Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-04-24
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;
The Waif Of the Western PrairieS.
DY WELDON J. COBB.
DY WELDON J. COBB.
CHAPTER XII.
INEZ.

When no had knocked the savage at
the river insensibe, he had boldly detcr-
m nod to assume III identity tempora'
rily, and penetrate to the camp of his
enemies.
3 The venture was peril us ono, but
1t seemed as fato favored its eXccu-
tion.
Darrell had soon dOnned the apparel of
the unconscious savage, and his war
pa Mt enabled him to finally present the
appearance of a genuine MOdOc warrior
q lie had stagge cd to spot where sew
rral sayageS were Guarreling over keg
of liquor, and amid the excitement OF
the hour, no one seemed to nOti him
Iarticu arly.
Several times he was addressed in the
Modcc language, but he fcigntd maud
lin drunkenness, and only responded
with few incchcrcnt muttCring'.
Thus it was that he entered the camp
where Ranger Ralph was a Dri: oncr.
His rescue of the cOut has already
been seen by the reader
So far he was entirely successful in
his movements; but Darrel saw that his
impoSture must sooner or later te dis
covered.
lie dill not, therefore, return to the
same band of Indians from whom he had
rescued Ranger Ralph
Instead, he wandered into the main
cncamprent and determined to locate,
if DO IS bic. the tent in which lnez Tracey
was held captive.
He found that q largo number of the
Indians and two of DeSpardS band had
gone south on the expedition against
tic cmigrantS.
1t was when near large tcat that the
sonnd of familiar tones awakened his
immediate attention.
Instantly he recognized one voice as
belonging to Dyke Desra d.
He was addressing his associate Vance,
and he asked:
"Then Danton and the others have
gomez"
"Yes," repliel Vance. "Thcy will at
tack the en- grant train, SEIZURE our
share OF the lOOty, meet the others of
the Land and come at once to Lone
Canyon.
Good. Now then, as to cur move
ments?"
"WeH?"
1--WE must leave here at once"
"For Lone CanyOn?"
"Yes."
"And the giri?'
"Get Trailing Fox to go to the wigwam
for her"
"Thcn will get tha horses ready"
"At the edge of the camp, yes The
Indians may tc suspicious if they find II
leaving them, but the Fox will a'd us, as
he is friendly to us"
"All right"
Darrell withdrew as Vance seemed
about to leave the tent
He knew that if he acted it must be
at once.
lie hurried in and out among the wig
vans, and at last paused befo c one OF
them.
1t was whore an Cd s .uaw sat before
o smOdering camp fire
GlanCing beyond her Darrcl saw tho
form OF woman lying on some buffalo
skins
at m st be Ine-," he murmured,
wonder if can pass the old squaw un'
Observed"
The latter was nodding drOwsily as he
stopped towar the tent. She reused in
stanty at his advance.
Immediately Darrell resumed his roc
of drunkenness lie had task of liz
nor in his pocket and this he EXTENDED
toward the woman She sci ed i
eagerly.
barrel muttered some incoheren
words about Shadow Snake. The sluav
seemed TO comprehend that the chic
had sent him to the place and did no
attempt to stop him as he wa kcd body
into the tent.
Upon the rude Indian couch lay Inc.
Tracey.
Her eyes werc wet with tears, her face
pale and alarmed. She started to hel
feet with a cry of terror as the pretend
ed drunken Indian approached her.
ugh, pale face come with mo-" he
uttered
She followed him from the place silent
lv, despairingly.
He led her, not toward the center o
the camp, bnt through its purlieuS, anX
ious to reach the open country beyond.
Every nerve thrilled with the intcns
est emotion aS he realized that the res
cue was nearly assured.
The Indians whom they met paid M
attention to them IOOr Inez, fearlnI
some new captivity, seemed about t.
faint away.
As she walked mn tcadily, Darrcl ap
preached her nearer.
COuragc."
She started at the fcrvcnt, unexpected
word.
"Walk straight on" ho breathed
hurriedy. awe are not yet sa
A half-supprcssel cry of Joy brok'
from the girls lips.
"Darrc Mr. Grey" she cried; ooh
can we eSCape?"
ayes, yes. Follow mo faster"
"StOD them"
The words came from behind then
and caused Inez to utter startled cry
Dalre seized her arm and made for
near thcket.
Coming toward them were Dcspard
Vance and several savages.
"Discovercd" cried Darrel, despair
ingly
Instantly he was surrounded
"What are YOU doing with that girl?
demanded DeSpard, grutlly.
"Egh Shadow Snakes orders, grunt
cd Darrel.
"a lie" shouted Desrard. "Here
Where is the Wolf? Tbs man is no In
dian, but spy. He stole the Wolf
identity, and is Spirting the girl away
Angry, menacing faces confronted tn
Young scout. One savage sprang before
him with an uplirtci tOmahawk.
Al q Ulanco Darrell GreV recognized
him. 1t was the Modoc warrior who's
garb he had stolen at the river a lev
hours previously. .........--.