! " ejaculated the happy mother, 
 sinking upon her knees in her gratitude to Heaven. 
 
 " They are safe ! they are safe ! " 
 
 Mr. Prescott stood trembling like a leaf; for a mo- 
 ment he was unable to speak, from his efforts to repress 
 his excitement. 
 
 'Tell me all about it, Red Plume. " 
 
 " They went down ribber in boat me find 'em hid 
 in woods Sioux can't find wait dere till me come- 
 or till Sioux go away den come in house agin. " 
 
 " You cannot understand what a load you have lifted 
 from my heart, " responded the father, taking the hand 
 of the Indian, and pressing it. 
 
 The dim light of a kerosene lamp, turned down, was 
 burning in the room, so that the three could easily dis- 
 tinguish each other. 
 
 " I suppose Pipkins is there? " 
 
 " Yes, dey take care ob him," replied the Sioux, who, 
 we have reason to suspect, was not without a slight 
 tinge of waggishness in his disposition. 
 
 " And where is Captain Swarthausen ? " 
 
 " He out dere wait fur me he wid old Jud. " 
 
 " Old Jud ! " exclaimed the delighted Mr. Prescott 
 " And is he with you ? We have more friends than we 
 imagined. " 
 
 " Hello, up dar ! " called out Dinah, who, from the 
 bototm of the stairs had been listening to the conversa- 
 tion, " whar am my baby ? Whar Cato ? " 
 
 " Dunno, " was the reply of Red Plume; "no seen 
 him."
 
 THE RED PLUME 49 
 
 " Wai, Red Plume, if you want me to be your friend, 
 you jist find dat baby, and brought him in. If he's been 
 runnin' into trouble hisself, I'll gib him de biggest 
 spankin' dat he eber have but Lor'-a-massy ! de way 
 I lub dat little feller am orful ! Don't forgit to brought 
 him in. " 
 
 And with this parting admonition, Dinah went away 
 from the foot of the stairs to resume her guardianship 
 o'f the lower story of the building. 
 
 Mrs. Prescott, the mother, had heard that her chil- 
 dren were safe ; that was enough. She asked no more. 
 All thought of her present danger sank out of sight in 
 the remembrance of that blissful truth. 
 
 Red Plume passed to the upper room, followed by 
 Prescott, where Fielding was awaiting him. 
 
 " I am right glad to meet thee, " quietly but cordially 
 remarked the Friend, as he shook the hand of their 
 dusky visitor. 
 
 Red Plume was an Indian, with an Indian's shrewd- 
 ness, and it was plain from his manner that he held the 
 quiet Quaker in profound respect, if not friendship. 
 He answered all his questions, and succeeded, in his 
 characteristic way, in imparting all the information at 
 his disposal, regarding their friends upon the outside, 
 and their expectations of rescuing those within. 
 
 There were two probabilities regarding this assault 
 of the Sioux the first of which was almost too good 
 to come to pass. That was, that being discouraged by 
 the vigorous resistance with which they had been met,
 
 50 THE RED PLUME 
 
 they would withdraw and steal away during the night. 
 
 Their backwardness in making any determined at- 
 tack on the building, gave some slight probability to 
 this; but Red Plume had no belief in it. On the con- 
 trary, he knew enough of his race to understand that, 
 having lost several of their warriors, they were not 
 likely to depart until this account was made even by 
 the death of an equal number of their enemies. 
 
 He did not deem it at all unlikely that runners had 
 already been despatched for additional help, and that 
 the morrow's sun might shine upon a hundred yelling 
 miscreants all clamorous for the lives of the innocent 
 ones within and without the building. 
 
 Red Plume, therefore, advised that they should keep 
 up an unremitting watch, and resist to the utmost every 
 attempt of the Sioux to gain the least advantage. If 
 they should make an assault there was a prospect of 
 creating a diversion; and if it was found that the 
 building could not be saved, the flight would be at- 
 tempted under cover of this in the rear. 
 
 There would be great peril in such an effort, but 
 there was no choice between it and death, and there 
 was hope, that under the confusion and turmoil of an 
 unexpected assault of the whites upon the Sioux, it 
 would be possible to hurry the inmates into the boats, 
 and shove off into the lake before their escape could be 
 frustrated. 
 
 Red Plume showed his good sense by examining 
 the interior of the house from top to bottom. He had
 
 THE RED PLUME 51 
 
 been within before, and had a general idea of the ar- 
 rangement of the rooms; but in a crisis like this, he 
 could not be master of the situation, without an unmis- 
 takable acquaintance with the entire structure of the 
 building. 
 
 Prescott, with lamp in hand, led him on this search, 
 and the black eyes of the Sioux took in every weak and 
 strong point, as one would have viewed a panorama 
 passing before his eyes. 
 
 When the survey was completed the friendly Indian 
 gave his views in the single comment: 
 
 " Much fear fire ! look out barn ! " 
 
 A sort of understanding was arrived at between the 
 friends without and within, so as to enable them to 
 communicate with each other and then Red Plume 
 made ready for return. 
 
 This was hardly less difficult than his approach, as 
 there was no knowing but that the Sioux had pene- 
 trated the ruse, in which case they would riddle him 
 the moment he showed himself. 
 
 Nothing was said of Lige, although there can be no 
 question but that he was in the mind of every one ; but 
 Red Plume managed to slip out of the window without 
 the negro knowing what was going on, and then slunk 
 around, so as to be out of the range of his rifle. 
 
 He stole along with the stealth of a panther, con- 
 scious that the eyes of more than one red Indian were 
 fixed upon him, and when he had reached a proper
 
 52 THE RED PLUME 
 
 point, he started with the speed of the wind toward the 
 wood. 
 
 Crack whizz went the rifle of Fielding, pointed to- 
 ward the swiftly- vanishing fugitive, who had little fear 
 of being hit by that piece.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 AN INDIAN STRATAGEM 
 
 OUR duty as historian requires us now to bestow a 
 little attention upon the more humble characters in this 
 drama. 
 
 It may be truly said that Pomp and Cato were in 
 the lowest depths of " black despair " when they found 
 that Lige had escaped, and they had been peremptorily 
 refused the only opportunity they saw of following 
 suit They had held strong hopes of being sent to Mr. 
 Prescott as the bearer of some message, and it is easy 
 enough to understand what the result would have been 
 had the Sioux sent either or both of them upon such a 
 duty. 
 
 They had their arms securely bound behind them, 
 only their lower limbs being left free, while it was be- 
 yond all human possibility that either could get away 
 without help from others. 
 
 At first sight it may seen strange that the Sioux 
 should have preserved the lives of the two Africans, 
 when it would have been such an easy matter to put 
 them out of the way, and have done with them. This 
 they undoubtedly would have done had not the leaders 
 entertained ho,pes of turning the colored youths to ac- 
 
 53
 
 54 THE RED PLUME 
 
 count in the designs which they meditated against the 
 settlers. More than one of these dusky strategists saw 
 a probability of the buxom Africans being made to play 
 quite a prominent part one which they would find to 
 be fun for their captors, but death to themselves. 
 
 So the poor fellows were cramped up together on 
 the ground, while dark forms were silently passing 
 back and forth and around them, and never once were 
 they free from the scrutiny of more than one pair of 
 basilisk eyes. 
 
 They could only conjecture what the occasional firing 
 of a gun and the whoop of the Indians meant ; but when 
 Jarrik, the chief, received the sousing from Dinah, and 
 ran howling to the lake, where he was put out of his 
 agony by the merciful bullet of Mr. Prescott, there was 
 great excitement created among the Sioux. 
 
 Had not their chief received his quietus at the instant 
 he did, there would have been a rush and an assault for 
 the purpose of rescue; and there can be little doubt of 
 the result, at a time when there had been no communi- 
 cation, and consequently no understanding between the 
 besieged and their friends without. 
 
 "Gor a mity, dis yer's beginnin' to wear onto me,'* 
 groaned Cato, just loud enough for his able companion 
 to hear. "I feels bad." 
 
 "So does I," wailed Pomp. "I don't b'leve dem 
 Injins likes us much." 
 
 "O golly! I bet de ole woman's mad," added Cato, 
 referring to his parent. "She don't offin git mad, but
 
 THE RED PLUME 55 
 
 when she does, she makes der fur fly. Do you remember 
 Pomp, last week when I fell in de lake and tored all de 
 seat out ob my best pants? Well, dar! didn't she light 
 on me? I hain't 'zactly got ober de whalin' yet dat she 
 gub me." 
 
 "Massa Fielding nebber git mad," said Pomp. 
 "When we begun fixin' up our house, I built a fire out- 
 side to warm my hands and afore I knowed it, I had 
 de ole new building burnt down. I 'spect Massa Field- 
 ing would tear round den, but he jist looked at it kind 
 o' quiet like, wid one ob his grins, and den said, wery 
 soft like to me: Tomp, thee must be more keerful in 
 handlin' fire !' " 
 
 "Do yer know what my ole woman would done, ef 
 you had been me, and she had been Massa Fielding?" 
 
 "Ob course not." 
 
 "Why, she'd jist cotched me, by de nap ob de neck, 
 and chucked me head ober heels into dat fire dat's 
 what she would." 
 
 "Hebens!" gasped the horrified Pomp, "I thought 
 she lubbed you more don dat." 
 
 "So she does, and dat's jist de reason she'd do it. Ef 
 she didn't think nuffin' ob me, she wouldn't take no 
 notice ob me." 
 
 "Den I'd rather she wouldn't lub me so much." 
 
 "Do yer know jist what I b'leve?" asked Cato, as if 
 a sudden thought had struck him; his friend an- 
 swered in the negative. 
 
 "Ef dey'd let de ole woman loose, an' I'd gib a
 
 56 THE RED PLUME 
 
 yell, she'd come tearin' out yer in a minute, an' 
 wouldn's dese yer darkies run? I've a good notion to 
 set up a screech for mammy, jist to see de fun." 
 
 "Better not," replied Pomp, who had not much 
 faith in the proposed scheme. "Dey'll jist grab her 
 afore she gits time to yawp." 
 
 This seemed so probable that the son concluded not 
 to call upon his parent just yet, but he was one of 
 those "spoiled children" who was sure to beseech the 
 help of his mother, at the very moment, perhaps, when 
 all under heaven depended upon his own exertions. -. 
 
 "I tell you what, I ain't goin' to stand dis!" ex- 
 claimed Cato, after some minutes had passed in silence. 
 
 "How yer gwine to help it?" was the pertinent in- 
 quiry of his companion in captivity. 
 
 "I'll tear round arter awhile, an' make 'em let 
 me go." 
 
 There is no telling what these sable prisoners would 
 have attempted had the chance been given them; but 
 an unlooked-for occurrence took the expected oppor- 
 tunity from their hands. 
 
 When Red Plume made his flight from the be- 
 leaguered house, his identity was not suspected, even 
 after he had entered the wood, and by a circuitous 
 route hastily rejoined his friends. 
 
 It will be seen that this individual, on account of 
 his race and tribe, enjoyed a vast advantage, which no 
 skill upon the part of his friends could counterbalance. 
 
 A few minutes after his return, one of the hostile
 
 THE RED PLUME 57 
 
 Sioux approached the spot where the two negroes were 
 sitting upon the ground, and roughly commanded Cato 
 to get up. 
 
 "What yer want of me?" inquired the African, 
 with no little trembling. "I's jist as cumferable on 
 the ground as a standin' up." 
 
 "Git up!" commanded the savage, kicking him vio- 
 lently. 
 
 "Wai, why don't you ax a feller, as yer oughter?" 
 was the sullen response, as the negro rose, sulkily, 
 to his feet. 
 
 The moment he took the standing position, the In- 
 dian seized him, and drew him toward the clearing. 
 
 "Let go! you hurt! you're a pinchin' me." 
 
 Here the object of the Indian speedily became mani- 
 fest. He was about to make an attempt to approach the 
 building, probably for the purpose of firing it; but, 
 knowing how vigilantly it was watched, he hit upon the 
 plan of using Cato as a shield. 
 
 Placing the African squarely in front of him, he 
 gave him to understand that if he struggled to free 
 himself, he would bury his knife to the hilt in his body. 
 At the same time he had liberty to shout to his ut- 
 most. 
 
 This was to make sure that the whites comprehended 
 the manoeuvre, for it was not to be supposed that they 
 would kill the negro for the purpose of penetrating the 
 motive power behind him, and yet they might do that 
 same thing before they comprehended the ruse.
 
 58 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "Golly, won't I yell!" thought Cato, when he un- 
 derstood what they were driving at. "I bet I'll raise 
 the ole woman, an' den I don't want 'em to shoot me." 
 
 Shortly after the thick, burly form of Cato moved 
 cautiously out from the wood, propelled by the Sioux, 
 who took care to shield himself behind his spacious 
 form. 
 
 The negro walked slowly and heavily, afraid to 
 struggle, but using his lungs with a power that was 
 positively fearful. 
 
 "Mommy! dey got me! dey're shovin' me long! 
 dar's an Injin pinchin' me! why don't you come out an' 
 make 'em stop?" 
 
 This performance was witnessed by those within, 
 and, as may be supposed, caused the greatest excite- 
 ment. Mr. Prescott had his rifle to his shoulder, at 
 the first appearance of the dark form on the edge of the 
 clearing and his finger was already pressing the trigger, 
 when Dinah screeched : 
 
 "Don't anybody shoot dat's my baby!" 
 
 "Good heavens! you spoke just in time!" exclaimed 
 Mr. Prescott as he lowered his piece, and shuddered to 
 think how near he came to killing his own servant. 
 
 "Perchance thou mayest discover some portion of 
 the heathen's body and perchance thou wouldst like to 
 shoot," called out Fielding, as he descended from his 
 position and joined those in the second story. 
 
 "I rather think I would," replied Prescott, eagerly 
 looking for the coveted chance.
 
 THE RED PLUME 59 
 
 "I tell yer, don't yer shoot!" called out Dinah, in 
 great excitement; "dat yer's my baby, and yer better 
 not touch him." 
 
 "I think I can get a glimpse of the redskin's head, but 
 there is too little light, and the risk is too great," replied 
 Prescott, lowering his piece again. 
 
 "Can we not instruct thy servant what to do?" asked 
 Fielding, plainly excited, although it did not show 
 in his voice. 
 
 "If he only knew enough to turn his head, but he's 
 too frightened to do anything, except to yell for his 
 mother." 
 
 It so happened that Dinah had been among the first 
 to understand the ruse, as she recognized the appeal of 
 distress at once, and, as was natural, became fairly 
 wild. 
 
 What child ever called to its mother in vain? What 
 danger will not the parent, whether it be brute or hu- 
 man, undergo for its offspring? Who will stop to 
 think of the consequences when the imploring arms of 
 the helpless one are stretched toward us? 
 
 Remembering the doting affection of Dinah for her 
 lubberly son, Fielding rushed to the lower story to 
 prevent the apprehended catastrophe. 
 
 He was not a moment too soon. The colored lady 
 was in the very act of unfastening the same shutter that 
 had served her purpose so well once before, when the 
 Friend was at her side and caught her arm.
 
 6* THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Thee must not do it ! " he said, in a low, but unmis- 
 takably earnest voice. 
 
 " I tell yah to let go ob me ! " screeched the negress, 
 growing frantic at this interruption on the very thresh- 
 old of her effort at rescue, and attempting to wrench 
 herself free from the man. 
 
 But the latter held her with a grip of iron. 
 
 " Dinah, wilt thou not suffer thyself to be per- 
 suaded? Serious consequences will surely result from 
 thy obstinacy *' 
 
 But at this juncture Cato's cries increased tenfold in 
 volume and passionate intensity, and his mother be- 
 came furious. 
 
 It was no time for argument; and, throwing his 
 arms around the barrel-like form of the cook, he 
 carried her, struggling, across the room and into the 
 other apartment, where he drew the door to, fast- 
 ened it, and then hastened to the shutter. 
 
 By this time Cato was within a hundred feet of the 
 kitchen window, and his approach was viewed with an 
 intensity of interest which it would be impossible to 
 describe. Startled, and somewhat bewildered by the 
 turmoil below, Mr. Prescott hastened to the assistance 
 of Fielding, while his wife, with a rapidly throbbing 
 heart, hurried to where Lige had been left alone and 
 forgotten. 
 
 Just as she came in, the negro was in the act of 
 raising his gun to his shoulder. She screamed. 
 
 "Don't, Lige! Don't! don't!"
 
 THE RED PLUME 6l 
 
 " What's de matter? " he asked, somewhat sullenly, 
 as he lowered his piece and turned impudently toward 
 her. 
 
 " That's Cato out there. " 
 
 " I know dat, I guess. " 
 
 " Then what are you aiming your gun at? ** 
 
 " At de redskin behind him." 
 
 " Don't do it. You will hit Cato. " 
 
 " Don't you think I don't know nuffin ? " he de- 
 manded, in the same insolent voice. " Dar's 'nough 
 moon for me to see Cato and de Injun ahind him. " 
 And the negro again brought his rifle to his shoulder. 
 
 " Lige, you shall not ! " exclaimed Mrs. Prescott, 
 almost beside herself at the fellow's insolence, and seiz- 
 ing the gun-barrel in her hand, and turning it aside. 
 
 He muttered something, but did not dare openly re- 
 sist her, although his nature was evil enough to have 
 murdered her on the spot. They stood silent for a 
 moment, when the attention of both was called to a 
 scene of the most exciting character. 
 
 Cato had reached a point about twenty feet from 
 the kitchen, when the Sioux behind him gave utterance 
 to a frightful shriek, and, with a spasmodic struggle, 
 fell over on his back, stone dead, his bronze skull bored 
 through by the ball of a rifle whose spiteful crack was 
 simultaneous with his death-cry. 
 
 So sudden was this that both Fielding and Prescott 
 were certain that the fortunate shot had been fired by 
 Lige, who instantly rose to the highest point in their
 
 62 THE RED PLUME 
 
 admiration and confidence, while the African was 
 equally positive that the Sioux had received his quietus 
 from those whom he hated so cordially, and who were 
 in the room below. 
 
 A moment later Cato got an idea of what had hap- 
 pened, and realized that he was now standing between 
 two fires; but whether to retreat or advance was the 
 all-important question, which he probably never would 
 have been able to decide, had not his mother burst into 
 the room again, and shouted to him to come at once to 
 her. 
 
 There was no mistaking that command, and the 
 obedient boy came plunging toward the window, the 
 shutter of which was opened to receive him, while the 
 bullets of the Sioux began whistling all about them. 
 
 The moment he was within reach he was seized by 
 the muscular arm of his mother, and, without help of 
 his own, drawn headlong into the room, where she be- 
 gan at once to cuff and box him most unmercifully. 
 
 "I'll larn ye how to stand thar and never mind yer 
 poor old mammy ! You're such a wicked heathen of a 
 baby that you'll never live to grow up! Take that, 
 and that!"
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 IN THE WOOD 
 
 SAFELY removed from these scenes of peril were the 
 two sisters, Edith and Lillian, with Mrs. Muggins and 
 Augustus Pipkins, to whom, in their state of anxious 
 suspense, the time passed with unutterable dreariness. 
 
 All excepting the young gentleman from Chicago, 
 who, placing his hat between his knees, had lain his 
 head back against a large tree, and was "dreaming the 
 happy hours away." 
 
 The coming of Mrs. Muggins was a relief to the 
 girls, who felt the need of one of their own sex, as well 
 as pleasure at the proof that another of their friends 
 was placed beyond the great danger that menaced the 
 rest. 
 
 " Isn't this orful ! " exclaimed Captain Swarthau- 
 sen's housekeeper. Just as like as not when we wake 
 up in the morning we will all be dead ! " 
 
 " Not so bad as that, aunty, I hope, " said Edith. 
 " Our friends are safe, and Heaven will not forsake 
 them in the hour of their extremity. " 
 
 "My gracious! what's that?" exclaimed the old 
 lady, startled by the stertorous breathing of Pipkins, 
 whom as yet she had not observed. Just enough moon- 
 
 63
 
 6 4 THE RED PLUME 
 
 light made its way through the interstices of the trees 
 to reveal the form of the unconscious young gentle- 
 man. " I declare if there ain't that city chap out here, 
 when he ought to be with the rest of them, helping to 
 fight the infarnel Injians. " 
 
 " Tut, tut, aunty ! He isn't accustomed to this part 
 of the world, and he could not be of any assistance to 
 them. At least, neither Jud nor Red Plume care about 
 having him with them. " 
 
 " It don't make no difference, " continued the 
 strong-minded female. " All the greater shame for 
 him. Do you s'pose I'd let my husband sit here, while 
 the Injians was a-tryin' for to kill me? " 
 
 " There, never mind, " added Edith, in her mild 
 way. " It is not worth while to discuss the point. 
 There can be no good come from it, and it does not 
 please me to hear you talk thus. " 
 
 This was quite a palpable hint, and even the some- 
 what naturally obtuse Mrs. Muggins " took " it. 
 
 Pipkins, therefore, slept on without any further de- 
 rogatory remarks upon his rather heavy breathing. 
 
 At this juncture, however, the high pitch to which 
 Mrs. Muggins' voice had attained produced ite effect 
 upon the delicate tympanum of Pipkins, and he awoke, 
 staring around in the gloom, and, for a moment, not 
 understanding where he was. 
 
 " O-ah ! " he muttered, rubbing his eyes. " It looks 
 as if I were out on a picnic, and they had forgot me;
 
 THE RED PLUME 65 
 
 or no, it can't be that I'm tight and it kind of looks 
 that way, too. " 
 
 To test the matter, he rose to his feet, and was much 
 gratified to find that his head was level. 
 
 " That settles that point, " he added to himself. 
 "But it ain't clear yet, and I'm afraid I shall have to 
 get some one to introduce me to myself. Hello ! " 
 
 It had all flashed upon him in an instant, and peering 
 around in the gloom, he caught sight of his cousins. 
 
 " That was decidedly good ! Ha ! ha ! " he laughed. 
 " I really forgot where I was for the time. But hello ! 
 I think I see another lady with you. " 
 
 " It's me, " was the sharp, shrill exclamation of Mrs. 
 Muggins, as she straightened herself up with the sud- 
 denness of a Jack-in-the-Box. 
 
 "What the deuce are you doing here?" inquired 
 Pipkins, who never held any particular like for the 
 virago. 
 
 " I'm come here to take care of you; that's what I 
 came for. " 
 
 " Your husband sent you, I s'pose, " added the ex- 
 quisite, significantly. 
 
 " I go where I please, without his sending me, " was 
 the spiteful reply. " Why ain't you with the men, a- 
 helping of them to shoot these orful Injians " 
 
 " Mrs. Muggins" 
 
 " Instead of being here " 
 
 " Mrs. Muggins " 
 
 " Well, what is it ? " she asked, stopping short.
 
 66 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " How is your health ? " 
 
 " Oh, you! " she fairly ground beneath her teeth, un-< 
 able to do justice to her feelings; and then she began 
 launching her invectives, when Edith interfered, and 
 ordered her, peremptorily, to stop. She had lost all pa- 
 tience at the tongue-lashings of the housekeeper, and 
 told her that she must either cease, or go away where 
 they would not be disturbed by her. 
 
 There was a quiet dignity about Edith Prescott 
 which was impressive. It was the triumph of a refined 
 mind over a gross one. Mrs. Muggins held the young 
 lady in no little fear, and she did not hesitate a moment 
 to obey her. Instant silence fell upon all, broken by 
 Lillian, who said to her cousin : 
 
 " Dolph, ain't you afraid of catching cold ? " 
 
 " Well, yes ; I ain't used to sleeping in the woods, 
 and I'm apprehensive I'll have some trouble before get- 
 ting broke in. If I only had a light for my meerschaum 
 it wouldn't be so dem'd rough." 
 
 " Never mind about your pipe ; we have got to re- 
 main here all night, and you can get along without 
 smoking as well as we can." 
 
 " P'raps I could, if I hadn't learned it when I was 
 young " 
 
 " Sh! " interrupted Lillian; " I hear something! " 
 
 Silence fell upon all, and, while listening, they dis- 
 tinctly heard a rippling on the edge of the river, evi- 
 dently caused by the motion of a paddle. 
 
 "Good!" exclaimed Pipkins, in an undertone;
 
 THE RED PLUME 67 
 
 " that's old Jud or Red Plume, come back to keep us 
 company." 
 
 " Perhaps it is not," said Edith, who could not un- 
 derstand why either of their friends should return at 
 this time, when she had reason to believe that they were 
 on the other side of the lake. 
 
 " Yes, it is ! " said the delighted Pipkins, starting in 
 the direction of the sound. 
 
 The young lady would have added a word of warn- 
 ing, but he was immediately beyond the sound of her 
 cautious undertone. 
 
 The sound which had caught their attention was so 
 slight that the young man was compelled to stop every 
 moment or so to listen. Thus guided, he made his way 
 to the edge of the water, where he caught sight 
 of a canoe with a single occupant. A moment's scru- 
 tiny was necessary before he could make out that it was 
 an Indian in the boat. 
 
 " Hallo, Red Plume ! I'm deuced glad to see you, for 
 it's getting to be the greatest bore" 
 
 But it wasn't Red Plume!
 
 A HEROINE 
 
 AUGUSTUS PIPKINS dashed headlong back to where 
 his terrified cousins awaited him. 
 
 " It isn't Red Plume! it's another Indian! and he's 
 going to kill us all!" 
 
 It would be difficult to describe the confusion that 
 followed. Mrs. Muggins began her unearthly scream- 
 ing ; Lillian, with a gasp of terror, started to flee, when 
 her arm was caught and held by Edith. 
 
 " Wait, sister ; you know I have a weapon." 
 
 Cowering like the wounded bird, she shrank against 
 her sister as if there was safety in her presence. 
 
 " Thunderation ! I'm going to climb a tree ! " mut- 
 tered Pipkins, who threw his arms around a small sap- 
 ling, and was up among the branches in a twinkling. 
 
 It was the fact that the Indian was a hostile Sioux, 
 who, however, was coming up the river, without any 
 thought of there being any one concealed near the 
 shore, and he would have passed in ignorance had he 
 not been arrested by the sounds of words which reached 
 his ears. 
 
 He was a painted fiend, fully fitted to be the compan- 
 
 68
 
 THE RED PLUME 69 
 
 ion of the merciless devils on the other side of the lake, 
 and who instantly checked his boat at the prospect of 
 getting the blood of some innocent victims. 
 
 He started hastily after the fleeing Pipkins, and 
 would have overhauled him very speedily had he not 
 been checked by his own habits of precaution. Not 
 knowing who composed the party of fugitives, he made 
 a brief reconnoissance to be certain of the danger he 
 had to encounter. 
 
 When this reconnoissance was finished, Pipkins was 
 perched in the tree, Mrs. Muggins had partly ceased 
 her screeching, and Edith and Lillian were standfcig, si- 
 lent and waiting. 
 
 Had it been during the day, an observer would have 
 noticed that the elder sister held her hand in her bosom, 
 in a manner which showed that it was not the emotion 
 of fear alone which actuated her. 
 
 She gazed fixedly in the direction of the expected 
 savage, and with her left arm thrown protectingly 
 around Lillian, she awaited his approach with the calm- 
 ness of a marble statue. 
 
 The truth was that that delicate right hand was rest- 
 ing upon the handle of a small, beautiful single-bar- 
 relled pistol a present from Fielding, who, perhaps, 
 thought it was as appropriate for her to carry as for 
 him to own. 
 
 But a few minutes passed when the savage strode 
 forward and looked about him. Whether he had seen
 
 70 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Pipkins ascend the tree or not can only be imagined, 
 but certain it is he looked up and raised his gun. 
 
 " Blazes ! don't shoot ! " called out the terrified man. 
 " I'll come down and surrender." 
 
 With which he slid as nimbly down the tree as if it 
 had been oiled expressly for that purpose. 
 
 The savage evidently intended his demonstration as 
 a summons to surrender, for he lowered his piece. But 
 the evil dog meant mischief. As he turned his head, 
 Edith saw the glitter of his eye, and she knew that 
 there was murder in it. 
 
 As the party stood, Mrs. Muggins was within an 
 arm's length of the redskin, while the sisters were 
 somewhat to the left and double the distance away, 
 while Pipkins was almost behind him, endeavoring to 
 edge around so as to interpose a tree between him and 
 his dreaded enemy. 
 
 Mrs. Muggins had become silent, and for a moment 
 not a word was uttered by a single member of this sin- 
 gular group. But the housekeeper could contain her- 
 self no longer. 
 
 " You'll get it, you bad, good-for-nothing dog ! I'll 
 let you know we have friends " 
 
 Poor woman ! they were the last words she ever ut- 
 tered. At that instant there was a lightning-like move- 
 ment of the Indian's arms as he threw his body slightly 
 forward, and Edith caught the flash of the knife-blade 
 as it was sheathed to the hilt in the bosom of the
 
 THE RED PLUME 71 
 
 woman, who sank down and expired without another 
 word. 
 
 This wanton murder roused the whole devil in the 
 Sioux's nature, and with a slight whoop he swung the 
 reeking knife overhead and made toward the two girls. 
 
 In the indistinct gloom of the wood the redskin 
 looked like a demon of the darkness as Edith saw him 
 striding toward her. 
 
 Lillian's head was buried in the dress of her sister, 
 and she saw nothing and knew nothing of the frightful 
 scene that had just been enacted. 
 
 Never a limb moved Edith Prescott, except to draw 
 her hand from her bosom and raise her right arm. 
 
 The muzzle of the pistol almost touched the forehead 
 of the Indian, when the trigger was pulled, and the 
 tiny bullet went clear and clean through his brain, and, 
 with a spasmodic upthrowing of the arms, he fell over 
 dead. 
 
 It was done almost in the twinkling of an eye. The 
 discharge of the pistol followed close upon the knife- 
 thrust, and the murderer and his victim lay side by side. 
 
 The sisters were safe, and so was their cousin, but 
 poor Mrs. Muggins was dead at their very feet. 
 
 It was several moments before Pipkins got the truth 
 through his head. He knew that Edith owned a pistol, 
 but he had no suspicion that she had it with her, and it 
 was his supposition that the shot had been fired by the 
 Indian himself. 
 
 But as he saw the two sisters still standing, while the
 
 72 THE RED PLUME 
 
 dark form of the Sioux was stretched before them, he 
 began to suspect that there had been a mistake made 
 somewhere. 
 
 " I say say Edith, who fired that pistol ? Was 
 it you, now? Where's that Indian? Is he dead? " 
 
 " He is dead, and so is Mrs. Muggins ! " replied the 
 girl, her feelings giving way now that the danger had 
 passed, while she covered her face. 
 
 " I see she has left this world of sorrow," said the 
 unfeeling Pipkins, " that is, she has shuffled off the 
 mortal bucket no, I mean has kicked the coil hang 
 it, my Shakespeare has got a little mixed." 
 
 For the first time Lillian uncovered her face and 
 looked about her. 
 
 It is a singular thing this human nature of ours! 
 Who shall explain its contradictions and inconsisten- 
 cies? 
 
 The stern, dignified, magnificent Edith Prescott was 
 now shuddering and sobbing in her sorrow ; the petite, 
 " airy, fairy Lillian," was without a tear or a tremor. 
 
 It was almost as if they had changed their natures 
 for the time. Leaving the side of her sister, Lillian 
 walked to the prostrate form of Mrs. Muggins, stooped 
 down, and placed her hand upon the face. 
 
 It was still warm, and a thrill of hope went over her 
 at the thought that, perhaps, she was living; she for- 
 getting, in the terrible shock of woe, that the body had 
 not yet been given time to lose its vital heat. 
 
 Then she called her by name and raised her head, and
 
 THE RED PLUME 73 
 
 receiving no reply, she attempted to place her hand 
 upon her heart. 
 
 As she did so, she touched the awful wound from 
 which the life-blood was silently flowing. 
 
 She realized the truth, and with a faint exclamation 
 of horror she sank back, fainting, upon the earth. 
 
 " Now, this is what I call confounded rough !" mut- 
 tered Pipkins, who was hardly equal to the scene. " If 
 things keep on in this way, we'll all go to the demnition 
 bow-wows. Come, Lillian, don't faint try and make 
 a man of yourself ; and, Edith, hangnation ! what's the 
 use? Look at me! I'm just as good as ever I was. I 
 ain't afraid of anything. Do try and act like sensible 
 men." 
 
 The great grief of Edith was only temporary in its 
 manifestation. By a powerful effort she subdued her 
 feelings, and became herself again calm, serene, and 
 self-possessed. Kneeling down beside Lillian, she 
 soothed her with a few gentle words, and the two arose 
 to their feet, prepared for any duty that might appear 
 to open before them. 
 
 " What shall we do ? " asked Edith, directing her 
 questions to Pipkins, who had moved as far away from 
 the dead bodies as possible, without going out of sight 
 of his cousins. 
 
 " Let's go to Chicago ; there ain't any Indians there." 
 
 " We must leave this place ; I cannot stay in sight of 
 that" she said, pointing with a shudder toward the 
 dark form of the body of the savage.
 
 74 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " It is a deuced unpleasant sight, and I would be sat- 
 isfied never to look upon the noble red man again, as 
 long as I live." 
 
 " Yet we cannot leave her here." 
 
 " How are we going to help it ? Do you expect I'm 
 going to tote her round on my back ? I rather guess I 
 ain't. What good will it do ? Ain't the poor thing as 
 well off here as anywhere else? and," he added, in a 
 voice which was heard by no one but himself, " ain't 
 her husband better off than he ever was? " 
 
 " It seems cruel to leave her alone in the woods," said 
 Edith, looking mournfully downward, " but we can in- 
 deed do nothing ; we cannot bury her, nor can we take 
 her with us." 
 
 " My views exactly," Pipkins hastened to say. 
 " Leave her here until matters are settled. The men 
 can come here and put her under ground after all the 
 folks have been killed there there I didn't mean 
 that ; don't go to whimpering, Lillian, at every mistake 
 a fellow makes. I meant to say, that after the Indians 
 had all been driven away from the other side the lake, 
 and everything has settled down serene like, why we 
 can all gather here and give the late Mrs. Muggins a 
 first-class burial that's what I was driving at." 
 
 " But where shall we go ? If we wander off too far, 
 they will not be able to find us, and Red Plume told us 
 not to leave this place." 
 
 " He didn't think you were going to shoot one of 
 these interlopers, in aboriginal shape," replied Pipkins,
 
 THE RED PLUME 75 
 
 who seemed to be totally wanting in his sense of the 
 " fitness of things," and who, as we have shown, could 
 be light and frivolous at the most solemn times. 
 
 " If you have any special admiration for a Sioux in 
 a state of suspended animation, Edith, we'll camp 
 around this specimen; but the only thing I admire 
 about him is his blanket, which I will confiscate." 
 
 As the Indian had fallen, his robe was mostly under 
 him. Pipkins, however, did not hesitate to draw it 
 from beneath him, with such abrupt violence, that the 
 body turned almost entirely over. 
 
 " There ! " exclaimed the exquisite, stepping to 
 Lillian, and throwing it upon her shoulders, " that will 
 help protect you from the night dew." 
 
 Had a rattlesnake dropped upon her shoulders, the 
 girl could not have started with a more convulsive hor- 
 ror, than when she felt the loathsome garment descend 
 and clasp her. 
 
 Flinging it to the ground, she sprang away from it, 
 as if it were a deadly peril. Her cousin coolly picked 
 it up. 
 
 " Will you take it, Edith?" 
 
 " No ; I would perish first." 
 
 " All right," replied Pipkins, as he folded it about 
 him, and strutted back and forth, " I find it very com- 
 fortable. You know that I dress rather that is, rather 
 well and this will help protect my clothing. But we 
 must proceed to business. The question is, whether we
 
 76 THE RED PLUME 
 
 are to stay here or somewhere else until morning. I 
 believe we all favor moving away." 
 
 " That is true," replied Edith, " but I meant that we 
 should go a short distance ; that is, so as to be beyond 
 all sight of what is here, but not to desert our friend." 
 
 " Yes; let us go," added Lillian " but we have no 
 boat." 
 
 " The Indian has left his canoe on the bank." 
 
 " We don't want any," said Edith; " we will go only 
 a short distance, and that by land." 
 
 The three moved cautiously forward, the man at the 
 head treading with something of the air of a conqueror. 
 
 In fact, Augustus Pipkins never experienced a 
 greater sense of his importance, (which is saying a 
 great deal,) than he did, when acting as guide to his 
 cousins. 
 
 " Sh ! not too fast ! " he whispered, turning about, 
 and making a warning gesticulation. " We ain't out of 
 danger yet." 
 
 " Have you heard anything ? " asked Edith, shrink- 
 ing back. 
 
 " There was a slight rustling, that sounded to me 
 like the tread of an Indian's moccasin, but I ain't sure." 
 
 Edith Prescott hastily stepped to him and whis- 
 pered : 
 
 " Don't go any further in that direction, until you 
 ascertain." 
 
 " Stay here till I reconnoitre, then." 
 
 The ladies stood motionless, while Pipkins began
 
 THE RED PLUME 77 
 
 stealing forward, with no more expectation of encoun- 
 tering an enemy, than he had of meeting his employer 
 in Chicago. 
 
 The fugitives had started directly toward the river, 
 and the young man was now but a short distance from 
 it 
 
 But he had gone but a few feet further, when a shiver 
 of terror ran over him, as he heard an unmistakable 
 movement in the bushes directly before him. 
 
 " Jingo ! and I ain't got anything but my pipe," 
 thought he, as he paused, undecided whether to retreat 
 or to stand a moment longer until satisfied of the nature 
 of the danger. 
 
 He listened with a throbbing heart, but all the sound 
 that reached him was the dull report of a rifle, which 
 came faintly across the lake, and told of the situation 
 of their friends. 
 
 " I don't hear anything, and, maybe, I was mistaken. 
 Good heavens ! " 
 
 At that instant a dark body came suddenly and al- 
 most noiselessly out of the water, and in a prone posi- 
 tion rapidly approached him. Pipkins turned to flee, 
 but in his haste, fell headlong to the ground, and ere 
 he could rise, there was a rushing sound, and the 
 creature, whatever it was, had vanished. 
 
 " Jingo ! what was it ? " he asked, rising on his hands 
 and knees, and staring about him. 
 
 " Some wild animal," replied Lillian, laughing out- 
 right, at the ridiculous figure her cousin cut, and for-
 
 78 THE RED PLUME 
 
 getting for the moment the fearful peril which im- 
 pended over all. 
 
 " I think it was a bear," added Edith. 
 
 " Didn't I frighten him, though ? I never saw an ani- 
 mal run like that ! " 
 
 "Which was frightened the most, you or he?" 
 asked Lillian, endeavoring to suppress her laughter. 
 
 " Me! What's the matter with me? ''" demanded the 
 irate Pipkins, rising to his feet. " That's the way to 
 scare a bear; haven't you ever heard, that if you get 
 down on all fours, any wild animal will run, because he 
 don't understand to what species you belong? Having 
 no gun to shoot him with, that was my plan of action. 
 I say, Edith, you had better reload that pistol of 
 yours." 
 
 " I have nothing with which to reload it," she re- 
 plied. 
 
 While they continued speaking, Pipkins was search- 
 ing up and down the bank for the Indian canoe. He 
 had little difficulty in finding it, and called the attention 
 of his cousins to it. 
 
 At this instant, Edith caught the arm of her sister 
 and drew her back. 
 
 " There is another enemy," she whispered. 
 
 " No ; he is a friend" replied Lillian, who spake 
 from the heart .
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 COMPANIONS DU VOYAGE 
 
 HERE our pen must linger a few moments, while we 
 turn aside to record an incident which, in its results, 
 has an intimate connection with the closing events of 
 this history. 
 
 On this same eventful afternoon, a small canoe was 
 making its way up Crescent River, toward Manyo-han, 
 or Sleeping Water. In it were seated two men, a Cau- 
 casian and American, the latter of whom was using his 
 paddle with all the skill and power characteristic of his 
 people. He was a diminutive, weazen-faced, dried-up 
 Indian, known as the Otter, and for a dozen years past 
 had served as a runner between the different frontier 
 posts, having during that time done good service for 
 General Harney, and other commanders in the West. 
 
 At present he was stationed at Fort Grandon, a post 
 something less than fifty miles distant from the scene 
 of the incidents we have narrated, and he was now en- 
 gaged in rowing Colonel George Havens up Crescent 
 River to his uncle's, Captain Swarthausen's, where he 
 was to make a call and then return to the fort and take 
 charge of the forces there during the temporary ab- 
 sence of the General, who was the commandant. 
 
 79
 
 8o THE RED PLUME 
 
 But Colonel Havens had two days yet before he was 
 to assume his new duties, that is, two days from the 
 morning of the one upon which he left Fort Grandon. 
 He calculated it would take the better part of a day to 
 reach his uncle's, and something less to return, so that, 
 if no accident occurred, he would be able to spend sev- 
 eral hours with Captain Swarthausen, and get back all 
 in good time. 
 
 We have spoken of his proposed visit to the Cap- 
 tain's. This was his nominal errand, and yet, it may 
 as well be confessed at this point, that on the shore of 
 the beautiful Sleeping Water was a far more powerful 
 attraction, it being understood at the same time that 
 the young officer was not lacking, in the slightest de- 
 gree, in his affection toward the one who had been such 
 an indulgent friend to him. 
 
 But " airy, fair Lilian " this Rose in the Solitude 
 this Flower of the Wood, this personification of rip- 
 pling laughter, of sparkling eyes, of pearly teeth, of 
 merry light-heartedness, of sunshiny hair, of the very 
 grace of movement and poetry of motion, with her pe- 
 tite form of matchless symmetry, whose " light foot 
 shone like jewel set in a dark crag," and whose voice 
 floated over Manyo-han, like the trilling notes of fairy 
 music this was the one who, months before had won 
 the heart of the handsome young officer, who had lib- 
 erally feed the Otter to get hence to the lake, without a 
 moment's unnecessary delay ? 
 
 The Colonel reclined in the stern of the canoe^
 
 THE RED PLUME 8l 
 
 quietly smoking his Havana, while the iron-limbed red- 
 skin kept the light structure skimming like a swallow 
 up the river. 
 
 With every mile they advanced, it seemed as if his 
 heart throbbed faster and faster, for was he not ap- 
 proaching closer to the one who had scarcely been ab- 
 sent from his sleeping or waking thoughts during the 
 last six months ? 
 
 Had he not heard that sweet laughter in the midst of 
 battle, above the scream of shell, the thunder of can- 
 non, and the shrieks of the wounded and dying? Had 
 not that spirk-like form floated in the sulphurous 
 clouds above him, even in the din of the fight ? had it 
 not beckoned to him in the cold moonlit sky, when on 
 the silent march? and now when the " fates of war " 
 had carried him so close to the reality herself, he was 
 not the one to turn his back upon his own good fortune. 
 
 And so he lay back in the boat, and indulged in those 
 dreams so blissful to the young lover, in which hope 
 built her fairy castles, and the future was robed in all 
 the roseate hues that heart could sigh for. 
 
 " I am soon to see her," he muttered to himself, smil- 
 ing at the thought, while his heart gave an additional 
 throb. " She does not expect me, but she will be none 
 the less pleased for all that." 
 
 And then the Colonel pictured their last interview 
 the moonlit sail across the lake. Fielding, the young 
 Friend, handsome, gallant and modest, was kind 
 enough to attend to the sail and rudder, although he
 
 8s THE RED PLUME 
 
 received material assistance from Edith, who sat be- 
 side him, and seemed not at all displeased that the 
 straitness of the boat compelled them to keep so very 
 nigh each other. 
 
 But he and Lilian were in the bow, and the broad 
 sail, intervening between them and those in the stern, 
 made them as much alone as if they were in the soli- 
 tude of the desert. 
 
 And sitting there, he held the delicate white hand in 
 his own, and, after a vast deal of manoeuvring, suc- 
 ceeded in drawing the golden curls against his breast, 
 where he resolutely held them, looking down upon the 
 angel-like face, and wishing in his heart that the moon- 
 light voyage might continue forever. 
 
 Colonel Havens, as a matter of course, had heard of 
 the outbreak of the Sioux in Minnesota, and the Otter 
 had given some intimations of the settlers in the vicin- 
 ity of Sleeping Water Lake being exposed to danger, 
 but he had not reflected seriously upon it, and it did 
 not now disturb his meditations of the happiness that 
 was so near at hand. 
 
 The afternoon gradually wore away, and still the 
 arms of the Indian worked with the untiring steadiness 
 of a steam-engine, and, lulled by the soft motion of the 
 boat and his own soothing meditations, the young offi- 
 cer gradually sank into a drowsy sleep, from which he 
 was aroused by the sudden stopping of the boat. 
 
 " What is the matter ? " he asked, starting up and 
 looking about him.
 
 THE RED PLUME 83 
 
 The Indian made no reply, but motioned to him to 
 remain silent. They had reached a narrow portion of 
 the river, deeply shaded with woods upon one side, 
 while a level plain on the left stretched up the stream 
 for a fourth of a mile, where the forest was resumed, 
 making each bank of the stream dark with the luxuri- 
 ant foliage. 
 
 Havens knew that something was wrong, and he 
 stared in every direction and listened acutely; but, as 
 he neither saw nor heard anything unusual, he asked, 
 rather impatiently, 
 
 "What's up, Otter?" 
 
 " See, there," replied the redskin, pointing tip 
 stream, toward the beginning of the woods on the left. 
 
 The Colonel followed directions, but could detect 
 nothing unusual. While he was looking, the Otter, 
 who spoke English like a native, fixed his beadlike eyes 
 upon him, and a peculiar smile added several addi- 
 tional wrinkles to his parchment-like face. 
 
 " You see nothing? " he asked a few moments later. 
 
 " Nothing but the prairie and the woods beyond." 
 
 " Look sharp now." 
 
 " I have done all I could." 
 
 " Look above the trees." 
 
 Ah ! now he saw it. A thin, dark column of smoke 
 rose perpendicularly upward like the faint outlines of 
 some shaft of iron through the trees, and told of the 
 unmistakable camp-fire beneath them.
 
 84 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " What of it? " he asked; " they are a party of red- 
 skins I suppose." 
 
 " Yes ; they are Sioux." 
 
 " Are you afraid of them ? " 
 
 " Yes, they kill all the white people ; they would kill 
 the Otter, too, for he is the friend of the white people." 
 
 Colonel Havens sat bolt upright, and a chill of terror 
 ran through him, as he recalled the accounts he had 
 heard of the Sioux massacres; accounts, too, that he 
 knew were based on truth. 
 
 " Good heavens ! and what has become of her? " he 
 exclaimed. 
 
 "Of whom?" 
 
 " Captain Swarthausen, and our friends who live 
 along the lake." 
 
 " They are in a bad place." 
 
 " Then why do we tarry here ? Let us hurry to their 
 relief." 
 
 The Otter dipped the paddle, and sent the canoe 
 swiftly and silently up the stream, until he was close to 
 the woods, and not far from the camp-fire. 
 
 " You stay here till I see who they are." 
 
 With this the redskin stepped lightly out of the boat 
 and disappeared in the wood, while his impatient com- 
 panion had nothing to do but to await his return. 
 
 But scarcely ten minutes had passed, when there was 
 heard the sharp crack of a rifle, followed by a f rghtful 
 shriek, which he was certain came from the Otter, who 
 must have been detected and shot, almost at the mo- 
 ment he came within sight of the camp-fire.
 
 THE RED PLUME 85 
 
 What to do the Colonel was unable to decide for 
 some moments whether to retreat, advance or remain 
 where he was. Satisfied that he must now face the 
 danger alone, he stealthily worked his way up stream, 
 until he had gotten fairly beyond the neighborhood of 
 the camp-fire, when he plied his paddle more vigor- 
 ously, and thus it was that he glided by the shore where 
 the fugitives were concealed just at the moment the sis- 
 ters descried him.
 
 "CHAPTER XIII 
 
 LOVE AND JEALOUSY 
 
 THE recognition was mutual and simultaneous. Shy- 
 ing his canoe sharply against the bank, Colonel Havens 
 sprang out, and warmly grasped the hands of the sis- 
 ters, while it was only by a strong effort that he pre- 
 vented himself from catching Lillian and pressing her 
 to his heart. 
 
 " What does this mean ? " he asked, in amazement. 
 
 Edith, in a few minutes, explained everything how 
 they came to be there, what had happened on the other 
 side of the lake, and why they were waiting. 
 
 Havens was astounded. 
 
 " I never dreamed of such a thing ; and so Mrs. Mug- 
 gins is dead, poor soul ! I will go across the lake to the 
 assistance of our friends," said he, making a movement 
 toward the boat. 
 
 " No ; you shall not," exclaimed Lillian, stepping 
 forward and laying hold upon his arm. 
 
 " If you could be of any assistance, we would tell you 
 to go," added Edith ; " but Red Plume and Jud would 
 be displeased to have you go there. If they could see 
 you coming, they would send you back." 
 
 Still the Colonel hesitated, his impulses drawing him 
 
 86
 
 THE RED PLUME 87 
 
 toward the scene of danger; but second thought con- 
 vinced him that Edith had spoken the truth, and he 
 gave over his intention of crossing the lake. 
 
 Several times Augustus Pipkins had coughed and 
 cleared his throat, but in the excitement of the occasion 
 he was not noticed, until Lillian suddenly recollected 
 herself, and introduced the two gentlemen. 
 
 " Extremely happy to make your acquaintance, sir," 
 said the exquisite, raising his hat, and bowing in his 
 most elaborate style. 
 
 The officer politely returned the salutation, but in 
 that single second, when their hands touched, the 
 sharpest pain of his life thrilled his soul the poignant 
 pang of jealousy, that goes through the heart like the 
 thrust of the Italian's stiletto. 
 
 Why was this popinjay here? What if he .was the 
 cousin of Lillian ? Did that give him the right to play 
 the gallant to her ? The marriage of cousins was not so 
 unfrequent an occurrence as to make it at all improba- 
 ble that these two were betrothed. Indeed, the proba- 
 bility was that they bore such a relation to each other. 
 
 It is singular how much a jealous man can think of 
 in a very few minutes. Colonel Havens did not remem- 
 ber that either of the sisters had ever mentioned the 
 name of their cousin, in his presence, until now. 
 
 Why this reticence? Why this studied silence re- 
 garding him? Did it not point to the dreadful fact of 
 their engagement? 
 
 Such were the questions which seethed through the
 
 88 THE RED PLUMB 
 
 brain of the lover, and his own answers to which almost 
 maddened him into turning around and going down 
 the river without exchanging another word with any of 
 them. 
 
 But enough sense remained to prevent this consum- 
 mation of rudeness. 
 
 " You were approaching the river when I came up," 
 said he; " why was that? " 
 
 " We cannot remain in this place, with its dreadful 
 associations," replied Edith. " We were going to move 
 only a short distance." 
 
 " I see you have a boat ; why not go with me to Fort 
 Grandon, where you will be safe? " 
 
 " That's sensible," exclaimed Pipkins ; " I second 
 that motion. Let us once get into Fort Grandon, and 
 then they can't hurt us, even if they do kill all on the 
 other side of the lake." 
 
 " You may go, cousin ; but Lillian and I will remain 
 here." 
 
 " And why will you stay here ? " asked Havens. 
 " It would be a living death for us, so long as we 
 knew nothing of their fate," she answered. " We prom- 
 ised Red Plume and Jud to await them here, and there 
 may be a great deal of danger between here and Fort 
 Grandon." 
 
 The Colonel recalled his experience in coming up the 
 river, and he coincided with the speaker. 
 
 " You will remain with us ? " she added, inquiringly. 
 
 " I must be at Fort Grandon to-morrow night, or
 
 THE RED PLUME 89 
 
 run the risk of being cashiered ; but, if my presence will 
 add any additional security to your situation, I will not 
 hesitate a moment." 
 
 " The deuce of the matter is that my furlough will 
 be up before I can get back to Chicago," said Pipkins, 
 " and I shouldn't wonder if I got cashiered, too. That's 
 why I'm rather anxious to be under way." 
 
 " You are welcome to go whenever you wish," said 
 Edith, with quiet dignity. " We can very well spare 
 you." 
 
 " Of course, I can't go unless you go with me, and 
 I still hope you will change your mind." 
 
 " I may as well tell you that there are Indians down 
 the river." 
 
 " Confound it ! is that so ? Then I guess we'd better 
 wait," remarked Pipkins. " I say, if we are going to 
 make a change of base, it is time we were at it." 
 
 " Suppose we go up the stream a little ways," said 
 Colonel Havens ; " you will then be nearer your friends, 
 and more likely to see them when they come down 
 stream." 
 
 This proposal was acted upon. Pipkins was some- 
 what amazed when Lillian took her seat in the Colonel's 
 boat, but as it was too late to prevent it, he acquiesced, 
 and assumed the lead with Edith in the stern of his ca- 
 noe. 
 
 They moved only a hundred yards or so when they 
 came to rest, where the overhanging limbs and under- 
 growth were, if possible, still more luxuriant.
 
 9 o THE RED PLUME 
 
 When they had halted, a sort of couch was made for 
 Edith in the bow of the boat, while Pipkins wrapped 
 himself up in his great-coat, and speedily fell asleep in 
 the stern. 
 
 As Havens noticed this arrangement of matters, he 
 spoke to Lillian : 
 
 " Have you any objection to remaining in the boat 
 for awhile ? " 
 
 She consented rather reluctantly, as it struck him, 
 and he dropped a little ways down stream, so as to ba 
 beyond ear-shot of those who were in the other boat. 
 Fastening the prow of his canoe to a limb, he was then 
 at liberty to say what he chose to the vision of loveli- 
 ness beside him. 
 
 His first remark was very characteristic of a lover. 
 
 " This is the time I have longed for, for many a 
 month, and the hours will now fly on golden wings." 
 
 " I am sorry you cannot remain longer," replied 
 Lillian, who was thinking of father and mother on the 
 other side of the lake. 
 
 " Had I dreamed of anything like this, I would have 
 managed to have my leave of absence extended ; but as 
 it is, I must leave at daylight at the latest, else I shall 
 not make Fort Grandon in time." 
 
 " But you said there was danger on the way." 
 
 " There seems to be danger everywhere, as much in 
 one place as another. It even found you out in your 
 hiding-place." 
 
 " It was my cousin's fault. I do not think we shall
 
 THE RED PLUME 91 
 
 be disturbed again, but you probably will in going 
 back." 
 
 " If I came safe, is there not reason to hope that I 
 will be equally fortunate in returning? " 
 
 He had not told her of the death of the Otter, else 
 she would never have assented to his going back alone, 
 even though he incurred the risk of being dismissed 
 the service. 
 
 She was oppressed with sadness, and as the sense of 
 danger draws kindred hearts nearer together, they 
 seemed attracted toward each other, and again Havens 
 felt the delight of holding that sunshiny head upon his 
 shoulder. 
 
 It was indeed a pure happiness for which he was 
 willing to brave ten-fold the danger he had encoun- 
 tered, and which really imperilled his remembrance of 
 the time when his furlough expired. 
 
 For some moments they sat in silence, she enfolded 
 in his strong arm, and the hearts of both overflowing. 
 Then he felt a tear drop upon his hand, and he asked, in 
 the softest of voices : 
 
 " What is it that troubles you, Lillian? " 
 
 " Father and mother shall I ever see them again?" 
 
 " Let us hope for the best. If you wish it I will go 
 out upon the lake. Shall I ? " 
 
 She instantly nodded her head in the affirmative a 
 reply which somewhat surprised him, and he repeated 
 ft.
 
 9 2 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Let us go part way near enough to learn what 
 has become of them." 
 
 The next instant the fastening of the canoe was 
 loosened, and it began moving slowly up the river. 
 
 It was Haven's wish to pass their friends without 
 attracting their attention, but the vigilance of Edith 
 prevented. Although her companion was sound asleep, 
 she was not; and, as they came opposite, she inquired 
 where they were going. 
 
 " We shall not be gone long," replied Lillian, evad- 
 ing a direct reply. " Wait here for us." 
 
 Edith added a word or two, which were not intelligi- 
 ble so the lovers passed on, and soon were beyond 
 sight and hearing. 
 
 Colonel Havens handled his paddle very gently, and 
 it was with some trepidation that he found himself en- 
 tering the lake, on the banks of which such stirring 
 scenes were enacting at that very moment. 
 
 They had gone scarcely a hundred feet, when Lillian 
 gasped, with a shudder of terror : 
 
 "Look Hook!" 
 
 That which had arrested her attention was the sight 
 of a burning house directly before them. 
 
 Havens paused and looked fixedly at it, while he felt 
 the canoe tremble from the agonizing sobs of Lillian. 
 
 Scanning it carefully for a moment, he quickly 
 turned his head. 
 
 " It is not your house, dearest ; it is Fielding's."
 
 THE RED PLUME 93 
 
 Inexpressibly relieved, but still doubting, she looked 
 up. 
 
 " Are you sure ? " 
 
 " I suspected it from the first, but I did not mention 
 it until I felt certain I would raise no false hope. Don't 
 you see that your house lies off here, and Fielding's is 
 more to the right ? " he asked, pointing away in the 
 darkness. 
 
 A closer examination confirmed the truth of the 
 colonel's remarks, and, as may be supposed, lifted a 
 heavy burden from the heart of both. 
 
 " But if they can burn one, they can burn the other," 
 she added, after the fire had begun to die away. 
 
 " Perhaps they can, but it looks to me as if Field- 
 ing's house was not defended at all. I listened, and 
 heard no sound of firing ; did you ? " 
 
 She was obliged to say that she had not. 
 
 " Then the only wonder is that it did not go before. 
 When they come to make kindling-wood of the other, 
 that will be a different thing; they will find several in 
 their path who will have something to say about the 
 matter." 
 
 " But how can father and mother get away ? " asked 
 the daughter, who had racked her brain for hour after 
 hour in attempting to answer the question herself. " If 
 they are besieged there, who but God can relieve 
 them?" 
 
 " More unlikely things than that have been done. 
 When I heard that Red Plume and old Jubal Judkins
 
 94 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 were mixed up in this business, I felt more hope than I 
 did before. That Red Plume, especially, is one of the 
 sharpest redskins that ever lived. You ought to have 
 heard some of the stories of his exploits that the Otter 
 told me in coming up the river." 
 
 " Did you have a companion ? " 
 
 " Part way," replied the Colonel, somewhat embar- 
 rassed; " but he left me a number of miles down the 
 river." 
 
 There was the ever present sense of danger, so long 
 as they remained so far out on the lake, and Havens al- 
 most unconsciously worked his boat back toward the 
 head of the river from which it had issued. 
 
 "All in the gay and golden weather 
 Two fair travelers, maid and man 
 Sailed in a birchen boat together, 
 
 And sailed the way that the river ran; 
 And they were lovers, and well content,. 
 Sailing the way the river went." 
 
 Lilian was silent and thoughtful. Her fears were 
 for those on the other shore, while he who held the pad- 
 dle could think of scarcely anything but her. 
 
 There is a witching power in the moonlight, and it 
 throws its magic veil over the homely as well as the 
 lovely, softening down each roughness, and making all 
 beautiful. 
 
 And there was just enough of the silvery, gossamer 
 light to give a spiritual loveliness to Lillian Prescott 
 such as had only visited her lover in his dreams of the 
 angels.
 
 THE RED PLUME 95 
 
 He looked down upon the snowy forehead and face, 
 with the beautifully pencilled eyebrows, and delicate 
 nose, and perfectly cut features, the small, symmetrical 
 form, and, like a true admirer, wondered why the 
 whole world did not hasten to Sleeping Water to pay 
 adoration at her feet. 
 
 " Ah ! if / can but claim this fair one," he reflected, 
 " then shall such happiness be mine as all will envy." 
 
 But the same old Shadow again hovered over him. 
 Was Lillian as trustful and loving as she should be ? 
 
 Was not this quiescent languor born of indifference 
 toward him, as well as of anxiety about her parents ? 
 
 True, she could not but feel the keenest anguish for 
 those who were in such frightful peril, but she ought to 
 have had a single thought at least for him at her side, 
 who was never tired of gazing in her face, of listening 
 to her words, and obeying her slightest command. 
 
 The most ardent love is the most selfish, and the tor- 
 ment of jealousy is the keenest in that heart which is 
 affectionate above all others. 
 
 Colonel Havens fought the phantom like a hero, but 
 it would not down. He endeavored to thrust it behind 
 him, but the hated figure of the Chicago exquisite con- 
 stantly hovered before his eyes. 
 
 He was a cousin of the family (so ran his medita- 
 tions), and, consequently, had visited them before, and 
 frequently. He and Lillian had known each other for 
 years, and, unless he was welcome and well-treated, he
 
 96 THE RED PLUME 
 
 would not be likely to remain so long a time in such an 
 out-of-the-way place in Minnesota. 
 
 The lover strove his best to keep away the frightful 
 conclusion, but it came like the thunderbolt of the quiv- 
 ering lightning. She and this insufferable Augustus 
 Pipkins were betrothed lovers! 
 
 Yes : the more he thought of it, the more convinced 
 of its truth did he become. He reasoned that any man 
 who could dress well, look feminine, and talk vapid 
 nonsense was certainly the most popular with the other 
 sex; and, consequently, he who could lay claim to 
 neither of these attainments had no hope when brought 
 in contrast with him. 
 
 " Why did I leave Fort Grandon ? " was the next 
 question which he asked himself, in his bitterness of 
 spirit ; " why did I come here to have my feelings lacer- 
 ated in this manner ? Fool that I was to suffer my love 
 to go out to any one of her kind ! " 
 
 Everything that came to his mind only confirmed his 
 bitter suspicions. The fact of Pipkins remaining so 
 contentedly with Edith showed that he was so certain 
 of Lillian that he was willing to trust her with any one. 
 
 Would he not have done the same thing if he had 
 been given the promise of Lillian's hand? Certainly 
 any man would not fail to show that confidence in the 
 woman of his choice. 
 
 He was certain, too, that when she stepped in his 
 boat, it was done with a hesitating reluctance, which 
 graved that her heart went in the other. Did he not
 
 THE RED PLUME 97 
 
 recollect the painful throb his own heart gave as the 
 suspicion crossed his mind? 
 
 " Straws show the way the wind blows," especially 
 in love, and Colonel Havens felt that, if there was any 
 reason for a person in the world to feel utterly misera- 
 ble, he had it. It was the contrast with his former hap- 
 piness and exultation of feeling that made him so com- 
 pletely wretched. 
 
 A lover whose sensibilities are warped by jealousy is 
 not apt to be considerate in his words, nor is it likely 
 that they will be understood by the one to whom they 
 are addressed. 
 
 " Lillian," said he, as he again dipped the paddle 
 into the water, and moved slightly away from her, 
 " you said this Mr. Pipkins is a cousin of yours ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 Even that monosyllable " touched " the lover ; why 
 couldn't she use an additional word or two ? 
 
 " His home is in Chicago." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " What attraction can he find in this part of the 
 world?" 
 
 ''' That is a singular question, and I might ask it, 
 with more propriety, of you." 
 
 " I might have known it," thought the half-de- 
 mented lover. " Instead of placing me on an equality 
 with him, she puts him first." 
 
 " Of course," he said aloud, " he would naturally be 
 attracted toward his cousins, and would be glad to
 
 98 THE RED PLUME 
 
 make them an occasional visit; but it seems to me he 
 has a very lenient employer to allow him to spend so 
 much of his time away from his business." 
 
 " So he has," replied Lillian, as she leaned over the 
 canoe and plashed the cool water with her hand, 
 
 " And he must find a special attraction here," he 
 added, as if he would probe his own wound to the bot- 
 tom. 
 
 " Perhaps he does," was the same indifferent reply ; 
 so indifferent indeed that it almost maddened the 
 colonel. 
 
 The truth of it was that Lillian saw he was foolishly 
 jealous, and she was willing to allow him to feel so. 
 She was somewhat provoked that he should appear so 
 forgetful of their surroundings, so regardless of the 
 frightful peril that hung over all, as to show that he 
 was thinking only of himself and his admiration of her. 
 
 Besides she possessed the trait which seems to be the 
 inevitable characteristic of the gentler sex the disposi- 
 tion to coquette with a man, to make light of his love, 
 and carefully to conceal her own. 
 
 She understood what the matter was, and she had no 
 inclination to clear away the clouds, as she could have 
 done in an instant by a word. 
 
 "What is his full name?" 
 
 " Augustus Adolphus Pipkins." 
 
 The Colonel laughed somewhat scornfully, 
 
 " Phoebus ! what a name." 
 
 "Don't you like it?"
 
 THE RED PLUME 99 
 
 <: It is splendid magnificent." 
 
 " Do you really think so ? " she asked, looking up in 
 the most artless manner. 
 
 " I never heard its equal." 
 
 " I am glad to hear you say so ; some persons think it 
 is not a good name, but I cannot see why." 
 
 " I suppose he is good company." 
 
 " Indeed he is ; we have had many a pleasant sail on 
 the lake, and I do not see how we could get along with- 
 out Cousin Dolph." 
 
 " That's what I thought," added Havens to himself, 
 but loud enough to be heard by his companion. 
 
 " You seem to be interested in our cousin," contin- 
 ued Lillian, looking up again in the face of her lover. 
 
 " I was not aware of any special interest." 
 
 " Then why so many questions about him ? " 
 
 " Simply because I had nothing better of which to 
 speak." 
 
 " Oh ! that's it ! He has been here several weeks, but 
 is now anxious to get back to his home again." 
 
 " Yes, I saw that he was ; such persons generally are 
 eager to leave when any danger appears." 
 
 " If I am not mistaken Colonel Havens expects to be 
 at Fort Grandon to-morrow evening." 
 
 How that cut! the young man flushed, and barely 
 checked the hot reply that came to his lips. 
 
 " I have professed a willingness to stay, but I am 
 bound by the honor of a soldier to return." 
 
 " 'Dolph promised to be in Chicago at an earlier date
 
 too THE RED PLUME 
 
 than he now can possibly reach there. Should any one 
 wonder, then, at his anxiety to fulfill his promise ? " 
 
 " I see you are his champion," said Havens, impa- 
 tiently. " I wonder whether you would defend me so 
 violently." 
 
 " I do not know of any one who would attack you so 
 fiercely, in your absence." 
 
 Thus it was; every reply of that golden-haired little 
 beauty was like a Spanish dagger, sharp and keen, 
 piercing to the very heart. 
 
 " I have said nothing of your magnificent cousin 
 which I would not say gladly to his face." 
 
 " Then why not wait until you have the opportu- 
 nity?" 
 
 " I do not care enough about him to meddle in his 
 affairs." 
 
 Lillian laughed softly. 
 
 " How strange ! when he seems to have occupied 
 your thoughts to the exclusion of everything else, ever 
 since we have been on the lake." 
 
 " Indeed," exclaimed the lover, in a voice which was 
 meant to be of a polar frigidity. 
 
 " Hew strange ! If we are to judge of one's thoughts 
 by his words, you surely will not deny that my hand- 
 some cousin has occupied a large share of your 
 thoughts during the last half hour." 
 
 " I am sure not so much of mine as of yours." 
 
 " Perhaps you are right," she replied, in her in- 
 different manner, as she leaned over the boat, and dal- 
 lied with her hand in the water.
 
 THE RED PLUME 101 
 
 " i am sure of it," added Havens, compressing his 
 lips to keep back his feelings. 
 
 " I will not dispute you." 
 
 For the time the girl had forgotten the shadow upon 
 her heart. Now that her mind had been withdrawn 
 from the appalling gloom which enfolded her so long, 
 it was curious that it kept itself away so long. 
 
 " This man loves me," she reflected, as she leaned si- 
 lently over the side of the boat. " He is brave, and no- 
 ble, and manly, but he is jealous, and he has no reason 
 to be so, for he is the superior of my cousin in every re- 
 spect. He is handsomer, too, yet he is jealous all the 
 same. It will not hurt him if I give him an additional 
 pang or two." 
 
 And so the wilful beauty said nothing, nor did she 
 look at her companion, who toyed with the paddle and 
 kept the boat gliding slowly and quietly down the river. 
 
 As for Colonel Havens, he had succeeded in making 
 himself the most miserable of men; he even believed 
 that he could look upon the girl before him with in- 
 difference. If she preferred such a man as her cousin, 
 he was very certain that he should not object, nor 
 would he care. The world was large, and there was a 
 path of glory already opening before him. 
 
 There is a love of independence which is natural to 
 the human heart. If crushed, it seeks to rise if re- 
 buffed, it resents it ; and so this lover was longing to be 
 at Fort Grandon, to place himself at the head of his
 
 jcj THE RED PLUME 
 
 men, and lead them to victory that should crown them 
 all with glory. 
 
 Lillian noticed that the canoe was now moving quite 
 rapidly, and she looked up in the face of her compan- 
 ion; but he avoided her gaze, and applied his paddle 
 with more vigor than ever. 
 
 " You seem to be in a hurry," she said, as they began 
 gliding down the river. 
 
 " So I am." 
 
 Her heart misgave her. Perhaps she had trifled too 
 long with him; she had misjudged his sensitive nature. 
 
 More than once she was half persuaded to apologize 
 for her cutting words, and confess that he stood first 
 and foremost in her affection ; but pride, so frequently 
 the barrier to duty, stood in the way, and her lips were 
 dumb. 
 
 And all this time the light canoe was carried by oar 
 and current down stream, until they reached the place 
 where the other boat was lying. 
 
 Pipkins, as a matter of course, was asleep, but there 
 was some natural surprise felt upon the part of the 
 Colonel, when, as he glided close to the boat, he saw 
 that Edith was unconscious. 
 
 Propelling his canoe close to the other, he brought it 
 to rest, and silently waited for Lillian to leave. 
 
 Proud as ever, she stepped softly over, and stood in 
 the centre of the other boat. 
 
 " Good-by," said the colonel, in a low tone, as he 
 dipped his paddle in the current, and glided away.
 
 THE RED PLUME 103 
 
 " Good-by," she replied, inclining her kead, but 
 maintaining her standing position in the boat. 
 
 At every stroke of the paddle the heart of Colonel 
 Havens sank deeper and deeper, until it seemed as 
 though his strength were about to desert him entirely. 
 
 But he resolutely refused to halt or turn back, unless 
 she relented. 
 
 Hark ! was not his name spoken. 
 
 He paused and listened. All was still could he be 
 certain that she really had called to him, he would have 
 turned about and bidden her good-by once again such 
 a good-by as his heart prompted him to give. 
 
 But he could not be certain, and he would have died 
 rather than commit such a blunder. So he held his pad- 
 dle suspended and listened; but, if his name had been 
 called, it was not repeated, and saddened almost to de- 
 spair he resumed his oar, and turned his face resolutely 
 toward Fort Grandon. 
 
 Lillian Prescott had stood and watched the vanish- 
 ing canoe with emotions scarcely different from those 
 of him who sat in it. Her heart reproved her for what 
 she had done, and crushing down her pride, she called 
 in a voice which sounded to her like that of another per- 
 son. 
 
 " George! " 
 
 He did not look back, and she did not notice the ces- 
 sation of his paddle. 
 
 " He is too proud," she reflected ; " he heard me; but 
 he spurns me, and it may be I deserve it "
 
 104 THE RED PLUME 
 
 The tears came in her eyes, and when they cleared, 
 the canoe was gone. 
 
 When fairly beyond sight of her who had made him 
 the happiest and most wretched of men, Colonel Hav- 
 ens bent to his paddle with renewed energy, and sent 
 the light vessel skimming like a water fowl down the 
 river. 
 
 He could only conjecture as to the time, but he was 
 certain it was far beyond midnight, and he had no right 
 to loiter on the way. 
 
 There was danger ahead, but he cared nothing. In 
 his present mood, he would as lief plunge among a 
 horde of yelling Sioux as to continue his monotonous 
 journey without encountering any peril. 
 
 But hard work is a good thing to cool the brain, and 
 as he placed mile after mile behind him, he began to 
 think more sensibly of what had occurred during his 
 visit to Sleeping Water Lake. 
 
 " I was hasty," he said aloud, as he allowed the boat 
 to float awhile with the current, " but her words cut me 
 to the quick. She has wounded my feelings, and I hope 
 hers have been touched ; but how different from when I 
 ascended the stream ! " 
 
 The thought of the joyous expectancy with which he 
 had driven the canoe up current, and the gloomy de- 
 spondency with which he returned, brought more than 
 one heavy sigh from him. 
 
 He could not withdraw his thoughts until he dis- 
 covered that he was in the vicinity of the place where
 
 THE RED PLUME 105 
 
 his comrade, the Otter, had been shot. Here considera- 
 tions of personal safety changed his meditations for the 
 time. 
 
 By this time it was broad daylight, and there was the 
 greater need of caution. 
 
 He kept close to the shore, moving with the greatest 
 stealth and silence, and frequently listening for sounds 
 of danger. 
 
 He was proceeding in this manner, when a rustling 
 in the bushes overhead startled him, and he looked up 
 just in time to see a dark body drop lightly in the boat 
 directly in front of him. 
 
 Catching up his gun he was about to fire, when he 
 lowered his piece with the exclamation : 
 
 " Heaven save me ! it is the Otter ! " 
 
 " Sh ! there is danger !" 
 
 And the weazen-faced redskin picked up the paddle, 
 and began working the boat himself. 
 
 With his care and skill, he soon got it safely past this 
 perilous neighborhood, and then with his wrinkly 
 smile, he explained matters. 
 
 " Hadn't left you but a minute," he began, in his 
 rapid way, " when I scented a camp-fire, and climbed a 
 tree. Hadn't been there only a few seconds, when half- 
 a-dozen of the Sioux came right under the tree looked 
 up and saw me fired didn't hit me but I dodged 
 and yelled, and made them believe they did fell to the 
 ground didn't know me took me for a white man at 
 first, and then begun to ask my name one of them
 
 106 THE RED PLUME 
 
 knowed me were going to kill me but I palavered 
 with them made some of them believe I was going to 
 help join them in this massacre they gave me a show 
 I got a chance slipped away knew you would be 
 back by morning climbed this tree dropped into the 
 boat so, that's all." 
 
 The same day, the two reached Fort Grandon, where 
 we must leave them for the present, and give our atten- 
 tion to more stirring incidents. 
 
 When certain that her lover was gone, and that he 
 would not return to them, Lillian Prescott sat down in 
 the canoe beside her sister, discovering for the first 
 time that she was wide awake. 
 
 " Let me wrap my shawl about you," said Edith ; " it 
 will protect you from the night air." 
 
 Clasped in each other's embrace, the two reclined in 
 the stern of the boat, which, with its unusual weight, 
 sank almost to the gunwales. 
 
 Edith was quiet, and Lillian supposed she was 
 asleep ; but she was mistaken. Although the elder sister 
 had said nothing, yet her woman's instinct told her all. 
 She knew that Lillian, nestling close at her side, was 
 weeping with a combined grief, such as her heart had 
 never known before, and she gently, but more lovingly, 
 drew the dear one to her heart. 
 
 But no sleep was to visit their eyes that night. 
 
 Edith was beginning to relapse into drowsiness, 
 when she felt her arm grasped with startling force, and
 
 THE RED PLUME 107 
 
 rising suddenly bolt upright, she pointed toward the 
 Jake, and fairly gasped : 
 
 "Look!" 
 
 A bright star-like point of light could be seen gleam- 
 ing like a point of fire across the lake. The intervening 
 undergrowth partly obscured it, but it speedily in- 
 creased in size, until a broad glare of fire was reflected 
 against the sky. 
 
 " The Indians have fired the house," added Lillian, 
 in the same terrified whisper. 
 
 " Perhaps, it is the house of Fielding? " 
 
 " No ; that burned when we were out on the lake. 
 Captain Swarthausen's has gone too, and they have at- 
 tacked ours. Hark ! what is that ? " 
 
 " It is the sound of guns." 
 
 " And they are shooting them." 
 
 " It may be our friends who are firing," responded 
 Edith, who, at the same time was far from feeling the 
 hope with which she endeavored to inspire her sister. 
 
 Indeed she was sure that the long dreaded crisis had 
 come at last !
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THE STRUGGLE IN THE LAKE 
 
 RED PLUME had been not the least interested specta- 
 tor of the stratagem of the Sioux, who had used Cato 
 as a shield in approaching the house. 
 
 From his position he calmly watched the movement 
 until it became manifest that there was no one in the 
 building that dare fire, when he picked off the redskin 
 himself. 
 
 In the bedlam that was then raging all round, not a 
 member of the Sioux party detected, or even suspected, 
 that the fatal shot came from outside the building. They 
 looked upon the exploit as another evidence of the 
 " eternal vigilance " of those within, and took the 
 greater care to keep themselves beyond their range. 
 
 Old Jud, Captain Swarthausen and Muggins were 
 under the dense shrubbery along the lake, to the west 
 of the Prescott cottage. From this point they were 
 watching, with lynx eyes, the proceedings, and waiting 
 for the moment to mingle in the fray. 
 
 At present it was the part of prudence for both the 
 men to remain invisible, as a glimpse at either would 
 be enough for the Indians to detect them, and the old 
 hunter saw no prospect of his doing any good. 
 
 108
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 109 
 
 As the shouts and whoops of the Sioux reached his 
 ears, his eye sparkled, and a grim smile illuminated his 
 face. 
 
 " I've fought them varmints before, and have raised 
 the h'ar of more than one of 'em in my time; and the 
 way things look just now, I shouldn't wonder if there 
 was a little more of that business done atwixt now and 
 morning." 
 
 " This ain't the kind of fighting I am used to," re- 
 plied Captain Swarthausen, " although I did some of it 
 in my younger days, when I was stationed on the fron- 
 tier. I have no objection to standing up before a civil- 
 ized foe and blazing away at each other; but may the 
 devil take such a style of war as this." 
 
 " I don't see the sense of fighting anyway," observed 
 Muggins, who seemed to think it his duty to enlighten 
 the others. " If everybody in the world was like me and 
 Fielding there wouldn't be any such thing as war or 
 massacres." 
 
 " Just there's the trouble, Snoopy. The world, as a 
 general thing, happens to be different ; and we have to 
 take it as we find it." 
 
 " I s'pose so," was the philosophic assent of the cor- 
 pulent gentleman, who had not a very clear meaning of 
 what was said. 
 
 The conversation ran along in this desultory manner 
 for some fifteen minutes longer, but it was noticeable 
 that Jud took no part in it. The reason for his silence 
 was that something had attracted his attention, a short
 
 no THE RED PLUME 
 
 distance away, and its character gave him no little un- 
 easiness. 
 
 It was while looking toward the house that his keen 
 eye detected a flash of water, such as is made by the 
 leaping of a fish. It was on the other side of the clear- 
 ing, which extended from the lake down to the house, 
 and at a corresponding distance with his own. 
 
 He narrowly watched the place while the pointless 
 conversation at his side was going on, and, as he antici- 
 pated, soon saw the dark form of a canoe put out from 
 the shore and start directly across the lake. 
 
 " That's the game, is it ? " he muttered, and then 
 spoke to his companions. 
 
 " I've got to leave you a while. Thar's a redskin 
 going across the lake, and I must f oiler and see what he 
 is after." 
 
 He cautioned his friends to remain where they were 
 until Red Plume gave them different orders, and then 
 stealthily crept to where the canoe of his Indian friend 
 was lying. 
 
 By this time he could only catch the faintest outlines 
 of the swiftly vanishing boat of his enemy, but he cared 
 nothing for this, as he knew well enough the direction 
 it was pursuing. 
 
 Instead of following in a direct line after it he turned 
 to the right and coasted along the lake until certain he 
 was beyond all likelihood of being detected, when he 
 dipped his paddle deep and sent his frail boat skimming 
 like a bird over the water.
 
 THE RED PLUME m 
 
 Propelled with the skill and power he possessed, it 
 was not long before he struck the opposite side, at the 
 beginning of Crescent River. Here he backed his boat 
 under the shore, and waited the coming of the other. 
 
 Old Jud was morally certain that he was consider- 
 ably in advance of his enemy, but he was somewhat dis- 
 quieted by the fact that he could hear nothing of him. 
 On such a still night, when they were removed from 
 the turmoil and tumult upon the other shore, the slight- 
 est sound could be heard a great distance. 
 
 He leaned his head over and held it close to the 
 water, and still hearing nothing, he lowered his ear un- 
 til it was beneath the surface, but still nought reached 
 him upon which he could hang the least probability of 
 the coming of his foe. 
 
 This satisfied him that at that moment there was no 
 canoe beside his own anywhere in the vicinity. Whether 
 the redskin whom he had seen put out from the other 
 bank had detected his danger and turned back, or 
 whether he had already landed at some other point, was 
 more than he could determine. 
 
 His great fear was that the savage had eluded him 
 by touching shore and pursuing his journey on foot. 
 This was a possibility, but it was not a probability ; and 
 the more he reflected upon it the more satisfied did he 
 become that the Indian was aiming for the mouth of 
 the river, with the intention of taking advantage of its 
 swift current and its general course. 
 
 Still, as moment after moment passed away, he al-
 
 112 THE RED PLUME 
 
 most unconsciously toyed with his paddle in the water, 
 propelling his boat slowly forward, as though he were 
 impatient to meet his expected foe. 
 
 In this manner, and almost without knowing it, he 
 had advanced out upon the lake until he caught the out- 
 lines of the island, which, as will be remembered, stood 
 very near the centre. 
 
 Not a little surprised to discover what he had done, 
 he abruptly halted. At this juncture a slight but famil- 
 iar sound struck his ear, and with a powerful sweep he 
 shot his boat backward, with the intention of driving 
 it out of sight. 
 
 But he was too late. At that moment the dark figure 
 of a canoe shot to view from behind the island, and 
 only the suddenly reversed movement of the hunter 
 prevented a collision between the two boats. 
 
 The Indian who occupied the smaller canoe was a 
 cowardly dog, who was probably more noted for his 
 fleetness as a runner than anything else. Almost any 
 of his race would have advanced instantly to the attack, 
 when confronted by a single foe, and engaged him in 
 mortal hand-to-hand combat. 
 
 But such a thought did not seem to enter the head of 
 the Sioux for a single instant, and he abruptly started 
 to retreat, heading toward the shore which he had left 
 but a few minutes before, while Jud followed hard 
 after. 
 
 It would have been an easy thing for the hunter to 
 have ended the matter with his rifle, but he wished to
 
 THE RED PLUME 113 
 
 keep what now seemed likely to take place from the 
 main body of Indians, and just then the stillness which 
 had settled upon lake and wood made the firing of a 
 gun fatal to his purpose. 
 
 Scarce a score of feet were necessary for the fleeing 
 Indian to discover that he was overmatched in the 
 race, and his white foe was overhauling him very 
 speedily. Seeing that there was no hope in this course, 
 the savage suddenly plunged overboard, going like a 
 loon far under the water. 
 
 " You won't get away from me in that style," mut- 
 tered Jud, who was terribly in earnest, and resolved on 
 using up this redskin. 
 
 With paddle poised in hand, he awaited the rising of 
 the bronzed head, which came to the surface a short 
 distance away, when he shot toward it. 
 
 There was a curious sense of honor about Jud Jud- 
 kins which prevented him ending this contest, as he 
 might easily have done, within the next dozen seconds ; 
 but it seemed so unfair to him to remain in the boat 
 while his antagonist was in the water, that he made a 
 leap toward him, and thus placed themselves upon an 
 equal footing if such a term can be used where 
 neither of them had any footing at all. 
 
 But the dusky dog had no wish to encounter, even 
 under these parallel circumstances, the terrible Jud, of 
 whom he had probably heard before, and the minute 
 the hunter was within striking distance, he sank out of 
 sight.
 
 H4 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Jud, with his knife between his teeth, dived after 
 him, missed him, came up first, and calmly awaited his 
 reappearance; but second after second passed away, 
 and he saw nothing of him. He glanced in every di- 
 rection, so as to make sure of not losing him in the 
 semi-darkness, but nothing was to be seen of him. 
 
 " He's gone under for good," he thought; "so 
 blamed skeart that he daren't come up again." 
 
 To make sure he swam slowly around in a small cir- 
 cle, but with no better result than before. 
 
 There lay the two canoes from which the occupants 
 had leaped, silent and motionless. The faint moonlight 
 reflected from the water, gave the hunter quite an ex- 
 tended field of vision. 
 
 The keenness with which he scanned the whole area 
 of the circle that bounded his vision, made it impossible 
 for a fish to come to the surface without being discov- 
 ered. Jud was satisfied that the Sioux, although a 
 skillful swimmer, could not have gone, at the utmost, 
 more than fifty feet under the water, while the radius 
 of his vision was more than double that. 
 
 What other possible solution of his continued disap- 
 pearance than that he had been drowned ? 
 
 The island was a hundred yards off, so that the 
 Sioux could have taken no advantage of its proximity, 
 and it was physically impossible for any living creature 
 to remain under the water, without breathing, for the 
 several minutes that had already elapsed since the sub- 
 mergence of the redskin.
 
 THE RED PLUME 115 
 
 The action of this fellow in leaving the main body of 
 the Indians, and heading across the lake toward the 
 river, satisfied Jud that he was a messenger who had 
 been despatched to some point to procure help in the re- 
 duction of the house and the destruction of the inmates. 
 If, therefore, he could be cut off, without the knowl- 
 edge of those who sent him, it will be seen that a vast 
 deal of good might be done, and it was not at all un- 
 likely that, could it be accomplished without the dis- 
 covery upon the part of the others, the lives of the en- 
 tire party of whites might be saved by it. 
 
 This will explain the caution and determination with 
 which the hunter undertook the business. 
 
 " Never mind he is gone, and it amounts to the 
 same thing," he muttered, as he swam leisurely toward 
 his boat. " They'll have to send another messenger, 
 afore they'll get any more of the skunks out here." 
 
 He rested some minutes, listening for sounds from 
 the scenes of the recent conflicts; but the silence still 
 continued. During the single dive that he made, Edith 
 Prescott had fired her pistol, and " killed her man," so 
 that the report had not reached him, and he had no sus- 
 picion of what had happened there during the last half 
 hour. 
 
 Perhaps five minutes had passed, when Jud dipped 
 his paddle in the water and started toward shore. At 
 this instant he observed that the other canoe was gone ! 
 
 "By the living jingo! " he exclaimed, with one of 
 his quiet laughs, " that was a powerful smart trick 1 '*
 
 Ii6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 So it was. The Indian, when he made his last dive, 
 had gone under his own canoe, and came up on the 
 other side of it. While Jud was looking wonderingly 
 around for him, he was working his own boat toward 
 shore, so slowly that it was unperceived even by the 
 sharp-eyed hunter; and when the latter, with his face 
 turned partly from him, sat listening, he improved his 
 opportunity to the utmost, and succeeded in a very brief 
 time in putting himself beyond all danger.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE TORCH 
 
 WHILE Jud Judkins was engaged with the Sioux 
 upon the lake (and so cleverly outwitted, as we have 
 shown), a scarcely less interesting encounter had taken 
 place upon the land, with the prospect of producing far 
 more serious results. 
 
 After the hasty admission of the negro Cato into the 
 councils of the besieged, there was comparative quiet 
 for some time. The Sioux had received indisputable 
 demonstration of the fierceness of resistance they had 
 to encounter, and they held off until they could devise 
 some less dangerous means of bringing the whites to 
 submission. 
 
 It was about this time that the messenger was sent 
 across the lake, for the purpose of procuring reinforce- 
 ments, and was compelled to turn back by the hunter 
 Jud. The truth of the matter was that the Indians had 
 been so weakened by their losses that they saw their 
 purposes could scarcely be accomplished except by ad- 
 ditional help, or by springing some unexpected and un- 
 prepared-for scheme upon them. 
 
 They had already suffered so severely at their hands 
 that they were incited by the basest of passions re-
 
 n8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 venge ; and there was no mercy to be expected if any of 
 the whites should fall into their power. 
 
 The great ally upon which the Indians counted was 
 fire, and it was this that our friends feared more than 
 anything else. Could the torch be applied to the build- 
 ing, and the flames get fairly started, it would burn 
 like touch-wood, and the death struggle would be pre- 
 cipitated upon them. 
 
 The barn was in dangerous proximity, and there was 
 no possibility of preventing this from being fired, and 
 both Prescott and Fielding wondered that this natural 
 recourse had been left so long. 
 
 But the Sioux had sufficient reasons for their for- 
 bearance. In the first place, the night was so calm that 
 it was only a possibility of the flames reaching the 
 house, while the broad glare would be likely to expose 
 some of them to the unerring rifles of those within. 
 
 There were several shadowy forms flitting in and 
 out the barn constantly, only waiting until the spring- 
 ing up of a breeze, or until orders were given to apply 
 the torch. The horses had already been removed, and 
 there was almost a quarrel over the division of 
 the plunder. 
 
 Among the shadowy figures that were sometimes 
 within the barn, was Red Plume, who, in this manner, 
 kept himself informed of the movements of his ene- 
 mies. 
 
 The incipient wrangle which began, on account of 
 the rival claimants of different parties to the horses
 
 THE RED PLUME 119 
 
 broke out again, and became serious, three separate 
 warriors mingling in it and drawing their knives. 
 
 It would have been a good thing for the whites could 
 this have continued until it came to blows, as every in- 
 jury inflicted by the Sioux upon each other was pre- 
 cisely so much gain to our friends. 
 
 Unfortunately, however, the man who succeeded 
 Jarrik, as leader, was equal to the occasion. Seeing 
 that his followers were becoming too much incensed to 
 listen to reason, he seized one of the horses by the head, 
 cut its throat, and then sent a bullet through the brain 
 of the other, settling the dispute, as did the captors of 
 Miss MacCrea, a hundred years before. 
 
 There being nothing left for the redskins to dispute 
 over, they naturally stopped disputing, and all became 
 serene again. They accepted the situation, and were 
 only the more eager to avenge themselves upon the 
 innocent. 
 
 As the time passed, the vigilance of those within, 
 if possible, increased. Mrs. Prescott and Cato took 
 their position near Lige, who muttered that he did not 
 need their presence, and seemed specially vengeful to- 
 ward his sable companion. 
 
 Mrs. Prescott, however, would not allow the servant 
 to depart, and so the three remained together. The 
 husband was equally faithful in guarding another side 
 of the house, while Dinah was omnipresent, and kept 
 her kettle " boiling hot, " ready and anxious to give
 
 120 THE RED PLUME 
 
 another bath to those who had so maltreated her 
 " infant. " 
 
 Fielding was a sort of general-in-chief. He had re- 
 turned to his station in the third story, from which 
 point he was unremitting in his vigilance. His prin- 
 cipal aim was to detect and frustrate the strategic 
 schemes of the redskins, and at the same time be on 
 the lookout for any signals that his friends might make. 
 
 Great as was the peril that had hung over the party 
 for the last few hours, the Friend had fired his gun but 
 once, and that, as will be remembered, was aimed at no 
 one, and only intended to assist Red Plume in his 
 flight from the building. Up to this point, he felt that 
 he had been a consistent Quaker, but there was no tell- 
 ing how long that pleasant feeling would continue. 
 
 The dim moonlight was just sufficient for the whites 
 to detect any insidious approach of their foes. The 
 house being surrounded by a clearing on every side, 
 any savage was thus exposed to their bullets, and hence 
 the necessity of the extremest caution in any attempt 
 they might choose to make. 
 
 The danger incurred by the Sioux has been made 
 clear to the reader. It was not only necessary to reach 
 the building, but to remain there until preparations 
 could be completed, and a fire kindled. 
 
 Once beside the house, the inmates could not fire 
 down upon their assailants, but they had a potent ally 
 in Dinah, who harbored her boiling water with an ap- 
 preciative sense of its value, while the windows and
 
 THE RED PLUME 1 21 
 
 (doors made it easy for them to open suddenly, do what 
 shooting they chose, and close and secure them again 
 before any harm would be likely to befall them. 
 
 All this was understood by no one better than the as- 
 sailants themselves, whose tardiness in making any real 
 courageous attack, is thus explained. 
 
 The vigilant Fielding was alone in the upper story, 
 intently scanning the lake and clearing, watching and 
 listening, when a slight noise on the roof, directly over- 
 head caught his ear, and drew his attention in that di- 
 rection. 
 
 There was a small trap-door here, secured from 
 within, and barely sufficient to admit the passage of a 
 moderately-sized man. The slight rustling, when it 
 struck his ear, was immediately beside this, and he sus- 
 pected at once that there was an Indian on the roof 
 seeking to enter the building from that direction. 
 
 But how came he there? was the question which 
 the Friend involuntarily asked himself. 
 
 That he had come up from the kitchen roof was his 
 first supposition but, when he came to reflect upon it, 
 that seemed impossible in the face of those below. 
 Then he reflected that he might have taken advantage 
 of some adjoining tree; but this was still more im- 
 probable, as there was no tree near enough to make it 
 possible, even for such a gymnast as Hanlon. 
 
 However, it was certain that some one was there, 
 and it was no time for speculation or theorizing. If he 
 was there, it was for no good.
 
 122 THE RED PLUME 
 
 The great apprehension of Fielding was, that he 
 would set fire to the dry material of the roof, before he 
 could be prevented. 
 
 Then came the hope that perhaps it was Jud or Red 
 Plume ; but " sober second thought " dissipated this 
 last hope. 
 
 The treacherous savage could be heard slowly crawl- 
 ing along the roof as if he had not yet reached the 
 point he was seeking, 'although, as we have stated, he 
 was in the immediate proximity of the trap-door. 
 
 The latter was secured by an ordinary wooden but- 
 ton, but as the outer side offered no projection for seiz- 
 ing it, this was all-sufficient. 
 
 There was no light in Fielding's room, and taking 
 one of the chairs, he placed it directly beneath the trap- 
 door, and stood upon it, so that his head was brought 
 directly beneath it, and he could hear distinctly any 
 movement upon the outside. 
 
 Standing thus, he listened, but the slight disturbance 
 had ceased. Satisfied, however, that only a few inches 
 separated him from one of the " heathen, " he became 
 the more alarmed at the profound stillness. 
 
 Softly he turned the button, and then gently pressed 
 upward, but the door did not move. He pushed with 
 more force, but with no better result. Then he knew 
 the reason why. 
 
 The Indian was upon it! 
 
 Fielding stepped down again, and picked up his gun. 
 He was certain that the Sioux was crouching upon the
 
 THE RED PLUME 123 
 
 3oor, and he was none the less certain that the three- 
 quarter inch pine board of which it was composed, 
 could be perforated by the ball, as though it were card 
 paper, and the Indian slain by the same missile with as 
 much ease and certainty as if he stood clearly revealed 
 before him. 
 
 He raised the hammer of his gun, but immediately 
 lowered it again, and set the weapon back. 
 
 " It may be Red Plume; but, even if a heathen, I 
 will not needlessly shed his blood. " 
 
 Once more he pressed against the door, and it 
 yielded. The Indian had moved off it. Raising it 
 scarcely an inch, he peered through the narrow open- 
 ing, and his heart gave a leap as he saw a small star- 
 like point of light, on the lower edge of the roof. 
 
 The Sioux had already set fire to the building! 
 
 As he gazed, the Friend caught the outlines of the 
 Indian in a stooping position, and intently busy with 
 his incendiary work. He had gathered together a little 
 bunch of dry twigs, which he had probably brought 
 with him, and by means of a common lucifer match, 
 had ignited them. 
 
 The blaze as yet was but a mere point, and he was 
 carefully nursing it by encircling it with the palms of 
 his hands and gently blowing it. 
 
 It would have been the easiest matter in the world 
 for Fielding to have thrust the muzzle of his gun out 
 of the trap-door, and doubled up the redskin like a 
 jack-knife. But he hesitated. So long as there was 3
 
 I2 4 THE RED PLUME 
 
 possibility of accomplishing his purpose in any other 
 way, he was not willing to shed blood, and he thought 
 he saw his way clear. 
 
 When the Quaker assumed the upright position upon 
 the chair, his head and shoulders protruded through 
 the uplifted door, and he quickly but silently laid it 
 over upon the roof. At the same instant he leaped out 
 as nimbly as a monkey, landing, in a stooping position, 
 within twenty inches of the redskin. 
 
 The latter heard the rush and thud as he struck the 
 roof, and leaving the blaze to itself, turned his head 
 with the quickness of lightning. 
 
 Before the contracted pupil of his eye could accom- 
 modate itself to the gloom toward which it was turned, 
 a clenched fist struck him in the face, very much after 
 the manner of a sledge-hammer. 
 
 He threw out his arms and endeavored to clutch his 
 assailant, but he was taken at too much disadvantage, 
 and went off the roof backward. 
 
 " Go thy way in peace ! " remarked Fielding, as he 
 saw his heels disappear over the eaves. 
 
 And the Sioux obeyed him. 
 
 Subsequent discoveries led to the supposition that 
 this Indian struck upon his head, and, as he fell quite a 
 distance, he never rose arain. 
 
 It was the work of a few seconds for Fielding to 
 dash out the tiny blaze, which was just then beginning 
 to eat into the roof. He then made a hasty survey, to 
 be sure that the fire had been started nowhere else.
 
 THE RED PLUME 125 
 
 Finding nothing, he leisurely descended through the 
 trap-door, and fastened it after him. 
 
 " Verily, the heathen are seeking to encompass our 
 ruin," was his truthful reflection as he quietly took hi? 
 station and looked cautiously forth for signs either of 
 his friends or enemies. 
 
 Fielding had acquitted himself brilliantly, beyond 
 question ; but when he had cooled down somewhat, and 
 had time to reflect upon the extraordinary occurrence 
 in which he had participated, he was made more uneasy 
 and apprehensive by it than from anything that had 
 happened since the beginning of the siege. 
 
 It was unaccountable to him how this Indian reached 
 the highest portion of the roof without detection. He 
 could not believe that it had been done through col- 
 lusion with Lige, who, as he believed, had made such 
 a splendid and timely shot an hour or so before, and 
 besides, even if he was treacherous enough to do such 
 a thing, he had companions with him who would detect 
 the scheme the instant it was attempted. 
 
 The cause for alarm was the probability that the 
 Indians had found some way of reachin- the most vul- 
 nerable portion of the building, of which the inmates 
 knew nothing, and which, if they should discover, they 
 were unable to stop. 
 
 While the Quaker was thus reflecting 1 , he observed a 
 gradual lighting up of the lake in front of him. He 
 found that his range of vision was becoming more and 
 more extended, and but a few minutes passed when he
 
 126 THE RED PLUME 
 
 caught the faint outlines of the island far out in the 
 lake. 
 
 At the same instant the glow was reflected against 
 the sky with a peculiar redness which left no doubt in 
 his mind as to what it meant. 
 
 A moment later, Cato came tearing up the stairs, 
 fairly wild. 
 
 " O de gracious hebbin ! Massa Fielding ! what do 
 you s'pose de darkies hab done ? Dey're set fire to your 
 house, and it's all burnin' up ! Golly, ain't my old wo- 
 man mad ! " 
 
 " I thank thee, Cato, for the information, but I dis- 
 covered it a few minute*, ago. Do thou go below and 
 assist thy kind mother in watching against the stealthy 
 approach of the heathen. " 
 
 The negro stood for a moment staring in blank 
 amazement at the dark form of the Quaker, just visible 
 against the field of partial light behind him. Then he 
 turned about and retraced his steps, muttering: 
 
 " I don't b'lieve he'd get mad if somebody should set 
 fire and burn him up. " 
 
 Cato carried the intelligence of his reception to his 
 mother, who was indignant that the matter was taken 
 so coolly by the one principally concerned. 
 
 "It's jis' like some folks!" she replied. "When 
 you was out dar, singin' out to me in your sweet voice 
 to come and help you, he jus' put his arms 'round me, 
 give me a big hug, and wouldn't let me go out to you. 
 Wai, I'm sartin if he doesn't care, / doesn't ! "
 
 THE RED PLUME 127 
 
 And with this philosophic conclusion she bustled 
 around the room, and examined the water to see 
 whether it was boiling. 
 
 " Dar ain't any dat water to spare, and, Cato, you 
 mustn't get dry " 
 
 " O mommy ! " burst out the infant, " I know'd dar 
 was sumfin' I forgot ! I'm jist as dry as a fish. " 
 
 The probabilities were that the boy would not have 
 become sensible of his condition for a long time but for 
 this reminder upon the part of his parent. 
 
 " Shet up!" said she, spitefully; " jis' like you. 
 Which would you ruther hev, one ob dem darkies crawl 
 in de winder and kill us all, or go a little dry? " 
 
 But the spoiled child could not be reasoned out of 
 his crying mood, and he knew he had but to persevere 
 a few minutes longer to succeed. So it came about 
 that a large portion of the hydrogen on hand went 
 down the capacious throat of Cato, and the stock of 
 water, as a consequence, was rendered much less, and 
 all the more precious. 
 
 " Now, you go up stairs and help Lige watch, " said 
 she. " You ain't no good hyar, and de next thing will 
 be you'll ax for sumfm' to eat. " 
 
 Thus reminded, the son all at once became raven- 
 ously hungry, and there was no quieting him until he 
 had surrounded a fearful quantity of food. 
 
 Then, reflecting that there was nothing more that 
 he was capable of doing for the benefit of his corporeal 
 existence, he made his way to the second story, where
 
 I2 8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 the other negro was alone at his station, Mrs. Prescott 
 having rejoined her husband a few minutes previous. 
 
 Cato was in the best of humor, and slapping the 
 other African on the shoulder, asked him, in the heart- 
 iest manner. 
 
 " How yer gettin' 'long, Lige? " 
 
 The latter started, as if he had been detected in a 
 guilty act, and turned savagely toward him. 
 
 " What yer hit me dat way fur ? Don't you know 
 nuffin'?" 
 
 " 'Course I does, I tinks I knows a good deal, and 
 my mommy says I'm the smartest colored gentleman 
 in Minnesota. " 
 
 " Your mommy is a big fool ! " 
 
 " Better be keerful, Lige ; dat's dangerous to talk 
 dat way. " 
 
 Lige looked at him in the most contemptuous 
 disgust. 
 
 " Who 'saf eared ob you?" 
 
 "I didn't mean me; I meant mommy. If she should 
 hear you speak so unspectfully ob her she'd 'light onto 
 you." 
 
 " Oh, dat's it ! What you come up here fur ? " 
 
 " To help you watch. " 
 
 And reminded of his duty by his own answer to the 
 question, Cato leaned forward and took a stare out the 
 window, and then stepped back again. 
 
 " Wall, you can jist go back, fur I don't want yer." 
 
 " Dat don't make no difference : mommy told me to
 
 THE RED PLUME 129 
 
 come, and if I don't she'll make me. She don't keer 
 fur you. " 
 
 " You jist go back, and tell her I sent you. ' : ' 
 
 " Git out ! I ain't goin' to do no such a ting. You 
 talk as though you was boss round dese parts. " 
 
 If there was any one in the building who suspected 
 the fealty of this evil fellow, Cato was certainly not 
 among them He had been associated with him for a 
 considerable time and only knew him as a sullen, sulky 
 negro, who often muttered threats against his em- 
 ployer, and, in fact, with all whom he came in contact 
 
 But these, even when they came to the knowledge of 
 Mr. Prescott, were looked upon as the harmless ex- 
 pressions of the chronic discontent of Lige, and were 
 forgotten as soon as they were uttered. 
 
 Cato feared his mother more than he did Lige, al- 
 though he had several bouts with the latter, who was 
 was his master in every respect, and, if he chose, could 
 have picked him up and cast him out the window. 
 
 But the infant had no fear of any such calamity be- 
 falling him. His mother was within " striking " 
 distance, and he had a voice which, it has been shown, 
 was all potent to bring her through any danger to his 
 assistance. 
 
 So Cato backed up against the wall, and gradually 
 slid down until he reached the floor, where he took an 
 easy position, so as to do his duty as sentinel, with as 
 little personal discomfort as possible.
 
 I jo THE RED PLUME 
 
 " When you see anything, Lige, jist let me know and 
 I'll git up and take a look. " 
 
 " Yas; you go to sleep, " replied Lige, hoping to get 
 rid of his companion through the aid of somnolence. 
 
 " You needn't think I'm goin' to sleep," was the in- 
 dignant retort of Cato, at this slur upon his vigilance. 
 " I kin keep awake as long as de next feller ; longer too, 
 if I want to." 
 
 " Who said you couldn't, you big fool ? But nobody 
 wants you here, and if you's agwine to stay, you kin 
 jist as well shet yer eyes as open them." 
 
 " I tell you I ain't sleepy not a bit." 
 
 Even while he spoke, the words of Cato became 
 thick and heavy, and Lige knew well enough that he 
 would be unconscious within the next ten minutes. 
 
 So he kept him mumbling and talking aimlessly, un- 
 til, finally, he was overcome his head drooped, and 
 he knew no more of terrestrial things. 
 
 In the meantime, the conflagration of Fielding's 
 house went on without interruption. Once started, 
 there were no means at hand to check it, and not one 
 of the four men who were crouching outside enter- 
 tained any thought of interfering with this work of the 
 Sioux. When the latter had made sure that it was 
 doomed, they set up a series of howls and whoops, 
 which continued a few minutes, when they all de- 
 parted. 
 
 Less than half an hour had passed, when old Jud
 
 THE RED PLUME 131 
 
 touched the arm of Captain Swarthausen, and pointed 
 across the lake. 
 
 " That looks as though they hadn't forgot you, Cap- 
 tin." 
 
 " Thunderation ! " muttered the latter, as the deep 
 gloom at the point indicated was lit up by a rapidly in- 
 creasing light, which soon revealed the house of the 
 soldier enveloped in fire. 
 
 " Ain't it lucky we left there when we did ? " whis- 
 pered Muggins, cuddling down as though fearful the 
 blaze would reveal his hiding-place. 
 
 " I don't know whether it is or not," replied the 
 Captain ; " if we had staid there we might have pre- 
 vented this." 
 
 " No, you wouldn't," remarked Jud ; " they'd burned 
 that up, and all of you in it, if you hadn't got up and 
 got, jist at the time. Do you know what that is all 
 done for? " 
 
 " I suppose because they wish to injure us all they 
 can I can see no other reason." 
 
 " You haven't got the idea, so I'll give it to you. 
 They've burned down the Quaker's house, and there 
 goes yours. The next will be the barn, and then every- 
 thing will be ready to open on this house here." 
 
 " I don't understand what you mean." 
 
 " You see they want to fix things, so if they do git 
 the folks out, they'll have a fair chance at 'em. They 
 might manage to git into Fielding's house, and if druv
 
 ,32 THE RED PLUME 
 
 out of there, might be able to reach yours ; so as to save 
 all that, they've burned 'em both down, and if they 
 have to leave here, there won't be any other that can 
 be turned to account. Do you see?" 
 
 " Yes ; but they haven't burned the barn as yet." 
 
 " That'll go next, and then it'll begin to git hot 
 around here." 
 
 "Yes," said Muggins, taking the hunter literally; 
 " we'll have to crawl out into a cooler place, where the 
 fire can't reach us." 
 
 " That won't be so easy," laughed Jud ; " that'll be 
 about time for us to take a hand in the business." 
 
