Frank in the Mountains

, and looked again. But there was no dreaming about it-it was all a reality; and as he stood there powerless among his captors, and looked at their glittering weapons, and painted, sco

ng knife in his belt, his face was covered with paint, and altogether he looked f

ey intended to do with him, he was trying hard to summon all his courage to his aid, and to appear as unconcerned as possible. If there had

"I'd like to know what this m

ine. How far they went, or in what direction, Frank could not have told, for his mind was in too great confusion. He was trying to arrive at some satisfactory explanation concerning the Indians' conduct. He had expected that the first action on their part would be to pull his hair, strike at him with their kn

ut the camp than he had ever seen before in all his life. Children were playing about in front of the lodges, the women were engaged in various occupations, and the braves, all of whom were in their war-paint, smoked their pipes, and lounged in the shade. Frank was greatly relieved to find that no one noticed the chief and his party. When he first came in sight of the village, he had screwed up all his courage

sign from him, Frank was pulled from his horse, and after his hands had been unbound, a corner of the wigwam, which served as a door,

ere suspended from the walls, the chiefs blanket, bridle, spear, and head-dress occupied one corner, and several buffalo robes, which doubtless served him for a bed, were piled in another. There was no one in the lodge, and Frank, being no longer compelled to wear the appearance of unconcern he had a

t? Can it be possible that that race and wrestling match have any thing to do with my capture? The Indians seemed friendly enough when I first visited their camp at the trading-post, and I'd like to know what they mean by taking me prisoner when I wasn't doin

a face appeared at the opening-a dark, scarred, scowling face, which was almost concealed by a fur cap and thick bushy whiskers. Frank was thunderstruck. He leaned forward to e

har?" growled the visitor, a

exclaimed Fr

ered all about me, most likely, from ole Bob and Dick Le

time he thought of the night he had passed in the camp of the outlaws, and he had hoped that he shou

lad to see you now, 'cause I aint. I hate any body that's a friend to Bob an' Dick, an' if I could have my way I'd s

load had been removed from his shoulders. It was a great satisfact

said," replie

th me? What is his object in ta

to make an I

-you don

ake you into the tribe an' make an Injun o

keep me here always?" demanded Fran

act

I don't want to be adopted into t

r age-an' a smart, lively young Injun he was, too; but he was killed a little while ago in a scrimmage with the Blackfeet, an' the c

t stay here and be his son. Why, I never heard of

's lucky fur you that the chief tuk sich a monstrous fancy fur you, 'cause i

echoed Fran

but the ashes of it. It would have been done last night if that ar fur trader had kept away from thar. We had to send off arter more help. I don't mind te

be enacted in that quiet valley, if the savages were permitted to carry out their designs. What would become of his cousin, of the trappers, of Captain Porter, and of himself? Of course his friends would all be included in the massacre, and he, having no one to look to for help, would be compelled to drag out a miserabl

leeps?" said the outlaw, who had grown tir

house, of course

t much afore you told me; b

n the trouble to inquire into

axed any questions, you would know that Brent is my own brot

word of it. What do

got something to say to him to-night, an' I shouldn't care to have his father hear

will let him alone," said Fran

ounts, grizzly bars, an' sich like varmints throwed in. I'm one of them kind of fellers as don't stand no nonsen

wonder now at the hatred which Dick and old Bob cherished toward the Indians. Here they were, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements, and preparing for a descent on the fort; and there were his friends in the valley, all unconscious of the danger hanging over them. There had been no Indian depredations in that section for a long

If I could see them for just one minute, wouldn't these savages meet with a warm reception when they make the attack on the fort?

was a warrior standing close beside the lodge, leaning on his spear. He was undoubtedly a sentry, and had been placed there to watch the prisoner. Frank took one glance at him, and then dropped the door to its place, and hurrying to the other side of the lodge pulled up the skins and looked under them. He saw now what he had not noticed before-that the lodge in which he was confined was in the ver