Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-04-17
CHATTER Nj
TILE FSCAIE-


Ranger Ralph made q desperate re- |
sistance against his savage captOrS, but
struggled vainly in their iron grasp as
they bore him towards their camp
with yclls of triumph.
The demonstration soon drew largo
thrOng to the spot, and the scout Sc
curely bound, was tied against tree,
the cyno9ure of many murderOus eyes
and the object of the jccrs and insults OF
his victorious foes.
A grim !oOG came over the old ranger
face as le saw the MOdcc chiettaln
| Shadow Snake, approach the spot.
With him we're his renegade allies,
! Dyke Dcspard and Jim DartOn.
The outlaw leader starte |, and then
stared in mute wonderment at the man
he had cndeayOred to Kill at len opoG
two nights previous.
"Rangcr Ralph" calculated Danton,
with a savage scOwl. "llc bears
charmed life"
The eyes OF the ModOc chef kindlcd
with satisfied hate as he rccOgn zed an
enemy who had more than once crossed
his trail to his serious disadvantage
"Thc Ranger is a spy" he Missed
"What brings him hcrc?"
The scout was si cnt.
ayes; lie has been trying to incito the
pale faces to attack the tribes" said
Dant0n "lIC is dan 5erOus enemy
Let him die before we leave here at
another SUM-" ordered thc Snake briefly
to the Indians about him.
The cd scout did not speak. Into his
mind came q memory OF what he had
overheard Despard and Danton say
about the daughter Of the Cd chief.
He resolved to bring this intelligence
TO the knowledge Of Shadow Snake, but
the opportunity was not yet presented.
He formed a plan to sec the chief
alone, when Dcspard and Eantol would
not be near to deny his statements or
silence him.
For over an hour he remained secured
to the tree watching the SavaScs who
paid no further attention to him for the
present.
In somc way they had secured kcg
of liquor, and were intenty engaged in
disposing of it as rapidly as possible.
The old scout knew from experience
that as soon as the Indians were light
ing drunk they would pay attention to
him.
He recalled his many battles with the
tribe, and knew that they were full OF
animosity and hatred toward him.
To his surprise, however, when the?
had finished the liquor the ma orty Of
them staggered from the camp, entirely
ignoring his presence.
Only a few s'enping inebriatcS now
guarded the prisoner
The scout cndeavOred to free himself,
but was not able to break the bonds that
secured him.
In few minutes the In lianS returned
with a second kcg of whisky, from the
direction of the main camp.
They were all, or nearly all of them,
very mach intOXi 'a6cd, and Struggling
along with them were several other saw
ages from different camp. One of
these attracted the rangers attention by
h S helpless and rceling condition.
As the slvagcS paced the kcg on the
ground aad began to drink from it, this
Indian stretched himself oIt on the
green sward as if to sleep
His hand almost touched the form OF
the captive scout, and the latter looked
somewhat startled as he observed that,
unperceived by his companions he had
drawn a knife which lie held half con-
ceacd in his hand.
The Indian appeared to be drawing
nearer and nearer to the scout, and
finally stealthily drew the keen blade OF
the knife over the WithcS which secured
Ranger Ra ph tC the tree.
The next moment the lariat that held
the rangers form captive was also cut
Ranger Ralph was relieved of his
bands
"Don't move yet"
The scout started as his strange
friend uttcrc the words in low, eau
tiouS tone of voice.
"Darrcl Grcy!" he muttcred, in amaze
meat "IIow did you come hcre?"
"Never mind now, but act quickly.
These Indians are so drunk they VIII
not notice yOl Make no suspicious
move while talk with you, and warn
, me if any Of them seem to notice us or
como this way"
Darrel lay with bis back turned to the
! Indians, who we're perhaps ten feet dis
taut
} The old scout kept his eye upon them
and listened ntenty as Darrel resumed
the conversation in cautious tones.
"Tnerc is one way t. Cs'apc safely,
he said. "You must follow that"
@ "Whorc?"
] "To the east. Oncc across the river,
strike to the north and You are safe
from ambush, for the saVagcs are III
0 tending to move south and are camped
t in that direction.
"lIow did you come here this disguise
were you not afraid?"
0 81 risked it, and luck has favored me.
3, "You cannot long continue it" re-
+ marked the scout.
I "Why note"
"You cannot srcak word of the Mo
= do" language"
"That is why pretended to be intoX
i Gated"
. "You cannot keep up that pretense al
night
+ 81 cont expect to-"
b "Wnat then?"
@ "To find the girl ani escape with hcr
g "To-night."
= eyes"
@ Ranger Ralph looked scrioIS
The incxpcricAcc of his young friend
y he feared. would lead him into trouble
Y So far, however, Darrcl ha outrIVale.
l. himself in his tactics of dealing Will
q the Indians.
g 81 have marked ont a course OF &C
II tion." said Darrell, confidently, "and
eynrct to carry it ont successfully 1ol
G know what the red ficndS mediate?
It "Tnc attack on the cmigrant train?"
y eyes From what have heard, tie
IS intend moving at once The tran
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