Frederick H. Dewey

“ But, he was not one to stand and wonder at marvelous things; he was a young man of great energy, and almost distracted with grief, was impatient at delay and in a hot fever to go on. He raised his voice and called to Cato; he would surely find a trail.
“Cato! oh, Cato!”
No answer. He could hear at a little distance the rustle of bushes and the breaking of twigs; like himself, his comrades were ferreting about in pursuit of the strange intruder. Now and then, one would exclaim suddenly, then relax into silence; then a low whisper would reach his ears from an ardent pair close by. ”

“ Hallo! who is talking? who is crying aloud when all should be still? who speaks? Hallo!
A voice, borne by the wind, floated up and into the air, speaking only a few, very few words; but they were full of strange meaning. The pursuers did not hear it, neither did any one else—only the trees in Dead-Man’s Forest. But it spoke, notwithstanding.
Cato was on his way to meet the party, and was running quite rapidly, when he entered a small glade, one of the many that embellished the gloomy old wood. He drew back out of sight, directly, and ensconced himself under a bush. ”

“ He started back suddenly, as a rustle was heard in the thicket, and drew a revolver. The negro, from some hidden place, drew a keen razor with remarkable agility, and stood on his guard, lowering at the copse.
A man burst out of the bushes boldly, as if fearing no danger, and knowing with whom he was meeting. He was dressed in green throughout, with a peaked hat, and high, shining boots. He wore a belt, stuck full of weapons. He was a handsome, genial-looking fellow, in the prime of life, very agile and strong, as could be seen by his sinewy limbs. ”

“ On the edge of the swamp lake were a dozen or more men, peering over at the silent island; angry looks they gave; in the island were the same (almost) number of men, equally reckless and bold, but far more wary and wicked. The dug-out in which Katie had escaped still lay where she had left it; and much Cato (who had rejoined the pursuers) marveled. He knew that something was wrong, else it would have been moored to the island, out of sight; and his eyes, familiar with the island, noted something was wrong there, too. ”

“ Men laden with wealth—the hard-earned savings of many hard and dangerous weeks’ work—men growing lighter-hearted and merrier at every step, had left sunny Mexico with enough to enjoy forever, and were nearing sweet home. Perhaps they had been harassed on the plains by hostile savages; perchance they had suffered the direful pangs of hunger and thirst in the wilderness, and had stared death in the face and had warded him off many times; but of every ten who entered Dead-Man’s Forest, within the confines of civilization, at least seven never came out on the other side. ”

“ Robert Jeffries returned to his cabin, very much out of humor. His revenge was yet to come; he was forced to wait; and he ground his teeth.
A light was burning in the little cabin when he entered, and Katie was sitting by it, sewing. She looked very sweet and lovely as she sat there, and his heart first softened, then became adamant; let any man insult her—the tenderest, purest girl in the world. ”

“ Could he be mistaken? He knew he was not mistaken. It was Cato the Creeper, and beside him walked Captain Downing.
To see was to act with Walter. It was a life and death struggle now.
A stream of fire blazed from the barricade, a puff of smoke arose, and Cato the Creeper, with a wild cry, tossed his arms aloft and fell to the ground, a bullet driven into his brain. Cato the Creeper had followed his last trail. ”

“ The moment he had set his foot into the glade a large tree in the center of it attracted his attention; a feeling of fear came over him. Nay, more—a feeling of positive terror. He was absolutely afraid to enter it.
Now, there was nothing remarkable about that tree—it was a common oak, rather devoid of foliage. No man could hide in its top—a coon would have been discovered by a greenhorn if he had trusted to its shelter. Its trunk was of the size of a man’s body, not large enough to shelter a large man; no one could hide behind it without rolling himself into a ball. ”

“ Cato, the Creeper, stood ready to fix upon any trail, trace or mark; and the hearts of the whole band beat as one.
Every man was armed to the teeth, and what was better, was buoyed by the sense of being in the right—a weapon far more potent than the steadiest rifle, the deadliest pistol, or keenest knife ever made. ”

