Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-06-30


by to give him an additional shake, if
necessary.
It's Ballard be exclaimed, when the
scouts features were revealed by the fire.
light
You should MT knock a man down
without an introduction, said the spy,
coolly.
! 80 you We tracked Inc at last added the
man.
! Il reckon I have, returned the scout,
and should like 70 track my way back
again
You've made the last tracks you'll ev-
er make ? cried the other. hercely.
! i knew something would break, an
/ swered Ballard
You've got broken head already, and
it's my opinion you'll get broken neck
before you get through with this business,
retorted the man.
Il have notion that your name is Nc
Kee the bosom friend of that villanous
piece of human natur called SilaS Girty,'
said the scout.
Draw it mild, or may make an end of
you on the spot retorted Mckee, savage
ly You've always been a spy upon our
movements, and your death has been re-
solved upon for a long time Girty and |
have been after you for many weeks
Thank ye,' said Ballard
'Girty will be here in the morning. re-
sumed Mckee
i should rather have seen him yester-
day morning. observed the scout, honest
ly
no doubt, no doubt Pr eturned Mckee,
with sinister grin.
Ballard felt but little inclination TO
continue a conversation so uninteresting,
and accordingly turned his attention to-
wards the two females One of said fe-
males, and the eldest of the two was OBJ
viously of the Indian race; while the
youngest was evidently her daughter
Both were clad in the costume of savage
life; the youngest was about eighteen
years of age, and though a half-breed, re-
markably handsome The scout watched
her movements with increasing interest;
for he fancied he read indications of pity
and sympathy in her ,ountenance; while
her dark eyes and rosy cheeks made a
deep impression on his bachelor heart.
During the preparation &C the evening
meal, he did not cease to follow her every
motion with his eyes. McKee's wife ap-
peared less lovely in the estimation of the
scout; for she manifested less compassion
for his unfortunate condition, and had
numbered twice as many years as the for
meT.
When Mckee had finished his supper
(which he ate in suIlen sience) Ballard
was removed to another portion of the
cavern. and additional means of security
made use of Having accomplished this
IL r-hs
pered few words to his wife and left the
place.
Now, thought Ballard, is my time to
devise some method of escape If Mo-
kee brings Silas Girty here, / shall GER
tanly be killed. So must see what can
be done
The scout had in his pocket bottle of
pretty good whskey--a beverage of which
the Indians are exceedingly fond-and he
resolved to try its virtues upon Mrs. Nc
Kee He instantly informed her of the
fact that bottle of strong water was de-
posted in the pocket of his hunting shirt
This information seemed to have very
cheering effect upon the twany spouse, and
sue proceeded with considerable alacrity
to take the coveted treasure from the
woodsmans pocket.
The daughter said nothing. nor indi-
Gated by word or look any interest in the
matter. She sat by the fire absorbed in
thought, and Ballard began to fear that
she had entirely forgotten that such
person as himself was in the vicinity, or
had an existence anywhere. But despite
all the indifference of the fair half breed,
he could not help feeling attracted to-
wards her
TOO pretty, too pretty he said TO him
self, 'to be in such place as this, and
surrounded by such influences
Meantime Mrs. Mckee tasted the whis-
key and liked it so well that she tasted
again, and repeated the operation with
marvellous alacrity and every sign Of en-
joyment This was just what Ballard
had anticipated; and he regarded her per-
seyering efforts to drain the bottle, with
much interest; for if she became help
lessly intoxicated, he doubted not bat he
could prevail on the daughter to assist
him to escape.
Mrs. Mckee soon grew talkative, and
offered the young woman some of the
beverage; but she refused it with strong
manifestations of repugnance. which rails
cd her greatly in the scouts estimation
would return before the whiskey had
wrought its effects; and he turned bis eyes
with painful anxiety towards the entrance
of the suDterranean abode.
Mrs McKee's utteranee grew thick,
and her conversation ineoherent; she final
ly sunk upon the earthen floor, completely
overpowered. and soon her heavy respi-
ration gave evidence that she was wholly
unconscious.
.Inuis. said the scout, for be had heard
her called BY that name, don't you think
it would look better for me to be up and
walking about than to be herer
The maiden glanced towards her moth
or. but made no reply
It's hard to die At ny Sine Of life
added Ballard.
Innis sighed and fixed her gaze upon