Free Trapper's Pass; or, the Gold-seeker's Daughter!

by William R. Eyster

To this rather excited speech of Archer’s, Parsons coolly responded:

“Don’t be in too great a splutter, young man. There’s things to be thought on afore we commence to go in. We had better scout around an’ see how the country looks, an’ then lay our plans accordin’.”

Charles assenting, the two together began the descent of the path which served as a stair-case to this high eyrie.

Preferring to leave the difficult duties of scouting to one most thoroughly versed in its mysteries, Waving Plume sought out a comfortable resting-place on which he might seat himself, while Parsons disappeared in the direction of the mouth of the basin, or cul-de-sac, in which they were encamped.

Time passed on. At least two hours had elapsed, and yet the trapper did not return.

At length, tired of inactivity, and restless from a mind burdened by so great a duty as the rescue of the fair “Mist on the Mountain,” he debated with himself whether he should follow in the footsteps of Jake, and seek the plain, or return to the niche wherein he had passed the night.

Reflecting that in the one case he would be needlessly thrusting himself into danger, and at the same time drawing no nearer to Adele—while in the other he would be closer to the maiden, even if there was no possible means of access to her, he chose to retrace his step.

Out of breath, he reached the spot, and flung himself down much in the same manner as he had done on the night before. Suddenly, behind his head he felt a slight vibration of the rock, and could hear a tapping sound as though someone were, with their knuckles, trying its strength or thickness. With a bound, Waving Plume was on his feet. Circumstanced, as he was, he could not, at once, think what course it was best for him to pursue.

Following the bent of the first impulse which struck him, he drew from his belt the large hunting-knife which he there carried. For a moment he surveyed the seemingly solid wall before him, gave a glance at the edge of his weapon, and then resolutely attacked the only known barrier which lay between him and Adele.