Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-09-17

HoaD he had got so near us aCe did not
knOlC.
even football, on and on. At last, after
we had passed some likely places for
camp, I heard voice behind me. Was
it indeed my friend, who had found
speech at last? Yea, verify c. it,
Uptas, we must stop now, Where do
you wish to go?"--another oath. l felt
half tempted to give no reply, but re-
Tented and said All right, old fellow.
Well stop here. ;"
The ice was broken. and we lay down
after sultry conversation had taken
place. My friend declared he would
take the first opportunity to go back
and | did not demur to his proposition.
But we must first find the regular trail
and some Indian lodge or voyageur's
tent. We knew well enough that we
could best find such to the north of our
present position, and we determined to
strike for the chain of posts due north.
1t was q relief to have thus decided
We had gone some considerable dis
tance too far to the west, but by making
an angle to the northeast we should
strike the regular route to Fort 10
Crosse by Pelican lake. remember that
night as we were about to turn in and
were still discussing our pemmican at
the fire we suddenly saw standing close
to us the solitary and silent form of an
Indian. How he had got so near us we
did not know There he stood like an
apparition, so motionless and statuelike
was he. Not sound had escaped him,
not rustling of his snowshoes had be-
trayed him as he approached. Wrapped
in o blanket, with short bow in his
hand, he stood and gazed solemnly,
mournfully, as 1t seemed to me, at us.
We offered him some food, which he
took in his hand without gesture or
word. There might be others near us,
and I had not got used to the presence
Of such mysteriously appearing guests.
But there was no reason for suspect
ing him of any evil design He departed
soon into the darkness. We agreed to
keep watch by turns. but slumber over
came both of us and we saw and heard
no more Of our friend. Yet shall never
forget that suddenly appearing figure,
rooted apparently to the ground and
gazing down upon US, looking in the
freight like a carved figure or the
genius Of those wild steppelike lands.
knew now that should soon be alone
with such companions, for my friend
had made up his mind to abide no longer
than he could help in this wilderness.
AS went to sleep the scenes of my
journey arose again before me--the
turbid rush of the Red river; the low
banks cut in the rich soil; then the end
less expanse Of Lake Winnipeg; the
dreary fats and sedges and rapids at
the mouth of Saskatchewan, the wide
estuary Of that river gradually narrow.
ing as its sides became higher; the frs
ON the ridges; the stockades of Carlton
fort with the surrounding hills, otter
lit up vividly by the orange fires of the
Canadian sunsets; the recent weary
marches; the cold and yet the beauty o1
the snowy landscape; and / longed as
fell asleep for the murmuring shelter O
the pines, and resolved to hasten ou
march to the trail and the abodes o
the gallant pioneers Of the fur trade
whose camps we must find again a
soon as possible.
My newly reconciled friend was still
asleep by my side when ] awoke in tn
morning, and how the cold struck dow
on my head and between my shoulders
/ shivered and jumped up to STAN
about and get all ready fora start fc
now that we had settled to get quickl
to soiue place where We might fin
CA9ToRIA.
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