“ Hallo! away down there in the dark, grim wood. Who is talking at this time of night? Hallo!
She went to sleep, so did Robert Jeffries, and the window was open.
The moon rose into the zenith and looked down from her pale face upon three different objects: a forest, a river, and a cabin.
In the forest a silent form lay cold, still and bloody, near a thick tree; a man stood over him, looking quietly down upon him.
The watcher spoke in a strange, far-away voice. ”

“ Stop and consider what this backwoods girl was doing, and see what a heroine she was. Cognizant of Downing’s ardent love for Katie, conscious he did not love her, knowing Katie was her successful rival, she was deliberately doing all she could to protect and save her—she who had unwillingly outstripped her in the love of the beautiful bandit—to organize a party for the apprehension and punishment of her idolized hero, though it would almost be her death-blow to see him disgraced and punished. ”

“ He had been walking, he said, through the spur of forest when he felt a rustle behind him, and turning had seen a man with uplifted bludgeon directly behind him. He tried to avoid the impending blow but too late; the cudgel descended squarely upon his head, and he knew no more until morning, an hour or so since, when he was stumbled upon by Eben, on his way to Cato’s cabin.
When asked if he recognized his would-be assassin he replied in the negative. But he was sure that it was not Danforth. He was a much larger man, being almost a giant. ”

“ Murmurs of indignation and menaces rose from the settlers, old and young. They had long suspected the depths of the grim forest were the haunts of evil men, and they were now sure of the fact. They were rapidly believing that quiet Danforth too was not what he should be, but was connected in some way with Katie’s disappearance, all being aware of last night’s events.
Walter was frantic when told of her sudden and strange absence, and sick with fear and doubt, raved to be gone in hot search. In this he was seconded by Jeffries, who was scarcely less alarmed and distracted. ”

“ He was some minutes in returning to it, and when he got there he was satisfied that hot pursuit would be in vain; he must fasten on the trail. Being familiar with this art, he stood perfectly still and peered at the ground. It was soft, and his own foot-marks were distinctly visible, but they were the only ones. But he went down on his knees and crept about, earnestly watching for any indentation which might lead to the discovery of the trail. But his search was in vain—no other beside his footsteps marred the earth. ”

“ The countersign was given, the sentry slunk back, and they went on toward the brown cabin. Captain Downing was vigilant and cunning.
Several ill-looking men, armed to the teeth, were lying in the cabin door, some dozing and smoking short pipes, while others played cards and quarreled. A fierce black dog was chained to a stump close by. He was a bloodhound—the fiercest of his race.
They walked up to the cabin and the men stopped gambling for a moment to watch Downing’s lips. If he smiled, beware! evil was brewing. If he was demure he was watching every thing with the eye of a lynx. ”

“ The captain whipped out a revolver.
“So you are, are you? Then you live,”—cocking the weapon and aiming it at the negro’s head—“then you live just one half of a second longer.”
The negro threw up his hands in alarm, and yellow with fear, gasped out:
“G-g-golly, Mars’r Cap’n, I’se done—I’se wrong.”
“Wrong? Mind your speech! Ha! don’t you dare to move or I’ll pepper you! Now, you villain, tell me what you mean.”
He was in a dangerous state of mind, as could be told by the ferocious smile he wore. Cato, knowing him well, was alarmed. ”

“ He looked around on the scene, still keeping a secure hold on Downing. The settlers and outlaws were all gone, but they still kept up a scattering fire far away in the forest. Fink had bled to death; Cato lay lifeless on the ground; five dead robbers were stretched, grim and ghastly, upon the neighboring scene; and Katie, now just recovered, was weeping for joy in her father’s and lover’s arms. ”

“ Oh, sir, if in your mother was a spark of womanly virtue, if your father was a man of worth and honesty, if you ever had a pure sister, think of them and then of yourself at this moment!—think of them and release me from this wicked place. ”

