“How is it you are thus far from your camp, and alone?” “I came out with my father and brother for a ride. They discovered traces of Indians near the fort, and rode on to investigate, telling me to return, for I was not half a mile away. I lost my road, and only just now discovered that my way back lay through this gulch.” Again she urged her horse forward, yet the chief held him firmly in his strong grasp. “Mr. Randolph, will you release my bridle rein?” said Ruth, in a firm voice. “Miss Ramsey, I will not--hold! Hear me, and heed--you are in my power, and I am a desperate man. Go with me willingly; become my wife, and I will relinquish my evil life and live for you alone; refuse, and----” “You plead in vain, Mr. Randolph; your evil life has already put out every spark of regard I ever felt for you. Again I ask you to release my rein.” “And again I say I will not. More--if you will not be a willing bride, you shall be an unwilling one.” “God have mercy upon me!” groaned poor Ruth as she reeled as if about to fall from her saddle. CHAPTER XXXV. THE ANSWERED CRY. The moonlight that fell weirdly upon the Haunted Valley, and lighted up the sad scene enacted there, also cast its silvery radiance upon the mountain hut of the hermit chief. Pacing to and fro in the moonlight, with quick, nervous tread, was Gray Chief, his brow dark, and his lips set stern and hard. A few moments before White Slayer and his chiefs had left a council which had determined a deadly extermination of every paleface in the Black Hills. Gray Chief had been pleased with the decision of White Slayer, for to him all white men were enemies, and he desired that not only should the miners perish, but also the outlaws. In that council it had been decided that they should seem to agree to Kansas King’s arrangement for an alliance, and by so doing disarm suspicion, and get him and his men in their power. After that the Sioux warriors were to fall upon them and not a man should escape--no, not one, swore the hermit chief. Having thus disposed of their would-be allies, it was believed that the Indians could arm themselves with the weapons taken from the outlaws, and then make war upon the two camps of the invaders. The old hermit chuckled gleefully as he thought over his plans, and saw how eagerly the Indians had agreed to them. Yet, had he known, within the cabin window stood one who had heard every arrangement made, and after learning all she could, arose from her crouching attitude and stole away. If the hermit had known this, he would not have walked the ledge in the moonlight, gloating over his diabolical invention to rid the Black Hills of every paleface who had invaded their unknown fastnesses.