 " Well, it may as well end one way or other. I only 
 wish my nephew, George, could appear about this time, 
 with a squad of Minnesota cavalry, that have been in 
 this kind of work before. The greatest enjoyment for 
 me, in this business of war, is to see a big body of the 
 enemy, especially when they are such a set of devils as 
 these, at the very moment when they are sure of suc- 
 cess, pounced down upon by a lot of fellows, wild and 
 furious as a tornado. I have '~elped in such matters 
 many a time, and I tell you it is the keenest kind of fun, 
 and makes an old soldier like me proud of my profes- 
 sion." 
 
 " I don't see much chance of that happening." 
 
 " No ; George is not far away, but he is too far to be 
 reached in time to help us." 
 
 "I am afraid so," added Captain Swarthausenj
 
 THE RED PLUME 133 
 
 " and if these reinforcements do not come to the In- 
 dians, I see no reason why we shouldn't hold our own 
 against them." 
 
 " Nor I, either, ' was the emphatic response of old 
 Jud.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 THE FLAMES 
 
 IT seemed as if the Sioux were exhaustless in their 
 schemes for reducing the besieged cottage without re- 
 sorting to an open attack. 
 
 The house of Captain Swarthausen burned fiercely 
 for a time, but it had hardly begun to die away, when 
 Prescott, from his lookout, became aware of still an- 
 other stratagem of their enemies. 
 
 On the edge of the clearing, at the point where both 
 the negroes had first presented themselves, he detected 
 a movement, which, for a time, he was unable to com- 
 prehend, but which he knew was another demonstra- 
 tion of the Indians. 
 
 What caught his eye, was a dark, irregular body^ 
 which it was impossible to identify so long as it re- 
 mained in the gloom and shadow of the wood; but 
 when shortly after it moved out into the clearing, he 
 saw that it was a number of boards or planks, rudely 
 fastened together, and intended, no doubt, to serve as a 
 bullet-proof screen in their advance against the build- 
 ing. 
 
 Against this device it was impossible for the besieged 
 to protect themselves. It was an easy matter for the 
 
 134
 
 THE RED PLUME 135 
 
 redskins to keep their persons hid, and so long as they 
 did so, no bullet could reach them. 
 
 Here, then, was work for Red Plume and Jud. They 
 alone could frustrate the plan, and, failing to do so, the 
 most unfortunate results were sure to follow. 
 
 The Sioux penetrated the design, even before it was 
 acted upon, and noiselessly making his way to where 
 the three men were concealed, told them, in his broken 
 English, that the time had come for them to go to the 
 assistance of their friends. 
 
 " I'd like to go very much," said Muggins, " if I can 
 be of any help, but it seems to me that is that I had 
 better wait here until everything is ready. Don't you 
 think so, Jud?" 
 
 " Oh ! we don't want you ; you needn't be so skeert." 
 
 " I ain't frightened in the least. I am only speaking 
 for the good of the whole company, you see." 
 
 Captain Swarthausen supposed, as a matter of 
 course, that he was to accompany the two, but when he 
 crawled out and rose to his feet, the hunter gently 
 shoved him back again. 
 
 " We can do better without you, Captain ; you'll 
 have to wait a little while for your turn." 
 
 He stared a moment, as if he did not understand the 
 meaning of this repulse ; but, convinced that there was 
 some work to do whose nature was too delicately dan- 
 gerous for him, he merely bowed and sat down again. 
 
 The two scouts instantly separated, so as to approach 
 the novel machine of war from different directions. It
 
 136 THE RED PLUME 
 
 required but a very short time for them to reach the de- 
 sirable stand-points. 
 
 As they did so, they saw that the planking or shield 
 was carefully carried by three Indians, who were mov- 
 ing in a crouching posture, and were securely concealed 
 from the most vigilant watcher within the house. 
 
 There would have been no difficulty in shooting an 
 Indian apiece from where our friends stood, and Jud 
 even thought that he could wipe out two with his own 
 weapon, by manoeuvring so as to get them in the right 
 range. 
 
 But both were anxious, if possible, to manage the 
 business in such a way that the watching and observant 
 Sioux would be deceived as to the directions from 
 which the shots came. So long as this deception could 
 be carried out, it inured greatly to the advantage of the 
 defenders, as it intensified the appreciation the aborigi- 
 nes already felt of their wide-awake characteristics. 
 
 There was but one way by which this could be done, 
 and even that was more likely to fail than succeed. 
 
 If the Sioux should manage to place themselves 
 against the side of the house, they would be apt to ex- 
 pose themselves, before they could get fairly to work; 
 and to kindle their fire, they would be compelled to 
 leave their shell altogether. 
 
 But whether, in the collection of their material with 
 which to kindle a fire, they would wander far enough 
 away to place themselves within range of the guns, re- 
 mained to be seen.
 
 THE RED PLUMB 137 
 
 The probabilities were, that they would not, and yet, 
 if they did, then would be the opportunity of the 
 scouts. 
 
 As one half of the ventriloquist's art consists in mak- 
 ing his audience believe they are going to hear his 
 words from the point toward which he has directed 
 their attention, so there was some likelihood that even 
 the keen-eared Sioux would not detect the exact loca- 
 tion of the sharpshooters, who had taken upon them- 
 selves the task of turning back, for a short time at least, 
 the great danger from conflagration. 
 
 This " consummation so devoutly to be wished," 
 however, was frustrated. An entirely unlooked-for 
 and inexplainable action upon the part of the Sioux, 
 rendered unnecessary any demonstration from the two 
 men, who were so eagerly awaiting the opportunity to 
 put two more of their enemies out of the way. 
 
 The three redskins who were steadily advancing 
 with their shield before them, had almost reached the 
 house, when they came to a halt, and remained sta- 
 tionary for several minutes. 
 
 While they were standing thus, Jud heard a faint 
 whistle from the wood behind them. Immediately 
 after, the plank structure began moving, but in a back- 
 ward direction. 
 
 This retrogression continued until the wood was 
 reached, when the shield was thrown down, and they 
 scattered among the trees, and all was still again. 
 
 Neither Jud nor Red Plume, with all their wood-
 
 I 3 8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 lore, could comprehend the meaning of this singular 
 action. 
 
 " P'raps they didn't start right, and are going to 
 try it over again," he muttered, waiting for the re- 
 appearance of the curious structure. 
 
 But minute after minute passed, and nothing more 
 was seen of it. Convinced, at last, that this stratagem 
 was abandoned, Jud stealthily made his way back to his 
 two friends, where he was speedily followed by Red 
 Plume. 
 
 Here the two hunters exchanged notes, and found 
 that neither could enlighten the other. Nothing re- 
 mained to them but conjecture. 
 
 " I'll be hanged if I understand it," said Jud, scratch- 
 ing his head, and addressing himself particularly to 
 Captain Swarthausen. "J ust at the minute when it 
 looked as though the blamed thing was going to do the 
 business for them, they jist backs out, and gives it all 
 up." 
 
 " You said they were signalled to ? " 
 
 " Exactly." 
 
 " The signal was perhaps intended as a warning that 
 danger threatened them, and they acted the part of dis- 
 cretion." 
 
 " It wasn't that," was the decided reply of the hun- 
 ter. " Ef the redskins had larned that we was waiting 
 for the chance, how long do you s'pose they would have 
 waited before they'd sent a dozen bullets through us? " 
 
 " I see."
 
 THE RED PLUME 139 
 
 ' You'll have to hit on something else, before you 
 can tell us the reason they backed out." 
 
 " If you can't explain it, there is no use of my trying, 
 so I give up the conundrum. But I do think " 
 
 " Sh ! " interrupted Red Plume, who was stretched 
 flat upon the earth, and who had detected something 
 suspicious. 
 
 The party, as we have intimated in another place, 
 were concealed under a dense growth of shrubbery, 
 their hiding-place being reached by their crawling un- 
 der it, and maintaining a prone position, so as not to 
 disturb the vegetation around them. 
 
 When they conversed, it was in such cautious under- 
 tones that they could barely hear each other, and there 
 was no danger of their voices reaching the ears of oth- 
 ers for whom they were not intended. 
 
 But, for all that, Red Plume had detected the 
 stealthy tread of a moccasin, and had given instant 
 warning. 
 
 At this instant none of the others had heard it, but 
 Jud's suspicions of the cause of the alarm were in- 
 stantly confirmed by detecting the same faint sound. 
 
 Some Indian was coming that way, certainly, though 
 they could hardly believe he was searching for them, as 
 they had used such caution and circumspection in their 
 movements, that both were certain they had not been 
 observed. 
 
 There were savages all around them, but as they
 
 140 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 moved freely and without suspicion of being observed, 
 they were the more easily avoided. 
 
 Soon the interloper came so near that all heard him. 
 He seemed to be walking slowly by, as though he were 
 searching for something. When directly opposite, he 
 halted, so close, that even in the gloom Red Plume 
 could distinguish the outlines of his figure. 
 
 Here he stood a short time, as if in the attitude of 
 listening, and then, instead of moving away, walked 
 still nearer, and parted the bushes. 
 
 As he leaned over, he was visible to every one of the 
 four men, who almost held their breath. Both Jud 
 and Red Plume clutched their knives ready for the in- 
 stant use, which seemed inevitable. 
 
 But the four were literally immersed in darkness, 
 and sharp as was the trained vision of the savage, he 
 could not detect the slightest sign of them. He stood 
 only a few seconds, when, apparently satisfied that 
 there was nothing there that needed looking after, he 
 moved on. 
 
 Not until he was fairly beyond all danger of hear- 
 ing, did one of the men break silence. 
 
 " Cracky ! he was looking for us," exclaimed Mug- 
 gins, with a great sigh of relief. 
 
 " If he had been, he would have found us," replied 
 Jud; " but he's gone, and we will think no more about 
 him. Red Plume ! " 
 
 Thus appealed to, the Indian listened to something 
 that was uttered in his own tongue. A few questions
 
 THE RED PLUME 141 
 
 and answers passed, when the old hunter turned to 
 Captain Swarthausen, by way of explanation. 
 
 " There's sumfin that looks worse than all ! " 
 
 "What's that?" 
 
 " In the last half hour there has a breeze come up." 
 
 "What of it?" 
 
 " And it's a northerly wind." 
 
 " And what of that?" 
 
 "That's from the barn right square toward the 
 house." 
 
 " Ah! I see what you mean. That is bad, isn't it? 
 You seem to feel certain that they will fire the barn." 
 
 " When I see that, I am," replied the hunter, point- 
 ing in the direction of the building referred to. 
 
 No one saw the point indicated, but they knew what 
 he meant, and every eye was turned to the north, and 
 immediately the appalling truth burst upon them. 
 
 The barn had been fired, and the wind was blowing 
 directly toward the house. No earthly power could 
 now save it!
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 THE FLIGHT 
 
 IT was far into the night when the barn burst out 
 into flames, and a strong, steady wind blew it power- 
 fully toward the light frame structure of the house. 
 
 For some time those within the building held strong 
 hopes of escaping a " burning out," but only a few 
 minutes were necessary to prove that nothing less than 
 a miracle could prevent the flames being communicated 
 to the roof over their heads. 
 
 Then Fielding looked hurriedly about him for quilts 
 and blankets. There was an abundance of these, and 
 he dashed down stairs to Dinah. 
 
 " Now, if thee will help me," he said, " we will 
 speedily saturate these with water, and I will hasten 
 through the trap door, and spread them upon the roof, 
 and thus perchance we may check the conflagration." 
 
 " What do you mean by saterate them? " asked the 
 cook, with her knuckles against her sides, and her arms 
 akimbo. 
 
 " Wet them soak them." 
 
 "What with?" 
 
 " Water, of course." 
 
 Dinah shook like an immense bowl of jelly. 
 
 142
 
 THE RED PLUME 143 
 
 " Dar ain't a peck ob water in de house ; my baby 
 drunked 'bout a bushel himself." 
 
 The Friend recoiled, thunderstruck. 
 
 " Verily, I am astonished," said he, almost in a de- 
 spairing tone. 
 
 " It would 'stonish anybody to see dat baby eat and 
 drink. Why, only toder day " 
 
 But the affrighted Friend did not stay to hear her 
 through. The next minute he was in the second story, 
 where Mr. and Mrs. Prescott were fairly stunned at 
 the magnitude of the calamity that had come upon 
 them so suddenly. 
 
 " We are lost ! we are lost ! " moaned the latter, 
 wringing her hands, and walking back and forth. 
 " Why do not Red Plume and Jud come to our assist- 
 ance? Have mercy, Heavenly Father!" 
 
 She was constantly praying to Him who alone could 
 save her, while the husband was beseeching help from 
 the same divine source. 
 
 " Do thee haste to the lower story, " commanded 
 Fielding, taking hold of each, and shoving them to- 
 ward the stairs. " We will all meet there, and prepare 
 to rush from the door." 
 
 The two mechanically obeyed him, hardly con- 
 scious of what they were doing, or what he had said; 
 and tarrying only long enough to make sure of his 
 order being heeded, the young man rushed into another 
 room for Lige and Cato. 
 
 This apartment was illuminated by the glare of the
 
 144 THE RED PLUME 
 
 burning barn, and the instant he burst open the door, 
 he saw the latter, curled up and sound asleep upon the 
 floor, while Lige was in the very act of climbing out 
 the window. 
 
 Like a panther, the Quaker leaped entirely across the 
 room, and catching the negro by the arm, drew him in 
 with such violence that he was thrown prostrate upon 
 his face. 
 
 The shock awoke Cato, who stared about him in 
 bewilderment. 
 
 " What de ole Harry is de matter? " he asked, blink- 
 ing and staring around in the strong light. " Dar must 
 be a 'clipse ob de moon, dat frowed Lige out ob bed, 
 and Master Fielding- am picking him up. " 
 
 By this time the baffled African was upon his feet, 
 sullen and scowling. 
 
 "What you catch hold me dat way fur?" he de- 
 manded, clutching and working his fingers as if he held 
 an invisible knife, which he was about to bury in the 
 body of the Friend. 
 
 " Thou wert running into great danger, for the hea- 
 then will see thee, and fire their guns at thee. " 
 
 " Wai, won't we git burned up if we stay h'ar? " 
 
 "It is not our intention to remain here. We pro- 
 pose to leave the house, but not by way of the 
 window. " 
 
 " How you gwine to git out den ? " 
 
 " Go to the lower floor, and when all is ready we 
 will make a rush, and perchance through the assistance
 
 THE RED PLUME 145 
 
 of Divine Providence, and our friends who are sta- 
 tioned on the outside, some of us may escape to a place 
 of safety. " 
 
 Lige stood without moving. Baffled at all points, 
 treated with rudeness and insult, he was about ready 
 for open revolt. The opportunity was good, when the 
 attention of those who esteemed themselves his masters 
 was taken up with the terrible danger upon them. 
 
 But when Lige looked up and saw the gleam of the 
 eyes that were fixed upon him, he quailed, and obeyed 
 like a whipped dog. Without a word he disappeared 
 down stairs. 
 
 At this juncture the voice of Dinah was heard call- 
 ing to her baby to hurry down, without an instant's 
 delay, and it is hardly necessary to say that her sum- 
 mons was not in vain. 
 
 Once more Fielding ran to the upper story to see 
 whether there was any possible means by which any 
 could escape from the building in that direction. 
 
 But there was none, and he hurried to the window 
 for some signal from his friends. They were on the 
 alert. On the edge of the clearing, next the lake, he 
 caught sight of an Indian, who instantly made a curi- 
 ous gesture with his arm ; but the Quaker understood 
 it, and he made a returning signal as a promise that the 
 advice of Red Plume would be followed. 
 
 As Fielding started to move away, he heard a crack- 
 ling noise over his head which arrested him. Listening
 
 146 THE RED PLUME 
 
 a moment, he sprang upon a chair, and slightly raised 
 the trap-door. 
 
 His worst fears were realized. The storm of blazing 
 cinders that filled the air had driven large numbers 
 upon the roof, and the twists of flame could be seen in 
 a dozen places, spreading and burning with a fierceness 
 which showed how good a fuel not only they, but the 
 whole building, were, and how speedily the entire 
 structure would be reduced to ashes. 
 
 The Sioux were wild with delight. They could be 
 seen leaping, and running, flinging their arms, screech- 
 ing, whooping, howling, and acting like so many imps 
 of darkness. 
 
 And justly so; for had they not triumphed at last? 
 They had lost a few of their number, but now they 
 could revenge themselves in whatsoever manner they 
 chose. The whole household were doomed, and a few 
 minutes more, and the victory would be complete. 
 
 The ingenuity of the human mind is wonderful, and 
 the shrewdness displayed by the friendly Sioux, in this 
 dreadful crisis, was amazing. It is a well-known fact 
 that, during the Minnesota massacres as has often 
 been the case before and since brave men were stupe- 
 fied by the appalling character of the danger which 
 burst so suddenly upon them. In one case a reeking 
 redskin leaped into a wagon, containing not only 
 women, but grown-up men, and tomahawked one after 
 the other, without any resistance, the men sitting with
 
 THE RED PLUME 147 
 
 drooping arms and stolid faces, and receiving the 
 death-blow without moving a muscle in defence. 
 
 But Red Plume was one of the few whose mind 
 seemed to rise above every peril encountered. The 
 greater its magnitude, the more fertile was he in his 
 intellectual resources. 
 
 The truth was, he had been through such scenes as 
 this before, and there was hardly a quickening of a 
 pulse-beat, as he partly screened himself in the edge of 
 the wood, and signalled to Fielding to bring himself 
 and friends from the front-door, and advance directly 
 across the clearing, where they would inevitably be 
 captured without exception. 
 
 Indeed the young Quaker displayed an ingenuity 
 scarcely second to that of his dusky friend. 
 
 He reasoned, that if the men ventured first, they 
 would instantly be shot down to prevent their escape, 
 while the women coming after, would be captured. As 
 the latter calamity was unavoidable, all that could be 
 
 clone was to avert the former. 
 
 ^ 
 
 The only method of doing this was for the fugitives 
 to rush out in a body. The presence of the females 
 would probably prevent their being fired upon but if 
 that failed, there was nothing more to be done. 
 
 The upper part of the house was one roaring mass of 
 flames, and there was imminent danger of the roof fall- 
 ing in every moment. 
 
 Fielding unbarred the front door with his own 
 hands.
 
 148 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Thou wilt place thine arm around thy wife," said 
 he, addressing Mr. Prescott, " and run for the large 
 oak which is on the edge of the clearing. ' 
 
 " But we cannot reach it; the consequences will be 
 certain death. " 
 
 "Think not of consequences, but do thy duty and 
 trust to God. " 
 
 "And you?" 
 
 " Will follow with Dinah and Lige and Cato. " 
 
 "Whar dat baby ob mine ? " demanded the African 
 mother, whirling round, and catching him by his ear. 
 " You take hold my hand, Cato, and if you tries to run 
 away, I'll whack you till you can't stand. " 
 
 " If by any possibility we should reach the wood? " 
 asked Prescott, turning to Fielding. 
 
 " Keep down the side of th e lake, and run as fast 
 as thou canst. " 
 
 In that solemn moment, when all stood, as it were, 
 in the very presence-chamber of death, it was but natu- 
 ral that an appeal should be sent up to the only Power 
 that could stretch forth its hand to save them. 
 
 And the whole party, excepting the negroes, who, it 
 may be said, had no realizing sense of their situation, 
 bowed their heads, and in silence sent up such an appeal 
 to God, as only the human heart can do, when the dark- 
 ness of death is closing around, and no mortal being 
 can help. Thus the soul turns instinctively to the one 
 great Source of strength. 
 
 The next moment Fielding drew the door wide open,
 
 THE RED PLUME 149 
 
 and Prescott and his wife stepped forth. At this time, 
 the burning barn and building lit up the clearing with 
 a light stronger than at noonday, and many a dark eye 
 was fixed upon them. 
 
 The pause was but for a moment, when both started 
 on a light run toward the point indicated by the Quaker 
 before starting. 
 
 They had not gone one half the distance when the 
 silence (which had lasted but a few seconds) was 
 broken by a whoop, and, at the same instant, three In- 
 dians were seen running diagonally across the clearing, 
 in such a direction as to intercept them. 
 
 " We are lost ! we are lost ! " moaned Mrs. Prescott, 
 about to sink to the earth, when her husband supported 
 her. 
 
 " Never mind ; they will only take us prisoners. " 
 
 The two made all haste, and, as they reached the 
 wood, found they were in the power of the trio of In- 
 dians, one of whom instantly took away Mr. Prescott's 
 gun. 
 
 At this juncture, Dinah, the cook, holding her baby 
 by one hand, while her arm, which looked like the leg 
 of a piano, rested upon that of Fielding, sallied forth. 
 
 She was of enormous size, weighing well nigh two 
 hundred ; and, as may be understood, was not capable 
 of going very fast ; but, under the urging and tugging 
 of Cato, she essayed a trot, which almost shook her to 
 pieces. 
 
 Scarcely a rod had been passed, when her foot
 
 150 THE RED PLUME 
 
 caught in some obstruction, and she capsized, despite 
 the heroic efforts of Fielding to prevent the catastro- 
 phe. 
 
 " Verily, I fear thou art grievously injured, " he 
 said, as, unmindful of his own great danger, he en- 
 deavored to help her on her feet. 
 
 " Should think I was! " she groaned, coming up by 
 degrees. " Whar's dat Cato ? Gone and runned 
 away ! Ah, dar he is ! " 
 
 And she caught sight of her undutiful child ap- 
 proaching, just at the moment he was seized in the iron 
 grip of a brawny savage. 
 
 " Drop dat pet ob mine ! " she fairly shrieked, bear- 
 ing down upon the Sioux like a lightning express train, 
 under tolerable headway, on a down grade ; she struck 
 him with a momentum that was irresistible, and the 
 Indian was shuffled a dozen feet or so before he could 
 check himself. 
 
 " I'll teach you to be interferin' wid oder folks' ba- 
 bies ! " she exclaimed, making another lunge at him, 
 while he ingloriously retreated, amid the laughter of 
 his comrades, and while Cato took shelter under the 
 wing of his parent. 
 
 " Whar dat Lige ? " asked the panting Dinah, glar- 
 ing around for the other sable gentleman, but failing 
 to see him. 
 
 " He has fled, " replied Fielding, who had seen him 
 slip off to one side and run in a different direction.
 
 THE RED PLUME 151 
 
 " Wall, he has allers been a heap ob trouble ; let him 
 go." 
 
 There were now something like a dozen Indians 
 grouped around the captives, and their intention was to 
 kill every one of them, although whether to do it now, 
 or to wait until daylight, was a question which seemed 
 unsettled by any of them. 
 
 But thus far everything had gone precisely as Red 
 Plume had anticipated, and it remained for him to give 
 another evidence of the extraordinary fertility of re- 
 source at his command. 
 
 The number of Sioux who held the captives in 
 charge was so large, that while there was a good pros- 
 pect of their being overpowered, yet Red Plume knew 
 it could not be done without a desperate fight, the 
 length of which would bring all the Sioux in the 
 neighborhood into it, and, in all probability, insure the 
 death of more than one member of the party. 
 
 His object, therefore, was to divert the attention of 
 the Sioux to another quarter, and to draw as large a 
 number as possible away from the prisoners. 
 
 Suddenly a peculiar whoop was heard from the other 
 side of the clearing, beyond and behind the blazing 
 house and barn. It was the Sioux call for assistance. 
 Something had been discovered of a startling nature, 
 and the majority of the redskins made a rush for the 
 spot at once. 
 
 Still, they did not forget their usual caution, and
 
 152 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 three of them, fully armed, remained in charge of those 
 whom they had already secured. 
 
 This, under ordinary circumstances, would have 
 been all sufficient, as these savages were armed to the 
 teeth, and the captives did not possess so much as a 
 single knife among them. 
 
 The Sioux had barely time to disappear, when a 
 voice at no great distance called to the fugitives : 
 
 " Now run, right down 'long the lake ! " 
 
 No one saw the speaker, but Fielding recognized the 
 voice as that of old Jud, and he lost not a moment in 
 obeying it. 
 
 " Now is our time, friends, " said he, " for truly that 
 was the voice of a friend. Heed not the heathens, but 
 make all haste. 
 
 Mr. Prescott and his wife made a rush down the side 
 of the lake, the Quaker, Dinah and Cato attempting to 
 follow. Lige was still invisible. 
 
 As may be supposed, they were hardly allowed to 
 start, when they were fiercely encountered by the three 
 Sioux who held them in charge. 
 
 Not the variation of a hair's breadth of the original 
 programme of Red Plume had as yet occurred. This 
 was precisely the number he had conjectured would be 
 left behind to guard the prisoners, and that which now 
 followed was calculated upon when he laid his course 
 of action. 
 
 The Indian who raised his tomahawk in the face of 
 Mr. Prescott, in such a threatening manner, was sud-
 
 THE RED PLUME 153 
 
 denly stricken to the earth, with his head cloven by the 
 weapon of Red Plume, who hurled it while he was yet 
 a rod distant. Almost at the same instant, old Jud 
 sprang forward, with a panther-like movement, and 
 buried his knife to the hilt in the back of the second, 
 just as Captain Swarthausen made a lunge with his 
 sword at the third, who dodged the blow with no little 
 skill, and succeeded in getting off in the woods without 
 a scratch. 
 
 Not a second could be spared. In a few minutes, at 
 most, the other Sioux would detect the trick that had 
 been played upon them, and would be back again. 
 
 Prescott and his wife resumed their flight, under the 
 pilotage of old Jud, while Red Plume lingered in the 
 rear, which was really the place of danger. 
 
 Dinah had rested sufficiently to recover her " wind " 
 and she now pitched forward again, like an overloaded 
 elephant, with the hand of Cato clasped firmly by her 
 own, while the kind-hearted Fielding still supported 
 her on the left. 
 
 In this order the flight was begun, and kept up with 
 desperate vigor, which it is almost impossible to realize. 
 Every one fully comprehended that it was a struggle 
 for life, and did his and her utmost. 
 
 The fugitives had not yet gotten beyond the glare of 
 the burning buildings, when several whoops told that 
 their flight had been discovered by the Sioux, and they 
 were in hot pursuit. 
 
 If they could get fairly within the darkness of the
 
 154 THE RED PLUME 
 
 wood before being discovered, there was a good pros* 
 pect of escape, as the Indians not only were unable to 
 follow their trail, but had no means of detecting the 
 direction they had taken. 
 
 Fully aware of this, Jud urged them to the utmost, 
 and the bulky Dinah threw her whole soul into the one 
 effort to get over the ground as fast as possible. 
 
 A person who for years has been accustomed to 
 walking at a moderate gait, is very apt to think it an 
 easy matter to run ; but when he comes to undertake it, 
 strange pains and sprains occur in different parts of 
 the body, and he is pretty certain to break down all at 
 once, and almost as soon as he starts. 
 
 So with the cook. She was just fairly under way, 
 when one of her ankles suddenly gave out and she 
 dropped as if shot. 
 
 " Dat's orful ! " she groaned, as Fielding again 
 helped her to her feet. " I b'leve dat leg is broke. Jus' 
 hear dem Injians yawp. " 
 
 " Strive thy best," said the mild-spoken Quaker ; 
 " there is a boat close at hand, in which thou canst 
 speedily rest thy weariness. " 
 
 " I should think I was doing my best, " she ejacu- 
 lated, as she managed to get on her feet again. 
 
 Old Jud would not allow Prescott and his wife to 
 pause, when the accident occurred to the cook. 
 
 " Ef we've got to lose any one, it may as well be 
 her, " he said, as he hurried them forward. " Like as 
 not she'll sink the boat anyway when she gets into it. tf
 
 THE RED PLUME 155 
 
 Mrs. Prescott was exhausted, and began to lag, see- 
 ing which, the hunter seized her arm and almost 
 carried her along. 
 
 It seemed that the whooping Sioux were all around 
 them. One thing was certain, they were not far be- 
 hind, and the danger of discovery was growing more 
 imminent each minute. 
 
 The boat in which they intended taking refuge, when 
 there appeared to be any safety in doing so, was still 
 some distance away, while, if the aborigines should 
 gain any idea of the line of retreat adopted by the fugi- 
 tives, they could easily intercept them, and turn the 
 whole party back in the woods again, there to fall into 
 their hands as soon as morning should come. 
 
 Thus far our friends had been tramping through the 
 woods ; but for a short distance there was an open space 
 for a hundred yards or so, and beyond this a dense 
 mass of undergrowth where the waiting boat lay con- 
 cealed. 
 
 It was the intention of old Jud not to expose himself 
 and friends to any additional danger, by entering this 
 place, but to skirt it until the dense bushes beyond were 
 reached ; but at the very moment he reached it, he saw 
 several shadowy forms move across the opposite end, 
 and he suddenly drew back. 
 
 " The varmints are there, " said he ; " follow me, 
 and be careful not to speak a word. " 
 
 It would have been the part of prudence for the 
 scout to leave his friends where they were, while he
 
 156 THE RED PLUME 
 
 went forward to reconnoitre, but time was now of such 
 importance that he took the more dangerous course of 
 allowing them to accompany him. 
 
 But, hurried as they were, he could not forget en- 
 tirely his usual habits of caution, and so considerable 
 time was consumed before the cover of the under- 
 growth was reached. 
 
 When, however they got within this again, nothing 
 was seen or heard of the Indians, and Jud stole for- 
 ward until he reached the edge of the lake, where he 
 was pleased to find the boat lying just as he had left it 
 hours before. 
 
 Prescott and his wife took their seats in the stern, 
 but the hunter did not enter. 
 
 " Stay here till I come back, " said he. " I must go 
 and see what has become of the rest. " 
 
 This was the very thing Prescott was about to ask 
 him to do, and so he bade him good speed on his errand 
 of duty. 
 
 The fact that nothing now was heard of those in the 
 rear, was ominous of evil, and Jud hurried through the 
 wood, expecting at every step to receive evidence of the 
 whole three being in the hands of the Sioux, as he knew 
 that the Friend was too chivalrous to desert even such 
 an humble individual as Dinah, the black cook, when 
 she was in peril, though he incurred a fate similar to 
 hers, by remaining. 
 
 But matters were found in a better condition than he 
 dared to hope. About half way to the point where they
 
 THE RED PLUME 157 
 
 had parted company, he encountered Cato, who at first 
 was disposed to run, but was quickly checked by the 
 cautious voice of the hunter, inquiring as to what was 
 the matter. 
 
 "Golly ! I was jist lookin' for you. " 
 
 " Sh ! not so loud ! Where's your mother? ** 
 
 "She's gib out " 
 
 "What's the matter?" 
 
 " She tried to jump ober a log, and sprained de off 
 leg, and has gib out. " 
 
 "Where is she?" 
 
 " Back yunder, a sittin* on de wery tree dat she 
 broke her neck ober. " 
 
 "Is Fielding with her?" 
 
 " Yas ; he's got a limb in his hand brushin' de flies 
 off ob her nose, and she sent me to tell you dat you'll 
 have to s'cuse her from runnin' any more races at 
 present. " 
 
 " It won't do for her to stay there, " said the hunter, 
 "the varmints are rampagin' through the woods. 
 Where's Captain Swarthausen ? " 
 
 " Jingo ! I hain't seen nuffin ob him since we 
 started. " 
 
 In the hurry and confusion of the flight, Captain 
 Swarthausen had become separated from the others; 
 but knowing where they all were to rendezvous, he 
 had probably purposely refrained from rejoining them, 
 and had continued on at such a prudent rate as to make 
 him considerably behind Jud in reaching the boat
 
 158 THE RED PLUME 
 
 From the beginning, Muggins had been set down as 
 of no account, and he was despatched to a point a half 
 mile down the lake, where they agreed to call for him 
 in case the company got off without accident. 
 
 Those, then, who might still be considered in great 
 peril were Fielding, and Dinah and her son. 
 
 Show me where they are, " commanded Judkins, in 
 his cautious manner, " and be careful not to make any 
 noise about it, and keep your gab shut." 
 
 "Dat's what I allers try to do," said Cato, as he led 
 the way. " I nebber was much ob a hand to talk, but 
 mother always said I was, and I said I wasn't, and so 
 yer see we had a 'spute ober it, and couldn't neber 
 agree 'bout it nohow " 
 
 But the scout was in no mood to listen to the lo- 
 quacity of the African, and he peremptorily closed his 
 month before he had time even to finish his sentence. 
 
 The shouts and whoops of the Indians had, in a 
 great measure, ceased; but this was no evidence that 
 they were not prosecuting the search with as great 
 vigor as ever. 
 
 The burning buildings had been mostly consumed, 
 and only a dull glare could be seen where, a short time 
 before the whole heavens were illuminated. The 
 property of the Prescotts had been destroyed, nothing 
 but the glowing embers being left where the handsome 
 house and barn had stood so long in safety. 
 
 Only a few minutes were necessary for old Jud to 
 rach the tree where Dinah was sitting. As he came
 
 THE RED PLUME 159 
 
 up, he found Fielding endeavoring to convince her 
 that it was possible for her to make some progress, if 
 she would only put forth the attempt. 
 
 " I tell you it's onpossible! " said she, somewhat pet- 
 ulantly; " dat ar leg ain't worth shucks." 
 
 " But I will do my utmost to assist thee." 
 
 "Ain't no use ob talkin' " 
 
 " No ; thar's been a little too much of it," inter- 
 rupted the hunter, as he strode forward, in no very 
 amiable mood. "You can do as you please, old Mid- 
 night sit on that log till you grow fast, or go 'long 
 with us." 
 
 " Wai, I'll hef to sit yar, den Masser Fielding and 
 me baby can stay wid me." 
 
 14 No ; they can't, I shan't let one of 'em stay. 
 You can set it out alone, ef you want to." 
 
 Dinah had seen old Jud before, and she had no de- 
 sire to thwart him, so she concluded to make another 
 effort. 
 
 But she had really sprained her limb, and was not 
 able to walk of herself; but Fielding assisted at one 
 side, and old Jud at the other, while Cato offered to 
 carry her shoes; and, supported in this manner, they 
 started for the lake. 
 
 The latter, fortunately, was quite close at hand, 
 and reaching the bank, they let her down, gently, where 
 they concluded to leave her until they could bring the 
 boat to her, while Fielding and Jud started off with the 
 promise of a speedy return. Of course, they could not
 
 i6o THE RED PLUME 
 
 refuse to allow Cato to remain with her, although the 
 latter would have been better pleased in almost any 
 other place. 
 
 Old Jud and Fielding had walked some distance in 
 the wood, when the latter said: 
 
 " As it seems that I can be of no further assistance 
 to thee, if thou art willing, I will hasten to Lillian arid 
 Edith, who, perchance, are in need of help." 
 
 The scout could offer no objection, and the Friend 
 vanished almost on the instant. 
 
 When Jud reached the boat, he found Captain 
 Swarthausen there and waiting for him. 
 
 " Where is Muggins ? " 
 
 " Gone on around the lake, I suppose. I haven't 
 come across him since we started." 
 
 " Have you seen Red Plume? " 
 
 " No ; but there were Indians all around in the 
 woods, and it seems a miracle that we have escaped 
 thus far." 
 
 The hunter then explained that the rest of the party 
 were waiting for them up the lake, and that he had 
 promised to return for them. 
 
 As there was no telling whether it would be safe to 
 come back to this spot, the whole party, numbering 
 four, stepped into the boat, when the astounding dis- 
 covery was made that it would not hold another per- 
 son! 
 
 The vessel was simply an ordinary canoe, intended 
 to carry two persons, but capable of supporting double
 
 THE RED PLUME 161 
 
 that number. The large boat, in which the younger 
 members of the party had crossed the lake, had prob- 
 ably fallen into the hands of the Sioux, as no one knew 
 where to find it. 
 
 Here was a dilemma, which brought a smile to the 
 face of the grizzled old hunter as he reflected what the 
 consequences would be of dropping Dinah in among 
 them. 
 
 " The boat would go down, and, like enough, she 
 would float, and the rest of us would have to swim." 
 
 " What are we to do, then ? " inquired the Captain. 
 " I can see but one remedy, and that is for Prescott and 
 me to get out and foot it, while you take charge." 
 
 As this was, indeed, the only escape from the di- 
 lemma, it was adopted, and Jud Judkins, with no one 
 in the canoe excepting Mrs. Prescott, began feel- 
 ing his way cautiously along the shore of the lake in 
 search of Dinah and her heir. 
 
 As both Red Plume and the hunter had explained 
 to the different members of the party the location of 
 Lillian and Edith, there were now quite a company 
 threading through the woods, all converging toward 
 the supposed camping ground of Mr. Pipkins and his 
 charge. 
 
 Fielding had an anxiety at heart, which he care- 
 fully concealed when in the presence of others; but 
 now, when alone, he sped through the woods like an 
 Indian upon the trail of an enemy. 
 
 He knew, indeed, that the two girls needed the
 
 162 THE RED PLUME 
 
 presence of strong arms, and one of them especially 
 had scarcely been absent from his thoughts during the 
 most fearful moments of the siege and attack upon the 
 house. It was Edith, the brave, the magnificent, the 
 reckless haste that the officer found necessary to check 
 had never known before. 
 
 Behind the Friend came Captain Swarthausen and 
 Prescott, the latter burning with an apprehension that 
 seemed to increase each moment, and urged him into a 
 reckless haste that the officer found necssary to check 
 almost constantly, lest both should be precipitated into 
 some grave danger. 
 
 And ahead of them all, plodding patiently through 
 the woods, and almost at his goal, was Muggins, who, 
 poor man, knew and suspected nothing of the tragic 
 deed that the forest had witnessed in the darkness of 
 the night, but he counted confidently upon meeting his 
 wife in the course of an hour or so at the most, when 
 they would unitedly continue their efforts to escape, 
 and, perhaps, all in good time reach Fort Grandon, 
 where they might laugh to scorn the rage of the Sioux. 
 
 But none of the party was out of danger as yet, for 
 the redskins were in every portion of the wood, more 
 silent than before, but more wary and none the less 
 determined in tracing out the fugitives who thus far 
 had eluded them in such a clever manner. 
 
 The last exploit had shown the Sioux a fact which 
 they had only partly believed before. General occur- 
 rences had led some of them to suspect that there were
 
 THE RED PLUME 163 
 
 some outside parties assisting those within the build- 
 ing, but they were uncertain until the stratagem, which 
 has been referred to, was tried upon them with such 
 success. 
 
 If there had been any doubt remaining, it was re- 
 moved by this, as well as by the testimony of their 
 only surviving comrade, who had been left in charge of 
 the prisoners. 
 
 We have referred to the wonderful sagacity of Red 
 Plume. This will be more apparent when we state 
 that, up to this point, his scheme of rescue had scarcely 
 varied in the least from what he had planned at the be- 
 ginning. 
 
 The gathering of the redskins around the fugitives 
 after they had issued from the building the diversion 
 by means of his own false signals its success the at- 
 tack of the scout, Old Jud the flight of the whites 
 their separation in the woods, and their final con- 
 vergence toward the point at the extreme end ; all these 
 were what he had counted upon, and what had taken 
 place just as predicted. 
 
 When Dinah was deposited in the hunter's canoe, 
 and her son Cato was placed near her, and he in turn 
 followed by Jud, it may well be supposed that the frail 
 boat was well loaded. In fact, a few more pounds 
 would have sent it to the bottom of the lake ; and when 
 the leader took the paddle in hand he made up his mind 
 that he was in no condition to run a race with any hos- 
 tile boat. All that he could hope to do was gradually
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 to propel the boat toward the river, down which the at- 
 tempt would doubtless be made to reach Fort Gr^ndon. 
 
 At first he was undecided whether to head straight 
 across the lake for the mouth of the river, or whether 
 to coast the shore. Finally, he took the latter course, 
 advancing with his usual care, and keeping in the dark 
 bank of shadow as well as was possible. 
 
 A common fear was now upon all the fugitives and 
 that was, that day would break before they could get 
 well out of the way of the Indians. 
 
 As soon as it should become fairly light the Sioux 
 would be able to follow their trail, if found ; and what 
 these people could do to the injury of the fugitives, it 
 was very certain they would do. 
 
 So, as old Jud gently propelled the canoe along the 
 bank, he not only was on the alert against running into 
 immediate danger, but he was busily speculating upon 
 the future, and what the prospect was of getting the 
 whole party safely away, when they should all unite 
 and start upon their journey southward. 
 
 Dinah, now and then, gave utterance to a groan, but 
 she had gained such an appreciating sense of her dan- 
 ger from the scout as well as the Indians, that she was 
 tolerably quiet. 
 
 Cato dropped asleep almost the moment he seated 
 himself, and his mother probably would have done the 
 same had not her sprained limb forbidden. 
 
 Slowly the canoe coursed along the coast until fully 
 half the distance was passed, when the faintest and
 
 THE RED PLUME 165 
 
 most tremulous of whistles reached the ears of Jud, 
 and, resting on his paddle, he replied in the same man- 
 ner. 
 
 " What dat? " asked the alarmed Dinah. 
 
 " Shet up ! " commanded Jud, raising his oar in a 
 threatening manner. 
 
 Again the signal was repeated, and immediately 
 after, the African sister discerned the outlines of a 
 canoe bearing down upon them. She was about to 
 utter a screech of alarm, but another significant gesture 
 from the hunter prevented, and she cowered in silence, 
 while the boat came up like a shadow. 
 
 One single occupant in it only, and he was Red 
 Plume. Laying himself alongside, the two exchanged 
 a few words, and then Cato was awakened, and com- 
 pelled to step into the other boat. 
 
 This partially equalized matters, and the two boats 
 headed across the lake toward the mouth of the Cres- 
 cent River, the Indian taking the lead, and old Jud fol- 
 lowing close in the rear. 
 
 At the same time, the growing light in the east 
 showed that the eventful night was drawing to a close, 
 and only a few minutes more of favoring darkness re- 
 mained. 
 
 Day was indeed coming a day not less fraught 
 with incident and peril than the dozen hours that had 
 already passed away. 
 
 The two men who, it may be said, were the direc- 
 tors of the little party, were veterans enough in wilder-
 
 166 THE RED PLUME 
 
 ness and frontier life to dread the rising of the sun 
 which was to guide the merciless Sioux in their relent- 
 less tracking of the fugitives through the wood, and 
 they now drove their boats with astonishing speed 
 through the water to where the helpless females and 
 their equally helpless companion were awaiting their 
 coming, hopefully, and yet with the trembling appre- 
 hension of those who had learned, in some degree, the 
 fearful peril that impended over them.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 THE MEETING 
 
 " UGH, now ! this is a bore ! Here I've been out over 
 night, a mark for the dew to aim at, and liable to catch 
 cold, and atchew ! " 
 
 Mr. Pipkins awoke at an unusually early hour for 
 him (that is, when the sun was but a few degrees 
 above the horizon), and throwing off his blanket, sat 
 up in the boat, and made the remark above given, 
 rounding off his period with a terrific sneeze, which 
 being repeated several times, excited considerable ap- 
 prehension upon his part. 
 
 " Jingo ! a few more explosions like that, and the 
 end of my nose will be blowed off! Fact is, I always 
 considered a sneeze as a human earthquake, from the 
 way it shakes a fellow up. Hello! there's Edith and 
 Lil asleep yet. Wonder if they've got a cold ? " 
 
 The young man stretched his limbs, yawned, and 
 seemed gradually to collect his bewildered senses. 
 
 " No ; it isn't a dream ! " he suddenly exclaimed, as 
 he slapped his knee ; " there was a young fellow here 
 last night that Colonel Havens from Fort Grampus, 
 and he took Lil off in a canoe and has brought her back 
 
 167
 
 168 THE RED PLUME 
 
 again; but what's become of him? That's the ques- 
 tion, as the immortal William observes." 
 
 After a moment's severe cogitation he shook his 
 head. 
 
 " I give it up ; it's a conundrum I can't answer. The 
 only solution I can give is that he was so smitten with 
 jealousy when he saw me that he brought Lil back and 
 committed suicide. But, by jingo! I must stretch my 
 legs." 
 
 The canoe was so close to the bank that he had only 
 to step upon the land, and he did so without disturbing 
 the fair sleepers remaining behind. 
 
 The latter awoke shortly after his departure, and, 
 as may be supposed, were both thoughtful and sad. 
 They instinctively turned their eyes toward the lake, as 
 if they would penetrate to the other shore and learn 
 what had there taken place during the hours they had 
 slept. 
 
 All was still, but what did it signify ? 
 
 Were father and mother still living? Was this op- 
 pressive silence ominous of death? Was all hope 
 gone? 
 
 Earnestly and fervently the sisters prayed to Heaven 
 in their dire extremity prayed not so much for them- 
 selves as for those who they hoped, but hardly dare 
 believe, were still living. 
 
 Making their ablutions in the clear water of the 
 stream upon which they were floating, they stepped
 
 THE RED PLUME 169 
 
 upon the bank and awaited the return of their compan- 
 ion. 
 
 He was not long in making his appearance, and he 
 came with the question, while he smoked his meer- 
 schaum : 
 
 " Lil, where is that Colonel that was here last 
 night?" 
 
 " He went back hours ago." 
 
 "Why didn't he stay?" 
 
 " He was compelled to return." 
 
 " But he ought not to have been compelled when his 
 presence was needed here." 
 
 " He offered to remain but he could be of no use," 
 replied Edith, " and he must be many miles away by 
 this time." 
 
 " Oh ! it doesn't make any particular difference," re- 
 marked Pipkins, in his lofty way, " he didn't strike me 
 as of much account, anyhow." 
 
 " He is a nephew of Captain Swarthausen, and one 
 of the bravest young men in the country," Lillian 
 hastened to say with considerable warmth. 
 
 " Oh ! ah ! I am sure I have no objection ; but 1 
 have just become aware of a highly important fact." 
 
 The sisters looked inquiringly toward him. 
 
 " We haven't had supper or breakfast, and what's 
 more, there isn't a very brilliant prospect of getting 
 one at present." 
 
 All were ahungered and faint, but the girls had 
 scarcely thought of food. Indeed, there was nothing to
 
 170 THE RED PLUME 
 
 be gained by thinking of it, as it was entirely beyond 
 their means to procure any. 
 
 " If I only had a fishing-line," said Pipkins, looking 
 wishfully at the water, " I might persuade some of 
 those fish to come out, and then I suppose you could 
 clean and cook them." 
 
 " You have matches, else how came your pipe lit ? " 
 
 " Yes ; I discovered several stowed away in the cor- 
 ner of the side pocket, under the arm of my duster. 
 When you can't eat it's a very good thing to have some 
 of the weed about you ; but for all that, I would very 
 much enjoy throwing myself outside of a porter-house 
 steak just now." 
 
 " Oh ! if father and mother would come," said 
 Lillian, gazing with a longing and inexpressible sad- 
 ness toward the lake. 
 
 " By cracky, but that reminds me of something I 
 had forgotten entirely," said Pipkins very earnestly, as 
 he removed his pipe from his mouth. " I took a little 
 walk up the river bank, and if I ain't very greatly mis- 
 taken I saw signs of Indians coming down the shore of 
 the lake." 
 
 As if to give emphasis to his words, a rustling among 
 the undergrowth was heard at this moment, and imme- 
 diately after Captain Swarthausen stepped forth to 
 view. Behind him came Fielding and Muggins, all of 
 their countenances lit up with pleasure as they greeted 
 the girls. 
 
 But the faces of the latter blanched with a terrible
 
 THE RED PLUME 171 
 
 fear, and Edith was barely able to gasp out : " Father 
 and mother! where are they? " 
 
 " Not far off," replied the cheery voice of the Cap- 
 tain. " Red Plume and Jud are coming down the river 
 in a canoe. Your father came most of the way through 
 the wood, but he got into the boat again with your 
 mother, and they are close by." 
 
 "And the rest? " asked Lillian. 
 
 " Dinah and Cato are with them, but the darkeys 
 'Lige and Pomp are in the hands of the ' varmints,' as 
 old Jud calls them." 
 
 Immediately after the large sail boat which had 
 been used upon the lake floated in sight, and in it were 
 all the others that had escaped from the Sioux, except- 
 ing Jud, who was immediately behind in his own ca- 
 noe. 
 
 It was an affecting meeting, and many and devout 
 were the thanks that were sent up to Him who had so 
 mercifully brought them thus far through the dangers. 
 
 For some moments the others stood in respectful si- 
 lence, until the parents and children had recovered 
 from the agitation of their meeting, and then the start- 
 ling question came from Muggins, 
 
 " Where is my wife? " 
 
 The sad truth could not be concealed from him, and 
 Edith took upon herself the painful duty of telling him 
 how she had died. The poor man was overcome with 
 terror and grief for a time, and then he asked to be 
 taken to her.
 
 X7* THE RED PLUME 
 
 Edith led the way, while Captain Swarthausen and 
 old Jud followed. The body had not been disturbed 
 during the night, and was found precisely as it had 
 fallen. 
 
 The sharp ashen paddles were brought from the 
 boats, together with a sort of anchor from the larger 
 one, the fluke of which served very well as a pick, and 
 with these rude implements a grave was dug, in which 
 all that was mortal of the woman was placed; and 
 when the imperative voice of prudence commanded, the 
 hunter led the sorrowing husband away from the 
 scene.
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 A KEG OF WHISKY 
 
 IF THERE ever was need for hurry upon the part of 
 
 any poor fugitives escaping from vengeance, there was 
 need now for our friends to hasten on their way down 
 the river to Fort Grandon. 
 
 It had been broad daylight for over an hour, and 
 the opportunity was given the Sioux to take their trail, 
 which, if followed for a slight distance, could not fail 
 to give the savages a clue to the general direction, and, 
 in all probability, to their destination. 
 
 None realized the true condition of affairs more than 
 Red Plume and old Jud, who showed a haste in their 
 movements, such as was rarely displayed by them. 
 
 Much as the entire party needed food, there was no 
 time to wait for it now. All of them, excepting the two 
 scouts mentioned, were placed in the larger boat, of 
 which the sail was hoisted, and, assisted by wind and 
 current, it sped quite rapidly down stream. 
 
 Some distance ahead of it went old Jud, alone in his 
 canoe. He was the " feeler " thrown out in front to 
 detect the danger that was before, and to warn and pre- 
 vent the larger boat from running inextricably into it 
 
 Red Plume, in his feather-like canoe, went up stretm
 
 174 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 and into the lake, his aim being to penetrate the in- 
 tentions of the Sioux there, and to do what he could 
 to divert them from a too rapid pursuit of the fugi- 
 tives a task which, it will be seen, was the most deli- 
 cate and dangerous of all. 
 
 He was pleased, but surprised, that none of the red- 
 skins had as yet made their appearance at the point of 
 embarkation ; for, as several had walked the entire dis- 
 tance, they could easily trace them to the place. 
 
 As he emerged into the lake, he kept close under the 
 undergrowth, on the western bank, and, with his keen, 
 eager eye, scanned everything in his field of vision. 
 The morning was clear and sunshiny, and he could not 
 have been given a better opportunity for reconnoiter- 
 ing. 
 
 Near the centre of the lake rested the gem-like is- 
 land, as quiet as at "creation's morn." All around the 
 surface of the water was scarcely rippled by a breath of 
 air, but in some places was of dazzling brightness from 
 its reflection of the rays of the morning sun. 
 
 On his right were the charred remains of Captain 
 Swarthausen's house, and beyond the island could be 
 seen the black and smoking ruins of Fielding's and 
 Prescott's property ; but strain his vision to the utmost, 
 he could see nothing of the Sioux themselves. 
 
 Where could they be? 
 
 With all his shrewdness, Red Plume was at a loss to 
 understand this silence upon the part of his race, and 
 he sped rapidly along- the shore of the lake toward the
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 '75 
 
 ruins of the building, with the resolve to find out what 
 it all meant. 
 
 It is a characteristic of the American Indian, that 
 when he is doing nothing he is the most certain to be 
 doing something; and the friendly redskin was certain 
 that the curious quiet boded no good. 
 
 With lightning-like suddenness he stopped paddling, 
 for his trained ear had caught a suspicious sound. It 
 was very faint, and so distant, that he was certain it 
 came from the immediate vicinity of the ruins of the 
 Prescott house. 
 
 Pulling his canoe up under the bushes, he carefully 
 concealed it, and passed silently through the wood to- 
 ward the point which had been the scene of such stir- 
 ring events during the last few hours. On the very 
 edge of the clearing he came upon the entire Sioux 
 party, and one glance was sufficient to explain the cause 
 of the delay in the pursuit of the fugitives. 
 
 In the centre of the group was a small keg of whisky. 
 or rather a small portion of a keg, for the greater part 
 of its contents had already gone down the throats of 
 the red men, and they were in a maudlin state of drunk- 
 enness, so ludicrous in its manifestations, that even the 
 iron face of Red Plume relaxed into a grim smile as he 
 gazed upon them. 
 
 About half were lolling upon the ground ; some were 
 asleep, others dubiously dancing, and quite a number 
 were doing their best to give a war-song or speech, the 
 latter of which was intended to be a thrilling recital of
 
 176 THE RED PLUME 
 
 the exploits of each particular speaker upon the war- 
 path. 
 
 These men had need of the strong will of a deter- 
 mined chief to stop this maudlin scene, but unfortu- 
 nately, the chief was the drunkest of the entire party, 
 and had his arms clasped very lovingly about the neck 
 of Lige, whom he evidently looked upon as a long lost 
 brother. 
 
 The African was in about the same condition, and 
 two more precious fools it would be difficult to imagine, 
 as they executed a sort of bear dance around each 
 other. Indeed, the " best man " in the company was 
 not half sober, and the whole thirty could have been 
 shot and scalped by a half dozen of their own race, had 
 they come upon them at this time. They were not cap- 
 able either of acting on the offensive or defensive. 
 
 No one will deny that whisky is a curse to humanity, 
 but, in this case, at least, it had served a good purpose ; 
 for it cannot be considered possible that the fugitives, 
 after congregating upon the opposite side of the lake, 
 could have escaped the Sioux, had the latter been in 
 their natural condition of mind and body. 
 
 It is certain that the redskins could have speedily 
 overhauled them and it would have been an easy matter 
 then to have picked off every man and woman from the 
 shore, as the latter had no means of protection against 
 the bullets. Crescent River was a very small stream at 
 its beginning, and great as \vas the skill and courage 
 of Red Plume and old Ji'd, it could have availed
 
 THE RED PLUME 177 
 
 nothing at such fearful disadvantages. The two hun- 
 ters were stirred by a deeper anxiety than any of the 
 party ever suspected at the time they started down the 
 river, and correspondingly great was the pleasure of 
 the friendly Indian when he discovered the drunken- 
 ness of the Sioux. 
 
 As he crouched in the woods, narrowly watching 
 the performances, he wondered where this whisky came 
 from. It was not to be supposed that the savages 
 brought it with them, for they were incapable of carry- 
 ing " fire-water " any distance at all, unless it was 
 transported inside their organizations, nor was he 
 aware that there was any such property in the house. 
 Had he known that there was, he would not have failed 
 to suggest that it should have been given as a peace 
 offering to the screeching demons on the outside. 
 
 Still it was by no means impossible that Mr. Prescott 
 owned the article, and that the Sioux had discovered it 
 somewhere among the outbuildings, just at the mo- 
 ment to prevent the pursuit which was so much 
 dreaded. 
 
 All this time Red Plume was wondering what had 
 become of Pomp, the negro, who worked for the Qua- 
 ker, Fielding. Lige was as muddled as any of them, 
 and was among the first that he saw when he caught 
 sight of the group as he came up. 
 
 It was hardly to be supposed that Pomp knew 
 enough to escape, even when his captors were inca- 
 pable of taking care of him. When last seen he was a
 
 178 THE RED PLUME 
 
 secure prisoner, and the only solution that Red Plume 
 could give was, that the poor fellow had been put to 
 death. 
 
 Quite a number of the Sioux had been slain, but 
 death was not a welcome visitor at such a carnival, 
 and he was carefully kept out of sight. 
 
 Confident that they had not buried their dead, the 
 scout withdrew from the immediate vicinity of the 
 party, and began a search for them. 
 
 He was not long in finding the ghostly collections, 
 laid side by side, as if waiting sepulture, and at their 
 feet lay the form of poor Pomp, who had been toma- 
 hawked and mangled in such a dreadful manner, that 
 but for his color and dress, he could not have been 
 identified among the others. 
 
 Quite a quantity of the guns and weapons belonging 
 to the Sioux were arranged upon the ground near this 
 morgue. Indeed, the appearance of everything indi- 
 cated that the redskins had gone deliberately upon this 
 spree, and had made their preparations for having, 
 what is vulgarly termed, a " high old time. " 
 
 Red Plume experienced no compunctions of con- 
 science in appropriating a number of the choicest 
 knives and rifles that he found upon the ground. He 
 could have carried the entire stock away, but that he 
 was fearful of arousing the ire of the owners, and pro- 
 voking a pursuit, when there was a strong probability 
 of none at all being attempted. 
 
 So he took only a half dozen or so, which he care-
 
 THE RED PLUME 179 
 
 fully bound up, and then started on his return, passing 
 by the vicinity of the revel, so as to assure himself how 
 it was progressing. He had been in such performances 
 himself, and he knew what a powerful fascination they 
 possessed for his race, so that there was every proba- 
 bility of the present one continuing through the en- 
 tire day. 
 
 If it was certain that this revelry would last until 
 nightfall, these redskins were to be " counted out " in 
 reckoning up the danger to which the fugitives were 
 still subject. A twelve hours' start was all-sufficient to 
 place the fugitives entirely beyond their reach. 
 
 The carnival was raging high and higher. Warriors 
 were crawling on their hands and knees to the keg, and 
 clawing and hugging it for the fiery fluid it contained. 
 Not a little was wasted in their dubious attempts to 
 catch it in an old tin cup which had been picked up 
 somewhere. Men rolled and tumbled over each other, 
 shouted and whooped, and sung, struck out danger- 
 ously with their knives, loved and quarrelled, and did 
 the hundred sup -emely foolish things which an intoxi- 
 cated man is sure to do, or at least to try to do, when 
 some one as brutish as himself is joined with him. 
 
 Nothing could be more satisfactory to Red Plume 
 and he made haste to join his friends down the river.
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 DOWN THE RIVER 
 
 AND all this time the fugitives were speeding down 
 Crescent River toward Fort Grandon, helped forward 
 by favoring wind and current, hopeful, yet trembling 
 and apprehensive, glancing furtively backward and 
 forward, and on either hand for danger was all 
 around them, and there was no telling from which 
 quarter it would first come. 
 
 Several hundred yards ahead the canoe of old Jud 
 could be seen now and then, as it rounded the curves, 
 while he sat bolt upright in it, plying his paddle with 
 consummate skill, and seeming never to look back at 
 those who were so implicitly following his lead. 
 
 As a matter of course, for the first mile or so the 
 only thought was of the Sioux in their rear, and not 
 a second passed that there were not some of the party 
 looking fearfully back for the expected and yet dreaded 
 Red Plume, whose coming, for once at least, would 
 be anything but welcome. 
 
 But as minute after minute went by, and nothing oc- 
 curred to alarm them, hope began to rise in the breasts 
 of all, and the few questions and answers exchanged 
 gradually took upon themselves the form of a general 
 conversation. 
 
 180
 
 THE RED PLUME X 8s 
 
 It was about this time that Captain Swarthausen 
 learned that his nephew, Colonel Havens, had been 
 over this same ground, or rather water, the night pre- 
 vious. 
 
 " Thunderation ! is that so?" he exclaimed, when 
 first he heard the astounding intelligence ; " and why 
 didn't he come to see me? " 
 
 But the Captain, as he sat controlling the rudder of 
 the boat, answered his own question before any one 
 else was given the opportunity. 
 
 " Of course he did come to see me, but he hadn't the 
 chance ; and George has been in the West long enough 
 to know considerable of the nature of the 'noble red 
 man of the woods, ' as some of the novelists delight in 
 calling him. But he inquired about me, Lillian, cer- 
 tainly?" 
 
 " Oh, yes ; and was very anxious to see you. He was 
 on the point of starting several times, but we dissuaded 
 him. " 
 
 " Sensible girl. But I suspect he found a very good 
 substitute for me. " 
 
 And the old officer smiled very significantly, others 
 looked knowingly, and Lillian blushed charmingly. 
 
 " Fact of it is, he is more anxious to see his uncle 
 than I ever knew him to be before, and this place which 
 he professed to detest at first, has of late become won- 
 derfully attractive to him. " 
 
 " So it has to all of us, " Edith hastened to say, for 
 she knew her sister was pained by the pointed meaning
 
 1 82 THE RED PLUME 
 
 of the words of the Captain, who was all unconscious 
 of the wounds he was inflicting. " Do you not find 
 the place more pleasant to you than you did at first ? " 
 
 " I admit that I do, provided you except the last day 
 or two from your question. Just now, I think, we are 
 all pleased with every mile we can put between us and 
 it. Isn't that equally true? " 
 
 There was no denying te truth of the Captain's re- 
 mark. For the time, Sleeping Water was nothing but 
 a terror to them. 
 
 " But it cannot be always so, " added Edith. 
 " There must soon come a time when we shall be as 
 safe there as if we were in the city of Chicago. " 
 
 "And safer, too," said the Captain, who, as was 
 well known, held no special admiration for this thriv- 
 ing village of the West. " Fact of it is, I would about 
 as lief be back in the ruins of my house as to be in that 
 infernal city, where I was knocked down in broad day- 
 light and robbed. If I had the power, I would declare 
 martial law there, and give some of them fellows jus- 
 tice an article about as scarce there as it is in the city 
 of New York. " 
 
 " You mustn't condemn the place as a whole for 
 what happened in some portion of it," replied Edith, 
 who was glad to divert the officer from the line of re- 
 mark with which he had opened the conversation. 
 
 " I was there twenty-five or thirty years ago, " h<S 
 said, " and came still nearer to losing my life. " 
 
 " It must have been a small town at that time. "
 
 THE RED PLUME 183 
 
 Captain Swarthausen laughed. 
 
 " Rather ; it was in the dead of winter, and I was on 
 a hunt with Lieutenant Duffield, when we lost our way, 
 and were chased by a pack of wolves. We crossed the 
 river on the ice, and right where the centre of Chicago 
 now is we had to climb a tree to get out of their way. " 
 
 " Did both of you succeed in escaping? " 
 
 " We escaped from the wolves, it is true. There 
 were over a hundred of them under the tree all night, 
 yelping, and howling, and leaping up, till more than 
 once I thought they would get up among the limbs and 
 tear us all to pieces. For a while it was fun for us, and 
 death to some of them at least. As fast as we could 
 load, we fired down among them and every time we did 
 so we killed one, and he was snapped up and devoured 
 by the others in a twinkling. " 
 
 " You might have continued that until you had slain 
 them all, " remarked Prescott, quite interested in the 
 conversation. 
 
 " That's what we thought at first, and we kept up the 
 firing until we hadn't a charge left between us; and 
 then, I believe, there were more wolves under the tree 
 than there were when we first scrambled up it, and the 
 taste they had had of blood made them ten times more 
 crazy for ours than they were at first. " 
 
 " Where did they all come from ? " 
 
 " From everywhere. It was a bright moonlight 
 night, and the snow made it lighter yet, so that we 
 could see for a long distance ; and, whatever direction
 
 1 84 THE RED PLUME 
 
 we looked, we could discern the lank, gray imps skit- 
 tering over the snow-crust like mad, and all coming to- 
 ward the tree, in which we were shivering to death." 
 
 "How did it end?" 
 
 " Oogh ! but it was cold," replied the Captain, shud- 
 dering at the remembrance of his fearful adventure. 
 " I never suffered so in my life. When we found we 
 couldn't shoot any more, we tried to keep our spirits up 
 by jesting, laughter, and story-telling; but I tell you it 
 was up-hill work ! " 
 
 " Were you there all night ? " 
 
 " Every minute of it, and you can be sure it was the 
 longest night I ever spent. I sang all the songs I 
 knew, and so did DufReld; but we could hardly hear 
 each other for the din the wolves made ; and finally we 
 gave that up. By-and-by the lieutenant told me he was 
 freezing to death, but I laughed at him, although I had 
 about made up my mind that that was the fate await- 
 ing both of us. ' 
 
 " But you were mistaken. " 
 
 " Partly so. The lieutenant was as brave a fellow as 
 ever lived, and when he told me he was freezing, for 
 all I ridiculed the idea, yet I knew he spoke the truth. 
 He sat close to me, and I pinched him and struck him, 
 and he did the same for me ; and we kept climbing up 
 and down among the limbs, until our hands became so 
 numb that we couldn't do it any longer, when we got 
 astride the same limb and braced ourselves as best we 
 could. It wasn't a half hour before I saw Duffield nod-
 
 THE RED PLUME X 8s 
 
 iling, and by-and-by his head drooped against me, and 
 he would have fallen if I hadn't caught him. " 
 
 " Was it the cold that affected him? " asked Pres- 
 cott, while all the rest listened to the reply. 
 
 " It was that, and nothing else. The poor fellow 
 was freezing, and no mistake. I cuffed his ears, pulled 
 his hair, rubbed his arms and legs, shook him, and 
 shouted in his ears, but it did no good. He roused up 
 once or twice, and mumbled something about feeling 
 sleepy, but I couldn't make him realize his condition. 
 It is a curious thing about the effects of cold that the 
 strongest and bravest men are often the first to suc- 
 cumb. Duffield and I were stationed at one of the fron- 
 tier posts, about twenty miles away, and we had been 
 there something over a year when this happened to us ; 
 and, during all that time, he had never met a superior 
 in running, leaping or wrestling, or in what we called 
 vim. It was believed that he could stand more expo- 
 sure and fatigue than any man in the garrison, and yet 
 here he was going into that coma which means death 
 and nothing else, while I, although suffering intensely, 
 was never more wide-awake in my life. But it has al- 
 ways been the same. You know when Fremont got 
 lost in the RockyMountains that is, when his guide 
 lost him the hardiest men of his party died from their 
 exposure, while Fremont himself came out of it with 
 scarcely any suffering at all. I didn't know what to 
 make of it, and was expecting every minute to follow 
 him ; but I did not. My hands and feet ached with the
 
 1 86 THE RED PLUME 
 
 cold but no part of mybody became benumbed. I knew, 
 as long as they hurt me, that I was all right. By-and- 
 by I found that Duffield was a dead weight against me, 
 and then it was all up. He was frozen stark and stiff, 
 and I had to sit there and hold him on the limb to keep 
 him from falling down into the jaws of the wolves that 
 howled and yelped harder than ever, as if they knew I 
 was cheating them of their prey. But I hung on, and 
 sat there, till broad daylight, with one arm around the 
 neck of the lieutenant, and with the other hand clasped 
 around a limb to help steady my own body ; and, if ever 
 a poor fellow had the horrors, you may be certain that 
 I did. " 
 
 "And when morning came, what then ? " 
 " Some of the wolves went away, and some stayed 
 behind. By this time it was very evident that, unless 
 I got help pretty soon, it would be all up with me. I 
 had no ammunition left, and even if I had, both of our 
 guns had fallen to the ground, and were being clawed 
 to pieces by the ravenous devils below. They had 
 ceased their yelping, but they kept moving around the 
 tree and looking up, and licking their jaws, as if they 
 knew they had but to wait a little while longer for a 
 dainty breakfast. 
 
 " Just as the sun came above the horizon I heard a 
 gun go off, and then there was a halloo. A few min- 
 utes later I saw a half dozen Indians and white men 
 coming toward me on snow shoes, and I knew that I 
 was saved. "
 
 THE RED PLUME 187 
 
 '"Who were tVey?" 
 
 " They had been sent out from the fort, and had 
 been hallooing and hunting for us all night. When 
 they came in sight the wolves scattered as if a grizzly 
 bear had dropped down among them. A couple of the 
 Indians had to climb the tree and help me down, and if 
 I hadn't been rolled and rubbed in the snow until I 
 screeched with pain, that would have wound up my 
 earthly career. We carried Duffield back to camp, 
 where he was buried with the honors of war and a 
 better soldier was never put beneath the soil. " 
 
 " That was your first visit to Chicago ? Were there 
 no cabins anywhere in the neighborhood ? ' 
 
 " Yes ; plenty of them, scattered here and there 
 but those that lived in them were too mean to come to 
 our assistance, or it may be that they were so used to 
 hearing the howling of wolves that they didn't think 
 it worth while to pay attention to it. " 
 
 " But the noise of your guns ought to have reached 
 them. " 
 
 " That's what I think, and that's what makes me 
 mad when I think about it. That, as I just said, was 
 my first visit to Chicago, and I have told you what hap- 
 pened to me the last time I went there; so you see I 
 have no particular reason to like it, and every reason to 
 hate it. " 
 
 " It isn't likely that a third mishap would befall 
 you, " laughed Mr. Prescott, " if you should venture 
 Acre again. "
 
 1 88 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " It would be just my luck to step upon some stray 
 bombshell, and set it off by the friction of my foot, or 
 else have some scallawag put an infernal machine in my 
 pocket to blow me sky-high." 
 
 The story of the Captain, and his comments, were 
 thoroughly enjoyed by the listening fugitives. It is 
 not to be supposed that Augustus Adolphur Pipkins 
 would have permitted this attack upon the city of his 
 adoption to have passed without a characteristic de- 
 fence, had it not been that he was sound asleep his 
 head in the bottom of the boat, while his feet were 
 resting upon the gunwale, and his fireless meerschaum, 
 with its stem in his mouth, was resting upon his 
 shirt front, upon which it had spilled the most of its 
 contents of tobacco and ashes. 
 
 The great forte of the young man seemed to consist 
 in dress, smoking, and sleep. To keep the flies from an- 
 noying him, he had tipped his hat down over his eyes 
 and nose, and in this picturesque situation he was al- 
 lowed to sleep in peace, while the conversation went on 
 around him. 
 
 " Get off my feet ! " called out Dinah, giving her 
 hopeful a thwack on the side of the head that sent him 
 backward on the stomach of Pipkins, awaking the lat- 
 ter gentleman rather more suddenly than was pleasant. 
 
 " What the blazes is the matter ? " he demanded, 
 shoving the negro from it. " What the deuce you sit- 
 ting down on me for? " 
 
 "She done it, " Cato hastened to reply, pointing to
 
 THE RED PLUME 189 
 
 the indignant cook, who looked as if she would very 
 much like to do it again. 
 
 " Is she your parent ? " asked Pipkins, as he righted 
 himself, and took the sitting position, " Your honored 
 parent ? " 
 
 " No she's my mommy. " 
 
 " Please present my compliments to your distin- 
 guished mommy, and request her hereafter not to drop 
 you upon my stomach. It wouldn't be so bad if there 
 was anything in it ; but not having tasted any food for 
 something less than a week, you will see there is danger 
 of collapsing my internal machinery. " 
 
 The negro stared at the speaker in a way which 
 showed he had not the remotest idea of what was 
 meant. Dinah had been shifting her position further 
 to one side, at the imminent risk of upsetting the boat. 
 
 " Hold on ! " called out Pipkins, as he found his side 
 gradually rising out of the water ; " this boat doesn't 
 seem built to travel on one side." 
 
 " Who you talkin' 'bout? " demanded Dinah, indig- 
 nantly. 
 
 " If you'd only be kind enough to anchor in the 
 centre of the vessel, we would have but the single 
 danger of the bottom going through. As it is, we have 
 the additional danger of capsizing. " 
 
 " Ef you'd only talk 'Merican, folks might 'stand 
 wat yer's drivin' at, " and the irate cook shrugged her 
 shoulders, and turned, as far as she could, her broad 
 back toward the exquisite, and all the party smiled.
 
 190 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Pipkins looked about him first at the inmates of the 
 boat, and then at the surroundings. In the forward 
 part sat Mrs. Prescott, with Edith's head resting upon 
 her shoulder, and near her was Lillian, with her head 
 upon the breast of her father. The family were re- 
 united again! 
 
 A fearful peril had impended, and was still impend- 
 ing, over their heads ; but the great danger had passed, 
 and all were more thankful than words could express 
 to the kind Providence that had indeed brought them 
 through all in such a wonderful manner. 
 
 Near the centre of the boat sat Dinah, she having 
 hitched along until the vessel had righted, while her 
 baby was sitting at her feet, within " striking " dis- 
 tance. 
 
 Between the parties mentioned Pipkins had stationed 
 himself, in the genuine American attitude, with his feet 
 higher than his head, when he was roused in the man- 
 ner mentioned. 
 
 In the rear were Captain Swarthausen, Fielding and 
 Muggins, the first skillfully guiding the boat, while 
 the latter sat sad and silent, no doubt reflecting upon 
 her who was sleeping her last sleep in the quiet and 
 solemnity of the summer woods. Such meditations we 
 have not the right to intrude upon, and with a sigh of 
 sympathy we leave him to his reveries. 
 
 The boat was large, and there was ample room for 
 all. A fine cool breeze was blowing, and were it not fof
 
 THE RED PLUME 191 
 
 the horrible fear that threatened them, and for 
 the physical discomfort of hunger which each felt, the 
 ride could not have been more pleasant. 
 
 Looking beyond the confines of the boat, Pipkins 
 saw that as they descended the stream it rapidly wid- 
 ened. Brooks and creeks were continually pouring 
 into it, until its volume must have more than doubled 
 in the space of half a dozen miles. 
 
 The shores continued deeply wooded, and at this 
 time of the year no scene could have been more en- 
 chanting. There were occasional open places, covered 
 with rank green grass, which seemed to be the doors to 
 the vast prairies beyond. Here and there, faintly out- 
 lined against the hazy sky, could be seen the blue moun- 
 tain peaks, some of them in the far distance, looking 
 like conical clouds resting stationary in the suntmer at- 
 mosphere. 
 
 It was hard to realize that this was a " land of 
 death " that the green woods and the plains beyond 
 contained human beings fiercer than the panther, and 
 more merciless than the tiger as it laps the blood of its 
 victim that the fields, white with harvest, were tram- 
 pled by the infuriated Sioux as they shot and murdered 
 the inoffensive settlers, and that at that very moment 
 there was wailing and mourning through the land, and 
 cries were uttered for mercy, when there was no mercy 
 to give. 
 
 But so it was ; for the ten thousandth time since the 
 colonization of this country the wild Indian, with toma-
 
 19* THE RED PLUME 
 
 hawk and torch in hand, was raging through the settle- 
 ment, visiting upon the innocent a terrible retribution 
 for the sins of the guilty. 
 
 Fully two hours had now passed without a sign of 
 danger. 
 
 Most of this time old Jud and his canoe were in- 
 visible. Now and then he would be detected stealing 
 along under the shore like some strange inhabitant of 
 the deep that was feeling his way back to the sea, and 
 then he sped directly down the centre of the channel, 
 as if courting observation from any who might be 
 along the shore; but all the time he maintained the 
 same distance in advance the meaning of which was 
 that the river ahead gave no sign of danger. 
 
 But where was Red Plume ? 
 
 This was the question which had been asked re- 
 peatedly, and which no one in the party dare undertake 
 to answer with any degree of certainty. The contin- 
 ued absence of the Sioux gave them all the liberty to 
 draw the breath of relief ; but, as yet, no one thought of 
 absolute safety. 
 
 " Suppose that aboriginal American has had his 
 skull perforated with a bullet by some of his own race," 
 remarked Pipkins, as the sail-boat skimmed swiftly 
 down the river ; " under such circumstances it is hardly 
 to be expected that he will be able to ' paddle his own 
 canoe.' ' 
 
 The great fear that was upon all had been hit by the
 
 THE RED PLUME 193 
 
 exquisite in his own peculiar style, but it touched every 
 one. 
 
 " Just what I was thinking about," called out Pres- 
 cott from the front of the boat. " It would be terrible 
 if such were the case." 
 
 " It would be the phenomenon of the age if such 
 were the case," replied Captain Swarthausen, speaking 
 with more confidence than he really felt, but still with a 
 sort of general belief of what he said. " He is too great 
 a veteran in the business to be caught in such a mishap 
 as that" 
 
 " But accidents will happen," was the erudite obser- 
 vation of Pipkins. " I can recall one or two occasions 
 where there is some reason to fear I committed a blun- 
 der. Red Plume, I believe, is the name he plumes him- 
 self upon," he added with a triumphant smile, as he 
 looked about to see that his diluted pun was appreci- 
 ated. " Red Plume no doubt is as skillful and as wide- 
 awake as myself ; but who will pretend that he is ex- 
 empt from accident ? If he is, I will try to insure him 
 in our General Accident Company, for it will be a good 
 thing for Blifkins and the rest of 'em, and perhaps for 
 me also." 
 
 " I don't believe it," stoutly asserted Captain Swart- 
 hausen, as he shied the boat toward the centre of the 
 stream. " We are all liable to mishaps, but I do not 
 consider it possible that any such thing should happen 
 to him." 
 
 Pipkins became quite earnest and rose to the stand- 
 ing position. He then braced himself and spread out
 
 594 THE RED PLUME 
 
 his arms like an orator, and might have looked like one 
 had he not persisted in keeping his pipe between his 
 teeth. 
 
 " You understand, in a matter like this, you must 
 look at both sides of the question, and looking at it 
 thus" 
 
 At this juncture Augustus Pipkins suddenly turned 
 a summerset, fetching up among the Prescott family 
 in the bow, but for whom he would have gone over- 
 board. At the same instant Captain Swarthausen 
 sprang up and lowered the sail. The truth was that the 
 boat had run upon a bar in the river, checking it so sud- 
 denly that a man standing up could scarcely have 
 avoided what really happened to the speaker. 
 
 The latter, however, was of such a slight build that 
 he was scarcely injured in the least, but hastily scram- 
 bled to his feet. 
 
 " Thunderation ! I'll bet five to one my pipe is burst. 
 No it isn't, either," he added, the next instant, as he 
 turned it over in his hand. " But I say, Captain 
 Swarthausen, didn't the anchor catch rather sudden 
 like?" 
 
 " Sh'd think it did ! " groaned Dinah, who had tipped 
 over upon Cato, and had to be assisted back again on 
 her seat. " Never got so shuck up in my life. A little 
 more and it would've been the last of poor Dinah." 
 
 " A little more and it would have been the last of us 
 all," observed Pipkins, as he carefully brushed the dust 
 from his hat. " If you had gone rolling through the
 
 THE RED PLUME 195 
 
 boat it would have been like an elephant turning sum- 
 mersets." 
 
 " You'd better shet up," retorted the cook; if you 
 don't I'll fetch you a whack dat'll send dem ar' pipe- 
 stem legs of yourn higher in de air dan dey went 
 afore." 
 
 " I apologize for my rudeness," said Pipkins, raising 
 his hat over his head with an exceedingly polite bow. 
 
 But the boat was fast; and while this nonsensical 
 badinage was going on, Captain Swarthausen and 
 Prescott were seeking what was necessary to get it off 
 again. It was running so fast at the time of the occur- 
 rence that it was stuck immovably, so long as its freight 
 remained the same. 
 
 However, in so small a structure, it was evident that 
 there was no great difficulty to be overcome. A shifting 
 of the passengers from the bow to the stern, or perhaps 
 the disembarking of one or two, for a few moments, 
 was all that could be required. 
 
 Old Jud was out of sight at the time of the accident, 
 so that they were without his advice or assistance. 
 
 The first effort was made by shifting all to the rear 
 of the boat, and then pushing with might and main 
 with the paddle. But this failed. 
 
 " We men will have to get out and put our shoulders 
 against it," said Prescott. 
 
 " I can suggest a far better plan an admirable one, 
 in fact " said Pipkins, as the others made ready to act 
 upon this suggestion.
 
 196 THE RED PLUMB 
 
 All listened. 
 
 " Our joint weight is about equal to that of this sablei 
 angel in the centre; so, instead of a half dozen or so 
 getting out, why not let one do it, and answer for all ? " 
 
 " How are we going to get her back again ? " asked 
 Prescott. 
 
 " A sensible question, and one that is unanswerable. 
 I give it up. But Cato here is barefooted (and I think 
 it would ruin any man to furnish the leather for those 
 gunboats, unless he did it by contract). Let him make 
 a beginning." 
 
 " My baby shan't do no such thing " 
 
 But a word from Prescott was sufficient; and Cato, 
 being nothing loth to display his agility, rolled up his 
 trousers and leaped lightly over the gunwale into the 
 hard earth upon which they were fast. 
 
 Then our friends again took their places in the stern, 
 the African applied his shoulder, and the bow was 
 fairly lifted clear. Springing back into the boat, the sail 
 was hoisted and they proceeded hopefully upon their 
 journey. 
 
 Pipkins looked longingly down stream. 
 
 " I wonder whether that pilot of ours ever becomes 
 sensible to such a thing as hunger. I've heard of people 
 who would as lief go a week without eating as not, but 
 I suppose it depends a good deal how a man is brought 
 up. I haven't trained for that kind of business, and it 
 goes rather tough with me."
 
 THE RED PLUME 197 
 
 " I think he will make a halt at noon," remarked 
 Captain Swarthausen. 
 
 " Why do you think so? " 
 
 " If I ain't mistaken, he made some such intimation 
 just before we started this morning. 
 
 Prescott inclined to think he had heard something 
 like it from the scout, and so they took comfort in the 
 thought. 
 
 The hopes and fears of all were awakened by the 
 sight of the scout rowing cautiously back toward them. 
 Fearful that something was wrong, Captain Swart- 
 hausen lowered the sail, and slackened the speed as 
 much as was possible, without coming to a dead stand- 
 still. 
 
 In a moment Jud was alongside. > 
 
 "Do any of you feel hungry?" he asked, with a 
 manner of perfect simplicity. 
 
 There was no ambiguity in the reply, and he has- 
 tened to say : 
 
 " A half mile down the river is an island ; we'll stop 
 there and have dinner." 
 
 And without another word he shot ahead again. 
 
 " Wonder how he's gwine to gib us dinner," grunted 
 Dinah, " when he haint got nuffin to gib us dinner 
 wid." 
 
 " There is probably a hotel down on the island, kept 
 on the European plan," replied Pipkins ; " or I should 
 think the native American plan would be the thing in 
 these parts.' 1 '
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " He must be intending to take a little hunt for 
 game." 
 
 " Or for fish," suggested Prescott. " At any rate, we 
 can make up our minds that he wouldn't invite us to 
 dinner unless he had some means of providing it." 
 
 Shortly after, as they rounded another bend in the 
 river, they caught sight of the island an oval in shape, 
 a few hundred yards in length, and a rod or two in 
 width. The stream sensibly widened at this point, so 
 that there was a goodly breadth of water upon both 
 sides. 
 
 The island was sparsely covered with trees and vegx#- 
 tation, and would have been the objective point of any 
 excursion party of the neighborhood, so that the most 
 pleasant prospect was before the party, whose eyes 
 were strained toward the little gem upon the river. 
 
 The cravings of nature will tempt a man to brave 
 any danger, and so intent were the fugitives upon satis- 
 fying the demands of hunger that not a look was cast 
 behind to see whether they were free from danger. 
 
 However, in this instance it made no difference, for 
 had they looked with all their eyes they would have 
 seen nothing to justify the slightest alarm. 
 
 They were yet some distance from the upper end, 
 r/hen Pipkins began to snuff the air, turning his head 
 from side to side, with a very knowing look. 
 
 " I tell you what, I smell something cooking," he 
 said, while his eyes sparkled. " There's mischief or 
 fish brewing."
 
 THE RED PLUME 199 
 
 Several smiled, believing the speaker was only jest- 
 ing fish was wafted to them, and not all the odors from 
 ing ; but a moment later the unmistakable odor of cook- 
 "Araby the blest " could have imparted the pleasure 
 that this gave. 
 
 There is something peculiarly appetizing in the odor 
 of fish, as distinguished from other food, and it al- 
 most maddened the half-famished fugitives as it be- 
 came more decided, with every fot they advanced 
 nearer the island. 
 
 " If you have any bowels of compassion," said Pip- 
 kins, turning toward Captain Swarthausen, " you will 
 not slacken up gradually, but go ahead as fast as you 
 can, until you can't go any further, and then stop right 
 short." 
 
 But the old veteran had learned prudence, and prob- 
 ably believing Pipkins had received enough of " stop- 
 ping short," he rounded-to with the cleverness of an ex- 
 perienced navigator, with the boat just resting upon 
 the hard yellow sand of the island, and the party 
 stepped upon terra firnia, dry shod. 
 
 As yet, they had seen nothing of old Jud ; but never 
 once did they lose the insidious, delicious odor that 
 filled the air. 
 
 " If that is carried off over the land for any distance, 
 it will wake up every man in the woods, and fetch him 
 this way, bareheaded, on a full run, with his plate be- 
 fore him, yelling for something to eat."
 
 200 THE RED PLUME 
 
 As may be supposed, Pipkins was at the head, plung- 
 ing forward like mad, and calling upon the others to 
 follow him. 
 
 They were not slow in doing so, for as the magnet 
 draws steel, so did the odor draw them irresistibly 
 toward it. 
 
 A few rods through the wood and undergrowth and 
 they came upon a small fire, over which Jud Judkins 
 was leaning, with several goodly-sized fish opened and 
 impaled upon the prongs of a stick. 
 
 And beside him, piled upon some large, clean green 
 leaves, what did the furiously hungry party see? 
 
 A great cone of the choicest fish, cooked to the per- 
 fection of crumbling brownness, with the clear white 
 gleaming through, and the luscious plumpness such as 
 to tempt the daintiest epicure. 
 
 There was enough for all, proving that the hunter 
 had prepared some of his food before he turned about 
 and sped up stream to notify the fugitives that an early 
 dinner would be furnished them at this point. 
 
 And such a meal so rich, so delicate, so delicious, so 
 abundant! Never was a dinner more thoroughly en- 
 joyed, and never was a party more benefited by the 
 breaking of their long-enforced fast. 
 
 When Augustus Pipkins had eaten until he could eat 
 no more, and then had filled his meerschaum, and 
 touched it off with a match, he expressed himself as 
 " happy." After awhile he became more mellow, and
 
 THE RED PLUME 201 
 
 affirmed that the special service that Jubal Judkins had 
 rendered the entire party deserved some recognition at 
 their hands. 
 
 " I am undecided as to what it shall be," said he, as 
 he stood in the centre of the group, with his pipe in his 
 mouth, and his hat in his hand, as though he were pre- 
 paring to make a stump speech. 
 
 " I thought first of presenting him with a handsome 
 sword " 
 
 " What in the name of sense would he do with such 
 a weapon ? " demanded Captain Swarthausen, with a 
 laugh. 
 
 " That's the question I have often asked myself when 
 I have heard of your sword presentations in the army, 
 and I finally gave it up, and thought of a gold medal ; 
 but the objection to that is that it costs too much." 
 
 '" Give him a gun or a brace of revolvers, or some- 
 thing like that," said Prescott, " and he will appreciate 
 it that is, if you can get him to accept it." 
 
 " A very good idea, but these things are deuced ex- 
 pensive," said the exquisite. " I had determined that 
 the first handsome silver-mounted revolver I could buy 
 should be presented by Augustus Adolphus Pipkins, 
 unless some one should be thoughtful enough to present 
 him with one before I can do so." 
 
 " As soon as we reach a place of safety, then," said 
 the Captain, "he shall have as fine a brace of pistols as 
 can be found." 
 
 " And when I get back to the office I will draw up a
 
 202 THE RED PLUME 
 
 set of resolutions, in my best style that whereas, Mr. 
 Jubal Judkins has, etc., etc., therefore be it resolved 
 that the thanks of the undersigned are due, and are 
 hereby tendered, etc." 
 
 In the meantime, the subject of this discussion was 
 occupied in passing around the outer edge of the island, 
 in accordance with his usual cautious manner, and he 
 had no suspicion of what was going on in his absence. 
 
 But a half hour later he made his appearance among 
 the group, with the announcement that Red Plume was 
 coming down the river, with a haste which betokened 
 important tidings upon his part.
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 LOVE'S LONGINGS 
 
 NEVER until now had Lillian Prescott realized how 
 deeply and truly she loved George Havens. 
 
 The handsome young officer had interested her at 
 first sight, as any prepossessing young man will interest 
 a young woman when brought in contact with her ; but 
 that interest had grown into a fervent affection such as 
 she had never suspected, until it was brought home to 
 her so vividly by her late experience. 
 
 She remembered their first moonlight sail, upon 
 Sleeping Water, and the walks and conversations they 
 had had upon the smooth shore of the lake ; she recalled 
 the embarrassment he so frequently displayed in her 
 presence; his hesitating words, his awkward manner, 
 and his sudden flushing in the face, when she looked in 
 his countenance in her careless way; his broken sen- 
 tences, when he sometimes attempted a compliment 
 his chivalrous devotion to her, which seemed ever 
 longing for some opportunity to prove its sincerity, and 
 the undisguised delight he manifested at the slightest 
 acknowledgment she made of his devotion. 
 
 Then she fell to musing upon himself. His modesty 
 prevented her learning more than a very little of him 
 
 203
 
 304 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 through his words; but his uncle, who was justly proud 
 of him, was by no means so reticent. 
 
 She had heard him discourse upon his bravery, his 
 magnanimity, his attainments and skill in his profes- 
 sion, and the brilliant future which seemed opening be- 
 fore him. It was his nephew who graduated the first 
 in his class at the Military Academy, and it was he who 
 had immediately entered the service as Colonel, and 
 had already attracted the attention of the authorities 
 above him. 
 
 " I am a captain in the regular army," said the old 
 officer, " and I have been thirty years and more reach- 
 ing it, and it is an honorable position, if I do say it my- 
 self. There are few who came from West Point when 
 I did who have lived to claim the title of captain, and I 
 can go in as a general of volunteers whenever I am 
 ready to accept the commission ; but if George lives to 
 see a half dozen years, he will be out of sight of me. 
 That you may depend on." 
 
 Many a girl would have been glad of the love of such 
 a man as Colonel Havens, and more than once Lillian 
 became conscious of a certain pleasure in the admira- 
 tion of the young officer. 
 
 He was manly and chivalrous one of those lords of 
 creation upon whom a woman can lean for protection, 
 as the weaker does upon the stronger. 
 
 Pipkins was a butterfly, a plaything, who was amus- 
 ing, as a parrot would have been under similar circum- 
 stances.
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 205 
 
 Colonel Havens was thoroughly brave, while cousin 
 Pipkins had only read of such traits, and knew nothing 
 of them from experience. 
 
 Indeed, there was no way in which she could com- 
 pare or contrast these two without manifestly to the ad- 
 vantage of the former. 
 
 And yet each looked upon the other as a rival, when 
 such a thing was impossible. It was true that she and 
 Edith entertained a friendship for their cousin, and 
 were glad of his coming, but had he been " the last man 
 on earth," neither could have brought herself to love 
 him. 
 
 Ah ! what would Lillian not have given could she but 
 recall the last few hours ? Why did she treat him with 
 such indifference when her whole heart warmed toward 
 him? Why did she not call to him in a voice which 
 would not have failed to bring him to her side again? 
 Why did she allow him to go, and carry away the mis- 
 understanding, when a word or look from her would 
 have dissipated every cloud ? 
 
 Then she recalled, with a sinking heart, the assertion 
 of Captain Swarthausen, that Colonel Havens would 
 remain at Fort Grandon but a short time. 
 
 " Such men are needed too much elsewhere," said he,. 
 " where there is harder work and more danger to en- 
 counter." 
 
 How probable that she would never see him again f 
 What more likely than that he would go down to the 
 grave all unconscious of the great love she bore for
 
 2 o6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 him ? And then, how miserable the fate awaiting her ! 
 
 So long as father and mother remained in peril, they 
 received the first thoughts and prayers of Lillian Pres- 
 cott; and when Heaven kindly brought parents and 
 children together, her joy was so great that she was 
 sure she could never be unhappy. 
 
 But when the journey was begun down the river, and 
 she sat with her head upon her dear father's shoulder, 
 and the frightful peril grew faint and fainter with each 
 passing moment, then it was that her meditations took 
 the turn we have attempted to outline, and the joyous 
 exhilaration of spirits sank, until it really seemed as if 
 her heart would break. 
 
 For a time the tears coursed silently down her 
 cheeks, and her parents believed them the tears of joy ; 
 and then, as she mastered her feelings somewhat, some- 
 thing akin to despair settled upon her. 
 
 When the party disembarked upon the island, she did 
 so mechanically, and almost unconscious of what she 
 was doing. She ate, as did the rest, for she was weak 
 and needed nourishment for the body. 
 
 There was but one in the entire "company who sus- 
 pected her secret, and she was her sister, the noble 
 Edith. 
 
 As soon after the conclusion of the meal as it could 
 be done, she drew Lillian away from the others, in the 
 hope of cheering her in her sadness. 
 
 " There was a coldness when you parted," said the 
 elder, " and he was offended at some triviality upoa
 
 THE RED PLUME *} 
 
 your part, for I know you could not do anything of a 
 serious character to offend him." 
 
 " Why did I treat him so rudely ? " exclaimed 
 Lillian, covering her face with her hands, and giving 
 vent to her pent-up grief. " He did not deserve it." 
 
 " Did he say he would never see you again ? " 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Then he certainly will, if his life is spared ; and I 
 do not know as it would make any difference if he de- 
 clared the other way." 
 
 " But I may never see him again? " 
 
 " Does it look less likely than it did yesterday that 
 we should ever meet father and mother again ? " 
 
 " But something tells me I shall not." 
 
 " Nothing but Omniscience can tell you that." 
 
 " I do not deserve it," said the stricken girl. " I had 
 no business to treat him as I did. He ought not to 
 speak to me again." 
 
 " That is one of the strongest reasons in the world 
 why he will do so. I do not deny that you have trifled 
 with him, and acted wrongfully ; but cheer up, dearest 
 sister, the future will make it all right." 
 
 " Do you believe he loves me? " asked Lillian, with 
 the earnest gaze of a culprit who was about to hear the 
 words that were to decide his fate. 
 
 Edith laughed. 
 
 " I told you so months ago. Do you think I would 
 have said it unless I knew it to be true ? " 
 
 " But do you think he does now ? "
 
 to8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " I am sure of it." 
 
 '" I hope so." added Lillian, with more cheerfulness 
 in her manner; " but I cannot be sure of it." 
 
 " Try and dismiss it from your mind, for I cannot 
 bear to see you so sad. Let us return, or our continued 
 absence will excite apprehension." 
 
 Lillian walked toward the camp-fire, where she could 
 hear the merry voices of those who were congregated, 
 and who, to her mind, seemed forgetful that death had 
 been so recently among them, or that they were still 
 liable at any moment to his coming 1 . 
 
 They had walked but a few steps, when she suddenly 
 felt Edith's hand tremble in her own, as she started 
 and exclaimed: 
 
 " There he comes ! " 
 
 Lillian started and looked up, and saw, not Havens, 
 but Fielding ! 
 
 And she smiled, for in that morrtent of woe did she 
 not penetrate the secret of her own dear sister ? " 
 
 The discovery gave her pleasure, and freeing her 
 arm from that of Edith, she walked away with a lighter 
 heart than she had borne for many an hour. 
 
 It looked accidental this meeting between Edith 
 and the Friend. The latter seemed to be wandering 
 about the island in the most natural manner, and the 
 blush upon his unmistakably handsome face perhaps 
 was caused by the unexpected meeting. 
 
 It was somewhat singular that Edith, always so self- 
 possessed, showed something of the same confusion in
 
 THE RED PLUME 209 
 
 her manner, and replied to the matter-of-fact observa- 
 tions of Fielding in an abrupt way, that provoked her 
 at her own awkwardness. 
 
 Unconsciously, perhaps, Edith's footsteps diverged 
 from the direction she was pursuing at first, and the 
 two strolled further and further away from the camp, 
 until thpy were at the lowermost extremity of the 
 island, where they paused, and conversed in tones so 
 low that no ears but those for which the words were in- 
 tended heard them. 
 
 Then they wandered slowly back again, as closely to- 
 gether as they could walk, and it seemed for a time that 
 it would be night before they could reach their friends. 
 
 Ah ! noble Edith Prescott, in watching the affections 
 of thy sister, hast thou not lost thine own ? "
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 ON THE ISLAND 
 
 THE return of Edith Prescott and Fielding to the 
 camp of their friends was simultaneous with the reap- 
 pearance of Red Plume. 
 
 The latter exchanged a few words with Jud, who 
 burst out into uproarious laughter, while the rest 
 looked on as if they did not comprehend what it all 
 meant. 
 
 " You may as well laugh," said the hunter, turning 1 
 to them ; " for them Sioux ain't goin' to disturb us very 
 soon." 
 
 " Why not ? " inquired Captain Swarthausen. 
 
 "Whiskey!" 
 
 And, overcome at the absurdity of the picture the 
 friendly Indian had given him, Jud laughed more 
 heartily than ever. 
 
 It was several minutes before the fugitives compre- 
 hended what had really taken place, and then, as may 
 readily be supposed, there was not a little wonder and 
 pleas: are expressed at this providential diversion of 
 their enemies. 
 
 " It is just the luckiest thing I ever heard tell on," 
 said Jud, who seemed to feel a childish delight at the 
 
 210
 
 THE RED PLUME ail 
 
 occurrence. " Red Plume and me just made up our 
 minds this mornin' that there wasn't more than one or 
 two of this party that was ever going to get out of this 
 scrape alive." 
 
 " My God ! was it as bad as that ! " exclaimed Pres- 
 cott, turning pale at the thought of what they had es- 
 caped. 
 
 " It was just that," replied jud, with compressed lips. 
 " What's to save you if they come down the river after 
 us, as we expected they would ? We would have had to 
 make a fight for it, and in a scrimmage such as that it 
 is easy enough to tell how it would have ended." 
 
 " Then we ought to get down on our knees and 
 thank God ! " said Prescott, and all, including the 
 swarthy Sioux, sank upon their knees, and silently re- 
 turned thanks to Him who had brought them thus far, 
 as He had guided the children of Israel through the 
 wilderness. 
 
 But there was none so ignorant or credulous as to 
 believe that they were yet safe. They were many miles 
 from Fort Grandon, the nearest point at which they 
 could feel any immunity from the treacherous Sioux 
 that had now taken the war-path, and seemed actuated 
 by the spirit of demons incarnate as they raged over the 
 settlements of Minnesota. 
 
 "Where did they get their whiskey?" inquired 
 Presort. 
 
 " It must have been in the house," replied Captain 
 Swarthausen.
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Dar wan't a drop dar," replied Dinah, "'cept a little 
 in a bottle dat I kept fur de rheumatiz, and I give Cato 
 de last drop ob dat fur de colic dat he said he got last 
 night from bein' 'sposed to de night air too long." 
 
 " Yes ; he looks as if he was very liable to the colic," 
 remarked Pipkins, surveying the buxom youngster 
 from head to foot. " I think any man that stuffs like 
 him would be apt to die with the worst kind of colic." 
 
 " Even if we had had spirituous liquors in the 
 house," replied Prescott, in answer to the remark of 
 Captain Swarthausen, " it would have been destroyed 
 before they could have lain hands upon it." 
 
 " Didst thou say that thou kept no liquor in thy 
 house ? " inquired Fielding. 
 
 " Not unless it was as Dinah has said." 
 
 " Very frequently have I detected the odor of it when 
 Elijah came near me." 
 
 " And so have I," added Muggins, speaking for the 
 first time in a long while. 
 
 " Golly ! dat feller used to get drunk as a cow," said 
 Cato ; " hain't I seed 'em stagger and tumble ober de 
 logs?" 
 
 "Where did he get it?" 
 
 " I neber could find out ; I tried to watch him once, 
 and he hit me ober de head wid a log, and I took de 
 hint and left." 
 
 " In what form was it? " inquired Prescott, turning 
 toward Jud.
 
 THE RED PLUME 213 
 
 " Pappose barrel," replied Red Plume, who was un- 
 derstood to mean a keg. 
 
 <: That explains a mystery," added Prescott. " A 
 month or two ago I sent Lige down the river to meet 
 the steamboat for a keg of choice Bourbon that I had 
 ordered from St. Paul, and he came back with the ex- 
 cuse that it had been lost off the boat. I thought it was 
 strange, but I did not suspect him." 
 
 " He was the guilty one." 
 
 " I see how he has hid it, and has now brought it 
 forth to conciliate the Sioux; and it has done us a far 
 greater service than he imagined." 
 
 " Didst thou see aught of Pomp ? " inquired Field- 
 ing, putting the question directly to Red Plume. 
 
 " He dead," was the instant reply. 
 
 Humble as had been the individual, this sudden an- 
 nouncement of his death caused a shock upon the part 
 of all. It was a vivid reminder of the fiendish disposi- 
 tion of the redskins, and of their malignant cruelty, 
 which made no distinction between the innocent and 
 guilty. 
 
 Fielding was seen to turn away his head, and all re- 
 spected him the more when they saw him brush the 
 moisture from his eyes. 
 
 Two of the party had already fallen victims to the 
 Sioux, and a third was in their hands although the 
 latter individual was not of much account, no matter 
 where he was placed, and indeed the whites were 
 rather relieved at his absence than otherwise.
 
 814 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Neither Red Plume nor Jud had seen anything of 
 danger, either above or below the river, and it was con- 
 cluded to remain where they were until nightfall, or 
 perhaps until next morning. 
 
 This delay would give the party the rest which they 
 so much needed, and would not, so far as they could 
 see, compromise their safety. If they could manage to 
 strike the other river at such a time as to intercept the 
 steamboat, they might be rescued without going near as 
 far as Fort Grandon. 
 
 But this proposal had met with a decided refusal 
 from both the scouts Jud giving as a reason, that in 
 all probability the steamer would not run so far up as 
 the river until the troubles were ended, and they would 
 have their journey for nothing, while there was every 
 probability of their being drawn into greater peril by 
 this diversion from their course. 
 
 It was agreed, therefore, to keep on down the river 
 for thirty or forty miles, until they reached Fort Gran- 
 don. This course necessitated no disappointment, un- 
 less it should occur before they reached there, but they 
 fully understood the point for which they were aiming. 
 
 As soon as it was decided to spend the day and night 
 where they were, preparations were made to pass the 
 time as agreeably as possible. 
 
 The first consideration, in the eyes of the scouts, was 
 to make the sail-boat, which was now moored at the 
 upper end of the island, invisible. This told its story
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 rather too plainly to be left in open view to whatever 
 Indians might be wandering through the country. 
 
 As there was no means at hand effectually to conceal 
 it, Jud took it over to the other shore, towing it behind 
 his own canoe. Here, by lowering the mast, he man- 
 aged to draw it under the bank, where the undergrowth 
 was particularly luxuriant, and to secure it in such a 
 manner that there was scarcely a possibility of its being 
 seen by any one going up or down the river, or even 
 upon the bank, unless accident should direct his steps 
 to the very spot where it nestled in the green and exu- 
 berant vegetation. 
 
 As there were some indications of a storm in the sky, 
 those on shore employed themselves in preparing, as 
 best they could, a shelter for the females. With the aid 
 of the sail and several blankets, a sort of tent was put 
 together, which was deemed sufficient to protect them 
 against any storm which would be likely to rise during 
 the night. 
 
 " As for ourselves," said Captain Swarthausen, re- 
 ferring to the male members of the party, " we must 
 take it in the open air." 
 
 " The night is quite mild, and the shrubbery is dense 
 enough overhead to keep off any superfluous moisture," 
 replied Prescott. 
 
 " Such nights as these are the delight of a soldier, 
 and often enough we have slept out of doors, when 
 there were no trees to keep off the driving snow, and
 
 tl6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 scarcely a blanket to protect us from it, upon the 
 ground." 
 
 " That's what I call carrying picnicking to an ex- 
 treme," observed Pipkins, as he languidly puffed his 
 meerschaum. " Such exposure is apt to give a man cold 
 and make him anxious for the comforts of home." 
 
 " Yes ; one night like that would be the end of you," 
 replied Captain Swarthausen, as he surveyed the femi- 
 nine specimen of a man before him. " I don't think you 
 could ever become used to it." 
 
 " That's the reason why I have never tried," was the 
 contented answer. 
 
 The rest upon the island was a most refreshing one 
 to the entire band of fugitives. They had all been sub- 
 jected to such toil and trial that, with a feeling of even 
 temporary safety, came a reaction, and there was not 
 one who did not need sleep. 
 
 While the different ones disposed of themselves as 
 fancy dictated, Jud and Red Plume made a tour of the 
 island. The former had told his friends to sleep while 
 they had the opportunity, and he would alternate with 
 the Sioux during the night, provided it looked safe to 
 do so. 
 
 Veteran scouts as these two men were, and similar as 
 were their tastes and judgments, a casual observer 
 would have seen at once that there was some point of 
 difference between them. Their views were dissimilar 
 upon some point which concerned the safety of the 
 company.
 
 THE RED PLUME 217 
 
 It was apparently a slight difference ; but, when the 
 consequences of a mistake in the wrong direction are 
 considered, it will be seen how vitally it concerned our 
 friends, who, in all their dreamings, did not dream of 
 any such thing entering the heads of their guardians. 
 
 Red Plume believed that they were still in danger 
 from the Sioux along the lake. True, there was not a 
 strong probability of these drunken savages starting 
 in pursuit of an enemy just then ; but it was probable 
 that they would be in a condition to do so by nightfall, 
 for the simple reason that their whiskey could not hold 
 out much longer ; and after a debauch of this kind they 
 would be in as vindictive and merciless a temper as it is 
 possible for a degraded redskin to be. 
 
 Old Jud saw no danger at all. If the Sioux should 
 regain enough of their senses to be able to pursue them, 
 they would regain enough sense, also, to see the useless- 
 ness of it, when there would be every reason to believe 
 that the whites were far byond their reach, even before 
 they could start after them. 
 
 The dusky scout was not given to argument, and 
 when he found how opinionated his white companion 
 was, he ceased to dispute, and signified his acquies- 
 cence in his views ; but Jud saw plainly enough that it 
 was one of those things which was done purely for 
 peace sake. 
 
 This conclusion was hardly reached when Red 
 Plume pointed to the eastern shore, a short distance up
 
 2l8 THE RED PLUME 
 
 stream, uttering an exclamation of displeasure at the 
 same time. 
 
 That which he saw was the same sign that met the 
 eye of the Otter and Colonel Havens in ascending the 
 stream the day before that is, the smoke of a camp- 
 fire ascending through the tops of the trees. 
 
 "Dar Injin," remarked Red Plume, in his broken 
 English. 
 
 "Yes, and there, too," replied the scout, pointing 
 down the river, but on the opposite side, where a simi- 
 lar sight was observed. 
 
 This, then, was proof that they were in a neighbor- 
 hood of great danger, and it looked as though it was 
 a prudent thing to halt when and where they did. 
 
 Old Jud looked significantly toward his dusky 
 friend, and smiled, but that stolid face was as inex- 
 pressive as a stone, and gave no indication of what 
 were the thoughts of the Indian. 
 
 If the night was to be spent here, it was necessary 
 that some provision should be made, as only frag- 
 ments of the fishes remained. There was no good place 
 in the immediate vicinity of the island to fish, so Jud 
 entered his canoe, and pulled for the other shore, where 
 he had met with such abundant good fortune during 
 the afternoon. 
 
