New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-11-14
/" Wah-te-to.v
The PEARL OF THE MINNESOTA.
Chapter I.
Continued. J

Mart, who had come through this
very region several seasons before, and
who still recollected the sheltering pla-
ces in the bottoms, was anxious to bring
US to an old log hut, which he hoped to
reach some time in the late afternoon.
Our progress was necessarily slow, be-
ing encountered with so much baggage,
and we eagerly longed for the time
when we should reach the post, where
our pack-horses would rid us of our bur-
dens.
Our guide was interesting us by relat-
ing his many adventures and varied ex.
perience On the prairies, aud from his
narrative, which told OF numerous en-
counters with n1arauding Indians and
thieying whites, we gained the impress
sion that he had indeed seen most event
full days. While listening to him I fan
cied once or twice that his face, usually
SO calm and friendly, bore the express
sion of melancholy and momentary dis
appointment. [ wondered at this, as
deemed Mart a natural born rover,
honest of course, but without any at
tachment for conditions more closely
linked with thorough civilization.
When | had first met him, occupied
with furnishing himself with trapper's
full outfit, [ had naturally taken to his
quiet, unobtrusive manner, and ever
since it was but on such occasions re-
ferred to above, when it became evident
that at some time or other in our guides
life an incident must have occurred
which had left lasting and sad i'm
preston. What this incident had been
neither my wife nor | had taken pains
to discover, and as Mart never spoke of
his private life, and in fact touched but
barely on the experience he had gained
while among his own country-men it
had never occurred to me that there
could be anything in his past which
would prove worthy of mention or dis
cussion.
We had gradually found our way into
a trail which led through the high grass
into the wooded bottom land below, and
when we were about to descend the
slope, which fell off in south westerly
direction, Mart, who had till now led
the advance, Ora by his side, beckoned
to us to stop. He threw his pack on the
ground, and saying a few words, which
we could not understand, on account Of
the distance, to his companion, he
grasped his rifle lightly and stole down
the path.
This manoeuvering rather surprised
me, as | had not the slightest fear that
my party would be molested, inasmuch
as the Indians, whose lands we were
about to trespass, had not of late given
the slightest cause for apprehension.
Still knew that Mart, the habitually
careful scout, well knew what he was
after,7 and after he had disappeared
among the trees and shrubbery in our
front, | cautioned my family to remain
quiet, and prepared for them a resting
place beneath few gnarled oaks that
spread their leafy canopy above us.
Roger, full Of the fiery ardor of youth,
his mind filled with romantic ideas,
which were doubly excited now that
we were in country, wild as it was ro-
mantle, stood on the alert with his gun
ready for action, and l much admired
his solicitude thus evinced as our pro-
tector.
My wife and Alice were glad to find
moments rest after the tedious tramp
across the prairies, and I was glad to
notice that Mart's. disappearance and
cautious manner had but slightly dis
concerted them.
Presently our guide reappeared, and
explaining to us that he had been re-
connoitering the vicinity of the river
which we were about to approach,
shouldered his baggage and again led
thesadyance down the trail. Presently
we came in sight of small log house,
half-hidden among the trees, which
right here on the river bank. formed a
dense copse. The sun was just about
to disappear behind their leafy tops,
and we correctly surmised that Mart.
intended us to stay in the cabin over
night. We disengaged our baggage,
which we placed inside, and set about
preparing the evening meal. which was
sure Of meetings. hearty welcome from
all sides. Roger took one Of the pals
aud started down to the river for water,
while the women busted themselves 10
spreading out q few dishes and morsels
OF meat. A fire had been kindled by
Ora and soon the spacious kettle hung