Aftertheboyshadtakenhismeasure，theyconcludedthathe’dalreadytackledsomuchinthewayofdifficultiesthataghostmoreorlesswouldn’tbeofmuchaccount。Sotheysenthimtothehauntedcabin。Hehadabigyellowdogwithhim，aboutasuglyandassavageashimself；andtheboyssorto’congratulatedthemselves，fromapracticalview-point，thatwhiletheyweregivingtheoldruffianashelter，theywerehelpinginthecauseofChristianityagainstghostsandgoblins。Theyhadlittlefaithintheoldman，butwenttheirwholepileonthatdog。That’swheretheyweremistaken。
\"Thehousestoodalmostthreehundredfeetfromthenearestcave，andondarknights，beinginahollow，wasaslonelyasifithadbeenonthetopofShasta。Ifyoueversawthespotwhentherewasjustmoonenoughtobringoutthelittlesurroundingclumpsofchapparaluntiltheylookedlikecrouchingfigures，andmakethebitsofbrokenquartzglistenlikeskulls，you’dbegintounderstandhowbigacontractthatmanandthatyellowdogundertook。
\"Theywentintopossessionthatafternoon，andoldHardTimessetouttocookhissupper。Whenitwasoverhesatdownbytheembersandlithispipe，theyellowdoglyingathisfeet。Suddenly’Rap！
rap！’comesfromthedoor。’Comein，’saystheman，gruffly。
’Rap！’again。’Comeinandbed——dtoyou，’saystheman，whohasnoideaofgettinguptoopenthedoor。Butnooneresponded，andthenextmomentsmashgoestheonlysoundpaneintheonlywindow。
Seeingthis，oldHardTimesgetsup，withthedevilinhiseye，andarevolverinhishand，followedbytheyellowdog，witheverytoothshowing，andswingsopenthedoor。Noonethere！Butasthemanopenedthedoor，thatyellowdog，thathadbeensochipperbefore，suddenlybeginstocrouchandstepbackward，stepbystep，tremblingandshivering，andatlastcrouchesdowninthechimney，withoutevensomuchaslookingathismaster。Themanslamsthedoorshutagain，buttherecomesanothersmash。
Thistimeitseemstocomefrominsidethecabin，anditisn’tuntilthemanlooksaroundandseeseverythingquietthathegetsup，withoutspeaking，andmakesadashforthedoor，andtearsroundoutsidethecabinlikemad，butfindsnothingbutsilenceanddarkness。Thenhecomesbackswearingandcallsthedog。Butthatgreatyellowdogthattheboyswouldhavestakedalltheirmoneyoniscrouchingunderthebunk，andhastobedraggedoutlikeacoonfromahollowtree，andliesthere，hiseyesstartingfromtheirsockets；everylimbandmusclequiveringwithfear，andhisveryhairdrawnupinbristlingridges。Themancallshimtothedoor。
Hedragshimselfafewsteps，stops，sniffs，andrefusestogofurther。Themancallshimagain，withanoathandathreat。
Then，whatdoesthatyellowdogdo？Hecrawlsedgewisetowardsthedoor，crouchinghimselfagainstthebunktillhe’sflatterthanaknifeblade；then，halfway，hestops。Thenthatd——dyellowdogbeginstowalkgingerly——liftingeachfootupintheair，oneaftertheother，stilltremblingineverylimb。Thenhestopsagain。
Thenhecrouches。Thenhegivesonelittleshudderingleap——notstraightforward，butup，——clearingtheflooraboutsixinches，asif——\"
\"Oversomething，\"interruptedtheJudge，hastily，liftinghimselfonhiselbow。
TheDoctorstoppedinstantly。\"Juan，\"hesaidcoolly，tooneoftheMexicanpackers，\"quitfoolin’withthatriata。You’llhavethatstakeoutandthatmulelooseinanotherminute。Comeoverthisway！\"
TheMexicanturnedascared，whitefacetotheDoctor，mutteringsomething，andletgothedeer-skinhide。Weallup-raisedourvoiceswithoneaccord，theJudgemostpenitentlyandapologetically，andimploredtheDoctortogoon。\"I’llshootthefirstmanwhointerruptsyouagain，\"addedThornton；persuasively。
ButtheDoctor，withhishandslanguidlyunderhishead，hadlosthisinterest。\"Well，thedogranofftothehills，andneitherthethreatsnorcajoleriesofhismastercouldevermakehimenterthecabinagain。Thenextdaythemanleftthecamp。Whattimeisit？
Gettingontosundown，ain’tit？Keepoffmyleg，willyou，youd——dGreaser，andstopstumblingroundthere！Liedown。\"
ButweknewthattheDoctorhadnotcompletelyfinishedhisstory，andwewaitedpatientlyfortheconclusion。Meanwhiletheold，graysilenceofthewoodsagainasserteditself，butshadowswerenowbeginningtogatherintheheavybeamsoftheroofabove，andthedimaislesseemedtobenarrowingandclosinginaroundus。
