THE YOUNG RANCHERS
OR _FIGHTING THE SIOUX_
"FOREST AND PRAIRIE SERIES," No. 3.
BY EDWARD S. ELLIS
AUTHOR OF "BOY PIONEER SERIES," "DEERFOOT SERIES," "WILDWOOD SERIES," ETC.
PHILADELPHIA HENRY T. COATES & CO.
COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY PORTER & COATES.
[Illustration: THE DEATH OF THE FAITHFUL MESSENGER.]
CONTENTS.
I. DANGER AHEAD
II. THE VOICELESS FRIEND
III. COMPANIONS IN PERIL
IV. TIM BROPHY'S DISCOVERY
V. LEAVING THE RANCH
VI. "TIMOTHY BROPHY, ESQ., AT YOUR SERVICE"
VII. STIRRING TIMES
VIII. STARCUS
IX. ON THE BANK OF A STREAM
X. BENT ARM AND HIS BAND
XI. AT BAY
XII. FACING WESTWARD
XIII. IN THE FRINGE OF THE WOODS
XIV. TURNED BACK
XV. MISSING
XVI. A THIEF OF THE NIGHT
XVII. THROUGH THE WOOD
XVIII. NIGHT AND MORNING
XIX. A STARTLING SURPRISE
XX. A RUN FOR LIFE
XXI. AWAY WE GO!
XXII. ON FOOT
XXIII. DOWN!
XXIV. THE FRIEND IN NEED
XXV. THE PRAIRIE DUEL
XXVI. ON THE GROUND
XXVII. A GOOD SAMARITAN
XXVIII. THE LONE HORSEMAN
XXIX. A BREAK FOR FREEDOM
XXX. COMRADES AGAIN
XXXI. THE LAST HOPE
XXXII. AWAY! AWAY!
XXXIII. BREAD CAST UPON THE WATERS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THE DEATH OF THE FAITHFUL MESSENGER.
A HOT PURSUIT.
TIM'S FORTUNATE SHOT.
THE DEATH OF THE INDIAN.
THE YOUNG RANCHERS;
OR,
FIGHTING THE SIOUX.
CHAPTER I.
DANGER AHEAD.
There was snow in the air. Warren Starr had felt it ever since meridian, though not a flake had fallen, and the storm might be delayed for hours yet to come. There was no mistaking the dull leaden sky, the chill in the atmosphere, and that dark, increasing gloom which overspreads the heavens at such times.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: The Young Ranchers by Edward Sylvester Ellis
- 2: And he was now on his return from Fort Meade
- 3: He scanned the rocky ridge on his right
- 4: Young Starr was out of the saddle like a flash
- 5: Bruno turned his beautiful eyes upward to his master
- 6: Warren knelt down and pressed his ear to the ground
- 7: Warren held him facing the path
- 8: This was the locality for which young Starr was aiming
- 9: It certainly was a marvellous piece of woodcraft
- 10: With Warren holding a match in one hand
- 11: The figures of several Sioux bucks galloping at their heels
- 12: Starr was sitting near the window reading a newspaper
- 13: Starr felt anxious about the absent Jared Plummer
- 14: Tim Brophy was equally at liberty
- 15: Tim Brophy remained a brief distance at the rear
- 16: Tim committed a mistake which Warren Starr narrowly avoided
- 17: Now that Tim had arrived with his blanket
- 18: Was the hearty response of Tim
- 19: And he turned about to learn how Tim Brophy was making out
- 20: He was no sooner beside the huge brute
- 21: If the copper gintleman won't come to us I'm going to him
- 22: If Starcus is wid the ither spalpeens
- 23: Big lunch for us both whin I was laving yesterday
- 24: Exclaimed the rancher regretfully
- 25: George Starr was so agitated that
- 26: Starr uttered a slight exclamation
- 27: The foremost Sioux evidently was the leader
- 28: Starr shoved his Winchester in front
- 29: As the rancher expected them to do
- 30: A new danger presented itself to the rancher
- 31: Was the conclusion of the rancher
- 32: I asked mamma to let me go to you
- 33: They would have forced their ponies to the utmost
- 34: Jerry was the name of the pack pony
- 35: It was a wise proceeding on the part of the rancher
- 36: The rancher had risen to his feet
- 37: The rancher drew her head around
- 38: If the Sioux horsemen were moving
- 39: Concluded the disappointed rancher
- 40: The delighted rancher could hardly repress a cheer
- 41: Once the mare slipped on a smooth stone
- 42: You can't ride the mare among the trees
- 43: The rancher knew where the miscreant was
- 44: Lay it across the saddle in front
- 45: After riding down a slight decline
- 46: The rancher was filled with dismay for the moment
- 47: The rancher might have gathered wood and started a fire
- 48: We shall have to depind on Providence to hilp us
- 49: Who meant it for the guidance of confederates
- 50: They saw fully a dozen Sioux bucks
- 51: He watched the rear more than did Warren
- 52: Warren hugged his pony closer than ever
- 53: Was the disgusted question of Tim
- 54: He gave his attention to the Sioux
- 55: Young Starr darted to the right
- 56: Not a solitary Sioux was in sight
- 57: With the object of getting near Tim
- 58: Looking straight at Starcus as he spoke
- 59: Among the foremost being Starcus
- 60: Tim was standing defiantly among the Sioux
- 61: Warren tried to right matters by a less abrupt approach
- 62: But for the sad situation of Tim Brophy
- 63: He strove to catch sight of Tim Brophy
- 64: He described a complete circle about Warren
- 65: The Sioux resumed his circling course
- 66: Warren Starr kept his eye fixed on him
- 67: The Indian on the ground was Starcus
- 68: Starcus now held his peace for a full minute
- 69: His singular experience with Starcus had a softening effect
- 70: He had appealed to Starcus to make the effort
- 71: Despite the gloomy prophecy of Tim Brophy
- 72: When the headlong Irishman started toward him
- 73: Tim needed no urging to improve his opportunity
- 74: There was a hasty consultation at the base of the ridge
- 75: None of the spalpeens are here
- 76: Warren was profoundly interested
- 77: Was the significant remark of Tim Brophy
- 78: Starr related what he had discovered
- 79: For the Sioux were certain to follow Tim Brophy vigorously
- 80: The bowlders were on all sides
- 81: Warren quickly vanished among the trees and bowlders
- 82: And Warren was as hopeful as ever
- 83: And here the young rancher spoke impressively
- 84: Sound and unhurt as was Starcus in all other respects
- 85: Starcus was quick to make a signal of friendship
- 86: Accordingly Starcus parted from the cavalry
- 87: Starcus had left such accurate directions