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

parties had reached the spot where the
cool waters gushed up from the earth. and
spark!ed pleasantly in the morning sun.
CHAPTER MI.
THE SCOUT AND INNS MAcKEE-soNETHIN
BREAKS
BALLARD after parting with Kenton
and Norwood struck out into the forest in
a south eastern direction, leaving the Ken
lucky riter little to the left. The scout
was in Ill humor, for he was fully perSua
ded in his own mind that Allen was per
son to disarrange and foil the most skilfully
devised plans that experienced woodcraft
could contriye for the rescue of the maid
en-.
He's a green hand he muttered to
himself He's a stumblin' block in my
way. | don't want to be in such com
pany; l want men who have walked up
and down this great country as | have,
when there was painted cretur behind
evry bush, and no man could safely say
his life was his own for the next three sec
onds He wont never go back to Boons-
borough with a whole skin; somethin' in
the course of natur will materially break
Having arrived at this sage, and to him
self-evident conclusion, the scout paused
TO deliberate upon the object of his pres
ent mission, and the way and means most
likely to ensure success. In short time
he moved on again with more assured
step, having no doubt decided upon some
course Of action He traversed beautiful
woodlands, lying in uniform and graceful
swells where the wild grapevine mounted
gigantic trees, and where innumerable
flowers breathed their perfume to the
balmy air.
He heard the hum of busy bees luxuri-
atiug among countless petals redolent
with sweetness, and the cheerful songs of
a great multitude of birds The agreea-
bic aspect Of all he saw, and the harmony
of all he heard, chased away the morose-
ness of the scout Born as he had been
in new country, and passing the larger
portion of his life beneath the open heav-
ems he had become in his simple way
devoted lover of nature Ill-humor gave
place to tranquil enjoyment. and he moved
along in happier aud better frame of
mind
He now left the rolling lends, and en-
tered a rougher region which stretched
away to the base Of some high hills 1t
was near the hour of sunset when Ballard
reached the hills; and the great and benef-
icent dispenser of light aud heat was
darting his departing rays upon their
wood-crowned SUBMITS. The forester was
thirsty, and looked about for water
Hearing the mnrmur of rivulet, he ad-
vauced in that direction and discovered
small stream gushing from the hills.
Thinking to find cooler and more re
freshing waters nearer the source Of the
spring, he followed the streamlet He
soon perceived that it flowed from one of
the highest of the range of hills, the sides
Of which we're nearly perpendicular. AS
the scout threw himself down to drink, he
observed that the ground about the spot
seemed considerably trodden. He in
stantly examined this appearance more
particularly, and was convinced that hui
man feet had recently pressed the yield
ing soil; and not merely On one or two oc-
casions, but so often that tOlera bly, we'll
defined path was discernible Having
satisfied his thirst, Ballard discovered
that the water gushed from an open space
in the hillside, few steps beyond, and
the spot was overgrown with grape-vines
in that direction and was lost.
The scout approached the place, and
pulling away the vines, perceived much to
his surprise, the mouth of a small cave
Having gazed into the dark and forbid
ding aperture until his eyes bad become
in some measure accustomed to the dark
ness, he entered the sUbterranean abode
for it was quite certain that it was now
inhabited, or had recently been. He
groped his way alohg until he reached a
place where he could stand erect He
was strainiIe his powers of vision to the
utmost, in order to see what was still be-
yon2 him, when he was prossrated By a
heavy blow upon his head.
Before the scout had fairly recovered
his sense. his hands and feet were secure
ly bound
Come in said a gruff voice. 1--we got
him where he can't do no mischief Come
in and kindle FIRE, and let US see who
we've caught
Ballard turned his eyes towards the
mouth of the cave. and saw two females
glide in. They passed the spot where he
was living, and one of them lighted pile
of fagots, that had been previously pre-
pared. and heaped against large rock
(which formed the entire side and roof of
the cave) with a cleft at the top which
allowed the smoke to pass out
The flames soon leaped up cheerfully