Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-05-08
he would be able to successfully carry IT

He reSemb!od a half-Droo1, anu HIS
stained skin, one eye shaded by band
age, limping gait and general uncivll-
lied appearance gave him just the look
he desired, TO enable him to penetrate
to the enemy's camp with his identity
upSuspected.
When he had fully completed his men
tai plan of action, the scout cautiously
clambe ed over the ledge OF rocks and
made his way toward the camp fire.
Several forms sprang to their feet and
impeded his further progress as he
reached the entrance to the cave. A
man whom he recognized as Van o
raised gun menacingly.
"What do you want? Who are you?
How came you hcre?" he demanded
quickly.
In accordance with his assumed char
acter, the scout folded his arms over his
breast and adopted sullen, defiant ex-
preston Of face
"The Black Crow" he muttered. 81
must see him."
"Who are yOu?"
"Tallula, the half breed"
"How did you come here?"
"1he Modoc knows the hiding place
of the white men and the paths
that lead to it," was the scouts steady
reply, admirably couched in the Indian
vcrnacular.
Vance stared.
"Hal" he calculated, "you como from
the Modocs?"
81 come from the cmigrant train. L
tear message Where is the Crow?"
"Why do you wish to sec him?"
ale will know whom he remembers
his broken pledge to Shadow Snake"
It was evident from Vance'S manner
that he recalled the fact Of Despard s
doublc- dealing with the Modoc chief
tain.
He glanced ureasiy beyond the sup
posed messenger from the Modocs.
"Did Tallula come alone?" he asked.
"Yes"
"Sit down by the campfire there;
will speak with the Crow"
Ranger Ralph smiled complacently to
himself at the success of his imposition
so far, but assumed studied attitude
OF sullon silence until Vance had re-
turned.
Come" said the latter; "the Crow
wishes to ia k with you.
"Ughl"
The scout was led into the caYo
through several long passages, and final
ly into an apartment that was appar-
emily portion of wooden hut that was
built over the river and into the cliff.
Despard and Danton sat at tab Q
drinking, and the former glanced at the
somber figure of Vancc's companion.
"Here is tho half-breed from the
Modocs," explained Vance.
"From Shadow Snake?" asked Des-
pard.
"Ughl" replied the scout in a-dlsguised
tone of voice.
"What does he want?"
"His share of the pllnder taken from
the emigIa train. The Crow has
PLAYED him false, and he seeks restitu'
tion CT revenge"
Despard evinced cool unconcern OF
the scouts somber threats. He listened
calmly while the disguised ranger in
cultural tones told of the dissatisfac-
tion and anger of the Modoc chieftain,
Then he said:
"Shadow Snake demands goldP"
"Ughl"
"And if it Is not sent to him?"
"War," was the laconic reply.
"When must he have his answer?"
ain two suns"
"Good. Before another day is past,
Tallua shall know my decision. You
can stay here until then.
Ranger Ralph retired with calm digni'
ty, and congratulated himself upon the
fact Chat he had not been recognized by
the outlaw.
"Watch that half-breed closely" said
Despard TO Vance; and the latter fol
lowed the scout from the room.
awe have no time to Iosc, said Dan
ton, when they were alone
THAT is true"
"The Modocs will march against us
unless we return q share OF the booty.
"Then we will act at once. / have To-
Gated the haunt of the old hermit t. J"
"Wa ford?"
ayes; and in the morning l shall go
there. Once secure the secret of Ine2
Tracey's fortune, ] shall leave small
amount of plunder for them to divide,
and you and Vance, tho girl, and myself
will leave this part of the country for
ever"
Meanwhile Ranger Ralph had been
led toward the river end of the cave by
Vance.
He paused ere they reached the camp
fire.
"Tallula is weary" he said.
Gall right; you can sleep anywhere
here
The pretended half bre d flung him
self upon broad rock Vance content
ed himself with proceeding to the sToi
where his companions were, and after
telling them to see that Tallula did not
leave the cave, pa no further attention
to the scout.
The latter had fully decided to explore
the bandits haunt, in the hope of find
ing Inez
After a while he left the rocks and,
unperceived by the men around the
campfire, began examining the various
passages and apartments Of the great
underground cavern they occupied
There was one dim corridor down
which he could see light burning, and
he steathiIy made his way toward It,
He drew back in the shadow of pro-
jecting shelf of stone as he saw, directly
ahead of him, in an ombrasurc in the
corridor, a man seated on the floor oil
the cave.
His back was to the scout, and he
seemed to be lazily nodding as If in
sleep.
"a guard" muttered the scout, thrill
ing to quick interest az his discovery.
"There must be some one in the cave
beyond, perhaps the girl herself.
Ranger Ralph peered cautiously be-
yond tho spot where the corridor en-