The boyish face wore a lovely, yet fearless expression. His hands were as small, smooth and shapely as a maiden’s, yet, like his face, they had become colored to a dusky brown by exposure to the hot sun and wind of the prairie. In addition to the handsome rifle which he carried slung over his shoulder by means of a strap, and the handsome silver-mounted revolvers he wore in his belt, he carried a light saber in a polished scabbard at his side. He was mounted upon a dark, mettlesome pony--a cross of the Mexican and mustang breed. A fine Mexican saddle and a bridle made of braided horse-hair, caparisoned the animal. On one side of the pommel of the saddle hung a coiled silver horn; on the other side a double-lensed spy-glass. With the latter, the young ranger ever and anon swept the great plain before him as though he were not satisfied with the sight of his own bright, flashing eyes. Rollo, the Boy Ranger, for as such he was known, pushed rapidly on, and soon he had gained a bold eminence upon the plain. Here, amid the tall, luxurious grass that crowned its crest, he drew rein and gazed away toward the west, where a grand sight was spread out before him. The Little Sioux river divided the landscape, and with its almost illimitable forest upon the west, and its undulating ocean verdure upon the east, it seemed but a silver thread winding through a field of green cloth. And down in the valley, upon the east side of the river, nestled a dozen or more log cabins, a block-house, all surrounded by a strong stockade that had withstood more than one siege of the savage denizens of the forest and plain. Outside of this settlement, which was known as Clontarf’s Post, were a number of small fields of growing wheat and corn; while beyond the fields a herd of cattle in the care of two boys was grazing upon the prairie. Every thing, in fact, surrounding the post wore an air of the thrift, industry and enterprise of its settlers. Upon Clontarf’s Post, Rollo the ranger fixed his gaze, as though something of uncommon interest depended upon the sight. With the exception of a few children at play in front of the cabin doors, the young ranger could see no life in the settlement. To obtain a better view of the place, he took his spy-glass and brought it to bear upon the settlement. A smile of satisfaction overspread his fair young face as he did so. Within one of the largest cabins whose door stood open, he saw a number of persons collected. “They are all there,” he said, aloud. “The trial is still in session, and I fear it will go hard with poor Dick Sherwood. The settlers are very strict, and if they prove the facts under which Dick was captured, he is bound to hang--Ah! I am not a minute too soon!” The last remarks were occasioned by seeing a number of men issue from the cabin into the yard. A general excitement seemed to prevail in their midst. Bringing his glass to his eyes, the young ranger soon learned the cause of the settlers’ commotion.