The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-04
THE GROUND DRIFT.
HENDERSON oeFIeo 1T IN HIS CHASE
AFTER THE lAweREAkER.
A Story OF the Capture OF OutiSwed Half
breeds by the Northwest Mounted Po-
lice-An Inspector Who Didn't Know
the Meaning of Fear.

lioe-An Inspector Who Didn't Know
the Meaning of Fear.
Inspector Henderson's raid had beer
unsuccessful With two troopers and Ser,
eeant Warren he had rounded up six of the
worst lawhreakers on the Canadian side OF
tho line but nevertheless, from his stand
. point, at any rate, he had failed The
commissioners had suggested that no 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 said, ''and III arrest every half
breed between here and Battleford "
And so he rode away from the post ON a
crisp January morning, with his little
squadron jogging through the snow be-
hind. lt was n long ride, 30 good miles
over the not too we'll broken trail along
the river bottom, and 1t was dusk before
the troopers halted within carbine shot of
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 as
Henderson paused to reconnoiter door
| opened, and man, with muffier round
his throat and his coat buttoned up TO his
ears, stepped out with lantern I'm his
hand. As no did 50 he raised his head,
| and his eyes rested on the little knot of
| mounted men halted over on the crest Of
the hill, not more than 800 yards away.
Then, bounding back TO the door, he lifted
the latch and disappeared within the patch
Of light beyond
Two minutes later Henderson'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 carbines full
cooked.
wat ees ity' came in cracked half breed
accents from behind the still quiverinp
wood.
"Open the door or I'll kick IL in, " said
Henderson decisively. "You know who /
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 |
stealers, gave themselves up without so |
much as an effort at defense
"Michel Rene, John Fidele, Joe Snake.
Dominick Levine, Angus Mclean and
Philip Leseur, said Henderson half 10 |
L
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 jingled as he turned he faced the |
owner of the house.
And Big Martini" he queried Where
Is heg"
Old Simon Michaud, whom his half
breed friends had nicknamed Simon the
Crane because Of his long thin legs and |
great bony nose, wriggled under the ques-
Ion and shifted uneasily from one foot 10 |
he other. II
He ees not in ze house. sair. He hat
rot pass zis way since Crissimas We |
laf'-
That will do, v interrupted Henderson.
L know you're the biggest liar in the
northwest, ana L believe you're lying TO | !
ne now. Sergeant Warren, take Harvey b
md search the place barns and ali. d,
fields, you stay with me and mount guard :
YER the prisoners"
The sergeant and trooper did as they | ].
we're bid and Henderson settled himself in n
chair by the table to await their return. |
irst, however, he unbuckled his belt and |
fter removing a big revolver from the
olster, throw II on the table beside him |
Inspector Henderson was not much be-
ond 30, tall. gaunt and square shout
cred, with arms Of phenomenal length q
nd hands that could grip like wise
Hail an hour later Sergeant Warren rc- =
orted to the inspector that a thorough q
sarch OF the premises had failed to dis lie
lose any trace Of Big Martin A watch | n
as set on the Prisoners and Inspector |
henderson threw himself on a long, hard
tee xyif I ha int. l. |
must have been midnight when he
woke, with the startled feeling OF a man o
no has seen horrible vision in his sleep. ly
he wind was whistling around the house ;,
the maddest fashion, and as Henderson :,
Used himself on his elbow some fine DAP ii
clcs of snow sifted in through the crevices di
nearby window and fell upon his face. n.
ho noor creaked in the next room. and
rough the half open door Henderson
w, or thought he saw, IA huge shadow
ldc past. lie was on his feet i'm an in
ant ana gave the alarm. A moment later
ere was clicking of carbine locks as | CO
arren ana Harvey answered tho inspcct. | Js
signal Then came a. crash of glass |
ON the next room, and gust blew VIC
qua OF snow In the faces Of the three men gu
ho sprang To the shattered window. Oh
an was Laundering along through the
lift good 100 yards from the house. A
arp tongue Of fire shot out into the dark
IS, and remington bullet sung past the
gitive's head But he never paused for |
instant nj,
minute later the entire establishment ~.
rs gathered around Inspector Henderson. Wv
40 stood with his hand on the door latch. OH
IL amt safe, sir, to go after him such | tn
night as this" demonstrated Sergeant | mn
arren In his usual respectful fashion.
I s a-blowin hard from the nor'west.
q man nd freeze to death on the prai.
Eat Is so, promptly interposed Simon | VII
Crane, ian beside 70 groun dreeft-he mr.
drefful bad"
You rascal, snapped Henderson, turn. a."
9 upon the last speaker You had him
iden here all the time waiting TO let
u loose when we left No, Warren, Ill
this thing myself There's no need TO {
X any one else, and I'll catch Big Mar n,
, ground drift or no ground drift =" And.
III IA last glance at the cylinder of his pre-
toll, he passed out into the night col
DC was as good rs his word He caught tb,
Martin half a mile along the edge Of
rail that led from Simon Michaud's
use, and here, two days later Captain
okson, with squad of six troopers, Y
md little hillock of drifted snow from tn,
ich gaunt white hand protruded. When IN,
y dug Inspector Henderson out. his
Ter hand was fastened on Big Martins oh.
oat and the half breeds face looked up 7
The winter skies, with an expression OF
ntterabe agony frozen upon its distort- NJ
features
Il thought Henderson had more SENSE
m to try To face a ground drift M mid a