PresentlytheDoctorrecommencedlazily，asifnointerruptionhadoccurred。
\"AsIsaidbefore，Ineverputmuchfaithinthatstory，andshouldn’thavetoldit，butforarathercuriousexperienceofmyown。Itwasinthespringof’62，andIwasoneofapartyoffour，comingupfromO’Neill’s，whenwehadbeensnowedup。Itwasawfulweather；thesnowhadchangedtosleetandrainafterwecrossedthedivide，andthewaterwasouteverywhere；everyditchwasacreek，everycreekariver。WehadlosttwohorsesontheNorthFork，weweredeadbeat，offthetrail，andsloshinground，withnightcomingon，andthelevelhaillikeshotinourfaces。
Thingswerelookingbleakandscarywhen，ridingalittleaheadoftheparty，Isawalighttwinklinginahollowbeyond。Myhorsewasstillfresh，andcallingouttotheboystofollowmeandbearforthelight，Istruckoutforit。InanothermomentIwasbeforealittlecabinthathalfburrowedintheblackchapparal；I
dismountedandrappedatthedoor。Therewasnoresponse。Ithentriedtoforcethedoor，butitwasfastenedsecurelyfromwithin。
Iwasallthemoresurprisedwhenoneoftheboys，whohadovertakenme，toldmethathehadjustseenthroughawindowamanreadingbythefire。Indignantatthisinhospitality，webothmadearesoluteonsetagainstthedoor，atthesametimeraisingourangryvoicestoayell。Suddenlytherewasaquickresponse，thehurriedwithdrawingofabolt，andthedooropened。
\"Theoccupantwasashort，thick-setman，withapale，carewornface，whoseprevailingexpressionwasoneofgentlegoodhumorandpatientsuffering。Whenweentered，heaskedushastilywhywehadnot’sungout’before。
\"’ButweKNOCKED！’Isaid，impatiently，’andalmostdroveyourdoorin。’
\"’That’snothing，’hesaid，patiently。’I’musedtoTHAT。’
\"Ilookedagainattheman’spatient，fatefulface，andthenaroundthecabin。Inaninstantthewholesituationflashedbeforeme。
’ArewenotnearCaveCity？’Iasked。
\"’Yes，’hereplied，’it’sjustbelow。Youmusthavepasseditinthestorm。’
\"’Isee。’Iagainlookedaroundthecabin。’Isn’tthiswhattheycallthehauntedhouse？’
\"Helookedatmecuriously。’Itis，’hesaid，simply。
\"Youcanimaginemydelight！Herewasanopportunitytotestthewholestory，toworkdowntothebedrock，andseehowitwouldpanout！Weweretoomanyandtoowellarmedtofeartricksordangersfromoutsiders。If——asonetheoryhadbeenheld——thedisturbancewaskeptupbyabandofconcealedmaraudersorroadagents，whosepurposewastopreservetheirhauntsfromintrusion，wewerequiteabletopaythembackinkindforanyassault。Ineednotsaythattheboysweredelightedwiththisprospectwhenthefactwasrevealedtothem。Theonlyonedoubtfulorapatheticspirittherewasourhost，whoquietlyresumedhisseatandhisbook，withhisoldexpressionofpatientmartyrdom。Itwouldhavebeeneasyformetohavedrawnhimout，butIfeltthatIdidnotwanttocorroborateanybodyelse’sexperience；onlytorecordmyown。AndIthoughtitbettertokeeptheboysfromanypredisposingterrors。
\"Weateoursupper，andthensat，patientlyandexpectant，aroundthefire。Anhourslippedaway，butnodisturbance；anotherhourpassedasmonotonously。Ourhostreadhisbook；onlythedashofhailagainsttheroofbrokethesilence。But——\"
TheDoctorstopped。Sincethelastinterruption，Inoticedhehadchangedtheeasyslangystyleofhisstorytoamoreperfect，artistic，andevenstudiedmanner。Hedroppednowsuddenlyintohisoldcolloquialspeech，andquietlysaid：\"Ifyoudon’tquitstumblingoverthoseriatas，Juan，I’llhobbleYOU。Comehere，there；liedown，willyou？\"
Weallturnedfiercelyonthecauseofthisseconddangerousinterruption，butasightofthepoorfellow’spaleandfrightenedfacewithheldourvindictivetongues。AndtheDoctor，happily，ofhisownaccord，wenton：——
\"ButIhadforgottenthatitwasnoeasymattertokeepthesehigh-
spiritedboys，bentonarow，indecentsubjection；andafterthethirdhourpassedwithoutasupernaturalexhibition，Iobserved，fromcertainwinksandwhispers，thattheyweredeterminedtogetupindicationsoftheirown。Inafewmomentsviolentrappingswereheardfromallpartsofthecabin；largestones（adroitlythrownupthechimney）fellwithaheavythudontheroof。Strangegroansandominousyellsseemedtocomefromtheoutside（wheretheintersticesbetweenthelogswerewideenough）。Yet，throughallthisuproar，ourhostsatstillandpatient，withnosignofindignationorreproachuponhisgood-humoredbuthaggardfeatures。
