Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-08-01
THE TRAPPER's ESCAPE.


this time there stood a humble log
cabin at the edge of dense wood,
in the above named state. 1t was
the home of a person named Rich
ard Wilson, but known to the set
tiers as big Dick"
While he is seated before his fire,
let us take a glance at him. he
well merited the name of big Dick.
He was over six feet in height, and
well built; his brawny arms were
the symbols of strength, and when
folded across his breast, the muscles
stood out like whip cords.
There was a look upon his face
which would have impressed the
most casual observer; it was some
thing of calm smile which showed
that the pioneer was of jovial dis
position. But that smile did not
always illunline his face, for when
his anger was aroused, it disappear
ed like leaves before tempest.
1t is night; the owls are hooting
in the grand old woods, but Dick
hears them not. He is engaged
with his own thoughts, which are
of too serious anature to be disturb
ed. His position so far from any
fort or STATEN was a dangerous one,
for the treacherous savages had UNI
earthed the Ratchet, and with it
were carrying death among the
whites. As yet he had remained
unmolested, but at any moment the
murderous war cry might ring in
his ears.
He was suddenly started from his
reverie by heavy blow upon his
door. He sprang to one corner OF
the room and grasped his rifle.
who's there?" demanded the
trapper.
ME, Pete Radcliffe" was the re-
ply, in gruff voice.
"Ham said Wilson, musingly, 81
know IL is no use to resist, il the
renegade has Indians with him.
Anybody with you, Peter" he said
aloud.
Eyes about twenty braves"
"You want me, SUPPOSED"
"Yes, and we mean to have We
too. If you surrender, we will not
kill we till we get to the village"
"Well now, that's kind-quite an
inducement. But | guess I'll &c
peaceably, and if the chief Ocomo is
at the village, Pete Radcliffe and
his devils dare not harm me-" said
the trapper to himself. He hat
scarcely finished this self talk, when
the loud voice of the renegade was
heard.
"Say, do you surrender"
Upon one condition"
Name it."
"That you do not touch my cab
in until | am disposed OF"
"There was short consultation
among the party on the outside, al
the end of which Pete said:
"We accept your terms. Come
out!
The trapper relieved the door OF
it's fastenings, and with the tread OF
a conqueror, stepped out into their
midst. His hands were bound be-
hind him, he was placed Ill the
center of the band, and hurried of
to the Indian village. Once there
he was placed in tent to wait till
morning, when he would be led
forth to die at the stake.
"Well, they think l am to die TO-
morrow, but they will be disap-
pointed. Ocomo will save me-
When | saved him from that bear
he said he would never forget me. '
With these words he lay down tc
sleep, and in the morning, at the
command of the renegade, he was
lead forth and bound to the fata,
stake. He looked around for Geo.
mo, but that individual was not tc
be seen.
Prepare to die, Dick Wilson"
cried Pete, as the fagots were piled
around the doomed man.
"Where is Ocomo?" asked tn,
trapper of savage who stood near
"Ocomo is on the war-path," wa,
the reply.
Then and not until then, did TIL,
trapper give himself up for lost
Ocomo, his friend, was on the war.
path, and therefore no help could
come from him. Soon warrior
advanced, and applied the torch t.
the fagots, and tiny flames began t.
issue forth. The renegade folded