The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-12-01


H mn D'you sIlppose that, if Gaia
mount Bill could STAY right in the Black
foot Indian village a month and they
not know it, we can't hide on Wolf
Island? What kind of scout are you,
any how? You never mind. We, We
got 1t all fixed up. Fepishow 'em what
just then tall man, with comieal,
laughing eyes, stole softly down the
ladder, where he had been standing,
said.
'.Stragetyr' he repeated TO himself,
with curious smile. !. 'Stragetyl
nat pretty good for a twelve-year-old
BOY but l will show him the difference
between 'Stragety' and strategy"
During the next few days there were
some very mysterious consultations be-
tween the boys of eThe Expedition, as
they termed it, who managed to come
together in cornfield several times.
| II.
One moonlight night, soon afterward,
Ben and Charley Ma,SG. stole softly
away from their faths< =, and hur-
ried down the road = pseTiver.
They had gone two RMs when they
came to the first patch Of timber.
Halt! Who comes thereg' rang
voice in the bush before them.
They had expected to hear the voice
at this place; yet If startled them and
they stopped instantly.
.;Who comes there?" repeated the
voice, and they heard the sharp click of
a gunlock.
bush. it's u.s. Don't shootr' cried
I r,r,fo1-lx-
..Who comes there, then?'' demanded
Bush.
The Invisible bog Catamount of the
Crags,n acclaimed Ben.
'.And who is with you?"
The Hyena of the Plains" answered
Charley.
Now. who are you that dares to
challenge us?'' exclaimed Ben, fiercelv.
snapping'his empty pePper-box revolver
at the sentinel.
The Crockerdile of the Mountings,''
answered Bush. whose education had
been very much neglected.
"All rightr' ..All rightr' and the
three boys sat down to await reinforce
ments
"Shr' breathed Charley. .'Some one
is coming
N1LNluOAAtlN Dtl JllN ear 10 the
ground after themanner of Catamount
Bill, when listening for savages.
'.White menr' he whispered. mvsteri-
ously. Il can hear their toes turned out.
Indians always walk with their toes
"Haltt'' commanded Bush. ..who
comes there?''
The Cabot of the Amazon" replied
Arehy Jones, who supposed he had
chosen the name of some dangerous
South American animal
Halt Who comes there?n again
commanded Bush.
1.-The Capricorn of the Arctic Zone
piped little Lem Burton. his bic, wonder
ing eyes and delicate white face, framed
with yellow, waving hair, seeming to ap-
pear from the darkness before his BODY
was visible.
The Catamount, the Hzafz the Croco- |
die, the Cabot and .IApricorn all 4
being present., the "a eVas com
plete and proceeti~ay big t
woods to the riye-~$y
The country was Il Wolves and
wildcats in those DAYS. aN&as the bows
walked stealthily along. they more than
once thought they saw fiery ewes in the
shadows of the giant trees, and, although
they did not acknowledge it, were very
glad when they reached the river.
Bush had already seereteda canoe bv
The river bank. and they were soon oa
V If Island, the theme of their past con-
situations and the scene of their future
adventures.
Wolf Island contained about ten acres.
vas covered with enormous willow, cot
cn-wOod and sycamore trees, between
which. in many places, hung great grape
ines; forming a network of as roman
lie and mysterious hiding places as even
IN Indian could wish.
About the center of the Island, near a
teep bank, under a canopy of trees, the
,oys built fire of drift-wood, and re-
lined around it IN the most striking at
itudes they could assume.
Each one had his pantaloons in his /
,oots. his waist encircled by belt, either
# leather, rope or bark, and in each belt
vas some kind of weapon.
Catamount Ben had an old pepper-box ,
evolver. though as yet he had no am {
nunition for il. /
He was a fine, manipulating fellow.
With black eyes, brown checks and GER
ain set to his lips, which indicated that ;
e did not intend to be second in any }
His Younger brother, Charley. the
Iyena OF the Plains, was of much milder
yPe, with lighter complexion, more
lightly built, and was inclined to follow !
ather than to lead He was armed with :
wooden bowie knife, the result of much
on refractory clapboard.
The Cabot of the Amazon. Archy +,
ones, a freckled-face, hot-looking boy ;
eleven, was armed with his steel-trap. :,
The Capricorn of the Arctic Zone. lit
e Lem Burton, rejoiced IN his mothers !
way backed old butcher-knife; and,
nally. the '.Crockerdile OF the Mount
lgs," the broad-shouldered, thick {
ecked, e-jawed. small nosed and !;
ig-footed Bush ShacklefoTd, besides be- q
lg armed with a single, y r;eled shot
un. carried in his befSs iswo-cdgpd
nife. made of an old file and having !. I
Orn-cob for handle and wrinkled
oot-leg for a sheath.
1T was now after midnight, but there =
Tere no sleepy eyes around the lire,
hose eyer-changing light gave the for +
81 Ia weird ana romantic appearance. \
The moon went down, leaving an arch
darkness above and a wall of dark
eSs ABOUT them. Beyond this wall the 6
wis hooted and the waters Of the river !,
Used and swashed around the old I
lags.
They passed the night fighting mus !
aItoes and listening to Ben, as he read !; ?
The Invisible Catamount of the Crags, !
equentiy lnterrupting him, however,
ltn the wish that the Indians would
tack the island that very night. Q
Ihey had brought neither blankets L
Or provisions. Catamount Bill never
lrTied such things, being proof against u
cold and hunger; and why
louid not they be the sanleP 81
III. Il
The sun rose bright and beautiful, and
ey prepared for active operations a
ney had planned it all out. The Croco- a
lie was to take his shotgun, Smoky s.
q mainland Hill txvS - ~ -, Jaor for | r.