Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-07-03

II was, really, rather strange that
his highly-prized scion Of an ancient
'amily should have been so prone to
make his owners trouble; since, for
he first six months Of his life, he had
)een petted by his owner, and allowed
20 wander at will about the door-yard,
80 that he might enjoy perfect inn
munity from the assaults of wander
ing wolf or Mexican lion; but al
though he still remembered some OF
the numerous accomplishments taught
him by Bruce in leisure moments, one
of which was to charge blindly at the
tantalizing wave OF a red handker-
chief, he was in other respects as wild
rs any other young cattle.
As he had expected, Bruce found
the calfs tracks without difficulty,
plainly showing in the dusty path that
led down the valley OF the little creek;
but he was somewhat surprised TO find
that Tom had logged steadily along,
swerving neither to the right nor left,
for nearly mile, finally leaving the
trail at point where the rocky nat
are OF the soil and dense underbrush
rendered futile all attempts at further
trailing, and the most persuasive and
persistent calling failed to elicit any
responsive bleat from the little runa-
way.
For a mile farther Bruce wandered
down the little valley, shooting now
and then a green-crested duck, or one
Of the numerous gray squirrels that
barked and chartered at him from the
limbs above his head; but, search as
he would, no further trace of the lost
Tom could be discovered
Puzzled and disheartened, the lad
finally turned back, resolving to mount
his pony after dinner, and search out
the entire country for radius Of three
or four miles.
Crossing the stream, he hunted back
along the south bank, hardly expect
ing to discover the object OF his
search, but adding occasionally to his
string OF game
Presently his attention was attracted
by an unusually demonstrative SPUR
rel who was saucily bidding him de-
fiance from his perch on the limb of a
large hollow oak. The shotgun was
brought to the boys shoulder, but, as
II aware OF his danger, the threatened
animal lodged out of sight in con-
venient orifice in the tree trunk
Hello! you are "a sharp little fellow,
I To
"Never mind, though! You can't
stay in that hole forever; and the next
time you show up you'll never know
what hurts YOU"
A fallen tree near by offered COM
Portable seat, and Bruce assumed an
easy position, with his back against
the moss-covered stump; and, resting
his gun across his knees, awaited the
reappeararce of the beleaguered squir-
rel.
Minutes passed, but nothing more
was seen OF the sharp, rat-like ears
and beady eyes, although Bruce's
vigilance never relaxed.
Halfway down, a mass OF scarlet
and yellow ivy leaves hid "a second
opening in the tree trunk, and here,
unnoticed by the lad, the cunning
squirrel watched his every motion,
with not the slightest intention of ex-
posing himself further.
Another pair of eyes were riveted
on the unsuspicious boy-a pair of
snaky, black orbs that cleaned dam
gerously near, in clump OF verdant
foliage; for, by some unlucky chance,
the route to safety selected by Caddo
Bill, the red fugitive from justice, had
lain through this quiet valley, after
all; and the escaped murderer was now
crouched, like tiger gathering for a
spring, not twenty PAGES from the un-
suspecting Bruce.
II Caddo Bill had fancied his safety
assured upon successfully lodging his
guard and climbing the stockade
ut Fort Griffin, his mind must have
soon been disabused of that impression
For more than forty-eight hours he
had been followed and harassed by the
numerous parties in pursuit-contin-
yatlly on the move-gliding from GOV.
ert to covert-now hid in clump of
thorny cacti-again threading the
winding bed of some narrow arroyo,
or gliding like snake through the
tall prairie grass. Exhausted by his con-
| tinued exertions, and weak from the
ravages of hunger that he lacked the
wherewithal to appease, his moccasins
worn to shreds, and the red shirt and
cavalry pants, that he wore at the time
OF his escape, now torn to fragments
by the envious briers, the fugitive real
ly presented pitiable appearance.
But worn and weary as he was, the
evil, murderous instinct was still DOM
inant in his breast, and his eyes
glinted ominously as he watched the
boyish form carelessly reclining so
close to his own hiding-place.
Was there ever such good luck! The
greatest cause OF uneasiness to Caddo
Bill had been the fact that he had been
forced to begin the fight totally UNI
armed; for, although renowned for his
reckless bravery when armed to the
teeth, in his present defenseless condi-
ton he was helpless. Supplied with
but carbine, some OF his pursuers
would have doubtless have felt his
vengeance before this; but, without
even so much as knife, however
small, he had no choice but stealthy,
speedy flight
Was kind fortune about to smile
upon him once morep Here, within
his reach, almost, and to be had for
the mere taking, was substantial-look-
ing shotgun, just the weapon that he
wanted. Possibly he would have TO
commit another murder to secure the
coveted arm, but that was matter OF
small moment On second thought, ii
would be far the safest plan to kill the
boy and quiet his tongue. Yes; that