The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-02-11


that Nora would ride toward the noun
tains. The novelty and beauty of the
scene would entice her to enter; once
in their treacherous paths and roads
she had no doubt become lost, or else
had been waylaid by bandits or cap
tured by some party of sneakIng red
skins, who occasionally still wandered
about their old hunting grounds.
Il myself may become lost If + ven
ture across the mountains. | had bet
ter seek guide and begin my search
with some method" thought Lester
He reasoned we'll, and an excellent
guide was at once secured, man who
had long been hunter and Indian
fighter, and knew the secret passes and
canyons of the Rockies equal to any
Indian.
When Lester appealed to him his
answer was to begin looking after the
condition of his firearms, without a
word of reply.
Impatient at his silence, Lester ex-
claimed;
You'll not refuse Surely, You are
willing to help me find this dear friend
that | fear is in danger"
Then old Rube looked at him queer
ly, and dryly remarked:
young man, what you take me fur {?
/ reckon I'll do what / kim"
But when they were ready Rube re
fused to ride, saying:
Il don't need no boss / prefer to
take the kind nature provides. You
ride ahead. I'll catch you fore V II
know it."
And Lester dashed away. only to
find, when he reached the base of the
mountain and approached the broad
mountain road, old RUDE there in adj
vance.
How in the world?" he began.
The old hunter and trapper smiled
grimly.
Il told you git along all right an
besides | knew a short cut. You had
best turn that teller loose an let him
return to town. I'm of the opinion the
gal didn't take to the road, but has fol-
lowed some one o them treacherous
trails"
What makes you think that?"
"Oh, gals are skittish critters gineral-
ly, most always dom what they've no
business to-Ahr'
What have you discovered any
thing?"
Rube scratched his head and pom
dered moment as if puzzled.
yes, there's been two or three per-
sons went in this here trail, one O the
wust in the Rockies, too; two HOSES
should say an'-an' / believe Teller
afoot. I'm purity sure O. the two boss
es, one o them / calculates is the gals
pony"
Then let us hasten after her at
once"
Not so fast, young man, you don't
know the beauties O that trail. but |
do, an besides there's another way
heap better for Teller afoot. Well
go that way. Come on, if you want
to, but, mind you keep quiet. It's a
gitten too tarnel dark to trail any way
but well probably gain just as much
to go straight through this way"
Lester had always prided himself on
his nimbleness of foot and his powers
of endurance, but he now found them
tested to the utmost.
INV Ihubc W swing HlHlSpII
across preclplces, steep, seemingly i'm
passable places, ciinging for dear lif
now 10 stout bush, now ledge Of
overhanging rocks, was thing not easv
Tor a tenGertOot to initiate.
Nevertheless, by RUDE WATCHING and
encouraging his progress. Lester man
aged 10 escape any accident. and as dav
began to dawn, weary, covered in moist
earth and almost breathless. he pazed
around him
Here we are, pard, exclaimed Rube
IN his quiet, pleasant voice. that 10
Testers excited feelings had a most ex-
cellent effect in soothing ms troubled
mind and wearied body. Here we are
at the loot OF 'tother trail, and, as | ex
pected, were triie late.
Nv hat do you mean? Has she really
and truly been here?"
Yes, | think SO; bat they must have
Iett early in the night"
They-who?"
Rube parsed up his lips and whistled
and regarded Lester with queer smile
Wall, really, my boy. thet's hard
question; hunters, very probably. but
we've long trail ahead O rs. an, we'll
eat bite aud rest an hour or so an,