“No, sir! Oh, no; it is the spirit of a woman dressed in white; she haunts it day and night, and when the moon is bright she sings wild songs----” “Go on with your story,” he urged; “tell me all you know about the haunted valley.” “What shall I tell you, sir?” innocently asked Pearl. “When was this spirit first seen?” “Five years ago, ever since the paleface’s grave was in the valley, the spirit has been seen at times; but no warrior dare go near the valley, and those who were bold enough to go where the specter dwells have never returned.” “Do you know anything about the grave in the valley?” “No, sir; the Indians say a man was slain there by the spirit, for the grave lies just at the entrance of the haunted valley; but my father thinks that two paleface hunters came into the hills after gold, and one killed the other and buried him there.” “I thank you, Pearl, for the warning you have given me about the haunted valley; but I am going to the Ramsey settlement, and it will save me many a mile to go through the glen, and I will risk seeing the spirit. Remember, to-morrow night I will meet you, and you had better not mention that you know anything of the death of Bad Burke here.” “No, sir, I will not speak of it,” she promised; “but please do not go through the haunted valley.” “Have no fear; good-by!” So saying, the scout turned and walked to his horse, which was hidden not far away, and then rode down the glen, while Pearl, delighted at having warned him of danger, yet dreading to have him risk his life in the spirit valley, walked with rapid steps back to her cabin, determined to discover the plans of her wicked father to bring ruin and death upon the palefaces who had invaded the Black Hills. CHAPTER XXXI. BAD BURKE’S TREACHERY. Let us again go back a little. When Kansas King rode out from his camp toward the hills, he was accompanied by his lieutenant, Bad Burke, and others of his men. The sun was nearing the western skies when they halted in a gulch. “Well, Burke,” said Kansas King, “I have discovered with my glass the home of the old hermit chief, and I will go up the gorge alone and endeavor to speak with him. A girl has just left the cabin and is coming down this way, so I will head her off.” “She is the girl they call the Pearl of the Hills, and is the daughter of the old hermit. She can show her claws, so the Injuns tell me who have been in this country,” said Bad Burke. “I will have to clip her claws for her, then. You follow slowly on, and be ready to support me if you hear me call,” and Kansas King tapped lightly on a small silver bugle hanging to his belt. “I’ll be on hand when you need me,” answered Bad Burke, and Kansas King mounted his horse and rode on alone, leaving his companions in the gorge. Hardly had he been gone ten minutes when Bad Burke said bluntly: