The record-union., 1895-09-21
BEAVER SKIN.
[Continued.1

no smoke in the chimney"
II have noticed that for some time"
said Arthur. Perhaps she despaired of
cooking with my outfit and went back to
the cottage"
''No, indeed,' said Clinton, ''she
would not do that, and even if she did
she would have informed us. She may
have had company though. IL is nearly
noon and so let us go and investigate"
They went to the old cabin, but there
was no evidence that she had been there
at all that day, so they went direct to the
cottage. TO their great surprise they
found it locked. The key was in its ac-
customed place under the step - their
regular hiding place when they left the
house alone. They found everything in
order, but no note telling where she had
gone. They were very much startled.
They knew she would not have gone
away without having given them notice,
and naturally they felt very uneasy.
There is but one place she would
have gone," said Clinton, land that was
TO Mrs. BlOunt's."
Arthur was for going there at once,
EDu NllutOu dSIeeus lux tHoy OoIH ieII q
dread OF something they could not define
and which had not yet taken shape in
their minds. So Arthur went across the
flat while Clinton remained at the cot
tage IN case she came home.
In very short time, considering the
distance, Arthur came back. She had
not been at Mrs. Blount's that day. They
were now thoroughly frightened and
went hastily back 10 the old cabin, think
iHht hCX nA %
word left for them there. But there was
nothing.
LET US go around by the road" said
Arthur That is without doubt the
way she came"
They went back by that path, and
when they came to the bend they found u
teaspoon by the roadside, and little fur
ther on a caseknite which Clinton at
once recognized as his. They looked
into each others eyes, and Arthur, now
even more prompt that Clinton, said:
"Clinton, Kirk IS at the bottom OF this.
He has carried her OIL"
Tho vague feeling of dread had cul-
minated in positive belief.
ii believe it," said Clinton. "In the
name OF heaven what is 10 be done?''
I'VE must find the road they have
taken and follow them," said Arthur.
she has been carried Off-not injured,
probably"
But wnat could be done?
Suddenly Arthur exclaimed:
"Beaver Skini He'll show us how to
follow them.
THAT is the very thing to do, sa id
Clinton. "4 ou are right"
u will 60 at once" said Arthur
And he started across the hills at a
rapid pace in the direction OF the old hun
teI''s cabin. To his extreme regret it was
locked. lie knew not what to DO. Look
ing across the ravino and up the hillside
he saw sOme one moving among the trees
and on second glance was OYerjOyed TO
recognize the old man himself with rifle
on his shoulder just starting OFT for a
hunt lie shouted with all his might
ami had the good fortune to be heard.
Arthur ran 10 meet him, and, III as few
words as possible, related their fears for
the fate of Lucy.
You're sure she amt with some of the
neighbors?"
sure" said Arthur. "Besides, we
found teaspoon and knife in the road
where she must have been taken"
That's enough" said beaver Skin.
"But If we can ttnd their starting place
we kin trail 'em."
And without word he set off at a tre-
mendous pace. Clinton was still looking
over The ground When they arrived. lie
had found the remainder of the contents
OF the basket which she was taking to the
old cabin, among a cluster OF bushes,
where they had been flung, no doubt, in
the hurry and excitement Of the capture
This was conclusive evidence that she
had been lorcibiy taken. Beaver Skin
carefully examined the ground.
You are right, boys" said he. From
what you tell me l believe that whelp has
done It. But / think there's mor'n II one
on 'em. They're on horseback am kin
go fast but we must follow 'em. | guess
you'd better get horses. loo. les. get
horses quick. boys. 'Twant do to let the
trail get cold. While you're gone I'il try
an find Moccasin. lie kin do NOR all
Oh US"
1t was not an easy thing to get horses,
but they finally succeeded. At Tho stable
they carelessly inquired if Kirk was at
the Flat, and received the information
that he had come nome the night before,
had shoe fitted to his horse and went
away again early in the morning.
There was no further doubt in the mat
ter They hurried back win the horses.
In half an hour Beaver Skin, accom-
panied by old Moccasln, came down the
hill. Moccasin looked az the ground
closely. 1t WAS not difficult TO see which
way they had gone. The new shoe
showed plainly where they had turned
in the road.
That way" he said, pointing north.
1.-TWO"
He ought to have horse also," said
Clinton.
NO" said Aioccasin. who had over
heard tho remark. Find 'um trail on
ground"
Yes. he'll do better on the ground"
said Beaver Skin. I'VE want to watch
they don't 20 oil the road and let us go
past"
Clinton ba1 bro,rbt IN ,bo cr,,,,e mn;
all were now armed ana ready to pro-
ceed. No blankets were taken, and not
even provision for a meal. The prepara-
tions had been made with the greatest
dispatch. and they mounted and fol-
lowed Moccasin, who had already hurried
on. Ii was surprising how 1ast the old
fellow gGded over the road. lie looked
neither to The right nor left. and scarcely
noticed those on horseback.
After awhile the trail led them from
the main road and entered deep, brushy
wood. The path was trodden very hard,
and probably led to some mining camp
further east. Soon they came to a very
dry and rather barren section, and here
they suddeniy lost the trail. Moccasin
soon found il, however, some distance to
the left. They had ridden OFT on ledge
of granite Tor some distance and across
the hard soil where they again entered
the timuer, riding over the pine leaves
that thickly covered the ground.
This was very evidently intended to
mislead, and convinced them that they
were on The right trail. There was no
longer any doubt. Moccasin kept in ad-
vance, aud although Clinton and Arthur
could sec no sign OF trail the white
headed old follow glided along as though
iue trees We're blazed.
Toward evening Beaver Skin fell back
from the party saying:
''Pll ketch up agin. Go on"
In about an hour he came up with the
party bringing small deer slung across
the saddle, much TO the boys surprise
There were plenty Of signs" he ex-
rlainad.