Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-05-22
CHAPTER XXIv

Dick Brayton had been to the old hol-
low tree near the pasture bars for his
daily rations.
He had reached the bank of the creek
near which he had constructed a little
hut of boughs in an old tree top. Here
he had passed his nights quite comfort
ably since his enforced exile from civil
iZation.
AS he went down the bank he fancied
he heard peculiar sound behind him.
1t was peculiar because of its regularity
He stopped and listened.
He had heard something.
Splash, splash, splash!
The sound seemed to be coming nearer
as he listened.
1T can't be cow thought Dick. Its
too rapid for that. 1t can't be deer,
for ned go faster and stiller.'
He hid himself in clump of willows
and waited.
Splash. splash, splash!
Nearer and nearer came the sounds,
and presently he saw shadowy figures in
the dim light which sifted down through
the branches of the trees overhanging
the stream, which was here about fifteen
feet wide, and perhaps knee deep.
Horses, by all that's good!" exclaim-
ed Dick. Young fellow, there's mischief
in the wind / wonder if I've got on the
track of the horse thieves at last?'
By this time the horses were opposite
the place where he was hidden.
He gave a great start of surprise, and
could hardly repress the cry which rose
to his lips
For he recognized Nell and Dolly.
He could not distinguish the features
of the men who were riding the horses
the light through the branches being so
dim.
He waited until they had passed few
rods beyond his hiding place. Then he
left it and followed them cautiously
down the bank of the stream.
The Big Swamp's borders were four
or five miles from the road. As the land
became lower the creek widened and
deepened, and the banks gradually merg
ed themselves into Doggy fats. Thus.
at the junction of the swamp with the
hardwood land on either side of the
creek, there was nothing but miry soil.
with water standing in every hole. and
it was almost impossible for a man to
make his way through the tangled growth
or pushes over TINS lTedSHeIouS SeinDldHCe
of terra hrma.
The men stopped when the water deep
ened so that the horses legs were hidden
in il.
From behind clump of immense viii
lows growing in the bend of the stream
one of them showed out a raft construct
ed OF light cedar logs.
With some trouble they succeeded in
getting the horses upon it.
This done, they proceeded to pole il off
down stream toward the heart of the Big
Swamp.
There isn't any use of my going any
farther" thought Dick. Il know where
the gang keeps Itself. now, and I've found
out how it gets there. Its little strange
that no one has ever thought of their
wading down the creek till they reached
deep water. But it isn't so very strange,
after all. for nobody supposed il possible
for them to get horse into the Big
Swamp in any manner.
He sat down on a fallen cypress aud
thought over what il was best 10 do.
II think the best plan is to so directly
TO Mr. Boones," he decided. Il guess
/ can ger there without stretching hemp
| Ii won't take long To get a squad OF men
on the trail. | see how il all Is, now
| Wayne is leader of the gang. He hunts
M Jobs, aud lays the plans. and keeps
| the other fellows posted. What | found
| on the old cottonwood was his instruction
10 them after the stealing Of Deacon
Snyder's horses had hsen settled on. Its
| all as clear as daylight 10 me now.
hope NE san catch them. horses and all
II We can Won't il he a proud dag fol
me when I can stand rp before al
| Brownsville and say: ! I'm the man yoa
| wanted 10 hang Tor horse thief Now
| what have yoW GOT 10 say ahoGt IL
About mile from the road blum
| iutted onr from the south. forcing tbs
creek to make, an abrupt turn. Dick 10!
lowed i aroand this point. aud as b
| came 10 the open space on the other sid'
| Of Il. he found himself faee 10 face in ;hs
| dusl gray light &c breaking day with hat
| 4 dozen men with Bill Green AZ theii
head.
| There had been a difference af opinion
| on reaching the place where the erees
| crossed the read, and part % The msI
| had gone mp fhe creek s. the horse sseat
/ ers had planned for them. = %, ans
/ Biifs party had started toward the Bi.
/ Swami. on the correct superstition tia
| the upstream trail Was dodge = throw
| them Of the scent.
| They went Cp there ways, IA thes
came back in the water, an mile or tvs