Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-04-17
TIE GROUND DRIFT.
HENDERSON DEFlED 1T IN HIS CHASE
AFTER THE. LAWBREAKER.

Iice-An Inspector who Didn't Know
the Meaning of Fear.
Inspector Hcndersons raid had been
unsuccessful. With two troopers and Ser.
geant Warren he had rounded up six of the
worst lawbrcakers on the Canadian side of
the line, but nevertheless, from his stand
point, at any rate, he had failed. The
commissioner had suggested that he take
at least dozen men when he set out on
his expedition, but Henderson only
laughed
"Give me Harvey and Fields and War
rem, " he sud, land I'll arrest every half
breed between here and Battleford.
And so he rode away from the post on q
crisp January morning, with his little
squadron jogging through the snow be-
hind. 1t was n long rido, 80 good miles
over the not too well broken trail along
the river bottom, and it was dusk before
the troopers halted within carbine shot of a
long, low, rambling building, which stood
in the middle of the prairies, surrounded
by several other structures that served as
barns and wagon sheds. Lights shone in
the lower windows of the house, and rs
Henderson paused to reconnoter door
opened, and man, with muller round
his throat and his coat buttoncd up to his
ears, stepped out with lantern in his
hand. As he did so he raised his head,
and his eyes rested on the little knot Of
mounted men halted over on tho crest of
the hill, not more than 300 yards away.
Then. bounding back to the Cuur, he lifted
the latch ana disappeared within the patch
of light beyond.
Two minutes later Hcndcrson's fur
gauntlet came down with a crash upon
the rude panels of the door. Sergeant
Warren was right behind him and Troop
ers Harvey and Fields stood on either side
with their wicked looking carbnes full
cooked.
"Nat ccs it," came in cracked half breed
accents from behind the still quivering
wood.
"Open the door or I'll kick it in, " said
Henderson dccisivoly "You know who l
am and you know what want"
Slowly the door swung back on its
hinges and the inspector and his men en-
tered together. There was no trouble. The
men they wanted. smugglers and cattle
stealcrs, gave themselves up without SO
much as an effort at defense
Michel Rene John Fidele, Joe Snake
Dominick Levine, Angus Mclean and
Philip Lrscur. said Henderson half to
himself rs he ran over the names, keeping
tally by short mods in the direction of each
man mentioned.
six in all. he repeated slowly, and
then wheeling sharply on his heel so that
his spurs iingcd rs he turned he faced tho
owner of the house.
And Big Martin" hoqueried. "Whoro
is he?'
Old Simon Michaud, whom his half
l. L
Crane. because of his long thin legs and
great bony nose, wrigged under the ques-
ton and shifted uneasily from one foot to
the other.
"IIc ccs not in 20 house, sair. He hat
not pass zis way since Christmas We
haf"-
THAT will do, " interrupted Henderson.
Il know you re tho biggest liar in the
northwest, and l believe you're lying to
me now. Sergeant Warren, take Harvey
and search the place, barns and all
Fields, you stay with me and mount guarC.
over the prisoners"
The sergeant and trooper did as they
were bid and Henderson settled himself in
n chair by the table to await their return
First, however, he unbuckled his belt and.
after removing "a big revolver from the
holster, threw it on the table beside him.
Inspector Henderson was not much be-
yond 3D. tall, gaunt and square shout
dercd, with arms of phenomenal length
and hands that could grip like wise
Half an hour later Sergeant Warren re-
ported to the inspector that thorough
search of the premises had failed to dis
close any trace of Big Martin. A watch
was set on the prisoners, and Inspector
Henderson threw himself on a long. hard
settce, with the intention of taking "a nap
1t must have been midnight when he
awOkc with the startled feeling of man
who has seen a horrible vision in his sleep
The wind was whistling around the house
in the maddcst fashion, and ms Henderson
raised himself on his elbow some fine par
ticlcs OF snow sifted in through the creviccs
of nearby window and fell upon his face
The floor creakcd in the next room. and
through the half open door Henderson
saw, or thought he saw, huge shadow
glide past. He was on his feet in an in
slant and gave the alarm. A moment later
there was n clicking of carbine locks as
Warren and Harvey answered the inspect
or's signal. Then came IA crash of glass
from the next room. and gust blew a
cloud of snow in the faces of the three men
who sprang to- the shattered window. 4
man was Laundering along through tho
drift good 100 yards from the house. 4
sharp tongue of fire shot ont into the dark
ness and remington bullet sung past the
fugitive head. But lac mover paused for
an instant.
\ minute later the entire establishment
was gathered around Inspector Henderson,
who stood with his hand on the door latch.
1t ain L safe, sir, to 90 after him such
q night as this ~ demonstrated Sprppant