“ His face was intelligent, and his head that of a man born to command. Yet this man, whom, in point of looks, any woman would welcome as a lover, was a fiend within—a demon of extraordinary cruelty and daring. His name was Charles Downing—Captain Downing—and he was the chief of a notorious and feared robber band—the same of which Fink was lieutenant.
“How are you, Cato?” he said, with a smile, which disclosed a set of handsome, even teeth. “So you are on the defensive.”
The negro’s arm dropped, and he slipped the razor into his bosom. Fink belted his revolver. ”

“ Tell every man that little Katie has disappeared suddenly! that’ll bring ’em together short meter.”
Eben sprung away while Hettie lingered with the women, who, cackling all at once, plied her with questions. Old Sol took down his gun and rubbed the dust off the barrel.
The news flew like wildfire about the little settlement. Men frowned and quietly took their rifles from their pegs. Young men swore an oath or so, then clenched their teeth, and baring their arms, watched their brawny muscles as they swelled with the arm’s rise and fall. ”

“ Look at her father and lover beside her—many have been the torments they have undergone because of you! Look at the lifeless men lying here. They have ended their career upon earth in the midst of vile wickedness, because of you! Look at me, an orphaned and poverty-stricken son, and a cripple—yes, a cripple, deformed and ugly, because of you, and then ask me what right I have to detain you! ”

“ He slung his gun in the hollow of his arm, and bending to the trail, went on apace. It was quite distinct, and he felt sure he could follow it on a run.
He had not gone more than fifty yards when he heard a rustle in a thicket just ahead. With the instinct of a backwoodsman he went behind a tree like a squirrel, and cocked his gun.
The rustle was not such as would be made by a bird or small animal, but was a rustle and a dull thud. This, Eben, being quick-witted, readily construed into a footfall on a prostrate log. ”

“ She was in a critical and harrowing position, without means of escape, as she had heard him place a heavy log against the door as he went out. The door opened outward purposely in order to confine any prisoner within. Escape by the door was impossible.
As she thought upon her situation, fear lent her strength, and she began to examine the walls of the cabin. For a half-hour she beat them and pushed at the heavy logs feebly; she ran about sobbing, beating them with her delicate hands until they bled; she mounted the stool and searched the strong roof; she vainly endeavored to force the door ”

“ The negro took it eagerly, and put it to his lips, rolling his eyes in ecstasy as the fiery liquid gurgled down his throat. Now the captain could do any thing with him.
“Now, Cato,” he continued, “you have always been a faithful fellow, and have never been sufficiently rewarded. Now if you will mislead them thoroughly—mind, thoroughly—I will give you, not foolish weapons, or land which you will never use, but money—yellow money.”
Cato’s eyes rolled. The captain went on:
“How would you like a hundred dollars, Cato—a hundred yellow dollars? You will be rich, Cato.”
“Golly, Mars’r Cap’n! whew! ”

“ May you enjoy yourself then, in the short life you have marked out for yourself.”
He went softly around the cabin, and took every weapon from its walls, even the pistol at her feet. Then, he opened the door, and looked at her fixedly.
“It is well!” he said, with a quiet smile. “Through this open door take your last glimpse of nature. You will never see human being or outside world again. Farewell forever Miss Jeffries.”
“Ay!” she said, “we will never meet in the future world. ”

“ Slipping up behind him, she quickly took off his powder-horn and bullet-pouch, then retreated to the log and loaded the gun, finding caps in the pouch. Then she watched her lover with the eye of a lynx.
He stood behind the only tree in his “fort,” watching, with snapping eyes, the robbers as they energetically worked at the vines. Cutting and twisting, they worked hard and swiftly, and soon Walter could see their hands protruding through the leaves. ”

“ He does nothing but wander away into the forest, where he spends nearly two-thirds of his time. Dutch Joe said he saw him in company with another man in a dug-out on Shadow Pond, yesterday, but I believe it was only his imagination. He is not very smart and clever you know—he is simple.”
“Walter!” and Katie lowered her voice, and nestling closer to her lover, glanced nervously around in the twilight. “I am afraid of him. Father distrusts him. He fears the existence of a band of robbers in that dreadful forest. You know men have gone in there and have never come out.” ”