 This left Red Plume with the duty of watching and 
 protecting the entire island ; but he felt fully competent 
 to do so, at. least during the day, when he was able to 
 scan every approach with his eagle eye, and communi-
 
 THE RED PLUME 319 
 
 cate with Jud, who was within easy signalling dis- 
 tance. 
 
 The sky, by this time, was overcast with clouds, and 
 there was every appearance of an approaching storm. 
 Faint rumbling thunder was heard in the distance, ac- 
 companied by occasional flashes of lightning, and a 
 cool wind swayed the forest trees, and wrinkled the 
 surface of the river. 
 
 The storm, however, passed off to the northward, 
 only a few drops falling upon the island, while it 
 raged, with great fierceness a few miles up the river. 
 
 Old Jud saw a fortunate turn of affairs in this, as 
 such a turmoil in the woods would be pretty certain to 
 obliterate all signs of the trail which had been left along 
 the margin of the lake, and compel the Sioux, in case 
 they should think of pursuing, to go it blind more de- 
 cidedly than ever. 
 
 Any one who understood the nature of Red Plume 
 would have seen, on the instant, that he was far from 
 being satisfied with the shape matters had taken. He 
 walked back and forth, in and out among the trees, first 
 appearing at the upper and then at the lower end of the 
 island, and scanning every portion of the shore thai 
 was visible. 
 
 The long summer afternoon gradually wore away, 
 and still every one of the fugitives slept soundly, show- 
 ing how necessary, in one sense at least, it was that the 
 rest should have been obtained for them. 
 
 Just as the sun was setting, the canoe of Jud put out
 
 220 THE RED PLUME 
 
 in the river, and rapidly approached the island. As 
 the scout drew his boat up the bank, he revealed a fine 
 pile of fish which by some legerdemain, he had in- 
 veigled from the water into the boat. 
 
 About this time, also, there was a general awaking 
 up of the party, and a universal sense of hunger among 
 them all. 
 
 Old Jud having given some hints to Dinah of the 
 process by which he had prepared the fish, it was left 
 to her, while the others busied themselves as they chose. 
 
 Most of them took to wandering over the island, in 
 the best of spirits, which were dampened, however, 
 somewhat, by Jud stating to them that it was the wish 
 of Red Plume that they should expose themselves as 
 little as possible to view from the shore. 
 
 When asked for an explanation of this request, he 
 simply replied that it was the wish of the Sioux, who 
 would not have made such a request unless there was 
 reason for it, and the best thing they could do was to 
 obey it. 
 
 To several of the men, Jud explained that there were 
 Indians at no great distance, and an unfortunate dis- 
 closure of the presence of the whites upon the island 
 would be very likely to bring on a collision. 
 
 "Dat's what I tink," said Cato, who was listening, 
 open- mouthed, to these words; "dar's Injuns 'bout yer, 
 'cause I seed 'em." 
 
 " Where did you see them ? " inquired Prescott, in 
 no little surprise.
 
 THE RED PLUME szi 
 
 " When I was down at de lower end de island ; I 
 was lookin' 'bout; I seed 'leven Injuns in one boat a 
 rowin' 'cross de riber." 
 
 "When?" 
 
 " 'Bout half an hour ago." 
 
 " You were asleep then," said Captain Swarthausen. 
 
 The negro scratched his head, as if he were unde- 
 cided regarding that matter. Finally, his face lit as 
 he looked up. 
 
 " Dat be so; I dreamed it suah." 
 
 " Shouldn't wonder ef you seen it afore you see 
 daylight agin," remarked Jud, in a voice which 
 showed he was in earnest. 
 
 "Are there no settlements in this neighborhood?" 
 inquired Fielding. 
 
 " There ain't exactly what you call settlements," he 
 replied, " but there are houses scattered here and there, 
 and they're the ones that be catching it. Them's the 
 kind of enemies the Sioux like to pounce down upon." 
 
 " Suppose they should attack us upon the island, 
 have we much chance of defending ourselves ? " in- 
 quired Prescott. 
 
 " If they don't come too fast. You see they'd have 
 to come over the water, while we'd have the shelter of 
 the trees; and that's just the way the redskins don't 
 like to have matters fixed." 
 
 " They would not be likely to make an open at- 
 tack?"
 
 222 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Not as long as there was any other chance. You 
 see how they worked it along the lake." 
 
 " There's one thing certain," laughed Captain 
 Swarthausen, " we ain't as likely to be burned out as 
 we were there." 
 
 " That is what I call fortunate," remarked Pipkins; 
 " there's only one danger that I foresee, in case the abo- 
 rigines should find out we were picnicking here, and 
 decide to molest us." 
 
 All looked inquiringly at the young man for his ex- 
 planation of what he feared. 
 
 " Finding we have intrenched ourselves here, they 
 may throw up a dam across the water above and shut 
 the water off." 
 
 " How will that benefit them? " 
 
 " Then they can march upon us overland, just as 
 your soldiers charge upon a fort or embankment." 
 
 Pipkins seemed so earnest in what he said, that more 
 than one laughed, especially Captain Swarthausen, who 
 declared that he was born for a general. 
 
 " That's what I've been told before, and if it wasn't 
 for my confounded modesty I would have been a gen- 
 eral by this time hello ! hark ! " 
 
 Every one started, for at that moment they heard the 
 faint discharge of guns, as if two parties were encoun- 
 tering each other. 
 
 " Is that up or down the river? " asked Prescott. 
 
 " It's off here," replied the Captain, pointing to the 
 right.
 
 THE RED PLUME 223 
 
 "That's up the river," added Jud; "the way the 
 Stream winds round and round." 
 
 " What's the meaning of it? " 
 
 The scout shook his head. 
 
 " That's more than I kin tell ; I don't know as I ever 
 heerd them guns afore, else I might tell you who fired 
 'em." 
 
 " It confirms what you have said, at any rate, that 
 the Sioux are on every side of us." 
 
 " Do you think," asked Captain Swarthausen, " that 
 it was our wisest plan to halt here for the night? " 
 
 Jud hesitated a moment before replying. 
 
 " I don't know how to answer that 'ere question till 
 we've got through this muss, and found out what we've 
 had to go through. Red Plume, I may as well tell you, 
 was opposed to our stayin' here till morning." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 " Wall, it's hard to tell ; but I think he's changed his 
 mind, and concluded that it was the best thing we could 
 do." 
 
 " Is it better to go at night or daytime? " 
 
 * From the way things look, it's better to take the 
 day for it. You see there's enough moon to show the 
 white sail to both sides the shore, and there would be 
 some redskins that would be sure to see it." 
 
 " Hardly as likely to do so, as during the day." 
 
 " Just so ; but in the day time we'd have a chance 
 of seein' where we was runnin', and be ready to sar- 
 cumvent any trick of the rascals."
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 The conversation suddenly ceased, for the report of 
 guns was again heard, and all listened with great inter- 
 est. 
 
 It was just growing dusk, and there was scarcely a 
 breath of air stirring the leaves, so that a slight sound 
 could be heard at a great distance, even when ob- 
 structed by the woods. The plash of a small fish that 
 sprang above the surface, at a long distance up stream, 
 was heard as plainly as if it were within a rod or two 
 of where they stood. 
 
 Old Jud was of an opinion that the guns which they 
 heard, were about a mile off, which was twice as far 
 as any of the others had supposed. 
 
 " There be farm houses here and there," he added, 
 " and there's no tellin' what this means. It may be 
 some of the settlers fighting for their lives. I will see 
 what Red Plume thinks of it." 
 
 He walked away, and when at the end of a few min- 
 utes he returned, all noticed the serious expression of 
 his countenance. 
 
 " The redskin says it comes from the varmints and 
 settlers fightin', and he b'leves they've found out we 
 be here." 
 
 "Good heavens ! what don't they find out ! " ex- 
 claimed Mr. Prescott, not a little alarmed at this as- 
 tounding intelligence "Are we never to be safe ? " 
 
 " Not as long as we stay in this outlandish country. 
 I tell you, you folks don't know what a general clean- 
 ing out these infarnal varmints are making. Ef we
 
 THE RED PLUME 225 
 
 don't get into Fort Grandon afore long, it's my 'pin- 
 ion we'll never get there at all." 
 
 The altered manner of the scout impressed all, and 
 threw quite a chill over the good feelings which had 
 hitherto prevailed. 
 
 " Did Red Plume give his reason for thinking the 
 heathen knew we were here? " inquired Fielding. 
 
 " No ; I s'pose he hasn't got any partic'lar reason ; 
 but he's been looking around powerful sharp since 
 we've been here, and has come to his 'elusion on gen- 
 eral principles, I think." 
 
 " Then there is a possibility of his being mistaken ? " 
 added the Friend. 
 
 " I s'pose he might be, but the safest way in a thing 
 like this, is to think he ain't." 
 
 Further conversation was interrupted by Dinah 
 shouting in a voice that certainly must have penetrated 
 a mile: 
 
 " Suppah's ready, and ef you folks don't come purty 
 quick, my baby will eat eberyting dar is fur you ! " 
 
 This produced a panic, and in a very brief space of 
 time, the fugitives were gathered around the pile of 
 fish, and eating with as keen appetites, almost, as 
 marked their first meal' upon the island. 
 
 The fire had been kindled among the trees where the 
 surrounding vegetation was dense enough to prevent 
 its attracting attention from the shore. This place had 
 been intentionally selected on this account, when the 
 first fire was started by old Jud himself.
 
 aa6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 The island itself, especially the upper portion wa3 
 covered with a large quantity of drift-wood, brought 
 down during many a previous freshet, and this made 
 the best of fuel for the purpose for which it was used. 
 
 It was observed by all, that Red Plume displayed a 
 capacity for holding food, which, to say the least, was 
 amazing. 
 
 " Don't think he's eat a mouthful for two days, " re- 
 marked Jud, by way of explanation, " and he would go 
 longer yet without sayin' a word, ef it didn't happen to 
 be handy. " 
 
 " It's a gift, " said Pipkins, who was not a great 
 ways behind the savage in his appetite ; " he and I are 
 a good deal alike." 
 
 " How do you make that out? " inquired Prescott. 
 
 " Why don't you see what capabilities we have in 
 the gastronomic line? " 
 
 " But you have not abstained as long as he." 
 
 "There's where the slight difference comes in; we 
 are like and unlike, you see. I don't require the time 
 to develop my power in that direction ; still, the power 
 itself is very similar in both cases. " 
 
 And Pipkins laughed, as if certain that he had said 
 something extremely funny. 
 
 Lillian, Edith, and her mother, were quite reserved, 
 and evidently did not participate in the hilarity of 
 spirits displayed by several of the others. 
 
 The great loss which Muggins had suffered was con- 
 tinually manifest in his action and appearance. He
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 had not been seen to smile since he had learned the sad 
 news. 
 
 Naturally of a genial disposition, this was all the 
 more noticeable, and he had the sympathy of all, in- 
 cluding Pipkins himself, who was not without a certain 
 kindness of heart, in spite of the triviality he displayed 
 so continually. 
 
 The storm which had impended some hours before, 
 had now entirely disappeared, and the sky was almost 
 entirely clear of clouds. The light of the moon was 
 unobstructed, and the night was to be a fairer one than 
 the preceding. 
 
 The fugitives were now so thoroughly rested, that 
 there was some thought of resuming their journey, as 
 soon as darkness was fairly settled upon them, but Red 
 Plume and Jud agreed that probably nothing would 
 be gained by it. There was no island for many miles 
 that offered such a good place of refuge as this, and it 
 was no more than prudent to refuse to leave it, until 
 they understood the bearings of the land before them. 
 
 Furthermore, there was strong reason to believe that 
 the Indians had discovered the presence of the whites 
 upon the island, and would attempt a reconnoissance of 
 it before venturing upon an attack. 
 
 Quite late in the evening, after the females had re- 
 tired to their tent, the sentinels were placed. Fielding 
 took the upper end of the island, Muggins the lower, 
 Prescott one side and Pipkins the other, while old Jud 
 took upon himself the office of general-in-chief, or
 
 228 THE RED PLUME 
 
 superintendent, it being his purpose to walk around 
 and see that each man did his duty. 
 
 Red Plume consented to take the rest which his iron 
 frame needed; for many an hour had passed since he 
 had closed his eyes in sleep, or had given even his 
 strained faculties a few minutes' rest. 
 
 So he folded his blanket around him, and lay down 
 beneath one of the trees, where he could be easily 
 reached by a signal from Jud, and here he immediately 
 sank into that profound sleep characteristic of the In- 
 dian race. 
 
 Jud impressed upon each man the necessity of his 
 keeping thoroughly wide awake, and each very natur- 
 ally intended to do so; Pipkins lighting his meer- 
 schaum by way of assisting him in the matter. 
 
 " If you want to go to sleep, smoke your pipe, " said 
 he, as he adjusted himself in position; " if you want to 
 keep awake, smoke your pipe; that constitutes what I 
 call the nicotine paradox," he added, as he gave an 
 enormous whiff. " I say, Jud, if I see one of the noble 
 red men of the woods endeavoring to steal upon this 
 delightful island, I am to shoot him, ain't I ? " 
 
 " Yes. " 
 
 " Unless he gives the countersign, I suppose. What 
 is that?" 
 
 ' You may pick out your own countersign, " 
 laughed the scout, somewhat amused at the eccentric- 
 ities of the young exquisite. 
 
 "'E pluribus unum' then, is the word," said he;
 
 THE RED PLUME 229 
 
 " just instruct the others on that point, and tell them 
 that it must be uttered in pure English, and not in the 
 Sioux tongue." 
 
 " Did you ever shoot a man? " inquired Jud. 
 
 " Never but once, and then it turned out to be a mule 
 that somebody had killed before me, I never scalped an 
 Indian that's certain. " 
 
 " You needn't take the trouble to raise the hair of 
 any you might see to-night ; but the minute you're SUP* 
 it's a redskin, blaze away. " 
 
 " All right ; I comprehend your instructions. " 
 
 With which Pipkins resumed his pipe and passed on. 
 
 Muggins, although generally of little account, was 
 sure to be reliable in any emergency to-night. He was 
 silent and thoughtful, and would doubtless be glad of 
 an opportunity, although, in a slight degree, to repay 
 the merciless redskins for the terrible affliction they had 
 brought upon him. 
 
 He quietly promised an obedience to the commands 
 of the scout, who gave him but little instruction, and 
 passed on to Fielding. 
 
 Here there was even less yet said. The Friend had 
 learned an amazing lot within the last week or two, and 
 especially within the preceding twenty-four hours, and 
 the hunter had the good taste not to say too much to 
 him. 
 
 Prescott was quite apprehensive, and it will be ad- 
 mitted that he had a good cause. His residence in 
 Minnesota had been extended enough to give him an
 
 3 3 o THE RED PLUME 
 
 idea of the frightful atrocities of which the redskins 
 were capable, and, when it is remembered that he had 
 his wife and two children with him, it would have been 
 unnatural had he been indifferent to the situation. 
 
 " Have you any suspicion of the manner in which 
 they will attack us ? " he inquired of Jud. 
 
 " Dunno as they will do it at all. " 
 
 " I know ; we all hope they won't ; but, provided they 
 do, in what shape may we expect them ? " 
 
 " Some of 'em will come sneakin' around at first, to 
 find out whether we're on the look-out for them or not. 
 You won't have any trouble in seein' them, 'cause, as I 
 said, they won't take extra pains to hide themselves 
 but it's them that come afterward, when they feel like 
 'tending to business. " 
 
 "And how shall we look for them? Although, I 
 suppose, that if we are sharp enough to keep up a good 
 watch, there is no fear but that we shall see them. " 
 
 " No ; you know as much 'bout that as I do. " 
 
 Having stationed and instructed them all, the scout 
 began his rounds, making it a point to come upon the 
 sentinels in such silence as to prevent their " trim- 
 ming," and putting on a vigilance, which was not a 
 fair criterion of their diligence. 
 
 Fielding, as a matter of course, was wide awake, and 
 as keenly alert as a veteran mountaineer could have 
 been, so the scout passed on without letting him know 
 of his presence. Muggins was silent and watchful, as
 
 THE RED PLUME 231 
 
 was Prescott, and Jud quietly went by them all, with- 
 out permitting them to be aware of his proximity. 
 
 Pipkins was sitting on the ground leaning against a 
 tree, and very silent so silent, indeed, that the scout 
 approached closer, and looked in his face. 
 
 As he expected, he was sound asleep ! 
 
 To test his watchfulness, Jud tramped about him 
 several times, and even stumbled over him, but he slept 
 on ; and he finally left him as he was, unwilling to dis- 
 turb the slumber that must be so refreshing. 
 
 He had moved but a few steps, when a signal from 
 Fielding drew him in that direction. The next moment 
 he was at his side. 
 
 " If I am not greatly mistaken," said the Quaker, 
 " yonder is a boat passing down stream, at about an 
 equal distance from the island and yonder shore. " 
 
 Ere the deliberately speaking young man had fin- 
 ished his sentence, Jud was looking sharply in the di- 
 rection indicated. He saw distinctly a large boat float- 
 ing downward with the current. 
 
 " Yes ; yonder goes a boat, " he replied, after a mo- 
 ment's scrutiny, " and what's more, ifs ours the very 
 sail boat I pulled under the bank. " 
 
 " It may have floated free " 
 
 " Not a bit of it there be Injins in it! '*
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 " MANOEUVRING FOR POSITION " 
 
 THIS was not a very pleasant discovery to make, 
 looking at the simple theft itself, or its signification of 
 the proximity of the Indians, 
 
 The boat could be plainly seen as it floated down 
 stream, and the fact that it went neither faster nor 
 slower than the current, caused the belief of Fielding 
 that it had merely drifted loose. 
 
 " It's all a trick, " said Jud ; " it's done on purpose 
 to make us think that. " 
 
 " Dost thou think there is a heathen in it ? " 
 
 " I don't see any ; but if there ain't any inside, they're 
 watchin' 'long shore, in the hope that some of us will 
 go out to pick it up. " 
 
 "And must we lose the boat? Verily, we can ill 
 suffer such a loss. " 
 
 " We can't stop it just now ; I'll go down to the 
 t'other end the island, and see what I kin see. " 
 
 Upon reaching the lowest point of the land upon 
 which they were camped, the scout admonished Mug- 
 gins to keep invisible and remain quiet ; and then, lying 
 flat upon the ground, he carefully scrutinized the boat 
 as it floated away from him. 
 
 232
 
 THE RED PLUME 233 
 
 By placing himself as low down as possible, the 
 scout hoped to bring the gunwales of the boat against 
 the clear sky beyond, but found it could not be done 
 for a few moments, as the dark back-ground of trees, 
 on the other shore, interposed and prevented. 
 
 But as the vessel drifted downward, it passed away 
 from this bank of shadow, and got below Jud, so that 
 it stood out upon the surface of the water, with nothing 
 but the river itself in the back-ground beyond. 
 
 However, by this time it was so far away, that it 
 could not be seen with very great distinctness; but, 
 scanning it as intently as possible, the hunter fancied 
 he saw the head of an Indian moving along the gun- 
 wale, as if he were stealthily changing his position. 
 
 His supposition upon this ground was strengthened 
 by noticing a change in the course of the boat. In- 
 stead of keeping on down the river in the direct line 
 it had been following during the last few minutes, it 
 was diverted toward the bank which it had previously 
 left, and continued steadily nearing it, until, as it was 
 about fading out in the distance, it mingled with the 
 gloom of the overhanging undergrowth, and, although 
 it had vanished from view, Jud was certain that it was 
 at rest. 
 
 The fact that it had gone out from the shore and 
 returned to it at a point lower down, was proof enough 
 that human agency was concerned in the business ; but 
 the hunter was somewhat puzzled to understand how 
 the boat had been discovered by the savages.
 
 234 THE RED PLUME 
 
 True, it might have happened by accident, but it was 
 so unlikely, that he was forced to conclude that he must 
 have been watched at the time he concealed it himself, 
 and thus, without knowing it, he had been in the power 
 of the redskins, who could have shot him at any mo- 
 ment while he was egaged in fishing. 
 
 Jud conjectured that his enemies, knowing as they 
 did that the island would be guarded by sentinels, 
 hoped to draw one or two of them in pursuit, and thus 
 uncover the approach to the fugitives, and give the 
 Sioux the coveted opportunity of stealing upon them 
 unawares in the night. 
 
 With this explanation, the prudence of Jud will be 
 appreciated in not venturing out after the boat. Un- 
 questionable as was the ability of our friends to make 
 a good defence, there were none of them at all anxious 
 to bring on an encounter with their treacherous en- 
 emies. 
 
 Still, the hunter was not disposed quietly to give up 
 their property, which was so indispensable to his com-, 
 panions in continuing their flight down the river. 
 With only the two small canoes at their command, it 
 was impossible to carry more than half the company. 
 
 He was confident that, for the present, at least, the 
 boat would not be taken any great distance, and, when 
 he was prepared to manoeuvre for its recovery, he was 
 confident that he knew where to look for it. Until then 
 he could wait on more important matters.
 
 THE RED PLUME 235 
 
 " If you see anything more, " said Jud to Muggins, 
 "jist give a low whistle, like, and I will be here." 
 
 With this, he started toward the upper end of the 
 island, passing en his way Augustus Pipkins, who, as 
 might be supposed, was still sound asleep. Placing his 
 arm upon his shoulder, he was forced to shake him 
 quite roughly before he could induce him to open his 
 eyes. 
 
 " I'm afeared you'll catch cold, " remarked the hun- 
 ter ; "hadn't you better put your blanket over you ? " 
 
 Pipkins rubbed his eyes for some time, before he 
 succeeded in thoroughly awaking, but his self-posses- 
 sion did not forsake him. 
 
 "You see, I knew there wouldn't be any danger be- 
 fore midnight, so I thought I would prepare myself by 
 taking a little nap between now and then." 
 
 " But I tell you, there is danger all the time; as 
 much now as at any time." 
 
 " Indeed ! is it possible ? Why didn't you tell me 
 that in the first place. I am glad you have mentioned 
 it, for now I will remember it." 
 
 " I hope you will, " said Jud, as he changed his mind, 
 and walked back toward Muggins. 
 
 It was about this time that Fielding, who was as 
 wide awake as a weasel, was startled by hearing a 
 slight ripple of the water, close to where he was stand- 
 ing beside a tree, which sounded differently from the 
 usual wash of the current against the sand. 
 
 Knowing the insidious nature of the redskins, he
 
 *36 THE RED PLUME 
 
 carefully took a step or two forward and peered into 
 the water. 
 
 He possessed a keen vision, and he used it to the 
 best of his ability, but could discern nothing out of 
 the usual order of things, and, after a minute or so, he 
 stepped back again, with his suspicions partly but not 
 entirely disarmed. 
 
 Some little time passed when precisely the same 
 sound was heard, and he again advanced and looked 
 out, but with no better success than before. 
 
 " It may be that the storm of a few hours ago has 
 raised the river somewhat, and the increasing volume 
 is what I hear upon the beach, " he reflected, as he 
 stepped back to his place once more. 
 
 But at this juncture he observed a slight swaying of 
 the bushes along the shore, and immediately after, be- 
 came certain that an Indian, on his hands and knees, 
 was stealing toward him. 
 
 The Quaker stepped back and concealed himself be- 
 hind the tree. The next second he saw the Sioux 
 slowly rise to a crouching position, and look search- 
 ingly around in the darkness. 
 
 He held this bent attitude for quite a time, not only 
 looking but listening, while Fielding never once took 
 his eyes from him. 
 
 Strange emotions agitated the Friend. He very well 
 knew that any other member of the party placed in his 
 position would not hesitate to fire. 
 
 By his side was his loaded rifle, and, in a twinkling.
 
 THE RED PLUME 237 
 
 he could bring it to his shoulder and send a bullet 
 through the brain or heart of the daring redskin, who 
 was less than a dozen feet away. But all through the 
 frightful experiences of the last day or two, he had not 
 knowingly killed a person, although he had some mis- 
 givings as to the ultimate fate of the individual, whom, 
 it will be remembered, he assisted off the roof he was 
 seeking to fire. 
 
 And although he was strongly tempted to shoot this 
 miscreant, whose only object was evil, in coming upon 
 the island in this manner, yet his nature revolted. He 
 grasped the rifle at his side with a firm grasp, but he 
 made no movement to bring it to a level with his enemy 
 before him. 
 
 " Verily, I will defend myself if he leap upon me, " 
 he reflected; r "but I cannot bring myself to strike the 
 first blow." 
 
 It looked very much as if he who struck the first 
 blow would strike the only one, as that would probably 
 be an extinguisher, and he was not exactly confident 
 that he would stand still, even, and patiently receive 
 this infliction. 
 
 By this time the Indian had assumed the upright 
 position, and stood erect, turning his head from side 
 to side, disposed cautiously to feel every inch of his 
 way as he advanced into the wood, where he knew his 
 hereditary enemies were partly sleeping and partly 
 standing guard. 
 
 As he stood with his whole figure outlined, he dis-
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 covered a form of peerless symmetry, and a man who 
 would make a most desperate antagonist in a hand-to- 
 hand encounter. Indeed, the iron-limbed scout would 
 have carefully measured such a foe before grappling 
 with him. 
 
 But it was not fear that held Fielding motionless. 
 It was the teachings of his life, which would not allow 
 him to advance to the assault of the savage even though 
 he knew he was coming with murder in his heart. 
 
 Several times he was upon the point of signalling 
 to Jud to come to the scene ; but cautiously as he might 
 make the call, there would be no concealing it from the 
 ears of the Sioux, who Was evidently listening for just 
 such a warning from whomsoever might be stationed 
 nearest him. 
 
 Then Fielding was momentarily expecting the com- 
 ing of the scout. Had the latter indeed proceeded to 
 the upper part of the island, as he intended when he 
 first left Muggins, he would have reached this spot at 
 the very moment the Indian displayed himself. 
 
 But the savage having waited several minutes, began 
 moving forward, keeping close to the shore, however, 
 and occasionally sinking down, so that for a short time 
 he was lost entirely to view. 
 
 Great as was the repugnance of Fielding to actual 
 war, he could not consent to allow this miscreant to 
 approach the sleeping ones in the centre of the wood, 
 and he therefore began walking along parallel with the
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 239 
 
 Indian, and keeping himself between him and the 
 camp. 
 
 The extreme caution with which the Sioux stole his 
 way along the shore, made it quite an easy task to 
 maintain an equal pace with him, and to interpose 
 against any sudden advance upon the part of the sav- 
 age. 
 
 Half the length of the island was passed, when the 
 savage suddenly vanished from sight. Fielding waited 
 a moment for him to reappear, but seeing nothing of 
 him, he supposed he had gone further down before ris- 
 ing to the upright position, and he therefore moved a 
 rod or so down himself. 
 
 But still the Sioux remained invisible, and fearful of 
 being outwitted, the Friend hastily stepped to the edge 
 of the river, reaching it just in time to catch a glimpse 
 of the head of the Indian, as he swam swiftly toward 
 the main land. 
 
 At the same moment, a rustling behind him caught 
 his ear, and turning his head he saw old Jud in the act 
 of raising his rifle. 
 
 " Hold ! " said Fielding, as he pushed the barrel 
 aside ; " he has harmed no one why harm him ? " 
 
 The hunter lowered his piece with a laugh. 
 
 " Ef any other man but you done that I'd shoot him ; 
 but you're a plucky dog, if you are a Quaker. You 
 proved that last night ; but my principles is, whenever 
 you see a redskin, shoot him." 
 
 "And therein has great evil been done the red man,
 
 240 THE RED PLUME 
 
 friend Jubal ; for such a course must frequently strike 
 the innocent as well as the guilty." 
 
 " I don't believe there be any such things as innocent 
 Ingins," doggedly returned the scout; " they may put 
 it on afore your face, but they will stab you to the heart 
 when your back is turned." 
 
 " What thinkest thou of Red Plume? " 
 
 This was an argumentum ad hominem, and took the 
 hunter all aback for a moment. 
 
 " I look upon him as a white man anyway." 
 
 "Ah ! friend Jubal, thou canst not get over the diffi- 
 culty in that way ; Red Plume is as much an Indian as 
 is he who just now fled the island, yet one is thy friend, 
 and the other thine enemy." 
 
 "And you wouldn't let me hurt either one of 'em." 
 
 " Because it was not necessary." 
 
 " Suppose you should see him leanin' over wal, 
 say Edith Prescott with his tomahawk raised ready 
 to strike, and you stood as you do, with your loaded 
 rifle in your hand what then ? " 
 
 " I pray thee, Jubal, not to force me to answer. I 
 am a weak, erring man, and the voice of conscience is 
 not followed as frequently as it should be." 
 
 The scout laughed again, for ft was evident he was 
 pleased with the Quaker, who was indeed a noble and 
 courageous young man. 
 
 "Ah ! you'll do," he exclaimed, slapping him on the 
 shoulder ; " I ain't afeard to trust you alone. I think 
 you would be apt to strike rather powerful like, if some
 
 THE RED PLUME 241 
 
 of the varmints should press you agin the wall. But 
 tell me where you first seed this redskin that you love 
 so much." 
 
 Fielding related what is already known to our read- 
 ers, Jud listening attentively in the meantime, and smil- 
 ing in his quiet way, when the Friend told how he had 
 managed to keep between the party and the savage. 
 
 " Lest the heathen should steal upon them un- 
 awares." 
 
 " Ef you don't want to go into the scalping busi- 
 ness," said Jud, " just whistle to me, and I'll take it off 
 your hands." 
 
 Going to the upper end of the island where he had 
 hid his canoe, the scout entered it, and paddled close 
 along shore in the direction of the point where Pipkins 
 had been stationed as a sentinel. 
 
 His intention was to give the young man a thorough 
 test of his watchfulness, and in case he failed, as he 
 expected he would do, he would withdraw him and as- 
 sume his place himself, first calling upon Red Plume to 
 take upon himself the office of general superintendent. 
 
 The truth was, Jud began to feel that matters were 
 getting too serious to permit any trifling. 
 
 The water directly in front of Pipkins was quite 
 deep, and the hunter purposely made quite a plashing 
 with his paddle. 
 
 Not a little surprised, therefore, was he, when he saw 
 a man standing upright with his rifle in hand, who 
 called out,
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "Who goes there?" 
 
 The hunter made no reply, but continued moving 
 slowly along, quite surprised at the watchfulness of the 
 young exquisite. 
 
 " Give the countersign hello ! you came near get- 
 ting shot," laughed Pipkins, as he recognized his 
 friend. 
 
 Jud complimented him on his vigilance, and instruct- 
 ing him to keep it up, he left his canoe secured against 
 the bank, and crossed the island to sit awhile with Pres- 
 cott. 
 
 " I think I have risen above the boiling point in the 
 thermometer of Jud's estimation," remarked Pipkins, 
 when he found himself alone again. " I have demon- 
 strated my watchfulness beyond all dispute." 
 
 As a preventive against drowsiness, which seemed 
 constantly creeping upon him, he had cleared away a 
 small path, back and forth which he was walking at the 
 moment he discovered the boat and its occupant. 
 
 He now kept this up for some time, but although he 
 had his meerschaum to smoke, he still found it rather 
 monotonous work, and again sat down upon the 
 ground. 
 
 "All it wants is will," he reflected ; " anybody could 
 keep awake a week, if he had a strong enough will; 
 but I think it would be deuced unpleasant. I am going 
 to prove it's the easiest thing in the world to sit down 
 on the ground and keep a faithful guard all the time." 
 
 For a time it was very pleasant (as he had quite ex-
 
 THE RED PLUME 243 
 
 hausted himself from so much walking), to sit thus 
 and smoke his pipe ; but in spite of the Herculean will 
 upon which he had prided himself, he became sensible 
 of a sleepy feeling gradually stealing over him. 
 
 "It beats thunder ! " he finally exclaimed, impa- 
 tiently, as he made a desperate effort to rouse up. " I 
 ought to sleep a month before I undertake this busi- 
 ness. Hello ! that's queer ! " 
 
 This exclamation was caused by observing that the 
 canoe left by Jud had shifted its position, and was 
 gradually drifting free. Springing forward, he ar- 
 rested it just in time to prevent its floating away alto- 
 gether. 
 
 " It must be that the river is rising," concluded the 
 sentinel, as he replaced it in position, and took his seat 
 again. 
 
 Everything went along pleasantly for awhile, the 
 night being just cool enough to make it pleasant to sit 
 in the shadow of the wood. 
 
 But nothing of which he could think could prevent 
 the insidious approach of sleep, and he was relapsing 
 into unconsciousness again, when he was aroused by a 
 soft, grating noise upon the sand, and he looked up just 
 in time to see the canoe slowly sliding off the shingle 
 into the water. 
 
 Pipkins was fairly frightened, and he stood almost 
 speechless with amazement. 
 
 But next moment a doubt entered his mind. He 
 could not be certain that the boat had changed its posi-
 
 244 THE RED PLUME 
 
 tion in the least, nor could it be seen to stir as he gazed 
 wonderingly at it. 
 
 " Wonder if I was dreaming? no, I couldn't have 
 been dreaming, as I wasn't asleep. I must have im- 
 agined it, or heard something else, and confused them 
 in my mind." 
 
 A footstep caused him to turn his head, expecting to 
 see a wild Indian at his elbow, but to his delight he en- 
 countered the pleasant face of Jud Judkins, the scout. 
 
 " Well, you didn't catch me asleep this time ? " said 
 Pipkins, with a laugh. 
 
 " No ; you'll make a tol'ble sentinel after a little 
 practice." 
 
 " How much practice would you say? " 
 
 " Wai, some thirty or forty years ; perhaps not quite 
 so long. Anything new since I was here? " 
 
 Pipkins was on the point of explaining his dilemma, 
 but he was fearful of the ridicule of the hunter, so he 
 simply asked the question : 
 
 " That canoe is just as you left it, isn't it ? " 
 
 The scout surveyed it a moment, and then answered : 
 
 " I don't notice any difference. What did you ax 
 fur?" 
 
 " Oh, nothing." 
 
 Jud eyed him sharply, but did not question him fur- 
 ther; and admonishing him not to relax his vigilance 
 for a moment, he moved away again. 
 
 It was now quite late in the evening, and Red Plume 
 had secured several hours of profound rest, enough, as
 
 THE RED PLUME 245 
 
 Jud well knew, to suffice for several days; so he felt 
 no hesitation in going to him and touching his shoul- 
 der, the Indian awakening on the instant. 
 
 Only a word or two was exchanged, when old Jud 
 passed on, and the Indian rose to his feet. 
 
 Left alone to himself once more, Pipkins did his ut- 
 most to keep his senses bright and keen ; but as it was 
 now near midnight, and he had smoked till he was 
 tired, and had nothing further with which to amuse 
 himself, he could not resist the somnolence which 
 speedily came upon him. 
 
 Ere he was aware, his head was nodding again, and 
 when he suddenly aroused himself, it was just in time 
 to see the mysterious canoe slide off into the water, and 
 begin moving down stream with the current, and seem- 
 ingly at a swifter rate than the river could have carried 
 it itself. 
 
 " By jingo! if that don't beat everything! " he ex- 
 claimed, making a dash at it, but it was already too far 
 to be reached with the hand, and he stepped into the 
 water ; but the rapidly increasing depth warned him of 
 his danger, and he hastily withdrew. 
 
 Still the boat was drifting further and further away, 
 and not knowing what to do, the remiss sentinel caught 
 up his rifle, and began following it along the shore, not, 
 as yet, deeming it best (or, in fact, not thinking of it) 
 to signal to Jud to come to his assistance. 
 
 A rod or so was passed in this manner, when Pip- 
 kins was more bewildered than ever by seeing an In-
 
 246 THE RED PLUME 
 
 dian step into the water, directly in front of him, and 
 begin swimming toward the stern of the boat. 
 
 " I'll be blowed if I don't fetch you! " he muttered, 
 as he drew his piece to his shoulder, took deliberate 
 aim, and pulled the trigger. 
 
 The almost noiseless click of the lock warned him 
 that something was the matter, and then the sentinel 
 suddenly recollected. 
 
 "' Just my luck ! the gun ain't loaded, and hasn't 
 been loaded all the evening! Ain't I been in a fine 
 condition to shoot somebody ? " 
 
 Whereupon he began reloading his piece, and before 
 it was half done nothing more could be seen of the In- 
 dian. 
 
 Provided Pipkins's piece had been loaded, and he 
 had taken a true aim, his bullet would have penetrated 
 the skull of the friendly Sioux, Red Plume. 
 
 This redskin had comprehended the stratagem of 
 their enemies, and reached the shore just as the canoe 
 came abreast. He recognized the head of an Indian 
 in the water, at the bow, towing it, and the instant the 
 boat shut off his view, he noiselessly entered the water, 
 and struck out for it. 
 
 With the skill which he possessed in swimming, a 
 few strokes only were necessary to carry him over the 
 intervening space, and reaching up his hand, he allowed 
 it to rest upon the gunwale, while he floated with the 
 
 current. 
 
 Red Plume could tell by the sensation of the water
 
 THE RED PLUME 247 
 
 against his limbs and body that they were not merely 
 drifting with the stream, but that the redskin at the 
 bow was towing it quite vigorously. This was also 
 perceptible by a peculiar pulsation of the boat caused 
 by the strokes of the swimmer. 
 
 It was not a part of the plan of Red Plume to allow 
 himself to be drawn thus unresistingly into the snares 
 of the Sioux, who would be delighted at gaining such 
 a prize as he. Pleasant as it was to " float with the 
 current," such a course could only result in death to 
 him ; and when he plunged into the river, and started 
 in pursuit of the runaway boat, it was with the inten- 
 tion of bringing on a collision with the thief as speedily 
 as could be done with safety to himself. 
 
 It was not probable that as yet the pilot of the canoe 
 was aware of the passenger he had in tow, so that the 
 advantage was greatly with the latter, who silently 
 drew his knife from his belt and placed it between his 
 teeth. 
 
 He was on the point of moving along the side of the 
 boat to attack his foe, when the acute perception of Red 
 Plume told him that the savage was doing the same 
 thing, and was advancing toward him. The pulsating, 
 onward motion of the canoe had ceased, and he could 
 detect the faintest rustling of the water which told him 
 of the exact locality of his enemy. 
 
 When only a foot or two separated them, Red Plume 
 took his knife in his right hand, and awaited the ap- 
 proach of his antagonist.
 
 248 THE RED PLUME 
 
 At this instant, the feet of the latter struck the legs 
 of the former, and immediately after his head came 
 around the stern of the canoe, with a scared look, which 
 showed how unprepared he was for such a meeting. 
 
 Red Plume gave him no time to recover himself, and 
 in less time than we have taken to describe the meeting, 
 the thief sank under the water, with not a spark of life 
 in him. 
 
 When totally lifeless, he was caught and held for a 
 moment with his head above water. This was done in 
 order that his victor might scan his face and features, 
 and ascertain whether it was possible to assume his 
 place during the next hour or two. 
 
 Concluding that the risk might be taken, he deliber- 
 ately scalped the savage, and then allowed him to dis- 
 appear in the river, while he began carefully re- 
 connoitering his situation. 
 
 Scanning both sides of the river, he could see noth- 
 ing but the dark shores, and the solemn trees, all silent 
 as the tomb. No star-like point of light showed where 
 the camp-fire was burning, nor did any of those numer- 
 ous bird-like signals betray the presence of the prowl- 
 ing scout. 
 
 Jud had told him of the abstraction of the larger 
 boat, but had not said to which side of the river it 
 had been taken, so that it was left almost entirely to 
 conjecture. 
 
 After carefully cogitating upon the matter, he con- 
 cluded that it was the right shore, and his shrewdness
 
 THE RED PLUME 249 
 
 was further proved by his hitting almost the precise 
 spot where it was nestling at that very moment. 
 
 Having fixed his own landmarks, Red Plume began 
 working the boat in toward land, and soon came so 
 near that he discerned several dark forms moving 
 stealthily along the banks. 
 
 At the same moment one or two low whistles were 
 exchanged, doubtless intended to guide the one who 
 had the canoe. 
 
 All this proved that the return of the Sioux was ex- 
 pected, and that Red Plume had a delicately danger- 
 ous task before him of personating the individual 
 whom he had slain, as in all probability he would be 
 subjected to a rigid examination, and, in case of sus- 
 picion, to a searching scrutiny by those who were 
 awaiting him along the shore. 
 
 Still, he did not hesitate, and a moment later, as his 
 feet touched bottom, he walked boldly out among the 
 Indians, where, for the present, we must leave him.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 THE VALE OF SHADOWS 
 
 WHILE the events just narrated were taking place, 
 an equally interesting incident engaged the attention of 
 the sentinels upon the island. 
 
 At the very moment that Red Plume landed, Field- 
 ing, who still remained at his station upon the northern 
 extremity, caught sight of a canoe that put out from 
 the other shore, and headed straight toward the point 
 where he was standing. 
 
 The moment he made sure that it was aiming to- 
 ward him, he foresaw the probability of an encounter, 
 and, as instructed, signalled to Jud, who was almost 
 immediately at his side. 
 
 " I seed it, " he remarked, as he came up. "Ef this 
 is 'nother trick of the varmints, we'll see if we can't 
 smash it at the beginning. " 
 
 " What dost thou make of it? " 
 
 " There's an Injin with the paddle. " 
 
 " Dost thou see any more ? " 
 
 " There may be more hid in the bottom. " 
 
 " Verily, he does not comprehend his danger, " re- 
 marked Fielding, with some anxiety, as the Indian 
 Continued unhesitatingly on his course. 
 
 250
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 3 S g 
 
 " If you wish to warn him, you can do so. " 
 
 This \vas uttered more in jest than in earnest, but 
 the Friend instantly took advantage of the permission, 
 and stepping out in full view, he raised his hand and 
 called out: 
 
 " I admonish thee to take heed where thou art com- 
 ing, for thou art running into great danger! " 
 
 To the surprise of both the whites, the Indian only 
 paddled the harder, and the next moment his canoe 
 touched the shingle at their feet. 
 
 It was then seen that he was the only occupant of the 
 boat, and as the little weazen-faced redskin stepped out, 
 with his wrinkled face expanded into a vast grin, Jud 
 recognized him as the Otter, the companion, as will 
 be remembered, of Colonel Havens, in ascending and 
 descending this same stream, the second and first day 
 preceding. 
 
 " He ! he ! laughed the singular individual, as he ad- 
 vanced and took the proffered hand of the scout ;" ain't 
 you glad to see me ? " 
 
 " That I am, " replied Jud, with great cordiality. 
 
 " I thought so, or I wouldn't have come. " 
 
 " And I am right glad to welcome thee, " added 
 Fielding, as he also offered his hand, " for I observe 
 thou art a friend." 
 
 " Where did you come from ? " asked Jud. 
 
 " Fort Grandon. " 
 
 "Direct?"
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " Yes ; I haven't paused a minute on the way came 
 very fast. " 
 
 " Thou must have done that, indeed, if thou hast 
 carried Colonel Havens to his fort and returned af- 
 terward. " 
 
 " That's what I done," returned the Otter, with 
 some pride. 
 
 " What made you come back? " 
 
 " Colonel Havens sent me." 
 
 "He did! What for?" 
 
 " I have a letter. " 
 
 With which the weazen-faced redskin drew a mis- 
 sive from beneath his hunting-shirt, and handed it to 
 Jud. The latter turned it over several times in his 
 hand, and then passed it to Fielding, with the remark. 
 
 " It's been so long since I larned to read, that I've 
 forgot all that I knowed in that line, and never knowed 
 much to forget. " 
 
 Fielding examined the superscription, the moon- 
 light being just sufficient for him to distinguish, writ- 
 ten with a lead pencil in a bold hand : 
 
 "LILLIAN PRESCOTT, 
 
 "Sent by the Otter, an Indian Runner." 
 
 " She is with you ? " inquired the Indian. 
 
 " Yes ; she is asleep, by the camp-fire yonder. If 
 thou wishest, I will hand it to her in the morning. " 
 
 " That's just what I want ; and now I must go. " 
 . " Why such a hurry ? "
 
 THE RED PLUME 253 
 
 " I am expected at the fort." 
 
 " Perchance there may be an answer expected to 
 this, " said the Quaker. 
 
 " I was not told to wait for any, but was only asked 
 to see that she got it, and then to make all haste back 
 again, unless I was wanted here. " 
 
 " Haven't you seen anything of redskins ? " asked 
 Jud. 
 
 The Otter started, as if he had forgotten this alto- 
 gether. 
 
 " They are all around you on both shores every- 
 where ! " 
 
 As he spoke, he swept his hand over his head to 
 signify that each shore was swarming with enemies. 
 
 " How did you get through with your canoe ? " 
 
 " I come up the river till I see sign then I put my 
 canoe on my head and went through the wood till I 
 see the island then I paddled out to it. " 
 
 " How didst thou know that we were here ? " 
 
 '* So many of the Indians along shore I knew that 
 somebody was out here, and who so likely as you ? " 
 
 " Be careful they do not take thee prisoner when 
 thou seekest to return. " 
 
 The Otter laughed his he! he! to signify that such a 
 caution was unnecessary to one of his age and exper- 
 ience. 
 
 It will be understood, however, that he had greater 
 need of prudence than Red Plume, for he was so short 
 and peculiar in his appearance, that he could not but
 
 354 THE RE D PLUME 
 
 be as readily identified by his enemies as if he were 
 a white man. 
 
 But Red Plume, in build, dress, appearance and man- 
 ner, was the same as his tribe, and where his features 
 were not liable to too close a scrutiny, he could easily 
 escape detection. He had done this so repeatedly that 
 it may be said he had scarcely any fear on the present 
 occasion. 
 
 Comparatively little information was gained from 
 Otter, and shortly after he took his departure, aiming 
 for the same shore whence he came. 
 
 He had reached a point about half way distant, when 
 the report of a gun was heard, and the bullet was seen 
 to skip over the water about twenty feet to the right 
 of the canoe. 
 
 "What you shooting at?" demanded Jud, as he 
 hastened to the side of Pipkins, who was rapidly re- 
 loading. 
 
 " At that confounded Indian, and if I can get loaded 
 soon enough, I'll pepper him, sure. " 
 
 " You mought fire all night without scaring him, 
 but you may as well save your powder, for he's a 
 friend. " 
 
 " But he's running off with another canoe. What 
 a wonderful forte those dusky scamps have for steal- 
 ing boats. " 
 
 " That's his own boat. " 
 
 "Ah! that makes a difference. If he'll only come 
 Back, I'll apologize for my rudeness. "
 
 THE RED PLUME 255 
 
 " No need of that, for I don't believe he knowed you 
 war shootin' at him. " 
 
 " Who is he, anyway? " 
 
 Jud explained the character of the savage, greatly to 
 the surprise of Pipkins, who expressed a desire to cul- 
 tivate the acquaintance of the Otter. 
 
 In making his tour of the island, and explaining to 
 the different sentinels what had taken place, the scout 
 finally came back to where Fielding was awaiting him. 
 
 " Wilt thou take my place for awhile, while I go to 
 the camp-fire?" he asked. 
 
 Jud willingly consented, and the Quaker made his 
 way to the centre of the wood, where the camp-fire 
 was burning quite low. He was hopeful that the re- 
 port of Pipkin's gun had aroused Lillian, so that he 
 might deliver the letter to her at once. 
 
 He was not disappointed, for as he came up, he saw 
 the two sisters sitting by the fire, Edith occupying 
 herself with stirring the embers, so as to make the 
 light more cheerful. They looked around in some sur- 
 prise as he came up. 
 
 " Canst thou not sleep in quietness ? " asked Field- 
 ing, as he halted by their side. 
 
 " It seems that with what we had yesterday, we 
 don't require so much, " replied Edith, with a blush 
 and a smile. 
 
 " I trust I am the bearer of good news to thee, " 
 said the Friend, after a moment's pause ; " an Indian 
 runner brought this letter to the island a short time
 
 56 THE RED PLUMB 
 
 ago, with the request that I should deliver it to thee. " 
 With which he handed the missive to the astounded 
 Lillian. Then, with a delicacy which did him credit, he 
 bade them good evening and withdrew, that they might 
 not be embarrassed by his presence. 
 
 As he moved away, Edith looked after him with a 
 longing, earnest gaze and Fielding, turning his head at 
 the same moment, saw it as reflected by the camp-fire, 
 and he knew in his heart that she loved him. 
 
 With a trembling hand Lillian Prescott broke the 
 seal of the letter, and by the fire-light she read the 
 following : 
 
 FORT GRANDON, August 20, 1862. 
 
 DEAREST LILLIAN: 
 
 Forgive my manner of addressing you. I know it 
 will be displeasing, but I cannot forbear doing so for 
 the last time. 
 
 I have been at the fort only a few minutes, and my 
 faithful attendant, the Otter, has consented to carry 
 the letter to you, so that I cannot forbear taking the 
 opportunity of saying a few parting words. 
 
 I had hopes of being able to march to the assistance 
 of yourself and friends as soon as I returned; but I 
 found orders awaiting which commanded me to go to 
 a point a hundred miles distant, to take charge of a 
 regiment of cavalry that are ready to proceed to the 
 seat of war. I shall have an escort, so that no personal 
 risk will be incurred. 
 
 I did everything I could to get permission to send 
 help to you, but am utterly powerless. The Otter has 
 permission to remain with your company, if you desire 
 it. There is such a panic through the northern and
 
 THE RED PLUME 257 
 
 western parts of Minnesota, and such an urgent call 
 from the Government for troops, that my superior 
 officer, who has just returned, peremptorily refuses to 
 allow a single one to go to the relief of the hundreds 
 who are perishing for it. 
 
 I pray that you and your friends may safely reach 
 the fort, which is the nearest point that offers any 
 safety ; but if Heaven so wills that you shall not, do not 
 forget that you have the whole, fervent, undivided 
 love of my heart. 
 
 I thought, when you treated me so cavalierly, that 
 my pride would sustain me in forgetting you; but I 
 find my mistake. I cannot drive you from my thoughts. 
 Even during the busy minutes when I am preparing to 
 leave, and I am compelled to answer questions and give 
 orders innumerable, you are not absent for an instant 
 from my thoughts. 
 
 I shall carry your image to my grave. Life, which 
 was so radiant to me but a short time ago, is forbidding 
 and dark. Little care I whether I live or die, for that 
 which made life so sweet, that which fired my ambition, 
 that which thrilled me with a pleasure never before 
 known all these have been taken away. They can 
 never be replaced, and what is there to bind me to 
 earth? 
 
 I cannot blame you for selecting another. You have 
 known him long enough, perhaps, to discover virtues in 
 him which I, in my blind jealousy, failed to see. The 
 most that I can wish you is that he will prove as loving 
 and devoted as I know I should have been, had fortune 
 favored me, as I once foolishly believed she would. I 
 only hope he is more worthy of you than he seemed 
 to me. 
 
 If this parting had only occurred months ago if I 
 could blot from my remembrance the sails we have had
 
 258 THE RED PLUME 
 
 delicious hours passed in your society, the looks that I 
 believed were something more than mere looks in- 
 deed, if I could turn my back upon the past, and close 
 my eyes to the thousand-and-one little things that have 
 only fanned the flame that has been steadily growing 
 in my heart for months, then could I find happiness in 
 the future, but not otherwise. 
 
 I leave you, carrying no harsh remembrance. If 
 your own heart does not accuse you, I shall not. 
 
 Had you but called me, as I was leaving you, I would 
 have rushed back to you. Disgrace, dishonor all 
 would have been unheeded had you but given your 
 commands. 
 
 But not a word. I listened intently, but heard notn- 
 ing. I looked back, but you made no sign. Your 
 heart was unrelenting ; in truth, it never throbbed with 
 kindness for me. 
 
 Then why can I blame you? I cannot. Good-by. 
 God be with you, and keep you, and make you happy ; 
 and may you forget that your path was ever crossed 
 by so unworthy an object as 
 
 GEORGE HAVENS. 
 
 P. S. Please hand the inclosed to Captain Swart- 
 Clausen. G. H.
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 RED PLUME'S PRISONER 
 
 A FEW minutes before reaching shore, Red Plume 
 drew himself up in the canoe, and landed directly at the 
 feet of those who were awaiting him. 
 
 "Owaton is a brave warrior," remarked one, as he 
 stepped ashore, meaning to compliment the supposed 
 Indian for his exploit in stealing the boat. Compre- 
 hending his intention, Red Plume answered : 
 
 " The Yengese fired their guns at Owaton, but they 
 hurt him not. He went under the water, and the bul- 
 lets passed over his head." 
 
 " Great is Owaton. He shall be a chief of the 
 Sioux." 
 
 As a matter of course, the supposed Owaton accepted 
 his honors meekly, and made no reply to this high 
 compliment. 
 
 "Are the Yengese asleep ? " inquired the same 
 Speaker. 
 
 " Some of them sleep and some do not. Red Plume, 
 the hunter Old Jud, and the Otter of the Cheyennes, 
 and many others are awake." 
 
 This was a piece of strategy upon the part of the 
 Sioux, as he could have no suspicion that the runner 
 
 259
 
 260 THE RED PLUME 
 
 was upon the island that very moment. He supposed 
 he was somewhere in the neighborhod, and concluded 
 it advisable, therefore, to locate him among his friends. 
 
 It will be seen, also, that this observation of 
 "Owaton" directly witnessed his own skill and bravery, 
 inasmuch as he had succeeded in the face of all these 
 obstacles, where one of the others had failed but a short 
 time before. 
 
 " Have they guns and powder? " 
 
 " They have guns and powder ; they catch fish from 
 the river, and they drink its water." 
 
