s a man also deserving gratitude. A brave young man, we all
believed dead--murdered. He is still alive, let us hope so. Simeon
Woodley has told us of the danger he is now in--death if he fall into
the hands of these desperate outlaws. Friends, and fellow citizens! I
need not appeal to you on behalf of this noble youth. I know you are
all of one mind with myself, that come what will, cost what it may,
Charles Clancy must be saved."

The enthusiastic shout, sent up in response to the old soldier's speech,
tells that the pursuit will be at least energetic and earnest.

Helen Armstrong, standing retired, looks more hopeful now. And with her
hope is mingled pride, at the popularity of him to whom she has given
heart, and promised hand. Something more to make her happy; she now
knows that, in the bestowing of both, she will have the approval of her
father.

CHAPTER EIGHTY FIVE.

A CHANGE OF PROGRAMME.

On the far frontier of Texas, still unsettled by civilised man, no
chanticleer gives note of the dawn. Instead, the _meleagris_ salutes
the sunrise with a cry equally high-toned, and quite as home-like. For
the gobbling of the wild turkey-cock is scarcely distinguishable from
that of his domesticated brother of the farm-yard.

A gang of these great birds has roosted in the pecan grove, close to
where the prairie pirates are encamped. At daylight's approach, they
fly up to the tops of the trees; the males, as is their wont in the
spring months of the year, mutually sounding their sonorous challenge.

It awakes the robbers from the slumber succeeding their drunken debauch;
their chief first of any.

Coming forth from his tent, he calls upon the others to get up--ordering
several horses to be saddled. He designs despatching a party to the
upper plain, in search of Quantrell and Bosley, not yet come to camp.

He wants another word with the mulatto; and steps towards the tent,
where he supposes the man to be.

At its entrance he sees blood--inside a dead body!

His cry, less of sorrow than anger, brings his followers around. One
after another peering into the tent, they see what is there. There is
no question about how the thing occurred. It is clear to all. Their
prisoner has killed his guard; as they say, assassinated him. Has the
assassin escaped?

They scatter in search of him, by twos and threes, rushing from tent to
tent. Some proceed to the corral, there to see that the bars are down,
and