Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-06-14
The AVENGER.
A Tale Of the Woods OF Maine.
BY CHARLES 4. ISLEY.
CHAP. v.

CHAP. V.
Aroused suddenly from deep sleep,
the bewildered savages made stimuli
taneous rush towards the canoes, two
of which were hastily launched upon the
lake, filled with the half startled and
but half awakened party. Taking adj
vantage of the momentary confusion,
with his gaunt form bent nearly to the
earth, the old man. followed by his dog,
glided into the clump of bushes where
he had left his rifle. Grasping his trusty
weapon, he plunged into the neighbor-
ing forest-with rapid strides burying
himself each moment deeper within its
intricate mazes. He knew there was no
time to be lost, and that all his cunning
would be required TO eXtricate him from
the peril which surrounded him. After
the first alarm had subsidized he was
perfectly aware the foe would not lose
moment in dogging his footsteps.
He was right-for after the momen-
tary confusion was over, and perceiving
no other demonstrations of an attack,
the canoes were padded to the landing,
the savages leaped on shore and imme-
diately made preparations for offensive
operations. The discovery of their fallen
companions excited them to the highest
pitch of revenge and called forth
fierce howl of rage, which, reaching the
ears of the scout, added wings to his
flight. His first object was to put as
great a distance between himself and
the foe Us possible, hoping to escape
them by superior speed, not doubling
they would follow his track, urged on
by hatred and revenge.
With incredible rapidity he threaded
his way through the thick woods, every
little while changing the direction of
his route in the hope of throwing his
pursuers off his trail. Occasionally he
would cast an upward glance through
the opening foliage. 10 his regret he
perceived the clouds which yelled the
moon were rolling towards the east, and
ere long her light would be entirely un-
obscured. In darkness he trusted in a
great measure for his safety. and so long
as the moon remained eclipsed he cher
ished the assurance that his trail would
remain undiscovered, and even his light
he hoped, would not be sufficient to re-
veal it. Give him the hour or two until
daylight and he had no apprehension
for his safety. Worst come to worst,
we cannot say that the scout would
have experienced much alarm, for he
had often been thrown into equally dam
gerous positions, in which his cunning
and skill had alone proved his salvation.
As to fear, that was feeling which
never troubled his breast.
The hopes that his trail would not be
discovered were soon dissipated, how
ever, for family echoing through the
forest furious yell swelled upon the
night air. which the old man well knew
was one of triumph. The foe were on
his track!
'rhe varmints have sharp eyes for
sartain" he muttered to himself, as
presently second and more distinct
peal of triumph broke stiffness of the
forest. An angry growl from the mas
tiff followed.
You're right, pup!' said the scout
springing to his feet and composedly
patting his companion-''the varmints
are swift on the foot, and are higher
than I'd ar idee of Nothiug's left but
TO play 'possum with EN-"
do YOU hear 'em, Brave-the rep
tyles are arter us! But it will be pesky
hard il we can't sarcumvent 'em with
this start and in the dark. Wal, faint
much use to be hurried now, as knows,
he added, Stacking his they will
want nose like your'n, pup, to follow
us in all our twistings. There's sense,
now, that dumb crittur's got, which
God has gin to no mortal, although /
sometimes consate these 'tarnal red
skins have it, they follow one up so in
the night!'
A whine from the dog interrupted the
muttered soliloquy of his master. TIE
scout stopped and threw himself al
length on the ground, with the ear just
raised from the earth.
He had Just entered more than
usually heavy growth of woodbridge
trees, whose interlacing branches form
d dense roof of leaves overhead
After proceeding some distance, he re
traced his steps with the greatest care
and selecting q low limbed oak he placed
his rifle in the branches, and graspinl
limb within his reach, swung himself
into the tree. With the ease and agilit,
of q youthful nut-gatherer he passed
from tree to tree-striking off to tn,
left. He worked his way along in thi
manner for number of rods, until h
reached broad shallow stream. Let
ting himself down from bis airy percl
into the center of this rivulet, he CAV
low signal, which in few minute
brought the faithful Brave to his side
The two then commenced following u
the rocky channel of the stream t.
wards the lake for perhaps an eighth {
mile, when the scout again struck IN
to the woods in direction which lie