BeforelongitbecameevidentthatthisexhibitionwasexclusivelyforHISbenefit。UnderthethindisguiseofaskinghimtoassistthemindiscoveringthedisturbersOUTSIDEthecabin，thoseinsidetookadvantageofhisabsencetoturnthecabintopsy-turvy。
\"’Youseewhatthespiritshavedone，oldman，’saidthearchleaderofthismischief。’They’veupsetthatthereflourbarrelwhilewewasn’tlooking，andthenkickedoverthewaterjugandspilledallthewater！’
\"Thepatientmanliftedhisheadandlookedattheflour-strewnwalls。Thenheglanceddownatthefloor，butdrewbackwithaslighttremor。
\"’Itain’twater！’hesaid，quietly。
\"’Whatisit，then？’
\"’It’sBLOOD！Look！’
\"Thenearestmangaveasuddenstartandsankbackwhiteasasheet。
\"Forthere，gentlemen，onthefloor，justbeforethedoor，wheretheoldmanhadseenthedoghesitateandlifthisfeet，there！
there！——gentlemen——uponmyhonor，slowlywidenedandbroadenedadarkredpoolofhumanblood！Stophim！Quick！Stophim，Isay！\"
Therewasablindingflashthatlitupthedarkwoods，andasharpreport！WhenwereachedtheDoctor’ssidehewasholdingthesmokingpistol，justdischarged，inonehand，whilewiththeotherhewaspointingtotherapidlydisappearingfigureofJuan，ourMexicanvaquero！
\"Missedhim！byG-d！\"saidtheDoctor。\"Butdidyouhearhim？Didyouseehislividfaceasheroseupatthenameofblood？Didyouseehisguiltyconscienceinhisface。Eh？Whydon’tyouspeak？
Whatareyoustaringat？\"
\"Wasitthemurderedman’sghost，Doctor？\"weallpantedinonequickbreath。
\"Ghostbed——d！No！ButinthatMexicanvaquero——thatcursedJuanRamirez！——Isawandshotathismurderer！\"
THEHOODLUMBAND
OR
THEBOYCHIEF，THEINFANTPOLITICIAN，ANDTHEPIRATEPRODIGY
BYJACKWHACKAWAY
Authorof\"TheBoySlaver，\"\"TheImmatureIncendiary，\"\"ThePrecociousPugilist，\"etc。，etc。
CHAPTERI
ItwasaquietNewEnglandvillage。NowhereinthevalleyoftheConnecticuttheautumnsunshoneuponamorepeaceful，pastoral，manufacturingcommunity。Thewoodennutmegswereslowlyripeningonthetrees，andthewhitepinehamsforWesternconsumptionweregraduallyroundingintoformunderthedeftmanipulationofthehardyAmericanartisan。ThehonestConnecticutfarmerwasquietlygatheringfromhisthreshingfloortheshoe-pegs，which，whenintermixedwithafairproportionofoats，offeredapleasingsubstituteforfoddertotheeffetecivilizationsofEurope。AnalmostSabbath-likestillnessprevailed。DoemvillewasonlysevenmilesfromHartford，andthesurroundinglandscapesmiledwiththeconvictionofbeingfullyinsured。
Fewwouldhavethoughtthatthispeacefulvillagewasthehomeofthethreeyoungheroeswhoseexploitswouldhereafter——butweanticipate。
DoemvilleAcademywastheprincipalseatoflearninginthecounty。
UnderthegraveandgentleadministrationofthevenerableDoctorContext，ithadattainedjustpopularity。Yettheincreasinginfirmitiesofageobligedthedoctortorelinquishmuchofhistrusttohisassistants，who，itisneedlesstosay，abusedhisconfidence。Beforelongtheirbrutaltyrannyanddeep-laidmalevolencebecameapparent。Boyswereabsolutelyforcedtostudytheirlessons。Thesickeningfactwillhardlybebelieved，butduringschoolhourstheywereobligedtoremainintheirseatswiththeappearanceatleastofdiscipline。Itisstatedbygoodauthoritythattherollingofcroquetballsacrossthefloorduringrecitationwasobjectedto，underthefiendishexcuseofitsinterferingwiththeirstudies。Thebreakingofwindowsbybaseballs，andthebeatingofsmallscholarswithbats，weredeclaredagainst。Atlast，bloatedandarrogantwithsuccess，theunder-
teachersthrewasidealldisguiseandrevealedthemselvesintheirtruecolors。Acigarwasactuallytakenoutofadayscholar’smouthduringprayers！Aflaskofwhiskywasdraggedfromanother’sdesk，andthenthrownoutofthewindow。Andfinally，Profanity，Hazing，Theft，andLyingwerealmostdiscouraged！
CouldtheyouthofAmerica，consciousoftheirpowerandaliteratureoftheirown，tamelysubmittothistyranny？Never！Werepeatitfirmly。Never！Werepeatittoparentsandguardians。
Never！Butthefiendishtutors，chucklingintheirglee，littleknewwhatwaspassingthroughthecold，haughtyintellectofCharlesFanuelHallGolightly，agedten；whatcurledthelipofBenjaminFranklinJenkins，agedseven；orwhatshoneintheboldblueeyesofBromleyChitterlings，agedsixandahalf，astheysatinthecorneroftheplaygroundatrecess。Theironlyothercompanionandconfidantwasthenegroporterandjanitoroftheschool，knownas\"PirateJim。\"
Fitly，indeed，washenamed，asthesecretsofhisearlywildcareer——confessedfreelytohisnobleyoungfriends——plainlyshowed。Aslaverattheageofseventeen，theringleaderofamutinyontheAfricanCoastattheageoftwenty，aprivateersmanduringthelastwarwithEngland，thecommanderofafire-shipanditssolesurvivorattwenty-five，withawildintermediatecareerofunmixedpiracy，untiltheRebellioncalledhimtocivilserviceagainasablockade-runner，andpeaceandadesireforruralreposeledhimtoseekthejanitorshipoftheDoemvilleAcademy，wherenoquestionswereaskedandreferencesnotexchanged：hewas，indeed，afitmentorforourdaringyouth。Althoughamanwhosedayshadexceededtheusualspaceallottedtohumanity，thevariousepisodesofhiscareerfootinghisageuptonearlyonehundredandfifty-
nineyears，hescarcelylookedit，andwasstillhaleandvigorous。
\"Yes，\"continuedPirateJim，critically，\"Idon’tthinkhewasanybiggernoryou，MasterChitterlings，ifasbig，whenhestoodonthefork’stleofmyship，andshotthecaptaino’thatEastInjymendead。WeusedtocallhimlittleWeevils，hewassoyoung-like。
But，blessyourhearts，boys！hewa’n’tanythingtolittleSammyBarlow，ezoncecrep’upinterthecaptain’sstateroomonaRooshinfrigate，stabbedhimtotheheartwithajack-knife，thenputonthecaptain’suniformandhiscockedhat，tookcommandoftheshipandfoutherhisself。\"
\"Wasn’tthecaptain’sclothesbigforhim？\"askedB。FranklinJenkins，anxiously。
ThejanitoreyedyoungJenkinswithpaineddignity。
\"Didn’tIsaytheRooshincaptainwasasmall，averysmallman？
Rooshinsissmall，likewiseGreeks。\"
Anobleenthusiasmbeamedinthefacesoftheyouthfulheroes。
\"WasBarlowaslargeasme？\"askedC。F。HallGolightly，liftinghiscurlsfromhisJove-likebrow。
\"Yes；butthenhehedhed，sotospeak，experiences。Itwasallowedthathehadpizenedhisschoolmasteraforehewenttosea。
Butit’sdrytalking，boys。\"
Golightlydrewaflaskfromhisjacketandhandedittothejanitor。Itwashisfather’sbestbrandy。Theheartofthehonestoldseamanwastouched。
\"Blessye，myownpirateboy！\"hesaid，inavoicesuffocatingwithemotion。
\"I’vegotsometobacco，\"saidtheyouthfulJenkins，\"butit’sfine-
cut；Iuseonlythatnow。\"
\"Ikinbuysomeplugatthecornergrocery，\"saidPirateJim，\"onlyIleftmyport-moneyathome。\"
\"Takethiswatch，\"saidyoungGolightly；\"itismyfather’s。Sincehebecameatyrantandusurper，andforcedmetojoinacorsair’sband，I’vebeganbydividingtheproperty。\"
\"Thisisidletrifling，\"saidyoungChitterlings，mildly。\"Everymomentisprecious。Isthisanhourtogivetowineandwassail？
Ha，wewantaction——action！Wemuststriketheblowforfreedomto-night——aye，thisverynight。Thescowisalreadyanchoredinthemill-dam，freightedwithprovisionsforathreemonths’voyage。
Ihaveablackflaginmypocket。Why，then，thiscowardlydelay？\"
Thetwoelderyouthsturnedwithaslightfeelingofaweandshametogazeontheglowingcheeks，andhigh，haughtycrestoftheiryoungestcomrade——thebright，thebeautifulBromleyChitterlings。
Alas！thatverymomentofforgetfulnessandmutualadmirationwasfraughtwithdanger。Athin，dyspeptic，half-starvedtutorapproached。
\"Itistimetoresumeyourstudies，younggentlemen，\"hesaid，withfiendishpoliteness。
Theywerehislastwordsonearth。
\"Down，tyrant！\"screamedChitterlings。
\"Sichim——Imean，Sicsempertyrannis！\"saidtheclassicalGolightly。
Aheavyblowontheheadfromabase-ballbat，andtherapidprojectionofabaseballagainsthisemptystomach，broughtthetutoralimpandlifelessmasstotheground。Golightlyshuddered。
Letnotmyyoungreadersblamehimtoorashly。Itwashisfirsthomicide。
