Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-01-15
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
A SAD MEMESrO.
The sun having risen and dispelled
the fog, the voyagers looked OUT for
place to land. A little creek almost
concealed by overhanging branches Of
fered safe retreat and the canoe was
drawn up on shore, breakfast disposed
of and Marden lay down to rest while
Jabe and Ariel kept watch. There was
serious doubt in their minds whether
their escape from the redskins had
been SO thoroughly covered up as to
preclude the fear of pursuit. The up
setting of one canoe might be attributed
to accident, but the disappearance of
the other with its human freight might
well excite suspicion in the breasts of
the wary savages. Whila Jabe, there
fore, watched the river from his hiding
place, the restless half-breed lowered
around the spot where Marden slept
until the thought occurred to him that
Jabe, being in recumbent position,
mightsleep at his post; wherefore he
hurried to the spot. Slight as was the
sound of his approach, the ranger heard
it and made gesture which caused the
boy to crouch to the earth while he
crept to the river hank. A canoe,
padded by two braves. was gliding up
the stream, and it soon became apparent
that they were scrutinizing the shores
for some trace of the presence of a foe.
On reaching the mouth of the creek
they paused. Something had attracted
their attention; they were about to in
vestigate. Jabe's eyes, following the
direction of theirs, had discovered the
secret. A newly-broken branch over
hanging the creek had betrayed their
hiding-place. The canoe approached
cautiously; it entered the creek. In
another moment all would be disoov-
cred. Jake was in the act of cooking
his rife, but at sign from Ariel he de-
sisted. The report of a gun might be
heard at the camp. The boy fitted an
arrow to his bow and waited. A grunt
from one of the braves announced that
he had found the canoe, and he was
about to launch it when the half-breed's
arrow buried itself in his chest, while
Jabe from the bank above hurled a
boulder through the bottom of the hos
tile bark which narrowly missed it's re-
naming occupant As the canoe sunk
beneath him, however, the brave seized
an overhanging branch by which he
swung himself to the further side of the
creek and disappeared in the timber.
Ariel, having aroused his master, re-
turned to his post on the river bank.
from whence he returned hastily with
the news of another canoe on the river.
Marden determined at once to proceed
and gave orders to launch the canoe.
''We will paddle quietly up stream"
said he, land they may follow us in the
belief that we are their friends, for they
can not distinguish us at such dis
tance."
Again Ariel took his place in the bot
tom of the canoe as it headed up stream,
and it seemed as if Marden's stratagem
was about to succeed, for the hostile bark
still held it's course.
1t was now past noon, and strong
breeze made ripples on the stream.
Ariel clapped his hands and pointed
to the pursuing bark. She was coming
on rapidly, propelled by blanket sail.
"She is overhauling u.s." said Mar
den, land we may as we'll end this
matter at once" He turned the PROV
of the canoe to shore, with the inten-
ton of landing, when shot from the
pursuers whistled past his head. Jabe
instantly returned it, with what effect
he could not see, as the blanket con-
cealed the enemy. Marden coolly wait
ed until the canoe was almost on line
with him, when the angle of the sail
gave him glimpse of the man at the
stern and he fired. The little bark
forged ahead, struck a snag in the
middle of the stream, and turned
slowly round. The heavy sail forced it
over on it's side, and it floated helpless
ly down stream. Then befeathered head
rose to the surface for moment and
sank out Of sight.
THAT shot of yours, Jabe, must have
hit one of them" said Marden, as he
stepped on shore; land now to see if
there are any more redskins on our
track. Ariel, climb this tree; it will
give you good view of the river" The
boy obeyed, climbing into the topmost
branches with the agility of squirrel,
but soon returned with the mute as
surance that no enemy was in sight.
Night was approaching and the tired
voyagers were fain to find place of
rest and security. The stream was be-
coming narrow and comparatively shall
low, and small island in it's midst
forced it into rapids on either side. This
Marden selected for their bivouac, and
the canoe bore them to its lower extrem-
ity. Here they tentured to make a fire
with the aid of powder flashed in rifle
pan. 1t was kindled in the hollow stump
of tree, the light carefully concealed
by their blankets; and Ariel cooked
their supper, which consisted of dried
venison. frizzled on the Goals. coffee and
corn cakes. After the repast Marden