The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-09


 lated their adventures. tho soldier re- ceived merely vepEimand for his care lessness in getting lost instead ot the more severe panishmenl Ae expected. "Another confirmation of the exist ance of some mysterious Nick of the Woods docsor,s exclaimed Colonel Fitch at the supper table the evening of the arrival of the scout "here's Sam Hunt, and Mike MeCaHersy, one of our men, near losing their scalp, only saved by the interpretation of this silent, unseen friend whose existence you seem to doubt"
 "l overheard Mike discoursing his ad. ventures shortly after his return. It ap- pears they had scrimmage before being taken. Hunt laid Black Eagle out, he tells me probably the shots attracted the notice of this mysterious being whose existence do not doubt, only his ghost. ship. It is my opinion that it is some half.crazed victim of savage barbariy whs, having seen his family butchered by the Indians, has perfected some noiseless weapon and takes pleasure in staying them whenever he is able"
 "There may be something in that, but he is a wonderful shot, never seems to miss"
 "No one would be aware ot it but him. self if he did," replied the doctor with a laugh.
 "That is so, did not think of that"
 "What is more to the point" con- tinued the doctor, "no one has ever ex- amined any of ms victims except to notice that they were marked with crop on the forehead, and that there was no flow of blood. should like to hold an autopsy on one."
 "I will detail squad in the morning to bring you in one of those killed to- day." replied the colonel.
 "An' do yer know phwat the dochtor is afther wanting wid the dead hay,henF p queried Mike. who made one of the party the morning after the rescue.
 "To make castor oil of, as the niggers believe down south," replied his com- panion.
 Quit bo,hering Mike. It's to find out how Spirit Rife killed them," replied the corporal, and giving orders to quit talking the squad entered the forest.
 On arriving at the scene of the rescue the bodies of the mysteriously slain say ages were found as they had fallen the day before, and with the exception of g rudely-made crop gashed in the fore. head of each, no sign existed of their having been disturbed. The bodies oI Black Eagle and the other Indian sho, by Sam were unmolested. The party bearing one of the victims of "Spirii Rife" returned to the fort without en countering anything to interest or alarm them.
 About twenty miles from the fort there stood singular looking building formed of mud, stones and turf, somewhat after the style of the Mexican adobe houses but adapted to the difference of climate and the choice of materials. It was fire proof and could apparently have repelled any attack made upon it by the savages as easily as the fort itself. Much merri- ment was occasioned by its erection, as its occupants instead of being family consisting partly of weak women and children, were all men, who, by the rough Judgment of the backwoods, should be able to guard their scalps without resor, to such defenses. The occupants, how. ever, although not lacking in personal courage. were not what would be called fighting men, but a party of scientists from the eastern states, all possessed oi abundant means, and anxious to examine for themselves the fauna flora and mineral treasures of the great northwest Becoming pleased with their wild, inde- pendent mode of living, even with their Crusoe-like privations, they had remained longer than they had at first intended and consequently provided many comforts, and made some additions to their build ing they numbered five in all, and every branch of science seemed to be hobby with one or another of them, nor were they deficient in the requirements of the backwoods, no better shots, or successful trappers could be often met with than one or two of these same scientific fel. leri at the mud house" as these graduates of Yale, Cambridge and Heidelburg, and their abode. were termed by the ignorant settlers.
 Well, doctor, what do you learn from vonv nosf rnoxtSna 1t inou;red tho ~oior .I