\"Searchhispockets，\"saidthepracticalJenkins。
Theydidso，andfoundnothingbutaHarvardTriennialCatalogue。
\"Letusfly，\"saidJenkins。
\"Forwardtotheboats！\"criedtheenthusiasticChitterlings。
ButC。F。HallGolightlystoodgazingthoughtfullyattheprostratetutor。
\"This，\"hesaidcalmly，\"istheresultofatoofreegovernmentandthecommonschoolsystem。Whatthecountryneedsisreform。I
cannotgowithyou，boys。\"
\"Traitor！\"screamedtheothers。
C。F。H。Golightlysmiledsadly。
\"Youknowmenot。Ishallnotbecomeapirate——butaCongressman！\"
JenkinsandChitterlingsturnedpale。
\"Ihavealreadyorganizedtwocaucusesinabaseballclub，andbribedthedelegatesofanother。Nay，turnnotaway。Letusbefriends，pursuingthroughvariouswaysonecommonend。Farewell！\"
Theyshookhands。
\"ButwhereisPirateJim？\"askedJenkins。
\"Heleftusbutforamomenttoraisemoneyonthewatchtopurchasearmamentforthescow。Farewell！\"
Andsothegallant，youthfulspiritsparted，brightwiththesunriseofhope。
ThatnightaconflagrationragedinDoemville。TheDoemvilleAcademy，mysteriouslyfired，firstfellavictimtothedevouringelement。Thecandyshopandcigarstore，bothholdingheavyliabilitiesagainsttheacademy，quicklyfollowed。Bytheluridgleamsoftheflames，along，low，sloop-riggedscow，witheverymastgoneexceptone，slowlyworkedherwayoutofthemill-damtowardstheSound。Thenextdaythreeboysweremissing——C。F。
HallGolightly，B。F。Jenkins，andBromleyChitterlings。Hadtheyperishedintheflameswhoshallsay？Enoughthatnevermoreunderthesenamesdidtheyagainappearinthehomesoftheirancestors。
Happy，indeed，wouldithavebeenforDoemvillehadthemysteryendedhere。Butadarkerinterestandscandalresteduponthepeacefulvillage。Duringthatawfulnighttheboarding-schoolofMadamBrimborionwasvisitedstealthily，andtwoofthefairestheiressesofConnecticut——daughtersofthepresidentofasavingsbank，andinsurancedirector——werethenextmorningfoundtohaveeloped。WiththemalsodisappearedtheentirecontentsoftheSavingsBank。andonthefollowingdaytheFlamingoFireInsuranceCompanyfailed。
CHAPTERII
Letmyyoungreadersnowsailwithmetowarmerandmorehospitableclimes。OffthecoastofPatagoniaalong，low，blackschoonerproudlyridestheseas，thatbreakssoftlyuponthevine-cladshoresofthatluxuriantland。Whoisthisthat，wrappedinPersianrugs，anddressedinthemostexpensivemanner，calmlyreclinesonthequarter-deckoftheschooner，toyinglightlyeverandanonwiththelusciousfruitsofthevicinity，heldinbasketsofsolidgoldbyNubianslaves？oratintervals，withdaringgrace，guidesanebonyvelocipedeoverthepolishedblackwalnutdecks，andinandouttheintricaciesoftherigging。Whoisit？wellmaybeasked。WhatnameisitthatblancheswithterrorthecheeksofthePatagoniannavy？WhobutthePirateProdigy——therelentlessBoyScourerofPatagonianseas？VoyagersslowlydriftingbytheSilurianbeach，coastersalongtheDevonianshore，stillshudderatthenameofBromleyChitterlings——theBoyAvenger，lateofHartford，Connecticut。
Ithasbeenoftenaskedbytheidlycurious，WhyAvenger，andofwhat？Letusnotseektodisclosetheawfulsecrethiddenunderthatyouthfuljacket。Enoughthattheremayhavebeenthatofbitternessinhispastlifethathe\"Whosesoulwouldsickeno’ertheheavingwave，\"
or\"whosesoulwouldheaveabovethesickeningwave，\"didnotunderstand。Onlyoneknewhim，perhapstoowell——aqueenoftheAmazons，takenprisoneroffTerradelFuegoaweekprevious。ShelovedtheBoyAvenger。Butinvain；hisyouthfulheartseemedobdurate。
\"Hearme，\"atlasthesaid，whenshehadfortheseventhtimewildlyprofferedherhandandherkingdominmarriage，\"andknowonceandforeverwhyImustdeclineyourflatteringproposal：I
loveanother。\"
Withawild，despairingcry，sheleapedintothesea，butwasinstantlyrescuedbythePirateProdigy。Yet，eveninthatsuprememoment，suchwashiscoolnessthatonhiswaytothesurfacehecapturedamermaid，and，placingherinchargeofhissteward，withdirectionstogiveherastateroom，withhotandcoldwater，calmlyresumedhisplacebytheAmazon’sside。Whenthecabindoorclosedonhisfaithfulservant，bringingchampagneandicestotheinterestingstranger，Chitterlingsresumedhisnarrativewithachokingvoice：——