 It will be observed that Red Plume was doing his 
 utmost to put the situation of the fugitives in the 
 strongest light, his object being to discourage the 
 Sioux, and induce them to turn their attention else- 
 where an achievement which, we may as well state, 
 he considered next to impossible. 
 
 While this conversation was going on, he was stand- 
 ing among a half-dozen of his race, in the shadow of 
 the trees, where their forms were only dimly outlined, 
 and where there was scarcely a possibility of his iden- 
 tity being suspected. 
 
 In truth the mere landing of Red Plume in the 
 manner narrated cannot be regarded as much of an ex- 
 ploit. Being of the same tribe as his enemies, and 
 having spent the first thirty years of his life as one of 
 their warriors who was always noted as a daringly 
 fierce enemy of the whites, there was scarcely a pos-
 
 THE RED PLUME 261 
 
 sibility of his betraying himself, unless by some unfore- 
 seen accident. 
 
 A few minutes more were occupied in asking and 
 answering questions, the scout, as a matter of course, 
 giving a glowing account of the strength, numbers and 
 watchfulness of the whites. Finally, the others began 
 walking away in the forest, Red Plume accompanying 
 them. 
 
 Several rods were passed when he caught sight of a 
 large camp-fire, around which at least twenty Indians 
 were gathered, while he knew that fully as many more 
 were moving around in the woods and along the river. 
 
 Here an alarming surprise awaited the friendly In- 
 dian. With all his shrewdness, he scarcely suspected 
 the startling discovery he made that their enemies 
 
 were the very Sioux who had so narrowly escaped de- 
 stroying them upon the lake. 
 
 Aye, Red Plume was thoroughly astounded. He 
 had held a vague fear of such a danger as this, and it 
 will be remembered that he urged Jud not to make 
 more than a temporary halt upon the island; but he 
 scarcely believed that those who were so thoroughly 
 intoxicated in the morning could be in a condition to 
 take the war-path in the evening. 
 
 But it was nevertheless true ; and the same ferocious 
 aborigines who had so desperately sought their de- 
 struction on the shore of Sleeping Water had environed 
 them again, when they had paused to rest upon the 
 island.
 
 26a THE RED PLUME 
 
 Some cautious reconnoitring, united with conjectures 
 upon his part, enabled Red Plume to gain the facts 
 in the case. The lake party had probably used up their 
 whiskey early in the forenoon, and the effects had worn 
 off toward night of the same day, so as to allow them 
 to comprehend their own situation. They could not 
 avoid knowing that the fugitives had descended Cres- 
 cent River, and they therefore started in pursuit some- 
 where near nightfall, expecting to come up with them 
 before morning. 
 
 The probabilities are that they would have passed 
 the island without suspecting the presence of their prey 
 upon it, had they not encountered a dozen more of their 
 tribe, who had made the discovery, and were carefully 
 watching their movements. 
 
 The larger company halted, and the two united, both 
 fully resolved that not a white should ever leave the 
 spot alive. Their manoeuvres during the night had 
 been made for the purpose of weakening the fugitives, 
 and destroying their chances of escape by withdrawing 
 their canoes, and also with the object of learning their 
 strength, and whether they were keeping up any sort 
 of watch against attack. 
 
 Red Plume was careful to keep beyond the circle of 
 the light thrown out by the camp-fire, for it is almost 
 certain he would have been identified, not only by the 
 warriors themselves, but by the negro Lige, who was 
 lounging on the ground, smoking a pipe, and conduct- 
 ing himself generally as though he was among friends.
 
 THE RED PLUMB 163 
 
 In the confusion of passing to and fro, it was no dif- 
 ficult matter for the Indian to withdraw from the others 
 without attracting suspicion. He sauntered carelessly 
 forward, until certain that he was beyond the scrutiny 
 of all, when he hastened to where he had left his canoe. 
 
 The tiny vessel lay against the bank, just as he had 
 left it, and a rod or so below was the larger boat, so es- 
 sential to the escape of the fugitives from the island. 
 
 Stepping softly into the birchen canoe, he moved it 
 noiselessly down stream until he reached the larger one ; 
 but, while on the very point of unfastening this, he ob- 
 served that one of the Sioux was sitting in it, so 
 motionless that he suspected he was asleep. 
 
 Here was a dilemma, and Red Plume paused a 
 moment, undecided what to do. He had no doubt of 
 his ability to extinguish the sentinel, but the ultimate 
 consequences of an encounter with him were pretty 
 certain to be the entire discomfiture of his scheme. 
 
 While debating this point with himself the sentinel 
 spoke. 
 
 " What seeks Owaton? " 
 
 " Is my brother here ? " was the Yankee-like answer. 
 
 " He guards the boat against the Yengese and the 
 Red Plume." 
 
 This then was the object of the savage in sitting so 
 motionless in the larger boat. There was a well 
 grounded fear that either the distinguished friendly 
 Indian or old Jud would make an attempt to re-capture
 
 264 THE RED PLUME 
 
 the boat, and the sentinel was stationed here to prevent 
 just such a coup d'etat. 
 
 Red Plume now resorted to every artifice possible to 
 induce the Sioux to leave his station. He hinted that 
 there was an important council at the camp-fire, at 
 which his presence was needed, and offered to take his 
 place until he chose to return; but the faithful guard 
 steadily refused, and fearing that he had created some 
 suspicion in his mind, the scout withdrew, as if he were 
 going to rejoin the others. 
 
 It was with something like chagrin that he sauntered 
 through the woods, in the direction of the camp-fire, 
 for he found himself foiled on the very threshold of his 
 scheme. 
 
 There seemed but one way of gaining possession of 
 the coveted boats, and that was by stealing upon and 
 slaying the sentinel; and much as he disliked this 
 course, he resolved that if his second attempt failed, he 
 would do it with all the stealth and vim at his com- 
 mand. 
 
 There was the additional incentive of the short 
 period now intervening between the present time 
 and morning. The coming of daylight would post- 
 pone any such attempt, and in all probability would de- 
 feat them entirely, as it was not likely that the coming 
 night would see matters in the same position as they 
 were now. 
 
 Impressed with these facts, Red Plume returned to 
 the river side again sooner than he had at first intended
 
 THE RED PLUME 265 
 
 Peering cautiously through the wood, he saw the 
 Sioux sitting precisely as he had left him, except that 
 his head was bowed lower, the chin apparently resting 
 upon the breast. 
 
 A thrill of hope shot through the breast of Red 
 Plume at the thought that perhaps he was asleep. 
 
 Watching him as intently as he could in the gloom 
 for a moment, the scout reached out his hand and broke 
 a twig. It parted with a quick, sharp snap, but never 
 once did the Indian stir his head. 
 
 The sentinel was asleep. 
 
 Satisfied of this, Red Plume lost not another mo- 
 ment. He stepped as noiselessly down into the water 
 as a veritable phantom, and approached the canoe, 
 which he had re-fastened a short time before. 
 
 This was easily loosened, and then allowing the bow 
 softly to touch his shoulders, so as to prevent its pass- 
 ing below him and striking the larger boat, he moved 
 toward the latter, scarcely faster then the almost sta- 
 tionary current. 
 
 He had now approached the most delicately danger- 
 ous part of his task, that of releasing the larger boat 
 and starting it down stream, without alarming the sen- 
 tinel within. When the proverbial lightness of the 
 sleep of the American Indian is borne in mind, the dif- 
 ficulty of this work will be fully appreciated. 
 
 The wisp of bark which united the prow to a limb 
 was parted with his hunting knife, and then the boat
 
 266 THE RED PLUME 
 
 was shoved out far enough to avoid the overhanging 
 branches, and it began floating with the current. 
 
 Red Plume did not enter his own canoe, but support- 
 ing himself on the surface, man and boats were drifting 
 downward, as though each was part of some inanimate 
 object, not a ripple disturbing the surface, while the 
 daring Sioux who was performing all this took care to 
 keep his head invisible from those upon the shore. 
 
 As there was a bright moon in the sky, it was neces- 
 sary that Red Plume should descend the river far 
 enough to escape observation whenever he should 
 strike out for the centre ; and, remembering the rapidly 
 approaching daylight, and the wonderfully delicate 
 task he had in hand, it will be seen that he had enough 
 to engage all his attention and energy. 
 
 When they had drifted in this manner for several 
 hundred yards, he set himself to unite the two boats. 
 This he successfully accomplished, although great risk 
 was incurred. 
 
 His next step was to enter his canoe, which was done 
 without any sensible jarring of the larger boat, and 
 then everything was " ship-shape." 
 
 Still the sentinel sat with bowed head, never once 
 looking up. Sleeping like a cat, the plash of the paddle 
 or a slight jerk of the boat would have aroused him; 
 but none of these disturbing causes came about, so that 
 his slumbers remained undisturbed. 
 
 A great deal of distance remained for Red Plume 
 to recover, and heading out in the current, he began
 
 THE RED PLUME 267 
 
 paddling across the stream, ever on the alert for any 
 sights or sounds, from the shore ; but all was still, and 
 far above him in the centre of the stream he could 
 dimly discern the outlines of the island, where his 
 friends were so patiently awaiting his return. 
 
 Gradually and steadily the Indian increased the 
 speed of the boats until they were going at the highest 
 rate possible, and he soon reached a point as close to 
 the other bank as he wished to go. 
 
 A grim smile lit up his features as he reflected upon 
 the success of his attempt to outwit his enemies. He 
 had not only recovered the two stolen boats, but he had 
 run away with the man set to guard them. 
 
 He no longer held the purpose of slaying the sleep- 
 ing Indian, but intended to retain him as a prisoner. 
 
 He was removed so far from his reserves that Red 
 Plume felt he had him at his mercy, even if he should 
 spring overboard and attempt to elude him in that way. 
 
 As to the ultimate disposal of the sentinel that was a 
 question to be determined by circumstances. 
 
 Red Plume still pressed forward with his prizes, and 
 was nearly abreast the lower end of the island when a 
 wailing shout was heard from the shore. It was in- 
 stantly echoed by a dozen throats, and was the an- 
 nouncement that the recapture of the canoes had been 
 discovered. 
 
 But it was now too late to retrieve their error, and 
 the Sioux leisurely approached his destination, as one 
 who considers the battle ended.
 
 t68 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Crash ! went a rifle, and the whistling bullet warned 
 Red Plume that he was the target of some one. 
 
 " Surrender, I command you ! " called out Pipkins, 
 springing to his feet, and excitedly flinging his arms. 
 " Don't you undertake to run away with that boat 
 again, or I'll " 
 
 But Jud Judkins made his appearance at this junc- 
 ture, and extinguished the over-vigilant sentinel. 
 
 The sudden uproar had as suddenly awakened the 
 prisoner, who started up with a bewildered air. At 
 the same moment Red Plume leaped like a panther into 
 the boat, and, with knife in hand, confronted him. 
 
 Not a word passed, but the savage comprehended the 
 situation, and sinking down in the bottom of the boat, 
 signified hi* acceptance of the situation. 
 
 It was just beginning to grow light in the east as 
 captor and captive landed, and one or two of the senti- 
 nels gathered around them to hear the particulars of 
 the daring exploit of the scout. 
 
 He did not seem to be communicative, but a few re- 
 plies to Jud were sufficient for him to understand how 
 the thing had come about, and not a little admiration 
 was excited by his account. 
 
 The two boats were fastened at the lower end of the 
 island, in full sight of the Indians, something after the 
 fashion of the aborigines in leaving their scalp-lock, as 
 a challenge to whomever chooses to come and take it. 
 The captive was sullen and silent. There were no 
 signs of fear in his face, for he was too accustomed to
 
 THE RED PLUME 269 
 
 this species of warfare not to be prepared for any and 
 all consequences. His black eyes had a defiant glitter 
 as they glanced from one to the other of those gathered 
 about him, as if to say that he cared for none of them. 
 
 Muggins and Prescott kept their places, although 
 they had some idea of what had occurred so near them, 
 while Fielding, Jud and Pipkins constituted a sort of 
 reception committee for the landing-party. 
 
 " You have drawn an elephant in the lottery," said 
 Pipkins, addressing Red Plume, " and what's going to 
 be done with him ? " 
 
 " He's our prisoner," replied Jud. 
 
 " Exactly ; and how many men is it going to take 
 to watch him? If we only had a prison here, such as 
 we have in Chicago, we might lock him up, and set Red 
 Plume to catching them one by one till we had them all 
 in durance, and then we would sail down the river with 
 banners flying." 
 
 " I think you ought to be able to keep him in cus- 
 tody," remarked Captain Swarthausen, coming up at 
 this moment. 
 
 " I never had a special admiration for the noble 
 red man," replied the exquisite. " He's a very nice 
 character for the novelists to make heroes of, and he 
 may be a handy fellow to be enfranchised after awhile; 
 but no nobie red man for me, if you please. I'm will- 
 ing to let him go toward the setting sun just as fast as 
 he can travel." 
 
 " What dost thou propose to do with the prisoner? "
 
 70 THE RED PLUME 
 
 inquired Fielding, who manifested not a little anxiety 
 ?bout his welfare. 
 
 " If we can't do anything else," replied Jud, " we 
 can starve him as we did Jarrik, and scalp him." 
 
 " That would be wicked and cruel," added the 
 Friend, with no little earnestness. " He is a helpless 
 prisoner, and we cannot lay violent hands upon him. 
 Why not try the effect of kindness upon him ? " 
 
 " What do you mean ? " 
 
 ** Treat him kindly, and then let him go." 
 
 " Do you think he would then induce the others to 
 take their departure?" asked Captain Swarthausen. 
 
 " I am not prepared to say that," replied Fielding, 
 who had learned too much, since his residence in 
 Minnesota, to indulge any such fallacious hopes ; " but 
 it might make a friend of him" 
 
 There was something more than a mere sentimental- 
 ism in this remark, and all appreciated him. Who 
 could tell what good results might follow the plan pro- 
 posed ? 
 
 " It's purty sartin it won't pay to keep him as a pris- 
 oner," replied Jud, after a moment's pause. " I'll ques- 
 tion Red Plume, and see what ideas he has about the 
 varmint." 
 
 The scout spoke to his friend in the Indian tongue, 
 as their communication in that was more easy than in 
 English, and turned to his friends with a laugh. 
 
 " Red Plume is very 'commodating this morning. 
 He says we can kill the varmint, or let him go, just as 
 we choose."
 
 THE RED PLUME 271 
 
 '* Didst thou propose the exercise of kindness toward 
 him?" 
 
 " Yes ; and he's willing." 
 
 " Then let us make the experiment." 
 
 The party began moving toward the centre of the 
 grove, where the camp-fire had been kindled, Jud tak- 
 ing occasion to admonish Muggins against exposing 
 himself, as it was an easy rifle-shot from the shore ; and 
 there was little doubt of the Sioux seizing every op- 
 portunity of picking off all they could. 
 
 No little consternation was created among the fe- 
 male portion of the fugitives by the bringing in of the 
 prisoner. Dinah, who was just beginning to prepare 
 their piscatorial meal, gave a fashionable scream, 
 dropped her fish, and threw up her arms. 
 
 " My gracious ! what you bring dat darkey here 
 fur?" 
 
 " He wants his breakfast," replied Captain Swart- 
 hausen. 
 
 "Am he de one dat 'bused my baby ? " she asked, be- 
 ginning to recover herself, and looking rather sav- 
 agely at him. 
 
 "Ask Cato." 
 
 The young man, thus appealed to, took a cautious 
 survey of the Indian, and pronounced him innocent of 
 all ill-will toward him. / 
 
 " Don't remember dat I ever seed him afore suah 
 dat he neber 'bused me ; dat is, I don't tink he did/' 
 
 " Den he can hab his breakfas' jist as soon as it's 
 ready, and not afore."
 
 I 7 a THE RED PLUME 
 
 Red Plume motioned to his prisoner to be seated 
 upon the ground, but he refused, and stood with folded 
 arms, sullen and defiant, apparently unconscious of the 
 oresence of any one else near him. 
 
 The captor did not urge his point, but seated himself 
 close by, so as to be ready to interpose, should he make 
 any movement toward escaping from his custody. 
 
 While matters were thus, Lillian Prescott delivered 
 to Captain Swarthausen the note from his nephew. 
 
 As may be supposed, the officer read it with eager 
 interest, and speedily made known its contents. 
 
 " Back at Fort Grandon safe," said he, " and ordered 
 away; so there is no telling when we shall see him 
 again." 
 
 " Is it out of his power to send assistance to us? " 
 asked Fielding. 
 
 " Yes ; he has done his utmost to induce the com- 
 mandant to do so, but he says runners are constantly 
 coming in with similar requests, and he has peremp- 
 torily refused to weaken his force by allowing a single 
 man to leave upon any such errand, so we are shut off 
 from all hope in that direction." 
 
 " He will allow us to make a friendly call upon him 
 while on our way back home? " asked Pipkins. 
 
 " Yes ; he will give shelter and protection to all who 
 come to him, but he won't help any one to get there." 
 
 " I suppose he is driven to act sternly in the matter," 
 said Fielding, always charitable toward his fellow- 
 men.
 
 THE RED PLUME 273 
 
 "Yes; I appreciate his position," replied Captain 
 Swarthausen; "a commander can't be just without 
 being inflexible in his line of conduct." 
 
 " Do you know what I would do, if I was comman- 
 der of this department? " asked Pipkins, with an air 
 which showed that he had developed some brilliant 
 idea. 
 
 " I suppose you would resign and go to Chicago." 
 
 " Not a bit of it ; I would put Fort Grandon on 
 wheels, so that it could be moved all around the coun- 
 try. Thus you see it could be sent to any point de- 
 sired, and the whole country would be protected." 
 
 " You would institute an order of land iron-clads." 
 
 " Rather of perambulating forts." 
 
 No comment was made upon this admirable idea by 
 the listeners, so Pipkins added another observation. 
 
 " The longer I live, the more convinced do I become 
 that I was born a military genius. Nothing is lacking 
 but the opportunity." 
 
 All this time Dinah was busily engaged in the cul- 
 inary line, and she soon had enough fish ready for an 
 ordinary Indian, and announced the same to Jud Jud- 
 kins. 
 
 The hunter took the choicest portions offered, and 
 spreading it upon some large green leaves, carried it 
 to the Indian and offered it to him. The prisoner 
 looked at him a moment as if he did not comprehend 
 his meaning; but, when it was repeated, he closed his 
 lips and shook his head. Jud spoke in Sioux, urging
 
 74 THE RED PLUME 
 
 him to accept it ; but he steadily refused, clinching his 
 declination with the characteristic remark, that he 
 would feel no hunger while in the camp of his enemies. 
 
 " That's all lost," said Jud, as he turned his back 
 upon the Sioux, and walked to where the others stood. 
 
 " No, it isn't lost," said Cato; "gib me dat." 
 
 The fish being passed to him, the negro proved em- 
 phatically the truth of what he had said. 
 
 " Thou hast shown him thy good will," said Field- 
 ing; "he cannot fail to see thy friendly disposition 
 toward him." 
 
 " I propose that we cram it down his throat," said 
 Pipkins ; " that is, some other fish, for that delicate 
 infant is already on the bones ; then the Indian will be 
 sure to remember how kindly we feel toward him." 
 
 " Is there nothing else that we can do for him ? " 
 asked the Friend. 
 
 " Nothing; except to let him go." 
 
 " Let that be done, then." 
 
 Red Plume being consulted, expressed his willing- 
 ness, and the suggestion was carried out by Jud, who, 
 placing himself beside the savage, faced toward the 
 river, and signified to him to follow. 
 
 The Sioux required no urging, and a moment later 
 the two stood beside the flowing river. 
 
 " Go to your people," said Jud, in the Sioux tongue; 
 *'* we give you back your life." 
 
 The prisoner went without delay. The scout 
 watched him until he had swam the intervening dis-
 
 THE RED PLUME 275 
 
 tance and came out upon the main land. Then he re- 
 turned to his friends, and translated the remark of Red 
 Plume. 
 
 " That varmint will be the first one to tomahawk 
 any of us that gives him the chance."
 
 THE RETURN SHOT 
 
 FROM one side of the island a narrow point of land 
 put out, and in the eddy immediately below this was 
 any quantity of fish, which were easily hauled from the 
 water by the skilled hand of Jud Judkins, who was sub- 
 jected only to the annoyance of keeping himself out of 
 range of the Sioux sharpshooters on shore. 
 
 While the morning meal was preparing, a sort of 
 council of war was held, at which all were present ex- 
 cepting Muggins, who persisted in remaining at his 
 station until some one was ready to relieve him. 
 
 As a matter of course, Red Plume and old Jud were 
 the oracles. While both of them saw the sad error 
 committed in remaining upon the island until the great 
 danger was upon them, neither could point out the way 
 of escape. The hunter took occasion to impress upon 
 all the peril to which they were exposed of being fired 
 at from the shore, and cautioned them against ap- 
 proaching the river. 
 
 " There'll never be a minute all day," said he, M when 
 some of the varmints won't have their eyes on it, and 
 the first chance they get they'll crack away." 
 
 "And will they hit us ? " inquired Pipkins. 
 
 " The distance is so short that they can't help it" 
 276
 
 THE RED PLUME 277 
 
 The only time that afforded anything like an op- 
 portunity for stratagem was at night under the pro- 
 tecting shelter of darkness; but, as there was quite a 
 bright moon, such a night as the one just past would 
 be of no more benefit than noonday. 
 
 " It must cloud up," said jud, " the moon has got to 
 be hid; there must be a regular storm that'll make it 
 as black as a wolf's mouth. Then, there'll be some 
 chance of sliding off in the dark." 
 
 Red Plume having manifested some dissatisfaction 
 at the departure of the Otter, without waiting to see 
 him, it occurred to Captain Swarthausen that perhaps 
 there was a good cause for it. 
 
 " It may be that he has some friends to whom he de- 
 sires to send a message," remarked the officer turning 
 toward Jud. 
 
 The latter shook his head. 
 
 " No ; it ain't that. There's only a runner here and 
 there that he consorts with, and no notice would be 
 took of any message that he could send the Fort, no 
 more than if it was from me." 
 
 The result of the deliberations was the conviction 
 that it only remained for the fugitives to preserve a 
 " masterly inactivity " until nightfall again, unless the 
 Sioux should make some demonstration against them, 
 compelling them to defend themselves. 
 
 This decided upon, all sat down to their morning 
 meal, excepting Red Plume, who relieved Muggins 
 while he joined them. But before doing so, all knelt
 
 278 THE RED PLUME 
 
 upon the green sod, and in the cool shade of the wood, 
 offered up fervent prayers and supplications to the 
 Great Being who had brought them so far through the 
 wilderness, and who alone could safely conduct them 
 through the danger by which they were environed. 
 All hearts were solemn, for it was no time for levity. 
 The shadow of death was across their path, and the 
 hand of man was powerless to lead them through. 
 Even the shallow-brained Pipkins for the time was 
 serious, and none joined more earnestly in the supplica- 
 tions than did he. 
 
 When they rose to their feet, the eyes of more than 
 one were moistened with tears, and for the time the 
 silence was unbroken. Poor Muggins ! erst so genial, 
 so childishly good-natured and frolicsome, so infantile 
 almost in his reliance upon his wife and others, looked 
 so woe-begone and sorrow-stricken, that there was 
 none who did not pity him. Pipkins regretted keenly 
 the unfeeling words which he had uttered, although 
 she had irritated him, and he would have given a great 
 deal could he have recalled them. 
 
 But, as this was impossible, he made it up as well as 
 he could in kindness toward Muggins himself. He 
 presented him with his pocket-knife, lent him his 
 meerschaum, and showed, in a dozen different ways, 
 that underneath his trifling manner there was a sympa- 
 thetic feeling for a suffering brother, which could not 
 forbear manifesting itself. 
 
 When the meal was finished, those who had acted as
 
 THE RED PLUME 279 
 
 sentinels during the preceding night, disposed of them- 
 selves so as to gain a few hours' sleep, the guardian- 
 ship of the island being left entirely in the hands of 
 Red Plume, who certainly was well qualified to assume 
 such a responsibility. 
 
 " They won't steal many canoes while he's watch- 
 ing," remarked Jud, as he sat with his back against a 
 tree in his favorite sleeping attitude. 
 
 " No ; nor dey won't while I'se on guard," added 
 Cato, " 'cause when I undertooks to keep watch, I does 
 it." 
 
 " You've been to sleep all night, so you can help 
 him." 
 
 " Not jist yit," replied the African; " I hasn't quite 
 finished my nap. Wait till I wokes up agin, and den 
 I'll do anything you wants me to do, dat is, if I wants 
 to do it myself." 
 
 The day gave signs of being one of the hottest of 
 the season. Even at this early hour its warmth was 
 felt among the trees, although a slight breeze prevented 
 it becoming oppressive so long as that lasted. 
 
 Lillian and Edith, with their mother, strolled back 
 and forth for a short distance through the wood, tak- 
 ing good care to remember the warning of Jud about 
 exposing themselves to the fire of the vigilant Sioux. 
 Their curiosity, however, led them to a point where 
 they could part the bushes and gaze across the inter- 
 vening water ; but, although they looked long and ear- 
 nestly, they detected no sign of their enemies. All was
 
 8 8o THE RED PLUME 
 
 as still and motionless as it must have been a thousand 
 years before. 
 
 The wonderful propensity of the African race to 
 slumber is well known, so that Dinah, although she had 
 slept the whole night through, glided off into uncon- 
 sciousness again, with Cato, her baby boy, within reach 
 of her brawny arm, whenever she chose to wake. Thus, 
 for the time, nearly all the fugitives were asleep, ex- 
 cepting the females mentioned. 
 
 As these wandered cautiously to and fro, they en- 
 countered Red Plume, who came upon them with such 
 a noiseless suddenness that a slight scream escaped Lil- 
 lian. The Indian stopped, and his grim features re- 
 laxed into a smile as he looked at the timid ones, whose 
 fright was natural enough. 
 
 " 'Fraid? "he asked, in his broken, jerky manner. 
 
 " I was alarmed until I recognized you," replied 
 Lillian, " but we are safer in your society than in that 
 of any one else." 
 
 The dark eyes of the Indian lit up with pleasure at 
 this compliment, which he knew was sincere. 
 
 "Keep way from water," he added; " Injin ober 
 dere." 
 
 " We looked a moment ago," said Edith, " but could 
 not see any." 
 
 " Dey dere," he added, more earnestly than before ; 
 and then, as he was about to move away, he beckoned 
 to them to follow. 
 
 They did so unhesitatingly, until they caught the
 
 THE RED PLUME 281 
 
 glimmer of the water through the trees; then their 
 leader paused, and carefully drawing some under- 
 growth aside, asked them to look. 
 
 All three did so, peering over the shoulders of the 
 Indian. Following closely the direction indicated, they 
 first descried a canoe drawn up under the bank, so that 
 only one end was barely visible, and a little to one side 
 of it they distinguished nearly a half dozen Sioux, 
 sometimes halting and sometimes moving back and 
 forth with a stealthy tread, as if fearful that the noise 
 of their footsteps might reach hostile ears. It was like 
 looking down into deep, clear water for fish, whose 
 backs can scarcely be distinguished, except when they 
 glide from place to place. It was only when Red 
 Plume secured their gaze upon the very spot, that the 
 aborigines could be distinguished through the inter- 
 stices of limbs and vegetation as they moved along. 
 
 The females gazed for a long time, as if fascinated 
 by this evidence of the danger menacing them, and 
 then only withdrew when their friend gave them an 
 unmistakable hint to do so. 
 
 "And they are the same who burned our house?" 
 inquired Mrs. Prescott. 
 
 Red Plume replied by a nod. 
 
 " How long will they wait there ? " 
 
 " Till git us, or we git way," was the definite 
 answer. " No whiskey now no drunk come dey 
 wait." 
 
 " How are we to escape ? " asked Mrs. Prescott,
 
 282 THE RED PLUME 
 
 looking earnestly into the swarthy face before her, as 
 if she were about to read her own doom. 
 
 " Great Spirit tell," replied the redskin, reverentially 
 pointing upward. " He tell Red Plume, and Red 
 Plume take all off from Sioux." 
 
 There was an earnest simplicity in the answer of the 
 savage which touched the hearts of his listeners. He 
 had the reputation of being a Christian Indian, al- 
 though his peculiar reserve and reticence prevented, 
 in a degree, the reading of the thoughts that frequently 
 passed through his brain. Jud had spoken of his way 
 of praying when they were alone, and his frequent 
 communings with the Great Spirit who ruled them all ; 
 but enough of his old nature remained to give him the 
 wildest pleasure when he tore the scalp from the head 
 of his victim, and held the reeking trophy aloft, and he 
 uttered his shouts of defiance. 
 
 But there was one thing of which all were certain, 
 Red Plume was as intensely hated by the wild Sioux 
 of the North- West as he was esteemed by the white 
 race, whom for so many years he had served with such 
 self -sacrificing devotion. 
 
 More than once he had acted as guide to parties 
 going overland to California, and when the settlements 
 of the territories began in earnest, he proved of in- 
 calculable value to the forts, stations and settlers them- 
 selves. 
 
 Possessed of extraordinary fleetness of foot, with a 
 natural keenness of intellect, trained by many a year
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 upon the trail and war-path, he was a man who never r 
 to any serious degree, had been outwitted by his ene- 
 mies, nor had he ever fallen into their power, when 
 they would have been glad to sacrifice a half-dozen of 
 their best warriors for the sake of securing him. 
 
 He carefully scanned the shores, but discovered 
 nothing new, and turning his back upon the ladies, 
 walked rather abruptly away. 
 
 Left to themselves, they wandered off toward the 
 lowermost point of the island, where they carefully 
 refrained from exposing themselves, but ventured upon 
 the dangerous experiment of peering forth in quest of 
 their foes. They looked long and searchingly, but it 
 seemed as if even those whom their guide pointed out 
 had all withdrawn further into the wood, for not one 
 could descry them. 
 
 " Can you see the canoe ? " inquired Mrs. Prescott. 
 " I can't make that out even." 
 
 Nor could the others, proving that the Indians had 
 really left, or that the ladies needed the keen vision of 
 Red Plume to direct their own. 
 
 " I am sure I can find it," said Lillian, taking a step 
 or two in advance, " for I do not believe they are gone 
 yet." 
 
 " Be careful," warned Edith, placing her hand upon 
 her shoulder ; " you run great risk of being killed." 
 
 " I do not fear" 
 
 Lillian uttered a shriek, and fell back in the arms oi 
 her mother and elder sister, and with the bound of a
 
 284 THE RED PLUME 
 
 frightened panther, Red Plume, who had heard the 
 spiteful crack of the rifle, was at their side. 
 
 " Where hit ? " he asked, dropping on one knee and 
 gazing intently upon the pale face of the girl. 
 
 " Nowhere," she replied, compressing her lips, and 
 bravely rising to the sitting position ; " it was the wind 
 of the ball before my eyes." 
 
 " De wind kill like ball," was the truthful remark of 
 the Sioux. 
 
 " Not always," replied Lillian, who, for the sake of 
 the others, forced back the singular faintness that was 
 coming over her. " I felt it, and thought the bullet had 
 gone through my head for the instant, but I now begin 
 to think it did not," 
 
 Red Plume sprang to his feet, and examined the 
 limbs and branches about them. It required but a mo- 
 ment for the keen eyes to detect the spot where the 
 well-aimed bullet had clipped off the bark and half- 
 severed the limb of a tree in their front, which thereby 
 diverted the deadly messenger just sufficiently to cause 
 it to miss the brain of Lillian by scarcely a hair's 
 breadth. 
 
 It was one of those narrow escapes so narrow, in- 
 deed, that the remembrance of it almost takes one's 
 breath away for a long time afterward. 
 
 " Who tink do dat ? " asked Red Plume, while a 
 curious smiling expression overspread his countenance. 
 
 Not knowing what he meant, Edith replied by sev- 
 eral questions, until she learned that Red Plume was
 
 THE RED PLUME 285 
 
 seeking to learn the identity of the would-be murderer of 
 Lillian. 
 
 Of course none had the slightest conception. 
 
 "De Sioux dat I bring shore den let go." 
 
 Even this positive assertion of their friend could 
 scarcely be believed, for they were at a loss to under- 
 stand how Red Plume could assure himself of it. 
 
 "See here," said he, rightly understanding the in- 
 credulous looks upon their faces, "me show him." 
 
 In the same cautious manner as before he parted the 
 bushes, and they looked forth and thereby plainly saw 
 the head and shoulders of an Indian looking out from 
 behind a tree, as though he were carefully endeavoring 
 to learn the result of his shot. 
 
 "Dat him?" asked Red Plume, with childish eager- 
 ness. 
 
 "There isn't enough difference between your peo- 
 ple's looks for me to distinguish them apart at that 
 great distance," replied Edith. 
 
 The other two expressed the same opinion, and Red 
 Plume was thus deprived of a triumphant confirmation 
 of his remark at the time of the liberation of the pris- 
 oner. 
 
 "Still we know you are right," said Mrs. Prescott, 
 smiling upon the redskin, who apparently was not a little 
 disappointed. 
 
 "Yes; Red Plume never makes a mistake," added 
 Lillian, placing her white, delicate hand upon the
 
 286 THE RED PLUME 
 
 swarthy, muscular shoulder of the Sioux with all the 
 confiding faith of a child. 
 
 He turned and looked the thanks, which he could not 
 express in her tongue. Then he gently moved her to 
 one side, and took up his rifle and raised the hammer. 
 
 No one suspected what he meant, until, with a quiet 
 swiftness, he brought it to a level, and pointed the 
 muzzle through the bushes. Only an instant was it held 
 thus, and then the stillness was broken by its clear 
 report, and mingled with the sound was the horrid cry 
 of the stricken man at whom it was aimed. 
 
 "Neber do dat more," said Red Plume, as he coolly 
 reloaded his piece; "he bad Injun he gone." 
 
 All were hushed by this sudden shot and its result, 
 and while they admired the courage of their dusky 
 friend, there was a certain awe inspired by this evidence 
 of his anger that prevented their commenting upon 
 what they had seen him do. 
 
 "Now go back," said he, "Red Plume keep watch." 
 
 His advice was heeded, and the three walked 
 thoughtfully to where the camp-fire had died entirely 
 out. Here they found all wrapped in slumber, except 
 Jud, who opened his eyes as they came up. 
 
 "When I dream I hear a gun go off," said he, "it's 
 purty sartin that thar's been one fired." 
 
 "So there has," replied Edith. "Red Plume did 
 it." 
 
 "And what fur? but here conies the chap himself, 
 and he can tell me all about it."
 
 THE RED PLUME 287 
 
 And so he did in the course of a few moments. Then 
 the two hunters conversed quite earnestly in the Indian 
 tongue, and Jud announced to the listening but mysti- 
 fied ladies: 
 
 "He's goin' to leave the island." 
 
 "Now?" asked Lillian. 
 
 "Yes, now, in broad day." 
 
 "But he will be shot !" 
 
 "P'raps so; but he's got some kink in his head, and 
 thinks he sees a way to play another trick on the var- 
 mints. There ain't no use of talking, for he's bound 
 to go this very minute, too."
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 THE QUAKER'S WOOING. 
 
 It was no ordinary feat to escape from an island 
 during broad daylight, when it was under the close sur- 
 veillance of the Sioux, on both shores, and yet Red Plume 
 accomplished it by his great skill in swimming. 
 
 Choosing a particular portion of the shore where the 
 overhanging undergrowth was the heaviest, he quietly 
 let himself down into the water, took a long dive, and 
 when he came to the surface every portion of his per- 
 son remained under except his nose, whose size was not 
 sufficient to attract any notice except when very near; 
 and in this position he supported himself on his back, 
 and simply "floated with the tide." 
 
 Old Jud, who was intently watching the manoeuvres 
 of his dusky friend, followed with his eye the drifting 
 signal, as the bee-hunter traces the bullet-like insect, 
 when it shoots through the air, until, at last, it was lost 
 to view, although the body was still within rifle-shot of 
 the island, and of the Indians upon the shore. 
 
 "Ef 7 can't see him from here," he reflected, "there 
 ain't much danger of the varmints setting eyes upon 
 him." 
 
 288
 
 THE RED PLUME 289 
 
 But this comforting reflection was cut short by see- 
 ing a small canot put out from the bank some distance 
 down the shore, and begin paddling toward the centre. 
 
 "It can't be they've seen him," muttered Jud, as a 
 chill of apprehension ran through him, "onless they 
 spied him go into the water." 
 
 A long stretch separated the canoe from the island, 
 but in the hope of deterring the Indians, the hunter 
 brought his piece to his shoulder, and fired at them. It 
 looked as if the occupants had no thought that they 
 were the recipients of this compliment, for they pad- 
 dled ahead in the same deliberate manner as at first. 
 
 The well-known fact of the greater rapidity and dis- 
 tinctness of sound in passing through a solid or liquid 
 (like water as compared with air) served Red Plume 
 a good turn in this instance. The wash of the canoe, 
 as it left the shore, and the dip of its paddles, as it 
 passed out into the stream, were all heard by him, and 
 the cause thereof was no matter of doubt for a mo- 
 ment. 
 
 It looked as if the fearless scout had placed himself 
 in a position of frightful danger; for great as was his 
 skill in the water, he had no hope in a trial of speed 
 with a canoe propelled by his own countrymen. 
 
 Still, Red Plume preserved his imperturbable cool- 
 ness, and it may be said that he was not given an addi- 
 tional pulse-beat, as he floated aimlessly downward. 
 Although matters pointed the other way, he believed 
 the savages had no knowledge of the ruse he had at-
 
 290 THE RED PLUME 
 
 tempted. Some other object had caused them to start 
 across the river. 
 
 But, if such were the case, the aborigines had so 
 timed their journey as to make it look very likely that 
 they would intercept their bitter foe ere he could drift 
 beyond their reach. It was one of those accidental 
 coincidences which are often fraught with serious con- 
 sequences. 
 
 In his peculiar position, Red Plume was unable to 
 locate the canoe, but above the faint humming which 
 the submerged swimmer feels in his ears, he could de- 
 tect the steady dip and wash of the paddle, and he had 
 not a moment of doubt of the general course of the 
 
 boat. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Great as was the risk, the Indian determined to find 
 out to a certainty the precise location of his foes. He 
 was sure of the side upon which he ought to look, and 
 he suddenly threw his head forward, imitating the move- 
 ment of a fish, as it is sometimes seen to leap clear of 
 the surface. 
 
 The simple artifice was successful. The plash he 
 thus made was observed by the Sioux, but their eyes 
 were turned in another direction, and they very natu- 
 rally attributed it to the cause that Red Plume intended 
 should be taken. 
 
 As he performed the strategem he caught sight of the 
 boat, and saw that, from the direction and the speed 
 with which it was going, it was certain to inter-
 
 THE RED PLUME 291 
 
 cept him very near the centre of the stream, unless some- 
 thing was done to stave off the collision. 
 
 Red Plume had the choice of hastening his down- 
 ward progress, checking it altogether, or of accom- 
 plishing the same purpose by shying off from the cen- 
 tre of the river. 
 
 He concluded, after scarcely a moment's hesitation, 
 to turn toward the bank which was opposite the one 
 left by the canoe, and driving himself down stream at 
 the same time with all the strength he could summon. 
 
 He could gather comparatively little speed from his 
 submerged position, and from the danger there was of 
 attracting the attention of the lynx-eyed savages in the 
 boat, but he did his utmost; and when the canoe had 
 reached a point that was precisely the same distance 
 from the shore as himself something like twenty yards 
 separated them. 
 
 It was a critical moment for the Indian, for had the 
 eyes of the Sioux been turned toward him they would 
 have been pretty certain to see the upturned face, as we 
 see the bronzed countenance of a man gazing through 
 the window-pane; but, very naturally and very fortu- 
 nately, the redskins were scrutinizing the island, and had 
 no suspicion of the proximity of the abhorred scout who 
 had so often wrought them dire ill. 
 
 At this time Jud Judkins was watching the canoe as 
 a general scrutinizes the movement of his enemy. Great 
 as was his confidence in the sagacity of his dusky com- 
 panion, it was not until the boat had passed consider-
 
 292 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 ably beyond the centre of the stream, that hope revived 
 in his breast. When, at last, it glided under the bank, 
 and the occupants landed, he drew a sigh of relief. 
 
 "Good !" he exclaimed, with sparkling eyes ; "no- 
 body but Red Plume could have done that!" 
 
 The afternoon was now well advanced, and all the 
 fugitives were astir. Old Jud returned to the camp, 
 and cautioned each against exposing himself or herself 
 to observation from the mainland, enforcing his warn- 
 ing by narrating the narrow escape of Lillian Prescott. 
 
 He promised to patrol the island himself, so that no 
 necessity could exist for any tempting the death that 
 continually impended. 
 
 This enforced quiescence was naturally irksome to 
 our friends, who saw only an increase of danger in 
 every moment that they spent upon this narrow strip of 
 land. A general feeling manifested itself that, if 
 another morning found them there, they would never 
 leave it. 
 
 The precise object of Red Plume's departure could 
 not even be conjectured. Even Old Jud, when appealed 
 to, declared that he had scarcely a suspicion of what it 
 could be. That it was very important was manifest from 
 the great risk he voluntarily assumed. 
 
 "You'll hear from him in good time," was the only 
 reply he could give to their numerous appeals for in- 
 formation. 
 
 Left entirely to themselves, the different members of 
 the party "killed time" as best they could, and each
 
 THE RED PLUME 293 
 
 in a characteristic way, and not forgetful of the re- 
 iterated warning of him who might now be regarded as> 
 their commander-in-chief. 
 
 The latter walked slowly back and forth the entire 
 length of the island, down one side and up the other, 
 insinuating himself among and through the bushes 
 with the dextrous noiselessness of a weasel. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen, observing the dejection of 
 spirits in Muggins, lounged upon the ground beside 
 him, and did his utmost to interest him in the "situa- 
 tion." He succeeded far better than he anticipated, 
 for to this officer was given remarkable conversational 
 powers, and he was quite pleased to see his friend cheer 
 up, and answer and propose questions in quite an ani- 
 mated manner. 
 
 Mr. Prescott and his wife sauntered a short distance 
 away, arm-in-arm, talking together in low tones, thank- 
 ful for the guidance that had led them thus far, and 
 only praying that the protecting hand would not be 
 drawn from them in this their hour of extremity. 
 
 Lillian wandered off, seeking some secluded spot, 
 where she could find opportunity to re-read and study 
 the letter that the Otter had brought to her during the 
 darkness of the night; .but when alone, she was 
 alarmed to discover that the precious missive was gone. 
 She had lost it somewhere upon the island. 
 
 Augustus Pipkins filled and lit his meerschaum, and 
 then lounged toward a different point from the others,
 
 294 THE RED PLUME 
 
 seeking some place where he might loll in the cool of 
 the wood and enjoy his nicotine. 
 
 "Now, if I only had a novel, it wouldn't be so bad, 
 after all, to stretch out and read yourself asleep ; or if 
 I had a copy of some good newspaper or magazine, I 
 wouldn't object to staying here for several days; but 
 I will seek some secluded retreat, and there I will en- 
 gage in philosophical meditation," and the young 
 gentleman passed his hand over his forehead as 
 thoughtfully as ever did the veriest bookworm. 
 
 Dinah, the cook, opened her eyes for a few minutes, 
 and then shut them in sleep again. 
 
 Cato remained seated upon the ground, wide awake 
 and whistling some melody, and contented until he be- 
 came hungry again. 
 
 How it came about cannot be said with any cer 
 tainty; but, although Edith Prescott and Fielding took 
 almost opposite routes, yet they had been absent scarce 
 ten minutes when they suddenly came face to face in 
 the wood, and both paused with a look of surprise. 
 
 Edith blushed, smiled, and saluted him, and the 
 young Friend showed scarcely less confusion, but 
 neither turned and fled. Old Jud making his appear- 
 ance at this juncture, afforded both considerable relief 
 in the way of giving them an opportunity of exchang- 
 ing a few words with him. But he tarried only a 
 moment and moving rapidly away, they were left to 
 themselves. 
 
 Accepting an invitation to do so, Edith seated her-
 
 THE RED PLUME 295 
 
 self upon a small knoll near at hand, while the young 
 Friend very respectfully did the same, only taking 
 pains that a goodly distance separated them. 
 
 "How wonderfully we have been brought through 
 danger thus far!" remarked Fielding, after several 
 moments of embarrassing silence. "Truly the hand 
 of God has sustained us." 
 
 "It is what I have been thinking of ever since I 
 awoke," she replied, speaking the literal truth. "So 
 great, indeed, has been the mercy of God, that I can- 
 not believe he will forsake us in this hour, when we 
 can see no way of escape." 
 
 "He surely will not, but He will not deliver us un- 
 less we help ourselves. But for the watchfulness of 
 Red Plume and old Jud, what would have become of 
 us?" 
 
 "You need not except yourself," said Edith, look- 
 ing in his face; "for father says all would have been 
 lost long ago but for you." 
 
 "He judges me unjustly. My belief is against all 
 manner of warfare, and I have not fired my gun with 
 intent to kill since this calamity has come upon us." 
 
 "It is not the firing of guns that has saved us." 
 
 "But it has done an important part; without it, we 
 all would have been lost long before this." 
 
 "And without the watchfulness and skill that you 
 showed at the house, father says the place would have 
 been burned long ago. But I do not wish to force any 
 praise upon you," said Edith, with a smile. "I know
 
 296 THE RED PLUME 
 
 nothing myself of what you did. I only repeat what 
 father said, and you cannot ask me to disbelieve him." 
 
 "No, I would not make such a request of thee. 
 Equally hopeless would have been our situation with- 
 out the presence of thy father and mother. If any 
 praise be due me, it must be shared with them." 
 
 And thus modestly did Fielding parry the compli- 
 ments that Edith in her partiality could not refrain 
 from directing toward him. But he showed such a 
 real antipathy to anything of the character that she 
 refrained from carrying it any further. 
 
 "It would be idle to deny that great danger men- 
 aced us," he added, after another awkward pause, 
 "when the heathen encompassed us all about; and 
 more than once I was sure they would overcome us 
 all, but during all that time I can say that I never 
 failed to think of thee." 
 
 There was no mistaking these words, nor the earn- 
 est gaze which accompanied them. Edith hung her 
 head, but managed to find voice to reply: 
 
 "I am glad to find that I was not forgotten by my 
 friends. Not knowing how we were situated, all of 
 you must have felt anxious about us. I am sure there 
 was scarcely a moment that we were not praying for 
 our friends on the other side the lake." 
 
 "Yes ; the heart of thy mother was wrung with grief 
 until she learned from Red Plume that thou wert safe ; 
 but not even then could we free ourselves of all anx-
 
 THE RED PLUME 297 
 
 iety, for there never was a time when thou wert not 
 in great peril." 
 
 Edith suddenly turned her head, as if alarmed at 
 something. 
 
 "What is it?" inquired Fielding, rising to his feet 
 and approaching closer to her. 
 
 "I heard a rustling in the bushes, as though some- 
 cne or something was approaching. It sounded di- 
 rectly behind me." 
 
 "There is nothing there," replied the Friend, after 
 looking at the undergrowth for a moment. "Thou 
 wert probably deceived." 
 
 "Perhaps so." 
 
 Very likely as a means of protection, Fielding seated 
 himself considerably nearer her than at first, and very 
 naturally, too, their tones became quite low and tender. 
 
 "It sounded like the rustling of a bird," she said, 
 referring to the noise which had disturbed her. 
 
 "Very likely it was," replied the Friend. "What 
 more natural than that it should become startled at our 
 presence, and fly away? But I will keep close to thee, 
 lest it may be the warning of danger." 
 
 Edith made no objection to the proximity of her 
 chivalrous friend, although she could have given no 
 logical reason why there was more safety within an 
 arm's length of him than within a half dozen feet. But 
 had her heart confessed the truth, it would have told 
 of the pleasure and delight of knowing that Field- 
 ing was so near her. His handsome face spoke only
 
 298 THE RED PLUME 
 
 of the nobility of the soul within. His deportment 
 was consistent with his profession, and yet Colonel 
 Havens could not surpass him in true courage, nor 
 could any arm be relied upon with greater confidence 
 than his, when there was need of good, strong blows 
 being struck. 
 
 Now and then, Fielding looked over his shoulder, 
 to make sure that no terrible enemy was stealing upon 
 them unawares; but as he became interested in the 
 words of her at his side, he gradually forgot this pre- 
 caution, and found time only to gaze into her peerless 
 face, and to reply to the words that fell from her lips. 
 
 It was hardly to be expected that the Friend would 
 become sentimental in his utterances, and yet what 
 are we to think of such expressions as the following: 
 
 "I feared that the hours would pass wearily to me, 
 while compelled to stay upon this island; but verily, 
 they are gliding fast." 
 
 "That is curious, indeed." 
 
 "Not so, when I reflect upon the cause thereof." 
 
 "And what can be the reason?" asked Edith, liter- 
 ally driven into asking the question. 
 
 "It can be none other than that I have peace and 
 quietness " 
 
 "Ah! I understand." 
 
 "And am in thy presence, listening to thy words, 
 and exchanging thoughts with thee." 
 
 "It cannot be" 
 
 Fielding seized the arm of Edith Prescott, springing
 
 THE RED PLUME 299 
 
 to his feet at the same time, and threw her forward 
 with great violence, but still retaining his grip upon 
 her arm, prevented her from falling. Startled and be- 
 wildered, she turned her head to see what it meant, 
 when she observed him stamping his right heel upon 
 the ground, with a furious vigor, and with a glowing 
 face that showed that his fury was fairly roused. 
 
 Then as she looked, she saw something writhing 
 under his heel, and only a second glance was needed 
 to reveal an enormous rattlesnake already crushed out 
 of all semblance of a reptile. 
 
 The crotalus species, as is well known, is easily 
 killed, and after the first stamp or two, its contortions 
 nuy be said to have been involuntary. When Field- 
 ing ceased, not a spark of life remained. 
 
 Then he picked up the reptile upon a large stick, 
 and carrying it to the edge of the river, threw it in, 
 and when he returned to Edith he was as calm and 
 self-possessed as ever. 
 
 "Let us leave this spot," he said, leading the way 
 to a still more retired nook, where not more than a 
 dozen yards separated them from Augustus Pipkins, 
 although neither party was aware of it. But there 
 was little probability of either disturbing the other, 
 as peculiar circumstances surrounded both. 
 
 "We must be careful," said Fielding, "for it is a 
 general belief that if you find one of these serpents, 
 you are certain to find another at no great distance."
 
 300 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "How came you to see him?" inquired Edith, who 
 had hardly recovered from her agitation. 
 
 "Didn't thou hear the whirr of his rattle?" 
 
 "I heard nothing at all." 
 
 "That rustling which first caught thy ear was made 
 by the reptile as he lay coiled under the bush close by 
 us. Neither of us saw him, for we had no suspicion 
 that so dangerous a creature was so near, and it was 
 too small to conceal anything larger. While thou 
 wert speaking, I heard the rattle, and when I looked 
 up its head was drawn back to strike thee, but thou 
 escaped just in time. The rattlesnake is a sluggish 
 creature, and it was an easy matter for me to kill him 
 before he could recover himself." 
 
 "And, under Heaven, you saved my life, and I 
 thank you," said Edith, laying her hand within that 
 of his, while her dark eyes filled with tears, and spoke 
 far more eloquently than did her mouth, when she 
 uttered these words. 
 
 When she attempted to withdraw her hand, it was 
 held fast, and the two looked into each other's counte- 
 nance for a moment without speaking. They saw eye 
 to eye. 
 
 There is feeling too deep for words, and it was such 
 that swayed the hearts of these lovers, as they gazed 
 through the windows of the soul," and saw an affec- 
 tion, profound, pure and fervent, such as neither had 
 scarcely suspected until now, but the revelation of
 
 THE RED PLUME 301 
 
 which gave to both a pleasure such as had scarcely 
 ever entered their dreams. 
 
 They understood each other. The strong-, manly 
 heart of Fielding, the Quaker, overflowed with love 
 for the queenly Edith Prescott, and hers was filled with 
 the same emotion as deep, as pure and as profound. 
 
 But while she gazed, her eyes dimmed from the 
 gathering moisture, and her sight grew indistinct. 
 Then she felt something drawing her gently toward 
 him who was at her side, and when her head rested, it 
 was upon the shoulder of him who felt that he gladly 
 would have held it there forever.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 AN UNSUCCESSFUL WOOING. 
 
 Augustus Pipkins looked upon himself as thor- 
 oughly refreshed. He had undergone a night of ter- 
 rible watching and labor that is, all that had been 
 spent in watching and labor; but the few hours ob- 
 tained in the way of rest, he was convinced were all 
 that he required. 
 
 "Because if they were not," he reasoned with him- 
 self, as he thoughtfully drew his hand across his mass- 
 ive forehead, "then I should still feel the languor of 
 insidious coma. That I consider as plain as a theorem 
 in Euclid, and considerably plainer, if it is expected 
 that I am to comprehend it." 
 
 He walked meditatively along a short distance 
 further, and then, as usual, gave utterance to his 
 thoughts. 
 
 "If I can only bring myself to believe that this is a 
 quiet pic-nic that I am on with the boys, that there is 
 an abundance of champagne along, and that I am nobly 
 denying myself the indulgence of it, why it won't be 
 so bad but what I may expect some enjoyment from it; 
 I can look upon myself as quite a hero hello !" 
 
 Just then he caught sight of Fielding and Edith, as 
 
 302
 
 THE RED PLUME 303 
 
 they sat with their backs toward him. He paused a 
 moment, and then walked on. 
 
