The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-25

beautiful as the scene which spread
around him. Now and then, u rabbit
or squirrel scampered across their
way, turning it's bright eyes inquisi-
lively ut the intrudcrs and darting
away beyond reach of harm. But
neither of the two-legged folk, who
went steadily forward through the
woods, was minded to disturb these in
nocent denizcns of the Wilderness.
Phineas was, for once, too happy and
too proud to even think of a brush"
his mind and heart were now on high
or game.
AS tor his father, he strobe on with
darkening brow and troubled thoughts.
For some time back, he had suspected
meddling ut his beaver traps. These
were several miles from home, and
their game formed no small portion of
the Parker revenues Asa had been es-
pecially successful during this season,
and took great pride in his store of
well-cured pclts. But of late he had
found his traps empty, with many evil
dcnces that his beavers had been
stolen. Surprised, indignant and ut
last exasperated, he resolved to keep
sharp lookout and, if possible, to dis
cover and punish the thief.
AS they approached the place, he
Half regretted that he had allowed
Phineas to come with him. lie was
bat n little fellow, after all, and he
would fain have him spared the dark
side of life for awhile longer. And yet
the thought again REQUIRED to him-if
bullet from the gun of this wary
robber should lay him low. Phineas
would then-but what was that? He
looked closer; he saw faintly outlined
footprint on the snow, two Of them,
indeed, one following straight behind
the other For an instant his heart
stood still. Only an Indian walked
like that. They were not far from his
largest trap, and he knew as surely
then as he did an hour later that these
scarcely visible tracks kept on to that
place, branching neither to the right
nor the left.
He turned to Phineas. He spoke to
him in u whisper.
"Phineas," he said, laying his hand
again on the shoulder fast growing to
level with his own, 81 must go on
alone, now. Climb into this tree and
wait for me. If am not back within
one hour follow the path and find me.
And whatever happens be good boy
to your mother"
Phincas was much startled and awed
by his fathers strange manner. But he
had been trained to unQucstioning obc-
dience.
"Ycs, father" he said, looking up
bravcly at him.
Then he climbed into the slippery
branches of an oak, while the man
went cautiously on. In 4 few seconds
he turned from the trail and
made Il wide detour, coming to a
largo rock Stealthily he crept to the
top of this, slowly he drew himself up
and peered down at his trap. A tall In
dian was in the very act Of taking out
| a fat beaver.
Asa Parl1ers blood ran hotly through
his veins; to his finger tips he burned
with anger at this piece of trcachery
which he would not have believed
had he not seen it with his own eyes
For many years the most friendly
feeling had existed between the Indi-
ans and the white people in the Hop
river valley. Presents of corn and
game, skins and fruit were frequently
exchanged; and it was no strange
thing for sinewy, young braves to
spend day or two at the log cabins Of
the ''palefaces." The cordial good will
and honorable dealing which had
grown up between former generations
in this neighb orhood had never been
violated until now, so far as anyone
knew.
The white man watche the dcxtrous
movements of the willy robber He
was thinking vigorously at the same
time. What if he should let him de-
part with his booty? He knew only
too we'll that such n course meant
further thefts, more daring advances
and, in all probability. unreasonable
demands upon the isolated, unpro-
tected family, not stopping short of
the cruel murder of them all, if once
blood began to flow.
What if he killed him? A dozen
other redskins might be hiding within
sound of his gun, ready to spring to
the help of their comradc. That, too,
meant the speedy destr uction of him.
self and all who were dear to him.
He weighed the question carefully.
He made uph mind. A moment later,
bullet whistled through the frosty
air. With IL yell Of agony the Indian
leaped from the ground then fell
heavily upon the snow, and lay motion
less. When the smoke had cleared
away, Asa loolled.pround with searching
glance; his ears were keen to detect
the slightest sound his hastily reloaded
gun was drawn up to his shoulder; not
moving muscle, he waited But he
saw nothing; he heard nothing Minute
after minute passed. Then, still silent
ly, trying to look in every direction 1T