The Springfield herald., 1899-02-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Jack Hall claimed that right, and.
leaving his horse in charge of one OF
the troopers, he hunted about to try
to find some safe place where he could
make the descent. Presently he found
zig-zag path which had evidently
been worn by human feet. and which
appeared to lead directly down to
where he had observed the smoke.
BY careful maneuvering he arrived
nearly at the bottom of the gully, and
he paused to make sure that his re-
volver was In readiness. Silently he
drew 1t from its sheath and examined
1t. Then he gently continued his way.
avoiding every piece of dry wood that
lay in his path the cracking of which
might betray his presence.
At length the ground became less
thickly timbercd, and he felt sure that
he could not be far from the camp.
Straining his eyes, he could now dis
tinguish between the stems of the trees
roughly-built bark hut. 1t was not
above twenty yards from where he
stood, but the color of the bark made
1t difficult to discern.
1t was, as he surmised, no native en-
campment. There was chimney at
one end of it. which at once proclaimed
the inhabitants to be white men.
Lying down fiat upon the ground.
Jack Hall watched and listened.
Presently he heard voices. Then a
woman came out, and walked towards
a pile of firewood. Taking up a chop
per, she split some up and carried 1t
into the hut.
Then he heard more talking. but he
was unable to distinguish what was
said.
An hour passed, and the sun began to
get low. If anything was to be done
that night 1t must be done quickly; so,
creeping up on his hands and knees, he
at last regained his companions above.
Mot!oning to them to be silent, he
withdrew the party to some little dis
tance from the edge of the precipice
and then told them all that he had
seen.
There can be no doubt about It
they are there" he said. II did not go
up to Baynes' hut when 1t was
searched, and SO did not see the
woman; but you did. father. and from
what you told me / am certain 1t is
she"
Then the matter rests now entirely
with you, sergeant" remarked Mr..
Hall. You give your orders, and we
will do our best to carry them out"
Just so, sir" replied the trooper in
command. Then my orders are for
you all to spread out. Get down the
sides of the ravine as well together as
you can. Surround the hut and arrest
them at once. We have good hours
light left yet"
The eight men then proceeded to
tether their horses on the fiat, and,
having made them all safe, they each
selected spot at which to descend
They then disappeared amongst the
scrub.
Some ten minutes elapsed. Then a
cry broke the silence-it was the voice
OF William Luke.
Hurrying down rather more quickly
than his companions, he had seen one
of the occupants of the hut standing
near the doorway.
The slamming to OF door was
heard, and almost simultaneously the
trackers emerged upon the valley.
There was no further necessity for
silence, for their presence had been be-
trayed by Luke's exclamation of sur
prise.
1.-TWO remain in the rear" cried the
sergeant-"one on either side, and the
ut herg advorca with r,otv
The men who ran to the troopers
side were William Luke. Jack Hall and
Sullivan.
II call upon you in the Queens name
to surrender" cried the sergeant, as
he advanced.
Two puffs of white smoke from be-
tween the sheets of bark which formed
the walls OF the hut, followed by sharp
reports, were the only answers he re-
ceived.
(To be Continued)