 "It's a pity they don't speak a little louder, for, as it 
 is, I am unable to distinguish their words but that 
 looks rather spooney to me." 
 
 He walked on in the same thoughtful manner, but 
 seemed in a very serene frame of mind. 
 
 "However, I have no objection to Edith taking up 
 with the Quaker if she wants him, as he is a man of 
 good moral character, so far as I can learn. It's a 
 pity, however, that he isn't engaged in the insurance 
 business, so as to have something upon which to rely 
 to support my cousin in the style she ought to have. 
 Life insurance and school-book agencies are essen- 
 tially the American professions. Everybody is going 
 into them, and everybody is making money excepting 
 me, on my eight dollars but when I get back to Chi- 
 cago, if I don't strike out on my own hook, it'll be 
 because I change my mind." 
 
 It so happened that Pipkins directed his footsteps 
 toward the spot which was the scene of Lillian's nar- 
 row escape from the bullet of the vengeful Sioux. Ap- 
 pearing as if it were as secluded a place as he could 
 find, he spread his handkerchief upon the grass, sat 
 down upon it and began to smoke and "meditate." 
 
 And just as he did so, he observed a piece of paper 
 folded and lying upon the ground. By way of joking 
 with himself, he whistled and beckoned with his fore-
 
 304 THE RED PLUME 
 
 finger for it to approach. Then he leaned forward, 
 and as he picked it up, observed that it was a letter. 
 
 "Directed to Lillian Prescott, too," he repeated, in 
 some surprise, as he turned it over in his hand. "That 
 isn't my handwriting, I'm sure, because I can't write as 
 well as that, for all I am a clerk in an insurance office." 
 
 He held it close and far from his eyes, but he could 
 not remember that he had ever seen anything like it 
 before. 
 
 "I should like to know who has had the impudence 
 to write to her," he muttered, somewhat indignant. 
 "She is to be my wife; that's all settled. I haven't 
 asked her yet, but there's no danger of her refusing. I 
 never saw a girl yet that wouldn't jump at the first 
 offer, and I don't believe there is a female living that 
 would refuse me. (That's between me and myself, 
 of course)." 
 
 Nevertheless the young gentleman was sincere in 
 what he had uttered, although he had done it so 
 secretly. 
 
 "That being the case," he added, "it's my duty to 
 oversee her correspondence as far as possible." 
 
 Whereupon he very deliberately opened Colonel 
 Havens' letter, and read it from beginning to end. He 
 was not only surprised but furiously enraged, that any 
 one should presume to address her, especially when 
 the "tender ties" that existed between the two. 
 the letter itself proved that the writer was aware of
 
 THE RED PLUME 305 
 
 "The scoundrel!" he exclaimed, clinching his fists; 
 "if I ever meet him, I'll chastise him. I'll teach him 
 how to interfere between a young couple devoted to 
 each other. It's time he learned the danger of doing 
 so. Here he has been like the serpent that, after being 
 warmed, turned about and bit you. Such is the in- 
 gratitude of the world!" 
 
 Pipkins carefully replaced the letter in the envelope, 
 and then put it in his pocket and resumed smoking, 
 the sober air of thoughtfulness upon his brow over- 
 shadowed by the vexation he had suffered from the 
 discovery. 
 
 A light footstep struck upon his ear, and looking 
 up, he saw Lillian approaching, her eyes upon the 
 ground, and her countenance showing that she was 
 disturbed by something, very manifestly the loss of 
 the letter, which at that moment was carefully stored 
 away in the breast pocket of Mr. Pipkins' coat. 
 
 She did not look up until only a few feet separated 
 them, and then she stopped short, with a slight ex- 
 clamation of alarm. 
 
 "O, cousin! how you frightened me!" she ex- 
 claimed, with a laugh. 
 
 "Is there anything very terrifying in my appear- 
 ance?" he inquired, in his cool, self-possessed manner. 
 Nothing, whatever; but anything would have 
 alarmed me." 
 
 "What brought you here?" he asked, well satisfied 
 of her real object.
 
 306 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "I was looking for a letter that I must have dropped. 
 Have you seen anything of it?" 
 
 "Whom was it from?" inquired Pipkins, endeavor- 
 to put on as stern a look as possible. 
 
 "From a friend," she replied in the careless tones of 
 indifference, looking about her upon the grass. "It is 
 not of much importance, but I should be sorry to have it 
 fall into the hands of any one else." 
 
 "Lillian," said her cousin, in the tones of a judge 
 about pronouncing sentence, "sit down here a few mo- 
 ments. I've got something to say to you." 
 
 The girl looked wonderingly at him, not dreaming 
 that he was really serious. He had such a way of af- 
 recting a solemnity when in the most trifling of moods, 
 that she was sure such was the case now. She unhesi- 
 tatingly took her seat beside him, as she would havt; 
 done were he her brother. 
 
 They sat in silence a few moments, during which 
 she wondered what was coming, and he slowly puffed 
 his meerschaum, languidly rowing away the smoke with 
 his hand, as it kept drifting continuously into the face 
 of the girl beside him. Finally he removed the amber 
 from his mouth. 
 
 "Lillian, dear, will you answer me a few questions?" 
 he asked, in a low, sad voice. 
 
 "Did I ever refuse you?" 
 
 "Don't know as you did, and I hope you won't 
 now." 
 
 "Not if I am able to enlighten you."
 
 THE RED PLUME 307 
 
 "Do you know a young man named Havens? George 
 Havens, I think. I believe he is a corporal or sergeant 
 in the army." 
 
 Lillian was at a loss to understand the meaning of 
 this question; but believing that her cousin was jesting 
 under the garb of seriousness, she answered with scarcely 
 a second's hesitation. 
 
 "You mean Colonel Havens. Of course, we all know 
 him !" 
 
 "What sort of a fellow is he?" 
 
 "Brave, handsome, gallant, talented and chival- 
 rous." 
 
 Pipkins turned toward her in amazement. 
 
 "Wouldn't you like to hunt up a few more adjectives? 
 1 don't think those are expressive enough." 
 
 "They express my meaning," she replied, with some- 
 thing of her coquettish manner, and with a buoyancy of 
 spirits to which she had been a stranger a long time. 
 "Do you wish me to be more explicit ?" 
 
 "Not at all; fact is you are too explicit altogether. 
 But why do you admire this fellow?" 
 
 "For the same reason they all do, he deserves it." 
 
 "Are you sure of that?" 
 
 This question was one of those "fearfully mys- 
 terious" ones that are intended tq imply a great deal. 
 By the figure of litotes it may be said that it meant to 
 inform his companion that she could not be certain of 
 such a thing; but for all that she answered unhesitat- 
 ingly.
 
 308 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "Yes, sir; I am sure of it!" 
 
 "I ain't." 
 
 "That is all very natural, for you have no acquain- 
 tance with him. In such a case you ought to take my 
 word for it." 
 
 "Umph! that's cool!" reflected Pipkins; "she is as 
 independent as if she cared nothing for me. She hasn't 
 learned to understand me yet. She doesn't know what 
 a terrible nature I have when aroused." Then, turning 
 to her: 
 
 "Lillian, to tell you the plain truth, I have reason to 
 believe that this Corporal Havens " 
 
 "Colonel Havens" 
 
 "Is altogether unworthy of your love I should say 
 esteem." 
 
 "What reason have you for saying so?" 
 
 "I have it from good authority that he is that he 
 is that is, real cowardly a veritable poltroon." 
 
 "What is your authority?" 
 
 Lillian fired her questions with such bewildering swift- 
 ness, that poor Pipkins was unable to answer with 
 promptness, and he regretted that he hadn't "prepared" 
 himself for this business. 
 
 "Why let me see Colonel Jones, of Chicago." 
 
 "Where did he learn it?" 
 
 "He was with him at the battle of Bull Run." 
 
 "Are you sure that that was the battle?" 
 
 "Certain of it," replied Pipkins, determined to stick 
 to this point at least, now that he had made it.
 
 THE RED PLUME 309 
 
 "It was at no other battle?" 
 
 "No other." 
 
 "You are sure it was Bull Run?" 
 
 "Absolutely certain." 
 
 Lillian laughed that clear, rippling laugh of hers. 
 A shudder of apprehension ran over Pipkins when he 
 heard it. He felt like the soldier who hears the pinging 
 over his head. 
 
 "I do not see what there is to laugh at." 
 
 "Colonel Havens was not in that battle" 
 
 It took fully a minute before Pipkins could recover 
 from the shock of this reply, which was intensified by 
 that silvery, rippling laugh of Lillian, who thoroughly 
 enjoyed the discomfiture of her cousin. He cleared his 
 throat, and drew his hand across his brow, as if striving 
 to awaken recollection, and finally said : 
 
 "Let me see; by Jingo! I was mistaken." 
 
 "Then you ought to apologize to Colonel Havens." 
 
 "Confound it! that ain't what I mean. I recollect 
 now that it was not Bull Run, but some other battle." 
 
 "What other battle?" 
 
 But Pipkins was not to be caught again. 
 
 "I have forgotten, I declare. It was on my tongue, 
 but I cannot recall it." 
 
 Again that laugh of Lillian's rang out upon the air, 
 and Pipkins began to feel as though he had been de- 
 tected in something of which he ought to be ashamed. 
 
 "It won't do," said Lillian, as soon as she could com- 
 mand her voice. "I don't believe a word you say!"
 
 310 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "Well, I consider that an insulting insinuation " 
 
 "Who cares if you do?" 
 
 And the eyes of the "airy, fairy girl" sparkled so 
 roguishly and her face glowed with such merriment, that 
 the young man found it impossible to bluster, and smiled 
 in spite of himself. 
 
 "Can you not be serious?" he asked. 
 
 "Certainly I can, if there be any reason." 
 
 "I have something to say to you something in which 
 you are or ought to be interested, and I hope you will 
 listen." 
 
 "Now speak the truth, 'Dolph, and none can be more 
 respectful than you will find me." 
 
 "Are you engaged to be married to Colonel 
 Havens?" 
 
 "What a question!" she exclaimed, with a laugh; but, 
 at the same time, the painful thrill shot through 
 her heart at the remembrance of the parting, and of 
 the letter which had come to her in the darkness of the 
 night. 
 
 "But you haven't answered it," he persisted. 
 
 "If you are serious in asking your question, then I can 
 say no nor ever have been." 
 
 "For all that, he loves you." 
 
 It was singular to Lillian that she should feel such 
 pleasure at this remark, even though it came from such 
 poor authority as her cousin. 
 
 "How do you know that?" she asked, impulsively. 
 
 "His letter shows it."
 
 THE RED PLUME 311 
 
 "What do you mean?" demanded Lillian, her face 
 flushing with indignation. "What letter shows it?" 
 
 Pipkins very cooly drew the missive from his pocket 
 that missive which had caused her so much sadness, 
 and for which she had been searching so long. 
 
 "I understand human nature well enough," he added, 
 "to see that that fellow is fairly beside himself with 
 love. If you don't believe it, I will read this letter out 
 before all upon the island, and see whether they don't 
 agree with me." 
 
 Pipkins was proceeding to unfold the letter, for the 
 purpose of indicating some "particular passage," when 
 Lillian, thoroughly out of temper, demanded it of him 
 in such an unmistakable manner that he could not re- 
 fuse it. 
 
 "What business have you to read my letter?" she 
 asked, all the laughter and merriment gone from her 
 eyes, from which she was scarcely able to keep back the 
 tears of vexation. 
 
 Feeling that it was incumbent upon him to demon- 
 strate the lofty wisdom of his course in this matter, 
 Pipkins roused himself, and said, earnestly: 
 
 "Lillian, it was my place to do so. You are the one 
 who have acted wrong in not bringing it to me in the 
 first place. / am the one who ought to have read it 
 first." 
 
 The consummate assurance of the man was so great 
 as partly to dispel the anger of Lillian. His last re- 
 mark proved that he was scarcely worth the dignity of
 
 312 THE RED PLUME 
 
 indignation. She carefully replaced the letter, and rose 
 to go. 
 
 "Hold on! I ain't through with you yet," he called 
 out; and, wondering what he could mean, she remained 
 seated, and looked inquiringly at him. 
 
 "You mustn't forget the situation in which you are 
 placed," he began, with all the solemnity at his com- 
 mand. "I must compliment you, madam, on notify- 
 ing him of my prior claim upon you; and I only hope 
 you will ever act in such a manner that he cannot fail 
 to see it. I will call him to account for this imperti- 
 nence " 
 
 When Fielding affirmed that the poisonous serpent 
 which he killed had its companion somewhere in the 
 vicinity he spoke the truth, for, at this juncture, Pip- 
 kins detected it gliding over the ground only a few feet 
 from where the two were sitting. With a gasp of 
 horror, he pointed his finger toward the horrid object. 
 Neither dared stir, for fear of alarming the reptile and 
 inviting its deadly blow. 
 
 The rattlesnake slowly glided over the grass and 
 leaves until nearly opposite where they sat, when it 
 elevated its head, waved it back and forth, and then 
 went into a coil. 
 
 It was so far away that there was no danger of its 
 striking them so long as each party maintained its rela- 
 tive position ; but the trouble was that it had cut off their 
 line of retreat. 
 
 Immediately behind them was the river, and it was
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 313 
 
 impossible to leave the spot without approaching closer 
 to the poisonous reptile; but both edged as far away as 
 they could without entering the water itself. 
 
 "By jingo! here's a go!" muttered Pipkins, when in 
 some measure he had become accustomed to the danger. 
 "What shall we do, Lillian?" 
 
 "Call for help." 
 
 "Don't you try it. Just as like as not, if you open 
 your mouth he'll make a dive at you, and then it'll be 
 all up with you !" 
 
 "I cannot remain here in the presence of that dread- 
 ful creature. I would rather step into the river, and 
 pass around out of its way." 
 
 "And get another shot from one of the redskins on the 
 shore." 
 
 Lillian recalled that this was the very spot where she 
 had so narrowly escaped death a short time before, and 
 she shuddered at the thought. 
 
 To retreat or to advance was death. They were in a 
 dilemma, indeed! 
 
 "We cannot save ourselves," said Lillian. "There 
 must be some one near at hand, and I will not call too 
 loud." 
 
 "Don't do it just yet," Pipkins hastened to say, "Like 
 enough it will take a notion to move off. Confound it! 
 why did it stop just there?" 
 
 "Is there no stone or stick that you can throw at it?" 
 inquired Lillian, who began to think it was time her 
 companion did something to protect them both.
 
 314 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "That's what I've been looking for," he replied, gaz- 
 ing down at the ground; "but I don't see anything suit- 
 able." 
 
 "If Colonel Havens were here, he would have killed 
 the reptile on the instant." 
 
 This fired up Pipkins, who broke a stick from a branch 
 overhead, and advanced resolutely to the assault; but 
 he took good care not to approach too close. Brandish- 
 ing it overhead, he circled around the reptile, fearful of 
 coming near enough to strike, but keeping his eye upon 
 his enemy all the time. 
 
 While circling in this manner his foot struck a stone, 
 which he picked up, and hurled at the elevated head of 
 the rattlesnake. Fortunately the missile went straight, 
 and struck the very point at which it was aimed. The 
 reptile writhed and twisted over and over upon itself 
 fiercely for a few minutes, and then lay motionless in 
 death. 
 
 Very naturally, Pipkins was elated over the success 
 of his demonstration against their foe, and demanded of 
 Lillian whether is was not well done. 
 
 "Very well, indeed," she replied, "and I am grateful 
 for our escape. But I begin to feel a terror for this 
 spot. Already death has threatened me twice, and let 
 us stay here no longer." 
 
 "Where shall we go?" asked her cousin, halting 
 after they had passed beyond the vicinity of the reptile. 
 
 "Back to the camp, where father and mother are."
 
 THE RED PLUME 315 
 
 "But I had something more to say to you. I had not 
 said all that I wished to," he replied. 
 
 "You said enough." 
 
 He looked earnestly at her; but she was in no mood 
 to be trifled with, and so he was compelled to follow 
 her back to camp.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 THE RAFT 
 
 WHEN noon came, the heat upon the island was op- 
 pressive. Even the thick shade of the trees and under- 
 growth could not protect our friends from its enervat- 
 ing effects, and little was done except to loung upon 
 the grass and languidly converse upon the ever-important 
 matter of their escape from the island. 
 
 At meridian there was no one who asked for food 
 excepting Cato. The substantial character of the pre- 
 vious meals and the warmth of the day were such that 
 it was hardly natural that they should feel any degree 
 of hunger; and the pleasure of the coming dinner was 
 somewhat marred by the knowledge that it was to be 
 of the same character as the meals already taken. No 
 food had been brought with them, and were is not for 
 the piscatorial skill of old Jud, they would have been 
 in a sad condition indeed. 
 
 The scout kept up his ceaseless tramp over the island 
 and his vigilant scrutiny of the shores. More than once 
 he had detected signs of his enemies, but they evi- 
 dently contemplated no movement or demonstration dur- 
 ing the day time, or at least while they were watched 
 
 with such tireless sharpness. 
 
 316
 
 THE RED PLUME 317 
 
 Captain Swarthausen and Muggins had enjoyed a 
 very interesting conversation, until they had tired 
 themselves out, and they only exchanged words semi- 
 occasionally. Fielding was reclining on the ground 
 close to Edith Prescott and her mother, both of whom 
 were listening to his words, or exchanging questions 
 and answers with him. Quiet and self-possessed, and 
 well-informed, he was always able to interest his audi- 
 tors. 
 
 Lillian, when she returned with Pipkins, seated her- 
 self near her mother and sister, and joined in the gen- 
 eral conversation, while the young gentleman himself 
 relit his pipe, smoked harder than ever, and employed 
 himself in "meditations" of the most decided kind. Mat- 
 ters were not in the precise shape to suit him, and he 
 was endeavoring to decide himself as to how he was to 
 right them. 
 
 It was no easy matter to settle this point, for he could 
 not but admit that his cousin Lillian had quite a will and 
 temper of her own, and when she chose to assert it, she 
 did it in a manner that was unmistakable. He had just 
 had an exhibition that confirmed that point. 
 
 In his wanderings to and fro, Jud Jenkins occasion- 
 ally found time to saunter up to the camp of the fugi- 
 tives and exchange a few words with them. 
 
 It was about the middle of the afternoon when he 
 seated himself near them, with the remark that it was 
 one of the warmest days he had ever experienced, and 
 he added:
 
 318 THE RED PLUME 
 
 "I am powerful glad of it, too." 
 
 "I can't say that I am," replied Captain Swart- 
 hausen. "I don't particularly enjoy this climate, either 
 when the thermometer gets up close to a hundred, or 
 down to twenty and thirty degrees below zero, as it did 
 last winter." 
 
 "I don't say that 1 enj'y it either, but if there don't 
 come a reg'lar screamer of a storm, I don't see much 
 chance of getting off this place." 
 
 "Ah! I understand. You think this will bring the 
 storm." 
 
 "Very likely; when you see such a hot day as this, so 
 fur north, it's purty sure to kick up a rumpus among the 
 elements, and bring the rain and darkness." 
 
 "We can do without the rain," said Pipkins; "but I 
 understand that it is the darkness you want so bad." 
 
 "Just that; but we won't be likely to get one without 
 t'other." 
 
 "When I took my last peep at the sky, it seemed clear 
 as at this morning," replied Captain Swarthausen. 
 
 "That don't make no difference. If I am not mistook, 
 there will be one of the biggest kind " 
 
 As if in confirmation of the declaration that was upon 
 the lips of the scout, the faint rumble of distant thunder 
 was heard at this moment, and the faces of all brightened 
 on the instant. 
 
 "It's coming, sure !" added Jud. "That's what I have 
 been waiting for for the last hour." 
 
 "Do you observe that also?" asked the captain.
 
 THE RED PLUME 319 
 
 A breeze was heard stirring the branches overhead, 
 and its grateful coolness even touched the perspiring faces 
 of the fugitives below, and then came another faint mut- 
 tering of thunder. 
 
 "It will be a terrible storm when it does come," said 
 the officer; "the air is full of electricity. What's 
 that?" 
 
 A dull, increasing roar was heard, like the coming of 
 a tornado; but it lasted but a moment, when it termi- 
 nated in a crash that seemed to shake the very ground 
 upon which they stood. 
 
 "What under heavens can that be?" asked Pipkins. 
 "It was somewhere on the island." 
 
 "It's a tree that fell a tree that oughter stand a half 
 a hundred years longer." 
 
 "Why, then, did it fall?" 
 
 " 'Cause there's a storm comin'. You needn't laugh ; 
 it's allers so. I've laid in the woods many a time at 
 night, and heard tree after tree come crashin' to the 
 ground, and nobody can't tell what made 'em, 'cept the 
 storm coming through the air." 
 
 "But every tree must fall some time," said Captain 
 Swarthausen. 
 
 "I know as much p'raps about the woods as any of 
 you," said the hunter, somewhat impatiently, "and you 
 can't explain it that way. I've seen the thing too often. 
 When a tree comes tearin' down like that, in the middle 
 of the day and I'll warrant you a dozen have fell along
 
 320 THE RED PLUME 
 
 shore you can make up your mind that it's a sign of a 
 powerful big storm. 
 
 The scout had lingered as long as it was prudent, 
 and he now left his friends and walked to the upper end 
 of the island, scrutinized both shores, and then ex- 
 amined the fallen tree, which was comparatively sound. 
 From his position he could see far above and below 
 upon each side of the stream, but nothing of a suspi- 
 cious nature was detected, and he instinctively looked 
 up the river. 
 
 His experienced eye discovered something at once, but 
 so far away that he could only conjecture its character. 
 At first it looked like some wild animal swimming down 
 stream; then he mentally compared it to a canoe, bottom 
 upward ; but at last he resolved it into a sort of raft that 
 was drifting with the current, and without any propulsive 
 power of its own. 
 
 But from the moment he first caught sight of it he was 
 well convinced that it was some contrivance of that people 
 who never appear at a loss for means to mislead and 
 deceive their foes; and, accordingly he kept his eye in- 
 tently fixed upon it for a long time, in the expectation 
 of detecting a flash of the water that might reveal the 
 hand of the agent controlling it. 
 
 However, no such evidence was discovered, and he 
 concluded that if an enemy were really there, he was 
 smart enough to give no tangible evidence of his pres- 
 ence. 
 
 Suspecting that this might be some artifice intended
 
 THE RED PLUME 321 
 
 to withdraw attention from the lower part of the island, 
 old Jud called to Captain Swarthausen, and explained 
 his apprehensions, requesting him to take his position 
 at the lower point. This the officer willingly did, and 
 Muggins received permission to accompany him. 
 
 Convinced that it could now be done with safety, the 
 hunter gave his whole attention to the approaching ob- 
 ject, still looking for some sign of human agency in its 
 movements, and still failing to detect any, except what 
 might be termed a general evidence. 
 
 Carried forward in the direction it was now going, it 
 would be sure to strand itself upon the shingle at the 
 upper end of the island a termination of the voyage 
 which a Sioux would not be likely to make. When, 
 therefore, he observed it turning to the right, slowly but 
 surely, he could no longer doubt the inspiring cause of 
 the whole thing. 
 
 Jud raised his rifle and examined the cap. 
 
 "It's all right," he muttered; "when I begun this 
 tramping business, I used the old flint-lock, and some 
 of the Hudson Bay fellers stick to 'em yet. Only let 
 me get a chance at the top-knot of this varmint, and I'll 
 spoil his fun for him." 
 
 A nearer approach revealed that the raft, or whatever 
 it might be termed, consisted of two trees, with their 
 roots and limbs still to them. The latter seemed in- 
 extricably interlocked, and between these two the hunter 
 was certain that at least one Indian was floating, with
 
 322 THE RED PLUME 
 
 his black orbs fixed upon the island, and with every 
 faculty on the alert. 
 
 As it came opposite the point where Jud was stand- 
 ing, he walked down the shore, keeping concealed within 
 the wood, but halting and peering out upon the nonde- 
 script every few minutes, until at last the lowermost part 
 of the island was reached. 
 
 Not once had a foe been seen; and as it passed on 
 below the land, he still remained invisible. 
 
 "I'd like to know what he has larned, muttered Jud, 
 as he brought his rifle to his shoulder. "Howsomever, 
 I'll show him that we ain't fools in these parts." 
 
 With a quick aim he discharged his piece, burying the 
 bullet one of the logs, near the centre. He had scarcely 
 done so, when the tufted head of an Indian rose to view, 
 and he cast one long, searching look toward him, and 
 disappeared again between the trunks. 
 
 The instant Jud caught sight of him he began reload- 
 ing as rapidly as possible, but before he could place the 
 percussion upon the tube, the Sioux had sunk down out 
 of sight, and he was baffled again. 
 
 "You can go back and tell the others that there is one 
 fool left here," was the impatient exclamation of the 
 hunter, at his own discomfiture. 
 
 Had Red Plume been present he would not have re- 
 mained on shore and contented himself with firing at 
 the trees as they floated by. He would have dived un- 
 der the logs and engaged the Sioux in a submarine hand- 
 to-hand encounter, and the probability of their being
 
 THE RED PLUME 323 
 
 more than one to encounter would not have deterred 
 him for a moment. 
 
 Old Jud had done such things himself, but as his 
 years increased, he had acquired a certain degree of 
 caution, which caused him to weigh an important ac- 
 tion before undertaking it. He saw nothing to be 
 gained by the mere "sending under" of a redskin, ex- 
 cept so far as it should demonstrate the bravery of the 
 fugitives. 
 
 He kept the raft in view as it slowly worked its way 
 toward one of the banks, until finally it was lost to- 
 sight. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen and Muggins had nothing to re- 
 port, having detected nothing whatever of a suspicious 
 character. 
 
 But, unexpectedly, Fielding had a report to give. 
 When the others were sent off as sentinels, he went to 
 the eastern side of the island, (which was the less 
 threatened side,) he, like old Jud, suspecting that this 
 might be a stratagem to cover some other movement of 
 the aborigines. 
 
 At the moment the daring Sioux lifted his head and 
 shoulders out of the water, and the hunter was reload- 
 ing with all the speed possible, the Friend saw a large 
 canoe glide a short distance under the bank, and then 
 a dozen Indians filled it with the silence and celerity of 
 phantoms. 
 
 * He suspected that they intended to seize their oppor- 
 tunity and make a dash for the island while the atten-
 
 324 THE RED PLUME 
 
 tion of the fugitives was called in the other direction. 
 But the rifle-shot of the hunter over which he lamented 
 as so useless seemed to deter them, and they failed to 
 make the start. 
 
 Fielding never once took his eyes from the singular 
 scene, and stood prepared to alarm the others the mo- 
 ment it emerged from under the bushes. For several 
 minutes they remained stationary, and then the canoe 
 moved back again to its place, and every savage sprang 
 out of it and disappeared. 
 
 It was fortunate that this was done. But for the shot 
 of Jud, it is probable that a dash would have been made 
 for the island. While it is hardly probable that the 
 Sioux would have succeeded in massacring all the 
 whites, as was their purpose, yet, in the desperate en- 
 counter that would have been thus precipitated, it is 
 hardly possible that each of our friends would have es- 
 caped unharmed. It was, in truth, one of the lost oppor- 
 tunities for the aborigines, which could never again come 
 to them in a similar shape. 
 
 When old Jud learned the particulars from the 
 Quaker, he complimented him on his kneenness, and re- 
 marked that there was still some hope of his becoming 
 a tolerable hunter. 
 
 "What do you think of that?" asked the scout, as he 
 removed his cap, and allowed the stiffening breeze to 
 blow upon his forehead. 
 
 "What do you mean?" asked Prescott. 
 
 "That is what I mean !"
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 325 
 
 A regular rolling boom of thunder was heard almost 
 directly overhead. The rapidly darkening sky gave the 
 woods the appearance of twilight, while the wind blew 
 almost without a second's cessation. 
 
 "Will you go without Red Plume?" asked Captain 
 Swarthausen. 
 
 "I don't want to," was the hesitating reply. 
 
 "Suppose he doesn't return for several hours after 
 night sets in?" 
 
 "What's the use of 'sposing any such thing?" the 
 hunter asked petulantly. "He'll be back here inside of 
 two hours, and he'll be the guide in goin' down the river 
 to-night, and I'll foller with the rest of you." 
 
 "And with these noble red men that are waiting for 
 us to start," said Pipkins, perhaps revived by the refresh- 
 ing cool wind. 
 
 "Like enough," replied Jud; "you can be sartin 
 they'll foller powerful close if they think we've 
 started."
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 ADRIFT, 
 
 "NiGHT and storm, and darkness," came together. 
 The distant booming of the thunder increased, coming 
 nearer and louder, until the clouds echoed the peals. 
 The moon was entirely hid by the dark, tumultuous 
 masses of vapor that swept over its face. The red 
 lightning played back and forth through the black 
 masses, illuminating them with a vividness tenfold 
 greater than at noonday, while the advancing rain 
 looked like the gleaming spears of an innumerable 
 army. 
 
 As night was closing in, and before the bursting of 
 the storm, the scout had gathered his friends about him, 
 and given them his ideas of what would be done during 
 the coming night. The whole party, with the exception 
 of Red Plume, were to embark in the larger boat. The 
 Indian would take the lead in his canoe, acting as their 
 pilot until all danger was passed. 
 
 A general feeling of uneasiness manifested itself at the 
 failure of Red Plume to appear, and Captain Swarthausen 
 advocated starting without him. But he was effectually 
 
 326
 
 THE RED PLUME 327 
 
 silenced by the reply of the hunter, that if he were present 
 at this time, no start could be made. 
 
 He explained by calling attention to the lightning, 
 which was almost incessant. 
 
 To embark at such a time would insure the certainty 
 of discovery from the Sioux, and failure would follow, 
 no matter with what skill the attempt was conducted. 
 So all that could be done was to wait until the lightning 
 had ceased, or so slackened as to afford some oppor- 
 tunity for flight. 
 
 The boats were moored some distance away, and fear- 
 ful that they might be blown loose, Jud passed over to 
 look at them. 
 
 He was almost too late; for as he came up, he saw 
 that the larger boat was still fast, but the canoe had 
 been torn free, and was already a dozen feet out in the 
 river. 
 
 This could not be permitted, and he plunged unhes- 
 itatingly in after it. A few powerful strokes and he 
 laid one hand upon the gunwale; but, as he did so, he 
 became sensible that the other side was in the grasp of 
 some one else, and the thought of another attempt to 
 steal the boats flashed through his mind. 
 
 The hunter was not unprepared for such a contest, 
 and he reached down for his knife; but, at this instant, 
 an exclamation acquainted him with the fact that he 
 was confronted by Red Plume. 
 
 Red Plume almost instantly came ashore, and the two
 
 328 THE RED PLUME 
 
 had an earnest conversation of several minutes, wherein 
 the Indian revealed the following: 
 
 There were between thirty and forty Sioux Indians, 
 including the party who came from the lake, and they 
 were inspired by the most vindictive ferocity, the desire 
 of the majority being to massacre every one of the 
 whites the moment they came into their power. There 
 was so much risk in carrying prisoners, especially with 
 Red Plume and old Jud free (for they looked upon it as 
 impossible to secure them), that this seemed to be the 
 only safe course; and, in case the fugitives were over- 
 powered, there was little doubt but this course would be 
 adopted. 
 
 One of their chiefs and a number of their best war- 
 riors having been slain, they could not give over the 
 pursuit until these had been avenged. They had already 
 been baffled so continually that their impatience can be 
 readily understood, as well as the reason why a large 
 number advocated a charge upon them, without waiting 
 for darkness to assist them. They were the ones whom 
 Fielding has seen enter the canoe, and who were only 
 turned back by the sober second-thought which followed 
 the firing of old Jud's rifle. 
 
 Red Plume had mingled with the Sioux until he had 
 learned fully their intention, which, as has been inti- 
 mated, was to steal upon the island during the night, 
 and massacre all of the fugitives. They did not forget 
 the probability of their attempting flight in the dark-
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 329 
 
 ness, and they became remarkably alert with the de- 
 parture of the day. 
 
 The raft which floated by the island and drew the fire 
 of old Jud was an artifice to discover whether the whites 
 were vigilant enough to make an attack unsafe. The 
 result was not satisfactory, and there was a movement 
 to send one of the Indians and Lige with a demand for 
 them to surrender, but with the real purpose of ascer- 
 taining their prospective movements. 
 
 These messengers had not yet appeared, but Red 
 Plume believed they would come within the next half 
 hour. The incessant play of the lightning kept up such 
 an illumination of the river, that it would be impossible 
 for a boat to leave without detection. 
 
 When this announcement was made, Jud and Red 
 Plume rejoined their friends, who, as may be supposed, 
 were glad enough to see them both. An explanation was 
 made of the dusky scout's continued absence, and the 
 probable coming of messengers from the shore. 
 
 Then all were instructed that, if the messengers from 
 the shore made their appearance, no means must be left 
 untried to convince them that it was their intention to 
 remain in their present quarters until the next day at 
 least. 
 
 The rain had almost ceased falling, but the flashing 
 of the lightning was as incessant as ever. It had lost 
 its fierce, explosive character, and now flickered and 
 flamed, as it is sometimes seen to do when unaccom- 
 panied by thunder.
 
 330 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Red Plume, Jud and Captain Swarthausen were watch- 
 ing from the shore, when the first announced that a 
 canoe had left the mainland, and was approaching. A 
 lightning flash, a second later, revealed a small boat, 
 containing the negro Lige and an Indian, swiftly speed- 
 ing across the breadth of water that intervened between 
 the island and shore. 
 
 It was allowed to approach undisturbed, until it 
 reached land again, and Lige stepped out, while his 
 companion retained his seat. 
 
 The African stared about him for a moment, as if 
 waiting for the vivid light to reveal his situation; and, 
 at the instant it came, old Jud called out, in his gruff 
 voice : 
 
 "What do you want?" 
 
 The negro started, and then took a few steps in the 
 direction of the voice. 
 
 "Who am dar?" 
 
 "Old Jud. What be you after?" 
 
 "De In j ins sent me ober to see you." 
 
 We need not give in detail the conversation that fol- 
 lowed, in which Lige artfully endeavored to persuade 
 the party to surrender. Old Jud positively assuring 
 him that they had no intention of doing so until they 
 were made to, he next tried to find out whether they 
 had any intention of leaving the island in the course of 
 the night. Of course, Jud gave him to understand that 
 this they had no intention of doing, as they would be 
 in greater danger, he cunningly insinuated, from the
 
 THE RED PLUME 33! 
 
 Indians on the river than on the island. Having ascer- 
 tained all he had been sent over to find out, and Jud and 
 Cato proceeding to cross-examine him rather unpleas- 
 antly as to how he came to be in such high favor among 
 the Indians, Lige, evidently ill at ease among his former 
 friends, at every lightning flash edged nearer and nearer 
 his canoe, until at last he entered it ; and the next glance 
 of him was in the boat, far out in the river, with the 
 Indian paddling with all his strength and skill. They 
 speedily rejoined their party, where no doubt a graphife 
 account of the interview was given, with the emphatic 
 assurance that the fugitives proposed remaining upon the 
 island until the Sioux drove them from it. 
 
 They had nothing left to do except to await the time 
 with patience when Red Plume should give the word to 
 start. 
 
 Some excitement was created at this juncture by hear- 
 ing the Sioux signalling to each other. 
 
 The general belief was that these calls were intended 
 to apprise each party of the other's intentions, which 
 meant a simultaneous advance upon the fugitives from 
 both sides; but Red Plume, being appealed to, greatly 
 relieved all by assuring them that nothing of the kind 
 was meant. They were meant to satisfy the leaders of 
 the Sioux that their followers were on the alert and 
 ready for any movement. 
 
 A half hour passed, when the signalling among the 
 Indians having by this time ceased, Red Plume gave the 
 word for all to be ready to enter the boat, being careful
 
 332 THE RED PLUME 
 
 not to do so before the permission was received, while 
 he started on a hasty survey of the island to learn whether 
 any of the aborigines had landed. 
 
 Not a gleam of lightning lit up the Stygian gloom as 
 he stealthily made his way through the saturated under- 
 growth, but his ears were as alive as those of the pan- 
 ther, and the dip of a paddle would have aroused his 
 attention at once. 
 
 Nothing, however, was discovered, and he rejoined 
 his friends, and gave the word, and the next instant the 
 boats swept out into the current, and the eventful jour- 
 ney down the river was resumed. 
 
 Above, below, behind, in front, and on either hand, 
 all was blank darkness. The Crescent River, swelled 
 by the storm, flowed swiftly down on its winding way 
 toward the snowy waters of Hudson Bay; the wild 
 wind howled and moaned from the woods along the 
 shore, and not a star was overhead to guide them on the 
 way. 
 
 It was too late to turn back, even had they wished to 
 do so. The Rubicon was crossed. Before them lay 
 safety or death. 
 
 Which was it?
 
 CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 DOWN THE RIVER 
 
 THOSE were critical moments to the fugitives. Not 
 a word was spoken, even in whispers, and every heart 
 was praying that this midnight blackness of the heav- 
 ens might continue for an hour more, or until the 
 swiftly flowing river had carried them beyond all dan- 
 ger of the Sioux, who were waiting so eagerly for their 
 prey. 
 
 So dense was the gloom that not one in the larger 
 boat could discern the canoe of Red Plume, that was 
 scarcely a dozen feet in advance. 
 
 Old Jud stood upright in the bow, with one of the 
 oars in hand, but even he was unable to make out the 
 form of his guide in front. The Indian now and then 
 made a slight plash with his oar, and by this sound 
 alone was the hunter guided. 
 
 While it was desirable to gain all the speed possible, 
 yet the boats drifted with the current only. Little help 
 could be gained by the use of the oars, while there was 
 imminent risk of the sound betraying them to the In- 
 dians, who were undoubtedly on the river at that very 
 moment, somewhere in the immediate neighborhood. 
 
 With every rod passed, the hopes of our friends rose 
 
 3?3
 
 334 THE RED PLUMB 
 
 Still the boats and their precious cargoes swept 
 swiftly down stream, and still the utter blackness of 
 night continued. Afar in the sky there had been one 
 or two of the faintest flickers of lightning, but they 
 were mere scintillations upon the great world of dark- 
 ness below, scarcely penetrating the margin itself. 
 
 The wind blew very gently, and every ear was 
 strained to the utmost for the sounds dreaded above all 
 others. When this silence rested upon all, a faint, 
 tremulous whistle so faint and uncertain in its char- 
 acter, indeed, that more than one of those who heard it 
 believed it came from the air above them floated to 
 them on the night air, and brought with it the chill 
 which one feels at the sure signal of some swiftly ap- 
 proaching peril. 
 
 At this moment, when none of the company expected 
 it, a powerful, all-pervading flash seemed to set the 
 whole atmosphere a-flame shore, river and woods 
 standing out with the distinctness of mid-day. Every 
 breath was suspended and every arm paralyzed for the 
 moment. So sudden was the gleam that neither Red 
 Plume nor old Jud gained a glimpse of the river in the 
 rear the place from which the danger was appre- 
 hended. 
 
 And out of all the party there was but one who saw 
 the river behind them. That one was Lillian Prescott, 
 who by accident was gazing backward toward the is- 
 land, and who, in the blaze of the lightning, discerned 
 two canoes of Indians between her own boat and the
 
 THE RED PLUMB 335 
 
 island with both of them headed down stream and com- 
 ing in a direct line toward them. 
 
 Old Jud asked in a cautious whisper : 
 
 " Did any of you see anything of the varmints ? " 
 
 Lillian deemed it was time for her to say something, 
 and while the others breathlessly listened, she stated 
 that she had observed two large canoes full of Indians 
 but a short distance astern, coming directly after them. 
 
 " Qu'ar," he remarked. " You're sure there ain't 
 no mistake about it ? " 
 
 The girl could be nothing else but certain. 
 
 Old Jud in his cautious way acquainted Red Plume 
 with what Lillian had said. The hunter had observed 
 previous to this, that the Indian was gradually shying 
 off toward the left, and he was compelled to use his 
 paddle with considerable power; but now the savage 
 backed until the boats touched, and then stooping 
 down, Jud grasped the stern of the little boat, and the 
 redskin began using his paddle stealthily, but with a 
 power which was felt by all. 
 
 He kept turning toward the left; for, if the Sioux 
 were so close at hand, the only safety of the fugitives 
 consisted in keeping concealed in the friendly darkness. 
 Their enemies, not knowing where to look for them, 
 would be far more likely to miss than to encounter 
 them. 
 
 Another fact was observed at this time by the more 
 experienced of the party, and it could not but increase 
 their uneasiness. Since the cessation of the storm the
 
 336 THE RED PLUME 
 
 sky had begun to clear in a measure, and there was 
 every prospect that there would soon be sufficient light 
 to see objects on either shore from the centre of the 
 river. 
 
 After paddling for a few minutes in this manner, the 
 fugitives noticed the dark outlines of the trees upon 
 the western bank. 
 
 Having reached this point, Red Plume now rested on 
 his oars, and they all drifted with the current again. 
 As yet he had gained no idea of the location of his 
 enemies, except what was received from Lillian, and he 
 placed implicit reliance in what she had affirmed to old 
 Jud. 
 
 Laying his boat alongside of the larger one, the In- 
 dian exchanged a few words with the hunter, explana- 
 tory of his intentions, and then he vanished in the dark- 
 ness, his purpose being to learn the whereabouts of the 
 Sioux. 
 
 Old Jud shoved the boat a little further out into the 
 stream, so as to be beyond danger of striking the shore, 
 and then sat down where he could say a word or two to 
 those near him. After a little pause, passed in con- 
 jectures as to the result of Red Plume's hazardous ex- 
 periment, the sharp ears of the hunter detected some 
 suspicious sound out in the river, and after attentively 
 looking out in that direction, they all had the pleasure of 
 seeing the little canoe coming out of the darkness with 
 the single Indian propelling it. 
 
 The Sioux did not approach any closer to his friends, 
 but taking a position a rod or so in advance, waited for
 
 THE RED PLUME 337 
 
 the others to follow. Old Jud thought this rather sin- 
 gular, as he was quite anxious to hear his report of the 
 situation ; but he knew there was reason for it, and it 
 looked as though there was a necessity for haste. 
 
 Accordingly the hunter plied his paddle with all the 
 skill and power at his command. This had no great 
 effect upon the boat with its large freight, but it served 
 to give it the direction which was necessary. 
 
 Instead of keeping to the left bank, Red Plume 
 headed diagonally across the stream, so as to strike the 
 right shore. Old Jud followed him as dutifully as a 
 dog ever followed his master, but he felt at the same 
 time that there was great risk in attempting to cross a 
 stream like this, when it was well known that a treach- 
 erous enemy was at no great distance. 
 
 The river was nearly crossed, when a short, wolf- 
 like whoop, came from the shore they had just left, and 
 Red Plume replied to it in precisely the same tone. 
 
 This diagonal direction Red Plume continued until 
 he had approached almost near enough to the shore to 
 touch it, when he began floating down stream as before. 
 
 Old Jud was confident now, that the Indian would 
 row back to him, and give him some idea of the move- 
 ments of their enemies ; but, to his annoyance and sur- 
 prise, he still kept his distance. 
 
 After drifting a half hour or so, old Jud began to 
 feel somewhat impatient, and he gave the canoe a shove 
 or two, as a hint for Red Plume that time was getting 
 too precious to waste in this manner; but the Sioux 
 paid no heed to the movement, and he and his boat
 
 338 THE RED PLUME 
 
 floated along as though they were part and parcel of 
 each other. 
 
 Prescott, who was sitting near Jud, heard him mutter 
 to himself : 
 
 " It's powerful queer what's got into Red Plume to- 
 night." 
 
 At this moment they reached the mouth of quite a 
 broad creek, which put into the Crescent River from the 
 right shore. It had quite a moderate current, showing 
 that, although it discharged a large volume of water, 
 there was but a slight fall in it. 
 
 As soon as the mouth of this was encountered the 
 Indian turned his canoe, and began paddling up stream, 
 pausing, after he had taken a few strokes, to beckon to 
 old Jud to follow him. 
 
 The hunter did so unhesitatingly, but with a misgiv- 
 ing for which he could scarcely account. Going in 
 opposition to the current, he was enabled to make com- 
 paratively little headway, and Red Plume seemed some- 
 what impatient, frequently paddling a short distance 
 in a circular direction, and then signalling to the fugi- 
 tives to follow. 
 
 " There must be danger," said Prescott, " or he 
 would not be in such a hurry." 
 
 Old Jud made no reply ; but those who were watch- 
 ing him at that moment saw him suddenly lay down 
 his paddle, and as suddenly catch up his rifle. The 
 next instant it was discharged, and their Indian guide 
 threw up his arms with a fearful shriek, shot through 
 the heart by the bullet of the hunter.
 
 CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 SIOUX VERSUS SIOUX 
 
 IT WOULD be impossible to describe the consternation 
 produced by the shot of old Jud. Prescott excitedly 
 sprang to his feet. 
 
 "My God! you have killed Red Plume!" 
 
 The hunter was then engaged in sweeping the bow of 
 the canoe around, and hastening the boat back out of 
 the creek which they had entered; but he turned his 
 head so as to reply. 
 
 "Killed Red Plume!" he repeated, in the husky 
 voice of passion ; " that ain't Red Plume it's one of 
 the varmints trying to lead us into a trap ! " 
 
 A shudder of terror shook all at this astounding 
 declaration, and the hunter bent furiously to his task. 
 
 " Where is Red Plume then? " asked Captain Swart- 
 hausen, as soon as he could recover himself. 
 
 " I don't know, and haint got time to think ; but 
 I'm sartin that if we don't git out here powerful soon, 
 there won't be a scalp left among us. So don't bother 
 me with any more questions." 
 
 And paying no heed to the surmisings of his friends, 
 he turned his whole attention to the arduous work be- 
 fore him, and, with the assistance of the current, soon 
 
 339
 
 340 THE RED PLUME 
 
 gives quite a rapid motion to the boat. Debouching 
 into the river, he turned down stream, and continued 
 his progress at a rate which all of the company would 
 have deemed impossible until they saw it done. 
 
 It will be remembered that old Jud was perplexed at 
 the action of the Indian who took the place of Red 
 Plume, but his suspicion was not fairly awakened until 
 the entering of the creek. Then he was close enough 
 to observe that the red plume which distinguished his 
 friend, and which he had worn so many years that it 
 gave him his appellation, was wanting ! 
 
 Instantly the thought of treachery entered his mind, 
 and by a powerful movement he approached nigh 
 enough to the canoe to gain a fair view of its occu- 
 pant. The result of this deliberation was such as to 
 make him certain of the trick that was attempted upon 
 him, and in the prompt manner mentioned he gave the 
 daring Sioux his quietus. 
 
 This singular interchange of canoes came about in 
 this manner: 
 
 When the lightning gleam revealed the Indian canoe 
 to Lillian Prescott, the boat containing the fugitives 
 was also seen by the Sioux themselves. Not only that, 
 but they detected Red Plume in his canoe, acting as 
 guide. With the readiness peculiar to the aborigines, 
 one of the latter instantly originated a stratagem, 
 which, if carried through with nerve and skill, could 
 not fail to result in the destruction of the whole party. 
 
 This plan was simply to substitute himself in the
 
 THE RED PLUME 341 
 
 place of Red Plume, without attracting the suspicion of 
 the whites. 
 
 The major part of the Sioux were upon terra firma, 
 while about a dozen were searching the river in their 
 large canoe. These put into shore, where a smaller 
 canoe was secured, into which the daring Indian ven- 
 tured, and then went out upon the river to await his 
 chance. 
 
 It was at this juncture that the vigilant Indian dis- 
 covered one of the tiny vessels crossing the stream in 
 front of him, and a little cautious manoeuvring re- 
 vealed the interesting fact that it was the renowned Red 
 Plume himself, probably engaged in reconnoitring the 
 river, and who had so narrowly missed coming upon 
 the Sioux. 
 
 The savage made his companions acquainted with 
 the condition of things, stated his proposed plan of 
 operations, and then crossed boldly over to the other 
 shore to take the place of Red Plume. 
 
 We have shown how cleverly this was done, and how 
 it all but succeeded. It was the intention of the In- 
 dians to decoy the fugitives up this creek quite a dis- 
 tance, to the base of a series of rapids, where those upon 
 shore had congregated, and were waiting, prepared to 
 massacre them all. 
 
 Our friends had actually entered the mouth of the 
 creek, as we have already shown, when the suspicious 
 appearance of the head-gear of the guide awakened the 
 apprehensions of old Jud, and the stratagem, so nearly 
 successful, was discovered.
 
 342 THE RED PLUME 
 
 No doubt the Sioux were confident that they had 
 successfully played a sharp trick upon their old enemy, 
 Red Plume; but, before the matter was ended, they 
 were compelled to modify their opinion. 
 
 When our dusky hero shot across the river, so close 
 to the redskins that the single one in the canoe detected 
 him, the discovery was mutual; and when this daring 
 enemy turned toward the other shore, Red Plume sus- 
 pected what game was up, and followed him far enough 
 to make sure of his purpose. 
 
 "Very good," reflected the former; "if my brother 
 takes the place of Red Plume, then will Red Plume take 
 the place of his brother." 
 
 And he came back and unhesitatingly put himself in 
 the advance of the hostile canoe. The occupants of the 
 latter very naturally were surprised at this unexpected 
 return of their champion, and made several inquiries as 
 to the cause. Red Plume replied, that the whole party 
 of fugitives were descending the stream, but that the 
 time had not yet come for the exchange of situations. 
 He had little fear of detection, and managed his case so 
 well that no suspicions were excited. 
 
 The interchange of signals, and the action of the 
 Sioux when opposite the mouth of the creek alluded to, 
 gave Red Plume an inkling of the plan for the massa- 
 cre of the fugitives, and he therefore did his utmost to 
 draw them beyond the place. This required consider- 
 able delicacy and skill, but he succeeded at last, with 
 the assurance that they would speedily return. A grim
 
 THE RED PLUME 343 
 
 smile of triumph lit up his face as he saw his enemies 
 drawn away from their prey. 
 
 Having drawn the Sioux away from the creek, Red 
 Plume conducted them a considerable distance down 
 stream, when he again left them, under the pretence of 
 making another attempt to secure the situation of guide 
 for the fugitives. 
 
 In spite of the confident assurance of old Jud, as he 
 plied his paddle, more than one of his companions had 
 serious misgivings of its truth not of the sincerity of 
 his belief; but there was the shuddering fear that an 
 awful mistake had been committed. 
 
 Great, therefore, was their relief, when the genuine 
 Red Plume suddenly shot out of the darkness and laid 
 his canoe alongside the larger boat. 
 
 A few words passed between old Jud and Red 
 Plume, and all was understood. 
 
 "The varmints are right below us," said the former 
 to his companions, as he turned the bow of the boat 
 across stream again, and renewed his labor with the 
 paddle. 
 
 There was a gradual increase of the moonlight which 
 was perceptible to all, and which kept their fears con- 
 stantly alive, and caused more than one anxious glance 
 back upon the river. 
 
 The two parties were now so close to each other that 
 it seemed impossible that they should much longer re- 
 main invisible. Sensible of this, both Red Plume and 
 old Jud approached the other shore with great care.
 
 344 THE & ED PLUME 
 
 Here they were under the disadvantage of moving in 
 a much slower current, which was more than compen- 
 sated by the increased likelihood of escaping discovery; 
 but the danger of this was so imminent that at Red 
 Plume's suggestion, those who possessed rifles held 
 them ready for instant use. 
 
 Providentially, the result of Red Plume's stratagem 
 was a greater success than he had dared to hope. When 
 he left the Sioux upon the other side of the river they 
 drifted slowly downward awaiting his coming, and 
 growing somewhat impatient at what, to them, was a 
 causeless delay. 
 
 But as the time wore heavily away, and naught was 
 seen of either Red Plume or their own warrior, a vague 
 idea of something wrong began gradually filtering into 
 their brains, and they finally turned about and pursued 
 their way up stream again. 
 
 As they did so, a sort of wailing whoop was heard 
 from the direction of the creek, and they paddled rap- 
 idly in that direction. At the mouth of the stream they 
 met a canoe containing three warriors, beside a fourth, 
 who was stark dead and stiff from the shot of old Jud. 
 
 The Indians at the rapids had become uneasy at the 
 delay, and several of them, shortly after the dim report 
 of the rifle, began moving down the banks of the stream 
 to give notice of the coming of the boat. A consider- 
 able distance away, they caught sight of the canoe drift- 
 ing with the current. They could see the form of an 
 Indian in it, but his head was bowed on his breast, and
 
 THE RED PLUME 345 
 
 there was a stone-like quiet about him which was ex- 
 tremely suggestive. One of the Sioux swam out to 
 him, when the truth became speedily known. 
 
 The Sioux saw that they had been out-generalled, 
 but they could not fail to understand that the fugitives, 
 in all probability, were below them in the river, strain- 
 ing every nerve to reach Fort Grandon ahead of them. 
 Accordingly, they loaded the two canoes with all that 
 they would contain, and leaving the others upon the 
 shore, started in pursuit. 
 
 Sensible of the value of time, Red Plume permitted 
 no further delay in the progress of the boat. Hitherto 
 there had been no thought of raising the sail, as with 
 their enemies anywhere in the vicinity, such a conspicu- 
 ous object would have insured discovery; but that ob- 
 jection had vanished with the widening distance be- 
 tween pursuer and pursued, and when Captain Swart- 
 hausen proposed it to Jud, he replied: 
 
 " Just what I war goin' to do." 
 
 " Does Red Plume think it advisable? " 
 
 " He told me to do it, some time ago." 
 
