The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-12-12
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;
The Vaif Of the Western PrairieS
BY WELDON ]. COBB.
CHAPTER K.
THE MODOr CAMP,

they supposed the general camping
place of the Modoc and Sioux savages.
Within an hour after their arrival the
banks of the stream were lined with
camp-fires and wigwams, and the war
paint Of the Indians and the general
hustle and activity tod that some move
ment of Importance was meditated by
the blood thirsty hOrdes
1t was destined that Ranger Ral ph
should soon learn al the plans of tn :
Indians and their renegade white allies,
and that he should be pungcd into ac-
tive contest within very short time.
When he 50 summary sprang into
| the tree where Darrell had been COM
PEELED to leave him, he lost sight of his
companion amid the excitement of the
| hour.
lie saw the Indians scour the vciE ty,
| secure the horses. and lead them away;
and then all became still in his immedi-
att neighborhood
"There's a perfect nest of them around
here" he muttered, grmly. Its going
TO be no easy task to escape | wonder
what has become of young Grey? He
isn't any too familiar with this kind of
work. The Indians seem to be starting
| out on some kind of an expedition, and
while I'm in the corral of their camps
intend to find out what it is.
Ranger Ralph was al expert scout,
and was thoroughly familiar with from
tier tactics of craft and warfare. He
descended from the tree and began to
reconnotcr his position.
He made out that the main camp of
], the Indians was directly across and
| down tie stream little distance.
| Making sure that he was unobserye !,
| the scout fOrded and swan the river.
landed on the opposite bank and then
gradually and stealthly began approach
! ing the camp of the ModocS.
lie at last gained point of eSpionag go
most favorable to his plans, a small
| knoll of bushes and stunted trees en-
abling m to completely survey the
camp and its inmates.
shadow Snakes band" he muttered
i cogcernedly, as his eyes swept the scene;
| land in war-paint, too. 1t means trouble
for the settlements Ha, 1t is as |
| thought! DeSpard has come to his Old
| friends, Then the girl Inez must be
! here also"
The scouts face darkencd and he
| frowncd ominously as he recognized as
/ Darrell had done the form of Dyke Des-
! pard in the throng about the campfire.
| As he discerned tho number Of his en-
| en- eS and realized the hazards OF APP
| proacing them any nearer, he reflected
| deeply.
| He was plunged deep in his medita-
| tons, when the sound OF a familiar voice
near at hand startled him and cnchainei
| his attention
"DcSpard," he m1rmured eyCitedly;
"and Danton is with him."
II was indeed the out aw loader and
his chief associate
They paused in a careless stroll from
the camp and sat down on a log near
the very spot where the scout was Sc
creted
The latter thrilled with the keenest
satisfaction at this opportunity of over
hearing the plans of his enemies
"YCu wanted to see mo alone?' were
Dantons first words.
ayes"
"What about?"
Our own affairs; we'vo got among
friends, but amt satisfied.
"Why not?"
I'm uneasy. The old chief Shadow
| Snake Is reckless and revengeful; and If
ne should suspect U.s.
about the girl?" asked Towncr.
white Fawn-yes.
slow can he?"
SHOULD he meet any Of the Mes
Perces reservation Indian; he would
learn of our treachcry."
"HOw?"
They would tell him that the girl
never reached them"
That's true"
$50, whatever we do. we must act
quickly"
But we agreed to accompany Shadow
Snake on the raid on the cmigrant
| train. "
no; gave him thu information of its
Observation-Disclosures is all"
But he expects us to go with him"
I'VE will have to diSappoint him,
| Here we are safe from pursuit from
the vigilantes. That is why l came
| hero
"What do you propose to do?'
ITO remove the girl down the valley
tonight"
"Alone?"
No You and one of the others will
| take her away from here about midnight.
| will remain with Vance and guide tho
! Modocs across the country to the train,
| and rejoin YOU later. J"
and the rest of our band?"
Are at Damon'S b md. ! will send
| them forward to meet you. Go to the
| old rendezvous and wait for me. You
see, the Snake agrees to divide lib
! orally for my share in the present vent
uro. Once | get that, will leave the
camp, for h. will soon find out about
| White Fawn."
"And Them queriei Danton.
1--WE will carry out our plan to find the
| hermit who has Inez Tracey's fortune,
secure it, and, leaving the boys to their
own plans, go East and enjoy our
| wealth. "
The old scout looked grim as he over
! heard the pans of the eonspirators
He knew now how TO act, If he could
cvade the sayageS and follow on the
trail of Despard men.
| The two men left the spot and re-
/ turned 10 the camp, and Ranger Ralph
| began TO determine how he would make
detour and reach q point down the
valley where he might intercept Des-
pard's men, who would leave for the
bandit rendezvous that night
He began to cautiously work his way
| back to the river, believing escape by
| that avenue more easy than by the land.
He crept from thicket TO thicket and
| from covert TO covert, gradually nearing
the stream, and meeting with none of
! his enemies.
At last he came to point where he
|
been there campfire had been built by
little coterie of savayes, directly in his
| course to the river
1t cut off all safe escape in that direc-
ton, and nothing but bod dash across
an open space. or slow and periloaS re-
treat by the way he had come won d
| avail him.
He resolved on the former course. even
hoping that by sudden run across the
place he might gain the river upper
ceived.
With spring he broke from the
thicket and started across the open
space.
\ series OF loud, alarmed yels from
the fire told that he was discovered.
Within ten feet Of a thicket where the
horses of the Moiocs were grazing,
Ranger Ralphs foot caught in trailing
rope.