\"WhenIfirstfledfromtheroofofatyrannicalparent，IlovedthebeautifulandaccomplishedElizaJ。Sniffen。HerfatherwaspresidentoftheWorkingmen’sSavingsBank，anditwasperfectlyunderstoodthatinthecourseoftimetheentiredepositswouldbehis。But，likeavainfool，Iwishedtoanticipatethefuture，andinawildmomentpersuadedMissSniffentoelopewithme；and，withtheentirecashassetsofthebank，wefledtogether。\"Hepaused，overcomewithemotion。\"Butfatedecreeditotherwise。Inmyfeverishhaste，IhadforgottentoplaceamongthestoresofmypiratecraftthatpeculiarkindofchocolatecarameltowhichElizaJanewasmostpartial。WewereobligedtoputintoNewRochelleontheseconddayout，toenableMissSniffentoprocurethatdelicacyatthenearestconfectioner’s，andmatchsomezephyrworstedsatthefirstfancyshop。Fatalmistake。Shewent——sheneverreturned！\"Inamomentheresumedinachokingvoice，\"Afteraweek’swearywaiting，Iwasobligedtoputtoseaagain，bearingabrokenheartandthebrokenbankofherfather。Ihaveneverseenhersince。\"
\"Andyoustillloveher？\"askedtheAmazonqueen，excitedly。
\"Aye，forever！\"
\"Nobleyouth。Heretaketherewardofthyfidelity，forknow，BromleyChitterlings，thatIamElizaJane。Weariedwithwaiting，IembarkedonaPeruvianguanoship——butit’salongstory，dear。\"
\"Andaltogethertoothin，\"saidtheBoyAvenger，fiercely，releasinghimselffromherencirclingarms。\"ElizaJane’sage，ayearago，wasonlythirteen，andyouareforty，ifaday。\"
\"True，\"shereturned，sadly，\"butIhavesufferedmuch，andtimepassesrapidly，andI’vegrown。Youwouldscarcelybelievethatthisismyownhair。\"
\"Iknownot，\"hereplied，ingloomyabstraction。
\"Forgivemydeceit，\"shereturned。\"Ifyouareaffiancedtoanother，letmeatleastbe——amothertoyou。\"
ThePirateProdigystarted，andtearscametohiseyes。Thescenewasaffectingintheextreme。Severaloftheoldestseamen——menwhohadgonethroughscenesofsufferingwithtearlesseyesandunblanchedcheeks——nowretiredtothespirit-roomtoconcealtheiremotion。Afewwentintocaucusintheforecastle，andreturnedwiththerequestthattheAmazonianqueenshouldhereafterbeknownasthe\"QueenofthePirates’Isle。\"
\"Mother！\"gaspedthePirateProdigy。
\"Myson！\"screamedtheAmazonianqueen。
Theyembraced。Atthesamemomentaloudflopwasheardonthequarter-deck。Itwastheforgottenmermaid，who，emergingfromherstate-roomandascendingthecompanion-wayatthatmoment，hadfaintedatthespectacle。ThePirateProdigyrushedtohersidewithabottleofsmelling-salts。
Sherecoveredslowly。\"Permitme，\"shesaid，risingwithdignity，\"toleavetheship。Iamunaccustomedtosuchconduct。\"
\"Hearme——sheismymother！\"
\"Shecertainlyisoldenoughtobe，\"repliedthemermaid；\"andtospeakofthatbeingherownhair！\"sheaddedwithascornfullaugh，assherearrangedherownluxurianttresseswithcharacteristicgrace，acomb，andasmallhand-mirror。
\"IfIcouldn’taffordanyotherclothes，Imightwearaswitch，too！\"hissedtheAmazonianqueen。\"Isupposeyoudon’tdyeitonaccountofthesaltwater。Butperhapsyouprefergreen，dear？\"
\"Alittlesaltwatermightimproveyourowncomplexion，love。\"
\"Fishwoman！\"screamedtheAmazonianqueen。
\"Bloomerite！\"shriekedthemermaid。
Inanotherinstanttheyhadseizedeachother。
\"Mutiny！Overboardwiththem！\"criedthePirateProdigy，risingtotheoccasion，andcastingasideallhumanaffectionintheperilofthemoment。
Aplankwasbroughtandtwowomenplaceduponit。
\"Afteryou，dear，\"saidthemermaid，significantly，totheAmazonianqueen；\"you’retheoldest。\"
\"Thankyou！\"saidtheAmazonianqueen，steppingback。\"Fishisalwaysservedfirst。\"
Stungbytheinsult，withawildscreamofrage，themermaidgrappledherinherarmsandleapedintothesea。
Asthewatersclosedoverthemforever，thePirateProdigysprangtohisfeet。\"Upwiththeblackflag，andbearawayforNewLondon，\"heshoutedintrumpet-liketones。\"Ha，ha！OncemoretheRoverisfree！\"
Indeeditwastootrue。Inthatfatalmomenthehadagainloosedhimselffromthetrammelsofhumanfeeling，andwasoncemoretheBoyAvenger。
CHAPTERIII
