Frank in the Mountains

that bark with his tomahawk-he did it on purpose. Didn't he play his part well? The old fellow must have a steady hand to send those weapons so close to Dick without h

n safety, and without attracting especial attention from any of the Indians. He had met several warriors on his way, but his disguise was complete, and they, supposing him to be the medicine-man, stepped aside to let him

at would they do to him if they caught him prowling around? Frank did not care to enrage them, for he knew what manner of men they were; but still he was determined that he would not leave his cousin to his fate without making at least an attempt to save him. The village was nearly deserted, except by the women and children, and he could scarcely encounter more

just as soon be recaptured as not, for I could never live without him. How would I feel to go back to our hunting and fishing grounds

gnorance of the fact that the captive they had been set to watch had crawled out of his prison under their very noses-and began looking about for the outlaw's lodge. How should he know it when he saw it? was a question he had asked himself over and over again. There was plainly but one way to proceed, and that was to visit every wigwam in the village until he found the one of which he was in search. This was something that more tha

hey were aroused by the chief's "death-whoop," but no one was in sight. An Indian woman came in just as he completed his investigations, but did not appear to notice him, and he hurried off to visit the next lodge. Just as he was about to place his hand upon the door, it was raised

in here; but now that I have found him, how am I going to g

ions would jump out and make a prisoner of him; but there was no one in the lodge-no one except Archie, who lay in on

; I've seen enough of you for one night. If I could use my hands for about a

led down beside his cousin, and began

ed the voice that addressed him, but he could hardly bring himself to believe that the hideous-looking object

cousin to his feet. "I will explain every thing when we are out of da

t go through it at

e guarding the chief's wigwam. They are all out looking for Dick. We have little to fear from t

a hunting-shirt and

as possible, and I will go out

lodge. It was well for him that he did so; for scarcely had he left Archie, when the door was raised and Black Bill came in, and was astonished to see his prisoner,

is yere? Ah ha! You were trying to es

e blame upon himself. He knew that if he told the outlaw that he had had assistance, he would, of course, investigate the matter; and if he found Frank in t

like it," replied Archie. "Why didn't you stay away ab

ght it would be a good plan fur me to come back here an' keep an eye on you, an' leave the others to hunt up Dick Lewis. It seems I

sly away from the lodge, and finally, rising to his feet, hurried through the village; and having satisfied himself that there was no one observing his movements, he plunged into the willows that fringed the base of the mountains. It was not his intention to travel directly toward the fort, but to attempt to reach it by some roundabout way, and thus avoid meeting the Indians who were in pursuit of the trapper. He had something of an undertaking before him now, for he was in a strange country, and had not the least idea in which

nd show a bold front while in the presence of his enemies, but to be alone in the mountains, with no weapon but his pocket-knife with which to defend himself, and nothing to occupy his mind, or draw his thoughts from the dangers yet to be encountered-this it was that tried his nerves; and his face was whiter, and he was more nearly overcome with fear now, than at any time during the day. His situation was sca

animals to be afraid of. As long as I can lift a finger, I shall live in hopes of getting safely out of this scrape. Now, I am go

s with which he was surrounded, in a sound sleep. When he awoke it was broad daylight. He had had one visitor during the night, and that was a large gray wolf, wh

hat I had nothing worse than wolves to fear, although they did frighten me considerably when we had that race on the ice with them last winter. Now,

aching the gully? He might have fallen into it in the darkness, and that would have been infinitely worse than remaining a prisoner among the Indians. He wondered if he could jump it, but concluded that he would not make the attempt, when he discovered, a short distance from him, a small tree lying across the gorge. Upon examining it closely, however, he found that it would prove rather a perilous undertaking to cross it, for the bark was slippery, the tree was

hand. Then Frank began to realize that it was dangerous to stand there in that exposed position; and in the excitement of the moment, scarcely knowing what he was about, he gathered all his energies for the effort, bounded into the air, alighted in safety on the other side of the gorge, and in a

AP FOR

his rival of the morning-the one with whom he had run the foot-race. He carried a bow, and a quiver full of arrows, in his hand, and

, make very good jump!" Then looking toward the place

e written them. He uttered them with his teeth closed, and with

he fugitive, surprised to h

I no shoot," repli

you want to see me more than I want to see you, y

to chief.

le before I go back to the chief. You want the hon

me?" asked

come. I'll

come,

self pretty close over t

an. "You got no gun, no pi

o way of retreat, he had prepared himself to stand a siege. The tree behind which he had taken refuge was a very small one, not more than half large enough to conceal him from the view of the Indian, and stood, as we have said, on the very brink of the gorge. It afforded him but a poor protection, but he knew that he must remain there, for there was not an

to come to close quarters, he might not be able to vanquish him as easily as he had done before. At the foot of the tree was a rock which had begun crumbling away; and while he was talking to the Indian, Frank had busied himself in collecting the pieces

aken. If he gives me a fair chance, I'll knock him down with one of these rocks, and go over there

imed the Indian again; and, as he spoke, he fitt

!" replied

od shots. The arrow struck the tree behind which our hero was concealed, and the stone

ulated, in gre

l you that you had better keep clo

or it went straight toward the mark. He began to have some respect for the white boy, who,

where the Indian was concealed, compelling him more than once to change his position. Then there was quiet for awhile, and the combatants stood watching one another, Frank keeping a sharp lookout for any tricks on the part of his antagonist

led himself down there with the intention of starving me out. If he has, he will find it up-hill business, f

r. It came faintly to his ears, but still it was so plain and distinct that he knew he could not be mistaken. Had his rival been callin

te boy! More

g savage was prompt to take advantage of it. Another arrow flew across the gully, and this time it was no