The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-10-16
CHAPTER XVI
LUKE STILL ON THE TRAIL


Old Luke was evidently mistaken as to
any member of the Indians having glass,
and after they had continued on their way
for some distance he arose from the
ground where he had been lying, and
took up the girls trail once more.
"She's gettin' back thar to tibet noun
tain agin. sure's l ive The critter must
he'd somethin to tell that ar party, or she
wouldn't come this way. Now, my lass,
we'll just follow you on bit an see whar
We do land"
When he reached the mountain's foot he
found her pony tethered in the same spot
from which it had been taken the night
previous.
Very weary and sleepy, old Luke sat
down under friendly bush to await her
coming, and fell soundly asleep.
He was awakened by hearing a noise upon
the mountains side, and beheld by the aid
of his powerful field glass the band of In
dians seize Jasper and drag him off a
captive and bound.
"Great Jehosophatl Now Jasper, my
lad, yer in a wus fix than ever. / must go
straight after that ar party. How in thunder
did he git clear o Black jack"
Luke paused moment to be sure that his
firearms were in apple-pie order, then,
swallowing some dried venison and biscuits,
he followed III the trail of the Indian party
I've got job on hand now as will last a
Bit" he unused, ruefully. "Howsomever,
them red varmints shall pay fur some O
their cruelty before many days. Halo!
who's this coming?"
Then he snuggled down behind a knoll
as pony came galloping toward him.
Great Jehosophat! it's the girl agin',
an all alone, too, and a-ridin' like fury.
Careless and unconscious o any danger, as
eff she we're bred on these old mountains
and plains. Not bit afeared O red skins
or road agents. l wonder now eff she
didn SET a trap fur Jasper. More an more
mystery, an more an more work for me. :"
Once again he continued his trail until
the darkness of the night prevented further
progress.
But the next morning, at peep of day, he
was continuing his way toward the Indian
country.
Il kim over T. is once afore, years ago,
me an Conner Martin, when we were lookin'
fur his little gal. Oh, what long trail we
had! But We found her at last, an stole
her away from her red captors. I myself
carried the pretty little critter to her father.
thought he'd die O. joy. Offered to pay
me fur my work, as eff / did SIGH things fur
pay. Bah! I'd sooner kill murderin'
red-skin than to be rich as old Creasus
was"
So musing, he fastened on the trail.
They're maxim fur the Indian country,
sure enough. l only hope they won't harm
Jasper until l catch up. I want to hev o
hand in the business myself"
Another day passed and another night,
two more days and nights ere Luke reached
the Indian encampment.
1t was dawn, and the village seemed IN
usually quiet.
Wonder, now, what's up? Hev the
blood thirsty var1nints finished matters fore
l got here? Poor Jasper! l did my est,
an I'll kill dozen or more eff they've shed
your blood. Pears like the place is de-
serted, cept the squaws an children. Must
hev taken the other trail back, southeast, or
I'd seen 'em.
We'll, well, what'll l do now? Pretty
lass that go n down to the spring for water.
Wonder eff she couldn't help me bit. Not
much danger TO try, anyway, as nobody S
near.
Hist, thar, beauty"
The Indian maiden paused like startled
doe.
Listen, lass, I'm a friend. l wouldn't
harm none o yer shinin' hair. Kin yer
tell me what your people did with the young
| Cattle King?"
The Indian maidens dark eyes soon
sped him out, as he stood among a clump
OF bushes leaning on his gun.
| His attitude and gentle voice disarmed
her fears.
Gone, she replied in English.
| "Gone. Where?"
Starlight set him free from the torture
fire. Sent the braves Of my people to the
| great Captain. Starlight. Running Deer.
and Cattle King flee over the mountains"
And she pointed in the direction they
had taken.
You re trump" said Luke, "an here's
| a present fur your good news an yer prittv
| face, and he tossed her a shining gold
| bracelet
! The Indian maiden's eyes sparkled.
But as she stopped TO pick it ND an In
| dian youth sprang toward her with drawn
/ tomahawk, as he exclaimed in the Indian
| dialect:
/ Traitor! talking to enemies; you must
The girl covered in terror before him
Tor she recognized one of her deadliest
enemies, and saw murder in his ewes.
Take that, said Luke, coollv, sending
q bullet through his brain, before the up
raised tomahawk could descend.
The indian spy fell without murmur al
the girls feet, but the sound Of the rife
had aroused the village.
Hide yer trinket, my lass, an don't be
afeared; they'll none o them blame you.n
And Luke was gone.
But Wenona trembled when they came
crowding around her demanding the caust,
of the shot, and bewailing its fatal ternipa-
ton.
I've came to the spring for water; some
enemy lurked near, as you see. | do no,
know who II was
The Indian maiden's terror was so annar-
ent that the majority believed her.