AgainImustaskmyyoungfriendstomountmyhippogriffandhiewithmetothealmostinaccessibleheightsoftheRockyMountains。
There，foryears，abandofwildanduntamablesavages，knownasthe\"PigeonFeet，\"hadresistedtheblanketsandBiblesofcivilization。Foryearsthetrailsleadingtotheircampweremarkedbythebonesofteamstersandbrokenwagons，andthetreesweredeckedwiththedryingscalplocksofwomenandchildren。Theboldestofmilitaryleadershesitatedtoattackthemintheirfortresses，andprudentlyleftthescalpingknives，rifles，powder，andshot，providedbyapaternalgovernmentfortheirwelfare，lyingonthegroundafewmilesfromtheirencampment，withtherequestthattheywerenottobeuseduntilthemilitaryhadsafelyretired。Hitherto，saveanoccasionalincursionintotheterritoryofthe\"Knock-knees，\"arivaltribe，theyhadlimitedtheirdepredationstothevicinity。
Butlatelyabalefulchangehadcomeoverthem。Actingundersomeevilinfluence，theynowpushedtheirwarfareintothewhitesettlements，carryingfireanddestructionwiththem。AgainandagainhadthegovernmentofferedthemafreepasstoWashingtonandtheprivilegeofbeingphotographed，butunderthesameevilguidancetheyrefused。Therewasasingularmysteryintheirmodeofaggression。School-houseswerealwaysburned，theschoolmasterstakenintocaptivity，andneveragainheardfrom。ApalacecarontheUnionPacificRailway，containinganexcursionpartyofteachersenroutetoSanFrancisco，wassurrounded，itsinmatescaptured，and——theirvacanciesintheschoolcatalogueneveragainfilled。EvenaBoardofEducationalExaminers，proceedingtoCheyenne，weretakenprisoners，andobligedtoanswerquestionstheythemselveshadproposed，amidsthorribletortures。Bydegreestheseatrocitiesweretracedtothemaligninfluenceofanewchiefofthetribe。Asyetlittlewasknownofhimbutthroughhisbalefulappellations，\"YoungManwhoGoesforhisTeacher，\"and\"HeLiftstheHairoftheSchoolMarm。\"Hewassaidtobesmallandexceedinglyyouthfulinappearance。Indeed，hisearlierappellative，\"HeWipeshisNoseonhisSleeve，\"wassaidtohavebeengiventohimtoindicatehisstillboy-likehabits。
Itwasnightintheencampmentandamongthelodgesofthe\"PigeonToes。\"Duskymaidensflittedinandoutamongthecamp-fireslikebrownmoths，cookingthetoothsomebuffalohump，fryingthefragrantbear’smeat，andstewingtheesculentbeanforthebraves。
Forafewfavoredonesspittedgrasshopperswerereservedasararedelicacy，althoughtheproudSpartansouloftheirchiefscornedallsuchluxuries。
Hewasseatedaloneinhiswigwam，attendedonlybythegentleMushymush，fairestofthe\"PigeonFeet\"maidens。Nowherewerethecharacteristicsofhergreattribemoreplainlyshownthaninthelittlefeetthatlappedovereachotherinwalking。Asingleglanceatthechiefwassufficienttoshowthetruthofthewildrumorsrespectinghisyouth。Hewasscarcelytwelve，ofproudandloftybearing，andcladcompletelyinwrappingsofvarious-coloredscallopedcloths，whichgavehimtheappearanceofasomewhatextra-sizedpen-wiper。Anenormouseagle’sfeather，tornfromthewingofabaldeaglewhoonceattemptedtocarryhimaway，completedhisattire。Itwasalsothemementoofoneofhismostsuperhumanfeatsofcourage。Hewouldundoubtedlyhavescalpedtheeaglebutthatnaturehadanticipatedhim。
\"WhyistheGreatChiefsad？\"askedMushymush，softly。\"Doeshissoulstillyearnforthebloodofthepale-facedteachers？DidnotthescalpingoftwoprofessorsofgeologyintheYaleexploringpartysatisfyhiswarrior’sheartyesterday？HasheforgottenthatHaydenandClarenceKingarestilltofollow？ShallhisownMushymushbringhimabotanistto-morrow？Speak，forthesilenceofmybrotherliesonmyheartlikethesnowonthemountain，andcheckstheflowofmyspeech。\"
StilltheproudBoyChiefsatsilent。Suddenlyhesaid：\"Hist！\"
androsetohisfeet。Takingalongriflefromthegroundheadjusteditssight。Exactlysevenmilesawayontheslopeofthemountainthefigureofamanwasseenwalking。TheBoyChiefraisedtherifletohisunerringeyeandfired。Themanfell。
Ascoutwasdispatchedtoscalpandsearchthebody。Hepresentlyreturned。
\"Whowasthepaleface？\"eagerlyaskedthechief。
\"Alifeinsuranceagent。\"
