The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-29

ions of the horde that occupied it were
confirmed. On the side opposite the door
were two long hunks or shelves we'll sup.
piled with Buffalo robes. In the centre
of the room was long, roughly hewed
table, and around the room great bund.
les furs, with here and there rife.
All plainly showed that the ostensible
occupation of the gang was hunting and
trapping.
'Whar do you hold out, stranger, when
you are to hum g asked the first have
described.
SIN Illinois,
"Illinoy. Let me see-that am Nor
Their State, amt it!'' squealed the old
man.
1T am,'' I replied, unable to restarin
my mimic powers.
"What trail do you foller 2 inquired
the old man, gazing very intently under
mis- long, gray eyelashes.
81 am a telegraph operator. if you de-
sire to know my profession, was my reply.
can operator eagerly inquired one
whom the gang called Ned.
eyes,
At this juncture the old man invited
US up to eat, and the gang assembled
around the log table. The old man with
long knife, divided huge piece Of buff
falo meat, and distributed it, with some
bareback, to the gang, who ate like vet
Grams Shortly atterward the old man
brought on some tin cups, then going
to the corner filled from the cask long
ottle. On returning to the table he
poured into each cup some of the liquor
The young man whom the gang called
Ned drank his portion off, and turned his
cup upside down, he commenced with his
fingers to beat upon it piano-like. It did
not attract my attention until the old
man cried out.
! "What in Jerusalem arc you doing
with that thumping?''
Il am trying to get an old tune back
into my memory. If I could would
! sing it to you" replied Ned.
| then gave strict attention, and was
surprised to hear him measure off those
familiar sounds click, cleck, cleck,
cleck, cli-c.i-clcck. In an instant it flash.
ed upon my mind that this ruffian wasan
operator. [ turned toward him-our
eyes met; there was some thing in the
expression of his that seemed say, II am
your friend.''
l moved my finger as though I was
working an operators key, and slowly
spelled out, care you my friend :"
He Immediately answered, ''Yes-be'
wacc-watch me-
did watch him.
The gang arose and passed out and
soon no one remained but the old man,
| Ned and myself. While the old man was
| busy Ned resumed the conversation by
sound.
! "Where are you from, and what is
your name o. inquired the clicks on the
cup.
clicked out in return:
| ''From Chicago, George -'
'Great heavens! do you not know me
George?' spoke the cup. 81 am Henry
the one that obtained for you sit
uation in Chicago
| SIS it possible! How came you here o.
| asked, with my fingers.
81 went into the army the same time
you did, deserted with number, and
with our horses, started for California
We lost orr way, our horses died and
not having the means of travelling, we To-
Gated with this old trapper. Since have
been here my comrades have turned into
a band Of cut.throats. You are in dan
ger. Your horse is worth nvre than a
dozen human lives. Follow my advice
and you are safe.'
Il wil.''
My comrades are suspicious Of me. I
have tried to escape three times, and
they have overtaken me and dragged me
back, fearing that would betray their
whereabouts. Your party cannot be far
from here. AS soon as the men come
back say that you wish to see your horse
before you retire. Go out, mount him,
travel the back path. The moon is now
coming up. and you will be able to see
your road. Keep out Of the forest on the
right, and ascend the hill on the left,
about two miles distant. In the morning
if your party are on this side Of the river.
you can see them if they are within ten
miles. If you find them: bring them
here, and let me escape from these MUIR
derers.
This Ned clicked out on his cup aud
with motions Of his fingers as rapidly as
thong h he was talking.
Soon the men returned. and when the
last one entered I asked him if they had
seen my horse, and the reply was that he
was not at the door.
! Il will see it he is safe before I turn
in, as | wish to start early in the
morning.
They all volunteered to accompany me.
but | positively refused to permit them.
On arriving outside, started in pursuit
of Hero. After getting some distance
from the house, | placed my mouth to
the ground, and gave long low whistle
that Hero was acquainted with. In a