The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-10-23
CHATTER XIX.
IKE DISCOVERS Az OLD Friend

The little party III the mountain nook had
not long to wait until low growl at tie en-
trance gre ted their terrified senses.
Then almost instantly a bright light
fas. ell in that direction, and revealed a
huge mountain bear.
The light was from the dark lantern
which tie girl always carried, and had lit
and thrown lis direct rays on the spot from
whence the growl proceeded.
Scarcely had the licht fallen upon the
huge creature, quite binding it, when there
was a flash, a loud report, and the bear fell
dead in the doorway of tLa little cavern.
There's yer breakfast. youngsters said
a strange voice, as old Luke himself step
ped forth and gave the dead bear kick;
then turned around smiling toward his as
tonished auditors.
Luke, cried Jasper, coming forth with
outstretched hands. Luke, old friend, is
it really you?"
"Yes it's me, l calculate. / been on yer
track quite while fore 1 got a chance ter
speak ter yer. Got caught by Black Jack,
and then by the Indians, and yer came out
mighty well to get off with yer scalp on.
you are night. III not be anxious for
any more such adventures. I'm sick of
them"
Luke chuckled, but just then he saw the
mysterious Indian girl approaching him.
She had placed her lantern on the rocky
floor. and was regarding him with eager,
smiling eyes.
Luke, is it Luke Summers, the famous
scout?
Luke Summers it be, an no mistake, P"
said the old scout, regarding her keenly.
Then, much to his surprise the girl drew
nearer, seized his rugged hand with both
her own, and raised it to her lips and
kissed it.
Luke, dear old Luke, don't you know
me?"
NO, bless me eff 1 do"
Don't remember the little girl you
searched so long for, and that you found at
last in the Indian village. and carried back
to her father? Don't remember little Lora
Martini"
"Wall, | swan" said Luke, "ef it amt
Lora Martin fur a fact. But, bless my
eyes, pet, how'd yer expect me ter know
YOU rugged up like this, an away back here
among road agents and Indians? | thought
yer lived in New York.
Il did awhile, but for certain reasons l
came back 10 my Indian friends. Here IS
Running Deer, my kind foster brother; but
Pm not in league with any road agents or
robbers"
"Yer haint," said Luke, little incredu-
lousy.
NO; let me turn the light away from the
entrance, and all of you sit down and hear
my true story. l fancy the Cattle King is
also a little curious"
81 am, indeed" smiled Jasper.
papa and l lived out West when l was
quite young; there one day near our mining
town, while at play was carried off by a
party Of Indians, and | lived with them a
long time before dear papa and kind old
Luke rescued me. | learned their language,
much of their lie and ways. The noun
tain cavern where Black Jack holds forth
was of old cur Indian winter quarters; that
is how | became so familiar with all its
secret WAYS, and was enabled to lead you
forth, " she said, addressing Jasper.
Il have nothing in common with the
cruel Black Jack. l ventured into the cave
simply, to rescue the Cattle King. l wear
the sign of the Mystic Hand only for pro-
lection. l have friend, detective from
New York, who has joined the bandits for
the purpose of uneauhing a crime, and also
because he desires to capture the band"
a New York detective?" unused Luke.
How d he come out here?"
Then Lora began at the time of her
fathers death, and told then all the reader
already knows, adding:
"Joe Day has repeatedly urged me to
leave this dangerous country, and trust all
to him, but [ knew that | was far safer
even here than he was, and so have been
enabled to assist him, and to help the
Cattle King escape-for, now that old Luke
has joined us, have little fear but We will
reach Blue Gulch in safety"
Two days after, within a short distance
of Blue Gulch, Running Deer babe them
farewell, and gazed tearfully after their re-
treating forms. Then he turned his steps
toward his native village, where pretty We
mona was anxiously awaiting his coming.
Having reached the town, Lora sought
her room in the hotel, and, washing off the
dark paint and removing her black wig,
donned her own modest evening dress
and appeared at the supper table the same
little lady that the guests were accustomed
to see.
The Cattle King had been welcomed by
a host of friends, all glad to grasp his hand
and to learn of his escape from the Indians
and robbers.
There's a fellow round here, in fact,
there are three or four, who are getting
ont a 1t of vigilants to capture Black Jack
this very night" whispered a friend in
Jaspers ear.
There are too many road agents. !
fear they can not succeed"
But there's a powerful lot O vigilants,
l hear. and they say this fellow knows the
way into the secret cave.
A little later Jasper felt some one touch
his arm, and he glanced around.
bright-eyed, tne-lOoking man stood
by his side.
Il beg your pardon" he said, "but are
you Miss Lora Martins friend, the one she
! helped away from the Indians?"
Yes, | am that person"
Then follow me, please"
Jasper obeyed.
He found the stranger merely meant tc
! conduct him to Lora's parlor.
She smiled pleasant welcome as they
| entered.
I "Mr James," she said, "this is one of my
truest friends; his name is Joe Day, anC
/ his home is in New York. He is detect
! i've; he desires to capture Black Jack ant
as many of his men as possible. But there
/ is a captive in the secret stronghold l dc
/ not wish harmed, one whose evidence vii
! do much to bring my cruel stepmother tC
! Justice He desires your assistance, and az
/ you are pretty familiar with the place, yoU
/ Will be valuable assistant. Luke is among
/ the number, and can be trusted in any I'M
dertaking.
Il have learned, Miss Lora, said the de.
tective, that which will surprise YOU
1 greatly. Your stepmother and her brother
are already near US; they are both in Blacl
Jacks power"
| "Impossible!'
! No, II is quite true; one of my men Just
! brought me the word. 1t appears that tn,
/ Doctor was on the lookout for Rick anc
fell into their hands, and your step mother
growing alarmed, set out to follow the Doc.
tor; she had Just overtaken him when they
were captured by some scouting bandits. "
What is to be done?"
Il viii endeavor to arrest the ringleader
of the band, and your enemies as well, Blu
We are likely to have great trouble, for the,
will fight like tigers"
CHAPTER XX
/ Ais WE'LL THAT ENDS WE'LL
The long night passed away. To Lora i
seemed interminable. Sometimes she re
solved to don her old Indian dress and ion
the friends who were fighting for her; bu
she had given her word to the detective t,
remain in safety, and she had to conten
herself In looking out toward the towerini