Adarkscowlsettledonthefaceofthechief。
\"Ithoughtitwasabook-peddler。\"
\"Whyismybrother’sheartsoreagainstthebook-peddler？\"askedMushymush。
\"Because，\"saidtheBoyChief，fiercely，\"Iamagainwithoutmyregulardimenovel，andIthoughthemighthaveoneinhispack。
Hearme，Mushymush；theUnitedStatesmailsnolongerbringmemy’YoungAmerica，’ormy’Boys’andGirls’Weekly。’Ifinditimpossible，evenwithmyfastestscouts，tokeepupwiththerearofGeneralHoward，andreplenishmyliteraturefromthesutler’swagon。Withoutadimenovelora’YoungAmerica，’howamItokeepupthisInjinbusiness？\"
Mushymushremainedinmeditationasinglemoment。Thenshelookedupproudly。
\"Mybrotherhasspoken。Itiswell。Heshallhavehisdimenovel。
Heshallknowwhatkindofahair-pinhissisterMushymushis。\"
Andshearoseandgamboledlightlyasthefawnoutofhispresence。
Intwohoursshereturned。Inonehandsheheldthreesmallflaxenscalps，intheother\"TheBoyMarauder，\"completeinonevolume，pricetencents。
\"Threepale-facedchildren，\"shegasped，\"werereadingitinthetailendofanemigrantwagon。Icreptuptothemsoftly。Theirparentsarestillunawareoftheaccident，\"andshesankhelplessathisfeet。
\"Noblegirl！\"saidtheBoyChief，gazingproudlyonherprostrateform；\"andthesearethepeoplethatamilitarydespotismexpectstosubdue！\"
CHAPTERIV
Butthecaptureofseveralwagon-loadsofcommissarywhisky，andthedestructionoftwotonsofstationeryintendedforthegeneralcommanding，whichinterferedwithhisregularcorrespondencewiththeWarDepartment，atlastawakenedtheUnitedStatesmilitaryauthoritiestoactiveexertion。Aquantityoftroopsweremassedbeforethe\"PigeonFeet\"encampment，andanattackwashourlyimminent。
\"Shineyourboots，sir？\"
Itwasthevoiceofayouthinhumbleattire，standingbeforetheflapofthecommandinggeneral’stent。
TheGeneralraisedhisheadfromhiscorrespondence。
\"Ah，\"hesaid，lookingdownonthehumbleboy，\"Isee；Ishallwritethattheappliancesofcivilizationmovesteadilyforwardwiththearmy。Yes，\"headded，\"youmayshinemymilitaryboots。
Youunderstand，however，thattogetyourpayyoumustfirst——\"
\"Makearequisitiononthecommissary-general，haveitcertifiedtobythequartermaster，countersignedbythepost-adjutant，andsubmittedbyyoutotheWarDepartment——\"
\"Andchargedasstationery，\"addedtheGeneral，gently。\"Youare，Isee，anintelligentandthoughtfulboy。Itrustyouneitherusewhisky，tobacco，norareeverprofane？\"
\"Ipromisedmysaintedmother——\"
\"Enough！Goonwithyourblacking；Ihavetoleadtheattackonthe’PigeonFeet’ateightprecisely。Itisnowhalf-pastseven，\"
saidtheGeneral，consultingalargekitchenclockthatstoodinthecornerofhistent。
Thelittleboot-blacklookedup；theGeneralwasabsorbedinhiscorrespondence。Theboot-blackdrewatinputtyblowerfromhispocket，tookunerringaim，andnailedinasingleshottheminutehandtothedial。Goingonwithhisblacking，yetstoppingeverandanontoglanceovertheGeneral’splanofcampaign，spreadonthetablebeforehim，hewasatlastinterruptedbytheentranceofanofficer。
\"Everythingisreadyfortheattack，General。Itisnoweighto’clock。\"
\"Impossible！Itisonlyhalf-pastseven。\"
\"Butmywatchandthewatchesofyourstaff——\"
\"Areregulatedbymykitchenclock，thathasbeeninmyfamilyforyears。Enough！Itisonlyhalf-pastseven。\"
Theofficerretired；theboot-blackhadfinishedoneboot。Anotherofficerappeared。
\"Insteadofattackingtheenemy，General，weareattackedourselves。Ourpicketsarealreadydrivenin。\"
\"Militarypicketsshouldnotdifferfromotherpickets，\"
interruptedtheboot-black，modestly。\"Tostandfirmlytheyshouldbewelldrivenin。\"
\"Ha！thereissomethinginthat，\"saidtheGeneral，thoughtfully。
\"Butwhoareyou，whospeakthus？\"
Risingtohisfullheight，theboot-blackthrewoffhisouterrags，andrevealedthefigureoftheBoyChiefofthe\"PigeonFeet。\"
\"Treason！\"shriekedtheGeneral；\"orderanadvancealongthewholeline。\"
Butinvain。ThenextmomenthefellbeneaththetomahawkoftheBoyChief，andwithinthenextquarterofanhourtheUnitedStatesArmywasdispersed。ThusendedthebattleofBoot-blackCreek。