The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-01-02

wv no are yOt?
Tallula the haIf-breed."
allow did you come here?"
"The Modcc knows the hiding place
of the white men and the paths
that lead TO it." was the scouts steady
reply. adm rably couched in the Indian
vernacular.
Vance stared.
@Ha" he calculated. you come from
the Modocs?"
Il come from the emigrant train. |
bear message. Where is the Grove"
"Why do you wish to see him?"
"He will know when he remembers
his broken pledge to Shadow Snake"
II was evident from Nances manner
that he re led the fact of DeSpard' 5
double-dealing with the Modoc chief
tain.
He glanced ureasily beyond the sup
posed messenger from the ModOcS
did Ia lula come alone?" he asked.
Eyes
"Sit down by the campfire there: l
will speak with the Crow"
Ranger Ralph smiled complacently to
himself at the success of his IMPOSITION
so far, but assumed a studied attitude
OF sulen silence until Vance had re-
turned.
Come" said the latter; "the Grow
wishes to Ia with you +"
light"
The scout was led into the ca e
through several long passages. aud final
ly into an apartment that was appar
emily portion of a wooden hut that was
built over The river and into the cliff.
Despard and Danton sat at a tab g
drinking. and the former glanced at the
somber figure of Nancc's companion.
II re is the half-breed from the
Modocs," explained Vance.
"rrom Shadow Snake?' asked Des-
pard.
"Ugh." replied the scout in disguised
tone of voice.
"Nhat does he want?"
Ellis share of TIL plInder taken from
the emigrant train. The Crow has
played him false. and he seeks rcstitu-
ton or revenge.
the scouts Somber threats lie listened
calmly while the disguised ranger in
cultural tones told of the dssatisfac-
ton and anger of the Modoc chieftain.
Then he said:
"Sha low Snake demands gold9"
"Ugh."
"And if it is not sent to him?"
war" was the lacOnic reply.
"When must he have his answer"
an two suns
"Gcod Before another day is past,
Tallula shall know my decision You
can stay here until then"
Ranger Ralph retired with calm digni-
ty, and congratulated himself upon the
fact that he had not been recognized by
the outlaw.
watch that half-breed closely" said
DcSpard to Vance: and the latter fol-
lowed the scout from the room
We have no time TO lose, said Dan
ton, when they were alone
THAT is true"
The Mo1ocs will march against lis
un!ess we return share of the booty.
Then we viii act at once. | have To-
Gated the haunt OF the Old hermit"
IVA ford?"
"Ies; and in the morning | shall go
there. Once secure the secret Of incZ
Tracey's fortune. ] shall leave a small
amount of plumber for them to divide
and you and Vance, the girl, AMI myself
will leave this part of the country for
ever"
Meanwhile Ranger Ralph had been
led toward the river end Of the cave by
Vance.
He paused ere they reached the caml
fire,
"Tallula is weary" he said.
"ill right; you can sleep anywhere
here "
! he pretended half bre d flung him
self upon a broad rock Vance content
Cd himself with proceeding TO the 81 OF
where his companions were, and after
te ling them To Sc that Tallula did not
leave the cave, pa no further attention
to Ike 81 out.
The latter had fully decided to explore
the bandits haunt, in the hope OF find
ing ineI
After a while he left the rocks and,
unpCrcriVcd by the men around the
campfire, began examining the various
passages and apartments of the great
underground cavern they occupied
There was one dim corridor down
which he could SEE light burning, and
he SteaIthiy made his way toward it.
He drew back in the Sha low Of a pro
jccting shelf Of stone "a he saw, directly
ahead of him, in an emGrasure in til"
corridor, man seated on the floor OF
the cave.
His back was to the scout, and he
seemed to be laziIy nodding as if in
sleep.
a guard" muttered the scout, thrill
ing TO quick interest his discovery.
There must be some one in the cave
beyond, perhaps the girl herself "
Ranger Ralph peered caut ously be-
yond the spot where the corridor en-
larged. He started as he discovered
that large apartment terminated the
,,lIin lntr tnh Ia
vas a second lantern, and its rays
showed couch covered with a panther
skin.
Upon this the scout made out a IA
miliar form. 1t was that OF the very
maiden who was the theme of all his
anxious thoughts.
He stood spell bound, Yet excited
gazing silently at the girl, whose head
was bent in her hands, as if in grief and
despair Rapidly he began TO form
pan for evadng the guard in the cor
ridor and reaching Inez
As he stood there a sudden episode
bafed al his plans He saw lnez
Tracey start to her feet and stare in
wild emotion at the opposite SIDE of the
cave. This portion of the cavern was
at that moment completely shut out
from Ranger Ralph's range of vision
Vaguely he heard voice speak her
name He saw the girls face express
the deepest JOY and relief. At that mo-
ment the attent on of the guard seemed
directed to the apartment. He arose
sieZcd revolver from his feet, and be-
gan to creep towards the cave.
Intensely interested and vet pcrplcXed
Ranger Ralph stood watching the scene
Of what promised to be a most exciting
and mom"ntouS episode.
CHAPTER XVII.
L L.. i 4 l.