Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-02-01

LIE, muscular ana or unquestioned
bravery, and with a fleetness of
foot seldom equaled.
1t was very early in the day that
they set out, so that they had plen-
ty of time for the performance of
their duty. For several hours they
sped as noiselessly as shadows
through the forest, when they reach
ed the banks of comparatively
small river. 1t was upon the OPP
posite side of this that they expect
ed to secure their prisoner.
After consulting for a few mo-
ments it was agreed that Hugh
should cross the stream, and recon-
noitre the opposite side, and in case
matters looked favorable return to
the bank and signal for his brother
to join him. IL he deemed it adj
visable to return, he was to do 80
and continue the hunt upon the
other side.
This much agreed upon, Hugh
strapped his rifle to his back, first
protecting it in such a manner that
the water could not injure the
charge, when, striking boldly out,
he swan to the opposite shore,
striking it just below high and
precipitous bluff. 1t seems singular
that the brothers should have sep
arated in this manner and allowed a
broad stream to divide them, when
each knew he was in the most dam
gerous part of the country. What
causes influenced them we are un.
able to tell, but causes they must
have had, for it is not to be suppos-
ed that two such veteran rangers
would have taken such step unless
they possessed good reasons for do
ing so.
After ascending the river bank
Hugh struck into the woods and
pursued his way with the most stud
led stealth and caution. He had
gone but little over a furlong when
he came upon solitary Indian, who
sat nodding over small fire. TIL,
rangers heart beat high as his eyes
rested upon the savage, and instead
of his returning for his comradt
he determined to secure him alone.
To assure himself that there was
no trap into which he could fall
he made complete circuit around
the fire, the result of which was thu
certainty that the drowsy Indian
was indeed alone. Hugh coult
have easily shot him, as he sat with
his head nodding forward, but hi'
instructions were to bring in pris'
oner, and he made his preparations
accordingly.
He had shifted his position so al
to get behind the savage, and hi
now commenced approaching hin
as carefully and stealthily as TIN
panther steals upon his prey
When within few rods he sank Il
the earth as the Indian brought hi
head up with jerk and made ;
spasmodic effort to cast off his drow
siness; but the hand of sleep wa
too heavy, and he succumbed to i
and commenced nodding as before.
The ranger arose and resumed hi
approach as before. He was within
fifty feet when, to his extrem,
chagrin, he pressed upon a rottel
twig, which snapped in two. Thu
Indian instantly became bolt up
right, and turned his alarmed gaz,
behind him. AS he saw the crouch
ing form of the ranger he sprang t.
his feet with yell, and darted of
as fast as his feet could carry him
He ran with such fleetness ant
lodged hither and thither behint
the trees with such dexterity, that
had the hunter desired to do so, he
could not have brought him down
with his gun. He, therefore, made
no attempt, but concentrated all his
strength in the effort to overtakt
and capture him.
The occurrences that now took
place were certainly curious and un.
accountable. The Indian had run
but short distance, when to the
surprise of his pursuer, Il second
one joined him. A few rods furth-
er a third did the same; and, finally
q fourth seemed to rise from the
ground, and the whole four sped
away as if running from legion Of
their foes. Four armed Indians
fleeing before one white man! 1t
was the easiest thing in the world
for them to stop, and taking their
position behind the trees cut him
off in few minutes.
What, therefore meant this
strange condition of affairs? 1t
certainly could not be fear that