The Border Watch

. Part of them would sleep in the covert, while the others would scout about the village. That night it was the turn of Shif'less Sol

stray that way or they might not. If they did, a rifle shot would silence the first that gave

o see far into the village. He noted that, despite the lateness of the hour, fires were burning there, and that warriors, carrying torches, were passing about. This was unusual. It was always characteris

from above and firelight from his side falling upon him the figure of the chief was like that of some legendary Titan who ha

, an instant later, by the renegade Blackstaffe. The chief took from beneath his blanket four magnificent belts of wampum, two of which he handed to the sub-chief and two to the renegade. Timmendiquas said a few words to every one of them, and, instantly leaving the village t

e bushes, came to a rapid conclusion. He knew the significance of wampum belts and he could guess why these seven men had departed so swiftly. They were heralds

or the difference of twenty warriors might be their salvation. He must turn back the messengers, and he must do it with his single hand. How he longed for the help of the brave and resourceful Shif'less Sol. But

still traveling in Indian file, the chief as before at the head of the line and Blackstaffe at the rear. The moon had now faded a little, and the light over the forest turned from silver to gray. Many of the stars had withdrawn, but on

ors as he could to their mighty gathering, even if he had to travel as far as the farthest and greatest of the Great Lakes. Moreover he was swift of foot, and he did not spare himself or the others t

ay, always through forest, and at no time was the eighth f

and not seven. At noon they sat down in the dry grass of a tiny prairie and ate dried deer meat. Henry, in the edge of the woods a quarter of a mile away, also ate dried deer meat. When the seven fini

the custom among some of the more advanced tribes, had not hunted over it for several seasons, in order that it might have plenty when they came again. Ten or a dozen buffaloes were grazing on near

t night. They could not go on forever, and he could secure, too, the rest that he needed. It

of the Southwest, and drops of rain were borne on its edge. Darkness shut down close and heavy. No moon and no stars

Henry, who had been able to come much nearer in the dark, knew then that they would remain there a long time, probably al

haska used the flint and steel and Henry saw the fire at last blaze up. The seven warmed their food over the fire and then sat around it in a close and silent circle, with the

one blanket on the ground, sat upon it, after the Indian fashion, and put the other blanket over his head and shoulders, just as the warriors had done. He locked his hands across his knees, while the barrel of the rifle which rested between his legs prot

food, warmed over the fire, he ate his cold from his pocket. Then the great figure began to relax. His back rested easily against the bushes. The tenseness and strain were gone from his nerves and m

the woods was musical. It took the last particle of strain and anxiety from Henry's mind and muscles. This voice of the rain was like the voice of his

lower. He saw the seven figures sitting around it become dim an

he was willing. But he was resolved not to do so until the darkness was complete, that is, not until the fire had gone entirely out. He watched it

rain in the forest was so soothing that they stayed down, after the second attempt, and he floated peacefully

e, persistent fashion. He rolled up the blanket that had lain under him but kept the other around his shoulders. All was dark where the fire

y in the darkness, went ahead. He had a plan, vague somewhat, but one which he might use, if the ground developed as he thought it would. He had noticed that, d

m grayish light came once more over the dripping forest. He saw forty or fifty yards ahead, and he advanced much faster. The ground continued to drop down, and his belief came true. At a point

ed yards above his original point of departure. The water here ran over rocks, and, for a space of ten or fifteen yard

and waited. His rifle lay across his knees, and, at all times, he watched the woods on the far shore. He was the hunter

lear and sharp in the yellow blaze. The waiting youth never stirred. From his covert in the thicket behind the rocks he saw everything. He saw a bush stir, when there

ke with absolute certainty. Then he lowered it. He could not fire thus upon an unsuspecting enemy, although he knew that Chask

cap and fired. The Indian is not usually a good marksman, and his bullet cut the bushes, but Henry, who now had no scruples, was a sharpshooter beyond compare. Chaska had raised up a little to take aim, and, before the smoke from his own weapon rose, the rifle on the

but all his senses were keenly alert. For a distance of a full half mile none of the Indians could cross the river un

word the Indians too were lying close, for the soul of Blackstaffe, the renegade, was disturbed. The bullet that had slain Chaska had come from the rifle of a sharpshooter. Chaska had exposed himself for only an instant and yet he had been slain. Blacks

hear the movement of any enemy in front of him, and he believed that they were all yet in the bushes on the other side of the river. He returned to his old position and the duel of patience went on. His eyes finally fixed thems

en in the great forests of North America. The Indian behind the bush was crafty and cunning, one of the most skillf

yell, a figure leaped up convulsively, and then falling, disappeared. Five shots were fired at Henry, or rather at the flame from his rifle, but he merely sank back a little, sn

utely sure now that the terrible five were before them. Two shots had been fired, but the others were only waiting their chance. His own force was but five now, only four of whom were effective. H

m. He had reloaded his weapons, and he was quite sure now that Blackstaffe and the Indians would stay together. None of them nor any two of them would dare to go far upstream or down stream, cross and attempt to stalk hi

he river nothing stirred. The nerves of Blackstaffe, the renegade, were the first to yield to the strain. He began to believe that the five had gone away, and, creeping forward to see, he incautiously exp

ingled pain and mortification rose to his eyes. He suggested to the warriors that they go back, but they shook their heads. They feared the wrath of Timmendiquas and the scorn of their com

he water's edge, where he lay among the grass and reeds. Yet he never crept back again. He stirred the grass and weeds

e bullets from the rifles of the unseen marksmen were guided by the hand of Manitou. The Great Spirit had turned his face away from them, and

e them on, and going southward they had terror and superstition to drive them back. They returned as fast as they had gone, and all the time they felt that the same mysterious and deadly en

rstition do their work. He followed them until they were in sight of the village, guessing the surprise and consternation that their news would cause. T

le they