The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-10-02
CHAPTER X
IUKES LONG TRAIL

When old Luke saw the two mysterious
friends pass up the rope ladder he listened
eagerly for sounds from the top of the
canyon wall, but heard nothing; the rope
still hung over the perpendicular descent.
Il wonder, now, eff they hev gone and
when they calculate to return"
He listened a moment longer; then, grasp
ing the lower end of the swaying ladder,
ran up it nimbly as a cat.
Before he reached the top he paused and
listened intently.
Then quickly continued and scrambled
| over upon the broad trail down to the earth
under the shadowy darkness of a friendly
sage bush
Waiting only long enough to feel sure no
one was near guarding the rope ladder, he
took up the trail and followed it around
toward the base of the mountain.
He had proceeded only about a quarter
of a mile when he was gratified to perceive
he had not missed his game, for Running
Deer was leaning against small pine tree,
but alone,
To pass him was impossible, and Luke
| sank down to the ground to watch and
wait.
An hour passed, still the Indian stood
like a statue; another hour, and around
large boWlder the girl reappeared.
Running Deer then turned and accom-
panied her down the mountain trail, until
they came to o lovely valley in a ravIne
| where pony was tethered.
The woman's saddle on the pony's back
caused old Luke to exclaim, soto Uoce:
Nary squaw that. Some white lass rig
ged up; but, land o Goshen, how'd she
| learn the Indian tongue?"
| He crept as near as possible, and endeav-
ored to overhear their conversation, but
only few words reached him.
"Good- by, said the girl; Il must depart.
You will meet me as you promised, and
| bring me news Of"
yes, Starlight, Running Deer will
come to Silver Lake when he has discoY-
cred all you wish"
Then the girl sprang lightly upon the
back of the pony, and turned its head to-
! ward the foot of the rayine.
Luke paused moment to decide which
he should follow
The Indians simply in love. It's the
| gals head what's plannin' somethin. She's
the one in league with Black Jack, and
she's the one I'd best keep an eye on. I'll
| look after Running Deer some other time. !"
| The pony the girl rode was a sturdy,
sure footed little fellow, and galloped over
| the rocky ravine with unusual speed.
Luke managed to keep at a pretty good
|
| doubt but he could track the mysterious
girl to her home or friends, whether they
were Indians or bandits.
Curious, now thought Luke, "who twas
| drapped that ladder over the canyon, and
then disappeared. Must he'd some friend
| or friends in waitin'- / reckon nobody did
| see me shin up itt And Luke glanced be-
hind him.
The moon was slowly creeping up, and a
recent rain had left the ground exceedingly
moist. He knew it was impossible to con
ceal his trail.
Hi, what do you want?"
Luke stopped suddenly as be exclaimed
| that, for rising out of the ground was a
stalwart Indian.
Ugh! white Man killer, stop. Rattle
snake speaks"
"Oh, so itsy you, is it, Rattesnake? What do
! you WANT" questioned Luke, grasping his
knife, for he knew well the treacherous
| half breed he had to deal with. The pre-
| tended friend of the whites, whom he had
always suspected of acting part and lead
/ ing innocent persons into danger and death
What, for Man killer to follow Star
Iight?7
"Who the deuce is Starlight? and how do
| you know | am following her?"
Me know. Me dropped ladder when
| Starlight signal. Me find somebody had
climbed it. Me follow. See Man killer
after Starlight. Rattlesnake order Man
| killer to so back or die. Better die"
yes, one of us must die. You hev long
| fooled with US, and pretended to be our
! friend. III fight ii out"
| The Indian half breed lifted his huge
i knife, but old Luke was too quick for him,
| and buried his own in his naked breast.
! The red yarmint brought it on himself
| ties been sneakIng about the towns and
/ forts long enough an helpin' innocent
/ parties into the hands o the red skins: and
| by known so much about this here gal
| looks like ne has been helpin' old Black
| Jack too. He'll keep out O. Lukes way
| alter this | reckon"
! And the scout hurried away from the spot
where the half-breed had fallen, continu-
| ing on the trail of the girl
| Mile after mile he tramped over. Ont
/ from the mountains back toward the east
| with its rolling prairie.
The dawn was breaking. rosy grew the
{ eastern horizon, but Luke. unwearied, still
followed the plain trail of the girl and her
pony.
/ Far in the eastward a faint blue smoke
! cUrled and wreathed.
| All she's reached her friends Mt last.
wonder eft they be Indians or white rene
/ grades.
To make his way over that broad prairie
In the glare of the morning sun was a
rather dangerous undertaking But eating
a lew crackers and slice of dry veniso9
he carried, Luke patiently continued his
/ way. MS
! He had reached near enough the cprl;r,
smoke to perceive it issued from small
/ thlcket on the bank of a river. and he also
discovered, by the aid of his small bpt
powerful field glass, number of ponies
grazing near, among which was The one
ridden by the girl.
Indians! blast EN-. muttered LIKE
sinking down in a Sigh. depression of the
ground, where, covered 3 : the long. dry
grass, he waited anxiously for the party to
move on.
They seemed to be in no hurry about If
One OF two squaws busted themselves with