Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-21
MICHAUD'S EXPLOIT.
BY FRANKLIN WELLEs cALKlNs.

but 'twon't do any good They know
about the beaver. Some fellow got
drunk at the fort, and let 1T out among
their friends or spies. They saw me
as | came by their camp, but didn't
let on to see them. They've got us
under close watch, and we've got 20
cave or fight-which?
"Me-I tink fight" said Michaud,
coolly.
Three to one is big Odds" said
Haze, obviously, land they'll just
simply watch for chance to shoot us,
ike the sneaks they are, when we stir
outside"
"All the same" replied Michaud, in
his slow, imperturbable way, me,
weel lot run till eet ees necessaire."
"You talk brave enough" said Fen
ton, doggedly ant doubtfully. Guess
I'll stay around here as long as you
will. Wen be served like two rats in
trap, that's all, but I'll stay just the
same"
The trappers apprehensions were,
indeed, well founded, as Michaud was
soon to discover. The attack came
sooner than they expected, and like
lightning stroke.
Fenton lay sleeping upon his blank
cts, while Michaud sat upon some
skins with his back against wall and
rifle across his knees. The Canadian
had removed a couple of boulders
which filed hollow under the logs
at his side, thus making a way of es-
cape, if escape should become neces-
sary. Primarily, however, he wanted
to listen, with his ear close to the
ground, for any sounds of stealthy ap-
proach.
But the attack did not come in that
manner. Michaud was aroused toward
morning by sudden rush of feet out
side, and instantly there was a crash
at the door. It's puncheon slabs
they had been pegged to crosspieces-
burst into the room, followed by
crowd OF dark figures tumbling in at
the opening.
Instantly Felix ducked into the hole
he had made under the logs, and was
outside in twinkling. So Haze was
the only rat found in the trap.
Michaud waited only long enough to
hear a short scuffle, and to know that
Fentohl had been secured and was be-
yond his present assistance; then he
sped away among the bush and rocks.
No one pursued, however, or came out
to look after him. If the outlaws
knew of his presence-and he felt sure
that Haze would not enlighten them
they did not consider his escape as
ln;,.
did not believe they would kill Fen
ton if they could in any way use him.
The Canadian posted himself upon
a height where he could overlook the
shack, and waited for daylight. There
was nc stir among the men until about
sunrise, when the whole party march
ed out. Haze Fenton among them,
! each man bearing a pack OF beaver
upon his shoulders. Michaud at once
| made an accurate guess at their plans.
| He waited until they were we'll out of
| sight and hearing, and then descended
| to the deserted cabin.
The marauders had taken nothing
| but the more valuable bales of beaver
and otter peltres, in packs of some 60
! pounds each. Michaud furnished him
self with a blanket, as much meat as
| he could easily carry, and lelsurely
set out upon their trail.
He had little difficulty in overtaking
them, loaded as they were. He was
very wary in his approach, watching
| them from cover and at distance.
AS the country was exceedingly rough,
he had not much trouble in keeping
! out Of sight Once he got the general
! direction Of their course. he had no
need to trail them.
They Travelled to the northeast, and
MicEaud knew they had come without
ponies. They were packing their booty
to the big lake OF the Yellowstone,
where they had canoes hidden. or If
not. could hew them out of logs. Once
on the great watercourse. they could
easily drop down to the Missouri and
sell their plunder for enough to give
each of them some six or eight hum
dred dollars.
All day Michaud followed, at one
time getting close enough to see that
Haze Fenton. with hands tied behind
him, was packed like a burro, his
| sturdy shoulders peHt uHdei 'He wight
that was strapped upon them. Micbaud
hoped for no greater success than TO
set the unwilling toiler free. To that
end he was ready TO incur any person.
al risk which did not involve obvious
foolhardiness. That night he watched
Vasquez's camp as an owl watches
the burrows Of whistling rabbits.
But the men slept in a row, with
their feet TO their campfire. Haze
lay in their midst. and a man. gun In
hand, stood guard. Evidently they
were running no unnecessary risks.
In the morning so near was Michaud
that he could hear the mems voices
as they cooked a breakfast of young
fool hens" which they had knocked
over the evening before. He could
see the grinning face of their black