The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-14
BY WELDON ]. COBB.
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER x.
THE MoDoc CAMP.
The spot by the river to which the
two scouts had come was, indeed, as
Ehey supposed the general camping
blace 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 told that some move
ment Of Importance was meditated by
the blood-thirsty hordes
! It was destined that Ranger Ralph
should soon learn all the plans OF the
Indians and their renegade white allies,
and that he should be plunged into &C
tive contest within very short time.
When he so summarily sprang into
the tree where Darrell had been COM
pelled to leave him, he lost sight Of his
companion amid the excitement OF the
hour.
He saw the Indians scour the vicinity,
secure the horses, aud lead them away;
and then all became still in his tmmeoi-
ate neighborhood.
sThere's perfect nest Of them around
here" he muttered, grimly. 31ts 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 1t is"
| Ranger. Ralph was an expert scout,
and was thoroughly familiar with from
Tier tactics Of craft and warfare. He
descended from the tree and began to
feconnoiter his position.
He made out that the main camp OF
khe Indians was directly across and
down the stream q little distance.
Making sure that he was unobserved,
hhe scout forded and swan the river,
banded on the opposite bank and then
gradually and stealthily began approach.
Hng the camp Of the Modocs.
| He at last gained point Of espionage
most favorable to his plans, . small
knoll of bushes and stunted trees en-
hbling him to completely survey the
camp and its inmates.
SHADOW Snakes band" he muttered
concernedly, 'as his eyes swept the scene;
t~and in war-paint, too. It means trouble
flor the settlements Hs! It Is as ]
Thought! Despard has come to his old
Friends. Then the girl Inez must be
here also"
The scouts face darkened and he
3rowned ominously as he recognized, as
Darrel had done, the form OF Dyke Des.
pard in the throng about the campfire.
As he discerned the number OF his en-
iemies and realized the hazards OF ap-
proacing them any nearer, he reflected
deeply.
! He was plunged deep in his medita-
hions, when the sound Of familiar voice
near at hand startled him and enchained
this attention.
! aDespard," he murmured excitedly;
sand Danton is with him"
1t was indeed the outlaw leader and
fhis chief associate. 60
They paused in q careless stroll from
the camp and sat down on log near
the very spot where the SCOTT was Sc
Icreted.
The latter thrilled with the keenest
satisfaction at this opportunity OF over
hearing the plans of his enemies
| @You wanted to see me alone?" were
lDanton's first words.
Eyes"
w udv duOug9
@Our own affairs; we've got among
friends, but amt satisfied"
@Why not?"
aTm uneasy. The old chief Shadow
ISnake is reckless and fevengeful; and II
Inc should suspect us"
! sAbout the girl?" asked Towner.
"White Fawn-yes."
&How can he?"
= SHOULD he meet any Of the Mes
Perces reservation Indians he would
learn of our treachery."
@How?"
@They would tell him that the girl
never reached them."
sThat's true"
$50, whatever we do, we must act
quickly."
sBut We agreed to accompany Shadow
Snake on the raid on the emigrant
train.
mo; 1 gave him the information Of its
whereabouts-that is ALL"
@But he expects US to 90 with him"
I'VE will have to disappoint him,
Here we are safe from pursuit from
the vigilantes. That is why I came
here"
sWhat do you propose to do?"
ITO remove the girl down the valley
tonight"
3Alone?"
: sNo. You and one Of the others will
take her away from here about midnight.
I will remain with Vance and guide the
Mdlocs across the country to the train,
and rejoin you later"
, sAnd the rest of our band?"
sAre at Damon's Bend. 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
nre. Once I get that, will leave the
camp, for he will soon find out about
White Fawn."
@And then?" queried 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 plans OF the conspirators.
He knew now how to act, If he could
evade the savages and follow on the
trail Of Despard's men.
The two men left the spot and re-
turned -tn the camp, and Ranger Ralph
began to determine how he would make
a detour and reach 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 Dy the lano:
He crept from thicket to thicket and
RI 111al n