 It required but a few minutes to put the mast in posi- 
 tion and elevate the sail. There was quite a brisk wind 
 sweeping down the river, so that all circumstances were 
 favorable, and the fugitives swept southward at a much 
 greater rate than the powerful limbs of the hunter could 
 drive them with the paddle. 
 
 So soon as they were fairly under way Red Plume 
 again left his friends, and glided ahead and out into the
 
 346 THE RED PLUME 
 
 river, where he would be more likely to detect the ap- 
 proach of danger. 
 
 Old Jud, pretty well exhausted from his great labor, 
 seated himself upon the gunwale for a breathing spell. 
 The night was warm and close, and the cool air, as it 
 fanned their faces, was refreshingly pleasant. 
 
 The boats proceeded rapidly onward, and our friends 
 passed the time in conjectures as to what the coming 
 day would bring forth, when all at once Red Plume 
 made a low whistle, which old Jud said was an admoni- 
 tion of silence, and accordingly, all conversation, even 
 in whispers, was forbidden. 
 
 Shortly after, the fugitives swept round quite an 
 abrupt bend in the river, and immediately caught the 
 star-like glimmer of a fire, apparently from the very 
 centre of the river. The hunter instantly lowered the 
 sail, and despite the prohibition of Red Plume, he 
 whispered to his friends: 
 
 " There's another island, and there be a lot of thevar- 
 mints upon it." 
 
 Red Plume instructed his friends to lie idle in the 
 stream until he could learn whether it was safe to at- 
 tempt to pass by the island or not. As it was still a 
 considerable distance away, it was not deemed best to 
 obey this order literally, and so he contented himself 
 with merely taking down the sail and allowing the boat 
 to drift with the current. 
 
 During the absence of their guide, old Jud occupied 
 himself in scanning the suspicious fire-light, to see
 
 THE RED PLUME 347 
 
 whether any signs of human beings could be detected 
 near it. 
 
 The fire burned with a steady glare, which looked as 
 if it had been replenished recently; but, closely as he 
 looked, he could detect nothing of any figures passing 
 before it. 
 
 In the course of a half hour Red Plume and his canoe 
 emerged from the darkness, and he and old Jud had a 
 few minutes' earnest converse. The guide had even 
 landed upon the island, and made a thorough examina- 
 tion of it. The result was the discovery of a dozen 
 Sioux, all stretched out and sound asleep by the fire. 
 He could only conjecture what it meant, and that con- 
 iecture was that they were a portion of a party, await- 
 ing the return of the others. 
 
 After considerable hesitation, it was decided, in view 
 of the great importance of getting forward without 
 further delay, to make the attempt to sail by the island 
 during the darkness, and without learning whether any 
 oi their enemies were watching along shore.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII 
 RED PLUME'S JOURNEY 
 
 THE hunter carefully hoisted the sail again and tak- 
 ing advantage of the favoring breeze, the boat was soon 
 gliding smoothly and rapidly down the river. 
 
 It was arranged that, as before, Red Plume should 
 keep the lead, and that old Jud should follow the centre 
 of the stream, between the island and mainland. By 
 doing this they gained the additional impetus of the 
 current, and at the same time did not approach too 
 closely the shore, where, after all, the real danger may 
 have lain. 
 
 For the purpose of greater safety all, excepting the 
 hunter himself, lowered their heads below the gunwale 
 of the boat, as they neared the glowing camp-fire. As 
 the sides were not of sufficient thickness to be bullet- 
 proof, no immunity from danger was secured by this 
 artifice, except in so far as it might deceive any foes 
 into the belief that the vessel was devoid of all occu- 
 pants, save the fearless scout, who sat bolt upright in 
 the bow, directing by word Captain Swarthausen how 
 to steer. 
 
 It requires no ordinary nerve for a man to remain ex- 
 posed to a secret shot, disdaining to adopt the ordinary 
 
 348
 
 THE RED PLUME 349 
 
 means of safety, of which his companions are only too 
 glad to avail themselves. 
 
 But old Jud never flinched, as, impelled by wind and 
 the increasing current, the boat shot swiftly forward 
 into the narrow channel, on the right of the camp-fire. 
 From his position he could see the dark figures of the 
 Indians stretched out as motionless as death, and 
 whether all this unconsciousness was assumed or not, 
 was a matter which would soon be settled. 
 
 Red Plume was already below the camp-fire, and old 
 Jud reflected that, whatever occurred, his safety was 
 secured. 
 
 He looked intently in toward the shore as they went 
 past, but the same impressive stillness continued, and 
 the next moment he drew a sigh of relief as he saw the 
 lower extremity of the island glide backward, and had 
 the satisfaction of knowing the dangerous point was 
 passed. 
 
 There was a general congratulation when the fugi- 
 tives were safely beyond this danger, and Prescott re- 
 marked that all were indeed in God's special keeping. 
 
 Out again upon the dark river, with their faces 
 turned southward, and the stiff breeze bowling them 
 along at a rapid rate, the prospects of our friends 
 greatly brightened, and a feeling of cheerfulness per- 
 vaded all. 
 
 Several of the party took occasion to indulge in slum- 
 ber, while those who did not, chatted and talked frhe 
 hours away, until Red Plume awaited the approach of
 
 350 THE RED PLUME 
 
 old Jud, and informed him that daylight was so close 
 at hand that they would be compelled to lie-by until 
 night again. 
 
 Some distance further down stream was a small 
 creek, up which the scouts would have been glad to run 
 the canoe ; but the time was too short to permit, and old 
 Jud accordingly put in shore, and unshipped his sail. 
 
 The stoppage aroused all the passengers, who were 
 naturally alarmed until the cause was explained. 
 
 It was necessary that the boat should be entirely hid 
 from the view of any who were passing up or down the 
 river. Accordingly, it was drawn clear up the bank, so 
 far indeed that there was no possibility of its being de- 
 tected or stolen, unless by overcoming those who had it 
 in charge. 
 
 Here it was made into a sort of couch for the females, 
 who were thus given the opportunity to stretch their 
 limbs, and enjoy a few hours' quiet sleep a luxury 
 which, from the force of circumstances, had been de- 
 nied them while descending the river. 
 
 All, excepting the hunters, stretched themselves out 
 upon the leafy ground, where they were permitted sev- 
 eral hours of undisturbed repose, while old Jud and 
 Red Plume acquainted themselves with the peculiarities 
 of their position. 
 
 Another matter now forced itself upon the attention 
 of all. They had been a long time without food, and 
 the question was as to how the means was to be ob- 
 tained for breaking this enforced fast.
 
 THE RED PLUME 351 
 
 Old Jud relieved their minds on this point by inform- 
 ing them that, while they had been reposing, Red 
 Plume had gone off in his boat for the double purpose 
 of seeing what he could do toward obtaining some 
 food, and also of reconnoitring. They had not very 
 long to wait before a soft ripple plashed on the beach, 
 and down through the interstices of the bushes the 
 canoe of Red Plume was seen to glide against the shore, 
 and the Sioux stepped out, picking up several large 
 birds from the bottom of the boat. 
 
 After drawing the boat up the bank, he made his way 
 up among his waiting friends, when it was discovered 
 that the birds in his hand were cooked! 
 
 None the less enthusiastic for being subdued were the 
 exclamations which followed this discovery. The 
 Sioux, appreciating the danger of starting a fire in this 
 portion of the wood, had prepared the meal a goodly 
 distance away, and then brought it to them by wate% 
 doing it with a skill which shut off all possibility of pur- 
 suit. 
 
 The birds were large, plump and luscious, and al- 
 though they made rather a moderate meal, it was suf- 
 ficient, and most keenly appreciated by all who partook 
 of it. 
 
 While considerable pleasure was produced by the ad- 
 mirable meal furnished by their guide, yet he brought 
 other tidings that produced far different feelings. 
 When he first started out, he had serious intentions of 
 making his way to Fort Grandon, not to procure help-^
 
 352 THE RED PLUME 
 
 for he was too proud to ask that but to learn the most 
 advisable route by which to reach it. 
 
 He had gone but a short distance, when he turned 
 back, satisfied that there was no way possible of going 
 to the fort during the day-time. Less than a mile away, 
 he came upon a farm-house which had been recently 
 burned, while the family, numbering seven individuals, 
 lay partly in the house and partly out of doors, mangled 
 in a manner too revolting to describe. There were signs 
 which showed that all this had taken place within 
 twenty- four hours; and the Sioux were ranging over 
 all the surrounding country in their relentless search 
 for the unoffending settlers. 
 
 Under these circumstances, it would be impossible 
 for a party of the number of the fugitives to make their 
 way, either through the wood or by water, without at- 
 tracting attention. Between their present location and 
 the fort was a large portion of open, settled country, 
 across which it would be a difficult matter for a single 
 person to make his way without detection. 
 
 Had there been any opportunity of succeeding, it 
 was the intention of Red Plume to attempt to reach the 
 fort by a circuitous route through the woods; but he 
 saw no chance at all, and it was decided to remain 
 where they were until nightfall, when the journey 
 would be resumed. 
 
 Noon came and passed without anything of note tak- 
 ing place ; but at that time, Red Plume, who was con- 
 stantly on the move, came in with the dispiriting in-
 
 THE RED PLUME 353 
 
 formation that their old enemies the lake party were 
 descending the river. 
 
 They had probably been searching along shore for 
 them which explained their delay. He said there were 
 three canoes of them, and in the foremost was the negro 
 Lige. 
 
 The Sioux descended the river quite cautiously, 
 showing plainly by their manner that they were on the 
 look-out for "signs." It is scarcely necessary to say 
 that they discovered none, and in the course of an hour, 
 vanished around a bend in the appropriately named 
 Crescent River. 
 
 Shortly after their disappearance, several signals 
 were heard, which looked as if they were in communi- 
 cation with some of their kindred on shore. 
 
 Nothing more was seen or heard of the party, and 
 early in the afternoon Red Plume left the company with 
 the declared purpose of visiting Fort Grartdon and 
 learning as nearly as possible the precise character of 
 the intervening ten miles which lay between them and 
 safety. 
 
 The afternoon passed drearily enough to those who 
 were left along the river. Occasional intimations were 
 received of the proximity of their enemies, but they re- 
 mained undisturbed until nightfall. 
 
 We will follow Red Plume, who, toward dusk, was 
 a mile or two distant, speeding upward in his canoe. 
 He had reached and entered Fort Grandon, and was 
 thus far on his return. Having made his journey en-
 
 354 THE RED PLUME 
 
 tirely by land, he had secured a canoe, and was now 
 making all haste to rejoin the fugitives, who he well 
 knew were so anxiously looking for him. 
 
 He had incurred considerable risk, both in going and 
 coming, but by concealing his scarlet plume, he suffered 
 little delay in making his way through the hordes of 
 redskins that appeared to overrun the entire country. 
 
 As yet he had seen nothing of the old enemies of the 
 lake, and he was looking for them. A mile or two be- 
 low the spot where the fugitives were in waiting, he 
 came upon them, their canoes resting against the bank, 
 while they appeared to have been joined by quite a 
 number of others, and were holding some sort of a jolli- 
 fication, most likely over some massacre in which they 
 had found an opportunity of joining. 
 
 Red Plume had replaced his ornamental head ap- 
 pendage, so that there could be no mistaking his iden- 
 tity, and paddling out to the middle of the river, in 
 plain view of them all, he stood up in his canoe and ut- 
 tered a shout of defiance. 
 
 " Dogs of the Sioux ! why did you not prevent the pale 
 faces from going away in the night to Fort Grandon? 
 Red Plume cares nothing for you !" 
 
 With which he sat down in his boat again, and tak- 
 ing his paddle resumed his course up the stream. But 
 this taunt was not taken in meekness. An angry whoop 
 was sent back, and a half dozen sprang in the nearest 
 canoe and started in pursuit. 
 
 Red Plume allowed them to approach quite close,
 
 THE RED PLUME 355 
 
 and then raising his rifle took deliberate aim at one of 
 the redskins and shot him dead. Then he plied his pad- 
 dle with such skill that he gained rapidly upon them, 
 and firing their useless guns, they turned about and re- 
 treated, followed by his taunts and whoops of defiance. 
 
 Old Jud had heard and recognized the report of Red 
 Plume's gun and, as may be supposed, had no little 
 curiosity to understand what it meant ; but as there was 
 no return shot, everything looked favorable to his 
 dusky friend, and he awaited his coming with very little 
 apprehension as to his welfare. 
 
 The scout came in his cautious and quiet manner, 
 and was among the fugitives before they knew it, old 
 Jud being the only one who saw him as his canoe ap- 
 proached. 
 
 All were anxious to go, and impatiently awaited the 
 decision of their dusky friend. 
 
 When all declared their readiness to start, they were 
 surprised by learning that the remaining ten miles were 
 to be made by land. Red Plume showed the impossi- 
 bility of avoiding the Sioux on the river, on account of 
 the bright moonlight. The peril was hardly less by 
 overland, but they had no other choice, and it was 
 taken. 
 
 They started in the same order as before, Red Plume 
 taking the lead, while a considerable distance behind 
 him came old Jud at the head of the party. As it was 
 necessary for the Indian, while their way led through 
 the wood, to keep so far ahead as to be invisible, it was
 
 3$6 THE RED PLUME 
 
 arranged that he should communicate with the hunter 
 by means of signals. 
 
 All being ready, the fugitives started, beseeching 
 kind Heaven still to lead them through the dangerous 
 wilderness.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV 
 
 THE OVERLAND ROUTE 
 
 THE moon shone with unclouded splendor, and but 
 for the shadow of the trees, the fugitives would have 
 found little difference between the night and day. 
 
 They moved quite rapidly until several miles were 
 travelled, when unexpectedly the wood terminated, and 
 they found themselves upon the margin of the open 
 country. 
 
 From where they stood, the land sloped up for a con- 
 siderable distance, so that it was as if they were at the 
 bottom of a large hill. Up this they began walking, 
 Red Plume still at their head. 
 
 Reaching the top they found that the prairie was of 
 the undulating or rolling character, and that within a 
 few hundred yards of them were the ruins of a farm 
 house. In the bright moonlight they plainly distin- 
 guished the blackened ruins, telling impressively of the 
 fearful scenes that had taken place but a short time be- 
 fore. 
 
 Halting but a few minutes, Red Plume started on, 
 leading his friends a few rods to one side of it. The 
 chimney had been made of stone, and stood silent and 
 blackened, pointing mutely to heaven as if indicating 
 
 357
 
 358 THE RED PLUME 
 
 the only refuge at such a time as this. A rough mass 
 of charred logs and boards, told only where a home 
 with its happy inmates formerly stood. 
 
 There were the outbuildings that had shared the 
 same fate, the garden and the fields of corn and grain 
 trampled by the infuriated redskins in their eager work 
 all these bore witness to the terrible devastation 
 sweeping over Minnesota, and to the necessity of the 
 strong military arm to drive it back. 
 
 Our friends gazed upon these dismal ruins for a few 
 minutes only, and then they started down a sort of 
 rough road, formerly used by the farmers of this region 
 in going to the fort, or to the steamboat landing further 
 down the river. This, however, was soon deserted, as 
 there was manifestly great danger in following it. 
 
 The Indian, silent and stern, held his place a rod or 
 so in advance, scarcely ever looking over his shoulder 
 to see whether he was followed, while old Jud strode 
 after him with his long rifle in hand, his keen eyes dart- 
 ing from side to side, and behind him came Captain 
 Swarthausen, Muggins, and the rest of the party, 
 scarcely less watchful and observing than he. 
 
 Their way for the most part led through cultivated 
 fields, but they had progressed less than a mile, when 
 they came in sight of a small house, which had evi- 
 dently been the scene of a fierce resistance. It was only 
 partially burned, and the fences and vegetation form- 
 erly surrounding it were all levelled with the ground. 
 The windows were all broken in, as is sometimes seen
 
 THE RED PLUME 359 
 
 when the walls of a building have been saved from the 
 fire; and brave as was the conduct of the defenders, 
 they had been forced to succumb at last. 
 
 While yet some distance from this, the party halted 
 in obedience to the stopping of Red Plume, who seemed 
 to look upon the battered structure with some distrust. 
 Standing in the open field, he beckoned to the hunter to 
 approach, while he requested the others to remain where 
 they were until his return. 
 
 " He thinks that very likely -some of the varmints be 
 there," he said, a few minutes later when he walked 
 back and rejoined them. 
 
 " Why not avoid the house by taking altogether adif- 
 ferent route? " asked the captain. 
 
 " We'll run into worse places so we'll wait here till 
 he finds out for himself." 
 
 " Look ! " exclaimed Pipkins, pointing toward the 
 building. 
 
 All eyes were turned thitherward, and in the clear 
 moonlight two figures were seen to issue from the door, 
 and walk toward them. 
 
 "Do those Indians see us?" asked the wonder- 
 stricken Prescott. 
 
 " They are coming to meet Red Plume." 
 
 " What does it mean ?" 
 
 " One of 'em is an Injin and the other a white 
 man." 
 
 The listeners were more mystified than ever. There 
 was a significant smile upon the face of the hunter, as 
 he said :
 
 360 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " The redskin is the Otter ; and the white man wall, 
 take a good look at him, and make him out for your- 
 selves." 
 
 " He has quite a resemblance to my nephew, Colonel 
 Havens," said Captain Swarthausen, " but, of course, 
 it cannot be he." 
 
 " That's jist who it is," replied old Jud. 
 
 " Impossible ! he is far away " 
 
 " Only a couple of rods or so." 
 
 " But it cannot " 
 
 The two personages were now conversing with Red 
 Plume ; and to settle the question of the identity of one 
 of them, Captain Swarthausen abruptly walked toward 
 the trio, while the others watched him with an interest 
 difficult to imagine. 
 
 They heard the exclamation of surprise, and then 
 saw the captain shaking the hand of the young man; 
 and then they knew that the hunter had spoken the 
 truth, and they were astounded. 
 
 Almost instantly the parties mingled, and there was 
 a handshaking all round. 
 
 " Just as I suspected," laughed Captain Swarthausen, 
 taking upon himself the duty of explaining to the 
 others the singular appearance of his nephew among 
 them. " When he was on the point of starting, there 
 came an order countermanding the other, and instruct- 
 ing him to wait where he was until further orders were 
 received." 
 
 " How was it that Red Plume reported him absent 
 when he visited the fort ? " inquired Prescott.
 
 THE RED PLUME 361 
 
 " So he was ; but he learned that he was in the neigh- 
 borhood of the fort, and was expected in every minute ; 
 and Red Plume told the Otter by what route he was go- 
 ing to bring us in, if he brought us in at all. Shortly 
 after, Colonel Havens returned, and learned the whole 
 particulars, and he and the Otter started out to inter- 
 cept us." 
 
 " And did Jud know of this ? " inquired Prescott. 
 
 " He knew that the colonel was near the fort, but he 
 didn't think it best to notify us, for fear that there 
 might be a disappointment. Isn't that so, Jud ? " 
 
 The hunter replied in the affirmative, and a general 
 smile passed round. 
 
 When Lillian Prescott comprehended that Colonel 
 Havens really stood before her, she could scarcely sup- 
 press her feelings; and he felt her hand tremble as he 
 took it in his own. She believed, all along, that if she 
 ever met him face to face again she would instantly ask 
 his forgiveness with the meekness of an humble child ; 
 but a strange revulsion of emotion overcame her, and 
 although she bravely strove, she was utterly unable to 
 utter a word. She merely returned the pressure of his 
 hand, and made no response to his eager question as to 
 whether she was sorry to meet him. 
 
 " The country is full of Sioux," said Colonel Havens, 
 as the party stood all together ; "if it hadn't been for the 
 Otter I never would have gotten through." 
 
 " And how are we to get back again ? " 
 
 " There will probably be fighting before we reach the 
 fort; but I hope we shall succeed for all that."
 
 362 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Red Plume and the Otter were talking together, and 
 it took but a few minutes for them to reach an under- 
 standing. Reinforced by this weazen-faced redskin a 
 still better plan of procedure was adopted by the fugi- 
 tives. 
 
 Their route, it must be understood, led them over 
 roads, across fields, by the margin of small tracts of 
 timber, and through a section which, for a new country, 
 was quite well settled. As it was known that parties 
 of Sioux were constantly ranging over this territory, 
 the great peril was of encountering some of them. 
 
 The more certainly to prevent this, Red Plume, the 
 Otter and old Jud assumed the lead. The first was not 
 only in advance, but was at considerable distance to the 
 right; the second took a position as far to the left, 
 while the hunter occupied the centre. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen compared them to skirmishers 
 thrown out to feel the way. By adopting this plan, it 
 was almost impossible to run into any great danger 
 without its detection by one or all of the advance 
 scouts. 
 
 Time was too precious to admit of any great delay, 
 and Red Plume had his party on the move within ten 
 minutes after the first greeting of Colonel Havens. 
 
 The captain was so pleased at meeting his nephew, 
 that for a considerable time he could pay no heed to 
 any one else, and absorbed his entire attention ; but the 
 veteran could not help perceiving, after a while, that he 
 occasionally cast longing glances backward, where
 
 THE RED PLUME 363 
 
 Augustus Pipkins was doing his utmost to entertain his 
 cousin, Lillian Prescott. He would have been blind not 
 to have perceived the cause ; and, accordingly, he grad- 
 ually edged away to his place beside Muggins, who, 
 from some cause or other, seemed more dispirited than 
 ever so much so, indeed, that he found himself 
 scarcely able to draw him out. When questioned, 
 rather sharply, however, he declared a wish that he 
 might fall before reaching the fort ; for, since the death 
 of his wife, he had no desire whatever to live, and 
 would welcome the bullet that would take him away. 
 
 Augustus Pipkins affected a lofty indifference, as he 
 observed Colonel Havens step out from the front of the 
 party where he was walking, and await the approach of 
 the rear, where he and Lillian were journeying side by 
 side. 
 
 The young lover never would have done this had he 
 not been encouraged by the pressure of the hand and 
 the look of Lillian's face when they first encountered 
 after their estrangement. 
 
 Bowing politely to Pipkins, he supposed the latter 
 would step aside and yield his place to him; but the 
 Chicagoan chose to disregard his wishes, and walked 
 the closer to his cousin. 
 
 " Will you be kind enough to allow me a few minutes 
 with Miss Prescott ? " asked the colonel, lifting his hat 
 with the most studied politeness. 
 
 " I do not see the necessity ; she is under my charge," 
 was the grandiloquent reply of Pipkins.
 
 364 THE RED PLUME 
 
 " I will be obliged to you, if you will leave me for a 
 short time," said Lillian herself, who, as may well be 
 supposed, was not a little indignant at this response. 
 
 " I regret that I must refuse to comply with your re- 
 quest," was the astonishing answer. 
 
 There was no telling what this matter would have 
 culminated in had not Edith come to the rescue. 
 
 "Adolphus, you will not refuse to give me a few min- 
 utes," she asked, as Fielding helped the case by moving 
 away, and offering his place to her. 
 
 " Certainly," said Pipkins, as, with all the grace at 
 his command, he took his place beside the sister, who 
 straightway devoted all her ability to entertaining him, 
 and withdrawing his attention from the couple behind 
 him. 
 
 The latter lingered and loitered until they were as far 
 in the rear as was prudent, and still they were silent. 
 Now that the opportunity so ardently prayed for had 
 come to Lillian, she found pride struggling again in her 
 heart, and threatening to smother all the resolutions she 
 had made. 
 
 " Did you receive my letter? " he finally asked, in a 
 voice so low that he knew no ears but hers heard him. 
 
 " Yes," she responded, in a trembling voice ; " you 
 never should have written it." 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 " Because there was no necessity for it." 
 
 "I thought there was ; I had every reason to believe 
 so."
 
 THE RED PLUME 365 
 
 " I treated you badly," she said, forcing down her 
 pride. " I called to you to come back, but you would 
 not heed me." 
 
 " I did not hear you," replied the colonel, as his heart 
 gave a great bound of delight at the confession of her 
 who held all the love of his soul. 
 
 " If you had heard me, would you have come? " she 
 asked, looking him archly in his face. 
 
 " No power could have prevented me. Never have I 
 known such sadness as has been mine since I last saw 
 you. When I found that I had a chance of assisting 
 you and your friends, I came out with the Otter, deter- 
 mined to do all that was possible, except to recognize 
 or speak to you. When I met you, I concluded to shake 
 hands, so as to escape occasion for remark upon the 
 part of the others ; and then your actions led me to ask 
 for the opportunity to say a word or two to you, and 
 now that I have obtained it, what shall I say ? " 
 
 " You may tell me some other time," she replied, 
 looking toward him, while her eyes spoke the great love 
 that welled up from her heart. 
 
 " Dearest Lillian, I cannot express the happiness this 
 night has given. If my separation from you plunged 
 me into the lowest depth of despair, so has this meeting 
 raised me to the highest pinnacle of delight. If you 
 were trifling with me, I was over-serious with you, and 
 impelled you to your assumed indifference. But the 
 cloud that came between us, and that dimmed our 
 future, has cleared away, and all is well. Is it not so ? "
 
 366 THE RED PLUME 
 
 Lillian answered with an inclination of the head, for 
 she durst not trust her voice. Was she not as happy as 
 he? Had one suffered more than the other? If both 
 had been equally sorrowful, were not both equally 
 glad? 
 
 They walked side by side in silence, but their hearts 
 were in communion, and each felt that there was no one 
 upon earth whom they-could envy. Hardly conscious 
 of the distance passed, they had followed instinctively 
 their friends in front, scarcely thinking of the peril 
 which was really deepening around them, until now it 
 may be said they awakened to a sense of their situation, 
 and turned their thoughts to others as well as them- 
 selves. 
 
 They felt the propriety of rejoining the others, who 
 more than once had looked at them in a way which 
 showed that they suspected, even if they were not cer- 
 tain of what was going on. 
 
 At this time they were crossing a sort of prairie, cov- 
 ered with long grass, but uncultivated and unenclosed 
 by any fence or boundary marks. It seemed to stretch 
 for several miles in advance, and was unrelieved by any 
 visible object except a distant cabin, which, as dimly 
 seen, bore no signs of disturbance from hostile bands. 
 
 The three scouts thrown out in advance were faintly 
 visible, now and then, as they steadily made their way 
 over the prairie; but as yet there was no communica- 
 tion between them and those in the rear. 
 
 It was observed that they so shaped their course as to
 
 THE RED PLUME 367 
 
 leave the house spoken of on the right. As the fugi- 
 tives advanced nearer to this it was seen to be com- 
 posed entirely of logs, and so far as they could judge, 
 it had not been disturbed by Indians a circumstance 
 which more than one of the party was disposed to look 
 upon with distrust, although Colonel Havens could see 
 nothing in it to excite apprehension. 
 
 The humble-looking structure was passed by a few 
 hundred yards, when the crack of a rifle was heard 
 from the front, followed by another, and another. Our 
 friends paused, undetermined what to do ; but they had 
 not long to wait, when Red Plume, the Otter, and old 
 Jud were distinguished running toward them at full 
 speed, all converging in a manner which showed that 
 each was doing his best to reach the house that the main 
 party had just passed. 
 
 " Into the cabin! " called out the hunter, in his sten- 
 torian voice; " the varmints be comin'! " 
 
 " That's so," added Colonel Havens. " Hear them 
 shout and yonder they come ! " 
 
 It looked as if there were fully fifty of them, mounted 
 on horseback, shouting and screeching like fiends, ac<l 
 in full pursuit of the three flying scouts.
 
 CHAPTER XXXV 
 
 THE PRAIRIE FIGHT 
 
 THERE was no longer any thought of whom the set- 
 tler's cabin might contain, but all turned and ran 
 toward it. 
 
 Those in the front, hearing the frenzied cry of 
 Dinah, hesitated ; but the captain waved them on again, 
 and then spoke to Muggins : 
 
 " Come, we shall have to lend her a hand, for she 
 can't help herself." 
 
 Running back a rod or two, they caught her, one by 
 either arm, and she almost ceased her efforts, relying 
 upon them. 
 
 And all this time some fifty mounted Sioux were 
 bearing down upon the scene, shouting, screeching, 
 whooping, like so many fiends, and frequently dis- 
 charging their guns, and brandishing the weapons over 
 their heads. 
 
 Red Plume had not detected them until the whole 
 horde dashed out of the woods in front, and bore un- 
 hesitatingly down upon them. They could only fire 
 their guns and turn back with utmost speed. 
 
 All three, being remarkably fleet of foot, reached the 
 deserted building slightly in advance of the others, and 
 
 368
 
 THE RED PLUME 369 
 
 hurried in. There was but a single door and window, 
 and both of these had been battered in, so that there was 
 no means of barring them against the entrance of a foe. 
 
 But the rude hut offered shelter; and, satisfied on 
 this point, they turned to the assistance of their friends. 
 
 Pipkins was the first to enter, and immediately be- 
 hind him came Prescott and his wife, Colonel Havens 
 and Lillian hurried immediately after, and then Cato; 
 but Edith had stumbled, and, ere she and Fielding could 
 reach the shelter, an Indian horseman rushed between 
 them and made straight for the girl. 
 
 A horrified scream went up from the mother, and she 
 fell swooning to the floor. The rifle of the Friend was 
 not loaded, but clubbing it, he drew it back and awaited 
 the onslaught of the savage; but scarcely a dozen feet 
 separated the two, when the Sioux threw up his arms 
 with an ear-splitting shriek, and rolled from the side of 
 his horse, slain by a bullet from the rifle of old Jud. 
 
 Seeing how narrowly he had escaped, the Quaker 
 lifted the fainting Edith from the ground, and carrying 
 her as he would have carried an infant, made a dash 
 for the house, and, assisted by many willing hands, was 
 drawn within with his precious burden, just in time 
 for both to escape a fearful death. 
 
 But the return of Muggins, Captain Swarthausen 
 and Dinah was cut off, and a half dozen Indian horse- 
 men were already between them and the house. 
 
 " They are lost unless we save them ! " exclaimed 
 Colonel Havens. " Who will follow me?' '
 
 370 THE RED PLUME 
 
 With which, the colonel leaped through the door, 
 closely followed by Red Plume and the Otter, while 
 Prescott allowed himself to be restrained by the hunter 
 and his family. 
 
 The assault of the Sioux proved that they were 
 mounted upon horses of all degrees of fleetness, for 
 scarcely two of them rode at the same speed; and, at 
 the moment the three men rushed forth to the rescue of 
 their friends, about half a dozen were closing around 
 them, and attempting to cut them down. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen had drawn a revolver, with 
 which he had managed to arm himself, and coolly 
 awaited the attack. Muggins was without weapons of 
 any kind ; and seeing that he could be of no assistance 
 to either of his companions, he made a plunge for the 
 cabin, in the hope of making his way between the 
 horses during the confusion of the moment. 
 
 By this time he was encircled by the furious horse- 
 men, and while he paused, bewildered and not knowing 
 which way to turn, he was shot dead by one of the 
 Sioux on the outer edge of the circle. The poor fellow 
 uttered one groan, and expired without a word. 
 
 " There is no use of trying to stay here," Captain 
 Swarthausen had said, a few minutes before. " Fol- 
 low me as close as you can, Dinah, and, with the assist- 
 ance of our friends, maybe we shall succeed in reaching 
 the house." 
 
 It was a fortunate thing that the captain possessed a 
 loaded revolver, for the Sioux appreciated that weapon.
 
 THE RED PLUME 371 
 
 As an indication of what he could do, he sent a ball 
 crashing through the nearest bronzed skull, and then 
 instantly wheeled and pointed it at the next; but the 
 terrified redskin ducked his head, and threw himself on 
 the opposite side of his horse, with such celerity that the 
 aim was disconcerted, and the captain forbore to fire, 
 unwilling to throw away a single shot. 
 
 "I'm with you ! " shouted Colonel Havens, as he 
 bounded to his side, pistol in hand. " Be careful, and 
 don't let them get behind you." 
 
 Side by side the two soldiers advanced, firing in 
 every direction, but with a care which showed their fear 
 of being left with empty chambers. The Indians kept 
 closing around them, but their manoeuvres were not a 
 little obstructed by Red Plume and the Otter, who were 
 whisking and dodging hither and thither with a dex- 
 terity that could not be surpassed. Each held a long 
 hunting-knife in his hand, and fought with that weapon 
 alone. 
 
 Dinah did her best to keep as near the officers as pos- 
 sible, and she came near stumbling over them several 
 times. The greater portion of the distance was passed, 
 when a darmg Sioux forced his horse between the par- 
 ties, and she found herself shut entirely from all assist- 
 ance. 
 
 We have shown how Colonel Havens and Captain 
 Swarthausen had all they could do to attend to their 
 own safety ; neither Red Plume nor the Otter paid the 
 least attention to Dinah, caring little whether she es- 
 caped or not.
 
 372 THE RED PLUME 
 
 And thus it came about that she was left friendless 
 among her enemies, who showed a curious anxiety to 
 make a prisoner of her. 
 
 Two Sioux seized the bulky lady with a grip of iron, 
 and despite her furious resistance, she was cast upon 
 the back of a horse, and one of them vaulted upon the 
 animal behind her, holding her firmly in position, 
 against her most determined struggles. 
 
 The horsemen then headed toward the woods, and 
 put his animal to a rapid gallop. Dinah, all the time, 
 never ceased her struggles, despite their manifest in- 
 utility, as the savage held her with great strength and 
 firmness. 
 
 But when he was yet a good distance from the wood 
 he observed another Indian on horseback speeding 
 toward him. He paid little attention to his brother, 
 except to see that he was better mounted than himself, 
 and that their routes were converging. 
 
 Nearer, nearer, they came, until scarce twenty yards 
 separated them, when the stranger shouted, in the 
 Sioux tongue : 
 
 "Haiti" 
 
 Not a little surprised at such a command, the Indian 
 partly reined up his horse, and looked inquiringly at 
 him. As he did so, he saw the upraised rifle flash, 
 heard the crack, and never saw or heard anything more. 
 
 " Massa sakes ! what's going to 'come ob me ! " 
 groaned Dinah, as she rolled to the ground, with her 
 inanimate captor. " I do b'lebe I'm shook to pieces.'*
 
 THE RED PLUME 373 
 
 " Run to the woods and hide ! " called the other In- 
 dian, as he sped away again with his horse at full speed. 
 
 Amazed and bewildered as the woman was at her 
 sudden deliverance, she yet had the good sense to obey 
 the injunction of the Indian, and she accordingly hied 
 toward the woods at her best speed. 
 
 Chiefly through the distraction caused by the manoeu- 
 vres of Red Plume and the Otter, Colonel Havens and 
 Captain Swarthausen were enabled to reach the build- 
 ing, from which old Jud had rushed to their assistance, 
 and the three dashed in again, in time to escape any- 
 thing more than a few scratches. 
 
 Red Plume followed the next moment, bearing in his 
 hand a reeking scalp, which no one knew how he had 
 obtained, and with a whoop of defiance he leaped into 
 the building unharmed. 
 
 " Where is the Otter? " asked the hunter. 
 
 " He is lost ! he is lost ! " exclaimed the panting col- 
 onel. " Is there no way to save him ! " 
 
 " He ain't lost," replied Red Plume; " he go way 
 he no come in. See ! " 
 
 As he spoke he pointed out on the prairie, where a 
 thrilling scene was visible. 
 
 The Otter seemed to be in the centre of a group of 
 fully twenty horsemen, who were pressing and riding 
 against each other in their efforts to cut him down or 
 take him prisoner, while he dodged and leaped hither 
 and thither, avoiding their blows with an agility that 
 .was little short of the marvellous.
 
 374 
 
 THE RED PLUME 
 
 So absorbing was the spectacle that the other In- 
 dians, who, from the nature of the case, were prevented 
 from mingkng in the fray, sat motionless upon their 
 horses, watching the efforts to make a prisoner of the 
 daring scout. 
 
 And the fugitives, forgetful of their own danger, 
 crowded the single door and window, and scarcely 
 breathed, while all this was going on. 
 
 Suddenly, while they were gazing with rapt atten- 
 tion, the Otter shot from beneath a horse's belly upon 
 the extreme periphery of the circle of horsemen, and 
 ran with astonishing speed directly across the open 
 plain to where the riderless animal of the first Indian 
 who had been shot was cropping the grass. 
 
 By the time his enemies had fairly comprehended his 
 intention, he was upon the back of the horse like a 
 monkey, had turned his head toward the woods, and 
 was going at full speed, with the twenty Indians in pur- 
 suit. 
 
 We have shown how this was the fleetest horse of 
 them all, and the Otter speedily left them so far behind 
 that they gave up the pursuit ; and, as already narrated, 
 he came up to the captor of Dinah just in time to save 
 her and send her hiding to the woods
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI 
 
 THE LAST STRUGGLE FOR LIFE 
 
 A CHEER of admiration went up from the fugitives 
 as they witnessed the matchless exploit of the Otter, 
 and saw him and his horse vanishing with the speed of 
 the wind over the prairie. 
 
 The iron features of Red Plume relaxed with a grim 
 smile as he saw the triumph of his comrade, but he said 
 nothing. He knew what his manoeuvre meant from 
 the beginning. 
 
 With the disappearance of the Otter, our friends 
 came back to the alarming truth regarding their own 
 situation. 
 
 " Back, all of you ! " commanded old Jud, turning 
 about and spreading out his arms, as if he were driving 
 sheep. " Keep away from the door and winder, or 
 you'll get bored with their lead. 
 
 The struggle of which we spoke in the preceding 
 chapter eventuated in impressing the Sioux with a fair 
 estimate of the courage of the fugitives, and they 
 showed a hesitation in attacking them in their strong- 
 hold, which was noticed and commented upon by more 
 than one of our friends. 
 
 The horsemen galloped back and forth upon the 
 
 375
 
 376 THE RED PLUME 
 
 prairie, and, from their position, continued firing sev- 
 eral dropping shots at the house, but none of which en- 
 tered either the door or window. 
 
 Thus matters stood, when Red Plume perceived 
 something crawling through the prairie grass, in the 
 vicinity of the house. It all at once flashed across his 
 mind that this must be the Indian who had been shot 
 by old Jud, and whose horse was afterward captured by 
 the Otter. He had evidently been only wounded, and 
 had hitherto lain motionless in the hopes that his 
 friends might rescue him. Taking advantage of the 
 attention of the whites being directed toward his party, 
 he was now endeavoring to crawl off to the rear of the 
 house, where he would be comparatively safe. 
 
 It was not characteristic of Red Plume to allow any 
 such proceeding directly under his eyes. With a mut- 
 tered exclamation to Jud, he lay down his rifle, placed 
 his hand upon his hunting knife, and in a crouching 
 posture ran rapidly out toward the man. 
 
 When the chief saw Red Plume stealing rapidly 
 toward him, he knew who was coming, and he strug- 
 gled upon one knee, and drew his knife to defend him- 
 self, for he expected no mercy from him. 
 
 The friendly Indian approached with due caution, 
 and in the wounded condition of his foe, he easily dis- 
 armed him. Then, instead of finishing him, he caught 
 him in his herculean grasp, and ran rapidly toward the 
 house, which he safely reached. 
 
 The Sioux were unwilling to give up their chief, even
 
 THE RED PLUME 377 
 
 after he had been carried in triumph within the build- 
 ing. They rode back and forth over the prairie, in 
 front of the house, as though they were bewildered, and 
 at a loss what to do. Red Plume and old Jud atten- 
 tively watched them, and when one of their horsemen 
 galloped up to within a few rods of the door, they saw 
 that he wished to parley with them. He held up both 
 hands, as evidence that he carried no weapons. 
 
 " Will Red Plume come forth and talk with his 
 brother? " he asked, in the Sioux tongue. 
 
 The Indian unhesitatingly stepped forth from the 
 building, and advanced half-way to the horseman. 
 
 " What does my brother wish ? " 
 
 " Leaping Panther, the great chief of the Sioux na- 
 tion, is wounded and in the power of Red Plume." 
 
 " Red Plume took him prisoner." 
 
 " The Sioux warriors are bowed with grief, for their 
 chief is with them no more. We will give six of our 
 best horses if Red Plume will send Leaping Panther 
 back to his people." 
 
 " We want no horses," replied Red Plume, " for the 
 Sioux have more than we, and they could do us no 
 good." 
 
 " We will give you horses that will carry you to the 
 fort, and the Sioux warriors shall harm no one, if Leap- 
 ing Panther comes back to us." 
 
 " Leaping Panther shall go back to his warriors, if 
 they will go away and allow us to pass over the prairie 
 to the great fort/'
 
 373 THE RED PLUME 
 
 The emissary immediately closed with this offer, and 
 rode back to his companions to acquaint them with the 
 good news. 
 
 Red Plume now made known his plans. Upon the 
 return of the messenger, he would accept his offer, but 
 make the condition that the Sioux should retire over a 
 hill a short distance away, and there await the coming 
 of their chief, who would be conducted to the top by 
 Red Plume himself. If these conditions were agreed 
 to, the Indian intended to send the fugitives out of the 
 house the very instant the Sioux were beyond sight, 
 and they were to take a round about way to the woods 
 and the fort. 
 
 Only a few minutes elapsed, when the Sioux messen- 
 ger returned, riding still closer to the door, while the 
 rest of the horsemen hovered several hundred yards 
 away. 
 
 Red Plume waited with an assumption of indiffer- 
 ence for the savage to renew the conference. 
 
 " If Red Plume will return Leaping Panther to his 
 warriors, then shall he and his friends go to the big 
 fort without harm." 
 
 " If my brethren will go over yonder hill, and re- 
 main, then will I bring Leaping Panther to them." 
 
 These conditions were not exactly pleasant, but they 
 could not help themselves, and they announced their 
 acceptance. 
 
 As the messenger was about riding away, Red Plume 
 called to him, and insinuated that, as Leaping Panther
 
 THE RED PLUME 379 
 
 was pretty badly wounded, he would like a horse to as- 
 sist in carrying him back. This was another rather 
 impudent demand, which was submitted to somewhat 
 reluctantly. 
 
 The savage dismounted, and Red Plume advanced 
 and took his animal, leading him back to the house, 
 where there was quite a party deeply interested in the 
 proceedings. 
 
 Red Plume and his friends watched the messenger as 
 he ran rapidly back to where the main body were await- 
 ing him. There he paused, and he could be seen con- 
 sulting earnestly with them. 
 
 Suddenly, the whole band turned about and rode to 
 the hill, and vanished over the top. 
 
 The minute they had disappeared, old Jud said : 
 
 " Now make yourselves ready." 
 
 There were few preparations to make, and such as 
 they were they were completed almost as soon as the 
 command itself. 
 
 Red Plume now placed his animal between the door 
 and the place where he judged their enemies to be. 
 Then he and old Jud stepped out, bearing, or, rather, 
 helping to support the suffering chief between them 
 By this means the view of the Sioux was effectually 
 shut off from the door. 
 
 The minute matters were put in shape, the word was 
 given for the fugitives to start. 
 
 They had been apprised of the danger they ran, and 
 fully instructed as to what they should do. So they
 
 380 THE RED PLUME 
 
 stole out like so many phantoms, one by one, until they 
 had all vanished out of sight behind the building. 
 
 Here every one of them sank upon his hands and 
 knees, and began crawling away, keeping the house so 
 far as possible between them and the suspicious eleva- 
 tion that had been pointed out by old Jud, just before 
 starting. 
 
 Some ten minutes were frittered away in assisting 
 Leaping Panther to the horse, and getting him ready to 
 mount. At the end of that time, matters were deftly 
 arranged, so that old Jud slunk out of sight, and fol- 
 lowed hard after his friends, without any Sioux on the 
 hilltop suspecting what was going on. 
 
 After an extraordinary amount of labor, Leaping 
 Panther was fairly astride the animal ; but it was mani- 
 fest that the position caused him great pain, so Red 
 Plume pulled him off, and assisted him up on the other 
 side, not helping the unfortunate fellow much, but 
 gaining a few minutes' precious time, which was all 
 that he expected or cared to do. 
 
 At last the two were astride the animal; and what 
 with the several delays that had occurred it was fully 
 half an hour since our friends had started. Any fur- 
 ther delay would excite the suspicion of those in wait- 
 ing. 
 
 Still, Red Plume advanced with great tardiness until 
 he had begun to ascend the hill, when one of the Sioux 
 rode over the hill as if to meet him. The captor in- 
 stantly halted and waved him back.
 
 THE RED PLUME 381 
 
 His gesture was obeyed, and when he had disap- 
 peared, Red Plume resumed his journey. Reaching 
 the top, he saw the Sioux drawn up in a body. 
 
 He sat motionless upon his horse, until everything 
 was in shape to suit him. Then, suddenly lifting Leap- 
 ing Panther from his horse, he dropped him to the 
 ground, wheeled about and galloped down the hill at 
 the top of his horse's speed. 
 
 So suddenly was this done, that he had well nigh 
 reached the cabin ere his movement was fully compre- 
 hended. Observing their leader fall to the ground they 
 supposed he had been killed, and dashed forward to see. 
 But a few seconds were sufficient to convince them that 
 Red Plume had honestly kept his bargain. 
 
 The instant Leaping Panther could make himself 
 heard, he told his warriors that the whites had already 
 fled, and ordered them to be pursued. 
 
 They lost no time in following Red Plume, and when 
 the pursuing horsemen reached the top, they saw him 
 speeding across the prairie, straight ahead in a direction 
 at right angles to the one taken by the fugitives, and 
 while some followed, others rode up to the house to 
 make sure that their chief was not mistaken. They 
 were speedily satisfied on that point. 
 
 Red Plume's object was to draw the Sioux away 
 from the whites, but he failed. They suspected the 
 ruse, and while some followed him, others went right 
 and left, it so happening that some six or eight of them 
 took precisely the route by which they had attempted 
 to escape.
 
 382 THE RED PLUME 
 
 It was a cruel lot that condemned our friends to be 
 trifled with by fortune, as they were now doomed to be. 
 They had gone so far on their hands and knees, that 
 they had deemed it safe to rise to their feet, when they 
 hurried forward with all the speed of which they were 
 capable. 
 
 Old Jud, as usual, took the lead, and behind him came 
 the others, the females bearing themselves like heroines, 
 and no one complaining. 
 
 Old Jud was not acquainted with this section, but he 
 knew the general direction to be followed, and he did it 
 to the best of his ability. 
 
 Something like a furlong intervened between them 
 and the forest, when they saw his scared face, as he 
 looked back and exclaimed : 
 
 " There they come ! Make for the woods ! " 
 
 At the same instant they heard the whoops behind 
 them, and all started to run. There was a prospect of 
 gaining the cover of the trees, from which they might 
 defend themselves, and they sped over the ground with 
 the men supporting and encouraging the females, and 
 all still hopeful. 
 
 "Stop!" commanded the hunter; "it's all up! 
 there's no use of gain' any further! " 
 
 He pointed toward the wood, from which the horri- 
 fied whites saw another party of horsemen issuing di- 
 rectly in front of them. They were thus between two 
 companies, and to escape from both was a moral im- 
 possibility !
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII 
 
 THE END 
 
 THE despairing exclamation had hardly escaped the 
 hunter, when Colonel Havens flung his hat high in air 
 and shouted: 
 
 " Saved ! saved ! saved ! " 
 
 At the same time he danced about like a xnadman, 
 and the next instant Captain Swartfiausert and Augus- 
 tus Pipkins imitated him. 
 
 For out of the darkness of the wood came, not 
 twenty mounted Sioux, but twenty mounted soldiers 
 on a full gallop. The Otter had made all haste to Fort 
 Grandon with the tidings that Colonel Havens was sur- 
 rounded by Indians, and unless a large force was sent 
 to his relief, his death was certain, and the commandant 
 sent twenty of his best Indian fighters, not knowing 
 that the fate of the colonel was inextricably interwoven 
 with that of a certain band of fugitives. 
 
 Simultaneous with the discovery of their friends, the 
 soldiers fired a volley at the approaching Sioux. 
 
 The sudden onset of the white horsemen created an 
 instant panic among the Sioux, who wheeled about, 
 like a flash, and thundered away over the prairie, bear- 
 ing a number of dead and dying with them. 
 
 383
 
 384 THE RED PLUME 
 
 In the space of ten minutes not a hostile Indian was 
 to be seen. And the relief had not come a moment too 
 soon. Wearied and exhausted; tortured by anxiety 
 and fear ; now revived by sudden hope, then paralyzed 
 by despair, the fugitives were scarcely able to walk. 
 
 The Oiter gave up his horse to Colonel Havens, who 
 took Lillian Prescott in front of him, while the first 
 seated himself behind Red Plume. Some kind hearted 
 frontiersman made a similar arrangement, by which 
 Fielding and Edith were supported by another, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Prescott upon another, Captain Swarthausen 
 and old Jud upon another, Augustus Pipkins and Cato 
 upon still another, and so the whole party at last were 
 mounted, and turned their faces toward Fort Grandon. 
 
 Something like a couple of miles still intervened, and 
 they were slowly progressing, when, to their great sur- 
 prise and delight, they came suddenly upon old Dinah, 
 who had been lying concealed in the woods, and hear- 
 ing them laughing and talking, had hastened to join 
 them. After an affectionate meeting with her son Cato, 
 she was hoisted upon the back of a powerful beast, and 
 they started off again. 
 
 With such a strong escort, our friends bade farewell 
 to all fear, and Fort Grandon was reached an hour later 
 without any disturbance from the Sioux, who were 
 hovering in the wood. 
 
 The subsequent history of the Minnesota Massacres 
 is too well known to need further reference here. 
 
 When safety had again been restored to Minnesota*
 
 THE RED PLUME 385 
 
 the principal ones of those whose fortunes we have fol- 
 lowed for a time, returned to Sleeping Water Lake, and 
 again reared their houses and established their homes. 
 
 The parents of Fielding the Friend occupied a pleas- 
 ant little cottage, and near them dwelt their beloved 
 son and daughter. 
 
 Augustus Pipkins, at last accounts, was still unmar- 
 ried and engaged in life insurance business in Chicago. 
 
 Captain Swarthausen was now a colonel in the regu- 
 lar army, which, he affirmed, was the culminating point 
 of his ambition. When away from his duty, which is 
 indeed rare, he makes his home in the "Bird's Nest," 
 as he calls the delightful little cottage, where the gen- 
 eral and his wife Lillian, and their mischievous young 
 heir (named after the old veteran) consider themselves 
 so happy that they envy no man or woman on earth. 
 
 Jubal Judkins, or "Old Jud," as he was more famil- 
 iarly termed, was killed several months afterward, 
 while serving as a scout upon a military expedition. He 
 received a soldier's burial, and more than one bronzed 
 face was moistened with tears, as they laid the honest 
 fellow away in the ground, there to take his long, last 
 sleep. 
 
 Red Plume and Otter moved further west before the 
 advancing tide of civilization, and all subsequent record 
 of them has been lost. 
 
 THE ENL,
 
 EVERY BOY AND GIRL IN THE LAND 
 
 WILL WANT TO READ THESE INTERESTING 
 AND INSTRUCTIVE BOOKS 
 
 WRITTEN BY 
 
 That Great Nature Authority and 
 Eminent Scout Master 
 
 G. HARVEY 
 R ALPHSON 
 
 of the Black Bear Patrol 
 
 The eight following great titles are 
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 ^ Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone; 
 
 or, The Plot Against Uncle Sam 
 
 3 Boy Scouts in the Philippines; 
 
 or, The Key to the Treaty 
 
 4 Boy Scouts in the Northwest; 
 
 or, Fighting Forest Fires 
 
 5 Boy Scouts in a Motor Boat; or, 
 
 Adventures on the Columbia River 
 
 6 Boy Scouts in an Airship; 
 
 or, The Warning from the Sky 
 
 7 Boy Scouts in a Submarine; 
 
 or, Searching An Ocean Floor 
 
 8 Boy Scouts on Motor Cycles; 
 
 or, With the Flying Squadron 
 
 The above books are for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent 
 repaid to any address, upon receipt of 50c each, or any three for 
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 34 Sturdy and Strong 
 
 35 Through the Fray 
 
 36 True to the Old Flag 
 
 37 Under Drake's Flag 
 
 38 With Clive in India 
 
 39 With Lee in Virginia 
 
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 41 Young Buglers, The 
 
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 44 Young Franc- Tireurs 
 
 45 Young Midshipman 
 
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 -^ SELECTED WORKS OF 
 
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 SOUTHWORTH 
 
 AN ATTRACTIVE LIST OF THE 
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 \ 6 Tried for Her Life 30 Fortune Seeker 
 
 f 7 Fair Play 31 Gypsy's Prophecy 
 
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 f 9 Family Doom 33 India; or, The Pearl of 
 
 1 10 Maiden Widow Pearl River 
 
 (11 Hidden Hand, The 34 Lady of the Isle, The 
 
 Capitola's Peril 35 Lost Heiress, The 
 
 {\4 Seftalsed ^' s L * b J W n 
 
 f 15 Lost Heir of Linlithgow ^issmg Bride, The 
 
 116 Noble Lord, A 38 Mother-in-Law 
 
 f 17 Unknown 39 Prince of Darkness, and 
 
 1 18 Mystery of Raven Rocks Artist's Love 
 
 19 Bridal Eve, The * Retribution 
 
 20 Bride's Dowry, The 41 Tnr ee Beauties, The 
 
 21 Bride of Llewellyn, The 42 Three Sisters, The 
 
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 All of the above books may be had at the store where 
 this book was bought, or will be sent postage prepaid 
 at 75c each, by the publishers 
 
 M. A. DONOHUE & CO., 
 701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO 
 
 ASK YOUR BOOKSELLER FOR 
 
 THE DONOHUE COMPLETE EDITIONS 
 and you will get the be*t for the least money